===================== ===================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 3 Stardate: 2408.12.05 ===================== ===================== (Laatstekans Station - Talia Rangoon - Talia Rangoon - Day 3 - 2159) “Would you care to join me for dinner on my ship?" She thought about it. It would be dangerous, it was probably a trap but then ........ she liked danger. “Yes I would but not tonight I have things to … do. Maybe tomorrow night or the next?” (Reply Captain Rache, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Heart of Stone - Captain Justin Von Rache - Day 3 - 2200) “Yes I would but not tonight I have things to … do. Maybe tomorrow night or the next?” ~She doesn't trust me, and rightly so,~ Justin thought. ~Guess this is a loose end I will have to tie up some other time.~ "You will honor me with your presence. So long as we are here at the station you are a welcome guest on my ship. Just le me know when you can grace us with your presence." (Reply Rangoon, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* ========================== ========================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 4 Stardate: 2408.12.06 ========================== ========================== (USS Boudicca - QV - ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle - 0929) "If we're talking to ManyHorses," Maxon added," I'm not sure I'm the best one to do it. Last time I saw him, I didn't make a great impression. Although if you're working on the tricorder," he said to Anton, "that may fall to me. What do you think, Basil?" “Unsure what you did to ManyHorses but I guess not visiting him could make a worse impression. But if you don’t want to do I will. How about the two of you get to work on a … would we call it a quadcorder?” (Reply Maxon, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - aCEO Gesar - 0930) "If we're talking to ManyHorses," Maxon added," I'm not sure I'm the best one to do it. Last time I saw him, I didn't make a great impression. Although if you're working on the tricorder," he said to Anton, "that may fall to me. What do you think, Basil?" “Unsure what you did to ManyHorses but I guess not visiting him could make a worse impression. But if you don’t want to do I will. How about the two of you get to work on a … would we call it a quadcorder?” "Will come up with a name once we get it working," Anton c huckled. "I guess now is as good a time as any to get started." (Reply Maxon, Candle, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Laestekens Station - Admin - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1138) Shadow didn't know what the Captain was busy with, but she was very busy, soanything less than an urgent message on the command channel was coming to her first before she shuffled it off in the right direction. "My name is Kaldor Hexe, I need to speak to someone about a funeral" "I - " Shadow stared at the screen, "Whose?" (Reply Hexe) "Captain Rivers is unavailable at this time, if you could perhaps give me more detail I could direct your call where it belongs?" Shadow asked earnestly. (Reply Hexe, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Laestekens Station - Kaldor Hexe's Office - Kaldor Hexe - 1139) "Whose?" said the cat creature “Ferengis.” "Captain Rivers is unavailable at this time, if you could perhaps give me more detail I could direct your call where it belongs?" Shadow asked earnestly. “Ferengis have a special way of dealing with their dead, they vacuum seal them. The station doesn’t have the appropriate technology. Your ship has and I have been asked by the Ferengi’s relative to ask if the deceased can be dealt with properly.” (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (USS Boudicca - Admin - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1140) "Ferengis have a special way of dealing with their dead, they vacuum seal them. The station doesn't have the appropriate technology. Your ship has and I have been asked by the Ferengi's relative to ask if the deceased can be dealt with properly." Shadow had thought Ferengi centered their universes around profit, how did vacuum sealing a body get a profit? Unless they tied them from a branch and sold the chance to whack the body with a stick. The irrelevant thought would probably be considered blasphemous by most species, but Shadow didn't particularly believe the body was anything special after the life energy had left it. She'd been shocked by the options of what could be done with one's body when she'd joined Starfleet. She'd finally just blurted out "disintegration!" to stop the lists and explanations. "I am sure such can be arranged, that would be the CMO's department," Shadow said, answering the Captain, "Is there anything else you require before I transfer you?" (Reply Hexe) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Station - Hexe’s Office - Kaldor Hexe - 1140) "I am sure such can be arranged, that would be the CMO's department," the feline said, "Is there anything else you require before I transfer you?" “No … Yes Just a message for one of your crew a “ his eyes flickered up briefly, “a Many Horses - tell him careful where he pokes, next time, lest he upset a nest of vipers. Now patch me through” (Reply Shadow, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* ===================== ===================== Mission Going Dutch Day 5 Stardate 2408 12.07 ===================== ===================== (Laatstekans Station - Talia Rangoon - Day 5 - 1417) Talia looked down at the dripping body of the Ferengi, strapped tightly to the metallic seat. She licked the air tasting the fresh tang permeating the air. She looked over at the masked man slowly pulling the scalpel from the final wound on the body, savouring the feel and sound as it left the Ferengi’s corpse. She had made sure the Ferengi never made that rendezvous with that Starfleet ship. The idea had come to her later after realising that the information had not come to her intact. Who would have profited - who else? Ferengi, always Ferengi. It was the brothers that had used their contacts with to set up the Holo meeting, as that was their trade. It seemed natural that they would have kept something back to get more money. After the .. questioning from her doctor the screaming creature had revealed all, why, how and the secret, not so secret now, hiding place for the remaining data. The problem that she had now, after retrieving the data, was the make sure she removed any problem. The main problem was that Starfleet ship. She looked up at the questioner, “Froge I need you to do to make sure that Starfleet ship is disabled.” she ordered. “Froge removed the blood-soaked mask from his mouth, reluctantly pulling away from the body he towered over” “Similar to the Ragash?” “Yes”, she said savouring the deaths that were to come, “that will do just fine.” (posted by Warren Simkins) ======================== ======================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 6 Stardate: 2408.12.08 ======================== ======================== (Laatstekans Station - Talia Rangoon - Day 6 - 2319) The ship arrived on schedule, cruising to the spare arm on the station. Talia had watched it arrive then met up with the rest of her crew before they boarded. Froge had given her the nod that all was ready. She could see in each of their eyes the expectation of what was to come. Despite the Ferengi making things difficult they had what they came for - now was the time to use it. She gave the go ahead and the small crew left to board the awaiting ship. Her boss would be pleased with her progress. Being the last to leave she took one last look around, knowing that the next time she stepped back onto the station she would be rich beyond her wildest dreams. The treasure awaited. (posted by Warren Simkins) ======================== ======================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 7 Stardate: 2408.12.09 ======================== ======================== (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO's Office - ACEO Ens (Sg.) Anton Gesar - 0740) Anton was in his office reviewing the diagnostics schedule for the day. =/\= Ensign Maxon to Engineering. =/\= "Gesar here." =/\= We appear to have an animal problem in the bulkheads. I'm goingto take some scans and send you the information and coordinates. Will you be able to determine the extent of the damage?=/\= "I will assign someone to examine the... affected areas." =/\= Once I've assessed our ability to remove the problem, we'll be looking at clean-up and repair to the bulkheads. Sorry to drop this in your lap.=/\= "No problem, glad to be of service." (Reply from Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0744) Dav stood and looked around the room. "Hey. Where's all the furniture?" "AWOL as well. I checked the records, he'd had the furniture shipped out and replaced with holographic furniture. His energy expenditures were ridiculous. A BBQ on the hull with the EMH, an Orion dancing girl in QV, all sorts of silliness. But as to why all of it poofed? I'm hoping it's not because space-weevils ate part of the computer." "Between Science and Engineering, we have some excellent programmers on board. If Rameriz is in there, they'll find him, and personally I'd like to meet him." He picked up the tennis ball and muttered to himself. "Holographic furniture. Real tennis ball. Sounds like a character." He put it back on the floor and hoisted his scanner again. "I want to make sure we find out what happened to Rameriz. But my pressing concern is with holes being chewed or whatever through the framework of our ship. I've got these gadgets to find what it is -- Lt. Trei, if you don't mind, I'll do the wall scanning while you search the rooms." He didn't want to step on any toes, but figured he was better equipped than Lt. Lebranski to investigate the problem, and he wanted to save her from the task of poking her head in where wall-eating critters might roam. "Lieutenant," Dav said, turning to Denise. "Do you want to check with the computer backups to see if Rameriz is okay?" He didn't know the guy, but didn't want to find out that anything bad had happened to a member of the crew, artificial or not. (Reply Trei, Lebranski) (posted by Brian Barrett) ************ (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 0745) "Lieutenant," Dav said, turning to Denise. "Do you want to check with the computer backups to see if Rameriz is okay?" He didn't know the guy, but didn't want to find out that anything bad had happened to a member of the crew, artificial or not. "Can I accidently delete him if he is?" she muttered to herself before rolling her eyes to turn to the nearest computer panel. "And call me Denise, *please*. I was a nice, respected, enlisted personnel before I got shanghai'd into pips." (Reply Maxon, Trei) She ran through the logs, "Seems Mr Rameriz turned himself off," she looked as confused as she felt by that one. "Guess we have to turn him back on to find out why?" (Reply Maxon, Trei) (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 0747) Maxon went out the door to check the interior panels between his and Rameriz' quarters, but immediately popped his head back in the door first. "I think I meant Swiss cheese," he said. "I obviously don't know all the Earth cheeses that well." "I'm from New Orleans, I could give you a pretty good covering of good earth foods.. wine and cheeses included. But really, the good cheeses come from Ferenginar." (Reply Maxon, any) (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 0754) "Excuse me, Lieutenant? We have a problem, and if you don't mind my saying, your slender figure might be the solution." Denise turned from where she was trying to figure out how Rameriz had removed the plumbing to give Maxon a hairy eyeballed look. "My 'slender figure' huh?" (Reply Maxon) "Uh huh.. Lead on McDuff." She followed him back down the corridor. "Have you ever heard of a niffle? Cute little things, fuzzy. They're harmless and sweet, although they do eat metal. And there's one stuck in the wall, where I can't reach her. If you want, I can call someone else down here to crawl in after her, but I'm afraid the niffle will retreat further into the wall and we'll never rescue her." Denise sighed, "This is all karma for rescuing the bats from the belfry." She was about to add some more good natured gripes when she yelped and jumped back from the .. thing .. on the floor of the corridor. "Watch out for the Terzic devil," Maxon warned her belatedly, "That's what was chasing our poor niffle through the walls, trying to eat her." "Yeah, if that was chasing me I would have run too." She sniffed, "Well, at least it explains the mess on your uniform and.." she looked at the hole, "Oh you're kidding me! You want ME to.." she gestured at the slime infested tunnel. (reply Maxon, Trei) "Fiiine.." She shrugged out of her duty jacket and handed it to the scientist, "Just don't let THAT THING crawl back in and bite my ass, please." She shuddered and climbed into the tunnel eaten by the dreaded slime monster bitching the whole way. (Reply Maxon, Trei) Posted by Lorna) *********** (USS Boudicca - Terzic Tunnels - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 0758) The tunnel was gross, to say the least. But, it rather reminded her of when she was eleven and she and her brother had clambered around in the old sewer tunnels under the city. They were slimy, dark and still smelt of things best untalked about. She'd come home covered in ick and a mile-wide smile. She'd been grounded for a month once her mother realized there was no saving her clothes. Fairly unlikely that her uniform was going to be saved either considering the slime wasn't going very good things to the palms of her hands. She couldn't fit far down the tunnel, which was probably good, but the slime was obviously mixed with whatever acid the slug outside used to eat its way through the ship. "So you're the little guy I am here to rescue, why, those big stinky men couldn't just get a transporter lock on you and transport you elsewhere, I don't know," she talked in the sing-song voice she'd found worked well on nervous ensigns, horses and babies. "I don't suppose you eat Klingons do you?" she asked the niffle which was whirring softly. All she could see was palomino fur. "I know tribbles don't like grumpy Klingons. If you want to snack of Lieutenant Trei, just let me know. I'm supposed to see to the special dietary needs of all crew you know, and I'll get you knighted if.." She was fully aware that that the Klingon in question could probably hear her. She was teasing, kidding, but if he couldn't take a joke, well, it wasn't her fault. She was climbing around in slime, someone had to be the butt of her joke and she didn't know Maxon well enough.. or.. "Or maybe you'd like a nice tasty scientist for a snack? They're a bit stringy, forgetting to eat and things.." she reached out a hand that the niffle sniffed at. "Yeah, I can't say I'm real thrilled with the stench either." She told it, "BUT, its me or the slimy beauty out there." The niffle seemed to be trying to make up its mind, but Denise was never a particularly patient creature. She grabbed the niffle and tucked it to her stomach as she started backing out. The niffle let out a very irritated, high-pitched 'squirk!' "GAH!" Denise said, jerking up and whacking her head against the top of the tunnel, "SON OF A .." she chopped off the words and shook her head, "Gah." She repeated. "Maybe Klingons are right about the small, cute, and furry.. make delicious snacks!" (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 0807) She clambered out of the bulkhead one handed, carrying the niffle. She made sure to shake some of the goo from her pony tail on Maxon. (Reply Maxon, Treil) "Not a chance, Mr Maxon! I'm keeping little Ned here for myself. Someone responsible has to keep her out of trouble. You can have Captain Slimey." She gave him a wicked, naughty, smile. "I can try the whole 'give an order' thing out if you like!" (Reply Maxon, Trei) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0812) "No, no," Dav replied. "She's all yours if you want. You're the one who saved her." He reached out a hand to touch the top of the niffle's head. "You don't eat scientists, do you?" he asked in his puppy dog voice. "Just their PADDs, I'm sure." Denise said while the niffle made a strangely comforting whiffling-purr. "I can send you the file on her species. Just be sure to feed her lots of rocks and metal. I'll see if geology has some extra samples to share. No need to eat through the ship, now that no more nasty critters are chasing you, right?" Dav asked the niffle. "Hopefully, not." Denise said, eyes dancing. "Unless, of course, Captain Slimey had a wife and kids." Maxon, perhaps wisely, chose to ignore her sense of humour. "The Terzic devil must have been in overdrive trying to catch this sweetie. And with all those holes in the wall, it's no wonder the sound of Rameriz' tennis ball was echoing through. He did us a favor. If it hadn't been for the tennis ball, we wouldn't have uncovered Mr. Slimypants over here, and not only would he have done more damage to the ship, he might have caught up with Ned too." "I hear the cute and fuzzy like to find themselves Captain's chairs in times of need. I'm sure Ned would have found herself a nice Klingon or two to hide behind." "I'll let Gesar know to send a team up to repair this section. I know I told you I owe you a favor, Denise. Looks like I owe you a second one now." Denise snorted amusement in her typically unladylike manner, "I don't tend to keep track of favours for or from friends, but if you'll excuse me, I'd rather like a shower." (Reply Trei, Maxon) "C'mon Ned, well make you a nice bed of cotton fibres or something, since the only thing you didn't seem to eat up and either digest or spit out was cloth." She said to her new pet as she wandered towards her own quarters. One thing was for sure, at least Engineering would have something to keep them busy for the next few days, they'd been looking rather bored! (Reply Maxon, Trei, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0753) After a few minutes of scanning, Dav - along with the tricorder database - was able to narrow down the possibilities of what the culprit might be. There were few animals known to be comfortable inside the walls of Starfleet vessels. Although, what with the holes being chewed or burned through solid metal in a pattern that could only be described as frantic, he wasn't sure he would classify the creature as 'comfortable.' According to the computer's information, based on the size and range of holes, there were only two known possibilities. One of them wasn't that bad. He hoped it wasn't the other one. After a few minutes, Lt. Trei met him where Dav was still looking at a bulkhead, trying to match the hole patterns with records of past incidents. "Good to see you Maxon. What did you find out with your scans?" "It's good to see you too, sir, after the other night." He held out his tricorder so Trei could see what was on it. "According to the database, there are two possibilities here, but the information is conflicting. The Relakian niffle actually consumes inorganic materials, but the pattern of these holes doesn't match a niffle's habits. It's not a pest, and not known to aggressively eat its way through this much material. The Terzic devil is a nasty critter that burns slowly through walls, consuming the material as it goes. But to do this much damage, it would have had to be in here for months. "Coincidentally, the other thing a Terzic devil eats is niffles," he began to say, as suddenly, through a space between the walls, a creature appeared, a strange, legless animal the size of a large Terran house cat, oozing slime like a slug, with giant, staring yellow eyes. Dav jumped. "Lt. Trei," he whispered, while the creature stared back at them. "If you stun it on the lowest setting, we can take it to the lab without harming it." (reply Trei) With the Terzic devil stunned, Dav reached in to retrieve it. He could barely fit, the space between the walls was small, and he was a big guy. So was Trei, so he couldn't do it. Dav reached as far as he could, glad to have long arms, and extracted the stunned animal, the slime getting all over his hands and then the front of his uniform as he lifted it to him. ~If I'd known this was in the wall by my quarters, I wouldn't have *wanted* to sleep.~ As he backed out of the space, he heard something. A scraping sound, and a kind of mewling noise. He looked down to see if the devil had awakened, but it wasn't that. Something else was inside the wall. Putting the devil on the ground outside, he squeezed back into the space, only fitting from the waist up, and twisted to look through the random holes above him. There was something up there. Something fuzzy. Try as he might, he couldn't reach it. "Here, kitty?" Dav backed out of the crawl space again and told Lieutenant Trei, "This wasn't just one or the other. It was both. There's a niffle in there. And I can't reach it." (Reply Trei) "I think I know someone who can." Dav walked through Rameriz' quarters and found Denise. "Excuse me, Lieutenant? We have a problem, and if you don't mind my saying, your slender figure might be the solution." (reply Lebranski) As they went out to the corridor, he explained. "Have you ever heard of a niffle? Cute little things, fuzzy. They're harmless and sweet, although they do eat metal. And there's one stuck in the wall, where I can't reach her. If you want, I can call someone else down here to crawl in after her, but I'm afraid the niffle will retreat further into the wall and we'll never rescue her." (reply Lebranski) "Watch out for the Terzic devil," Dav warned as they came to where it lay on the floor. "That's what was chasing our poor niffle through the walls, trying to eat her." (Reply Lebranski, Trei) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ************ (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0746) "And call me Denise, *please*. I was a nice, respected, enlisted personnel before I got shanghai'd into pips." Dav felt compelled to do the thing where in response to being invited to call a person by their given name, one says 'okay, Lieute-- I mean, *Denise*!' and acts like the given name was already forgotten only seconds after being mentioned. But he withheld. "Okay, I will," he said with a smile, feeling glad to be on a first name basis with her. She ran through the logs, "Seems Mr Rameriz turned himself off," she said. Dav read her expression of confusion and commiserated. Why would the holo marine spend two nights throwing a real tennis ball at the wall, then clear his quarters and shut himself down? It made no sense at all. "Guess we have to turn him back on to find out why?" Denise said. "I don't know about you, but I'd rather find out what's eating through the ship first, before it does eat through his program." Dav grabbed his big scanner and turned it on to a satisfying hum. "Hopefully whatever's happening with Rameriz can still be resolved after we stop the ship from becoming Dutch cheese. I'll be in the corridor." He went out the door to check the interior panels between his and Rameriz' quarters, but immediately popped his head back in the door first. "I think I meant Swiss cheese," he said. "I obviously don't know all the Earth cheeses that well." (Reply Lebranski or Trei if you want) (posted by Brian Barrett) ************ (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0755) "Excuse me, Lieutenant? We have a problem, and if you don't mind my saying, your slender figure might be the solution." He immediately kicked himself. ~Gah! I called her Lieutenant! I should have done the calling-her-Denise-right-away thing. Repetition equals memory!~ Maybe it was because of the rest of what he had said that she didn't seem to notice what he called her. She gave him a look like he'd just sliced up a toothbrush and called it dinner. "My 'slender figure' huh?" He spread his hands wide in a placating gesture, to make it clear he had only said it that way for a laugh. "We have an animal in a small crawlspace, and neither Lt. Trei or myself will fit. I think you'd be able to reach it," he explained more rationally. "Uh huh.. Lead on McDuff." She followed him back down the corridor. He explained the situation more fully, and after she had seen the nasty Terzic devil, unconscious but looking creepier than ever, she agreed to go in after the niffle. "Oh you're kidding me! You want ME to.." she gestured at the slime infested tunnel. Dav looked apologetic. "If you wouldn't mind?" he said, as they rejoined Lt. Trei. "Good work Maxom. I am glad that you handled the situation. I am also glad the creature was not a tribble. As you might know, tribbles go ape crazy when around Klingons. OK Lebranski. Please bring that cute thing to safety." Dav agreed with Lt. Trei. "It is cute. Do it for the cuteness," he encouraged Denise. "Fiiine.." She shrugged out of her duty jacket and handed it to the scientist, "Just don't let THAT THING crawl back in and bite my ass, please." She shuddered and climbed into the tunnel eaten by the dreaded slime monster bitching the whole way. (posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca - Ramirez's Quarters - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0756) Detron saw the scans on Maxon's tricorder. Maxon informed Detron of the two possible creatures involved with this type of behavior. Detron nodded in agreement just when he saw a fuzzy creature producing slime. Detron hit it with a low stun phaser blast. Maxom reached in and placed the creature on the floor. There was another creature in there that looked like a cute furball. Maxon couldn't reach the fur ball he call a Niffle. He called Lebraski over to crawl in a and bring the Niffle out. "Good work Maxon. I am glad that you handled the situation. I am also glad the creature was not a tribble. As you might know, tribbles go ape crazy when around Klingons. OK Lebraski. Please bring that cute thing to safety." (Reply Lebraski, Maxon) (Posted by Edward) ************* (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0808) It had taken a few minutes for Denise to work her way into the tunnel and retrieve the niffle, but with only one loud thud and a couple near curses, she emerged victorious. Dav had been trying not to laugh as she joked about feeding Lt. Trei to the niffle. The lieutenant's fear of tribbles was funny, but understandable, considering their long history with the Klingons. Dav supposed a niffle wasn't that much different to a tribble in some ways, although they didn't breed so profusely, and they ate metal and rocks. Sort of a like a cross between a tribble and a tiny, much cuter Horta, he supposed. But until Denise emerged from the tunnel with the little bundle of squirking joy, he had never really seen one in the flesh. Or the fur. Before he could get a good look at it, Denise shook off some of the devil's slime and a few globs splashed Dav's face. ~Yuck!~ Then he saw the cute creature she was holding, and forgot about it. "She's adorable!" He held out his hands to take her. "Do you want me to hold her?" "Not a chance, Mr Maxon! I'm keeping little Ned here for myself. Someone responsible has to keep her out of trouble. You can have Captain Slimey." They all glanced at the Terzic devil and Dav couldn't help making a disgusted face. "I can try the whole 'give an order' thing out if you like!" Denise said. "No, no," Dav replied. "She's all yours if you want. You're the one who saved her." He reached out a hand to touch the top of the niffle's head. "You don't eat scientists, do you?" he asked in his puppy dog voice. (reply Lebranski, Trei if you want) "I can send you the file on her species. Just be sure to feed her lots of rocks and metal. I'll see if geology has some extra samples to share. No need to eat through the ship, now that no more nasty critters are chasing you, right?" Dav asked the niffle. (Reply Lebranski) "The Terzic devil must have been in overdrive trying to catch this sweetie. And with all those holes in the wall, it's no wonder the sound of Rameriz' tennis ball was echoing through. He did us a favor. If it hadn't been for the tennis ball, we wouldn't have uncovered Mr. Slimypants over here, and not only would he have done more damage to the ship, he might have caught up with Ned too." (Reply Lebranski, Trei) "I'll let Gesar know to send a team up to repair this section. I know I told you I owe you a favor, Denise. Looks like I owe you a second one now." (Reply Lebranski, Trei) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca - Corridor outside Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0813) "I don't tend to keep track of favours for or from friends, but if you'll excuse me, I'd rather like a shower." "Yeah, I hated to say, but you've got a little something..." Dav joked, making a motion with his finger to indicate there was something on her face. "Thanks again for climbing in there, I know it was disgusting." "C'mon Ned, well make you a nice bed of cotton fibres or something, since the only thing you didn't seem to eat up and either digest or spit out was cloth." Denise and her pet niffle disappeared down the corridor. "Thank you, Lieutenant," he told Trei. "Now it's up to engineering, but at least the problem was isolated to this one area. And all that's left for me," he said, turning to the disgusting but unconscious Terzic devil, "is to find you a home. Come on, Captain Slimypants," Dav said, lifting the oozing creature to him. "Just don't eat through my uniform on the way," he told it. "And don't open your eyes. They're creepy." With a nod to Lt. Trei, Dav made his way down the hallway, looking down at his blob-like cargo. He shuddered. "Creepy." (Reply Trei) (Posted by Brian Barrett) *********** (USS Boudicca - Admin - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1539) With Shadow away, Denise had taken over all the command Yeoman's duties. It wasn't like she didn't know the job and there wasn't exactly a whole lot to be done while the ship sat sedately at dock. She processed, forwarded, okayed, stamped, rejected and filed. Really, a job she could in her sleep; she'd probably done half the training that way. The enlisted training started at Oh-God-Hundred each morning. She wasn't thrown out of her seat when the ship bucked, but she had to catch herself from planting her forehead into her terminal. "What the hell?" she growled as every klaxon on the deck seemed to be doing it's best to out-warn its neighbor. Had some ship just hit them? "What the hell happened?" Denise asked as she tapped into Operations' board on the bridge. Apparently that brought her to the attention of CPO Beck and her comm. badge chimed. =/\= Lieutenant Lebranski? Can you take over the bridge station? =/\= "Why me?" she asked with some exasperation. He was more than happy to inform her she was the ranking member of Operations on board. It seemed Kit was on leave after several days of double-back shifts. "Bloody hell." She growled, told Beck she was on her way launching herself over Shadow's desk and got her butt to the bridge with amazing velocity for anyone who hadn't seen her operating in red alert conditions. (posted by Lorna) ************* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – ACEO Ens. (Sg.) Gesar - Day 7 – 1540) Anton was sitting on the Bridge at the Engineering station. There were a lot of diagnostics being performed throughout the ship and it was easier to monitor it all from the Bridge. All of a sudden alarms began to flash at this station, power fluctuations throughout the ships were popping up on his screens. The FO jumped up out of her chair "What the hell just happened?" =/\= Red Alert! Bridge, Engineering. This is Ensign Enright… we have an explosion and fire in Engineering! Multiple casualties! We need security, medical teams, and damage control teams! Urgent! I repeat, Bridge, we have an explosion and fires in Engineering!=/\= The FO let out another thunderous Klingon profanity and slapped her commbadge. "Commander 'cha Nooras acknowledging, Ensign Enright. Help is on its way! Sickbay send your emergency teams to Engineering STAT. Lieutenant Trei get your security teams there right away, there has been a massive explosion, you will also have to thoroughly search the ship for any further explosive devices!!" =/\= Jahlen responding,=/\= Came the immediate reply, =/\= Our teams are on their way! =/\= "Silence those curs-ed klaxons! OPs get those damage control teams moving, have them take extra fire extinguishers. All shore leave is now cancelled, recall any crew aboard the station and when they're all aboard then *nobody* is to allowed *on* or *off* the ship until further orders, also inform the station security what has happened and that our ship will shortly be off limits." "Mister Gesar you have the Bridge, I'm going down to Engineering to see firsthand what's happened, inform the Captain what's going on and tell her everything is under control." Anton punched a few buttons and the alarms shut off, he turned just in time to see the FO exit the bridge. ~Damnit, I was going to suggest I should go since it is Engineering.~ Anton realized how much he hated the fact that he was sitting here waiting to find out what happened. He tapped his commbadge "Gesar to Captain Rivers...." (Reply Any) (Posted by Oleg) ********* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1543) She dismissed Chief Petty Officer Beck to reroute powerlines. Damage controlwas engineering, not Ops. Ops was organization, software and gear. Repair, maintenance, and blowing stuff up was engineering. But she supposed, since engineering had apparently just blown itself sky high, they were next in line to take the slack. Security would be busy searching for whatever was the cause of the explosion and trying to keep people sane. Anyway, it wasn't like she wasn't the ship's best organizer, she was perfectly able to snag people as their comm. badges registered them back on ship and send them where they were needed. She knew where all the emergency gear was stacked. She could power up the emergency sickbays. She could get those with medic training to where they needed to be. Damage control though? From the reports she was hearing damage control would be blast engineering out of the ship and rebuild it from scratch. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) *********** (Runabout Lorimar - Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1547) Ayslin retorted that she'd like nothing better than for Parr to shoot something but she couldn't get the location for him as her signal was being scrambled. All she could tell him was that it was in the South Western quarter of the smallest continent, but that the location of the scan seemed to be randomly moving and that sometimes she was getting multiple sources. She sounded annoyed and with good reason as far as Parr was concerned, but then she suggested that a probe be launched with sensor and flight logs, back along their approach path towards the Boudicca, just in case what was attacking them was also interfering with their communications. "We do have probes, don't we?" Ayslin asked. "We have probes," Shadow replied before Parr could. "Several in fact." Parrr'Z interjected having just checked the manifests. Shadow wanted to know why they wanted to take aggressive action and pointed out that they had scanned and been scanned in return, which had overloaded the shields, yes, and caused other adverse reactions, but she didn't think that was the actions of a hostile people or planet. "If they were hostile, would they not have fired weapons or launched missiles?" "Good point," Parr conceded with a nod, "but that would be for our second officer to determine." But he was certain that Lorimar would agree with Shadow and as it turned out, he was correct. “Sir,” interjected Selek, “Warp Drive offline. Impulse engines offline. Maneuvering thrusters non-responsive. Attempting to bypass through auxiliary systems.” Lorimar muttered something about good news and then half turned and shouted toward the aft compartment. “Mister Candle how are things back there?” (Reply Candle) The 2O leaped from his chair and popped open several access panels. The stench that erupted from them made Parrr'Z's stomach heave, he thought he was going to lose his lunch but managed to bring the nausea under control. It wouldn't do to add to the stench. ~ What is that awful smell? ~ He thought, beginning to mouth breath in order not to smell it so well. Leaving the panels open, Lorimar returned to his console. “Selek, keep trying on yer end. Ah’m rigging a manual bypass but it will take some time. In the meantime can ye dae anything tae stabilize our flight path?” "We are carrying insufficient velocity to escape the planet’s gravitational pull. Attempting to orbit.” Came the reply from the Vulcan. A reply that was apparently not to the 2O's liking, judging by the look on his face. ~ One thing about the furless, ~ Parr thought, having acquired Shadows description of them as it was very suitable one. ~ Most of their feelings show so well on their faces, apart from the Vulcans who don't seem to have any. ~ Stretching upwards, the 2O started opening several panels in the overhead, speaking as he did so, telling Ayslin to belay his last order and use her sensors to find a spot to land in case it became necessary. The Caitian's furry ears perked at that, it looked highly likely that he may yet get a good look at the jungle planet close up after all; perhaps he'd even get a chance to go hunting and catch some decent fresh meat for supper. He licked his fangs almost tasting the rich, hot blood. It was nice to dream. "Bob, I hope you don't mind if I call you Bob at the moment," Ayslin replied and went on to ask if he wanted the runabout as close as she could figure to the source of the scans or as far away as possible and made some further comments about the pros and cons of meeting whoever could thrash them with a simple scan. Parr was a little taken aback by her informality towards the 2O but Lorimar didn't seem particularly bothered about it. ~ These furless are so hard to understand some times. He was drawn from his thoughts of a good hunt and hot blood by Lieutenant Lorimar ordering him to launch a probe back along their flight path, configured as a recorder marker once the flight recorder data was uploaded. "Aye Sir." He responded, watching the upload begin on his console and it's steady progress as it quickly completed the task. While Lorimar was busy doing engineer magic or at least attempting too, he told Shadow that he agreed with her about hostile actions and that they wouldn't fire unless fired upon. ".....Assuming we have any working weapons tae fire with…” ~ If they harm Shadow I won't need weapons! I will hunt them down with claws and fangs! ~ The thought of his lady love being harmed made Parr's fur bristle with outrage. Seeing that the upload had finished, Parrr'Z completed the configuration of the probe and with a flick of a claw tip, sent it hurtling into space. "Probe away." The felinoid informed everyone as the 2O answered Ayslin's question. "Safety o' the landing areas bein' equal, as close as possible, really. We may need their help, an ah dinnae fancy a long walk in the jungle, aye?" With a rumbling purr, Parrr'Z couldn't help replying, his r's rolling a lot more than normal. "Ohhh!!! A long walk in the jungle would be marrrrrrrvelous." (Reply Rel, Any) "Sir," Selek chirped, "We will need those coordinates immediately. Unable to stabilize our trajectory. We will enter the planet's exosphere in thirty one point eight seconds." Bob grimaced with that report, stopped what he was doing and leaned over his engineering console, whereupon he started talking very rapidly, the words coming out in a rush so that Parr had a hard time to understand him. "Rel, double time on those landin' coordinates. Not sayin' we can hit them but gie Selek somethin' tae aim for! Shadow, go aft and find oot what in Blazes is keepin' Candle, and report back fast. Mister Parrr'z, ah need yer help. There's nae software for it, and we dinnae model a near total failure and then an atmospheric entry. Ah'm goin' tae divert every bit o' power ah can find tae the shields. Absent any maneuverin' control or engine power, ye and Selek are goin' tae make a sort of airfoil... 'virtual wings' if ye will, and try tae steer oor descent path if ye can... head for the coordinates Rel is goin' tae feed ye. Ayslin... if ye hae any sensors still workin', try computin' a flight path through the least turbulent areas of the atmosphere. Ah'll be stealin' power from the inertial dampers as needed... so this is going tae be a mighty rough ride. If anyone has any better ideas, speak up now!" ~ Wings using the shields? Why that's..... ~ A big cat grin spread over Parrr'Z's face. "Why Sir, you are pure genius, I believe it can be done." Quickly the felinoid began entering commands to the shield modulators, programming them to form a shield around the runabout that resembled a sharply flattened oval, the outer points of each end protruding significantly on either side of the little craft. "Shields are in place, Sir and holding." He just had time to say before the runabout began to buck wildly and he found it necessary to hang on tight, sinking the claws of his feet into the coarse carpeting beneath him. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 7 - 1548) Lorimar was dying. Basil was sure as soon as he entered the aft compartment. A cascade of power had erupted throughout the shuttles systems causing massive amounts of damage. The compartment lights were off a flickering orange lit the far end as a fire raged threatening more damage. Armed with the extinguisher Basil approached the fire, feeling the heat seep into him. He sprayed the fire trying to control it as best he can wishing the thoughts of what an uncontrolled fire on a ship can do out of his head. The flames licked at him, almost as if tentatively reaching out to grab him. His commbadge came alive with the voice of the Chief engineer but he ignored it - keeping the fire contained needed all his concentration. As he continued he could feel the heat getting to him, that and the fumes from whatever the fire was consuming. Part of his brain acknowledged a need for a medical check if they managed to get out of this, for whatever he was inhaling he was sure it was not good. His mind was focussed on the flames that he had no time for anything else. He was a little woozy from the effort and smoke and it was probably the latter that had slowed his brain slightly that he didn’t realise that the fire was out. It was also the smoke that had muddled his senses because once he saw the fire diminish he also noticed that the ship was descending … no plummeting. ~We’re not going to make it, not with this damage~ Quickly he scanned over the ruined internal workings of the shuttle. A lot of the bio gel pack were ruined, leaking gel either from the surge or the fire. Wiring was torn, burnt or melted but Basil could see that there was still power but not to where it need to go. The ship lurched, he could feel it fighting the elements outside and the pilot. ~Stabilisers, we need to stabilise this thing but the powers not getting to it properly~ Basil didn’t have time for subtlety, grabbing the partition where the wires were that he needed he pulled. Metal wrenched but gave, as Basil pulled the wires further into the centre of compartment. Smoke hung heavy in the air and Basil coughed as he pulled. The ship lurched again, shaking more this time as if they had entered ~Atmosphere!!!! Asteroids on my butt were are going to crash!~ Basil leapt to the other side of the room pulling at a panel, partly bent away from the wall but it would not give. Basil kicked the panel hard but again refused stubbornly to move “Dammit! Not now “ he said to the room. He needed a lever. “Fire extinguisher” he said aloud. Grabbing it he turned back to the panel and forced whatever he could into gap made by the bent metal. He just hoped that there was enough left inside. He found a sharp piece of metal and hit the end, sticking from the gap. He hit the end again and again then suddenly he heard the sound he needed. He quickly moved to the far side of the room and crouched. The extinguisher exploded from the end forcing the metallic panel away from the wall. Quickly he grabbed the wires he needed and pulled from the wall towards the others awaiting in the centre. Grabbing the two he shoved the wires exposed ends fusing them together. Power flowed swiftly between the wires but also a discharge from other areas. Basil dropped the wired swiftly but the discharge still knocked him back. (posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Laataskens Station – Holosuite – SPC Lt. Cmdr. Durand – 1550) As he hung suspended from his outstretched arms, the perspiration drenched climber felt a cooling breeze wafting across his body. His look of full concentration concealed a mind completely at peace. He enjoyed few things more than an exhilarating climb. He knew that he wasn’t contending with real granite, but rather an amalgam of photons and forcefields. Still and all, his mind told him it was real; outside considerations fell away and he was focused completely on his climb. Muscles contracted, tendons and ligaments functioned as intended and he pulled himself up by brute strength and force of will until he could swing his legs to the next foothold. Nearly forty minutes into the climb, he was ready for a short rest. The ledge above should do nicely, he thought. He carefully straightened his legs and pulled with his arms, working up to the next toehold where he worked first his right, then his left feet into the tiny crevice. A few moments later, he was safely perched atop a narrow ledge, his legs swinging over the edge as he looked down on the vista below. He gazed out across the Valley of Chula, on the planet Romulus. He had never actually climbed this mountain, but idly dreamed that he someday might. Running his fingers absently through his unkempt hair he left traces of climber’s chalk which accentuated the streaks of gray in his brown mane. He took the opportunity to stretch the muscles in his back, feeling the rivulets of perspiration drying in the wind even as they ran down his chest. ~Will I ever get here? More importantly… *how* did I get *here*? I should have had my own ship by now. Stupidity sunk that, Al, didn’t it?~ He was not a person to dwell on the past, but rather always looked forward. ‘Learn from the past and look to the future,’ his mother always said. ~So here I am… killing time in a holosuite on this civilian station… in the middle of a nowhere sector… waiting for transport.~ He was, in fact, between assignments. He had left his prior post when his probation ended, and was standing by for transport to his next billet as tactical officer/second officer aboard the USS Honolulu. BuPERS had last told him a warp shuttle was due within a week, and he had already been cooling his heels for three days. Never one to hang around doing nothing, and certainly not a liberty hound, he was already getting frustrated with the wait. The climb was helping him relieve some stress. That is, until the arch opened and the station security officer glanced up at him and waved. The finely crafted illusion of the Valley was instantly spoiled by the security guard’s entry; he seemed to be ‘standing’ in mid air several meters from the cliff face. Before Durand could open his mouth to complain about the intrusion, the uniformed guard addressed him. “Pardon the intrusion Mister Durand, I know you booked the suite privately… the station operations center ordered me to interrupt your session. You have a message… an official and urgent one.” All traces of irritation replaced with open curiosity, he pushed off from the ledge, and using the guard as a reference point landed adroitly on his feet. “Computer, end program.” The standard blank hologrid replaced the beauty of Romulus as Durand followed the guard out the arch. (posted by Russ) *********** (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1550) With a rumbling purr, Parrr'Z couldn't help replying, his r's rolling a lot more than normal. "Ohhh!!! A long walk in the jungle would be marrrrrrrvelous." Having finished packing and stowing she cuffed Parrr'Z with her tail and hissed in his ear, "A long walk with the furless with only you and I the experienced with such walks.. and in my experience I had at *least* one death each Walk!" (reply Parrr'Z the Abused) Shadow turned from the "fun" in the cockpit and headed into the back, "Doctor Vampire?" she called, trying humour in a stressed situation, "Chief Bob is needing you." (Reply Candle, Parrr'Z, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Heart of Stone - Bridge - Justin Von Rache - Day 7 - 1550) Justin looked around at the crew on the Bridge. Somehow no one looked rested, despite the fact that they were supposed to be resting on the station. No one questioned Grak's disappearance and Brinn was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. They had entered warp on their way away from the station a little while ago and were on their way to their next destination. The next deal. The visit to the station was bittersweet. It brought up feelings he thought were buried deep inside. It had been years since he questioned what he was doing and now he was back in that space where everything seemed so.....wrong. "Captain," He thoughts were interrupted. "What is it?" "We were passing a planet and sensors picked up what appeared to be a shuttle. Possibly starfleet though it did not match any known configurations. It looked like they had launched a probe with an emergency beacon." "So... let Starfleet handle it." "That's the thing Captain, we are still close enough to pick up communication chatter from the station and it seems that there was an explosion on the federation ship." Justin walked up to the station where Simon was sitting. He tried not to show concern, that would give something away that must stay hidden. He approached slowly as if only curious about what is going on. He reviewed the information and data on the screen. "Should we assist sir?" "I didn't take you for the humanitarian type Simon." He was baiting him. Was this some kind of test? Did he suspect something? Simon did not answer, just waited as he looked at him. "I'm no humanitarian either," Justin finally spoke. "However, a stafleet captain that owes you for saving some of his or her crew, that is worth something. Helm, change course and head for the starfleet vessel." "Which one?" Justin walked up to the helmsman and looked at him angrily. "The one about to crash," he said with an exasperated tone and hoped it was believable. (Reply Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - 1550.5) With a rumbling purr, Parrr'Z couldn't help replying to the 2O's negative remark to a possible walk in the jungle, his r's rolling a lot more than normal. "Ohhh!!! A long walk in the jungle would be marrrrrrrvelous." He certainly wasn't expecting the sudden smack he got from Shadow's mighty tail or her hiss in his ear. "A long walk with the furless with only you and I the experienced with such walks.. and in my experience I had at *least* one death each Walk!" ~ Oh if only I could do that with my tail! ~ Parr thought, not that he'd ever hit Shadow with it, a gentle-male didn't raise paw or claw to a weaker female unless she was about to kill him. Though he'd often wished he wasn't so principaled when she was having a hissy fit at him for being over-protective, and had often fantasized about giving her a good spanking when she acted like a bratty teenager. It was nice to dream. "I was thinking how delightful it would be for you and I to go hunting in the jungle, a real live jungle instead of a holodeck one." He told her by way of excusing his remark. Shadow turned and headed into the back calling for the elusive Ensign Candle who seemed to have been gone quite a long time, ~ perhaps, ~ Parr thought, ~ he's lying unconscious back there! ~ Though he couldn't imagine why he would be. He went back to dreaming about a long walk in the jungle. (Reply Candle, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1551) "Personally I'd like to meet the folks who are scanning us, hand them the bill for the repairs personally, but then I see the wisdom in never laying eyes on anyone who can thrash us like this with a simple sensor scan, and not notice they're tearing us apart. It's your call Boss." ~Of course it's his call, he is the boss.~ Shadow thought with a swipe of her tail as she clambered under the console she'd been using for communications. Claws made it unnecessary to find tools to remove the access panel with. ~And it could be an automated scan. The whole civilization could be dead. They could be scrambling a rescue team. *We* don't have scans, how could we tell? Why do the furless always see the worst and grab weapons?~ That wasn't fair and she knew it, Parrr'Z was furred and he'd go for the throat if he could. Chief Bob was furless and he was advocating peace. She almost wished she'd just stayed on Sivao. Memory accessed provided what the emergency override networking *should* look like, and she was *pretty* sure the mess she connected looked the same, but she really wasn't a technician. She crawled out from under the console and tried to send the distress signal. She wasn't too sure if it was getting anywhere, so she also launched the distress beacon that would blip at their location. Then she launched the info-probe back towards the Boudicca. It contained their status report, their logs so far and location. Of course, it was sub-light so it would probably take a while to get there. She was pretty sure the helmsmen could tell her how long down to the second, but it would be entirely too depressing to know. Instead she decided it was probably best to secure as much as possible and prepare for a bumpy landing. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - a2O/CEO & NPC Ensign Selek - 1553) Lorimar had noted with satisfaction the slight shudder as the probe launcher did its work. ~At least somethin' is still workin',~ he thought with annoyance. Recorder marker away, he kept feverishly trying to set up a bypass and restore some semblance of manual flight control. If he didn't succeed... Rel's question brought him from engineer to mission commander in a single phrase: 'It's your call,' she had said. Fortunately that was a simple decision. He answered without sparing her a glance; he was fully occupied trying to finish his work. "Safety o' the landing areas bein' equal, as close as possible, really. We may need their help, an ah dinnae fancy a long walk in the jungle, aye?" (Reply Rel, Any) "Sir," Selek began, "We will need those coordinates immediately. Unable to stabilize our trajectory. We will enter the planet's exosphere in thirty one point eight seconds." Bob grimaced with that report and all it implied. They were running very quickly out of time. He stopped what he was doing and leaned over his engineering console, getting a rapid updated status report. He needed to know *exactly* what systems were, and were not, functioning. His mind raced as he played the controls as fast as he could. ~Ye are in command ye bleedin' fool! This crew is goin' tae die if ye dinnae think o' somethin' fast!!!~ He didn't even have time to hope that his particular something would work... he began speaking very rapidly, the words coming out in a near desperate rush. "Rel, double time on those landin' coordinates. Not sayin' we can hit them but gie Selek somethin' tae aim for! Shadow, go aft and find oot what in Blazes is keepin' Candle, and report back fast. Mister Parrr'z, ah need yer help. There's nae software for it, and we dinnae model a near total failure and then an atmospheric entry. Ah'm goin' tae divert every bit o' power ah can find tae the shields. Absent any maneuverin' control or engine power, ye and Selek are goin' tae make a sort of airfoil... 'virtual wings' if ye will, and try tae steer oor descent path if ye can... head for the coordinates Rel is goin' tae feed ye. Ayslin... if ye hae any sensors still workin', try computin' a flight path through the least turbulent areas of the atmosphere. Ah'll be stealin' power from the inertial dampers as needed... so this is going tae be a mighty rough ride. If anyone has any better ideas, speak up now!" (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ******** (Runabout Lorimar - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 7 - 1555) He was stunned and was sure someone was trying to contact him. Muggily he shook off the hazy stunned feeling, tasting metal on his tongue when he heard a purring sound approaching. "Doctor Vampire? Chief Bob is needing you." It was Shadow. Basil coughed again and stood up, the shuttle had stopped moving. “Sir? That you sir? Anyone injured?” (Reply Shadow, more if you want) Basil left the shuttle to see the rest of the crew outside. There were sounds of, what Basil considered, birds wheeling away cawing probably telling their brethren of the interlopers in their territory. Either that or that cats are amongst them. “Chief what’s our status?” (Reply Lorimar, away team, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1555) "So you are actually telling me that you think that Petty Officer Smidden was the source of the explosion?" Enright looked back toward the CEO's office and ran her fingers absently through her hair as she replied. “Commander, to be frank I’ve had damage control on my mind exclusively so far. But thinking about it… I would have to say yes. Not definitively until we investigate… but the whole reactor system was shut down… we didn’t even have diagnostic power flow running through the console or the processor. Charlie – Petty Officer Smidden that is, and I were just discussing what we were going to do in terms of calibrations and preventive maintenance. I was in the CEO’s office when the blast occurred… otherwise I’d be… well… I wouldn’t be here talking with you ma’am.” The shock of the whole event suddenly seemed to hit the young woman and her face turned ashen as she reached out to a piece of equipment to steady herself. Dorga instinctively reached out a hand to steady her too and placed an arm about her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her as well as hold her up. "I know how distressing this is for you, from how you talk of PO Smidden I assume he was a friend of yours, and you must also be suffering from shock. I am sorry to be asking you these questions but I'm afraid I must." She gave Enright's shoulder a squeeze. "The time to grieve is later." Now Dorga was thinking aloud as she tried to make sense of what the ensign had just told her. "This is quite puzzling....Why would he blow himself up with the bomb too? And how did he manage to smuggle it into the ship without sounding an alarm? Perhaps it was already aboard, but then why didn't the security scans find it?" Every question seemed to just create more questions. "He wasn't depressed or displaying a change in behavior or character was he or voiced any discontent with any co-workers of command staff?" ~ And there's not even enough left of him to autopsy, perhaps that might shed some light on why this happened. ~ "Chief." She addressed Krolar as he wheeled back to them, "I want Smiddens remains that can be positively identified as his - if any, to be processed by our medical staff. Have some of your people work with security and medical to sift through the organic matter with this goal in mind once the area has been cleared of casualties." She gave a grimace, "I know it's a nasty task but it has to be cleaned up anyway, and if it will shed some light on what happened it will be well worth it." (reply Krolar, any) Now that most of her immediate questions had been answered Dorga was prepared to roll up her sleeves and help out with the clean up and was about to do so when she received a message from the Bridge to return immediately. They thought they had just received an urgent message from the Runabout Lorimar but it was broken and garbled. (Reply Enright, Krolar, any) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca – Engineering – Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 7 – 1556) "Chief." She addressed Krolar as he wheeled back to them, "I want Smiddens remains that can be positively identified as his - if any, to be processed by our medical staff. Have some of your people work with security and medical to sift through the organic matter with this goal in mind once the area has been cleared of casualties." She gave a grimace, "I know it's a nasty task but it has to be cleaned up anyway, and if it will shed some light on what happened it will be well worth it." "I'll put a team on it with the medicos, when they're done, Ma'am," Laurence said, coming in at the end of the conversation between the commander and Ensign Enright. She didn't look too well, and Laurence stood up out of his chair and exerted as much force as he could with just his right arm and pushed her down onto the chair. "Last thing we need is you taking a header, Ma'am," he said looking at the Ensign. "My head is significantly harder than yours, it can take the fall. Besides, I'm going to go snag a medic, I think there are enough here by now to set my arm, or at least take the other sleeve off, I look like a fool with just one sleeve. With your permission, Ma'am," Laurence said looking at each of his superior officers. (Reply Cha'Nooras, Enright iyw) Laurence moved off a little unsteadily at first but found his legs. The room was flooded with medics at this point, nurses and doctors moving between wounded. He quickly found a nurse, he didn't need a doctor, just someone to set his arm and get him on his way. "You really should go to sickbay, Chief." the Nurse said, fully aware that he probably wouldn't go. "Can you fix the arm here, I need to stay and help." Laurence said, wishing he could cross his arms. "I can set the bone and sterilize and close the wound, but it needs to be looked at, and you've lost enough blood that I want you to spend the night at sickbay." The nurse said. "What if you fix it here, and I promise to come to sick bay after I'm done here? You can poke and prod all you want, but I've got to get this place organized." Laurence said. "If you don't, I'll track you down," The nurse said, but she agreed in the end and took Laurence off to one side and opened her kit. He managed not to faint or scream when she set his arm and he took that as a blessing for the amount of pain he did feel. She gave him a shot of a drug to help stimulate his red blood cell production, and healed the fracture and closed the wound. She gave him something for the pain, a stern lecture and look that could kill, if not worse. He had his arm in a sling by the time he walked back out onto the floor, PADD in hand as he surveyed the damage. "T'lon, G'dak, I need you to work with Medical and security in processing the scene, including the remains," he said grabbing two of his Vulcan Petty Officers, hoping they'd handle the gory details better than the others. "Petty Officer Grigs, Front and center!" Laurence yelled, quickly getting the Bolian's attention, who came rushing over. "Report, please." "We've got damage to most of the plasma conduits immediately behind the blast zone, we've rerouted through auxiliary conduits beta 2 through beta 6, same with the ODN relays. Basically anything that runs behind that wall needs to be replaced rewired, and recalibrated. On the warp core side of things, Chief Dessen and his teams are swarming the warp core checking the antimatter injectors at the moment, he said he wants to talk to you when he's done, get a check list together before we restart the warp core. He doesn't see any visible damage, but the blast was big enough that he's worried something got knocked loose. Head count, we lost at least five people, with plenty more injuries, there were just some many people moving through the area at this time during the shift. We're going to need to replace deck plating and consoles, the master systems display needs new housing and we're going to need half a dozen new gel packs." Grigs said looking around, and already looking fatigued. "All right, as soon as security and medical are done with the area, and before if you can, start replacing Plasma conduits, have Gellar's team break out the new gel packs and start installing them. I'll find Des, and start going over things with him on the warp core, frankly I want us undocked from this blasted station and at full power as soon as we can. As soon as Gamma shift is here and awake, pull people from their teams to help with the work. Talk to Chief Alore for me, I want his teams following ours, checking and calibrating everything. For now, that's it just get started if you hit any snags, improvise." Laurence said. Grigs nodded, and left, shouting orders to his crew, and trying to find Alore. Laurence walked over to the warp engine, someone had cracked the dilithium chamber and was looking at the crystal, and Dessen and three other members of his team were physically climbing the core checking for damage. "Des! What do we have?" "A mess!" came the response and Laurence just sighed. (Reply Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) *********** (Runabout Lorimar - a2O/CEO & NPC Ensign Selek - 1556) "Rel, double time on those landin' coordinates. Not sayin' we can hit them but gie Selek somethin' tae aim for! Shadow, go aft and find oot what in Blazes is keepin' Candle, and report back fast. Mister Parrr'z, ah need yer help. There's nae software for it, and we dinnae model a near total failure and then an atmospheric entry. Ah'm goin' tae divert every bit o' power ah can find tae the shields. Absent any maneuverin' control or engine power, ye and Selek are goin' tae make a sort of airfoil... 'virtual wings' if ye will, and try tae steer oor descent path if ye can... head for the coordinates Rel is goin' tae feed ye. Ayslin... if ye hae any sensors still workin', try computin' a flight path through the least turbulent areas of the atmosphere. Ah'll be stealin' power from the inertial dampers as needed... so this is going tae be a mighty rough ride. If anyone has any better ideas, speak up now!" Ayslin clenched her jaw and focused on the computer readouts. "All right, Ensign, I'm feeding you a prioritized list of landing zones based on safety, current entry trajectory, atmospheric conditions and closeness to the signal source. If the first becomes unfeasible or we over shoot, site two would be the next available, and so on. Any drastic changes and I'll try to feed you new coordinates on the fly as well as weather and turbulence updates." Ayslin said trying to get the instructions out fast but still clearly. (Reply Selek, Lorimar iyw, Away Team iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 7 – 1602) "Which will be my job to clean up gentlemen," Anton walked into the conversation. "I can give you update in just a minute Sir," Laurence said looking at the man nearly half his age, and a quarter century less experience. He disliked Junior Ensigns on principle. "With all do respect Master Chief, while Lieutenant Lorimar is off ship Engineering is my domain. I appreciate you stepping in and getting things started while I was on the bridge. However, the repairs performed on that reactor and the rest of engineering will ultimately be my responsibility." "Team Delta you are to assist medical with cleanup. Don't get in their way, assist only and you should still wear protective gear. In fact I want everyone wearing protective gear, we still don't know the manner of explosives used and if it reacts with a biological component. Separate and assemble all the components you find there," He pointed to an outlined area. "They will need to be examined." "Team Charlie and Bravo, you are on diagnostics and repair. I want every system on the ship checked and doublechecked. Start with the main reactor here and work from there." Anton turned toward Grigs. "Mr.....?" "Chief Petty Officer Kessor Dessen, Chief Engineman...Sir." The very large Andorian said, looking slightly annoyed, but calling his team of skilled Engine repair techs off the core and giving Laurence a look that simply said "Deal with this." "Nice to meet you, my applogies but I have not had the chance to meet everyone in engineering yet. I would like your people to stop whatever it is they are doing and coordinate with these Engineering teams. I'm not saying that you are not capable, however this damage could have affected other systems and I want this to be a coordinated effort." "Team Alpha, you job will be to examine the parts recovered by Team Delta. I want to know everything there is about that debris. How the explosion affected them, verify that the source was external not from the inside to coroborate that it was PO Smidden who blew up and not the bulkhead. Report any compunds you do not recognize to Science for examination." "Master Chief, I would appreciate your assistance with the examination of the blast area and parts to identify the exlosive used will be greately appreciated." "Sir, Can I see you over here for a moment," Laurence said, not waiting for an answer but ducking inside an office and catching Ensign Enright's eye. (Reply Gesar, Enright?) "Sir, I appretiate that you out rank me, being an officer, but I want you to know that every order I gave, I had a reason for. I've been an Engineer for more than a quarter century, and I know what I'm doing. And no this isn't your responsibility, it's everyone's responsibility. Every enlisted crew member on all those teams are my responsibility as the Senior Non Com in this department, if not this ship, and frankly, your orders are a mess and you need to know it if you're going to learn. Firstly, I have orders from the FO herself that medical, not us are responsible for going through the remains and processing the scene, and per her orders, I've assigned two Petty Officers to aid them if and when they need. Secondly, Smiddens was a member of Delta team, so unless you think I'm crazy, I don't think it's a good idea to have Smiddens friend's cleaning up his remains, which was what I had most of the members of Delta team, Petty Officer Grigs' team in particular, who happen to be some of the best EPS technicians in the fleet working on replacing the EPS conduits that were effected by the blast. Team Alpha who you so purposefully put on identifying the bomb, happens to be the team that Chief Dessen runs, happen to be a team full of Enginemen and Damage Controlman, and second only to myself are the best Engine repair crew I've worked with, they could do this job blindfolded and hog tied, and still get it done in record time." Laurence said, hoping that Gesar was getting the point of this. "And as for implying that we are somehow disorganized, I take that as a personal insult. I run one of the most organized crews in the entire fleet, I cut my teeth under some of the most disciplined Officers and Chief Petty Officers, I was a Petty officer at Antillies Fleet Yards and was Master Chief Petty Officer at Utopia Planitia after the war and helped rebuild it. Learn to trust your Enlisted crew, Ensign, they'll make you proud. If you had asked me or Ensign Enright for a report when you walked in, instead just shouting orders, you would have known all this and I could have advised you of all of this." "Now, Sir, other than the two assignments, which would violate orders from the FO, if you wish me to continue to issue your previous orders, that is fine however as you can see," Laurence said motioning to his left arm in a sling, "I might need to cut out at some point to receive proper medical care, but at the moment the department needs me, unless you'd rather I was in the Brig for this little speech, Sir." Laurence said looking down at the Ensign. (Reply Gesar, Enright?) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******** (USS Boudicca – Bridge – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 7 – 1603) Having seen the carnage in Engineering and spoken with Ensign Enright and others, Dorga had fully intended on staying and helping out with the massive task of evacuating the injured and dead once her questions had been answered and reports recieved, but unfortunately the fates had other ideas. She'd had to return to the Bridge as they were receiving a looping, scrambled message that they thought was coming from the Runabout Lorimar. Now she sat in the command chair listening intently to the garbled message as it played through yet again and she was certain that it was a distress call and that the Runabout Lorimar was the source, however it was so broken up she couldn't make out all the words even with filling in the blanks with logical conclusions. "I'm sure it is Runabout Lorimar. Can we ascertain where it's coming from or how old the message is? Did the second officer leave a flight plan?" Her keen eyes glanced around at the Bridge crew, expecting answers as her mind raced. ~ If they're in big trouble how in heavens can we help them? This ship isn't going anywhere any time soon. ~ The first officer considered informing the Captain but decided against it as her mind went over the meeting she'd had with Susan in her Ready Room just one short hour ago when the Captain had called her into the Ready Room. She had locked the door behind Dorga as she'd entered causing Dorga to realize that whatever the reason for her being summoned, it had to be very important. Susan's tone of voice and body language had clued Dorga in that she was feeling stressed, worried and anxious, and what Susan had then told her in confidence proved her observations to be correct. Apparently Susan had received an extremely urgent communication for her to return to Bajor. She never went in to full details, all Dorga knew was that it was family business that required personal attention by Susan who would be leaving at 1630 hours on the Captain's Yacht with Loren and Shun, and that she couldn't give Dorga a return date. Susan had concluded the meeting by informing Dorga that she would be acting CO while she was absent, effective once the Yacht had disembarked. Officially it meant that Susan was still the CO for a while, but Dorga knew that she was busy preparing for the journey and feel it was unnecessary to burden Susan with the current problems, for there was really nothing she could do about it that Dorga couldn't do. (reply Bridge crew, any) (posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - NPC Ensign Enright - 1604) Stacey had gratefully accepted the seat that Master Chief Krolar had vacated and offered to her. The strain really hit her hard, and as much as she hated to admit it she *needed* to collect herself for a moment. If she came apart, she would be no good to anyone. ~I've been through fights before... but this is just downright ugly. I can't believe Charlie...~ Her train of thought was interrupted by ACEO Gesar, who arrived and made his presence known by issuing a flurry of orders. She concealed a flash of anger and reminded herself that he was indeed an ACEO, so even though she ranked him both aboard the ship and time in grade, he was *technically* able to countermand her orders. She shook off the rest of the cobwebs and stood, doing her best to suppress the stress and nausea she was still feeling. She had taken two steps, and two steps only, when she caught rather an odd look from Krolar, and he ushered Gesar into a nearby office. Enright picked up her pace a bit and headed for the office, thinking Krolar might want her to be involved in whatever he was doing. She made it to the office just in time to catch the latter part of the discussion -- a monologue, really -- by the very senior Master Chief. "--if you had asked me or Ensign Enright for a report when you walked in, instead just shouting orders, you would have known all this and I could have advised you of all of this. Now, Sir, other than the two assignments, which would violate orders from the FO, if you wish me to continue to issue your previous orders, that is fine however as you can see," Laurence said motioning to his left arm in a sling, "I might need to cut out at some point to receive proper medical care, but at the moment the department needs me, unless you'd rather I was in the Brig for this little speech, Sir." Certainly Krolar was expecting a reply -- and perhaps an explosive one -- from Gesar, but Enright jumped right in before he had opportunity to do so. "Gentlemen," she began in a very stern but low voiced tone, "No one is going to the brig if I have anything to say about it. Granted I missed some of this conversation -- I trust I will get the details -- but I can assure you that no officer on this ship is ever going to willfully violate any orders from a superior. Isn't that right, ACEO Gesar?" (Reply Gesar, Room for more) "With all respect, Mister Gesar. Perhaps you weren't aware that Master Chief Petty Officer (she placed emphasis onhis title) Krolar had immediately formulated and ordered an action plan just after this disaster? He reacted in nothing but the finest fashion and best traditions of Starfleet. I intend to recommend him for yet another commendation when this isover, but I'm getting off the track here. What I mean to say is... the plan he put in place, and I affirmed prior to yourarrival was working just fine, I assure you." She gave a quick sideways glance at Krolar before pressing on. "Further, he is working injured, as you can see. I'm sure that just as soon as his expertise can be spared, he will be getting proper and complete medical attention, isn't that right, Master Chief?" (Reply Krolar) "Again... respectfully, *you* are responsible for the department in the CEO's absence... but I submit that more than any other department, engineering is a team. *We* all need to pull together ... or *you* won't get the job done. We have dead and and wounded to care for, and a ship to repair. Can we get everyone pulling in the same direction gentlemen? Please?" (Reply Gesar, Krolar, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca – Bridge – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 7 – 1604) Dav sat at the Science station on the bridge, working through coding he hadn't had practical experience with since the Academy. He was fully trained in communications and comm technology, but his field experience was lacking. With OPS overwhelmed by clean up and recovery duties, he had come to the bridge to work on the scrambled message playing on a loop from the runabout. Commander 'cha Nooras was seated at the center of the bridge, concentrating on the message. All around the bridge, crew were silent or hushed, as they tried to make out what the message from their crewmates on the runabout was saying. Whatever it was, it seemed like a distress call, and with the Boudicca in distress herself, that news was even worse. The Commander spoke to the bridge: "I'm sure it is Runabout Lorimar. Can we ascertain where it's coming from or how old the message is? Did the second officer leave a flight plan?" She looked around at the faces of her crew, and Dav, still feeling like the new kid of the group, almost hesitated the speak up. But this was no time to freeze, and the XO's look spoke volumes. She needed information now, not later. "Commander," Maxon said from the Science station. "Working to clean up the transmission now. It will take a few minutes, but it will give us a trajectory on their location." ~Not that we can get to them,~ he thought, but brushed it aside. If he could find out the contents of the message, they'd have a lot more to go on. (reply Dorga, Bridge crew, any) (posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 7 – 1608) "Thank you Ensign, but there was no need to try and diffuse the situation. It would have to be something pretty drastic for me to put a man in the brig for speaking his mind Master Chief. As for the plan will start with Team Delta. I appreciate that Smiddens was a member and I am not suggesting that they assist medical with cleanup of... the PO's remains. Only the ship debris left once medical is finished, however if you are concerned with their feelings they can replace the EPS conduits. My interpretation of the FO's orders are that medical is to clean up, process the scene and scan for biological components. However, we may benefit from engineers examining the bulkhead parts which will not contradict the order. Someone with more experience would be ideal unless you feel the two Petty Officers you have assigned are sufficient." "I want team Charlie to perform a scan of main engineering to see if they detect anything else that might be an explosive prior to starting any repairs. Let's not assume that there are no more of those around." "As for the reactor. I will need the list of what damage the core sustained and what repairs are going to be necessary prior to starting said repairs that I assume your very experienced team is already working on as soon as possible. Also, under the same assumption I am expecting that it will include a list of systems that could have sustained damage as a byproduct. If you feel that Team Beta is not as capable as Team Alpha to work on the core feel free to reassign Team Beta to run diagnostics on those other systems once Team Alpha has completed the list. This way, when the Captain or the FO ask for an estimate on how long the repairs are going to take we don't have to make an educated guess, but provide real time information. Also once the list is complete and you assist me to assigning the appropriate people to the repairs you will report to sickbay." "Perhaps tomorrow we can sit down and review why Team Beta is not up to doing the job as well as Team Alpha. In fact, we will use this as an opportunity for you to educate me on who is on each team and what their strengths and weaknesses are. I think it will be a great benefit if I'm going to learn." Anton gave the engineer a slight smile and paused to let the man process the information. He continued to speak calmly, "As for any insult you might have felt it was not my intention to insult you. I was not trying imply that you were not organized. As Ensign Enright said, I am responsible for the department. At the end of the day, if something goes wrong in engineering it is everyone's responsibility to do their job. However, everyone is not going to have to stand in front of the Captain explaining what happened. As the senior ranking Engineer on the ship that responsibility falls on me and when Lieutenant Lorimar returns it will fall on him. I may not have your field experience and am still getting to know the crew, but I am an excellent engineer and I would appreciate that you trust that I am not all that wet behind the ears." "I must say, it has been a pleasure meeting you so far Master Chief Krolar. I think I am going to enjoy working with you. If there is nothing else, the sooner we get the teams doing what they are supposed to be doing the sooner you get to go to sickbay and get those injuries looked after." Laurence rubbed the bridge of his nose, ~~Des's team is better because that's Des's team specializes in Warp Core maintenance, Bravo specializes with Computer systems engineering~~ "Oh if you think I won't be read the riot act if something goes wrong, you are sorely mistaken sir, I'll be right there next to you. The two petty officers assigned to the bomb scene are both very detail oriented Vulcans, and both nearing their review for Chief, I trust them fully, but if you want more eyes on the scene, or just fresh ones, Gamma shift should be marching through the doors any minute now that they've had the chance to wake up and report. We'll need at least some of them to head up and check the Impulse drives, make sure they they didn't catch any feedback in the power grid, they should be fine, but some of the EPS conduits we rerouted around are close to there in the grid. Des's team will most definitely compile a list of needed repairs before he starts any of the actual repairs, and you will get to review that. I believe Security is already scanning Engineering for other explosives, but we can assign an engineering team to assist them if you want, I'd suggest, Chief Maller's team from Beta shift, they're weapon systems engineers, they tend to think with a more destructive bent and would be best trained to recognize other explosive devises, they were trained by a Warrant Officer I knew a while back, very good at his job. I believe Chief Maller was organizing his team and getting them briefed in Engineering Lab 4." Laurence said, looking down at his PADD and flipping though the emergency muster reports. (Reply Gesar, Enright) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering - ACEO Ens(Sg.) Gesar - Day 7 – 1606) "Sir, Can I see you over here for a moment," Laurence said, not waiting for an answer but ducking inside an office and catching Ensign Enright's eye. "Certainly," Anton followed Krolar. "Sir, I appreciate that you out rank me, being an officer, but I want you to know that every order I gave, I had a reason for. I've been an Engineer for more than a quarter century, and I know what I'm doing. And no this isn't your responsibility, it's everyone's responsibility. Every enlisted crew member on all those teams are my responsibility as the Senior Non Com in this department, if not this ship, and frankly, your orders are a mess and you need to know it if you're going to learn. Firstly, I have orders from the FO herself that medical, not us are responsible for going through the remains and processing the scene, and per her orders, I've assigned two Petty Officers to aid them if and when they need. Secondly, Smiddens was a member of Delta team, so unless you think I'm crazy, I don't think it's a good idea to have Smiddens friend's cleaning up his remains, which was what I had most of the members of Delta team, Petty Officer Grigs' team in particular, who happen to be some of the best EPS technicians in the fleet working on replacing the EPS conduits that were effected by the blast. Team Alpha who you so purposefully put on identifying the bomb, happens to be the team that Chief Dessen runs, happen to be a team full of Enginemen and Damage Controlman, and second only to myself are the best Engine repair crew I've worked with, they could do this job blindfolded and hog tied, and still get it done in record time." Laurence said, hoping that Gesar was getting the point of this. "And as for implying that we are somehow disorganized, I take that as a personal insult. I run one of the most organized crews in the entire fleet, I cut my teeth under some of the most disciplined Officers and Chief Petty Officers, I was a Petty officer at Antillies Fleet Yards and was Master Chief Petty Officer at Utopia Planitia after the war and helped rebuild it. Learn to trust your Enlisted crew, Ensign, they'll make you proud. If you had asked me or Ensign Enright for a report when you walked in, instead just shouting orders, you would have known all this and I could have advised you of all of this." "Now, Sir, other than the two assignments, which would violate orders from the FO, if you wish me to continue to issue your previous orders, that is fine however as you can see," Laurence said motioning to his left arm in a sling, "I might need to cut out at some point to receive proper medical care, but at the moment the department needs me, unless you'd rather I was in the Brig for this little speech, Sir." Laurence said looking down at the Ensign. "Gentlemen," she began in a very stern but low voiced tone, "No one is going to the brig if I have anything to say about it. Granted I missed some of this conversation -- I trust I will get the details -- but I can assure you that no officer on this ship is ever going to willfully violate any orders from a superior. Isn't that right, ACEO Gesar?" "With all respect, Mister Gesar. Perhaps you weren't aware that Master Chief Petty Officer (she placed emphasis on his title) Krolar had immediately formulated and ordered an action plan just after this disaster? He reacted in nothing but the finest fashion and best traditions of Starfleet. I intend to recommend him for yet another commendation when this is over, but I'm getting off the track here. What I mean to say is... the plan he put in place, and I affirmed prior to your arrival was working just fine, I assure you." She gave a quick sideways glance at Krolar before pressing on. "Further, he is working injured, as you can see. I'm sure that just as soon as his expertise can be spared, he will be getting proper and complete medical attention, isn't that right, Master Chief?" (Reply Krolar) "Again... respectfully, *you* are responsible for the department in the CEO's absence... but I submit that more than any other department, engineering is a team. *We* all need to pull together... or *you* won't get the job done. We have dead and and wounded to care for, and a ship to repair. Can we get everyone pulling in the same direction gentlemen? Please?" ~Hmm... perhaps asking for a status report first would have been the way to go. Not much to do about it now.~ "Thank you Ensign, but there was no need to try and diffuse the situation. It would have to be something pretty drastic for me to put a man in the brig for speaking his mind Master Chief. As for the plan will start with Team Delta. I appreciate that Smiddens was a member and I am not suggesting that they assist medical with cleanup of... the PO's remains. Only the ship debris left once medical is finished, however if you are concerned with their feelings they can replace the EPS conduits. My interpretation of the FO's orders are that medical is to clean up, process the scene and scan for biological components. However, we may benefit from engineers examining the bulkhead parts which will not contradict the order. Someone with more experience would be ideal unless you feel the two Petty Officers you have assigned are sufficient." "I want team Charlie to perform a scan of main engineering to see if they detect anything else that might be an explosive prior to starting any repairs. Let's not assume that there are no more of those around." "As for the reactor. I will need the list of what damage the core sustained and what repairs are going to be necessary prior to starting said repairs that I assume your very experienced team is already working on as soon as possible. Also, under the same assumption I am expecting that it will include a list of systems that could have sustained damage as a byproduct. If you feel that Team Beta is not as capable as Team Alpha to work on the core feel free to reassign Team Beta to run diagnostics on those other systems once Team Alpha has completed the list. This way, when the Captain or the FO ask for an estimate on how long the repairs are going to take we don't have to make an educated guess, but provide real time information. Also once the list is complete and you assist me to assigning the appropriate people to the repairs you will report to sickbay." "Perhaps tomorrow we can sit down and review why Team Beta is not up to doing the job as well as Team Alpha. In fact, we will use this as an opportunity for you to educate me on who is on each team and what their strengths and weaknesses are. I think it will be a great benefit if I'm going to learn." Anton gave the engineer a slight smile and paused to let the man process the information. He continued to speak calmly, "As for any insult you might have felt it was not my intention to insult you. I was not trying imply that you were not organized. As Ensign Enright said, I am responsible for the department. At the end of the day, if something goes wrong in engineering it is everyone's responsibility to do their job. However, everyone is not going to have to stand in front of the Captain explaining what happened. As the senior ranking Engineer on the ship that responsibility falls on me and when Lieutenant Lorimar returns it will fall on him. I may not have your field experience and am still getting to know the crew, but I am an excellent engineer and I would appreciate that you trust that I am not all that wet behind the ears." "I must say, it has been a pleasure meeting you so far Master Chief Krolar. I think I am going to enjoy working with you. If there is nothing else, the sooner we get the teams doing what they are supposed to be doing the sooner you get to go to sickbay and get those injuries looked after." (Reply Krolar, Enright) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering - aCEO Ens.(Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 7 – 1610) "Oh if you think I won't be read the riot act if something goes wrong, you are sorely mistaken sir, I'll be right there next to you. The two petty officers assigned to the bomb scene are both very detail oriented Vulcans, and both nearing their review for Chief, I trust them fully, but if you want more eyes on the scene, or just fresh ones, Gamma shift should be marching through the doors any minute now that they've had the chance to wake up and report. We'll need at least some of them to head up and check the Impulse drives, make sure they they didn't catch any feedback in the power grid, they should be fine, but some of the EPS conduits we rerouted around are close to there in the grid. Des's team will most definitely compile a list of needed repairs before he starts any of the actual repairs, and you will get to review that. I believe Security is already scanning Engineering for other explosives, but we can assign an engineering team to assist them if you want, I'd suggest, Chief Maller's team from Beta shift, they're weapon systems engineers, they tend to think with a more destructive bent and would be best trained to recognize other explosive devises, they were trained by a Warrant Officer I knew a while back, very good at his job. I believe Chief Maller was organizing his team and getting them briefed in Engineering Lab 4." Laurence said, looking down at his PADD and flipping though the emergency muster reports. "I tell you what Master Chief, we'll debate who gets read the riot act over drinks when this is all over. For now I think you and I have come to an understanding and you have your orders. I would appreciate status report as each system is repaired and hourly reports on the engine and reactor repairs." (Reply from Krolar iyw, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********** (Laataskens Station – Transient Quarters – SPC Lt. Cmdr. Durand – 1610) After getting the ‘urgent’ message from BuPERS, he had hurried to his small quarters, rapidly packing his belongings with long practiced speed. As he finished stuffing the last of his personal gear into a small carryall (the majority of his things had been shipped ahead to his new duty station) he reread the terse message from fleet on his PADD: ‘Report immediately to USS Boudicca, currently docked at Laataskens Station, for assignment as aFO.’ No explanation, no elucidation beyond the clipped officialese. He ensured his commbadge and uniform were in perfect order, and sprinted for the docking ring. After all, his orders said ‘immediately’. (posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Docking Port/Gangway – SPC Lt. Cmdr. Durand – 1614) Durand had run at not quite full speed all the way to the gangway, then through it to the Boudicca’s docking port. He was not even winded as he pulled up to a stop. He had seen enough alerts to recognize one in progress; he wondered silently about what might cause a Federation Starship to be at Red Alert while docked. ~I bet I’ll know soon enough!~ He had slowed his pace and brandished the PADD with his orders and identification so as not to be misconstrued as an intruder. “Lieutenant Commander Durand,” he began by way of explanation even as he approached. “I’ve got orders to report aboard immediately.” For their part, the two security officers seemed unimpressed. One had his hand unobtrusively on his sidearm as the other took Durand’s proffered orders. Without so much as a word, he took the PADD and walked around the corner, as his partner ‘covered’ Durand. Seconds later, the officer returned and came to attention as he handed the orders back. “My apologies sir; we are at security alert, and the ship herself is at Red Alert. There has been an explosion aboard, that’s all we know at the moment. Your orders are in order sir… and Commander ‘cha Nooras is on the bridge. Welcome aboard, sir.” Durand favored both officers with a slight smile and a nod. “Thank you.” ~First test with flying colors. Whoever the security chief is, his people are well trained. A great sign!~ (posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1620) The landing had been remarkably smooth all things considered; it was probably a good thing they'd brought a doctor though for the banged around crew. She and Parrr'Z hadn't seemed to have much problem adjusting to the sudden stop at the end of the flight, but like their long- ago ancestors, their skeletal structures were much more flexible than their crewmates'. She'd once amused her roommate at basic with being able to groom the back of her neck or the upper base of her tail with equally twisted ease. She'd seen Parrr'Z do similar moves and stretches with unconscious grace. She didn't think the runabout would be leaving the ground any time soon on its own power considering the large crack in the hull where the door was. The door didn't want to sit in its frame properly. She wondered if the whole hull was twisted or if something had just smacked the door on the way down. "I'm pretty sure I got a communication to the Boudicca, and the probe was loaded with status reports and data updates to the point of our energy interference." That was the technical way to say 'Blasted out of orbit' wasn't it? (Reply any) She handed Parrr'Z his phasor rifle without comment, even *she* knew the first thing they should do was check the perimeter. She took a phasor pistol to tuck into her harness and grabbed her spear. If whatever had taken down the shuttle had also scrambled the phasors, she didn't want to find out in the middle of a battle. "I don't think anyone should go anywhere alone." Shadow said to Parrr'Z, hoping he wouldn't take offense or think she needed protecting. She'd grown up in jungles like this, she wasn't helpless. (Reply Parrr'Z) "The Captain trusts me to fight beside her, is she wrong?" Shadow asked the security officer with the female ability to ask the question to which there is no right answer if the male wants to live without claw marks in his hide. (Reply Parrr'Z, room for discussion) She finished tucking the last of her knives into her harness, including her favorite hunting dagger, and followed her mate out of the ship into the jungle. (reply Parrr'Z, any) (posted by Lorna) *********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - SPC/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1621) The runabout had landed and careered over the ground, overshooting the small clearing to finally come to a halt among the trees, having overshot the clearing's edge by 100 meters at least. Fortunately the trees on the edge of the jungle were smaller, newer growth and the ones that hadn't been uprooted by the runabout's rough passage had helped cushion the vessel somewhat, stopping it from hurtling into the larger trees. However, Parr could see daylight through a large crack in the hull and where the door was damaged and askew. He doubted they would be going any- where in it, it would require some specialized tools to fix it. Hopefully they would be rescued, but even if the Boudicca did get their message he was certain that it wouldn't be arriving any time soon and there was no knowing what lay beyond the broken doors without going out to take a look. They'd been lucky, the furless weren't badly injured and there wasn't a scratch on either Shadow or him, due to their capacity to stay on their feet even if they'd been shaken up a little. "I'm pretty sure I got a communication to the Boudicca, and the probe was loaded with status reports and data updates to the point of our energy interference." Shadow informed everyone. Parr sure hoped she had or there was no telling how long they'd be stuck on this planet, not that he minded so much, this place was his ideal vacation spot and he'd have a great time exploring it. (Reply any) Shadow handed Parrr'Z his phaser rifle without comment, reading his mind about going out to see what was beyond the doors. He also had his hand phaser and reaching into the ammo locker he pulled out four grenades and attached them to his belt beside his dagger. She also took a phaser pistol and tucked it into her harness and then grabbed her spear. Apparently she thought she was going with him. "I don't think anyone should go anywhere alone." Shadow said to Parrr'Z. Out of habit he felt that she should remain in the runabout, after all why risk two lives even if she was perfectly capable. She must have sensed his reticence because before he could reply she stated... "The Captain trusts me to fight beside her, is she wrong?" Shadow asked him and Parr knew from the tone of her voice and the way her tail tip was twitching with menace that unless he wanted another big fight he had better just humor her. His whiskers twitched reproachfully but all he said was, "let's go then, if you insist on coming with me." He went over to the partly ajar door, giving it a hefty shove with his brawny shoulder to force it open enough to get through. First he poked the muzzle of the rifle out and then his head to look around quickly for any sign of animals. Seeing none he quickly stepped outside with Shadow on his heels. (posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - Day 7 - 1622) Ayslin leaned back in her chair and rubbed her forehead. "I'd give that landing a 8 out of 10, Ensign. You did a superb job, all things considered." She levered herself out of her seat and was relieved to find no broken bones, and no major injuries, just a minor bump to the head. "Correction, 9 out of 10. Bob, you ok?" (Reply Lorimar) "Good, I'm going to go check my gear, if it's in one piece, it might be useful," Ayslin said with a shaky smile, "I'll give you a report in a couple of minutes." (Reply Lorimar iyw) Ayslin went back into the rear of the wrecked vessel and once clear of the rest of the crew, leaned back against the bulkhead and took a deep breath. After a few moments of just breathing she moved off into the passenger area and found a bathroom. She looked a mess, her face was covered in soot from the burning out electronics, and her hair was a mess, the two French braided pigtails pulled apart, with stray red hair everywhere. Muttering under her breath, she ran her fingers through the braids, undoing them quickly, and taming her hair to a degree. She pulled open a water basin and was pleasantly surprised to find that it still had water in it, it wasn't drinking water, but they had plenty of that in the survival gear. She splashed some on her face and scrubbed at it with her hands washing off some of the soot. She then wet her hair a bit, running her fingers through it. She grabbed a towel and dried her face, leaving her hair damp. Satisfied and feeling significantly better now that she had the chance to clean herself off and take a deep breath. Quickly she braided her long red hair and left the bathroom for the cargo hold. Her gear had been stowed well and she smiled. She checked chronometric calibration array first, making sure the large device that was used to calibrate sensors was ok, which it was. The two spare bio-neural gel packs were at least visibly good as well. The tricorder on her hip was dead, but the one in her spare kit was ok. She hoisted her science kit over her shoulder and with the two gel packs headed back to the main cabin. Moving back into the room she looked around and handed the two gel packs to Ensign Selek, "Thought those might help," Ayslin said then turned to the Chief. "Sorry it took me an extra few minutes, had to catch my breath and get my wits about me," She said with a sheepish smile. "I've got a functioning chronometric calibration unit back there that I might be able to turn into some kind of medium range sensor with your help, it's got the right components, but we'd need to rewire the whole thing. As soon as our scouts come back, I wouldn't mind taking a look outside." Aysin said sitting down across from the Chief and cracking open the case on her non-functioning tricorder to see if she could find the problem. (Reply Lorimar, Selek, Landing Party) (Posted by Partrick D.) ********** (Unknown Planet – Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO – 1623) ~Miraculous… nothin’ short o’ miraculous,~ Bob thought happily. They were down, and mostly intact. Thanks to the incredible job done by Parrr’Z, Selek, and Rel in performing a near impossible task under exceedingly difficult conditions, they were all down and safe. The Runabout was a mess. Not quite a full blown, total loss, ready for the scrapheap wreck, but severely damaged to be sure. Just how severely, he wouldn’t know until he had a chance to perform a detailed damage survey. For the time being, like it or not, he was more mission commander than engineer though, a fact brought home when Ayslin Rel asked him a question. “Aye… stove mah knee on the console when we had that first or second bounce… but ah’m nae hurt otherwise. Selek?” The Vulcan was still at his console, following the shut down checklist, despite the fact that the damage rendered it mostly unnecessary. He stopped at Lorimar’s concerned question, and for the first time since landing considered his condition. He turned to face the a2O and raised an eyebrow. “I am undamaged sir. Your concern is noted but unnecessary.” Lorimar flashed him an amused grin. “Nice flying Mister Selek. Ye two Ayslin… couldnae hae been easy under those conditions. The fact that we are doon and mostly intact is due entirely tae ye two and Mister Parrr’Z.” He turned to address the security officer, and noted that both he and Shadow had exited the runabout. He hoped they were staying close. A flash of irritation crossed his thoughts as he realized they had disembarked without his permission. It quickly dissipated when he thought about it, as his first logical and considered order *would* have been for them to check the perimeter. Lessons to be learned, clearly. Engineering does not a mission commander make. ~*You* are solely responsible for these other five souls, ye clod… so put that command hat on and square away right now!~ "Good, I'm going to go check my gear, if it's in one piece, it might be useful," Ayslin said with a shaky smile, "I'll give you a report in a couple of minutes." With that she headed for the aft compartment. “Very well Lieutenant, keep me posted, please. Selek, since ye are ‘undamaged’, start a preliminary damage survey for me.” “Acknowledged.” He worked silently alongside Ensign Selek for a few minutes, checking damage of the runabout’s systems. Everything he checked seemed to be more or less heavily damaged or destroyed, but he wouldn’t know for sure until he had time to complete the survey. After a few minutes Rel returned, and handed Selek two bio- neural gel packs, which appeared pristine. "Thought those might help," Ayslin said then turned to the Chief. "Sorry it took me an extra few minutes, had to catch my breath and get my wits about me," She said with a sheepish smile. "I've got a functioning chronometric calibration unit back there that I might be able to turn into some kind of medium range sensor with your help, it's got the right components, but we'd need to rewire the whole thing. As soon as our scouts come back, I wouldn't mind taking a look outside." He nodded appreciatively at her. “A fine idea… and once we finish the initial damage survey we might find some other useful bits… ah hope anyway.” He looked at her a bit more closely, hoping she was really alright. Granted, he was measuring her against the unflappable Vulcan pilot, but she looked a bit shaken, though it was certainly understandable if that was the case. ~Always better off doin’ than thinkin’, Dad always said…~ “When ye have a moment Ayslin, ah’d like ye tae check something for us. Just aft of the engineer’s station on the lower starboard bulk- head are some auxiliary data ports. If the system worked as intended, the primary bio-neural system *should* have been cross feeding data tae the backup ODN/Isolinear network. Ah’m hoping the backups fared a bit better than the primary systems. If ye can pull it up, most if not all of your initial scan data should be available. Perhaps ye could process it for us? Ah’m looking for anything at all ye can gather from it… weather, life signs… even planetary rotation data. The amount of daylight we have left could be important tae know. Can ye dae that for us please?” (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more) (posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca – Bridge – SPC Lt. Cmdr. Durand – 1624) He wasn’t officially aboard yet, so the ship’s computer denied him access to any sensitive information. He had tried to review the situation during the trip to the bridge, but he had been denied all but the most basic of data. Again, he was pleased. Whatever else was going on, the crew of this ship was well drilled and followed procedures properly, including data security. The turbolift slowed to a stop and the doors opened allowing him his first view of the bridge proper. He saw that the ship was still at Red Alert, with the full bridge staff at their stations. Occupying the center seat, he presumed, would be Dorga ‘cha Nooras, whom he knew only by reputation. She had, he recalled, served with distinction during the Civil War. If she was accepted as Susan Rivers’ Number One… ~Speaking of which… where is Captain Rivers? Is that why I’m here?~ He made his way quickly around to the command chair, and brought himself immediately to attention, his orders held on the PADD at his side. “Commander ‘cha Nooras, I presume? Lieutenant Commander Alan Durand. I’ve been ordered to report aboard the Boudicca.” He offered her his orders, and waited with an open curiosity. (Reply ‘cha Nooras, Any) (Posted by Russ) ************ (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1625) Their landing had created a nice swatch through the trees. "I think our pilot missed Lieutenant Rel's clearing." Shadow observed dryly as Parrr'Z scanned the area. (Reply Parrr'Z) "If this were home, I would say set out proximity beacons along with a repel net twenty feet from base and gather wood for a comfort fire." She tilted her head up at Parrr'Z, "How much of our technology is working?" (Reply Parrr'Z) Her tail looped, she couldn't help her gallows sense of humour sometimes, "I will make spears for everyone then." (Reply Parrr'Z, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 – 1625) Ensign Maxon had made great progress with his endeavors to clean up the transmission and had made it so much clearer that when Dorga listened to it again it was obviously a distress signal. The Runabout was in trouble, severely damaged and likely forced down on an uncharged planet. Now Maxon was working on a trajectory to give them an idea of where they were. ~ Not that it looks like we can take Boudicca out to rescue them, but..... ~ The FO brought up a manifest of available support craft aboard the Boudicca and was about to read it when a movement before her brought her dark eyes upwards to see a distinguished looking stranger standing there. The first thing she noticed about him was his distinctive and striking blue eyes. His brown hair was tinged with gray at the temples giving him the classic distinguished look that made her think he had plenty of experience. He was tall but as she stood up, eyes roaming over him, she noted he was a couple of inches shorter than her. ~ Hello handsome! ~ She thought with appreciation for his rugged good looks and athletic form, as her head tilted inquiringly. “Commander ‘cha Nooras, I presume? Lieutenant Commander Alan Durand. I’ve been ordered to report aboard the Boudicca.” He stood at attention and offered him a PADD she assumed were his orders. ~ Well we certainly can use a few more good engineers. ~ She thought as she activated the PADD and read the orders, her left eyebrow rising as she realized he was not there to boost engineering personnel. Thrusting out her right hand she offered it in a terran hand shake. "Welcome aboard Commander Durand." She replied and leaning over the command chair arm console, pressed a key to transfer the information to the Ready Room terminal. Straightening up she smiled at him, a cool smile but genuine enough. "Please come with me." She stated and started towards the Ready Room. "Ensign Maxon, you have the Bridge." (reply Maxon, any) posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – LCDR Durand – 1626) Thrusting out her right hand ‘cha Nooras offered it in a terran hand shake. ~Interesting what we do to accommodate the customs of others,~ he thought ~I suspect there is some Vulcan heritage there, and yet for the sake of human custom, she makes casual contact. Interesting indeed.~ He took the Commander’s hand and shook it firmly. "Welcome aboard Commander Durand." She replied and leaning over the command chair arm console, pressed a key. He nodded politely. “Thank you Commander.” She smiled at him, though he doubted she felt much like it, given that the ship was at Red Alert and she was being taken from her regular duties to welcome a complete stranger. She asked him to follow her, and then turned over the bridge to an ‘Ensign Maxon’ who was clad in science blue. The poor man looked like he had been struck by a phaser stun. Durand carefully concealed his amusement and dutifully followed her toward the ready room. (posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - SPC/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1626) Their landing had created a nice swatch through the trees. "I think our pilot missed Lieutenant Rel's clearing." Shadow observed dryly as Parrr'Z scanned the area. "Well, we landed in the clearing but our velocity overshot the runabout, so we ended up here, had we landed in the trees our vessel would have been more severely damaged." Parr answered her as he scanned the area thoroughly. "If this were home, I would say set out proximity beacons along with a repel net twenty feet from base and gather wood for a comfort fire." She tilted her head up at Parrr'Z, "How much of our technology is working?" "That is a good question, I have not tested these weapons." Without another word, Parr raised the rifle, aimed it at the stump of a tree broken by the runabout's passage and pulled the trigger. There was an audible 'click' but nothing happened. He tried again...Nothing! With a disgusted snort, Parr handed the rifle to Shadow and tried his hand phaser with the same results. It seemed that all the power weapons were useless, all they could rely on were the bladed ones and their teeth and claws. Parr let out a string of Caitian curses and Shadow's tail looped with amusement, "I will make spears for everyone then." With a grunt, Parr gave a nod, "better than nothing for the furless; at least we are well enough armed without weapons." He looked down at his mate and couldn't help but grin at her. "I think I'm going to like it here." He told her, attempting to give her a wink but actually blinking both eyes. "Let me scout just beyond the trees while you tell the second officer it's all clear and give him the bad news about the power weapons. Then we should get a fire started, in fact I think we should make several fires in a half circle in front of the runabout at intervals, they should keep any creatures at bay as we have no repel nets. I will bring firewood back, at least with these trees broken down there will be no shortage of fuel." (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Bridge – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon – Day 7 – 1626.5) While the crew worked their hardest to handle their current predicament, and more crew hurried back from the station, Dav continued to work on communications from the Lorimar. Earlier, he had sent science teams to assist medical in clean up and analysis, and some of the science staff in technology and c omputer science to help with repairs in engineering. With some of the crew not aboard, it seemed best to help fill in the gaps. But by now, he assumed OPS had a handle on crew allocation, and it was beyond him to help that situation. ~Save some of the fun for me,~ he thought, repeating Ayslin's words to him before she left. ~Why did she have to jinx it?~ He wanted to be sure she and the rest of the runabout crew came back safely. He was focused on the Lorimar. But he wasn't getting very far. The transmission was suffering from subspace distortion, some of which he could clean up, but the rest was impossible at this distance. They had enough of it to understand that the runabout had suffered damage, and likely had to land on an uncharted planet. But then what? They needed more information, and he hoped the runabout's crew would help with that. If the crew on the Lorimar sent the distress beacon, it was a reasonable hope that they were also able to launch the info-probe with their logs and last status. Once that reached the Boudicca, it would tell how the Lorimar came to be in distress, and hopefully where its crew went next. At sublight, however, it wouldn't reach them quickly. Ideally, the Boudicca would be able to intercept it en route. But nothing was ideal at red alert, with your engineering section mysteriously blown to bits. While running another channel scan in hopes of picking up the info- beacon's transmission, Dav's ears perked up as someone approached Commander 'cha Nooras, reporting for duty. ~In the midst of a crisis, wouldn't you think the officer in the command chair has a few better things to do than personally accept an on-boarding transfer?~ Dav wondered. He wasn't the only one of the bridge crew who turned toward the command chair, looking incredulously at the new arrival. 'cha Nooras looked a little puzzled as well. Then 'cha Nooras read the padd the newcomer gave her, and her demeanor changed. Dav tried to continue doing his job instead of looking, but he was intrigued. He heard the Commander address the man as Commander Durand before she then began to lead him to the ready room. ~Now? With the ship in a crisis?~ He couldn't help wondering what was going on. Where was the captain at a time like this, anyway? His thoughts were wiped away as Commander 'cha Nooras called one last order to the room. Of all the things he might have expected her to say, this was not one of them. "Ensign Maxon, you have the Bridge," she told him. Later, Dav would be glad to remember that 'cha Nooras was out of earshot when he made his subdued reply, which was something like "Buuuhhhhh..." He looked around at the bridge crew, some of whom had been aboard much longer than his scant five days, and most of them went back to their tasks with only a few brief glances in his direction. Only the ensign at the helm, a blond-haired Terran man about 30 years of age, met Dav's eyes and suppressed a small laugh at the reaction. Dav recovered from his shock, and tried not to turn red as he thought of how funny he must have looked. His eyes fell nervously on Denise Lebranski at the OPS station. She was a lieutenant, his superior, and filling the role of chief ops officer while Lt. Spero was off the ship. Sure, Ayslin had left Dav as the on- duty chief of science in her absence, but he had no seniority in any other respect. Perhaps his assignment was because Denise was leading the massive organizational undertaking of getting crews and materials in and out of engineering. Dav relaxed a bit when he thought of that. 'cha Nooras had picked him because everyone else was busier at the moment. Anyway, the Commander would be back on the bridge any minute, he was sure. Or maybe Captain Rivers would arrive soon? He sent the data from his terminal to the helm so the laughing officer there, an Ensign Ames, could work on extrapolating a location from the known transmission data and the Lorimar's flight plan. At the end of the message, Dav couldn't resist adding: 'Something funny?' Then he moved toward the center of the bridge, but stopped short of sitting in the command chair, keeping his feet instead. Ames hazarded one quick glance back in his direction, looking more amused now, and Dav gave a quick, sheepish shrug, but said nothing further. (reply Lebranski if you want, any, room for more) After a few minutes, Dav began to wonder if he should be actively looking for the captain. He assumed she had been notified of the crisis, if she hadn't been aboard to feel the deck move under her feet. At the very least she would have been informed by commbadge along with the rest of the crew on the station. But then where was she? "Sir," Ames said from the helm, and Dav realized he was the one being addressed. "The captain's yacht is confirming departure. She's away." Dav didn't know quite what to say. He understood it was being reported to him as the bridge watch commander, but he certainly had no idea the captain's yacht was supposed to launch. He approached the helm more closely. "Does having bridge watch really warrant me a 'sir'?" he asked. Ames chuckled. "Thought I'd throw it in there." Dav was about to ask for more details about the launch and possibly make himself sound like an idiot, when the comm sounded a shipwide message. Everyone stopped to listen. =/\=This is Commander 'cha Nooras speaking, as of this moment I am officially acting CO and Lieutenant Commander Alan Durand is acting First Officer. Lieutenant Lorimar remains acting Second Officer and Chief of Engineering. Thank you for your attention. Message ended.=/\= The channel closed. Every pair of eyes on the bridge that was not engaged in some vital task now turned to Dav, mystified. He had no answer to offer them, he was equally surprised. Fewof them moved, paused in their tasks while they processed the information of the change in command. Dav tried to think quickly, through his own hazy understanding of the situation. What would a good commanding officer do? "Okay," Maxon said to the bridge staff, "we all have work to do. Commander 'cha Nooras is our captain, and she will explain further as needed. Right now, we have an engine to salvage and a runabout to locate." He thought it was enough to set everyone back in motion. "Nice speech," Ames said with half a grin. "I think we all know we're in good hands with 'cha Nooras. I'm just worried about Captain Rivers." "She was on the yacht?" "Flight record says yes, and so were the kids. Guess we'll find out what happened soon enough, by the power of scuttlebutt if nothing else." "First things first," Dav said. "Let's work on locating our 2O and his crew. Let me know if you find anything." ~I sure wish Ayslin was here,~ he couldn't help thinking. ~Save some of the fun for me, indeed.~ (Reply Lebranski iyw, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1627) Denise's only thought at "Ensign Maxon, you have the bridge" was ~Thank God it's not me!~ The other advantage of getting out of the red shirt was she was no longer in the command department and first choice for being dragged kicking and screaming into The Chair. She was more than happy to keep play acting Ops officer while she wondered where the heck their new Chief of Ops had gotten to. Should see summon up Ferros to take the station? He certainly new Ops better than she did, but he was probably in his sleep cycle.. and he'd certainly need whatever sleep he could manage post explosion for the clean-up he'd get to start in on at shift change. She was only watching Maxon with half an eye as he moved around the bridge and seemed as comfortable as a cat on a hot tin roof. She finally burst out laughing at the Helm officer who kept looking at their acting commander and the acting commander himself. (Reply Maxon, Ames, any) "Sorry, sir," she said eyes twinkling, "But I can tell you, IT," she gestured to The Chair, "Doesn't bite and it does have all the information you could possibly want or need." Though, most commanders seemed to like to ask their bridge officers to translate. One Captain could only do so much at once, well, unless you were Sewwri and had six hands, or Binari and.. (Reply Maxon, Ames, any on Bridge) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 – 1627) The Ready Room doors parted as she approached and she strode inside and confidently took the Captain's chair behind the large desk and opened the terminal to retrieve the information she'd just uploaded. "Please take a seat and give me a minute or two." She requested as she began to read some of his career records that were also on the PADD he'd given her. Her face was Vulcan-like impassive as she read that he'd been on Doenitz's side during the civil war until the horrendous battle of the MPD on the enemy vessel USS Reprisal as FO. He had refused to open fire on the USS McCoy hospital ship and subdued against his Captain, preventing the attack on the medical ship. The Reprisal then stood down from attacking the ships of the 52nd. Post war, a General Court Martial was convened where Durand took full responsibility for his actions and those of the officers and crew following him and although he had prevented a tragedy, his violation the chain of command and refusal to follow direct orders from a superior officer, earned him the punishment of demotion to Lieutenant Senior grade and he was reassigned. He also was stripped of all citations and awards. Only recently had he been cleared of a probationary period, and promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Dorga looked over the desk at him, studying his face as she thought about what she had read and placed the now inactive PADD on the desk between them. "An interesting history, Commander." She stated in a neutral tone as she glanced at the wall chronometer. It was exactly 1630 hours and Captain Rivers' Yacht would be disembarking, making Dorga the acting Commanding Officer of the USS Boudicca, and this man seated before her, the acting First Officer. (reply Durand room for lots more) Now it was time to inform the crew of the new chain of command. "Computer open an all stations channel, include the civilian section and QV." [Channel open] "This is Commander 'cha Nooras speaking, as of this moment I am officially acting CO and Lieutenant Commander Alan Durand is acting First Officer. Lieutenant Lorimar remains acting Second Officer and Chief of Engineering. Thank you for your attention. Message ended." ~ If Lorimar is alive and well. ~ Dorga couldn't help thinking. [Channel closed] "Computer, as of 1632 hours Commander Alan Durand has full access to this ship's systems, pertaining to his rank and position. confirmation Nooras Beta Alpha Charlie 00732." She nodded to the FO for him to give his access code. (Reply Durand, Maxon, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – LCDR Durand – Day 7 – 1628) Alan followed her into the Ready Room and observed her closely as she asked him to take a seat and be patient. Not her exact words, but he well knew the drill. She was no doubt going to rapidly review his service record. BuPERS, he surmised, had not given her any more heads up than he himself had gotten; otherwise, he had no doubt that she would have already familiarized herself with his jacket. He took the opportunity to study her more closely as he sat. The reputation that preceded her was a very professional one, and he always strove to know the person behind the stories and speculation. He was at a fair disadvantage. After all, she had access to his entire unclassified service jacket, where all he had was his five senses, his experience, and of course his judgment. Clearly, there was some Klingon in her blood as well. As he studied her features ~very beautiful in a unique way!~ he not so idly wondered which part of her heritage, if either, were dominant. It was as much professional as personal speculation; her genetic makeup and cultural beliefs, mores, and morals would very likely have a strong impact on her command style. Vulcan logic? Klingon fury? A mixture, most likely. He smiled thinly despite himself, thinking that the whole was surely greater than the sum of her parts. He was becoming much more interested in this assignment by the moment. After a time she looked over the desk at him. He met her gaze squarely. Not in the fashion of a territorial or professional challenge, but rather with an openness and honesty he practiced always with fellow officers. ~I’m not hiding anything… and I hope you don’t either!~ He had a flash of curiosity at that moment. ~Is she the usual Vulcan ‘contact’ telepath? If so, did she get anything when she shook my hand? Was *that* why she made the unusual (for a Vulcan) gesture? Is there any Betazoid in that mix? Is she reading me now? If she is… knock yourself out Commander, this isn’t my first Rodeo!~ He smiled openly as he continued studying her. "An interesting history, Commander." She ventured in a flat tone while she glanced in the direction of a wall chronometer. ~Is that an opening for a response?~ His speculation was very short lived, as she ordered the computer to open a channel to all stations aboard. [Channel open] "This is Commander 'cha Nooras speaking, as of this moment I am officially acting CO and Lieutenant Commander Alan Durand is acting First Officer. Lieutenant Lorimar remains acting Second Officer and Chief of Engineering. Thank you for your attention. Message ended." [Channel closed] "Computer, as of 1632 hours Commander Alan Durand has full access to this ship's systems, pertaining to his rank and position. confirmation Nooras Beta Alpha Charlie 00732." She nodded to the FO for him to give his access code. He knew this particular drill as well. “Computer, this is Lieutenant Commander Alan George Durand, service number sierra echo charlie six seven three one zero five romeo. Per order of Starfleet command, I am assuming the duties of Acting First Officer of this vessel. So note in the ship’s log. Please transfer my personal command codes effective immediately, authorization Durand, four four one niner two beta sierra.” [Acknowledged. Log entry recorded. Codes transferred.] Durand smiled at his aCO. “Captain… may I ask what the Devil is going on aboard this ship?” (Reply aCO, Any, Room for much more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 1628) Denise's laugh rang out, shocking Dav out of his interaction with Ames. Had he been the type to embarrass easily, he might have blushed. But he knew immediately what she was laughing about, and he shared the joke. "Lieutenant," he said, making the address part of the bit. Otherwise, as they had covered that morning, he would have called her Denise. "Something amusing?" He glanced at Ames, who was biting his lip, probably wondering if this wasn't inappropriate behavior. It wasn't exactly usual to joke this way with superior officers. "Sorry, sir," Denise said, and Dav gathered the 'sir' was largely ironic, though she didn't let on. "But I can tell you, IT," she gestured to The Chair, "Doesn't bite and it does have all the information you could possibly want or need." "It's also comfortable," Ames chimed in. "Not that I've sat in it, but I've logged a lot of hours sitting here near it, and I can swear to the fact that nearly every officer who takes The Chair heaves a little sigh of relief when they sit down." He turned to face Dav more fully. "You might even want to put your feet up," he said, then snorted with laughter. "Yeah, keep laughing," Dav told them, suppressing a grin. He took a few steps toward the command chair, but still didn't sit in it. "At least I know how to keep a bridge crew entertained!" (posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1628) With a grunt, Parr gave a nod, "better than nothing for the furless; at least we are well enough armed without weapons." He looked down at his mate and couldn't help but grin at her. "I think I'm going to like it here." He told her, attempting to give her a wink but actually blinking both eyes. "Let me scout just beyond the trees while you tell the second officer it's all clear and give him the bad news about the power weapons. Then we should get a fire started, in fact I think we should make several fires in a half circle in front of the runabout at intervals, they should keep any creatures at bay as we have no repel nets. I will bring firewood back, at least with these trees broken down there will be no shortage of fuel." Shadow stopped for two heartbeats, "Is that an order?" she asked. (Reply Parrr'Z) "Not anyone alone. Even you could be taken down by a pack of nasties." Actually, she was really thinking 'especially you' since he tended to be quite arrogant and sure in his immortality, but maybe she was learning this diplomacy thing. "I like you breathing." She added in hopes of sweetner. (Reply Parrr'Z, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1629) "Is that an order?" Shadow asked when Parr told her he'd go and scout out the area just beyond the trees while she gave Lorimar the bad news about the power weapons and started making fires. "What do you mean? Of course it's not an order." The Caitian responded, he knew better than to order Shadow around even though now and again he forgot and gave it a try. "Not anyone alone. Even you could be taken down by a pack of nasties..." She paused then added sweetly, "I like you breathing." Surprising him by not clawing up one side of him and down the other. She had a good point of course, there was no telling what kind of animals were around and even he wouldn't stand a lot of chance against more that eight wolf like creatures, but then he was capable of climbing trees very quickly, still if the pack animals could climb trees too then he was in big trouble. "Alright then. Go and tell the second officer and I will collect firewood from around here and start a fire, then we will go and scout out the area while the others make more fires. I think we will be here for several hours at least." He didn't want to say 'if the Boudicca got the distress call and probe' though he did wonder about that, still it was best to proceed as if the worst case scenario was happening; best to act like the distress call had gone unheeded. If that were the case the Boudicca wouldn't even start to look for them for about another eight hours, and that meant they'd be spending the night on this unknown planet. (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1631) Shadow hadn't been surprised to find Bob under a console muttering to himself. "Chief Bob," she called, poking him with her tail and feeling bad when he almost wacked his head on the bottom of said console. "Errr, sorry.." She apologized, staring at her tail to make sure it didn't loop. She *knew* she shouldn't be happy, but it was so strange to be useful, to know what to do, to have a skill set that made her one of the important people. "Parrr'Z thought we should report in before we start exploring." Shadow said, "The Phasors aren't working, probably no sensor net or way to build a repel fence or anything. We figured to go with old fashioned fire. The foliage is all wet enough it won't catch uncontrolled." (Reply Lorimar) "I was also thinking, there's more than enough brush to build a palisade. We see no reason to move from the ship and always best to stay where you crashed." She was sure Chief Bob had the same training she did, but she'd had it most recently of the crew. Well, maybe, she wasn't quite sure when Doctor Vampire had been dragged through. (Reply Lorimar) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge –aCO/CDR. Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1631) “Computer, this is Lieutenant Commander Alan George Durand, service number sierra echo charlie six seven three one zero five romeo. Per order of Starfleet command, I am assuming the duties of Acting First Officer of this vessel. So note in the ship’s log. Please transfer my personal command codes effective immediately, authorization Durand, four four one niner two beta sierra.” [Acknowledged. Log entry recorded. Codes transferred.] Durand smiled at Dorga. “Captain… may I ask what the Devil is going on aboard this ship?” Dorga smiled with amusement, surely he had been told about the explosion? She leaned back in the comfy, reclining leather chair and twined her fingers together over her stomach, relaxing a little after the stressful time since the explosion had shaken the ship, killing and maiming some of her crew. How many casualties she didn't know yet, but even one was one to many. The thought of what she'd seen down in Engineering chilled her and brought a clenching of her jaw and a flash of sorrow to her features that she quickly subdued as she leaned forward again. ~ Somebody will pay! ~ "I don't know how much you have been told already, but we've had an explosion down in Engineering and have cause to believe it was sabotage, several deaths and serious injuries have resulted from it as well as extensive damage to the department... That is bad enough but we also received a distress call shortly after from our Runabout Lorimar, that departed on a sixteen hour test flight this morning. The message was indistinct and only recently were we able to confirm it was an S.O.S. There were no co-ordinates given so we don't know where they are but are hoping they sent the information via a probe back to us. The acting second officer, Lieutenant Lorimar is in command of the runabout and six crewmembers; he is a very thorough, organized and capable officer so I'm certain he would have sent the information if he were able too..." ~ Kahless make it so! ~ Dorga sighed softly. "But you will appreciate that the Boudicca is in no shape to go and rescue them." She added and then pressing a key displayed the manifest she had uploaded from the command chair console, brought the data to a wall display for Durand to see." Dorga waved a hand towards the display. "As you see, we do have several support craft available to us and I am sure we can utilize the most suitable to attempt a rescue, barring the Captain's Yacht of course. However if the runabout is salvageable we'd have no means to get it back to us, but once repairs have been effected on board then the Boudicca can head out to get it. The most important thing of course, is getting our people back." ~ Hopefully alive and well. ~ "So, number one, you can start by reading the manifest and specifications of each vessel and give me your recommendations as to which one would be the most suitable, bearing in mind that we don't know what caused the runabout to sustain severe damage, whether it was from outside aggressive forces or a systems failure, or even if my idea is feasible, and then head down to Engineering as I see you specialize in engineering, to get a firsthand look at the damage." (Reply aFO, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet – Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO Cdr. Alan Durand – 1633) Bob was absorbed in his intial damage survey. He was lying on the deck, with his head and shoulders inside an access panel. He wiped some drippy goo from a gel pack off his cheek and was reaching back to pull out and examine a control module when he felt *something* touch him. So unprepared for the sensation was he that he jumped involuntarily and nearly smacked his head on the edge of a panel. ~Shadow’s tail!~ Even as she began apologizing he wriggled free of the panel and craned his neck to look up at her as she stood over him expectantly. "Parrr'Z thought we should report in before we start exploring." Shadow said, "The Phasors aren't working, probably no sensor net or way to build a repel fence or anything. We figured to go with old fashioned fire. The foliage is all wet enough it won't catch uncontrolled." “Good thinking, he said as he reached out and gave the tip of her tail a gentle squeeze. After all, it was very sensitive, and he hoped the gesture would be much akin to patting a human arm reassuringly. “Ah’ll be oot shortly, and please tell Mister Parrr’Z that ah dinnae want anyone going out *anywhere* alone. If ye hae a chance ye can scout and secure our perimeter but ah dinnae want anyone leaving sight of the ship just yet.” "I was also thinking, there's more than enough brush to build a palisade. We see no reason to move from the ship and always best to stay where you crashed." He didn’t quite repress a chuckle. “Perhaps we could dig a moat as well, lassie.” He smiled, wondering if she would get the joke or not. Better to be sure, he thought. “A sensible suggestion, but don’t think that ye and Mister Parrr’Z need carry the whole burden. The rest of us will help when we get things organized. As ah said, ah’ll be oot just as soon as ah finish here. Anything else for now?” (Reply Shadow iyw, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Officer's Mess – Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski – 1633) Denise didn't spend a lot of time in the Officer's Mess. She typically snuck into the enlisted mess to play card games with her friends or just went into QV. Having been kicked off the bridge with a 'Just how long have you been on shift anyway?' she decided probably best to just go to the nearest place to eat. *She* didn't think an eleven hour shift was particularly long; she normally pulled fourteen hour shifts. But at least the Chief of Ops was back aboard and taken over the department once more. The rumbling of her stomach had probably been the cause of her removal from the bridge as much as her CO's appearance. "Corn and Crab soup, hot in spice and temperature." She told the replicator. The recipes from her personal replicator had somehow spread through out the ship. She wondered if it had been Bob trying to be a gentleman, but engineers didn't generally mess with the programming side of things. "New Orleans Café au lait." She added as an afterthought. God, some replicators used frothed milk instead of scalded, she had no idea how *that* corruption had entered Star Fleet's programming, but you had to be specific or you got the worst coffee in the stars. Grabbing her tray she grabbed the nearest available two seat table. She wasn't averse to sharing, but she really didn't want to sit with a group of giggling ensigns. They made her feel so very old. The room was nearly empty, the nearest gaggle was a few tables over. Unfortunately loud enough that their voices carried in the nearly empty room. "..Oh, I'm sure they're fine. They have Selek the perfectionist. He could probably crash land on a land mine without setting it off." ~Crash land? What now?~ She then shifted it out of brain, probably the latest 3D drama going through the popularity movement. She instead buried her nose in her PADD about Operations .. well, operations. She'd found her lack of knowledge of bridge procedure appalling. ~..Oh, I do hope Lorimar is fine, he's a hunk!" said another ensign. At the mention of Bob's name Denise looked to identify the group of pilots sitting next to her. "I don't think the CEO would know what to do with a fine lady in his lap, now me on the other hand.." continued one of the two males. ~What the?~ Gossip was part and parcel of military service, it went with the troops bitching. If they weren't bitching morale was in the head. But.. crash land? Bob? She'd been on the bridge, surely she would have heard *something* for all that she'd been concentrating on damage control and personnel assignment. "Excuse me, what was that about the Runabout Lorimar?" she asked. She got a pitying look for being so hopelessly out of the loop, "We got a distress call, they've apparently had some sort of mechanical failure and crashed into an unnamed planet." She dropped her fork. "Weren't you up on the bridge?" one of the girls asked her as Denise got up from her table and left her food untouched and uncleaned up after. Mechanical failure her aunty fanny, Bob's ship would work beyond perfect before he let it take anyone other than himself on a voyage. "Boy.. talk about clueless.." the other girl said. "And rude!" the first agreed. But who could she ask for an update? Engineering had its own problems, she *was* Ops and she hadn't known.. Science, science would know. Of course, they'd probably be eye deep in analysis from the explosion, but their data files.. (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – SPC aFO – 1634) Alan listened intently to the Captain (He could scarcely think of her otherwise, for that was her position if not her rank) and her succinct summary of the situation aboard. When she called up the data manifest on the wall screen, he rose from the chair he had been sitting in and approached it to study it in detail. The data was neatly summarized, and he was intimately familiar with all of Starfleet’s various standard auxiliary craft. His consideration took very little time, as options were few and unattractive indeed. “Captain, our options are not particularly attractive on the face of it are they? Clearly the most capable of the ship’s auxiliary craft was… *is*, rather… the Runabout itself. The most capable remaining rescue craft would be the Type Eleven shuttles, though I would hardly consider them ideal. More like, ‘best available’. I think you summed things up nicely; systems failure of some sort, hostile action, or natural phenomena would be the most likely causes of distress. Selecting which, or even which combination would be baseless speculation on my part, so I won’t go there.” He turned from the display and smiled thinly at Dorga. “I’m not thrilled about the possibilities, Captain, to be quite frank. Systems failure would clearly be the ‘best’ case; if that is what happened, a rescue attempt would be simple enough, once the runabout has been located.” He didn’t bother to mention the ‘needle in a haystack’ potential difficulty of actually finding the runabout, figuring that she was fully aware of it. He tapped the touch sensitive display, dragging and dropping the particular details he wanted to emphasize. “Assuming they were on flight plan and on schedule, and factoring in the time needed for a distress signal to get back to us here,” he tapped the screen twice with his finger, zooming in to a targeted area, “I propose a standard grid search, focused at these coordinates. Some of the search area would include this unexplored system, here. If I were in command, and had a damaged ship, I would likely head for a solar system if I could. It’s a lot to hope for, but if there is anything like an even marginally habitable planet there, it would increase survival options considerably over drifting in open space.” He paused a moment, considering. ~They don’t pay me to sugar-coat things, so I hope she appreciates candor..~ “As I said, Captain, this is the ‘best case’ option. If you authorize use of a pair of shuttles, we could double our search speed and sensor capacity. Now the bad news. I think this is the least likely of scenarios, honestly. A brand new ship on a shakedown *rarely* suffers such catastrophic failures as this would seem to indicate.” He turned to review the data once more, as though rereading it might make the facts change or be more palatable. “I’m sorry Captain, but I see the other two scenarios as considerably more likely, given what few facts we have in evidence. In either one of those cases, the chances of a successful rescue with auxiliary craft are considerably diminished. In any case, if we were to launch now, I’d estimate roughly nine hours flight time to the search area – that’s at maximum sustainable speed for the Type Elevens – and then add the length of the search. If we get very lucky indeed, we’re talking about twelve or thirteen hours at least to cover about half the search area.” (Reply aCO, Room for more) He listened in respectful silence to his Captain’s reply, processing his response and follow on questions carefully. “Captain, do we have a preliminary damage and repair estimate from engineering?” (Reply aCO) “Clearly our very best option, and the one that gives the highest likelihood of success, is to get underway just as quickly as we can with the Boudicca. That of course gives us the most versatility to meet whatever situations arise.” He looked at her evenly, wondering what she would decide. He had an inkling of what she might say, but wondered if his judgment of her was accurate or not. “If you wish to launch an immediate search and rescue, of course I will volunteer to lead it. In that case I’ll make immediate preparations to get underway. Otherwise, I’ll head for engineering to check on the damage, with your permission?” (Reply aCO, Any) (Posted by Russ) ******* (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras Day 7 – 1636) Dorga called up the data manifest on the wall screen and Cdr. Durand rose from his chair and approached it to study it in detail. His consideration took very little time. “Captain, our options are not particularly attractive on the face of it are they? Clearly the most capable of the ship’s auxiliary craft was… *is*, rather… the Runabout itself. The most capable remaining rescue craft would be the Type Eleven shuttles, though I would hardly consider them ideal. More like, ‘best available’. I think you summed things up nicely; systems failure of some sort, hostile action, or natural phenomena would be the most likely causes of distress. Selecting which, or even which combination would be baseless speculation on my part, so I won’t go there.” He turned from the display and smiled thinly at her. “I’m not thrilled about the possibilities, Captain, to be quite frank. Systems failure would clearly be the ‘best’ case; if that is what happened, a rescue attempt would be simple enough, once the runabout has been located.” ~ If they're located! Now don't be thinking negatively, they WILL be located. ~ Dorga considered the type 11 shuttles of which they had 12 in the docking bay. They could carry up to twelve people and were fast being capable of a maximum warp of 7 for 3 hours and a normal cruise of warp factor 6 and maximum cruise of 6.6. ~ They could travel the maximum for the 3 hours and slip into maximum cruise, that should shave off some time. ~ Durand tapped the touch sensitive display, dragging and dropping the particular details he wanted to emphasize. “Assuming they were on flight plan and on schedule, and factoring in the time needed for a distress signal to get back to us here,” he tapped the screen twice with his finger, zooming in to a targeted area, “I propose a standard grid search, focused at these coordinates. Some of the search area would include this unexplored system, here. If I were in command, and had a damaged ship, I would likely head for a solar system if I could. It’s a lot to hope for, but if there is anything like an even marginally habitable planet there, it would increase survival options considerably over drifting in open space.” He paused a moment, considering and Dorga hoped he wasn't considering holding anything back from her, what she needed in her aFO was candid honestly even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear. “As I said, Captain, this is the ‘best case’ option. If you authorize use of a pair of shuttles, we could double our search speed and sensor capacity. Now the bad news. I think this is the least likely of scenarios, honestly. A brand new ship on a shakedown *rarely* suffers such catastrophic failures as this would seem to indicate.” He turned to review the data once more and then told her he thought the other two scenarios were the most likely, considering the few facts they had, which, he pointed out, which considerably diminished the chances of a successful rescue. Definitely not what Dorga wanted to hear. ".....In any case, if we were to launch now, I’d estimate roughly nine hours flight time to the search area – that’s at maximum sustainable speed for the Type Elevens – and then add the length of the search. If we get very lucky indeed, we’re talking about twelve or thirteen hours at least to cover about half the search area.” "I think that's the way to go, but we have twelve type 11's, if you take four that will cut down the time of the search and increase the chances of finding them. I think you can handle being CO of them. Your thoughts?" (Reply aFO, Room for more) "I was also thinking that if you took the shuttles out at warp 7 for three hours and dropped down to the maximum cruise of 6.6 that should also decrease the time significantly." (Reply aFO, Room for more) “Captain, do we have a preliminary damage and repair estimate from engineering?” "Not yet number one, I haven't had a chance to request one." Dorga replied. "Besides a mess like that will take some time, first they had to get the injured and fatalities...." Dorga had a flash back of the carnage she'd seen, something she never thought she would see again after the civil war. ~ What was left of them. ~ "...out of there, but I want reports from Engineering, Operations and the Medical depart- ments asap." (Reply aFO) “Clearly our very best option, and the one that gives the highest likelihood of success, is to get underway just as quickly as we can with the Boudicca. That of course gives us the most versatility to meet whatever situations arise.” Dorga gave her usual curt one nod. "Naturally! We will have teams working double shifts around the clock until the ship is capable of leaving the station. For a nano second, Dorga considered asking the station administrator to lend her some of its engineers, but then she thought of the security risk that would entail, for all she knew any one of them could be in league with the fiend who ordered the sabotage. Of course it could just have been Smiddens' personal vendetta against the Engineering department personnel, but somehow Dorga didn't believe that. No... she was certain that somebody else was behind it all. Who knows, they could even have sabotaged the Runabout Lorimar. “If you wish to launch an immediate search and rescue, of course I will volunteer to lead it. In that case I’ll make immediate preparations to get underway. Otherwise, I’ll head for engineering to check on the damage, with your permission?” Durand stated. "Yes, I want the shuttles out immediately! There's no need for you to go to Engineering really, I just wanted you to get a firsthand look at the damage but we have good people down there with Chief Krolar, Ensign Enright and the ACEO Lieutenant Gesar. I'll leave it up to you who you take along with you number one and as soon as the Boudicca is able she will be on her way to aid you. I want our people found." (Reply aFO, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1640) The primary fire had been lit in the ancient manner by rubbing two sticks together until they began to smoke then smolder, a tried and true method consideringhe couldn't use his phaser to do it, and one that was utilized in survival training. While more fires were being prepared Parr was wandering the perimeter of what would be their camp until rescue collecting more firewood, dried bits of undergrowth and whatever else he could find that was dry enough to burn before venturing a little deeper into the surrounding trees with Shadow on a scouting trip. While he did so, he let his deeper instincts come forth. He took in everything around him with all of his senses - smell, sight, hearing, taste, touch and opened his mind to the jungle. The rich, earthy scent filled him with a longing to explore, and whereas earlier he couldn't hear anything except the breeze in the branches he began to hear the sounds of life within the dark shadows of the trees, as birds and other wildlife that had been holding its collective breath after the cacophony of hitherto unknown sound had invaded their territory, became more accustomed to the strange creatures moving around the runabout. Breathing through his mouth, Parr could also taste the fresh, warm, humid air and on it the scents of all that surrounded him, there were several different scents vaguely familiar that stirred the inherent primordial memory within him. There was the universal scent of leaves, rotting plants and trees, the earth beneath his feet, a distant scent of water and the unmistakable scent and taste of reptiles and mammals, and suddenly, stronger than all those tantalizing odors borne on the breeze, there was the tangy taste of hot blood... something had made a kill while he'd been analyzing what he could smell and taste and it wasn't very far away. He carried what he'd collected back to the growing pile of fuel and visually scanned the surrounding tree tops. Directly opposite the runabout, a couple of vine draped trees were quite a lot taller than the rest; picking the tallest he ran over to it and swiftly ascended up to its leafy crown to have a good look around. As far as he could see, to his left there was the clearing they'd landed in and skidded out of. On the other side of the clearing and surrounding it there was the vast green carpet of trees that reached to the horizon. In front of him in the far distance he could see white capped, blue/gray mountains, hazy from the heat that rose from the jungle marching upwards to them, and to his right more trees and the sparkle of the light flickering and glittering between tree tops. ~ Probably the water I smell coming from the mountains. I will have to check that out just in case we are here longer than our water supply will last. ~ He thought as he turned around to look behind him, his eyes growing wide at what he saw. There the jungle marched downwards towards a great lake and at the lakeside there were several high mounds covered with bushes and trees, but something about their shape made Parr doubt that they were just hills, the mounds were too symmetrical to be natural. ~ Perhaps that is where we may find who scanned us. ~ Quickly Parrr'Z climbed back down the tree and hurried excitedly over to the 2O to tell him what he'd seen. (reply Lorimar, Any) (posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - Day 7 - 1641) Ayslin put down what she was working on and took a deep breath. Holding her left hand out in front of her she watched it visibly shake for a moment. She wasn't cut out for this kind of stuff and she knew it, despite all the training Star Fleet had given her. She'd spent her entire life in school, or the lab, or in front of a class room, not wandering around on uncharted jungle planets that tried to kill you. The adrenaline was drained from her system, and she sat drained of energy. Her tricorder sat in pieces in front of her and she simply didn't know what to do with it. There were no students to teach, no experiments to run, she was a bruised science officer on a wrecked runabout in the middle of a jungle on a planet that no one knew of. She picked up the non functional tricorder again, and looked down at it wondering if it was even worth the effort. Shadow and Parrr'z seemed to be in their element, and Lorimar had things to fix and a mission to lead. Selek was ever the Vulcan and she didn't know Candle well enough to know how he was handling things. She on the other hand was a mess, and was doing her best not to show it, she wasn't going to be that person, the person who cracks under the pressure, who the team has to carry. She brushed a loose strand of red hair out of her face without much of a thought, and tried to reinilitalize the circuit only to have it do nothing. ~Just like me,~ she thought feeling more like throwing the tricorder than fixing it. ~Fine, it wants to be annoying I'm going to do something really stupid and see how it likes it.~ Reaching into the tricorder she found the primary power circuit and pulled the primary power buffer out of the circuit and bridged the now empty gap. ~Now, lets see how you like that, you stupid piece of over engineered scrap!~ She turned the tricorder on one more time, ready to watch it char itself into one more piece of slag. Instead she was treated to a pop and a sputter and the tricorder chirped to life. "Huh, didn't see that coming," she thought, as she resealed the case of the tricorder. She ran a couple of initialization routines to make sure it was still functioning. She was fully aware that anything that so much as put an extra kilowatt of stress on the circuit would fry it surer than her morning breakfast, but it was still something. It wouldn't fix the broken phasers, they couldn't work without the buffer, but it did explain why the runabout came down, something in the scan had overloaded all the fail-safes on their power systems and crashed all the systems. She looked down at the now functioning tricorder and her fully functioning one on her belt that had survived the crash without issue and sagged in her chair. ~~Now what?~~ She thought, unsure of what to do next. (Reply Landing Party iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – SPC aFO Cdr. Alan Durand – 1640) “It also doubles our risk in personnel and material… but as you say it would increase our options and sensor coverage. I have no objections, Captain.” "I was also thinking that if you took the shuttles out at warp 7 for three hours and dropped down to the maximum cruise of 6.6 that should also decrease the time significantly." He shook his head at that. “Assuming the reactors and engines are fresh from the factory and in perfect condition yes. In practice, its far more likely that pushing them to their absolute limits will force us to then scale back power output well below cruising speed. I can’t say that absolutely of course, as I don’t know their status. I assure you we will get to the search area at maximum practical speed.” He paused a moment, then added. “I want to find them as badly as you Captain… there is a Starfleet crew out there… and we *will* find them.” They briefly discussed the Boudicca’s status; clearly the ship was in fine hands. In any case, Durand had a SAR mission to run. “If you wish, Captain, I can expedite those departmental reports, but I presume you want the rescue operation moving immediately, so I will focus my attention there, with your permission?” "Yes, I want the shuttles out immediately! There's no need for you to go to Engineering really, I just wanted you to get a firsthand look at the damage but we have good people down there with Chief Krolar, Ensign Enright and the ACEO Lieutenant Gesar. I'll leave it up to you who you take along with you number one and as soon as the Boudicca is able she will be on her way to aid you. I want our people found." “We will find them.” ~If they are still out there to be found…~ “If there is nothing else, Captain, I have a rescue mission to organize.” (Reply aCO, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1641) With a shake of his head, Commander Durand disagreed with Dorga's idea about taking the shuttles at warp 7 for three hours then dropping down to maximum cruising warp speed after, her reasoning being that it would get the four shuttles to where they would begin their search, quicker. He told her why he disagreed and she couldn't fault his logic, it made sense to her and she was pleased that he wasn't a yes man. “...I can’t say that absolutely of course, as I don’t know their status. I assure you we will get to the search area at maximum practical speed.” He paused a moment, then added. “I want to find them as badly as you Captain… there is a Starfleet crew out there… and we *will* find them.” "Knowing our Chief of Engineering the shuttles will be in pristine condition, number one but I agree with you not to use emergency warp." She concurred. After a brief discussion about the Boudicca’s status, Commander Durand offered to expedite the departmental reports, but went on to say he presumed she wwanted the rescue operation moving immediately, and therefore he would focus his attention there, with her permission, to which she replied in the affirmative and that she'd leave it up to him who he would take along with him and that the Boudicca would move to aid the rescue teams as soon as possible. "....I want our people found." “We will find them...If there is nothing else, Captain, I have a rescue mission to organize.” Durand replied A curt one nod and her vocal, "dismissed, Commander," sent him on his way. The doors slid closed behind Durand and Dorga touched her commbadge. "Engineering, Operations, Medical. This is..." She felt she should by rights be calling herself captain but somehow she couldn't bring herself to say the word, it just didn't feel right... "Commander 'cha Nooras, I want Status Reports." It looked as if it was going to be a long night for everyone, she thought as she leaned back in the comfortable chair and swiveled it around to stare out at the blackness of space and the dots of light, thankful for her Vulcan genes that allowed her to go without sleep for several days without adversely impacting her mental or physical functions for she knew she would need her wits about her while the away team were missing. (Reply aFO iyw, All above departments) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Officer's Quarters – Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski – 1642) It didn't take long for a data knowledgeable girl to get all the information the ship had on the status of the Lorimar. Ned sat in her lap with worried chips and chirps as Denise absently stroked the niffle. She ate a carrot just as absently while Ned chomped on a nice ore mix kibble. "Lebranski's exotic pet kibble, just order from your nearest replicator," she muttered. She sighed and got to her feet, putting Ned back on her bed. She still hadn't quite worked out how the furry being got around, but Ned seemed perfectly able to navigate vertical surfaces. Maybe she fell, bounced, and rolled. Ned seemed perfectly happy to be picked up and carried when Denise was around. She added her name to the volunteer list for the 'go find the runabout' list, though she had her serious doubts a quartermaster would be picked for the mission even if Dorga was doing the picking, and headed down to her office. Engineering should have an eyeball on the extent of damage by now and somethings would be better replicated on the station. Since it wasn't a Starfleet station it would be her job to do the negotiations. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1642) Shadow was heading back out after talking with Chief Bob to make sure Parrr'Z hadn't decided to go take on half the world by himself when she scented the chief scientist. If she could put emotions to words, she'd think that Lieutenant Rel smelt as frazzled as the circuitry. With great daring, she wrapped her tail around Rel's wrist hoping the woman would find it as comforting as Captain Susan and Loren seemed to. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly. All the boys seemed quite busy with their own things. (Reply Rel) "I was wondering.. On Siavo we have energy grids that keep certain wildlife away from our camps. I'm thinking sophistication might be impossible rightnow, BUT, is there anything you can think of to warn us of incoming anything over a certain size?" (Reply Rel) (posted by Lorna) ********* (Unknown Planet – Outside Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO – 1645) Bob had finally gotten his inside duties sorted sufficiently that he could make a long overdue appearance outside the runabout. ~No one is ever going tae mistake ye for a great leader or explorer, eh lad? Sending yer brave crew outside tae fix things up while ye cower in the nice, safe, broken ship?~ He smiled even as he chastised himself; it seemed that Shadow and Parrr’Z had things well organized indeed. He waved to get their attention, then hobbled toward the fire they had built as quickly as he damaged knee would allow. He addressed the two of them. “Nice flying Mister Parrr’z… and ye two seem to have things sorted pretty well out here.” He looked appreciatively at the fire, and turned slightly toward the fire, letting his knee bask in the radiant heat. “Lieutenant Rel is trying to salvage some sensor data from the computers. Anything we can learn might be useful. Did ye have a chance tae check our perimeter?” (Reply Parrr’Z, Shadow, Either, Both, Any) He nodded. “Pending how much daylight we have left, ah’d like tae dae a bit more scouting. Either that or we may wait until daylight tomorrow. Ah’m afraid we may be here for a bit. Until we get some working sensors, we’ll need tae find things out the old fashioned way. Shelter is covered, and the fires and perimeter ye have started on are a fine idea. As soon as it’s practical, we should supplement our emergency supplies of water and food, in that order… just tae be on the safe side. Any other thoughts for the moment?” (Reply Any) Ensign Candle made his presence known by calling out to Lorimar. “Chief what’s our status?” Bob turned toward the question and gave a half smile. “Ah believe ah should be asking you that, nae the other way around. Mister Candle, ah’d like ye tae inventory our emergency supplies, please. Ah ken what we loaded aboard, but let’s make sure of what is still useable after that carnival ride tae the surface shall we?” (Reply Candle, Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet – Runabout Lorimar – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1645) “When ye have a moment Ayslin, ah’d like ye tae check something for us. Just aft of the engineer’s station on the lower starboard bulkhead are some auxiliary data ports. If the system worked as intended, the primary bio-neural system *should* have been cross feeding data tae the backup ODN/Isolinear network. Ah’m hoping the backups fared a bit better than the primary systems. If ye can pull it up, most if not all of your initial scan data should be available. Perhaps ye could process it for us? Ah’m looking for anything at all ye can gather from it… weather, life signs… even planetary rotation data. The amount of daylight we have left could be important tae know. Can ye dae that for us please?” "Of course sir," Ayslin said, happy for something to do. "I'll see what we I can pull out of it." Ayslin got up and went to where Bob had indicated and opened the panel. She sat her slender frame on the floor of the runabout and looked inside and found the data ports where Bob said they were pulling out a ODN cable and her non jury rigged tricorder and connected them. There was plenty of raw data, but analyzing it by tricorder was going to be a pain and a half. Looking around she went back to her section and found one of the burned out terminals whose screen was still viable. She made quick work pulling it out of the housing, and then did the same to another input board. Moving back over to the auxiliary ODN ports, quickly constructing a terminal to work on. She quickly wrote a program to distribute the processing over the integral CPUs in the screen, input board, and the ODN network itself, with a boost from the CPU on the tricorder. Ayslin groaned ~30 hour days are really going to screw us up.~ she thought, then moved on to other things. She checked the weather next, prefering to know whether it was going to be freezing or baking. She spent a little bit longer trying to deduce where they might find the source of whatever brought them down. Eventually when she had all of the immediate data she could get, she set the system to start some long term analysis. And headed back into the rear of the ship, still a little bit out of her element, unsure if she should go outside or not. She nearly jumped out of her skin when a furry rope wrapped around her wrist. She was much relieved when it turned out to be Shadow's tail. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly. "Yeah, I am, thanks for asking though. I'm just not used to this kind of survival, my habitat of choice is a laboratory, not a jungle. We're lucky to have you and the Petty Officer," Ayslin said earnestly. "Is there anything you need my help with?" "I was wondering.. On Siavo we have energy grids that keep certain wildlife away from our camps. I'm thinking sophistication might be impossible right now, BUT, is there anything you can think of to warn us of incoming anything over a certain size?" "I can't promise anything, but I might be able to rig something up, with what we have." Ayslin said after a moment of thinking. "I'll do my best." After Shadow left Ayslin hauled out the chronometric calibration unit she had brought. Deciding she needed to find the Commander and she needed to get out of the confines of the shuttle, she moved outside to find trees surrounding them completely with a trail of downed ones in the runabout's wake. She put the case down by the side of the shuttle and spotted the Lieutenant. "Well sir, I've got good news and possibly bad news. We've got plenty of day light left, but that's mostly because we've got a thirty hour rotation for this planet. It's also going to get a little chilly tonight, good breezes should cool off this section of the jungle, and we shouldn't have much in the line of heavy rain, but as with any jungle, we'll probably get some kind of rains during the days. I couldn't find any life signs as such, but if I was setting up a sentient culture there is a decent river to the west, as well as some lightly jungle which would make a decent area to begin a search. I've left the computer processing the data to see if it can churn out anything else." She said showing him the info she'd downloaded onto her tricorder. (Reply Lorimar) In the mean time, Shadow asked if I might come up with a kind of perimeter warning sensor to give us some warning if any nasty predators decide to brave the fires. If you can spare me for the task, that is." Ayslin said with a smile. (Reply Lorimar) Smiling Ayslin went off to her gear and broke open the crate, she didn't need all of it, but some of the components would be useful in setting up a sensor network. She climbed up the sloping nose of the runabout first, trying to find at least one sensor array that she could dismantle and use for the grid. She did find one two by two panel that she managed to lever out of it's housing on the hull and save some of the wiring under it as well. Carefully crawling back down the face of the runabout she pulled out the power source and the processing units from the calibrator, as well as a display screen. Looking carefully on the ground under her she took a seat. It looked like they had brought down a few nut trees as well as something that resembled fruit as well, she wondered how long after they were gone until the jungle simply covered up the runabout and forgot they were ever there. Not long into the work she was forced to shuck her uniform jacket, but she manged to make some progress in patching in the sensor panel into the system and reprogramming the system to act like a primary sensor rather than transmitting ghost images. She was finishing her programing when a nut hit her head and rolled into her lap. She didn't think much of it until a fifth one hit her, either another nut tree was coming down or she was being targeted by some kind of miniature artillery. She looked up and spotted a small furry creature, not much larger than a Terran house cat, and looked like a cross between that an a weasel of some description. It was sitting on top of the run about looking down at her, and for the first time Ayslin realized they'd probably just made an innumerate number of jungle dwelling life forms homeless. "Hey, stop that," Ayslin said, tossing one of the nuts back at the creature who immediately chirped and squeaked at her but leaped into the air and caught it before giving her a long pitched squeak and running off into the jungle. She spent another half an hour testing and trying to fix the system to work as a perimeter alarm. It took a while to set the size threshold, and then integrate everyone's comm badge into the system so no one would freak out when someone came back to camp. "Sir, I think the system is ready if you want to check it over before I bring it all the way on line?" Ayslin said wiping sweat from her forehead with her discarded jacket. (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca - Engineering - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1645) Detron went back to his quarters to get cleaned up after taking care of the situation in Ramirez's quarters. The furry creatures did some damage to the bulkheads. Detron had to admit that the Niffle was cute but remained to be cautious from experience with creatures like this. Looking at the Niffle brought him back to when he was nine or ten. He visited his dad on Quo'nos for the day. His dad was working heavily on Detron to follow the path of the Warrior. Detron at the time was leaning in that direction. Detron went off in the woods to explore but not far enough that his dad couldn't see him. Detron walked a few feet and heard a chirping sound coming from an overhead branch. Detron looked up to find a furry creature hanging on that small branch. The weight of the creature bending the branch slightly to where Detron could reach it. Detron reached up and picked up the creature. He would find out later that the creature was a tribble. Detron held the creature in his hands and petted its back. The creature made a chirping sound as if it was comfortable with Detron. Detron noticed its great need to eat constantly. When the creature ate a fair amount of leaves or vegetation, it produced another of itself. Detron let the addition climb the tree without making a move to contain it. Detron played with the creature and several additions later ran up the tree after sizable amounts of brush were comsumed. Detron's dad call for him to come over so he could keep him close. Detron brought the creature over to his dad and a few other adults there to assist his dad on whatever task he was there to perform. Detron's dad yelled at Detron to get rid of the creature he held in his hand. Detron looked at his dad and asked why because it was so cute. The other adults there yelled at the creature to get away from them and they called it a "tribble." Detron didn't know what a tribble was but when the adults yelled at the creature, it produced the loudest piercing scream and jumped off his hand. The creature then bounced all over his dad and the adults. His dad and the adults commenced to pull it off and throw it at the ground. That went on for a while until one of the adults killedit with a disruptor. Detron angrily vented at his dad for the killing of the creature. His dad eventually convinced him that it was justified because of the history between tribbles and Klingons. Detron calmed down later. Detron had encounters with tribbles at later times growing up and now understood the actions taken that day. Back to the present, Detron walked up to a group at the console. "How is the progress coming with repairs." (Reply Any) (Posted by Edward) ********** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon & SPC Ensign Diana Tarch - 1645) A few minutes later, things had changed. Captain Rivers was gone. Commander 'cha Nooras had announced the change in command. And Dav, at Denise's insistence, was sitting in The Chair. Information flowed in from all shipboard sources, categorized and filed into tidy reports to deliver the fastest, most succinct information a commanding officer could need. He thumbed through the screen, monitoring damage reports, repair analysis, crew reporting status. The response time for those still aboard the station when the explosion occurred had been good, nearly the entire crew had reported in to emergency stations already. OPS had it covered from there, and Ensign Spero had finally reported in to the ship to take control of the circus. There was little he could do until Commander 'cha Nooras or someone else took control of the bridge. There were no decisions he could make that were not already being made by someone more qualified. He wasn't even sure he was supposed to have access to so much data, but the computer was allowing it, so he assumed it wasn't hurting anything. Still, it was bridge watch, and he knew that if anything went horribly wrong, he would need to use his training and act on it, quickly, until a superior relieved him. ~Which could be just any minute now,~ he thought expectantly, glancing at the ready room door. Sitting back in The Chair, Dav tried to feel comfortable with his place on the bridge. During the war, he and his classmates had all rushed through the Academy, driven to serve. Now, at the beginning of Dav's Starfleet career, there was no more war. He and many who had been at the Academy with him felt a little lost, a little purposeless. Now the goal wasn't to fight for one side or the other, it was to explore. As a scientist he appreciated that. But he had come into the ranks with the intention of fighting for those he'd lost and those he wished to protect. That was no longer part of the job. Now he had to think about his career, his research, his contributions to the ship and her crew. He had never thought about whether or not he would want to command some day, until he sat in That Chair. But it was something he would have to consider. "Unbelievable." He didn't quite listen until the speaker stepped closer to him, standing over him, as he was seated, clearing her throat so he couldn't miss her. Dav was stunned. "Diana!?" "Six months out of the Academy, and you're sitting a bridge. What ensign gets to sit a bridge?" she demanded to know. The young woman's gold OPS uniform looked new and as flawless as could be. She stood casually, but her not-quite-tall frame had the air of standing at attention anyway. She was Terran, with dark hair pulled back efficiently, and a grin like a seasoned officer greeting an old war buddy. "Don't look so shocked, Ensign," she told Dav. As he stood, she grabbed his arm and squeezed, shaking him lightly. "I'm reporting for duty." He was overwhelmingly surprised. He'd noticed a few more incoming transfers along with Lt. Commander Durand, but hadn't read the names closely. Diana Tarch had been in his class at the Academy, one of the first classmates he'd met upon his arrival to Earth, but after their graduation and commission earlier that year, she was one of the last people he would have expected to see. "Cat got your tongue, sir?" she said, handing him a padd. "Here's my transfer." He took it awkwardly, realizing he hadn't said a word in a few minutes. He threw a glance to Ensign Ames at the helm, who looked back at him quizzically. Diana noticed. "Friend of yours?" she asked quietly, then turned to Ames. "Hi," she said, then "Hello," to Denise at OPS. "Diana, what are you doing here?" Dav at last managed. "I told you. Transfer. Guess you didn't expect to find me all the way out here. Dav," she said, leaning in to address him informally. "It's really good to see you." Dav tried not to look skeptical. "How'd you get out here?" "Series of transports. You have no idea how hard I had to fight for this assignment, but I got it. I.." she trailed off and leaned in again. "I actually had no idea you were assigned here," she whispered. Dav didn't know how to respond. He wasn't quite glad to see her. He made a sort of shrugging gesture. "So," she continued. "Where do I report?" This he could answer. "After our emergency status cools down, you'll report to Ensign Spero in OPS." "And until then?" "For now, you can take the OPS station, so the lieutenant here can get a break. Lebranski!" he called out in his best commandery voice, still bossing her around, his good-natured joke. "Just how long have you been on shift anyway?" In the back of his mind, Dav's unease was growing. He had some ideas about why Diana had wanted this assignment, and it had nothing to do with him, which was fine. But he wished she hadn't come. The last time he'd seen Diana Tarch, she'd tried to kill him. (Reply Lebranski only if you want,) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (Unknown Planet – Outside Runabout Lorimar – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – Day 7 - 1646) Lorimar addressed Shadow and Parr, complimenting Parr on his flying which was puzzling to the Caitian as he didn't fly the runabout it was Selek who was the pilot. ~ Perhaps he's a little concussed. ~ He gave the 2O a smile and nod in response, best to humor the boss for now. “… and ye two seem to have things sorted pretty well out here.” He looked appreciatively at the fire, and turned slightly toward the fire as he told them that Lieutenant Rel was trying to salvage some sensor data from the computers as anything new they learned could be useful. He then asked if they'd had a chance to check the perimeter. "I climbed the highest tree over there." Parr waved a paw in the general direction and could see for quite a distance, but we haven't physically checked the perimeter up close and personal yet, Sir." He then went on to tell Lorimar about what he had seen from the tree top. "With your permission we will scout right now." (Reply Shadow, Lorimar, Any - room for more) The CEO nodded. “Pending how much daylight we have left, ah’d like tae dae a bit more scouting. Either that or we may wait until daylight tomorrow. Ah’m afraid we may be here for a bit. Until we get some working sensors, we’ll need tae find things out the old fashioned way. Shelter is covered, and the fires and perimeter ye have started on are a fine idea. As soon as it’s practical, we should supplement our emergency supplies of water and food, in that order… just tae be on the safe side. Any other thoughts for the moment?” "Shadow and I can reach the river faster than the rest of you, so we can fetch more water while we're scouting around and we can also bring some meat and vegetation back with us. We are proficient at hunting and gathering." (Reply Lorimar, Shadow, Any) Ensign Candle called out to Lorimar asking what their status was and the 2O's attention was diverted to him. Parr waited patiently for permission for the two felinoids to start their expedition to scout, hunt and gather. (Reply Lorimar, Shadow, Candle, any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - QM's Officer - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1647) "Computer, activate holographic marine Jose Rameriz." She ordered. The marine in question popped into life, looked around and said "Computer, deactivate holographic marine Jose Rameriz." And blinked back out of existence. "Son of a .." she muttered, "ON!" she said pushing a button on her terminal. Rameriz popped into the room once more, scowled, reached over and pushed the same button, "OFF!" He disappeared. "Oh for the love of money," Denise growled, "ON!" "OFF!" "ON!" and before he could disappear, "SEMPER FI!" Rameriz stopped his forward reach, shut his mouth and snapped a salute, spine stiffening. "Thank God." Denise growled, "Finally." "How mays I serve?" He asked. "Yous may serve by listening!" Denise yelled back, "Look, someone just blew up our engineering, Bob, Shadow and their crew are MIA and I want THEM found and the sons of vomit who blew up our ship found too. Which job do you want?" Rameriz seemed to blink, but in reality he was accessing the databanks and sensor readings he'd deactivated himself from only hours before. "I don'ts have any orders.." "*I'M* giving you orders, marine. ACT LIKE ONE. I'll make you a bleeding officer if I have to!" "HEYS! Lets not get dirty!" Rameriz protested, "I thinks.. I thinks that you could get me to the runabouts last knowns location, but gettins me backs again might be tricky. So a ghost not lots of help there. I guess I go investigates the station. Tho, I can't snags anyone." "Oh just hack the stations holographic emitters and use them!" Denise snapped. "Just charge the energy usage back to the ship." Rameriz snapped a perfect salute, "I likes you as my CO, Lieutenant!" and he disappeared in his more usual shower of happy lights. "Oh great, a pet marine to go with my pet niffle." She said sinking back into her desk's chair. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get Bob some much needed backup. (Reply any) (posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1647) The Ready Room doors slid closed behind her new acting First Officer and Dorga touched her commbadge to order Engineering, Operations and Medical to give her their status reports. Doctor Jahlen was the first to reply. Her tone of voice gave away the sorrow she was feeling at the loss sustained by the vicious explosion. =/\= Captain, I am sorry to inform you that with DNA identification, we have had ten fatalities and five severely injured. We have at least six more minor injuries. All the body parts identified as PO Smiddens have been...(Jahlen paused trying to search for the right word)...Have been isolated and I will be autopsying them as soon as possible. =/\= ~ Ten dead!! By Kahless whoever did this is a monster!! ~ "Thank you doctor, let me know the autopsy reports and tests asap." =/\= Of course, Captain. =/\= Jahlen responded and the connection was closed. (respond OPS and Engineering) (posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – aCEO Ens.(Sg.) Anton Gesar – Day 7 - 1648) Anton just got the request from the aCO for a status report. He looked around the room trying to spot Master Chief Krolar. When he did not see him he turned to see if he was at the other end of engineering as the man appeared right in front of him. It caused him to jump back a little. The chief got somewhat of a hurt look on his face. "Sorry Chief, I was looking for you and did not expect you to appear right in front of me. Have you collected all the reports?" (Reply from Krolar) "Thank you Master Chief." "Bridge, this is Engineering. Medical has completed the clean up and repairs are under way. Power has been re-routed to avoid the damaged areas. Systems such as life support, weapons and shields were not affected. Impulse drive is at 50% capacity, but warp drive is down. The explosion damaged circuitry connected to the antimatter containment. We have to run a diagnostic on every component of the warp core before we can bring it online. We are looking at several hours before we can even bring the warp core online." (Reply Bridge) "Alright Master Chief. Lets make sure we inspect the deuterium cartridges before we initiate the startup sequence. Let me know when they have completed diagnostics on the power routing conduits damaged in the explosion. I'm going to see if I can expedite getting the warp core up and running." (Reply from Krolar) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet – Crash landing party campsite – a2O/CEO – 1648) Getting the expected reports from both Parrr’Z and Rel, Bob rubbed his injured knee absently while he answered. “Thirty hours eh? That should gie us plenty of light tae work under, and with.” He had some ideas of his own which he would implement just as soon as he had an opportunity. “Since we have a good bit of daylight left, and nae likelihood of nasty weather soon, by all means Mister Parrr’Z, please take Shadow and scout. I expect the two of ye back before dark however. Avoid any contact and report your progress. Yer commbadges should work, but their range will be greatly diminished without any systems active on the ship… and I hate tae think what effect all that jungle vegetation will have as far as damping the signals. In short – be careful.” (Reply Parrr’Z, Shadow, Any) After Rel had shown him the data she had downloaded to her tricorder, she proceeded to explain Shadow’s suggestion for a perimeter alarm system. “Dae ye think ye might utilize that medium range sensor unit ye were speaking about for the job? It might be a bit more comforting than pebbles in a can, after all.” He smiled, wondering if she would get the reference to the most primitive of alarm devices he mentioned. (Reply Rel iyw) “For the moment ah’ll keep the fires fed; that will gie me a good chance tae walk about a bit and also check the exterior of the ship.” (Reply Any) Time passed rapidly after the departure of the scouts. Between feeding the fires and checking the exterior of the ship for damage, the moments slipped by quickly indeed. At least his knee was starting to loosen up; he could walk nearly pain free, and his limp had subsided considerably. Ayslin drew his attention once again. “Sir, I think the system is ready if you want to check it over before I bring it all the way on line?" Ayslin said wiping sweat from her forehead with her discarded jacket. Instead of answering, he made his way quickly over to where she had been working. He gave the jury rigged device an appreciative once over. “If ye ever tire of the science stuff, ye’d make a fine engineer Ayslin. Its not as though they are two disciplines separated by a huge vacuum anyway.” (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet – Emergency campsite – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – 1648.5) The 2O rubbed his injured knee absently and commented that thirty hours would give them plenty of light for working and old Parrr’Z, to take Shadow and scout, stating he expected them back before dark and that they should avoid any contact and report their progress. Parrr'Z glanced up at the sky to see where the sun was in order to gauge roughly what the time of day it was and estimated that it was somewhere between noon and mid afternoon there, while Lt. Lorimar told him that their commbadges should work, but their range would be greatly diminished without any systems active on the ship, and possible effects from the jungle vegetation which could damp the signals. "....In short – be careful.” He concluded. "Of course, Sir." Parr replied respectfully and smiled down at Shadow. "We should take some water bottles with us and replenish them at the river or lake as needed, that is if the water is drinkable." He had no reason to believe it wasn't but with an unknown planet it was hazardous to assume anything could be safely consumed by alien life forms and they were aliens to this world. Whatever they collected would have to be tested the old fashioned tried and true way, - taste it...if it tasted alright consume a tiny amount. If you weren't ill or dead after that then you knew it was safe to eat or drink. (reply Shadow, any) It didn't take the two felinoids long to gather up some water bottles and a couple of ration meal, and then swiftly and soundlessly disappear into the leafy undergrowth among trees on the perimeter of their makeshift camp. (reply Shadow, any) (posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet – Crash landing party campsite – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1649) After Rel had shown him the data she had downloaded to her tricorder, she proceeded to explain Shadow’s suggestion for a perimeter alarm system. “Dae ye think ye might utilize that medium range sensor unit ye were speaking about for the job? It might be a bit more comforting than pebbles in a can, after all.” He smiled, wondering if she would get the reference to the most primitive of alarm devices he mentioned. "I think I can manage," Ayslin said with a shrug, idly brushing some loose red hair off her face. "I think I know how the cans would work, but I'd prefer to wait on going back to bronze age technology until absolutely necessary," “For the moment ah’ll keep the fires fed; that will gie me a good chance tae walk about a bit and also check the exterior of the ship.” (reply Lorimar, any) (posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – Master Chief PO Laurence Krolar – Day 7 - 1650) The dull ache in his left arm was turning into something was would be better described as quite painful. Still he wasn't ready to leave Engineering to be locked up in Sickbay. He noticed Ensign Gesar looking around for something and walked up behind him only to make him jump when he turned around to see Laurence. "Sorry Chief, I was looking for you and did not expect you to appear right in front of me. Have you collected all the reports?" Laurence just nodded and handed the PADD to the Ensign and took a step back to wait. "Thank you Master Chief." When the Ensign was done reporting into the bridge, he turned back to Laurence. "Alright Master Chief. Lets make sure we inspect the deuterium cartridges before we initiate the startup sequence. Let me know when they have completed diagnostics on the power routing conduits damaged in the explosion. I'm going to see if I can expedite getting the warp core up and running." "Of course, sir," Laurence said with a nod, then with a brisk turn moved off to assign people to the jobs. It didn't take long and Laurence was quickly done, and with one arm in a sling, he wasn't able to do any actual work himself. He was moving back across main engineering when a shot of pain when up his arm, and his vision tunneled. He felt his knees nearly buckle and got his good arm down to support himself on a console just in time. Feeling a cold sweat break out on his forehead, he figured it was time to stop being stubborn. He quickly found the face of the person he was looking for and intercepted her. "Ensign Enright, I think I'm going to need to head to sickbay now, and I doubt they're going to let me come back before tomorrow. Whatever they gave me for the pain is wearing off and the last thing you need is my frame passed out here. Chief Dessen can handle things in my absence if he's needed." (Reply Enright iyw) Laurence took his leave and managed to walk himself to sickbay and find the nurse who had treated him at the scene of the explosion. Handing himself over into her care, he was pretty sure he heard an 'I told you so' just as the pain killer in the hypo spray kicked in. (Reply Enright iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (Unknown Planet - Outside Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1650) She wasn't surprised to sniff Parrr'Z all over the place. He was certainly in his element, but as far as she understood the jungles on Cait had been civilized for centuries. She wasn't quite sure he was taking this all very seriously.. or seriously enough. But, if she made too much insistence he'd just think her a wet tent and ignore her more thoroughly. She fluffed up her fur so her grey undercoat showed up in stripes, giving her more camouflage amongst the shadows and trees. She caught up with Parrr'Z by following the freshest of his scent. Probably not the appropriate time to think ~Yum.~ of said scent. She nuzzled Parrr'Z's cheek as he stopped to greet her, "The furless are freaking out." She said softly, "I don't think anyone but you and I were prepared for bad things to happen." She was *always* prepared for bad things to happen, she was a jinx of the worst order. She just hoped her bad luck wouldn't cause any deaths this time round. (Reply Parrr'Z) "Doctor Candle is in particular acting oddly. Maybe it's a male thing?" she asked. She was Candle's junior in rank and not even close to his species or gender. Maybe Parrr'Z would have better luck. Or maybe Chief Bob would do something. At least her lover and her favorite human seemed to be getting along now, that was something. (Reply Parrr'Z) "Do you want to hunt for dinner or rely on what we have in the shuttle?" She had brought enough for a few meals, and there were certainly emergency supplies galore for all that the ration bars were tasteless. "Or should we bring in samples to test to see if they're compatible with any of our species? I'm not sure the replicator is working well enough to take local matter and spit out the almost-edible." (Reply Chief Bob, Rel, Parrr'Z) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Unnamed World - Unknown Intellect - 1651) For eons, none had come within its sphere of awareness. Then, within barely discernible moments of time -- as time was perceived by those of sufficient enlightenment -- two mobile creations had reached out with sources of energy quite unfamiliar to it, reached across the gulf of air and space that lay between 'they' and 'it'. As had happened so very, very shortly before, the Intellect considered. It considered, in that way which was so very uniquely its own, and within far less than one human heartbeat -- a measure of time totally unfamiliar to it -- it settled upon a simple course. Once decided, there was no indecision, no recourse; for the vast intellect had neither capacity nor option for any sort of self doubt. The Space Vessel /Heart of Stone/ and its living occupants had quite unknowingly reached out with a communications 'hail' which touched the vast Unknown Intellect. Deep within the planet, things stirred to life. Equipment activated, powered by energies quite unfamiliar to either of the recent visitors. Nearer the surface... much nearer... other machines concealed from sight and scanners alike performed their designed functions. The planetary surface trembled nearby, the very air seeming to cease moving, as though the planet itself were holding its breath. Lancing outward and upward, propelled by energies and forces undreamed by Mankind, the same force that had struck the Runabout/ Lorimar/ sought out and impacted the /Heart of Stone/. Questing... probing... seeking. The strange energy struck with no perceptible force; at least not to those aboard. Its effect, however, was immediate and devastating to the vessel and her systems. Much like a resonant frequency shattering fine crystal, the scanning energy initiated cascade failures aboard the vessel that were the stuff of engineer's nightmares. ~Learning. We are learning.~ That single thought resonated within the Unknown Intellect. As with the other recent encounter... the Intellect paid the consequences of its quest for knowledge absolutely no heed. (Reply /Heart of Stone/, Any, or perhaps none. Yet.) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Heart of Stone - Bridge - Justin Von Rache - Day 7 - 1651) "We have arrived, should we scann the planet?" "No, let's hail that ship first and then will go from there." "Chanel open sir." Simon said with a curious smile. "Heart of Stone hailing Starfleet vessel. May we be of assistance?" "No response sir." "Scans?" Justin shifted in his chair. "Comming through now Captain. There is definitely something down there, looks like a vessel has crashed on the planet..." The crewman was cut off as sparks exploded from his station. The ship lurched to one side. "REPORT!!!" "Sir, we've been hit by an unknown beam." "Are we under attack?" "Can't tell sir, I don't think so. It appears that we are being scanned by a beam of an enormous magnitude. It's overloading all our systems." "Can we get out of here Simon?" "No sir, engines are down completely and we are already caught in the planet's gravitational pull. Looks like we are about to joing those starfleet people down on the planet." (Reply Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet – Jungle – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – 1652) Parr was in his element. His senses were filled with his surroundings and he couldn't help think what a wonderful place it would be to start a new colony of felinoids. It was nice to dream. Often as a youngster he had camped out in the wilderness parks on his home planet, taking only the bare necessities along so he knew how to make a shelter and forage for food and water, how to keep warm on cold nights and cool during hot days. He could fish without using special equipment and was an adept hunter without using any weapons. But unlike his home world, the wilderness here was a complete mystery to him as many of the species of plants and trees were unknown, though some looked slightly similar to ones he knew of and most were thickly overgrown with strong vines that he was sure they could make use of if it turned out they'd be stuck on the world for a long time. The wildlife was also a big unknown so he was careful to keep a close look out for anything that could endanger them or their comrades as they prowled through the shadowed, humid interior of the jungle, beneath the lofty canopies of the tall trees where the chatter and song of the trees' inhabitants previously silenced by their intrusion, soon commenced after a few minutes. Looking back, Parr could see no sign of the runabout, and could only hear the voices of his companions if he really listened hard, the undergrowth was so thick it effectively muffled the sounds, and within a matter of moving ahead among the trees for a few more feet, he could no longer hear the voices - it was as if the runabout and its crew no longer existed. It was a bit creepy. They had entered the jungle beneath the tallest tree that Parr had climbed to get a bird's eye view of the place and he decided that Shadow and he would head West towards the river fill the empty water bottles, perhaps catch some fish for dinner and then if time permitted, they would head North towards the strangely shaped hills to see if his gut instincts were correct about them not fully being made by nature. (Reply Shadow, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Turbolift – SPC aFO – 1655) Durand looked up from the PADD with personnel information that he had been studying, and tapped his commbadge thoughtfully. “USS Boudicca, Acting First Officer’s log, Lieutenant Commander Durand recording. I’ve been aboard scarcely an hour now, ‘officially’ aFO even less time. Evidently Starfleet will be making me earn my pay in this assignment. A trial by fire, if ever there was one, I would call it. During the test flight of the Runabout Lorimar, something has evidently gone horribly wrong. The Boudicca received a badly garbled communication from the small craft. Barely decipherable, it’s clearly a distress signal. The test flight carried – carries – I should say, a crew of six souls, including the Boudicca’s aCSO and a2O. It’s unclear exactly what happened to the runabout, whether the cause of the problem is a system failure, natural phenomena, or hostile action. In any case, I’ve been ordered by the aCO, Commander ‘cha Nooras, to launch an immediate Search and Rescue mission. The commander has taken over for Captain Rivers, who I am told, is dealing with a family emergency on Bajor. The Boudicca herself is unable to go to the immediate aid of the runabout, as there has been a significant explosion aboard, causing serious damage in the engineering section, along with several deaths and injuries. Investigation of the incident is ongoing, as are damage assessment and repair efforts. No estimate of when the Boudicca might leave the station has yet been given by engineering. Therefore, the rescue is being undertaken by a group of four Type Eleven shuttlecraft. We will be launching shortly. End log recording.” ~May you be First Officer in interesting times…~ Durand frowned slightly as the turbolift doors opened and he headed for the main shuttlebay. (Reply None) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge –aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1700) Having lingered in the Ready Room, Dorga had replicated a sandwich for herself and double caffeine cappuccino and enjoyed them in a brief interval of peace before heading back to the Bridge. As she stepped back on the Bridge she smiled softly to herself, seeing Ensign Maxon had summoned the courage to sit in the command chair. She remembered the first time she'd ever been given charge of the Bridge on Starbase 23 and how nervous she'd been. How she'd lowered herself so slowly into the chair anyone would have thought it was going to bite her. She paused at the threshold and looked around the Bridge at all the efficient crewmembers as they worked tirelessly at their stations, her glance stopping as she saw a new face at the Operations station and her left eyebrow rising. ~ Who is that? ~ The aCO wondered as she made her way to the command section. "You are relieved, Ensign Maxon." She stated, ~ not doubt in more ways than one! ~ She gave him a grin. "Report." (Reply Maxon, Operations & Engineering departments, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 1701) Dav was sure he jumped miles into the air when Commander 'cha Nooras appeared next to him and spoke. He'd been preoccupied with thoughts of the past, trying to figure out just what Diana was thinking. He'd never been able to do that yet. "You are relieved, Ensign Maxon." the aCO said. Dav hoped her grin was more with him than at him, as he climbed back down from the ceiling. He found himself standing, having launched out of the Chair, her chair, as fast as he could. Lucky for him, she didn't comment on his nervousness. All she said was "Report." "Commander," he told her, his calm slowly returning. "Repairs are under way. Impulse is at half capacity, but engineering estimates several hours before warp capability." He was telling her what the command console had told him, though he suspected she had already been told this by engineering, so he tried to think of something new. "Ensign Ames has been able to plot a trajectory to the run- about's last location. If a beacon was launched at the same time the distress call was sent, we can pick it up en route - once we're on our way - and then we'll know more about the runabout's last status." (reply Dorga) He nodded and moved to the next point. "All crew have now reported in from the station. Including all new transfers," he said, with a glance at Diana. He indicated her to the Commander. "Ensign Tarch has just boarded," he said, trying not to sound too disappointed. "I assigned her to take the OPS station, as we seem to be short on OPS officers. We went through the Academy together," he added. "She's a very good officer." He had tried to think of something nice to say, and whatever their personal falling out had been, that much was true. (reply Dorga) "If there's nothing else, ma'am, I believe I should return to Science and check on the status of our analysis of the compounds found in engineering." (Reply 'cha Nooras) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (USS Boudicca – Bridge –aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1702) Commander 'cha Nooras requested a report from Ensign Maxon whom she had left in charge of the Bridge, despite having received some while in the Ready Room she felt it would give him a sense of usefulness while she had been absent and there was always the possibility of something new, like who the new OPS officer was for instance. He told her what she already knew and gave her some new information. She was particularly pleased that Ensign Ames has been able to plot a trajectory to the runabout's last location. "....If a beacon was launched at the same time the distress call was sent, we can pick it up en route - once we're on our way - and then we'll know more about the runabout's last status." The aCO gave Ensign Ames a nod and pleased smile, "well done Mister Ames," then focussed on Maxon again sensing he had more to say. "Carry on Mister Maxon." He nodded and told her that all crew members had reported in from the station including all new transfers,and indicated the new officer. ....."Ensign Tarch has just boarded," he said. "I assigned her to take the OPS station, as we seem to be short on OPS officers. We went through the Academy together," he added. "She's a very good officer." Dorga, always aware of peoples' body language and inflections in their voices, felt that Maxon was not happy with having Tarch aboard, why? She had no clue of course but was sure that she'd find out sooner or later, she just hoped it wouldn't affect the smooth running of the Bridge crew when they were working the same shift, but then that could be remedied if it was a problem, she would simply have the aFO or herself when Captain Rivers returned, schedule them for different shifts. "Welcome aboard, Ensign Tarch." She told the young woman as she sat down in the chair that Maxon had vacated as if it had bitten him in the arse. (reply Tarch iyw) Ensign Maxon requested to return to the Science department so he could check the status of their analysis of the compounds found in engineering, which was something he hadn't reported. ~ Jahlen worked fast to get those compounds. ~ She thought appreciatively. "Permission granted, just make sure the Science station is manned first." Dorga replied, glancing down at the arm terminal to see if any further new information had come in before she tapped her commbadge. "Commander Durand, how long before your SAR expedition can launch?" (reply Durand) "Thank you Commander." She left the connection open to Durand to keep him in the loop. "...Ensign Gesar as we have 50% impulse, I want the ship launched within the hour, further repairs can be finished during flight. We may not be able to go very fast but at least we will be closer than we are now when we can reach warp." (Reply Maxon iyw, Tarch, Durand, Gesar, ANY) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1703) Denise wasn't about to admit it outloud, but she missed working in an office with Shadow. At first she'd though the felenoid was going to drive her crazy, but she'd gotten entirely too used to the humming and singing that softly came across the office. She'd heard that cats were supposed to sound like nails down a chalkboard, but Shadow had an incredible set of pipes. She was spinning a stylus around her fingers wondering if she should haul herself up to the QV to get scolded at by Arania for not eating. She then wondered if anyone had told the mistress of morale that her friend Bob was missing. Getting to her feet, her exit was interrupted by the new first officer's demand for her presence in the main shuttlebay. =/\= Lebranski here, on my way sir. =/\= She replied. And she would be with a slight detour. (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca –Main Engineering –aCEO Ens(Sg.) Anton Gesar – Day 7 - 1702) Anton was giving out orders as he waited for the orders from the aCO. =/\=...Ensign Gesar as we have 50% impulse, I want the ship launched within the hour, further repairs can be finished during flight. We may not be able to go very fast but at least we will be closer than we are now when we can reach warp.=/\= “Will get it done, I however recommend we do not exceed 40% impulse or we risk losing them as well.” After the comm. link closed Anton went back to working on getting the warp drive up. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca – Turbolift – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 1703) Dav high-tailed it off the bridge with Commander 'cha Nooras' permission. He'd already sent a message to Ensign Sokar asking him to come to the bridge and take the science console, and the Vulcan had come in at the back of the bridge, acknowledging Dav with a terse nod. ~Still angry with me, I see.~ Maybe there would be time to figure that out later. Now he needed to get to Science. Ayslin seemed easy going enough, but he didn't want to incur any hidden well of wrath she might have if he didn't do a good job. Several officers on the bridge were being spelled out by fresh crew pulled back from their leave by the crisis in engineering. Ensign Ames at the helm was one of those relieved, and followed Dav into the turbolift, just fitting his way through the doors as they swooshed together. "Well done on the bridge, sir," he said. Dav smiled. This time, the sir was definitely ironic. Ames was Terran, Dav thought, and had a nice accent, with an up and down sort of feeling to it, like water. "Well done on locating the runabout." "It was you pulled the sensor data together, wasn't it?" Ames said modestly, pale skin nearly turning a darker shade than his fair hair. The modulation of his voice was sometimes soft and smooth, sometimes clipped. As a student of languages, Dav was intrigued. "Well at least now we have a chance of finding them. I'm Dav. I didn't get your name," Dav asked. "Oh, it's Gareth." Dav chuckled. "All the names in the universe and there's one I've never heard." "It's Welsh. Wales. Earth. That's where I'm from." Dav placed the accent. "Ohh, I get it. I visited there once." "Academy training camp?" Ames guessed. "That's very near where I lived. Did you have to do the whole week there or just the half week?" Dav groaned. "The whole week. It was murder." They'd been forced to camp in terrains all over the planet and endure grueling physical training. It hadn't been his favorite. "As a matter of fact, our new friend Ensign Tarch was with me." Ames turned to face Dav fully. "Okay, was it just me, or is Miss Daisy Sunshine not exactly your favorite person?" Dav had to assume everyone had picked up on that. Before he thought about it, he blurted out, "She tried to kill me." He was about to continue when his comm badge chirped. =/\=This is Lieutenant Commander Durand. Sickbay, have a medical team of four report to the main shuttlebay. Security, I’ll need a team of four in the main shuttlebay also. Lieutenant Trei, Lieutenant Lebranski, Ensign Maxon, Ensign Loring, and Ensign Caldwell… please report to the main shuttlebay for an away mission.=/\= It couldn't be anything but a rescue mission. Dav was instantly pleased that not only were they taking action to help the runabout crew, but also that he had been picked to go along. It took him a moment to realize Ensign Ames was still staring at him like he had two heads. "Excuse me. You say she tried to kill you?!" "Oh, okay, wait, no. It's not as bad as it sounds," Dav backpedaled. "But you said she tried to kill you!?" "Well, dramatically stated, yes. It was... it's a long story." The turbolift stopped and the doors opened for them. Ames went out. "A story I assume you're going to tell me once you return from your fancy away mission, Captain Action?" Dav laughed. "Absolutely. I'll see you then." The doors closed and he ordered the main shuttlebay. (posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aFO – 1704) Durand’s first considered action after introducing himself to the Hangar Deck Chief was to notify those personnel that would be joining him on the mission. He tapped his commbadge lightly and began to deliver the (good or bad, depending on your perspective) news. “This is Lieutenant Commander Durand. Sickbay, have a medical team of four report to the main shuttlebay. Security, I’ll need a team of four in the main shuttlebay also. Lieutenant Trei, Lieutenant Lebranski, Ensign Maxon, Ensign Loring, and Ensign Caldwell… please report to the main shuttlebay for an away mission.” (Reply Trei, Lebranski, Maxon, Any) He turned his attention back to the Hangar Chief. “Chief Sipowicz, we need four of your Type Eleven shuttles prepped for launch. It’s a SAR mission for the runabout. We’ll need medical gear, weapons, sensor pallets, fuel and rations for say… seven days. How long do you need to prep and load the gear?” The stocky and balding Chief Petty Officer considered the request briefly against his long experience. “What do you need in particular Commander?” As he answered, Durand handed the Chief his PADD. “Type ‘B’ search and rescue loadout Chief. Portable sensor modules integrated into a cargo pallet. Survival gear for Class K, L, and N type planets. Supplemental weapons loadout, in addition to what the security team will be bringing. Medical supplies and food rations for twenty two people for seven days, got it?” Sipowicz nodded approvingly at Durand. “Expectin’ some trouble, sir?” Durand patted him on the shoulder. “Chief, I *always* expect trouble.” “Twenty five minutes sir… maybe less. Alright people, let’s hustle it up! There’s a rescue mission on! Move it!” He turned away to motivate his deck crew, happy to finally be doing something. ~Looks like the old man might even have a clue…~ The thought brought a smile to his face as he continued to bark orders. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Engineering - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1705) Detron was checking on the progress in Engineering when he heard Durand call from his COMM. Durand requested him for an away mission and to meet in the main shuttle bay. Detron was to bring 4 security officers with him. Detron tapped his COMM. "On my way sir. Trei out." Detron walked out of Engineering and gathered his security team along the way. (posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aFO – 1706) Durand was spending his time profitably. While he waited for the summoned officers to arrive, he was reviewing standard procedure and annotating that with specifics, including all the pertinent data that was available regarding the current situation. His thoughts were interrupted by the CO’s call. =^=Commander Durand, how long before your SAR expedition can launch?=^= He tapped his commbadge and answered immediately. “Captain, the deck crews are loading and prepping the rescue equipment now. As soon as the rest of the team arrives, we will have a basic briefing. We will be ready when the equipment is loaded,” he glanced up at the large chronometer on the bulkhead to his left and did the arithmetic, “barring hitches, we will launch at 1730.” (Reply aCO iyw) Hangar Chief Sipowicz happened to be passing within earshot and caught the tail end of Durand’s answer to the Captain. He mumbled something inaudible, and returned to motivating his crews. (Reply Any, None needed) ******** (USS Boudicca – Bridge –aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1707) Dorga was feeling a little impatient for things to get moving with the SAR mission so she tapped her commbadge and asked Commander Durand how long before the expedition could launch. He responded answered immediately, telling her the deck crews were loading and prepping the rescue equipment and he would be giving a basic briefing once all the team had arrived. =^= .......We will be ready when the equipment is loaded...barring hitches, we will launch at 1730. =^= She had hoped they'd be leaving sooner but she had to be satisfied with that. "Very well, Commander." She replied and severed the commlink. Glancing up at the chronometer, Dorga saw that would be another 23 minutes. It would feel like hours if she didn't do something. She wished she could go too but a captain's place was on her ship in times like this, still.... Gesar had told her that they had 50% impulse. Certainly it would be slow going but...... She tapped her commbadge again. "Ensign Gesar be prepared for the ship to get underway. I know we only have 50% impulse but that's better than sitting her doing nothing when we could be heading out to find the Lorimar. Your crew can continue with their repairs while we are on our way just as well as they could here." (reprise/reply Gesar, any) "Helm, inform the station we are leaving and set course using Ensign Maxon's tranjectory results." Yet again the aCO tapped her commbadge, "Commander Durand, the Boudicca is about to leave the station. We will only be traveling at 40% impulse." Dorga didn't want topush the ship to her limits, "but at least we will be closer when you return with our missing people." (Reply aFO, Gesar, any) (posted by Sal) ******* (USS Boudicca - QV - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1706) Denise stuck her head in QV, happy to see Arania at the bar. She couldn't exactly make a Lieutenant Commander wait all day for her, so she hurried over. "Arania?" she said, getting the woman's attention. (Reply Arania) "I'm not sure how in the loop you're in - but just in case you didn't know.." Gosh, how did security officers do this? She changed tracks, "You know Bob and Shadow and some others went off to test the new run about?" She'd remembered that Shadow had called Arania her teacher, the woman would probably care about Shadow's fate too. (Reply Arania) "They've had some sort of trouble. With the engines down," that was the polite understatement of the year, "we're sending shuttles. I just thought you should hear from a friend if you hadn't heard yet." (Reply Arania) (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Qulaetha Vorenda - Bar Manager, Arania - 1707) Keeping busy was the best thing for Arania, it kept her mind off Matthew; she had no time to feel sorry for herself or dwell on what had happened. Not that she really would; she just wasn't made that way. No... Arania was the type to just get on with life and live it to the full. That didn't mean she didn't grieve for her loss in the quiet of the night, when she was home alone with just her little bah'dret for company and the vacant expanse of the bed she used to share with Matthew, always there at her side to remind her. So she spent every waking moment at Qulaetha Vorenda always finding something to keep her occupied and found herself thinking less often of her husband until now her smile of welcome was becoming more genuine as the days progressed. Had it really only been six days, it felt more like a lifetime. When Denise Lebranski showed up, the genuine Arania smile welcomed her. "Arania?" she said. Denise's tone brought a frown to Arania's brow, she sensed that whatever Denise had to say it wouldn't be good news. "Yes Denise? What is it?" "I'm not sure how in the loop you're in - but just in case you didn't know.." Denise paused. "You know Bob and Shadow and some others went off to test the new run about?" Arania nodded, yes she knew, and then her body chilled with dread. Whatever bad news Denise was bringing it had something to do with two of her dearest friends. "Tell me!" Arania demanded. "They've had some sort of trouble. With the engines down, we're sending shuttles. I just thought you should hear from a friend if you hadn't heard yet." Reaching for Denise's closest hand, Arania gave it a squeeze. "Thank you, most thoughtful you are. I will go and pray to the Goddess for their quick find and safe return, as well as for our people today lost and injured." (reply Denise iyw, any) Cy had been close by and had overheard the conversation, so when Denise hurriedly left, he gave Arania a big hug. It was just what she needed and she hugged him fiercely. "Boss lady, why don't you go and pray while I take over with the supervising, it's quiet here, I guess everyone is busy cleaning up after the explosion and now with the rescue mission, so take the time with the Goddess and we will see you later. Besides you are spending far to much time in this place." Arania nodded, her head against his chest. "I do but I need too or to much I think of things." She told him before releasing him and moving away. "Thank you, I will be back later on." She gave his cheek a pecking kiss and left QV to return to her quarters where the shrine she worshiped at was set up in a corner of the living room. (reply Denise iyw, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttle Bay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1707) Detron arrived in the main shuttle bay with his security team. He walked up to Durand and stood at attention. "TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei reporting for the away mission as ordered sir." (Reply Durand) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aFO – 1708) Durand was pleased, but unsurprised, to see the TAC/SC respond so quickly. After all, from what he had seen when boarding the ship a short time ago, the entire security department was efficient and well trained. That sort of thing always reflected well upon a department head. ~After all, as leaders, we are only as good as those we lead.~ He silently hoped he would never forget that particular hard learned lesson. Durand smiled at the Klingon. “At ease, Lieutenant. As you surmised, I’m Commander Durand, the acting First Officer. The Captain has directed that we undertake a search and rescue mission for the runabout… they seem to have run into trouble of some sort. Exactly what the difficulty is, we don’t yet know. Just a garbled distress call so far.” He looked around at the hard working hangar crew, wishing they could somehow magically get the equipment loaded. They were moving, he suspected, just as quickly as they could. There was a palpable sense of urgency in the bay; after all, it was their friends and shipmates missing. “Any questions for me, Mister Trei? We have to wait for the rest of the away team, and for the shuttles to be prepared for launch… so we have at least a few minutes.” (Reply Trei, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttle Bay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1709) Detron looked at the Commander and observed that he conducts himself much like Detron does . Durand introduced himself to Detron then said they had to wait for the shuttles to be ready and for the away team to arrive. With the few minutes of wait until the away team came, he asked if Detron had any questions. "No questions sir except for what the mission will entail and what will be required of me." (Reply Durand) (Posted by Edward) ******** (Unknown Planet – The Jungle – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – Day 7 - 1709) The two felinoids had covered a good distance in the short time since leaving the camp, much further than any of the humanoids could have. Both were in perfect physical shape for their species and were used to running long distances through forests and jungles thanks to Parr's holodeck programs. They had even tried several other different wilderness holo-environments including Vulcan and Quo'nos as well as Andoria and an ice world Parr had created though it wasn't one of their favorites. They were making good time and Parr estimated that they would reach the river in another ten minutes when he would check in with the 2O and their comrades to give them an update on their whereabouts and what they were doing. So far they hadn't encountered any wildlife that was any bigger than a terran rabbit, and those they had come across had instantly disappeared into the underbrush or higher up into the lofty trees. Parr had considered trying to catch a couple but on second thoughts he had decided to wait until they'd checked out the water supply and filled some bottles to take back to the runabout. So they had loped onwards at a tireless and steady pace, in the companionable silence of experienced hunters who were in harmony with each other. They had just left the shelter of the trees and were about toenter a smallish clearing when there was a loud, WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSHHHH!!! Instinctively Parr leaped back into the shelter of the trees and looked up at the sky where the noise was coming from, just in time to see a huge, dark streak shooting overhead heading Northeast. He could tell it was a spaceship but it was streaking out of the sky at an alarming rate. A few seconds later there was an almighty crash in the far distance causing the ground beneath his feet to shudder, and the sound of screaming metal brought his paws to his ears to muffle the noise that sent daggers of pain into his head. As the ground stilled and the noise abated, Shadow and he exchanged looks. "Looks like we have company, that's if anyone survived that crash.... I wonder if the same thing that caused our crash, caused theirs?" (reply Shadow iyw) Parr tapped his commbadge. "Parrr'Z to base camp, did you see what we just saw?" (reply Lorimar, Any) "It was heading Northeast. Do you want us to go and see if there are any survivors, Sir?" (Reply from Shadow, Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1710) She wasn't out of breath when she whisked into the shuttlebay only due to being in very good shape. She was breathing deeply and slightly flushed from her mad dash through the corridors to report in an acceptable amount of time. "Lieutenant Denise Lebranski, sir." She introduced herself. It looked like she'd judged the availability of time for the side-trip to QV well, they hadn't finished loading yet and it didn't look like the Commander had done his debriefing yet. (reply Away Team Two) (Posted by Lorna) ******** (Unknown Planet – Crash landing party campsite – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1710) “Sir, I think the system is ready if you want to check it over before I bring it all the way on line?" Ayslin said wiping sweat from her forehead with her discarded jacket. Instead of answering, he made his way quickly over to where she had been working. He gave the jury rigged device an appreciative once over. “If ye ever tire of the science stuff, ye’d make a fine engineer Ayslin. Its not as though they are two disciplines separated by a huge vacuum anyway.” "When you're a grad student you learn to fix your own equipment if you ever want to get done on time, even if you have to fix it with tape and chewing gum," Ayslin said, although she blushed a little at the compliment. She quickly attached the power cable and ran a diagnostic self check on the circuitry. When she was sure she wasn't about to blow anyone up, she turned on the device. She nearly jumped out of her skin when the alarm went off and the screen showed them surrounded. It took her a moment to realize the sensor was set far too sensitive, and she backed it down so that the insects flying around wouldn't register. She gave the frame a swift kick to remind it who was in charge then rested her hands on her knees and caught her breath. "Sorry about that, Bob. I though I'd set that already." Ayslin said, looking up at the Chief. (Reply Lorimar) "I would just like to make it exceptionally clear, you owe me a case of a very stiff drink when we get back. You find me what ever sent out that sensor signal and we can talk about reducing my fee." She said with a shaky grin. "Stiff me, and when I file the science reports on this place I'm naming it Lorimaria, or Lorimar Three, or something with your name on it." She doubted very much that she pulled off the threatening tone she was going for. (Reply Lorimar, Landing Party (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 1711) Dav made it to the shuttlebay quickly, placing a comm to Science as he went to ensure everything was taken care of in his absence. He made his way into the bay just behind Denise. "Lieutenant Denise Lebranski, sir." (reply Durand) "Ensign Maxon, sir," Dav introduced himself. (Reply Durand, away team) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aFO – 1712) In answer to Trei’s question, Durand had replied simply that he didn’t wish to repeat the briefing and would hold off until the rest of the team arrived. The two pilots he had summoned had made their way in, along with Ensign Loring and Caldwell. He greeted each of them individually, and then returned to his data collation. Lieutenant Lebranski was next to arrive. She was, he noted, slightly flushed, but she didn’t appear to be much winded. Evidently she kept herself in excellent physical condition. Always a good thing for an officer. She introduced herself, as had the other officers. He nodded briefly then glanced again at the chronometer. The medical team was in place, as was the security team that Trei had brought. Other than finishing the loadout, they only needed to be briefed. As soon as Ensign Maxon arrived, that was. He appeared, just about a minute behind Lebranski. This drew a look from the aFO. “Mister Maxon, I’m glad you could join us,” he said in a very neutral tone. “Now that we are all here, let’s get started, shall we?” He gestured to a stack of PADDs on a nearby cargo container. “There are copies of our orders and flight plan along with what little data we have on those, you may each take one for review.” He waited until each team member had one, then continued. “As you all know, the runabout Lorimar transmitted what appeared to be some sort of distress signal. It was badly garbled, but Ensign Maxon, it seems, is quite confident that it is in fact a distress call.” Durand gazed squarely at Maxon, curious to see what if any reaction he might have to being the center of attention. “Ensign Maxon, I have been made to understand, has also made some calculations regarding the estimated position of the Lorimar when she sent the signal. If that away team is as efficient as this one will be, I’m hopeful that we may encounter a recorder marker, or some type of follow on commu- nication as we approach.” He tapped a command into his PADD, and obediently it datalinked to all the others. “That is our proposed course; leading to the search area. We will be flying an extended formation, in order to maximize sensor coverage while maintaining some overlap. We’ll be utilizing four shuttlecraft, and we will launch as soon as the loading and preparations are completed.” He looked at each assembled member of the team and then continued. “Lieutenant Trei, you and Lieutenant Lebranski will take the Zenobia. Ensign Loring, you will take the Mavia. Ensign Caldwell, you take the Scathach. Ensign Maxon, you will be joining me aboard Hypatia. Each shuttle will take a member of the security and medical teams.” He paused again briefly to allow the imparted information to settle. “We are hoping that this is simply an equipment problem with the Lorimar, but we cannot assume that. Therefore, I expect each of you to exercise the utmost caution and alertness. Remember, our primary mission is to first locate, then assist the runabout and her crew. We will not, however, become part of the problem, but rather the solution to it… whatever the situation may be. Questions? Comments?” (Reply Rescue Team, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aFO – 1712) In answer to Trei’s question, Durand had replied simply that he didn’t wish to repeat the briefing and would hold off until the rest of the team arrived. The two pilots he had summoned had made their way in, along with Ensign Loring and Caldwell. He greeted each of them individually, and then returned to his data collation. Lieutenant Lebranski was next to arrive. She was, he noted, slightly flushed, but she didn’t appear to be much winded. Evidently she kept herself in excellent physical condition. Always a good thing for an officer. She introduced herself, as had the other officers. He nodded briefly then glanced again at the chronometer. The medical team was in place, as was the security team that Trei had brought. Other than finishing the loadout, they only needed to be briefed. As soon as Ensign Maxon arrived, that was. He appeared, just about a minute behind Lebranski. This drew a look from the aFO. “Mister Maxon, I’m glad you could join us,” he said in a very neutral tone. “Now that we are all here, let’s get started, shall we?” He gestured to a stack of PADDs on a nearby cargo container. “There are copies of our orders and flight plan along with what little data we have on those, you may each take one for review.” He waited until each team member had one, then continued. “As you all know, the runabout Lorimar transmitted what appeared to be some sort of distress signal. It was badly garbled, but Ensign Maxon, it seems, is quite confident that it is in fact a distress call.” Durand gazed squarely at Maxon, curious to see what if any reaction he might have to being the center of attention. “Ensign Maxon, I have been made to understand, has also made some calculations regarding the estimated position of the Lorimar when she sent the signal. If that away team is as efficient as this one will be, I’m hopeful that we may encounter a recorder marker, or some type of follow on communication as we approach.” He tapped a command into his PADD, and obediently it datalinked to all the others. “That is our proposed course; leading to the search area. We will be flying an extended formation, in order to maximize sensor coverage while maintaining some overlap. We’ll be utilizing four shuttlecraft, and we will launch as soon as the loading and preparations are completed.” He looked at each assembled member of the team and then continued. “Lieutenant Trei, you and Lieutenant Lebranski will take the Zenobia. Ensign Loring, you will take the Mavia. Ensign Caldwell, you take the Scathach. Ensign Maxon, you will be joining me aboard Hypatia. Each shuttle will take a member of the security and medical teams.” He paused again briefly to allow the imparted information to settle. “We are hoping that this is simply an equipment problem with the Lorimar, but we cannot assume that. Therefore, I expect each of you to exercise the utmost caution and alertness. Remember, our primary mission is to first locate, then assist the runabout and her crew. We will not, however, become part of the problem, but rather the solution to it… whatever the situation may be. Questions? Comments?” (Reply Rescue Team, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet aka Lorimar's Fall – Camp Lorimar – ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle – 1712) Basil was annoyed and was getting more irate with each passing moment. He didn’t like planets, having spent nearly all his life on board a variety of ships, and he definitely didn’t like this one. The place evoked a feeling of disquiet in Basil and whether real or not he had the distinct impression they were being watched or more particular scrutinised, monitored. It was like a pet fish looking at the cats outside his bowl contemplating which lucky one would reach inside. That reminded him of the other folk that had been ratcheting the annoyance factor; the cat-creatures. Their sheer enjoyment of the fact that this planet was most likely their burial site and with every gleeful swish of their tail was a slap in his face. He was glad that they have scooted off for their little frolic in the jungle – gave him time to focus on what he needed to do. Basil had always been worried about crash landing when he was board the ships, despite the fact that most of the captains thought he was worrying about nothing. He was now glad he had considered potential threats under these conditions. He thought of them now and after he had checked the small remains of what was left of the emergency supplies he relayed his worries to, the in situ commander, Lorimar, “Our supplies are thin; we have blankets, minimal food rations plus a few odds and ends I put in, just in case.” He sighed; it had been building up for a short time so he continued firmly, “Sir we have numerous problems to face. The first is food and water. Despite the fact that I have heard that water is nearby the chances are that it will not be clean. Jungles are not known for their filtration systems so any water found will have unknown bacteria. I heard you suggestion for testing the water, .. sir, and with all due respect you’re an idiot. I need to make sure all of you get of this green-blasted planet safe and I do not want to be treating anyone for infections and diseases with minimal resources. The fact that those two …….crewmembers should have enough common sense to bring the water here so at least we can boil it to minimise any risk, stopped me from saying anything.” “We have some emergency rations that have not been burnt, decimated or splattered around the shuttle but not enough to last for any extended period of time. Quite frankly the safest things to eat would be meat, try not to go picking up any berries, fungus or fruits. Same goes for water- sap. I am sure that the two ‘survival experts’ have explained the dangers of getting water from plants so I won’t go into excruciating detail of the pain from infections. Also I really don’t feel like lugging a crewmember through blazing hot jungle just because they fancied a nibble of something colourful. (reply Lorimar, any, more if necessary) “Other potential problems are not large creatures but insects. Also we need to stay out of the heat, avoid dehydration and fatigue so hiking through jungle should be considered the worst case scenario for obvious reasons. Also, unsure of the weather conditions, but if the temperature drops during the night then I suggest padding to put between out clothing and our skin.” “Any questions sir?” (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1713) The new first officer looked at each assembled member of the team and then continued. "Lieutenant Trei, you and Lieutenant Lebranski will take the Zenobia. Ensign Loring, you will take the Mavia. Ensign Caldwell, you take the Scathach. Ensign Maxon, you will be joining me aboard Hypatia. Each shuttle will take a member of the security and medical teams." ~Oh God.~ Denise thought before looking up at Trei. ~Well, that that does not kill us, only makes us stronger. Here's hoping he doesn't kill me.~ Again the FO paused, "We are hoping that this is simply an equipment problem with the Lorimar, but we cannot assume that. Therefore, I expect each of you to exercise the utmost caution and alertness. Remember, our primary mission is to first locate, then assist the runabout and her crew. We will not, however, become part of the problem, but rather the solution to it. whatever the situation may be. Questions? Comments?" ~Yeah, how about 'Can I trade one murderous Klingon for one silly scientist?' or 'What defenses -' Actually, that's a good question,~ Denise realized in her self-directed sarcasm. "Sir, presuming our shuttle didn't malfunction, I have every faith in the Chief's abilities, if they met dangerous life or hostile environment suddenly, what's our plan?" Hopefully see it before it eats you didn't seem much of a plan to her. (Reply Durand, any present) (posted by Lorna) ************ (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC aCMO/Lt. Jahlen – Day 7 - 1714) Jahlen had arrived with her three other hand-picked medical staff and the equipment and supplies she felt they needed for the kind of circumstances the runabout Lorimar might be in. She had assumed that was why they were there and acted accordingly. Now they waited to hear what the new acting First Officer had to tell them. “Now that we are all here, let’s get started, shall we?” Durand stated as one more officer arrived and was greeted by him. He gestured to a stack of PADDs on a nearby cargo container and told them that they were copies of their orders and flight plan along with what little data was available and that they could each take one for review. He made Jahlen smile because although it sounded like a request she knew they had no choice, that they would have to take one, not that they'd consider not doing so for an instant. Dutifully she picked up four and handed them around to her people. Jahlen actived her PADD while Durand continued to brief them on the away mission. Apparently it had something to do with the runabout Lorimar; that the ship had received a badly garbled transmission from the runabout that Ensign Maxon had determined was a distress signal. The aFO gazed directly at Maxon bringing another soft smile to Jahlen's lips as she recognized a tactic that she often used to test and observe her subordinates reactions to orders or information, or even criticisms. “Ensign Maxon, I have been made to understand, has also made some calculations regarding the estimated position of the Lorimar when she sent the signal. If that away team is as efficient as this one will be, I’m hopeful that we may encounter a recorder marker, or some type of follow on communication as we approach.” He tapped a command into his PADD, and Jahlen glanced down at her activated PADD to see what he'd shared with them. It was a chart of their proposed course to the search area where. the aFO told them, they'd be flying an extended formation, in order to maximize sensor coverage while maintaining some overlap. We’ll be utilizing four shuttlecraft, and we will launch as soon as the loading and preparations are completed.” He looked at each assembled member of the team and then continued. “Lieutenant Trei, you and Lieutenant Lebranski will take the Zenobia. Ensign Loring, you will take the Mavia. Ensign Caldwell, you take the Scathach. Ensign Maxon, you will be joining me aboard Hypatia. Each shuttle will take a member of the security and medical teams.” Jahlen was intrigued by this unknown officer, it was apparent that he was used to being in charge but she was a little surprised that Bob Lorimar hadn't been selected for aFO he seemed to her, to be the natural choice as he was already the a2O, a position that she was certain would become permanent, that is if he was found alive, but then again, him being missing, perhaps that was the reason for Bupers putting Durand in as aFO. An absent FO wasn't much help to a captain after all. He paused briefly as the team absorbed the information. “We are hoping that this is simply an equipment problem with the Lorimar, but we cannot assume that. Therefore, I expect each of you to exercise the utmost caution and alertness. Remember, our primary mission is to first locate, then assist the runabout and her crew. We will not, however, become part of the problem, but rather the solution to it… whatever the situation may be. Questions? Comments?” Lieutenant Lebranski was quick to ask, "Sir, presuming our shuttle didn't malfunction, I have every faith in the Chief's abilities, if they met dangerous life or hostile environment suddenly, what's our plan?" (reply Durand, any) Jahlen spoke up giving a little wave of her hand. "Sir, exactly how long before we actually leave, and how long will it take to reach the search area? If there is time I would like further medical supplies to be brought along, I didn't realize there would be four shuttles so only brought enough supplementary extras for two." (reply Durand, any) Once Durand had finished talking, Jahlen spoke softly to her staff to tell them which of the shuttles they each would be assigned too, telling the Vulcan Med Tech, Dekar to go with the Lieutenants Trei and Lebranski in Zenobia, Nurse Harper was to go with Ensign Loring in the Mavia and Nurse Schmitt with Ensign Caldwell in the Scathach, which left Doctor Jahlen to go with Durand and Maxon in Hypatia who was one of her most favorite heroines. With smooth efficiency she and her medical staff quickly loaded their supplies on to their respective shuttles taking care not to get in the way of the busy deck crews. Jahlen found herself smiling constantly, she was quite pleased to be going on this mission it wasn't often she had the opportunity and since Tollian had transferred to the USS Rosanthe the only outing she'd had was with Basil Candle to the station, and that had been disasterous. Hopefully this soiree would prove to have a better outcome. (Reply Rescue Team, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet – Crash Site – a2O/CEO – 1714) Bob listened with remarkable patience to the long disser- tation from Basil. Truth be told, however, from the point where he was ‘respectfully’ called an idiot, he gave the specifics a bit less consideration than he otherwise might have. By the time Candle finished, the normally mild mannered Chief Engineer was close to an explosion. He clenched his teeth and started moving back toward the runabout hatch. The pain from his knee helped bring his thoughts into sharp relief. “Mister Candle. Join me inside the runabout.” Bob hobbled his way back over to, and through, the hatch. Inside, he found Selek dutifully examining shipboard systems for damage. “Mister Selek, sorry tae interrupt, but would ye gie Mister Candle and I a moment alone please?” Selek quirked an eyebrow, but made no further comment. He simply gathered up the PADD he had been making notes upon and stepped outside the hatch. Lorimar turned to look at Candle, his face a stoney mask. “*Ensign* Candle,” he began quietly, placing emphasis on Basil’s rank, “ah’m generally a patient man. Ah prefer tae let mah folks work, and ah never micromanage. But be assured, if ye are taking mah kindness for weakness, ye are sadly mistaken. Frankly ah dinnae much care what opinion ye have of me personally – it’s irrelevant – but I will not tolerate being called an idiot. It’s unprofessional, dis- respectful, and completely uncalled for. So ah suggest ye adjust yer attitude and fast.” Bob paused for a breath, but not long enough for any response from Basil. “Mister Candle. If ye *ever* disrespect me again – in public or private – ah’ll hae ye up on charges so fast yer head will spin. Is that clear, ensign?” (Reply Candle) “As for the rest of it, try getting yer facts straight before ye offer an opinion. Evidently ye dinnae hear the entire exchange between Petty Officer Parrr’Z and I, so ah will summarize for you. The ‘survival experts’ happen tae be native to environ- ments very closely similar tae this one. They are faster, more agile, their senses are far better adapted tae this environment than we could hope tae be. That’s why they are scouting for us. Mister Parrr’Z was the one who mentioned ‘taste testing’ the water, not me. Ah’m quite certain he was kidding about that as well. Starfleet Petty Officers are *not* stupid either. He knows we have a working tricorder… more correctly, Lieutenant Rel does, and ah’m quite sure that he will bring back samples for testing before consumption. Do ye really think they would drink potentially contaminated water? Nevermind, dinnae answer that. While we are on that subject, you will *not* disrespect any crewman, NCO, or officer under my command, ever. Is that clear?” (Reply Candle) Bob took a deep breath, his anger having subsided somewhat. “As far as the rest of your report goes.. environmental conditions will be given due consideration by the ‘idiot’ in command, rest assured. This may be your first away mission, ensign, but it is certainly not mine. *We* are a Starfleet crew. *You* are a Starfleet officer. Ah expect ye tae start acting like one, right now. Yes, our situation is less than ideal. Yes, the ship is badly damaged. Yes, some of our supplies are destroyed.” He swept his arm around to indicate their surroundings. “We have a great deal going for us. We are on a class M planet. We have fairly moderate weather, shelter, and some supplies. We will be doing what we can, with what we have. We have all had survival training. We can and will use it, and we will survive here until the Boudicca sends a rescue mission or we rescue ourselves.” He looked Candle squarely in the eye and made his final point. “Mister Candle, this crew was hand picked for its experience and diverse skill set. Ah expect ye tae contribute toward our survival as well as everyone else. Now start being the talented Starfleet officer that I know you can be! We are supposed to be the solution, ensign… not the problem. Now… dae ye have any questions? If you have anything on yer mind ah want tae hear it right now.” (Reply Candle, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) *********** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon – 1715) Durand had been looking at the chrono when Dav entered. So that wasn't a good sign. "Mister Maxon, I’m glad you could join us," he had said. His voice had been neutral, no sign of hostility or impatience in it, but that had only made it extra scary. Dav fell into line without another word. "Now that we are all here, let’s get started, shall we?" Durand gestured to a stack of PADDs on a nearby cargo container. Dav was nearest the container and helped Doctor Jahlen and one of the pilots pass out some of the padds. Dav had just taken the last one for himself when Durand continued. "As you all know, the runabout Lorimar transmitted what appeared to be some sort of distress signal. It was badly garbled, but Ensign Maxon, it seems, is quite confident that it is in fact a distress call." At the sound of his name, Dav looked up from his padd. Some of the others turned to look at him. He held his composure. It had been Commander 'cha Nooras who first thought it was a distress call. Dav had only cleaned it up so they could make out a little more of what was said. But the aFO said Dav was 'quite confident,' so Dav tried to look 'quite confident.' "Ensign Maxon, I have been made to understand, has also made some calculations regarding the estimated position of the Lorimar when she sent the signal." Dav was getting too much credit, and after years of watching head researchers and project leads at Daystrom get credit for work he had done, Dav had an aversion to taking credit that wasn't his. It had been Ames who completed the calculations. But it was counter-productive to interrupt the aFO, so he said nothing just then. Durand continued. "If that away team is as efficient as this one will be, I’m hopeful that we may encounter a recorder marker, or some type of follow on communication as we approach." Durand then detailed their flight and search coverage plan. "We’ll be utilizing four shuttlecraft, and we will launch as soon as the loading and preparations are completed." Lt. Commander Durand looked directly at Dav, and for a moment, the scientist's composure broke. ~What did I do now?~ was his ridiculous thought, but the contact was only brief, and Durand then looked at every other member of the team as well before continuing. "Lieutenant Trei, you and Lieutenant Lebranski will take the Zenobia. Ensign Loring, you will take the Mavia. Ensign Caldwell, you take the Scathach. Ensign Maxon, you will be joining me aboard Hypatia. Each shuttle will take a member of the security and medical teams." Dav was amused to see Denise look up at Trei with apprehension. But knowing Lt. Trei, he thought, as long as she didn't take any tribbles with her, Denise would be fine. Then it occurred to him just who he had been paired with. He supposed it made sense to team the most junior officer with the most senior. But still... intimidating! He thought the aFO might be lookingat him again, but he tried to maintain his professional calm. When the Commander asked for questions or comments, Lebranski was first with a question: "Sir, presuming our shuttle didn't malfunction, I have every faith in the Chief's abilities, if they met dangerous life or hostile environment suddenly, what's our plan?" (Reply Durand, any) Jahlen spoke next. "Sir, exactly how long before we actually leave, and how long will it take to reach the search area? If there is time I would like further medical supplies to be brought along, I didn't realize there would be four shuttles so only brought enough supplementary extras for two." (reply Durand, any) Maxon had the next question: "Commander, if we are able to locate the distress buoy and learn the runabout's last location, do we plan to regroup and set course for that location, or maintain our search pattern?" (Reply Durand, Away Team, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (Unknown Planet – Crash Site – ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle – 1716) “Mister Selek, sorry tae interrupt, but would ye gie Mister Candle and I a moment alone please?” said the Chief. ~Oh here we go~ “*Ensign* Candle,” he began quietly, placing emphasis on Basil’s rank, “ah’m generally a patient man. Ah prefer tae let mah folks work, and ah never micro-manage. But be assured, if ye are taking mah kindness for weakness, ye are sadly mistaken. Frankly ah dinnae much care what opinion ye have of me personally – it’s irrelevant – but I will not tolerate being called an idiot. It’s unprofessional, disrespectful, and completely uncalled for. So ah suggest ye adjust yer attitude and fast.” “Mister Candle. If ye *ever* disrespect me again – in public or private – ah’ll hae ye up on charges so fast yer head will spin. Is that clear, ensign?” ~Of all the misguided, stupid……~ Basil was about to splurt something out but stopped, ~No this can wait~ He let Lorimar have his rant, he found before that interrupting in arguments just led to later troubles. When he had finished Basil began. “Sir” Basil made sure he stressed the word but did not raise his voice despite the anger in him, “I have complete respect for you, this crew and Starfleet training and ,quite frankly, that is the only thing stopping me going screaming into the woods. It is that respect that made me call you an idiot, SIR, for I am So sorry for not picking up on the officer’s amusement because obviously crash landing on an unknown planet with untold dangers is sooo funny. If I wasn’t so damned scared I’d be in hysterics!” (Reply Lorimar iyw, any) “At this precise moment in time, Sir, I am your Chief Medical Officer with ALL that entails, so if I feel in telling my new commanding officer that he‘s an idiot for not reminding another officer to be careful, I will do. At this moment, rules and regulations can be damned and if you want to trawl my sorry ass through every transgression if we get back, SIR, then I’ll help you write the damnable report. At this moment my job is to make sure you and the ones that can keep us alive stay fit, safe and especially healthy and I will do and say anything to make sure that happens. My problem, sir, is not that they are gifted in their jobs, I would love to have two officers instilling confidence at this time. Instead all I am getting is smugness and levity, that is my problem” Before Lorimar could reply “Oh and if Boudicca sends a rescue mission then we had better find a way of warning them about that scan because we don’t want our rescue ship joining us down here in the same condition” (Reply Lorimar, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - SPC aFO - 1717) When Alan solicited questions, he was pleased to see the assembled officers speak up immediately. The blond and still slightly flushed Lt. Lebranski spoke first, asking about their (his) plan. Durand smiled thinly at her, then answered the question that they all were likely thinking. "Our plan, Lieutenant, is to effect rescue of the the runabout crew by any means necessary. I admit that simple system failure is the least likely scenario, but our plan covers whatever eventuality crops up. Make no mistake. *We* are *not* expendable. Short of that, the rescue of the other crew has unconditional priority. If we find a systems failure, we effect a rescue following established protocol. If we find some sort of natural event, we analyze it, work our way around or through it, and effect the rescue. If we find a hostile force... then we assess it, and respond appropriately. We are *not* out to start a Galactic war, but we will do whatever is necessary. Let's be clear though; we will *not* fire unless fired upon. If the force is beyond our capacity to deal with, then we will observe, report, and get additional resources as needed. Clear enough?" (Reply Lebranski, Any) The Doctor -- J'Nai, he surmised -- was next. Once again, the question was logical and clearly appropriate. He smiled at her as well, with perhaps a bit of a sheepish look creeping into it. "That's my fault Doctor. This rescue has been put together so fast I overlooked the detail that you should have been given. The hangar crews are loading containers of emergency medical supplies on each shuttle, according to the standard 'Type B' search and rescue manifest. I'm sure you are familiar with that? If you feel I've overlooked anything, feel free to bring or requisition additional equipment, provided it is secured and all personnel are aboard in time for launch at 1730. Acceptable, Doctor?" (Reply Jahlen, Any) Ensign Maxon spoke up next, making another sensible inquiry. Durand gave his full attention to the officer speaking, as was his habit. He turned to face Maxon, and spoke while looking him in the eye. "I'm giving your calculations -- or more correctly, the ones you helped with -- the benefit of the doubt. Assuming the runabout launched a recorder marker, probe, anything of that sort... even a trail of breadcrumbs... we will give that due consideration. Any information that can shorten the search and get us to the runabout's actual location will be acted upon. I can't say with absolute certainty how we will respond to information that we don't yet have, of course... but most likely in that event we will alter our course accordingly. Any other questions or comments?" (Reply Maxon, Any, Room for still more) When the question and answer session petered out, Durand approached Lt. Trei. "Mister Trei, I'd like to speak with you a moment, please?" Drawing the Tactical officer to the side, Durand placed his hand firmly on Trei's upper arm, lowering his voice so only the Klingon could hear. "Mister Trei, you know as well as I do that more likely than not, we stand into danger. Whatever we are facing, it may be more than our shuttlecraft can handle. I don't anticipate a battle, but we have to assume the worst case. You are my second in command on this mission. If anything happens to me, I fully expect you to successfully effect this rescue. After all, this is nothing less than a matter of honor, don't you agree?" (Reply Trei, Rescue Team) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttle Bay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1718) Durand took Detron aside and spoke to him. Durand conveyed the danger expected in the mission. Durand said if anything happens to him that Detron will be second in command and take over for Durand. Durand ended it with the notion that it is just a matter of honor. Detron understood honor but thought it was misplaced in this situation. "Understood sir. You can count on me sir." Detron gave Durand the Klingon Warrior chest thump to honor him before the mission. (Reply Durand iyw) (Posted by Edward) ******** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO - 1718) Lorimar stared at Candle, dumbfounded. ~Did he hear *anything* that ah said? A single word??~ He put aside his astonishment for the moment. He should have been angry; he was certain, in fact, that if Dorga 'cha Nooras were here, she might strike the young ensign for his utter disrespect. Bob being who he was, took a different tack altogether. "Mister Candle, for a scientist, you seem particularly single minded and innattentive to detail. Tae say nothing of the fact that you dinnae appear tae hear much of what ah said... just the parts ye wished tae fixate on. Ah think Lieutenant Rel might review yer 'scientific method', and profitably critique it, but ah digress." He took a deep breath then pushed on, wondering just how much -- if any -- of his commentary would sink in to this demonstrably thick headed young officer. "Mister Candle, as ah said before, ye missed a great deal of the conversation -- that is to say, the orders -- that ah gave tae Mister Parrr'Z before he left. He most certainly *was* cautioned, given *very specific* rules of conduct and engagement. If ye continue making assumptions without having all of the facts, ah submit that yer decisions will be suspect at the very least." He held up a finger, indicating that he was far from done, and commentary from Candle was neither welcome nor appropriate at the moment. "Ye have 'complete respect'? Ye surely have an odd way of showing it lad. If some senior officers ah know were here instead of me, ye'd be getting quite the lecture on decorum right now." Bob ground his teeth together, his frustration building once more. "Lad, ah've got tae admit ah am confused. What the Devil gives ye the impression that anyone is taking this situation lightly? This is hardly an amusing game we are playin'... its life and death responsibility. The fact of the matter is, Starfleet officers do not panic or bemoan their situation. They analyze, plan, and execute a course of action which results in the greatest good for the greatest number. As far as 'smugness' goes... the only one ah can see demonstrating that is *you* Ensign. Dinnae *tell* me how clever ye are! Show me! Since we've landed ye have done nothing but insult the rest of us, complain and declare defeat. Your conduct will not continue in the present fashion, is that clear? No matter how clever ye feel ye are... you are *not* in command here. This is not a joke, despite what ye mistakenly believe about the rest of our conduct." Lorimar was seething once again, and he fought mightily to control his temper. "Ye call yerself the 'Chief Medical Officer'? Hae ye even bothered tae check on *anyone's* condition since we landed? Or are ye too busy complaining aboot the way ah dae mah job?" (Reply Candle, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet – Crash Site – ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle - 1719) Lorimar stared at Candle. "Mister Candle, for a scientist, you seem particularly single minded and inattentive to detail. Tae say nothing of the fact that you dinnae appear tae hear much of what ah said... just the parts ye wished tae fixate on. Ah think Lieutenant Rel might review yer 'scientific method', and profitably critique it, but ah digress." ~No just focussed on the detail rather than flit around with irrelevancy~ Lorimar took a deep breath "Mister Candle, as ah said before, ye missed a great deal of the conversation -- that is to say, the orders -- that ah gave tae Mister Parrr'Z before he left. He most certainly *was* cautioned, given *very specific* rules of conduct and engage- ment. If ye continue making assumptions without having all of the facts, ah submit that yer decisions will be suspect at the very least." He held up a finger, indicating that he was far from done, ~Basil resisted the urge to grab and twist it, at least he didn’t shove it in his face~ "Ye have 'complete respect'? Ye surely have an odd way of showing it lad. If some senior officers ah know were here instead of me, ye'd be getting quite the lecture on decorum right now." ~Believe me I have been chewed out by the worst captains Ye can think of~ "Lad, ah've got tae admit ah am confused. What the Devil gives ye the impression that anyone is taking this situation lightly? This is hardly an amusing game we are playin'... its life and death responsibility. The fact of the matter is, Starfleet officers do not panic or bemoan their situation. They analyze, plan, and execute a course of action which results in the greatest good for the greatest number. As far as 'smugness' goes... the only one ah can see demonstrating that is *you* Ensign. Dinnae *tell* me how clever ye are! Show me! Since we've landed ye have done nothing but insult the rest of us, complain and declare defeat. Your conduct will not continue in the present fashion, is that clear? No matter how clever ye feel ye are... you are *not* in command here. This is not a joke, despite what ye mistakenly believe about the rest of our conduct." "Ye call yerself the 'Chief Medical Officer'? Hae ye even bothered tae check on *anyone's* condition since we landed? Or are ye too busy complaining aboot the way ah dae mah job?" Basil had loads to say back but refrained. He believed it was the officer in front of him that was being thick-headed but Lorimar was right about one thing he hadn’t checked fully the crews life signs. Again refraining from saying he was going to until he was asked in here he said instead, “Your right - I haven’t checked anyone. If its okay with you I would like to start” (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1720) Shadow was pretty sure Parrr'Z wasn't going to be taking their situation seriously until he got his tail bitten off, but then, she was having trouble not doing aerials through the brush either. It was just so nice to be needed and to be the best at something! She hadn't experienced this since.. well, ever! While they waited for Chief Bob to reply, "Maybe we should call the planet Bob." Shadow suggested mischievously. (Reply Parrr'Z) "Well, do not those who discover get to name things? And Runabout Lorimar did find it first.. And I think Bob is a perfectly good name for a planet." (Reply Parrr'Z) *********** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttle Bay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1720) Detron heard the orders. He and Lebraski were taking Shuttle Zenobia. There are four shuttles involved in the mission. Working close with Lebranski didn't bother him as much as she thinks it will. The mission is first. Any disagreement can be dealt with as long as the mission stays first. Detron climbed the steps to the shuttle and took the pilot chair as Lebranski took the co-pilot chair. Detron had more experience being a pilot that didn't mean he liked doing it. Lebranski pleaded her case for Detron not ot kill her even though she will do something stupid. She said he would have to tell her mother why he killed her baby girl. Detron felt for her a little. "Relax Lebraski. The mission comes first. Just keep alert and inform me of any sensory developments. We will deal with other things as they come. Prepare the shuttle for launch." (Reply Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) ********** (Unknown Planet – Heart of Stone - Bridge – Captain Justin Von Rache – 1720) The dream was always the same and it haunted him always. Adam laying there. Blood everywhere. That stare. That accusing stare. "Captain..." someone screamed in his dream. "Captain... wak... crashed....." Strange, this part is not usually in this dream. "CAPtain..." Justin came out of it suddenly. His eyes flew open as he jumped up into a sitting position. He was on the floor of the bridge which was filled with smoke and the smell of burning conduits and what smelled like burning flesh. He looked up at who had been trying to shake him back to consciousness. He recognized Garna through the smoke. Her face was covered in black soot and there was a scratch on the side of her face. Nothing serious but it upset him immediately. "Are you alright?" He asked. "I'm fine," she replied. There was something in her voice. "What happened?" "We crashed?" she replied with sarcasm. "Something a little more detailed would be appreciated," he glared back in her direction. "Not much more detail to provide other than that." "How is everyone else?" "Dead. Though I have been unable to find Brinn, there is a lot of debris here on the bridge." "Help me up," Justin extended his arm. Garna grasped it and helped him stand. He looked around. The place was completely ruined. Simon was still at his station, what was left of him anyways. His face charred from his station exploding in his face. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a piece of the ceiling bulkhead that fell on the floor move. He rushed over to see a hand sticking out from underneath. "Help me, it's Brinn." The big lummox was sturdy and Justin hoped his legs were intact. If they had to try and carry him out of the ship they would all likely perish. Garna ran over and they were able to get the bulkhead piece off of Brinn. He seemed intact. Justin slapped his face lightly. "Wake up Brinn, this is no time to sleep on the job." The man's eyes opened slowly as he began to regain consciousness and his composure. "Time to go Brinn, get up." They helped him up to a sitting then standing position. Brinn looked around. "Whhat happened?" he asked bewildered. Justin could not help but smile as he answered, "We crashed." "Oh." was all Brinn could muster. "Alright, lets get as many supplies as you can carry. Food, medical, any portable scanning devices that function. Then let's get off this ship." (Posted by Oleg) ********** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - SPC aCMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 7 - 1720.5) Durand told Lebranski that his plan was to rescue the runabout crew by any means necessary and would cover whatever eventuality that might crops up, short of dying in the attempt, at least that was Jahlen's interpretation of not being expendable. He made it quite clear that the rescue of the other crew had unconditional priority and would do whatever was necessary. (Reply Lebranski, Any) To Jahlen's question about actual time of take off and how long it would take to get to the search area, and her observation that she hadn't known how many shuttles were involved, he apologized for not giving her the details that she should haver received and that the hangar crews were loading containers of emergency medical supplies on each shuttle, according to the standard 'Type B' search and rescue manifest. He told her to feel free to bring or requisition additional equipment if she thought he'd overlooked anything, provided it and they were ready for launch at 1730. "....Acceptable, Doctor?" He concluded. Giving him a warm smile she thanked him and added, "and what is our ETA to the search area, Sir?" For he'd obviously forgotten that question while answering her other one. (Reply aFO, Any) Ensign Maxon spoke up next and Durand answered him, when he'd finished he asked if there any other questions or comments (Reply Maxon, Any, Room for still more) Once Durand had finished talking and had taken Lt. Trei aside for a quiet word, Jahlen spoke softly to her staff to tell them which of the shuttles they each would be assigned too and then with smooth efficiency, she and her medical staff quickly loaded their supplies on to their respective shuttles taking care not to get in the way of the busy deck crews as they finished up their tasks. When everything was stowed away she took a seat and waited for take off which was only a few minutes away according to her wrist chronometer. As she strapped herself in to the seat, Jahlen hoped they wouldn't have to much trouble finding their missing crewmates and that they were all alive, she was particularly fond of Lt. Lorimar and Shadow even though the felinoid appeared to have a strong aversion to Sickbay, and if they were no longer around then she would miss them dreadfully. (Reprise Rescue Team) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Zenobia - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1721) "Relax Lebraski. The mission comes first. Just keep alert and inform me of any sensory developments. We will deal with other things as they come. Prepare the shuttle for launch." Denise blinked at him then smiled, "Aye, Aye Captain." And started the check-list. Several minutes went by in mutual silence as they worked, "Although.." she said, thoughtfully. "I was kind of looking forward to someone meeting my mother who may actually be able to beat her in intimidation.." (Reply Trei, iyw) "I'll just have to make sure you're invited over for dinner the next time we're at Earth. Fresh crawdad is unbeatable." Denise could entertain thoughts of Trei squaring off against the tough, militant, Lebranski matron for days. Though, she had the fear that Trei was a gentleman at heart and wouldn't step up to the plate unless her mother was stupid enough to step on his honour like daughter had! (Reply Trei) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Shuttle Zenobia - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1722) Lebraski quietly talked about how she would like to see someone match her mother in intimidation. She said it would be fun to see Detron square off with her for days. Detron was intrigued by the prospect, but he would not battle her mother unless she questioned his honor. Detron was also thinking about a fresh crawdad dinner in New Orleans. He never had crawdad and welcomed the experience when it came. Lebraski referred to Detron as Captain. Detron felt uncomfortable with that because he hasn't earned it. Detron turned his head and responded. "Detron is fine since we will be working close together. May I call you Denise? The prospect of meeting your mother and the ensuing battle of wills is intriguing, but the crawdad dinner appeals to me more since it will be a new experience for me. Are we ready for launch?" (Reply Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) (Unknown Planet – Runabout crash site – a2O/CEO – 1722) Bob had gone back outside after concluding his conversation with Basil. Presently, he had opened one of the gull wing access doors on the starboard engine nacelle to see exactly what the condition of the engine system was. His commbadge chirped, and he tapped it to open the channel. They had all been reset to energy conservation mode, as no one knew when energy might become available to recharge their sarium-krellide power cells. He was rewarded for the effort with a mewling burst of static. It had to be either Shadow or Parrr’Z trying to check in. They weren’t due for a while yet, so his curiosity was immediately piqued. He removed the badge and flipped it over in his palm, turning the gain controls for transmit and receive to maximum. Replacing it on his uniform tunic, he tapped it and tried again. “Shadow… Parrr’Z… your message was unreadable say again?” There was a brief pause, then another burst of static, this time with a few snippets of voice. I was Parrr’Z calling from the sound of it. =^=…Z…to….amp. D… …. … saw?=^= “Parrr’Z, this is Lorimar. If ye read me, try adjustin’ yer gain controls tae maximum. Ah say again, set yer gain tae maximum.” There was a brief pause, then another chirrup, then a longer burst of static. Bob couldn’t make any sense of the voice this time however. ~Got tae be this bloody vegetation! It’s damping the signal, ah was afraid o’ that!~ He raised his voice loud enough to be heard by the rest of the party. “Rel… Candle… Selek! Anyone else hear that transmission from Mister Parrr’Z?” (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet – The Jungle – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – Day 7 - 1722) While they waited for the 2O to reply Shadow said, "maybe we should call the planet Bob." Parrr'Z was *almost* certain she was joking but sometimes it was hard to tell if Shadow was serious or not, so he asked her why. It seemed to him, to be a silly name for a planet. "Well, do not those who discover get to name things? And Runabout Lorimar did find it first.. And I think Bob is a perfectly good name for a planet." His whiskers twitched with amusement, "then why not call it Runabout Lorimar or even ShadoParr? After all *we* are the ones actually exploring it!" (reply Shadow iyw) His commbadge spluttered into life but Parr could hardly make out the words as there was so much static interference. =^= Shhhhhhhhzzzzzzzzz… you..zzzzzzzzz..unre...ssssssssss....... gain? =^= ~ If he is having as much trouble hearing me as I am hearing him, I'll give it another try. ~ He tapped his commbadge again. =^= Parrr'Z to camp. Did you see what I just saw? =^= =^=…ParrzzzzzzzzzzzZ..thizzzzz...s Lo....mar. SSSSSSssss try ... justin’ .....con ..ls.. shhhhh... maximum. Ah say...., set ..... gain....maxi..... zzzshhhhhh =^= From what the PO did hear he gathered he had to adjust the commbadge setting to maximum so he removed it from the harness type top he wore and did so, then tapped it again. "Sir, I just saw a distressed spaceship pass overhead. It crashed, should we investigate?" There was no reply. "Well that was a waste of time!" Parr figured the jungle had to be interfering with the signal. He looked up at Shadow who was perched - kinda - in one of the trees. "I think.." Shadow suggested, "We get the water, and then we bring Lieutenant Rel to the crash. Who knows what beings they are and she's the scientist and good with that stuff. Between us she should be safe." She hopped down from the tree. "Anyone but Doctor Vampire. He's very cranky and smells sour." She muttered. "Hmmm! First why don't you shimmy right back up that tree as it looks like one of the taller ones around here, and try with your commbadge, perhaps from up there the message may get through. Then if you no luck we'll take the water back to camp and see what the second officer wants us to do." He wondered what the doctor had done or not done for Shadow to say that about the man. He was tempted to ask him, but mentally he shrugged, wasn't Shadow always telling him she was perfectly able to take care of herself? (Reply Shadow, any - room for more) They crossed the small clearing and headed towards the water. Parr could smell it, the scent growing stronger the closer they got to it, and now he could hear the rush of the water. A couple more minutes and they broke through some bushes to the riverside. "I'll take guard if you fill..?" Shadow asked Parrr'Z who gave her a nod, knowing her dislike of being wet and relieved her of the water bottles she was carrying, slinging them over his shoulder with the ones he had. The bank was quite steep here so he carefully made his way down to the river and crouching down at the water's edge began to fill the bottles one by one, while constantly glancing around for any signs of danger. All the beasts in the area for miles around would come here to drink, big, small and in between and he didn't want to encounter anything that might be bigger and better endowed with fangs and clawas, than he was. It was a fairly wide river with steep banks on both sides that dipped down to a thin beach of rocks and stones. Not too far away he could see tiny circular ripples appearing now and then as the fish came up to catch some insects that hovered above the surface. A large log came drifting along from his right close to the shore just as he'd finished filling the last of the bottles, and caught his eye. It was enormous. He stoppered the bottle and slung the collection over his shoulder while he stood watching the log with curiosity as it gradually got closer and closer. Something about it didn't seem quite right and then in a flash he realized what it was. The log was moving against the current and four protrusions at the front of it looked remarkably like...... "EYES!!" Parrr'Z shouted. Instinctively he leaped back just as the log - which by now was only about ten feet away - surged from the water and lunged at him. "YOWWRRRRRR!!" Parrr'Z screeched as he stared into a massive maw filled with row upon row of huge razor sharp teeth...a maw that snapped closed so near him he felt the rancid blast of hot carrion breath and some of his fur being ripped off his chest. In a blur of movement he somersaulted up and over the reptile's massive head, landed on it's back and then jumped off fifteen feet away, already running before his feet hit the ground. By the time the confused creature had realized where his dinner had landed, Parr and Shadow were already disappearing into the jungle and running for their lives. (reply Shadow, ANY) (posted by Sal) ******* (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Zenobia - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1723) Denise sat in the copilot's chair, more than sure Trei was the better pilot than her and they were probably about even on sensors. "I just want to say, sir, before we start.." (Reply Trei) "If you kill me for saying something incredibly stupid at some point in this mission, and we BOTH know I will, you'll have to explain to my mother why you justifiably killed her baby girl." It was gallows humour, but it was all she really had to offer. Damnit Bob, what the hell had happened? (Reply Trei, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1723) =/\= Bzzzzt.. grumble.. grrr.. splat.. maximum .. grrrrll.. zap.. =/\= Was about what Shadow understood of the gibberish of noise that came across her comm. badge. Fortunately for them Parrr'Z was much more familiar with the noises of technology and his hearing could probably pick out what Chief Bob had actually said. She waited patiently while lover and mission commander sorted out their communication problems, half hanging up a tree as she kept an eye out for incoming. Though, really, other than a loud crash that had sent little furry creatures flying off into the air, there hadn't been a lot of wildlife activity. She wondered if that meant there was a very large or prolific predator in the area. Of course, most hungry nasties only hunted at dawn and dusk when creatures were careless in their hunt for water. There hadn't even been a lot of insects. Maybe this was a crepuscular planet. "I think.." Shadow suggested, "We get the water, and then we bring Lieutenant Rel to the crash. Who knows what beings they are and she's the scientist and good with that stuff. Between us she should be safe." (Reply Parrr'Z, Bob, other) After plans had been made, Shadow hopped off the tree to continue prowling, "Anyone but Doctor Vampire. He's very cranky and smells sour." She muttered. Shadow tried to like everyone, but the Doctor didn't seem very personable for a being who dedicated his life to helping others. (Reply Parrr'Z) (posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1724) Parrr'Z's whiskers twitched with amusement, "then why not call it Runabout Lorimar or even ShadoParr? After all *we* are the ones actually exploring it!" "That's an awful lot to roll off the tongue," she said, tail looping at the end. "Short and sweet, sort of like the stop at the end of our landing." She was saved from further debate by Parrr'Z's comm. badge trying to work. She decided then and there she would just keep calling the planet Bob until it stuck. Why use guile when simple stubbornness would work? Giving up on trying to talk to the Chief Engineer, Parr turned back to her. "Hmmm! First why don't you shimmy right back up that tree as it looks like one of the taller ones around here, and try with your comm- badge, perhaps from up there the message may get through. Then if you no luck we'll take the water back to camp and see what the second officer wants us to do." "Shimmy?" Shadow asked with a curl of her nose, "That is a dance furless do!" (Reply Parrr'Z) "Murph." She grunt-muttered as she easily climbed the free with claw. "Shimmy, Shimmy, Shakes." She continued to mutter, "For goodness sakes, I got the shimmy, shimmy, shakes." It was a very silly old earth folk song. Once at the top of the tree she hit her badge, "Crewman to Sretalles to Chief Bob." (Reply Lorimar) She sighed and looked at the misbehaving comm. badge. She pried it off her harness and took the cover off with careful claw. Hanging onto the tree with tail and foot claws gave her two hands to work. Claws made excellent tweezers. She should have snagged Parr's comm. badge. "Can you toss your badge up here?" she hissed down.. trying to carry her voice rather than project to the whole neighborhood. (Reply Parrr'Z) She tapped Parrr'Z's badge, "I have my badge open, Chief Bob, but I do not know what I am looking at. Use small, loud words." She was trying her best to talk in a normal volume furless voice, but she felt like she was making a giant target of herself. (Reply Chief Bob) Happy she managed to get her comm. badge communicating, she quickly did the same to Parrr'Z's badge before she dropped it down to him. She explained to Bob while she worked about the crash and her thought of collecting Lieutenant Rel to investigate. Shadow thought Lieutenant Rel would be a good counselor, but she didn't pass that on. Many of the furless didn't seem to like the counseling profession for all that they liked the counselors themselves. Furless scents often argued with themselves around counselors. (Orders Chief Bob?) Shadow nodded, "Aye, Aye, sir." She said, and let go of the tree to fall the meters below with a soft thud into the loam of the forest floor. She'd hopped further at home, but she knew it still made males nervous to see their females jump out of nice trees. She wasn't going to waste claw climbing down when a jump worked just as well though. She gave Parrr'Z a lick in apology for startling him with her jump, sudden movement and warrior's fur tip instincts didn't match so well sometimes. (Reply/Comment Parrr'Z) Soon enough they were at the river and she was double grateful Parrr'Z was willing to fill. She was watching the forest rather than the river, Parrr'Z's nose and eyes were more than suitable to watching for dangerous fish. Hmm. Maybe they should have caught one of the rodent creatures to toss into the river to test it's safety? She was just as bad as Parrr'Z! Siavo might be wild in comparison to Cait, but parts of it were still tame. "EYES!!" Parrr'Z shouted. Shadow wondered what she was supposed to do with her eyes when her mate leapt away from the river, and then danced with a very large reptile that resembled a mating of shark and crocodile. Siavo had NOTHING like it. All their predators lived on land! Parrr'Z was up and on the bank in the brush and hauling on her before she managed to dig in her feet. The thing was lumbering on land, they were easily faster than it. "You have a knife!" she hissed at Parrr'Z wrenching herself free and turning with spear. She hopped up a tree higher up than the log-gator's length, glad she preferred long spears and stabbed down, hitting snout rather than anything worth while. "IT has our water bottles!" she couldn't gesture to the bank where a few of the bottles had been left by Parrr'Z, but they needed every one. Besides, the skin would make a very nice harness.. and reptile fat coated on logs would make good for a long burning watch fire. She kept making little cuts and stabs so Parr could stalk from behind. She was safe enough out of reach of that lashing tail that was doing serious damage to the brush. She finally got the poke she wanted got the spear head into the log-gator's eye. She jumped from tree, putting all her weight on the spear, driving it through the creature and into the ground. The creature roared its pain and anger. "Crap." She muttered, in Denise's favorite polite-curse. Obviously the brain wasn't in the proper place. She hopped out of the way as an enraged Starfleet security officer practically decapitated the creature with a knife. Shadow blinked up at Parrr. "Wow." She wondered if he would strangle her if she said that was *fun* .. a real hunt with her mate, not the ghosts and shadows of the holodock. (reply Parrr) Too bad they didn't have any rope, hauling this thing around wouldn't be fun. Well, they could just braid some vines and make do. Shadow was more than happy to let her partner sort out his hunting high while she strung up the beast to drain it of blood before she skinned it. (Observations Mr Cat?) "Skin and fat, I don't think the meat will be good for much though. Lieutenant Rel can test it, I suppose." She sighed at the gigantic beast, "Rough butcher and haul back to camp? Or do you think that would offend our delicate furless?" (Reply Poor Parrr'Z, Bob, etc) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - 1725) "That's an awful lot to roll off the tongue," Shadow replied, her tail looping at the end. "Short and sweet, sort of like the stop at the end of our landing." "Then we should call it Parrr!" Parr said with a rumbling chuckle. Before Shadow could reply with further wit Parrr'Z's commbadge spewed out further static. Giving up on trying to talk to Lorimar, Parr turned back to her and suggested - he knew better than to order her to do anything, that she shimmy back up the tree and try her commbadge in the hopes that she could get a message through above all the vegetation that must be blocking the signal. "Shimmy?" Shadow asked with a curl of her nose, "That is a dance furless do!" "Really?" Parr's whiskers twitched and he tried to envision what kind of gyrations the furless would make for that particular dance. "Hmmm! Well then, dance on up that tree and try to contact the second officer." "Murph." She grunt-muttered and ascended the tree in a matter of seconds singing some song with the words 'Shimmy, Shimmy, Shakes.' The words sounded silly to Parr so he soon lost interest in listening to them although usually he did enjoy hearing Shadow sing, his mate had a fine singing voice. Clear, pure and normally very strong, a fact that often had him puzzled as to why she whispered most of the time when she talked, because he knew she had a bellow that would fell an Andorian Yak in its tracks, but for now she was singing quietly, no doubt so as not to alert or alarm any predators that might find two felinoids to be nice mouthfuls for dinner and dessert. By the time she was at the top of the tree, Parr couldn't hear her so he waited for her to return while keeping a watch out for danger, hoping that she had better luck than he'd had. He began to think about how wonderful it would be to set up home with Shadow here on this planet and even had the number of kits they'd have and their gender when he heard her calling down to him to toss his commbadge up to her. Parr wasn't too sure that he could toss it up the tree, there were to many branches and leaves in the way and it wasn't easy to toss something directly upwards so he chose to climb partway until he could toss it to her easily. Now he was close enough that he could hear her talking. "I have my badge open, Chief Bob, but I do not know what I am looking at. Use small, loud words." (Reply 2O) Shadow fiddled with their commbadges and dropped Parrr'Z's badge down to him, he reattached it to his harness before shimmying back down the tree to the ground only to be startled a short while later by Shadow unexpectedly dropping down to the ground beside him with a soft thud. Naturally he jumped, his fur bristling, claws extending as he hissed at her, instinctively on the defense until he realized it wasn't a nasty out to get him. Shadow gave him a lick in apology for startling him with her jump, making him wish they had time for more than one lick. "You almost gave me a heart attack, think before you act please. Now let's go and get this water." He took of at a fast pace and soon they were at the river where Parr made his way down to the riverside and his encounter with a creature of nightmares. Fortunately for Parr his quick reflexes allowed him to escape a limb ripping death in the maw of the biggest reptile he'd ever seen, and he'd grabbed Shadow who was looking a little shocked and hauled her away to escape the nasty. A nasty that had not trouble getting up the steep bank and was now lumbering after its dinner, Its four eyes wide with anticipation and its massive mouth open to reveal the rows of gleaming, deadly teeth. Its tongue was remarkable too and seemed to have a life of its own as it shot out several feet, the tip brushing at his tail tip. Parr was certain that it would grab him if he was within reach... it rather reminded him of Shadow's tail. Was there such a thing as a prehensile tongue? The touch of the tongue only made him run faster, his only thought was to get them both safely away but naturally Shadow had other ideas. "You have a knife!" she hissed at Parrr'Z wrenching herself free and turning with spear so he had no choice but to go along with her. ~ She's crazy, didn't she see those teeth? ~ Shadow hopped up into a tree and Parr climbed one close by while she stabbed at the nightmare with her spear. "IT has our water bottles!" She reminded him and he let out a Caitian curse. With a sigh of resignation Parr leaped to a nearby tree, then another while Shadow kept the creature occupied cutting and poking it with her spear while he silently jumped from the tree and looped around the beast to get at it from behind, unsheathing his long, wicked knife as he got closer to it, being careful not to be struck by it's lashing tail which he was sure would easily break his legs. He thanked his creator for making him a felinoid. It was easy for him to jump out of the way of the deadly tail and once he was close enough to its body, as Shadow impaled it through one of its eyes and skewered it to the ground, he leaped up on its back and with a triumphant, primal roar, pushed the thrashing, agonized creature's head down with all his might as his long dagger slashed through its throat from beneath almost severing the huge head. He somersaulted off the dead beast, its body thrashing in its death throes, landing on his feet at Shadow's side, covered with its blood spray. Shadow blinked up at him. "Wow." It hadn't been his choice to kill the animal, they could have out run it and returned later for the water bottles. Shadow had forced his hand in that matter, but if she'd asked him what he was thinking he would have told her that when it came down to it, he had enjoyed the kill, after all, hadn't it tried to kill him first? Parr put his arm around Shadow's shoulders and gave her a hug. "Our first real hunt together. We couldn't have asked for a mightier prey." (reply Shadow iyw) Now it was time for him to carry out his post-kill ritual to thank the Creator for supplying the beast and the beast for giving up its life to them. He had nothing to give back to nature, normally on Cait he would carry herbs so instead he grabbed the water bottles and emptied one over the carcass while he spoke his prayers of gratitude. When he was done he was loath to just leave the dead beast there, a good hunter was supposed to carry his kill back to his camp but he knew there was no way he'd be able to even drag this creature all that way, not even with Shadow's help, but still, Shadow had managed to string the beast up so that the blood would drain out if so it looked like she was of the same mind as him. "We can't take it all but we can take some of it." He stated to Shadow who replied. "Skin and fat, I don't think the meat will be good for much though. Lieutenant Rel can test it, I suppose." She sighed. "Rough butcher and haul back to camp? Or do you think that would offend our delicate furless?" "I think it will be just too bad if they are offended. I also think we will take as much of the meat wrapped in the skin as I can carry. I am sure we can eat it, people of all species eat reptiles. If we cannot then we can use it as bait to lure animals that we can eat! What is left we can haul up higher in to the tree and come back for later if it's edible." Immediately Parr set about helping Shadow to skin and butcher the creature. Together they had it done within the hour but it was messy work and both of them were covered in gore after they'd hauled it higher into the tree, an easier task once it had been partially butchered. "Give me your spear and I will watch over you while you bathe. When you are done I will bathe." He knew how much Shadow hated water but there was no other way to get clean here, no handy sonic showers available. (Reply Shadow, Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - The River - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1726) The river was a large and placid affair, not that Shadow particularly wanted to get wet or in it. She could swim, and swim well, but that didn't mean she much liked to be immersed in water. Sonic showers were a much more civilized affair than what most of the furless chose to use. She fluffed out at the shudder of the thought of warm, wet, water, pounding down. She didn't even like jungle rains much. "I'll take guard if you fill..?" she asked hopefully, Parrr'Z seemed to have way fewer issues with water, and she had a lot more experience with spear fishing. Fish were normally the most edible form of life to the majority of species. Though, really, she and Parrr'Z could survive on pretty much anything that wouldn't eat them. Too bad Lieutenant Trei wasn't here, he could probably eat *anything* and do well by it. Klingons were a very efficient species. (Reply Parrr'Z) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet – Runabout crash site – a2O/CEO -1726) Another burst of static, but all Bob could determine was that this time it was Shadow speaking, as the voice was definitely *not* the rumbling purring growl of Parrr’Z. He very much wanted to take off his commbadge and smash it with a rock in frustration. To his credit, he refrained. Emotional outbursts were not going to get them anywhere… and in his (unwanted) role of mission commander he was responsible for all of them. It was a weight that pressed upon him whenever he thought of it. ~Better doin’ than thinkin’… but ye need tae think as well, ye brute!~ He made his way to the runabout’s hatch as quickly as he could. An idea had struck, and he wanted to act on it as quickly as he could. “Lieutenant Rel, Ensign Candle… did ye get any of that message or not?” Just a touch of exasperation crept into his voice, and then he suppressed it just as quickly as it had come. “Ah got a badly scrambled message from Parrr’Z, ah ken he is trying tae report s omethin’. Did either of ye hear anything on yer commbadges?” (Reply Rel, Candle, Any) Selek appeared inside the hatch. Clearly his Vulcan hearing would have allowed him to pick up Lorimar’s question. “I did not receive a signal sir. However I submit that if the transmission strength was as poor as you suggest, I would not anticipate that it would propagate *through* the tritanium composite hull of the ship.” “Ah concur Mister Selek, its quite unlikely… but ah hoped someone could hear it. In the meantime, ah’ve an idea aboot how we might boost our communications capability…” (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet – Runabout crash site – ACSMO Basil Candle - 1726.5) Basil was feeling like a broken wheel, left at the side and useless. The chief asked if they had heard anything from the communicator, “No” replied Candle but thinking he went over to Lt Rel, “Excuse me, sir, may I borrow briefly your tricorder, I would like to check on Shadow‘s condition” (Reply Rel, Away Team, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aFO/LCDR Alan Durand - 1728) As he was running through the engine start and take off checklists, Durand spoke to Dr. Jahlen without taking his eyes off the control station. "Doctor, I couldn't answer your other question until I had the precise data from the navigational computers. We can only practically travel at the speed of the slowest shuttle -- that would be Mavia by the way -- so our ETA to the search area will be a bit over seven hours. Seven hours, seventeen minutes, provided we can sustain maximum warp for the whole trip. So we will have some downtime, it would seem." (Reply Jahlen, Any) As the engines were coming online, he keyed open the secure tactical channel to the three other shuttles. "Alright people, we'll be designated 'Task Force Alpha', clever and imaginative as that may sound." He allowed a small chuckle then continued. "We launch in... ninety seconds, unless I hear any reasons for delay?" (Reply Any iyw) "Boudicca control, this is the Hypatia. Task Force Alpha requesting clearance to launch." (Reply Boudicca) "Launching now," he said simply. His hands played over the controls as the veteran pilot that he was; Hypatia rose from the deck with nary a bump, and slid quickly through the force field containing the Boudicca's atmosphere at the open bay doors. In a moment, Hypatia and her crew had cleared the Boudicca proper. Durand made a slow impulse turn, waiting for the other three small craft to launch. As soon as they formed up, he executed the already laid in course, going to full impulse power. "Alpha, this is Hypatia. Standby to go to maximum warp as soon as we clear the gravity well." Shortly thereafter, with a final quick position check, the starfield outside the main viewer shifted and distorted. With the comforting ease of long practice, Hypatia and the other shuttles transitioned to high warp velocity. Durand stretched his back slowly, then turned to his three companions. "Well. That's about it for now. Mister Maxon, would you begin a maximum sensor sweep, please? It just wouldn't do to miss anything on the way." (Reply Maxon) Durand sat silent for a moment, then spoke again. "It occurs to me that I'm rather the stranger here. If anyone has any questions... about myself or anything else... we have plenty of time." (Reply Rescue Team, Any, Room for a whole lot more) (Posted by Russ) ******** (Unknown Planet – Runabout crash site – ACSMO Basil Candle -1729) Quickly Basil, thanks to the tricorder Rel gave him to borrow, searched for the signal given off by the device attached to Shadow’s wrist. It was difficult because of a distortion. ~Must be the surrounding jungle~ He checked the vital signs coming in from her. He hemmed and hawed as he compared and analysed, it was difficult for some reason. Eventually he realise she had been in some form of vigorous activity, thinking what it might be he stopped what he was doing, vigorous activity, the two cats alone. ~Oh boy~ he blushed despite himself, ~No wonder they wanted to be alone~ He shook that from his mind but something, something from the data was incorrect. He thanked Rel for the tricorder - handed it back and went away from the camp, not too far not to be seen, but away from Lorimar. Sitting down he went over the data again, perusing, poking looking for that nag that was slowly pricking inside his mind. Again he was missing something but he wondered what it was. (Reply Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aCMO/Lt. Jahlen - 1730) "Doctor." Durand said while running through the take off check list. "I couldn't answer your other question until I had the precise data from the navigational computers. We can only practically travel at the speed of the slowest shuttle -- that would be Mavia by the way - so our ETA to the search area will be a bit over seven hours. Seven hours, seventeen minutes, provided we can sustain maximum warp for the whole trip. So we will have some downtime, it would seem." ~ Seven hours IS a long time, I'm glad I brought along my e-mag reader. ~ Jahlen thought, ~ it will give me time to catch up on some back issues of Medicine Today. ~ She gave him one of her brightest smiles. "Thank you, Sir." She stated, thanking him for remembering her question and replying even if she did have to wait a while, though she had been prepared to remind him of it if she'd had to. (Reply Any) As expected the engines were soon coming online, so Durand opened the secure tactical channel to the three other shuttles and told them that they would be designated 'Task Force Alpha', and their launch would be in ninety seconds, unless he heard any reasons for delaying. (Reply Any iyw) Shortly after he told Boudicca control that the Task Force Alpha was requesting clearance to launch and got immediate permission to do so. "Launching now," Durand said simply and the Hypatia soon rose smoothly off the deck and slid quickly through the force field at the open bay doors. Looking out a small porthole by her seat, Jahlen could see when the Hypatia had cleared the Boudicca proper as it smoothly turned about to wait for the other shuttles to form up and as soon as they'd taken up their formation Durand laid in the course and they shot away from the Station. From what Jahlen had overheard earlier, the Boudicca would also be launching regardless of the damage the ship had received that had affected its warp drive and she felt it was a good strategy to lessen the distance between the shuttles and the ship as it was quite possible that if the runabout had crashed, that some crew members could be severely injured and would require the technical advantages of Sickbay. She didn't even want to think of the worst case scenario - that the crew had perished. "Alpha, this is Hypatia." The commander stated. "Standby to go to maximum warp as soon as we clear the gravity well." The starfield outside the main viewer shifted and distorted and Alpha Team shifted smoothly to high warp velocity. Turning to look at everyone, Durand then asked Ensign Maxon to begin a maximum sensor sweep. (Reply Maxon) It occurred to Jahlen that the commander intended to address them all as he continued to look around at them, and then he asked if any- one had any questions about him or anything else. She was a bit taken aback by his willingness to be questioned about his own business. ~ Oh well, he invited questions so here goes..... ~ "Commander, I was surprised that an outsider - begging your pardon - was brought in so quickly to be our acting First Officer when we have a thoroughly competent... ~ Goddess let it be so! ~ ...Second Officer who could have filled the spot efficiently, and I'm amazed at how quickly Bupers filled the position. Do you have any comments about that?" She felt like a news interviewer. (Reply Rescue Team, Any, Room for a whole lot more) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1730) "Our first real hunt together. We couldn't have asked for a mightier prey." Shadow refrained from saying she'd faced grabfoot dens with more danger. But then, she'd also had better weapons, too. And more hunters. And.. yes, well, maybe he had been right to run away and come back. But she wasn't going to admit that, instead she helped him thank his spirits for the catch and prepare the kill. When they were finished he came up with another of his strange ideas. "Give me your spear and I will watch over you while you bathe. When you are done I will bathe." He knew how much Shadow hated water but there was no other way to get clean here, no handy sonic showers available. "You know I love you.." It did get easier with repetition, "..but are you out of your mind?" she asked. (Reply Parrr'Z) "Overlooking water and my lack of friendship, THAT came from THERE!" she pointed to the water. "*I* think I look better without teeth marks!" (Reply Parrr'Z) Shaking her head, she handed over her spear. Shadow went into the brush a little way and had a really good shake, shedding globs of good, splatters of blood, and loose fur in every which direction. Practice meant none of the gore hit her lover or their next seven meals. She then pulled out a comb and proceeded to get the remaining ick. After deciding that was nothing left spit couldn't solve she sat down and proceeded to groom herself. She looked up at the watching Parrr'Z who seemed to be paying equal attention to her and their surroundings, "I'm not sure how you will bath.. even with water bottles, we'd have to refill if you used them." Her tail thumped against the rotting log she was sitting on, "Maybe we dig down and see if the water goes under the banks?" Then she suddenly licked her whiskers and looked playful all over again, "Or you can shake, comb, and wait till we get back to camp and I can groom you," She wondered if batting her eyelashes in the furless manner would be over the top. (Reply Parrr'Z) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1731) As expected, Shadow did not appreciate his suggestion about bathing to remove the gore and meat shreds on them. He partially expected her to tell him what to do with his suggestion but to his surprise she was most civilized about it. "You know I love you.." She stated. ~ But? ~ He thought, knowing that was the honey coating for what was coming. "..but are you out of your mind?" she asked. "Of course!" He replied dryly, trying not to laugh, "but it is a reasonable suggestion, we shouldn't return to camp covered in blood and guts." Whereupon she pointed out her dislike of water and that the monster they'd slain had come from the river, stating that she looked better without teeth marks. At that Parr did laugh outright. "Oh I think you look delicious with bite marks, if they're mine." He shrugged and told her he'd keep both eyes open for any other log reptiles. "...You'll have plenty of time to get safely out of the water, there's no need to go far from the shore." Shaking her head, she handed over her spear. For a moment Parr actually thought she was taking his advice, however he was mistaken for she went into the brush a little way and had a really good shake. He could see the crud flying in every direction and was glad she'd gone further away from him or he'd have been wearing half of her mess. Pulling out a comb she used it to remove more of the remnants and then proceeded to lick off what remained. ~ To each their own I guess. ~ He thought. She looked up at the him. "I'm not sure how you will bath..even with water bottles, we'd have to refill if you used them." Her tail thumped against the rotting log she was sitting on, "Maybe we dig down and see if the water goes under the banks?" Licking her whiskers she got her mischievous look. "Or you can shake, comb, and wait till we get back to camp and I can groom you." Deciding that Shadow was finished with her grooming he handed back her spear. "Your offer is most tempting, however I am still going to bathe. It is quicker than your method, but should you wish to groom me when we return I will be happy to let you." He gave her one of his blink winks as he handed her his commbadge, removed his belt and not bothering to remove his harness, waded in to the river where he dunked under the surface several times to get the bloody mess off him, keeping alert for any sign of danger and being as quick as he could. After a minute or so of these ablutions he was back, dripping wet on solid ground. With consideration for her water phobia, he moved away from Shadow in order to shake the excess water from his fur and then put his belt and badge back on and they were ready to move. Grabbing the reptile skin with the meat inside he slung it effortlessly over one shoulder. "Let's go!" He stated as he set off back the way they'd come, "I want to know if the others heard or saw anything of the crash." (reply Shadow iyw) (posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - The Jungle - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1732) "Let's go!" He stated as he set off back the way they'd come, "I want to know if the others heard or saw anything of the crash." "They'd have to be deaf not to," Shadow muttered, checking her spear. Not that Parrr'Z could possibly have done any damage to it in the few minutes he'd held it, but it was habit. (posted by Lorna) ********** (Shuttle Hypatia - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 1731) The launch went smoothly. Commander Durand was an expert pilot, that much was clear, as Maxon sat quietly next to him in the shuttle. He had never been one to feel intimidated around new people, so what was it about Starfleet, he wondered, that caused him to react that way? It was, perhaps, the chain of command, after he'd grown so accustomed to living without it in his civilian life. Six months in to his Starfleet career, he was still constantly surprised by his own reactions to others. Seven hours in a shuttle with the aFO and CMO? Maybe that would break his habit of feeling intimidated. At warp, Durand set the controls and stretched before turning to face the other three. "Well. That's about it for now. Mister Maxon, would you begin a maximum sensor sweep, please? It just wouldn't do to miss anything on the way." "Aye, sir," Maxon answered. He wanted to say something more, but nothing appeared to be immediately useful. He did exactly what Durand asked, setting up sensor scans which would alert them of the Lorimar's energy signatures, comm signal, or any residual traces of the runabout's passing. He had a feeling that the buoy, if it had been launched, would be directly in their path at their current heading, but at warp, they might pass it if the sensors missed it. And there was no guessing how far the Lorimar had traveled before it hit trouble, and therefore no knowing where along their course the buoy might be located. Of course, Durand and everyone else already knew this. It would be a long seven hours, and all of it a waiting game. Durand sat silent for a moment, then spoke again. "It occurs to me that I'm rather the stranger here. If anyone has any questions... about myself or anything else... we have plenty of time." Turning from the console where he had finished programming the sensors, Dav was momentarily caught off guard. There was a great deal he wanted to know about the Commander. But of course, being new to the ship himself, Dav hadn't previously met Dr. Jahlen, or the security officer who was with them. And anyway, he couldn't get rid of the feeling that anything he asked would be inappropriate, coming from a junior officer such as himself, despite the fact that questions had been solicited. He was saved when Dr. Jahlen was the first to speak. "Commander, I was surprised that an outsider - begging your pardon - was brought in so quickly to be our acting First Officer when we have a thoroughly competent Second Officer who could have filled the spot efficiently, and I'm amazed at how quickly Bupers filled the position. Do you have any comments about that?" (Reply Durand) Dav listened closely to Durand's tale, but wanted to know: "I traveled for months to rendevouz with the Boudicca all the way out here. How did you happen to be in this region of space?" (Reply Durand, Rescue Team, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (Shuttle Zenobia - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1732) Detron piloted the shuttle out at 40% Impulse to a standard formation behind the lead shuttle. He maintained position and speed then turned to Lebraski. "Initiate long range scans Denise and look out for surprises. It should be a while before we see anything so tell me about your family and New Orleans." (Reply Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) *********** (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aFO/LTCDR Alan Durand - 1733) "Commander, I was surprised that an outsider - begging your pardon - was brought in so quickly to be our acting First Officer when we have a thoroughly competent Second Officer who could have filled the spot efficiently, and I'm amazed at how quickly Bupers filled the position. Do you have any comments about that?" ~You really are a stranger... an outsider to these people. That's a fair question, and you should have expected it, from someone.~ "Never would I presume to speak for BuPERS, Doctor," his eyes twinkled with genuine amusement. "I might be a stranger to the Boudicca -- in fact I certainly am -- but I'm no stranger to the fleet. So think of me as a distant cousin, if that helps?" (Reply Jahlen iyw) "In all seriousness, I can only tell you that I am following orders, as we all have to. I am sure that your second officer -- acting or otherwise -- is *fully* qualified to do the job. In fact, I would be greatly surprised to find anyone on the Boudicca, particularly a senior officer, who wasn't fully qualified at thier job. I know Captain Rivers, and Commander 'cha Nooras... both by reputation. They would never place someone incompetent in any position of authority, I'm certain." He considered just what he knew about the Boudicca's senior officers. It was far too little, aside from the aforementioned reputations, he only *knew* the others from quick glances at thier files as he selected the rescue team. This trip would serve as an introduction... particularly to Jahlen, Maxon, and the young security officer, a Bolian named Plax. "Being capable of doing the job, and being *available* to do the job are two different things, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps my assignment is only temporary until Mister Lorimar is safely returned and *available* to do the job. Would that please you, Doctor?" (Reply Jahlen, Room for more iyw) Maxon asked his question next; another logical one, but this one was much easier to answer. "I am, or rather was, officially 'in transit' Mister Maxon. I was awaiting transport to my next billet, coincidentally a Second Officer billet. I'd been cooling my heels at the station. So... I suppose you might call it happenstance. Whether it be fortunate, or less so... perhaps you three would tell me?" He favored the three of them with yet another grin, and wondered what they might have to say. (Reply Hypatia Crew, Rescue Team, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aCMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 7 - 1734) "Never would I presume to speak for BuPERS, Doctor," Durand answered, his eyes twinkling. "I might be a stranger to the Boudicca -- in fact I certainly am -- but I'm no stranger to the fleet. So think of me as a distant cousin, if that helps?" She returned his smile shyly, at least he hadn't taken offense at her referring to him as an outsider, but she refrained from replying. He continued, telling her that he was following orders as they all have to and that he was sure that the 2O was fully qualified to be FO, and complimented the ship's senior officers, saying he knew them by their reputations and was certain they'd never place someone incompetent in any position of authority. "Being capable of doing the job, and being *available* to do the job are two different things, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps my assignment is only temporary until Mister Lorimar is safely returned and *available* to do the job. Would that please you, Doctor?" Jahlen looked at him wide eyed, a little startled by his question. Whatever made him think that she would be pleased for him to be replaced? She felt her face flush. "Umm, well I didn't mean I thought you should be replaced, Commander. I am sure you are equally as competent as Lieutenant Lorimar, but I doubt that Bupers knew that the 2O was out on a test flight at the time of the explosion....and naturally I will be very pleased to have Lieutenant Lorimar and the others back safely." (Reply Durand, Room for more iyw) Maxon asked a question next concerning how Durand happened to be at the station and available for taking the aFO position, to which Durand replied he had been officially 'in transit' and awaiting transport to his next billet as a Second Officer. He had been cooling my heels at the station and that it was happenstance. "........Whether it be fortunate, or less so... perhaps you three would tell me?" He gave them a big grin. ~ Apparently he finds our questions amusing. ~ The doctor thought, ~ preferable to finding them aggravating, I suppose. ~ Though Jahlen wasn't to sure whether she liked that he found them so amusing. "I have no doubt that you will do a fine job as our acting First Officer, Sir." She stated, picking up her e-magazine reader again. Not having any further questions she thought she could read and listen to the conversation. Should she have anything further to add to it, she would interject, but she would try not to cause herself any further embarrassment. (Reply Hypatia Crew, Room for more) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet – Heart of Stone Crash Site – Captain Justin Von Rache – 1735) Justin inventoried what they had which was actually quite a bit of food and water, and with Brinn being a big brute he would be able to carry most of it. "Did any portable scanners survive?" He looked toward Garna. "Most were destroyed, got overloaded because they were in their charging stations." She threw yet another dead one into a pile of ones that she already checked. "What's this?" she said as she looked at the last one she had laying around. "I think this one might be ok. It wasn't in the charging station." "Let me see." Justin took it. "Hmm... it's not fried like the others but it's still not functioning properly. It's probably why it wasn't in the charging station. He started going through the pile of broken ones. Opening each one and looking through the components. Finally he found what he was looking for. "This isn't going to last long, but it may be long enough for us to get our bearings." He said once he had the working tricorder reassembled. "Lets see..." he began running a scan. "There is, what looks like is a very large power source somewhere underground in that direction." He punched a few buttons, "and there are lifesigns and what looks like it might be the crashed starfleet ship in that direction. But it's hard to tell for certain what it is." Just then the lights on the tricorder flickered and it went dead. "Well, no surprise there." He looked at Brinn and then at Garna. "Let's grab all the gear and head for the lifesigns." (Reply from Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) *********** (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aFO/LCDR Alan Durand - 1736) Swivelling his chair to more fully Dr. Jahlen. He grinned almost wolfishly at her and chuckled slightly. "At ease, Doctor. I'm having a bit of fun with the three of you. In my experience, not only is humor an effective adjunct to help pass the time... I also find it to be an incredibly useful tool. Not only does it relieve, or prevent the buildup of, tension in what might otherwise be an awkward situation ... but it also is very useful in judging people's reactions. I was curious as to how you might react is all." (Reply Jahlen iyw, Any) His demeanor turned serious once more. "People... rest assured, we *will* return your Mister Lorimar and the rest to you just as soon as we can. That's the only reason we are our here after all." ~Return them safe and sound... once we find them... and once we deal with whatever went wrong!~ (Reply Hypatia Crew, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Shuttle Hypatia - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 7 - 1737) Maxon and the Bolian security officer, Plax, exchanged nervous glances throughout the conversation between Dr. Jahlen and the new aFO. Dav wasn't usually the quiet one in a room, and knowing Bolians, he assumed Plax wasn't either. But in this case, neither knew quite what to say. Luckily, Dr. Jahlen picked up the slack for them, cutting straight through all the awkward questions. "I have no doubt that you will do a fine job as our acting First Officer, Sir," was Jahlen's final statement, as she seemed to give up on the conversation in favor of her magazine. For a moment, Dav felt like he was looking down the barrel of a phaser rifle, sure the next several hours worth of conversation with Durand was going to fall to him. Not that he didn't like Durand, far from it, but just what would he say? Instead, Durand continued to speak to Jahlen. Meeting Plax's eye, Dav tried to hold back a chuckle as Durand began to explain the nature of humor, and Dav was reminded of the adage that a joke isn't funny anymore if you have to explain it. It was becoming clear to him that Durand had the best of intentions and was a good officer and a leader. Dav liked that, and he was looking forward to learning more about the aFO on the journey. Turning more serious, Durand said: "People... rest assured, we *will* return your Mister Lorimar and the rest to you just as soon as we can. That's the only reason we are our here after all." Dav turned to glance at the sensor readout, still empty. ~Let's hope we get to them before it's too late. If it isn't already!~ (reply Hypatia crew) (posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - NPC Ensign Enright - 1800) Stacey had been keepiing as busy as she possibly could since the explosion; it was her way of both honoring Charlie Smidden and avoiding thinking about all that had happened. The specialist engineering teams had been working at a frenetic pace. Carefully, with one team double checking another's work to avoid any mistakes. Everyone was tired, emotionally drained, and some even short tempered or scared. They were, above all, a staff of professionals. All other concerns were put aside in the interest of getting the damage properly assessed, and repaired as best they might as fast as they could. After all, their shipmates, and their friends, were missing. Who knew what fate had befallen them? Scuttlebutt had filtered to engineering about a rescue; it was then confirmed when word reached them of shuttlecraft being equipped and prepared for launch. The engineers, Enright included, had scant time for speculation. Enright ran yet another diagnostic on the impulse drive systems, and was pleased with the results. Things there were shaping up nicely. The warp drive... well. The drive itself was checking out fine so far. None of the damage had evidently cascaded to the various subsystems. The matter/antimatter reactor control suite was destroyed. Totally wiped out. Even now, work crews were pushing the industrial and small equipment replicators to thier very limits to replace the destroyed equipment. After that, the system would have to be assembled, tested, then tested again before any thought could be given to restarting the main power system. Stacey glanced anxiously up at the bulkhead chronometer. She had been standing within earshot of ACEO Gesar when he had been ordered by the Captain to make preparations for getting underway. The one hour deadline was nearly upon them. She frowned, ran another diagnostic sequence to be *absolutely* sure, then tapped her commbadge. "Bridge, this is Ensign Enright. Repairs proceeding as quickly as possible. Main power will be unavailable for several hours yet, best case. We are, however, ready to get underway. We have 82 percent impulse power available at your discretion. All secondary systems ready for spaceflight." ~I may get yelled at for overstepping my bounds... but if I've learned anything aboard this ship, duty is everything!~ (Reply Bridge, Any) (Posted by Russ) *********** (USS Boudicca – Bridge –aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1802) The aCO had reluctantly agreed to allow engineering an hour to continue with their repairs before she insisted that they would 'set sail' and had belayed her order to helm to inform the station they were leaving right away. Often she had looked at the chronometer, impatient to get under- way and catching herself drumming her fingers on the command chair arm every now and again. As the chronometer ticked down the final minutes before they would get underway, she received a message from engineering. =/\= Bridge, this is Ensign Enright. Repairs proceeding as quickly as possible. Main power will be unavailable for several hours yet, best case. We are, however, ready to get underway. We have 82 percent impulse power available at your discretion. All secondary systems ready for spaceflight.=/\= Letting out a huge sigh or relief, Dorga replied, "Thank you Ensign, well done! Prepare to get us underway immediately. We won't over- tax the impulse system but let me know as soon as the warp system is available." (reply Enright iyw) Closing her link with Enright, Dorga gave orders to helm to instigate launch, and once they were clear of the station to increase speed slowly until they reached 75% of impulse power and then sat back, feeling relieved that they were actually on their way to help the missing crew. (Reply Enright, all) (posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – SPC OPS Ensign Diana Tarch – Day 7 - 1803) The problem Diana Tarch had with authority was that there was just never enough of it. In her own sometimes loudly-voiced opinion, Starfleet was far too soft. She'd been at the Academy during the war. They'd been taught to be tough, groomed for the next wave of battle, if it came to that. Not all of her classmates understood that the way she thought she did. Not even some of the experienced officers who had fought in the war seemed to understand it the way she thought she did. The last thing Diana Tarch would do, she was determined, would be to go soft. Certainly Dav Maxon, the inevitable Dav Maxon, did not under- stand things the way she did. Of course she would find him out here on the frontier, lounging around a bridge during a crisis, joking with superior officers, laughing and bossing them around, as if he had a right. Dav Maxon. He'd been the class clown. She'd been most likely to make captain. So what was he doing on a bridge? When the aCO welcomed her aboard, Diana, eager to be recognized by any commanding officer, had turned in her chair, quickly, to show off her efficiency, and said "Thank you, ma'am. I'm glad to be aboard." But the moment had been interrupted as Maxon - of course, Dav Maxon - kept talking on about whatever it was he needed. ~I would have been more concise about it,~ Diana had thought, turning back to her console, but still listening in. ~Dav's never known how to get to the point. How's he ever going to get a command?~ Of course, for all she knew, he didn't want to command. In duty and combat scenarios at the Academy, he'd always played the resourceful supporting officer - sometimes very well and to great praise from their instructors - but he never took the command role. Diana had commanded many times. She'd had a taste for it, and she liked it. Not just the power of taking that center chair, but the feeling of having charge over so many lives, being responsible for their safety. It was a chance to prove she could do right. She could do right by an entire ship full of people. Diana tapped through the OPS mainframe on her console. Every- thing was superbly organized, so she figured at least someone on the Boudicca must excel at their job. Already in her short career she'd found officers in the fleet she admired and liked working with. She'd spent the last hour observing Commander 'cha Nooras, a commander she liked so far. Sure, they hadn't been able to do much in their current situation other than wait, but unlike some officers who would sit around placidly, 'cha Nooras was itching for action. Diana respected that. She'd tried to talk to the helm officer next to her, to get a feel for what was happening on the ship. When Dav had left the bridge, his little friend had gone with him, replaced by an unusually skinny Bolian who looked like he might throttle Diana if she spoke to him. He sat there now, focusing unhappily but professionally on his console. ~Probably pulled back from his leave. Poor baby.~ She had no sympathy for him. Starfleet was about getting out into the galaxy and making a difference, not sitting around taking a break. No one would catch her requesting leave any time soon. After about an hour, during which Commander Durand's team launched, some of the crew on the bridge shifted again. Not exactly standard Starfleet procedure, but Diana supposed it had something to do with the crew still being shifted out from a skeleton to a full alert status. Her Bolian friend, heaving a sigh of relief, was replaced, and Diana was surprised to find Dav's little friend, Ensign Ames, had returned. She got a better look at him this time as he sat down next to her at the helm. He was an average looking blond guy, not immediately very interesting. He had to be Dav's age, around thirty, which was half a decade older than her. She thought he couldn't be that good an officer -- she didn't recognize him from being at the Academy in the past few years, and from the look of his collar, he was obviously still an ensign. Diana felt bad for him. Her goal was to make Lieutenant before the end of her first year, and she didn't know what she would do if, like him, she was still an ensign years later. She leaned over to speak to him. "Back so soon?" He gave her a sideways glance that seemed to indicate he wasn't interested in talking to her, but he did so anyway in his lopsided accent. "Well if it isn't the new kid. Still holding down your post, are you?" "I've only been here an hour. Don't you get longer breaks than that around here?" "I asked the CCONN to let me retake the post. No reason for me not to, with the ship at alert." "Why don't they send a more well-rested pilot?" Diana stubbornly wanted to know. "Ah, but I'm a really good pilot," he said. He wasn't arrogant about it, but she could tell he was annoyed with her. She wondered what Maxon had told him about her. Whatever it was, it was sure not to be the whole truth, of that she was certain. Diana stopped thinking about it as she paused to listen to the aCO discuss their status with engineering. She hoped it would be some good news about getting the ship underway, and it was. It seemed they were launching without warp, which was fine by her. She'd much rather go and do something, even at impulse, rather than wait around doing nothing. 'cha Nooras ordered the helm to begin launch and increase to 75% impulse, and Ensign Ames complied with a neatly professional "Aye!" while Diana did the work of coordinating the gangway disconnects with the station. The commander sat in her chair, obviously relieved to be actively doing something. Diana was relieved as well. Despite what happened in engineering, she had been secretly pleased to arrive on the ship when it was at alert. She'd heard she was in for a few days leave, and that certainly didn't appeal to her after weeks in transit. Diana glanced back at the commander. She wanted to say some- thing, and not just to get herself recognized by the aCO, she told herself, though in fact that was the real reason. She told herself she wanted to make some difference, to contribute to the mission. ~Think!~ she scolded herself. She'd been handed a golden opportunity when Maxon put her in that OPS chair. She was sitting right in front of the captain of the ship. ~She might not ever notice me again. Say something!~ "Commander," Diana said, turning in her chair to face 'cha Nooras. "I recommend a Level 4 diagnostic on all systems. Something other than the warp drive might have been damaged in the explosion." (Reply 'cha Nooras) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 - 1805) Shadow felt herself relax as soon as they came back into the circle of fire that surrounded the shuttle, which was bad. They weren't *safe* just safer. She picked up the bundle of shafts she'd cut earlier for making spears from. There were plenty of rocks around for making the heads with, and spirits knew they had enough of the tough rope around to tie the heads to the spears. She'd have preferred a metal head, but her smithing wasn't nearly good enough and.. she was an idiot. "Is the replicator working?" she asked no one in particular. (Reply any - I'm assuming not) "Oh." She then added, "Thank you." She leaned the spears up against the shuttle and decided it was probably more than time for dinner. She'd brought more than enough sandwiches to see them through, so she went inside to grab her stowed picnic basket. (posted by Lorna) *********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1805) They'd made good time using a steady, mile-eating run without any stops along the way but they'd remained alert for any dangers as they had journeyed back to the crash site. As they left the thick undergrowth and stepped into the clearing that the downed runabout had made, Parr carried their catch closer to the main fire and put it down while he looked around for Lt. Lorimar so he could give his report. (reply All at crash site) (posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 - 1808) The inside of the shuttle smelled of anger, fear and frustration. Shadow sneezed at the emotional mix and shook her head to clear it. The basket was still tied with safety straps under the jump seat she'd been using. She untied it checked that everything was as it had been before nose diving into a planet. Superior packing had apparently kept all food in its right place and the tuna salad wasn't scenting off yet, but she knew that'd have to be the first eaten. She'd been kind of hoping, originally, she'd have all the tuna salad to herself. (Room for anyone to corner Shadow if you want) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Bridge – aCO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1813) Dorga had ordered the helm to begin launch and increase to 75% impulse and was feeling very relieved to be actively doing something for the rescue mission as her orders were carried out with the usual smooth efficiency. Even the newcomer, Ensign Tarch was performing her duties immaculately as if she'd been part of the bridge crew much longer than the hour or so that she was. Although Dorga didn't always look as if she was paying attention, she was actually observing everything that was going on around her even while reading the data that was flowing through her arm- chair console. "Commander," The newcomer said, turning in her chair to face the aCO who looked squarely at her, meeting her eyes, left eyebrow rising inquisitively. "I recommend a Level 4 diagnostic on all systems. Something other than the warp drive might have been damaged in the explosion." The commander's lips twitched imperceptibly with amusement. She was certain that the combined engineering and operations damage repair crews would have already thought of that but from her experience of newly graduated ensigns, Dorga believed that their superior officers should encourage them as often as possible. "Make it so, Ensign." She said, giving the young woman one of her curt one nods and a smile. (Reply Tarch, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 - 1815) As they munched away, Shadow looked over to Lieutenant Rel, tail looping at the end, "Parrr'Z and I were talking as we were exploring, and I decided that we should call the planet 'Planet Bob'." (Reply Rel / Any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - a2O/CEO/Lt. Lorimar - 1820) Bob was very pleased that Shadow and Parrr'Z had scouted and returned safely. He was also happy to see they had returned with some food and water. Pending testing, they would almost double the party's available rations. It appeared that they would survive here... barring the unforeseen, of course. He looked around the assembled group as he sipped some water from the emergency rations. This was the first time that they had all been together since the (crash) landing, and he judged it would be an excellent time to get everyone on the same page, so to speak. "Now that we are all together, let's get caught up, shall we? Lieutenant Rel, have you been able to test the supplies that our scouts returned wie? Are they safe for consumption?" (Reply Rel) "Shadow, Parrr'Z... what did ye find, aside from this... creature that ye brought us back?" (Reply Shadow, Parrr'Z, Room for more) After listening to the recounting of thier expedition he considered the options available. "It sounds tae me that the 'structures' you can see from here would be a right lot closer than what ye think may be a crash site. Is it possible, dae ye think, that what ye saw was natural? A meteorite, perhaps?" (Reply Any) "Hmm. In any event, absenting any further data, ah'd like tae take a scouting party tae check those 'structures' sometime shortly after first light. Ah dinnae fancy a walk in the jungle in the dark, really. Comments? Questions? Anyone?" (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 1821) "Now that we are all together, let's get caught up, shall we? Lieutenant Rel, have you been able to test the supplies that our scouts returned wie? Are they safe for consumption?" "I have, it's edible, although it's missing some key amino acids. We can survive off the meat for a while, but if we need to stay here for more than a week, we're going to need to make a concerted effort to find another source that includes isoleucine and valine. I'd suggest looking for legumes and bean like plants unless some other animal source can be found," Ayslin said with a shrug. "Water wise, there is a standard bacterial and parasitic load, boil it for ten minutes, and the load dropped to drinkable levels." She said, leaning back against the hull of the shuttle. (Reply Lorimar, Any) Ayslin listened quietly as Bob, and Parrr'z dealt with the scouting party the next day. (Reply Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1822) The 2O appeared to be very pleased to see Shadow and Parrr'Z returning with a large amount of possible edibles and while Shadow had gone off to collect bits of stone and her stash of sandwiches for the group, Parr had set up a spit like contraption over the main fire, that was created from five small but sturdy branches, and had skewered several joints of the juicy reptile meat on it to cook over the fire just in case Rel agreed with Parr, that it was safe to consume. It would just be ready to eat sooner that way and already the smell of the roasting meat was making his mouth water. He'd just turned the spit when Lt. Lorimar addressed them all. Stomach growling with hunger, Parr decided even one of Shadow's sandwiches was better than waiting for hot meat. Of course he was capable of eating it raw and bloody as was Shadow, but he thought that might gross out the furrless, so he reached for a sandwich while he listened to Lorimar. At least it was tuna. The 2O started by asking Lieutenant Rel, if she'd tested the food to see if it was safe for consumption and after she'd replied he went on to ask what the felinoids had found besides the creature they'd killed. "There is an abundance of wildlife as could be expected, most of which I am sure is consumable meat, there are many trees and shrubs that are now in fruit also so we won't starve to death, and I saw those strange shapes again from a tree top, they do look as if they're constructed not natural. However the main thing we wished to inform you about and were trying to do so over the comm., was that we saw a spaceship fly over us. It was in obvious distress and crash landed some distance away... Did you see or hear anything?" (Reply Shadow, Lorimar, Any Room for more) "It sounds tae me that the 'structures' you can see from here would be a right lot closer than what ye think may be a crash site. Is it possible, dae ye think, that what ye saw was natural? A meteorite, perhaps?" Parr shook his head vigorously in denial. "No Sir, it was most definitely a vessel and a fairly large one." (Reply Any) To Parr's delight, Lieutenant Lorimar decided that a scouting party should check the 'structures' sometime shortly after first light, and asked for comments and questions. "Who will be going in the scouting party, Sir?" Finishing his sandwich, Parr licked the mayo off his whiskers with a practiced tongue and reached for another one. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp – ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle - 1825) "Hmm. In any event, absenting any further data, ah'd like tae take a scouting party tae check those 'structures' sometime shortly after first light. Ah dinnae fancy a walk in the jungle in the dark, really. Comments? Questions? Anyone?" “Sir, I have discovered something, something that makes the inves- tigation of those structures a bit more important.” (Reply Lorimar, any) “I’ve been reviewing the biological data sent by the device attached to Shadow’s wrist. Its been monitoring a variety of her body functions and I can compare against her ‘normal’ functions. Basically we are all being bombarded with a low level ‘vibration’ for want of a better word. This ‘vibration’ is emanating … again this might sound strange but emanating isn’t quite right, its projecting, almost stretching out from the direction of those ‘structures’. It was mainly what is affecting our sensors, though the jungle doesn’t help. I am talking massive amounts of power. I am sure we have all thought aboutthe scan that disabled Lorimar’s shuttle. One option that I was considering that I wasn’t sure whether anyone else had t hought of, was that it was wielded as ifby someone that didn’t know their own strength. Anyway there is almost a rhythm to the ‘vibration’ as if .. Something is breathing.” (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1827) Parr munched contentedly on his second tuna sandwich while he made sure that the meat on the spit was turned to ensure even cooking. He could hardly wait to get his fangs into some of that succulent, juicy meat, preferably while it was rare... it just smelled so good, and sandwiches and emergency rations were all very well for the humanoids but he was a true carnivore and needed real meat now and again. He was most gratified that Lt. Rel had confirmed his belief that the meat was edible for all. He listened raptly to Ensign Candle's comments about the structures and how investigating them was more important and why he thought so. He told them that he'd been reviewing biological data sent by the device attached to Shadow’s wrist, which had been monitoring a variety of her body functions that he could compare against her ‘normal’ functions. According to Candle they were all being bombarded with a low level ‘vibration’ that was emanating from the direction of those ‘structures’, and he sounded quite convinced that it was the vibration that was affecting the sensors. "........I am talking massive amounts of power. I am sure we have all thought about the scan that disabled Lorimar’s shuttle. One option that I was considering that I wasn’t sure whether anyone else had thought of, was that it was wielded as if by someone that didn’t know their own strength.......Anyway there is almost a rhythm to the ‘vibration’ as if .. Something is breathing.” The fur up Parrr'Z's back and neck began to bristle in alarm at the thought of something that powerful being alive. He couldn't help but wonder just how big it was to be able to send some kind of power to knock something like the ship he saw crashing, right out of the heavens. "Perhaps we should consider going there after our meal. If they are buildings under the natural growth we can find shelter for the night." (reply a2O, Any) (posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO - 1829) Lorimar gave a half smile at Parrr'Z then shook his head. "Ah appreciate your enthusiasm Mister Parrr'Z, but we will be waiting until first light. The risk of travelling under conditions of low light through such a dense jungle environment are just too great. Yer scouting was thorough, but hardly comprehensive. Yer encounter with the 'predator on a stick' is ample proof of that. Nae disrespect tae anyone intended, but absenting ye and Shadow, we are not equipped tae travel with acceptable risk at night in this environ- ment." (Reply Parrr'Z, Any) He turned then to Candle, and asked the obvious question. "Other than speculation, what analysis have ye made of the... 'vibration'? Can ye determine if it is technological or biologic in nature? Lieutenant Rel, ye are our senior scientist, what dae ye make of it?" (Reply Candle, Rel, Any, Room for more) Ensign Selek emerged from the shuttle hatch at that point. Evidently his keen Vulcan hearing had kept him in the conversation. He carried an object in each hand, and held them forth for examination. "Lieutenant, perhaps these will be of some utility. I have managed to utilize components from several weapons and damaged systems. This phaser rifle, and hand phaser are in operational condition. The rifle's accuracy has been compromised somewhat; modeling has concluded that it will be dimished so much are four point five percent. Not an ideal sniping weapon, sir." Lorimar couldn't help but smile at that. "Then our best marksman will have it. Mister Parrr'Z, if you please? Selek, keep the sidearm if ye would?" "Of course sir." "Right... any other considerations?" (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet – Runabout crash site – Sec.O/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1829.5) Lorimar's response to Parr's suggestion they start out right away to get to the buildings, had come as no surprise to Parr who had to admire the man for his steadfast determination to keep his away team as safe as he possibly could. "As you wish, Sir." Parr replied respectfully. The 2O turned then asked Candle what analysis have he made of the 'vibration' and whether he could determine if it was technological or biologic in nature, and also asked Lieutenant Rel for her opinion. Candle told them that he hadn't made to much of the vibrations and had only discovered it because it was interacting with them. He wouldn't make assumptions about it without having all the facts but if he did he'd say it was stimulating their molecular structure at a low or sub-space frequency, almost as if the quantum energy absorbed by their molecules had changed, however there wasn't enough data to calculate the Morse potential. "......Simply there are pulses, breathing if you will, regular ripples radiating out from a central point. Its function, maybe sensor, maybe … something else.” ~ Something is messing with our molecules? I don't like the sound of that! ~ Parr thought as he listened further to what the scientists and engineer discussed, even though most of it went right over his head and he didn't worry about even trying to understand, all he was going to worry about was keeping his people safe from harm. Rel thought it might be some kind of decentralized remote control mechanism and stated she had tried to land near the source of the sensor signal, and went on to say that the multiple signals she was picking up were actually multiple signals and not a sensor anomaly which would mean a majorly technological advanced society. ~ If there is an extremely advanced society, where is it? ~ Parr wondered, and then he thought of the Mayan Pyramids and the Iconians and thought that perhaps there was no society left on the planet, or if there was then maybe just some ancestors diminished in numbers and far more primitive. But if that was the case, what was causing the vibrations and scans, because it took aeons to rebuild a society after a major holocaust, and that is the only thing that Parr could imagine had decimated this planet's advanced society. ~ Fascinating! Perhaps we will learn more about them tomorrow. ~ Rel thought that if they could figure out the control pattern and assume control or at least shut down the sensor signal that brought the runabout down, then the Boudicca could assume orbit and rescue them. ".......The signal probably permeates just about every place on this continent, if not the whole planet, and would explain a lot of the interference our comm badges have experienced. I'd be interested in seeing the computer system that is controlling it." “Rel makes a good point, sir, we need to get to the source because if we can’t warn the Boudicca of the power of that scan then we need to get to it before it could cause the Boudicca damage.” Candle commented. It suddenly sprung to his mind that perhaps the scan and the 'vibrations' were a defensive measure by whatever caused them. Perhaps it was meant to keep something away that was very undesirable and they had just happened to be caught in the web, so-to-speak. Parr voiced that thought and then added, "Sir if I may also suggest that we take turns in keeping watch through the dark hours and keep the fires fed. Each of us can do two hours, but I advise that two keep watch together during the wee small hours, as that is when sleep is most likely to catch up to one guard alone." (reply Lorimar, any) Ensign Selek emerged from the shuttle hatch at that point carrying a phaser rifle and hand phaser which he held them out for Lorimar's examination while explaining that he had utilized components from several weapons and damaged systems to get them operational. ".....The rifle's accuracy has been compromised somewhat; modeling has concluded that it will be dimished so much are four point five percent. Not an ideal sniping weapon, sir." Selek advised Lorimar who smiled in response. "Then our best marksman will have it." The CEO told Selek, "Mister Parrr'Z, if you please? Selek, keep the sidearm if ye would?" "Of course sir." Parrr'Z accepted the phaser rifle and slung it over his shoulder. He was glad of it but had been perfectly content to just have his natural weapons and his daggers. "Right... any other considerations?" Lorimar asked. "Besides my calling this Planet Bob in all reports until it sticks?" Shadow asked, tail flipping at the end into a half curl. (Reply Lorimar, any) Parr gave a neutral grunt, nobody could tell whether it was one of derision or acknowledgment, but he secretly hoped that Shadow was joking, her tail motions made that a likely conclusion. He hoped she was because he thought it was a silly name for a planet. "As a bard, well, a bard in training, it would be my duty to see to the spiritual and mental health of camp or group. But, since I know that Captain Susan is probably already on her way and plowing down anyone who gets in her way, I suspect not much cheering is needed.. 'cause if I know it, all of you know it too..... "Will we have time to view the structures before the Boudicca arrives? It'd be nice if we got to turn it off to welcome them rather than they turn it off....and rescue us." (Reply Lorimar, any) With the guard rota sorted out and the meat roasting nicely over the fire, Parr got up and gathered some vines from the surrounding trees, cutting them down with his long knife and brought them back by the fire, piling them close. He gave the spit another turn and began to split some of the vines into strong strands. Once he had a fair amount, he started using a variety of knots he'd learned from some fisher people on Cait to form what looked similar to a narrow fishing net, only pausing in his task to take the meat from over the fire and slice it up for everyone to help themselves to. When the meal was over and the extra meat stowed away for another meal, Parr continued working quickly with the vines until he had five hammocks made for each of the away team members, that could also serve as a fishing net if necessary, though if they were stuck on the planet for more than a couple of days, he would make a proper fishing net. Folding one of the hammocks into a bundle he tossed it to Shadow and gave her a smile, he knew she liked sleeping in them and he didn't mind either, it beat sleeping on the ground, who could tell what might come crawling over you while you slept, something hungry or poisonous perhaps. "Please help yourselves to the hammocks if you wish to sleep in one." He told the others. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ******** (Unknown Planet – Crash Site – Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles - 1830) Shadow listened to the officers and Parrr'Z talk as she licked the remains of tuna off her fingers. She had the feeling Parrr would eat the thing-with-teeth dripping with blood if he could. She wondered if it was a macho thing or if Caitans actually liked their food that way. Blech. Give her a good fire any day. "Right... any other considerations?" asked Chief Bob. "Besides my calling this Planet Bob in all reports until it sticks?" Shadow asked, tail flipping at the end into a half curl. (Reply Chief Bob, any) "As a bard, well, a bard in training, it would be my duty to see to the spiritual and mental health of camp or group. But, since I know that Captain Susan is probably already on her way and plowing down anyone who gets in her way, I suspect not much cheering is needed.. 'cause if I know it, all of you know it too." But just in case, she'd play the fool and state the obvious. "Will we have time to view the structures before the Boudicca arrives? It'd be nice if we got to turn it off to welcome them rather than they turn it off," Assuming they could, but she wasn't going to mention that part - again, everyone knew it, "and rescue us." (Reply Chief Bob, any) (Posted by Lorna) *********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp – ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle - 1831) Lorimar turned then to Candle, and asked "Other than speculation, what analysis have ye made of the... 'vibration'? Can ye determine if it is technological or biologic in nature? Lieutenant Rel, ye are our senior scientist, what dae ye make of it?" “Well with what tools we have, not all that much, I only picked it up as it interacts with us. As to its nature I can’t make assumptions without having all of the facts,” Basil said throwing back Lorimar’s words earlier, “ but if I did I would say it is happening on a molecular level stimulating our molecular structure even more but at such a low frequency possibly or even sub-space. I would surmise it is technical in nature but its effects are biological. Its almost as if the quantum energy absorbed by our molecules has changed, unfortunately there is not enough data to calculate the Morse potential, though I am working on it. Simply there are pulses, breathing if you will, regular ripples radiating out from a central point. Its function, maybe sensor, maybe … something else” Lorimar looked at Rel for her input, "I'm wary of anthropomorphizing something too early, Ensign," ~Maybe you are but it’s the best way to describe it without bombarding folk with scientific talk~ "There are theories of vibrational subspace sensor functions. Although if we are being bombarded by it on the surface at a significant intensity, I'd be more likely to mark it up to some kind of decentralized remote control mechanism. I tried to land us near the source of the sensor signal, it's very probable that the multiple signals I was picking up were actually multiple signals and not just a sensor anomaly. It would allow, in theory, redundant control from any single site of all other sites. It would mean a majorly technological advanced society. If we can figure out the control pattern we might be able to assume control, or at least shut down the sensor signal that brought us down, so the Boudicca can assume orbit and rescue us. The signal probably permeates just about every place on this continent, if not the whole planet, and would explain a lot of the interference our comm badges have experienced. I'd be interested in seeing the computer system that is controlling it. ~Well that’s clearer now~ thought Basil “Rel makes a good point, sir, we need to get to the source because if we can’t warn the Boudicca of the power of that scan then we need to get to it before it could cause the Boudicca damage” (reply Lorimar, any in Camp) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Unknown Planet, Landing site - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 1832) Ayslin listened to Basil give his report of these 'vibrational' emanations from the structures. Lorimar asked the first question He turned then to Candle, and asked the obvious question. "Other than speculation, what analysis have ye made of the... 'vibration'? Can ye determine if it is technological or biologic in nature? Lieutenant Rel, ye are our senior scientist, what dae ye make of it?" (Reply Candle?) "I'm wary of anthropomorphizing something too early, Ensign," she said in reference to the breathing comment. "There are theories of vibrational subspace sensor functions. Although if we are being bombarded by it on the surface at a significant intensity, I'd be more likely to mark it up to some kind of decentralized remote control mechanism. I tried to land us near the source of the sensor signal, it's very probable that the multiple signals I was picking up were actually multiple signals and not just a sensor anomaly. It would allow, in theory, redundant control from any single site of all other sites. It would mean a majorly technological advanced society. If we can figure out the control pattern we might be able to assume control, or at least shut down the sensor signal that brought us down, so the Boudicca can assume orbit and rescue us. The signal probably permeates just about every place on this continent, if not the whole planet, and would explain a lot of the interference our comm badges have experienced. I'd be interested in seeing the computer system that is controlling it. (Reply Candle, Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO - 1834) Lorimar listened to the lively scientific discourse and considered all the options. Two actually -- there were only two practical ones -- but each had some merit. They could stick to the original plan and go investigate the source of the 'activiity' for lack of a better term. Or, they could sit here and await rescue. Given those two, it was an easy choice. He looked around at the assembled group, took another small sip of water and then addressed them once again. "Well ah'd say that ye've given us all the more reason tae investigate the 'structures'. Hopefully we can locate the source of the signal and perhaps we can find a way tae control or at least shut it down. Or, if Mister Candle is correct, we might just meet the entity responsible for all of this." He rose and walked a slow circle around the campfire to work the stiffness out of leg, as he had been sitting too long. He smiled and continued, "No Shadow, we will *not* be calling this place 'Planet Bob' or anything of the sort, thank you very much." He turned to the Caitian security officer and addressed him next. "Aye, ah was aboot tae suggest a watch rotation actually. Ah would think two up, four down, wie two hour watches would be sufficient." They proceeded to quickly sort out the rotation. He walked to the roasting fire and sniffed at the meat appreciatively. He watched as Parrr'Z prepared some netting like material. He wondered what he was up to, but figured he would find out soon enough. He made his way over to the downed runabout, and into the aft compartment to recheck the make shift comm array he had been working on under the light of a handlamp. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Ready Room – aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 7 - 1910) Once the SAR shuttles had launched and the Boudicca was underway, Dorga had decided it was time to fulfill one of the more distasteful tasks her duty as acting CO had brought her. It was one she hadn't anticipated having to do at all; the civil war was long over and the ship had been peacefully docked at a friendly space station for some R and R. The deaths of several crew mates was the last thing she had expected to deal with. With the captain's seat swiveled around so she could stare out at the passing stars and the door locked against intrusion, Dorga contemplated how to word the letters she was about to begin writing to the relatives of the deceased. In her right hand she held the PADD with an updated list of dead and injured. Doctor Jahlen had initially informed her that there were ten deaths and five severe injuries, but from an updated medical report, Dorga had noted that one of the five injured had also succumbed to their injuries -- now the death toll was eleven. ~ Eleven dead and for what reason? ~ The pain was like a stab to the heart. The Commander glanced again at the list of names, each name bringing a face to her mind and misting her eyes. She knew them all -- every last one of them. As the previous chief counselor aboard she had met and assessed them all, had counseled almost all of them after the war for several weeks, even Charlie Smidden who had a drinking problem, but was managing not to let it interfere with his work and had been a regular visitor to her office. They were so much more to her than just crew mates, they were like members of her extended family, each one had been a cherished contributor to the whole and now they were gone forever. Their loss made her heart heavy with sorrow. Impulsively, Dorga threw her head back and roared to the heavens in the ages old Klingon manner, venting the pain their deaths had brought her and announcing to Stovokor the arrival of honorable warriors. It felt good afterwards, when her long, rage filled, warning cry ended, for it lifted the heavy burden of loss she had been feeling. Now she could focus on what she wanted to tell those loved ones that the dead had left behind. Slowly she swiveled the chair around and tilted her head from one side to the other, satisfactorily cracking her neck and easing some of the tension she'd been feeling in her shoulders. Reaching for the keypad she began to type........ Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smiddens, (reply any) (posted by Sal) ********* (Mysterious Ship - Talia Rangoon - Day 7 - 1911) “Are you sure the data is correct?” Talia gave her pilot a scowl, if she didn’t need him for the safe approach to the planet then he would be beaten to the ground by now. “Just be ready, we don’t have much time to send the signal” They had moved away from the station and waited while Talia deciphered the message. It took them a number of hours of arguing, planning and testing to set up the timing of what they had to do. The ship approached the planet “Scan coming …” “Send the signal ……./” A small pulse was sent towards the planet, holding the data stream that had cost many lives in obtaining. “Scan approaching,” said the science officer hoping that Talia would put the shields up She never would have given the order but luckily she did not need too “The scan has stopped.” “Excellent - she said, prepare a landing party, our treasure awaits.” (Reply none) (Posted by Warren Simkins) *********** (USS Boudicca, Sickbay - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar, CPO Ashley Kester, Olivia Krolar - 2000) Dear Mr and Ms. Yoran, My name is MCPO Laurence Krolar, and it is my sad and solemn duty to inform you of the death of your son. Letters from the Captain and the Chief of Engineering will certainly explain the circumstances of his death, but I wish to tell you about your son's life here. While I was only recently assigned to the Boudicca, I have known your son for many years. We first met when we are both stationed at the Antillies fleet yards. He was assigned to the yards near the end of my tenure there, and quickly proved a confidant and capable engineer. Dentrel holds a unique place in my memories as he was the first person I pinned Petty Officer stripes on after my own promotion to Chief Petty Officer. When I was assigned to the Boudicca he was one of the first to welcome me an my daughter with open arms. Dentrel was a kind and caring young man, and was both a leader and a friend to his crew mates. I never once heard an unkind word pass his lips and he was quick to stand up to anyone who thought to pick on or harass a new crew member. He was always there with an ear to bend or a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble. No doubt by the time you receive this letter others from his friends aboard the Boudicca will have arrived. Take their words to heart, as well as I knew your son, they knew him better. These fine men and women shared their lives with your son, shared their hopes and fears with your son, and each and every person who knew him was better for it. You should also know that your son was an outstanding engineer and a fine leader. He was a deft hand with all things related to power systems and knew his way around the Boudicca better than most. He inspired his team to work better and harder than others and his evaluations were routinely the best in his rating. Last month the board of Chief Petty Officers met on the Boudicca and agreed in recognition of his exemplary service and skill to waive the remainder of his time in service requirement, and advance Dentrel to the rank of Chief Petty Officer at the first of the year, a full seven months before normal. I am sending you the pair of Chief Petty Officer stripes that I would have had the honor to pin on his collar, as is tradition they were the pair given to me when I was promoted to that rank. Please keep them in the knowledge that while your son spent many of his years as an adult away from his family and home, that he became something more, that he achieved that which he set out to do. While his life was cut tragically short, know that he had a profound influence no matter where he served. I can not tell you how to remember him, but I can tell you that I remember him as a fine Petty Officer and an excellent engineer, but most importantly, I remember Dentrel as a friend. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours in sadness, Laurence Krolar === Laurence read over the letter for the third time hoping he'd gotten the words right. He still remembered the letter he'd gotten shortly after Abby had been killed in action, although that hadn't come from a friend or commander, they had died with her. He remembered the words had rung hollow in his ears. In his grief he didn't want to be comforted by strangers, it was only in the months afterward that he took solace in the simple message of condolence from the entity that Abby and he had served for most of their life. A simple 'thank you' from a faceless name whose job it was to write such words. He hoped that Dentrel's parents could eventually find some solace in his words even if it wasn't right away. He copied the letter to his personal files and sent another copy each to the Captain and Lieutenant Lorimar for their records. A shout of "Daddy!!" made Laurence look up to see Olivia charging across sickbay from the far side. Ashley walked slowly behind her, her brow creased with worry. With all the power her six year old legs could muster Olivia leaped up onto the bio bed and into Laurence's arms, or at least onto his formerly broken arm and into the one good one. He gritted his teeth against the pain, but Olivia had him in a six year old death grip of a hug, so she couldn't see. He glared daggers at nurse drill sergeant, and she got the hint to back off. Ashley made her way over, giving Olivia enough time to hug her father in peace before resting a hand on the child's back. Olivia sat up, and Laurence helped her sit down on the edge of the bed. "Daddy, are you ok, Ashley said you were, but you look sad, like when you look at Mommy's picture," Olivia asked, talking a mile a minute. "What's wrong with you arm?" "I'm fine, Honey, I just hurt my arm a little at work. I just fell down. You're going to spend the night with Ashley, the doctors and nurses want me to sleep here tonight and make sure I don't try and do anything with my arm." Laurence said with a smile, giving her shoulder a squeeze. "Can't I stay here with you? I promise I'll be good." Olivia said, a look of worry crossing her face. "I have no doubt that you'd be an angel, but you can't stay here. There's not enough room in this bed for both of us, and they don't turn off the lights in here," Laurence said. "I promise, you and Ashley are going to have a great sleep over and tomorrow morning I'll be home for breakfast, I promise. It'll be just like I'm back in the quarters, with my bedroom is a bit further away. Ashley will be there if you need anything, you won't even know I'm not there." "But who will read me a story?" Olivia asked, looking worried again. "I'll read you one here before you go back to our quarters," Laurence said, his voice calm. "And I'll read you another when we get back," Ashley added with a gentle smile. Laurence was more than relieved to have Ashley in his life at that moment. She understood that Olivia was his first priority, but she was doing her best to include herself in the family, and it was working wonders. Laurence and she had talked a lot about family, her's and his. Maybe it was a left over attitude of the war, but neither of them wanted to dance around the subject of the future, if their relationship wasn't meant to be simply because of different goals they wanted to know right away. But no, Ashley had understood that Olivia came along with Laurence, and as far as Laurence could tell, she had embraced it. Olivia treated Ashley as a much older sister, and he hoped in time she might see Ashley as a Mother as well. It helped that she had known very little of Abby, being separated by the war, he hoped it would help her accept Ashley as a future parent, instead of just a friend. Ashley had taken to Olivia like a duck to water. It was had for Laurence to believe that in such a short period of time Ashley had accepted Olivia, and was prepared to accept her as a daughter. He knew that Ashley wanted a family, and he found it difficult to believe that she was as comfortable with walking into a preexisting one, as she was making it out to be, but she hadn't complained. It's hard enough making a relationship work, let alone the stress of making to relationships work and hoping a six year old doesn't suddenly hate you. As Laurence tried to comfort Olivia, Ashley picked up the PADD he'd put down and read the contents. He looked over the top of Olivia's head, and saw her put her hand over her mouth. She mouthed the words "I'm sorry," to Laurence, and put the PADD back down, her eyes glistening slightly with tears. Laurence smiled and nodded, he hadn't had time to grieve yet. He had grieved so much during the war, for Abby, for other comrades, sometimes he was afraid he was going to go numb. He knew writing the letter was a start to the process, but he wouldn't really start until he took his dress whites out of his closet, until he polished every gold button, every medal and every bar, until he spent two hours polishing his shoes, and another two making sure there wasn't a wrinkle or loose thread to be found. Properly preparing for a funeral detail was a meditation in grief. He knew he wouldn't deliver the body to Dentrel's parents personally, but it was still important that Laurence show the respect the occasion deserved. He just hoped Olivia didn't remember the other times he'd worn that uniform. Eventually Ashley found a chair and Olivia curled up against Laurence's side while he read her one of her favorite stories. He made sure he made all of the right voices, and paused dramatically at the right times. When the story was done, Olivia kissed him on the nose and left quietly after assuring him she would make sure they had his favorite breakfast when he got home. Ashley kissed him on the forehead, told him not to worry, and ran her slender fingers gently across his cheek. She took Olivia's hand and the two most important people in his life left. He realized as he watched them leave, that if preparing his uniform was a meditation in grief, then maybe reading to his daughter was a meditation in joy. "You've got quite the family there," the familiar nurse said walking over to his bead. "I really do," Laurence said closing his eyes and leaning his head back, a small smile fighting for space on a worried and stressed face. (Reply None/Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Shuttle Hypatia - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 7 - 2130) After a few hours at high warp, they had slowed down to perform their search. Dav had the Hypatia's sensors focused on two thing: first, the info-probe which had been launched from the Lorimar toward Boudicca. It had been picking up and relaying the initial distress signal, which had allowed the Boudicca to hear it in the first place. But if they could locate the probe, it would also contain the Lorimar's logs and last known location; second, he was looking further in the direction of the Lorimar's flight for a distress beacon at the site of... whatever happened to them. If they'd had time to send a distress signal and the probe, it was likely they had also deployed the beacon at their location. It had only been a few hours of searching, but it was feeling like days. The other officers seemed cool and collected, but Dav felt a little frazzled. He wasn't used to missions like this. Days on end scraping dirt from one tiny section of some ancient buried monument, sure. But hours in a shuttlecraft poring over sensor logs, that was a new one on him. But there was a definite blip. Something was out there, and the sensors were trying to get it, but it was just too far away. Now they were getting closer and the sensors were closing in. Dav smiled. "Sir," he said, calling Durand's attention to the sensors. "I'm picking up the Lorimar's probe. Here," he said, pointing to the star map on his screen. (reply Durand) "We should be able to download it's information remotely," Maxon said, working at the terminal to do so. "This will give us their last known location," he said, as the information loaded onto the Hypatia's terminals. (Reply Durand, away team) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aFO LCDR Durand - 2131) This was old hat. That is to say, Durand had done this sort of thing many times during his career. He was an expert at 'hurry up and wait' missions. That didn't make him like them any more. Pleasant small talk was just that; pleasant, and mostly inconsequential. Interesting of course, and he had learned a bit about his shipmates, and they about him. But his patience was wearing thin. He forced himself *not* to drum his fingers on the console, as signs of emotional irritation or exasperation were manifestly bad for morale. He had learned a long, long time ago, that in order to lead by example you had best set a good one. He smiled at the viewscreen as he thought of what it might be like to stay aboard the Boudicca. Such was not to be, he imagined. In any case it was up to BuPERS. He only wanted to make the most of his time with these fine folks, however long that might be. His console beeped for attention. It was cross-connected to the sensors that Maxon was working with. Durand was about to speak up, when Maxon beat him to the punch. "Sir," he said, calling Durand's attention to the sensors. "I'm picking up the Lorimar's probe. Here," he said, pointing to the star map on his screen. "Excellent," he began as his hands worked the navigational controls. "Altering course to intercept, that should make your sensors function more clearly." "We should be able to download it's information remotely," Maxon said, working at the terminal to do so. "This will give us their last known location," he said, as the information loaded onto the Hypatia's terminals. Durand nodded in affirmation of the young officer's report. "Mister Maxon, give me your analysis as it comes in, please. No points for absolute certainty; educated guesses are acceptable until you get all the data." (Reply Maxon, Any) He keyed open the comm channel. "Task Force Alpha, this is Hypatia. We are approaching the recorder marker launched by the Lorimar. Will advise on the data as we get it. Continue your search grids until we get something definite, out." He tabbed another control to switch channels. "Boudicca, this is Hypatia. We have located the recorder marker from the Lorimar. We are closing to intercept it now, we will advise when further information is available." (Reply Boudicca iyw) Moments passed in tense anticipation as they closed the range at full impulse power. The probe was headed back toward the station, so the Hypatia was able to 'cut the corner' so to speak and shorten the intercept time considerably. "Mister Maxon, we are approaching short range sensor coverage. Are you able to access the probe? Can you give us anything yet?" (Reply Maxon, Rescue Team, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Shuttle Hypatia - SPC aCMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 7 - 2133) Several pleasant hours had been spent with Jahlen alter- natively conversing with the rest of the crew, learning more about them and reading the many professional magazines she had on her e-magazine reader. She even had a couple of articles in them that she had written about micro-neural surgery, nanite usage in the art of healing and hi-tech implants and prosthetics. Her head came up from reading as she heard Dav Maxon state that he was picking up the Lorimar's probe. He pointed to the star map on his screen for the aFO to see. (reply Durand) Maxon stated that the information from the probe could be downloaded remotely, and Jahlen was pleased to hear that it would give them their last location, finally they had something solid that would narrow their search down. If the Lorimar's crew were still alive, they would soon be receiving aid from the SAR teams. (Reply Durand, away team) (Posted by Sal) ******* (Shuttle Hypatia - ASCO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 7 - 2134) "Mister Maxon, give me your analysis as it comes in, please. No points for absolute certainty; educated guesses are acceptable until you get all the data." "Aye, sir!" Maxon called out. "Guesses coming right up!" After all this waiting, he was glad to have data to work with at last. At this point, it was only telemetrics, showing where the probe had come from on its way back to the Boudicca. Some of this he had already partially pieced together with the Boudicca's longrange scanners, but now more of the puzzle was coming together. "All I can say for now is that the Lorimar stuck to its flight- plan toward that uncharted system. Once they got there.." Maxon trailed off, frustrated not to have more information. "We won't know until we can get to a closer sensor range." He continued watching his readouts while Durand spoke to the rest of the task force, then advised the Boudicca of their status. The minutes were long as they traveled, closing the final distance to the probe. Durand's course was perfect, cutting every second of travel time possible. Dav found himself leaning forward on the edge of his seat, waiting. His screen sprang to life again, just as Durand spoke out: "Mister Maxon, we are approaching short range sensor coverage. Are you able to access the probe? Can you give us anything yet?" "Yes, sir! Accessing now." He scanned through the information quickly as it loaded up, all the data the ship had collected up to the moment the probe was launched. Maxon read out the information as it came up: "They reached the uncharted system Lt. Lorimar was aiming for on his flight- plan. According to Lt. Rel's report, it's a system of five planets orbiting a yellow star. The third planet is habitable, and they took orbit around it. At 1542, immediately after taking orbit, the runabout was scanned from an unknown location on the planet's surface and began to experience system failures. Lt. Lorimar ordered Ensign Selek to get the ship out of there. That's when the probe and beacon were launched." (Reply Durand, Rescue Team) "Sir," Maxon added. "If they had enough time to launch this probe back toward the Boudicca, it's more than likely they left a signal beacon at their last location. It'll take us a couple hours to get there, but the best if you want guesses, the best guess I can give you is that they put that ship down on that planet." ~Here's hoping nothing worse happened to them,~ Dav thought. (Reply Durand, Rescue Team, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (Shuttle Zenobia - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2135) Detron heard the message come from Durand that their sensors picked up the distress beacon. Detron noted the location of the beacon on long range scans. Detron held position until further orders to act. "Trei here. I will maintain position until further orders sir. The position of the beacon is noted." (Reply Durand) (Posted by Edward) (Unknown Planet - Pyramidal Structures - Talia Rangoon (7-2145) Talia brought out the decoder. The very small square data disk slid effortlessly into a slot perched at the side. This disk and the data stream that got them passed the scan, were the package. She was sitting on a the base of a steep tall stone pyramid with the decoder before her. It wasn’t the largest just the closet from their entry point, they approached low and from the East. She had ordered the crew to scout out the area, checking for vicious animals, as far as the river they had seen far ahead of them as they flew in to land. She believed that some of her crew were looking to take back a few skins to sell. She didn’t care about the animals, just what was in the largest pyramid at the centre of the other structures. The decoder started to whirr and a light circle formed from the top as the holobeams emitted the message on the disk. The image was of a man, it was her boss. As the hololight lit up her face she gazed longingly at the message, grotesquely matching the carved features in the stone. The message spoke, “Talia your first task will be to get to the top of the larger pyramid. It has been written. ‘Prepare to be judged worthy, lest you be not beware the Guardians.’ You had better be ready.” She stopped the message, no need to jump forward too much. She reached down to her feet picking up the phaser rifle, “Don’t worry I am” (posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - River - Oli and Burke (7-2147) “Are you doing what I think you are in the river?” “Ahhhhhh ….. yeah so?” “I hear there are small fish that swim up your stream, right into the eye and firmly attach with their razor sharp fins” “That’s just a myth” “Is it?” “…..” Zippppppppppppppppppppp “I hate you!” Oli, the tellarite mercenary, laughed at his human compatriot. He was always easy to rile which was good as he was ready for a big argument. “Now I heard that you fancied yourself as a bit of a scout, Burke. Well I say you couldn’t scout your way out of a Jeffries tube” Burke, shaking his leg, scowled, well aware of the Tellarites natural proclivities. “I’m better than you, Oli, you couldn’t find your arse if it was stuck to your face” Oli rubbed his hands “Bah you know I am the better scout, you haven’t even spotted these large tracks by the riverbed here.” “Have too,” replied Burke trying to find the tracks Oli was pointing out. Shining his torch around, he made out the ground and the darkened stains, “look something died here,” “Dies? Exploded more like - have you seen the bits of the animal scattered around .” Bizarrely Oli was distracted as his mind took in the bits of body and the clawed feet tracks. “Whatever made these tracks, there are two of them” said Burke. “Lets follow them” replied Oli (posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - 100 metres outside Runabout Crash Site - Oli and Burke, (7-2257) It was Burke’s idea to climb a tree, they were about 100 metres away but could see the fire. Oli knew why and had argued to go closer but Burke just waved his rifle at him and climbed the tree. Burke had got himself settled onto a large branch and had lain down. He raised the rifle and looked through the scope at what looked like a camp. He could see a variety of people in the camp and there were Starfleet present. He smiled, he wanted to bag a beast whilst he was here, the two legged kind was also fun. “He moved his scope over the first face,” ~Tinker~ The next ~Tailor~ Two more quickly ~Soldier Sailor~ Two more ~Rich Man, Poor Man~ Slowly now savouring the intensity ~Begger Man~ He found someone’s head, he smiled ~Thief~ He fired (Reply to Targets at Camp Site, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - Unknown Intellect - 2200) It had been thinking. Not planning, not scheming, not innovating. Not yet. All the Alien Intelligence had been doing was processing and absorbing... sorting and collating data. The data collected from the scans of the two constructs. Analysis was now complete. These creatures and that called themselves "Federation" and those that had followed. They were worthy of further learning, further study. Learning above all else. Now the plan. In the briefest of moments, it decided upon a course. Once set, there would be no deviation. Except for more learning. Nearer the surface than the previous time, much nearer... long dormant equipment stirred to life. With a light rumble, a platform shook itself awake, knocking aside several small trees and other flora from its peak. From its very top, a platform elevated, and a construct of roughly twice average human height was exposed to the atmosphere once again. Its metallic surface gleamed as though it had been built just this night, however it was far, far older than any of the living creatures now on the planet's surface. It was possessed of six spindly mechanical legs, topped with a torso bristling with appendages, that in turn topped with a 'head' of incredibly sophisticated sensor arrays. It was, for all intents and purposes, an effective sensate extension of the intellect itself. Through the supporting structure by which it connected to the platform, it communicated with the Intellect. At the moment, it only received instruction, but not long from now it would report back. Feeding its thoughts directly to the construct, the Intellect instructed it simply. ~Probot. Seek. Learn. Report.~ A burst of data returned to the Intellect. With that, the construct made its way off the platform and ran with nearly noiseless and inhuman speed toward the crash site. Behind it, the platform receded and was sealed off once more. (Reply None... Yet) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site – Captain Justin Von Rache - 2225) Justin, Garna and Brinn had been walking through the jungle for several hours. Garna suggested they stop and camp somewhere, but the idea of the three of them on an unknown planet, unknown terrain and who knows what creatures and no one to watch their backs did not sit well with Justin. No, they would continue walking. They had a direction and possibly others who survived a crash of their own. Either way, they had to keep going. Brinn tapped Justin on his shoulder and put a finger to his lips. He pointed two fingers toward his eyes and then in a direction to their right. Justin looked to where Brinn was pointing, there was a flicker of light in the distance. Justin pointed to himself and then indicated the number one, then to Garna and the number two. Then to Brinn and the number three indicating he was to bring up the rear. They began slowly making their way toward the light. (posted by Oleg) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 2230) Ayslin sat with her back against the downed runabout looking up at the stars. She knew she should probably be getting some sleep but it was hard to do with the sounds of the jungle around her. But even with all strange sounds of animals and plants around her, it was the stars that were drawing her attention. Most people who had no grounding in science or astronomy expected the stars to always look the same no matter where they traveled, even on their own planet when they crossed the equator. And even if scientists knew what to expect, many were still taken aback when they looked up at the night sky for the first time on a new planet, and didn't recognize a single star. Ayslin had spent her entire life studying the starts and what made them tick, from her back yard on Trill she could name every important one in the sky, and the few that had become important to her. She remembered that first night on Earth at the Academy when she'd walked out under the stars and felt lost when they were all different. Stars played an important role in nearly every culture she'd studies, or at least those that lived on the surfaces of their planets. They were used as tools for exploring, for science, they were nearly always an inspiration for reaching out beyond the limits of the solar system the culture had grown up in. There was a common theme in pre-space flight media from various cultures that almost all dealt with reaching the stars or touching the stars or just being out amongst the stars. But more than anything the stars were there. They were constants in the sky, dependable and rational, yet dynamic and mysterious in equal measures. Entire cultures had painted their myths and legends on the canvas that was the night sky. Heroes, legends, beasts and every day objects thrown up to live among the object they couldn't quite reach. And so to be under a new foreign sky, Ayslin felt very lost. It wasn't really the stars fault, she'd felt a little lost since she'd been joined. Everyone told her it was part of the process, she even remembered her other hosts going through similar things. But still her joining had followed quickly by her first Star Fleet assignment, and not long after that, being assigned as a department head. The last two years of her life had been a series of transitions, and zero stability, but then it was she who'd signed up for Star Fleet. She pondered the path that lead her from a small lab on Trill to the crash site on a jungle planet wearing a slightly torn Star Fleet uniform and tried not to laugh. She knew a number of scientists who would have reveled in her situation. To be standing on a new planet with unknown technology hidden somewhere. She on the other hand preferred her lab, where the technology was known and the surroundings were quite familiar. She thought about her life as she looked up at the stars over head, weakly mirrored by their fires on the ground, both flickering in some archaic manner she couldn't quite grasp. There was something similarly comforting about watching a fire as there was in looking at the stars. She ran her slender fingers through her long red hair as she watched the slowly moving stars as they gently and almost imperceptibly traced their destined paths through the universe even as the new planet she sat on did the same. It was a cosmic dance and she wondered what it would look like in the distant future. She knew better than anyone that nothing stood still, everything moved and changed, and she was in the unique position to see those changes, and the ones after that. She moved through the universe just as the stars did, if a little faster on the cosmic scale. Maybe this was just another stop on that path she'd started on many years ago. ~We are all beings of star dust and star light,~ she thought to herself, remembering something her mother had told her many years ago that never made sense to her, until that moment under the stars. She smiled a small but genuine smile as she put her PADD away. If she was looking for comfort and solace from the stars perhaps it was time she took some action to that end. She watched as a shooting star streaked across the night sky and she made a wish, even as she started giving the stars names and their shapes stories. (Reply Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) *********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO/Lt. Lorimar - 2233) Bob was supposed to be sleeping. He had scheduled himself for the third watch, Along with Shadow. He was having some trouble sleeping however, and he tread as softly as he could about the perimeter of the campsite, adding wood to each of the fires as needed. Across the campsite, he caught but the most fleeting of shapes moving toward him. It *had* to be Parrr'Z; he doubted anyone else aside from he could move with such stealth, save Shadow. And he knew she was tucked inside the runabout, or at least she had been a few minutes before when he crept out. He stopped, giving a slight wave in the imagined direction of PO Parrr'Z. He wished briefly that he had some of the enhanced sensory capability that the felinoid was blessed with. (Reply Parrr'Z iyw, Any) ~Enjoy the gifts ye hae, Bob. Dinnae spend yer life wishin'~ But what gifts did he have? So far, his 'leadership' consisted of getting others to take risks, do the work, and basically carry the day. To top it off, he was certain he had alienated Candle. He wasn't really sure why, but he did know it was his job to figure it out, and make things work. Oh how he wished there were a proper command officer here! The away team needed a leader, not an engineer. The majority of the runabout wasn't getting fixed until they were back aboard the ship, that much was certain. He had managed to mostly finish the makeshift communications array he had been kit bashing from available broken equipment. He looked at the stars, trying to judge the time by them, but failed. They were alien to him, and of little use as yet. He could make a guess by the consumption of the wood supply for the fires, and he thought he made a fairly accurate estimate of just how long they had been burning. He was certain that the array would be ready by the time any rescue arrived. They should be declared officially overdue shortly, if his estimate of the time was correct. Making his way slowly back to the shuttle, he caught a glimpse of Ayslin Rel sillouhetted in the firelight. She was leaning against the hull and appeared to be either asleep or lost in thought. He made his way quietly and carefully to her side and took a seat to her right, perhaps half a meter away. He looked over, studying her briefly, then spoke very very quietly to her. "Tuppance for yer thoughts, Ayslin? Aside from the obvious 'Bob is doin' a right lousy job, and ye wish there were a real leader here' that is?" (Reply Rel, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Captain Justin Von Rache- 2236) It looked like they were finally close to the lights and Justin thought he could make voices. At least they knew that they were not alone on the planet. He turned to Brinn who was getting his weapon out. He shook his hand for him to put it away. He raised his hands to signal that they were going to go in there in peace. They started walking toward the camp when all of a sudden a loud alarm made all three of them jump back. The first instinct of anyone in this situation is to run, but Justin knew what was coming next. And as he watched Garna and Brinn turn to run he heard the crack of a tree branch on the ground as one person came from behind them and one from ahead pointing a phaser. “Don’t move!!!” The voice said. Justin could not help but smile as he raised his hands. ~Sometimes even the best of us forget.~ (Reply whoever is holding the phaser, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) *********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 2238) Ayslin heard someone sit down next to her, but she didn't look over. Her long hair spilled down over her shoulders having been freed from the braid, and she continued to look at the stars above. "Tuppance for yer thoughts, Ayslin? Aside from the obvious 'Bob is doin' a right lousy job, and ye wish there were a real leader here' that is?" Bob asked quietly. Ayslin still didn't turn her head, she'd learned to hold a conversation and continue her work a while ago. "If you're going to supply the thoughts, shouldn't I be the one paying you?" She asked rhetorically. "Nope, no such thoughts, you're doing pretty good thus far, and frankly, I would have curled up into a little ball about five hours ago. So you can just stop your talk right there." She said. Finally she looked over at Bob and smiled. "You're doing fine Bob, there was no way for you to plan a contingency for a planet trying to kill us. Bob, tell me this, do you trust the Captain, and the Commander?" She asked quietly. (Reply Lorimar, assuming yes) "Then by the dictates of logic, you must trust in yourself as they trust you, and I trust you. No one is expecting you to be perfect, none of us are. Just keep your head on your shoulders and you'll get us through this." Ayslin said with a shrug. "Control the variables you can, and cope with the ones you can't. I trust you Bob, start trusting yourself for once." (Reply Lorimar, obviously room for conversation of course) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO/Lt. Lorimar - 2240) Bob smiled to himself. Ayslin was obviously trying to gauge his mood, which she did a fair job at. She was only about half right, but he thought that was fairly good for a non-telepath. "'Pretty good'? Ah rather thought ah've been doin' bloody marvelously!" He chuckled quietly, his mood immediately lifted. "We are only as good as the folks wie whom we serve... so ah'd say ah'm rather lucky there after all. Tae answer yer question, of course ah trust them... wie mah life." He listened contendly as Rel gave him a brief lecture in logic. It was not lost on him, though he more expected it from Selek than Rel. He followed her gaze up and allowed himself to see the beauty in the stars; that, he mused, was certainly a constant in all the universe. "Ah hope ye can keep a secret lassie... because ah am about tae tell ye one. Ah *dae* trust mahself... but thank ye for the vote of confidence." He placed his hand lightly on her arm. "Trying tae navigate us a course out of here are ye?" (Reply Rel, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Sec.O/PO1 Parrr'Z - 2250) Perched up in a tree, Parr was quite comfortable and completely hidden from view if anything came to investigate their camp. The murmur of voices from his crew mates mingled nicely with the sounds of the night insects and a pleasant, soothing noise resembling piping frogs, though what they actually were, Parr had no idea. The proximity alarm sounded at the same time that he saw three humanoid shapes enter the camp's perimeter. He jumped down to the ground behind the tree as silently as any cat and prowled swiftly and soundlessly along the tree line until he came up behind the intruders. He pointed his phaser directly at them and demanded... "Don't move!!!" Halting two of the three in their tracks as they'd appeared to be preparing for flight. ~ They must be up to no good if they were going to run away! ~ The Caitian thought, logically assuming that anyone meaning no harm wouldn't try to run just because an alarm sounded. "Move closer to the big fire where you can be seen and identify yourselves!" Parr ordered, giving the closest a poke with the rifle then stepping back out of his reach. The three intruders began walking towards the centre of the clearing where the large fire was burning and where the others were gathering to see what had set the alarms off. Once the intruders were by the fire and illuminated by the flames, Parr remained aloof but watchful and he was certain that he recognized two of them as patrons in the Bar on Laatstekans Station. ~ They must be from that crashed ship. What would they be doing out here? Were they following us? ~ A good security officer was a paranoid security officer who suspected everything and everyone when it was warranted, and Parrr'Z figured that this was one of those times. (Reply Rache, Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Captain Justin Von Rache- 2250.5) "Move closer to the big fire where you can be seen and identify yourselves!" ordered what Justin could only describe as a big cat who was now poking him with a phase rifle. Justin gave the cat a dirty look and started walking. There was no reason to poke. As they approached the fire it was getting brighter and Justin noticed several Starfleet officers and a crashed runabout. They stood in the open now waiting for whoever is presumably in charge. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO/Lt. Lorimar - 2251) Along with the rest of the crew, Bob had reacted to the perimeter alarm. He did his best to approach the intruder(s) and stay out of the light at the same time. By the time he had gotten halfway around, Parrr'Z and Selek who was also on guard had neatly rounded them up. Only three, it would seem. He hoped that was all. ~As if we didn't have nearly enough bloody trouble before!~ he thought bitterly. He appraised the three of them in the brighter glow of the main fire. He had heard Parrr'Z' commands to the intruders, but had heard no response thus far. He pulled up short, making certain he didn't obstruct either of his crewmates' fields of fire. "Lieutenant Lorimar, of the Federation Starship Boudicca. And you are?" (Reply Heart of Stone survivors, Any, Room for more) (posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Captain Justin Von Rache - 2252) Justin waited for the leader to reveal himself. A man approached the group, careful not to get into the line of fire or too close to the intruders. He was wearing an engineering uniform and the pips said Lieutenant."Lieutenant Lorimar, of the Federation Starship Boudicca. And you are?" the man finally spoke. "Captain Justin Von Rache at your service." (Reply Lorimar) "We picked up your distress signal and were coming to lend assistance. Only to end up in what appears to be the same situation." (Reply Lorimar, Away Team) (posted by Oleg) ********* (Unknown Planet - 100 metres outside Runabout Crash Site - Oli and Burke, (7-2257) It was Burke’s idea to climb a tree, they were about 100 metres away but could see the fire. Oli knew why and had argued to go closer but Burke just waved his rifle at him and climbed the tree. Burke had got himself settled onto a large branch and had lain down. He raised the rifle and looked through the scope at what looked like a camp. He could see a variety of people in the camp and there were Starfleet present. He smiled, he wanted to bag a beast whilst he was here, the two legged kind was also fun. “He moved his scope over the first face,” ~Tinker~ The next ~Tailor~ Two more quickly ~Soldier Sailor~ Two more ~Rich Man, Poor Man~ Slowly now savouring the intensity ~Begger Man~ He found someone’s head, he smiled ~Thief~ He fired. (Reply Targets at Camp Site, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ************ (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Sec.O/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 2304) Parr had resumed his lookout perch up in the tree while the new- comers were talking with Lieutenant Lorimar and the other officers, and he was vigilantly keeping his eyes peeled for any further unannounced visitors that might happen along, after all Paranoia was his middle name, and who knew if these present intruders had any other friends out there waiting to join the party. Perhaps they weren't as friendly as they made out. So it was that he saw a sliver thin beam of light emitting from the tree line about 100 meters away from the camp and move first from one person to another and immediately recognized it for what it was ... a lazer targetting beam. With the swiftness and agility that only a feline could attain, he literally leaped outwards from his perch and determining that the beam of light appeared to be lingering longer on one person as he flew through the air, he twisted in mid air changing direction and landed fully on that person, knocking them bodily to the ground just as the phaser was fired. The shot caught him squarely in the shoulder and he shrieked with pain and rage and turning began swiftly running towards where he'd seen the lazer coming from, unsheathing his long dagger as he ran, roaring loudly with the blood lust that was boiling through his veins. Someone was going to pay. (Reply Targets at Camp Site, Snipers, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - Day 7 -2306) Ayslin stood in the background listening as Bob dealt with the new- comers, who as far as Ayslin were concerned looked about as shifty as they came. She watched and waited as they tried to work out what was happening, but she had no warning of what happened next. With out warning a large furred body impacted her back knocking her to the ground. Her forehead slammed into the ground, and the wind was knocked out of her lungs. Everything around her went black, and she could have sworn she heard a primal scream and smelled burnt hair, before she lost consciousness completely. (Reply Landing Party) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO/Lt. Lorimar - 2307) Discussion with the three strangers had been underway for some time, when suddenly a large body -- Parrr'Z -- leapt from his elevated perch and knocked down Lt. Rel. Almost simultaneously, an energy beam came from somewhere in the jungle, hitting Parrr'Z. All Hell broke loose. Apparantly, Parrr'Z was either struck a glancing blow or made of very stern stuff. He roared in pain or determination or perhaps just rage and took off for the trees. ~Get a hold of this and fast! Or this will turn intae a bloody mess!~ "Candle! Get Rel into the runabout! Shadow, go left, ah'll go right, help Parrr'Z! Captain, get your people under cover, ah suggest the runabout! Selek, cover the wounded and hold the camp! Move!" With that, Lorimar grabbed one of the spears that Shadow had crafted earlier. He hoped they were as effective as they looked. He headed at a dead run for the tree line about forty degrees right of where he had seen Parrr'Z go. He spared a brief glance as he left, and saw Selek dutifully falling back to cover the others ordered retreat, phaser at the ready. (Reply Away Team, Heart of Stone survivors) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Captain Justin Von Rache - 2308) The conversation was starting to go in the how can we get out of here together diraction, rather than the who are you and do we shoot you when something flew up from the tree and hit one of the survivors. A woman, Lt. Rel Justin remembered her introduce her self. The leaping cat was followed by an energy beam hitting the ground in the spot where she was standing a moment before. Justin looked in the direction of the shot but could not make out where it came from. The large furred creature must have been struck by a glancing blow because he roared in what looked like pain. If he had been hit it did not deter him as he took off for the trees. Justin looked for Garna and Brinn who were standing there stunned and not sure where to run to. "Candle! Get Rel into the runabout! Shadow, go left, ah'll go right, help Parrr'Z! Captain, get your people under cover, ah suggest the runabout! Selek, cover the wounded and hold the camp! Move!" Lorimar yelled at him. Justin looked at the two of them, "You heard the man, get into the shuttle." Lorimar grabbed one of the several spears laying on the ground and headed at a dead run for the tree line about forty degrees right of where the Parrr'Z took off to. Justin ran for the tree line straight in the direction Parrr'Z had taken off in taking out the phaser hidden within the folds of his coat. (Reply Away Team, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - Sec.O/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 2308.7) In a matter of seconds Parr had covered the 100 meters between the camp and the tree that the shot had come from, moving in a zig-zag pattern and narrowly avoiding a couple more shots meant for him. He reached the tree just in time to see someone scrambling down obviously panicked by the headlong rush of the Caitian and another person turn and start running away. Parrr'Z leaped the last twelve feet between him and his prey, claws automatically extending, long dagger in his hand ready to do damage and brought the sniper down heavily to the ground, sending his weapon flying and crushing the air out of his lungs, his weight making it impossible for the person to draw in adequate air to regain his strength. Not that it would have done the sniper any good against the strength of the enraged felinoid who was fighting against the primal need to rip the killer's throat out. How he longed to kill the scum and how easy it would be, but it went against his training and his true self to kill out of rage or vengeance. Thrusting his snarling face into the captive's he hissed at him. "Resist me and you die, choking on your own blood!" He could hear a commotion where the other assassin had gone; it sounded like somebody was trying to capture whoever had been trying to escape. Hauling the captive to his feet, Parrr'Z held his hands behind him in one massive paw, pulling them up so high that the captive had to bend forward due to his shoulders being hyper extended. It was a good way to ensure compliance. Fortunately, Parr had several pieces of woven vine tucked in his belt and it didn't take long to hog tie the assassin's hands and feet, fully incapacitating him. Lifting him easily to sling across his shoulder, Parr winced as pain shot through his wound but it didn't deter him as he hurried along the path that the other scum bag had taken, to see what the commotion was about and give aid to whoever had caught up with the fleeing prey. As he drew close he could see with his enhanced night vision that it was the a2O who had the other person pinned up against a tree with one of Shadow's spears at his throat. "Sir," Parr said as he drew out some vine lengths and held them out, the claws of his other hand sinking into the buttock of the squirming captive over his shoulder to persuade him to refrain. "I have binding cords. I do not think these savages should be unfettered." (Reply a2O, Assassins, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Unknown Planet - Jungle - a2O/CEO Lt Lorimar - 2309) ~What where ye thinkin' lad? Chasin' off intae the jungle like this?~ What Lorimar had been thinking, and still was thinking... was that he would at worst, provide a distraction for Parrr'Z -- not that he would be likely to need the help of course -- but he could scarcely stand back and do nothing, given the situation. Best case, perhaps he might just prove himself useful after all. He had slowed his headlong rush through the vegetation, trading speed for stealth. He stopped, and forced himself to breathe normally. He was not out of shape, by any means, but the adrenaline shock from the sniping attack and the rush of orders that followed had his heart racing. The run itself was a minimal effort. He exhaled a long, slow breath, and listened. He heard some noise to his left. A thump, and then a few breaking twigs/ rustling leave type sounds. Headed in his direction, from the sound of it. He sidestepped behind the trunk of a large tree, spear at the ready, and listened intently while his eyes continued to adjust to the darkness. At a headlong rush, someone/something was coming toward him, perhaps trying to escape from Parrr'Z attention. That was not going to work. Using the only advantage he had -- the element of surprise -- Lorimar waited until the last moment and then stepped out in front of the would-be assassin, pointing the tip of Shadow's spear at his throat. "Right lad. Hold it right there. Mah hands are sweaty and ah wouldnae wish tae have this lovely clovis spearpoint slip and skewer yer throat. Ah'm guessing ye dinnae wish that either... so dinnae move a muscle." (Reply Assassin iyw) At the point he heard more movement coming his way. Never taking his eyes from his 'prisoner' he waited. As the shadowy figure approached, he could make out further details. Parrr'Z! "Sir," Parr said as he drew out some vine lengths and held them out, the claws of his other hand sinking into the buttock of the squirming captive over his shoulder to persuade him to refrain. "I have binding cords. I do not think these savages should be unfettered." Bob had to restrain himself from breaking into a broad smile. "Excellent work Mister Parrr'Z! Ah'll cover them while you tie them up. Are ye alright lad?" This question he directed at Parrr'Z. It was far too dark to see any wounds the big felinoid might have, and Bob was concerned deeply. "Are there any more of these... folks, or are these the only ones? Ah suggest ye answer... ah'm sure ye won't like the way my friend asks ye!" (Reply Parrr'Z, Assassins, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Unknown Planet - Jungle - Captain Justin Von Rache – 2310) Justin was running through the jungle trying to keep himself running in a fairly straight line, realizing that he could easily get lost in the jungle. Despite the fact that there were several more shots being fired, he still found himself stopping several times to try to find his way. ~Perhaps I should have stayed with the shuttle,~ he thought to himself as he had to stop yet again to get oriented and took of running again. He came upon the Caitian and Lorimar holding two prisoners. "Are there any more of these... folks, or are these the only ones? Ah suggest ye answer... ah'm sure ye won't like the way my friend asks ye!" The two men quickly turned toward him ready to attack if determined that he was an enemy. Justin threw his hands up in the air, “Whoa, slow down there guys. I’m just here to help.” (Reply from Parrr’Z, Lorimar) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle- 2311) Basil was drifting off to sleep in the shuttle, it was the only place that was as close a ship that Candle could find. The idea of waking up and seeing the ‘ceiling’ so far away made him shiver. He had never understand those that liked the outdoors and camping, again it made him shiver even more. He tightened his blanket round his body. Engrossed in his self-absorption he failed to see the approaching band until they were in the campfire’s light. "Lieutenant Lorimar, of the Federation Starship Boudicca. And you are?" said the engineer but Basil could tell from Lorimar’s stance, as the man gave his answer, that Lorimar was ready for an attack. When it came it was not from the direction Basil expected. All Basil saw was a flurry of movement, hearing the grunt of Parr’Z and Lorimar shouting orders, “Candle! Get Rel into the runabout! Shadow, go left, ah'll go right, help Parrr'Z! Captain, get your people under cover, ah suggest the runabout! Selek, cover the wounded and hold the camp! Move!" Move Candle did. He grabbed Rel and pulled her into the runabout just after the two new men that accompanied the Captain. Letting Rel go he looked to see if Parr’z was still on the ground but he was gone. Basil also thought he saw something silver in the jungle but it was so quick he must have been mistaken “Everyone okay in here?” (Reply Rel, Others in Shuttlecraft, Mysterious Intellect, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - Jungle - Sec.O/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 2312) "I have binding cords." Parr informed the a2O, showing the handful he was holding. "I do not think these savages should be unfettered." "Excellent work Mister Parrr'Z! Ah'll cover them while you tie them up. Are ye alright lad?" His genuine concern was apparent to Parrr'Z. "Nothing a good medic cannot fix, Sir." Parr replied to ease his CO's mind. "Are there any more of these... folks, or are these the only ones? Ah suggest ye answer... ah'm sure ye won't like the way my friend asks ye!" Lorimar warned the captives. Taking his cue from Lorimar, Parr gave a long, loud hiss and displayed his sharp fangs and claws, sinking his claws deeper into the buttock of the one he held before tossing him, none to gently on to the ground at Lorimar's feet. "I would like nothing better than for you both to require persuasion to talk, I much prefer hot blood to lick from deep wounds." He handed his phaser rifle to Lorimar, kicked the legs out from under the second captive and proceeded to hog tie him too. While doing so he could hear what sounded like a pack of drothogs running through the underbrush towards. Whatever or whoever it was would find a nasty surprise when they arrived if they were to do with the two captives. Parr stood up and held his long knife out in a menacing manner just as a body burst into the small clearing they were standing in. The humanoid threw his hands up in the air, “Whoa, slow down there guys. I’m just here to help.” Parr recognized the voice of Rache. He didn't trust him it was quite likely that these two assassins had something to do with Rache as Parr had not heard any further crashes after the Heart of Stone, so he kept his long knife handy but did pretend to relax a little. "Do you know these slime balls?" He asked Rache. (reply Lorimar, Assassins, Rache, Any) (posted by Sal) *********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 2314) ~Dream Sequence~ Ayslin stood alone in the dark of a smoky bar. She could hear noise outside the door, raised voices that sounded familiar to her, but she couldn't keep her attention on them for more the a second at a time. She was dressed in a long green dress, and her hair was curled and pulled back on the sides, but trailed down her neck past her shoulders. Suddenly she was standing at the bar a glass a wine in her hand. It wasn't the place she would usually find herself, especially drinking wine and in a dress like she was. "What are you doing here?" A voice asked from her right. She turned to find Jeven sitting at the bar, a pint of beer in his hand and a shot of whiskey on the bar waiting for his attention. She looked at him confused. "I know I'm the verbose one of the four of us, but it's not a hard question Ace." "I don't know why I'm here," Ayslin said, "Why are you here?" "We're here, because you slammed your head into the ground and what's functioning of your subconscious is trying fill in the blanks. And under the circumstances it's filling it in with us." Jeven said with a disinterested shrug, taking a drink of his beer. "Are you really Jeven?" Ayslin asked. "How am I supposed to know that?" Jeven asked with a knowing grin. "You're the self professed philosopher, start philosophizing." Ayslin said in a rare forceful moment. Jeven just grinned that fox like grin, "Well there are really two options. We are actually Rel fragmenting into the separate host personalities, which is rare, and would mean, in this instance, that you're probably on the way out, or we're simply a dream versions that your mind is fabricating to deal with emotional issues, which means you should stop asking silly questions." "Jeven, be nice to the poor girl," Mora said from a seat near the window, a snifter of brandy in her hand. She looked ever the grandmother, the only way Ayslin seemed to picture her. "How come, every time I picture you it's as a Grandmother?" Ayslin asked, suddenly sitting across from Mora at the table. "Because, it's how I always preferred myself. Jeven never could stand getting older, he hated the idea with a passion. Me, I was quite comfortable with my age at the end. Three generations of our family looked up to me, my entire portfolio of work done. And if we're running on the assumption that this is a dream, you're picturing me like this because I'm not really me, I'm you dreaming about me." Mora said, then rubbed the bridge of her nose. "This is definitely a dream, I wouldn't have come up with that line if I was just plain old Mora." Mora rested her hand on Ayslin's. Ayslin looked down at herself, wearing the long green dress that matched perfectly with her eyes. "Mora, why did I wear a dress to a bar. I mean it's a very nice dress, but it's not quite suitable for this occasion." "It's a dream dear, full of symbols, like any piece of art. Dreams are some of the best artwork; poems, paintings, stories..." Mora started. "...Music," Renia said, from across the piano, Ayslin was suddenly sitting at. "Feeling a little out of place?" Renia asked playing snippets of music on the piano, all vastly different than her preferred classical. "When was the last time you wore that dress?" "The gala the department had after we were awarded our PhD's." Ayslin said looking down at it again. "It really is a nice dress, I wonder if I can pull a copy of it up from files. Someone has to have pictures from that party." "Hey, Red Head," Jeven yelled from the bar, an empty shot glass in front of him, "Focus!" "Jeven, order another drink and leave this to more level heads," Renia said with a sigh of annoyance. "I'm sorry, Dear. However, I think it might be time for you to go." She said resolving the melody she was currently playing. "Go where?" Ayslin asked looking at Renia. Jeven sighed heavily, and Mora shushed him. "It's time to wake up," Renia said with a kind smile. Ayslin found herself standing in an open door looking back into the bar. Jeven, Mora, and Renia all looked over at her, then back to their individual tasks, and Ayslin took that as a sign it was time to leave. ~~End Dream Sequence.~~ Ayslin groaned as she lied on the floor, she gagged and tried not to throw up. "Where am I?" she asked, trying hard to focus, the lights too bright. (Reply Candle, Others) (Posted by Patrick D.) ************* (Unknown Planet - Jungle - Oli - Day 7 - 2315) Oli couldn’t believe that the idiot Burke had a laser targeting device. Of all the stupid things to use in the dark. Now Burke was whimpering and tied up like a dead Gorox. The Starfleet crew, for that was who they were, Oli could tell from their stink. "Are there any more of these... folks, or are these the only ones? Ah suggest ye answer... ah'm sure ye won't like the way my friend asks ye!" said the one obviously in charge. Oli just smiled up at the man The cat creature gave a long, loud hiss and displayed his sharp fangs and claws, sinking his claws deeper into the buttock of Burke making him whimper even more before tossing him, none to gently on to the ground at the leader‘s feet. Oli just smirked at Burke’s fate, ~That’ll teach him, damnable human fool~ "I would like nothing better than for you both to require persuasion to talk, I much prefer hot blood to lick from deep wounds." ~Try it bog-breath, I doubt you could claw your way through a cloth sack~ he thought Oli found himself on the floor and tied up like Burke. Hearing someone approach he twisted his head as far as his could and only briefly saw the person that had arrived before he had to go back to the position he was in. It was enough, anger boiled up in him, “I know him!” spat Oli, tasting the dirt around his mouth, “he’s the dirty traitor that sold us out. Talia knew not to trust you, she knew you're after the treasure!!!!!” he shouted (reply Lorimar, Parr‘z, Rache, Any) (posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - Jungle – Captain Von Rache - Day 7 – 2315.5) The Caitian’s posture relaxed a bit but he was still holding his knife in Justin’s direction, he would have to tread carefully. "Do you know these slime balls?" asked Parrr’Z. Justin took a step forward to get a better look. In his mind an alarm went off. Yes he knew the slime balls, though he would be just as glad to see them dead as anyone else. He would have to be careful in how he addressed this one. “I know him!” Oli shouted suddenly, “he’s the dirty traitor that sold us out. Talia knew not to trust you, she knew you’re after the treasure!!!!!” he shouted. The Catian was no longer looking relaxed, in fact he looked like he might have been getting ready to pounce. Justin still holding his hands up pointed with his finger toward Parrr’Z. “Hold on just a second. Yes, yes I know this guy. But as you can clearly tell I am not with them. Right? He want’s you to kill me because then I can’t help you. “ (Reply Parrr’Z, Lorimar, Oli iyw) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet - Jungle – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 – 2316) "Do you know these slime balls?" Parrr’Z asked Von Rache who took a step forward to get a better look at the captives, hog-tied and lying on the ground. “I know him!” The Tellarite shouted suddenly, “he’s the dirty traitor that sold us out. Talia knew not to trust you, she knew you’re after the treasure!!!!!” he shouted. ~ Talia? Treasure? ~ Parr's ears flattened and his whiskers bristled as he glared at Von Rache. ~ Murdering treasure hunters!! ~ The Caitian's lips curled back from his teeth again, this time with genuine angst and he stepped towards Von Rache who held up his hands in a 'stop' motion and pointed towards Parr. “Hold on just a second. Yes, yes I know this guy. But as you can clearly tell I am not with them. Right? He want’s you to kill me because then I can’t help you.“ "And how do you intend to help us?" Parr demanded, taking another menacing step towards Von Rache. Of course he had no intention of killing the man, but did intend to take him prisoner too. Still there was no reason not to let Von Rache go on thinking he was in mortal danger. "Who is this Talia, the Tellarite swine mentioned, and what does he mean by treasure?" (Reply Rache, Lorimar, Oli iyw) (Posted by Sal Hammond) ********** (Unknown Planet - Jungle – Captain Justin Von Rache- Day 7 – 2316.5) “Hold on just a second. Yes, yes I know this guy. But as you can clearly tell I am not with them. Right? He want’s you to kill me because then I can’t help you.“ "And how do you intend to help us?" the Caitian demanded, taking another menacing step forward. Justin's initial response to the Caitian's aggressivness was somewhat out of fear. But with each passing moment he began realizing that his actions were more calculated than feral. Not to say that he would not kill him if he had to, but it gave Justin a moment to collect him- self. He lowered his hands and put the phaser back into the hidden folds of his coat. "Who is this Talia, the Tellarite swine mentioned, and what does he mean by treasure?" "Ah, Talia," Justin said in the cool and collected voice that others have grown accustomed to hearing. "Simple, she's a smuggler, a criminal, and an all around bad person. Certaintly not the type you might want to run into when in a dark alley, even with your senses. This one here is Oli, one of her associates. He's the type who probably liked pulling wings off of flies when he wasa kid so you'd want to be careful with him too. As for what treasure they are talking about I have no idea, but I may be able to find out." (Reply Parrr'Z) "I sold some very, very expensive data to Talia. I did not examine the contents only the coding as it would be specific to make sure it was the data I was looking for. A business practice, people have to know they can trust me. But as an insurance policy I always keep a copy of the data if it ever becomes necessary to see what it was. Unfortunately the ship crashed and I don't know if we can get the data out. However," he looked at Lorimar, "we do have an engineer present." (Reply Parrr'Z, Lorimar, Oli iyw) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - ACMSO Ensign Basil Candle- 23:17) Basil looked around and saw that Ayslin Rel wasn’t moving. ~Damn was she injured?~ He checked her quickly and felt a sensitive yet growing bump on her head ~Double Damn I must have done that, threw her too hard~ He got out a small torch and started lifting her eyelids to check her eyes. She murmured quietly. Basil was concerned, this was not the place to be dealing with possible head trauma. Ayslin groaned as she lay there but came awake, gagging. "Where am I?" she asked quietly, Basil‘s light still shining in her eyes. “Just lie still a minute” he said as he checked for signs of concussion, ~Well done Candle~ he remonstrated himself ~ giving a fellow crew member potential concussion~ Eventually he breathed a sigh of relief “Sir, can you stand? I need you to try and contact the others, there out there somewhere and I want to make sure they’re okay” Basil asked (Reply Rel if you want) Leaving Rel in the shuttle Basil popped his head out to see if anyone was approaching. The air was fresh with the sounds of combat but not from the direction of where Lorimar and the others went. This was further in the Jungle. Distinctive sounds of phaser rifles in the still darkness. “Rel, there is some sort of combat off in the Jungle tell Lorimar if you can” (Reply Rel, Others, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Unknown Planet - Crash Site Camp - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel- 2318) Ayslin groaned as she lay there but came awake, gagging. "Where am I?" she asked quietly, Basil‘s light still shining in her eyes. “Just lie still a minute” he said. “Sir, can you stand? I need you to try and contact the others, there out there somewhere and I want to make sure they’re okay” Basil asked Ayslin looked up at the blurry Doctor. "Ummm, I'm not sure I can keep my dinner down, or focus my eyes, I'd prefer not to try. Leaving Rel in the shuttle Basil popped his head out to see if anyone was approaching. The air was fresh with the sounds of combat but not from the direction of where Lorimar and the others went. This was further in the Jungle. Distinctive sounds of phaser rifles in the still darkness. “Rel, there is some sort of combat off in the Jungle tell Lorimar if you can” ~Is the Ensign crazy?~ Ayslin thought. "What's going on, Ensign, the last thing I remember is something colliding with me from behind and then I lost consciousness when I hit the ground." Ayslin asked rubbing her eyes, hoping it would help her focus. "Why do you need me to tell Lorimar about the combat, where is he, is something wrong with your comm badge? I'm not sure I can stand on my own, let alone wander off into the jungle to check on the chief if the comm badges aren't working." Ayslin wasn't exactly happy with the doctor, she was fairly certain she had a concussion, and a doozy, but for some reason the Ensign wanted her to try and contact Bob, instead of him. (Reply Candle) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (Unknown Planet - Jungle - a2O/CEO Lt Lorimar - 2318) Bob was pleased by Parrr'Z reaction to the turn of events; in fact, the Caitian was playing it *exactly* as Lorimar had hoped he would. Though the two prisoners, particularly the Tellarite, did not seem as intimidated as hoped. ~If we cannae get the information from these 'treasure hunters', perhaps we can coax it oot of Von Rache's ship?~ Bob nodded in silent thanks to Von Rache for providing the infor- mation he had. Sketchy though it was, it was at least a start. "What sort of data is it, 'Oli'? What exactly are you people doing doon here? And what is so bloody valuable that ye are willin' tae kill for it?" As he waited a reply, Lorimar's commbadge chirped for attention. =^=Lieutenant Lorimar are you undamaged? Would you please return to the main campsite as quickly as you are able?=^= Selek. ~Just what the Blazes... If he is calling, it *must* be important, right?~ "Selek, can ye tell me why?" A lengthy, and uncharacteristic pause ensued. Long enough, in fact, to make Lorimar wonder if the comm channel was mal- functioning. =^=Sir, there has been... a development which I believe requires the attention of the entire away team. Perhaps that of our 'guests' as well.=^= "Very well Mister Selek, we will be there in a moment. Oot." With a nod toward Parrr'Z and Captain Von Rache, Bob headed quickly back to the camp, with Parrr'Z sheparding the two prisoners along. (Reply Any iyw) posted by Russ) ********** (Unknown Planet - Runabout Crash Site - a2O/CEO Lt Lorimar & Company - 2321) The 'development' was both obvious, and rather understated by the Vulcan pilot. Even before the rest of the party plus the two prisoners returned, the glow of the firelight revealed an amazing sight. Its reflective metallic surface gleaming and seeming to flow and dance in the flickering firelight, an alien construct stood several meters from the runabout. It stood upon six spiderlike legs, which at the moment appeared to be in a resting crouch. Atop that was a torso festooned with perhaps a dozen appendages, the functions of which Bob could not even begin to guess at. Crowning off the whole thing at a height of nearly four meters was a sleek, rounded 'head' which appeared to be designed at least in part for sensory sampling. That was just a guess on the engineer's part, but he was giving it his best despite being stunned by the sudden turn of events. "Selek, ah presume this is the 'development' ye referred tae?" "Affirmative. It appeared shortly before I contacted you. It's approach was virtually silent, it did not activate Lieutenant Rel's perimeter alarm and I only detected it visually when it came within a dozen meters of the campsite proper sir." "It's made nae threatening or aggressive moves? It just showed up?" "That is correct, sir." Bob gave it a long appraising glance, then spoke without turning his eyes away from the alien entity/construct/device. "Please tell me *someone* has a working tricorder... and if anyone has any ideas ah'd love tae hear them?" (Reply Any, Room for more iyw) A few moments passed, then the 'head' of the thing turned directly toward Lorimar. A very quiet humming sound ensued; a crimson beam of energy lanced outward, dancing over the surface of the run- about. After what seemed an eternity, but what was only a scant few seconds, it appeared that whatever the thing was doing, it was complete. Lorimar felt the intense pressure and pain of a headache; glancing around he could see that the others evidently had felt it as well. All except Selek, whose eyes were closed and who wore a look of intense concentration on his face. The thing spoke. "PRIME DIRECTIVE STATUS: PRIMARY PHASE LEARNING IS COMPLETE," it boomed out at such a loud volume that the *pressure* of the sound could be felt by those nearby. "Could ye turn down that bloody volume, whoever or whatever ye are? Yer killin' us!" One of the thing's appendages extended in Lorimar's direction, made several revolutions, then returned to its previous position. "Statement: Injury was unintended," began the thing at a much less offensive level. "Interrogative: You are the biologic Lorimar?" Bob was unsure if that was a question or a statement, but he thought he'd best treat it as the former. "Aye... that is, yes, I am" A pause, more soft whirring. "Observation/Comment: Your manner of speech is most unorthodox." Lorimar almost laughed at that, remembering just how many native standard speakers had made that same observation. "It is unorthodox, but a variation of --" The thing interrupted evenly. "Galactic Standard. We *learned* this during our scan. The language is most inefficient. We employ it now in order to expedite communication with biologics." "Just who, and what, are 'we', if ah might ask?" Whirring again. More whirring. So much so that Bob wondered if that might be indicative of some sort of communication, or data processing. ~Oh what ah'd gie for a peek at the innards of that thing!~ "Response: Much of your language is inadequate to convey data. We are called PROBOT. We are also an extension of --" What followed was a screeching howl that sounded like heavy machinery tearing itself apart. ~Evidently not all aspects of the alien language translate properly,~ Bob surmised. It continued apace. "Additional response: We learn to serve. We serve to learn. It is our true purpose. We serve the (that same screeching howl again) in order to further the purpose of learning." Bob was beginning to understand. Or at least he thought so. "Were ye 'learning' when ye scanned our ship?" He pointed to his right at the runabout. "Response: Correct. Our scanning beam was not intended to harm, but to learn. Above all other things, we seek knowledge." It turned toward Von Rache, evidently intent on addressing him directly. "Statement: We are directed to convey regret for the irreparable damage to the biologics which accompanied you within the construct 'Heart of Stone'. Damage was collateral and unintended. We express..." More clicking and whirring. It *appeared* that the more the thing -- Probot -- interacted, the smoother and more natural its use of language became. "Regret. The expression of regret is intended. Repeat: Biologic damage was unintended, and regrettable." (Reply Von Rache iyw, Any, Room for much more) (Posted by Russ, with more to follow) ===================== ===================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 8 Stardate: 2408.12.10 ===================== ===================== (USS Boudicca – Bridge – aCO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras – Day 8 - 0040) As a young officer, Dorga had enjoyed her time on Gamma Shift. She really liked it when the ship was quieter and the lighting was dimmed; she found it relaxing and conducive to deeper thoughts. The burdensome task of writing the letters of loss to her dead crew members' loved ones had taken several hours, but she had got through it and emerged from the ready room after taking a late supper alone there and resting for a while, around 2230 hours, whereupon she had ensconced herself in the command chair and ordered the bridge crew to page replacements and get some rest. Now she was surrounded by fresh officers and was hoping to receive some news from the shuttles any time soon. Almost as if on cue she was informed of a transmission from the Hypatia incoming. "Put it on screen." She ordered, and smiled when she saw her number one's face. "Do you have news for us, Commander?" She asked, the forefinger and middle finger of her left hand crossing for luck, something she'd picked up from the human population. (reply Durand, All) (posted by Sal) ********** (Laatstekans Station – Starfleet Office – Captain Lydia Stakes – Day 8 – 1235) For a long moment, Lydia regarded the commander sitting behind the desk. When she eventually spoke, her voice was polite if slightly cold. "You mean to tell me that I travelled for two months to get to this - no offence - hole in the corner only to find when I arrived that the ship I came to meet left half a day before I got here? And *no* vessel is available for me to use to get to her?" The commander shrugged. "It's not a Starfleet station," she said. "We only have one ship and that's over at one of the mining colonies three days out, taking medical supplies to them. I'm afraid, Captain, you'll just have to wait." Lydia looked at her sharply, wondering if she had imagined the slight, almost sarcastic, emphasis on the word 'captain'. It wouldn't entirely surprise her if the other woman had heard 'through the grapevine' that a former admiral, now reduced to captain in rank, was arriving on the station to baby-sit the Boudicca until her own captain returned from whatever was keeping her away from her ship. Deciding to ignore it, if indeed it had been there and wasn't her imagination, Lydia nodded. "I suppose I will," she said evenly. (posted by Liz) *********** (Laatstekans Station – Food Court – Captain Lydia Stakes – Day 8 – 1257) Lydia sat in one of the few window seats with a mug of Idaarian spiced tea steaming gently on the table in front of her. Her a ttention seemed to be focussed on a couple of small worker-bees fussing around a large freighter from one of the mining companies which used Laatstekans as a way-point, but in point of fact it was light-years away. She smiled wryly to herself as she remembered Admiral Pzaan’s face when she had laid her Admiral’s insignia on his desk, together with her request to be downgraded to the rank of captain. His cheeks, she recalled, had gone an interesting shade of puce as he realized his prey actually didn’t care that he had in fact been planning to demote her after Archibald’s court martial. She had couched her request formally, but when he demanded an explanation, she had smiled warmly and said that she had no taste for politics and in-fighting, and wished to return to running one ship instead of a squadron. In response, Pzaan had, instead of returning her to the Star of Samarkand, her own ship, sent her here to the outmost fringes and ordered her to take command of the Boudicca whilst Captain Rivers was on a leave of absence for personal reasons. As much of a slap in the face as he could manage in the circumstances and, Lydia had to admit, quite a good one. Idly twisting the mug with one hand, Lydia sighed. She had hoped to be somewhere closer to Arc, but it was obvious that she’d been posted as far away as could be managed. Esme and Bill had been assigned elsewhere, and she felt their absence keenly. She sighed again and sipped her drink, wondering how the Boudicca’s formidable FO (and no doubt current aCO) would react to having a stranger, and an apparently disgraced one at that, thrust into command of her ship. ~If I were her~ Lydia thought grimly, ~I would not be happy!~ (Reply any.none) (Posted by Liz) ==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 9 Stardate: 2408.12.11 ==================== ==================== (Laatstekans Station - Docking pylon 4 - Captain Lydia Stakes - Day 9 - 0700) Impatiently Lydia paced up and down waiting for the Boudicca to dock and for the door to slide back allowing her entry to the ship. Eventually the airlock opened and the fussy, self-important (and, Lydia suspected sourly, self-appointed) customs officer for Laatstekans accepted the PADD which was handed to him by the security officer who took his place firmly by the airlock. Slowly the customs officer perused it, the tip of his tongue protuding between his lips as he read, and then nodded. "I s'pose it's all in order," he said reluctantly. He jerked his head in Lydia's direction. " 'Er ladyship's bin waitin' fer ya. Got 'ere just arter ya left an' di'n arf kick up a dust abaht it. OY! Missus!" he called louder in Lydia's direction. "They'm ready fer ya now!" Lydia stepped forward and presented the security officer with her orders. "Captain Lydia Stakes, temporary replacement for Captain Rivers," she stated. "Permission to come aboard?" The officer read the PADD then came to attention. "Permission granted, ma'am. You'll find Commander 'cha Nooras on the Bridge." Lydia retrieved the PADD from him and nodded. "Thank you," she said. "Would you arrange for my belongings to be brought aboard please?" she asked pleasantly before stepping aboard her new command. (posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Captain Lydia Stakes - Day 9 - 0720) Lydia hadn't rushed her journey to the Bridge. She knew how scuttlebut worked and she hoped that Commander 'cha Nooras would have been informed of her presence before she got there, to give her a few minutes to get used to the idea. So when she stepped out of the turbolift she was reasonably certain that news of her arrival had preceded her. She got not a few covert stares as she approached the woman in the command chair. No need to ask if this was Commander 'cha Nooras - if the commander's pips weren't enough of a clue, the woman's unique appearance confirmed it. "Commander 'cha Nooras?" Lydia said, stopping close to the chair and holding out the PADD. "Captain Lydia Stakes, reporting as ordered by SFHQ to take temporary command of the Boudicca during Captain Rivers' absence." (reply Dorga, any present, iyw) ********* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - aCO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 9 - 0721) Security at the docking bay airlock had thoughtfully warned Dorga that one Captain Lydia Stakes had come aboard to take over captaincy of the Boudicca, shortly after Alpha shift had begun. In fact Dorga's butt had no sooner hit the command chair seat than she'd been informed she was to be replaced as CO in a matter of minutes. She had received notification from Bupers while the ship had been away on the rescue mission, of the imminent arrival of a new captain and her feelings now were the same as they had been then. Dorga thought she'd been doing a pretty good job as aCO and it had been her understanding that she would remain acting CO until Susan returned no matter how long that would take. Now she was about to be replaced when she felt it wasn't necessary, by somebody whom she'd recently found out, had not only been on Doenitz's side during the civil war but was an Admiral fighting at the Mars Defence Perimeter, who had conveniently changed alliances during the battle. ~ Probably when it was obvious that Doenitz was going to lose not only the battle for the MDP but the war too! ~ Dorga pondered as she waited for Lydia Stakes to arrive and why somebody would take a demotion from Admiral to Captain. ~ She's certainly taking her sweet time! ~ She thought, frowning at the chronometer. ~ It's been fifteen minutes since I was notified she had come aboard. ~ Just at that moment the turbolift door slid open and a tall, blonde human female, looking agewise to be in her 40's, stepped out on to the bridge. It was obvious that this was Captain Lydia Stakes from the four pips on the collar of her uniform, but until she'd reported in Dorga was still the aCO, so the Vulcan/Klingon hybrid waited for Stakes to approach her. The newcomer walked over to where Dorga was seated on the command chair and spoke. Her voice "Commander 'cha Nooras?" Captain Stakes said, stopping close to the chair and holding out a PADD. "Captain Lydia Stakes, reporting as ordered by SFHQ to take temporary command of the Boudicca during Captain Rivers' absence." Her voice was authoritative, the voice of someone used to being in charge and obeyed and it had a soft burr to it that reminded Dorga of Bob Lorimar's accent. Dorga's face was impassive as her dark eyes appraised the temporary captain and she accepted the PADD to glance briefly at the orders on it. With fluid grace she rose from the command chair to find she was about 3 inches taller than Stakes. She stepped away from the command chair so the new captain had easy access and courteously bid her welcome. "Welcome aboard the USS Boudicca, Captain Stakes... Computer... open an all stations channel, include the civilian section and QV." [Channel open] "This is Commander 'cha Nooras speaking, as of this moment I am officially handing over command of this ship to Captain Lydia Stakes. Thank you for your attention. Message ended." [Channel closed] "Computer, as of 0723 hours Captain Lydia Stakes has full access to this ship's systems, pertaining to her rank and position. confirmation Nooras Beta Alpha Charlie 00732." (reply Lydia, all present, any) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca, Outside Class Room - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - 0730) Laurence had just dropped off Olivia at school, and she'd run to join Nola, who had rapidly become her best friend. He watched to two play for a few moments before he turned to walk away. He only made it a few steps before someone calling out his name stopped him. "Laurence, wait up, I wanted to talk to you," Nola's mother, Tella, said, walking up beside him. "What can I do for you Tella?" Laurence said with a smile. "First I wanted to check to see how you were doing, Borran and I heard about the other day in Engineering." "I'm doing fine, it was just a broken arm and a knock to the head, but thank you for asking." Laurence said, Borran and Tella were a nice couple, a little younger than he was. "Good," she said with a relieved smile. "But Borran and I were talking and after the other day, we want to take Nola off ship for a while, back to Betazed." Tella said with a concerned look on her face. "Not for good or anything, but we want to get her off ship until we're sure there won't be another incident like the other day. We're just going to call it a vacation, just for a couple of weeks until we're clear of this sector of space and things settle down." "I can't blame you, if I had the option I'd do the same thing. As it is, I'm keeping her away from some of the more populous areas of the ship, just to be careful." Laurence said, leaning up against the bulk head. "I'll explain things to Olivia, don't worry." "That's the thing, Nola doesn't have any cousins her age on Betazed, Bollan and I talked about it, and if you want, we were willing to invite Olivia along, it will be good for them both." Tella said. Laurence blinked, her idea wasn't a bad one, but he had reservations. "I don't know, I don't want her to think I'm sending her away," he said, unsure. "Oh, no no, we'll broach the subject to her, just as a vacation. We'll just tell her that Nola got to invite a friend to go with her, and she wanted Olivia." She said patting his arm. He thought about it for a moment. It had been a while since Olivia had a vacation, and after the bombing, he really didn't want her on board for a bit. "All right, I think we can convince her to go and not tell her the real reason. Why don't we grab breakfast, and figure out the details, I do want to thank you and Borran for this, it will make me feel a lot better." Laurence said gesturing to Nola's mother to lead the way, greatly relieved to have another option to keep Olivia out of harms way. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CO, Captain Lydia Stakes - Day 9 - 1030) Lydia looked around the table at the senior officers present. She had requested that the FO summon them all to a meeting in order to introduce herself and the orders she had been given. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," she said pleasantly. "Thank you all for coming. By now I'm sure you've heard the news but in case the scuttlebutt hasn't reached you yet, I have been ordered by SFHQ to take temporary command of the Boudicca pending the return of Captain Rivers. We have orders to return to Starbase Geneva immediately. There have been several strange incidents involving the 52nd's ships over the past few months and someone at Fleet HQ is getting jumpy. So we are not to use the subspace river, even though once we reach it, it would shorten our journey by some two weeks." She looked around the table again, trying to gauge their reactions. "Any questions?" she asked. (reply any present iyw) (posted by Liz) ********** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 9 - 1115) After the last of the senior crew had left the meeting Shadow cleared her throat to get her new Captain's attention. "Captain, I was going to ask Commander Dorga this.. but.." She wrung her tail, "I would like to request a leave of absence. I would like to visit my kits and home for a few months." (Reply Captain Stakes) (Posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - CO, Captain Lydia Stakes - Day 9 - 1200) Lydia sat in the command chair, the formal handover having taken place a good few hours ago. The trip back to Geneva would take close to two months. She guessed that SFHQ hoped that Captain Rivers would be ready to take command again by the time they arrived or shortly afterwards, and Lydia couldn't help but wonder what backwoods assignment they would find for her next. "Disengage docking clamps," she ordered. The big ship, which seemed to dwarf the station, moved slowly away and turned majestically once she was clear of the station. "Helm, lay in a course for Starbase Geneva." "Course laid in, ma'am." "Warp five. Engage!" (Reply any, iyw) (Posted by Liz) ********** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 9 - 1201) Dorga sat beside Captain Stakes, it was time for the ship to get underway for the trip back to Geneva which would take close to two months. Perhaps Susan would be ready to resume command by then, that was what Dorga was hoping for. "Disengage docking clamps," The new captain ordered and there was a very slight lurch as the ship began to move slowly away. Soon Boudicca was turning and heading away from the station. Captain Stakes gave order for the helm to lay in a course for Starbase Geneva. "Warp five. Engage!" Dorga smiled, always feeling that rush of excitement when the ship went to Warp and a new journey was begun. After the bomb damage it had been quite some time before they'd been able to travel at warp speed, it was a pleasure to be able to, once again. "If you will excuse me, Captain, I'd like to go to my office and catch up on some paper work." The FO asked. (reply Stakes) With her usual curt nod, Dorga thanked Captain Stakes and left the bridge. In her office not only would she catch up on some neglected 'paperwork', but she would find out as much as she could about the new captain. (Reply Stakes, any, iyw) (Posted by Sal) ********* [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ END OF TRANSMISSION ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]