COMPILE_TERMINAL_VIEW
Earth
Stardate:2405.09.03 2021-12-01
Stardate:2405.09.03 (USS Bravado - Bridge - Fleet Admiral Lee - 1536) "Yessir Boss, we are in trouble again..." He looked at the Tactical monitor, at the mass of Borg ships that were coming at the Mars Defense Perimeter. Seventeen years of war, thousands upon thousands of ships and eighty million dead later, this was their very last line of organized defense. Rich leaned back in the chair, damaged at it was, and took a look at his burned out bridge. This ship was only a year old, yet the veteran of dozens of battles. Old style tactics had failed immediately, and even guerrilla tactics that Lee himself had helped to design had only prolonged what seemed to be the inevitable. Even their new Borg hunting craft were hardly making a dent in the 1200 known Borg cubes in what was once Federation space. Each shuttle unit took ages to create and the personnel took at least three months to train. And the life expectancy of each unit was only five engagements, better then their fleets...but not good enough to hold off the invasion that threatened to finally break the backbone of all Federation defense. There were only 365 ships left in the entire Starfleet, one for each day of the Terran year. The Romulans and the Klingons had also sent all their ships, since Quonos and Romulus had both been destroyed and their governments moved to the last secure bastion in the galaxy, which was Earth. It seemed only appropriate that the last alliance of free peoples should make their stand in a system that had been the very heart of the Great Federation. All told there were just under nine hindered vessels in-system, all under his ultimate command. He had been in command of all Strategic movements for the last five years, not that it had done them any good. Rich looked at the Tactical unit once more, and tapped His chair as seventy cubes came out of warp. Sensor platforms counted another three hundred incoming. As if the seventy wasn't enough in the Fleets current condition... The Bravado was but a year old, and it was in about as good a shape as any left in the fleet. Secretly, he thought the battle would be a short one. He stood, and placed his arms behind his back. "Open a channel to all ships." he said, just above a whisper. His voice seemed as loud as a scream, in the absolute silence of the bridge. The only sounds were that of running machinery, and of a muted prayer from someone behind him at the Engineering console. He didn't begrudge the engineer the solace, everyone was going to need some sooner then later. "All ships," he said in a gruff voice. "I don't need to tell you the situation, its grim. We fight today for our very lives, to cover the escape of all those that can make it off Earth. This is the last battleground, there is no where else to run, no place left to fall back. Make yourselves expensive, and fight with the honor I know each of you has." He paused, his inadequate speech still lingering in the air. "It has been a pleasure, Lee out." He flopped back in his chair, and held his head for a moment. What they were about to do was suicide, but it was necessary for the evacuation effort. And as he said, there was no where else to go. "Lead elements of the 7th and 10th fleets have engaged the Borg." came Tactical from over his shoulder. "Our last stand," he muttered, "All units, engage engage engage!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.03 (USS Warshrike - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 2140) "I don't CARE what the engineer says, hold her together for three more minutes!" yelled the Captain of the 'shrike, as two Dominion attack ships battered the Primary hull of the Sovereign class vessel. Rich snarled as he swung shield frequencies to Breen weapons, and targeted the closest Dominion ship. There were certain disadvantages to being part of Omega Squadron, always on the front lines and messing with the baddest of the Dominion forces, but at least the medical coverage was comprehensive. "Two more Dominion craft approaching in an attack vector." he announced with a wince, "They have already powered weapons." "Warp drive is out and impulse at 45%," yelled ops over the sounds of combat. "forward phasers out, torpedoes offline." Lee cursed, "were in trouble, who wants to get out and push?" The Captain seemed to ignore his smart comments, and Rich continued to target the best he could as the Warshrike literally started to fall apart around them. He clenched his fists as the last of his weapons went offline. "Calvary would be nice right about now..." Lee gripped the console and leaned forward, "Weapons are toast, shields at 15%" he said in a dry tone. He frowned again as the ship rocked, "Been fun all..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande, Observation Lounge, Captain Remae Ktell - 0004) =^= This is Admiral Richard Kevel of the USS Lion, Starfleet Command. Requesting help and information, out. =^ Remae heard the general subspace message over the radio. "Commander Lee, get the Admiral off the air till we know what's going on, and then ask him to join us, directly." Shaking his head, he noted Susan and a few officers from the Nimitz enter the OL. "Good to see you again, Remae, if completely unexpected. This is my FO, Lt Commander Sevant. Perhaps you can explain what is going on?" "Captain, Commander. Welcome aboard." "Ma'am, may I, on behalf of the crew here, ask a question? Where and when are we?", asked 'Captain' Pierce. "Hum, I'm sorry to interrupt, I know I haven't the right to be here, to wear that uniform and those pips but I've found myself inside like the others. All I want to say is that I've already heard about those Kalmorose.", said Rick. Remae looked around at the bartender in the well fitting Starfleet uniform, had he not spoken up, the Bajoran would have missed him altogether, pausing for a moment, he raised his hands. "Okay everyone, let's sit down. See if we can work through this." Sitting down at the head of the table, pausing for breath and for other people to get drinks from the replicators, he began. "I remember being in a battle, no doubts there - a battle with the Dominion and the Romulans.", Remae looked over and noted the confused faces of the Nimitz crew. "Well, lets start at the beginning." Remae recounted the fact the he and the crew of the Firebrande were assigned to Utopia Planitia and the Firebrande was their test ship, next he recounted the tale of the rouge Dominion forces attacking key sites in both Romulan and Federation space. "So, were we sent out to see if the Romulans would take the bait, and enter the Federation space to engage the Dominion and they were but the size of the fleet that the Dominion put up surprised them and us, but we had just destroyed one of the largest ships I've seen. I am guessing that fierce exchange of fire opened up this portal." "Lieutenant Bellephoron, could you interpolate these events and suggest a theory?", asked Remae to the TSO. (Reply from Bellephoron) Once the theory had been produced, Remae continued. "After the battle, I found myself in the presence of the Prophets, for the first time in my life but I know that it wasn't the first time either. Also, I have memories that I didn't have before, but are also my own. I've never met Captain Susan Rivers, but I have and I've commanded the USS Spectre in the past, even though I know I haven't.", he said, pointing out the window at the Spectre class vessel. "Commander Lee, please scan all vessels in range, I want to know if they have crews onboard and their status.", he said, continuing the to the rest of the room. "It's as if, somehow, my memories from this reality and another past reality have been merged. Whether or not the Prophets did it or everyone is in the same boat, we'll have to see - given the different uniforms around the room, some people here could be from another reality again." "As for the Kalmorose, we've got a problem, a species we can't see, stop or effect, who made a ship the size of the Titan disappear, well, we'll need to find out all we can about it." "Captain Rivers, what can you tell us about this timeline and where we are?" (Reply from Rivers) After Susan had brought them upto date on current events, Remae turned around to the First Officer and Admiral Jopek. "Commander Lee, contact Starfleet Command, secure channel and request instructions and also, a full roster of Utopia Planitia, I want to see what's happening over there." "Okay, everyone else, I want to hear from each of you, what can you remember? I have a roster here of the Firebrande, so each of you can see what jobs you are suppose to be doing and Rick, I would be most eager to hear all you know about the Kalmorose." Remae said back in his chair and began to listen to each of the crew, each had a different tale to tell, some had memories of their past life on Utopia Planitia, some didn't, it was going to be a struggle for them to come to terms with being in the future and not being where or who they thought they were. (Reply from All at the Table) (Posted by Anthony Keen) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande, Observation Lounge - CONN Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0007) Ralth sat on his seat calmly, trying to keep his nervousness from surfacing and affecting his judgement. His seat was at the far edge of the table, and that was also how he preferred it. ~There's not much I can bring to this conversation. Interesting as this situation is, I don't see any way to change what's happened... Perhaps they will think of something, or perhaps we'd be better off just adjusting to our new surroundings. It'll be interesting to see if we can keep our positions in Starfleet or do they decide to discharge us all, or perhaps detain us for study...~ Ralth shook the thought away, frowning at himself for even thinking such a thing. Starfleet and the Federation stood for freedom of individual as long as said individual wasn't threatening others lives and freedoms, and he'd taken an oath to keep his faith in what the Federation represented. Whatever would happen. The higher-ups were discussing the recent events, the captain relating their tale to the captain of the Nimitz. Ralth took a moment to study her a bit more closely, noticing the tenseness in her. ~She's nervous... But I can't really blame her, either...~ Ralth thought, noticing his tail twitching nervously again while he focused hard on keeping the discomforted look from his face. ~I just hope that none of our counterparts in this universe are, for example, convicted felons...~ The TSO started relating the theory Ralth had heard him rambling about in the No-Time- Zone by the captains request, and he toned it out almost immediately. It didn't really suit him for some reason. ~It's almost like there's a flaw there somewhere, but I only know its there, can't point it out...~ Instead, he focused on the strangers again, noting both of them taking a note of their surroundings in the classic counter-threat-assesment pattern, sweeping everyone every few seconds and instantly fixing on any movement that might be considered threatening. Ralth frowned again. ~Its almost as if they're expecting us to simply jump them here... Ready for anything.~ He shook his head slowly, eyes on the table. Soon, captain Rivers was requested to relate current events, which did capture Ralth's attention, and he fixed an unwavering stare at her. ~Twenty-six years into the future? Amazing... I must try to get my hands on a few history databases as soon as possible. And on some technical journals...~ He kept listening as he made a list in his head on the items he'd have to read up on as soon as he could. When she had finished, the captain ordered Cmdr. Lee to contact Fleet Command and request an update on the status of Utopia Planitia, and then asked for the experiences of the entire senior staff. "Okay, everyone else, I want to hear from each of you, what can you remember?" he said, "I have a roster here of the Firebrande, so each of you can see what jobs you are suppose to be doing and Rick, I would be most eager to hear all you know about the Kalmorose." Ralth looked around him until the man in captains uniform that Ralth remembered being the TAC/SC opened his mouth. "Security Chief Pierce Orde speaking, ma'am. Well, I'm a bit hazy on the details, but here it is: Before the temporal barriers were obliterated, I was standing on the bridge, manning Tactical, my normal station. I'm new to Utopia Planitia, by the way. Anyway, I found myself on the bridge of a starship, in the captain's chair, fighting the Borg of all things. However, I soon found myself somewhere, being pestered by this teenage girl who was asking me why I haven't gotten her mother's birthday present yet. I suppose she was supposed to be my daughter.. Anyway, after I ended up in the stasis room, I felt an odd sense of peace come over me, as if I had achieved my lifelong dream. I also now have dim memories of a USS Firestorm. Of being her captain. When we can get access to databanks, I'd like to look up what happened since we were gone." Ralth cleared his throat. "Forr my parrt, captain, I am quite capable of perforrming my duty to yourr expectations. I have little memorry of events until I was reunited with the rest of the crew, but I do have a feeling of..." he tilted his head to the side, pondering. "...of being protected, somehow. It is most strrange, but I am ready to resume my duties of CONN, unless that has changed." (Reply Remae, Any if necessary.) Ralth listened to others recounting their tales, too, noting how none of them seemed to have experienced quite same things, but how there were strange similarities with all of their stories. It seemed that they had all been given all they could hope for, a glimpse of fulfilment of all of their dreams. And all of them had left that place and returned to their duties. Ralth shook his head. ~Remarkable. I don't know if I could've done that... But, it seems, that the Goddess protected me.~ (USS Firebrande - CONN Quarters - CONN Ralth Ra'Kir - 0300) Ralth wandered inside his own quarters, feeling a bit strange after the meeting. ~There's a million things I could do, starting from reading up on recent events through the subspace network... I could even mail myself here.~ The thought brought a grin to his face. Who knew what his own self was doing in this universe. Perhaps he'd not left Cait at all, but stayed to teach in the Cait University, maybe even found a mate and started a family already. Or perhaps he was still a cadet in Starfleet or maybe in CDF, even. Ralth shook his head. His life was probably hard enough that he'd not want himself stirring it up. He sat on his bunk, but relaxing didn't feel the right thing, either. He needed some action, and his eyes wandered around the little room, finally fixing onto his twin blades, their slightly curving blades glimmering in the smooth lighting, their black sheaths hanging under them, next to them his fighting leathers. He grinned, deftly jumping over his table to his equipment and landing on a crouch. In quick succession he went through a stretching routine, then removing his uniform and tossing it into the recyckler. He donned his armor, the black, coarse sleeveless tunic first, then his fingerless gloves and on them his bracers, black and filigreed with an orange-and-flames coat of arms of his master, now his as well. on his head a helmet of hard leather with openings for his ears and protection for the top of his muzzle, with strap under his chin. A black collar, black steel on leather replaced the Starfleet standard-issue collar. On his waist, a flame-marked belt matching his fur held frogs that accepted the sheaths, holding them close to his sides. The blades flashed and Ralth grinned savagely as he picked them from the wall. He looked at them, his eyes flashing with eagerness. ~No matter where I go, me steel never dulls. No matter where I am, by my steel and my will, I will survive.~ The old vow sprang to his mind without prompting, and the blades flashed into their sheaths as Ralth turned to stalk out from the room. (USS Firebrande: Holodecks - CONN Ralth Ra'Kir - 0340) NRPG: Note, I expect Pierce to be running a saved position of a common-use program instead of a self-made, private program. RPG: ~Great. Just what I need right now.~ Ralth cursed silently at the door of Holodeck 3, cheerfully showing the sign |Out of Order|, blinking it in red letters. All the other holodecks were in use, it seemed. Grumbling a little, Ralth stepped to the door of the #2 holodeck, noting it running a program that simulated 1700-century shipboard combat from Earth. He'd run a similar program himself, occasionally. ~I wonder if whoever's there would mind company?~ With that thought, he tapped the doorchime and waited. In a moment, the door opened to the deck of a large sailing ship, and Ralth noted Pierce standing there, quarterstaff in his hands. He smiled and bowed. "I parrdon my intrrusion, but all otherr holodecks arre eitherr inoperational orr in use, and I thought to ask if you wouldn't mind company...?" Ralth straightened to attention. "Permission to come aboarrd, captain?" He grinned. (Reply Pierce) (Posted by Mikko Kari) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Lion, Bridge, Admiral Richard Kevel - 0009) The sparks continued to fly on the bridge. The smoke that had held in the air was gone, the backup power having amazingly come back online. Now, as the harried crew began to pick up the physical debris, the true power of whatever had happened was realized. Many on the crew were dead or injured beyond belief. The USS Lion had taken a beating, but her heart still pumped. The engineering crew was working like mad cats, having taken the entire crew under the damage control wing. Now, the ship was looking a bit better, if that was an improvement. "Get that lighting conduit up and running...use the transistor...not that one, the other..there ya go." Kevel moved quickly about the bridge, moving crew, wreckage and whatever else he could get his hands on. The bridge was the command center and as such, it was the only place where everything came together. If nothing was together here, then all hell was going to break loose. "Admiral, Commander Lee has instructed us to stay off the air and when you are available, to join them on the Firebrands..." The communications officer, a young lady in her early 20's spoke up through the massive sound of repairs and commotion. Kevel looked her in the eye and nodded and she quickly turned around, her stress level already on high. Richard didn't need his new crew stressed to the point of breaking. Maybe later, but not now. "OPS, do we have a report?" The officer leaning on Operations snapped his head up. "Transporters are offline. Warp is online at warp 5, on command. Impulse is coming back in 2 minutes. Main power is being repaired and recharged. We're still on emergency. Auxiliary is charging. Shields are now at 85% and weapons are at 20% and climbing. Torpedoes are ready to fire. Sensors are coming back online and readings are in process. We're getting better Admiral." Kevel nodded and looked back at his chair, one of the few things not cluttered by debris. He quickly sat in it as main power came back online, sending the lights into full mode and a great cheer amongst the crew on the bridge. The cheer lasted a short moment as the crew tackled their assignments again. Kevel himself cracked his neck and took a deep breath. "Transporters?" The OPS man looked up again. "Coming back online." Kevel nodded and headed for the Turbolift. "First Officer Mason, you have the bridge. You know where to find me." The turbolift closed and whisked the Admiral down to the transporter room and then to the Firebrands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande - Observation Lounge - Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 0015) Rich shook his head of the memories that were not his own, and refocused on the screen. He secured the channel, and sent out a short status report along with instructions and the current roster of Utopia Planitia. He was placed in immediate contact with a Fleet Admiral, who immediately proved to be a pain in the butt with questions. Rich brought up his hand after the sixth shot question about who he was and what he was talking about, and said "One moment." He looked over at Captain Ktell, and said "Sir, I think we might need validation from someone known in this universe." His eyes fell briefly on Rivers, then back to Ktell. (reply any) (posted by Trout) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande - Observation Lounge - Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 0015) "Commander Lee, contact Starfleet Command, secure channel and request instructions and also, a full roster of Utopia Planitia, I want to see what's happening over there." Rich nodded, then stood and walked over to the corner screen while everyone else spoke of memories and experiences. He shook his head at that slightly, his own would eventually make their way into a report, but he would not willingly speak of everything he had seen. Some of the visions had been black, even to his war-torn view. And some of them he never wanted to speak of again, even though he would see them in nightmares the rest of his life. He sat down in front of the monitor and called up the appropriate offices, and crossed his arms as he waited to be connected. His eyes closed, and... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrands, Near Observation Lounge, Admiral Richard Kevel - 0015) The admiral, still dusty and blood on his uniform from random medical assistance on the bridge of his own ship had drawn more than a few stares from the crew around the vessel. Standing outside the room, he gathered himself and entered to find a table filled with all types of people. He stepped into the room and waited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande, Observation Lounge - Richard 'Rick' Blaine - 00:17) After he had spoken, Rick had waited for the other's officers's explanations about the problem they were experiencing when Captain Remae spoke up "Okay, everyone else, I want to hear from each of you, what can you remember? I have a roster here of the Firebrande, so each of you can see what jobs you are suppose to be doing and Rick, I would be most eager to hear all you know about the Kalmorose." Before he could repy, the FO brought up his hand and said "Sir, I think we might need validation from someone known in this universe." His eyes fell briefly on Rivers, then back to Ktell. Rick took the floor to say "I agree with Cmdr Lee, I even don't know who I am, am I the Valhalla bartender or a starship's chief of Security, I've both memories in my mind." he made a pause and added " Concerning those Kalmorose, when I was in Ferenginar I remember that some traders had spoken about aliens who were living in some kind of 'another phase' and they were called as the Kalmorose, rumours were saying that they were capable of making dissapear ships but it was only rumours but all I can say is that they were all, even the Ferengies, fearing them. It reminds me something about some species encounters by the Enterprise-D, they were called the devidians if I remember correctly, they were also living in " another phase" and they were only visible to those viewers or mechanical scanners that have matched their synchronic distortion of +0.004%. Maybe we could use that too." stated Rick in waiting for the others officers to reply. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande: Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Pierce Orde - 0019) "I agree with Cmdr Lee, I even don't know who I am, am I the Valhalla bartender or a starship's chief of Security, I've both memories in my mind." he made a pause and added " Concerning those Kalmorose, when I was in Ferenginar I remember that some traders had spoken about aliens who were living in some kind of 'another phase' and they were called as the Kalmorose, rumours were saying that they were capable of making dissapear ships but it was only rumours but all I can say is that they were all, even the Ferengies, fearing them. It reminds me something about some species encounters by the Enterprise-D, they were called the devidians if I remember correctly, they were also living in " another phase" and they were only visible to those viewers or mechanical scanners that have matched their synchronic distortion of +0.004%. Maybe we could use that too." Pierce heard Rick say. ~Oddly enough, I wonder where he was during the no-time.~ Pierce spoke up. "I've read the logs from that encounter. History is something of an old hobby. Learning the past mistakes of captains, and so forth. If I remember correctly, the only way *that* worked was when someone was on Devidia II. I could be wrong, though. I think the model we need to look at is the phase cloak model. That actually brought people out of phase with 'normal' space. Before the... accident occurred, I had read up on a experimental weapon that 'phases' antimatter using a degenerative field and a phase cloak. Part of the device - the independent degenerative field - had been designed at Aberdeen. A theoretical warp technologies scientist or engineer - of which I am neither, but a simple weapons engineer - would be able to tell you more about it. I do remember some of the principles, but it's been a long time. Forgive me if I sound technical. What had jogged my memory of the weapon at first was that, in my checking of the defense status of the general vicinity of Valhalla, I noticed that the USS Firestorm - I don't remember the registry right now - had been fitted with that experimental weapon. If the ship still exists, we may be able to modify the phasing mechanism to send other things. The fact that it used a degenerative field would allow us to forgo a device to bring us back. Unfortuantly, I only remember the basic principles of the field effect." He cleared his throat, and waited. (Reply Remae, Blaine, any, all) (Posted by Lenox) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande - Main Engineering - Lt(sg) Michelle Roberts - 0020) "..and the Bolian said, "Get me a drink and I might think about it!" Michelle actually paused in her repairs, and sighed. "Look, Ensign..." She looked at him, and he smiled obligingly. "Fairchild, Maam." The Combat Engineer almost hefted the tool she had her in her hands like a hammer, "Fairchild then. Two things, one... I don't like jokes, especially when I'm trying to work, and I find people who try to tell them while I have a spanner in my hands to be the most annoying and possibly dangerous creatures in the universe." She turned her head back to the circuitry she had out of the wall, and continued with "And two, I'm a Combat Engineer, which means my aggression has been well channeled and trained, and I could probably reach down your throat and rip one of your legs off. Come to think of it, I haven't had a man like that in far to long, so if you are a willing volunteer then by all means continue." She paused again in her work and looked at him, he seemed torn between bravado and fright. "Otherwise, there is plenty of work to be done, most of it far away from me." The Ensign seemed to take the hint, and said something in a rush about repairs that were needed in waste management. Michelle shook her head as he scuttled off, and looked back at the fried shield circuitry in front of her. "Whatever did this wasn't combat oriented, I've never seen such wide spread yet superficial damage In my life. Its like everything was hit by a massive surge, and that surge touched everything, but only damaged enough to leave the system down." She tapped her badge, "Roberts to Captain Ktell, estimate five hours until systems are back to nominal." (reply any) (posted by Trout) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande: Observation Lounge - Ensign Pierce Orde: 0030) Pierce recounted his story. "Security Chief Pierce Orde speaking, ma'am. Well, I'm a bit hazy on the details, but here it is: Before the temporal barriers were obliterated, I was standing on the bridge, manning Tactical, my normal station. I'm new to Utopia Planitia, by the way. Anyway, I found myself on the bridge of a starship, in the captain's chair, fighting the Borg of all things. However, I soon found myself somewhere, being pestered by this teenage girl who was asking me why I haven't gotten her mother's birthday present yet. I suppose she was supposed to be my daughter.. Anyway, after I ended up in the stasis room, I felt an odd sense of peace come over me, as if I had achieved my lifelong dream. I also now have dim memories of a USS Firestorm. Of being her captain. When we can get access to databanks, I'd like to look up what happened since we were gone." Even Eleni could sense the complete change in attitude Pierce was displaying. His eyes bore none of the pain that had been so characteristic of them. ~Captain Pierce Orde.... I like the sound of it.~ (Reply ALL, ANy) (Posted by Lenox) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firestorm: Quarters of TAC/SC Pierce Orde - TAC/SC Pierce Orde - 0300) Pierce, thoroughly exhausted from his 'day', surveyed his quarters. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, minus the general knocked-aboutness of things. ~Wait, something is missing.~ His eyes fell upon an empty display case. His prized antique Colt .45 pistol, a gift from a friend, was missing! ~Not that... Anything but that. Oh, please..~ Examining the empty case, he noticed that it was still sealed. ~Now that's odd. Why would a thief remove the gun then reseal the case? Unless...~ "Computer, when was the last time someone was in here?" The computer obligingly quoted a stardate and time. ~That was me... Wonderful. I'll need to bring this up at the next meeting.~ As he stood and looked around his quarters, Pierce found, owing to the little mystery in front of him, that he was not tired in the least but, in fact, quite keyed up. ~Maybe I can get some time in the holodeck. But which program?~ His gaze fell upon his other treasure- a lovingly handbuilt staff. His mind was made up. ~Combat program.~ Pierce snatched the staff off the floor and ran to the nearest holodeck. (USS Firebrande: Holodeck 2 - TAC/SC Pierce Orde - 0320) "Computer, begin program Pierce-Alpha-Zho-One." Pierce commanded. A short pause, then the swift reply =/\= Program complete, enter when ready=/\= Pierce stepped through that doorway, and found himself on a rolling deck. ~Ah, a ship sailing the sea. Now, if I programmed this right...~ "Captain! A pirate ship is approaching, and she means to board us!" a deckhand cried. ~Yep.~ "All hands, prepare to repel boarders!" Pierce yelled in his best commanding tone. Sailors shuffled about him as they saw to their duties of repelling the pirates. "Secure the cargo!" A snap filled the air. Whipping his head around, Pierce - Captain of the fine sailing ship SS Hades Skiier - caught a glimpse of the enemy fixing their lashes to his ship. ~MY ship, those motherless bastards.~ "All hands, ENGAGE! Run those motherless dogs off my ship!" he shouted while running to engage the boarders, staff in hand. "CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE!" He found his first foe, a swarmy sort who brandished a knife in his teeth. Pierce opened with a snap to the man's jaw with the end of his staff, while lashing out with a foot at the same man's groin. His opponent crumpled to the decking, and fell overboard. Pierce, watching the pained man fall into the seas, nearly missed another man taking a swipe at him with a sword. As it was, he barely had time to block the blow and counter with a shot to the ribs. Pierce, never one to pass up an advantage, gave the pirate a swift kick in the head, then grabbed the pistol stuffed into a sash. The pistol was promptly used to dispatch another pirate making a lunge at Pierce. An unnatural sound filled the air. The sound of a beep. Someone was trying to get in. "Computer, freeze program." The swift action came to a halt. Pierce opened the holodeck doors to see who it was. (Reply whoever wants to be that one behind the door.) (Posted by Lenox) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande: Holodeck 2: SS Hades Skiier: Topside - 'FO' Ralth Ra'Kir - 0341) "Welcome aboard to the SS Hades Skiier." Catching the wide-brimmed hat thrown at him Ralth stepped inside, flicking the headgear in place and nodding at Pierce thankfully. He picked a spot next to the mainmast, noting the many lines from the pirate vessel and the tackling rigging of both ships. ~Okay, lets go!~ "Computer, resume program." he heard the 'captain' Pierce call, and immediately all the frozen figures sprang to life. Jumping across the deck came a lithe man with a rapier in hand, dressed in bright clothing and a pistol tucked in his belt. Ralth jumped up to meet him, dodging low his first slash and opening belly with a sidecut from his right-hand blade as it left its sheath. Ralth spinned to the side behind the man, his second blade deflecting a cut from a cross-eyed man wielding a falchion and his first coming up to stab him through the guts. He heard a step or two from his back and kicked high, his legclaws extending to rip out the pirates throat. A bit to the stern he saw Pierce taking out a few pirates, then being assailed by three working in unison, forcing him back. Pierce ducked back, going on the defensive for the first time during his prolonged combat. The defensive posture did not last long, however. He smashed the butt of his staff in the face of one, while driving his boot into the groin of the second. The third, unfettered by any thoughts of defense, swung his sword mightily at Pierce's unprotected neck... The blade shone in the sunlight, glimmering brightly just before sinking deep into the pirates throat. The man toppled slowly backwards, as Ralth turned to fend off another attacker with a flurry of quick stabs and slashes, then scurryed up the mainmast with his claws and slashed through a line, grabbing its head in his hand. "To theirr ship! Take the fight to them! Attack!" Shouting wildly to the fighting crew he swung over the side... (Reply Pierce) (Posted by Mikko Kari) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande: Holodeck 2: SS Hades Skiier: Topside - 'Captain' Pierce Orde - 0341) NRPG: Never thought that a location line would take so long :) RPG: The door opened to reveal Ralth Ra'Kir. He smiled at Pierce and bowed. "I parrdon my intrrusion, but all otherr holodecks arre eitherr inoperational orr in use, and I thought to ask if you wouldn't mind company...?" Ralth straightened to attention. "Permission to come aboarrd, captain?" He grinned. ~Why not?~ "Computer, list Mr. Ra'Kir as first officer in simulation." Pierce commanded the computer. Taking a brief look around, he spied a hat for the Caitian. Tossing the old-style hat to the Ralth, he spoke a simple phrase. "Welcome aboard to the SS Hades Skiier." (Reply Ralth) Pierce allowed Ralth to pick a spot on the deck. "Computer, resume program." he called. Immediately the action resumed. Pierce managed to dispatch his next few assailants with frightning efficency. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Ralth dancing in and out of combat, slaying foes with two interesting blades. His attention was soon consumed again, as another wave of foes boarded his prized ship. Three men, apparently learning from their compatriots' mistakes - and subsequent demises - lept at Pierce all at once. Rather than succumbing to foolish pride in his own abilities, Pierce ducked back, going on the defensive for the first time during his prolonged combat. The defensive posture did not last long, however. He smashed the butt of his staff in the face of one, while driving his boot into the groin of the second. The third, unfettered by any thoughts of defense, swung his sword mightily at Pierce's unprotected neck... NRPG: Ummm... I'm kinda in trouble here, Ralth! Some kind of dashing disembowlement of the third baddie would be great. RPG: (Reply Ralth, anyone who walks in) (Posted by Lenox) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- Stardate:2405.09.04 (USS Firebrande: Holodeck 2: SS Hades Skiier: Topside - 'Captain' Pierce Orde - 0342) Pierce ducked back, going on the defensive for the first time during his prolonged combat. The defensive posture did not last long, however. He smashed the butt of his staff in the face of one, while driving his boot into the groin of the second. The third, unfettered by any thoughts of defense, swung his sword mightily at Pierce's unprotected neck... Another blade shone in the sunlight, glimmering brightly just before sinking deep into the pirates throat. The man toppled slowly backwards, as Ralth turned to fend off another attacker with a flurry of quick stabs and slashes, then scurryed up the mainmast with his claws and slashed through a line, grabbing its head in his hand. "To theirr ship! Take the fight to them! Attack!" Shouting wildly to the fighting crew, he swung over the side... Pierce stood for a moment, amazed at what almost happened. Then he stared down at his uniform and saw blood. ~Crap. It's going to take forever to get this out of my uniform. Note to self: Thank Ralth for the save.~ Seeing that most of the pirates were retreating, he sought out two lefttenants. "You two! Go down into the cargo hold and bring up a barrel of gunpowder!" he commanded sharply. The two dashed off. Pierce took off at a dead run at the other ship, leaping through the air at the last moment to propel himself like a javelin at a random pirate. He rolled past the pirate, then charged at him. This one wasn't as stupid as most of the rest of the pirates, and actually made for a challenging opponent for the staff wielding 'captain'. ~This is taking too long. Time to even the odds.~ Pierce thought quickly as his hands sought a control upon his staff. He thrust the staff's end at the pirate's throat, who caught it in his hand right before it contacted, mere centimeters from his throat. #shhinkk# The pirate's eyes went wide as he gripped his throat and collapsed to the ground. Pierce's staff had just become a spear. A spear with a tip somewhat longer than the distance between the opening and the man's throat. He pulled the spear out of the pirate's throat, and spun around.... ...just in time to intercept another pirate's downward sword slash. #Clang!# Tempered steel hit duranium. Pierce answered the pirate's assault with a swift kick to the other man's groin. The unfortunate pirate dropped his notched blade and doubled over. A quick hit to the back of the neck put the bastard out of commission. He looked over for Ralth, who seemed a virtual blur, dancing in and out of his foes, slaying them with cold efficency. ~Who'dve thought that we'd both like this kind of program? He should be in Security. He's good.~ Pierce noticed a pirate attempting to get a pistol shot at Ralth. He had almost gotten a bead on the blur.... ... Pierce hurled his spear like a javelin... ... The pirate began to squeeze the trigger... ... And the gun went wild as Pierce's spear hit him and stuck in his side. The report of the pistol rung in Pierce's ears. But now Pierce was temporarily weaponless. And there were a few pirates advancing toward him. Two drew pistols and aimed at him, while the third waited calmly, sword in hand. He heard the simultaneous cracks of pistols going off. He closed his eyes... ... and felt nothing. Opening his eyes, he saw the two pirates sprawled on the decking. The third had dropped his sword, and was going for his gun... Too late. Pierce had already started flying at him in a body slam that knocked the luckless pirate back. When Pierce got to his feet, he grabbed the dropped blade and skewered the pirate with it. He glanced back, and saw two of his officers on the deck of the other ship, waving their hats in the air. Pierce nodded congratulory. ~Thanks. No time to lose now.~ He lifted the unused gun from the pirate's lifeless hand, and sniped another target that was gunning for Ralth, than ran to retrieve his staff. When he got there, one of his own officers met him. "Sir, the gunpowder is up." "Excellent. Take the powder into the pirate's magazine, fighting if you have to. We'll keep them busy. Give it a long fuse, then light it. Then get out. Understood?" "Aye, sir!" The officer ran off, leaving Pierce back to the sounds of battle. He'd have to get to Ralth and let him know it was time to go sometime *very* soon. NRPG: Yes, that was one of two of Pierce's staff surprises. The spear tip is not very long, just one or two inches. It pops up out of a recess in the butt of one end of his staff. Useful to make it a javelin, or an anchor. RPG: (Reply Ralth, anyone who feels like walking in) (Posted by Lenox)