From: JoGoodman2@aol.com Sent: Sunday, 21 September 2003 3:08 AM To: spectre-nrpg@freedom-squadron.com Cc: compiles@freedom-squadron.com Subject: Spectre compile Sept 8-14 (pt2) USS Spectre: Bridge - Ensign(JG) Saurik Rak'han - 1005) Saurik stepped up to the tactical panel as Pierce headed for the turbolift. He redajusted the pasher at his hip before checking over the panel and picking up a PADD and scrolling through the list of crew who might have a problem with the Romulans. Unfortuonatly it was quite a high number. The tricker work of rooting out any sympathisers discreetly and without turning it into a witch-hunt would begin now. He was thankful that the Observation Lounge was on the opposite side of the ship to the Bridge, it would be best to avoid shoving Vulcan officers in the Romulan's faces. His comm-badge crackled into life for a moment, =^=Sir,this is Crewman Daniels - we have the data on those combat projections you asked for.=^= Saurik struggled for a moment between his desire to see the data as soon as possiable and his post at the tactical panel. After a moment he hit the comm-badge, "Send the overview to my PADD, I'll look at the simulation later. Take some target practice while you're waiting." =^=Aye sir.=^= Saurik looked down at his PADD as strings of data were sent from the holodeck, discounting half-formed plans and strengthening others. Unfortuonatly there wasn't enough data on Xenolithe physiology to fully explore the biogen route, or for him to adapt his skill at Mantis Dak'Raj to make it functional against the aliens. Still, chopping or blowing bits off them should work pretty well. Then his brow creased slightly, the best projected weapons were all old, and somewhat ethicaly dubious - depleted radium rounds, several nasty bio-explosives (mostly of Romulan design oddly enough) and subspace weaponry. Nasty weapons designed to kill the target in the most brutal and complete way the designer could think of. ~Boy, the Captain isn't going to be happy when he sees this report.~ (reply any) (posted by owen) (USS Spectre: Transporter Room - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1007) Pierce felt a wash of dread echo back over the link. ~Kahlia, fear nothing,~ he thought back at her reassuringly, along with a picture of himself watchful. (Reply Kahlia) (Posted by Lenox) -Lenox - Lord of Hyphens ---------------------------------------- (USS Spectre: Transporter Room - Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde - 1007) "Take me to your Captain," one of the Romulans said shortly. Pierce took him (considering his rank insignia) to be the other ship's CO. Resisting a smirk, he appraised them all. ~Only three. Odd,~ he thought as he nodded. ~One is obviously a security officer, but I cannae be sure of the other one.~ "Right this way, gentlemen," he said aloud, stepping through the door and motioning for the Romulans to follow. Once out of the transporter room, he brought the HUD up on his eyeglasses and double-checked the Security arrangements along the route -- a route that was long enough to allow the Captain and the FO a few extra seconds to prep, but not enough to raise protest. He strode down the hall, glacing back at the three Romulans in tow here and there. His security forces did the rest of the work, sealing off doors and corridors as they passed. NRPG: Starfleet Security: "We're nothing if not pragmatic." "Beware of Romulans bearing gifts." -- Leonard H. McCoy RPG: (Reply Romulans, any) (Posted by Lenox) (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, Kahila Lono, 10:08) Kahila was still standing, eyes gazing at the viewport, but her mind preoccupied by her recent frightening experience in attempting to psychically probe the Romulan captain. ~I don't know if I can stand being in the same room with him physically. That brush with him, distantly, was bad enough.~ Then suddenly, her inner landscape brightened. She heard/felt the communication from Pierce: ~Kahlia, fear nothing,~ he thought back at her reassuringly, along with a picture of himself watchful. Kahila managed to create an image of herself smiling, and sent it to him. ~Thank you, Pierce. Our linkage may be one of the few things that can keep me sane. ~ Then she sat down, closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and began to use a technique taught to her long ago, by an uncle in Hawaii-- a technique of building a mental shield which could withstand an agressive psychic assault. ~But of course, my uncle knew nothing of Romulans.~ (posted by Josephine Goodman) (Reply Kahlia) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Cmdr Talath & Party - 1008) "Take me to your Captain," The man didn't say much more a moment, nearly causing Talath to rebuke him. But before he could, the security person said, "Right this way, gentlemen," Talath followed behind the mustard-shirt, then sneered when he noticed all the extra security personnel hanging about various doors and on what appeared to be their path. He shook his head, and in a moment of levity looked back at his Tactical officer. "Now you see what I mean by both weakness, and paranoia. All these security personnel, just for us." he said, just over-loud for others to hear. The Tactical officer grinned in response as Talath once again turned and concentrated on his surroundings with a chuckle. (reply any: as desired) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - Cmdr Talath - 10.15) Talath looked at the man he recognized from the screen, and it was all he could do not to yell in rage again. However, he was a Commander in the Romulan Military, and one didn't rise to his rank without having proved he could exert self-control. "Commander Talath, welcome aboard. May I present my First Officer, Lt. Kahila Lono and my Chief of Security, Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde." Talath looked at the officers he had pointed out, then looked back up at the Bajoran without saying a word. When the Captain gestured to them, Talath frowned minutely, they had no reason to know the names of his subordinates. "You may refer to the man at my left as Sub-Commander. The Woman to my right you may refer to as Centurion." (reply: if desired) "Well, Commander, thank you for agreeing to this meeting. Lets get started." Talath pulled out a chair and gestured to the one beside him, where his Tactical officer sat. The Bajoran pulled up a map, and after a quick glance Talath looked back at the Captain. He had memorized the map already, if the Starfleet officers needed another look at it, that was fine by him. Then, without preamble, the Bajoran launched into a history briefing. It was everything he could do not to show his boredom, they had already been briefed on this information, and he could frankly care less what the Tal Shiar had already told the Federation. He perked back up when this Remae finally got off the history binge, and started talking about tactics. "We'll have to remain uncloaked until we reach the destination, after which, we'll engage in a search pattern until we find or not find what we are looking for." Talath waited. "Sensors are extremely limited in this area of space but we'll have probes to assist us and when we get onsite, we'll investigate options of sending out shuttles and boosting the sensor arrays." ~Arrogant, assuming I will just go along with his 'orders'~ "Commander, we've encountered our share of the Xenolithe, if we find their base, I hope you agree with me there is only one course of action. irradiation." Ah, now that surprised him. He hadn't ever heard a Starfleet man talk about the complete eradication of someone, that might make things more interesting. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a typical uptight nut that Starfleet usually employed. "I agree." he finally said, "Utter destruction, both to save... Our people... Troubles with that group, and to serve as a future warning to other nomadic groups that they are not wanted." He folded his hands together. "I will leave the tactics of the operation to my Tactical officer and Chief Scientist, you will have access to them at all times." ~But you can bet I will be watching closely~ (Reply: any) (posted by Trout) <(-)><<<<<<<<<<<-> }))*(({ <->>>>>>>>>>>><(-)> (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.15) Remae had relocated to the OL for his meeting with the Commander, inside, Kahila was making the room ready. "Thanks for trying to scan the Romulan, given your encounter and the amount of power he has; don't open your mind to him. Concentrate on reading his physical reactions during this meeting.", he said smiling and reassuring the Counsellor. (Reply from Lono) Just then, the detail arrived bearing their Romulan visitors arrived, the six of them stared at one another for a moment, the tension in the room increased. "Commander Talath, welcome aboard. May I present my First Officer, Lt. Kahila Lono and my Chief of Security, Lt. Pierce Horatio Orde.", he said, waiting for the Romulan to do the same and trying to ease the tension in the room. (Reply from the Romulans) Remae headed around to the head of the table and sat down, indicating everyone else should do the same, this was his ship not the Romulans, and they'll do things his way. "Well, Commander, thank you for agreeing to this meeting. Lets get started.", he said, bring up a map of the area and their indented course to the area of space the Tal Shiar had indicated to Starfleet Command. Quickly, he briefed them on what they'd been told, exposing their hand but if they were going to work together, he was going to show the Romulans, on this mission, he wasn't going to keep anything from them. "We'll have to remain uncloaked until we reach the destination, after which, we'll engage in a search pattern until we find or not find what we are looking for.", he said, looking for signs from the Commander if he was in agreement or not, "Sensors are extremely limited in this area of space but we'll have probes to assist us and when we get onsite, we'll investigate options of sending out shuttles and boosting the sensor arrays.", Remae said, shutting down the viewscreen. "Commander, we've encountered our share of the Xenolithe, if we find their base, I hope you agree with me there is only one course of action. irradiation.", said Remae concluding what he wanted to say, now, it was up to them to prove either they were interested in completing the mission or just looking for an advantage over the Federation. if it was the latter, Remae wondered how fast the Federation Task Force could get to him and how long after that the Federation and the Romulan Empire would be involved in a full scale war. (Reply from Lono, Pierce, Talath, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre: Observation Lounge - Pierce Orde - 10.16) Pierce Orde sat after Remae had motioned for him to do so. His eyes glanced over to the bodyguard who took up residence in the corner, obviously trusting noone. His intuition told him that the eyepiece that she was wearing was a set of tactical glasses, much like his own modified eyeglasses. ~The upside of mine,~ he thought, ~is that I can recieve transmissions from anywhere, like PADDs and so forth. Makes reviewing info so much easier off of a tricorder.~ His staff remained at his side comfortingly. He had worn it partly out of a sense of security and familiarity, partly out of a desire to make the Romulan security guard go insane trying to figure out what it was for. ~Always have a couple tricks up your sleeve. They'd never expect a human security officer to be carrying a Klingon's worth of arms.~ His gaze lingered over Kahlia for a moment. ~Kahila, I think your sleeves are wide enough to hide those ball bearings well,~ he sent over. (Reply Kahlia, any) (Posted by Lenox) (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge, Romulan Bodyguard - 10.20) Gruffly, the bodyguard of the Commander refused the offer to sit down and took up residence in the corner of the room. He was wearing a pair of dark tactical glasses, one side fitted into his ear, he was in total communication with his ship and the glasses afforded him a computer enhanced view of the ship. Humans, Bajorans and other member species of the Federation, on the Bridge, other species, none posed a threat to him nevertheless; he was ready to give his life for the Commander, the one role he had been trained for since he was a teenager. He was armed, they had let them board their ship with their weapons intact but several armed Spectre personnel were also carrying standard and non standard Federation issue, the large, burly bodyguard took careful note of the arms. Even the Captain was armed, he assumed it was ceremonial; the weak looking Bajoran didn't look like he would hold up well in a fight! Continuing his scan the area, the bodyguard waiting for his Commander to conclude his business so they could leave and return to their ship. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Starfleet Command, SFI Section, SPC Commodore Kaitrin Devlin - 12.15) Kaitrin read the request that had, she noticed, made its way to her terminal with unusual speed. Normally it took three days just to get the authority to pass on a request like this, but someone, somewhere, had seen the urgency and for once put it straight through to the right person. Since the Nimitz's logs had been wiped on her return to Starbase Geneva, to avoid a nasty diplomatic incident at the very least not to mention the probability of outright war, the only records available to anyone were personal testimonies from the officers and crew involved. And they were highly classified. Obviously if the Spectre was to have a run-in with the Red Claw, though, her CO needed to know the worst. And there was, as Kaitrin knew, a LOT of worst to know. To refresh her mind, she pulled up all the details she had and re-read them. Finally, pursing her lips, she began recording her message for transmission to Captain Remae. "Captain, normally I would insist that this information was for your eyes only. However, in the circumstances, I will leave it to your discretion what you reveal to your officers. I must warn you that the information you are about to receive appears nowhere on any official records, for reasons which I trust will be obvious to you. If this incident were to become public knowledge it would be almost impossible to avoid war with the RSE. And that, as you know, we cannot afford at the moment." Kaitrin paused. "About a year ago, the USS Nimitz was on what had been assumed to be a routine mission investigating a message requesting help from an area previously thought to be uninhabited. Shortly after her arrival she was attacked by a Romulan vessel which they later found to be the Red Claw, under the command of one Commander Talath. The attack was, so far as can be ascertained, completely unprovoked and since the Nimitz didn't even have time to get her shields up fully, almost completely successful. Casualties were horrendous; I believe over one third of the total complement were killed, either in the initial attack or later once they were boarded by the Romulans. Some died in combat but there were also numerous... executions, I believe would be the diplomatic way of putting it. A virus uploaded by the Romulan borders, later identified as an ancient and faulty system called Windows, wreaked havoc with the Nimitz's computer systems." Kaitrin paused again, more to control the anger that still rose in her whenever she thought of what the survivors had told, than to gather breath. Personally she would have called it something a lot less diplomatic than execution. She resumed, giving details of some of the atrocities committed which were calculated to make the blood of any Starfleet officer run cold. Or hot, with the desire for revenge. She spoke in a level tone throughout, allowing no emotion into her tone whatsoever. It was the only way she could get through the list without wanting to tear the throat out of Commander Talath. The details of the marines and security officers, of those who survived the massacre in engineering, of the attack on Sickbay... nothing was left out. "Thanks to some heroic work by the officers and crew, all of whom were personally commended by Admiral Eileen Greeley, the borders were first contained and then gradually repelled. A distress beacon was also launched, and somehow the CEO got enough power up to power up some of the less-damaged weapons systems, the Romulan ship was targeted and its cloak damaged. The sudden appearance of a previously undetected Klingon vessel in the area clinched things, and the Red Claw withdrew, unable to destroy or capture the Nimitz without the Klingons becoming involved. Talath was allegedly acting without authority but the fact that he not only continues to serve the RSE but continues to command the Red Claw seems to indicate friends in very high places if not actual involvement by the Senate. You might also take into consideration that the Nimitz was so badly damaged it took her five months to make the journey back to Geneva." Kaitrin paused again. "Commander Talath is to be regarded with the highest degree of mistrust, Captain. He is on past showing, quite capable of turning on you and attempting to capture or destroy your ship. The Spectre's phasecloak would be a very high prize indeed for him to give to the RSE. Under no circumstances is that to happen. I trust I make myself plain?" Kaitrin ended the recording, and reviewed it. Then she encoded it, and entered orders which would transmit it direct to the Spectre, for the Commanding officer only. What Remae did with what he learned, was up to him. Kaitrin had done her part. She had warned him. (reply by Remae, Any) (Posted by Liz Geuken) (USS Night's Watch - Bridge - Captain Richard Ian Lee - 1218) "Captain," Rich looked up from the Captains monitor on the seat, and turned slightly to face Ops. "Go ahead." "Gold Channel, Priority one message coming in from the Talons, its Admiral LoDona." Rich cocked his head to the side. It wasn’t, by far, the first communiqué he had taken from the Admiral in the time since he had taken temporary command of the 'watch and had gone off on his private probe. It was the first Gold Channel message he had taken, such things were reserved only for emergencies, the most dire of news or orders. "Ill take it in the ready room," he said as he stood. He looked over to the First Officer, a man he had come to know in the last two months, a good man, brilliant in tactics and a fair hand with the crew. The perfect First for both a Tactical ship, and a mission of espionage. "Number one, you have the bridge." "Aye," was the only response, the Commander didn’t even get out of his Chair. Rich walked through the ready-room doors, and was immediately greeted with the dim white-shinning light of a Master ships-status board on one wall. At all times, even from the ready room, he could tell the condition of the ship and her systems. It was something he rather enjoyed having. Since his command, though temporary, was officially supposed to last for about a year, he had taken the time to dress the ready room up the way he liked it. Various books lined the bookshelves, and pictures of ships and men were on the walls. He took a moment to consider the space before moving behind the desk and turning the monitor to face him. "Computer: identify Lee, Richard Ian. Security code Lee Omega Seven Seven Beta." "Retinal scan required for both Gold Channel message and attached orders." That, more then anything, impressed on Lee that something wasn’t right. He shifted in the chair, then leaned forward. A quick red light scanned his eye, then disappeared. "Captain Richard Ian Lee, identified." Moments later, the face of Admiral LoDona from a ready room not unlike his own appeared on the screen. =^=For those that don't know me, I'm Admiral Robert LoDona, CO of the 52nd. It has come to my attention lately that things... are not as they should be.=^= Rich immediately frowned, and looked at the corner of the message. This particular message had been sent to him, to half the Admirals of Starfleet Command, and to each and every Fleet CO in Starfleet. On the screen, LoDona continued on. =^=I am sending you a full database worth of information, what you choose to do with it is up to you. I can only tell you my thoughts on the matter, and my plans. It is a foul time indeed when the same uniform and oath hides both traitors, and patriots. Such a time has come upon us, a time we must choose who is our friend; those that would help us preserve the Federation, from those that would simply remake it into a twisted shell of its previous glory. I have spent my life defending our boarders, and protecting the enduring philosophy that has become our way of life. In good conscience, I can no longer stand idly by as forces of evil and ambition rip apart the very foundation of the Federation. We no longer have anywhere to hide; we cannot turn blindly away and pray for the best any longer, we must stand our ground once and for all time. We are the Front lines, on the first of many battlegrounds, and we are the last line of defense. If we fail, we will be left with naught but oblivion.=^= "Pause Message!" Rich immediately said. The face of LoDona paused, and Rich leaned back in the chair, already flabbergasted. He took a PADD from the desk, and loaded the attached information and proof that LoDona mentioned, then looked at the face again. "Continue." =^=We will do what is necessary, anything more then that I cannot tell you. But for the record... I hereby accuse and condemn Admiral Doenitz and all involved of High Treason, I curse their names and vow they will be removed, by any means necessary.=^= a pause, then ==^=I will be in touch, LoDona out.=^= "Oh Lord," Rich said in a muted, toneless voice. "The b*stard might have just started a civil war." He looked down at the PADD and started to scroll through it, completely ignoring the second message icon that flashed on his screen, a message labeled as orders from LoDona to himself. (USS Night's Watch - Bridge - Captain Richard Ian Lee - 1310) Rich through the PADD onto the desk and rubbed his face. He had read, re-read, and searched the 'Watchs database for collaborating evidence. Everything LoDona had said, and claimed, that he could prove had come out on the up-and-up. Meaning, this wasn’t some practical joke, Robert really had taken his fleet and gone rouge against a few high-placed Starfleet Admirals. He rubbed the back of his neck in thought, wondering about the moves LoDona had made. Rich had made a note of studying Robert and his record, the guy was brilliant at Strategy and tactics. There had to be a reason he would go to these kinds of measures, so blatantly. He considered the 'mailing list' for a moment. None of the recipients had been civilians, nothing had gone to the Federation Council at large. It was all Starfleet, kept in the family. Rich wondered briefly if Robert meant to keep it in the family, to let Starfleet deal with its problems. If that were the case, Rich thought it was short-sighted. But even a small hope is still hope, he supposed. Lee couldn’t think of anything he would have done particularly different, if he had decided to take the same route. He took a deep breath, then tapped his badge. "Lee to bridge, Ill be another twenty or so, report?" =^=All's clear, Captain.=^= came the voice of his FO. Rich nodded, "Very well, Lee out." The channel cut, and now Rich looked at the screen again. There were orders he still had to read. He reached over and, with something akin to dread, tapped the button. On the screen, LoDona's face once again appeared. =^=Captain Lee=^= the face said agreeably, though the face told an entirely different story. Robert looked, gray, ashen. Rich didn’t doubt that everything he had heard would take it's toll on the Admiral. This wasn’t going to be fun and games, no doubt. =^=First, Captain, I'm placing you as Commanding Officer of the Night's Watch for an indefinite period. Things have changed, you no longer have a set mission with the lee-way of only a few days to do your investigating, the tables have turned and I have another use for you, if you are agreeable. By this time you have seen my other message, and probably spent a couple hours reading the evidence and making your own discreet inquiries. You are an expert in guerilla tactics, Captain, and I need those skills. A fight is most likely what I will have on my hands, and there will be no large fleet actions.=^= Robert held up his hand, =^=I have several reasons for thinking this, as I'm sure you will agree with if you think about it as well. First, I'm moving the fleet even further down the river, that makes it infinitely harder to reach us *Except* by the river. It would take approximately six months at warp 9 to get a fleet our way, and because of the mechanics of the river, only one ship able to exit at a time, we can defend it easily. Added to the fact that no-one wants any real publicity on this, and large fleet actions would certainly draw the public eye. It will be small Tactical wings at best, single ships most likely: but there will be bloodshed, there is no way to escape it.=^= Rich leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together, and continued to watch. =^=So, here are my orders. If you are not able to carry them out, best let me know immediately. One: turn back from your current destination and meet Me and the Talons at the coordinates provided. I will provide you with some new crewmembers, and we will confer on the status of everything. Two: with the Night's Watch and her phasing cloak, you will conduct convert espionage missions against the furthest outposts known to be commanded by those with definite ties of loyalty to Doenitz and lackeys.=^= The Admiral leaned forward, =^=And three, should I fall, you will command the fleet until this mess is resolved. Of everyone I know, you would best be able to lead this kind of guerilla attack, you are now my Fleet XO. I may have you pull back at a later time for rear-guard actions should we have multiple ships hounding us, but I don’t think Doenitz will mobilize that fast. And, I want to see if any other fleets kick in with us and turn the heat up on Doenitz and the rest of Starfleet High Command.=^= LoDona leaned back again, =^=Orders take effect immediately, Captain. God's speed.=^= The screen flicked off, leaving Rich in a very silent room. He leaned back in his chair, his face reflective and his thoughts a wild tempest. If he took part, he would quickly be labeled a traitor, as well as the whole crew under him. LoDona knew that, and had given him the option to refuse. He folded his hands together and turned to look out the porthole into space, letting possibilities fill his mind. A couple minutes later, he stood and walked onto the bridge. Immediately he said, "Status of the cloak?" The OPS officer wasted no time, "Fully operational Captain." He turned to the Tactical officer, "Status of the weapons and defenses?" That perked the attention of every bridge officer. The Tactical officer looked at him for a moment, then said "Fully operational and at your command, Captain." Rich turned to look at the First, "Status of the ship, number one?" "Heading to Rendezvous five at warp 6 under cloak. The Watch is fully at your command, Captain." was the immediate reply. Then, he cocked his head to the side, "Orders?" Rich took a deep breath, "Make your heading 154 mark 32, smartly." The First Officer stood, and immediately said "Helm, bring us about to 1-5-4 nark 3-2, smartly. Bridge to all personnel, hold on for emergency maneuvers." Rich had found his seat while the Commander was talking, and the second that the FO took his own seat again the ship suddenly veered, people were tossed to the side as the Inertial Dampers tried to compensate, then the G forces eased as the ship found it's new heading. Rich folded his hands together, "Tactical, drop the cloak and redistribute all power to the engines. Helm, make your speed warp 9.975 for the river, then put us on coarse for Federation territory." The CONN officer touched a couple buttons, and a moment after the ship came out of cloak, she was speeding up to full maximum cruise. At this speed, they were only a few hours out from the river. Lee took a deep breath, "Number one, once we hit the river, come see me in the ready room, Ill explain our orders." He stood without a response, and once again stepped into the ready room. He found his heart was beating fast, and his palms were sweaty. He was unaccountably excited for some reason, and after several quiet moments just inside the doorway, he discovered that he was finally going to be able to make a real difference to this Federation and Starfleet, whereas he had felt useless since coming through on the Spectre from his own war-torn universe. This was a chance to rid his new home of unsavory types, and he actually looked forward to doing it. (reply: none) (posted by Trout)