USS Paladin

Compiled by Calvin Capps
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Mission: Into the Gates of Hell
Day: 7
Stardate: 2407.01.10
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(USS Paladin - Away team staging - 20/TAC/SC T`Vhor - 06:30)

After a particularly restful nights sleep, Lt T`Vhor
had arrived at the staging area to be greeted by eight
other security officers already sectioned off into two
groups to compliment the MCO`s marine squads. 

Elsewhere in the room, the marines were preparing to
suit up having just checked the status of their sensor
kit & weaponary, prior to attaching the neural
stabiliser devices to their temples.

Lt T`Vhor nodded once to the MCO in acknowledgment as
he entered the room, then he walked towards his
officers where they too were engaging in similar
activities.

"This will prevent psyche interference yes?", said
Conner holding up the small black device to T`Vhor.

"It will interface with the synaptic pathways in your
brain & prevent illusary involvent", said T`Vhor.

Conner merely smiled at the vulcan hybrids choice of
words. "I`ll take that as a yes then", he said as he
then turned to his men to continue with their mission
briefing.

"Once we are on the alien vessel, you are to form into
your designated teams & follow the gameplan", said
Conner. "HA will be on standby in the Trojan if we
need them, the known routes are programmed into your
HUD`s so keep to the markers & maintain coms checks at
five minute intervals", he added as each of the
marines responded with nods & sirs.

Lt T`Vhor then turned to his own officers.

"Ok, our primary goal is to attempt to make contact
with the species encountered by team one on the last
away mission, the secondary goal is to obtain as much
information from the ships computer database using the
translation matrix provided from the first log", said
T`Vhor. 

"Remember, we don`t want to be there any longer than
we need to be so look sharp & keep your wits about
you", said T`Vhor. "Let`s get down to hangerbay two &
do this, we have a job to do & people are waiting for
us", he said as they quickly filed from the staging
area in their EVA suits although at this time minus
their helmets. 

(posted by Alan)

(USS Paladin - Hangerbay two - 20/TAC/SC T`Vhor - 06:45)

Prepped for launch now & waiting in the hangerbay were
two runabouts complete with their assigned away teams.
Everyone knew their places, everyone knew what their
jobs were & all were eager to get the task done so
that they could finally put this strange ship behind
them.

Lt T`Vhor imediately saw the FO as he walked to the
first runabout, he too was suited up & discussing
finer details of the mission with Ensign Dunn who was
looking decidedly worried.

"Lt Cmdr....Ensign", said T`Vhor as he acknowledged
each of the men in turn.

(Reply Capps, Dunn, Any)

"On the contrary sir, I am looking forwards to seeing
the vessel first hand", said T`Vhor as each of the men
shook their heads in disbelief.

(posted by Alan)

(USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Commander Rulestaad - 0910)

=^=Unknown runabout, you are ordered to heave too immediately and 
explain
your presence.=^=

Jenna looked up from her PADD as the pilot quickly tapped buttons and
brought the shuttle to a dead stop. They had already been traveling at
impulse, running silent. In front of them, a Defiant class ship was 
bleeding
the last of the energy needed to maintain a cloak. She fully solidified
before Jenna's eyes. She looked... predatorial.

"ID that ship." She said. A moment passed and the pilot said, "She 
matches
your records. The Praetor, Captain Reyenalds."

"Hmmm, we're close." Jenna tapped a button on her panel. "Captain 
Reyenalds,
this is the Runabout Daystar enroute to the USS Paladin, Commander 
Rulestaad
speaking. I require an escort to the USS Paladin."

=^=Under no circumstances am I going to allow an unknown craft near the
Paladin, Daystar.=^= the reply came back immediately. =^=I suggest you 
turn
back immediately or provide a very good reason for your presence.=^=

Luckily, Jenna had a trump for this. She took a deep breath and said in 
her
most glacial tone. "Captain, input this into your computer. Jenna 
Rulestaad,
Strategic Operations. I am operating under Stratops order 1204, as 
given by
your last fleet updated. My command code is Zulu five-two-one. Check 
me."
She waited patiently, that order was a Stratops command to give full
cooperation. 

Seconds passed. Finally, the Captain said =^=We do indeed have that 
general
order.=^= He finally admitted. =^=But I'm not convinced you're not a 
spy. So
convince me.=^=

"Aww, how sweet." She said in a sickly-sweet tone. It hardened 
immediately.
"If you don't let me pass, or escort me to the Paladin... the result 
will
not be pretty. My orders come directly from Captain Richard Lee, 
Stratops
Commander of the 52nd. My Orders request and require me to get on board 
the
Paladin and confer with her Captain. Now, if you try to stop me here, 
I'll
have your chair, your command AND your balls... and I will do so with a
smile on my face. The Court Martial that comes later will be nothing 
but a
sweet dream once I'm done ripping you apart." She paused for a moment, 
"Now
get the HELL out of my way Captain, I'll only say it once."

Long moments passed, Jenna let them go without issue. Finally, he said
=^=Runabout Daystar, you are cleared to pass, coordinates are being fed 
to
your computer. Be aware, you'll be escorted in by the USS Ulysses. If
anything is amiss...=^= he didn't have to say that a Prometheus class 
vessel
could easily engage a runabout. Hell, a Prometheus could eat 200 
runabouts
and still be hungry.

"Very well, instructions received." Jenna cut the communication. "Get 
us out
of here." She said in a no-nonsense tone.

(posted by Trout)

(USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Commander Rulestaad - 0945)

"Sir, we're coming up on the Paladin."

"Very well, drop out of warp and get us clearance."

"Aye sir..." the runabout dropped out of warp with her escort right 
behind.
The pilot immediately opened communications, "USS Paladin, this is the 
USS
Daystar, requesting permission to dock with crew replacements aboard."

(posted by Trout)

(USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Lt Kerge - 09:45)

"Sir, we're coming up on the Paladin.", said the
runabouts Pilot. 

Lt Kerge stirred from the bunk he had been resting on
for a good part of the journey there at the pilots 
words.

~About time~

The 'by the book' Strat Ops was of course on it the
minute it had been announced. "Very well, drop out of
warp and get us clearance.", she had said at which
point Kerge sat upright & straightened out the heavy
cerimonial sash he wore across his chest.

Women in command positions had never sat well with him
to say the least & he had stated the fact to the strat
ops on more than one occasion. Regardless of this
however, it appeared that they had a mutual respect
for one another & basically tolerated each others
almost fierce independence. Truth be known though
Kerge admired her spirit, he considered it to be one
of her more, `redeeming` qualities.

Indeed it had actually been Commander Rulestaad that
had requested his presence on the journey, a testament
it would seem to her trust in him to get things done.

This was not a new scenario to the lieutenant of
course, he had worked on a number of starfleet vessels
already & although he was used to working in the SC
position by himself, he was now going to be working
alongside the Paladin`s current chief for a short
while until he was transfered.

It was all up in air, at least that was his opinion
anyway..... 

Kerge took a deep breath & then he raised his arms
high in the air to stretch his muscles before standing
& walking to the ops station to gaze out at the
Paladins impending side profile as it loomed into
view. 

"Chop'a'", said the big Klingon as he turned to the
Strat ops & smiled.

(Reply Rulestaad, IYW)

Kerge laughed at her responce & walked slowly back to
the rear compartment where he sat once again prior to
removing his D`k Tahg from it`s scabbard in order to
check the smoothness of operation of the secondary
blades.

It had been a long journey, all they had to do now
though was await clearance to dock.

(posted by Alan)
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END OF COMPILE

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