====================================== ====================================== Mission: Through the Looking Glass Day 1 Stardate: 2408 11.01 ====================================== ====================================== (USS Boudicca - Corridor of the ship - Sec.O Parrr'Z - Day 1 - 2302) Gamma shift was the Caitian officer's favorite time to work, though he had seriously been considering requesting to be transferred to Alpha so he could see more of Lady Shadow during their off duty hours. He found the darkened, quiet ship enlivened his instinctive hunting senses; vision, olfactory and hearing were all sharply defined and even the food in QV tasted so much better, if that were at all possible. The thought of food made him salivate and his stomach growl. He would get something to eat when it was his break time around 0100 hours. It seemed a long time to wait but he could always snack on some jerky that he always carried around with him, and even that tasted ten times better since Arania had been making it. His furry lips curled back in a semblance of a smile, pleased with himself for thinking of asking the Bar Manager to make some, because the replicated stuff was okay but nowhere nearly as good as on his home planet. Arania had been very receptive to any ideas for edibles that her customers had suggested, providing they were willing to allow her to use mostly Iradonian ingredients, and he had happily agreed. The final product was superior even to the jerky on his home world and he had sent a carton of it back to his clan for their enjoyment. Since then he had been swamped with pleas to send more for which they'd be happy to pay, so he had the start of a small business by buying wholesale from Arania and selling retail to his clan members, which was nicely augmenting his salary in order that he could treat his lovely Lady Shadow to fine dining as often as she wished. It was a satis- factory transaction all round. He had paused outside Shadow's quarters as he always did during his patrols, and sniffed around the doorway, purring softly with pleasure as he caught her scent, happy to briefly capture a part of her before continuing on his tour, and had prowled forth a few more steps when his commbadge activated. =/\=Commander 'cha Nooras to Security, there is an intruder in my bedroom.=/\= The fur on his body raised and his yellow eyes flashed, pupils dilating as he unholstered his phaser which had already been set to stun. "I will be therrrre SsTAT, Commanderrr." He hissed and then tapped his badge twice, severing the link with the 2O and opening one to the transporter operator on duty. "This is Ssecurity to Transporter Room 1. Therre isss an emerrgenccy. Beam me dirrrectly to Commanderrr 'cha Noorrrass' bedrrroom!" Immediately he was swept up by the transporter and materialized in Dorga's bedroom, his phaser raised and ready to fire if it was necessary, though he was certain that the 2O was more than capable of subduing any intruder. (Reply Any) (posted by Sal) **** (USS Boudicca - 2O's Quarters - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 2303) Dorga's long dead husband felt so real in her arms, she really wanted to believe that some how he had returned to her. "How have you come back to me?" She asked softly, snuggling against him as she used to. She fully expected he would wrap his arms around her as he used to, but he just sat in the bed with a surprised look on his face as she snuggled and hugged him. "I have come to find out about your mating, bonding and pro- creating rituals." He told her, causing her to look at him with an equally surprised look on her own face, her left eyebrow rising automatically. "Will you instruct me of these matters?" He asked, his face emotionless. Dorga leapt off the bed and grabbing her uniform tunic fumbled for the commbadge. "You're not Parami, who or what are you? How did you know about my husband?" She demanded, never taking her eyes off the impostor. Her fingers found the commbadge. On his lips there formed a trace of a smile that tore at her heart. It was Parami's soft smile. Those eyes that looked at her with curiosity were Parami's eyes. His voice was as she remembered it to be. "I know your thoughts and dreams." The phantom stated. Dorga pressed the commbadge. "Commander 'cha Nooras to Security, there is an intruder in my bedroom." With those words spoken, the impostor instantly vanished and Dorga found that she was crying once again, and feeling the anguish she had felt all those years ago when she'd first found Parami lying dead in their quarters, but this time she did not howl the cry to Stovokor. Through tear blurred eyes she found her housecoat and wrapped it around her, wiped the tears from her face and with sheer willpower forced herself to look her usual self, just as Security arrived. (reply Security, Any) (posted by Sal) **** (USS Boudicca - 2O's Quarters - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras & Sec.O Parrr'Z - 2304) When he was whole again, fur still sticking up in alarm, Parrr'Z looked around the bedroom. The only person there was the 2O dressed in a housecoat and he sensed on an empathic level, that she was uncharacteristically upset yet her outer demeanor showed no sign of it. ~ No, wait. Her eyes look slightly reddened and puffy as if she has been weeping. ~ He observed. It was obvious that if there had been an intruder then whoever it was had disappeared. "What happened, Commanderrr?" He asked, his fur beginning to flatten so he didn't look twice his size. Dorga shook her head. "It's ridiculous really and I knew it was, but a part of me wanted to badly to think it was true." She told him. ~ What does she mean? ~ The Sec.O wondered, somewhat puzzled, but he waited, certain she would tell him all that he needed to know. With a heavy sigh Dorga continued. "It was...No! It wasn't him!" She paused trying to get her thoughts to be less jumbled, mentally beating herself to smarten up and rid herself of the lingering disappointment, and now she just wanted to get out of the bedroom. She started towards the door. "Come into the living area." She ordered and walked out of the bedroom. Parrr'Z followed on her heels, keeping his phaser ready in case the intruder was still around, perhaps elsewhere in her quarters. "I think I sshould firssst check the ressst of yourrr quarrterss, Commanderrr!" He stated, receiving a nod of confirmation from his superior officer. ~ Why didn't I think of that? ~ Dorga asked herself as the Caitian Officer moved silently down the short hallway to check the other rooms. ~ A little caught up in your own misery that's why. Snap out of it! ~ A few minutes later, Parrr'Z returned, his phaser now holstered and seeing Dorga was sitting on the couch, he sat on the chair opposite and took out his PADD to text down the details. Dorga gave her usual curt one nod and proceeded to tell Parrr'Z exactly what had happened and what whoever that had been, had said while Parrr'Z remained silent, writing it down word for word. When she was done, Parrr'Z slid the PADD into a pocket. "That isss mosst ssstrrrange, it almosst sssoundss like it wasss trrreating you like a ssspecimen that had to be ssstudied. I doubt that any hologram would do sssuch a thing." The Caitian observed as he rose from the seat. "I will placce an officerrr at yourrr quarterr'sss doorrr, Sssirr, you need only call out ssshould anything elsse happen. Pleasse trry to get sssome sssleep!" Dorga thanked him and once he had left the conventional way; through her door into the hallway beyond, she returned to her bedroom to try to sleep, feeling a little easier for the thought that someone would be close at hand should she need them. (reply Any) (posted by Sal) ========================================= ========================================= Mission: Through the Looking Glass Day 2 Stardate: 2408.11.02 ========================================= ========================================= (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - 2O's Quarters - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 0800) It had been a long, restless night. After Parrr'Z had gone, Dorga had returned to her bed but she just couldn't settle. Thoughts of her dead husband Parami and the good times they'd had together, as well as the possibility that what- ever had been pretending to be him could materialize in bed beside her again, had kept her tossing and turning until finally she had got out of bed to spend the rest of the night working on her idea for a holoprogram of Parami for the children. At 0700 she'd woken the twins and helped them get ready for school and now they were gone, she was debating whether or not to go to work or spend her off-duty day doing something else. She thought about the holoprogram she had been working on for most of the night and walked over to her desk to pick up a small chip that lay there. She weighed the chip in the palm of her hand thoughtfully and closed her fingers around it, naturally it weighed nothing at all but it helped her to think. Everything she had known and felt about Parami was lying in the palm of her hand, quite literally it was all that was left of him besides the two youngsters he had sired and her memories, and it was now tangible and something she wanted badly for her twins to have. Besides Dorga, the only people who had really known Parami were his elderly parents. His only sibling an elder brother, had been killed two decades ago and Dorga felt that if anything was to happen to her it would be as if Parami had never existed. Tightening her grip on the chip, she gave a curt one nod, her mind made up; Dorga was now determined to get the program refined so she could show her children who their father really was, and she knew just the person to help her do that. She no sooner made her decision than she was walking out of her quarters and down the corridor to the McLaren's quarters. It wasn't to early to go calling on them, she knew Arania was an early riser even when she worked late into the evenings. USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 0803) The door slid open after she pressed the annunciator and there stood petite Arania looking more than a little curious as she was wondering who could be calling on them early in the morning, but her face brightened into a welcoming smile when she saw Dorga standing there. "Greetings, come in!" Arania said, stepping aside so Dorga could do so. "Look Matthew, here is company for us." She announced to her husband who was in the kitchen area. (reply Matthew) Arania insisted that Dorga sit down and let her get her an iced cappuccino, as she knew it was the 2O's favorite. "I hope you don't mind Matthew, but I've come to ask a big favor of you, but please don't feel obligated in any way if you don't have the time or inclination to do it." Dorga hoped that he would, but if he wouldn't then she could do it herself, only it wouldn't be half as good as anything Matthew could create, and she really wanted it to be as close to perfect as she could have it. (reply McLaren) (posted by Sal) **** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2- 0805) Matthew was just finishing breakfast when he heard the enunciator sound. He quickly finished stacking the raspberry pancakes on the serving plate as he heard Arania call out to him. "Look Matthew, here is company for us." He glanced up at the chronometer. ~It's early for guests. Wonder who it is?~ he thought. He picked up the platter and the syrup carafe and headed into the common room/dining room. "Good Morning Counselor. Care to join us for some breakfast? We're having Raspberry Pancakes this morning." he said as he placed the platter of steaming cakes on the table. "There's more than enough for all of us." (reply Dorga) Arania brought her an iced Cappuccino and they all say down at the table together. "I hope you don't mind Matthew, but I've come to ask a big favor of you, but please don't feel obligated in any way if you don't have the time or inclination to do it." "Nonsense, counselor. I'd be glad to help out if I can. What can I do for you?" (reply Dorga, Arania) Daniel Greene **** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- 2O/CCOUNS/ Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras & Bar Tender Arania - 0806) Arania had called out to her husband that they had a guest as Dorga walked in to their quarters. She saw Matthew in the kitchen area and acknowledged his presence with a one curt nod and a friendly smile. He picked something up from the kitchen counter and headed into the dining area. Whatever it was he was carrying smelled scrumptious and as he got closer she could see it was a platter of pancakes and a jug of syrup. "Good Morning Counselor. Care to join us for some breakfast? We're having Raspberry Pancakes this morning." he said as he placed the platter of steaming cakes on the table. "There's more than enough for all of us." "They smell wonderful and I have not broken my fast this morning, so I don't mind if I do join you." She stated with a grin and added, "providing I can have an iced cappuccino to go with that." Arania nicely obliged her and replicated one and they all sat down at the table together. "I hope you don't mind Matthew, but I've come to ask a big favor of you, but please don't feel obligated in any way if you don't have the time or inclination to do it." ~ But I really, really hope you will! ~ "Nonsense, counselor. I'd be glad to help out if I can. What can I do for you?" Matthew replied. Dorga stuck her fork into the large stack of steaming pancakes, spearing three of them to put on her plate and then slid the holoprogram chip across the table to Matthew. She related, between bites of the delicious pancakes and syrup, exactly what had happened to her the previous night; how it had brought back all the feelings of loss she had felt when Parami had died, the longing for him that she had felt ever since, and how it made her realize just how much her twins did not know about their father. "....I could not sleep last night so I made that." Dorga lifted her chin towards the chip sitting on the table before Matthew's plate. "You see, we are all that Parami has to remember him and my children never knew their father, so how can they remember him? I don't want him to be forgotten when I am gone, Matthew." Dorga felt her eyes begin to sting with tears threatening to form and closed them, willing it to stop but it was to late, two fat tears spilled from her dark brown eyes as she opened them and trickled slowly down her cheeks. She swiped them away more than a little embarrassed at her show of emotion before this happy couple. Arania had listened in stunned silence. Dorga's story had filled Arania's heart with melancholyas she empathized with the warrior woman, for she could fully under- stand how Dorga felt about her dead husband for she had almost lost her own, and she was quite taken aback by the Vulcan/Klingon's unexpected tears as she had always thought of the 2O as being stoic and strong, for she came from two races famous for their strength of character. The woman seated at their table was certainly not the imperturbable character that Arania had thought her to be and the young Iradonian woman could almost feel Dorga's pain. Reaching under the table, Arania took Matthew's hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement, hoping he could help Dorga. (reply Matthew) As if knowing that Dorga was feeling sad, Silky, Arania's miniature goat gently nudged her free hand and rubbed her head against her thigh. Absentmindedly, Dorga stroked the little beast's head and scratched around her horns, finding the animal's presence comforting. "I thought that I could capture the essence of who Parami was. His strange sense of humor, his kindness, his gentle nature so his children could really know him. I had even considered the possibility of having his hologram interact with the twins in our quarters." Dorga smiled sadly, "but I am afraid I may come to the point where I would never want to turn it off, become dependent on it for my emotional well-being, so I must think that through carefully first, after all who is here to counsel the counselor?" (reply Matthew) (posted by Sal) **** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2- 0807) It was disconcerting to see the 2O cry. He knew that it must be an embarrassing thing for her to do in front of others, so Matthew focused on his Pancakes until she had composed herself. Arania squeezed his hand under the table and he glanced up at his wife. There was a look of hope in her eyes. "I'd be glad to help counselor. I'll need any images that you may have of him as well as any personal movie files. I can get a solid start with that. Once I've got his quirks and habits down, we can work on the rest of the personality program- ming." He looked at her, "It isn't something that will happen over night. This is a big project, and it could take me a few days of programming and fine tuning. And since I never met him, I can only try to get close, I may not be able to mimic him exactly. It's important that you realize that, Counselor. Because I want to make certain you realize that he won't be exactly the way you remember him, although hopefully he'll be close." (reply Dorga) Daniel Greene (USS Boudicca - CEO's Office - CEO Lorimar - 0806) Bob had the glimmer of a theory, or at least believed he had, but he needed more data to be sure. He could only proceed just so far on a theoretical/hypothetical line of thought without stopping to do a bit of fact checking. He looked up at the gang in his office, and addressed them each in turn, by order of physical proximity to where he was sitting. "Mister Ramirez... ah'm going tae ask Mister Deston tae check on yer blocked access. Ah am quite sure that nae such order tae block ye crossed my desk, during the refit or otherwise. Ah can see nae reason for it... as far as ah'm concerned yer presence and access aboard this ship hae already been vetted by the CO, unless security has issues with any of your privileges. Dae ye, Mister Trei?" (Reply Trei, Any) "What ah originally called ye up for, Mister Ramirez, was for an analysis. Ye are uniquely positioned; being a sentient, or perhaps resident/mobile AI in the holosystems. Ye should and would be able tae gie us insight that our regular diagnostics might miss. What ah'm asking is simple. Are there any... irregularities *inside* the system that we might not notice from here?" (Reply Ramirez, Any) He looked at Lt. Lebranski next. "Lieutenant, ye're a bridge officer and from what ah unnerstand occassional watchstander. Is there anything going on external tae the ship, or at the command level that could be contributing to these malfunctions? Would ye be kind enough to check with operations, just tae make sure that there is nothing going on that would effect our investigation, please? Also, what dae yer 'organizational senses' tell ye? Any commonality tae these incidents?" (Reply Lebranski, Any) He nodded at her reply, giving a slight smile as his theory continued to form. "Mister Trei, engineering will gie ye whatever assistance ye might need for your part of the investigation. Ah'll copy all of ye with the results of the diagnostic on the holo- systems as soon as it comes available." He turned last to Deston, who was standing furthest away. "Ah'd appreciate it if ye could check intae the 'artifact' as ye suggested Mister Deston, thank ye. Does the science department hae any theories so far?" (Reply Deston, Any) He scanned the faces of each expectantly. "Does anyone have any ideas or questions thus far?" ~Just who in Blazes is 'Jack Tripper' anyway?~ (Reply Any, All) (Posted by Russ) ****** (USS Boudicca - CEO's Office - Lebranski, Rameriz - 0807) Rameriz brightened up as access was restored to him, and to the amusement of everyone (except probably the CEO!) he bounded over to plant a big kiss on the chief's mouth before declaring "I lubs you man!" and disappearing in a very showy sparkle. Denise almost blew coffee out her nose at the expression of the crowd and settled instead to coughing. Chief Bob, seemed to be doing his best to ignore the whole kafuffle. Denise wiped tears from the corner of her eyes as her turn came around. "I haven't heard anything, and nothing so far in the morning reports. I haven't had a chance to go over the reports from engineering or security yet. I'm ass-u- me'ing that most will have been reported..?" She looked between the two department heads. (Replies if you so wish) He scanned the faces of each expectantly. "Does anyone have any ideas or questions thus far?" "Well, I am curious how it feels to be kissed by a drunken bum of a Spanish holo-marine, but not so curious as to try it my- self.." Denise teased. **** (USS Boudicca - Bob's Office - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0810) After listening to Bob offer his theory and ask if Ramirez should have less privileges than he has now, Detron responded, "Well as far as Ramirez is concerned, I have no problem with him retaining his status on the ship. As far as your theory is concerned Bob, I thank you for your input and will take note of it in the analysis. After I leave here, I will be in the holodeck conducting analysis. Your help is greatly appreciated." Detron made several notes in his PADD and waited for any questions to come forth. As there were none, he left Bob's office for the holodeck. **** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- 2O/CCOUNS/ Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 2 - 0808) Matthew stated he would be glad to help Dorga with her holo- program and she had already anticipated that he would need images of him but she only had one treasured picture that she kept in her bedroom, but she had copied it and placed it in the chip along with copies of a few letters he had written her that showed his zany sense of humor and exuberance for life, together with his weight, height, hair and eye colors. Dorga wished she did have some personal movie files, but unfortunately their time together had been far to short and fraught with dangers for them to even think about making personal movies, then again if she had some she probably wouldn't even be thinking about making a special hologram of her dead love. However she had managed to get copies of a handful of security vids from the Starbase they had lived and worked on together after he had died, that had Parami on, where he was going about his duties or just strolling down a corridor and even a couple of them together in the Mess Hall and the Gym. It was as if she knew then that she would need them some time. "....And since I never met him, I can only try to get close, I may not be able to mimic him exactly. It's important that you realize that, Counselor. Because I want to make certain you realize that he won't be exactly the way you remember him, although hopefully he'll be close." Matthew concluded. Dorga gave Matthew her customary one nod and smiled, all the while continuing to stroke and scratch at Silky's ears. When he had finished talking she replied. "I am grateful for your help and of course I realize that it will take some time, but I am certain that together we can come up with something so close to how he was, that anybody who knew him would think it was really Parami." She went on to tell Matthew what was in the chip she'd given him and that she had some short security vids in her quarters, from which he would see how Parami moved and hear his voice with the soft, Dutch accent that she'd found so sexy. "I am looking forward to working with you on this project, Matthew, but naturally it is not a priority. For both of us our work comes first." (reply Matthew iyw) There wasn't much left of her pancakes, just a few more bites, so she finished them off and her iced cappuccino, complimented them on the delicious breakfast and politely excused herself. "I will drop those vids off to you later Matthew, if that is alright, I know you have work to do and I thank you again for your willingness to help me. Good bye for now." Giving Silky one final pat, Dorga walked out and returned to her own quarters, to search through some storage totes for the vids that they would need for their project. (reply Matthew iyw) (posted by Sal) ****** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2- 0809) "I am looking forward to working with you on this project, Matthew, but naturally it is not a priority. For both of us our work comes first." "Of course, I understand completely. This is a personal project." ~I'll start with the dynamic learning algorithms from the EMH program....Then I'll see who I can make contact with from Parami's graduating class and service time, see if they have any video files or images, also rough stories and the like. Then I'll see what we have to work with from there~ Matthew thought already formulating his plan of attack. "I will drop those vids off to you later Matthew, if that is alright, I know you have work to do and I thank you again for your willing- ness to help me. Good bye for now." Matthew stood when Dorga rose from the table. It felt good to be able to stand on his own two feet again. "My Pleasure counselor. If there's anything else that you can think of or that you need, just let me know. I'm always glad to lend a hand." Dorga nodded, then turned and exited the room. Matthew turned to his wife. "An unusual request, but I trust that she understands the psycho- logical dangers of what she's asking better than I do. I just hope I do a good job for her." Matthew commented to Arania. "What do you say, we work on your Iradon holo sometime later?" he asked her. (reply Arania iyw) Daniel Greene **** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- 2O/CCOUNS/ Lt. Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras & Bar Manager - Arania - 0810) Giving her husband's hand another squeeze as he agreed to help Dorga, Arania smiled at the 2O who appeared to be both relieved and pleased that Matthew would help. She could see that Matthew was already working out in his mind, what he could do to work on the project. Dorga stated she would bring some vids around later and thanked Matthew once more as she stood up. Matthew stood when Dorga rose from the table and once again it surprised and thrilled Arania to see him stand up as she still hadn't got used to him being able to walk again after spending so long in his custom made chair. She found her face flushing as she thought of other pleasant things he was capable of doing once more, and she realized that she had convinced herself after his accident and consequential disablement, that they didn't really need the more intimate times together as long as they truly loved each other. Now of course she knew just how much she had missed that side to their marriage, perhaps now they could start thinking about starting a family. Not necessarily right away but certainly it was something they should consider in a year or two, Goddess willing. Arania glanced over at the small shrine in a corner of the living area, and silently thanked the Goddess for her benevolence with a gesture of her hand as she began to clear up the breakfast dishes. "My pleasure counselor. If there's anything else that you can think of or that you need, just let me know. I'm always glad to lend a hand." Dorga nodded, then turned and exited the room. Matthew turned to Arania. "An unusual request, but I trust that she understands the psycho- logical dangers of what she's asking better than I do. I just hope I do a good job for her." Matthew commented. "What do you say, we work on your Iradon holo sometime later?" he asked her. Placing the stack of dishes back on the table, Arania slithered up against him and wrapped her arms about his neck, drawing his head down for a tender kiss. "I love you, you are my most wonderful husband and I thank Her every day for your love." She gave him a warm smile that lit her green eyes up with adoration. "I'd like that! A few things I have thought of that will more real make it be, but this moment I am thinking of something we can do together that is of greater pleasure." She pressed her lips and body against his and as she felt his strong arms enfold her, she was filled with such joy that happy tears slid down her cheeks. After a blissful moment in his embrace she drew out of his arms and taking his hand, led him back to their bedroom. (reply Matthew iyw) (posted by Sal) ****** (USS /Boudicca - /CEO's Office - ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston - 0810.5) Lt. Lorimar began his official inquiry, apparently working through the occupants of his office in order of proximity. Soon enough, through the process of question-and-answer, he arrived at Carl. "Ah'd appreciate it if ye could check intae the 'artifact' as ye suggested Mister Deston, thank ye. Does the science department hae any theories so far?" Carl made a move and said, "As always, Chief, many theories, but the data's far too insufficient as yet to really. At one end of the range, it seems likely that we're experiencing an unforseen complex interaction in the overall computing/AI network, that is manifesting itself via the holomatrix. At the other extreme, it is not impossible that I am shortly going to awaken from a very interesting dream." He grinned at the expressions on some of the faces. "I only said it wasn't impossible." Lorimar waited a moment, then asked, "Does anyone have any ideas or questions thus far?" (reply any) Carl said, "Well, I'm off to the lab; I should have some more data for you in a few minutes. I'll be back." And with that, he was, as promised, off. (Reply any) (Posted by John) ****** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - 2O's Quarters- 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 0812) As soon as Dorga entered her quarters, she went to her room where she had items stored in totes that she kept inside her wardrobes. Methodically she began searching through them one by one and while doing so, she began sorting out the stuff that was in the totes, tossing things she no longer used or wanted into a pile on the bed. It was time for a clear out. ~ How in the heavens do we accumulate so much stuff? ~ She asked herself, ~ and why do we keep it when it is obviously no longer wanted? ~ By the time she found the vids with glimpses of Parami on them, it was over an hour later, but she set them aside on her night stand and continued sorting through the totes. When she had finished sorting through the last tote, she asked the computer what the time was. [The time is 1122] It intoned. ~ Great, I'll put this unwanted stuff into the empty totes and carry it to the recycler, by the time I'm done feeding that machine it will be a good time to drop the vids to Matthew and then get some lunch. ~ Sitting on the bed, she suddenly wondered if she was doing the right thing, would she become dependent on having that holo- graphic copy of her dead husband around? Was she doing this for the Twins or was it really for herself? As she began to fill the empty totes she thought more about whether or not she was filling a need in herself, after all the children were happy enough just to hear tales of their father and look at his picture now and then, or at least that is how it appeared to Dorga. By the time she'd filled the totes and begun carrying them out to the other room for recycling, she had decided that she would see what would happen. If she found herself beginning to be obsessed with the presence of the holographic Parami, then she felt that she could make herself stop, after all wasn't she half Vulcan? Surely she had the strength of mind to overcome any obstacles? (reply Matthew iyw) (posted by Sal) ****** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - McLaren's Quarters- ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2- 0815) "What do you say, we work on your Iradon holo sometime later?" he asked her. Placing the stack of dishes back on the table, Arania slithered up against him and wrapped her arms about his neck, drawing his head down for a tender kiss. Matthew was not resistant to the ministrations of his wife in the slightest. "I love you, you are my most wonderful husband and I thank Her every day for your love." She gave him a warm smile that lit her green eyes up with adoration. "I'd like that! A few things I have thought of that will more real make it be, but this moment I am thinking of something we can do together that is of greater pleasure." She pressed her lips and body against his and as she did so Matthew wrapped his arms around her. He held her close to him, relishing the ability to hold her with both arms again. It was such a simple thing, but it brought him so much joy, that it was difficult to describe. After a blissful moment in his embrace she drew out of his arms and taking his hand, led him back to their bedroom. (posted by Daniel Greene) ****** (USS Boudicca - Inside the Computer - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0820) "Please state the nature of the holo-stupidity," requested the EMH appearing in the section of computer Rameriz had made as a holo- graphic common room. Any holo-personality with self-awareness could pop in, sit down, watch the stored programs or chat. Unfortunately, so far the only self-aware programs were him and the EMH and the EMH didn't like him much. Actually, thinking about it, Rameriz didn't think the EMH liked *anyone* that much. "Heys man, have you's noticed anything odds from the holo-matrix overs the last couples nights?" "The couples had a night? Was it in Ten Forward? Really, Mister Rameriz, your grammar is attrocious and I know its on purpose.. you have full access to the language matrix." The EMH was frowning down at where he lay sprawled on the couch munching on trail mix. "Yeahs, I knows. But the *reals* me talks like this.. Though, I thinks it was purely to drives his teachers, an' then Sarges, nuts." He sat up, swing his combat booted feet to the ground. "You also didn'ts answer the question." The EMH's frown lightened a little as he sat in one of the arm chairs, "I spent the night in Sickbay with Nurse Abrahams as the doctor on duty since Doctor Oslo was off with a colicy baby. I noticed no abnormalities with the units in Sickbay although I did register several complaints from staff at shift change about 'ghosts in the system.' I had assumed *you* were up to something. Other than that, I played several rounds of cribbage in which Nurse Abrahams cheated her way through." "Nahs, not me, man. I know how easily I cans be turned off. *You's* they need, me? Nots so much. I'ms the only marine around, and even ifs the toy that Chief Bob mades for me lets me go walk- about, its not like I cans defend the ship in an emergency, first things to be shut down would be the holo-emitters." He blinked, "How'd you knows Nurse Abrahams was cheatin'? She seems pretty straight edged to me's!" "Really, Mister Rameriz. She kept defeating me, she *had* to be cheating." The EMH acted like the logic was flawless. Rameriz hid a sigh and decided to change the subject, "See, here's the thing," he pulled up a schematic in the air. It wasn't like he needed it, he could just tell the EMH and the data would transfer. Hell, really it was the computer talking to the computer at the best of times, but it was the way his awareness had been programmed, to preserve sense of self and he thought better when he could make pretty pictures. A map of the energy usage map came up, the holo-system in neon forest green. "Okays, so this is a time lapse usage over the last two days. Your usage is outline in blue, mine is outlined in da dark green." They watched in silence. "K, now, this is with all the incidents that Princess has entered into the database." "You's see the problem?" "There is no increased energy usage." The EMH observed the obviously. "Surely our living and breathing counterparts have noticed this themselves however." "Yeahs, probablies. Wouldn't be's too hard to figures out after all that. BUT, what I DIDS fine when I was running through da diagnotics of da systems.. Look, when we get diagnosticed, top level, you'n'I go offline for three milliseconds each right?" "Correct." The EMH agreed. The number was inexact, of course, but what could you expect from a program based on a marine who hadn't finished tenth year? Best to humour the insanity. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do yet anyway. "We's went offline for seven milliseconds 1917 lasts night." He showed the relevant log which the EMH was already accessing. "The whole database was paused." The EMH said, eyes focused inwards. "Do you know what that means?" "Not a clues!" Rameriz said happily. "What does it means?" The EMH sighed, "I would suspect we either were scanned and that scanned cause computer disruption *or* our databanks were downloaded. Either would be a matter for our operators to figure out. We are just here to serve." "Yeahs yeahs, I is no waiter." Rameriz replied absently before transferring himself back to engineering, it hasn't taken much time at all to talk with the ghostly doctor. "Good Ridence." muttered the EMH. Really, if he had to share the computer core with another program, why couldn't it at least have been with a program with taste and manners? **** (USS Boudicca - CEO's Office - Holo-Rameriz - 0820) "Heys Chief Bob!" Rameriz said, appearing at the end of the desk, wondering if he should be watching the security scans from while he was gone. He could swear Princess Denise was making flirty faces with Chief Bob. "I gots somethings for you and your friends to be lookin' at!" He pulled up the relevant records on Bob's terminal without waiting for instruction. "Thoughts you might find *that* of interest," he said proudly. (Reply Chief Bob, any in the office still :) (Posted by Lorna) **** (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 -TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0820) Detron loaded all the information he had on his PADD to the Holodeck computer. He instructed the computer to compile an analysis program on all the theories to determine any connections between them. He asked the computer how long it will take to set up the program and the computer said 1 hour. Detron went to QV(Ten Forward) until the program was ready. (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Edward) **** (USS /Boudicca - /Main Science Lab - ACSO Deston - 0820) Carl powered down the containment field, downloaded the data to his PADD, and picked up the 'bicycle pump'. Actually, bicycle pump, sans quotes: it was, to all tests, either an authentic item, or a functional reproduction. It was not a pseudo-persistent holo- artifact, which had been proven out by it's survival in an isolated containment field. It was also not an antique: while of a quaint design, it was composed of modern materials. Most likely, even disregarding the circumstances of it's appearance, it had been created by normal replicator tech, as were most manufactured items on board the ship (or anywhere throughout the Federation, for that matter). As he made his way back to the CEO's office, Deston browsed the list he'd made on his PADD, reorganizing and notating it. The test results were, perhaps, discouraging; they certainly didn't prove very much. But they did /disprove/ a number of things, and that was just as important, especially when considered against the background of Starfleet experience. Strangeness was far too common to discount without proof. No chronal signatures: not transported via known temporal displacement methods. No quantum displacement or subspace signatures: not transported via any known forms of transporter technology. No other abnormal radiation: not exposed to abnormal radiations. Yeah. No atomic lattice breakdown: not old - on the order of over a hundred years, at least. No distinguishing physical marks: bearing only the minute, natural wear and organic deposits (body oils, skin cells) left by the physical handling of the object by Lebranski, Lorimar and Deston; therefore, in conjunction with the previous notation, brand-new, recently created. Persistent in complete isolation from any and all forms of holo- matrix reproduction: not holomatter. As he walked, Deston reviewed his whole list. There was the meager data from his own two experiences: Last night: an apparent holographic entertainment scene briefly played out in his quarters; the failure of the computer to log his complaint; the failure of the computer to actually shut down the holoemitters despite his command; the disappearance of the entertainment shortly after the afore- mentioned command. And this morning: the unusual number of 'crewmen' in the corridors; the 'flash crowd' at the turbolift; the jam-packed turbolift; the turbolifts' failure to behave as a crowded turbolift should; the sudden disappearance of the 'flash crowd'. Also of note: the complete lack of interaction in both situations - except for the one female 'crewman' who had given the most minimal acknowledgment of his existence. And in the latter case, Deston was pretty sure he'd been subconsciously aware of a lack of normal organic sounds - breathing and the like - that a crowd of actual living beings would have made. A third-tier datum at best, as it could not be substantiated. However, Yeoman Shadow's olfactory data with /her/ encounter lent substance to his suspicion. More: each and every encounter reported so far had been based, or could easily have been based, on files in the ship's library. Most had been short set-scenes, but several had been interactive variants, which meant a small but significant increase in processing power should have been utilized to allow for the interaction. However, his cursory check had revealed no increased computer cycles during the times reported. /That/ bit of data had set some alarms off in Deston's head. Things were shaping up to be rather more interesting than he'd thought. (CEO's Office - 0825 or so) Deston walked in. "Here's your bicycle pump back, lieutenant," he said, handing it to Lebranski. "What I have so far is a bunch of negative information, which you can all see for yourself in your copies of of the data I've just passed to your PADDs. Chief, you asked me for my theories. I no longer put any credence to the dream theory. Nor do I think it's merely a software glitch. The direction I'm leaning in now has more to do with conscious direction, than some kind of accident." (Reply any) (Posted by John O'Neill) ****** (USS Boudicca - CEO's Office - Lebranski, Rameriz - 0826) Denise was sitting on Bob's desk reading PADDs when the scientist came back. She could work from pretty much anywhere and was having much too much fun tormenting the chief engineer to move elsewhere. "Becoming a good commander,and organizer.. you'll put me out of work," she'd said in various incantations. "Here's your bicycle pump back, lieutenant," the scientist said, handing it over to her. She looked at it and wondered what she was supposed to do with it and handed it to the engineer who seemed to have the slightest idea of what it was supposed to be used for. Deston continued, "What I have so far is a bunch of negative information, which you can all see for yourself in your copies of the data I've just passed to your PADDs. Chief, you asked me for my theories. I no longer put any credence to the dream theory. Nor do I think it's merely a software glitch. The direction I'm leaning in now has more to do with conscious direction, than some kind of accident." "I will confess, I was thinking practical joke when the pirate wenches re-appeared. Their first appearance all those months ago did seem more practical joke than holo-glitch," She swung a booted foot back and forth thoughtfully, "But.. This seems awfully coordinated and well hidden for a practical joker. Am I wrong? I don't know the higher programming arts.. But.." She chewed on her lip, "If someone blocked Rameriz's access.. is it possible they did it to hide their activities and not just because he's an obnoxious little bastard?" (Replies those still around :) (Posted by Lorna) ****** (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0925) Detron stepped in front of the computer panel and asked if the program was ready. The computer responded, "program ready." Detron pressed the button to open the doors and entered. He found an elaborate layout of all the reported incidents with some connections made between them. The connections were not conclusive enough to give establish a solid theory of what is going on. So Detron tapped his Comm Badge. ^= Trei to Crew come to holodeck 1 with your theories on the incidents now if possible. Trei out.^= (Reply any) (Posted by Edward) ******* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 2 - 0926) =^= Trei to Crew come to holodeck 1 with your theories on the incidents now if possible. Trei out. =^= Stolev stood up from the command chair. "On my way, Lieutenant," he replied. As he made his way up to the turbolit he glanced at the ready room doors, which had been closed ever since the Captain had entered the bridge and headed straight for them this morning. So far this morning had been relatively quiet, except for Louis calling excitedly to inform him that someone named Ted Williams had been in his quarters when he woke up this morning. (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 - FO Stolev - Day 2 - 0928) Stolev walked into the holodeck and looked around at the visual map of clues and evidence gathered thus far. So far, it seemed that every experience reported by the crew involved a character or group of characters from a holodeck program -- some literary, some from popular culture, and some historical. However, a diagnostic had shown no problems with the holoemitters, and in fact it showed no evidence of any usage of the system that would account for the various characters showing up throughout the ship. As he watched others arrive in the holodeck, Stolev considered the possibilities. His thoughts were on his conversation with Macbeth in his quarters late last night, and he was wondering if there might be some alien life form on the ship, interacting with them somehow via holodeck characters. If that were the case, perhaps the internal sensors would contain some clues. "Lieutenant, have you looked beyond the holoemitter system? Are there any anomolies reported by any of the ship's internal sensors, or perhaps a crewman who performed an active scan of one of these... visitors, either with a tricorder or with the ship's sensors?" (reply Trei, any present) (posted by Aaron) ****** (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0930) Detron saw Stolev walk in the Holodeck looking around at the visual clues. He asked Detron if anybody ran a tricorder scan on the characters seen. Detron walked over to Stolev. "No sir. I have no reports of tricorder scans of the anomalies. If you wish to do that, that will be appreciated. Do you have a theory on what is happening Alex?" (Reply Stolev) (Posted by Edward) ******* (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 2 - 0931) "Lieutenant, have you looked beyond the holoemitter system?" asked Stolev. "Are there any anomalies reported by any of the ship's internal sensors, or perhaps a crewman who performed an active scan of one of these... visitors, either with a tricorder or with the ship's sensors?" "No sir. I have no reports of tricorder scans of the anomalies," replied Trei. "If you wish to do that, that will be appreciated. Do you have a theory on what is happening Alex?" Stolev raised an eyebrow at Trei's informal manner of address- ing him, but before he could respond, the characters dispersed through the room stirred from their stasis and began moving around the holodeck. The hologram of Macbeth approached Stolev and bowed formally. "Commander Stolev, I believe? I sincerely regret any inconvenience we may have caused you." Stolev regarded the hologram -- if that was indeed what it was -- warily. "Who are you, and what are you doing on this ship?" he asked. Macbeth smiled. "I... and all of us... are of a different order of being. We exist in a dimensional plane beyond your under- standing. However, your primitive corporeal lives intrigue us... especially how you utilize this technology to create lifelike beings from energy." He placed a finger to his chin thoughtfully. "I believe that description would be the closest to our truth that your limited ability to understand would allow." "So why have you chosen us for your... experiment?" Macbeth shrugged. "I admit it was an issue of convenience. A portal -- undetectable to your science of course -- exists nearby between your dimension and our own. Occasionally when we detect a ship of your kind passing by, we take the opportunity to study and learn. Your ship presented just such an opportunity." Stolev frowned. "And how much longer do you plan to study us?" Macbeth laughed heartily. "My dear boy, we have been studying you for some time now, and have only just recently begun our final phase of study: the interactive phase. We used your holodeck database to assume appropriate forms with which to interact with you. That phase is now complete, so we will leave you to your travels." "But..." was all Stolev managed before Macbeth, and in fact all of the holographic characters in the room, disappeared, leaving Stolev and Trei standing alone in an empty holodeck. Stolev looked at Trei for a moment before tapping his comm badge. "Bridge, this is Stolev. Cancel level one diagnostic of the holo- emitters, and resume our previous course." (reply Orion/Yalix, Trei, any) (posted by Aaron) ******* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Con/Ops Ensign(sg) Micheal Orion - Day 2 - 0935) For Orion it was another day, and another shift. Oh he heard about the strange anomalies running a muck around the ship. Just none of them made themselves known to the young ensign. Which he was more than thankful for. SO he did what he needed to do. while the science department had their collective hands full. Orion kept the ship in position and watched the stars on the view screen. He was humming a small tune, when he heard the now familiar beep of his comm badge =/\= Bridge, this is Stolev. Cancel level one diagnostic of the holoemitters, and resume our previous course. =/\= Orion hands moved deftly over the controls, as he hit his comm badge. "Aye sir." was the simple enough reply. In a matter of moments the ship was in motion along the last set course. Once the course was established Orion inputted the commands into that would take to ship its cursing warp speed. The Boudicca responded smooth and gracefully has it entered warp leaving streaming stars in their wake. Orion had only been on the Boudicca for a short while and he already had witnessed and heard so many far fetched tales that he had to wonder what would they run into next. (posted by Matthew Locke) (reply none needed) ******* (USS Boudicca, cargo bay three, AOPS, Lt. Tollian Yalix- Day 2 - 0945) Tollian had been very busy this morning. It had been more hectic than usual, with the completion of the refit, and the Assistant Operations Chief was more than glad to finally stretch his legs after a couple of hours sitting at his desk in the operations department. That didn't mean that he didn't have work to do, yet. Far from it, In fact, he made his way through the ship to cargo bay three, which was currently listed as empty on the manifest. This was slightly confusing to him, as he had just ordered some materials stored there the day prior. The inventory sheet had been checked and signed off on, indicating that yesterday everything was where it should be, but this morning, when he ran the reports a second time, he noticed the discrepancy. Unable to get a reasonable answer from his staff, he had decided to take a look himself. The doors to the cargo bay opened and Tollian strode into the empty compartment with a frown on his face. There were only few areas aboard ship where you could store a bulk of materials such as had been in the cargo bay yesterday. Without realizing it, he had walked a few meters into the compart- ment as if doing so would allow him to somehow change his perception of the situation. This was not the case, but before Tollian could turn around, the lights went out in the cargo bay for a moment. When they came back up, it was a very different place. The setting was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was as if time had been rewound back to the seventeenth or early 18th century on earth. The entire compartment seemed to have taken on the same level of detail as a full fledged Holodeck. There was a large church-like structure, complete with a crumbling cemetery and a hillock which was currently being used by what appeared to be a goat herder and his flock. The ceiling of the compartment was shrouded with an image that vaguely resembled a sky at early morning, although it was translucent and not as detailed. In the distance a cock crowed signaling that it was very early and not very late. Tollian tapped his commbadge, but there was no acknowledging chirp. He turned to head for the door. It was thinly veiled behind a trans- lucent wall of the church like building. It did not open when he approached it. "Computer, open the inner door to cargo bay three." he ordered aloud. There was no response at first, but then a soft building dramatic music began to play and a rich vibrant voice spoke in narration, "The hour having come, they went with their four lackeys to a spot behind the Luxembourg given up to the feeding of goats." Tollian turned as a group of men suddenly appeared. Unlike the rest of the scene, they seemed much more real and Opaque. One of the men approached the goat keeper that Tollian had noticed earlier, on the hillock, and threw him what appeared to be a shining gold coin. Quickly the man, directed his flock elsewhere, and disap- peared as he left the scene. Of the men, some seemed to be told to stay behind, as only four of the party moved forward. Tollian couldn't help himself. It was apparent that whatever was happening here was beyond his control to prevent, and so he moved towards the small enclosure once occupied by the goat keeper to see where this story was going, in the hopes of figuring out exactly what was happening. He didn't have long to wait. A second group of men arrived, some on horses and a pair in a carriage. They dismounted or disembarked in silence and joined the first four men in the enclosure. Tollian regarded them. Of the first to arrive, they were dressed in a very loose flowing, poetic clothing, similar to those that the away team had worn when they had visited Iradon. These men were toughened, somehow. Perhaps warriors of a sort, because they looked as if they had seen rough days in their lives. The second group of men, however, were of a different cut of cloth. They wore finer looking clothing, although of a similar style. They looked and seemed aristocratic. The one thing that all these men had in common was that they were armed. The narrator spoke again, " A silent party soon drew near to the same enclosure, entered, and joined the Musketeers. Then, according to foreign custom, the presentations took place. The Englishmen were all men of rank; consequently the odd names of their adversaries were for them not only a matter of surprise, but of annoyance." One of the 'Englishmen' stepped forward and spoke. He seemed the most noble of them all. "But after all, we do not know who you are. We cannot fight with such names; they are names of shepherds." "Therefore your lordship may suppose they are only assumed names," Replied one of the men, whom had arrived first. "Which only gives us a greater desire to know the real ones," replied the Englishman. "You played very willingly with us without knowing our names," said the same man, "by the same token that you won our horses." "That is true, but we then only risked our pistoles; this time we risk our blood. One plays with anybody; but one fights only with equals." "And that is but just," replied the rougher cut man again. The Narrator's voice sounded again, "and he took aside the one of the four Englishmen with whom he was to fight, and communicated his name in a low voice. Two of the other three roughly dressed men did the same. "Does that satisfy you?" he said to his adversary. "Do you find me of sufficient rank to do me the honor of crossing swords with me?" "Yes, monsieur," said the Englishman, bowing. "Well! now shall I tell you something?" he added coolly. "What?" replied the Englishman. "Why, that is that you would have acted much more wisely if you had not required me to make myself known." he asked. "Why so?" "Because I am believed to be dead, and have reasons for wishing nobody to know I am living; so that I shall be obliged to kill you to prevent my secret from roaming over the fields." The Englishman looked at the man who had spoken. It seemed to Tollian that he believed that his opponent jested, although Tollian did not get the impression that the man was joking. "Gentlemen," said the rough-dressed man, addressing at the same time his companions and their adversaries, "are we ready?" "Yes!" answered the Englishmen and the Frenchmen, as with one voice. "On guard, then!" he cried as they all drew their swords. Immediately eight swords glittered in the rays of the setting sun, and the combat began with an animosity very natural between men twice enemies. The vocal man fenced with as much calmness and method as if he had been practicing in a fencing school. One of his companions, played with skill and prudence, while another behaved like a man in haste. The vocal man killed his adversary first. He hit him but once, but as he had foretold, that hit was a mortal one; the sword pierced his heart. Second, the prudent man stretched his opponent upon the grass with a wound through his thigh, As the Englishman, without making any further resistance, then surrendered his sword, he took him up in his arms and bore him to his carriage. The Hasty man pushed his opponent so vigorously that after going back fifty paces, the man ended by fairly taking to his heels, and disappeared amid the hooting of the lackeys standing by the carriage. As to the fourth roughly -dressed man, he fought purely and simply on the defensive; and when he saw his adversary pretty well fatigued, with a vigorous side thrust sent his sword flying. The English baron, finding himself disarmed, took two or three steps back, but in this movement his foot slipped and he fell backward. The Frenchman was over him at a bound, and said to him, pointing his sword to his throat, "I could kill you, my Lord, you are completely in my hands; but I spare your life for the sake of your sister." The Frenchman seemed to be at the height of joy; he had realized the plan he had imagined beforehand, whose picturing had produced the smiles we noted upon his face. The Englishman, delighted at having to do with a gentleman of such a kind disposition, pressed his opponent in his arms, and paid a thousand compliments to his three companions, and as the Prudent man's adversary was already installed in the carriage, and as the Hasty man's opponent had taken to his heels, they had nothing to think about but the dead. As two of the victors were undressing the dead man, in the hope of finding his wound not mortal, a large purse dropped from his clothes. The forgiving Frenchman picked it up and offered it to his opponent, the baron. "What the devil would you have me do with that?" asked the Englishman. "You can restore it to his family," said the man as he held the purse out to him. "His family will care much about such a trifle as that! His family will inherit fifteen thousand Louis a year from him. Keep the purse for your lackeys." The Frenchman put the purse into his pocket. "And now, my young friend, for you will permit me, I hope, to give you that name," said the Englishman, "on this very evening, if agreeable to you, I will present you to my sister, Milady Clarik, for I am desirous that she should take you into her good graces; and as she is not in bad odor at court, she may perhaps on some future day speak a word that will not prove useless to you." The Frenchman blushed with pleasure, and bowed a sign of assent. At this time the more vocal of the Frenchmen came up to his companion. "What do you mean to do with that purse?" whispered he. "Why, I meant to pass it over to you, my dear Athos." "Me! why to me?" "Why, you killed him! They are the spoils of victory." "I, the heir of an enemy!" said Athos; "for whom, then, do you take me?" "It is the custom in war," replied his companion, "why should it not be the custom in a duel?" "Even on the field of battle, I have never done that." "Then, let us give the money to the lackeys, as Lord de Winter desired us to do." "Yes," said Athos; "let us give the money to the lackeys--not to our lackeys, but to the lackeys of the Englishmen." Athos took the purse, and threw it into the hand of the coachman. "For you and your comrades." Tollian had taken in the entirety of the scene, just as confused as he had been at it's outset. It was apparent that this image was a piece of fictional work. How else could men who just a few moments earlier had been killing each other suddenly become friends and allies? As the scene faded and the empty compartment returned to normal, Tollian couldn't help but wonder if there was some sort of message in the scene that he had just witnessed intended somehow for him, personally. With a shake of his head, he tapped his commbadge, forgetting that a moment ago it had not been working. "Yalix to Chief Lorimar," he said once the device had acknowledged him. (reply Lorimar) Daniel Greene with serious editing of the original work, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, by Alexandre Dumas ****** (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 1 - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1000) Detron was talking to Stolev then saw all the visual clues spin around the room. The clues then vanished leaving a blank room with no running program. Detron shot Stolev a surprised expression then commenced to wrap up his investigation. He made some notes on his PADD then dismissed the crew to their normal duty operations. "The investigation is over. You are dismissed." ~That should cover any confusion problems.~ (Reply none) (Posted by Edward) ****** (USS Boudicca - QV - Scrooge - 1000) Scrooge finished his tea and scones at a leisurely pace. With his kind leaving the ship to the portal, Scrooge got up from his seat at the bar. Scrooge waved at Ariana as he vanished from sight. He thoroughly enjoyed the company he encountered on the ship in the short time he had in observation. As in the immortal words of Charles Dickens Scrooge said. "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." Scrooge added, "And a good time was had by all." (Reply none) (Posted by Edward) ****** (USS Boudicca - Auxiliary Engineering Lab- ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2- 1125) Mathew sat at his desk singing softly as he worked on a redesign of a Plasma Relay switch for the Boudicca's tertiary impulse reactor. The unit seemed to require overhaul much more frequently than it should and, that was regardless of the frequency at which the component had been cycled with new parts. "I was blue, just as blue as I could be," "Every day was a cloudy day for me," "Then good luck came a-knocking at my door" "Skies were gray but they're not gray anymore" "Blue skies..." "Smiling at me..." "Nothing but blue skies..." "Do I see..." "Bluebirds..." "Singing a song..." "Nothing but bluebirds..." "All day long..." "Never saw the sun shining so bright," "Never saw things going so right," "Noticing the days hurrying by," "When you're in love, my how they fly," "Blue days..." "All of them gone..." "Nothing but blue skies..." "From now on..." The song transformed itself into a hum as Matthew began to concentrate on the heat invertors and the submicronmagnetic retention bands, in the component. "Well isn't that just a kick in the head." he said as he pulled a badly burned constrictor coil from the assembly. "Looks like we may have a bigger problem than I thought." NRPG: Blue Skies by Irving Berlin 1923 originally written for the Jazz Singer. (reply any or none) Daniel Greene ========================================== ========================================== Mission: Where Fools Fear to Tread Day 1 Stardate: 2408.11.21 ========================================== ========================================== (USS Boudicca, ACSO's Office - Ensign Ayslin Rel - 0859) Ayslin sipped her coffee without paying it much mind, he focus glued to the reports she was going over. Her breakfast sat forgotten and half eaten on the far corner of her desk, and her hair hung loose over her shoulders and covering the spots that ran down her neck, yet to be put up into a pony tail or braid for the work day. On top of all of the paperwork that came with the job, she was still trying to finalize her work on quantum interactions of a warp field on the surrounding dark matter at high warp. Theoretically, she thought, it would be possible for a ship to ride along in the current caused by passing warp fields, that pushed and disturbed the local dark matter with via it's warp field. She was hoping to get someone from the Dyson institute to put some buoys along the major trade routes between Vulcan and Earth, and monitor the flow of Dark Matter. It might not be possible to actually achieve warp, but if you could establish a static warp shell around an object and allow it's mass to reach near zero, it might be possible to approach near the speed of light. =/\=Stolev to senior staff. There will be a mission briefing in the Observation Lounge at 1000 hours. Please plan to attend.=/\= Ayslin nearly jumped out of her skin and only just managed to stifle a surprised yelp. Taking a deep breath she confirmed receipt of the order and went back to work after setting an alarm to remind her at 0945. (Posted by Patrick D.) ****** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 1 - 0900) Stolev emerged from the captain's ready room with PADD in hand and a spring in his step. Not only had they received new orders, but Captain Rivers had asked Stolev to handle the briefing of the senior staff himself, as she was stuck in some sort of subspace CO conference. Not only was he looking forward to the opportunity to brief the staff, but the mission itself was sure to be interesting and exciting -- first contact with a newly discovered space-faring race. "Mr. Orion, change course to 218 mark 35, warp six." (reply Orion) Stolev then sat down in the command chair and tapped his comm badge. "Stolev to senior staff. There will be a mission briefing in the Observation Lounge at 1000 hours. Please plan to attend." (Posted by Patrick D.) ***** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Con/ Ops Ensign (sg) Micheal Orion - Day1 - 0903) Orion watched as the FO walked from the captain's office with a spring in his step, he smiled at the FO's happiness. "Mr. Orion, change course to 218 mark 35, warp six." The FO turned to toward the young ensign. " Aye sir. " Of course was Orion's response, in fact it seemed to be all he said aloud any more after the mission where they had met Loqi. Orion was from a different classification of thought and he knew it. Not one of science and the physical. But rather he believed in his feelings, the metaphysical; of spirits, magic, and forces unseen. Again his hands moved across the console in front of him, hearing the familuar beeps, and chimes of the new course being set into the navigation computer. All the while the boudicca came to life under his commands has the ship corrected to her new corse and made the jump to warp six. (reply ALL) (posted by Aaron) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CEO Lorimar - 0945) Bob Lorimar had arrived a bit earlier -- quite a bit earlier in fact -- than his usual time for a mission briefing. Much to his great surprise, he was the first to arrive. ~Unless ah'm in the wrong bloody room... that would nae be the first time for that now would it?~ He smiled to himself and walked over to the replicator. Reward- ing himself for no particular reason, he ordered and received a large container of 'Iced Cappuccino'. He'd first tried it during his counseling sessions with Lt. Cmdr. 'cha Nooras, and he had taken quite a liking to it. Almost as much as his regular beverage of choice, hot coffee. Nothing could beat a good single malt of course... but that would be a highly inappropriate choice for a staff meeting... He took his beverage and PADD toward the windows and watched in awe as the star field slid by. ~Warp six or so... fae the look o' it.~ He felt the subtle movement and vibrancy of the ship beneath his feet. No wind, no water... but an engineer could feel it. So could, he supposed, anyone attuned and paying close attention. Bob *felt* every change and nuance and maneuver. She was a part of him, he a part of her, and they had been so for quite a long time now. He didn't consciously consider any of this of course... he might think himself crazy. But deep down, he *knew*. And he was very, very pleased about it. He took another pull of his drink as he thumbed through some notes on his PADD. He never quite took his eyes from the stars though. ~Ah wonder if ah might get away wie puttin' some view ports in engineering?~ His own ghostly reflected image stared back at him happily as he waited for the others to arrive. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Con/ Ops Ensign (sg) Micheal Orion - Day1 - 0945.5) Orion entered the Observation Lounge with little to no one present. He liked to be early to such things. Better pick of the chairs he would tell anyone who would ask him. Orion moved to one side of the observation lounge and looked out over the stars they were on the fringe of federation space. An in area all to real to him, looking out over the vastness of space he couldn't keep himself from wondering at how close the Boudicca was to the rumored coordinates to where Orion lost all he loved. The truth be told Orion liked being early to such meetings because it gave him a chance to let his mind wonder, and not have to worry about the mass array of other voices belonging to the minds of the rest of the crew. Some- times being a telepath had it draw backs. So he waited and stared to the stars until others began to arrive. Then it would be the time for greetings and small talk. (posted by Matthew Locke) (reply none need) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Con/Ops Ensign (sg) Micheal Orion- 0946) Bob half turned as the doors swished open, and he saw the young CONN officer enter. Bob gave a friendly nod and smile. "Guid mornin' tae ye Mister Orion." " As well as the fates may allow sir, and you how do the fates find you this day?" Orion relied, he knew it was probably not the kind of reply the Lieutenant was expecting and Orion waited for a moment to see how he was going to react before he went to looking out over the stars again. He watched in the reflection of the window has Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras entered the room. He turned briefly "Good morn, and may the fates find you well." Orion spoke in greeting and kind tones. And right on the commanders heels entered Ensign Ayslin Rel. Orion turned to her nodded in greeting "Greetings and Salutations." (reply Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras and Ensign Ayslin Rel) He moved to his chosen seat near the middle of the table on the right hand side. He liked being in this area it allowed him to see everyone and more importantly hear everyone clearly. After a few moments a few more people entered and soon after that the FO entered and Orion waited for the meeting to start. (posted by Matthew Locke) (reply mentioned) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 0947) The meeting wasn't due to start until 1000 hours but as usual Dorga had chosen to arrive far earlier than necessary, as she utilized the waiting time to catch up on some PADD work and people watch. Sitting at the table observing while the other officers arrived was a good way to determine their states of mind. As she strode in, she was mildly surprised to see that Bob Lorimar was already there as was Ensign Orion, as frequently she was the first to arrive. She gave them a pleasant smile and greeted them verbally as she helped herself to some iced cappuccino at the replicator, before she sat down to the left of the head of the table, sucked up a mouthful of the delicious beverage through the straw and then activated a PADD she had brought along that had a half finished report she was making on a crew member who had recently begun therapy sessions with her. As each new arrival came in she would look up and nod her normal once, smile and then return her attention back to the PADD with occasional pauses to chat briefly. At 0955 she looked up to see the FO enter without the CO, and as Cdr. Stolev took the head seat at her right, she correctly determined that something had come up to keep Susan from attending. She gave him a nod and a smile, noting that he appeared to be in high spirits and put her PADD away, replacing it with a blank one to take notes of any pertinent information. (reply Any) (posted by Sal) ***** (USS Boudicca, Observation lounge - ASCO Ensign Ayslin Rel - 0948) Ayslin walked into the observation lounge at a relaxed pace and looked around. She wasn't the first there and it looked as if she had arrived just after the Second Officer. Setting her coffee down at an empty seat by the table she headed for the windows and over to the Chief Engineer. "Good Morning Lieutenant," Ayslin said with a friendly smile as she quickly and deftly pulled her long red hair back into a loose pony tail and out of her face. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CEO Lorimar - 0948.5) Bob was not easily distracted, but his mind was not really focused on any one thing in particular... he was processing information along several threads at once. None of which ruined his enjoyment of the moving star field outside the view ports however. He half turned as the doors swished open, and he saw the young CONN officer enter. Bob gave a friendly nod and smile. "Guid mornin' tae ye Mister Orion." (Reply Orion iyw) Next to file in was the ships' Second officer, and his 'therapist'. Thanks to Dorga 'cha Nooras, he was much of his old self again. It had taken some time and a great deal of effort on both their parts; but as a result he was healing... and was well on the way to being his old self once again. He nodded politely and smiled at her as she entered, giving his container of cappuccino a tap with his index finger as if to say 'thanks for showing me this'. (Reply 2O iyw) He had mostly returned his attention to the view and the notes on his PADD when he felt another presence approach. He could hardly fail to notice her friendly smile and greeting; the pleasantly distract- ing visual of red hair was icing on the cake, so to speak. He returned her smile and gave her his full attention, remembering their prior conversation regarding formality based upon circumstance. ~Let me see if ah can get this one right withoot stepping on mah words...~ "Guid Mornin' tae ye Ensign Rel... how are ye fairing?" (Reply Rel iyw, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ***** (USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign Ayslin Rel - 0949) "Good Morning Lieutenant," Ayslin said with a friendly smile as she quickly and deftly pulled her long red hair back into a loose pony tail and out of her face. "Guid Mornin' tae ye Ensign Rel... how are ye fairing?" He said, returning her smile with one of his own. "Besides the paper work that apparently comes with the job, fairly well. I think I'm pretty much settled in after the last few weeks. Walls are still a little bare, need to find some paintings to put up, or some prints maybe," Ayslin said with a shrug and a smile. "Good problems to have I guess. I trust engineering has been treating you well? I know it's been a bit since we've sat down and talked." (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Patrick D.) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 0949.5) The 2O had stated that indeed she was very well, thank you, to Ensign Orion's question and had given a nod and smile to the CEO to acknowledge his signed appreciation, for the delicious beverage she had introduced him to during their initial counseling session. She silently raised her own iced cappuccino in salute and drank some, her smile growing when she saw Ensign Ayslin Rel enter and approach Lorimar to engage him in conversation. Dorga couldn't help but wonder if it was possible that there might be a blossoming romance because she got a feeling that the young woman might be interested in the CEO. Shortly after, Ensign Deston joined the couple and they talked quietly together while Dorga read the information on her PADD and more officers arrived. She gave Detron Trei a nod as he waved at her and couldn't help but note that Tollian Yalix appeared to be anxious when he arrived after Stolev as he fumbled around with his PADD. "My Apologies, Commander. I seem to have been delayed longer than expected." Yalix stated. Dorga gave him a smile of reassurance, after all the Efrosian AOPS wasn't late for the meeting, there was still a couple of minutes to go. She glanced up at the chronometer. ~ Make that 1 minute 35 seconds. ~ She couldn't help but wonder if there would be late comers, and for what reason the meeting had been called. Hopefully they were going to be sent on another exploration mission. (reply none necessary) (posted by Sal) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston - Day 1 - 0955) Deston entered the OL ten minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start, and was a bit disappointed to see he hadn't arrived early enough to get his favorite seat near the Lloobee touch-sculpture. Not a deal- breaker, though; there was an open seat next to both the Chief Engineer and his heaven-sent counterpart in Sciences, Ensign Rel (diverter of paperwork and preventer of proto-headaches; managing the department had stopped it's nigh-inexorable creep towards being a nightmare and had actually become pleasant, thanks to her invaluable efforts). He acknowledged such greetings as were made as he sidled around the table and claimed his perch. "Good morning, Chief Lorimar; you're looking well. Good morning, Ensign Rel; how are you today?" (reply Lorimar, Rel) A few minutes of small talk were abruptly ended as Commander Stolev - who had called the meeting - entered the room, and sat down. His demeanor indicated that, though he'd arrived almost five minutes early, the meeting itself had not yet been officially convened. Still, prudence dictated that watchful caution would be in order, and Deston quieted down, keeping an eye on the Commander while he made some notations in his PADD. (reply any) (posted by John O'Neill) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - FO Commander Stolev - Day 1 - 0955) Since he would be running the briefing, Stolev figured that he ought not stroll in as the clock chimed for the start of the meeting, so he made a point of arriving a few minutes early. He nodded in greeting to those who were already there and took the Captain's usual seat at the head of the table and waited for the rest of the staff to arrive. (reply ALL) (posted by Aaron) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0955.5) Detron walked into the Observation Lounge and placed his PADD near the front of the table. He went to the replicator and ordered Earl Gray Hot with lemon plus a strawberry scone . He took his tea and scone to his seat and sat down looking over the room in the process. He waved to Dorga and Stolev. He waited for the meeting to begin. (Reply Dorga, Stolev iyw) (Posted by Edward) ***** (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - AOPS Lieutenant Tollian Yalix - Day 1 - 0958) Tollian was late. Well not late, but he was later than he liked to be. He had left his office in plenty of time to make it to the briefing on time, yet somehow, he had been stopped by several Operations department personnel that all required immediate answers to problems that could have waited. Yalix realized that the relative importance of a given thing was a relative matter. The person to whom it mattered most would find it very important, while those to whom it did not matter, would not. It just so happened that in this particular series of encounters that Tollian did not find the questions nearly as pressing or urgent as those that had asked them. Still he could not simply dismiss them out of hand. He had answered each one, which is how he had come to be not quite, but almost late getting to the briefing. As the doors slid open, he couldn't help but notice that the majority, if not the entirety, of the senior command staff was present already. This observation simply compounded his anxiety with being nearly late and caused him to quickly take a chair. He fumbled around with his PADD, setting it on the table in front of him. He then addressed the commander. "My Apologies, Commander. I seem to have been delayed longer than expected." (reply Stolev, Any) Daniel Greene ****** (Shonora Ellian, Command Deck - Marshal, Torias Wersh - 1000) Torias sat in the center of the command deck, reading over the re-supply summary reports. He leaned forward in his chair, his deep brown wings twitching randomly. Torias was a tall man, but not large in the way others of his caste ended up after years of physical work, he was slender down to the tip of his fingers which greatly helped when messing about with circuit boards and the internals of a computer system. Not that he had much chance to put those skills to the test lately. When he'd simply been the Chief engineer with Shonora Morrin, and even sometime a few years back when he'd been Ellian's Vice Marshal, he'd been able to muck about with his computers as much as he wanted. Now that he was the Marshal, he spent his days reading reports and giving orders, the closest he got to actually programming a computer or working on it's guts was with his own personal set up in his quarters. Torias's dark hair matched his wings except where is was beginning to gray. He had large light emerald green eyes contrasted with his dark skin. His uniform was a light brown shot through with threads of copper, gold and silver in intricate patterns. He was pulled out of his thoughts by the call from his communications officer, alerting him to a incoming call from the Exploration and Defence Command headquarters. Torias stood up and quickly settled his winged down his back, pulling his uniform shirt down to smooth out the wrinkles. "Go ahead and put him through," he told the Comm officer. The face that appeared on the screen was old and lined, what was left of his hair was white and thin. He wore a blue uniform and coat suitable for working in a lab, although Torias doubted the man had set foot in a lab in the last dozen years other than to chew out an intern. Fleet Marshal Elrin Yentarin, sorry, Fleet Marshal, Doctor Elrin Tentarin, was in charge of all Medical and Scientific mission asigned to SEAD. The man took his job seriously, to the point of there being rumors that he had once made the Marshal in charge of a Medical crew have a nervous breakdown because the poor man mis- placed a comma in a report. Most Mithgiln took pride in doing as good a job as possible, but some Scholars took it a hair too far in Torias's opinion. "Good Morning, Fleet Marshal, how can we be of service?" Torias asked, his back straight, his hand clasped behind him. "Good Morning Marshal Wersh, I have new orders for you. You have been assigned as lead ship in a Medical aid mission to Dentanis 3. Reports indicate that there is a plague brewing and they're going to need significant medical assistance. We're currently organizing medical ships to be dispatched as soon as possible, but until we can get them organized, you're going on ahead to begin the process. We're expediting medical supplies and a few more medical personnel to you now to cover the major population areas until the rest of the aid mission arrives. My office is forwarding on all pertinent reports and files as we speak. My reports say you're Senior Guardian will be returning by this evening. Once she's aboard and final flight checks are complete, proceed to Dentanis 3. While this isn't an emergency yet, try not to dawdle. Any questions, Marshal Wersh?" "No, sir, I'll have my Medical officer contact your office after he reviews the reports if he has any questions." "Good, SEAD Out." The elder Scholar said, before cutting the link from his end. Torias sat back down in his chair, and gathered his thoughts before giving out new orders. "Operations alert the cargo crew to prepare for new fragile cargo, and assign quarters to the temporary officers once they arrive. Communications, transfer all medical and science related files to their respective departments and alert me as soon as we have a solid arrival time for Guardian Tenshi, and ask the other guardians to get Ellian's opinion on all of this," Torias said, standing up when he finished. "I'll be in my office if I'm needed before then, then turned and walked away towards his office. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick D.) ****** (Shonora Ellian, Outer Decks - Senior Guardian Rennia Tenshi - 1730) Rennia strolled down the hall, her fingers trailing along the wall to she went. She moved without a hurry, her eyes taking in all the sights and sounds. She always did this tour whenever she'd been away from Ellian for a decent length of time. It wasn't that she didn't trust the other guardians, it was just part of her coming home. The rest of the crew gave her space as they passed around her, focused on their own tasks, and leaving the Guardian to hers. Rennia was barely five feet tall, her green, tailored robes showed off her slender frame and matched her dark green wings well. She was one of the smaller members of the crew, but her duties didn't require size. Her dark, garnet colored eyes stood in contrast to her almost white blond hair and pale skin. As much as she loved visiting her family it was always a relief coming home to Ellian. Everything seemed more familiar, more safe. The feel of the deck, the ambient noise, the smells, everything made Ellian feel like home. And then there was her dear friend Ellian himself. As with nearly every Shonora and Guardian, Rennia and Ellian became fast friends. She spent hours talking to him, and she'd been in such close contact with him for so long that even without the aid of the podium on the bridge that amplified her telepathic abilities, she could still feel Ellian somewhere in the distance. It was like knowing your spouse was home but in another room of the house, you can't here them but you still know they're there. (Shonora Ellian, Command Deck - Senior Guardian Rennia Tenshi and Ellian - 1800) And so she walked eyes half closed as she made her way to the command deck. When she got there she received a few smiles welcoming her back, while others barely even noticed she'd arrived, their attention never wavering from their tasks. She took the two steps up to the raised podium, that was her official place on the Command Deck. It didn't look like much of anything, a simple raised platform no more than three feet in diameter, and surrounded on three sides by railings to keep her from falling off if and when the ship made any sudden movements. As she stepped onto the podium she closed her eyes and opened her mind. ::I'm back, Ellian:: She sent out to her friend. ::I know. Are you aware of just how slow you walk? I honestly don't understand how you people deal with being so small and slow.:: Came back the voice of her friend, who was playing at being grumpy, even if it was obvious to Rennia that it was just for show. ::Size and speed are what you're for. Besides, a nice walk is worth it sometimes.:: ::Whatever you say.:: He said, then changed the subject. ::Were you briefed on the mission?:: ::I got some of it, I assume you listened in on the call the Marshal got from Command?:: ::Yea, just an aid mission to Dentanis 3, I talked to Arris, she said we got the lead job because we were home when they finally made the decision to go help:: Ellian said. ::I honestly think she's getting bored being assigned to the Home fleet, She'll be much happier when she's rotated back into the exploration section.:: ::How long until we're ready to go?:: Rennia asked. ::Shouldn't be that long now that you're back, just some final checks and we're off. I don't think the two of us are going to have a lot to do.:: Ellian said with a mental shrug. He'd been working with SEAD for nearly his entire 200 years, he knew how to take a boring mission in stride. (Reply None Needed) (Posted by Patrick D.) ========================================== END OF TRANSMISSION ==========================================