NRPG:

Compile Index:

Stardate: 2408.02.09

(Starfleet Academy -  Lecture hall Five, General Ship Operations's Cadet (2)  Donald Watkins, 0905)
(Starfleet Academy, Lecture Hall Five, Cadet (2) Donald Watkins, 1103)
(Starfleet Academy, Runabout docking bay, Departure lounge, Cadet (2) Donald Watkins, 1400)

Stardate: 2408.02.22

(USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations - OPS Ensign Kit Spero - 1031)
(USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - Ensign sg Sanok - 14:40)

Stardate: 2408.02.23

(USS Mithrandir  Ready Room  CO- Captain Archibald Stakes - 08:02)
(Starbase Geneva, USS Mithrandir, Cadet(2) Donald Watkins, 0856)
(USS Mithrandir  Ready Room  CO- Captain Archibald Stakes and Cadet(2) Donald Watkins - 09:01)
(USS Mithrandir  Deck 02, Sickbay  CMO Dr Nymes  1006)
(USS Mithrandir  Deck 02  ACEO ENS SG Lanista  1024)

Stardate: 2408.02.24

(USS Mithrandir  CO's quarters  Admiral Lydia Stakes  22:46)
(USS Mithrandir  CO's quarters  Admiral Lydia Stakes  22:55)

Stardate: 2408.03.06

(USS Mithrandir - Engineering - ACEO Lanista - 0956)
(USS Mithrandir - Bridge - A-OPs Ensign (jg) Jefferies- 09:59)
(USS Mithrandir  Deck 06, ACEO's Quarters  ACEO Lanista  1000)

RPG:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission: Interlude
Stardate: 2408.02.09
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(Starfleet Academy -  Lecture hall Five, General Ship Operations's Cadet (2)  Donald Watkins, 0905)

~I'm late.... again~ Donny thought, as he rounded the corner and skidded into the Lecture theatre, PADDs clattering from his torn bag and bouncing down the stairs. ~So much for the quiet entrance at the back of the class.~

The human raised his hand in silent acknowledgement of the stares and chuckles he received from the entrance he had made, to the chagrin of the Lieutenant giving the lecture on Ship mechanics and operations.  The screen showed a slide of general exploration specifications, and the woman was mid-sentence into the objectives of the course, a course that would see the cadets move into the fleet properly, as part of a 6 month rotation in the 52nd fleet.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Cadet Watkins has finally turned up, which means we can continue. See me afterwards, Cadet."

(Starfleet Academy, Lecture Hall Five, Cadet (2) Donald Watkins, 1103)

Donny somehow survived the lecture without any fiasco befalling him, and despite his tardiness managed to keep up with the class. Science and Operations were, after all, his majors. The lieutenant sighed as he tripped down the last couple of stairs to meet up with her.

"Cadet, look where you are going?"

"Sorry, ma'am. Complete accident!" he said, his Irish lilt to his voice conveying the apology.

She sighed again. "Look, all the cadet-twos are going to the fleet; most of them will manage to not trip up on the way to the space-dock. Have you got your assignment yet?"

Donny looked panicked, stricken. "I think I must have...."

"... forgotten to attend that meeting? I have your orders here, cadet.

USS Mithrandir, a Nova-class under Captain Stakes' command. Let me tell you now that he'll frown on any tardiness, or unexpected business from a cadet. I expect you to be prompt, attentive and follow orders, Watkins; is that understood?"

"Clear as crystal, ma'am."

"Good, here's your PADD. Report to the quartermaster to stow your gear, and pick up your travel bag. You get to take one bag of personal effects, and that's it."

Donny thanked her, before leaving the hall, dropping one of the PADDs in the tower before correcting it and walking on again.

~Cadets  these days ~ Lieutenant Solace thought. ~Just hope he can cope under Stakes' regime.~

(Starfleet Academy, Runabout docking bay, Departure lounge, Cadet (2) Donald Watkins, 1400)

Donny clasped the bag to his body as he reread the PADD for the hundredth time since leaving the quartermaster. His personal bag contained a holo-image of his family, his brother; his velocity disc, and a hastily packed civilian suit. A washkit completed his belongings.

His sandy hair was unkempt, as if the cadet had run from the lecture hall to his quarters and half way around the campus in a force 10 gale.

His was a personage of nervousness, of anxiety, of a will to please and succeed, but one that had no confidence until he had drilled the procedures that he found himself needing day to day. Unless he had to work with computers, in which case he was competent verging on cocky.

The Cadet was perfect for his time away from the academy, to fill out the rough article into an officer worthy of the fleet.

"Report to Starbase Geneva, USS Mithrandir CO: Captain Stakes... 0900 23.02.2408. Cadet mentor: to be defined by Captain Stakes" Donny said, repeating the order like a mantra, like a good luck charm as he left Earth for the first time to serve on a Starfleet ship.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission: Interlude
Stardate: 2408.02.22
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations - OPS Ensign Kit Spero - 1031)

Markra took Kit's outstretched hand in a firm grip and shook it, nodding and smiling at Kit's comment about the Captain.

"Sorry to call you down here, but I guessed you'd want to meet the newbie," Alex said with a laugh. "But seriously, hope I didn't interrupt anything."

Kit thought briefly of her interrupted break but shook her head. "No, nothing important," she said. "And you were right, of course I want to meet our new colleague."

Alex offered to show Markra round the ship, and Markra accepted with pleasure. Alex then invited Kit to join them.

"I'd be happy to," she smiled. "It'll give us a chance to get to know one another a bit. After all, we'll all be working together so the sooner we get to know each other the better. Shall we start with the Bridge and work down? Oh and do you have quarters yet, Markra? If not I can arrange that right now," she offered.

(Reply Markra, Alex, any)
(Posted by Liz)

(USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - Ensign sg Sanok - 14:40)

"Thank you again, Captain Stakes.  I will endeavor to show myself worthy of this," said Sanok.

"You will do no such thing, Ensign," said Stakes after motioning for Sanok to sit.  "You received the promotion because of actions taken, not because of actions expected.  It is logical to place officers in a higher position when their actions have shown that they will be capable of fulfilling the additional requirements."

As Sanok sat, he said, "Yes, but with greater rank, comes greater expectations and responsibilities.  We're both held to a high standard, but Starfleet expects far more from you, than from me."

"Ensign, a personal question, if I may," said Stakes.  "You made a choice about your guiding principles.  Why did you choose the way you chose?"

Sanok did not expect such a question.  He wasn't bothered by it, but was curious that the captain would ask.  Perhaps it was just to better know and understand one of his officers.

Looking directly into Stakes' eyes, Sanok did a very Human thing.  He shrugged his shoulders.

"At the time, it seemed the logical thing to do."

(Reply Stakes)
(Posted by Bob)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission: Interlude
Stardate: 2408.02.23
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(USS Mithrandir  Ready Room  CO- Captain Archibald Stakes - 08:02)

~They what??????????~

Archibald read the message on his screen again, hardly believing the words he read. They were reducing his operations crew by one so that they could place a Cadet on board?????

Almost immediately Archibald calmed down again, he knew better than to protest. For one it would not yield any result and secondly it would only create some heated faces and communications. He sighed

~He better be good,~ he thought. ~ He better be blo*dy good.~

(Starbase Geneva, USS Mithrandir, Cadet(2) Donald Watkins, 0856)

Donny tore down the corridor, the PADDs bobbing along in the tower he had stacked them for easier carrying.

~I can't believe I'm late today!~

He'd overslept. The excitement of finally reporting for duty on board a ship had kept him up far later than he'd anticipated, and now he was 4 minutes away from reporting in late to a Captain. Donny couldn't imagine what Lieutenant Solace would do if he was late for this appointment, but he still had time to find out.

Arriving in the nick of time, he slowed to a walking pace and handed his PADD to the security detail outside the umbilical, nervously awaiting the response.

"Cadet Watkins?"

"Aye, sir." He shivered, trying to hide his chattering teeth by adjusting his backpack.

"Ensign Montague. Swipe here please cadet, report to Deck One, Ready room. You have 2 minutes, no need to run." Montague said, sardonically.

"Thank you sir." Donny walked quickly away, up the ramp and through the airlock, taking the quickest pace he dared to before getting into the turbolift and saying his destination: "Deck One!" ~Deck one! on day one!~

[... please repeat command...]

"De-de...deck One?"

[...Deck one...]

A moment later, the lift was in motion, and the Cadet was on the hub of the ship, wondering which corridor to take, looking at the words that adorned the pristine condition of the doors: Ready Room finally on the port side, for'rad. A chime later, and the Cadet was beckoned inside.

"Cadet-two Donald Watkins reporting, sir."

(USS Mithrandir  Ready Room  CO- Captain Archibald Stakes and Cadet(2) Donald Watkins - 09:01)

Archibald regarded the cadet for a second.

"Cadet-two Donald Watkins, I make it one minute past the hour now and that makes you late. I am a bit disappointed that Starfleet Academy does not teach the importance of being prompt anymore. But I guess that is something that we will have to instill in you whilst on the ship. I trust that they *have* told you the reason for cadets serving on a vessel? It will not be a joyride, Cadet, but a tour of duty. You will serve as anyone else on this ship, follow commands as anyone else on this ship.  Be prompt as anyone else on this ship."

Donald’s face remained set, but his mind fell away behind his eyes; He had hoped he had been on time, but it seemed that luck wasn’t with him today. To comment on his tardiness would not be the best response, and the cadet had already matured enough in that split second to realise that fact. There was so much that Watkins wanted to know: his placement, who was his mentor, what duty he would be taking...

“Yes sir. I understand, sir.” He replied, before handing over a PADD with his orders from the Academy. “My credentials and transfer orders, sir.”

Archibald accepted the PADD with a nod but placed it on his desk without checking it.

"I've read your file, Cadet. The Academy was kind enough to forward it to me. So I know what the Academy thinks that I should know. And more importantly I don't know, what they don't want me to know. So tell me, Cadet, what didn't tell me?"

Donny nodded, the conversation had swung around to safer ground, he felt, and his confidence  though it had taken time to start  was slowly returning. “I’m the second brother of a family of five. At the Academy I represented the year in the velocity tournament.” He said, carefully avoiding the result. “Some of the Staff at the academy would consider me a loner, more interested in computers than people, sir, that I have a long record of being late to lectures. I would say that my test scores have been in the first quartile, but it’s something I can work on.”

Archibald shot the youngster a glance from under his eyebrows.

"And why would you have a long record of being late, Cadet? That would suggest to me an unstructured mind. Might be a reason for the lower scores as well. Just so we understand each other, Mr. Watkins, ship duties are *not* lectures. *Real* people will depend their lives on the assurance that their fellow crew members will be there where and when required. Being late is not an option, not ever. I will expect a marked improvement from you on that point, Cadet. I trust I make myself perfectly clear? I don't care how you do it but you will improve.
Because the first instance that you are late, you'll be off this ship."

Archibald stared at Watkins, waiting for a response.

“Yes sir. It will not happen again.” Donny said, before continuing “From my understanding, sir, my placement is to cover all aspects of the running of the ship, with priority  if there is any priority  towards my major.” Donnie said, quoting the line from the PADD word for word.

“Lieutenant Solace said that we’d be assigned a mentor on board, who would assume responsibility for training, sir.”

Archibald nodded.

"You are correct, Mister Watkins, you will perform duties all over the vessel. You will have to. Luckily your specialised subject is Operations which has links with every other department. As for your mentor, I had someone in mind but it may be that she won't be around. Tell me, Cadet, have you met many aliens, apart whilst in the Academy? Well, if not, you will have time to make up for it. I have decided to bunk you together with Petty Officer Markra, a Xindi operations officer who has recently come on board as well. He will show you what really happens on a ship, away from the officers. So you know what to expect when you become an officer yourself. He will be your mentor for now."

~A Xindi? What are Xindi?~

“Yes Sir. As for aliens, sir, I have led a sheltered life.”

Archibald nearly sighed. He had wondered before about the efficiency of the Academy. Surely one of the first priorities would be to ensure the trainees to be tested on working with others from different cultures or backgrounds? Archibald knew that the situation in the fleet was stressing with regards to personnel, but that was no reason to cut corners.

"You won't be allowed to lead that sheltered life here, Cadet. There is not enough space on this ship to warrant that. So I suggest you make an effort."

Archibald picked up a PADD and made some entries in it before handing it to the young man.

"Your quarters, Cadet. I suggest you pay it a visit, get yourself settled in and study the ship plans on that PADD until you can see the network of Jefferey tubes in your mind. We do not wish our crew to get lost on their first day."

Despite the 'joke' Archibald's face never changed its expression.

As the consultation drew to a close, Donny listened attentively for what he was to do next, hanging onto every word from the captain as if his continued existence depended on it; in a manner of speaking he was correct, and he daren’t contemplate Lieutenant Solace’s face if he was returned without serving on the ship in space.

Archibald nodded at the Cadet.

"Time to get your theories into practice, Cadet. Unless there is anything else that we need to discuss?"

Donny knew the answer to this one. “No Sir!” He said, smartly, before turning and heading to the door, to find his place on this vessel and in Starfleet.

(reply none)
(posted by Adrie & GC)

(USS Mithrandir  Deck 02, Sickbay  CMO Dr Nymes  1006)

Nymes tapped a few commands out on the computer screen, refreshing the medical database with the recent record additions. Diane was hovering, as if to say the next patient was ready; that the normal medical measurements had been taken, and it was time for the cursory chat from the CMO.

“Sir. Ensign Lanista, ACEO.”

“Thank you. Show her in please.”

(reply lanista)

Nymes looked at the door as the Klingoness walked in; his custom to start any examination was from using his eyes to see what someone’s gait, mannerisms, etc would tell him, even before the patient could start speaking.

“Ensign, I am Doctor Nymes; from your record I can see that you were on the Dennison, but I don’t recall you coming to Sickbay back then.” He said, before affably continuing “But no matter. The nurse informs me that your medical tests are finished, and my overview of them convinces me that you are fit to fly, and so I will extend my welcome to the Mithrandir to you.”

(reply rfm)

“However, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you to summarise your medical record for me; any conditions that I should be aware of before we leave the Starbase, that sort of thing.”

(Replylanista)

Satisfied from his role as CMO, Nymes queried if there was any other business.

(reply lanista)
(Posted by GC)

(USS Mithrandir  Deck 02  ACEO ENS SG Lanista  1024)

"Sir, one would appreciate it if one was extended the courtesy of being properly addressed. My name is Ensign Percival Bellephoron the Third, albeit that in times of needs this may be condensed to Ensign Percival Bellephoron or Ensign Bellephoron in times of dire needs."

"Furthermore I do not believe that one has used the word emergency... I fear I must insist on clear and concise communication being used when discussing matters of great importance. A mistake may proof to be costly if not communicated properly."

While Percival took a deep breath, Lanista thought, ~Huh?~, in response to an over-stated apparent request for clarity.

"However, as highest ranking scientific officer on board this vessel, and I feel I must stress this vessel to be a scientific vessel, and furthermore as highest ranking scientific officer who has quite recently completed a survey of the scientific installations on board this vessel, which again I must stress is a scientific vessel, I feel completely justified in contacting you."

~Certainly if this is truly a scientific vessel, the matter requires further ... study,~  Lanista thought, grinning now.

And still, Percy went on: "As it stands the efficiency of the scientific equipment surveyed leaves considerable room for improvement. To ensure proper functioning so that this vessel is capable of performing its scientific tasks I have identified 326 items that will require the assistance of the engineering department whilst addressing them. ... And as we are not to know when this vessel will be required to perform its duty, we must ensure timely resolution of the issues at hand for otherwise we may have to perform our tasks with a vessel which is not fully capable of performing said tasks."

Now it was Lanista's turn to take a deep breath.

~yIn yISuq!~ she thought, a phrase meaning "Get a life!" in Klingon.

"My dear, charming, toute-de-Sweet Prince «belle'vor'a'», what shall cure this exceptional pleasure?" Lanista asked.

(Reply Percy)

She then slightly paraphrased a line from the English version of the Klingon play, Hamlet, to Percival, "Sir, definement suffers no perdition in you; though, I know, to divide inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take you to be a soul of great article; and your infusion of such rareness….  Hamlet, Act V, Scene II."

The Engineer wondered if Percival would understand he was being mocked whereas her mockery of Darm just days ago had been not subtle at all.

(Reply Percy)

"Do you realize, Ensign, that you probably just used more words in describing your concerns than you have concerns. Upload your list to the database. I shall coordinate with Ops  and with Sciences  in prioritizing and addressing, in order of importance, anything truly necessary. I suspect each item may take less than a day to fix, but if I am wrong, and there are truly that many serious flaws with this vessel, we won't be leaving spacedock for almost a year. Surely, you don't want to give a false indication of the ship's abilities  or lack thereof."

(Reply Percy)

"You are lucky you brought this to my attention, rather than a senior officer's. I recommend you continue to not trouble the Line Ranks with trifles, Ensign. I shall keep the secret of your tendency to panic, if you will. Oh, and I will very happily refer to you as 'Ensign Percival Bellephoron the Third' if you will address me as «jawbe'wI' tlha'nISta'.»"

(Reply Percy)
(Posted by FT)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission: Interlude
Stardate: 2408.02.24
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(USS Mithrandir  CO's quarters  Admiral Lydia Stakes  22:46)

In the bedroom, Lydia was surprised to hear a loud *thump* on the wall. She was about to ask Archibald what was going on when she heard him call out, "Don't wait up for me!"

Hurrying out into the living area, she was just in time to see the doors closing behind him. Frowning, she tapped her commbadge.

"Admiral Stakes to Captain Stakes. Arc, what the hell is going on?"

(reply Archibald, room for more though I know time is short)

"Don't think you're getting out of it that easily, Mister. I expect you back here in short order, as soon as you're finished. Or I may just have to come and find you. And you do remember what happened last time I did that, don't you?"

She was pretty certain that he would remember. It had taken the carpet burns a while to heal up.

(reply Archibald iyw)

(USS Mithrandir  CO's quarters  Admiral Lydia Stakes  22:55)

It hadn't taken Lydia long to work out what she wanted to do. First she had replicated a diaphanous black negligee, and changed into it. Then she set to work setting up a surprise for Archibald's return.

"Computer, set lighting to imitate candle light."

The lighting dimmed and Lydia ordered adjustments until she was happy that the ambient lighting was dim enough to be romantic and yet bright enough that neither of them would bump into anything (apart from one another). "Set this lighting level as Lydia One."

[Lighting level Lydia One set]

"Restore lighting to normal levels."

The room brightened again and Lydia continued, "Computer, instructions follow, authorisation Stakes, Alpha Omega One. When Captain Archibald Stakes enters these quarters, do the following: Lock the doors to open only on the authorisation of Admiral Lydia Stakes. Block all communications to these quarters until unblocked by Admiral Lydia Stakes. Lower lighting to level Lydia One. Play music calypso one, background level. End instructions."

[Authorisation verified]

Lydia smiled to herself and settled down to read as she awaited Archibald's return.

As Archibald entered his quarters, the doors slid shut behind him, the lighting dimmed and a soft calypso melody began to play. A deep voice sang quietly:

"There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl..."

Smiling, Lydia stood up and approached her husband. Reaching out, she plucked his commbadge from his uniform and threw it with accuracy into the recycler, where it disappeared as the singer continued:

"Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
It's possible she wants you, too
There is one way to ask her
It don't take a word
Not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl..."

"Well?" she said. "You heard what the man said. Kiss the girl."

(Reply Archibald)
(Posted by Liz)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission: Interlude
Stardate: 2408.03.06
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(USS Mithrandir - Engineering - ACEO Lanista - 0956)

Lanista stood at the Subsystems Monitoring Panel, watching the thruster output closely. She noted that the ship drifted to port slightly, and made a note that this would be corrected before the day was over. She activated an alert signal to the bridge regarding this slight misalignment.

(Reply Bridge)

Still, there was something wrong with the vessel - in its feel. Everything read fine within tolerance, which just didn't sit well with Lanista's instincts. The phase variance of the Medical Transporter was out of alignment, but within acceptable parameters. That could not be it...

Leaving someone in charge in Engineering, she went to her quarters. She had something special to take care of, specifically for the CO. Then she'd begin a top-down study of what it might be that felt wrong.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by FT)

(USS Mithrandir - Bridge - A-OPs Ensign (jg) Jefferies- 09:59)

Alex felt nervous, this was the first time he had actually been on the bridge of an active starfleet ship, yes of course he had been on training missions while at the academy, but somehow it seemed complete different experience to that training exercise, the training missions had seemed more leisurely.  He then thought to himself

~Wish dad was still alive to see this, hope he would have been proud of me~

Alex was sat at the Ops station which was situated behind to the left the captain’s chair
he scanned around the bridge quickly looking at the crew all sitting at their posts.

~Wonder if any of them are as nervous as me~ he fought to himself.

He then watched as the captain stood up and walked to the conn station and relieved Elenor Night, Stakes then reported that the thrusters where ready, after a few minutes of pre flight checks he heard Commander Olorin give the order to take us out.

Alex quickly took his eyes away from the ops station and had a quick glance around the bridge again, now one appeared to be nervous at all.

~Must just be first mission nerves~

The small Nova class ship shuddered slightly as Stakes engaged the thrusters, Alex then stared at the view screen at the front of the bridge, which displayed the opening doors of the starbase.

After a few moments the ship had passed the star base's doors and was now out into deep space for the first time, Alex continued to check all the ships systems and the sensors as he didn't want to be responsible for cocking up there first mission.

(Reply by any)
(Posted by Tom)

(USS Mithrandir  Deck 06, ACEO's Quarters  ACEO Lanista  1000)

Fully dressed in her standard duty uniform, as opposed to the Class-A's the Captain had required for 24 hours, Lanista sat in her quarters with the Captain's whiskey. From her perspective, this was Stakes' Kolinahr necklace.

Lani' had attempted the Vulcan discipline to remove emotion, but failed. She kept the necklace from her Kolinahr for two reasons  the first and more important being it had also been her mother's. But Lanista also kept the necklace as a badge. To her, is served as a scar, and it reminded her of the Klingon proverb "batlh Degh lutuQtaH jaghlIj DaQIDchugh." Though this literally translated somewhat differently, it essentially meant “Never give your enemy a scar, they will wear it as a badge of honor."

The bottle wasn't an apology; it was an insult. "Sorry about your ship," it essentially said. In the Klingon sphere of influence, that insult would be answered. In the Federation, however, if it could not be avenged, it could at least be remembered.

So, this bottle could serve as a badge of honor. Placing it in some obvious place, with appropriate signage, would serve to remind those aboard the Mithrandir who had served on the De'nISSon of the dishonorable end the Dennison had come to.

"batlh," the Klingoness said, grinning at the similarity between the tlhIngan word for 'honor' and the Federation Standard word 'bottle'.

She went to her replicator and asked for an item: a replica of the USS Dennison's Dedication Plaque, identical in every respect save one. The quotation was the Klingon proverb that had been running through Lanista's head. She then replicated a shelf of a size appropriate to the whiskey container. She would mount the plaque and the shelf on the wall of the Mess Hall, and place the bottle there, where every member of the crew would ultimately see it.

Lanista raised the unopened bottle to her lips briefly, as if drinking from it. "De'nISSon," she said, addressing the spirit of her first assignment, "batlh bIqawbejtaH!" (You will certainly be remembered with honor!) She stood abruptly, snatching up one vambrace and pulling it on to cover her left forearm. She'd discussed this personalization with the Captain, and he had approved the addition.

Then, taking up the bottle, plaque and small shelf, the junoesque woman left her quarters and went to the Mess Hall, stopping in Engineering only to fetch the tools necessary to perform the planned feat of valorous display.

(Reply any while Lanista's in transit from Deck 06 to Deck 02.)
(Posted by FT)