COMPILE_TERMINAL_VIEW
USS Hades
A Rule of Conscience 2025-04-17
compile summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.22 (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 22:12) (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 22:13) (USS Hades - Turolift - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2215) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2218) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2219) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2220) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2221) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 2222) (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2224) (USS Hades -Deck 8 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2226) (USS Hades -Deck 8 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2227) (USS Hades -Deck 11 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2229) (USS Hades -Deck 11 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2230) (USS Hades -Deck 11 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2231) (USS Hades -Deck 11, Arboretum - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2233) (USS Hades -Deck 11, Arboretum - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 2234) (USS Hades - Deck 11, Arboretum - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2237) (USS Hades - Deck 11, Arboretum - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes and ATAC Lo'ren T'Vof - 2238) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.24 (USS Hades - Deck 9, Personal Quarters - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof and CSO Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 19:20) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2408.07.25 (Grealridge - Commanders lounge - Ship Commander, Fleet 2nd Graffna - 1735 Federation standard time) (USS Hades, Bridge, FO, Commander Straton, 17:45) (USS Hades - Bridge - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 17:46) (USS Hades, Bridge, CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes, 17:47) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- begin compile Day: 13 Stardate: 2408.07.22 (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 22:12) Her face lit up as she rose, her response speaking louder than words as he'd expected but he would have had to have been a blind man to have misread what her eyes had been telling him. "I'd love to." She turned to Eoin as he moved around her, "Thanks for the company, Eoin. Good luck with the written language - and don't work too late." (reply Eoin iyw) As he stopped she turned to face him. "Any special plants in the hydroponics labs, or is it the overall atmosphere that draws you?" He gave her a small smile and a shake of his head as he inclined his head toward the door and offered her his arm. "Not specifically, I'm just in the mood for some fresh air." (Reply: Lo'ren The lounge had been only half full when he had arrived and he noted now that only a handful were left, there was no need to wend their way around chairs and moving people as they made their way out. She smelled intoxicating walking beside him as she was and he was enjoying the feel of her arm in his. When the door had closed behind them he glanced toward her. "I hope he didn't think I was rude but I just wanted to get you alone for a while, there's a lot I don't know about you that I'd like to learn." (Reply: Lo'ren) Something suddenly dawned on him. "You knew him before you came on the ship right? Where did the two of you meet?" He asked as he led her toward the turbolift. (Reply: Lo'ren) He nodded his head as they reached the lift. "By the way I've had a better idea." His smile widened as he caught her eyes. "Have you ever seen the Andorian sky at night? It's not something you can describe verbally and I'd like to show you if you're interested, the hydoponics labs can wait." He chuckled. "And speaking of fresh air... its bracing. We're going to need coats though once we get to the holodeck, once the sun goes down it can be quite chilling. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 10, Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 22:13) Jack shook his head in partial reply to her query as he offered an arm. "Not specifically, I'm just in the mood for some fresh air." Lo'ren tilted her head slightly as she replied, "I see." ~So it's the man, Jack Haynes, that is out tonight. I am glad.~ She threaded her arm through his and laced her fingers around his forearm, feeling the well-toned muscles through his clothing. He guided her through Ten Forward and out into the corridor. Once they had privacy he looked in her direction, saying, "I hope he didn't think I was rude but I just wanted to get you alone for a while, there's a lot I don't know about you that I'd like to learn." "No, Eoin's like a brother to me. He'll be fine." A light came across Jack's face as the scientist came to a eureka moment. "You knew him before you came on the ship right? Where did the two of you meet?" He asked as he led her toward the turbolift. Lo'ren smiled, "Eoin and I met at the Academy. We graduated in the same year, but he arrived in my third year. I went through the whole Academy program and then was asked to stay on and do the Advanced Tactical program but I still joined in on regular study groups. Eoin was the only other Cadet I came across who could talk linguistics and keep up with me, so we did a lot of debate and study together in that area. He nodded his head as they reached the lift. "By the way I've had a better idea." His smile widened and Lo'ren's breath caught momentarily as she was captivated by the sparkle in his eyes. "Have you ever seen the Andorian sky at night? It's not something you can describe verbally and I'd like to show you if you're interested, the hydoponics labs can wait." He chuckled. "And speaking of fresh air... its bracing. We're going to need coats though once we get to the holodeck, once the sun goes down it can be quite chilling." Lo'ren laghed as Jack laughed, carried along by his good humour, "I've not had the pleasure of being on Andoria. I've heard of the stunning vistas, I'd love to see them and we can have the Holodeck supply us with coats." (reply Jack) "So, what else would you like to know?" Lo'ren had to look up a fair deal to meet his eyes, but she didn't mind. She thought those green eyes could hold her attention for hours. (reply Jack) "I write music as well as sing it and play several instruments. I've got a piece I'm working on that is inspired by an Andorian work... it's called 'Honour and Life'." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Turolift - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2215) Her laughter had a musical note, not harsh as one might expect from someone who had the type of background she did, light and airy with a quality of freedom that could never be repressed, never caged. "I've not had the pleasure of being on Andoria. I've heard of the stunning vistas, I'd love to see them and we can have the Holodeck supply us with coats." "They're standard issue for this program of course," There was a twinkle in his eyes as he addressed the control matrix. "Deck eight." The rising hum of the lift and ensuing movement came as he continued. "I felt it only fair to warn you considering you might never have been there and are you ever right, stunning is a good word. We'll begin in an antechamber beneath She'nah Hoorn. Keep in mind that it was utterly destroyed during the war. When I get time I hope to go back and see if it's been properly rebuilt." Being they had only two decks to go it was already stopping as she spoke. "So, what else would you like to know?" She had tilted her head back quite a bit to meet his gaze, standing here in the lift who's door was now opening. He shrugged as he stepped with her out into the hallway and turned left to the holodecks. "You sing beautifully and considering your interest in music I'm wondering if you play as well. Am I right?" "I write music as well as sing it and play several instruments. I've got a piece I'm working on that is inspired by an Andorian work... it's called 'Honour and Life'." His grin widened at the thought and he chuckled down at her. "You mentioned honor and ice in ten forward to which I'd add expansive and at times breathtaking, just like their world." They had come to holodeck one now which was empty he was relieved to see. "Computer initiate JHaynes Andoria, She'nah Hoorn, High Summer, 1800 hours." [Program initiated, entry authorized.] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2218) The doors slid back to reveal a dim passage, as the two stepped in they shut behind them and the temperature dropped thirty degrees, casting a chill over them both. Nonplussed Jack disengaged his arm from hers long enough to open a locker to his left and chose two parkas from among the selection, handing the smaller one to Lo'ren. (Reply: Lo'ren) "The lock isn't far." he said as he shrugged his coat on. " About another thirty meters to the end of this passage." He reached out his left hand before putting on the glove fished from a pocket and felt the metal wall for only an instant which was icy to the touch. The permafrost even this close to the surface was well frozen. The light in the passageway seemed to grow as their eyes adjusted to the lower light level compared to the brightly lit hallways of the Hades. Seeing she was already waiting he pulled the glove on and took her left hand in his right without thinking and led her down the passage. (Reply: Lo'ren) The valve blocking them from the surface came into sight long before they reached it, a rim of frost glistened around its edges. A window inset in it was covered in frost as well and blocked out the vision of the wonders that lay beyond. A digital readout set into its surface showed the outside temperature to be only -12 degrees F. Throwing his weight against the bars of the lock he broke it loose and pushed it slowly outward which allowed in a blast of icy wind, he forced down the instinct to throw the hood over his head not wanting to miss the glorious sight that would be unfolding outside. Stepping out first he surveyed the landscape which was lit by feeble sunlight glistening upon the rolling expanse of icy hills. The yellow dwarf main sequence star was nearly set but it was the other astronomical sights that made his breath catch in his throat as always, Andor itself eclipsed the Eastern half of the sky, the gas giant glowing blue and purple in the dying light. It's rings glistened like ephemeral spider silk. When the sun had completely disappeared it would dominate the sky and its other two moons would glimmer like jewels in the night sky at the farthest reach of its rings. A sky full of beauty and wonder, a sky that would inspire an alien people to wondrous heights of musical achievement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2219) Lo'ren felt the immediate chill as they entered the Holodeck. Jack moved away - which left Lo'ren even further chilled. ~Get back her and keep me warm!~ He felt a million miles away after having been attached to her arm for the all too brief walk to the holodeck. She smiled and said a brief thank you before shrugging into the parka he gave her. The program must have read her body size as they`d come in - it fitted exactly. She found the pair of gloves in the pockets and seeing as how it was so cold in here she wiggled her fingers in. Even Holodeck frostbite was frostbite, and Lo`ren wasn`t in the mood for a trip to sickbay. "How far do we to go to get outside?" She asked, fastening the clasps on the coat. "The lock isn't far." he said as he shrugged his coat on. " About another thirty meters to the end of this passage." Lo`ren watched as Jack touched the frozen wall with his hand. There was a certain sadness and longing in the gesture and she filed it away. ~What happened to you here, Jericho Haynes?~ Jack grabbed her gloved hand and led her down the hallway. She was thankful for the both of them wearing gloves, she'd bolstered her mental reserves, but she certainly didn't want Jack to get the surprise of her in his mind. She was also desperately wishing there were no gloves, she wanted to be connected to him so completely. Jack shoved at the doors that opened onto the viewing platform and they were hit by a wall of icy wind. Seeing Jack left his hood down, Lo'ren forced hersef to do the same as she followed him out. The sight was beautiful, the sun - weak as it was - glinted off the snow covered hills. She looked up and saw the overiding sight of the sky. The delicate, spidery quality of the Rings of Andor captured her. She could barely breathe with the power and beauty of it. "Oh Jack, it's stunning." (reply Jack) "I love it." Her voice was almost a whisper as she spoke. Even being told that the vista would be as it was, the artist in her was completely flumoxed. (reply Jack) "This might just change the main theme of my piece. It certainly has changed the words - would you like to hear a little?" She looked into his eyes, wanting to sink into them, to experience Jack in as many facets as she could. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2220) Her reaction was what he had expected, everyone who was exposed to it was undeniably changed from that point forward. No wonder the Andorians had gained such an instilled strength of character and honor. Their art was much as their music, bold and strong with a crescendo of triumph mixed with a sweet dirge which could be seen in the dying of the day. "Oh Jack, it's stunning." He nodded silently as the sun slowly vanished completely over the horizon and Andor conquered more of the darkening sky its blue and purple halo strengthening as it rose and the rings coalescing into more immutable and solid forms. "I love it." Her voice was filled with awe at the sights. "You can see why we were captivated by it." He let out a frigid breath, they would need to go inside soon, with the night falling the temperature on this side of the planetoid would plummet. "This might just change the main theme of my piece. It certainly has changed the words - would you like to hear a little?" She was standing beside him, their arms rubbing as they gazed into the sky, as he looked at her she gazed deeply into his eyes, leaning toward him. "In a moment when we go back inside," he breathed as he slid his arms about her waist and back and pulled her close, his mouth meeting hers and tasting the sweetness of her lips. Their embrace pushed away the cold for a moment, him pulling her tightly against him and delighting in the soft firmness of her form, her hair brushing lightly against the sides of his face. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2221) "In a moment when we go back inside." In an instant Lo'ren went from feeling half-frozen to, well, ecstacy. She was left even more breathless than before as Jack held her firmly in his arms. She relished the strength that encircled her. Arching her back slightly, she reached up, threading her fingers gently through his hair. Lo'ren never wanted to let go, but even the most beautiful moments weren't meant to last. She pulled her head back enough to lock green eyes to green eyes. "That was better than the view." She breathed, smiling. (reply Jack) She leaned her haed on his chest, looking out on the darkened horizon. "Jack, I think you need to know. I'm half-Vulcan and as such," She sighed as she said this, "I'm a touch telepath. I've never done this before, not even kissed, and..." She paused, willing herself to keep calm. She looked into his eyes again. ~Help me, you big lug.~ She tried to frame her thoughts, which were running away at warp speed every time she looked at him. "And well, I'm simply not sure if I can keep my abilities under control." (reply Jack) "I`ve been trained, but I was never very good." She tried to keep her emotions in check, but a tear slid out anyhow. She felt so completely helpless and prayed that this truth wouldn't push him away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 2222) After a prolonged kiss Jack pulled back to look at the woman, gratified that he hadn't misread her. She was smiling into his eyes and sounded a bit breathless as she spoke. "That was better than the view." He smiled back as he inhaled another whiff of her intoxicating perfume, he felt like leaning forward and nuzzling her neck to get closer to the source of the fragrance. "Couldn't have been that good but I'm glad you liked it." As if in response to his thoughts she moved her head forward, snuggling the side of it into the parka over his chest as she surveyed the sky. "Jack, I think you need to know. I'm half-Vulcan and as such," She gave a resigned sigh. "I'm a touch telepath. I've never done this before, not even kissed, and..." She paused and pulled back long enough to look up into his face, there was a pleading look in her eyes. "And well, I'm simply not sure if I can keep my abilities under control." That admission took him a back for a moment. ~ Me a man scarred emotionally by the results of a broken telepathic connection and a poorly trained telepath kissing in an environment that just happens to be emotionally overpowering. Wow Jack, you sure know how to live dangerously!~ He took in a deep breath of the frigid air as he used his left arm to pull the parka hood over his head to protect his ears, they really would have to go inside soon. "Having gone through Kohlinar training I'd assumed you were taught to harness your telepathic abilities." As he spoke he slid his left arm around her back again above his right arm. "I`ve been trained, but I was never very good." She admitted with a fearful look at him, he could see a tear well up in her eyes. ~ She admitted she hadn't passed the Kohlinar training so I assumed it was just for the emotional control. Dangerous things assumptions are Jack'O.~ Fear clawed at him deep in his gut but he suppressed it, nothing had happened during their kiss, there had been no intrusions into his mind. "So because of that you've shunned physical contact." He murmered. ~Sweet sixteen, ain't never been kissed.~ The thought returned the smile to his face. "Well nothing happened but a good, old fashioned kiss. Have you ever considered that in shying away from physical contact you've given your fear greater power over you?" He pulled away just enough to manuever his right hand to her cheek where he caught the tear on his glove before it froze. "We need to get inside now but I'm not letting you off the hook, I enjoyed that too much. Perhaps you just need a lot of practice." He gave her a wink. (Reply: Lo'ren) He was chuckling as they walked to the lock with his left arm around her waist, in the direction of She'nah Hoorn you could see the tips of the spires that protruded from the icy landscape. The door opened easily this time at his push, he waited till she had entered before slipping past the door and turning to push it shut then spun the lock. It was getting late as they walked down the tunnel but he didn't want to end the evening just yet, they needed to get somewhere warm where they could talk further. "Computer open the arch." As the arch appeared and the door opened he stripped off his gloves and parka, the temperature was already beginning to warm noticeably. Taking her coat and gloves as well he replaced them in the locker and taking her arm moved to the open door. "Instead of the hydroponics labs I'm thinking Captains Arboretum and while we walk I'd like to hear the words to the song you've been working on." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Holodeck 1 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2224) "So because of that you've shunned physical contact." Jack spoke quietly, seeming to consider the repercussions, then he smiled. Lo`ren couldn`t even begin to describe the feeling she got in seeing that smile. "Well nothing happened but a good, old fashioned kiss. Have you ever considered that in shying away from physical contact you've given your fear greater power over you?" As he wiped the tear from her cheek she considered the idea. Jack continued, "We need to get inside now but I'm not letting you off the hook, I enjoyed that too much. Perhaps you just need a lot of practice." He winked at her and Lo'ren broke away from the fear that had just been so close. A smile tugged at her mouth at the last and she couldn`t help but quip back as they moved back towards the doors, "So, are you volunteering to be MY experiment in this, Mr. Scientist?" He didn`t repsond but chuckled, keeping his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked back. Jack was pure gentleman as he let her go through the door first before he came in and secured the doors. Lo'ren was sad to leave the wonderous view, but the edge of that sadness was dulled by the company. "Computer open the arch." The temperature rose dramatically as the archway appeared and the doors skid open. Lo'ren shrugged out of the parka and gloves, the temperature was still rising, but the chill was enough that she was regretting taking it off. He took the warming items and stowed them away before turning and taking her arm. "Instead of the hydroponics labs I'm thinking Captains Arboretum and while we walk I'd like to hear the words to the song you've been working on." Lo'ren laced her hands around his arm as they left the holodeck. "Well, it's going to be rough seeing as how it's changed after that visit. I should have done that before, thank you for taking me. (reply Jack) Lo'ren closed her eyes momentarily, trusting that Jack would guide her along. "Let's see," She hummed a little "This is only part of it - I really would need to sit down again." (reply Jack iyw) "Life is every where Ice and Honour bound as one It is in you now and forever it shall stay Life is the wind blowing sideways Life is the winter, honour is the snow I am Life You are Life We are Life Honour is the ice, Life is in you now. Ice and Snow beneath the midnight sky Honour and Life becomes you and I." She stopped, feeling a little embarassed. "Oh!" she exclaimed quietly, "forgive me, I always get carried away when it comes to music." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 8 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2226) He enjoyed the feel of her hands upon his right biceps as they started down the hall. "Well, it's going to be rough seeing as how it's changed after that visit. I should have done that before, thank you for taking me. His gaze shifted in ward for an instant in agreement at the thought. "You're welcome, I'm almost afraid to see it again this soon. I heard that an assault shuttles engines went critical after being hit during the recapture of Andoria and the nuclear blast laid the whole surface and upper levels waste, trapping a few survivors lower down. The Andorian underground had gotten everyone out who resisted the military government and the ones that were left were sympathizers." He inhaled a deep breath before looking back at her, in response she closed her eyes. "Let's see," She hummed a note, catching and using it to set her tone. "This is only part of it - I really would need to sit down again." He used his arm as a rudder to control her movement down the hall, keeping her on a straight course to the lift as she called up the words. "Life is every where Ice and Honour bound as one It is in you now and forever it shall stay Life is the wind blowing sideways Life is the winter, honour is the snow I am Life You are Life We are Life Honour is the ice, Life is in you now. Ice and Snow beneath the midnight sky Honour and Life becomes you and I." She faltered and gave him an apologetic look. "Oh!" She didn't speak it loudly but the meaning was implicit. "forgive me, I always get carried away when it comes to music." He shook his head in surprise and noticing they were at the lift he brough them both to a halt. "You're apologizing? Last I remember I asked you to do that and I'm really in awe, that was beautiful... and may I say you've captured the essence of what I was talking to you about earlier about life under that sky in astonishing fashion." (Reply: Lo'ren) The lift ride to the eleventh deck was over quickly, Jack held her close and enjoyed the fragrance of her hair, everything about her enfolded his senses and stimulated them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 8 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2227) He shook his head in surprise and noticing they were at the lift he brought them both to a halt. "You're apologizing? Last I remember I asked you to do that and I'm really in awe, that was beautiful... and may I say you've captured the essence of what I was talking to you about earlier about life under that sky in astonishing fashion." Lo'ren blushed a bit and leaned into Jack, relaxing in the moment while the lift shuttled them all too quickly to Deck 11. She quietly said thank you and then settled into a moment of silence as Jack wrapped his arms around her. The sense of almost protective custody was a mix of soothing and enticing and Lo'ren was a little miffed when they reached their destination and had to move away from that. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 11 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2229) The lift door opened and they stepped out into the hallway, he refused to hurry knowing that they wouldn't have time to go through the arboretum in depth anyway and just soaking up the time with Lo'ren was enough. And since he'd not been to the arboretum anyway he certainly wasn't qualified to be a guide though he knew something about a few of the plants Shayhiloosh cultivated there. There was the door ahead, seeing it now he quickened his pace a bit till they stood before it. "A good night for a walk beneath the trees," he said as the door opened before them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 11 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2230) The walk to the Arboretum was a little short but very pleasant, neither of them was in a hurry at the moment, but once the final destination was in sight Jack picked up their pace slightly and they reached the doors. "A good night for a walk beneath the trees," he said as the door opened before them. Lo'ren nodded, "Yes, and the Arboretum is an especially nice spot. The variety of plants in here is both an artists and a scientists delight." (reply Jack) "I've been hanging around here a little more often, working with Shayhiloosh and Shureshlee. Well, more listening and learning than working... I asked Shayhiloosh to teach me the Arborian language. I'm a horrible speaker, but I am working on at least being able to respond in Standard to what I hear in Arbor." (reply Jack) "Languages are a passion of mine, and I found myself just wanting to listen to the sounds Sahyhiloosh and Shureshlee made when they spoke. I find their speech to be very melodic." (reply Jack) "I speak several fluently, including Federation Standard, Bajoran and Vulcan, of course, Klingon and Andorian, Cardassian..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades -Deck 11 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 2231) The arboretum teemed with grasses and plant life in raised beds and abounded with the smell of fertile loam, flowers and fragrant blossoms. The rampant colors blended into geometric shapes and patterns of some Arborian grand design. Having not been to this place before Jack was struck with awe and respect for Shayhiloosh's considerable talents. "I've been hanging around here a little more often, working with Shayhiloosh and Shureshlee. Well, more listening and learning than working... I asked Shayhiloosh to teach me the Arborian language. I'm a horrible speaker, but I am working on at least being able to respond in Standard to what I hear in Arbor." "That's linguistics above and beyond the call of duty." Jack replied, leading her past the first bend and finding the start of a clear area with a wrought iron bench which she'd no doubt sat on during her studies with the Arborians, or was it on the cleared patch of ground that was coming into sight ahead that looked like a manicured hillock? "Languages are a passion of mine, and I found myself just wanting to listen to the sounds Sahyhiloosh and Shureshlee made when they spoke. I find their speech to be very melodic." In his minds eye he could hear Shayhiloosh speaking and the sounds s/he could make with hir leaf bladders. "I'm not surprised." He said grinning. "There's no end to the surprises that s/he comes up with. The richness of the Arborians culture and beliefs boggle my mind at times like the festival we celebrated at the party. What other languages have you studied?"" "I speak several fluently, including Federation Standard, Bajoran and Vulcan, of course, Klingon and Andorian, Cardassian..." "Hold on." He held up his hands laughing. "And you think I'm smart? I can speak Andorian and some klingon but you're way beyond me here. You not only have an interest in music but a head for languages. That's artistry, culture and passion in spades." He turned to look into her face with an impish grin. "I think I find brainy women very attractive." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 11, Arboretum - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2233) "Hold on." The deep, full tone of his laughter sang throug Lo'ren. "And you think I'm smart? I can speak Andorian and some klingon but you're way beyond me here. You not only have an interest in music but a head for languages. That's artistry, culture and passion in spades." He turned to look into her face with an impish grin. "I think I find brainy women very attractive." She laughed back, giving him a playful shove, "Thank you, but really," she shook her head slightly, "I can't compare myself to a scientist. You see past what things are to their potential and beyond. All I do is repeat what I hear, see and experience. It's really a good ear for sound that I have, and many years of practice. To me, you are the brainy one." (reply Jack) Lo'ren raised an impish eyebrow, laughing as she pulled him close, "I'm glad you approve." She tilted her head back and held his gaze for a moment before continuing, "Now, seeing as how we're both so brainy," She paused, standing up a little on her toes to reach around the back of his head, "Time for an experiment." A smile ghosted across her lips as she pulled him into a passionate embrace that left her breathless. Lo'ren really had no idea why she hadn't tried any of this before - she was seeing stars that could not be named and the whole Arboretum faded from living, gracious beauty to dullness in comparison. Everything about Jericho Haynes set her to trembling within her mind, heart, and Pagh. She wanted to stay entwined with him. The moment made her forget the past - a rare moment that she could forget the Occupation, forget her scars - both inward and outward ones. The only thing she could concentrate on was Jack. (reply Jack) Lo'ren remembered the events of the morning, remembered her frustration that she couldn't reach Jack or Maraht over the comms for several moments. She tore herself away from the kiss and leaned her head on his chest. "Jack, I was so afraid this morning - for you." She held him close, almost as if he would disappear if she let go. (reply Jack iyw) "I've only just realized how afraid I was for you. I'm so sorry I left you in there." Lo'ren fought with herself. Her logical side was trying to assert itself over the raw force of her emotions and having very little luck. She knew she'd done the right thing, she just wished her emotions would agree with that. (reply Jack) ~Get a grip on yourself, Mutt!~ Lo'ren pulled away from him, took his hand and led him to the centre of the small, grassy knoll. She pulled him down to sit beside her, pulling his arm about her waist. "You're right about me - I need lots of practice, I have no idea what I am doing right now." She stared at the foliage, tracing each and every leaf as if trying to memorize it. "I really haven't allowed anyone as close as I've let you. Please tell me you won't go away just yet?" Lo'ren was completely dazed and confused, her emotions - past and present - mingling inside her heart. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades -Deck 11, Arboretum - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 2234) She gave Jack a shove playfully as he gave her a teasing compliment. "Thank you, but really," she gave her head a negative shake. "I can't compare myself to a scientist. You see past what things are to their potential and beyond. All I do is repeat what I hear, see and experience. It's really a good ear for sound that I have, and many years of practice. To me, you are the brainy one." Jack shrugged. "Intellectual intelligence can be overated since some who are considered brilliant can be sorely lacking in common sense, comprehensive intelligence I believe is just as important and is gathered not only over time but by experience. All in all I would rate both equally important, without either one a society couldn't continue to grow and thrive scientifically." She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close as she laughed in thanks. "I'm glad you approve." She tilted her head back and looked into his eyes for a long moment, "Now, seeing as how we're both so brainy," Her hands reached behind his head and pulled him close as her eyes closed in anticipation while she whispered. "Time for an experiment." He didn't see her smile as he slid his arms high on her back and placed his mouth on hers, tasting Lo'ren's honey sweet lips again. There was something pristine about this woman, some naivette and innocence that shocked him as he gathered her body close to his. It intimidated Jack more than a little bit, this sweeteness and while he enjoyed in it, no reveled in it he was afraid of taking that innocence away from her. The thought appalled him, he was a man of the world after all though no sleep about but what about Lo'ren who had gone through so much of her life while never so much as having even this much of a physical closeness? He kept his hands under control, only slowly massaging the center of her back as they continued the embrace till she slowly pulled away and nestled her head in his chest again. "Jack, I was so afraid this morning - for you." She held him tightly as she spoke. He shook his head as he enfolded her in his arms. "I had a guardian angel watching over me, Maraht stayed behind to protect me, he said as much. Had it been bad enough where he couldn't have done so it wouldn't have made much difference where on the ship we were. "I'm glad you followed my orders and got out though, it made it easier on me to know you were safe." "I've only just realized how afraid I was for you. I'm so sorry I left you in there." He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her face so that she would look at him. "I gave you an order to get out Lo'ren and you obeyed it, I would expect you to do so again no matter what the circumstances." He gave her a soft smile to counterpoint the edge in his words. "Don't forget that no matter how much you might like me you are still bound by rank and I will not expose you ... or any other officer or crewman on this ship to danger needlessly. Especially when you're under my jurisdiction in some place like one of the science labs." In answer she softly pulled out of his grip and led him by one arm to the small grassy hillock wher she sat and pulled him down by his arm so that he sat beside her. "You're right about me - I need lots of practice, I have no idea what I am doing right now." She stared off at the surrounding vegetation as if trying to frame her thoughts. "I really haven't allowed anyone as close as I've let you. Please tell me you won't go away just yet?" There was tons of meaning behind that phrase. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kiss and then abandon you." He laid down upon his back, using his arms to rest his head upon. "I can't promise where this might go yet but I am very much enjoying being with you this way." (Reply: Lo'ren) As she snuggled against him he forced himself to behave, looping his right arm around her shoulders with his right hand upon her elbow that was resting upon his chest. "Very much so as a matter of fact. It's too bad we didn't get together earlier as we'd have had the whole day to snuggle." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 11, Arboretum - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2237) "Don't worry, I'm not going to kiss and then abandon you. I can't promise where this might go yet but I am very much enjoying being with you this way." Lo'ren eased back with Jack as he reclined on the grass. Turning towards him, she laid her hand across his chest where she could faintly feel his heart beat. She didn't care much for the future at the moment and said so. "For me, tomorrow is something that will be experienced tomorrow. When you don't know if you'll see your neighbours from one day to the next..." Lo'ren trailed off, forcing the old memories away. "Well, let's just say I've learned to relish every moment that I am given now, and right now I am rather enjoying this. Aren't you?" Lo'ren figured she knew the answer, but she liked the timbre of Jack's voice. It was like velvety, dark chocolate. Jack curled his arm around her shoulders and rested his hand on her arm. "Very much so as a matter of fact. It's too bad we didn't get together earlier as we'd have had the whole day to snuggle." Lo'ren smiled, her voice carrying the sound of her amusement as she spoke, "Yes, it is, but we do have tomorrow and we most certainly have now." (reply Jack) Lo'ren found the feeling of Jack's chest - the vibrations as he spoke, its rise and fall - to be alluring, she was completely entranced and wanted to lock in the sensation so she asked him a question, "I could tell there was something special about that Holo program. Care to tell?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 11, Arboretum - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes and ATAC Lo'ren T'Vof - 2238) Lo'ren smiled, her voice carrying the sound of her amusement as she spoke, "Yes, it is, but we do have tomorrow and we most certainly have now." He nodded in answer, the movement causing her to shift her head slightly. "Yes we do. It's been a long time since I've shared this kind of closeness and we have hours yet to kill." Lo'ren found the feeling of Jack's chest - the vibrations as he spoke, its rise and fall - to be alluring, she was completely entranced and wanted to lock in the sensation so she asked him a question, "I could tell there was something special about that Holo program. Care to tell?" He should have anticipated her question but it caught him unprepared, his hand upon her arm started to tremble slightly as he squeezed his eyes shut. He was silent for a moment as he considered how to frame his words and give him time to steady himself. When he felt he was ready he spoke. "My family ... I moved them to Andoria during my first leave so that they could be closer to me in space and because I had seen its beauty and wanted to share it with Shilae. The Belmont's first mission had taken me there. She loved it as much as I had." Lo'ren didn't need any telepathic help to feel the deep sadness that suddenly welled up from Jack, his trembling arm and voice spoke all too clearly. She nodded as she lay against him, giving him only the shortest of prompts, "Shilae was your wife?" "She was human but also a telepath." Jack paused. "I'm damaged goods Lo'ren, I don't know if you understand but Commander Straton used the term Imzadi, when she died it tore a hole in my mind and emotions that she had occupied and I'm still healing from it. It perhaps would be best for you if you didn't get too close to me right now although I will tell you candidly that I am enjoying the hell out of you. You give me hope that I haven't had in some time that I can get through this." Lo'ren closed her eyes, not bothering to stop the tears that brimmed over. She had sensed something from him in the Holodeck that was immensely sad, and for that matter since she'd met him, just nothing so raw and difficult. She couldn't get her words out in anything but a whisper. "I understand Jack. All my life I watched my own parents' love in that telepathic connection. The Betazed people use the term Imzadi, the Vulcans use Ashayam - among others. I was in some ways privy to that connection through the connection I had with my mother. I won't get into details now, I'll just say that Bajoran mothers have a depth of bond with their children and the added connection of my Vulcan DNA strengthened that bond." He nodded his understanding, not speaking as he took a deep breath which was relaxing. He had very little comprehension overall of Vulcan culture beyond what everyone knew and even less about Bajoran. Having her talk to him about these things helped though and gave him some information he might never have known otherwise so he focused closely on what she was saying. She pushed herself up on an elbow and looked in his eyes. "Perhaps we both need each other, Jack. I have been too afraid to be close to someone, and you have been too hurt. I am, as you put it, enjoying the hell out of you too and want to continue doing so." The term and the way she said it caused his mood to lighten considerably, he was able to give her a wan smile as she looked into his eyes. She smiled back at him, "Both of us have had horrendous things happen to us." She brushed her hand across his forehead, running a finger down his cheek - carefully avoiding any kash-naf-kal. "I will accept your damaged goods if you will accept mine?" "It's a deal." he said, his mood continuing to brighten at her understanding. "Although I think I'm getting the better bargain." He was acutely aware of the feel of her body against his as she leaned against him, her soft chest pressing into his side and arm as she spoke and breathed rhythmically. Her lips still seemed to glisten with moisture from their earlier kiss and he found his mind wandering to other possibilities despite his best efforts. "You got gypped." He then gave her a soft chuckle at his own joke in an effort to regain his focus. Lo'ren grinned at that, happy to hear Jack's laughter amidst such conversation. Her voice quavered with mirth, "Don't sell yourself so short, Jack. I think your a pretty good deal right about now." She continued to lightly explore his face with her hand, absently brushing around the mind-meld nodes. She quietly, almost to herself spoke, "I think if I avoid kash-naf-kal, everything should be well." Her hand came to rest alongside his neck, close to where she could feel his pulse - the rawness of that physical connection to his life-force flooded her heart and set it afire. "Kash-naf-kal, " He queried her in curiosity. "Does that have any connection with vulcan betrothals and Ka-li-fa?" Lo'ren smiled thoughtfully, "Yes, and no. Kash-naf-kal are the nodes that are used in mind-melding techniques. The connections used in betrothal meldings are mostly the same, but there are certain ones that are only used for that. Ka-li-fee is the Challenge - or Passion Fight - between two male Vulcans who are competing for one female, usually during Pon'farr." There was no conscious commitment to begin a melding of emotions and the ease of it caused her to catch her breath - the difference between this and the controlled environment of Vulcan was worlds apart. ~Perhaps I was wrong about avoiding kash-naf-kal.~ The unmistakable brush of her mind against his grew as she began to draw them together with a deftness she had not credited herself with. It was exhilarating yet at the same time a bit frightening in the depths of his mind. While they were connected in this way their surface emotions entwined and strengthened but Jack didn't fight it as he might have at an earlier time, instead he welcomed it. The deep levels of the telepathic connection would expose him completely he knew but at the same time would stir up within him consuming fires of passion that would blot out everything but her existence, their existence. His voice sounded as if it came from far away as he spoke. "I'm beginning to understand why they would be driven to do that, it's a bit ... different with you, hotter would be the term I think. Like a fire igniting in my veins." Being pressed against Jack's side, Lo'ren felt his every move, each breath as he lay there on the grass. His hand had moved from around her shoulders when she'd pulled herself up on her elbow, and now she was aware of it against her hip. She liked the sensation of being so close that she almost couldn't tell where she stopped and he began. She could feel the ghosts of his past as his emotions began to lock with hers. He drew in a ragged breath as she pressed against him, her mouth and bright green eyes only inches from his. His vision seemed to be narrowing in focus and he knew this was the wrong place to continue and he hated the thought of being separated from her, that creeping kernel of indecision that he had felt was dissipating, being burned away by his mounting passion. "I know you're already feeling it so I'm not going to go into detail." His hand stroked her hip lightly. "I want you to stay with me tonight." He waited with bated breath for her answer. Lo'ren did indeed know exactly what Jack meant and said only one word. "Yes," knowing that the connection she had made would carry any emotions right to him. Right now, there wasn't much to say as she focused on the exhileration of passion that they shared - neither hers nor his, but theirs. She pulled away only slightly to make movement easier, maintaining the connection with him. He got to his feet reluctantly while holding her hand and helped her to her feet as well, he wasn't about to break the contact between them. As she stood he gathered her in close for a moment for a passionate kiss, his hands sliding up and around her arms then slowly downward to her lower back. Lo'ren snaked her hands around Jack as she pressed her lips to his - letting slip more of the passion into the bond. She borrowed his physical strength to hold her on her feet as his mouth on hers was accompanied by the fired ardor of emotions. Moments later they parted and she allowed herself to be guided out of the Arboretum. Jack's right arm slid around her waist possessively as together they departed the arboretum, his emotions running hot and hoping they met no one along the way. They might have been surprised at the new-found fire in his eyes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day: 15 Stardate: 2408.07.24 (USS Hades - Deck 9, Personal Quarters - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof and CSO Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 19:20) "...Honour and Life becomes you and I." Lo'ren finished singing and playing the piece and set down her lute. She looked at Jack and asked, "Well, that's the finished work. You are the first to hear it, what did you think?" Jack opened his eyes which had been closed in pleasure while listening to her hypnotic voice accompanyied by the haunting melody of the lute. The song had a quality of depth and longing that reminded him of nights spent beneath that sky. If you compared music to the Andorian skyscape at dusk you had the sonorous dirge of the suns dying rays, the basso glory of the conquering planet of Andor rising in note and expanding to fill the ears, the hollow accompaniement of flutes to represent the rings and moons and behind it all the trilling notes of the pipes that were the twinkling of the starry host. He gave her a soft smile of gratitude and congratulations. "It's wonderful, I can't think of a beter way to remember that world Lo'ren. You have a rare gift." "Thank you, you were the one who gave me the missing pieces the other night. That sky in the Holodeck inspired me... and so did you." She gazed at him, feeling suddenly shy, not quite sure how to continue. "Jack... you gave me a gift the other night. You let me be vulnerable and you let yourself be vulnerable. I want you to know how precious that is to me." He leaned on his right arm which was leisurely resting on the arm of the couch as he watched her thoughtfully before he spoke. "And you don't know how much it meant to me Lo'ren, I feel like a different man now." And that was the truth, his whole world had turned brighter since their sharing of feelings, more stable somehow as though she had given him some of her indomitable will or perhaps had cauterized the ragged edges of his mind. She toyed with the strings of the lute, then set it aside completely, moving closer to him on the couch. "The bond we shared was only a surface bond. We shared emotions and that made the night memorable and, well, magical." He nodded, "It gave me insight into your heart just like you gained some insight into mine." The heart had for millenia been believed to be the seat of emotions. "It was very magical, that kind of sharing goes far deeper than the physical act." He had an idea where this was going and waited patiently for her to find the words. "I don't know about you Jack, but I..." She took a deep breath and steadied herself, "I feel drawn to you, I want that connection to be deeper than the surface. I understand how painful your journey has been since you lost Shilae, so I understand if you don't want to..." She trailed off and simply looked into his eyes, waiting for him to respond. He gave her a wry smile as he reached out his left hand and laid it on her right arm at the elbow. He was not surprised at the turn this conversation had taken, as a matter of fact while he had not obsessed about the subject he had done a lot of thinking over the last two days. Lo'ren was an extraordinary woman as he had come to find out over the last several days since the party and he had been considering himself fortunate she had chosen him to want to share her time with. At the same time there was in the background because of their prior subject an invitation to an even deeper bonding than they had already shared. They both needed someone to share with and he had already made his decision. He closed his eyes for a heartbeat then opened them to look deep into hers. "I do want to be close to you Lo'ren. Shilae and my children were my life and I'll never forget them but I can't die with them and that's what I've been doing since it happened. I'm ready to move on." Her heart leapt and her blood quickened. Even the thought of a deeper connection to Jack had her leaning forward - just to be close to this man whom she'd come to admire and love in the short time they'd been on the Hades together. The fire in his eyes was unmistakable, but she still didn't want him to be overwhelmed by a full melding - he had all but admitted his depression surrounding the loss of his family. "I don't want to push you in any way, Jack, and I'm not sure how far we'll go..." He took a deep breath and moved his hand to her face. "Who knows what tomorrow may bring, sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof. We'll take this one day at a time and see where it takes us." Lo'ren closed her eyes as she leaned her head into his hand. She kissed his palm as she raised her own right hand to caress his. She reached into the recesses of her mind for a way to explain what she was considering. "I'd like to make that emotional connection a little more... permanent. It isn't a full melding of our minds, but it's a step in the moving on I think." She opened her eyes again, taking in his features as the understanding of what she suggested became clearer to him. His breath caught in his throat a bit at what she was offering, not just a momentary sharing of intimacy at a deeper level but a lesser form of the more permanent bond. Her hand on his was warm and soft to the touch. "How is that accomplished? Since you are a touch telepath would I be able to sense you over a distance?" She understood his need to know details, "You would be able to feel my emotions and I, yours. You could also send me an emotional signal across that bond - I'm sure you were able to speak telepathically with Shilae, it would be similar, if a little more basic." He nodded his understanding. "Yes I was, that tells me all I need to know." Lo'ren held his hand in both of hers, stroking his palm as she spoke. "If we decide, down the road to deepen the bond, the emotional bond is also a precursor to that. It's sometimes used when Vulcan parents have chosen mates for their children but also wish to leave them free to break that bond once they reach the age of maturity. It's more popular now because of the distances between adult Vulcans who are serving Starfleet on varied ships." "Sort of like going steady then." He winked at her. "I'm willing ... and ready when you are." She moved forward a bit more and placed her left hand on his face, closing her eyes. Two fingers against his temple made the connection needed and she spoke the words, "Two minds, one heart - called to live twofold lives, beckoned to singular sensation. My passion is yours, your pleasure is mine, our sorrow is one, our thoughts are unaccompanied." The bond was deeper than the previous one and Lo'ren had to steel herself from the flood of mixed emotions coming from Jack. Fear, sorrow and elation were only the first she encountered. He held his eyes closed as she used the contact through the kash-naf-kal, the words she was speaking giving direction to her focus and information to him as she guided him through the meld. The knot of apprehension in his stomach surfaced as he felt her conciousness nearing his but he didn't fight it, rather he allowed it to rise to the surface so that it could be dealt with. Shilae had taught him that during their marriage, when exposed to the connection Lo'ren was forging it melted away quickly to be replaced by a growing sense of purpose like a water glass that had sat empty for too long which was beginning to be filled. He realized that it was the emptiness that had magnified his loss and welcomed the contact. The more of her she gave the higher his adoration of her rose as their deeply seated mutual passion for one another mingled and solidified. He opened his eyes as she began to pull back, the connection remaining. She pulled out of the meld, took a deep breath and looked into his eyes, the fire there was more intense than it had been - his katra, ~No, his soul, Mutt.~ was there in his eyes for her to see and the life there was exquisite. She could feel his presence of emotion in her mind and sent a gentle warmth of love across the new bond. Her admiration of him was palpable and enveloped him as they gazed into one anothers eyes, he reached out both hands in reply and cupped her face even as he reached out with his mind in turn to share with her his own feelings for her. The warmth of the bond seemed to cause a vibration that resonated in his blood and set it to singing, threatening to ignite it again and redirect the purpose of his being here which was simply to enjoy her presence. He forced it down but it remained smoldering beneath the surface, ready at any moment to break into full blaze. She could feel the fires of his passion burning and the effort he made to push it back and away. His hands touched her face tenderly and she simply stayed, letting the bond between them do all the communicating. She welcomed the rush of love and respect that he shared with her and marvelled at the deftness with which he handled the bond. Proof positive that he'd been bonded before - she could also sense the gaping holes in his psyche and reached out tenderly giving him what he needed to begin to heal the wounds. As she did she could feel her tears flow freely. He felt himself floating along as he sat with closed eyes, feeling her sadness and tenderness as she soothed his tattered psyche and wondered why out of all the available men on the ship he had been the one so blessed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day: 16 Stardate: 2408.07.25 (Grealridge - Commanders lounge - Ship Commander, Fleet 2nd Graffna - 1735 Federation standard time) The Waagoshin ship commander reclined upon the couch in his lounge as the slave brushed the light fur upon his snout, a low pitched sound emanated from its throat as the soft bristled brush moved smoothly along the muzzle. The short fur that covered his body was mostly of a brick red hue except for the white about his snout, upon the small wrists and ankles. He also sported white flecks about his large brown eyes and upon the tuft of the nearly vestigal tail. Since the Waagoshin had evolved from a predator that moved about on all fours to one that stood and walked upright it had become largely unnecessary except during those times when one wished to move quickly, they could travel on all fours for a short distance with a terrifying burst of speed to the regret of their enemies. That evolution had been traced to some one hundred fifty thousand cycles of their homeworld in the dim reaches of their past. The world itself continued to circle a dying star. Necessity had driven them into space to spread onto habitable worlds before its life cycle had been expended and their technology and fierceness had kept them there. A snarl erupted from from his throat as the brush found a sensitive spot spot on his muzzle, bared fangs that were not vestigal appeared between black lips. The slave trembled and backed away, nearly tripping over its armored feet as it clicked, hummed and thrummed in abject apology. This much of the slaves language he knew and no more, conquerors had no need of learning the tongues of the conquered. "Once more and I will make an example of you." The growls and yips of his language piercing the slaves fear. "I am weary of your clumsiness." These slaves of the Waagoshin were worth little in his estimation and since he had picked this one up at their last port he had regretted it. The number of slaves allowed on Waagoshin vessels was limited to only a handful and those only used by the commander and his aides since a successful slave revolt on one such ship hundreds of years in the past. Five hundred Waagoshin had perished on that ship but no more. One Waagoshin life was worth ten thousand slaves. Five million of the Hik'shan had been slain on their homeworld. Whole cities had been laid waste and the policies for the keeping of slaves on ships had been amended. So he had less than a dozen slaves of his own and of them less than half were exceptional. He toyed with the idea of slicing its segmented body into its three parts but rejected it for now, there were other uses perhaps he could put it to if it could not be trained for proper grooming. "Leave me for now, we will continue later." The creature scurried quickly from his presence at its dismissal and he turned his face toward a nearby mirror. The white flecks around his eyes were not cosmetically correct, a defect in his gene sequence he knew but he still refused to cover them, to him they gave him a distinction from the monotonous sameness most of his race delighted in. A whine from his desk preceded a call from the ships control center. =^= Commander an alien vessel has entered our space, its configuration is unknown.=^= "Course and speed." He moved to the monitor which slid up in response to his nearness. =^= Course is for the Shesh Mek star system and they travel at 45 mega heknars."=^= ~Toward the home system of the bugs.~ He thought, such as the one he had just dismissed. What would an unidentified alien race want with such dregs on the universe? ~Have they come to conquer as well?~ His lips parted to reveal the fangs again. ~Too late.~ "Leave stealth mode and activate protective barriers." =^= Shall we attack Commander?=^= "No, not yet. I wish to know why they have come. Leave weapons deenergized for now." =^= Yes Commander.=^= "I am on my way to the control center, await my arrival for further orders. If they attack destroy them, if not we shall see if they wish to explain themselves." =^= Understood=^= Deactivating the mechanism he started for the door. ~The bugs are our weight and concern, you may not have them.~ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge, FO, Commander Straton, 17:45) Eva sat in the command chair watching the stars as they streaked by as the Hades traveled at warp. Around her the Bridge crew went about their duty with quite efficiency. Eva flipped open one of the arm rest terminals calling up an engineering display for the warp drive where she could see how efficiently the warp drive was currently running. Eva had only been studying the screen for a few moments when her attention was suddenly interrupted. "An unidentified ship has just appeared on sensors," Ensign T'Vof said from Tactical. Eva's head snapped up immediately as she turned toward Lt. Haynes at the science station. "Analysis?" She asked, turning back toward the main view screen before the CSO had even answered. (Reply Haynes) "Intercept course," Eva ordered, "And take us to Yellow Alert. Captain to the Bridge." She then turned to Ensign T'Vof. "Let's not do anything openly hostile Ensign, but be ready just in case." (Reply T'Vof) "Open hailing frequency's as soon as we're in range," Eva said to the Operation Officer. "And put the ship on screen best magnification." The star field rippled and a ship appeared in the center of the screen though still small but growing larger. Still it was like nothing Eva had ever seen before. ~Defiantly not the Borg.~ She thought with a mixture of relief and regret ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Bridge - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 17:46) The bridge whipped into warp drive as everyone showed their mettle and strength in their field. Lo'ren could hear all the orders that Straton was giving and the replies. She stowed them away for when she needed the information but didn't let it distract her attention to the ship's weapons. "Intercept course," Eva ordered, "And take us to Yellow Alert. Captain to the Bridge." She then turned to Ensign T'Vof. "Let's not do anything openly hostile Ensign, but be ready just in case." Lo'ren barely looked up, "Yes, Ma'am. Shields are up but Phasers are cold at the moment." The vessel on the screen looked like nothing Lo'ren had ever seen before and Lo'ren tried to get an analysis of it. ~Blasted thing looks like a giant Tch'kairn.~ Lo'ren stole a look over to Jericho, wondering what he thought of the ship on screen. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge, CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes, 17:47) This area of space was a near desert with little interstellar activity and devoid of debris, that however didn't mean that nothing existed here, the CMB (Cosmic microwave background) was strong here as well as a number of radioactive wavelengths such as gamma rays from a nearby globular cluster only ten thousand light years away. That was enough to keep Jack plenty busy, he didn't need the added surprise of the surge of energy that appeared on sensors a little over 1.3 million kilometers along their course. That surge wasn't lost on other members of the bridge crew either, Lo'ren was the first to give a shout. "An unidentified ship has just appeared on sensors." Followed by Commander Straton who was currently occupying the command chair. "Analysis?" "One moment Commander." Jack said as he brough the short range sensors on line and reset the gain on the longe range scans to compensate for this vessel that had come in so quickly under their notice. "Short range sensors on line, compiling data now." "Intercept course," she ordered, "And take us to Yellow Alert. Captain to the Bridge." She then turned to Lo'ren at tactical. "Let's not do anything openly hostile Ensign, but be ready just in case." "Yes, Ma'am. Shields are up but Phasers are cold at the moment." She replied back in recognition of the order. "Open hailing frequency's as soon as we're in range," Eva ordered David Adams who was manning the OPS console. "And put the ship on screen, best magnification." "Aye sir." He said clearly. "Hailing frequencies are open, I'm getting no response as of yet." There was the sound of buttons being pressed by him as Jack was absently drumming his fingers on the science console awaiting the computers analysis of the data. He could hear some relieved sighs from the bridge as the alien ship came into view. ~Finally.~ He looked over the info quickly, after absorbing the most pertinent data he turned to the command chair. "Sir I'm getting some hard data now, the ship appears to be composed of duritanium pollyalloy and I'm reading a magneton pulse from what I have to assume is their engine compartment aft, as they've just appeared from what must have been cloak I'm assuming it indicates an advanced power source rather than a decaying reactor. Information on their power source is still being compiled, I'll report to you on that as soon as I have the information. It is shielded but I'm not reading active offensive systems yet." After reporting he glanced toward the screen and saw a deadly looking ship, sleek and streamlined. The nose was concave and two pods which he assumed to be weapons emplacements were mounted on short wings to either side of the bow and angled forty five degrees downward. The aft portion of the vessel sported four pods, two likewise mounted below the belly of the ship and two directly amidships port and starboard. Almost on the heels of his report Lt. Adams sang out from OPS. "Commander I'm receiving a response to our hail." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile