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((Best dates always end up in jail, right? :P)) ((Hinji Sector - Starbase 104)) Yito: You hear that? Spears: Yeah. Some kind of a disturbance back in the main area. ::They weren’t the only ones to notice. The people around them started to shift uneasily. Some moved toward the source of the shouting, the majority tried to move closer to the walls and into the studio.:: :: Seja listened quietly, hoping to pick something up a stray comment, so kind of clue but everyone was just speculating like them. :: Spears: I mean, I feel like we should go check it out… Yito: We are not on duty. Spears: Well no, we’re not but… This is a pretty remote part of the station. I doubt anyone else will be around to investigate. Yito: Ok. :: Sighing :: I guess someone could be in trouble. Spears: ::Grinning:: Lead on, oh chief of security. :: Seja lead the way back through the crowds of people following the shortest route to the loudest of the noise. :: ::The shouting from the main area wasn’t just a mild disagreement; it was a full-blown protest. Hinji, Linarans, and even a Ferengi were shouting, flashing holographic protest banners, and generally making a mess of the place. All seemed to be showing their general disdain for the Federation.:: Spears: Well these folks seem pleasant. Yito: Very pleasant. I think we need to call for back-up, there are rules against these kinds of protests. :: A voice spoke up over the speakers. :: Speakers: This is a peaceful art exhibition and we welcome all people from all worlds as a neutral group. Please leave this area. :: There was an angry uproar from the crowd. Seja pointed to the Hinji women on the mic. :: ::Ed looked to where Seja was pointing, seeing the Hinji woman.:: Yito: If I can see her so can they. Speakers: We will call security if you don’t.... :: The power was cut off to the mic. :: Spears: Oh that’s not good. This isn’t going anywhere good… ::Ed started to move in the direction of the artist-with-a-mic out of instinct more than anything else.:: Yito: You know we aren’t meant to get involved. :: Seja knew it was the right thing to do to help this person get out of here. She could be in danger, Seja didn’t know whether or not the protest would turn violent. :: Spears: ::Shrugging helplessly:: I don’t like where this is going. I know anti-federation sentiment flares up here from time to time but... Yito: Fine I’ll be right behind you. Yito: =/\= Security emergency, security needed in Hinji section :: She wish she knew exactly where they were. :: ar... =/\= :: Her commbadge was thrown out of her hand. :: Linaran: Starfleet… all alone now. :: Seja stood ready to defend herself but he didn’t attack, he just walked away. She moved over to Ed. :: Yito: We need to get out of here now. Spears: OK, yeah… That’s not good. ::Ed looked around for Seja’s comm badge, but it had been lost under trampling feet. Ed reached his hand into his pocket and squeezed his own comm badge, activating its silent distress signal. Was that a bit of overkill given no one had technically done anything violent (yet)? Maybe…:: Linaran: Hey! Someone just sent a signal from somewhere in here! ::Ed cringed as one of the magnificent metal sculptures was pulled down in front of the main access hatch, completely blocking them all inside.:: Linaran: There’s more Starfleet here! Find them! We’ll make an example of them… Spears: We need to find another way out… :: Seja looked around trying to access where the greatest danger would come from. :: Yito: The front entrance is blocked. Spears: Maybe through the back. Let’s try it. ::Ed ducked through the people as they started to panic. The protest group was small but seemed to have a plan. The crowd was large and running on instinct. The two groups were about to boil over into a crisis and Ed didn’t want to be caught in the middle.:: Yito: There has to be another way out. Where the artists come in and out? Spears: I’m thinking, I’m thinking. ::It all seemed to be one huge dead end. No matter which little alcove they went into it was just another place to store tools or materials instead of a convenient door or access point. Suddenly Ed heard a familiar whine of transporter beams in the space.:: Security Team Lead: Starfleet security! Everyone stand down! Linaran: Down with the Federation! ::There was a crash of shattering glass and a whoosh that Ed felt as much as heard. A pyre of flame leapt up high enough from the main room that they could see it over the partitions. Screams erupted from the main area.:: Spears: What did they do!? Security Team Lead: Medical! We need medical down here! ::Ed started to push his way toward the commotion. Someone clearly needed help! He elbowed his way past a security officer and several grappling people. Whether they were trying to get away from the flames or at the security officer, Ed never found out. Something heavy hit him in the side of the head and he crashed to the deck only to be trampled by several terrified people. Ed’s vision swam out of focus and sound faded away until his consciousness left him.:: :: Seja rushed after him, not certain this was a good idea but not willing to leave him alone. Seja was soon separated from Ed by the terrified crowd running the other way. She pushed her way through the crowd and finally found him a couple of minutes later lying unconscious on the floor his head bleeding. He didn’t see what had happened but he didn’t seem safe there as a fight brewed around him between security and some of the angry locals. :: ((Brig, Starbase 104 - an hour later)) ::Ed woke up feeling like he’d been his by a shuttlecraft. His eyes squinted at the harsh light coming down at him from above and he felt that he was lying down on something less comfortable than a standard biobed. Ed tried to sit up but groaned instead. Funny how he wanted his body to do one thing but it did another…:: Yito: Hi :: Looking down at Ed, glad to see him awake. :: Spears: Hey… You OK? Yito: Me, I’m fine, a few bruises and a broken nose, oh and we happen to be in the brig. Spears: Huh… Really? The brig? Never been in one of those before… ::He finally took in his surroundings. Yup. Brig.:: TBC JP by Lieutenant Yito Seja Chief of Security USS Constitution-B ID number: E239306LB0 & Lt Edward Spears, MD Chief Medical Officer USS Constitution-B C239502ES0

((Absolutely entertaining sim. Totally adorable couple.)) ((Promenade - Starbase 104)) ::The party was over, the last patients had been transferred to the station, Cadet Malyz had volunteered to oversee the resupply of sickbay after all the materials they had used during the mission. That meant Ed was blissfully free to do the one thing he’d been looking forward to since the mission ended; finally getting some free time with Seja. Ed was sure they both knew what they were getting themselves into. Both were department heads. Both put their roles on the ship before any personal considerations. Ed knew Seja would throw herself in front of a discharging phaser to save any member of the crew, just as Ed would throw himself headlong into the middle of any danger in order to help patch someone up. And despite the adrenaline that accompanied both of their positions, they’d been taking the relationship slowly. Ed was a little worried that things might have ramped up quickly, fuelled by that adrenaline, but ultimately being something fleeting. That had never been Ed’s style, though things don’t always go according to plan. But here he was, dressed up in his chinos and a button-down shirt, ready to meet the woman he had found himself irresistibly drawn to. And she never kept him waiting. Ed smiled as he watched her walk around the corner.:: :: Seja had again struggled to find the perfect outfit and was beaten by Ed to her vandaveer point. She didn’t want to wear the same outfit she wore last time and realised her civilian wardrobe was lacking in suitable date wear mostly filled with sports gear and casual cargo trousers and tops. But she wanted to make an impression on Ed and would need to go shopping if this continued. She wore matching dark brown trousers and top with a dark red leather style jacket and she wore the same necklace as previously. It was of viking design and had been given to her paternal grandmother had given her. :: Spears: Hey Seja. :: Seja smiled he looked handsome in his civilian wear. She had been looking forward to seeing him again ever since their first date on the shuttle but the conference and then work had got in the way. But with all the scientists of the ship having been assigned quarters on temporary station or tickets on transports and all the reports written. She now had the free time. :: Yito: Hey Ed. I see you beat me here again. :: Faking frustrated tone. :: Spears: ::Grinning:: Well we can keep trying to one-up each other about who arrives first, but then we might just end up everywhere together all the time. Yito: Next time. :: A determination in her voice. :: Spears: I can be competitive, you know. ::Ed thought about the buggy training. Yeah. Everyone had seen his competitive side there.:: Yito: As can I. :: Remembering the buggy race and advising the young ensign to cause a sandslide onto the Ed’s fallen buggy. She wondered if Ed had known she was the first to fire. :: ::As he recalled, Seja had been pretty driven to win as well.:: Spears: Oh I’ve seen it. ::Chuckling:: Yito: So, what is the plan? Spears: Well, I was thinking about this cool jazz place. But then I heard about an art exhibit. It’s a pop-up art show by some locals to the sector, and will only be here a week before they tear it all down. :: At the mention of Jazz Seja felt excited she loved music. Her heart dropped a little when he suggested something else but she kept a straight face not wanting to disappoint. :: Yito: Tear it all down? :: Seja was confused, she assumed he meant move it somewhere else. :: Spears: All in the name of art I suppose. And yeah, when they say tear it all down that includes the art. I heard the last show they ran ended up with them all in the brig for arson. They um, accidentally burned down the whole studio. :: It seem a little extreme to her. :: Yito: How they manage that? Spears: Well there are a couple of Hinji sculptors who like to make metal sculptures with plasma torches. I guess they got carried away. Yito: Sounds dangerous. :: This art exhibition was starting to sound more interesting than originally thought. :: Spears: Art, Seja! Probably best to just go with the flow. I also hear they work on the exhibit while people walk through so we’ll see some of the creative processes. And maybe some of those plasma torch sculptures! Yito: Ok, it sounds fun. So where this is Art Exhibition? Spears: Oh it’s in some underused engineering space in the Hinji Bazaar. It will probably take a little searching but I’m told it should be easy enough to find if we follow the signs. Yito: Lead the way ((Hinji Sector - Starbase 104)) :: They took the lift down the Hinji Bazaar. As they walked out Seja could feel the buzz. The shouting of sellers and smells of foreign food cooking. It had been a while since she’d travelled through the Hinji bazaar and she wished she had taken the chance to return sooner. She followed Ed as he led the way weaving their way through crowds and stall. A couple of Hinji pushed wears in front of her colourful pieces of cloth and beads. :: Yito: Thank you. Another time. :: Seja responded back to sellers. :: :: Seja grabbed hold of Ed,s hand so she won’t lose him and pulled him closer so she could talk to him within the crowds. :: ::Ed blushed slightly as he felt Seja’s hand find his. He settled into an easy walking pace. They pasused occasionally as a group of children would run by, or a vendor pushing a cart would roll by. Soon they were at the periphery of the bazaar and the crowds had thinned.:: Yito: How much further? Spears: Not far. Should be just through an access point over there and then down to the sub-deck. :: They moved out of the crowds and around the back where the metal walls were revealed. Several storage locker with door like those to the cargo and goods that had expanded out piled up next to them. There was also a carpeted corridor leading back to the Starbase that she assumed contained quarters. They were at the bridge between the two worlds. :: Yito: How did you hear about this exhibition? Spears: From a patient, actually. I guess he keeps up with the counterculture in the region and this was on his radar. He promised it would be worth checking out. Yito: Interesting, being a doctor you must meet people from all different walks of life. But I never saw you as into counterculture? Spears: Well I do have some credentials in anthropology. And I’ve always had a soft spot for the people who challenge the status quo. Yito: I’ll bear that mind. :: When Seja had first meet Ed she’d seen him as green and straight laced but now she was starting to see more and more of a rebellious side with the buggies and now this art exhibition. She found it interesting, fun, sexy. :: Yito: I’m looking forward to seeing what is there. I’ve never been to counterculture art project as you put it. :: Relk had been to art collections but mostly comic and streampunk. Seja had nosed at a few of the brochures but had never been along. :: Spears: Well, I have no idea what we’re going to find down here either. Yito: So a surprise for both of us :: A wide smile. :: ::They walked through another access hatch and found themselves in a brightly lit space filled with people of every description from across the sector. All of them were speaking in hushed tones as they moved around the improvised studio space and watched the artists at work. Everything was on display from sculpture to graffiti, to dance, to body art. It was a stunning amalgamation of individual expression.:: Spears: Wow. I never thought the exhibit would include someone getting tattooed in front of an audience. ::He stared at a muscular man wearing nothing but a pair of trousers, but without more than the occasional bit of skin showing. His body was a canvas of intricate designs and a similarly tattooed woman was working on filling in some of his remaining spaces.:: Yito: It sure is different. :: Seja still wasn’t certain of what to make of the space. She looked at a large piece of graffiti in a language she didn’t recognize. It was set in space with alien planets and ships around the text, it was stunningly done. :: Spears: This is incredible. Yito: They are talented. Spears: I used to think I know what that meant. But there are so many people out there who all find such unique methods of expression. I can’t help but feel awestruck by it all. :: Seja could see a flickering light coming from the other room. The colours reminded her of one of the ship board emergency simulations they did at the academy. Seja moved herself close to Ed, so he could hear her clearly. :: Yito: I think the Hinji plasma sculptures are this way. :: Seja then moved away pulling him by his hand excitedly to the room with the flicking light. :: ::Ed allowed himself to be pulled into the next room, glad that Seja was enjoying herself as much as he was.:: Spears: Can’t wait to see what they’ve- ::He stopped himself short:: Wow. :: They entered into a crowded room and had to wait their turn to be pushed to the front. It was atmospheric as they waited, the different colours and speeds of flashing light like music and the hum of the touches. Seja anticipation grew and she wasn’t disappointed. There were 3 Hinji at the front working on different structures of animals, all at different stages and there were several finished animal sculptures around. As Seja had visited the Hinji homeworld when she first arrived on Conny, she knew the importance of the connection first hand. :: ::The work was unlike any form of sculpture Ed had seen before, and yet it was instantly familiar in a way as well. He figured that was the hallmark of truly incredible art in this modern era. Something both foreign and recognizable. And the method! The Hinji applied the plasma torches with such smooth, somehow melodic grace. Ed had no idea how melody could be translated into physical rather than auditory form and yet… The metal shimmered and glowed under the intense heat and he could watch it morph before his very eyes, but subtly.:: Yito: This is amazing Spears: I’ve never seen anything like it… :: Seja stood in awe for several minutes, just watching and taking all the intricacies of the structures. Seeing more and more of the tiny details the closer she looked. Her thoughts were interrupted by shouting back in the large main room. :: ::Ed had thought about injecting a joke; something to break them both out of the reverie that seemed to be attached to watching these master craftspeople at work. But to ruin the moment seemed like a terrible shame. Unfortunately, the shouts from the next room seemed to break the moment for them.:: Yito: You hear that? Spears: Yeah. Some kind of a disturbance back in the main area. TBC JP by Lieutenant Yito Seja Chief of Security USS Constitution-B ID number: E239306LB0 & Lt Edward Spears, MD Chief Medical Officer USS Constitution-B C239502ES0

((Captain's Ready Room, USS Constitution-B)) Hiro stood at the door to the captain's ready room. He was dressed in his best service uniform (Technically every one of his uniforms was his best). His pips shone brightly against the crimson collar, and the fabric was visibly starched and pressed. His boots shone brightly enough that a crewman had stopped and stared during his breakfast in one of the lower deck lounges. Hiro pressed the chime expectantly. There was no answer. Frowning, he pressed it again. Still nothing. Hiro [...]ed his head. This was incredibly unusual. The admiral had always been in his office before most beings were even awake. The gruff logistician had always preferred to eat while going over the morning reports. Hiro would often arrive just in time to dispatch the first of them to various facilities and vessels. Takahashi: Computer, what is the whereabouts of Fleet Captain Rajel? Computer: Captain Rajel is not onboard. Perhaps the captain had been summoned to the station for an early morning meeting. This was exactly the kind of mix-up that could be avoided if they had talked about her calendar and organization already, but the captain seemed to be avoiding the man who's sole job was to be her shadow. Takahashi: Please verify the time that Fleet Captain Rajel left the vessel, and log an inquiry with the starbase computer as to her whereabouts. Computer: You are not authorized to know those exact details. Another thing that could have been avoided if only they'd talked before now. Clearly Hiro needed to be able to access the captain's whereabouts at all times, on duty or not... Takahashi: Computer, please update your protocols to reflect Fleet Captain Rajel's current rank. The computer chirped in compliance. That was something at least... Hiro spun on his heel just as a female crewman was approaching from behind. She dropped a handful of PADDs onto the deck and splashed half a mug of Raktajino onto Hiro's neatly pressed uniform. Takahashi: What is the meaning of this!? Yeoman: Oh. My. Stars. I am so sorry, lieutenant. I was just coming to drop these off for the captain to look over later and didn't know you were going to turn around like that and the coffee is my first of the day so you know... She paused to inhale. Takahashi: Crewman. Are you assigned to the Fleet Captain? Yeoman: Yessir! Yeoman First Class Anya Keen! Takahashi: I guess that means you work for me now, Yeoman Keen. Lieutenant Takahashi, flag lieutenant. Keen: Sir!? The captain didn't mention- Takahashi: The captain has enough on her plate than needing to update a yeoman on every personnel transfer. Keen balked at the flag lieutenant's gruff personality. It was like he was a Telarite or something! Keen: Well she's not known for- Takahashi: Do you have access to her ready room? Keen: Of course sir. Takahashi: After you, then... Keen: R-right... They entered the captain's ready room. Takahashi took note of the pristine condition of the office. It was like it was brand new - never used by a soul. Now this was a facet of the captain he hadn't expected. He was singularly delighted that she took such pride in her work place. There was a clattering as Keen dumped the stack of PADDs into a desk drawer that was almost overflowing with identical devices, before shutting it again. Takahashi: Yeoman. Why did you not add those PADDs to the captain's desk? Keen: Well, sir, this is where the captain would shove them once she comes in anyway... Takahashi: I... See. Very well. What is the captain's calendar like today? Keen: Well I have no idea, sir. She doesn't share that information with me. Takahashi: Yes, I'm started to get the sense that she likes her privacy. Never mind. We'll bring her around eventually. Keen: ::Dazed:: We will? Takahashi: Indeed. We will. Not to worry Yeoman Keen. I've been trained by Starfleet Administration, and I take my duties very seriously. Keen: Oh. That's good to know, sir. ::She didn't sound very enthusiastic:: Just as the pair was about to leave the ready room, an incoming call announcement appeared on the desk terminal, featuring the Starbase 104 crest. Before the yeoman had a chance to say anything, Hiro tapped the terminal to accept the communication. From this point on he'd ensure only the most essentially communications made their way to the captain's attention. Flag officers were the gate keepers of their officer's time after all. The face that appeared on the other end of the screen adopted a look of sudden surprise. He was lean and willowy, also sporting the rank of lieutenant though backed by the mustard facings of the operations division. Security Officer: You're not Captain Rajel. Takahashi: Very observant, lieutenant. You must be in security... ::He drawled acidly:: Security Officer: I- Takahashi: I'm Lieutenant Takahashi; Fleet Captain Rajel's flag lieutenant. What do you have that need's the captain's attention? Security Officer: We have two of the Constitution's senior officers locked up in the brig right now and were just wondering if the captain would like to come and sign for their release. The security officer spoke with a false sweetness that Takahashi imagined he must have relished. Many in his line of work enjoyed passing on news like this. Senior officers incarcerated? That was a good start to a story in the wardroom... Takahashi: ::Pulling a PADD and stylus out.:: Their names? Security Officer: Yito and Spears. Lieutenants. Takahashi: And the charges? Security Officer: No formal charges... yet. An official complaint was filed after a violent altercation in a section of the station restricted to station personnel. Now this was interesting, and likely to get the captain's attention. There was no way she could avoid him any longer if he had news like this. Still, the sense of injustice ruffled the bureaucrat's feathers. Takahashi: Locked up on a complaint? Those officers are department heads on this ship. Hardly a risk that they wouldn't appear if summoned to answer to this complaint... Security Officer: Standing orders are no one is released from detention until their CO comes to sign them out. Takahashi: Sounds uncivilized if you ask me. I thought we were better than this. Security Officer: And I thought we were better than our officers getting involved in riots and arson but there we go. The screen went blank leaving Hiro's mouth slightly ajar for a moment. He quickly recovered and looked to the yeoman who was trying to appear as though she'd been deaf through the whole conversation. My, but the captain's flower looked like it needed watering... Takahashi: Keen. You hold things down here. I'm off to find the captain. Keen: Uh, yessir! Of course! ::She eyed the door.:: Hiro left with a quickness to his step that could only be brought on by a sense of purpose. He was starting to like this job, just a little. His new captain was a challenge. Takahashi: =/\= Lieutenant Takahashi to Captain Rajel. It's urgent that I see you as soon as possible.=/\= Rajel: Response Takahashi: =/\= It's better not said over the comms, captain. A situation has come up on the station and some of our officers were involved.=/\= Rajel: Response Takahashi: =/\= Already on my way, captain. I'll see you there. =/\= Tag / TBC Lt Takahashi Hiro Flag Lieutenant to Fleet Captain Rajel Simmed by Lt Edward Spears, MD Chief Medical Officer USS Constitution-B C239502ES0

@Quentin Collins III; giving this fleet a good name since the day he started. ((Interior. Faculty of Classics. Cambridge University. Cambridgeshire, England)) Note: This takes place shortly before The Slow Blade Penetrates the Shield. Angelique: Now I know exactly what you are all thinking. “Well, she certainly doesn’t LOOK like a witch!” ::A nervous but genuine laugh broke out amongst the lecture hall. It was always better to try and disarm them first. Catch them off balance. Something she had grown quite adroit at during her long years in academia. Everything about her presentation today was designed to charm. From her burgundy colored tweed suit to the loose curls her thistled hair hung in around her shoulders, she aimed to make the best possible impression on the “stuffed shirts”, as her beloved referred to them. Jamison wasn’t particularly thrilled about the idea of her living in England for the incoming weeks, on loan to the college’s Classics department to help inventory a newly discovered cache of texts, thought to be stolen from the archives of St. Thomas Aquinas. But he wasn’t about to keep her from her books or from teaching new students. Any more than they could have kept their son away from the stars.:: Angelique: Trust me, I have heard it all before. And I’m sure the things I didn’t hear were twice as bad. But here is the question I pose...what if I was? ::the expected Murmur of dissension rattled the room. And the wolfish smile that usually accompanied it from her came as well.:: Angelique: think about it. Truly, think. We will in wondrous times. I look around this room and see a world of academia idealized. Races and creeds from behind the very fold of space now sit among us and learn of us just as we of them. We enjoy a society free of the ugly prejudices of before. A wealth of food for every table. All of this? At one time? Thought impossible. ::he raised her hands in contrition and crossed downward on the stage.:: Angelique: Now I know what you thinking here now as well. “You mean to tell us love gives you the power over matter?! Poppy[...]!” My husband has given me all forms of this argument I assure you. ::more laughter and a wider smile from the Professor. Time to finally reel them in.:: Angelique: but I, like you all, have seen incredible, groundbreaking things. Things that decades ago would have been indistinguishable from magic. I myself have stood upon a leyline and felt it’s charge. I have walked upon the moors of Loch Loroma and cast bones in the moonlight. We cannot be so close minded as to Ignore the mysteries that still await for us here in the hidden parts of the world. Angelique: how can we call ourselves Scholars if we are not willing to seek out the knowledge beyond knowledge? That is what I intend to seek here with you. Now if you’ll allow, I would like to give you a bit more background as to my “school” of thou- ::she never finished the sentence. In its stead a vision pierced though her skull, sending her eyes rolling into the back of her head and her frame bucking at the knees.:: ::Quentin. He was far away. Further than he had ever been from her. Blood coats his hands. The metal god looms underneath him. The frightened keepers hover above the Bird of Prey. She tries to reach for him but he fades. Further still, The Eyes fix on her son. Calling for him again and again and again and again and again and again.:: ::When she awakes, she realizes she’s crying. The assistant given to her by the university, Lucie, stands in front of her, clearly also shaken.:: Angelique: My boy...something’s happened...to my boy. ::is all she manages.:. END PROFESSOR ANGELIQUE BOUCHARD-COLLINS PROFESSOR OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY EMERITUS SALEM U. BANGOR, MAINE As simmed by LT jg. QUENTIN COLLINS III SCIENCE OFFICER U.S.S. EAGLE NCC-74659 E239512QC0

@Toryn Raga is doing an amazing job of playing a deranged AI. I'm enjoying each post just that much more! ((Beta Quadrant, Par'tha Expanse, Jenatris Cloud, Chon Supply Depot Sal'thresta, "Outpost Gamma")) Omni: Golds and blues and violets and greens. Nebulae and gone tomorrow. Signals lost, signals found, echo transmission aloud! :: Laughter was quickly followed by a long drawn out ooooooh, as a signal. A friendly signal, familiar, ancient pinged off the communication system. Instantly triggering the passing along of said ping through the gaseous cloud surrounding the ancient station. Vibrant shields held back the gases that would otherwise have looooong destroyed the small little depot. :: Omni: What's this? What's this? A signal in the air? What's this? What's this? Chon signals everywheeeeeere! ::There was a brief absolute silence.:: Omni: Aaaaand it's gone. The signal and the station. Oooh, the big outpost is gone. Missing. Stolen? Must be one of the ones that pass by in the gap. Haha, mind the gap! Or get the gas!! :: Cajoling laughter echoed throughout networked circuits and pathways. :: :: A proximity alert triggered suddenly and the sensors showed an incoming ship. Unknown, small. Data packets. More data. He accessed it. Federation. Starfleet. Whatever those words meant. It approached slowly. Heading for a shuttlebay. Light. Light was good. So a light turned on outside. Then a communication system that had not seen use in centuries sent out a hail. :: Hyden: We have a shuttle bay fifty degrees from the Starboard side. :: As she said it the stations light activated and a voice came through the comms. :: Unknown Voice: =/\= Small ship, shiny ship want to come inside!! =/\= Hyden: =/\= Hello I am Lieutenant Maddi Hyden of the Federation Starship Atlantis. =/\= Voice: =/\= Rank and name. Organization and Vessel Designation. Booooooooring!!! =/\= Kiliak: Well, I hope they're fans of the Federation. What do you two make of it? Voice: =/\= Hellloooooo?? This thing must be broken. Omni needs more. =/\= :: The sensors showed the shuttle just outside the bay, it was dark, had no power. It needed power. So, power it got. Sensors scanned the small shuttle as it neared one of the green depot's shuttlebays. Lifesigns. Would need atmosphere. So, the bay filled with atmosphere matched specifically to what the scans showed inside the shuttle. A green forcefield appeared on the opening of the shuttlebay, meant to keep the atmosphere inside and permit vessels to come and go. :: Omni: =/\= Come..come. =/\= :: The communication ceased and atmosphere filled the entire deck the shuttlebay was on as systems offline for thousands of years came to life once more. :: Hyden: Thanks for the warm if not somewhat irregular welcome...Omni? Is that what you want to be called? :: Sensors showed the three lifesigns exit the shuttlecraft and the one that they had been talking to once more spoke. It was so nice to hear a voice other than their own. :: Omni: We said Omni already did we not? Perhaps the species has underdeveloped audible sensors? Sluggish cognitive comprehension? ::There was a brief bit off laughter followed by a groaning sound:: Booooring...Omni needs more! Hyden: What do you mean you need more? Omni: Input! Data! Must have input! ::Cackling:: Company! We're so lonely! :: The trio gathered together to converse at a low audible setting, so they increased the sensitivity on the internal communications to overhear. :: Hyden: There must be a computer interface somewhere in here. See if you can find it have Danara tag along with you in case you need her expertise with Chon security. :: She whispered in Jo’s ear. :: Kiliak: Response :: As they listened systems across the depot were slowly being brought back online. After centuries of inactivity there were procedures to adhere to to insure the station was awakened properly and safely. :: Hyden: Ok, Omni what would you like to know more about? Omni: Everything. Anything. ::Laughter:: More! Well, different things things we can't learn from our systems. We wish to have input, just like you are attempting to do in accessing our systems. I wouldn't use that one though. It only has access to the shuttlebay. Many systems have limited access but we have access to many systems, all systems! ::It sounded giddy like a child excited for an achievement:: Hyden: Wait so you're telling me you’re everywhere on this station? Are you a computer of some sort? Omni: Everywhere. Nowhere. Here. There. Omni is Omni. ::Again they laughed, like a discordant chorus of voices:: Hyden: Well we’re not here to hurt you Omni, but some information could help us out if you’d be willing to give it? Omni: Give? Omni could give. But Omni wants input!! Give us input and we giiiiiiive youuuuuuu infor..infor...information!! ::There was a giggle:: OOh, what's that, problem...system isn't working like it should...must fix, must fix, must fix. ::There was a brief bit of whistling then silence:: Hyden: Well what are your thoughts on all this? Kiliak/Danara: Responses Hyden: I have to concur, but we can’t do anything until we figure out a way to draw it’s observation away from one system to activate it. Kiliak/Danara: Responses :: They had listened while working on fixing the error that cropped up while powering up the station, like overhearing a conversation nearby while focused on something else. Something was preventing power from reaching several locations throughout the station, which was leaving several systems offline. Still, the roll of playful, if unhinged laughter heralded Omni's presence once more. :: Omni: Come, come! Come see Omni! Hyden/Kiliak/Danara: response Omni: Well, the Operations Core of course. ::Voice drops to a whisper but still clearly audible through the intercom:: Underdeveloped reasoning skills likely. ::Laughing again:: Omni is the core, come to Omni. Hyden/Kiliak/Danara: response Omni: Don't go that way. Go that way. No..the other way. ::Laughing again:: Use the computer. The device you were going to use. Download the schematics. Omni give you map...map...map...map! Hyden/Kiliak/Danara: response

Logan is certifiably insane and that's what makes this all the better it's been fun to write this with him, but I have concluded he's insane 100% @Kurt Logan ((Beta Quadrant, Par'tha Expanse, USS Atlantis, Deck 11, Main Engineering, Main Level)) Logan oO Coma or caught in headlights ???? I'm not sure but being of Russian decent judging by the accent, well the tiny bit of soft accent that floats along it could be Vodka. But I'm not brave enough to mention that Oo Koerner: I don’t understand what is even going on. I won’t lie you have me confused Captain, but then again that could happen to any of us. ::Seeming to ignore the Engineers comments Kurt carried on :: Logan: This ball of yours, how small could you make it without it losing any power? Koerner: I have been dabbling in making a smaller version of it and according to all my test it could be about the size of a pea, but I am not hugely confident in the model as of the current time. Logan: Intriguing, very pretty numbers tell me can they change color to say a sparkly.........red ::Her maybe but not mentioned clear alcofrolic beverage that isn't Vodka- stupified coma'd rabbit look became if possible more blank faced:: Koerner: I mean I could if I so desired, but why would I? Logan: Because you could, and if you could then I might well be interested in one :: Natalya visibly shook her head the remark made her chuckle. :: Koerner: My biggest question is why would you want one? Logan: A disco ball, maybe with claws on to anchor it to the ceiling. ::Kurt looked at her as if to say what else ?. Her response was to blink at him ....twice:: Koerner: I don’t know if what you want it for can be considered practical Sir, but just to humor your question. Yes, I could do it, however, I see no practical applications in your design. Logan: Of it could move as well then .... oh my moving numbers Koerner: Well Sir, if you can get someone to sign off on the idea I might help you with it, but until then I can’t see the reasoning in it. Logan: Just like that Jazz festival disco light that shone of Eagles head Koerner: Well he did like music so I could see him at a recital, but I do not ever recall this event and I was with him for quite a while. Logan: He was a man of hidden feathers...... ::A sudden thought washed across his face, then Kurt started to giggle:: Logan: Feathers ha ha ha, I'm so sorry Jazz was Douglas half a mohican haircut. Eagle was a Blues man ha ha Koerner: Response Logan: He stood on the Disco ball. Anyway as you were talking about shuttle craft... ::Kurt looked at her waiting for an answer:: Koerner: Response Logan: Engine over pressure. How far can you take a shuttles engine 150 percent, 200 percent ?

@Cory Stoyer is really getting in to his role of jilter lover. Had fun reading this. ((The Vortex, Leisure District, Nassau)) ::Cory was sitting at one of the main bars in the Vortex club. The music was loud and the beat hypnotic. He was watching the crowd behind him using the mirror behind the bar. Cory suggested a plan of action that his team was talking through. To Cory it was a simple thing for him to do.:: Stoyer: We are running out of time, so if anyone has a better idea, I am all ears. Neathler: What Doc said, we're not letting him go in alone. I'll find a way to accompany him if he gets an invitation. And I'll keep the commlink open so you two have a clue of what is going on, once we're inside. ::It made Cory feel better that his team wanted to join him. But they had to get the door open.:: Tereen: Capricious human. Have you considered that she may turn you against us? She may attempt to take you as hostage if any part of your plan fails or, she may not see the need for a hostage and eliminate you immediately. ::Samira looked down towards Doc and Vad who gripped the jammer.:: How far does your plan reach, Dante? Adea: Vad, you have a point, but there are four of us. We work together. Stoyer: Yes, Vad I have thought about it a lot. But I was hoping my team would save me from myself. Tereen: ::Tonelessly.:: I am merely here to ensure that we thoroughly examine any action before taking it. It is illogical to assume any other intent. If we are going through with this…plan, then may I suggest we run a scan of the room—we need a better visualization of the interior as well as the exit routes and the number of occupants. Stoyer: OK, but hurry. Adea: Sensible, but can we triangulate the tricorders we have, gain more accurate readings? Tereen: I considered this earlier. If you allow me to, I will quickly use your tricorder to discreetly send a modification code to Newt’s. Newt, you can then use that to give us eyes inside the room—I am particularly interested in that potential back exit. The jammer is complete. Once Dante has our target in position, I can remotely activate it, disabling any communications and/or transports specific to those signals in and surrounding that room. Neathler: You'll need to bring the jammer with you in case we and our friend move to another location. Stoyer: Good idea. Kinda would like an idea of what I am stepping into. Adea: That’s as safe as we’re going to get. Do it. ::Cory waited at the bar for Vlad to finish her scan. He kept scanning the crowd behind him. Doc's voice came over and got Cory started..:: Adea: Dante, feel free to start ranting and raving about Reynolds whenever you like. Make sure they can hear you. ::Cory nodded and got up from his seat. It would be a bit weird to start ranting all of a sudden. He wandered the floor watching dancers and brushing off the ladies that approached him. Cory slowly headed to a bar near the door as he dared. Sitting at an open stool. The pretty Trill brunette bartender came over. Her outfit did not leave much to the imagination. The question of if the spots went all the way down was answered.:: Trill Bartender: What can I get handsome? ::Cory gave one of his best roguish grins. He saw her cheeks flush a bit.:: Stoyer: Got something to deaden pain and make me forget. Trill Bartender: Sure thing. ::The bartender reappeared quickly enough with a large drink. Taking a sip and sighing out loud. He looked up and saw her staring at him.:: Trill Bartender: Come on baby, tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I can help? ::She flashed a dazzling smile. Cory returned it.:: Stoyer: Thanks, but unless you can turn back time and give me the last 3 years of my life back. Trill Bartender: Oh, do tell. Let me guess a woman? Stoyer: Of course. ::Cory paused dramatically. This almost too perfect. He felt a setup, but plunged in.:: Stoyer: Let's see. My wonderful now ex-wife who knew of my "occupation", didn't mind when she had the best of everything. Romulan ale, silks anything… Being a minor Starfleet officer on a backwater Starbase was bad enough, so why not live a bit. ::The Trill nodded as he continued on.:: Stoyer: All that changed when she was selected as some Admiral's what do you call it……::a snap of fingers.:: aide. Stoyer: Now, her baggage can not be seen, lest it tarnish her Admiral. I met her once. What was her name...Reynolds. Yeah, Admiral Reynolds. An icy stare, I mean frozen. ::Cory was getting into his impromtude story.:: Severe looking. Soooo anyway where was I. Now I am a liability. So a quick divorce and a boot of the Starbase. The ex moves to her wonderful starship….starts with a G….Greg, no….klingonish, Gorkon. That's it. ::Cory was watching the Trill as he spoke. He hoped it was passed off as ogling her, but he wanted to know if the hook was in.:: Stoyer: So, some friends helped me and here I am. Trill Bartender: Baby, a customer needs me, don't go anywhere. ::Cory smiled on the inside.:: Stoyer: I am not going anywhere. ::Cory watched her leave. He continued to watch the crowd behind him. A few moments and the bartender did not appear. Cory started to get worried he over sold it. A shadow fell over him. He saw a very large Orion male standing behind him. Cory turned in his stool and sized the Orion up.:: Stoyer: Can I help you? Orion: Come with me. ::Cory got up off the stool and stood nose to nose with the Orion. The guy needed lessons in bathing.:: Stoyer: Why should I? You are not my type. I was talking to the pretty Trill bartender. Orion: Sir, come with me or I can make you. ::Cory wasn't sure he could. He trained with Lael Rosek and learned to hold his own. But Cory knew the Orion had backup nearby.:: Stoyer: My friends? ::Cory looked around to see if any of them were nearby.:: Orion: Last time come with me. ::With a sigh, Cory nodded. It was a chance to get inside. Cory was going to take it. He hoped his friends would save him.:: Adea/Neathler/Tereen: Response Lieutenant Cory Stoyer Mission Specialist USS Gorkon C239111CS0

@Theo Whittaker, this was simply an amazing sim because I feel like you've really captured his emotion when he finds out half the senior staff has (probably) died. It made me tear up, even though they aren't gone at all. Perfect writing. 😭 For those not on the Columbia, no, they're not dead. The ship with the away team on it simply cloaked and made it seem like it exploded. --- ((Bridge - Deck 1, USS Columbia)) ((Time Index: Immediately after 'A Spy In The Shadows')) ::Shock waves from the explosion slammed into Columbia and sent Lieutenant Sanara Pran crashing to the floor in an unceremonious heap. She hit the deck with a thud and felt the wind knocked out of her stomach. Almost two decades of Starfleet service- had it really been that long- propelled her instincts and she rolled forwards and into a crouch almost as soon as she hit the deck. Ignoring her aching body, she sprang up on her feet and shouted above the blaring din of the red alert klaxons, her eyes drawn to the expanding and evaporating cloud of flame and debris now filling the viewscreen.:: Pran: Report! ::It was Rolla Haneer who replied, her face a mask of shock and horror.:: Haneer: The alien vessel... it's exploded. Pran: Survivor? ::she called out even as she knew the answer to the question.:: ::Nobody could have survived an explosion of that magnitude. Commander Thoran and the away team... were no more.:: * ((Cargo Bay 2 - Deck 13, USS Columbia)) ::With Lieutenant Duyzer already getting to work on contacting the Losarian Commonwealth to see if they had any information- concrete or otherwise- about the region of space that Columbia was now exploring, Theo Whittaker turned his attention to two of the newest members of his family. He had already met Ensign Owens when she had first come aboard, but he had missed Ensign Holza's arrival and thus, this was the first time he had met the human officer who wore an earring of the Bajoran faithful. Clearly, there was a story there.:: Whittaker: Your first assignment... how are you finding them? ::Despite the tension that was coursing through his body thanks to his ever mounting suspicions, he tried to move past it for the sake of the two new ensigns. It would not do them any good to see their commanding officer in his own mind, stewing on the number of "coincidences" and signs that pointed to foul play of some sort. When he had first ascended to the captaincy, he had vowed to make himself available to any member of his crew regardless of rank or position. That promise had served him well, especially aboard Columbia which sailed amongst distant stars at the edge of the galaxy.:: Owens: It's a little daunting, sir. There's so much going on, and it's certainly a lot more complex than my academy final. ::she let out a slight smile, but inside she a bit nervous and worried:: ::Theo had felt much the same when he had been in her shoes. His first days aboard the Columbiahad been tumultous. The ship had been assigned to investigate a research outpost on Piktar II that had stopped responding to hails. It had transpired that all manner of ethically dubious (if not outright illegal) experiments were being carried out there. One in particular- a sentient weapons system known as "Mercy" had gone rogue and had infiltrated the Columbia's mainframe. He had been sickened to learn that it's core was the neurological imprint of a frightened girl who had been torn from her family in an accident. The program had been purged, but not before the scientists responsible had all but purged the imprint of the girl from the system.:: ::It had taken him weeks of counselling to get over that experience.:: ::He put the awful memories to one side and turned to Holza, eager to hear what he had to say.:: Holza: ? ::There was no time to reply as the cargo bay shook violently and a noise like a thunderclap roared all around them. His arms shot out to arrest his fall, finding purchase against a nearby console that had been set up. The overhead lighting system dimmed and the ship's internal sensors- registering an emergency- activated the red alert klaxons. Somewhere behind him a panel exploded in a shower of sparks.:: Whittaker: ::his first priority at that moment was to Owens and Holza.:: Are you alright? ::he called out above the din of the alarms.:: Holza: ? Owens: ? Whittaker: ::his eyes found Duyzer.:: Pholin? Duyzer: ? ::He straightened himself up and virtually slapped his communicator.:: Whittaker: =/\= Bridge, what just happened? =/\= ::The voice of Sanara Pran filtered through the small delta shield shaped device. Her tone was one of shock. A career of being party to horrific events had meant that he could recognise the dead tone of somebody who had just seen something terrible.:: Pran: =/\= It’s the alien vessel, captain…=/\= ::she replied, almost Vulcan-like.:: =/\= It’s gone… exploded.=/\= ::Without warning nausea bloomed in Theo’s stomach and he struggled to process the implication of what that meant. Bile roared up his oesophagus and he could the tell tale signs of his gut spasming. He was going to be sick. Closing his eyes, he fought against the urge with every fibre of his muted, shocked being. He swallowed and ignored the unpleasant, bitter taste of bile.:: Whittaker: =/\= Survivors? =/\= ::he asked, even though he already knew the answer.:: ::The wait for the Trill officer’s response felt like a hellish eternity, one that stretched on forevermore. When she finally replied, it was like somebody had taken his world and shattered it into a billon pieces. A gut punch to his heart.:: Pran: =/\= None. I’m sorry….=/\= ::she trailed off into silence.:: ::The world around Theo Whittaker became unnervingly still and quiet. He could not hear the whooping alert klaxons or the omnipresent hum of the ship’s powerful engines. For one horrific moment, he felt utterly alone and bereft. Then, the deafening silence was replaced with the thundering of blood in his ears- the tell tale sign of his flight or fight reaction kicking in. Adrenaline surged through his body like a magic serum, causing every inch of his skin to tingle and fizz. His jaw line hardened and righteous anger propelled him onwards. He pounded his communicator once again and the world came back to him in a blaze of light and noise.:: Whittaker: =/\= All senior staff, =/\= ::he snapped, his voice echoing through the ship’s internal communication system.:: =/\= report to stations, immediately. =/\= ::ignoring the sharp aching against his breast bone, he turned to look at the three officers with him.:: With me. ::Turning on his heel, he strode across the cargo bay floor in long, angry strides. He didn’t look back to see if Duyzer, Holza and Owens were following him. All that mattered was to know who or what had taken his family from him. He would mourn for Jarred Thoran, for Luna Walker, for Rune Jolara, for Karen Stendhal and for Anath G’Renn later. Justice would be served first.:: Duyzer: ? Holza: ? Owens: ? ((Time Jump)) ((Bridge – Deck 1, USS Columbia)) ((Time Index: Three Minutes Later)) ::Theo strode out of the turbolift so quickly, the doors were still half open. The ride in the turbolift had been silent with nobody talking. Theo had been lost in a world of ruminating over the situation, turning over idea after idea. Without concrete information, however, he had very little to go on.:: ::He barely acknowledged that Lieutenant ch’Ranni and Ensign Colquhoun had arrived on the bridge before he and the rest. He looked to Pran, his angers blazing with anger.:: Whittaker: What the hell happened, Lieutenant? Pran: I don’t know, sir. The ship simply… exploded. Whittaker: A starship does not simply explode without warning, Lieutenant! ::he barked, before turning to Lieutenant Haneer who was stepping away from the science station to allow Duyzer and Owens access.:: There must have been some sign? No sign of antimatter containment failure? Haneer: None sir. Nothing. Like Lieutenant Pran said- it simply… exploded. Ch’Ranni: ? Colquhoun: ? Duyzer: ? Holza: ? Owens: ? ::Theo took a deep, calming breath. His ears burned hot with anger and he could feel his self control slipping. If he went any further, he could very well wreck the bridge. Even in his heightened and furious state, he knew that it would serve him no good and it would conduct most unbecoming. He pursed his lips together and placed both hands on his hips, his fingers pressed tightly.:: Whittaker: I’m an engineer by trade despite my four rank pips. I know that starships do not explode without warning signs. There had to be some kind of warning sign. Pholin, I want you and Ensign Colquhoun to go over every byte of sensor data leading up to the destruction of that ship. Look for anythingout of the ordinary that could explain what the he- ::he stopped for a moment, reigning in his temper.:: - what just happened. Colquhoun: ? Duyzer: ? Whittaker: Jona, I want you to redouble your efforts to find out what happened before we arrived here. Ensign Owens, Ensign Holza- you will assist him. Leave no stone unturned and use whatever resources and personnel you need to. Ch’Ranni: ? Holza: ? Owens: ? ::He paused for a moment and looked at the assembled officers. Anger was beginning to fade but he felt another intense emotion beginning to take hold: sadness, loss… grief. His self control was beginning to buckle once again. He needed to keep it together.:: Whittaker: We were lured here for some reason and somebody has taken members of our family from us. I will not let that go unanswered or unchallenged. We do not leave here without finding out what happened. ::beat:: God knows, we owe to their families to find out. ::And with that he marched from the bridge and into his ready room. Only when the doors had closed with a sad hiss did he let tears flow.:: TAG!

((OOC: I'm very proud to have participated in this JP and wish to offer my sincerest thanks to Lt. G'var, Lt. JG. Wil Ukinix, Lt. Jg. Addison Mackenzie and Ensign Charlena Vanlith on an excellent sim)) ((Engineering Lab, USS Veritas)) ::When word came down from sickbay that G’var’s arm had malfunctioned, Geoff Teller had jogged into the Engineering lab and pulled up a full diagnostic on the assembly from embedded sensors that linked with the ship. What he saw made his jaw drop:: Teller: Dammit G’var, what’d you do to yourself? ::Nearly every readout, the ones that were still working anyway, showed massive failure in almost every component, servo, and controller board. The fact that G’var had been able to use it at all after this much damage was a testament to just how tough their Klingon security officer was.:: Teller: oO And how thick headed. Oo ::Moments later, Wil Ukinix walked into the room with a grim expression on his face and began rapidly laying out tools and replacement modules on one of the lab benches. It looked like they would be going right to work, and Teller had no objection, silently handing Wil components and preparing the space for some properly delicate and important work. Wil’s face was a stony mask of determination that Teller had rarely seen.:: Teller: ::quietly:: Sickbay? Ukinix: ::Pursed lips, nodding.:: Yep. Teller: How’s she doing? Diagnostics make it look like she got into a fist fight with a warp reactor. ::Wil took a deep breath, and held tension in his chest. He exhaled knowing that at least this time he could try to do something, given he was an engineer and the problem was her arm.:: Ukinix: She’s OK. Apparently her central nervous system has been damaged. Teller: We’ll get her fixed up, Wil. I promise. ::Teller offered the man a friendly pat on the shoulders. He’d never seen Wil this tense.:: ::There was a myriad of equipment, including tricorders and sensors, waiting on the table.:: Ukinix: ::Nervously:: I think we’re ready. Teller: We’ll pull anything else we need from the ship stores, I’ll sign off on it later - can’t imagine the Skipper will object. ::Wil picked up his PADD that was on the table.:: Ukinix: I’ve read over this three times. ::Concerned:: I’m still not sure what the source of the problem could be. Teller: The diagnostics are garbled as hell - the whole subprocessor assembly must be wrecked. We’re not going to know the extent of the damage till we get it apart. ::It had been a rough morning, G'var woke feeling like she had gone 20 rounds with a Mugato and lost. With Mac’s help she was able to bath and dress herself, G'var hated being a burden on her Family, the same feelings of self doubt that had plagued her after Limbo threatened to return. Staring at the Lieutenant’s pips in the mirror however helped remind G'var of what others saw in her and that she could rely on her Family. Making her way slowly to Main Engineering, G'var hoped her Trash Pandas had a miracle up their sleeves. ::Teller and Wil looked up when G’var entered the room. Wil walked over and gave her a hug.:: Ukinix: Hey, how are you feeling? G’var:::Trying not to fall over::-Like I could take on the whole Obsidian Order on my own ::Whispering:: Don't let go, I'm ready to fall over. ::giving Wil a smirk:: Teller: G’var, no kidding around - we’re here to help you. I don’t know what you did to that thing but we’ll get it fixed. You can trust us. G'var:::smiling::-I know I can Geoff, you two are the craftiest pair of men in the Galaxy. That's why I love you. ::Wil gestured to the seat that was set up next to the table. He walked over to pull it out for her.:: Ukinix: So, just sit in this chair, and rest your arm on the table. We can start straight away, G. G'var:::Falling into the chair::-Don't worry I'm not going far. ::taking a deep breath:: you boys do what you need to do to fix this thing. ::As G’var sat, Teller began hooking up diagnostic leads where he could and running a tricorder over the arm, up to the attachment point on the shoulder. The tricorder immediately began throwing alerts.:: Teller: I’m getting all sorts of weird feedback from the motor control pathways, I’m seeing random power discharges all across the system. When did this start? G’var:::pursing her lips::-Yesterday after my morning workout. ::rubbing the back of her neck:: I was in our quarters and then...it was a twitch at first...then unbearable agony...worse than even a fire larvae of Deneb V burrowing under my skin... ::Feeling nervous, Wil decided to lighten the mood a little.:: Ukinix: ::Smiling:: It’s funny, last time we were all in this room together- ::Giving Wil a cross look, G'var took another breath, she knew he was just trying to distract her from the pain and emotion and she loved him for it.:: ::He cut himself off, as the smile disappeared from his face.:: Ukinix: Mmm. ::Clapping hands together:: So anyway... ::Taking Wil’s hand she gave it a squeeze feeling his warm on her flesh:: Teller: Yeah lets maybe skip the fond reminiscing for now. Hate to ask, G’var, but this’ll be a lot easier for us and a lot less painful for you if the arm is disconnected. G’var:::Looking at her inoperable prosthetic::-Of course. ::Giving Wil’s hand one last squeeze:: You’ll have to help me, my range of motion is limited. ::Giving Geoff a stern glare:: Wil why don't you help me, I wouldn't want to give Geoff a thrill taking my top off. ::With Wil’s help G'var was able to get her uniform blouse off. After a few awkward moments Wil had the arm disconnected from its socket. Turning back to Geoff G'var had to stifle a laugh at Geoff’s red face.:: ::Wil picked up an engineering tricorder, and started waving it over G’var’s arm.:: Ukinix: OK, so there are some micro surges here, but they’re within tolerance levels. ::To G’var:: You haven’t put the power module back yet? G'var:::shaking her head::-No, I didn't want to risk the phaser accidentally discharging Teller: The secondary servo-actuator controller is totally fused. We’re going to have to fabricate a new one, and replace all the pathways leading to it. G’var, it’d help us if we understood how this happened. Was this some Klingon painstick thing? You been pulling shifts as a lightning rod? G'var:::Resisting the urge to snap kick Geoff through the bulkhead::-I happened when in grounded the Sentinel probe’s discharge through the prosthetic ::taking a breath:: I took two discharges through it...the sensation was...very unique ::raising a brow:: I had Mac check it right after and Commander Del Vedova gave me a clean bill of health I thought nothing more of it. :: Raising a brow:: could it be that one of the Sentinel programs hitched a ride in the prosthetic? ::At the thought of that suggestion, Wil eyes opened wide as he stood up staring ahead.:: Ukinix: I really hope not. Teller: ::Consulting the tricorder display:: Hmm, I don’t think so - more like the insulation on the circutery was damaged and has been slowly eroding ever since. I’m not surprised it was missed. As systems overloaded and rerouted, more and more pathways broke down - we’re talking about classic cascade failure. Another few days and we’d have no chance of salvaging anything. ::Teller looked over to the diagnostic console on the wall. The computer had been attempting to build an exploded view of the arm, highlighting components that were malfunctioning or no longer responding. Best case scenario, this was going to take hours of work to repair, if they could even salvage the arm at all.:: Teller: We’re going to need more help on this. =/\= Teller to Vanlith - please join us in the Engineering lab as soon as possible. =/\= Vanlith: =/\= Aye Sir. On my way =/\= ::G'var sat quietly and meditated on the Light as they waited for Ensign Vanlith to join them. She was no cyber surgeon or expert on micro machinery. Taking the brief respite G'var allowed herself a few moments to clear her head and focus inward. Mac was right she could feel her damaged nerve endings throughout her body and feel her body’s attempts to repair the damaged neurons. Her hyper metabolism was already hard at work. Hearing her stomach growl, G'var asked Wil to get her a bite to eat and something to drink, fuel for the engine. Thinking of G’var’s trip to Kentucky months earlier, Wil went to a nearby replicator and produced for G'var an Ale-8, along with a plate of Chicken and Dumplings.:: ::Only a few moments passed before the doors opened again and Ensign Charlena Vanlith joined the work already in progress.:: ::G'var stood slowly as the small Risian woman entered Engineering, they had yet to formally be introduced and G’var was looking forward to it, from what Wil had told her Charlena had a bright and inquisitive mind. She had heard the skuttlebutt about her emotional outbursts, but could hardly throw k’tangs in that house herself.:: Teller: Charlie, I don’t know if you two have met, but the muscular mountain here is Lt. G’var, Assistant Chief of Security. Vanlith: I believe we have met a couple of times. Nice to see you again. :: Quietly to herself:: and my name isn't Charlie. G'var:::-Taking the offered hand::-I know your name is not Charlie, Geoff was only being friendly ::smirking:: If you prefer Charlena so be it ::raising a brow:: By Kahless I would prefer to call you V and you can call me G. After all you are about to know me quite intimately ::gesturing to her arm socket:: Vanlith: You can call me V ::she smirked:: But these two still have to earn the right to. ::Reading his tricorder, Wil smirked a little.:: Ukinix: ::Under his breath:: You fail to assemble one bed... Teller: It seems the good Lieutenant is having some serious issues with her arm, and as it was still under warranty from Veritas Prosthetics and Kitchenwares, our reputation for quality craftsmanship is on the line. We could use an extra set of hands. Up for it? ::G'var once again had to squash the urge to hang Geoff from the warp core, taking a centering breath, she smiled brightly at his attempt at comic relief. Moving over to V, G'var wanted to give the younger woman a bit of encouragement. Vanlith: I can give it a go… oO I'm better at building then fixing though.Oo G'var:::clasping V’s Shoulder::-By the Light that is all I ask, perhaps you can be the voice of reason that keeps the Trash Panda’s from doing any unnecessary alterations to the prosthetic, or perhaps add some of your own. I give you my trust ::Squeezing her shoulder:: ((Engineering Lab, USS Veritas)) ::Tapping on a nearby console and reading diagnostics from components in G'var's arm, Wil again smirked while speaking.:: Ukinix: There goes my bottle opener idea. Vanlith: Well there is one thing but it might take a little time to perfect. I've never added it to something I've only built around it ...::she trailed off her mind whirling:: ::MacKenzie wandered into the lab, medkit slung over her shoulder.:: MacKenzie: I figured by the look on Wil’s face that you guys wouldn’t waste any time. Want a hand? Teller: Doc, good to see you, and yes, absolutely. Can you transfer any diagnostic scans you’ve already run into the lab computers? I want to start building a physiological model to go along with the control interface sims we’ve already got. MacKenzie: One step ahead of you - did it before I left Sickbay. You should be able to pull it up. G'var:::Laughing::-A physiological model, why Geoff if you wanted a picture all you had to do was ask ::smirking:: and once again the face matches the hair. ::Wil's eyes opened wide as he tapped away at his console.:: ::G'var continued to laugh as the room became uncomfortably quiet. For a brief moment her pain subsided as she teased Geoff. Seeing the other’s faces G'var composed herself.:: G’var:::holding her hand up::-My Apologies my friends, just lighting the mood, I guess I'm the Trash Panda now? ::Teller pursed his lips. If the normally stoic G’var was attempting to be funny, things were even worse than he thought.:: Teller: Alright, here’s how I see it G’var. First step is assessing the extent of the damage - we need to understand just how much of the prosthetic and the mount can be salvaged without putting more stress on your nervous system. I’d also like to avoid more surgery for you, but that’s going to be Doc MacKenzie’s call. ::Hearing the word "surgery", Wil turned around and walked towards G'var, placing his hand on her shoulder..:: MacKenzie: The nerve rehabilitation is non-surgical, but I can’t predict what treating any additional damage might look like. G'var:::nodding::-I too would like to avoid any more surgery. ::taking Wil’s hand:: Let's make sure I don't take anymore additional damage Ladies and Gentlemen. ::Wil simply nodded in agreement and gave G'vars hand a gentle squeeze.:: Teller: Second - we salvage as much as we possibly can with the goal of getting you out of pain, and don’t give me any of that Klingon super-warrior crap - I know this hurts. Even if you won’t admit it, it could affect your ability to do your job and I know you don’t want that. G’var:::letting a breath out::-just as long as we do it right, I won't play the proud warrior...I just want an arm that works my friends, let's get it done Teller: Third - we rebuild. We have the technology. We can make the arm better. Stronger. Faster. I’m even thinking about installing a coffee press. MacKenzie: ::raising an eyebrow:: ... can I get one? Ukinix: ::Smiling:: A new arm? Sure. If you'll just follow me to shuttle bay one, we can set a course for Limbo. G’var:::growling at Wil::-Count me out Beloved, I promised myself I'd never step foot on that Thrice Damned Moon again ::slamming her hand down:: even for. A new arm. Fek’Lar can have it. Vanlith: ::Charlenas mind was whirling with ideas and how exactly she could implement them to this arm. She was unaware of the constant muttering coming from her.:: That's how to add it. Teller: Any questions? Objections? No speeches - this is our friend and we’re going to help her. Let's get to work. ::Charlena froze unsure how to word exactly what she wanted to do. She didn't want to seem like she thought she knew more than the others but building for the aid of someone was kinda her thing.:: ::Seeing that V wanted to say something, G'var waited for the others to get to work before approaching her:: G'var:::smiling::-Do me a favor V, Never hold back an idea or thought with me. ::pointing at V:: Your ideas have the same worth as anyone's, always be honest to us and more importantly to yourself. ::playfully punching V’s chest:: come one Girl hit me back show me the warrior you are, and by Kahless let's out Trash Panda these two Tribble Herders ::hooking a thumb at Wil and Geoff:: ::Charlena looked at G oddly before then punching her as she had asked. Resulting in a stifled oww her shaking her hand, she never had been a fighter.:: Ukinix: ::To G’var:: Careful or I’ll get a pet tribble for our quarters. ((Two hours later)) ::Three Engineers and a Doctor crowded around the lab table, working nearly shoulder to shoulder as they extracted one destroyed component after another out of the damaged arm. Two small bins on the table were already full of melted, misshapen lumps that had been isolinear circuitry, micro-servo impellers and nerve induction relays. Nearby, G’var was perched with her legs up on a few chairs as the computer ran another series of diagnostics on the control surfaces embedded in the cybernetic mount in her shoulder. Teller gestured to a blackened shape near the arms elbow.:: Teller: We’re going to have to cut that assembly out, it’s not budging. The whole subframe is warped. G’var - you should know, there’s no way you would’ve survived the discharge with an organic limb. This thing saved your life. G'var:::Raising a brow::-why do you think I did it Geoff ::doffing a hand towards the Arm:: I knew you and Wil had built a superior device and that it could take the load...Just not me I suppose MacKenzie: He’s right - I’ve never seen anything quite like this before. ::Wil picked up one of the damaged nerve induction relays, and inspected it.:: Ukinix: :: Quietly:: Neither have I. G’var:::leaning forward::-It was better me than You or Raissa Wil. I was the only one expendable in the Core, and you know it. ::Slapping her thigh:: and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Vanlith: ::quietly as she worked, barely even audible to herself:: Sir I have an idea Teller: Most of our upgrades are fried - phaser emitter is that bit of slag over there ::he nodded to one of the bins:: and I’m not sure about the cloak. Think we’re going to have to skip the coffee press. G'var:::holding a hand up::-Quiet Geoff, please ::doffing her chin at V:: Charlena you’ve got an idea? I want to hear it. Certainly beats hearing what's not working. I'd like to hear what can be done. ::Wil smiled at the newest member of the Engineering team.:: Ukinix: Go for it, Char. Vanlith: Well it’s just that ::She stopped:: ::The computer chimed as it finished it’s work, and Teller stepped away from the arm to examine the results. His scowl immediately deepened:: Teller: Doc, can you look at this? These synaptic potentials are way below normal. MacKenzie: ::squinting her eyes at the display:: I see what you’re saying, but I don’t know what that means. Teller: In engineering terms, it means the electrical signals her nervous system is using to signal the arm are getting disrupted before they get to the control interface in the mount. MacKenzie: It could mean that the nerves are too damaged to make the connection. At least right now, anyway. G'var:::Rolling her eyes::-Then why can I still activate the socket? ::rolling her shoulder and flexing her back:: I can still move my back and shoulder, some signals are getting through. Ukinix: ::Shaking his head, pointing at display:: Because the interface is damaged too. There’s a lot of knock on effects here. Vanlith: ::muttering to herself: so it would need an upper and lower bounds to ensure to account for pain and numbness. G'var:::standing::-V speak up for the Team please ::winking at V:: come on Team it's the Third Period and the other team has the Ramp, ::smacking V’s back:: let me see your game faces - no one gives up now! Right V? Vanlith: Right. ::Charlena still wasn't sure how to word what she wanted to say still. She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves about it and formulate the words but nothing came. Instead her mind was blank. She really was awful at communicating.:: Teller: Hell no, we’re not giving up. We’re just going to have to come up with something different. If this was the Veritas, and the main computer, that’s your brain, G’var, couldn’t access a peripheral system, I’d say we need to run a bypass until we can repair the circuit pathways. ::Teller snapped his fingers:: Doc, do you have anything in sickbay that can monitor the synaptic output from G’vars motor cortex directly? Something small hopefully? MacKenzie: With some modifications, a synaptic transceiver might do the trick. I’m not sure if it’s ever been used in this way before. ::By this point Charlena had her mind set on this small addition. A way to ensure everyone was aware of the change in electrical communication in G's prosthetic. Whilst yes her arm was robotic it was meant to replace flesh and bone yet at no point could she see anyone replicating that with the communication. Pain was an over stimulus and numbness is an under stimulus so by factoring in something to read that you can know the arm as if it were flesh and bone.:: G'var:::Growling under her breath::-Sounds like more poking and prodding to me Mac ::tapping her forefinger against her head:: you're not talking about drilling holes in my head are you? ::Wil swallowed, and reached out to squeeze G’var’s hand. He could sense her anxiety. He tried to soothe her to let her hear the facts from the Doctor first.:: Vanlith: By completely bypassing the nerves linked to the arm would we not have to account for more communication than before that is not related to the movement of the arm? Teller: You’re right, that’ll be our next problem to solve. For now Wil, Charlena, go find a pair of micro-subspace transceivers and start taking them apart. We’re going to bypass around the nervous system damage by having the nerve impulses broadcast directly to the controller in the arm. G'var:::resisting a strong urge to put her hand through a bulkhead::-This is sounding an awful lot like more surgery. ::placing her hand on her hip:: and where does this bypass go Geoff? ::sneering:: HA’R’KTI! ::taking a breath to focus:: Apologies Geoff that was uncalled for. ::clenching her jaw:: ...I'm just tired of Surgeries...soon there won't be any me left. ::Squeezing her hand again gently, Wil looked G’var in the eye.:: Ukinix: ::Quietly, To G’var:: Hey, just wait, let’s here this out. Teller: It’s alright, G’var - I’m not thinking surgery. Maybe just a little module that sits below the ear, somewhere it can get a good read through that thick skull of yours. Doesn’t really...exist yet, but we’re about to build one. Forget what I said about skipping the upgrades - your arm’s about to get wi-fi. Vanlith: Urm Sir. I have an idea that I think might be beneficial in the long term. Teller: Open forum in here Charlena, lay it out for us. Vanlith: Well the arm is meant to represent the flesh and blood and bone that G no longer has. And well in most aspects it does. But there is one we are missing. I'm not saying G should have to feel pain in it but pain is nerves being over stimulated, in the most basic of ways, and numbness is when there isn't enough stimulation. I know it's a pretty basic way of looking at it but then surely by missing that element we don't always know how well the current and communication is working to keep a reliable check in. But it also means in a case where overstimulation happens we would know. :: Charlenas voice grew in pitch and speed as she got more and more excited about the prospect of helping G.:: Vanlith: I guess it could in some ways be described like a fuse. But instead of breaking the arms link and stopping all further communication it informs G and the rest of use that the current messages are running at too high or too low a level in the same way we would notice feeling pain or feeling numbness. But then by doing this we would be aware of any internal damaged caused before it could reach this point. If we set the bounds to met what a typical neural impulse from G is then it should work fine. It could also then work to bring the voltage down to a level that the arm can take until we could find why it is working at such a high level…. :: Charlena trailed off from her rambling. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything because she couldn't entirely read the expression of the faces looking back at her. She let her hair fall over her face again as she began to slow and stutter over her words.:: ::G'var stood silently for a moment taking in what V had said, she wasn't as versed in Microengineering as the others but V had made sense. Nodding to her new friend G'var could see her hiding behind her hair. Giving the Risian a quizzical look, G'var made a mental note to shave off V’s hair if she kept hiding behind it.:: Vanlith: Urm but it's urm just a thought we don't have to do anything like it ::she held her quickly made prototype behind her back not wanting to draw attention to it now.:: MacKenzie: ::skeptical, glancing momentarily at Teller before shrugging:: I don’t see why not. Teller: I like it - sort of a synaptic circuit breaker - keeps the motor impulses from overwhelming the nervous system, but also keeps the nerve pathways from atrophying. We can add it to the existing mount for the arm. I think that’s the last piece. Now we just have to figure out how to make it work. G'var:::smiling at V::-Any alternate to more surgery sounds good to me. ::moving V’s hair away from her face:: Thank you Charlena, I knew you were my girl. ::winking:: ::Charlena blushed at the comment unsure how exactly to respond again she pulled at the curls on the left side of her face as her eyes dropped to the floor.:: Ukinix: ::Moving over to console:: Chief, I’ll start modelling all of this and run some simulations to double check everything. ::A 3-D model of G’var’s arm appeared on the screen. Wil started furiously punching commands and codes into the console.:: Ukinix: I’m liking the sound of it. ((Nine Hours Later)) :::As Wil and Charlena sealed the arm, Teller stood back from the table and re-examined the diagnostic readouts from their new interface device. Everyone in the room was exhausted, but intensely focused on completing their task. The computer was happy, or as happy as the computer ever was, and showed that latency between the two transceivers was acceptably low and the virtual model of G’var’s nervous system they had built up from Doctor MacKenzie’s scans seemed to tolerate this new and unusual way of controlling a limb. All that was left was to remount the arm and have G’var give it a try.:: ::Charlena’s novel feedback control unit had slotted into the mount cleanly and was already providing an extra stream of sensory data, both to G’var herself and to the computer. It looked to be working, but they had to take the arm through a full range of motion test before they could be sure it would properly communicate the sensation data they were trying to emulate without overwhelming G’var’s already fragile nervous system.:: ::Having watched her Beloved and the others work on her prosthetic for most of the day and night, G'var couldn't help but feel the love and warmth that was flowing around the room. She wondered if this is what Wil felt like all the time. Seeing her friends finally step back from the table, G'var knew it was time to finally put metal to flesh and see if her friends labors would prove fruitful or if she was damned to more surgery and cybernetics.:: Teller: G’var, we’re ready as we’re going to be. We’re going to re-mount the arm, make sure the interface is clean, then power it up. I want you to go through a standard range of motion test - nothing fancy yet. Slow and easy. If anything feels even the slightest bit off, stop and let us know. G'var:::Standing and Taking a deep breath::-Time to defend the Ramp my friends ::smiling at Wil:: May we all find Kahless in the Light. ::Taking her blouse off, G'var took in several quick breaths and centered her focus on the light. Flooding her blood with adrenaline, G'var could feel her blood begin to burn, heightening her senses and sharpening her focus.:: ::Teller took a position at the diagnostic console and readied the arm for mounting:: Teller: Wil, Charlena, I think you should do the honors. Addison - please pull up the biofeedback monitor on the display over there and watch as the data flows in. You see anything you don’t like, call out and we abort the test immediately. Ukinix: Aye sir. Vanlith: Yes Sir. ::Charlena took a deep breath going over the calculations in her head one more time to make sure she had everything right. :: MacKenzie: ::nodding:: Alright, I’m ready. G'var:::-Taking a deep breath::-Everyone stand back, two arms lengths at least ::looking Wil in the eye:: No accidents. ::A small little smile appeared on Wil’s face as he and Charlena reconnected the limb. Teller’s eyes scanned every indicator for the smallest variation from the baselines they’d built up. Inwardly, he was worried - they were well off the edge of the map here. The new interface device, the subspace transceivers, Charlena’s fusebox - if this worked, there’d probably be a medical journal article in it for Addison. If something unexpected went wrong, G’var would have to start over with a new prosthesis from scratch, and that’d mean weeks of surgery, recovery and painful retraining. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone.:: ::Eyes closed, G'var could smell Wil and Charlena’s sents as the stood next to her, reattaching the prosthetic. Ears ringing with every turn of the spanner and wrench. The sudden smell of hydraulic fluid nearly caused G'var to gag as Wil and V finished reattaching the arm. The warmth of Wil’s hand on her back was sudden replaced by a million new sensation as he switched on transceiver. Gasping as she arched her back at the wondrous new feeling, G'var let out an inaudible scream. Reaching a hand out to Wil, she steadied herself as the sensation began to abate. Clearing her mind, G'var focused her thoughts on her arm. Slowly G'var could begin to feel the connection resurface, nodding to Wil she stood straight.:: G’var:::Growling::-It’s working, I just have to focus through the...noise...but it's manageable. ::Wil ran a tricorder over the upper part of G’var’s arm.:: Ukinix: Yep! All ready. Vanlith: ::Sure her calculations were perfect:: Looking good. MacKenzie: Clear so far. ::With the arm remounted successfully and the computer seemingly content, there was nothing else to do but cross their fingers and give it a try. It was now or never:: ::Clenching her jaw, G'var tried to make sense of the new sensations flooding her mind, it felt like a swarm of Dikaren Hornets were buzzing through her head. In the background she could feel her prosthetic.:: Teller: Stand Clear. Re-engaging motor functions in three...two...one...mark. ::The felling was electric, like standing on the hull as a ship went to warp. G'var took another deep breath as she sorted through the new feelings and impulses being broadcast through her transceiver. Straining G'var could feel the connection, like riding a lightning bolt straight through Sto’Vo’Kor G'var raised her arm.:: G’var:::Holding her arm out::-It’s like holding a plasma conduit in my hand. ::tears rolling down her face:: The feeling is exhilarating. I can feel my flesh again. ::Wil was very pleased, but also slightly horrified.:: Ukinix: ::Raising eyebrows, blinking:: Well, that’s a good sign I guess. Vanlith: Seems like a good sign to me. Teller: Ok, so far so good on my end - Doc, how’s it looking? MacKenzie: No problems on my end. We’re okay to proceed. Teller: Good, ok...G’var, how does it feel? We can adjust the feedback level in small increments up or down. G’var:::Taking a deep breath::-Dial it back Geoff. ::gasping:: By the Light Dial it back Ukinix: ::To G’var:: Safe enough to give you a hug? Or is Bangers and Human/Betazoid Hybrid Mash going to be on the menu tonight? ::Holding her arms out G'var embraced Wil, running her prosthetic hand over his back, she could almost feel the warmth through the plastics and metal. Gently squeezing, G'var inhaled deeply as she filled her lungs with Wil’s scent. G'var held Wil close as Geoff dialed back the processing and the swarm of Hornets in her head begin to diminish. Taking a few more deep breaths, G'var buried her face in Wil’s neck, silently thinking Kahless, she let the tears roll free down her face.:: ::Teller smiled and leaned back against the console in relief as the two embraced.:: Teller: Great work everybody. G’var - lets meet back here tomorrow after you’ve had a few hours to rest and test the arm out. I want to pull a full set of logs from the thing and make adjustments - but for now, get some sleep. Doctors orders. ::Teller smirked at Mackenzie:: Respectfully, Doc. ::Pulling back from Wil, G'var gave Geoff a Thumbs up, turning back to Wil she have him a playful smirk.:: Vanlith: :: Charlena smiled a bright smile. Her eyes lit up as she looked over at G thrilled at her addition to the device. It made her wonder how everything was going back home with her brother. She wiped her brow with the back of her sleeve.:: Well I’m exhausted I don't know about anyone else. G, don’t go breaking that arm again ::She chuckled:: I don’t think any of us want to build that again anytime soon. ::Charlena slowly made her way out and headed back to her quarters making a mental note to get in touch with her brother as soon as it was possible to do so.:: ::MacKenzie packed up her medkit and started to head out in front of Wil and G’var.:: MacKenzie: ::pointing a finger at Wil:: Anything happens, I’m the first call you make. Seriously. And none of this macho Klingon I-can-take-the-pain crap either, hear me? G'var:::Smirking at Wil::-Don't worry Mac, Wil and I are just gonna have a nice relaxing night ::winking:: No heavy lifting. Ukinix: You'll be the first to know, Doc. Don't worry, I haven't caught "Klingon". G'var:::[...]ing her head::-That sounds an awful lot like a challenge Mr. Ukinix ::Smiling brightly:: You heard the Doctor, don't get me to riled up. ::Wil took G’var’s non-prosthetic hand, and slowly led her out of the engineering lab towards the turbolift. She had been through a lot. He decided to try and cheer her up again.:: Ukinix: ::Over his shoulder:: You know, I think Geoffy’s got a thing for the warp core? G’var:::Laughing::-He's just trying to make Mistress IA jealous. ::squeezing his hand:: Now less talk of Geoff, we have to properly test the new arm out Beloved. ::As the team dispersed and the Engineering lab emptied out, Teller began absentmindedly cleaning up from their hours of work. The bins of melted components and spare parts they’d used, or modified, now covered much of one lab table, and after a few futile minutes trying to make sense of the mess, Teller decided to take his own advice and head back to his quarters for some sleep, but not before turning back to the computer which was still displaying a holographic diagram of the newly revised arm.:: Teller: Computer, save all workfiles and diagrams to a new subfolder titled G’var Prosthetic Redesign 1.5 and flag for review by Doctor Mackenzie and Doctor Del Vedova. ::Teller looked over the diagram again and the gears in his mind started turning.:: Teller:: oO Could do with some streamlining there...maybe replace those with something purpose built...hmm Oo Teller: Computer copy all existing data and start a new design file...title...Proposed G’var Prosthetic 2.0...I’ve got a few ideas to jot down…. [End] =============================== Lieutenant Geoffrey Teller Chief Engineer USS Veritas - NCC 95035 Capt. R. Rahman, Commanding V239509GT0 & Lieutenant JG Wil Ukinix Assistant Chief Engineer USS Veritas V239511WU0 & Ensign Charlena Vanlith Engineering Officer USS Veritas V239604CV0 & Lieutenant JG Addison MacKenzie Medical Officer USS Veritas V239601AM0 & Lieutenant G'var Assistant Chief of Security USS Veritas NCC-95035 V239511G10

((Ishnag Education Center – Main Hall)) Maxwell: =/\= Maxwell tae Malko. We've got incoming. You are tae hold your position around the shuttle and remain undetected for now. Tell MacMahon that's an order! =/\= :: The hail from Lieutenant Commander Maxwell was not news to Malko. Only seconds before a Starfleet officer was being carried into the triage area and the whole camp around the shuttle had gone into high alert. The medical team led by Nurse Gau was lining up tables and electron scanners in a fury of medical feng shui. Malko was about to reply when he noticed the injured officer had dropped his tricorder coming through the path behind the landing zone... :: Poq: ? Jesseth: We have 14,678 gornlings on this planet in two areas – this one is the larger with 8000, and then eighteen quadrosecs away there is another building with the remaining younglings. We have put in emergency measures and all our younglings and staff are in shelters, with the majority being in this building. Maxwell: What defensive systems do you have? ::Turning.:: Is there anything you need, Dr? Poq: ? Jesseth: Yes, there is a medical facility on the second level. We also have meteor shields if all evacuated staff and younglings are below ground level. Maxwell: Then I would respectfully suggest you do so, Administrator. Poq: ? Jesseth: Yes I will - ::He cut off as the shield that protected the building sizzled:: A hit on our reflective shields. They have come. Maxwell: Are there any weapons on site? Anything at all? Poq/Jesseth: ? Maxwell: I appreciate that, Administrator, but you must have something? Poq/Jesseth: ? Maxwell: Bows, aye? Poq/Jesseth: ? :: Behind Malko, the Marines were creating a perimeter around the shuttle, weapons raised, ready to protect the injured at any cost. Following Maxwell's orders, they were keeping the landed unit as clandestine as possible. Malko stepped over the thick roots in the swampy brush. If the Klingons heard this pinging Starfleet tricorder that was dropped out here, they would be on their trail. :: Malko: =/\= Malko to Maxwell, MacMahon is behaving. I will keep you updated on our situation. Have you and the Doctor found a... :: Just then Malko realized why the tricorder was pinging... - Lifeform detected - Malko drew his phaser just as a well-worn disruptor poked its way through the foliage. A female Klingon in pastel coloured vestments tilted her head to the side. Both were surprised to see each other. The Klingon stared at Malko down the ironsights of the disruptor as he held the phaser at his hip and stood slowly. He gritted his teeth and hoped she could not see the tremble of his hand. :: Maxwell: ? Poq/Jesseth: ? :: He did not think it would be smart to respond. The Klingon overheard the radio chatter, and knew where they were keeping the Ambassador. Malko was painfully aware he could not let this Klingon leave his sights and share that with the rest of the cult. He was also aware he could not call for the marines and give away the position of the shuttle hidden behind him with all their injured were being treated. A stalemate had been reached. They had a Terran stand-off on their hands. If either of them were going to shoot, they would have done it by now. That meant this Klingon was at least somewhat interested in self-preservation. Good - he could work with that. Malko remembered he had never actually touched his commbadge to close the channel... :: =/\= Malko: ::slowly:: ... My name is Malko... I belong to Starfleet... I am a medical and diplomatic officer, not a soldier. As, I'm sure, you can tell. You are with Molor? What is your name? Klingon: *low grumble* ::looking around:: Malko: I won't call for backup if you don't. It's just me and you. What is your name? Klingon: *lower grumble*... Askade. Malko: Askade. =/\= Maxwell: ? Poq/Jesseth: ? =/\= Malko: Askade, why do you fight for Molor? Askade: Ha. For the pride of our people. For a glorious life. ::she smiled and bared her serrated teeth :: Why do you fight for the Gorn? Malko: Starfleet believes all races are their people. Our houses are not defined by bloodline but by creed. When my people are threatened, I fight to protect my people. Just as I would fight to protect you, Askade, if a threat came to your home and darkened your doorstep. Askade: ...LIES. :: stepping forward into the clearing to close the distance, flexing her vascular musculature. :: Malko: ::sternly:: You are not my enemy, Askade. If we were here to wage war, we would have opened fire without care for either race's casualties. We... No - I am here to protect. I have sworn this as my life's duty, and as a Klingon I'm damn sure you can respect that. ::his eyes watered:: =/\= Maxwell: ? Poq/Jesseth: ?

Now that's a "good job guarantee" post @Geoffrey Teller!! ((Starfleet Administrative Complex, Cait)) ::Stepping out of the Starfleet Administration Building on Cait, Geoffrey Teller had a massive headache. It had been nearly four days since they arrived back on Cait courtesy of a shuttle borrowed from the Stevenson, and while he'd be absolved of any wrongdoing due to the extenuating circumstances of their recent pirate activity, Starfleet Security still took an inordinate amount of time debriefing him about ever conceivable detail of the incident. Finally done, and with the firm impression that Admiral Washington was watching him closely, Teller stretched his legs and soaked in a bit of the local sun. After everything that had happened during his leave, Teller felt a bone deep exhaustion and wanted nothing more than to find a dark local pub and drink until he couldn't remember his own name. Walking across the grounds of the Admin facility, Teller saw numerous officers and crewmen, traveling in pairs or small groups, moving briskly between one part of the complex or another and was briefly reminded of his time at the Academy.:: Teller: oO Seems like lifetimes ago. I wonder if this is how a Trill feels all the time. Oo ::Teller made his way to the guest accommodations he'd been assigned until the Veritas arrived. He was still technically on leave and briefly mulled the idea of visiting the famed Caitian space dock, one of the largest in the Federation. A few taps on the console in his room informed him that the USS Astreaus, a refitted Galaxy class, was sitting in dock at the moment, undergoing the Warp XV upgrades that would soon be executed on the Veritas. Yawning, Teller was about to turn the console off and crawl into bed when his heart stopped.:: Teller: oO The Montreal. Oo ::A high priority fleetwide notice flashed across the screen, flatly stating that the USS Montreal had been lost. Teller gripped the edge of the desk so hard it creaked. Almost half of the command crew were former comrades aboard the Veritas, and several had become close friends in the short time they had spent together before being reassigned. Now, Teller wasn't sure if any of them were still alive. The notice was infuriatingly short on details, but indicated that the ship had been abandoned shortly prior to its destruction. Having barely survived two such evacuations himself, Teller knew all too well how much could go wrong in a ships final moments and desperately prayed that his friends were somehow unharmed. Teller re-read the notice, hoping to wring some additional information from it that simply wasn't there. Finally, he slumped into the desk chair and put his fingers to the bridge of his nose, trying to keep from venting his frustration by smashing the console to bits.:: ((Flashback, USS Artemis)) Computer: All Hands, Prepare for Slipstream in t-minus three minutes. Warning. Slipstream corridor instability detected. Warning. Do not engage Slipstream drive. Warning. Automatic Safety Interlocks Non-Responsive. Warning. Do not engage Slipstream drive. Warning. Slipstream jump in t-minus two minutes and fifty seconds. Warning.... ((Cait, Guest Quarters)) ::Teller felt his chest tighten as memories of his first near death experience washed over him, unbidden and unwelcomed. His pulse accelerated and a bitter taste filled his mouth.:: ((Flashback, Corridor - Deck 9, USS Veritas )) ::Teller, G’var, Doctor Maxwell and party headed to the shuttlebay as the ships lights flickered around them. Teller could hear systems failing and rerouting, the dip and hum of the power system struggling vainly to meet demand. Teller knew that whatever was overwhelming their ship was doing it with shocking speed. Teller tried to open a comm line to engineering but only got static..:: ((Cait, Guest Quarters)) ::Teller desperately tried to push the memories back but the [...] had broken and he sat sweating, gripping the arms of the chair with white knuckles:: ((Flashback, Secure Cargo Bay, The Bolian Rose)) ::The air grew thin as the doors continued to separate. Teller looked to the far wall, expecting Mistress IA to reset the door controls, but she was nowhere to be seen. Teller’s eyes went wide as he struggled across the nearly silent, airless bay, his lungs bursting and vision going red. He was only about halfway there when his legs buckled and he collapsed to the deck, gasping.:: ((Cait, Guest Quarters)) ::Teller pitched forward in the chair and forced his breathing under control. He tried to think back to Jansen's Orrey's advice about keeping the panic in check, but too much had happened lately and Teller's mental reserves were exhausted. He stumbled to the replicator and quickly produced a large glass of cold water, which he drank in several desperate gulps. He could feel his heartbeat slowly slightly but still felt deeply rattled when another fleetwide notice splashed its way across the screen.:: Teller:: oO Please be good news, please. Oo ::It was. The crew of the Montreal, including its Captain, had been recovered successfully by the Colonial Marshalls and were even now on the way to Cait for debriefing, recovery and reassignment. The casualty list was thankfully short and didn't contain any names Teller knew. Teller skimmed the list a second time then turned off the display, rubbing his temples. Life in Starfleet was never easy and there were days that could absolutely shake a man down to his very core but today, at least, the fates had been kind and, several replicated beers later, Teller fell asleep sitting upright in the small bed with a smile on his lips.:: [End] =============================== Lieutenant JG Geoffrey Teller Chief Engineer USS Veritas - NCC 95035 Capt. R. Rahman, Commanding V239509GT0

((Hong Kong subdistrict, SB118, some time between Final Examination and reporting to the Columbia) When Gervan's friends steered him toward SB118's Hong Kong District, he began looking forward to the evening. Before going to the Academy, Gervan could count the number of times he had been to Earth on one hand (perhaps that was an exaggeration. But not by much). All his pre-Academy technical training had been off Earth, and even when he had been at the Starfleet Technical Services Academy, the only time he left Mars for Earth was on a two day visit to Rennes, mainly because his family back on Lemnos would have never forgiven him if he had failed to visit Bro Gozh ma Zadoù. The Academy had given Gervan a chance to see more of Earth, but even if Gervan had not had his academic obligations to the Academy, four years would not have been enough time to see all that was Earth. The place was huge, both in size and diversity. So when Gervan's friends told him they were going to SB118's Hong Kong District to celebrate the collective passing of their final examinations, Gervan was thinking they were going to the The Fragrant Lotus Tea House., the one place in that district he had heard of. Gervan had only a passing knowledge of Cantonese culture and cuisine, though there was a restaurant type called a cha chaan teng he had been told about that sounded interesting. Maybe this Tea House was one of those type of restaurants. Gervan didn't know, but he was looking forward to finding out. Instead, Gervan's friends took him to something called a malt shop and sock hop, which was supposed to be a duplication and/or reminiscent of mid-twentieth century North American culture. Gervan sighed when his friends excitedly showed him where they were going to be spending at least part of their evening, not only to celebrate their first assignments but also the successful publication of "Redeye Love," the holonovel the four of them had collaborated on. Gervan had first met Nilevaar, Ishilaon and Targigg in Application of Creative Design in Holodecks. The four had been assigned as a work group at the beginning of the term, to complete a holodeck novel that would incorporate everything that they would learn in the class. Gervan had internally groaned at the prospect, for several reasons. First, he had no imagination. Well, he had no imagination except when it came to solving technical problems. But when it came to artistic creativity? His limericks were appreciatively bawdy, but that was about it. Second, he was assigned to a team with an Orion, an Andorian and a Tellarite. If the four of them walked into a bar, it would be a classic joke. What could four such disparate beings have in common? As it turned out, all three of his teammates were aficionados of some aspect of mid-century North American culture. Nilevaar was a fan of something called the noir detective, or the detective nor, or something like that. Ishilaon enjoyed the dramatic presentation of the popular culture, Targigg the food of the era, and both had a disturbingly intimated knowledge of the transportation phenomena known as "muscular cars." And all three knew the music of the period. There is nothing quite like hearing an Andorian and a Tellarite singing "Greased Lightning." Gervan, on the other hand, had grown up on a colony that had been "lost" to the rest of humanity for two centuries, and even though Lemnos had "rejoined" the Federation before his birth, Earth culture was just as exotic to the humans of Lemnos as the culture of any other Federation member. The only ancient pop culture icon that Gervan knew was the protagonist of a late twentieth-century entertainment series who modified available items into unique configuration to solve dilemmas in a nonviolent manner. And he only knew that individual cause his Vulcan mentor had introduced him to it. Apparently, that particular ancient Earth entertainment series had a "cult" following on Vulcan. So the rest of the team had wanted to do a holonovel set in their favorite Earth era. Except none could agree on exactly what should be in it. And they expected Gervan to be the "tiebreaker," even though he knew absolutely nothing about that time period. And thus Redeye Love was born. The holodeck novel starts with the playable protagonist driving a muscle car across a seemingly endless desert highway with music blaring from the speakers(there were two modes of driving, one realistic, the other not). The sun has just set, and the protagonist was required to retrieve someone at the airport, who was arriving at dawn. But before the protagonist could do so, they must recover a stolen statuette highly valued by the arriving passenger. This required the protagonist to solve a minor mystery, and create a minor device, in each chapter, that culminated in building a major device and then using it to solve a major mystery in the final chapter. Redeye Love barely had consistent internal logic, with one chapter being in Los Angeles, then Malibu Beach the next. But Gervan did manage to incorporate all the diverse facets his new found friends loved about the era, which made them more enthusiastic about working on the project, which in turned made sure the technical aspects of their holonovel was beyond reproach. And since that was what the group was being primarily graded on, that was good enough for Gervan. Who knew that people would actually like the thing? Or that one of their fellow cadets had an uncle who was a publicist? So with a little minor tweaking, Redeye Love was becoming a popular sensation just about the time the four cadets had gotten their first pip and their first assignment. So the other three Ensigns had decided to start the evening in a restaurant that celebrated their favorite era. One that didn't even serve beer, Gervan sadly noted. Thankfully, they would only be starting the night there. ---- Ensign Gervan Bollore Engineering Officer USS Colombia C239605GB0

@Sheila Bailey This is one of the best sims I have seen you write, I enjoyed learning more about Bailey. ((Shopping Promenade, Star Station Esperance)) ::In all the time Bailey spent working with Rosemary she almost missed Solok’s message. Afterwards she was glad to be leaving; maybe then she would get an idea of what had happened elsewhere. ‘Running’ or more so placing both her crutches in front of her and swinging her legs forward so that she could move faster down the corridor, the rest of the medical staff behind her she couldn’t help think of her older sister.:: ::Cathleen Bailey was the oldest of three sisters. Cathleen sat tall most of her life, but right now all Sheila could think of was the shuttle accident she had gotten into as a young pilot. Unlike Sheila Cathleen loved to touch the stars. She ran hard and fell the fastest. But on that day all those years ago Sheila remembered pushing her way through the crowded Elaysian hospital to come face to face with her older sister who could only laugh. Cathleen said that she wished she had gone faster instead of crashing. It never broke her spirit only Genevieve and Raymond Bailey’s heart. Cathleen was told that if she was to ever leave the planet she would have no choice but to be confined to a wheelchair. Never stopped her.:: ::Now standing, Bailey wasn’t sure how long later, on the shopping promenade of the Star Station Esperance she felt lost. She missed the things that helped her lessen the pain and not knowing if she would ever get them back was breaking her heart. What she missed most of all was Beelam. The two girls could communicate through looks alone. But she also missed the strong touch of Chen her best Vulcan friend. Yes, back in the academy the three of them had a relationship. Beelam understood emotions, Sheila knew how to mold those emotion so they didn’t get out of hand and Chen surprisingly for a Vulcan knew how to love. Standing there leaning all her weight on her crutches, the bright pink of them was suddenly screaming at her.:: ::Sheila could hear her mother’s voice, her mother only ever called her Jack, her mother’s voice that always seemed to scream trying to compensate for her hearing loss. What her mother would say now was: “You don’t need them.” or “What a shame for loving more than one. Only a Denobulan would do that.” Her father would want to study the creature, no Rosemary, that was still attached to her. Sheila knew Rosemary was not going to let go even though she wanted to. At this point Rosemary had flatted herself on Bailey’s back. It through of her center of gravity even more but at least Rosemary was healing.:: ::Sheila was just contemplating finding a place to finally write to Chen when she spotted the first officer.:: Rosek: Doctor Bailey! ::When the woman looked in her direction, Lael began moving toward her slowly, the foot of the crutch catching only once on the deck plating.:: Bailey: Please call me Sheila or do what my mother does and call me Jack. Please none of this doctor business when we’re off duty. How are you? Rosek: ::smiles:: Not bad all things considered. Doing a bit of shopping? ::Sheila did a double take. She was conflicted. Help a friend or follow her heart. Looking at Lael Sheila saw a mix of Beelam and herself. A women strong but a bit broken by the circumstances. Sheila almost wanted to go all doctor mode on her but that could be saved for a minute.:: Bailey: Why? A good looking girl like yourself surely doesn't need anything. Rosek: ::smiles sheepishly:: I lost my best clothes and German’s parents are coming for a visit soon. This might be my last chance to get something that doesn’t come from a replicator. ::Sheila not for the first time felt bad for flirting. It always came worse when she was around woman. She always told Beelam that she was strong. This time it felt wrong as by the way Lael talked about German’s parents it sounded like more than just First Officer duty.:: ::Sheila didn’t know what to say. She loved dressing up but she had to be careful of the exoskeleton. If she had to wear it on bare skin it left marks, pinched and on occasion made her itch.:: ::Bailey only nodded.:: Rosek: ::smirks:: No replicator can beat the hard work of a fine clothier. Bailey: Oh! I… I get that. You sure your doing okay? Rosek: ::worries her lip and nods before turning it into a smile:: I’m a bit nervous, yeah. But I’m sure it’ll be fine. Bailey: I’m sorry to be so forward but, that’s how I am, I know you probably got medical help but I can see how uncomfortable you are. Is there anything I can do? Rosek: Response ::Sheila wanted to hit herself this time. What a dumb thing to say more so to the XO. My god! Maybe Sheila needed someone like her around.:: ::As they walked the conversation drew awkward for a moment. They had to stop a few times and Sheila noted how badly she need pain relief. The two of them walked around the store, Sheila giving Lael advice when before long she blurted out the worst possible thing.:: Bailey: How do you go on? How do you go on knowing that the one might not be the one? Rosek: Response Bailey: I’m sorry! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean. You mentioned German. He’s Denobulan. I’m sorry. ::What was she doing. What was she saying. Why now? Her mind was playing tricks, she was in to much pain, couldn’t think. Maybe it was Rosemary. Maybe now that she was healing she was making her think all this horrid thoughts.:: Rosek: Response Bailey: I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m thinking. You don’t need any more problems in your life. ::Under her breath.:: I’m strong, tough. Rosek: Response ::The two of them looked around some more but suddenly Bailey couldn’t take it anymore.:: Bailey: I’m in a relationship. ::Stupid stupid. Sheila’s breathing started to pick up a bit but she did her best to keep things under control. She could not break down now. Not in front of Lael. Sheila could feel Rosemary tighten around her.:: oO Not helping. Oo Rosek: Response Bailey: How about this dress? ::Her breathing was short and sharp.:: ::Bailey pulled a gray dress down that had cut outs around the shoulders. It was a distraction, a way to try and change the subject. She was not going to panic or let the pain make her panic. She had to stay strong.:: Rosek: Response TBC/TAG Ensign Sheila Bailey Medical Officer USS Montreal NCC-64927 M239512BG0

What can I say about this JP? Except... D'awww. (( Awards Ceremony )) :: The crowd was getting thick, and with no other problems at hand, Aria's mind was free to obsess and worry about nothing about that crowd. She grimaced and took a sip of her drink. :: Turner: :: walking up, teasing her a little about her shyness:: Bracing yourself for giving out promotions? Oddas: To be honest, Toni, sometimes it's still a little ... foreign. I'm a little surprised this what I do. :: Aria shrugged and looked back out on the crowd. :: Turner: :: facing the crowd with her:: I've always looked at it as one of the CO's more pleasant missions. Oddas: Well, don't tell anyone, but sometimes I actually admit I like it quite a bit. :: Aria gave Toni a humorous smile, then changed to something more genuine, she knew she owed a lot to the other woman: not everyone would look at a shy Engineer and say 'there's Command potential'. :: Turner: I never asked you to do anything that I wouldn't do myself. Well, except the things I didn't know how to do, but you did. :: Toni had the monthly report forms in mind, not to mention engineering duties.:: The secret is to project your voice to the back of the assembly, and never let them see you sweat. :: Turning to glimpse the podium, she asked.:: Turner: Is the comm on the podium working? :: Aria looked at the podium toward the back of the room, as it was mostly holographic she had to assume it was working - otherwise, it would be a fairly bad trick and more realism than she cared to experience. :: Oddas: I would imagine so. Turner: Mind if I check it for you? Technical difficulties will only make you more nervous. :: Aria gestured toward the podium with her free hand and Toni took the podium smiling about what she was about to do. Projecting her soft voice with the aid of the comm, she called for attention.:: Turner: Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention, please. :: It took a few moments for the crowd to settle down to quiet whispers and the music to stop playing in the background, but when it did, she began.:: Turner: Tonight we have gathered here on the USS Eagle for the promotions of some of the brightest, most competent officers in the fleet. Officers who work within the crew seeing to the safety of their crewmates and making decisions for the betterment of the ship and Starfleet as a whole. Some will be from different species and different planets, but they all bring unique experiences from living life, and sharing them in a cooperative effort to bring peace and tranquility to the Galaxy. A few years ago, one such officer came to the Embassy on Duronis II. She was an unassuming, shy person, who sought no public attention or acclaim, but within her glowed a spark of potential that made her stand out from the rest. :: turning to Aria, smiling:: Yes, I'm talking about you. :: Aria fought back some embarrassment, forcing herself to remain standing still and not fidget, despite being the center of too much attention in the room. She let the Admiral continue. :: Turner: Everything you did to better the crew and the Embassy allowed you to hit every mark for promotion. And this time you have hit the final mark that makes your days as a Commander come to an end. :: taking a small silver box from her pocket and removing a lone pip.:: I am pleased and proud to be the one to promote you to Captain. :: Pinning the fourth pip on Aria's collar, and hugging her congratulations, Toni turned back to the crowd, beginning the applause. Aria let herself smile and holding back her own emotions. :: Turner: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Captain Aria Oddas! :: Stepping back and continuing her applaud with the others, tears of happiness began to well in Toni's eyes. Aria had met the potential and the next step up awaited her. Aria looked around the room, friends, crew, family, applauding for her, and she was touched. :: Oddas: Toni, everyone, thank you very much. I will spare you my normal long speech and just say, Thank You, I'm honored, and I will continue to strive to make you, and everyone proud of me. TBC Captain Oddas Aria Commanding Officer USS Eagle, NCC-74659 ASDB Co-Facilitator / Training Team / Captains Council E239305OA0 and Rear Admiral Toni Turner Commanding Officer Embassy Duronis II - USS Thor NCC-82607 Author ID number: E238209TT0

((OOC: I cackled at work. Confound your ability to make me laugh, Mr. @Quentin Collins III!)) ((Interior. DECK 2. SCI Lab 1. After SB281)) ::It had been and long and thankfully boring day of specimen inspection for Ensign Quentin Collins. As was Science Officer protocol after a ship engagement, all of their current experiments and stowed research materials had to be inspected and uncatalogued in case of damage or containment failure. So far they had only lost a rack of fungus for a study Mr. Terumak had been cultivating and Quentin wasn't going to be the one to tell him. But it was steady work and welcome to boot for Collins. Especially after the fiasco that was getting his books back on the 281.:: Collins: oO Not exactly our best moment...Oo ::He winced, closing up another cold storage and marking it "INTACT" on his PADD. God, what if it interfered with the upcoming awards ceremony. What if it just cost him rank?:: Collins: oO is my career over before it even starts? Oo ::The chirp of his comm jolted him from the edge of melancholy.:: Anders: =/\= Commander Anders to Ens. Collins. =/\= ::Just what he needed. He tapped his badge, setting the PADD down on a nearby work table.:: Collins: =/\= Collins here, Commander. What can I do for you?=/\= Anders: =/\= I was wondering if you had a few minutes to stop by Crypto, I am having an issue that I could use your help with. =/\= ::He felt himself brighten. Crypto was the flash new designation that lab up on the Bridge had now. He had done a quick duty shift in there, but he hadn't seen it since CMMD. Anders had moved in and put it to the actual purpose it was built for. If anything it would be worth just a look around.:: Collins: =/\= Absolutely, Commander. I'm on my way.=/\= ::The line cut and Collins turned toward the main doorway of the Lab. He started to step forward, but saw the unmistakable frame of Mr. Terumak. The spiky Tellarite was in the middle of resetting a workstation, damaged in the ship contact. Quentin sighed quickly and stepped in time. Might as well go ahead and rip this bandage off now. He slipped in next to the petty officer on his way to the doorway and cleared his throat. After his instinctual huff when realizing who was talking to him, he continued his work.:: Terumak: Yeesir? Collins: I need you to finish up the materials inventory, Commander Anders needs me upstairs. ::He said pushing the PADD into the crewman's hand. He took it and started to look it over, surely scrolling for his mushrooms.:: Also, your mushrooms are dead. ::He started to look up to Quentin but he had already started stepping toward the door. Quentin heard only a sad scoff as he stepped.:: Collins: ::Calling over his shoulder:: I'm so sorry! When you mourn we all mourn! ::The silence of the corridor was a tonic.:: ((Interior: DECK 1. CRYPTO)) ::All awkwardness from his last encounter was blasted away as soon as he stepped into the lab. It was like a whole other compartment. Somehow sharper and keener, as the equipment gleamed and warbled silently, gathering intel. He instantly spied Commander Anders hunched over one of center consoles. He approached and stood at a loose attention.:: Collins: Commander. How may I assist? ::Maybe a touch formal, but it was better safe than sloppy.:: Anders: I am trying to get the sensors from all the different science departments to link with the Cipher so that it can analyze all data in an extreme situation and for some reason it will not stay linked. It will start the sync and then bump off. ::Quentin furrowed his brow.:: Collins: Well, that's frustrating. ::He motioned toward the console:: May I? Anders: RESPONSE ::Collins nodded and stepped up. Keying in his access codes, he quickly acclimated himself to the new streamlined interface. the Commander really had done a number in here and it was a sight to behold. Even better to actually work with it. He pulled up the synchronization reports and confirmed the Commander's assessment. But even more curious...:: Collins: It looks like all the labs' data streams have linked properly, but something keeps weighing down the whole sync Anders: RESPONSE Collins: I know, stating the obvious, right? Let me try and isolate the specifically unpaired system and then we can work from there. ::He pulled up all the available data streams to CRYPTO. The sheer amount of information was staggering. Almost intoxicating. But even it seemed to miss something to Quentin...:: Collins: Wait... Anders: RESPONSE Collins: I think I have something, sir. ::He tried to access Astrometrics and the computer blerped a denial.:: There we go! It's Astrometrics. My guess is the main scope arrays haven't been updated since you set up shop Anders: RESPONSE Collins: We can try to reboot remotely, but I'm guessing to get you and Astrometrics fully paired we would have to restart the whole eyeglass. But that's not really my school of thought as it were. ::As if by magic, Mr. Hayley stepped into the space.:: Collins: Ah! Mr. Hayley. Perfect timing! Anders/Hayley: RESPONSE TBC ENSIGN QUENTIN COLLINS III SCIENCE OFFICER U. S. S. EAGLE NCC-74659 E239512QC0

((OOC: @Maddi Hyden and @Kayla Drex captured the mood perfectly! I loved every second of reading this one! The wedding is going to be one heck tonne of fun to sim with you guys! ❤️ )) ((Maddi And Esa’s Quarters, Deck 3, USS Atlantis)) :: Maddi had been getting ready for her shift, but she had realized she was way too early. She smiled as a thought crossed her mind. She replicated a glass chocolate milk and activated a subspace communication and waited to see if there was a reply. :: ((USS Eagle, Kayla’s Quarters)) :: Kayla had been painting again. This new piece was so far without form or intention. The dark swirl of deep blues, black, and greens had only recently been interrupted by a shock of a splatter of metallic gold paint she’d wanted to experiment with. The tiny metallic flecks in the paint swirled in the solvent in the brush cup now. Kayla smiled as she watched the tiny whirlpool. Looking at her canvas, she smiled still wider. Some shining spots in a wash of bleak darkness. The painting was done. It didn’t need anything else in her mind, so she rinsed her brushes again and hung them carefully to dry. :: No sooner had she washed her hands than she heard the terminal on her desk chirp, indicating an incoming subspace message. Curious, she plopped down into her chair and tapped to complete the connection. The smiling face that greeted her was one she’d seen so many times while at the Academy, but hadn’t seen in over six months.:: Drex: =/\= Maddi! Hi! How in the galaxy are you? =/\= :: Maddi hadn’t seen the face in a very long time, but it made her so happy to see such an old friend. Kayla had been there for her when Esa couldn’t and she had become rather fond of the conversations. :: Hyden: =/\= Kayla my old friend! I’m doing rather well I have some big news to tell you, but first I have to ask you. How have you been? =/\= Drex: =/\= I’ve … well, to be perfectly honest, I haven’t been great. =/\= :: Kayla then explained how her Momma had passed, the doubts she’d been feeling in the sudden absence, and the new resolve she had started to feel settling in her heart and mind.:: Drex: ::realizing she’d been talking uninterrupted for the last 10 minutes:: =/\= … but that’s about it. What’s this news? You getting another promotion or something? =/\= Hyden: =/\= Wait a minute. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. For one she raised a strong young woman who made my time at the Academy that much easier. Don’t ever doubt yourself Kayla your worth more than you’ll ever know to me and so many others! They say your resolve makes you stronger and in your case I think you could be so much stronger out of all this. :: Maddi stopped for a minute looking at Kayla who looked like she was going to cry. :: Look K I’ve always been her for you though it’s been so long keep your head up if anyone can get through this it’s you. :: She paused again and decided it was time. :: However to answer your question. I proposed to Esa and she said yes and well I want you to be in the wedding if...that’s something you’d want? Drex: ::beat:: =/\= Wait … you WHAT!? =/\= ::The sound that Kayla then made might have only been audible to Mandy (Chloe’s dog, probably sleeping until that moment in the quarters across the hall). She alternated between clapping her hands, flailing in excitement, and covering her face to wipe away the happy tears that now streamed from her eyes.:: Drex: =/\= Maddi, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you both! Congratulations! And YES! OF COURSE! I’d love to be in your wedding! Have you two set a date yet? Can I help with anything? ohmygoshohmygoshohmyGOSH! This is so exciting! =/\= ::Kayla beamed at the small screen, Maddi’s face beamed back at her. As excited as Kayla was, it was obvious - and fitting - that Maddi was even more excited. Kayla had met Esa back at the Academy. She’d helped Esa bring a pretty dismal grade in Temporal Mechanics up to a respectable B-. There was one thing Kayla was certain of: Esa and Maddi were a perfect match.:: Hyden: =/\= Not exactly our plans are for our next shore leave, but we aren’t sure yet. Well I know one thing you can do. Get your maid of honor speech ready. :: She paused for effect. :: I think you know what that means. =/\= :: Maddi looked at Kayla and could tell she was beyond excited. She smiled it was a decision that she had not made lightly. Jo and Kayla were the only two she had even thought about for the honor, but Kayla had done so much for her and she knew what Maddi had been through. Maddi felt as though Kayla deserved the honor. :: :: Kayla stared at the screen, mouth agape, and blinked a couple times while this latest request set in. :: Drex: =/\= Maddi … =/\= :: Then the penny dropped. She would have to remember to apologize to Chloe later for torturing her poor dog. The squeals coming from Kayla’s quarters caught a passing crewman off-guard. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the closed door, wondering if he should call security. Kayla’s squeals turned into fits of delighted laughter though, so he shrugged and continued on his way. :: Drex: =/\= Maddi, I would. Absolutely. LOVE. to be your Maid of Honor. Thank you so much for asking me! I’m really honored and touched. =/\= :: Kayla took a breath, thinking immediately about how many ways she could make this special day even more celebratory. :: Drex: =/\= Bachelorette party. I’ve got some ideas for how to make that work. Don’t worry, it’s not going to be anything crazy or risque. I know that’s not really your scene. I want to help you with anything and everything you need. You just let me know, ok? I’m your girl. I got you. Need me to mess up a baker trying to overcharge for the cake? Just point me in the punk’s direction. ::another small scream of glee:: GAH! Maddi! This is gonna be so FUN!!!! =/\= Hyden: =/\= You better not go crazy. You know I don’t like crazy things in party’s you learned that at the Academy. Well I’ll make sure Esa and I keep you in the loop. :: She smiled. :: =/\= ::Kayla blushed. It had been the only time she tried going to a “wild Academy party,” and she’d dragged Maddi along. It … hadn’t gone well, and Kayla didn’t try another party after that. :: Drex: =/\= No worries. It’ll be totally … you. =/\= ::The girls talked a bit longer, Maddi telling Kayla about the proposal, Kayla gasping at all the right parts of the story. This was going to be a lot of fun.:: END

A wonderful reunion - truly a joy to read from @Sal Taybrim & @Theo Whittaker ((Ready Room - Deck One - USS Columbia)) ((Time Index: Two days after Columbia leaves the Spiral Nebula)) ::From the porthole in his ready room, Theo watched the Columbia slipping into orbit of Delta Vega I, slowly gently rolling into place until the orb of the red-brown planet appeared as a slim crescent across the bottom of the narrow window. He sipped his chamomile tea as he felt the tension of the past day evaporating from his body. Kaironn was in custody, the ancient Tkon relics were back in the hands of those who would not abuse them (although the question of where they would be studied- aboard Columbia or on Dehner Base) remained ‘up in the air’) and he had reached an understanding with Professor Sellards- albeit a tenuous one. Yet he had not been able to relax until that moment.:: ::He could, in short, rest easy again.:: Pran: =/\= Bridge to Captain Whittaker. We have entered orbit of Delta Vega I.=/\= ::came the voice of the Security Officer. =/\=And I also have Fleet Captain Taybrim on subspace.=/\= ::That brought a warm smile to Theo’s face and he turned from the porthole and set the tea cup down on his desk. Word had reached him courtesy of a subspace data burst from Starfleet Command that his former Captain, mentor and close friend had recieved a well deserved (and much overdue, in Theo’s eyes) promotion to Fleet Captain. Even after a year, Theo missed the Betazoid commanding officer of StarBase 118. Given Columbia’s distant assignment, the chances for the two of them to talk were limited. But this was one conversation that he would have moved heaven and earth to have.:: Whittaker: =/\= Thank you, Lieutenant. =/\= ::he replied, sinking in to the comfortable, high backed chair behind the desk. =/\= Transfer the Fleet Captain through to my ready room.=/\= Pran: =/\= Aye sir. =/\= :: she closed the channel at the same time that his desktop monitor activated, the symbol of Starfleet’s Communications Research Division displayed up on it.:: ::The symbol was very quickly replaced by the smiling visage, ginger hair and twinkling black eyes of a man that Theo respected as one of the fleet’s greatest captains and loved like a brother. His smile, already wide, transformed into a proud grin as his eyes fell on the thin gold bar below the four rank pips attached to the red collar of his uniform.:: Whittaker: Hello Sal! ::he said, his joy and pride drenching his every word.:: Congratulations! Taybrim: =/\= Hello Theo! =/\= ::Sal has that same open, warm smile that Theo remembered:: Whittaker: ::with a snicker, he could not help but add:: Does this mean Mirra can punch you in the face now? ::Two years before Mirra- never one to hold back with her opinion- had struck Commodore Allan Kinney, the corrupt Sector Commander who had been spreading disinformation against the crew of StarBase 118. He had been in the pocket of the resurgent Orion Syndicate who were attempting to gain a foothold in the Trinity Sector and once uncovered, Mirra had taken matters into her own hand. It had become something of a local legend in that part of space- not to mention a running joke between Taybrim, Theo and his Diplomatic Officer.:: Taybrim: ::Sal clicked his tongue at Whittaker:: =/\= I’m not a Commodore… yet =/\= ::Dark eyes sparkled, he was amused by that.:: =/\= But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit! =/\= Whittaker: If only I could, old friend. Columbia is exploring the very edge of the galaxy and we don’t have a transport ship due to visit Dehner Base for two weeks I’m afraid! We are even too far out to use real-time holo-communication technology. ::he said ruefully, remembering how Captain Brell of the Atlantis had utilised it to great effect for his own promotion party.:: So I’m afraid, good old fashioned subspace communications will have to suffice for now. ::Sal gave a soft smile. He understood the limitations - which was regrettable and yet realistic. Then again he had largely eschewed a party as well. He had attended many ostentatious parties and despite the fact that he was a social butterfly, Sal Taybrim was also not an attention-seeking personality. A small formal affair was enough.:: Taybrim: =/\= Subspace communication works fine. Though I still think you should come back and pay a visit. Not for an occasion, just for old times sake. =/\= ::He smiled gently, light sparkling in his dark eyes.:: Whittaker: I promise that the next time I take shore leave- forced or voluntarily- I will pay you visit on my way to wherever I end up. ::he chuckled.:: How is the station doing these days? Scuttlebutt around the fleet is that you got an invitation to go targ hunting? ::he had a hard time picturing Sal Taybrim hunting the small Klingon beasties.:: Was Admiral Hauke punishing you? ::he added with a smirk.:: Taybrim: =/\= Oh, no. We were targ hunting by invitation. =/\= ::he smiled mysteriously:: =/\= You know all that fancy diplomatic stuff including gagh and bloodwine and targs. It was invigorating!=/\= Whittaker: I’ve seen images of targ hunts in books before and… the smell alone…. ::he said with a mock shiver.:: Maybe I transferred elsewhere at the right time. ::his eyes twinkled with mirth.:: Taybrim: =/\= Well, yes it did take a few sonic showers to get the smell of wet targ out. But with enough bloodwine you start thinking that eau de targ is a good combination!=/\= ::he grinned merrily.:: Whittaker: You know that bloodwine and I do not get along! ::this time the shiver was authentic. StarBase 118 had a Klingon drinking establishment known as The Bat’leth and there had been one rather heavy night there…… he didn’t like to think about it.:: Taybrim: =/\= You know scuttlebutt around the fleet says you are dealing with more pirates…=/\= ::Not just pirates. More pirates.:: ::Theo sat back in his chair and nodded. It had only been a few days since the situation with Kaironn had come to its conclusion and while life aboard Columbia had all but returned to normal, the events of New Years Day were still fresh in everyone’s minds.:: Whittaker: Sometimes, Sal, I fear that my lot in life is to spend my days rounding up marauding criminals. ::beat.:: The scuttlebutt is correct, although there were nowhere near the level of Chennel, thank goodness. They stole some archeological samples from Dehner Base and ambushed us. Took out a fair few of our systems before we could respond. ::That got the ginger Betazoid’s brows perked. Archaeological samples? Who stole Archaeological samples? That was something he thought of as quite the mystery to be solved.:: Taybrim: =/\= What happened after you engaged? =/\= Whittaker: We managed to retrieve the samples after we chased them to a nearby Nebula and we’ve now got their Captain in our brig. ::it felt good to be able to say that.:: All is well that ends well, no? Taybrim: =/\= Hopefully! =/\= ::he said optimistically:: =/\= My curious question would be - why did they want archaeological samples? Whittaker: They were intending to sell them on the local black market, I imagine. ::He worded himself carefully, not entirely sure whether he should divulge the nature of Professor Jev’s relics. He knew that Sal would not go off shouting his mouth about the discovery of several artefacts from one of the galaxy’s most advanced races- but had still yet to hear from Starfleet Command about how they wanted to proceed with them. If they wanted to suppress their true nature (Theo could not blame them given how fearsome Tkon technology had been)- then he did not want to get on their bad side by detailing everything to Sal.:: Taybrim: =/\= Curious, indeed. =/\= ::he nodded, considering the information:: =/\= Maybe I’m paranoid because of that big imposing intel tower in my attic. =/\= ::he took the opportunity to laugh a little at himself. He wasn’t by nature a paranoid person, but he never did trust criminals - especially after Chennel.:: ::He smiled at that, thinking about how Aitas- 118’s current Chief of Intelligence had managed to integrate the Intelligence Tower into the daily life of the station, rather than remaining hidden in shadows. Of course, operational security was a necessity and those not cleared to enter the tower did not gain access but the Tower worked much closer with Ops than ever before.:: Whittaker: Aitas is not that bad. ::he chuckled.:: How is the station? Any big developments? Is Mrs. Anders still prowling about? ::he suppressed a shiver at the memory of the terrifying woman who had almost become his mother-in-law. Taybrim: =/\= Oh, not too much has changed =/\= ::he chuckled:: =/\= Taelon returned to us… after a sticky trip through time. El-Aurians… =/\= ::he shook his head:: ::Theo straightened in his chair at that little morsel of information. He and Taelon had been almost involved prior to his assignment to the Blackwell, although it had ended prematurely- not to mention poorly, as Theo had no idea how to broach the subject.:: Whittaker: Oh... Taybrim: ::Carefully, speaking gently:: =/\= He has a daughter now… =/\= Whittaker: ::he blinked several times before responding.:: Oh… ::he repeated.:: I did not see that coming. ::he shook his head.:: H-How is he….? ::he almost did not want to know.:: Taybrim: =/\=He is OK. Surprisingly good for living on a Klingon ship for a decade.=/\= ::Sal’s tone said there was more to that story, but it was more in the sense that it was likely better said face to face with strong drinks. Which was a luxury that wasn’t always available to Starfleet officers.:: ::A Klingon ship for over a decade. Theo knew there was more to the story that Sal was willing to let on, which made him wonder whether Taelon had been treated well by the Empire… he hoped that he had, but realised that it would not be as cut and dried as that.:: Whittaker: I see.. ::he said slowly.:: Send him my best when you get a moment, would you? I know that I did not treat him well after my departure from the station-, but I want nothing but the best for him and his daughter. ::he meant that- every word.:: ::Sal smiled gently at that:: Taybrim: =/\=I know, and I will tell him=/\= ::he paused and allowed the moment to linger before spekaing:: =/\= How have you been, Theo? How is the Columbia? =/\= Whittaker: There is plenty new with Columbia besides pirates.. ::he said, glad to be moving on from the topic of Taelon.:: Uprated sensors, new laboratories… she’s practically a whole new ship. She’s a testbed for the Nebula-class becoming long range exploration and reconnaissance vessels. ::beat:: No wonder they put me in the big chair, being an engineer. ::he chuckled.:: Taybrim: =/\=I’m so very glad that the Columbia is a leading ship in the fleet again=/\= ::he smiled fondly. They both had good memories of the Columbia, though the ship had always been Theo’s baby.:: Whittaker: As am I, Sal. As am I. I still have to pinch myself whenever I think that Starfleet gave her to me- but I’m sure that will pass. ::he smiled.:: Taybrim: =/\= But, more to the point, how are you, Theo? Personally how are things? How is Mirra treating you?=/\= Whittaker: I don’t think she likes the fact that she’s no longer cleared to tamper with my replicator now she is serving as a diplomat. ::he chortled at that.:: I’m doing well on the whole. I feel more comfortable in the centre seat than I ever have before- even if I could do without Professor Sellards from Dehner Base breathing fire every time we clash. ::that made his smile falter.:: But I am hopeful that we’ve reached some sort of understanding. Taybrim: =/\= Oh, really? =/\= ::he prodded gently for more information.:: ::He sat back in his chair and looked away from the screen for several seconds before he looked back at the ginger haired man on his desktop monitor.:: Whittaker: She doesn’t trust us and she kept some rather crucial information about the archeological samples hidden until one of her colleagues revealed their true nature. ::he hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should divulge the situation with Sellards- deciding he needed to vent to a neutral party, he pressed on.:: Her uncle was involved in the Pegasus disaster and lost his life. It essentially tore her family apart and she has spent a great deal of time resenting Starfleet. We’ve clashed a number of times over operational concerns, although I’m hopeful that our encounter with the pirates has made her see that Starfleet isn’t just a group of moustache-twirling villains who operate in the shadows. Taybrim: =/\= Starfleet is a very varied organization and you have the chance to show her the very best side of it =/\= ::he said with a smile of encouragement.:: Whittaker: If she will let us. ::despite their acrimonious beginning, Theo remained hopeful that he could prove to her that Starfleet was not the organisation she thought she was. Taybrim: =/\= Of course it will take time. But if she values honestly, and steadfast support she’ll find no better crew than you and yours.=/\= Whittaker: That’s most kind of you to say so, Sal. ::he was about to reply when a message flashed up in the corner of his screen. With a frown and a sigh he realised that he was needed elsewhere and that he would have to end the call with his dear friend.:: Looks like I have a staff meeting I need to oversee. I hate to cut this short, but you know what it’s like at the top. ::he smiled at the Betazoid.:: Next time I’m back in Federation space- I’ll be dropping by to see how the old girl is doing. Take care of yourself, Sal. ::Theo leaned forward and terminated the call. For a second, he thought fondly of the man who had helped to mould him into the Captain he was. How far he had come since Sal Taybrim had lured him to the darkened engine room of the Columbia and asked him to jump off the proverbial cliff! They had been through much together and out of it had blossomed a wonderful, much cherished friendship. Theo was proud for his dear friend. Fleet Captain… nobody deserved it more.:: ::And with that moment passed, Theo got to his feet and headed to his staff meeting, and wondered what misadventures the twinkling black eyes of Sal Taybrim would find themselves in next.:: -- Captain Theo M. Whittaker Commanding Officer USS Columbia NCC 85279 ID: C239203TW0 & Fleet Captain Sal Taybrim Commanding Officer StarBase 118 Operations

This was a very creative b-plot on the part of our Engineering and Medical team. Chief Engineer Harkrow really did an amazing job at developing the creature and its interactions with the teams and its environment. It was such a fun read. ((Sickbay, Deck 4, USS Montreal)) ::So far, Roraemey considered, this was shaping up to be a very bad orbit. Or, at least, an extremely confusing, unlikely, and frightening one. The entire period had been a string of new and strange experiences, each more bizarre than the last; she was almost certain that, should she actually manage to find the nahe nefile again and return alive, almost none in the fi would believe her tale.:: ((FLASHBACK: Space, In Orbit of Karakka)) ::She had been away from the nahe nefile, the nest-ship, for more than eight orbits, searching the asteroids for the materials her fi needed: lasif sevo, the frozen rock that they split into the gasses that fed the nahe and melted for moisture; lasif viamali, the red-black oxide that would smelt to make hull metal and would radiate roy nisifaor when exposed to the roy vunisifaor of a nearby star; rua vilayi, the heavy ore that seemed to produce its own roy nisifaor for a thousand orbits. This, at least, was perfectly natural. She was Roraemey Naf, after all, the far-flyer of her fi. But when she’d returned to the place in the asteroid field where the nahe nefile had been hidden, it was not there; instead, a massive blocky ship had hung in the space between the rocks, radiating roy nisifaor into the void. A rosivuh rur ship.:: ::Roraemey had heard stories of the rosivuh rur, the life-eaters, almost since the day she’d been shed from her mother’s hip. Massive beasts from the bottoms of the great gravity wells, they could not fly the void themselves, but rose to space in great ships that could cross the gulfs between the stars faster than any Suyuyan nahe nefile ever had. The rosivuh rur could not sustain themselves on roy, neither roy nisifaor, the light-that-is-food that sustained the Suyuy, nor roy vunisifaor, the light that aided sight but brought no sustenance. Instead, they consumed the flesh of the living, of plants and other beasts, and the stories said that their ships glowed with roy nisifaor in order to lure careless Suyuy into their waiting maws.:: ::She had fled from the ship, stretching her body wide to catch the pressure of the star’s roy and sail away from the pocket in the asteroid field, but just as she’d accelerated to a wider orbit another rosivuh rur ship had appeared as if from thin vacuum directly in her path, and she felt the star’s roy slacken almost to nothing as a shimmering barrier of roy vunisifaor appeared around the ship. For a moment, she’d panicked, nearly throwing herself into the barrier, but only for a moment. The life of any Roraemey Naf was bound to be one with dangers and challenges; she would simply have to enter the ship of the rosivuh rur, find the machine creating the barrier, and disable it.:: ::It had taken her only a little time to find a place in the hull of the ship where she could press her body between the hull plates and slide through. Once inside, though, she found herself disoriented. The rosivuh rur had brought their gravity well with them, somehow, and she felt the weight of it constantly pulling her to one side as she stuck to a surface. The atmosphere was warm and oppressively thick, as well, making every sound loud enough to sting her fronds, though there were at least enough of the right gasses in the air that she could allow her skin to respire. Moving as fast as she dared, avoiding the loud, lumbering beasts she could hear well beyond her ability to see, she explored the ship. Most of what she saw was mysterious to her: winding corridors connecting to other smaller corridors, a wide space that held nothing but a deep pool of liquid lasif sevo, a room with several soft-surfaced platforms and a wide variety of biological devices that somehow reminded her of the nest of Fulli Ie on the nahe nefile.:: ::Eventually, though, she found what she was looking for: a machine, pulsing with roy vunisifaor in time with the barrier that surrounded the ship. Carefully, she wrapped herself around it, probing to feel how it might be disabled, but then a blast of roy overwhelmed her senses, blinding and stunning her, her body wracked with pain and convulsing with the energy that pulsed through it.:: ::When she regained her senses, she found she was no longer alone. There, just beyond the end of the passageway, were two of the rosivuh rur. They were still, though they made soft noises at each other, and their massive bodies glowed with roy nisifaor. It was no wonder they could not take it in; they were already suffused with it. She stared at the pair, waiting for them to make a move either toward or away from her, and when a third crashed down between the other two with a deafening thud, she shouted a nusay at them and fled, blind and still in great pain, down the corridor away from them. In her flight, she briefly alighted on something warm and soft, and she found the sensation of it intensely comforting before she realized that she’d alighted on one of the beasts themselves and continued her panicked dash. Seeking something, anything familiar, she made for the medical room she’d seen before.:: ((END FLASHBACK)) ::But when she’d arrived, she’d only found herself deeper in the same trouble she’d hoped to escape, as a smaller roy barrier had sprung up around her, trapping her. Another pair of the rosivuh rur were there, outside the barrier, one drawn up to full height and another in a more relaxed position, close to the downward surface. As she watched them, more of the beasts entered, moving slowly. They seemed to be observing her in return, though their fronds seemed strange and lifeless, either hanging limp or bundled together or pressed flat against their strange upward appendages. Frustrated and scared, she made the loudest, most grating noises she could manage at them, hoping to frighten or at least startle them.:: ::It seemed to have little effect, though after a moment she began to hear sounds coming from the creatures. One of them, the one close to the ground, slowly reached an appendage toward her. The motion seemed… gentle. Perhaps even kind? Above, the other beasts roared at each other, but this one only reached out toward her. Then, the creature… spoke?:: Bailey: ::Whispers to the creature:: I understand you. I know how you feel. ::The words meant nothing she could understand, but the tone, the cadence… that was speech. Gingerly, she tried to reproduce the creature’s gesture toward her, extending a frond in the direction of the low rosivuh rur. The large one moved toward her, though, and directed a roar at her that made her flinch.:: Harkrow: My name is Lieutenant Jacob Harkrow, of the Federation Starship Montreal. Can you understand me? ::Although, now that she’d heard speech from the one creature, she could just recognize some of the same patterns in the roaring. What that also speech? Did the rosivuh rur roar at each other to communicate?:: Roraemey: Yufa nasero re? Vunsivuar viyufa namu re? (You can speak? You use spoken language?) ::Or, at least, that was what she’d intended to say, but she’d gotten her fronds so worked into knots that she’d mostly said gibberish. The second sentence had come out something closer to “place which is to this one a place similar what is”. Total nonsense, but the rosivuh rur responded to it. The low creature reached out toward her again.:: Sotak: ::reading from her attempt at understanding the language:: “Yufa identity?” “place of my being?” Apologies, I just tried a different pattern and I believe that the sound that reads as “yufa” could be translated to “person”, but the creature does not know that concept, so it could be the term to refer to the individual in a species. Bailey: I think the creature understands more than it can tell us. Harkrow: Oh, I think that’s an understatement. Sotak: Indeed, it is can be interpreted in more usual terms as “What is your identity?” or “Who are you?” as is more casual. As to the second question, it not-so-literally translates to “Where am I?” ::raising a considering eyebrow:: It is rather obviously confused. Bailey: It’s scared. It wonders why it was being caged. Harkrow: Only natural. Any thoughts on how to continue? Sotak: I suggest you continue trying to communicate. It is the only way I can create a complete language matrix. Bailey: It doesn’t want to communicate with words. Harkrow: ::Looking over at Bailey:: Do you have another suggestion, Ensign? ::The stream of nonsensical speech between the rosivuh rur paused after the large one addressed the low one. Then the low one extended a pair of appendages to grasp a pair of long assemblies of refined rua, and used them to push itself away from the surface. Or tried to, struggled to push upward against the unnatural gravity.:: ::The gravity. A flash of insight struck Roraemay; this creature, like her, did not live in a gravity well like the one the ship carried. The assemblies she grasped, and the ones attached to her other appendages, were intended to hold her up like the other rosivuh rur, but they weren’t doing what they were supposed to. If she could show the creature she understood it…:: Harkrow: Hold on, it’s doing something. Ensign, you might- Sotak: Response ::Roraemay slithered forward, wrapping herself around the lower appendages of the rosivuh rur. The sensation was unusual to say the very least, but also somehow comforting. Though, admittedly, the fact that the creature was feeding her a continuous source of roy nisifaor might have had something to do with that. She settled herself around the creature, feeling how the limbs might move, how they might function.:: Bailey: ::Face pressed to the ground:: Don’t come any closer. ::As if talking to the creature:: I’m going to try and stand back up now. Harkrow: Just… be careful. And if it hurts you, hollar. Sotak: Response ::The creature began pushing itself upright again, and Roraemay let it show her how it wanted to move, using the strength of her own body to enhance that of the creature, pushing up its core and out along the other limbs. The feeling was familiar, almost like piloting the nahe nefile, guiding him even as he told her how he wanted to go. Balancing the rosivuh rur against gravity just like she balanced the nahe on the curve of the roy funvi iroy. As they rose, she hummed to the creature, just as she hummed to the heart of the nahe to keep him calm when the space storms were at their strongest.:: Bailey: It think it’s used to a symbiotic relationship. Harkrow: Let’s hope so. Sotak: Response ::Roraemey felt the roy nisifaor from the creature’s body intensify slightly as it moved, in a way that suggested it was testing how it could move. It seemed to approve, for it set the assemblies it had picked up aside, relying on Roraemey to hold it up. Roraemey hummed her encouragement.:: ::It felt oddly freeing to have the creature as almost a second exoskeleton around her body. She didn’t feel off balance or stiff, able, for the first time since needing them, to put her crutches down and stand with the life forms assistance. Sheila had a wide smile on her face as she felt the creature humming as well as breathing against her back.:: Bailey: I have an idea for an attempt at communication but I suggest that one of you go grab Solok so he can be present and observe. Harkrow:...sure, I’ll do that, and Ensign Sotak can stay here and keep an eye on the translator. ::He looked at Sotak.:: And on Ensign Bailey. Sotak: Response ::Roraemey felt the creature draw in a breath, as though preparing to speak, but what came out was...:: Bailey: O mio babbino caro (O my dear papa) ::This… this was as big a shock as the speech had been. These creatures understood not just linguistics, but harmonics as well. They weren’t just beasts, not even smart beasts, they were… Suyuy. Non-Suyuy Suyuy, somehow. She matched her pitch and tone to the creature, and then, still not sure if they would understand, she introduced herself.:: Roraemey: Mivon say Siniun Nunviv say Fi Nahe say Roraemey Naf isi erili luh. (I am named Far-Flyer from the Ship Family from the Eighth Child from the Root.) ::And then, because her fear still wasn’t entirely gone, she added a petition.:: Roraemey: Rev felim ruvinir vusivuh lun luh. (I humbly ask you not to eat me.) Harkrow: ::glancing at Sotak:: You get any of that? Sotak/Solok/Bailey: Response TAG/TBC ---------- Mivon say Siniun Nunviv say Fi Nahe say Roraemey Naf (Far-Flyer from the Ship Family from the Eighth Child from the Root) ---------- As Simmed By: ---------- Lieutenant Jacob Harkrow Chief Engineer USS Montreal NCC-64927 ---------- M239510JH0

((Beta Quadrant, Par'tha Expanse, USS Atlantis, Deck 5, Sickbay)) :: The entire trip on the Illa'vareia had been brief from his reckoning, as the Al-Leyan had spent the vast majority of it unconscious. Even then, under sedation he had a listless slumber. Tossing and turning until restraint fields were put in place to keep him from falling out of the bed as nightmares consumed his sleep. Though the storm wrought on his mind by the device implanted harshly into the back of his neck had abated, the psychological trauma he'd faced at the hands of a cold and calculating RoLF had been extensive. :: ((TRS Torment - Nightmare)) :: Toryn awoke with a start and he was back on board the Torment. The sickeningly familiar crimson glow of the force field and the cold, red eyes of his torturer stared at him as he was restrained to the wall of the cell by those magnetically enforced bands around his limbs. The machine stared at him studying him. Beside the RoLF was a familiar, blue skinned figure. Brell stood beside him, looking just as weary as he felt himself. Like he had when Toryn rescued him off the bridge of the asteroid ship. The Bolian stared at him. :: Nightmare Brell: Commander. You acted recklessly and put yourself in danger. Your actions endangered the entire ship and crew. I'm disappointed in you. :: The interrogator RoLF made a gesture and the electrical field activated but this time it didn't strike him. Toryn watched as the electricity coursed through Brell, the screams of whom mixed with his own as he watched his Commanding officer turn to dust from the discharge. Then he felt the bite of the current touch him and he cried out. Only to black out. :: ((USS Atlantis, Sickbay)) :: Tossing a bit, he screamed out, voicing his agony in the nightmare induced by the trauma he'd endured and the sedatives keeping him asleep. Unaware of those around him, conscious or otherwise as he felt himself snap awake again. :: ((TRS Torment - Nightmare)) :: He jolted awake, still in that damned cell, still with that damned RoLF. This time Several other Atlanteans were arranged around the cell in front of him, all bound as he was and facing him. Logan. McKnight. Maeli. Knight. They all stared at him, a mix of contempt and fear in their expressions. :: Nightmare Knight: You had to know we'd try to come for you. ::His prosthetic eye glowed the same cold red as the RoLF's:: You doomed us all. Nightmare McKnight: You failed to save the Captain. You doomed us all. Nightmare Logan: You doomed us all. ::His cybernetic arm was a solid disruptor, like the other RoLF's had been:: Nightmare Maeli: You destroyed my mind. You doomed us all. All four in unison: You doomed us all. :: Again the torturer robot gestured and the cell's torture field activated. Shredding all four of them with the same intense, insane current of power. They all turned to ash in front of him and he screamed as the current hit him next. :: ((USS Atlantis, Sickbay, several hours later)) :: Toryn's screams once more echoed through the room before a gentle hand was placed over his mouth and a hiss of a hypospray against his neck sent him back into a deep slumber. He almost thought he heard a familiar voice sobbing. :: ((TRS Torment - Nightmare )) :: Toryn gasped sharply as he came to consciousness, being pulled from his dream of being back on board the Atlantis, under the care of the lavender haired Antosian nurse. And he instantly wished he hadn't. The RoLF was there again, but this time the person bound beside him made his breath catch in his throat. The scruffy beard, disheveled hair and perpetually grumpy expression was unmistakable. Dermont. Valin, his best friend. They'd served in the Academy together. They'd bonded over this last year and a half. Toryn had helped rescue the man's son from some less than savory sorts who tried to murder him. Not Valin. He couldn't do this. But his voice would come, like he had been robbed of speech. :: Nightmare Dermont: Ya damned fool. Ye've doomed us. I'll never get ta see me boy again! My Brie! Yer no friend!! :: Toryn shook his head violently, as much as the restraint on his neck would permit as the RoLF gestured and he watched in abject horror as Valin was subjected to millions of amps. Couldn't close his eyes no matter how much he wanted to. He watched his best friend turn to ash before him, the thermos at his side melting from the intense heat. As the blackness consumed him again he welcomed it, he couldn't stop screaming, or sobbing. :: ((USS Atlantis, Sickbay, several hours later)) :: Ragged of voice, he could barely scream and were it not for the restraint field he'd have flung himself out of the biobed, but there was the sensation of presences around him. At least two, they had always been there, but were different as if several individuals had taken turns keeping watch over him. :: ((TRS Torment - Nightmare)) :: A whine of defeat erupted from him when he awoke once more, once more with a start from the peace and calm of Atlantis' sickbay to his reality. This torturous hell he'd been enduring for months. As he looked up Toryn instantly wished he could gouge out his own eyes. The RoLF, Ceti stood in the center of the cell before him, on either side, bound by the same metal rings were the last two he'd ever hope to see in this place. To Ceti's right was the raven haired, slightly pointy eared and beautiful Romulan he'd served with for nearly two years. The first woman since leaving Leya-I he'd fallen for, an alien, someone he, by his own culture should be repulsed by having such inclinations but he wasn't a normal Al-Leyan. Toryn felt himself sobbing immediately, then drew his gaze to the RoLF's left and felt his throat clench at the sight of the an equally familiar blonde. Ears pointed slightly less so than his own, the familiar reflective sheen to her eyes would be unmistakable to anyone familiar with their species, he knew those blue eyes well. He'd stared into them long enough. Lael Rosek, the only other woman he loved and couldn't have was bound and staring at him. He felt as though he would crack in half even before either spoke up. :: Nightmare Serala: You told me you wouldn't let me fail to keep my promise, Toryn. You're a failure. ::Ceti handed a familiar dathe'anofv-sen to her and she took it:: I could never love you. You let me die. You doomed us all. :: Toryn fought desperately to say something, but as before no voice came forth and his gaze was drawn to Lael. :: Nightmare Rosek: Toryn, I'm glad I left you when I did. You ruin everything around you. And even those not. Our link. You've been making my life miserable while you've been here. I can feel it. I thought I'd be free once you're gone, but now you've doomed me too. I see now I could never love you. ::Her beautiful eyes turned red:: You doomed us all. :: The RoLF gestured and he watched in horror as Serala thrust the honor blade into her chest, a moment before the electrical current filled the room more vibrantly than before. The two women he loved evaporated into ash in what felt like hours, their screams filling his ears and when the void of blackness consumed him again he hoped he would'nt ever wake up again. :: ((Deck 5, Sickbay, USS Atlantis, an hour after Dermont's arrival)) :: Toryn jolted awake, screaming for Lael and Serala and felt a hard, invisible force keeping him to the biobed. It was a biobed, not a table. It was certainly softer. There was no red glow, only the bright white illumination of a Federation starship. A familiar one. The Al-Leyan stared up at the ceiling. The Mission Specialist was exhausted, despite having been asleep since his rescue little of it had been restful. He shuddered and felt discomfort on his cheeks, the dried remains of tears, he wanted to cry more but he had none left. A shadow loomed over him and Toryn turned his head to look up at the source and his eyes widened with a mix of surprise, confusion and elation at seeing his dear friend Dermont staring down at him in all of his scruffy glory. :: Raga: Va..::His voice was raspy and he had to cough and swallow a few times to speak:: Valin...Is that really you? Dermont: response Raga: Had...to ask...I've seen you die too many times...I don't know what's real...and what's a dream. Dermont: response :: Toryn definitely felt it, despite his body's dense structure the man had landed a square and hardy strike on him. He coughed and nodded. :: Raga: Ow. Dermont: response Raga: Please..tell me we didn't loose anyone. If anyone died trying to bring me back....::His voice trailed off, but the look in his cerulean eyes conveyed the Al-Leyan would consider that a poor trade:: Dermont: response ========================================================= Lieutenant Commander Toryn Raga Mission Specialist USS Atlantis NCC-74682 PodCast Team Atlantis Staff Member Writer ID: A239410TR0 https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga @Toryn Raga This was incredible it shows what torture can do to a person's mind! You did an excellent job at conveying the fear and pain. It may not be a joyous post, but it was very well written!

This is a compilation of several sims by @Geoffrey Teller, showing his first time in the Big Chair. Some edits have been made to include responses from others. ((Bridge, USS Veritas)) Rahman: =/\= Bridge to Dr. del Vedova. =/\= del Vedova: =/\= ::terse:: Del, go ahead. =/\= Rahman: =/\= Del, we’ve just beamed aboard the survivors of the Solaris, including its captain, Commander Wynter. =/\= ::Teller was glad to know the Captain of the Solaris had made it. He had fought his ship well and probably prevented the destruction of the Vertias. Teller hoped he could buy the man a drink someday soon.:: del Vedova: =/\= We'll be ready =/\= Rahman: =/\= I’ll be down there shortly. Bridge out. =/\= ::She looked over at Delano, Kelrod, DeVeau, and Orrey.:: Rahman: You four with me. ::She turned to Teller.:: Mr. Teller, you have the conn. Focus on damage control and check in with Commander Moonsong and Lieutenant G’var on their progress with the computer core. Teller: ::Teller gulped hard.:: Aye ma'am. I'll keep your seat warm. ::Teller stood from the Engineering station as The Captain, XO, and rest of the senior staff filed into the turbolift. As the doors closed, Teller looked suspiciously at the Captain's chair, as if it were a dangerous animal that would bite him given the smallest provocation. Suddenly the bridge seemed enormous and Teller himself felt very small. His dreams of some day being in command had never included a damaged ship in dangerous space surrounded by unknown enemies while their one escort burned in space nearby. Hesitantly, Teller sat in the Big Chair for the very first time.:: Teller: oO Stop daydreaming, there's work to do. Oo Teller: Ops, drop our alert condition to Yellow and continue coordinating with the damage control teams - have them prioritize tactical systems until further notice, the Tholians that hit us were less than 5% of the force that suddenly went missing. You see anything else on sensors, bring us back to Red immediately. Helm, move us clear of the debris field, we don't need any more scratches on the hull. Once we're clear, give me a slow orbit of the area and keep an eye out for anything moving. ::With that done, Teller tried to formulate a list of all the things the ship and crew needed him to be on top of for the next few minutes. As his shoulders tightened, he realized this was the most uncomfortable chair he had ever sat in.:: ((Later)) //Ships Log, Supplemental, Chief Engineer Geoffrey Teller Reporting// It has been two hours since the Tholian attack and the destruction of the Solaris. Our damage control teams continue to mend the ship as the medical staff attend to the wounded from both crews. We haven't seen any sign of Tholian reinforcements yet but the ship remains at yellow alert. The wreckage of the Tholian ships that we've been able to analyze is baffling - many show signs of recent battle damage that we can't account for, and as far as we can tell, not a single one of them was crewed. We haven't been able to locate any Tholian remains in the debris field and the energy signature of the ships themselves doesn't conform to anything our computer recognizes. Further compounding issues is our hitchhiker, the alien probe that has embedded itself in the ship. We've been able to prevent it from further intruding into our systems but all efforts to dislodge it have been fruitless. Engineering and Science teams are setup around the computer core, attempting to analyze and formulate new strategies to excise it. Most of the senior staff is engaged in the effort, along with several officers from the Solaris. Main Engineering has been successfully decontaminated and repair crews are working feverishly to bring the ship back to full readiness before another Tholian attack. //End Log// ::Teller realized he was pacing again as he reviewed a PADD with damage reports. He desperately wanted to be back in Main Engineering, working on any of the hundred repairs the ship needed at the moment, but the Captain hadn't relieved him yet so he continued to do what he could from the bridge, coordinating repair teams with their young Operations Officer, Ronen Pragus, and periodically checking in on the team attempting to disentangle the alien probe from their hull. With a conscious effort, Teller forced himself to sit down in the Captains chair.:: Teller: oO I never appreciated how maddening it has to be for the Captain to be removed from the work like this. She has to sit and process reports and delegate tasks so she has enough time to process more information from more reports so she can delegate other tasks so she can sit and process more information. Being in this chair is like being half traffic cop and half processor array. My head hurts. Oo ((Later)) ::As Teller thumbed through another damage report, he realized his eyes had glazed over at some point on the last page and started again. He had generated more than enough of the reports in his role as an Engineer but never before appreciated just how many of them fell to the Captain for personal review, approval, notes, amendments and suggestions. More and more he was realizing just how much work went into the day to day role. Rubbing his eyes and trying to refocus his attention, he got two paragraphs in before the newly arrived Lt. Vistain, standing at the Engineering console Teller longed to be back at, interrupted his train of thought.:: Vistain: Lieutenant, engineering is reporting that it looks like warp drive is offline for at least several hours until they can repair the PTCs. Teller: ::Smirking:: Very well but you tell Loupaz that padding her repair estimates isn't going to work with me - she can get those fixed in an hour. Anything else? Vistain: Impulse power has been restored. Teller: Excellent. Keep me appraised of the repairs as systems come back online. Vistain: Aye. Macedon: Sir, I’m picking up a Tholian battleship approaching fast. ::Teller sprang to his feet, very much aware of how precarous their situation was. The last thing they needed right now was another brawl with a wing of these new Tholian droneships.:: Teller: oO It's all on me till the Captain gets back. I have to protect the ship and the crew, and we still need to figure out what the hell is going on here.:: Teller: Red Alert. Tactical - raise shields and arm all weapons. Helm, increase your speed to full impulse and bring us closer to the debris field, we may need to use it for cover. ::The bridge filled with flashing ocre lights and the deep klaxon of the alarms. Teller glanced around and saw people looking to him for leadership. He could feel sweat forming under his uniform.:: Macedon: Sensors are registering it as a previously identified vessel: the T'kath Tholis. We encountered them during the Artemis incident. ::At the mention of the Artemis, Teller's heart lurched in his chest and he had to fight a moments panic.:: Teller: oO Have a breakdown on your own time Oo Teller: On screen. Ops, try to hail them, lets see if this one feels like talking. ::On the viewscreen, weapons ports began to glow bright orange.:: Macedon: She’s charging weapons! Teller: Guess that's a no. Helm, evasive pattern theta 3. Tactical, target weapons and engines. ::The first shots from the Tholians blasted the Starfleet cruiser’s shields, rocking the bridge as sparks flew.:: Teller: Return fire! Vistain - what's our status? ::Teller sat back in the Captains chair and held on as the ship lurched. Apparently the inertial dampeners were still on the 'to-do' list.:: Vistain: Shields holding, but I’m reading power fluctuations across the ship! ::Teller could see their phaser fire connecting with the Tholian ship as more of the Tholian plasma torpedos headed towards them. The ship rocked as another made impact with their rapidly draining shields.:: Teller: Continue firing. Helm keep us moving, get some of the debris between us and our attacker, it should confuse their sensors. ::After another barrage of Tholian weapons fire, the captain’s voice chimed in over the intercom.:: Rahman: =/\= Rahman to Bridge! What’s going on out there? =/\= Teller: =/\= Captain, we've been engaged by a Tholian battleship. We're in a defensive posture and returning fire. What's your status? =/\= Rahman: =/\= Commander Delano and I are trapped in a turbolift. I’m not sure what deck we stopped on, and- =/\= ::The comline was abruptly cut, and Danielle looked back at her schematic of Veritas with a grimace.:: Teller: Captain? Commander? Vistain - what the hell happened? Vistain: Lieutenant, turbolift systems have lost contact with turbo car 7. ::Teller felt a profound cold crawling into his guts. Turbolift systems had dozens of redundancies and safety features but the ship had been battered twice now. He tried to imagine any scenario where losing contact with a lift car suddenly wasn't catastrophic for the people inside and couldn't think of one. The ship rocked again as another shot from the Tholians hit the shields. Teller turned slowly in the Captains chair.:: Teller: Vistain, dispatch a damage control team and an emergency medical team to the base of lift tube seven. If they don't find anything, they're to work their way up deck by deck until they find the Captain and Commander. ::Geoffrey Teller could feel eyes on him from the officers on the bridge. The situation had gone from grave to cataclysmic in the space of moments. These people needed leadership and somehow, he was it. Teller thoughts briefly turned to young Natalia, hopefully in her crib below decks, probably terrified by the banging and shaking. He could see her tiny eyes as if he was standing in the room with her, desperate and scared, and the cold in his gut turned to fury.:: Teller: oO This is our home you Tholian [...]s. You're not taking her from us. Oo Macedon: What are your orders, sir?! ::Teller briefly studied the tactical plot. The Tholians were pressing hard behind behind them in pursuit and we're pouring shot after shot into their faltering shields. They wouldn't be able to keep soaking damage like this for much longer.:: Teller: Helm, we're going to try a kickstop. When I give the order, I want you to reverse your thrust and bring us to full stop as quickly as you can. At the same time, I want Z axis minus 5000 meters. The Tholians will pass right over us before they know what's happening. Macedon, that's your window - you've got to disable their weapons and engines as they pass us, this'll only work once. ::As he laid out the plan, a science officer Teller didn't know spoke up:: Brosa: Sir! The ship is showing massive damage along the starboard side. Teller: Analysis? Brosa: ::hands searching over the panel:: If it was Starfleet ship I would say there are hull breaches on seven the equivalent to seven decks. Teller: Macedon - focus your fire there. Something already took a bite out of them, lets use it to our advantage. Prepare to execute on my order. Teller: oO If this doesn't work we're dead. This has to work. Oo Teller: =/\= Teller to all hands, brace for severe maneuvers. =/\= ::Teller watched on the viewscreen as the Tholian ship drew closer, weapons still spitting furious death at the fleeing Veritas. Teller wasn't sure what he was looking for, but some instinct urged him to draw the Tholians as close as possible, even as the shields began to collapse and shots struck the hull. When it seemed like the entire viewscreen was full of the Tholian ship, Teller felt the moment deep in his gut. When he spoke, his voice was oddly quiet and dispassionate.:: Teller: Helmsman....now. ::The ship stopped like it hit a brick wall in space and almost everyone on the bridge lurched forward as the inertial dampeners tried to compensate for the wild shift in momentum and direction. On the viewscreen, the Tholian vessel hurtled towards them and seemed to be within centimeters of collision as it passed overhead close enough for Teller to see seams in their hull. A moment later, the Tholian ship was sitting fully exposed to their forward weapon arc and Macedon didn't waste the opportunity. Phasers, pulse cannons and torpedoes ripple fired in perfect unison and tore into the Tholian vessels exposed, damage segments. Their shields almost immediately overloaded under the full point blank onslaught and explosions played over their hull. Within seconds, the Tholian ship was dead in space, trailing multiple streams of atmosphere and drive plasma, tumbling out of control.:: ::On the bridge, Teller let out a breath and slumped into the Captains chair.:: Teller: Hold your fire but keep an eye on them. They so much as twitch a crystal in a way you find offensive, put a full volley of torpedoes in their side. Macedon: ::checking the tactical console again:: …they’re, uh… they’re hailing us, sir. Teller: What, now they want to talk? On screen. ::The main viewscreen cut from its image of the crippled Tholian warship to the orange and amber of one of its crew members. Teller didn't know much about the internal layout of a Tholian ship, but he was fairly confident their bridge didn't usually feature that much smoke and fire.:: ::Teller stood from the Captains chair and examined the 'face' on the viewscreen. He hadn't seen many Tholians and, for a moment, was struck by their surprisingly beautiful coloring and facets. He had no reference for facial expressions, but his gut reaction was that the one addressing him was pained to be doing so.:: Vamuwene: =/\= Federation ship. You are victorious. Allow me to evacuate my crew and I will surrender myself to you. =/\= Teller: oO I...uh...have no idea how to accept a formal surrender. Oo Teller: =/\= This is Lieutenant Geoffrey Teller of the USS Veritas, to whom am I speaking? =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= I am Admiral Vamuwene of Battleship T’kath Tholis. =/\= Teller: =/\= Admiral, I don't know much about your people but if you wanted to talk to us, you should've tried that before firing your weapons. Since we arrived in this space two hours ago we suffered an unprovoked attack by your drone ships and then by you. I demand an explanation. =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= Our last encounter with your ship made it clear surprise was our only chance for survival. =/\= ::Teller's eyebrows shot up. He had read the after action report of the Artemis incident and didn't think anything about the ships behavior there would've caused the Tholians to think that a surprise attack was their only hope for survival. To the contrary, the Veritas had saved them from the destruction of the Artemis. Something else was going on, and Teller needed to learn what, quickly.:: Teller: =/\= Admiral, on my word as an officer, the Veritas has never engaged your vessel before now. We were sent here by Starfleet to investigate unusual energy readings, not to escalate the conflict between our peoples. =/\= ::Teller made a gesture to Vistain and the channel was temporarily muted:: Teller: I'm open to theories or suggestions. My gut says he's not trying to play us. Vistain: The question is what is his gut saying. Macedon: Do Tholians even have a gut? Vistain: ::ignores Macedon:: Maybe we should hear more about this “last encounter.” Teller: Good idea, but you keep an eye on those sensors. Could be reinforcements on the way. Macedon: Aye. ::With a nod, the channel was reopened.:: Teller: =/\= Admiral, could you describe the Starfleet vessel that attacked your ship? =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= A 4-nacelled Starfleet ship of the same design as yours attacked us shortly after we entered the system. =/\= ::Teller's head was spinning as he tapped at the library computer controls in the Captain's chair, and quickly drew up a list of the Veritas's sister ships. Only one, The USS Minerva, had ever been anywhere near the Menthar corridor, and it was listed as destroyed months ago during the fall of Astrofiori 1.:: Teller: =/\= Admiral, considering our tactical situation, we've got no reason to lie to one another. I'm telling you right now, we never fired on you, and that's a Good Job Guarantee. =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= Then it would appear that we have a common enemy, Lieutenant Teller. =/\= Teller: =/\= Admiral, have your people had any contact with a small, probe sized device? Possibly something that attempted to compromise your computer systems? I'm sending over some of our sensor readings on it now. =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= Not us, but other ships in the task force heard a strange song during the battle. =/\= Teller: =/\= Admiral, I'm starting to agree with you on that 'common enemy.' I propose we start working together on this problem. =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= It would seem harmony is our best hope for survival. =/\= Teller: =/\= Very well. Have your crew prepare for evacuation while we reconfigure one of our cargo bays to your atmospheric needs. We'll contact you again as soon as we're ready to begin transport. =/\= Vamuwene: =/\= We will make the arrangements. =/\= Teller: =/\= Admiral, Starfleet prides itself on finding peaceful solutions whenever possible but we will defend ourselves vigorously when provoked. I'd encourage you and your crew to bear that in mind. Teller out. =/\= ::Teller leaned back in the Captain's chair as the viewscreen returned to its view of the crippled Tholian battleship.:: Teller: What'd you guys think? Too much? Brosa: It was effective at the least, a strong hand is needed sometimes. Teller: Thanks...now we just have to make it work. Stand-down from red alert, but keep us at yellow for now. Start prepping one of the cargo bays for our house guests and inform security.... ::Teller didn't manage to finish the sentence before the comm came alive again, this time with the concerned voice of their security chief.:: Kelrod: =/\= Kelrod to bridge, what’s our status? =/\= Teller: =/\= Bit of a long story Commander, but the ship is secure and not in any immediate danger. What's your status? =/\= Kelrod: =/\= I was on my way to deck eight along DeVeau and Solak from the Solaris. Do you need me up there? =/\= ::Teller looked around at the men and women who had suddenly become the command crew and realized they shared one anothers complete confidence. Teller smiled for the first time in what seemed like hours.:: Teller: =/\= Negative Commander, we've got it under control up here for the moment. =/\= Kelrod: =/\= Do you have contact with Lieutenant G’Var or Moonsong? =/\= Teller: =/\= Not since before the battle. Proceed to deck eight and do what you can. Additionally, I need you to dispatch an armed security detail to Cargo Bay 2...we're about to have some guests. =/\= Kelrod: =/\= Understood. Kelrod out =/\= ::With preparations underway and the ship as secure as it could be, Teller tapped his comm badge.:: Teller: =/\= Teller to Del Vedova =/\= del Vedova: =/\= Del Vedova. Go ahead. =/\= Teller: =/\= Doctor, I need an update on the Captain and Commander Delano. =/\= del Vedova: =/\= All conscious, and all alright, for the moment. We're trying to pull them out of the fallen lift now. I'm sure we'll have them back to the bridge shortly. =/\= Teller: =/\= Thank you Doctor, that's a relief. I won't keep you from your work. Teller out. =/\= ::Teller felt the stress evaporating slightly. It was an enormous relief to know the Captain and Commander Delano were alright, even if they had been injured.:: Teller: oO Wonder what the Captain will think of how I handled the ship in her absence. I'm probably going to be busted back to midshipman. Oo ::Teller could feel a headache forming behind his eyes as he watched officers work their stations and prepare for the imminent arrival of their unexpected guests, the surviving crew of the Tholian ship T’kath Tholis. When the Captain had placed him in command a few hours ago, Teller never would've imagined that his brief time in the big chair could've involved so many complex and possibly critical decisions. The ship had been attacked, the Captain and XO were out of contact, they still had an alien device embedded in their computer core, and last but certainly not least, they were about to play host to a group of aliens that were trying to kill them very recently. Somehow, it had fallen to Teller to make the pieces fit together and he hoped that, in the absence of most of the senior crew, he could keep the ship afloat. As he scanned the status display, an alert cleared and the comm opened.:: Core: =/\= Core to the Bridge--the gravity short-circuit's been corrected. =/\= Teller: oO That must've been fun. We're going to be putting the ship back together for a month after this mission is over. Oo Teller: =/\= Good work Commander, glad you're in one piece. Please report to the computer core as quick as you can and assist the team trying to analyse the alien device. We need answers, quickly.=/\= Core: =/\= Alright. Give me a couple minutes--we've got minor injuries down here. =/\= Teller: =/\= Understood, how bad? Do you need us to dispatch a medical team? They're stretched a little thin right now. =/\= Core: =/\= Oh, you know. Minor spats with inverted gravity in triple story engineering work areas. The usual. ::He huffed, straightening a little when a muscle in his chest strained.:: It's been sorted. =/\= Teller: =/\= Glad to hear it. See what assistance you can offer Lt. Ukinix and his team and give me a report in an hour. I'll let them know you're on your way. Teller out. =/\= ::Teller closed the comm and glanced around, again feeling the need to pace. His hands were restless, desperate to be back downstairs doing something tangible. This calling and waiting for status reports was absolutely maddening.:: Ukinix: =/\= Ukinix to Bridge. The probe is transmitting on both random rotating subspace and non-subspace frequencies. We’re trying to disrupt it from down here, but anything you can do ship wide will be helpful. Ukinix out. =/\= Teller: =/\= Teller to Ukinix - I'm sending some additional help your way. Commander Kelrod and Lt. Cmdr. Core are en route now. How's our visitor? =/\= Ukinix: =/\= We’ve uh – Raissa’s um – well, Commander Moonsong’s using her head to fight it. I mean *literally* using her head. =/\= Teller: =/\= Raissa's doing what?! =/\= Ukinix: =/\= Using telepathy to shore up the firewall. =/\= Teller: =/\= Amazing. It seems to be working, we haven't had any other system intrusions since the engines went offline. =/\= Ukinix: =/\= We’re working now to keep it that way. =/\= Teller: =/\= Might help you to know our Tholian friends had a run-in with one of these things as well, and it sounds like it went even worse for them than it did for us. We need answers, badly. =/\= Ukinix: =/\= We’re on it, Chief. Might have to get back to you though. It’s a bit – a lot – nuts down here at the moment mate. =/\= Teller: =/\= Understood. Do what you can once Kelrod and Core get there and give me an update in an hour. Teller out. =/\= ::There were so many details to keep on top of from here it was easy to lose track of all the moving pieces aboard the ship, especially during a crisis. He had two more calls to make at least and a mountain of damage reports to cull through. He realized he hadn't had a chance to keep appraised of the many injuries the crew had sustained and felt the need to reach out to their medical staff.:: Teller: =/\= Teller to MacKenzie. =/\= MacKenzie: =/\= Go ahead, Lieutenant. =/\= Teller: =/\= I need a casualty report, Doctor =/\= MacKenzie: =/\= The last update I got was about 20 minutes ago. At that point, we had 12 dead and 56 wounded, 22 of whom are critical. That doesn't take into account any hands lost on the Solaris. =/\= Teller: oO A dozen dead in a few minutes. How many of those are my fault? How many of them are people I know? Did I let those people down? How does the Captain handle the doubt? The guilt? Oo Teller: =/\= Understood Doctor, thank you. Anything to add? =/\= MacKenzie: =/\= I'm on my way to the science lab to work with Commander DeVeau and Lieutenant Solak analyzing the Tholian wreckage. =/\= Teller: =/\= Good, keep on top of it Doctor. If you don't hear from Doctor Del Vedova within the hour, give me an updated status - we need to have as many able crewmen back at their stations as soon as possible. =/\= MacKenzie: =/\= We're patching them up and getting them to their posts as soon as we can. We'd appreciate it if you'd hold the ship still. I'd hate for anything unfortunate to happen while I'm holding an exoscalpel... =/\= Teller: =/\= Understood Doctor, I'll try to avoid any more sudden stops. Teller out. =/\= ::Ship and crew were both on the mend, but their situation was still perilous at best. They didn't understand what had happened here yet, or why, only that a third party of unknown but extremely advanced capabilities seemed hellbent on destroying any ships it came across. Just one more mystery to add to the pile, Teller thought ruefully.:: Teller: Vistain, how're the transporters? We about ready to bring the Tholian survivors over? Vistain: Still offline, sir, but I can have our shuttles ready to begin ferrying the Tholians in the meantime. Teller: Good, signal the Tholis to standby. Vistain: Aye. Teller: How's the 'guest suite' coming along? Cargo bay nice and toasty for them? Brosa: Everything is set to Tholian norms as we understand them sir. Teller: Good work everyone. I know this isn't what we expected when we came on duty today, but that's Starfleet. Macedon, make sure that security team is in place but remind them the Tholians are our guests right now. Fighting a battle on two fronts is the easiest way to lose it. Macedon: Yes, sir. ::Teller leaned back in the chair and looked at the hulk of the Tholis in the viewscreen. Since the fury of the battle had subsided, Teller felt slightly ill at the sight of a ship he had helped wreck so thoroughly. It was only by the narrowest of margins that the same thing hadn't happened to the Veritas herself. He sincerely hoped to make it though the rest of the day without being pressed to such critical choices again, but somehow he suspected he wouldn't get his way.:: Brosa: Sir I have adjusted the outgoing sensors to trace the transmissions that were reported from the computer core. While it doesn’t go far, due to the interference, if we start to follow it then I can continue to give us a path. Teller: Understood. Helm, coordinate with Mr. Brosa and plot a course - half impulse, I want as much warning as possible before we run into another surprise. Brosa: With the signal dipping in and out of subspace, if we are to follow it then it will have to be soon before the signal degrades to far. Teller: I appreciate that Mr. Brosa but we've got Tholians to rescue and I don't want to stumble into a fight we can't handle. Helm, once the Tholians are on board you're clear to execute. ::Teller squinted at the viewscreen, willing himself to see whatever strange danger lurked out there.:: Teller: oO Lets see, we've had spooky drone ships, a probe making improper overtures to our computer, and a shipful of vengeful Tholians. What's next, universe!? Oo Vistain: Lieutenant Teller, sickbay is calling. They have the captain and the others from the turbolift, and they are being treated. Teller: oO I shouldn't have asked. Oo Teller: Very well. Have the damage control teams start work on turboshaft 7 as soon as possible. Vistain: They also say that the captain wishes to speak with you — in person. Teller: Understood. Vistain, you've got the conn. Keep us at yellow alert and keep following Mr. Brosa's sensor readings. Anything changes, I'll be getting demoted down in sickbay. Vistain: Aye. ::Teller stood and gave the Captains chair an affectionate pat before heading to the turbolift.:: Teller: oO Thanks for keeping us safe. Oo (( Sickbay )) ::As Teller walked into sickbay, he couldn't help but notice that every biobed was full and other, only slightly less injured crew members, were propped on chairs and the floor as medical staff hurried back and forth. Between the drone attack, the destruction of the Solaris and the Tholian attack on the Veritas herself, they should've been able to consider themselves 'lucky.' As Teller's stomach churned uncomfortably, he didn't feel very lucky. He felt guilty and wondered how many of his friends were here or in the triage center, fighting for their lives. He hadn't had the time to look at the full casualty report yet but the numbers were already enough to make him queasy. Forcing the thought away for the moment, Teller squared his shoulders and found the Captain. Near the center of the room Teller saw Doctor Del Vedova checking the results of a scan on the Captain's arm, who looked aggravated enough to chew raw duratanium.:: Teller: How's the Captain, Doctor? Rahman: Mmm, that’s a good question. How am I, doctor? del Vedova: Ready to get back to your chair, as long as you don't fall down any more turboshafts. Rahman: Thanks. del Vedova: I mean that. Teller: Glad to hear it. When we lost contact with the turbolift car, we all feared the worst. ::The Captain moved her arm experimentally, testing her range of motion with a few grimaces.:: Rahman: More importantly, how is the ship? Teller: Overall, we're still in fighting shape but she's going to need another new coat of paint. Warp engines and transporters are offline. Ship's at yellow alert and once we recover the Tholian survivors, we'll be on course following some unusual subspace transmissions Mr. Brosa picked up from our hitchhiker. ::The Captain's brow furrowed as some of the details settled in.:: Rahman: I see… and the Tholians? Teller: Their ship is dead in space. They're bringing over their command staff as a formal token of surrender. Sensors show they've dispatched their shuttlecraft with their remaining crew on a course back towards Tholian territory. They should be aboard within the next few minutes. Cargo Bay 2 has been converted for their use as best as we could on short notice. ::The Captain seemed to let this sink in, then addressed the CMO:: Rahman: It looks like you and Dr. MacKenzie are going to have your hands full. You should go oversee the care of our new guests. del Vedova: ::soberly:: Yeah, I'd say so. ::The Captain looked at someone behind Teller, and as he turned he was relieved to see Commander Delano joining them.:: Rahman: Number One, Mr. Teller has just informed me we have Tholian survivors coming aboard as well. Delano: I take they aren’t going to be here as prisoners? Teller: That's correct sir, I've instructed the security team to treat them as our guests. Based on my conversations with them, I genuinely believe we've both been attacked by an unknown third party. One that's technologically advanced but that so far seems unwilling or unable to communicate with us. Rahman: Yes, it seems things are a bit more complicated than we first thought. What’s the status with the probe? Teller: Still embedded like a splinter, sir, but apparently Lt. Cmdr. Moonsong is...supplementing our computer defenses telepathically. It made the difference. Delano: Do we know exactly what it’s trying to do? Rahman: If this technology isn’t the Tholians, then we need to figure out *whose* it is — and how to defeat it. ::Her gaze darted back and forth between the other two men.:: Ideas, gentlemen? Teller: The signals we're picking up have to be part of this somehow. I know we just lost our escort and got our teeth kicked in, twice, but all of that....all of this ::gesturing to the injured in sickbay:: was for nothing if we don't find out what happened. I say we keep looking till we find out what did this. Delano: My first thought is that we should shut down the computer, but I have a feeling that won’t matter at this point. Teller: The probe has actively resisted all our efforts to excise it so far, and if we shut the computers down completely, we'll be defenseless out here. Commander Kelrod is pursuing a plan to retrieve wreckage from the Solaris that might aid in our investigation. I've also asked Lt. Cmdr. Core to offer what assistance he can with the computer. He should be with the team there soon. Rahman: If we can’t shut down the computer or remove the probe directly, perhaps we can make our systems a bit less palatable to its liking. I’m reminded of an old engineer’s trick: “souring the milk” when a ship encountered a spacebourne lifeforms. We might not be dealing with a “lifeforms” here in the traditional sense, but we could try a similar approach. Delano: Right. Then the way I see it, we can either taint whatever it’s after - either with misinformation or some kind of virus. Or, we try to overwhelm it in some way. A power surge, perhaps. Or phaser rifles. ::The Commander crossed his arms in frustration. They were in a bad spot and didn't have a lot of good options at this point.:: Delano: Whatever we try, it’s a risk. We simply don’t know how this thing will react. Or, for that matter, what will happen if we leave it alone. :: Beat :: You say Commander Moonsong was able to make some kind of telepathic connection? Teller: I wasn't able to get a lot of details from Lt. Ukinix, but it sounded like she was keeping it from pushing deeper into our systems. You should know - the Tholians ran into one of these things as well. And they lost a 200+ ship fleet to it. ::She held a long look at Teller.:: Rahman: Believe me, lieutenant, that fact is not leaving my mind anytime soon. Delano: I suppose we also have to consider the possibility that we're dealing with some kind of sentient artificial life form then. We might be able to communicate with it. del Vedova: Excuse me, but are you talking about the team with Alora and Raissa? Teller: Respectfully sirs, this thing has had ample opportunity to chat if it wanted to strike up a conversation. Call it engineers instinct, but I feel like we're dealing with a defense system of some kind. Very advanced technology, definitely, but very simple operating instructions - anything violates some established perimeter or threshold and bam - disable it, sequester it or destroy it. If the Tholians are to be believed, they were hit by a Starfleet ship that got the same drone-retrofit as the Tholian vessels that attacked us and the Solaris. Identical tactics, very nearly identical results. Rahman: A Starfleet vessel? ::She furrowed her brow and looked over at Delano.:: Rahman: We need to talk to these Tholians as soon as possible to learn more. del Vedova: I'm also prepping Cargo Bay 1 for any Tholian patients. How soon can we expect them? Teller: We've got Cargo Bay 2 retrofit to their environment standards and they should be coming aboard now. I didn't want you to have to deal with them around the rest of the casualties - aside from the environmental challenges, I was a little worried about putting the Tholians and our people in close proximity so soon after a fight. Someone could have strong feelings and we don't need that kind of trouble right now. You'll have more room to work and a security detail nearby just in case the Tholians aren't as gracious as they claim to be. ::She frowned at the hypothetical the chief engineer had just painted. Rahman: Are you concerned of bigotry aboard my ship, Lieutenant? Teller: Begging your pardon, ma'am. At the time, it seemed like the best course of action. I'm prepared to give you a full report on my actions during and after the fight, but you should know, the performance of the crew was exemplary. I think you would've been proud, Skipper. ::She remarked back with a straight face.:: Rahman: I’m always proud of my crew, Mr. Teller. Including a certain chief engineer with a predilection for shore leave mischief. Delano: I believe she’s trying to say you did a good job under difficult circumstances, Mr. Teller. del Vedova: She's not disappointed, anyway. :: There was a slight pause, and then the captain urged them back into action. :: Rahman: Right, let’s get to the matter at hand. Number One, Doctor, head over to Cargo Bay 2 to meet our Tholian guests. I’ll join you shortly. Delano: Understood. There should be EVA suits in the supply room near Cargo Bay 2, so I suggest meeting there first. Shall we go together, Doctor? del Vedova: Ready when you are. ::After the two left, she turned back to Teller, who spoke up eagerly.:: Teller: Just tell me what you need, Captain. ::She nodded before holding up a finger at him to pause as she tapped her com badge with her other hand.:: Rahman: =/\= Rahman to Tristam Core. =/\= Core: =/\= Core here, Captain. =/\= Rahman: =/\= Commander, I’m told you’re heading to the computer core? =/\= Core: =/\= It's on the list, yes. =/\= Rahman: =/\= I want Lieutenant Teller and engineering to work with science and security on developing some countermeasures into our computer systems, both for the current probe and in case we encounter any others that try to breach our systems. There must be a way we can make our system incompatible with however this technology is able to commandeer other ships. =/\= Teller: =/\= From what I'm told the team hasn't had much luck so far, so I think we need to cook up something radically different. =/\= ::Teller tried to think of an angle Wil, G'var and Raissa wouldn't have explored. That pretty much ruled out hacking it, hitting it and telepathically bonding with it, respectively.:: Core: =/\= I'll have to think on it. Anything else? =/\= Rahman: =/\= I’m going to speak with the Tholians, but they’ve apparently encountered another Starfleet vessel that’s already been compromised. We’ll have to assume all of our current safeguards are ineffective. =/\= Teller: =/\= Tholians said it was almost identical to us as well. Fleet records said one of our sister ships, the Minerva, was lost near Astrofiori One a few months ago. Only other ship of the same class anywhere for a thousand lightyears. Maybe we can use that - disguise ourselves somehow? =/\= Core: =/\= Worth a shot. =/\= Rahman: =/\= Good, give me a plan within two hours. That’s not too much to ask, is it? =/\= Teller: =/\= I'll meet you in the Engineering lab. =/\= Core: =/\= I'm on my way. =/\= ::Once she closed the comline, she hopped off the biobed, ready to go join Dr. del Vedova and Commander Delano. Still, she gave a nod of appreciation at Teller before she left.:: Rahman: You’ve got your work set out for you, Lieutenant. Teller: Wouldn't be the first time, ma'am. ::Teller felt an odd kind of relief to be back working on the problems he was used to facing - equally impossible, but almost purely technical. Still, there was a lingering desire to check in on the ship as a whole, to make sure all the pieces were in place and performing properly. At some point, the Big Chair had apparently made an impression on Teller.:: Rahman: ::smiles:: I told you that you should have taken full advantage of your shore leave when you had the chance. Teller: Maybe next time I'll go to Pacifica. I hear they mix a mean [...]tail there. ::She raised her eyebrow as she began to walk out.:: Rahman: Just make sure we still have a ship to fly back to base for the next shore leave. Teller: Yes ma'am, although I'd appreciate it if you were there to explain to the yardmaster why he's gotta rebuild this ship...again. ::She looked back over her shoulder at the chief engineer when the doors to sickbay parted.:: Rahman: Oh, and good work, Lieutenant. Not bad for your first time in the chair. Maybe next time it’ll be longer. ::Teller blinked at the unexpected compliment.:: Teller: Thank you ma'am. I never expected this, but...I'm starting to understand why you made the jump from engineering to command. I appreciate your confidence in me. ::She gave him a wink and then headed out towards the cargo bay.:: [End for Teller] =============================== Lieutenant JG Geoffrey Teller Chief Engineer USS Veritas - NCC 95035 Capt. R. Rahman, Commanding V239509GT0

Been meaning to post this for a couple of days now. Ensign Arco, (PNPC written by Ferier Kian) a hybrid Bajoran/Cardassian, struggling with her believes and her upbringing, while, adjusting to the life on a Starship. @Ferier This last post got to me somehow. :-) Great writing. (( Cochtois Lagoon Beach - Deluvia IV )) ::After meeting Lachlan Crauw on the beach the pair decided to have a bite to eat. Arco tried to flee believing she wasn’t worthy of having friends or having survived the recent disaster on the USS Njörðr. Having tried to leave and being stopped by Lachlan the pair sat outside chatting.:: Crauw:: Why don't we sit down and you can talk to me, ok. Whatever is on your mind. A burden shared is a burden halved. I wouldn't be a good friend otherwise. Please Jatri, let me help you. ::He guided her towards the bench in the gentle, yet warm breeze.:: Arco: No one can help me Lachlan. I am a half breed who didn't deserve to survive the Njörðr. Forget the finger they should have taken all of me. People died, good people. I wish I could change places with them. Crauw: Lady Jatri, I hope I'm not offending you, but why, as a half breed, don't you deserve to live? What has, who you are, to do with it? Arco: So many people dead, why did I survive what have I done to deserve it. I haven’t done anything and I am sure I won't do anything to make me worthy of life when others got death. ::Jatri took place on the bench and Lachlan sat down next to her. He saw her shivering and, regretting even more now he hadn't brought a shirt along, he put his arm around her shoulders trying to comfort her.:: Crauw: That is the course of life, Lady Jatri. Maybe you survived because you are meant to do something greater in the future, your presence might be required elsewhere to safeguard people from a tragedy we don’t know anything about yet. And yes people died on the Njörðr. But we survived. Don't you think we owe it to those, that did die on the ship, to enjoy our lives at the fullest? Like turning a new page in the book called Life? You said it yourself earlier: you are free to be you. Maybe what happened on the Njörðr was needed for you to reach that new chapter in your life. Arco: Maybe I should resign Starfleet and open a bar here instead. At least that way I won’t see so many people die. ::Lachlan's brow raised a notch.:: Crauw: My dear Jatri, I’m sure the bartender on the Njörðr would disagree with you there. :: Lachlan winked at her but his words hit home. It seemed in the dangerous universe no job was safe Crauw: You know lady Jatri. A Klingon saved my life on the Njörðr. I wouldn't show much respect towards the man if I just gave up, would I now? Arco: I don’t want to give up, I don’t understand why anyone, least of all you, would bother with someone like me. Crauw: What I'm trying to say is: there are more half breeds out there and they manage. And I have every confidence that you can too. If people have some common sense, they would look beyond what race someone is and see that person for what they truly are. Arco: On Bajor, unless I am in the sect I see the looks they give me, the disgust. Cardassians have the same look. Crauw: Like what I see now: a beautiful young lady, who has a whole life ahead of her to do the things she wants to do. Things she didn't have the opportunity to do before in her life. A lovely lady, who likes a quiet afternoon on the beach, reading a book or have a swim amongst sea creatures. A lady who meets new people, who she can call friends. I'd say that's worth living for, isn't it? ::Still embracing her shoulders he saw her ponder for a moment.:: Arco: Help me Lachlan, I don’t know how to do those things, I don’t know how to fit in. Crauw: I'd say you are already doing a good job now, lady Jatri. You decided to come to the beach. Otherwise I'd be sitting here, talking to myself. Imagine the looks that would have given me? ::He winked again as he said the words.:: Arco: I want to live Lachlan not just exist. Not to be the oddball or a mongrel. Crauw: One step at the time, lady Jatri. Today the beach and see where it leads you tomorrow, and the day after and the day after that. Arco: How do we cope with so many deaths Lachlan? Crauw: I don't know, miss Jatri. Some people turn to the bottle to forget what they saw. Others tend to do good to those that survived, in memory of those that were lost. Others tend to live their life at the fullest every single day, cause they know tomorrow could or might be their last. It all depends on the situation someone is in. All I know is, that the feeling will diminish but it will take time. Some days will be easier than others. Arco: I hope it does Lachlan. ::He looked at her again.:: Crauw: What also helps, is to talk about it, lady Jatri. Bottling things up is never a good thing. :: That went against everything she was taught. Growing up in the sect you were encouraged to keep private thoughts private. They were between you and the prophets. How could she take nearly 20 years of teaching and shed them like a snake shed it’s skin.:: Arco: How? Crauw: ::He shrugged.:: Some prefer to talk to a stranger, that's why most people open up to the bartenders after a few drinks, knowing they open up to someone they most likely will never see again. Or maybe you'd prefer to talk to someone who has actually been there with you on the Njörðr? Seek those people out, they have seen what you did out there, they've seen what you've seen, it will give them and you something to relate to. And maybe it'll give you the opportunity to become friends with them? Arco: You make it sound so simple. ::She smiled a little.:: Crauw: Also milady,:: He smiled at her.:: you're no longer alone. If you need a chaperone or just someone to stand beside you, don't hesitate to find me. Arco: And when you aren’t pouring drinks where will you be Lachlan? Crauw: Response :: Buoyed up a little by Lachlan and his extremely kind words. He certainly seemed genuine. No one had ever shown an interest like this before. Used to being shunned by other crew members with what she now knew was a good reason it was time to start anew. It would be a sad way to repay those lost brothers and sisters on the USS Njörðr to revert to the old Arco she needed a rebirth. To be the person she wanted to be. It was time for Arco Jatri part two. Impulsively she reached up to her earring. This was one given to her by the sect before today one thing she valued above all else. Now it was the second most valuable thing Lachlan had replaced it an honest to goodness friend. She removed it and held it in her hand the metal was warm to touch and filled her with mixed feelings. Shyly she handed it to Lachlan.:: Arco: A gift for you Lachlan my friend. :: She savoured the word as she spoke it. It felt good to have a friend on the Gorkon. No matter where she went or what she did, no matter how many friends she had she would value Lachlans friendship above them all.:: Crauw: Response Arco: Please take it. Today is a new start and giving a gift to you will make me feel good as I hope it will make you happy. :: Arco smiled. She could replicate a standard Bajoran earring when she got back to the Gorkon. She would go for a plain design one not just for the prophets but for herself. New start new Arco new earring. It made sense to her.:: Crauw: Response Arco: You have given me something much more valuable. Crauw: Response :: Arco smiled again as Lachlan closed his hand around it almost as if he was scared to lose it. With her heart filling with joy. Who would have believed the simple act of giving was so rewarding.:: Arco: I think it’s getting late. I might go back to the hotel and sleep. Would you care to join me tomorrow so we can go swimming with the fishes together tomorrow? Crauw: Response Ensign Arco Jatri Mission Specialist simmed by -- Lieutenant (JG) Ferier Kian HCO Officer USS Gorkon G239501FL0

OOC: This brutalized my feels. IC: ((Kayla's Quarters, time signature: immediately after the mission concludes)) ::Kayla walked around her quarters, reflecting on how completely different her life had been than she expected since joining Starfleet. She wasn't complaining really - The Eagle was incredible, as was the crew. She was glad that this latest mission was over. She'd found the whole situation exceedingly unsettling. ::As she picked up the delicate teacup with steaming oolong from the replicator, her console beeped, alerting her of an incoming transmission. Kayla walked to the small desk, sat down and tapped to complete the connection. To her surprise, it was the face of Michael, one of her brothers, that filled the screen. His customary rakish grin was not in place however. Its absence told Kayla immediately that something was wrong. Very wrong.:: Michael: Hey, K. Drex: Hi, Mikey. What's wrong? Michael: Can you come home? It's Mom. She's ... she's not doing well, K. ::It was like a punch to her gut. Kayla felt the breath leave her lungs, and wasn't sure she had the strength to refill them. Forcing herself, the breath came in a shudder as her vision blurred with immediate tears. Michael was not one for exaggeration or drama.:: Drex: ::choked with emotion:: Michael, what do you mean? I just saw Mom last Christmas. She was fine. Michael: I know, K. She's not sick. There was ... an accident. The doctors stabilized her, but they ::he paused for a steadying breath:: ... they say she doesn't have long. Drex: What? Michael, no! Please tell me this is a VERY bad joke. Michael: I wish I could, sis. I so wish I could. ::now openly crying:: Can you come home? Now? Drex: ::also crying:: of course. I'll leave as soon as I can arrange a shuttle. Oh God, Mike.... Momma. Michael: I know ... send me a message when you know when you'll be arriving. I'll make arrangements for you on this end. Drex: mkay. Thanks for telling me, Michael. Love you. Michael: Love you too, sis. ::The connection was cut. Kayla felt as though the inertial dampeners had just failed catastrophically. The whole room spun. She clutched the edge of the desk for support. Her left hand caught the saucer of her teacup. piping hot oolong tea poured out onto her hand. Swearing loudly, she picked up the delicate china cup and hurled it across the room. As it shattered against the far wall of her quarters, the sound seemed to give voice to her heart breaking into seemingly too many pieces to ever be repaired. ::Kayla collapsed onto the floor by her desk and sobbed for what felt like an eternity. Eventually though, she was able to compose herself enough to tap her badge. She knew her voice would sound raw and muddy, but that didn't matter now. The only thing that mattered was getting to Earth ... before it was too late.:: Drex: =/\= Drex to Commander Oddas =/\= Oddas: =/\= Oddas here =/\= Drex: =/\= Sir, I've just received news from home. My ... my mother is dying. I need to get to Earth as quickly as possible. =/\= Oddas: =/\= My Condolences, Lieutenant. :: pause :: Take the time you need and keep me apprised. =/\= Drex: =/\= Thank you, Commander. =/\= ((timeskip: on the transport ship back to Earth)) ::She sat with her head against the wall of the long distance shuttle, drifting in and out of sleep. She hadn't slept properly in days. Not since the communication with Michael. Any time she closed her eyes, she saw her Momma's face. She was so pretty. Far too young to die. ::Kayla didn't even notice the tears sliding silently down her cheek now. It had become the new normal to be crying. As sleep took her briefly, she continued crying. The tears continued into her sleep - into her dream. ((dream)) ::Kayla was about 6 or 7 years old. It was dark - nearly 10 o'clock at night, and little Kayla sat at the end of the family dock, crying by herself. Leanna, her Momma, walked to the end of the pier, and without saying a word, sat down next to the sad child.:: Leanna: What's wrong, Sparks? Drex: Phillip and David were teasing me because I'm puny. ::The look on Leanna's face was like a lioness, turning on another animal that messed with her cub.:: Leanna: Do you know why they tease you, Kayla? Drex: No. They say it's because I'm a runt, and that I - Leanna: ::cutting Kayla's words in mid-sentence:: Stop. They tease you because you're bigger than they are. Drex: ::looking at her Momma through confused, tear-puffy eyes:: That's silly. I'm not bigger than them. Leanna: Not physically maybe, but look at me, Sparks. ::She lifted the little girl's chin gently so the child's watery eyes met her own, which to Kayla's surprise also had tears in them. Leanna: You are the biggest person I've ever known. You have a universe inside you - a universe of excitement, curiosity, possibility, hope, love, compassion, and beauty. That's what they see when they see you. Whether they know it or not, they see what you can become, and they can't figure out how all that can fit inside such a little person. Drex: Really? ::sniffing:: Leanna: Really. And it's what I see too, but I know better. I know you're going to do incredible things. Everywhere you go, every person you meet, everything you touch will be touched by your universe, and you know what? This universe will be better for it, baby girl. ::Kayla broke into new tears, but this time it was tears of love for her Momma. The one who showed her her universe.:: ((shuttle)) ::Kayla awoke to the gentle touch of the Betazoid co-pilot's hand on her shoulder. He had been very kind to her this trip, being able to feel her pain.:: Nolan: We're nearly to Earth. I thought you would want to collect your things so you can be off more quickly. Drex: ::wiping her tear-stained face:: Yes. Yes of course. Thank you, Mr. Nolan. You've been very sweet. ::Nolan inclined his head slightly, indicating the compassion he'd shown was the least he could do for her, and walked back to his chair at the front of the shuttle.:: ::Kayla took a deep breath and looked around the cabin. She hadn't even opened her bag during the flight. She walked to the small head in the back of the cabin and closed the door behind her. She let cool water run over her hands into the sink basin. That was life, she supposed. You can try to hold onto it, but the harder you cling, the more slips through your fingers. Maybe it was best to just try to enjoy every moment as best you could. There was never a way to know when it would stop flowing. ::She splashed her face clean with the refreshing water, patted her skin dry, and went back to her seat.:: ((Leanna Marsh-Drex's bedside (timeskip: 239604.29))) Drex: Momma? Dr. Antares: She's sleeping now. I'd like to wait to wake her until the rest of your family is here. Drex: Of course, Doctor. Michael: ::putting a comforting arm around his sister:: You alright, K? Drex: No, Mikey. I'm not. Michael: Yeah ... Me either. ::They sat in silence, hardly looking away from the peaceful face they'd known all their lives. Within the hour, The rest of the family had congregated around the bed. Gulliver sat by the head of the bed. He hadn't been able to speak more than a few words of welcome to his children. They all shared his pain.:: Dr. Antares: If you're all ready, I can wake her now. ::Dr. Gulliver Drex - the brilliant scientist - merely nodded and scooted slightly closer to the bed containing the object of his love for so many years.:: Leanna: ::her eyes slowly fluttered open and looked at each of their faces:: Well, darn. I guess this is it, huh? Drex: Momma ... I love you Leanna: Oh baby, I will always love you. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Don't ever forget that. You are going to do so many great things. I just know it. ::One by one, Leanna said her final goodbye to her family. The tears flowed freely from all of them. Gulliver looked at his children, silently asking for a moment alone. They quietly got up and left the room. In the hall, the five children held each other, holding each other up. ::When they re-entered the room, Leanna had passed. Gulliver was sobbing, his face buried in her hair. Kayla and her brothers moved as one to his side, embracing him, and crying with him.:: NT __________________________________ Lieutenant Kayla Drex Chief Science Officer USS Eagle, NCC-74659 Image Collective Writer ID: E239510KD0 Science is life, art is soul, love is home Wiki: Kayla Drex

MSPNPC Arbitrator Parven Try'vel - Welcoming committee of one ((Beta Quadrant, Par'tha Expanse, Illara Prime, Diplomatic Landing Pad Delta)) :: Parven had received word that the Federation shuttle had been detected by the system patrol ships and was descending towards the city-planet with the haste one would expect from a group posting such serious claims against one of the more well known and respected businesses within the Expanse. That they had arrived several hours early had been unexpected however and had been of a slight inconvenience as he had been enjoying quite the relaxing time in the fashion district when word came of their imminent arrival an hour or so later and Parven just had to have enough time to make himself look presentable. :: :: Ever prompt Parven had arrived on the landing pad several minutes prior to the El Dorado's descent into the atmosphere and the Caraadian stared up at it as the sleek vessel alighted on the pad with ease, its landing struts absorbing the weight of the shuttle itself as it settled on the pad. Parven casually strode around to the rear of the shuttle, the aft he believed it was referred to as the rear ramp lowered into place. A moment later the crew within emerged and Parven was delighted to see a familiar face, even though he knew she was among the delegation. Seeing Lyldra the Caraadian smiled the over extravagant smile one used to pomp and circumstance preferred. With her he noted another, somewhat portly Bolian in Starfleet uniform of crimson highlights. From his knowledge, the male matched description of the renowned commander of the Federation's lone starship in the Expanse. Behind the Bolians Parven noted a pair of Terrans, one in gold and one in teal. Though he wasn't overly certain of the significance of their colors. The arbitrator did notice the sidearms both the male Bolian and the female in gold carried openly on their hips. Such was the right of dignitaries and he found it amusing in a way. None here would question the weapons, though many might find it entertaining to see such meager weapons being displayed as if marks of honor. :: :: As for the Caraadian himself, to say he was flashy was more than an understatement. He wasn't overly tall, standing somewhere between five and six feet in height was the least remarkable thing about him. Shoulder length blonde hair rested about his shoulders, billowing in the breeze from the winds roiling about on the landing pad. At least, there was enough blonde noticeable that one could tell that was possibly his natural hair color. At first blush it might not be so easy a thing to peg as vibrant streaks of silver, teal, and bright blue seemed dyed into the man's hair like a resplendent rainbow of eye-catching hues. Still, that was only one of the notable things about the male. His garb, if one could describe it in words looked like a tailor had taken the scraps of a half dozen different discarded outfits, or the scraps that had not gone into the final product and stitched them together in a rather odd, but well manufactured canvas of at least three different fabrics. Some of the suit he wore was at strange angles and might have gotten in the way had they not been made of soft material. The suit had as many colors as his hair, purple, deep green and orange highlights. The emblem of Arbitrator was sewn into the left breast of his clothing. And then there were the frills. So many frills. He looked like a walking pillowcase. And even it had a stylistic edge to insignia itself. Every hand had a ring, some gem encrusted, some not but all of them excessively ostentatious. Yet as he stepped up to greet Lyldra when she exited the craft his eyes would be the last thing of note. The unnatural heterochromatic tint of his eyes, contacts of course though they were hard to spot. The right eye a pupil-less silver, while the left was a vivid forest green. Parven outstretched his arms to his sides and in the air slightly in an overly dramatic flourish as he greeted them all. :: Try'vel: ::His voice a soft baritone:: Ah! Lyldra! It's such a delight to finally get to meet you! ::He gestured to them all with his hands beckoning them all to come closer:: Welcome to Illara Prime! Lyldra: Good to meet you in person. ::Looking to the others.:: This is Try’Vel is the arbiter who will be hearing our argument against the Consortium. :: Parven saw the looks he received from the gather Starfleet officers and let out a raucous roil of laughter then clasped his hands together so all of the rings clinked together and were quite visible. :: Brell: Ah, Nice to meet you sir. I look forward to your judgment in this matter. Try'vel: Oh, my dear Captain it's a pleasure! I had no idea the person speaking at this arbitration would be the Ambassador's own husband. I must say, the Federation knows how to keep their people well fed! ::He laughed and waved a hand dismissively:: Parven Try'vel, House Lanaxa. Well, formerly. ::He cackled and expressively waved his hands about in an exaggerated manner:: Hyden: :smiled: Pleasure to meet you. Anyone: Response Try'vel: Oh, the pleasure is all mine. ::He said with a bit of a lascivious curl to his lips as he scooted closer to Hyden:: I dare say I haven't seen such a lovely woman so well armed since we had a Klingon contingent through here a few years back. ::He clasped his hands together and eyed Hyden's uniform:: I say, it's not very flattering. I know a wonderful tailor that could put some wonderful touches to your uniforms. They're so drab..and....functional. Lyldra: response Try'vel: Oh yes. My apologies, ambassador! You'll forgive me I could talk about fashion all day! ::He made a giggling sound and gestured with a flourish that had his hair and the trails of his suit billowing about behind him:: Please, follow me and I'll see you someplace confortable to await the hearing. :: The Caraadian lead the Federation group from the landing pad through the nearby structure that, like many all over the planet towered in the sky. Several hundred floors at least and in this particular case all housing various diplomatic personnel and facilities. One such locale, a rather luxurious lounge that had a view overlooking a central square of sorts. The communal square was still several thousand feet in the air, but below the view offered by the windows and had the faint, ant-like shadows of people milling about among the shops and establishments on offer. Across the way was a view of the landing pad where the El Dorado was parked and several other spectacular views. Parven stopped centrally in the room and spun about as if he were on a fashion runway, palms open and gesturing around the well furnished room. Several couches, chairs, tables and even a bar with a wide assortment of libations sat at the back. A communication console sat on the wall opposite the floor to ceiling windows. :: Try'vel: Your accommodations! Splendid isn't it? I mean, I'm sure it must be horribly drab and cramped on those starships of yours yes? ::He said in genuine ignorance:: Well, the proceedings are to take place within the hour. I've already contacted the Consortium's representative and notified him of your arrival. As soon as the Phoenix arrives and it's commander lands we can begin. Anyone: response ========================================================= MSPNPC Parven Try'vel of House Lanaxa (Formerly) Freeworlds Council - Arbitrator as simmed by Lieutenant Commander Toryn Raga Mission Specialist USS Atlantis NCC-74682 PodCast Team Atlantis Staff Member Writer ID: A239410TR0 https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga @Toryn Raga This was one of the most humorous introductions of MSPNPC ever!

I loved this post by Solok from our last mission. It showcases his creativity and knowledge when dealing with a challenging situation. It was very well written and really added another layer to the story while also developing our fleet history in a unique way. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did! ((Quarantine Ward-A, Shuttlebay 1, USS Montreal)) ::Solok sat rigidly at the desk that constituted almost all by itself the "command center" in the quarantine ward he had designed. He was looking forward, at the screen on the computer console, but his thoughts were momentarily elsewhere. Or elsewhen.:: ::After he had resigned his commission in the Vulcan Diplomatic Corps, many years ago when he was a much younger man, Solokhad chosen to pursue a career in Starfleet, and specifically, to hone his skills as a physician and xenovirologist in the multi-species environment that only Starfleet could provide. Having received extensive medical and scientific training on Vulcan, at both the Vulcan Science Academy and the Vulcan Medical Institute, he had nevertheless been required to continue his education as a part of his cadet studies. While most of the other medical cadets were conducting their studies in medical schools scattered throughout the quadrant, Solok's case had been a special one. Instead of medical school, which he had already attended, Solok had been assigned as a junior researcher at the Federation Institute for Advanced Immunology in San Francisco, on Earth. The FIAI was one of the most sophisticated facilities for immunological and virological research in the Federation, and after a brief period as an immunology resident and junior researcher, he had been promoted to Director of Research -- in which position he had learned and witnessed a great deal.:: ((Flashback -- Stardate 237702.15)) ((Office of the Director of Research, Federation Institute for Advanced Immunology, San Francisco, Terra)) ::Solok had been interrupted in his work -- the filing of one of numerous reports required of him in his position as Director -- by the sound of the door chime. Ordinarily, he would have instructed whoever it was to return at a more auspicious time, but the sheer number of the reports before him had led Solok to welcome almost any intellectual distraction. So long, of course, as it was relevant to his and the Institute's work.:: Solok: Enter. ::The door slid open, and in stepped one of the least Vulcan colleagues Solok had ever known. The Bolian physician wore a labcoat that, owing to his rather diminutive size, near brushed the floor as he walked. The sleeves of the labcoat were rolled up to expose his aggressively blue hands, and in one of them, the he was carrying a sealed vial of some sort.:: Solok: Doctor Zand. ::The Bolian repressed a chuckle.:: Zand: Doctor Solok. ::A brief silence.:: Solok: What can I do for you, Doctor Zand? ::Zand smiled.:: Zand: Do you know what this is? ::He held the vial up to eye height, which was of course, relative to the short cyan man, not very high.:: ::Solok looked from Zand to the vial, and then back to Zand. His impassive expression did not change.:: Solok: I do not. ::Zand laughed. Out loud. Solok chose not to address the breach of protocol.:: Zand: This ::he shook the vial, gently:: is something even you have never seen before. This is a plague cure. ::Solok paused, as if he did not understand.:: Solok: I am familiar with 398 distinct cures for diseases known popularly or in the scientific literature as "plagues," Doctor Zand. Zand: You're not familiar with this one, Solok. This one is new. ::Solok raised a single eyebrow.:: Solok: I was unaware FIAI resources were being used in pursuit of the cure of an epidemic virus on any station or planet. Zand: They -- we -- are not. This was made in the field, by that Enterprise doctor -- Crusher? -- and the researchers on Cor Caroli V. The specifications for the cure were just transmitted to us, and this is the first dose replicated by anyone but Crusher and the Carolians. Solok: Why have I not been informed before now? Zand: Ah, yes. Well, you will not be officially informed, and I recommend you forget everything I'm telling you now. Starfleet Medical has decided to classify the Cor Caroli virus -- they're calling it the "Phyrox plague" -- as secret. There won't be any record of it, anywhere, if Starfleet has its way. ::Solok was silent a moment.:: Solok: I see. ::He paused.:: It must be an especially dangerous pathogen, for Starfleet to authorize such an unusual classification. Zand: Oh, it is. ::The Bolian's near-constant smile faded.:: The virus attacks the lung tissue of its host, destroying nearly everything in its path. People bleed to death internally. Their lungs fill with blood. Can you imagine if this got into the wrong hands? It's like nature's perfect bioweapon. ::The Vulcan nodded.:: Solok: So why are you telling me, now? ::Zand smiled.:: Zand: I don't know, Solok. I trust no Vulcan could ever logic themselves into becoming a bio-terrorist, for one. And I guess I was just too excited to keep it to myself. A new cure! Doesn't even just the idea of it -- salvation from certain death for a whole planet! -- thrill even your cold, Vulcan heart? Solok: The Vulcan heart is not cold, Doctor Zand. The average Vulcan body temperature is approximately 32.7882 degrees Celsius. Relatively speaking, that is quite warm, indeed. ::Zand nodded, smiling to himself.:: Zand: Yes, of course, Solok. Of course. ((End Flashback)) ((Quarantine Ward-A, Shuttlebay 1, USS Montreal)) ::Solok activated the computer console before him.:: Solok: Computer, display public health history of Cor Caroli V. Stardate range 237501.02 to 237905.20. ::The computer bleeped, indicating it was working. Within a second, a great deal of text was displayed on Solok's screen. He adjusted the scroll rate to four times the Terran standard, the words flying by. But he read it all.:: ::No mention of any plague.:: Solok: Computer, access popular media archives, news services, Cor Caroli V, Stardate range 237701.01 to 237712.31. ::Again, the computer bleeped. And then, again, it displayed a great deal of information on the screen -- although this was not just text, but was text interspersed with images and videos. He worked through the material until, about halfway through, he found what he had been looking for -- despite the fact that he had not known what he would find.:: ::There, on the screen before him, was a news article announcing a medical breakthrough on Cor Caroli V. The image at the head of the story showed a group of Carolian scientists with broad smiles on their faces. They were celebrating their discovery, which apparently meant a great deal to them, since they looked both exhausted and exuberant. They had worked hard to achieve whatever it was they had achieved.:: ::What fascinated Solok, however, was not the group of scientists in the foreground. It was the figure, half out of frame and somewhat blurred, as if she was caught in the attempt to avoid having her image captured, but unmistakably Starfleet, her uniform clearly medical teal, her hair a remarkable shade of orange. He knew her at a glance, despite the fact that they had never met. She was famous, of course, and well on her way to commanding her own Mercy vessel.:: ::Doctor Beverly Crusher. Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise-D. Solok checked, but according to the official logs, the Enterprise had not been anywhere near Cor Caroli V during this period.:: ::Zand had been right. The Enterprise had helped the Carolians with some biomedical discovery that led to public rejoicing. They had cured a plague.:: ::The Phyrox plague.:: Solok: Computer, access the Library of the Starfleet Medical Academy. Computer: Accessing. Solok: Display all information related to pandemic diseases of the twenty-fourth century on Cor Caroli V. ::It was silent a moment.:: Computer: There is no data to display. Solok: Display all data related to the work of Doctor Beverly Crusher on Cor Caroli V. ::Silence.:: Computer: There is no data to display. Solok: Access genetic profile of the pathogen referred to as "the Phyrox plague." ::More silence. Then the old familiar bleep, and the connection to the Starfleet Medical Academy library was lost. Before he could even raise an eyebrow or utter the words "curious" or "fascinating," however, the computer made another sound. The textual display on Solok's monitor made very clear what was happening.:: ::INCOMING COMMUNICATION FROM STARFLEET MEDICAL. URGENT.:: TBC === Lieutenant Commander Solok Medical Officer USS Montreal Writer ID: R237908S10

I wanted to give a shoutout to @Lael Rosek and @German Galven for a wonderful scene they wrote together. I particularly liked how this scene shows the growth of Rosek's character, who as she notes when talking to Galven, was once in his position of being told that a line had been crossed (you can read *that* scene "Tempestuous Trio" here: Parts One , Two , and Three). It's great to see this kind of character development in our fleet. Furthermore, this scene was constructed through the regular tag system back-and-forth rather than a joint post and is a great demonstration of how substantial and intimate scenes like this can be constructed in the typical tagging system and not just left for JPs. Well-done, both of you! (OOC: The completed scene below is constructed from several sims.) ((Bridge, USS Montreal)) {{Time Index: A half hour after landing}} Rosek: Can we disable them without destroying them, Commander? ::She prayed the answer was yes. She really didn’t want the blood of 200 otherwise innocent people on her hands. She was already barely able to live with the blood that seemed to permanently stain her hands from the lives she’d been forced to take during her career just to survive.:: Tel-ar: I can disable both warp drives on your command. Estimated 3.47 minutes before they reach long range Rosek: ::pauses:: Can we do it without destroying the vessels? Tel-ar: There is always a chance, :: Tal did some quick calculations and simulations on the computer before he finished speaking. :: There is a 38.362% chance that the freighter might suffer more damage than expected and 13.275% chance of the smaller vessel suffering more damage than expected. ::A quiet sigh of relief passed her lips. There was a chance, no matter how small, that despite their best intentions, they’d end up doing more harm than they intended. If she managed to get to the end of this day without having to take a single life, it would be a good day. She had no desire for it to become a habit nor did she want it to become a running theme. She’d signed up to save lives, not take them.:: Ch'Dargon: Those percentages are high, these ships were not designed very well. The freighters in my home system could take much more. :: He bragged a bit unintentionally.:: Tel-ar: A number of the freighters more vulnerable systems such as life support and the impulse engines are in very close proximity to their warp engines. There is only a small margin for error. Hamasaki: We can have the shuttles perform a rescue if necessary, although, with quarantine protocols in effect, it'd just be beaming them to a hospital directly from the freighter or our makeshift sickbay. Dante: We can take that action in no time Commander. Hamasaki: We should have our patrol in range to cover most of the possible launch vectors within 4 minutes. ::beat:: They'll be just too slow to directly engage with the current ships attempting to break the quarantine. ::Lael took only a moment to take in all of the information being presented to her before turning to Tel-ar with a curt nod. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means and was one of the most difficult ones she’d had to make since becoming first officer. With Mei on the surface talking with the Klingon delegation, this choice was on her.:: Rosek: Do everything you can to minimize the damage, Commander, but if it comes to it-- ::turns back to face the viewscreen:: To quote the Vulcans, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”. Rosek: Damage to the ships? Hamasaki: I'm reading some damage to their communications and life-support systems. Rosek: ::to Hamasaki:: Get our shuttles out there to recover the ships’ occupants. All of our personnel must maintain quarantine. Advise them they’ll need EVA suits. Hamasaki: Aye. They're already nearing the freighter. Rosek: ::presses her thumb to the button on the armchair:: =/\=Rosek to Skyfire.=/\= Skyfire: =/\=Go ahead, commander. =/\= Rosek: =/\=I know you have your hands full down there, but we have two vessels full of passengers that tried to breach quarantine and they might need medical assistance. Prep a couple of your medics with the necessary supplies to treat the passengers.=/\= Skyfire: =/\=On it. I’ll pull a personnel hat trick and find the people.=/\= Rosek: =/\=Understood. Rosek out.=/\= ::She sat in silence for a long moment, contemplating what had just happened and the call that she’d just made. A grimace twisted her features and she had to remind herself that she was here because Mei trusted her judgement and had faith that she could handle situations like this. She’d never felt the burden of command so heavily as she did in that moment. Her choice could just as easily have resulted in 200 deaths. It wasn’t something she’d chosen lightly, but that didn’t change the risk she’d taken.:: ::Meanwhile, Dr. German Galven had stopped by Sickbay to see how everything was going and overheard some of the conversation between Lael and Chythar over the CMO’s commbadge. He wasn’t too sure that what they had done was the right thing. And of all people, Lael made that decision to stop the ships, but at what cost? He quickly got the bridge and arrived as the conversation between the officers was dwindling down.:: Tel-ar: Thrusters off line… :: short pause. :: last passengers beamed off. It will crash about 5 miles away from the city. Rosek: :: leans back in the chair :: They were the first...but I doubt they’ll be the last. Stay on your toes. Hamasaki: Ma'am, the shuttles are already in orbit and moving to intercept. They'll need to standby for beam out. There's only one left if we need to scramble it for another emergency. Galven: I’m confused. Why are we shooting at ships? ::He was indeed confused and was oblivious to how Lael wasn’t too happy about his sudden appearance on the Bridge. He did, however, notice that everyone was looking at him with curiosity as to why he was there asking that. He then walked around to where Lael was and saw that her eyes were closed, but for a moment.:: ::German’s sudden appearance had her fighting not to jump. It was a perfectly reasonable question, but something about the way he asked it made her tense. Her hands wrapped around the arms of the chair she currently occupied and she had to force herself to be conscious of how tight her grip was so she didn’t damage Mei’s chair. She could easily have left indents from the tips of her fingers, possibly even mangled the arms. Closing her eyes for a long moment, she drew in and then released a steadying breath. She owed him no explanation and didn’t offer one beyond a simple statement of fact.:: Rosek: Vessels containing 200 potentially infected people tried to break quarantine. Galven: My apologies, but isn’t there a better way to handle that kind of situation? ::Lael rose from the chair, turning to face German as she drew herself up to her full height, her bright blue eyes piercing his. Logically, she knew German hadn’t intended to challenge her...only her decision. But the poorly-chosen moment for his frankness had placed her in a difficult position. To maintain her authority with the rest of the crew, she’d need to call him on it.:: ::When Lael rose from her seat, her gaze met his. The way she was looking at him should have caused him to stop talking, but then the Andorian spoke which threw him off and he turned his head to look over at tactical station.:: Tel-ar: They were given a direct order to land and more than enough time to comply with that order, Chief. Galven: We could try communicating with them? If they don’t comply, then trap them in a stasis field? Hamasaki: Projecting a stasis field over kilometers through atmospheric attenuation is .. rather risky. In addition, they knew that under Federation Code 335 § 89.922 once a planetary quarantine is declared, all merchants are to stay in orbit until cleared by planetary authorities. That said… ::Wisely, the young ensign allowed her sentence to trail off without finishing it. The last thing Lael needed was two officers openly questioning her judgement. It set a bad precedent. Regardless of whether she was right or not, protocol demanded that she be awarded the respect of dissenters voicing their thoughts to her privately so they didn’t stir up a mutiny. Though she doubted one incident would lead to that, allowing it to happen again and again very well could.: Rosek: ::without breaking German’s gaze:: Thank you, Ensign Hamasaki. Keep an eye out for any other ships that are looking to break quarantine. ::It was then that German realized he made a mistake in questioning Lael and everyone esle on the bridge when the ensign helmswoman stopped talking and how Lael had never took her eyes off of his gaze. He had seen her like this before, but it was during the time when they were on the decaying planet and they were fighting the pirates. This time, he was on the receiving end of her daggers. He shifted nervously.:: Tel-ar: The city has dispatched a security detail to deal with the exploratory vessel and its occupants. They have informed me that they will keep us informed, in case there are any further problems. Hamasaki: The shuttles are reporting that approximately 50 people need attention from the freighter, and they've got a complaint from the freighter captain, but are returning it to orbit for orbital facilities to handle the rest. They're standing by to beam up medical personnel and begin SAR. Rosek: ::nods:: Noted. ::turns to Tel-ar:: Commander Tel-ar, you have the bridge. Comm me immediately if more ships try to break quarantine. ::to German:: May I see you in the ready room? ::It wasn't a request and she hoped German would pick up on that. As much as she was dreading this conversation, they needed to have it. He had to understand the magnitude of what he’d almost done.:: Tel-ar: As you wish. ::The Denobulan hesitated before he spoke. He knew now he had broken a rule. Now being alone in a room with a woman scorned wasn’t what he had planned on doing, but he complied.:: Galven: Yes, ma’am. ::Without looking to see if he followed, she crossed the bridge in a few long strides, the irritation clear in her posture, her hands tucked behind her back as she entered the ready room for what she was convinced would be one of the most awkward conversations of her career.:: : :He followed her close behind and noticed by the way she was walking that the Al-Leyan wasn’t too happy about what German just said. His posture was a little sunk in as he approached the door, then glanced back at everyone on the bridge, then turned.:: ((Ready Room, USS Montreal)) ::The moment the doors closed behind them, she turned to him, her lips a thin line. Despite her best attempts, she was certain her features couldn’t appropriately convey the hardness she was trying for because this was German. She couldn’t look at him with the severity she knew the situation warranted. She didn’t need a mirror to know that her eyes were giving her away with the softness in them.:: : :Once his inside, German stood still with his posture straightened and his hands clasped together behind him. He knew he was about to be dressed down for his behavior just a few seconds ago by the way Lael’s lips formed a straight line. He looked straight on past her once she began to speak.:: Rosek: Remind me, Lieutenant. What’s the proper protocol to follow if you disagree with a choice your commanding officer has made in a given situation? Galven: Not say anything until a moment presents itself to talk with them privately. Rosek: ::arches an eyebrow:: So you’re aware of the protocol, but you chose to ignore it despite the potential consequences. : :He was aware of it, but at the time he was so bewildered that he forgot about the protocol. He had broken that trust between ranking officials. He was straining himself to glance at her, but wanted to remain as professional as ever for her.:: Galven: ::voice quivering:: I’m sorry, but::beat::I was confused and-- Rosek: ::scowls:: You arrived on the bridge after the fact with no knowledge of the details and decided I’d made the wrong call. ::She was right. He didn't know what to say after she told him that. What German did was incredibly stupid and he knew it.:: ::She took a couple of steps forward, a dangerous glint in her eye as she stopped an arm’s length away from him.:: ::As she stepped closer to him, his gaze met hers and saw how upset she was with him.:: ::If looks could kill.:: Rosek: If you’re going to serve under my command, I need to know that you’ll follow the orders I give you regardless of whether you agree with them. What you did out there demonstrated an astonishing lack of trust in my ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of all parties involved. Galven: ::lips quivering:: Commander, I have never not trusted your ability to lead and I have a feeling that was a difficult decision to make, but at the time I was confused as to what was happening. I was stupid. ::It took everything she had not to drop her mask as she saw how upset he was. His reaction was flaring her temper and she had to get it under control. The way he was acting felt manipulative even if logically she knew that wasn’t his intention. She knew from past experience that German was his own worst critic and was probably more upset with himself than she was with him.:: ::In truth, she wasn’t upset. Just disappointed. She had to force herself to remember a time when she’d stood in front of Rahman feeling the exact same way German did right now. She’d prayed at the time for the deck to open up and swallow her whole, so ashamed of her outburst that she’d seriously had to fight tears. Against her will, her expression softened slightly.:: ::Lael didn’t say anything which made the situation a little more awkward and made German wonder what she was thinking. He wanted to know more about her reasoning behind her motives back on the bridge. Granted, she didn’t have to tell him, but the Denobulan’s curiosity got the better of him.:: Galven: Permission to speak freely, Commander? Rosek: ::murmurs:: Go ahead, Lieutenant. Galven: We are going to have enough on our hands treating to sick, but now there's going to injured people on board. How will they trust us knowing we were the ones that hurt them? ::She had to clench her fists to keep her temper in check at the reminder of the similar statement he’d made on the bridge moments before. He was right. She should have at least tried to give the ships a warning. Everything had happened so quickly and her primary focus had been on ensuring whatever illness those people were potentially infected with didn’t leave the planet.:: ::She’d shut off her emotions and, clearly with them, her empathy. She was thankful it hadn’t ended in disaster. It was a burden she’d carry for a long time...until she could forgive herself. If she ever did.:: ::The way the Al-Leyan responded by clenching her fists made German move back a little. He wanted to brace himself for a storm.:: Rosek: Be that as it may, Lieutenant...the bridge is not the proper forum to express your concerns when you come strolling in after the fact having not been present for what led up to the course of action. ::She didn’t exactly answer the question, but German reminded himself that it wasn’t his place to question her. He didn’t want another incident like the both of them had down in the mines during the Havley’s Hope mission.:: Galven: I understand that. I'm incredibly sorry for breaking your trust and that's the God's honest truth. I'll accept any punishment you have for me. ::pauses:: And I hope you can forgive me. Rosek: ::rolls her eyes:: Enough with the groveling. ::huffs:: If you truly believe what you’re saying, stand by it. ::The statement had come out more than a tad harsher than she’d intended it to, but it irritated her to no end when people asked forgiveness even if they’d made a mistake. To her, it had always been a sign of weakness...though she knew that wasn’t true of everyone. She rarely, if ever, apologized when receiving criticism or advice from her superiors. She simply acknowledged that it had been given to her and confirmed her understanding with a simple “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am”.:: ::It was how she’d survived the Academy with them constantly drilling down on the cadets those first few months to make the weak ones quit. But she’d been damned and determined not to be one of the ones who was weeded out.:: Galven: ::straightens his posture:: Yes, ma’am. Rosek: ::meets his gaze:: I once stood where you are, Lieutenant. I made a mistake and questioned my direct superior, Luna Walker, in front of the entire senior staff AND the Antor II governor. When Captain Rahman called me and Commander Walker into her ready room, I silently prayed that a gaping hole would form in the deck and that I’d fall through. But I stood my ground. The only apology I offered was where and in front of whom I had made the remarks. I didn’t ask for forgiveness because I knew my commitment to never make that mistake again was enough. ::She was trying to give him advice...to toughen him up for the climb up the ladder. Apologies didn’t fix the mistake, action did. No matter how sincere his apology, if he couldn’t back it up with action, it wouldn’t matter. It was something she’d learned the hard way at the Academy and in certain situations out here. :: ::He felt somewhat better that she had been in his shoes before, but he knew not to do it ever again. The situation was more of a one time experience. And he fully was capable of putting it locked away in his memory bank. If Captain Rahman was there, she’d be very disappointed in him. Also the Caitian commander. Which made him wonder how they were doing and if there was any progress.:: Galven: I’m not going to make the mistake again as well. Rosek: ::expression softens slightly:: Have you ever heard of Anne Frank, Lieutenant? : :Thinking back to his Academy days, he had never heard of the woman’s name. He tried to remember if there was any mention of her in his history classes.:: Galven: ::shakes his head:: The name doesn’t ring a bell, no. ::She didn’t figure he would have. The young woman’s story was an inspiration to Terrans even today. She’d first read The Diary of Anne Frank in high school. English had been her least favorite subject, but something about the story had touched her heart and had stayed with her ever since.:: Rosek: ::gaze drops from his for a moment before returning to it:: She was a young Jewish girl who became a victim of a fascist group who believed that Aryans were the master race and anyone who didn’t fit that mold was rounded up and slaughtered. Galven: That’s horrible… Rosek: She died at 16. But before she did, she said this: “What is done cannot be undone, but at least one can keep it from happening again.” ::lays a hand on his shoulder and squeezes:: We all make mistakes, Lieutenant. What makes us stronger is doing everything in our power not to repeat those mistakes. : :That was lesson to be learned and also keep very well in his mind. Lael was giving him his confidence back by telling him about the girl and her situation. The disgusting depravity of people and how they were ignorant of other races. Historical mistakes of people surely needed to be remembered and not have it repeated. He shook his head and frowned at such a life for a teenager. Most likely scared and wondering what was to be next. Then dying in the hands of the disgusting level of what a group would do to gain power.:: Galven: Lesson learned, ma’am. You can count on me to do better. ::She opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by the chirp of her commbadge. She’d been so wrapped up in the situation with German that she’d almost forgotten she was expecting an update on the set-up of the quarantine zone. She tapped her commbadge, Solok’s voice coming through.:: Solok: =/\= Solok to Doctor Skyfire and Commander Rosek. =/\= Skyfire: =/\= Skyfire here, doctor. =/\= Rosek: ::murmurs:: I should get back to the bridge and you're needed down below. Galven: Yes ma’am. ::turns to the door, then glances back at Lael:: Thank you. ::Lael opened her mouth to speak, but as the doors closed she was hit with the most disorienting sensation followed by a flash of an image so brief that she couldn’t make it out. She gasped, gripping the edge of Mei’s desk to remain standing. Her footing was still shaky at best as she rose to her full height, straightening her uniform.:: Rosek: =/\=Rosek here. Go ahead, Doctors.=/\= --- Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek Executive Officer USS Montreal I238110RH0 & Lieutenant German Galven Chief Science Officer USS Montreal V239507GG0