USS Hades

Mission: The Medusa Dilemma
Day: 3
Stardate:2446.07.31
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(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - CSec - Lt. Cal Dogan - 1048)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1101)
(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1103)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1107)
(Charon – Cockpit – FO – LCDR – Ire Williams - 1108)
(USS Cerberus - Cockpit - Science Officer - Dr. Rick Fermi - 1109)
(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1110)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1111)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1113)
(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1115)
(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1119)
(USS Charon - Cockpit - CSec - Lt. Cal Dogan - 1120)
(USS Cerberus - Cockpit - Science Officer - Dr. Rick Fermi - 1121)
(USS Hades - Science Lab - Tholian Exchange Officer, Science - Ensign Tilkrene - 1122)
(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - MCO, Major Sean Masters - 1123)
(USS Charon - Cockpit – FO – LCDR – Ire Williams - 1124)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1125)
(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1126)
(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - MCO, Major Sean Masters - 1126)
(USS Hades, Science Lab - Tholian Exchange Officer, Science - Ensign Tilkrene - 1127)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1129)
(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1129)
(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1131)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1132)
(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1135)
(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1146)
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(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - CSec - Lt. Cal Dogan - 1048)

“Is everyone on board? We are ready to leave,” Williams asked.

“Affirmative,” the Brikar replied as he closed and sealed the hatch.

"Lieutenant, if you could set the Petty Officer down over here." Masters pointed to a clear spot
on the deck.
He eased the crewman to the floor and stepped back to let the marine perform first aid. Then he
held on, feeling the shuttle release from the station and move away. Then he went to a
communication station to check on the status of the drop ship.

“Charon to Cerberus, what is your status Ensign Csintalan?”

(reply Csintalan)

Masters voice caught his attention. “Hey Lieutenant, you gotta look at this.”

Dogan turned to see him holding out a tricorder. Intrigued he reached for the device, but before
he could look at the display the Hades cut into the comms letting them know that they were
about to enter a combat zone. Dogan’s eyes narrowed. He was not used to voluntarily staying
out of a combat situation, but they were being ordered off.

He moved towards the cockpit when he heard Williams contact the Cerberus. Then he called
back, “Masters, Dogan, I need you up here.”

Cal stepped into the cockpit and moved to the side so Masters could get in.

“The Hades has waved us and the Cerberus off as she was going into combat,” he said,
pointing to the sensor readings that showed a spotty image of the three craft.

“So I heard,” Cal replied. “I do not believe that to be our best course of action, Commander. We
can lend support, and the Cerberus is a marine ship, which I am certain the major has some
surprises installed.”

(reply Masters)

“What is the status of our wounded?” Williams asked. “How long can we keep them on board
before it gets nasty for them.”

Cal shrugged, “Petty Officer Aurin appears to be the only injured person requiring more than
minor first aid.” He looked to Masters for anything further on that front.

(reply Masters)

“So what are our intentions then, Lt. Commander?” Dogan asked.

(reply Williams, Masters, Csintalan)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1101)
Frustrated at her lack of progress, Imka had gotten up from her chair, walked to her quarters,
and grabbed a bottle of Slug-o-Cola from the supply she brought on board with her. Taking a
refreshing drink, she went back to work.

None of the decryption algorithms Imka had used to crack the file she found on the outpost had
worked. The only thing she could think of was to write her own.

Smiling with determination, she got started.

(reply none)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1103)

"We're receiving transmission, Captain." OPS called out.

"Send it to the Science Terminal." Keira ordered. "Analyze it and give me your best conclusion
on what it is."

(Reply Science)

"Helm, maintain position between us and the station, I don't want these things getting through to
our shuttles."

(Reply Smith)

"Sir, energy build up from the lead craft!" OPS called out before violet lightning arced striking the
Hades shields. The deck shuddered under the barrage.

(Reply Tactical)

"Hold fire!" Keira snapped, "Auxilliary power to shields!"

(Reply Tactical)

"Science put a rush on that analysis order." Keira called out.

OPS called out, "All sections reported in, no casualties. Engineering reports minor damage to
EPS grid, bypasses holding."

"A warning shot. A threat." the Romulan said out loud.

(Reply Bridge, any)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1107)

"Yes!" Imka pumped her fist into the air, her arm bumping the empty bottle of Slug-o-Cola, which
rolled across the desk. Falling over the edge, it crashed to the floor, bouncing like a ball and
settling under another computer station. Thankful the high-tech glass didn't shatter, she let it
stay where it was; she would get it later. There were more important matters now.

Writing a new, basic, decryption algorithm, Imka was able to open the file from the outpost.

Except for a sub-file hidden in the main file that was even more encrypted.

The person that created the file didn't identify him/herself. This person used someone referred
to only as Mister X to go to the home world of the creatures found on the outpost and acquire
some for experimentation. The hope was to control them to be used as a weapon. Only one
survived, with the rest dying. Imka didn't know how Mister X was able to bypass the quarantine
of the planet. Realizing they likely had connections in high places made her lobes shiver. This
was sobering information.

The ship lurched.

"Computer, why did the ship shake?" Were they entering the nebula?

[The Hades is under attack.]

Imka was stunned. "Computer, who is attacking the Hades?"

{That information is not available.]

Well that was unexpected. Normally, Imka would hurry to her battle station, but since coming on
boar, she hadn't been assigned on. Since she had critical information on her computer, she
decided to remain in the science lab to safeguard it.

(reply any)
(posted by Renee)
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(Charon – Cockpit – FO – LCDR – Ire Williams - 1108)

Ire opened the comm channel as the Charon received a wide beam message from the
Cerberus.

=^=Whatever they were growing in that chamber, nobody here seems to have any knowledge of
it. But if this data is correct, whatever it is, is still alive, and trapped inside. I have no idea what
will happen when that station implodes=^=
There was a slight pause.

=^=Which it is about to do=^=

“This is not good.”

He looked at the scans that the Charon was getting of the outpost. He was glad that they had
gotten everyone off the outpost as that would not be a nice way to go.

He was about to respond when Hades override comm channel cut through.

=^=Cerberus, Charon, this is Captain Merek, I want you both to make a slow turn to our
Starboard side, keep the Hades between yourself and the creatures. Once this goes off if it goes
the way I want it to or not, we're going to make a hard impulse turn to Starboard and I want to
keep you both in front of us. Is that clear=^=

“Hades this Charon we understand.”

(Reply Cerberus)

Ire looked at the others.

“Make sure everyone is strapped in back there this could get bumpy.”

(Reply Dogan, Masters)

He glanced at the console calculating the distance between the Hades and then Cerberus

“Cerberus this is Charon. Keep close and tight on my heels Hades might be protecting us but I
want you closer to me then a Ferengi with a bar of gold pressed latinum.”

(Reply Cerberus)

He began to maneuver the Charon into position with Hades.

(Reply Dogan, Masters, Cerberus any)
(Posted by Robbie)
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(USS Cerberus - Cockpit - Science Officer - Dr. Rick Fermi - 1109)

=^=Cerberus, Charon, this is Captain Merek, I want you both to make a slow turn to our
Starboard side, keep the Hades between yourself and the creatures. Once this goes off if it goes
the way I want it to or not, we're going to make a hard impulse turn to Starboard and I want to
keep you both in front of us. Is that clear=^=

=^=Hades this Charon we understand.=^=

Fermi looked over at Csintalan who nodded for him to reply.

“Charon here, we Roger that. We are moving to your position now.”

=^=Cerberus this is Charon. Keep close and tight on my heels Hades might be protecting us but
I want you closer to me then a Ferengi with a bar of gold pressed latinum.=^=

Fermi chortled. “Roger that. Falling into your back pocket now.”

(reply any)
(Posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1110)

"Cosmisoans. Not vessels. Life forms!" Keira said, "They're their young."

(Reply any)

"Lieutenant Jayc I need you to calculate the exact amount of phaser energy required to cut
through the deuterium holding tanks and no more. Down to the joule." Keira ordered.

“Aye Captain,” Jayc turned to his main controls. “Sky, look up the schematics for the regular
station and specifically the housing and hull around the tanks.
He pulled up the other information and they pushed the information to one another building their
calculation.

"Down to the Joule Lieutenant." Keira reminded.

“I understand Captain, I don’t want to hurt them either,” he said.

The captain went about with instructions for others.

" Good, execute that order, Merek out. Jayc, how's my calculations coming?" Keira inquired, a
sense of urgency in her voice.

“Computer simulation checks out Captain. Ready with phaser power levels.”
"Great. Ensign Semaj program those exact specifications into the port and starboard aft phaser
arrays. You get one shot each if it doesn't work, we retreat. Either it frees them, or it doesn't and
I don't want to be around for the latter."

Semaj received the information from science and input the exact power level.

“This will need to be a very confined beam. Compensating for nebula interference….

“Ready on your order Captain,” the Vulcan stated.

(Reply Merek, any)
(Posted by tinmanjayc)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1111)

While waiting for the current situation to play itself out, Imka's thoughts drifted to what started
her on the path she was now walking.

(Ferenginar, five years ago)

"You did what? You applied to Starfleet Academy?"

"I didn't just apply. I was accepted."

Imka's mother stared. "Why? Do you understand what you're doing?"

"Of course I do," said Imka.

"Do you? Do you really?" Her mother scoffed. "You have no idea."

Imka rolled her eyes.

"Why do you think almost no Ferengi serve in Starfleet? And don't roll your eyes at me."

Imka sighed. "Don't you think I've spent a lot of time thinking about this?"

"Yes, I do, but Starfleet? They're contrary to everything we are. You live in an amazing time for
Ferengi women and you're leaving that. Can you at least tell me why?"

"I want to learn and grow as a person," said Imka. "I want to live and experience more than just
earning profit. I want to better myself and enrich others with the gifts I have to offer. I want to
know what's out there."
Imka's mother was silent after her daughter's impassioned answer, her eyes soft and wistful. "I
understand. I do. You were always so curious about everything."

Imka smiled.

"Please do me a favor. Before it's official, think about it one more time. If you decide this is truly
what you want, you're seeing it through as far as it goes. There are no quitters in this family. Will
you do that?"

(The Present)

Imka was glad her mother understood. It was a sad day when she left home, but Imka knew she
made the right decision.

(reply any)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1113)

After remembering the conversation with her mother about joining Starfleet, good times and
memories from her Academy days moved through her mind like an old style movie. Her initial
discomfort from culture shock, the diverse group of people she got to know, to the fun she had
running a covert Texas Hold 'Em poker game.

There were tough times, of course, but all in all, it was an amazing four years.

Nervous that the Hades was in a conflict, Imka remembered the first time she was in a combat
training simulation. Though safe in a holodeck, it was so realistic, she almost heaved up her
breakfast. Things could be dangerous in Starfleet, but being an officer is where and what she
wanted to be.

Focusing back on her work in the science lab, she went back to cracking the sub-file she found.

(reply any)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1115)

"Fire phasers!" Keira ordered.

(Reply Semaj, any)

"Helm heading zero-nine-zero-mark-zero, full impulse power." Keira followed up, barely before
the phasers hit their mark.
(Reply Smith)

Another amethyst crack of electricity erupted from the lead creature striking the Hades port
shields. The ship rocked more violently than before.

(Reply Semaj, any on bridge)

"Engineering reports power shoring is holding." OPS called out.

"Turn us around." Keira ordered "Give them our starboard shield, set up for a broad side with
phasers, lock phasers on the lead creature." She knew the port shields couldn't take another
shot like that, but the starboard shields were untouched. She did not plan to let them hammer
against the shields indefinitely. The broadside maneuver harkened back to the days of ocean
going navies where all the guns on one side or after the invention of turrets, all the main guns
would be pivoted to one side and aimed at the enemy firing all at once.

(Reply Smith, Semaj)

"Sir, the nebula!" OPS called out.

"Lieutenant, status." Keira ordered.

(Reply Tinman)

Right after the CSO reported it, the main viewer showed it, hundreds of jellyfish looking
creatures emerged from the nebula. Each with a slight unique phosphorescence as they floated
toward the pair of impossibly large entities.

"Energy build-up in the creatures has ceased." OPS reported.

The saucer shaped entities then rotated one hundred eighty degrees along the y axis, flipping
once like a coin, all the while changing from a dark menacing purple to a glowing majestic
lavender. Underneath multiple tendrils unfurl revealing an impossibly large cosmozoan jellyfish.

"What am I looking at right now Jayc?" Keira asked with a sense of wonder in her voice. "It
seems familiar, but I can't place it."

(Reply Jayc)

"Helm, all stop. All stations, stand down red alert." Keira ordered. "OPS tell our shuttles they can
head home. We'll leave the barn door open for them."

(Reply Smith, Cerberus, Charon, Tinman, Semaj, any)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1119)

"Fire phasers!" Keira ordered.

“Firing Phasers,” Semaj acknowledged the order with the standard repeat and activated the
programmed sequence.

Two thin phaser beams lanced from the Hades phaser array across the distance and spun in a
fast spinning pattern across the hull of the woefully bat tree red space station. The hull showed
red, then white hot as the stations hull and beneath in the deuterium tank sliced through.

Hopefully perfectly calculated power levels inside the deadly power did not to go a micrometer
below the tank itself.

"Helm heading zero-nine-zero-mark-zero, full impulse power." Keira followed up, barely before
the phasers hit their mark.

Another strike nearly sent bridge crew from the stations.

“Captain, Shields have dropped to 28.31%. Port shields will collapse with another strike like
that.

"Engineering reports power shoring is holding." OPS called out.

"Turn us around." Keira ordered "Give them our starboard shield, set up for a broad side with
phasers, lock phasers on the lead creature." She knew the port shields couldn't take another
shot like that, but the starboard shields were untouched. She did not plan to let them hammer
against the shields indefinitely. The broadside maneuver harkened back to the days of ocean
going navies where all the guns on one side or after the invention of turrets, all the main guns
would be pivoted to one side and aimed at the enemy firing all at once.

Semaj glanced at the main screen before turning g back to his station.
“Port shields reinforcing. Weapons ready, Captain.”

"Sir, the nebula!" OPS called out.

"Lieutenant, status." Keira ordered.

Jayc focused sensors on the deuterium tanks.

“Science report: severed portions of the hull and deuterium tanks are floating into space from
the force of the atmosphere breach. Telepathic report: the creatures are terrified and uncertain.”
Right after the CSO reported it, the main viewer showed it, hundreds of jellyfish looking
creatures emerged from the nebula. Each with a slight unique phosphorescence as they floated
toward the pair of impossibly large entities.

"Energy build-up in the creatures has ceased." OPS reported.

The saucer shaped entities then rotated one hundred eighty degrees along the y axis, flipping
once like a coin, all the while changing from a dark menacing purple to a glowing majestic
lavender. Underneath multiple tendrils unfurl revealing an impossibly large cosmozoan jellyfish.

"What am I looking at right now Jayc?" Keira asked with a sense of wonder in her voice. "It
seems familiar, but I can't place it."

“Cosmisoans,” Jayc said. “The creatures first encountered at Farpoint station. They can
transform energy to matter. Their young are likely born in nebula as evidence suggests.”

"Helm, all stop. All stations, stand down red alert." Keira ordered. "OPS tell our shuttles they can
head home. We'll leave the barn door open for them."

(Reply any)
(Posted by tinmanjayc)
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(USS Charon - Cockpit - CSec - Lt. Cal Dogan - 1120)

Dogan monitored the activity on the sensors of the Charon. The shuttle did not have the
capacity to lend a hand in the “battle” between the Hades and what ever was lurking in the
nebula. But they, clearly, had the firepower to rip the shuttle to shreds.

So they maintained their position behind the Hades, no matter how he felt the urge to engage in
the conflict. There were other lives at stake on the shuttle, including the person that he had
made his personal task to keep safe, the First Officer.

Whatever they had detected was inside those tanks on the outer hull of the station, it must have
been what the attackers were looking for. Once they’d been opened and the contents were free
the assault ended.

The sensor readings seemed to change suddenly. The ships began to register as… lifeforms.
The contents of the tanks also registered as life forms, but smaller. The lifeforms began to emit
a nonor EM field, not to assault the Hades, but it seemed more of a call to each other, drawing
them together, like a family.
He noted that the Hades had dropped their shields and powered down their weapons. The next
minute the comm channel beeped.

=^=Hades to the Charon. Time to come little dogies. The Captain has left the barn door
open.=^=

The Brokarian looked perplexed. He looked at Williams. “Dogies? I am unfamiliar with this term.
I assume he’s talking to us so this must be some kind of a code? And I was unaware that the
shuttle bay was called “The Barn.”

(reply Williams)

With a shrug Cal opened the channel. “Roger that Hades. We are heading… back to “The
Barn.””

(reply Williams, Hades)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Cerberus - Cockpit - Science Officer - Dr. Rick Fermi - 1121)

Fermi watched as the creatures that had been attacking the Hades revealed themselves after
their young had been freed from their prison.

“Sweet mother of God,” he said, under his breath. “What in the hell were those doing in those
tanks? There’s going to be questions to be answered.”

He looked over at Csintalan and shook his head. “Believe it or not, everything that happened on
the station was not shared by all. We were highly competitive with our research, but I never
imagined that anyone would… I guess we’d call that kidnapping.”

Suddenly the Hades hailed them. =^=Hades to the Cerberus, time for the flock to return to the
fold. The barn doors have been left open.=^=

He chuckled, “Baaa, we’re on our way.”

He tapped the controls and guided the ship into the Hades Shuttlebay. He saw the Charon pull
up on his 6, waiting for their turn to go home.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Hades - Science Lab - Tholian Exchange Officer, Science - Ensign Tilkrene - 1122)
After Tilkrene's secondary duties in damage control were finished, they went back to the science
lab to see if there were any tasks they could help accomplish. The environmental suit they wore
whirred softly as they crossed the lab. The suit sensors indicated the only person working in the
lab was a Ferengi female. Tilkrene accessed the files available on Ferengi a species they had
not encountered before, knowing of their predilection for neutrality, their supervisor would
chastise them for not knowing Ferengi had actually joined the Federation some time ago.

(Reply Imka)

"Krrreeeeek, click, click.." [Greetings, I am Ensign Tilkrene.]

(Reply Imka)

"Click. Click-pop..." [I came to see if I could be of assistance in whatever your assigned task is.]

(Reply Imka)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - MCO, Major Sean Masters - 1123)

“Roger that Hades. We are heading… back to “The Barn.”” The Brikaran announced.

"Good," Sean, having heard they were now heading back to the Hades. "Can we get clearance
to transport our patient to sickbay? He's fallen back unconscious and I'm no doctor, but I know
that's likely not a good sign."

(Reply Williams, Dogan)

"I'll upload the tricorder findings, the raw data is a better report than I could likely muster up."
Sean offered.

(Reply Williams, Dogan)

=^= Medical scans received. Thank you, Major. =^= Sean heard Dural's now familiar voice, "Bed
two main sickbay, you may transport as soon as you're ready.=^=

Sean didn't know what the doctor meant by that, so he placed the Petty officer in a position he
thought wouldn't fall off the bio-bed, and cleared away any of the extra equipment that had
accumulated around him. "Patient ready for transport." Sean announced. He entered some
commands and obtained the coordinates that Dural specified. "Transporting." He said before
activating the transport sequence. The Non-Commissioned Officer dematerialized leaving an
empty deck behind.

=^= Patient received, thank you Charon, Sick bay out.=^=
(Reply Williams, Dogan, any)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Charon - Cockpit – FO – LCDR – Ire Williams - 1124)

Ire had watched the encounter with sensors of the Charon and what he could piggyback from
the Hades. The sense of

Hades dropped their shields and powered down their weapons as the comm channel opened.

=^=Hades to the Charon. Time to come little dogies. The Captain has left the barn door
open.=^=

“Dogies? I am unfamiliar with this term. I assume he’s talking to us so this must be some kind of
a code? And I was unaware that the shuttle bay was called “The Barn.”

Ire hid his smile before he replied.

“It’s an old aviation saying. From before humans left earth’s gravity I think.”

He watched as shrugged and Cal opened the channel.

“Roger that Hades. We are heading… back to “The Barn.””

"Good,"

Ire began entering the commands as the Charon began a slow turned keeping on the outside of
Cerberus so that they would be going in ahead of them. The last thing that he wanted was to
lose the Cerberus this close to landing.

"Can we get clearance to transport our patient to sickbay? He's fallen back unconscious and I'm
no doctor, but I know that's likely not a good sign."

Ire nodded as he glanced at this read out.

~It will take longer to land then to transport~

“Go for it. I will drop the shields.”

(Reply Dogan)

"I'll upload the tricorder findings, the raw data is a better report than I could likely muster up."
Sean offered.
(Reply Dogan)

Ire connected to the shuttlebay flight controller.

“Flight control, this is Charon, we are transporting our injured before landing. I will be slowing
descent to landing until its complete.”

=^= Understood Charon=^=

He reduced power to the impulse engines as his eyes never left the landing indicators.

=^=Bed two main sickbay, you may transport as soon as you're ready.=^=

Ire liked the Cheron on the shuttle bay glide slope. "Patient ready for transport."

He watched as the Cerberus passed through the shuttle bay’s force field. As he cut the
Cheron’s shields.

“Dropping shields. Transport at your discretion.”

His eyes from the console to the landing indicators on the top of the shuttle bay.

~Okay we are good. Just keep nice and steady. Nearly there~

His eyes flicked to the auto go around button which was illuminated just in case it all went
sideways and they had to abort the landing.

"Transporting."

=^= Patient received, thank you Charon, Sick bay out=^=

“Flight control this is Charon. Transport complete we are landing”

=^= Copy Charon. Come on home=^=

Ire tapped the impulse engines as they drifted through the shuttle bay force field and into the
shuttle bay. Ire forced himself not to celebrate until they had actually landed as overconfidence
at this point could harm a lot more people now that they were inside the Hades. He drifted the
Charon over to its assigned landing spot and dropped it gently onto the deck. He turned to the
others as he began to power off the engines.

“We are back. Thank you both of you and make sure you get the once over from sickbay once
everything has calmed down.”
(Reply Masters, Dogan)
(Posted by Robbie)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1125)

Imka smiled. She finally figured out the password to the encrypted file was hexadecimal. All she
needed to do now was write a program that would scan through the several hundred thousand
possibilities.

Several minutes passed and Imka frowned when she found a quantum layer to the file. In
frustration, she reached for her bottle of Slug-o-Cola, sighing when she realized it was empty
and had fallen off the table.

"You can do this, girl."

Thoughts drifting to what could be in the file, she was startled when the computer console
beeped.

The file was open!

Holding her breath, Imka began reading when she heard someone enter the lab. It was
someone in an environmental suit. Though they hadn't met, Imka heard there was a Tholian on
board.

"Krrreeeeek, click, click."

Imka listened through the universal translator in her left ear.

[Greetings. I am Ensign Tilkrene.]

"Ensign Imka." She nodded.

[I came to see if I could be of assistance in whatever your assigned task is.]

Imka frowned. She knew being on a starship meant being part of a team and working with
others, but this was her task. She was on the away team that went to the outpost under
dangerous conditions. She discovered the files. She put in the work to open them. Now when
she was about to discover what was in the file, was she supposed to share the credit with
someone that showed up at the end? Thinking hard, she made a decision.

"No thank you, Ensign. I've got everything covered."

(reply Tilkrene)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1126)

Jayc felt emotional waves telepathic signals. Check-ins with the you g moving toward the adults.
Calls toward the nebula for any young that may still be trapped.

No responses came from the station.

Jayc projected.his query in emotion ~Good? safe?~

There was a feeling of relief, satisfaction, and the warmth of recognition of what Hades had
done.
“Captain the cozmisoans are expressing their gratitude for our help! Their young g are all freed.”

(Reply any)

(Posted by tinmanjayc)
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(USS Charon - Passenger Compartment - MCO, Major Sean Masters - 1126)

Sean watched as the ship's XO expertly guided in the runabout, all the while longing to get back
behind the controls of a small craft himself.

“We are back. Thank you both of you and make sure you get the once over from sickbay once
everything has calmed down.”

"After I check on my dropship, yessir." Sean said with a nod and began to exit the craft.

(Reply Dogan, Williams)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab - Tholian Exchange Officer, Science - Ensign Tilkrene - 1127)

The Ferengi frowned, but it was difficult for the Tolian to pick up facial expressions, and Tilkrene
didn't notice.

"No thank you, Ensign. I've got everything covered." the Ferengi answered simply.

Tilkrene was slightly confused. Usually on Starfleet vessels people were overly gregarious and
inclusive. This was the first time the Tholian had received a "no". The exosuit was set to mimic
the Tholian's movements so as they tapped their claws together as they thought the suit did the
same.
~I was expected for me to ask but nothing requires her to accept help, especially if she did not
require it.~

"Click, tick-tick creeeek click." [ Very well, thank you for your consideration, Ensign Imka.]

Tilkrene turned the exosuit around to tend to another task.

(Reply Imka, if you want)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1129)

"No thank you, Ensign. I've got everything covered," said Imka.

There were several seconds of silence before Tilkrene replied.

[Very well. Thank you for your consideration, Ensign Imka.]

Imka studied Tilkrene. She knew very little about Tholian feelings or emotions, so she had no
idea if she caused hurt, insult, or offense. Listening to the computer translation of his speech
didn't help, but there was something. Her enhanced hearing detected a slight change in his
untranslated words. Maybe Tilkrene was hurt. Perhaps he was confused at her refusal of his
offer. She made a mental note to do more research on Tholians.

Turning back to her work, she started reading the file, shocked at what she saw. There were
details on who acquired the creatures, how they did it, and how to contact them. There was also
a payment record, which indicated this illegal endeavor had been ongoing for far too long.

What a discovery!

"Computer, where is Lieutenant Jayc?"

[Lieutenant Jayc is on the bridge.]

Presuming Jayc was at the primary science station, Imka sent a text message.

"Sir, this is Imka. I was able to open the encrypted file. Please come to the science lab when
you're able."

Leaning back in her chair, Imka wondered how big this was going to be.

(reply Jayc)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades - Bridge - CO, Captain Keira Merek - 1129)

Vulcanoids were known for having telepathic gifts, for Romulans it was more often not
possessing any gifts. Keira had actually signed up for testing at the academy, she was so
psionically ungifted that the academy asked if they could use her results for the new "zero
control". So when people with those talents were present, intellectually she knew what was
going on, but she could never actually put herself in their shoes. It amazed her and in some
cases frightened her, every time.

“Captain the cozmisoans are expressing their gratitude for our help! Their young g are all freed.”
the Betazoid Science Chief expressed on the creatures' behalf.

"Good, give them whatever you can to express our well wishes." Keira tried her best to navigate
an awkward interspecies social situation.

(Reply Jayc)

"Helm, thrusters at station keeping." Keira ordered.

(Reply Smith)

"We're not going anywhere until I get to the bottom of what was going on at that station."

(Reply Smith)

"OPS, once Commander Williams and Lieutenant Dogan are safely on board have them report
to my ready room." Keira said as she walked towards the ready room door. "Lieutenant Jayc,
you have the bridge."

(Reply Jayc, Smith, Williams, Dogan)
(Posted by Todd)
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(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1131)

Jayc reached outward with well wishings. The you g continued their dance toward the parents
and all moved toward the nebula, albeit away from the location of the station.

He smiled and glanced at Semaj who co tinier to monitor them with tactical sensors and the
main viewer.

“They are moving into the nebula to feed their young captain.” His report was simple as he could
tell from her body language she was processing bigger issues.”
She seemed to come to a decision quickly though as she stood and gave her orders before
heading to her ready room.

"Lieutenant Jayc, you have the bridge,” the Captain ordered as she went through her door.

“Aye,” responded as the door already began its closing wish.

Ten moved to take his station as he started to log out, when the stationed beeped for station
only text message.

He read -Sir, this is Imka. I was able to open the encrypted file. Please come to the science lab
when you're able.-

Tin bit his lip and glanced at Ten,
“That sounds big.” The aviarían whispered.

Jayc nodded and tapped his comm badge.
“Jayc to Ensign Imka.”

(Reply Imka)

Her voice sounded stressed, emotional.
“Are you alright Imka?” He asked, concerned for her.

(Reply Imka)

He wasn’t sure if he believed her.
“Encrypt the information on a padd and come to the bridge Ensign. I have the conn and can’t
leave.”

(Reply Imka)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1132)

While waiting for Lieutenant Jayc, Imka looked at the empty bottle of Slug-o-Cola that had rolled
off her desk and fallen to the floor. It triggered the memory of her final day on Ferenginar before
leaving for Starfleet Academy....

<The Past>

"So this is it."

Imka and her friend Soza sat in their favorite spot in the Baakla Rain Forest, a large outcropping
over a stream that meandered through the trees. Growing up, the two had many adventures
there; exploring the realm of the Dragon King, to rescuing the lost expedition, to locating a great,
buried treasure. The joys of those days were now special memories at the foot of a new journey
about to begin.

Imka took some time to respond. She was looking forward to what was about to come, but she
also felt the strong tug in her heart for what she was leaving behind.

"It's not good-bye forever," said Imka.

"No, but it may as well be," said Soza. "You'll have time off each year for recesses in class, but
once you graduate and have your assignment, you could be away for years."

"This isn't easy, but it's something I need to do."

"I know, Im. You've always needed new challenges. I get it."

The friends grew silent as they listened to the sounds of nature around them. They didn't speak
after that about Imka leaving, but they said all that really needed to be said.

<The Present>

Imka wiped away a tear that formed in her eye....

(reply any)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades, Science Lab, Science Ensign jg Imka, 1135)

=^=Jayc to Ensign Imka.=^=

Imka was deep in her memories of home, when the call from Lieutenant Jayc came through.
Slightly startled, she had to clear her throat before replying.

"Imka here, sir."

=^=Are you alright Imka?=^=

Jayc must have sensed something in her voice. Having been in Starfleet Academy four years,
she must have become out of practice in business negotiations and in the ways of not divulging
anything.

"I'm fine, sir."
=^=Encrypt the information on a PADD and come to the bridge, Ensign. I have the conn and
can’t leave.=^=

That was unexpected. "Yes, sir, but it's a detailed file, so it will take a bit of time."

Focused back on work, Imka started the encryption.

(reply any)
(posted by Renee)
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(USS Hades -Bridge- CSciO/20, Lt. SG. Tinmanrion Jayc- 1146)

Jayc was sitting in the captains chair when she arrived.
Betazoids couldn’t read Ferengi, but her nervousness was evident to him.

She rounded the rail and came to him and he stood and gestured to her to follow him toward the
science station.Then he gave the female ferengi a wink and an aversion style smile which
involved inflections of the head and a bob.

Whether the ensign understood or not, she smiled back. As she opened the encryption she
presented him the padd.

“Tell me what’s concerning you most,” Jayce said as he skimmed the information.”

(Reply Imka

(Posted by tinmanjayc)
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