compile summary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS. Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1245) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1248) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Deck 8- Holodeck 2, Dr. Riven Mias, 1350) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.23 (Starbase Geneva, Shuttle Bay - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 0900 (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:25) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1428) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:29) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1431) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:33) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.24 (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1936) (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1945) (USS Hades – Deck 8, Personal Quarters – CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof –1949) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate.2413.10.25 (USS Hades, Deck 8, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 0900) (USS Hades, Deck 8, Senior Counselor's office, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 0905) (Shuttle Cole, Aft Compartment - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 1500) (USS Hades, Bridge, ACSO Bracken, 1517) (USS Hades, Bridge, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes , 1520) (USS Hades, Personal Quarters, ACSO Bracken , 1800) (USS Hades - Ten Forward - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 19:56) (USS Hades-Personal Quarters- SciO- Ensign Harry Doorman- 2030) (USS Hades-Deck 10, Ten Forward- CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-2039) (USS Hades-Ten Forward- SciO- Ensign Harry Doorman- 2042) (USS Hades-Deck 10, Ten Forward- Dr. Riven Mias-2043) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.26 (USS Hades - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 07:49) (USS Hades - Main Engineering - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 0815) (USS Hades - Main Engineering - aCEO, Lieutenant Darla Wright- 0818) (Shuttle Cole - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 1857) (USS Hades, Bridge- Operations- Beta shift Ops officer Ens. Emelia Janovich - 1858) (Shuttle Cole, Main Compartment - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1859) (USS Hades, Bridge- Operations- Beta shift Ops officer Ensign Emelia Janovich - 1935) (Shuttle Cole, Main Compartment - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1936) (USS Hades, Transporter Room 1- Transporter officer Lt. Strong - 1938) (USS Hades, Transporter Room 1 - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1939) (USS Ready Room, CO Captain Eva Straton, 19:40) (USS Hades, Captains Ready Room - ACSO, Lt(jg) Dr. Rose Bradley - 19.41) (USS Hades, Ship Science Department - ACSEO, Lt(jg) Dr. Rose Bradley - 19.54) (USS Hades, Science Department - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1955) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.27 (USS Hades, Bridge, ACSO Bracken, 1355) (USS Hades, Bridge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1402) (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS Ens. Anamitra Ripley, 1405) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, aCEO, Lieutenant Darla Wright, 1410) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, COUNS Ens. Anamitra Ripley, 1415) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 14:16) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:17) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1419.5) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ACSO Bracken, 14:20) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo’ren T’Vof - 14:21) (USS Hades - Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 14:21.5) (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ACSO Bracken, 14:30) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ begin compile Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS. Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1245) Ana listened to Riven's answer. It was an important question. Not just for him and perhaps Angeni, but to her as well. She had to know how professional and objective he could be. The fact that she had found this personal nerve made it that much easier to test that objectivity for herself. She was not disappointed in his answer. "I actually had mixed feelings about that, overall I am very happy for her but deep down..." He opened his eyes wide in a 'What the hell was I thinking' look. "... deep down I was a bit disappointed that we wouldn't be spending as much time talking together." "Let me be quite specific Ana..." He couldn't have been more sincere if he had tried. "... I maintained a proper relationship with Angeni while I worked with her and never once violated the counselor, patient etiquette required by both your profession and my own as a mind healer. She was my guest and I was her counselor and I held myself rigidly to that even though it occurred to me it could possibly have developed further had I been willing and it was that way till I left the Hades for the Potomac. I did not contact her and did not see her again after that. Just before I left sickbay I noted the mental residue of another mind emanating from her and my initia lthought was that she had been mated and my reaction was immediate and shocking to me, I promptly turned on my heel and left after bidding them a short farewell." "I was pondering on my own behavior in the hall and on the way here when she caught up with me and invited me to dinner to talk and catch up on what has been happening with one another and I accepted." He pursed his lips as he pondered his next words. "Obviously my emotions are all in a tangle about her right now which is unheard of for me. I have never had anything like this happen before. There is one obvious conclusion though that is inescapable and that is there is no way I could possibly be trusted at this point to remain objective, I would be happy to offer any advice and support needed but should the subject ever be broached I would have to recuse myself from being her Counselor." Ana gave him a single nod of understanding, "As you should. But, it seems that you know that already. It's hard sometimes to do the right thing, but I trust that should it happen, you'd do the right thing." Ana's last statement was one of affirmation, not warning or accusation. She was merely confirming for Riven that she understood that he'd make the right choice if it came down to it. There was nothing veiled or hidden in her words. "Well," she added. "I'm satisfied." (reply Riven) A smile spread across her face. "With you. I wasn't about to let you start counseling this crew until I was comfortable with you. They depend on me. I protect them, I help them and I take my personal responsibilities very seriously where they are concerned. Despite your reputation, I wasn't about to simply give you free reign to counsel as you saw fit until I was certain that you would be the right thing for the crew. That said, I have only one rule that is immutable. It is non-negotiable, and unbreakable. If you break it, I'll see to it that you are removed from the ship as quickly as possible and all your counseling privileges will be revoked." (reply Riven) "The rule is this: If you become to close to the situation to lose your objectivity, it's your duty to report it to me, so that I can make other arrangements for treatment. No Counselor can see the most simple of problems facing those they are helping if they allow themselves to get too close to them. Otherwise you have my complete support to conduct your counseling sessions as you see fit. Do we have an understanding?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, Dr. Riven Mias, 1248) Ana gave him a single nod of understanding, "As you should. But, it seems that you know that already. It's hard sometimes to do the right thing, but I trust that should it happen, you'd do the right thing." He nodded in agreement at her statement. "Well," she added. "I'm satisfied." "Hmmm?" He asked though he could sense the crystallization in her mind of satisfaction, what that was he wasn't entirely sure of at the moment though a possibility had occurred to him. "About what perchance?" She gave him a big smile in reply. "With you. I wasn't about to let you start counseling this crew until I was comfortable with you. They depend on me. I protect them, I help them and I take my personal responsibilities very seriously where they are concerned. Despite your reputation, I wasn't about to simply give you free reign to counsel as you saw fit until I was certain that you would be the right thing for the crew. That said, I have only one rule that is immutable. It is non-negotiable, and unbreakable. If you break it, I'll see to it that you are removed from the ship as quickly as possible and all your counseling privileges will be revoked." He nodded in understanding. "And that is?" "The rule is this: If you become to close to the situation to lose your objectivity, it's your duty to report it to me, so that I can make other arrangements for treatment. No Counselor can see the most simple of problems facing those they are helping if they allow themselves to get too close to them. Otherwise you have my complete support to conduct your counseling sessions as you see fit. Do we have an understanding?" He chuckled in reply. "That is only right and proper, I would have been disappointed in you had you demanded less. We have an agreement." His smile was dazzling. "Thank you for your candor, I will also make certain that you are apprised of my meetings with the crew and reports on what I find so that you can add them to your file and have it available for future reference. As far as Angeni is concerned I will also keep you informed of anything that might come from that meeting so you can better determine my own mindset, while I am confident I can sort through the situation it is far too important to leave to a subjective frame of reference." (Reply: Ana iyw) "Thank you for your time Ana, our meeting has been pleasant and I trust we will work well together, feel free to call upon me at any time for any reason. As I am working under you in this matter I am at your beck and call." (Reply: Ana iyw) With that he took his leave, not hurrying to his appointment with the captain but not dawdling either. He would stop by his quarters only long enough to insure his baggage had been transported there then head for the bridge. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.21 (USS Hades, Deck 8- Holodeck 2, Dr. Riven Mias, 1350) Riven followed Baylon with his eyes as the man walked past him then turned to regard him as he looked longingly at the image of his former captain. "It's not that Riven." He replied. "I owed it to him to try to bring him back. He wouldn't have left anyone behind. I owed him the same. I had to try and I couldn't risk anyone else. I knew the odds were slim, I understood that I might not make it out alive. But I've always survived it. I've always come through in the end." "I had a duty Riven. To rescue the crew. Not just Angeni and Darla, but the captain also. I was in the same damned room!" His outburst of rage was not unexpected. "I should have been faster. I could have saved him and myself also. I didn't because I overlooked something." He shook his head as he continued. "And it wasn't because I didn't take backup. I needed everyone to get the personnel evacuated, I didn't have enough security people once the evacuation started to ensure their safety as it was. I made a hard choice and I took action." His face as well as his emotions registered a deep anger as he turned to look Riven in the eyes and spoke. "And don't you play all holier-than-thou with me Riven Mias, you weren't watching these people die whenever you gave them an order. You didn't have the responsibility of getting all the slaves and Starfleet personnel off that station before it exploded. You weren't there." Riven cocked his head at the accusation, It wasn't something he hadn't heard a number of times before, because he was a holy man that epitaph could be at times bandied about liberally by those who were hurting. His goading of Baylon was having the desired effect of getting him to talk, not open up BUT talk which would give him information he sorely needed to get through to the man. He threw his hands into the air in a helpless, self-sacrificing gesture. "This is only a small part of it. The culmination of my decisions. The moment that I failed to carry out my duty to the fullest of my ability." He lowered his arms suddenly drained and his head slumped as he looked at the floor. "I made this happen. Not just Sash, but Cartwright, Evers, Thorm, Rosario, Casdek, Moldar, Swenson, and Castillo as well. Sash was just the last in that conflict. He died, I get that. People die all the time, I know, I've seen enough of it to know well enough what's happening." He looked back at Riven, suddenly deflated. "He died alone Riven. Surrounded by enemies and he was never recovered. He's restless now, he's haunting me somehow...and until I can figure it out, I won't get any rest. He'll haunt me until I lose my mind or until I die whichever happens first." Information he had wanted, information he had gotten. Riven stepped closer to him as he wound down. "Let's talk about your successes first Baylon, you almost defeated insurmountable odds, you stared death itself in the face and almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. I know you were following orders and protecting the lives of the others but so were those men who followed you into that conflict. They felt the same as you did and laid down everything they had to bring Sash back in their own way. They didn't do it because you ordered them to but because they wanted to, they wanted to get the captain back just as badly as you did. They laid down their lives for something greater than themselves and you cheapen their sacrifice by taking their deaths upon yourself." "As for Sash," His face which had been hard softened a bit. "It's not he that is haunting you Baylon but your own failure. We demand perfection of ourselves because it is the impetus by which we grow but when we measure ourselves by it in light of our failures we measure ourselves against an impossible yardstick. Your enemies were faster than you, they were more vicious than you and nothing you can do will ever change that. We have our limitations dictated by physiology and training that we can not overcome, there are other species out there..." He gestured with his head to Alpha 1 who was facing off against Sash, his black lips drawn back in a snarl. " ... there are other species out there who have the advantage of evolution that those limitations can't overcome. If you had just one person with you I believe you would have succeeded but you didn't, you did all one person humanly could and he would recognize that ... and applaud you for your endeavor on his part." He walked over to Baylon, standing before him till he looked up. "You are the one who is doing this to yourself Baylon, not Sash. You have never experienced failure before and you refuse to see it. Are you a god that you can do the impossible? Can you work miracles? Raise the dead or take the breath from the living? You are only a mortal, finite in your ability." "Failure is something we all experience eventually, even the greatest of us. I am not one of the greatest but I have experienced failure many times and I have to live with my inadequacies and you Baylon..." He shook his head in sympathy. "... You have to accept yours." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2413.10.23 (Starbase Geneva, Shuttle Bay - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 0900) Rose glanced around, her small bag in hand and an anxious look upon her face. Starfleet has assigned her to the USS Hades, a ship she had heard off before her posting and looked forward to working upon. However at that moment she was rather lost and wasn’t particularly thinking about the Hades as it seemed she wouldn't make it too her transport shuttle in time before it took off without her. Needless to say she isn’t the biggest fan of Starbase layouts and specifically this one, every time she was needed somewhere off the base she found it impossible to locate her shuttle and ended up asking someone for directions. That also wasn’t something she liked either, asking for help, but to ask for help from a stranger she, quite obviously didn’t know was even worse. ~It feels like I’ve circled this place twice, I’ve obviously passed it by now..~ She was thinking as she heard someone call her name. She spun around, almost dropping her ‘essentials’ bag and turned to face the man who had called upon her. “You are Doctor Bradley, yes?” He said impatiently as she shook of the shock of someone knowing who she was and prepared to answer. “Yes, Of Course” Was the answer she managed to give, “and who, might I ask are you?” She was fairly sure she had never met this man before, trying to remember if his face stuck out in any of her memories. She came up short. Nothing. “Lieutenant Lucky, at your service. I was asked to come and look for you to direct you too your shuttle, Doctor.” ~Convenient, obviously someone knows my aversion to shuttle bays. Thoughtful of them~ “The pilot wanted to get a jump start on the flight, so If you’d follow me..?” The Lieutenant pointed back the way he had came and Rose made to follow him. Lt. Lucky lead her almost the entire length of the shuttle bay before coming finally to a stop, “In you go” he said, opening the hatch for her. “Your luggage was sent ahead” Rose just nodded and stepped inside the shuttle. A wave of tiredness hit her once she sat down, she had barely got any sleep the night before - due to anticipation, or at least thats what she was putting it down too. She closed her eyes for a second and then felt the shuttle begin to move, over the intercom came the pilots voice =^=Make sure your seats are in there set-back positions and I hope you enjoy your ride Doctor. We should be arriving at the USS Hades at around 1900 hours in three days, so you have plenty of time for any preparations you may need to take. Lucky out=^= ~Hmm he didn’t tell me he was the pilot, also~ She thought to herself, and with that she fell asleep for several hours ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:25) Eva walked into Lt. Ripley's office making sure before hand that the Counselor was alone. A simple mental sweep of the room was all that was required before locking her shields back into place. "Counselor," Eva said, meeting Lt. Ripley's gaze with her own steely gaze. "We need to talk, if you have a few moments." Eva noted the informal decor of the room with a glance and simply nodded. She moved over to the seat closest to Lt. Ripley's current position and sat down and then indicated for Ripley to sit down across from her. "I recently had a conversation with Dr. Riven," Eva began, as always getting straight to the point, "He conveyed to me some very disturbing opinions. Opinions I do not share. I want to know if you share his opinions and if so why you did not bring them to me yourself?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1428) Ana had been finishing up some of her post session notes, when she noted the arrival of Captain Straton entering the room. It was a very unusual thing for the Ex-Marine Commanding Officer to grace her corridors, but Ana was actually pleased that she was here. It meant that there was something that the captain needed to talk to her about. Ana looked up at her, giving her a warm smile as she rose from her favorite chair. "Hello Captain. Welcome. Please take a seat anywhere you'd like." She offered with a sweep of her hand. "Counselor," Eva said, meeting Lt. Ripley's gaze with her own steely gaze. "We need to talk, if you have a few moments." The tone of the captain's voice wasn't exactly inviting and the icy cold stare was even less so, But Ana could be just as determined to make the Eva comfortable as much as the captain could attempt to make Ana uncomfortable. "Of course captain. I can put my post session notes on hold for the moment. Obviously you have something very important to say." Eva gave a look around the room and nodded, She then moved over to the seat closest to where Ana was standing. Ana simply settled back into her chair and placed the PADD on a small table nearby after saving her notes. "I recently had a conversation with Dr. Riven," Eva began, as always getting straight to the point, "He conveyed to me some very disturbing opinions. Opinions I do not share. I want to know if you share his opinions and if so why you did not bring them to me yourself?" Ana would have been surprised, but she had gathered well enough that Riven was very capable of formulating strong and possible unpleasant opinions of his own. The fact that he might share those opinions with the captain was also no surprise, but Ana wasn't exactly clear on what the opinions in question were. She realized that the captain was asking a leading question; looking for information and for a confirmation. That was not something that Ana would give her blindly. "My apologies captain, but before I can answer that question I'd need to know what those opinions were exactly. Riven and I discussed a great many things, including my relationship with Captain Sash and yourself. Then I'd like to know why you phrased your question as you did. It seems almost as if you already believe you know the answer to the question you just asked me." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:29) "My apologies captain, but before I can answer that question I'd need to know what those opinions were exactly. Riven and I discussed a great many things, including my relationship with Captain Sash and yourself. Then I'd like to know why you phrased your question as you did. It seems almost as if you already believe you know the answer to the question you just asked me," Lt. Ripley replied. Eva bit off the reply that almost escaped her lips and instead took a deep breath. ~Relax, she is not your enemy. She is one of your senior officers. There is still the possibility that this is a misunderstanding.~ "It seems that Dr. Mias feels that I have been 'underutilizing' the Counseling department," Eva replied evenly, "Despite the fact that I have consulted you on several occasions. The current moral situation only being the most recent. Dr. Mias himself would not be here accept for your recommendation which I fully endorsed. So, do you feel I am neglecting you and the Counseling department?" Eva intentionally refrained from answering Ripley's other question for the time being. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS, Ensign Anamitra Ripley, 1431) Eva bit off a possible acerbic reply with a bit of effort and instead took a deep breath. "It seems that Dr. Mias feels that I have been 'underutilizing' the Counseling department," Eva replied evenly, "Despite the fact that I have consulted you on several occasions. The current moral situation only being the most recent. Dr. Mias himself would not be here accept for your recommendation which I fully endorsed. So, do you feel I am neglecting you and the Counseling department?" Eva intentionally refrained from answering Ripley's other question for the time being. "I see." Ana replied evenly. It was apparent that the captain had a lot more on her mind than a simply accusation of her judgment. Of course, for a command officer, there were very few things that were worse. It was almost akin to telling them they were incompetent. She smiled slightly, leaned forward a little and looked Eva directly in the eyes. She knew full well that the Captain was a Betazoid and that regardless of what Ana might try to do to shield her emotions the captain would pick up on them anyway. Not that it mattered, she was planning on being completely honest anyway, she always was. "I think that what we are dealing with is known as clinical projection." She explained. "Among the things that I mentioned to Doctor Mias were my own feelings concerning the loss of Captain Sash. As you are well aware I served with him aboard the Nimitz before she was destroyed and was assigned here afterwards along with a great many of the Nimitz personnel." (reply Eva) "Well then you might find it very interesting to know that when I was questioned about my feelings on his loss, that I explained to Doctor Mias, that In all the time I served with captain Sash, I'd only seen him professionally twice. He never consulted me, nor did he ever take nor seek out any of my services. He had to be practically drug in for the yearly sessions as it was." (reply Eva) "What this has to do with Doctor Mias' assertions may boil down to a few simple facts and an inference. The first fact is that Captain Sash did not consult with any of his counseling staff on a regular basis. The second is that You were captain Sash's first officer for at least some of that time. The inference is that since I mentioned specifically that captain Sash did not seek counsel or advise from me during his time in command here, that it was a reasonable although inaccurate assessment to consider that his first officer, now the captain, might also have no need of this department's services." "As for me saying as much. I never did. In fact, our discussion on the subject was completely centered around the relationship that Captain Sash and I had, for what it was worth. Doctor Mias most likely made a connection between the statements, inferred some of the applications, and considered the current state of the ship's morale when he made his statement to you. As a counselor I can say that it isn't an uncommon thing to have Captains that do not respect, let alone utilize, the services of the counseling department." (reply Eva) "Another thing Captain, I have no fears or worries about bringing you anything that I think affects crew's morale, or for that matter anything that I think might be a morally gray area. I'm not shy and It doesn't worry me what you may think if I offer you an opinion that you may disagree with. I'm here to do a job, the same as you are. That job means taking risks and making difficult decisions, the same that yours does. We just go about our duties according to our talents. I assure you, if there's a need to speak to you about the utilization of this department it will not be handled second hand." (reply Eva) "You know we've never really spoken about how you feel about what has happened. How you feel about the way you made Captain, and how you feel about losing Sash. It's something that you'll have to talk about sooner or later, you know. I'm here for you as much as I am for the rest of the crew. As a friend, a confident and an officer who understands that even you need support and help sometimes. So now that I've answered your question, I'd like for you to answer mine. I'd still like to know why you phrased your first question to me as you did." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:33) "...As you are well aware I served with him aboard the Nimitz before she was destroyed and was assigned here afterwards along with a great many of the Nimitz personnel," Lt. Ripley said. "I am," Eva replied. "Well then you might find it very interesting to know that when I was questioned about my feelings on his loss, that I explained to Doctor Mias, that In all the time I served with captain Sash, I'd only seen him professionally twice. He never consulted me, nor did he ever take nor seek out any of my services. He had to be practically drug in for the yearly sessions as it was." "I was not aware of that no," Eva replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. "...As a counselor I can say that it isn't an uncommon thing to have Captains that do not respect, let alone utilize, the services of the counseling department,"Lt. Ripley continued. "As I told Dr Mias I consider the Counseling department as vital to this ships as every other department. As an empath I am keenly aware of the emotional state of the crew, it's not something I can or will ignore." "... I assure you, if there's a need to speak to you about the utilization of this department it will not be handled second hand," Lt.Ripley went on. "Good," Eva replied, "I prefer my senior officers to bring any concerns they may have to me or Lt. Haynes directly." "You know we've never really spoken about how you feel about what has happened. How you feel about the way you made Captain, and how you feel about losing Sash. It's something that you'll have to talk about sooner or later, you know. I'm here for you as much as I am for the rest of the crew. As a friend, a confident and an officer who understands that even you need support and help sometimes. So now that I've answered your question, I'd like for you to answer mine. I'd still like to know why you phrased your first question to me as you did," Lt. Ripley finished. "I phrased my question as I did because I knew Dr Mias had just came from talking with you," Eva admitted, "I can easily track the other telepaths on the ship and I was monitoring his whereabouts from the moment he beamed aboard. I did not eavesdrop in on your conversation, obviously.I was disappointed and a bit angered by the notion that one of my senior officers would not come to me on a matter that directly involved the efficient functioning of their department. I also was angered by the assumption that Dr. Mias found me an incompetent Captain with no experience leading others. The thought occurred to me that perhaps you shared this opinion." "As for your questions regarding the late Captain Sash, I hardly knew the man. While I had a grudging respect for him I would not have called him a friend. I came to terms with his death months ago. I had only been on the ship a short time before his death so I did not have the close bond with him that many of the rest of the crew did. While it is true that I did not wish to become a Captain in this fashion it is how things have unfolded. Sash died a glorious warriors death. Saving not only his ship and crew but also saving two races from the grips of slavery in the process. I can only hope my own death is half as glorious as his. I am a former marine counselor. Sash's death is not the first I have had to deal with. I dealt with the anger and sense of failure months ago.However, I thank you for your offer of a sympathetic ear." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.24 (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof -1936) "Show me." Riven's voice was amplified as he reached out to Lo'ren mentally. While Lo'ren was, in essence, a touch telepath, she still could sense Riven's lowering of shields and his reaching out across the short distance.His abilities were such that you had to be a true NON-telepath not to be able to sense his powerhouse abilities. Straton was much the same, but in the months that Lo'ren had been on the Hades she'd instinctively progressed from practical non-telepath - by non-use of abilities - to for lack of better terminology, amateur telepath. Besides which, one shied away from Straton's ice-like vibes, whereas Riven was more like unto a warm tropical breeze. She dropped her own shields that held back whatever it was that guided her mind in its abilities and brought forward that day from several months back, feeling Riven's mind as he connected to what she showed him. The combat link had made her see out of Jack's eyes in a sense, the image that had come up in her mind was sketchy and layered like a bad 3D animation. Blue slightly out centre from red and green turned slightly to the side. The mental link was meant to help those on the same side to 'see' enemies who might be trying to deviously come up from behind - highly useful when you are outnumbered. Lo'ren had thought it up instantly and instinctively. Jack had trusted her with it and she and he had danced in that link as they fought off the simulated Waagoshin dogs. What she'd next done - again on instinct - was dangerous and downright stupid at the time. She'd lashed out with her mental energy, sending a spike into the hologram - or attempting to anyhow. The move had backfired because the mental energy had not gone into a living being, but into a projection and as such the spike had sought out the closest living being. Lo'ren retook the lightning strike into her own mind as if it was from an enemy. The only saving grace she had was the combat link between her and Jack that kept her grounded long enough for another instinct to take over - she went into a healing trance. Next she conveyed her concern about the danger she had posed to Jack, and what she'd done to come out of the trance - frightening Angeni and causing the gentle doctor pain in the process. Finally, Lo'ren conveyed the mutual situations of dreams. The times Jack had dreams and Lo'ren had run through the corridors to get to him, the times he had done the same and the times - now that they shared quarters - where they'd woken each other in a cold sweat. ::These are the most troubling to me, plus the times when I project my memories onto others like Captain Straton and Baylon.:: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 8, Personal Quarters - Dr. Riven Mias -1945) The mental link was gained easily, Riven's mind linking seamlessly to Lo'ren's with no apparent effort and she didn't shy away from the contact. Riven closed his eye and instantly began to see the memories she brought to his attention, participating in them as though he were her, remembering what she had felt and sensed at the time. The combat link she had cobbled together between herself and the man who was only CSO at the time was inventive, a highly irregular though effective tool. The creatures they were fighting were much like the Waagoshin he had seen on Baylon's holographic station though larger and not as fast. They were sly though and their efforts were cunningly thought out but effectively combated by the duo. The Waagoshin circled them as though they were prey, trying to cut them off from one another in order to better facilitate their defeat. The mental, all around image caused by the link was fuzzy and a bit disorienting at first but he got used to it quickly. The fight with one Waagoshin which had jumped her ended though in a very dangerous and ill thought out maneuver, its backlash caused him to gasp as it rebounded upon her and her consciousness shut down. The image changed then to a sickbay ward with Angeni hovering over her, she couldn't be seen but her voice was heard as Lo'ren came out of the healing trance confused and frightened initially. Lo'ren's mental 'voice' boomed as she grabbed the woman's hand to find out where she was and who was there, was she friend or foe? She could have done a great deal of harm with that maneuver as well, fortunately she had pulled back a bit at the last instant as her awareness of her surroundings increased. Her concerns for her lovers safety surfaced owing to the dreams which she had been broadcasting were well founded. ::These are the most troubling to me, plus the times when I project my memories onto others like Captain Straton and Baylon.:: The whole was complete in detail, in a few moments she had communicated to him mentally what might have taken days to describe adequately with words. ::That is understandable, you have a great deal of untapped potential Lo'ren but as with all telepathic potential it is dangerous if untrained and unfocused. Some of these abilities you have explored are exotic, perhaps because of your mixed heritage but are still loosely touch-telepath based because of your vulcan heritage and training. You have the potential however to grow beyond that and therefore desperately need to learn proper control.:: (Reply: Lo'ren) ::I can help you with that, with my help you can learn to harness and control your abilities as well as explore further to learn your limits but with control. You have made a large step toward that today in coming to terms with much of your past but more work needs to be done before you are ready to learn those disciplines. I would recommend visits for the next couple of days for therapeutic counseling and to begin relearning basic control techniques. We will rebuild and strengthen your discipline and give you a solid foundation from which to grow.:: (Reply: Lo'ren) :: Indeed. Your meditation techniques are essential as well. Show me if you would the technique you use.:: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades – Deck 8, Personal Quarters – CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof –1949) ::That is understandable, you have a great deal of untapped potential Lo'ren but as with all telepathic potential it is dangerous if untrained and unfocused. Some of these abilities you have explored are exotic, perhaps because of your mixed heritage but are still loosely touch-telepath based because of your Vulcan heritage and training. You have the potential however to grow beyond that and therefore desperately need to learn proper control.:: Lo'ren nodded as she replied, ::That's exactly why I came to you. I've come close to hurting the person closest to me and very nearly made myself brain dead – not only that, but I've caused pain and projected awful and private things into others' minds without even an ounce of the know how to control it.:: ::I can help you with that, with my help you can learn to harness and control your abilities as well as explore further to learn your limits but with control. You have made a large step toward that today in coming to terms with much of your past but more work needs to be done before you are ready to learn those disciplines. I would recommend visits for the next couple of days for therapeutic counselling and to begin relearning basic control techniques. We will rebuild and strengthen your discipline and give you a solid foundation from which to grow.:: ::Thank you, I really don't want to be a vegetable, nor do I want to turn Jack into a vegetable.:: Lo'ren smiled before she continued. ::During my Academy days it seemed that the only foundation I needed was my meditations, they still serve me, but I have felt a need for more since Jack and I linked empathically.:: :: Indeed. Your meditation techniques are essential as well. Show me if you would the technique you use.:: Lo'ren nodded again, she knew the motion wasn't really necessary, but it was a comfort to her anyhow. She settled her body into the lotus pose and steepled her first two fingers. Breathing deeply, she envisioned her breath as light, growing brighter with each inward pull of air. Each exhalation was an expelling of the darkness that diminished until there was only solidly glowing, steady warmth. Over this she began to weave her thoughts into a semblance of a musical score, using the order she found in music to help order her mind. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate.2413.10.25 (USS Hades, Deck 8, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 0900) Jack was taking a stroll through the deck having taken a few minutes away from bridge duty at the captain's permission to get finished with something he felt he had to do. It wasn't something that he necessarily WANTED to do but he felt it was necessary to maintain peace and open communications and to that end he was here. He had put a lot of thought into it since Riven had come aboard and had told Lo'ren he would but he had dithered a bit, now though he had committed himself, he wasn't about to turn tail and scurry back to the bridge when he was already here. A check on the computer system at the Senior Counselor's schedule showed this to be an open slot and he had verified her presence in her office before coming down so... he stopped before her door, a little ill at ease. The blank, grey door wasn't a welcoming fixture nor was the nameplate beside it, it was just another portal on another deck. Would she harbor any animosity for his brusque treatment of her in the highly charged atmosphere of the holodeck? His adrenalin had been at a fever pitch after the fight with the Waagoshin simulations, that coupled with his emotions toward the profession and the way she had glided into the sim had set his teeth on edge. Objectively speaking he had made an ass of himself. Looking at he door he came to a decision. ~No Jack you DO want to do this, this is another chip on your shoulder you have to get rid of. You've made peace with authority, now you need to make peace with the Counselor. Unless you want to carry this around for the rest of your life.~ He didn't want to carry it around either, chips disrupted life and clouded your judgment, if he really wanted to make a good command officer they had no place in his repertoire. Taking a deep breath he tapped the enunciator. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Deck 8, Senior Counselor's office, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes, 0905) He walked into the office a bit ill at ease, the sight of the strangely adorned room a bit disconcerting. His eyes settled on Counselor Ripley and he focused on her, the rest of the room relegated to the background. "Hello Counselor, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I saw that you weren't busy and thought it a good time to drop by." (Reply: Ana) He looked about the room, he really hadn't planned on staying more than a second but since he was here to mend fences it would be rude to be so abrupt so he sucked in a breath and nodded then walked over to the checkerboard table and took a seat. He waited till she sat down, more than a little uncomfortable. His eyes trailed about the room again, not looking at Ana. "Well I have been thinking that we got off on the wrong foot, my behavior when you came into the holodeck during the Waagoshin simulation was a bit ... extreme." (Reply: Ana) He sighed. "Well... I came to apologize in short, I hope you don't hold my reaction against me. I've ... had bad experiences with a certain counselor in the past and I suppose it isn't really fair for me to take it out on you." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Cole, Aft Compartment - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 1500) Rose has awoken around 30 minutes earlier to find that she looked terrible after her morning to mid-afternoon sleep. She had set about making herself presentable, she did indeed have a few more hours before they would rendezvous with the Hades but within the hour she was ready and presentable in her Starfleet uniform. She then moved from the aft compartment to where the pilot was and sat talking to him for a short while, before taking out one of the books she had brought with her and sat in the ‘cockpit’ reading it and waiting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge, ACSO Bracken, 1517) "Welcome to the Hades science department Lieutenant, I'm glad to have you. My last assistant transferred off at Geneva and left me short handed." There wasn't time to go over her file at this time but he would make it his priority. "I hope you don't mind taking over some extra duty while you're here, as first officer my time is split as you can imagine so I'll need you to condense and tag the reports from the various labs and projects before they get to me. I hope you don't think I'm giving you all the responsibility of running the department without the rank but it will take quite a load off my shoulders." She was tempted, tempted to give him her resume, but that smacked of blowing her own trumpet. Before she had been medically removed from duty, already attained the position of CSO, running the Science Department on the Dennison. More recently than that she had become a Command Officer, becoming Second Officer again on the Dennison, and the Mithrandir following the destruction of the Dennison. “Not a problem at all sir, I know the exact position that you’re in. It’s good to be back in uniform, i’ve been a civilian for far too long. ”. "The captain has already taken care of your accomodations and entered you in the database so there's nothing left but for you to go to work if you're up to it. Do you need some time off to get yourself situated? I normally don't ask that but we're swamped up here. If you need some time you can start Alpha shift at 0600 tomorrow morning at the primary science terminal here on the bridge and I'll be monitoring from the backup station, the choice is yours." She shook her head, and smiled gently, “I’m pretty much unpacked, I generally travel light. Aimee’s stuff will get unpacked pretty quickly too. She’s a walking tornado. No, I’ll start straight away, give me 10 minutes to set up my terminal preferences? They’re...a little non-standard.” (Reply Haynes) Again, she smiled. “Duely noted. 0600 not a problem sir. I’ve been doing it a long time sir, i’m not much a sleeper.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge, FO/CSO Jericho Haynes , 1520) She shook her head with an answering smile. “I’m pretty much unpacked, I generally travel light. Aimee’s stuff will get unpacked pretty quickly too. She’s a walking tornado. No, I’ll start straight away, give me 10 minutes to set up my terminal preferences? They’re...a little non-standard.” Jack nodded appreciatively. "Of course, make yourself at home whenever you're ready. I think you'll find I'm easy to work with but demanding. I won't expect any more from you though than I expect from myself and you'll find me right in the thick of things, perhaps more than I should when I have the time." He gave her a grin. "I don't micromanage though, as long as you're doing your job I'll leave you alone and treat you like a professional unlike department heads on some of the other ships." The memory of his bullying former superior slipped unbidden through his consciosness but was gone in a flash. She gave him another, answering smile of agreement. “Duly noted. 0600 not a problem sir. I’ve been doing it a long time sir, i’m not much a sleeper.” "Excellent then." He winked at her. "Get to work then but I want you off the bridge no later than 1700 so you can take care of getting your daughter tucked away in her new digs." He held out his hand to her for a shake. "And once again welcome aboard, it's good to have you." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Personal Quarters, ACSO Bracken , 1800) Dale lay back on the bed next to her daughter, stroking Aimee’s hair gently, willing the young girl to sleep, a gentle smile of deep contentment on her face. She hadn’t known what was missing from her life until she had had Aimee, and now, if everything else was taken from her, she would still consider her life complete. “Mommy?” Dale sighed. Her daughter was far too much a chip off the old block, always full of question, eager to learn, she looked down at her daughters face, staring back at a carbon copy of her own eyes, a deepset intelligence looked back at her.” “Yes sweetie?” “I like it. Pretty.” She pointed to the window. Dale chuckled gently to herself, and stood up pulling her daughter out of bed and moving to the large window that sat behind the desk that she had been lucky enough to have in her room. Aimee snuggled sleepily into her shoulder, but remained awake. “You like that?” She pointed at the universe, unfolding before the both of them, countless ages unwinding before their eyes. Of course, with a single press of a button Dale could count the aeons in front of her, could tell her daughter exactly where each, every star was, what it was made of, and even point to those that didn’t even exist anymore. She didn’t however, even try. To try and explain any of it would detract from the wonder that Aimee was now experiencing. At three she had taken her first steps, forced perhaps by her mother, but nonetheless, she had ventured out further into the universe than most sentient beings could possibly comprehend. Even in this time. “Where’s Daddy?” The question came without warning; Dale felt the gut wrench of a completely unguarded blow, causing a physical pain that she wouldn’t have thought possible. She sighed. An explanation was in order, she knew her daughter well enough to know that ignoring the question was not going to solve it long term; she would only ask tomorrow. She paused, sighing. “He had to go baby.” Aimee looked puzzled, Dale realised she was skirting the issue. “He had to go away to work, on a ship a bit like this one.” “Grampy said...” “I’m well aware of what he said. He talks too much, and tells you silly things.” Dale turned from the Vista in front of them and looked at Aimee. She was fighting sleep with every ounce of her will. Dale could see the line of questions in her mind, and the irritation at her own tiredness, and the loss of another battle with sleep. It was only a matter of seconds now, but with a seeming monstrous effort she opened her eyes again. “Does he love me?” Dale felt her heart wrench, torn asunder by a child’s most innocent question. She felt her eyes well up, the question bringing up so many, many issues in her own mind; issues from her own childhood, and adolescence. Her relationship with her father, so strong throughout her entire life, was currently in tatters because of her return to the fleet with Aimee in tow. So many issues, all of them so deeply buried. She pulled her daughter into a close, close embrace, “He loves you so much sweetheart. So much.” She was certain that Aimee had heard, from the smile on her face, but her daughter had now lost the nightly battle with the sandman, gently she turned, and placed her back into bed, pulling the covers around and over her, finally pushing her raven black hair off her face. She watched for a few minutes, then turned and sat at the desk, alone with her memories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Ten Forward - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 19:56) Eoin slumped into a chair in Ten Forward. It had been another exhausting day. But, he had to pat himself on the back. The Engineering teams had gotten the shield modifications completed, and they were now working self-sustainably. He smiled at the fact that he might actually get a good night's sleep for once. The waiter came by, and asked him for his order. "I'll take a bowl of lobster bisque and a cold glass of Guiness." The waiter nodded, and went off towards the replicator. Eoin looked out the front windows, watching the magnetar pulse, almost with the beating of his heart. His mind began to drift. ~25 October,~ he thought to himself, ~Everyone will be getting together for Mum's birthday soon. But I won't be there. Like I haven't been there in the past five years.~ He shook himself out of this downward spiral, remembering what Riven said yesterday. Eoin smiled. ~They do still love me, they do.~ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades-Personal Quarters- SciO- Ensign Harry Doorman- 2030) Harry stood smiling from ear to ear as he pressed the enunciator at Angeni'sdoor. It was their normal together night. The standing Date Night that theyhad set up when they had first started their relationship. He had made special preparations in Ten Forward for their evening meal andhad taken the time to import a special Colorado Rockies Trail Ride Programto share afterwards. Now he stood in the corridor outside her quarters witha bouquet of flowers, courtesy of the Botany department , in his left hand. After a few moments, where she did not answer the door, he stepped over to acorridor terminal and inquired as to her whereabouts. [Doctor Trommashere is in Ten Forward] came the reply. ~How odd.~ he thought, expecting her to be in sickbay perhaps, but not tenforward. He turned and hurried to catch up with her there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades-Deck 10, Ten Forward- CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere-2039) "If you insist." A mischievous light crept into his eyes. "I spent eighteen months upon the USS Potomac after I left here, its mission was to seek out survivors of the war who might have been lost or marooned in space. We found and picked up several hundred survivors including one I'm sure you know well." Angeni wracked her brain, trying to think of who it was that he could've possibly found. She knew Mason and Cindy were alright, same with Marto and Travis. She shrugged her shoulders, but her mind went back to the last person she could think of. Saleke. She wondered how her old Captain was doing, but what mattered most to her in this moment was Riven. It amazed her that she still had such intense feelings for him. She couldn't wrap her head around what exactly she felt for him. Sure, she had romantic interest in times past, but she knew nothing was able to come of it because he was her doctor. The lines blurred for emergency doctors when it came to who you had relations with, but when it came to mind healers or psychologists, the lines were clear cut. She watched as the waiter came over, and it broke her from her thought process. "Bring me a tall glass of an Andorian white wine, cold and dry but not too dry. Nothing to eat for now, give me another few moments. Would you like something else while he's here?" He asked Angeni. "Glass of Japanese Plum Wine with a small decanter, please. I'll drink it through dinner. Use my...personal supply please." She smiled at Riven, gesturing for him to continue. "After that commission was over I retired from the fleet and moved back to the temple of Alura on Betazed and have been there the last three years concentrating on mind healing and teaching. After I received a request to come aboard to give some experienced aid to Ana owing to the events you and the others have gone through I fairly leapt at the opportunity, I couldn't give my consent fast enough. It was a pleasurable bonus to find out you were still aboard." She winced slightly at the thought of the past few months, which was years for him. The death of Sash still weighed heavily on her heart. It had been rough for her. She had never been good at expressing her emotions when it came to greiving. She still hadn't allowed herself to cry; it would make, to her, his death a true reality. She turned back to Riven, gazing into his eyes. "I'm going to play therapist for a moment. How did you feel about seeing me, Riven? Considering how we left it last time, I want to get your feelings on this." "I must admit seeing you in sickbay was quite a shock to me, you've grown up in the last five years... or at least to me it's five years if not a little more. You've always been a head turner but you now have the bearing and confidence of a mature woman and it quite knocked me for a loop, I'm still sorting out my reaction to seeing you." She blushed wildly. She had felt a change through the years, and she knew she was more...confident in herself, but having the bearings of being confident. She smiled at him, running her fingers through her hair. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm still trying to figure out mine over seeing you. Take it for what it is worth, I never expected to see you...again. I figured that...that portion of my life that you were in were going to be nothing more than pleasant memories. I missed you, Riven...I really did." (Reply Riven) She smiled as the waiter came back, and she swirled the wine in her glass, taking in the bouquet before sipping it. She knew exactly how the wine would smell and taste; she had done this dance before, but it helped her to focus. A question nagged at her, but she wasn't sure how to phrase it. Another sip of wine reminded her of why she wanted to have dinner with him. It was to rekindle and renew. What they were going to rekindle was up to the stars. She knew she was dancing a dangerous dance, but nothing came without chances. "I have a serious question for you, Riven..." (Reply Riven) "I have to know. Was I ever too...forward with our...this isn't the right word, but our relationship? I know we were doctor/patient, but did I ever smudge that line and make you uncomfortable? I was always unsure." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades-Ten Forward- SciO- Ensign Harry Doorman- 2042) The Frosted Glass doors slid open without a sound and Harry immediately set his eyes to searching for Angeni. He spotted her sitting at their regular table with a man he did not recognize. He was getting some interesting emotional snippets from their tentative link and he moved forward without hurry, a little cautiously. That's when he heard it, "You've always been a head turner..." He said. Harry staggered almost as if the man sitting at the table with Angeni had landed a hard right punch. His vision blurred slightly as his brain attempted to recover from the shock. "...I missed you, Riven...I really did." She replied. Harry's mouth dropped open. He worked his jaw a couple of times and turned to head towards the door. He dropped the flowers on the passing server's tray as he went. He didn't stop and didn't look back. He felt betrayed in a way that he had never felt before. His anger flared, barely in check as he stalked from the compartment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades-Deck 10, Ten Forward- Dr. Riven Mias-2043) Her heightened coloration brought on by her answering blush was lovely. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm still trying to figure out mine over seeing you. Take it for what it is worth, I never expected to see you...again. I figured that...that portion of my life that you were in were going to be nothing more than pleasant memories. I missed you, Riven...I really did." His grin widened in response, it was obvious she had felt the same way he did. "Likewise." He took a sip of the cold, crisp wine as the waiter served first the lady then himself. It was refreshing in a very fundamental way and the glass was tall and wide, just as he had ordered it. "I have a serious question for you, Riven..." He could sense a deep mix of curiosity and concern from her. "I have to know. Was I ever too...forward with our...this isn't the right word, but our relationship? I know we were doctor/patient, but did I ever smudge that line and make you uncomfortable? I was always unsure." He made a sound of negation. "Absolutely not, our relationship was always proper and you never crossed the line. I admit I sensed possibilities with you but it was never outwardly communicated. Your behavior was impeccable." (Reply: Angeni) His empathic sense was always active, whether at a low or high level, drinking in the emotional background. There was a sudden spike nearby of anger, shock and outrage which caused him to jerk his head around just in time to see a tall young man at the door rushing from the chamber. A waiter was standing near to the portal, having turned to call out to him, a bouquet of flowers perched precariously on the tray he was holding which must have been dumped there as the man made a hasty exit. "Curious." He said as he watched. "I wonder what that was all about." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.26 (USS Hades - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 07:49) "We were hit by a pulse from the magnetar, or we're pretty sure that's what happened. Whatever occurred, the computer's been magnetized. We're trying to see how far the damage extends, and trying to repair it. As far as we know, it's only affected the Engineering section." [And head and shoulders over Richard III. Was that supposed to be funny?] Darla quirked an eyebrow as much at the report Eoin gave her as at the statement issued by the computer. "Magnetized ?" She asked confused. "Are you certain?" "Pretty certain. Magnetic fields interfering with the data retrieval system is the most logical conclusion. These problems occurred right around the same time as the magnetar pulse." "Show me." She ordered then watched as Eoin pulled up the detailed magnetic scans of the affected systems. Eoin waited nervously as Darla poured over the readouts spewing from the computer, praying for two things: 1) that the diagnostic systems were at this point oriented well enough to give at least a coherent reading, and that 2) his analysis was right. He didn't know why, but he didn't think he could live with himself if he had gotten something like this so terribly wrong. "It's not isolated to main Engineering." she said as she reviewed the data. "I encountered Shakespearean prose in my quarters and some sort of department store lingo in the turbo lift. Although it could be a result of affected vocal relay processors being affected." She regarded the information for a little longer before her face lit up in the way that Eoin knew meant that she had realised something. She quickly pulled up the materials specifications for some of the affected computer component's housing. "Bingo!" Darla stated happily. "It's not the computer systems that have magnetized, Eoin. It's the housings." She pointed down at the side by side displays, the first was the materials certifications for the housing materials as they were originally designed. The latter were the current materials configurations for the housings as they are currently. "See." she said, "It looks like the housing polymers have had some sort of spontaneous electron shift shifts take place in their electron shells. Some have even reversed their spin and polarities. They basically have had their physical properties altered at the atomic level. in this case a magnetically inert material, the polydiaxaprene, has lost several balanced electron and ion pairs and has become an effective polymer superconductor. Since we keep those components super cooled anyway, it's allowing the residual flow of free electrons displaced by the photons in the ODN optical relays to flow outside the waveguides creating a nascent electromagnetic field." Eoin nodded, relieved on both fronts. The problem wasn't as bad as he'd feared, and he was on the right path towards solving the problem. But, he was also a bit confused as to how this could have happened in the first place. "Well, that's good news. But how did this happen in the first place? We had modified our shields in order to prevent something like this from happening, and there is also redundant shielding around the computer core." "Gamma particles in a high enough concentration, maybe?" she said with a shrug, "or high energy particles that could have been polarized if they managed to pass through our shields perhaps? No way to know without extensive testing. And probably no real way to completely shield from it either." Darla furrowed her brow in thought. Eoin nodded. "Right. And when the magnetar flared up, our systems were completely overwhelmed. The shields surrounding the ship and the computer core were nothing more than pieces of paper trying to hold back a flood. But the question is, how do we drain the water and fix the core? Degaussing the housings?" "Degaussing alone isn't going to be sufficient. We're going to have to replace those housings and then figure out a means to shield them or find a replacement material to use in place of those components for the duration." "I think we should figure out what happened. Then decide whether it'd be more to our benefit to shore up the shielding, to replace the materials used in the housings, or a combination of both." Darla nodded. "Agreed, that's definitely a priority. Let's have Tethlyn involved if she isn't already. Maybe she can help us model out what happened and maybe we can run similar tests against other available materials to help us identify our best replacement materials." "Right. She's especially good in that area. She's running a message up to the bridge right now, but when she gets back, I'll let her know." "Which project do you want? The materials or the replacement and repairs?" Eoin was already moving over to the locker holding his trusty tool kit. "Work on the materials and miss an opportunity to get these hands dirty? Not on your life," he said with a mischevious smile, "I'll lead the replacement and repair teams." (reply Darla) Eoin pulled on his jumpsuit, rolled up his sleeves, tied the handkerchief around his forehead, and slung his toolkit over his shoulder. "Who can you spare here for a repair team? I'll also need support in Main Engineering to coordinate our efforts." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Main Engineering - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 0815) The Turbolift had stalled not once, but twice on her way back down to Engineering and Arysha had had a heck of a time getting it going again. She'd gotten quotes from Dante's Inferno and some lines from a musical called 'Cats'. She managed to get to the proper deck and came around the corner into Main Engineering. Looking for the familiar faces she finally spotted Lt. Wright and headed in that direction. {{D-Boss! Figure-out happening what? What-do-do me?}} ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Main Engineering - aCEO, Lieutenant Darla Wright- 0818) Darla squeezed the bridge of her nose between the forefinger and thumb of her left hand. The computer was still spazzing out, despite the identification of the problem and an attempt to shield it from the magnetic flux created by the transmogrified housings throughout the ship's computer works. The communications and verbal control subroutines, or more accurately the components that housed those routines, seemed to be the worst off. She swore that if someone did not stop the computer from singing, she'd take a plasma welder to the core itself. [The hills are alive with the sound of music With songs they have sung for a thousand years The hills fill my heart with the sound of music My heart wants to sing every song it hears My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds that rise from the lake to the trees My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies from a church on a breeze To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over stones on its way To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray] Darla rolled her eyes as the song started over for the thirteenth time in the last five minutes. "Just finish it or stop already, " she muttered under her breath. Another sigh punctuated the sickeningly sweet voice of some long forgotten songstress, as Darla found yet another corrupted node. That's when she saw Arysha. {{ Mercurial ribbon licking the cut lip of the Blue Ridge-- daybreak }} The deaf engineer intoned. Darla's eyes grew wide as the confusion set in. "Okay, that's just weird." she replied, "What did you just say?" Arysha's face molded itself contortionally into confusion. {{What good is the brain without traveling shoes? We put our thoughts out there on the cosmos express.}} She replied, even more enigmatically than the first response. Was it possible that somehow the magnetization could somehow affect a human brain? Darla had heard of situations where magnetic fields could cause disorientation. It was one of the signs of M-Con disease which was caused bya polar leak in the warp field magnetic constrictors affecting the iron molecules in the brains of an exposed engineer. She held up a finger for a moment indicating that Darla should wait. The woman pulled off her glasses, the small box that rested at her hip and the shimmering gloves that read her signs. She motioned to Darla using pantomime, first tapping her devices then tapping the nearest console and threaded her fingers together. It only took a moment for the Chief engineer to put it together. "The same thing that is affecting the computer is affecting the Vox assembly." Darla said aloud as her mind put it together. "Gotcha." Then as an afterthought, Darla nodded and gave Arysha a thumbs up. The blonde haired lieutenant turned and picked up a nearby PADD and started typing. [Looks like we'll have to communicate this way.] She typed, then handed the PADD to Tethlin ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Cole - Asst. CSO, Lt(jg) Rose Bradley - 1857) Lieutenant Lucky turned to Rose, I’m going to contact the Hades now and let them know where here. They’re unreachable via Shuttle at this moment in time, however I’m sure they’ll come and pick you up as soon as possible. Rose nodded, but secretly sighed, she was hoping to be on the ship sooner rather than later. At that moment the Lt. began broadcasting on a secure Starfleet channel. “This is Lieutenant Lucky of the Shuttle Cole from Starbase Geneva, USS Hades please respond. I have Dr. Bradley awaiting pick-up, to transfer onto the Hades.” Once the message had been sent he sat back and awaited a reply. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge- Operations- Beta shift Ops officer Ens. Emelia Janovich - 1858) =^= This is Lieutenant Lucky of the Shuttle Cole from Starbase Geneva, USS Hades please respond. I have Dr. Bradley awaiting pick-up, to transfer onto the Hades =^= Emelia lifted an eyebrow as yet another shuttle came within communications range, it appeared Starfleet was working overtime to recrew the ship which was appreciated. "Shuttle Cole this is the Hades, Ensign Janovich speaking. I read your transmission. Stand by." (Reply: Cole) She tapped the comm. "Captain I have a shuttle approaching with crew for transfer, standing by for instructions." (Reply: Eva) She nodded silently. "Aye sir. I'll guide them in when we reach the transfer point. Janovich out." She then opened the comm channel to the shuttle. "Cole I am sending you the coordinates for the transfer, ETA to transfer point is thirty four minutes." (Reply: Cole) The sun's position on the screen began to move as the Hades made a starboard turn at half impulse, headed to the coordinates ordered by the Captain, once there they would beam the new officer aboard. This was near the point where they had picked up Dr. Bracken. The deck plates vibrated slightly as the impulse reactors increased in power output and the ship picked up speed." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Cole, Main Compartment - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1859) =^=Shuttle Cole this is the Hades, Ensign Janovich speaking. I read your transmission. Stand by.=^= The comm went dead for a second as the Captain - Rose presumed was made aware of their proximity. “I read you, Standing By” The pilot said in a hasty fashion, as if to impress the operator on the other end of the line. Rose raised her eyebrow in his direction but he didn’t turn his head so he didn’t notice the look she was giving him. She shook her head and sat back down beside him, expecting to be on the ship within the next few minutes. She suddenly felt quite nervous, she’d read reports the the Captain of the Hades could be quite icy at times, she hoped the Captain was in a good mood today. =^=Cole I am sending you the coordinates for the transfer, ETA to transfer point is thirty four minutes.=^= ~34 minutes?! May as well continue reading my book~ She thought, she hadnt expected it too be that long before transport took place. She looked at the Lieutenant is he was surprised he didn’t show it, he obviously had his orders from the beginning. “Ok, Hades. See you then. Cole out” He said as he cut the communications between the two ships and the began maneuvering the small vessel to the coordinates the Hades had sent over. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Bridge- Operations- Beta shift Ops officer Ensign Emelia Janovich - 1935) The shuttle hung in space before the Hades at a distance of 1,000 meters, its pilot waiting for the beam over. Emelia hailed them. "Shuttle Cole this is Ensign Janovich, we are ready to initiate transport." (Reply: Cole) "Transporting now." She waited till the cal came from Transporter room 1 before sitting back. =^= Transporter room 1 here, transport complete, I have a new officer awaiting check in.=^= "Acknowledged. Orders are to report to the Captain. Please relay." =^= Roger, I'm sending her to the Captain. Strong out.=^= -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Shuttle Cole, Main Compartment - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1936) Lucky had told Rose that they were at the coordinates and the Hades was coming into transporter range, so she quickly moved around and re-packed her ‘essentials’ bag and got ready to transport over. She got the case of the butterflies but quickly got over them with an old remedy her mother had taught her when she was younger. =^=Shuttle Cole this is Ensign Janovich, we are ready to initiate transport.=^= Lucky turned his head towards Rose and she just nodded her head and smiled, “A pleasure, Lieutenant” she said. Lucky nodded back “Like-wise” he turned back to the comm, “We’re ready over here, Ensign. Transport when ready” He said clearly. =^=Transporting Now=^= came over the comm just as Rose began to feel the tingling sensation of the transporter take lock. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Transporter Room 1- Transporter officer Lt. Strong - 1938) Jason looked at the woman leaving the transporter pad. "Welcome to the Hades Lieutenant, Captain Straton has requested you report directly to her. I'll have your baggage sent to your room as soon as it's called in." (Reply: Lt. Bradley) He nodded crisply. "Good day sir." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Transporter Room 1 - ACSO, Lt. Rose Bradley - 1939) Rose materialized on one of the transporter padds in Transporter room 1, just in time to hear the transport officer say “Strong out.” She stepped off the padd and the man looked towards her and spoke, "Welcome to the Hades Lieutenant, Captain Straton has requested you report directly to her. I'll have your baggage sent to your room as soon as it's called in." ~Normal Procedure~ Rose noted and looked at the mans rank, “Thank-you Lieutenant, I best be on my way then. Don't want to make bad impressions and all.” She said smiling her ‘friendly’ face at the man as she stepped around him and began towards the door, He nodded crisply. "Good day sir." The doors slid open nicely and Rose stepped out, she had studied the Hades schematics on the way here and knew where she had to go to get to the Captains Ready Room. She made her way through the corridors nodding to all the inquisitive eyes looking at her as she passed, ~New girl syndrome~ she thought and she sighed, she hoped the crew would get over it soon enough for her to get on with her job efficiently. Finally she came to the Captains Ready Room and pressed the chime on the door and waited. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Ready Room, CO Captain Eva Straton, 19:40) Eva looked up from the PADD she was reading when the door chime sounded. "Enter," she said, putting the PADD down on her desk. She watched as the Hades newest officer walked in and came to attention in front of her desk and introduced herself. "Your orders Lt," Eva said, holding her hand out for the PADD containing the Lieutenant's orders. Eva took the PADD from the Lt. Pressed her thumb against the PADD's scanner before entering her command code to release the Lt's orders from Star Fleet Command. Eva took a quick moment to read over the orders before turning her gaze back to the Lieutenant still standing at attention in front of her desk. "Welcome Aboard the Hades Lieutenant," Eva said, putting down the PADD, "I'm sure Lt. Haynes will appreciate another science officer given our current mission. Take some time to get settled in to your quarters then report in to Lt. Haynes our CSO and First Officer and he can bring you up to speed on our current mission as well as letting you know what duty shiftyou will be working. I hope you find your time aboard the Hades fulfilling. Unless you have any questions you are dismissed." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Captains Ready Room - ACSO, Lt(jg) Dr. Rose Bradley - 19.41) Rose stood just outside the captains ready room, behind the closed the door as she awaited the Captain to let her enter. The command came quickly and the doors slid open enabling Rose to walk through them and up to the Captains desk. The captain was behind her desk and there was an open PADD on the desk in front of her ~I'm interrupting something~ Rose thought quickly, as she came to attention and then told the captain her name; "Lieutenant Junior Class, Rose Isabella Bradley. Reporting for Duty, Sir." She looked straight ahead, she was assured that the Captain knew she was arriving when she asked for Rose's orders. Rose quickly handed her the data padd the commander had given her. The padd was locked therefore Rose couldn't be sure exactly why she had been assigned to the USS Hades. The captain gave the orders a quick look through and then looked back at Rose, the captain gave the distinct feeling to Rose as if she was being scrutinised - she tried to stand as tall as she could, while she waited for the Captain to speak. "Welcome Aboard the Hades Lieutenant," Eva said, putting down the PADD, "I'm sure Lt. Haynes will appreciate another science officer given out current mission. Take some time to get settled in to your quarters the report in to Lt. Haynes our CSO and First Officer and he can bring you up to speed on our current mission as well as letting you know what duty shift you will be working. I hope you find your time aboard the Hades fulfilling. Unless you have any questions you are dismissed." Rose nodded and then shook her head, a little nervous she finally managed to splutter out "Yes, Sir. I will find the First Officer immediately and No, Sir. I don't have any question at this time. Thank-you." She tried to smile but was afraid it may have come out slightly different than she had intended and the Captain had the idea now that she wasn't particularly suited to the role. ~I will need to practise my poker face for future meetings~ Rose thought errantly. (Reply Straton IYW) Rose nodded to the captain once more and turned to head out of the room, as the door closed behind her she breathed out deeply, "You idiot. Several days in a Shuttlecraft to prepare and you still make yourself look like a fool." She shook her head angrily as she began to wander aimlessly away from the Ready Room. ~I'll have to do better than that with the First Officer~ She thought. She looked around, ~Damn no one to ask~, "Computer locate the ships First Officer, please." [First Officer and Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Jericho Haynes is currently moving inside corridor 1ac in the Science Lab's, If you wish for directions please ask.] Rose spun around and headed quickly for the turbolift, she wasn't sure if the FO was leaving or entering the Science labs so she would need to be quick. ~Good thing I know the layout of the ship already~ She thought not entirely cursing the 3 day trip in the shuttle. The doors of the lift opened and unleashed her upon the science labs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Ship Science Department - ACSEO, Lt(jg) Dr. Rose Bradley - 19.54) Rose walked at a speedy but steady pace through the science department until she found the man she was looking for, she knew what he looked like as she'd read a fair amount of his research papers and strangely enough she had been in the audience when he had won Silver medal at the Mars Olympics. It was strange how the universe worked. She walked up too him, he seemed to be concentrating on something, she didn't want too interrupt - however she felt it was rude to just stand there and not say anything. "Sir. Lieutenant Rose Bradley, reporting as ordered by Captain Straton." She hoped not to take him too by surprise. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Science Department - FO/CSO Jericho Haynes- 1955) Jack was leaving his office, PADD in hand and absorbing the full report prepared by Dr. Bracken as he made his way to the turbolift. Days had been long since they had started studying the Magnetar and though he had shirked his workaholic ways for the most part in the last few months leaving the researches were getting harder and harder. Much of what science knew of this variant of neutron stars had been proven accurate, this one however appeared to have a mind of its own and its behavior was erratic at best, who knows what they might find in the days to come. Was this some new type of star or one that was merely unstable? He didn't notice the officer approach him till she was right on him, he started a bit in surprise as she spoke. "Sir. Lieutenant Rose Bradley, reporting as ordered by Captain Straton." His eyes opened wider in surprise. "Lieutenant Bradley?" He smiled in sudden humor." Just arrived I see. Well I'll be! This is the first time on record this ship has had a fully stocked senior science officer staff. Welcome aboard." He stuck out his hand for a shake. (Reply: Rose) "Is this your first assignment Lieutenant?" He asked, noting her youthful appearance. (Reply: Rose) He chuckled. "Well I'm glad to have you here." He thought for a second. "Alpha shift is fully stocked at the moment however I want all of my senior staff available during the day so for now you I'm giving you responsibility for the labs. Dr. Bracken and I will be manning the bridge stations tomorrow. Alpha shift starts at 0600." (Reply: Rose) "By the way..." He held out his hand for the PADD. "I'll look over it tonight." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2413.10.27 (USS Hades, Bridge, ACSO Bracken, 1355) It was another thing that she had almost forgotten. ~ I feel like a Cadet 1.~ She had completely forgotten the rule that said that just as she was getting to something interesting, baffling, and intellectually challenging, then something else vitally important would come up and it would have to be dropped. Thankfully, it would seem that Haynes was of a similar ilk that she was. Jack nodded and turned to Lt. Bracken. "Ms. Bracken launch a stellar probe to orbit the star at a distance of one quarter light year and continue to forward telemetry to starfleet command, we want to know as much about this phenomenon as we can get." “Aye Sir, ETA to probe launch 30 seconds. I’m reprogramming to allow for...well, hopefully anything to be truthful Sir.” (Reply Haynes IYW) If Haynes replied, Dale didn’t hear him against the rush of commands and responses that flew, tennis-like across the bridge. Dale’s fingers danced across the terminal, building a program of her own designing that would hopefully design against anything that the magnetar would throw against it. “Probe launching on my mark Sir, one quarter l.y. telemetery data signal to Startfleet command, I’ve taken the liberty to send it to Fleet Science on a separate signal too sir.” (Reply Haynes) “Aye Sir.” She called across the bridge, “Tactical, relaying positional data your way, keep a secondary eye on this gravity wells are interesting out there.” (reply tactical) “Understood. Probe launch on my mark. 3..2..1..mark.” Dale watched the display as the probe was launched, watching it navigate the treacherous conditions that permeated the area surrounding the magnetar. Even at one quarter light year, things weren’t easy, it seemed that something was working against the small probe all the time. “Position looks good to me tactical, your opinion?” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Bridge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1402) Jack gave her the order to take the conn. Lo'ren nodded and slipped out of her chair and down to the command deck. Jack had already called up the replacements so she didn't bother worrying about calling anyone up. She sat in the centre chair and stared at the warping stars, she found them soothing and the last few days had been draining - between working with Riven, her mind reeling with the possibilities of more with Jack and having to discipline the Security department she'd been mentally working overtime. She kept an eye on the arriving replacements and watched as the other senior officers left their stations or passed through the bridge on their way to the briefing. She nodded at Jon Chan, who'd taken up the Tactical station. At the last moment before the briefing would start she stood and as she walked towards the Observation Lounge she called out to the junior operations officer, "Jacobs, you have the CONN." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Counseling Department, COUNS Ens. Anamitra Ripley, 1405) =^=There will be a senior officers meeting at 1420 hours in the observation lounge, all senior officers are required to attend. I repeat all senior officers are to meet in the observation lounge at 1420 hours. Bridge replacement crews proceed to your stations, First officer out.=^= Ana smiled at the man sitting across from her. "I'm sorry counselor, don't you need to go?" He asked. "I will yes, but we still have a few more minutes. Please continue." She replied with a smile in her voice. "Where was I again?" he asked her then, his brown eyes seeking her own. "You were telling me about your dream, You'd just reached Ten Forward,wearing your dress uniform." "Oh right." Ensign Soldiers replied., "Anyway I walk into the room and it's really full of people. And here I am in my dress uniform, but everyone else is completely naked. And they don't seem to realize it at all." "Everybody?" Ana asked. "Everybody but me. I mean it's like the going to work naked dream, but backwards. Isn't that weird?" he asked a little embarrassed. Ana shrugged and smiled, "A little perhaps. But not as uncommon as you'd think. Nakedness dreams are come of the most prevalent dreams we have. There are some very deep emotional feelings associated with nakedness, such as vulnerability, helplessness or even insecurity. The same can be true of the reverse, or the inverse. Your dream could be a way for your subconscious mind to communicate a desire to protect you from one of more than one of those feelings." Soldiers nodded. "I see, sort of like reverse psychology." "After a fashion." Ana confirmed, "I'd like for you to keep a journal for the next week. Write down any feelings you have and the times that they are occurring. Put them in context. No feeling is too small or too short-lived. I think that with a little self-reflection that we can get to the cause of these strange dreams of yours." The dark haired man nodded and then rose. "Thank you doctor Ripley. I don't know what I'd do without you." "I am only a guide Gus, you're the one doing all the hard work, but you're still very welcomed. I'll see you next week?" Gus nodded. "Oh yes, wouldn't miss it for the world." "Alright then," Ana said still smiling, "Then let's call it a wrap and we'll reconvene next week." Gus rose and left the office smiling. Ana rose also, turning off the recording function of her PADD. She placed it on the table top and then headed for the Observation lounge. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, aCEO, Lieutenant Darla Wright, 1410) Darla stepped into the Observation lounge with a smug look of satisfaction on her face. Not only had her teams managed to get the repairs finished, but further modifications to the ship's ODN networks had protected most, if not all, of the ship's computational systems. She stopped at the replicator, ordered herself a massive cup of hot chocolate with miniature marshmallows and took a seat at the table. She allowed herself a few moments of relative calm and relaxation prior to the start of the meeting. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, COUNS Ens. Anamitra Ripley, 1415) Ana arrived later than she would have liked at the site of the meeting. She slipped into the room quickly, grabbed herself a drink from the replicator and took a seat in her usual position. She had no idea why there had been an emergency meeting called, but she was determined to give it her full attention. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 14:16) Zzt walked into the Observation Lounge shook his massive form bared his fangs in a smile at everyone as he wiggled his claws at everyone as he walked over and sat down on the floor in his corner. He pulled a PADD out of one of his pockets and worked on one of his projects while he waited for the meeting to start. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 14:17) When the time came Eva stood and called the meeting to order. "Your attention please," She said, "We have received new orders from Star Fleet Command." She typed in a command on the table top control panel and the holographic display built into the table came to life as the lights in the room dimmed. The image of a Steamrunner class ship filled the space above the table. "The USS Onyx NCC 87356 was on a diplomatic mission transporting a diplomatic envoy of the Nertalli to peace negotiations with the Perthalla whom they have been at war with for the past 75 solar years. Star Fleet lost contact with the Onyx over 24 hours ago and she is late delivering the diplomatic envoy to the peace conference the Nertalli are accusing the Perthalla of ambushing and destroying the Onyx to derail the peace process.The Perthalla are accusing the Nertalli of basically the same thing.The cease fire that Star Fleet had managed to negotiate is about to be broken and open hostilities break out once more. As the only other StarFleet vessel in the area, the Hades has been ordered to find the Onyx or determine what happened to her as quickly as possible. We are enroute now to the last known location of the Onyx and will arrive in less that six hours at our current speed. I want Tactical and Marines on standby and ready for anything. Medical should be ready to receive any possible injuries. In short, there is no telling what we are flying into so I want this ship ready for anything. Questions?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo'ren T'Vof - 1419.5) Lo'ren walked into the Observation Lounge and quickly stepped over to the replicator. She opted to type in her request so that she would be the least intrusive possible. Her steaming mug materialized and she picked it up, taken a quick sniff of the cinnamon and nutmeg aroma that rose from the tea. Walking around the table she came to the seat that had quickly become her seat next to Jack's. She held onto her warm mug and kept her attention on Captain Straton. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ACSO Bracken, 14:20) Dale had the observation lounge behind one or two others, taking a seat on the right had side of the table, with her back to the large window. Her mind was thoughtful; the magnetar still troubled her. When the time came Eva stood and called the meeting to order. "Your attention please," She said, "We have received new orders from Star Fleet Command." She typed in a command on the table top control panel and the holographic display built into the table came to life as the lights in the room dimmed. The image of a Steamrunner class ship filled the space above the table. "The USS Onyx NCC 87356 was on a diplomatic mission transporting a diplomatic envoy of the Nertalli to peace negotiations with the Perthalla whom they have been at war with for the past 75 solar years. Star Fleet lost contact with the Onyx over 24 hours ago and she is late delivering the diplomatic envoy to the peace ... Dale heard the rest of the briefing, the details entering her mind, and the questions of the senior staff also entered her mind, but one thought remained emblazoned on her mind...The Onyx had lost contact. Slowly, she put her hand up, aware of what she must have looked like, her whole body had turned cold, with shock and fear, the first time in a very long time that she had felt that way. She was acutely aware that even the weakest empath on board could have read her; she tried to bring her emotion under control. She looked at both Stratton and Haynes “Sirs, Can I see you both at the end of this meeting please? I...”She left the sentence unspoken, barely formed in her mind. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge - CTAC/SEC Ensign Lo’ren T’Vof - 14:21) After the Captain finished speaking Lo’ren leaned in and rested her elbows on the table. “Captain, I’m not familiar with the level of technology of the Nertalli and Perthalla peoples. How vulnerable are we in this situation?” (reply Straton) Lo’ren nodded, and leaving aside any qualms about looking the fool she asked what should be obvious “Is there the possibility of any sub-groups or factions that are against the Peace talks? Do we have any idea of how large they might be?” (reply Straton) “Do we know who is leading the Diplomatic team?” Lo’ren was curious in part because different diplomats had different effects on people and, while she wasn’t an expert on all of Starfleet’s Diplomats; it might give an insight to possible reasons why the Onyx had gone incommunicado. (reply Straton) Nodding again Lo’ren sat back, satisfied for the moment. “I’ll send up a schedule of drills for your approval by the end of the shift.” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Deck 1, Observation Lounge - ACEO Ensign Eoin Mac Liam - 14:21.5) Eoin snuck in right as the captain was beginning the briefing. Luckily, she was distracted by pulling up a holographic display while Eoin quietly dashed to an unoccupied seat. He hoped she wouldn't notice, but knew in the back of his mind that she probably had. "The USS Onyx NCC 87356 was on a diplomatic mission transporting a diplomatic envoy of the Nertalli to peace negotiations with the Perthalla whom they have been at war with for the past 75 solar years. Star Fleet lost contact with the Onyx over 24 hours ago and she is late delivering the diplomatic envoy to the peace conference the Nertalli are accusing the Perthalla of ambushing and destroying the Onyx to derail the peace process. The Perthalla are accusing the Nertalli are of basically the same thing. The cease fire that Star Fleet had managed to negotiate is about to be broken and open hostilities break out once more. As the only other Star Fleet vessel in the area, the Hades has been ordered to find the Onyx or determine what happened to her as quickly as possible. We are enroute now to the last known location of the Onyx and will arrive in less that six hours at our current speed. I want Tactical and Marines on standby and ready for anything. Medical should be ready to receive any possible injuries. In short, there is no telling what we are flying into so I want this ship ready for anything. Questions?" The new Science Officer was the first to raise her hand. Eoin was a little confused by the idea that she wanted to talk to the captain in private after the meeting. However, Eoin reminded himself that it was none of his business. When she was finished, Eoin stood. "If we find the Onyx relatively intact, would we be looking to transfer power to it if need be? Engineering would be able to handle it, but we'd appreciate the fair warning." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Observation Lounge, ACSO Bracken, 14:30) The remains of the senior staff had returned to duty, leaving Dale in the room with the Captain and First Officer. As the doors closed, she tried desperately to pull her thoughts together; feelings of desperate worry were almost unshakable. (Reply Stratton/Haynes) Dale nodded, taking a breath. “Sir...My...” Dale paused, forming the words carefully. “Aimee’s father is ACEO on the Onyx.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile