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  1. ((Bridge, USS Apollo)) Ra: Lieutenant, do you believe that there is a destiny coefficient on the probability of outcomes? ::The question was quite random, but it caused her to pause and think about it. Was there a such thing as fate? As destiny? Certainly things had come together in her world to culminate at this particular point and time. Why could the same not be true for others?:: Adyr: You mean like, fate? ::He elaborated on the thought as if he’d been thinking about it, mulling it over in his head for some time.:: Ra: What I mean is do you believe that destiny, at times, is the driver of where we are supposed to be? As if some force, some say the universe, is somehow affecting us. Or is it all just coincidence and random chance? ::Alaryc had an interesting view on fate and history, and as his words came to mind, she smiled.:: Adyr: Someone once told me that half of everything is luck, but the other have is the unending need for the universe to balance itself. Perhaps we are part of that balancing process. ::It didn’t seem so easy for the man to agree. He seemed to voice a kind of internal conflict; a conflict that reminded her of days that had long passed.:: Ra: I grapple with the problem of lacking proof. I have never believed in predestination of any kind. I have always believed that we controlled our own futures. I once wrote a paper concluding that even if you traveled into the future to see the future outcome, there was no guarantee of achieving that outcome because of your knowledge of those future events. But throughout this mission, my beliefs have been tested. Your presence on this ship and coming up with the correct solution. The insights from Gondor. I wonder sometimes if someone is writing the script for us. So now if I am wrong, no matter what we do, we end up where we are supposed to be. ::Cayden contemplated that notion for a moment. It seemed like a fairly black and white conflict; either they were set on one path as a puppet that simply played a part in an already predestined play, or they were simply children of chaos who went and did as they wished without any real direction. Neither set seemed to fit her own beliefs on the subject though. Perhaps there was more than just the black and white.:: Adyr: Personally, I think it all falls into more of a grey area. ::Again she smiled and turned in the chair slightly to look at the Efrosian man.:: Ra: So, how does this blend work? ::Now it was her turn to elaborate.:: Adyr: Perhaps the script is not yet written because there are still possibilities. Paths if you will. We can choose the path, which ultimately will take us places and through experiences, and while we think this is where we need to be and when we need to be here, perhaps it is just the universe bending those paths towards balance. Ra: So you suggest that we all have our own final destination, but that the paths to reach that destination are ultimately up to ourselves. The universe does not concern itself with the finer details, but merely overall vision. Interesting... Adyr: Maybe there are multiple places and times where we should be. Where we can do the most good. ::Now she shrugged. Thinking about her own situation, she realized that here and now was where she wanted to be with her whole heart, but was that destiny, or was that simply the successful culmination of good choices she had made along the way? In times where coincidence and serendipity seemed to reside, it seemed far more like fate than it did of her own work.:: Ra: Yet it seems that certain events appear to be so well thought out that we end up where we are supposed to be, without option. Adyr: You’re right; strange coincidences seem to point towards some kind of predestined point in the future, but maybe we’re looking at it wrong. Maybe it’s just that our past dictates the paths we choose to take, and perhaps that is what puts us where we need to be. Ra: Historical analysis is often the best way to predict the future, however there are exceptions. Case in point, the Dominion War. Starfleet strategists predicted that it was more likely that the Federation was going to lose the war than win it. However, two unexpected events occurred. It was not expected that the Romulans would join the alliance nor the Cardassians to turn on the Founders...or that I would lose my older brother in that very conflict. ::It was an interesting way to turn it around on herself. She could feel Alaryc’s scientific mind tugging at her consciousness as she spoke. Still seeming no closer to the truth, she simply found herself content to mull over the options and thoughts of her now fellow officer. Strange was the road that had brought her back to this, the center chair, but regardless of if it was her or the universe, she knew that she wouldn’t have traded it for anything.:: TAG/TBC --- Lieutenant Cayden Adyr Mission Specialist/Command Advisor USS Apollo
  2. (( USS Discovery-C, The Eagle's Roost)) :: The Raskorian entered the bar, the delicious one. He was dressed well in attire which matched his fine feathers. The bird-like gait seemed to indicate confidence, although this well could have been anthropomorphizing the avian a bit. :: :: For a while longer, Cruella gazed hungrily at Doctor Aven. The lights in the bar were now several lumens brighter than she liked. Against this modest brilliance she was now armed with sunglasses. These were, unfortunately, enabling her new habit. It was a bad one - tasting people with her eyes. From the shadowy screen behind the bar with her eyes guarded by dark lenses Cruella watched the patrons more avidly than would have made them comfortable. She wanted his blood most of all. :: oO Doctor Aven Morning-song the Raskorian. oO :: Fortunately few thought of her new accessory as anything more than another symptom of her photosensitivity. :: :: Cruella was hoping that the Discovery's smallest doctor would come sit at the bar. Maybe he would want to "check up" on her recovery? :: :: Instead Aven went directly towards the coolest cat in the joint. The Raskorian bobbed up to Nickels as though he were the most approachable soul in the moodily-lit mess hall [...] lounge. :: oO [...]y thing. Oo :: She was at first furious at the slight. After forceful moments of reflection, Cruella realized she was not doing Aven justice. She had entirely neglected her hostess duties. There was more to keeping such a social job than waiting to be approached. As the amiable avian attempted a conversation with the morose mobster mook from Security, Cruella subtly began to approach the pair. :: :: She was wearing fancy clothes of her own. Although attached to her customary habit, she had felt the need for something new, some changes. No longer in bulky, shapeless shrouds with a hood and cowl, she wore a conservative dress extending to the floor. It was cut a bit closer than her Sister's habit, although not remotely indecent. It had long sleeves which she had tucked into the cuffs of dark gloves. A vivid red guimpe of crushed velvet further protected her neck and shoulders, while her head was concealed (apart from her face and the suggestion of impressive ears) by a layered velvet scarf of impenetrable darkness. The sunglasses made her look a bit like an aged movie star whom had escaped the silver screen to serve drinks. :: Nickels: response Aven: ::resisting the urge to run a medical scan to determine the level of Nickels intoxication.:: The color scheme is all mine however the design is from a file sent to me by an anonymous friend. Nickels: response Aven: What are you drinking Mr Nickels? Nickels: response Aven: Whiskey? A distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash if I remember correctly. ::shuddering:: Well each to his own I suppose. I prefer the nectar of flowers myself. :: Cruella was near enough now to observe the fledgling conversation. She could pick up on the words. However, the contrast between the light and entreating mood of Aven and the dark demeanor of Nickels was dizzying - had she been reading them intently it might have been staggering. As it was, she still picked up on a seething, old wound Nickels was attempting unsucessfully to sterilize with ethanol. :: :: She politely inserted herself between them, concerned that the handsome Iotian Security officer might say something more brash. :: CRUELLA: Would I be presumptuous in bringing you some fresh nectar now, good doctor? ::The Reman woman smiled, her teeth in two regular rows. She then spoke to whomever might overhear in the vicinity, her voice a triumphant clarion.:: You know, I declare Doctor Aven saved my life, I believe. ::once more addressing the two:: Not that I expect a repeat performance of the Medical Arts will be necessary. oO Move on, move off from it. Fight the hunger. Oo NICKELS: (response) CRUELLA: ::businesslike tempo:: Very well then, sir. A double for the Ensign with a pair of friends to make sure he reaches home in good company. oO Dean Martin would could do little better. Oo ::She turned to face the Raskorian, between the two of them she was feeling an intriguing kind of heat. Her blood quickened just slightly, and licked her full lips involuntarily.:: And any particular nectar for the dapper Doctor? ::She forcibly comported herself, but the Raskorian body radiated more heat than the common Terran -- though perhaps she was merely indulging in a hematophage's fantasy.:: AVEN: (response) :: Cruella nodded in reponse, made to procure the orders, but was interrupted by a faintly slurred speech from the indigo-eyed Iotian. :: NICKELS: (response) :: She had, in fact, noticed. But some vague intuition, a feeling Nickels might have been sending desparately to any whom could read, this caused her a tricky thought. She fully intended to provoke the usually charming, if a bit oily, man. Some part of Nickels fought against *something* for his rank and all it meant to him. :: :: Uncharacteristically forward, Cruella sat on Nickels' lap - the sprawl which he had going defied physics to explain how he remained in seat, but left an open field for any temptresses. The way the Reman vampire cradled his young neck with one hand as her other turned his dress collar just so to catch the candle light was borderline menacing. :: oO Odd. I feel as though I should be on a harpsicord- No. A piano. Reclining on a piano, talking- no, not talking. Singing. Oo :: Even in a non-vampire, her elaborate show of inspection would have been considered predatory in anyone as old as she was. She looked at the new half-pip decorating Nickels' neck. Her guilty eyes, hidden from most behind shades, darted up to meet his infra-blue eyes and their rye-induced shine. His shiny pips reflected in her black lenses, the lenses reflected back complete with miniscule pips in Nickels' eyes. :: CRUELLA: ::playful, dusky tone:: Lookee here, the man has returned from disgrace. :: His warmth was intoxicating; she delicately lowered her hand from Nickels' neck to the fabric stretched between his shoulders. :: NICKELS: (response, if any) CRUELLA: Though I am just a working girl, I'd say the rank suits you, Lieutenant Nickels. ::She stood up, straightening her clothes with one hand, still hooked to Nickels' collar with the other.:: But junior grade under-rates you. ::She turned from Nickels, dragging the man slightly as she addressed the innocent bystander, Doctor Aven.:: ::in challenge:: Whaddaya say, Doc? What's the word on this ..specimen? Is he fit to serve or should we throw him back? AVEN: (response) oO Yes, I should stop tormenting the two of them. Oo CRUELLA: ::much more in her usual music style:: Coming right up, gentelmen. Don't stop the part on account of my absence. ::winkinging at the two of them:: If you're still here I'll top you off on my next round. AVEN/NICKELS: (response) :: With that she resumed her usual manner. :: :: No stranger to influencing the minds of others, Cruella sensed she had made a favorable impression on the silently brooding Nickels. She was less sure of Aven's take on her little display. Perhaps he would be jealous in some obscure manner? Perhaps he would worry after her state of health and well-being? Or maybe he would simply be disgusted. :: oO Digusted I know backwards and forwards. Oh, if only... I should so like to dive right into the thick of them and read away. Maybe add a few thoughts. Just a couple, innocent ones. Oo :: In a short while she brought them beverages. Content to to stir the pot once in a while, remaining a mild-mannered barkeep the rest of her shift. :: Sister Cruella (PNPC) Bartender The Eagle's Roost as simmed by Lt.Cmdr. Inarr "Steve" Rogg d'Squamos Chief Engineering Officer USS Discovery-C
  3. Note: This was written before this officer was promoted. ((Tiger-A Deck 4-Junoir officer crew quarters ) ) :: The ensign looked at the PADD in her hand, it held the schematics of the new Prometheus vessel she was to serve on. According to the data it was the most advanced vessel Starfleet had, and certainly the most advanced she had ever seen. First order of business was to find her quarters, stow what items she had before checking in to the commanding officers. :: oO There it is. Oo :: Touching the door panel she walked into a single occupancy room, that to her seemed large for one person. Her own quarters on Shield were this size and they housed her husband, child and herself. illumination activated once a living being entered the room. No need to fumble for the controls when tired. Convenient. Logical. A glance around showed a bed, deck consol, dresser and a closet for clothing, the refresher was in another room. A glance in there to familiarize herself, T’Mynn noticed another even smaller room in the ‘fresher, curious she put her head in to suddenly jerk back in gasping in surprise. Reached a hand to her head finding it and her body was all wet. oO Water out of the walls? Oo :: Starfleet Academy did mention these things, but experiencing them was another course in and of itself. Looking down, contemplating changing, she saw the droplets being quickly absorbed by her skin. Vulcan epidermis was made to be a bit more osmotic than a human’s. If needed, a V’tosh could ‘drink’ in mists that occasionally rose off the small oceans of Ti’Valk’ian absorbing water that way. The last time the woman had seen that world seemed to be many lifetimes ago. She decided to let the water absorb and put her toiletries in the fresher in the meantime. Medium sized blown glass bottles made by her uncle holding scented oils made from plants grown in her mother’s gardens were placed on the sink. She replicated a bowl of very fine sand, that too found it’s place. :: :: A quick uniform change while the computer updated her data, then chirped to indicaite an open subspace com channel was active. :: oO Punctual as usual Oo :: T’Mynn though with a smile as the faces of her parents appeared on screen. :: Farin: Hello, little one. T’Mynn: Hello Father. How are you and Mother and brothers doing? Farin: We are all doing well. ::A head poked itself into frame, T’Mynn’s brother Sorin, eyebrow went up.:: Sorin: Why are you wet? Did someone throw you into another body of water again? You should try to avoid that. T’Mynn:: head up a finger in an effort to explain when another head poked into frame, this time Sarek.:: Sarek: Maybe it’s a Starfleet thing. Ensign tossing. Although Lil’sister is small, so maybe it’s dwarf tossing. :: He grins. :: T’Mynn: Nope, No dwarf tossing. Just an encounter with the shower. They have water coming out of the walls on this ship. :: All three men’s eyes widen a little at that. :: Sarek: Water from the walls? :: Incredulously.:: Try the sonic shower next time, less messy. :grins: Did you find a nice mate yet. You can't play doubles Mahdhzong with only seven. Hurry up. :grins: T’Mynn: I..uh.. well..:: raising an eyebrow:: I wasn’t looking, I needed to study not go looking for males. ::Looking mildly uncomfortable even though the man was gently teasing hoping for a smile.:: ::Sorin shoves him out of frame. Only to be shoved out of frame by Farin. The brothers conversation though quiet wasn’t missed by keen V’Tosh hearing. In the background she caught Sorin saying “What’s the matter with you, that’s a touchy subject. :: Sounds of a hand gently swatting someone.:: "Give her time.” :: Farin: Hiist out,both of you. Go work on the Disciplines, you both can chat with her later. :Shaking head.:: Boys. :: T’Mynn tried to keep the grin of her face. She could hear the duo shouting back comments and joking with each other. The two brothers could be at times incurable but she loved them nonetheless. They added a lot of life to the family. Many days of laughter especially during the long trip through the vast wastes of space. They truly cared for her, they wanted her to be whole again by finding someone to complete her.:: oO It’s not that easy my dear brothers. A soul mate isn’t found on trees. Oo Farin ::Looking apologetic:: Sorin tends to speak before thinking. T’Mynn: I understand his sentiment, and I greatly appreciate his concern..What’s new? Farin: Ah. There will be a new addition to the family. ::T’Mynn raised a questioning eyebrow:: T’Ami, is with child. ::Farin was calm but his eyes showed how joyful he was. :: T’Mynn: That’s wonderful? When? Farin: Anytime now, she’s anxious for them to see the world. T’Mynn: Them? Twins? Again? :: Twinning was rare among their species, but occasionally some families tended to have more of them than others. Pregnancy was hard on a V’tosh because of their anatomy the baby was carried low which proved to be a bit uncomfortable. Twins made it a bit more uncomfortable. T’Mynn knew that if T’Ami was with twins, she would’ve been bedridden for three quarters of the term.:: :: Farin nodded, the scenery seemed to be moving around as if he were carrying the computer through the house. She saw familiar things, mother’s plants all over the home. . :: Farin: ::Whispering. :: She is sleeping, but I figured you wanted to see her. :;He had angled the screen to capture her, t’Ogien’s primary was shining through the large open windows, a breeze ruffling the woman’s hair. Her father quietly sat down on the edge of the bed next to T’Ami, gently stroking her forehead with his fingers. T’Ami smiled in her sleep at his touch, shifted to a better position her belly swollen the lives she carried. :: T‘Mynn: I can see why she’s wants her tenets out. I would too.. Please give her, the babies and those troublesome brothers my love. Farin: :: Speaking quietly still.::I will. T’Mynn: I’d like to talk all night but I have to meet my commanding officers. Starfleet has more protocal, than I can imagine, sometimes how much is even logical. :: She missed them all, she missed her mate and her child. Her bond with them no longer existing because both passed beyond the veil that separates this life from the next. :: Farin: ::nodding:: it’s necessary unfortunately, politicians need jobs. Things haven’t changed much. T’Mynn: Terrans have a saying.”The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Farin: There is wisdom there. Get going Little one, we love you and stay safe. T’Mynn: :: Putting a hand on the screen.: So do I. :: The connection closed, but not before a file packet showed up from her family. She put it in the desk drawer to view later after all the meet and greeting was finished. A tap or two on the environmental controls set the ambient temperature to forty degrees Celsius, gravity to 1.4 standard Gs and air density to fit that of her birth world. She finished unpacking her back pack that held a PADD, holo-cam, a small case that held paint brushes, ink well, a roll of fabric like paper, and an isolinear chip. These were carefully arranged on the desktop. A quick communicae’ to the transporter chief, the contents of the chip arrived, the rest of her items. Pots of plant-life shimmered into existence. Ti’Valk’ain plant-life that she and T’Ami had grown, and later she’d taken care of them during her tenure at the Academy. Holos of family sat at the desk, plants on the desk, floor, and shelving. A lyre stood next to the desk as well. The bed would have to stay until she could move it. It was going to feel odd sleeping on it; she was used to a floor pallet and generally preferred it. :: :: Standing in the middle of the room, it would be home for a while. A Terran saying drifting through her memory "Home is where you hang your hat." and "Home is where your heart is." :: oO My heart will always be with Ti'Valk'Ain until I find someone to share it with, this place is where I'll 'hang my hat." Oo :: A small form wound itself around her ankles.:: T’Mynn: Sneaky creature following me, how did you escape notice? Hmm :: Scratching an ear on the purring feline. She secured food and water for the feline and headed out the door to start her duties on Tiger. :: Ensign T’Mihn Ah’mygahn Science Officer USS-Tiger 52199-A
  4. ((USS Apollo - Sickbay)) ::Pierce saw the look of distaste briefly cross Barne's face as she shipped him off to Emma. It wasn't unusual from crew to prefer a human doctor over a holographic one, no matter what skin it wore. That said something about the human condition, that a race who frequented holodecks as a means of near-perfect escape were not comfortable with that same pre-programmed concept touching their outsides and insides. It was a small relief that Emma understood the feelings that most humans had towards their digital counterparts.:: ::The EMH caught a glance from the doctor that she had taken to understanding was a means of non-verbally requesting someone's presence. She had seen the same look pass between couples numerous times, although those seemed to be looks more of anger than of a medical nature.:: Barnes: Thanks Bones. Nothing like a walking computer to play with your mind. ::Emma gestured for Barnes to sit down.:: Emma: Despite your concerns, I am perfectly suited to the task at hand. Barnes: Oh very funny. So what are you doing, EMMA? ::The comment hadn't seemed particularly funny. The idea crossed through Emma's central processing unit that this could be a side effect of the encounter that Hugh Barnes had undergone just hours before, but it was an idea that fizzled out just as quickly.:: Emma: We will be examining you to find if you share any of the same neuro-degenerative symptoms as Johnson and the Nelson crew members. Barnes: Been listening in again have we?. The only problem I've had is a short recurring dream, nightmare, vision or whatever about the last time I saw my wife alive. Emma: I suppose what I was doing could be called eavesdropping, though my hearing was finely tuned within this program to aid in medical procedures. Barnes: If you say so EMMA. Is this going to take long? Emma: Not particularly. ::The neural scan began moments after Barnes' head hit the bed. He was very tense, but as the moments passed he calmed down and the sine wave emerged. There were high levels of activity in the brain stem – not enough to imply that the patient was having waking dreams or hallucinations, just that his lower brain function was up and he might be more prone to wild imaginings.:: Barnes: All clear EMMA? Am I fit or just slightly mad? EMMA: Whatever happened on the ship seems to have stimulated some of the memory storage in your brain. Should you experience vivid flashes during waking hours or have serious trouble sleeping, please let someone in Sickbay know. However, you appear to be free from all the other ailments plaguing the Nelson's crew. ::Ramos's swelling seemed to be going down. Pierce eyed the counselor with trepidation. Too many of the staff were operating below what was considered safe, but she realized the drive to work was strong in the whole crew, especially now with a pseudo-crisis on their hands.:: Pierce: How does that feel now? Ramos: Hmm? Oh, right. It's... better. Pierce: I'm sorry about before. The impact was deeper than I thought. Ramos: It's alright. No harm was done Pierce: ::smiling:: I should hope. ::Satisfied that everyone in Sickbay was either in slow recovery or at least not getting any worse, Sidney took a minute to take a deep breath and pause. The room was quieter than it had been in a while.:: Barnes: Bones. ::Pierce turned to look at the security chief.:: Barnes: About the problem we were discussing about the Borg, if you want to continue, how about over dinner? Pierce: ::startled:: Dinner? Of... of course. I'll try to clear some time as soon as it's possible. Barnes: Anytime that suits you. Just let me know. ::With that, Barnes turned and went to check in with Neebo, leaving Pierce leaning against the bed. Suffice it to say, this would be her first interpersonal interaction with a stranger in a long time, outside of medical facilities and active duty. There was lots of potential for terror. For example, the tone of the evening had been left blank. Would this be a chummy dinner with wry jokes in the mess, or would this be a philosophical discussion over a fine wine? Too much of the nature of human interaction was overwhelming to Sidney even after her years in Starfleet. Too many years among Betazed mindgames.:: ::Doctor Pierce hadn't moved or said anything for a few moments. Her lack of movement was particularly noticeable within the confines of a still Sickbay. Emma strode over and gave her a soft touch on the shoulder. The other woman jumped.:: Pierce: ::small gasp:: I'm ... I'm so sorry. Emma: Are you alright, Sidney? Pierce: Yeah, I was just... ::making a circle with her hand mid-air:: miles away, you know? Emma: ::looking concerned:: Miles away. The distancing of one's mind from one's body. Pierce: Your programming has some baffling detail. Emma: For this version of the Emergency Medical Holographic program, the coding engineers felt it was best for me to have a sub-routine dedicated to the vernacular of various races so that nothing would be misunderstood or taken out of context. ::Pierce chuckled a little bit.:: Pierce: What did your scans of Barnes pick up? Emma: That he is fairly healthy, that his hallucinations were brought on by the same issues as everyone else, but that he will manage. I believe it is time we started working on a treatment. ::They both moved to sit down in Pierce's office. There were nearly ten different bio-scans to examine, plus a partial readout of the creature's energy signature and scraps of the Nelson's medical record. Emma began plotting symptoms and comparable diseases while Sidney placed healthy brain and bio-scans side-by-side for comparison.:: Pierce: ::murmuring:: We need to silence the primal functions to get rid of hallucinations, we need to stifle the paranoia, and we need to get that rogue energy signature out of their systems. Emma: Bio-feedback loop. Pierce: Would amplify the issues, assuming the nervous system will continue to act like a short-circuiting power relay. Anti-psychotics. Emma: Medication will not solve the problem, only temporarily allow respite from the symptoms. ::Pierce got up out of her chair. She had been fidgeting as she thought anyway; the pacing was merely an extension of that. She crossed the room ten, twenty, thirty times before finally sighing and sitting back down. There was something. Something that could combine all of this. She frowned.:: Pierce: If all the problems are neuro-chemical in nature, why not just... have the body fight it off? Emma: Unlikely - this is not a virus or bacterial infection. The bodies of our patients do not have the anti-bodies to fight off an infection of this nature. Pierce: It's not an infection, more like... a hormone imbalance. I've been coming at this all wrong. It's not a neuro-toxin, like something that has been added to the body's existing chemicals. ::She stood up, walking out to into the room.:: It's a sine wave, or a pulse that disperses the ability of a subject to think and act rationally. What if we just... fought back? Reached into our mind and re-balanced our own leaning towers? Emma: Elaborate. ::Sidney's mind was firing rapidly. She struggled to get all of her thoughts in one place. This is how every breakthrough in an essay had been, every game won, every right word in the right ear; like firecrackers going off just behind her eyes.:: Pierce: What if we put the body to sleep, keeping them and everyone else safe from physical harm. We then move everyone into a REM state and let their brain sort out what is wrong with them. Emma: Using the processor to assess the damage and repair it. Interesting. There would be great risk of harm. They could awake as a different person. Pierce: I don't know. Do you think the human body would knowingly harm parts of itself in sleep? Most of the time spent dreaming is an attempt by the higher functions of the brain to get everything right. If we're in a pleasant dream we might try to stay there, otherwise everything is about waking up and setting things straight. We put them to sleep, we let their minds go. We get everyone back. ::They looked around the room at the cluster of injured bodies. Pierce let out a slow stream of air.:: Pierce: ::quietly:: Any volunteers? Lt JG Pierce Chief Medical Officer USS Apollo also simming for PNPC EMH Mark III "Emma" USS Apollo
  5. ((Holodeck One-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Alexander walked into the holodeck as the doors opened for the virtual connection to the Drake had been completed. He is very excited to see Jade again. It has been a few weeks since he has seen her. He walked over to the computer to program his home in the Ohio Valley. He tapped the controls, then the room of black and yellow changed to the summer landscape of green grass, leaf filled trees, and the lush green mountains. He looked down to the valley below where the family home sits, surrounded by trees and the winding path from the house to the main road. He stood next to his cafe racer style motorcycle in his jacket, tee-shirt, blue jeans, and boots. Holding his helmet in his hand, and the other on the bike he waited for Jade.:: ((Holodeck - Drake)) Shryker: There he is! ::Jade approached him from the holodeck entrance, wearing similar clothes to Alex. Boots, jeans, and leather jacket. It was wonderful to see him again. She had missed him since their last, wonderful encounter. Her heart beat faster as she approached him. She smiled.:: Matthews: ::Looking at her as she walked towards him, his heart jumped at the sight of her. She was beautiful in any attire, he longed to hold her in his arms again.:: Hi Jade, boy have I missed you. Shryker: Hey Alex, missed ya. Matthews: Been very busy and working a lot, how about you? Shryker: Arr, me too. ::She moved forward and hugged him, lifting her head up for a kiss.:: Matthews: ::He smiled as he moved down to kiss her soft lips, he felt her heart beat faster as he kissed her passionately. He felt her body next to his, softly, tenderly, he touched her face as he felt the excitement from her.:: Now that was worth the wait. Shryker: Mm, thanx. ::she rested her head on his shoulder, and then looked at the bike.:: Where you going to take me? Matthews: ::Smiling.:: For a ride into my heart. There is a small cabin that I’m building, the last time I was home. Not finished yet, but it will be our private place where we can relax and have some space. ::Touching her face gently.:: A place just for us. Would you like to see it ? ::Holding her next to him gently, but letting her know that he is caring and aware of her injury.:: Shryker: ::She giggled:: Do you see me resisting? ::Smiling as he helped her onto the bike, looking into her eyes at the excitement. It has been some time since he has been able ride in this simulation. He felt her arms around him as she held on tight.He felt so comfortable with her next to him. He put on his helmet, he checked to make sure Jade was ready before he started the engine.:: Shryker: ::They mounted the bike, denim on leather saddle. Jade held her arms around Alex so tight.:: Matthews: ::Looking back to the lady of his heart.:: Ready? Shryker: let’s go__ ::Alexander started the engine, he looked down the road towards the the forest. He shifted the gears and cruised along the road. He moved his hand to touch Jade’s as they rode along under the morning sun, he could feel her breathing as it became rapidly from the excitement of the ride. He could feel her squeeze herself upon him, he felt the contentment from her and the happiness flowing from her body into his, a feeling of joy came over him as they entered the forest. He kicked up the speed on the bike, as he thought about how much Jade would like the cabin in the lower valley behind the house. He looked over to his right as they passed the family home, built by his great grandfather as a retreat for the family, but it ended up being the year round home of Jefferson and Frances Matthews, his parents. The house built of logs from the surrounding trees, more of a mansion after the construction was completed. He took his away from hers to turn towards house of his youth.:: Shryker: Is that it? ::she marvelled.:: Matthews: ::He slowed down the bike too let her see the house.:: This is where my Mother and Father live. Shryker: Really? Your folks? Matthews: Yup, but I will show you this another time. I want you to see our place first. ::They continued on around the house towards the back of it to the entrance of the lower valley, down the winding road under the morning mist.:: ((Starbase 118-Holodeck Three)) ::Frances and Jefferson Matthews hurried into the room, and tapped the console, the grid changed to the small valley behind the main house. They had completed the smaller cabin that Alexander was building during his time home from duty. Frances walked inside to places the pictures of his lost command and the unit flag of Force Recon Alpha Two, on the mantel above the fireplace. Jefferson in the meantime was checking to oven in the kitchen the plumbing leading up to the bathroom on the upper level near the bedroom. Frances walked over to him hearing the computer complete the connection to the Mercury.:: Frances: Jeff hurry up, he might be here. ::Folding her arms in front of her.:: Jefferson: ::Turning off the flashlight.:: Just finished, did you send them to him ? ::Walking over to her, kissing her on the cheek.:: Frances: ::Smiling.:: Yes, it reached the ship a few weeks ago. I got the confirmation the other day. I hope everything is alright, in his letters he seemed really unhappy,distant, but meeting Jade has seemed to make a difference, his messages and letters are much better. Jefferson: I know, he will be fine, you know how he is when he is focused on things. I think he was really working too much ::Hearing the motorcycle coming down the road.:: It’s them. ::Jade and Alexander approach the cabin, but he notices that the cabin is finished, with an extra level added to it. His eyes opened wide as he stopped the bike, dismounted, and helped Jade off. He looked at the windows of stained glass, and flower boxes under them. He could feel the excitement from Jade as she walked towards their special place.:: Matthews: This is it, but... ::He took off his helmet.:: Shryker: – I can’t wait. ::The bike came to the smaller, romantic cabin Alex had been telling her about. They stopped. Jade got off. Alex followed.:: It’s beautiful. ::Taking off her helmet, her long brown hair flowing free in the warm breeze.:: Matthews: Yes it is. ::he looked in amazement at the improvements on his original design. The door made from cedar, and the stained glass square window, it has two doorknobs. On for the upper half and one for the lower.:: How do you like it ? Shryker: – Love it! Can we see inside? Matthews: Of course we can. ::Holding out his arm to her.:: I have a little surprise for you, because now I’m just as surprised. Shryker: – Swell! ::Alexander and Jade walked to the door, he placed his helmet on the porch bench by the door, he placed her’s there also. He opened the door and let her go in first.:: Shryker: Wow! It’s fab. :: There was a couch, table and chairs. Stone fireplace too. She glanced about – a kitchen off to the side, with a stove. Double doors leading out to a backyard with a garden. Trees all around. She loved it. Jade suddenly silenced when she saw two people in the room. A woman, about the same height as Jade, and fair skinned. And a man, as tall as Alexander with tanned skin like him. Shryker: – urr, hi there. ::They walked into the cabin’s main room, there was Frances and Jefferson standing near the couch, he held her hand as he walked by her side. to the left of them was the fireplace made of stone and the chimney rising through the ceiling. Ahead of them was the kitchen with the stove to the side, refrigerator, replicator, cupboards and dual sinks. They looked over to the right, there was a spiral staircase made of cedar. The smell of the wood was soothing after being on a ship for months at a time. It lead up to the bedroom and full bathroom. Frances and Jefferson greeted her with open arms.:: Matthews: Hello Mom, Dad. ::Motioning to Jade as he put his arm around her waist.:: This is Jade Shryker. Jade my mother and father. Frances: ::Smiling.:: Jade,hello my dear girl. I’m Frances Matthews. :: motioning to the man beside her.:: This is my husband Jefferson. ::Looking to Alexander.:: My son, how I have missed you. ::Taking him into her arms.:: You look good, I missed my boy. ::Walking over to give Jade a hug.:: I am so glad to meet you at last, Alexander has been writing about you for weeks. Jefferson: ::Holding out his hand to Jade.:: It is a pleasure to meet you Jade. ::Looking at Alexander and nodding with a wink.:: It’s good to see you son. Shryker: Its great to me y’all. ::Smiling but nervous.:: Matthews: ::Blushing.:: As you know Jade is on the Drake.::Looking around at the cabin, then looking back to Frances and Jefferson.:: Mom, Dad when did the cabin get finished ? Frances: Right after the snow melted, your father and I wanted you to have your place to yourself when you came home. Then we got the message of... ::Taking Jade by the arm.:: So how did you meet Alexander ? ::Walking over the the couch and sitting down next to Jade.:: Shryker: A friend who I served with – Askade, she knew Alex and kinda got us together. Frances: So you met him through a friend. Well I’m very glad, so tell me about your family ? ::Jade went a bit quiet, then continued.:: Shryker: I don’t see them much now. My little bro is away on a far starbase, and my Dad left when I was young. ::break:: My Mom’s dead. Frances: ::Touching her hand.:: I’m very sorry dear. ::Looking into her eyes.:: Anytime you need to talk, you call me. I would really like that. Jefferson: We heard that you transferred from the Avandar.:: Looking at Frances and then Alexander.He walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.:: I’m sorry about Red, son. Matthews: We were just friends dad, that’s all. I wish that I could have been there. ::Looking into his eyes.:: Jade is more than that, she is very special. ::Reaching into his inside jacket pocket.:: It’s time dad. ::Jade was open mouthed as Jefferson just nodded and smiled as he and Alexander walked over to the couch where Frances and Jade were sitting.Alexander bent down on one knee in front of her. he looked deeply into her green eyes, as he took out the box.:: Matthews: Jade, I don’t know how to say this, but I’m going to say it. ::He opened the box to reveal a sterling silver necklace with a matching ring.:: I Love you Jade. ::Taking out the ring, and placing it on her finger. He takes the necklace with the family crest on it, the same design is on the ring.:: I’m asking you to be my best friend, my love, my mate.::He places the necklace around his neck, then taking her hand into his:: Shryker: Oh Alex___ I___ Tbc! Lt.Cmdr. Alexander Matthews and Lt Jade Shryker Mercury / Drake -- Lt.Cmdr. Alexander J. Matthews Chief Of Operations USS Mercury NCC-99812
  6. There are two voting questions this round -- we have a run-off from last round (11) when we had a 3-way tie, and then Round 12's sims. Please choose one in each category. Voting closes Sunday, July 22th, 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!
  7. ((Aqua Shuttle / Main Shuttle Bay; USS Mercury)) ::Rick worried at his bottom lip as the shuttle came in towards the mother ship. He knew, he sensed, Gypsy was in peril.:: Matthews: ::Tapping the comm system.:: =/\=Matthews to Mercury, requesting for final approach.=/\= Wulfantine:=/\= Greetings Alex, welcome home. Permission granted.=/\= Matthews: =/\=Understood, final approach for the main shuttle bay. See you on the bridge my friend. I will bring Rashnan directly to the Captain.=/\= Wulfantine: =/\=See you in a jiffy my friend.=/\= Rawden: Sir, may I report to Eyas when we arrive? Matthews: ::Looking over to Rick.:: Of course, you go right ahead when we land I can take care of the shuttle. Rawden: Aye Sir. ::Rick guided the shuttle in to the bay without a problem, landing the ship with gentle bump on the deck. Matthews looked back to the rest of the team Lara and Marcus.:: Matthews: ::Standing up and walking to the rear of the shuttle.:: Rick, thank you. I know that you are anxious to see what Eyas wants. Get going. Rawden: Thank you Sir. ::Rick nodded and scooted down the corridor to the nearest turbolift.:: Wulfantine: =/\= Rick, it’s Eyas. Details have been sent to your pad. =/\= ::Rick looked down. The message icon was flashing. He grasped the device and quickly read the content. He gulped.:: Rawden: =/\= Thank you… Sir.=/\= Lift – Sickbay. ::The turbolift sped towards the sickbay deck bridge. Rick emerged and rushed into the sickbay.:: ((Sickbay; USS Mercury)) ::He saw people bustling about, a medic attending to minor issues, but no sign of his beloved.:: Rawden: Gypsy?! Hawker: ::hoarsely:: Rick? ::Rick spun around, hearing her voice. His mouth dropped open. Lying on a biobed, was his sweetheart, her long hair matted and her skin….. was blue!:: Rawden: GYPSY!!!! ::He ran over to her, his face full of fear and confusion.:: Rawden: What? What’s happened? Eyas merely told me you’d had a minor injury. Hawker: Rick, I’m not injured. I’m.. changing. Rawden: Babe.. I can… how did it? What? Hawker: Transporter malfunction… we beamed back with an alien. They’re aquatic. We got… ::She raised a blue webbed hand up and brushed back her long hair, to reveal a set of gills on her neck. They flexed as they breathed the air. Rick was silent for a moment.:: Rawden: But..? ::Rick held her hand.:: Hawker: Rick? Rawden: Can anything be done? Where’s the Doc? ::Gypsy’s heart was hurting. She felt she could detect Rick’s changing image of her.:: Hawker: Doc’s in lab. But there’s more… Rawden: Oh Gypsy? You’re gonna be alright aren’t you? ::Gypsy smiled softly.:: Hawker: I hope ‘we’ are. ::Rick’s mind was confused and he assumed the ‘we’ referred to him and Gypsy. He was relieved that Gypsy was not hurt, but she was changing. Things were crazy. Just then, he heard a noise coming from the lab.:: Velana: She's a beautiful ship and everyone I've met has been more than welcoming. I look forward to meeting more of the crew, though. Del Vedova: Well, I guess, I mean, it's only a matter of time-- Rawden: Doc! Doc! Gypsy… what’s happening to her? Del Vedova: There was a sort of (beat) transporter accident. Her vitals are fine and we're looking for a cause right now. To Be Continued… LtJG. Rick Rawden & Crewman Gypsy Hawker (PNPCs) Engineer & Medic: USS Mercury Simmed by: Lt.Cmdr Eyas Wulfantine Chief Tactical Officer: USS Mercury
  8. ((SB118, Sickbay)) Walker: No! You don't understand! ::MacLaren managed to grab him before he fell to the floor. She managed to push him toward the biobed. Wrapping one of his arms around her neck, she struggled to deal with the nearly dead weight of a strong man, she kept repeating the same words:: MacLaren: Commander, can ye hear me? Commander, you are not alone. You are not alone with it. Don't look at it; rest your mind. ::She administered the same sedative that had worked well on Dubeau.:: MacLaren: Sleep now, Commander. :: He understood the order. There seemed to be something he remembered about not wanting to do it, but couldn't attach any significance. His voice came out clear but untainted by emotion. :: Walker: As you wish doctor. :: He moved to the biobed and immediately fell asleep. :: ((Holodeck)) :: As the scene ended, the yellow and black of the holodeck appeared around him, and the man lying on the floor disappeared. For a moment, the dark haired human stared at the yellow and black, counting the squares formed. Sometime later, he stopped as abruptly as he'd started. And with the same lack of connection as he'd had to the man in the holo. Turning, he walked out of the holodeck. It had been awhile since he stepped on the Ronin. The thrum of the engine, the sense of home. His hands, sputtered briefly. As if a flame that was trying to burn back from the embers, but quickly faded. Without a further glance at his surroundings, he continued walking. :: ((Quarters)) ::Moments or hours later, he realized he was in his quarters. He was moving, and therefore had to pack. Picking up a photo, he looked down to see the crew of the Ronin. His face shifted to a smile as flames like St. Elmo's fire began running up and down his arms. He remembered the Counselor on the Ronin whose empathic abilities had likened his emotions to flames. There was something... something he had to.... the flames flickered and died, and woodenly he placed the picture into a box. Methodically he began packing the items he found into boxes. Initially he paused, the flame flickering around him with nearly every item. And each time his face shifted to that of a man desperately fighting against the odds. But...as each item was placed, the flames flickered less frequently, his face remained a stoic mask. Each box was slowly filled, taped and moved to a corner of the room. The pace was economical, neither too urgent nor too relaxed. Finally, each item was stored, the rome was emptied. He moved one last large box near the rest before stepping into it. He filled the box with packing, before closing the flaps and sealing it from the inside. He closed his eyes and exhaled softly before speaking :: Walker: I'm done. ((SB118 Sickbay)) :: The First officer lay on the bio bed, his body almost immobile. His words came out in a whisper...:: Walker: I'm done. :: The alarm split the air, as the bio bed noted the sudden drop in vitals as the man quietly passed :: Lt. Cmdr Ben Walker FO SB118/USS Victory
  9. ((Somewhere...)) ::In the darkness of where ever he was, Eliaan felt at least relieved to be alive. The pain, the overwhelming pain, that he had felt in the corridor was gone but the memory of it stayed with him as if he had been granted a temporary reprieve instead of a full pardon. As the darkness cleared a little, it was clear that he was no longer on the Starbase. It was familiar though, very familiar indeed.:: ::The large room in which he found himself was empty of furniture but filled with memories; he was in the drawing room of his grandparent's home on Betazed. The pleasure and wonder of being in this place quickly melted into a deep sadness as the real reason that he was now seeing this house, empty as it had been after the death of his grandparents, struck him. This wasn't how he had imagined the afterlife but it wasn't something he had allowed himself to think about much.:: ::Death, he knew, walked one pace behind everyone else but walked side by side with a surgeon. On any given day he knew that he could witness, or even be responsible, for the death of a patient. If he were to really think about how close death always was, he knew it would have stopped him being a good surgeon and so he tried his best to ignore it.:: ::And so, he felt utterly unprepared to be standing here with the knowledge that he was either dead or very close to it. What had happened to him? He remembered the pain and being knocked down but he couldn't remember an assailant or why he had been there. He fought hard with his memories, trying to work out what had led him here and then suddenly it clicked.:: ::Ensign Freo.:: ::As he remembered the young Bajoran woman and the darkness that seemed to surround her, the image of a small Bajoran girl appeared in front of him. It wasn't Freo Liandra. It was another Bajoran, one who he had know what felt like a long time ago.:: ::Ollera Kon looked up at him. In a flash, he was shown a quick successions of vignettes of the events that had lead to her death: he was transported back to Starbase 173 where he was convincing her parent's to agree to the procedure; to the arguments with Kaedyn over the correct course of action; to the OR where she died on his table; to his disciplinary hearing on Starfleet Medical. Overwhelmed by the images, he called out for them to stop and he was immediately back in his parent's house looking down at her.:: ::She was dressed in the little surgical gown that she had worn when he had killed her but her eyes carried a wisdom which far exceeded her young age. He carried her with him at all times. She was the embodiment of his regret and sadness, her broken little body on the operating table was the image that stuck in his mind before he fell asleep.:: Ollera: Hello, Eliaan. Deron: ::kneeling down in front of her:: What are you doing here? ::A wide grin spread across her face but she made no response to his question. Instead, she reached up and grabbed his ear with her thumb and forefinger. He was surprised that she was solid rather than just a mental image.:: Ollera: Your pagh is strong, Eliaan. But I don't think it is strong enough... Deron: Kon. Ollera: I'm not her; she's dead. Deron: Am I dead? Ollera: What do you think? Deorn: I think that you didn't answer the question ::She peered up at him, and as she did she was suddenly the three-year old girl who had died in front of him again. With a giggle, she responded in a sing-song voice that sounded like the refrain from a nursery rhyme.:: Ollera: Neither I did Deron: Why do you look like her if you aren't her? ::There was a presence beside him and as he turned to face it, the girl vanished. At his left hand side, his old friend Guy Hunt walked towards him with the wide-beam grin that was his trademark.:: Hunt: Would you rather I looked like this, Doc? ::As he spoke, they were no longer on Betazed. Instead, they stood in a darkened sickbay on the USS Braveheart watching the real Hunt struggle to take his last breaths and die. Often frustrating cavalier about his own safety, Guy had sacrificed himself to save the life of Andrus Jaxx after the Bajoran attacks on the station. They had been through a lot together, not to mention the crush that Eliaan knew Guy had on him, and his death had affected the Betazoid more than he could have imagined.:: Deron: Guy... Hunt: You just don't get it, do you? He's dead. Deron: Then who are you? Why do you take the forms of people who have died? Why these people? Hunt: I am you failure, Eliaan Deron. I speak for the people you were incapable of saving, the reason that your miserable life is worthless. I am your failure. Deron: What are you talking about? ::Hunt continued to smile warmly, despite the vitriolic response that came from him. Under normal circumstances, Eliaan would be able to dismiss this since the thing speaking to him was so different from his friend but he found it hard not to see it as Guy.:: Hunt: You let me die. You acted like my friend and you let me die. You are pathetic. Deron: I couldn't save you, Guy. I would have done anything I could to help you but you were so badly injured. Jilenna: And what about me? You barely tried to help me ::As quickly as he had appeared, Guy was gone. A voice called from behind him and he spun around to see Marine Captain Jilenna Zehn. As his eyes met hers, he was thrown back to the runabout Thames. They were laughing in the [...]pit, the console exploded, he removed the symbiont from her dying body, he placed the symbiont in Kaedyn's abdomen. The images stopped and the blonde woman stood in front of him.:: Deron: The runabout had been damaged, we didn't have the power or the facilities to perform the surgery you needed. We were able to save your symbiont. Jilenna: So you could give it to your boyfriend Deron: It wasn't like that.... Jillenn: You wanted my symbiont so you let me die and now you want my son as well. Deron: I tried to help you. Jilenna: You only wanted to help yourself Deron: That's not true. Aren: You should admit the truth, Eliaan. ::Jilenna melted into the ether and beside him, at his right hand, the image of a tall, handsome Napean man appeared. Dr Dyami Aren, his first love. In his dark eyes, their relationship played out from start to tragic finish. He saw himself, a young medical student arriving on Vilar 2 and meeting the handsome doctor, he saw them working side-by side and the day Dyami awkwardly asked him to dinner, their hike in the hills, the day Dyami developed hemorrhagic fever and Dr Murdoch informing him of his death.:: Deron: ::sobbing:: Please. Not him. Aren: I was your Imzadi but you forgot me as soon as you met your Trill Deron: I didn't. I have never stopped thinking of you, I have never stopped missing you Aren: Stop lying, Eliaan. Deron: I'm not! ::Suddenly, the four of them were standing around him. The room felt dark, their presence threatening.:: Aren: You said you would always love me Hunt: You said you were my friend Jilenna: You said not to worry Kon: You said I'd live ::Tears streamed down the Betazoid's face. They jeered at him, these people he had let down the most, these people he felt the most guilty about, these faces that haunted him.:: Deron: I tried to help you all. I really did. You have to believe me that I tried to help you. I would have done anything to have been able to help any of you ::Ignoring him, they shouted at him in turn.:: Jilenna: You let me die Hunt: You let me die Aren: You let me die Kon: You let me die ::More faces, more voices, appeared and each yelled the same at him. They grew to a large rabble and began to shout over each other at him. The noise grew to a crescendo until it threatened to overwhelm him, he slammed his hands over his ears and screamed over the din.:: ::And as soon as they had appeared, they all disappeared. Where there had been such noise, it was instantly quiet. He found himself again in the dark silence of the drawing room of his grandparent's house looking down at the small frame of Ollera Kon.:: Kon: And now, Eliaan, it is time that you die too... TBC Lieutenant Eliaan Deron, MD Medical Officer SB118 / USS Victory
  10. ((USS Avandar – Ready Room)) T’Lea: Captain, a moment please? :: At Della's somewhat wry nod, T’Lea waited for everyone to exit, and for the door to close before breaking her stiff Vulcan stance. The entire meeting she’d been teasing the Trill telepathically, so it came as no surprise to her lucky victim when she sauntered over a mere foot away.:: T’Lea: Hmm… :: She eyed the gap between them as a problem, and quickly rectified it by hooking an arm around the Trill and pulling her flush in a very un-officerly snuggle, cheerfully ignoring the somewhat indignant squawk that provoked.:: T’Lea: That’s better. How’s your shoulder? :: With a little sound of frustration, Della managed to put a tiny bit of distance between them, and was privately impressed with *that* much, given how much stronger the Romu-vulc was.:: :: There was also no reason to comment on the fact that she had taken a bit of time to summon up the will to make the move.:: Vetri: It's fine. Though some other parts of someone might get damaged in the near future... ::smiling softly:: What's brought this on? T’Lea: Well, since we manage to frak up our relationship so often with these frelling work related boundaries, I thought we’d try mixing business with pleasure. See if that works better. :: Neuropressure point initiated to help smooth over the idea.:: Vetri: Hmmm.... I might appreciate some more of that... ::a little firmer:: Later. T’Lea: I can do later. Now then, I spoke with Lt. sh’Shar. She’ll be undergoing a sobriety program- :: Close and cuddly shifted into a curious lean-back when Della’s hand discovered something hard under T’Lea’s jacket. The Romu-vulc simply smiled.:: Vetri: What the frell is that? Are you hiding a bomb in there or something? T’Lea: Unzip me and find out. :: Playfully spoken, T’Lea’s hands came to a rest on the Trill’s low back, refusing to let the Trill go, but she also gave the other woman enough room to unfasten the jacket and reach inside her breast pocket.:: :: Inside was the confiscated flask from sh’Shar’s quarters, which earned the Romu-vulc a medium-withering glare as Della held it up by the neck.:: Vetri: Keeping this one for later, are we? :: Embrace broken, exactly as T’Lea thought might happen. Getting the Trill a little riled up was perfect, so said her smile.:: T’Lea: No, actually, it’s for you. I took a couple of security guards to Mikali’s quarters and we removed all of her jolly juice. :: Scooping the Trill back into her arms she got cozy again, nuzzling at her neck.:: T’Lea: That one I couldn’t toss. Romulan Ale. Put it with the rest of my stuff, and maybe one day when I’ve been an *exceptionally* good girl you’ll share it with me? Vetri: Maybe. But I wouldnnnmmmmm.... ::banging the flask down on the desk:: *Stop* that! So sh'Shar's dry now, huh? Good, but I doubt you stopped there. T’Lea: She’s pulling extra duty shifts, and *surprise*, I found out she has a daughter, which turns out may be a related issue to the drinking. Vetri: She's...? Hang on, I think I remember that from her file... ::frowning:: Didn't see anything about the little one's current status, though. T’Lea: She’s somewhere. Not sure where exactly, but the dumb Andorian has it in her head that the child is better off without her mother. :: A thoughtful expression on her face, Della gave up trying to get free of T'Lea's hold and settled instead for tapping her fingers on one arm as she considered what she'd just been told.:: Vetri: Sometimes true, but mostly a cop-out. And I'm more than a little sure you agree. So what did you threaten her with? :: Quite deliberately phrased, that one. She *did* know her mate, after all.:: T’Lea: I left the ball in her fort. ::knit brow:: Court? Whatever. If she wants to bring her aboard, I offered to help make it happen. ::getting a little serious:: I don’t understand how she can just walk away from her own flesh and blood. I’d destroy all creation to keep T’Sara with me. ::frowning at herself:: That’s not really logical, is it? If I destroy the universe, then we’d have nowhere to live. ::shaking her head:: You get what I mean. Vetri: ::chuckling:: Just about. And I'm right there with you. :: After her apparent surrender to T'Lea's hold, she gave another quick try to get free - which got about as far as every other one. The weak struggling just made T’Lea enjoy the closeness that much more.:: Vetri: ::muttering:: Dammit... ::louder:: You got more to pile on her, or are you lulling her into a sense of paranoid anticipation? T’Lea: No, that’s pretty much it. For now. Oh, and York took the last shuttle out. Extended leave. What do you think? Vetri: ::shrugging:: About time. She needs it. T’Lea: ::nuzzle, nuzzle:: Not that, what do you think of my brilliant idea about mixing business with pleasure? :: This time, Della managed to summon up a reaction in less than ten seconds, planting a finger right in the middle of T'Lea's chest and pushing hard.:: Vetri: Your timing sucks. Put me down and go make someone else's life difficult for a while. :: Her stern tone was totally at odds with the smile on her lips. The *timing* could have been better, but the sentiment was definitely appreciated.:: :: Backing off, but leaving her hands on the Trill’s hips, T’Lea struck an officer’s stance.:: T’Lea: Yes, Ma’am. But first you need to zip me back up. ::off her look:: You’re the one who *un*-zipped me. So zip me. Unless you want me to exit onto the bridge looking like you had your way with me. Which… I think we might have time for-- Vetri: Stop right there. If at *all* possible, now would be a good time to find a different track for your mind to run along, you lecherous loon. :: T'Lea's sum total response was to nod down at her open uniform jacket.:: T’Lea: Zip. Zip. :: Rolling her eyes, Della did as she was told, if only to get back on track as fast as possible. The process of refastening the jacket was done with little regard at all for any sort of delicacy, but the way her hands smoothed the fabric down when she finished was an very different story – a story that T’Lea wouldn’t mind being told over and over again….:: Vetri: There. Now go away. :: Lifting an eyebrow she dipped her head slightly, ready to tempt the Trill some more.:: T'Lea: Are you certain you’re done with the pleasure part of our business, because I can- Vetri: Lilyali, if I can still see you in three seconds, I will cheerfully toss you out. Your uniform, however, will be staying here. T'Lea: I think you got that backwards. Vetri: ::laughing:: You wish. :: Picking up the flask from the desk and examining it, she turned thoughtful again. All this talk of family and mothers and such had sparked an idea, and it seemed... appropriate, especially given the heritage shared by half of her girls.:: Vetri: I think I'll do some viinerine tonight. :: T’Lea stopped at the door before she triggered it open, and turned with a feeling of warmth… more innocent than previously felt.:: T’Lea: ::heartfelt:: I’d like that very much. :: Heading for the door with a sly grin.:: T’Lea: Especially if you don’t burn it. Vetri: ::laughing as she pointed to the door:: Go. Away. TBC -------------------- Captain Della Vetri Commanding Officer USS Avandar http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Vetri,_Della "Understanding is a three edged sword - your side, their side, and the truth." & Lt. Cmdr. T’Lea First Officer USS Avandar
  11. ( Corridor, USS Avandar )) :: sh'Shar wiggled herself out of the Jefferies tube, stretching. Ahh... what a day, huh? :: :: It was common knowledge that T'Lea fancied her a bit. Common knowledge and common sense. She was the beautiful big blue... who wouldn't want her? :: :: It was okay. sh'Shar knew how to handle this. :: (( Later )) :: Standing outside sh’Shar’s quarters, two security officers waited on either side of the door, while T’Lea took front and center. She’d hit the door chimes twice already and was just about to order the doors overridden when they swished open to reveal a light blue Andorian woman wearing her uniform. Mostly. She had a large feathery boa around her neck, absently twisting the end. :: sh’Shar: ::slightly purr-y:: Good evening, Commander. :: To that, T’Lea simply arched the classic Vulcan eyebrow, and then nodded for the two security officers, who had been out of visual range, to enter the domicile. And so they did, with T’Lea following behind. sh'Shar threw the two security guards a displeased glare. They... complicated things. :: T’Lea: Confiscate all alcoholic beverages, and include a security lock on the replicator prohibiting the use of alcohol in all of its forms. Security: Yes, Ma’am. :: The two burly men immediately went to work, scanning and searching the woman’s quarters. T’Lea stood near the center of the room supervising as every tawdry little square inch was turned over.:: :: Her mouth fell open and for a moment the pink boa was forgotten. :: sh’Shar: Hey, that's my stuff! You can't just- ... :: Well, they most certainly could. The Andorian watched as the security staff fairly roughly searched her quarters. The small bottle hidden inside a hollowed out PADD was discovered, along with the one stashed under her mattress. Her eyes grew despondent as one of the officers pried off the grill to the air vent, and her secret stash was discovered and taken away. :: sh'Shar: ... I'm guessing this is because of S'Acul-face, huh. :: Clasping her hands behind her back in a non-emotional, non-confrontational, professional manner, T’Lea turned to the Andorian and looked her square in the eyes.:: T’Lea: Mostly. You probably would have gotten away with it longer had you not violated several regulations with your… practical joke in sickbay. However, since I was forced to look at your service records, I came across a standing order from the USS Independence, which has been overlooked since your transfer here. I intend to rectify that. Now. :: sh'Shar emitted a loud, long whine that varied in pitch from low and annoying to high pitched and screechy, then oscillated wildly between the two extremes. The Andorian's eyes darted between the Vulcan commander, then to the security officers, then back.:: :: Ahh… the beautiful sound of emotional turmoil. It was music to T’Lea’s ears when the Andorian vocalized her displeasure. Beautiful, beautiful, painful and somewhat annoying music.:: :: The clinking of bottles being placed into a large duffle bag pleasingly caught T'Lea's attention for a moment. Some of the stuff looked vintage and very hard to come by. The hybrid had a good mind to keep it for herself and replace her own stash, which Della had hidden away somewhere.:: :: Mikali crossed her arms, absently shrugging off the boa. T’Lea couldn’t help but wonder about the feather apparatus.:: sh'Shar: Aww, come on, Commander! You know that's not faaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaair. T’Lea: Do not make me use force to accomplish this task, Lieutenant. As of this moment you are officially back on the sobriety program. You will attend meetings, abstain from alcoholic beverages and food stuffs, report to a counselor for regular sessions to monitor your progress, and be assigned a sponsor to help you through the- sh’Shar: Blah blah blah! I know all that! They assign some hopeless dropkick to tell you all pointless crap that doesn't make any sense and is crap! "Surrender yourself to a higher power", blah blah blah. I surrendered myself to my antenna because they're higher than me and they're powerfu- :: More [...]ing and moaning… it made T’Lea happy.:: T’Lea: Good, then you do not need me to explain the process. Seeing as how you have experience in this matter already, the reintegration should be relatively painless. :: The sound of glass breaking in the bedroom drew those outside, in. sh'Shar came running at a tilt, gaping at the ruined shards of one of her bottles. At the doorway T’Lea saw the clumsy-handed security officer apologetically grinning at the shattered remains of a bottle on the floor. :: Secruity: Sorry, Ma’am. sh’Shar: That was twenty year Saurian brandy! It costs... ::she sighed, waving her hand, her antenna drooping over her head:: ... never mind. :: Rummage-rummage-rummage-crash went the security officers. The door to her vanity was pried off and the contents upended; a dark brown glass bottle with "FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES ONLY" was added to the pile.:: T'Lea: That will be verified and returned if the Doctor prescribed it. :: Yeah, there was no persecription for that. Watching as the guards picked up a small metal flask, Mikali wagged a finger. :: sh'Shar: Hey, careful with that, you can't get Romuuuuu-... ::her voice faded away, realizing what she was about to admit to:: uuuuuusually illegal and I have no idea how it got in my quarters! :: Romulan Ale. Didn’t take a genius to figure out what Mikali was about to say. Lucky girl, owning something as priceless as that. Unlucky that it was going bye-bye, never to touch her blue lips.:: T'Lea: Then we shall relieve you of the contraband. Keep it separate from the rest. :: Mikali sighed again, reaching up and brushing back her antenna. :: sh'Shar: Just don't crack the casing. If it leaks, the [...] stuff will slowly dissolve deckplating. Why people put it inside their bodies is... well. :: She waved a hand absently at the Romu-Vulc, looking at the security guards. Not a very good liar, thought T’Lea, but still amusing.:: sh'Shar: You'd have to be a mean heartless booze-thief to even consider drinking such a thing. T'Lea: You would have to be breaking the law to own such a thing. :: This was far too entertaining for T’Lea.:: sh'Shar: Yeah, yeah, yeah. :: The security officers turned to a smallshelf and scanned it briefly. There were a small number of assorted trinkets on the small wooden plank, all of various geometric shapes. :: Security: Ma'am, this one's got fluid inside it, it's- :: Mikali, as though suddenly remembering something for the first time, darted forward and snatched one of them -- a short, squat hexahedron with a stopper on top. Frightened, her antenna jamming ram-rod straight, she clutched it to her chest with both hands. :: sh'Shar: No! Not this one. The rest of the booze, sure. Sure. But nothing from this shelf. T'Lea: I cannot allow that. :: Mikali clutched it as though fearful of dropping it. :: sh'Shar: You don’t understand, these... these are Andorian age-shapes. They're gifts for children... each is supposed to have the same number of sides as the child's age in years on Andoria, which are about three times as long as Earth's orbit. See, um- that first one... it's flat, right? It's got two "sides"... it's for her second birthday. The cylinder is for her third, and and the triangular one -- I don't know the name of, uhh, a three dimensional triangle thingie -- is for her forth birthday. :: Mikali pointed to the stopper in the six-sided shape. :: sh'Shar: This one's for when she's six... or eighteen, in Earth years. :: T’Lea listened closely, and eventually concluded that the vessels were sentimental and from Mikali’s childhood.:: T'Lea: Verify what is in the container? :: The security officer pointed to his tricorder. :: Security: It's practically rocket fuel, ma'am. :: Mikali's voice cracked and she clutched the six-faced bottle closer, her expression fearful. :: sh'Shar: It's... it's for my d-... daughter. It's full! I haven't had any! You can take the rest, just leave this! T'Lea: You have a child? :: Said, admittedly, more surprised sounding than she had intended. T’Lea gave a slightly curious tilt of her head, and quickly corrected her previous conclusion. The Andorian age-shapes weren’t Mikali’s, they were for sh’Shar’s daughter. It made sense now. Unless… this was a clever lie too.:: :: T’Lea slanted her head less curious and more disbelieving. Mikali didn’t have a child. T’Lea had never seen the kid around, and never heard sh’Shar speak of her before. Not even during their ten years on Eden.:: T’Lea: You have a child. Prove it. Where is she? sh’Shar: She’s... she’s not here. She’s on Starbase 118. :: It was the truth, but Mikali knew there wasn’t many ways she could prove it. :: :: Playing along, T’Lea went with it.:: T’Lea: Why isn’t she on the ship with you? :: Pain. :: :: That was a painful question and it bought up all manner of painful memories for the Andorian. :: (( Mikali’s Flashback, before her transfer )) Walker: :: Blinking in confusion:: You’re pregnant? And um...wow. So are they going with you? :: She grinned a little. :: sh’Shar: I was. Now she is. Andorians, huh. ::Mikali nodded:: The rest of the group are staying here... so the kid is too. Just... just say you’ll drop in occasionally and make sure that... :: Her voice tightened. :: sh’Shar: That... that- that they’re not abusing her, okay? :: Had a Borg walked up an asked for directions to a Ferengi swap meet, Luna could not have been more surprised:: Walker: Check for what? :: Her voice picked up. Energized. Frantic, even. :: sh’Shar: Check for bruises, welts, or cuts, but make sure they don’t let you see. If they know you know they’ll hide it better... check especially often on the back, or on the upper legs. They might be in a strip, like from a belt, or in a line from a switch or cane; even if you don’t find any, give her a little rub here and there, subtly, to make sure they’re not covering them with makeup. Watch how she reacts around them -- if she’s frightened around them, but not around strangers, investigate. Find out why. Check her hygiene... if she doesn’t take care of herself, or they don’t take care of her, that’s a bad sign. When she’s old enough talk to her, be her friend... when she can first talk she’ll share *everything* with you; young children don’t have secrets, so if she’s hiding something, or if she starts talking about herself negatively, or saying that she’s worthless or talking herself down -- if she’s anything other than a happy little kid -- you call me, okay? I’ll fly here so fast I’ll rip a hole in subspace and tear their heads from their slimy little- Walker: Mik, it’ll be ok. I mean she’s going to be their daughter too, just calm down. :: Her eye grew wide. Her voice went up in volume, then she forced it back down when heads began to turn. :: sh’Shar: I’m not frakking kidding, Luna! You think it matters if she’s their daughter too?! If she acts like she’s walking on eggshells, she’s too polite like they’re about to snap, you gotta step in -- I’m relying on you here! If she’s extremely compliant, or fearful of making a mistake, that’s a warning sign -- if she starts avoiding someone, one of them probably, without a good reason I wan- :: Finally understanding the reason for the request, Luna broke in:: Walker: If she has any of those warnnig signs, I’ll pull her out and raise her myself. I won’t let anyone hurt her. You have my word. :: Finally, sh’Shar breathed and calmed down, somewhat. :: sh’Shar: … okay. Okay. (( Then, later... )) sh’Shar: Wanna know something Alleran told me once? Walker: :: Luna’s guilt spiked as she remembered how he’d saved her life. She nodded mutely for the other woman to continue:: sh’Shar: The fatality rate for small-craft pilots is 8% per year. That means that, on an average five year tour... one in three don’t come back. :: She ‘winked’ with her good eye. :: sh’Shar: You honestly think, given what you know about me... I wasn’t going to blow myself up at some point out here? I mean, hell, you practically saved my worthless blue hide by getting me that discharge... now I don’t have to go back to prison, I can... I can go do something worth something. Walker: Mik, you were doing something worthwhile, that won’t be new you know. sh’Shar: And... ::hesitantly:: … I can get as far away from Benna as possible, so that she doesn’t grow up to be like me. Walker: :: Hearing the fear and pain in her friend snapped Luna’s spirit back for a moment.:: Mikali sh’Shar! If your daughter is LUCKY, she’ll be just like you. Willing to fight for what you believe, biting deep into the fruit of life, and spitting the seeds at those who get in her way. :: Unconvinced, sh’Shar tried a joke. :: sh’Shar: Maybe she’ll be an engineer too, huh? Walker: :: Smirking back at her friend:: Well yeah, I mean I’ll be there to guide her away from those silly small ships. Bigger IS better after all. :: Laughing, Mikali clapped her hands over Walker’s chest. :: sh’Shar: Yeah, well, hey, if I had your cupsize imagine what I could accomplish- Walker: :: Blushing furiously:: In SHIPS! More firepower more...:: She blushed more at the Andorian’s nodding smile:: You are unbelievable. :: Mikali’s antenna wiggled and she grinned. :: sh’Shar: Hey... I gotta be me, okay? Walker: :: sighing:: It’s gonna be weird without you to talk to. The ship’s going to be empty. :: Giving another sigh, Mikali was quiet for a moment then she spoke up, her voice soft. :: sh’Shar: Wanna know something else he said? Walker: Sure. sh’Shar: “To live in hearts left behind... is not to die.” :: She chuckled. :: sh’Shar: I’ll be with you, in spirit, no matter where you go, okay? Just make sure you make sure Benna grows up okay and we’ll be fine. Walker: I'll be there for her, for you. Just don't be gone too long ok? She needs her mother as well as her friend. And :: She paused as the emotion threatened to overwhelm her:: and I might miss having you around. (( Flashbacks end )) sh’Shar: I... I thought it was best to keep a small infant away from a Starfleet vessel, even... even one like this. It was just... it was... T’Lea: I will rephrase the question. Do you want her on the ship with you? :: Ow, ow, ow. :: Security: That’s the last of it ma’am, except what she’s holding. T’Lea: I will handle it. Leave the Romulan Ale with me. Verify the “medicinal” elixir, and get rid of the rest. Security: Aye, Ma’am. :: The two security officer’s headed out, and T’Lea turned back to sh’Shar who was still clutching the age-shape like it *was* her daughter.:: T’Lea: Answer the question. :: For a moment it seemed like she was going to embark on a massive speech, but instead she just gave a defeated sigh and handed over the bottle. :: sh’Shar: Because broken parents have broken children. Loony- ... Lieutenant Walker... is doing a much better job on her worst day than I could on my best. Just take it. :: The object was a hexahedron with a tiny stopper on the top. It was modified -- originally just a solid object, Mikali had turned it into an almost-spherical flask, complete with working screw-top and metal interior. On the outside, a small plaque read, “Happy 6th rotation, kiddo! - Auntie Mikali”. :: :: The age-shape was thrust toward the hybrid, and T’Lea didn’t hesitate to take it. In her mind, however, she did hesitate with what to do with it.:: :: [...].:: :: [...], [...], [...], mother freller. It would have been so much easier if T’Lea didn’t believe a single word, or emotion from the Andorian, but hearing and watching the woman, made it almost impossible for T’Lea *not* to sympathize.:: T’Lea: That’s it. :: Mikali reached back, tossing her hair dismissively, completely ignoring the twin trickles of salt water running down both of her cheeks. :: sh’Shar: Well I’m cleaned out, your goons have done their worst and I’m suitably chastised. Guess your work here is complete. T’Lea: That is not what I meant. :: Tears. Great. First she’d made tr’Khellian cry, and now this one. :: :: Mikali, the most obnoxious person she had ever met was crying. It looked weird, not seeing her all annoying, but instead vulnerable. It was making T’Lea uncomfortable.:: T’Lea: Do you require something? Water, perhaps? :: Water for tears? That wasn’t right.:: :: Whatever. Just don’t ask me for a hug, she thought.:: :: She didn’t react, just stared at the hybrid woman, the tears reaching her jawline and slowly working their way down to her chin. :: sh’Shar: No, you know, I’m going to be fine. I can make another [...] shape without filling it with enough chemical energy to blast a hole in the hull, and anyway. It’s durasteel and polymer and carbon fiber. It’s just stuff and I can easily make another one. sh’Shar: oO It’s not like it’s Evanna’s corpse, floating all out in space like a sciencey popsicle entombed within a claustrophobic little canister and tossed away like garbage. You know... its smelly existence subtly reminding us all of our mortality or anything. I mean, we got a new science officer now so who gives a stuff about little miss corpse, right? Oo T’Lea: Come with me. :: She left the bedroom behind and entered the living area. Mikali ambled along. :: T’Lea: You are correct. Broken parents can have broken children. I was frakked up for a very long time, still am, but I am better than I was. sh’Shar: oO Can. More like do. Oo :: T’Lea popped the cork on the bottle and took a wiff, immediately retracting it from under her nose with a pinched expression. The vapors alone could get a person drunk.:: T’Lea: I accredit that to my daughter, mostly. It takes a continuous effort, but I am trying to improve myself for her. :: At the recycle bin she held the bottle over the incinerator, eyed Mikali’s expression for a second, and then tipped the neck of the bottle downward so that its contents poured out and vaporized. The Andorian watched impassively, but it was a heartwrenching moment. :: T’Lea: Doesn’t mean I won’t frak up ever again, but I would imagine T’Sara would rather have a mother that fraks up on occasion, than not know me at all. :: The last drop gone, T’Lea put the cork back in the vessel, and held it out to the woman.:: T’Lea: Eighteen years is a long time. :: It was, but Mikali did not plan on ever reuniting with her child. The gifts... sent under the guise of an ‘aunt’. She took the vial, slipping it into a protected pocket. :: sh’Shar: ... thank you. ::firmer:: So what now? T’Lea: I swear if I find that filled with booze again, I’ll break it over your head. :: Mikali just nodded, numbly. :: sh’Shar: Sure. T’Lea: ::a tad softer:: Think about what I said. If you want her here, with *you*, let me know. ::beat, a tad harder:: In the meantime, you will be picking up S’Acul’s duty shifts while he is recovering in sickbay, and as of right now you are late for work, so get your [...] on the bridge, Lieutenant. :: She couldn’t have Benna here. She couldn’t. What Mikali wanted for her... was more than the Andorian knew she could provide. She could try -- she could always try -- but trying never accomplished anything. “Do, or do not, there is no try.” An old Andorian saying... probably. :: sh’Shar: Well, actually, I was- :: T’Lea waited for the Andorian to exit, and then followed behind, still clutching the flask of Romulan Ale. She just couldn’t dispose of the stuff, and figured Della could add it to her collection of hidden booze. Maybe one day the evil Trill would actually let her enjoy it.:: T’Lea: Shut up and go. sh’Shar: Bridge. Got it, Commander. :: She stepped into a turbolift, closing her eyes after the doors slid closed. :: sh’Shar: Turbolift, halt. :: And out it came. The wailing torrent that had her, half bent over, crying until her lungs got sore. If she knew what she knew now, back last year, then things would be different. The child was a mistake. Coming here was... a blessing, really. But she should have sent the breeding group packing. The whole endeavour was pointless and had created an orphan. At the very least she could have sent them back to the breeding group, but she didn’t want to admit her failings to them. :: :: More than her parents, more than her commanding officers or peers or subordinates, it was that breeding group whom she had genuinely tried to impress. For a time, too, she had put on a fairly good facade; they, in their regular-salt-of-the-earth mindset were entirely taken in by her deception. :: :: And it was deception. She’d come clean to them in the end, but... :: :: But here she was. Benna was light years away. The group could forgive a lie about rank or prestige or titles, but... but not something like this. This was one that she could never let them know about. :: :: Finally, her body unable to produce any more, she pulled out the little shape and gave it a little rock with her arms. :: sh’Shar: Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird. And if that mockingbird don't sing, Mama's gonna buy you a... [...]it, what’s the word, uhh... :: Feeling more than a little foolish, she put the little thing back into her pocket, then reached up and made sure she was presentable. :: sh’Shar: Bridge. :: She had a lot of duty shifts to make up. :: ----- Lt (jg) Mikali "Banshee" sh'Shar Helm USS Avandar & Lt. Commander T'Lea First Officer USS Avandar
  12. Voting closes Wednesday, July 8th, 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!
  13. (( Cargo Bay, USS Apollo )) ::What was this place he was in now? Max looked up and all around him at the worried and hurried humanoids stomping their massive feet in his direction. He sat on the floor, looking at the ceiling, the cargo bay doors, the machinery that was working tirelessly and the Officers in their uniforms taking a role call from the Nelson's manifest.:: ::Agent 505 wasn't entirely sure how he'd managed to stumble on board the Nelson, nor was he quite sure how he managed to find himself on board the Apollo either. A ship was a ship. The last place he remembered being was on Deep Space 17 was the two-legged specimen known as Brice but since the Engineer had a head filled with sawdust, Max wasn't surprised that he'd been forgotten about.:: Max: oO Abandoned?! Abandoned to this cruel fate to which I have found myself falling ever further! Brice, you cad! Oo ::He crooned some more until his head started to itch. He scratched it. Ah, sweet relief. He puffed up his chest. He was free from Deep Space 17. As free as the wind, baby. He could go where he pleased, do what he wanted, leave milk out on the counter without a lid in direct sunshine and no one was going to tell him he couldn't.:: :: From across the room, his heart skidded to a halt. There, sitting on the lap of a humanoid-something sat the most pristine looking feminine feline he had ever had the joy to set his eyes upon. She was smooth, her hair glossy and thick, and her eyes shining with green and yellow flecks. His heart melted. Slickly, he licked the side of his paw and flattened the top of his head. His ears twitched at the wet sensation and finally he was impressed with his own appearance. She was going to be a lucky feline this day, a very lucky feline. He was feeling good.:: :: Moving around the Cargo Bay decking, he dodged many a foot heading in his direction, saw just as many kneecaps and looked upwards to see some fashion disasters of the century. Some made him shudder; even he had good taste, it wasn't hard to have.:: Max: o0 Move out of my way… Tom on the loose here… 0o :: His vision was obscured as a humanoid walked across his path, catching him with the side of a very uncomfortable boot and knocking him sideways. Shaking off the momentary motion sickness, he looked up to find the feline was moving with her owner. He broke into a mild run. She must've spotted him because she dodged and darted behind a mass of storage containers.:: Max: o0 [...]! 0o :: Skidding to a halt outside one very large container, he sat there wondering how she could've spotted him so quickly. Was he getting rusty in his old age? The end of his black tail started swishing from side to side as he couldn't hide the frustration. Instead, he started whining.:: Max: o0 Oh cruel fate! What has transpired that would separate me from my true love? I long to feel your whiskers… 0o :: Of course, this didn't come across to the humans in Shakespeare prose. Almost as quickly, a pair of hands wrapped themselves around his midriff and his paws left the floor. He panicked, wide eyed, pupils dilated, looking into the face of a young male in a gold Security uniform.:: Max: o0 Unhand me, Villain! I have a lady who I must… 0o :: One of those hands started tickling him underneath his chin and his purr came tumbling out. He was shocked at himself and looked at the Officer with almost humanoid embarrassment.:: Max: o0 I do apologise; that's… that's never happened to me before. 0o :: The Security Officer just smiled at him and continued scratching under his chin.:: Security Officer: Come on, little fella. Let's see who you belong to. TBC PNPC Max the Cat Feline Extraordinaire USS Apollo… for now. Simmed by Lt.Cmdr Ethan Brice Assistant Chief Engineer USS Apollo
  14. ((SB118 - Brek's Quarters)) ::Brek stood in front of his replicator, wondering what to have for breakfast. He had hoped that by putting his uniform on, he would feel `normal' again, but his appetite remained elusive. :: oO I ate so much last night... maybe I should stick to diet food today. What about the white thing that's supposed to be good for the microorganisms in the gut, but that looks like fresh guano? How do Human call it? Oo ::He ordered yogurt from the replicator and was sniffing suspiciously at it when there was not only a beep at the door, but also an insistent knock. The day was beginning in earnest, it seemed:: Brek: Come in. ::Dakarai appeared, in disarray and looking altogether different this morning. The black man examined the living area, which made Brek feel self conscious. These days it was looking more and more like a stockroom, although he preferred to think of it as a refined cabinet of curiosities, crammed with rare treasures.:: Brek: ::Delaying the moment where he would have to sample the yogurt.:: You are growing a beard, ensign? Dakarai: ::Touching his chin.:: Oh that, yes. My girlfriend likes it this way. When did you come back last night? ::When it became obvious that Brek wasn't going to answer, he went on: :: It has nothing to do with being intrusive Lt, it's just that Alice escaped during the night. The Acamarian Ambassador says someone must have opened her vivarium, allowing the spider to roam free. She is a rare breed apparently, black and red in colour. There will be trouble if something happens to her. Brek: ::Taking a spoonful of his `medicine' so as to look blasé.:: This spider... is it a dangerous species? Dakarai: Mildly. But I have been assured that we have all the antivenom we could need, if she ever bites. She has been described as being er... docile. ::His eyes darting everywhere.:: I take it you have not seen anything with eight legs recently? Brek: Nope. Four legs is the most I have encountered. Are these Acamarians insane? From this day, I don't want to see anymore dangerous creatures in the Embassies. This is a diplomatic building, not a zoo! Dakarai: Alice is a pet, it's different. She is, quoting the Ambassador, `cherished'. Brek: Nonsense! Do you think that if VIPs have a Nelephant for a pet they would be allowed to travel with it?! Dakarai: An Elephant. Brek: That's what I said. Dakarai: ::Suddenly motionless.:: Oh Mon Dieu! She is is here, over there, on your glassware! I hate araignées... er .... spiders! Anytime I see one, I want to step on it! Brek: ::Walking towards his display of fifth century Vulcan glasswork.:: It's not difficult to push your panic button, is it, Dakarai? How can someone as tall as you are, be afraid of such a small critter? Dakarai: ::With a shriek.:: Small? It's as big as my hand! ::He opened his right mitt for comparison.:: Brek: ::Now but a few centimeters away from the bug.:: Don't shout, you are going to scare it. ::He took a large tray on the shelf behind it, and trapped the spider under it. Due to the intricacies of the glass work, Alice looked even bigger now, or as Brek was thinking, more succulent.:: Brek: You had better tell the Acamarian Ambassador to fetch his pet right way. Spiders are a delicacy on Ferenginar. I don't know how long I'll be able to resist a snack. ::Dakarai looked at him with alarm and rushed away, apparently convinced that his chief would eat something that had a name. Amused by this concept, Brek sat down in front of Alice and finished his unsavory breakfast.:: ---------------------------------- Lt Brek Chief Diplomatic Officer SB118/USS Victory With Ensign J.B. Dakarai, Diplomatic Aide
  15. ((Bridge - USS Nelson)) ::Satisfied that everyone was as alright as they could be, Sidney looked at her suit's readout to determine what the non-critical sound was trying to tell her. The helmet seal on her EVA suit had been weakened. It wasn't leaking oxygen, blessedly, but it was obviously non-secure. More chest tightness crept up on Sidney. More fear. She dismissed the alarm in her headgear.:: Frost: You girls alright? Pierce: ::trying to keep her voice level:: Knocked my suit up a bit. What about you? :: The last time Liam felt this badly knocked around was after the last Sambo lesson that Liz had given him. He took several moments to check that his suit was still intact, and not leaking oxygen. There were no signs of damage to the suit, or any of his extremities, and he was finally able to lift himself off the floor.:: Frost: Feels like I went a few rounds with Liz, but I think I'm alright. Make any progress? Pierce: Before the blackout I was going over the medical logs. There were some fairly recent partials. Lots of people were coming in with heavy burns – a lot of stations and equipment shorted out at the same time, like some sort of system-wide power surge. Add to that a lack of visible crewmembers and jettisoned escape pods, I'd say whatever totaled the ship made the Nelson's crew evacuate. :: It wasn't a lot to go on, but it was at least a place to start. He wasn't surprised that they were having trouble making connections between the various systems and databanks. The Nelson was in rough shape as it was when they had found it. If the theory that the Nelson had fallen victim to the energy being, then it stood to reason that dozens of systems may have been separated from the other systems. If they even worked at all.:: Pierce: I say we make our way down to the escape pods and see what's there. Without power the bridge and helm are just as useless as anything else around here. ::half-smile:: Might as well do some hands on detecting. Frost: I'd like to check out the Captain's ready room too. We recovered some partial logs. I'm hoping he left a few behind for us. I'd also like to see if there's anything to be found in sickbay as well. Pierce: There's still the matter of Johnson. ::What /were/ they going to do with their unconscious Ensign? He could be teleported back, but at the same time he represented another link to the Expanse's strange effect on people. Leaving a security officer with him seemed like a waste of personnel.:: Pierce: We can revive him, we can leave him here with Trell, or we can send him back to the Apollo. Frost: I don't know. I don't like leaving him there. But until he gets his marbles back, he's a liability. Trell will let us know when he comes around, and we'll go from there. :: Liam looked around the darkened bridge, but there was just a little more than nothing they could do in their current predicament.:: Frost: I want to go check out the Captain's ready room first. See what we can find. Pierce: You're the first officer. The ready room is more immediate anyway, we can get the entire bridge area done before checking anything else out. I hope Barnes and his team are having better luck than we are. ::The ready room was a scant few steps. Satisfied that she had everything, Pierce let Frost lead the way. The inside was a disaster - part of the desk had been scorched and a bookshelf toppled. Some of the person effects having toppled could easily have been the shockwave that had just knocked the two officers over; even so, every inch of space had some debris covering it.:: ::There were some unsettling marks along the floor. The doctor crouched down and eyed one. Reaching for her tricorder, she scanned the area and looked mildly concerned at the result.:: Pierce: That's blood. Who was the captain of the Nelson? :: Liam looked around the room, scanning in as much detail as the narrow beams of light from his helmet would allow him to. files and books scattered the floor, as well as the various trinkets that had been assembled by the Nelson's Captain. He imagined how the room must have looked when it was in better shape; stately and impressive. It had been, at one point, a testament to career full of accomplishment. Now it was, like the rest of the Nelson, a shell of it's former self. A glint of something caught Liam's eye. The majority of it was obscured by the overturned coffee table, but there was no mistaking what he had seen.:: :: A boot:: :: Liam moved closer crouching down close to investigate. The body lay on the floor, seemingly almost mummified, it's flesh dried and clinging tightly to the bone. He slowly scanned it, looking for an indication of identity. He found a clue as he got higher. Atop a red collar, the same colour as his own, sat for pips. Pips that had once been so highly polished they would have made a good signal mirror for a survival exercise. Liam pulled out his tricorder, scanning for the ID in the comm badge, which confirmed what he already suspected to be true.:: Frost: Captain David Evans. :: The body was in a strange state. It should have been almost perfectly preserved by the vacuum and the exposure to the cold. And yet his body looked more like the images of mummies that he had seen in museums. It looked dry, almost like worn leather, pulled taught in towards his skeleton. Sidney was slowly making her way over to him.:: ::Liam had walked over to the other side of the room and stopped. Curious, she carefully stepped over the remnants of a heavy paperback novel to take a look. Nothing so far had prepared her for what they were standing in front of. The entire body looked like it was covered with spider silk, strangely waxy and pale. Layer upon layer made the surface seem solid, but parts of the uniform still showed through. This was the captain.:: Pierce: This is the first indication we've seen of personnel actually being on-board. Everything else looked too clean, like they knew they were leaving. It could be the Captain's blood. I'll be able to say for certain in a few moments... Frost: So what happened to him? Pierce: I... have never seen anything like this. ::looking up:: There's barely anything left of him. He's missing blood, cerebro-spinal fluid; all his cells have ruptured. There's no fluid left in him at all. Think deep-space compression of a humanoid, but his skeletal structure is intact, as is what's left of his musculature. Something took all the water out of him and left this instead. :: Liam let a clight curse out under his breath, unsure if Sidney heard it or not, but not really caring if she did. He stood there for a moment simply staring at the body. He walked over to the desk, one of the only undamaged pieces of the furniture in the room. He found the desk terminal still operational, its battery backup still functioning. He pressed a few keys, bringing the device to life and casting a glow across the room. An icon flashed on the screen, indicating a waiting message. Liam took a deep breath before beginning the playback. The image of Captain Evans appeared on the screen, looking stern and haggard. He had the look of a man who had lost more sleep that most Cadets ever did, and carried the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders.:: ::At the sound of a loading vid, the doctor turned her head towards the monitor and saw what was undoubtedly Captain Evans. He looked tired. What could have been happening to him and his crew? Whatever it was had left him here in this mummified state, and had sent the crew running alone into the Expanse. The skin on her arms began to crawl. Her body was beginning to react to this whole scenario - they needed to find the answers.:: Evans: Captain's log, stardate... hell, does it matter? I've come to the most difficult decision that any commanding officer ever has to make. The Nelson is lost. The energy creature, whatever it is, has set its sights on us. We shut down the warp core, and it seems to have helped, but without the warp core, we can't get anywhere, and as soon as we fire it up again, it'll be all over us. I'm preparing to give the order to abandon ship. We've programmed a torpedo spread to get the creature's attention. That should give the escape pods enough time to get clear. Then we'll start the warp core up again to give them as much time as we can. The catch is that someone has to stay behind to run the startup sequence. I can't, in good conscience, order one of my officers to do it. So, in a bit of anachronism, the Captain is, in all likelyhood, going down with the ship. It's not a decision I take lightly, but the information we've gathered needs to make it out, or everything we've sacrificed will be for nothing. If anyone finds this, let it be known that the crew of the Nelson have served with distinction, valour and bravery, in keeping with the highest traditions of Starfleet. Commendations are hereby granted to all crew members. The following officers are hereby promoted in recognition of their bravery: Lieutenant Max Kincade, Lieutenant junior grade Jason Gondor, Lieutenant Kelly Shannon, Ensign Danny Maxwell, Lieutenant junior grade Brax, Ensign Toran G'dar and Lieutenant Kaitlyn Stafford. If Commander T'Pral is found alive, it is my recommendation that Starfleet command immediately consider him for captaincy. Finally, please, tell my wife Amelia that I love her, and that I'm sorry we never got to take that trip to Betazed. Captain David Evans. USS Nelson ::In the void after the message, Sidney slumped down beside what remained of the Captain, her heart low in her chest. The hint of red from the shoulders of his uniform was the only indication that what lay beneath was the man in that message. He had sacrificed a great deal and all for the safety of his crew. Somewhere members of the Nelson were still alive because of this Evans' bravery and here he was here at the edge of the galaxy, alone. She felt almost as if she would cry, but more than that, she felt angry. She connected a PADD to the system and downloaded the message. This would need to be sent back when this away mission was over, and it might finally give closure to his wife.:: :: The message finished, and for a long time, nothing was said. He simply stood there, staring at a screen that was now blank, save for the Starfleet Insignia. He let out a long breath as the magnitude of what had just happened sank in. Captain Evans had made the ultimate sacrifice to give his crew the chance to escape. He had no idea if they would succeed or not. But he had given them the best chance he could, regardless of the cost to himself. He wondered, if he were ever placed in that situation, if he would be able to do the same. He remembered the sacrifice made by Lieutenant Commander Guy Hunt almost a year ago, and Alice May before that. Sacrifice seemed to be a nearly constant factor when it came to a life in Starfleet. He'd known it when he joined, and he knew it now. And he quietly vowed that he would not let that sacrifice be forgotten.:: ::Opening her kit, Pierce brought out a microscalpel and gingerly touched it to the layer protecting the Captain's body. When nothing happened, she began slowly working away at the outside. Cutting away the film felt like the only thing keeping Sidney from flying into a rage. She set her jaw firmly and continued to work.:: Pierce: ::monotone:: We need to take him back with us. We need as much information as we can get on this decomposition process, and we're sending him home to his family. Frost: Agreed. I'll tag his comm badge. When we leave, we can beam him to the shuttle if we have to. :: He thought for a moment about what Captain Evans had given up, and what would be left behind now that he was gone. He wondered what he would leave behind if he had to do the same. The people who depended on him and the people he cared about. It was a somewhat sobering thought, which he swallowed down as best he could. He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.:: Frost: Alright, let's head out. We've got more work to do. ::The Lieutenant stood up slowly, eyes on the only thing she had been able to do to help. Captain Evans was free now, but the idea of leaving the body here did was not something Sidney wanted to do. He had stayed here for the rest of his crew, and now it should be time for him to be honored and to rest. He would never get to take Amelia to Betazed, but he would be able to go home. Her mind wandered to the Apollo's mission. This same thing stood poised to happen to any one of her crew if they didn't find a way to defend themselves. If she was this upset about the death of a man she'd never met, how would losing Lanius affect her? The Captain? She looked at the Apollo's first officer. The image that formed in her mind was destructive, and yet she couldn't let it go. Her heart remained in the pit of her stomach.:: Pierce: Sounds good to me. LtCmdr Liam Frost First Officer USS Apollo & Lt(JG) Sidney Pierce Chief Medical Officer USS Apollo
  16. (( Corridor near the Lounge )) ::His head throbbed quite painfully as he glanced down at the PaDD. Requests to repair showers were unusual, and Jack was certainly intrigued. He felt justified in checking this out himself. Alas, watching a PaDD more than where he was going was bound to lead to some complication. He almost slammed right into the woman, and just managed to avoid a collision with the unfamiliar face.:: Mancuso: Oops. My fault. I was on my way to fix a shower. Wasn’t exactly paying attention. Not everyday I get told the shower is too loud you know? ::Sorani was flustered after the events in the lounge and perhaps she wasn’t paying as much attention to her surroundings as she usually would because she nearly collided with an approaching engineer. She sucked in a breath quickly and tried to regain her composure rather than take her frustration out on him. As it happened he spoke first and it happened to be about the shower she reported, that was a curious coincidence.:: Sorani: Interesting. I think you will find that’s my shower. Mancuso: ::He blinked twice.:: Well...umm....then that is rather embarrassing. I’m Jack. Well the Chief Engineer. Oh you know what I mean. Right? Sorani: ::Straightening her uniform and pushing up her glasses for no apparent reason:: I’m Lt Cmdr Sorani, the new Chief Science Officer. ::Reaching out with her right hand to touch his left shoulder in the customary greeting.:: Mancuso: Pleasure to meet you. So...let’s talk about this shower problem then shall we? Sorani: As stated in my report, it is unbearably noisy. Mancuso: Oh. I see....kind of. Sorani: ::It took her a moment to realise he was not familiar with Al-Leyans:: Apologies. What I mean is... Al-Leyans such as myself can hear a greater range of sounds than most other humanoids, which is why I can hear the noise it emits. Mancuso: ::Rubbing his chin.:: Well....we could modify it to use water if you would rather. Up to you really. ::Sorani did not like the idea of having to use a water based shower. They were considered dangerous due to the risk of slipping and injuring yourself. She hated water showers a little less than the sonic shower in it’s current state but didn’t want either.:: Sorani: No. ::Not at all pleased.:: If that is all you can offer me then please, just uninstall it entirely. Mancuso: Oh not at all. I can offer more options than that. ::He tapped at the PaDD and handed it to her.:: As you can see there are other options. I can adjust the pulse output ratio...with you present of course, until we reach a bearable frequency. Or... ::Sorani wasn’t overly happy about the idea of being subjected to more of that noise, but if it led to a solution she supposed she could tolerate it. She expected it would give her the worst migraine imaginable though. She was curious about what the other possibilities might be.:: Sorani: Or? Mancuso: ::Gesturing at the PaDD.:: There is a variant of what some Sick Bays use. Sort of a sterilization and decontamination phase emitter. We simply adjust it for less decontamination and more personal hygene. Besides, I’ve been dying to play around with one of those. ::Sorani was skeptical and the idea of him playing around with equipment wasn’t too comforting either. What did he think he was doing playing with toys or something?:: Sorani: I’m not sure about that. Mancuso: Now....I do have one other, but I’m not exactly sure it’s what you might be looking for. I’m just unsure how it may sound to you...literally. Sorani: ::Looking puzzled:: What? Mancuso: Well, you work in science. I’m sure you’ve heard of these new sterilizing solutions. They evaporate immediately upon use. Mostly used for cleaning equipment, but I have to imagine there is an option in there that would be safe for a biological entity. It pulses the solution upon everything, so if your hearing is very sensitive....I’m just not sure about it. Sorani: That doesn’t fill me with confidence i’m afraid. :: Jack looked at her for a moment, contemplating just how difficult this was going to be, when it dawned on him. She was actually here to replace.....He winced at that thought.:: Mancuso: I’m sure we can work something out. Sorani: I’m sure we can. Sorry to cause a stir over such a small matter. ((Corridors- Turbolift )) :: Jack looked at her for a moment, contemplating just how difficult this was going to be, when it dawned on him. She was actually here to replace.....He winced at that thought.:: Mancuso: I’m sure we can work something out. Sorani: I’m sure we can. Sorry to cause a stir over such a small matter. Mancuso: Sorry. I don’t mean to sound aggravated. I just dislike not being able to find a solution. Well that and.... Sorani: And what? Mancuso: You’re replacing someone that I...::Now how exactly did he think he was going to explain that?:: we were friends. Sorani: ::Folding her arms and adopting more defencing body language:: I see. Mancuso: Just really set in that things are moving on. If that makes any sense? Sorani: ::Feeling awkward.:: I’m sorry for your loss. Mancuso: ::He shrugged.:: Not that there is anything wrong with you. I’m sure we’ll get along just fine and all. I guess I’m being kind of silly about it all. Sorani: Well no. Not really. She has departed the cycle but I am not here to replace anyone. I am merely adopting the same duty she once held. She will be reborn into the cycle eventually. Mancuso: ::He changed the subject quickly.:: So...the shower can be modified. We just have to find what works best for you. And believe me, I’m good at improvising solutions. Sorani: I think the simplest solution is usually the best one to try first. No point in making it harder and more complicated than it needs to be. Mancuso: Say...could you help me input the frequencies that bother you most into a tricorder? Then I could find a nice level to work with, and not have to drag you in to be a guinea pig every time. Sorani: I suggest a frequency beyond my range of hearing. We can run through the medical databases to make sure it is also out of range of the other humanoids. Mancuso: Well..like you said, ‘simplest solution’. Let me see if the shower you have can actually be put at a bearable range first. The Medical database. That’s pretty clever. Sorani: Logic and reasoning are like the xylem and phloem that sustains the branch. Mancuso: Well...I wish I’d thought of it. ::He laughed a little.:: Sorani: ::Smiling:: I find our branches are often complementary and require many similar traits. Mancuso: If you don’t mind me saying, you talk a bit like a Vulcan. Minus the heavy lack of emotion, mind you. Sorani: We have been compared to Vulcans before, but usually based on more aesthetic reasons. ::Indicating her ears which were pointed, but more softly than a Vulcans.:: Mancuso: Oh I like Vulcans ok. I just think it’s a little odd keeping emotions in check all the time. Sorani: We have no reason to repress our emotions, they are a natural part of life and existence. Mancuso: So...you actually do fun things then? Like...oh, drink, and play chess, and …::He grinned.:: Do you like old movies? Old Earth movies I mean? Sorani:Why would I watch Earth movies? We have our own culture. ::Smiling:: I am rather fond of molecular gastronomy, but I wasn’t able to bring any equipment for it. We do spontaneous things too like dancing... it’s an approved outlet for creative expression. ::Feeling a little calmer.:: Mancuso: Just curious. I like the old movies myself. Sounds like you won’t be as ….uptight, no offense intended there, as you first seemed. Sorani: Well I must admit you did catch me at a bad moment. I know it’s hard on the crew, my being here. It’s a little hard for me too. Mancuso: Oh? Anybody I know give you the unfriendly welcome? Sorani: Well I’ve had some very good welcomes... Lt Tan and one of my own, an Ensign Ben’thal. Others have been reserved, I wouldn’t say hostile but then one in particular was just... outrageous. Mancuso: Well just wait. Penny took it hard, but she seems really bubbly. I don’t really know her all that well actually. And Tan is a good enough fellow. So...who was the outrageous one? I just love good ship gossip. Sorani: I’m not sure I want to talk about it, but then I guess since everyone in the lounge just witnessed it... If you had been just 5 minutes quicker you would have too. Mancuso: Oh wow. In front of everybody eh? Sorani: Yes. An old acquaintance who should know better than anyone else aboard! ::Getting annoyed again.:: Mancuso: Hmmm...uptight...should know better...maybe it was our Intel guy. He rubs people kind of funny. Strange guy if you ask me. Or maybe it was Kagran. Marines are always kind of strange...and being a Klingon...well....::He chuckled.:: I don’t mean to laugh. It’s just I can certainly picture one of those two. They aren’t exactly big on social graces. Sorani: This was not the work of any Klingon. Don’t even mention the Klingons. ::Thinking for a minute.:: Say... can you delete holo programs off the system, like permanently? Mancuso: Holo programs? Sure. Depending on the source codes complexity it might be quick and easy or it may be a little challenge. But it’s pretty simple. I’ve hidden more than one holo program from my parents in my youth. Sorani: Well there is one. It’s got a pug-ugly ferengi in it. Rik I think. I’m not sure... Uhhh Rik Fabric or something like that. I don’t know what the actual program is called though - it could be anything. I guess that doesn’t really help much. Mancuso: So...you want the code altered? I can just remove him instead of changing the whole program if you prefer? Sorani: Let me say it like this. I never want to see that wretched creation again! Mancuso: Oh I can find out which program it is easy enough. ::He smiled and shook his head.:: Full deletion it is then. Sorani: Look at me, I am not even here for a day and already I am burdening you with chores! How bad of me... Mancuso: ::Laughing.:: Now that is a first. Someone who actually is sympathetic to the plight of the engineer. ::He glanced around.:: That makes you the first one. ::He waved a dismissive hand.:: But don’t fret about it. If you weren’t lining up work for me, somebody else would. Sorani: Well, I don’t know about that. Mancuso: Anyway...I’ll get this shower sorted out for you, and then I’ll handle your little holographic friend. Fair enough? Sorani: Of course! ::Tipping her head slightly and smiling:: Mancuso: And in return, you just ignore anything anybody says about me being a womanizing weirdo. Deal? Sorani: Uhhm, are you serious? Mancuso: Well...no not really. Ok...maybe the weirdo part. Sorani: Weirdo.... ? Mancuso: I’m sort of the village outcast. And that IS a truly long story that I’d rather not get into. Sorani: ::Scratching the back of her neck and wondering why he brought up the topic if he didn’t want to discuss it. Was it really a prompt for her to probe further? She decided to play it safe as usual and take it as face value.:: As you wish. Another time perhaps... Lt.(jg) Jack Mancuso Chief Engineer USS Avandar and Lt Cmdr Sorani Chief Science Officer USS Avandar Jason B. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."
  17. ( Turbolift-Corridor- Personal Quarters)) Mancuso: And in return, you just ignore anything anybody says about me being a womanizing weirdo. Deal? Sorani: Uhhm, are you serious? Mancuso: Well...no not really. Ok...maybe the weirdo part. Sorani: Weirdo.... ? Mancuso: I’m sort of the village outcast. And that IS a truly long story that I’d rather not get into. Sorani: ::Scratching the back of her neck and wondering why he brought up the topic if he didn’t want to discuss it. Was it really a prompt for her to probe further? She decided to play it safe as usual and take it as face value.:: As you wish. Another time perhaps... Mancuso: Sure. Another time. With a lot of drinks. Then we can talk all about Eden and blowing stuff up. oOEden? Blowing stuff up!?Oo ::Sorani suddenly found herself VERY curious indeed. She wanted the full story, right now. She would definitely have to find out about this!:: Sorani: Sounds like something you need to see a counselor over... ::Raising an eyebrow.:: Mancuso: I don’t do counselors very well. I tend to vent to ...well friends. And I like to think that we can be friends. Sorani: Do you mean you and I... or the crew in general? Mancuso: Well, I meant you and I. Not as if I don’t want you to make friends among the crew, but I was thinking rather selfishly. ::He shrugged.:: See a counselor would analyze that very statement. Which is what I find disturbing about them. And with our old Counselor off to...wherever....that leaves Percy, and don’t even get me going about having to share my deepest thoughts with that guy. Sorani: I admire the honesty but what’s wrong with Percy? Where I come from if it is decided you need a counselor, then you go. There is no choice in the matter, it must be done. Only the truly ill would refuse anyway, which is just more reason that they must go... Mancuso: Oh it’s nothing like that. I just.....he cracks me up, ok? I laugh when I get around him. That makes seeing him as a professional counselor a bit tough.. Sorani: If that is how people feel then he must be inadequate. Get a replacement. Mancuso: I tried that. Hence how I know about erasing holo programs. Ever hear of Sigmund Freud? Total nut case. Not a very good psychiatrist. Thought everything centered around my relationship to my parents. Sorani: Sounds like he had an obsession himself. Not the kind of person I would trust for proper and balanced readjustment. Mancuso: Hey I did say I was creative at finding solutions. Sorani: Indeed you did! ::Sounding cheery and bright.:: Mancuso: You have any other ….talents I should know about? I had a raging hangover a little while ago, but it really is feeling better. You don’t subconsciously heal people or anything like that do you? Sorani: ::A little uncertainly:: Uhhm. No. Healing is not my branch. Mancuso: Ah well. Suppose a little time does wonders. Sorani: Perhaps. I couldn’t really say without... more data. Mancuso: ::Throwing an arm around her back and urging her along.:: So..lead on. Let’s fix this shower of yours. And we can keep getting acquainted while we’re at it. Sorani: ::Making her way to the turbolift:: Good. It will be a relief to get that sorted out, I just hope i’m not keeping you from more important matters... or a break. Mancuso: Nope. Chief Engineer. I picked this shower fix because I was curious about it. And I must say, it has proven well worth my time. Sorani: Ah, thanks I think. ::Wanting to change the topic:: So tell me more about yourself. Mancuso: But if the turbolift goes out, you can listen while I read an Ensign the riot act. :: He rubbed his head.:: Me? Well.....I’m just a simple guy really. Came straight from the country life to the Academy and then to the Avandar. I have a knack for fixing things, so it just seemed the right path. Although if you ask me, there are a hundred other engineers out there better than me. But, I manage ok. Sorani: It takes time to grow and develop your branch, and some bloom earlier than others. As long as you stay true to your branch, that’s all you have to do. Mancuso: My Dad hated the idea of me joining Starfleet. I even waited a year to go to the Academy. But, look at me now. Sorani: ::She did just that. She did take a good look at him. He looked just like a humanoid in an engineering uniform.:: Yes... Mancuso: What about you? Your parents support you being off in space? Sorani: I am following my branch so they support it. My mentor will keep in regular contact to check on my progress and help me with any difficulties that may arise. He will keep my blood parents and contacts informed. Mancuso: That’s nice. Call me crazy if you want, but I’m not so sure I’d have been as creative if my Father loved the idea. I think part of the fun was building things when I was younger just to drive him crazy. He’s a veterinarian. An animal doctor. I think he wanted me to try my hand at medicine too, but machines are...well, easier than people sometimes. ::Sorani wasn’t sure what to make of this. Was the parent trying to keep the child from realising his branch or did the child grow into a different branch through rebellion. She thought she would have to consult the Fallen Branch on this topic, failing that her mentor would know what was right. She knew his culture was not her culture, such a thing could not happen in her culture.:: Sorani: Go on... Mancuso: So....two missions later, and I got a nice promotion and the Captain made me Chief Engineer. Well.....one mission. One and a half? I’m not really sure how that counts actually. Sorani: Are you losing track of time? Mancuso: Well that brings us back to the Eden thing. ::He shook his head.:: That was a mess really. Sorani: Eden. ::Remembering he didn’t want to talk about it.:: Another time right? Mancuso: Well.....actually the easiest way to explain that. We, and by we I mean the entire crew....had a very vivid, very long dream. Only it didn’t feel like a dream. And we were on this planet Eden...in our dream...for like ten years. Sorani: Remarkable. Mancuso: And some of us did....some not so good things. Sorani: Such as? Mancuso: Oh...mutiny. Attempting to kill the Captain. Not me mind you. Well....not trying to kill the Captain at least. Sorani: I understand why you didn’t want to talk about it then. Mancuso: So...I spent all those years trying to prove something. And then we woke up, and you know what? It’s not any different. I feel like I still have something to prove. Sorani: I see why you would feel that way. Mancuso: And Evanna understood that. And now....well....I feel kind of lost. Sorani: So you shared a unique situation with her. Mancuso: And you weren’t there, so it’s easy to talk to you about it. If that makes any sense. Sorani: Perhaps because I didn’t experience it, wasn’t involved I am inpartial. I am not looking at it with a bias based on an experience on Eden? Mancuso: I’m not sure why I can’t just let it go. Seems kind of crazy doesn’t it? Sorani: No. You said you feel you have something to prove. I think once you achieve that somehow you will resolve your feelings. Mancuso: Yeah. Maybe. Sorani: ::Touching his shoulder at the base of his neck in a reassuring gesture:: Have faith. Give yourself small goals. Some things to do to start to redeem yourself and give it time. Mancuso: Well, you haven’t experienced the joy of our [...]ed off first officer yet. That woman scares me sometimes. I thought about talking to the Captain about it, but then T’Lea might get involved or, she would order me to see the Counselor. Or, if she thought I was unfit for duty....::He shook his head.:: It’s enough to make you paranoid. Sorani: If she thought you were unfit for duty you would not be standing there. Did you say you were promoted after Eden? Mancuso: Yes. Which is even crazier. I spent some time wondering if I even really deserved it. Sorani: In my culture I think you would need your attitude readjusted. They clearly have forgiven you. You must forgive yourself. Mancuso: ::He chuckled.:: In my culture an attitude adjustment is usually a good beating. Well, at least it used to be. Besides, I’m happy doing my work, and the ship stays running....mostly. So, it seems fair enough if I have my little mental ticks. Sorani: Just give yourself room to grow. Let a little of the first Rays in from time to time. Nourish your roots, cleanse your leaves. ::Nodding sagely.:: Mancuso: Whoa. That was a little deep. ::He shrugged.:: So now you know...way more about me. What about you? Sorani: ::Mimicking his shrug and stepping into the turbolift:: Roots run deep. ::She scratched her ear idly while considering his question:: Well there isn’t much to know about me other than what’s been said. I received a standardised upbringing, took a fall year in a forensics lab. I followed that branch for a few years before expanding a little. Mancuso: Boring. I meant about you. Not how you came to be here. You know? Like what do you like to do for fun? What’s your favorite color? That sort of thing. Sorani: ::Bristling a little at the insult.:: I believe I have already stated my hobbies. Mancuso: That was a little direct of me wasn’t it? Sorry. Seems my own people skills need a little work. Sorani: I am not used to interacting with your species. Mancuso: Oh humans? We aren’t so bad. Well...actually maybe we are, but you get used to us. Sorani: You state a fact and then change your mind. So what are you trying to tell me? Mancuso: I just embrace the fact that to other species we probably seem odd. Sorani: I would say different, not necessarily odd. Perhaps that’s overly picky of me. ::Turning a little pink.:: I like to be precise about things where possible. Mancuso: Wow...that would get difficult. We aren’t exactly a precise species. There is a lot of grey when you deal with humans. Most of the precise people I know saw things in terms of black and white. Sorani: I see a full range of colours, green, red, blue, yellow... not just Black, white or grey. My eyesight is a little hindered during the day, in brighter conditions. ::Trailing off:: Mancuso: Well, it’s an analogy. It means something else. You really are precise. And literal. Sorani: As I said, I am not used to dealing with your kind. I am not familiar with your phrases. We tend to say what we mean in simple terms. Mancuso: This....::He laughed and shook his head.:: is going to be more challenging than I thought. Sorani: What do you mean? Mancuso: Well, first humans use a lot of analogy. And metaphors. You should probably brace yourself for that. It takes getting used to. And to make it worse, the metaphors change based on where a human is from. ::He paused and smiled at her.:: I am going to have to teach you all about the weirdness of being human aren’t I? Sorani: That sounds as much fun as sleeping on a bed of poisoned chokeweed. I mean the part about human use of language. The part about spending time with you, well... ::Smiling:: it should be interesting. Mancuso: I think you have your own metaphors. Unless you really meant the part about sleeping on chokeweed. Sorani: I wouldn’t dream of sleeping on chokeweed. Well I guess I might but it would be classified as a nightmare. That plant is called chokeweed for a reason. Mancuso: Or not. ::He sighed.:: Well, then I guess I’d better educate you about metaphors that humans like, before someone tells you something is ‘easy as pie’. Sorani: ::Stepping out of the turbolift and getting her bearings.:: Easy as pie!? ::Confused:: What does that even mean? Is that some strange mathematical reference? Perhaps it is not too late to file some emergency transfer papers... ::Sighing heavily. This new assignment was intriguing and frustrating in equal measures.:: Mancuso: ::He chuckled.:: No, it just means something is very simple. We compare things, sometimes unusually, to get across a certain point. My Uncle was a master of it. For example he said I would enjoy ice cream as much as a fat tick likes a lazy dog. Sorani: ::Staring at him and then choosing to head towards her quarters:: Very strange habits your people have acquired. Mancuso: Yeah, I’ll admit it is kind of strange. See...I told you humans were weird. ::Sorani was feeling very awkward. She wondered if other species had this much trouble interacting with humans. She didn’t think she would ever get the hang of it. They could stand there and make jokes about her in front of her face and she would be oblivious. She reflected that this must be the product of an unstructured culture. It felt as though she did not belong here and she was increasingly wishing to go back to Azure Station.:: Sorani: Are there many humans on board? ::If she was lucky there would only be a handful to deal with. Then she could avoid unnecessary interaction with them.:: Mancuso: Lucky for you this ship has more Trill than anything. Well, I suppose there are quite a few humans, but it will get easier the more you are around me....them...er, I mean us.... Sorani: Uhhm, maybe. Time will tell. Mancuso: Sorry. I met a fellow who told me about one culture where a casual conversation led to one of his shipmates gaining a life partner. ::He shrugged.:: And you are the first of your species that I’ve ever met, so...I guess everyone adjusts. Sorani: The branch that doesn’t bend in the wind will break. I suppose you are right. Mancuso: I’m probably not the best choice for your first contact with a human. But I assure you, you will fit right in. Sorani: It will take time. Even the seedling needs time to take hold before it can really grow. Mancuso: Very well put. ::Sorani looked at all the numbers on the doors as she wandered down the corridor in search of her own. When she found it she paused, looking at the number, wanting to be sure she’d got the right one.:: Sorani: Well here we are I guess. ::Going to open the door.:: Mancuso: Well look at that. I have my own quarters only a short walk from here. Sorani: Really? Are all the senior staff up here then? We’ll be like... ::looking for the word:: neybores then? Mancuso: I’m not sure about all the senior staff. But you have the right word anyway. I know Eerie has quarters around here too. Tan as well. So..that’s probably right. I spend more time in Engineering than I do here anyway. Those chairs down there are pretty comfortable to sleep in. Sorani: If you say so but I do not plan on sleeping perched upon a lab stool. Mancuso: Yeah. I wouldn’t recommend that either. Sorani: ::Ushering him inside:: Come in then. Mancuso: So...do you have more things coming or is this it? ::He looked around the room.:: Sorani: This is it. I had to leave in a very big hurry to intercept USS Halo and those runabouts. Very hurried... ::Not wanting to mention the circumstances that had brought about the fast turnaround in staff.:: Mancuso: Well...that’s ok. Everyone has their own taste in decor. ::He looked around the corner.:: So this must be the offending shower then? ::Sorani frowned and scrunched up her nose. She’d never said this was by choice and it certainly was not a reflection upon her taste in anything. She chose to remain quiet rather than cause a stir.:: Sorani: Yes. ::Flatly. Approaching the restroom doorway and looking at the shower with distaste.:: Mancuso: ::He grabbed for the tricorder and held it up.:: Ok...I need to turn it on and measure the frequency. You going to be ok for a second while I do that? Sorani: Can’t I be somewhere else for this? The noise isn’t simply distasteful you know, it causes ear ache and migraine. Mancuso: Oh. Yes, yes. I can definitely spare you all of that then. Shall I give you a ring once I have it fixed up. And that metaphor means call you over the comm by the way. Sorani: Didn’t you need data from me before you can fix this? Mancuso: Well...I do need your authorization for your medical record. So I can compare frequencies. Sorani: I will grant you limited access. It will be sufficient however. I will fill in the required forms. Mancuso: That’s fine. I only need to know if your hearing is in the normal range for your species before I consult the database. Then I can get an idea of what range I need to get it in. Sorani: Understood. Once you have completed the repair I will require you to run a test in my presence to ensure it is working as planned, before I can sign off on it. Mancuso: Of course. Unless you want me back fixing or adjusting it every week. ::He smiled.:: I’m kidding. I wouldn’t think of letting you sign off any other way. ::Sorani realised she’d fallen into her old habit of telling people things they already knew again and turned a little pink.:: Sorani: Ah, that’s fortunate. Thank you. Mancuso: Well, it is my job. But..you’re quite welcome. Sorani: Very well. I’ll go attend to those forms then and see if I can make myself useful somewhere. ::She turned to leave, wanting to get away before he decided to turn the shower on before she was out of range to hear it.:: Mancuso: Ok. It was nice meeting you. Really. And, perhaps we can talk again. ::He shrugged.:: Anyway, I’ll find you once I’m done to test it out. Sorani: ::Pausing in the doorway:: Thank you. It’s been... interesting. I would like for us to talk again some time too. Good day to you. ::Jack watched her go. She was odd, but then so was he. And it wasn’t as if Jack was all that familiar with her species. Still, she seemed nice enough, and that was enough. He didn’t exactly warm up to people right away, but she hadn’t outright dismissed his offer of talking again. He turned back to the shower, snatching up the PaDD and pulling up the medical database. Their hearing really was sensitive.:: Mancuso: Well. Looks like it’s just me and you, you bad old loud shower you. (( A little while later )) ::He looked nervously at the shower and then back at her.:: Mancuso: So, the baffle I installed reads well below your range of hearing, but....the big test is to turn it on. Sorani: I know. I’ve been fretting about it a little. Would you mind switching it on? ::He turned the shower on, and turned to watch her, his hand kept right by the control.:: ::Sorani automatically winced and tensed up in anticipation of something, but when nothing came and she realised it was in fact quiet in the room she relaxed again.:: Mancuso: Well? Sorani: You’re not playing a joke on me are you? My mentor warned me about that and I’ve already been victim of one today... Mancuso: Nope. I got the frequency right out of the range that your information specified, and then baffled it. It should keep the noise even further muted, while allowing the shower to serve its purpose. It was really simple. Just find the right frequency and then soundproof it a little further. Sorani: ::Delighted:: Well done! ::She lunged at him to give him a big hug of appreciation and then remembered her mentor telling her that some species didn’t like those kind of gestures at all, that she probably shouldn’t use them. She peeled herself off him, patting his shoulder apologetically.:: Sorani: Sorry, that probably wasn’t very appropriate. Mancuso: No..that was quite ok. I’m just glad I was able to fix it. Sorani: I’m so glad I don’t have to suffer a water based showering system. That was a rather cunning solution. I can’t wait to try it out properly. ::Very pleased.:: Mancuso: And I’m glad you like it. ::He smiled rather embarrassed.:: I guess I should get moving so you can enjoy your..shower. ::Sorani had considered asking him to stay for a cup of coffee or something but decided against it. She didn’t want to press upon his time any further and she suspected he’d had a big enough dose of her for the time being anyway.:: Sorani: Alright then, thank you. Talk to you later. Mancuso: Definitely. Perhaps next time we can talk over coffee instead of a noisy shower though. ::He took up his tools, and turned to leave.:: Oh...and welcome to the Avandar. I hope you will be happy here. ::Sorani tipped her head forward in acknowledgement as he left her quarters.:: Lt.(jg) Jack Mancuso Chief Engineer USS Avandar and Lt Cmdr Sorani Chief Science Officer USS Avandar Jason B. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."
  18. ((Starbase 118/Outside MacLaren's door) ::Joseph stood outside Johanna's door wondering if he should just go to medical and get fixed up there. He knew she was a sensitive person and he didn't want her see him bruised and bleeding.:: oO She'll see the report anyways, she's a doctor here. She might be upset you didn't come to see her.Oo ::Joseph took stock of what damage he took during the altercation. He had a cut cheek, a bruised forearm and severely swollen, possibly broken hand. He felt a mixture of pain and excitement. He couldn't help but want more, which was a part of him that always scared him; he always tried to keep those feelings buried. Joseph went between wanting to hit the chime button on the door panel and turning about and marching himself to medical. He finally realized that it was less medical attention he wanted and more her attention.:: oO But she'll freak if she sees me this way...what do I do?... I want to see her again... I need to see her again.Oo :: Joseph tried desperately to fight against the urges moving his finger towards her door panel.:: oO Oh Johanna I need to see you again. Oo :: He pushed the door chime and waited.:: oO What's taking so long?Oo ::Johanna hung up the clothing she'd worn to the party and stood in just her underwear trying to decide whether to shower this evening or in the morning. She'd just turned on the water when Hope barked and ran toward the sitting room. She turned off the water and listened. ::He pushed the door chime again and waited. He began to wonder if she was waiting behind the door for him to leave. :: MacLaren: Hope, hush! Oo Who could that be?...Only Lt. James and Joseph ken Eh'm here...He's come back! Maybe he'll ask me to go somewhere with him tomorrow. Laird, Eh'm not dressed!oO ::She quickly reached for a silk robe and knotted the belt around her waist pulling the top closed to some level of decency and ran to the door.:: ::Joseph was about to push a third time, but at that instant the door sprung open and there she was, in a house coat that clung to the curves of her body. She had such a shocked look on her face he began to wonder if he had made the right decision.:: ::In that instant her elation at seeing him transformed to clinical concern; her doctor's eyes took in all the injuries. The cut on his cheek was bleeding freely making streaks down to his collar. A contusion was already forming around the wound promising to leave an angry bruise.Oo Possible fracture to the cheek, check for neck injury or head wound. Did he fall when he was hit? Arm is being cradled, possible break?oO :: Joseph! Oh my Laird! What happened to ye? Let me help you! Come in! ::Joseph was surprised at the change in her eyes; they had gone from the warm caring eyes he knew from earlier that evening to the analytical doctor eyes that seemed to view him as just another patient.:: :: She put a surprisingly strong arm around him and guided him into the room before he could even reply.:: Sit down here; put your feet up, and let me get a towel. ::She disappeared, and the next thing Joseph heard was the sound of water running. The little dog put a tentative paw on his leg as if to give some comfort.:: oO I knew this was a bad idea, I've gone a from kind man to a trauma ward patient, and now the dog feels sorry for Mister Scary Shoes, great.Oo ::MacLaren was back with a wet cloth and a small black bag hanging from a strap on her shoulder. It pulled her dressing gown open a little, but she pulled it quickly back in place as she knelt by his side.:: Eh'll try not to hurt you. ::Joseph seriously doubted that she could do anything to hurt him; he was concerned with the image now in front of the beautiful flower in front of him.:: :: Gently she put the towel that had been soaked in cold water against the throbbing cheek wound.:: Tell me what happened. Dubeau: Well... ummm... I was involved in an altercation; a Nausicaan tried to rob me. :: As he spoke, she held the towel against his cheek with one hand and deftly opened her case with the other. She pulled out a small flash light and directed the beam to his eyes and then away a couple of times. She put it down and ran her fingers around his head searching the back for some swelling that might indicate he'd fallen during the fight and taken a blow to the head.:: A Nausecan? Was he apprehended? Did ye call security? Did no one help you? Dubeau: I don't know if they got him, it all happened very quickly, I did advise security. MacLaren: Your poor hand! Let me see it. :: She took out a tricorder and her brows furrowed as she looked at the readings as she held it over the hand and the arm.:: Your hand is broken in two places. It must hurt like the Devil. ::Looking down at her, Joseph was heart broken to see the look of concern in her beautiful eyes; all Joseph wanted to do was hold her close, that would make the little bit of pain go away.:: Dubeau: Don't worry about me Johanna, it doesn't hurt that much. MacLaren knew the pain must be severe. She could not help but admire his courage. She wanted to say that, but she feared he would mask other wounds:: Marines never admit to pain. Let me make it better. We'll need to go to Sick Bay to set this properly. ::She reached for a protoplaser to mend the cheek wound. This was a small, basic unit for an emergency kit, so it would take longer. She administered a hypospray of painkiller first and then turned back to his hand. Hands were delicate. She held it and carefully felt the bones. In those moments, she could feel the whirlwind of his emotions.:: ::Joseph felt total excitement at the feel of her hand, thinking of the excitement from the fight and the excitement being near her again rushed through his body. Then all of a sudden she stared at his eyes as if in shock.:: ::Her eyes locked on his, the long lashes no longer shading their color in this direct gaze. Then she looked down at the hand she was holding and then back at his eyes. She could feel the excitement running through him as if it were an electrical current:: You are excited! You enjoyed this fight...ye might have been killed! ::The look of fear in her eyes cut him straight to the core.:: Dubeau: I'm sorry Johanna...it's a natural reaction...my training takes over. I am a soldier. ::His heart dropped at the moment he saw her concern for him go away; she took her hand away and began going through her med kit.:: oO She can't even bare to look at me. Why would a wonderful being like that want to be with a trained killer?Oo MacLaren:Oo He's a soldier, brave and steeled to danger. He'll always be taking risks that could endanger him. He probably never even thought to call for help against a Nausican! Eh should be detached; Eh'm his doctor now, and he needs care, not my emotions.oO :: Johanna got up quickly without saying a word, she grabbed her black bag and fixed her house coat and started out of the room.:: Oo Eh have to take him to Sick Bay. If there is much more swelling, it will be impossible to set that hand properly. Eh willna let his hand be ruined. He has such beautiful hands.oO Dubeau: Whe...where...? oO She can't even stand to be in the same room as me now, nice one man.Oo ::Joseph got up feeling an urge to follow, but he knew she wouldn't feel comfortable with him intruding. Just then Hope came to Joseph's feet and put her paws on Joseph's shoe, he looked down to find the dog starring up at him.:: Oo Mr. Scary Shoes is hurt; mom is worried. Good dog will help; keep him calm while help comes. That's my job. Not so scary; just shoes, nice human. Pick me up, pet me, feel better...he can't understand me!oO She tried to put more weight on his shoe, but Joseph only looked away. ::In the bedroom, Johanna quickly retrieved her uniform from the closet. Oo Act like a doctor, Johanna. Ye have too many feelings for him; ye've just met. Think of what they'd say about this kind of thing on Vulcan, even StarFleet Medical. Ye shouldna treat people when there is an emotional involvement. How did this marine get into your heart and mind this way in a few hours anyway! He doesna need a dance partner now; he needs a doctor. He came here for medical help. Ye canna get involved with him; ye canna get involved with anyone.oO ::A little while later Johanna came out dressed in uniform, Joseph watched as she moved frantically about her apartment.:: ::MacLaren's mind and body were working together now with the swift disciplined process she'd learned in trauma situations. There had been a Borg attack on the colony where she'd interned. There was no time for feelings then, only triage and immediate aid. Moving rapidly, she gathered a fresh towel and folded it as a cushion for his hand and another for ice, her tricorder to have the record of its readings on his wounds, the record of the medicine she'd given him, the protoplaser that had his cheek looking better, and finally a shoe that had somehow gotten under a chair, no doubt with Hope's help.:: MacLaren: How are ye feeling? Has the pain lessened? I can call for an internal beam-out. Oo I canna bear for you to be in any more pain.oO Dubeau: oO I don't go anywhere; I need to explain those sensations you felt.Oo Just wait a second. MacLaren: Replicator. Make ice. I'll wrap some of that in a towel for your hand, then we'll go. ::He tried desperately to get her from running around getting things together for their trip to sickbay.:: MacLaren: Joseph, we need to get you to Sick Bay to treat that hand before it swells anymore. Hope, you stay. I'll be back soon. ::Using her doctor's voice, she tapped her combadge:: Dr. MacLaren requesting Internal beam out to Sick Bay from Deck 1202 Apartment 234D Block 84. Prepare for orthopaedic scan and treatment. EMH: Confirmed. In a flash the tingling sensation of a transporter beam grabbed the two of them. As they materialized, an EMH approached and greeted them. ::Lietuenant Dubeau has been injured. Eh will need to scan his hand. Eh want a cranial analysis as weel. Oo Eh'll not have him suffer some bleed in the brain because Eh failed to check properly for injury. A blow to the head by a Nausican can do a good deal of damage. He's looking pale. Oh! ... a poison scan.oO ::Avoiding Dubeau's eyes to prevent their distraction:: MacLaren: Eh'm also going to do a toxicity scan. Medieval Terran archers used to urinate on their arrows in hopes of causing sickness in those they wounded. Nausicans have been known to treat the studs on their clothing with poisons. oO She's avoiding eye contact. Great, you ruined something wonderful between you and her, man just great... she's so beautiful.Oo Dubeau: Jo...ummm...doctor I don't think that's necesary, I... MacLaren: I'm being thorough. ::She took his hand gently forcing down the sensations that touching him and caring for him caused. Oo Eh want to ken exactly what he is thinking and feeling. It is all Eh can do to keep from looking into his mind although it is the worst ethical violation, the verra reason people fear telepaths.oO ::As they moved to the biobed, she busied herself with the readings. She took his hand and looking only at it, said:: These bones will heal weel. Eh will mend them now, but dinna do anything too stressful with the hand for a few days. No Vulcan Martial Arts until they've been checked again. Oo No brain injury. Arm is only bruised. No injury to the cheek bone. Vulcan Martian Arts! He kens how to protect himself; he's a skilled soldier, a brave man, a man who deserves better than someone who may never be able to touch him without violating the privacy of his mind.oO Dubeau: ::Joseph looked at her longingly,:: Doctor...::a weight pushed his heart into the depths of his core. He wanted to say so much, but knew she didn't want to hear it. She turned from a caring, loving being to a sterile, unemotional...doctor. He decided to be professional knowing that he would have to work with her sometime, but it would break his heart every time he would see her or be close to her.:: :: In moments, the protoplaser and dermal regenerator had done their work. There was no further reason to hold his hand or touch his cheek. She allowed herself to look up and managed a very professional tone,:: There now, ye should be feeling much better. Eh'll ask ye to rest tonight. If ye have any discomfort, call ....there is someone on call all night.Oo Someone Eh should have notified and called on instead of treating him myself when Eh canna seem to keep my emotions under control when Eh touch him.oO Dubeau: ::Joseph gave a heavy, shacking sigh. He chocked the words out.:: Thank you. ::Looking at those beautiful eyes he realized that his newest and probably first love was now gone.:: MacLaren felt the shields in her mind weakening. She could not, would not betray him in this way. It was clear that he was more than kind; he was attracted to her as she was to him, but he deserved someone who was not what her father had called disabled, what a Vulcan had once called a telepathic mutant. During her studies and internship, she had isolated herself, denied herself most human companionship. She had proven she could block out the thousands of minds that surrounded her, but now within a few hours of her first real posting, Lt. Joseph Dubeau was wreaking havoc with her defenses. She wanted nothing more than to let him put his arms around her and hold her, but she was terrified of losing the hard won silence in her mind, of the deluge of thousands of minds rushing in like a mad cacophony that would not stop.:: MacLaren: Eh must go. Good night, Jos...Good night Lt. Dubeau. ::She tried to make a stately, professional exit, but she was almost at a run by the time she'd reached the exit. As soon as the doors closed behind her, she did run as fast as she could from the marine who had so successfully and swiftly stormed the beaches of her heart, the one who deserved so much better a person than she. EMH: Is there anything more Lt? Dubeau: ::Analyzing and burning the last moment he saw Johanna in his memory delayed his answering.:: Nothing. ::At that Joseph got up and returned to his quarters, feeling as though his heart had been torn out.:: oO Goodbye Johanna.Oo Ensign Johanna MacLaren Doctor & 2nd Lt. Joseph Dubeau Marine pilot Starbase 118/USS Victory
  19. ((USS Avandar, Holodeck)) :: The turnout was beyond even Tan’s best guess. Beyond even the crew of the Avandar, with the attendees who were linked in via subspace.:: :: It seemed that either Blackwood had more friends than she knew, or the crew had arrived in force to see a fellow Starfleet officer to her final resting place. It was a heartening sight. :: :: Standing room only was the order of the day, crowded and uncomfortable, as Tan took the podium. During the crew’s stay on Eden he had become the unofficial funeral director, a position it seemed he had -- regretfully -- kept in reality. :: ::Jack walked in with his head down. He felt oddly uncomfortable. He and Evanna had shared....what exactly, Jack was unsure. A moment of mutual comfort? A night of much needed release and passion definitely. And now he was here to see her laid to rest. It seemed so unfair. His thoughts were filled with things that could have been. Where were they headed after that night? He would surely never know now.:: :: Kagran watched as Tan got onto the podium. He was stood next to Eerie who had seemed very down since the away team had returned with Blackwood’s body. :: Kagran: :: Talking quietly. :: You ok there? Eerie: :Somewhat lost in thought:: Of course, Kagran. ::It was a small gesture, but Eerie felt at ease with the Klingon, but the use of the first name without the rank was a status that he did not convey on many.:: ::Watching from sickbay on his padd, tr’Khellian lay on the bed with a completely unreadable neutral expression on his face.:: ::Jen Malcolm sat amongst the crowd, flanked on one side by Christopher Davies, who had been quiet since they’d met to walk down together. Ashley sat on her lap, Jen’s arms wrapped a bit too tightly around her:: ::Mancuso found a place to sit. For Jack it was better to keep his distance from the rest of the crew. Nobody knew about him and Evanna, at least that he knew of. And it had only been once, but it had left an impression on him. And she had been a friend. His emotions were in a state of turmoil.:: ::Elya Tali, aboard the USS Apollo far away, watched by hologram in the dark of her quarters, often staring out the window at the stars streaking by trying to make sense of the sudden news.:: :: The murmur of voice quietened. Tan touched his pad, resting it against the wood of the podium. :: Tan: Thank you all for coming. I wanted to thank those of you who are not crew of the Avandar, those of you who are not Starfleet, and those who have travelled a vast distance to attend this ceremony. oO(Kagran) This should never of happened. Oo oO(tr’Khellian in Sick Bay) It happened under my watch. My watch, my fault, my shame. Oo Tan :: He glanced down at his PADD, reading slowly. :: Tan: … your presence is especially surprising to me because it seemed as though Blackwood did not have many friends. :: A murmur. :: Tan: This was not a judgement on her, however. Life is not a popularity contest, and irrespective of if we all liked Lieutenant Blackwood or not... we respected her. The turnout shows this. We respected her brilliance, her quiet strength... her tolerance for scotch. :: A few chuckles, but this was a sombre occasion. :: Tan: On Eden, we... the Avandar crew... had many funerals and said many words. But somehow, in the back of our minds, something was always telling us that those times were an illusion. That the dead had not truly left us and their absence was merely a temporary thing, that we were only asleep and dreaming. :: He paused, glancing down to the photon torpedo tube that contained Blackwood’s body. :: Tan: How I wished I felt that feeling now. This time, however, I know we’re playing for keeps. :: Another pause, then Tan turned back to the crowd. :: Tan: Eerie, if you would, please. :: The Trill relinquished the podium. :: oO(Eerie) Great....first one up.......Evanna why......? Oo ::Eerie did not like public speaking. That much was a given. But since his elevation in rank he knew there was a lot of public events that he would would at least have to make a showing. But this was something that he knew he wanted to be at. He walked up to the podium and stood in front of it. If he was going to do this he wasn’t going to hide behind it. He kept his look on the gathered crewmates, not wishing to look on the casket. He kept his tone level and professional.:: Eerie: I first met the Lieutenant ….I mean... Evanna on the Aurora. We were roommates for almost a year...::pause:: It was a difficult process. I was first put off by her....but I grew to like her, and she was my friend. I am proud to say that. We shared a lot, and for that will be eternally grateful. But I am not ready to let her go. To me she will always be with us... As long as we remember her......She may have died...but she still lives within us....::For a lack of anything else to say. He raised his right and gave her a salute. Holding it for a moment. He let his arm drop his let his eyes drop on the casket for an instant and then in strict military precision worked his way back to the back of the room.:: tr’Khellian ::From over the intercom:: =/\= I would like to go next. If I may.=/\= tr’Khellian: =/\=Lieutenant Blackwood.....Evanna.... was a...troubled soul. =/\= tr’Khellian: =/\=Torn. Divided. At war with herself and the world around her. Trying always to do the right thing as she saw it while at the same time trying to see it as others did. I understood her. =/ \= tr’Khellian: =/\=Evanna...you restored my...faith...in those around me after Eden. Thank you.=/\= tr’Khellian: =/\= Rest well Evanna. I will miss your kindness :::voice becoming huskier:: and your gentle spirit.=/\= :: While the people listened to tr’Khellian, Kagran moved over next to the Marine Guard of honor, which he had set up, led by his number 2 Beornan. :: :: The Caitian helm officer had remained fairly silent throughout the beginning of the ceremony, ears flattened and paws folded in front of himself. The news had struck him hard, and at first he had trouble figuring out what he was going to say. As the previous speaker finished, S’Acul slowly padded forward towards the podium and paused for a moment next to the tube that was her casket, resting his paw atop the cool surface for a moment before turning to look out over the crowd.:: ::The corner of his mouth tilted upward in a sad smile - Tan had said it perfectly that Blackwood seemed like she hadn’t had many friends, but the guest list proved otherwise. Golden-flecked eyes scanned the faces before him, many of whom he recognized from the Avandar, many who he had never met before. His tail flicked once behind him as he looked down to the podium’s surface, his speech blinking on the PADD that lay there. He felt a lump in his throat.:: S’Acul: Evanna was... something else. I think everyone has their own story that can attest to that. She was brash, eager, sometimes overconfident, and yet other times she was absolutely unsure of herself. I don’t think many people were able to get close enough to see her soft side - she did seem to have her shields up most of the time. I barely got to see it myself, so I count myself lucky. ::The Caitian’s ears raised slowly as he shifted his gaze to look at the oversized headshot of Evanna, leaning forward a bit more on the podium with a sigh.:: S’Acul: She was a special kind of Starfleet officer. She held herself to a higher standard and pushed herself to be better at her job. I think that, in her mind, she felt she was expected to do so by her senior officers, so I don’t think she would ever admit that she was doing it to herself. I know she was stressed at times, and even felt trapped in her position... but whatever the case, she was amazing at her job. ::pausing:: I know I’m going on a little bit longer than I probably should, and I apologize for that because I’m sure some other people want to speak as well, so I’ll wrap this up quickly: if I could go back and tell Evanna one last thing before she died, it would be that she will be missed. Working on the Bridge will not be the same without her, and I for one will be aware that she is gone. No one will ever do the job quite like she did. Thank you. ::As S’Acul stepped down from the podium, he paused once more next to her casket and leaned down, whispering a few silent words before crossing towards the group of men that had already spoken. Extending his paw, he shook each of their hands and followed with a hug before falling into line between Alleran and Eerie, paws once again folding sombrely in front of him.:: :: T’Lea stood beside the Captain, statuesque and emotionless – the quintessential Vulcan. She had nothing to say, nothing that would do Evanna justice with her plain, impassive words, so she let the others speak for her, and there were plenty willing to do so.:: :: Penny York had been at the front of the crowd quietly sobbing the entire time. She’d been a complete emotional mess since hearing of Evanna’s death. The entire journey back to Federation space, she’d locked herself in her quarters and cried into the care bear Evanna had given her as a Christmas present. That carebear had absorbed so many tears that it’s fluffy filling would probably turn into a lump of salt once, *if*, it ever dried out.:: :: In motion now, Penny gingerly made her way up to the podium, and dabbed at her Rudolph red nose with a tissue. She loathed public speaking, but for Evanna, she wanted to say something.:: York: I have a best friend. My very first BFF. That was Evanna. We were besties, and we have the matching charm necklaces to prove it. :: She pulled out the little half-heart pendant, secure in the fact that Evanna still wore the other part. She couldn’t bring herself to look at the casket though, if she did she’d break down in a wailing heap in front of everybody.:: York: ::holding it together:: Nobody can ever take that away from us, nobody can take away the memories we have -- like the fun holodeck program of Pippi, girl’s night out at the Comet Club, gossiping about cute guys, shopping sprees, and then stealing each other’s new clothes. She was more than my crewmate, more than my Chief, she was… ::quiet sob:: … Sorry. ::deep breath:: Evanna was like the sister I never had, and I won’t forget you. Ever. :: Tears welling up in her eyes she dashed from the podium and back into the comfort of the crowd.:: :: Elya nodded to herself and turned to introspection - she didn’t feel like she had the eloquent words of some in that room to share, and couldn’t call herself truly Evanna’s friend. Evanna had always been striking, but distant. Still, some here had seemed to truly be her friend... even Eerie! Killed in action at 27... Elya’s thoughts kept returning to that number -- her own age as well -- and kept quiet looking back out the window. :: ::Robins listened quietly as Blackwood's crewmates spoke their final words to her. The ceremony was heartbreaking, but at least it brought everyone together, to share their memories and to support one another.:: ::With the podium relinquished, Robins walked over to fill the space.:: Robins: I know that I haven't known Lt Blackwood...Evanna...as long as many of you here today, but...I feel that as I look around today, and see the array of faces, I see Evanna. For, as has already been said, although she was at war with herself, never fully content with herself, she was dedicated to both her work, and the people around her. You people. I never knew her, but if I could get to know even some of you, I would see her. In your actions. In your words. In your dedication. Evanna's body has died, but that spirit of dedication lives on in each of you. And I think it would be the greatest honour to her if we try to keep that spirit alive. ::Robins gave a curt nod in thanks and turned to the torpedo casing that held Evanna's body. She bowed her head briefly in respect and returned to the throng below.:: ::DeBarres looked on from the back of the large room. Normally she never worn her uniform off duty, but she was in her dress uniform for this occasion. She could tell that a lot of people would be missing her for a long time. She could see it in Eerie’s small eyes and she could see Penny was hurting too. She had never spend any real time with Evanna and really didn’t know her . But Charlotte knew that if two of her friends were hurting, and if she was good in their books then Evanna must of been pretty special.:: ::He sat still in his chair and swallowed down the lump that was building in his throat. Jack could think of nothing to say. Nothing that hadn’t already been said. And whatever there was that needed to have been said between he and Evanna would simply rest quietly in his mind for the rest of his days. He looked down, trying hard to push the pain down deep inside him. ::: ::Jen took her turn at the podium, swallowing down a flutter of nervousness as she looked out at the assembled crowd. She’d had her private words with Evanna when her body had rested in the morgue. She’d said her goodbyes, but it didn’t make it any easier staring at the torpedo tube. Jen was one of the few people in the room that knew that inside the tube Evanna’s body was encased in a biohazard suit - and she almost chuckled at how fitting it seemed for science officer:: ::She cleared her throat, stifling what was an odd amalgamation of a laugh and a sniffle, and wiped an errant tear from her eye.:: Malcolm: I was one of the few that was proud to call Evanna my friend. Those of you who knew her, knew she was a bit reckless. In fact, the first time I met her, it was to mend her broken nose. On the Aurora, we named one of the biobeds after her. ::The soft sound of gentle laughter floated across the room, bringing a sad smile to Jen’s face:: Malcolm: But, as I got to know Evanna better, I realized, it wasn’t recklessness...it was bravery. Evanna was someone you could count on. Someone you could turn to and know she had your back. And you didn’t have to ask her. She was just there, ready to help, even if it meant putting her own life in danger. ::She took a steadying breath:: Malcolm: We lost Evanna too soon...and we’re left wondering what her courageous, inquisitive and brilliant mind might have accomplished. She will be missed, and by no means forgotten. As we say goodbye, and continue our quest for knowledge, remembering her will hopefully give us the bravery we need to continue on. ::She thought she’d spent all of her tears, but as she walked from the podium, she found herself wiping a steady flow from her cheeks. She joined the line of officers standing off to the side, silently taking a place beside S’acul. She didn’t have the strength to offer handshakes or hugs as the Caitian had.:: ::S’Acul offered Jen a weak smile as she came to stand next to him, and he swallowed at the lump in his throat. His paw reached out to gently take hold of her hand and gave it a soft squeeze.:: ((Holodeck One-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Alexander walked into the holodeck in his dress white uniform, with a picture and the black box in his hands. His heart heavy as he programmed the holodeck to connect to the service for Evanna Blackwood. He closed his eyes as the atmosphere of the room changed to where the service was being held. He opened them to see the crew of the Avandar, he stood at attention and walked towards the torpedo casing that held her body. He walked over to it and looked down, he bent down on one knee and placed the picture of his mother and father near the casing next to the flowers. He opened the black case that held the medal of bravery awarded to him for the Battle Of Camis IV. With tears in his eyes he placed the case on the torpedo, and stepped back with a smart salute. He thought to himself how much he felt for her and how he would have given his life to protect her. He brought his hand down, turned and walked to the podium and stepped behind it.:: Matthews: I’m sorry that I could not be there for you Red. ::He looked out to the crew and nodded to them.:: There were four people in the universe that know my secret, now there are only three. I kept it hidden from all of you, except Eerie. Evanna was a little sad one day, and she needed a laugh. I did something that brought a smile to her face...., but I had no idea someone else saw it. Then there is another thing that I did not say. She will hear it even though I will never hear it back. ::Looking to the torpedo casing.:: I Love You Red. ::Alexander stepped away and walked to Captain Vetri, and Lt. Commander T’Lea, and saluted. He nodded to Eerie, Jen, S’Acul and the rest of the crew.:: :: Arden had been completely devastated upon hearing the news of Evanna’s death. More than anything he didn’t want to believe if only for selfish reason. Evanna had been a truly unique person on top of that and more importantly she had been Arden’s friend. One of the few people he actually connected with on that level. By the time he arrived at the holodeck for the service Arden had barely gotten over the shock of the situation. Standing near Lt. Commander Matthews, a fellow officer from the Mercury in his white dress uniform, Arden stood in near silence as the other officer of the Avandar spoke in turn. After Lt. Commander Matthews spoke Arden bravely stepped up to the podium.:: Cain: During my Star Fleet career I have seen my share of loss but I can honestly say that nothing that has happened to date compares to the moment I heard of Evanna’s.... Like most here I have the honor of saying that Evanna was a friend to me. Those that know me will tell you that I don’t make that statement often.... Although I knew Evanna before we entered the Academy the moments I will hold onto, were the times I helped Evanna with her physics homework. In exchange she even managed to get me out of my room to have what she called fun. I will always be thankful for that because it made me a better person. ::Stepping down from the podium Arden turned respectfully to the Torpedo casing that held his dear friend's remains. Staring at it Arden said his final goodbyes to Evanna in silent before returning to his seat. As he did so Arden dabbed tears from his eyes. ((USS Avandar, Holodeck)) :: Throughout it all, Della had kept her silence, letting the others pay their tributes to their fallen comrade - and friend. In time, though, it was her turn, and it wasn't just duty that called her to step forward.:: :: Instead of moving to the podium as most were no doubt expecting, she took up position beside Blackwood's casket and looked around the gathering.:: Vetri: Is there anything more I really need to say? After all, it's one thing for me to speak about her, but you, all of you, her friends and colleagues, have already paid her more tribute by your presence and words than anything I could do. :: Retrieving her hand from where it had come to rest on top of the torpdeo, she clenched it white-knuckle tight as she carried on speaking.:: Vetri: One thing, I think, we can all agree on is that Evanna was cheated of a lot. A long life, the possibilities that future may have brought her... But there is one thing I will *not* let her be cheated of. :: Straightening to attention.:: Vetri: Attention to orders! Lieutenant Evanna Blackwood, having demonstrated true professionalism and courage, and by virtue of her exemplary dedication to duty, and her service to both this vessel and the Federation as a whole, is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. :: Dipping into her pocket, she pulled the small box that lay there out. Carefully, she raised the lid to reveal the rank pips inside and pressed it down on the casket's casing, the bonding layer on the base, triggered by the lifting of the lid, attaching it firmly to the black composite.:: Vetri: ::softly:: Late, I know, but you still earned it, Evanna. :: Stepping back, she regarded the casket in solemn silence for several long moments.:: Vetri: We all came from the stars in the beginning, and we all return to them in the end. Whether an afterlife claims you or not, wherever your spirit roams, know that you'll always be here with us as well. Let us know what's out there, Evanna. :: Turning her head slightly to catch Tan's eye, she gave a tiny nod. Within moments, the blue shimmer of a transporter beam enveloped the casket and whisked it away. Behind her, Kagran tapped his commbadge twice, a little signal for the extra little send-off he had arranged to take place.:: ((Holodeck One-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) :: Once the ceremony came to a close Matthews spoke out once more, his voice seemed to fill the room with his simple command.:: Matthews: Computer end program. ::The room returned to the colors yellow and black, as Alexander walked out of the room to his quarters on the Mercury to talk with his parents.:: ::Without speaking to Matthews, Arden similarly departed the holodeck to no place in particular.:: ((Open Space, Near the USS Avandar)) :: The Waverider and Argo, both holding position near the Avandar, were both briefly lit by the light of Blackwood's casket appearing between them. Locking tractor beams on it, they engaged their thrusters, keeping perfect formation as they stared heading for the local sun.:: :: After a minute or so, they had reached the speed they wanted and the tractor beams released, letting the casket engage it's own little thruster and carry on under it's own power. Pulling away, they put a little more distance between themselves and the torpedo before the pair of them fired off their phasers, a trio of short bursts searing the void as a final salute to their fallen comrade.:: ::FIN:: ----- The Crew USS Avandar & Lt Elya Tali Chief Engineer USS Apollo & Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews Chief Of Operations USS Mercury- NCC-99812 & Lt. Commander Arden Cain First Officer USS Mercury, NCC-99812
  20. ((Matthews’ Quarters-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Alexander walked out of his bathroom just after taking a shower he was a little nervous about meeting Jade Shryker from the Drake. Askade had met her while she was the counselor on the Independence. He walked over to the closet, taking out his dress white uniform, he looked over to the shelf, and pulled out the other black box, that held his medal for bravery. He took it out of the box and pinned it in the correct place on his jacket. He laid the jacket on the bed , the pants and sat down to look at his pictures of the crews that he has served with. He used the towel to dry off, then stood up to put on his undergarments and the uniform pants. He pulled on the uniform shirt, and sat down to put on his boots. He thought about the last time he put on this uniform, he and Arden attended the service for Lt. Evanna Blackwood.:: ::He looked over to the picture of the Avander crew and smiled at her image. He closed his eyes with the image of her in his mind, and let her go, as he opened them again and grabbed the jacket. He walked over to the mirror, put on the jacket and made sure that everything was in the correct place. He stood there looking at himself making sure that he was ready to meet this woman that he had heard about. He turned and walked to the door, heading to the ship’s arboretum for some flowers.:: ((Holodeck Two-Deck Four-USS Mercury)) ::Askade stood outside of the holodeck with Audie by her side waiting for Alexander to appear. It had been over a year since she had seen Jade, she sent the message that she wanted her to meet Alexander the day before. She has been worried about him ever since they left the Avandar. He has really done nothing but work constantly. Hardly any time off at all, she really does wonder if he has the traits of a Klingon at times. She looked over to see as he walked towards her, she could see that he was very nervous with the flowers in his hand. She smiled, knowing that he would walk through fire to save a life. When it came to women, he was shy.:: D’ciq: ::Raising an eyebrow.:: Well now don’t you look like the officer I met a few months ago. Very nice indeed. ::Watching him fuss with the collar of his uniform.:: Stop fussing you look fine. Jade is a very beautiful woman. She’s tough and lot’s of fun to be with. ::Looking at him intensely.:: You my dear friend need someone fun in your life. Here look at this picture of her. ::Handing him the PADD.:: Matthews: ::Tugging at his collar.:: Thank you, I’m nervous Askade. ::He looked down to the PADD, his eyes opened wide as he looked upon the beauty of Jade. The eyes and the face of a very beautiful woman. The long flowing hair, the features of a goddess before him. He looked back up to Askade, and saw the smile on her face.:: This is Jade? D’ciq: ::Laughing.:: Yes, that is my friend Jade. What do you think? ::Raising her eyebrow.:: ::Alexander stood there speechless, there were no words to describe the beauty that his eyes held before him.:: Matthews: ::stuttering.:: She is beautiful Askade. ::Feeling anxious to meet this woman.:: When can I meet her ? ::Thinking to himself that was a dumb question, just then the holodeck computer announced the connection to the Drake was completed.:: Computer: =/\=Program and virtual connection complete. You may enter when ready.=/\= ::The doors opened to reveal a small but lush garden on Earth near the coast of North Carolina looking out to the ocean, with a cool breeze coming in from east. Looked to see the sun on the horizon still above it, but just about to set. The sky was turning to the familiar dusk colors of purple and burnt orange. In the center of the garden, there is a table with chairs. They are made of wicker, with a small cooking table over to the left. He and Askade walk into the holodeck, looking around to make sure that everything is perfect.:: ::All of a sudden there was the sound of the holodeck doors opening again. They both turned and looked at the woman that walked into the garden. Her silhouette glided across the garden towards them, Alexander just stood there as he looked upon the beauty of the lovely woman named Jade Elizabeth Shryker.:: (Holodeck – USS Drake) ::Jade was nervous to meet this man, but her friend Askade from the Independence had said real nice things about him. Jade had made a real effort to look her best - and walk without limping. The wounds she’d just received in the explosion on the Drake were tightly bound. The Doc had done a great job of patching her up. She hoped it wasn’t going to put Alex off and he would like what he saw. Wearing a short, figure-hugging black dress, with short sleeves, and black strappy heels, she walked towards him, her hair bouncing as she walked. She smiled at him. He was real cute. Tall, tanned with deep dark eyes. She spotted a long pony tail. A stallion for her.:: ::Alexander looked at her in awe as she approached him. the way she moved as if she floated on the air. He could see that she was walking with a slight limp, but still the image of her was stunning. He gazed upon her as if he was looking at an angel that came from the heavens to be by his side, he was more than happy at the sight of her in the dress she was wearing. He looked back as Askade just smiled and waved to Jade as she left the holodeck with Audie by her side. He focused upon the lady from the Drake.:: Shryker: Hey there. You must be Alex. :: she cringed as the words came out of her mouth. Who else would it be but Alex?:: Alexander: ::Smiling at her.:: Yes, Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews. It is my honor to meet you. ::Taking her hand into his and kissing it softly on the back of it, her skin was soft as satin with the gentle touch of his lips. He then presented her the flowers. :: Umm... these are for you.::Giving her the bouquet of red roses from the arboretum.:: Shryker: Thanx! They’re lovely. And thanx for inviting me and all. ::She smiled at Alex, and also D’ciq.:: Matthews: The pleasure is mine to meet such a beautiful woman, and lady. Would you like to have a seat? ::Holding his arm out to her.:: Shryker: Swell. ::She looked at the table set for two, and the sea beyond the garden. Maybe he take her for a walk along the beach after they’d eaten?:: ::Alexander stood tall over her, but he felt strong and confident around her. As he walked with her to the table, he looked into her eyes as she turned towards him. He found himself getting lost in them, he had to make sure that he was not dreaming as he pulled the chair out for her as she sat down. He pulled out a bottle of wine from the small decanter on the table into her glass. He lit the candles that were there and he looked into her eyes as the flame flickered in them. He poured himself a glass, and sat down in the chair across from he.:: Matthews:I hope that it is warm enough for you. Shryker: Sure. So__ ::nervously:: what did Askade say about me? Matthews: ::Looking directly into her eyes.:: She told me that you are strong, tough and beautiful. She was right on everything. Askade has never steered me wrong. You are so very beautiful. Shryker: :: I__ I am _ flattered. ::She gazed at this man. He was handsome. Very handsome. Her heart fluttered slightly.:: Matthews: ::Smiling.:: As you can tell, I’m nervous, but a good nervous. I’m actually starting to feel very comfortable around you already. Shryker: Me too ::smiling.:: Matthews: Not sure if Askade told you, but I was a marine, then transferred to security and tactical. She told me that you are in security also. ::Jade nodded, and sighed softly. Yes she had been in security her whole career. She had the mental and physical scars to prove it. Five times now she had cheated death at her last gasp. This Alexander seemed very special, but all it would take was one more accident or attack, and she may not be so lucky.:: Shryker: Yes, was Chief on my last ship. Matthews: But enough talk about careers, what would you like to know about me? Shryker: Oh, lots! Where do you come from, your folks, why did you join Star Fleet? Any crazy adventures. Everything! ::He stood up to start making dinner for her. He listened to her voice that calmed him as it made him feel at peace. The last few months all he has done was work and not had the time to enjoy his time off, if and when he took some time. As the sun started to set and the moon started to rise he could see the moonlight start to shine upon her face. He just started to smile at her as he finished cooking. Jade noticed this, her eyes sparkling. She loved his smile.:: Shryker: You happy that the food is ready? ::indicating his smiling face.:: Matthews: ::Taking the food off the fire, and serving it on the plate in front of her.:: I’m smiling at you. Shryker: Oooh! Matthews: ::Looking into her beautiful green eyes.:: Because you are very easy to talk to and open up too. Jade, I have not felt this comfortable in a long time. Thank you. Shryker: Thank you? What have I done? You organized all this. Matthews: For just being you. ::Serving himself his food, then sitting down to face her. Jade’s heart was pumping now. No one had ever talked to her like that, EVER EVER. :: Shryker: Oh Alex. ::She beamed with happiness.:: So, come on, tell me all about yourself. ::Jade took a sip of her drink.:: Matthews: I was born in the midwest. My parents live in Ohio. There is a valley where my house is located surrounded by mountains. It has been in my family for generations. My family has served in Starfleet, since it started. My parents are still alive and together. My family has this habit of naming us after military leaders. Myself I was named after Alexander The Great, the Macedonian King. I’m the only child, but I do have cousins and some nieces and nephews. Your turn. ::He started to eat his salad, looking directly into her eyes as the flame flickered in them.:: Shryker: Well, I was born in space. My folks were couriers oO pirates Oo and we travelled all over the galaxy. My father left us when I was very young. ::Jade bit her lip.::, but my Mom kept on working as a trade carrier. My kid brother Ryan and I helped out, even flying the shuttle at times oOand giving covering fire too Oo. Matthews: What happened to your mother? ::Noticing the pain in her eyes.:: Shryker: Mom’s gone. ::Jade held her Mother’s locket, that was around her neck. It was her only prized possession.:: Ryan’s now with family friends, he’s just a kid. Matthews: ::He watched her as she touched the locket around her neck.:: Have you seen him recently ? Shryker: No I don’t see him much. Last time was two years ago. I think he’s forgotten about me. Matthews: No, I don’t think so, he could not have forgotten you. Why would you think that ? Shryker: Maybe he thinks I should have tried harder to find Mom. But I was only 17. What could I do? Matthews: You did just what a sister should have done, be where she was needed, what happened to your mother anyway ? ::Looking at her with concern.:: Shryker: She went missing on a mission. I had to care for Ryan on my own after that. Had to do all things just to survive. ::Jade’s eyes moistened. But she quickly changed the subject.:: So, tell me about the Mercury. ::taking a mouthful of food, then keeping her head lowered, looked up at him with just her eyes.:: Matthews: ::Looking to her eyes as she talked about her mother, then seeing the tears he went along with the change in subject.:: The Mercury is a science vessel, the Oracle class. We are in the Mentar Corridor, deep space exploration. The last mission we were on we encountered the Borg. ::Taking a bite of his food.:: The Mercury is a fine ship, great captain. I work with Eyas Wulfantine he is the Chief Tactical Officer. Commander Kells is the commanding officer, Arden Cain is the first officer. Isaac Green is Chief of Security. Shryker: I remember Eyas, but the others are new to me. Matthews: Oh yes, he was on the Indy with you and Askade. He transferred from the Tiger. ::Looking at her glass.:: Would you like some more wine Jade? Shryker: Yes thanks. ::She smiled warmly at him.:: Matthews: ::Standing up as he carried the bottle over and filled her glass.:: Your welcome. After dinner would you like to take a walk on the beach ? ::Looking into her green eyes that reminded him of a jade dragon that he had seen in a museum. The soft subtle beauty of her face enchanted him.:: Shryker: The beach? I’d so love that. Not been on a beach for years. Matthews: ::Putting the bottle back in the decanter, then walking over behind her chair, helping her out of it.:: If I may have the pleasure of walking by your side ? ::Smiling.:: Shryker: The pleasure will be all mine. ::Alexander made sure that he was on the side where her noticed her limping and gave her support as they walked towards the beach into the moonlight as it reflected off the water. He held out his arm for her to hold on too as they walked into the sand.:: Shryker: Hey Alex, let me take my shoes off. Heels and sand don’t mix. ::He held on to her as she took off her shoes, she squeezed his hand tight as she held on. He sat her down to take them off making it easy for her. He felt that he should treat her as woman should be treated, with honor and respect. He helped her up, held her hand in his as they walked down to the shore line as he carried her shoes.:: Shryker: Thanx. :: He looked upon her as the moonlight shined in her hair, the gentle breeze blowing through it was they walked along the edge of the shoreline. The tide was coming in towards them, Alexander stopped and took off his boots and rolled up his uniform pants legs, took her hand in his again and walked farther along the beach in the moonlight. He stopped and turned towards her and looked into her eyes.:: Matthews: ::Touching her face gently.:: Jade, I don’t normally do this, but I feel that it’s right and I have to be honest. ::Jade’s heart fluttered. She looked up into his eyes.:: Shryker: Yes Alex? Matthews: ::Looking away for a second, then looking back into her eyes.:: When I was in the marines... there was a battle in a small system on the planet of Camis IV. I was in command of a recon unit that was to defend a Federation outpost. ::Closing his eyes and opening them again.:: We were told that the forces were of low strength and it was just a minor skirmish. When we got there most of the buildings were destroyed, most of the personnel was dead or dying. We fought our way to a hill outside of the town, and found that there were reinforcements advancing, Nausicaan raiders. ::Breathing heavily.:: During the attack my men were killed, I was hit by a phaser, and cut on my arm by a knife. I had no choice but to call in an air strike on my own position, a Broken Arrow. I was the only one that survived. ::Jade felt his pain.:: Shryker: Oh Alex, that must have been so bad. But__ I am glad you did survive. ::She smiled.:: Matthews: I was in the hospital for sometime, I have survivor's guilt. A form of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. ::Touching her face again with gentleness.:: Shryker: You must never feel guilty about that. Life must be cherished. Don’t ever forget that. ::Jade moved her head towards him.:: ::Alexander held her close and took her into his arms. He held her gently as he moved closer to her lips and kissed her softly. The smell of her perfume became stronger and even more intoxicating. The touch of her soft lips felt like satin as he continued to kiss her with a building passion. He had never given himself like this to anyone, but it felt more than right to open himself to her. He stroked her hair with gentleness as he felt himself open his passion to her deeply.:: Shryker: Alex__ ::Jade ran her fingers across his back, and pulled him closer into her. She breathed in his scent and held him tight, never breaking their kiss.:: ::Alexander felt his heart beat faster as he kissed her, he felt her pull him closer to her. It was just a holodeck program, but it was so real that he could only be enveloped in the moment. He knew that he had to be with her again.:: ::Jade knew this was in fact just a holodeck sprite, but it felt so real. She wanted it to be real. To be with this man who she had just met, but felt she had known all her life. She pulled her head back briefly, just to look into his eyes again.:: Matthews: Jade... ::Looking at her with the eyes of passion.:: May I see you again ? Shryker: Soon__ tbc Lt Jade Shryker Security - Drake & Lt. Cmdr. Alexander James Matthews Chief Of Operations USS Mercury NCC-99812
  21. Voting closes Sunday, June 24 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!
  22. ((Holodeck 2, USS Victory)) ::As if on cue, the arch that would permit entrance to the holodeck appeared no sooner than the tug had pulled away leaving the jet alone on the tarmac a distance from the hangar. Kali had already been up into the [...]pit and verified things that might have mattered in the real world, but had little coincidence in the holographic world. Still, old habits had a way of sticking around, especially in an environment as real as this.:: ::Seconds after the arch appeared, the doors opened to reveal a tall man in a flight suit that he didn’t seem all that out of place in. Some people, like Tressa, had a hard time adjusting to the weight and feel of the suit. Colt, however, seemed almost as comfortable in it as if he were born in the thing. Her eyes followed him as she laughed at the recollection of Tressa when they had gone flying on Earth, a coincidental thought she was suddenly thankful for as it had allowed her to hide a deeper, more frightening feeling; an ever strengthening attraction that she hadn’t fully explored during the crisis, but one that was making itself quite known now that things had calmed.:: ::Not wanting to answer questions, she turned back to the jet and continued the process of pre-flight until he approached and spoke to her.:: ::Colt stepped through the doors to Holodeck 2 and immediately found himself on a Tarmac standing before an archaic aircraft. He approached the plane trying not to tug at his flight suit, it was a little uncomfortable as he had cinched up to help him withstand the g-forces of whatever stunts Kali might pull. He looked over at the woman who had invited him on this...date? He wondered if that was what this was. Things had been somewhat confusing between them and Colt was still trying to decipher what exactly their relationship was. It was a difficult thing, trying to pursue a personal relationship with someone who was his direct superior, but he was beginning to find that challenge less daunting every day.:: ::Approaching the aircraft, which he had learned earlier via the computer library was an F/A-18F, a type of 20th Century fighter jet, he found it amazing that contemporary Air Forces used fragile, primitive crafts like this in battle. He closed the distance between them and spoke:: Daniels: So, this is the real deal... an actual F-18? ::He of course knew it was a holodeck program, but he imagined it was a near perfect reproduction.:: It's hard to believe they'd use things in air battles with no shields or warp drives or anything. ::Now she had little choice but to turn and grin at him. At least there were no questions about her previous staring or the slight laugh.:: Nicholotti: I see you do your homework. ::Colt smiled warmly at Kali:: Daniels: I try to learn everything I can about every weapons system I can. ::He paused for a moment and continued with a smirk:: Even reeeeaaaally old ones. ::Having made it all the way around the aircraft, Kali now made her way over to where he stood. He was taller than her, but that didn’t matter; there was no fear in her mind now as she walked up to him and stopped.:: ::As Kali came around from the opposite side of the jet, Colt got his first unobstructed view of her in her own flight suit. His mind struggled to find a label for the way she looked, cute seemed to be the closest approximation, though the word betrayed the confidence and the capable way she was performing the pre-flight.:: Nicholotti: You ready for this? ::An almost evil grin appeared as she spoke, fighting the urge to move even closer.:: ::Colt looked up at the blue-gray monster and raised an eyebrow.:: Daniels: I'm ready as I'll ever be. Nicholotti: ::with a nod.:: Good. Let’s go then. ::She gestured towards the rear ladder as she turned and headed back towards the beast. It was, for all intents and purposes, a living, breathing, being at that point, and one that Kali had spent many long hours in as a kid. This was one moment where the smile just couldn’t be hidden.:: ::He climbed up the ladder and into the empty seat behind Kali, taking a few moments to figure out how to strap himself in before speaking again.:: Daniels: So, how exactly did you learn to fly one of these? ::He looked around at the various instruments and displays, particularly the weapons systems. Colt always seemed attracted to the things that blew up and/or put holes in other things.:: ::As she settled into her own seat, ground crew members appeared and pulled the ladders from the plane and finalized preparations for their departure.:: Nicholotti: My grandfather taught me. ::Without thought, her hands went to work bringing the monster fully to life. With each one, something new came on and changed until finally they were ready to roll.:: ::Colt smiled even though she probably wouldn't see it from where she was sitting. The confidence she was exuding and the way she was working this ancient warbird, wasn't unlike the way she commanded a starship, which he found to be extremely...alluring.:: Daniels: I see. You sure seem like you know what you're doing. So do I need to do anything or do I just sit back here and be amazed by you like usual? ::Her face well hidden in her helmet, Kali knew he wouldn’t be able to see the look on her face. As the canopy lowered around them, she spoke into the now active radio.:: Nicholotti: Yea, don’t touch anything. ::She laughed.:: Not until we’re off the ground at least. ::There was a tone to her voice that said so much more than what she spoke. It was almost taunting, as if she were telling him ‘just wait, you’ll see’ with an evil laugh appended to the end. It was a trick her grandfather had used on her, and one she had a bad habit of pulling on anyone brave enough to go flying with her. For now, though, there was the matter of takeoff. After that, they would be free.:: ::Relative silence descended on them as she went through the process involved. Air traffic control was handled by legacy towers and Starfleet installations these days, but in her holodeck simulations, she always tried to get things close to how the old towers would do it. It never quite seemed real though, but it worked well enough for the purpose. At least she never found herself waiting in line to take off, ever.:: ::With clearance given, the plane responded to her controls as she maneuvered it towards the runway they would use to get into the sky. Simple movements caused the craft to react all the way down the taxiway to the end of the long strip of concrete that sprawled out in front of them. Smiling to herself, she made the final preparations for takeoff while speaking to the man behind her. This was always the best part of things; feeling the speed as the craft they were in hurtled into the sky.:: Nicholotti: How are you doing back there? ::Colt was enjoying himself already. The sound and vibration of the turbine engines were tremendous, the visceral stimulation was a far cry from the sterile, antiseptic feel of a small starfighter. As usual the woman behind the controls was demonstrating her refined ability to capture his thoughts, preventing him from thinking about anything else for too long, before his thoughts returned to her.:: Daniels: So far, so good. I'm not too worried though, I trust you. ::Kali laughed; he certainly had a knack for being able to invoke feelings she had thought long buried. It was only the jet, and the controls at her hands, that kept her mind on track and not of on a distant tangent.:: Nicholotti: Fair enough. ::With that, she shoved the throttle all the way forward. The plane seemed to jump beneath them before it went screaming down the line of concrete ahead of them. Kali watched the gauges, pulling back as soon as the speed hit a certain mark. The craft went shooting through the sky as the two occupants were pushed back into their seats with the force of multiple G's. It was this that she lived for, both as a child and now; the moment when speed, in all its glory, could actually be felt.:: ::As Kali hammered on the throttle Colt heard the turbines roar and felt the force of gravity press him back into his seat, it was astonishing. His mind told him that he had achieved speeds far greater than this on any number of ships, but because modern ships had inertial dampeners he had never found it very exhilarating. Now he truly felt as though he was screaming through the air faster than ever before. After a few moments of climbing they finally leveled off he found himself able to speak again.:: Daniels: Kali, this is great! The raw power of this beast is awesome. ::He was smiling like a kid and he was fairly certain that she would be able to hear it in his voice.:: ::She could hear that wonder in his voice; the same wonder she had always had for the sheer thrill of flying. Her own laughter filtered over the radio to the back of the plane.:: Nicholotti: Glad you can see the light. ::If he could see her face, he would see quite the smirk. It was rather pleasing that he was really enjoying himself. There hadn’t been many people she’d flown with since she joined Starfleet, but Colt seemed to be having the most fun of them all. Of course most of them ended up sick at some point during the flight, Tressa included, though hers was probably to be attributed to the pregnancy they had found out about a couple days after their flight. She smiled in spite of the part of her that missed the woman desperately and focused her attention back on the man who had taken her up on the offer to fly.:: ::He looked out the side of the canopy, studying the control surfaces trying to understand the way the jet maneuvered through the air in an attempt to estimate it's abilities. Looking forward he spoke again.:: Daniels: So, let's see what she can do! Nicholotti: You might be sorry you said that. ::He felt his muscles tense up slightly, he hadn't realized how much of an adrenaline junkie he was, but now he was shaking a little in anticipation of the incoming rush. As she gunned the throttle once again and he felt the welcome feeling associated with acceleration in Earth's gravity he smiled under his helmet and let himself be pushed back into his seat.:: ::Kali immediately pulled the nose up into another steep climb that pushed them both back dramatically into their seats. As the airspeed slowed, she nudged the nose back over and they quickly shot back down towards the ground. It was like a game of chicken that she always lost, but there was a kind of thrill that built itself up within her as the ground got bigger and bigger. There was also precision in the move, and when the altimeter was at her limit, she pulled out of the dive and made a parabola that took them back into the sky.:: ::They tore through the sky climbing, diving, and rolling as Colt had to fight back the urge to yell. He imagined that she would be impressed by the fact that he hadn't gotten sick from the stunts, she didn't have to know that he had stopped by sickbay on his way over and picked up medicine for motion sickness. His heart was still racing when they finally leveled out again. ::After a few of her normal stunts, she brought the plane level and somewhat under control before speaking to Colt.:: Nicholotti: So, you should grab the stick and fly. ::She paused dramatically and stuck her hands up so that he could see them.:: Cause I’m tired. ::She laughed. This was the one thing she did to everyone, save Tressa, just to see how they would react. The effect was much better in the real world, but the holodeck had made things feel real enough up till now; perhaps the mind would not allow him the luxury of remembering they were actually quite safe on the ground of the holographic chamber. Of course there was also the fact that her safety was in the pedals at her feet, but she kept that to herself too.:: ::He saw her hands held up in the classic "no-hands" gesture and in a brief moment of panic scrambled for the Co-Pilots stick before the logical part of his brain told him they were actually in the safety of the holodeck. Grinning sheepishly he held it steady for a moment before gently lowering the nose of the jet into a gradual dive before gently nosing back up to level. The little "stunt" he pulled didn't hold a candle to the large overarching loops Kali had pulled, but he was proud of the simple maneuverall the same.:: Daniels: You know, that's not bad. It certainly handles a little differently than a starship. Maybe I'll have you give me some lessons sometime... add to my list of skills that aren't particularly useful, like sailing. ::The word reminded him of their time on Eschevar, he was sure this would be fond memory as well just like they time the had spent there.:: Nicholotti: That wasn’t so useless though. ::On the contrary, it had been the origination of the spark that had led them to this moment. In that aspect, it had proved to be very useful.:: ::Once again she took over the controls and he released his grasp on the stick. A few moments passed before either of them said anything. Colt was looking around the [...]pit now taking note of the various buttons and switches.:: Daniels: Does this baby have functional weapons systems? ::Kali couldn’t help but laugh at that. If anyone would ask that, it would be him.:: Nicholotti: Yea, but nothing’s loaded. ::The real jet, of which this program had been modeled after, that sat in a hanger at home on Earth, was as real as it had been back in the glory days of the supersonic flight. Without the need for the weapons though, they were never loaded or armed.:: :: He was a little disappointed by the news, until he had an idea.:: Daniels: I Suppose it won't hurt to depart from realism a little here... Computer, outfit this jet to full combat payload. ::Air to air missles appeared on pylons and the ammunition for something called a "20mm Cannon" showed to be at full capacity:: oO Projectile weapons, So retro... I like it. Oo Daniels: I'm gonna let 'er rip. Is that ok? ::By now, Kali was quite amused. Having gone through great pains to program the jet to provide similar functionality to front and back seat occupants, she hadn’t thought it would be used in this manner. Still, she grinned. Never had anyone thought to do such a thing in the past, but it seemed like a good enough idea. It certainly would be a good test of her flying skills and his shooting skills if nothing else; but only if they had an opponent.:: Nicholotti: In a minute. Computer, insert three opponents. ::She paused and thought for a moment.:: One Su-27 Flanker, one MiG-29 Fulcrum, one F-4J, Mitsubishi version. ::There was a moment of silence before the computer complied and the other three jets appeared a ways in front of them. After another moment, the jets scattered. Kali smiled. It was time to hunt.:: Nicholotti: Alright. I’ll chase em down, but the shooting is all you. ::Colt was grinning so widely his face was starting to hurt, it wasn't every day that he got to play with this kind of hardware. Though he had no training with these kind of weapons he hoped his natural skill at making things go boom would be able to compensate:: Daniels: Yeehaw! ::He yelled a little too enthusiastically:: Let's go. ::That was all that was required; he said the word and she banked the plane off to the right to follow the first of the opponents. It wasn’t long before the Flanker was in sight out of the canopy window. Suddenly aware of their presence, it broke its flight pattern and tried to dart in between the clouds. Kali followed it.:: ::Colt spotted the enemy plane and tried to lock missile radar, a tone told him that he had 'probably' locked on. He had noticed the 3 weapon choices Vulcan, 'AMRAAM', and 'Sdewndr'. Going with the only name that he recognized he fired, resulting and a short burst from the front mounted Vulcan cannon.:: oO Oops, that's not it. Oo ::As Kali lined them up again and Colt finally heard the lock on tone, he this time fired the 'AMRAAM'. As the missile arced out his eyes followed it to its fiery conclusion:: ::Pursuing the jet through the clouds, she waited to hear the release of whatever weapons the man behind her would choose to use. The clouds cleared in that moment, and they found the plane they were seeking just to their right. Kali banked the plane again and Colt shot; the result of which was an explosion of orange red flames the likes of which she’d seen on some older holovids she’d watched as a kid.:: Daniels: Yeah! Pretty good for my first try, eh? ::Laughing at the reaction coming from the back seat, Kali turned the plane towards their next target.:: Nicholotti: Not bad. Not bad at all. Daniels: What can I say, weapons just... speak to me. ::They continued until all 3 adversaries were destroyed, largely due to Kali's impressive flying and to a lesser extent, Colt's beginner's luck in the gunner's seat. ::Having had enough fun and adrenaline for one day, Kali brought the plane around and set it as gentle as ever on the long runway that looked so incredibly real. Her hands went to work again, flipping switches and pushing buttons as they came to a stop near the line of hangars where they had started. Finally she opened the canopy and released her body from the restraints allowing herself just a moment to get used to normal gravity again. Continuing her egress, she motioned behind her for him to do the same.:: ::As the Jet came to a stop and the engines wound down, Colt saw Kali unbutton her helmet. As canopy slowly opened she climbed out and motioned for him to follow. Once they were on the ground and clear of any hazards they stopped not far from the now motionless fighter to talk.:: Daniels: I'm glad we did this. ::He paused for a moment:: You never cease to amaze me, do you know that? ::The comment took her momentarily off guard, but she kept her composure. So often over the past week she had questioned herself and her ability to do what she did. Now here he was telling her that she amazed him.:: Nicholotti: I do? ::Colt rubbed the back of his head a little, a habit he often displayed when he was trying find the words to express himself.:: Daniels: I don't know, it’s just that every moment I spend with you seems to leave me hoping that the next one isn't too far away. ::In the still silence that had now taken over the holodeck, Kali felt the trappings of command, and all the responsibility melt away again. An incredible feeling replaced it, drawing her to him. She stepped closer and slipped her hand into one of his.:: Nicholotti: All that we have is now, and right now, I’m here. ::The feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff had long gone. This was the path she was willing and ready to follow. Would he jump as well?:: ::As Colt stood there holding her hand, he again tried to find the words that would portray his feelings for her. His words were failing him once again, so he decided on an alternative course of action. He placed his other hand on her waist and gently pulled her towards him and before he could talk himself out of it, he kissed the beautiful dark-haired officer with a passion befitting of the tension that had existed between them for weeks. As he felt the lightning shoot through his body, he laughed internally at the fact that his biggest adrenaline rush of the day hadn't occurred on that jet. After a moment that seemed much longer than it had probably been, he released her allowing for the now notably smaller space between them to return.:: ::For a command officer who had to stand strong almost all of the time, it was surprising to even herself to see just how fast she melted into the moment. It definitely caught her off guard only this time, had he been watching her, he would have actually seen it. But he didn’t; instead, he felt it. He had to, because as he embraced her, she realized how much this was what she had wanted him to do. There had been a sort of longing over the past weeks, and it had become tension that was all suddenly released with this single act. It was like a deep breath after having been under water for too long. It was an act that sent near literal sparks shooting through her body, bringing with them a feeling of being really alive for the first time in a very long time.:: ::And when he was done, he let only the smallest space return between them. The Captain of the Starbase was gone; in that moment, though, she felt more powerful than any command would ever allow her to. In his arms, she felt as if she didn’t need the plane beside them to fly. Kali didn’t fight the smile or the look of contentment on her face. She had found a safe place to be; to show what she was feeling and thinking. He had earned that now, at the very least.:: Daniels: I don't intend on letting you go anywhere if I can help it. Nicholotti: Good. ::Throwing time and any other cares to the wind, Kali pulled him back towards her. As their lips met again, no words needed to be said. All that existed in that moment was him, and to her, that was all that really mattered. Sure, there would be terrorists, and those who would want to hurt the station and those on it, but right now the universe was perfect and so, she found herself lost, more than willingly, in the moment, and in his arms.:: ::All of his fears assuaged, he more than willingly allowed her to pull him back towards her. As they embraced in the shadow of the machine that had so quickly been replaced as the highlight of his day, he silently thanked the universe for bringing him to this base, for bringing him to her.:: ::After a short while (a little too short by Colt's standards, but beggars couldn't be choosers) they regained some of their composure and, realizing that they both had somewhere to be soon decided end the program. The grid pattern on the walls faded into view and with the exit now plainly visible they walked hand in hand towards it, stopping just short of causing it to open.:: Daniels: This was fun. ::He smiled and winked:: We'll have to do this again real soon. ::Kali grinned. Fun was one way to describe it.:: Nicholotti: Yes, we will. I look forward to it. ::As they stepped out into the corridor, he dropped her hand before turning towards her.:: ::With that he released her hand, not wanting to cause a stir with any crew that might be in the corridor, and stepped through the threshold. He paused and turned back towards her one last time.:: Daniels: Hey, I'll see you tonight. Ok? ::She nodded, not wanting to let him leave or to let the moment end, but looking forward to the next when they would see each other again.:: Nicholotti: Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. ::He reluctantly turned and walked down the corridor, heading towards his quarters on the Victory to shower and get ready for the party later that night. Though he plodded on with a sense of purpose, his mind was still back in the holodeck, replaying the events over and over.:: ::Kali watched him go with a tinge of sadness. Moments were fleeting, but she would always have the memories and the feeling of being able to fly without any wings that he had left her with. A smile appeared on her face as he disappeared around a corner and she headed off to her own quarters. This was just the beginning, the beginning of something great.:: JP By: -- ======//////======> Lt.JG Colt Daniels Chief Tactical Officer SB118/USS Victory & -- Commander Kalianna Nicholotti Commanding Officer Starbase 118 / USS Victory
  23. ((Treatment Room 2, Sickbay, USS Mercury)) ::He had greeted the Marines as he passed them and checked the integrity of the quarantine fields at the door. Everything was excluded; not a virus nor a signal could get out, certainly not a nanite. Not even air particles, the environmental system was on closed-circuit recycle with reclamation and replication of air molecules. The internal monitoring system showed that the majority of the raw materials that Engineering had delivered had been used, and the Borg Queen appeared whole, and was using the power module placed at the back of the room.:: ::Saveron keyed an exclusion forcefield half-way across the room, effectively cutting it in two, before he accessed the force-field airlock that was now in place in the entryway. The forcefields were transparent, he could see the Queen the instant the door slid back, and over their faint hum he could hear the whine of the powerpack.:: ::Stepping patiently through the fields as they cycled to let him in without letting anything else out, the Vulcan doctor at last stood with nothing but a forcefield between himself and the Borg Queen. He looked her over with a neutral expression, but a more compassionate eye than most would use. She was here because of him, he didn't doubt that most of the crew would have gladly destroyed her. Yet the doctor could only wonder how she must feel, bereft of her connection to the Collective that had created her. Could she even function independently? He would find out.:: Saveron: Sochya. ::He greeted her traditionally, for want of a better idea. He had insisted that she be treated as any other prisoner would; it was logical to be polite.:: :: The Queen raised her eyes to her visitor: an important motion, since it was one of the simplest left to her. She was pleased with her ability to execute it, since so much of what she had been -- so much of what had been given to her -- had so recently been taken back.:: Borg Queen: You are Vulcan. (beat) Perhaps it is logical to tell you that resistance is futile; but I do not doubt that you will disagree. Saveron: You are correct. ::He confirmed.:: oO So she does have independant reasoning. Oo Borg Queen: Then tell me why you are here. Have you come to observe me? The creature who was once Borg -- who, without the song in its mind, is now fit only for your menagerie? Saveron: Affirmative. ::The doctor assured her evenly.:: I also wished to converse with you. Borg Queen: You would be happier if you allowed me to assimilate you. A collective of two -- a collective beginning with two. Our voices, in each other's heads. (beat) Are you not intrigued? Are you not curious? ::She had him there; yes he was curious.:: Saveron: Not in the manner which you presume. ::He replied.:: Being Vulcan, I am already aware of what it is to have my mind bound to another, but unlike the Borg my bond-mate and I retained our individuality. ::Although in the depths of an intimate meld even that could be difficult.:: That is not something I wish to lose. Borg Queen: By sacrificing your individuality, you will expand and grow in ways you cannot imagine. It is illogical to assume that you would not benefit. Saveron: When the Collective assimilates an individual they become a drone and lose their individuality. It fascinates me that you have not come to understand how this weakens you. Or perhaps you have? The Nimitz Borg are different to those with which the Federation is acquainted. Borg Queen: It is true that we are -- and that I am -- different from those Borg encountered by your Federation before. We are connected, and yet each drone retains a sense of self. I've given them this gift myself. Saveron: So you begin to gain an appreciation of the benefits of a different point of view. Many thought that the Collective assimilated everything, and learned nothing. Borg Queen: Oh, yes. We have grown and learned much as we've evolved towards perfection. Saveron: The Collective assimilates, it incorporates, but it does not create; it cannot. To be creative requires subjectivity, and that is something that you lack. An individual point of view is subjective. And it is that point of view, that difference in perception and understanding, that leads to creativity, invention and improvement. Without it a species stagnates. You steal ideas because you cannot make your own, this makes you as a parasite dependent on your host species; that is a weakness. Borg Queen: Perhaps. You cannot hear the thoughts of those around you; that is a weakness. Whose is worse? :: She did not wait for a response before continuing. :: Borg Queen: I would take my own life and allow my children to grow another Queen if I believed I would never return to them. But their strength is such, and your weakness is likewise, that I trust that I -- that we -- shall overcome. :: She turned away from the Vulcan man. She had no more to say to him. :: Borg Queen: Leave us. :: Only the quiet swish of the door told her that she was, again, alone. :: TBC! Dr. Saveron CMO USS Mercury & The Borg Queen (sans collective) by Cmdr. Kells
  24. ((Personal Quarters)) ::Kaedyn Zehn looked at himself in the mirror with a concerned frown. In his newly replicated uniform, with its black turtle neck on which his new rank was pinned, he felt even less like the old Kaedyn he had been before Joining than ever. This, he knew, was healthy since he no longer was the old Kaedyn but it was still disconcerting. The logic of an intelligence service highlighting it's officers with a distinct uniform colour was lost on him but perhaps it was a way of Starfleet Intelligence demonstrating how mainstream it was in comparison with the shadowy, nefarious intelligence agencies throughout the galaxy.:: ::With Eliaan still asleep, he quietly slipped out of their quarters and into the turbolift for what would be his first day in his new job. While excited at the prospect, he felt a knot of nerves in his stomach as the lift ascended to it's destination.:: ((Black Tower)) ::Arriving at the entrance to the command tower, which the station's intelligence department called home, Kaedyn took a deep breath. The Black Tower had gained a level of notoriety in the past, much of it based around events that he had not been authorised to know about and may never have actually happened for all he knew. Jilenna had spent some time there but as a marine counter-intel officer she was usually based with the other marines on the other side of the station.:: Computer: Access to this area is restricted. Authorisation required. Zehn: Authorisation Zehn Lamda-Three-Two-Black Computer: Authorisation accepted. ::The doors opened and despite the mental picture of secretive bunker that Kaedyn had always had of the area, it was just another Starfleet corridor and exactly as Jilenna had remembered it. In a large, deliberate step that seemed to mirror the metaphorical step in his life, he entered the Black Tower and the doors slid quietly closed behind him.:: ::Ahead of him, a young man dressed in the black uniform of intelligence and with a single pip denoting his rank, stood waiting. Was he waiting for him?:: Ensign: Lieutenant Zehn ::He said it so it wasn't clear whether it was a question or a statement and for a moment, Kaedyn didn't know quite how to respond. When he did, he carefully so that the response could be interpreted either as a confirmation, if it were a question and a question if it were a statement.:: Zehn: Yes Ensign: Commander Cornwell wishes to speak to you. ::The name sounded familiar but then after seven lifetimes of memories, a lot of names sounded familiar. He was due to be briefed on current intelligence status but surely Starfleet wouldn't send a Commander to brief a Lieutenant.:: Zehn: Sorry, who? Ensign: Commander Valerie Cornwell ::And from the depths of Zehn's memories, he immediately knew who she was...:: ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::Lieutenant Commander Reigan Zehn sat behind his desk, straight-backed and commanding, as the young Ensign entered his office. She looked, he noticed immediately, terrified in the way that all new ensigns looked on their first day of duty. Another chief might try to make her feel more at ease or pretend to be her friend but he had other ideas. Now, he believed, was the best opportunity to take a promising officer and mold her into his image of a good security officer.:: Zehn (Reigan): Ensign Valerie Cornwell service number four three two dash five five six dash seven one three. Class of 69. Graduated with honours, a major in Security and a minor in Operations. ::Standing at attention, she looked vaguely unsure as to whether to respond.:: Cornwell: Sir, that's me. Sir. Zehn (Reigan): You didn't want to minor in Tactical? Most of the ensigns who major in security minor in tactical, and vice versa. Cornwell: No, Sir. I did not. Zehn (Reigan): Why not? Please, you may speak freely. ::She remained at attention.:: Cornwell: I am not interested in combat, sir. Most tactical officers are glory hunters, in my experience, Sir. I felt operations would give me a better understanding of Starships, which would help my role as a security officer. ::A small smile crossed the Trill's face, a rare occurrence when he was on duty.:: Zehn (Reigan): Very good, Ensign. I am a Security/Operations graduate myself, for the very same reason. ::He indicated that she may sit down across from him and she did so, although she remained rigidly upright.:: Zehn (Reigan): I have reviewed your Academy record, Ensign Cornwell and I was sufficiently impressed to request you for my department. Cornwell: Thank you, Commander. I appreciate that. Zehn (Reigan): You have done well learning the theory of being a security officer. I will now teach you the practice. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Zehn: Commander Cornwell ::As he stepped into the temporary office, which indicated that Valerie Cornwell was not permanently assigned to the Starbase, he spotted the woman he had known so well two lifetimes before. Her hair was longer now and greying, where it had once been almost black, but the face was more or less the same. She smiled and waved him in.:: Cornwell: Come in, Kaedyn. It's great to meet you, well not exactly meet you but you know what I mean. Zehn: I do, Commander. It's been... a long time. ::They had last met, or rather Reigan and Cornwell had last met, not too long before his death at the Second Battle of Chin'toka during the Dominion War. She had written to Jilenna several times but they had never actually met. Somehow, despite the fact that Zehn had experienced the death of two hosts, Cornwell looked as thought she had suffered through a more difficult time. She seemed weary and tired.:: Cornwell: I was sorry to hear about Jilenna Zehn: Yeah, it was a tragic accident... Cornwell: But, now, here you are. I must say, your new host is very attractive, if I were only twenty years younger... ::It was common, Kaedyn knew, for non-Trill to speak in such terms. It was almost as if they believed, given the nature of Joined Trill, that the host was little more than a shell, an outfit that could be changed.:: Zehn: You have barely changed since the day we first met, Commander. ::She eyed him with good humoured suspicion.:: Cornwell: Nonsense. I keep getting older and you keep getting younger... Boss. ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::Reigan Zehn stood outside his office. He masked his impatience well behind a facade of stoicism but as the young Ensign approached it spilled out.:: Zehn (Reigan): You are late Cornwell: Sir? Zehn: You were to report to me at oh five hundred hours Cornwell: And here I am. ::He frowned.:: Zehn: Computer, time Computer: The time is oh five hundred hours and two minutes Cornwell: Two minutes? That's not really late Zehn (Reigan): And what, may I ask, is the threshold for being "really" late? five minutes? ten minutes? fifteen minutes? How long does it take for an explosive device to go off or for someone to beam away from a crime scene? Timing is essential in the life of a security officer. Cornwell: I understand, Boss. It won't happen again. ::He knew he was being tough on her but he knew she could handle it. He was always tough on new recruits, they picked things up quicker if he wouldn't let them away with anything. He was particularly hard on Valerie because he knew she could be really good but also because he could tell she was developing a crush on him.:: ::The last Zehn host, Tomen, had been a star athlete and an attractive man. Tomen had been used to that sort of attention, Janel thrived on it and Zhima had mourned the loss of the political power that had made him attractive to woman. For Reigan, that sort of attention was unexpected and unwelcome.:: ::They began his morning ritual of patrolling the large Nebula-class starship. He liked the crew, and the civilians onboard, to see him around and to be a visible presence on the ship. It was a habit he was hoping to instil in the young Ensign Cornwell. He had a set route that he always took and usually Zehn (Reigan): Did you hear about the wormhole? The first stable wormhole to the Gamma quadrant Cornwell: Yes, it's exciting ::The Trill man's face remained stoic, obviously annoyed at her inability to think like a security officer.:: Zehn (Reigan): No it isn't. We have no idea who or what is on the other side of that wormhole and what sort of danger they pose to us. Cornwell: I suppose. Zehn (Reigan): I know that when arresting a Klingon I need to take backup; or when questioning a Betazoid be aware that they can read my mind or that an Orion woman has pheromones that make men go mad and to send female officers. I don't have that knowledge about these new races we might encounter and that make me nervous. Cornwell: Of course but it isn't the point of Starfleet to explore the galaxy? Zehn (Reigan): It is but I don't like uncertainty and neither should any good security officer. Danger lurks around every corner, never forget that. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Cornwell: I'm not sure how well you've been briefed. I spoke to Savannah and she asked if I could speak to you about this... ::Kaedyn adjusted position in his chair. Surely, she knew he hadn't even had time to visit his office. She had sent someone to collect him from the lobby of the tower.:: Zehn: I haven't been briefed at all, yet. Cornwell: How familiar are you with the Thracian Alliance situation? ::Open-ended questions. Was she using Reigan's interrogation techniques against him? Such a question led the person being asked into a situation where they couldn't quite be sure what was being asked. In that circumstance, people often gave away more than they planned as an attempt to find the answer to whatever the real question was.:: Zehn: I'd imagine I know as much as anyone of my previous rank and position on this station knows. ::She smiled at his equivocation.:: Cornwell: After a few years in Investigation, I have found myself in the deep end of intelligence. When the Thracian Alliance was established, I was sent here to establish links with them. That assignment has ended and I am being pulled out. When Savannah informed me that you were taking over the Intel brief here, I was glad that someone I could trust would be involved. Zehn: I'm not here to create intelligence networks. Cornwell: Of course not. Zehn: Then what? ::She leaned forward, placing her arms on her desk and interlocking her fingers.:: Cornwell: I'll be frank with you, Kaedyn. Thracia is a mess and it is my belief that it poses a risk to the Federation. The whole place is riddled with agents and double agents and probably triple agents... Zehn: I had gathered as much. Cornwell: Why? Zehn: There are two groups of Romulans on opposite sides of the Thracian border and there's that old saying: when two Romulans are in a room, they are likely both spying on each other. Factor in the proximity of the Klingons who are better at intelligence that they may pretend to be; the fact that some of those who found themselves in Thracian space will have loyalty to their previous governments and the number of alien traders and diplomats that have made a bee-line for the Alliance. I'd be surprised if ::She smiled, confident that the investigative capability of Reigan was present in this recently promoted young officer. For his part, Kaedyn was a little surprised at how he was speaking.:: Cornwell: I am concerned that as a result, the Thracians will develop a Tal'Shiar style intelligence agency. If they do, it will be up to you to keep in contact with the fledgling networks that I have established and ensure that such spies don't wind up on SB118. ::He frowned.:: Zehn: Commander, I have been on this job for less than a day. Surely, someone with more experience would be better suited... Cornwell: If anyone can do this, it would be Reigan Zehn Zehn: ::frowning:: I'm not Reigan Zehn Cornwell: You are the nearest I have to him and with Jilenna's counter-intel experience you are probably even better suited for it. ::He cleared his throat.:: Zehn: Commander, my position is within the Starbase chain of command... Cornwell: That was not my decision, believe me. Zehn: Regardless of whose decision it is, I get my orders from my commanding officer. I won't subvert the chain of command. Has this been cleared with Commander Nicholotti? ::A shadow briefly crossed her face and Kaedyn, acutely aware that this woman who had been his subordinate was now his superior by quite a bit, worried that he had stepped over the line. However, almost as quickly as it had appeared her expression softened again.:: Cornwell: Commander Nicholotti is your CO and I respect that. I also trust Nicholotti, which I can't say about a lot of people any more. This is simply a counter-intelligence assignment, which would be within your area of responsibility and Commander Nicholotti will certainly be kept in the loop. Zehn: Okay... Cornwell: It has been felt that since Kaedyn has no background in intelligence, you won't have shown up on anyone else's radar. In short, you won't be seen as much of a threat to the Thracians, Klingons or Romulans. Zehn: Do you have any proof that the Thracians are planning anything like the organisation you are describing? Cornwell: There are. I just know there are. ~~Flashback: 2369~~ ((USS Indomitable)) ::The morning patrol of the ship had become an excellent opportunity for the Security Chief and his apprentice to discuss any questions she had and for him to impart his wisdom. He had even managed to accept the crush that she had on him, which did not appear to be going away anytime soon.:: Cornwell: Okay, what would you do if you know someone is guilty but we can't prove it. ::Nodding to a passing officer as they walked, he considered the question. It was one of the most difficult aspects of security work.:: Zehn (Reigan): We investigate using our gut instincts but that can only get us so far. Proof. Evidence. Facts. These are what we must strive for at all times Cornwell: And what do we do if we can't find any proof? Zehn (Reigan): Look harder. Turn over more stones. Go back and turn over the ones you'll already looked under. Speak to your witnesses again. Cornwell: And then what? ::The Trill stopped and turned to face the young ensign.:: Zehn (Reigan): Then you may have to accept as justice is not served. ::She looked incredulous at the very notion of it, as if Cornwell: You'd just give up? Zehn (Reigan): Give up? Never. That's the key, we may have to watch as a criminal gets away or a crime goes unsolved but we never give up. We never give up. ~~End Flashback~~ ((Black Tower)) Zehn: I will look over any information that you have and discuss this with the Commander. ::For the first time in their conversation, she visible bristled and regarded him as the subordinate that he was rather than the mentor he had been.:: Cornwell: I am not a new ensign, Lieutenant. I do not need you to check my work. ::He said nothing for a long time. She had been used to Reigan Zehn who, given the chance to lead an investigation like this, would have jumped at the chance. She had not reckoned with the stubbornness of this new host.:: Zehn: Then until I am ordered otherwise, I cannot help you. ::Opening her mouth to respond, she closed it again and leaned back in her chair. After staring at him for a long time in silence, she lifted a PADD and tossed it across the desk at him.:: Cornwell: That doesn't leave the Tower. You have until tomorrow to get back to me. Speak to Nicholotti if you wish. Zehn: Thank you. Cornwell: Dismissed, Lieutenant. TBC Lieutenant Kaedyn Zehn Intelligence Officer SB118 / USS Victory
  25. Voting closes Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!
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