compile summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.24 (USS Hades, Ten forward, aCTAC/CSEC - Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 2120) (USS Hades, Ten forward, ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2121) (USS Hades, Ten forward, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker- 2122) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2408.07.26 (USS Hades - Ten Forward - aCEO Lieutenant Darla Wright- 0514) (USS Hades - Ten Forward - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - Day 17, 0515) (USS Hades - Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - Day 17, 0516) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0558) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 0610) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 0611) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 06:12) (USS Hades, Science Lab 3, ATT, Lt. Commander Zzt, 0613) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0615) (USS Hades - Physics Lab, Head - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0618) (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0622) (USS Hades, Holodeck 3, FO, Commander Eva Straton, 0727) (USS Hades - Sickbay - ACMO Haywood Parker - 0728) (USS Hades - Sickbay - ACMO Haywood Parker - 0729) (USS Hades- Holodeck- CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere- 0734) (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 0735) (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0736) (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0740) (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0741) (USS Hades- Holodeck- CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0742) (USS Hades, Deck Six, Science Lab One, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 20:23) (USS Hades, Deck Six, Science Lab One, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 20:43) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2408.07.27 (Bajor - Mining Tunnels - Ari Lo'ren T'Vof - Morning) (USS Hades – Personal Quarters – ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0357) (USS Hades –Deck 3, Personal Quarters – CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0358) (USS Hades – Deck 9, Lo'ren's Quarters – CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0403) (Tch'Kair'n orbit, Orbital command station- Command center, Technician Klk'Shis - 1630) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- begin compile Stardate: 2408.07.24 (USS Hades, Ten forward, aCTAC/CSEC - Lieutenant Baylon Trinin- 2120) Lo'ren took a drink of whiskey as she considered the idea. "That might not be a bad idea. I wouldn't want to do such a small concert though. Perhaps something could be arranged. Baylon raised an eyebrow in surprise at the statement. "I rarely do private concerts. Usually only if I've just composed a song and I need someone to hear it or if it's someone very special." She blushed slightly and Baylon wondered what she was thinking about. He shook his head then and explained further. "You've neither one ever been to Mount Cathos I presume?" Baylon asked rhetorically. "It's nothing even remotely similar to anything you can imagine. The air is so thin that you can barely breathe, The air is cold enough to cause frostbite on the inside of your lungs without a pre-warmer and until you cross beyond the weather barrier the mountain is one of the most meteorologically dangerous places in the alpha quadrant." He looked at the two officers sitting there at the table with him and then relented. "But maybe with a few tweaks of the program, we could make it... I don't know... Possible?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Ten forward, ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 2121) "But maybe with a few tweaks of the program, we could make it... I don't know... Possible?" Lo'ren smiled, "No, I've not been to Mt. Cathos or seen it. But Jack showed me another area of Andoria that he's got a program of. It was rather... envigorating." ~Darn cold really.~ (reply Baylon, Haywood) She pondered the idea, "Perhaps a tweak or two to the temperature without melting the snow would work. The entry to the new program could be at a plateau. That way it wouldn't be a climb for anyone. Or perhaps a Tram-like conveyance so that people could get a good sense of the view." (reply Baylon, Haywood) Her mind was buzzing with the possibilities, "I'll take a look at some still images of the area. I'd like to tailor any songs to the surroundings. Once I've got a better idea of that I'll contact a couple of other artists I know and see if we can come together." (reply Baylon, Haywood) "When should we do this?" She sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes sparkling with the thought of a concert. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Ten forward, ACMO Ensign Haywood Parker- 2122) "But maybe with a few tweaks of the program, we could make it... I don't know... Possible?" Lo'ren smiled, "No, I've not been to Mt. Cathos or seen it. But Jack showed me another area of Andoria that he's got a program of. It was rather... invigorating." "I can't say I've ever been to Andoria at all," Haywood admitted, "I'm assuming bundling up will be in order." Lo'ren looked to be lost in the plans. "Perhaps a tweak or two to the temperature without melting the snow would work. The entry to the new program could be at a plateau. That way it wouldn't be a climb for anyone. Or perhaps a Tram-like conveyance so that people could get a good sense of the view." "Stadium seating?" Haywood raised an eyebrow as the corners of his lips curved into a wider smile. "I'll take a look at some still images of the area. I'd like to tailor any songs to the surroundings. Once I've got a better idea of that I'll contact a couple of other artists I know and see if we can come together." "This is getting to be quite an adventure." Haywood chuckled, amused by the excitement of his newly-found friend. "When should we do this?" She sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes sparkling. Haywood bit his lower lip. "I'm usually off-duty by twenty the twentieth hour. I can't say I have too much planned outside of work and sleep. I'm good anytime you are." He reached out for his mug, emptied it and slid it back onto the table. "So, what about the boat trip I promised. Do you get sea-sick, or should I leave the twenty-foot waves in the program?" His smile took on a slight mischievous quality as he spoke. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2408.07.26 (USS Hades - Ten Forward - aCEO Lieutenant Darla Wright- 0514) "Oh, don't worry. Believe me, you're very fit. Besides, running around all day will keep you fit." He replied. Darla looked at him for a moment, then allowed a smile to cross her face. "Well Mister Mac Liam, I do believe that was the most pleasant thing you've ever said to me." she cooed. She pushed her plate of a half-eaten stack of pancakes to the rear of the table and picked up her coffee cup. She cradled it in her hands, relishing in the warmth emanating from the cup. "What do you say that if neither of us are too tired that we go dancing in the holodeck tonight. I know this quaint little 1920's jazz club set during America's prohibition period where we can go dancing and get an illegal drink and some pretty good food too." she offered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Ten Forward - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - Day 17, 0515) "Isn't Zzt going to be there? No matter how many we have it's a crowd if Zzt shows. He's a rather large fellow." She coughed lightly and tried to hide a smile behind her hand. "That's true." Jack snorted in mirth. "I've never seen anyone or anything that huge before close up. He makes me feel like a toddler." "I think he's interesting. A bit dangerous with the Halon, but interesting." She noted as she finished. "I tend to agree." He noted. "I got off on the wrong foot with him the other day but he's actually quite a character as well as being brilliant. Well worth getting to know." He looked at her quizzically as she got to her feet, it was a little early to be leaving, instead of moving off though she turned after giving him an impish look with her cup in hand and planted her delightful derrier in his lap then put her arms around him. Jack was a bit taken aback for a second but got over it quickly though, reaching around her waist he scooted her close against his body. "Much better." "MmmHmmm." He agreed wholeheartedly as she laid her head against his shoulder. "I could get used to this, you think we'll be the talk of the ship after today?" He grinned at her. (Reply: Lo'ren) "Well let 'em talk." He said as he leaned back in his chair then turned his face to hers for a kiss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Ten Forward - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - Day 17, 0516) "I could get used to this, you think we'll be the talk of the ship after today?" Jack grinned at her as he commented on her impromptu change of seats. She laughed lightly, snuggling into him and enjoying the strength in his arms. "If they do, that's not a problem I'm going to contend with or worry about. Besides which, after running down the halls to your door in my pyjamas and a blanket, there most likely has been talk already." "Well let 'em talk." Jack turned his head and set his lips to hers. Lo'ren closed her eyes and revelled in the heady emotions fueled by the skin-to-skin contact. She was beginning to understand how her parents only needed to touch fingers, no more than that was needed to feel the most intimate of connections. The sparks that jolted her emotional centre and melted everything around her would have made her legs weak had she not already been seated. As it was they sent a shiver coursing down her spine as she snaked her free hand up and around the back of Jack's neck. She pulled away to look into his eyes, "You, Jericho Haynes, are such a blessing to me, I can't even express it." (reply Jack) Before he could say any more she pulled him back into a tender and ardent kiss. His aftershave suffused her nostrils and she drew in her breath, savouring the scent. She could sense her own light perfume, a mildly flowered scent mixing with his more musky, earthen scent. After another moment locked in that manner they moved apart again and she nuzzled her head into his shoulder, closing her eyes and relaxing entirely. (reply Jack) She smiled at his question letting him sense her quiet contentment, "I have many things I want, and many things that could happen. I am content, for now, to be as I am. I feel blessed by the Prophets - or Fate - or whatever gods might be out there - to have gotten here in the first place." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0558) Harry walked into the physics lab carrying a data clip and a pair of PADDs that in turn carried the calibration and frequency data for the containment field and the subspace modulators that made the entire experiment workable. He noted that the engineers had arrived, Zzt and a woman that Harry didn't know. Of course, this was no surprise to him since he didn't really get out of his quarters all that often. That had changed considerably, since he and Angeni had begun to see more of each other. She took him horseback riding, which was the most terrifyingly enjoyable experience he had to date. They ate out in various holodeck encounters or at ten forward. They painted together, and of course they spent a great deal of intimate time together. Because of her, Harry wasn't just working his way through life as he had always done, at least to his best recollection, he was actually starting to live it. Having any little thought of her somehow brightened his entire existence. It made him whole, gave him meaning and focus. It offered him a purpose of being that he had always lacked before. In fact, until he met her, there had always been a sense of being adrift. That feeling was now long gone. "Have the latest calibration reports lieutenant." Harry said, offering the PADD to Haynes, "Everything is ready to go, once we get the rest of the equipment set up." (reply Haynes) Harry stepped over to his monitoring console, took a seat and slid forward. His knee stuck something hard, which was unusual, so Harry reached under the console to see what it was. The object was mostly smooth, cool to the touch and sticky. ~What in the worlds?~ Harry grasped the offensive item, pulled it from it's hiding spot under the console and rightly panicked. He was holding some sort of heavily gnawed bone. There were still a few tendrils of raw animal flesh on it and it was somewhat stick with blood. The realization was so repulsive that Harry immediately discarded the bone, which clattered to the deck, looked at his hand in disgust and in an effort to prevent a gag reflex, placed his other hand over his mouth for a moment. After catching his breath for a moment, Harry exclaimed, "Who put a mostly gnawed bloody animal bone under my monitoring console? " Harry asked accusingly, although he already had fixed his eyes firmly on commander Zzt. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 0610) After starting up the equipment Jack walked about the lab as the attending officers got down and dirty with the programming they would need to get the most out of the experiments. Zzt was sitting on the floor before a console having kicked the chair out of the way and was at eye level with the monitor as well as having enough height to be at a normal human level with the controls. Jack shook his head at the immensity of the Gerratlian figuring he would never get over the size discrepancy. In the corridor he had been huge, here in the lab he was gargantuan. ~Lo'ren really hit the nail on the head didn't she?~ Not that he took up that much room but the difference in proportions made it feel that way. The engineer was silent as she worked at her terminal, the glasses she was wearing not only a technical marvel but made her seem to cut quite a matronly figure despite her age. She was very well versed in her craft though as he noted from over her shoulder, her fingers were flying as she wrote an intricate program. "Have the latest calibration reports lieutenant." Jack turned to see Harry waving a PADD. "Everything is ready to go, once we get the rest of the equipment set up." "Thanks Harry." Jack stuck out his hand and accepted, the scientist was like a different man lately and he was starting to understand why, when you met the right woman it made the universe a brighter place. Jack himself was starting to consider making plans of a more permanent nature though the time wasn't right for the next step forward, when it would be was up in the ether at the moment. He figured though from Lo'ren's manner it would be well received, or at least hoped it would. "Our experts are hard at work and it shouldn't be long, while I'm gone for the training program I'll need you to keep an eye on things here, for the moment though pull up a terminal and have fun." He winked at the scientist knowing how seriously the man enjoyed his work or at least seemed to, lately he had been spending a lot more relax time though which was good for him. the last thing Jack wanted was a burned out scientist. While Harry did just that Jack continued to observe and continue to be available, he had already programmed in the safeties for the tests though they might need to be tweaked depending on what Zzt wanted to do with the system. "Who put a mostly gnawed bloody animal bone under my monitoring console? " The shout caught Jack's attention instantly of course and he turned to see a near-vulcan complected Harry Doorman holding the aforementioned object at arms length. ~A little green around the gills there Harry.~ Jack had of course noted Commander Zzt gnawing on just that very object earlier and knew Harry had as well, the man's eyes were focused accusingly on the Gerratlian. ~So much for an uninterrupted work schedule.~ Jack shrugged his shoulders as he shook his head and sighed. "Beeg Beah Brekfust, not so nice NAw." Jack looked over at the technician and smiled, noting as he did so that she had gotten up and was moving over to him. {{Excuse me, Lt. Haynes. Have idea want share with you, but want be careful so won't create problems.}} "Sure." he said. "what did you have in mind?" {{Am think that cascade maybe create energy for contain field can. Am think can program cascade energy do-do loop-back, maybe can support-defend shield and stronger improve each time.}} His eyebrows arched at that. "Interesting. Does it have any other uses do you think?" {{Other use? Don't know, maybe if can monitor this experiment day-now with your suggest in thoughts mine will be able to program other use you can think. Not bad idea try.}} "A good idea that." Jack brought up his right hand to scratch his chin, "It would mean modifications to the safety programs, get me the details and I'll look it over." {{Cascade program protect core and all no problem. New program not affect that, no.}} "No." he replied. "However I need to document that and modify our safety program as well as verify your data. It sounds good though, bring it to me on a PADD when you're finished and I'll look at it then verify it with our meat eating friend over there." He motioned with his chin to Zzt while failing to hide a smile. "If he likes it we'll run with it." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades - Physics Lab - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 0611) Arysha's hands, so practiced at flying in the air, glided across the console as she set each protocol. Her work would block any form of cascade from the Lab and the material being tested. She thought she might re-funnel some of the energy back into the Lab systems in a reverse loop. ~Possible make shield stronger each cascade? Hmm.~ She kept her idea to herself for the moment, not ready to discuss the idea until it formed better. She felt the CSO peer over her shoulder and refocused her vision slightly for a moment, looking directly at her Visual Interpreter Display (VID) to see if she was needed elsewhere. This practiced manouver didn't stop her hands from keying a long string - she knew the code to input for the next five lines and a small shift of vision wasn't going to alter that. Arysha would simply review the code to make sure there were no issues. She determined that Mr. Haynes was simply overseeing, as was his right, and switched her visual focus back to the screen. Haynes turned away and new lines of speech rolled across her VID. She glanced and saw a blue uniformed, redhead walk in. ~New face again. Must talk D-Boss about more work with others. Like good work alone, but miss talk-talk others, miss know people around.~ Finished her last line of code and checked the section where she'd fazed out, Arysha turned to the room and saw the tension in the new scientist's body posture, plus his face looked very ill. She thought she could see some amusement on CSO Hayne's face, but she wasn't sure. She was confused until she saw the bloody bone Zzt had stashed away in the red-head's hand and saw Haynes shake his head. Arysha let out a snort at the situation, barely able to contain the laugh that wished to bubble up. She laughed as she spoke out loud, "Beeg Beah Brekfust, not so nice NAw." (reply Jack, Harry, Zzt, any) She went over to Haynes, ready to discuss her idea, {{Excuse me, Lt. Haynes. Have idea want share with you, but want be careful so won't create problems.}} (reply Jack) {{Am think that cascade maybe create energy for contain field can. Am think can program cascade energy do-do loop-back, maybe can support-defend shield and stronger improve each time.}} (reply Jack) {{Other use? Don't know, maybe if can monitor this experiment day-now with your suggest in thoughts mine will be able to program other use you can think. Not bad idea try.}} (reply Jack) {{Cascade program protect core and all no problem. New program not affect that, no.}} ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab - Engineer Ensign (jg) Arysha Tethlin - 06:12) After getting the positive feedback from Mr. Haynes, Arysha was raring to go and create some new protocols. She was unsure of what other uses might be appropriate for re-directing the cascade, but Haynes had left it pretty open and she wanted to discuss it with someone she was a little more familiar with. It was hard to read people she'd onlu just met and it put her on edge. Arysha couldn't locate the only other engineer - one of the few she'd known of this group. She still didn't know the read-haired scientist's name. She went around to the back of the lab and finally located him, firmly ensconced under a monitoring station with his tool kit. She tapped his knee, {{Hey-hey E-red, want you help-me please. Questions answer.}} (reply Eoin) She signed a mile a minute, the Vox barely keeping up with her excitement. {{Am thinking try re-loop cascade energy for shield make stronger. Lt. Haynes want also monitor for other uses my idea.}} (reply Eoin) Arysha screwed up her face, displaying clearly her loss of ideas. {{Don't know myself what kind other things to monitor. Can better write code for-for program to monitor if have focus for-for program.}} ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Science Lab 3, ATT, Lt. Commander Zzt, 0613) As no one seemed interested in answering his question on why they needed a band present, Zzt turned back to the console he was working on checking over all the safety protocols that were in place to prevent the debris from interacting with any of the ships systems, especially the warp core. "Who put a mostly gnawed bloody animal bone under my monitoring console?" Zzt sighed. ~Of course, someone would have to find it.~ He thought as he turned to see Lt. Doorman holding his bone in one hand. Zzt smiled pleasantly, baring his fangs. With a single stride Zzt closed the distance between him and Doorman and snatched the bloody bone from his hand as the engineering officer wiggled her fingers telling Doorman that the bone was indeed Zzt's, like there was ever any doubt. ~You humans diet is as disgusting to me as mine is to you so deal with it.~ Zzt thought grumpily as he gnawed on his bone a little more as he began to look for a new hiding place. "No suppose to find," Zzt said out of the side of his mouth. He looked up and found a nice high ledge well out of the reach of the others where his bone could sit undisturbed until they were done. Zzt reached up and put his bone firmly on the ledge making sure it wouldn't fall off. He then looked back down to see Doorman looking at his bloody hand in disgust. Zzt sighed again. ~So squeamish about a little blood.~ He moved back over to Doorman's side. Zzt grabbed Doorman's bloody hand around the wrist lifted it up above the Lt's head and proceeded to lick all the offending blood off. "There. Good new," Zzt said pleasantly, smiling down at the Lt. as he patted him on top of the head with one paw before turning and heading back to his console. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0615) The massive Ursoid owned up to the charge, although it was apparent that there was no one else that would have been responsible. The Commander took the bone from him, and turned with what appeared to be the intention to relocate the offending monstrosity. "No suppose to find," Zzt said, then proceeded to place the bone on a high shelf. ~well at least it won't be readily in the way~ Harry thought. He turned his attention to his still sticky hand, trying to work out exactly what he should do about it, when the answer to the problem presented itself in the form of Commander Zzt. The massive being reached down grabbed his wrist and holding his hand firmly in his vice-like grasp proceeded to lick the bloody residue from the junior officer's hand. Struggling really wasn't an option as the commander easily out massed him dozens of times. So he was forced, by default to simply endure the sandpaper like roughness of the Ursoid tongue as it weaved in between his fingers and across his palm seeking out any other residue remaining from the offensive raw animal bone. After what seemed to be an eternity, but was in fact a much shorter time, although the perception of the passage of time is relative to the observer, Zzt finally released his wrist. ""There. Good new," Zzt said pleasantly, smiling down at Harry as he patted him on top of the head with one paw before turning and heading back to his console. Harry however did not think that it was as good as new. In fact, it was now considerably worse than it had been when it was simply blood. Although sandpaper-like, the Gerratlian's tongue was nowhere near as dry as sandpaper. The sticky blood had now been replaced by a slick sheen of bear saliva. It was slowly dripping from Harry's extended fingers, where he was holding them in unspeakable horror. The ensign looked at the massive bear, who had assumed his station once again, then his eyes travelled around the room looking at each person in turn. It seemed that they were all looking at him, or worse, pretending not to have noticed what had just transpired. There seemed to be a suppressed sort of mirth that was dying to escape their pursed lips. "excuse me lieutenant, I'll be..." Harry never finished, instead he simply turned on his heels and headed for the head. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab, Head - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0618) Harry stepped into the head, feeling even more green than he had when he had discovered the bone. He wasn't here to throw up. Instead he was here to purge his flesh of the nastiest sensation that he had ever experienced in the entirety of his remembered existence. The lavatory sink was one step to far for Harry's liking. He pushed his way to it, locking the door to the compartment because he was on automatic, and immediately thrust his hand under the sonic scrubber. His right hand rubbed vigorously against the skin of his left, willing the feeling away, but not quite succeeding. "Computer, convert sanitizer in this washroom to water, as hot as the safeties will allow." A chirp of the computer registered his command and a moment later a stream of steaming water came pouring out of the spigot, steam billowing out into the small room. Harry continued to scrub, even as the hot water burned and reddened the skin of his left hand. It was an impulse now, something that he was forced to do. The addition of cleansers, didn't seem to help him quell the urge to clean himself, it seemed to be going no better than it had when he had begun. The scientist, however, was determined to rid himself of the feeling of disgust that was still coursing through his body. "Computer replicate a liquid detergent containing pumice powder, citrus oil and acetic acid at the maximum safe levels permissible." Another chirp and the small personal replicator in the head shimmered as the requested materials were assembled from the raw slurry located in the ship's stores. Harry sunk three fingers of his right hand into the cleanser, scooping out a large dollop of the orange smelling mixture and began to vigorously work it into the flesh of his already sore left palm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Physics Lab - SciO Ensign Harry Doorman - 0622) Harry returned, finally to his console. The flesh of his left hand and right fingertips rubbed raw by the brutal scrubbing with the pumice cleanser that it had endured for the last several minutes. Blisters and some minor abrasions, not to mention a great deal of reddening were apparent as the ensign resumed his station, without a word or even a glance around the room. With a deep sigh, Harry attempted to focus on the data that he would be receiving, and began to verify the preparations and safeties that everyone had been working on for the last several minutes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Holodeck 3, FO, Commander Eva Straton, 0727) "I know it looks bad sir," Walsh stammered, "but I wanted to give a small consequence to failure, which is why I used disrupters. There'll be a few scrapes and burns, but nothing too serious." he finished. Eva snorted in amusement at the Ensigns comment. "Ensign I was the Marine Commanding Officer on board the Boudicca before joining the Hades. I was a marine for nearly 20 years. I am not going to cry foul over a few cuts and bruises. This is mild compared to the training I put my marines through." Eva paused, taking a moment to look around. "However, one thing you need to keep in mind, you are responsible for the safety of everyone involved in the training. Next time you lower the safety protocols on a training program I expect you to notify sickbay so that they can have someone present to tend to any injuries. We really don't need injured crew members running through the ship dripping blood all over the corridors. A medical team should be arriving shortly. I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the possibility of us fighting the Waagoshin in a wide open setting like the one you've chosen. It is more probable that we will encounter the Waagoshin in the narrow corridors and rooms of a star ship or station." She paused, taking another opportunity to look around at the fighting going on around them before focusing her attention back on Ensign Walsh. "A nice first try though, it certainly is giving the crew a good work out. I'm just a little concerned about the tactical practicality of your chosen terrain. What ideas might you suggest to improve the simulation?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Sickbay - ACMO Haywood Parker - 0728) Angeni nodded with a smile. "Other than the remnants of one heck of a headache, I'm doing fine. How about yourself?" "I'm feeling better than last night. I'm still awed by the medicine of sleep." He smiled and asked if she would be coming along. She nodded. "Grab a bio-stretcher and put a bunch of the tactical kits on it. Its been a while since I've worked an active trauma.." He smiled as she stood up and brushed herself off. "This is the kind of thing I was trained for!" He couldn't hide his excitement, "I'm pretty rubbish with diagnosing and all that." (Reply Angeni iyw) He fetched the bio-stretcher as she had instructed and began to rummage through the cabinet of extra kits and loose instruments. He was more than happy when Angeni approached to help. "Ready?" She asked, when at last they had finished stocking up. "As ready as I'll ever be." He beckoned to Nurse Pratchett with a nod of his head, and turned toward the door. "Shall we, ladies?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Sickbay - ACMO Haywood Parker - 0729) He smiled as she stood up and brushed herself off. "This is the kind of thing I was trained for!" He couldn't hide his excitement, "I'm pretty rubbish with diagnosing and all that." Angeni smiled at Haywood. He was her type of doctor. She enjoyed the diagnostic process, but the wham-bam-thank you ma'am of Trauma always excited her. Sure, she was a neurologist by training, but her sub-specialty was that of traumatic injuries. Right before she had come to Starfleet, she had finished up her Traumatic Surgeon training, so she considered herself to be more of a Trauma Doc than anything else; a jack of all trades as it were. "It's perfectly okay, I feel the same way. Trauma is easy and fun. Plug the holes, stop the bleeding, and watch out for head injuries. Cushings' Triad really sucks..." As Haywood rummaged through the cabinets, she smiled at him, opening up a door with an old fashioned triage tag attached to it. She pulled out two thigh packs, and she strapped one to her hip, handing him the other one. "Just in case they haven't stopped the simulation, and we have to go in and extricate someone..." She showed him how to attach the pack, and she unzipped hers, allowing the bottom half to fall open, revealing a bunch of medical equipment secured with velcro and elastic straps. She wiggled around a bit, making sure all the equipment would still hold in place. After everything was loaded, she heard Haywood announce that he was ready to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Holodeck- CMO Angeni O. Windsong-Trommashere- 0734) As Angeni and Haywood entered the holodeck, she had already summoned a group of medics to transport down to sickbay. She saw Jack kneeling next to Lo'ren, and she called Haywood over as she knelt down next to the woman. "Jack, what happened?" (Reply Jericho) Angeni nodded as she opened her thigh pack, attaching a small, metal bracelet to Lo'rens' wrist, and she attached a similar one to her own wrist. Within moments, the bracelet began vibrating and emitting a yellow, pulsing glow. She removed a sensor from the bracelet on Lo'rens' wrist, and she placed it behind her ear. Another light appeared, glowing a shade of red this time. Angeni immediately put up her medical demeanor, her face unreadable. It had been a while since she had to play with Vulcan mind waves, but she knew where she was going. "Haywood, scan that arm for me, and run the sterilizer over it..." (Reply Haywood) "Alright, we're going to get her down to the bay. I think for right now she's stable, enough. Are there any more injuries?" Goosebumps rose on Angeni's arms and the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Her medical mental wall broke enough for her to feel the presence of predators. It wasn't that she was able to reach her mind out and find lifeforms, but the hunting lessons taught to her by her father had been more than enough. She felt like she was being watched, and she slowly and deliberatly moved so her back was to the exit, scanning the area around her. "Is the simulation still active?' Angeni asked, her voice low and husky. She moved so that she was crouched down, on the balls of her feet. Her eyes darted back and forth, looking at the tree line. Being in such a simulation brought back all of her senses as a huntress. She felt like she was wide out in the open with a white lab coat on, so she shrugged it off, happy that her uniform was almost completely black with a dark shade of green. "If so, I want Lo'ren out in the hallway, now..." Her voice was calm, yet held the air of authority. If there were predators lurking around, they would be able to smell the scent of blood in the air, and the fact that Lo'ren was wounded made her the perfect target. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes - 0735) "Ready for more?" Lo'ren asked over her shoulder at Jack. "I was born ready." He answered with a grin as he picked off a Fox-man brandishing a disruptor who had loped into the area. He felt her eyes on him as he cut down another interloper. "I'd not rely on that thing if I were you. Walsh may have programmed a pretty good imitation of the Waagoshin, but I get the impression there's more to them than what might be anticipated." "Obviously." He laughed. "But improvisation is the name of the game here and one of them was kind enough to hand over his weapon so I'm making good use of it, wouldn't want to disappoint the poor departed soul now would I? There's always time for hand-to-hand and plenty of Waagoshin around to practice on." "Jack, I'm going to try something, don't fight my mind ok?" "O..K.." He said and waited for whatever she had in mind while watching another group slink more stealthily into position around the perimeter, he held his fire till a better shot presented itself. The effect of the link she established was a strange one, it felt as though their life-forces were interlinked in a way he had not anticipated, mental perceptions of their surroundings suddenly sprang into sharp focus and gave them a more in depth method he assumed of combining their defensive efforts. ~Like an anticipation of one another's actions or a melding of efforts to make us more effective fighting together. He felt slightly disjointed at first but the feeling melted away quickly giving him a fuzzy mental picture of where she was and what she was doing behind him. Suddenly they decided to attack in numbers, Jack burned a hole in the chest of one and melted the face off another before finding that his weapon had eaten through its power reserves. Four peeled off and made for Lo'ren while the other four (It had originally been six as they appeared to have decided the one with the disruptor was the prime tactical target) made straight for Jack, rather than assault him frontally together, they peeled around him and between the two groups managed to separate the two officers as he moved to keep any one Waagoshin from getting a free shot at his back. He didn't see but could feel and hear her as she moved into position to defend herself. He tossed aside the now useless disruptor figuring it would be a hindrance more than a help as it was too short to be a club and would take up a hand he would need to defend himself. "Here we go." She called back to him. Jack was maneuvering to keep the largest Waagoshin in front of him while cutting his eyes around to check on the whereabouts of the others. He would have preferred to have fought back-to-back with her but it was impossible at this time, the Waagoshin were too cagy and had cut them off from one another. He anticipated the Alpha of this group to hang back while the others rushed him and then move in for the kill and he wasn't disappointed, it also stood to reason that the one behind him would be the first to attack, again he was dead-on. The Alpha barked and growled unintelligible orders then the Waagoshin behind him sprang suddenly forward with its mouth agape anticipating meat for dinner, what he got was a mouthful of boot leather as Jack's reverse snap kick drove the sole of his footwear into its gaping maw. The Waagoshin staggered back spitting teeth and blood as Jack retrieved the leg from its palate, planting the right foot then he spun on it and drove the heel of his left foot into the chest of foxy number two, there was a strangled cry and the sound of crunching ribs as the onrushing enemy found itself hurtling painfully through the air and onto its back, between the impact and its fractured ribs it found it increasingly difficult to pull in a deep breath. Jack spun to the ground and using his hands and and right leg for balance whipped his left leg around behind him catching foxy number three in the shins, the suddenly off balance Waagoshin lost its center of gravity and flew over him to land painfully on its face, it skidded to a stop in the grass and was rolling over as Jack maneuvered to his feet like a coiled serpent. Mr. Alpha himself had anticipated an embattled opponent whom he could make short work of but what he got was a crouched man awaiting his arrival, it was too late to change tactics as he had committed himself so he lunged toward the CSO with mouth open and claws bared. Jack lunged as well but not straight into the razor sharp claws, he grabbed the left hand of foxy prime around the wrist as he jumped aside and using it as a balance point brought his right hand down to grab its elbow as he dug his heels into the ground and spun to the left, the alpha found its progress halted and suddenly redirected, it howled in frustration as Jack's maneuver sent him whipping around like a rag doll to crash into foxy number three who was regaining his feet. The two went down in a frustrated tangle of limbs and teeth. Jack was ready to pounce toward foxy number one who had regained some measure of clarity when he felt Lo'ren's sudden weakness. He heard her cry out "Jack, help." and spinning around saw her crumple to the ground nursing an injured arm as she lost consciousness. He never hesitated, fun was fun but he didn't trust this simulation with the safety guards down this low and if one of his opponents saw her down while he was otherwise engaged he would be helpless to protect her. "Computer observer mode... now!" He then sprinted to where she lay prone and grabbed her shoulder, turning his head quickly to see what the opponents were doing. The Waagoshin skidded to a step only a few feet away and started looking around with a confused expression as though they had walked into the bathroom and had forgotten why they were there. After several seconds the alpha barked an order and they split around the two as they loped toward the sound of another struggle. Jack placed his hands under her armpits and pulled her to her feet as he watched the four make tracks. "Another time boys." He said as he stooped down and scooped her up in his arms intending to make his way to the arch. Foxy number two who was nursing fractured ribs was a decided straggler, he wasn't expecting to see another Federation officer spring from the underbrush ahead of him. Jack had only taken a couple of steps when he saw the OPS officer plant his feet before the startled Waagoshin and launch a reverse roundhouse kick at the beast, foxy number took the blow like a trooper on the side of his face, his upper body following his head as he corkscrewed to the ground. Launching himself into the air David Adams came down with his heel upon his prone enemies throat, there was a crunch as its larynx was crushed. David then spun to face the other Waagoshin who hearing the commotion had dug in their heels and turned to see its source. The Alpha snarled and began issuing orders and the other two, foxy one and three after looking at each other in resignation made a half-hearted charge. David was on the offensive however and after three steps launched himself into the air again with the ball of his right foot smashing into the side of the face of the beast who had already had his dentures rearranged, the Waagoshin's eyes rolled around like marbles before he crumpled to the ground. Foxy number three turned to rend the man but found the small end of David's club coming straight in at him, he didn't have time to dodge before it punched into his throat, David didn't take the time to yank it out, instead he launched a snap kick into the beasts chest that catapulted the Waagoshin back and away, gushing blood from the injury that one also shimmered from sight as it hit the ground. Alpha one was on the move, hoping to catch the man by surprise but ran into a foot in the gut and became a prime example of Newton's second law of motion helped along by a liberal dose of kinetic energy supplied by the mans kick as his motion was suddenly reversed and he found himself flying again through the air, this time unceremoniously deposited on his rear, a follow-up roundhouse kick had the barely conscious Waagoshin looking stupidly at the ground and wondering where it had come from. Lt. Adams left his feet again and came down with a heel stomp into the small of foxy prime's back, there was a sound like a dry twig snapping as its spine was broken and the battlefield was suddenly clear. Jack walked towared the man, had his arms not been full he would have clapped. He shook his head as he neared him. "Nice job Mr. Adams." Looking closer at him he added. "You're a mess, why don't you call it a day and visit sickbay?" David shrugged then winced. ~Why do I keep doing that to myself?~ "Nah, I just got my second wind and the day is young, besides the game's afoot and there are lots of Waagoshin to play with. With all of the bloody officers medical is sure to show up sooner or later." "Suit yourself." Jack chuckled and watched the officer melt back into the brush, the hunted once again becoming the hunter and he was reminded of a quote from a twentieth century celebrity which he paraphrased. "I pity the fool who messes with him, I pity him!" He laughed as he started for the arch again with the unconscious Lo'ren in his arms. "Not!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0736) She fought the blackness that edged at her mind and pushed it back, willing herself to be aware, in her mind if she couldn't manage her body. Even though she was physically insensate, she could now sense - through their mental defensive link - most of what was going on. His battle and hers melded into the larger battle they'd worked together and she sensed the Alpha as Jack had seen him. ~Cunning. D*** cunning.~ She felt his elation and pride at his own ability, and the abilities of the other officer that came in near the end. His concern and adrenaline combined and flowed into her, giving her something to use as a sign post while she spent most of her flagging energies stemming the pain and flow of blood. She was only partially successful, able to send signals to her good hand to clamp and slowing her heart rate so that it pumped below the hypotonic level. A trick she'd picked up in her studies when she'd trained under Shaolin masters in one previously failed attempt to gain more mastery of her emotions. Lo'ren vowed she would no longer even try to cover her emotions - she was learning her untapped potential that needed a broad base of emotions as well as logic and mental capacity, not to mention the improvisation she needed. ~I think I will learn to better guide my emotions, rather than hide them. Sorry Father.~ She could feel herself as he picked her up and cradled her. Flashes of the earlier morning rang through her head, giving her another boost and helping her guide herself. She floated on the positive emotions and risked the energy to send her love and appreciation to Jack. It wasn't as difficult as she's guessed. ~He's holding you, Mutt. No space barrier to cross.~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0740) Jack walked back to the main entry with Lo’ren in his arms, he could feel her thanks and elation as he did so. Since he couldn’t communicate with her mentally except in emotional content he spoke to her knowing she wouldn’t answer verbally since he felt she was sinking into the healing trance of her Vulcan heritage. “We’re almost there.” (Reply: Lo'ren iyw) Breaking through the trees at the edge of a clearing he saw that medical was there already tending to the wounded and carried her over. “Another patient for you doctors. She seems to be doing the Vulcan thing with her wounded arm so I don’t know how responsive she’s going to be. Her mind is alert though.” (Reply: Angeni or Haywood) Crouching down with her in his arms he laid her gently on her back in the grass, after doing so he straightened and looked around. Even after seeing what had happened to Lt. Adams he was surprised and a bit angered at the amount of wounded who were clustered around. ~Either we’re severely lacking on our training or this simulation is a bit too salty.~ Remembering the odds they had just faced he was leaning toward the latter answer though a stricter training regimen on the part of the crew would surely have cut down on the casualties. All-in-all then it pretty much balanced out again in his mind. Since she was now in good hands he decided to try his hand at the sim again and moved away from the group, melting into the trees. ~Here I come again boys, I hope you’re ready.~ “Computer put me back in combat mode.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades - Holodeck 3 - ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0741) “We’re almost there.” Jack reassured her, and Lo'ren let flow gratitude, caring little for the haze that now grew thicker. Her energy was flagging as she split her attentions so she returned her full concentration to the task of stemming the blood flow, just barely feeling him set her down gently. "Jack, what happened?" Lo'ren heard Angeni's voice breaking through the mental haze as she arrived. “Another .... doctors. She .... Vulcan thing with her wounded arm .... how responsive.... Her mind is alert though.” The voices were getting chopped up and superimposed by older images and sounds. Knowing how difficult it was to see a comrade down, Lo'ren was grateful for Angeni's concern aswell as the decorum that was apparent in her query. Knowing that Angeni was extremely capable helped Lo'ren to focus her thoughts. Lo'ren could feel the fire that burned through her mmuscles as Angeni gently manipulated her arm. ~Necesary, Mutt, but darn painful.~ She sank further into her trance, blocking the pain that was triggering memories from deep, dark places and falling further away from reality. She left the audio world behind now, even with the trance her reserves were ebbing away with the stunted seepage of blood. All that she could allow now was a very slow heart beat, the rest of her mental activities she attempted to shut down, even the link with Jack. She let herself stop grasping his emotions and sank into the blackness of the final stage of her trance where nothing could reach save telepathic contact. She trusted that Angeni would treat and then find a way to bring her out. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades- Holodeck- CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0742) "Jack, what happened?" He heard Angeni's call behind him as he returned to combatant status so he looked around carefully before turning and making his way back to her and the ACMO. "I didn't actually see her get wounded, she was behind me and I was in the middle of a fight when it happened but she took down her opponents before collapsing." The doctor nodded then began setting up a unit to monitor Lo'ren's synaptic impulses so Jack turned away and watched the trees around them for any signs of movement. As far as he knew no safe zones had been created so it behooved him to remain on his toes even around the medical staff. "Haywood, scan that arm for me, and run the sterilizer over it..." (Reply Haywood) The doctors were working together like a well oiled machine and Lo'ren wasn't in any danger as her status had been changed to observer mode so Jack relaxed but remained alert. When the medical staff no longer needed him they would let him know. "Alright, we're going to get her down to the bay. I think for right now she's stable, enough. Are there any more injuries?" "Is the simulation still active?' Angeni asked, her voice low and husky. "You bet." Jack growled." He could hear the stealthy movement of several forms behind the screen of trees and underbrush. "I recommend you either go to observer status if you're not already or get the hell out of here with the wounded." "If so, I want Lo'ren out in the hallway, now..." There was steel in Angeni's voice as she ordered the evacuation from the holodeck. "Lets get her moving...now..." "I'll cover you." Jack said as he stepped forward, three fox/man forms melted into the clearing from their hiding places. His jaw was tight as he stopped and took a ready position on the balls of his feet, his weight balanced lightly and evenly distributed. (ReplY: Angeni, Haywood) One held a disruptor at the doctors and was grinning fiercely. "No one is leaving federation. I will kill all if you resist." (Reply: Angeni, Haywood) Jack shook his head, this was going to hurt. "Hey doggie breath." He had the creature's undivided attention and it was quite enraged at the insult. With its attention diverted now was the time for them and him to both move. He took a step nonchalantly then launched himself toward the Waagoshin and into its line of fire so that it couldn't hit the medical team. His tactic worked so well it was almost a letdown when the enemy pressed down on the firing stud and nothing happened. The grinning Waagoshin looked at the weapon in its hand and lost the pleased look, instead it was replaced with sudden anger. Throwing the weapon down it pointed at Jack. (Reply: Angeni, Haywood) "Destroy him." Its minions came in low and with jaws agape, ~Too bad for you.~ He thought as the heel of his right boot met it squarely on the snout and teeth. Following the crunch of impact it fell back with such a howl of pain he thought he might be deafened but he didn't have time to worry about his ears as its fellow had grabbed him about the waist with its claws and was trying to bite out a mouthful of stomach. Hard to do though when your muzzle is being held closed by one iron fist, the other followed it in good order, crashing into the side of the Waagoshin's head and bringing with it pretty stars and red comets. The fox/man relaxed his grip enough that Jack turned him completely around with the hand on its muzzle and its head bent back at an awkward angle, the fist crashed down again and this time into its adams apple. Retching and choking it went down in a dying heap. The leader of this pack wasn't stupid, he backed off as the human launched a snap kick into the chest of the first Waagoshin and drove it back and to the ground where it lay still. Jack stepped forward toward him with a knowing look upon his face. "Not in a hurry to die eh?" "No." The Waagoshin said with a grin as several more forms burst from the brush making his small pack now five in number. "Are you human?" "Aw hell." Jack shook his head in resignation. "Not hardly but you'll have to do better than that." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Deck Six, Science Lab One, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 20:23) "So, everything is alright now?" asked Kenny to the black Human male who stood before him. The man's head lowered as he checked his PADD again, then looked up at Kenny and smiled. "Yep, all clear." He said. "Good. What happened last time was really annoying." "Tell me about it." the man sighed. "I was here for hours trying to fix it. There was still some." "Well, you got some free time now, by the look of your working times. Go a take a rest." "Yeah, I deserve it." and with that, the man left. Kenny thought about what he was going to do next. He was waiting for MacLiam to show up so that the two of them, along with several Science staff, could work on making the Hades sensors more sensitive so that the Wagoshiin would not detect them scanning. For the first time, Kenny began to realise just how important this was. One small mistake, and it could be the difference between life and death in the future. Kenny tried to tell himself that he was being over-dramatic, but he knew it was true. The other Science staff around him were making last minute checks of the systems in the lab on his orders. He did not fancy having another power failure even after the reassurances of the man he was just talking to. All he needed to do was wait for MacLiam to show up and they could start. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades, Deck Six, Science Lab One, ACSO Ensign (JG) Kenneth McKenzie, 20:43) After the meeting and before Kenny went to sleep last night, he had an idea which had been going around his head which he could not really work on, but now he had an inspiration and he was working on it now. He had been thinking how to making the sensors so fine-tuned that the Wagoshiin would not detect them. It was easier said that done. Normally, fine-tuning or making smaller scans meant that the data send back would not be as constructive as normal scans, as the computer would be using most of it's concentration on the way the sensors work to collect information. Kenny had been wondering if he would some how make both even; Having the computer concentrate an equal amount of work on the sensors being sanative without losing any production of data gathering. So far, he had not done well down that train of thought. Any attempt to tinker with the part of the sensor pallets that dealt with general scans had so far not made any good change. Kenny and his team tried to link the pallet to the others to try and get more energy from them, but this just resulted in a drain of power from all the other pallets, meaning that all other types of scans and systems would not work as well. This was not acceptable, since in an emergency, it would take time to redistribute the power back. That was a complete first dead end. Kenny then had the re-emergence of the idea he had back in bed. He knew that the variable band optical imaging cluster was part of the pallet which dealt with visual scan. By default, it used little energy, because it collects only visual data. However, Kenny had the thought of tinkering with it to keep its low energy output, but having it also collect some form of worded data of systems. It would not be as accurate, but it was worth a shot. He had already explained this to some of the people he was working around. "In short." he said to summarise to the group. "We would take advantage of the fact that the variable band optical imaging cluster uses little energy, since it's only used for visual data gathering, to try and link it to another form of data-gathering scans." "So." said a white male Human next to him. "It would be able to collect both visual and penetrate the Wagoghin Hall at the same time, but with only the energy output of the optical scan?" "That's right." Kenny said. "Pardon me, Sir." said a Asian female Human. "But we already tried linking the pallets of others to share energy, but it resulted in a drain from other systems. If we link the optical imaging cluster with the standard sensors, won't it have the same effect?" "I'm glad you brought that up, Crewman." said Kenny smiling. He knew it was an obvious counter to the point he was making, but he had already thought of this. He pressed a few keys on the console he was at and a visual display of his answer to the woman's question, which he had prepared long before, came up. It showed a the two ships, the Hades and the Wagoshiin's one as simple 3d skeletal frames, the kind of thing you can do in a couple of minutes. He had no need for a highly-detailed picture. The Hades was behind the Wagoshiin ship. "Once the optical sensors have been linked with the standard scanners, we simply send out a quick pulse of energy, using only the energy output from the optical side." As if on cue, the skeletal Hades ship send out a small yellow line, which was meant to represent a scanning beam, towards the Wagoshiin. The line was small and thin, and broke off from the Hades before it hit the Wagoshiin. It did this several times. "And." he continued "We send this beam out for a second only. This should, in theory, mean that the beam is long enough to collect a small amount of information, but without their detection." "But sir." the first man said again. "That would only bring back a small amount of data at most. Hardly anything to build a description on." "That's the point." Kenny said. The crewpersons looked at each other, confused. Then one of them spoke up. A male Bolian. "I get it!" he said loudly. "We do this several times in short intervals and build the data collected overtime, like a jigsaw puzzle!" "That's 100% right." Kenny said, proudly. "Over time, we should have build up enough to make a detailed analogy of the ship. As you said, it's like a jigsaw puzzle. We see one piece, then two, then more. Once all togeather, we see what the picture looks like." The crewpersons seemed to understand what he was talking about now. Kenny decided that they would start right away, as this needed to be done ASAP. All that he needed now, was MacLiams expertise on how to link the pallets together, that was more the task for Engineering. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2408.07.27 (Bajor - Mining Tunnels - Ari Lo'ren T'Vof - Morning) Her nose itched, the ridges itched terribly and now there was a bead of sweat running down her cheek. She dared not fidget though. The new snakey would catch her in the act and cuff her good. Like the others in the group she moved nary a muscle, but stared at nothing while Glinn Hesth paced in front of them. “You are children, and I, a celebrated veteran have been assigned” He spat out the word at them, “to keep guard over you.” He stopped in front of Lo'ren and sneered. “The half-breed.” He grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her to front and centre before the remaining 11 children. He spun her around, “This one is smaller than the rest of you. She is not Bajoran, but she is here with you. Why? Because her species is superior to yours. Bajorans are nothing! This half-breed is two years your junior and still has the capacity to work as you do.” Hesth shoved her and she squawked as she felt to the ground. Hesth laughed at her distress as she whimpered, her knees bleeding from the stones that had cut into her knees at the impact. Shoving her with a boot, Hesth ordered her up. “Stand half-breed. You are not exempt from that because you scrape your itsy bitsy little knees.” His disdain for his position curdled the air around him as he smirked at her. Lo'ren wobbled to her feet and tried to still her sniffles, green smearing her legs. Hesth looked over the line of Bajoran 6 year olds and back at the 4 year old half Vulcan child. He chuckled menacingly. He knew he was under orders not to purposely injure the child. The off-world medics were watched and catered to – to a degree. Instead Hesth vowed to break her spirit. He menaced the group, saying “Each of you will come and spit on this half-breed. Her people are arrogant and you will teach her a lesson. She is worthless – even to you.” Hesth hefted his disruptor, making clear his intentions should any of them refuse. The silence was palpable and as each child came before Lo'ren, they exchanged a look that seemed to say, “I'm sorry.” Tears brimmed over as she stood there, spittle glistening on her cheeks. She understood enough to know that Hesth would beat her if she moved her hand to wipe away the muck. As it was, her knees throbbed and she could barely stand. ~Mama. Mama.~ Lo'ren cried inside, wishing for her mother to be able to rock her. Eshen Joser was the last. He stopped in front of her, and instead of spitting on her as haad every other of them, Joser reached out with a sleeve and wiped her face clean. Lo'ren, shocked did nothing but blink with her mouth open in mute reply. She felt the disruptor blast wizz past and felt the concussion as it hit Joser, spraying her with blood before disintegrating the boy at the molecular level. She screamed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades – Personal Quarters – ATAC Ensign (jg) Lo'ren T'Vof - 0357) Lo'ren woke, sobbing and crying. She rocked back and forth, feeling anew the pain that throbbed in her knees, so intense it was debilitating her and blocking her ability to think. Feeling again the pain in her heart that she was the cause of Joser's death. She whimpered and sucked in air in between her sobs. She cried out again and again “Mama!” All she could see was the faces of the children. Slaves forced to bully a smaller child. Proud Bajorans reduced to that. Joser, his look of surprise as he died. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Hades –Deck 3, Personal Quarters – CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0358) Jack moved in his sleep as images filled his mind of horror, fear, agony and death. He wasn't a stranger to such dreams of course, as a matter of fact very intimately acquainted but this time they weren't his. This time he didn't see his wife in a burning house with children screaming in fear as he had over and over so many times. No this time children were the subject of the dream but not his, a line of filthy, half-starved children with haunted faces and fearful eyes who themselves had seen no lack of horror and death. Some adults were there as well but not human or Andorian. They were Cardassian from the looks of it, loathing filled him at the sight but the loathing didn't come from inside him but from outside. Jack didn't love Cardassians but he didn' hate them either and this searing hate was palpable, like a hand squeezing his heart. It came from Lo'ren, the whole dream was Lo'ren's he realized as he drifted to consciousness, that is till he watched a boy get vaporized in his mind's eye, that brought him to with a jerk. "Son of a ..." he growled as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed a robe from the hook between the bedroom and shower, he was a complete mess and didn't give a da**. He didn't even have on any slippers as he tied the robe off and stepped into the corridor. He could feel her agony of heart, the self-scathing and searing feeling of complicity in that boys death and he didn't fight it, rather absorbed it into himself, becoming an outlet for her as he sent back calm and peace while trying to fortify her till he could get to her room. He could almost hear her crying out through that other link she had established during the simulation, she seemed to be on the deck hugging her knees and while he couldn't hear her words or know them he knew that they HAD been said or screamed or whispered ... something. It was the weirdest feeling. The turbolift seemed like a hand-cranked conveyance as he fumed and fretted, when he stepped out he was taking huge strides all the way to her door. Once there he hit the buzzer to announce his arrival but didn't even stop to wait for admittance. "CSO Haynes security overide. Open this door now." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (USS Hades – Deck 9, Lo'ren's Quarters – CSO, Lt. (jg) Jericho Haynes- 0403) "Lo'ren" He strode into her bedroom and saw her just as he knew she would be so he walked behind her and lowered himself to the deck with his legs spread out to pull her back into his chest. She was tense and sobbing and he could feel pain lancing through her body. "What's wrong? Where are you hurting?" (REply: Lo'ren) "I felt your dream just like you felt mine." He said tenderly. "I'm sorry you awoke from your healing trance to this. I came as soon as my feet hit the floor. "What's wrong with your knees?" (REply: Lo'ren) He slid his arms around her waist, his face in the hollow between her neck and left shoulder as she answered, Letting her pour out the hurt while he continued to send help to her from the best side of him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Tch'Kair'n orbit, Orbital command station- Command center, Technician Klk'Shis - 1630) The Tch'kairn technician had been hailed by the Waagoshin as one of the brightest Tch'kairn minds in the history of the race and Klk'Shis had worked her way rapidly through their training and indoctrination programs. She had become the highest ranking Tch'kairn technician serving the domineering race. Klk'Shis was also a spy. The female Tch'kairn was openly derided and spurned by the majority of her race but she let it slide off her carapace since they really didn't know what she was actually doing to help them beneath the surface. Today she was on duty as the Graelridge entered the Tch'kairn home system with surprising company, the reason she knew was because she was monitoring traffic in the system. There had been no warning from the Waagoshin that they were bringing home company but that wasn't surprising, even though she was highly rated by them she was also only a member of a subservient and dominated race so her NTK clearance wasn't very high. "Master the Graelridge has returned with an unidentified ship." The commanding Waagoshin known as Alpha 1 looked at her without surprise. "Give them priority clearance and move all other traffic away from the station until they have entered orbit." He then turned from her as though no longer seeing her. "Master the ship is of unknown configuration and origin, completely alien." She managed to keep the excitement she felt out of her movements and vocalization which the Waagoshin found so necessary, her own language was dependent on many things besides voice such as the scraping of their arms and the clicks of claws upon their carapace. There were also tiny holes beneath their arms from which they emitted sounds. Vocalization only therefore was a hard art for any Tch'kairn to master which led initially to the Waagoshin thinking the whole race to be stupid and surviving on stolen or bought technology. The understanding of the Waagoshin language was easy though, it was emulating it that was difficult so while the Waagoshin came to that conclusion the Tch'kairn ran with the concept and pretended to meet their expectations. It allowed them to function in a passive resistance mode without violating their millennia old tradition of pacifism. The Waagoshin turned back to her while baring his teeth. "A new race yes that has just stumbled upon us from outside our boundaries. They were headed toward Tch'kair when they were discovered." She was surprised he had been so forthcoming but then again why not? Was she not highly trusted by the Waagoshin? Did her own people not hate her without reason? He turned away from her again for which she was glad, one of her kind would have noted her obvious excitement, the Waagoshin though were too dense to see beyond the minute actions. ~Is it possible? Has K'thartek succeeded in his plan? Is it possible?~ She realized the thought had come unbidden twice but why not? She was giddy with excitement but forced herself to carry out her orders calmly and with dispatch so that the highest Waagoshin commander in this sector of space would not grow suspicious. ~I must get a message to K'thartek, I must! ~ But not now, not while on the station. The Waagoshin had installed new surveillance programs over the last month that would note any such attempt, she herself had overseen the installation and she feared raising their suspicions, she would have to get to the surface somehow so that she could contact him. But not now, that would raise suspicion, she would have to wait till her shift was over then find some reason, any reason to return to the surface. And when she did K'thartek would know... even if getting the message to him would cost her her life. ~That's it! The garrison's own security systems need updating, I could volunteer my services, they know I could get the job done quickly. The presence of the alien ship would be perfect reason to do so.~ After taking care of his orders she turned toward the commander and shuffled toward him with her head cocked back in a properly submissive position. "Master." He turned from the viewscreen toward her in irritation which quickly dissipated upon seeing the submissive posture of his prize slave. "What is it?" Keeping her posture perfectly proper she spoke. "The security systems for the garrison have not been updated, would this not be a good time to do so with these aliens coming to Tch'kair? I could finish the work quickly if you sent me down to the surface. It would take no more than six hours. I could be back here by tomorrow evening." Alpla 1 considered her request for a moment before replying, surely the aliens presented no such danger however the work on the garrison was lagging and needed to be completed. He knew she could do as she said. "Very well slave, leave now. I want you to return here as quickly as it is done and be back in the morning to continue your work." She nodded, to do so would mean she would get very little to no sleep but it was the opportunity she desired, not the work. "As you say master." When he turned away from her she forced herself to move at a measured pace to the doors, once through though she hurried her pace. K'thartek would know soon and if her hopes were realized the Tch'kairn would soon have a new chapter of history to write, one that was far happier than the one which they lived today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile