Mission: Swords to Ploughshares, Day 2
Stardate: 2408.05.21

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO Commander Stolev - Day 2 - 1046)

=^= Marie Straton to Commander Stolev. =^=

Sasha looked up in alarm at the sound of Eva's aunt's voice on the comm system.
He had told her how to use the comm system but to only call him in an emergency
if he were on duty.  "Yes Marie, what's wrong?" he asked.

=^= Aleksander, if it isn't too much to ask, could you come to your quarters? =
^= she asked.  =^= Your children need you.=^=

Sasha jumped out of the chair and headed for the lift.  "Mr. Yalix, you have
the conn," he said, just before entering the turbolift.  Once inside he keyed
it for deck three and tapped his badge again.  "I'm on my way Marie.  What's
the matter?  Is one of them hurt?" he asked anxiously.  Before he got an answer
the doors opened and he hurried down the corridor for the door to his quarters.

He walked in to find Marie trying to soothe the babies, both of whom were
screaming loudly but appeared uninjured at a quick glance.  "Marie, what's
going on?" he asked the older woman.

(reply Marie)
(posted by Aaron)

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(USS Boudicca, Stolev's Quarters, Civ Marie Straton & FO Commander Stolev,
10:49)

    Marie was rocking the twins and still trying in vain to sooth them
when the doors to the quarters opened and Aleksander came rushing into the
room.  She could feel his concern for his children even before he opened
his mouth to speak

    "Marie, what's going on?" he asked.

    "Please, Aleksander take your jacket off and take Evan for a
moment," She asked pleadingly.  "I will explain, but please you must take
off your uniform jacket."

    Sasha frowned, both in confusion at being told to take off his
uniform jacket and annoyance that Marie persisted in calling him
Aleksander. "Why do I need to take off my jacket?" he asked as he unzipped
it and began to shrug it off his shoulders.

    "You are not a full empath," Marie explained as she scooted forward
in the chair and stood motioning with her head for Sasha to sit down.  "You
will need direct skin to skin contact to do what must be done.  Please sit,
and take hold of the children."

    Sasha nodded. "Then I suppose I'll need to take the undershirt off
too." He quickly tugged it over his head, then sat in the indicated chair
and reached for the twins.

    Marie handed Aleksander his children then knelt down next to him as
she started to explain.  "As you may know, the twins telepathic and
empathic centers are not yet active.  They won't become active until early
puberty, most likely.  However, it is common for Betazoid mothers to have
an empathic bond with their children, I know I did with mine.  Their mother
is a very strong empath as well as telepath.  Her link with them was very
strong, but not even Eva can maintain such a strong link over such great
distances.  Now, while they may not be aware of what is missing they are
aware that something *is* missing.  Something that has been there since
they were born.  You might equate it to suddenly being blind or missing a
limb.  It is most distressing.  You are their father, their mothers Imzadi,
you can, with my help, provide them with a substitute until they have
adjusted to not having their mother here."

Sure enough, shortly after Sasha had taken the twins in his arms and held
them to his bare chest, they had begun to quiet down, and now they were
nuzzling softly against him, with only an occasional whimper.  He looked up
at Marie.  "I see what you mean.  But how long will it take them to adjust?
I can't spend all my time here with them, as much as I might like to.  I
have duties that require my attention."

    "Shhh..."Marie said, as she gently stroked Aleksandria's strawberry
blond hair.  "Let's give them a few moments to drift off to sleep," She
continued softly, using her own empathic ability to strengthen the bond
with their father.  "Then you can lay them in their cribs and return to the
Bridge.  These first few days will be the roughest for them.  After that
they should start to adjust and you won't need to soothe them as much.
Telepathic contact is still important to the development of their
telepathic centers, so you will still want to bond with them when you are
able.  I may need you to come back down later this afternoon to help soothe
them again if that is alright.  Then again before you put them down for the
night.  Tomorrow, well we will see how things go."  She smiled and looked
up at Sasha, absently brushing some hair out of her face.

Sasha nodded silently, then gazed back down at the twins.  They were both
still stirring softly, but the time between stirrings grew longer, and
their breathing became more regular, until eventually he was sure they were
both deeply asleep.  He took a deep breath and then he stood up gingerly,
taking extra care not to jostle the babies.  Slowly he made his way into
the nursery and, with his knee, hit the control to raise the crib mattress
to his arm level, so he could gently lay Evan down while still holding
Aleksandria.  Once he was safely on the mattress and it had been lowered
back to its normal level, he laid Aleksandria in her crib as well, then
silently padded back out into the living room.

Once the door had closed behind him, he began putting his uniform top back
on.  "Okay, I will head back to the bridge now," he said to Marie.  "Call
me if you need me this afternoon."

Marie nodded and watched him leave before heading back out into the living
area and sitting down on the couch.  ~I'll do some more knitting while I
wait for them to wake up.  Hopefully they will be in a better mood and I
can take them for a walk.  Maybe a trip to 10 Forward later.~  She thought
pulling out her knitting needles and some yarn.

(Reply Any, None)
(posted by Aaron and Wes)

==========

Mission: Swords to Ploughshares, Day 3
Stardate: 2408.05.22

(USS Boudicca -  Deck 6, CSO Office - CO Captain Susan Rivers & CSO
Commander Sprak - Day 3 -  0902)

Sprak was hanging upside down from the ceiling above his desk, his tail
curled tightly around a support strut.  His feet where firmly planted on
either side of his tail at shoulder width preventing him from swinging
or swaying while he worked on his terminal, taking notes on a PADD held
in one hand, and whistling a merry tune at the same time.  He looked
over as the door chime sounded just prior to the door opened and Captain
Rivers walked in.

"Captain!," He said merrily.  "A pleasure I'm sure!  Come in!  Come in!
What can I do for you this fine morning?"  ~Oh, it won't do to have a
talk with my Captain while hanging from the ceiling.  She might think
I'm being rude!~  He thought.  He released his tail suddenly, spun in
mid-air and landed firmly on his feet on the top of his desk before
taking a small hop backwards, landing in the chair behind the desk.  He
then sat down cross-legged and motioned for the Captain to sit in one of
the other chairs.

"Oh!  My manners!  Where did I leave them!?"  He exclaimed suddenly,
jumping from his chair.  "Would you like something to drink or a snack
perhaps?  I've recently added my mothers recipe for qualltan fruit bars
into the replicator, and while it could never compare to the real thing,
it is pretty close."

Susan, whose eyebrows had risen a little on being addressed from the
ceiling, sat down on the indicated chair.

"Thank you, Commander," she said with a smile. "I'd like to try the
qualltan fruit bars if I may."

"Do you often work upside down?" she asked, unable to suppress her
curiosity. She had noticed the PADD in his hand and wondered.

"When the spirit moves me,"Sprak said with a smile as he headed toward
the replicator.  He continued explaining as he typed in the order. "You
see Captain, my species evolved from something close to the Terran
monkey.  Many of our ancient cities are entirely in the trees.  Only
relatively recently have our cities begun to take on a
more...multi-species friendly design.  Hanging upside down is no more
awkward for me than sitting is for you."

He gathered the two plates and two glasses from the replicator and
balanced them carefully as he moved back over to his desk.  He set one
of the small plates and glasses down in front of Captain Rivers before
moving back behind his desk and set down his own plate and glass.  He
picked up one of the two fruit bars on the plate and took a bite out of
it, smiling at the Captain.

"Some chilled pooltha nectar to wash down the fruit bars," He offered,
as he picked up his own glass filled with a purple substance and took a
hearty drink.  "Mmmmm....almost as good as mom's...almost.  So, Captain,
to what to I owe the pleasure of your company this fine day?"

Susan tasted the purple liquid. It had a taste that took her right back
to her childhood, and the thick coconut milk that her grandmother
enjoyed with ice. Years later she had found out that her grandmother had
also enjoyed a good slug of vodka in there too, but the child Susan had
only been given the coconut milk to drink. The taste wasn't identical
but it was similar enough for Susan almost to feel the heat of the sun
and hear the wheezing of her grandmother's pug dog.

"I'm hoping we can get to know one another a little, Commander. Taking
over as Captain when I don't know many of the senior staff is difficult,
especially when we're heading off into the unknown. Of course I can read
your record but that only gives me a feel for the officer's career, not
the person. Social events are all very well too but by their nature
don't allow a good deal of one-to-one conversation."

She took a bite of one of the bars, and savoured the fruity taste. The
dark blue of the fruit was reminiscent of the hol'cha berry on Bajor but
the taste was lighter, and slightly sweeter, closer to terran
strawberries. "This is delicious," she said, smiling, "As is the pooltha
nectar."

"I'm glad you like them," Sprak replied with a broad smile.  "A little
taste of home is always nice don't you think?" He took another bite of
his fruit bar as he considered the rest of what the Captain has said.
"Get to know each other a little hmm?  Is there something in particular
you wish to know?  Have something in mind to share?  Getting to know one
another implies you don't just want to hear about me, but wish to also
share something about yourself?"

Susan nodded. "It's as important for you all to get to know me, as it is
for me to get to know you," she agreed. "It'd be nice to hear what led
you to join Starfleet. My own reasons were mixed; my family was Maquis,
but I spent most of my childhood on Earth with my father's family
because my parents felt I would be safer there. My aunt Luisa was a
noted archaeologist, and I first followed in her footsteps but I found
it didn't satisfy me. I could have joined the Maquis fleet but I knew
that it would be impossible to make my own place there - my parents were
highly placed in the organisation and my brother was making a name for
himself too. So it seemed to me that Starfleet was the obvious choice if
I wanted to make a place for myself, not occupy one made for the
daughter of Thomas Rivers."

Sprak chewed his fruit bar silently for a few moments as he digested the
Captain's words, and because he was quite enjoying his fruit bar.

"Well can't say that I've ever heard of your father," He replied with a
smile, "So I'd say you've certainly made a place for yourself outside of
your fathers shadow." He took another bite of his fruit bar while he
decided what he wanted to say.

"As for me," He began, "I grew up in one of those ancient tree cities I
was telling you about.  My mother is a well known physician and my
father is an engineer.  I come from a fairly large family, for my
species any way, I have two sisters and one brother.  I entered science
at an early age and studied at some of the finest universities on my
world and later the Federation.  I have about half a dozen doctorial
degrees in a wide variety of fields, but of course you would be aware of
this if you've reviewed my record.  Before joining Star Fleet, I was a
university professor of Astrophysics on my home world when I decided I
wanted to see more of the universe and to delve the depths of the
unknown reaches of the galaxy.  I suppose you could say that curiosity
led me to join Star Fleet.  Curiosity on what wonders lay just beyond
what we know today waiting for some brave souls to discover."

Susan smiled. "An explorer at heart, then? That's good to know. And an
excellent thing for a science officer. Because what would science be
without that spark of curiosity to extend the bounds of knowledge, to
explore what's round the corner or in the next system?"

She looked up at the ceiling. "Would some bars fixed up there help you?
I'm sure that could be arranged. And your quarters - any modifications
you would like there?"

"Exactly!" Sprak replied with a wide smile, "Though at times I've been
told my curiosity is more like an exploding warp core than a spark."  He
chuckled at his own little joke.  "Bars huh?" He continued looking up at
the ceiling for a moment.  "Sure wouldn't make it any harder that's for
sure.  Though I would like permission to make a few modifications to my
quarters, now that you mention it.  Make it a little more like home if
you would.  Maybe some climbing bars, some ropes strung here and there.
That kind of stuff.  Maybe we could put a few bars up on the Bridge over
the science station too?"  He suggested with a broad smile.

Susan grinned back. "Your office and your quarters you certainly have
permission for. Speak to Lieutenant Lorimar. The Bridge I think we will
leave for now. As you know, there isn't a great deal of extra space there."

She popped the last piece of the delicious fruit bar into her mouth and
finished her pooltha nectar.

"Well, I'd better not take up any more of your time, Commander. Thank
you for letting me interrupt you," she said, standing up. "I've enjoyed
our talk, and feel we've made steps towards knowing one another better.
I look forward to improving our acquaintance."

Sprak chuckled, he hadn't really expected the Captain to allow bars to
be put up on the Bridge.  ~Can't blame a fellow for trying.~  He thought
as he nodded.  "Of course, Captain," He said, hopping out his chair and
moving around his desk to see the Captain out.  "I look forward to our
next little talk," He said looking up at the Captain and bowing slightly.

Susan smiled at the CSO. "I do too, Mr Sprak. Thank you again for the
fruit bars and the nectar," she said, then left to look for Ensign Deston.

(Reply any, none)
(Posted by Wes Harden and Liz Geuken)

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(USS Boudicca - Deck 7, Sickbay, M&M room - ACMO Ensign Jahlen - 1040)

Intrigued, Jahlen listened to the conversation between Dr. Fickett and
the Captain, as she considered if there was anything she needed to know
about the CO.  She was most interested to know that Rivers had been
busted down from Captain to Lieutenant at some point for expressing her
opinions too freely and transferred back to the Boudicca as TAC/ASC and
she barely suppressed a chuckle at that as Captain Rivers grinned ruefully.

~Sounds like my kind of person, not afraid to speak out even if it is
detrimental to her own good.~  She thought, adding another check mark in
favor of Rivers.

"...I guess you could say I make a hobby of upsetting the brass. While I
was working for Ohlsson I did a fair amount of travelling around, so I'm
afraid your messages must have got lost. I never got them," she added.
"They're probably sitting in some dead-letter file in some clerk's
office somewhere. I'm sorry. What about you?" Captain Rivers asked.
"What did you do after you left the Nimitz?"

Having no input to the conversation, Jahlen helped herself to another
handful of M&Ms, popping them one at a time into her mouth to chew, she
particularly liked the nutty ones and found the mingling of flavors
pleasing to the palette.  She wondered if the recipe for them was
already programmed in to all the replicators, well she'd find out later on.

(Reply Louis, any present)
(Posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Deck 7, Sickbay, M&M room - CMO Lt. Louis Fickett - Day 3 -
1041)

"Well... there is something I've been wondering about," Louis said. "I tried to
check up on you a few times after you left the Nimitz, but could never find out
anything. Did you get any of my messages? I didn't even think you were injured
enough to have to leave the ship, even, much less be transferred off, never to
return. What happened to you?"

"I was transferred, Louis,on orders from SFHQ. It's true I wasn't that badly
injured but I was sent back to Geneva pending transport back to Earth.  Admiral
Ohlsson heard about it, intercepted the orders and had me transferred to his
staff. I worked for him for a while, then one day I, ah, expressed myself a
little too freely to Admiral Weston, and got busted down to Lieutenant and
transferred back to the Boudicca as TAC/ASC." She grinned ruefully. "I guess
you could say I make a hobby of upsetting the brass. While I was working for
Ohlsson I did a fair amount of travelling around, so I'm afraid your messages
must have got lost. I never got them.  They're probably sitting in some dead-
letter
file in some clerk's office somewhere. I'm sorry. What about you?" she asked.
"What did you do after you left the Nimitz?"

"Well, I transferred back to Geneva for a while, to get back to a more stable
sort of environment," replied Louis.  "I was there for a while but I missed
Earth, so I went back home.  Unfortunately by then the attitudes had changed
regarding those of us who were in or had been in Freedom Squadron.  I had to
keep a pretty low profile until after the civil war, and even then, there were
some who seemed resentful during the reconstruction.  So I decided to come back
out this way to get away from all that, and there was a need for a medical
officer her, so that's where they sent me."

(reply any iyw)
(posted by Aaron)

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(USS Boudicca - Trei's Office - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1211)

"I am still getting used to being in charge of the department. Although I have
been getting acclimated well, I still need time to become comfortable with the
authority. As far as anything to change in the department, I feel fairly
content with the way the department is run now. Of course if we get placed back
on the top line in the fleet, I would need two more to fill the department
staff. Niles can tell you more of the day to day operations," explained Detron.

Niles thought it over for a moment. "Well, as for as I know, everything is
running smoothly. Shifts are trading off nicely. Security and tactical
personnel morale is fine. We have only had two incidents of tardiness, since we
left for our mission. Finally, everyone knows where, when, and how to do your
duties. So overall, I would have to say everything is superb on everyday
operations. If not above optimal standards," he said finishing with a positive
smile.

"Although, after the last couple days, my only thing to change would have to be
permanent security on the ship's weaponry," Niles explained with now a half
grin.

(Reply Rivers, Trei)
(Posted by Niles George)

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(USS Boudicca - TAC/SC's Office - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 3 - 1212)

Detron mentioned that he was still getting used to being in charge of
the department and being in authority. He felt comfortable with the way
things were, but added that if they were sent back to being a ship of
the line he'd like two more staff in the department.

After a moment's thought, Niles added that everything seemed to be
running smoothly and morale was fine. He added with a half grin that the
only change he would like would be permanent security on the ship's
weaponry.

Susan nodded. "After your experience, I'm not surprised. I suggest that
you review the security protocols in place and see how they could be
improved. I'm not sure if we have the manpower to mount a permanent
guard, and to be honest this hasn't been a problem before. So that
leaves us with two options; either someone skimped on the security
protocols, or they were bypassed. I recommend you find out which. If
after your review you have recommendations for change, and Lieutenant
Trei concurs, then by all means put them in place."

She stood up. "Thank you for your time, gentlemen. If there is ever
anything you wish to speak to me about, my door is always open. I
enjoyed our conversation, and I look forward to getting to know you better."

(reply Trei, George, if you wish)
(Posted by Liz)

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(USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 3 - 1317)

Arania welcomed Susan and invited her to sit at a table in the back of
the room. The table was beautifully laid out, the food and drink looking
enticing against the crisp white table cloth, and complemented with
napkins daintily folded to look like butterflies, as well as a sprig of
flowers with a pleasant aroma.

Arania explained the different dishes she had prepared and Susan thanked
her and began helping herself to the delicious-looking food as Arania
continued, "Discussed your offer with Matthew, I did.  It is decided
that I will accept to be Bar Tender here with much pleasure, Captain."

Susan beamed. "That's great, Arania. If this wonderful food is anything
to go by, you certainly won't be short of customers."

Susan sampled another of the dishes. "I know it's early days," she said,
"But are there any changes you'd like to make here? Of course I realise
that you will probably discover things you want to change over time, but
I wondered if there was anything you had in mind already?"

(Reply Arania, any)
(Posted by Liz)

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(USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV SPC Arania - 1319)

Having explained the different dishes she had prepared to the Captain,
Arania went on to tell her while she sampled some of the Iradonian
food, that she had discussed the offer of the bar manager's position
with her husband, and they that she should accept it.

The Captain seemed genuinely pleased and expressed her delight.

"That's great, Arania. If this wonderful food is anything to go by,
you certainly won't be short of customers."\

Captain Rivers sampled another of the dishes. "I know it's early
days," she said, "But are there any changes you'd like to make here?
Of course I realise that you will probably discover things you want to
change over time, but I wondered if there was anything you had in mind
already?"

Arania looked around at her surroundings.  It was a nice enough place
though it was rather plain and more attuned to serve the crew of the
ship rather than their families as well, perhaps that would be
something worth mentioning for a start.  She hoped she wasn't being to
presumptuous or demanding.

"Is a very nice place though simple and functional only, and for grown
ups in Starfleet it is adequate, however I think it could be adapted -
or a section of it,  to also be attractive to families.  Younglings
once finished eating, often are restless while the elders would still
wish enjoyment of dining and talking.  It would be a service to have a
place where the young ones can go to play quietly until the elders are
ready to leave...  Also I would like much to change the ummm..."  Her
brow creased as she sought the word she needed.  "Umbeeyons? ... How
it feels to you when you come in, it's appearance."

A blush crept up Arania's face, she hated it when she knew she'd not
got a word right but she forged on.

"People on this ship from many places come, but almost all have much
in common.  Relaxing is sought, romance is wanted, privacy could also
be offered for small parties or perhaps, for a Captain to entertain or
have a working meal with officers.  Many things I would consider
before telling you of my wishes for change here."

She picked up one of the pastries that Matthew loved so much, it was
like a flaky pastry shell stuffed with shellfish meat and nuts,
flavored with herbs and bit into it as she wondered if she'd
overstepped her boundaries.

(Reply Rivers, any)
(Posted by Sal)

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(USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - Day 3 - 1320)

Arania mentioned that she would like to make a section of Ten Forward
family-friendly, and Susan nodded as she listened to the ideas. She also
mentioned that she would like to change the ambience.

Susan smiled. "It sounds like you have some good ideas already, Arania.
I have no problem with any of that; you're in charge here now, and you
have my permission to make any changes you think necessary. Ten Forward
is your domain; arrange with OPS and Engineering for anything you need,
you will have my authorisation should it be needed but I'm sure that
Tollian and Bob will be only too glad to help you."

She took one of the small pastries Arania had selected and tried it,
enjoying the mixture of flavours and textures.

"Mei Ling had my complete confidence to run Ten Forward as she saw fit,
as do you. I don't expect it to remain the same, you will have your own
ideas and that is just fine. I think you are the best person for the
job, and I'm happy to have you. You're a very capable woman, Arania of
Iradon, and I have every confidence that your domain will become the
envy of the fleet," she finished with a smile. "It will certainly be a
pleasure to eat and relax here," she added with a smile, taking another
of the pastries. They really were delicious!

(Reply Arania iyw, any)
(Posted by Liz)

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(USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - CIV SPC Arania - Day 3 - 1321)

Now it was official, the Captain told her that she was now in charge
and had her permission to make any changes Arania thought necessary,
all she had to do was arrange it Operations and Engineering, and
assured Arania that Tollian and Bob would be glad to help.

It certainly was gratifying to know that Captain Rivers had complete
confidence in Arania's capabilities.  In fact, to Arania, the Captain
had more confidence in her than she actually had in herself. It was
also gratifying that the Captain was genuinely enjoying her lunch as
she tucked in to a delectable pastry with enthusiasm.

"Mei Ling had my complete confidence to run Ten Forward as she saw
fit, as do you. I don't expect it to remain the same, you will have
your own ideas and that is just fine. I think you are the best person
for the job, and I'm happy to have you. You're a very capable woman,
Arania of Iradon, and I have every confidence that your domain will
become the envy of the fleet," she finished with a smile. "It will
certainly be a pleasure to eat and relax here," she added with a
smile, taking another of the pastries.

Arania beamed at Rivers, there was nothing she liked to see more than
somebody with a good appetite and appreciation for good food besides,
the performing of wonderful music.  She gave her customary bow of the
head.

"My thanks, Captain for the kindness of your words and your confidence
in me, I am honored and I hope to live up to your expectations."  She
pushed the plate of pastries closer to the Captain.  "I look forward
with pleasure to seeing you here more often, yes?"

(reply Rivers RFM)

Seeing that her guest's drink was almost finished, she poured her more
of the juice from a cold pitcher and topped up her own, then helped
herself to some goat cheese curds flavored with a herb that Matthew
had told her, was similar to Dill, which she scooped up with a strip
of flat, black bread.  When she had finished bread and cheese she
wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"I am much excited about this new adventure."  Arania stated and her
eyes became distant as she reflected her past life and all the changes
she'd gone through.  "Who would have thought that I, a poor peasant
girl, an acolyte in the house of the Goddess, would be here now, on a
ship that sails the heavens!  My Goddess has blessed me many times
over."

(Reply Rivers, any)
(Posted by Sal)