Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla - Outside Verano Medical Center - Corridor - Agent Bonn (Mar'lana Dupree) - 00.53) Mar'lana was confident that her disguise as a mid-30 human female and her human accent was not bad. She did hope that the medicine that her doctor friend had given her was still working. If her Orion pheremones started up, her disguise could be at risk if she could not keep them in check. "An operative from Starfleet Intelligence giving me both name and rank, how very odd unless both are bogus." Lee answered as his right eyebrow raised a fraction of an inch, then He shrugged, then turned back down the corridor. "If you can keep up with my pace, you can ask me whatever you like, Ensign." "Well, Sir you never know do you?" Mar'lana replied with a smile as she kept up with him. "Do you know what happened to the sensors that should have alerted the station of the approach of that ship or was there any such sensor?" She asked as she tried to keep up with the fast moving Lee. Mar'lana listened as Lee told her what he knew and cataloged the information. (reply from Lee, any) (posted by Frank) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla - Verano Medical - ACMO Anderson - 0102) Dr Cambridge looked shocked and dazed as he looked around the devastation that was once biobeds and scanning equipment. What the room did hold in abundance was patients. "What would you like me to do first?" she said. "Too many to count Ms. Anderson, too many to count. Report on the Firestorm?" "All crew from the Firestorm have been stabilised and transported to Otono along with the emergency medical teams. The last report I got was that the not-too-badly-injured will be assigned to quarters for recovery. The more serious will remain in Otono and emergency biobeds are being erected. There doesn't seem to be much to do here other than stare in disbelief. I'd be more use down on the planet running things there." She said. Cambridge simply nodded. Rain turned to start dealing with the injured still left, a little worried about the CMO. He seemed almost in a fugue state. She contemplated telling him about the "discussion" she'd had with Orde regarding weapons. ~Nah, he has enough to worry about!~ She started triaging the remaining injured, allocating them places on shuttles or for transport. (Reply Cambridge if needed) (Posted by Wendy Keen) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla - Verano Medical - CMO Cambridge - 0105 "All crew from the Firestorm have been stabilized and transported to Otono along with the emergency medical teams. The last report I got was that the not-too-badly-injured will be assigned to quarters for recovery. The more serious will remain in Otono and emergency biobeds are being erected. There doesn't seem to be much to do here other than stare in disbelief. I'd be more use down on the planet running things there." She said. Cambridge simply nodded. His ACMO turned to those around in the room and began to move them and deal with the situations presented. Cambridge moved back to Dervin and continued to monitor her situation. He knew of her conflict with Orde and had received a few words from within the grapevine, but couldn't confirm much of anything. The grapevine after all was nothing more than leaves listening to the wind. He moved over to where she was working and helped her close up a small wound on the hand of a young man. "Ms. Anderson?" The young doctor looked up to him. "Could I...talk to you for a second?" Nodding, he led her to the ruined area of Valhalla, where there was no one. Forensics had cleared out for a moment and all was quiet. The patients were being moved. He turned to her as she entered the room. "I haven't heard anything official, but I wanted to ask you about it. What exactly is going on with Mr. Orde?" Stardate:2406.03.05 (Mars, Runabout 'Sanctuary' - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0135) =^= Runabout Sanctuary, Otono Control. Proceed to land on pattern, destination landing pad three. Do you have Hotel? =^= "Otono contrroll, Sanctuarry. Inforrmation Hotel, confirrmed. Prroceeding to pad three." ~About time, we've been circling for half an hour... Twice because there was some emergency transport. Thank Dannara all of the patients have held up so well.~ His fingers pressing the buttons a bit angrily, Ralth nudged the ship from its flight around the outer signal beacon. =^= Sanctuary, be advised, traffic ahead, twelve-o-clock, 1600, medical shuttle. Also, warning, strong crosswinds on final.=^= "Rogerr that, contrroll. I have the traffic in sight, following in. Thanks forr the heads-up." Ralth positioned his ship directly behind the large shuttle, holding the distance at an even kilometer. When he approached the Otono facility, he carefully moved the ship from its course, heading for the signal beacon of pad three, and flicked a switch that sounded the landing alert on the inside of the cabin. He clicked the comm. "Contrroll, rrunabout Sanctuarry on final approach to pad three." =^= Copy, Sanctuary. You have clearance, bring'er in.=^= "Rogerr. Sanctuarry, out." He could see it now, a circle marked with a big 'H', already holding two other craft. The sidewinds kept his hands busy as he tried to balance the ship enough to not hit either other ship. Irritated at the tight area he was assigned, he clicked the comm again. "Contrroll, ourr parrking space is a bit tight. Perrmission to land outside circle?" =^= Denied, Sanctuary. We have two more ships to fit on that pad. Just take her down or get back into holding pattern.=^= The controllers voice was tight, obviously he'd been up against irate pilots all night, and ever since the attack on Verano, his job had probably gotten a lot more stressful. Ralth grimaced, then swinged the ship around so that its back doors were facing outside, out of the facility. That way, he'd just be able to fit the bigger ship between the two bulky medical shuttles already parked at the spot. "Negative, contrroll. Sanctuarry on final, touching down.. Now." The landing struts made contact with the duraplast-cement floor, with an audible crunch, the impact luckily absorbed by the inertial stabilizers.Ralth breathed a sigh of relief, and sagged on the chair for a moment, then got up and stretched, feeling his tail twitch. He heard the outer doors open, and went to peer out of the cockpit, leaning on the doorframe. He watched the medics take the patients out and returned their waves and thankful smiles. Inside, he felt happy that he'd been able to do something. He'd read up on the reports of the attacks that had been sent to him from Valhalla, and for a moment he'd felt pretty much like destroying something, anything. But now, he was content. Content on having been able to help, having done what he was supposed to do. ~Not bad a beginning for a return from medical leave. Now I'll just see if there's someone here that needs a ride back up, and get my tail in gear to see the admiral.~ he cringed for a moment at the thought. It was unusual for an ensign to report directly to an admiral, but 'unusual' pretty much fit the bill for everything that had happened since he'd been assigned to Valhalla. Nine months, subjective time, ago. ~Only nine months? Well, humans do say time flies when you're having fun.~ He sighed. All of this hadn't been fun, not half of it... But he was still in starfleet, he was still an ensign (~senior grade, mark that~) and the Federation still existed. He hadn't failed his duty yet, and there were times that had been simply exhilarating. ~If only we'd have the time to take care of one enemy before another rears its ugly head. Dominion, romulans, klingons, Kalmorose... What next? A conspiracy of vulcans and caitians, no doubt.~ The thought made Ralth grin in a predatory manner. The thought of two oldest Federation members next to Earth conspiring against their own creation was simply too delicious to be taken seriously at any point. He made some stretching excercises to get rid of the nervous tension that had accumulated during the flight and the tight moments of landing. Then, feeling ready to return to Valhalla, he got back to the cockpit and opened the conn. "Otono contrroll, this is rrunabout Sanctuarry, filing flight plan direct to Starbase Valhalla. Pilot ensign Ralth Ra'Kir. Any passengerrs or carrgo you need to get up therre?" There was a new voice on the conn. =^= Stand by, Sanctuary. We're checking the situation. Just a moment. =^= "Rogerr, contrroll." Ralth sat back and waited, scanning the runabouts maintainance logs for potential problems and going through the longer checklist. ~Better to spot problems now then in-flight. We took off Valhalla in too great a hurry to go through the longer checklist.~ There was a small power discrepancy between the impulse engines, nothing to warrant concern but enough that it showed on diagnostics. ~I wonder what's causing that... Hm. As long as I have time, I could take a look at the port nacelle.~ he thought and rose up from his seat. "Computerr, route all incoming comm-trraffic to my commbadge and open the port nacelle upper maintainance hatch." Getting out of the ship he walked over to the open nacelle. ~What the... What is this?~ Ralth shifted a few circuit contacts aside to reveal a mass of green. Its trunk came loose quite easily, but he could see white and green roots twisted around the power-housing. ~Hmm.. Some kind of a plant? It has attatched itself to the main power bus because it radiates heat. But how does it survive exposure to vacuum? The nacelle parts aren't normally pressurized during flight. And how did it get there in the first place?~ Stepping inside Ralth took a medical container for transplant organs, and put the plant inside, sealing it. Then he returned to the nacelle and took out his phaser. "Computer, cold shutdown porrtside nacelle, and returrn all plasma and explosive gases to storrage." he ordered, setting the weapon to burn organics. He could see the nacelle dim out fully. =^= Finished. =^= ~This should clear it up.~ Ralth systematically started sweeping up the inside of the nacelle with the phaser set to 'light cook - wide beam'. The white tendrils of the plant turned brown and black in moments, but the green parts took quite a bit longer. ~That's strange... It holds up against a phaser beam. Maybe it _can_ survive direct exposure to vacuum. I better get that stuff checked on all shuttles once I get back on Valhalla. If it gets to the systems inside a runabout or a shuttle it can really do some damage...~ He got up, and signalled the computer to reactivate the nacelle and seal the maintainance access. =^= Sanctuary, we have cargo for you, medical equipment for building an emergency sickbay on Valhalla. You're scheduled for launch in thirty minutes. =^= Ralth tapped his badge. "Rogerr, contrroll. Awaiting carrgo. Ra'Kir out." He got back inside, replacing the phaser at his belt. In the cabin he stared at the plant inside its container. ~What the hell are you? And how did you get on-board?~ Shaking his head at the mystery, Ralth went inside the cockpit, starting again the checklist, noting that the nacelles now performed completely up to spec. (Mars, Runabout 'Sanctuary' - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0245) =^= Runabout Sanctuary, Otono Control. You are cleared for takeoff. Transmitting launch vectors and atmosphere window. Be advised, Valhalla is under traffic control, no entry without permission from security or command staff. Contact Valhalla control to request entry. =^= ~Hm. A wise precaution... As long as Pierce doesn't mind being disturbed all the time. They really should leave these things to the Flight Controls hands. Give us the information, and then leave it to professionals. ~ "Rogerr that, contrroll. Sanctuarry taking off." With that, he cut in the take-off thrusters, lifting the ship off the concrete directly into the air. Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Runabout 'Sanctuary' - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir -0250) "Valhalla Contrrol, this is rrunabout Sanctuarry, bringing medical supplies on returrn trrip frrom Otono medical. Request perrmission to land." Ralth called in on the comm, a bit earlier then really necessary. He wanted to be sure that he'd get the permission or that he'd have time to argue his position. In the Valhalla Flight Control, the Flight Officer of the Watch frowned. His Department Chief, meaning Ralth, was on his way back, technically not even on duty (actually on medical leave), and he had orders to report every ship to the head of Security. ~I just hope he can explain why he took the ship out to the Security...~ He sighed and tapped his commbadge. "Flight Control officer Jameson to the Security Chief. We have an inbound runabout from Mars, bringing medical supplies to replace those lost with Verano. Pilot is ensign Ralth Ra'Kir." (Reply Pierce) "Affirmative. Jameson, out." (Reply Pierce, Any) (Posted by Mikko Kari) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Security Office Anteroom - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 0251) =/\=Flight Control officer Jameson to the Security Chief. We have an inbound runabout from Mars, bringing medical supplies to replace those lost with Verano. Pilot is ensign Ralth Ra'Kir.=/\= Pierce sat up. ~Dammit. I'm trying to sleep here!~ he thought. ~Ralth? I thought he was on medical leave.~ "This is Orde. Why is Mr. Ra'Kir on an inbound runabout?" =/\=He shipped some medical personnel to Otono and is on his return trip, Sir.=/\= "Let him dock. Forward all other requests to the ASC." ~Let him do his job for a while.~ =/\=Affirmative. Jameson, out.=/\= Pierce tapped his commbadge again. "Rick, this is Pierce. Send one or two people to Runabout Pad C. Pierce out." With that, Pierce tried to get back to a fitful sleep on the small couch. (Reply any) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla, Security Centre - TAC/ASC Richard Blaine - 2406.03.05.02:53) Rick was still supervising the patrols around the station, nothing unusual hasn't been reported yet and it was better like that. He was glad the Couns Departement had taken in charge the psychological support of the wounded. His toughts were interrupted by the TAC/SC's voice. =^= Rick, this is Pierce. Send one or two people to Runabout Pad C. Pierce out.=^= ~ thanks for letting me know why ~ tought Rick caught a little unaware by the shortness of the message ~ I really need to have a discussion with him, things can't continue like that, we'll see that later ~ and he rapidly get back to his duty. ~ ok, let's see what's going on ~ he tought in accessing the comm panel " TAC/ASC Blaine to Flight Control, could you explain me what's going on ?" =/\=Flight Control officer Jameson here . Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir is coming back from Verano aboard a Runabout with medical supplies and like we've received orders that the Security Department should be informed on every incoming ship.. =/\= the officer stated " Ok, Mr Jameson, we are on our way. Blaine out." Rick replied in looking around " Fairchild, Grumok, you are with me." and they leaved the Centre in direction of the pads. " TAC/ASC Blaine to Sickbay, we've an incoming Runabout From Verano with medical supplies. Perhaps you could send some people to take delivery for those supplies. The Runabout will be on pad C." he stated (Reply any in Sickbay) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Runabout Docking Pad C - TAC/ASC Blaine - 2406.03.05.03:00) The Caitan smiled. "I'm not much of a farmerr, morre of an engineer. I noted some powerr fluctuation between the two impulse thrusterr systems, and investigated while I had time on Otono. It seems that we have encounterred a plant that has evolved to space trravel, although without intelligence. It could take level 3 setting frrom my phaserr forr seconds beforre any notable effect, and apparrently could grrow within an unpressurrised nacelle housing. It had grrown around the main powerr housing, to leech off warrmth, I'd guess. I took the main trrunk as a sample, and burrned clean the inside of the nacelle. I think Engineerring should go thrrough all the shuttles in a fine-toothed comb to make surre therre isn't an infestation. Judging frrom what I saw it can clog up systems pretty effectively. I think I'll take this one to the biological science deparrtment to get some basic researrch done on it. At least, if it becomes a prroblem, we'll have some underrstanding of it." " Well it's very strange, I haven't heard about such behaviour from a plant before, it's really need an investigation, can I ask you something SIr ? Could you keep me informed of the findings of the Biological Department ? I'll appreaciate grandly, and while you are there, I'll talk to the Engineering department about the shuttles, in some ways it's also regarding the security department. " Rick stated. (Reply Ra'Kir) Rick noticed that one of the security men was coming in their direction " Yes, Mr Fairchild ? " " We've finished to check the shuttle's cargo Sir, no signs of explosives or unusual things, all seemed to be in order. " the security man stated. " Good, you can now allow the medical people to take deliveries of their supplies and after you can go back to your duties. Thank you, crewman." ordered Rick. The CONN officer was gone to the Biological section to delivery his finding and Rick decided to make a visit to Engineering to report about those strange plants, it was in the middle of the night but he was sure that at least an officer would be there. Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Docking Pad C - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 03:00) As Ralth settled the runabout down on the pad, he noticed three figures in Security uniforms. ~What's this, then? A welcoming committee?~ He opened the large back doors, and heard the officer order the two crewmen inside. "Ok, check the cargo, scan for explosives,...anything unusual and liase with the medics when they arrived." he heard, and frowned a bit. ~Explosives? Oh, please...~ Then the thought hit him. ~They're serious. And they have a good reason to be...~ He saw the security team enter and acknowledged them with a nod. "Just make sure you don't break anything, will you? This equipment will come in need to Verano." he told them, picking up the box with the plant in it. He walked out and noticed the older officer, the new ACS approach him. ~Wasn't he on the old Valhalla, too? As an ex- fleet bartender or something?~ "Sir, I don't know if I have to say good night or good morning with all that has happened I even don't know which day we are, how was your flight ?" Ralth blinked. The man had just said everything in one long sentence, that he quickly had to piece up to understand. "Well, the flight was okay. It was good to strretch my space legs. If it weren't forr the situation I'd have enjoyed it immensely." Ralth heard a container open in the cabin and turned around to look at the men. "Yourr men seem quite eagerr to go through the medical supplies today. Can't blame them, though I can't figure how anyone'd slip a bomb into medical supplies on Otono in orderr to get them up herre." "Yes, they are all pretty nerveous for the moment, they are seeing terrorists everywhere, I hope you haven't bring back any uninvited guest in your taxi." Rick said smiling and he asked "How is the situation on Verano? I've heard that things are pretty hectic there." Ralth frowned. "When I left Verano they werre still evacuating to Otono on Mars. It's in pieces, but I believe it'll not be too harrd to fix. Soon we'll have a worrking medical section again." Ralth noticed the man staring at the plant he'd found in the nacelle. "I didn't know you had gardening as hobby, but I've never seen such a plant, where did you find it ?" Ralth smiled. "I'm not much of a farmerr, morre of an engineer. I noted some powerr fluctuation between the two impulse thrusterr systems, and investigated while I had time on Otono. It seems that we have encounterred a plant that has evolved to space trravel, although without intelligence. It could take level 3 setting frrom my phaserr forr seconds beforre any notable effect, and apparrently could grrow within an unpressurrised nacelle housing. It had grrown around the main powerr housing, to leech off warrmth, I'd guess. I took the main trrunk as a sample, and burrned clean the inside of the nacelle. I think Engineerring should go thrrough all the shuttles in a fine-toothed comb to make surre therre isn't an infestation. Judging frrom what I saw it can clog up systems pretty effectively. I think I'll take this one to the biological science deparrtment to get some basic researrch done on it. At least, if it becomes a prroblem, we'll have some underrstanding of it." (Reply ACS, Any) (Posted by Mikko Kari) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla, Runabout Pad C - TAC/ASC Richard Blaine - 2406.03.05.03:00) Rick and his men were waiting for the complete stop of the Runabout before approaching, the engines were cut and the hatch opened. " Ok, check the cargo, scan for explosives,...anything unusual and liase with the medics when they arrived." Rick ordered. They both acknowledged and went in direction of the Runabout's hold. Rick waited for ensign Ra'Kir to come out and he went in his direction " Sir, I don't know if I have to say good night or good morning with all that has happened I even don't know which day we are, how was your flight ?" (Reply Ra'Kir) " Yes, they are all pretty nervoes for the moment, they are seeing terrorists everywhere, I hope you haven't bring back any uninvited guest in your taxi." Rick said in smiling and he asked " How is the situation on Verano ?, I've heard that things are pretty hetic outhere." (Reply Ra'Kir) While he was explaining the situation on Verano, Rick noticed that the Caitan was holding some kind of medical container for transplant organs but the container seemed to contain some kind of plant. " I didn't knew had the gardening as hobby, but I've never seen such a plant, where did you find it ?" (Reply Ra'Kir, any) (Posted by Patrick Buidin) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Docking Pad C - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0302) "Well it's very strange, I haven't heard about such behaviour from a plant before, it's really need an investigation, can I ask you something SIr ? Could you keep me informed of the findings of the Biological Department ? I'll appreaciate grandly, and while you are there, I'll talk to the Engineering department about the shuttles, in some ways it's also regarding the security department." Ralth shrugged. "I was going to take the matterr up with engineerring myself, but if you want to lend a hand, surre. And don't worry, if this vegetable gives me orr my shuttles any trrouble, you'll be the firrst one I'll call forr exterminatorr duty." Ralth grinned friendily, but accidentally revealed his sharp, white, and most certainly carnivore teeth. He quickly closed his mouth, hoping not to have scared Rick accidentally, or put him on his guard, even. Then it happened. He yawned. Sheepishly, Ralth closed his mouth, hoping this extended display of his natural armament hadn't put the human on his guard. "Sorry. I've been up since the explosion on Verano, so I'll head to my bunk as soon as I get this to a securre containment on the Biologics lab. I'll see to it that the Securrity deparrtment gets a full reporrt on the findings. Could you put someone to see to it that the medics sign the stuff out as they pick it up? The PADD's on the box right next to the entrrance. Thanks." (Reply Rick) Ralth looked around to see one of the security guards approaching to give a report to the ACS, so he made his exit, nodding to Rick and heading inside the Station proper. Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Science dept. Lobby - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0310) Ralth walked to the main doors to the Science departments office and lab area. The door was shut, and there was a notice on it. ___________________________________ | \ | Valhalla | | Science Department - Open hours: | | 0600 - 2100 | | | \___________________________________| ~Ah, I completely forgot that the science department doesn't run a three-shift system, but rather has an open and closed time. Okay, I'll just get this little thing into my quarters and return in the morning... After I've had my meeting with Admiral Jopek.~ Ralth mused, turning to head for his quarters. (Valhalla, FCO's Quarters - Ensign Ralth Ra'Kir - 0310) Ralth walked back inside his quarters and checked the chrono. ~Almost six hours before I'm supposed to report to admiral Jopek. Excellent, I'll manage to catch some sleep before it. Let's see..~ "Computerr, wake-up-call at 0730, and make surre I'm out of bed by 0745." Ralth set the container with the plant on his desk, making sure the lid was closed tight. Then he shed his uniform, tossing it into the recycler unit, and dropped on his bed, falling asleep almost immediately as adrenalin fatigue and relaxing tension took their toll. (Reply Rick, the plant) (Posted by Mikko Kari) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Engineering - TAC/ASC Blaine - 2406.03.05.03:30) The place was calm, that's why Rick was liking to be on duty on the night shift, the station was more quiet than during the day and as a bartender he had taken the habit of working while the others were sleeping. It was the first time since he had decided to work again for starflleet that he was coming to Engineering, he looked around to find the office of the duty officer, the lights inside the main room had been lowered but he noticed that more lights were coming from a place in the back of the room ~ it's certainly there~ tought he in heading in the direction. He poked one's head at the door " Hello, is someone still there ? " A officer was sitting behind a desk, he looked up. (Reply any in Engineering) NRPG : I don't know at this hours who will be in Engineering, so I let the name blank ;-) RPG : " Sorry to disturb you at this hours but I've just been informed about something I think could be important." Rick said and he began to explain what Ra'Kir has told him about the plant he had found and the possible consequences on the shuttle. " Well, I didn't wanted to wait to report that thing to your department, it's concerning the safety of our people and I'm taking that thing seriously." Rick said in finishing his explanations. (Reply any in Engineering) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Security Centre, TAC/ASC's office - TAC/ASC Blaine - 2406.03.05.06:00) The investigation team on the explosion in the Verano Medical Centre had just delivered their report and Rick was taking a look at it ~ hum.....interesting,....it's still early but the Lt. should be aware of that and he is certainly awake by now ~ tought he in standing up. He gaves a few instructions to some Security men and leaved the centre. Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Security Office: Anteroom/lounge - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 0631) " Thanks, Sir and while we are discuting on that matter, I want to complain about something Sir." said Rick. "Go on." Pierce replied. " Permission to speak freely, Sir ? " he asked "Always in private." Pierce replied. " Well Sir, you've perhaps faith in my abilities but I'm not satisfied by the way you are considering me, I'm feeling isolated, as assistant Chief I should be aware of certain things, you are probably still considering me as a bartender but if I've choosen to be back in the Security Job it's not to do the figuration. I've been Chief of Security in the past, so I think I know well the subject., I don't want to tell you how to run your department but I think we should work as a team and for the moment it's not the impression I have." Rick stated. ~Have I been that bad? Damn. I'm a leader - delegate.~ "Mr. Blaine, you are absolutely correct. You are an officer of the Security department, and we should work together. As a quirk of everything that has happened, you have much more experience in this job than I do. Therefore, speak your mind, make suggestions. I am open to change, believe it or not." (Reply Rick) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Security Office: Anteroom/lounge - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 0630) A loud pinging sound disturbed Pierce Orde's fitful sleep, rousing him awake. ~Argh... Couches are a pain to sleep on.~ "Come..." he said groggily. Rick strode into the room quietly. " Sorry to disturb you so early Sir but I think that this should interest you, we've received the reports concerning the explosion on Verano." Rick stated in giving him the PADD he was holding. ~Oh, goody.~ "Give it to me straight, Mr. Blaine." " Well to summarize it, the investigation team had found traces of explosives in the remains of the suicide-bomber, they've found Argine's traces. The DNA profile of the guy had been established and in linking it with our files and the customs files, the guy was named Hurlan Wurch, a human, unknown in our database, he was arrived at the station two days ago on a freighter, his luggages had been checked and nothing special was detected. So he hadn't brought the xplosives with him." Rick stated "Good work, Mr. Blaine." Pierce said as he staggered over to get some coffee. " I've taken the liberty to already gave orders Sir, our people are investigating on the freighter, the other passengers and on the terrorist of course, his quarters, his time table, the place he had been, the persons he has met since his arrival, the usual stuffs on such an inquiry. That's all for the moment Sir, I'll keep you informed if there is progress in the inquiry. " Rick said Pierce sipped his coffee - retrieved while Rick delivered his report - feeling marginally better. "That liberty is yours to take, Ensign - do as you see fit. You have my faith in your abilities." (Reply Rick) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, corridor, outside TAC/SC's quarters - TAC/ASC Blaine - 2406.03.05.06:30) Rick pressed the enunciator and waited for the response, none came, he pressed it again, than someone mumbled something from inside the room ~ it's certainly mean enter ~ and he entered the room. " Sorry to disturb you so early Sir but I think that this should interest you, we've received the reports concerning the explosion on Verano." Rick stated in giving him the PADD he was holding. (Reply Orde) " Well to summarize it, the investigation team had found traces of explosives in the remains of the suicide-bomber, they've found Argine's traces. The DNA profile of the guy had been established and in linking it with our files and the customs files, the guy was named Hurlan Wurch, a human, unknown in our database, he was arrived at the station two days ago on a freighter, his luggages had been checked and nothing special was detected. So he hadn't brought the xplosives with him." Rick stated (Reply Orde) " I've taken the liberty to already gave orders Sir, our people are investigating on the freighter, the other passengers and on the terrorist of course, his quarters, his time table, the place he had been, the persons he has met since his arrival, the usual stuffs on such an inquiry. That's all for the moment Sir, I'll keep you informed if there is progress in the inquiry. " Rick said (Reply Orde) (Reply Ra'Kir, Engineering Officer, Orde, any) (Posted by Patrick Buidin) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, corridor, Security Office, Anteroom/lounge - TAC/ASC Blaine - 2406.03.05.06:35) Pierce was sipping his coffee while Rick was delivering his report "That liberty is yours to take, Ensign - do as you see fit. You have my faith in your abilities." he said " Thanks, Sir and while we are discuting on that matter, I want to complain about something Sir." said Rick feeling that it was the occasion to tackle the subject. (Reply Orde) " Permission to speak freely, Sir ? " he asked (Reply Orde) " Well Sir, you've perhaps faith in my abilities but I'm not satisfied by the way you are considering me, I'm feeling isolated, as assistant Chief I should be aware of certain things, you are probably still considering me as a bartender but if I've choosen to be back in the Security Job it's not to do the figuration. I've been Chief of Security in the past, so I think I know well the subject., I don't want to tell you how to run your department but I think we should work as a team and for the moment it's not the impression I have." Rick stated waiting for Orde's reply ~ Ok, I've said it, I'll be perhaps back to my bar soon but I had to say, I couldn't continue working like that ~ (Reply Orde, any) (Posted by Patrick Buidin) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla - FO's Office - Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 1348) "Sir, instead of using the Spectre to get to our contact points, I suggest that we modify a runabout - changing its markings and appearance somewhat - and have the Spectre tail us - cloaked, of course - at an appreciable distance." Rich tapped his fingers for a moment. "We received very few commandments from Starfleet on this, but that was one of them. I can contact Starfleet Command and talk to Admiral Jopek on the matter, but I would start planning to have your mission with the Spectre as your primary transportation." (reply Orde) (posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: FO's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1349) Rich tapped his fingers for a moment. "We received very few commandments from Starfleet on this, but that was one of them. I can contact Starfleet Command and talk to Admiral Jopek on the matter, but I would start planning to have your mission with the Spectre as your primary transportation." "Sir, what about carrying said shuttle onboard Spectre? It would allow us to use Spectre as our primary means of transportation, as well as give us the ability to hide in plain sight." Pierce countered. "A leader of a three-man remnant from a pirate band probably do not travel around in Starfleet's finest." Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla, Science Lab - Science Officer Tyrell - 2406.03.05.1400) Horacio was in the middle of a delicate operation, he was busy trying to calibrate is new spectral resonator and it wasn't a piece of cake. It was on it since the morning and he was raging, due to the lack of people in the science department, he was always disturbed. He had already falsed nine calibrations and he was beginning to have enough of it, also seeing the amount of PADDs that were still on his desk ~ I wonder when they'll send us a new CSO and a new ACSO, one ACSO has been here for a couple of days then he had simply dissapeared, they have no considerations for scientists, all the reinforcements are for Security and Engineering ~. He accessed the control panel and entered the calibration sequence, the resonator powered on and the auto-sequencer started his program, Horacio was keeping an eye on the monitor, ready to enter the calculation values at the right moment, the auto-sequencer could have done it automatically but according to Horacio there was only one way to have a good result, entered it manually. He checked the monitor, keeping an eye on the level indicator, his fingers ready on the key padd ~ Ok, right no...~ He was about to type on the key padd when the lab doors opened " Mr Tyrell, Mr Tyrell, something urgent for you." shouted someone. " Damned another miss, Grrr.... what's now again." he yelled back at the man seeing that it was a lieutenant. " The Uss Spectre will be launch at 18:00, you've been assigned as Scientist for the mission, you'll have to report onboard as soon as possible. All the informations concenring the mission are in this PADD " the Lt. explained giving him the PADD he was holding Tyrell's face changed to an evil one, showing that he wasn't very happy with that assignment " What, an Away Mision with all the work I've here, no it's not posible, you'll have to find someone else." " Mr Tyrell, you know that we are curently short of personnel in your department and you are the most qualified for this mission and you haven't the choice, it's a order, have a made myself clear Ensign ?" the Lt. asked with autorithy. " Hum...if I haven't the choice....Understood SIR." he replied in taking the PADD and in emphasizing on the word Sir. The Officer left the lab, Horacio put the PADD on his desk and returned to his working table ~ as soons as possible...for 18:00....what a nonsense...Let's finish first that calibration~ Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla: SC's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1510) "...THERE WAS NO NEED FOR WEAPONS!" Rain told him, barely controlled fury in her voice. ~Time to head this off.~ Pierce held a hand up. "Ensign Anderson, " he said still using the formal tone " it is the policy of this department that all security personnel are armed with a phaser set to a non-lethal setting while on-duty. Period. We're not murderers. I had forseen your obvious objections to phasers and decided that some discretion was needed." he said with an icy calm. NRPG: Note that Pierce's staff satisfies the policy. ;) RPG: Rain looked like she was about to speak, so Pierce continued quickly. "Furthermore, by Starfleet policy, all phaser-type weapons are set to stun. I assumed you knew this." (Reply Anderson) ~This isn't personal, this isn't personal, this isn't personal - I hope.~ Pierce considered what he was about to do and decided that it would probably be worth the result. "Computer, secure room." "Mr. Anderson... Rain, if I may take my pips off for a minute, why do you hate me so? You may speak freely - no rank right now - and please be truthful. You cannot hurt with words a dead man like me." he said to Rain, with silent pleading in his eyes. NRPG: No rank => no courtmartial. RPG: (Reply Rain) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Security Chief's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 15.11) "You think I hate you? I can assure you this is not personal." She said very calmly. "What this IS about is that I have spent my entire adult life repairing damage caused by weapons. In all of the stations and ships that I have served it has not been standard policy to walk around armed, openly or surreptitiously. Weapons were strapped on when an alert was sounded, not to go to breakfast. You however do have the right to arm your officers as you see fit. However, I also have the right as assistant chief of sickbay to specify whether your staff will carry weapons. I must insist that unless weapons are specifically asked for, they are not welcome." ~Risk is our business.~ Pierce quoted mentally. "Rain, I have tried to spend my adult life making sure these weapons weren't necessary." he said, then he slid his left sleeve back to reveal a small device. With his other hand, he removed the strap affixing it to his arm. "I'll let you in on a little secret: All my personnel are armed only with type-II hand phasers. Until yesterday, I had not equipped them with any sort of concealed weapons, mostly because while regulations are left - purposefully, I think - vague concerning the amount of firepower the security chief can carry, other personnel are only allowed a type-II or its equivalent while in non-alert status." His eyes grew distant. "I've seen too many good people die. Mostly because some moron in intel or the diplomatic services thinks that everything is safe when going over to another ship, and so requests a security officer or two - unarmed - to come along as a showpiece. The moron comes back bloodied, and my officer doesn't come back at all." (Reply Anderson) He refocused his eyes on Rain. "Unfortunately, we're two sides of the same coin. One side patches up our people, the other tries to make sure that our people never get hurt in the first place. I just happen to be the personification of your dislikes - the security chief, and a weapons designer to boot. I haven't taken this personally, nor do I care if you choose to do so. You can't hurt a dead man." (Reply Anderson) He held the derringer out to Rain. "I want you to keep this for me. You don't have to wear it or even stand near it, but I will feel better when I leave if you have it. (Reply Anderson) (posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Valhalla - Security Chief's Office - ACMO Anderson - 15.11) Rain took a deep breath, ready to start again. Before she could draw in enough breath, the security chief held up his hand. "Ensign Anderson, " he said still using the formal tone " it is the policy of this department that all security personnel are armed with a phaser set to a non-lethal setting while on-duty. Period. We're not murderers. I had forseen your obvious objections to phasers and decided that some discretion was needed." Rain knew that she rolled her eyes, even though she tried her upmost to stop them. "Furthermore, by Starfleet policy, all phaser-type weapons are set to stun. I assumed you knew this." Rain opened her mouth to rant afresh "Computer, secure room." "Mr. Anderson... Rain, if I may take my pips off for a minute, why do you hate me so? You may speak freely - no rank right now - and please be truthful. You cannot hurt with words a dead man like me." Rain opened her mouth and closed it again, much like a goldfish. She wasn't sure she'd heard right. "You think I hate you? I can assure you this is not personal." She said very calmly. "What this IS about is that I have spent my entire adult life repairing damage caused by weapons. In all of the stations and ships that I have served it has not been standard policy to walk around armed, openly or surreptitiously. Weapons were strapped on when an alert was sounded, not to go to breakfast. You however do have the right to arm your officers as you see fit. However, I also have the right as assistant chief of sickbay to specify whether your staff will carry weapons. I must insist that unless weapons are specifically asked for, they are not welcome." She said She felt a little deflated about how this had all gone. How could he have thought this was personal? Actually, it had happened before and she cringed at the memory. A counsellor she'd been sent to see had referred to it as attacking the person, not the problem and it seemed like she'd done it again. (Reply Orde) (Posted by Wendy Keen) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Security Office - ensign Kahila Lono, 1540) Kahila glanced at the PADD as Pierce continued his explanation: "The cover that is for you is that of Marianna 'Ice' Anmec, your typical aloof and superior Betazoid outlaw. Tell me, are you proficient in any hand-to-hand fighting styles?" Kahila struggled to keep her expression serious, befitting a Starfleet ensign. She wanted to laugh -- not that anything going on was amusing, but as a reaction to such quick changes of role. A few minutes ago she'd been assistant counselor, not-quite-alert from being awake most of the night and day, then she suddenly learned she'd be going on an undercover mission, and now she was going to become this Marianna Ice. She looked from the PADD back to Pierce and nodded, allowing herself a smile. "I studied Korean Hapkido-- the art of coordinated power, while in San Francisco." His expression didn't let her know whether he was familiar with Hapkido, so she continued. "I liked their combination approach -- wrist and joint locking, and pressure points, with kicking techniques. Actually," She realized her smile had turned to a grin, "I was best at flinging things -- stones, disks. It reminded me skipping stones into the ocean." She met his gaze. ~Ah, is that the ghost of a smile I see. Maybe.~ "Oh, and I did bring my rope belt-- rope disguised beneath a special weave -- with me to the station. My instructor showed me how it can come in handy, though I've never used it in action." She stopped, not wanting to ramble, and waited for him to continue. "Excellent. Also for this mission - mostly because Starfleet equipment is too distinctive - I will be bringing out my special armory collection. You let me know what you will be wearing, I'll supply you with it. A good plan is to carry a few obvious weapons as well as multiple concealed." Kahila nodded. "I've had phaser training at the Academy of course. And small knife training was included with Hapkido." "We will meet at Docking Area 3 at 1800. Any other questions?" "No." She replied. " But I want to thank you for the opportunity of expanding my areas of service." ~and the prospect of quite an adventure.~ "Dismissed. I will be available at all times - don't be afraid to call." Kahila went out of the office, her head spinning with plans. She hurried to her personal quarters and began to pack a very few personal belongings into a waist pouch-- very nondescript, non Starfleet --that she had used when going to and from her martial arts classes. Reflecting on her feelings -- counselors tended to do that -- she was surprised how free she felt. ~Of course the mission would be a dangerous one, and with important consequences,~ she reminded herself. ~ But there are so many possibilites, things to be seen, things to be done.~ She'd brought only two leisure, exercise outfits with her. One was out of the question, as it looked too obviously trendy. The other was the one she really used for excercising -- loose brown cotton tunic and wide khaki trousers. And imitation leather boots -- not so tight that a knife or two wouldn't fit in them. She glanced in the mirror. ~Uh oh, I think this long hair has got to go. There won't exactly be time for personal maintenance.~ For a moment she considered braids, as she'd worn to Hapkido classses. But no. Marianna seemed to need very short hair. She took a scissors from the drawer, made a regretful face -- it had been more than five years since she'd done any hair trimming. And this would be more than a trim. (Starbase Valhalla, personal quarters, Kahila Lono, 16:45) Kahila tapped her combadge, and, after Pierce answered, she said, =^=Lono here. I'd like a look at that armory, whenever it's convenient for you.=^= (reply Orde) (Posted by Josephine Goodman) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Somewhere - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1645) Pierce's commbadge beeped. "This is Orde. Go ahead." NRPG: Note that the =/\=s are used when someone is talking your character over the comm system. =/\=Lono here. I'd like a look at that armory, whenever it's convenient for you.=/\= "Meet me in my quarters at 1705." Pierce replied. (Starbase Valhalla: Personal Quarters of Pierce Orde - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1705) Pierce had just finished lengthening his hair and beard. ~Now I just have to color it.~ The door chime rang. ~That must be Kahlia. I had wanted to elicit her opinion on my disguise.~ "Come in." The door swished open. "Pardon the mess." Pierce apologized. His uniform was still on the floor. ~I do look rather dashing in this black tunic.~ Pierce walked into the main room of his quarters, where Kahlia was standing. "Well?" he said, gesturing to his partial disguise. (Reply Kahlia) Pierce strode over to a locked cabinet. "Come on over, I've got enough stuff here to outfit a covert ops wing." He opened the cabinet, revealing the myraid collection of weapons within. Knives, phasers of various configurations, swords, gauntlets, even antique firearms - all of these hung in some orderly place within the cabinet. There were a few empty places in the display - spaces for Pierce's staff and phaser derringers - but the sheer volume spoke loudly about his hobbies. (Reply Lono) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla - FO's Office - Cmdr Richard Ian Lee - 1650) "Commander Lee, may I ask you a question? What would you do if you had to deal with someone who personally hated not only the very fiber of your being, but also your job and morals?" Rich looked up from his PADD, and immediately pushed away visions of Tanya, and her problems with his job and Starfleet. "It depends on the situation, really." he replied slowly. He leaned forward, "It might help to know the situation." (reply: Orde) (posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: FO's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1650) Pierce walked slowly into Lee's office. "Commander Lee, may I ask you a question? What would you do if you had to deal with someone who personally hated not only the very fiber of your being, but also your job and morals?" he asked. ~A whopper of a question~ (Reply Lee) NRPG: Is Pierce considered second officer of either Firebrande or Spectre? RPG: (USS Spectre: Bridge - TAC/SC Pierce Orde - 1832) "Sir, no signature, but I am reading a small colony. The ship may have stopped here. I suggest that my team and I take the runabout, go down and fish for intormation." Pierce said. NRPG: Note that Pierce will have part of his disguise on the whole trip. Long black hair, blue eyes (no eyeglasses), and short full beard. RPG: (Reply Remae, Any) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: FO's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1650) Pierce walked slowly into Lee's office. "Commander Lee, may I ask you a question? What would you do if you had to deal with someone who personally hated not only the very fiber of your being, but also your job and morals?" he asked. ~A whopper of a question~ (Reply Lee) NRPG: Is Pierce considered second officer of either Firebrande or Spectre? RPG: (USS Spectre: Bridge - TAC/SC Pierce Orde - 1832) "Sir, no signature, but I am reading a small colony. The ship may have stopped here. I suggest that my team and I take the runabout, go down and fish for intormation." Pierce said. NRPG: Note that Pierce will have part of his disguise on the whole trip. Long black hair, blue eyes (no eyeglasses), and short full beard. RPG: (Reply Remae, Any) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: FO's Office - TAC/SC/2O Pierce Orde - 1651) "It depends on the situation, really." Lee replied slowly. He leaned forward, "It might help to know the situation." Pierce looked somewhat guilty for having to do this. ~I didn't want to have to involve someone higher up in the chain of command~ "Rain Anderson." NRPG: I'm assuming that the entire starbase knows about Rain's views about Security. RPG: Stardate:2406.03.05 (Shuttle Lexington - Airman 2nd 'Dak' Raddek - 1720) ~How dull can a ride get? It's been two full hours since we left San Fransisco, and we're still a good half-hour's ride from Mars and the Valhalla station. Doesn't this thing go faster then one-quarter impulse?~ Dak thought bitterly, and looked around. A few of the other passengers were sleeping, others were discussing quietly. Dak took a quick toll, most of the others were engineering crew and a couple of ensigns, a pair of securitymen were sitting a bit farther up, and a commander in a dress-uniform was sitting on his own, high-and-mighty and quite far from the rest. ~Probably just got promoted, with that indigestion...~ Dak thought sourly. Then he concentrated on the little comlink embedded within his skull. ^Hey, Squirt, how's it going?^ ^Dak, how many times I need to tell you to stop calling me that? It's embarassing. Other then that, I've taken some measures to keep the shuttles computer from detecting me. It might get jealous of my superior computing and deducing capabilities.^ Nathan, his AI-unit answered through the comlink. The little unit was in as cranky mood as Dak was getting. Their orders didn't help one bit. ~After years of loyal service on the VF-3, 'the Falcons', they just dump me and Nate in some garrison duty? Granted, its the 000-sector, and Earth and Mars and all their pleasures are nearby, if one fancies art and museums and civilization, but I'm as likely to get any action or good flying here as on Starbase 5... The bars'll probably suck as bad here, too. And, if this poor excuse of a shuttleride is any indicator, the CO and the flight chief are probably some over-careful Galaxy-class worriers. If I get ten actual hours a week out in my bird, I'll consider myself lucky!~ With these gloomy thoughts Dak turned to stare out the window and at the darkness. Stardate:2406.03.05 (Shuttle Lexington - Airman 2nd 'Dak' Raddek - 1730) ^Dak! You gotte hear this!^ Dak jerked awake from a light slumber that he'd fallen into, when Nathan piped up right into his auditory nerves. The AI sounded more excited then any other time after they'd left the Goddard. ^Okay, okay, what's up?^ Dak straightened his posture on his seat, looking around the cabin to see if there was any indication that anyone else was being given any information. It didn't seem so. ^I patched into the fleet command frequencies and heard this. Listen.^ =^= Lexington to Valhalla, requesting clearance to approach. =^= =^= Shuttle Lexington, please submit all information on your passengers. You need authorisation from the XO to approach on final. =^= ~What the hell?~ =^= Roger that, Valhalla Controll. Transmitting passenger manifest now. Looks like you've had a busy night. =^= =^= Tell me about it. Three incidents, two terrorism and one undecided... And apparently all unrelated. One loonie blew out our sickbay and himself, and... =^= A different, and rather annoyed voice cut out the man in midsentence. =^= Flight operator, you will _not_ discuss security issues over standard broadcast! =^= =^= Yes, sir. Sorry, won't happen again. Anyways, Lexington, it's been a rough day, and we're still at heightened readiness. All shuttles must be approved directly by either the CO, the XO or by Security. Be sure you'r passengers will be prepared to be inspected when they arrive, and the same goes for their luggage. =^= =^= They won't like it, I'm sure. We've got one very irate commander back there, who says he's already late from his date. =^= =^= Well, that's just too bad. Anyway, you're cleared for approach. =^= ^Okay, that's enough. What the hell is going on out here? Maybe this assignment won't be as boring as we thought, eh?^ ^Indeed, Dak. They're also putting us in the civilian access pad, so that they'll get us going through additional security.^ ^Okay. Be quiet now, I need to think.^ The little box shut up promptly, and Dak dropped back to his gazing at the stars, but now thinking. ~What the hell is going on up there? I thought they were putting a squadron there to bolster the Mars Defense Perimeter, not actual combat. Well, seems I was mistaken, here.. Maybe this won't be all that bad, after all.~ (Reply none) (Posted by Mikko Kari) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Pierce Orde's personal quarters, Kahila Lono, 17:45) Pierce walked into the main room of his quarters, where Kahlia was standing. "Well?" he said, gesturing to his partial disguise. "Oh --" Kahila laughed a short, embarrassed laugh. "For just an instant I thought I must be in the wrong room. Really," she added, at his expression. "Well, You don't look Starfleet now. Though I'm hardly an expert on dressing for piracy. Uh, have you seen any old Errol Flynn movies? It comes to mind. Anyway, it seems your hair has lengthened as much as mine has shortened." She turned half-around in demonstration. Pierce strode over to a locked cabinet. "Come on over, I've got enough stuff here to outfit a covert ops wing." He opened the cabinet, revealing the myraid collection of weapons within. Knives, phasers of various configurations, swords, gauntlets, even antique firearms - all of these hung in some orderly place within the cabinet. There were a few empty places in the display - spaces for Pierce's staff and phaser derringers - but the sheer volume spoke loudly about his hobbies. ~This is amazing. Guess I'll have to admit my ignorance.~ "That glove arrangement," she pointed. "I've no idea what it does." (reply Orde) Kahila grinned, and picked up a small tube, emptying one tiny ball-shaped object into her hand. "Now this I'm familiar with. Though I've never actually used them. My Hapkido instructor brought some to class one day, to demonstrate the practicality of our pebble-throwing lessons. They are explosives, aren't they?" (reply Orde) "I'd find the little knives useful. Those we were allowed to use in class. How do you suggest I hide them on my person?" Suddenly Kahila wasn't so sure her exercise outfit was going to be serviceable for undercover work. (reply Orde) (posted by Josephine Goodman) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Pierce Orde's personal quarters - Pierce Orde - 17:46) "That glove arrangement," she pointed. "I've no idea what it does." Pierce looked to where she was pointing. ~What was that again? Oh, I know.~ "That's a nasty prototype I put together a while back. I call it the Burst Glove. I pulled the idea from the old terran stun guns. You see all these markings? Those are pressure sensors. When enough pressure is exerted upon them, they cause the glove to electrify. Useful in hand-to-hand combat, but not with weapons. Too easy to zap yourself. The pressure threshold is variable, as is the shock value. They draw power from a phaser power pack, or I can probably put together a pack that fits on your arm. As you can see, I don't use them. Next to them are various one-shot microlaunchers. A rocket one here. Guaranteed to ruin your sleeve." Pierce grinned at the thought of the last time he'd tested the microrocket launcher. ~I had forgotten about the backflash, and set my sleeve on fire...~ He saw her pick up a small tube, emptying one tiny ball-shaped object into her hand. "Now this I'm familiar with. Though I've never actually used them. My Hapkido instructor brought some to class one day, to demonstrate the practicality of our pebble-throwing lessons. They are explosives, aren't they?" Pierce grew somewhat apprehensive. "Yes. Paticularly touchy explosives at that. Contact explosives are always touchy, but this compound is more so. I've thought about synthesizing a liquid that reacts violently to oxygen or perhaps hydrogen and encasing it in a shell. There are a few setups to try. Ball berrings are also lethal at high speeds, much like a bullet." ~I'd like you to put that back, though. I don't even mess with throwing those things, and I'm crazy. I use a slingshot or something like that.~ His mind wandered back to when he had found that information about the old Earth sport 'paintball'. That had been the source of too many ideas. "I'd find the little knives useful. Those we were allowed to use in class. How do you suggest I hide them on my person?" she asked. ~I wish there were Klingons onboard to consult with.~ "Clothes make the agent." Pierce replied, tugging at his sleeve for effect. "There are many places to hide a knife, from a boot to even in someone's hair. There are a few more places a woman can hide one, but I'm familiar with them all. Unfortunately, most places require rigged clothes of some sort. The type of knife also dictates where it can and cannot be hidden. Throwing knives are best hidden in sleeves or the inside of tunics." Pierce peeled his tunic back to reveal a few loops. "Fighting knives or daggers, on the other hand, are more suited to places like pant legs and belts. Then there is the occasional holdout weapon, placed where most people wouldn't first look, such as sole of a shoe or - in a women's case - in the front of a bra. The main problem with secreting weapons is that we've got to balance mobility with firepower." he said. NRPG: Kahlia should take a look at Pierce's uniform. Now *that* is a piece of work. RPG: "Let's see what you've got to wear, and we'll see how we can modify it to most efficently hide what you will be carrying. The tunic I am wearing I have had for a few years, and has spots for my preferred arsenal. Knives in the front, as you have seen, modified phasers in one of the legs, the staff either clipped outside or strapped to my upper thigh, and a few other places for storing a disassembled phaser rifle. The wonderful thing about a staff is that it's relatively inconspicuous, and it makes a great walking stick." (Reply Lono) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla, Pierce Orde's personal quarters, Kahila Lono, 17:50) Noticing Pierce's sudden apprehensive expression, Kahila carefully placed the ball-shaped explosive back into the tube and replaced it in the weapons cabinet. She looked again at the Burst Glove. ~I can imagine how helpful that might be, if I was in trouble and somehow without phasers. But if he doesn't use the Glove, there must be a good reason.~ "I'd find the little knives useful. Those we were allowed to use in class. How do you suggest I hide them on my person?" she asked. "Clothes make the agent." Pierce replied, tugging at his sleeve for effect. "There are many places to hide a knife, from a boot to even in someone's hair. There are a few more places a woman can hide one, but I'm familiar with them all. Unfortunately, most places require rigged clothes of some sort. The type of knife also dictates where it can and cannot be hidden. Throwing knives are best hidden in sleeves or the inside of tunics." Pierce peeled his tunic back to reveal a few loops. "Fighting knives or daggers, on the other hand, are more suited to places like pant legs and belts. Then there is the occasional holdout weapon, placed where most people wouldn't first look, such as sole of a shoe or - in a women's case - in the front of a bra. The main problem with secreting weapons is that we've got to balance mobility with firepower." he said. "Those garments are kind of like an away-from-home weapons cabinet," Kahila said, raising her eyebrow in admiration. (reply Orde) "Maybe I can add some quick modifications to this outfit. I could sew some loops into my sleeve for small knives, and maybe for a fighting knife in a pants leg. Of course, I have my belt all ready. And . . . maybe the ball berrings would be a safer bet for throwing than the explosives." She searched his expression for a moment. Then asked, "Do you have any fabric I could use for the loops? Sewing isn't one of my hobbies. But I can manage when I need to." ~But it's really hard to imagine having a knife in my bra.~ (reply Orde) (posted by Josephine Goodman) Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Spectre , Science Lab - Science Officer Tyrell - 2406.03.05.17:50) Horacio was in better mood, the calibration of the device had been a success and the apparate was working perfectly. He was putting away his stuffs before the departure ~ at least it will perhaps give me the opportunity to test some of my programs in a real situation instead of being always stucked in my lab ~ tought he in remembering that he had been assigned to man the science station on the bridge ~ time to go..if I don't want to draw attention on me as usual ~ Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla: Pierce Orde's personal quarters - Pierce Orde - 17:51) NRPG: Note that Kahlia can reply anytime Pierce stops to do something else. RPG: "Those garments are kind of like an away-from-home weapons cabinet," Kahila said, raising her eyebrow in admiration. Pierce allowed himself a slight smile. ~I had never thought of it that way.~ "Maybe I can add some quick modifications to this outfit. I could sew some loops into my sleeve for small knives, and maybe for a fighting knife in a pants leg. Of course, I have my belt all ready. And . . . maybe the ball berrings would be a safer bet for throwing than the explosives." She searched his expression for a moment. Then asked, "Do you have any fabric I could use for the loops? Sewing isn't one of my hobbies. But I can manage when I need to." Pierce looked her clothes over. "A knife against a leg is strapped to the leg itself. You pull the pant leg up to get at the blade. I have straps for that. And whether to pack explosives or not is mostly your call. Remember that contact explosives can - and do - go off at inopportune times. Berrings are also not quite as messy." (Reply Kahlia) He paused to think for a few moments, stroking his new beard thoughtfully. "I think I have fabric for loops. Why don't I look?" he said as he turned around to rummage in another cabinet, tossing random items behind him. ~No, not that, not that, not there, nor there.~ A beep interrupted him. "USS Spectre is scheduled to leave at 1800." the computer informed him. ~Damn. Never enough time.~ (Reply Kahlia) "Excuse me, we'll have to finish this onboard Spectre. We'll also need to have a small team meeting in the holodeck. We have to practice a few things." he said as he quickly walked over and picked up a case. Opening it, he began to methodically fill the case with various weapons from his cabinet. He opened a drawer and pulled some black clothes out, as well as a duty uniform. (Reply Kahlia) "Let's ride." he said. (Reply Kahlia) (Posted by Lenox) Stardate:2406.03.05 (Starbase Valhalla, Pierce Orde's personal quarters, Kahila Lono, 17:53) "Do you have any fabric I could use for the loops?" Kahila asked. "Sewing isn't one of my hobbies. But I can manage when I need to." She held her arms out from her sides, waiting, as Pierce looked her clothes over. "A knife against a leg is strapped to the leg itself. You pull the pant leg up to get at the blade. I have straps for that. And whether to pack explosives or not is mostly your call. Remember that contact explosives can - and do - go off at inopportune times. Berrings are also not quite as messy." "I guess for now I'll opt for caution, and use the ball berrings," Kahila decided. She glanced at the cabinet for a moment, as he paused, stroking his new beard thoughtfully. "I think I have fabric for loops. Why don't I look?" he said as he turned around to rummage in another cabinet, tossing random items behind him. A beep interrupted. "USS Spectre is scheduled to leave at 18:00" the computer informed. ~So soon! I'd anticipated having another day, but . . .~ Kahila took a long, deep breath, visualizing her body and mind brimming with energy -- a combination of techniques learned from her grandmother and her Hapkido instructor. It was sort of a quick-fix when she had no time for any sort of real exercise -- or sleep. Pierce said, "Excuse me, we'll have to finish this onboard Spectre. We'll also need to have a small team meeting in the holodeck. We have to practice a few things." He quickly walked over and picked up a case. Opening it, he began to methodically fill the case with various weapons from his cabinet. He opened a drawer and pulled some black clothes out, as well as a duty uniform. Kahila had walked closer to the cabinet, thinking she should help him pack the weapons. But when she noticed his practiced and deliberate movements, she decided he wouldn't appreciate any intrusion. "I'm ready to go. I've brought everything I intended to take." She said. "Let's ride." he said. She picked up her duffel bag -- an old one from her college days, not Starfleet, and then followed Pierce from his quarters. (reply Orde) (posted by Josephine Goodman) Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Spectre , Bridge - Science Officer Tyrell - 2406.03.05.1800) "We've just received departure orders from Starbase Valhalla.", said the young women at the OPS controls. Hearing that Horacio speeded up in direction of the science console and rapidly began to check up all the systems. ~ Damned those sensors could be more efficient in using my filters programs ~ he noticed in looking at the accuracy. "Prepare for departure, standby warp and impulse drives, lay in a course to the subspace river enter aperture.", said the Captain in giving instructions to the other stations. For the moment he wasn't paying attention to the science console ~ whow, subspace river, all things considered that mission could be interesting ~ tought Horacio in looking at the viewscreen on which the subspace river was appearing. Stardate:2406.03.05 (USS Spectre , Bridge - Science Officer Tyrell - 2406.03.05.1830) * SHaaBang * The Spectre emerged from the subspace river and into an unknown area of space, stars, planets, and a nebula not too far away. "Full sensor scan please and scan for the subspace signature we're looking for.", said the Captain looking at the viewscreen, and the planetary system not that far away. "Cloak the ship, take us to that system, warp 4, engage.", said he as the warp drive kicked in. ~ ok now it's for me ~ tought Horacio in beginning to type on his console, a few moments later the first informations were coming in. " Sir, we are in the Beta Quadrant, the planetary system is 3 lightyears thick, I'm detecting a class II Bright Giant Star and four planets." " The first and the second are Class C planets, respectively 10 and 12 thousand kilometers in diameter, no life signs detected. The third is a class F planet, 15 thousand kilometers in diameter, no life signs detected. I'm picking up high level of neurotoxic gases at the surface." He made a pause and continued " The fourth planet is a class M planet, 14 thousand kilometers in diameter, several life sings on the surface all Klingons, we are in Klingon territory Sir." " I'm scanning for the warp signature Sir, I'm detecting a high level of delta radiation emmited by the star, it's interfering with our sensors. I'm trying to clear the sensors." reported Horacio (Reply Remae) ~ wait a minute, my filtration program could perhaps passed trought those radiation, fortunatelly I've downloaded all my personal database to the ship's computer~ tought Horacio in replying to the Captain " I've entered a filtration sequence in the sensors systems, it will certainly clear the signal from those radiations, it will take almost fifteen minutes to complete the process Sir. I can't do more for the moment." stated Horacio. (Reply Remae, any on the bridge) (Posted by Patrick Buidin)