[Begin Compile] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Day: 29 Stardate: 2406.11.12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 0910) (USS Paladin - Bridge - CSO Lt. (jg) Joran Matthew Brownlee - 09:12) (USS Paladin -Corridor toward Sickbay - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1011) (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1012) (USS Paladin - CMO Office - Keater - 1013) (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1015) (USS Paladin - Personal Quarters - CEO - LT. JG. Steven Matrix :10:30 ) (USS Paladin - FO Office - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps & Ops Ensign Knightley - 1059) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1200) (Alpha Command - Shuttle Phoenix - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 12:00) (Shuttlecraft Barrie - Cockpit - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar - 12:55) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mission: Into the Gates of Hell Day: 1 Stardate: 2407.01.04 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1017) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps - 1120) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ops Ensign Knightley - 1121) (USS Paladin, Ready Room, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 11:30) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 11:31) (USS Paladin - Deck 1, Main Conference Room - CSO Lieutenant (jg) Joran Matthew Brownlee, ACONN Ensign (jg) Christian Soval Brownlee, and ATAC/ASC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar - 12:43) (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn - 12:45) (USS Paladin, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 12:47) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps - 1247) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller- 1248) (USS Paladin, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 12:49) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:40) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:41) (Uss Paladin - Sickbay's lab - ACMO Ensign (jg) Kyle Kaeter - 1545) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:49) (USS Paladin, Armoury, Ensign Greg Dunn, 15:50) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO, Captain Straton, 15:52) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:52) (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn - 16:15) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering CEO Office - CEO Lieutenant - 16:15) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering CEO Office - CEO Lieutenant - 16:15) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor & Captain Khang - 17:30) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - Security - TAC/SC T`Vhor -19:00) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - Security - TAC/SC T`Vhor -19:04) (Classified Location - S4 planetoid surface - MCO Conner Tirrel - 06:45)*********** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mission: Exercise of Vital Powers Day: 29 Stardate: 2406.11.12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 0910) Calvin had been watching the view screen for the past 10 minutes. He at first was watching Lt. T'Vhor and Ensign Dunn fly away, but after they had went through the Class M planets atmosphere he was not able to see them any more. He still . looked at the view screen though and looked at the planet, then the planets stars. What seemed like forever, but was only 2 minutes in reality Lt. Cmdr Capps snapped back out of it. He looked around the bridge as if he looked to see if anyone noticed about his little 'day' dream. He stood up and twisted his head over to the science station. He saw his two science officers working hard on their consoles. The past week has been hectic with constant watching for more enemy ships, but the Paladin and its allies were putting together the defensive and sensor network. Calvin walked over to them. "Lt. Brownlee and Lt. Schofield, how is the network this morning?" (reply Brownlee and Schofield, rfm) Calvin looked into each of their eyes while both of them gave some type of insight in the project. He then took the two PADDS in his hands and handed them over to each officer. "Captain Straton and Ambassador Tane has given the Paladin permission for a short shore leave on the planet. I am ordering both of you to be ready at 1300, and in hanger bay 4. You will be accompanied by me and a few other officers." (reply brownlee and schofield) "All the equipment you need to bring is on the PADD, what we are doing is a surprise. Finish up what you are doing on the sensor net work and give your team enough work to do for the rest of the shift." (reply Brownlee and Schofield) Matthew and Shane took the PADD's out of Calvins hands. "I will see you at 1300." Calvin then turned away from the science officers. (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Bridge - CSO Lt. (jg) Joran Matthew Brownlee - 09:12) "Lt. Brownlee and Lt. Schofield, how is the network this morning?" Joran turned around and saw that it was Lt. Cmdr. Capps addressing them. "The network is functioning as it should be. The space traffic is your usual merchant ships and other traders. Overall, nothing out of the norm." (reply Schofield) Capps then took the two PADDS in his hands and handed them over to each officer. "Captain Straton and Ambassador Tane has given the Paladin permission for a short shore leave on the planet. I am ordering both of you to be ready at 0100, and in hanger bay 4. You will be accompanied by me and a few other officers." Joran's eyes lit up at the words "shore leave." After the last month, he really needed it. (reply Schofield) "All the equipment you need to bring is on the PADD; what we are doing is a surprise. Finish up what you are doing on the sensor net work and give your team enough work to do for the rest of the shift." "Aye, sir." Joran said as he took the PADD from Capps' hand. He was wondering what the surprise was. "I will see you at 0100." Capps said. "I'll see you then, sir." With that, the FO left. Joran tapped his communicator, and told Ensigns Carroll and Hamilton to take over for he and Schofield at 12:00. Joran couldn't wait. (posted by Spencer) (USS Paladin -Corridor toward Sickbay - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1011) The First Officer knew that a new Ensign had arrived on the Paladin not to long ago, but with his busy schedule he has not been able to meet with the new Officer. Calvin had requested from the computer on the location of Ensign Kaeter, and the computer quickly gave Lt. Cmdr Capps an answer of [Sickbay]. Calvin was only a few steps away from the sick bay door, and they opened up to allow him to walk in. As the First Officer walked in a nurse walked up to him. "May I help you Lt. Cmdr Capps?" "I am looking for Dr. Keller and Ensign Kaeter." The nurse pointed in the direction of the Dr.'s office. Calvin said thanks to the nurse and made his way to the office, but on his way he looked around sick bay. He saw that every bio bed was filled with patience. Some were badly hurt, and others had broken bones or scratches. Seeing these officers lay here because of one man, one evil man got his stomach to boil a little bit. Calvin tried to settle down a little because he had now made it to Dr's office door. He had waited while the chime went off and the Dr. allowed him in. Once he stepped in he had found the Ensign he was looking for along with the Dr. "Good morning Dr." (reply Keller) "I hope I wasn't intruding on anything to important." (reply Keller) "A disease?" (reply Keller) "I am sure you will keep me posted of your progress?" (reply Keller) After the FO and the Dr. had finished their serious small talk he turned to Ensign Kaeter. The Ensign stood up, and Lt. Cmdr Capps extended his arm toward Kyle. "Welcome aboard the USS Paladin Ensign Kaeter." (reply Kyle) "I am happy that you made it, we need your help. And I guess we were lucky enough to get some help especially with this disease spreading around." (reply Kyle or Keller, rfm) "Well, I must be off, I was just wanting to me you Ensign Keater." Before Calvin turned around and left sick bay he gave a nod to the Dr. and the the new officer. "Ensign Kaeter, Dr." (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1012) Jared looked away from Kyle very quickly and pressed the button that opened the door after the chime sounded and saw Lt. Commander Capps enter, he stood to his feet as the young man walked in. "Good morning Dr." "Commander." Jared said with a nod. "I hope I wasn't intruding on anything to important." "Of course not Commander." Jared replied. "My new ACMO and I were just getting acquainted and discussing the disease that has broken out on the planet. I have no more seats available, could I offer you my chair?" "A disease?" This information seemed to catch the FO by surprise and he ignored the Doctors offer. "Yes Commander, it showed up a couple of weeks ago as we began taking over the planet and is quickly growing to epidemic proportions." "I am sure you will keep me posted of your progress?" "Of course Commander." Jared said. "I shall forward a complete report to you shortly, I apologize for not doing so sooner. I have been extremely busy." The FO nodded and turned his attention to Kyle so Jared sat down and listened. (posted by Charles) (USS Paladin - CMO Office - Keater - 1013) The FO nodded and turned his attention to Kyle so Jared sat down and listened. "Welcome aboard the USS Paladin Ensign Kaeter." Kyle smiled and stood up, gripping firmly the FO's hand. "Thanks, sir. It hasn't been a cakewalk, but in the end I made it" "I am happy that you made it, we need your help. And I guess we were lucky enough to get some help especially with this disease spreading around." "I'll do my best, sir" "Well, I must be off, I was just wanting to me you Ensign Keater." Before Calvin turned around and left sick bay he gave a nod to the Dr. and the the new officer. "Ensign Kaeter, Dr." When Capps went out the Sickbay, Kyle sat down again. "You created a very terrifying scenario. The synthesis of a vaccine or and effective treatment in some cases took years, and now we have only six months..." Kyle sighed. ~No, It's unacceptable~ "We MUST find a cure. Can I see the patients' clinic report?" [Reply Keller] Kaeter took the Padd and read the most important records. It was awful. After a period of incubation the disease was almost fulminating. Two weeks: when the disease enters in the active status the death is inevitable. It's only a matter of time. "It's incredible. How does this disease spread? By air, by the ingestion of infected food or drink or by sexual relations? [Reply Keller] "Have you begun to create a vaccine or an effective treatment?" [Reply Keller] That could be a problem. The doctor had been too busy with the wounded soldiers to worry about that. "Can I see the virus's microphotographies?" Keller took him in the Sickbay's lab. That was the first step: know your enemy. (Posted by Alessio) (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1015) After Commander Capps had stepped out Kyle picked up their conversation where it had been left off. He looked at Jared with a grim _expression on his face. "You created a very terrifying scenario. The synthesis of a vaccine or and effective treatment in some cases took years, and now we have only six months..." Kyle sighed. "We MUST find a cure. Can I see the patients' clinic report?" "Of course." Jared said and called the files up on the computer then dowloaded them onto a PADD so the ACMO could review them. "Everything I have is in here." Kaeter took the Padd and looked it over for several minutes, moving through the files to check the more pertinent information. "It's incredible. How does this disease spread? By air, by the ingestion of infected food or drink or by sexual relations? "I have narrowed it down to contact with the skin of an infected person or surface rather that airborne which means someone unknowingly contacted it and has been spreading the contagion. Whether that was the first person to succumb or is still alive I have no way of knowing since the first cases were already far advanced when they arrived and I gleaned no useful information from them, they were extremely incoherent." "Have you begun to create a vaccine or an effective treatment?" "As I said I have found no treatment that can slow it and with the large number of wounded I have been unable to devote a sufficient amount of time to the investigation of a vaccine. I have taken some preliminary steps; they are listed on the report." Jared sighed, he felt completely helpless and incompetent considering his inability to even slow the disease. "Fortunately the numbers have slowed to a trickle and I have discharged a large number of patients; I should be able to focus more attention on the problem starting tomorrow." "Can I see the virus's microphotographies?" "Of course Kyle, follow me to the lab." Jared said and got up slowly from the chair. (USS Paladin -Primary medical lab- CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1018) He strode through the door and took a left from his office. The lab was sealed but the door opened at his order and they walked into the constantly maintained sterile environment, a sterile field swept over them as they passed through the doorway. In the center of the lab was a large table with controls mounted on the sides upon which a forcefield containment could be placed in an instant, the table was currently unoccupied. Jared moved to the near wall on the left where a control panel was inset into the wall and typed at it for a moment, shortly a large screen above it displayed the 100,000th magnification digital photos of the virus in a tissue sample, the screen began running through the mitosis of the microscopic contagion as it spread through the sample, breaking down the cell walls of the tissue as it infected and multiplied. "As you can see it is very vigorous in its attack and replication." After the disease had reached its zenith he snapped a few buttons and a number of still shots of the virus were displayed on three screens. (Reply: Kyle) "Anitropoline and Tricolazine were my first choices but they failed miserably to stem the spread of the infection." (Reply: Kyle) "Subsequent treatments were as ineffective." Jared sat down heavily in one of the nearby chairs. "We are going to have to start from scratch to find and synthisize an effective drug, in the meanwhile of course a great number of patients are going to die." He slammed his fist on the console in sudden anger. "Why do politicians and bureaucrats have such a love of destructive agents that can not be controlled? Are there any enemies that are truly deserving of such treatment?" (Reply: Kyle) "I'm sorry." Jared said and rubbed his eyes. "I shouldn't get angry, it keeps you from thinking straight. Do you have any suggestions?" (posted by Charles) (USS Paladin - Personal Quarters - CEO - LT. JG. Steven Matrix :10:30 ) Matrix was feeling much better. His ribs were just about healed although he could feel some soreness depending upon how he moved. His hair had all but grown back and looked just like a marine cut. His facial and body scars were non existent thanks to the doctor and the people who helped treat him during his ordeal. Still Matrix was suffering not from the trauma, but from not being able to do his job when the ship needed him the most. It wasn't his fault the conduit exploded, but he had been away from his post during a difficult time for the crew and captain. "Computer...display main engineering replay Stardate 2406.10.28 time index 1010 Primary Engineering Power Storage..." Matrix heard the computer acknowledge and a few moments later the video snapped on screen. Matrix was disturbed by what he'd seen on the screen. A crew member severely injured in the line of duty...that crew member was him. He felt lucky to be a live and lucky that the medical team was so good. Matrix sat back in his chair and thought about what the doctors had relayed to him, that Alura Rathyn was in to see him on a number of occasions. He smiled and the delight that someone cared and even more so that it was a colleague. He had to catch up with Alura and thank her for her concern. He had a number of people to thank, including the doctors, the first officer and the captain, but Alura especially. Matrix sat back up in his chair, rubbed his neck and glanced up at the chronometer. "I need to get to engineering and get back to work...I don't care what the doctor said. I need to get back to my post." (posted by Steve) (USS Paladin - FO Office - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps & Ops Ensign Knightley - 1059) Calvin sat behind his desk, and in his comfortable chair. Across from him was Ensign Knightley, the officer that had recently told Calvin that she was attracted to him. For the past week now things were going very slowly for the two of them because of their busy duties. However there was certain tension between the two of them, and that was going to have to be solved soon and hopefully now. "Ensign Knightley," Calvin started out. "I have had a little longer than a week to think about what you said to me, and I think we need to talk about it so we can be more comfortable around each other. Especially when we are on the same shift on the bridge together." Elizabeth knew that Calvin was right, but she did and did not want to talk about. She wanted this entire ordeal to be up in the air, bu at the same time she did not want rejection. "I know, Lt Cmdr. I feel the same way. I have told you what I wanted to a week ago, and I am waiting for an answer." Calvin noticed how she was tring to choose her words carefully. That made him think if she was afraid to say something because she felt this meeting to be professional or on a friendship base. He wondered if she was afraid to say something wrong in front of her superior officer. He decided to try to make her more comfortable. "Elizabeth," Calvin started out this time. "Please call me Calvin here." Calvin tried to reassure her. He moved his hands from the arm chair to the top of his desk. "Your right I have had a week to think about what you said. And the truth is, I am attracted to you as well." Calvin did not know if he did something good or something bad. Star fleet was not against officers being together, but was this situation a wrong situation to get involved with someone. Elizabeth's eyes opened wildly and looked straight into Calvin's eyes. "You are," she said excitedly. She then calmed down and continued with her curiosity. "So, what do we do now." Calvin pondered. It was sad but true, but Calvin had not had to many girlfriends or simple dates for that matter. His life was surrounded by nothingness. He lived on a space facility with his mother and father. Needless to say that was the only explanation he needed to give to show what his friendships were like back at home. Once he entered Starfleet he gave all his time to work, and a little fun, but not girlfriends or romantic dates. Calvin pondered a little more and came up with what he thought was the best and most logical next move. "I guess the best thing to do is to see if we really do like each other." "Do you mean.. a date?" Elizabeth asked. "Yes," Calvin answered." "When?" That was a hard question. The only reason they were unable to talk about this situation before was because they were so busy. How were they going to see each other for a date with their duties. Calvin was scheduled to go down to the planet at 1300 and he knew what hers was like. "Do you think you can make it at holodeck 2 at 1900?" "Yes." "I will see you then." He stood up and was unsure what to do. He could tell that Elizabeth was at unease as well. "Well Goodbye." "Goodbye." Elizabeth said. She had no idea what would be the right thing to do at this moment so she turned and walked out of the First Officers office. (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1200) Calvin walked into Main Engineering in search of the Chief Engineer. Lt. Cmdr no doubt looked at the working consoles first. Lt. Matrix seemed like a hands on type of guy to Calvin, so he assumed that he would be working somewhere. Once the First Officer found him he walked over to the Chief Engineer. "Lt, may I have a word with you." (reply Matrix) "How are you feeling, Lt?" (reply Matrix) "And how is the ship?" (reply Matrix. rfm) Calvin once again held a PADD with him. On this PADD was the same instructions from the PADDS he handed over to the science officers earlier. "Lt. We were given permission for a short shore leave onto the planet. I know you are busy, however I am ordering you to go down. You will be accompanied by me and a few other officers. Be at hanger bay 4 at 1300. Sorry for the short time." (reply Matrix) "What we are doing is a surprise, plus it should be relaxing. All the information is on the PADD." (reply Matrix) "Oh, can you please inform Ensign Rathyn that he is invited as well. I can't seem to find him." (reply Matrix) "I will see you then." Calvin then turned away and walked out of Main Engineering. He had to go pack his own bag. (posted by Calvin) (Alpha Command - Shuttle Phoenix - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 12:00) Lt T`Vhor was once again aboard the Phoenix gathering some equipment & some personal effects he would be requiring during his trip to the hills. Ensign Dunn had only said that he would be there to meet him if he decided to go but of course, he hadn`t turned up at all. In his absence, T`Vhor wondered what he might be up too but tried to put the matter into the back of his mind the best he could. Dunn was more than capable of looking after himself, wether he could do that without getting himself into some kind of trouble however remained to be seen. Lt T`Vhor pushed aside his thoughts & stepped down from the shuttles boarding step with his pack slung casually over his right shoulder, then checking his Nav-comp he closed the hatch & set off to the west for the area he had chosen as a suitable site for what he had in mind. (Gamma Sigma IV - Western mountains - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 12:45) Reaching the bottom of a verdant area of woodlands, T`Vhor stopped & reached around himself to pull the water bottle from his pack, he then took his fill of the cool glucose enriched fluid from within it before pausing to look around at the breathtaking view presented to him. Reaching for his pack again, he withdrew a set of standard starfleet binoculars & slowly scanned the horizon, autozooming to various points of interest along with a few unusual animal & bird varieties before lowering them gently to his side. This was indeed a beautiful planet, the skies were clear & blue whilst the surrounding woodlands were filled with trees that seemed unusually colourful for the time of year. They actually seemed to be in varying states of termtime, something T`Vhor had never seen before. Due to it`s varying, oblique positioning & it`s unusual orbit, Gamma Sigma IV sometimes saw two suns in it`s daytime sky, one directly overhead & the other smaller sun almost about to set far away in the west. It was because of this of course that the trees exhibited their strange hue & behaviour. It really was quite beautiful. T`Vhor suddenly thought of Krysta & how she would have loved this place. It was such a shame it had been marred by so much death & destruction during it`s rule by Admiral Doenitz`s forces. The thought of his wife however snapped him out of his awe & after checking his nav-comp, he continued onwards replacing his water bottle & his binoculars to his pack as he did so. It was about a quarter of an hour later that T`Vhor finally found the spot he was looking for. An area of outstanding beauty set high amidst a clearing that seemed perfect for the ritual he had come here to perform. For a brief while though, he simply sat upon the grass looking down into the valleys below him, then checking his nav-comp once again, he read off the coordinates & statistics of the area before removing his pack from his back & opening it up before him. From within, he withdrew a small velvet bag with a drawstring neck which he layed carefully down at his side, then he opened up another compartment to remove a utility tool designed with a multitude of purposes in mind. On this occasion however, it would be used to dig a small pit in the ground. This done, Lt T`Vhor sat cross legged before it & closed his eyes to initiate his medatory path towards the Vulcan mindstate known as Surini Maklar. In this state, T`Vhor would recall his wife & their child in a manner akin to them actually being there with him, it would take time & it would require the utmost diligence to achieve. Nonetheless, it was of course required. Gamma Sigma IV - Western Mountains - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 13:30) With Surini Maklar achieved, T`Vhor slowly opened his eyes to the wonderous sight of his dear departed wife kneeling there before him. The moment he set eyes upon her T`Vhor was overcome with uncharacteristic emotion which he had to fight to hold back. A lone tear fell from his eye as he gazed upon her looking as radiant as he had always remembered her. In her arms she cradled a newborn child, their child. She said nothing, she merely smiled a warm, loving smile & T`Vhor returned that smile to her as he slowly reached for the small velvet bag to his side. From within it he withdrew two small crystals which he held up & into the area inbetween where they both knelt. Sunlight became instantly caught within the facets of the two crystals as he did so to project hundreds of small beams of light all about them & into each of them as he slowly lowered them downwards once again. "My beautiful wife Krysta", said T`Vhor, "our son", he added as he bowed his head forwards in honour of them both. "I promised you that I would do this for you both", said Lt T`Vhor, "I honour that promise now as a testament of my deep, undying love for you both", he added as he carefully layed the two crystals side by side into the hole he`d previously dug in the ground before him. "Death may have parted us all prematurely my love, but in this act I trancend you to the gods & spread your essence to the four corners of the universe", said T`Vhor as he very carefully pushed the soft soil over the two crystals. Then he returned his attention to the vision of loveliness before him once again. For a few brief moments, T`Vhor tried fruitlessly to see into her eyes, into her soul. Then he reached his hand torwards her in a vain attempt to touch her physical being just once more. Again she smiled & then reached out to touch his hand in reciprocation before slowly disintegrating into the ether once again as always. It had seemed to last only minutes but in actual fact, the experience had lasted well over 45 minutes. It was always the same though, for T`Vhor it was never long enough & the pain of his loss never seemed to ease. For a long while after that, T`Vhor simply stared at the place she had been unable to look away, it was as though he hoped that she might reappear in the flesh but of course that could not be. It was always the hardest part of the ritual, the fact that he would see her only briefly & then she would be gone again. Slowly, Lt T`Vhor came back to the quiet reality of the situation before him. The small pile of soil before him, the two planted seeds to signify his love for his wife & child & the beauty of this place all around him. "Live long & prosper in spirit wherever you both are", said T`Vhor holding his hand up in traditional Vulcan salutation as he again bowed his head in honour of their memories, just as the smallest of the two suns finally disappeared below the horizon. An almost fitting end to the ritual... (posted by Alan) (Shuttlecraft Barrie - Cockpit - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar - 12:55) Rana was getting bored of the long shuttle flight. Good thing for her that the end was in sight. She could see the Paladin in sight. And she was taken aback at the size. ~I never thought that they'd build ships that big!~ She thought. ~It's bigger than some of the islands I lived near!~ "Computer," she said, shaking herself from her musings, "ETA at the Paladin." [ETA is approximately 3 minutes,] the computer beeped back. She settled back in for the short flight left to the ship that would soon be her new home. (USS Paladin - Deck 34, Main Shuttlebay - CSO Lieutenant (jg) Joran Matthew Brownlee and ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar - 12:58) Joran had gotten to the shuttlebay a little before everyone else had. And because of that, he saw a shuttlecraft coming in. He assumed that it was from the planet, until he saw who was in it. Rana had just gotten out of the shuttlecraft, when she sawsomeone in a blue science uniform running towards her. She had no idea who it was until she heard him yell, "Imzadi!" Of course, he got a few strange looks from his colleagues that had just entered. Once she recognized him as Joran, she dropped her bag and flew towards him. They met up in the middle and lovingly embraced. Some of the others were somewhat taken aback at this, though. (reply Matrix, Rathyn, Capps, Schofield, any others in shuttlebay) "Yes, we know each other," Joran said. "We were lovers at the Academy. I promised her that I would not forget her when I left." "We promised each other," Rana said, "to pick things up where we left off if ever we were posted together. Well, as luck would have it, here we are!" (posted by Spencer) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Into the Gates of Hell Day: 1 Stardate: 2407.01.04 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Paladin -CMO's office - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller - 1017) "As you can see it is very vigorous in its attack and replication." After the disease had reached its zenith he snapped a few buttons and a number of still shots of the virus were displayed on three screens. "It's fascinating. A perfect death machine developed by the Nature. What did you use against it?" "Anitropoline and Tricolazine were my first choices but they failed miserably to stem the spread of the infection." Kyle raised an eyebrow. "And then? What did you use?" Kyle was curious. Kyle looked again at the microscope's screen. That was the perfect killer: infallible and it would have never made any questions. It hadn't any conscience. An organism with the only purpose to multiply killing people. "Subsequent treatments were as ineffective." Jared sat down heavily in one of the nearby chairs. "We are going to have to start from scratch to find and synthisize an effective drug, in the meanwhile of course a great number of patients are going to die." He slammed his fist on the console in sudden anger. "Why do politicians and bureaucrats have such a love of destructive agents that can not be controlled? Are there any enemies that are truly deserving of such treatment?" "Ehi, relax. We'll find a cure, don't worry. We won't solve anything if we stay here criticizing politician's or bureaucrat's work. Sooner we begin to work, sooner we will find an effective treatment. We are going to save thousands of people, but we have to put aside our personal opinions... Better?" he said, smiling. "I'm sorry." Jared said and rubbed his eyes. "I shouldn't get angry, it keeps you from thinking straight. Do you have any suggestions?" Kyle hadn't any idea. "Let's begin analyzing the reaction of the virus when reacts with various substances. Maybe we will find some useful informations"~I do not have any idea~ Kyle sighed. "Jared, I know that this will be a very long and boring work, but it's the only way to save lives. Come on, let's get it started" (posted by Alessio) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps - 1120) Lt. Cmdr Capps was walking around the bridge checking on the status of the ship. All major repairs were done thanks to the help of Geneva, and minor repairs stayed constant and very near done. As Commander Capps pushed his officers to their best ability to get this ship ready when ever the Captain called, he heard Ensign Knightley. "Priority message from Strategic Operations. Captain Lee, sir." ~Could it be all ready,~ Calvin thought. =/\=Patch it through=/\= the Captain spoke back. Calvin then continued his work but not with out stealing a glance at Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Calvin began their new relationship a few weeks ago during the mission at Sigma IV. Calvin was Happy to say that their relationship has risen to a healthy one. Elizabeth and Calvin have been on a few dates. For Calvin there have been no awkwardness for him toward her while on duty, so he knew that they would work out. =/\=Commander Capps and Lt. T'Vhor to my Ready Room immediately=/\= Calvin heard. "Aye sir, on my way." Calvin walked down to the Captains ready room door and waited for the Captain to allow him in. Captain Straton allowed Lt. Cmdr Capps to have a seat and so he did. Moments later Lt. T'Vhor stepped in the ready room as well. (USS Paladin - Ready Room - Lt. Cmdr Capps - 1140) "We've just received new orders," She began, "And something else. his was intercepted on the FNS new feed. It has since been confirmed by Fleet agents still within the Federation." Eva then turned her terminal so they could both see it and played the new clip again watching each of their reactions to it. Calvin watched the news feed with horror. He was speechless, motionless, and nearly thoughtless. Lt. Cmdr Capps could not understand how someone could over run the Federation government. "The Paladin will be leaving Geneva within the hour. I want a senior officer meeting 15 minuets after that in the Observation Lounge. All children and non-starfleet personnel will be transferred to Geneva. Any non-Starfleet personnel wishing to remain on board will need to be approved by either myself or Commander Capps. Rules of Engagement Package, has been upgraded to Alpha Nine. Gentlemen, things have just gone from bad to worse. You have one hour to get this ship ready to depart, I suggest you get to it. I'll answer any questions at the senior officer meeting. Dismissed." "Aye sir," said Calvin as he raised from his chair. He turned and walked out of the door ready to get this ship off to its newest mission. He walked over to his chair and pushed a single button. "All hands, all hands, the USS Paladin will be leaving in one hour," Calvin announced to the entire crew. He next walked over to Ensign Knightley. "Ensign, please began the departure routine. Also, all children and non starfleet personnel will be staying on Geneva." "Aye sir." "Lt. Cmdr Capps to Lt. Matrix, are we ready?" (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ops Ensign Knightley - 1121) Ensign Knightley ran her usual scans and systems checks. Her fingers ran across the console at no extraordinary speed. A new messaged had popped up on her board. She checked it and immediately contacted Captain Straton. "Priority message from Strategic Operations. Captain Lee, sir." =/\=Patch it through=/\= the Captain spoke back. "Aye." She then continued her work at the console. Elizabeth was happy to be back here at Starbase Geneva for a little bit. She has had a good res while on Geneva. She shopped a little, visited the restaurants, but most of all Calvin and her had gotten to spend more time together. Elizabeth knows that Calvin is really special. She hasn't felt the way she done when with Calvin than anyone else she has ever been with before. When Ensign Knightley got the job on the Paladin she was excited and proud to be assigned to such a ship. Now she was even more happy, she possibly have found the right man for her. Ensign Knightley heard the Captain's ready room door open and watched the first officer and second officer emerge from the room. Elizabeth was a little surprised because she did not notice them going in. She spotted that Lt. Cmdr Capps was headed toward her way. "Ensign, please began the departure routine. Also, all children and non starfleet personnel will be staying on Geneva. A meeting will follow 15 minutes after we leave spacedock," said Calvin. "Aye sir." (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Paladin, Ready Room, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 11:30) Eva was sitting quietly behind her desk reading over reports, requisitions, crew transfers, and fuel consumption reports. All the day to day 'paper' work that had to been done for a smooth running star ship. Things had been quite since Gamma Sigma. ~If only it would stay that way.~ Eva thought taking another sip of her hot herbal tea. Her terminal beeped suddenly. =/\=Priority message from Strategic Operations. Captain Lee, sir=/\= Ensign Knightly said. "Patch it through," Eva said, setting down the PADD she had been reading. If Lee was calling her directly then it could only be bad news. "Captain," Eva said, in greeting as Lee's face appeared on her terminal screen. She had worked with him for several months before LoDona had given her command of the Paladin. She still had to remind herself that this Lee had never been her First Officer. That Lee was dead. Dead in another universe. =/\=Standby to receive new orders Captain,=/\= Lee said, typing something on his end. Eva typed in her access code to receive the new orders. =/\=I'm attaching a FNS news feed we intercepted. It has been confirmed by our operatives in place. Good luck Captain." With out another word Lee cut the connection. ~Odd.~ Eva thought, calling up the new orders. She blinked several times then read them again. Finally, she called up the FNS news feed and watched in silence as the unspeakable unfolded before her eyes. Her cup suddenly shattered in her hand as she tried to contain her anger, failing. Hot tea covered her hand burning her flesh but she didn't feel it, the reporters words echoing in her mind. ~Betazied. Pacification fleets. Tellar in flames. By the Holy Rings it's happened. The Bastard has overthrown the Federation Council.~ Now the new orders made perfect sense, it was time to act. They couldn't play it safe any longer. The Federation was on fire, and they were possibly it's only hope. Eva slammed her fist into her desk top then opened a comm-channel. "Commander Capps and Lt. T'Vhor to my Ready Room immediately," She said, closing the connection down right afterward. She slowly opened and closed her burned hand using the pain to focus herself to clear all distractions and focus on what was to come. (Reply Capps, T'Vhor) When her First and Second Officers had arrived, Eva motioned them to sit. "We've just received new orders," She began, "And something else. This was intercepted on the FNS new feed. It has since been confirmed by Fleet agents still within the Federation." Eva then turned her terminal so they could both see it and played the new clip again watching each of their reactions to it. (reply Capps, T'Vhor) "The Paladin will be leaving Geneva within the hour. I want a senior officer meeting 15 minuets after that in the Observation Lounge. All children and non-starfleet personnel will be transferred to Geneva. Any non-Starfleet personnel wishing to remain on board will need to be approved by either myself or Commander Capps. Rules of Engagement Package, has been upgraded to Alpha Nine. Gentlemen, things have just gone from bad to worse. You have one hour to get this ship ready to depart, I suggest you get to it. I'll answer any questions at the senior officer meeting. Dismissed." (Reply Capps, T'Vhor) (USS Paladin, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 12:45) Eva entered the room exactly 15 minuets after they had left Geneva. The Paladin was now in the sub-space river heading back toward Federation territory. "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space," Eva said, getting directly to the point. She pressed play and for the third time watched the news broadcast from Tellar. As the broadcast ended, the room was deathly silent for several moments. Eva broke the silence. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" (posted by Wes) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 11:31) Lt T`Vhor had been walking through a coridoor with Ensign Apar overseeing the settling in of his new security teammember when the comm came to life. =/\=Commander Capps and Lt. T'Vhor to my Ready Room immediately=/\= said the captain. Her voice had seemed unusually abrupt considering the period of calm they had recently been enjoying. Something was obviously amiss. T`Vhor turned to Ensign Apar, raising an eyebrow in a typically Vulcan manner as he did so. "It would seem I have to leave you now Ensign", said T`Vhor, "I will meet with you as soon as I am able to discuss your duty roster, until that time however, I must attend to my own duties", he added as he headed off towards a nearby turbolift. (USS Paladin - Captains ready room - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 11:40) "We`ve just received new orders," said Captain Straton with that self same air of urgency in her voice that T`Vhor had heard when she had first contacted him. "And something else", she added. "This was intercepted on the FNS new feed. It has since been confirmed by Fleet agents still within the Federation.", said the CO. Lt T`Vhor moved towards the monitor to watch the events unfolding upon it, as did Lt Cmdr Capps. Both were surprised at what they were seeing but said nothing. "The Paladin will be leaving Geneva within the hour", said Captain Straton. "I want a senior officer meeting 15 minutes after that in the Observation Lounge. All children and non-starfleet personnel will be transferred to Geneva. Any non-Starfleet personnel wishing to remain on board will need to be approved by either myself or Commander Capps. Rules of Engagement Package has been upgraded to Alpha Nine. Gentlemen, things have just gone from bad to worse", said an increasingly worried looking CO. "You have one hour to get this ship ready to depart, I suggest you get to it. I'll answer any questions at the senior officer meeting. Dismissed." "Aye sir", said T`Vhor as he headed from the room with Lt Cmdr Capps. (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 12:45) The eyes of all assembled imediately feel upon the Captain as she entered the room with an ominous look upon her face. Each of them were aware now that something big was going down & each was eager to know exactly what it was. "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago", said the Captain taking her seat. "It has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space", she added getting directly to the point. She then pressed play and for the third time watched the news broadcast from Tellar along with those in the room. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?", said the Captain. "Sir", said Lt T`Vhor, "Am I correct in assuming that the Klingon fleet is amassed somewhere nearby as we speak", he added. (Reply Straton) "And what of the Romulans sir", said T`Vhor, "our disassembly of the captured warbirds computer files have shown them to be engaged in various covert missions", he added. "They will undoubtedly be aware of our rapid deployment", said T`Vhor settling back into his chair. (Reply Straton, Any) "Understood sir", said T`Vhor. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Deck 1, Main Conference Room - CSO Lieutenant (jg) Joran Matthew Brownlee, ACONN Ensign (jg) Christian Soval Brownlee, and ATAC/ASC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar - 12:43) As all three were on the bridge at the time the meeting was called, Joran, Christian, and Rana got to the Conference Room at about the same time. They were rathersurprised that a staff meeting had been called with such urgency since the time of the battle had been relatively quiet. ::What do you think it's about, Imzadi?:: Rana asked Joran. ::I haven't the slightest clue. It's gotta be bad, though,:: he replied. All three settled in chairs next to each other, then the captain began. "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space." She pressed play, and a staticy broadcast from the FNS popped up onscreen. "... [static] ...lcan, Andoria, Betazed and numerous other member-worlds have joined in this defacto resistance, propelled by the Violence on Tellar. It has been reported that several pacification fleets are already enroute to those worlds. We do know for certain that the Defense Forces of these worlds are active, and at least one... the Andorian Defense Force, has orders to defend to the last against all forces loyal to new President Doenitz and his regime." The reporter ducked as a fighter fired on the Tellarite city of Ravhivik. Seconds later, the reporter re-centered himself in the shor, with the planet below in flames. "To recap: After former Admiral Doenitz has pronounced himself the new President of the Federation during his imposition of Martial Law on Earth, several member worlds led by Tellar rose up in protest. Almost immediately, select forces of Starfleet targeted the planet of Tellar. An official statement from the Office of the President announced that Tellar had been overrun by agents from rouge Admiral LoDona, and must be weeded out. Even now an occupation army has landed and Tellar has been placed under military law. The new president also announced that Martial Law was being declared Federation-wide to deal with the new Klingon threat, due to the Klingons allying themselves with Admiral LoDona somewhere on the fringes of explored space. In response, several notable worlds of the Federation have pulled support from the Federation council and have mobilized their defense forces. There is even high-level rumors flying around that Admiral LoDona's support might be sought. There are many unconfirmed rumors from sensitive informants in Starfleet that he sent multiple messages to Captains and Fleet Commanders before his so-called Rebellion began that warned of danger from Admiral Doenitz." "I won't be able to stay on the air much longer, the FNS received word that none of what is happening here is to go on the air. I will have to move soon lest I be found. I wanted everyone to know what was going on, there are so many things we haven’t been allowed to tell you because of Security Concerns. Troop movements, dissenters being quietly relocated and silenced. MY conscience could no longer let me stand by in silence while these atrocities are being committed." In the background, Joran noticed that there was a fighter lining up to fire upon the ship that the reporter was broadcasting from. Oblivious, the reporter continued. "... As you can see, Tellar is on fire. The Tellarite self-defense force has been completely obliterated. It is safe to say that the planet of Tellar is completely under military control. I have been told that a couple Andorian ships appeared in the skies twenty minutes ago and were utterly destroyed by forces loyal to President Doenitz. And..." At that point, the braodcast fizzled out to the seal of the FNS. The captain stopped the recording. Christian looked around. Everyone had a look of utter shock on their faces, except for T’Vhor. The captain continued. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" Lt. T’Vhor stood up. "Sir", he said , "Am I correct in assuming that the Klingon fleet is amassed somewhere nearby as we speak?" "The Klingon fleet is still in the process of deploying," the captain replied. "The 20 Klingon ships that will be joining us are already en route to a rendezvous point. As are the other ships from the 52nd. The Paladin should arrive at the rendezvous point in just under 3 hours from now. We will wait there for the majority of the battle group to arrive. The rest will hook up with us en route to Federation space." "And what of the Romulan's sir?" said T`Vhor, "our disassembly of the captured war birds computer files have shown them to be engaged in various covert missions. They will undoubtedly be aware of our rapid deployment", said T`Vhor, settling back into his chair. "No doubt," Cpt. Straton said, "but right now the Romulan's are not our main concern. It's Doenitz and his forces that have a strangle hold on the Federation. We will keep an eye out for Romulan activity and deal with it should we come across it." "Understood sir", said T`Vhor. Joran and Christian had many questions, both. What of Vulcan? Their family lived there, and they feared for them. Living where they did, it would be easy to liquify the planet’s surface. Rana had questions about her family’s well-being, as well. Joran stood up. “Is there any hope that we will be able to resolve this quickly?” (reply Straton) As Joran took his seat, Rana stood up. “Just to be clear, how many planets have joined the resistance, and which ones?” (reply Straton) Rana sat down and Christian stood. “What of the other world that have seceded? Do we know anything about that? Do we know anything beyond that broadcast?” (posted by Spencer) (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn - 12:45) Rathyn was called out of a holographic visit to a beautiful lakefront villa on her homeworld when the call came through for another staff meeting. Water lapped at the shore a few meters from where she sat cross-legged on the ground. A recreational craft moved over the water's surface, it's engine's humming to her from a distance. The familiar sights and sounds surrounding her parents abode was comforting even if the whole thing was an illusion. The three-level residence now stood some fifty meters behind her — or at least appearing so in the confines of the Paladin's holography room. Her real home had been built more 10 years after the Cardassian Occupation ended, quite literally a life-time ago from her perspective. Captain Straton entered the room exactly 15 minuets after they had left Geneva. The Paladin was now in the sub-space river heading back toward Federation territory. "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space," Eva said, getting directly to the point. Rathyn watched the news broadcast, her impassive features hiding the emotions reeling inside her as she watched the attack. She closed her eyes and images from the past came to her mind of what Bajor had to endure under Cardassian occupation. The attacks on innocent people. Villages ruined. Families eradicated. Children maimed and burned. Most of the Cardassian soldiers fulfilled their grisly duties with cold professionalism while others laughed with sadistic pleasure as they looked for ways to make the suffering worse. In her minds she could see the same scene playing out on other worlds, maybe Bajor too. For some time she'd wondered if she'd made the right decision in joining the 52nd Fleet. She had no more doubts. Doenitz and his loyalists were like the Cardassians, vicious animals that had to be eradicated. And the 52nd Fleet wouldn't stand completely alone. There would be other pockets of resistance. Bajor had them. Every planet in the Federation would have those handfuls of people who would do anything, take any risk, face any sort of indescribable death to free their world. And in the bigger picture, the Federation would never be the same again. Win or lose, her honor and virtue were forever sullied. After the broadcast replay finished, Straton began talking again and Rathyn opened her eyes. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" Lt T`Vhor asked about the Klingons and then about the Romulan's involvement. Straton told him the Romulans were not a primary concern to the 52nd Fleet at that time. ~We captured one of their Warbirds,~ Rathyn thought to herself, analyzing the circumstances. ~They will be a problem sooner or later. And a civil war within the Federation could only work in the best interests of their own Empire.~ (posted by David) (USS Paladin, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 12:47) "Sir", said Lt T`Vhor, "Am I correct in assuming that the Klingon fleet is amassed somewhere nearby as we speak." "The Klingon fleet is still in the process of deploying," Eva replied, looking at her TAC\SC. "The 20 Klingon ships that will be joining us are already en route to a rendezvous point. As are the other ships from the 52nd. The Paladin should arrive at the rendezvous point in just under 3 hours from now. We will wait there for the majority of the battle group to arrive. The rest will hook up with us en route to Federation space." "And what of the Romulan's sir", said T`Vhor, "our disassembly of the captured war birds computer files have shown them to be engaged in various covert missions", he added. "They will undoubtedly be aware of our rapid deployment", said T`Vhor settling back into his chair. "No doubt," Eva said, "but right now the Romulan's are not our main concern. It's Doenitz and his forces that have a strangle hold on the Federation. We will keep an eye out for Romulan activity and deal with it should we come across it." "Understood sir", said T`Vhor. (posted by Wes) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - FO Lt. Cmdr Capps - 1247) "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space," Eva said, getting directly to the point. She pressed play and for the third time watched the news broadcast from Tellar. As the broadcast ended, the room was deathly silent for several moments. Eva broke the silence. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" Calvin continued to stare at the view screen that was now showing a federation symbol. Although he had already seen the broadcast once before, he was still distraught by it. Lt. Cmdr Capps looked around the room. Calvin had no questions, he believed he understood the orders that have been brought to him. (posted by Calvin) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - CMO Lt. (jg) Jared Keller- 1248) "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space," Captain Straton said, she pressed play and the shocked senior staff watched the news broadcast from Tellar. Jared sat stony faced during the presentation, he had heard rumors but this... this was unforgiveable! He made so sound during the presentation or after as everyone sat in stunned silence. The Captain was the first to speak. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and perform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" Jared shook his head, what was there to say? The madman Doenitz had begun full scale war on Federation citizens and now they were being ordered to pay him back in kind, Jared found it apprapo for the situation. He was going to be tested to the limits now, they all were ... and God give them strength to see this modern day Hitler buried beneath the ruins of the empire he hoped to found! (posted by Charles) (USS Paladin, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Eva Straton, 12:49) Joran stood up. "Is there any hope that we will be able to resolve this quickly?" "Doubtful," Eva said, "though we can always hope. I don't think I need to tell any of you just want 'pacification fleet' means to someone like Doenitz. The Federation is in full blown civil war. Our only hope now is to forcefully remove Doenitz from power." As Joran took his seat, Rana stood up. "Just to be clear, how many planets have joined the resistance, and which ones?" "Vulcan, Betezed, Andor, Tellar, we know for sure," Eva replied, "We have also received reports that Bajor and numerous others have also joined the resistance. A full listing has been downloaded into the ships computer." Rana sat down and Christian stood. "What of the other world that have seceded? Do we know anything about that? Do we know anything beyond that broadcast?" "Very little," Eva said, "the Federation is in chaos. We are hearing a lot of conflicting reports. Fleet intell is trying to get as much information as they can." Eva turned her attention then to the entire room. "All non-classified data will be shared with the entire crew, including the news broadcast. They have a right to know." Eva paused waiting to see if there were any more questions. (Reply Any) Eva typed in a series of commands and a list of ships appeared on the screen behind her; Federation Ships: --- USS Paladin, Meredith Class (Type: Dreadnought)* Task Force Flagship --- USS Hannibal, Akira Class (Type: Heavy Battle Cruiser) --- USS Terminator, Akira Class (Type: Heavy Battle Cruiser) --- USS Langley, Akira Class (Type: Heavy Battle Cruiser) --- USS Horizon, Akira Class (Type: Heavy Battle Cruiser) --- USS Vanguard, Galaxy Class (Type: Heavy Battle Cruiser) --- USS Ulysses, Prometheus Class (Type: Attack Cruiser) --- USS Valorous, Prometheus Class (Type: Attack Cruiser) --- USS Titanic, Prometheus Class (Type: Attack Cruiser) --- USS Shadow Stalker, Prometheus Class (Type: Attack Cruiser) --- USS Starquest, Steamrunner Class (Type: Cruiser) --- USS Republic, Steamrunner Class (Type: Cruiser) --- USS Praetor, Defiant Class (Type: Interceptor) --- USS Starkiller, Defiant Class (Type: Interceptor) --- USS Witchfire, Defiant Class (Type: Interceptor) --- USS Kronos, Keltoi Class (Type: Battleship) --- USS Mournblade, Keltoi Class (Type: Battleship) --- USS Nemesis, Keltoi Class (Type: Battleship.) --- USS S'Urak, Keltoi Class (Type: Battleship) --- USS Valkyrie, Keltoi Class (Type: Battleship) Total: 20 Ships "This is the list of Fleet star ships assigned to the Paladin battle group, on top of the 20 Klingon ship." (NRPG: I didn't feel like trying to come up with 20 Klingon sounding ships names. Anyone good in Klingonese is welcome to come up with some ship names for the Klingon ships. : ) ) RPG: "Lt. T'Vhor, I want armed security teams stationed at all key ship locations at all times till further notice. Also roving patrols. Work with the marines to make sure internal security is as tight as possible. It is very probable that we will need to repeal boarders." (Reply T'Vhor IYW) "Medical needs to be ready for more wounded. Set up a triage center in one of the cargo bays if you need to. Engineering will assist however they can." (Reply Keller, Kaeter) "Engineering, weapons, shields, and engines should all be at 100% or better. Work with Lt. T'Vhor to make sure they are all calibrated properly and in perfect working order." (Reply Matrix, Rathyn) "Science, We will need sensors also working at peek efficiency. The battle group will also need a series of encryption protocols for secure communications. Work with tactical to come up with possible tactics to disable enemy vessels without destroying them. We will need all the ships we can get, and I would like to limit the lose of life on both sides, if at all possible. (Reply Brownlee) "Fighter squadrons and the marines will need to be ready to deploy at all times. I want a full squadron of fighters in space at all times with a second on standby." (Reply Menelian, Rath) "A full company of marines will be ready for deployment at all times, with a second on standby." (posted by Wes) (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 12:49) "Lt. T'Vhor", said Captain Straton turning to the Security Chief, "I want armed security teams stationed at all key ship locations at all times till further notice. Also roving patrols. Work with the marines to make sure internal security is as tight as possible. It is very probable that we will need to repeal boarders", she added. Lt T`Vhor nodded his assent to the CO & made a few references in a PADD he had carried into the meeting with him. The meeting then continued on. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:40) Lt T`Vhor was busy now on the tactical console as the Paladin closed on the coordinates that had been fed to helm. All around him, he could sence the various feelings of the bridge crew as they worked their relevant consoles. Some were apprehensive, others were aggresive in their thoughts & some were just plain scared of what might be. All at once, active sensors suddenly began reporting on various contacts appearing on long range scan. Six contacts, all bearing starfleet registries in an opened formation. They had finally made their rendevous. Lt T`Vhor turned to the centre chair & Lt Cmdr Capps seated upon it. "Sir, I have six contacts bearing one zero nine, mark two four" (Reply Capps) "Starfleet vessels sir, The USS Vanguard, the Ulysees, the Mourneblade, the Valkyrie, the S`Urak & the Hannibal sir", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps) "Aye sir, transmitting codes now", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) Lt T`Vhor then fed the revised coordinates to helm & the Paladin instantly realigned to bring her bow to bear upon the starfleet contacts. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Bridge - FO Lt. Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:41) Lt T`Vhor turned to the centre chair & Lt Cmdr Capps seated upon it. "Sir, I have six contacts bearing one zero nine, mark two four" "Can you Identify them Lt," Calvin asked his Chief Tactical officer hoping the ship were friendlies and not enimeies. "Starfleet vessels sir, The USS Vanguard, the Ulysees, the Mourneblade, the Valkyrie, the S`Urak & the Hannibal sir", said T`Vhor. "Very well, Lt. T'Vhor. Give them our coordinates and codes," Lt. Cmdr Capps said back to T'Vhor glad that the ship appearing was indeed an ally. "Aye sir, transmitting codes now", said T`Vhor. "Thank you Lt." Max had recieved the coordinates from T'Vhor and brought the ship into a correct position. "Ensign Knightley please let the Captain know that the reported ships have made contact." "Aye sir." (posted by Calvin Capps) (Uss Paladin - Sickbay's lab - ACMO Ensign (jg) Kyle Kaeter - 1545) Jared left Kyle alone, because he wanted to know more about the disease. Kyle made some interesting discoveries, but he didn't found anything helpful. With a padd in his hands, he took some coffee from a near replicator and while taking a sip of coffee from the cup he read all the old reports, for the most part written by Keller. Then, he began to make some hypothesis. Nothing. He was tired and frustrated, it hadn't found any answer, any useful element. ~I need a break...~ he thought. He left the empty cup on the table of the microscope and entered in the Sickbay's main room. (Uss Paladin - Sickbay - ACMO Ensign (jg) Kyle Kaeter - 1601) He was still thinking to the virus and was so absorbed in his thoughts that didn't noticed a woman who approached him. "Still thinking about the disease, Mr....." she said. Kyle turned toward her. "Kaeter. Kyle Kaeter, ACMO. Nice to meet you" "Norika Glace. I am a scientist sent here to study what is killing these people. It's a pleasure to meet you as well. What have you discovered?" "Nothing we don't know.... I read some of the Keller's reports for almost all the time. I was taking a break" "I see. Well, why do...." She was interrupted by a nurse. "Ensign Kaeter, there is a meeting in the observation lounge. Lt. Keller said you have to go there as soon as possible" "Oh, thanks. Well, have a nice day Ms. Glace. See you soon" he said, smiling. Kaeter went out the Sickbay and reached the Observation Lounge. He took place while the Captain Straton was taking place in front of the officers. "What I am about to show you all was received only a few hours ago, it has since been confirmed by operatives still in Federation space," Captain Straton said, she pressed play and the shocked senior staff watched the news broadcast from Tellar. ~Let's see what they want to say us...~ Kyle thought. "In response, Admiral LoDona has up graded the Rules of Engagement to Alpha Nine: unrestricted warfare on forces loyal to Doenitz. The Paladin has been ordered to take command of a Battle Group comprised of ships from the 52nd and the Klingon Defense Force. We will have 40 ships total. We will proceed into enemy held territory and preform hit and run raids on key enemy installations in the area. Our mission is to cause as much havoc and chaos on the enemy as we can. To keep them off guard. Questions so far?" "Oh.... my..... God" Kyle whispered. Then, he rose his hand. "Sir, I've got one. Why the Command wants us to fight against Doenitz's fleet? We have already enough problems with the disease and we can't leave those people dying on the planet. Our Sickbay is full and the medical staff is already sustaining longer shifts. I do not want to discuss the Command's orders, but I think that we should stay here and find an effective treatment against this devastating virus" (Posted by Alessio) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:49) The Paladin had now taken up station keeping duties in the near vicinity of the other starfleet vessels. There had been numerous secure communications between the Captains of each of the ships, information being exchanged & updated accordingly. The mood on the bridge was pensive to say the very least. Lt T`Vhor was once again busy on the tactical station scanning the area for possible hostiles entering the area whilst the rest of the bridge crew were busy at their respective consoles. For a while, none had shown but all of a sudden, an unidentified vessel had appeared on long range scans. "Sir, unidentified contact bearing 0ne ninety, mark four zero", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "I am not sure sir, she is not transmitting identification codes", added T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "She is not responding to hails sir", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "Aye sir, coordinates fed to helm", said T`Vhor as he complied with the first officers orders. The Paladin quickly brought her bow to bear on the incoming target, raising her shields & going to red alert as she did so. (Reply Capps) "She is still not responding to hails sir, although I predict a seventy eight percent margin that she is one of ours", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "There is another incoming sir, directly behind the first vessel, she is targetting the lead ship", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "The second target is confirmed as hostile, an Akira class, the lead vessels shields are at sixty four percent sir", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "Aye sir, aquiring target, target is aquired & locked, firing now sir", said T`Vhor as the Paladin let fly with her forward photon torpedo launchers. The hostile imediately fell to impulse as the shots struck home. With her concentration solely upon the other vessel, she had neglected to scan ahead & see the other ships in her wake. Consequently, she had not been ready for the Paladin. The first shots had disabled the Akira`s warp drive, giving the other vessel a large advantage as she raced onwards towards her redeemers & away from the pursuing foe. Lt T`Vhor imediately rescanned both of the incoming targets to verify their status, reporting to the FO as he did so. "The Akira has disengaged & is retreating sir, the lead vessel is now transmitting codes", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "It`s the USS Valorous sir, she is signalling a medical emergency, they have casualties", said T`Vhor. (Reply Capps, Any) "Shall we engage the Akira sir?", said T`Vhor, "There is a chance she may now know our rendevouz location & relay this to Doenitz`s forces", he added. (Reply Capps, Any) "Aye sir, standing by", said T`Vhor. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin, Armoury, Ensign Greg Dunn, 15:50) The ship had been at red alert for a few minutes now Greg had been doing the final checks on the hand held phasers when the ship began to rock slightly as it fired its own weapons. ~I’ve been down here too long. I have lost track of what is going on. ~ Greg placed the phaser back in its holder and closed the reinforced glass door and locked it. Making sure that everything was secure he headed to the bridge curious as to know what has been going on. (USS Paladin, Bridge, Ensign Greg Dunn, 1553) Greg stepped onto the bridge to hear the captain barking out orders to have an Akira class vessel destroyed. ~ Oh my… something interesting is happening. ~ Greg nodded at T’Vhor and took up position at secondary tactical and did a brief scan of the vessel they were battering. Its warp drive was off line and it was making a hasty retreat. He then began monitoring internal security and as usual it was quiet. No one was throwing a riot. (posted by Greg) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO, Captain Straton, 15:52) Eva had immediately stepped from her Ready Room onto the Bridge when she felt the Paladin's weapons firing. She watched silently as events unfolded. "Aye sir, standing by," T'Vhor was saying, as Eva stepped down to the command deck. "Open a channel to the S'Urak, the Valkyrie, and the Hannibal. They are to pursue that Akira and destroy it," Eva ordered, "Inform Sickbay to stand by to receive wounded. Then inform the Valorous we are standing by to receive their wounded and have engineering teams standing by to assist them if they require." Eva crossed her arms as she looked at the Valorous on the main viewer. ~I hoped to never see another war. Now I have to wage the worst type of war. War against ones own. Gods help us all.~ (posted by Wes) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor - 15:52) "Open a channel to the S'Urak, the Valkyrie, and the Hannibal. They are to pursue that Akira and destroy it," said the Captain as she appeared on the bridge. "Inform Sickbay to stand by to receive wounded. Then inform the Valorous we are standing by to receive their wounded and have engineering teams standing by to assist them if they require." Lt T`vhor imediately complied with the captains orders & opened a channel to the required ships, then he turned to the CO. "Sir, the S`Urak & the Valkyrie have acknowledged & are under way, the Hannibal is experiencing a small technical difficulty but will back up the other vessels the moment it is able to do so", said T`Vhor. (Reply Straton) "Aye sir", said T`Vhor as he began scanning the Valorous as she came to a dead stop ahead of them. "The Valorous has hull breaches on decks nine & twelve sir", said T`Vhor, "their medical section is offline due to damage, repair teams are attempting to repair the damage but they are requesting the use of our sickbay", he added. (Reply Straton) "Understood sir", said T`Vhor as he resumed perimeter scans on the imediate vicinity. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Alura Rathyn - 16:15) Ensign Rathyn felt restless going about her post, business as usual, knowing that another ship might be — and probably would be — in need of help with battle damage repair, a chore wherein additional help was always welcomed. This feeling drove her to Lt. Matrix office. She pressed the chime to the CEO's door then entered at his bidding. "Chief, I wanted to ask what is happening on the Valorous," Rathyn told him. "More to the point do they need help with repairing battle damage? And, if so, I would like to volunteer to go over there with a team." (posted by David) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering CEO Office - CEO Lieutenant - 16:15) Matrix had been reviewing the duty logs and the ships condition for the past few hours. From the reports of the senior officers he knew things could get interesting in the next few days and months. The door chimed...Matrix looked up, "Come in." "Chief, I wanted to ask what is happening on the Valorous," Rathyn told him. "More to the point do they need help with repairing battle damage? And, if so, I would like to volunteer to go over there with a team." Matrix sat up. "Ensign, I haven't heard anything other than she has casualties. I'm sure she'll need our help in repairs and I would allow you to go over, but your primary responsibility is to the Paladin." (Reply Rathyn) "I have no doubt that we will be required to do whatever it takes to forge alliances, build trust, and render assistance wherever the captain deems necessary." (Reply Rathyn) "Ensign, I'll talk with the first officer and the captain about what is needed. In the mean time report to your duty station." (posted by Steve) (USS Paladin - Main Engineering CEO Office - CEO Lieutenant - 16:15) "Chief, I wanted to ask what is happening on the Valorous," Rathyn told the CEO, after entering his office. "More to the point do they need help with repairing battle damage? And, if so, I would like to volunteer to go over there with a team." Matrix sat up. "Ensign, I haven't heard anything other than she has casualties. I'm sure she'll need our help in repairs and I would allow you to go over, but your primary responsibility is to the Paladin." "Yessir, I realize that," Rathyn said, maintaining her composure. Being 'reminded' of what she knew so well was annoying. The Valorous was a break from the routine — another ship to explore and learn about as she crawled through Jeffries tubes and damaged engines hunting down damaged circuits and relays. "I have no doubt that we will be required to do whatever it takes to forge alliances, build trust, and render assistance wherever the captain deems necessary." Rathyn nodded. "Of course sir," Rathyn said. "It's just — I feel uncomfortable just going through my usual routines when there may be a serious need so close to us. Plus there's the fact I love the challenge of going into another ship and learning what makes it tick — exploring new territory as it were." "Ensign, I'll talk with the first officer and the captain about what is needed. In the mean time report to your duty station." Rathyn took a deep breath. "Yessir. Thank you sir." She turned on he heels and headed toward the door. (posted by David) (USS Paladin - Bridge - TAC/SC T`Vhor & Captain Khang - 17:30) With the Akira class vessel now destroyed, the small collection of federation ships continued patrolling the rendevouz location for any signs of approaching contacts, each of them a little safer now in the knowledge that their location would not be relayed to Admiral Doenitz`s forces now. The USS Valorous was now safe & sitting in the middle of the tight formation effectively licking her wounds, her engineers busy on the repairs to the hull & other damaged areas within. Any of her crew needing medical assistance had been beamed aboard the Paladin & the Valkyrie in order that their injuries could be more fully attended to whilst the Valorous`s medical facilities were made safe by her repair teams. For two hours now, nothing at all had shown on sensors but the odd passing asteroid or space debris, then suddenly there were three vessels. Lt T`Vhor imediately turned to the CO in the centre chair who was actually in the process of drinking tea amidst reading interdepartmental reports at the time. "I have three contacts at warp speed bearing one ninety mark two zero sir", said T`Vhor. (Reply CO) "One moment sir", said T`Vhor as he reconfigured the sensors accordingly. "Klingon sir, two K`Vort class Bird of Preys & one Negh`Var class Battle ship", said T`Vhor. (Reply CO) "Aye sir, prompting for covert identification codes now", said T`Vhor as he sent the incoming contacts the required classified ID codes to confirm their identities. A few seconds passed whilst the Paladins computers descrambled the encrypted comms as they came in, once this was done though, Lt T`Vhor turned to the CO once again. "They are responding with the required responce sir & are now on an intercept course", said T`Vhor. (Reply CO) "The DuQ`etlh, the Jogh & the Qang sir", said T`Vhor. "They have dropped out of warp & are slowing to impulse", he added. (Reply CO) "Opening a channel now sir", said T`Vhor & imediately the battle scarred face of the proud looking Klingon on the DuQ`etlh appeared on the Paladins main viewer. "Captain, it is indeed an honour to come to fight alongside you in your hour of need", said the gruff voiced Klingon. "Captain Khang at your service", he added as he nodded in allegience. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - Security - TAC/SC T`Vhor -19:00) RPG: The moment Lt T`Vhor entered Security, he came face to face with his new security team member Ensign Apar. "Ensign Apar", said T`Vhor, "just the person I was looking for", he added, remembering only moments beforehand that he had meant to discuss her duty roster with her the moment he was free to do so. (Reply Apar) "I have drawn up a list of your duties", he said handing her the PADD in his hand as he spoke & then walking slowly towards his office with her. "We need to post armed teams at all vulnerable locations on the ship so this is the first item in your list", said T`Vhor. (Reply Apar) "I want you to set those teams up, I would suggest two officers at each of the transporter rooms & sensitive operational locations such as engineering, the bridge & the weapons bays to begin with", said T`Vhor. (Reply Apar) "We may need to expand upon these first locations & we will of course have to work with the Marines to lock down the ship should the need arise", said T`Vhor, "I will be meeting with the Marine commander to discuss this with him in due course", added T`Vhor. (Reply Apar, IYW) Ensign Apar glanced down again to look through the PADD & then she made to leave the room, just as Lt T`Vhor caught her attention once again. "Ensign Apar", he said. (Reply Apar) "Welcome aboard the Paladin Ensign, you have joined in troubled times but I hope you will enjoy serving with us", said T`Vhor. (Reply Apar) "I have read through your starfleet record", said T`Vhor, "you are an exemplory officer & will make a fine addition to security", he added. (Reply Apar, IYW) Ensign Apar smiled & then left the office to attend to her duties. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - Security - ATAC/ASC Ensign (jg) Rana Apar -19:02) Rana was going over some more security protocols to refresh her memory when T'Vhor walked in. "Ensign Apar", said T`Vhor, "just the person I was looking for." She looked up and saw him aproaching. "What do you need me for, sir?" she asked politely. "I have drawn up a list of your duties", he said handing her the PADD in his hand as he spoke & then walking slowly towards his office with her. "We need to post armed teams at all vulnerable locations on the ship so this is the first item in your list", said T`Vhor. "I understand, sir. Go on." "I want you to set those teams up, I would suggest two officers at each of the transporter rooms & sensitive operational locations such as engineering, the bridge & the weapons bays to begin with", said T`Vhor. "Alright." "We may need to expand upon these first locations & we will of course have to work with the Marines to lock down the ship should the need arise", said T`Vhor, "I will be meeting with the Marine commander to discuss this with him in due course", added T`Vhor. She nodded as he finished this last part, and looked down at the PADD. She started to leave when T'Vhor started speaking again. "Ensign Apar", he said. "Yes sir?" "Welcome aboard the Paladin Ensign, you have joined in troubled times but I hope you will enjoy serving with us", said T`Vhor. "Thank you sir. I already know that I will." She tried hard not for her thoughts not to drift to Joran. "I have read through your starfleet record", said T`Vhor, "you are an exemplory officer & will make a fine addition to security", he added. "Thank you, sir." She smiled & then left the office to attend to her duties. As soon as she had left the room, she tapped her communicator and relayed the orders to the Security teams to guard the areas T'Vhor had indicated earlier. She started on her way when she thought of what the captain had said at the staff meeting earlier this morning. She tapped her communicator again. "Ensign Apar to Lt. T'Vhor." (reply T'Vhor) "Sir, when I finish with this, I would like to work with the Science department on devising some tactics like the captain said." (posted by Spencer) (USS Paladin - Deck 27 - Security - TAC/SC T`Vhor -19:04) Lt T`Vhor sat back into his chair & breathed a deep sigh as he stretched his neck to the left & to the right. He then slid open the drawer to his table spotting the still unopened bottle of Klingon blood wine, left for him by his predecessor. It looked rather tempting today but T`Vhor knew that this was not the time to be endulging in alcoholic beverage, there was work to do. He slid the drawer closed once again just as his comm badge twittered into life. =/\=Ensign Apar to Lt. T'Vhor=/\= =/\=Go ahead Ensign=/\= said T`Vhor a little unsure as to why she was contacting him so soon after leaving. =/\=Sir, when I finish with this, I would like to work with the Science department on devising some tactics like the captain said=/\= Lt T`Vhor paused momentarilly, thinking back to the said meeting. =/\=You are correct Ensign Apar, the Captain did say that tactical should work with the Science department=/\=, said Lt T`Vhor. He then accessed a terminal in the room to scan through a few duty details before returning his attention to the Ensign`s request. =/\=Very well Ensign Apar, once your current duties have been fulfilled, you may approach the science department to offer assistance according to the Captains wishes, T`Vhor out=/\= Lt T`Vhor then returned his attention to the terminal before him. (posted by Alan) (Classified Location - S4 planetoid surface - MCO Conner Tirrel - 06:45) When the comms came in, Conner was actually kind of glad to be leaving. This was one godforsaken hole for sure & one that he would not be regretting leaving behind. The marines had just been withdrawn from their current assignment at the request of starfleet due to the escalating situation with Admiral Doenitz`s forces elsewhere. They were to be ready for imediate evac within twenty minutes & were to rendevouz with the USS Paladin in the subspace river for an as yet undisclosed static assignment. Within minutes of receiving the coded transmissions, the heavilly camoflaged Trojan assault ship had been prepped for launch & the dug in covert surveilance teams recalled. They eventually boarded the assault vessel looking weary & well dusted, for most of them it was obviously a welcome change as they fell onto the benches without even removing their BDU`s or extracting the bugs from their gear. "Track for active ground targets as we leave & be ready for ground fire the moment we are airborne", said Tirrel turning to one of the marines. The said Marine replied with an abrupt "Sir, yes sir", & then he climbed upwards into the rear gun turret. As it was, there was very little firing up at them as they cleared the fast, abrasive dust clouds that had plagued their filtration vents from the moment they had arrived on the planetoid designated only as S4. Four disruptor blasts streaked into the air alongside the Trojan as it accended, the marine at the weapons platform wasted no time however & targetted the source instantly to vaporise the cannon & it`s operators in the twinkling of an eye. He wiped his brow as he scored the hit. "Toast", said the marine, "they are most definately smoking now"..... (Subspace river - Trojan two zero - MCO Conner Tirrel - 07:34) "Sir, I have the Paladin on active sensors now", said the marine pilot at the helm. The MCO sat upright from his position on the bench behind & then he leant over to the flightdeck the moment the marine spoke. "There expecting us", said Conner, "Send them the clearance codes & tell them we are coming in" "Aye sir", said the pilot. "This is Trojan two zero heavy & hot calling the USS Paladin, please acknowledge", he added. (Reply any on Paladin bridge) "Golf one niner, epsilon four dash six niner niner", said the pilot answering the call for the verbal clearance codes from the Paladin, before then entering the required digital encryptions to back up the verbals. (Reply any on Paladin bridge) "Confirmed, proceeding to hanger bay two as directed, get the showers on & the hot water a runnin boys", said the pilot as he set the Trojans flight computer to automatically intercept the ILS coming from the Paladin. "I just wanna see a woman", said one of the marines stirring from his half induced sleep upon one of the crew benches, "just look at one", he added looking up to the ceiling with a distant look in his eyes, "not touch or anything else, just wanna see something beautiful instead of goddamn dust, critters & things that just wanna blow my friggin head off", he added to the laughter of his comrades. "Every woman you meet wants to blow your head off anyway drew", said another of the marines. "That`s true", said the first with a shrug of his shoulders. "That`s very true" "Something tells me we are jumping from the frying pan on this one lads", said Tirrel, "I have a bad feeling", he added as he stood up to oversee the Trojans approach to the rear of the Paladin. It was indeed a welcome sight, after five months of being stuck in the backyard of nowhere, the chance of being able to put a head up over a rock & not risk having it vaporised, was certainly something to behold. (USS Paladin - Hanger bay two - MCO Conner Tirrel - 7:42) The moment the shuttle had landed & secured the marines had wasted no time at all in disembarking, their kit & BDU`s beaten & thoroughly dust ridden were the first things to come off & get uncerimoniously dropped to the hanger deck plating with heavy metallic thuds. Conner stepped down from the shuttle with his own gear & stretched himself out to ease the tension he felt all over his body. He then stood his team down & headed off to the marine corp department on deck 62 for debriefing. (USS Paladin - Observation Lounge - MCO Tirrel - 12:47) Conner had already seen the information the Captain was about to reveal to her crew. By this time, he had of course been in secure contact with Paris Island back on Earth & had witnessed all the facts relating to Doenitz`s latest questionable activities. The Captain now proceeded with the meeting, asking questions of her crew at the end & then moving on to lay down the intended plan of action. Conner was to work with the Paladins security Chief Lt T`Vhor in securing the ship for fast, covert strikes into enemy shipping. He was also to provide close fighter support for the battle fleet & boarding details whenever the need arose. ~Better prep the Martini`s then~ thought Conner with a smile. With their taskforce rendevouz only hours away now though, time was indeed of the essence. With the meeting concluded, all those assembled rose to go off to their required duties whilst Conner headed off to the marine department to check out the various equipment he envisaged needing & brief his men on what was soon to be. ~Boy are they going to love me now~ he thought to himself as he headed from the bridge towards one of the turbolifts. (posted by Alan) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [End Compile] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compiled by Calvin Capps