Some adjustments have been made to the timeline of the meeting to improve the flow of the storyline. compile summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Sickbay, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 12:16) (USS Hades, Sickbay, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:18) (USS Hades, Sickbay, CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere, 12:19) (USS Hades, Sickbay, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 12:19.5) (USS Hades, Sickbay, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:20) (USS Hades, Sickbay, CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere, 12:25) (USS Hades, Deck 10, Hallway, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:25.5) (USS Hades, Deck 8, Hallway, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:28) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1237) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1238) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1239) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1240) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1241) (USS Hades, Holodeck Three, Baylon Trinin, 1250) (USS Hades, personal quarters, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, 1324) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.23 (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jeicho Haynes - 10:31) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1033) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes - 1035) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker - 1036) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1040) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1041) (USS Hades - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 10:43) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1050) (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - COUNS- Ensign Anamitra Ripley - 1051) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 10:52) (USS Hades - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 10:53) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 10:54) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 10:56) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes - 10:57) (USS Hades, Deck 1 Corridor - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 10:57.5) (USS Hades, Bridge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1058) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.24 (USS Hades - Deck 8, Corridor - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1829) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 1830) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1831) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1833) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1834) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1838) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Corridor Outside Dr. Mias' Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:28) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters- Dr. Riven Mias - 21:30) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Dr. Mias' Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:31) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 21:32) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:33) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 21:37) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate 2413.10.25 (USS Hades, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 13: 45) (USS Hades, Bridge, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 13: 46) (USS Hades, - Main Engineering - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1348) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Sickbay, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 12:16) Zzt came walking into Sickbay, PADD in paw, and almost walked right over someone standing in the doorway. Zzt skidded to a stop having to lean up onto his toe claws to keep from running over the stranger. Once he had regained his balance Zzt studied the odd looking stranger cocking his head to one side as his ears perked up. Zzt leaned forward putting his snout only a few inches above the person head and sniffed several times taking in the persons scent before baring his fangs in a large approximation of a smile. "Who you?" Zzt asked, "You wezoord? You coost speels? Zzt woontsee speel." Zzt wiggled his claws in front of them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Sickbay, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:18) Riven had stepped into sickbay and stopped a moment to look around at the beehive of activity. It was apparent to him that updated physical tests were being performed prior to the departure of the ship from Geneva. At first he didn't see anyone that he recognized, that changed however as the door opened behind him. A shadow fell across him due to the great bulk of the being who uttered a grunt as he came to a stop prior to pulverizing him beneath its bulk. Riven heared the unmistakeable click of large claws on the floor behind him and turned to look into the stomach of a furry mountain. He looked up to see the Gerratlian leaning down his huge head to sniff at him through his black, moist nose. There was only one Gerratlian he had ever seen in his career and that had been on this very ship, the ursinoid's features was also strikingly familiar. Riven grinned as Zzt spoke, the voice was absolutely the same. "Who you? You wezoord? You coost speels? Zzt woont see speel." He then reached out a massive paw and wriggled its claws at about the height of Riven's face. "Commander Zzt!" Riven's face broke into a large smile at seeing the Engineering genius again then he laughed. "No I'm not a wizard, I'm a Betazoid, a mind healer as a matter of fact by the name of Riven, don't you remember me?" (Reply: Zzt) "I'm not surprised, it has been a while" His face was still beaming. "I came into sickbay to find an old friend and ended up meeting two, how have you been doing?" (Reply: Zzt) Riven noticed a large padd that was almost swallowed by the Gerratlian's gigantic paw. "What business brings you to sickbay? Broken systems or a request of information?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Sickbay, CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere, 12:19) Angeni was finishing up repairing a small wound on a childs' finger. She had broken a vase in her parents' quarters, and she smiled gently at her as she finished up. "See? All better now!" The child looked up at her, then clung desperately to her mother. Angeni smiled and gave after-care instructions and set up an appointment three days in the future to see her again to have her checked out. As Angeni cleaned her hands, she hummed softly to herself. Looking around the bay, her eyes stopped on the hulking form of Zzt and...who was that? She looked at the man with the flowing silver hair and robes, and her breath nearly caught in her throat.~What is he doing here?!~ She set her Padd in her office, subconciously pulling at her hair, trying to make herself look presentable. Time had changed her from the young Ensign he probably remembered. She walked with more confidence in her step, her old demons behind her. Their last meeting was less than favorable, so she vied to make this one a bit better. She moved up behind him, sure that he had already noticed her presence. "Do my eyes decieve me, or do I have a distinguished guest in sickbay." She said with a smile. "And how are you doing today, Commander?" She said nodding towards Zzt. She was still trying to restock his sedation kit. Ketamine was hardly ever made or used anymore, so coming by a big enough stock was by far the biggest challenge. Fortuntately, the Mother smiled upon her and a stockpile was waiting for her at Geneva. She had even gotten permission to begin limited replication so that she didn't have to go through the drama of finding it again. She was more than estatic to find that the kit had worked, keeping Zzt manageable until treatment was done. The big challenge now was to get the pneumatic system of his special biobed working again, but a crack team of engineers were seeing to that. "So, what can I do for the both of you?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Sickbay, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 12:19.5) "Commander Zzt!" The strange looking man said smiling looking up at Zzt then he laughed. "No I'm not a wizard, I'm a Betazoid, a mind healer as a matter of fact by the name of Riven, don't you remember me?" "I'm not surprised, it has been a while" Riven said, his face was still beaming. "I came into sickbay to find an old friend and ended up meeting two, how have you been doing? What business brings you to sickbay? Broken systems or a request of information?" Zzt cocked his head to one side as he considered the words scouring his memory for the name and trying to place the scent to the name, after a few moments it came to him. His eye went wide suddenly with recognition. "Ribbon!" He said, as he snatched the man up off the ground and into a large hug, licking his face repeatedly. After another near bone crushing hug, Zzt put Riven back down on his feet. Zzt refrained from dancing around the room with him. "Do my eyes deceive me, or do I have a distinguished guest in sickbay," Lt. Trommashere said suddenly from behind them. "Guest yes, distinguished hardly." Riven replied with a laugh. Zzt grinned. "And how are you doing today, Commander?" She asked with a nod. Zzt grinned, overcome with happiness he snatched Riven and Angeni both up, one in each arm and gave them both a hug and lick. Holding them to his chest, he did a small dance of happiness before putting both down again and patting them on the head. So, what can I do for the both of you?" Angeni asked. The question suddenly brought Zzt back to the reason had come to Sickbay in the first place and the PADD he still held in one paw. He held the PADD up to Angeni. "Zzt goot oopgrood nu EMH proogrom," Zzt said, "Cheek deeta boos's olso. Zzt woont meek suur et wurk puurfektly." (Reply Angeni) Zzt studied the data on the PADD for a few moments, gathering his thoughts on all he would need to do in order to bring the new EMH program up to spec and to verify all of it's medical databases. Zzt smiled and waved, wiggling his claws at Riven when the Counselor excused himself and left Sickbay a few minutes later. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Sickbay, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:20) Riven and Zzt had been talking for a couple of minutes when his sensitive mind caught the unmistakable approach of a familiar being, he was turning with twinkling eyes when Angeni spoke. "Do my eyes deceive me, or do I have a distinguished guest in sickbay." She was smiling. "Guest yes, distinguished hardly." Riven replied with another of his trademark melodious laughs, some might have thought so but he never considered himself very important since he knew himself so well. He was just a healer, nothing more and nothing less. It had been a while since he had seen her but he automatically noted the new poise, confidence and ease with which she held herself as she turned to Commander Zzt after addressing him. His instinctual 'sizing up' of the woman was therefore with a lightened heart which put him at ease. She had 'grown up' a lot since the last time they had met.. and he was ecstatic for her. "And how are you doing today, Commander?" She asked with a nod. (Reply: Zzt) To complete his impromptu evaluation he allowed his empathic abilities a bit of rein and was delighted at what he found. "So, what can I do for the both of you?" (Reply: Zzt) Since the Ursinoid was here on ship's business he clasped his hands behind his back as he smiled at the both of them, looking from one to another. After a moment he looked around the sickbay, taking in the familiar sight. There were a number of faces new to him of course who stopped to give him a second glance of disbelief. As an extreme extrovert he was of course delighted at the attention. As the conversation between the two wound down he turned back to them and stepped forward, taking her hands. Many females found hugs to be an extreme violation of their space but an embrace of hands for a short time was usually found to be not as offensive. "What a delight to see two old friends again, especially one so lovely!" (Reply: Angeni, Zzt) He chuckled. "I just came aboard as I mentioned to Zzt and stopped in at sickbay to say hello since I knew you were still aboard, my day could not have been complete had I not done so." After speaking he released her hands, his own tingling as he did so. (Reply: Angeni. Zzt) He nodded as he clasped his hands behind his back again. "I'll be here for a short while, I came aboard by starfleet request as an aide to Counselor Ripley, I know I'm taking you away from your duties and since I have other things to attend to including checking in with the counselor who is no doubt wondering where I am I'd better be out and about. I'm hoping I will see you again though about the ship." Considering her peaceful state of mind he saw no need to invite her for a private chat, Angeni no longer needed him, that was both a relief and disappointment at the same time. He would consider why he felt the latter at a later time, watching someone grow beyond their need of him should not have caused disappointment. But he was happy for her, more than happy actually. So much so that he almost missed something that he would normally have noted in an instant. Riven's eyes got a bit wide as it registered on his consciousness, there was the unmistakable presence of a telepathic link or bond on her! He moved back a half step as it hit him and turned away, heading for the door before he realized it. Before he got halfway there he turned and reawoke the smile that had fallen from his face as he had turned away. "I am most happy to see you again Angeni, Zzt." (Reply: Angeni, Zzt) He nodded at them beatifically and then turned back for the door, as walked through and turned in the direction of the turbolift he was wondering at his own reaction inside, that was not like him, not at all. He shook his head to clear it as he moved down the corridor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Sickbay, CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere, 12:25) "What a delight to see two old friends again, especially one so lovely!" Angeni smiled at him, batting her long dark lashes in his direction. Her breath caught slightly in her throat as she felt how warm his hands were over hers. She wanted to throw her arms around him in a hug; it wasn't like she hadn't done worse to him in the past. "Why thank you, Riven. It's a wonder to see you, it truly is! Out of all the ships, you managed to pop aboard this one. How long have you been here?" He chuckled. "I just came aboard as I mentioned to Zzt and stopped in at sickbay to say hello since I knew you were still aboard, my day could not have been complete had I not done so." As he let go of her hands, she noticed the slightest twinge of sadness that he had done such in herself. She kept her smile, putting her hands behind her back, giving him a very poorly disguised 'mean' look that she could hardly keep from cracking with a smile. "I would've been very upset to have found out that you failed to come and visit me. I would've been extrordinarily hurt." She winked at him. "How long are you going to be here?" "I'll be here for a short while, I came aboard by starfleet request as an aide to Counselor Ripley, I know I'm taking you away from your duties and since I have other things to attend to including checking in with the counselor who is no doubt wondering where I am I'd better be out and about. I'm hoping I will see you again though about the ship." Angeni smiled at Riven, catching his eye. She locked eyes with him, nodding. "A visit from you, Riven, can interrupt anything. I would be more than happy to have your company later on." "I am most happy to see you again Angeni, Zzt." Angeni watched Riven go. She looked at Zzt, then back at the door, then to Zzt again. "Excuse me, just for a moment, sir..." She half nodded, half bowed as she ran out the door from sickbay. She turned a corner, then she spotted Riven, his long silver mane flowing behind him. "Riven!" She called out, closing the distance between them rapidly. She stopped in front of him, catching her breath. "Dinner...with me...tonight...if you're free." She smiled and put a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. "To catch up. What do you say about that?" (Reply Riven) "I...really missed you...a lot." She spoke unabashedly. "We have so many things to talk about." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Deck 10, Hallway, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:25.5) "Riven!" He had been deep in thought as he walked, her voice caught him off guard, turning he saw Angeni catching up with him in a run. He stopped in the corridor and turned to her with his old smile back as she came to a stop and caught her breath. "Dinner...with me...tonight...if you're free." He was almost shocked when she reached out and squeezed his arm, almost but not quite. It felt too pleasant to be shocking. "To catch up. What do you say about that?" His smile widened. "How could I refuse such a request, even if I was so inclined." he winked. "And I'd never refuse you Angeni, how could I? I'd love to. Where and when?" (Reply: Angeni) "I...really missed you...a lot. We have so many things to talk about." He chuckled. This Angeni was so far removed from the hesitant, self conscious young woman he remembered. She had come into her own in the last, well for those on this ship it had been only a year as he understood it. She had certainly changed for the better. "I agree." He placed his left hand on her right wrist which was clutching his right forearm. "I missed you too, all of you." He inclined his head and let his expression change, he was still smiling but more serious in demeanor. "You most of all, I can't express to you how pleasant it will be for me to 'catch up' on old times with you. I have missed our excursions on the holodeck in the forest. Do you remember the, what did you call it, the Thunderbird and the wolf?" (Reply: Angeni) He nodded his head. "We should go there again some time, the forests of your youth were a lot of fun, not to mention enthralling." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Deck 8, Hallway, Dr. Riven Mias, 12:28) This was the second time in a day Riven had found himself in the hallway outside an office without having checked to see if the person was available. ~It's been a while since you were on a ship old boy, three years now isn't it?~ His commission on the Potomac had expired three years and fifteen days ago by last count and he had returned to Betazed to resume his duties in the temple where he had been welcomed back with open arms. Mind healing was a very delicate art and while it and counseling weren't exactly the same they had been similar enough he had used his training while on the Hades to fill in for the counseling department while they had been short an experienced hands. Being Saleke's advisor and using his abilities for the betterment of the ship had been the easy part, working with hurting beings who weren't telepathic had been an adjustment. His duties on the Potomac had been the same and his experience on the Hades had helped immensely there but that had been years ago, he was going to have to go through the adjustment again though he expected it would be easier this time. The loss of the entirety of the 52nd fleet for nearly five years had been a blow considering all of the friends he had made on several of the ships, his happiness at finding they had returned had been unabashed. Several days while in the temple had been devoted to celebrating. When starfleet command had asked for his help he had been only too happy to offer it without hesitation. A lot had happened in that time though as evidenced by the earlier scene in sickbay, Angeni had become mated and many of the old crew were gone but some things never changed. His left hand gingerly explored his lower ribcage to make sure there had been no damage from Zzt's exuberant display as he chuckled. But to get back to the subject at hand... He reached into another pocket and extracted the combadge which he had been given while on Geneva. He disliked them, imagine that, someone with his penchant for garish displays disliking a garish piece but since everyone had them they seemed too plain, too everyday for his tastes. Still it was necessary to have them. When in his office though he tended to keep them in his drawer since a comm system was always available there. And since he wasn't officially on duty at the moment and had it on his person he saw no reason to go strutting about with it on. Using the thumb of his right hand he activated it. "Counselor Ripley this is Dr. Riven Mias, I have only just arrived and am standing outside your office door, are you currently busy? If so I can wait, I could check to see if my baggage has been sent up and deposited in my cabin." (Reply: Ana) "Good! I'm all yours." He stated as he grinned at a passing crewman then turned and stepped through the opening door -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1237) "And it is therefore my professional recommendation that Ensign Frozek,begin aggression reduction therapy as soon as it can be scheduled. The intensity of the experiences and the feelings of helplessness during the battle at Tch'Kair have been multiplied by the loss of his family. It would seem that this perception of helplessness to prevent Captain Sash's demise has in some aspects of his personality been superimposed upon the unexpected loss of his wife and son during the time jump." "Clinical treatments should proceed as originally scheduled with the added goal of bringing Frozek to a point of confronting his feelings of helplessness. The solution of positive behavioral reinforcement to take charge of controllable situations as well as building upon his ability to more accurately identify situations beyond his immediate control could reinforce his already crumbling sense of self esteem and stave off any further digression into depression." Ana's commbadge chirped from the small table that sat next to her comfy chair. Ana arched one eyebrow and had just managed to pause her official report when a man's voice sounded from the device. =^=Counselor Ripley this is Dr. Riven Mias, I have only just arrived and am standing outside your office door, are you currently busy? If so I can wait, I could check to see if my baggage has been sent up and deposited in my cabin.=^= Ana frowned for a half second wondering why in the world Doctor Mias might think she was too busy for her to see him. It only took her a half second longer to realize that he had probably failed to check her sessions schedule. "No need to wait doctor Mias. I have just finished a post session report log. Please come in." She replied as she brought herself to her feet. Riven Mias was most assuredly a handsome man, tall, lean and well aged. His long white hair was uncommon in a Betazed and it made him look distinguished. The slight scent of something sweet and the soft tinkling of Bells helped announce his presence. Ana smiled, stepped across the room and greeted him. "Welcome aboard the Hades Doctor. I'm Anamitra Ripley. You are most welcomed to call me Ana if you'd like. Can I get you a cup of fresh brewed tea? I have some blends from India that many people I know claim is simply the best tea they've ever tasted." (reply Riven) "Make yourself comfortable. I'll get the tea started." (reply Riven) Her office was comfortable, A variety of seats dotted the room, which acted as both a tool to make people more comfortable as well as give her some insight into their emotional state beyond that which they projected. A person's selection of a seat allowed her to judge their aggression levels,their openness and their level of comfort. There was no desk, no icons of authority here. Instead there were small tables, colorful paintings of a variety of styles and colors and other little trinkets, all of which acted in much the same manner as the seating.These items helped give her the clues that an empath could sense. In her own way, these items acted as her empathy. Ana made her way over to the Replicator, and replicated a couple of empty mugs filled with steaming purified water. She placed both on a small serving tray and then added a small box and some pot-bellied steeps to the tray as well. She them turned to see where Riven had settled. It was an interesting choice, but not exactly a surprising one. Given his other accruements, it made perfectly good sense that he would choose to sit where he had. It told her a little about the man who would be their best hope from breaking Lieutenant Trinin out of his abnormal behavioral cycles. She settled next to him, placing the small serving tray on a nearby table. "Do you care for the flavor of your tea strong, light or somewhere in between?" she asked him. (reply Riven) "And would you care for some sugar or Honey?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1238) Riven swept into the senior counselor's office in his usual flamboyant manner, all smiles as the lovely young woman greeted him. "Welcome aboard the Hades Doctor. I'm Anamitra Ripley. You are most welcomed to call me Ana if you'd like. Can I get you a cup of fresh brewed tea? I have some blends from India that many people I know claim is simply the best tea they've ever tasted." "Thank you Anna," he gave her a nod to go along with the grin. "And I likewise insist you call me Riven. Tea sounds delightful, thank you." "Make yourself comfortable. I'll get the tea started." He moved about the office as she walked to the replicator, absorbing the ambiance of the informal chamber and taking mental notes. A small table and chairs of unvarnished wood beneath a painting in a surrealistic style more befitted someone of a more melancholy state while the table with a black and white checkerboard motif under a darker painting someone with a choleric temperament. Riven was a Sanguine through and through however and preferred a more vivid display, the small green table with matching chairs on which sat a small vase holding a spray of brightly colored flowers and flanked by two bright paintings, one of a bowl of fruit and the other of a meadow dotted by wildflowers. He took one of the gaily colored chairs and made himself comfortable. Ana soon had the serving dish and accouterments on the table beside the vase, sitting down beside him she looked at him knowingly. "Do you care for the flavor of your tea strong, light or somewhere in between?" "It's early in the day so strong if you please." He said as he leaned back comfortably in his chair, his behavior and posture completely open and at ease. "And would you care for some sugar or Honey?" "Honey would be nice." His eyes crinkled a bit with an irrepressible humor. (Reply: Ana) "So tell me," He said as he took the cup. "How have you enjoyed your time on the Hades?" (Reply: Ana) "I like the touches you've added to the office," His eyes traveled once more about the room. "Very eclectic and I'm sure..." He winked at her with his right eye. "... very revealing to an analytical mind." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1239) "Honey would be nice." His eyes crinkled a bit with an irrepressible humor. Ana caught a slight sense of Mischief in his words. They were refreshing and endearing. It was a completely different experience for those that she usually received from the vast majority of the crew. "Excellent. I happen to have some Japanese Cherry Blossom Honey. It's very smooth and has a wonderful flavor that's not too overbearing." She used the honey stick to add a little of the Japanese honey to his cup of steeping tea, and then repeated the process with her own cup. She stirred them both for a moment to mix the sweetness of the honey before removing the tea basket and passing over his cup. "So tell me," He said as he took the cup. "How have you enjoyed your time on the Hades?" "To be perfectly honest it's been a little of a struggle." Ana replied."This crew has been through a great deal of stress. About half of her crew, myself included, came from the Nimitz after it was destroyed in the last battle of the civil war." "The original crew lost Captain Saleke, and that had a toll on them until he was discovered alive and well. And now the newer crew from the Nimitz have lost their Captain." "To make matters worse, most of the crew seems to be of a mind that counselors are evil beings intent on having them removed from duty for the slightest infractions. To say it hasn't been easy would be an understatement." She paused them but smiled, "But on a personal note, I finally am beginning to feel that this crew may be starting to accept me and the work I do here. I've had less difficulty making appointments, and more people finally seem to be talking to me outside of the office if you will." "They're good people, here. Every one of them. They're hurting and they need help in one fashion or another. They've been through a great deal, faced a lot of terrible threats, dealt with the unknown and the known alike and they deserve my best efforts to help them." "And because of that... Because I understand them, I'm happy to be here even if it takes ten years or more to get there." Perhaps she hit on something personal with him, or perhaps he hadn't thought that her comments required any particular type of response. Maybe he hadn't intended on having her give him so much detail, but whatever the case, he changed the subject smoothly and quickly. "I like the touches you've added to the office," His eyes traveled once more about the room. "Very eclectic and I'm sure..." He winked at her with his right eye. "... very revealing to an analytical mind." She shook her head slightly as she kept smiling. "I'd prefer Perceptive over analytical. It sounds less logical and more compassionate." She replied, returning his wink. "It's a little bit of a clinical edge that I picked up during my time on Luna." She continued, "I worked very closely for a number of years with Doctor Stephen Grossman. He's one of the foremost authorities in behavioral observation analysis. His theories and techniques were ground breaking at the time, very cutting edge and incredibly effective. The premise was that a person, when given a free choice of objects to interact with will subconsciously choose to interact with those objects that most closely relate to their emotional state rather than those objects that are consciously driven." "The observant counselor can then derive a degree of indirect empathy from the subject by observing how their subconscious chooses to interact with their surroundings." "It's not a perfect method by any means, but I have found it to be a useful tool when trying to diagnose complex emotional cases, in which the counseled tend to try to be resistant to open conversation or directly attempts to obfuscate their actual emotions." "Since I'm not an empath, I depend on a great deal of observation and behavioral measures to reach my conclusions so that I can then determine the best course of action to take to help people begin to heal." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1240) She smiled back at him but he immediately regretted changing the subject. he had picked up a bit of surprise and disappointment as he did so and mentally kicked hmself for his stupidity. ~No, more like insensitivity. Riven you ass! What is wrong with you? Did what you find in sickbay really knock you so far off kilter?~ The fact that Angeni had come racing after him did not mitigate the circumstance that had caused his distraction, no it had actually served to deepen it. While standing in the corridor he had sensed it again but having a moment to speak with her had given him time to sort through what he had found which he was now understanding. The link or bond he had noted had not been active, it was more like a telepathic residue. What was it the vulcan's called it? The term escaped him but some of their people had been actively discrimminated against for it, those who had used the mind meld outside of what they considered proper etiquette up until the last few hundred years. In the time since then that discrimmination had slowly become passe but perhaps it was one reason Saleke and other conservative vulcans he had known had been so hesitant to use the mind meld except as a last resort. His own tangled emotional response had masked the obvious and he of all people, a telepath who specialized in treating the minds of other telepaths should have recognized it instantly. But more importantly a healer should never allow their own concerns, understood or not to interfere with the proper attention to others. All these things were running through his subconscious mind as Ana was speaking. "I'd prefer Perceptive over analytical. It sounds less logical and more compassionate." She mirrored his wink. "It's a little bit of a clinical edge that I picked up during my time on Luna. I worked very closely for a number of years with Doctor Stephen Grossman. He's one of the foremost authorities in behavioral observation analysis. His theories and techniques were ground breaking at the time, very cutting edge and incredibly effective. The premise was that a person, when given a free choice of objects to interact with will subconsciously choose to interact with those objects that most closely relate to their emotional state rather than those objects that are consciously driven." "The observant counselor can then derive a degree of indirect empathy from the subject by observing how their subconscious chooses to interact with their surroundings." "It's not a perfect method by any means, but I have found it to be a useful tool when trying to diagnose complex emotional cases, in which the counseled tend to try to be resistant to open conversation or direct attempts to obfuscate their actual emotions." "Since I'm not an empath, I depend on a great deal of observation and behavioral measures to reach my conclusions so that I can then determine the best course of action to take to help people begin to heal." Riven was very conscious now of what she had been telling him before he had butted in like a dumbell, Ana had been hurting as well. Perhaps in different ways than most of the crew but compound that with what had to them recently happened and you had a very sensitive and very vulnerable being. And he, a mind healer, someone who was supposed to be open and receptive to others needs, because of something which had happened to him which he had not had time to sort out yet in his own mind, had mulishly disregarded those needs.He felt foolish and thick headed. Ana was the senor counselor here, by starfleet protocols his superior in fact and practice but she needed a listening ear like everyone else, and she would get what she needed. The fact she was being so open with him with him supported that analysis, he didn't need an empathic ability to see it. "I beg your pardon ,.." He said sincerely, the very air of the room seeming to warm with those words. " .. but I have been insensitive and apologize. Your methods are intriguing to me and I would love to hear more but you were telling me earlier about some of the problems you were having with the crew you have been working through and making inroads on. Would you care to elaborate further for me?" "And also ..." He held her eyes for an instant, his own concern evident. "Sash was your Captain on the Nimitz before as well as here, how has his death effected you?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1241) I beg your pardon ,.." He said after she had finished, " .. but I have been insensitive and apologize. Your methods are intriguing to me and I would love to hear more but you were telling me earlier about some of the problems you were having with the crew you have been working through and making inroads on. Would you care to elaborate further for me?" "And also ..." He held her eyes for an instant, his own concern evident."Sash was your Captain on the Nimitz before as well as here, how has his death effected you?" Ana frowned for a moment, then quickly caught herself and turned it into a slight smile. Once again he had changed the subject and that made her wonder if he was trying to keep her off-guard. ~Why would I think that unless I felt I should be on-guard for some reason~ She asked herself. "Riven. I don't think that you've been insensitive at all. I know that you were once assigned to this ship and that there must be a number of memories that have come flooding back to you since you've returned. The ship has changed a great deal since your last visit and it would be unfair for you to not have feelings about that." She replied, but kept pressing forward. "Since your service here, there are very few of the original crew left. Adams, Baylon, Maraht, Zzt, and Angeni to name a few." But that's about all that remains of that original crew now. Certainly you must feel that something is missing?" "It's that same sort of feeling of change that is affecting the crew, although a bit more acutely than it might be affecting yourself. Members of the ship's crew and officer's core feel as if they lost a vital part of this ship when they lost Captain Sash. It's an incredibly complex weave of interdependencies and familiarities that comprise this crew. " "Baylon seems hit the hardest, then Angeni, and poor Maraht who has chosen to bury himself in his work with a renewed vigor. And though she would probably not admit to it, I think even Eva is affected. I doubt very much that she wanted to become Captain in this manner, and that she may have some doubts about her ability to garner the same levels of loyalty and commitment that Captain Sash and captain Saleke had before her." She couldn't help but notice little outward signs in Riven's body language as she mentioned the members of the Officers crew who yet remained from his time here prior. It was interesting that he should choose such a high level of control over himself, although he did seem to be a bit mentally distracted. "As for me..." Ana concluded, "It hurts." She said simply. "But I'm not depressed over it, I've moved on past that. I'm beyond the anger stage and the denial stage of grief. Now I notice little things that remind me of the Captain. We were never particularly close. In the years I served with him, I only managed to get him to see me twice, and both of those were...complicated. We didn't have much of a relationship otherwise." She smiled at him then and decided to turn the tables on him. "And you? How do you feel about seeing Angeni again? Or the others?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Holodeck Three, Baylon Trinin, 1250) Baylon stood in the Holodeck in observer mode. The smell of blood and bile floated in the air all around him. The floor of the deck shook and Baylon watched as a Waagoshin soldier raked his sharp claws across his back for the second time. Just watching the act, even from an outsider's viewpoint, caused phantom pains to shoot through the scarred muscles of his back and arm. The station was taking a beating and he could see captain Sash, fighting with Alpha One even as the simulacrum of himself was struggling to tap his commbadge. "Hades, I have the captain. I need an emergency beam out now!" the holographic officer screamed as he struggled to get to his feet. The holographic Sash was knocked back away from the control panel and Alpha One was messing with the console. Baylon was rising to his feet as the Annular Confinement Beam latched on to him and prevented him from moving. He watched as his duplicate started to transport out, partially hindered by the force field that Alpha One had raised. Sash was in the same state of flux, trapped between the here and there. Then Alpha one finished his coup de grace. He narrowed the force field, placing Baylon outside the field and keeping Sash inside. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Baylon shouted angrily. Twenty four simulations with minor variances had all ended the same way. Trinin stood fuming, nostrils flaring. He was barely managing to keep his anger in check. If it wasn't for the fact that the simulation suddenly ended in a brilliant splash of color and sparks as the simulated station exploded, Baylon might well have attempted to destroy the station himself. The holodeck returned back to it's standby mode; the black walls criss-crossed by the brilliant glowing yellow lines that dissected the chamber into even squares. "Computer reset simulation, beginning with my arrival in the command center of the Waagoshin station and pause program." Instantly the room shifted again, this time replaced by the main control room annex, into which Baylon had originally made his arrival into the command center. The holographic image of the Betazoid crouched behind a console as he took stock of the frozen Waagoshin officers surrounding Sash, as well as Alpha One and the Tch'Kairn Slave. With the program frozen again, Baylon was able to walk through the moment as if he were the only member of the scene that was not affected by some sort of bizarre temporal anomaly that had frozen this particular moment in time. He stopped next to one of the Waagoshin officers. "Computer move this officer backwards 0.05 meters from his current position but maintain his current facing." There was an electronic sound as the holographic Waagoshin simmered only to reappear a short distance away. "That's more like it." Baylon mumbled then set about adjusting the simulation in an attempt to figure out exactly where he'd gone wrong with his rescue attempt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, personal quarters, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker, 1324) "You should have done this ages ago," Haywood hissed at himself, standing on the top rung of an old-fashioned ladder, trying to fix the flickering light that had been irritating him for days. Relying too heavily on his sense of balance, Haywood was leaning awkwardly with his hip against the ladder and both arms extended over his head. ~Shoulda asked somebody for help, Hay,~ he thought bitterly. ~You've been at it for a near half hour, and so far, all you've succeeded in doing is making your arms go to sleep.~ His first intention had been to fix and/or replace the flickering light bulb, but at this point, he was resolved to punching the damn thing to oblivion. In a stroke of frustration, Haywood threw his weight into the ladder and lost his precarious balance. As the ladder teetered dangerously, Haywood stained to pull himself back to his center of gravity, but it was too far gone. The ladder tipped diagonally left and backwards and began to fall as though in slow motion. Falling, falling... Both the ladder and the panicking Haywood began suddenly and quickly to pick up momentum as they neared the floor. And then, with a clatter, they hit. Luckily for the ladder, it landed on the ground, cushioned by the flesh of Haywood's body. Unlucky for Haywood, he had fallen at the exact angle so the back of his head struck the frame of his bed hard. The world spun for less than a second as his body slumped forward on itself and he crumpled, half tangled in the rungs of his ladder. He didn't even notice as the blackness engulfed his senses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.23 (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jeicho Haynes - 10:31) "Your attention please," Captain Straton said, calling the meeting to order, "Before we get to departmental status reports, I would like to brief you on our next mission. As this mission is purely scientific in nature, I have asked Lt. Haynes to brief us all on the details of this mission." She then turned toward Jack and nodded for him to begin. Jack stood to his feet as she took her seat then reached down and touched a button on the control panel before him and the subject of their upcoming discussion seemed to rise from the center of the expansive table. The orb was a lifeless, greyish brown mass and about the size of a beachball in this setting. It's surface was pockmarked with small indentations. "This is PX 1354, a magnetar recently discovered in the Beta quadrant, initial long range surveys have assessed it to be twenty eight kilometers in diameter. To those of you who may not be aware, a magnetar is the remains of a dead star, created after it flares to a supernova, it then collapses in upon itself creating an extremely high density and forming what is generally referred to as neutronium but is more scientifically termed neutron-degenerate matter at its core. A piece of the star the size of a grain of sand would weigh on the order of one hundred thousand tons. The temperature of the 'dead' star itself is on the order of 987,000 kelvin." He continued without looking at his notes. "Magnetars generate extremely strong magnetic fields and gravitational pull. The magnetic field of PX 1354 is rated at 10.3 gigateslas which would be fatal to any life form within 970 kilometers of its surface, literally ripping apart living tissue due to the diamagnetism of the water resident in it. The extremely polarized magnetic field of a magnetar splits x-ray photons and emits them in regular bursts while deforming the atomic structure of elements, a hydrogen atom in the grip of such a star literally elongates and forms into a spindle shape up to two hundred times longer than its normal diameter." "It rotates several times per second due to its compressed nature, having once been the core of a star before that literally blew itself apart.and now only a fraction remains, perhaps ten to thirteen percent of its original mass but with its former angular momentum remaining intact." "PX 1354 is an x-ray pulsar, gving off a burst of x-rays unvaryingly every 1.3 seconds but within the last several days that rate has come into question, one out of order x-ray burst of an extremely violent and luminescent quality was observed three days ago though it hasn't been repeated yet. Command and starfleet's scientific corps want to know what caused this errant x-ray burst. Magnetars have a life of roughly ten thousand years before they become dormant and they want to know if this is a sign of instability leading to an imminent degeneration to a dormant state or if something else is at work here. That is our job, to observe the magnetar from a safe distance for any other signs of instability." "There has never been a direct, on scene witness to the events leading up to the death of an x-ray repeater, we may be the first. That gentlemen and ladies..." He gave a quirked grin. "... is called making history and we have a front row seat." (Reply: Any, room for as many questions as needed) Finishing up he turned bck to the Captain, nodded and resumed his seat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1033) Darla sat and listened to the description of the phenomenon that Haynes was laying out for them. She found it interesting, but there was a lot of things that struck her as odd about the whole thing. There was basic information, but nothing exceptionally scientific. Either the data wasn't complete or Haynes was dumbing down the data somewhat for those assembled. When he had finished his miniature briefing, Darla spoke up. "Excuse me sir, but I have a couple of more technical questions," she offered. (reply Haynes) "First would be do we have any further defining characteristics of the regular cyclic x-ray bursts? That is to say do we know where inside the broad 10 to .01 nanometer wavelength it most commonly falls into? Also do we know the frequency range of those bursts, which as you know, could span from 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz? And do we know the general energy outputof those individual waves, that should fall somewhere within the normal 120eV to 120 keV range?" "Secondly, do we know the same basic data from the aberrant x-ray burst?" "And finally do we know if the surface of the Magnetar is a solid or aliquid medium? I ask this because the patterns and likelihood of an unexpected x-ray burst could increase based on the matter/energy state that the bulk of the Magnetar comprises at any given moment. Therefore if it is a liquid medium, we will need to deal with energy as well as thermal flow dynamics that would create thermo-conductive zones for the x-ray bursts to escape through simply by decreasing a relative resistance of a given section of the magnetar. If such a burst were powerful enough, no amount of shielding will protect the ship, and the general fluctuation of the magnetar's magnetic polar fields could shift unexpectedly causing a significant increase in danger to the ship." "A field of that power could in theory warp subspace and cause all sorts of issues on their own. We could inadvertently create a subspace tear, or we may only suffer subspace interference." "It is already well documented that solid Neutronium will inhibit sensors,shrug of even our most powerful phaser blasts and completely block subspace communications. With that in mind, unless you are planning on only gathering surface data only, you'll need to really make some serious modifications to the ship's sensor arrays and consider the possibility of shutting down the warp core while we're anywhere near that thing." "Additionally, won't we have to worry about very low wavelength gamma radiation as well, as the free electrons collide with the nucleus of the atoms packed into the Neutronium?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes - 1035) "Excuse me sir, but I have a couple of more technical questions," The chief engineering officer spoke up. Jack turned his head to look at her as the image of the magnetar rotated in the center of the table. "First would be do we have any further defining characteristics of the regular cyclic x-ray bursts? That is to say do we know where inside the broad 10 to .01 nanometer wavelength it most commonly falls into? Also do we know the frequency range of those bursts, which as you know, could span from 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz? And do we know the general energy outputof those individual waves, that should fall somewhere within the normal 120eV to 120 keV range?" "Secondly, do we know the same basic data from the aberrant x-ray burst?" "And finally do we know if the surface of the Magnetar is a solid or a liquid medium? I ask this because the patterns and likelihood of an unexpected x-ray burst could increase based on the matter/energy state that the bulk of the Magnetar comprises at any given moment. Therefore if it is a liquid medium, we will need to deal with energy as well as thermal flow dynamics that would create thermo-conductive zones for the x-ray bursts to escape through simply by decreasing a relative resistance of a given section of the magnetar. If such a burst were powerful enough, no amount of shielding will protect the ship, and the general fluctuation of the magnetar's magnetic polar fields could shift unexpectedly causing a significant increase in danger to the ship." "A field of that power could in theory warp subspace and cause all sorts of issues on their own. We could inadvertently create a subspace tear, or we may only suffer subspace interference." "It is already well documented that solid Neutronium will inhibit sensors, shrug off even our most powerful phaser blasts and completely block subspace communications. With that in mind, unless you are planning on gathering surface data only, you'll need to really make some serious modifications to the ship's sensor arrays and consider the possibility of shutting down the warp core while we're anywhere near that thing." "Additionally, won't we have to worry about very low wavelength gamma radiation as well, as the free electrons collide with the nucleus of the atoms packed into the Neutronium?" Jack gave a grim smile as she wound down. "I see that at least one person has been paying attention. Being as that we have a number of departments present here who are not all versed in the intricacies of astronomical phenomena I have left out much of the detailed scientific data, however as the questions have been asked I will answer them out of order but building on the data as I go." He leaned against the table with both hands resting upon it. "The surface of PX 1354 is composed of a solid crust because of the extreme magnetic fields, gravity and the age of the star, young magnetars typically have a liquid surface. The crust is primarily iron because of its high binding energy per nucleon with the substrate beneath the crust and above the core composed of a superfluid comprised of helium and hydrogen atoms compressed under tremendous pressures into a liquid state as well as free neutron nuclei, free electrons and free neutrons. The actual temperature of the surface of the star is 103, 000 degrees Kelvin." "The core of PX 1354 is roughly 2.8 to 3 kilometers in diameter and composed entirely of neutron nuclei crushed together to form the extremely dense and massive material known as neutronium, because of its nature I find the term to be adequate, the temperature at the core of the magnetar is the aforementioned 987,000 degrees kelvin. Now!" He pressed a couple of buttons on the panel and two plumes of streaming radiation billowed out from the magnetar's surface at two perfectly equidescent points on the star's surface. "Magnetar's or pulsars do not literally pulse but have radioactive material streaming constantly from their magnetic poles, it's only during the rotational period when such a stream faces a telescope or sensor that it is seen, thus the mistaken belief that I echoed when I spoke of regular pulses." "The plumes at the poles extend for 11.2 kilometers from the star's surface and the radiation emitted is in the 1.2 nanometer wavelength at 12.2 petahertz and with an output of 105 keV. The errant burst was alike in all respects except for a stronger output of 115 keV." He looked up at Darla then around at the others. "Now let's consider the dangers of gamma radiation." He inputted a command into the computer and a thin green glow spread around the star. "The atmosphere of PX1354 is dynamic and composed primarily of free floating electrons and atomic nuclei, because of the extreme magnetic fields generated by a magnetar matter accreted into this atmosphere is stripped of its electrons which surround the star as gamma radiation, the effects of gamma radiation are widely known but will be easily avoided." "Of more concern." He continued, "Is the possibility of a gamma ray burst. Gamma ray bursts however may be forecast as thy announce themselves before their arrival." A moment of inputting data changing the display stripped away all but the x-ray plumes as the star turned on its axis once every 1.3 seconds. A red line began to form on the crust of the magnetar followed by an upheaval of its surface, after a moment a brilliant plume jetted from its interior, reaching out hundreds of kilometers into 'space'. "Gamma ray bursts begin as tectonic upheaval upon the surface of the star caused by a massive explosion beneath the crust which gives highly visible warnings of an imminent event. Gamma ray bursts with an output of up to 143 keV have been recorded. While it is unlikely such an event would happen upon a star this advanced in its timeline we will be watching closely, at an obvious sign of trouble we could easily escape before the burst has a chance to endanger the ship." "Now what questions have I not answered?" (Reply: Any) "Ah yes." Due to the possibility of magnetic shifts as well as gamma ray bursts we will be keeping a safe distance from the star, at least 6.5 million kilometers and due to the unlikely possibility of actually penetrating neutronium with the technology at our disposal our scans will be limited to the surface and substrate of the star. although I will be working with the department and trying to come up with some way of getting deeper readings. Due to the densely packed nature of the neutron nuclei in the material it is unlikely we can do it. And lastly." He stepped back from the table. "In the event we are too close to the star during a magnetic shift a rip or tear in subspace is a possibility which we shall be on guard against, if we have to and at the captain's discretion we might rethink the area of the safe zone and make our investigations from a more distant point, I have thought this over carefully however and believe 6.5 million kilometers to be a very safe and comfortable cushion." "Have I answered all of your questions?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker - 1036) Like most things not directly pertaining to life science, much of what Darla had asked had gone directly over Haywood's head. Feeling as though his universal translator had shorted out in the far reaches of the gamma quadrant, he tried his hardest to look as though he understood and was following along quite easily. ~It's a good thing body functions aren't this complicated,~ he thought to himself, knowing full well that it was simply a subject he could easily mold his brain around. "Now let's consider the dangers of gamma radiation." Jack continued on. Ah, a subject Haywood understood, "The atmosphere of PX1354 is dynamic and composed primarily of free floating electrons and atomic nuclei, because of the extreme magnetic fields generated by a magnetar matter accreted into this atmosphere is stripped of its electrons which surround the star as gamma radiation, the effects of gamma radiation are widely known but will be easily avoided." ~Good thing, too. Imagine what sickbay would look like after that!~ "Of more concern." Jack continued, "Is the possibility of a gamma ray burst. Gamma ray bursts however may be forecast as they announce themselves before their arrival." "Gamma ray bursts begin as tectonic upheaval upon the surface of the star caused by a massive explosion beneath the crust which gives highly visible warnings of an imminent event. Gamma ray bursts with an output of up to 143 keV have been recorded. While it is unlikely such an event would happen upon a star this advanced in its timeline we will be watching closely, at an obvious sign of trouble we could easily escape before the burst has a chance to endanger the ship." "Now what questions have I not answered?" Haywood bit his lower lip, "I suppose," he interjected, "that it might be a good idea for sick bay to stock up on equipment in case of gamma exposure. Cutting out prep time might be of vital importance." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1040) Before Jack took his seat one of the ACMO's spoke up. "I suppose, that it might be a good idea for sick bay to stock up on equipment in case of gamma exposure. Cutting out prep time might be of vital importance." "Excellent suggestion Mr. Parker." Jack nodded as he sat down. "Please take care of the matter." He looked about the room, it appeared as though everyone were awaiting the next step. "All right then, departmental reports please, after which the Captain has something to say and then we will get to work." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1041) Jack took his seat as he called for department reports. Lo'ren hadn't said anything so far this meeting - seeing as how it seemed the upcoming mission would be a scientist and engineers dream. She decided to get her report out of the way so there would be room for more discussion - she knew how quickly the science types could get in depth and leave her behind. "Along with all the other updates to the ship, Tactical received some upgrades - some weapons were replaced or reprogrammed and some new tactical patterns and security updates. Most of the Tactical and Security departments are up to speed, with only a handful of bridge rated Tac officers still needing to catch up." She smiled slightly, liking to be thorough but guessing that this might seem a little off the beaten track. "If you have an interest in martial arts -most of our instructor level personnel are having to be re-certified owing to the fact that their qualifications have expired. Most have been given conditional reinstatements because of the time-jump so there should be no problems in the long run, but there are a few that have been unable to get permission from the governing bodies to continue without full evaluations -most notably the Nausicaan Martial Arts College and the Xenexian Sword Fighting Association." Lo'ren sat down, her smile of humour still on her face. She hoped for at least one chuckle from someone in the room and expected at least a few eyerolls. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 10:43) Lo'ren sat down after giving her status report, and Eoin stood. "Engineering is running at 100%. The upgrades to our systems have integrated themselves beautifully, and we are now as up-to-date as any other ship in the fleet. Main Engineering is still strewn with operation manuals, but the crew is doing beautifully in acquainting themselves with the new systems. We'll have everyone up to speed within the day." He sat back down, to listen to the rest of the briefing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1050) "All right then, departmental reports please, after which the Captain has something to say and then we will get to work." Haynes stated Darla waited for a couple of the other reports to conclude before she rose to give her own report for the Engineering department. "The engineering department is ready for action. All primary systems are running at or above 90 % efficiency. We have implemented most of the new service bulletins that have come out within the last five years. The few that we have remaining should be finished without difficulty by the end ofthe week. They are minor systems upgrades and calibrations that shouldn't have any impact on any mission or performance critical systems." "All upgrades and service calibrations for all support craft are complete and all personnel are fully certified with the new procedures and protocols that we had to retrain for. Besides the upgrade and calibrations I mentioned earlier, we only have standard Preventive and scheduled maintenance upcoming to deal with." Having completed her report, Darla resumed her seat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, - Observation Lounge - COUNS- Ensign Anamitra Ripley - 1051) Once the more important departments had given their reports, Ana stood to give hers. "Overall ship's health is good, although Morale seems to be less than ideal.The crew is professional and capable. We have had an increase in clinical cases of PTSD as well as clinical depression. With Doctor Riven's assistance I am hoping to arrest that continued digression and move those most deeply affected towards a more constructive healing path." "With the loss of the last five years, Starfleet Medical Command has ordered that I conduct a thorough psychological evaluation of all senior staff officers aboard the Hades, so please be prepared to give me a little bit of your time over the course of the next several days." Ana smiled and then resumed her seat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 10:52) With all the departmental reports finished, Eva stood once more.She looked at the assembled officers with her customary stern gaze. "The magnetar we will be investigating is in neutral space," She said, "Close to the Federation boarder, it is possible, though unlikely, we could have...visitors drop by during our investigation. I want Tactical, Security, and the Marines to remain alert. While our mission is purely scientific, you never know who may drop by and what their intentions may be. This ship will be ready to perform her mission when we arrive at the magnetar. I will expect full reports from all departments on how best to do that while minimizing the risk to this ship and her crew before our arrival. Now, if there are no further questions, you are all dismissed." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 10:53) Eoin listened to the briefing, and wondered about a few things. Though he had studied linguistics and engineering at the Academy, he still knew a thing or two about magnetars from his astrophysics courses. When the captain asked for questions, Eoin made himself known by standing up quickly, speaking above all the other rumblings as people started getting ready to leave. "Ma'am, if I may ask one question, what is the closest you anticipate coming to the magnetar? Even as far as 1 AU out will start to affect the ship's systems. We'll need to know what and how much we're up against." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 10:54) "Ma'am, if I may ask one question, what is the closest you anticipate coming to the magnetar? Even as far as 1 AU out will start to affect the ship's systems. We'll need to know what and how much we're up against,"Ensign Mac Liam asked. "As Lt. Haynes already said, we will be staying at least 6.5 million kilometers from the magnetar," she replied with a frown and a stern gaze. "In the future I suggest you pay closer attention to Lt. Haynes scientific briefings Ensign." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 10:56) Lo'ren had raised her eyebrow at Eoin's question and subsequently steered clear of the negatively broadcasting Captain Straton. It was her prior training as a diplomat and nothing to do with telepathy that told her now was not a good time to get in Eva's way, intentionally or unintentionally. Afetr gathering her things she walked towards the door, but decided to wait for Jack - with a new mission getting underway and both of them in relatively new positions, she felt they'd not been able to spend as much time together as she'd like. Especially after the shore leave they'd shared -a visit to Bajor to pay respects to her parents' and the monks who'd cared for her father. Vedek Qila was much nicer than he'd seemed in his letter to her - he confessed that his own shock at her 'return from the Temple' had made it difficult to write such a delicate letter. After that, Jack had taken her to Earth to meet his family - a boisterous event to say the least. She smiled up at him as he came towards her, "Hey - I'll bet you're excited about this mission?" Her voice was light and playful as she fell into step beside him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes - 10:57) ~Well that ended on a low note.~ Jack thought as the meeting ended. He switched off the display and gathered up his padd, looking about and catching Eoin's eye. With a smile and a nod to let him know there were no hard feelings he turned and noted Lo'ren was standing by the door waiting for him. That brought a smile to his lips, the woman never failed to captivate him, who would have thought in their wildest dreams that shared smiles over a pile of debris in the cargo bay would have led to what they shared today. He had been intrigued then and smitten shortly afterward during the celebration. Now though he was head over heels. As she smiled then fell into step beside him he snaked his left arm around her waist and gave her a momentary caress, showing by the contact some of his feelings for her, as though she couldn't tell then withdrew his hand and returned it to his side. ~Damn protocols anyway.~ "Hey - I'll bet you're excited about this mission?" "You are right as always." He grinned. "Scientists have a notable weakness for the unknown, we have a thirst to explore that which we've never seen in exquisite detail." He chuckled then. (Reply: Lo'ren) As they passed the two counselors who had stopped and were discussing something or other he nodded to them in a business-like fashion, Riven was outlandish as always in a brightly colored robe of white though it didn't seem to have the crystals embedded into it that the other one did, Jack gave him and Ana a cockeyed grin before they moved away, he had something he was going to have to discuss with both of them and soon. He had come to the decision on a spur of the moment and immediately felt better for it, it was time to move forward. "So what did you really think of my family?" He asked then as he flashed Lo'ren a smile. "I've never seen them so excited and I think Dave was a bit jealous of me. If you hadn't been with me I think he might have tried to pick you up." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Deck 1 Corridor - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 10:57.5) Lo'ren thoroughly enjoyed the squeeze Jack gave her in greeting, her own arm hugging back in the same manner before they had to yeild to protocol. "You are right as always." He grinned. "Scientists have a notable weakness for the unknown, we have a thirst to explore that which we've never seen in exquisite detail." He chuckled then. Lo'ren felt Jack's lightness breeze through her - she'd already sensed how excited he was, but there was something about voicing these things that was almost better than sharing the emotions as they did. They went past Ana and Riven, who were discussing something - Lo'ren's sensitive ears could probably hear what they were saying, but decorum made her ignore their conversation. She smiled and nodded at the two as she and Jack walked past. She felt Jack's mood lighten even further as they continued on. "So what did you really think of my family?" He asked then as he flashed Lo'ren a smile. "I've never seen them so excited and I think Dave was a bit jealous of me. If you hadn't been with me I think he might have tried to pick you up." Lo'ren laughed, "They are a wonderful family. Dave... well, if you weren't around I might go on a date with him." Lo'ren shot Jack a teasing glance as they walked. (reply Jack) "Your sister is so nice, she was so kind to treat me like her own sister;and your parents - I thought they'd never let you leave again. They were so happy to have you 'back from the grave'." Lo'ren let the memories of the visit rise to the surface of her thoughts. She reached out and grabbed Jack's hand, sending him a quick image of the party Dave had thrown their first night on Earth. "Dave certainly does throw a good party, but he'd never be able to compete with you." She smiled up at Jack, gazing at those green eyes that twinned her own. It never ceased to amaze her how much she felt for him. He was as much a part of her being as her heart was, and she didn't want it any way else. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1058) Her musical laughter was intoxicating. "They are a wonderful family. Dave... well, if you weren't around I might go on a date with him." He caught a glimpse of a mischevous smile as they entered the bridge. "He should be so lucky." He said softly as he looked about to make sure everything was in order. "Your sister is so nice, she was so kind to treat me like her own sister;and your parents - I thought they'd never let you leave again. They were so happy to have you 'back from the grave'." She took his hand and a flash of memory whizzed through his mind. David (Dave's real first name) pumping his hand with his right while he slapped his shoulder with his left before grabbing him in a bearhug. "How does it feel to be five years older bro?" "I swear I don't feel any older than twenty nine." He had replied. "Does this mean I get two birthday cakes a year? "Only if you want to get fat." His younger brother had replied before letting go and slapping him hard in the stomch which had elicited an "Oof." from him. "You're getting soft old man." The family home had been decked out in blue and white streamers, UFP colors and huge 'Welcome Home Jericho' signs on every available wall. God how he hated that name! David knew it too which was why he had it plastered everywhere, it was a running joke between the two, he reciprocated by calling him David at every available opportunity. David had even spiked the punch with Blue Caraco since Romulan ale was pricey, that was his cover story anyway, it HAD been Romulan ale, where he had gotten it Jack had no idea. Needless to say almost everyone had been plastered and passed out long before the withching hour. Dad had been grinning like the proverbial cheshire cat and slapping him on the back at every opportunity and mom, well let's just say they had opened the waterworks when she was giving him a hug then held on like glue. She had insisted on waiting on him hand and foot the whole night. Johnathon had punched his left arm till it felt black and blue and his sister had dragged her new husband along to the event. He had seemed like a nice guy too, mother of mercy he was finally happy for her! And Lo'ren and her talking in a corner and giggling like schoolgirls while throwing smiles at him. What did women find to talk about when they were that way? He figured he really didn't want to know. As quickly as it came it passed leaving him with a silly grin on his face. "Dave certainly does throw a good party, but he'd never be able to compete with you." "Not in a million years, even at twenty four he's still wet behind the ears." He chuckled. "Besides I'd wreck his life if he tried." He winked. "I've got a little pull in stafleet now, I could tell them some goofy tale like he's always fantasized about starting an interstellar war." (Reply: Lo'ren) Life always intrudes on good times, it was time to get back to work, first though. "You'll probably pass out when you hear this but I need to speak to the counselor, it seems like a good time for an apology." ~And if Riven is as good as they say he is ...~ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.24 (USS Hades - Deck 8, Corridor - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1829) Lo'ren fidgetted in the corridor. She wasn't usually this nervous about a counselling session - she'd been through a few before - and she shouldn't be nervous about meeting a Betazoid either. But Dr. Mias, ~Riven, he wants to be called Riven,~ Riven, was a horse of a different colour. He was, in fact more like an exuberant Golden Retriever puppy - with mental capacities that could blow you out of the water. She knew he could probably sense her outside the door and so she put it off no longer. She tapped the chime and waited for the summons. (reply Riven) The door slid aside for her and she stepped into a new world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 1830) Riven had done too much sitting behind a desk all day and was pacing the floor, well not really pacing, actually just ambling about his quarters and studying the decor to make sure everything was in its place. The bust of the goddess dominated the living area on an ornate table he had had replicated to set it on and incense sticks were set about it at eight points in ancient sconces which he took with him everywhere he went. Paintings of the temple and pastoral scenes of his home planet had been hung about the walls at eye level. Anyone entering this chamber and familiar with temple quarters might have thought they had been transported there, everything was perfect down to the minutest detail including the old quanda wood desk he had found in ship's stores that had been there since he had been on the ship last. Why anyone would have thought to have stored his beloved desk away rather than getting rid of it was beyond imagining though he was eternally grateful. There had been no room on the Potomac for it and he had believed it had been returned to Betazed at his request, that is until he had arrived back at his home planet and found it missing from the cache of personal supplies sent there. But they had been reunited, he and his desk and he was profoundly happy about it. The only thing out of place was the grey of the ships bulkheads but he had taken care of that as well, wallpaper with the shape of ancient stone blocks in a 3-D relief made him feel perfectly at home. The rich scent of wax from the three inch diameter candles that were burning in the corners of the room completed the homey feel. Normally he was out and about by this time but whipping his quarters into shape had been a priority, he just didn't feel right when something there was off kilter. At this point though he was almost completely satisfied, he would replicate a bethroon vase for his bedchamber tomorrow as a base for the meditation crystal and be done with it. Having honed his list down to two items he stopped and was heading for a comfy chair when he got a distinct mental impression as of someone in the throes of indecision. He stopped and turned, his gaze coming to rest on the door, a smile lit his face as the nearness of that mind, someone was about to pay him a visit. "Lovely." He knew that mind and was not someone to forget a mental pattern. As if in response the chime sounded. "Come in." He called as he remained on his feet by the chair. (Reply: Lo'ren) He chuckled as she entered the room wide eyed. "Do come in and have a seat he said as he gestured to another chair close by, "How do you like my quarters? I've spent the last several days getting it just right and I'm almost there." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1831) Lo'ren was unprepared for the way Riven had transformed his quarters. If she hadn't known exactly what corridor she'd stepped out of, what deck and section she was on - she might have thought she'd stepped onto an active holodeck. The smell of candles and incense was relaxing and inviting as she came through the door at the friendly summons. She was finally able to lay her eyes on Riven's face and found a cheshire grin splitting his face and crinkling his eyes. "Do come in and have a seat," he said as he gestured to another chair close by, "How do you like my quarters? I've spent the last several days getting it just right and I'm almost there." She smiled back at him as she moved towards and accepted the proferred chair. "Thank you, your quarters are quite... well, amazing. If I didn't know better I'd say I was in an old temple." (reply Riven) She smiled, "Well, I would love to add more colour to the walls but I'm not sure of what Jack wants and we've only been together for a short while and..." She let her voice drop off. ~We've had enough to deal with without dealing with decorations.~ (reply Riven) She tried to let out a breath slowly, but disolved into nervous giggles,"Well, You did say to drop by any time I could and I..." she flushed emerald as she spoke, "I couldn't put it off any longer." her last words were strung together like they were one word and her eyes dropped to the floor at the admission, even the slight admission that she put something like this off. Anger, fear, worry - she wasn't sure what had kept her away for even a short time, but she had 47 years of majorly shoved aside emotional and mental work to do and it felt like it was a mountain that could never be scaled so why try? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1833) He caught the whiff of emotional turmoil that she was projecting quite clearly as she entered, normally he would spend more time at the beginning making his guests feel at ease but he intuited that the question about his decor had already made some small progress in that regard so he would put that off for a bit, long enough at least to help her talk through some of the beginning stage of what she had come here for. After they had talked for a bit he would transit to the hospitality phase, at the moment she needed to get some things off her chest metaphorically speaking and he wasn't about to deflect her train of thought and perhaps make it harder for her to open up. She smiled back at him as she seated herself in a deep armchair that was well cushioned. ~A perfect choice for the occasion.~ He returned the smile of course. His robin's egg blue robe projecting a soothing, warm color that seemed to blend perfectly with the rest of his decor. "Thank you, your quarters are quite... well, amazing. If I didn't know better I'd say I was in an old temple." "The temple of Alura on Betazed as a matter of fact." He replied with a chuckle at her perceptiveness. "Not perfectly as per the dimensions of my old quarters but close enough for me to feel at home. I had the simulated stonework replicated as a near perfect copy of the walls of my living quarters even down to the shades of tan and brown." She smiled, "Well, I would love to add more colour to the walls but I'm not sure of what Jack wants and we've only been together for a short while and..." Her voice trailed off. He wasn't about to let her go silent at this point. "You don't know how delighted I am that you dropped by, you have quite literally made my day." He gave her a wink. "Now tell me why you chose to brighten my day with a visit." She giggled nervously before she replied,"Well, You did say to drop by any time I could and I..." Her flush was quite obvious, was she embarrassed she hadn't visited him before or because she had come to his quarters? Judging from the guilt she was projecting it was the former. "I couldn't put it off any longer." "Then now was the perfect time." His smile became more fatherly. "And any other time would have been the wrong time. Tell me Lo'ren what is on your mind that needs to be shared." he cocked his head slightly as he looked into her face. "And it does need to be shared or you will never be rid of it. It is only through an exchange with another person that such things can be lanced and the healing process begun." (Reply: Lo'ren) He nodded. "The old adage is true that talking is thirsty work, would you like something to drink before we begin?" he leaned forward, his hands on the back of his favorite chair, it didn't have the cushiony depths of the one she had taken by half but perfectly fitted his form and was as comfortable to him as any he had found. From the look on her face and the depths of her emotional turmoil he could tell that quite a bit of conversation was in order. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1834) "Then now was the perfect time." His smile became more fatherly and Lo'ren felt she could trust Riven. "And any other time would have been the wrong time. Tell me Lo'ren what is on your mind that needs to be shared." he cocked his head slightly as he looked into her face. "And it does need to be shared or you will never be rid of it. It is only through an exchange with another person that such things can be lanced and the healing process begun." If Lo'ren hadn't known the telepathic laws herself, she might have thought Riven had gone ahead and read her mind. As it was, she fought the panic brought on by fight or flight - swallowing her fears so she could face them calmly - or at least try to face them calmly. The prospect of sharing her history with (for all practical purposes) a stranger was daunting and left her mouth dry. She pushed her back into the chair, the soft backing giving just enough, and commanded the flight instinct to be still. She stammered as she spoke, "One thing I've had trouble with for a long time is flashbacks." She swallowed, feeling the lump in her throat constrict and dry out. She attempted to clear her throat and didn't quite manage. "I'm sorry, my throat is terribly dry." She didn't care if he thought she was avoiding the conversation - as a singer she hated having a dry throat. He nodded. "The old adage is true that talking is thirsty work, would you like something to drink before we begin?" He was leaning over the back of a chair as he spoke. She smiled and gave a nervous half laugh, "Please, my vocalist training makes me feel like I require about 50 gallons of liquid a day. "Tea?" She gave him a helpless look and waited until he returned with the tea. (reply Riven) She accepted the cup graciously enough, but hugged it close, like a security blanket. "Like I said, flashbacks. As a Linguist, I used to be able to manage them - they didn't often show up and I managed to stay away from the majority of telepaths where I would be studying." She felt her face colour as she felt rather guilty in this admission. (reply Riven) "I hadn't had a real flashback for months, and thought they were gone entirely, but the minute I stepped onto the Hades things started going downhill." Lo'ren wanted to speculate, but part of her felt that she might look like she was blaming others for her failings - and she never wanted to blame any of the good people on the Hades for that, especially not Jack, Baylon or Captain Straton. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1838) "Please, my vocalist training makes me feel like I require about 50 gallons of liquid a day. Tea?" She replied when he offered her refreshment. "Of course, I love a good cup. I'll be right back. Any particular brand? Ana introduced me to a really good tea when I came aboard. and what would you like with it?" He asked as he hurried to the replicator to order them up what she asked for as well as for himself. (Reply: Lo'ren) When he had served and handed over the cup she covered it with both of her hands and held it against her chest. "Like I said, flashbacks. As a Linguist, I used to be able to manage them - they didn't often show up and I managed to stay away from the majority of telepaths where I would be studying." As she spoke her face flushed guiltily. He gave her a knowing smile. "When people aren't ready to share their true feelings they often do that sort of thing, it's nothing to be ashamed of and don't worry about me. I won't intrude on your mind unless you give me permission. Please go on." "I hadn't had a real flashback for months," She said. "and thought they were gone entirely, but the minute I stepped onto the Hades things started going downhill." He nodded. "The stress of working on a vessel like the Hades places enormous pressure on the crew, especially one so new to the posting." he could feel her guilty feelings increasing as she spoke of what had happened to her here. "That stress tends to play upon our weaknesses and is no fault of you or anyone here. Please don't blame yourself, it is perfectly normal. How often have you had these flashbacks and what do you see?" He took a sip of the honey sweetened tea as he did so and mentally thanked Ana for bringing it to his attention. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Corridor Outside Dr. Mias' Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:28) Eoin walked out of the turbolift, and followed the indicators towards Dr. Mias' quarters. He had convinced himself earlier on that he didn't need to talk to anyone about it, but now he knew that he needed to tell someone, and ask for advice. He hadn't yet met Dr. Mias personally, but he had heard good things about him. He sounded somewhat like Eoin's own father: open and always there. Well, the father that Eoin remembered, anyway. He reached Dr. Mias' quarters, and sighed. Thinking about the things his parents said to him made him feel miserable, and it weighed him down. He needed help. He rang the doorchime. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal quarters- Dr. Riven Mias - 21:30) Riven had just picked up the rapidly cooling cup of hot tea he had replicated before Lo'ren had left and sat down when the chime on his door rang again. He set the cup down reflexively and turned to the door, so much time spent on mental disciplines had distracted him it seemed. His mind had been picking up a lot more than normally and a 'forest for the trees' state had ensued. Now that he was concentrating on one area though he could sense the confusion in whomever stood outside his door, it was getting late but that was never an issue, he loved having visitors, especially now when he hadn't had time to get out of his chambers for the last few days. So much time in isolation without mingling with the crew always had him fidgety. "Come in!" His voice rang out in a delighted tone. "Visitors are always welcome." (Reply: Eoin) He was rising to his feet as the door opened, he never greeted someone from a sitting position. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 8, Dr. Mias' Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:31) Eoin had no sooner rung the doorchime than he heard a man's voice from the other side of the door. It was a kind voice, a welcoming voice. Just what he needed right now. "Come in! Visitors are always welcome." Eoin stepped through the door, and into another world. Dr. Mias had taken his quarters to quite another level than he had ever seen. It reminded Eoin somewhat of the time he went to Angkor Wat when he was younger. The stonework was beautiful, even if he knew it wasn't real. He took a moment to take everything in, before turning to face Dr. Mias, who was just standing up to greet him. He had a kind face. He looked like a wise man, who would be willing to hear of Eoin's problems. Even still, Eoin's voice sounded anything but sure of himself. Eoin must have come across as shy, which he never does. It faltered on almost every other word. "Good evening, Dr. Mias. My name's Eoin Mac Liam, and I work in Engineering. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, but I heard about you, and you sound like someone I could talk to." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 21:32) You didn't have to be an empath or even a counselor to note the young man who entered his quarters was a bit nervous, ill at ease and hesitant. The empathic talent however tasted worry in generous amounts which often went hand in hand with the aforementioned traits that were on display. It was no surprise then that when he spoke it was with a faltering tongue. Riven could also sense an undercurrent of wonder which his decor might well have inspired, all the work he had done on his domicile then had been well worth the time he had spent and more. "Good evening, Dr. Mias. My name's Eoin Mac Liam, and I work in Engineering. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, but I heard about you, and you sound like someone I could talk to." "Eoin!" Riven stepped up to him and held out his right hand, warmly shaking the hand that was hesitantly offered him. "I must insist you call me Riven, Doctor is far too formal for my tastes." He gave the engineer an infectious grin as he did so. (Reply: Eoin) "You are interrupting not at all! I'm very happy you stopped by. I hope you don't mind indulging in a bit of tea with me, in fact I insist. While I get a fresh carafe and some cups have a seat, anywhere you'd like." He gestured with a sweeping hand at the comfortable furnishings of his living quarters. (Reply: Eoin) Riven was wearing a loose robe of robin's egg blue today which swirled about his ankles as he walked to the replicator, the charms in his hair and on his sandals chiming soothingly as he did so. "Is there any particular type you would like?" He asked over his shoulder then turned as he reached the replicator. "Ana introduced me when I came aboard to a blend from India which I've taken a liking to. And what would you like with it?" (Reply: Eoin) The seating was clustered near a small, short table of the same wood as his desk which he had brought aboard with him, setting the items down and taking a comfortable chair he served Eoin then sat back with a satisfied sigh, hefting the cup he had poured for himself. "As for talking you've come to the right place, I know when to talk and more importantly when to listen. Now tell me about yourself." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 21:33) "Good evening, Dr. Mias. My name's Eoin Mac Liam, and I work in Engineering. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything, but I heard about you, and you sound like someone I could talk to." "Eoin!" Riven stepped up to him and held out his right hand, warmly shaking the hand that was hesitantly offered him. "I must insist you call me Riven, Doctor is far too formal for my tastes." He gave Eoin an infectious grin as he did so. It made Eoin feel a bit better, but still not as happy-go-lucky as he usually was. He accomplished a weak smile. "Riven it is, then," he said, as he took his hand. "You are interrupting not at all! I'm very happy you stopped by. I hope you don't mind indulging in a bit of tea with me, in fact I insist. While I get a fresh carafe and some cups have a seat, anywhere you'd like." He gestured with a sweeping hand at the comfortable furnishings of his living quarters. Eoin took a seat in one of the chairs, noting to himself just how comfortable they were. "Very well. Yes, a cup of tea would be lovely." Riven was wearing a loose robe of robin's egg blue today which swirled about his ankles as he walked to the replicator, the charms in his hair and on his sandals chiming soothingly as he did so. In a way, Eoin was reminded of the Elves from Lord of the Rings. That was a comforting thought for him; he loved those books when he was younger. "Is there any particular type you would like?" He asked over his shoulder then turned as he reached the replicator. "Ana introduced me when I came aboard to a blend from India which I've taken a liking to. And what would you like with it?" "Oh, Earl Grey if you have it, with two sugars." Riven set the tea down on the table around which the chairs were arranged, served Eoin then sat back with a satisfied sigh, hefting the cup he had poured for himself. "As for talking you've come to the right place, I know when to talk and more importantly when to listen. Now tell me about yourself." "Well," Eoin started, "I suppose the place to start is my... family. I was a farm boy growing up, in western Ireland on Earth. The middle child of five. Everyone else in my family became artisans of one kind or another, but I was the exception. My parents might not have agreed with my decisions, but they stuck by me. I called them every few weeks when I could, but..." He put his tea down, and put his head in his hands. He tried holding back his tears, but it wasn't working. "I hadn't called them in five years, according to them. But it wasn't my fault. We were thrown forward in time. I tried to explain that to them when I called them. But they didn't believe me. They've convinced themselves that I'm dead. And I don't know what to do. I might not fit in with the rest of my family, but they're my family. They should stick by you through thick and thin. But all of a sudden, I'm left without them. I've tried to move on, and keep going with my duties, but it's gotten to the point where I can't do it anymore. It occupies my mind too much. What should I do?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias - 21:37) "Well, I suppose the place to start is my... family." Eoin began. "I was a farm boy growing up, in western Ireland on Earth. The middle child of five. Everyone else in my family became artisans of one kind or another, but I was the exception. My parents might not have agreed with my decisions, but they stuck by me. I called them every few weeks when I could, but..." He set dwn his beverage and cradled his head in his hands. Riven could feel the welling up of a deep gulf of sadness. "I hadn't called them in five years, according to them. But it wasn't my fault. We were thrown forward in time. I tried to explain that to them when I called them. But they didn't believe me. They've convinced themselves that I'm dead. And I don't know what to do. I might not fit in with the rest of my family, but they're my family. They should stick by you through thick and thin. But all of a sudden, I'm left without them. I've tried to move on, and keep going with my duties, but it's gotten to the point where I can't do it anymore. It occupies my mind too much. What should I do?" Riven reached over with his left hand as he set down his own cup and placed it on Eoin's right shoulder, using his talent to siphon off much of that negative energy and drawing it into himself where he would deal with it later as he comforted the young man. As the his shaking eased he spoke. "Understanding is the key to dealing with situations like this Eoin, understanding the feelings of both your family and yourself." (Reply: Eoin) As the Irishman looked up he continued. "You have to understand that after grief comes anger, it is a natural part of life. Your parents grieved for you when you went so long missing and with the realization that you were dead they became angry, with themselves and with the situation that ripped you from them and they have held that anger and grief for a long time now. And there is no grief quite like that of a parent that has lost a child, it is such a shock that it is often debilitating. It has become a natural part of their existence and it will take time to dissipate. The worst thing you could do is to cut off contact with them." "You have asked me what you should do and I will tell you, continue to keep in touch, write letters to them as you have always done as often as you can and keep them informed of what you are doing. Give them a chance for their grief and anger to die. It will take some time but it will die, and they will come to the realization that you have indeed returned to them. Your communications will become their lifeline again, just as it was before. At the same time it will be hard for you until that day comes but when it does your reward will be more than you can measure." He removed his hand from the man's shoulder and leaned back in his chair. "You have always been very close to your family, it is a testament both to your love for them and to theirs for you that it has been this way and that love will not go unrewarded, it is too strong to be put down. The thought of losing their love, of being cut off from them has been too much for you to bear, it has robbed you of your hope but truth is life affirming, it gives hope when all hope has been lost." The room began almost to hum with positive energy, vibrant and alive. "And I have told you the truth Eoin, if you will heed it you will find out for yourself the truth of what I say." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate 2413.10.25 (USS Hades, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 13: 45) Eva watched as PX 1354 filled the view screen as the Hades settled into orbit around the magnetar at 9.4 million kilometers. "Full sensor scan," She said, "Lets get some answers. Operations and Engineering keep a close eye on all systems in case we need to adjust our orbit due to interference from the magnetar." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Bridge, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 13: 46) Jack was sitting at science 1 when the ship entered orbit around their goal, as the ranking science officer he was not going to allow the opportunity to pass by to oversee the intial experiments and readings. If the scientific division of Stafleet was correct they might be watching history in the making. Oh it was all but guaranteed that t wouldn't happen while they were here, the chances of catching the actual death of the Magnetar were slim to none but their readings would almost certainly fill in huge gaps in their knowledge about such astronomical bodies. Long range sensors had been recording data for the last day and a half, thrity three hours to be nearly exact. Now that they were in this close he activated the short range scanners and watched with anticipation as they came online. Mass spectography had already confirmed the composition of the 'dead' star which was roiling with a mind bogglingly compressed hydrogen and helium superfluid and encompassed by a solid latticework of iron nuclei being continually shot through with energetic electrons. The area of space around PX1354 to the distance of three point five six light years gave off a pulsing, tattered reddish glow from its ring of ionized hydrogen gas. Since normal sensor scans couldn't penetrate the interference created by the high concentration of neutron nuclei, free floating electrons and protons as well as the radiation from flayed atomic structures of accrected matter witnin its atmosphere and substrate not to mention its potent magnetic field the power to the arrays had been significantly increased and the bandwidth, modulation and frequencies tightened beyond their rated minimums by the combined efforts of the engineering, operations and science departments. Even with the calibrations done to the sensors interference was still high but within maximum tolerances causing a massive flow of information on the subject of their endeavors and layer by layer the Magnetar was grudgingly giving up its secrets. "Full sensor scan," The Captain called out and Jack had to smile at that one, he was way ahead of her. It was like telling helium gas to rise or rocks to sink into the ocean, some things just went without saying. She continued. "Lets get some answers. Operations and Engineering keep a close eye on all systems in case we need to adjust our orbit due to interference from the magnetar." "Short range scanners on line." He called out. "The gravitational well is maneagable Captain." David Adams' voice boomed out. "We can hold this orbit on impulse and maybe even get a bit closer. "The magnetic field is a bit rougher though, shields are at twenty five percent and holding. I would suggest we not get any closer unless you want us to hold them at full power to allow for a safe margin or error. The shields are also sufficient to stave off the bombardment of x-ray and gamma radiation. EPS and power relays are holding steady, no effects yet from transient subatomic particles." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, - Main Engineering - aCEO- Lieutenant Darla Wright - 1348) Darla tapped a few more commands into the master display panel located in the entry way to the Hades Main Engineering Bay. To her right the three deck tall warp core was pulsing a soft and rich blue light that was both comforting and reassuring. The last two days had been spent on shielding a few of the more critical components from subspace, magnetic and gamma radiation interference and Darla's eyes were watching the results from the latest diagnostics on those modified systems scroll across the display screen. "Excellent." She mumbled under her breath, It looked as if everything was running as smoothly as she had anticipated. Eoin's assistance in making several of the adjustments to the ship's sensor pallets had been critical for allowing the increased energy flow and advanced collection and transmission output that the sensors would need to perform their tasks despite all the interference that was streaming from the Magnetar. For her teams part in things, they had to install additional EPS conduits at key locations throughout the ship to allow the system to carry the increased energy flow. While a time consuming and very demanding job, it seemed that all the hard work was paying off. Another set of short commands tapped into the display altered it to allow Darla to watch the performance levels of the most critical components on the Hades during this mission; The Warp systems, The shields and the Sensors,all of which were indispensible if they were going to complete their mission. The displays were very positive. =^=...Operations and Engineering keep a close eye on all systems in case we need to adjust our orbit due to interference from the magnetar.=^= Eva's voice called from the bridge. "Understood captain. All systems are operating at 100%. I'll keep you advised if any problems arise. Engineering out." Darla replied after tapping her commbadge. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile