Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane, Bridge, CSO Lt Fugan B'lanor, 1605) Fugan sat infront of the libary retrival terminal at the rear of the bridge, content to merely monitor events around him, after all his role was to inform and advise the Commanding officers and he could perfrom that task if he did not know the relevant information, unfortunately neither Francis Drake nor the Scorpion appeared to be mentioned within the Cochrane's library. The computer continued to display files on various personel at high speed however Fugans attention was distracted by the sensor overview which was displayed on an overhead screen. As he moved to the primary sceince terminal his combadge chirruped, =/\=Lt. Bell, Lt. B’Lanor, I would like your opinion and hypothesis on the ship of our visitor.=/\= "Sir we have just detected Mr Drakes transport now, facinating ... his ship appears to be equipped with an advanced cloaking device which is able to be lowered within a particular section of the ship while the remainder remains cloaked. Our sensors were able to perfrom a basic internal scan, however all findings would be subject to a 24.9% error, the ship appears to have the following dimensions: length 467 m, beam 185 m, and a height of 100 m, considerably smaller than ourselves yet their power output is far greater than ours, approximately 10^12 TeraWatts, thus it would be logical to assume the Scorpion to be capable of high warp speeds as well as highly armed. Unfortunately i am unable to ascertain any precise details with regards to other specifications including the precise armaments or even the personel complement of the vessel due to the cloaking device and some form of wide area dampening field. I will continue to adapt our sensors to penetrate their cloaking field however i advise extreme caution sir" =/\=Thank you… Lowell out!=/\= Fugan heard the channel cut out as he turned to resume his analysis, a few minutes passed before the turbolift doors opened revealing Tahlmari who was in turn followed by another, logically this was Captain Drake, Fugan watched the party move across the bridge, noting the confident stride and self assured air this person carried himself with, as well as the way he kept looking around the bridge taking in every detail, his eyes fell upon Fugan for a few seconds then he moved on entering the Captains ready room. (reply Lowell, Tahlmari, Bell, anyone) (posted by John Morrison) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane- Bridge - CEO James Bell- 1620) James had made a quick report on the cloaked vessel and made his way to the bridge. James approached the captain’s ready room to see Tahl leaving looking really disappointed. “I have my intelligence report on the cloaked vessel for you. I think she’s hiding a lot more cards than she appears.” He took a good look at Tahl. “Sir, are you ok?” he asked “I’m sure that everything will be fine Tahl.” He said. “Back to my report. Everything Lt. B’Lanor has reported is consistent with my scans. But I have this distinct feeling that she’s hiding stuff from us.” “several decks on the vessel seem to be emitting extra residual energy than other decks. And the bulkheads in these regions seemed to be reinforced with poly-carbide titanium. She’s protecting something that’s drawing a lot of power. Sensors are having problems getting through. There’s something there. I can feel it.” Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane- CO Office- CO Capt. Alexandra Lowell & Lt. Comdr Tahlmari - 1625) When Tahl saw Alex on the bridge his heart jumped again. Suddenly he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was said, but he went with her anyway. Alexandra lead the way, followed by Tahl, once inside the office, she lock the door. "Computer, privacy mode please!" [Privacy mode engaged] "I can't believe this!" She walk up to the sofa and let herself fall sat on it and pass her hands on her face to the back of her head before looking at Tahl. Tahl had found that he stopped walking at the door. It wasn't something he had done consciously. In fact he wasn't even aware he had stopped. But he became painfully aware of the look on Alex's face when she saw where he was. "Don't stand far away from me Tahl. I know that you are hurting... I love you so say something please!" Her voice was shaking. The Zakdorn walked carefully and gently to the sofa and sat on the edge. "What's there to say. I knew you had a past, and I figured I'd find out about it sooner or later. I guess this just wasn't the way I'd pictured it happening." "I didn't expect him at all." Alexandra was looking at Tahl. He was hurting and pretty bad. "I really have only one question for you," Tahl stated. "Do you still love him? I mean, it's obvious you still have feelings, unresolved or otherwise. But do you still love him?" "The last time I saw Drake was 6 years ago. I will not hide that during the last year that him and me were together we have become really close." Alexandra look at Tahl, she wanted to make sure that he understood everything. "To the point that he asked me to marry him. For two years we have worked together, it wasn't a picnic. We fell in love, him first and me after, we were suppose to meet again during a party where he would have asked me the question you have just heard. If I had the star. The thing is, he never came, I never saw him and there for the question remained. There is more Tahl, that for now I can't tell you until I reveal that to Drake. I made myself a promise to tell him. Six years is a long time Tahl, for some an entire lifetime. I am not anymore the woman he knew. To answer your question, if I still love him, maybe a part of me still does I don't know that yet. This took me by surprise completely, I know one thing, I love you." Tahl looked at Alex, he realised for the first time since he had come into the room. He looked into her eyes. In there he saw what he had always seen. The love that had always been there. Suddenly he felt stupid. He turned around so that he was kneeling on the floor in front of Alex. He looked at her with more focus than he had ever used before, "And I love you, with all my heart." "It's only to me that this could happen. I need you to trust me more then ever." She took his hands in hers, they were a little bit cold to the tip of the finger that she didn't mind. Tahl smiled a little, "You, I trust. Him, on the other hand," Tahl looked nodded towards the bridge, "I have serious doubts about." "I know him, I can handle him." Alexandra paused wondering how to phrase her thoughts. "I have to tell him a lot of stuff, very important stuff and also painful. Not only telling him about us, but something else that I can't talk to you about right now." Tahl chuckled at the thought. Her saying she could handle Drake. He couldn't imagine anything she could not handle. He reached out with his hand and stroked her face gently. "I understand. You do what you need to do. No matter what, I will always be there for you." He looked deeper into her eyes. "Always Alex. You are part of me now." Alexandra felt much better." I am a part of you too." She paused again giving Tahl a smile. She wanted to kiss him but time was pressing. "He asked me to go on his ship. It would be a great occasion to know what his ship is... So I will go there. He will be more comfortable when I will tell him...." The rest of the sentence choked in her throat. Tahl's face was barely inches from hers. It would have been nothing for him to kiss her. But he could tell by her voice that was something they would not be able to get into now. He looked at her with a scowl on his face. "As your Security Chief and First Officer, I feel obligated to say that it is crazy for you to go over there. However," he continued when he saw her about to speak, "I also know that look and your need. I also believe him when he says no harm will befall you." He stepped back and straightened his tunic. "But I also have a request. I do not trust what he will do while you are there, so I want you to have some kind of tracking device, just in case." "Thank you! You have no idea what you just gave me right now." She came to him with an happy smile on her face, both of relief and love, and gave him a hug. It felt wonderful, she added feeling his arms around her. "I accept the tracking device." Tahl returned the hug. He did not want to let go but knew he had to. "Actually," he said, "I've been working on this for about a week." He pulled out a small box and opened it. He thought for a moment that perhaps he should be on one knee. But no, that was for another occasion. He opened the box to see something that looked like a uniform pip. "Bell and I decided that if you were ever to go off ship on another away mission we wanted a way to always , at least know where you are. This transmitter will penetrate almost any shielding, and leaves a trail that we can track, even after several days." He replaced one of the pips on her uniform. "Now you have to promise to keep your uniform on." Alexandra was wondering what he was talking about, when she saw the small box her heart skip a beat, also she knew that it was too soon. When he opened the box she saw a uniform pip, she listen to how this pip came about with a smile on her face. ~That would be you... going off to another adventure on your own.~ When he ask her that promise, that was another story. She was really close to give him a punch line back. "You are the only one with that permission Lieutenant Commander." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, anything other could have triggered something else. She became serious again. "I have also a request to ask you!" That had a bad ring to it. But Tahl tried not to dwell on it. "Ask away, " Tahl replied. "Whatever I can I'll do for you." "What he said to me... let just say that there is more underneath this situation and I want to know what. So, I will invite him for diner here. I would like to be alone with him tonight. I am giving the permission to do just that but can you give me this?" Tahl could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He tensed a little. Then with a deep sigh he nodded his head. He looked up at her and smiled. How could he not. Simply put, he loved her. "Of Course. Take all the time you need. But if you need me, at any time, please call me." He gave her a hug and held on for a moment. Then he stepped towards the door to the bridge. "Captain, I believe you have an appointment with destiny." "You're right!" She took a deep breath. "Tahl, maybe I didn't say it, actually I never said it. What you say, what you do is very important to me. Computer turn off privacy mode." [Privacy mode off] "Let's go!" (USS Cochrane- Bridge - 1643) Alexandra and Tahl came back on the bridge, it seem that everyone was looking at them. She decided to give orders, it was a time as good as any. “Lt. Korak, I would like you to make sure that all chief department be present tomorrow, at 0900 for a meeting. I don’t have all the information but it is imperative. I want also the ship to be in state of readiness.” She smiled at Korak. (Reply from Korak) “I would like to find out what are the different ships signatures that cross this space. I want to know what to expect in this unexplored sector of space. I will be in contact with you shortly.” She gave a little smile to Tahl. Alexandra didn’t expect the quickness of Drake movement when he brought Alex into him with a hug and tapped his combadge and as they started to dematerialise he looked at Tahl. "Well maybe not everything we do anyway." he said with a laughing smile. (Reply from Korak, Tahl and the crew) (Posted by Laurence Durand, Al Muir) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane, Bridge, CSO Lt Fugan B'lanor, 1645) Fugan moved over to Tahlmari just as Drake and the captain dematerialised, "Sir i believe i may have something of interest regarding Mr Drakes ship, it may be possible to lower their cloak for several seconds allowing us to perform a full scan, without them even realising" (Reply Tahl IYW) "If we were to launch a stellar encounter probe on the pretext that we were investigating a nearby trinary system then it is doubtful they would suspect anything, the probe can be modified to emit high band tetrion radiation which would disrupt their computer for several seconds, since they are utilising a wavemapped cloak this should cause a brief destabilisation of their cloak, however this should be sufficient to perform a high resoloution scan of the interior of the vessel while it is doubtful they will detect the short anomaly in their system" (reply Lowell, Tahlmari, Bell, anyone) (posted by John Morrison) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane, Bridge , COUNS. Ensign Rose Cantarzini, 1646) For the last half hour Rose felt powerful emotions running coming from the bridge and decided to have a look. When she arrived, she saw a strange man grab Alexandra and dematerialised. Rose barely had time to see him, but she had a strange vibe about him also, he was cute. Lt. Tahlmari wasn’t too happy, actually down right angry but he did nothing at the exception of going to the Tactical console. Rose was going to ask him but Lt. B’Lanor got to him first. She turned to the next best thing. Lt. Korak. “Lt. Korak, what is going? Who was that man that took Captain Lowell like a pirate in the movies?” (Reply from Korak, Tahlmari anyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand) Stardate:2406.03.15 (Scorpion, transporter room, CO Cochrane, Captain Lowell and Captain Drake, 1615) As they materialised, Alexandra pushed him away having heard what he said. "That wasn't funny and I see that you are still acting like a pirate!" Alexandra tried to have a stern voice but it just manage the opposite. Drake smiled at her for a moment then replied. "Alex I have not changed from the day you fell in love with me and I prefer not to. Besides he will get over it." Alexandra preferred to remain silent knowing that if she started to have a fight with, she could start a chain reaction that she couldn't control at the moment. Instead, she turned her attention to the ship, and the design surprised her a great deal. She looked around like the archaeologist she use to be. He chuckled as she was wondering what was it all made of as she had not seen anything like it in the federation. Questions upon questions came to her eyes. "Now remember Alex everything you see remains a secret or I will have to kill you" he told her with a smile then took her heading for the bridge. "Teaser! Do you have the original language of this ship in your database?" "Now Alex you know I can’t give that up even to you my love." He told her with a laugh. "Unless you decide to stay here with me, but, we can talk about that later." He did not want to pressure her into anything at the moment, bigger things lay ahead of them. (Scorpion, Bridge, Lowell and Drake, 1617) They finally reached the bridge and walked to the round table in the middle of the room. "Jerad this is Alex, the one that I have told you about so many times." He said. "I can see that she is more beautiful than you described Dragon" Jared retorted Alexandra gave a weird look at Drake, but said nothing. "Alex, Jerad is my FO so to speak" Drake informed her. Jared being a Vulcan that did not follow the none emotional way was taken back by Alex's appearance. "Dragon, maybe we should just warp out now with her" Jared said jokingly. "No… she is here of her own free will and will be able to leave the same way unless she wants to stay." Drake responded looking at her. He then turned to the table, "Tactical display of the alpha Quadrant Jerad." In a round display the entire quadrant became visible to them. Having a come on from a Vulcan was one thing, but what Francis said stroke notes that she put out of her mind. She gave a shy smile and look at the tactical display of the Alpha quadrant. "Where is the sector you have to search into?" Drake pointed to a sector that was not too far away from where they were at the present time. It had a class M planet surrounded by a starbase and one sun. "The Intel I have say they are held on a starbase named Casino Royale. Supposedly the starbase was taken over by a guy calling himself Orson Welles and he set up a large casino on it to hide the fact that it is really a front for his illegal activities. It is known in certain circles as crossroad point where ships from all four corners of the quadrant come to deliever goods and pick up goods to transfer to another corner." He brought up the starbase in question and pointed to what he had just told her showing her the pictures. "Who are we dealing with? Who are the captors?" "That I don't know other than it is not someone that would welcome the federation if you knocked on their door." Drake answered her as best he could. "I need to get them out fast so that nothing can happen to them. If we attack they will probably be killed before we can get to them. I can get in there without being detected and don't ask me how. I just need someone to create a diversion when we come out." He told her. Alexandra didn't like the idea of him going alone. A part of her, was hitching for some action, the other wanted to be prudent. "It's risky! You could have a surprise once in there. You said that this place was at the crossroads, and this doesn't feel right Francis. I can guess how you can get inside. I could also tell you that I have a few T'Kon toys that I kept. Holographic toys. I will think of something." Drake eyes widened at what she just said and it had possibilities. "Hmm I would like to see some of your toys. They just might come in handy the more the better to get in and out easily. But enough talk for now I want to show you the rest of my ship" Drake said as he shut down the holographic display. "You know me... always curious!" "Now Alex my love you are going to drool at what I am going to show you but you must not ever reveal to anyone that you know of it." Together they strolled out off the bridge while he was hoping one day she would be his again. As they passed by Jared, Drake looked over at him and gave him the signal which Jerad knew to engage the dampening field. (Scorpion, Engineering, Lowell and Drake, 1630) As they walked toward engineering they were engaged in little “tete a tete” until close then he started to tell her a bit about it. "Now Alex I know that you are use to the engineering section on your starship or the federation starships, but, my engineering section is totally different than what you are use to." He told her with a smile as he stopped by a door. "You are use to those big areas with a lot of machinery all around and that tall cylinder in the middle of the room right?" "Yes I am!" Alexandra look at him with curiosity. "Well my engineering section is maybe a bit over one third of that and can do roughly the same if not more than your ship" he smiled at her. He then opened the door and let her enter. "We only picked you up on sensors, nothing else!" "My cloak is better than yours also" he laughed as he entered engineering. "I know that Francis." As she stepped in the room the major item that drew her attention was an area that took up most of the rear of the room. It was a round ball that had a swirling mist inside of it about five feet diameter. It sat in what looked like a tripod with the controls behind it. It took Alex a second before she could say. "I know an engineer or two that would love to figure how this works." She could tell that there were power conduits coming from it also but the room was so much more uncluttered than hers and he was very proud that she got to see this as even some of the crew had not been there. "I also want to let you know that this ship knows" he said looking at her to see if she got his meaning. "It's impressive Francis!" She paused, look at Drake. "Are you telling me that it is an intelligent thinking computer you have inside this ship? Not many civilisations has that type of technology and I know a few." "The skin it uses is bio and disperses the energy that hits it and can repair itself. The skin has the capability to, how do I say this, camouflage itself." He said try to say it where she could understand it. "I am not sure if it is just the computer Alex." he told her as he remembered a few times that it seemed the ship was alive. "I think I have upset it a few times and she has got back at me." Alexandra now was amused. "What do you mean by getting back at you?" "Well, once I had put a cup of coffee on the counter and then when I turned my back it was in my chair and I got all wet." he explained "There was no bumps, shakes, or rattles that would cause it as this is one smooth ship." Alexandra couldn't help her laugh. "Good one! Bravo! I'm starting to like her now." "I figured you would but sometimes it is annoying and it makes me think of you with your little pranks you pulled long ago." he said as she smiled at him. "Ice in your shoes." That came in her mind in a flash. "That happened also and other places" he acknowledged turning red faced but laughing. "What was the other? the shrank clothes. Missing clothes just before you got out of the shower. What was the other? I know it is funny. I can't seem to remember that one!" "Frozen under pants" "Yes... that's it!" She started to bent over, her sides started to hurt. "I better stop... or I will fall on the floor." "Oh and one time I found all my pants turned to pink and had to send Jerad out to get me some more." he was laughing so hard he had to hold his side too. "I think that your ship beat me in the department of pranks." "You and this ship would get along together so good I don't know if I would survive it" he was bending over from the laughing. Alexandra couldn't stop laughing and to find balance reach out to Drake's arms. "Probably we would! … Pink pants !" She laugh even more. Just what he wanted and was waiting for but he tried not to make it obvious as he took her into his arms still laughing with her. "I think we better continue before we burst something love" He said starting to try and bring some semblance of order to himself again. Alexandra felt comfortable in his arms like old times, but what said put back reality into place. "Yes, you are right. We better go on!" She took a step away from him, but with a smile on her face. (Reply from none) (Posted by Laurence & Frank) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane- Transporter room 1- FO/TAC/SC- Lt. Comdr Tahlmari- 1644) Alex's smile made Tahl feel a little better about the situation. He did not like the idea of her going over to Drake's ship without any security back-up. But he had to trust her on this matter. He was about to say something to Drake when he suddenly grabbed Lowell and pulled her into a tight embrace. He looked directly at Tahl with, what could only described as pure and unadulterated defiance. "Well maybe not everything we do anyway," Drake said. He gave Tahl a big smile and a nod and then they were gone. "Damn it!" Tahl shouted. "I want to know where that ship is and I want to know it yesterday!" Fugan B'Lanor was the first to approach the fuming FO. "Sir," he said, "I believe I may have something of interest regarding Mr. Drakes ship. It may be possible to lower their cloak for several seconds allowing us to perform a full scan, without them even realising" "Explain," Tahl said, trying to remain calm. "If we were to launch a stellar encounter probe on the pretext that we were investigating a nearby trinary system then it is doubtful they would suspect anything, the probe can be modified to emit high band tetrion radiation which would disrupt their computer for several seconds, since they are utilising a wavemapped cloak this should cause a brief destabilisation of their cloak, however this should be sufficient to perform a high resoloution scan of the interior of the vessel while it is doubtful they will detect the short anomaly in their system." Tahl started to get that twinkle back in his eye. "I like it. Proceed." (reply B'Lanor) ~For the first time this Captain Francis Drake will not have the whole upper hand.~ He turned to Bell. "The captain has our present," he said, speaking of the tracking device. "Shall we see if it's functioning?" (reply Bell) Then he turned to Korak. "Mr. Korak, let's see if we can get some kind of trace on the captain's com channel." (reply Korak, Bell, B'Lanor) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.03.15 (Scorpian, Bridge, FO Jerad, 1650) Jerad had initialized the internal dispersal field so that the Cochrane could not pinpoint where Alex was. He had also started the dampening field as Drake had ordered in their unspoken communication. They had set that up a long time ago so when there was personal that they did not want to communicate with their ships they could not unless Drake wanted them to. <> Jerad read over his screen display. "Where is the scanning coming from?" Jerad asked but knew the answer could only be one place. <> Jerad was not sure how Drake would react to the information and decided not to inform him at the current time. He understood why the Cochrane did what they did as they could not contact their captain and was understandably worried. They really did not have any idea who Drake was and what he might do when he had their captain on board. She might trust Drake but it would seem that not all on board the Cochrane shared her views. Jerad normally would call for an alert when such actions had been initiated against them but in this case he decided that he would just let it be. Jerad sat back in the command chair to watch the holographic screen of the area. He watched the Cochrane and the Scorpian sitting as if hung from the same line in space, a waltz so to speak was being played out. He wondered if Drake would survive this dance he had started. Jerad knew that the scorpian and its crew would as Drake always put his crews safety before his own. The Scorpian would always be around to scan the area for when Drake emerged they would pick him up. (reply from none, any) (posted by Frank Rogers) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane, Bridge, CSO Lt Fugan B'lanor, 1646) Fugan moved over to Tahlmari just as Drake and the captain dematerialised, "Sir i believe i may have something of interest regarding Mr Drakes ship, it may be possible to lower their cloak for several seconds allowing us to perform a full scan, without them even realising" "Explain," the FO was obviously trying to remain calm "If we were to launch a stellar encounter probe on the pretext that we were investigating a nearby trinary system then it is doubtful they would suspect anything, the probe can be modified to emit high band tetrion radiation which would disrupt their computer for several seconds, since they are utilising a wavemapped cloak this should cause a brief destabilisation of their cloak, however this should be sufficient to perform a high resoloution scan of the interior of the vessel while it is doubtful they will detect the short anomaly in their system" "I like it. Proceed." "I took the liberty of preparing a probe, it will be ready to launch within a few moments sir" Fugan returned to the science consol to complete the final modifications required After a few minutes Fugan moved over to the Tactical consol, "Sir the probe is ready to launch on your command, all sensor readings will be relayed to the tactical consol" (reply any) "Probe away," Fugan monitored the probe at the sceince terminal as it moved away from the Cochrane at low impulse, "Initiating tetrion pulse ... their system is responding ... the cloak has been partially destabalised, it will take the computer a few seconds to compile a complete schematic of the vessel" Fugan glanced up at the viewscreen which now dipslayed sections of a sleak, almost aerodynamic craft, as he watched the visible sections appeared to flow over the ship revealing more details, then the ship dissappeared . "Their system is restored, no sign that they are aware of the anomaly," Fugan recgonfigured the holo-emmiters within the bridge to project a gridmapped image of the vessel, "Sir the vessel is heavily armed for her size, several high power phaser banks, four what appear to be high yield phaser cannons, 8 quantum torpedo launchers, a high capacity regenarative shield system of an unknown configuration, some form of bio-skin covering the entire hull and several high energy signatures i am unable to classify. The ship appears to have a crew compliement of 57 and includes the majority of alpha and beta quandrant species including Human, Vulcan, Bolian, Bajoran, Andorian, Betazoid, Ktarian, Nausicaan and Klingon. However there are still several decks we were unable to scan due to some form of dispersal field in operation." (reply Lowell, Tahlmari, Bell, anyone) (posted by John Morrison) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane- Bridge- FO/TAC/SC- Lt. Comdr Tahlmari- 1622) Tahl sat in the command chair, brooding a little. He hated the idea of being dismissed. But what he hated even more was the pain he saw in Alex's eyes when she did it. He knew it was hard for her. He was contemplating seven or eight methods of dispossing of this Drake when a voice broke him from his reverie. "I have my intelligence report on the cloaked vessel for you," Bell said. "I think she's hiding a lot more cards than she appears." He paused for a moment and then asked, "Sir, are you ok?" "I'll live," Tahl replied then took a deep sigh and looked in the direction of the captain's ready room. "I just don't trust that man." "I'm sure that everything will be fine Tahl," Bell offered. "Back to my report. Everything Lt. B'Lanor has reported is consistent with my scans. But I have this distinct feeling that she's hiding stuff from us." Bell handed Tahl the Padd he was carrying. "Several decks on the vessel seem to be emitting extra residual energy than other decks. And the bulkheads in these regions seemed to be reinforced with poly-carbide titanium. She's protecting something that's drawing a lot of power. Sensors are having problems getting through. There's something there. I can feel it!" "There's a lot being hidden here," Tahl said, again looking at the ready room. "By the way, I did manage to give the captain our special present. Thanks for putting in all that work." (reply Bell) Talking to James made him think about his sister. Her injuries she sustained during the explossion of the Iznikian ship were quite extensive. Unfortuanately it has left them a little short handed in the sickbay. His one true regret was that he was never able to talk with her about their affair and what happened with Alex. "How's Julia?" Tahl asked. (reply Bell) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane- Bridge- CEO James Bell- 1622) "There's a lot being hidden here," Tahl said, again looking at the ready room. "By the way, I did manage to give the captain our special present. Thanks for putting in all that work." "it wasn't too hard, the replicator did most of the work" Talking to James made him think about his sister. Her injuries she sustained during the explossion of the Iznikian ship were quite extensive. Unfortuanately it has left them a little short handed in the sickbay. His one true regret was that he was never able to talk with her about their affair and what happened with Alex. "How's Julia?" Tahl asked. "She's been pretty withdrawn as of late. Pretty depressed or something. Being injured just made things pretty difficult, but she'll be ok. I hope anyways" James still felt it a touchy issue, but what could he do? Take a swing at his First Officer? Call his captain easy? "Who knows with her sometimes." James gave Tahl a shrug not really wanting to talk about the subject. He turned to his station fixated on some deep seeded resentment towards his senior officers. His attention to the situation at hand was not returned until he heard B'Lanor speak. "Sir i believe i may have something of interest regarding Mr Drakes ship, it may be possible to lower their cloak for several seconds allowing us to perform a full scan, without them even realising" "Explain," the FO was obviously trying to remain calm "If we were to launch a stellar encounter probe on the pretext that we were investigating a nearby trinary system then it is doubtful they would suspect anything, the probe can be modified to emit high band tetrion radiation which would disrupt their computer for several seconds, since they are utilising a wavemapped cloak this should cause a brief destabilisation of their cloak, however this should be sufficient to perform a high resoloution scan of the interior of the vessel while it is doubtful they will detect the short anomaly in their system" "I like it. Proceed." "I took the liberty of preparing a probe, it will be ready to launch within a few moments sir" Fugan returned to the science consol to complete the final modifications required After a few minutes Fugan moved over to the Tactical consol, "Sir the probe is ready to launch on your command, all sensor readings will be relayed to the tactical consol" "Probe away," Fugan monitored the probe at the sceince terminal as it moved away from the Cochrane at low impulse, "Initiating tetrion pulse ... their system is responding ... the cloak has been partially destabalised, it will take the computer a few seconds to compile a complete schematic of the vessel" Fugan glanced up at the viewscreen which now dipslayed sections of a sleak, almost aerodynamic craft, as he watched the visible sections appeared to flow over the ship revealing more details, then the ship dissappeared . "Their system is restored, no sign that they are aware of the anomaly," Fugan recgonfigured the holo-emmiters within the bridge to project a gridmapped image of the vessel, "Sir the vessel is heavily armed for her size, several high power phaser banks, four what appear to be high yield phaser cannons, 8 quantum torpedo launchers, a high capacity regenarative shield system of an unknown configuration, some form of bio-skin covering the entire hull and several high energy signatures i am unable to classify. The ship appears to have a crew compliement of 57 and includes the majority of alpha and beta quandrant species including Human, Vulcan, Bolian, Bajoran, Andorian, Betazoid, Ktarian, Nausicaan and Klingon. However there are still several decks we were unable to scan due to some form of dispersal field in operation." "she seems to be built like a pirate ship. Fast and packing lots of fire power. Most of the ships armor platting seems to be focused on the forward sections, with the least armor in the rear. She's built to chase and kill." James added his assessment. "A quick look at her engines suggests she has a cruising speed of warp 7.8 and max speed of warp 9.7. The hull plating around them doesn't appear to be as thick as the forward sections. The scans on her propulsion systems were easy to get. but why?" Stardate:2406.03.15 (Scorpion, Mess Hall, Captain Lowell - Captain Drake, 1645) Drake then took her to the mess hall and the area was nice but nothing really impressive as engineering. "hungry? "he asked as they walked through it. "Maybe a little!" The area had a view of the space around them to make it a bit more pleasant. His face lit up when she said that she wanted something and he went behind the counter for a few minutes then came out with a few of her favourite foods and fruits from what he remembered from before. "Pasta lasagne, Sicilian tomato sauce, a portion of vegetables.... I would have usually red wine with this. A fruit cocktail." "Your diner my love" he said with a giant smile Has the plat was in front of her. Alexandra saw a rose, a blue rose that she recognised immediately. It took her a second to react when she heard Francis ask. "Red wine coming up" he said as he went back to get it. "would 1954 be a good year for red wine love?" he asked with a straight face. "That! That would do great!" She gave him a feint smile still troubled by the rose. So many memories attach to that rose. Risa... where so many wonderful things happen to her. Alexandra shock her head, but it seem that the memory was stronger then her will. She barely heard Drake's question. He pulled the bottle out and headed back to the table with it knowing that it was at the right temperature already it always was. Pulling the cork from the top and letting it breath just a bit he poured a small amount in the bottom of her goblet. "does that taste alright my love" he waited for her to taste it. Alexandra took a sip. "Yes... Yes it does!" She picked up the rose again and brought it to her nose. The perfume was delicate and the flower was just in the right bloom state to be fully appreciated. A tear fell down her check, powerful emotions from the memories coming back in her mind. He bent down and gave her a small kiss on her wonderful soft lips. He then wiped the tear from her cheek and smiled to her, "I remembered them all this time love." "If you would have went through what I did this pass week... Let just say that the memories are crisper then ever." "My love if I had the chance I would have spent the last forever with you and protecting you, making sure every day was pleasant for you." he replied as he knelt down beside her. "I believe you that is the point... but everything that... Nearly dying on Geneva... It makes everything difficult." He stood up at that, his mind reeling, nearly dyeing, NO it can not happen again. He would have to be beside her from now on. He looked at her with a very sad face, "I am sorry love that I have not been around to protect you like I told you that I would. You don't know what I have done to try and find you. But, here we are out of the sheer fate of life, I will never leave you again." He told her with all the determination he could muster. People were coming in and Alexandra felt uncomfortable that they were there. "I'm afraid that I have lost my appetite." She got up but wobble a little, her knees wanting to give way. There was just to much on her mind so many things to say that wanted to come out. He said grabbing the wine and helping her up. "Let's go to my quarters then and bring what you want with you." Alexandra took the plat. "Good idea!" She took a deep breath and steady herself. (Scorpion, Captain's quarters, 1652) He guided her along the corridors that was much more splendid that a federation starship to the door of his quarters where he stopped. "Now I don't know if my quarters is as good as yours but hope that you will consider it home anytime you are with me." He told her then opened the door to let her in. Alexandra didn't expect to see so many memories in one room, she put down the tray on a table and walk about a little bit shaken but she put herself together. By the window was a Risa Rose bush, in full bloom, it took an entire corner by itself. She heard Drake say. "Oh and I have a present for you for your birthday" he told her as she entered. "You do?" "Yes" he replied to her as he went to a part in the wall and opened it to take out a package about two feet tall and brought it to the round table in the middle of the room. "I never forgot your birthday and have been keeping this for the day I got you back in my life." Alexandra came back and look at the package wondering what to think of it. She saw the knot and unfold it, the wrapping fell on each side to reveal an amber egg. The light hit well enough that she could see inside a dragon in a darker shade. "Where did you get this?" Alexandra picked up the card, it obviously travelled a lot. "Lets just say someone did not want it as much as I did for you" he smiled at her. "Should I be worried?" She look at him with a curious look. "I obtained it a year into my looking for you." he informed her. "Never my love should you be worried about what I give you. I paid handsomely for this, I did not steal it." he told her. "Okay! It's 257 000 years old did you know that?" "No I did not! it just looked like it wanted you so I bought it." he said "I never tried to judge its age" "A bad habit I guess!" "Yes things just have a habit of looking like they wanted you but this one really did so I got it for you." he said smiling "I like it!" She caressed the soft yet cold surface. Nature was amazing that way. "I knew you would my love when I saw it." he replied then knelt down and looking at her he put his hands on each side of her face softly to bring her to him as he gave her a passionate kiss. Alexandra didn't know how much she wanted that kiss until Drake did. Her memories were filled with the taste of his mouth, the feel of his arms around her, warm and tender. She put her arms around him, not even noticing doing it. After the kiss, Drake nudged down to the nap of her neck slowly softly kissing her. He picked her up and walked her to the large bed and softly lowered her down on it not breaking what he was doing. Alexandra felt her self control vanishing by the second, and she had the impression she couldn't stop it but she opted to find a way to slow down. "I have so much.... to tell you!" She said out of breath. As she let out that breath he looked up at her. "It can wait love. Nothing you can tell me will change my mind about you." "Are you this sure? I have been through so much... and I wasn't alone... in so many ways." Alexandra was trying to slow down, has she grab his hand hopefully to make him know that there had to talk even if what her body wanted was the total opposite. There was a battle raging in her and it was brutal. "I am this sure that nothing can come between us as I understand that we have been apart for six years. No one can stay to themselves without hope that the other one will come around the corner at any time." he told her as he understood what she was saying then he stopped what he was doing as he decided that it may not be the best thing to do right now as he had something he had to say also. "Maybe we should hold a few here, as I have something to tell you also. What you have to say is important to me but it will not change the way I feel but I have to tell you something and explain it." Alexandra understood and started. "When I was trap inside the simulated T'Kon world, I wasn't alone. The computer put the soul mate of the one I was personifying. It was Tahl. For two months I never told him or hinted what I felt, but inside the simulation... things happened and everything was out in the open. The computer exchange are feelings for one another. He is feeling the same way that I am for him. The thing is, I think I have the same emotions for you." She paused. "I wouldn't have tried to slap you, I wouldn't have let you kiss me or take me in your arms, and we wouldn't be in this bed... If a part of me wasn't still in love with you." This was the very first time that he started to get nervous around her cause he did not know how she would react to the news he needed to tell her. He did not know whether she would keep an open mind and listen to all that he had to say before she blew away at him. He listened to her with every bit of himself and took it in the reasoned it out again as he was not there or it would never have happened. "I understand love and I don't blame you. I want you to know that you would ever see me again and we might get back to where we were. But, now I have something to say to you and what I have said to you has no barring on what I am to tell you. You might not like what I say but please try to have an open mind." He replied to her a little scared and probably the first time she saw him like this. "I have always loved you and will always love you no matter what happens" he added. "What happen?" She sat on the bed and put some distance. She wanted to look at him face to face because she didn't like his tone of voice, it was scary. Looking into her face he started to get a bit worried as he really did not want to hurt her as he has too much already but it needed to be brought out if they were to ever be together. "I searched for you for the first two years not doing much of anything else except acquiring this ship but could not find you. I would never let the thought of possibly something had happened to you so I never stopped. Everywhere I went you were in my thoughts, everywhere I went I looked but tonight." He started then paused to collect more thoughts. "I did things that I am not so proud of and have been trying to atone for them. But, two years ago I met a woman that reminded me so much of you and hurting the way I was not having you with me, I fell in love with her and married her." He paused to gauge her reaction to this news so far before beginning again. "You married her?" Alexandra didn't know what else to say. "Yes but I want to tell you that she and I had not the connection that you and I have had and will always have. During the year that we were married we got into a really bad battle and in the battle she was badly hurt... and in my arms .... she died." he said looking down hiding the small tear he had for her. "Even though we were married I still looked for you never giving up hope that I could find you." he said after a moment Alexandra sat on the edge of the bed and knowing what he felt, yet. "It's difficult to believe that she let you search for me!" "My love. she always knew what I felt for you as I never lied to her and told her what I felt. I know that this hurts you deeply but I had to let you know as I wanted nothing to be between us." he finally looked into her eyes. "I came close to getting married a year of so after your disappearance and in the virtual world that Tahl and I were in... there was the wedding." She look at him wondering if she felt hurt or not. "Tahl saved my life in there, at least twice if it is not more!" "And if you had I would understand as it looked like to you that I had abandoned you so far back. But, I did not, I thought that my leaving would keep you safe and when I came back you where gone." he replied looking at her and hoping he had not ruined what they had together also knowing that she would have to think about it. "I am glad that he saved you, I will have to thank him sincerely for it." he replied Alexandra look at her cybernetic arm, so many things that she has lost even before this. She could still feel the pain, but he would have to know now they were sharing confidence. "Six years ago, I would have given you an answer... but I also would have told you something else." The words came out without her knowledge. She started to cry her hand grab the bed sheet making a fist. He instinctively reached out to give her support that he always did when she was like this. "And what was that something else?" he asked but not wanting to hear it. Wanting to feel safe, she cuddle against Francis. The words were difficult to say, but she had to free herself. "I... I was pregnant." She cried even more burring her face inside his shoulder. Alex's body shock uncontrollably, her arms tighten her grip around Drake's waist. It was a secret that she kept from everyone, her mother, her grandparents, the psychologists, at the exception of a few friends... no one knew. He pulled her tightly to him giving her the strength to continue even though he was so afraid of what she was going to say then what she said hit him. ~a baby~ went through his mind but she was not reacting in the right way so he was not sure he wanted to hear the rest of the story. "and?" Alexandra heard the word but the rest was the last part and the most difficult. She wanted that baby, a part of him that now would have been 5 years old. "I...I... I lost the... baby!" A cry of pain came out, like the one she screamed when she first heard the news from her friend doctor. She couldn't stop then and it was the same now paralizing her physically. There, what he knew she was going to say she said. He held her close to him letting her know that she no longer had to keep this pain to herself alone. He knew that she was hurting deep down to her soul and he was soaking it up. A growl started deep in his soul and started on its way up to his throat and burst out as he lifted his face to the ceiling with his mouth opened to let out his soul growl as if he was a klingon letting the next world know a warrior was arriving. He had never felt such pain as he and she was having at this moment. At this moment nothing in the entire world mattered but them together sharing the worst pain of all, a lost child. His tears were running as much as hers was. Hearing the gut wrenching howl coming from the captains quarters, Jerad ran there and entered to see two people in each others arms grieving more than he had seen anyone grieve. Drake saw Jerad and yelled at him, "Leave and do not enter unless I have called for you." with that Jerad left giving Drake a worried look. A part of Alexandra felt better to have told him. When she heard his scream, she understood just to well his feelings. "I can't look at a child for long without thinking about him." She jump in fear when she saw Jerad burst in the room. When this one left, she tighten her grip around Drake. "A part of you... you that I was missing so much!" For once in his lifetime so far he did not know what to say. All he could do was to hold her and comfort her as she went through this alone and had kept it to herself for so long. Then it came to him that maybe he did not save her after all and decided to ask what had happened to verify his thoughts. "Can you tell me what happened?" The pain started to subside but was still there on the surface. She manage to look at him. "It happen two months later you left. I was 3 months pregnant, just felt the baby moved that morning. I was so happy and wish that you would be there to feel him. I was wrapping up what I had for work and there was a conference where I would answer questions a tone of questions. I went to the podium when a bomb close by exploded. I wasn't hit by the blast but thrown by the air displacement. I landed in the chairs facing the podium." Drake winced as he knew the MO of his ex-employers and knew then that he had not succeeded in what he wanted to do. Setting a vow in his mind he looked at her seriously when he asked her a question. "Do you know who did this and did they catch them?" "I don't know who did this... no one was caught. I can assure that I have tried to find out. If I did... they would have wish to die quickly." She was angry and that gave her energy. She took a deep breath to lift the weight off her chest, she brought one hand to his face and caressed it not capable to say anything else. She could see his pain just has deep has hers. "My love now it is in my hands and I will take care of this for us and our son. The person will wish for a fast death but will be a long time in dying." He said as he caressed her face and ran his hand through her hair. Alexandra couldn't believe what she just heard. "Do you have an idea of who did this?" Now she was completely alert. "I am sorry but yes I do. It sounds like the MO of my ex-employer that we outran and I was hoping to draw away from you." he answered a bit ashamed of himself. Alexandra got up and took a few steps away from the bed. "I can't believe this is happening!" She pass her hands in her hair. Drake got up behind Alex and put his arms around her. "I am sorry love, I thought I was doing the best for you. I had them trailing me for several months. I did not know he had put someone on you also." "You should have told me everything instead of keeping me in the dark. I would have been more careful, I would have done things differently." She turned around and pass her arms around his waist. "Don't keep anything from me! Do you hear me? You think that I acted like a pest before, you have seen nothing of this me." "My love I see this now, but at the time I truly thought that they had not made you and in such thinking I took them away from you I hoped. But, from now on I will tell you everything no matter what. I see now that you have ripened up to a more avid fighter. I want you with me from now on as we have another mission to accomplish." He bent down and gave her a long kiss letting her know that his feelings just got deeper than they had been and now he would fight for her through thick and thin no matter what. Then he withdrew but still looking hard into her eyes, "Marry me now!" he said softly with passion. In her mind. ~Is this a joke! After everything I told him. My brain is bouncing all over the place. I can't answer that right now.~ It brought her also to reality, something wasn't right, she didn't know yet what but just went through the motions. "You certainly go straight to the target. I'm not ready, I have to much on my mind. What I need is a holodeck? I want to do crazy things and this room and you holding me just makes me nuts, I can't think. I'm angry, frustrated.... I can't answer your question... it's too soon Francis. You literally turned upside down my life. I seriously need an holodeck and my fighting program to get ride of this anger and frustration, because if I don't. I will... do something else." She had a small corner smile when Tahl came back in her mind. "Also, there's Tahl... like it or not... I love him too! I have to get back to the Cochrane before I do something that I will probably not regret to do." ~Not in the moment but after you will!~ "I know that you love him also but you have to admit that we have more… a lot more between us. But, I do agree that you need time to think and I am willing to let you have that time as we have been through a lot today. But, just remember that I love you and have always loved you and will till the day I die." he said as he released her but not completely as he took her hand and kissed it. "Want company in the holodeck my love as I need to release also." "Yes, that would be great. Also, I need your ship to do something. To have a look around and see what ships are around this starbase. Also, if you have the floor plan of this place that would help, we could work out a plan." Alexandra fix her clothes, and has she went to the living room, saw her lasagna. She took a couple of bits in and enjoy it even if it wasn't totally warm anymore. "I can have Jerad do that which I was going to do anyway. Great minds think alike. If they don't have the shields up then we can get the floor plan." he said as he followed her into the living area and fixing his clothes also. "we can tell Jerad as we go out." As they were about to head out, Drake remembered that he was going to tell her one more thing, "Uh love! Got something else I need to tell you before we go back to your ship" he said sheepishly. "I know that look... you did something didn't you?" Alexandra put up a very serious look on her face. "Well. Yes I did and you probably will hear of it when you get back on board. I knew that we needed to do some serious talking so I.. uh.. Hmm... put up a dampening field." he said slowly kind of moving a slight distance from her as she can hit hard when she wanted to and now she probably would put him through the bulkhead. "Oh Man! I'm going to have an ear full about this. Tahl could put you in the brig. It seem that before the holodeck I will have to explain and tell everything... at least part of it now and the other later to Tahl. They must have the entire security and marines running about. You will pay for this... in the holodeck... you know that don't you ?" Alexandra wasn't totally angry but very concern that Tahl would have the wrong idea about her. Also, she had to admit that he was right, they had a lot to talk. "Yes I do love but if we didn't have so much to talk about I would never had done that. Sorry Captain … wont happen again." he said as he mocked a salute to her then smiled. "You will pay for sure. Now, let's go... I have to do a few dancing steps on this one." "I know that you can dance very good." "Computer, what time is it? [1755 hours] (Reply from Tahl, and from everyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand and Frank) Stardate:2406.03.15 (USS Cochrane, Bridge, Captain Lowell - Captain Drake, 1757) When Alexandra appeared the bridge, nearly everyone was starring at her and Drake that was behind her. What could have been seen was that she had red eyes like someone who cried. Tahl was angry that she didn’t call and Alexandra understood just to well his reasons that were as much personal then professional. Like she expected, there was security guards and they grab Drake who wasn’t too happy but didn’t oppose to much resistance. (Reply Tahl) Drake understood what Tahl probably felt during the time that Alex was on the Scorpion and Tahl could not contact her. Drake had knowingly put himself in peril coming back with Alex as he knew that Tahl probably had him researched in the Federation database. Drake did not know what was in there but hoped that it would not cause him to be imprisoned just yet. He had hoped that if he was to go to the brig it would be because Tahl thought that Drake had put Alex in danger. Drake had learned a little about Tahl from their conversations there and he had to say one thing before he was hauled away. "Hold one minute Tahl, before you throw me in the brig, I want to thank you for saving our Alex's live several times. Now you can if you want." Drake was then ready for anything Tahl could do to him when Alex spoke up. (Reply Tahl) Alexandra was watching the two talking which was one thing when inside her emotions were all over the place. On one hand, she needed a time out and on the other evacuate her anger in the holodeck, it was starting to be urgent. She couldn’t put a word in the conversation and she definitely had to talk with Tahl, even if it was for her own sanity. “Drake, Tahl stop this!” She said with an angry voice, it was enough to stop the conversation. “Finally... Drake stays on the bridge.” She look at the two security officers that were behind Drake. “Tahl, I want to take to you.” She look at everyone on the bridge. “Once I’m out, I want a report from everyone of you.” Alexandra open the way to her office and held the door open has Tahl walked in giving a last look to Drake. (Reply from Tahl, Bell, B’Lanor, Hobson, Korak, anyone that I forgot) (Posted by Laurence & Frank)