From: JoGoodman2@aol.com Sent: Sunday, 21 September 2003 3:06 AM To: spectre-nrpg@freedom-squadron.com Cc: compiles@freedom-squadron.com Subject: Spectre compile Sept 8-14, 2003 (pt 1) Compile Spectre Sept 8-14 Mission: The Prisoners Dilemma, Day 2 Stardate 2406.03.10 (USS Spectre: - Ensign Saurik Rak'han - 0740) (USS Spectre, Holodeck, Kahila Lono, 8:20) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 08.30) (Red Claw - Bridge - Commander Talath - 10.01) USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.05) (USS Spectre: Bridge - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1005) (USS Spectre, Bridge, Kahila Lono, 10:05) (Red Claw - Bridge - Commander Talath - 10.05) (USS Spectre: Bridge - Ensign(JG) Saurik Rak'han - 1005) (USS Spectre: Transporter Room - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1007) (USS Spectre: Transporter Room - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1007 (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, Kahila Lono, 10:08) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Cmdr Talath & Party - 1008) (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.15) (USS Spectre: Observation Lounge - Pierce Orde - 10.16) USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, Romulan Bodyguard - 10.20) Starfleet Command, SFI Section, SPC Commodore Kaitrin Devlin - 12.15) (USS Night's Watch - Bridge - Captain Richard Ian Lee - 1218) (USS Spectre: - Ensign Saurik Rak'han - 0740) Saurik stood with his arms folded as he watched the two security officers firing at the holographic Xenolithe infront of him, the clumsy projectile weapons bucking as they fired. The effect was pretty much what he'd expected - phasers were even less effective on the Xenolithe than on himself, and he presumed that was the case for similar reasons. However, blowing bits off seemed to be more effective, though they still took a lot of gunning down. "Enough." The Xenolithe continued on it's path towards him, but the halfbreed stepped to one side and cooly dispatched it with a single blow from the holographic Lirpa he was leaning on. On the whole the only way he'd found to effectivly combat these things was to chop or blow bits off. Blow bits off...Saurik grinned slightly, "Computer, prepare all information on biogenic agents that might affect the Xenolithe, and any information on known reproducable forms of explosive projectile amunition." (reply any) (posted by Owen) (USS Spectre, Holodeck, Kahila Lono, 8:20) Kahila Lono caught sight of a dark masked enemy figure lurching away from a tree to her right. She brought her phaser around, pointed -- missed. ~Oh no! Another one I missed.~ The figure moved closer, and Kahila stepped back, then fired again. The figure toppled. ~Ah! Better.~ But she barely had time to congratulate herself, as another figure moved in from the left. She swerved her right hand, fired again. The figure went down. She heard a noise behind her, swirled around and saw the enemy, reaching out, ready to grasp the weapon from her hand. She instinctively went through a martial arts movement that brought him around and over, then fired. ~I'm definitely doing better now.~ Breathing hard, Kahila turned and gazed at the manuevers that Pierce had his security squad moving through. She caught his glance and grinned, then said, "Thanks for letting me join the practice. I'd better get back to the Bridge now." reply Orde Slipping the phaser through a belt that she'd added to her uniform -- a belt that she'd last worn as Marianne, on a faraway world, Kahila found the holodeck door -- barely visible through the holographic trees and brush. She went out, then stopped for a few moments, leaning against the bulkhead to rest. Then she made her way to the turbolift. (reply Orde, any) posted by Josephine Goodman (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 08.30) The Spectre had crossed the Neutral Zone and uncloaked, shields down and exposed, their meeting with the Romulans was at hand. The zone itself was actually not large and crossing it at high warp wouldn't take long. Resistance so far had been non-existent, cloaked or otherwise; any ships in the zone were giving the Spectre a wide berth. All crew had been issued hand phasers and Remae's dug into his side a little while he was sitting down, looking around the Bridge, everyone wore theirs in their own way, some pointed directly up, some hung to the side. "Sir, long range sensors are detecting a Romulan Warbird is waiting for us at the rendezvous point.", reported one of the staff on the Bridge. "Helm, what's our ETA?", Remae asked and it was clear they were at least an hour away, the Romulans had gotten there before the Spectre. (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.00) "Captain, we're approaching the system.", reported the Helmsman. "Slow to impulse.", he said as the viewscreen began to spot, in the distance, one Romulan Warbird, in all her majestic glory. "Open a channel.", he said, standing once more, "Unidentified Romulan Warbird, this is the USS Spectre, Captain Remae Ktell in command." Remae waited for a reply from the Crew and the Commander from the Warbird. (Reply from Red Claw, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Red Claw - Bridge - Commander Talath - 10.01) "They are opening a hailing channel, Sir." Talath wagged a finger disinterestedly, letting the Operations Officer know to put it on speakers. =^=Unidentified Romulan Warbird, this is the USS Spectre, Captain Remae Ktell in command.=^= Talath snorted, then looked over at his Tactical officer. "Get in touch with the Tal Shiar on coded frequencies, find out everything there is to be known about this... Remae Ktell. I want the information within 8 hours, go." He turned back to the screen, "Open a visual channel to the Spectre." he said, his voice dripping with distaste. He composed his face as a Bajoran's face appeared on the screen. Talath, who had mentally hardened himself and had decided he would play neutral, nearly choked. ~ANOTHER BAJORAN CAPTAIN?!? WHAT THE HELLS!!!~ NRPG: Long story, no doubt it will come out before this mission is over. RPG: He managed to keep his face strait, though he could feel his blood flowing into his face, and that blood burned in rage. He grasped the grips on his chair tightly, and in a gruff tone replied. "This is Commander Talath of the Imperial Warbird Red Claw." He broke, and with a will released his grip on the chair and assumed a more natural posture, with luck the other Captain would see it as understandable uneasiness, if he noticed at all. Typical Federation scum like him were soft hearted like that. "I will assume you are the envoy sent from Starfleet to, oversee certain sensitive matters involving both the Empire and the Federation. If you are not, then I hereby warn you that you are in violation of the Treaty of Algeron and order you to turn back.. At Once." He spread his hands, and continued on his harshly memorized speech. "Otherwise, I suggest we meet... In person... To discuss details of the upcoming operation." He grinned, another practiced gesture. "In the spirit of friendship and cooperation, of course." (reply: any) (posted by Trout) (USS Spectre, Bridge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.05) The Spectre was initiating contact with the Romulans, in the Neutral Zone. All things being equal, they wouldn't ever shown up, that told him one thing, either, they were being truthful or they were being manipulated by the Tal Shiar like they were, in any event. =^= This is Commander Talath of the Imperial Warbird Red Claw. =^= Remae nodded at the Romulan Commander, an usual situation for them both but waiting for a moment, the Commander continued. =^= I will assume you are the envoy sent from Starfleet to, oversee certain sensitive matters involving both the Empire and the Federation. If you are not, then I hereby warn you that you are in violation of the Treaty of Algeron and order you to turn back... At Once. =^= The tension level on the Bridge jumped up, the crew tensed as if ready to do whatever he commanded, but those orders won't be forthcoming from him, even if it did mean taking some of the Romulan well know arrogance full face. =^= Otherwise, I suggest we meet... In person... To discuss details of the upcoming operation. =^= =^= In the spirit of friendship and cooperation, of course. =^= "Naturally, Commander Talath, we'll make preparations to beam yourself and your staff over, see you shortly, Spectre out.", said Remae, turning and pointing to someone to kill the link. He flopped into his chair, let out a bit of a sigh. "Counsellor, what did sense from our Romulan Commander?", he asked, looking at the First Officer. (Reply from Lono) "Pierce, head down to the Transporter Room and arrange to beam our guests over, then join myself and Kahila in the Observation Lounge.", said Remae, heading for his Ready Room, "Lt Gort, begin a record search for Commander Talath and the Red Claw, link in with the nearest Starbase too, lets see if there are any records of him.", he said, entering the Ready Room, the doors closing in behind him. NRPG: Given the distances involved, it'll take 3-5 hours to get a reply from Starfleet Command. (Reply from Lono, Pierce, Gort, Starfleet Command (Liz), Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre: Bridge - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1005) "Pierce, head down to the Transporter Room and arrange to beam our guests over, then join myself and Kahila in the Observation Lounge," Captain Remae ordered. Pierce already had his security layout in mind. "Aye, sir," he replied happily. He called for Saurik to come up and man the tactical panel and walked briskly over to the turbolift. (Reply Saurik) (USS Spectre: Transporter Room - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1007) NRPG: Assuming Remae wanted Pierce, as Second Officer, to do the meet & greet. Being Security Chief is a nice bonus, though. RPG: Orde stood in the transporter room, a few feet from the operator's console. His staff hung, compacted, reassuringly at his side. ~I dinna trust Romulans,~ he thought, glad for the rapid Security redeployment he had effected on the way down to the transporter room. Guards had been stationed throughout the more sensitive areas of the ship -- particularly where the phase cloak, tri-cobalt launchers, and the flux cannon were located -- and remained on high alert. He had few worries about his officers -- they were suspicious by nature of, well, everything. Especially unproved "allies." "Energize," he ordered the crewman, and he was greeted by the sight of the columns of light on the transporter pads. When the Romulan party had coalesced, he bowed slightly in the Romulan fashion. ~Gotta keep the diplomacy moving.~ "Welcome aboard," ~Kahlia, we've got company,~ he sent, along with a mental image of the Romulan commander. (Reply Romulans) (Reply Kahlia) (Reply Romulans, Kahlia, Saurik, Any) (Posted by Lenox) (USS Spectre, Bridge, Kahila Lono, 10:05) Kahila sat in her place, just behind and beside Captain Remae, as he spoke with the Romulan Talath. ~If my empathy skills were ever needed, this is the time.~ Though she'd never tried exercising her skills on a distant entity, she gazed now at the eyes of the Romulan, depicted in the viewscreen, focusing only on him, blotting out all awareness of her physical surroundings. It felt to her as if he were wearing a thick metal shield. Or as if he had no more emotions than a non-sentient robot. She visualized her own talent as a small probe, questing for access. Then, as if a sleeping snake suddenly woke and attacked, a fiery tendril flicked from his mental shield, grasped her psyche and twisted it, forcing her awareness back to her body. In the moment the Romulan struck, she felt the sense he had of his own power -- a power her probe could not touch directly. A power in which he had supreme confidence. And in that terrible moment, he'd shown her how weak he knew she was; laughably weak. Kahila's head pounded and her heart thudded, as her full awareness was pushed so effortlessly back into her body. She couldn't stop her body from leaning over, but she stifled the sensation of retching that threatened. With great effort, she straightened, sitting back against the chair. She'd barely begun to recover, when Captain Remae said: "Counsellor, what did sense from our Romulan Commander?", "I tried probing him, while you were talking, Captain. He was aware of my efforts, and shielded himself. Then he -- pushed me away. I can only be sure of one thing. He was absolutely sure of himself, of his own power. But as to what that power consists of-- that I couldn't touch." Kahila was pleased that her voice sounded firm and in control, that it told nothing of her ordeal. Then the Captain continued with orders: "Pierce, head down to the Transporter Room and arrange to beam our guests over, then join myself and Kahila in the Observation Lounge.", said Remae, heading for his Ready Room. Just after the Captain disappeared into his Ready Room, Kahila left the Bridge. She went directly to the Observation Lounge, stopped at a water cooler, poured a cup of water, then dabbed a few drops of it across her forehead. She drank the rest, and poured more. She thought of having a quick cup of coffee, but even the idea made her stomach clench. She stood for a moment, near an observation port, yet not seeing anything of the outer world. Her own thoughts were consolidating, making decisions. ~I've never thought of myself as weak, or helpless. But at that moment, in the grasp of the Romulan's psyche, that's what I was. I've never,ever, thought of my empathy, or psychic skills, as a potential weapon. But that's what I'll make of them. I only hope I can do it in time.~ Her train of thought was interrupted by the distinctive thought-voice of Pierce -- always welcome. ~Kahlia, we've got company,~ he sent, along with a mental image of the Romulan commander. Kahila shuddered. She sank down into the nearest chair. In only minutes, she'd be in the physical presence of the Romulan. She had only her own sense of duty, and resolution as to her future course of development, to steady her. It would have to be enough. (reply any) posted by Josehpine Goodman <> (Red Claw - Bridge - Commander Talath - 10.05) =^=Naturally, Commander Talath, we'll make preparations to beam yourself and your staff over, see you shortly, Spectre out.=^= Talath turned in one swift movement and grabbed the collar of his first officer. Before the man could respond, Talath jerked in and up, lifting the officer and bringing him within inches of Talath's face. "Where is that information I demanded earlier?" he rasped, "Knowing the Captain was another Bajoran... I could have better prepared!" A look of rage passed over his First's face and was quickly replaced with nothingness, it was enough to know that his Executive was still a Romulan, but a Romulan with duties who couldn't just bash the head of the person who had angered him. "I have contacted the Tal Shiar many times... Sir." The XO had said 'Sir', but he had meant 'Cur', Talath loved it when he did that. "They keep telling me they are getting the information ready. I can't press the Tal Shiar, and neither can you." he finished matter-of-factly. The Romulan CO cocked his head to the side, then slowly let his officer back down. "Very well," he said in a calm and collected voice. "I can't fault you for the Tal Shiar, no matter how much I might want too." He grinned humorously, "Rest assured, Livin, I will find reason to kill you one day." The FO brushed off the uniform, "Not before I have reason to kill you and take command." he responded back, in what had almost become a ritual. His smile was small and cruel, another reason Talath liked him so much as FO, "Shall I prepare a security detail?" NRPG: Long story, Ill tell it to you sometime. RPG: Talath considered, "One bodyguard, and my Tactical officer." He stood, "Sidearms only. I doubt they expect us to go over there like whimpering children. Having only three of us on their ship should put them... At ease." He glared his distaste at the XO, "And that is the purpose of this mission after all, to put the Federation at ease." The XO reached out and gestured, a moment later one of the Centurion's separated herself from her wall post, and stood just behind and to the side of the commander. The Tactical officer was already waiting by the door to the combat transporters. Talath set off immediately, "Signal the Spectre to wait for our signal." (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Commander Talath - 10.08) Talath took a deep breath of Starfleet's air, and found it to be cold and clammy, just like most Starfleet officers. Their only real virtue was the fact they had exceptional luck, something Talath had been lacking as of late. It required much effort to keep his hand away from the disruptor at his side when he noticed that not only was there a man with a foolish yellow collar right in front of him, but several others in the same uniform off to the side. He did a quick mental evaluation, and seemed to remember that their security forces dressed in this absurd manner. After that, it didn't even take common sense to figure what was going on, the Captain had sent them an armed escort. Talath shrugged that aside, he would have done the same. "Take me to your Captain." he said shortly. (reply: Orde, any) (posted by Trout)