Day -4, 1338, 1340 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (USS Furious - Ready Room - CO, Captain Saleke - Day, -4 - 1338) "The ship is in excellent shape captain. The Dock Chief has been working closely with our engineering department and the reports indicate that all warp and impulse systems are operational. " "There have been a few minor fluctuations in the power relays throughout the lower decks, but Engineering says that they should be able to track down the last of the glitches within the next hour." "Weapons, shields and all other major ship's systems are fully functional.However I would like to go on the record that it is my experience that all departures from repair dock always appear to be fully functional and there are often complications once a vessel gets underway." "The only system on this ship that is completely non-functional at this time is the transporter system in transporter room three. It is currently in a stage of disassembly and scattered across the deck in cargo Bay 3. I understand that you are aware of the events surrounding Captain Haverly?"she asked. "I am," He replied simply. "Continue." "That event is the singular reason that the entire transporter is completely disassembled." The report was exhaustive and informative which he had expected, the file on Commander Erin Sloane mentioned her character as being detailed and highly organized which the vulcan appreciated. He had found in the past that reports on file at times tended to be either slightly off-center at best or at worst deceptive depending on the mindset of the one doing the reporting. Having a lot of "hands" in the works also could make for confusion among the technicians if they were not properly coordinated. As for the ships systems ... components that tested normal while in dock at times failed when placed under the stress of a full load, thus the necessity of a shakedown cruise to isolate any problems that might arise before the ship came under duress. Shakedowns also allowed the crew time to become comfortable with their positions on the new ship and with working alongside crewmen they had not previously interacted with. The shakedown for the Furious however would not be as long nor as detailed as Saleke was content with, the travel time to their destination would have to do. Logically then it would be necessary to force the crew to interact more closely and have more technicians available should the need arise, thus his orders for twelve hour shifts during that time. This had the risk of placing a great deal of emotional pressure on the crew due to the added stress but that was to be expected, after the alloted three day period was over they could return to a normal shift which would allow them to relax and unwind. While such rest was unnecessary for a vulcan he was aware that emotional beings were in need of such things. The exhaustive inspection of the transporter was also a necessary step, if Admiral Heatherby was correct in his suspicions the technicians would be unable to find the culprit within it. In such a case great care would continue to be necessary for the new captain of this ship lest some subversive elements gain opportunity to strike at him unprepared. "Very good commander, I see you are experienced in the intricacies of the breaking in of new systems. When I spoke to the admiral he was concerned about the transporter and whether it was in fact faulty or whether some other agency was at work. When the tests are completed I want a full report from the engineering teams comparing each individual component to optimum specifications and if it is found to be functional exhaustive tests shall be run on it including the transport of test materials until I am fully satisfied before any attempt is made to transport any member of this crew." "No specific security measures are to be taken at this time beyond that of verifying the credentials of anyone aboard who is not specifically assigned to permanent status for the crew complement except for the monitoring of all communications into and out out of the ship. Additional measures shall be implemented once we are out of the system only if I consider it a necessity." Commander Sloan nodded and continued her report. "On the other side of things, We have a completely new crew here captain. I am uncertain how they will interact with each other once the ship gets underway. There are only a few officers that have worked together before this assignment. So far I have found the general performance of the crew to be merely satisfactory if not lackluster. Several of our department heads have been assigned to the ship within thelast 48 hours and have not yet had a great deal of time to get situated. I am certain that the crew and her officers will be ready for whatever we face within a few days time, sir." He nodded once in agreement. "As this crew is being manned by Starfleet certified officers and personnel I will expect and accept nothing less." Having gotten the formalities out of the way he closed by saying. "Unless you have anything else to add it is almost time to leave dock." Noting her agreement he Stood to his feet then preceded her out the door, making straight for the command chair. (USS Furious - Bridge - CO, Captain Saleke - Day, -4 - 1340) The science officer manning the conn looked up as he walked through the ready room door and seeing the captain coming his way nearly jumped out of the chair in nervousness, being his first assignment and not having had a chance to get to know Saleke at all he wasn't sure exactly what was expected of him, he needn't have worried of course since the chair was technically his until he was given specific instructions otherwise. Since the command chair had been suitably vacated however Saleke slipped into it with a nod at the nervous officer. "Return to your station ensign." "Yes sir." Ensign Tsoumada turned smartly and beat a hasty retreat to the science station. As Commander Sloan took her own station on the bridge he tapped the com. "Engineering bring the impulse reactors to standby status." "Aye sir, powering up the impulse engines slowly, estimate five minutes to full availability." "Very good." Tapping the com to deactivate it he spoke to the OPS officer who in turning and watching his every move was anticipating the orders. "Inform Utopia Planitia we are bringing impulse engines to standby, prepare to remove umbilical." "Aye sir." The young woman was quick to follow his orders. After speaking with the docking officer she turned back to him. "Sir the dock officer informs me we have twenty minutes before we are allowed to leave dock." "On screen Lieutenant." He said in a level tone. "Yes sir, bringing the communications screen online." The screen brightened and dock control central came online. The man in command red who was looking at the screen looked decidely unhappy to be inconvenienced so close to the time for the ship to leave the station. =^= Furious I was given specific instructions this ship was not to leave dock till 1400 hours.=^= Saleke stood to his feet, drawing the mans attention. "Regulations specifically state that a debarking ship is to be fully on internal power not less than ten minutes prior to its debarkation time Lieutenant, am I to understand you are refusing to acknowledge my order?" The mans blanched upon seeing the captain challenging his authority while quoting starfleet regulations, this didn't bode well. =^= Ten minutes is ten minutes Captain, I'm just following orders.=^= Saleke folded his arms across his chest as he quirked an eyebrow at the fellow. "Then you will inform your superior officer that my impulse engines are coming to standby and you will be ready to withdraw the umbilical in exactly five minutes, is that not true?" The fellow looked conflicted for an instant.=^= Yes sir.=^= "Very well, Furious out." The screen blanked and he stood beside the command chair and tapped the shipwide com. "This is captain Saleke speaking, we will be leaving spacedock in eighteen minutes, all hands report to your duty stations." That done he sat once again and waited patiently for the time to tick down. ------------------------- Day -4, 1339, 1341 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (USS Furious, Ready Room- FO- Commander Erin Sloane, Day -4, 1339) "Very good commander, I see you are experienced in the intricacies of the breaking in of new systems. When I spoke to the admiral he was concerned about the transporter and whether it was in fact faulty or whether some other agency was at work. When the tests are completed I want a full report from the engineering teams comparing each individual component to optimum specifications and if it is found to be functional exhaustive tests shall be run on it including the transport of test materials until I am fully satisfied before any attempt is made to transport any member of this crew." "Aye, sir. We've taken on an additional store of Test Cylinders just for that purpose sir." Erin Replied. Already she was beginning to find the Vulcan captain a good choice for the position. "Do you have any specific orders for security?" She said wondering how the Captain was going to move ahead with the investigation. "No specific security measures are to be taken at this time beyond that of verifying the credentials of anyone aboard who is not specifically assigned to permanent status for the crew complement except for the monitoring of all communications into and out of the ship. Additional measures shall be implemented once we are out of the system only if I consider it a necessity." Erin nodded. "Understood captain." she replied. "On the other side of things, We have a completely new crew here captain. I am uncertain how they will interact with each other once the ship gets underway. There are only a few officers that have worked together before this assignment. So far I have found the general performance of the crew to be merely satisfactory if not lackluster. Several of our department heads have been assigned to the ship within the last 48 hours and have not yet had a great deal of time to get situated. I am certain that the crew and her officers will be ready for whatever we face within a few days time, sir." He nodded once in agreement. "As this crew is being manned by Starfleet certified officers and personnel I will expect and accept nothing less." Having gotten the formalities out of the way he closed by saying. "Unless you have anything else to add it is almost time to leave dock." Noting her agreement he stood to his feet then preceded her out the door, making straight for the command chair. (USS Furious - Bridge - FO- Commander Erin Sloane- Day, -4 - 1341) Saleke relieved Ensign Tsoumada from the center chair and Erin couldn't help but smile at the young officer's slight awkwardness. She could remember all too well how she felt in the presence of a Starfleet captain in her Ensign days. Of course, his awkwardness wasn't aided by the fact that his boss had just been sacked a few hours ago and he was effectively the acting CSO. Erin took her seat after a brief nod to the Science officer as he headed for the science station. As Commander Sloan took her own station on the bridge Saleke tapped the comm. "Engineering bring the impulse reactors to standby status." "Aye sir, powering up the impulse engines slowly, estimate five minutes to full availability." "Very good." Tapping the comm. to deactivate it he spoke to the OPS officer who in turning and watching his every move was anticipating the orders. "Inform Utopia Planitia we are bringing impulse engines to standby, prepare to remove umbilical." "Aye sir." The young woman was quick to follow his orders. After speaking with the docking officer she turned back to him. "Sir the dock officer informs me we have twenty minutes before we are allowed to leave dock." "On screen Lieutenant." He said in a level tone. "Yes sir, bringing the communications screen online." The screen brightened and dock control central came online. The man in command red who was looking at the screen looked decidedly unhappy to be inconvenienced so close to the time for the ship to leave the station. =^= Furious I was given specific instructions this ship was not to leave dock till 1400 hours.=^= Saleke stood to his feet, drawing the man's attention. "Regulations specifically state that a debarking ship is to be fully on internal power not less than ten minutes prior to its debarkation time Lieutenant, am I to understand you are refusing to acknowledge my order?" The man blanched upon seeing the captain challenging his authority while quoting Starfleet regulations, this didn't bode well. =^= Ten minutes is ten minutes Captain, I'm just following orders.=^= Saleke folded his arms across his chest as he quirked an eyebrow at the fellow. "Then you will inform your superior officer that my impulse engines are coming to standby and you will be ready to withdraw the umbilical in exactly five minutes, is that not true?" The fellow looked conflicted for an instant.=^= Yes sir.=^= "Very well, Furious out." Erin couldn't help but grin. It was good to see that the captain was going to be the right sort of officer for the Furious. ~He's nothing at all like Captain Haverly.~ She thought The screen blanked and Saleke stood beside the command chair and tapped the ship wide comm. "This is captain Saleke speaking, we will be leaving space dock in eighteen minutes, all hands report to your duty stations." That done he sat once again and waited patiently for the time to tick down. ------------------------- Day-4, 1346, 1410 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (USS Furious - Bridge - CO, Captain Saleke - Day, -4 - 1346) "Captain engineering reports that the impulse reactors are on full standby." Saleke acknowledged the report then spoke. "Open a channel to Utopia Planitia." "Aye sir, channel opened." "Dock control I am on internal power, please retract the umbilical." =^= Acknowledged Furious, retracting umbilical.=^= There was a pause of no more than twenty seconds during which time the bridge was silent except for the hum of the equipment. =^= Furious, dock control here, the umbilical is clear.=^= "Acknowledged Utopia Planitia, launch in thirteen minutes, forty seconds." =^= Roger that, Utopia Planitia standing by.=^= The bridge crew was on edge as the countdown continued, at the opening of the lift door three senior officers stepped out and made their way to their respective stations, the junior officers they relieved moved out of their way but hung around hoping to be able to see the launch from a prime location. Saleke pointedly ignored them being on the bridge rather than pointing out that their presence was unnecessary. "Five minutes to launch captain." "Verify that the area is cleared Lieutenant." "Verified captain." Tsoumada answered quickly. "Sensors show all personnel have been removed from the area." He nodded. "Very good." He tapped the com button which gave him access to the open channel. "Utopia Planitia I have four minutes to launch." =^= Acknowledged Furious you are cleared for launch, good luck and God speed.=^- "Thank you, Furious out." He closed the channel and looked to the forward station left. "Three minutes to launch captain." "Helm bring thrusters online." "Aye sir, thrusters online. Helm controls ready." "Lay in a course for the IKEV sector." "Aye sir, laying in course for the IKEV sector." "Two minutes to launch captain." He tapped the arm button again for intership coms. "Engineering prepare to bring impulse engines to full power." =^= Acknowledged, ready on your order captain. =^= All preparations were in order, Saleke settled deeply into the command chair. "One minute to launch captain, 45 seconds, thirty, ten, nine, eight, seven." At the count of one he spoke crisply. "Helm thrusters at one half, take us out." "Aye sir." The sleek warship began moving slowly from the dock like some gargantuan creature stirring fitfully from a long sleep. The bridge crew could feel the electric atmosphere and there were smiles all around as they could see the coming culmination of their labors over the last several weeks. The Vulcan in the center of the bridge though was unmoving and emotionless, watching the tension in his subordinates melt away as the ship slipped into the freedom of space. "Thrusters at full, follow the beacons out." "Aye sir." With the ship fully clear of Utopia Planitia spacedock he spoke again. "Impulse engines to full, prepare to engage." He tapped the com again. "Engineering bring the warp drive online." There was a whoop in the background as engineering answered. =^= Are sir, bringing warp engines online. Time to warp power thirty minutes.=^= An eyebrow quirked at the unexpected noise. "Is there someone in distress engineer?" =^= No sir, sorry sir. Just some over exhuberent tech, I'll take care of it.=^= "Thank you, captain out." Lt. Carroway turned to the captain with mischief in his eye but kept his tongue. "Impulse ready and course out of the system laid in sir." "Engage at one quarter impulse until clear of Mars orbit." The man smiled. "Aye sir!" Saleke stood o his feet then and turned to his FO. "Commander Sloane you have the CONN, I will be in the Ready Room." Having turned over command of the bridge he moved crisply to the ready room, he had a communication to make. (USS Furious - Ready Room - CO, Captain Saleke - Day, -4 - 1410) Sitting down at the desk he settled comfortably into his chair as he tapped the com button. "Open a communication to Starbase Geneva." =^= Aye sir, channel open.=^= The screen for the monitor rose at a tap of his finger upon the activation key and the communications officer of Geneva came on screen. =^= Geneva here Furious.=^= "Patch me through to Doctor Holis Gralen." =^= Acknowledged. One moment.=^= She tapped a few keys and spoke briefly on the com before resuming her conversation with Saleke. =^= Patching you through.=^= The screen wavered then brightened again, settling on a balding Betazoid male is his late thirties who had an air of distraction about him. =^= Doctor Gralen here.=^= His gaze focused on the screen and his eyes brightened. =^= Saleke! I've noticed you were absent from the base for the last several days.=^= His gaze refocused and a smile lit up his face. =^= Unless I'm mistaken you appear to be in a rather distinctive chamber, am I right in assuming you've been given a ship?=^= "Indeed doctor." =^= Congratulations!=^= Holis' face quickly fell however. =^= Would you believe I just found out a few hours ago that I've been shanghaied onto another ship and away from my experiments? There has been some evidence sent in by the Spectre that there may be a biological element to the subspace river and they've got the nerve to pull me off the station! By all that's holy I've got my dander up over this debacle. I'm a scientist by trade not a starfleet officer! They've got me scheduled to leave by shuttle in just a couple of hours. I don't even have my final orders yet, just to report for transport to some un-as yet named ship!=^= Saleke laced his fingers with his index fingers steepled. "Indeed doctor. Do not forget to bring my mineral samples that I left in your keeping." Holis' eyes got wide. =^= You! Why I... what in the world? You mean you're responsible?=^= The captain nodded. "The Furious has just left Utopia Planitia and will be rendezvousing with your warp shuttle in two solar days doctor at which time you will take over the duties of CSO. The decision was made only two hours and twenty minutes ago, you will be receiving your official orders after you report to the shuttle for launch. Do you have any questions?" =^= Yes.=^= Holis replied. =^= How do I get out of this CAPTAIN?=^= There was a twinkle in his eyes though that belied his words and spoke of an inner joke. "That doctor is unavoidable, the decision has already been made." =^= I knew you'd say that.=^= Holis groused. =^= I hope they don't have a baggage limit or your samples will get me thrown off the shuttle.=^= His eyes brightened at the thought. "No doctor, you are the only passenger, there will be no problems with your baggage." Holis shook his head and rolled his eyes. =^- That was a joke Sa.. Captain.=^= "Illogical." Was his reply. ------------------------- Day -4, 1803 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (ISS Rosenante, Bridge- aCOPs, Ensign Smith (MU), Day -4, 1803) Robert walked on to the bridge and made his way to one of the aft console which was hi station when Jackson was on the bridge. The crewman stepped back quickly as Robert snarled at him. He saw the man’s fear and grinned in satisfaction. He turned to the console and entered his access commands and logged him self on. "Initiate the HISS", "The HISS is activated, all sectors are showing on-line and emissions controls are active and in place." ~Looks like we are here then~ He placed his right hand on the console and activated the sensors that were imbedded under his finger tips. He felt his mind connect to the computer and felt the ecstasy inducing rush of power and data that flowed into his mind. He never got tired of feeling that rush. There was no other high, he could get and he had tried a lot. He felt his mind rushing down into the deep expanse that was the computer core. He opened his mind feeling all the ships systems. He could ‘see’ the ship turned towards the hole the in the mine field. He could ‘feel’ the power of the ships engines as it pushed them through space. His mind reached out and tapped into the internal sensors of Lieutenant Peterson who was having a shower before going on duty. He enjoyed watching her and he saved the data segment to his data storage devise to watch later. A sudden spike of energy caught his attention. He saw that the Omega Device was starting its pre-lunch sequence. ~Ow this is going to be grate~ Suddenly power was sucked to the weapon systems and the shields. He began to channel extra power taking it from the reserves and subsystems like Peterson’s. The internal sensors picked up her scream as her shower went ice cold. He ‘saw’ Jackson sending out power demands which he obeyed by directing the energy reserves to where he had been ordered. He fought back the urge to over load Jackson’s console. This was not the time or the place to assassinate Jackson. He should have been COPs not him if it had not been for Binar it could have been. Things could have been so different before Liberation of Binar. He had been a high flying Ensign on the road to grate things but on Binar things changed. They had slaughtered the inhabitancy of the world as they rushed to get the mighty computer. The cybernetic division of the Glorious Imperial Daystrom Institute wanted it and so Robert who was on the ISS Soong which was part of the cybernetic division tactical wing was sent to get it. They took the core but not before Robert was seriously wounded by one of the automated defense systems. He was taken back to the cybernetic division not for treatment but for testing and experimentsation. The old Doctor had been a protégé of the mighty Noonien Soong him self performed the operations. They had replaced both his lower legs and his right arm which had been mangled beyond repair. The Doctor had fused a positronic positronic net into his brain and a high capacity data dump storage devise imbedded into his chest. Since that fateful day that the Doctor put his scalpel blade to his skin his high flying career had finished and he saw stuck as an Ensign. No Captain would take him like he saw so he decided to use the ‘Gifts’ that the Doctor had given him. He had been put to work worming his way through the Daystrom Institute other divisions stealing their data and spying on there workers. He had found out who was embezzling funds, who had gambling debts, who had mistresses and who were sleeping their way to the top as well as finding a few spies in their own division. He was rewarded with further up grades and a chance to get a ship board commission. He was assigned to the ISS Rosenante to work in operations looking for new technology that would enhance the cybernetic division’s status as well as keep tabs on the Captain who was Regent Doenitz’s rising star. Robert had performed his task well spreading his influence through out the Rosenante main frame but he had turned his back old Doctor and pledged his allegiance to Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid who was taking him places and giving him opportunities that he had not believed possible. He ‘saw’ the tactical display as the T.H.I.S. worked furiously to kill the enemy ships. ~Hmm it looks like Sullivan, Raschen, Haverstaadt are getting better~ There was a blinding flash which nearly sent Robert out of the main frame. He ‘turned’ to the ships sensors and saw that the Omega Device had detonated. He watched with fascination as the Star was rapidly blossoming outwards as it's interior was ripped apart by the subspace stresses unleashed by the omega molecule. Robert ‘sensed’ a problem. They had not jumped out of the system yet. If they stayed for to long and got hit by the shock way then they would never leave. He ‘jumped’ to the conn system looking at what Midas was doing. ~ Midas you fool. Get us out of here~ He so wanted to ‘reach’ for the conn controls and activate the spiral drive him self which he could do with ease but the last time he had interfered with a bridge console that was not his own Salid had sent him to the Agonizer for half an hour. It was not an experience he wanted to repeat as Doctor Wyler enjoyed her self to much there. The ship jumped into the conduit. Robert retreated quickly from the conn systems unless he was found to be there. Suddenly he felt his body topple side ways. The old doctor had told him if the connection from his to the computer was cut while he was still in the computer then he would die. Robert never knew if he was lying or not but he never wanted to find out. In the spit second that his hand disengaged from the console Robert sucked his mind back into his body. He lay there lying on the floor trying to get his body to function. He hated quick pull outs they made him feel sick and nauseated. His hearing was the first to returned and he listened to the conversation that the Captain was having. [Current coordinates are sector grid reference three-eight-three by nine-zero-one.] "Computer extrapolate current ship's time by stellar comparison." Salid ordered. [Working.] ~Come on time to get your butt off the floor~ [Ship's time is 1910 hours on Stardate 2408.07.29] "Doctor Wyler" Salid called out. ”Captain.” "Take Mister Midas to the Agonizer. He has earned himself a reprise from death, but he must be taught a lesson. An hour should suffice nicely." Robert saw Dr Wyler as he stood up. He suppressed a shiver as he saw her face lit up in a smile as she directed two security officers to detain Midas, who had lost his color and was almost quivering with fear. "Gladly Captain." she cooed. Robert looked back as his console as Wyler, the security officers and Midas went by. ~Might be able to record this session and watch it later?~ He looked quickly around the bridge before returneing to his work. ~But that is for another time~ ------------------------- Day -4 1830 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (ISS Rosenante - Sickbay –Combat Nurse – E’Mpak (MU) Day 4 – 1830) E'Mpak turned as she was tapped on the shoulder. "I've been ordered to do an inventory of our supplies. I've picked you to come help me. Follow me." E’Mpak showed no emotion on her face at the request. She had come to realise that keeping her emotions and feeling to her self was a good idea. She followed Fisher who locked the door was they both entered. She was about to as her what she was doing then Fisher spoke. "Nurse, I know this looks bad, but it is not what you think it is. I have a proposition to put to you. And I would like you to hear me out before you start beating me up." "I know that you as a Klingon are not regarded well on this ship. I know a way to change that permanently. E’Mpak paused before answering. She had to be very careful this may be real or a trap and she did not want to spend personal time with CMO. "Our First Officer is always looking for people who would be willing to be on her side. I am here to offer you such a position. Please think about it at get back to me." She nodded to Fisher before she turned away and left the supply room she needed time to think. This could either be her way of getting up or flusher out the nearest air lock. ------------------------- Day -2, 0715, 0850 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.30 (USS Rosenante- Guest Quarters- Ensign Kimiko Ichijo, Day -2, 0715) The strains of a flute floated though the darkened cabin, its haunting melody quietly punctuating the vastly dark seen though the unshaded porthole, the stars streaking by played a counterpoint to the ancient piece. The music at its peak changed the undefined shapes in the room, to mythical creatures and frightful monsters, and slowly died as it begged the rising sun to banish the illusionary figures. For a moment there was silence A loud crash of a march not quite as old, but still ancient at this time, echoed off the bulkheads. A head with sleep-tussled hair poked from under the covers “Ok, Ok, I’m awake” The cabin once again stilled to silence About ten seconds later. [If there is no significant movement detected in fifteen seconds, the program will be resumed at the next level] Kimiko rolled out from under the covers and stood near the bed, glaring at the offending panel for a moment. [Five seconds] Kimiko yelped and hurried toward the bathroom [Program happy morning, Ichijo- model 2.8, terminated] Kimiko couldn’t remember if the next level was the whooping klaxon of a submergible or neo-grunge industrial diamond edge, but whatever it was, she did not want to endure it. While performing her ablutions, the ensign went over the route to the first officer’s office in her head. Kimiko finished in the bathroom and came out the main room to dress and prepare breakfast. While eating natto and grilled salmon, she perused her padd, getting basic information about the crew she was to serve with. ~you can never know too much, and it goes double for a new ship~ (USS Rosenante- Fo’s office- Ensign Kimiko Ichijo, Day -2, 0850) Ensign Ichijo left about thirty minutes early to insure that she got to the office on time. She firmly stepped on the impulse to explore the ship before reporting to the first officer. ~I think that technically I’m not here until I report in~ Kimiko arrived at the office, stepped in front of the door and waited to be admitted The young doctor stepped into the room and gave a slight bow “Ensign Ichijo reporting for duty” Kimiko extended the padd with her orders. ------------------------- Day -2 - 0852 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.30 (USS Rosenante- FO’s Office - FO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day -2, 0852) Josh was working through the usual stack of padds that seemed to arrive on her desk every morning. She always finished off the stack before she left for the night, but somehow somebody kept coming in before she did and adding another pile. Josh had began coming in earlier and earlier to her office since just once, for her own amusement, she would like to find out who the culprit was. She hadn't managed it yet but one day, one day she would. So sitting at here desk, going through the usual pile of padds Josh was happy to hear that someome was outside her door waiting to speak to her. Making a notation on a padd and finally signing off on it she switched her attention to the young woman who had just entered. “Ensign Ichijo reporting for duty” Kimiko extended the padd with her orders. Josh stretched her hand out and accepted the padd. "Thank you Ensign. Please feel free to have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink? Reading the padd Josh looked up at the Ensign. "I am sure that Dr Wyler will be grateful to have your help. Our Medical Department has been sorely lacking in staff for a while. You will be a welcome addition. I know that you have already spoken to the doctor however report in to her today once you leave here and she will assign you a shift and will assign you your duties." "As to your room allocation..." Josh accessed the computer and thought about it for a while. "You will be in Senior Officer's Quarters. Deck Four, Room 29. Once you have reported to CMO Wyler take whatever time you need to settle yourself in and get squared away. I understand that you are in guest quarters at present. Lucky you. Organise your flitting as soon as you can." Josh watched as the Ensign turned to leave. Grinning she could not help adding one final comment. Looking up again Josh smiled. "Oh Ensign, you do know that you need to leave the robe." ------------------------- Day -2 - 0853 & 0915 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.30 (USS Rosenante- FO’s Office – ACMO Esn Kimiko Ichijo - Day -2, 0853) The door open and Kimiko stepped though and saw a woman that she recognized from the personal briefs that she downloaded onto her PADD. ~Just like her picture, just a little more… happy? Wow, I would have to be on a psychotropic to enjoy that very large stack of PADDs, presumably work, in front of me.~ “Ensign Ichijo reporting for duty” Kimiko extended the PADD with her orders. Josh stretched her hand out and accepted the PADD. "Thank you Ensign. Please feel free to have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink? “No, thank you sir” Kimiko responded as she sat, she fought to keep her eyes focused on the first officer, instead of the ingrained reaction to look down. Most people in the western culture regarded eye contact as polite however she grew up with the understanding that it was the height of rudeness, if not challenging. Reading the PADD Josh looked up at the Ensign. "I am sure that Dr Wyler will be grateful to have your help. Our Medical Department has been sorely lacking in staff for a while. You will be a welcome addition. I know that you have already spoken to the doctor however report in to her today once you leave here and she will assign you a shift and will assign you your duties." Kimiko cocked her head, but forbad correcting her "As to your room allocation..." Josh accessed the computer and thought about it for a while. "You will be in Senior Officer's Quarters. Deck Four, Room 29. Once you have reported to CMO Wyler take whatever time you need to settle yourself in and get squared away. I understand that you are in guest quarters at present. Lucky you. Organize your fitting as soon as you can." “Certainly, thank you, sir” The doctor replied and rose Josh watched as the Ensign turned to leave. Grinning she could not help adding one final comment. Looking up again Josh smiled. "Oh Ensign, you do know that you need to leave the robe." Kimiko turned and looked at the commander, confused for a moment “The robe…. “ Kimiko thought for a moment “Oh, of course. Yes sir” Kimiko left to head to Sickbay She pulled out her personal PADD and perused it while walking, paying only the smallest amount of attention to where she was walking. (USS Rosenante- Sickbay One– ACMO Esn Kimiko Ichijo - Day -2, 0915) She got the sickbay intact and walked thought the door. The bay was awashed in the controlled chaos shared by all medical facilities everywhere. The doctor looked for the CMO ------------------------- Day -2, 0917 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.30 (USS Rosenante- Sickbay One- CMO Lieutenant Aleesa Wyler - Day -2, 0917) Aleesa was in the middle of treating a bad contusion of the skull when the doors to sickbay opened and an ensign in medical blue stepped into the compartment. ~Must be the new ACMO, the First Officer told me to expect.~ She thought. "Doctor Reynolds, take over here." she ordered and Reynolds assumed treating the patient while she stepped over to greet the new arrival. "You look lost, Ensign." She said as she approached the young officer. "What can I do for you?" ------------------------- Day -2 - 1816 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante – Bridge – Ensign (jg) V’Shera – 1816) Once the OPS status of the HISS and the emissions controls had been confirmed, Captain Salid wasted no time in forging ahead. ~In whatever direction he was going.~ Though she wasn’t a human, or a ranged telepath like Chief Counselor Nayati, V’Shera had served with Captain Salid long enough to detect minute signs of strain in his voice and subtle tension in his body language. “Mister Midas," Captain Salid called out. "Set course for the Ikev sector, warp eight." As Captain Salid ordered the newbie CONN navigator Ensign Midas to the new course setting, V’Shera’s right eyebrow arched up in genuine surprise. Though not really a star ship navigator, she’d taken its basic fundamentals at the Academy. Being in Tactical also meant that V’Shera knew precisely the Rose’s entire assigned patrol ;perimeters. ~And the Ikev sector was definitely not in any of them. The Captain is in a singular determined to get us someplace the Rose isn’t scheduled to be. I wonder why? ~ Apparently she wasn’t the only person wondering. V’Shera saw the young ensign Midas hesitate at the CONN. Captain Salid’s response was abrupt, and perhaps a little over the top for dealing with a newly transferred, inexperienced human. "Was I unclear with my orders Mister Midas?” Salid asked. “No captain,” the cowed Midas replied. "Then carry them out,” Captain said. To V’Shera’s way of thinking, the usually unflappable Captain’s current behavior, not to mention his excessive emotionality, was atypical and troubling indeed. ~ If a Vulcan can pick out the distress in the captain, what are the other humans on the bridge thinking and feeling now? What is Chief Counselor Nayati seeing now?~ Sufficiently cowed and upbraided by his commanding officer, Ensign Midas obeyed without any hesitation. Midas repeated the captain’s stated destination and punched in the appropriate coordinates. V’Shera felt no sense of motion as the Rose left its scheduled course, but a moment later, experienced a slight vertigo as she witnessed the stars swing and shift on the main view-screen. ~Ikev Sector, here we come at warp eight. What’s awaiting us when we get there?~ V’Shera didn’t have time to ruminate about Ikev sector and what awaited them there. Standing up from the center chair, Captain Salid spoke directly to her. “Mr.V'Shera, call Mr. Xim to take command, then contact all department heads and their assistants to report to the observation lounge by 1900 hours for an emergency briefing. You will also be required to attend, as will Maddox and Haverstaad. Let Commander Caskie and Lieutenant Sullivan know that I wish to speak with them right away in the observation lounge.” “Immediately captain,” V’Shera replied. Touching the appropriate sensor pads on the Tactical console she first signaled Lt. Xim to take command. Even Lt. Xim acknowledged her captain/’s orders, V’Shera taped her com-badge to inform both Caskie and Sullivan to meet with their captain ASAP in the observation lounge. V’Shera went over the ship’s intercom network next. Over that net, V’Shera informed all the Rose’s department heads, and assistances, that there was a high priority captain’s meeting in the observation lounge at 1900. She reiterated that the 1900 meeting both ASAP and mandatory for all personnel commanded to be there. In a little less than two frantic minutes, all the various department heads acknowledged that both they and their assistants would be there by 1900. Commander Caskie and Lt. Sullivan had just checked in and acknowledged Captain Salid’s orders as well. ‘Mission accomplished, Sir.” V’Shera said with some feeling of personal but un-Vulcan pride. She’d performed well on the Rose, just the reverse of her inadequately embarrassing live back on hot and heavy Vulcan. ~It was good to be competent, and have others recognize that competence when they perceive it in you.~ ,“I’m just notifying officers Maddox and Haverstaad now, captain.” As she spoke, V’Shera tapped her com-badge for both the designed officers. A moment later, both her senior officers replied in the afirmative as well “We’ll all be there, Captain. ~ Maybe We couldn’t disappoint the captain that got us off that blasted Harvester,” V’Shera said. For some inwxplicable reason Salid didn’t respond to her words on encouragement. So V’Shera turned herself back to task at hand. She then heard her captain say, “Mr. Nayati, you’re with me.” V'Shera heard CCOUNS Nayati pause for a monent then let out a quick breath. “Yes Sir,” Jon said, “if need be, to the Happy Hunting Grounds and back." A minute later, V’Shera heard the door to the observation quietly open and close. When she looked back around, both Captain Salid and Chief Counselor Nayati were gone. ------------------------- Day -2, 1819 Mission; Into The Darkness Go I Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante – Observation Lounge – CCOUNS Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati 1819) Jon followed Captain Salid off the bridge and into the near by observation lounge. Jon was becoming disturbed by what he now saw in his experienced captain aura, and those atypical behaviors Captain Salid had exhibited on the bridge. His abruptness with Ensign Midas, who was clearly conflicted about Captain Salid’s inexplicable changed of course. He’d also seen the obvious discomfort in the last, rather touching words to the captain from his tall, brown Vulcan tactical officer. ~It was a really strange, almost emotional, reaction for a Vulcan female. Most often Vulcan females are reputed to be colder, and even more logical, than their male counter parts. ~Strange to see such a reaction in tactical officer V’Shera now. She had been around this crew longer than he, maybe she was going a little native now. Especially she wasn’t fraternizing much with the Rose’s other Vulcans. There was a little mystery, but I don’t have time solve it. What was causing Salid’s current distress?~ ~Clearly there was something serious going here, Either the captain’s undergone so dire distress by the orders given him that it caused him to abandon his assigned patrol duties, or the orders themselves were extremely traumatic, or live threatening, to him. Either way, these explanations involved considerable dangers for Captain Salid and his crew. Especially, if the Captain, for whatever reasons, had suddenly becoming mentally unstable and unfit for continued command.~ It was vitally important for him to determine what had caused Captain Salid to suddenly be suffering from such acute psychological and emotional distress? Jon and Salid had reached the welcome darkness of the deserted observation lounge by then. Immediately, the spacious room’s sensors illuminated the lounge’s confines to their normal well lit standards. That illumination would have blinded Jon except for protective cyber-lens that filtered out the blinding, blazing glare for him. They didn’t even have time sit down before Captain Salid opened up the conversation. Rather dramatically in fact. "I know that you can tell that there is something bothering me and that I'm being secretive, so I'm not going to deny it." Captain Salid confessed. “I can not explain this to you, but I need you to trust that I am doing the right thing." Jon nodded in silent affirmation. “You’ve proved to me that you've never been or done otherwise, Sir.” Jon said softly. “But whatever’s going on with you now, it seems to be excessively burdensome, Sir. Is there anything I do personally, or professionally, to give you some sort of emotional relieve or catheric release, Captain Salid? My long house and heath fires are always open to anyone, especially my Captain and War Chief.” Captain Salid continued speaking, as if he hadn’t heard Jon’s words. "There is something at stake here that is far greater than this ship and all the lives on it, that should be enough of a reason for now." Salid replied. "If I am wrong, I want the crew to have deniability, and I'll tell you now I'd much rather be wrong than right this time." Jon let his captain without commit, hoping that time and continued observation would give him a better clue to was going in Salid's suddenly very troubled psyche. Looking at Captain Salid’s troubled, agitated aura, Jon saw sadness, worry, fear and some guilt. Jon saw conflict and concern in Salid’s swirling aura, but no madness. ~That fact relived Jon’s professional worries, for the moment, at least. The fact that his captain wanted his crew to have reasonable deniability usually meant either some kind of highly illegal, black ops mission or paranoiac madness. On the good side, no paranoia was visible in Captain Salid’s greatly troubled aura.~Thank you, Great Spirit.~ ~If you rule out the latter,~ Jon thought to himself, ~then you have accept the former as true. Discomforting and dangerous as the former reality often turns out to be, Great Spirit.~ “I see genuine pain in your heart Sir. But I see neither deception or madness in your aura or actions either,” Jon replied. “I will continue to give you the trust you’ve already earned. I will do everything with my power to help you succeed at the mission you;ve been tasked to complete, Sir.” Just Jon finished speaking Caskie and Lt. Sullivan entered the lounge together. Jon smiled to see them. ~Now with his three highest officers altogether, maybe Captain Salid will be a little, or a lot, more forthcoming about what he’s getting us into,~ Jon hoped fervently. ------------------------- Day -2 - 1827 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Ready Room - FO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day -2 - 1827) Josh arrived outside the ready room almost the same time as Lt Cmdr Sullivan. She smiled at T'Larah and greeted her. "How are you feeling Commander? I hope you have recovered." As both of them strode into the Ready Room together Josh smiled at both the Captain and the 3O, Lt Nayati who were already there. "Good Evening Captain, Lt. Am I right in assuming that this meeting has to do with our new mission?" "Yes." Ahmed replied, "I have something very important to convey to you both." He remained standing, now surrounded by three of his most trusted officers. They were his friends as well as his confidants. "I have taken the Rosenante off-mission without orders. I can not tell you why at this time, but I need you to trust that there is a very good reason for it. You both know that I do not place much faith in blind loyalty. It was that sort of thing that caused the civil war. I don't want any of you to obey my orders out of some obligation, but what I need is your trust, even if things seem difficult to understand. The situation is one that I can't explain to you right now, because it may be imperative that you have deniability. As it is, I'll probably be facing a review board for my dismissal if I am wrong about what's happening. But as I was telling the counsellor, I'd rather be wrong than right in this one instance, regardless of the consequences." Josh listened to what the Captain had to say and sitting down in her usual seat beside him she smiled. "Captain. In all the time that I have served with you I have never seen you be anything else but loyal to the same things that I have always been loyal to. I rather doubt that has changed within the last three months. If you have taken this ship off mission without orders then I am fairly sure that you have a reason for doing so. As the FO you have my backing and my trust until and unless I see you doing something that does not make sense to me. Then I will question you. " ------------------------- Day -2 - 1828 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - 2O/CTAC - Lt Cmdr T'Larah Sullivan - 1828) Josh smiled at T'Larah and greeted her. "How are you feeling Commander? I hope you have recovered." This same question had been posed to T'Larah earlier in her Vulcan re-education. At first the inquiry had puzzled her. Her education curriculum was borrowed heavily from the only other person to have gone through the Fal-tor-pan, Ambassador Spock. T'Larah also being half human, the computer between three dimensional chess moves, stellar mechanics, star ship tactics and advanced trigonometry it dropped the same question. She had thought why pose such an illogical question? The answer had come to her not studying mathematics or physics, but philosophy. T'Larah now gave Commander Caskie the same answer that she gave on Vulcan the day she left. "I am fine Commander." she said, paused then continued, "I have been given a 'clean bill of health' by Master Tuvril and our own CMO, I am once again at nominal performance." As both of them strode into the Ready Room together Josh smiled at both the Captain and the 3O, Lt Nayati who were already there. "Good Evening Captain, Lt. Am I right in assuming that this meeting has to do with our new mission?" "Yes." Ahmed replied, "I have something very important to convey to you both." The Captain remained standing now in the company of his three most senior officers. "I have taken the Rosenante off-mission without orders. I can not tell you why at this time, but I need you to trust that there is a very good reason for it. You both know that I do not place much faith in blind loyalty. It was that sort of thing that caused the civil war. I don't want any of you to obey my orders out of some obligation, but what I need is your trust, even if things seem difficult to understand. The situation is one that I can't explain to you right now, because it may be imperative that you have deniability. As it is, I'll probably be facing a review board for my dismissal if I am wrong about what's happening. But as I was telling the counselor, I'd rather be wrong than right in this one instance, regardless of the consequences." Josh listened to what the Captain had to say and sitting down in her usual seat beside him she smiled. "Captain. In all the time that I have served with you I have never seen you be anything else but loyal to the same things that I have always been loyal to. I rather doubt that has changed within the last three months. If you have taken this ship off mission without orders then I am fairly sure that you have a reason for doing so. As the FO you have my backing and my trust until and unless I see you doing something that does not make sense to me. Then I will question you. " Caskie stated. "I concur." T'Larah agreed. "A reason for a Starfleet Captain to take a vessel off mission, would be fairly serious. With your service record and my experience working with you, you would not deviate from orders with out a good reason. According to Starfleet General Orders, Star Fleet Captains are ordered to abort current missions if Federation citizens, planets, systems or sectors are at risk. I believe that it is a matter of patience before that will be revealed to us. I am a patient person." she replied. ------------------------- Day -2, 1829 Mission: Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day -2, 1829) "I see genuine pain in your heart Sir. But I see neither deception or madness in your aura or actions either," Jon replied. "I will continue to give you the trust you've already earned. I will do everything with my power to help you succeed at the mission you've been tasked to complete, Sir." Ahmed nodded. "Thank you Jon, That means a great deal to me. It's lifts a bit of the burden I'm carrying." he replied. The doors to the Observation Lounge slid open and Sullivan and Caskie entered. "Good Evening Captain, Lt. Am I right in assuming that this meeting has to do with our new mission?" "Yes." Ahmed replied, "I have something very important to convey to you both." He remained standing, now surrounded by three of his most trusted officers. They were his friends as well as his confidants. "I have taken the Rosenante off-mission without orders. I can not tell you why at this time, but I need you to trust that there is a very good reason for it. You both know that I do not place much faith in blind loyalty. It was that sort of thing that caused the civil war. I don't want any of you to obey my orders out of some obligation, but what I need is your trust, even if things seem difficult to understand. The situation is one that I can't explain to you right now, because it may be imperative that you have deniability. As it is, I'll probably be facing a review board for my dismissal if I am wrong about what's happening. But as I was telling the counselor, I'd rather be wrong than right in this one instance, regardless of the consequences." Josh listened to what the Captain had to say and sitting down in her usual seat beside him she smiled. "Captain. In all the time that I have served with you I have never seen you be anything else but loyal to the same things that I have always been loyal to. I rather doubt that has changed within the last three months. If you have taken this ship off mission without orders then I am fairly sure that you have a reason for doing so. As the FO you have my backing and my trust until and unless I see you doing something that does not make sense to me. Then I will question you. " "I concur." T'Larah agreed. "A reason for a Starfleet Captain to take a vessel off mission, would be fairly serious. With your service record and my experience working with you, you would not deviate from orders with out a good reason. According to Starfleet General Orders, Star Fleet Captains are ordered to abort current missions if Federation citizens, planets, systems or sectors are at risk. I believe that it is a matter of patience before that will be revealed to us. I am a patient person." she replied. Ahmed nodded. "I hope that I'm in a position to reveal everything to you." He replied somberly, " What you need to know is that I have reliable intelligence that there is an undertaking in the Ikev system, of a project so secretive that just my revealing it's nature to you is enough to have me court-martialed and placed in a penal facility for the rest of my life, assuming that I survive the trial. The difficult part is that if this turns out to be an elaborate ruse to lure the Rosenante away from our assigned patrol sector, there could be serious repercussions. That is another reason not to give you too much information at present. The exact nature of this threat is such that I would rather sacrifice my career than have the intelligence be accurate. The dangers of this situation are such that I fully expect you to do the right thing regarding this mission should the nature of it be revealed to any of you, without hesitation. Even if that means sacrificing this ship and her crew. I know I can count on all three of you. As soon as I have enough solid evidence to present to you, I will reveal more information about our mission, but for now, know that there may well be elements within the Admiralty of Starfleet Command who would find it more expedient to destroy this ship and her entire crew than to have us verify the intelligence that I have received." The doors to the lounge opened again and Ahmed finished with. "You'll learn a bit more in the briefing." he replied. ------------------------- __________ NOD32 4007 (20090414) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com