Compile Index: Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Day 11 (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - WL Engineer Screwhead- 17:46) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 -ATac Ensign Ben Soma-1752) Day 12 (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, FO's Office - Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 0718) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck One, FO's Office - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0726) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0904) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - Crewman Morgan Randell- 0906) (USS Mithrandir, Personal Quarters, ATac Ensign sg Sanok, 0909) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0910) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 09:11) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - Crewman Morgan Randell- 0915) Day 14 (U.S.S. Mithrandir - CO's Quarters - Prime Director, Dak Osiris & Reyna Osiris - 2011) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 02, "Hard2Port" - ACEO and ACMO - Ensign, SG Lanista and Ensign, JG McGregor - 20:15) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - personal quarters - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:15) (USS. Mithrandir - Two Port - SPC Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 2030) (USS Mithrandir-A - Deck 2, Port, tach - ACEO EnsSG Lanista - 2031) (USS. Mithrandir - Two Port - Acmo Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2032) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Sickbay - CMO Dr Lewis Nymes - 21:00) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 02, "Hard2Port" - ACMO Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2205) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - CO's Quarters - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 2305) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate 2408.06.17 Day 11 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - WL Engineer Screwhead- 17:46) "Take your time, seems like we have a few months before we'll be parting company. Thank you for looking for the films as well as telling me the story about my parents." Screwhead shrugged. "Peppie was ....... It was a different time then. Not better, not worse, just different." Franklin fell silent and pondered as he took the first step on the steel stairs. "Much was different then," he continued as he climbed with some difficulty further upwards and sighed. "We're a dying breed, really. I should have stepped out when Peppie gave command to Leprechaun and retire. I am not too fond of Leprechaun's way of doing business but I guess times are changing. Peppie would never have gone for a skeleton like the Wanderlust." Franklin grunted. "The freighter crews don't even stick together anymore like we used to do in the past. Not enough time, just deliver your load and move on. The whole trade is changing. Making more money, less costs, faster, more cargo. Grandpeppie and Peppie never wanted to make money, they just considered that if they got enough from the trade to have a decent life, they were content. But not Leprechaun. He just wants to get more and more, and as a result he gets less and less. It will be a pleasure to find those films, Fleeterboy. Going through the footage will allow me to remember the good times. We now need to go a hundred meters to the right for the next staircase." Screwhead pointed in the direction and continued on his way, sighing softly. (reply Fleeterboy iyw, any) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 -ATac Ensign Ben Soma-1752) Ben listened as the blue dwarf talked about the old ways, it was something his father had mentioned a couple times. Years back freighter crews were much closer than they are now, but they still held that resentment towards outsiders that much never changed and he figured it never would. Freighter crews handled everything by themselves from repairs to solving disputes, they never seeked outside help for anything unless it was a last resort. Even his own parents were the same, the distress call they sent out had only been made after his father realized there was no escape. ".........................We now need to go a hundred meters to the right for the next staircase." Screwhead pointed in the direction and continued on his way, sighing softly. Ben felt a twinge of sympathy for his little companion, despite his earlier reaction to him. He should have expected the welcome, or lack thereof, that they received when they boarded the Wanderlust. Having spent much of his life on a freighter he was not prepared for boarding one after spending a few years at the Academy, no one would except him as a crewman from a freighter anymore. Keeping step with Screwhead, and turning as instructed, he looked down at him and said, "You miss the old days alot don't you? What keeps you here if you are unhappy?" ( reply Screwhead) ( posted by Milo) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate 2408.06.18 Day 12 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, FO's Office - Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 0718) "You have a lot of work before you and I refuse to send you out on an empty stomach. Besides then I will learn what to serve the next time and I somehow doubt you will stop at a replicator anytime soon. So juice? Coffee, perhaps?" Ava stood with the easy grace of a gymnastic traceur. PADD still in hand, she was eager to get going but did not want to appear rude, there was still so much to do before the end of the day, "In truth sir I've eaten my full. I really don't have room for anything else." And then she smiled confessing a little sheepishly, "If you would choose to have breakfast with me again.,..i think i would probably have coffee and a danish pastry.. but this was a nice change." (Reply Okita) Ava found herself offering a small respectful bow on the way out. It was not something she expected to do or even thought about doing until she was actually in the middle of it. The First officer just seemed to have that effect on her. (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, Hallway) "Good morning, Ensign," Ava smiled politely as she parroted back, "Good morning Ensign." As much as she would have like to linger for pleasantries, there was no time for anything else. He was obviously going where she had come from and she did not want to stop the Cardassian Ensign from being late for his appointment with the FO. ~Perhaps once we get the colony evacuated i'll start getting to know some people. ~ (Reply any) (Posted by Jodie) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck One, FO's Office - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0726) Elith wasn't quite expecting this kind of reply. "Welcome, Ensign, please take have a seat. I could get more cushions if it would make it more comfortable?" Olorin offered, extending his hand motioning toward the cushion across from him. "No, thank you sir. This will be fine." Elith said as he sat down on the cushion. ~He's certainly...friendlier than the captain...I don't think I've ever seen a human act like this towards me upon a first meeting.~ "Can I get you something to eat? I know that it is early, but we all have full days ahead and I wished to meet you before your duties and mine carried us on our way." said Okita with a smile. ~I probably shouldn't refuse.~ "That would be excellent, sir. Do you recommend anything in particular?" (Reply Okita) As the FO went to get breakfast, Elith examined the office a little more. He was quite taken with it. The FO even had a few fishes in a small pond, not to mention the first coat he had probably ever seen in a Federation starship hanging on the wall. As the commander returned, Elith said to him, "This is a very interesting office, Commander Okita. I haven't seen anything quite like this in my time in Federation space." (Reply Okita, any) (Posted by Matt Kirk) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0904) "Your right," Morgan replied. "We have little time and we shouldn't waste any of it. If Mr. Williams has no objections I would like to inspect the injector assembly." Elith looked over to Williams, "Well?" Williams looked from Randell to Elith, then back to Randell. "All right, fine. Over here, Randell." Williams led Randell to the injector assembly while Elith continued looking at the MSD. Elith then set to work examining the other systems. Occasionally he looked up to find Randell and Williams working together with the assembly, though he couldn't really tell how well they were doing. ~Hopefully this guy isn't giving Morgan too much trouble.~ He examined the matter and antimatter containment fields, making a few small adjustments to make them more stable. ~These don't look too good. This is going to take a lot of work, and I'm probably going to need to check more freighters in the next two days. I just hope the diagnostic turns out better than I'm expecting.~ He moved on to another system, and kept inspecting. Each system looked worse than the last. He knew that Starfleet really didn't have the resources right now for better freighters, but he didn't know it would be quite this bad. ~I've been through a lot worse. At least I'm not the only one working on these freighters, like so many times during the war.~ He briefly thought of the Klingon/Vulcan ACEO the Captain mentioned, whom he didn't have a chance to meet yet, then focused again on the current system. He wondered how the captain would take the news. Eventually, the computer's slightly-different-than-normal voice announced, [The level three diagnostic is now complete.] Elith looked over at Randell and Williams, and the three of them walked over to the MSD to see the results. "Well, here we go." Elith said. (Reply Randell ifw) They looked over the results of the diagnostic, which was around what Elith was expecting. "According to this, running at Warp 5 for the duration of the trip will probably tear the ship apart." Elith withheld a sigh. "I'll inform the captain of our inspection, we should start the major repair work when the engineering team and equipment arrives." He was about to press his commbadge when he thought of something to say. "What is your take on this?" (Reply Randell ifw) Elith pressed his commbadge. "Ensign Rejal to Captain Stakes. Sir, Crewman Randell and I have finished our inspection of the Hingis' engines. If I may be frank, it doesn't look very good, sir. However, we believe it is possible to repair this ship enough to make the journey in under two days, with the aid of the Hingis' engineering staff." He looked over at Williams, who shrugged and said, "We'll help you." (Reply Stakes, room for more) "I will send over information on what exactly we need to the Mithrandir. I'll report back when the repairs are complete, or as complete as possible. Ensign Rejal out." He turned to Randell, "Now the real fun begins." (Reply Randell, any) (Posted by Matt Kirk) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - Crewman Morgan Randell- 0906) Morgan followed Williams over to the injector assembly, Williams didn't seem impressed that he was checking the injectors but he had a job to do and he was going to be as throughout as possible. After checking the system he found that most of the injectors were way over due for replacement but still functioning if only barely. Turning to Williams he said, "How do you keep this crate flying, those injectors should have been replaced months ago." "They are still working, if it not broke don't fix it." Willams replied sarcastically."We don't have your resources, injectors don't come cheap. We replace them only when they fail, I estimate they will last the duration of the trip and then some." "I wouldn't be surprised if they fail the next time you engage your engines." Morgan replied with an even tone. It would do no good to provoke a confrontation with Williams no matter how much he would like too. "I'll see what we can come up with if you would be kind enough to supply us with the specifications." Morgan stated. [The level three diagnostic is now complete.] The computer stated before Williams could say anything. "Well, here we go." Elith said. Morgan and Williams walked out to join him and review the results of the diagnostic, Morgan somehow figured it wasn't going to be good news. "According to this, running at Warp 5 for the duration of the trip will probably tear the ship apart." Elith withheld a sigh. "I'll inform the captain of our inspection, we should start the major repair work when the engineering team and equipment arrives." He was about to press his commbadge when he thought of something to say. "What is your take on this?" "I'm amazed the ship has already come apart at the seams. The injectors are in bad need of replacements. I don't know how they managed to get this far without replacing them." Morgan said ignoring the rather dirty look Williams was giving him as he spoke. "We have our work cut out for us, a couple days work and this crate might just make it." Elith pressed his commbadge. "Ensign Rejal to Captain Stakes. Sir, Crewman Randell and I have finished our inspection of the Hingis' engines. If I may be frank, it doesn't look very good, sir. However, we believe it is possible to repair this ship enough to make the journey in under two days, with the aid of the Hingis' engineering staff." He looked over at Williams, who shrugged and said, "We'll help you." ~Thank god for little miracles~ Morgan thought but kept silent for a moment. (reply Stakes) "I will send over information on what exactly we need to the Mithrandir. I'll report back when the repairs are complete, or as complete as possible. Ensign Rejal out." He turned to Randell, "Now the real fun begins." "Mr. Williams if you would be so kind as to call some of your fellow engineers in to help we can get this party started." Morgan said with a slight smile, he enjoyed having something to do that he considered a challenge. Williams went over to a terminal and accessed the comm and called for half a dozen men to join them in engineering. Morgan turned to Elith and said, "Let’s see how much we can fix before the freighter starts to shut down on us." (reply Elith) (posted by Milo) (USS Mithrandir, Personal Quarters, ATac Ensign sg Sanok, 0909) "Good morning, sir," said Sanok. "I was unable to arrange a meeting with personnel from the refugee camps. As you stated, there are other priorities at this time." =^= "I understand," =^= replied Shrekt. Sanok waited for something more from Shrekt, but she had paused. He was about to ask if there was anything else, but she continued. =^= "I've received the files from the Colonel. I am forwarding them to you to review. During our transit, the captain wants to station all but ten of us on the freighters, working in pairs. I will remain on board the Mithrandir, to coordinate the fleet for defensive purposes. I would like you to coordinate our team on the freighters." =^= Sanok did not expect this. He assumed Shrekt would put Ben in charge, since Sanok had pressed wanting to visit the refugee camp. "Yes, sir," he said simply. "I will study the files from the colonel." (Reply Shrekt iyw) (Posted by Bob) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 0910) =/\=Understood, Ensign. We can send additional forces if required. I believe Chief Freeman is getting restless. But we'll need a list of required materials. I've already received quite a long list from your colleague on the Wanderlust, so we might need to restrict what you can get from us. But we have some spare Neutronium that was excavated from a nearby sun if that is of any use to you?=/\= "I will send over information on what exactly we need to the Mithrandir. I'll report back when the repairs are complete, or as complete as possible. Ensign Rejal out." Elith compiled and sent a list of all the essentials. Neutronium could come in handy, it would help stabilize the warp field, which the Hingis definitely needed. At least the Hingis wasn't as bad as some of the other freighters; Williams was partially right when he said they had things under control. With the engineers Williams had called in, repairs should go more smoothly; after all, who knew a system better than the engineer that repaired it? Morgan turned to Elith and said, "Let’s see how much we can fix before the freighter starts to shut down on us." "Hopefully that won't be for a ways away." Elith made a checklist of all the repairs he would have to make, and put it on the PADD he had in his bag. While it was true that Cardassians had good memories, it never hurt to have a backup. While waiting for the parts and engineering crew to arrive, he and Randell talked with the engineers Williams had called over. Most of them shared the same kind of hostility that Williams had, however Williams had helped to slightly convince them to work with the Starfleet crew, his main reason was that it would get them off the freighter faster. ~Well, do what you must, I suppose.~ Soon after, engineers slowly began coming from the Mithrandir bringing supplies, and Elith had certainly had enough of waiting around. ~Should I say something? A bright and uplifting speech to energize everyone? Yeah, sure. I'm an engineer, not some damned public speaker.~ He saw Williams looking at him, and Elith smiled back at him. Williams just shrugged and went back to giving his engineers orders. "It looks like we've got enough parts to start the repairs. Well then, if you don't mind, Mr. Williams, I would like you and some of your engineers in repairing the warp core. Mr. Randell, would you mind beginning repairs on the EPS relays and the other power distribution systems with some of our engineers and the rest of the Hingis' crew?" (Reply Randell) (Posted by Matt Kirk) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 09:11) =/\= Ensign Rejal to Captain Stakes. Sir, Crewman Randell and I have finished our inspection of the Hingis' engines. If I may be frank, it doesn't look very good, sir. However, we believe it is possible to repair this ship enough to make the journey in under two days, with the aid of the Hingis' engineering staff.=/\= Archibald sighed and made a note on his computer screen. "Understood, Ensign. We can send additional forces if required. I believe Chief Freeman is getting restless. But we'll need a list of required materials. I've already received quite a long list from your colleague on the Wanderlust, so we might need to restrict what you can get from us. But we have some spare Neutronium that was excavated from a nearby sun if that is of any use to you?" =/\= I will send over information on what exactly we need to the Mithrandir. I'll report back when the repairs are complete, or as complete as possible. Ensign Rejal out. =/\= Archibald nodded as he reviewed the information collected so far. It wasn't as bad as he first was made to believe. Two freighters were in much better shape than the others, one was so-so, but definitely in reasonable nick and only two that needed extensive repairs. "Could be worse," Archibald mumbled to himself. "Could have been a lot worse." (Reply Rejal, Randell, iyw, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (S.S. Hingis - Main Engineering - Crewman Morgan Randell- 0915) "It looks like we've got enough parts to start the repairs. Well then, if you don't mind, Mr. Williams, I would like you and some of your engineers in repairing the warp core. Mr. Randell, would you mind beginning repairs on the EPS relays and the other power distribution systems with some of our engineers and the rest of the Hingis' crew?" Elith said to Morgan. "Let's get this show on the road." Morgan said with a nod to the ACEO. He selected a couple of the Mithrandir engineers and a few from the Hingis and went over to a separate terminal. The assembled team standing before him looked like a group that was sadly thrust together, the eager Starfleet officers and the reluctant Hingis crew. ~This should prove to be very interesting~ Morgan requested access to the system from one of the Hingis's crew as he began assigning tasks to the others, he paired each team up, one from the Mithrandir and one from the Hingis. They would have to work together to complete the repairs on time, whether they liked it or not. You could almost cut the tension in the engine bay with a plasma torch. Hopefully things would proceed without incident but Morgan was skeptical, their very presence was an intrusion on the Hingis. Turning his attention back to the station’s monitor he made note of the progress of the repairs as they occurred. A few minutes passed and things seemed to be going well when Morgan heard a small argument break out between one of his little crews. Seemed to be a small dispute about the procedure for replacing relays, proper bypassing and rerouting. After a few heated moments the argument was settled and things began to flow smoothly again. He walked over to the problem couple and requested an update, they explained their different opinions on the subject but in the end the engineer from the Mithrandir had yielded to the engineer from the Hingis and they proceeded as per the Hingis's method of repair. Given the circumstances he could see no other way to do it, these were different engines that the crew of the Mithrandir was not accustomed to so they had to give the lead to the Hingis's crew. He checked on the progress of his other teams and noted their progress on his PADD. Over all the repairs were coming along nicely but there was still a lot of work to do. It could have been worse he supposed, at least they had some Neutronium that had been mined to help reline the Wanderlusts tubes, the Hingis also required some minor relining but not to the extent the Wanderlust had required. He walked over to where Elith was directing his own team of engineers and monitoring their progress, all seemed well so Morgan handed over his report and asked, " Any problems over here? Had a minor misunderstanding a couple minutes ago, but everything got sorted out. No punches were thrown." He added with a small grin. (reply Elith room for a little more) (posted by Milo) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate 2408.06.20 Day 14 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (U.S.S. Mithrandir - CO's Quarters - Prime Director, Dak Osiris & Reyna Osiris - 2011) Dak had been offered quarters aboard the USS Mithrandir and now that the flotilla of space vessels was underway, he, together with his wife, had been shown some that would be most suitable for his family. The Prime Director had received reports about the poor conditions in many of the freighters that had been commandeered to transport the New Eden Colonists, and his people were packed into them like sardines in cans. At first Dak had felt he should refuse the offer, no doubt if he accepted then his enemies would make the most of it, but when he had discussed it with his wife and tried to explain, she had begged him to at least go and look, and when they had been shown the VIP quarters, she had pleaded with him to accept the offer for the children and her sakes. So reluctantly Dak had agreed against his better nature, but it just didn't seem fair that his family should enjoy VIP accommodations even if he was a VIP, while their people suffered, and leaving the children in the quarters, he and his wife had accompanied the Captain's Yeoman whom Dak had learned was actually Stake's daughter Esme, to the Captain's quarters. They had barely arrived when the door slid open to reveal Captain Stakes, who gave Esme a nod. The girl stepped back to allow Mister and Missus Osiris to enter and be greeted by Stakes who asked if the quarters they'd been shown were acceptable. Reyna immediately gave Stakes one of her sparkling smiles and thanked him profusely. "Oh my yes, Captain! I really didn't expect such wonderful accommodations, I am sure we will be very comfortable." She exclaimed. ~Unlike the rest of our people.~ Dak thought morosely, ~ how can she be so selfish? Still I suppose any mother would insist on accepting his kind offer, for the sake of her children, so I can't really blame her. ~ Dak gave a nod, "yes, Captain Stakes, I thank you for your kindness. We left the children there and I am sure they're making themselves at home while we speak. I asked the OPS officer to arrange for our personal belongings to be taken to our new quarters, I hope you have no objection to my forwardness." (Reply Stakes, any) (Posted by Sal) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 02, "Hard2Port" - ACEO and ACMO - Ensign, SG Lanista and Ensign, JG McGregor - 20:15) Lani' was on the Mithrandir for a meal and some rest. She entered Hard2Port as though intent on attacking something. In this case, it would be a long-overdue meal. She was diverted from her intentions by seeing someone she did not expect to see: Ava "Eerie MacAbre" McGregor, an Academy classmate. "Eerie!" said Lani' enthusiastically, at a level somewhat inappropriate for the size of the room. Hot coffee spilled over the side of the mug as Ava set it down and waved enthusiastically from her table near the window, she was the sole occupant having still not really got to know anyone on the ship as yet. "Lani, come and sit by me." Ava called with a happy grin. The great Klingoness did as bidden by her friend of four years. "When did you come aboard?!" she asked. "Couple of days ago, just before we got the colonists off New Eden." Ava explained. "I must have missed you in all the commotion. I've been on this freighter or that for days," Lanista said, though not in a complaining tone. She was clearly enjoying the assignment. The human shuddered in distaste, grey eyes cast heavenward as she picked up her coffee mug again, "Rather you than me, those freighters are truly awful, I'd rather be in the brig than over there." Lani' leaned close to Ava and said, softly, "We could arrange for that." Lanista made a hand gesture both women knew meant Parkour Run. Ava grinned, that too was tempting. She had not been for a run since leaving Earth, that was something she was going to have to rectify sooner rather than later. "But you're right," Lani' said. "The freighter I'm working on now -- the Neshehmet -- should be taken apart and used as spare parts for the rest. Oh, and there's a Edenite aboard you might want to come look at. He's complaining of chest pain." Another sip of coffee, Ava frowned and shook her head, "You’re asking the wrong Doctor, I've been assigned to research," Her voice dropped as she flirted with amateur dramatics, "Medlab two is now my domain!" It did not sound like she was particularly enamoured by the change in her duties. "Research? Well this is a science vessel," Lani' said with faux-disappointment. The hybrid ACEO ordered some gagh and synthehol-warnog. "I do my best complaining over food... you?" "Me?" Ava's smile was lopsided, "I'm doing my best keeping my nose clean." "You should come look at this man, or you and the slug-with-legs too. While I was working with him on the Neshemet, I noticed that portions of his skin glow in UV light. Not a normal state of affairs for Edenites..." That got Ava's attention, "No that's nowhere near normal...." The human considered her coffee and seemed to come to a decision, "The colony medical teams are spread pretty thin across the freighters... I don't see any harm in giving them a hand with this one." The excuse to get off the ship and see what was causing the symptom sounded a bit flimsy even to her own ears. "Besides, I shouldn't be the only one to have to suffer on that wreck," Lani' said. "If I have to come back here for one more tool they should already have aboard, I'm going to have to headbutt their Quartermaster! But if you want to go back over with me after we eat, I'll point the man out." "The man who does glow or the man you want to headbutt? Ava asked with an arched smile, adding with a teasing glint to her grey eyes, "Although, you'd have to go down on your knees to pull that off." Lanista smiled at 'Eerie MacAbre'. The medico had always had a way of making Lani' do that, especially during Finals Weeks at the Academy. "I'll point out the potential patient. The headbutt victim I haven't chosen yet." (Reply any, rfm) (Posted by Jodie and Frank) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - personal quarters - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:15) "Oh my yes, Captain! I really didn't expect such wonderful accommodations, I am sure we will be very comfortable." Reyna spoke out, smiling . Archibald nodded his thanks but noticed the Prime Director seemed annoyed. Still he nodded and said: "Yes, Captain Stakes, I thank you for your kindness. We left the children there and I am sure they're making themselves at home while we speak. I asked the OPS officer to arrange for our personal belongings to be taken to our new quarters, I hope you have no objection to my forwardness." Archibald made a gesture with his arm. "I'm sure that that is not a problem, Prime Director. I expect that you would rather have made quarters close to your people but I thought it better to keep you closer to the line of command to keep our communication channels as short as possible." Archibald nodded and gestured to the two to go through to the living room, following them as they did so, having nodded to Esme to come in too. His mouth twitched as he considered his other reason to ask the Prime Director to move to the Mithrandir. Even though there was no indication of further violence, the reports he had received from the visiting security teams had shown him that there was still an undercurrent of unease, even resentment towards the ones in power. And whilst the family was on the Mithrandir, they would be safe from any underhand actions, thus ensuring that the Prime Director could keep his wits about, without disturbance. Of course, he expected Dak to spend as much time as he could on the different freighters but that was something that he would not ask, could not ask. Archibald cleared his throat and he invited the guest to sit down on the couch as he signaled Esme to bring the refreshments. He waited for them to arrive before he grabbed his own glass and lifted it. "To a prosperous journey" he said. (Reply Dak, Reyna, iyw, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS. Mithrandir - Two Port - SPC Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 2030) Mei Ling herself brought Lani's order to the table. She liked the tall Klingon hybrid, and she was also eager to meet the new ACMO, Dr McGregor. "Your gagh and your warnog, Lani," she said as she placed the dish and the large mug on the table. "Been busy on the freighters? You'll have to let me put you up some food next time you go over, I can't have you fading away to nothing on freighter rations!" (reply Lani, room for more iyw) Mei Ling smiled at the doctor. "And I'm very pleased to meet you at last, Ava. I'm sorry I haven't met you before. I should have a word with Archibald, putting you to work as soon as you came aboard! How do you like it here?" (reply Ava) Mei Ling grinned. "I have few rules. The two most important are rank stays outside when you come in here, and don't feed the psammead citrus fruit or juice." She nodded towards the bar, where Tommy was sitting with his customary bowl of peanuts, scratching himself from time to time. "Tommy!" she called. "Come over and say hello to Ava and Lani." Tommy grabbed a large handful of peanuts before sliding down off his stool and ambling over. He carefully divided the peanuts into two smaller handfuls before giving Ava a large, cheesy grin and offering her those in his right paw. "Peanuts, pretty lady?" he said. (reply Ava) He then turned his attention to Lani, observing her warily for a moment before cautiously holding out his left paw towards her. She reminded him a little of Eva on the Boudicca, who had an unpleasant habit of spotting him sneaking orange juice and picking him up by the scruff of his neck when he did so. "Friends?" he said hopefully, giving her a cheesy grin too. (reply Lani) (reply Ava, Lani, any) (Posted by Liz) (USS Mithrandir-A - Deck 2, Port, tach - ACEO EnsSG Lanista - 2031) "Your gagh and your warnog, Lani..." said Mei Ling. She then offered to prepare food for Lanista to take with her when next the ACEO went to another space-junk. "I can't have you fading away to nothing on freighter rations," Hikaru added. "Rations! Bah!" said Lanista, "I'd last longer eating the freighters themselves! And the colonists might stand a better chance getting to their new home using their dehydrated fodder as a starship!" Mei Ling, the owner of the bar in Lani's view, had brought the meal the Klingoness ordered. "qatlho', vutwI' quv," Lani' said, meaning 'Thank you, honored chef." The phrase qatlho' was one of those things that could be said in Klingon but which expressed an entirely foreign concept to the Warrior-Race's mindset. One did not Thank for anything. However, Lanista was only half Klingon. Plus she rather enjoyed the idea of dead warriors whirling in their graves when she used the Language of the Fighters to say something the Fighters of Old would never utter. Lanista had had meal prepared by Ms. Hikaru's - including some dead, cooked dishes - prior to this. Gagh, though, is eaten live. Lani' grabbed a few and ate them, washing them down with warnog. "Mmm, jabpu' SoSoy, pup!" (Reply Mei Ling, rfm iyw) After Mei Ling greeted the Doctor, and said something about speaking to the Captain on Ava's behalf, Lani' chimed in, "This is Eerie MacAbre, Cadaver-Reanimator-extraordinaire!" Lani' waved a hand (the fingers of which were entwined with squirming gagh) in Ava's direction. "She and I got each other through the Academy -- and the Academy grounds! Parkour team..." (Reply Ava) The barkeep explained the rules to Ava, as she had months ago to Lani' herself. Lanista rankled a bit at being unfamiliar with psammead but she was still too proud to look it up. Tommy joined the growing group then, at Mei Ling's bidding. He offered Ava peanuts and a compliment, which Lani' smiled at. He then said "Friends?" and made the Old-Earth gesture indicating he wanted to both greet Lani' and see if she was armed. Lanista shook his hand and said, "juppu'," in acknowledgement. ~At least he know how to smile,~ she thought, in reference to his cheesy grin. (Reply Ava, Mei Ling, Tommy, any) (Posted by Frank) (USS. Mithrandir - Two Port - Acmo Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2032) Mei Ling smiled at the doctor. "And I'm very pleased to meet you at last, Ava. I'm sorry I haven't met you before. I should have a word with Archibald, putting you to work as soon as you came aboard! How do you like it here?" "This is Eerie MacAbre, Cadaver-Reanimator-extraordinaire!" The Klingon ensign and Ava's friend chimed in, "She and I got each other through the Academy -- and the Academy grounds! Parkour team..." Ava rolled her eyes, her voice pained, "Lani, I had really rather hoped that Eerie MacAbre died when i recycled my cadet uniforms." She shot her old friend a meaningful look that said ~Shut up!~ before answering the charming Asian human in the same tone of voice, "Actually, it would probably make my life a lot easier if you didn't say anything to the Captain, at all. Please!" Mei Ling grinned. "I have few rules. The two most important are rank stays outside when you come in here, and don't feed the psammead citrus fruit or juice." She nodded towards the bar, where Tommy was sitting with his customary bowl of peanuts, scratching himself from time to time. "Tommy!" she called. "Come over and say hello to Ava and Lani." Tommy grabbed a large handful of peanuts before sliding down off his stool and ambling over. He carefully divided the peanuts into two smaller handfuls before giving Ava a large, cheesy grin and offering her those in his right paw. "Peanuts, pretty lady?" he said. The young doctor watched the strange but utterly adorable creature come over and was totally smitten with him by the time he held out his paw. "Awe, Tommy, you absolute darling, thank you so much!" Ava carefully took the offered nuts and resisted the awful temptation to scratch behind his ears. ~such a little cutiepie~ Ava was enchanted as she watched the interaction between Lani and the adorable little soul but she did manage to pull her attention away to ask Mei Ling, "Do you know the Captain well?" (Reply Mei Ling, Lani, any) (Posted by Jodie) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Sickbay - CMO Dr Lewis Nymes - 21:00) Lieutenant Nymes, in his trademark white scrubs, leaned back against the wall after the next patient in Sickbay was admitted. He'd been the busiest person on the ship in the last few hours, and despite his misgivings, he was learning to like the LMH, learning to like its dismissive tone when it came to obnoxious patients trying to scam medication from the Starfleet sickbay. Had the colonist's really had it that bad? Mother and Baby were fine, the husband now sheepishly cradling his child in his arms, Nymes merely nodding, that taciturn acknowledgement that showed the man that he was doing okay. It had been a busy few days, the ICU patient was safely cocooned in medlab 1, with the others ready in the Sickbay, or downgraded to the Holodeck's makeshift ward. The doctor had had his understudy look after the emergency lists from the colony ships, but so far nothing major had happened aboard, and she was currently working in the medlabs, alternating from patient care to research, whilst Nymes took his duty shift as the GP of not just the crew, but 5 ships. Several colonists had come in with mild flu like symptoms, and the doctor had started them on traditional antiviral therapy, but despite his best efforts, the trill felt he was coming down with something too; after seeing another patient he sneezed, his eyes streaming and the full force of a cold had hit him, in less than 10 minutes. His vision fuzzed, his throat sore, his head foggy from whatever had happened. Through half-clogged ears, the trill heard himself hit the floor, the worried sounds of Diane Duande, the PO nurse he was working with rushing to him, and then his vision faded to black, his breathing laboured. "Sickbay to McGregor" she said, urgently checking the trills observations; tachypnoeic, tachycardic, hypotensive, a blue rash blossoming over his arms, mingling with the spots of his race. "You are urgently required in sickbay." (reply any in sickbay, mcdonald) Nymes' hearing shut down, his thoughts muddled, but focused on survival. (reply any) (posted by GC) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 02, "Hard2Port" - ACMO Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2205) There was a lull in conversation, Ava regretfully was about suggest that she and Linista start to make a move when... =/\= Sickbay to McGregor. You are urgently required in sickbay. =/\= "On my way." It was the tone of the petty officers voice that had Ava moving faster than one would expect for one of her species and sex. Diane sounded scared, really scared and she knew if the nurse was that worried she would have put a call out for the CMO which meant.... ~Don't think, just go!~ (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Sickbay - 22:07) By the time Ava got there the CMO had already been lifted and placed on the primary biobed. The LMH was already working on him assisted by the PO Duande. The colour drained from the young doctor’s face and her legs suddenly felt like jelly as the first real rush of adrenalin kicked in, she could not believe what she was seeing. "What happened?" Ava asked as she reached the Biobed. "You tell me" the LMH snorted as the Surgical support frame clicked into place over the unconscious and severely hypoxic trill. Ava did not look up from the CMO's prone form as she examined him, "Anyone of you, not particularly interested in who, someone just report!" "Rapid onset of influenza type symptoms. One minute he was sneezing the next he was face planting the deck." The LMH explained dryly." I've given him standard drug therapy to support his circulatory system. As you can see he is tinged a rather fetching colour of blue while remaining tachicardic and hypoxic, breathing continues to be laboured. His blood pressure is coming up though." "What about the symbiot?" "The slug ...is doing fine all things considered." Duande handed Ava a medical tricorder that was already directly tied into the biobeds sensor cluster, Data started to scroll. Ava nodded to herself as she got to grips at with what she was seeing. "I do a really good thumb twiddling act, would you like to see?" the LMH asked The PO as he stared at the Blonde doctor. Ava ignored that, "Whatever viral agent this is its moving fast, pulmonary oedema is increasing, we have consolidation in the right and left inferior lobes." The biobed started to alarm just as Ava was handed a hypospry by the ever ready PO Duande "All right then let’s get him back." The human Doctor murmured as she programmed the first dose. (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Sickbay - 22:55) "Plural infusion is insufficient to sustain life, the Symbiot is in distress, life signs are out with normal range and falling." Ava was sweating, the virus was moving faster than either she or the LMH could keep up. She was completely focused on the task before her but both of them had agreed, they were rapidly running out of options. She rubbed the side of her neck, "Tumor necrosis facter-alpha and Interleukin-six remain highly elevated. Anti-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin ten and number one receptor antagonist are off the scale. Everything we have tried to reduce the levels have failed." "The perfect storm, admit it, it’s a sight to behold." The LMH enthused. "Not in this time and certainly not in this place. The Doctor and his symbiot are Dying." Ava ground out as she came to a decision. "We can hold our own for the moment, switch him to full life support and continue drug therapy as is. " "That's only going to hold it for the next hour." the LMH pointed out. "I am aware of that." Ava replied as they worked to stabilize the now critically ill CMO. Finally the ACMO took a step back and a second to compose herself before activating her comm Badge "Ensign McGregor to Commander Okita, Sir, I have to inform you that Dr Nymes has been taken critically ill, prognosis at this stage is grave for both host and symbiot." (Reply Okita) "Sir, the Symbiot is infected with the same virus as his host. It will not be possible to transfer Nymes to another unjoined Trill. Unfortunately if we lose one of them we will lose them both." (Reply Okita) "That is a distinct possibility sir. We predict we can only sustain him on life support for the next hour, maybe less." (Reply Okita) "Understood sir, McGregor out." "If this is a typical Trill reaction to this virus...we're going to have dead slug carriers all over the ship, very messy." Ava shot the LMH a total look of disgust and cursed herself, she should have thought of that already. "Petty officer, could you contact Lieutenant Leon Rae and have him put under strict quarantine," Diane nodded with wide eyes as the implication dawned on her as well and she rushed away to do just that. (Reply Okita, any & all.) Posted by Jodie. (U.S.S. Mithrandir - CO's Quarters - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 2305) =/\= Okita to Captain Stakes. Sir, a situation has developed. =/\= Archibald pushed himself off the bed to launch himself at the dresser to grab his comm badge but because his foot caught itself in the bed sheet, he didn't quite reach it. A thud could be heard instead and a further second of grunting before: "Stakes here. What's the situation?" The FO then informed him of the Trill infection and added a number of medical terms that sounded like it was serious. Archibald sighed inwardly and thought for a second. "Ok, Commander, you get yourself over to the Wanderlust. I believe that is where Doctor Halgin is stationed. He'll need to know that we will need a replacement Doctor. It would be nice if he or she would be trained on the latest of medical technology. I'll go down to Sickbay and see what is happening there. Oh, and Commander, keep your voice down when you are down there. I don't want the civvies to get spooked with stories of rampant infections on our ship. Stakes out." Archibald got up, rubbed his knee and stretched it a few times before getting dressed. (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Sickbay - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 2320) As soon as Archibald entered he saw frenzied activities in one of the booths. He walked towards it and barked: "Report!" (Reply by Ava, LMH, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken)