NRPG: Compile Index: Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate: 2408.06.17 Day: 11 (USS Mithrandir - Deck Six, Corridor - OO Crewman Montro - 1505) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 15:17) (USS Mithrandir - Counselors Office - Counsleor- Lt. Alosar - 1518) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 2, Planetology Lab - aACSO CPO Raymond Masterson - 1640) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 16:44) (New Eden, Red Mansion, CoSF Office, Ensign sg Sanok, 1714) (New Eden - Red Mansion, CoSF Office - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1715) (New Eden - Red Mansion, CoSF Office - CoSF Col. Troy Reville - 1716) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - Master Sean MacDonough and Screwhead- 17:24) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - ACEO Lanista - 1725) (New Eden, Capital City, Sub-Director Hok Sorak, 1730) (USS Mithrandir Deck 04, aft Shuttlebay SP EzeP Ezekiel Odysseus Hawke 2001) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:09) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 20:12) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 4 - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 20:17) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Quarters - ACMO Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2045) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:50) Day: 12 (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 08:42) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Day: 11 Stardate: 2408.06.17 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Mithrandir - Deck Six, Corridor - OO Crewman Montro - 1505) Montro was stiff with fear as he picked himself up and tried to assist Gil up. "Are you OK?" Gil asked. "Is someone chasing you?" Gil asked. The he frowned and stared behind Montro. "Uh, Montro, is that a squirrel behind you?" Montro could hear his menagerie behind him. "Uhhmmmm, no?" he said, looking up innocently at the security officer. Just then he heard some chittering and saw Gil's eyes focus on something behind him. He looked over his shoulder to see Iggy flying in the air onto the box that was Gemma. Unfortunately Montro tried to frantically wave his hands discreetly to stop the moving box. "Something you want to tell me, Crewman Montro?" asked a suspicious Gil. "Would you believe a new self moving transportation box?" Montro said, hoping that might work. (Reply Gil) "Well, you know I can't move boxes myself, they're usually too big. So I'm testing this new modified hoverboard with a remote so I can move it around. The regular hoversled is just too big for me to push too. Yeah, that's what I'm doing?" Montro replied, hoping this more involved explanation would work, as well as how he would develop such a device, since it really was a good idea and he simply had never thought of it before. Now that the ship was so small he couldn't just hijack the transporter to move stuff around the ship. (Reply Gil) "Remote?" he answered. "Oh it's right here, I've set it to follow my commbadge signal, but it's lagging just a little." (Reply Gil, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 15:17) Having heard what he wanted to hear, Archibald was about to make a note on his computer when the Vulcan continued. "Captain, I also would not want to travel on such an explosive device. Is there a reason we would consider such an undertaking? Would it not be more logical to beam such explosives into space, where they would be harmless? After all, I believe that the vacuum of space would extinguish the fuses and rid us of the explosives at the same time." Archibald's mouth opened. Then it closed. Then it opened again. To close again. To open once more. {Sigh} The mouth closed again. Finally ............ "Lieutenant? When I mentioned ......." Silence. Another attempt. "Lieutenant, I didn't ....." Silence. {Sigh} "Lieutenant, please research the term: metaphor. I will discuss your availability to assist with Commander Okita. Thank you. Stakes out." Silence. It came to Archibald that it was extraordinary how loud silent screaming could be. (reply Alosar, iyw) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Mithrandir - Counselors Office - Counsleor- Lt. Alosar - 1518) Alosar listened as the CO appeared to be having trouble speaking. He started to speak and then would stop part of the way into the sentence. It was sounded as though he were having some sort of seizure. The counselor was about to call sick bay when Stakes finally finished a sentence. =^=Lieutenant, please research the term: metaphor. I will discuss your availability to assist with Commander Okita. Thank you. Stakes out. =^= For a second time, Alosar raised his eyebrow. Why would the captain want him to research metaphors? It was common knowledge that a metaphor is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects. It was that disassociation that would cause Alosar the most problem. Still, if the captain wanted a research paper on the subject then he would get one. Perhaps it had something to do with the mission. After all, he did state that the people on New Eden seemed funny. He decided that there was no time like the present to begin such a task and so Alosar turned to his computer. "Computer, begin an in depth search for metaphors. Include historical, sociological and psychological basis of the subject." As the computer began to compile the data he headed over to the replicator and asked for a cup of Vulcan tea. With the cup in hand Alosar returned to his computer and began to read. (reply none) (posted by Al Muir) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 2, Planetology Lab - aACSO CPO Raymond Masterson - 1640) Ray sat behind the console thumping his fingers absentmindedly, a bit put out at Bellephoron's long windedness. He could never understand how that man seemed to expend so much air and yet produce so little. He was well aware of Bellephoron's previous work. But the closer proximity should have provided the department with greater insight into the planet's plight. Nonetheless Bellephoron felt it necessary to waste his time reminding him something he already knew. Ray considered it a small miracle that he had not some how devised some sad method to bring about Bellephoron's end. Something involving a transporter beam and open space. After a while, deciding that he would not know how long Bellephoron would take, he contacted the Captain. "Sir, we are examining the new data being retrieved from the sensors. However, for the time being our last estimates based on previous long range readings was three more months, if our equipment holds." said Ray. ~Of course given the state of those freighters, who knows how long the other equipment will actually function.~ he thought. (Reply Stakes, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 16:44) =/\= Sir, we are examining the new data being retrieved from the sensors. However, for the time being our last estimates based on previous long range readings was three more months, if our equipment holds. =/\= Archibald slotted his eyes as he considered this bit of information. Since it had been determined that the travel would probably take them the best part of two months, they would not be able to come back to pick up more settlers. Which meant that they would have to take all of them unless Starfleet could arrange for another fleet to be assembled soon for it was originally intended for them to take only 10.000 colonists. Archibald had seen the original estimates which gave them a month more. Just a month but such a vital one. Unfortunately Archibald also knew that Starfleet had had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get this many freighters together and that it was therefore very unlikely that any more could be made available on short notice. The CO sighed before he responded. "Thank you, Mister Masterson. Keep me appraised of any further developments. Stakes out." He then activated the comm system on his desk. "Stakes to Commander Okita. Contact the personnel freighters and the planetary government. Inform them that we will have to squeeze in a few more settlers on each ship. The other freighters should be able to pick up 200 each, which means that room should be made on the designated settler freighters for about 3000 more. We do not have time enough for another round trip so all should be taken now. It will be a biot of a squeeze but I am afraid that is all that we can do. Pass the word along." (Reply Olorin, Ray (if you wish), Any) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (New Eden, Red Mansion, CoSF Office, Ensign sg Sanok, 1714) Reville said, "Please be seated, and be assured, I will answer your question momentarily. However, I have not eaten since breakfast at 0600 hours, and feel the need to eat. May I offer you some refreshments?" Sanok waited for Lieutenant Shrekt to respond first. He was not tired, so he did not need to sit, though proper manners dictated that they likely would. He was not hungry or thirsty either, so he would not eat or drink. During the short walk to Reville's office, Sanok had observed, watched, and listened for anything out of the ordinary. It did not seem logical that he and Lieutenant Shrekt would be in any sort of danger, as they were there to assist. However, since there had been an altercation, and a death, at one of the camps, it was wise to assume there were political rivals and agendas in play here. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized there was a possibility an enemy of the current administration, could attempt to injure or kill Lieutenant Shrekt or himself, just to make Prime Director Osiris look bad. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a routine mission after all. (Reply Shrekt, Reville, Any) (Posted by Bob) (New Eden - Red Mansion, CoSF Office - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1715) Shrekt found the walk illuminating. She was often fascinated by the unusual juxtaposition of size on a planet in comparison to space. One on hand one would find immense structures that dwarfed the human scale and at the same time it was infinitely limited in comparison to the expanse of space. The structures that she passed were admirable and yet she never had a great appreciation for architecture. Most of her life had been spent aboard a starship, so she had a very basic appreciation of the subject. The longest time she had been on a planet was during her academy days and those were decades past. Shrekt took the offered seat and responded to the Colonel's question, "I would be happy to join you, Colonel. I am far too familiar when hours can pass without notice and the body needs to eat." Shrekt took out the padd that she had brought with her and placed it on the table. She accepted the plate of a fine looking sandwich, as well as a thick glass of amber liquid. She sampled the fare before her while the Colonel fixed his own plate. "I understand that you are very busy, Colonel, so let us proceed." Shrekt said, as she picked up the padd. (Reply Reville) "Are there any persons of interest?" Shrekt wondered aloud. (Reply Reville, Sanok, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (New Eden - Red Mansion, CoSF Office - CoSF Col. Troy Reville - 1716) Both fleeters sat down. Lieutenant Shrekt accepted Colonel Reville's offer of refreshment. "I would be happy to join you, Colonel. I am far too familiar when hours can pass without notice and the body needs to eat." The Vulcan, Ensign Sanok wasn't interested in either food or drink, so Troy placed a couple of sandwiches on some plates and took them over to place on the low table, returning to the sideboard to pour two chunky glasses of the amber liquid, which he likewise carried back to the table and then sat down in one of the chairs. He was about to take a bite from his sandwich when Shrekt spoke. "I understand that you are very busy, Colonel, so let us proceed." Shrekt said, as she picked up the padd. "Are there any persons of interest?" "Investigations are still ongoing, you understand, but we have started interrogating the militia personnel involved in the incident. You understand that any politician has enemies that wish them ill or work diligently against them, and I personally believe, as does the Prime Director that it is one, or maybe more of his adversaries who are responsible for the uprising. I have at least half a dozen suspects and I also suspect that one or some of the militia involved are following orders to cause trouble." He looked longingly at his sandwich and placed it back on the plate with great reluctance and continued talking. "So far our interrogations have discovered that it was actually a civilian who is responsible for the young girl's death, the unknown perpetrator had wrenched a weapon from a militiaman, causing it to fire accidentally. Unfortunately, as yet, we have been unable to identify the person responsible." Reville reached for his sandwich and took a big bite out of it. Thick slices of grilled steak with lashings of horseradish and tomatoes made his mouth water as he enjoyed the mouthful, though he expected more questions. (reply Shrekt, Sanok, RFM) "At present the Prime Director is dining with his family, but when he is done he will talk with you if you wish, if you have questions I cannot answer." (Reply Shrekt, Sanok, Any) (posted by Sal) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - Master Sean MacDonough and Screwhead- 17:24) "taHqeq!" Sean watched the Klingon make a grab for the engineer then withdrew her hand as the 'engineer' spoke up. "If you would show us to your engineering section we could complete its inspection and begin repairs to your engines. I'm sure we can requisition what ever parts are necessary to get you up to warp 5, and thus have you released from service sooner rather than later." The Klingon agreed. "Yes. If you want Warp 5, we'd better get to that..." she said. Sean half-grinned. "If you must. Personally I wouldn't be too upset if you failed. The contract that Starfleet agreed to is time-based, so if we take a few weeks more to reach the planet, I won't be bothered. Starfleet pays a good coin. But you can take the gentlemen down to the engines and see what they can do, Screwhead. You're in charge, though, and responsible for their conduct. Anything that they break or 'acquire' you pay for. Gentlemen...." Sean nodded to the Starfleet officers and let his eye rest on the fake engineer a bit longer. He'd have to make sure that that one wouldn't be able to roam the ship too much. "Make sure they earn their pay, Screwhead," he finally said as he turned around and walked back the way he had come, to make sure that the 'items' had been well hidden. Franklin nodded. "Sure thing, Leprechaun," he responded then turned to regard the two officers. With a grin he walked up to the Klingon and 'kicked' her against her shin. "Ok, Cloudwalker. You can pick me up now. My legs aren't what the used to be and quite short, if you haven't noticed. Don't worry, I'll tell you which way to go." He then looked towards Soma and thought for a second. "You wanna follow us, Prettyboy? Or take the lead?" The blue-skinned dwarf nodded a few times. "Yes, Cloudwalker and Prettyboy. Good names. I got mine when I started working for his granpeppie. Salt of the earth-kinda man, he was. He said to me: fix the flux-condenser when I came on board so I asked him if he had a screwhead rotator. Ever since I was know as Screwhead-Rotator, but when Peppie took over he shortened it to screwhead. Said it was quicker to say. Then when young Sean was born, he always wore a green babygro, so we called him Leprechaun. Fitted with grandpeppie being Irish, apparently. Never known a planet being called Irelan, though. Anyway, we hurry now. You get respect here for work that you do, not for shiny badge that you carry. Now, you carry me? Or does poor Screwhead have to run all the way?" (reply by Ben and Lanista) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (SS Wanderlust - Section 17 - ACEO Lanista - 1725) Sean was no different from most other Humans in Lani's experience - overly chatty. Lanista wondered how the Humans had managed to ever have empires in their history without a more efficient means of communication. By contrast, Lani' found she liked the dwarf. This surprised her somewhat. But now that she had gotten over the shock of being sniffed at, she was prepared to accept him for what he was -- direct. She noted that the Ship's Master warned Screwhead that anything broken or stolen would come out of the blue-skinned thing's pay. This suggested the Wanderlust had had past experience with thieves. Acquisition was not an option anyway. Lani' hadn't been ordered aboard to acquire anything - except possibly good public relations for future endeavors involving this ship and crew. Still, the suggestion that Sean was a trader first and a humanitarian somewhere farther down the list made Lanista think it might be a good time to suggest he contact her father. If she couldn't personally benefit from a business deal, she could at the very least see to it that her family benefit. But the opportunity to voice such a proposition had not come yet. "If you must. Personally I wouldn't be too upset if you failed. The contract that Starfleet agreed to is time-based, so if we take a few weeks more to reach the planet, I won't be bothered. Starfleet pays a good coin. But you can take the gentlemen down to the engines and see what they can do, Screwhead. You're in charge, though, and responsible for their conduct. Anything that they break or 'acquire' you pay for. Gentlemen...." said Sean. "Make sure they earn their pay, Screwhead." The Master of the Wanderlust then took his leave. Franklin, the dwarf, said something as Sean departed. The tone of communication between Master and Engineer aboard the Wanderlust was far less formal than aboard a Federation ship. Lanista liked that. The dwarf came over to her then and 'kicked' her shin to get her attention. "Ok, Cloudwalker," he said, "You can pick me up now. My legs aren't what the used to be and quite short, if you haven't noticed. Don't worry, I'll tell you which way to go." Then to Soma, Screwhead added, "You wanna follow us, Prettyboy? Or take the lead?" Seemingly without pausing to see if he would be acknowledged by Soma, Franklin said "Yes, Cloudwalker and Prettyboy. Good names. I got mine when I started working for his granpeppie. Salt of the earth-kinda man, he was. He said to me: fix the flux-condenser when I came on board so I asked him if he had a screwhead rotator. Ever since I was know as Screwhead-Rotator, but when Peppie took over he shortened it to screwhead. Said it was quicker to say. Then when young Sean was born, he always wore a green babygro, so we called him Leprechaun. Fitted with grandpeppie being Irish, apparently. Never known a planet being called Irelan, though. Anyway, we hurry now. You get respect here for work that you do, not for shiny badge that you carry. Now, you carry me? Or does poor Screwhead have to run all the way?" Lani' grinned. She liked the name Cloudwalker. It would even be a fairly good name for a vessel. "I'll carry you," she said, smiling down at the much shorter entity. She looked at his outfit and was glad to see he had a strong toolbelt on. She seized him by this, at the small of his back, and would transport the dwarf as though he were luggage. "Comfortable, Mr. Rotator?" she asked, not particularly caring what the answer would be. This was the most efficient way to get Franklin to wherever it was they were going. (Reply Soma, Franklin, any) (Posted by Frank) (New Eden, Capital City, Sub-Director Hok Sorak, 1730) So far, things were going as planned. Oh, there had been a few glitches; the girl in the camp being killed, was unfortunate, but sadly necessary for the greater good of New Eden. His main man in the militia, Colonel Rankol, was restricted to quarters, but that was a minor, and temporary, inconvenience. All in all, things were looking bright for his ascension into leadership over the new colony, while Osiris would come crashing down. Hok chuckled. By placing the militia personnel from the refugee camp under restriction, Osiris actually believed he was accomplishing something. He could restrict all he wanted, and he could conduct an investigation until their planet was pummeled by the falling moon, he would never discover what had happened. The people hated being forced into the camps for weeks and weeks, and someone started a fight over it. A militiaman's weapon was grabbed and it accidentally went off. Amazingly, that's actually what happened. No matter that the citizen that initially started the riot, hated Osiris and was eager to bring him down. All that mattered, was Osiris was growing more unpopular by the hour. Hok picked up a PADD from his desk and skimmed through it for the third time. His people had reported that two Starfleet officers had transported to the planet and were meeting with Osiris. That was to be expected. Hok needed to find a way to speak with them. Osiris certainly wasn't going to tell the truth. Starfleet needed to know how incompetent Osiris had been in handling the disaster. Hok was a patient and calculating man. There was still time before the evacuations began. He would wait. (Reply None) (Posted by Bob) (USS Mithrandir Deck 04, aft Shuttlebay SP EzeP Ezekiel Odysseus Hawke 2001) The Transport Phendrana had just sent over a shuttle carry one officer for the Mithrandir, along with some supplies. ~I liked supplieses.~ Hawke grinned at his own joke as he stood ready to meet the new ACEO and welcome one 'Rejal, Elith, Ensign Junior Grade' aboard. If he liked 'supplieses', he received a big one when a Cardassian set foot on the hangar's deckplating, Hawke stood at what passed for attention after recovering from a brief lapse in composure. "Welcome to the Mithrandir, Ensign!" Hawke was unusually chipper in so saying. At a different time, there might not have been so pleasant a greeting between them. The Hawkes had always been pilots and fighters. ~The times they are a-changin'~ though Hawke with a smile. "Yes, yes, thank you. Goodbye." Elith said, a bit dismissively. Hawke accepted this as the officer's prerogative. "Your personal effects will be placed in your quarters, sir," Ezekiel called after the Cardassian. This new ACEO moved with a purpose, and Hawke could respect that. "Alright!" Hawke said to the deck hands. "Bags to billet!" Hawke ordered, pointing at Rejal's gear and then swinging his right index finger forward toward the quartering areas. (Reply any) (Posted by Frank) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:09) "I have a...passing interest with science, sir. It interests me enough to make my posting here fulfilling, but it's not something I want to pursue in my life. More than anything, I'm an engineer. I don't mind what kind of ship I'm assigned to, they all have a need for a good engineer. I've come to expect Starfleet Command playing it safe when it comes to me, it's been happening since I enlisted. Not every day they find a former Cardassian soldier trying to enlist in their navy." "True," Stakes responded. "I guess they consider it more likely for a Cardassian spy to turn up. So your arrival here must mean that they have reason not to suspect you." Archibald shrugged. "With or without a passing interest in science. Anyway," Archibald continued. "I DO hope that Starfleet Academy has taught you well regarding embracing other cultures. For if not, you will have a difficult time on board. Your colleague Assistant Chief is a hybrid Klingon/Vulcan. Will that be a problem, Mister Rejal?" "Absolutely not, sir." The new arrival answered quickly, as if he didn't need time to think about a response "I'm not the racist kind of Cardassian that seems to inhabit the minds of every, well, non-Cardassian. In the war, I met many different types of races and cultures, on both sides of the battlefield. In the end, it doesn't matter what kind of race you are, or what kind of culture you hold dear, you're just another faceless number with a phaser. You won't have any trouble with racism, sir." Archibald just nodded at this. There was little else you should or could expect as an answer. "Before I send you on your way, Ensign, just one more question. I can see why you left the Cardassian military. But then to attempt to enlist on the other side? Why?" "I have my reasons, sir. I would rather not get into it, but rest assured, I'm not out to stab you in the back. I'm not an agent of the Obsidian Order, I'm simply a tired soldier looking for a new life." Archibald licked his lips. He was not satisfied with the answer but he considered that he had no reason to doubt him. He didn't like open ends. Open ends were known to spring surprises from time to time. And more often than not surprises lead to dangers. Archibald regarded the new officer once last time. "I guess that will have to do. You have been assigned quarters already, the computer will guide you. Now, unless there is anything that you wish to ask, I would suggest you find your quarters, settle in and familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Tomorrow your duties will begin in earnest." Archibald looked at the Cardassian, waiting to see the response. (Reply by Elith, iyw) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 20:12) "I have my reasons, sir. I would rather not get into it, but rest assured, I'm not out to stab you in the back. I'm not an agent of the Obsidian Order, I'm simply a tired soldier looking for a new life." Archibald licked his lips. Elith knew that the captain didn't like his answer, and he didn't really care. He wasn't about to detail the last few years of his life to this man, even though he was Elith's superior officer. Call it stubbornness, call it a psychological problem, Elith was simply one of those persons who didn't enjoy talking about their pasts. He knew this would slightly worsen his first impression, however he again didn't care. Elith never cared about how people felt about him, as long as it didn't interfere with his own life and work. With this guy, he wasn't too sure if that would happen or not. "I guess that will have to do. You have been assigned quarters already, the computer will guide you. Now, unless there is anything that you wish to ask, I would suggest you find your quarters, settle in and familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Tomorrow your duties will begin in earnest." "There is nothing more I wish to discuss, sir. Thank you for your assistance so far. I am...looking forward to serving under you, sir." Hey, he was, after all. New ship, new captain, even Elith wanted to know what would happen next. "If you'll excuse me." Elith made a slight bow. "Good evening, Captain Stakes." (Reply Stakes, if you want) Elith swiftly exited the room. After walking on Deck 1, familiarizing himself with it, he said, "Computer, where are Ensign Rejal's quarter's located?" [Ensign Rejal's quarters are on Deck 4, port side, room number 423. Do you require any further directions?] "That will not be necessary." (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Deck 4 - ACEO Ensign j.g. Elith Rejal - 20:17) As Elith walked the halls of Deck 4, familiarizing himself, he came across a Bajoran crewman who was walking in the opposite direction. ~Wonderful.~ Elith tried to make a non-threatening smile at the Bajoran, and the Bajoran simply sneered and continued walking. ~...I suppose that could have gone a lot worse. Hopefully I won't see her too often, I don't want to cause a scene...or to be a part of one.~ Elith saw his room coming up on the right, and entered. His room looked exactly like his old Academy dorm, except quite a bit larger. He didn't really mind about the larger space, he was used to small rooms, both from his time in Cardassian space and his Academy dorm. He spotted his luggage, one mid-size bag, laid thoughtfully near his bed. He opened both bags and began to place the contents around his room. All in all, there were very few things to place, other than the two spare uniforms and painkillers for his leg, he had his Cardassian medals, some PADDs with his favorite novels, and not much else. It was a relatively short process. After that, Elith decided to rest for a while before exploring more of the ship. He didn't require much sleep, and he would use that time to get to know the ship as best he could before tomorrow arrived. (Reply any) (Posted by Matt Kirk) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Quarters - ACMO Ensign (jg) Ava McGregor - 2045) "Can't they just, you know, blow the moon up?" One word. "No." conjoined with one pitying look was enough for Ava to take the hint and not ask anymore questions about New Eden. The crewman who had cleared her with security had kindly helped her with her bags to her new quarters. The ensign she was sharing with was no where to be found, which was good. Considering it was obviously the new Acmo's head was stuffed with cotton wool. ~That's what three weeks of traveling will do to you~ Ava thought as she freshened up, pulling a brush through her hair she tied it up into its normal on duty bun. Taking a quick slurp of replicated coffee she gave her mirror image the critical once over. Satisfied she did not look like she had been traveling for nearly three weeks solid Ava took another hasty swallow of the strong stuff before checking with the computer the most direct route to the captains ready room and headed out the door. Ava was not overly sure why the captain would want to see her. She had thought as a lowly ensign fresh out of the academy she would be the last person he would be wanting to see. But she had been told that the CMO was unavailable. ~Perhaps Stakes does like to do the meet and greet. Gives him the opportunity to give his new personnel the once over.~ The young doctor surmised as she arrived at the captains ready room and pressed the chime. The doors opened, Ava entered, Bright eyed and obviously happy to be exactly where she was. "Ensign McGregor reporting for duty as ordered sir." (Reply Stakes) (Posted by Jodie) (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 20:50) Archibald pushed his chair back and looked once more at the time before getting up to pour himself a coffee. He sniffed the coffee eagerly and nodded appreciative. He didn't know how Mei Ling did it but somehow she always could lay her hands on real Terran coffee beans. Even when they were light years away from Earth. It was moments like those that made life as a Starfleet Captain enjoyable. Archibald took a careful sip as he walked back to his chair and sat down. Unfortunately those moments were rare and something always popped up. Archibald flipped open his screen and as he waited he re-read the personnel file on his screen. He shook his head, then leaned back, his questions forming in his mind, ready to be fired. He took another sip of the coffee and continued waiting, his fingers finally tapping an allegro march, the beat increasing with every passing minute. Luckily just before the crescendo was reached the door chime rang and Archibald flicked the door override switch. He watched a young female clad in blue enter. "Ensign McGregor reporting for duty as ordered sir." Archibald nodded in response. "Thank you for your prompt response, Ensign, if a little belated. I hope you do not take this personal but there is a reason why officers are required to report in to their new CO as soon as they arrive on board. It's a show of respect, Ensign. And without respect a command structure will not function. And I DO want our command structure to function as I am sure that you do too, Ensign. The rule of command, the rule of law, they are intertwined. And out here, deep in space, there is no law bar that we provide. That is our function, that is our mission. Some people say that I am a stickler for the rules and they are right. I *do* run a tight ship. Not because I am a grumpy bear, not because I like it, but because that is my function aboard this vessel, Ensign. And I expect you to support me, Ensign. Every step of the way." Archibald got up and extended his hand to her. "Welcome on board, Mister McGregor. I hope that you will prove to be as resolute as your file describes. You will need it." Archibald moved back to his desk, raising his hand, to cut off a response. He was not ready, yet. He sat down again and looked at her. "Of course, with a splendid resume like yours ..." Archibald checked the screen again, keying in a few accounts. "Especially your final assessment, I understand. Mister Takano was apparently so impressed that he cut it short? Now, that puzzles me. Not that you are so good, but Takano's reaction. I know him, actually. I met him when I was part of the Terran defense group, doing our rounds, giving speeches at the Academy, that kind of thing. He seemed to me to be very ..... laid back. The problem is, Ensign, that I can not imagine that the man that I met would ever give anyone a final assessment as positive as his. Yet, the records say he did. So, I am now considering what I am to believe more, the records or my experience. And so far, Ensign, I must admit ....." Archibald fell silent the looked at her through slotted eyes. "Will you make it easy for me, Mister McGregor? I would be terribly interested in finding out how you managed to swap Starfleet records." (Reply Ava) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Day: 12 Stardate: 2408.06.18 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (U.S.S. Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes - 08:42) Archibald looked at the reports that he had received so far and shook his head. Half a day was already gone and the repairs had barely started. With only three days until the freighters would have taken the settlers on board, it became clear to him that they would need to speed it up. He tapped his commbadge. "Stakes to Crewman Randell and Ensign Rejal. You are to meet up in the transporter room and transport over to the SS Hingis, to assess their engines and their ability to fly at warp 5 for extended periods of time. Once you have assessed their capability you are to lead an engineering team to assist with the repairs. You will have a maximum of two days for this." (Reply by Elith, Morgan, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken)