Ê Compile Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate 2406.10.08 (USS Hood, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2230) Ê Stardate: 2406.10.14 (USS Mystique, Deck 4, Officer Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2015) Stardate: 2406.10.15 (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1300) (USS Mystique - FO's office; FO Lt Cmdr Peter Belinia; 1800) Stardate: 2406.10.17 (USS Mystique - quarters - Conn- Lt Herkimer 78- 1235) Ê(USS Mystique - quarters - Ensign Jason Dema - 1238) (USS Mystique - Main Bridge; FO Lt Cmdr Peter Belinia; 1240) (USS HOLO-Mystique, HOLO-Main Bridge, HOLO-OPS, Lt (jg) HOLO-HHril, HOLO-1241) (USS Mystique - Main Bridge; CSO Ketal; 1242) USS Mystique - near marine center - Ensign Jason Dema - 1248) ÊÊ(USS Mystique - Quarters - TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 1900) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê(USS Mystique - Bridge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1156) (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Ensign Jason Dema & Cassandra Dema - 1206) Ê(USS Mystique - ready room - Ensign Jason Dema - 1241) (USS Myqtique - Holodeck - Ensign Jason Dema - 1321) (USS Mystique - Lounge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1423) (USS Mystique - Lounge - Sarah Nevada - 1451) (USS Mystique - quarters - 1453) Ê(USS Mystique - Sickbay - Sarah Nevada - 1503) (USS Mystique - Lounge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1520) (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Ensign Jason Dema - 1524) (USS Mystique - Phaser Range - Ensign Jason Dema - 1634) Ê ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2406.10.19 Ê(USS Mystique - Sickbay - Sarah Nevada - 0900) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.21 (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1700) Ê -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique - Personal quarters - CSO Ketal and Captain Vanyssa WintersÊ- 03:40) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 0856) (USS Mystique Observation Lounge TASC Ensign Travis Keswick 0900) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Vanyssa Winters, 0916) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CSO Ketal - 09:25) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters - 09:35) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 09:36) Ê(USS Mystique, Bridge, CEO, Lt(sg) Sarouk, 0940) (USS Mystique, Ready Room, CEO, Lt(sg) Sarouk, 0943) Ê(USS Mystique, Ready Room, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters, 0945) (USS Mystique, Ready Room, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters & CEO Lt.Ê Sarouk, 0946) (USS Mystique - Bridge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1000) (USS Mystique, Bridge, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters , 1045) (USS Mystique, Deck 14, CSO's office, CSOÊKetal , 1050) (USS Mystique - computer lab - Ensign Jason Dema - 1124) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 1145) (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1922) Ê Ê Begin compile ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.08 Ê (USS Hood, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2230) Ê The Defiant class ship was bearing down on the little Runabout.Ê They had literally no chance of surviving this attack.Ê The fact was, that the Mystique was a match for their pursuers, they were not.Ê The Cmdr had directed Tourana to take the ship back to the Mystique.Ê Perhaps the sight of her would be enough to make the defiant break away.ÊÊ ~Here's hoping.~ he thought to himself as another shot blasted their shields. Ê "Shields down to 54%, Sir." HHril said as the hull shook under the force of the blast.Ê "We really can't take much more of this." Ê "Ensign, evasive maneuvers. Pattern Delta Sierra." order the FO of the Mystique.Ê One thing was certain, their pilot may be young, but she certainly was not unskilled.Ê The maneuverability of the Runabout was their only chance to survive the attack, and she was certainly putting the little ship through its paces. Ê " Hold on tight, here we go " she shouted as the Runabout performed a tight loop, allowing the larger ship to slip beneath her.Ê " They were going to ram us, and I haven't finished trying this baby out yet, Sir ! " Ê Continuing evasive maneuvers, Tourana kept the Defiant class ship within a safe distance, not allowing it to turn and fire the pulse phasers at them but allowing the Runabout to fight back.Ê Three torpedoes sped away from the little craft, all impacting on the shields. Ê "Direct hit to their dorsal shields, Sir.Ê Minimal effect." informed HHril. Ê "Their shields are weakening, but they have regenerative shielding. I'm charging phasers to two hundred per cent. This will fry some systems, so lets hope they won't be vital ones. Ensign, we'll need some fancy flying, but make sure we are still within range." Ê Ê HHril began routing power to the phasers through non-essential systems in the hopes of frying systems that they could live without.Ê ~I doubt anyone will be ordering up tea any time soon.~ he thought to himself as he routed all power from the replicator. Ê "Ensign, take us underneath her, Lieutenant change shield frequency to nine one point zero zero four." Ê Ê "Aye, Sir." HHril answered and completed the task asked of him. Ê "Ensign, when we go underneath the ship, our shields will merge, be ready to make a speedy getaway. It'll be a bumpy ride!" Ê Now realizing exactly what the FO had in mind, HHril quickly adjusted the frequency of their shields to match the larger ship which was now above them and set their scanners to automatically adjust the frequency to allow the ship pass through as easy as possible. Ê "Hold on to be fried!" the Cmdr yelled as he fired the phasers.ÊFlashes of light emerged from all around the bridge.Ê Sparks fell and panels hung from their hinges.ÊÊ Suddenly, HHril's chair was struck, turning he saw that it was the FO, lying sprawled on the floor, a welt on the side of his head andÊa seared hand. Ê "Cmdr," he said, rising to his feet.Ê "They are still in persuit.Ê We caused damage to several non-essential systems as well as to their targeting systems.Ê They are still in hot pursuit, and still have the upper hand, but we may have evened the odds a little." Ê Suddenly, an alarm blared and the craft lurched to the side. Ê " Sir, I'm losing directional control, one of you had better fix it and fast" Ê "I'm on it," Yelled HHril in replyÊto Tourana's request.Ê "Just don't slow down." Ê HHril hit the floor under the conn of the ship, where Tourana was trying her best to keep them from getting blown to bits.Ê It was not a pretty sight.Ê Circuits were fried and isolinear chips were fused.Ê The only way to fix this problem was to hot-wire the directional controls.Ê For that, he would have to tap into the navigational array and sensor grid.Ê He knew that he could do it, but did he have enough time. Ê "We are out of control. Ensign, try your best to regain control." said the FO as he fired away at the Defiant.Ê Sparks shot out under the console as each torpedo sped away searing his face and eyes.Ê If not for the second set of clear eyelids all Romulans and Vulcans had, HHril would have been blinded.Ê "Navigational deflector is offline.Ê The EPS conduits in that section have damaged it beyond repair! Ensign, have you ever flown blind before?" Ê "Actually, Sir.Ê That is me." broke in HHril before Tourana could reply.Ê "I will have directional control in a few moments but we will have lost the navigational sensors in order to do it." Ê " Sir, I can fly this thing standing on my head AND blind if you need me too! ", Tourana shouted asÊthe ship shifted to manual piloting control.Ê This approach was much less efficient, but it should keep them alive.Ê " Hold tight, incoming missile and I cant evade this one too well, its going to graze us at least ! " Ê The ship jerked as it was struck, pieces of debris from the fried circuits fell in his face causing lacerations.Ê The green blood flowed from his cheeks as he pulled himself from under the console. Ê "Shields down to twelve per cent, port nacelle is.........not there, life support is failing and the warp core may breach any time now." There was no hiding their situation, and the tone in the FO's voice spelled it out.Ê They were in serious trouble. Ê HHril was thrown to the wall as the Hood went into a flat spin, slaming him into the console and breaking a few ribs.Ê Ê Ê "Sir, there is nothing I can do, we have to evacuate if the Mystique doesn't hurry up !" said Tourana very matter-of-factly. Ê "Beam the probe to the Mystique. Before we blow up!" said the FO to HHril.Ê Ê Ê "Aye, Sir" he said.Ê He locked on with the scanners and beamed it directly to the Main Science Lab.Ê "Transport successful." Ê "Ensign, prepare the escape pod for release.Ê Abandon ship."Ê HHril still had to send their talematry back to his station on board the Mystique.Ê A few key buttons and the info was sent. Ê HHril headed to the escape pod and helped the ensign into her seat.Ê She was bleeding much worse than he was.Ê And the Cmdr himself, was in no condition to be out and about himself.Ê Once she was seated, he turned to help Cmdr Belinia into his seat before strapping himself in. Ê "Ensign, release us." order the FO of the Mystique.Ê The pod shot away from the Runabout and the battle, hopefully, the Defiant class ship would not just shoot them out of the sky. Ê "Pod released "Êanswered to pilot.Ê Her first days work and she had earned her wings.Ê That was in fact an understatement.Ê She had saved their lives.Ê Tears welled in her eyes,Êand she looked away from HHril.Ê He too had not expected this for their second day of work.Ê He closed his eyes and leaned into his seat. Ê "Ms. Tourana," began the FO.Ê "It was not your fault. You did everything you could, and against a Defiant class, you excelled yourself. You kept us alive, and without you we would not be here now. Hold your head high, you are a credit to your uniform, and I am in your debt." Ê Ê ~As am I.~ thought HHril to himself.Ê He felt disoriented. Conversation continued in the pod, but HHril heard none of it.Ê There was something wrong.Ê Something had happened that he had not realized and his body was no longer able to deal with it.Ê An audible groan escaped his lips and his body leaned forward.ÊDarkness. Ê --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.14 Ê (USS Mystique, Deck 4, Officer Quarters, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 2015) Ê It had been days since the run in with the USS Fairchild.Ê HHril was feeling better, all things considered.Ê The fact that they had been attacked by a Federation ship was bad enough.Ê The fact that they had been attacked by an unprovoked Federation ship spoke volumes.Ê They were considered traitors.Ê More than likely, the CaptainÊand crew of the defiant class ship did not know the truth.Ê More than likely they were just following orders.Ê More than likely... Ê The fact was that he believed in LoDona and the cause of the 52nd fleet.Ê The fact was that based on what he had been told, andÊbased on what he had seen, there was no way that he was being misled.Ê But he was certain that there were those on the other side, those still affiliated withÊStarfleet that had been told and had seen things also.Ê War was never easy.Ê And thisÊwar had all the makings of a terrible one.Ê He picked up the PADDÊfrom his table next to the empty plate.Ê He had managed toÊsecure a cooking console for himself and had finished up the plate of chicken and rice thatÊhe had made for himself.Ê TheÊreplicator could never get things right.Ê He preferred toÊdo things himself when possible, and cooking was one thing that he was able to do by himself.ÊÊ Ê On theÊPADD was all the information he had amassed about the subspace relay module that he, Tourana and Belinia had retrieved.Ê The modifications had been done by someone with an understanding of cloaking technologies.ÊÊOut of the known conspirators, onlyÊHaydridge could have performed the modifications.ÊÊAnd even then, she would not have had the security clearance to obtain the necessary equipment.Ê So how did she get access to the relay module.Ê And, for that matter, how did she get hold of a modular cloaking device.Ê It certainly was a mystery.Ê One that he felt would continue to unfold as their missions continued.Ê Ê Ê He placed the PADD on the table, rose, and crossed his quarters to the replicator placing the plate and utensils on the surface.Ê Two buttons and three beeps later the plate vanished.Ê One more button, and the replicator was ready to process his request.Ê "Raktajino."Ê A whir and a cup filled with the hot liquid appeared where the dishes had been placed.Ê Taking the cup from the replicator, HHril crossed the room to the couch on the far side.Ê He had secured a bow and arrow set, his grandfathers, to the wall directly over the couch.Ê He looked at it before sitting down.Ê Ê Ê His time with the Tal Shiar had trained him to be suspicious.Ê That was, after all, the job of a Tal Shiar agent.Ê To be suspicious beyond even regular normal Romulan citizens.Ê They had shown him that every piece of data, no matter how insignificant could lead to a great discovery.Ê ~How could she have gotten hold ofÊthe materials!~ he thought to himself.Ê ~It just doesn't make any sense.~Ê He continued to look over the schematics of the module on the PADD.Ê ~What is special about this module.Ê What have theychanged on it other than to add a cloaking device.~ Ê Ê "Computer." began HHril.Ê "Commence recording OPS officers report."Ê The computer beeped to notify that the command had been carried out.Ê "OPS officers report.Ê Lt HHril reporting.Ê Further inspection of the subspace module has shown nothing new.Ê I will continue to conduct test to try and determine exactly what it is about this probe that would be worth attacking the Hood for.Ê The fact is, the Fairchild would have been more effective had they remained anonymous to the Mystique.Ê To reveal themselves to us for a simple subspace relay module seems... illogical." he paused and smiled to himself.Ê ~I sound like a Vulcan.~ he thought to himself.Ê "Computer end recording.Ê Add to previous entries, save and file." Ê The computer beeped once again in acknowledgement and then the room was quiet.Ê HHril sipped the last of his drink as he walked towards his bedroom.Ê ~Another day, another mystery.~ he thought to himself as he lay down for sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Ê Stardate: 2406.10.15 Ê (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1300) Ê The last few weeks had given the Mystique, the newest Akira Class vessel in the fleet to show why Admiral Ladona had decided to commission an older design.Ê The ship handled better, moved faster, and was more defensively capable than any Akira that had come before her. She would certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the battles to come.Ê Ê Ê HHril had recovered from his injuries.Ê They had not been severe, but his body had buckled under the strain.Ê That was something that he would not allow to happen again.Ê He had increased his physical and mental training to assure that he would be prepared for anything.Ê Ê Ê The Mystique had been ordered to an uncharted area of space to continue the testing of some of the newer systems.Ê The Shielding was of a new design as was the cloaking device.Ê Hopefully with some tweaking, both systems would be perfected.Ê Ê Ê HHril was in the process of running passive scans on the system.Ê He was about half way through his second shift.Ê Although they had picked up a full crew compliment at Geneva, HHril had continued to work double shifts and would continue to do so until everything on board the ship ran without anyone having to do anything.Ê Ê Ê A beep and a flashing light pulled him to the right hand side of his console.Ê An unusual signal.Ê "Captain Winters." began the ch'Rihan.Ê"I'm picking up an unusual signal, Sir." Ê "On screen, Lt." came the anticipated reply. Ê HHril pushed two buttons and the image appeared on the screen.Ê A musician was playing a strange instrument.Ê But the instrument was the least strange thing on the screen.Ê The one playing it was a species HHril had never seen before, and doubted that anyone else aboard ship would have either.Ê The audio was distorted and HHril worked with the computer to clean up the signal.Ê Suddenly hitting the correct frequency, the sound cleared and filled the bridge.Ê It was intoxicating. Ê Once finished, the musician stood and bowed to her audience, displaying a pair of wings which protruded from her back. The image then changed, to that of a humanoid.Ê But he was not human... much closer than the first creature mind you, but still not the same.Ê This one had pointed ears, and HHril found himself thinking of his own ears as he watched.Ê No fur was present on this second creature,Êbut the wings were.Ê Who were these strange people. Ê "Hmm." The noise had come from the Captain.Ê That noise summed up what everyone witnessingÊthe theatrics was feeling. Ê "Can we isolate where this broadcast is coming from?" she asked. Ê "Affirmative Captain, the source of the signal is 5.3 light years away at a bearing of 83 degrees. Long range sensors show a class M planet." The answer had come from Mr Ketal at science. Ê "Set course for it, warp 4."ÊÊShe said, rising. "ETA?" Ê "At warp 7 well be there in 3hours 50 minutes," replied the CONN officer.Ê Ê Ê "Excellent." replied theÊCaptain, satisfied with the answer.Ê "Please have Dr. Mias, and Dr. Harper, as well as Mr. Ketal review these, Number One. I'd like to know something about them before we reach their planet." Ê Without waiting for an answer, the Captain headed off the bridge to her ready room.Ê ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.15 Ê (USS Mystique - FO's office; FO Lt Cmdr Peter Belinia; 1800) ÊPeter sat listening to his favorite music while reading the latest reports from the ship, Geneva and those reports from anywhere else that Fleet Command allowed him to see. It was quite busy being FO, he had no idea of how hard it could be. Had he been trained this would all be easier, so he imaginede, but he had not had the luxury ofÊattending the Command course before he took his post as FO of the Mystique. ÊHe had healed quite well, there was a small scar on his left hand, butÊ it was not distracting. He had been ordered to report to the Counsellor once a day. But he was far to busy for that. They had only had one session, but Peter knew it had helped. ÊHe had read several reports on the interegation of the survivingÊmember of the spy group who had successfully infiltrated the Mystique and the 52nd. It was not going according to expectations, but they were holding out hope. ÊThe current thinking was that she, like the three others, wereÊrecruited after the transfer to the Beta Quadrant. But information wasÊscarse as to who recruited them, where and when. They were heading down the Courts Martial route at the moment, but that did not seem to phase the prisoner. It looked bleek for the moment, but they wereÊoptimistic that they should prevail. Ê~I hope they do, it does not bode well if we fail at this!~ He stoodÊand wandered the short distance to his couch. This office was smaller than his office at Geneva, but it had a couch, windows and quite a large desk, which was no longer visible under all the PADD's and Computer Access Terminals [CAT's]. He thought back to his time onÊ Geneva, his friends and colleagues. He missed them. He held in his hand a picture of his parents, they were in London and were standing outside Buckingham Palace, the glorious home to King Edward XXVII. ÊPeter was missing them alot, he had not told the Captain much but he suspected she knew anyway. Mostly he was frightened, frightened that he would have to fight his mother in the months to come. Fleet CommandÊhad informed him that his mother was now Captain of the USS Earheart, a Soveriegn class vessel. He was intereupted from his thoughts by the computer. Ê=/\=Priority message from Starfleet Command=/\= ÊNow that was odd, for several reasons. Firstly all communications hadÊto come via the Bridge, Seondly, and most importantly, Starfleet Command would not send him any communications. He stood and nervously switched his mini view screen on. The window directly above the couch dissapeared and the Emblem of the Federation hung on a black/blue background. Then a face he did not recognise came on. Ê=/\=Lieutenant Commander Peter Belinia, I am Rear-Admiral Fenton Caunt. This messege was recorded on stardate 2406.10.06. Concerning your father, David Belinia. It is my sad duty to inform you of his untimley demise. He died on stardate 2406.09.28, due to an experimental warpcore going critical. Fully half of the scientists based at Starbase 156 were lost. Your father was transfered to that station only one month before the accident. His funeral was conducted an stardate 2406.10.05, in attendance were your mother, and the majority of your family, colleagues of your father and representativesÊ of the Federation and Starfleet. Your mother was presented with the UFP flag, and has since returned to duty. Your father is buried on Earth in your family's crypt. My condolences.=/\= With that the screenÊagain showed the Emblem of the Federation. The screen dissapeared as Peter slumped onto his couch once again.He was numb, and tears fell down his cheeks. He checked and recomposedÊhimself. Ê Ê"Computer encode messege and relay to Fleet Command, priority Alpha one. Authorization Belinia Omega nine nine Phi. Send messege." Ê=/\=Message sent=/\= Ê"Belinia to Bridge, did any communications register on the commÊrelay.?" Ê(Reply any on Bridge if you want) Ê"Are you sure that none were recorded?" Ê(Reply any on Bridge if you want) Ê"Very well, never mind. Belinia out." Peter huffed and decided to goÊto his quaters. It was a short walk. [An understatement if ever there was one!]. Once inside he went straight to his bed. Removed all his clothes and lay there naked. There he wept. Ê=/\=Priority messege from Starbase 953=/\= ÊPeter wiped his eyes and sat up as the computer terminal on the wallÊopposite his bed came to life. It was pictures of a dissaster. A spaceÊstation, in peices. Escape pods and debris filled the surrounding space. Then it changed to inside the station. It was recorded on a rescue camera. Peter could see devestation, dead bodies and maimedÊpeople all over the place. It was horrific, Peter held back a wretch, barely. The scene changed again to a cargo bay of a ship or station. It was filled with covered bodies of the deceased. They were covered in blood, body parts were piled next to them, and entrails were visible. ÊPeter had no time to make it to the toilet, he threw up on his bed. He stood, turned away from the screen. Although there was no sound he could feel it on his baack. "Computer.....end transmission. Record and send to Fleet Command. Authorization Belinia Omega nine nine Phi." Ê=/\=Communication sent=/\= ÊPeter took up his sheets and stuck them on the replicator pad. In a few moments they had dissapeared and he headed to the shower. It was a lovely water shower. He had not had a water shower for years, just sonic ones. This day was getting weirder by the second. He knew that, like the other messege, this one would not have been sent via the main comms relay. Which meant that another ship was close by. It was unlikely that they would be attacked so soon after the last encounter. But it was still unnerving to realise that fact. He then made a note to inform the Captain. He replicated some more sheets, andÊusing his command codes, he also replicated a hypospray loaded with aÊ mild sedative to enable him to sleep. He was fully aware that the DocÊwould know by the morning, but he would deal with that then. he went to his room, made his bed and then injected himself. He fell asleep. Ê ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 Ê(USS Mystique - quarters - Conn- Lt Herkimer 78- 1235) ÊHerk heard the red alert and raced into the hallway of the crew quarters.ÊS/he stopped short at the sight that was before hir.Ê In the hallway,Êseveral Xenolithe were moving menacingly away from hir.Ê Stepped back andÊtapped hir comm badge. Ê"Herkimer to the bridge, we have intuders on deck 2." ÊThere was no reply.Ê Suddenly Herk caught a motion out the side of hir eye and mved just as Xenolithe warrior leaped.Ê Herk stepped aside and fired hir phaser.Ê It had little effect, except maybe to make the Xenolithe mad. It snarled an ugly snarl and pressed it's attack. ÊHerk paried the attack swinging behind it, driving a strike into it's back.ÊLong, shaprp claws appeared as theÊ warrior attempted to slash at theÊHermat.Ê Herk caught theÊ wrist of one of the arms and spun around using hirÊfull strength, momentum, plus the leverage s/he had managed to get, and twisted the arm at an impossible angle.Ê It was accompanied by aÊsickeningÊbreaking sound, and followed by a shriek.Ê Herk then grabbed the head, rolled behind and twisted and pulled until there was another crack. ÊThe Xenolithe fell to it's knees but continued to try and skewer Herk. In aÊfit of rage, Herk found a soft spot in the Xenolithes neck and sank hirÊcanines into it, ripping tendons and blood vessels.Ê After a few moments theÊXenolithe stopped moving.Ê Herk looked up with a feral look in hir eyes andÊblood covering hir face. Ê"This is going to be harder than I thought," s/he said.Ê S/he lookedÊ up toÊsee three more Xenolithes coming towards hir.Ê "Much harder." ÊAs the intruders advanced on Herk, s/he saw something or someoneÊrunnig downÊthe corridor.Ê They were in a modified BDU.Ê The only possible person toÊwear such a thing would have to be Dema.Ê Herk could see that his armÊ wasÊalready injured.Ê Her rolled hir eyes.Ê "My hero," s/he said sarcastically. ÊSuddenly the three Xenolithes attacked simultaneously.Ê Herk barelyÊhad aÊchance to defend hirself.Ê One of the Xenolithe's fell, but it was notÊenough.Ê Herk heard a strange sucking sound, and felt something odd in hirÊchest.Ê S/he looked down to see two sets of claws protruding through hirÊbody. ÊS/he looked up at Dema's face as he turned the corner, reached forÊhim, butÊhad trouble speaking.Ê All that came out of hir mouth was a small river ofÊblood.Ê Herk's eyes rolled to the back of hir head and s/he stoppedÊbreathing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 Ê(USS Mystique - quarters - Ensign Jason Dema - 1238) ÊAfter Jason finished his attackers he looked over the corner to see if anyÊmore Xeno's would appear, but it was safe for the moment, so he started toÊrun to engineering. As he went down the corridor he could hear noises ofÊcombat and decided to take a look. Just as he passed the corner he could see three Xeno's and Herk. Herk was taken by surprise as s/he looked at Jason,Êbut right at that moment they attacked hir. S/he tried to defendÊ herself,Êone fell to the floor, but another one stabbed Herk with his claws asÊJasonÊwas running to hir to help. He quickly drew his phaser that was still onÊlevel 14, and fired at the Xeno on the floor and the Xeno not stabbingÊ Herk,Êhe quickly lowered the level to 12 and fired at the other Xeno untill heÊfell down to the floor, only to see Herk fainting too. Jason ran to hir andÊcut through his claws with his phaser. Jason checker hir polse, but there was none. Ê=/\= Ensign Dema to sickbay, we have a crewmember down, prepare for aÊsiteÊto site transport.=/\= ÊJason didn't wait for a response and activated the transporter. SeeingÊ theÊsight of Herk covered in blood dissappearing made Jason mad..... veryÊ mad.ÊHe set his phaser to the highest level and shot the 2 dead Xeno's lying deadÊon the floor. They desintegrated immediatly. Jason face showed anger as heÊwent berserk. He started walking at a very fast pace, he didn't even feltÊthe pain in his arm anymore as he walkedÊ through the corridors on his wayÊto engineering. He stumbled upon another Xeno squad who started to ran atÊhim. Jason didn't budge an inch and fired his phaser at the Xeno's. TheÊxeno's tried to dodge, only 2 of them were able to dodge as the dropped toÊthe floor. but Jason kept walking to them but Xeno's never fear and attackedÊonce more, only to be shot down by Jason. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 Ê(USS Mystique - Main Bridge; FO Lt Cmdr Peter Belinia; 1240) ÊPeter was sat in the Command seat reading the latest departmental reports when a shout came from Tactical. Seven ships were coming out of the strange anomoly they were monitoring. "I was begining to like the silence!" Peter said as he rushed to his feet. "On screen, analysis Mr Keswick. What are their tactical capabilities?" ÊThey did not have time to find out. 17 of heir torpedoes had shattered the shield grid with the back ups down aswell.Ê "Red Alert, Red Alert,Ê All hands to battle stations, boarding. Xenolithe ships have appeared and are beaming aboard!" ÊPeter shouted over the comm. The first he saw of them were seven who beamed directly onto the Bridge. Peter dived behind the command seat and grabbed the phaser that was situated in a side holster on the chair. He quickly set it to kill and started to fire it at theÊ intruders. They were incredibly hard to kill! ÊPeter looked around the Bridge, dived towards HHril who was lying on the floor, shooting at the two Xeno nearest him. Peter relocated his fire towards those and their combined effort brought one to the ground, where it fizzed out of existence. They turned to the next one, it was moving closer. Peter glanced around him to see three moreÊconverging on their position. He turned to fire on them, and managed to slow one down. In doing so the two flanking the Xeno recieving Peters fire rushed him. ÊHe was overwhelmed and the two Xeno thrust at him, their claws wereÊshoved deep into his chest. He screamed as he was lifted from the ground, pain he had never felt before. Blood was now spurting from his mouth and chest in a veritable river. One of the Xenos removed his claws in a ripping manner slicing Peters stomach open. His entrails fell to the floor in a steaming heap, they kept unraveling in a sickening slurp-slap-slurp. Bile and vomit were dripping down his body, his legs were now covered in excrement, vomit and blood. The stench was unbeleivable and his screams were earpeircing, even they were bleeding now. Then he was thrust into the air, flying over the Bridge his entrails forced to follow. They draped over all who were beneath him. Blood was gushing from his wounds and as he hit the CONN his screams stopped. His back was now crushed, the blood in his body was gone and as he took in the scene before him he could see that theÊBridge crew were lying dead, most had his bile and guts plastered over them. ÊPeter had not known such pain, his eyes were getting heavy. His last act was to set the self destruct sequence. He started to speak, but itÊ was a gurgle of blood. The computer did not recognise his voice. He slumped into a heap and slowly died. ÊThe remaining five Xenos screamed so loud as to shatter the consoles. Two of them rn over to Peters now dead body and held it highover their heads. The knew it was he who was in command, so the ripped his body in half. They threw his legs over towards the tactical station and then left the Bridge. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17ÊÊÊ Ê Ê (USS HOLO-Mystique, HOLO-Main Bridge, HOLO-OPS, Lt (jg) HOLO-HHril, HOLO-1241) Ê HOLO-HHril sat at his HOLO-station at HOLO-OPS.Ê It was a perfectly normal HOLO-day on the bridge of the USS HOLO-Mystique.ÊNot that he knew that.ÊBeing a hologram himself, all things around him seemed real.Ê Hell, all things to the real people seemed real on the holodeck, why not to him.Ê Ê Ê HOLO-HHril ran scans of the HOLO-area.ÊThey had been sent out on a mapping mission in order to fully test the systems on the HOLO-Mystique.Ê Suddenly, the HOLO-sensors picked up 7 Xenolathe ships coming out of an anomaly.Ê HOLO-HHril heard the HOLO-FO speak as 17 torpedoes sped away from the enemy ship striking the shields and dropping them.ÊSuddenly, the mighty HOLO-Mystique was being boarded by the savage beasts.Ê HOLO-HHril jumped from his seat as the first wave of them appeared on the bridge. Ê Being an accomplished marksman, HOLO-HHril pulled and fired at the first Xenolathe as it began stalking towards him.Ê The blast from the HOLO-phaser tore into the body of the creature burning a hole into the right side of its body.Ê Undeterred, the hunter sought out its prey striking HOLO-HHril in the chest, sending him hurtling backwards into the HOLO-viewscreen.Ê The pain was unbearable.Ê Ê Ê As the creature continued to approach him, the HOLO-FO, Lt Cmdr HOLO-Belinia stepped over to where HOLO-HHril was lying on the floor and together, the two bridge officers fired, dropping the beast to the floor.Ê But the creatures continued to advance on them, one tearing into HOLO-Belinia, the other gouging at HOLO-HHril.Ê Within moments, HOLO-Belinia was ripped into two pieces, and HOLO-HHril was full holes with green HOLO-blood pouring from the wounds. Ê The last thing that HOLO-HHril saw was one of the creatures holding the two halves of the once proud and noble HOLO-Belinia in the air above his head.Ê Then all faded to black, as the algorithms that made up his existence retreated to the holodeck processing computer. Ê ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 (USS Mystique - Main Bridge; CSO Ketal; 1242) Ketal was monitoring the readouts on a quasar that had just been discovered only minutes before when the cry went up on the bridge from Ensign Keswick Xenolith ships had been sighted. He heardÊCommander Belinia shout. Ê "On screen, analysis Mr Keswick. What are their tactical capabilities?"ÊA quick reset of the sensors showed three enemy ships were launching torpedoes at the Mystique, before he could cry a warning the concussion from multiple impacts had shaken the bridge. Ketal checked the auxiliary shield generators but the blast from 17 missiles had blown them out also. Ê Ê He heard "I was begining to like the silence!"Ê from the FO then he shouted over the comm."Red Alert, Red Alert, All hands to battle stations, boarding. Xenolithe ships have appeared and are beaming aboard!" ÊThe next sounds the half Vulcan heard was the carrier wave of a transport beam as Xenolith began beaming to the bridge. Turning he saw seven materialize as he was taking his phaser one from his belt. Knowing stun was all but useless against them he set it on 14 and raised it toward the nearest one. The Xenolith was fast however and was on Ketal before he could pull the trigger, a slash of the beasts claws knocked the phaser from his hand as green blood began to ooze from his wrist. Ketal grabbed the creatures otherÊwrist asÊit tried to stab him withÊits claws and moving into a clinch heÊgrabbed the creatures other armÊwith his injured hand as he heard the sounds of phaser fire.The XenolithÊsnapped toward him quickly, trying to reach him with its teeth butÊwith a lunge he tossed the creature toward the rail, there was a snap as its back struck and it lay still. Ketal felt a sting along his right side and saw that he was bleeding profusely from a slash the monster had gotten inÊat the last moment. Looking toward OPS he saw several Xenolith rshing the FO and RomulanÊOPS officer and locating his phaser he lunged toward it but was intercepted by another Xenolith that had come upon him from the side, the two wrestled for a moment before it got one hand freeÊand raised it for the killing blow, there was a Xenolith scream of triumph and blood began raining over the bridge as the creatures claws descended across his throat then all went black. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 Ê(USS Mystique - near marine center - Ensign Jason Dema - 1248) ÊJason was almost at the marine center. He turned around the corner to seeÊMajor Lee in the far distance, giving instructions. Jason's face stillÊshowed his madness. blood was allready dripping through his bandage, leavingÊa trail of blood behind him. Jason started to feel a bit weak due to hisÊbloodloss but he kept going cause of the adrenaline running through hisÊbody. But suddenly a lone Xeno attacked him from out of nowhere, JasonÊ couldÊhardly dodge his claws. He fired his phaser, but the Xeno dropped toÊtheÊfloor, dodging the shot, and stabbed his claws into Jason's left leg, makingÊhim fall down to the floor, Jason dropped his phaser. The Xeno got up again,Êlooking at his victim lying helplessly on the ground. Jason tried to crawlÊfor his phaser, but he felt another stab , again in his left leg butÊ higherÊthis time. Jason yelled in pain as the Xeno came to sit on top of him. Ê"playing with your victim..... only amatuers do that." Jason said, who wasÊabout to pass out. ÊThen the Xeno stood up and prepared to make the final blow. Jason took gripÊwith his left leg in an attempt to jump away, his timing had to be perfect,Êthere was no room for mistakes. Then the Xeno slashed and Jason saw hisÊmoment, he pushed him away with all his strenght to reach his phaser.Ê JasonÊwas struck on his side while doing so, he did managed to get his phaser, butÊthe Xeno was allready attacking again. Jason closed his eyes, only to hearÊphaser-shots. and when he opened his eyes, he saw the Xeno dead nextÊ to him. ÊJason tried to get up, but he was to weak. he tried again, but his armsÊdropped lifeless to the floor, and Jason's eyes closed..... Ê -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.17 ÊÊ(USS Mystique - Quarters - TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 1900) ÊTravis was eating his dinner that consisted of skull stew and bloodwine. he became acostem to Klingon food during his training on Qo'nos. ÊWell he eat he could not get Ambassador Anastasia Tar-ThurianÊout of his mind. Her jet black hair that seamed to glow under theÊ lights, and her athletic tanned body and her Dark blue eyes that seamed to hypnotize him her beauty was like no other.Ê"these are not the thoughts that a Starfleet security officerÊshouldÊ have" he sead to himself as he stood up from the table. ÊTravis sat at his desk "Computer start a new letter" he sead as the computer monitor came up from the desk. Ê"Hi T'Kar my old friend how have you been. I hope you are still not mad about me beating you in the Bat'leth ternimint and coming in firstÊMaking me the first and only human to become grand champion.ÊHow is life on the Negh'Var. I hope things are going well for you.ÊSorry it as taken me so long to get back to you. Alot as happened to me in the last couple of monthsÊI'm the Assistant tactical chef on the USS Mystique. it ha been a vary crazy first couple of weeks on board. I can't tell you about it you understand.ÊI find it harder to make friends here the I did on Qo'noS. I know you tried to brake me of it but I'm still find it hard to talk to people. Hell you had to beat me with a pain stick before I talked to youÊhahahahah.ÊBut I'm trying, infact there is someone on board that I can't stop thinking about but I don't think biting her arm and smelling her blood will work with her if you know what I mean".ÊCaptain Winters is a vary strong and capable leader. ÊLieutenant Commander Belinia has a lot to learn still but one day I think on day he will make a grate captainÊI hope to here from you agen soon. Oh by the way thank you for the case of bloodwine I will enjoy it". Ê"Computer end letter and send" ÊTravis stood up from his desk and walked over and sat in his reclining chair with his favorite Novel in hand "Sherlock Homes" and not one of thows on a padd A real book he finds it easer to get into the story that way.Êand before he new it he was fast asleep. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Mystique - Bridge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1156) Ê Another quiet day on the bridge. Jason's shift was about to end and was looking forward to see his sister again like he did every day. The Ensign entered the bridge who was on the next shift, so Jason stood up so that the Ensign could take place, then Jason left the bridge. Ê ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Ensign Jason Dema & Cassandra Dema - 1206) Ê Jason entered Sickbay and a nurse came to him. Ê "Good news, she's awake." Ê Jason's couldn't believe what he heard and quickly went to her bed to see his sister's eyes open. Jaon hurried over to her and gave her a hug. Cassandra still didn't had all her functions back, but she was getting better.ÊHer senses were almost completely restoredÊand she couldÊmove her fingers a bit. Ê "Hey Cassie." Jason said. Ê "Hey big bozo." Ê Jason smiled, at least her sense of humor was still working, Then he noticed the bunny. Ê "Cassie, did you see the person who brought you that bunny?" Ê "No." She said. "I thought you brought it here, I saw it when I woke up." Ê Jason was puzzled, and he was thinking of who would put flowers at cassandra's bed....... Then something came to him. Ê =/\= Ensign Dema to the Captain =/\= I need to talk to you =/\= Ê (reply Vanyssa) Ê "I'll be right back." Jason said to his sister, and then he walked out to the Captain's ready room. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Mystique - ready room - Ensign Jason Dema - 1241) Ê Jason arrived and knocked on the door. Ê (reply Vanyssa) Ê Jason walked in and sat down and started talking. Ê "Captain." He started, but he then turned his voice to a caring voice. "Vanyssa." He continued showing he wanted to talk over something private. I know you probably feel guilty, but placingÊflowers and a rabbit-doll at Cassie's bed? it is appreciated, but you really don't have to do that." Ê (reply Vanyssa) Ê "You mean you didn't do it?" Ê (reply Vanyssa) Ê "Well, it seems that someone is putting present's at my sister's bed while I'm away or on duty...." Ê (reply Vanyssa if needed) Ê Jason started to think... Ê "Captain, can I have a day of leave tomorrow? My sister is concious again, so I would like to spend a day with her, and maybe I will see the person who brought those presents." Ê (reply Vanyssa) Ê "Thanks, I really appreciate it." Ê Jason then stood up and left the room. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Myqtique - Holodeck - Ensign Jason Dema - 1321) Ê Jason, who was still sitting at the palmtree watched as the sun almostÊ touched the sea, and would be tucked in by the waves to let the moon take guard over the sky. Ê "Computer, add an acoustic concert-guitar from the year 1990." Ê The computer beeped, and a guitar appeared next to Jason, Jason took the guitar and started to play a goodbye song to the sun as the sun was sinking into the ocean. After the sun was gone it get darker, and torches scattered all over the place started to light, making a romantic mood, only, what is romance if you're just on your own. Ê "Computer, end program and save it as Summer beach, and lock the file for now." Ê [File stored and locked] Ê Then Jason walked out to find a place with more people, so he decided to go the the ship's lounge. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Mystique - Lounge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1423) Ê Jason entered the lounge and sat down on a couch close to a window, and looked to the stars. He wasn't looking for long, when suddenly a sweet voice spoke. Ê "Mind if I join you." the voice said. Ê Jason answered without looking behind him. "Depends on who's asking." Ê The voice giggled. "Your guardian angel." It said. Ê Hearing that, Jason couldn't hold it, and his eyes started to get wet again. "Then where were you when I needed you?" Ê "How do you mean?" Ê Jason turned around, and saw the person talking to him. it was a woman, about the age of 21 he thought, she was very beautifull, and she seemed to be honest about asking him, but Jason still dismissed her. Ê "I thank you for your concern, but I would like to be alone for the moment." Ê The girl saw his tears, and decided it was best not to go further into it. "Okay, well, I come around here every day, so if you need someone to talk, just ask for Sarah." Ê "Thanks." He said. Ê "Oh, may I ask for your name she asked." Ê "Jason, Jason Dema." Ê "Okay, see you soon then." Ê With that, the girl walked away and Jason was all alone again, waiting for something, only, he didn't know what. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Mystique - Lounge - Sarah Nevada - 1451) Ê After Sarah went to talk to Jason she started thinking about what was bothering him, she was even surprised he didn't remembered him. But she started to think again about Jason's problem and went to her quarters. Ê -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 (USS Mystique - quarters - 1453) Ê Sarah sat down at her small modest desk. Ê "Computer, display all public information about happenings of Dema." Ê [there are 2 results, please specify] Ê She started thinking something would have happened between them if they were related. Ê "Computer, are these 2 person related to each other?" Ê [Affirmative] Ê "What's both their status?" Ê [Jason Dema is on active duty as Assisstant tactical and security officer, under the command of Major Lee, Cassandra Dema is registered as a civilian, currently recuperating in sickbay.] Ê "What was the diagnose of Cassandra Dema?" Ê [That information is confidential] Ê "Computer, what is Jason Dema's workÊschedule?" Ê [from 0600 hoursÊtill 1200 hours] Ê Sarah was thinking of a way to cheer Jason up a bit, knowing he was down about his sister now, she decided to pay a visit to Cassandra, and hoped to find out more, she replicated a bouquet of flowers and want on her way -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Sarah Nevada - 1503) Ê She was a bit nervous, and hoped she didn't ran in with Jason, she wanted to be anonymous for a while. She walked in and asked for Cassandra Dema, Telling she was an old friend. She was allowed to see her. The nurse accompanied her to Cassie, where she saw her lying lifeless on the bed with a neural shocker to keep brain activity going, and when she walked to the left side of her, she could also see a phaser blast on her head. She started to realize why Jason was so down. She put the flowers next to her bed and took Cassie's hand. Ê "I'm gonna need your help soon little girl." Ê Sarah turned to the nurse. Ê "Please, don't tell Jason I was here, I want it to be a surprise." Ê The nurse nodded and Sarah walked out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 Ê (USS Mystique - Lounge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1520) Ê Jason sat there long enough and decided it was time to visit his sister like he did everyday before he went to practice shooting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Ensign Jason Dema - 1524) Ê As Jason walked in the room, he walked to Cassie, and noticed the flowers next to her bed. He walked over to the nurse. Ê "Who brought those flowers?" He asked Ê "Those flowers? oh, someone dropped them there, don't ask me why." Ê Jason noticed the sarcasm in her answer and left it as it was. whoever it was, he really appreciated it. He walked over to cassie, and sat down next to her, with still no response coming back from her, he looked at the light blinking on the stimulator. He just sat there for an hour, hoping that something would happen, wich didn't. He decided to go practice again and would visit her again after. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.18 (USS Mystique - Phaser Range - Ensign Jason Dema - 1634) Ê Jason walked to the middle of the room again. Ê "Computer, start simulation at level 25, 25 targets." Ê The lighths dimmed and Jason concentrated. Ê "Engage." Ê Again, a light started to float around the room, Jason mind was set to reach a hit ratio of 30%, even 40 % if possible. He ran the simulation time after time, his ratio varied between 18% and 28%. It was with the 16th try he got an unbelievable ratio. Ê [shots fired: 50, hits: 25, misses: 25, hit ratio: 50%] Ê Jason couldn't believe it, he reached a higher goal then he wanted, but he was sceptic about it and started over again, this time ending with a ratio of 32%. Jason was happy about it and left the room satisfied and went on his way for his quarters for a shower and rest. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.19 Ê (USS Mystique - Sickbay - Sarah Nevada - 0900) Ê Sarah knew that Jason was on duty so she decided to pay Cassandra another visit. The nurse remembered her and allowed her to go through. Sarah pulled a chair closer and sat down and took a small fluffy rabit-doll out of her pocket, and placed it on top of her stomach, and held her hand again. Suddenly she felt grip on her hand. It was Cassandra squeesing her hand a little bit. She immediatly called for the doctor. Ê "Doctor, doctor, she's moving." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.21 Ê (USS Mystique, Bridge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1700) Ê The Captain had been notified that they had gained orbit around the planet.Ê On approach, HHril had begun running intensive scans of the planet itself and its population.Ê As Captain Winters stepped onto the bridge, HHril began to relay the information that he had found.Ê this was definitely an Earth-like planet in almost every way.Ê The environment was a little cooler than what could be found on the Terrain home world, but still considered comfortable.Ê There were two main species of humanoids on the surface, both had been represented in the broadcast seen earlier.Ê The more human of the two species out numbered the hairy creature by about 7:1.Ê Ê Ê Falling into standard orbit, the Mystique began to circle the planet.Ê There, ahead of them in orbit, they saw a ship.Ê Ê Ê "Enlarge and identify against Known Federation Starship design." ordered the Captain. Ê HHril began to punch instructions into his console.Ê What he found shocked the OPS officer.Ê "Sir." he said, "It is a UNSS ship.Ê That is, Pre-Starfleet.Ê It appears to a Conestoga Class Ship." Ê "Huh!?" came the reply from the Captain.Ê "Do we have an identity of the ships name ? Can we cross reference to get manifest and flight plan ?" Ê "By rights, Sir." continued HHril.Ê "This ship should not be here.ÊThere were no known Terrain colonization missions into the Beta Quadrant.Ê This ship either ended up way off course, or no one wanted to say where it was going."Ê HHril continued to punch buttons on his console as he paused.Ê "This ship, if it is indeed a Conestoga Class ship was designed for surface landings and disassemblage by the colonists.Ê To find one still intact is not only unusual, but unheard of.Ê The Daystrom Institute only has a replica of a Conestoga Class ship, if we could secure this ship, it could help shed light on that part of Human history."Ê Ê Ê "Engineering," asked the Captain.Ê "Is that ship decaying into the atmosphere ?"ÊÊ Ê (reply Sarouk) Ê "What would be the ecological devastation of such a decay, Mr. Ketal ?" Ê "The ship as you can see Captain is very large and not all of it would burn up in the atmosphere. I estimate some sections as large as 20 tons would hit the planet. If it strikes inhabited areas there could be great loss of life, fires and temporarily severe weather changes. There is also the probability of course of radiation leakage from the wreckage with a half life of several generations which could also poison water sources. The damage ecologically would then be catastrophic, especially considering all the inhabitants are clustered in only five large city-state areas." Ê The Captain began issuing orders.Ê "Spend the next two hours running simulations, Mr. Ketal, Mr. Sarouk, please help him.ÊÊI want to know what impact that ship will have, as well as alternatives for preventing it.ÊÊMr. Bellenia, call a senior staff meeting in the conference lounge for 0900 tomorrow morning.Ê Please have the Counselor and the good Doctor, as well as theÊAmbassador work onÊÊfiguring out their language and culture.ÊÊArchive the data as we receive it and zip a copy off to Geneva for analyzation."ÊÊShe finished. Ê HHril turned back to his station to consider the situation and what would be their best course of action. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique - Personal quarters - CSO Ketal and Captain Vanyssa WintersÊ- 03:40) Vanyssa looked up, quite content into Ketal's face. She brushed it with her fingers, giggling when he reached out and bit it. "I like biting." She said in a small voice, sharing her desires for pain. It wasn't something that she had ever shared with anyone. David had started it, awakening it in her, and Devan... he was so gentle and loving. There was a hint of roughness, but only the hint. VanyssaÊknew, clinically, that some cultures used it, and some sects of Betazoids did, but she had never experienced anything like what they had done. "It was my first time...doing that." She said, wrapping her arms around herself, cold. "I'm supposed to be the Captain, I'm supposed to be strong. " She realized that sheÊ was crying, somewhat ashamed that she had enjoyed surrendering completely to him. "When I was on the Nimitz, we got sucked into an alternate reality. My counterpart there kept a slave, an Officer that had been given to her for failing to perform well. She was the First Officer there, and ruled with an iron fist. While...." And the sobs got worse. "While there, one of the telepaths implanted her personality in me. She was Dominant, to a point, but loved pain. And I'm afraid that I'm turning into her. I still have some of her memories in me." Ketal listened closely as Vanyssa began to open up to him completely, he had never been this close to a woman before and he was savoring the feel of her nearness. There were no emotional walls or shields up, they had all come down during the link and he was loathe to raise them in her presence; there would be time this morning before the meeting to prepare himself. Also he was beginning to wonder how this would affect him long term but there would be time to consider that later. When she began to cry he took her chin in his hand and turned her to face him once more, it was amazing to him how their touch caused the link to spring up unbidden as he saw the hurt in her eyes. Through the mental contact he could feel something in her mind like a raw wound and his eyes widened as she shuddered then allowed him to see in his mind the horrors that had been inflicted on her, the evil Vanyssa standing over her with a hypospray, her hand similiarly grasping her chin. HeÊfelt as the dark Vanyssa used her mind to rip away the helpless Vanyssa's defenses and felt an echo of the pain that she had felt, he gritted his teeth at that echo but held on to the link,Êafter what seemed like an eternity the false Vanyssa had gone and left her helpless underÊthe mental assault of several others one by one as they took turns assaulting herÊ mind, the pain seemed unending and a few minutes seemed to pass by like hours. Ketal tried to help ease the memory, willing strength to her through the link though he wasn't sure if he had helped or not but the memory receeded and heÊcringed at the thought of the horrible mental rape she had undergone. Ketal took his hand from her chin and used it to wipe the tears from her face as he consideredÊwhat had happened to herÊthen his eyes were drawn to her hair once again, he loved the long redÊtresses and he reached over and stroked it, enjoying the rich feel and softness of it. He had no problemsÊigiving herÊsomeÊ pain during lovemakingÊsince that was what she enjoyedÊand he now knew where at least part ofÊher desire for it had come from, he decidedÊthey could explore that part of their relationship as they went. After a while he lowered his head andÊbegan toÊbite her shapelyÊbreasts lightly, as she giggled and squirmed he wrapped his hand inside her beautiful hair and pulled down hard.ÊÊ Vanyssa froze under him, her breath deepening and her eyes glazing over, as the familiar feeling that she remembered both her counterpart and the implanted Kestra experiencing came over her. She relaxed into it, her body relaxing, taking what was given to her instead of fighting it. Ketal stopped and looked up at her, causing her to come out of it. She realized that she was cold, and pulled a blanket around her, feeling him against her. "What was that ?" She whispered, her voice hoarse, shivering against him. "You felt it ?" She asked looking up into his eyes from the protective circle in his arms. Somehow being near him made the loss of that feeling easier, which was not something she remembered from her counterparts. There they had just left the person to come out of it as they would, pain andÊ hurt being the main reactions. The counterparts there loved the fear and ache that the slaves would experience. Vanyssa shared the way the telepaths there fed on terror, eating emotions. She shared the memories of the long halls where there were cages, each with a person in them, experiencing intense emotions of all kinds. It was like a buffet for the telepaths.... And it generally drove the victims insane. "Ketal please tell me I won't end up like her, please." Vanyssa knew that she should go talk with Riven about this. Riven was the one that had originally re-made Vanyssa, and kept the memories away. Now they were resurfacing, generally as dreams. Ketal sat up and pulled her up with him, drawing her back against his chest and her head against his right shoulder with his arms crossed underÊher breasts and his hands on her stomachÊas he set his mouth close to her left ear. :: Don't forgetÊyou areÊVanyssa Winters; Captain of the United Federation of PlanetsÊStarship USS Mystique. You are not like them and will not become like them Vanyssa.::ÊÊ KetalÊshivered slightly at the images she had shown him, that a raceÊcould be capable of such acts of terror wasÊunimaginable. Knowing that they were connected on an emotional level and what he was feeling was transmitted to her he began not a deep meditation but a calming routine in his own mind. WithinÊminutes a relaxing mental wave was being transmitted through the link. As Vanyssa sighed and settled back against him he wondered at this mindlink they were sharing.ÊKetal knew from theÊmemories that not only wasÊsheÊan accomplished telepathÊbut had received some augmentation to her abilities during the encounter butÊaccording to everything he understood about telepathy and his lack of ability thisÊease of sharing would seem to be impossible, he decided to ask her later what it might mean.ÊÊÊ ::Perhaps you need to see someone about this Vanyssa and don't forget I will be here for you whenever you need me.:: Ketal thought to her as he held her close. Vanyssa nodded, thinking about going to talk with Riven. She was also thinking about David. About the bond that she had shared with David. About Cyan. About Sash. All the men that she had ever loved.... she had bonded closely with all of them. Something about her caused that bonding to take place. But it hadn't with Sash, not on the level that it was with Ketal. "Betazoids as a general rule don't have red hair and blue eyes." Vanyssa said, looking up at Ketal. "Maybe whatever that causes that and for me to be such a gifted telepath also allows the linkage during..intimate...times." She said, thinking of the other people she had been with. "Telepaths as a general rule tend to be more intimate and share more." She yawned and realized that she was beginning tofall asleep. "Did you mean that, about not leaving me ?" She asked, eyes wide, and a little bit scared. Ketal didn't even think about it when he did it, it seemed so natural at this moment but he smiled down at her, a small smile perhaps butÊa smile nonetheless.Ê "Yes Vanyssa, I meant what I said." He soothed her. "I will always be here for you." Ê She looked up at him and then asked the question she had been dying to ask. "Why me ?" Ketal turned her face to him and looked deep in her eyes. "Do you remember on the Vanguard when I came aboard? I was scared and lonely and far out of my element on such an esteemed starship and you befriended me. I have never forgotten your kindness and your friendship Vanyssa. That helped me more than the counseling you gave me." He let his mouth crook once more as he laid back with her in hisÊ arms." And I have never forgotten it." Vanyssa smiled, snuggling closer. "Is that all?" She asked half asleep. Ê "Not all." He replied as she began to take deep breaths. "I have never forgotten your beauty or the emotions you awakened in me." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 0856) Ê HHril had stayed up late working to discover more about the unknown ship.Ê He had brought up all the known data on the Conestoga Class ship and had downloaded it to a PADD.Ê The missions of Terran ships in the 21st century where poorly classified.Ê Most of the information pertinent to the individual missions had been lost on Earth and had to be retrieved from the Earth colony directly after colonization.Ê This ship in orbit may have been lost completely from records.Ê Stepping into the observation lounge, he took the same seat that he had on his first occasion, towards the far end of the table. Ê "I've called you all here, because I've received orders from the Admiral about this new race." began theÊCaptain as the last few officers entered the room.ÊÊ"We are to observe, and collect data, as well as come up with a way to remove the ship from it's decaying orbit.ÊÊWe've also been tasked with sending down a team to do some first hand research.ÊÊWe are to spend a week here, gathering what data we can, and then continue on. We are not to make first contact, and we are not to reveal ourselves as outsiders. The Admiral wants to minimize cultural contamination.ÊÊDoctor Harper, Ambassador, Counselor, the three of you have been studying these people, what can you tell us about them ?" Ê (reply Counselor, Ambassador) Ê "Mr. Ketal, I know that Lt. Sarouk is busy in Engineering, but the two of you were working on a way to remove that ship from orbit.ÊÊWhat have you come up with ?" Ê (reply Ketal) Ê "Ms. Tourana, your background is in astrophysics, do you concur withÊMr. Ketal ?ÊÊIs there anything about this section of space that we sould be concerned about in using the tractor beam ?" Ê (reply Tourana) Ê "Also, Captain." broke in the OPS man once Ensign Tourana finished.Ê "The Structural Integrity of that ship could not withstand the stresses of being pulled out of orbit by our tractor beam." Ê The Captain shrugged her shoulders before saying.Ê "Suggestions?" Ê "For the moment I can think ofÊ3 things," began Dema.Ê "1, If the scans can show that the hull integrity is strong enough, why not tractor it out, 2, calculate the ship's mass, and customizeÊ1 or moreÊtorpedoes to destroy every inch of that ship, and use the phasers to destroy smaller parts if there are any, though I wouldn't recommend that cause the people on the planet will see the explosion, 3, I don't know if this is possible, but maybe we can make soft impulses with the deflector array to push the ship aside." Ê "Captain this region of space is riddled with subspace faults and ripples and it is dangerous to use either our tractor beams or transporters as well asÊany sort of focused energy beam lest there be a collapse in the fabric of it.Ê Warp drive should also be held to less than warp three to minimize damage to the subspace fabric. Without using theseÊwe would recommend sending shuttles with an engineering team over to try to affect repairs to the vessel andÊmakeÊuse its own failing power supply to lift it out of its low orbit into a safer one until further action can be taken to move it safely away from the planet. Lt. Sarouk is certain he can replicate any needed components and I estimate the ship has sufficient fuel for the attempt though with little margin for error." Having said that he settled back in his chair to await further discussion. Ê "If I may, Sir." began HHril.Ê "It is the SI field that is not stable or strong enough right now.Ê This class of ship from the mid-to-late 21st century on Earth were built to make it to their destination, land, and be disassembled.ÊÊThey were alsoÊdesigned for a 10Ê-20Êyear mission duration with a hull lifeÊexpectancy of approximately 40 years at best.ÊÊThe fact that this one isÊstill intact at all is a miracle.Ê I feel that sending a boarding team over to the ship may be too dangerous.Ê I suggest that the only way we are going to be able to remove that ship from orbit is to finish what the colonists started."Ê HHril pausedÊfor a moment beforeÊfinishing his analysis.Ê "We have to disassemble it.Ê The problem is, we can't land it here on this planet without disrupting the natural evolution of the species below.Ê And we can'tÊpull it outÊof orbit to another uninhabited planet in one piece because it will break up causing a cataclysmic event.Ê I suggest we use the SphinxÊpods that we have aboard.Ê There are 10 aboard.Ê They are designed to move large pieces and effect repairs.Ê If we co-ordinate our efforts correctly, we should be able to takeÊthat ship apart one piece at aÊtime and move it out of the atmosphere.Ê This would also allow us to save the ship for further study." Ê (reply Captain, any) Ê HHril sat back and continued to follow the discussion that was taking place in the observation lounge.Ê It was a touchy subject, sending people down to the surface of a pre-warp society.Ê Normally this type of mission would be left to specialists, but it was not as if the 52nd, could just call Starfleet Command for a science vessel to be dispatched.Ê Ê Ê "How are the modifications going on the universal translator?" the Captain asked, her eyes in his direction. Ê "We are making some progress, but it is slow at best." replied HHril.Ê "We end up with parts of sentences and the computer is having a difficult time extrapolating the remaining phrases correctly.Ê I will continue to work on it, Sir." Ê (reply Captain, IYW) Ê Seemingly satisfied with his answer, the Captain turned to others in the room.Ê HHril sat back in his chair and listened to the conversation, attentive to any instance where he may be able to add to the information being given. Ê "Lt. Herk, find me places to hide in this sector where we can observe and mount a rescue mission as needed.ÊÊ I want to avoid combat as much as I can. "ÊÊThe Captain paused, taking a deep breath.Ê "And finallyÊÊIntelligence says that there might be an attack, and the Mystique is on the search and destroy list.ÊÊThere will be no boardings, there will be no chance at negotiation.ÊÊThey will destroy us and make an example to LoDona if they can.ÊÊI do not want to give them a chance.ÊÊMr. Ketal, Mr. Hhril," continued the captain dentifying the half-Vulcan and the Romulan.Ê "The two of you are the experts on those sensors.Ê I need to know when we are being approached, from as far away as possible." Ê HHril considered the situation and looked over at his counterpart.Ê "Sir, given the unstable nature of this area of space, we may encounter significant difficulties in attaining and maintaining a high resolution with our sensors.Ê They have been working admirably up to now, but we have had to clean up the distortion significantly.Ê With Mr. Ketal's help, however," he said shooting a nod in the direction of the science officer, "I'm certain that we can come up with something." Ê "Captain," Herk said, "I may have a hidey place in mind.ÊÊMay I?" Ê All attention in the room shifted to the cat-like creature that was their Conn officer. Ê "If you look in sector 36, grid 12 you'll notice that there is an energy displacement high in the IR band width.ÊÊIt may be a protostar in a dormant phase.ÊÊIf it is, we can hide quite effectively in there.ÊÊSensors should not be able to detect us, and with a slight adjustment , screening out the radioactivity and graviton fields, we should be able to get some decent resolution out of our sensors." Ê HHril considered the location and hit a few buttons on his PADD.Ê "The adjustments could be done, Sir." he said, indicating the Captain.Ê "But we may lose some additional resolution and it may take some time once within the protostar to make the necessary adjustments."Ê He continued to look at the PADD while he considered his next statement.Ê "We certainly would be hidden though.Ê The high radiation will make a cloaking device all but useless and that may give us aÊ further warning system.Ê No one will be able to sneak up on us." Ê ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê(USS Mystique Observation Lounge TASC Ensign Travis Keswick 0900) Ê ÊTravis walked into the observation lounge taking an empty chair acrossÊ from Ambassador Tar-Thurian. ÊTravis was trying focus on his PADD but he found himself looking atÊthe Ambassador. HeÊ was just about to get the nerve to talk to her when the captain started the meeting. Ê"I've called you all here, because I've received orders from the ÊAdmiral about this new race. We are to observe, and collect data, as well as come up with a way to remove the ship from it's decaying orbit.Ê We've also been tasked with sending down a team to do some first hand research.Ê We are to spend a week here, gathering what dataÊwe can, and then continue on. We are not to make first contact, and we are not to reveal ourselves as outsiders. The Admiral wants to minimize cultural contamination." ÊTravis listed to the others give there reports. ÊThen the CO looked over at Ensign Keswick Dema And Major Lee and sead Ê"Security.Ê Normally, marines accompany away teams, but I want one of Êthe assistants with the away team.Ê Mr. Lee, please selectÊ a couple of marines to go with the away team, as well as one of the assistant tactical officers. I am sure that you have some that are used to working undercover.Ê Mr. Dema, I want the weapons modified to cutÊthrough the interference in this sector.ÊÊ I am nervous about an attack by Starfleet."Ê She took a deep breath. "Mr. Keswick, please assist Mr. Dema on this assignment." ÊTravis looked the CO "Understood captain I have some ideas I will goÊover them with Ensign Dema". he sead as he taped his PADD. ÊThen Travis turned and looked at Lee. Ê"Major I would like to volunteer for this mission if you will have me. Ê(reply Lee) ÊTravis taped his PADD as the meeting continued. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 ÊÊ (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CO, Captain Vanyssa Winters, 0916) ÊVanyssa had been listening to her senior officers hash out the variousÊ problems that were going on.Ê That's the one thing that she truly loved about senior staff meetings, people worked together to get theÊ problems done. No petty fighting, no jealousy, none of that, just one focused mind, and it worked well. ÊIt had been determined that the structural integrity field of theÊConestoga ship was tooÊ flaky to be able to send in a repair team. This particular area of space made it impossible to use the tractorÊ beam and the transporter.ÊIt also made it harder for them to observe. Ê"If I may, Sir." began HHril.Ê "It is the SI field that is not stable or strong enough right now.Ê This class of ship from the mid-to-late 21st century on Earth were built to make it to their destination, land, and be disassembled.ÊÊThey were alsoÊdesigned for a 10Ê 20Êyear mission duration with a hull lifeÊexpectancy of approximately 40 years at best.ÊÊThe fact that this one isÊstill intact at all is a miracle. I feel that sending a boarding team over to the ship may be too dangerous.Ê I suggest that the only way we are going to be able to remove that ship from orbit is to finish what the colonists started."ÊÊ HHril pausedÊfor a moment beforeÊfinishing his analysis.Ê "We have to disassemble it.Ê The problem is, we can't land it here on this planet without disrupting the natural evolution of the species below.Ê And we can'tÊpull it outÊof orbit to another uninhabited planet in one piece because it will break up causing a cataclysmic event.Ê I suggest weÊuse the SphinxÊpods that we have aboard.Ê There are 10 aboard.ÊThey are designed to move large pieces and effect repairs.ÊIf weÊco-ordinate our efforts correctly, we should be able to takeÊthat shipÊapart one piece at aÊtime and move it out of the atmosphere. ThisÊwould also allow us to save the ship for further study." ÊVanyssa nodded, understanding what her Ops office was saying.Ê They needed an Engineering Officer up here to work with them.ÊÊ "Has there been any record of this ship or the flight plan on how it got here ?Ê Is there any way to interface with the computer system on the ship ?"Ê She looked at Hhril and to Ketal for the answer to that. Ê(reply Hhril and/or Ketal) Ê"Lt. Herk, Ensign Tourana, please work on plans to disable thatÊConestoga ship andÊ Mr. Hhril, convert space in one of the cargo bays for storage of the pieces."Ê Vanyssa listened further. Ê"I feel uncomfortable sending a team in until that Universal Translator is working properly.ÊÊ That should be a priority.Ê We only have a week here, people, we need to make the most of it." ÊHerk spoke about the hiding place, and Hhril about ways to adjust the sensors, which were somewhat useless at the moment. "Have Mr. Sarouk add it to his list of things to work on, Mr. Bellinia."Ê Vanyssa said.Ê"I like having a place to hide.Ê Program in that course and have it ready the instantÊ another ship comes into the area."Ê She looked down at her notes. Ê"How long will it take to disassemble that ship ?"Ê Vanyssa inquiredÊofÊ Herk and Hhril.Ê Then the thought occurred to Vanyssa.Ê "Will the...natives...be able to observe the disassembling of the ship ? If so, can we work around it ?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CSO Ketal - 09:25) Ê "Has there been any record of this ship or the flight plan on how it got here?"Êcontinued the Captain following the propositions by the senior staff.Ê "Is there any way to interface with the computer system on the ship ?"Ê Ê Ketal watched curiously as HHrill took the floor again, the Romulan had proven to be an extremely intelligent and capable young officer which Ketal could never pretend to beÊand heÊwas a true asset to the ship. While Ketal was more of a pure scientist and had hoped to save the ship intact for further study it appeared the concensusÊhad turned toward dismantling it and if that was the Captain's decision then he would abide by it. Ê Ê "To answer your first question, Sir," began the Romulan looking at the PADD in his left hand.Ê "There is no visible registration on the hull of the vessel, nor is there any type ofÊidentification transmission.Ê The data files we have archived in our computer dating back prior to 2090 are incomplete at best.Ê What we do know is that thereÊwere 7 Conestoga class ships that were lost between 2072 and 2086.Ê 4 have since been accounted for.Ê That leaves three.Ê The Okanagan, the Algonquin, and the Tsalagi.Ê It could be any one of these three.Ê None of these ships were intended to travel to this area of space.Ê All had intended targets in the Alpha quadrant.Ê In order to be here, the ships would have had to have gone extremely far off course."Ê HHril paused, considering the second question.Ê "It should be possible to interface with the systems aboard the ship, Sir.Ê The only problem is that we do notÊ know what kind of shape the computers aboard that ship are in.Ê These ships were intended to be dismantled, Sir.Ê The computer, if it is still functioning properly, will have been running for over 300 years.Ê There is no telling what a low-jack of the system by our computer will do to the ship." Ê "Lt. Herk, Ensign Tourana," continued theÊCaptain.Ê "Please work on plans to disable that Conestoga ship andÊÊMr. Hhril, convert space in one of the cargo bays for storage of the pieces." Ê "Aye, Sir." replied the OPS officer. Ê "How long will it take to disassemble that ship ?"ÊÊthe Captain inquired of Herk and HHril.Ê "Will the...natives...be able to observe the disassembling of the ship ? If so, can we work around it ?" Ê "I believe the only way to determine if the, um... natives, will be able to observe the disassembling of the ship will be to determine if they have already perceived the vessel in orbit, Sir." answered HHril.Ê "We have no way of telling if they have perceived its existance or not.Ê And if they have, we have no way of knowing if the vessel holds any signifigance for them, culturally.Ê If they have perceived it's existance and we remove it, we may be causing as much damage as allowing it to fall through the atmosphere." Ê Ketal nodded and spoke up. "Indeed Captain cultural contamination is the greatest danger we face in this instance, and the Prime directive is very clear inÊregards to a pre space-faring race, it would seem our only choice in the matter is to first observe the native population before deciding on this course of action. The only inhibiting factor is the amount of time we have available for study before the ship begins breaking up." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 ÊÊ (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters - 09:35) ÊVanyssa listened to all of her Officers speak, her eyes lingering onÊ Ketal. Ê"Indeed Captain cultural contamination is the greatest danger we faceÊ in this instance, and the Prime directive is very clear inÊregards to a pre space-faring race, it would seem our only choice in the matter is to first observe the native population before deciding on thisÊ course of action. The only inhibiting factor is the amount of time weÊhave available for study before the ship begins breaking up." KetalÊ concluded. Ê"Then it would seem that the number one priority would be to go downÊto the planet and see if the natives do."Ê She looked over at theÊ Ambassador and Counsellor.ÊÊ "In your estimation, could we, with ourÊ present knowledge, pass for natives on that planet ?Ê Albeit from aÊ city far from the one we will chose."Ê Vanyssa flat out asked.Ê "IfÊnot, how long do you think it would be before you could assemble theÊ necessary data and coach some of our people on the relevant points ?" Ê(reply Ambassador) Ê"You all have your assignments."Ê Vanyssa said, rising.Ê "Please getÊstatus reports to me by 1600, as well as ETAs."Ê She smiled around atÊ them all. "You areÊ a good crew, you all make me quite proud to beÊ here, with you." ÊAnd with that, she closed the meeting, leaving them all to theirÊ various devices.Ê She, for one, wanted to go watch some of theÊ broadcasts from the planet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê ÊStardate: 2406.10.22 ÊÊ (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 09:36) ÊTravis was already formulating a plan on how to cut threw theÊ interference.ÊAs he worked on his padd and listened to the captain continue the meeting.ÊAs soon as the Captain started to talk to the Ambassador he could not help but look upÊ at her from behind his padd agen and he listened to her report hanging on every word forgetting for a moment what he was doing.Êeven after she finished her report he found himself still staring at her and quickly went back to his padd hoping she didn't notice. Êwhen the captain sead Ê"You all have your assignments." "Please get status reports to me by 1600, as well as ETAs."Ê She smiled around at them all. "You areÊ a good crew, you all make meÊquite proud to be here, with you." ÊTravis put his padd back down on the table and listened to her closingÊremarks.Êand then people started to get up and leave. Ê"Ensign Dema I have some ideas on how to cut threw the interference."ÊHe sead as he stoped Dema.Ê"I had a problemÊ I had to solve at the Academy during a trainingÊmission." Ê"I think I still have my notes from that if you think they might help."Ê"If any thing it will be a start". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê(USS Mystique, Bridge, CEO, Lt(sg) Sarouk, 0940) ÊSarouk stepped off the turbo lift onto the bridge.Ê He moved up to Captain Winters, who was sitting in her command chair watching someÊbroadcast from the planet below. Ê"Captain," Sarouk said, in his typical calm Vulcan tone, "if I mayÊhave a word with you in your ready room?" ÊVanyssa nodded. "In my Ready Room"Ê And she gestured to her readyÊroom. ÊSarouk followed the Captain into her Ready Room and waiting for theÊdoors to close and her to take her seat behind her desk before heÊcontinued. Ê"I have reviewed the data we have collected on the derelict colonyÊvessel and I have devised a plan to alter the ships decaying orbitÊslightly."Ê He handed the Captain a PADD he had been carrying thatÊ outlinedÊhis plan before continuing.Ê "An engineering team would go over to the shipÊvia shuttle and repair or re-enforce the ships decaying SIF andÊ thrusterÊsystems.Ê Then using the ships own thrusters we can alter it's orbitÊ to one Êmore stable.Ê This would have the end result of delaying the ships decentÊinto the atmosphere, allowing us more time to determine what if anyÊcultural impact removing it from orbit might have on the inhabitants. IÊestimate that this plan has a 97.6783% chance at success." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê(USS Mystique, Ready Room, CEO, Lt(sg) Sarouk, 0943) ÊVanyssa reviewed the details on the PADD.Ê "How are the enginesÊdoing?"Ê She asked, paging down through the schematics.Ê "I truly wishÊ thatÊyou had been at that meeting - none of us have the level of engineeringÊknowledge that you do, Sarouk."Ê Vanyssa looked up at Sarouk. "We don'tÊhave readings on what the interior of that ship looks like, Sarouk. OrÊhow bad the SIF actually is.Ê Can you modify the transporters on the shuttle you are taking to do a short range emergency transport ifÊneeded?Ê And augment the shields on the shuttle in case?Ê Probabilities areÊall well and good, Mr. Sarouk,Ê but I'm worried about reality. And realityÊis almost always that 2.5%.Ê If you can make this as safe as possible forÊour people, it's the best plan I've heard so far." Ê"The engines are, once more, operating within establishedÊparameters," Sarouk said, with out missing a beat he continued. "Captain,ÊI assure you, every possible convergency will be accounted for with crewÊsafety in mind.Ê I would not send myself or any of my staff into anÊenvironment that I thought unsafe.Ê The entire team will be in full EVAÊsuits in the unlikely event of an explosive decompression.Ê The odds of aÊbreathable atmosphere remaining on the ship after this much time areÊ0.45675%.Ê Though I do recommend a small security team accompany theÊengineering team.Ê I know from experience that the unexpected can occur." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê(USS Mystique, Ready Room, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters, 0945) Ê "I have reviewed the data we have collected on the derelict colonyÊvessel and I have devised a plan to alter the ships decaying orbitÊslightly."Ê He handed the Captain a PADD he had been carrying that outlinedÊhis plan before continuing.Ê "An engineering team would go over to the shipÊvia shuttle and repair or re-enforce the ships decaying SIF andÊ thrusterÊsystems.Ê Then using the ships own thrusters we can alter it's orbitÊ to one Êmore stable.Ê This would have the end result of delaying the ships decentÊinto the atmosphere, allowing us more time to determine what if anyÊcultural impact removing it from orbit might have on the inhabitants. IÊestimate that this plan has a 97.6783% chance at success." ÊVanyssa reviewed the details on the PADD.Ê "How are the engines doingÊ ?"Ê She asked, paging down through the schematics.Ê "I truly wish thatÊ you had been at that meeting - none of us have the level ofÊ engineering knowledge that you do, Sarouk."Ê Vanyssa looked up atÊ Sarouk. "We don't have readings on what the interior of that shipÊ looks like, Sarouk. Or how bad the SIF actually is.Ê Can you modifyÊ the transporters on the shuttle you are taking to do a short rangeÊ emergency transport if needed?Ê And augment the shields on the shuttleÊ in case ?ÊÊ Probabilities are all well and good, Mr. Sarouk,Ê but I'mÊ worried about reality. And reality is almost always that 2.5%.Ê If you can make this as safe as possible for our people, it's the best planÊI've heard so far." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 ÊÊ (USS Mystique, Ready Room, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters & CEO Lt.Ê Sarouk, 0946) Ê"The engines are, once more, operating within establishedÊparameters," Sarouk said, with out missing a beat he continued. "Captain,ÊI assure you, every possible convergency will be accounted for with crewÊsafety in mind.Ê I would not send myself or any of my staff into anÊenvironment that I thought unsafe.Ê The entire team will be in full EVAÊsuits in the unlikely event of an explosive decompression.ÊThe odds of aÊbreathable atmosphere remaining on the ship after this much time areÊ0.45675%.Ê Though I do recommend a small security team accompany theÊengineering team.Ê I know from experience that the unexpected can occur." ÊVanyssa nodded.Ê "Take a few of the Combat Engineers along with you.ÊThey will be invaluable if something untoward occurs.Ê How soon can you make the necessary modifications and assemble a team ?" Ê"3.6 hours to gather the required equipment and make the necessary modifications," Sarouk replied. ÊVanyssa nodded. "Make the modifications, and then head out tomorrow morning at 0900.Ê This will give more time for further study of this new race.Ê Also, it will allow your people to be fully rested.ÊOrder your team once the modifications are complete to take the afternoon off."Ê Vanyssa finished, looking down at her notes. "Anything else,Ê Lt?" Ê"Just one.Ê While on board, I would like permission to attempt gainingÊ access the to the ships computer logs." Ê"Granted.Ê Is there anything that you will need to do it ?Ê I don'tÊ think such ancient earth technology will be compatible with our own." Ê"No," Sarouk said, "I should have no problems establishing a suitableÊ interface to download the ships logs to the shuttle before transmitting them to the Mystique for further analysis." Ê"Then make it so, Mr. Sarouk. Is there anything else you would like to discuss ?" Ê"No, Captain.Ê That is all." Sarouk finished. Ê"Then start your work, Mr. Sarouk.Ê I'm sure that Dr. Weir will want to spend some time with you this afternoon."Ê And Vanyssa did smile a little bit. ÊSarouk's brow rose at the comment, but he said nothing.Ê He inclined his head, slightly, then turned to leave. ÊVanyssa grinned as he left, shaking her head. She really did not understand Vulcans, although she was beginning to.Ê She went back to her work, smiling. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique - Bridge - Ensign Jason Dema - 1000) Ê After the meeting, jason went to do as him was told, he sat down at his station. he first saved all the data about the current configuration, just in case things would go wrong. Ê Ê After the download was complete, Jason tried to find a pattern in the interference, hoping he could let the weapons adjust along. he scannedÊa big area of space withÊenough anomalies to find a resemblenceÊfor more than an hour, he then downloaded the findings to a PADD and started to look for a pattern. He walked out of the bridge, leaving another Ensign at the station and went down to the computer lab. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 ÊÊ (USS Mystique, Bridge, CO Captain Vanyssa Winters , 1045) Ê"Captain, there is another one of those arts transmissions with theÊ winged beings in them."Ê The Ensign at Science spoke. Ê"On screen Ensign, and patch in the universal translator to see what it can translate." ÊVanyssa watched in fascination as One of the winged beings gestured toÊ a building made out of stone, with roman columns. "With good honorÊ welcome Raellus number one first building learning Kindros.Ê Now beginÊ opening student learn.Ê (untranslatable)Ê Good teacher honorÊ priviledge, Tyrus, Great One, Earthian." ÊThe person next to the light pink skinned person began to speak.Ê"Honor teach (untranslatable)Ê Kindros number one first buildingÊ learning.Ê First building learning big Raellus Earthian, Raellian,Ê welcome.Ê Learn book, write (untranslatable)Ê story Greeku, Romenu,Ê Amerikanu. Story those father before. (untranslatable) Good honorÊteacher learn." ÊVanyssa looked the person over. No wings, but the pointed ears, theÊ cat like eyes, and light green tinged skin, almost a seafoam color.ÊÊ "Know (untranslatable)Ê flying box of forefathers."Ê Vanyssa blinkedÊ as the universal translator. Ê"What flying box of the forefathers?"Ê She asked, looking over atÊscience as the small broadcast ended.Ê "Forward that down to theÊ Counsellor, Mr. Ketal and the Ambassador. I'm sure that they will beÊ interested in it." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique, Deck 14, CSO's office, CSOÊKetal , 1050) Ê Ketal was sitting at the desk in his office poring over the reports being generated by the various science departments aboard the ship and had been there since the meeting had ended. He stood up andÊwalked to the replicator and ordered a cup of hot tea which he then took back with him to the terminal. After taking a sip of the tea he looked at the next report, this one was from planetary mapping. Ê Ê~ Somewhat arid with only a 40% water concentration and the oxygen is 2 points below Earth normal but certainly habitable. ~ Ê Ê ÊReadings were still coming in on the vegetation and those wereÊshowing that the planet was sparse in that regard also. Most of the habitable land was barren except around the settled areas that were clustered very close together,Êthe colonists had logicallyÊbeen forced to intermingle with the natives because of the relative barrenness of the surface. The cities were also set close to the only large water source in the area, that being aÊriver that flowed from a largeÊridge of mountainsÊto the northeast. Possibly the most interesting of the reports though showed an immense impact crater on the far side of the planet from the habitations, there had not been enough time yet though to make an accurate reading of its age but it was certain this must have been the cause of a cataclysmic event in the planet's history, one possiblyÊgreat enough to have caused current conditions. Ê Ketal took another sip of the teaÊas he sat back in his chair and thought about the morning's meeting. He had noticed the Captain's attentions of course and had looked her directly in the eyes when speaking. He had always considered Vanyssa a fascinating womanÊand even more so now. Ketal knew there would be no more emotional gaffes in her presence as there had been on the Vanguard and here, what they had shared precluded anyÊfurther awkwardness.ÊHis reverie was interrupted by the computer. Ê [ Message forwarded from the Bridge to CSO Ketal.] Ê Ketal cocked an eyebrow and said."Play message,"Êand saw one of the wingedÊbeings gesture toa building made out of stone, with romanesque columns. "With good honor welcome Raellus number one first building learning Kindros. Now begin opening student learn. (untranslatable) Good teacher honor priviledge, Tyrus, Great One, Earthian." The person next to the light pink skinned person began to speak. "Honor teach (untranslatable) Kindros number one first building learning. First building learning big Raellus Earthian, Raellian, welcome. Learn book, write (untranslatable) story Greeku, Romenu, Amerikanu. Story those father before. (untranslatable) Good honor teacher learn." On the second being there were no wings, but the pointed ears, the cat like eyes, and light green tinged skin that wasÊalmost a seafoam color. "Know (untranslatable) flying box of forefathers." Ê Ê Ketal's eyebrow quirked at the phraseÊ"flying box of the forefathers." It certainly could be a clue to what they were looking for however he was aware it could also be a reference to something else such as a mythological object or flying construction however the level of technology would seem to discount the latter. Ketal was no linguist but it was obvious some of the words had old Earth english roots and they were of course being picked up by the translator while others were of alien originÊor a mix. The more transmissions they received with a mix of the words the greater the database of translatableÊwords the translator would have to draw from.It appeared that the first being was introducing a teacher of some sort (The second being) who then made some kind of acceptance speech or an invitation for those viewing to learn; Ketal leaned toward the latter. Earthian he took to mean one who had their roots inÊan Earth origin and thereforeÊat least someÊhumanÊancestry, that might account for his lack of wings. Ê Ketal focused on the transmission and then played it over several times. These transmissions were a fascinating subject. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique - computer lab - Ensign Jason Dema - 1124) Ê Jason sat down at the computer terminal and inserted the data into it. He then let several calculations loose on it, and logic solutions. the computer started calculating and comparing. And after a long time ofÊ thinking, he couldn't come up with a solution, he decided to ask the science chief for help. Ê =/\= Ensign Dema to Ensign Ketal, I need some help in the computer lab if you have time. =/\= ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, TASC Ensign Travis Keswick - 1145) ÊJason was working in the computer lab, when suddenly Keswick entered Ê "Ensign Dema I have some ideas on how to cut threw the interference." Ê"Go ahead." Jason said Ê"I had a problemÊ I had to solve at the Academy during a trainingÊ mission. I Êthink I still have my notes from that if you think they might help. IfÊ anyÊthing it will be a start". Ê"Well, any help is welcome, try to find your notes and bring themÊ here, inÊthe meanwhile I'll keep searching for a pattern in the interference." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ê Ê Stardate: 2406.10.22 Ê (USS Mystique, Observation Lounge, OPS, Lt (jg) HHril, 1922) Ê "Has there been any record of this ship or the flight plan on how it got here?"Êcontinued the Captain following the propositions by the senior staff.Ê "Is there any way to interface with the computer system on the ship ?"Ê Ê HHril once again took the floor.Ê "To answer your first question, Sir," began the Romulan looking at the PADD in his left hand.Ê "There is no visible registration on the hull of the vessel, nor is there any type ofÊidentification transmission.Ê The data files we have archived in our computer dating back prior to 2090 are incomplete at best.Ê What we do know is that thereÊwere 7 Conestoga class ships that were lost between 2072 and 2086.Ê 4 have since been accounted for.Ê That leaves three.Ê The Okanagan, the Algonquin, and the Tsalagi.Ê It could be any one of these three.Ê None of these ships were intended to travel to this area of space.Ê All had intended targets in the Alpha quadrant.Ê In order to be here, the ships would have had to have gone extremely far off course."Ê HHril paused, considering the second question.Ê "It should be possible to interface with the systems aboard the ship, Sir.Ê The only problem is that we do not know what kind of shape the computers aboard that ship are in.Ê These ships were intended to be dismantled, Sir.Ê The computer, if it is still functioning properly, will have been running for over 300 years.Ê There is no telling what a low-jack of the system by our computer will do to the ship." Ê "Lt. Herk, Ensign Tourana," continued theÊCaptain.Ê "Please work on plans to disable that Conestoga ship andÊÊMr. Hhril, convert space in one of the cargo bays for storage of the pieces." Ê "Aye, Sir." replied the OPS officer. Ê "How long will it take to disassemble that ship ?"ÊÊthe Captain inquired of Herk and HHril.Ê "Will the...natives...be able to observe the disassembling of the ship ? If so, can we work around it ?" Ê "I believe the only way to determine if the, um... natives, will be able to observe the disassembling of the ship will be to determine if they have already perceived the vessel in orbit, Sir." answered HHril.Ê "We have no way of telling if they have perceived its existance or not.Ê And if they have, we have no way of knowing if the vessel holds any signifigance for them, culturally.Ê If they have perceived it's existance and we remove it, we may be causing as much damage as allowing it to fall through the atmosphere." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of Compile Ê Ê Ê