Utopia Planitia

Stardate:2405.09.04
(USS Firebrande: Holodeck 2: Pirate Ship - 'Captain' TAC/SC/20 Ensign Pierce Orde - 0352)
 
" Thank you,... Pierce " he replied in extending his hand too, 
" So if we are going to work together perhaps I could already help you to repel those pirates, if I can step in your distraction, of course?"
 
Pierce noticed the slight uncomfortableness in his new A(TAC/SC)'s tone, but put it up to his unorthodox preferences.
 
" Yes, I'm sure you'll have the use of some extra hands " Rick said in picking up a cutlass on the deck's floor " I'm good with fire weapons but I don't know what I'm capable to do with blades, I hope you haven't disable the security protocols." he added in joking.
 
Pierce looked slightly shocked. "Of course not!"
 
~Only security chiefs do that, and only when they're alone.~
 
He studied the deck for a few moments, then picked up a pistol for Rick. "Here. An old, inaccurate as hell, flintlock pistol."
 
~Which you'll probably handle better than that blade. Funny, Security training is supposed to cover melee weapons as well. I prefer this scenario because of its pleasant mix of melee and ranged combat, not to mention the constantly changing pitch of the decks.~
 
Rick took a defensive position, holding the cutlass firmly in his hand " Ok, I've come at an awkward moment so what's the purpose of the action, are we attacking or defending ? "
 
Pierce smiled. "Well, I was just about to tell Ralth here that we should be getting the hell off this ship soon. I had crewmembers plant barrels of gunpoweder - our ship's cargo used as crude explosives - in this pirate ship's magazine." He pointed to the other ship with his staff/spear. "That's our ship, the SS Hades Skiier. This whole thing started off as a defensive action, but progressed into an offensive. Kill as many pirates as you can - bonus points for style - and when I give the order to get the hell off, get the hell off. Oh, and here's a hat. Can't be a sailor without a hat."
 
He tossed Rick an officer's hat.
 
(Reply Rick)
 
Pierce turned to address the computer. "Computer, establish Rick here as rank of first lieutenant, second officer and resume program."
 
NRPG:
I'm pretty sure Rick will find the staff interesting. ;)
RPG:
 
(Reply Rick,Ralth)
(Posted by Lenox)

Stardate:2405.09.04
(USS Firebrande, Holodeck 2 - Richard 'Rick' Blaine - 0352)
 
"Glad to have you aboard, Rick. Call me Pierce. No need to get formal in here." the 2O said as he extended his hand.
 
Rick was content by this friendly welcome." Thank you,... Pierce " he replied in extending his hand too, " So if we are going to work together perhaps I could already help you to repel those pirates, if I can step in your distraction, of course ? "
 
NRPG : I hope you would ;-)
 
(Reply Orde)
 
" Yes, I'm sure you'll have the use of some extra hands " Rick said in picking up a cutlass on the deck's floor " I'm good with fire weapons but I don't know what I'm capable to do with blades, I hope you haven't disable the security protocols." he added in joking.
 
(Reply Orde)
 
Rick took a defensive position, holding the cutlass firmly in his hand " Ok, I've come at an awkward moment so what's the purpose of the action, are we attacking or defending ? "
 
(Reply Orde, Ralth, any)
(Posted by Patrick Buidin)
Stardate:2405.09.07
(Earth, South Pole, Lieutenant (jg) SPC Mark Dervin, 00.30)
 
Mark walked into his quarters, absolutely exhausted.  He'd been out working in the field for a massive amount of time and it was taxing his energy.  This wasn't exactly his idea of fun, he'd been drafted to participate in this scientific venture on the southern pole of Earth as their Engineering officer.  He, as the only fleet officer had been assigned amidst a number of civilian scientists and had been told to both fix or build anything they required and also to maintain some level of protocol and decorum in accordance with Starfleet's rules and regulations.
 
He tore off his hood once the doors had closed and his quarters had equalized their heating level.  This was nothing more than an exercise in frustration.  Granted it wasn't like working with twelve of his sister's who were perfectly incapable of distinguishing protocol and rank from well anything, but it wasn't like being posted on a duty station that had regular fleet personnel that would just automatically know how to do simple things like file a status report or a requisition form.
 
That made this posting something akin to having his teeth systematically pulled with a pair of pliers that were made out of play dough.  It drove him nuts.
 
<you have one message>
 
The computer chirped as he clicked a button on his terminal to check his messages.  
 
"Computer, playback message." Mark intoned.
 
The message played.  It was informing him that due to a temporal accident, his parents, or who he thought were his parents had actually merged with several other of their multi-dimensions of themselves creating new parents that may or may not possess the memories of their former selves that had lived in a variety of different dimensions.  Meaning, Mark finally realised through the official sounding speech the admiral on his screen was giving him, that the people that were now his parents, would either remember him and Tanya, or, would not.
 
There was only one real way to find out.  Mark had to visit.  With Tanya away on Geneva, it seemed that the duty would fall to him.  Although due to the strict regiments of the experimentation and radio silence that they needed to maintain during strict hours in accordance with their experiment, the only chance Mark could get to visit the Utopia Planitia would be months later after the series had been finished.
 
~Probably better that way~  Mark reasoned.  If his parents had really been thrust into this dimension and their personalities all integrated with all sorts of different thems then perhaps giving them time to acclimatize to what was happening would be best.  He keyed a text message to Tanya letting her know his plans for contacting their parents to be sent out during the next day's lift on radio silence (usually when he was stuck down repairing or building something for the scientists).  He would just have to wait to meet the people that were now his parents.  
 
Mark changed into his pyjamas and flopped down on the bed.  He closed his eyes and began to sleep, tomorrow, after all, was another day.
Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla, Observation Lounge, WTO Tanya Leigh Dervin, 09.00)
 
Tanya managed to sneak in, right before the meeting started.  She'd done well to not make anyone too on edge regarding Starfleet protocols so that they would complain to Lee since her training, but, still, being herself, she had not managed to do things quite by the book yet.
 
She sat quietly in the back with her cup of coffee, black coffee that was, in hand.  She listened to the meeting as it progressed.
 
It seemed that there had been much confusion over the past while, people trying to sort out who they really were, where they had really come from, and what was really going on.  Or at least it had been that way with Tanya.  She'd had vague images of lifestyles that she never could have imagined herself possible of attaining.  She'd always seen herself as one thing, a scientist the rest of the images that occasionally were haunting her dreams and consciousness were really irrelevant.  With some of the other scientist memories that she possessed, she felt that there were new discoveries to be made, new things to learn all based around these ideas and memories that were inputted into her brain by the other Tanyas.
 
The meeting was starting, Tanya attempted to pull her brain out of the recesses of her mind so that she could focus on what was being said.
 
The CO went through introducing the changes of the crew and also some promotions.  Tanya listened and all the while was fascinated with her reflection in her coffee cup.  There was something different, when she looked at her reflection now she saw things that.. well weren't really there but yet were.  There was no real way to describe it, it was almost like the shadows of other appearances that were and yet were not.  Sometimes Tanya saw herself with blonde hair (a sight she didn't like at all) others she had a cut on her forehead, or a broken nose.  It was all very disturbing.  
 
Looking straight forward, she realised that the meeting now involved her.  
 
The CO was speaking; "Once you have, the Warp Theoretical Department will begin on construction of an engine that will allow us to shift into this new dimension.  In the meantime, Doctor, give as much help as you can to Lieutenant Bellephoron."
 
Tanya nodded. Then Jopek began to speak about the Subspace river that had been discovered by the Cochrane Research Facility.  This was something that Tanya was really interested with it was another way of travel and a subspace phenomena.  It thrilled her.
 
Again, Tanya heard her name; "Dr. Dervin, please arrange the probes and begin mapping the closest subspace river junctions, then we'll begin to plan a mission to examine them."  Again Tanya nodded her head, two things on the list of things to do.  Map the river and coordinate with Bellephoron, in preparation for constructing a new engine.  With that though, Tanya's eyes gleamed.
 
"That is all, any questions? "  Jopek asked.
 
Tanya looked around sort of listening to any of the questions that the other officers might have had, she was so excited to get straight down to work.
 
After they'd been dismissed, Tanya went running up to Bellephoron.
 
"Admiral, Admiral, Admiral!" Tanya called as she tapped Bellephoron on the shoulder.  "I understand I'm to liase with you?"
 
(Reply Bellephoron)
 
(Reply Bellephoron, any)
(Posted by Katherine Mazurok)

Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Vahalla, Observation Lounge, Admiral Jopek - 0905)

Admiral Jopek looked around the room and took in each of the senior
officers that were assembled; each of them had come through or were
going through an enormous upheaval in their personal lives, coming to
terms with being in the future.

For himself, Jopek had contact his relatives on Vulcan, each of them
were logical about his situation; it seems that Jopek had been in
Starfleet in both timelines.

"Thank you all for coming - lets get started.", said Jopek, walking over
to the large viewscreen at the end of the room.

"First order of business is to introduce you all to your new Second
Officer, our Security Chief, Pierce Orde. Also, you know our Bartender,
Rick Blaine, well, now it's Ensign Blaine, our new Assistant Chief
Security Officer. I hope he continues to run the bar even though hes now
working officially for Starfleet."

NRPG: Room here for another new crewmember, arriving this week

RPG:

"We have some promotions to award. 

Rainbow Anderson (ACMO) is promoted to a full Ensign and our Second
Officer is now promoted to Lieutenant (Junior Grade). 

Congratulations to your both, I hope to be awarding more promotions
soon. However, each of your have earned a Captains Commendation Medal
for your service to Starfleet and dedication for remaining in Starfleet,
despite all that happens to you. You'll be received your award at the
end of this meeting."

Jopek indicated to the pile of small awards and ribbons still in their
cases on the desk by the door.

NRPG: 

Yes, if you head for the roster, you can SEE your award!

http://www.sfintel.com/val_roster.php

RPG:

"Settle down, please. I've received orders from our Squadron Commanding
Officer, Admiral LoDona. We're now a part of Freedom Squadron. The USS
Nimitz, the USS Cochrane and the controlling base is Starbase Geneva."

The viewscreen clearly showed Starbase Geneva and Earth, everyone in the
room was familiar with the distance, it had taken them three months to
get from there to Valhalla.

"At once, were going to do the following:

Lieutenant, Percival Bellephoron, I want you to take charge of all
Science Teams until further notice, including the ones here on Valhalla.
Your top priority is now to find out all you can about this new species
'The Kalmorose', they claim to be multi-dimensional, find out if that's
possible. I suggest you start with the Firebrande and the other ships of
the fleet, see if our trip from the other dimension can give you any
insight.", he said, then he looked over at Doctor Dervin.

"Once you have, the Warp Theoretical Department will begin on
construction of an engine that will allow us to shift into this new
dimension. In the meantime, Doctor, give as much help as you can to
Lieutenant Bellephoron."

Jopek turned to the Theoretical Engineer.

"Ensign Aerik, Starfleet Command want to begin construction of the
following ships as soon as possible, they expect the first of them to be
ready in six months, the larger ones within two years.

Four Keltoi's, Five Defiant's, one Sovereign and one Galaxy class vessel
are to be started today, Ensign. Also, I want the warp core and system
overhauls and updates for the USS Firebrande and the USS Spectre
completed within the week."

The Admiral then turned to his Security Head of Department.

"Security/Tactical, as soon as we've found out more information
regarding the Kalmorose, you'll be investigating them at closer
quarters. 

Admiral LoDona, our Squadron Commanding Officer, reports the Cochrane
Research Facility has recently discovered, what they are calling,
Subspace River, between Earth and an unknown number of other systems,
including Starbase Geneva."

The viewscreen changed to show the river and several unmapped sections
flying off in various directions but one headed directly for Geneva.

"We have to map it first; it's up to us to do that. Probes to start
with, then, a manned ship, probably the Spectre as soon as shes up to
speed; she will be sent to explore these 'rivers', they could be many of
them, maybe heading to all parts of the Alpha Quadrant, and beyond.
Someone else may own them so I want to start sending out probes into the
river, and later on, a manned ship, probably the USS Spectre will be
sent out to see if anyone has claimed it and, where else it goes to."

"Captain Rulestaad, I want sensors and weapon arrays placed at our end
of the river, I want to know if anyone is planning to pay us a visit,
before they arrive.", he said, turning once more to the WTO.

"Dr Dervin, please arrange the probes and begin mapping the closest
subspace river junctions, then we'll begin to plan a mission to examine
them."

Jopek once more turned to a new officer, in this case, the Flight
Control Officer.

"Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir, we have our first Squadron of Fighters coming to
the station in ten days, the 18th Squadron, if I am not mistaken, they
don't have any facilities installed here, you have ten days to prepare
for them, and in addition, we need to start training senior officers in
the use of these fighters.

Anyone wanting to take on extra duties and becoming a pilot, can contact
the Flight Control department and Ensign Ra'Kir."

NRPG:

All the information about Fighters is here:

http://www.sfintel.com/fightercommandmain.html

RPG:

Jopek sat down again and this time read from a PADD.

"Medical, I've been in contact with Starbase Geneva, they've had a
recent engagement with the Dominion and they were boarded. we know that
the subspace river comes directly here from there, that's about all the
mapping that has been done. you can expect wounded to arrive this
afternoon from there, and eventually, from all over the Federation,
given the Verano Medical Centre is the most advanced facility there is.

We have 120 dead and 200 wounded, all arriving at 14.00 this afternoon.
What took us three months takes two days by the river. 

That is all, any questions?", said Jopek, sitting down once more.

(Reply from ALL)
(Posted by Anthony Keen)

Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla, Lounge, Captain Remae Ktell - 10.30)

The meeting was over and Remae had his orders, at least, his long term orders. As soon as the probes had done their jobs, he was going to investigate these new 'subspace rivers' and see where they led to. They could lead anywhere, but before they got lost somewhere in the Delta Quadrant, the probes were going to match up the closest rivers.

Remae was in the lounge, looking for a little snack and a drink, but no one was around. He wasn't surprised, everyone was either out or getting used to the new surroundings, as for the normal crew of the base, he was sure it would be strange to see a group of people from another time and another universe assuming command of their base and shipyards.

The Bajoran managed to find himself a cup of hot tea before a few other people walked in and started to make themselves at home. Sitting next one of the large windows, Remae looked out, and into the distance, he could make out the shape of the USS Spectre, docking alongside one of the spidery looking support frames, having not been taken inside yet.


Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla, Lounge, Captain Remae Ktell - 11.00)

It wasn't long before he had finished he tea and conversations, he was itching to get back to where he belonged, or to where he thought he belonged. it'll work itself out, he kept telling himself.
Stardate:2406.03.04
(Shuttlepod Three-Nine, Cockpit, Captain Remae Ktell - 11.15)

He was en-route to the distant she he had spotted from the lounge, the USS Spectre, he still had a hard time believing it was here, even after what had happened to him in this timeline. He was convinced the ship and he had been giving a second chance, and this time there was no chance he would leave the ship or even force it in half, like last time, the other time, the other time in the other universe.

~ Whatever! ~
Stardate:2406.03.04
(USS Spectre, Bridge, Captain Remae Ktell - 11.30)

The turbolift doors opened and once more, he was back on the Bridge of his ship. The mess was quite a shock; no one had bothered to clean up the ship on its trip home. Remae surmised that the ship must have been returned on automatic.

He sat down at the helm and ran a series of diagnostics, he was right, the ship had indeed been placed in automatic mode, the computer was running the ship functions, of course, a fully trained crew would have been able to keep her in top shape, but as it was, things could have been worse.

He smiled to himself as he opened a channel to Valhalla.

"Captain Remae to Operations, request permission to take the Spectre out on a maintenance check flight.", he said to anyone who was in OPS.

He was given the green light and he powered up the engines, as smoothly as he could given the condition they were in and as soon as the systems were up to flight tolerance, he eased the ship away from the support and made a less than smooth impulse turn, and achieved standard orbit around Mars, which was quite a feat for the old ship.

Looking at the various controls, he couldn't resist engaging the Phase Cloaking Device, which came online for almost a minute before giving up and letting the ship decloak one more. He decided to remain in orbit but he left the Bridge to head for Engineering, the ship was on autopilot still and the computer would be capable of running things while he checked over the warp core.

(Reply from Any)
(Posted by Anthony Keen)
Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla, Transporter Room, SPC Lieutenant Mark Dervin, 12.45)
 
"Thanks man!" Dervin said to the Transporter chief that had transported him aboard.
 
"No problem!  Anytime!" He exclaimed.
 
"I don't suppose you could tell me where I could find a Richard Ian Lee?"  Mark asked.
 
The transporter Chief eyed him wearily.  "Do you have clearance to see the FO?"  
 
Mark nodded.  "Yes, I've got this."  Dervin showed the Chief the PADD.
 
The Chief nodded understandingly, "Absolutely." He said as he pressed a couple keys in his operations panel.  "He's in his office.  Which is... "  He then gave precise directions for the Lieutenant to follow.
 
Mark laughed.  "Thanks man!"  He said as he turned and left the room.  ~And if that was Tanya she'd not be able to find the room to save her life.~  He reasoned.
 
Mark walked down the specified path and stood outside the door of the UP FO's office.  In the past universe, his father hadn't been FO of Utopia Planitia, though he'd been involved in the service.  Mark had no idea if he even remembered Tanya and he.  But, he supposed, he was soon to find out.
 
He pressed the enunciator.
 
(Reply Lee)
(Posted by Katherine Mazurok)

Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla - Lee's Office - Rich Lee / Mark Dervin - 1304) 

Rich sighed, "Never get any da*ned peace." he muttered as he leaned
forward in his chair, his eyes not leaving the PADD with the Admirals
orders and his list of things to be done. "Come" he called.

Mark pulled on the waist of his uniform and took a deep breath.  He'd
been in a couple of counseling sessions before he'd come, the
Counselors wanted to prepare him mentally for several eventualities when
this moment actually did come that would prevent both he and his  father
from possible psychological disaster.  After their meeting Lee would
have to see a counselor no doubt.  In fact, Mark reasoned, he'd
probably want to see a counselor himself.  

Taking another deep breath Mark walked in.  The plan was to play it
cool, like a normal Lieutenant reporting into the Commander, with that
Mark would be able to see if Lee remembered him, if not, then he'd have
to break the news.. delicately.

When the doors parted, Mark saw a man sitting at a desk.  He was quite a
bit younger physically than Mark had seen him before.  ~Great, this  Lee
probably doesn't even think he has a family, what if he's married to
someone else? or thinks he is? or has another family? ~  These  thoughts
all ran through his brain.  He surprised them.

"Commander Lee." Mark spoke tentatively.

Rich thought he knew that voice, and looked up. He paused, taking in the
sight for several moments before he blinked his eyes. He was struck  by
the absurdity of it, this guy was nearly his double. Same height,
features.. hell, even the eye color was dead on. Rich put the PADD down
on the desk and leaned back in his chair.  He continued in a very amused
tone, "Add a few more years and you would be my double."

"Lieutenant... ?" he queried for a name. 

Mark laughed a little awkwardly at the mention of of being Lee's double.
Then the sudden seeds of panic welled up within him as he was asked  for
his name.  "Mark Dervin sir.  I just finished a tour with a scientific
expedition on Earth's south pole."

Rich nodded, and gestured to a seat. He had almost frowned at the
mention of the last name 'Dervin', he tried getting away from Tanya's
shadow at all possible times. Still, coincidences happened, that was
just the way it was. He folded his hands together again, still taking in
the look of the Officer, and just how closely he resembled Lee at an
earlier age. It was remarkable, just a few small differences in the
cheekbones and a few other small things, here and there. 

"So, What can I do for you Mr Dervin? Have you been assigned to Utopia?"

Mark shook his head.  "Um, no sir."  He replied as he watched the man
that he guessed in a way was now his father, well sort of, as he sat
down.  "May I?"  Dervin gestured to a seat, this was proving to be more
difficult than he had originally imagined.

Rich nodded, and resettled himself in his own chair, special made for
his large bulk. "Alright then, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?"

"I came to speak with you sir."  Dervin said, as he cracked his neck and
then folded one hand in another with nerves.

~Ooh, the suspense.~

"Please, continue." he said in a dry tone. 

"I was informed about the Firebrande's integration with this timeline
and that multi-dimensional personalities of the crew were somehow
combined entirely into one beings, yourselves.  You were then brought
back to Earth for 're-education' on Starfleet and the changing of the
times and universe and now you are all back here on Utopia Planitia."
Mark began, as if he'd rehearsed this speech and refined it several
times over the course of the past couple of months.  "It has been stated
that the memories of the what we know as current universe personae  of
Utopia Planitia may or may not be contained within the Utopia Planitia
people of now."

Mark leaned forward towards the desk and Lee on the other side.
"Commander, I in no way mean to pry, but do you have any recollections
of  the Lee in this timeline?"

He cocked his head to the side, he had far to many discussions about
this already. He sighed, and leaned forward, "Alright, which temporal
agency do you happen to be with?" he asked, not feigning the tiredness
in his voice. "I've gone over everything I remember at least twice, its
on record."

He tapped his fingers on the desk, then said "I cant distinguish between
those fuzzy memories I have of others lifetimes. I might very well
remember what happened here, more dreamlike quality then as a real
memory, but I couldn't tell you which of these 'dreams' are from this
particular part of the multi-verse." He leaned back again, "Sound good
and kosher to you? Please tell me you had more then just questions
about other realities for me."

Mark laughed at his father ~no~ He corrected himself ~Commander Lee~ and
the way that he'd reacted to Mark's first question. 

"No sir, I am not with a temporal agency.  No offense but those people
have a funny way of seeing time and frankly it's just not for me.
Neither do I have access to the statements and reports that you've
outlined.  I was just wondering out of personal curiosity."  He stated,
then knowing how he expected  the man across from him to react after a
lifetime of or well as he thought a lifetime of dealing with him.

"And no sir, I didn't just come here to ask you those questions.  I came
to ask you those questions to formulate how to provide you with
information."  

But then Mark stopped, he couldn't speak, how could he sit here and tell
his father that he was his father, when in fact it was obvious that  his
father had no idea that he was his son or that he'd been married or had
had kids or... anything.  He remembered none of it, none of his
childhood, none of Tanya's.  What could he say, how was he going to
break it to them, what if he didn't even know Tanya Senior and Mark was
about to insinuate that he'd been married to a complete stranger.  

Mark had known his father quite well, he was starting to wonder how much
of his father was in the stranger across from him.  "I'm sorry."  Mark
whispered standing up.  "I shouldn't have come."

Rich frowned, "Keep your seat Lieutenant," he said as a Commander in
Starfleet. He was starting to get a funny feeling about all this, there
was something not quite right, this man was highly reluctant about
something. "You came here for a reason, what was it."

Mark wasn't sure what to say on this score, the speech that he'd
rehearsed in his head and aloud for all these months didn't seem to do
justice to the situation, in fact, Mark was finding it that he couldn't
even form sentences.  Instead he took the PADD he carried, in which
there was a copy of his service record.   He passed it across the desk
to the Commander.

"My service record.  Sir."  Dervin stated.


Rich tapped his fingers together for several moments, then reached
forward and picked up the PADD. He kept his gaze on the young man for
several moments, then cast his eyes downward to look at the PADD. He was
about to scroll down past the brief background information when he
suddenly stopped. His eyes went wide for just a moment, then narrowed
again as he pushed a button to expand the personal background segment. 

Unconsciously, he reached down into a drawer and grabbed a bottle and
glass with his one massive hand, and put them on the desk. He didn't
avert his eyes from the PADD however as he reread the parentage and
history of Mark Dervin, so he just took the bottle and popped the glass
stopper. He put the PADD in his lap, and without looking at Mark took a
deep swig. Very carefully he replaced the stopper and picked the PADD
back up. "Mother, Tanya Dervin.. doctor at Utopia Planitia, Warp
Technologies Department. Father, Captain Richard Ian Lee of the starship
Warshrike." 

He placed the PADD back down on the desk, and cast his eyes back over at
Mark. "that explains the looks." he said, as the brandy hit his  stomach
with much needed warmth. "In fact, that explains a lot."

"Yes sir..." Mark said carefully.

~A son, we had a son in some better, far more fair universe.~ 

He kept his face as neutral as he could possibly make it, as he cast his
eyes back down in consideration of what he was going to say. "I know
your moth..uh, Tanya. She works here at Utopia yet, in Warp Technologies
no less." He said, managing to cover the pain with a fair degree of
success. "But as you might have guessed already, I know her as an
associate and not, as your mother nor am I your father." he finally
said. 

He looked back over, "sorry"

Mark took a long slow deep breath and then exhaled.  He wasn't sure what
to say.  "Sir.. I.." He began.  "I guess I had better find a way to
tell Tanya." He said.  "I guess all we have left is each other."  

He looked at his father or the man who was not his father.  "Sir, I - I
- " He didn't know what to say, he could feel his emotions churning
inside of him.  "You're a lot like him you know.  A LOT." He emphasized.
"I - - - " He stopped

Rich was at a complete loss what to say, "All may not be lost, not yet.
Everyone has been acting strangely for the last many months..." he
considered for several seconds, then tapped his badge. "Doctor Dervin to
the First Officers office."

Mark nodded.  "Thank you sir." He stated.  "My sister and I are
grateful."

Stardate:2406.03.04
(Starbase Valhalla, Project site, WTO Tanya Leigh Dervin, 13.15)

Tanya was in the middle of altering something when she received the
summons from the First officer.  ~Now what does he want, I'll bet
that....~  Tanya's mind rambled off a series of expletives that would
have even made any surrounding telepaths wonder precisely what was
going through her head.

She hadn't forgiven him for what he'd done, she hadn't forgiven him at
all.  Or at least, that's what she thought or reasoned, or that was  the
logic behind it wasn't it?  She still was mad at him.  Very mad, angry
at him.  Very angry.  Wasn't she?

She shook her head, as she made the very familiar path down to the FO's
office instead of knocking, or pressing the enunciator, she simply
walked right in.  After all, she reasoned, she had been summoned.

"I don't know what you want but I'm in the middle of --" Tanya stopped
dead in her tracks.  There sitting was.. two Lee's?

"Admiral, Ensign." Tanya said with a nod of her head.

At this Mark began to laugh almost hysterically.  This exhibit of
behavior was something that had been commonplace in their house.  He
looked at his father- rather, Commander Lee to see that familiar
expression on his face.

Some things never changed.

"Lieutenant Ma'am." Mark corrected, knowing already that such correction
was useless.

"Ma'am, what do you think I am?  your grandmother?  It's Tanya, Tanya
Dervin." She stuck her hand out towards the sort of non Leeish one.

Mark suppressed his laughter at the irony of the situation.  "Yes..
Tanya." He said after a while, calling one's parent or at least one that
looked like one's parent by their first name after a lifetime of calling
them 'mother or mum' was something he found quite odd, but none the
less, the situation warranted it.

Lee had brought a hand to his face once Mark and turned to Tanya, both
to cover the look of the two meeting, AND to cover the sight of Tanya
for as many moments as he could, AND because she still found ways to
drive him nuts. He took hold of the PADD, and tapped it on the desk for
a moment, then held it up in the air, his gaze not meeting Tanya. The
thought that he had had children with this woman was both painful,
embarrassing and erotic, all at the same time. 

"Tell her your name Lieutenant, and hand her this."

"Yes sir." Mark answered as he took the PADD from Commander Lee's hand.

"Ma'am.. I mean, Tanya.. I mean.. well, my name is Mark Dervin."

Tanya looked at him skeptically.  "Are you my brother?" She asked
quizzically, she was vitally aware that things in this universe would be
much different than in the one that she'd come from.

Mark just shook her head.  "This is my service record." He said as he
passed the PADD to her.

Tanya took it and held it out in front of her between thumb and index
finger as if it smelt funny.  "Alright, and I'm supposed to do what with
it?"

"Usually, one reads it." Rich replied as he poured himself a sniffer of
brandy. "You were adept enough at reading mine, you should have no
problems reading this."

Mark glared at the man who'd just spoke his voice had seemed so on edge
towards his moth- or the woman who wasn't his mother.  He put a hand  to
his head this was all starting to be very confusing.  He was suddenly
glad that Tanya wasn't here, he wasn't sure how she'd handle it.

Tanya Dervin, the one present in the room, looked over the PADD that she
was holding.  She came to the familial section that stated;

Parents:  Captain Richard Ian Lee and Dr. Tanya Leigh Dervin.

Tanya looked up at the man who was standing before and above her in
confusion.  "What does this mean?" She asked quietly.

Rich pushed the sniffer to the edge of the desk, so anyone who might
want it could grab it. He took up the bottle, and sniffed it's contents.
"It means, that we replaced his parents Tanya, In this universe we were
together once." he said just as quietly, before taking a sip of the
bottles contents.

Tanya looked from one man to the other.  "Mark?  You're saying that....
We're your parents?"

Mark shook his head and looked at the floor.  "Well I was hoping that
you were.. I don't suppose that you are or would want to be or are,
or.. well it's all rather confusing."

Tanya nodded her head.  "I can see that." She said as she made her way
to take a seat.    "Were  you an.. only child?"  She asked.

Mark shook his head as he too took a seat.  "I have a sister,  younger,
her name is Tanya."

Tanya's eyes grew wide.  "Another Tanya Dervin?"

Mark nodded his head.  "She's a civilian also she's really like you mom-
I mean.. Tanya..  even though she's young she's attained a  doctorate in
Warp Technologies and is currently conducting experimentation on
Starbase Geneva.  I wanted to ascertain the situation before  she came
over... my apologies for not communicating with the two of you before, I
was on an experiment that was very temperamental on the  south pole, I
wasn't able to get away until now."

"You're a scientist?"  Tanya asked with curiosity.

"Engineer."  He corrected.

Tanya looked at Lee.  "And you knew about this?" She said her voice
rising.

He scowled, he knew *that* voice. "I just found out, not two minutes
before I called you." he said. He took another drink, then put the
bottle down and replaced the stopper. "So calm yourself and have a seat
already."

"I *AM* sitting." Tanya intoned back.

Mark was having troubles with this display.  "Just great, of all the
possibilities in all the galaxy, my parents or whoever was my parents
hate each other." He said picking up on the imperceptible ambiance that
had filled the room the moment Tanya had entered.

Rich closed his eyes tightly, and said nothing. If only that statement
were true, it would have made his life that much easier. It would have
made the last couple months a veritable heaven, compared to the hell he
had been living. 

Tanya looked at this man, this stranger that did indeed resemble Lee
greatly and also, in some ways she thought she could see.. no that was
nonsense, there was nothing of her in that man... and yet, she was
almost certain that there was.

"No Mark," Tanya said as she reached her hand out and put it on his
shoulder.  "We don't hate each other.  We're just surprised... that's
all." Tanya said as she started to speak to the man that said he was her
son, sort of.

Rich leaned his head back in the chair, that had been more then she had
admitted in months. "Indeed not" he said, almost to quietly to be
heard. 

Mark looked at the woman standing in front of him, she was slightly
younger than he remembered her.  "Mom, do you remember me?"  He asked
hesitantly.

Tanya didn't know what to do, she was so overcome with emotion at that
moment, she hugged the man who claimed to be her son and squeezed him
tightly, "I'm sorry." She whispered.  "I can't say that I do, or don't
really, though."

Mark looked confused.  "What does that mean?"

"Well I've been having these blurry after or before or well I don't know
what they are but just blurry images of what is and is not.  You are
familiar to me, yes, it's like I've seen you or known you.  And yet I'm
not entirely certain.  Oh, Mark, I'm sorry." She said, "This must be
terrible...." she whispered.

Tanya looked over at Lee who seemed to be drowning his shock, "Can he
stay aboard for a few days?  Can you make that happen?  You can do that
kind of stuff can't you?"  She said crisply.

"I can make that happen," he responded back, biting back the response
that had first come to his tongue at her sharp tone. "If you have no
objections, Lieutenant."

Mark shook his head.  "I don't know if you two would want me around..."
He said, wanting to appear as if this whole situation didn't have an
impact on his life, that he could just walk away and let these two
seemingly dissociated people have their lives without ever him or his
sister imposing on them, and yet he couldn't.  It was as if replicas of
his parents still existed and he clung to their existence and hoped
that within these people he could find -- or he'd already found elements
of them and he just couldn't let go.

"Please Mark, please stay." Tanya urged.  "We can't just let you go off
like this.  We'll work something out.  I promise." She said softly as
she placed her hand on his shoulder again.

Tanya turned and looked at Lee.  "Right?" She said in a non aggressive
tone.

Lee nodded his head vaguely, "Whatever we can." he said. He didn't have
a feeling it would be much. 

"Mark, he'll arrange for you to have somewhere to stay.. maybe you'd
like to go get settled?  Maybe we could meet for dinner?"  She asked
looking from Lee to Mark.

Mark nodded his head.  "Sure..." he said then looked over at Lee who
didn't seem to be reacting to him in the same manner as Tanya was.  "If
that's alright with you sir.  If you're busy.. I understand..." His
voice trailed off  ~If you don't want to come, I suppose I'll understand
as well~  He thought after, but did not add.

Rich considered the request for several moments, the last dinner with
Tanya...

He closed his eyes. "I will be there." he said finally, "See to the
quartermaster for temporary quarters, I will clear it through the chain
of command."

Mark nodded.  "Thank you sir." He said and turned to Tanya.  "Ma'am." He
said as he left the office.

Tanya had stood at the leaving of her 'son' and then sat back down in
the chair, PADD in hand.  "Impressive record." She managed to say after
a few moments of silence.

Lee took another sip of the brandy, and licked his lips. "I never got to
read that far," he responded back after a few moments. "I couldn't go
further then the personal history."

"Will you put that stuff away." Tanya harped.  "I think we actually need
to deal with this, and you're going to need that brain of yours
intact!" She hissed.

"It has done me fairly well the last couple of months as it is, I don't
see why this would be any different." he said back. 

"You don't see how this would be any different?"  Tanya said her voice
rising.  "We've got kids.  We've got kids.  Richard we've got KIDS.
You're making me nervous.  Can you just put that away!"

Rich sighed as he corked the bottle, "Correction, *we* do not have kids,
we never made it that far. In *his* universe, Richard and Tanya had
kids." He looked at her for a moment, the averted his eyes again. 

"What?" She asked, watching him avert his gaze.  "WHAT?  That idea
repulses you?"

"It never did." he said without thinking, "But I appeared to have
repulsed you, in a rather bad way." he said again, his eyes on what was
left of the brandy.

"What are you talking about?" Tanya asked.

"...nothing." he said, "I said I would leave you in peace, I have done
so." He looked back up, "Alright, so what do you want to do."

"It's obviously not 'nothing'" She said mocking his tone.  "What is your
problem with me?" She asked, "Why must you always be so difficult?"

"I am not being difficult, Tanya." he said as he grabbed the bottle
again, "And you still haven't told me your plan." he said again,
deliberately avoiding the issue.

Tanya snatched the bottle away from him.  "Hey I asked you a question."
She spat back at him.  "What is your problem with me?"

He snarled back, "I never had a problem with you, I respected your
d*mned wishes, so give me back that d*mned bottle and go about your life
like you so desperately wanted!"

"Excuse me?"  Tanya said as she took the bottle even close to herself.

"What is it you want to hear so badly, hmm?" he said as he leaned
forward in the chair. "Do I look like the type that avoids people out of
hate ? Hmmm..." He waved his hand, "Whatever, it doesn't matter. If you
want to make me suffer more, you go right on ahead, I'm sure Ill find a
way to deal with it." he said as he reached into the desk for another
bottle. 

"What the HELL are you talking about?" Tanya hissed.  "And you put that
bottle back down there, I want you to talk to me sober.  And isn't
there some regulation, somewhere about drinking on duty.  Something like
17643.9?  Explain." She said as she sat, hard on the edge of her  chair,
her face mere centimeters from Lee's.

"Computer, I am officially off duty." he said, his face so close to
Tanya's. She could get him so angry, so quickly... yet all he wanted to
do was hug her to him. Something she didn't want, something she had made
abundantly clear. He averted his gaze once again, and leaned back in
his chair. "There is nothing, Lieutenant." he finally said.

"Nothing?  NOTHING?  If *YOU* Call this nothing then I sure as hell
would HATE to see you if there was SOMETHING." She spat.  "EXPLAIN!" She
reiterated.

"If and when I choose to explain myself, I will." he said as he popped
the cork on the second bottle, this time a bottle of champagne, the
same type that Tanya and himself had taken to drinking. "In the mean
time, the council I keep is my own, you decided to keep your own after
your training was done, and I respected those wishes."  ~Only by the
bottle though~

"Is there no respect, no conscience in you at all."

Tanya looked at him.  "No conscience?  You think *I* have no conscience.
Oh that is rich." She said as she attempted to take the second  bottle
away from him.  "I avoided you because I thought it was clear that you
simply wanted to torment me to be finished with me.  Please,  spare me
all the crap."  She said, "Let's have it out, right here, right now,
Commander, what is your problem with me?"  She said full of  anger.

He shook his head, "Yeah, I'm sadistic.. obviously." he said
sarcastically as he yanked the second bottle out her grasp and away from
her,  "But you are a sadist as well it seems, you are so damned good at
it. I will have nothing out right here and now, you have caused me
enough  problems already, and I'm trying to dig myself out of them
again. Think what you like of me, I suppose that makes it easier to hate
me, so  much the better for you I suppose."

Tanya couldn't believe what she was hearing.  "You know, " She said her
voice laced with sass, "if you're going to put words in my mouth, you
might actually try finding ones that fit!  Just in case you cared, I
DON'T hate you.  A feeling you obviously have in abundance for me." She
hissed.

"Oh yes, I drink myself into a stupor every night with your picture by
my bed because I hate you," he said to himself as he popped the cork  on
the new bottle, and took a deep drink. 

Tanya took the bottle from him.  "Will you STOP That." She shouted at
him.  "You've been what?"  she asked startled by his admission.
~Surely  he gests~

~D*mn her good hearing~

"I've been nothing, so if you would kindly leave me alone, and give me
BOTH of those bottles back..."

"No." Tanya stated.  "You've been what?" She asked again, a little
quieter this time.

Rich sighed, and leaned back in his chair once more. "Does it matter
what I have been doing, you have been doing just fine lately, you got
what you desired and I leave you alone as per your wishes. What more do
you want from me, blood ?"

Tanya looked at Lee with confusion.  "It does matter." She whispered.
"It matters to me."

Lee quickly decided he didn't have enough alcohol in his system, and
grabbed the sniffer he had poured earlier, which hadn't been touched,
and  downed it before she could say or do anything. "I've been missing
you, regretting whatever I had done to you." he said, as he made a face
at hw  the alcohol his already upset stomach. "but I somehow managed to
honor your wishes, I stayed away, I tried to be nothing but
professional. You are not making it easy on me now to continue, so if
you don't mind I have a bit of oblivion to achieve, in the form of two
bottles and at least a couple hours of forgetfulness. I think I need it,
after I met what could have been our son had I not been so,  horrible,
to you for whatever reason you figured."

Tanya looked at him in confusion.  "I was angry.  I was upset and
frustrated when I said that." She said carefully, "I tried to talk to
you  afterwards but I thought that you wanted nothing to do with me....I
... I ... I figured you had enough of me and now that it wasn't
mandatory  to be associated with me you would rather... not." She said.
She reached forward and yanked the sniffer from him.  "This is not what
I  intended."  She placed a hand on his arm.  "I thought that you...."
She couldn't finish.

Rich closed his eyes, and said nothing. His head was buzzing now,
thinking clearly was a challenge, not that he needed to do so. After
many  moments of silence, he put his hand over hers, and prayed this was
not a dream. "Alright, so what do you want to do now." he asked as he
opened his eyes again. 

Tanya shook her head.  "Can I vote to get you detoxed first?  We've got
to figure something out." She said seriously, "Rich this is serious."

He shrugged, "If it gets to be a problem I simply resign from the fleet,
so I don't endanger others. Not much has mattered to me lately." he
said deadpanned. 

Tanya slapped him.  "Look at me." She hissed.  

That was far more like the Tanya he knew..the slaps and the 'tone', His
heart.. which had just started to rise again with hope, suddenly
plummeted back down to where it belonged. He slumped, and leaned back
again in his chair, crushed that he could have thought anything she
said was really meant for him. "It doesn't matter." he intoned, his
mantra for the last couple months. 

"Will you stop that." She said and slapped him again.  "SNAP out of it.
It does matter... and.... " She reasoned that she couldn't explain
herself.  "We're going to sickbay."  She answered as she pulled on his
arm.

"Sure, why not." he said. "I've nothing else, lets ruin my career while
we are at it. How about I just resign now and save everyone the
trouble, I think I like that idea better."

"Are you always this annoying while you're drunk?" She asked.  "Ok so
brainiac, what's your better idea?  I can't deal with you like this, I
need you sober." She said.

He shook his head, "I'm not drunk yet, and why deal with me at all.
Haven't you enough crusades already?" He covered his eyes, "Fine,
whatever  you want to do, I guess."

Tanya looked at him.  "Because I WANT to deal with you.  Are you
listening to me?  Had I known what was happening... things would have
been  different."  She reasoned.  "Why didn't you say anything?  Rich,
why didn't you tell me?  Why didn't you come and see me?  Why didn't you
try?"

"Because, you didn't want to see me, I thought... I think, I dunno." he
said after a moment, "If I could do nothing else, I could respect your
wish to hate me, that is all a man can do in the end."

"I never meant that." She whispered.  "That's not what I had wanted..."

Rich continued on, hardly paying heed to her words, lost in his own
haze. "And I could see your point after a while, didn't make it easier
to  accept but made it easier to understand." He shrugged, "I have half
your wits and little of your drive, I could see why a woman such as you
would have turned a nose at a mere Starfleet Commander."

He wanted more, and he eyed the bottles carefully, they were the only
thing he had embraced in far to long, and the alcohol stayed with him
through the night, something at least he could count on.

"Are you listening to me?  What the hell do you want from me? I said I
was sorry that wasn't what I meant, I thought you hated me and saw me
as an arrogant woman and just wanted to torment me.   So I stayed away.
I thought you hated being with me.  But, I.. I never hated being  with
you.... really." She said, "I know there were moments in training when I
was frustrated, but, I would have been frustrated with anyone  else too.
I have a temper.  I am sorry."  She whispered.  "I had no idea..."

Rich heard the last of her words, but couldn't quite get his tongue to
move the way he wanted it. His gaze swam, and he frowned (or thought he
frowned) as he wondered just which of the two bottles he had grabbed. HE
tried to remember the taste, but it tasted as if cotton was in his
mouth. He had had two bottles of high-test in his drawer, but one of
them had been a special mix of Saurian Brandy... something you only had
to take a glassful of to get drunk. He had finished, what, three
quarters of the bottle ?"

~A glorious end, the mighty commander falls to an overdose of alcohol,
wonderful.~

Those were just about his last coherent thoughts for the moment, he
couldn't decide if he had had the Saurian stuff or not, but it didn't
matter, his head just wanted to droop, he was toast. "Wove, you" he
managed to get out as he tried to smile. His eyes rolled up a bit into
his  head, and he slumped forward. 

Tanya rolled her eyes and hit her combadge.  "Dr. Dervin to sickbay.
Um.. could you please send a doctor down to the FO's office."

(Reply Medical)

Then, she tapped her badge again.  "Dr. Dervin to Counselor Rodos, um,
could you please come to the FO's office, we've got a small problem."

(Reply Rodos)
(posted by Trout and Kat Mazurok)