Alora DeVeau

Congratulations everyone! Y'all are awesome!

Awesome job, @Nella Noxwyn!

Congratulations everyone! Well done and well deserved!

OOC: We get some insight into @Ulasso here, and his player has produced a very interesting character. I can't wait to see what happens next! IC: (( Main Mess Hall, Deck 7, USS ‘Oumuamua )) After getting lost numerous times on the way to the Main Mess Hell, Ulasso had made it just on time and settled into one of the only remaining seats...uncomfortably close to the front. Ulasso didn't understand how his sense of direction could be so bad to still have trouble even finding the place where he went for most of his meals. He hated being late, so luckily he had left his room very early to plan for this...however as usual he was stuck with a seat no one else wanted. As he sat there watching the first awards given, his mind wandered through everything that had happened to him during shore leave. He had just gotten off medical observation after having the parasite removed, and his hallucinations had finally stopped. They had gotten weirder and weirder after the parasite had given him a large dose of its hallucinogenic agent before being removed, with the final ones mostly involving giant rabbits... Even without leaving the ship during shore leave , he had also helped solve a holodeck mystery with Jack, almost gotten barred from the 7 forward lounge, and had helped assemble a Transporter that could store a Valkyrie in the buffer. He couldn't believe his eventful shore "stay" was coming to an end. His mind snapped back to the moment as Greaves took the stage. The man that had brought them back from their seemingly watery grave on Okaea. The Thor had been lost, but men like Greaves persisted. It occurred to Ulasso that names like "Thor", a mythological Earth hero the ship had been named after, were not needed anymore. They had real life heroes to look up to, such as the Major. It troubled him that the Major seemed to be at odds with his longtime friend, V'Len however. He had great respect for both men, and hoped they could resolve their differences. Ulasso only hoped it wouldn't come to a point where he was asked to take a side. Greaves: If you’ll allow me Commodore, I’d like to do the next couple. Kells: Certainly. Actually, why don’t I duck away for a moment. Commodore V’Airu? Ossa stood, her impeccable posture while sitting becoming her impeccable posture while standing, and took two swift steps to stand beside Greaves. Kells shuffled offstage, and Ossa took the box of ribbons and pips from Greaves. Wes smiled and nodded before looking back out onto the small crowd of officers. His eyes scanned the room until they finally landed on their target. Ensign Kessler. Greaves: Jack Kessler, if you’d please join us? With a motion of his hand, Wes gestured toward the steps and a few seconds later the Thor’s former tactical officer was standing between Wes and V’Airu. Greaves: Jack, we spent a not insignificant amount of time on that bridge together in some of the most dire circumstances. Your ingenuity and grit were pivotal in getting the Thor off planet safely. The repairs to the torpedo system, and the modification of the firing system to operate underwater… well we probably wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t pulled it off. For that, we’re awarding you the Captain’s Commendation. V’Airu: Your record is stellar, Kessler. I’m pleased to be a part of your next step. As the commodore spoke, Wes pinned the crimson medal on Kessler’s chest, and then turned to receive the darkened bit of metal from Commodore V’Airu. Greaves: And like your peers, you too are being promoted. Earned in the fires of crisis, few officers now have the experience you have, and with that experience comes this added responsibility. Congratulations Lieutenant JG. Kessler: looking to V’Airu:: Thank you Commodore, I am pleased you are part of my journey as well. ::turning to Greaves:: Thank you Major, I will serve with you on any vessel, anywhere. Ulasso looked to Jack as the man took his seat and gave him a nod. Ulasso had served with the man as well on the Ocean planet, and Jack was not short on heroics either. Without his tactical skill they never would have taken down the Pirate ship. If anyone deserved a promotion after that ordeal, Ulasso thought it was that man. He actions were those of one much above the rank of Ensign. Wes brought his hands together to start the newest round of applause and everyone immediately joined in as Jack took his seat, blending back into the audience. As the clapping died down, Wes again scanned the faces of those assembled until finally landing upon their Saurian helmsman. Greaves: Our next officer to be recognized is Ensign Ulasso. Ensign, Please, join us. Ulasso turned back to the stage with the words and saw the Major's eyes upon him. Polite clapping resumed as Ulasso slowly got up from his chair and clambered onstage. Greaves: Ensign, recognition for positive actions can be hard sometimes. We don’t always see the good things that all of our officers do. In this instance however, internal sensors were still recording during the ship’s evacuation. After I gave the order to abandon ship, you made your way to an aft escape pod on deck 1 of the Thor, but there you were presented with a choice. A family was also trying to board that escape pod and there wasn’t room for you and them both. In that moment you chose the selfless action, one that likely would result in your death. You chose to give up your seat and return to the helm as the Thor was still falling out of the sky. V’Airu: I also recognize your helm skills during the ‘Oumuamua’s run-in with the UDP battlecruiser. You are second to none, Ulasso. Taking the ribbon from V’Airu, Wes examined it closely, taking a small moment to recognize the significance of the Silver Star before pinning it to Ulasso. Ulasso: Thank you both. I will wear it proudly and honor those who we weren't able to save as well. Ulasso didn't know that anyone knew about that family. He hadn't thought much of it since the incident, other than during his counseling session with Brodie. Brodie had helped remind him of those they had saved, and not to just focus on those that were lost. He had just done what he thought was right, but in combination with his helm skills he was receiving a large honor. He would have never imagined receiving the Silver Star after his first mission, and he was humbled by it. It would remind him of those he had been able to save, and to live for those that he couldn't. Greaves: And there’s one more thing as well. Not to be outdone by your peers, you too have gained valuable experience and demonstrated you are more than capable of rising to any occasion. For that, you’re being promoted to Lieutenant JG. Holding his hand out, yet still looking to Ulasso with a smile, Wes waited for V’Airu to drop the small pip into his hand before pinning it on the Saurian’s collar. V’Airu: Congratulations, Lieutenant, Junior Grade. Ulasso: Thank you again. I'll honor the title and uphold the ideals of the Federation. The crowd once again applauded and Wes joined in as Ulasso climbed down and disappeared back into the group of assembled officers. Stepping back from the edge of the stage, Wes resumed his position holding the box of ribbons and rank insignia, smiling as he took it from Commodore V’Airu. The rest of the ceremony seemed to pass by in a haze. Ulasso was stunned at a promotion after his first mission. He had no lofty goals within Starfleet, he was happy as long as he was at the helm, keeping Ulaini's dream alive by piloting out to worlds unknown, spreading the hope of the federation to those that were oppressed and wanted a better life. He had expected to be an Ensign longer, but it would seem with his new ship to helm, he would have more responsibility as well. He didn't mind, his work ethic was strong, however he only hoped his promotion wouldn't take him away from his helmsman duties too much. He was excited to helm the "Oumuamua again. When he had taken manual flight control she had handled like a dream. (( Some time later that evening, Senior Officers Quarters, Deck 4, USS ‘Oumuamua )) After the ceremony finished, Ulasso walked through the door to his quarters. He took his Silver Star off and looked at it, replaying the events of Okaea in his head once again before carefully placing it in a display box. As he was about to change into his bed clothes, a gown and nightcap, he was interrupted by a chirp from the communications panel. He wondered who would be calling him so late...perhaps someone in a different time zone. He looked at the incoming communications request and his heart sunk. He wanted more than anything to hold onto the feelings of pride and satisfaction from the evening's awards ceremony and go straight to sleep with pleasant thoughts in his head, however he couldn't deny the part of him that had been nurtured on his home world. He had been trained not to refuse this man that was calling him, his father. He accepted the call and the image of his father appeared on the communications panel. Black eyes that seemed to stare directly into Ulasso's soul, scars across the older Saurian's face and hardened lines from long years of the grueling Saurian Warrior Caste life. His father looked at Ulasso, and as far as Ulasso could tell the man showed no emotion at seeing him. Zezgee: Hello son, It's been awhile. How have you been? Ulasso had been prepared for the worst, however his father seemed to be in a good mood considering. Maybe this was a time for reconciliation. Ulasso: I'm doing well sir. Actually, I just received a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. Ulasso watched as his father laughed out loud. Ulasso's 4 hearts dropped, and all his pride from that night's awards ceremony was gone in an instant. His father stopped laughing and spoke to him in a condescending tone. Zezgee: If my knowledge of the StarFleet chain of command is correct, that is what...second from the bottom? At home you would be a prince, you must stop this nonsense. Ulasso: It's not nonsense, Father. I was recognized for saving lives and my skill as a helmsman as well. These pips show my promotion. Zezgee: Ulasso you are 14 years old, a fully grown adult male Saurian and you are still playing dress up as a Star Fleet officer. You always acted like a child and I see that hasn't changed. That yellow uniform you are wearing is an embarrassment compared to the Saurian Empire uniform you should be wearing. Worse, the color matches your coward's eyes. The insult of Ulasso's eye color was nothing new. He had learned a long time ago growing up to not let it bother him. He had mental calluses formed from his father as well, and he didn't want him to think he had gotten to Ulasso. He grabbed a glass of water he had prepared near his bedside and took a sip before speaking again. taking time to make sure he was in control. UIasso: Is there something you want, father? It is quite late here. Zezgee: I want you to come home and take your place as the rightful heir to lead the clan. You owe us that seeing as your sister's death was your fault and there is no one else to take over. All of Ulasso's work to remain calm, all the years he had for practice meant naught in that moment. His father had always known how to set him off balance in the end, and it would seem this time would be no different. His grip on the glass of water tightened. Ulasso: ::pleading:: Father, please...don't Zezgee: She loved you most. She would have listened to you. If you had only corralled her wild thoughts like I instructed you too, she would still be with us. Ulasso:::angered outburst:: YOU WERE THE ONE THAT EXILED HER The glass shattered in Ulasso's hand. Blood seeped from a cut on his hand. He took the remaining bottom of the glass and threw it as hard as he could. It shattered into his display case that he had just put his medal into. Ulasso ran over to the case and inspected the medal. He was relieved to see it wasn't damaged. He focused on the medal, and its significance. It showed he was in the right place, he was saving lives, and working to spread Ulaini's dreams. He gathered himself and returned to the communications panel where his father waited, emotionless. Blood dripped from Ulasso's hand onto the floor, but he didn't notice. Zezgee: I see you still have not learned to control your emotions. Still a child as I said Ulasso. Ulasso: I never silenced Ulaini because she was right. She would have never taken her life if you hadn't punished her so severely, you won't put that on me. Your backward way of thinking is antiquated. Star Fleet is open minded, and it is where I belong. Ulasso couldn't imagine going back to the strict, religious ways of the Saurian Warrior Caste. You didn't question tradition, now matter how much their species had evolved. Unlike Saurians as a whole that had embraced the Federation, he had been raised in an order that preserved the ancient Saurian way of life. Ulaini had opened his mind, and Star Fleet had been his escape. Zezgee: Don't forget Ulasso, I have friends in high places, even at Star Fleet. I can make life very hard for you there. Ulasso: I've never backed down from a challenge, father. Do your worst. With that Ulasso ended the call. He walked to the window and watched the stars. Ulaini would love the sight. She used to drag Ulasso out of bed, ignoring his protests that they had training early in the morning. They would lay in the fields at night and watch the stars, and she would talk about traveling to them someday. He wished he could swap places with her, but doing right by her would have to do instead. He swore to himself that he would become the finest helmsman Star Fleet had ever seen and make her proud. With that he laid in his bed, however sleep evaded him for the rest of the night. [End Shore Leave for Ulasso] Lt. JG Ulasso (HCO) Officer USS 'Oumuamua T239902U11

OOC: The latest in a series from @Arys chronicling the past of her NPC, Ferri. I'm really enjoying this storyline! IC: ((Somewhere on Cardassia Prime)) ((Time Index: four years ago)) Even in her dazed state, Ferri noticed that the room behind it was very different, and reminded her of a teacher's office, kept in warm natural colours. There was a desk, a shelf with PADDs, and two sofas facing each other, with a low table in between. The large window allowed a view into a luscious garden and bathed the room in sunlight. It was comfortably warm here, and the scent of freshly brewed Redleaf tea filled the room. Garo: Ezak. Unhand her. Ferri had been so taken in by the room that she hadn't noticed the man who had sat by the sofa and was now making his way towards them. He was tall, dressed in a neat and expensive-looking tunic, and wore a frown of disapproval. It took the young woman a moment to realise that said frown was aimed at the other man, Ezak, and not at Ferri. Ezak nodded and let go of her, and a moment later he had left through the door that had brought them here. The man's sharp gaze softened as he regarded Ferri, his voice calm and almost comforting as he spoke. Garo: Ferri, is it? Come on, have a seat. ::he motioned towards the sofa:: My name is Garo. She nodded, though not out of agreement. Ferri didn't want to talk to the strange man. Ferri had tried to talk, but they had left her in that room for days or weeks - she didn’t know. She neither knew where she was, nor how long she had spent in maddening silence, with huger and thirst gnawing at every fibre of her being. Garo seemed to notice her hesitation and reached for her hand. He didn’t pull her, but instead, he gently but firmly led her to the sofa and sat her down. The material was some kind of leather, cool and soft to the touch. Here in this pristine room, Ferri became aware of how disgusting she was. She hadn't showered ever since she arrived here. Her hair was matted and greasy, and her wrinkled clothes hung from her thin frame. She was ashamed, and just about ignored the need to apologise for being so disgusting. Garo: Do you know why you are here, Ferri? His voice was soft as he spoke, and Ferri observed him making his way to the replicator sitting by the side of his desk. Emlott: Because... of Irrot and Nal. Those were the names of the two men Ferri had killed, and she wasn't at all surprised that the authorities knew. She had never planned to get away with it. She had never planned for them to die. Garo: That is correct, Ferri. ::to the replicator:: Irmok-tea, sweetened. Not too hot. A moment later a cup of bitter-tasting liquid materialized, and Garo carried it over to Ferri, setting it down in front of her before taking a seat opposite of her. Garo: When did you decide to kill those two men? There was no accusation in his voice. Emlott: I didn't.. I.. She reached for the mug, wrapping her hands around it, and soaking up its warmth. It was an acquired taste, but it was something to drink, and despite its temperature, she gulped it down greedily. Garo waited until she had finished before he spoke again, still calmly, a gentle correction rather than admonishment. Garo: Please don't lie to me. Emlott: I didn't mean to kill them… I just wanted information… Garo: What happened? He waited, and as Ferri did not reply, he got up and crossed the room to get something from his desk. Upon his return, he placed a small metal box on the table between them, and opened it. Garo: You used one of these, didn't you? Ferri nodded. The chip-sized modulator was referred to as an Enhancer. Once attached, it was designed to target an area of the brain that contained not only the masterplan of a Cardassian's physiology, but also stored their deepest anxieties. Garo: What do you know about them? Emlott: … I know they are called Enhancers. I.. ::she swallowed hard. She had seen the device in action - would Garo use it on her?:: I… know it targets the primal nexus with neutrinos that mimic stimuli requesting information for repair after an injury. It causes panic attacks. They... they are torture devices. The Obsidian Order used them to gain information. Garo: How did you hear about them? Emlott: They were mentioned in a history course I took. She hadn’t even liked the teacher much, or paid particularly much attention to the class. The idea of an Enhancer had stuck with her because of a joke a friend had made - something about using one to figure out if her partner was cheating. Ferri had laughed it off, and yet, she had remembered it when she was in need of a tool to gather information. Garo: And how did you get one? Emlott: I… had a friend, his family owns a small collection of items from before the war. Books and… some maps… paintings. He told me how to get in touch with someone collecting and selling those items. I got it from there. He responded with a frown, and reached for his own cup of tea, savouring the taste before replying. Garo: Could you just purchase it? It must have been expensive. Emlott: I... stole it. Garo raised furrowed his brows, and for a moment he seemed almost impressed at the statement. For a moment it seemed like he was going to inquire further, but then his line of questioning returned to the issue at hand. Garo: What happened then? Ferri once more remained silent. She had gone through the events of that evening again and again and again, and she felt guilty for not regretting what she had done. She had sought out Nal and Irrot, the two men associated with the disappearance of her sister Kara. After almost a year of preparing, she had managed to circumvent their house's security systems and tried to force them to tell her what they had done to the girl. But Enhancers were a tool of ‘last resort', when other means of sensory destabilisation had failed. In the hands of someone not trained to use them, their use could easily result in a brain bleed. Garo: I will make a guess. You used them, and those men died. But you didn't want that. You wanted information about your sister. Emlott: ::nodding:: Y-... yes... Ferri felt tears welling up in her eyes, and was too tired to hold them back. She barely noticed Garo getting up, until he sat down next to her, and to her surprise, his voice was compassionate as he spoke. Garo: Did you find out anything? Emlott: They-... Irrot just... screamed and... I tried to do it better the next time, but Nal said he couldn't remember.... and... then he started crying but it was blood and.. and.. Garo: So it was all for nothing. ::he sighed, and then added:: Is that why your father and his wife didn't want to visit you here? Do you think he is disappointed in you? With that, Garo voiced what Ferri had always feared. Her father, Arla, had become distant after Kara’s disappearance, and he blamed her for giving the younger of the two girls the impression that taking a skimmer to visit her sister was okay. Had she not done so, Kara wouldn’t have run away from home. If she had not done so, those men would never have found her alone. Kara would still be alive. Ferri held her breath, wrapping her arms around herself, and squeezed her eyes shut. It hurt. Thinking about it hurt so much that she felt her very being breaking apart. She didn’t see Garo regarding her thoughtfully, and then nodding to himself as if a decision had been made. But she felt him pulling her into an embrace that gave her the stability she so much needed. Garo: I understand. I’m sorry you didn’t find out anything. I know what it’s like to lose family. He held Ferri, despite the fact that she was dirty and disgusting, despite the fact that she had hurt people, despite the fact that she had a year to prepare, and still failed to surface any information about Kara. Garo allowed her to calm down, before he inquired further. Garo: Her disappearance was a year ago. have you been looking for her all that time? At first, Ferri didn’t answer, but after further encouragement, she wiped her tears away. Emlott: Yes. Garo: I am curious. How did you get into Nal’s apartment? They had an alarm system if I recall correctly. Emlott: I … circumvented it. I looked for the blueprints… they were… new buildings, some still for purchase. The… one underneath it… it was empty and.. Garo: Did you have help? Ferri shook her head. Anyone who might have helped her, did so unknowingly. She didn’t want them to get into trouble. Garo: That is impressive. ::he sighed:: I would like to hear more about that, but I fear that's all the time I have for you right now. Ferri’s eyes widened. Was he sending her back into that horrible room, to rot there for days, forgotten, with only her own voice for company? Garo seemed to guess what she was thinking. He let out another sigh, and took her hand. Garo: I will do what I can for you, Ferri, as long as you cooperate. I can speak to Ezak to not be so harsh to you. Garo got up, and walked over to the shelf with PADDs on it. He picked one out, looked at it, placed it back, and got another one. Garo: ::approaching Ferri and handing her the PADDs:: Here, something to read. They are my favourite works of literature, I would be curious to learn how you like them. As if called by an unsaid command, the door opened and once more Ezak stepped inside, wearing the same sneering disdain on his features. Garo: I’ve decided to allow Ferri some books to read. Ezak grunted a ‘As you wish’ and grabbed Ferri’s arm, pulling her to her feet once more. Garo: ::to Ferri:: Be good. It might take a while, but we will talk again as soon as I can arrange it. Ferri just about managed a weak nod before she was dragged out of the door. TBC Ferri Emlott Cardassian Visitor Starbase 118 Ops J239809TA4

Congratulations everyone! Well done!

OOC: Prologue to our mission, which will be @Wes Greaves practical. The tension between his character and Kel has been building for a while and I love that we get to see how they are goint to work through this! Also...so many good tidbits in this. IC: ((First Officer’s Office, Deck 2, USS ‘Oumuamua)) Three months and twelve days had passed since the ‘Oumuamua had transited the wormhole back into the Gamma Quadrant. In that time the Luna class and her crew had conducted one first contact, six diplomatic follow ups with various species, and generally shown the Federation flag about the quadrant. While they were primarily on a mission of scientific exploration, the ship had been directed on more than one occasion to follow-up on some task Starfleet Headquarters had deemed vital. It was a routine occurrence across the fleet for ships to be selectively retasked for specific missions, but normally that burden was spread across hundreds of vessels in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. With the ‘Oumuamua being one of only a handful of ships in the Gamma, and the most capable at that, she was the Admiralty’s go-to choice. Which was exactly how Wes had found himself in the situation he was in. Starfleet Headquarters had decided that diplomacy with the United Dominion of Planets was priority number one for the quadrant as the Federation attempted to determine whether the UDP was starting down a path to a Second Dominion War. In that regard they had tasked Commodore V’Airu personally with attending diplomatic talks with the UDP. She wouldn’t be alone, but some four star admiral somewhere had determined that V’Airu, with her wartime record and first contact experience was the ideal person to chair the Federation’s newest team. That was where the ‘Oumuamua was headed to. The predicament the Marine found himself in however didn’t end with a run of the mill diplomatic mission. No, the ‘Oumuamua was specifically ordered to not be present during talks. It was to be a show of goodwill toward the UDP. They would drop the Commodore off for several days to a week to lead the talks while her ship sailed off into the black without her, continuing a mission of exploration. And that was how Wes was to find himself in command of a starship yet again. In the very same quadrant that he’d nearly lost his last command. Hell, it was only lightyears from the same planet the Thor had been ambushed. That wasn’t what was on his mind just yet though. The ‘Oumuamua was a day out from the peace talks and Wes still needed to pick someone on the senior staff to serve as the acting First Officer. It was that question which he was currently wrangling with. With the crew relatively new to the ship still, he wanted to make an impartial decision. Counselor Brodie had immediately jumped to mind, but Wes ultimately had rejected the idea. Alex was more than a capable officer, and that was the problem. They were on a routine mission and this was a prime opportunity to introduce command to some of the newer officers. Peri had also come to mind but Wes shut that idea down just as fast. The two of them had a long running personal relationship which Wes still couldn’t exactly figure out what to call it. He didn’t want to appear like he was playing favorites with the choice. Whoever took the temporary duty would… well it would look good in their service record. The decision he finally had made was one which he struggled with. V’Len Kel. The animosity which they shared hadn’t faded one bit since the near destruction of the Thor. Wes had come to respect the Doctor’s passion for service to the crew, but he just disagreed with many of the man’s judgment calls. The past several months had convinced the XO that Kel felt the same way toward him. Every time they’d worked together it had been like mixing oil and water. This opportunity fit too well though. Kel still hadn’t been made the ship’s CMO yet, but he was a fine officer who clearly showed leadership capabilities. The Doctor also dabbled heavily in the sciences as a hobby. Especially in fungi and plants, which was a massive part of what they came across in their mission to explore. Their time away from Commodore V’Airu was expected to be short and low threat. It served as the perfect mission for Kel to cut his teeth in a command position. And yet Wes still felt unease about the decision. Regardless, it had been made, and Kel was already on the way to his office for Wes to break the news. (First Officer's Office, Deck 2, USS Oumuamua)) V'Len Kel's antennae were twitching at a rapid pace and the doctor was forced to lean against the wall to avoid falling over. The summons from Greaves had come, not from by the standard audio comms system, but rather the text based message system. This suggested an air of secrecy and V'Len suspected a confrontation. Now standing in the hallway outside the Major's office V'Len tried to steel himself for whatever fiasco was coming. It had started months ago with a medical exam that had gone awry. V'Len had accused Greaves of being reckless and while V'Len had honestly just been worried about a friend and mentor, it had not been his best bedside manner. Following that a full blow up when the Thor had been shot down over the ocean of Okaea and Kel and Greaves had disagreed on the best path to follow. V'Len wanted the Thor to lay low and make an escape in order to protect the injured and collect those who had escaped the ship during the crash. Greaves had been determined to bring the fight to the pirates who had sunk the Thor. After that Greaves had helped an injured Kel through an away mission and that might have allowed them to bury the hatchet; except the inquest into Greaves actions on the Thor had dredged up the previous conflict. Maneuvered into admitting he had considered removing Greaves from command V'Len was definitely out of the man's good graces. If Greaves in fact had good graces. The last 3 months had found them at odds in senior staff meetings from everything from away mission organization to training injuries to food at diplomatic functions. Kel: oO Maybe he wants an update on the training injuries? Did something happen to the Commodore? Maybe Greave was injured? Oo V'Len straightened up and quickly moved to the Major's office and activated the door chime. If the man was injured V'Len did not want to waste any time. The door burst open and V'Len cautiously moved into the room. Kel: Major? ::beat, looking around the room:: Are you injured? V'Len looked across the room and saw the man standing behind his desk. He appeared to be alright, but perhaps the man had injured his vocal chords. It would explain the text message. Wes, for his part, nodded in greeting but quickly registered a confused look as Kel asked about injuries. Shaking his head the Marine motioned toward the seat on the far side of the desk. Greaves: No, of course not. I’m fine. Have a seat. Kel: oO Greave's becoming mute was probably a lot to hope for. Oo I'm glad to see you're well. ::skeptically:: How can I be of assistance? There was something lingering in the Trilldorian’s tone that irked him. It brought up memories of the dripping sarcasm from Okaea, although in this case there wasn’t anything so overt. No, it was as if V’Len was annoyed at the summons. Greaves: I wanted to speak with you. Please sit (motioning again to the chair). Given that the man was not injured or ill, V’Len figured he’d been called in for a dressing down. There was no sense in beating around the bush. Kel: With all due respect Major let's dispense with the pleasantries. What do you want? Wes frowned again at the bluntness of the statement. So that was how it was going to be then. They wouldn’t ignore the animosity. Fine. Wes could work with that. He preferred it to tiptowing around it anyway. In his response the Marine dropped any sense of warmth in his voice. Greaves: You’re going to be the acting First Officer for the next week or so. V'Len visibly rocked and shook his head. He didn't quite have the words and a moment passed before he could speak. He knew he was a component officer but had no idea V’Airu thought so highly of him. It would have been nice for her to have asked in person, but no doubt she left administrative tasks to her XO and it brought a smile to Kel’s face to think Greaves had to be the one to deliver the news. Greaves: Lieutenant Kel…? V’Len shook his head and snapped back to reality. Kel: ::smiling:: Tell the commodore it would be my honor. (beat) And where are you off to? Some kind of marine training on a swamp world? oO That would be right up your alley. Oo For a beat Wes wasn’t sure what Kel meant until it dawned on him that V’Len misunderstood. The doctor wouldn’t be filling in for him. He’d be helping Wes as the Marine filled in for the Commodore. Greaves: I’m not going anywhere. The Commodore is going to be off ship. Kel: :; eyes wide:: Wait! (beat) You want me to be YOUR first officer? While V’Len had not known the Major to have a sense of humor, surely this was some kind of prank. Not being an Aenar V'Len had no idea whether Greaves was telling the truth or not. He gave Greaves an incredulous look. He walked across the room and then back. Greaves: (Serious tone) Yes, that’s what I’m asking. Kel: You’re serious right now? I don’t know if you’ve kept up on current events but we’re not exactly oO how would the terrans say it Oo peanut butter and jelly right now. Surely there's a better candidate. Even as the words left V’Len’s mouth he thought about Lt. Katsim, but knew she and Greaves had some kind of "thing" going on. It moved at a glacial pace, but it was there nonetheless. Kel made a note to look at the work Dr. Bashir had done to assist Commanders Worf and Dax. Perhaps he'd need to produce Terran/Cardassian/Bajoran babies in the future. Greaves: There are more qualified candidates, absolutely. Lieutenant Commander Brodie for instance. But no, you’re the best candidate. V’len gave the man another cryptic stare. Kel: Is this your idea of a joke? (beat) Or is this some kind of test? Wes sighed heavily and finally moved to the chair behind his desk. V’Len could stand if he wanted, but Wes was going to sit for this. Hell, a stiff drink might even be needed to get through the rest of the conversation. Greaves: V’Len, no one is messing with you. Have a seat for god’s sake. We’re here to discuss. This isn’t a test, it's an opportunity. V’Len slowly sat down in the seat in front of the Major’s desk. Greaves was serious. He was offering V’Len the opportunity to be second in command of a starship. It was the perfect trap. Kel: So how exactly is it you’re getting to be Captain of the Oumuamua? oO I hope this isn’t the mirror universe Greaves. Though how would you tell? Oo Wes shook his head, a little more intensely than he’d intended. Kel’s tone and general demeanor was still antagonistic and it irked him. Wes was a senior officer. His First Officer at that even, and the overarching theme of their interaction was that of mistrust and disrespect. He was starting to doubt this was a good idea, but it was the best one he had, and the Marine forged ahead. Greaves: Commodore V’Airu is being dispatched to lead a diplomatic team to the UDP. That leaves me in command and I need an acting First Officer. You, despite my… Wes paused in his speech, deciding that what would have come next didn’t need to be said. With a deep sigh, he changed directions. Greaves: Nevermind… You have the capability and this experience would look great on your record when it comes time for future promotion or assignment. Damn him. If V’Len turned down the offer it would look like he did not want command or could not “play well with others”. If he said “yes” and he could not get along with Greaves, which would be very hard to avoid, he would also be blocked from command. It was a lose/lose and Greaves had set it up perfectly. He was good…very good. Kel: So you honestly think you and I can command a starship together? You have no reservations in light of recent events? Greaves: Damn right I have reservations. I’m pretty sure that inquiry was clear enough in that regard, but if you need it said out loud, I have a really hard time trusting you. You openly questioned me during a critical moment of command, and more importantly, you considered relieving me of command, not for a medical reason, but because you disagreed with me. The harsh words rushed forth in a torrent, reminding Wes how angry he still was about the situation. Each time he’d been given distance from the catastrophe of Okaea, something ripped the wound open. First the inquiry, now this conversation. He wanted nothing more than to put the whole thing behind him, and yet others kept dragging him back. V’Len for his part looked down momentarily. He had honestly hoped to minimize the disagreement on the Thor as much as possible. The Androian prosecutor, Ress, had asked him a question point blank and V’Len felt compelled to tell the truth. It had not helped Wes’ position though thankfully he remained XO of the Oumuamua. Kel: ::sighing:: I am sorry about the inquest. It was not my shining moment. He stopped talking for the moment and looked around the office hoping something would break the tension. Wes sighed deeply as V’Len’s gaze shifted away. Greaves: V’Len, I’m making this offer because this (motioning between the two of them) can’t stay like it is. I can’t be this ship’s first officer constantly wondering if you’re going to try to usurp me or challenge my authority again. Consider this an olive branch. Greaves wasn’t wrong, but a blatant bribe? Kel: So you’re trying to buy my loyalty by making me XO? I get a gold star on my record and you get my unquestioning support in the future? Greaves: (Snort of sarcastic laughter) I’d sooner transfer one of us before trying to buy you off. It’d be easier anyway. That’s not what I’m talking about. (Sigh) Let me spell it out; V’Len, I want to fix whatever this is going on between us before we have another Okaea. This is the best idea I could come up with to rebuild some trust? Unless you have a better idea… V’Len considered for a moment. Being CMO was already further than he expected to get in Starfleet at this point in his career. He liked…no, he loved being CMO so even if it was a trap and limited his future mobility, he was happy enough where he was. If it was a joke, that would be harder to live down, but he’d had siblings embarrass him before. Kel: Ok. O.k. I’ll do it. I'll be your first officer. Do we need to set some kind of ground rules or something? Greaves: I can’t have you openly opposing me. Plain and simple. Kel: :: incredulous and chuckling:: Oh come on. I can’t possibly promise not to question your orders. I thought that was the whole point of a first officer. And before you ask I also can’t promise to remove you from command. If you were injured what choice would I have? Wes pushed back away from the desk a few inches and rolled his neck from side to side. This conversation was giving him a headache. He had to admit though, the doctor had a point. That was one of the roles of the First Officer. It just required tact, something V’Len had shown a considerable lack of while interacting with him in the past. Greaves: Fine. You of course have the right… no, the responsibility to replace me in command if it comes to that… honestly, I don’t feel good trusting you in that judgment, but I’m going to anyway. This won’t work otherwise. Kel: If it makes you feel better I’m not sure I’m ready to be captain, so it's very unlikely I’m going to remove you unless it's absolutely necessary. Greaves: Fair enough. I doubt anything like that will come up, but if it does, you know you have the authority. No mutinies though. Nodding, V’len tried to think of something to assure the Major and himself that this wouldn’t end in flames for both of them. Kel: What if we agree that as far as possible we’ll vet any disagreements in the ready room? Away from the rest of the crew. Wes thought about it for a second. That was how he’d dealt with things in the past with Commodore Kells, and while it hadn’t come up on the ‘Oumuamua, it’s how he’d handled it on the Nashira with Commodore V’Airu. Greaves: I’ll one up you. I may regret saying this but… I challenge you to poke holes in my plans when we’re in private. Just make sure we’re in private. It can’t look like we’re not on the same team in front of the crew. Give me your honest opinions and I promise to take them seriously… but once a decision is made, even if you disagree, I need you to roll with it and support me. I got us off Okaea in the end. Trust me enough that I know what I’m doing. Kel: ::nodding:: Fair enough. Perhaps we could have a safe word. So that if things are getting too heated we both know to step away. Take a time out if you like. Wes let out a short laugh until he realized Kel was serious. Greaves: A… safe… word? Kel: We could use the word “dapple”. The look on Greave’s face told V’Len that the Major was unlikely to use the word ever. Greaves: (Sarcastically) I’m sure that’ll flow nicely into natural conversation. Kel: O.k. What’s your safe word then? He thought for a moment, trying to think of something but his mind was blank. He went with the first thing that popped into his mind, which was not a very strong candidate. Greaves: Code red? Kel laughed out loud. Kel: ::chuckling:: Why don’t we just say “warp core breach” instead? ::thinking:: How about a number? Say 47? Greaves: I can see it now. (In a command voice) Helm, make your course three four four mark four seven. (normal voice) Might look weird with you running to the ready room at that command. Wes visualized the scene in his head, bridge lights at red alert, some threat displayed on the viewscreen and the crew intently working at their stations.., then Doctor Kel sprinting from his chair to the ready room ready to argue some point. The whole idea cracked him up and the two broke into laughter. The laughing had been more therapeutic than V’Len remembered. He felt more at ease and the Major seemed more at ease as well. Kel: Two questions. Do I have to wear red and when do I start? Wes glanced down at his own uniform, still crested in Marine Corps green, and grinned. Greaves: If I’ve been able to get away keeping this uniform on, then you’re free to keep that one… unless you want to wear red. Up to you. Just make your decision today. Kel: That soon eh? I assume you’ll want me to make Toz acting CMO. I can’t wear too many hats. Geaves: Don’t get too carried away. I still have four jobs. Security, Tactical, MARDET, and First Officer. You can do both, you just won’t be able to see patients regularly while you're filling in. Kel: So do we have an actual mission? Does it involve pirates? V’Len realized he probably should have asked that question first, but it was too late and how would Greaves know anyway. Greaves: (Snort of laughter) No, nothing so dramatic. It’s just a continuation of our current mission. The Federation doesn’t think that having a multi mission explorer hovering over the UDP talks looks good. Kel: The Oumuamua pack a bit of a punch so having it overhead during talks probably sends the wrong message. Greaves: Pretty much. They don’t want to look intimidating or overcommitted. Basically, we’re dropping the Commodore off, then going away somewhere. Kel: So we look for a nice cozy astro phenomenon to spend time with for a few days? Greaves: I want to stay relatively close, but otherwise we’re to continue exploring. Strange new worlds and all of that. Actually, there’s an interesting nebula a short hop away that the Federation hasn’t charted yet… Kel: Or and I’m just throwing this out there we could consider looking for a world with a nice sunny beach. I missed out on Bora Bora. The two men laughed again. V’Len stood up and shook the Major’s hand. He found himself hoping the plan worked and somehow they would be more amicable after the experience. Kel: Thanks Major (beat) for the opportunity. I’ll do my best not to let you down. Greaves: (Nodding) Thanks Doctor. With that V’Len headed out the door. [End] JP by: ========================= Major Wes Greaves Executive Officer Marine Detachment Commander USS ‘Oumuamua E239702WG0 & Lieutenant V’Len Kel Chief Medical Officer USS Oumuamua NCC-81226 T239811VK2 He/Him (character and player) =========================

*dies laughing*

Who's the bard? I hope you have a cleric in the party.

This is just THE perfect name.

OOC: Sometimes what happens in a mission can have lasting effects and our characters have to work through them. IC: (( Holosuite 2, Deck 6, Main Hull, USS Oumuamua )) Basilia: Just trying to get in some extra training. Can never be too prepared. Isabelle had failed on her last mission. Many people got injured under her watch, something that was never supposed to happen. Something that she would do everything to prevent again. Greaves: That’s true, but you can be overtrained. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. What’re you working on? Basilia: Close quarters drills sir. Greaves paused and turned his attention towards the ocean that surrounded the outpost. It completely surrounded the outpost, the occasional glimmer as the sun reflected off the surface. There was the gentle sound of water splashing against the outpost and light breeze flittered through, brushing Isabelle’s hair against her face. Greaves: (Motioning to the ocean) This is Okaea isn’t it? Her eyes fell to the floor, Isabelle’s cheeks flush once again. After a brief moment, she met the Major’s gaze. Basilia: Yes sir. Greaves nodded solemnly, and from his expression Isabelle knew what was coming next. The Major gestured towards a nearby section of the wall that would provide relief from the hot sun. Greaves: Ensign, why don’t we sit down and talk. Isabelle followed Wes and joined the Major as he tapped the ground next to him, indicating she should sit. Greaves: What’re you really doing here? You’re supposed to be relaxing on leave. Recharging your batteries. A heavy sigh slipped from her lips as she fought back her emotions. She had to be professional in front of the Major, her future was already in enough jeopardy after her performance on the actual Okaea Outpost. She struggled to meet his gaze as she spoke. Basilia: As I said, training sir. Greaves: Response Isabelle struggled to keep her composure and her lip began to quiver as she spoke. Basilia: I let them down. Commodore Kells, Lieutenant Richards, Ensign Toz. What happened on Okaea was my fault. I was part of the security detail and I failed. I should have done more. Isabelle looked to the Major, her eyes red and swollen as she fought back the tears. It was the first time she had spoken about how she was feeling about the mission and her facade was starting to crack. Greaves: Response Basilia: I joined security as I was to help protect people, but on my first away mission I failed to do that. The team was injured and captured because of me. Greaves: Response Ensign Isabelle Basilia Security Officer USS ‘Oumuamua T239812IB4

It's all about the mushrooms.

OOC: I feel so bad for @Ulasso! IC: ((Sickbay, Deck 7, USS Oumuamua) Ulasso and his care team watched as Kel presented his findings. Kel: The middle one here is how most of the lifeforms on this ship organize their DNA, as B-DNA. This little guy ::pointing back at the image from Ulasso's nose:: has Z-DNA like on the right. Zale: Z-DNA. B-DNA’s left-handed brother ::laughs:: either way, it's been shown to increase genetic instability with its different structure, it's a bit wonky, but maybe that gives us some wiggle room with maybe manipulating this thing in some way. Katsim: It also plays a role in genetic expression and immune response. Katsim: Could we use that? Perhaps disrupt the protein synthesis and target the enzymes… Katsim: I guess it wouldn’t be the standard since it’s Z-DNA rather than the more common B-DNA… Ulasso: Any way you can get to the point Doc? Time seems to be of the essence. Ulasso was starting to think these scientists and his old friend would chat all day about their theories until Ulasso was a zombie. He was so nervous and scared that without Toz's aesthetic he would probably need to be strapped to the bio bed. Doctor Toz seemed like she got straight to the point. He liked that. Kel: ::nodding:: That's right, different DNA structure, different enzymes for replication. We need a compound that will block those enzymes and slow the creature's growth and maybe even shrink it. Toz: Shrink it? That would allow it to burrow into the nasal cavity deeper. Deeper than it’s already traveled. Why was there always something worse than could happen with every proposed solution? To Ulasso, this was maddening. Zale: We don't want this little dude to go spelunking all through Ulasso ::chuckles:: You think the brandy will alter it somehow? Or maybe put it in some type of stasis or coma, then we can go from there? Katsim: It’s not that simple. Katsim: Perhaps I’m wrong, but if we were to address the matter of cellular replication of the creature in order to inhibit that and target it’s specific processes so that it would eventually die, we would need to target something, like…like it’s mRNA and prevent protein synthesis and… Ulasso: Are we any closer to getting this thing out of my head? Ulasso contemplated if he would even be himself anymore if the creature could take control of him. Would it eat or drain his brain away, so there was no way to recover him? Would he lose his memories of his sister? Every day it already seemed harder to picture her face, and he couldn't stand to lose what memories he had of her. Ulasso still had so much to live for, he had to live for Ulaini's dream, and for those that had died on the Thor. He had that revelation while talking with Alex. He wasn't ready to die yet, however the thought of the creature remaining inside him and taking what made him, "him" was even more terrifying. Kel: Yes, but we may not need to examine millions of compounds because Saurian Brandy is made from Saurian wine which is made from Saurian Grapes and a fungus that infects those grapes, Plasmopara viticola, has Z-DNA to carry its genomic information. The grapes have developed a natural compound to defend against the fungus. I think the Brandy flush could actually inhibit the things growth and that can buy us time. Time to reach out to Okaea. ::looking at the analyzer screen again:: This little guy is also pumping out a load of psychotropic agents. I'm not sure what happens if we rip it out. We may want to slowly kill it instead. Ulasso couldn't believe the Brandy really was a possible solution...and of course his friend had known about the fungi. Zale: Interesting, Doctor. Wine, booze, and so on, has been used in the past for medicinal purposes, so I am not surprised if this works, but I am not a saurian wine aficionado, but that makes sense. I say it’s definitely worth a try, ripping it as we mentioned might be too risky, and who knows what this critter can do when he is threatened or is yanked from its host. Oh, and the whole psychotropic agent kind of freaks me out, this little guy is basically a psilocybin sea anemone trapped inside Ulasso’s nose!? He seems okay right now ::staring at Ulasso:: I would assume he would be on cloud 9 or hallucinating, no? Kel: Response Ulasso: I have been experiencing hallucinations, I recently saw Counselor Brodie about them, I thought they were solely trauma/lack of sleep related. Toz: For the medical record, I’m against it. But for the scientific record, I agree with Katsim and Zale. It's worth a chance. We can monitor every step. ::pause:: Be careful, Dr. Kel. Ulasso remembered that Toz had pointed out that the brandy and anesthetic could kill him as well. He assumed they were considering a lower dose. Death by Saurian Brandy...there were worse ways for Ulasso to go, he mused, the anesthetic clouding his mind once again. Zale: What if it fails, and something goes awry? Do we have a plan b or some type of fail-safe? I assume the brandy in the nasal cavity won’t cause much harm to Ulasso, but what if this creature has some type of weird adverse side-effect to it or it somehow causes it to..how can you say, freak out? I suppose the risk outweighs not doing anything. Zale: Sorry, if I sound hesitant, I just get nervous when things come down to the wire, making decisions can be difficult, in the science world, not so much, in terms of medical procedures, yes. That saying comes to mind, hope for the best, plan for the worst. Katsim: What about a stasis field? Zale: That is a good idea, Katsim. Keep it in limbo, or maybe…no, nevermind::waving the idea away:: Ulasso was fighting through the anesthetic side effects to remain in the conversation. It was his health they were discussing and he wanted to make his feelings known and considered. Ulasso: I don't know how I am supposed to be able to perform my duties if this thing is left in my head, even in stasis. I would be in constant fear it would become active again. Kel/Toz: Response Katsim: It’s not ideal. Katsim: But it would prevent things from getting worse until we can find an answer. Kel/Toz: Response Ulasso: I just want it out. If the stasis doesn't work, every second it could be taking more of me. Doctor Toz had said it was draining me. Katsim: Could we take the DNA sample and run models to see what the reaction would be? Zale: That sounds like a good course of action; if we extract a DNA sample we can possibly find out how it will react with the brandy or some other substance, but if something adverse happens, no harm no foul to Ulasso, or the creature. But do we have time? We don't know what this life-form is capable of, yet. Kel/Toz: Response Ulasso: I'm not a doctor, however I would prefer a more immediate solution than prolonging this. Zale: All I can say Doctor, is that I'm just worried for Ulasso, I know you have to do the right thing, and ensure the procedure is not only safe, but effective, but we can’t wait forever. If this thing has other plans or can somehow self replicate or something of that effect, well, that would just spell disaster. To Ulasso, Ensign Zale was speaking perfect sense. It seemed she was aligned with his thinking. He was feeling more drained each minute, and it was hard for him to keep focused. He wanted to still be conscious when the decision was made about his care. Ulasso: I agree with Ensign Zale. Kel/Toz/Katsim: Response Zale: I am not trying to tell you how to do your job, Doctor, just kind of an edge here, it’s my first day, rattled nerves, stomach is in knots, not really an excuse, I know ::sigh::. Isn’t there a way we could put the creature to sleep with anesthesia? Then try and extract it, that’s if the DNA extraction and reaction yields…less than desirable results. I feel like it's a double-edged sword no matter what is attempted. Or what you making an incision, and then just pluck it out rather than try to rip it out of the nasal cavity? Everyone seemed a bit high strung, understandably Ulasso thought. This was supposed to be a time for relaxation for most of the crew, and here they were potentially facing life and death once again. Ulasso: As long as the creature is out and my mind is intact, I could care less about the method of extraction. Physical wounds will heal. Kel/Toz/Katsim: Response Zale: Ulasso, how you doing? Better, worse or the same? Ulasso was happy his new companion was taking the time to be concerned for his well being, and showing a bit of bedside manner as well. He believed that he remembered she had mentioned having a minor in medicine, that was showing. And all he had done to her was sneeze practically in her face before dragging her into all this. Ulasso felt it was time for action. He didn't know how much longer he could go on with this thing in his head, potentially taking his life or memories from him. Who knew what it was doing to him, and he wasn't about to lay here wasting away. There was one person in the room that had been ready to take action from the start. He was going to look to her. Ulasso: I don't think I'll be better until this thing is out of my head. V'Len, you are a great physician, but I worry our friendship could keep you on the conservative side of decision making. In addition, I know you aren't supposed to be seeing patients right now. Ensign Zale and Lt. Katsim, your knowledge has been invaluable. Ulasso paused, and then with resolve uttered the next part. Ulasso: However I want this creature removed, post-haste. ::turning to Toz:: Doctor Toz, will you please perform whatever intervention you deem necessary based on the data we have at hand? I will support whatever decision you make. I no longer want to wait to hear from Okaea, I think the message may arrive too late. Katsim/Toz/Kel: Responses Ulasso: I give my full consent for the treatment. Although I want Doctor Toz to perform it, It would make me feel better if all of you helped oversee the process. Your knowledge has greatly impressed me. I'll never forget what you all have done for me here today. Katsim/Toz/Kel/Zale: Responses Ulasso: If I don't make it, please notify my family on Lyaksti'kton. My mother will care, and my father, well, he will want to know. I don't have many possessions, however I will leave them all to V'Len if I perish. Ulasso paused once again, and then spoke the hardest part yet, A decision he had come to while everyone had been discussing the creature. Ulasso: One last thing, if this creature makes me...not Ulasso anymore...I do not wish to continue living. Katsim/Toz/Kel/Zale: Responses Ulasso summoned all of his courage, gritted his teeth, and prepared for the worst. He had got through the disaster that had been Okaea, and this was merely fallout from that. He could survive this as well, he had to. Ulasso: Let's get on with it. Katsim/Toz/Kel/Zale: Responses Ensign Ulasso (HCO) Officer USS 'Oumuamua T239902U11

I found this response just really amusing. 😄

Yes.

Tell us how you *really* feel.

Parenting 101 on Ops. Stay away from my kids.

I want to know that story. Backsim maybe? 😄

OOC: New PNPC from @Jack Kessler, and a great opening especially. I particularly liked the 'bouncing newborn... ((Officers' Mess Hall, Deck 4, USS 'Oumuamua)) Born in Portland, Oregon on Earth, TK Cabrillo was probably one of the most out of place crewmembers aboard the Oumuamua. At 28 years of age the man should have been a Lieutenant or Lieutenant Commander by this time. He and Starfleet had mixed feelings about one another, and he remained an Ensign because of those feelings. Cabrillo at one time had aspired to be a high-ranking officer in Starfleet, he had known what he wanted and had put himself on the path to get there. Then it happened, an incident in which Starfleet deemed him responsible for actions that he had no control over and the disciplinary action had cost him two promotions and any chance at ever holding a command position within Starfleet. Cabrillo looked out across the officer’s mess, imagining all of the hopes and aspirations these younger officers must have. Some might actually make it to higher ranks he thought to himself as he took a long-drawn sip of his drink. Why stay in Starfleet? He had asked that question a dozen times of himself and he always circled back around to the thought that at least in Starfleet he was not ever stuck in one place. Just stuck on one ship, well until the Executive Officer had had enough of him and then booted him to some half-updated Luna Class starship sent to the Gamma Quadrant on a half baked rescue mission with a skeleton crew. Brilliant thinking on Starfleet’s part again and of course this time someone decided it was a great idea to take this engineer and put him on the bridge with a Vulcan Commodore in the middle of a fight with a bouncing new baby Dominion of Planets. Cabrillo laughed internally at the thought of what Starfleet had just run into. The Klingons were old news, the Romulans scattered across the galaxy by a Super Nova, the Cardassian’s, the Breen; all enemies of the Federation that had somehow found themselves on the loosing end of their conflicts with the Federation. Now Starfleet ran all the way across the galaxy to the Gamma quadrant to bump into an old enemy only to find out that they were bringing a new threat to life and of course Starfleet would get into a fire fight right off the bat and now here we are, back in orbit of Earth, getting repaired, resupplied and new crew members from the fallen ship that got their butts handed to them by this bouncing baby. Again, great thinking Starfleet. Cabrillo took another long draw from his drink and emptied the glass. Cabrillo’s attention turned to the doors of the mess as a human female entered. Dark haired from what he could tell, wearing a headdress of some sort and certainly older than the younger crowd in the room at the moment. Her rank bore the insignia of Commander but Cabrillo had not heard of any new command officers coming aboard. To his surprise she seemed to look around the room and then made a direct line for him. Rouiancet: Excuse me, Ensign Cabrillo? May I join you? Standing as the officer spoke to him and motioning to the empty chair across the table from his own seat. Cabrillo: Please Commander ::beat:: have a seat. Rouiancet: Let me introduce myself: I'm Lia Rouiancet, newly assigned from Thor to 'Oumuamua as strategic operations officer. I've been wanting to meet you. There was a pause as she took her seat and Cabrillo followed suit. Rouiancet: I mean, I've wanted to meet several officers, including you. I imagine we'll work together. Cabrillo: I did not realize Stat-Ops worked with Engineering that much? I thought you guys were more about preparing for a conflict or working between Security and Tactical teams. He leaned forward on the table and twisted his empty class around a few times. Cabrillo: Or are you here to recruit me out of engineering? Rouiancet: Response Cabrillo studied the woman, her facial features, body language and gestures as she spoke. She was all Starfleet through and through to him. Maybe she was here to get the measure of him, see if he was worth keeping or getting rid of. He assumed that if she had read his service record she really wouldn’t want him on any part of a team she was part of. Cabrillo: Okaea? Yes, I was on the bridge during that fight. Really not sure I was the right person to have up there but nonetheless I was there. Rouiancet: Response The tone in her voice shifted and for a moment he felt his guard coming down. That stopped immediately and he threw it right back up. He smirked internally at how quickly she had almost gotten him to lower his guard around a command officer. Cabrillo: I’m sorry Commander, but I still don’t see what that has to do with me. Rouiancet: Response Tags Ensign TK Cabrillo Engineering Officer USS Oumuamua T239901JK1

What happened to TEAM work? 😛

Quips, quotes, advice, it all goes here! What's happening on the Oumuamua? And should we be afraid?

OOC: I love the enthusiasm! IC: ((Academy Grounds – Starbase 118)) oO So...tell me: please, Nella. Enlighten me. Tell me what we're doing, exactly. Tell it to me straight so's I can understand it better . . . Oo “ . . . so much to see” a young Iotian woman in a mint-condition dress uniform surveyed her faint reflection in a huge panel of glass creating an expansive portal into the open universe. This could also be described as a big window. The purest vacuum of space held all the beauty of the Trinity Sector in perfect stillness before her. Her dark-haired reflected figure carried a PADD as it matched her brisk stride in mirror-image, and the text: “ AWAITING ORDERS” bobbed in reverse on the device's bright display. Nella was attempting to practice reading backwards while moving, to pass the time. oO Am I actually doing it? Or am I just cheatin' because I know what it says . . . Oo Her heart was thumping like an obsolete warp core. The worst thing Nella could do for her current state of mind was remain idle and still, yet she paused a moment. Her faint mirror image stared with dark-blue eyes and placed an olive-skinned finger on the single yellow metal pip that now adorned her collar. It felt at once foreign and familiar. Graduation day. “Ensign” Nella Noxwyn. The new title was itself as pristine as the formal uniform Nella was issued this morning; exciting, tidy, rather uncomfortable, commanding more respect than a typical crewman or cadet. Ultimately, all Ensign Noxwyn could expect to feel as she broke into her role as a newly-minted security officer—the rigid, fresh-scented, unbroken baseball glove of her Starfleet career would eventually become a like second skin, her profession an extension of her life purpose. The pressures put on her yellow-banded shoulders would be as the mattresses sandwiching a new mitt, softening the leather, making it into something supple, flexible and familiar. Starfleet protocol was a bone-white baseball stuffed inside this glove, giving it shape and form and depth and meaning. A properly broken-in security officer was like an old baseball mitt; with proper care and attention, it could reliably catch anything a mind and body could. oO This picture of you in uniform fits like a glove... Well, a glove that fits well. Plenty of gloves that are too big or too small, fit on, but they don't fit. A glove that fits good, or well.. well.. I dunno... I haven't played baseball in a long time, and Feds all run the bases in the wrong direction... Oh! What am I talkin' about?! Oo Nella kept occupied as she paced along a narrow observation concourse roughly ten metres' distance from the noisy grouping of excited former cadets and entourage. In the vast window directly ahead of her, she paused again to observe the boundless expanse of space and light-emitting objects. Nella also noticed flashes from professional photography equipment interrupting the expansive pane of glass, lights from the Federation News Network team that milled about as they covered the ongoing celebrations behind her. A photographer over there ordered the computer to momentarily alter the ambient lighting. In the new mode, Nella now saw a near-perfect mirror image of the luminous scene of graduates in the reflecting glass. oO Never turn your back on a room—unless you can see behind you and you know where you're going Oo Echoes of one of few clear memories of 'something her father said' repeated in her mind as she waited. Then she thought more about him and swallowed down the memory like bile. oO Let's think of something else—anything else . . . uh, how was your morning, Nella? Oo Earlier, she had been on her way to a star ship—her first assignment. There had been an unexpected development: “Academy Grounds – Starbase 118. Wait for contact from leadership,” the new orders had come to her PADD over an hour ago. Nella wondered which cheery 'El-Tee-Jay-Gee' from the crowd behind her would emerge to feign a long-time familiarity with her, as humans often did in new and uncomfortable situations. Now she heard shouts and cheers and shrieks of glee from the crowd—perhaps the Academy's Parises Squares team had made a collective appearance at the graduation after their recent setback at the conference semi-finals; to massage their morale. oO I want nothin' to do with that drummering... Not my monkeys, not my circus... bunch of space cadets... Oo ::Ensign Noxwyn reflected a moment, facing a window:: The ambient lighting flickered back to its previous settings. “Thanks everyone!” someone shouted. There was a general cry of “Woo!”. Her head swung over to the sound of multiple approaching footsteps on deck-plating. A group of fresh young graduates approached Nella, one of whom broke forward at a rapid pace, and extended an arm toward her. She didn't recognize any of them. oO Finally! I was beginning to think these “new orders” were somebody's idea of a joke! Oo In the foreman-graduate's hand, he held a small device. It was for taking photos. He flashed a set of white teeth. “Hi! Can we take a picture?” his arm alternated between pointing at himself and a cluster of three other cadets of mixed species and gender, some of whom made eye-contact and waved at Nella. She realized immediately these were not the people she was waiting for. “Sure pal, you just have to believe in yourselves and you'll figure it out”, Nella squeezed his extended arm reassuringly before turning and escaping with a strong walk. oO I'd rather be outside in a space suit than in the middle of this racket. Scratch that—I just wanna get outta here. This waitin's for somebody with time to feed the birds! Oo Nella was about to split and head all the way over to administration to clarify her “new orders” with a superior but paused after having made it across the room from the window she had been beside. Nella raised her PADD and re-read the document containing her new orders. She didn't want to miss her first assignment because somebody behind a desk got wise and sent her to the wrong ship, even worse if somehow the mistake was of her own making! Taybrim: Ensign Noxwyn? A red-haired man a few inches shorter than she was had gotten the jump on her. The Commodore! He spoke in a warm, welcoming tone and smiled in a calm, reassuring manner. Very personable, very warm, as if he was just some lieutenant here to catch her up on things. oO . . . and the worst part about it is, he got the jump on me! Oo Taybrim: I wanted to welcome you to StarBase 118. His near-black irises twinkled like sunglasses at a card table. Noxwyn: You? . . . wanted to welcome me? . . . Sir? . . . Commodore? The quick-moving man waved her forward with an arm that seemed to be plotting their course and heading with an intangible sense of authority. They broke into a walking pace that was just a quarter-step faster than Nella's tried and true rhythm, on the edge of behind a light jog. They were heading somewhere fast. Well, you see, I requested a special placement for security and we are launching for our mission in the next seventy minutes. So I hope you’re ready for an adventure, Ensign? oO Seventy minutes?! Oo Noxwyn: ::her hand went to her hip and felt a noticeable lack of phaser:: I can't say that I'm packed, Commodore. Taybrim: I assure you, one of the most delightful things about immediately going on a mission is that some of the lovely housing officers will have everything moved to your new quarters, ready and waiting for you when you return. No fuss, no hassle, just walk in, unpack and enjoy. Noxwyn: ::with a hint of confusion:: Yes, sir. The pace he had set was brisk, but Nella was beginning to hit stride with the Commodore. It was manageable, but her gams would feel this tomorrow. ::looking at the Commodore's legs in stride:: oO And how much walking have those legs done?! Oo Taybrim: By your academy performance, Starfleet felt you were a perfect candidate for this position and this mission. ::His eyes were near-black enough to catch the glint of an overhead light as they passed beneath, causing them to appear to twinkle ::Which we’ll go over in more detail once we get underway. Noxwyn: Thank you, sir. Understood. ::appearing not to fully understand:: They had reached the main turbolift, and the same hand which commanded the entire Starbase ushered her inside the rapid conveyor that could take days, if not weeks, off a top-to-bottom journey through the immese spacedock. ((Main Turbolift, Ascending)) Commodore Taybrim worked the control panel for longer than was typically necessary to input a course for the lift. The computer made an atypical chirp, but it was an acknowledgement of whatever instructions the Commodore had given it. Taybrim: Don’t be alarmed. The mission we’re going on is classified and unfortunately our good deeds from the last few missions have made us a prime target of interest from many unsavory factions. And the Federation News Service. Noxwyn: Sir, I believe you said “don't be alarmed” and “prime target” in the same sentence. Nella almost felt like throwing up as she realized she had taken a more familiar tone with the Commodore than she probably should at this stage in her career. Worse, the turbolift activated and took them upward, faster than she ever knew turbolifts could go! She thought felt her heart hit her knees. There was a pain in her midsection, like a bubble that needed to be burst. Taybrim: We’re off to diffuse a bomb, Ensign. A cult faction has levelled a threat against the Federation and had a stolen tri-cobalt device in their possession. Noxwyn was about to speak, but was intruded upon by the sudden unsubtle sound of her own flatulence. Yes, it was a normal and natural response to sudden stress, but it was also in an elevator with the Commodore. This incident wouldn't likely be forgotten, but hopefully would remain just between them. Noxwyn: Well . . . shoot! :: looking to the Commodore in horror, her mind absent of anything else to say :: On the plus side, her stomach started to feel better. She felt worse about everything else. Especially the word “bomb”. A bomb had torn her childhood apart and probably killed her mother. Taybrim: Response

OOC: Don K, writer behind V'Len Kel has taken the NPC prosecutor in an inquiry into certain actions by Wes Greaves. I read this post and went 'wow'. Like Wes likes to say, he's "killing it". Great job! Oh, and I left his ooc comment because I thought it was amusing. 😄 IC: (OOC - If you hate this character then I'm doing my job. If you don't hate him let me know what it would take to make you hate him.) (( Conference Room, Deck One, USS ‘Oumuamua )) Walking into the room Ress ch'Reiji sat himself across the table from the advocate, a Bajoran woman who he hoped would zealously do her job. He had been given one clear objective by his benefactors who had manipulated him to be the prosecutor at this inquest. Discredit the Marines. The man himself, Major Was Greaves, was of no consequence and if he lost or kept his position it did not matter. What did matter was making sure public opinion turned against the use of marine detachments on Starfleet vessels. His benefactors came in two stripes, first the peaceniks types. Betazoids and Vulcans and the like who idealized the last century when Starfleet was a diplomatic and exploratory organization. A pan-galactic war and countless invasions later Starfleet had come to resemble so many groups it claimed to stand apart from. The other set of benefactors came from his own home world, Andoria. Andoria had been the seat of a great empire whose warriors rivaled the Klingons in their prowess and battle tenacity. The forebears of the current government had agreed to lay down arms and join with the humans in peace and understanding. And here two and a half centuries on the humans made up the bulk of Starfleet and its marines with the Andorians known only for their art schools and skiing. That needed to change in the mind of his benefactors. If the Federation was going to become an empire, then the people who knew about empire and military might, Andorians, should be at the helm. His pale skin glistened slightly with sweat in the warmth of the conference room, which was much too hot for his liking. He was no Aenar of course, he was simply old. He'd been arguing in courts across the Federation for better than 50 years and this was to be his final opus. It was time to get on with it. Greaves: Major Wes Greaves reporting as ordered, ma’am. V’Airu: Just so. Greaves, please sit. She indicated the seat opposite her. The human was impressive. Overgrown and likely on a hair trigger much of the time. Ress expected he could exploit this. Greaves: Aye aye, ma’am. His decorations glinted as he took his seat, and Ossa raised one brow no more than a millimeter. A successful point, made entirely nonverbally. V’Airu: Major, Counselors. The hearing will now commence. Defense? Renora: Thank you, Ma’am. ::Standing:: Captain Renora Loret, Starfleet Marine Corps., Judge Advocate Division. I am appearing for Major Wes Greaves as counsel and advocate during this inquest. V'Airu: Thank you, Captain. Prosecution? Ress: My name is Ress ch'Reiji. It's interesting that the major would require an advocate and that you, Commodore, would call me a prosecutor. ::Looking at Greaves and raising an eyebrow:: I'm simply here to listen to your story. That you need an advocate however, suggests you are not as confident in the decisions you made at Okaea. I look forward to hearing your tale. He sat back and nodded to V'Airu. V'Airu: Thank you. Her gaze settled squarely on Greaves, and a hint of disappointment crept into her voice as she addressed him directly. V'Airu: These proceedings are voluntary. Major, do you wish to continue? Greaves: I understand my rights and wish to participate. I owe that at least to those who didn’t make it home. V’Airu: Very well. Ress: ::softly, but loud enough:: The triple digit number of people who didn't make it home. The Bajoran jumped in. Renora: If it please the chair, before we begin, I would like to ask Major Greaves if there is anything about the process he would like to clarify regarding this process? Greaves: I have to admit, this is my first time with something like this. How do these proceedings usually go? Am I here to defend myself, or is this just a fact-finding process? Renora was already upright and ready to answer, though she looked to Ossa first to ask permission. Ress suppressed a small smile. The whole cast was already in defense mode. Already worried and second guessing themselves. That Starfleet felt the Marine XO needed "defending" for his decisions would speak volumes in the Federation press corp. Renora: If I may, Ma’am? Major Greaves, this is not a dissimilar process to a coroner’s inquest or a medical morbidity and mortality conference. The aim of this inquest is to establish the timeline of events that led to the near destruction of the USS Thor and the loss of life associated with that. The decisions that were taken, by whom, and under what circumstances, what lessons can be learned and how repetition can be avoided. Renora concluded with another, perhaps slightly more deferential look to Ossa. However, Ossa found she had little to add. V'Airu: All correct. This is SOP for the full or partial loss of a capital ship. (Beat) However. There is an additional element to these proceedings. (beat) If you are to be my executive officer, Major, then I wish to review your arrested command of the Thor in full detail. Ress again suppressed a smile. That V'Airu would continue Kell's poor judgment a man who brought down a starship could call her judgment into question. Prosecutor: ::Gently:: As I've already stated, I just want to hear your story and the story of the other officers involved in this tragic and deadly turn of events. Greaves: Responses Renora: Should there be grounds for further action then that will be taken forward by the Judge Advocate General as appropriate. V'Airu: We don't anticipate that to be the case. This was said with a pointed glance at both counselors Ress jumped in immediately. Prosecutor: Commodore with all due respect if I am the prosecutor and she ::gesturing:: is the advocate, I must ask you to remain impartial. When you say "We don't anticipate that to be the case." it sounds as if you have made up your mind about the Major's actions in advance. :: gruffly:: This is a warning, but if needed I can find a more impartial 3rd party to conduct these proceedings. ::calmly:: Let us all proceed with an open mind. Greaves: Responses Renora: And my role is to advise you on legal matters and legislation, ensure that you are given the opportunity to speak fully and clearly and that your rights, as an individual, are respected. Ress: ::smiling:: Still here to listen. Greaves: Responses Thus preempted, Ossa waited a few moments for silence, and then asked her first question. V'Airu: You were ultimately able to retain command of the Thor, even once it crashed on Okaea. However. You made the decision to order full evacuation prior to deorbiting. Why? Ress immediately jumped over the Commodore's question. Ress: Before we get to that Commodore, for the record I want to make sure we are all clear on what happened at Okaea. The USS Thor was ambushed by some very savy pirates who not only injured Commodore Aron Kells, but who also caused the Thor to crash land in the Okaea ocean. While not a total loss the USS Thor will need a lengthy rehabilitation. While under Major Greaves command 120 individuals lost their lives and a further 200 were injured, some severely. I don't say this to dredge up bad memories, but merely to make sure we all, for the record, understand the incident we are here to discuss. (beat) Now I would like to go back a bit further than the commodore and hear about your training Major Greaves. How long were you part of Starfleet Academy's command training program? V'Airu/Greaves/Renora: Responses Ress: ::sighing:: It is highly relevant. You see Major Greaves is wearing a Marine green uniform, not Command red. Starfleet regulations are clear that command officers need to train in the command discipline and, for the record, I'd like to hear about Major Greaves command training. V'Airu/Greaves/Renora: Responses It wasn't the answer Ress had wanted, but perhaps a follow up would help the press see the man's motivation Ress: So you did attend Starfleet Academy (beat) after you spent some time in the Marines. A warrior first eh Major? ::smiling:: Very good. V'Airu/Greaves/Renora: Responses Ress: My apologies Commodore V'Airu for the digression, I simply wanted to (beat) capture all these facets. So Major, why did you make the decision to order full evacuation prior to deorbiting? V'Airu/Greaves/Renora: Responses Tags! and TBC! -- Lieutenant JG V’Len Kel Medical Officer USS Thor (NCC-82607) T239811VK2 He/Him (character and player)

I'm no good at this, so here's a picture. 😄