Renos

((USS Aurora - Near Engineering)) ::After turning on his heel and heading back to Engineering, Lucien was suddenly glad he'd spent so much time lately checking and testing the repairs.:: oO I'm sure none of the crew expected to be at yellow alert so soon after leaving the Starbase, but at least nobody can say we're not prepared... Oo ~ Hah, and what do you know about engineering anyway, brother? ~ ::Lucien sighed audibly, and turned to pretend to check a power conduit before relieving the crewman manning the master console.:: oO Ah, there you are Ju-Shen. I thought it was too good to be true. Where've you been? Oo ~ I just thought with this new engineering assignment you'd need time to think about what you were doing without any distractions. ~ oO How very kind of you. So... why don't I need to think now? Oo ~ Oh, you do. You just need some brains to think with. That's where I come in. ~ ::Lucien rolled his eyes, and continued on to the main engineering console, relieving the veteran terran woman who'd been left in charge. Moments later, his padd beeped to indicate an incoming message. Reading it, he relayed it's contents to the engineers: Priority is shielding. Ignore the demands of the science department unless ordered by Lt. Tali. Simple enough request.:: ::Landau relaxed, and glanced around the department. To be honest, there wasn't a great deal to be done down here at the moment. Needless to say, things would soon pick up.:: (( Timewarp - Approx. Ten Minutes )) ~ You'd better hope it stays like this, brother. Wouldn't want to actually have to touch anything down here, would you? ~ oO Ah, but that's where you come in, right? Oo ~ Eh, I could... but why should I? ~ oO Because if I get killed, you can't annoy me any more? Oo ~ ... a good point, well made... ~ ::Lucien's internal victory dance was to be short-lived, as his commbadge chirped.:: Tali: =/\= Tali to Ensign Lucien. Meet the first officer in the transporter room and brush up on repairing Orion technology. You're going over with a team to make some repairs. =/\= Landau: =/\= Acknowleged, Lieutenant. On my way. =/\= ~ Ooh, an away mission. You might get to shoot something. You'd like that, wouldn't you? ~ oO Sounds like we're going there to fix things, brother. Not break them. Oo ::Landau signalled to the woman from before to resume her post, as he left the console and grabbed a bag from a locker by the door. Checking through it - diagnostic tricorder, various tools to fit Federation standard panels and fittings - he headed for the turbolift up to deck 2.:: ((USS Aurora - Transporter Room 1)) ::Stepping into the room, Landau set his bag on the floor, and accepted a phaser from Barnes, the tactical chief, and strapped it to his hip. It felt good to be armed with more than a tricorder again.:: Landau: Commander, what's going on out there? I hear we're going to repair an Orion ship? Dickens/Barnes: ? ::Landau raised an eyebrow at the news.:: Landau: We're going to repair damage we caused ourself? How very Starfleet of us... TBC -------------------------------- Ensign Lucien Landau Engineering Officer USS Aurora

YAY, Congrats folks. Very well done indeed,

Welcome to the fleet guys, great to have you with us!

((USS Aurora, Sickbay)) ::Upon arriving at sickbay, Zonhar spoke with one of the nurses and learned that Dr. Malcolm was currently busy with an examination so it would be a while before she would have opportunity to see him. Zonhar asked the nurse to inform her that he wanted to speak with her whenever was convenient and not only introduce himself but to undergo his physical examination. He went on to say he would be in the holo deck whenever Dr Malcolm's schedule opened back up to see him and could be reached by comm badge. Thanking the nurse he left and walked to the turbo lift, thinking to himself.:: oOGood to see that Dr. Malcolm is already busy though I certainly hope there wasn't already a medical emergency. Maybe it is other members of the crew doing their physicals. Can't say I am looking forward to my physical anymore than some of the others are to my own counseling sessions, however I will be highly pleased to speak to a fellow colleague of a similar profession. At least while I wait it gives me a little time to play this holo letter before we get too far into our mission.Oo ::Stepping off the turbo lift and rounding corridors towards holodeck 1, Zonhar finally allowed himself for the first time since he received the holo-letter program, to think about his wife. Immediately as he walked, and took time to think about her, a deep emotional longing rose up inside. He could still, even now in the far reaches of space, feel the deep emotional bond he had made with Li'ainea, for it was not something that either time nor distance could ever erase. He cleared his throat a few times as he stood outside the holodeck, seeing that no one as of yet had booked it so it was indeed open for personal use, seeing how most would still be busy at their stations this early on in the mission and the day. His breathing had already picked up and he had to admit his hands already felt damp and shaky as he remembered in great detail the day he had departed Li'ainea to head back for his final training mission after the short semester break. Their time together had been especially intense, deep, moving, and as always pleasing but overwhelming.:: oO Overwhelming yes, but then again, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As hard as Li’ainea’s outpouring of emotions and pheromones can be, I wouldn't trade one second of it. I am still so surprised she has gotten this here to me in time. I certainly hope it is good news!Oo ::He fished out his PADD and began transmitting the holo program he downloaded earlier to a secure link on the holodeck server, so that it would be able to play his message. He also engaged the security features so he could not be disturbed unless it was by a higher ranking officer or a comm signal.:: Zonhar: Computer: Run Program Li’ainea Letter 1 secure channel. ::He said as he stepped into the room, letting the door slide shut behind him.:: ((Holodeck 1, Letter from Li'ainea)) ::For an instance, the entire room was dark except for a single bright circle of light coming up from the floor. There was no sound, no movement, only the circle of light. Smiling silently to himself Zonhar knew what to do before he even would be instructed as he was quite well aware of Li’ainea’s ways of thinking, and her intriguing “games.” Stepping into the middle of the brilliantly lit circle of white light, Zonhar stood in the center of what had now appeared to be a large dark room. The temperature was comfortable, a light cool breeze (no doubtedly simulated by the environmental controls) touched his skin, rustled his hair. He turned in circles slowly showing himself, hands open, grinning wide.:: Zonhar: Li’ainea...I am here. ::Just then a light elfin giggle echoed through the room, so fast he almost missed it...then the simulated scent of the xleah flower came wafting on the breeze just under his nose, reminding him of the great bushes of the exotic flower they had had under the window of their house, and how Li’ainea had often teased him with its intoxicating smell, as she was doing now.:: Zonhar: Li’ainea....why do you tease me so? Another one of your games....You know I’m a Ships Counselor by now no doubt, even must have learned my assignment to get it sent here already, so how can expect me to play your games? ::he chuckled:: Very well...I guess I have no choice but to play along...after all...I do love you so. Li’ainea: ::giggle:: Zonhar....Zonhar.....::Giggle and a flash of color and light out in the distance.:: Wont you come follow me...chase me like you once did by the fountains of Alsaire, past the Gardens of Gentill? ::She giggled again, her voice drifting on the breaze, as footsteps lit up leading directly from the spot of light Zonhar was standing on, out toward a beautiful multi tiered fountain just now visible in the twilight glow , a row of shrubbery snacking away before fading into the darkness.:: ::Zonhar blushed remembering their interesting courtship and his younger days when he had felt so young and carefree that he would have chased the real beautiful deltan to the edges of known space and back. Knowing in the back of his mind that no matter how real this appeared it was still a simulated program, but nonetheless one written by the greatest love in his life, he knew his best move was to put aside his dawdling and play the game with Li’ainea...as what waited him at its conclusion would undoubtedly be well worth the wait.:: oO I just really hope that I don’t get walked in on...especially knowing how Li’ainea likes to end her “games.”Oo ::After following the footsteps to the fountain, Zonhar entered an entirely new programed zone of the Hologram, the splendid Towering Fountains of Alsaire: Three twin spires, built with multiple assending layers, water shooting up in spactacular streams, and interweaving here and there in spectacular gravimetric displays which always both defied the laws of physics and also marveled the heart at their beauty. He paused taking in the site, the stone bench he had actually sat and proposed to Li’ainea when it had come time. He had chosen this place as he couldn’t think of any other more beautiful place to ask for her hand, after having had many many fun filled chases and courtly happenings around these particular fountains.:: He walked over to the pool that the fountains were sitting in, and dipped his hand into the simulated water, it was so real and cold to his touch. Here and there there were little ornaments and mementos that other lovers had thrown into the water. He studied them under the surface looking. Wondering to himself.:: oO Could she possibly have programed this to the exact day and time...Oo ::He studied the area around him, as people passed by faceless crowds, lovers and merchants and other folk. Everything looked exactly like he had remembered, the sky the atmosphere, the beauty of it all. Every last little detail that had been etched into his memory, had recounted to her over and over again at her request, knowing it was her favorite “story to be told.” ::Smiling to himself, Zonhar looked to the eastern most corner of the fountains, and as if on cue, there she walked: the young, immensely beautiful, diminutive and graceful deltan that had stolen Zonhar’s heart the very first time he had laid eyes on her...this very selfsame day in fact, playing out in live action before his very eyes.:: ::Zonhar’s heart raced, completely reliving the experience all over again. He watched her, just as he had done from that first meeting, spotting her out of the crowd, magnificently dressed, yet with elegantly simple tones (as most deltan’s were in the habit of wearing), her completely bald head so beautiful, her eyes deep and doe like, walking curiously along the edge of the fountain, running her thin delicate fingertips slowly along the surface of the water, making small little furrows in its surface. He moved along the fountain opposite of her, watching her every movement, taking in the glorious sight of her, singling out the scent of her xleah flower perfume and the holograms simulated scent of her pheromones (which though somewhat appealing could never at all compete with the real thing, neither in potency nor satisfaction). He waited anxiously for that moment he knew would soon be coming, as he kept his eyes locked on hers, as the both neared the edge of the same side of the fountain. He put his fingers in the water, and mimicked her motions on his side, running them in deep furrows as he made his way slowly up the west facing side of the fountain, heading north, while Li’ainea, still transfixed by the fountains beauty and obviously unaware of her date with possible destiny, walked south toward him, fingers still in the water, the distance between them growing less and less... Thats when it happened: Li’ainea’s delicate hands touched Zonhars, shocking her to her senses but instead of jerking her hand away, or muttering some obscenity about him keeping his hands to himself, nor even an apology, she had just stood there, her face suddenly turning to a bright blush as she smiled broadly. On their real first meeting Zonhar had remembered that he had been so nervous he had almost pulled his own hand back and broke contact, but though they had both been strangers, and had both even been of very different races, such was the first time curiosity and attraction that both of them had, that it wasn't until several minutes had passed that they had even been aware that they had not only been touching hands as they spoke but that they had fully interlocked their fingers.:: Zonhar: Ah Li’ainea...::Zonhar sighed outloud speaking to the program as though it really were his wife standing before him:: What I sometimes would give to be back in those days with you...You were and still are so beautiful. I should have known you would have done something so sweet as to recreate our first meeting. Your games always were the best. Li’ainea: Dear one...though our distance may be great, there will not be a day that goes by that I will not be thinking of how proud and how thankful I am to be the wife of such a fine denobulan as yourself. I am so proud of you for your accomplishments. I know you are probably so busy on your new ship, undoubtedly underway on some already epic mission, but I had to at least try to give you some greater piece of home and of my heart to help pass the time. And keep you fond of me. ::Giggle:: Zonhar: I shall forever be fond of you Li’ainea ::Kissing her hand and looking at her lovingly in the eyes.:: Infinitely so. There shall never be one to replace you, no matter what happens. And I can say that you have quite given me something very heart felt to contemplate as I undoubtedly will have many many days and nights filled with work. Li’ainea: About that Zonhar...::she smiled slyly stepping a tad closer:: There is one thing I have left to offer you, for your cold hard lonely nights aboard your ship... Zonhar: Oh?...And what is that? :::Li’ainea only continued to smile that same knowing smile, as she reached behind her deltan dress, and slowly began to undue the ribbons that held it in place. Zonhar swallowed hard, sweat instantly coming to his temples, palms clamy, body surging, as she began to slowly undress until...:: (OOC: Malcolm/Anyone Comm Badge me and interupt if you can) ::Shaken up by the either very ill or very perfect timing, Zonhar cleared his throat and first spoke to the computer.:: Zonhar: Computer end program, save in my secure server, pause checkpoint, encrypt code, beta alpha five nine three. ::Suddenly the holodeck lit up and his wife completely disapeared.:: oOSo close, and yet so far away. Life of a counselor is never done. Zonhar: =^=Zonhar here, On my way.=^ <br class="yiv1715626764kix-line-break">Ensign Zonhar Counselor USS Aurora

((USS Aurora – CSO's Office)) :: Working through the backlog of reports, T'Lea continued to catalog the information into the database with unwavering efficiency. She was like some kind of super-powered, Vulcan-beast with the speed of Mercury, and a focus as intense as the sun. The work related distraction was a welcome one after the visit to Sickbay though.:: :: In all, the exam had gone well, and Della had been genuinely excited about the baby, which was comforting because *somebody* needed to be. T'Lea, on the other hand, was still trying to distance herself from the child, for her own reasons. It wasn't that she hated children, which is what she'd always claimed, it was just…. Well, it was just something she had to work through. And even though the exam had brought *some* relief to her personal fears, she still believed that she was destined to repeat an unforgivable thing she'd done in the past. But seeing the first images of her and Della's "little critter", as the Doctor had put it, made distancing herself that much harder.:: :: Another report soon fell to T'Lea's mighty powers of efficiency, and another, and another until the sound of her comm. console decided to intervene.:: Computer: Incoming sub-space call on Civilian Securi-link channel Urhinda-Beta-Nine. :: A pair of steely blue eyes flicked toward the emblem on the display screen, scrutinizing it. T'Lea knew exactly who was on the other end of that call.:: :: With a tap of her finger, the transmission began to feed through, and so did the low, rumbling voice.:: Ceedel: Oh. You answered. I was going to leave a message. :: There was a look of surprise on Ceedel's face. The big oaf was kicking himself now for not sending a text message. Talking to the Butcheress on a*live* sub-space call was very unnerving, considering what he had to say.:: T'Lea: I can pretend you're a recording if it helps. What do you want, Ceedel, I'm busy. :: His image sputtered a few times as the signal met with some kind of interference, but there was enough "face" in the screen to see his big bald head, the sharp chin tusks, the blue skin, and the tribal tattoos adorning his scalp and cheeks.:: Ceedel: I, uh… Well, there's this thing… I suppose it's a thing… It could be a nothing… but it may end up being a tiny, wee, little, minuscule whiff of a problem. :: Minuscule. That was a big word for Ceedel.:: T'Lea: ::sighing:: What kind of trouble are you in this time, and get to the point quick, or I'm cutting you off. :: For a giant humanoid with such a deep gravelly voice and such a frightening appearance, the Shrackian was looking down right scared at the moment.:: Ceedel: Try not to do that, little one, this could be important to your health. ::leaning toward the screen:: Remember, Squirmy Worm? :: Instantly T'Lea's expression grew cold. The mere mention of the nickname had the voices from her past howling through her mind like a raging Sehlat charging-in for the kill.:: ((OOC: For the new folks, the longer version of this mini-flashback, can be found here if you're interested: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/sb118-aurora/message/1437)) "Okay, you little frak – you come into my house with this piece of dren…," said T'Lea while wagging a sickly homemade knife at a small boy. "… and then what? What exactly did you expect to do here, except die? Or is that it? You have a death wish." "Go ahead," the boy spat with a fair amount of bravery. "You better kill me now `cause one day I'monna git you" "Oooh…," laughed Ceedel in ridiculing baritones. "Big threats from such a wormy little thing. Kid must be high. I don't think he knows who he's talking to." "I know xactly who she is -- the Butcheress and I'm gonna kill'er for what she done." The boy's icy glare narrowed on T'Lea. "You killed my father you, a'khk, t'phr eating, knhlt!" "Lesson number one, kid -- people die." T'Lea stuck the knife close to the boy's eye. "If you're lucky you won't be one of them. At least, not for a while. String him up. I'll cut him down later. "Off we go squirmy worm," said Ceedel in good cheer as he carried the child off by the scruff of his neck. "And make sure nobody else sneaks in, or you'll be up there with him!" T'Lea shouted before mumbling to herself, "Dumb frak..." :: The transmission flickered with interference again, and Ceedel banged on his monitor, as if that were the problem not the long distance.:: Ceedel: Piece of dren. Am I still transmitting? :: Blinking herself out of her trip down memory lane, T'Lea shook her head and massaged away the stress that was forming along her brow. Years ago, she'd hung that filthy little kid by his toes, in the dead of winter to teach him a lesson about respect and territory, and for one reason or another she'd forgotten to cut him down.:: :: He died.:: T'Lea: Yes. Why? Ceedel: Because, this link is frakked-up with interference? T'Lea: No, idiot, what about the kid? Ceedel: Oh, right. ::he winced:: Well… like I was saying, there could be a thing. :: While he glanced down at his big, thick hands and swallowed what felt like a boulder in his throat, T'Lea started to grow agitated.:: T'Lea: What kind of thing, Ceedel? Ceedel: He's looking for you. :: Right on cue the Shrackian giant felt his three stomachs fill with acid.:: :: Not amused, T'Lea wagged her head at him in disbelief.:: T'Lea: Are you drunk-calling me again? The kid is dead, you said so yourself. Quit wasting my frakking time. :: She reached out to end the call.:: Ceedel: ::shouting quickly:: He's not dead! :: T'Lea's hand froze over the command console, and she slowly lifted her murderous eyes to the giant on screen.:: T'Lea: What? Ceedel: I lied to you that day. He didn't die. He was about too, but I cut the boy down. I know you said you'd do it, but he was half frozen. He wouldn't have lasted the night. I lied, because I knew you'd have my frelling chin-horns for disobeying you. I took him to an injury clinic in town. I lost track of him after that, but now he's resurfaced, and he's looking for you. T'Lea: You… you what?! You mother frelling, son of a— Ceedel: I should have left him to freeze, I know! I'm sorry. :: He flinched as his old gang leader slammed her fists down on the desk, shot out of her seat in the heat of anger, and disappeared off screen, presumably to kill something.:: :: T'Lea was experiencing an sudden overload of outrage at the moment -- the mere suggestion that this ghost from her past was coming back to seek revenge was certainly worthy of such a volatile reaction, but the other passenger on her rollercoaster ride of fury was, surprising, relief.:: :: Relief that she'd not been responsible for the death of a kid. Relief that maybe she wasn't destined to accidentally harm her own child. Maybe there was hope for her yet, that is, if this old threat didn't keep his promise to kill her.:: :: T'Lea's face suddenly reappeared on screen with a snarl directed at Ceedel.:: T'Lea: Where he is, and who he is? Ceedel: His name is Naku. He sent three Nausicaans to Starbase 23. They were sniffing around for you, until they got arrested for a bar fight. Thing is, I don't know the location of Naku. He is… :: The pause was quickly struck down.:: T'Lea: He's what, on vacation, been abducted by aliens? Ceedel: He's hard to find. ::beat:: He's a very good assassin from what I hear. :: That's not was she expected, but it made perfect sense. The kid grew up around violence and death, he'd lost both parents in the turf war, and he had a heart filled with revenge. Why wouldn't he focus all of that energy, and all of those tragedies into one special skill to achieve his one special desire.:: :: In a way, T'Lea had turned the boy into monster – and someone that she may end up killing after all.:: T'Lea: That's just frelling great, Ceedel. Remind me to kick your [...] the next time I see you. ::rubbing her brow again:: Frak! :: Ceedel's whole demeanor changed as he leaned toward the screen. He was suddenly very strong, proud, and confident in appearance.:: Ceedel: I still remain your Kol-ma-Rah. I am bound by my faith to protect you. My life is yours to command, and thus far I have obeyed your wishes to live freely, even though it goes against my beliefs. But because of *this* I cannot be free, little one. I owe you. And I will gladly give my life to fulfill the honor of your Kol-ma-Rah. T'Lea: It's not me I'm worried about. ::huffing, thinking, wagging her head:: What kind of assassin sends three Nausicaans to do his dirty work? :: Ceedel thoughtfully stroked the patch of fur between his chin horns.:: T'Lea: He wants me to know that he's coming. He wants me to fear him, and fear what he might do. I've got a family to protect and a child on the way— Ceedel: ::shocked:: You have a family? T'Lea: Shut up and listen. This is how it's going to work -- whatever network of seedy, rotten criminals you have at your disposal, whatever favors are owed to you, collect. You find this [...] and you hold him for me until I get back. That is your only priority right now, understand? :: He affirmed with a grunt of allegiance so strong that there was no doubt he knew exactly what must be done, and then he scrunched up his face in confusion.:: Ceedel: What if I can't find him? T'Lea: Find him. :: She cut the comm. signal and dropped back in her chair with a heavy thud. With any luck this would be resolved by the time the mission had concluded. If not, the slightly ill feeling in her stomach told her that she'd have to inform Della about everything, and that wasn't going to be a fun chat.:: :: Closing her eyes, T'Lea did her best to still her restless emotions, and process Ceedel's confession. He'd saved the boy's life, which meant that she didn't have the blood of an innocent child on her hands. Of course, it still didn't excuse what she had done to the kid, but the guilt she'd been carrying around for Naku's death had been lifted, and consequently her perspective on things began to slowly change.:: :: After a very, very long stretch of silence, she let out a short, sharp breath of air, and reached for her belly, opening herself up just enough to start to feel something for her child.:: ~~ I've been taking this out on you and Gina, all this time, haven't I? ~~ :: That was going to change, she'd made a silent promise.:: :: Perhaps she could do this parenting thing and not screw it up – perhaps she could be a good mother. It wasn't totally inconceivable anymore, and besides, her instincts to protect her family were strong, and she knew how to love, Della had taught her that much… the rest… well, one day at a time.:: ((Fast Forward – Turbolift)) :: The backlog of science reports had been done away with. The entire department was now up-to-date. Changes had been implemented, projects had been canceled, and new ones had been granted, while other experiments had been allowed to continue. Shift rotations were in effect and new department heads were appointed to replace the ones who had proven themselves unworthy.:: :: Satisfied that she'd done all that she could, for the moment, to get the science department functioning efficiently, T'Lea set her sights on the current mission, bringing herself up-to-date with Blackwood's progress, via the little reports the woman had been sending.:: :: It seemed that the new Helmsman Blackwood met with had come up with, what seemed like to T'Lea, a pretty good idea to capture and contain the proto photons. Blackwood, Rathbone, Sylkar, and Tali were to meet about implementing the idea shortly.:: :: Taking a moment to relax on her turbolift right to the Bridge, the Romu-vulc leaned back against the hand rail in, and called up the image of her baby daughter.:: :: Daughter.:: :: A strange, lopsided grin pulled at the hybrid's mouth.:: :: She was having Vetri's baby… .:: :: That thought turned into full blown smile as she opened her softening heart around that idea.:: :: Steeling a moment to forwarding the baby image to both Della's and Gina's personal data PADDs, T'Lea attached a note that read, "T'Atanka. If you don't come up with a better name for our daughter, (your sister), that is what she will be called.":: :: Tatanka – in the language of the Lakota Indian Tribe it meant, bull buffalo. Really, she had no intention of naming the kid that, but she figured it would get them both thinking hard about alternatives. And the Romu-vulc was content to let Gina and Della do all the brainstorming work, then veto the ones *she* didn't like.:: :: With a low raspy chuckle of self-amusement, T'Lea exited the lift and headed over to the Science Station where Blackwood was located on the bridge.:: T'Lea: Ms. Blackwood, I received your report on the Azure Nebula. It was thorough. ::glancing at the console:: What are you working on now? Blackwood: ? :: The Romu-vulc gave a shallow nod of acknowledgement.:: T'Lea: I have placed Sylkar as the head of the physics department, and I understand that you are already utilizing her skills for the proto photon containment project. When will you be meeting with Tali and the others? Blackwood: ? T'Lea: Very well, I will take over your shift on the bridge while you attend. Continue to send updates. Carry on, Ms. Blackwood. Blackwood: ? :: Of course, T'Lea had every intention of checking up on Blackwood's teammates on the project -- Tali, Rathbone, and Sylkar -- about how the young ACSO was performing. After all, they were working more closely with her than T'Lea was at the moment, and while T'Lea had been pleased with her work so far, there was still a question mark as to how well the Ensign played with others while the boss was away.:: Anyone: ? TBC/TAGs ((OOC: Blackwood, if you want to leave the bridge to do other things, I left an opening for you to do just that. ;] )) Lt. Cmdr. T'Lea Chief Science Officer USS Aurora, NCC-72750

We never did get those vids in the end. *sadface* Had my sister over yesterday, digging up some ancient favourites on you-tube and sharing some laughs. I actually never use you-tube except when she comes over. So here is another old favourite, though many of you may be challenged to understand it. Favourite line: "Set phasers to Malky" LOL. This was a sketch on a program called "Chewin the fat" btw. You've probably all seen it, but if not - well, have fun...

Congratulations, Ensign Finnegan and Ensign Quartz! Welcome to the fleet!