USS Spectre Compile: March 1st - 31st 2019. By Alan Reading ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 1 Stardate: 2418.04.05 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 14:30) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 14:31) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 14:35) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - CEO/3O, Lt. Commander Duke Williams - 14:37) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Commander Tom Jackson - 14:38) (USS Spectre – Security Chief Office – TAC/SC, CMDR Jessica Signos - 15:12) (USS Spectre – Security Chief Office – TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 15:15) (USS Spectre – OPS Office - COPS, Lt.jg Ansia Rozen - 18:00) (USS Spectre – Quarters - Ensign jg Wachiwi Greywolf - 18:00) (USS Spectre – OPS Office – OPS, Ensign Robert Smith - 18:01) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 18:03) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - COPS, Lieutenant jg Ansia Rozen - 18:05) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - COPS, Lt.jg Ansia Rozen - 18:30) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 4 – Shuttle Bay Officer, Ensign Jennifer Smith - 18:50) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - SO, Ensign jg Wachiwi Greywolf - 19:00) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 19:03) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - ACSO, Ensign Jg Wachiwi K Greywolf - 19:08) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr. Tom Jackson - 19:12) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 19:28) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG, Katrina Ishara LaBrae - 19:30) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 19:32) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:35) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:36) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:40) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:41) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:43) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:45) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:46) ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 2 Stardate: 2418.04.06 (USS Spectre – Bridge - CEO/3O, Lt. Commander Duke Williams - 00:00) (USS Spectre – Captain's Quarters - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:04) (USS Spectre – Security Communications - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg 00:05) (USS Spectre – Shuttle Bay 2 – Shuttle Bay Officer, Ensign Jennifer Smith - 00:07) (USS Spectre – Personal Quarters - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 00:08) (USS Spectre – Armoury - First Lieutenant, Kenneth Smith - 00:10) (USS Spectre – Armoury - Marine Demolitions Expert, Cprl Lewis O'Hara - 00:11) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay 2 - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 00:11) (USS Spectre – Armoury – Marine Officer, First L.T. Kenneth Smith - 00:12) (Shadow Flyer - Cockpit - CFO, Lt. JG Ryan Thibodeaux - 00:35) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - ACEO, Ensign JG, Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 00:37) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - Marine, First Lieutenant Kenneth Smith - 00:38) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 00:39) ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 1 Stardate: 2418.04.05 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 14:30) Andrew returned to Sickbay after the meeting and asked R`uann, Rivers and Hythame see him. He waited until they had gathered. “Okay so I have returned from the Heads of department meeting. We are currently en route to Galina IV, a Moon in the Persiom Expanse there is a mining colony which is tasked with extracting precious ore. We have lost contact with the colony Seventeen days ago and are heading to investigate.” He paused for a moment. “We have been asked by the Captain to prepare for a mass casualty or large scale quarantine on board the ship. You all know the standard star fleet protocols but I am wondering if you have any thoughts on the protocols and if they could be changed.” (reply R`uann, Rivers and Hythame) (reply R`uann, Rivers and Hythame, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 14:31) The arrival back in sickbay of Commander Williams elicited the usual response from R'uann, namely look busy, and pay particular attention to the man's mood. Was he pensive? Was he irritable? Generally, that always had a bearing on just how the rest of a shift would go, or indeed, how much stick she'd have to take until such time as she could knock off. The CMO didn't look too bothered though. Clearly there was something on his mind, that much was obvious, but... “Okay so I have returned from the Heads of department meeting" began Williams after calling both herself and Hythame over. "We are currently en route to Galina IV, a Moon in the Persiom Expanse there is a mining colony which is tasked with extracting precious ore. We have lost contact with the colony Seventeen days ago and are heading to investigate.” ~Oh, there goes our easy mission~ thought R'uann, glancing to the Selkie with a knowing smile. “We have been asked by the Captain to prepare for a mass casualty or large scale quarantine on board the ship. You all know the standard star fleet protocols but I am wondering if you have any thoughts on the protocols and if they could be changed.” R'uann pondered briefly. Quarantine situations were never easy of course, and the fact that you had to always assume the very worst in regards contaminants and viral aspects, just made the job that much more hazardous and unpredictable. "Do we know precisely what kind of a contamination we are dealing with here?" asked R'uann. "I mean, is it a confirmed incident? Is it airborne? (Reply Williams, Hythame IYW) (Reply Williams, Hythame IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 14:35) "Do we know precisely what kind of a contamination we are dealing with here?" "I mean, is it a confirmed incident? Is it airborne? Andrew looked at R’uann. “Unfortunately, we don’t know if there is a contamination but it’s one of the running theories at the moment. So I guess we do worse case scenario. We have a normal compliment of 180 crew. If we increase up to our maximum life support capacity or 300 that gives us a lift capacity or 120 potential patients.” He paused for a moment. “So I would like you and Hythame to get together and work out a plan for mass casualty and for mass quarantine. Go for a highly contagious infection which is airborne.” “And if you need other people use them.” (Reply R’uann, Hythame) (Reply R’uann, Hythame) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - CEO/3O, Lt. Commander Duke Williams - 14:37) "Welcome Duke, take a seat," Tom said in greeting. Like something to drink?". "I'll pass sir, thank you though." Tom sipped on his coffee mug. "I wanted to touch base about the recent system upgrades. What's your sense concerning them?" Tom asked. "They are all nice sir, very efficient, in every system that is standard throughout the fleet that is. With the phase cloak not so much." "As I've told you before, I'm not much of an engineer, but I am troubled about something. What happens if the phase cloak goes wacky?". "It could be very bad for all of us. Like, epically bad." Duke said with a serious tone. " is it possible to simulate possible failure scenarios?" Tom asked. "To a degree. Most could be minor. Well if you count the phase cloak being so damaged that it would be beyond repair minor. But compared to the most extreme scenario it is minor. Imagine the Phase cloak turning on, but being unable to turn off. Being stuck in a phased state, unable to return to a normal state. Lost in space, invisible to the eye and sensors. Floating through everything, with no hope of returning to a solid state." Tom listened as his colleague spoke. Duke was detailed., Tom took a moment to look at Duke Williams for a moment framing his next question carefully. "Duke, as you assume more and more command responsibilities, an important trait of a commander is knowing your subordinates. A subordinate's mental and emotional health impacts their abilities". Tom paused to allow Duke to comment. ~Not sure what this has to do with being stuck in a phased state but ok.~ "I mean that is like beginning management right there." Duke said trying not to be snarky. Tom went on " I've observed you closely since my assignment here. You're a fine officer. I can understand why CAPT. T'Vhor tested you recently. I sense something troubling you. I want you to know I'm here if you want to talk Duke" "I appreciate that sir," Duke said. He figured that the commander was hinting at some sort of personal problem that might be bothering Duke. Duke wasn't yet at the point where he trusted the commander enough to bring forward that kind of information. Perhaps in time they would be come friends, but right now his dating life was none of the commander's business. Still he figured that offering something would help ease the first officer. Beside, what he was about to say was infact true. "Well sir, the fact that we could float through space phased is troubling. This ship is my baby, I know every nook and cranny of her mechanical systems. The fact that she could have a major issue on my watch, sir, if that isn't troubling, if the ship having a serious malfunction is not troubling to me, then I should resign because I am living in cuckool land." (reply Jackson) "I appreciate the concern sir, but I assure you, its all professional trouble." (reply Jackson) (reply Jackson) (posted by WB) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Commander Tom Jackson - 14:38) Tom and Duke were discussing the upgrades the Spectre had received at the starbase. Duke seemed a bit wary. "They are all nice sir, very efficient, in every system that is standard throughout the fleet that is. With the phase cloak not so much." That caused Tom to grimace a bit. "It could be very bad for all of us. Like, epically bad." Duke said with a serious tone. " is it possible to simulate possible failure scenarios?" Tom asked. "To a degree. Most could be minor. Well if you count the phase cloak being so damaged that it would be beyond repair minor. But compared to the most extreme scenario it is minor. Imagine the Phase cloak turning on, but being unable to turn off. Being stuck in a phased state, unable to return to a normal state. Lost in space, invisible to the eye and sensors. Floating through everything, with no hope of returning to a solid state." "Ok. do what you can scenario wise Commander. Maybe you'll come up with something we've not considered." Tom instructed. (Reply Duke) "I'm going to ask the CMO about effects on the crew. Andrew may have questions for you. You're authorized to give him any information he requests - understood?" Tom asked. (Reply Duke) (Posted by Bill W) (USS Spectre – Security Chiefs Office – TAC/SC, CMDR Jessica Signos - 15:12) "Well just give me a time in the next few days that works with your schedule and we will put on the books." The marine Lt. replied. Jessica pushed a few sensors on her desk. "How about 0600, tomorrow morning. I would prefer to get this done before we are to involved in the new mission." "And don't worry we will have some of our best medics on standby." Jessica nodded as she noticed Darpeg enter her office. "I appreciate your willingness to help out. I know it seems like and odd request, but I want to make sure my guys are prepared and ready for anything. I'm grateful. "And that is a commendable goal. So I will see you 0600 then." (Reply Blackwell) She turned to Darpeg noting the urgent look on his face. As he handed her a PADD, at the mention of getting the Captain and the FO involved Jessica's curiosity was peaked. She listened to the play back the longer it went on the more intense she listened. This was what she had wished for hard evidence on the conditions on the colony. "Ensign thank you for giving this to me. And yes we need to inform the Captain and FO as soon as we can but first. I want this message cleaned up and analyzed. I want to know what those explosions were in the background and if there was any weapons fire or weapon alarms going off. Pick those noises apart till we can identify what they are from." (Reply Darpeg) This was what Jessica needed to confirm her what she instinctively knew. "Lieutenant, since your here would you care to comment. Who knows maybe your marines might see some action." (Reply Blackwell, Darpeg) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (USS Spectre – Security Chief Office – TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 15:15) Jessica nodded as she noticed Darpeg enter her office. Signos turned to Darpeg noting the urgent look on his face. As he handed her a PADD, at the mention of getting the Captain and the FO involved Jessica's curiosity was peaked. She listened to the play back the longer it went on the more intense she listened. "Ensign thank you for giving this to me. And yes we need to inform the Captain and FO as soon as we can but first. I want this message cleaned up and analyzed. I want to know what those explosions were in the background and if there was any weapons fire or weapon alarms going off. Pick those noises apart till we can identify what they are from." Darpeg then replied, "I have Vulcan hearing, and I do hear some verbal chatter coming from the comms in the hallway. And some alarms. but I can't quite make it out. I will run this through the Security communications software to get more detail." "Lieutenant, since your here would you care to comment. Who knows maybe your marines might see some action." (Reply Blackwell) Darpeg listened to Blackwell's commant and said, "That is good to hear, Lieutenant." Turning to Signos, he continued, "I will contact you soon with the analysis." (Reply Signos) Darpeg then left to inspect the recording. (Posted by Gary Dupree) (USS Spectre – OPS Office - COPS, Lt.jg Ansia Rozen - 18:00) Ansia had been busier than a one legged rabbit in a catch the rabbit contest. Well the humans have a different one but don't remember it. If she remember it correctly it wasn't nice to be said, just suffice to say she was busy working and learning her new job. It was also keeping her out of trouble she hoped. Now, that might not be the case as the First officer has summoned her to his office out of the blue. She was busy trying to make sure everything was ship shape for the new mission and she didn't want any failures from her department. She looked around and found her senior person to explain to what she was doing and that she had to go to the First Officers Office and would be back to inform what happened. (Reply: any Ops Officer) (Posted By Frank) (USS Spectre – Quarters - Ensign jg Wachiwi Greywolf - 18:00) Kalani was in her section of the double quarters she was assigned to. So far she and her roommate had been getting along rather well. She would spend her days in the science lab learning other aspects other than hydrophonics. She was happy when she got to spend time with the plants as that was really where she had trained. Even so she felt there was something missing that she use to do also. She use to take care of the animals around her tribal land. One day if she ever got to go on an a away mission maybe she would be able to contact local animals. She was about to use the computer database to look up animals in the local area when she recieved a summons from the First officer to come to report to his office at 1900 hours. She thought it rather odd to be summoned to his office at such a late hour. She wondered if she should tell her supervisor and have him go with her. As she didn't feel threatened in any way, she decided not to tell her boss at the moment.. She just got into a fresh uniform making herself presentable. A proper first impression is best and proceeded to her appointment. (Reply None) (Posted by Frank) (USS Spectre – OPS Office – OPS, Ensign Robert Smith - 18:01) Robert looked up from his console as Rozen came over to him. He like the rest of the department has been working crazy trying to get everything ready. He paused from his work as Rozen explain what she had been doing and that she was going to the First officers office and would then return. Robert nodded. “Yes ma’am.” He watched her go for a moment before being sucked back to his console with an extortionist amount of red high lighted to do markers covering it. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 18:03) Tom looked up as Ansia Rosen arrived as he had requested. He smiled remembering the shy somewhat introverted Ensign. "Please come in Ansia. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" Tom asked. (Reply Rozen) "I wanted to touch base with you concerning the new mission. Are all the departments cooperating with you?" Tom asked. (Reply Rozen) "Good to hear. You and I as well as . Cmdr. Signos are old friends. I know I can trust you two. There is something about this mission that does not seem cirrorrect" Tom admitted. (Reply Rozen) (Posted by Bill) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - COPS, Lieutenant jg Ansia Rozen - 18:05) "Please come in Ansia. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink, ?" Tom asked. "Hey Capt," as she referred to him when they were alone together, "how's it going in the new position? Drink? sure can you get me a Allira punch? I haven't had that in some time thank you." (reply Jackson) " I wanted to touch base with you concerning the new mission. Are all the departments cooperating with you?" Tom asked. "It seems all departments are working well with us and keeping us very busy. I am very happy in the position as i get to keep in touch with all the departments and get the feel of the ship and it's crew." she replied "Good to hear. You and I as well as . Cmdr. Signos are old friends. I know I can trust you two. There is something about this mission that does not seem correct" Tom admitted. "Talk to me and i will try my best to help along with Jess." she accepted her drink, took a sip, then set it on the table as she leaned forward toward her friend to pay more attention. (reply Jackson) (Posted by frank) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - COPS, Lt.jg Ansia Rozen - 18:30) Ansia headed off to see what her friend and former Captain needed her for. She was hoping it had nothing to do with S31 again. As she finally made it to his door she stood there making sure she was presentable while she tried to read inside his office. Not getting hostile vibes, she pushed the door chime. Waited for the customery door opening and "Enter" Taking a deep breath she walked in, seeing they were alone her demeenor drop a little to friendship formal. "Hey Boss what's up? I was really busy down there." she asked as she dropped down in the chair in front of him. (Reply Jackson) (Posted by Frank) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 4 – Shuttle Bay Officer, Ensign Jennifer Smith - 18:50) She felt the G-force squash her back into her seat as she manipulated the flight controls. She felt her support suit tighten around her and breathed to prevent her from passing out as her Gueken fighter screamed into the sky like a scolded cat. She inverted looking at the ground passing over her head as she dove for the ground. She let out a cry of joy as she rolled into a long widening canyon that snaked it way across the hard planetary surface before her. She grinned at herself as she blasted through the canyon only inches of the walls. She dropped lower skimming across the small river watching the wash of her engines kicking up the water behind her. =^= Warning failure in starboard engine=^= “Crap.” She swore subconsciously as her mind was already scanning engineering read outs of her fighter. She could fly on the other engine but she needed height to work the problem. She began to ease the damaged craft up out of the canyon but suddenly the whole cockpit power died. She had a slit second to make the decision as the fighter began to drop out of the sky. She gave a soft sigh of resignation and ejected from the stricken fighter. She felt like she had been hit by a shuttle as the pilot out in space ejection (POISE) capsule activated restraining her into her seat and launching the capsule out and away from the fighter as it slammed into canyon and disintegrated. She took a few deep breaths as the capsules parachute opened and the decent slowed. “Computer pause simulation. Return back to the beginning and run the simulation again but in objective mode.” =^= Affirmative =^= “Okay let’s see what happened.” (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - SO, Ensign jg Wachiwi Greywolf - 19:00) Kalani arrived outside the First Officers office a bit early and notice Lt Rozen leaving. She noded a greeting to her and continued waiting for a few minutes more before hearing. "Enter Ensign" from someone inside. She stood and promptly walked in straight to the front of the FO's desk where she executed a perfect stop and saluted. "Ensign Wachiwi Greywolf reporting as ordered sir." she held the salute tell he acknowledged then she dropped it still standing at attention looking ahead. (reply Jackson) (Posted by Frank) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 19:03) Tom was waiting for the last scheduled meeting of the day. It was a newly minted Ensign named Greywolf. "Good evening Ensign. I'm Tom Jackson. Please take a seat". Tom sat down. (Reply: Greywolf) Tom explained " I like to meet each newly assigned officer. To get to know them and know me. I like to explain my expectations. Any questions so far?". (Reply) "Tell me about yourself, Ensign? Tom instructed. (Reply Graywolf) (Posted by Bill) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - ACSO, Ensign Jg Wachiwi K Greywolf - 19:08) "Good evening Ensign. I'm Tom Jackson. Please take a seat". Tom sat down. "Yes sir" she replied as formally as she could and sat down in the seat behind her, sitting back straight. The Commander then explained why she was there. " I like to meet each newly assigned officer. To get to know them and know me. I like to explain my expectations. Any questions so far?". "No Sir" she replied crisply "Tell me about yourself, Ensign? Then he Commander instructed her. "Well, sir," she started then cleared her throat, then started telling him, not really knowing exactly how far to get into herself. she talked about her family, her father and mother, how her mother died then her father left starfleet and raised her back with the Lakota tribe he was a part of. She told him of her Betazoid heritage and of the Lakota heritage. That her father, Chaska, was an elder of the tribe. She told him of her connections with plants and animals. Her spirit guides were the eagle and wolf. Being close to nature is why she chose a career in hydroponics. After that she looked at him as if she was looking to see if she had spoke too much, but, got a feeling of calm and from him from the her betazoid in her. "that is all sir" she finally said (reply Jackson) (posted by frank) (USS Spectre – FO's Office - FO, Cmdr. Tom Jackson - 19:12) Tom looked up as the entry chime went off. Tom said "enter. A very young ensign (jg) entered and reported into Tom. Tom bid the officer to take a test. He then asked the Ensign I to tell him in on herself. It seemed the officer had an interesting background. The ensign was in the Science department under Kurt Palmer. "Ensign you've got a great department chef -Lt. Palmer. Plan on bringing busy as he is the Spectre's 2O." Tom added. (Reply Ensign) (Posted by Bill W) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 19:28) "So anyway, that should solve your problem in a nutshell" said R'uann, the past ten minutes discussing the issue of biological organisms and their interactions with both organic, and inorganic material, having now been well addressed. "Nanites, for the most part anyway, behave in a very similar manner to parasites, each having a coded instruction set at their core that they follow to get the job done", added R'uann. "It's really just a matter of applying the parameters and the variables thereof" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) "I must confess, I've never actually looked in to using them in the manner that you speak of. It's really quite fascinating" said R'uann, wondering then if she'd even helped at all. Irrespective, LaBrae seemed to have found her answers anyway, and for now she seemed content to just enjoy the break from the monotony of work with a little added discussion thrown in for good measure. "So, how did the rest of YOUR shift go?" asked R'uann, leading back now to the query LaBrae had first offered upon her arrival. (Reply LaBrae) R'uann pursed her lips and then glanced to the ceiling. Then she sighed. Truth be known her own shift had been as monotonous and boring as LaBrae's probably was. Or maybe not... The two Women had seemed to find some common ground there though it would seem, and R'uann liked the engineer, who seemed far less stuffy than some of the engineers she'd encountered during her time in Starfleet. Glancing to the bar and the waiting barkeep, R'uann noted that the Sammmead was nowhere to be seen today and she wondered what it might be up to. No good probably. But the bar, or rather what was behind the bar, was calling. "Hey, I'm gonna stretch my legs and go get me another drink" said R'uann. "Can I get you another?" (Reply LaBrae) The Bajoran smiled and then stood, her gaze fixed once again upon the countenance of the asian barkeep as she approached with a spring in her step... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG, Katrina Ishara LaBrae - 19:30) "So anyway, that should solve your problem in a nutshell" said R'uann... "It's really just a matter of applying the parameters and the variables thereof" LaBrea nodded along, appearing impressed. "That's really a brilliant way of looking at it," she replied. "And I can imagine the practical applications. With the right procedural calls, they can go bloodborne, soft tissue, intraorgan, even neurological for pseudohormonal synapse regulation, like a retrovirus." "I must confess, I've never actually looked in to using them in the manner that you speak of. It's really quite fascinating" said R'uann. "So, how did the rest of YOUR shift go?" asked R'uann. LaBrea leaned back and rubbed her neck at her hairline. "The rest of my shift was much different that the start," she began. "Without boring you with the details, let's just say my workload got significantly heavier. I was put in charge of a project that I'll likely never feel confident about. Leadership is outside my comfort zone, but the project itself looks interesting. I'll get to spend a lot of time running simulations in the holidays and crunching numbers in Variable Comparison reports-" LaBrea droned on for several more minutes before realizing R'uann's eyes were probably glazed over. "Sorry," she chuckled. "I tend to get excited over the weirdest little things." "Hey, I'm gonna stretch my legs and go get me another drink" said R'uann. "Can I get you another?" "Thanks!" LaBrea replied, taking a last swallow from her glass. "That'd be great." (Reply R'uann/any) (Posted by Tony) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 19:32) The Bajoran Ensign approached the bar, the cute asian barkeep smiling as she did so. R'uann glanced up and down the bar, noting as she did so that Tommy wasn't there, which given the Sammead's tendency to get himself into trouble, was probably for the best. "Hey" said R'uann. "Hey back" said Mei Ling. "What can I get you, Ensign?" "Another of what I just had I think, and, whatever my new Engineering friend just had" said R'uann, leaning forwards and then glancing down at the floor behind the bar to confirm that the Sammead was indeed, missing. "No Tommy tonight?", she enquired, a curious raise of an eyebrow accompanying her query. The barkeep pursed her lips and then exhaled heavily, a frown appearing upon her forehead as she contemplated the fact that the Sammead had recently destroyed one of her best outfits. Actually, destroyed was probably not the word to be using. Indeed, Tommy had actually 'Eaten' one of her favourite outfits, and consequently he had been sentenced to solitary in Mei Ling's quarters until he learned the error of his ways. Mei Ling paused then, her mouth half opened as though to tell all, but then closing it before just saying - "Let's just say that I'm down an outfit, and Tommy doesn't need feeding now" she offered. "He 'Ate' an outfit!!" exclaimed R'uann in disbelief. "That he did, the little.... Well, let's not go there" said Mei Ling. "Needless to say he's not in my good books" "No... I would imagine not" said R'uann. "But then, ain't replicators a boon" "That is not the issue here", said Mei Ling, a look of playful scorn in her eye. "OK, so, yes. I could replicate a new one, but that doesn't let him off the hook" she added, dispensing and then providing the two drinks to R'uann's requirements. R'uann took the offered glasses and then made to return to LaBrae, who by now appeared to be glancing out of one of the nearby viewing ports at the warp stars passing by. "Perhaps not", she offered in response. "Say", said R'uann, turning back momentarily to Mei Ling. "Do you play Chess by any chance?" "Chess?" said Mei Ling, quirking her head. "You know, I've always wanted to learn, but sadly, no, I don't" R'uann smiled at her honesty. "Then I must teach you" she said, "I have a feeling that you'd be a natural, and worthy opponents are so hard to find these days" "I'd like that", said Mei Ling, genuinely interested, but wondering also just what the game of Chess had to do with losing an outfit to a hungry Sammead. The Bajoran's layed-back outlook intrigued her, that much was for sure. And she actually did want to learn how to play... "Sure. Gimme a shout sometime, yes?" "Consider it done" said R'uann, and then she returned to LaBrae with a smile, and to the seat that she had just recently vacated. "I've always found them so pretty" she offered, retaking her seat. (Reply LaBrae) "The warp trails" said R'uann. "They have a certain... calmness about them, don't you think?" (Reply LaBrae) (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:35) "I've always found them so pretty" "What's that?" LaBrea asked, her momentary reverie broken. "The warp trails" said R'uann. "They have a certain... calmness about them, don't you think? "I suppose they do," LaBrea replied. "But my brain always drifts back to my assignments. I was actually thinking about the Lorentz covariance, of all things." She ran her hand across her forehead and down the back of her neck, blinking furiously, then reached for the offered drink. "Thanks. I obviously need this," she laughed, sipping the beverage. (Reply R'uann, Any) LaBrea then turned the subject back to more casual conversation; a concert she'd recently heard performed by the Edosian Chamber String Quintet, the orchids grown by Communications Ensign Calloway, and a holodeck program she'd seen that was written by Ensign Wortwr, a very outgoing Bolian Engineer who'd confided to her at their first meeting that he wanted to be an Ambassador some day. The holodeck program was designed to aid in public speaking, and each session would increase the size of the audience from as few as ten to upwards of twenty million in the end... (Reply R'uann) It was nice to be able to relax and just be social for awhile. She expected to make a few close friends on this mission, and R'uann was easy to talk with. Before LaBrea knew it, time had gotten away from her and she had to say goodnight. "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." (Reply R'uann) "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she suggested. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holocourts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent," she laughs. (Reply R'uann) (Posted by Tony) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:36) "I suppose they do," said LaBrae in response to R'uann's mention of the warp trails. "But my brain always drifts back to my assignments. I was actually thinking about the Lorentz covariance, of all things."she added, reaching for the recently procured drink that the Bajoran had brought. "Thanks. I obviously need this" R'uann took note of a few more crewmen entering the lounge, two Science officers and another Medic who she had recognised of course, but had had little dealing with to date. The Teal uniformed officer smiled in acknowledgement, and R'uann smiled back before returning her attention to LaBrae and her previous contemplations. "Lorentz Covariance?" enquired R'uann, the phrase seemingly familiar, but not in her particular field of training. "That's something to do with special relativity and observations I believe" she said, wondering now if she might actually be barking up the wrong tree. Now, if they had been talking about the Amygdala or the Caudate Nucleus and how it affected emotions in regards Betazoid receptors and transmitters, then she'd be in her element. As it was though, relativistic physics, although fascinating, wasn't her strong point. LaBrea then began talking about something called the Edosian Chamber String Quintet, orchids, and a holodeck program designed by a friend to aid people in public speaking. The very mention of music had immediately piqued the Bajoran Ensign's interest as the old classics of Earth had been something that she was very keen on, her favourite at the moment being Dvorák's String Quintet No.2. Indeed, her last partner, a Human named John, played the violin in an orchestra at performance level, but the Edosian Chamber eluded her. R'uann envied people that could play that well, but then, you couldn't be good at everything, and whilst some considered her a protégé in the field of medicine, she wouldn't have wanted to be greedy. "So, do you play at all?" she asked, in reference to the string quintet. "An instrument I mean" (Reply LaBrae) NRPG: Room for more here if necessary... RPG: R'uann laughed and then settled back into her seat as thoughts of John came flooding back. LaBrae appeared to mirror her actions, both crewmen clearly relaxed in one another's company as they exchanged past experiences and listened with interest to them throughout. R'uann felt that they would have to do this again sometime soon, but no sooner had she thought it, the Engineer verbalised the very same sentiment. "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. (Reply LaBrae, IYW) "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holocourts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh. (Reply LaBrae) The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrae standing and heading towards the door... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:40) "So, do you play at all?" she asked, in reference to the string quintet. "An instrument I mean" "Me? Ha!" LaBrea laughed audibly. "I can make a shuttle impulse drive resonate in a harmonic minor key, but that's about the extent of my musical ability," she said. "I do a little painting, and I like to cook, but I'm very much an amateur." "You?" she asked, taking another sip. (Reply R'uann) NRPG: Let's keep the conversation going then ?? I need some way to meet the posting requirement ?? "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. LaBrea laughed as well. "I'm not exactly sure who my parents are, but Starfleet claims I'm human." She points to R'uann adding, "But great minds think alike!" "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "And I was just thinking that," she laughed. "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holocourts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh "We can try doubles against holos," LaBrea suggested. (Reply R'uann) The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrea standing and heading towards the door... "See you then," LaBrea said, then returned to the ensign common quarters. (Reply R'uann, Any) (Posted by Tony) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:41) "You?" asked LaBrae, continuing the discussion regarding musical instruments and if either of them played or not. R'uann shook her head. "I wish I could, but I'm a bit tone death" she answered, "I might be able to knock out a rhythm on a drum perhaps, but anything more complicated than that, no. Medical instruments are the tools of my trade. (Reply LaBrae, IYW) "I had an ex that was a professional Violin player. Man, what that guy couldn't do with music wasn't worth knowing about. Something so sad, but sensual in those tones" she added. (Reply LaBrae) R'uann smiled and then took another sip of her drink, her mind wandering just briefly once again to her past. She cast a sideways glance to one of the Science Officers at the bar chatting to Mei Ling, his swarthy good looks sidetracking her somewhat and causing a slight sigh to escape from her lips. "Now there's a guy that I would imagine would play the guitar" she said, motioning to the bar for the benefit of LaBrae. (Reply LaBrae) "I think he's kinda cute" said R'uann. "I actually do miss being in a relationship ya know. John, that's my ex by the way. The Violin player. Always used to say that I was too work orientated, and that I wouldn't make any time for fun" said R'uann. "I think maybe it might be time set aside time for a little distraction on this ship of ours." she added, returning her gaze to the handsome Science Officer. (Reply LaBrae) "So go on then" said R'uann. "Anyone caught your eye yet at all? Anyone, 'piquing' the Engineers interest?" she said, teasingly, enjoying the evolving 'girl-talk' developing between them. (Reply La Brae) NRPG: Returning to closure here, but feel free to continue on from this point... RPG: "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. LaBrea laughed as well. "I'm not exactly sure who my parents are, but Starfleet claims I'm human." She points to R'uann adding, "But great minds think alike!" "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "And I was just thinking that," she laughed. "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holo-courts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh "We can try doubles against holos," LaBrea suggested. R'uann nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me. At least I wont have to feel embarrassed at losing to synthetically created opponents then" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrea standing and heading towards the door. "See you then," said LaBrea. And then she was gone... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:43) "I had an ex that was a professional Violin player. Man, what that guy couldn't do with music wasn't worth knowing about. Something so sad, but sensual in those tones" she added. "Mmmm- yeah," LaBrea replied. "I feel that way about the Kriosian Gamelan. Sure it can be upbeat and frenetic, but when an old soul sits and plays it slow and melodic and lets those notes just hang there..." she went on, eyes closed and smiling wide. "It just brings out so much emotion." She paused, momentarily enthralled in the memory, then opened her eyes and added, "If it can do that to a human, I can't begin to imagine how an empath handles it in a room full. Vulcan-like years of experience I suppose." She smiles again. "Now there's a guy that I would imagine would play the guitar" she said, motioning to the bar for the benefit of LaBrae. LaBrea followed the gesture to the young man at the bar, and nodded. "You're interested?" she asked. "I think he's kinda cute" said R'uann. "I actually do miss being in a relationship ya know. John, that's my ex by the way. The Violin player. Always used to say that I was too work orientated, and that I wouldn't make any time for fun" said R'uann. "I think maybe it might be time set aside time for a little distraction on this ship of ours." she added, returning her gaze to the handsome Science Officer. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, as the old Bajoran cliché goes," LaBrea replied coyly. "So go on then" said R'uann. "Anyone caught your eye yet at all? Anyone, 'piquing' the Engineers interest?" she said "Nah," LaBrea replied, leaning back with her cup between both hands. "It's tough being this old and just starting out a fresh new career path," she explained. "At the Academy, I was a good thirty years over most of my classmates. Old enough to be the mother of ninety percent, and I think that's how most felt about me." (Reply R'uann, IYW) "Oh, don't get me wrong," LaBrea clarified. "I felt that way too, about most of them. I made friends with several of them. I was able to be a mentor in some regards. And I was ok being a mother figure. I had the life experience to know the importance of studying over partying. I guess I related better with most of the professors, or at least the human ones." She paused, and leaned in, changing the subject somewhat. "I know I mention 'race' a lot, and I honestly don't mean to offend..." she began softly. "I hope I don't come across as xenophobic, but I worry that's how I sound. Only I grew up in a warzone with very few people around, and all of them just like me. Scared. Hungry. Feral. And Human. I saw other races, infrequently, and usually from a distance, but interactions were few and far between." She went on, "When I got away, and I was able to start to heal, I wanted to learn as much as I could about other cultures, so I wouldn't feel awkward or socially inept. I sought out unfamiliar faces at the Academy, and I tried to fit in with everyone." She leaned back again. "I guess that's something I'm still working on." (Reply R'uann - IYW) Realizing how somber the mood had gotten, LaBrea (usually not one to open up so deeply to a relative stranger) turned the conversation back to the original question. "But as far as anyone piquing my interest," she glanced around the room. "Who did you have in mind?" She turned back to R'uann, raised her eyebrows and giggled. (Reply R'uann) "Do you know lieutenant Berger, the shuttle pilot?" LaBrea asked. "He mentioned a monthly 'poker night'. It's supposed to be just for officers, but we could probably sweet talk our way into it," she said mischievously. "Or better yet, we start our own, for the Ensigns," she suggested excitedly, slapping her hand on the table and face beaming. "Now I'm not very good at poker. I only know Cardassian Stud, but who cares. It could be a way to blow off some stress and increase my social circle. What do you think?" (Reply R'uann) . . . "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. LaBrea laughed as well. "I'm not exactly sure who my parents are, but Starfleet claims I'm human." She points to R'uann adding, "But great minds think alike!" "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "And I was just thinking that," she laughed. "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holo-courts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh "We can try doubles against holos," LaBrea suggested. R'uann nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me. At least I wont have to feel embarrassed at losing to synthetically created opponents then" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrea standing and heading towards the door. "See you then," said LaBrea. And then she was gone... (Reply R'uann, Any) (Posted by Tony) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 19:45) R'uann found it odd that Katrina considered herself too old to be dating. Indeed, even though she was clearly older than she was, she still looked young and attractive enough to woo a male eye or two, and perhaps even a few female eyes as well, if indeed she were inclined to show an interest. "At the Academy, I was a good thirty years over most of my classmates. Old enough to be the mother of ninety percent, and I think that's how most felt about me." she had said, seemingly missing the fact entirely that many a young Man found an older more experienced Woman, a huge attraction. Or perhaps that was a choice... "Oh, you jest, surely" said R'uann. "I'll just bet you were on the minds of many a young colleague who would have bent over backwards to spend time with you outside of the academy classroom" "Oh, don't get me wrong," LaBrea added. "I felt that way too, about most of them. I made friends with several of them. I was able to be a mentor in some regards. And I was ok being a mother figure. I had the life experience to know the importance of studying over partying. I guess I related better with most of the professors, or at least the human ones." she added, changing the subject then to one of race. "I know I mention 'race' a lot, and I honestly don't mean to offend..." said LaBrae, pausing then as though to collect her thoughts and seemingly trying her best now not to come across as xenophobic, which she clearly wasn't. R'uann listened intently, resting her arms onto the table before her as the Engineer explained a little of her background in warzones and such, something that resonated with R'uann. "I guess that's something I'm still working on." said LaBrae, in regards her closing comment about learning to get on with just about anyone. R'uann settled back into her seat and then took a sip of her drink as she allowed what LaBrae had said to settle in her mind. Then she opened up a little more on her own colourful past. "Well, I should say that I'm really no stranger to warzones myself, Katrina" she began. "I fought in the Bajoran Resistance during the times of the Cardassian occupation" she mused, frowning slightly to the memories, difficult as some of them still were. "Hard times, I lost many friends to those... Monsters, as we referred to them. When I entered Starfleet Academy we had a Cardassian cadet with us, and for a while I had a lot of trouble with that and got into trouble. An awful lot. But, I think that I healed there eventually" she said. "And now, I'm still friends to the Cardassian in question" she added... (Reply LaBrae, IYW) LaBrae then returned to the subject of 'the opposite sex', and R'uann's initial query as to whether or not anyone in the room had caught her eye. "Who did you have in mind?" she asked, with a laugh and a raised eyebrow. R'uann placed her glass upon the table and then glanced about, trying her best now to play the matchmaker without getting her guesses hopelessly wrong. Her eyes settled on a Man sitting alone by the bar. Another Engineering officer no less who although perhaps a little younger than LaBrae's own age, looked as though he might enjoy a glass of wine or two in the company of an older Woman. "That guy" said R'uann, gesturing towards the Man in question. "He has a certain, 'Je ne sais quoi' about him, as the Frenchmen of Earth might say", wondering then if LaBrae might possibly agree. (Reply LaBrae) La Brae then continued on, changing the subject once again from the solo gentleman at the bar... "Do you know lieutenant Berger, the shuttle pilot?" she asked. "He mentioned a monthly 'poker night'. It's supposed to be just for officers, but we could probably sweet talk our way into it....Or better yet, we start our own, for the Ensigns," she suggested, sounding a little more excited at the prospect than she initially had been. "Now I'm not very good at poker. I only know Cardassian Stud, but who cares. It could be a way to blow off some stress and increase my social circle. What do you think?" "Cardassian Stud? Is that a euphemism?" she added, smiling inquisitively. "Seriously though, why not. Maybe we can both benefit from a little more mixing about amongst the locals" she added, pausing then just briefly before adding. "Hey, I'm in. Set up the table, Mother. Let's see if we can't fleece them" NRPG: And back.... RPG: "This was really a lot of fun," she said. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. LaBrea laughed as well. "I'm not exactly sure who my parents are, but Starfleet claims I'm human." She points to R'uann adding, "But great minds think alike!" "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "And I was just thinking that," she laughed. "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holo-courts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh "We can try doubles against holos," LaBrea suggested. R'uann nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me. At least I wont have to feel embarrassed at losing to synthetically created opponents then" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrea standing and heading towards the door. "See you then," said LaBrea. And then she was gone... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - ACEO, Ensign JG Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 19:46) "And now, I'm still friends to the Cardassian in question" she added. LaBrea took a moment to let the comment register. That was exactly how she felt. "Right? You have to take people as individuals. You can't hold a single being responsible for their entire race. I completely agree." LaBrea then returned to the subject of 'the opposite sex', and R'uann's initial query as to whether or not anyone in the room had caught her eye. "Who did you have in mind?" she asked, with a laugh and a raised eyebrow. R'uann placed her glass upon the table. Her eyes settled on a Man sitting alone by the bar. Another Engineering officer no less who although perhaps a little younger than LaBrae's own age, looked as though he might enjoy a glass of wine or two in the company of an older Woman. "That guy" said R'uann, gesturing towards the Man in question. "He has a certain, 'Je ne sais quoi' about him, as the Frenchmen of Earth might say". "Hmmm... Chief Petty Officer Washington," LaBrea mused, furrowing her brow as she studied the man. "I've only spoken to him once, during a shift change. He seemed nice enough. Competent as an Engineer. And he carries himself with confidence. Maybe just a hint of swagger in his step." She pursed her lips slightly and nodded. "Definitely worth considering." She paused another moment, contemplating, then turned her attention back to R'uann and shrugged. "That's a definite maybe," she laughed. La Brae then continued on, changing the subject once again. "Do you know lieutenant Berger, the shuttle pilot?" she asked. "He mentioned a monthly 'poker night'. It's supposed to be just for officers, but we could probably sweet talk our way into it....Or better yet, we start our own, for the Ensigns," she suggested, sounding a little more excited at the prospect than she initially had been. "Now I'm not very good at poker. I only know Cardassian Stud, but who cares. It could be a way to blow off some stress and increase my social circle. What do you think?" "Cardassian Stud? Is that a euphemism?" she added, smiling inquisitively. "Seriously though, why not. Maybe we can both benefit from a little more mixing about amongst the locals" she added, pausing then just briefly before adding. "Hey, I'm in. Set up the table, Mother. Let's see if we can't fleece them" NRPG: Ok. I'll wrap it up so we can focus on the shuttle mission. Unless there's more you want to add. RPG: As the evening progressed, Katrina enjoyed herself immensely, but it was getting late and she had schematics to review before her early shift. "This was really a lot of fun," LaBrea said, bringing the evening to a close. "We'll need to do it again soon." R'uann pinched at her own wrist at that and screwed up her eyes with a playful quirk of her head. "I was just thinking that", she exclaimed, eyeing the Ensign's facial features just a little closer now. "Ya know, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were an empath" she added, laughing. LaBrea laughed as well. "I'm not exactly sure who my parents are, but Starfleet claims I'm human." She points to R'uann adding, "But great minds think alike!" "But yes, anyway. We really must do this again", said R'uann. "I enjoy talking to you Katrina" she added, pausing then just briefly and glancing up at the ceiling. "Well, I guess I just enjoy talking really. But when it's with someone interesting, it's always so much better" La Brae smiled, seemingly in agreement... "And I was just thinking that," she laughed. "I've got some free time on the seventh, but whatever works for you is fine with me," she answered. "Have you met Ensign Capelli? We play knockball on the holo-courts a couple times a week. Supposed to be great exercise, but he's not a very challenging opponent" "Well, I'm afraid that I'm not a very sporty person", said R'uann, "but hey, I'm game. I wouldn't bank on finding me any more challenging than Ensign Capelli but, yes, the 7th it is then" she added, with a laugh "We can try doubles against holos," LaBrea suggested. R'uann nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me. At least I wont have to feel embarrassed at losing to synthetically created opponents then" "Don't worry," LaBrea confided. "We won't lose." The two Women then said their goodbyes, R'uann remaining where she was to watch the warp trails for just a little while longer. LaBrea standing and heading towards the door. "See you then," said LaBrea. And then she was gone... (Reply Any) (Posted by Tony) ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 2 Stardate: 2418.04.06 (USS Spectre – Bridge - CEO/3O, Lt. Commander Duke Williams - 00:00) It was Duke's first night shift as the officer of the watch, and to say he had the jitters was an understatement. Although that could have been due to the fact that he had consumed enough caffeine before going on shift that he was probably going to need to see a doctor when it finally made its way through his system. It had been a calm shift for the first hour, but that calm was about to end. "Sir, I'm getting a distress call. Audio only, being broadcast as high priority on encrypted federation channels. We have the encryption at hand, do you want me to play it?." Came the voice from the operations officer breaking the silence in the room. "Go ahead." Duke replied, curious and worried about what the distress call could be. =/\=This is the Federation freighter El Paso, we are carry some very sensitive scientific cargo. We came across an escape pod, it was filled with pirates. There were only four, but they knew what they were doing.They've taken most of the ship. Or engines are down and we are dead in the water so to speak. They can't get to the main cargo hold. Should take them a few hours to get through all the security. They are just simple pirates, they weren't targeting us specifically, they just are looking for whatever we are hauling. The longer it takes for them to get past our security measures the more they want what we are carrying. We may only have three hours left before they break through. It is a time locked system.. It is important to the federation that we don't lose our cargo. We are just a simple freighter, no weapons, they've taken out most of the guards. We were told that by taking the cargo in a low level freighter we wouldn't attract attention. We are sending coordinates, please, anyone who is listening, send help.=/\= The message cut off abruptly after the word help. "Sir I have the coordinates," the ops officer chimed in. "How far away from there are we?" "Not to far sir, at warp 7 we could be there in two hours." "Are there any other ships in the area?" "No sir, we are the only federation ship that could render assistance in the time they are asking for." "Right but if we deviate off course to render aid, it would slow us down in reaching the colony." Duke then pressed his commbadge. "Commander Williams to Captain T'Vhor. Sorry to wake you up sir, but we have a bit of an issue." (Reply T'Vhor) "We received a priority distress call from a federation freighter carrying important cargo. They were besieged by four pirates who used a stranded escape pod ruse to ambush the freighter. They used an encrypted channel to send out the distress call." (reply T'Vhor) "We are the closest ship in range sir, but the diversion will take us off course on our present mission." (Reply T'Vhor) "We could send a small team on a runabout, they could then infiltrate the freighter, secure it, and help send it on it's way. The shuttle could then rendevouz with us at the colony with minimal interruption of our current mission." (Reply T'Vhor) "I'd recommend sending Lt. Thibodeaux as the pilot and lead. Send ensigns R'uann and LaBrea for medical and engineering support. Ensign Darpeg should go for tactical purposes, as should two marines, maybe Lts. Smith and Kindell. That should be good balance, I'd trust any of those officers to do a good job." (Reply T'Vhor) "Yes sir, I'll send the word out asap. Williams out." Duke then looked at Lt. Thibodeaux who was seated at the helm, having also been given the night shift. "Well good news Ryan, you are already up and ready to go. You have your orders, get the runnabout prepped, your team ready, and get moving." Lt. Thibodeaux nodded and made his way to the turbolift. Duke then tapped his commbadge a second time. "Commander Williams to Lt. Kenneth Smith, Lt. Kindell, Ensign Darpeg, Ensign LaBrea, and Ensign R'uann. Sorry to awake you, but you are needed for a mission. Please head to shuttle bay 1. There you will meet Lt. Thibodeaux, he will brief you when you are on route to your destination. You have twenty minutes. Williams out. (reply T'Vhor, Reply Away team) (Posted by Will B.) (USS Spectre – Captain's Quarters - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 00:04) The Captain had been in his quarters for around an hour. It had been a busy, but steady day. The ship was on course to the colony and making good speed and Commander Williams was facing his first stint on the bridge as the watch commander after recently attaining his bridge command qualifications. There were no issues at hand right now, so the Vulcan hybrid CO had been meditating for approximately 40 minutes, the call over the comms breaking him from his trance-like state. =/\=Commander Williams to Captain T'Vhor. Sorry to wake you up sir, but we have a bit of an issue.=/\= The Captain exhaled and then answered the call. "Go ahead Commander. What seems to be the issue?" =/\=We received a priority distress call from a federation freighter carrying important cargo. They were besieged by four pirates who used a stranded escape pod ruse to ambush the freighter. They used an encrypted channel to send out the distress call.=/\= "Important cargo?" answered the Captain, half rhetorically. It seemed odd to him that a freighter carrying an important cargo was not accompanied, but then perhaps it was better not to draw attention to yourself in such circumstances, but it begged the question as to what the important cargo might be. "Are there any other Federation vessels in range, Commander?" he added. =/\=We are the closest ship in range Sir, but the diversion will take us off course on our present mission.=/\= The Captain pondered that for a moment. They were making good time right now and the colony was a priority. But then, a priority distress call overrode any other commitments and the logical thing was to provide assistance as requested. "How far away is the freighter?" asked T'Vhor, already having decided that they should assist as requested. Williams though seemed to be one step ahead now in his thoughts and had preempted the Captains query. =/\=We could send a small team on a runabout, they could then infiltrate the freighter, secure it, and help send it on it's way. The shuttle could then rendevouz with us at the colony with minimal interruption of our current mission.=/\= T'Vhor stood up from his cross-legged position upon the floor and then proceeded over towards his replicator, requesting a cold fruit juice as he did so, which the replicator duly dispensed. "Who would you recommend sending Commander?" he asked, wondering to himself how the newly qualified bridge officer might make use of his available crewmen. =/\=I'd recommend sending Lt. Thibodeaux as the pilot and lead. Send ensigns R'uann and LaBrea for medical and engineering support. Ensign Darpeg should go for tactical purposes, as should two marines, maybe Lts. Smith and Kindell. That should be good balance, I'd trust any of those officers to do a good job.=/\= answered Williams. The Captain nodded to himself and took a sip of his fruit juice, then he moved to his sofa and took a seat. "Very good Commander. Make sure that Major Kowalski is made aware that we are commandeering two of his men. The man does not like to be kept out of any loops" said T'Vhor. =/\=Yes sir, I'll send the word out asap. Williams out.=/\= The Captain then placed his glass onto the table and finally contemplated getting some sleep. After all, the ship seemed to be in good hands, and this latest 'hiccup' in their mission might just prove a good challenge to the newly fledged Commander Williams and his abilities... (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Security Communications - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg 00:05) Darpeg had finished running the analysis of M'Gret's letter to him, and was going over his notes before writing a report for Commander Jackson's and the captain's attention. The explosions were from mining charges inside the residential complex. There were demands for colony personnel to stand down and surrender to a landing force. The colony leadership was behind the landing force. There were intruder alerts and alarms from security to respond from the law abiding part of the colony. Phaser fire was coming from the corridor, and people were using sledgehammers on doors where people were hiding. There was a launch of a shuttle by four landing force members. He then heard an announcement over the room's comm. =/\=Commander Williams to Lt. Kenneth Smith, Lt. Kindell, Ensign Darpeg, Ensign LaBrea, and Ensign R'uann. Sorry to awake you, but you are needed for a mission. Please head to shuttle bay 1. There you will meet Lt. Thibodeaux, he will brief you when you are on route to your destination. You have twenty minutes. Williams out.=/\= He then saved his work and sent what he had found to Commander Signos in case he was gone for a while. He then left to go to the shuttle bay. (Reply Signos) When he arrived at the shuttle bay, he saw that he was the first to arrive. But he turned around and saw several yawning and rubbing sleep out of their eyes. (Reply Smith, Kindell, Labrea, R'uann, and/or Thibodeaux) (Posted by Gary Dupree) (USS Spectre – Shuttle Bay 2 – Shuttle Bay Officer, Ensign Jennifer Smith - 00:07) She had been up late working on her report and was thinking of going to bed when she had received a comm from the on-duty CPO for shuttle bay 2 that the runabout had been requested for immediate departure. As the shuttle bay officer she was to be informed of any small craft movement so here she was in the runabout going through its pre-flight checklist. An idea popped into her mind ~Dam it too slow~ She tapped her comm badge “Ensign Smith to CPO Fredrickson. On my authority, I want Trojan on fast drop readiness in case it all goes sideways.” =^=On your order copy that=^= She nodded to herself as she watched the impulse and warp engines as they powered up. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Personal Quarters - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 00:08) "So anyway, there I was, like, just waiting for this guy to say something. Anything at all except the silence he was giving me right there and then. A sign.... Anything", said R'uann, gazing at the image of her old friend Lara on the screen with a smile as big as a half cut watermelon. =/\=And did he? What did he say? Spill the beans, girl=/\= came the enthused reply. "Oh man, did he. He spewed forth his entire romantic history in like, Five minutes. But it was all garbled and discombobulated, the poor lamb. I guess he hadn't expected me to be so forthright with him. I felt so sorry for him" Lara laughed and then shifted out of screen as she fell backwards onto the bed she was sat upon. Then after a few seconds, she reappeared, still giggling, and clearly intoxicated. =/\=Hey, just wait one second. I need a refill=/\= she said, leaning to one side to the sound of a glass clinking against the bottle top that she was obviously pouring from. R'uann shook her head, a thought manifesting in her mind as she reminisced about the many times they'd both spent wrecked in their dorms after academy training. They'd just been through it all together and as such they'd clearly found a kindred spirit in one another that both had needed in their lives at that moment in time. It was somewhat predictable then that they'd remain in contact, even though they'd been posted to different ships. =/\=So, any cute guys on the Spectre catching your eye, Ru?=/\= said Lara, taking a sip of her newly refilled glass. R'uann glanced to the ceiling as she pursed her lips in obvious contemplation... "Oh, there are a few that, ya know, I wouldn't kick off the bed. There is this one guy though that just...." =/\=Ensign R'uann. Please report to Shuttle Bay 2 for an away mission=/\= ~Damn!~ The Comms intrusion had taken R'uann completely by surprise, and had dropped her jaw an inch or two... "Are you serious!" she exclaimed. "An away freaking mission. Now?" Lara just laughed and then took another sip of her drink, seemingly pleased now that her own ship, the Tomahawk, seemed a lot less demanding and stressful... =/\=Hey. Sucks to be you Kiddo=/\= she said. "Don't it just", said R'uann, pouting like a child that had just been told that they couldn't go out to play. "I guess I better answer that uh?" she added, feeling thankful that she hadn't hit the alcohol herself tonight. =/\=You think so?=/\= Said Lara, causing R'uann to glare at the screen with her best look of scorn as she tapped aggressively at her combadge. "I'm on my way, Sir" said R'uann, somewhat reluctantly. "Hey, let's continue this later Lar, OK. I've got a lot to tell you", said R'uann. Lara smiled, and then raised her fingers to her lips to blow a kiss her way. =/\=Later roomie. Don't you go getting into any trouble now, and you go easy on that away mission you hear.=/\= R'uann touched the screen with her fingertips and smiled... "Hey, this is me we're talking about remember. Trouble is my middle name" she said. =/\=Well.... don't go getting yourself killed, or anything stupid OK?=/\= R'uann laughed again. "I'll try babe. I'll try. Catch ya laters...." =/\=Ciao baby=/\= And the screen went dark as R'uann let out a heavy sigh, and then stood to head out to Shuttle Bay 2 as requested... (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Ensigns Common Room - ACEO, Ensign Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 00:09) Ensign LaBrea had been busy studying the Phase Cloak schematics and trying to cross reference them with what little she knew about general cloaking theory, and then cross referencing that with whatever she could find on Quantum Intradimensional Spatial InterPhase Theory, and her head was beginning to ache. General mathematical quantum physics was difficult in its own right, but theoretical QISiP was practically a religion. It was more about possibilities and probabilities than actual facts. The truth of the matter was, no one really knew why it worked or how. It was all speculative, which both thrilled her and scared the hell out of her. =/\=Commander Williams to Lt. Kenneth Smith, Lt. Kindell, Ensign Darpeg, Ensign LaBrea, and Ensign R'uann. Sorry to awake you, but you are needed for a mission. Please head to shuttle bay 1. There you will meet Lt. Thibodeaux, he will brief you when you are on route to your destination. You have twenty minutes. Williams out.=/\= ~oh thank goodness~ she thought silently, grateful for the excuse to take a break. She needed to cancel the morning meeting with Rozen, Smith and Tucker. She'd reschedule for shortly after her return. She entered the reminder into her PADD and sent a forward to Duke to keep him apprised of the situation. She quickly threw together her Away kit and reported to the shuttle bay. Several others were already there including Ensign R'uann, so Katrina stepped into place nearby, nodding to the others as she let her pack slip off her shoulder and gently lowered it to the deck. (Reply Any) (Posted by Tony) (USS Spectre – Armoury - First Lieutenant, Kenneth Smith - 00:10) Kenneth had been fast asleep when the comm call had sounded but he had been out of bed and clothes with in seconds. He was now in the marine armoury grabbing his kit. Opened the first rack of armour and began to fit to himself. He grabbed the helmet and ran through its load up sequence and then placed it on the rack in front of him. ~Manoeuvrability or bear hitting~ He grinned. ~Load for bear~ He grabbed his phaser side arm and attached it to his hip along with a few photon grenades into the suit pouches. He then grabbed a scatter gun and fitted to the hard points on the back of his suit before. He slid the combat knife into his chest sheath and finally picked up his phaser rifle. He gave him self the once over and nodded. He fought with more kit before but new that he needed to move fast and aggressively so any more would start to be cumbersome. He glanced up as the armoury door open and saw Kindell enter. “Hay Lhiannon. Looks like we off on a little trip.” He grinned. (Reply Kindell) (Reply Kindell, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Armoury - Marine Demolitions Expert, Cprl Lewis O'Hara - 00:11) Lewis had been chatting to Kindell about her recent promotion to MXO, congratulating her on a promotion well deserved and throwing in the fact that she had been his preferred option to lead over the other applicant, one Lieutenant Major Savage, who tended to be a bit of a stuffed shirt that did not attract the confidence, nor the respect amongst the crew that Kindell did. Indeed, the issue at Starbase 39-Sierra where Savage had lost the plot and 'literally' had the seat of his pants ripped out by a Klingon Targ, particularly stuck in his mind. "So, yeah. Congratulation on that, Sir" he added. (Reply Kindell, IYW) The two of them then strolled into the armoury, Lewis feeling a little left out now that he had not been called upon to accompany his old oppo, Smith, who was busy suiting up inside. “Hey Lhiannon. Looks like we off on a little trip.”, said Smith, upon their entry into the room. "Yeah, like... I'm not here, Ken. Just a regular invisible grunt that isn't seen. Kinda like Rameriz, uh" he said, his mind drifting back to the temperamental holo-marine, now little more than a collection of routines and sub-routines held in the Spectre's computer core. (Reply Smith, IYW) "Hey, forget about it man. I'm just hacking on ya" (Reply Kindell, Smith) (Reply Kindell, Smith, any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Armoury – Marine Officer, First L.T. Kenneth Smith - 00:12) "Yeah, like... I'm not here, Ken. Just a regular invisible grunt that isn't seen. Kinda like Rameriz, uh" Kenneth looked up from his armour saw O`Hara and sighed slightly. “Sorry Lewis. Didn`t realise you were here as well.” "Hey, forget about it man. I'm just hacking on ya" He smiled. “Sorry you are not up for this one but someone has to keep an eye on Houseman. Can`t have him having too much fun.” (Reply Kindell, O`Hara) (Reply Kindell, O`Hara, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay 2 - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 00:11) R'uann entered through the doors of shuttlebay 2 with an aire of enthusiasm and confidence. She liked away missions, especially those where she knew hardly anything about where they were going, what they were going to be doing, and who they were going to save. Indeed, mystery and intrigue attracted her like a Moth to a flame, and the more uncertain a mission was, the more she liked it. Her enthusiasm though did not appear to be shared by others, some of whom saw it as reckless, something that R'uann was most definitely not. There were others here now of course, and the previous descending 'thrum' of the engines had signalled that the ship had dropped out of warp and gone to impulse, the small gathering in the bay chatting idly amongst themselves and equipping as necessary. Standard side arms and relevant technical equipment, science and medical tricorders, plus a Marine contingent no less, which led to an aura of protection, but hinted at something that could turn out to be dangerous. R'uann shrugged her shoulders and walked towards the gathering. ~Better safe than sorry~ she thought... "So, what's occurring?" she asked, to no one in particular. (Reply Any) (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (Shadow Flyer - Cockpit - CFO, Lt. JG Ryan Thibodeaux - 00:35) Knowing the urgency of the mission, Ryan hadn't yet started the briefing of the away team. He knew they would have time in transit to do the briefing and wanted to get underway as soon as possible. At warp 7 it would take 2 hours, the new Shadow Flyer was capable of going warp 8 sustained for 4 hours with little problem. Ryan was excited to take her out. It was a pet project that he and Lt. Commander Williams had been working on during the refits at the Starbase. They were able to requisition a Delta Flyer type shuttlecraft that they were slolwy working on customising to meet a different mission parameters. Her stealth system was top of the line. That is for a ship without a cloaking device. Her firepower was also on par with most runabouts. She was sleek, beautiful, and a labor of love. Ryan now understood how men in the 20th and 21st centuries could spend all day working on a car. The only thing left was to try and secure a cloaking device they could adapt and make small enough to fit into the what would be even more appropriately named Shadow Flyer. Mere moments after jumping to warp, Ryan turned on the autopilot and turned to the away team. "At around 00:00 hours today the Spectre received a distress call from a Federation Freighter. They are carrying some very sensitive scientific cargo. They had encountered an escape pod that was filled with pirates. There were only four, but they knew what they were doing.They've overtaken most of the ship. Their engines are down and are dead in the water. The pirates can't get to the main cargo hold. It's heavily shielded with various security provisions. Should take them a few hours to get through all the security. They are just simple pirates. We may only have three hours left before they break through all the security measures. It is a time locked system. It is important to the federation that they don't lose the cargo." (reply any on away team) "The guards have all been taken care of. We don't know how many are injured or alive. We know that we are probably working with 4 pirates. Our mission is to get in, take control of the ship, tend to the crew, get her up and running and get back on our way. Should be simple enough. Any questions?" (reply any on away team) (Reply LaBrea, R'uann, Darpeg, Khindell, Smith) (posted by WB) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - ACEO, Ensign JG, Katrina Ishara LaBrea - 00:37) "Our mission is to get in, take control of the ship, tend to the crew, get her up and running and get back on our way. Should be simple enough. Any questions?" "Do we know the extent of the damage the ship's taken?" LaBrea asked. (Reply Any) (Posted by Tony) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - Marine, First Lieutenant Kenneth Smith - 00:38) Kenneth leaned against the bulkhead on the Shadow Flyer. He had a calm and confident exterior but might get a quick nap in after they found out what was going on. He had said few words of farewell to Jennifer as he had crossed the shuttle bay. She had been heading up to the control booth and he had given her a quick hug and a see you later as they passed. He saw Ryan turn to face them as he began his briefing. “…..Should be simple enough. Any questions?" ~Boarding a space craft with two marines and four fleet to take on pirates who are by now hunkered down and defended. With tight corridors and crap manoeuvrability. He thinks this is simple but that's what the marines are for to pull them out of trouble when it all goes wrong~ He gave a mental sigh as he looked over at LaBrea as she asked her question. "Do we know the extent of the damage the ship's taken?" (reply any on away team) He looked over at Thibodeaux. “Do we have any information about equipment or weapons of the pirates?” (Reply Thibodeaux) "How do you want to do this?" He wanted to see what Ryan had in mind before they began to plan the attach. (Reply Thibodeaux, any) He glanced over at Kindell. As he and Lhiannon both out ranked Thibodeaux but they were marines and were used to working with fleet officers and understood the way of things. (Reply Kindell) (Reply LaBrea, R'uann, Darpeg, Kindell, Thibodeaux, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Shadow Flyer - Cabin - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 00:39) Lieutenant Smith asked, "Do we know the extent of the damage the ship's taken?" Darpeg answered, "The outer hull has been breached where the pirates boarded the ship from their shuttle. Other than that, we know little." Smith looked over at Thibodeaux. “Do we have any information about equipment or weapons of the pirates?” (Reply Thibodeaux) "How do you want to do this?" Smith looked over at Thibodeaux. (Reply Thibodeaux, any) Darpeg replied, knowing that the Marines were more experienced in boarding missions, so he offered a suggestion, "There is a service airlock on the ventral side of the ship just forward of the impulse engines. Auxilliary life support is also next to that spot." (Reply any) (Posted by Gary) ==============================================================