Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 1
Stardate: 2414.01.13
 
(USS Hades – FO’s Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken – 2000)
(USS Hades – COUNS Office – COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley – 2001)
(USS Hades – FO’s Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken – 2005)
(USS Hades – FO's Office – COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley – 2006)

Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 3
Stardate: 2414.01.15
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, ATAC Ensign Tallac Dragovar & 2L Alexander Orton, 07:55)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1308) 
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 1309)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1332)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 1333)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, FO LtCmdr Bracken - 1335)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae 1336) 
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1337)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, FO LtCmdr Bracken - 1339) 
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1340)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes, 1342)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1343)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes, 1345)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1347) 
(USS Hades, Bridge,  SO, Ensign T'Sol 1522)
(USS Hades, Bridge, Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz 1530)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, COUNS Anamitra Ripley - 1550)
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, COO Lieutenant H'retor, 15:51)
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, CO Captain Eva Straton, 15:53) 
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, ATAC Ens Tallac Dragovar, 15:55)
(USS HADES-10 Forward-2LAlexander Orton-1556) 
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt. Peter Holland -1558) 
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes-1559) 
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - 2L Alexander Orton-1600)
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1602)
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1603)
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1604)
(USS HADES-Ten Forward-2L Alexander Orton and ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes-1605)
 (USS HADES-Ten Forward- CEO Lt. Holland - 1606) 
 (USS HADES-Outside Straton's office-2L Alexander Orton-1630) 
(USS HADES, Sickbay, AC Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes and Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1700)
(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Outpost CO, Commander Marcus Simms - 1811)
(USS HADES-Outside Straton's office-2L Alexander Orton-1900)
(USS HADES - FO’s Office  - FO LtCmdr Bracken -  2100) 
(USS Hades - Doenitz's personal quarters - ASci 2101)
(USS HADES - FO’s Office  - FO LtCmdr Bracken -  2105)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office - ASciO Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2106)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken - 2107)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2108)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken - 2110)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – ACSciO Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2110) 

Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 4
Stardate: 2414.01.16

(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Outpost CO, Commander Marcus Simms - 0115)
(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Scientist, Jenna Harper - 0116)
(USS Hades, Corridor, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae,  01:20)
(USS Hades, Corridor, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar,  01:22)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae,  01:23)
(USS Hades, Bridge, Ops, CPO Janey 'Chief' Brown 0125) 
(USS Hades, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 01:25.5)
(USS Hades, Bridge, FO LtCmdr Bracken, 01:26)
(USS Hades, Bridge, SO Ensign T'Sol, 0127)
(USS Hades, Bridge, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 01:28)
(USS Hades, Bridge, Ops, CPO Janey 'Chief' Brown, 01:29)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:30)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 01:45)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:47)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:49)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley- 0220)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman- 0222)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 02:23)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0224)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, Asst. SciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 0225)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0226)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ASciO Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0226.5) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Holland - 0227)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0229)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Peter Holland - 0230)
(USS Hades, Shuttlebay 1 ATAC Ensign Tallac Dragovar – 02:31)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0231.25)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0232)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 0233) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, Lt. Commander Zzt, 0233.5) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CO Captain Eva Straton, 0234) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ACSciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0234.25)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 0235)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Peter Holland – 0236.5) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 0236)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost FO Lt.Lo’ren T’Vof - 03:13)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0238) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman – 0238.5)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CO Captain Eva Straton, 0240)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor – 0240.5)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ACSciO Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0240.75) 
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0241)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:15) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CEO Lt. Peter Holland - 03:16) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost CO Commander Marcus Simms, 0317) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:18)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman – 0318.5) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost CO Commander Marcus Simms, 0319)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, FO LtCmdr Bracken, 03:20)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 0320.5) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0322) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - ACSciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0322.25)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0322.75)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Corridor, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0323)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CEO Lt. Peter Holland – 0323.5)
(Lertain IV, Shuttle Craft, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 0324) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Medical Bay – Outpost FO Lt. Lo’ren T’Vof – 0325)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 0328) 
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:30)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - FO Bracken - 03:35)

Begin Compile
======================================




Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 1
Stardate: 2414.01.13
 
(USS Hades – FO’s Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken – 2000)
 
Dale looked at the pile of PADDs on her desk, shaking her head gently, but happily at the pile of work.
There had been a couple of new postings to the Hades, amongst them, a new medic.
Dale ran through her bio, nodding slightly, they were admittedly in need of another senior officer on the medical team. One that looked promising, and according to other notes that she had received, would be on her away team on Lertarni.
 
That nudged her brain, she didn’t know this officer yet, let alone know how well prepared she was for the away mission.
 
Briefly she thought about it, then sat back in her seat, a thought appearing in her mind.
 
“Ensign Ripley and Ensign Mariposa, please report immediately to the FO’s Office.”
(USS Hades – COUNS Office – COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley – 2001)

Ana had been reviewing the data on the native remedies for the one-thousandth time. She couldn't very well take any written or digital reference guide to the surface, which meant that all she had to work with was the  ability to remember everything. 

The problem was that so many of the native treatments were spurious. Some were solid but some were of questionable use during the mission, yet somehow she knew that the very moment that she chose to purposefully disregard any of the treatments was the moment that she would need to use that particular one. Murphy was likely to be a stowaway on this away mission.

Her work was interrupted by the voice of the FO sounding  from the commbadge sitting on the table near here now-cold cup of herbal tea.

=^=Ensign Ripley and Ensign Mariposa, please report immediately to the FO’s Office.=^=

With a sigh, Ana reached over and squeezed the commbadge between her fingers. "Understood. on my way." he replied.

She was technically off duty, so the fact that she wasn't in uniform wasn't likely to be an issue.  Ana rose, dumped her cold tea into the recycler and headed for the FO's office.

(USS Hades – FO’s Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken – 2005)
 
(Reply Ana, Mariposa)
 
Dale looked up at the two other officers when they had arrived, rubbing her tired eyes, unwilling, unable yet to succumb to weariness, the night still had a lot to throw at her.
 
“Ensigns” she waved at the chairs, speaking informally “Sit, please”
 
“We haven’t much time,  Ana, I need your help, our new ACMO, Ensign Mariposa is on my away team on Lertarni. Could do with some assistance into what she’ll be facing. Help with clothes that sort of thing.”
 
(reply Ana)
 
Dale nodded, “I understand.” She turned to the young medic.
 
“Ensign,” she sighed gently, the tone of her voice gentle. “Ensign you know much about the Prime Directive?”
 
(Reply Mariposa)
 
Dale nodded once more “more or less exactly what I’d have said when I was an Ens jg, Hell a few days ago even.” She stretched, and shifted in her seat, “you’re about to get a major crash course in its Real Life application.”
 
(Reply Mariposa, Ana above,any)
(posted by Mark)
(USS Hades – FO's Office – COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley – 2006)

Ana pressed the chime and entered when the door slid aside to permit her entrance. A moment later she was joined by Mariposa. Ana had never met the woman and suspected that she may be a new addition to the ship. She was wearing  blues, so she was either sciences or medical.

"Ensigns," Dale began when they had both arrived, " Sit, please."

Ana settled into one of the empty chairs opposite Dale's desk. All the while she was marveling at the all-business transformation that Dale had begun to undertake.

“We haven’t much time,  Ana, I need your help, our new ACMO, Ensign Mariposa is on my away team on Lertarni. Could do with some assistance into what she’ll be facing. Help with clothes that sort of thing.”

"Sure thing.' Ana replied, " There's a lot of native medicine to review, I don't know how much we can go over in such a short time, but we'll do our best."

Dale nodded, "I understand." The First Officer turned to Mariposa.

(reply Mariposa, Bracken)
Daniel Greene


Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 3
Stardate: 2414.01.15
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, ATAC Ensign Tallac Dragovar & 2L Alexander Orton, 07:55)
 
Dragovar laid the collection of weaponry out on the table in front of him. A new marine officer was due, and was a relative unknown quantity. He had to check out the weaponry, and judge whether he could fight.
 
He had the request for weaponry, a crossbow, battleaxe and short sword. The weapons had been checked and passed as authentic and available to use on the planet surface.
 
 Orton looked at the weapons laid out in front of him. They all seemed a bit primitive to him, but he knew all of them well. He picked up the crossbow and aimed out into the open checking the sight as if he had a gun in his hand. He nodded in approval. "This will work. Dragovar is it? You have brought a great looking assortment of weapons we can use."
 
"All close replica's of native technology." Dragovar said. "Crossbow is more powerful and easier to aim than a longbow, or a recurved bow, but lacks the speed of fire, accuracy and the range. Good weapon if you haven't used them before. What about hand weapons?"
 
He set the crossbow aside and picked up the battle axe swinging it as if were nunchucks. "I really do like your taste. Shall we get started?"

"Firstly, the bows." Dragovar pointed back to the bow on the table. "Normal conflict would be bows, then hand to hand. Computer archery range Dragovar Beta One."

A archery range with several targets appeared, some of the target began to move, at varying speeds.

Dragovar took up his own recurved bow, and put an arrow into each of the targets, firing at a rate of around one arrow every ten seconds. "English Longbowmen used to be able to fire ten a minute, each shaft would be able to punch through a knights breastplate at 1500 metres. They are fearsome weapons. The recurved bows are shorter, the arms of the bow curve away from the archer first, then back into the bowman. I use this type, for ease of use and mobility. It is used more for mobile troops like cavalry or in confined spaces on ships. The Mongols used them to sweep all before them, and rule half the world. Finally the crossbow, easy to aim and fire, but very heavy with a slow rate of fire. The sniper rifle of this genre if you will."

He handed the marine a dozen bolts for the crossbow. "The model used by the natives is a catch-crank design, called a windlass. Put your foot into the stirrup, then pull the string back into this catch. Use the winch handle to tighten it, ten turns is the right amount. Less and you won't get full power, more and you risk breaking the bow, as it is more strain then the arms can take." 

Dragovar was loading a bow as he demonstrated. "Place the bolt on, then slide it back into the receiver, aim and fire." With a terrific thump the bow fired and the bolt went straight through one of the targets.

"OK, you have a go."
 
The marine lieutenant watching in amazement. ~He knows a lot about these forms of weaponry. Wonder how long it took him to memorise all of this.~ He picked up one of the bolts that was handed him and slid it into place aimed and shot at the target. "Hmmm not too hard at all. Got right outside the bullseye! How was that Dragovar?"
 
"Little low, little left. Not a kill shot, but would certain ruin his day." Dragovar said. "Control your breathing, inhale, then release. Its much harder than a phaser rifle due to the kickback, and the extra pressure required to release the bolt."
 
Alex loaded another bolt all the while watching the moving targets and familiarizing himself with the movements. "Sorry when my dad used to take me hunting when I was young, he had me start with the bow and arrow. Plus I'm a fast learner."
 
"So I see." Dragovar said, watching as the marine smoothly loaded the weapon.
 
The tall muscular marine aimed the bow and pushed the release mechanism. This time he got a bullseye. "Whats next?"

"Do it again." Dragovar said with a smile. "Give me a bull on each of the first five targets, and then we'll move on. Even a stopped watch is right twice a day. "
 
Orton reloaded the bow again and again til he got his bulls on the first five targets. "That was fairly simple. I think I've got the hang of it."

Dragovar nodded in approval as the marine reloaded, and fired, hitting 5 bulls, from six bolts. "Good enough for me." He declared.

"OK hand to hand. Choose your poison." He indicated to the row of axes, swords and clubs on the table.

Alex looked at the selection again. He looked to the couple of battleaxes that Dragovar had picked. He picked up the one that resembled one the vikings would have used. It had a double edged blade. He waved it around like a nunchuck again. "I think this one will do. Not to heavy,  easy to lift and cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter."
 
"The axes are a good choice for the less experienced fighters. If the axe feels light, it will not do what it is supposed to and cleave through a persons armour and body. Maybe try the heavier one later."
  
In addition the marine picked up a sword that resembled excaliber. "A sword in one hand and an axe in the other...I don't think this would be that great of an idea...I think I might go with this sword though."
 
"We may have to re-design the sword a little. Its too flashy for proper combat, you need a thicker, broader  blade, or a blow from an axe like your will snap it like a dry stick. It is more of a duelling sword, than a combat one. Dual weapons are incredibly difficult to operate. Few people are co-ordinated enough for two main weapons at the same time. Try the bigger, heavier axe. Put that buckler on your left arm and carry the sword as back up." Dragovar pointed to the small shield on the table. "This war-axe has the main curved front blade, with a spike on the back for punching through armour. Try both out and see what you think. There is some local armour there, either leather, chainmail or fish-scale armour. Take your pick, then we'll let slip the dogs of war."
 The marine went to the table again and looked at the other types of swords and battle axes. He picked one up that was a bit heavier than the first one. It had a wooden handle and double head. "I think this one will work then."
 
After placing the axe in a carrier on his back he walked over to the table with armour on it. He picked up a chainmail top with a tan under shirt. He put it on to see how it felt. He liked how surprisingly light it was. He then picked up a leather vest to go over the chainmail so that it could be hidden a little better. "Ok I think I might be set. Unless you think I should have a little more."

Dragovar tightened the leather vest, a little. "As little loose cloth as possible, more to catch something on. OK your good to go."

He took several steps backwards. "This exercise will bring in one man, with low skill, then one with medium, then one with high. Then two men and so on. Ready?"
The tall marine adjusted himself with the weaponry he had chosen. "As ready as ever."
 
"Computer begin sequence Dragovar 224."

"Begin."
 
Alex stepped back a second, looked around, and got into basic hunting mode. He crouched down and listened as he heard footsteps. He prepared the crossbow as trained, aimed, and shot. The bolt came to a stop in a mans skull. He heard more footsteps as he stood put his crossbow back on his waist and removed the axe from the stirrup on his back and prepared for a little hand to hand. He hid behind a tree and waited for the second man to approach. As he approached he steadied his breathing, unsheathed his sword in the hand that was free, and swung the axe hitting the man in the chest with it. With sword hand he pushed forward with the sword going through the mans gut.
 
The marine had the next guys in sight and used basic battle strategy.  He ducked and spun around swinging the axe cutting the mans back. As the man fell he swung the sword beheading him.
 
Dragovar watched as the young marine managed to defeat his opponents methodically, until faced with five, who attacked at the same time. The simulation froze as one managed to sneak a spear past the defence.

"Good." Dragovar said. "I'm happy enough with that. Four is damned good for a first attempt. I'd say you are mission ready."
The new marine fixed himself and resheathed his sword and put away his axe. He listened to his trainer as he spoke. Alex nodded in compliance. "Thanks for the training sir. This helped me get an idea of what to expect."
 
"Your welcome. Keep those weapons, and armour for the mission. Get a list of kit you'll need for on the planet and go and replicate what you need. Remember we fight as a unit, no grand-standing or showboating as that will get you killed, and I cannot be bothered with the paperwork involved in that. Plus the captain would kill you."
 
(Reply None)
(Posted by Sheena and Tim)

(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1308)
 
"Sir,  Kinet has experience with track animals; McManns is handing out the last of the weapons. Just so I know, are we acting as one unit or separating the Marines from Security personnel?" Nicolae asked him.
 
"Good work. We'll work as one unit for the moment, it will be easier to coordinate our efforts that way. When we're ready let's get underway. While we're out here, you handle the details of the security deployment. If we run into trouble, I'll take over from there. Put us a pair of personnel as point and have a pair trail a short distance behind to prevent anyone from sneaking up on us. The rest of the deployment I leave to you."
 
(Reply Nicolae)
 
Trinin observed as Mil went to work, organizing the teams and the Betazed realized how good the man was at his job. He'd make an excellent security chief someday, once some of the greener aspects were weathered a bit. Watching the energetic man work, made Baylon feel old. His entire adult life had been one long conflict after another. Two civil wars, imprisonment, conflict after conflict after conflict. Those events seemed to begin to take their toll on his soul. He wondered how much more of that sort of emotional punishment he would be able to take before it was finally too much to bear.
 
Nicolae gave him a signal and Baylon glanced over at Bracken, who gave him the nod. "Let's move out!" he ordered and the team got under way.

(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 1309)
 
"Good work. We'll work as one unit for the moment, it will be easier to coordinate our efforts that way. When we're ready let's get underway. While we're out here, you handle the details of the security deployment. If we run into trouble, I'll take over from there."

Mil liked what he heard, a chance to stretch his command legs. He had taken charge previously when Commander Bohb had been injured, he had studied command at the Academy and enjoyed the thrill. He was also happy to hand the reigns over when it got tough; after all Trinin was the more experienced officer. 

"Put us a pair of personnel as point and have a pair trail a short distance behind to prevent anyone from sneaking up on us. The rest of the deployment I leave to you." Baylon continued. 
 
Nodding Mil walked away and met with several of the security members. He needed to follow out the orders from Trinin, 

" McNicoles, Lynne arm up and take the rear flank; maintain a two meter distance between you and the team and watch we're not followed." The two men, one a higher rank, nodded picked up their swords and walked to their assigned tasks. 

"Mcmanns, you're at the point De'ill. Stay alert." Mil looked around and saw a few Marines huddled together, he walked over to them. 

"Men, I need you to form a defensive pattern around the cart, the point has been sorted, however, I need you to reinforce any area when needed."

The Marines went to argue, obviously not wanting to take orders from an Ensign, Mil gulped "that's an order!". Watching as the six men parted and formed a defensive perimeter around the crew he walked over to Mac Liam. 

"Hey, would you be able to provide cover with me from inside the perimeter?"

(Reply Mac Liam)

"Thanks" Mil replied. He nodded to Kinet and the Bolian took his place on the cart ready to drive. Mil pushed his cloak behind his sword and cross bow, for easy access pulling off his hood he raised a hand towards Trinin all the men took their places. 

 "Let's move out!" Came the order. 
 
(Reply Liam, any)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)
 

(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1332)
 
The trip along the cart track, since it certainly did not qualify as a road, was rougher than Baylon had at first anticipated. Even the local livestock seemed to have a bit of trouble shifting the weight of the wagon over the uneven ground. despite that, however, they had made some headway,  coming into a small opening that broke the otherwise constant press of the forest.
 
Off to the left of the track was a wagon that had apparently slid from the road. One wheel axle snapped off. A man was pinned under the front of the heavily laden cart and appeared to have been there for some time. It was hard to tell whether he was alive or dead, but it was apparent that if he was still living he would be in need of some attention. 
 
He held up his hand to indicate that the party should stop their progress. He motioned to Nicolae who made his way forward.
 
"Check it out." he ordered, " but be careful." Everyone else, keep your eyes open."
 
(reply All on this team)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 1333) 
 
As the trip continued several grunts had emitted from different  members of the team all trying to stay on the path; Mil himself was cover in mud up to his knees. The bottom of his staff was also covered in mud. 

Climbing over several of the large rocks Mil watched as Lt Trinin called him over.  As he walked over Mil spotted the man trapped under the cart ~a rescue mission~.

Arriving Mil nodded his head "your commands?" 

"Check it out but be careful." Trinin ordered. 

"Aye sir" Mil looked and nodded again. Walking over to Ensign Lynne he waved her over. "Keep me covered" 

The two walked towards the cart, Lynne stopped three meters away to keep watch as Mil continued. 

Arriving at the scene Mil placed his staff on the floor and looked over the man, he was still breathing but the cart was pushing down on his chest. ~what I would give for a tri-corder~ Getting up Mil walked around slowly, there was a large pile of rocks and wheel marks either side ~that must have been where the wheel came off~ continuing to walk around the scene Mil noted something strange; there where animal tracks heading up to the scene, but not around the cart. If the bests had been attached they would either still be here or at least show signs of a scramble. Looking up Mil walked back to the man and looked down at him. "Something isn't right, Ensign Lynne, a little help here" he shouted. 

As the woman started to climb over the rocks there was a woosh past Mils side; he looked up to see the Ensign fall off the rocks with an arrow embedded in her neck. 

His first instinct was to turn and check where the arrow came from, it all happened so quick. There was rustling Mil could see some heads appearing and another arrow flew past him. "Its an ambush!" Mil shouted. He started to run towards the cart and pulled out his sword as a few men appeared. Raising his weapon he entered combat 

(Reply any in team)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, FO LtCmdr Bracken - 1335) 
 
Mil spoke aloud the thoughts that Dale herself had been having. There was no sign of the beasts of burden that had pulled this cart, and these type of reigns, they could simply struggle out of.
 
"Something isn't right, Ensign Lynne, a little help here" Mil shouted. 
 
As the woman started to climb over the rocks there was a woosh past them, Dale looked up to see the Ensign fall off the rocks with an arrow embedded in her neck. 
 
Again, Mil reacted at the same time as herself, she could see that everyone else had suddenly readied themselves for melee. 
 
"It’s an ambush!" Mil shouted. He started to run towards the cart and pulled out his sword as a few men appeared. Raising his weapon he entered combat.
 
Dale looked to the stricken Ensign. “MEDIC!” She shouted, pulling the bow off her shoulder, and notched an arrow.
 
“I want at least one alive!” she shouted
 
She spotted one of the attackers who had pulled away from the main throng, moving away from the melee to return to using his bow. ~Our archer~ she thought to herself. Dale altered her aim, for a few seconds aiming for the head, the shot would have killed him instantly, and most likely gone straight through the skull; and for a second she was tempted, but then dropped her aim and let it loose, her aim was true and the arrow buried deep into the archers left shoulder, she then notched another, and aimed for the knee, that too found it’s target. Dale knew instantly that the archer would barely have the use of his left arm, he would also never walk again. She shouldered the bow, and returned to the stricken Ensign and spoke to the medic.
 
“How is she? Sickbay?”
 
 
(Reply team 1 medic)
 
Dale nodded, “see to it.” Then turned away. The fight had all but finished, the assailants beaten and running away. “Baylon bring him over here.” She pointed to an injured, but conscious man.
 
(Reply Trinin, any)
(posted by Mark)
(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae 1336) 

The attack built quickly, Mil managed to run back to a stronger point before the second volley of arrows hit, members of the team fell to the ground, Bracken had called for a medic to attend the fallen body of Ensign Lynne. 

Raising his sword Mil swung down at an approaching local; both entered combat swinging their swords at each other. As with the other training scenario Mil wasn't that good with the sword, but the thought of having a limb cut off kept him blocking. 

Various shouts seemed to fill the area, along with screams of the crew and locals. Mil brought his sword upwards across the mans chest, the tip cutting his armour. The stunned local followed suit and ran with all but one. Baylon had managed to restrain. Mil replaced his weapon and started checking over the injured. 

"Mil, I want a patrol. I don't trust those lot to stay away for too long." Trinin shouted across. Turning Mil ran close to the group

"Aye sir, I'll set up two teams. We do have some injured, more walking wounded than anything, our medical team is small but they are almost coping. I'll keep back a few field medics to support"

(Reply Trinin)

"Aye Sir" Mil turned and raised his voice 

"All field medics remain here, Judd, Mcmanns, Kinet and Holly set up point south of the cart. O'brene, Hood and Moore remain here to protect the camp.  Mcnicols, Smith and Paterson with me". 

The men paired off and headed to their assigned locations. Mil walked over to his Staff and picked it up. "Let's head North, we don't need to go too far, just form the perimiter line" He advised his team, all nodding the men started walking 

(Reply Trinin)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)      


(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 1337) 

As suspected, the simulation devolved from a potential rescue mission to a classic ambush scenario. The situation didn't catch baylon surprised, since he had suspected that the simulation would include some aspects of conflict in order to really test the personnel under stress.

The attack had been effective, "killing" one of the marines within the first few moments of the attack.  baylon had to admit that it would be a good test of the command abilities of commander Bracken under stress as much as it would be for his own junior security officers caught up in the situation.

The initial volley of arrows had hit a few of their people with some minor injuries and one serious one, discounting the obvious kill delivered to ensign Lynne.  For his part, baylon did the most logical thing he could as the first volley was loosed. He dropped down into a crouch and slipped under the edge of the wagon, allowing the arrows to be effectively blocked by the thick simulated wood sides and bed of the wagon. Then once the first volley was spent, he burst from his cover to close distance on the attackers. 

The first man that he reached was too focused on his bow to realize the fatal danger he was in. Baylon's blade cleft his long bow in half with a single clean cut. With a twist of his wrist, he turned the weapon on it's side and slammed the flat of his blade into the man's bulbous nose, which splattered with a sickening crunch. As the man tried to protect his face from additional assault, Baylon drove his knee into the man's exposed crotch. With an explode gasp of pain, the man collapsed and Baylon was moving forward quickly enough to reach the next closest combatant. 

This man was a bit more combat savvy than his friend and had discarded his bow in favor of a more maneuverable close combat weapon; in this case a short squat sword that was exceptionally reminiscent of a Roman Gladius. Baylon turned the man's thrust away with a sharp cut of his heavier blade and rolled his shoulder forward and into the man's barrel chest.

His opponent staggered backwards under the force of the blow and Baylon pushed him a little hardener adding a thrust from his free arm to the already off-balance man.  The man stumbled, caught his heel on an exposed tree root and pitched backwards painfully. His sword clattered away as he landed.

 Not wishing to lose momentum, The security officer slammed the heel of his foot downward into the man's diaphragm and as he bolted into a doubled over position, baylon caught him with a powerful right hook, which turned knocked the man unconscious.

Turning his attention back to the situation at hand, baylon realized that the assailants had not counted on the strong resistance that the away team had put forward. As a result, they were in full retreat.

He turned and headed over to where bracken was just shouldering her weapon.

"How is she? Sickbay?" She asked.

The Medic gave her a look of concern and then shook his head. "Dead sir." he replied, " She was beamed out of the simulation upon receiving a fatal wound," he continued, his experience as a marine medic in simulations readily apparent. "I should move her aside for burial."

"See to it." Dale responded before turning her attention to Baylon.

She pointed to an opposing man that had been injured but subdued. "Baylon, bring him over here." She ordered.

"Aye." Trinin replied and moved to the injured man. "On your feet!" he ordered the prisoner at sword point.  To punctuate his order, he pressed the tip of his sword against the man's chest, just enough to cause a bit of discomfort.

"awl ight." the man replied, his local accent very thick, either that or the injury to his face was making his elocution difficult to follow.

"Move!"

The man stumbled forward, Baylon's blade a clear reminder and warning that his situation was not a good one. When they reached Bracken, Baylon kicked the man behind his knees causing his legs to collapse under his weight and for the man to drop to his knees before the FO.

"You answer any questions asked of you," Baylon threatened, "and if I even suspect you of lying I'll see how well you can breathe through a hole in your gut. Understand?"

The man nodded and grunted in reply. Baylon added a little pressure on the tip of his blade, now resting on the soft crook of the man's neck.

"yea. ayes undahstan" he replied.

"Good."

Baylon looked at  Bracken and gave her a nod, before calling out to Mil. "Mil, I want a patrol. I don't trust those lot to stay away for too long."

(reply Nicolae, Bracken)
Daniel Greene

(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, FO LtCmdr Bracken - 1339) 
 
"Aye." Trinin replied and moved to the injured man. "On your feet!" he ordered the prisoner at sword point.  To punctuate his order, he pressed the tip of his sword against the man's chest, just enough to cause a bit of discomfort.
 
"awl ight." the man replied, his local accent very thick, either that or the injury to his face was making his elocution difficult to follow.
 
"Move!"
 
The man stumbled forward, Baylon's blade a clear reminder and warning that his situation was not a good one. When they reached her, Baylon kicked the man behind his knees causing his legs to collapse under his weight and for the man to drop to his knees. 
 
"You answer any questions asked of you," Baylon threatened, "and if I even suspect you of lying I'll see how well you can breathe through a hole in your gut. Understand?"
 
The man nodded and grunted in reply. Baylon added a little pressure on the tip of his blade, now resting on the soft crook of the man's neck.
 
"yea. ayes undahstan" he replied.
 
"Good."
 
Baylon looked at her and gave her a nod, before calling out to Mil. "Mil, I want a patrol. I don't trust those lot to stay away for too long."
 
Dale turned to the prisoner, who was kneeling before her. His poise was almost penitent, but Dale wasn’t taken in by that, a few short seconds ago this man was fighting to kill. His will may not be broken that easily.
 
“This was an elaborate trap. Who was it intended for?”
 
“We weren’t told. He just said to stop anyone who came up this road.”
 
“He?”
 
“I never found out who he was, he just paid us.”
 
Dale looked at Trinin, “Thoughts?”
 
(reply Trinin, any)
(posted by Mark)

(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1340)
 
Carena looked up sharply as the medical siren began. Her pulse immediately raced and she felt the rush of adrenaline that she always did on these occasions. She looked at the display, and read the details of the injury.
 
“INCOMING – SURGICAL TEAM TO BAY ONE.” She called out as she quickly prepared herself.
“Computer – strip and gown the patient en route.” The order was not one that she liked giving, it did however minimise distress.
 
She strode across the room, seeing others bustling at twice the normal speed, as she reached the bay, she reached out and a medical tech applied the gel that she favoured, it would immediately sterilise her hands, thin tactile gloves were then put on her. 
 
“GCS 13 E4 V4 M5 at 1340. Patient was in training exercise in the Holodeck and received…”
 
“An arrow to the neck? What in the blazes are they doing down there? Thank you Petty Officer, good report. Computer, scan and display.”
 
As the computer ran a scan she called out again. “20ml atrophol, 10 ml natrozene phosphate. Prepare a shot of thiazarone.”
 
“Sir, forgive me, atrophol and thiazarone?” The attending tech was right to question, both were strong painkillers. 
 
Carena nodded, “In the presence of adrenaline and atrophol, thiazarone acts as an astringent Chief. I want to slow down the blood flow while we remove the arrow. It’s incredibly close to the carotid artery. Safeties kicked in, luckily for her. She’d be dead already else. Increase oxygen atmosphere around the patient to Fifty percent.”
 
Carena ncleared her throat gently;
 
“Computer, record log. Time is 1342, Ensign Senior Grade Doctor Carena Ptaquiloside leading, and Ensign Soo-Kara Krommes attending.” She looked up at Soo, who had appeared on the opposite side of the bed. “Patient is a 24 year old human female who has received an arrow to the neck during a training exercise she’s received 20ml atrophol, 10 ml natrozene phosphate on her arrival to the surgical bay, ordered by myself.”
 
(reply Soo, any)
(posted by Mark)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes, 1342)
 
“Computer, record log. Time is 1342, Ensign Senior Grade Doctor Carena Ptaquiloside leading, and Ensign Soo-Kara Krommes attending.” Carena looked up at Soo, who had appeared on the opposite side of the bed. “Patient is a 24 year old human female who has received an arrow to the neck during a training exercise she’s received 20ml atrophol, 10 ml natrozene phosphate on her arrival to the surgical bay, ordered by myself.”
 
The petite pink haired doctor had a slight look of sudden nausea on her face. "Sounds good to me doctor. You know better than I when it comes to surgery. I am just here to assist. What do you need first?"
 
(Reply Carena)
 
Soo looked at the tools they had set asside that the nurses had brought already. Soo handed her friend a relatively medium sized instrument that when in use shone a light letting you know it was working. "Doctor Ptaquiloside here is the autosuture."
 
(Reply Carena)
 
Taking the autosuture back she placed it on a sterile towel that was set out for the used instruments. Soo looked down at two different instruments. One was red in color and a point on one end. The second was a small cylendrical tool used to repair the skin. "Do you want the protoplaser or dermal reginerator?"
 
(Reply Carena)
(Posted by Sheena)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1343)
 
The petite pink haired doctor had a slight look of sudden nausea on her face. "Sounds good to me doctor. You know better than I when it comes to surgery. I am just here to assist. What do you need first?"
 
“Dispense thiazarone,” her surgeons hand holding the arrow in place while the second drug took hole. She then carefully removed it and passed it to a nurse.
 
“Bilatteral tear of the superior belly of the Omohyoideus. No fragmentation or splintering. Autosuture please, set to 0.6.” She held out her hand, waiting for the instrument to be put in her hand.  
 
Soo looked at the tools they had set aside that the nurses had brought already. Soo handed her friend a relatively medium sized instrument that when in use shone a light letting you know it was working. "Doctor Ptaquiloside here is the autosuture."
 
Carena ran the instrument over the stricken muscle, watching as the fibres were slowly pulled into place. She smiled gently as she watched, careful to keep an eye on the major blood vessels nearby. She passed the autosuture back to Soo.
 
"Do you want the protoplaser or dermal regenerator?"
 
Carena looked at the screen, assessing the surrounding tissues. 
“Little or no extraneous damage, bruising will be unavoidable, but will abate quickly, wound itself will heal nicely. No need for the protoplaster, I’ll have the dermal regenerator, focal point 2.65, setting…7 please.”
 
(Reply Krommes
(Posted by Mark)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes, 1345)
 
Carena looked at the screen, assessing the surrounding tissues. 
“Little or no extraneous damage, bruising will be unavoidable, but will abate quickly, wound itself will heal nicely. No need for the protoplaster, I’ll have the dermal regenerator, focal point 2.65, setting…7 please.”
 
Soo picked up the dermal regenerator and punched in the focal point and setting that had been requested.After doing this she handed it to her colligue. "Everything is set for you doctor."
 
(Reply Carena)
 
The two doctors looked at one another and let out a sigh of relief. The nurses had stopped scurrying around and  were cleaning up from the surgery. "Dr  Ptaquiloside her vitals are leveling out now. Good job! I think we should let her rest.
 
(Reply Carena)
 
The two women walked together reading of a PADD. When they walked into the main research office Soo-kara kept going and stopped in front of the replicator. "A cup of nice hot chocolate with marshmellows please. Anything for you Carena?"
 
(Reply Carena)
 
The hot cocoa came through quickly. She retrieved it from the replicator and took it to a seat close by. "I think a night out and of relaxation is in order. You in Carena? I think I might see if Lieutenant Holland would like to have some dinner with me at Ten Forward as well."
 
(Reply Carena)
(Posted by Sheena)
(USS HADES, Sickbay, ACMO Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1347)
 
"Everything is set for you doctor."
 
Carena felt the instrument hit her palm, she closed her hand around it and slowly, with the utmost precision ran her hand around the wound, which slowly began to close. This, Carena knew would be the most difficult, and dangerous part, it her vitals crashed now, if they’d missed any shards of the arrow, then they’d have to reopen the neck causing all kinds of new troubles. Thankfully the wound closed beautifully, vitals remained steady, and all scans came back clean.
 
The two doctors looked at one another and let out a sigh of relief. The nurses had stopped scurrying around and  were cleaning up from the surgery. "Dr  Ptaquiloside her vitals are leveling out now. Good job! I think we should let her rest.
 
“Concur.” She spoke to the log, “Surgery ended at 1350, patients vitals steady at 125/65 blood oxygen normal, kidney, neural and cognitive function all normal.”
 
NRPG: I’m going to assume that the simulation ends ‘off-camera’, it’d be far too clumsy to actually write it I think.
RPG:
 
The two women walked together reading of a PADD. When they walked into the main research office Soo-kara kept going and stopped in front of the replicator. "A cup of nice hot chocolate with marshmellows please. Anything for you Carena?"
 
 
Carena shook her head, “no, thank you I’m fine.”
 
The hot cocoa came through quickly. She retrieved it from the replicator and took it to a seat close by. "I think a night out and of relaxation is in order. You in Carena? I think I might see if Lieutenant Holland would like to have some dinner with me at Ten Forward as well."
 
“I’ll pass if you don’t mind, I might have an early night with a glass of wine and a book.”
(Reply Krommes IYW)
A nurse, Petty Officer 2 knocked on the door, and on Carena’s nod, entered the room. 
“Sir, do you have a moment” She had the physique that the word ‘petite’ was almost invented for, her height was barely 5’3’’ her auburn hair, normally just past her jaw, tied back. Her manner was timid, shy almost.
“Of course Petty Officer, what’s the problem?”
“No problem Sir, I was just watching the surgery, I’m not theatre certified yet Sir.”
Carena knew instantly where this was going, and she was genuinely impressed with the young girls drive.
“Sir, we’re aways from the SFMHQ, and the only way to get trained in such things is on board, under tuition from one of the medical team.”
“OK, so why not the duty head surgical nurse?” Carena asked.
“Technically I could Sir, but we’ve only just got the right numbers, no-one spare; and I’d have to be assessed by a Dr anyway.”
Carena nodded, “so me training you would be more expedient in the long run.”
“Yes Sir, if you have time.”
“Ok – in principal yes, I’ll have to contact SFMHQ for the assessments, but you’ve got my backing.”
“Thank you Sir.”
Carena shook her head, “don’t thank me yet, and you won’t be thanking me if this goes ahead.”
“Sir?” The girl’s tone was baffled.
“Two things. One, I’m going to work you harder than in your worst nightmares.”
“Yes Sir.” She paled slightly, but nodded.
“Second.” Carena paused. “You don’t need to call me Sir.”
“Sir?” Bafflement again.
“You're going to be calling me all sorts of things.”
The young nurse nodded silently, “I understand Sir. With your permission, I have rounds.”
“Of course. Dismissed Petty Officer,”
Carena turned to Soo. “Thoughts?”
(Reply Krommes, any)
(posted by Mark)


(USS Hades, Bridge,  SO, Ensign T'Sol 1522)

T'Sol had been on the Bridge since alpha shift began, and to be honest she realized that she had a long day ahead of her once captain Straton had assigned her to cover the duty watch while they participated in the preparedness simulation on the Holodeck. Not that it would have mattered, Vulcans simply did not fatigue as humans did and this meant that she would still be active and non-nonplussed even after running a double shift.

She had read through the duty roster for the morning of course as well as familiarizing herself with any on-going ship's business. Although only an ensign T'Sol had been with the Hades since her launch, and on in that regard, there was only one other officer on the ship that had been with the ship as long or longer and that was Lieutenant Trinin. As a result her knowledge and expertise was often called upon to serve as a duty watch officer despite her relatively low rank in the hierarchy of the command staff.

She had just finished scanning a report from the Gamma shift watch officer concerning the prior arrival of a new recruit to the ship a new assistant Science officer named Doenitz. She raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the rather infamous name. instead filing away the information at the back of her mind. She had just finished brushing up on his duty jacket noting that he was ordered to report for duty at 1530 hours. Of course, the captain had been asleep when the new recruit had arrived and it would not have been prudent to interrupt the commanding officer for something as mundane as a personnel transfer.  

There was also no doubt in her Vulcan mind that captain Straton was aware of the new arrivals orders yet had seen fit to have him report to the bridge for assignment during the simulation.

"Fascinating." she said aloud. 

"Sorry sir?" the yeoman  bringing her additional duty reports queried, "did you say something."

"Indeed," T'Sol replied, "however, I was merely expressing an internal monologue vocally. You can carry on Yeoman."

"Aye, sir." she replied as she handed T'Sol the duty report, in preparation for the upcoming shift change.

T'Sol, like most bridge officers had long ago learned to minimize the constant distractions of the day-to-day operational noises that plagued a fully functional and staffed bridge shift. As a result she did not realize that the new recruit, the very same one who's jacket was under her scrutiny had arrived on the bridge.

He had approached her, likewise unobserved as again peripheral vision was suppressed during active duty shifts due to all the constant traffic around the bridge. "Ensign Jacob Doenitz reporting for duty ma'am." he spoke.

T'Sol turned to regard the new recruit as the bridge officers grew silent. his voice was rich and deep, making her somehow think of the Terran drink of Hot Chocolate, which in itself was a disturbing mental leap for her mind to make.

She rose from her seat and took the time to survey the personnel on the bridge. To a single person they seemed to be regarding her intently as if her reaction would set their own tone in response to this man who bore the name of an infamous traitor.

"Carry on." she spoke clearly and loudly enough to make her presence known. It was apparent that the order was meant for those officers on the bridge that seemed to be entranced by this man's presence.

In an additional uncharacteristic act, T'Sol extended her right hand in the typical human greeting. It seemed that logically this officer had overcome a large number of prejudices just to reach this point. It was illogical for her to alienate him further. As humans often considered formal hand contact a reliable indication of a person's character, she extended her own in an attempt to show the new arrival that she was not concerned about his affiliation to the man that had almost destroyed the Federation.

"Welcome aboard Mister Doenitz. Am I correct that this is your first posting aboard a starship?" She asked, of course already knowing the answer before the question had been asked.

(reply Doenitz)

"I have completed the review of your service jacket just a short while ago. I must say that you have some very compelling qualifications. I have no doubt that your contributions to this ship's crew and her missions will be incalculable." She continued, making these statements more for the benefit of the crew on the bridge rather than for the officer standing before her. She already suspected that he was made of sterner stuff than most.

(reply Doenitz)

"Captain Straton and Lieutenant Commander Bracken are currently engaged in a simulation for an upcoming mission in the holodeck. Both officers will want to meet with you when their simulation is complete. I suggest that you report to the science department and familiarize yourself with the experiments underway there. Ensign Doorman is on duty and was considered the de-facto assistant for the department prior to your arrival. Perhaps he would be able to provide you with some guidance until you are summoned by the CO and/or FO."

(reply Doenitz)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Bridge, Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz 1530)

"Ensign Jacob Doenitz reporting for duty ma'am." As he spoke, the bridge rapidly quieted. He was used to it, but the twinge leaped across his face before he could stop it.

The Vulcan calmly stood and looked around, almost in puzzlement as the activity ceased "Carry on." she said clearly and almost softly, though with an intensity that was surprising and rather gratifying. He almost started again as the SO held out her hand. "Welcome aboard Mister Doenitz. Am I correct that this is your first posting aboard a starship?" She asked, of course already knowing the answer before the question had been asked.

"Outside of simulators, yes ma'am." He was frankly staggered, and moving more by his trained refrains of courtesy and decorum as he reached out and shook the offered hand. He'd very rarely been welcomed, and all of the gestures were incredibly touching. He'd have thought there might have been some token acknowledgement, but the woman was acting more like a Commander than an Ensign, moving with a subtle grace and conducting the bridge crew like a finely tuned instrument. "I'm honored to be part of the crew."

"I have completed the review of your service jacket just a short while ago. I must say that you have some very compelling qualifications. I have no doubt that your contributions to this ship's crew and her missions will be incalculable." She continued, making these statements more for the benefit of the crew on the bridge rather than for the officer standing before her. She already suspected that he was made of sterner stuff than most.

His response was a near breathless "Yes ma'am." He swallowed heavily, regaining his footing. "I've worked hard to prepare myself, and plan to continue meeting those expectations."

"Captain Straton and Lieutenant Commander Bracken are currently engaged in a simulation for an upcoming mission in the holodeck. Both officers will want to meet with you when their simulation is complete. I suggest that you report to the science department and familiarize yourself with the experiments underway there. Ensign Doorman is on duty and was considered the de-facto assistant for the department prior to your arrival. Perhaps he would be able to provide you with some guidance until you are summoned by the CO and/or FO."

"Of course ma'am." He'd read up on Lertain IV to some degree, and his mind whirled with potential assignments. "I'll report to my station at once. If you'll excuse me, and thank you again for the welcome aboard." He came to attention again, then turned on his heel and strode to the turbolift.

NRPG: Apologies for the slightly mangled time, but with this I think I'm back on track.

(posted by Brian Long)

(USS Hades, Holodeck 2, COUNS Anamitra Ripley - 1550)
 
“Anyone who gets past us, kill them. Ana, if you can shoot a bow, use one as well, if not, use the spear and skewer anyone who comes within range.” Dragovar ordered.
 
"Right." She replied as she regarded the bow long enough to realize that it would be a waste of her time. While she certainly would have liked to use it, she had enough common sense to realize that the odds of her hitting someone on her own side were greater than her striking an attacker.
 
So leaving the bow where it was, she opted to climb up on top of the wagon and grab the 15-foot long spear that was there for just such an occasion. The weapon was heavier than she expected and the large iron head made the tip even more unwieldy. Still, with a broad enough stance, it wasn't untenable, just a little awkward.
 
The fight broke out in earnest and before she could blink, the mass of men that were assailing them slammed into the shield wall that Dragovar had ordered. The din was amazing and was almost palpable to her. She stood watching the struggle until she caught the sound of a pair of assailants attacking the flank of the line.
 
The security officer on that end turned and reacted too slowly, the opponent caught him a glancing blow with the tip of his sword, cutting a gash into his face.  Ana couldn't reach him with her spear, but she could close the distance. She  moved forward as quickly as she could and buried the tip of the spear into the ground catapulting her forward like a pole-vaulter. Her momentum was enough to carry her over the arc and drop her directly onto the assailant that was threatening the security officer. 
 
The man stumbled from the sudden jolt and Ana allowed her momentum to carry her to the ground. She threw herself forward at the last second into a tucked forward roll,  which worked better in her imagination than it did in real-life. Still, she wasn't hurt and she had gained a distinct advantage over the man. She moved straight ahead her hand instinctively reaching for the Barda that she wore at her belt.  As the man struggled to regain his footing on the uneven ground Ana's weighted club caught him directly under the chin, shattering bone and launching him upward and back to land flat on his back. He didn't move.
 
She reached her hand down to the fallen security officer and helped him to his feet.  And then remembered that there had been two attackers from this side. She twisted around realizing that she had lost track of the other man.  He was bearing down on her fast and she realized that she wasn't going to be able to move in time. 
 
However, the security officer still held his sword and with a surprise display of speed and agility, he lunged forward driving the point of his blade into the man's soft stomach. A sharp downward twist forced the point of the blade upwards through the man's diaphragm and in an instant he was on the ground unable to draw air into his lungs. It was barbaric, but effective.
 
Then just as quickly as it began,  it was over. the wild tribesmen were sprinting for their lives.
 
"Casualty report!" Straton barked a moment later. the reports came in quickly, and Ana added her own report to those being called out. "Facial injury here!"
 
"Medics, coordinate with Ana on moving the wounded to the wagon." The captain added.
 
"Over here!" the counselor added and immediately grabbed a one of the chests out of the wagon and set it on the ground. "Clear the wagon bed for critical cases. Ambulatory cases can sit on the chests. Let's prioritize and treat in order of criticality."
 
Ana wasn't a doctor, but she had some basic medical training as part of her degree. Her experience was limited to the few combat engagements that she had been in during the Civil War, helping out in sickbay under the guidance of a real doctor. But in this case there was no one else here to tell her what to do. She had to handle it on her own.
 
"Let me know if I can be of any assistance." the captain said from behind her. The woman had moved up to her quietly. Ana hadn't even heard her approach.
 
"Actually I need you to put a pressure on this man's facial wound. " she replied without hesitation. " We need to staunch the bleeding.  I'm putting together a clotting agent now."
 
(reply Straton)
 
Ana didn't wait for the captain to respond, instead she thrust some clean material into her hands and immediately went to withdraw the powder that passed as a local clotting agent. It was a mixture of naturally mined titanium-dioxide mixed with the ground seeds of a biological agent that was used by the locals. The concoction was completely native and should be relatively effective as a styptic agent.
 
She added a little water to the mixture from her skin and thickened the powder into a paste-like cake. "Okay." she said as she drew back the captain's hand with the bandage. "This is going to sting, but there's nothing that can be done for that."
 
The security man nodded as fresh blood began to well up in the wound. Then Ana using her fingers, dipped them into the concoction and smeared it over the open wound. The man whimpered in surprise as the agent went to work. the bleeding stopped almost immediately as the titanium dioxide reacted with the iron  in the man's blood. it was that chemical reaction that caused the unpleasant burning sensation.
 
She turned back to the captain. "Alright, go ahead and bandage him up. he'll be fine."
 
(reply Straton)
 
"Okay who's most critical now?" she asked the medics.
 
(reply Any)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, COO Lieutenant H'retor, 15:51)

H'retor was calmly watching the enemy coming closer. Despite the arrows thrown at them, they were not distracted and headed directly at the very thin Hades line. Considering the amount of people they were, H'retor surprises attack would need to be successful. As the enemy was committed, H'retor gave the signal. As they closed the gap with the enemy, observing milisecond per second their own feet running as fast as they could, they were all so caught by the adrenaline and the concentration that they were aware of every movement of grass ahead of them. H'retor thoughts were also silent as nothing could distract him away from his future victim. He did not even took the time to reflect on what he was going to do, but already his silent mind had all done it and surprisedly, without even deciding, his hands moved upward as he closed on the enemy, and at a striking distance, the axe cut his way through [...] As he took a look on his right, the two other marines were engaged with two enemies, taking the enemy in a sandwich. H'retor walked a few step, passing beside the two marines, to finally reach the center--right of the enemy line. As he looked, he saw a gap in their own line and two of the enemy was about to enter the gap. H'retor precipitated at them, but the first one turned around and faced H'retor, allowing at the same time the other one to safely penetrate the gap. H'retor knew both captain Straton and Ensign Ripley would had to face him. H'retor tried to deflect and push the enemy to his right so that he can enter into the gap himself but, as he realized, a battle axe had not the agility of a bat'leth, and he was hardly successful, the enemy still had a striking distance of him. Nevertheless, it was with a certain surprise that he saw what seemed to be the upper part of a spear directed at the second men. 

~Well, seems like they can fight.~ thought H'retor. H'retor looked back at the first opponent to be surprised by a successful assault from his part that almost got through H'retor defense. It was really at the last second that he succeeded to deflect the enemy sword. As he closed by on the enemy, again he found the battle axe less agile into melee-combat, and sometimes struggled with the enemy. After a few seconds of successful defensive moves, but unsuccessful offensive moves, H'retor finally won his fight as, in fact, the enemy line broke and H'retor opponent was injured by someone else. 

While part of him wanted to run after them, his pride was also affected. What he had so often imagined, him fighting against glorious warriors and getting out victorious, truth was far less idealistic. How unglorious it was. He killed an enemy from behind and was not even able to scratch his other enemy. For a Klingon, it was a dishonor. He needed to work out more as it was clear he needed more practice with his new weapon, and his new physics. H'retor was decided that after the simulation, he would spend all the extra time he could on practicing. But first, the simulation was still going on. 


(Posted by Nick)


(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, CO Captain Eva Straton, 15:53)


	"Actually I need you to put a pressure on this man's facial wound.  We need to
staunch the bleeding.  I'm putting together a clotting agent now," Ana said thrusting some
clean cloth into Eva's hands before turning and heading back toward the wagon.
	
	Eva did as she had been told, moving over and putting the cloth to the injured
man's facial wound.  As a former combat engineer, she had no problem taking orders from a
lower rank individual when it was their area of specialty.  While she had the basic first
aid training of every marine, Eva knew Ana's training was superior to her own in this
case.  Eva continued to follow instructions as Ana applied some paste to the man's wound
to stop the bleeding and then instructed her to finish bandaging the man's wound.  

	As Ana turned to the next wounded, Eva looked around the area to make sure the
perimeter she'd ordered was in place and that they weren't in danger of being ambushed
while treating their wounded.  


	Having finished wrapping up the man's wound, Eva moved off to find Ensign
Dragovar, given his size he wasn't hard to find.  Eva moved over to stand next to him.
	
	“Perimeter set up Sretal.” Dragovar reported, as he pulled a length of fabric from
a bag on the wagon and tied it around his arm in an effort to stop the bleeding. “Patrols
have been sent to check the area, and to ensure the retreat of the surviving tribesmen.
What do you want doing with the prisoners?”

 
	"We are not prepared to take prisoners,"Eva said, trying to gauge how serious the
Ensign's wound really was. "Keep them tied up for now.  When we leave we will leave them
tied together so that by the time they can untie themselves we will be long gone.   

	“Very well Sretal.” Dragovar replied. “I may require some stitches, but there are
people in need of attention more than me. I think all our people will be fully capable
once treated.”

	Eva took Dragovar's injured arm and looked at it carefully before motioning him
over to one of the medics tending to the less severally wounded.  "Get that arm looked
at," She said, "Then we need to get that downed tree out of our way and get moving again."

(Reply Ripley, Dragovar, Any on Team 2)
(posted by Wes)



 
(USS Hades, Holo-Deck 2, ATAC Ens Tallac Dragovar, 15:55)
 
 
"I want a scouting party in the woods to make sure we don't have any more unexpected visits.  Set some men to form a perimeter around the wagon while Ana tends to our wounded.  Once our wounded are tended, we will get back to work on that damn tree." The captain rattled off a series of orders.
 
“Gunnarson, Van Der Bruger, take a marine each and scout 100 metres either side of the road. Ferguson, Take 2 marines and go up the road.  Make sure our friends have gone. Pendragon, use anyone else left and organise a basic perimeter until they get back. Once they return add them to the perimeter. We’ll cycle people round to give them a rest and a break once we have secured the area.” Dragovar marshalled his troops.
 
Two marines were wounded, one had a couple of flesh wounds, and one concussion. Dragovar moved to begin to secure the four wounded hill men, still lying on the ground, one of them was in a really bad way, a stab wound to the stomach and slim chance of survival. “Ana. This one is critical.” He called out, as he secured Barator’s remaining hand to his side. He applied a tourniquet to the other arm, to stem the bleeding.
 
“Keep still, our healers will see to your wounds.” The man bared his rotten and yellow teeth and snarled at Dragovar. 

“Resist, or try anything stupid, and you’ll lose the other hand as well, if not more.” He growled back.
 
As he tied the hands of the boy he had knocked out he noticed his hand was covered in blood. He had wiped them clean on the tunic of a fallen tribesman. 
 
Pendragon came over to him. “We have 4 men on the perimeter until the others return.”
 
He placed his hand on her shoulder and nodded, then noticed the bloody print it left behind as she walked away. He had just cleaned his hands. His arm was painful. Raising it he found a gash, through the underside of his bicep. He realised the knife the boy had used, had deflected of the chainmail tunic, but cut him on the un-mailed inside of his arm.
 
He realised then that he must have lost a fair bit of blood, and his head swam a little. He hadn’t realised due to the adrenaline that he had been wounded, and as the adrenaline wore off, he began to feel the effects.
 
“Perimeter set up Sretal.” Dragovar reported, as he pulled a length of fabric from a bag on the wagon and tied it around his arm in an effort to stop the bleeding. “Patrols have been sent to check the area, and to ensure the retreat of the surviving tribesmen. What do you want doing with the prisoners?”
 
(reply Straton)
 
“Very well Sretal.” Dragovar replied. “I may require some stitches, but there are people in need of attention more than me. I think all our people will be fully capable once treated.”
 
(reply any)
(Posted by Tim)
(USS HADES-10 Forward-2LAlexander Orton-1555)
 
The tall dark haired muscular marine walked into the pub where he had heard people hang out after their shifts and days off. He looked around and saw quite a few people hanging around the bar and sitting at tables. He walked over to the bar. "Um. Bartender. Can I please get a jack and coke please."
 
He turned his back to the bar and looked out the huge viewing window into the deep blue star studded openness called space. ~I guess I can get used to this part. Hhhmmmm. No time like now than to get to know some of the people stationed here.~
 
He turned back to the bar where the bartender had just placed his drink in front of him. He took a sip of his drink as he noticed someone he knew sitting near the viewing window. He walked over to her through the crowd of unfamiliar faces. "Hey Soo. Can I sit with you?"
 
Soo looked up from her book and cup of hot tea. "Hey Alex. Yes you can but I am kind of expecting someone here soon."
 
Alex looked at his friend with a look of dissappointment. "Oh I'm sorry. I did not mean to invade."
 
His friend took a sip of her tea. "No no problem at all honey. I'm just waiting on a fellow crew member. I'm not here on a date. So don't get all defensive please. And please don't embarass me."
 
He let out a chuckle at Soo's ability to guess his every move. "Don't worry Soo. I won't do anything to embarass you. You know me so well. Anyways, how are you feeling after a long day of work? Not too drained I hope."
 
Soo smiled at Alex. She noticed out of the corner of her eye her friend that she had been waiting on walk in. She waved to him as she stood up. "I'm doing well Alex thank you for asking. Will you please excuse me for a moment?"
 
Alex nodded. "Yeah. I'll be here!" Alex sat in the chair opposite the one that Soo-kara had been sitting in.
 
He watched Soo-kara walk over to a short blonde haired man. After a greeting and a hug the pair walked back to the table as the waitress approached the table. "Alex dear I would like for you to meet my friend Pete Holland. Otherwise Lieutenant Holland."
 
Alex took another sip of his drink, set it back on the table, and stood up offering his hand to shake. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
Soo looked at her life long friend a little worried about how this meeting would turn out. "Now boys." She said in a joking manner. "Can we please sit and relax. I may be young but I am pregnant and do need to get off my feet after a long day on them." She laughed after saying this as she thought of how she may have sounded.
 
Alex walked over to her chair and pulled it out for her to sit. "Please sit down." He turned to the waitress. "Can we get another of whatever she was drinking, another jack and coke, and whatever you would like Lieutenant."
 
(Reply Holland)
(Posted by Sheena)

(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt. Peter Holland -1558)
In what was becoming a regular event, Pete walked through the doors to Ten
Forward to meet Soo-Kara for an early supper before heading back down to
Engineering to brief the evening shift.

Pete grinned as the petite Orion sauntered through the crowd. He was
curious about the swarthy marine who had been sharing the table with Soo,
but he was certain his 'little sister' would introduce him. When she
arrived at his position, he offered her a hug. "How was your shift?"

(Reply Soo)

Pete shrugged slightly, "I don't quite know what the Captain will have me
doing down there, she was rather vague. I think I'll prepare for
anything."

(Reply Soo)

They arrived at the table a moment later and Soo introduced him as suspected.

 "Alex dear I would like for you to meet my friend Pete Holland. Otherwise
Lieutenant Holland."
 
After sliping his glass back to the table, the tall marine stood and
offered his hand. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant."
 
Pete grinned lopsided, it was just how he was learning Soo could be - not
quite aware that her knowledge of the new entity was common knowledge.
"Likewise, Alex. do you have a last name?"
 
(Reply Orton)

Soo gave the younger man a look that Pete couldn't quite place as she
spoke, "Now boys." She said in a joking manner. "Can we please sit and
relax. I may be young but I am pregnant and do need to get off my feet
after a long day on them."
 
Alex walked over to her chair and pulled it out for her to sit. "Please
sit down." He turned to the waitress. "Can we get another of whatever she
was drinking, another jack and coke, and whatever you would like
Lieutenant."

Pete nodded at the server, "My usual, Lucy."

The thin Martian woman smiled at Pete. His knowledge of the serving
staff's name was becoming something of a game and challenge to them - he
made it a point to know who they were and they made a point of sending
sometimes up to half a dozen different servers to his table - just to test
him.

Pete chuckled to himself as he sat in one of the free chairs, "So, Alex.
What brings you to the Hades?"
(Reply Orton, any)
(Posted by Lori)

(USS HADES - Ten Forward - ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes-1559)

Pete grinned as the petite Orion sauntered through the crowd. He was
curious about the swarthy marine who had been sharing the table with Soo,
but he was certain his 'little sister' would introduce him. When she
arrived at his position, he offered her a hug. "How was your shift?"

Soo wrapped her arms around her friend she had grown to look at as her 'big brother' in a warm embrace. "It was long. We are still trying to figure things out and prepare everyone to go to the surface of the planet. How about you? How are things going with your research and all?"
 
She let go of her friend as they started to walk back to the table she had been sitting at. She looked at her closest friend from her childhood. The look on her face was one that he knew very well. ~Please just get along.~
Pete shrugged slightly, "I don't quite know what the Captain will have me
doing down there, she was rather vague. I think I'll prepare for
anything."

The pregnant Orion manuvered around the crowd as they walked to the table. "Yeah that is what we are trying to do as well. But there is no telling what is going to happen or what we are going to find."

They arrived at the table a moment later and Soo started the introductions.

"Alex dear I would like for you to meet my friend Pete Holland. Otherwise
Lieutenant Holland."
 
After sliping his glass back to the table, the tall marine stood and
offered his hand. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant."
 
Pete grinned lopsided, it was just how he was learning Soo could be - not
quite aware that her knowledge of the new entity was common knowledge.
"Likewise, Alex. do you have a last name?"
 
Alex looked at the lieutenant taking the last sip of his drink. He had a look on his face that said he felt threatened. "Yes sir my last name is Orton. Any other questions feel free to ask."
Soo gave the younger man a look that Pete couldn't quite place as she
spoke, "Now boys." She said in a joking manner. "Can we please sit and
relax. I may be young but I am pregnant and do need to get off my feet
after a long day on them."
 
Alex walked over to her chair and pulled it out for her to sit. "Please
sit down." He turned to the waitress. "Can we get another of whatever she
was drinking, another jack and coke, and whatever you would like
Lieutenant."

Pete nodded at the server, "My usual, Lucy."

The thin Martian woman smiled at Pete. His knowledge of the serving
staff's name was becoming something of a game and challenge to them - he
made it a point to know who they were and they made a point of sending
sometimes up to half a dozen different servers to his table - just to test
him.

Pete chuckled to himself as he sat in one of the free chairs, "So, Alex.
What brings you to the Hades?"
Alex sat back in his seat opposite of Soo-kara. He straightened up and scratched his brow. "Well lieutenant, I'm here because we needed some extra marines on the mission. And actually now that I know about Soo I think I might just look into staying."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
The drinks arrived rather quickly. The girl that brought them to the table was a different from the girl that took the order. She was shorter with red hair and petite in stature. "Well Pete. If I may call you by your first name. Soo and I actually grew up together. We went to the same schools and the same college. And actually we dated a bit in high school and college."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
The new marine started to get a slight look of frustration on his face. "Look I know you don't know me. And I know you are just trying to look out for Soo, but rest assure that I'm not gonna hurt her or leave her alone in this."
 
Soo looked up from her tea at the both of them. She had been sitting back letting the two get aquainted which was not working out that well. Turning to Pete she started to speak. "Pete I know you look at me as family and I know you are just protecting me. But Alex really is a good guy."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
She turned to her childhood friend. "Alex I know now that you know about our little one you feel you owe me some protection as well. But please stop. Pete has been here every step since I found out a month and a half to two months ago. You don't owe me anything and you need not worry about me. I am in great company and great hands."
 
Alex looked at her with a blank stare on his face. "Ok Soo. Sorry I don't mean to stress you out or anything. And Pete I'm sorry I didn't mean to get defensive like that. I'm not normally like this. I guess I'm just on edge a bit since I found out I am going to be a father."
 
(Reply Holland)
(Posted by Sheena) 


(USS HADES - Ten Forward - 2L Alexander Orton-1600)

Pete grinned as the petite Orion sauntered through the crowd. He was
curious about the swarthy marine who had been sharing the table with Soo,
but he was certain his 'little sister' would introduce him. When she
arrived at his position, he offered her a hug. "How was your shift?"

(Reply Soo)

Pete shrugged slightly, "I don't quite know what the Captain will have me
doing down there, she was rather vague. I think I'll prepare for
anything."

(Reply Soo)

They arrived at the table a moment later and Soo introduced him as suspected.

"Alex dear I would like for you to meet my friend Pete Holland. Otherwise
Lieutenant Holland."
 
After sliping his glass back to the table, the tall marine stood and
offered his hand. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant."
 
Pete grinned lopsided, it was just how he was learning Soo could be - not
quite aware that her knowledge of the new entity was common knowledge.
"Likewise, Alex. do you have a last name?"
 
Alex looked at the lieutenant taking the last sip of his drink. He had a look on his face that said he felt threatened. "Yes sir my last name is Orton. Any other questions feel free to ask."
 
Soo gave the younger man a look that Pete couldn't quite place as she
spoke, "Now boys." She said in a joking manner. "Can we please sit and
relax. I may be young but I am pregnant and do need to get off my feet
after a long day on them."
 
Alex walked over to her chair and pulled it out for her to sit. "Please
sit down." He turned to the waitress. "Can we get another of whatever she
was drinking, another jack and coke, and whatever you would like
Lieutenant."

Pete nodded at the server, "My usual, Lucy."

The thin Martian woman smiled at Pete. His knowledge of the serving
staff's name was becoming something of a game and challenge to them - he
made it a point to know who they were and they made a point of sending
sometimes up to half a dozen different servers to his table - just to test
him.

Pete chuckled to himself as he sat in one of the free chairs, "So, Alex.
What brings you to the Hades?"
 
Alex sat back in his seat opposite of Soo-kara. He straightened up and scratched his brow. "Well lieutenant, I'm here because we needed some extra marines on the mission. And actually now that I know about Soo I think I might just look into staying."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
The drinks arrived rather quickly. The girl that brought them to the table was a different from the girl that took the order. She was shorter with red hair and petite in stature. "Well Pete. If I may call you by your first name. Soo and I actually grew up together. We went to the same schools and the same college. And actually we dated a bit in high school and college."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
The new marine started to get a slight look of frustration on his face. "Look I know you don't know me. And I know you are just trying to look out for Soo, but rest assure that I'm not gonna hurt her or leave her alone in this."
 
Soo looked up from her tea at the both of them. She had been sitting back letting the two get aquainted which was not working out that well. Turning to Pete she started to speak. "Pete I know you look at me as family and I know you are just protecting me. But Alex really is a good guy."
 
(Reply Holland)
 
She turned to her childhood friend. "Alex I know now that you know about our little one you feel you owe me some protection as well. But please stop. Pete has been here every step since I found out a month and a half to two months ago. You don't owe me anything and you need not worry about me. I am in great company and great hands."
 
Alex looked at her with a blank stare on his face. "Ok Soo. Sorry I don't mean to stress you out or anything. And Pete I'm sorry I didn't mean to get defensive like that. I'm not normally like this. I guess I'm just on edge a bit since I found out I am going to be a father."
 
(Reply Holland)
(Posted by Sheena) 
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1602)
Alex sat back in his seat opposite of Soo-kara. He straightened up and
scratched his brow. "Well lieutenant, I'm here because we needed some
extra marines on the mission. And actually now that I know about Soo I
think I might just look into staying."

Pete was curious and a little protective for Soo against this casual
attitude and didn't fail to telegraph this in his voice and body posture.
He had to ask, "Oh? And why would you be interested in that? How long have
you known Soo?"

The drinks arrived rather quickly. The girl that brought them to the table
was a different from the girl that took the order. She was shorter with
red hair and petite in stature. "Well Pete. If I may call you by your
first name. Soo and I actually grew up together. We went to the same
schools and the same college. And actually we dated a bit in high school
and college."

Pete nodded his thanks to the server, "Thanks Cara. Could I get Ashley's
pick of the night?" Ashley was the Ship's head chef and always prepared
something interesting that Pete enjoyed trying out. He turned his
attention back to Alex, turning his well learned Klingon attitude onto
simmer. "Dated her huh? Didn't epect anything other than dating did you?"
The comment was rather less than veiled and Pete knew it - but he needed
to know where this guys stood.

The new marine started to get a slight look of frustration on his face.
"Look I know you don't know me. And I know you are just trying to look out
for Soo, but rest assure that I'm not gonna hurt her or leave her alone in
this."

Soo looked up from her tea at the both of them. She had been sitting back
letting the two get aquainted which was not working out that well. Turning
to Pete she started to speak. "Pete I know you look at me as family and I
know you are just protecting me. But Alex really is a good guy."

Pete looked at Soo, the intensity in his eyes cooling only slightly. "I
trust you Soo, I only want what's best for you. He turned his gaze back to
the darker man, working to keep his face a bit more neutral despite his
instinct to kill.

She turned to her childhood friend. "Alex I know now that you know about
our little one you feel you owe me some protection as well. But please
stop. Pete has been here every step since I found out a month and a half
to two months ago. You don't owe me anything and you need not worry about
me. I am in great company and great hands."

Alex looked at her with a blank stare on his face. "Ok Soo. Sorry I don't
mean to stress you out or anything. And Pete I'm sorry I didn't mean to
get defensive like that. I'm not normally like this. I guess I'm just on
edge a bit since I found out I am going to be a father."

Pete could identify with that, he remembered his days leading up to his
first child - or rather the frustration of not being able to be their half
the time. He had been lucky to get only short assignments away from
Collette, but those weeks when she was pregnant and he wasn't there had
been almost agonizing.

He grunted, "Yes, you are. I've had the priviledge several times and it's
quite the experience."

(reply Orton, Soo)

Pete sighed, "I suppose I'm a bit on edge too. The pending mission is
making me itchy to move."

(reply Orton, Soo)

"So, you intend to stay on the Hades then, Alex?" Pete took a sip from the
small tankard of bloodwine in his hand.

(reply Orton, Soo, any)
(posted by Lori)
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1603)

He grunted, "Yes, you are. I've had the priviledge several times and it's
quite the experience."

Soo turned her gaze from Alex to Pete as she had been doing most of the time they had been coversing.She tried to change the subject real quick so that maybe she could get Pete from interrogating Alex.  "Pete dear. How are the kids? And how is Collete? I've been meaning to ask."
 
Alex tried to speak up before the green skinned woman carrying his child did but failed. He cleared his throught real quick and spoke before Pete had a chance to. "Yes I know I have a lot ahead of me and that most everyone on the Hades that is close to Soo will probably be interrogating me as well. But I do know what I have to do. I hope to be around for all of it though. But I also understand that everyone is on the edge of their seats due to this mission. And again I appreciate you looking out for my girl."
 
Pete sighed, "I suppose I'm a bit on edge too. The pending mission is
making me itchy to move."

Soo shrugged off what she had heard Alex call her. She felt that was better left for another time and place. The waitress Cara brought Holland the food he had asked for. Soo quickly caught her attention. "Cara sweetheart.  Can I please get some chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon. and sausage. And thank you! Alex are you hungry at all?"
 
Alex broke his eye contact with Pete and smiled at Soo-kara. "No actually I'm not hungry at all. Had a big brunch. That is a lot of food for you Soo. You gonna be able to eat it all?"
 
Soo looked at her mate and giggled. She patted her baby belly. "Well I am eating for two which means uping my protein intake, carbs, vitamins, everything."
 
"So, you intend to stay on the Hades then, Alex?" Pete took a sip from the
small tankard of bloodwine in his hand.


Alex still looking at Soo took a sip of his drink. He gave her a smile and laughed slightly. "Yes lieutenant. I have every intention of staying. It's a matter of whether or not they let me. But I think once everyone finds out who I am, they might just let me stay."
 
(Reply Holland)
(posted by Sheena)
(USS HADES - Ten Forward - CEO Lt Holland - 1604)
Soo looked at her mate and giggled. She patted her baby belly. "Well I am
eating for two which means uping my protein intake, carbs, vitamins,
everything."
 
"So, you intend to stay on the Hades then, Alex?" Pete took a sip from the
small tankard of bloodwine in his hand.

Alex still looking at Soo took a sip of his drink. He gave her a smile and
laughed slightly. "Yes lieutenant. I have every intention of staying. It's
a matter of whether or not they let me. But I think once everyone finds
out who I am, they might just let me stay."

Pete raised an eyebrow, "That's quite a statement to make. What makes you
think people will want you here when they know who you are?"

(Reply Orton)

Pete laughed at that, "You obviously haven't met the Captain yet."

(Reply Orton)

Pete grinned wolfishly and simply said, "There is a Klingon term for her
style, but it doesn't translate well."

He finally dug into his meal and was pleasantly surprised by the citrus
flavour paired with a very hot pepper. He was sure that Ashley had added
the extra pepper for him as he had requested stronger flavours many times.

He came up for air and looked at Soo, who was still sitting nervously,
"Relax be'nI' he passes my watch. Collette sends her love, the boys are
being boys and Nadia has decided to take up sewing. She's making some
things for the baby, but won't give up her secrets."
(Reply Soo)
(Posted by Lori)
(USS HADES-Ten Forward-2L Alexander Orton and ACMO Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes-1605)

Pete raised an eyebrow, "That's quite a statement to make. What makes you
think people will want you here when they know who you are?"

For the first time since sitting down with the lieutenant and his female companion he let out a smile. "To be honest. I guess I'm just hoping."
Pete laughed at that, "You obviously haven't met the Captain yet."

Alex laughed slightly. "I have but very briefly. To check in that is."

Pete grinned wolfishly and simply said, "There is a Klingon term for her
style, but it doesn't translate well."

He finally dug into his meal and looked very pleased by the prepared food.
He came up for air and looked at Soo, who was still sitting nervously,
"Relax be'nI' he passes my watch. Collette sends her love, the boys are
being boys and Nadia has decided to take up sewing. She's making some
things for the baby, but won't give up her secrets."
Soo flashed that inticing smile at her friend. "Its hard to relax right now Pete. I'm sorry. I'm just on edge like everyone else with the mission and now this." She motioned toward her childhood friend. "No offense Alex, but I was not expecting to see you love."
 
She changed the subject quickly as not to upset the marine. "So Nadia is making something for the little one huh. How exciting! Oh I can't wait to see the kids and Collete! When are they coming?"
 
(Reply Holland)
 
Soo had a look of dissappointment on her face. "Well I hope it is soon! I want you and Collete to be there when the baby is born. I  bet she can't wait to be here with you either. And the same with the kids."
 
A new waitress brought out the green doctors food and placed it in front of her. "Alex are you sure you aren't hungry? This looks so good."
 
Alex looked at the plate of food in front of the female. "Like I said not at the moment. That really does look like a lot of food Soo."
 
Patting her stomach again she laughed while she cut into her pancakes. "Again Alex stop worrying. I am eating for two so no need to. It's not like I'm doing something illegal."
 
She changed her focus to her food. "How is your meal Pete? It must be good the way you are eating it."
 
(Reply Holland)
(Posted by Sheena)
 

(USS HADES-Ten Forward- CEO Lt. Holland - 1606)
She changed the subject quickly as not to upset the marine. "So Nadia is
making something for the little one huh. How exciting! Oh I can't wait to
see the kids and Collete! When are they coming?"
 
True to his years among the Klingons, and much to the chagrin of his wife
most times, Pete spoke around his food rather than bother waiting. "No
word on that, Collete's last communique said no transfer orders had come
through."
 
Soo had a look of dissappointment on her face. "Well I hope it is soon! I
want you and Collete to be there when the baby is born. I  bet she can't
wait to be here with you either. And the same with the kids."
 
A new waitress brought out the green doctors food and placed it in front
of her. "Alex are you sure you aren't hungry? This looks so good."  
Alex looked at the plate of food in front of the female. "Like I said not
at the moment. That really does look like a lot of food Soo."
 
Patting her stomach again she laughed while she cut into her pancakes.
"Again Alex stop worrying. I am eating for two so no need to. It's not
like I'm doing something illegal."
 
She changed her focus to her food. "How is your meal Pete? It must be good
the way you are eating it."
 
Pete waved the meat about over his plate, "It could do with some Grapok
sauce, but it's really good."

(Reply iyw)

Pete continued, "Collete and Nadia are both excited to meet you, and Arty,
well Arty is always excited according to Collete." He chuckled, feeling
excited himself about seeing his kids in person for the first time in
years. "Andre and Stefan are happy, but they are behaving like they don't
care. Teenagers and the little brothers that idolized them." He shook his
head and stared at his plate, not wanting to look up in case he betrayed
himself as getting emotional.

(Reply any present)

Pete looked at the Marine and smiled, "My wife and children are on Geneva
Station right now. Collete is hoping to transfer to the Hades after this
mission."
(Reply any present, any)
(Posted by Lori)



 (USS HADES-Outside Straton's office-2L Alexander Orton-1630)
 
The marine looked around the corridor outside of the captains office. ~Fairly ordinary.~ He looked at the PADD in his hand with his orders on it. ~Ok so the captain is a former marine herself. This should be interesting~
 
He chimed in and awaited a response. 
 
(Reply Straton)
 
The door opened to the captain's office. He stepped through the door and walked toward a woman with red hair. She was tall and very beautifully poised. "Goodevening. Second Lieutenant Orton reporting for duty sir."
 
(Reply Straton)
 
She had a stern look about her face as she spoke. Alexander understood the pressure she must be under with the mission fast approaching. "I am sorry I was not here sooner. I understand that this may pose a problem for me on the away team. But rest assure I am fully capable sir."
 
(Reply Straton)
(Posted by Sheena)

(USS HADES, Sickbay, AC Ens SG Soo-kara Krommes and Ens SG Carena Ptaquiloside, 1700)
 
The green skinned doctor walked over to the replicator and asked for her normal tea. She did not realize she was being watched at that moment. Turning around after her tea appeared she gasped in surprise. "Carena don't do that to me. You scared the daylights out of me. Is everything ok?"
 
Carena chuckled gently, “Sorry Soo.” She turned to the replicator, “Coffee, strong, black, hot”
 
She walked over to the table and pulled out a PADD with some medical history of a few marines on it. "We are going to be getting a couple new marines for their exams before going to the surface."
 
Scrolling through the medical histories Soo just stared as if she had seen a ghost. "Oh no. No this can't be. He can't!"
 
Carena looked toward her friend, genuinely worried. “Soo….You’re scaring Carena.”
 
She looked up at Carena. "Carena one of the marines that is showing up today for their exam is ..."Gulping she continued. "Is my babies father! I do not think I can face him yet. He doesn't know. If he comes in can you please take care of it for me?"
 
Carena swore, uncharacteristically, and took the PaDD out of Soo’s hand. “Of course, oh my, Soo, of course.”
 
She rubbed her forhead out of worry and handed the PADD to her friend. "This is all of his medical history. Although I already know most of it due to pretty much growing up together. His name is Alexander Orton. Are you sure you can do this for me?"
 
“Soo, you’re a good friend, it’s really not a problem. However…” Carena paused, framing her words carefully. “…you can’t put this off any more sweetie. You have to sort this out before we get to Lertarni. I need you too much to work out this plague to be distracted by any of this.”
 
Still a bit flustered she wiped her brow. "I know Carena. I just do not think I can do it at this very moment. I just have to get my wits about me first and figure out how to tell him."  
 
Feeling a bit dizzy the pregnant doctor sat back in her seat and took a sip of her hot tea to calm down.
 
“Now. Let’s look at Mr Orton.” She looked at the PADD, scrolling through the text. “Ooh, he’s cute, good taste Miss Krommes.”
 
 Looking at her friend in astonishment she smiled and let out a slight laugh. "Why thank you Carena. He and I grew up in Florida on earth together. He has been a very close friend of mine since my adoption."
 
Carena smiled gently, “aww, that’s nice. It’s always nice to have those kind of close friends.”
 
The two friends looked at each other and stood up sort of abruptly. "Hello!" A man's voice came from the main office.
 
Soo recognized the voice. ~Here goes nothing.~ She looked at Carena with a slightly worried look on her face.
 
"Thank you so very much Carena." Soo said to her friend as her friend started to walk to the main office.
 
Carena smiled again, and squeezed her friends shoulder as she left the room. She felt oddly on edge, her air of professionalism shattered by recent events. She picked up the PADD that contained all the details that had been sent to them, and then stepped out of the office into the main sickbay area.
 
The man stood in the office for a moment before seeing anyone. He watched as a woman in a white lab coat walked over to him. She was a tall, dark haired female doctor. Her appearance and the look on her face said she was highly intelligent. All of this was in contrast to her slightly odd behaviour...She acted as if she'd been caught stealing cookies, and was trying to be coy. "Good evening ma'am. My name is Second Lieutenant Alexander Orton and I am here for my exam before we go to the surface of the planet."
 
Carena smiled welcomingly, restoring her bedside manner.
“Mr Orton, welcome aboard. Forgive me – too much caffeine this morning.” She motioned toward an empty bay, and led the way toward it. “This won’t take long.”
 
Following the amazon like doctor, Alex noticed a few other nurses scurying around like busy worker bees. "So doctor um, I didn't get your name. Tell me a little about the others on the ship. Anything I should know about anyone?"
 
She turned to the young Lieutenant, smiling to him as she replied. “Carena Ptaquiloside, Ensign senior grade.”
She reached the biobed, and hit the combination that would both unlock it’s diagnostic circuits, and log her in to the computer. “Lie on the bed please Lieutenant. This won’t hurt…much” she winked impishly.
 
Walking past the young doctor he hopped on the biobed. He shivered a minute due to the chill in the room. "Are you going to the surface doctor?"
 
“Unfortunately no, there’s only a couple of medics going to the surface. All the rest of us will be in here trying to figure out the plague that they have down there. That will all be in your briefing. I do need to give you a cocktail of antivirals and such though.” She turned to the attending nurse, and nodded to her, she returned seconds later with a hypospray. Carena took it off her and pressed it to Orton’s neck.
 
“Sorry about that.” She smiled again.
 
After a few seconds the scan results began to come back through to the screen in front of her.
“You’ve got quite a few childhood injuries here, all repaired perfectly. Adventurous child were you?” Carena actually enjoyed this part of the job, she allowed herself to chat to the patient, whilst her mind and her hands were incredibly busy.
 
He flashed a school boy smile at the girl who he gathered was around the age of twenty four at the most. "Well being a good ole country boy has its adventures. Lots of four wheeling and hunting. Not to mention the football and baseball I've played throughout my life. But yeah a little adventurous. A friend and I used to go out in the woods a lot and I would end up having to help her out of trouble. She was a bit of a clutz." Thinking back to his childhood friend made him smile even bigger.
 
Carena laughed gently, “Yeah, I know that type; that was me until I found the library.”
 
Looking around he noticed very little actually going on around him even though the nurses were running around busy with work. He looked back at the doctor who was still going over a few test results on a PADD and the computer screen. "So, do you like working as a starfleet doctor?"
 
“I love it. I’d sooner die than be anything else. The Fleet has been part of my life since I was about 13. It’s enabled me to become whatever I wanted to be. I love how every day brings you new things, new challenges and whatever opportunity you may conceivably want.”
 
He gave that school boy smile again. "Whats your specialty?"
 
“I’m a surgeon, one of the best if I may say so myself, I also did a residency as a diagnostician – Not too bad at that either.” She paused, “Sorry, that sounded arrogant didn’t it.” The bed beeped as the sweep finished. Carena nodded approvingly, “Well Mr Orton, as both you and suspected, you are in prime condition, and cleared for active service. There is one thing however.”
 
A look of worry came across his face. "What's that doc?"
 
“Computer display scancode Ptaq – 0135a”
 
The computer beeped, and seconds later a holographic image appeared next to her, she reached out and manipulated it with her hand; she saw the apprehensive look on Orton’s face. It always wierded people out seeing scans of their own body.
 
“You see this tendon here?” She pointed to one in the shoulder, almost insignifant. 
 
He looked at the scan that was in front of him with some intrigue. "Yeah I see it."
 
“Over the next couple of months it might start niggling you a bit – I want to see you monthly to monitor it. Nothing to worry about – it won’t stop you from duty in any way.”
 
"So it should not bother me during medical issues having to be taken care of. That is a plus. I've got to be able to do my work right? Well thank you and I will make sure to be here. Good catch." He flashed a smile at her.
 
Carena laughed gently, “Like I said, I’m one of the best.”
 
Walking into the room with her head down in a book Soo ran into Carena. "Oops sorry Dr. Ptaquiloside. Did not mean to run into you. I thought this room was free."
 
Carena looked up, looking directly into her friends eyes, perhaps seeing more than a trace of fear there.
“It’s no problem Dr Krommes, we’re pretty much done here.”
 
Soo looked up at the patient sitting on the biobed. "Alex? Oh my goodness. I haven't seen you since Geneva. How are you love?"
 
Alex looked at the green skinned pregnant doctor in astonishment. He took a deep breath and swallowed with a bit of difficulty. "Um. Hey Soo. Uh.... When? What? Oh god. When did this happen?" He pointed out the pregnancy.
 
Soo blushed and sighed. "Well I have been here for about four months now. If not five. I found out I was pregnant about a month and a half ago. And yes I know what you are thinking. I may not be a mind reader but the look on your face says it all. And the answer is yes you are."
 
Carena held her breath, almost subconsciously, aware that the next ten seconds would decide many fates.
 
The tall dark marine fixed his uniform as he stood up almost immediately. He walked over to his pregnant friend and pulled her into his muscular arms for a hug. "Why did you not tell me sooner? I would have been here for you. After all we have grown up together and been there for each other through everything."
 
Letting his grasp go from his friend he turned back to the amazon doctor. He laughed for a second. "This is my friend I was talking about being a bit of a clutz."
 
Carena smiled, and laughed gently, “I did wonder, and yes she is.” She winked impishly at Soo. “but we’re all rather fond of her.”
 
Soo looked at Carena, smiled and looked back at Alex with a slight twinkle in her eye like she did when they were teenagers. Seeing him brought back memories from their time spent together growing up. All at once the feelings she had for him in high school came rushing back to her. 
 
~Did not think he would take the news this well. But, I am thankful for this. I hope he grows to love you little one as I already do.~ She thought putting her free hand on her belly that was starting to show even in her uniform. 
 
"Soo are you ok?" Alex looked at her inquisitively. "You should really go get some rest before we actually get to the planet. You are gonna be pretty busy from the sound of things and could use all the rest you can get."
 
Alex looked at his friend that was pregnant with his child. He looked as if he had a glimmer and a tear in his eye at the same time. He brushed a hand over his brow and to the back of his head. Stretching he thought to himself for a moment.  ~Man, I can't believe this. I'm gonna be a father. I hope I can do this. It wont be easy at all.`
 
Soo looked at Alex and at Carena. She nodded to Carena to let her friend know she was ok and she was strong enough now to handle this on her own. "Thank you Dr. Ptaquiloside. If you do not mind I would like a moment with second lieutenant Orton please."
 
Carena nodded silently, and returned his PADD as she passed him. "Cleared A1 for active duty Mr Orton." Carena then strode gently out of the room, returning to her office.
 
Turning back to the father of her unborn child she flashed a smile at him. "Alex I am fine. I have been sleeping well and have been feeling fine. Right now I want you to concentrate on the mission and just come back safely. For me and our child. I just have a little more to finish up here and then I will be going back to my quarters to rest and relax. Thank you for your concern though."
 
Giving Soo-kara a look of concern he pulled her to his chest embracing her again. "Look, I'm not like some of our friends we grew up with. You know I'm not. I won't leave you to go through this on your own. You have me. I will be here for you and for our child no matter what.."
 
Soo let out a sigh of relief as a tear fell from her eye. "I know Alex. You never were like any of the other guys we grew up with or hung out with." 
 
Letting his friend go and stepping back he straightened his uniform a final time. "Are you sure you are ok? I don't mind staying here with you and the other doctor and helping you finish up what you need to finish."
 
Soo wiped the tear from her face and brushed a piece of her pink tousels back into place. "No need for you to stay. Go check in with whomever you need to and get yourself situated in your personal quarters before you have to deploy with the away teams."
 
Alex nodded in acknoledgment. "Yeah I better do that. I hope we can talk more a little later."
 
He put his hand on the doctors shoulder in a reassuring manner as he turned to leave sickbay.
 
Soo smiled at Alex. She leaned into him, stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Yes that would be acceptable. I will find you later."

(Reply none needed)
(Posted by Sheena and Mark)
(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Outpost CO, Commander Marcus Simms - 1811)
 
There was a certain hesitation in Lo'ren that Simms couldn't quite place. A concern perhaps. 
 
"Sir, I don't know if that's such a good idea - Captain Straton will have certain... expectations of me as her former 2O and Tactical Chief. I don't think she will confuse the issue, but others on the ship might." She finally replied.
 
"I'm aware of your past service lieutenant. In fact, it's the main reason that I want you on that team. " he replied and then sighed. "Look, we're in a bad position here.  I need someone I can trust and that Straton will accept as competent. Someone with a level head and a honest-to-god supply of actual common sense. The last thing I want to send with them is  one of the science staff or one of the junior security officer. Unless there's some professional reason that you can't perform this task, then you're stuck with it. So if there is, you'd better come clean now."
 
(reply T'Vof)
Daniel Greene
(USS HADES-Outside Straton's office-2L Alexander Orton-1900)
 
The marine looked around the corridor outside of the captains office. ~Fairly ordinary.~ He looked at the PADD in his hand with his orders on it. ~Ok so the captain is a former marine herself. This should be interesting~
 
He chimed in and awaited a response. 
 
(Reply Straton)
 
The door opened to the captain's office. He stepped through the door and walked toward a woman with red hair. She was tall and very beautifully poised. "Goodevening. Second Lieutenant Orton reporting for duty sir."
 
(Reply Straton)
 
She had a stern look about her face as she spoke. Alexander understood the pressure she must be under with the mission fast approaching. "I am sorry I was not here sooner. I understand that this may pose a problem for me on the away team. But rest assure I am fully capable sir."
 
(Reply Straton)
(Posted by Sheena)


(USS HADES - FO’s Office  - FO LtCmdr Bracken -  2100)
 
Dale strode into her office, and took a seat, wishing that she’d had the foresight to grab a coffee before she did so. Sighing gently, she stood up, ordered her customary drink, took a large sip, and then sat back down at her desk, picking up the first PADD.
 
She raised her eyebrows gently as she began to read through the bio of a new Officer to her Department. 
 
“Ensign Doenitz, please report to the FO’s Office.”
 
(Reply Doenitz)
 
NRPG: I’m going to assume that this is ok – any issues ping me and I’ll repost.
 
 
“Understood. Bracken out.”
Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 3
Stardate: 2414.01.15

(USS Hades - Doenitz's personal quarters - ASci 2100)

Jacob rolled his head slowly, cracking his neck several times as he turned back towards the pile of datacards on his bed. Some said the strength of an empire was measured by its bureaucracy. He was beginning to lament the ironic truth of that statement.

The intercom in his wall chirped loudly, breaking him from the his languid stretch. “Ensign Doenitz, please report to the FO’s Office.”

"First Officer..." he sighed heavily, blowing out his cheeks. He'd seen enough people today to know there were three camps: those who thought his family name a condemnation, those who walked around him on eggshells, and the last group, and the few who managed to not care, like the conn officer from earlier. He tapped his commbadge "On my way, ma'am."

"Understood. Bracken out."


 
(USS HADES - FO’s Office  - FO LtCmdr Bracken -  2105)
 
Dale sat back in her chair, enjoying the peace, her coffee slowly going cold despite her attempt to drink it before she did so. 
 
A few short moments later the chime rang on the door. 
“Enter.” She called out.
 
A young dark haired ensign walked in, Dale smiled as he approached the desk, standing up as she didso, offering out her hand in welcome. She knew that his surname had caused issues, Dale had already decided to steer round that. “Joseph. Welcome.”
 
(Reply Doenitz)
(posted by Mark)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office - ASciO Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2106)

Jacob pinged the door, and it opened a moment later with an invitation. "Enter." He strode up to the startlingly young, attractive woman behind the desk, holding out her hand with a warm smile. "Joseph. Welcome."

He'd already already started to come to attention, and then softened his stance and grasped her hand. "Thank you, ma'am. It's Jacob though."

(reply Bracken)

He smiled slightly, stepping back and coming to a rest stance. "Not a problem, ma'am. How may I be of service?"

(reply Bracken)
(posted by Brian Long)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken - 2107) 
 
He'd already already started to come to attention, and then softened his 
stance and grasped her hand. "Thank you, ma'am. It's Jacob though." 
 
Dale sighed, and smiled apologetically, “Of all the things to get wrong. I’m terribly sorry. Very long day.”
 
He smiled slightly, stepping back and coming to a rest stance. "Not a problem, ma'am. How may I be of service?" 
 
 
Again she smiled, warmly, “no service, I just like to meet new Officers; put faces to names, that sort of thing. Sit, please. Relax, you’re not on trial.”
 
(Reply Doenitz)
 
Dale stood, and stepped over to the tea service at one end of the desk, motioning as she did.
 
“Tea?” She waved to the replicator on the other side of the room. “Help yourself to anything else if you like.”
 
(reply Doenitz IYW)
 
A few seconds later, Dale sat back down, across the desk from the new Science Officer.
“So Jacob, you’re my new ACSO, I’m not sure you’re aware, but at the moment I’m CSO, as well as FO, which is another reason for me to get to know you. Tell me about yourself, your specialty.”
 
(reply Doenitz)
(posted by Mark)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2108) 
 
Again she smiled, warmly, “No service, I just like to meet new Officers; put faces to names, that sort of thing. Sit, please. Relax, you’re not on trial.”
 
Jacob smiled at that. "Of course, ma'am. Much obliged." He said and he sank into one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk.
 
Dale stood, and stepped over to the tea service at one end of the desk, motioning as she did.
 
“Tea?” She waved to the replicator on the other side of the room. “Help yourself to anything else if you like.”
 
"Thank you ma'am. I'd gladly accept, but I think I'll need a little more caffeine for tonight." He rubbed is chin thoughtfully. He knew it was already going to be a long night, especially with the upcoming 2 am planet drop "Coffee, please. One shot of espresso, lots of cream and sugar." The drink whooshed into existence, and he and Dale sat back down across the desk from each other.
 
“So Jacob, you’re my new ACSO, I’m not sure you’re aware, but at the moment I’m CSO, as well as FO, which is another reason for me to get to know you. Tell me about yourself, your specialty.” 
 
Jacob blinked slowly for a few moments, the mug frozen a few inches from his mouth. Assistant Department Head? He'd been on the ship for barely a day... He realized the first officer was still waiting, and so put down the coffee after taking a healthy draw. "Well... my initial training was for conn, but my final forms focused primarily on astral phenomena and astrophysics. My thesis was on using solarformers to expand biospheres in proto and established solar systems, or to prevent coronal mass ejections and premature novas. My hope at this point is to put more focus on something like developing wormholes or other spatial minutia that causes time-space perturbations, since the spatial displacement of stars always seems to be an achor for these." He paused as he replayed that statement in his head, and smiled slightly "That might have been a little more detail than you were requesting." 
 
(reply Bracken)
 
"Well, my only real other focus was xenosociology. It seems like our worst blunders tend to happen because we keep forgetting that humans are not the template for all interaction. Understanding a culture will always define how that culture should be approached." He started to expound again, but caught himself this time "But those are my main two areas. I speak a smattering of a few languages, but I don't have the workings of being a linguist." He searched his thoughts for a moment "That's all I can think of initially, unless there was something specific you were curious about."
 
(reply Bracken)
(posted by Brian Long)
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – FO LtCmdr Bracken - 2110) 
 
"Well... my initial training was for conn, but my final forms focused primarily on astral phenomena and astrophysics. My thesis was on using solarformers to expand biospheres in proto and established solar systems, or to prevent coronal mass ejections and premature novas. My hope at this point is to put more focus on something like developing wormholes or other spatial minutia that causes time-space perturbations, since the spatial displacement of stars always seems to be an achor for these." He paused and smiled slightly "That might have been a little more detail than you were requesting." 
 
Dale smiled, and shook her head, “not a problem, interesting to know actually.”
 
"Well, my only real other focus was xenosociology. It seems like our worst blunders tend to happen because we keep forgetting that humans are not the template for all interaction. Understanding a culture will always define how that culture should be approached." He started to expound again, but caught himself this time "But those are my main two areas. I speak a smattering of a few languages, but I don't have the workings of being a linguist." He searched his thoughts for a moment "That's all I can think of initially, unless there was something specific you were curious about."
 
“Not at all Jacob, like I said, I just wanted to meet you. We’re going to be working closely together. Which will be good – mostly.”
 
(Reply Doenitz)
 
“I’m a very easy person to get along with Ensign. All I ask is that my team gives everything that they can, and I expect my senior officers, of which you are now one, to remember that your work won’t just be dropped if it isn’t finished at shift change.”
 
(Reply Doenitz)
 
(posted by Mark) 
(USS Hades - First Officer's Office – ACSciO Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 2110)

“Not at all Jacob, like I said, I just wanted to meet you. We’re going to be working closely together. Which will be good – mostly.”

Jacob stiffened slightly. "I see ma'am. I hope to live up to your expectations." He till wasn't entirely sure how he would do that, but he still panned to try.

“I’m a very easy person to get along with Ensign. All I ask is that my team gives everything that they can, and I expect my senior officers, of which you are now one, to remember that your work won’t just be dropped if it isn’t finished at shift change.”

That still made him want to shake his head. He was worried he'd be getting junk assignments, or relegated to the proverbial dungeons of the ship. His own department... maybe it was kind of the same thing. "Yes, ma'am." he said crisply. 

(reply Bracken)

(posted by Brian)
 


Mission: Witch Hunt
Day 4
Stardate: 2414.01.16

(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Outpost CO, Commander Marcus Simms - 0115)

Marcus stood overlooking the officers and scientists working at the various stations as he stood and sipped his steaming black Yogua beverage, the local version of Coffee, which he found a pleasant change from the normal replicated sludge that commonly passed for Terran Coffee these days.

The outpost was on the night side of the planet just recently clear of the planet's terminus and well past the twilight hour. As a result, the majority of the long-range sensor activity was underway, scanning every detail of the local environment for as long as they could. Since the loss of Doctor Jansen the outpost had been on complete lockdown. absolutely no one had been allowed out of the outpost, save for the few security patrols right after the initial event. As of today Jansen had now been missing a total of six days, the odds of ever finding her were nearly impossible.

Because of the limits imposed on the ability to collect remote data by sensors on Lertain IV as a result of the high solar radiation levels during daylight hours, the majority of the scientific staff had shifted their schedules to attempt to maximize their available access to the sensors.  Unfortunately the station's designers had not considered the possibility that a half-dozen scientists would ever be forced to use a narrow 13 hour window for their work on only 4 available sensor capable workstations, one of which was dedicated currently to security and operations scans undertaken in an attempt to locate any trace of Doctor Jansen.

As a result tensions between the competing scientists was high and arguments more active than usual. Some of the retorts and jabs made primitive cannibals look amazingly sociable in comparison.

Already his temples ached with the stress and strain of the noise and incessant arguing. despite the ramifications, he was actually looking forward to the arrival of the USS Hades and the pending investigation. At least he knew where he stood with an official inquiry, unlike the position he thought he held among the scientists assigned to his study.

An alarm beep from the security/operations center at the far end of the room caught his attention and  Simms looked up quickly even as his feet carried him over to the station.

"What have you got?" he asked, hopeful for news on Jansen. 

"A federation starship, with registry transponder codes identifying her as the USS Hades has just assumed orbit." Peterson replied, "They've taken a relative fixed orbit that will keep them on the dark side of the planet."

Simms nodded, "excellent, looks like their Captain knows what they're doing. That's encouraging."

Peterson nodded, "yes sir."

There was a moment where neither man spoke, each understanding the next step that was to come.

"They're hailing us, sir." Peterson reported.

He looked up at the main screen and paused before ordering the communication be sent there. The scientists using that screen would murder him if he interrupted their work again. instead he stepped over to one of the smaller wall monitors. "Put it through here." he ordered.

The image was replaced by a Klingon officer in a starfleet uniform.

(reply H'retor)

"This is commander Marcus Simms, CO of the Outpost.  What can I do for you, lieutenant?"

(reply H'retor)

"Understood. notify your captain that will transmit approach vector data to your shuttlecraft so that we avoid any unwanted eye on your approach.  I will personally meet your team upon heir arrival."

(reply H'retor)

"Simms out."

With the channel closed, Marcus stepped back over to the security station and sighed it was going to be a long day.

(reply H'retor)
Daniel Greene

(USS Hades, Corridor, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae,  01:20)

Mil walked down the corridor, that feeling was raising up in him again; the ship felt like the internal dampners had been turned off.  He stopped at Dragovars door and pressed the chim. The door eventually slid open

"I am NOT eating that stuff again, give me field rations anytime!" Mil kept looking at his feet

(Reply Dragovar)

"Yes I'm sure, shift I need a drink!" 

(Reply Dragovar) 

Mil barged past Tallac and continued walking to the replicator, he had already drunk 3 coffees and needed the one thing to calm his stomach after the onslaught of local cuisine the day before.  

"Ginger tea!" Mil ordered. The drink arrived and after taking a sip he turned

"Recovered?"

(Reply Dragovar)

(Reply Dragovar)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)

(Lertain IV - Observation Post 'The House', Command Center – Scientist, Jenna Harper - 0116)

Jenna was conducting a very inefficient long-range scan of the nearest inhabited township to the outpost when she overheard Peterson report that the Hades had arrived in orbit.

Certain that no one could see what she was doing, she activated the espionage program that the Cardassians had provided to her just prior to her arrival on this planet.  It had served her faithfully as a covert means to communicate with her handler without worry of detection, especially since the program added a layer of encryption to an outgoing communications packet which was designed to imitate the interference caused by the planet's inherently active ionospheric auroras.

In this case it was a short message, that advised her handler that the Hades had arrived to investigate and that personnel would be coming down by shuttle craft. She completed the short message just in time for it to piggyback on Simms outgoing communications. 

Smiling inwardly, she then purged the computer logs of the event and quickly resumed her work. As long as she reported in as required, there would be no worry about the welfare of her son. She'd been cooperative and once this mission was over, she had been promised that her some would be released.

In the end, it isn't matter to her what happened to the Lertani, as much as what might happen to her son. Her maternal instincts could not allow her to let any harm come to him, not when she could feed the Cardassians nearly useless scientific data in exchange for his safety.

(reply none)
Daniel Greene


(USS Hades, Corridor, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar,  01:22)
 
Dragovar opened the door, and grinned at Mil, obviously feeling a bit ill after his meal from ten forward.
 
"I am NOT eating that stuff again, give me field rations anytime!" Mil kept looking at his feet
 
“I quite enjoyed mine, the spiced sausage made from the local version of beef was really good.”
 
"Yes I'm sure, shift I need a drink!" 
 
“Only if you say please.” Dragovar said. 
 
Mil barged past Tallac and continued walking to the replicator, he had already drunk 3 coffees and needed the one thing to calm his stomach after the onslaught of local cuisine the day before.  
 
"Ginger tea!" Mil ordered. The drink arrived and after taking a sip he turned
 
"Recovered?"
 
“Yeah. Ripley’s guys did a good job of my arm in the holodeck, sickbay sealed the wound properly. It is a bit itchy, but it will pass.” Dragovar got a mug of earl grey tea from the replicator and sat at the desk, indicating to Mil the other seat.
 
“How did you fair?” He asked between sips of tea. “I heard you nearly lost someone.”
 
(reply Mil)
 
“We had the old ‘tree in the road’ ambush set up. I thought it might have been a decoy, as they took a couple of hours to attack after we reached the tree. Me and Van Der Brugar had almost cut through the thing before we got hit. We had plenty of time to get organised and set up a perimeter so we knew they were coming.” He summarised the mission. “I killed four and captured 2. The captain said we weren’t taking prisoners. I tied the leader to a tree, and left the other unconscious so he could free him.”
 
(reply Mil)
 
While he listened to Mils account he crossed to the replicator and order a bowl of raspberry ripple ice-cream. “Want anything else?”
 
(reply Mil)
 
“OK.” Dragovar brought the food back to the table. “You have any ideas for the real mission ? Anything glaring we missed?”
 
(Reply Mil)
(Posted by Tim)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae,  01:23)
 
Mil sat in the seat opposite the desk, he looked around at all the weapons and memorabilia in the room ~Tallac must be loving this mission~
 
“How did you fair? I heard you nearly lost someone.” Tallac asked between gulps of tea. 
 
"Yes, Ensign Lynne, she was covering my back whilst we were checking out what turned out to be an ambush. Arrow to the neck; still, that's what training sessions are for, any problems with you guys?" Mil asked and sipped his tea, probably the last one for a while. 
 
Tallac  summarised the mission. “I killed four and captured two. The captain said we weren’t taking prisoners. I tied the leader to a tree, and left the other unconscious so he could free him.”
  
"After the cart, we captured one the rest ran off......obviously we were the more superior force. They seemed to be  ragamuffins; once we put up a fight they soon legged it"  
 
As Mil spoke Tallac stood and went to the replicator "want anything?" He asked. 

"Some banana pancakes would go down a treat, purely for the sugar content!"   
 
Dragovar brought the food back to the table. “You have any ideas for the real mission ? Anything glaring we missed?”

"I'm worried about us relating to the forces, not so much locals but the more educated people; they're bound to notice something is wrong." Mil took a mouthful of pancake and the warm treat slid down his throat. 

"I'm also worried about the medical teams, field medics are ok, most of them are trained fighters, but the doctors, I don't want to be playing bodyguard anymore than I already am."

(Reply Dragovar)

As he listend Mil continued eating and drinking. 

(Reply Dragovar)
(Posted by Mat Hodson) 





(USS Hades, Bridge, Ops, CPO Janey 'Chief' Brown 0125)

Janey walked onto the bridge, she had been monitoring the ships location from the Ops office. As the various officers passed her leaving the turbo lift. She entered the bridge

"Ensign T'Sol, you have the COM," Captain Straton stood and walked to the turbo lift as T'Sol left the tactical station Janey walked out and crossed paths with the Captain

"Ma'am" Janey nodded

(Reply Straton iyw)

Walking to the Ops post she saw Lt H'retor, it was hard not to miss the brute she laughed to herself. 

"Sir, all the duty rosters are in place,  the department is ready for your sign off" She handed him a PADD with a weeks worth of duty shifts. "As requested I've put myself on the night shifts...just incase"

(Reply H'retor)

She allowed H'retor to leave the post and shouted after him

"Good luck sir"

(Reply H'retor iyw)

Smiling Janey returned to the Ops post and brought the various screens. 

(Reply Straton, H'retor, any on Bridge)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)


(USS Hades, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 01:25)

	Eva sat in her command chair and watched as the Hades slid into orbit around
Lertain IV on the night side of the planet.  She was back in her uniform, but the facial
tattoo was still present giving her a more barbaric visage.  

	"Fixed orbit, keep us on the night side of the planet," Eva ordered, she turned to
face Commander Bracken.  "Number One, have the Away Teams assemble in the main shuttle bay
and ensure that all equipment has been loaded onto the shuttle craft.  We will launch
within the hour."  

(Reply Bracken)

	"Lt. H'retor, contact the science outpost and inform of our estimated arrival
time, then head down to the shuttle bay for Away Team duty," Eva continued.  

(Reply H'retor)

	Eva stood and looked around the Bridge as her crew hurried about their duties,
everyone knowing what they needed to do.  She looked over to the Tactical station.

	"Ensign T'Sol, you have the COM," She said with a nod.  She then turned and headed
toward the turbo-lift to get ready to go to the planets surface.  

(Reply Bracken, H'retor, T'Sol, Any)
(Posted by Wes)
(USS Hades, Bridge, FO LtCmdr Bracken, 01:26)
 
	 "Fixed orbit, keep us on the night side of the planet," Eva ordered, she turned to face Commander Bracken.  "Number One, have the Away Teams assemble in the main shuttle bay and ensure that all equipment has been loaded onto the shuttle craft.  We will launch within the hour."  
 
“Aye Sir.” Dale hit her commbadge. “Bracken to away team personnel,We will soon be in fixed orbit around Lertarni, prepare for mission and report immediately to shuttlebay one, shuttle will be leaving within the hour. Load Sergeants, ensure that all equipment is loaded, I’ll be inspecting it in 30 minutes. Bracken out.”
 
Dale closed the channel, and returned her attention to the bridge, moving toward the science station briefly, running her highly trained eyes over the scan data, before moving away to prepare herself for the mission.
 
(Reply any, none)

(USS Hades, Bridge, SO Ensign T'Sol, 0127)
 
T'Sol would have liked to have said that the planet Lertain IV was remarkable from orbit, but the fact that they had purposefully approached this world from the dark side of the planet meant that there wasn't much to see in the way of details. In addition, these people were technologically incapable of building a power grip capable of illuminating their population centers enough to be seen on the view screen. for all intents and purposes the planet would have been nothing more visually than a dark disc had it not been for the multi-hued Auroras that lit up the polar sky.
 
The Auroras were, of course, the result of interaction between the solar winds that pummeled the day side of the planet and the worlds fairly strong magnetic field.  She imagined that at peak times the display of plasma physics would be an interesting event to observe. At the same time the colored dancing streams of excited gases would be most visible from the planet's surface near during twilight hours, preceding and following sunrise or sunset.  Ironically it was that same radiation that would completely disrupt any communications with the away teams while they  were on the surface. That meant that they would be able to communicate with the Hades only once every 13.25658 hours or so, and only at night. During the day and at transition along the planet's terminus, the radiation would be too potent to allow communications.
 
The Hades slipped into a fixed orbit relative to the systems primary star. In this manner, the ship would remain forever in the planet's long umbra and out of direct view from the native population, or at least that was the plan. once the orbit was confirmed, Captain Straton began issuing orders in preparation for the departure of the away team. They would be taking one of the ship's shuttle craft since the same radiations that interfered with comm-signals would wreak havoc on the transporters as well. It would be harder to stay out of sight, but it was an unfortunate truth of the situation.
 
"Ensign T'Sol you have the COM." The captain ordered.
 
"Aye captain. I have the COM. Computer update the ship's logs to show transfer of the COM at this time index."
 
[Logs updated]
 
T'Sol moved forward as the captain and the rest of the senior officers headed for the turbo lift. She respectfully waited until the doors to the lift had closed before settling into the center chair.  It was going to be a very long few days.
 
(reply none)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Bridge, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 01:28)

H'retor was siting at operation, assuming the duty until the away team will be sent. The energy flow, deceleration, impulse engine....everything was running smoothly. H'retor looked at the last calculation of forces vectors by the navigation, but the com officer did it nicely and H'retor could only acquiescence his skill. Once the orbit was stable, H'retor made a last check up to see if everything was flowing normally and it was. H'retor looked at the con and nodded to show his appreciation. At the same moment, the captain Straton started to gave her orders. 

  "Lt. H'retor, contact the science outpost and inform of our estimated arrival
time, then head down to the shuttle bay for Away Team duty," said Eva. 

"Yes Ma'am." replied H'retor. Looking back at his console, H'retor took a look at the actual roster of the station in order to be able to name the officer in front of him. Apparently, that was considered cordial for humans. As he was about to open the communication with the station, H'retor heard a voice very close from him. 

"Sir, all the duty rosters are in place,  the department is ready for your sign off" said the voice.

Turning around, H'retor saw CPO Brown. One second later, and the whole outpost would have heard what she said. One of his ancestor probably slowed him just enough to avoid the shame, thought H'retor gratefully.  


Brown handed H'retor a PADD with a weeks worth of duty shifts. "As requested I've put myself on the night shifts...just incase"


H'retor had promised himself he would be more nice with her, but she was really at a bad timing....He hoped she would realize what was going on, but she wasn't and continued. 


"Good luck sir"


Again, H'retor remained silent. He wanted to say 'good luck too' but at the same time, he expected that the captain was looking at him and would consider inappropriate such talking while he was suppose to contact the outpost. Therefore, H'retor remained silent, almost cold, letting her leave like if he was almost ignoring her. 

H'retor took a brief look to see if she was gone, wanting to be sure she would not start talking at the same moment he would open the communication with the outpost,  and saw at the ops console. As he realized she was looking at him, H'retor fixed her until she moved her attention back to the screen. He knew he was trap, and knowing how much she talks, it was sure the whole ship would know before he even got the time to set things rights. 

~ Not being rude.....not being rude......why do they care so much about people being nice and sympathetic..... This Federation will make me crazy!~ thought H'retor.

Without losing any more second, H'retor opened a communication. 

"Lertain Outpost, it is Lieutenant H'retor from the USS Hades." said H'retor.  

=/\= This is commander Marcus Simms, CO of the Outpost.  What can I do for you, lieutenant? =/\= 

H'retor looked at the roster list. Normally, it was supposed to be (NRPG: Ensign?) Patterson. It was hopeful he only said Lertain Outpost....

"The USS Hades has taken a low orbit around Lertain IV at exactly 0124. We confirm everything has went well, and we are ready to be of assistance. Our away team are getting ready and will be there within one hour. 

=/\=  Understood. notify your captain that will transmit approach vector data to your shuttlecraft so that we avoid any unwanted eye on your approach.  I will personally meet your team upon heir arrival. =/\= replied commander Simms. 

"Understood sir." replied H'retor. 

=/\= Simms out. =/\=

As the communication ended, H'retor made sure he was receiving the vector data. Once received, he copied it on his Padd, and stood up. He took a brief look at CPO Brown and made a small detour to pass just beside her. 

As he remembered a cliche sentence he often heard humans say, he said while passing by : "You will do great."  That sounded awkward.... It was still weird that they needed to be comforted in their role. But H'retor did not tried to understand and rather just did what he was expected to do.  
 

(Posted by Nick)
(USS Hades, Bridge, Ops, CPO Janey 'Chief' Brown, 01:29)

Janey allowed H'retor to move past her, she didn't move. Feeling the awkwardness in his voice as he wished her fell Janey simply smiled.

Sitting in the chair and turning to watch the Klingon leave she spun back round and smiled ~Janey behave!~ 

The last meeting between the two had not been at all a good one, well non of them had. Janey didn't like being put down, but knew that as a Non Com it would continue to happen. Ordinarily Janey would wait till a good moment to announce herself, but she just felt devilish and went with it. 

Tapping a few more buttons on the Ops she slid along the panel to the Conn 

"So you didn't get assigned to the shuttle in the end?" She asked Ensign Tay 

"Not this time, I'm too good apparently!" The red haired Scott replied. 

"Yeh, me too" Janey laughed.

Sliding back to the furthest point of the station Janey checked the orbit and then the power controls 

"All systems within normal parameters Sir." She announced to. T'Sol

(Reply T'Sol iyw)

Grinning again as the look on H'retor she continued to check all the systems. Intrigued at the prospect of increasing the Communication range Janey brought up the displays. 

(Reply T'Sol, any on Bridge)
(Posted by Mat Hodson) 

(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:30)
 
"I'm worried about us relating to the forces, not so much locals but the more educated people; they're bound to notice something is wrong. I'm also worried about the medical teams, field medics are ok, most of them are trained fighters, but the doctors, I don't want to be playing bodyguard anymore than I already am."
 
Dragovar took another spoonful if ice cream before replying. “One idea I had is to cover the wagons, any wounded could be loaded inside, then beamed to the Hades out of sight from everyone, treated or stabilised quickly then beamed back into the wagon.”
 
(reply Mil)
 
“As regards the rest, there is an island, cut off from the mainland for eight months of the year by storms and tidal activity. They are fairly isolated and as such we could explain any gaps in knowledge.” He slid a padd over the desk as he spoke. “All the info on the island. Its called Tragothia, there is a temple there, with a temple guard who have an almost legendary reputation for fighting ability. I hope to trade a little on this reputation to try and keep us out of trouble. The storms started a couple of weeks ago, so it will be months before anyone can confirm identities. Plenty of time to be rescued, or escape if we have to.”
 
He stood and crossed to the replicator. “Refill?” He indicated to Mils mug on the desk.
 
(reply Mil)
 
“Playing bodyguard is what concerns me the most.” He admitted. “Some of the crew have seen too many holo-movies, and think they are Zorro with a blade, or Robin Hood. One marine got a whack to the head in our exercise because he was overly cocky. I managed to stop his attacker, but only just. One of the medics was trigger-happy and fired an arrow which lodged in the back of my shield. Almost shot in the back by my own guy.” Dragovar paused.
 
“We may have to look at limiting the weapons they are provided, to keep them out of the fight, if one develops. We do not have the luxury of enough time to train them further.”
 
(Reply Mil)
(Posted by Tim)
(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 01:45)
 
Tallac took a spoon of ice cream,  “One idea I had is to cover the wagons, any wounded could be loaded inside, then beamed to the Hades out of sight from everyone, treated or stabilised quickly then beamed back into the wagon.”
 
"Sounds like an idea, but I doubt the captain will go with it, remember how she was with your tunic. It is a concern though." Mil took another bite of his pancake.  
 
Tallac slid a PADD across the table showing all the data on Tragothia, he then continued to explain about the island. "The idea of a hard cover is better than just appearing, first contact with primitive species is always going to be hard" 
 
Tallac stood and crossed to the replicator. “Refill?” 

Mil lifted the mug "yeh why not, you must be getting used to the smell of Ginger now!"
 
(reply Tallac iyw)
 
Mil laughed at the prospect of Tallac being taken out by a medic "all that said, Lynne was on of ours and was killed, a trained Security officer. I'm not looking forward to the battles, not at all." 
 
“We may have to look at limiting the weapons they are provided, to keep them out of the fight, if one develops. We do not have the luxury of enough time to train them further.”

Mil took a sip from his fresh cup "I think we need to remember that we are here for an investigation, from what I've picked up the trouble would be until we get to the cities, we should be able to keep most people away from a  small skirmish"

(Reply Tallac) 
 
Mil looked at the time device, almost time to set off. "Have you managed to change my staff?" 
After the holo-mission Mil handed the staff in to get a sharpened end to it, hidden under a disguised cap. 
(Reply Tallac)

"I don't think I want to be caught out off the hook again, I needed a stronger weapon"

(Reply Dragovar)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)

(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:47)
 

Mil lifted the mug "yeh why not, you must be getting used to the smell of Ginger now!"
 
“That’s one smell I will never get used to.” He replied with a grin, setting the refilled mugs down. “Took me almost an hour to wriggle the arrowhead out the back of my shield, I’ve had to replace one of the timbers.”
 
Mil laughed at the prospect of Tallac being taken out by a medic "All that said, Lynne was on of ours and was killed, a trained Security officer. I'm not looking forward to the battles, not at all." 
 
“We may have to look at limiting the weapons they are provided, to keep them out of the fight, if one develops. We do not have the luxury of enough time to train them further.”
 
Mil took a sip from his fresh cup "I think we need to remember that we are here for an investigation, from what I've picked up the trouble would be until we get to the cities, we should be able to keep most people away from a small skirmish"
 
“Here’s hoping. But when have you ever known a mission like this to go without a hitch?” He grimaced. “We never go looking for trouble, it always seems to know exactly where we are.”
 
Mil looked at the time device, almost time to set off. "Have you managed to change my staff?" 

After the holo-mission Mil handed the staff in to get a sharpened end to it, hidden under a disguised cap. 

“I put a metal cap over one end, and a canvas cover to disguise it.” He grabbed the staff from where it had been leaning on the wall and showed Mil. “The other end I put an metal ball, to balance it out better and make it easier to wield” 
 
"I don't think I want to be caught out off the hook again, I needed a stronger weapon"
 
“This one should be fine, just keep a smaller one for close quarters.” Dragovar replied. He noted the time.
 
“Not trying to get rid of you, but we need to get ready to go. First in, last out.”
 
He held out his hand. “Good hunting Mil, remember, pointy bit goes into the other guy.”
 
(reply Mil)
(Posted by Tim)



(USS Hades, Quarters, ATAC, Ensign Tallac Dragovar, 01:49)
 
As Mil turned to leave, Dragovar shook his head at himself. “We forget the transporters are completely useless due to the atmospheric interference. If a medical emergency arose we would have to stabilise them, then extract under cover of darkness.”
 
(reply Mil)
 
“See you in the shuttlebay.”
 
He turned back to the pile of kit sitting on his bed; he was in his element with this mission, and intended to use his knowledge and expertise in this type of weaponry to make the mission succeed.
 
Pulling the sword from the scabbard, he applied alight coat of oil to the blade, wiping it down to prevent and corrosion and to keep it clean. It also meant that the sword slid in and out the scabbard cleanly and easily. Men had died when swords got stuck in the process of drawing them. He looked at the hilt. Instead of the usual plain bar at the bottom, he had re-designed it to follow the rest of his clothing in resembling the head of a Tracknadon, the native wolf. This was the symbol of the island he had selected to use as a cover story, legendary warriors heralded from here, and he intended to use this reputation to his advantage. Two snarling heads made the T at the bottom. His helmet now had the top of a Tracknadon head as the design for the top, with navy gems for eyes, folded back ears and a full set of teeth, the two larger canine teeth were around 10 cm, and they formed the corner of the front visor, while offering protection to the sides of his face. He had also got one of the crew, an artist, to paint the head of a Tracknadon on to the front of his shield. After this mission was over the sword, helmet and shield was going to take pride of place in his collection.
 
“Computer, play music selection. Artist Enya.” He called out. The calming melodies began to ooze from the speakers in the room. 
 
He crossed to the replicator and ordered another cup of tea, than began to dress. Stripping down, he dressed in the local equivalent of shorts and vest, over which he placed his black moleskin trousers and long sleeved shirt. Over this went his chainmail tunic, and royal blue jerkin, with the symbol of the Tracknadon and crossed swords underneath it. Buckling on his sword belt, then strapping the dagger to his right thigh. His remaining kit, shield, bow and arrows and helmet were in the security office, piled with the spare weaponry he needed for the rest of the team.
 
“Computer, skip to track River run, then end music.”
 
A more upbeat track began to play, Deep, quick drums and strings. He stood and listened to it, then strode towards the door. He was ready to go.
 
(reply none)
(Posted by Tim)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley- 0220)
 
Ana strode into the shuttle bay carrying all the supplies that she thought she would need while they were on Lertain IV.  She had prepared as many of the native medicines and remedies, that actually showed medical benefit, as she could prior to needing them. She had carefully arranged them in her two medical supply bags and double checked that she wasn't carrying anything that was contraband.
 
To her outfit, she had added a larger backpack style bag, to which the medical bags were connected by leather straps and buckles. She had decided to add a couple changes of clothes, some local toiletries, a blanket, some rope, a spare dagger another Barda and a local book that she hoped one of the linguists in the group would help her learn to read. there weren't any personal effects that she kept except those obviously native. To be honest, with all the medical poultices and tonics, there really wasn't room for much else. Some local currency and a few gems known to be valuable to the locals were secreted away in various locations on her person and among her goods.  She was as ready to go as she could get. now all they had to do was make their way down to the planet, find the scientist, not get killed by the barbaric locals and make it back home.
 
~easy.~
 
(Reply any)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman- 0222)
 
harry had been somewhat surprised to learn that he would be assisting in an investigation at the outpost on the planet. His primary work would be in assisting the medical staff as they worked on the plague, but it seemed that there would be other duties that he would be performing there as well. He had been ordered to report to the shuttle bay for transport down to the surface of the planet. He had also been told that he could wear his uniform and carry standard equipment.
 
As a result, he was so far the only officer assembled in the bay, among those heading to the surface, that was dressed in a "normal" fashion.  His teal uniform definitely stood out in contrast to the "native" dress worn by some of the assembled officers.  For that matter so did his mobile laboratory, his mobile data port, his computer equipment and all the rest of his tools.  it was almost as if he were standing beside a group of cavemen the difference was so stark.
 
He knew that the new science officer, Doentiz  would be joining him, and he suspected that Williamson would be also, but he wasn't as certain about him. Besides those two, well one really, Harry wasn't clear on who else would be working in the outpost on the planet, but judging from the number of people assembling, there couldn't be too many, otherwise they simply wouldn't fit in the shuttle.
 
(reply Any)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 02:23)
 
Mil shifted his satchel to the other shoulder, there wasn't much in it. He packed a small dagger for eating with, his sword, a compliment of short arrows for his cross bow, the bow its self along with a clay cup and bowl; the cloak also weighed the bag down, he didn't see the point of being fully dressed on the ship and would kit up prior to setting out from the observation station. The leather from the basic suit he was wearing was warm with the heat from the ship ~ little comfort~

He urged to pack a Tri-Corder and a phaser but the thought of the Brig didn't appeal.

Mil walked into the Shuttle Bay, the room was a buzz with officers loading the shuttle, spotting a crewman handed his bag over

"Sorry Sir, all away teams need to have their bags searched by LT Trinin". The crewman handed the bag back

"Oh, right, thank you crewman" Mil raised his eyebrows and walked across to Balyon 

"Sir I believe you're searching bags"

(Reply Trinin)

Mil handed his bag over. 

(Reply Trinin, any)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0224)
 
Baylon had his supplies, equipment and gear ready long before they arrived at the planet, so he had enough time to get some extra rest, since he didn't know how long it might be before he slept properly again, grab some food and have some coffee, working on the same principle. He wasn't looking forward to the local cuisine, but he'd eaten much worse and he sincerely hoped that the local food tasted better than the replicated version that he had tried over the last few days.
 
He had also taken the time to shave his head again, and packed the local version of a straight razor so that he could keep his hair shorn. It wasn't an uncommon practice among the locals, and baylon learned a long time ago that if the locals did it, there had to be a good reason. He suspected that it had to do with parasites such as head lice or similar, and since he didn't relish the idea of having anything like that crawling around in his hair, he decided to go for the low-maintenance approach to prevention. 
 
He stepped through the doors with a purposeful step, taking notice of those that had already arrived and to the maintenance crews running the last steps of the preflight on the shuttle. He was surprised to see some of the ship's personnel in uniform carrying equipment, since he was under the impression that this would be for the away teams only, but then he realized that there could very well be some of the ship's complement heading to the outpost to aid in the search or to help work on the plague that was running rampant on the planet below. it was going to be a crowded ride down to the surface.
 
(reply Any)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, Asst. SciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 0225)

Jacob walked into the shuttle bay. The computer had identified Ensign Doorman as being here, and Jacob had managed to miss him while finishing his in-processing paperwork for the duration of the day. But the department assignment was to be seconded to the medical staff, and that required all hands. He'd checked to make sure he had appropriate gear, but as they'd be more support rather than interacting with the anachronistic culture, he assumed it'd be simpler to wear duty clothes. Tucked into his waistband was a simple tricorder. He thought he still had time to run and get supplies, but his internal clock was thrown far off, and he had to stifle a yawn as he approached the lone shuttlecraft with the yellow-gold shirted officer waiting beside it, along with a small laboratory of equipment, all the while trying not to smile at the group of additional personnel dressed like they were about to head to the holodecks for some creative recreation time. "Ensign Doorman?" he asked inquisitively.

(reply Doorman)

"Yes, sir. I apologize for not getting in touch with you sooner. My transfer orders required a small terrabyte of additional paperwork. I'm assuming you'll want us to accompany you on the shuttle?" He was a little puzzled why they were using a shuttle when the observatory would make another excellent site, and could easily be reached by transporter.

(reply Doorman)

Jacob nodded again "Understood, sir. Is there anything you'd like me to start working on while we're prepping to depart?"

(reply Doorman)
(Posted by Brian Long)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0226)

Harry was just securing the mobile biogen sensor equipment into their heavy duty protective cases when he heard  footsteps approaching behind him. Not thinking anything of it, since there were so many people milling about on the deck, he failed to realize that the footsteps had come to a stop just a few feet behind him.

"Ensign Doorman?" a man's voice asked inquisitively.

Harry nodded as he secured the last of the fasteners on the obstinate latch of the protective clamshell crate before turning to face the new comer. "Yes that's right." He replied as he looked over the new arrival, "Are you Doenitz?"

"Yes, sir. I apologize for not getting in touch with you sooner. My transfer orders required a small terrabyte of additional paperwork. I'm assuming you'll want us to accompany you on the shuttle?"

Harry glanced past the ma's shoulder looking for the other person referred to him his statement, shrugged and then decided that he must be referring to Williamson. "Yeah, assuming we can get all the equipment and ourselves onto the shuttles with the pretend Neanderthals." He bobbed his head towards the group of officers dressed in the native garb, keeping his face as serious as possible for as long as he could. After a few moments of effort though he cracked a smile. It was just too much for him to hide the humor he felt at seeing the away team dressed that way.

"Understood, sir. Is there anything you'd like me to start working on while we're prepping to depart?" Doenitz asked.

Harry scrunched up his face in thought. ~Guess the joke wasn't as funny as I thought~ he considered before answering.

"Sure, I could use some help packing up the mobile equipment in the heavier and much more secure transport crates. As crowded as our trip is likely to be, the last thing I want is for someone to knock over the particle spectrograph or the nucleotide sequencer with them packed in the standard mobile crates."

He made a broad sweeping hand gesture towards the equipment that was still in need of repacking. "All help is appreciated and readily accepted." he added for good measure.

(reply Doenitz)

Harry took a quick glance around to see who might be in earshot and seeing no one, he then addressed Doenitz in a lessened tone.

"Mister Doenitz, there is one other little detail that I think you should be aware of." He began. 

(reply Doenitz)

"Well you may be new to the ship, but your position as Assistant Department head outranks my rank grade. You are my superior officer now sir, so you don't have to ask me for orders, you should be giving them to me." He stated, "Unless of course you were given orders to the contrary?"

(reply Doenitz)

"Well I just wanted to mention it, because I can imagine that you are already going to have a very hard time of things considering the history of your family. There's no need to make things any more complicated for you or the department by not following proper chain of command."

(reply Doenitz)

"I understand. I can only guess what it must be like for you. I lost both of my parents and a great deal of my own identity as a result of your great-uncles purges. But I have come to terms with that a long time ago and I am willing to nurture the belief that you are a person different than your relation, and that until you prove otherwise that you should be accorded the same respect and trust as anyone. If you can accept that and be your own man, you and I should get along well, but I can also assure you that some of the officers and crew on this ship may not be as forgiving as I am, they all lost people during the Civil War, and a good many of them, like Myself, had a starship ripped out from under them."

(reply Doenitz)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ASciO Ensign (jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0226.5)

Jacob listened as the other officer motioned at the cargo scattered in grouped piles around the deck. "Sure, I could use some help packing up the mobile equipment in the heavier and much more secure transport crates. As crowded as our trip is likely to be, the last thing I want is for someone to knock over the particle spectrograph or the nucleotide sequencer with them packed in the standard mobile crates. All help is appreciated and readily accepted." he added for good measure.

Jacob nodded. He'd have normally cracked a smile at least at the joke, but between coming up on hour 15 of his opening day and the pins and needles feeling of trying to make a good impression with everyone he met, he couldn't have found his sense of humor with a SAR team and a state of the art sensor suite. He suddenly noticed the other science officer's face grow serious, and he was bracing himself for a gentle chiding at he leaned a little closer "Mister Doenitz, there is one other little detail that I think you should be aware of." Jacob cocked his head to one side in puzzlement. He'd not had an opportunity to fully brief, but he had gone over the archived mission logs fairly well. "Well you may be new to the ship, but your position as Assistant Department head outranks my rank grade. You are my superior officer now sir, so you don't have to ask me for orders, you should be giving them to me. Unless of course you were given orders to the contrary?"

Jacob nodded slightly "I don't think my position has been fully defined yet. But even if that were the case, you've got the much better experitse and training time with the rest of the situation, so I'd be deferring to you for a while anyway."

"Well I just wanted to mention it, because I can imagine that you are already going to have a very hard time of things considering the history of your family. There's no need to make things any more complicated for you or the department by not following proper chain of command."

Jacob's face darkened slightly, but that was all. If nothing else, the number of people he'd come across who decided to be silently bitter and resentful still stood at an astounding zero. And he still appreciated the candor. "I appreciate that. I think it's just a matter of my feeling out my boundaries on my first deployment."

"I understand. I can only guess what it must be like for you. I lost both of my parents and a great deal of my own identity as a result of your great-uncles purges. But I have come to terms with that a long time ago and I am willing to nurture the belief that you are a person different than your relation, and that until you prove otherwise that you should be accorded the same respect and trust as anyone. If you can accept that and be your own man, you and I should get along well, but I can also assure you that some of the officers and crew on this ship may not be as forgiving as I am, they all lost people during the Civil War, and a good many of them, like Myself, had a starship ripped out from under them."
 
Jacob shook his head slowly "Your not the only ones. I was still a kid on Proxima Centauri when we had to rip up stakes and move to San Francisco." He paused "Move is the wrong word. I was just teleported out of bed onto a starship, and I woke up in orbit around Earth. My parents were constantly afraid. I was 9. I thought the Borg or the Dominion had broken through the outer markers, and we were running for our lives. I was 15 when I finally figured out the reason we had so much security. It wasn't for our protection. It was to ensure that no one could get to a member of the family, to gain a psychological or intelligence advantage. I had standing... orders... to report on the activities of my classmates, in case their families tried to influence me." He sighed heavily "And so no one could try to convince me or my father to poison my uncle."
 
(reply Doorman)
 
He cleared his throat heavily "Ah well, Cest la vie. I'm like Edwin Wilkes Booth. Trying to help pick up the pieces after the old American Civil War, and make it up to the rest of the country for his brothers rampant evil." He looked around to make sure no one had tried to wander into the conversation. "Still, I hope to prove that Doenitz's in uniforms aren't all tyrants in their larval stage." He cleared his throat again, and tried to crack a smile "Regardless, lets see if we can't Tetris our runabout sized cargo into our shuttle. Do we have a schedule for when we land? I only know the situation in a general sense, but have we already gotten orders for where helping to save people becomes influencing the culture?"
 
(reply Doorman, any)
(posted by Brian)


(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Holland - 0227)

Pete stepped back while some uniformed crew moved a larger piece of
equipment. ~Scanners I'll bet.~ He was half supervising this and half
checking his own gear. The word had come to him that he would be heading
to the surface and may be needed either in the field or at the 'House' as
it was called.

~Outpost works just as well, if you ask me.~ Pete wasn't one for
subterfuge. Shaking his head, he trailed the the two who were grunting
over their load.
"Jones, watch your step behind." He cautioned as he walked by Lukas Jones,
who was about to topple himself and Lisa Turnmeier with a misstep off the
ramp. Pete shoved him into alignment as he chided the pair of junior
engineers, "Talk to each other, neither of you is a telepath."

Pete walked over to Lt. Trinin, who was wearing his hair rather... short.
"That's some fashion statement, Mister Trinin."

(reply Trinin)

Pete had opted to a ponytail, bringing back personal memories of his days
on Qo'nos, and was considering keeping it afterwards - that is, if
Collette agreed. He also had a goatee, which he'd had to coax with the
folicle enhancer a fair bit - being blonde meant that his hair was hard to
see on his fair skin and he'd worked hard to cultivate this.

Scratching at the little cosmetics that had been added, Pete dropped his
leather ruksack and bent to secure the long staff.

(reply Any)
(posted by Lori)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0229)

Baylon had been inspecting the personal effects of those that were going on his away team as they arrived. This consisted of going through their equipment and the supplies that they were bringing along. This, of course, had the result of leaving those items in a bit of disarray. Still it was the price you had to pay to get on this mission. He knew that if he didn't make a personal inspection of the personal effects and personally make certain that there were no contraband items, that she'd have his more sensitive parts in a red hot vice.

He had just finished the complete disorganization of the personal equipment belonging to one of the marines when Lieutenant Holland approached him from behind.  Baylon handed the disorganized bag back to the marine who accepted it with a sour look on his face  before turning to look at the new CEO of the Hades.

"That's some fashion statement, Mister Trinin." he said directly.

It took Baylon a moment before he realized that the Klingon-raised Human was referring to his shorn head. 

"Ah.." he said as he raised his palm up and ran it over the smooth dermis of his scalp. "Well, if nothing else it should make the chance of collecting parasites while on the mission. I find that if there are a number of natives that do something in a particular area there's probably a good practical reason for it. While I couldn't exactly identify the reason directly, I figured it couldn't hurt anything." He smiled then, "Besides, it gives me a perfect excuse to carry the local equivalent of the straight razor."

He reached into one of his pants pockets, withdrew the folding bladed tool and flipped it open with a smooth motion. He held it up so that Holland could inspect it. "Nice eh?" he inquired.

(reply Holland)

"I see you're dressed Native, are you on one of the away teams? I didn't see you at the simulation." he asked.

(reply Holland)

"There's a practical reason for my inquiry." Baylon explained, "If you're going to be on one of the search teams, I'll have to go through your equipment and personal effects before you can board the shuttle. I have to make certain that we don't have any contraband tech. If you're going to be in the outpost the entire time, then it doesn't matter and you won't need me to rifle through your stuff."

(reply Holland)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Peter Holland - 0230)

"Ah.." he said as he raised his palm up and ran it over the smooth dermis
of his scalp. "Well, if nothing else it should make the chance of
collecting parasites while on the mission. I find that if there are a
number of natives that do something in a particular area there's probably
a good practical reason for it. While I couldn't exactly identify the
reason directly, I figured it couldn't hurt anything." He smiled then,
"Besides, it gives me a perfect excuse to carry the local equivalent of
the straight razor."

He reached into one of his pants pockets, withdrew the folding bladed tool
and flipped it open with a smooth motion. He held it up so that Holland
could inspect it. "Nice eh?" he inquired.

Pete could appreciate a good blade and examined the native style quickly,
"Very nice, the decoration is especially fine. I assume it shaves close."
Pete let the comment hang in the air with its double meaning.

"I see you're dressed Native, are you on one of the away teams? I didn't
see you at the simulation." he asked.

Pete held out his hands, "I'm not really sure. The Captain's orders told
me to prepare for both. As for the simulation, I was supervising the
creation of the wagons so they could be rigged and dismantled by a five
year old child. The Captain excused me as I was working on mission related
material. Why do you ask?"

Nrpg: Wes, I know you had said no excuses, but this was the fastest and
easiest way to explain Holland not being at the simulation.
Rpg:

"There's a practical reason for my inquiry." Baylon explained, "If you're
going to be on one of the search teams, I'll have to go through your
equipment and personal effects before you can board the shuttle. I have to
make certain that we don't have any contraband tech. If you're going to be
in the outpost the entire time, then it doesn't matter and you won't need
me to rifle through your stuff."

Pete offered up his bag, "Feel free. The contraband, as you put it, is in
that crate over there." Pete pointed to a crate near one of the shuttles.
He'd made sure to separate the native goods strickly into a leather
rucksack.

(Reply Trinin)

"I watched some of the video files of the simulation. Pretty tense stuff.
Are we really expecting that much bloodshed?"

(Reply Trinin)

"I'm not one to shy away." Pete grunted as he narrowed his eyes,
half-ready to step into the Security officer for the remark. He held 
himself back though, reminding himself that he wasn't on a Klingon run
vessel.

(Reply Trinin)
(Posted by Lori)
(USS Hades, Shuttlebay 1 ATAC Ensign Tallac Dragovar – 02:31)
 
Dragovar arrived in the shuttle bay with his gear on an anti-grav sled, along with bundles of arrows, a handful of throwing spears and a couple of spare bows.
 
His role was going to be as  Sur'gal or sergeant of the guard  for a local temple guard unit. He had researched them and found Tragothia, a small island, cut off from the mainland for most of the year by storms. Perfect cover as their identities could not be checked for months if they were captured. The guards from there also had almost legendary reputations, which he hoped would be enough to make all but the most foolhardy opponents think twice. He had to look the part or the leader of one of these squads of guards.
 
He had refined his own personal equipment from the training mission, learning from the omissions there. He had made a helmet for himself, similar in design to a Roman legionary helmet. It was open faced so as not to restrict his vision, with open sections on the side for his ears, so his hearing was also un-impaired. The helmet was formed to be a Tracknadon’s head, which gave the helmet a fearsome, wolf-like appearance, complete with an upper jaw full of teeth. The eyes were two navy-blue gems native to the planet.
 
He changed the cloth trousers he had worn, to black moleskin as this time of year on the planet was the wet season, and they offered more water resistance than the rough cloth. He had also refined his sword, adding ten centimetres to the length of the blade, and a rounded ball on the end of the hilt to help with the balance of the blade. He now wore his hunting dagger strapped to his right hip.  He had kept his bow, and two dozen arrows strapped over his right shoulder, with a small pack on the other side containing food, a waterskin, flints and tinder for fire lighting, a spare string for his bow and a cloth wide brimmed hat. Over the top of all this was his shield on the long strap used as a sling. After the wound he received on the holodeck, he adjusted the chainmail he wore to cover his upper arms.
 
His larger pack, which was going in the wagon, contained his tools for making jewellery, more food and water, some limited medical supplies and whetstones. There were various other little bits and pieces like line and fishing hooks, needle & thread spare clothes and eating utensils. On a last minute whim, he had included his set of panpipes, which he had been learning to play for the last few months. The were virtually identical to a local instrument called a krompon, the only difference being the number of individual pipes on the set, but this could be easily explained away as a regional variation
 
He had used a hair follicle stimulator from sickbay to make his hair grow rapidly, which he now tied back with a leather cord, and also grown a small neatly trimmed beard. 
 
As he arrived next to the shuttle assigned to his team, an engineer came out and  nearly collided with Dragovar. “We have to get this lot in there as well? It is going to be cramped.”
 
“It all needs to go.” Dragovar said, in his deep rumbly voice. “This is travelling light.”
 
(Reply any)
(Posted by Tim)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0231.25)

Holland accepted the offered blade and took the time to give it a thorough examination.  "Very nice, the decoration is especially fine. I assume it shaves close."

"It shaves as close as I'd like." Baylon replied with a smile as he was handed the razor. He folded it closed and slipped it back into his pocket.

Baylon then went on to explain to Holland the need to search his bag for possible contraband. Holland readily handed over his bag and Baylon began the process as the two continued to chat. "Feel free. The contraband, as you put it, is in that crate over there."

Baylon glanced up at the crate which was clearly designated for the outpost and gave a satisfied nod. "I can appreciate someone who has the foresight to be kind enough to point out the location of their contraband." He said smiling. "Nothing in here to worry about though. You did a pretty good job making certain everything was to spec. I've already confiscated a couple of items from the marines. Small things that you just don't think about, nothing intentional. He added.

"I watched some of the video files of the simulation. Pretty tense stuff. Are we really expecting that much bloodshed?"

"These people are primitive. Violence is a way of life for them. In their world, if it's anything like Earth's history, you're either a victim, a slave, or the ruler. And the rulers don't care much for the other two and often make violent examples of them to keep them in check. They're scrapping by on the breadcrumbs of those they serve and sometimes people get desperate. When you're hungry and cold, there are things worth fighting and killing for.  I hope you're not shy when it comes to that sort of thing?" Baylon explained.

"I'm not one to shy away." Holland replied.

"No I wouldn't think you would be. Being raised by Klingons wouldn't allow for a soft upbringing where violence was concerned, I suspect. You'd better get your equipment stowed." Baylon hitched a thumb at the cargo master for the Drop ship. 

(reply Holland iyw)

As holland head to get his equipment, Commander Zzt, entered the shuttle bay and with his usual interesting way of expressing himself made a beeline for the away team. Baylon smiled, because he suspected there would be some sort of interesting question or comment made very soon.  Historically Zzt was just like that. His large crew mate did not disappoint.

The Goliath placed one massive paw upon baylon's shorn scalp and proceeded to rub it quite gently for a creature of his size.  "Where you fur go?" Zzt asked in his broken Federation standard, "You no get cold without fur?"

"Maybe," Baylon replied with a shrug as he gently extracted himself from the massive paw. "But I figured that having no fur would be better than getting some unwanted parasites. Cold I can correct, parasites in your…fur… could be a bit harder to deal with, so I decided to shave it off. But don't worry it will grow back soon enough."

(reply Zzt iyw)

Any conversation with the Ursoid was always bound to be a mixture of confusing, enlightening and entertaining, and this was no exception.  zit finally extracted himself to go stand near the Captain, as she spoke to the technical team in preparation for their excursion to the surface, when Nicolae approached with a heavy leather bag slung over his shoulder.

"Sir I believe you're searching bags?" he asked as he placed the bag on the deck.

"That's right, just one last check to make certain that we aren't taking anything down that could cause issues with the locals. I've already confiscated a few small innocuous items from the marines. Nothing serious, just things that you don't think about like  a pair of boots with metal eyelets, things like that. I had to turn one of the marines to medical, turns out he had an arm tattoo that he forgot to have removed before today." Baylon commented as he carefully searched the bag.

"You have confirmed that the construction of these arrows is consistent with local technology haven't you?" he asked as he set them aside to get to the remainder of the bag's contents.

(reply Nicolae)

"Okay, everything looks good then. I have no complaints and don't see anything questionable. you've done well on the outfit also. You're good to join the away team."

(reply Nicolae)

Baylon noted the arrival of the other members of the away team and motioned to them to  come forward to have their possessions reviewed.

NRPG: I am going to assume that Baylon will search Ana's things off screen. If anyone that has not been searched wants to do it off screen, that's fine as well, but only if we assume that Baylon searched all the possessions belonging to the away teams before they embark.

(reply Bracken, Straton, Dragovar, Nicolae, Holland iyw, Zzt iyw)
Daniel Greene


(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0232)

Jacob shook his head slowly "Your not the only ones. I was still a kid on Proxima Centauri when we had to rip up stakes and move to San Francisco." He paused "Move is the wrong word. I was just teleported out of bed onto a starship, and I woke up in orbit around Earth. My parents were constantly afraid. I was 9. I thought the Borg or the Dominion had broken through the outer markers, and we were running for our lives. I was 15 when I finally figured out the reason we had so much security. It wasn't for our protection. It was to ensure that no one could get to a member of the family, to gain a psychological or intelligence advantage. I had standing... orders... to report on the activities of my classmates, in case their families tried to influence me." He sighed heavily "And so no one could try to convince me or my father to poison my uncle."

Harry regarded the man before him. He certainly had not had an ideal life. "I imagine that must have been difficult to deal with." He replied, uncertain what else he could say.

Jacob cleared his throat heavily "Ah well, Cest la vie. I'm like Edwin Wilkes Booth. Trying to help pick up the pieces after the old American Civil War, and make it up to the rest of the country for his brothers rampant evil." He looked around to make sure no one had tried to wander into the conversation before continuing, "Still, I hope to prove that Doenitz's in uniforms aren't all tyrants in their larval stage." He cleared his throat again, and tried to crack a smile "Regardless, lets see if we can't Tetris our runabout sized cargo into our shuttle. Do we have a schedule for when we land? I only know the situation in a general sense, but have we already gotten orders for where helping to save people becomes influencing the culture?"

Harry sighed heavily, "To be honest I haven't been told too much about the set-up planet side. I know that there is a scientific outpost that we'll be using. And that we're supposed to remain invisible to the population at all costs. We'll be acting as an intermediary, between any personnel collecting data on the Away Missions and the ship's science and medical departments.  Running models, projections and helping with the study, classification and physiological characteristics of the plague.  I don't know exactly who is in command at the outpost for that portion of the mission, but I am certain we'll find out soon enough. I suppose the first stage will be unloading equipment and setting up a mobile lab in the outpost. Then I am hopeful to be given a bit more information. I think our part of this was a last minute addition, since I wasn't given any sort of advanced warning about transporting down. I was told that I'd be helping of course, but I thought it would be from the Hades."

(reply Any, Doenitz iyw)
Daniel Greene
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 0233) 


As soon his job was completed on the bridge, H'retor had joined the away team on the shuttle. He had been silent, observing his battle axe and mentally imagining combat scenes on the planet in which he was killing his enemy one after the other. However, he was brought back to reality when he heard the word Doenitz. As the word was pronounced, he could not avoid but think about the Battle of sector 001 against the force of Doenitz. H'retor remembered perfectly the combat. The IKS SuvwL’Vaj destroyed several Doenitz ship in this battle, but also the moment when the ship was caught between Doenitz force and was heavily damaged. Atmospheric pressure failing, some of his fellow Klingons expelled of the ship by the force of the explosions, as well as the moment on the bridge where he remembered perfectly looking at his father, and then at the view screen, seeing those Doenitz ships closing by, knowing they had only a few seconds to live. It was hopeful, the USS Hades was there and saved them from a sure death, an heroic action that H'retor will always have in memory, but the name of Doenitz remembered him all that....all the suffer he endured during the conflict. There were no people more cowards than Doenitz, and the hate H'retor had for Doenitz was almost as high as the hate he had for the Romulans. 

As he listened to Jacob Doenitz story, caught in the hate for such a name, H'retor finally could keep himself silent. As soon as Doorman ended, H'retor spoke (NRPG: Sorry, but H'retor couldn't remain silent with a Doenitz beside him talking about his past).


"Your talking like if you had no choice and decision and as if it was put upon you. But no man is tight up, and if you are indeed revolted against you great uncle, then why haven't you poisoned him or killed him? At 15, you were strong and mature enough to accomplish such act, and as you seem to have failed to do so, I question your honor. I know that if my father, or the leader of my house was such a Tyran and despot as your great uncle was, I would have never feared to kill him and even if there was a probability I would have died trying to do so, I would have nevertheless done whatever I could to kill him. Cause as much as there is a huge honor giving your life to kill a Tyran, there is such dishonor following the command of such a Tyran without challenging him, and never I would allow myself to such dishonor. Why haven't you tried killing him? Cause if you want to depart from your family name, then this is the question you must answer? Why have you not, or why have your father not have tried to kill him?"


(Reply Doenitz, or any)



(Posted by Nick)


(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, Lt. Commander Zzt, 0233.5)

	Zzt walked into the Shuttle Bay, with Captain Straton hot on his heels.  Zzt was
walking quickly to stay as far our of the Captain's way as he could.  As he caught sight
of the Away Team members dressed in local garb, he detoured right over to them.  He
started sniffing member in turn chuckling under his breath each time.  

	"You all smell funny," He said to no one in particular.  He then came to Lt.
Trinin and a puzzled expression crossed his face.

	"Where you fur go?"  Zzt asked, rubbing the top of Trinin's head with one paw.
"You no get cold without fur?"

(Reply Trinin)
Posted by Wes)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CO Captain Eva Straton, 0234)


Eva strode into the Shuttle Bay resisting the temptation to swat Commander Zzt in the rump
with her quarterstaff to hurry him along even faster.  She stopped just inside the door
and took in the group of assembled crew members.  

	"Lt. Holland, Ensign Doenitz, Ensign Doorman, Ensign Williamson and Security Team
Charley, front and center!"  Eva snapped in her Marine CO voice, loud and brooking no
arguments.

	"Number One, start loading people on the shuttle," Eva said, looking over at
Commander Bracken.  


(Reply Those mentioned above)
(NRPG:  Yes, I am tossing Williamson in this group as well.)

	"Lt. Holland," Eva continued once everyone she'd called had assembled in front of
her.  "You will be in charge of the investigative team looking into the science out and
their personnel."  Eva indicated everyone present.  "I have already informed Ensign T'Sol
to prepare quarters on the Hades for all members of the outposts staff during the duration
of your investigation.  You will be reporting anything out of the ordinary directly to
Ensign T'Sol.  You are to go through the outposts computer and engineering systems with a
fine tooth comb.  Rip them apart if you have to, but if any one in that out post is
responsible, or may know what happened to our missing scientist I want you to find it. You
are authorized to employ Commander Zzt's expertise on the surface, if you feel you need
it, but keep a CLOSE eye on him.  Don't need him wandering off to get lunch and end up
getting discovered by any natives.  

	"Ensign Doenitz and Doorman, while assisting Lt. Holland you two will also be
correlating and transferring data collected by the Away Teams to the Hades when
communication is possible.  You two will also need to go over the sensor logs of the out
post to look for anything out of the ordinary.  Questions?"

(Reply Holland, Doorman, Doenitz, Williamson)

(NRPG:  Leaving room here for any questions)


	When Eva had answered all the questions she waved toward the shuttle with one
hand.  As they all loaded onto the shuttle, she turned to look at Commander Zzt who was
still standing outside the shuttle.  

	"Your positive the cloak on this thing will work?" She asked him. 

	Zzt only nodded in reply not liking the way the Captain, dressed in local garb and
wielding that big nasty stick, was looking at him.

	"For your sake it better," She replied before waving him away with one hand.  She
then turned and boarded the shuttle.  She looked around at how cramped everyone was.
~Almost like a marine drop ship.~  She thought to her self as she cycled the door closed. 
	"Lift off whenever your cleared," She yelled toward the front of the shuttle as
she found an empty seat and sat down.

(Reply All on AWAY TEAM, Any)
(Posted by Wes)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ACSciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0234.25) 

"Your talking like if you had no choice and decision and as if it was put upon you. But no man is tight up, and if you are indeed revolted against you great uncle, then why haven't you poisoned him or killed him? At 15, you were strong and mature enough to accomplish such act, and as you seem to have failed to do so, I question your honor. I know that if my father, or the leader of my house was such a Tyran and despot as your great uncle was, I would have never feared to kill him and even if there was a probability I would have died trying to do so, I would have nevertheless done whatever I could to kill him. Cause as much as there is a huge honor giving your life to kill a Tyran, there is such dishonor following the command of such a Tyran without challenging him, and never I would allow myself to such dishonor. Why haven't you tried killing him? Cause if you want to depart from your family name, then this is the question you must answer? Why have you not, or why have your father not have tried to kill him?"
 
~At last, a challenger appears~ Jacob still felt his face start to flush and his pulse begin to cycle up several octaves at hearing the deep baritone of the Klingon lieutenant. He drew a slow, deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart, his fight or flight responses held in check by training, though his hand struggling not to clench into fists. "With all due respect... sir, I can't really respond to a senior officer in the manner that such a question would require." ~I at least said sir.~

(reply H'retor)
 
"In that case, sir, let me ask, how exactly would I have accomplished such a thing? I had no weapons, no training, no security access or personal allowances to see the Admiral when he was in power. And I certainly wasn't under his command. He didn't have family dinners to gloat either. I only ever saw the man once that was not over holocommunications. My father was an intelligence analyst, and was unfortuante enough to bear the name, but he lived in constant paranoia about being vanished for... whatever reason would have been seen fit. And my mother was an archeologist. I couldn't exactly wander into Starfleet Command, one of the most heavily defended and fortified structures in the quadrant, and ask to speak with the Admiral in order to challenge him to a duel. The only reason we were even moved to Earth was because of our 'potential intelligence value.' I was half a continent away, isolated, unarmed, and under surveillance by enemy security, and there was no potential allies for a hundred miles, as everyone would've assumed I was probing for traitors if I asked for help. I would have mysteriously disappeared like several hundred other people did if I'd tried to teleport to San Francisco." 
 
He absentmindedly reached up to scratch at the scars covering covering the left side of his neck and head. "So, coming from an accomplished warrior, how would one engage in battle under such circumstances?
 
(reply H'retor)
(posted by Brian)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ATAC Ensign Mil Nicolae - 0235)

Baylon set aside the arrows "You have confirmed that the construction of these arrows is consistent with local technology haven't you?" He carried on searching the bag as Mil spoke. 

"Yes sir, all local materials, I've had the science team double check aswell. 

"Okay, everything looks good then. I have no complaints and don't see anything questionable. you've done well on the outfit also. You're good to join the away team."

Mil moved across to the shuttle bay, the captain was talking to a new crewman along with Peter. Walking into the shuttle Mil noted how cramped it was, he placed his bag in the storage area along with his staff. 

He took a seat next to Ensign Lynne and McManns, watching the Captain take her seat Mil turned to Lynne "try and stay alive this time" Mil grinned. 

"Yes sir, top priority!" Lynne turned to McManns and raised her eyebrows. 

The captain ordered the shuttle to take off, the ship jolted and Mil settled in for the ride. 

(Reply None)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)  



(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1 - CEO Lt. Peter Holland – 0236.5)
"Lt. Holland, Ensign Doenitz, Ensign Doorman, Ensign Williamson and
Security Team Charley, front and center!" The Captain bellowed in a no
nonsense tone that stopped Peter's pending comment to his hairy friend and
had him moving quickly to stand in front of her as she shouted further
orders to the FO. He held his rucksack with one hand, careful not to crack
it against anyone or anything.

The Captain ran down the orders for the team and what he was to do. While
he was slightly disappointed about being outpost bound, mostly because
he'd taken time out to prepare native garb and such, his would enjoy
crawling through a different set of systems.

"Questions?" The Captain opened the floor and Pete lost no time.

"Captain, is there any type of information that you would want to know
about directly when found?" A treasure hunt was useless without a goal in
mind - no matter how many gems there were.

(Reply Straton, Williamson, Doorman, Doenitz, all mentioned)

Pete listened to the other questions, but was also thinking of how the
heck to keep a 200 pound bear from wandering off for a take-out lunch.
(reply any mentioned, any)
(posted by Lori)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor - 0236)

The fact the new ensign was stressed and intimidated by H'retor was difficult to miss. H'retor always hoped to see people with strong character, not afraid to fight for their honor, but again, H'retor felt in the nostalgia of hoping to see some warrior while all he found was officer too polite to cause any fear, as was proven by the ensign reply:

 "With all due respect... sir, I can't really respond to a senior officer in the manner that such a question would require." 

H'retor replied : "With that kind of answer, ensign, you are right you are not at all like your great uncle. But bravery is find at any size and any age, and I still question your honor. And even if you are on a starfleet ship, I expect of you that you will not be afraid to defend yourself."

"In that case, sir, let me ask, how exactly would I have accomplished such a thing? I had no weapons, no training, no security access or personal allowances to see the Admiral when he was in power. And I certainly wasn't under his command. He didn't have family dinners to gloat either. I only ever saw the man once that was not over holocommunications. My father was an intelligence analyst, and was unfortuante enough to bear the name, but he lived in constant paranoia about being vanished for... whatever reason would have been seen fit. And my mother was an archeologist. I couldn't exactly wander into Starfleet Command, one of the most heavily defended and fortified structures in the quadrant, and ask to speak with the Admiral in order to challenge him to a duel. The only reason we were even moved to Earth was because of our 'potential intelligence value.' I was half a continent away, isolated, unarmed, and under surveillance by enemy security, and there was no potential allies for a hundred miles, as everyone would've assumed I was probing for traitors if I asked for help. I would have mysteriously disappeared like several hundred other people did if I'd tried to teleport to San Francisco." 

 "So, coming from an accomplished warrior, how would one engage in battle under such circumstances? added Doenitz.

H'retor listened to Jacob explanation. He was probably right on the fact he was too young and had not the opportunity to do anything, but H'retor still questioned his father and mother who could not rely on their age or means to explain they did nothing. 

 "I can understand your father might not have succeeded, but giving up is not worthy of any warrior. He might have been killed, but his action and his bravery would be at the heart of every human being and as no one would have feared him, together, they might have prevented what happened. For that, your father gave up to fear and his honor will always share part of the blood caused by his uncle. And don't say it is a Federation thing. What Klingon call honor, Federation calls it Freedom. And you have plenty of human generals and politicians who have condemned what I am condemning right now. That the people who, to save their life, are ready to accept slavery are not worthy of being free. So answer me frankly ensign, don't you think freedom is worth dying for and that your father would have been better dead and free than alive and having remained silent in front of those atrocities? "

(Reply Doenitz)


(Posted by Nick)
 


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost FO Lt.
Lo’ren T’Vof - 03:13)
Lo’ren stood there next to Simms, waiting for the shuttle to arrive. She
could feel the thrum of the engines and watched the shuttle materialise.

~Zzt' work no doubt~ Lo’ren knew the great bear was still on board and
wondered was mischief he’d been into recently.

Once the door was down, Captain Straton emerged shouting orders over her
shoulder as she beelined for Simms and Lo’ren. She looked very unhappy to
be in this situation.

"Commander Simms," as Lor'en suspected, Straton was all business, "I am
Captain Eva Straton. By order of Star Fleet Command, I will be taking
command of this out post and the investigation into your missing
scientist." She pulled a PADD containing said orders out from under her
cloak and handed it to Simms.

"In order to ensure the integrity of our investigation, you and your
entire staff will be transported to the Hades where you will all be
confined to quarters till we have completed our investigation." Lor'en
felt the ice in that gaze as the Captain turned it on her. "With the
exception of Lt. T'Vof. She will be joining my team in searching for your
missing scientist. Any Questions?"

Lor'en held her tongue and waited for Commander Simms to speak.

(Reply Simms, Straton, room for more)

Brooking no happiness for seeing her old CO, Lo’ren stayed in business
mode. “Captain, I can see that you intend this investigation to be
undercover. With your permission, I need a short amount of time to get
ready.” Lo’ren was thinking of her ridges and ears more than anything, but
she couldn’t very well travel away from the House without proper gear
either.

(Reply Simms, Straton, room for more)
(posted by Lori)


(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0238)

Lieutenant H'retor obviously possessed excellent hearing for  Klingon, but it was possible that the conversation had not been nearly as private as either Harry nor Jacob had anticipated. H'retor made his opinion of Doenitz very clear.

The comments were pointed, blunt and somewhat disrespectful, exactly the sort that Harry would have expected from a klingon, although he would have hoped that the Lieutenant would have managed to be a bit more tactful as a result of his time spent in the federation. It was apparent that Harry's expectations were a bit more than the reality of the situation allowed.

As soon as the Klingon Operations officer had finished insulting the newest member of the Hades crew, Harry felt his irritation at the inappropriate handling of the situation, and for a change Harry decided to take a stand. It was something that just happened more than was considered or thought about.

The Junior Officer stepped between the two men before Doenitz even had a chance to reply to H'retor and made his opinion well known.

"With all due respect, sir." he began, bringing himself to his full and not particularly impressive height. "I'd say at least Mister Doentiz is cultured and honorable enough not to go out of his way to be sneaky and subversive enough to allow him to overhear another person's private conversation. I thought that klingons didn't normally like sneaking around and spying on people?"

The more that Harry thought about it the more irritated he became. "And personally, I might also suggest, sir, that whatever your experience in the civil war, that as an ally and not someone who has been forced to live with the fallout on a day-to-day basis, that you would probably be bestir off keeping your one-sided and obviously ill-thought out opinions to yourself. If we wanted a dumbed down version of the way things were, we'd just ask you next time. Your opinion is neither wanted nor requested, so unless you have a reason to officially jump into our conversation regarding ship's business, then I strongly suggest that you tend to your particular area of expertise, being a brutish, badly informed political commenter and carry on with your portion of the preparations for the way team and leave us science geeks to finish our packing and conversation uninterrupted."

He looked the Klingon in the eyes, and as the euphoria of his seeming invincibility seemed to fade, the realization that he had just spoken some very dangerous words to a Klingon began to sink in.

Never one for action, at least not violent action the thought of the Klingon ripping his arms out of his sockets and beating him to death with them formed in his mind's eye and he had to make a concerted effort to remain calm.

(reply H'retor, Doenitz room for more)


Before the backlash could get much worse however, he was saved by the arrival of Captain Straton.

~Thank the Gods that be.~ Harry said internally as the captain summoned them.

"Lt. Holland, Ensign Doenitz, Ensign Doorman, Ensign Williamson and Security Team
Charley, front and center!"  Eva snapped in her best command voice. It was loud and unyielding.

Harry and Doenitz separated themselves from the unwanted company of Lieutenant H'retor and  headed for the Captain.

"Sir!" Harry reported.

"Lt. Holland," Eva continued once everyone she'd called had assembled in front of her.  "You will be in charge of the investigative team looking into the science outpost and their personnel."  Eva indicated everyone present.  "I have already informed Ensign T'Sol to prepare quarters on the Hades for all members of the outposts staff during the duration of your investigation.  You will be reporting anything out of the ordinary directly to Ensign T'Sol.  You are to go through the outposts computer and engineering systems with a fine tooth comb.  Rip them apart if you have to, but if any one in that out post is responsible, or may know what happened to our missing scientist I want you to find it. You are authorized to employ Commander Zzt's expertise on the surface, if you feel you need it, but keep a CLOSE eye on him.  Don't need him wandering off to get lunch and end up getting discovered by any natives.

"Ensign Doenitz and Doorman, while assisting Lt. Holland you two will also be correlating and transferring data collected by the Away Teams to the Hades when communication is possible.  You two will also need to go over the sensor logs of the out post to look for anything out of the ordinary.  Questions?"

"No sir."  Harry replied.  "I completely understand."

"Captain, is there any type of information that you would want to know about directly when found?" Holland asked.

(reply Straton, Any other questions)

~I thought it was pretty straight forward~ Harry thought, ~she said anything related to the missing scientist, didn't she?~ Or did I miss something?~

Eva dismissed them and Harry gestured to Doenitz to give him a hand loading the last of the Scientific equipment. "Grab that will you?" he said indicating the one of the repacked crates.

(reply Doenitz)

They grabbed the equipment and headed to the drop ship, handing off the delicate equipment to the Marine cargo master, who secured it for the trip down to the surface. Harry shuffled into the drop ship and took a seat on one of the narrow benches that  served as seating for the normally heavily equipped marine platoons that used these craft. 

Despite his time in the service he realized that this was the first time that he had ever actually been inside such a craft. He'd seen them from the outside, sure. He'd even been in contact with them, but he'd never really been inside one, and it was an almost surreal experience.  Unlike the normal shuttles used by Starfleet, the Trojan Class marine drop ship was a stripped down cargo hauler that focused on spartan necessity rather than the gleaming smooth surfaces of the Runabout.

The interior was spacious, since the additional space was minimally filled to hold a platoon of marines and some support equipment, rather than the additional science stations that were an integral part of the runabout platform. The benches served as seating, but only just barely as far as Harry was concerned. The only support stations in the entire vessel besides the pilots and copilots station were the two located directly behind the cockpit. one was a tactical station and the other was a flight engineering station. They were positioned to be backwards facing, allowing those two personnel to view the cargo or personnel being carried in the hold of the ship.

He understood that the vehicles were hardy, capable of handling all sorts of heavy ground fire. They had been the workhorses of the Civil War ground assaults conducted by the Starfleet marines, and Harry wondered how many marines had once occupied this very seat before meeting an untimely end in some conflict somewhere. That thought was even more poignant as he glanced over to see Doenitz seated nearby.  It was a moment of internal conflict, the desire to blame coupled with the desire to forgive.  Focusing on the events of the past were a poison just as deadly as any that flowed through a living creatures veins, and it could kill just as quickly.

(reply Any, Straton, H'retor iyw, Doenitz)
Daniel Greene

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, SciO Ensign Harry Doorman – 0238.5)

Lieutenant H'retor obviously possessed excellent hearing for  Klingon, but it was possible that the conversation had not been nearly as private as either Harry nor Jacob had anticipated. H'retor made his opinion of Doenitz very clear.

The comments were pointed, blunt and somewhat disrespectful, exactly the sort that Harry would have expected from a Klingon, although he would have hoped that the Lieutenant would have managed to be a bit more tactful as a result of his time spent in the federation. It was apparent that Harry's expectations were a bit more than the reality of the situation allowed.

Jacob defended his position and Harry listened as he and H'retor discussed it, but as it progressed Harry found himself getting more and more irritated. As soon as the Klingon Operations officer had finished insulting the newest member of the Hades crew, Harry felt his irritation at the inappropriate handling of the situation, and for a change Harry decided to take a stand. It was something that just happened more than was considered or thought about.

taking advantage of a break in the conversation, the junior officer stepped between the two men before the discussion could continue between Doenitz and H'retor and made his own opinion well known.

"With all due respect, sir." he began, bringing himself to his full and not particularly impressive height. "I'd say at least Mister Doenitz is cultured and honorable enough not to go out of his way to be sneaky and subversive enough to allow him to overhear another person's private conversation. I thought that klingons didn't normally like sneaking around and spying on people?"

The more that Harry thought about it the more irritated he became. "And personally, I might also suggest, sir, that whatever your experience in the civil war, that as an ally and not someone who has been forced to live with the fallout on a day-to-day basis, that you would probably be bestir off keeping your one-sided and obviously ill-thought out opinions to yourself. If we wanted a dumbed down version of the way things were, we'd just ask you next time. Your opinion is neither wanted nor requested, so unless you have a reason to officially jump into our conversation regarding ship's business, then I strongly suggest that you tend to your particular area of expertise, being a brutish, badly informed political commenter and carry on with your portion of the preparations for the way team and leave us science geeks to finish our packing and conversation uninterrupted."

He looked the Klingon in the eyes, and as the euphoria of his seeming invincibility seemed to fade, the realization that he had just spoken some very dangerous words to a Klingon began to sink in.

Never one for action, at least not violent action the thought of the Klingon ripping his arms out of his sockets and beating him to death with them formed in his mind's eye and he had to make a concerted effort to remain calm.

(reply H'retor, Doenitz room for more)


Before the backlash could get much worse however, he was saved by the arrival of Captain Straton.

~Thank the Gods that be.~ Harry said internally as the captain summoned them.

"Lt. Holland, Ensign Doenitz, Ensign Doorman, Ensign Williamson and Security Team
Charley, front and center!"  Eva snapped in her best command voice. It was loud and unyielding.

Harry and Doenitz separated themselves from the unwanted company of Lieutenant H'retor and  headed for the Captain.

"Sir!" Harry reported.

"Lt. Holland," Eva continued once everyone she'd called had assembled in front of her.  "You will be in charge of the investigative team looking into the science outpost and their personnel."  Eva indicated everyone present.  "I have already informed Ensign T'Sol to prepare quarters on the Hades for all members of the outposts staff during the duration of your investigation.  You will be reporting anything out of the ordinary directly to Ensign T'Sol.  You are to go through the outposts computer and engineering systems with a fine tooth comb.  Rip them apart if you have to, but if any one in that out post is responsible, or may know what happened to our missing scientist I want you to find it. You are authorized to employ Commander Zzt's expertise on the surface, if you feel you need it, but keep a CLOSE eye on him.  Don't need him wandering off to get lunch and end up getting discovered by any natives.

"Ensign Doenitz and Doorman, while assisting Lt. Holland you two will also be correlating and transferring data collected by the Away Teams to the Hades when communication is possible.  You two will also need to go over the sensor logs of the out post to look for anything out of the ordinary.  Questions?"

"No sir."  Harry replied.  "I completely understand."

"Captain, is there any type of information that you would want to know about directly when found?" Holland asked.

(reply Straton, Any other questions)

~I thought it was pretty straight forward~ Harry thought, ~she said anything related to the missing scientist, didn't she?~ Or did I miss something?~

Eva dismissed them and Harry gestured to Doenitz to give him a hand loading the last of the Scientific equipment. "Grab that will you?" he said indicating the one of the repacked crates.

(reply Doenitz)

They grabbed the equipment and headed to the drop ship, handing off the delicate equipment to the Marine cargo master, who secured it for the trip down to the surface. Harry shuffled into the drop ship and took a seat on one of the narrow benches that  served as seating for the normally heavily equipped marine platoons that used these craft. 

Despite his time in the service he realized that this was the first time that he had ever actually been inside such a craft. He'd seen them from the outside, sure. He'd even been in contact with them, but he'd never really been inside one, and it was an almost surreal experience.  Unlike the normal shuttles used by Starfleet, the Trojan Class marine drop ship was a stripped down cargo hauler that focused on spartan necessity rather than the gleaming smooth surfaces of the Runabout.

The interior was spacious, since the additional space was minimally filled to hold a platoon of marines and some support equipment, rather than the additional science stations that were an integral part of the runabout platform. The benches served as seating, but only just barely as far as Harry was concerned. The only support stations in the entire vessel besides the pilots and copilots station were the two located directly behind the cockpit. one was a tactical station and the other was a flight engineering station. They were positioned to be backwards facing, allowing those two personnel to view the cargo or personnel being carried in the hold of the ship.

He understood that the vehicles were hardy, capable of handling all sorts of heavy ground fire. They had been the workhorses of the Civil War ground assaults conducted by the Starfleet marines, and Harry wondered how many marines had once occupied this very seat before meeting an untimely end in some conflict somewhere. That thought was even more poignant as he glanced over to see Doenitz seated nearby.  It was a moment of internal conflict, the desire to blame coupled with the desire to forgive.  Focusing on the events of the past were a poison just as deadly as any that flowed through a living creatures veins, and it could kill just as quickly.

(reply Any, Straton, H'retor iyw, Doenitz)
Daniel Greene

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CO Captain Eva Straton, 0240)
 
	"Number One, start loading people on the shuttle," Eva said, looking over at Commander Bracken.  
 
“Aye Sir,” Dale replied crisply.
 
“Two lines, load both sides, it’s going to be cosy, but we won’t be on long. Move right up as far as you can to the front.”
 
She watched as the other officers embarked the shuttle, she pulled her robe around her, drawing it around her not against the cold, but against all that was on her mind. She saw Ana’s familiar figure pass by her, and Dale whispered to her as she did, loud enough for only her to hear.
 
“Be careful Ana.” 
 
(Reply Ana)
 
Dale nodded, and winked, hopefully putting all that she had to say into that one glance.
 
She watched carefully as everyone boarded, taking note of each detail, one last time; finally, everyone was aboard. She turned back to Straton.
 
“All personnel aboard Sir.”
 
(Reply Straton)
 
(Posted by Mark)
(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COO Lieutenant H'retor – 0240.5) 

H'retor taught he killed the conversation with his last comment, but apparently he rather giving it a new life as ensign Doorman stood up at the defense of Doenitz. 

"With all due respect, sir."  "I'd say at least Mister Doenitz is cultured and honorable enough not to go out of his way to be sneaky and subversive enough to allow him to overhear another person's private conversation. I thought that klingons didn't normally like sneaking around and spying on people?"

H'retor rose an eyebrow, surprised by the comment. 

"Ensign, you seem to misunderstood Klingon culture. We hide neither our conversation nor our opinions because if you are afraid of the other reaction, then you do not have the courage of your words. I have not hidden behind anything and to the contrary, I confronted publicly ensign Doenitz because I questioned his honor and the honor of his family." 

The more that Harry thought about it the more irritated he became. "And personally, I might also suggest, sir, that whatever your experience in the civil war, that as an ally and not someone who has been forced to live with the fallout on a day-to-day basis, that you would probably be bestir off keeping your one-sided and obviously ill-thought out opinions to yourself. If we wanted a dumbed down version of the way things were, we'd just ask you next time. Your opinion is neither wanted nor requested, so unless you have a reason to officially jump into our conversation regarding ship's business, then I strongly suggest that you tend to your particular area of expertise, being a brutish, badly informed political commenter and carry on with your portion of the preparations for the way team and leave us science geeks to finish our packing and conversation uninterrupted." 

H'retor hesitated for a second or two. There were definitely things to react to, and in some way, the attacks were insulting all the Klingon and Federation who died during the civil war. The atrocities committed by Doenitz were such that to ignore them was almost like approving his action. But at the same time, there was a second degree behind what the ensign said. He was defending ensign Doenitz and despite his words were insulting, his action was brave enough. 

H'retor looked at him for a few second, examining if his confidence and bravery will last. He seemed to hesitate but the ensign remained brave and stood still. H'retor was finding it almost funny and decided to play it as a game. Looking at the ensign with a very intimidating look, he moved his right hand toward his knife.  

"Hahahahahah.... you don't lack courage to tell me that..."

As he said that, Captain Straton called them. Never did H'retor saw people so liberated to hear their captain call them. 


(Posted by Nick)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, ACSciO Ens(jg) Jacob Doenitz – 0240.75)
 
H'retor listened to Jacob explanation. He was probably right on the fact he was too young and had not the opportunity to do anything, but H'retor still question his father and mother who could not rely on their age or means to explain they did nothing. 

 "I can understand your father might not have succeeded, but giving up is not worthy of any warrior. He might have been killed, but his action and his bravery would be at the heart of every human being and as no one would have feared him, together, they might have prevented what happened. For that, your father gave up to fear and his honor will always share part of the blood caused by his uncle. And don't say it is a Federation thing. What Klingon call honor, Federation calls it Freedom. And you have plenty of human generals and politicians who have condemned what I am condemning right now. That the people who, to save their life, are ready to accept slavery are not worthy of being free. So answer me frankly ensign, don't you think freedom is worth dying for and that your father would have been better dead and free than alive and having remained silent in front of those atrocities? "

Jacob cracked his neck to one side. "A sacrifice is meaningless if its unrecognized. My father may have gotten into the Command building, maybe even reached a viable target. But if my father had just vanished into the night, and I never saw nor heard from him again? ...No, it would not have been worth it. My father was not an assassin. And don't say the Empire would rush to the attempt. Duros was kept on the Imperial Council for years despite admitting he was the son of a traitor. It was done for political convenience." He sighed heavily. "We wear the same chains. We just put them on for different reasons..." He smiled languidly. "That was liberating. Thank you, lieutenant." 
(reply Hr'etor iyw)
(Posted by Brian)



(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0241)

Ana was heading into the marine drop ship, a vessel she had never been aboard before, when she heard Dale speak to her. "Be careful Ana."

Ana nodded. "You too." she replied equally quietly.

Dale winked at her and Ana flushed for a brief moment before she regained her composure. She settled into her seat, wedged between Dragovar and Holland. Between the two large men, she looked absolutely fragile in comparison.

~Oh well.~ she thought, ~it's a short ride at least.~


	
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:15)


	The shuttle ride to the surface had been extremely bumpy due to the atmospheric
disturbance.  Everyone and everything on the shuttle had been shaken, jostled, and
rattled, but they had made it down safely.  

	~Reminds me of my days in the marines taking a drop ship down to a planets surface
in the middle of a fire fight.~  Eva thought to herself as she stepped out of the shuttle
and into the shuttle bay of the Scientific Outpost.  The rest of the Away Team members
spread out behind her.  

	"Number One, get the search parties sorted," Eva said over her should to Bracken
as she zeroed in on the base commander.  

	"Commander Simms," Eva said as she walked up to the base commander. "I am Captain
Eva Straton.  By order of Star Fleet Command, I will be taking command of this out post
and the investigation into your missing scientist."  Eva pulled a PADD containing said
orders out from under her cloak and handed it to Simms.  

	"In order to ensure the integrity of our investigation, you and your entire staff
will be transported to the Hades where you will all be confined to quarters till we have
completed our investigation." She turned her glare on T'Vof who was standing at the
Commanders side.  "With the exception of Lt. T'Vof.  She will be joining my team in
searching for your missing scientist.  Any Questions?"

(Reply Simms, T'Vof, Any)
(Posted by Wes)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CEO Lt. Peter
Holland - 03:16)
Pete had brought down his rucksack, despite the Captain having stated he
wasn't leaving the outpost. He'd found the trip down relaxing, much like a
smooth ride on a Klingon D7 Cruiser. He slipped his long staff from its
mooring so it wouldn’t smash someone’s nose and swung the sack on to his
back. Surveying the hangar, he waved his people onward, "Let's get moving
guys. We want to waste as little time as possible."

(Reply Williamson, Doenitz, Doorman, Zzt, any)

There were a couple of extra juniors along for the ride, but that would go
back with the ship. "Lukas, get those wagons ready to go, crash course for
the search teams, now."

CPO Jones nodded and went over to direct the search teams in how to
assemble and disassemble the wagons.

(reply Search teams iyw)

Pete noticed that Bracken was stuck sorting out the search parties and
that the security officers looked lost so he went over to them. “Boys and
Girls, please go and gather the outpost personnel, report to me if anyone
is non-compliant. Leave them where they are, I’ll deal with them.” ~Or
send Zzt after them.~
(reply Security)
(posted by Lori)


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost CO Commander Marcus Simms, 0317)

Marcus stood at the periphery of the landing platform as the Trojan class marine drop ship slid through the holographic filed that masked the bay from the prying eyes of the native population.  He couldn't see the craft at first, since it was cloaked, but he could see the shimmer on the holographic field and he had to smile at the ingenuity of the Hades crew in installing a cloaking device on a marine drop ship.

The vessel shimmered into observable space as it settled down on the tarmac and Marcus signaled Peterson to close the outer hatchway doors. they had just finished cycling when the hatch to the drop ship opened and the hades crew came pouring out of the craft. 

There were more of them in the vessel than he would have thought possible, especially once they started unloading some equipment. It was clear that there were at least two teams, one dressed 'native' and the other wearing standard starfleet uniforms.

Marcus stepped forward, his eyes looking for the command pips that marked the captain of Hades. Instead he was approached by a woman wearing local garb, "Commander Simms, " She said as she approached, I am Captain Eva Straton.  By order of Star Fleet Command, I will be taking command of this outpost and the investigation into your missing scientist."  Eva pulled a PADD containing said orders out from under her cloak and handed it to Simms.

Simms accepted it and quickly reviewed the contents and the validity of the orders. He pressed his thumbprint against the device to acknowledge the receipt of the orders before looking back at the woman standing before him.  "I stand relieved captain. The Outpost is yours to command.  Computer transfer all command authority to Captain Eva Straton, CO USS Hades, effective immediately. Authorization Simms- Three- Epsilon - Three."

[Command Authority Transferred] the computer acknowledged.

"In order to ensure the integrity of our investigation," Eva continued, "you and your entire staff will be transported to the Hades where you will all be confined to quarters till we have completed our investigation." She turned her glare on Lo'ren who was standing at the Marcus' side.  "With the exception of Lt. T'Vof.  She will be joining my team in searching for your missing scientist.  Any Questions?"

"No ma'am" Marcus replied, "You may want to be aware that there are several surveys and scientific experiments involving years of research currently underway that the science staff will consider critical. When do you want the personnel transported, right away, or at a specific time?" he asked.

(reply Straton)

"I understand." he replied with a nod, "Will there be any opportunity to transfer any scientific files or personal effects, or are we to head out without such things?"

(reply Straton)

"Okay, do you want me to make the announcement to the scientists, or would you like to handle it?"

(reply Straton)
Daniel Greene

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:18)

	"No ma'am" Commander Simms replied, "You may want to be aware that there are
several surveys and scientific experiments involving years of research currently underway
that the science staff will consider critical. When do you want the personnel transported,
right away, or at a specific time?" he asked.


	"Immediately," Eva replied, she motioned her head toward the shuttle that the
Hades crew were unloading.  "All experiments take a back seat to the Prime Directive."

	"I understand." Simms replied with a nod, "Will there be any opportunity to
transfer any scientific files or personal effects, or are we to head out without such
things?"

	"Until we know more, we are treating this as a criminal investigation," Eva
explained, "You know what that means.  No files or effects will be removed from the crime
scene until cataloged and cleared by the investigative team."

	"Okay, do you want me to make the announcement to the scientists, or would you
like to handle it?" Simms asked.  

	"As the staff is more familiar with you, I will let you handle it.  Unless you
think it would be better if I did it?" Eva said, "I will tell you, however, that I have
instructed my crew that anyone who interferes with this investigation in any way is to be
confined to the brig until our investigation is concluded." 

(Reply Simms)

	“Captain," Lt. T'Vof said, "I can see that you intend this investigation to be
undercover. With your permission, I need a short amount of time to get ready."

	"Ensign Ripley!"  Eva yelled over her shoulder.  She watched as Ensign Ripley
dropped what she was doing and hurried over to Eva's side.  Eva turned her gaze back on
Lt. T'Vof.  "Ensign, will you accompany Lt. T'Vof to the outposts medical facility and
help her with the cosmetic alterations needed so that she can join our search team."

(Reply Simms, T'Vof, Ripley, Any)
(Posted by Wes)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, ATAC Tallac Dragovar & Dr Petra Encklemann– 0317.5)
 
After being shaken, rattled and rolled during the flight, the doors hissed open in the hanger of the outpost. One case had worked itself loose during the descent, and clattered out at the feet of one of the scientists at the station asked to help them unload.
 
Stooping out of the door, Dragovar straightened up and rolled his shoulders and neck, resulting a satisfying crunch. He could only laugh at the expression on the diminutive scientists face.
 
Dr Petra Encklemann, stood at five feet 1 she was used to being smaller than most, but was totally dwarfed by the huge man climbing out of the ship in front of her. A giant in armour, with weaponry to match, looking like he just stepped out of her Lord Of The Rings holo-novel.
 
She watched in wonder as all kinds of evil looking weapons began to be unloaded, bows, arrows, spears, axes, shields and swords all passed hand to hand in a chain into the hanger, efficiently stacked and sorted. Two wagons began to be assembled like giant model kits, clicking together then nailed in place.
 
“Dr Encklemann, I am Ensign Dragovar. I believe you have procured two beasts of burden for each wagon.” Dragovar asked. “You are the  zoologist assigned to the outpost?”
 
“Huh?” She shook herself out of the daze. “Oh you mean the Danicklos. Kind of a cross between a camel and a Triceratops. They are very powerful creatures, quite smart in their own right. This way.”
 
She led him to a corral just outside the house, she was already dressed in native clothing and Dragovar stood in his outfit, gazing at the huge beasts. The moonlight lit the corral to see well enough by. Each was a dark chocolate brown colour, with two horns at the top of their heads, and a horn on the end of their snout.
 
“Big beasts.” Dragovar said. “I hope the harnesses fit OK.”
 
“From the schematics sent down, they should do.” Petra stroked the flank of the beast. “They work as pairs. These two, work together, and these two. There are sacks of feed, prepared in meal sized bags. One bag for each animal per day. Split it in two if you can. They don’t drink often, but river or rain water is fine.”
 
“Ensign Dragovar meet Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter.” She pointed to them in order, two darker brown ones, one with a pale tuft at its tail and a fourth animal, a paler shade of brown than the rest. “Take care of them for me.”
 
“I will do my best.” Dragovar promised. Turning back into the building, he saw the captain handing over padd and ordering all of the observation post staff to return to the Hades.
 
“Captain. What about the animals that they have here. We have several specimens in the house for observation that will need cared for?” Encklemann asked
 
(Reply Straton)
 
“Very well, but I will need a few minutes to prepare feeds for them, and leave care instructions for whoever is going to look after them.” The diminutive scientist turned and bustled away to get the things prepared. “You can send someone to get the feeds for the Danicklos to the corral.
 
Dragovar turned back to the stacks of equipment, The security personnel were kitting up, each person with their own weapons, the marines were more uniform, but every persons load was different.
 
Van Der Brugar had a morning-star and shield, with a short sword as back up, Gunnarson had a huge battle-axe and sword, Ferguson carried a trident, with shield and sword for back up. Pendragon had been on a crash course for blunt force, and sharp force trauma, and would act as back-up for Ensign Ripley for team medic, but also carried a short bow, and arrows, with a set of twin daggers on her belt. During normal operations she was also assigned as bodyguard to the captain, an unenviable task if there ever was one.
 
Dragovar put his hand on Gunnarsons shoulder and said. “As soon as the wagons are assembled get them outside, and we can saddle up the Danicklos. Dr Encklemann has the feeds prepared for them, so make sure you load them. The size of these things, I would not like to annoy them by forgetting their dinner..”
 
(reply any)
(Posted by Tim)
(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman – 0318.5)

Harry was one of the first people out of the shuttlecraft, a fact for which he was singularly happy. His ride down had been intimate in ways that he would have never preferred. Between being squashed between a Marine and the drop hatch was anything except comfortable. Especially since the marines, treated leather armor smelt more like rotting meat than clothing.

Still he had survived the trip and had managed to work out any uncomfortable knots in his shoulder and back before everyone had cleared the hatch.

He spotted Holland, in his native garb, a touch of humor at seeing the CEO of the ship dressed incorrectly for the task he had been set crept onto his face, but it was all in good fun.

"Let's get moving guys. We want to waste as little time as possible" the man bellowed and Harry responded with a hearty, "Yes sir! Lieutenant the Barbarian, sir."

If Pete had heard him, there was no indication. But a few of the other personnel present caught the joke and giggled as they all struggled to reclaim their gear from the drop ship.

"Hey Jacob," harry called out, "Can you grab the other side of the mobile spectrometer?" he said gesturing to the heavy crate containing the device.

(reply Doenitz)

"Thanks." Harry replied as the two carried the equipment free of the crowded area surrounding the drop ship. "everything seems to have made it down in one piece, despite the pilots desire to smash us all in a game of marine Drop ship pinball." he commented. "Why don't you go ask Lieutenant Holland where he wants us to set up the mobile lab while I double check all the equipment?"

(reply Doenitz)
Daniel Greene

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, Outpost CO Commander Marcus Simms, 0319)

"As the staff is more familiar with you, I will let you handle it.  Unless you think it would be better if I did it?" Eva said, "I will tell you, however, that I have instructed my crew that anyone who interferes with this investigation in any way is to be confined to the brig until our  investigation is concluded."

"No I understand, Captain." Simms replied, "I can make the announcement."

“Captain," Lt. T'Vof said, "I can see that you intend this investigation to be undercover. With your permission, I need a short amount of time to get ready."

"Ensign Ripley!"  Eva yelled over her shoulder.  a woman the other side of the bay dropped what she was doing and hurried over to Eva's side.  Eva turned her gaze back on Lt. T'Vof.  "Ensign, will you accompany Lt. T'Vof to the outposts medical facility and help her with the cosmetic alterations needed so that she can join our search team."

"yes sir." The woman responded, "this way please,  Lieutenant."

"If you'll excuse me a moment Sir? I'll go ahead and make that announcement." Marcus asked and pointed to the comma panel located in the wall.

Receiving permission Marcus crossed the floor under escort and pressed the intercom button that connected him to the entire station. He had an attention chime sound before he spoke. "Attention all hands, this is Commander Simms. Effective immediately command of the Outpost has been transferred to Captain Eva Straton of the USS Hades, under direct order of Starfleet command.  At Captain Straton's command, all outpost personnel are to immediately report to the Shuttle bay for a briefing aboard the USS Hades.  You are to suspend all further scientific project pending review and report at once. Do not stop at your quarters, labs or workstation to acquire personal effects or research data. All of that will be sent to you as soon as it is feasible. Failure to comply with these orders immediately will result in immediate detention of uncooperative personnel for the foreseeable future. All outpost personnel are to cooperate fully with all Hades personnel. That is all."

He released the button, closing the channel and then headed for the shuttle. He was going to be sent up to the Hades along with the rest of the station personnel. He couldn't say that he was looking forward to the experience. One the other hand, he was certainly in need of a rest, especially after the events of the last few days. Starfleet didn't take losing a scientist lightly, especially when it involved a pre-warp culture. 

(reply all)
Daniel Greene

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, FO LtCmdr Bracken, 03:20)
 
The ride to the surface, though short, had been bumpy, with high turbulence in the upper atmosphere shaking the entire shuttle, and in the lower atmosphere, unpredictable winds buffeting the small craft and its occupants. 
 
They had disembarked in the same orderly fashion with which they had boarded, the equipment coming off last.
 
	"Number One, get the search parties sorted," Eva said over her shoulder to Bracken as she zeroed in on the base commander.
 
“Aye Sir.” Dale acknowledged, then turned to the assembled officers.
“Search party members, form up into your teams, recover your kit, stow everything you’re not carrying in the relevant carts. Get yourself ready, we could be on the move any minute. Make sure you’re familiar with who and what you’re looking for, take these last few moments as an opportunity to check your kit one final time.”
 
She watched as her fellow officers began to organise themselves, then grabbed her own kit off the shuttle, passing her bag and her bow to Ensign Nicholae to put on the now assembled cart.
 
(Reply Nicholae IYW)
 
A thought crossed her mind, she remembered the late addition to the away team, and moved over toward Ensign Mariposa. “Ensign you’re with me, I appreciate that you’ve been dropped in the deep end. Are you okay?”


(Reply Mariposa)
(posted by Mark)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 0320.5)

Mil felt a little roughed up after the shuttle trip, he knew it wasn't the pilots fault; but it still didn't help. The shuttle bumped to the ground, shifting in his seat (if it could be called that) Mil rose as the door opened, grabbing all his kit he left the shuttle. 

“Search party members, form up into your teams, recover your kit, stow everything you’re not carrying in the relevant carts. Get yourself ready, we could be on the move any minute. Make sure you’re familiar with who and what you’re looking for, take these last few moments as an opportunity to check your kit one final time.”

Bracken ordered as the rest of the team spilled out of the cramped craft. She handed her kit to Mil, who didn't expect it. Unsure what to say he took the bag ~this is where you tip~ he laughed inside. "Thanks Sir" Bracken left to talk to the new medic that had joined. 

Placing the two bags he held into the cart Mil looked across the team, ~how many will come back?~ He had spent time on away teams, but nothing like with the Hades Crew. A dread filled his mind ~ how many would be alive?~. 

Walking over to the shuttle Mil looked inside

(Lertain IV, Shuttle Craft, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 0325)

"Crewman, its time to leave" Mil said to Branner, he was younger than Mil was; sandy haired with a terrified look on his face. Taking sympathy on him Mil entered the shuttle and sat down to him, the crewman looked up.  "We're all scared and worried, but we're also Starfleet" Mil sighed. "We've got a job to do, someone or something is causing problems on this planet and its down to us to find out. There's also missing crewmen, don't you think she is scared?"

Branner looked up "I know all that Sir, but this is different, wev've no back up, no sickbay, no communications and no ship; out here alone." The crewman just sat sill, staring at the bulkhead. 

"Crewman, I understand all your worries and we are all feeling the same, but we can't let it interfere with our duties; please don't make me order you out there." Mil did feel the pain the young man was going through; Branner echoed his own thoughts but as he said, there was a job to do.  Mil stood up "To your feet crewman" fixing his stare. 

The crewman slowly rose he picked up his bag and started to leave "oh and Adam" Mil spoke, putting his arm on the mans shoulder "stick with me!". 

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, ATAC, Ensign Mil Nicolae, 0330)

As the pair left Mil let go and left Branner to keep walking, he turned and spotted Baylon. Slightly confused by his superiors stance Mil walked over. 

"Sir?"

(Reply Trinin)

"Are you ok?"

(Reply Trinin)
(Posted by Mat Hodson)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0322)

Ana was glad to be out of the sardine can that had transported them down to the surface. it had been nearly unbearable for her and she wasn't even remotely claustrophobic. Still being able to stretch her legs after the flight was a welcomed event. 

Once all the personnel had exited the drop ship, she immediately grabbed the three chests that held the medical equipment. valencia, their newest addition to the teams joined her. "Okay" Ana began, "We need to repack the medical supplies for stowage in the carts." she explained, "There are a couple of wooden chests."

She looked up and spotted them, "Over there." pack one starfleet cargo container's worth of supplies into each of the wooden chests, then we can get one of these big burley men to load it for us."

(reply Mariposa)

There was a shout from across the room, Straton was summoning her.

"The captain bellows." she said with a smile to Mariposa, "I'll be back in a bit I guess. Get someone to help you if you need to."

(reply Mariposa)

With a hurried step Ana made her way over to the captain.

"Sir?"

"Ensign, will you accompany Lt. T'Vof to the outposts medical facility and help her with the cosmetic alterations needed so that she can join our search team?" The captain asked, although Ana understood it as an order.

"Yes sir, " Ana responded.  "this way please, Lieutenant."


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Corridor – Outpost FO Lt.
Lo’ren T’Vof – 0322.5)
Lo'ren smiled, at least she was able to see some old friends and
colleagues. Ana had always been someone who was easy to talk to and Lo'ren
remembered a few conversations they'd had about a variety of things.

"It's good to see you again Lo'ren. Is there a problem between you and the
Captain? Or did you just draw the short straw between the outpost
personnel?" Ana opened the conversation, something Lo'ren had finally
figured must be a pre-req for being a counsellor – not to mention a
penchant of Ana’s to be curious.

Lo'ren shook her head, "That gaze was icy, Ana, I think the Captain
requested me specifically. I am FO of the House, but there was more to
it..." She trailed off, leaving imagination and speculation where it ought
to be.

"I see. Well Eva is on the line here. I suppose we all are to be honest.
Starfleet is just slobbering for a reason to can us if we screw up this
mission."

Lo'ren glanced sidelong at the younger woman, "That sounds a bit ominous."

"It's a long story. Remind me to tell you about it sometime. How's
Jericho? Well I hope."

Lo'ren smiled, Jack had left Starfleet specifically to follow her, and
then hadn't been permitted to join the science team here on Lertani. She
could still sense his connection, but he was far away. Glancing in the
direction she could sense him, she spoke softly.

"Jack is well. I miss him, but we agreed to let our careers take top
priority for now. He's on a science vessel on the other side of the
galaxy."

 "Oh, sorry, I didn't know. I'm sorry. I'm too nosy sometimes, It's second
nature. Par for the course as Chief Counselor on the Hades, I'm afraid.
Let me know if you feel like talking about it."

Lo'ren laughed softly, "Thanks for the offer, Ana. I like to think Jack
will come to his senses some day and we can both take some time off to
create a family - but I know he's still hurting from the death of his
children. But, we can chat about that another time."

Ana smiled. "Now, there's something I have to admit to you in the spirit
of full disclosure."

They stood just outside the medical bay and Lo’ren just crossed her arms,
spouting off a slightly sarcastic “What’s that?”

"I have absolutely no idea where the hell we're going. I don't have a PADD
and didn't expect to be at the outpost for long, so I failed to memorize
the layout. I don't suppose you would mind leading the way?"

Lo’ren giggled, “As a matter of fact,” she smiled slyly as she stepped one
to the left, activating the door sensor, “Welcome to the Medical Bay.”

(reply Ana)

(USS Hades, Shuttle Bay 1, CSEC/CTAC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 0322.75)

baylon had been observing and contemplating things for a while now. He'd lent a hand from time to time as people needed assistance, but for the most part he had stayed out of the way and allowed the crew to do what they did best.

A coupled of the other crew seemed to be having the same sorts of thoughts and reservations that were plaguing Baylon. He could see the looks of concern in their eyes and for once, despite his better efforts to block out their emotional states, he could feel the trepidation that several of them felt. He supposed that some of that trepidation was the reason that he was in such an odd emotional mood himself. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle, but it was something to keep in mind as the mission progressed.

He was brought out of his personal revelry by Mil's voice beside him. Baylon had been so preoccupied with his thoughts that he had not noticed the man approach him.

"Sir?"

Baylon gave Mil a slow look, "Yes?" he replied.

"Are you ok?"

Baylon thought about it for a few moments, then smiled. "Fine. I'll be fine. I was just thinking about the mission. There's a great deal to keep in mind. That's all, nothing to worry about."

(reply Nicolae, iyw room for more)

Their conversation was interrupted by Captain Straton, who called baylon front and center. He took his leave and headed over to the captain and First officer.

 "Number One," Eva said once Trinin had arrived, "I want you and your team to set
out immediately once your ready.  Head north once you arrive at the trade road.  My team
will head south and head out an hour after you.  Remember, to use Lt. Trinin here to keep
in contact with me.  I will expect at least a daily report.  You can also use Lt. Trinin
to contact Ensign T'Sol on the Hades should you need.  The three of us will be maintaining
a telepathic connection with one another through out the mission should immediate
communication be necessary.  Any final questions from either of you?"

Baylon shook his head and looked to Bracken. "I have none, sir." he replied, "If something comes up during the mission I can always get clarification from you."

As Bracken asked any questions that she may have, Baylon took one more look around the bay and conducted a mental checklist of all the things that would be needed. The teams were well prepared, and Baylon didn't anticipate any last minute adjustments to the pre-mission preparations.  The supplies were loaded and everyone on their team was prepared to  head out.  

The most difficult part of the journey would be getting the wagons to the trade road through the forest, since there were no roads from the outpost leading to the cart path that served as a road works.

Once they were dismissed, Baylon called for his away team to assemble.

"Bracken's team. Fall-in!" he called out and the personnel finished stowing the last of their equipment and fell into formation.

He turned to Commander Bracken, "Your team is ready sir. What are your orders?"

(reply All on Bracken's team)
Daniel Greene


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Corridor, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 0323)

Once she and T'vof were out of the shuttle bay, well on their way to the medical bay,  Ana took a moment to regard the Bajoran woman. There was something about the woman's features that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Do you and the captain know each other?" She finally asked, remembering the smoldering glare that Eva had sent her way. "Or did you just draw the short straw between the outpost personnel?"

(reply T'Vof)

"I see. Was there some sort of argument between you? I mean did you part company on good terms?"

(reply T'Vof)

"Sorry. I probably should be asking so many questions. It's second nature. I'm the Chief Counselor on the Hades. Ensign Anamitra Ripley." She stopped and offered her hand.

(reply T'vof)

Ana smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you. But in the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit something to you."

(reply T'Vof)

"I have absolutely no idea where the hell we're going? I don't have a PADD and didn't expect to be at the outpost for long, so I failed to memorize the layout. I don't suppose you would mind leading the way?"

(reply T'Vof, Mariposa)
Daniel Greene

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CEO Lt. Peter
Holland – 0323.5)
~Yes sir! Lieutenant the Barbarian, sir.~ Pete grinned as he shook his
head, he'd wait for a little while before getting back at the young
ensign.

For now, Pete looked for all the world to be taking a stroll in the park,
but he was looking at everything and making sure things were running
smoothly. When Counselor Ripley moved away with another young woman Pete
moved in to talk to the Captain, still standing near the Outpost CO.

"Ma'am, Sir," he started as he slipped his pack off again, "I won't be
needing this and I'm sure your team could use at least some of the items
in it. I've ordered our security personnel to assist in rounding up the
Outpost staff."

(reply Straton, Simms)

Pete nodded, "I'll be establishing operations outside the command centre,
as that is under investigation."

(reply Straton, Simms)
(posted by Lori)


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Medical Bay – Outpost FO Lt.
Lo’ren T’Vof – 0325)
She grinned as she walked through. Larry was there and the young doctor
got a confused look on his face, “Hey Larry – I need to go local. Can you
help me out?”

Laurence Grosvenor, with his brown hair and green eyes, reminded Lo’ren of
Jack. He nodded. “Who’s your friend, Renny?”

Lo’ren rolled her eyes at his nickname for her. “Doctor Laurence
Grosvenor, meet Counselor Ana Ripley, a member of the Hades away team.”

(reply Ana)

Lo’ren slipped onto the biobed and waited for Larry to do his work, “Ana,
from what I understand this is to be no tech at all? Not even a UT?”

(reply Ana)

“I’m with the Captain apparently. Who’s on the other team then?” Lo’ren
could guess, but she hadn’t caught his bright red hair before she and Ana
had moved off to find the medical bay.

(reply Ana)
(posted by Lori)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - ACSciO Ensign(jg) Jacob Doenitz - 0322)

"Hey Jacob," Harry called out, "Can you grab the other side of the mobile spectrometer?" he said gesturing to the heavy crate containing the device.

Jacob, still rather quiet following the diving descent, and more than a little green, nodded blithely. "Sure thing. On three." a quick count and the crate was up.

"Thanks." Harry replied as the two carried the equipment free of the crowded area surrounding the drop ship. "everything seems to have made it down in one piece, despite the pilots desire to smash us all in a game of marine Drop ship pinball." he commented. "Why don't you go ask Lieutenant Holland where he wants us to set up the mobile lab while I double check all the equipment?"

Jacob nodded again. "let me know when we get to the box with the anti-emetics." He then turned away from the boxes to look for the lieutenant. He spotted the other officer several yards away and wandered over. "lieutenant." he said quietly. "do we have a site where we should set up, or did you have a preference for what we should start looking at?"

(reply Holland)

Nodding, Jacob turned and wandered back over to Doorman "How'd we make out, Harry?" It would have felt a little odd to be using his first name within minutes of meeting, but as the world was still rotating slowly, he didn't notice the slip.

(reply Doorman)

(posted by Brian)


(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - CTAC/CSEC Lieutenant Baylon Trinin - 0328)

The carts were assembled and the majority of the gear and supplies stowed. Even the local animals were being hitched to the harnesses. Baylon had to admit that he'd never seen any sort of creature that looked quite like the once that were going to be pulling the wagons on their way. At least nothing that hadn't been on display at the Museum of Natural History in San Francisco. 

He stayed out of the way, watching and observing as the away team and the engineering teams went to work setting everything that they'd need for the mission into place. He couldn't help but think of the many people that he'd served with through his years on the Hades. He'd served under three different captains so far, Captain Saleke, Captain Sash and now Captain Straton. Of the crew that originally launched with the maiden voyage of the hades, he was the last vestige  of that age.

It made him feel old, despite his relative youth. He had seen several officers come and go, some had passed to different postings like T'Vof, but too many had been lost in the line of duty. Baylon had lost the ability to truly bind with the individuals on the crew a long time ago. He'd lost too many people over too short a period of time to allow himself to get close.

He wondered with an almost clinical interest how many of the officers and marines on these missions would return from it. The mission was risky, but necessary. It was dangerous, but only because of the plague and the unpredictable nature of the inhabitants of the planet.

He'd been on several other pre-warp planets and there were always snags.  Usually they could adapt and beam out of things went terribly wrong. In this case though, beaming out wasn't going to be a real option. With the cyclic radiation levels, there would be several opportunities for something critical to happen that could leave them unable to receive help for several hours at  best.

To make things more complicated, they couldn't use the ship's sensors because of all the radiation and attempts to locate the missing scientist using the outposts station had also been unsuccessful. That didn't bode well for them.

They were looking for a single person on a planet of people. It was worse than looking for a needle in a haystack. At least you could use a magnet on a needle.

(reply none)
Daniel Greene

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 03:30)

	As Commander Simms had moved off to inform the outpost staff of her orders, Eva
moved over to where Commander Bracken was directing the loading of the away teams carts.
She caught Lt. Trinin's attention on her way over and waved him to join her at Bracken's
side.

	"Number One," Eva said once Trinin had arrived, "I want you and your team to set
out immediately once your ready.  Head north once you arrive at the trade road.  My team
will head south and head out an hour after you.  Remember, to use Lt. Trinin here to keep
in contact with me.  I will expect at least a daily report.  You can also use Lt. Trinin
to contact Ensign T'Sol on the Hades should you need.  The three of us will be maintaining
a telepathic connection with one another through out the mission should immediate
communication be necessary.  Any final questions from either of you?" 

	Eva looked from Bracken to Trinin waiting to see if there were any final questions
before they headed out. 

(Reply Bracken, Trinin, Any)
(Posted by Wes)

(Lertain IV, Observation Post 'The House', Shuttle Bay - FO Bracken - 03:35)
 
"Number One," Eva said once Trinin had arrived, "I want you and your team to set
out immediately once your’re ready.  Head north once you arrive at the trade road.  My team will head south and head out an hour after you.  Remember, to use Lt. Trinin here to keep in contact with me.  I will expect at least a daily report.  You can also use Lt. Trinin to contact Ensign T'Sol on the Hades should you need.  The three of us will be maintaining a telepathic connection with one another throughout the mission should immediate communication be necessary.  Any final questions from either of you?" 
 
Baylon shook his head and looked to Bracken. "I have none, sir." he replied, "If something comes up during the mission I can always get clarification from you."
 
Baylon had beaten her to it, but her reply was the same as what his had been.
“No Sir,” Dale answered, “we’re good to go once the cart is loaded.”
 
Once they were dismissed, Baylon called for the away team to assemble.
 
"Bracken's team. Fall-in!" he called out and the personnel finished stowing the last of their equipment and fell into formation.
 
Baylon turned to her, "Your team is ready sir. What are your orders?"
 
Dale paused for only a couple of seconds, the lessons from the simulation utmost in her mind.
 
“Standard pattern delta-two, Two men up front on point, I want a two man scouting party, medium range, far enough that we know what’s ahead, but close enough that they can get back safely. We’ll rotate to keep everyone as fresh as possible. Figure out amongst Sec and our Marines who gets to do what.”
 
(reply Trinin)
 
“Beyond that, move out as soon as we’re ready,”
 
She turned to her assembled team, “Okay listen up people, we’re good to go, look sharp, from now on we are fully under the constraint of the Prime Directive, make sure you are familiar with how you and your team mates are addressed, If I hear one ‘Ensign’, ‘Sir’, ‘Lieutenant’ or ‘Commander’, then I’ll put you in the brig myself. Advise first names, Surnames or local ranks. Those who aren’t certain, I can be addressed as ‘Aggellia’ which is a rank amongst the church of Cerrina, or failing that ‘Dale’ will be fine.” She paused, 
“Questions?” 
 
(reply Trinin above, All on away team 1)
 
(Posted by Mark)

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