Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Ten-Forward - ACSO Kyle Rin / Capt Sevant - 1206) "I assume you will have to take them offline." he said, looking back up. "Time to repair?" "I've only estimated but from the looks of it it could take a week or two." Sevant didn't like the sound of that, not in the least. "Impossible," he finally said. "We can't take the ship down that long, find a way to jury rig them. We can come out of warp for no more then two hours in this part of space." "This part of space sir...?" Kyle asked with a puzzled look Sevant's frown deepened. "We are at war ensign, and on the edge of territory patrolled by other Fleets. Cloak or not, I do not intend to be a sitting target, the Boudicca isn't fast enough to outrun many of our other classes, and I don't intend to fight unless absolutely required." His eyebrow quirked up ever-so-slightly. "Killing my own is not a prospect I enjoy, so I intend to avoid it as long as possible." "With all do respect sir, would you rather have a blind ship feeling it's way around or one that can see an enemy coming?" Kyle's expression turned thin as he continued. "I've only estimated the repair time unless there's something onboard that I could use to reroute the power drain or make it stable then repair time could take quite awhile." Kyle thought to himself for a little bit and then remembered one such thing that may do the trick. "Does the Boudicca carry Trilite on-board?" he asked with a small smile. Sevant shook his head, "We knew leaving that the repairs and upgrades hadn't been completed. After this mission, maybe two weeks, we can put in for extensive repairs; we simply do not have that luxury now. Reroute or redesign anything you must in the short term, but know that if we were to stop for even a day we would run the risk of utter annihilation." He paused, "I am willing to accept an array or two down, to make another grid work. The laterals, fore and aft are our most essential arrays. As for the trilite, if it can't be replicated, perhaps the Quartermaster would know." Kyle frowned and continued. "Nah, replicating it would cause a major power drain better places to find it are G-Class planets. As for any other systems that need to be taken offline I have a heavy doubt on that sir. I think I can make the fixes to the sensor buffer at the location I recorded in that PADD." "Do so, and keep me informed. Confer with Engineering, they might have ideas as well." he said. He put the PADD under his arm, "And one more thing, Dr Rin, unless we are in a battle situation, do not choose a new venue for a meeting with me a minute after setting one up." He eyed Ten Forward for a moment, then looked back at the Ensign. "Clear?" "Yes Sir, I'm sorry about that I felt the need for a little ease from the pressure of work." He replied in a stern voice. "Very well." He looked back over at the table, then at the Doctor. "Carry on." Kyle gave the Captain a stern salute and returned to his table. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Ten-Forward - ACSO Kyle Rin / Capt Sevant - 1206) "I assume you will have to take them offline." he said, looking back up. "Time to repair?" "I've only estimated but from the looks of it it could take a week or two." Kyle returned the question in a firm voice. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Ten-Forward - Capt Sevant - 1206) Sevant took the PADD from the ACSO, and glanced at it as the Doctor continued to talk. "As you can see sir there is a slight power fluctuation with the buffer causing it to run under efficent operating standards. If it isn't repaired the sensors will be useless if the need arises for use of them battle or not." "I assume you will have to take them offline." he said, looking back up. "Time to repair?" Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Brig - Ensign Saim Enaj- 1217) Saim walked into the brig and saw two men. "Hi there, what's up." One of the men indicated a ferengi. "This daimon was caught attempting to smuggle an extremely rare ore onboard ship. It is a substance you may be familiar with- Trilite." (Reply Rin) "When properly refined, Trilite forms an extremely tough metal, whose best use is as armor. Captain sevant has asked me to prepare a report on the possible applications it could have on this ship. To do this, I need both of your suggestions. Saim turned to the man leading the affairs. "I've never heard of this trilite before. Could I have some info. on it?" Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Brig - ACSO Kyle Rin - 1219) Ryko indicated the ferengi. "This daimon was caught attempting to smuggle an extremely rare ore onboard ship. It is a substance you may be familiar with- Trilite." Kyle rose an eyebrow and grinned. "When properly refined, Trilite forms an extremely tough metal, whose best use is as armor. Captain sevant has asked me to prepare a report on the possible applications it could have on this ship. To do this, I need both of your suggestions. "I can deliver a report to you at 1500 hours on what uses i can come up with. Will that do?" Kyle asked slowly as he glanced over at the brig. (reply Ryko) "Then it's settled i'll see you at 1500 Ryko don't start the party without me." he smiled one last time at Ryko then glanced over at the brig and made his way out towards a turbolift. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward- Saim Enaj- 1215) Saim was just sitting back for a bit getting a breather from power walking all the way from engineering when her communicator beeped. "Skylynx to Enaj." "I'm here." "Could you come to Security ASAP, please, I need to talk to you." "Sure thing." Saim rose and apoligised fo her flying visit and headed to security. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Kyle Rin - 1355) "Lights." Kyle said as he entered the CSO office, making his way over to the replicator he ordered up some green tea and sat behind the desk. "Trilite...hmmm what can i use trilite for." he spoke softy to himself as he began to sip his tea. A sudden lightbulb came on as he punched a few buttons into the keypad the monitor came to life with a read-out of the current condition of the sensor buffer. "Maybe i can increase the power distribution coupling and make it more stable. This would in-turn prevent the buffer from overloading..." Kyle stopped in mid-sentance as a little girl entered the office he fixed his gaze on her as she walked up to him. "My mother thought maybe you could use this..." the girl handed him a cup of green tea the kind not made from a replicator. She then turned around and left. Dumbfounded he set the cup onto the table and tapped his com badge. =^= Security Uh.. this is Rin a girl just entered the CSO office and uh... =^= (reply William) =^= uh.. right stay calm got ya... =^= ~Maybe now would be a good time to visit the Counselor~ Standing up he slowly began to pace the office as he waited for security. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Security Office - ATAC/ASC- 1340) "Trilite is an ore found mainly on extremely large asteroids, or G-class Planets- with a carbon monoxide atmosphere. It's extremely dense, but incredibly light, and has a natural polarity that allows it to deflect energy. Usually this is lightning, but also it can deflect heavy phaser blasts." Ryko leaned back and looked at Saim, who seemed enlightened. Ryko was about to give a further explanation when his communicator chimed. =^=Intruder Alert, Condition Yellow. Security to Deck Seven, Seal off Deck seven!=^= Ryko excused himself and headed to the bridge as Sevant gave the order. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1340) "Yes, I must agree with you," He said, good naturedly, "The crew does seem to be a bit young and inexperienced, but what they lack in experience they make up for in desire. I too had my reservations about this assignment, but we do have a shortage of command officers right now, so Admiral LoDona really didn't have much choice. Seems to have been a surprise for all of us. Including Captain Sevant. We all seem to be adjusting though. Don't you agree?" "Yes sir, I do agree" Kestra replied ~should I tell him?~ she asked herself ~maybe I should just wait and see if it comes up~ She looked at him and studied his face which she thought was a handsome one. Kestra tried to digest what he had said to her already and try to read into what he had said to her. ~if I kept anything from him, it seems that he might not like that~ Kestra continued to think really fast, ~he seems to be one that does not like surprises and does not want the captain to be bothered with anything he can take care of~ "Sir, there is something that might or might not be of importance." Kestra had decided that she should go ahead and tell him, "it has something to do with me." (Reply Grailik) "No sir it is nothing that would affect the crew I don't think," Kestra replied to him, "I don't know how much you read up on my file, but, I think just in case you might need to know." (Reply Grailik) "Well I am glad that I wont have to go into that then," Kestra said after hearing that he had read up on what had recently happened on the Nimitz before she left, "but, I do want to tell you that I had to over use my mental abilities during that time. In so doing I had a time that I could not use them other than empathically and just a little part of that. I am just getting full use of my abilities back and have decided that I will not be using them unless I have to." Now she wondered what he was going to say to what she had just said. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - ATAC/ASC- 1342) Ryko rushed to the tactical console and logged in. A display of deck seven appeared and Ryko quickly activated forcefields. "Deck Seven sealed off. Yellow alert." Ryko reported. Yalta kept track of what was going on, sending information useful to department heads as they came. "Security teams to deck 7. Find this bastard!" Ryko said. "Internal sensors are not detecting anything. I read tiny energy fluctuations in certain sectors of this ship." "All where sightings were reported but right now, nothing." Ryko heard Yalta say. He immediately dispatched extra security teams. His badge chimed. =^=Skylynx, what the hell is going on?=^= "Intruder alert sir," Ryko said hurriedly. "Deck seven. I have already dispatched security teams to the scene." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, FO, Cmdr Grailik, 1342) "Sir, there is something that might or might not be of importance." Kestra said, "it has something to do with me." Grailik's brow rose in mild surprise. "Go on," He said, reassuringly. "No sir it is nothing that would affect the crew I don't think," Kestra replied to him, "I don't know how much you read up on my file, but, I think just in case you might need to know." "Your referring the incident on the Nimitz?" Grailik asked, "Yes, I've read your file and the official logs on the incident to which your referring." "Well I am glad that I wont have to go into that then," Kestra said, "but, I do want to tell you that I had to over use my mental abilities during that time. In so doing I had a time that I could not use them other than empathically and just a little part of that. I am just getting full use of my abilities back and have decided that I will not be using them unless I have to." Now she wondered what he was going to say to what she had just said. Grailik nodded, considering what she had said. ~Understandable feelings of guilt over what she did.~ "You did what you did to help save your ship and your crew mates," Grailik said, "The Nimitz had been taken over. Several members of her crew murdered. The lives of the rest of the crew was in immanent danger. You did what you did to help recapture the ship, correct? To help protect the innocent lives that were at risk?" (Reply Kestra) "Now, what you did from a medical stand point was perhaps a bit unwise. You as a doctor know the effects that artificial stimulants can have on the body. However, we are Star Fleet Officers. Our jobs require us, at times, to put our selves in harms way to insure the safety of the entire Federation and her citizens. You did a very noble and selfless thing, putting your own life in danger to protect those who could not protect themselves. Not many people have that kind of courage. Your feelings of guilt over what you did are a good sign that your motives were pure. Not based in petty vengeance to hurt someone who had hurt you. The simple fact is, what you did helped save lives. Hundreds of lives. Something you should be proud of, like your abilities. They are a gift and you should use that gift to help others. The gift remains pure as long as you use them to help others. Abuse the gift and you will soon find that it can also be a curse. Long as you remember that, I doubt that there will be any problems." Grailik smiled a warm charming smile as he finished. (Reply Kestra) NRPG: This next part will be around 1400. This gives Grailik and Kestra about another 10 min to discuss things some more. The doors suddenly opened and a small girl walked into the office, catching both Grailik and Kestra a little by surprise. "My mum sent me to bring these to you." the little girl said handing to Kestra the plant that she had left on the Nimitz that her daughter had taken care of for so long. "Mum said that you would like this too." She handed Kestra a picture drawn by her daughter signed by Trish. "And to you" the little girl said turning to Grailik. "I bring you this, a gift of me and my Mum." She handed to Grailik a seashell - one from the El Aurian home world. "Mum said that you couldn't go home again." The little girl looked up at Grailik then left sickbay. Grailik looked as the sea shell for a second, knowing immediately what it was and where it had come from, before jumping up out of his seat and slapping his comm-badge. "Grailik to Bridge. Yellow Alert. Possible intruder. Seal off Deck 7!" Grailik said, quickly moving after the little 'girl'. He looked back at Kestra. "There aren't any children on the Boudicca. That was NO girl." Grailik moved out into the hallway as the yellow alert sirens started to sound. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, little girl, 1343) The little girl wandered into sickbay and stood in front of Grailik and Kestra Troi. "My mum sent me to bring these to you." And the little girl handed to Kestra the plant that she had left on the Nimitz that her daughter had taken care of for so long. "Mum said that you would like this too." She handed Kestra a picture drawn by her daugher signed by Trish. "And to you" And the little girl turned to the Old One. "I bring you this, a gift of me and my Mum." She handed to Grailik a seashell - one from the El Aurian homeworld. "Mum said that you couldn't go home again." The little girl looked up at Grailik then left sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, 2O/CMO, Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1344) "You did what you did to help save your ship and your crew mates," Grailik said, "The Nimitz had been taken over. Several members of her crew murdered. The lives of the rest of the crew was in immanent danger. You did what you did to help recapture the ship, correct? To help protect the innocent lives that were at risk?" "It was the only thing I could think of to accomplish recapturing the ship. I could not let them hurt anyone anylonger, but, I almost went to far. I almost killed and if it wasn't for the Rogue Winters being stunned one of us would be dead now." Kestra had not really said that out loud or to anyone before now. It was like Grailik knew just what to say to bring out what she had inside her. "Now, what you did from a medical stand point was perhaps a bit unwise. You as a doctor know the effects that artificial stimulants can have on the body. However, we are Star Fleet Officers. Our jobs require us, at times, to put our selves in harms way to insure the safety of the entire Federation and her citizens. You did a very noble and selfless thing, putting your own life in danger to protect those who could not protect themselves. Not many people have that kind of courage. Your feelings of guilt over what you did are a good sign that your motives were pure. Not based in petty vengeance to hurt someone who had hurt you. The simple fact is, what you did helped save lives. Hundreds of lives. Something you should be proud of, like your abilities. They are a gift and you should use that gift to help others. The gift remains pure as long as you use them to help others. Abuse the gift and you will soon find that it can also be a curse. Long as you remember that, I doubt that there will be any problems." Grailik smiled a warm charming smile as he finished. "Commander, I now understand how you became a very successful Counselor. You have a such a gift of insight into how a person feels." Kestra had been feeling down about herself and what had happened which she had never gotten around to analyzing. She had just chose to just not use her abilities ever again unless in dire need. But, now she felt much better about what happened and Grailik was the one to point out her true thoughts even if she would not admit them to herself. "You make it all sound so .... ... heroic" she finally found the word, "But, I can't say that, I did what I thought at the time was needed. Yes I do agree as a Doctor I did know that it could have affected me but the need outweighed it. I also had a really good Nurse that reminded me constantly, but, I out ranked her." Kestra said as she smiled a little shyly. "I thank you sir as I feel so much better and know now that I do belong on this ship." Kestra looked at him a minute longer then got up the courage, "Commander would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" (Reply Grailik, any) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, 2O/CMO, Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1402) As Kestra and Grailik were still discussing things about the ship and personnel the doors suddenly opened to her office and a small girl walked in, catching both her and Grailik a little by surprise. "My mum sent me to bring these to you." the little girl said handing to Kestra the plant that she had left on the Nimitz that her daughter had taken care of for so long. "Mum said that you would like this too." She also handed Kestra a picture drawn by her daughter signed by Trish. Kestra could not believe her eyes as those things she had made sure was left with the kids back on Betazed with her mother. She then watched the little girl turn to Grailik not being able to react it seemed that everything around her but the girl was moving in slow motion. "And to you" the little girl said turning to Grailik. "I bring you this, a gift of me and my Mum." She handed to Grailik a seashell - one from the El Aurian home world. "Mum said that you couldn't go home again." The little girl looked up at Grailik then left sickbay and time seemed to return to normal. Kestra watched and knew from his look, not needing to use her telepathic ability, while Grailik looked as the sea shell for a second, that he knew immediately what the seashell was and where it had come from, before jumping up out of his seat and slapping his comm-badge. "Grailik to Bridge. Yellow Alert. Possible intruder. Seal off Deck 7!" Grailik said, quickly moving after the little 'girl'. He looked back at Kestra. "There aren't any children on the Boudicca. That was NO girl." Grailik moved out into the hallway as the yellow alert sirens started to sound. Kestra had ran out behind him and looked both ways to see no little girl. "I will go this way, you go that way" She said as she started down the hallway that she had indicated to him. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, FO, Cmndr Grailik, 1347) "Commander would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Grailik raised a brow slightly surprised at the invitation. He smiled, nodding his head. "I would be honored," He said, "Where shall we dine this evening?" (Reply Kestra) USS Boudicca, Corridors, FO Cmndr Grailik, 1405) Grailik moved cautiously, but quickly down the corridors, in his hand he still held the 'gift' the 'girl' had given him. He turned it in his hand feeling it from every angle, now positive that it had indeed come for his long dead home world how ever impossible that might seem. His eyes darting in every direction, Grailik continued searching. ~Where is security?~ =/\=Bridge to Grailik, report.=/\= Grailik didn't stop at the sound of Servants voice. He kept searching, tapping his comm-badge while his eyes looked into ever corner and crevasse. "Something appearing to be a small human girl entered the CMO's office and graced myself and Lt. Commander Troi with 'gifts'." Grailik said, turning the shell his grasp once more. "My gift was a sea shell from my home world, as impossible as that sounds." (Reply Sevant) Grailik continued looking soon meeting up with and joining a security team. (Reply Security if desired) =/\=Troi to Commander Grailik, Sir, I have searched the MRC and have not found the child as of yet. I am moving on to the storage area, have you found anything?=/\= "Nothing yet Commander. Keep looking," Grailik said, tapping his own comm-badge. =/\=Aye sir, I have not sensed anything of the child, but, I will continue to storage and then back to sickbay. Troi out.=/\= Grailik smiled. ~At least she's no longer afraid to use her abilities.~ The smile falling from his face, he nodded toward the security team and they continued searching. Several minuets latter his comm-badge chirped again. =/\=Troi to Commander Grailik, nothing in the Storage area, returning to Sickbay.=/\= "Very well, Commander. I'm ordering a security team to sickbay incase this 'girl' returns." =/\=Aye sir=/\= Grailik pointed to two of the three security personnel with him. "You two go to sickbay. You," he pointed at the remaining crewman, "are with me." Taking the phaser he was offered, Grailik moved off down the corridor. After they had gone a few feet down the hallway Grailik tapped his badge again. "Grailik to Bridge. Search negative so far. I'm sending a security team to sickbay incase It returns there. Continuing our search." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay CMO's Office, 2O/CMO, Lt. Cmndr Kestra Troi, 1350) Kestra waited for an answer to her question trying not to seem to anxious. He did seem a bit surprised from what she had asked him as he raised an eyebrow. "I would be honored," He answered as he smiled, nodding his head, "Where shall we dine this evening?" His answer pleased her more than she thought it would and she started thinking of a place they could go. She did not want to be too forward yet she also did not want to appear too cautious. She tried to look into him, into his eyes, but, not into his mind as she thought that would be an intrusion. She wanted to see in his eyes just how he was or what he was thinking, but, she could not see anything in them other than what he had shone so far. "I will give you two choices and feel free to chose either. We can eat in my quarters as it would give us a place away from work as possible and I am not a bad cook. Or if you want, we can go to Ten Forward. Either way, spending time together is always good." She waited to see what choice he would pick, just smiling at him. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – outside COUNS' Office – COUNS – Dr. Domini Alizara - 1350) “I have no idea what to think to be honest Doctor,” Pausing William chose his words carefully. “Have you been under a lot of stress recently?” William looked the woman dead in the eyes; it was not a present question however he had to rule down all possibilities before going hunting for a phantom girl. Domini glared at the security officer. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?" “I meant it as no insult Doctor, however I do have to enquire to attempt to piece together events. Do you have any recording equipment in this room that might have been active?” "No... Starfleet regulations forbid recording equipment in the Counsellor's Office. The only thing I have is the standard connection to the computer for log entries." Domini finished. “Right, what im going to do now is to check the sensor logs and get a science team down here to run scans and check the area,” William stated smiling in a attempt to relax the Doctor. Domini sighed. This wasn't working out. "Fine, please do so." She said. She listened to what was all going on, then smiled, vindicated, when the child was found in other parts of the ship, bearing similiar gifts to other people. “Doctor Alizara, since you were the first person to encounter the ‘child’ would you accompany me?” "Of course." Domini replied, feeling oddly. There was something about this that wasn't making any sense to her. She chewed her bottom lip a bit as she thought and followed the security guy. Smiling William exited the office where two security guards were standing side arms holstered carrying rifles. Grinning William signalled for them to move closer. “Right, I want teams to sweep inwards we need to secure this ‘girl’ I want all personnel secured in quarters. Also from what I have been able to piece together our FO and 2O are running about make sure you don’t shoot them!” William stated winking. “Doctor what does this girl look like?” "She has long brown hair, is about yea tall." And Domini showed the height off the floor. "And has grey eyes. She was wearing a blue jumper dress when I saw her, but others have reported her with blue eyes and in a purple jumpsuit." Domini finished. "She looks to be about 7 years old. And she's invisible to my telepathic senses." Domini concluded when she realized what was bothering her. She heard a sound and turned around to see the little girl standing there. "Why are you hunting me?" She asked before vanishing in a flash of blue light before the security guy could grab her from behind. Domini turned to the Security chief. "Well?" She asked. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Kyle Rin - 1350) “Lieutenant Bush to Ensign Rin, Ensign I need a science team to the counselling office to conduct scans. A young girl was supposed to have passed through the area, I need scans confirming she was there and also a check for any partials residual from a cloak or transporter,” =^= Aye, sir! i'll be there in a minute lemme grab some stuff =^= “Immediately if possible Ensign, the event occurred recently so it would be most prudent to take action as soon as possible,” =^= Understood, Kyle Out =^= As the com link went dead Kyle grabbed up a scan kit along with a tricorder and headed out the door into a near-by turbolift, As the doors closed Kyle looked up thru the crack in the door as it slid shut and thought he saw something enter the CSO office. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – outside COUNS' Office – TAC/SC – Lt. William Bush - 1350) "I was sitting in my office going over the crew files when I heard the chime. Answered it, and then looked up and there was a child standing there. She had brown hair and grey eyes and said that her Mum told her to come and bring me a plant, that it was from my home world, and very rare. She said her Mum had seen me when I went to get stuff to plant the clippings I brought from my garden on Earth in. Then she put down the plant and left, and I went back to the crew files. It wasn't till a few minutes later that I realized that there weren't any children on board the Boudicca, so I checked with the computer. The computer confirmed it. That's when I called you." As the doctor finished William began to raise an eyebrow. It was a strange situation and at the front of his mind it had run through his mind that maybe the counsellor might require counselling. "So what do you think, Lt? Am I just being silly?" As she stared at him William kept a straight face not allowing his emotion to betray his thoughts. Looking around the room William looked for any signs of narcotics or alcohol. It was not a pleasant thing to do but it was an obvious place to start from. At the end of the day a mysterious girl was not an every day occurrence. “I have no idea what to think to be honest Doctor,” Pausing William chose his words carefully. “Have you been under a lot of stress recently?” William looked the woman dead in the eyes; it was not a present question however he had to rule down all possibilities before going hunting for a phantom girl. (Reply Alizara) “I meant it as no insult Doctor, however I do have to enquire to attempt to piece together events. Do you have any recording equipment in this room that might have been active?” (Reply Alizara) “Right, what im going to do now is to check the sensor logs and get a science team down here to run scans and check the area,” William stated smiling in a attempt to relax the Doctor. (Reply Alizara) Turning his back on the doctor William tapped his com badge to contact science first. “Lieutenant Bush to Ensign Rin, Ensign I need a science team to the counselling office to conduct scans. A young girl was supposed to have passed through the area, I need scans confirming she was there and also a check for any partials residual from a cloak or transporter,” (Reply Rin) “Immediately if possible Ensign, the event occurred recently so it would be most prudent to take action as soon as possible,” (Reply Rin) NRPG add more iyw RPG Turning back to the doctor William smiled at her and then was about to speak when the yellow alert clackson clicked into action. Looking over at the Doctor William let his shock show. Maybe the Doctor was not crazy. Tapping his com badge he chimed through to his assistant. “Skylynx, report!” William ordered, he knew that in a yellow alert situation it was no doubt the ensign would be on the bridge and at the station. (Reply Skylynx) “Have you dispatched teams?” (Reply Skylynx) “What are the internal sensors showing?” (Reply Skylynx) “Right have a team hook up with me, im at the councillors office. Can you also remain on the bridge and coordinate the security teams?” (Reply Skylynx) Turning back to the doctor William spoke once more. “Doctor Alizara, since you were the first person to encounter the ‘child’ would you accompany me?” (Reply Alizara) Smiling William exited the office where two security guards were standing side arms holstered carrying rifles. Grinning William signalled for them to move closer. “Right, I want teams to sweep inwards we need to secure this ‘girl’ I want all personnel secured in quarters. Also from what I have been able to piece together our FO and 2O are running about make sure you don’t shoot them!” William stated winking. “Doctor what does this girl look like?” (Reply Alizara) Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – outside COUNS' Office - COUNS – Dr. Domini Alizara - 1350) =^=Lieutenant, I will come to you immediately, =^= Domini nodded and tapped her comm badge waiting impatiently for the security officer to come. A few minutes later, the Officer walked out of the turbolift. Domini recognized him as William, one of the first people that she had gotten to know in her travels around the ship. “Counsellor, how may I assist you?” Domini explained as succinctly as she could, concluding with "I was born and raised on Betazed, Lt. Bush, and I would say that I'm pretty familiar with the foliage of that planet. But I've never seen this kind of plant before, and most importantly the computer says that there are no children on board." “Right, tell me what exactly happened?” Domini sighed. Security men were like Engineers. They all thought logically. "I was sitting in my office going over the crew files when I heard the chime. I answered it, and then looked up and there was a child standing there. She had brown hair and grey eyes and said that her Mum told her to come and bring me a plant, that it was from my home world, and very rare. She said her Mum had seen me when i went to get stuff to plant the clippings i brought from my garden on Earth in. Then she put down the plant and left, and I went back to the crew files. It wasn't till a few minutes later that I realized that there weren't any children on board the Boudicca, so I checked with the computer. The computer confirmed it. That's when I called you." Domini finished, taking a deep breath. "So what do you think, Lt? Am I just being silly?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest and staring at him. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – Security Office - TAC/SC – Lt William Bush - 1350) William lent back in his chair, despite the Captain’s warnings there was no real danger that could be ascertained. His assistant was dealing with all the affairs of the department and for the first time since arriving on the Boudicca William had a chance to relax. As he wondered into a dream state whilst looking at the pad he was attempting to read the com link sprang into action. =^=Counsellor Alizara to security. Lt, a child just brought me a plant, to my office, as a gift from her mother. But the computer says that there are no children on board the Boudicca, and the computer has no record of anyone matching her description. Could you please come to my officer and reassure me that I’m just being silly? =^= William raised an eyebrow and paused. “Lieutenant, I will come to you immediately,” William laid the pad he was reading on to the desk and stood up. (Reply Alizara iyw) William began to walk out of his office when he paused and moved over to the weapons cabinet. Pushing his thumb onto the scanner the light glew green, Will reached and unhooked a phaser. Placing it in the back of his trousers William walked down to the doctor’s location. (USS Boudicca - Counsellor's Office – TAC/SC – Lt William Bush – 13:55) William walked out of the turbolift and walked slowly down to the counsellor’s office, he had to admit he had never really got to know the crew of this vessel. However the Doctor had been one of the first members of the crew that he had encountered. If she was worried about something it was worthwhile considering. As the door opened William entered the room and saw the doctor raising an eyebrow he spoke. “Counsellor, how may I assist you?” (Reply Alizara) “Right, tell me what exactly happened?” Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Counsellor's Office, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 1350) Domini sat in her office, reviewing the crew files, looking for anything a little strange or unusual. She was supposed to find abnormalities, things that weren't quite right, in other words - she was looking for potential spies. ~I hate doing this.~ She spoke, leaning back and rubbing her dark brown eyes. She heard a chime and said, "Come." without looking up to see who it was. It was no one she had seen before. "Hi." She spoke quietly, afraid to scare the child. "Hi. I'm Liza. Mum told me to come and bring this to you." Liza spoke holding out a plant to Domini. "Mum's the botanist, and she saw you getting some supplies and thought you might like this." The little brown haired girl spoke, almost as if reciting a speech. "Mum said it was from your planet, and pretty rare." And with that the little girl skipped off after putting the plant down. Domini hadn't a chance to put a word in edgewise. She picked up the very pretty plant and put it on the corner of her desk, before inquiring after who exactly the child was. The computer had no record of her, and the chief botanist aboard was a guy, but Domini just shook her head, thinking that it was another case of the personnel changes being ahead of the computer. She shook her head again and returned to the personnel files when something finally clicked in her head. The child didn't really look like a child. She got up and left her office, and then called security. "Counsellor Alizara to security. Lt, a child just brought me a plant, to my office, as a gift from her mother. But the computer says that there are no children on board the Boudicca, and the computer has no record of anyone matching her description. Could you please come to my officer and reassure me that i'm just being silly?" She asked, hopefully. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Outside/Inside Couns Office - ACSO Rin - 1355) Shaking it off he figured he needed some rest and was working a little too hard, about the same time the doors slid open and Kyle stepped out he walked up to Lt. Bush who was standing outside the Counselors office. "What's the situation sir?" he asked as he flashed a quick smile to Domini. (reply bush) "If Counselor Domini could take a seat in her office when this happened. So the scan field might react to residue left on her." (reply bush) "All due respect sir, if you could sit where you were also." (reply bush) With that said Kyle entered the Counselor's office and set his kit down onto a near-by table, reaching in he pulled out a small tripod-like device and set it near the kit with a small push of a button the device came to life and began to flash a morse-code like pattern with a green light. Reaching to his belt he pulled out his tricorder and began to take a few scans as he began to speak. "I'm getting a reading of high particle emissions, they appear to have a cloak signature residue to them but it doesn't seem to be coming from the ship's cloak field. It's as fit a cloak field was warped to generate this girl you saw." (reply Will / Domini) "I highly doubt such a field would come from any near-by ship considering it would cause the ship to appear it would drain the cloak enducer field and unmask the ship. However if it was ran thru a poly-phasic enducer something like a sensor buffer it would drain the buffer but not discharge the cloak." (reply any) "Correct sir, the ship would remain cloaked and the image of for example the girl would be stable enough to broadcast a signal." Kyle paused and nodded to the Lieutenant's next statement. (reply bush) "Shields would infact distort the image but the broadcast would continue. This might even give off the location of such broadcast. I suggest calling a meeting in the observation room." Kyle tapped his com badge. =^= Rin to bridge =^= (reply any) =^= Sir, we may have a ship near-by i suggest raising shields someone may be trying to broadcast a signal to the Boudicca thru a cloak field =^= (reply any) =^= Rin out =^= As the shields were raised there was a sudden spike on Kyle's tricorder, he punched a few buttons and gave a smile. "Counselor, the good news what you saw was indeed a signal from a cloaking device. The bad news the signal is federation." Kyle sank slowly to a chair behind him and closed his tricorder, the tripod device continued to flash on the table Kyle closed his eyes and listened for any reply from the Lieutenant or Counselor. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - OPS Lt. Schafio - 1403) Yalta had fun during that improvised meeting at Ten Forward, they had time to talk and start to know one another but then came the time to go back to work. For now, everything went alright, the system were responding well right up to 1400. Something was off, but for now she couldn't put her finger on it. There was tiny energy fluctuations but she attributed this to the system shake down, they needed to see the bugs and fast until a peculiar message came through. =^=Grailik to Bridge. Yellow Alert. Possible intruder. Seal off Deck 7!=^= Sevant's head snapped up, "Intruder Alert, Condition Yellow. Security to Deck Seven, Seal off Deck seven!" he snapped. "Sealling deck 7 now Sir! Security is on it's way there." (reply: Security) Yalta kept track of what was going on, sending information useful to department heads has they came. When she heard that the order of raising the shield that is when her heart started to pound but she kept her calm and her eyes on what her console was saying. "Security says that they have started there search, the internal sensor are not detecting anything. I read tiny energy fluctuations in certain sector of this ship, where the sighting were reported but right now, nothing." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 1403) =^=Grailik to Bridge. Yellow Alert. Possible intruder. Seal off Deck 7!=^= Sevant's head snapped up, "Intruder Alert, Condition Yellow. Security to Deck Seven, Seal off Deck seven!" he snapped. (reply: Ops, Security) He tapped his fingers together, then tapped his badge, "Bridge to Grailik, report." he said, in a far more calm tone. (reply: Grailik) Sevant folded his hands together again, eager to actually be moving, rather then sitting on the bridge. He had been a security officer most of his career, and even if he felt comfortable here in the Command Chair, he ached to be defending the ship. There was a balance to that which kept him in place, he *was* doing his part in protecting the ship from here on the bridge. =^= Rin to bridge =^= "Bridge here," Sevant replied, immediately. =^= Sir, we may have a ship near-by I suggest raising shields someone may be trying to broadcast a signal to the Boudicca through a cloak field =^= Now THAT caught Sevants attention. He quirked his head, then half turned to the Tactical console. "Shields up," He turned back to the front, "Adjust speed and power consumption to maintain cloak integrity." he continued. (reply: Tactical, Operations, Conn) He frowned, ever so slightly, "Find them, if they are there, Doctor; and keep me informed." he finished. =^= Rin out =^= Sevant put the PADD to the side, events were starting to irritate him, he didn't believe in coincidence. If they were being shadowed, then events had just taken a nasty turn for the worst. It reminded him of the first trip of Boudicca, so much so it almost scared him. The Boudicca had originally launched under much the same conditions, and saboteurs had dogged her every step for far to long. Kaneshiro and Sevant had spent far to much time sifting through the crew to find those to blame, it had nearly turned into a witch-hunt. Sevant could see the beginnings of that same kind of paranoia here, now that the stakes were so much higher. He leaned back, and waited. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - Capt Sevant - 1404) "Security says that they have started there search, the internal sensor are not detecting anything. I read tiny energy fluctuations in certain sector of this ship, where the sighting were reported but right now, nothing." "Very well." Sevant replied. He tapped his fingers for a few moments, then tapped his badge. "Bridge to Grailik, report." =^=Something appearing to be a small human girl entered the CMO's office and graced myself and Lt. Commander Troi with 'gifts'. My gift was a sea shell from my home world, as impossible as that sounds.=^= (Reply Sevant) Sevant groaned inwardly. "A 'Q'?" he mused for a moment. "Very well, keep me informed." (reply: Grailik, if desired) Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Bridge- ATAC/ASC Ensign Ryko Skylynx-1405) Ryko was busy on the bridge attending to intruder alert problems, when his commbadge suddenly chimed. =^= Rin to bridge =^= Ryko tapped his badge. "Skylynx here, what is it Doctor?" =^= Sir, we may have a ship near-by i suggest raising shields someone may be trying to broadcast a signal to the Boudicca thru a cloak field =^= "Shields have already been raised, Doctor. But I will see what I can do," Ryko said. =^= Rin out =^= Ryko went back to his readings and assigned security teams to deck seven. He also powered weapons in advance, and listened for his orders. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - Sevant - 1410) "Captain Sevant, there's a glitch in the memory core. I have to take a look right away, it might solve a few things." Sevant, his hands steepled with his arms resting on the chair's armrests, nodded quietly. "Quickly." he said, tonelessly. "I will, Riko, can you come with me!" "Sure," said Ryko, returning the smile. He logged himself off the tactical console and followed Yalta."Where are we going?" "We are going into the belly of the beast... that's all." Sevant watched the alternate Operations officer take the Console without a word. He turned in the chair as the TAC/ASC and Ops left the bridge, and looked at the Alternate Security Officer. "Have all security teams report in," he ordered. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - OPS Lt. Schafio - 1410) Yalta was searching and making disgnostic to all the sensors on board, there was nothing, litterally nothing at all. Then, has she made a disgnostic of the computer core, something was wrong went it said that it was working perfectly. She tested it, making it believe that there was an energy surge in one circuit, but it didn't solve it by rerouting to alternate circuit. “Captain Sevant, there's a glitch in the memory core. I have to take a look right away, it might solve a few things.” (Reply from Sevant) “I will, Riko, can you come with me!” She smiled. (Reply from Riko) “We are going into the belly of the beast... that's all.” (USS Boudicca – Memory Core – 1416) “I don't know, my reading were funny. I just know that something is going on. Go that way, see if there's anything abnormal. I will go that way and check the core.' (Reply from Riko) As Yalta and Riko separated but were at hear shot she started to investigate. Yalta sat down at a console, the only one in the room. She saw the security officer going up the ladder to see the other level. He disappear from her sight and she went to work. She went through the first level of disgnostic, there was nothing, then the second, which revealed something. There was on unknow object, about 4 meters long, 2 meters high under the belly of the ship. Suddenly, the little girl was beside her. “It's too soon!” She said Yalta was totally surprised by this child and suddenly a sort of energy beam hit her hard on her chesh. She barely had time to say. “NO!” Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - ATAC Ryko Skylynx- 1410) Ryko was tracking the anomalies in the sensors that were routing through the ship when Yalta confirmed what he'd been thinking at the time. "Captain Sevant, there's a glitch in the memory core. I have to take a look right away, it might solve a few things." (Reply from Sevant) "I will, Ryko, can you come with me?" She smiled. "Sure," said Ryko, returning the smile. He logged himself off the tactical console and followed Yalta."Where are we going?" "We are going into the belly of the beast... that's all." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Engineering - Ensign Saim Enaj - 1411) While Saim was looking at a diagnostic screen she suddenly saw a massive spike of energy in the computer core. Saim tried to play it back to find out some more about it but now the computer was telling her that the energy spike had never happened. -^- Bridge. Ensign Saim Enaj here. I just picked up a massive energy spike in the computer core but now the computer is saying it never happened. -^- Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - Capt Sevant - 1414) Sevant was a trained security Chief, he had been so for many years, and his first reaction at seeing a figure appear right in front of him, was to jump to his feet. He nearly jumped to the side as well, but paused when she didn't appear threatening. "Intruder Alert, Bridge!" he barked immediately, however. She didn't appear to react to his words however, instead she said, "I have come to bring you a gift, Captain. It is a gift from me, and not from my Mum." The Tactical officer took a shot at her from behind him, but the phaser just -stopped- before it hit her. He brought up his hand in a cutting motion, a silent order to the Security Officer to hold his fire. He studied the girl warily as her face suddenly melted into what looked like intense concentration. He brought his hand back up again, to tell the security officer to stand by, and made ready to jump. He wasn't taking any chances with this being who had proved more powerful then he liked, and was running along loose on his ship. What happened, however, was not anything like he had expected. Only in his wildest dreams... Or his wildest nightmares. Right in front of him, just off to the side, three bodies flashed into existence. Sevant looked at them, slack jawed, and completely ignored the little girl as she said something about them being a gift. Of all the cruel jokes that could possibly have been played on him, this was utterly the worst. His family, his wife and two children, were standing in front of him. The same wife and children that had been murdered in their sleep by a dirty faction within Starfleet. He closed his mouth slowly, and clutched it so tight his jaw started to ache, as another being flashed into existence beside the 'little girl'. "Captain." the being said. "We should talk." Another pause, as she looked at the girl. "Privately." Sevant looked back at the three again, they seemed to be aware of their surroundings now, no longer confused by being conjured out of thin air. His hands clenched into fists, as he alternated between extreme joy, crushing depression and righteous anger. "Captain, may I come with you?" The Counselor asked, as she stepped beside him. Sevant was utterly without words, and he couldn't rip his eyes away from the three women standing before him. They were so perfect, even his wife's belly bulged slightly, just as he remembered it, with the twins that she was to have borne. He shivered, and pointed at them. "Get my family... Them... Those things... Whatever they are, off my bridge." he rasped in a quiet cold voice, letting anger rule the moment. His family was dead, nothing could bring them back, at best they were facsimiles.... Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - the little girl - 1414) She didn't know why they were hunting her. She didn't like that they were hunting her. She really didn't like the fact that they thought she was bad, like the people they were fighting. She saw her mother standing there. It wasn't really her mother, because they didn't have gender, she was just a person who guided the young one. She was a mentor. But since they were encouraged to live among humans, and choose gender, and choose looks, she had choosen to be female, as had her mentor. "Mum, I don't understand." The little girl spoke, watching the scene. "I don't know why they don't like my gifts." She saw the Ops person go and look at the memory, and discover what they had to put there. Her mother winked out and reappeared, stunning the Ops person as she was going to kill the baby. The little girl shook her head, and without anyone knowing it appeared in front of the Captain. She stood there on the bridge as everyone stared at her. "I have come to bring you a gift, Captain." She spoke sincerely. "It is a gift from me, and not from my Mum." She concentrated on the space next to her. Sweat broke out on the girls face as a phaser beam bounced off of her personal shield. She ignored it for the moment, she would deal with that person later. She wanted to make the Captain happy. He was the saddest of all of them, and the reason he was so sad was because he had lost his wife and children to a bad man. The little girl could fix that, she could bring them back, but it was the hardest thing she had done, ever. She hoped that the gifts would be enough to distract the people so that the baby could be reborn in this universe. It was her mission to bring back the baby and restore the balance in the universe. Then she could grow up and go live among the humans. That was her secondary mission. She slumped as beside her three people were formed. They were not the same people, but the ones from his memory. She saw the Captain's stunned face, and said. "This is my gift to you, Captain. I've brought them back for you." She felt a ripple and turned to see her mentor. "Captain." Her mother spoke. "We should talk." And her mentor-mother frowned at the little girl, and the little girl began to cry. "Privately." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Corridors, 2O/CMO, Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1415) Kestra had started her search for the little girl on the opposite corridors than that of Grailik. She figured that by now, since the yellow alert started from deck seven, that this deck had been sealed off. That meant that if the little girl was actually here she would be somewhere in sickbay, the triage center, medical research center, or the storage area. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - Capt Sevant - 1416) The little girl looked up at her Mum and burst into tears. "You don't like my gifts?" She asked of Sevant. The Captain ground his jaw, "Remove them... NOW." he repeated. "Caladryll..." his 'wife' began. Sevant cut her off with a motion, and in a more leaden tone said "You are not Victoria, whatever you are, you are not my wife." The mentor looked over to the Captain. "I can't do that. Only she can. And they are as real as your memory of them, Caladryll Sevant." The mentor said. "No!" he said savagely, "They are dead, and I will not have their memory stained by a child that doesn't know the difference!" he looked at the 'child', "Remove them." The little girl looked down at her feet. "I can try." She broke into tears as the figures shimmered and melted, and finally disappeared. Then she threw her arms around Caladryll leg and wept into it. Sevant let his own breath escape, in dismay and relief at the same time, as the figures disappeared. He hadn't been paying attention to the girl, but his attention was rapidly brought back to her as he felt her wrap herself around his leg. He looked down at her for a few moments, then at the counselor with a cocked eyebrow. "Some help would be appreciated," he said, still rattled enough not to care if he made the girl even more 'sad'. He could only take so many large-scale shocks at one time. The Mother held out her hand and said "Let me" And suddenly the little girl was in her arms. "Your office, Captain?" She asked, picking up the little girl effortlessly. Sevant took a breath, and said a quick mantra to calm his nerves... a mantra that failed miserably. "Very well." he said louder, "First Officer to the Ready room." (reply: Grailik, any) He gestured to the ready room, and immediately walked into it. He slowly walked around his desk, and sat down in the chair. The mother nodded and they went into the ready room. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – Memory Core – OPS Lt. Schafio - 1418) Suddenly, the little girl was beside her. “It's too soon!” She said Yalta was totally surprised by this child and suddenly a sort of energy beam hit her hard on her chesh. She barely had time to say. “NO!” Yalta barely had time to take her phaser when that energy beam hit her on the chest. The impact was strong enough that it pushed her against the wall and she fell on the floor. Everything went blank, she could barely hear anything, not even Ensign Skylynx. "Yalta, are you okay?" he yelled. No answer. Ryko cautiously stepped down the ladder, his senses heightened. He rounded the corner and there she was, unconscious. "Oh, shit." Ryko said. He looked around. There was no one in sight.   "Skylynx to sickbay, medical emergency in memory core level one."   (reply any in sickbay) "Bad. Very bad. Some sort of energy blast went off and I found Lt Schafio here, by herself. Get down here now."   Ryko moved over to examine her and see how bad she was hurt.   "Yalta, are you okay?" He said.   Yalta heard a voice much more close this time, she open her eyes but the pain was sharp and mind numming. She close them again, an attempt to shot the pain out of her mind. “It hurt, I don't think I can stay concious... There.... is.” It was just too much, and she let go, loosing conciousness.   "Medical teams are on the way. Just hang in there." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – Memory Core – ATAC Ensign Ryko Skylynx - 1418) "It hurt, I don't think I can stay concious... There.... is." It was just too much, and she let go, loosing conciousness. "Medical teams are on the way. Just hang in there."Ryko said. He looked around for any signs of life but found none. There was no evidence of an explosion. Ryko had been skeptical about the visits from a "Little girl" on board, but now he wasn't so sure. "Yalta, you'll be okay, I promise," Ryko said. He had had enough of waiting for medical teams. "Come on, lets get you to sickbay." He picked her up and headed back to the turbolift. The narrow corridor provided a challenge in manoeuvering but Ryko eventually made it to the turbolift. He entered. "Sickbay," He said, and the turbolift shot off towards its destination. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - Capt Sevant / Cmdr Grailik / Couns Winters / The Entities - 1420) The mother walked over to the window after setting the little girl down on the couch. She looked out at the stars. "I don't know if you have heard of us before. We are called the Doud, and we are a race that believes in harmony and peace. We are not unlike the Q, who you might have heard of. The Q however, are immortal, and we are not." She crossed her arms. "The little girl, her name is Liyassa, and I, I am called Jaelle - we were sent by the Council to ... bring forth a very special mission." She took a deep breath before continuing. "When a young Doud is brought into existence, they are often assigned a mentor. Liyassa is my.. protégé and she is a very young Doud, about equal to six of your earth years. Young Doud are given missions with their mentors to learn and grow into their power. This is Liyassa's first mission." And then she turned around. "She did not mean to bring you harm, Captain. She, like so many of our kind, can not bear the sight of someone sad. So while we were carrying out our mission, she decided to make people happy. As this was an acceptable distraction, I agreed. I did not know that she would summon your family from your memories, Caladryll Sevant, and if I had I would have told her no." Sevant said little, just waited for her to continue. "You should of known," Grailik said casually, looking directly at the one calling it's self Jaelle, "if you know anything of our kind, how we would react to a strange being running lose on the ship. It was obvious that she was no mere human child as she appeared, yet you admit to allowing her to run lose on the ship with out supervision." Grailik looked at Sevant as he finished speaking. Jaelle looked down. "I have not spent much time around your people, Old One. I have observed, one called Nimitz, and there are children, she would have blended right in. But there are no children here, even though there are supposed to be. And gift giving is part of your culture. Isn't it?" She asked. "It is a way to make those who are not happy be so again. That was all that she intended, Old One." Sevant did nothing more then fold his hands together and continued to watch. Jaelle continued. "There are strings in space, that you might have heard of, your beings call them subspace strings. They often become tangled together, and they are kept apart by a number of things, one of which was a species that my people call the Yirrow. They are similar to old earth whales, except that their sea is space and instead of plankton and such, they feed on the things that attract these strings together. The last of them was killed and there have been holes developing in space because of the strings tangling up. Liyassa and I are bringing forth two of the 'babies' from an alternate time line. In order to do so, they are in a pod right under your engines, feeding off of the bi-products of your engines. Liyassa and I are accelerating their growth. They will be fully formed in another day and then we will depart your ship." Sevant's eyes narrowed, and for the first time in this conversation he opened his mouth to speak. "So you are draining my ship and leaving me open to my enemies." "That explains the odd readings we've been getting on and off as well," Grailik added, his voice calm and un-threatening "Captain, I am not an agent of your rival, nor am I a saboteur -- And I think that we are all on the same side." Jaelle finished. "I will answer the questions that I can, but I am not a scientist, Captain. I am a nurturer." Liyassa then looked up at Grailik. "Why are you still sad, old one?" She asked, using the honorary that the Doud used For the El-Aurian. "Didn't my sea shell make you happy?" "No," Grailik admitted honestly, "it served only to remind me of how much I have lost and can never regain. My wife loved the sea. She collected sea shells. Your gift only reminds me of her loss, young one. Your intentions may have been good, but your methods were questionable." he thought for a moment. "but in your memory your wife is happy. would you like her back?" Liyassa asked. Jaelle turned to glare at her charge, and would intercede if need be. This was a lesson the young one had to learn, about people and loss, and how things with good intentions sometimes turned out wrong. "No," Sevant said, superseding his First Officer. "To us, when our loved ones are gone, then nothing can bring them back. At best, what you do is create a facsimile of them, no more real then a holographic projection... But much more painful for all that they are fake. Such creations do not make us happy, they serve to remind us just what we have lost. That is, not... An alternative for us." Sevant looked up at Grailik, seeing what he wanted to add. At this moment in time, he was far from eloquent, he was working to hard from removing the image of his family from his mind. Grailik nodded agreeing with Sevant. He looked at the sea shell still in his hand and thought of his long dead wife and family. The little girl looked down at her hands. "But they are real. The memories are real, so aren't the people in them real too? Aren't computers just mechanical? These live, and they are the same as the ones in your memory. I do not understand." She sighed. "As good a lesson as this is for the young one to learn, Sevant, I need to know your intentions regarding those in the pod underneath your ship. I will not let you harm them." Jaelle said, turning back to Sevant and frowning. "It would have been better had you not discovered them and remained chasing after the young one." Sevant choose to ignore the girl, and turned his gaze on the 'adult'. "You don't leave me much choice, now do you?" he all but growled, in any tone but pleased. "I've no weapon to fight you, and you have just stated I can't harm them. So let me return a counter, when do you plan on getting them off my ship? And do you plan on helping me, if I get into trouble because of our new little pets... Your charges?" Jaelle looked at her hands. "They should not hurt your ship, they are only feeding off the bi-products." She said, defensively, avoiding the question. "We do not fight. We are a peaceful race." "Then you had better start musing over the idea of loosing them, we are most likely going into combat." Sevant replied. His eyes narrowed dangerously, "or do you propose to keep us in place, away from a danger zone." Jaelle frowned. "You are headed to a danger zone in the next day?" She asked. "It will only be a day before they are fully grown. By this time tomorrow both my charges and myself will be long gone." Jaelle sighed. "Who do you plan to fight with?" She asked, nervous for the first time. Sevant looked on grimly, "No one, if I can help it. Odds are, my own." he said, somewhat cryptically. "We are a rear guard, with a half-ready ship, guarding against our own forces. I can't tell you when we would fall into combat, none of us knows, That's why we are the rear-guard." He leaned forward in the chair, "So it could be ten minutes from now, perhaps never. But more then just your precious...whatever they are's... Rest on our shoulders. You picked a very bad spawning ground." "It is doubtful we will encounter any hostiles for at least another couple days," Grailik interjected, "But like Captain Sevant has said, there are no guarantees. I think it would be best, if your self and the Young One keep a very low profile for the remainder of your stay." He looked at the child. "That means no more 'gifts' for any one on board. ANY ONE." He knelt down on one knee, and motioned Liyassa over. He took her hand and held it in his own and looked her in the eye. "We appreciate what you are trying to do with your gifts, Young One. We really do. But you must learn that reminding people of what they have lost will not bring happiness. Only pain. The future, the hope of good one, brings happiness. We cherish our memories of the past, but they do not bring us happiness. Only the promise of a bright tomorrow." He winked and smiled. "You will learn. I know you will, but for now, I want you to promise me: No more gifts for the remainder of your stay. Promise?" Sevant stood, as Grailik and the girl were talking. "I expect you to keep a weather-eye on her, if you are not going to be leaving. I want no more surprises." With that, he turned on his heel and strode out onto the bridge. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Sick Bay - Nurse Lieutenant Fala - 1420) Nurse Fala had just finished a physical of one of the marines when He heard the comm go off. =/\=Skylynx to sick bay, medical emergency in memory core level one=/\= Tapping her combadge, "Nurse Fala here, can you tell me how bad and the nature of the emergency?" She replied as she quickly finished putting away stuff around the last physical. =/\=Bad, Very Bad. Some sort of energy blast went off and I found Lt. Schafio here, by herself. Get down here now.=/\= "Take it easy Ensign we are on our way" She replied as she gathered up her stuff. "Quickly people gather our EMT bags and lets get going." She yelled as she was heading out the door. (USS Boudicca - outside turbolift - Nurse Lt. Fala - 1425) Fala and the medical team had gotten all the required EMT equipment that they was to bring then ran out of sickbay to the turbolift. As they arrived the doors to the turbolift opened and there, standing in the lift, was Ensign Skylynx carring Lt. Schafio. "Ensign put her here on the floor. Greg run and get a gerny to carry her on." she told them. (Reply Skylynx, any) "what happened Ensign?" She asked as she started her examination of the Lieutenant. (Reply Skylynx, any) "Ok well it does not appear to be anything life threatening, but, I do believe she is in a lot of pain. We will have to get her to sickbay." She replied after running her medical tricorder over her. She looked back toward sickbay and saw that Greg was coming back with the mobile bed. "Ok people lets get her on the bed and into sickbay." She told them as Greg arrived. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - bridge - COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara - 1420) Domini arrived on the bridge just before the little girl did. She saw the phaser beam fire from the security officer and launched herself across the deck tackling the security officer a few seconds too late. Domini looked aghast at what she had done without realizing it. "I'm sorry!" She spoke, then looked up as the little girl made people appear. She felt the shock from the Captain then gasped as another person appeared behind the little girl, putting two hands on her shoulders. Domini stared in shock, it was her, except that this woman had black hair instead of blond, and blue eyes instead of brown. "Captain, I think we should talk....in private." The woman spoke, glaring at the little girl who broke into tears. "Captain, may I come with you?" Domini asked. She was nervous, she didn't know who this woman was that the little girl had conjured, except that there was a great look of love in her eyes. She was obviously pregnant, and held the hand of a little girl on each side of her. Domini walked down the ramp and stood next to the Captain, waiting his response. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca, Medical Research Center, 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1420) Kestra slowly entered the MRC and as the lights came on, she looked quickly around to the areas that she could see from the door. ~It would seem that if she was a real girl, the lights would have come on as she entered as they did with me.~ Kestra thought as she slowly went from structure to structure to keep herself as hidden as she could just in case. It seemed that as she went from section to section that she should be able to sense if someone was in the room, but, she could not. As far as it seemed, she was the only one in the MRC and she got bolder as she went to finally she was not even being cautious. As she finally arrived back at the door having made a complete check of the section, she decided that she would contact Grailik to see if he had found anything and to tell him that she had not. "Troi to Commander Grailik, Sir, I have searched the MRC and have not found the child as of yet. I am moving on to the storage area, have you found anything?" (Reply Grailik, any) "Aye sir, I have not sensed anything of the child, but, I will continue to storage and then back to sickbay. Troi out." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Turbolift-outsidesickbay-ensign Ryko Skylynx- 1425) Ryko looked up as the turbolift reached sickbay and its doors opened. Nurse Fala was already waiting. "Ensign put her here on the floor. Greg run and get a gerny to carry her on." she told them. "Sorry for bumping into you like this, but it looks bad." Ryko said breathing slightly heavier than usual. "what happened Ensign?" Fala asked as she started her examination of the Lieutenant. "I have no idea. I was scanning for anomalies on level two, then I heard her scream and there was an energy blast. It looks like she took a shot to the chest." Ryko said, wiping his brow. "Ok well it does not appear to be anything life threatening, but, I do believe she is in a lot of pain. We will have to get her to sickbay." She replied after running her medical tricorder over her. She looked back toward sickbay and saw that Greg was coming back with the mobile bed. "Ok people lets get her on the bed and into sickbay." She told them as Greg arrived. Ryko followed the med team into sickbay and stood by as they went to work. Ryko was all the time becoming more confused. What was this creature that was a so-called "little girl"? He didn't know. And at that moment in time, he didn't want to. He just wanted to make sure Yalta was okay. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - sick bay - ATAC Ensign Ryko Skylynx- 1430) Ryko followed the nurse inside, all the time remaining steadfastly near Yalta. "Ensign if you must stay, move over to the chairs over there to do so." She pointed to the chairs along the wall that would be considered the waiting room. "Nurse, I've just seen Yalta get attacked by god-knows what. If she comes to she'll want to see a familiar face. I was the only one with her when it happened, she'll be expecting to see me alright!" Ryko protested. "Ensign, unless you are her immediate family member, then, you have no reason to be here. So, I order you to go sit down or go back to work, now." Ryko looked past the nurse at the unconscious Lt Schafio. He grudgingly submitted to Fala's request and backed off. He made his way to the seats. He sat down and tried not to worry. He decided the best thing to do would be to inform Sevant of what had happened. "Skylynx to Sevant," Ryko said as he tapped his badge. (Reply Sevant) "There's been an incident in the memory core, sir. Lt Schafio is injured." (Reply Sevant) "I'm not sure sir. Something tells me it's got something to do with this...little girl we seem to encounter onboard. It looks like Yalta took an energy blast to the chest. She's in sickbay." (Reply Sevant) "I'm off duty for the next hour sir, I should be able to stay with her. Skylynx out." Lt Fala signalled that it was okay to approach. Ryko did so, and walked to Yalta's side. "Well, Lieutenant, you seemed to upset someone or was it touching the wrong thing?" Fala said to her as she was starting to wake up. "You are alright and the pain will subside in a few hours." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - sick bay - Nurse Lieutenant Fala - 1430) Fala rushed the Lieutenant into sickbay and got her on a bio bed where she could see exactly any damage that had been done to her. The ensign that had brought her down followed closely and seem to decide that he would do the Lieutenant best by being right by her side. Fala was not so inclined, "Ensign if you must stay, move over to the chairs over there to do so." She pointed to the chairs along the wall that would be considered the waiting room. (Reply Ryko) "Ensign, unless you are her immediate family member, then, you have no reason to be here. So, I order you to go sit down or go back to work, now." Fala replied to him and then turned to continue to work on the Lieutenant completely ignoring the ensign. As she watched the medical scan of the Lieutenants body she saw evidence of energy damage in the area of the face and chest. It had been of sufficient force to completely incapacitate her before any action could have been accomplished against the assailant. She reached over to pick up the epidermal knitter and began running it over the areas that had abrasions. It was slowly taking affect and soon the areas were just red spots. "Greg, hand me the hypo with the phaser anti-radiation agent" Fala asked him. After he handed her the hypo, she pressed it against the Lieutenant's neck and pressed the trigger. She waited a few moments for it to take affect then injected the Lieutenant with an agent that would wake her up and give her some pain relief. "Well, Lieutenant, you seemed to upset someone or was it touching the wrong thing?" Fala said to her as she was starting to wake up. "You are alright and the pain will subside in a few hours." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 1431) =^=Skylynx to Sevant,=^= "Go ahead, Ensign." Sevant replied in a bland tone. =^=There's been an incident in the memory core, sir. Lt Schafio is injured.=^= "How?" he asked. =^=I'm not sure sir. Something tells me it's got something to do with this...little girl we seem to encounter onboard. It looks like Yalta took an energy blast to the chest. She's in sickbay.=^= "Stay with her, Ensign, and get her report when she is able." =^=I'm off duty for the next hour sir, I should be able to stay with her. Skylynx out.=^= Sevant folded his hands together over his knee, and looked at the time. "Stand down intruder alert, Maintain security patrols." (reply: any, if desired) Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boundicca, Storage Area, 2O/CMO Lt Cmdr Kestra Troi, 1435) This time when she entered the area for searching, she did not take the same stance as she had in the MRC. She did not figure to find anything and as such, she did not take the precautionary stance. As she stepped into Storage she was a bit startled as the lights had indeed been turned on. She started searching and was startled even more when she came around a corner to see a security guard coming at her. "Excuse me sir, are you Commander Troi?" the security crewman asked. "Yes I am, I was going to search this area for the little girl that seems to be running around the ship." She replied to him. "I have searched this area and have not found anything." He said then they started to leave the area. "I am going to return to sickbay as I have nothing left on the is deck to search and since security is on the job, I don't need to continue." She said as they walked together. "Troi to Commander Grailik, nothing in the Storage area, returning to Sickbay." She informed him. (Reply Grailik, any) "Aye sir" She replied just as he cut that connection. "Thanks for checking Storage for me Crewman." She said as she started away. "Not a problem sir." He said as he walked in the opposite direction. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 1445) =^=Skylynx to Sevant,=^= "Sevant here," the Captain replied again. =^=Lt. Schafio has regained consciousness sir, but there's bad news. She says she was attacked by this..."little girl" we've been having visits from. She thinks that she has found some sort of vessel attached to the underside of the ship.=^= "It is being taken care of Ensign. Post guards around that area, and let no one close. All reports of 'the little girl' or anything like her come immediately to me." =^=Aye Sir, Skylynx out.=^= Sevant rubbed his eyes for a few moments, "Steady as she goes." Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – OPS Lt. Schafio – 1445) Yalta felt that she was moved but the sudden pain was too much for her. She heard voices that were distance, she didn't know what happen until the pain subsided. She started to awake and guessed by the lights that she was in Sickbay. How she got there, she didn't know but she was feeling better. She open her eyes and saw Ensign Ryko Skylynx beside her and. Lt Fala signaled that it was okay to approach. Ryko did so, and walked to Yalta's side. "Well, Lieutenant, you seemed to upset someone or was it touching the wrong thing?" Fala said to her as she was starting to wake up. "You are alright and the pain will subside in a few hours." “Thanks, I didn't expect to be hit like that. It's getting more manageable.” She then turn to Ryko, who seem relieved. “She came out of nowhere, but there was someone else with the child. A female figure, I barely saw her.” (Reply from Shylynx) “There's something I found, a ship I don't know. It's under the ship, it's not big. Tell the captain right now.” Yalta saw Lt. Fala looking at her which said, this conversation better stop and you need to rest. Stardate:2406.07.01 (USS Boudicca : Sickbay:Ensign Ryko Skylynx: 1445) "Thanks, I didn't expect to be hit like that. It's getting more manageable." Yalta turned to Ryko, who was admittedly relieved. "She came out of nowhere, but there was someone else with the child. A female figure, I barely saw her." "I didn't believe it at first, but I think all these "visits" we've been havng are real. But what the hell are they? Where did they come from?" "There's something I found, a ship, I don't know. It's under the ship, it's not big. Tell the captain right now." Lt. Fala looked at Yalta skeptically. Ryko hated doctors. They seemed to like nothing better than to tell people what they could and couldn't do. "Get some rest. I'll take care of it. I've already notified the captain of what happened." Ryko made sure Yalta was okay then headed out of sickbay and back to his office. "Too much has happened today. This'll take me ages to sift through." he said to himself as he sat at the desk. Ryko looked around the corner into the brig. The ferengi was still there, tranquil as ever. Seeing nothing better to do, Ryko decided to let the captain know what had happened. "Skylynx to Sevant," Ryko said as he tapped his badge. (Reply Sevant) "Lt. Schafio has regained consciousness sir, but there's bad news. She says she was attacked by this..."little girl" we've been having visits from. She thinks that she has found some sort of vessel attached to the underside of the ship." (Reply Sevant) "Aye Sir," Ryko said, sighing. "Skylynx out." Ryko leaned back in his chair. It was going to be a long night. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Outside Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0300) After clearance was received from the Boudicca, Seamus was transported aboard. As he stepped down from the platform, he handed over his PADD to the transporter chief. After a brief moment, "Welcome aboard the Boudicca." "Thank you," Seamus replied as he took the PADD. "How might I find the captain's quarters?" Seamus eventually found Captain Sevant's quarters despite his unfamiliarity with the ship layout. As he stood outside in the corridor, he began to feel anxiety seep into his bones. ~This is it.~ Seamus felt uncomfortable disturbing the CO at this time, but he was instructed to do such. He touched the door chime as he straightened his uniform. "Yes," a voice responded from the opposite side of the door. "Ensign Seamus Wolfgaard, reporting for duty, Sir. I was informed to report to you here," Seamus stated as he stood erect at attention. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Outside Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0310) "Yes" Sevant said, his eyes still closed as he lay in bed with his arm over his face. =^=Ensign Seamus Wolfgaard, reporting for duty, Sir. I was informed to report to you here,=^= Sevant said nothing for a moment, he just rolled the blanket off and put his feet on the bare carpeted floor. He shook his head with weariness, "Computer, time." [The time is oh three ten hours.] That would explain why Sevant felt he had only gotten a couple hours of rest, that's all he *had* gotten. He looked down at himself, dressed just in Starfleet issue boxers and exorcize-style overshirt. He considered dressing up, but only for half a moment. The Ensign wouldn't be here for very long. "Come in," he finally said as he took and made his way out into the living room. The door opened, and in walked a face he had never seen before. "Report," Sevant said in a fairly normal tone of voice, lacking in any inflection as would be expected from a Vulcan. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0315) Seamus quickly looked about the dimly lit room as he entered. The captain stood in the living area of his quarters and it was apparent he had just been awakened. Seamus felt a tug in his stomach. ~I knew this was not a good time to meet the CO.~ "Report," the Vulcan captain stated, matter-of-factedly. Seamus snapped to attention as he replied, "Sir, my apologies for interrupting your sleep, but I was informed to report directly to you in your quarters. I'm Ensign Junior Grade, Seamus Wolfgaard, your new Assistant Operations Officer and Conn Officer. I am ready to assume my duties, Sir!" Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0316) "Report," The officer snapped to attention. "Sir, my apologies for interrupting your sleep, but I was informed to report directly to you in your quarters. I'm Ensign Junior Grade, Seamus Wolfgaard, your new Assistant Operations Officer and Conn Officer. I am ready to assume my duties, Sir!" Sevant looked at him straight on for about fifteen seconds, not saying a word. Then, with a shake of his head he broke 'traditional' Vulcan behaviour and rubbed his eyes. "Stand down, Ensign Wolfgaard, and take a seat." (reply: Seamus) Sevant walked over to the replicator and said, "Coffee." He had already programed the system for his particular tastes, and a medium sized cup laced with lemon and sugar promptly came into existance. He took it, and immediately took a sip as he made his way to his oversized living room chair. He carefully sat down, and took another sip before setting the cup on the table. He looked at the ensign for a few more moments, before saying, "Orders?" He wanted to see the PADD with the ensigns orders, he hadnt been expecting more crew right away. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0325) The captain's eyes felt to Seamus as if they bored straight into his soul. Inwardly, he shook it off as anxiety. The silence was awkward. Captain Sevant shook his and rubbed his eyes. "Stand down, Ensign Wolfgaard, and take a seat." Seamus replied, "Aye, Sir." and took a few paces and sat down in the nearest chair. He held himself bolt-upright, with the PADD held tightly in his lap. Sevant walked over to the replicator and said, "Coffee." He turned from the console, after he had retrieved the beverage, and sat down in a large, and comfortable looking chair. After he took a sip from the cup, he placed it on the table. He looked at Seamus for bit. "Orders?" Seamus quickly handed over his PADD. His unease had yet to subside, and he tried to cover as best he could. He sat down almost immediately. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Captain Sevant's Quarters - 0326) "Orders?" Sevant looked at the Ensign for a few more moments, then looked at the PADD. He took the cup again as he read through the orders, and noticed LoDona's chop on it. The Captain snorted lightly, then put the PADD on the table and looked up again. "Very well, you are our new Operations/Conn officer. Your direct department head is Lt Schafio, I will have you report to her at the start of Alpha shift." (reply: if desired) Sevant sat back in his chair, and wrapped his hands around the mug. "I'm going to give you the same words I gave everyone else at reporting, Ensign. I am a combat Captain, and this is a Ship of the Line, serving in the middle of what could become a full-blown civil war. We have been rushed out of refit, so we are breaking our backs to get the ship battle-worthy, while at the same time we are on a front to cover the retreat of our Squadron Headquarters. We are not in an ideal situation, does this bother you?" (reply: Seamus) Sevant nodded, "Very well. Find the quartermaster and your quarters, the day begins early. Report to the bridge at 0800, unless of course we fall under alert before then." Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Ensjg. Seamus Wolfgaard's quarters - 0352) "Very well, you are our new Operations/Conn officer. Your direct department head is Lt Schafio, I will have you report to her at the start of Alpha shift." the captain stated as he placed the PADD back on the table. "Aye, Sir. Alpha Shift...Lt. Schafio." Seamus responded. Sevant sat back in his chair, and wrapped his hands around the mug. "I'm going to give you the same words I gave everyone else at reporting, Ensign. I am a combat Captain, and this is a Ship of the Line, serving in the middle of what could become a full-blown civil war. We have been rushed out of refit, so we are breaking our backs to get the ship battle-worthy, while at the same time we are on a front to cover the retreat of our Squadron Headquarters. We are not in an ideal situation, does this bother you?" "Definitely not, Sir! I'm quite ready to serve this vessel to the utmost of my abilities!" Seamus declared as his mind spun scenarios to pique his anxiety. ~I'm ready, damnit!~ he told himself. The captain nodded, "Very well. Find the quartermaster and your quarters, the day begins early. Report to the bridge at 0800, unless of course we fall under alert before then." Seamus quickly stood to attention. "Aye, aye, Sir." He snapped an about-face and marched through the door as it opened on his approach. Within a short time, Seamus found the quartermaster and was directed to Deck Three. When he had found his quarters, he entered and stowed his gear. "Not too shabby," he said outloud as he looked about. He refreshed himself and readied for bed. "Computer, state current time and set a wakeup for me for 0730 hrs." [The current time is 0350 hrs.] Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0750) “Great... there's a lot of stuff, this ship was push into action so not all of it is ready for action. We are here to coordinate. Because of yesterday, we are a bit behind in the schedule. Did the Captain told you about what happen?” "All I've been told is that we are currently not in an 'ideal' situation, Sir. I hope I my arrival will be of help." Seamus answered. "Is there more I should be aware of?" “That we have a tone of work and we should be aware that we are in a critical situation and not alone. We have a lot of work and we have to rush to get to where we are suppose to be.We are late, so let's get to work. You will deal with sickbay, they need to be ready for anything, and I will deal with engineering. Take a seat Ensign Wolfgaard and get to work.” She look at him take a seat beside her and ask. “How did you find your quarters?” Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0750) Yalta rested the rest of the day yesterday and now was declared fit for duty. She had walk on the bridge, there was everyone, quiet at there position, once and a while officer would go to another station, give padds. She smiled to Ensign Skylynx, she was rather happy to have the flare and taken him to the memory core. Maybe she wouldn't have help this fast if she had been alone. Less then 5 minutes later, a man arrive beside her. "Ensign Junior Grade, Seamus Wolfgaard reporting for duty.  I was informed by Captain Sevant to report directly to Lt. Schafio." “Yes, I receive a message as well. You have arrived early this morning are you ready for work?” She smiled and finished her raktajino. (Reply from Wolfgaard) “Great... there's a lot of stuff, this ship was push into action so not all of it is ready for action. We are here to coordinate. Because of yesterday, we are a bit behind in the schedule. Did the Captain told you about what happen?” Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Ensjg. Seamus Wolfgaard - Main Bridge - 0755) The doors of the turbolift opened, and there before Seamus was the bridge of the Boudicca. It was abustle with activity. ~Looks like my kind of place.~ He looked around and noticed that there was an individual at the OPS station. He straightened himself, took a deep breath, and proceeded forward. Seamus stopped within a few paces of the officer. "Ensign Junior Grade, Seamus Wolfgaard reporting for duty. I was informed by Captain Sevant to report directly to Lt. Schafio." Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Sick Bay - 2O/CMO Lt.Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0800) It had been a late night for pretty much everyone on the ship, which, caused most to come back on duty a bit later than normal. Kestra had arrived back to sick bay, the previous afternoon, after looking for the 'little girl', as everyone called her, to find several security officers on duty. They had stayed there for the rest of their shift and a couple had relieved them, she noticed, by the time she headed out to her quarters. She had hoped to have dinner with Commander Grailik, but, with all that had happened, they had to postpone. Since she was going to be alone, she unpacked her belongings and found places for all her nick nacks before finally turning in for the night. When the computer finally gave her the wake up call, she had been up for a while. She had not slept well and had decided to finally just get up to get ready for work. She thought about what Commander Grailik had said to her before the incident with the 'little girl', had what he said been what she had done or was it just the power of the moment that got to her, then she rolled the thoughts on the 'little girl' in her mind, why did she come to them at that moment, what was it that she wanted or needed. She had heard that the 'little girl' had recreated Sevant's family, which, she knew did not set well with him. He had gone through so much after they were murdered to have someone arbitrarily just conjure them up. Then a woman, seemingly of the same place as the 'little girl', appeared and they went with Sevant into his ready room. No one had anything to say as to what happened after Sevant exited the room. There had evidently been no reason to call her, so, she had just continued her work in sick bay. She entered sick bay to see that nothing major had happened after she had left for the night. She walked over to her office to read the reports that she knew surely had accumulated during the night. "Computer, run reports that were submitted after I left." Kestra said as she walked over to the replicator for a cup of hot chocolate. As the computer ran down the headings the reports were submitted under, she noticed one that had involved Lt. Schafio. "Computer read report concerning Lt. Schafio." Kestra said as she sat down to listen. The report was comprehensive in the fact of what was suppose to have happened to her and how Nurse Fala had treated her. She could not see anything out of the ordinary as to what treatment was given, but, the Lt. had mentioned something about a ship being attached to the Boudicca. Kestra knew that any ship trying to attach itself to the Boudicca would not have gone unnoticed. As being a captain once in her career on the Nimitz, she knew that the ship just getting close would have set off every alarm. The Boudicca, being the type of ship it was, had been set up with more tracking and sensor systems than the Nimitz ever thought to have been. She reached for a PADD that was on her desk and downloaded the report she had just read. She had to find out just what it was that caused the Lt. to think that she saw the ship. She hoped that there was no mental trauma from her accident and if it was she would have to be returned to sick bay for further tests. There was another possibility and that would entail the services of Dr. Alizara, the ship's Counselor. Kestra added her comments and then returned her attention to the next reports. "Computer resume scanning reports." She instructed. The computer continued reading the subject of each report until it came to the end. [end of reports] it reported to her. "List message that came in over night." She replied to it. [Only one message] the computer informed her. "Put it on screen" She informed the computer as she turned to look at her console. Once it came on screen she noticed that it was just a message of a new crew member arriving during the night, an Ensign Seamus Wolfgaard, a new Operation Officer. She knew from instinct who his supervisor would be and decided to make sure they both were on duty. "Computer location of Lt. Schafio and Ensign Wolfgaard." She asked. [they are currently located on the bridge] was the reply from the computer. She then tapped her combadge, "Lt. Commander Troi to Lt. Schafio" she started. (Reply Schafio) "An Ensign Wolfgaard arrived on board over night. If at all possible I would like him to report to sick bay for a physical as soon as you can spare him." Kestra informed the Lieutenant. (Reply Schafio) "Thank you Lieutenant, I will be looking for him and will attend to him personally so he can get back on duty." She assured the Lieutenant. Kestra closed the connection and moved out into the main medical bay to prepare the are for testing. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Ensjg. Wolfgaard/AOPS - 0805) Seamus glanced about. "I believe I am quite ready, Sir." "Great... there's a lot of stuff, this ship was pushed into action so not all of it is ready for action. We are here to coordinate. Because of yesterday, we are a bit behind in the schedule. Did the Captain tell you about what happened?" she explained as she set her drink down. "All I've been told is that we are currently not in an 'ideal' situation, Sir. I hope I my arrival will be of help." Seamus answered. "Is there more I should be aware of?" Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0830) Yalta and Wolfgaard manage a lot of work has they did some small talk. Work was being done and it wasn't easy cutting through red tap. It was a surprise to hear her name being called. =/\=Lt. Commander Troi to Lt. Schafio=/\= Yalta lift her eyebrows. “Lt. Schafio here, what can I do for you?” =/\=An Ensign Wolfgaard arrived on board over night. If at all possible I would like him to report to sick bay for a physical as soon as you can spare him.=/\= Kestra informed the Lieutenant. It dawn on her that she also had to report to sickbay, for a checkup after the incident. “He is beside me, and actually, I have to go back to sickbay for a checkup, nurse Fala's orders.” Yalta smiled. =/\=Thank you Lieutenant, I will be looking for him and will attend to him personally so he can get back on duty.=/\= She assured the Lieutenant. “Understood, Schafio out!” Yalta got up and look at the ensign. “We better get to it, the sooner it's over the faster we will get back to work.” (Reply from Wolfgaard) Yalta open the way and they left the bridge has replacements took over there consoles. It didn't took long for them to be outside sickbay and they walk in. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – 0833) When she arrived, it was relatively quiet. A few nurses and also Kestra was there getting ready for Ensign Wolfgaard. They both walk toward the Doctor but Yalta was the one to engage the conversation. “We are here! With who you will start with?” Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Sick bay - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0835) Kestra, being helped by a few nurses, had just gotten done setting everything up for doing physicals. She looked over to the door, as she heard it open, to see Lt. Schafio and Ensign Wolfgaard arrive. They both walked straight up to her as if they were marching, which made her chuckle. They both stopped at the same time and the Lt. started talking. "We are here! With who you will start with?" the Lt. Asked "As I want to talk to you a bit and the Ensign would be a lot shorter, I think I will start with him. Also, he can return to work as long as there is nothing to find." Kestra replied to her, "Ensign if you please, climb onto the biobed." Kestra turned to the table next to the bed and picked up a hypo that she would use to take a sample of his blood. She had not waited to see if the ensign had complied with her instruction as she was accustomed to having them followed without a doubt. When she turned around she placed the hypo on his arm and removed the correct amount that she needed for the tests. She then looked up at the monitors to see what his temperature read and entered it on the PADD that she was placing all his information. "So, Ensign, is there anything I need to know that I can put in your medical file?" She asked him after reading the information on the PADD that she did have on him. (Reply Wolfgaard) "Hmm ok Ensign, sit up and take off your shirt." She instructed him and after he had taken the shirt off she started using the medical tricorder on him. Everything seemed to be coming through as normal. "Well ensign so far all the tests are registering normal. Now for the endurance test, let's get you on the treadmill." Kestra said as she walked over to the treadmill machine that she was going to use and waited for the ensign to comply. (Reply Wolfgaard) As they completed the endurance test and a few others, Kestra then announced that he was fit for duty and could return. She then turned to Lt Schafio, "Ok Lt. Let's go into my office as what I need to talk to you about is not for out in the main bay." She told her as she started to walk in direction of her office. "Nurse Fala, I will be in my office with the Lt. Don't bother us unless it is an emergency." Nurse Fala nodded her acknowledgement and Kestra knew she needed nothing else. Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Kyle Rin - 0850) Placing his hands behind his head Kyle leaned back a little in the office chair while glancing at the current sensor data read-out. With a small smirk on his face he was relieved at the status of the power distribution for the sensor buffer. It looked at if that trilite had done the trick and stabilized the power flow regulator. Sitting up Kyle reached for his Green Tea and tapped his com badge to inform the Captain of the situation. =^= Rin to Capt. Sevant =^= (reply sevant) =^= Sir, i am pleased to inform you that the sensor buffer's power flow regulator has been stabilized. I'm going to monitor it for a few upcoming hours and i will report back with any changes =^= (reply sevant) =^= Will do, Rin out =^= Taking a sip of the tea and setting down the cup Kyle picked up a PADD and began to record the read-out on a 10 min interval. As he began to hum to himself he knew this was going to be a interesting day... Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0851) =^= Rin to Capt. Sevant =^= Sevant put the PADD aside he had been reading, and picked up another. "Captain here." =^= Sir, i am pleased to inform you that the sensor buffer's power flow regulator has been stabilized. I'm going to monitor it for a few upcoming hours and i will report back with any changes =^= "Very good, keep me informed." =^= Will do, Rin out =^= Sevant listened to the channel click closed, and then allowed himself a very small quirk at the corner of his lips. She was being held together with bailing wire and prayers, but she was holding together. He put the PADD back down and leaned back in his chair. He glanced around the Ready Room, still bare of anything that might link it to him personally. It was functional, nothing more. Functional worked for Sevant however, he didn't need a lot of memories to cloud his judgment. He rubbed his chin for a moment and considered the PADDS in front of him. He had to get a yeoman, the paperwork was burying him. He would have to start interviewing them later, once the bulk of this rear-guard action was complete. Without another word he stood and walked around his desk. Half a dozen steps brought him through the Ready Room doors. One of the stand-by officers snapped to attention, "Captain on the Bridge." Sevant gave a nod to the relief officer and made his way to the command chair. A quick glance at his monitor told him they were on course and only slightly behind schedule after the events of the last day. That was a relief, at least, they could make up lost time as they went. "Steady as she goes," he said as he leaned back in the chair. (reply: any, if desired) Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca – Sickbay, CMO office – OPS Lt. Schafio – 1000) Yalta had she relax on the biobed and let the nurse do some exams about where was her wound look at what was going on with Ensign Wolfgaard. The usual stuff but once it was over, the Doctor turn toward her and didn't expect this. "Ok Lt. Let's go into my office as what I need to talk to you about is not for out in the main bay." She told her as she started to walk in direction of her office. "Nurse Fala, I will be in my office with the Lt. Don't bother us unless it is an emergency." Nurse Fala nodded her acknowledgment and Kestra knew she needed nothing else. They both walked into her office and the Lt. shut the door behind her. "Please Lt. Have a seat over here." Kestra said as she walked over to the couch. Yalta sat wondering what was going on. Was there a bad news. “Is there anything wrong?” "Well, what this is about is that I have some concern as to what you have said earlier today." Kestra said as they both got comfortable on the couch. “What I said, I don't see where you are going.” She look at Kestra with surprise. "What I am told is that you said earlier before you were incapacitated was that you had the indication that there was a ship attached to the bottom of the Boudicca. I was wondering what was it that gave you that indication." Kestra explained. “It wasn't attached, it was just under the ship, and I'm not even sure it was a ship, but it might be.” "Oh, so, the Ensign was wrong in what he thought you said?" Kestra asked now thinking that maybe she got her information wrong. “I barely heard what he said, but probably. What I saw was a reading that there was something underneath the Boudicca.” "Well, in that case you had best talk to the Captain as I believe he reported it to him. I know that I am not the counselor, but, I was one for a long period. If you need anything, talking, listening, and Counselor Alizara can not help you, please feel free to come see me." Kestra finished and waited to see if there was anything that the Lt. would like to say. “I'm alright, if there is I will come and see you... I was just surprised by an opponent that is stronger then I am obviously. I had sent a report about the incident of yesterday this morning to the captain. I didn't hear from him so I presume that everything is alright. I just need to get back to work. For sickbay, do you need anything about materials and such?” (reply from Troi) “I will see what I can do.” Stardate:2406.07.02 (USS Boudicca - CMO's Office - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 1000) They both walked into her office and the Lt. shut the door behind her. "Please Lt. Have a seat over here." Kestra said as she walked over to the couch. (Reply Schafio) "Well, what this is about is that I have some concern as to what you have said earlier today." Kestra said as they both got comfortable on the couch. (Repy Schafio) "What I am told is that you said earlier before you were incapacitated was that you had the indication that there was a ship attached to the bottom of the Boudicca. I was wondering what was it that gave you that indication." Kestra explained. (Reply Schafio) "Oh, so, the Ensign was wrong in what he thought you said?" Kestra asked now thinking that maybe she got her information wrong. (Reply Schafio) "Well, in that case you had best talk to the Captain as I believe he reported it to him. I know that I am not the counselor, but, I was one for a long period. If you need anything, talking, listening, and Counselor Alizara can not help you, please feel free to come see me." Kestra finished and waited to see if there was anything that the Lt. would like to say. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0110) Domini had been awakened out of sleep by a call from the bridge saying that survivors were being beamed aboard and would she be so kind as to go and meet them? She walked into sickbay right as the FO said : "Doctor Troi If it is alright with you, I will assist in the exterminations. How about I start on the other side and we can meet in the middle?" Domini walked up to Grailik and stood right in front of him. "You'll have to do so over my dead body." She said, crossing her arms and glaring at him in her best doctor mode. "Did the Captain say to kill them after we have rescued them?" She said, very angry. "And you, Kestra, are no better. What happened to your oath as a Doctor?" (replies :-) Domini deflated and said, "Oh." She then grinned. "You need more coffee then, Mr. Grailik." She said, moving away to let them work, but kneeling beside one of the people. "This one is a betazoid." Domini said, noticing the distinctive traits that all betazoids shared. She knelt down beside her and probed downward, searching for any hint of personality, any spark of soul. She felt nothing, but continued to search around, and hit the telepathic center that most humanoids had. She backed away from it, as it looked like something black was consuming it. She shook her head, clearing her vision. "There is something black in there, some kind of growth on her telepathic centers." Domini spoke, very unsure. "It looks like it's trying to consume them." She concluded. She'd noticed that the two doctors were conferring, and then looked at her chronometer -- a lot of time had passed. "Do we have identities?" She asked, curious, as she went over to confer with them. Having three doctors on board, three highly trained doctors, was really not a bad thing at times like this. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0110) Sevant signed off on the Fuel Consumption report and handed the PADD back to the engineering crewman who had presented it to him. With a nod he sent the woman off and steepled his fingers as he watched the stars flash by on the screen. "Captain, I'm getting an emergency beacon," a couple seconds passed as the Operations officer looked at it, "Federation, Civilian, SS Backtron..." The officer at Tactical said, "I've got it on sensors, two light-years to starboard. Hanging dead, it looks like." "Alter course for intercept, best speed." Sevant ordered quietly, "And pull up all known information on the Backtron." He leaned forward, "Standby to take down the cloak on my command." His monitor flashed as someone sent him the database information on the Backtron. Their database had been fully updated at Geneva before their launch, at least that much could be said. Sevant scanned it as the ship heeled over on their new course. The Backtron was a civilian charted research vessel, supposedly conducting nebulae studies in the deep. It was seven months into their three year cruise. The Captain looked back up at the screen a few minutes later, when it was announced they were coming in range of the pod. "Bring us out of warp, put us along side. And put it on screen." The screen flashed from a star background, to a magnified image of the escape pod. It was a largish, warp capable variety made for deep-space assignments. It only had warp 2 capability, and that only for a few days, but it was far better then pure impulse. "The pods hull has been crystallized in a couple places, whether by weapons fire or natural phenomenon is unknown." Ops stated. "Life signs?" "Ten, Sir... Very faint." "Beam them directly into sickbay, pull the pod into shuttle-bay 2. Scan for the Backtron herself, use the ion trail of the pod to track it." Sevant said as he quirked his head at the pod. This was an interesting development. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0125) "Sir, shall I have Security prepare quarters for our guests?" Sevant half turned his head so he could see the Security Ensign in his peripheral vision, and gave a single shallow nod. "Aye sir," Sevant folded his hands together as he watched the pod get grabbed by a weak tractor beam. He tapped a button on his chair, "Bridge to first officer. We have guests in sick bay, see to them, Ill be down shortly." (reply: Grailik) "Let's hope they've got an explanation for this, cause I'm stumped," Ryko said from the Security station. Sevant turned in his chair, "I dislike mysteries, grab a team of engineers and scan that pod, find out what happened and report back." (reply: Ryko) Sevant nodded and turned back to face the screen once the Ensign was on the move. He tapped his fingers together for a few moments, then stood. "Keep a full scan of the area and keep us under cloak. Let me know the instant the Backtron, its wreckage, or the trail to it is found. Ops has the bridge." (reply: any, if desired) Sevant headed for the ready room, while his crew did their jobs. (reply: any) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Ensign Ryko Skylynx - 0125) "Sir, shall I have Security prepare quarters for our guests?" Sevant half turned his head and gave a single shallow nod. "Aye sir," Ryko said as he made the necessary arrangements. He activated the tractor beam and watched as it locked onto the pod. "Let's hope they've got an explanation for this, cause I'm stumped," Ryko said from the Security station. Sevant turned in his chair, "I dislike mysteries, grab a team of engineers and scan that pod, find out what happened and report back." "Got it," Ryko said. he logged off the tactical console and nodded to the relief officer standing by. He tapped his badge. "Engineering team to shuttle bay 2. Immediately." he said as he entered the turbolift. (By the way, Saim can join in if desired) "Shuttlebay 2," Ryko said. The doors closed and he was on his way. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Personal Quarters, Commander Grailik, 0126) Grailik was sitting at his desk enjoying a late lunch, while going over some departmental reports. He had just taken a large bite out of his sandwich when the comm came alive. =/\=Bridge to first officer. We have guests in sick bay, see to them, Ill be down shortly.=/\= Quickly chewing and swallowing, Grailik was up and on the way toward the door, slapping his comm-badge en route. "On my way," He said, turning back to grab his drink to wash down his hastily swallowed food. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, Commander Grailik, 13:30) NRPG: Time on this part might need adjusting as well. RPG: Grailik entered Sickbay and quickly looked around. He could see Dr. Troi and her staff working on the refugees from the escape pod in the quarantine section of Sickbay. Nodding his head with approval, Grailik moved toward the door and grabbed a gown and mask. Putting them on, he entered the quarantine field, his trained eye moving over the still bodies on the bed. "Doctor Troi," He said, moving up beside her, "If it is alright with you, I will assist in the exterminations. How about I start on the other side and we can meet in the middle?" He was all business, no time for pleasantries now. Lives were a stake and the sooner they knew what was wrong the sooner they could fix it. (Reply Kestra) NRPG: Assuming she agrees. She would know that Grailik is a qualified doctor and a former CMO himself. RPG: "Your with me," Grailik said, pointing at one of the nurses and heading to the other side of the quarantine ward grabbing a medical tri-corder as he went. Approaching the first bed, Grailik snapped open his tri-corder and began to scan the person laying on it. A young human boy, perhaps 7 or 8 years old, lay staring blankly as the ceiling. Grailik felt his throat tighten as he looked at the boy, absently brushing some of the boys sandy brown hair back off his small freckled face. Swallowing his emotions, Grailik looked at the tri-corder and then the bio-bed, a frown growing on his normally smiling face. ~What in hell?~ The boys brain chemistry was not right. Nothing immediately live threatening, but very odd. His breathing raspy and labored. "2 cc's Certimine, "Grailik ordered, his hand outstretched waiting for the hypo. The nurse slapped the hypo in his hand. Grailik verified the dose and quickly administered the drug into the boys system. His breathing eased almost immediately. Grailik brought up his tri-corder again and began scanning the boy from head to toe, looking for signs of trauma, or anything else out of the ordinary. Anything that might be a clue as to the boys current vegetative state. Typing in a command onto the bio-bed a 'clam-shell' rose up on either side of the bed enclosing the boys upper and lower body. Within seconds a holo-image of the boys insides showed on the monitor, the computer automatically highlighting anything it deemed abnormal or injuries. In this case nothing. Except to the abnormal brain chemistry the boys was perfectly healthy. So, why was he totally catatonic? Grailik's brow furrowed as he continued to work on the boys for several more moments with out success. Finally, convinced there was nothing more he could do for the boy at present, Grailik moved on the next bed. An Andorian female. She was in exactly the condition as the boy, and so was the next, and the next. Eventually, he and Kestra met and Grailik could tell by the look on her face that she was a stumped as he was. They compared notes briefly, then she went off to inform the Captain. Grailik remained behind, preparing the patients for more in-depth, more aggressive tests. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sick Bay - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0145) Kestra had been in a long deep sleep when her alarm went off signaling that she was needed urgently in sickbay. For her to be summoned so, she knew that it had to be something important. She had quickly dress and made her way to sickbay to find out what was going on. As she arrived, Ensign Garav Aldrin, third shift Medical Officer, Came running up to her to inform her that the ship had encountered a distress signal, which, had a federation tag to it and the Boudicca had went to see what was happening. They had come across an escape pod that had ten very faint life signs and they were going to beam them to sickbay shortly. "Ok Ensign set up the quarantine sections where we will be taken care of them in." She instructed him and watched as he went off to accomplish what she said. "Sickbay to Bridge, we are ready sir." Kestra said as she tapped her combadge. (Reply from bridge iyw) Kestra walked over to the area that was being set up as the quarantine site noticing that there had been ten beds set and ready. She put on her gown and mask as had the others with her and entered the area to wait for the escapees. (USS Boudicca, Quarantine section, 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0210) It was not long before all ten were deposited on the floor of sickbay. They quickly, as they came in, started putting them gently on the beds that had been arranged for them. Kestra and her staff started running scans on the escapees. Each scan proved to be the exact same thing, which, baffled Kestra. She could not fathom what had happened to them or who could have done this to them. She and her team did all that they could for them then she stepped to the side to talk to the Captain. "Sickbay, Cmder Troi to Captain Sevant, Sir we have a problem here with the escapees" She told him. (Reply Sevant) "I am not really sure what has happened to them, but, they are barely alive and I don't understand why." She told him (Reply Sevant) "Well, my staff and I have scanned them using every test we know of and their minds have been wiped clean of everything except for the basic motor functions of keeping the body alive. We will continue to monitor them and see what we can find out, but, I have never seen such a thing before." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - ShuttleBay - Ensign Saim Enaj - 0210) Saim had met the engineering team earlier in the hall way. A few minutes later Ryko, whom Saim had met in the officer's meeting apppeared. "Hi. Did you com for us? What's up?" "Heard about that adrift pod we found? We need an analysis. The captain wants to know exactly what happened to it," Ryko said, with an unneccesary emphasis on the word "Exactly". "Right, if you cover the outside my team can have a look inside." Ryko inputed the code to release the doors and went inside first, phaser primed. Ryko deactivated the tractor beam and closed the hull doors. He ordered the team to begin their analysis, and took out his tricorder. Saim and her team got to work. Saim had a good engineering team and they got to work quickly and efficiently for the ten minutes they had before Ryko's communicator bleeped. =^=Bridge to Ensign Ryko and Engineering team, what's your preliminary analysis on that Pod?=^= Ryko closed his tricorder and answered, "Just as I thought sir. THere are some sort of burn scars across the hull. I think this was definitely a result of weapons fire. Problem is, I can't tell which type. These residuals aren't like anything I've ever seen. One more thing," Ryko said. "The Ops officer was right, the hull is crystallised in placed. Whether this is a consquence of the weapon or not I don't know, but these scans reveal the existence of Trilite Armor plating where the crystallisation occurs." Saim then interjected, "We have only just started inside but at first glance it looks like everything is dead and there does not seem to be any weapons damage inside just as melted panels. I can give you a better report if I have about an hour more." The bay's yellow alert lights lit up. "Just what is going on up there?" Ryko asked. (Reply Sevant) "Ensign Enaj can take care of the analysis, sir. Shall I return to the bridge?" "I'll be fine taking over. I have enough people with me." Saim offered. (rply Sevant) "Aye captain, on my way," Ryko said. He nodded to saim and left the shuttlebay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge, Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0210) =^=Sickbay, Cmder Troi to Captain Sevant, Sir we have a problem here with the escapees.=^= Sevant looked up from his PADD, "Go ahead Commander." =^=I am not really sure what has happened to them, but, they are barely alive and I don't understand why.=^= The Vulcan frowned, and leaned back in his chair. "Explain." =^=Well, my staff and I have scanned them using every test we know of and their minds have been wiped clean of everything except for the basic motor functions of keeping the body alive. We will continue to monitor them and see what we can find out, but, I have never seen such a thing before.=^= Sevant opened his mouth to answer, then shut it again. ~Wiped?~ His eyes glazed over for a second as he 'scanned' his own knowledge of weapons. He had run into about everything in his tours of duty, and had learned about dozens more. There were weapons that could cause amnesia, partial memory loss. But complete and utter wiping of everything? No, that was well beyond his experience as well. "Let me confirm I've heard you right. Their minds are clean, nothing but automatic functions? No memories, scraps of personality or knowledge?" (reply: Troi) "Keep them in triage, Ill send you a security contingent." (reply: Troi) NRPG: Room for more, if desired) RPG: Sevant stood immediately and walked back out onto the bridge. The doors hadn't even finished sliding closed behind him when he barked, "Yellow Alert, shields and defensive systems to full." (reply: Any on the bridge). He tapped his badge, "Bridge to Ensign Ryko and Engineering team, what's your preliminary analysis on that Pod?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - ShuttleBay - ATAC Ensign Skylynx - 0210) Ryko met the engineering team halfway to the bay. (Reply Saim, if desired) "Heard about that adrift pod we found? We need an analysis. The captain wants to know exactly what happened to it," Ryko said, with an unneccesary emphasis on the word "Exactly". (Reply Saim) Ryko input the code to release the doors and went inside first, phaser primed. Ryko hated the idea of being caught with his pants down, so he always did things like this. He checked the area was clear, and waved the team inside. The pod entered the bay as the team moved into position. Ryko deactivated the tractor beam and closed the hull doors. He ordered the team to begin their analysis, and took out his tricorder. His communicator bleeped. =^=Bridge to Ensign Ryko and Engineering team, what's your preliminary analysis on that Pod?=^= Ryko closed his tricorder and answered, "Just as I thought sir. THere are some sort of burn scars across the hull. I think this was definitely a result of weapons fire. Problem is, I can't tell which type. These residuals aren't like anything I've ever seen," Ryko said. He was surprised that even his vast knowledge of weapons had let him down. "One more thing," Ryko said. "The Ops officer was right, the hull is crystallised in placed. Whether this is a consquence of the weapon or not I don't know, but these scans reveal the existence of Trilite Armor plating where the crystallisation occurs." (Reply Sevant, Saim if desired) The bay's yellow alert lights lit up. "Just what is going on up there?" he asked. (Reply Sevant) "Ensign Enaj can take care of the analysis, sir. Shall I return to the bridge?" (Reply Sevant, Saim (if desired) "Aye captain, on my way," Ryko said. He nodded to saim and left the shuttlebay. On his way he had a thought. "Skylynx to sickbay," He said. (reply any in sickbay) "Is Lt Schafio okay to resume her duties? We could really use some help on the bridge," he said. (Reply sickbay, schafio if desired). "Great. This is gonna be a hell of a day," Ryko said to himself as he entered the lift. "Bridge," he said, and the turbolift took off. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office, ACSO Kyle Rin - 0211) =^= Might i inquire to what is going on sir and if i can be of any use? =^= "Make your way to Shuttlebay 2 immediately, you will be filled in on the situation there by the ACEO." was the immediate response. =^= Aye Sir, I'm on my way. =^= Taking to his feet Kyle grab a tricorder and equipment case and made his way to the nearest turbolift "Shuttlebay 2" he said the computer responded and he was on his way. (USS Boudicca - Shuttlebay 2, ACSO Kyle Rin - 0213) Upon entering the shuttlebay Kyle found the ACEO running scans on what looked like an escape pod or shuttlecraft of some sort. "What is the situation?" Kyle asked with a raised eyebrow. (reply Enaj) "I see, well you continue what your doing i'm going to check the outside shell." With that said kyle set down his case and opened it up pulling out a large scan tripod. Opening his tricorder he punched a few buttons in and set the freqency for the tripod to match that of his tricorder. Should anything be picked up by either he would know Kyle began to walk around the front of the pod ever-so slowly as not to miss anything detected. There was a small spike on the read-out panel that caught Kyle's attention he glanced over it and stored the information then continued on. Finding nothing else Kyle closed his tricorder and tapped his com badge. =^= Rin to Capt. Sevant =^= (reply sevant) =^= I seem to have found scorching of some sort on the front of the pod. It seems to be linked to some kind of weapon fire but not of phaser or torpedo. =^= (reply sevant) =^= I'm sending the data to your console now sir maybe you can make something out from it. =^= (reply if desired) =^= I'm going to continue my scans i'll report anything else i find Rin out. =^= Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0211) "Keep them in triage, Ill send you a security contingent." =^=Aye sir I don't think they are going anywhere just yet. The security would be appreciated as this is a little spooky, like they seem to be zombies. I just hope that if there are any abnormalities brought aboard with these visitors, we can contain them here and find out how to handle them before they spread throughout the ship. If there was someone or something that caused this, sir, I would feel better with a shield around the ship." "Noted, Doctor." was the Captains reply. "Sir I do have something to add that just came to mind. In the state that they are in at present, they could theoretically be programmed with anything we want to put in them. I would hate to think that someone or something had that in mind. Then again, there could be the possibility that they saw something that they were not suppose to see." "Keep on it Doctor, I need answers." was Sevant's short reply. "Aye Sir, I will let you know if there is any change in their status." She answered his orders. (reply: if desired) NRPG: And a small jump... RPG: Sevant moved to the bridge and immediately called for a Yellow Alert. A few moments later, he called out to the investigative team in the Shuttlebay. "Bridge to Ensign Ryko and Engineering team, what's your preliminary analysis on that Pod?" =^= Just as I thought sir. There are some sort of burn scars across the hull. I think this was definitely a result of weapons fire. Problem is, I can't tell which type. These residuals aren't like anything I've ever seen,=^= Sevant's eyes narrowed, "Very well," =^=One more thing, The Ops officer was right, the hull is crystallized in placed. Whether this is a consequence of the weapon or not I don't know, but these scans reveal the existence of Trilite Armor plating where the crystallization occurs." Sevant tapped his fingers on the chair, running through his collected mental 'database' of weapons. He would have to look at the information gathered to be of much use, nothing was coming immediately to mind for what he was hearing described. He had seem some strange things as Security Chief of both Boudicca and Nimitz, but there were always other strange things never before encountered. He took a breath, "Get some scientists on the job, and get me a report Within an hour." (reply, if desired) =^=Just what is going on up there?=^= came the TAC/ASC. "We have evidence that this was a straight attack, the ship is on defensive alert." was Sevant's reply. He didn't need to mention the Doctors advice in this, it would have extended the conversation far longer then he wanted to take it on open channels. =^=Ensign Enaj can take care of the analysis, sir. Shall I return to the bridge=^= He heard another person on the line vaguely say they had enough people, Sevant assumed it was the Engineer. He considered saying no, but there was little for the security officer to do until the Engineers and Scientists finished their basic analysis. Finally, he said; "Aye, Ensign." =^=Aye captain, on my way,=^= and the channel clicked closed. Not even ten seconds later, his badge beeped again. =^=Rin to bridge Capt. Sevant respond =^= "Sevant here, Doctor." said the Captain. =^= Might I inquire to what is going on sir and if I can be of any use? =^= "Make your way to Shuttlebay 2 immediately, you will be filled in on the situation there by the ACEO." was the immediate response. (reply: Rin) Once the channel was closed again, Sevant tapped a button on his chair, "Bridge to Lieutenant Bush, get a small security contingent to Sickbay on the double." (reply: Bush) Sevant looked around his bridge, a solid frown on his face. A quick glance at his monitor showed that nothing had been found in terms of wreckage for the Backtron. "Conn, lay in a course to follow the pods ion trail, warp 2. Bring us immediately out of warp if you encounter anything out of the ordinary, or the Backtron herself." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office, ACSO Kyle Rin - 0211) Setting aside the final report on the sensor repair from yesterday Kyle snapped to attention as the yellow alert system came to life in the office. Tapping his com badge he wondered if he could be of any help. =^= Rin to bridge Capt. Sevant respond =^= (reply sevant) =^= Might i inquire to what is going on sir and if i can be of any use? =^= Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0212) "A little," he said, smiling again and taking his station. He logged in and directed his attention to the screen again. "Now, what have I missed?" he said as he programmed the console. “Well, there's that pod where we have found people inside. They seem to be dead when they are not, or maybe they are close to it. And right now, we are searching the direction that pod took. In other terms, we are trying to find the how and the where at the same time. I'm still working on it and making sure the ship's resources are available for immediate use, lucky that I have help with Ensign Wolfgaard.” (Reply from Wolfgaard) “I think that's the most of it. I forward a few reports for you.” She smiled to Riko and return her attention to work. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – ATAC Ensign Ryko Skylynx– 0212) "A little," he said, smiling again and taking his station. He logged in and directed his attention to the screen again. "Now, what have I missed?" he said as he programmed the console. “Well, there's that pod where we have found people inside. They seem to be dead when they are not, or maybe they are close to it. And right now, we are searching the direction that pod took. In other terms, we are trying to find the how and the where at the same time. I'm still working on it and making sure the ship's resources are available for immediate use, lucky that I have help with Ensign Wolfgaard.” Yalta said, as she turned her attention to her assistant. Ryko looked at Yalta for longer than he knew he should have. She caught his eye and smiled. Ryko couldn't help but smile back. He started drifting until a vivid image of Fox brought him out of his trance and he refocused on his surroundings. He still felt a pang of sorrow when he remembered what had happened to Lisa. But that was 4 years ago. Perhaps it was time to move on. Ryko shrugged and coughed slightly. He shot another glance at Yalta then looked back at the Tactical console. So this was what it felt like to "get back in the loop". ~I just don't know if I'm ready yet,~ he thought to himself. ~but then, why do I feel like this every time I see her?~ Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Shuttlebay 2 - Ensign Saim Enaj - 0213) "What is the situation?" Kyle asked with a raised eyebrow. "We have started our analysis of the outside and have nearly finished the outside. At the moment it looks very strange. Everything is not working but there is no burning, no sign of any weapons fire in the inside though there is clear evidence of it on the hull. Here is the data so far," Saim said handing over the PADD. "I see, well you continue what your doing i'm going to check the outside shell." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0215) “I think that's the most of it. I forward a few reports for you.” She smiled to Riko and return her attention to work. Yalta remain silent has she completed a small task and then turn again toward Ensign Skylynx. “Ensign Shylynx... you do eat sometimes right?” She wasn't sure but there was something in Riko's eyes that she like even if she hadn't really look at him and conversation wise, it started without this awkward feeling and reactions for a change. (Reply from Riko) “Well, how about around 0700? a good breakfast in Ten Forward.” ~Good... public first, private later.~ “Great, if nothing else pops on then.” She smiled and return her gaze back to her console trying to hide a bit excitement in her body language and voice. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – ATAC/ASC Ensign Ryko Skylynx – 0215) Ryko busied himself, but looked up just long enough to catch Yalta's eye. She smiled again. That pinball-table-bright smile. Ryko tried to concentrate but it was hard. He felt as though he should say something. It was as though Yalta had read his mind. “Ensign Shylynx... you do eat sometimes right?” she asked. Ryko was a little puzzled by the question. "Yeah, I do. Why?" he asked, although he had a feeling "why" already. He was right. “Well, how about around 0700? a good breakfast in Ten Forward.” Ryko did an inner flip. "Sure," he said as he tried not to jump. "Sounds great." “Great, if nothing else pops on then," Yalta said, flashing the smile again. Ryko tried to hide his excitement. ~I dunno, maybe I am ready to move on,~ he said as he went about his work. ~It's been 8 years already. What the hell, it's worth a shot.~ He smiled to himself and went back to his work. He resisted the temptation to whistle. It was a silly thing to do especially considering the ship's current situation. He checked the time. It was time for his shift to end. "Skylynx to Bush," he said, tapping his comm badge. (Reply Bush) "Your presence is required at the tactical console sir, shift change," he said as he began to program the console to standby. (Reply Bush) "Aye, sir. I will leave tactical systems on standby." Ryko finished. He logged out of the tactical station and headed for the turbolift. He passed Yalta on the way out. "See you in the morning," he said, smiling. (reply yalta) Ryko smiled again and headed to the lift. He ordered it to take him to his quarters and the doors closed. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering- Ensign Saim Enaj- 0125) Saim was burining the midnight oil to keep the ship together when she heard her combadge beep. Quickly checking the time Saim was surprised to see how late it was. =^= Engineering team to shuttle bay 2. Immediately.=^= "I'm coming. Saim checked the roster to see who was soonest to have their shift and commed them, telling five people to meet her in forty minutes in shuttle bay 2. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sick Bay, Quarantine - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0215) =/\=Let me confirm I've heard you right. Their minds are clean, nothing but automatic functions? No memories, scraps of personality or knowledge?=/\= Kestra could feel the same disbelief and confusion as she had along with her staff coming from Sevant. "Yes Sir, you heard me right. No memories, no scraps of personality or any knowledge what so ever. All we could find was the basic motor functions just enough the keep the body alive." She reiterated to him as confirmation. "I will try and run this through the computer to see if there has been anything like it before. Any other instructions sir?" She asked. =/\=Keep them in triage, Ill send you a security contingent.=/\= "Aye sir I don't think they are going anywhere just yet. The security would be appreciated as this is a little spooky, like they seem to be zombies."Kestra replied to him as she shivered a bit at the thought. "I just hope that if there are any abnormalities brought aboard with these visitors, we can contain them here and find out how to handle them before they spread throughout the ship. If there was someone or something that caused this, sir, I would feel better with a shield around the ship." She did not even suggest what the Captain should do, but, was honest as how she felt. (Reply Sevant) "Sir I do have something to add that just came to mind. In the state that they are in at present, they could theoretically be programed with anything we want to put in them. I would hate to think that someone or something had that in mind. Then again, there could be the possibility that they saw something that they were not suppose to see." She said to him as her mind was racing trying to make sense of this. (Reply Sevant) "Aye Sir, I will let you know if there is any change in their status." She answered his orders. Not long after Sevant closed the channel, Kestra heard the Yellow alert warning go into affect. Also, several security personnel arrived and placed themselves around the quarantine area. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Security office - TAC/SC – Lieutenant William Bush - 0220) William had been busy filling reports and going over readiness drills he had been running; his assistant had been covering the post well. As William moved over to the replicate he ordered his strong black coffee and stood as it began to emerge. Reaching for it his hand snapped back as the com link came to life. =^= Bridge to Lieutenant Bush, get a small security contingent to Sickbay on the double. =^= William did not give it a second thought his hand slapped the com badge. “Aye sir!” William replied running over to the weapons locker and collecting his phaser and rifle. As he began to run down the corridor he tapped his com badge again. “Bush to security teams delta and Gamma converge on Sickbay, the area is to be locked down!” Bush shouted as he ran down the corridor. The various crewmen must have thought his quite rude as he knocked them out the way in his hurry to reach the sickbay. The captain’s message sounded desperate he needed to know what the hell was going on. (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – TAC/SC – Lt. William Bush – 02:24) As the turbolift came to a halt William activated the power on the rifle and held it in a relaxed posture keeping his finger off the trigger. He did not plan on shooting any civilians that happened to be running around. As he came to the sickbay entrance it appeared that people were walking around behind a force field. Moving his hand to indicate for the security detail to take positions he moved towards the 2O. “Commander, what the hell is going on sir!”? William stated attempting to remain respectful but with what he was seeing that was a difficult feet to accomplish. (Reply Troi) “Sir what are your orders? We can drop them if you want?” William could not help it he was a military man and not one to put up with what ever these things were. From what he could observe they were like the 20th century film baddies mindless automatons the name slipped his mind and then came to the front zombies! Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca- Quarters- Ensign Ryko Skylynx- 0225) Ryko entered his quarters and headed straight for the shower. He knew no-one was watching him, but he still felt sort of giddy. He shook off the feeling as he undressed. "Computer, activate sonic shower." The computer obliged. Ryko showered, cleaned up and went to bed. He dimmed the lights and lay down. He stared out of the quarters' window- one of the things he did to keep himself calm, besides shooting stuff on the holodeck. He sighed. It had been a hell of a day. He smiled to himself in anticipation of breakfast later on. He knew it was going to be special. ~I just hope I don't screw up,~ he said as he remembered that Yalta was a senior officer. Ryko rolled over. Everything would be okay. ~Just get some sleep~ He drifted off to sleep, ordering the computer to wake him at 0620. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, Quarantine, 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0230) Kestra had just got off the com channel with Sevant when Cmder Grailik entered sickbay. She made eye contact with him and knew what he wanted motioned her head for him to come in. After dawning the appropriate mask and gown he came in to the quarantine area. He looked at the still bodies on the bed as he walked over, she knew that he had once been a CMO. "Doctor Troi," He said, moving up beside her, "If it is alright with you, I will assist in the exterminations. How about I start on the other side and we can meet in the middle?" She looked at him funny as his use of exterminations, but, knew that he meant examinations as she would not let him exterminate any patient she was in charge of. She looked at him as he started to work as he was different, he was all business, no time for pleasantries now. "Sir, I could use all the help I can get as I am not liking what I have found and told the Captain. A second pair of eyes would be a good thing as I might have missed something. I hope I have as I don't like what I have found or not found so far." She replied to him. "Your with me," Kestra heard him say as he went off to start again at the other end of the group from her. She knew that he would not find anything medically different than she had already found and as they closed with one another his look told her she was right. They went over the notes each one had taken while examining the visitors and had come to the very same conclusion. It was decided that Kestra would inform the captain of what they had found and Grailik would remain behind to start some more in-depth, more aggressive tests. Once she had left Grailik, a thought crossed her mind, Counselor Alizara was a mind healer and these seem to be affected by something of the mind. ~I wonder if there would be something she could find that so far has eluded Gailik and I.~ Kestra thought to herself. "Commander Troi to Counselor Alizara, Domini we have ten patients in quarantine, could you take a look at them?" Kestra said after she tapped her combadge before leaving sickbay to see the captain. (Reply Domini, any) "Well, their brain seems to have been wiped clean of anything except basic motor functions to keep the body alive. Otherwise it seems they are as healthy anyone else on the Boudicca." Kestra explained to her. (Reply Domini, any) "Thanks, Commander Grailik and I will be waiting in the quarantine area. Troi out." After talking to Domini, Kestra decided to return to the Quarantine to let Grailik know what was up instead of informing the captain just yet. She thought that maybe with Domini there she would be able to give the captain a bit more info. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, Quarantine, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0250) Domini had been sitting in her Quarters meditating to center and focus herself after the bridge had informed her that she would most likely be needed in sickbay. When Kestra had called, she had risen gracelessly and went down to sickbay. She was stopped at the quarantine area by a security officer, and once she had gotten through, had dawned the appropriate precautions. Touch contact would have made it easier, but she would do the best she could. There were a number of instances in Betazed's history of the symptoms that Troi had described. Most of them were recoverable, but a few were not. Domini hoped that the former would be the case. She exchanged pleasantries with Grailik, who she was surprised to see and Troi. She was a little dissatisfied that Troi had summoned Grailik instead of her. If she had known, she would have liked to help. It wasn't fair, this prejudice against Counsellors that Starfleet seemed to possess. She shoved that thought away, since she was about to enter a trance and negative thoughts would not be a boon. She looked the patients over, and saw that one was a Betazoid. "Kestra, this one is a Betazoid." She said in surprise. She sat down next to him and looked him over. He looked fine, if a bit pale. He looked like he was sleeping. She centered herself and did what the Betazoids called 'Grounding', which was just to find a stable place inside her from which to draw from. Once she was there, she reached downward, into the patient's mind, closing her eyes in concentration. Her breathing slowed into a rhythm, and she sat stock still on the stool that had been provided. It was a bit unnerving to watch, actually. She found herself on a cold barren landscape, darkness overshadowing everything. She looked around and frowned. This was not a normal thing. There should be something here, rooms, buildings, fragments of the person's personality. Instead there was nothing, not even a tree growing. "Hello!" She called out. "Can anyone hear me?" She asked. She looked around the barren landscape for the shining part that indicated the persons soul. Nothing answered, not even a breeze. She went deeper, down to the next level, and found herself in a cold steel box. She looked around it, seeing a few scrapes here and there, but nothing to indicate a person there. She felt herself shivering in her astral form, and wondered what was going on. She went deeper, down to the last level of the mind and saw a dark transformer where the telepathic center should have been. She walked over, next to the transformer, and saw a bottle laying broken on the ground. This was where she had been taught that the soul lived. The reason this person couldn't wake up was because he had no soul. She looked around and saw nothing else. It was like everything had been taken away. There was a scuff mark in one corner, and a scrape somewhere else, like everything had been dragged away. She screamed as her mind went into a panic and her physical body went into convulsions. She threw herself out of rapport and saw Kestra looking down at her in concern. She didn't trust herself to speak yet, just sat there shivering. She couldn't get warm, and her body was manifesting what she had sensed psychically. She looked up at Kestra through the mask and said, "He isn't going to wake up, Kestra. He might as well be dead." She couldn't stop the shaking, then she felt Grailik supporting her, out of the quarantine area. He and Kestra helped her through the decontamination procedures, then when they had gotten out of sickbay, they had sat her down in a chair, wrapped a blanket around her and made her drink hot tea. She sipped on the tea while relating what she had seen. "It's like..something went in there and ate his soul." She said, not liking the way that sounded. "There is nothing there. He can't wake up, because bodies can not function without the spark that is life. I don't want to look at the others right now." She said, not wanting to think about what the others might look like. "There is nothing that can be done to heal him. Actually that isn't true. A more skilled mind-Healer, such as the legendary Kreya of Betazed or T'Ling of Vulcan, could transplant the spark from a dying individual to this one. But he won't be 'he' any more." She said, not managing to stop shivering. "I don't know of anything that could do that. Even those betazoids that are mind-warriors don't destroy souls." She said.. "They just break the mind in such a way that the person couldn't function without a mind-healer." Domini finished, feeling warmer physically but not psychically. She sighed, because she felt that she wasn't shedding much light on the situation. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, Quarantine, 2O/CMO Lt.Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0300) Kestra was pleased to see that Domini had answered her call nodding to her as she came in. She saw that Domini went right to work trying to help them find what was wrong with the patients. She had felt that Domini was upset with her that the First Officer was there first, but, just pushed it away as the professional side of her coming through. "Kestra, this one is a Betazoid." Domini said seemingly in surprise. Kestra saw that Domini sat down next to him to look him over. Kestra had went back to doing her examinations while Domini continued, knowing now that she was right in calling Domini over. The patients had not needed a counselor, or not at the moment, but, she was a skilled mind healer and that was what was needed. Kestra spun around as Domini let out a blood curdling scream physically and mentally. Her body immediately went into convulsions. Kestra had moved to help her through her convulsions just as Domini came out of them to look up at her. Kestra immediately motioned for blankets to be brought quickly so she could warm Domini up. Kestra wrapped the blankets around her and noticed that Domini had a far away look to her as if she had yet to completely disengage where she had been. "He isn't going to wake up, Kestra. He might as well be dead." She said as she looked up. Kestra motioned to Grailik that she wanted to take Domini out of the area, which, he came over to help her. Together they helped her through the decontamination procedures, then when they had gotten out of sickbay, they had sat her down in a chair, wrapped a blanket around her and made her drink hot tea. While sipping on the tea, Domini related what she had seen. "It's like..something went in there and ate his soul." She said, "There is nothing there. He can't wake up, because bodies can not function without the spark that is life. I don't want to look at the others right now." "There is nothing that can be done to heal him. Actually that isn't true. A more skilled mind-Healer, such as the legendary Kreya of Betazed or T'Ling of Vulcan, could transplant the spark from a dying individual to this one. But he won't be 'he' any more." She said, not managing to stop shivering. "What could have done this? You have any ideas or see anything inside that might give you a clue?" Kestra asked concerned. "I don't know of anything that could do that. Even those betazoids that are mind-warriors don't destroy souls." She said.. "They just break the mind in such a way that the person couldn't function without a mind-healer." Domini finished. Kestra saw Domini sigh and knew that she had wanted to do more, but, couldn' t at the time. "It is ok Domini, you did what you could and at least you confirmed what we had already found out. I have heard of what you have told us, but, I am not a mind healer as you are. I am glad we have you on board, as we may need you more before this is over." Kestra was just as frustrated as Domini was, but, it was up to her to find what in the world was going on. She was the Chief Medical Officer and everyone on the ship looked to her to know the answers medically. Looking at her medical team, she could also see that want in their minds and eyes also. "Make sure that they are fed to keep their bodies healthy till we can return them. Call me if there is any changes." She informed her staff. "Domini please be ready to brief the Captain on what you saw while in there. I am going to go see him and hopefully we will be able to set up a conference to talk about it. I will let you know when the conference will be, thank you Domini for coming. Commander Grailik, want to accompany me to the bridge?" Kestra said as she started heading to the bridge while entering the data onto the PADD she was carrying. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, FO, Cmdr Grailik, 0305) Grailik had remained busy with the comatose patients they had rescued when Dr. Alizara had arrived and begun her own, phycic examination of one of the patients. He easily recognized the play of emotions that crossed her face when she saw him. He took a mental note to check up on why his presence would elicit such a display of negative emotions from the ships counselor. He was slightly surprised when Alizara began screaming and convulsing violently after moments after she had begun to probe the mind of one of the patients. He rushed over to help Dr. Troi and see what had happened. He helped Troi carry Alizara through decon and out of the quarantine area and to a seat a ways off. Quietly he listened to what she had seen, not liking what she said one bit. Finally, Troi stood. "Domini please be ready to brief the Captain on what you saw while in there. I am going to go see him and hopefully we will be able to set up a conference to talk about it. I will let you know when the conference will be, thank you Domini for coming. Commander Grailik, want to accompany me to the bridge?" Kestra said as she started heading to the bridge while entering the data onto the PADD she was carrying. "Not right now," Grailik said, also moving toward the door leading out of Sickbay. He handed her a PADD "You go ahead. I'm gonna go look in on the engineering and science teams no doubt going over the escape pod we found these people in. I'm gonna have Ensign Rin assign his best people to assist you in trying to figure out just how, what ever was done to these people was done. (Reply Troi IFW) Grailik said a quick good bye to Troi and moved off on his own. He slapped his comm-badge as he walked quickly. (USS Boudicca, shuttle bay 2, FO Cmndr Grailik, 0315) Grailik entered the shuttle bay at a brisk walk. His eyes quickly scanned the bay and the escape pod. Engineering and Science personnel moved about and on the pod, with various tools in their hands. Grailik moved toward the pod seeing Ensign Rin and Saim conferring. He walked up to them. "Report," He said, his eyes still on the pod. (Rely Rin and Saim) "Have you been able to access the pods computer system and down load any of the ships logs?" He asked next. NRPG: The logs will be badly corrupted, but by this time, science should of been able to piece some of it together. Just been too busy to review them yet and is still working on reconstructing the rest. RPG: (Reply Rin or Saim) "Let me see what you've got so far," Grailik ordered, pointing at one of the consoles in the shuttle bay. He followed Rin over to the console and waited while the ACSO worked for a few seconds before stepping back to view the log as well. The picture was bad so was the sound. Static filled air and garbled disjointed pictures flashed across the screen. Amidst the static screams and weapons fire could be heard. People ran back and forth in front of the recording sensor blocking much of the view. There was no sign of exactly who or what was attacking them, but in the few seconds that the log lasted it was clear that the civilians had been slaughtered. They hadn't stood a chance. Grailik's face was grim. "I want a copy of that file, Ensign," He said, his voice cold and firm. He took the isonliniar chip Rin handed him and nodded approvingly at the ACSO. "Good work so far Ensign. Keep at it and let myself or Captain Sevant know the second you find anything new. (Reply Rin) Grailik moved out of the Cargo bay, chip in hand. As he headed toward the turbo-lift he slapped his comm-badge. "Grailik to Sevant." (Reply Sevant) "I'm on my way to the bridge with a portion of the computer log that science has been able to piece together so far. You will want to see it. I recommend you have Lt. Bush, and Major Straton present as well. It's not good Sir." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Deck 7, Sickbay, 2O/CMO Lt.Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0308) "Not right now," Grailik said as he moved toward the door leading out of Sickbay. He handed a PADD over to her as he continued, "You go ahead. I'm gonna go look in on the engineering and science teams no doubt going over the escape pod we found these people in. I'm gonna have Ensign Rin assign his best people to assist you in trying to figure out just how, what ever was done to these people was done." "Aye sir will meet you on the bridge" Kestra acknowledged as they both left sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - shuttle bay 2 - Ensign Saim Enaj - 0315) Grailik entered the shuttle bay at a brisk walk. His eyes quickly scanned the bay and the escape pod. Engineering and Science personnel moved about and on the pod, with various tools in their hands. Grailik moved toward the pod seeing Ensign Rin and Saim conferring. He walked up to them. "Report," He said, his eyes still on the pod. "I've nearly done all my scans but the pod is quite a puzzle," Saim reported. "Have you been able to access the pods computer system and down load any of the ships logs?" He asked next. "I haven't but then I could not find anything. Then again I have not been looking for anything like that." (reply Rin) "Let me see what you've got so far," Grailik ordered, pointing at one of the consoles in the shuttle bay. He followed Rin over to the console and waited while the ACSO worked for a few seconds before stepping back to view the log as well. Saim leaned over to see what they had got. The picture was bad so was the sound. Static filled air and garbled disjointed pictures flashed across the screen. Amidst the static screams and weapons fire could be heard. People ran back and forth in front of the recording sensor blocking much of the view. There was no sign of exactly who or what was attacking them, but in the few seconds that the log lasted it was clear that the civilians had been slaughtered. They hadn't stood a chance. Grailik's face was grim. "I want a copy of that file, Ensign," He said, his voice cold and firm. He took the isonliniar chip Rin handed him and nodded approvingly at the ACSO. "Good work so far Ensign. Keep at it and let myself or Captain Sevant know the second you find anything new. (Reply Rin) Grailik moved out of the Cargo bay, chip in hand. As he headed toward the turbo-lift he slapped his comm-badge. "Grailik to Sevant." (Reply Sevant) "I'm on my way to the bridge with a portion of the computer log that science has been able to piece together so far. You will want to see it. I recommend you have Lt. Bush, and Major Straton present as well. It's not good Sir." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, shuttle bay 2, ACSO Kyle Rin, 0315) "These logs are very disturbing Saim..." Kyle snapped to attention as the FO entered the shuttle bay. "Report," Grailik said, his eyes still on the pod. "We've been performing scans on the outside right now sir. We've finished inside scans." Kyle said in a stern voice. "Have you been able to access the pods computer system and down load any of the ships logs?" Grailik asked next. "There seems to be heavy corruption in the data logs but i've been able to extract small portions and piece some of the data together." Kyle replied. "Let me see what you've got so far," Grailik ordered, pointing at one of the consoles in the shuttle bay. He followed Rin over to the console and waited while the ACSO worked for a few seconds before stepping back to view the log as well. The picture was bad so was the sound. Static filled air and garbled disjointed pictures flashed across the screen. Amidst the static screams and weapons fire could be heard. People ran back and forth in front of the recording sensor blocking much of the view. There was no sign of exactly who or what was attacking them, but in the few seconds that the log lasted it was clear that the civilians had been slaughtered. They hadn't stood a chance. Grailik's face was grim. "I want a copy of that file, Ensign," He said, his voice cold and firm. He took the isonliniar chip Rin handed him and nodded approvingly at the ACSO. "Good work so far Ensign. Keep at it and let myself or Captain Sevant know the second you find anything new. "Aye sir, I'll see what i can do." Kyle nodded and turn his attention back on the console. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, deck 7, turbolift, 2O/CMO Lt Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0318) Kestra entered the turbolift while reading the information that she had entered the PADD to ensure that she had everything up todate. "Bridge" she said absentmindedly after the doors shut behind her. As the turbolift started moving, a feeling started in the pit of her stomach, which, made her feel nauseous. She could not understand why it was happening as she really had not eaten anything for a while and she was dressed appropriately in the quarantine area. After a couple of minutes the feeling was subsiding and the doors to the bridge opened. She took a deep breath and walked out onto the bridge. (USS Boudicca, Bridge, 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0325) As she entered the bridge, Kestra looked around for Sevant. She saw that the Ops officer had the bridge. "Where is Captain Sevant?" Kestra asked (Reply Ops, any) "A closed meeting with whom?" Kestra asked not knowing why she would not have been invited if it was about what was going on. (Reply Ops, any) "Hmm, the CO, FO, TAC/SC, TAC/ASC, MCO, and the MFO without the CMO? I don't like this, not one bit." Kestra said as she sat down in her Bridge chair to wait for them to finish. "Lt.Cmdr Troi to Counselor Alizara, might as well come on up to the bridge if you can, we have to wait for the captain to get out of his meeting. Might as well not have any more hold ups." Kestra said after tapping her com badge. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Quarters- Ensign Ryko Skylynx- 0321) =^=Lt Shafio to Ensign Skylynx, you better get up, get dress quickly and do like a bat out of hell=^= Ryko shot up. He was awake and he could have sworn he'd heard someone mention one of his favorite songs. He realised it was Yalta giving him a wake up call. "What?" He said, half-awake. "Is it 0700 already?" =^=No, it's not 0700 hrs yet... Captain Sevant call up a meeting and Security department heads are on his list... Get yourself dressed and get to the conference room in a sprint. Also confirm that you are coming. Schafio out!=^= Ryko failed to stifle a laugh, which disappeared when he checked the time. "Holy sh....cow!" He said, and rushed to get ready. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio – 0321) Having the bridge was something that she always enjoyed, it kept her up to speed about what was going on even more then at her position has OPS. Now that she was back behind her console, she could made sure that all was well coordinated. She could hear everything, just like the others on the bridge. =^=I'm on my way to the bridge with a portion of the computer log that science has been able to piece together so far. You will want to see it. I recommend you have Lt. Bush, and Major Straton present as well. It's not good Sir.=^= Sevant quirked his head, "Very well, in the Observation Lounge." (reply: Grailik, if desired) Sevant closed the connection and thought for a few moments, then took a breath and tapped his badge. "Sevant to Marine and Security department heads, report to the observation lounge on the double." (reply: TAC/SC, TAC/ASC, Marines) The Captain looked over his bridge, still at yellow alert, and tapped his fingertips together a couple times in thought. "Keep searching for our target ship, let me know the instant anything comes on scopes." He stood, "Operations has the bridge." “Understood Sir!” Yalta said has she get up. Once she saw Sevant disappear, she push a couple of button on the padd. “Lt Shafio to Ensign Skylynx, you better get up, get dress quickly and do like a bat out of hell.” (Reply from Skylynx) “No, it's not 0700 hrs yet... Captain Sevant call up a meeting and Security department heads are on his list... Get yourself dressed and get to the conference room in a sprint. Also confirm that you are coming. Schafio out!” Once she close the channel, she could have swore that she heard laughing. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0321) =^=Grailik to Sevant.=^= "Go ahead," Sevant said, as he steepled his fingers. =^=I'm on my way to the bridge with a portion of the computer log that science has been able to piece together so far. You will want to see it. I recommend you have Lt. Bush, and Major Straton present as well. It's not good Sir.=^= Sevant quirked his head, "Very well, in the Observation Lounge." (reply: Grailik, if desired) Sevant closed the connection and thought for a few moments, then took a breath and tapped his badge. "Sevant to Marine and Security department heads, report to the observation lounge on the double." (reply: TAC/SC, TAC/ASC, Marines) The Captain looked over his bridge, still at yellow alert, and tapped his fingertips together a couple times in thought. "Keep searching for our target ship, let me know the instant anything comes on scopes." He stood, "Operations has the bridge." (reply: any, if desired) Sevant strode into the Observation lounge, to await the First Officer. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Quarters- ATAC Ensign Ryko Skylynx-0322) =^=Sevant to Marine and Security department heads, report to the observation lounge on the double.=^= Ryko frowned. He was just about to get into bed when this call came through the comm. ~Can't a guy get a moment's rest around here?~ He dressed into his uniform, attached his badge and headed to the turbolift. He ordered his hair on the way, and stepped inside. "Bridge," he said, and he was off. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Marine Staging Center - Major Drizzt - 0322) =^=Sevant to Marine and Security department heads, report to the observation lounge on the double.=^= Already at standing alert, that call made the Andorian MXO frown. He briefly looked at Straton, and nodded as he stood. Being in full BDU, he looked impressive. His hand fell onto his side-arm by habit as he looked out over the active-duty squads during the yellow alert. "all hands, remain at the ready!" "OOOWAH!" The Andorian smiled; a tight, mean little smile that wasn't meant to make people feel good. The Marines were still new, and still being trained, but at least they had the typical Starfleet Marine attitude. Spider turned on his heel to follow the MCO out, they had a security'ish meeting to attend. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Marine Staging Center, Major Straton, 0323) Eva and Spider, in full BDU, stood at the large display. Looking over the deck plans for the Backtron. Devising a strategy for boarding and securing the ship, by force if necessary. The experimental AI in Eva's BDU was currently linked to the ships comm-system and keep her appraised of the situation. Behind, them 2 squads of Marines waited, weapons ready. A group of Spiders CCE's waited with them. Ready to go with a seconds notice. On Eva's back, it's scabbard molecularly sealed to her BDU, was the sword she always carried into battle, and by the way things were developing, battle was coming. =^=Sevant to Marine and Security department heads, report to the observation lounge on the double.=^= Her and Spider shared a look. He rose to address the troops before following her to the Observation Lounge. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Capt Sevant - 0326) When the last person strode in, Sevant looked at Grailik, and nodded for him to start. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Ensign Ryko Skylynx - 0327) After a rather embarrassing walk across the bridge and a hurried glance at Yalta, Ryko entered the lounge to see the other department heads already there. He cleared his thoat and paid attention as the First Officer began to speak. "This is a small portion of the log file science has been able to reconstruct from the escape pod. It's a bit piece meal as the file was badly corrupted, but I think what it shows is rather unsettling." Ryko watched as the file's playback rippled across the screen. It was hard to get a good look at exactly what was going on, but Ryko was glad as the screaming gave him a more-than-necessary idea of what was happening. He narrowed his eyes in astonishment. The short clip ended, leaving the room in silence. "If you would, play that again...Sir." Spider said, looking at the FO. Ryko had a funny feeling that he was thinking exactly what Spider was. These people had no idea what they were doing. (reply: Grailik, any) Ryko grimaced as the video played again. This was not his idea of an eye-opener. He tried to identify the weapon sounds. Nothing huge. A few civilian grade phasers. Ryko caught Sevant's eye and blew out a puff of air to emphasize the surprise he felt at what was happening on the screen. "Comments," the Vulcan finally asked. "It might be a little early to say, but from this vantage point, it looks like they were being raided. And from what I could tell of the weapons being used, they were civilian. I don't think that there's reason to suspect military involvement yet," Ryko said. Spider tapped his long fingers on the table for a few moments. "I hope there is more in that pod then what we are seeing, all this lets us know is that there is something baaad in the neighborhood, it gives us no other useful information for the most part. I would also give my left antenna to know exactly what happened to those people." He looked over at Straton, then shrugged mildly in the BDU, and looked back. "I Would recommend Marine and Tactical patrols of the ship, if we are going to start chasing after whoever did this." "Agreed," Ryko said almost immediately. "I'll have security personnel patrol the ship every 10 minutes, and now may be a good time to implement those defense upgrades, at least the ones that don't require a spacedock." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Capt Sevant/Major Drizzt - 0327) Sevant folded his hands together as the First Officer began to speak. "This is a small portion of the log file science has been able to reconstruct from the escape pod. It's a bit piece meal as the file was badly corrupted, but I think what it shows is rather unsettling" Sevant narrowed his eyes as he watched the screen, out of the corner of his eyes he noticed the rest of Security and Marines doing the same. The MXO's face was a study of blandness as he watched the screen. There were obvious sounds of battle, screaming and battle-yeolps. These men and women had not been trained for hand-to-hand combat. The short clip ended, leaving the room in silence. "If you would, play that again... Sir." Spider said, looking at the FO. (reply: Grailik, any) NRPG: Assuming he does... RPG: Grailik had the jumbled sights of the thing memorized, this time he leaned forward with his eyes closed and listened as well as he could to the staticky sound. There was obvious weapons fire, but everything about it he could pick up seemed to be civilian make phasers, their sides weapons. He cocked his head to the side as the clip ended again. Sevant shifted in his seat after watching the clip for a second time, his face was grim and his mood even moreso. He folded his hands together and looked over the Security and Marine crew. As a former security officer, and man whose talents lay deeply in combat and strategy, what he had just seen was a validation for every ounce of training he had ever received in a 'peacetime exploratory fleet'. This sort of thing was *not* supposed to happen, not to their civilians especially. Starfleet Personnel ran the risk of meeting an unpleasant doom, it came with the uniform. "Comments," the Vulcan finally asked, not as a question. (reply: any) Spider tapped his long fingers on the table for a few moments. "I hope there is more in that pod then what we are seeing, all this lets us know is that there is something baaad in the neighborhood, it gives us no other useful information for the most part. I would also give my left antenna to know exactly what happened to those people." He had in mind the woman and child that the last scene had shown, he didn't know that any bodies had come with the pod itself. He looked over at Straton, then shrugged mildly in the BDU, and looked back. "I Would recommend Marine and Tactical patrols of the ship, if we are going to start chasing after whoever did this." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, Cmndr Grailik, 0327) Grailik waited patiently, it was one thing you learned when you'd lived as long as he had. When everyone had arrived, Sevant looked at him and nodded. Grailik stood and moved over to the viewer on one wall. "This is a small portion of the log file science has been able to reconstruct from the escape pod. It's a bit piece meal as the file was badly corrupted, but I think what it shows is rather unsettling. Grailik pushed play and moved back so that everyone had a clear view of the screen. The sounds of strange weapons fire and screams filled the room. The image of the civilians fighting some strange unseen assailants filled the screen. Their terrified voices came over the speakers, some pleading for mercy, some defiant, some incoherent, but it was obvious that what ever was attack gave no quarter, took no prisoners. A mother and small child filled the screen both staring unseeing at the ceiling filled the screen as the file came to and end. Grailik moved forward and pushed stop and the screen went black. He turned back toward Sevant and the others. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, Major Straton & Commander Grailik, 0328) No novice to combat, Eva watched the short clip impassively, as did Spider. Her trained eye picking out certain sights and noises that might prove important. "If you would, play that again...Sir." Spider said, looking at the FO. Eva nodded that she too wanted to see it again. Grailik nodded and played it again. Eva did, as she knew Spider was, she closed her eyes and listened. Trying to distinguish some of the weapons fire heard in the clip. "Comments," Sevant finally asked. "I hope there is more in that pod then what we are seeing, all this lets us know is that there is something baaad in the neighborhood, it gives us no other useful information for the most part. I would also give my left antenna to know exactly what happened to those people." Spider said after a moment. He looked over at Straton, then shrugged mildly in the BDU, and looked back. "I Would recommend Marine and Tactical patrols of the ship, if we are going to start chasing after whoever did this." "I got two squads of Marines, ready to move right now in the MSA," Eva said looking at Sevant. " They did not go down with out a fight. I heard several different type 1 phasers in that clip. Standard civilian issue. Not even in the same ball park as what we are packing." She looked at Spider. "What ever did that will have a much harder time if they are foolish enough to board THIS ship. I agree with the Major. Patrols of the ship, with full weapon loads. 15 minuets and I'll have an entire platoon of Marines ready to roll over anything that gets in our way, Sir." (reply Sevant, Security) "Major Drizzt and I have been going over the deck plans for the Backtron that we have on file. We have started formulating an attack plan to board and retake the ship, or destroy it if that is what is required. Once it is finished I will send you a copy for approval, Captain." (Reply Sevant) "The survivors on the escape pod?" Eva asked, "What's the story on them?" At this Grailik stepped forward again. His eye sweeping the officers assembled before meeting Sevant's gaze for permission to divulge that information. Sevant nodded. "They are all catatonic," Grailik said, "Their minds have some how been completely wiped of all personality, all knowledge, expect autonomic functions. Counselor Alizara says their minds are gone. Completely. Their vegetables. Science is working with medical to try to determine how something like this was done, but as of yet, we have no clue." "I want to examine one of them," Eva said, suddenly. What Grailik had just said was suppose to be impossible. The utter destruction of the mind. She looked from Grailik to Sevant and back again. Her eyes locked on Grailik. "You know why I must." Grailik looked at Sevant, then back at Eva. He nodded. "I suggest you ask Lt. Alizara to assist you. She was greatly shaken when she tried to link with one of the patients." Eva only nodded. (Reply Sevant, Anyone else) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Quarters, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0330) =^=Lt.Cmdr Troi to Counselor Alizara, might as well come on up to the bridge if you can, we have to wait for the captain to get out of his meeting. Might as well not have any more hold ups. =^= Domini nodded. "I'll be there in a few minutes, Kestra." She said, getting up off the floor. She had been trying to meditate to see if there was anything she was missing, but it had not been exactly successful. She went over to the mirror, and looked in it. She picked up her ivory handled hair brush and ran the brush through it. She looked up and saw blank eyes staring back at her. She turned away from the mirror, scared for a moment. ~I am being silly.~ She thought firmly. ~It's a lack of sleep, and my imagination is playing tricks on me.~ She nodded to herself, then headed up to the bridge. She took her seat next to Kestra, then looked at kestra strangely. ::Kestra?:: Domini sent, concern very evident in her voice. Stardate:2406.07.03 (Shuttle Bay 2 - Ensign Saim Enaj - 3.30) Saim had been working steadily. Outside it might look like there was weapons damage but inside there was absolutely no sign of it. In fact there was no sign of any reason why the ship had completely powered down. The fuel had all gone but there was clear evidence they had had a full "tank" less than two hours ago. No ship could burn that much fuel in that amount of time. "Dabase", Saim called over one of her team. "Have you collected a sample of that crystallistion. "Aye sir." "I'm going to take it to the Science department. You're in charge here while I'm gone. I want a thorough last check of every system, every inch of this ship." Saim like to be thorough. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Capt Sevant - 0332) "Comments," Sevant asked. The Assistant Security Chief was the first to speak. The Vulcan turned his attention over to him, "It might be a little early to say, but from this vantage point, it looks like they were being raided. And from what I could tell of the weapons being used, they were civilian. I don't think that there's reason to suspect military involvement yet," The MXO and Combat Engineer was next, "I hope there is more in that pod then what we are seeing, all this lets us know is that there is something baaad in the neighborhood, it gives us no other useful information for the most part. I would also give my left antenna to know exactly what happened to those people." The Andorian MXO looked over at his department head, and then shrugged for some reason. HE looked back and said, "I Would recommend Marine and Tactical patrols of the ship, if we are going to start chasing after whoever did this." "Agreed, I'll have security personnel patrol the ship every 10 minutes, and now may be a good time to implement those defense upgrades, at least the ones that don't require a spacedock." was the TAC/ASC's immediate reply. The MCO was next with, "I got two squads of Marines, ready to move right now in the MSA, They did not go down with out a fight. I heard several different type 1 phasers in that clip. Standard civilian issue. Not even in the same ball park as what we are packing." She looked at Spider. "What ever did that will have a much harder time if they are foolish enough to board THIS ship. I agree with the Major. Patrols of the ship, with full weapon loads. 15 minuets and I'll have an entire platoon of Marines ready to roll over anything that gets in our way, Sir." Sevant tapped his fingers for a few moments as he looked at his security and combat personnel. "Coordinate Marine and Tactical patrols, I want half squads of each hooked up and roving the halls. Plus men stationed in Sickbay, Engineering, the Computer core and two on the bridge at all times, in full battle kit, I'm authorizing the armories opened for all trained personnel." He looked over at the Marines, his attention rested on the Combat Engineer for several long moments. He was well aware of what they were trained to do. Whatever other skills they might have possessed as the Marines special forces, they were primarily trained to either repair and protect in combat situations... Or destroy a ship to prevent it to fall into enemy hands. He folded his hands together, "Are the Marines ready to take the ship if we find it intact?" "Major Drizzt and I have been going over the deck plans for the Backtron that we have on file. We have started formulating an attack plan to board and retake the ship, or destroy it if that is what is required. Once it is finished I will send you a copy for approval, Captain." Sevant nodded, "Work out contingencies to leave at least a squad behind, preferably a heavy-infantry, and work out plans with Security for fully turning over all combat patrols here on the ship to them in that situation." He looked back at his Security chiefs. He had been a security officer himself, he would have burned if he had been told he would be left behind. But this was not a standard enemy, the Boudicca was his primary concern, and he wanted his full Security staff on-board to protect the crew from what could be a very nasty situation. "I want one of you to work closely with medical and engineering, see if you can find a way to protect against whatever wiped the Backtron crew. And break out the Tactical BDU's, all on-duty security is going to have as much protection as we can possibly afford." (reply: Any, all) "The survivors on the escape pod?" Eva asked, "What's the story on them?" Grailik stepped forward and looked at Sevant. The Captain quirked his head, they needed to know. He would keep it from most of the ship for as long as he could, to prevent a breakdown in morale... But these were the leaders that would take his forces into combat, the more they knew the better they could plan. "They are all catatonic," Grailik said, "Their minds have some how been completely wiped of all personality, all knowledge, expect autonomic functions. Counselor Alizara says their minds are gone. Completely. Their vegetables. Science is working with medical to try to determine how something like this was done, but as of yet, we have no clue." "I want to examine one of them," the MCO said. Sevant quirked an eyebrow as she turned her attention to the First Officer. "You know why I must." The First Officer, if he was surprised, hardly showed it. He looked at Sevant briefly then back over, "I suggest you ask Lt. Alizara to assist you. She was greatly shaken when she tried to link with one of the patients." The MCO nodded, and Sevant cleared his throat. "Is there anything else?" (reply: any) NRPG: Room for more RPG: Once it was over, Sevant stood. "Good luck, Dismissed." He made a gesture at Grailik to stay behind, and waited for the Marines and Security heads to depart. Once they had and the door had closed he said, "Why must she look at those bodies? Her determination was obvious, I wouldn't have stopped her, but I am curious." (reply: Grailik) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge. COUNS Domini Alizara, 0338) ::Allurenate, I will examine one of the victims. Your presence is requested. Do not fear the Dark. I shall protect you.:: Domini had been talking with Kestra when she heard another's voice in her mind, and looked up to see Major Straton. She blinked rapidly, knowing exactly who Allura was, but surprised that Eva did. ::Of course.:: She sent. "Kestra, the Major and I are going to go look at the.. survivors... again. If you would excuse us." she said aloud. Domini stood, almost on auto-pilot her mind running through the possibilities that she had briefly sent. Eva felt sort of like Domini's mother. Very like her mother in some respects, but... different. Once they were away from the bridge, Domini looked at Eva curiously. ::Major, Pardon my interruption, but I am curious. You feel to me the same way my mother feels, but different. I don't know how to describe it:: She said, sending both the way she perceived Eva and the way she saw her mother. :: Are you a Protector?:: She said, referring to the fact that the Peace Keepers per se were mostly ornamental -- the Protectors tended to deal with the things that went wrong. Like renegade Betazoids.... Domini felt a pang of homesickness for a moment. She missed her mother, greatly. Not her step-father, though. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge. Major Straton, 0338) Eva stepped onto the Bridge, Spider at her side. Her eyes fell on Dr Troi and Alizara. She looked toward Spider. "Go get the troops ready," She said, "I will be there shortly." Spider nodded and moved off. Eva stepped down to the command deck and walked over to Alizara. She looked briefly at Kestra, then her gaze went back to Alizara. ::Allurenate,:: Eva sent, using the ancient title for Mind Healer to show respect, :: I will examine one of the victims. Your presence is requested. Do not fear the Dark. I shall protect you.:: That ancient mantra had been part of her Order for thousands of years. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge. 2O/CMO Lt Cmdr Kestra Troi, 0340) Kestra had been waiting with Domini for the meeting to end, so, they could tell what information they had. Kestra then saw that the marine CO and XO emerge from the room and stood waiting for some kinda of information. Kestra saw that Eva Straton looked at her and Alizara then turned away to speak with her XO. "Go get the troops ready," She said, "I will be there shortly." The XO then nodded and moved off. Kestra watched as Eva stepped down to the command deck and walked over to Alizara where she once again looked at kestra, but, said nothing to her. Kestra could tell that she was talking to Domini mind to mind and that she was purposely left out of the conversation. Domini turned to Kestra after a few seconds of conversation with the major. . "Kestra, the Major and I are going to go look at the.. survivors... again. If you would excuse us." she said aloud. Kestra stood there dumbfounded that they would decide to go to sickbay without her. She could not understand why the Major could assume that she had the authority to go into her sickbay without her permission. Then it dawned on her that the CO and or the FO had probably given her orders to do just what she was doing. Understanding came with the knowledge that she was not privy to what was going on at the time. She knew at one point the CO or FO would tell her all that she needed to know. Sitting back down she waited for the FO to emerge so she could talk with him. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Turbolift, MCO, Major Straton, 0340) Once they were away from the bridge, Domini looked at Eva curiously. ::Major, Pardon my interruption, but I am curious. You feel to me the same way my mother feels, but different. I don't know how to describe it:: She said, sending both the way she perceived Eva and the way she saw her mother. :: Are you a Protector?:: She said, referring to the fact that the Peace Keepers per se were mostly ornamental -- the Protectors tended to deal with the things that went wrong. Like renegade Betazoids.... ::I am Allurekazata,:: Eva replied, without looking at the Counselor, using the ancient name of her Order. ::What you would call Third Order.:: Eva would not hide from the Counselor what she was. They could not work together effectively if their were lies between them. Eva was how ever curious how Domini would take this revelation. There were not many of the Third Order left. Few made their presence known. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Turbolift, COUNS, Dr. Domini Alizara, 0340) ::Major, Pardon my interruption, but I am curious. You feel to me the same way my mother feels, but different. I don't know how to describe it:: She said, sending both the way she perceived Eva and the way she saw her mother. :: Are you a Protector?:: She said, referring to the fact that the Peace Keepers per se were mostly ornamental -- the Protectors tended to deal with the things that went wrong. Like renegade Betazoids.... ::I am Allurekazata,:: Eva replied, without looking at the Counselor, using the ancient name of her Order. ::What you would call Third Order.:: Domini seemed stunned. "The third order? But history says that there were only two." She said, speaking aloud, and not telepathically. Then the turbolift opened, and the two exited. As they got near the quarantine area, Domini helped the Major with the preparations to go in. After a few moments, and Domini triple checking the two of them, they cycled through the lock. ::Well, there they are. You've heard my report.:: She said, feeling somewhat claustrophobic. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, Cmndr Grailik, 0340) Grailik waited quietly as everyone else filed out of the room leaving him and Sevant alone. He knew what was coming. It was to be expected under the circumstances. ~He has a right to know.~ Grailik thought as the doors shut and Sevant turned to him. "Why must she look at those bodies? Her determination was obvious, wouldn't have stopped her, but I am curious." Grailik sat down and looked at Sevant seriously, quiet for a few moments while he decided just how to tell him. "Captain," He began, "what I'm about to tell you is classified. You won't find any of this in the Majors record or anywhere else for that matter. Admiral LoDona saw to that some time ago. Only reason I know is that I've served with the Major before and I was on the Admiral's personal staff. Do you understand?" (Reply Sevant) "Eva Straton is a very rare Betizied, and I'm not talking just about her red hair. She is a member of a very ancient and very martial sect. Dating back to Betizieds war like past. That this sect still exists today is amazing taking into consideration the physiological outlook of most of the species. Eva is what a modern day Betizied would call a 'Mind Killer'. Vulcan had it's own version in it's bloody past, so I'm sure you can imagine how the general public would react to know they were still around. Let alone walking amongst them. Now, Eva's order has a very strict code of conduct. A Code of Honor, if you will. Enforced by all members. She needs to make sure that this was not done by any member of her order. There have been rouge members of this order in the past. Who have rouge terrible havoc before being hunted down and killed by others in the order." Grailik paused to see if Sevant had any questions. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Capt Sevant - 0340) "Captain," He began, "what I'm about to tell you is classified. You won't find any of this in the Majors record or anywhere else for that matter. Admiral LoDona saw to that some time ago. Only reason I know is that I've served with the Major before and I was on the Admiral's personal staff. Do you understand?" ~Interesting.~ Sevant folded his hands together, and inclined his head. "Continue," Continue the First Officer did, and what a story it was. "Eva Straton is a very rare Betizied, and I'm not talking just about her red hair. She is a member of a very ancient and very martial sect. Dating back to Betizieds war like past. That this sect still exists today is amazing taking into consideration the physiological outlook of most of the species. Eva is what a modern day Betizied would call a 'Mind Killer'. Vulcan had it's own version in it's bloody past, so I'm sure you can imagine how the general public would react to know they were still around. Let alone walking amongst them. Now, Eva's order has a very strict code of conduct. A Code of Honor, if you will. Enforced by all members. She needs to make sure that this was not done by any member of her order. There have been rouge members of this order in the past. Who have rouge terrible havoc before being hunted down and killed by others in the order." The Captain leaned back in the chair, his eyes half-closed as he considered the implications of what he was hearing. It wasn't exactly hard to get his mind around the concept, battle-trained Telepaths were not unknown. Considering the peaceful nature of the Betazoid society made it slightly more difficult, but not when he stopped to consider the martial nature of the Major herself. He briefly tried calculating the odds of a rouge betazoid operating in this area, and gave up when he ran into about five different unknowns in the equation. It was possible, he supposed, but not likely. However, that didn't matter much. He was trained in combative mind techniques, though his broadcast telepathy was weak (with the exception of those he had bonded too, none of which survived any longer). He could easily carry a conversation with another talented telepath, he usually couldn't converse with a non-telepath unless he was touching them... Or had mind-melded with them. Even so, he knew combative techniques, if for no other reason then knowing the weapons allowed for a better defense. Straton was, he presumed, far more practiced with offensive techniques, meaning she would likely recognize a psi-weapon even faster and with better reliability then he would. Once again, presumably, faster and with more reliability then *any* 'typical' telepath or Empath. That, he decided, was no bad thing. The Mind-Lords of Ancient Vulcan had been truly terrible. His people had been highly passionate, and often-times their arose from the pools of violence and passion a man or woman with truly exceptional mind-powers, who would use the passion of their people against them and brute mental violence against the rest. The Mind-Lords had successfully divided the entire planet amongst themselves, creating terrible wars and forming armies of Combatant Telepaths for their fell purposes. Surak had brought his people order and logic, and in controlling their passions they had defeated those Mind Lords and destroyed or hidden the artifacts which increased violent telepathic resonances. Since then, Vulcans and their telepathic abilities had more-or-less declined into the touch-telepaths they were today, but there were always exceptions. Even today, there were dissenters that wished to go back to old times. Sybok hadn't been particularly violent, but he was an example of the dissension against Logic. There were others that sought to regain some of the mental controls and Combat skills of the earlier Mind-Lords... Such people were usually suppressed in the *strongest* meaning of the word by Vulcan authorities, that was one of the lesser known functions of the Priests of Kholinar on Mount Seleya; to suppress dangerous telepaths that could conceivably kill a good portion of the population with little effort in this day and age. He had studied his planets history, he had graduated the Academy into Tactical with a degree in history. He was aware of how easily the darker part of nature could take over, especially in those that possessed great abilities, it was no different in Betazoids as in Vulcans. That was, however, a worry for a later time. "So she is a Telepathic Warrior, what the wicked Vulcan Mind-Lords of the past used to call totsu't'r'vavat;" He paused, searching for the best possible translation from ancient Vulcan into modern English. "...Mind Murderers." He leaned forward slowly, "Then she will be able to tell us in short order, most likely, if this was a deliberate psychic attack. I see no issue with this, we may need all the help we can get along those lines if it proves to be true." Sevant looked at his First Officer, "Is there anything else I should know?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Turbolift, MCO, Major Straton, 0341) Domini seemed stunned. "The third order? But history says that there were only two." She said, speaking aloud, and not telepathically. ::Your version of history is, false,:: Eva sent as the lift came to a stop and they exited the lift heading to sickbay. They donned the appropriate attire and entered the quarantine area. ::Well, there they are. You've heard my report?:: Domini asked. Eva could feel the counselor unease at seeing the comatose patients again. ::Commander Grailik told us what you had found. As well as a non-tellepath could. His report, while vague by our standards, was disturbing. Would you care to add to what he reported? Their minds are gone? Any evidence of phycic residue?:: Eva said, moving over to one of the patients laying on the bio-bed. Eva looked down at them, mentally preparing herself for what was to come. She calmed her mind and tightened her mental shielding. Preparing for phycic combat. Not knowing what she might find. (Reply Domini) NRPG: Room for more here if needed. RPG: Eva looked up at Domini her mental preparations complete. She nodded and motioned for Domini to join her. ::I will not ask you to endure such pain again. As Allurenate you are trained to be sensitive to the pain of others. It is a useful skill in healing the phycic wounds of others, but at the cost of your mental defenses. This is not a journey you should make again. You will serve as my anchor. Allowing me to remain connected to the physical world.:: Eva sat down next to the bed lifting one hand toward Domini and taking the patients hand in the other. She closed her eyes and reaching out to anchor herself in Domini before plunging into the mind of the betizied patient. (Mindscape, Eva Straton, ????) Eva found herself on a desolate landscape. Her hand immediately fell to the hilt of her sword, a representation of her phycic weapon. She looked around at the utter emptiness around her, her eyes narrowed. She could feel Domini like a strong current in her mind. Taking a deep breath, Eva plunged deeper into the void around her. She was floating in a ocean of nothingness. Blackness engulfed her completely. She grimaced, as her mind reflexively recoiled from a feeling of utter shock and something so alien as to be undescribable. She forced her mind to calm and tightened her mental armor even more. She dove deeper, peeling away the layers of what was once a living mind. Arriving to the finally level of the once living mind, Eva turned slowly. Her eyes looking high and low, examining, searching. After a short time, Eva was satisfied and turned her focus on her link with Domini. Using it she pulled her self up and out. Back to the physical world. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge. Capt Sevant, 0343) Sevant stepped onto the bridge and looked around. His eyebrow quirked slightly when he noticed the CMO on the bridge, in the command chair. "First Officer has the bridge," he announced, before pointing to Kestra and then at his ready room. They had things to discuss, things that were becoming important quickly. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, CO Sevant - 2O/CMO Troi, 0400) Sevant stepped onto the bridge and looked around. His eyebrow quirked slightly when he noticed the CMO on the bridge, in the command chair. "First Officer has the bridge," he announced, before pointing to Kestra and then at his ready room. They had things to discuss, things that were becoming important quickly. Kestra was happy to finally see the CO and FO emerge from the meeting they had been in. She hoped now that she would be able to give the captain her briefing but also thought that it was a waste of time seeing the FO knew what she did. She got up as she saw Sevant point to his ready room indicating that he wanted at least to speak to her in private. She walked ahead of Sevant into his ready room. Sevant walked into the ready room, still mulling over the information from the meeting. The situation was far from good, the worst part being he didn't have a clue what they were up against. He sat behind his desk, and gesture for Kestra to sit as well. "Report." Kestra sat down as Sevant bide her and tried to decide what she wanted to start with first. She was still a bit unnerved by the marine Major having authorization to enter her sickbay to look at her patients without her. "Sir, before I report, Can I ask you something?" She asked hoping she could without being insubordinate for doing so. Sevant folded his hands together, "Continue..." Kestra knew that she was probably treading on thin ice for asking but she had started it, now she would have to continue. "Sir, why does a Marine Major have authorization to examine my patients without me? What would a marine Major need to know that she could not have gotten by asking me? She will find nothing more than what myself, the FO and the counselor have not found already." Kestra was a little nervous thinking that a little of her frustration had shown through by asking her questions. Maybe Sevant will understand a bit of what she was going through with no real answers to her biggest mystery. That was a question he should have expected, but it hadn't been the greatest of his worries. Truthfully enough, he said "I do not understand the dynamics of the MCO's request Doctor, something dealing with her betazoid culture. I believe it is more curiosity, but Im not going to put a single possibility down because it closely mirrors other activities. You can join them once we are done here, with specific questions." Sevant looked at her a moment longer, "Any other questions before we begin?" At least Sevant had been honest with her and she was willing to let it go at that for the moment. But, it was something that would have to be answered sooner or later. "No sir" She answered him then she was ready to give him her report. "Sir, The FO and I had completed a exhaustive examination on the 'zombies'" she had decided to name them that as that is what them resembled, " and could not find anything even remotely medical that could explain what is going on. I then asked the counselor to come in to help as I had knowledge that she was a mind-healer of a sort. I figured that if anyone could find anything it would be her. I could scan them myself, but, a mind-healer is more adept at the procedure." Kestra paused to gather more of her thoughts before continuing. "She started looking at the patients and found one that was a Betazoid, so, she tried to enter the mind of that one. After a few minutes she came out very shaken and we had to remove her from the room. She could tell you more of what she saw, but, from what I gather the mind of the person had been, how can I say it, sucked out or dragged out." Kestra stopped as she shuddered at the thought and what she saw how it affected Domini. "I have never heard of anything that could or would do something like that. My search of starfleets database have come up with nothing either. Whatever happened on that ship, we had be very careful it does not happen to us." Kestra stopped to see if Sevant had anything he wanted to ask. Sevant leaned back in the chair and half closed his eyes as he began to think. "I am not an expert in telepathy, Doctor, though I have it myself. Could this be some sort of, hmm, psychic weapon?" He fully opened his eyes and gazed at her, "I can't think of anything else, personally, that could cause such a malady myself. No physical weapon ever devised can simply drain a mind of all experiences and knowledge. Even my telepathic combat training scrambles memories, not deletes them." Kestra thought for a moment on what Sevant said before giving him an answer, but, not much had actually surfaced that would seem to be an answer. But, she just could not make herself think that what she saw was an attack or weapon of some sort. It would seem to her that it would leave more scarring if it was. From what Domini described it seemed too clean and only one thing came to mind when she thought of that. "Sir, anything could be possible, but, from all indications it was not a weapon of any sort. It seems to clean for that, but, now bear with me on this as it is pure conjecture. From what comes to my mind when the counselor described her visit inside the Betazoid, it would seemed that it was sucked out as in maybe ......" Kestra had a hard time thinking any species could do this and she was not sure that Sevant would accept what she was about to say, but, she had to say it. "Food." Now, THAT caught Sevant's attention. He leaned forward again with a small frown touching the corners of his lips. "I like conjecture," he said, "Continue on." "Sir, I have seen damage done by weapons and heard it described, but, this is too clean. Now there are so many species that we have not ran across yet and maybe one of them feed upon the minds of others weaker than them or unable to defend themselves as the science ship. They were not meant for battle and maybe this species was or they somehow got inside the Backtron's defense attacking like friends or something. Then once in over powered them." Kestra was now pulling strings as she was entering an area that she really had no knowledge of. "I don't know what they look for in the food that they need or want at this point. I just think that something out here is very dangerous in a way we never before encountered and it gives me the shakes to think of it." Sevant tapped his fingers together as he looked at Kestra. He had known her long enough, and this certainly didn't strike him as a Flight of Fancy. The tapes he had watched had contained no sounds of weapons fire besides their own, it was entirely possible the enemy had carried none. Weather or not they were food, at this moment, was irrelevant however. If that was indeed the motivation, they would have to find this enemy quickly before they stopped in for dinner. If it was something else, the same situation still applied. He leaned back in his chair again, "Work on it, pull the people you need. We are tracking down this enemy, we are going to be faced with the same situation. If we *are* food, I want to know how to make ourselves unpalatable. If it's a weapon or combat technique, especially a telepathic variety, I want to know how to block it. We have enough telepaths on this ship trained in combat OPS that we should be able to conceive of a defense in that case." The Vulcan frowned, "And work quickly. Our first goal is to survive, we can worry about restoring the minds and memories of the others, if possible, once we know this won't happen again." "Aye sir I will let you know what we find if we can find anything" Kestra answered him, "As far as it goes that is all I had sir." Sevant nodded, "Dismissed." Kestra got up and nodded to Sevant then turned and left heading for sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Enaj - 0400) After finally finishing the scans and computation of every inch and every circuit board of the shuttle bay, Saim liked to be thorough, she eventually packed up and told her team to head to bed until their shift. Saim was really starting to feel exhausted, she had had hardly any sleep, the problem was that with the state the ship was in and this recent mystery there was too much to do to sleep. ~ I'll just take these reports to engineering and then turn in for a couple of hours ~ Saim promised herself. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0400) Yalta was observing the shuttle craft and analysis confirm that it was no danger and also the occupants of the ship. Additions to the crew. “USS Boudicca to Shuttle Epsilon we have confirmation of your identification... please enter Shuttle Bay Alpha.” =/\= Roger that Boudicca. Shuttle Epsilon entering Shuttle Bay Alpha.=/\= “Thank you!” Yalta close the communication link and watch the progression of the shuttle has it enter the shuttle bay. “Confirmation from Shuttle Bay Alpha that the shuttle arrived safely and also that security is present and ready. Sir!” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0400) Sevant sat in the command chair, his hands folded as he watched the screen at their relatively slow crawl to find the remains of the civilian ship that had been destroyed in the area. His mind was racing along the message he had just heard not long ago, along with the information the Doctor had given him about the bodies found in the pod. All together, it was not a hopeful situation, Sevant was keeping his ship at alert because of it. "Sir, We had a shuttle broadcasting for us." The Captain quirked his head, "Is it friendly?" "Standard shuttle, scans show nothing dangerous. The broadcast message says they have new crew for us." That caused Sevant's eyebrow to quirk. There were very few people that knew where they were right now, still, better safe then sorry. All shields were up, all weapons were warm. IF that shuttle were the precursor to an attack, whoever dared would be sorry in short-order. "Decloak the ship, make ready to bring that shuttle on board." (reply: Ops, engineering) Sevant wanted thirty seconds, while directions were being given to the shuttle. No attack materialized, nothing untoward appeared. He took a slow breath, "Have the new crew report to me in the ready room." NRPG: Assuming he does... RPG: Grailik had the jumbled sights of the thing memorized, this time he leaned forward with his eyes closed and listened as well as he could to the staticky sound. There was obvious weapons fire, but everything about it he could pick up seemed to be civilian make phasers, their sides weapons. He cocked his head to the side as the clip ended again. Sevant shifted in his seat after watching the clip for a second time, his face was grim and his mood even moreso. He folded his hands together and looked over the Security and Marine crew. As a former security officer, and man whose talents lay deeply in combat and strategy, what he had just seen was a validation for every ounce of training he had ever received in a 'peacetime exploratory fleet'. This sort of thing was *not* supposed to happen, not to their civilians especially. Starfleet Personnel ran the risk of meeting an unpleasant doom, it came with the uniform. "Comments," the Vulcan finally asked, not as a question. (reply: any) Spider tapped his long fingers on the table for a few moments. "I hope there is more in that pod then what we are seeing, all this lets us know is that there is something baaad in the neighborhood, it gives us no other useful information for the most part. I would also give my left antenna to know exactly what happened to those people." He had in mind the woman and child that the last scene had shown, he didn't know that any bodies had come with the pod itself. He looked over at Straton, then shrugged mildly in the BDU, and looked back. "I Would recommend Marine and Tactical patrols of the ship, if we are going to start chasing after whoever did this." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, Major Straton, 0400) Eva opened her eyes and took a deep breath, leaning forward in her chair. Releasing Domini's hand, Eva rose to her feet. She looked from Domini down at the male Betizied on the bio-bed. She was silent for a few moments as her mind put into order what she had seen. What she had learned. ::We must talk to the Captain at once,:: Eva sent to Domini, looking back at the Counselor before heading out of the quarantine area. Once out of the quarantine area Eva opened a cmm-channel with her BDU amour. "Major Straton to Captain Sevant." (Reply Sevant) "Captain, we need to talk, immediately," Eva said, heading out of sickbay without a backwards glance. (Reply Sevant) ::No living mind did this,:: Eva said to Domini as they entered the turbo-lift. ::Something worse. Far worse.:: Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering - ACEO Enaj - 0405) Saim plugged in the pads, had a quick look around and headed towards the sweet oblivion of sleep ie.her bunk. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0405) Sevant had just leaned back in his chair after Kestra had left when his badge beeped, =^=Major Straton to Captain Sevant.=^= He opened his eyes "Go ahead, Major." =^=Captain, we need to talk, immediately,=^= "I'm, Sevant out." (reply: Straton) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Turbolift, Major Straton, 0408) ::Do you know what did it?:: Domini asked. ::I know what did NOT do it,:: Eva replied, ::We may very well have gone from the frying pan into the fire.:: The lift stopped and they stepped onto the bridge. Eva looked back at Domini before heading toward the Captain's Ready Room. (reply Domini) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca,Outside Shuttlebay, ATAC Ensign Skylynx-0408) =^=Major Straton to Lt Bush and Ensign Skylynx. Gentlemen, you are invited to a tactical briefing at Marine Center in 10 min. Captain Sevant requests your presence.=^= Ryko's face went from boredom to relief. ~At last, something to do. I've been sitting here pointlessly for a full hour now.~ He got up off the floor, picked up his rifle and headed to the marine staging center. He tapped his badge as he was entering the lift. "Acknowledged," Ryko said in response as the turbolift's doors closed. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0409) "Come," Sevant said as he closed down the monitor and fully faced the door. The MCO walked in, looking none-to-happy. After what he had learned about her and her reasons, this certainly didn't bode well. He waved her down to a chair before she could say anything, "Report." (reply: Straton) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Turbolift, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0409) ::Do you know what did it?:: Domini asked. ::I know what did NOT do it,:: Eva replied, ::We may very well have gone from the frying pan into the fire.:: Domini thought on that for a moment, and shook her head. She knew that nothing that she had any experience in did this. She saw Eva giving her a piercing look, then realized that she had stopped dead in the hallway. She hurried to catch up with Eva as she entered the ready room. "Come," Sevant said, and Eva entered, Domini right behind her. Domini took the offered seat, and glanced into Eva's eye. Domini really did not want to be the one to tell Sevant the bad news. "I assume Commander Grailik has told you why I needed to look at the patients myself? Well I can say with certainty that no one of my order did this. That's the good news," She said, then her face got grim, "The bad news. There is no psychic evidence of a living mind having done this." Sevant quirked an eyebrow slightly. "Explain," was all he said. Eva thought for a moment for the best analogy to explain what she had seen and felt. Domini listened to Eva give her explanation, finding nothing to add. Eva appeared to be used to giving briefings in tactical terms, and translating for a non-Betazoid to understand. It helped that Sevant was telepathic. Sevant tapped his fingers together as he considered her, his eyes slightly unfocused as he considered her words. "So this is not a purposeful psi-attack." Domini shook her head. "I think it was very purposeful, Captain, and very deliberate. Just because we don't know what did it, that it isn't something that we know of, doesn't mean that it was not a deliberate, conscious action." She finished, surprised that she had spoken up. He mused for a few more seconds, "In that case, what would you imagine this would be, did you find any 'footprints' at all?" Eva scowled. "Anything that did this had to be done on purpose," She said, "You don't just rip another sentient's mind out and devour it on accident. Conjecture leads me to believe that we are not dealing with one mind but many." Domini listened to the Major and Sevant banter back and forth. Sevant closed his eyes, "We are not going to have a choice in this, Major." he said. "That's our job, and the Backtron shows, we are still better equipped to deal with it." "There are some things that could be done." Domini said, speaking up again. "Some people on this ship are more vulnerable to attack than others. We can keep those out of the front lines. The Backtron was made up of civilians. civilians don't generally have military discipline. That should be a point in our favor. The marines are more so." Domini looked at Eva. "Do the marines have any training against withstanding psi-attacks?" She asked, not knowing much about marines. He looked at the Counselor briefly, "And one of you drop a note to the CMO as well, she can certainly make use of this information." Domini closed her eyes against the thought of Kestra's reaction to being left out of all this. "Good," Eva said, standing, "I've never run from a fight before, I don't intend to start now." She put her helmet on and sealed it into place. She looked at Domini. "I'll let you brief the CMO. I have to get the troops in order." She looked back at Sevant. "We'll be sure to give the bastards one hell of a fight, sir." Domini nodded, and got up and looked down at Sevant. She waited for Eva to go away. "Captain, you look exhausted. Do you want a stimulant ? " She asked, reaching into the pocket of her lab coat for the hypo that she kept there. (Sevant) Domini walked out onto the bridge, and tapped her comm badge. "Counselor Alizara to Dr. Troi. I have been ordered to brief you and I would like to offer my services in a medical capacity once the teams return with the... survivors." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay Alpha - ATAC Ryko Skylynx - 0410) Ryko Watched asChang disembarked from the shuttle. He could see that his height intimidated him a little. "Welcome aboard," He said. "I'm Ensign Skylynx, I'll be taking you to see the captain," he said, offering a hand in greeting. "Thank you it's good to be a aboard. This is my first posting and I am eager to make my mark." Edmund replied. "That's the spirit, come on, I'll take you to the captain," he said, smiling as he motioned for chang to follow him. Ryko escorted the new crew member to the bridge. He stopped outside the ready room. He looked at Chang and smiled. "Be honest," Ryko said. "It helps." He smiled, shook Chang's hand once again and walked toward his station. "If you ever get lost, or you need some info, let me know," he added, and left. Chang pressed the door chime.He then took a deep breathe and entered the room. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Major Straton, 0411) "Come," Sevant said, and Eva entered, Domini right behind her. Sevant motioned her toward a chair before asking for her report. Eva sat, still in full BDU, placed her Pallas Helmet on her knee looked at Domini then to Sevant. "I assume Commander Grailik has told you why I needed to look at the patients myself?" She asked, before getting to her report, so she knew how much she needed to say. Sevant folded his hands together and nodded. Eva nodded. "Well I can say with certainty that no one of my order did this. That's the good news," She said, then her face got grim, "The bad news. There is no pycic evidence of a living mind having done this." Sevant quirked an eyebrow slightly. "Explain," was all he said. Eva thought for a moment for the best analogy to explain what she had seen and felt. "A phaser beam leaves a detectable trace behind after it's fired. It's similar to that. A pycic attack leaves a detectable trace behind, if you know what to look for. At least if the attack comes from another living mind, and each mind has their own unique pycic signature. There is no such signature in the victim I examined." Sevant tapped his fingers together as he considered her, his eyes slightly unfocused as he considered her words. "So this is not a purposeful psy-attack." He mused for a few more seconds, "In that case, what would you imagine this would be, did you find any 'footprints' at all?" Eva scowled. "Anything that did this had to be done on purpose," She said, "You don't just rip another sentient's mind out and devour it on accident. Conjecture leads me to believe that we are not dealing with one mind but many." Sevant nodded at that, "Any defenses you can think of? I've racked my brain, and come up with nothing sufficient for anything like this." Eva shook her head. "There is no known technology to block a pycic attack. If it were one on one, mind to mind, I could defend myself against such an attack, at least briefly. The rest of the crew are gonna be sheep before the wolf. Helpless. The best defense in this case, is not to put yourself in it's sights." Sevant closed his eyes, "We are not going to have a choice in this, Major." he said. "That's our job, and the Backtron shows, we are still better equipped to deal with it." He looked up, "Prepare your marines to the best of your ability, and let Security into it. Your order need not be mentioned, just that you have combat-trained telepathy, that is nearly common knowledge anyway. Ill consider my end as well, I've fought other telepathic enemies." He held up a hand, "And go talk to Science as well. If this wasn't one person, or if it is technology based, they need to know and you are one of the better experts." He looked at the Counselor briefly, "And one of you drop a note to the CMO as well, she can certainly make use of this information." Eva smiled a wicked, feral grin. "Captain, you misunderstand me. I never said we shouldn't engage the enemy. Just that we don't put ourselves in their sights. We can not leave something like this running free in the galaxy. I'm sure your aware of the use of hit and run tactics? We have to engage the enemy on our terms, not theirs. At a place and time of OUR choosing, but first we have to find them." Sevant's face turned ever-so-slightly into a grin. Tactics in adverse conditions was one of his specialties, so to speak. He fully intended to use them to their utmost. "It's good to know we are on the same page, Major." he said evenly. "We will certainly be hunting them down." "Good," Eva said, standing, "I've never run from a fight before, I don't intend to start now." She put her helmet on and sealed it into place. She looked at Domini. "I'll let you brief the CMO. I have to get the troops in order." She looked back at Sevant. "We'll be sure to give the bastards one hell of a fight, sir." Sevant nodded, "I expect no less." he said in a dangerous low voice. Eva nodded, looked at Domini and headed for the door. Once on the bridge, she opened a comm-channel to her XO "Spider, get the platoon and squad leaders and meet me in Marine Center in 10." (Reply Spider) Eva closed the connection and opened another. "Major Straton to Lt Bush and Ensign Skylynx. Gentlemen, you are invited to a tactical briefing at Marine Center in 10 min. Captain Sevant requests your presence." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0419) "Captain, you look exhausted. Do you want a stimulant? " The Counselor asked. "No Counselor, I will be resting as soon as I am able." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Bridge – TAC/SC – Lt. William Bush - 0420) William stood in operations the situation was at the moment a confusing one; he stood watching the area and watching the other officers perform their duties. As he looked at the view screen his legs began to feel weak, pushing his hands forward onto the consol William straightened himself up. Perhaps he was getting to old for this. =^= Major Straton to Lt Bush and Ensign Skylynx. Gentlemen, you are invited to a tactical briefing at Marine Centre in 10 min. Captain Sevant requests your presence. =^= William paused for a moment and then acknowledged the call. “Aye Major I will be down presently,” William stated logging off from the tactical consol. As he began to walk his legs began to feel stiff and heavier. Each step he took felt harder than the last, trying not to make it obvious he smiled at the security officer and gestured that he had cramp. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0422) Sevant looked up from his desk monitor as the chime went off. "Come." He turned in the chair to appraise the officer coming aboard, and looked closely at him. Though no two people were ever alike, this ensign was 'typical' for what appeared to be full-blood humans. Sevant folded his hands together on the desk as the Ensign came to attention. "Ensign Change reporting for duty Sir". Sevant nodded, and held out his hand for the Ensigns orders, a PADD with his bio and base orders. (reply: if desired) The Vulcan took a breath and looked at the PADD he was handed. "Have a seat, Ensign." he said in a flat monotone as he sat back in his own chair. He was being extra careful lately about crew, it would be far to easy for Doenitz to sneak in sleeper-agents. He looked at the name and picture, then looked back up again. "Ensign Chang, is it?" (reply: if desired) Sevant looked back at the PADD and quickly scrolled through it, until he got to the orders. He mentally compared LoDona's access code presented here with the current codes, and nodded his acceptance. This one was the real thing, a new ACMO. ~Serendipity, I need medical on this situation.~ He read through the PADD a little slower, leaving the Ensign to his own thoughts for a couple minutes. Sevant remembered being in that exact position once, on this very ship, many years ago. He had looked on to Captain Rivers with respect, because she had a Spartan Ready Room on board a Warship, and he had been Security/Tactical himself. Sevant briefly wondered how this Doctor would see him, perhaps as a battered warrior on a battered Warship, perhaps as something else. He didn't have the time to wool-gather however, as he gently placed the PADD on the desk and steepled his fingers. "I have asked every incoming officer this same question, Ensign, and now it's your turn. You are serving on board a Warship, in the middle of a war. We are tasked to go into harms way, repeatedly if necessary. Does this pose... Problems, for you?" (reply: Chang, with room for discussion if necessary) Sevant listened to his answer, then nodded. "You have come at a serendipitous time, Ensign. We are searching out a mystery, instead we find you in the midst of that very mystery. Report immediately to Lieutenant Commander Troi, your department head, she will get you caught up on our little problem and put you to work on it." He nodded to the ensign, and did not offer to shake hands. CO's privilege, he could nurture his race's abhorrence to touching other sentients, due to the psychic strain it placed on the touch-telepaths. "Good luck ensign, Dismissed." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - ACMO Chang - 0422) "I have asked every incoming officer this same question, Ensign, and now it's your turn. You are serving on board a Warship, in the middle of a war. We are tasked to go into harms way, repeatedly if necessary. Does this pose... Problems, for you?" "No Sir. I am a Starfleet Officer. Duty, Loyalty and Honour. This is why I joined Starfleet. I am the sixth generation of Chang to serve. I am a solider Sir, and harm's way is just part of the job. If you look at my academy record, my expertise is in emergency surgery and triage medicine. I am ready for combat Sir, it's time I put what I have learnt into practice." If he was indeed half human, Captain Sevant didn't show it. Vulcan's always unnerved Edmund. The lack of emotion made it difficult to guage whether you were doing well or doing badly. Afterall a Vulcan commanding officer would never take you under his/her wing, mentor you and give you a pat on the back for a job well done. On the other hand. Both the CMO and Counsellor on this ship were betazoids. ~Now that is an extreme dichotomy of emotion in the senior ranks~ thought Edmund. Sevant listened to his answer, then nodded. "You have come at a serendipitous time, Ensign. We are searching out a mystery, instead we find you in the midst of that very mystery. Report immediately to Lieutenant Commander Troi, your department head, she will get you caught up on our little problem and put you to work on it." He nodded to the ensign, and did not offer to shake hands. CO's privilege, he could nurture his race's abhorrence to touching other sentients, due to the psychic strain it placed on the touch-telepaths. "Good luck ensign, Dismissed." "Aye Sir" Edmund came to attention, about faced and took his leave. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Captain's Office - Inside - ACMO Chang - 0423) In the room was a desk and behind the desk sat what appeared to be a Vulcan. Edmund had remembered from perusing the personnel files that Captain Sevant was half human but it didn't show. His most striking feature was the scar running from the base of his hairline, across his left eye and down the base of his mouth. Edmund wondered why the Captain hadn't undergone dermal regeneration treatment or cosmetic surgery to repair it. ~It certainly does look menacing though~ Edmund thought. Standing at attention at the desk Edmund, said in a confident voice (trying his best to supress his nervousness). "Ensign Change reporting for duty Sir". Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi, 0425) Kestra knew it was going to be a very long day with what was going on and the mysteries they were proving to have. She had just left Sevant in his ready room and entered sickbay when her combadge chirped. =/\=Counselor Alizara to Dr. Troi. I have been ordered to brief you and I would like to offer my services in a medical capacity once the teams return with the... survivors.=/\= Kestra could not believe that a counselor was ordered to brief the CMO, but, at this time she could use all the help she could get. What caused the patients from the Backtron to be as they were was baffling to her and if anyone could possible explain it to her, well she was all ears. Also, Domini was or had been a CMO at one time in her career, so, she was a capable doctor not just a counselor. "Understood Counselor" She replied. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Marine Centre – TAC/SC – Lt. William Bush – 04:30) William stepped out of the turbo lift his legs were still bothering him a little but not as much as before. ~No doubt all that standing behind the consol did that! ~ William thought to himself smiling at the marines as he entered their base of operations. Seeing Skylynx, William walked over and smiled. “Ensign I forgot to enquire what is the status of our Ferengi friend?” (Reply Skylynx) “We will have to remember to fill in the transfer request for when we come in contact with another fleet vessel. We don’t want him becoming part of the furniture,” (Reply Skylynx) “Also I wanted to discuss another issue soon Ryko,” (Reply Skylynx) NRPG add more iyw RPG After finishing talking to Ryko, William walked over to the major of the marines and extended his hand. “Major, I have not been formally introduce as of yet. Lieutenant William Bush and this is my assistant Ensign Ryko Jay Skylynx,” William stated starting the formal introduction, He had seen the major in meetings but never really talked to her nor had much contact. He had to admit despite all the body armour she was not what he had expected. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Marine Center, MCO, Major Straton, 04:33) Eva was talking quietly with Spider about the situation when she sensed someone walk up behind her she turned as Lt. Bush and Ensign Skylynx walked up. “Major," Bush said extending his had toward her, "I have not been formally introduce as of yet. Lieutenant William Bush and this is my assistant Ensign Ryko Jay Skylynx,” William stated starting the formal introduction, He had seen the major in meetings but never really talked to her nor had much contact. He had to admit despite all the body armor she was not what he had expected. Eva looked down at the offered had before taking it and giving it a single firm shake. "Lt., Ensign" She said nodding at each in turn. She turned back toward Spider. "This is my XO, Lt. Major Drizzt." (Reply Bush, Drizzt, Skylynx IWY) "Gentlemen," Eva said after the introductions had been completed. It was time to get to business. Eva moved to the head of the situation table they were all standing around. "You've all seen the data collected so far. Now we have some new information to add to what we already know, as little as it is. After a further telepathic analysis by those on board experienced in telepathic combat we are not dealing with any standard known form of phycic assault. Nor are we dealing with a single entity, but a group. The Captain wants all marines and security personnel briefed so that they can better defend themselves against said assault if possible. Our people are gonna have to be very careful when engaging this enemy. A stand up, face to face confrontation will be disastrous for us, so I recommend, we formulate a planned roving assault method. Engage and withdraw. Engage and withdraw. Not giving the enemy time to bring their phycic abilities to focus. Question?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Marine Center, ATAC Ens (jg) Ryko Skylynx, 04:33) "Actually, Ryko, there is something I wanted to talk about with sou soon," Bush said. Ryko was on the verge of asking what exactly Lieutenant Bush had on his mind but he was unable to find out, as Major Straton apporached. “Major," Bush said extending his had toward her, "I have not been formally introduce as of yet. Lieutenant William Bush and this is my assistant Ensign Ryko Jay Skylynx,” William stated starting the formal introduction. . Straton looked down at the offered had before taking it and giving it a single firm shake. "Lt., Ensign" She said nodding at each in turn. She turned back toward Spider. "This is my XO, Lt. Major Drizzt." "Good to meet you," Ryko said, shaking Spider's hand. He should have felt intimidated by Straton's strictness, but for some bizarre reason he didn't. "Gentlemen," Eva said after the introductions had been completed. She moved to the head of the situation table they were all standing around. "You've all seen the data collected so far. Now we have some new information to add to what we already know, as little as it is. After a further telepathic analysis by those on board experienced in telepathic combat we are not dealing with any standard known form of psychic assault. Nor are we dealing with a single entity, but a group. The Captain wants all marines and security personnel briefed so that they can better defend themselves against said assault if possible. Our people are gonna have to be very careful when engaging this enemy. A stand up, face to face confrontation will be disastrous for us, so I recommend, we formulate a planned roving assault method. Engage and withdraw. Engage and withdraw. Not giving the enemy time to bring their psychic abilities to focus. Question?" Ryko raised his hand. "What exactly do you mean by Psychic attacks? Mind wiping like what we've seen so far?" he asked. (Reply Straton) "Oh," Ryko said quietly. He was beginning to think that now was the time to get his weapons collection out of the cargo bay. He looked at Lt Bush, calm as ever. What exactly was he talking about, needing to discuss something with him? Ryko shook it off. It wasn't important at this point. He paid attention as the briefing continued. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay Deck 4- Lt jg Trevan West- 0435) The shuttle door opened and hit the ground with a thud that reverberated throughout the massive facility. 'Man, its been a while since this place saw my shadow' he thought to himself. A young officer stepped up to him, "Sir, I can show you to the bridge." "Thank you but I know the way." he snapped back. The doors to the shuttle bay opened to reveal the long corridors of the ship and the turbolift at the end of the hallway. "Bridge." he spoke to the computer and the lift began it's journey. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Outside - ACMO Chang- 0436) As Chang approached the door the door chime rang out and a tall engineering officer came walking into the room. He was six foot tall. ~Is everyone taller than I am?~ he thought to himself. ~I think I might be starting to develop a complex.~ The officer walked right past Edmund and threw a PADD onto the Captain's table. It was at this time that Edmund thought it would be good to make his escape. As he heard the engineer begin to take a rther insubordinate tone. ~Hmm the counsellor will have her work cut out~ he though worriedly. Edmund make his way to the sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge Deck 1- Lt jg Trevan West - 0438) The doors to the bridge swished open to reveal the bridge in all her splendor. Knowing the way to the ready room Trevan proceeded down the ramp and all the while he was certain he was being watched. Trevan whipped his head around and saw that no-one was even watching him. 'Hmm, must be getting old' he thought and proceeded to the Ready Room. Trevan rang the door chime and the doors swished open to reveal Captain Sevant. (reply Sevant) "Here are my orders sir." and he threw the PADD on the desk. "Permission to speak freely sir? asked West "Thank you. Frankly I want to know why I was pulled from my duties on Starbase 12. I know you had to pull in some hefty favours to get Admiral Bullock to personally call me at three in the morning and 'request I join the Boudicca'. Personally sir, I was enjoying my duties on Starbase 12. Nothing happened there, nice and quiet. I left the Boudicca over two years ago for just that reason. Too much too soon in my opinion. Now I will serve you in the way I always have and I will clean up the mess you always seem to make for me, but don't expect me to be any more then that. I have enough problems as it is and I don't need anymore. Now if you don't mind Sir I would like to get some rest before I go on duty. Is that all?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0439) Sevant narrowed his eyes slightly, he never forgot a face. The man that walked in was certainly one he recognized, in fact, the last time he had seen this particular engineer was the time he had stepped foot off the Boudicca. The engineer didn't look happy, that much could be said. "Here are my orders sir." and he threw the PADD on the desk. Sevant quirked an eyebrow and folded his hands together as West said, "Permission to speak freely sir?" The Captain considered that for a few moments, as he looked at West. The guy still had the same fire, and apparently the same self-destructive streak he remembered. He recalled a time, in fact, when he had to watch over West to make sure he didn't succeed in killing himself in the gardens of the Boudicca. The Vulcan spread his hands for a moment, then clasped them together again. "By all means." "Thank you. Frankly I want to know why I was pulled from my duties on Starbase 12. I know you had to pull in some hefty favors to get Admiral Bullock to personally call me at three in the morning and 'request I join the Boudicca'. Personally sir, I was enjoying my duties on Starbase 12. Nothing happened there, nice and quiet. I left the Boudicca over two years ago for just that reason. Too much too soon in my opinion. Now I will serve you in the way I always have and I will clean up the mess you always seem to make for me, but don't expect me to be any more then that. I have enough problems as it is and I don't need anymore. Now if you don't mind Sir I would like to get some rest before I go on duty. Is that all?" Sevant managed to keep his face straight, but only by pure will-power and experience. "This ship is fresh out of a refit, Lieutenant," he began, "And rushed through at that. This is not my mess, as you so nicely put it, this is the work of overs. The fact I had to take her out in this condition was not my choice, but it is my responsibility. There are few people that know this ship better then you." He leaned back, "But I didn't personally request you, I didn't know you were still in the fleet, in point of fact." He looked dead on at the Lieutenant, then glanced down at the PADD. He picked it up without another word, and looked at the posting information on it. It was as he figured, Chief Engineer. The Captain glanced back up at Trevan, and laid the PADD down. "Now, you will listen to me." he said in a voice half an octave lower, and a lot colder. "We are on a battleship, and we are in the middle of a war. I could give a good hot d*mn about your cozy little assignment on Starbase 12, I was pulled from a perfectly comfortable assignment myself to command a ship I never thought I would see again in a situation that will probably get us blasted straight to hell in a hurry. I don't care about your attitude, but if you pay the same respect to the ship as you are paying to me I will personally put you in your coffin... With EXTREME prejudice." He looked hard at the Engineer, "I trust I make myself perfectly clear?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Lt jg Trevan West - 0439) The Captain looked dead on at Trevan, then glanced down at the PADD. He picked it up without another word, and looked at the posting information on it. It was as he figured, Chief Engineer. The Captain glanced back up at Trevan, and laid the PADD down. "Now, you will listen to me." he said in a voice half an octave lower, and a lot colder. "We are on a battleship, and we are in the middle of a war. I could give a good hot d*mn about your cozy little assignment on Starbase 12, I was pulled from a perfectly comfortable assignment myself to command a ship I never thought I would see again in a situation that will probably get us blasted straight to hell in a hurry. I don't care about your attitude, but if you pay the same respect to the ship as you are paying to me I will personally put you in your coffin... With EXTREME prejudice." He looked hard at the Engineer, "I trust I make myself perfectly clear?" Trevan snapped straight up, "Yes sir. As clear as Tholian Glass sir." With that Trevan excused himself out of the ready room and headed to the turbolift. The doors swished open and Trevan proceeded in, "Computer, Deck 3." The rush of the lift moving filled the small compartment and then halted on Deck 3. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - West's Quarters - Lt jg Trevan West - 0441) Trevan unlocked the door and proceeded into his quarters. Now, his quarters were standard Senior officer quarters, a large couch sat under the forward facing windows. In the rear of the room was an enormous plant with a spiral like pattern on the leaves. Trevan chucked his bag onto one of the chairs and sat down at the computer terminal. "Computer, begin log entry, Chief Engineer Trevan J. West." The computer chirped its reply. "Personal log, I have checked in and met the Captain of the Boudicca. Captain Sevant. That was a shock to say the least, I was not expecting him to be onboard at all. In fact, I was not expecting to be in there longer then the 12 seconds it takes to resign my commission, but of course, I am a wimp and bit the bullet and stayed. I am not sure if I can whip this ship into shape but I am going to try. End log." Trevan tapped his communicator, "West to Engineering, I want an Engineering meeting at 1400 hours. No exceptions. West out." Again he tapped his communicator, "West to Counsellor Alizara, I need to meet with you as soon as possible." (reply Alizara) "I don't care if you are busy, this is an urgent matter and so help me, if I have to come down there and burst in on a session I will. I have the need for your services at the moment." "Thank you, West out." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - West's Quarters - Lt jg Trevan West - 0442) Trevan was eagerly awaiting a reply to his communication from Alizara when the comm. system popped on and a voice filled the room. =/\= Engineering to Lt West, there is a problem that requires your attention sir.=/\= Trevan sighed, "Of course there is, what else is new. I am on my way. West out." and he slapped the comm. panel. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - ACMO Chang- 0445) It was indeed state of the art. Latest design biobeds, advanced diagnostic equipment and well stocked. At the academy during tactical ops training, edmund had learnt to make do with much less. This was the height of luxury. In the far end of the room was a woman calibrating one of the monitors. The rank on her collar indicated that she was a Lieutenant Commander. "Dr. Troi?" Edmund asked as he approached. [reply Troi] Edmund immediately felt more comfortable. He felt the warmth and compassion in her voice. A stark contrast from the Captain's. [reply Troi] "My speciality is emergency surgery and triage/trauma medicine. I have particular interest in medical nanotechnology. I did my research thesis on it at the Academy. I am honoured to be chosen for this posting and look forward to working with you." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0445) Domini had just finished reporting what had happened between Major Straton and herself, and what had been said in the ready room. She ended with, "Major Straton seems to think that most of the crew will have no defense against this thing if it manages to try to 'devour souls'." Domini finished. "I suppose that as Betazoids, we are used to telepathic communication, so we might have a defense. I would rather not put it to a test, though." Domini shuddered again. "Major Straton says that as a Mind-Healer I'm more sensitive to the effects that these...things...have on other people. I would guess that if someone was hurt here we would be incapacitated with the pain of it. Again, I would rather not put that to a test, either." She rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of the goose-bumps and feel warm. She was so tired... She felt herself nodding off as Kestra was talking, then looked up and grimaced. "I didn't hear a thing you just said... I'm really tired. And hungry." She said, realizing for the first time she was hungry. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Engineering, Lt jg Trevan West, -0446) Trevan strolled through Engineering with the speed of herding Targs and he spotted a few engineers standing over the master display. "Okay, I'm here what's the problem and why aren't you working on it?" One of the technicians walked over and replied, "We are having a signal variance with the main sensors, we keep losing the signal." "Ok, well I would say recalibrate them but you wouldn't have called me down here if you hadn't already tried that. Okay, lets pop open the sensor systems and see what we have." The two of them climbed up the ladder running next to the warp core, the usual thud was more pronounced on the upper level. Trevan reached over and pulled off the sensor panel and to his disgust he immediately spotted the problem, "There's your problem, just replace it and it'll be fine." The technician gave him a puzzled look, "You do see the problem don't you Ensign?" asked West. The Ensign shook his head and Trevan just rolled his eyes, "You have a Class L signal processor in there, it should be a class J." "It says Class J on it sir." "I know that, but I also know what one looks like and that is not a J, it's an L. It's mis-labeled and any first year Engineer would know the difference. Replace it with a Class J and then get back down there." The Ensign nodded a reply and Trevan leaned over the railing encompassing the warp core, "Ok, everyone, meeting now!." his voice boomed in the great room, "And I mean everyone. This has gone on long enough." Trevan slid down the ladder and walked back towards the master display, "Okay, I don't know where you all went to school and I don't care. You are my team now and I expect nothing less then perfect operations from this department from this moment on. I trust you all, and I want you to trust me. I can't be everywhere at all times, so I need you to double and triple check all of your work. Measure twice, fix once is my motto. If you aren't sure of something, ask. I would rather you ask then not and get it wrong. I need you all to enjoy yourselves, so when crunch time comes, we're ready. Now get to work everyone." Trevan smiled and that was the first time he felt like a part of something special. "Engineering to Bridge, signal variance with the main sensors has been remedied. You now have sensors at 105% percent." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0500) "Sir, long rang scan detected 3 pods, straight ahead of us... we should be in range in... 20 minutes." Yalta turn toward Captain Sevant a bit disconcerted. "I'm detecting no life signs, just organic life." Sevant leaned forward in his chair, "Continue." "One seem to have no organic life, the other 2 have. They have the same fire marks on them. The trail for the Backtron is getting more identifiable Sir... might I suggest that we send a probe ahead. I can modify it to seek the Backtron signature easily enough. I will need someone from engineering to help me do the modifications." "Do it, and work out an invasive program that gets us far away from the launch site once the probe becomes visible out-of-cloak." he ordered, sitting back again. (reply: Ops) He sat back and folded his hands together as he looked at the screen. "Set course for the pods, and prepare to pick them up." (reply: Ops/Conn if desired) =^=Rin to Capt. Sevant.=^= "Go ahead, Ensign." the Captain said. =^=Sir, I wanted to inform you of the last data on the sensor buffer condition.=^= Sevant quirked his head slightly, "Continue." =^=Not only has the Trilite sustained the power flow. It has increased as well to 55 percent return scans should contain more information.=^= "Very good, get me a report on it once you have a free opportunity, the current problem is your priority." =^=Aye sir, your welcome Rin out.=^= Sevant turned in the chair to Tactical, "I want security prepared, just in case there are traps and tricks on those pods. Send a security team to the shuttle bay for when we tractor them in." (Reply: Security, Ops, any) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – TAC/SC – LT. William Bush - 0500) William stood behind his tactical consol the sensors were detecting three pods. Reading the tactical display they had no weapons so they were no threat to the ship. Well at least no immediate threat, William looked over the sensor records once more. As the captain spoke William looked in his direction. "I want security prepared, just in case there are traps and tricks on those pods. Send a security team to the shuttle bay for when we tractor them in." ”Aye Captain,” Will stated pushing the tactical consol he opened up the com to his assistant. “Skylynx, I want you to mobilise a security team fully armed. We are about to bring some pods aboard and the Captain wanted to be understandably cautious. Ensign remember I want you to be very cautious, keep a open com link and I want you to be prepared to fire on your own will. You will be in charge down there so I want you to do what ever is necessary,” (Reply Skylynx) “Captain, Ensign Skylynx is moving into position in the shuttle bay,” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – ATAC Ensign Ryko Skylynx - 0500) Ryko had left the meeting at its end, and was taking steps to implement his suggestions. He was looking forward to 0700, but he knew he had to concentrate on his duties. His com badge chimed. =^=Skylynx, I want you to mobilise a security team fully armed. We are about to bring some pods aboard and the Captain wanted to be understandably cautious. Ensign remember I want you to be very cautious, keep a open com link and I want you to be prepared to fire on your own will. You will be in charge down there so I want you to do what ever is necessary.=^= "Aye Sir, I'll be there," Ryko said. He glanced at his watch. 2 hours. It was okay. He tapped his badge again. "Security team alpha to shuttlebay 1, immediately, code 454," he said. He took out a phaser rifle from the weaponry locker and headed to the bay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0500) After talking to Sevant and Grailik, Kestra decided to go back to sickbay to see when some of the monitors she used where still in calibration. The command had given MCO Eva Straton and the counselor the go ahead to do what ever they wanted in trying to figure out the mystery of the patients that she had examined earlier. She had found some that needed to be recalibrated, but, none were so far out that it would have mattered on the readings. "Dr. Troi?" Kestra heard suddenly and she turned to see a human male approaching her. He stood about 5'10" sporting black hair and was not bad looking. "Yes, May I be of assistance to you?" Kestra said in reply as she gave him a warm smile. He in turn gave her is PADD to let her know that he was her new assistant. "Ensign Chang it is indeed good to see you. I was hoping that they would, in their infinite wisdom, send me an assistant. I see that my prayers were answered. Tell me while you were in medical training what was your specialty?" She asked wanting to know more about him before she started telling him what was going on. "My speciality is emergency surgery and triage/trauma medicine. I have particular interest in medical nano technology. I did my research thesis on it at the Academy. I am honored to be chosen for this posting and look forward to working with you." "It is nice to have you here Ensign. Your training will no doubt be put to test while on the Boudicca." She smiled as she answered him. "Let's go into the office so I can explain what has been happening and what we have here at the present." She said the proceeded to head for her office. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0500) Yalta was starting to have nothing from the long rang scan until that very moment. She sat a bit more on edge of her seat and concentrate, by that time there was 3 object detected and about the same size has the pod in the shuttlebay. “Sir, long rang scan detected 3 pods, straight ahead of us... we should be in rang in... 20 minutes.” Yalta turn toward Captain Sevant a bit disconcerted. “I'm detecting no life signs, just organic life.” (Reply from Sevant) “One seem to have no organic life, the other 2 have. They have the same fire marks on them. The trail for the Backtron is getting more identifiable Sir... might I suggest that we send a probe ahead. I can modify it to seek the Backtron signature easily enough. I will need someone from engineering to help me do the modifications.” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO Office - ACSO Kyle Rin - 0500) "Coffee, BLACK!." Kyle spoke with a stern voice into the replicator. Picking up the cup he drank it as fast as he could. "That should help keep me awake." Kyle tapped his com badge now would be the time to report in. "Kyle to Grailik." (reply Grailik) "Sir, i've recovered more data from the pod logs. If you would come to the cso office you can pick it up here." (reply Grailik) "Thank you sir, Rin out." Kyle walked behind the cso desk and sat down. He felt completely exhusted from his duty working non-stop on the pod had worn him out. Picking up a PADD from the desk he read over its read-out. It contained data on the sensor buffer he completely forgot about this report. Tapping his com badge once more he set down the report. "Rin to Capt. Sevant." (reply Sevant) "Sir, i wanted to inform you of the last data on the sensor buffer condition." (reply Sevant) "Not only has the Trilite sustaind the power flow. It has increased as well to 55 percent return scans should contain more information." (reply Sevant) "Aye sir, your welcome Rin out." That was about all he could take collapsing onto the desk Kyle fell asleep. Forgeting about the FO on his way for the data log. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge, FO Cmndr Grailik, 0500) Grailik sat on the bridge looking over the data collected so far on the pod and the patients in sickbay. There was little to go on. All they knew was there was something nasty in the neighborhood. =/\=Kyle to Grailik.=/\= "Grailik here. Go ahead Ensign," Grailik said, tapping his comm-badge. =/\=Sir, i've recovered more data from the pod logs. If you would come to the cso office you can pick it up here.=/\= "Wonderful. I'll be right there." Grailik closed the connection and rose from his seat, looking around the Bridge once before heading to the turbo-lift. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0505) “One seem to have no organic life, the other 2 have. They have the same fire marks on them. The trail for the Backtron is getting more identifiable Sir... might I suggest that we send a probe ahead. I can modify it to seek the Backtron signature easily enough. I will need someone from engineering to help me do the modifications.” "Do it, and work out an invasive program that gets us far away from the launch site once the probe becomes visible out-of-cloak." he ordered, sitting back again. “Understood and yes Sir!” He sat back and folded his hands together as he looked at the screen. "Set course for the pods, and prepare to pick them up." “Coordinance has been given to the helm... Once we have them, I will launch the probe and start the evasive program.” Yalta listen to what was going on and before getting up she tap her combadge. “Yalta to engineering, I need an engineer right away in the probe launcher to modify a probe.” (Reply from engineering) “Understood, I will meet you in 5 minutes.” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Bouddica - Saim's quarters - ACEO Enaj - 0505) Saim was slumbering lightly when she heard her comm go off. =^= This is engineering. Lt. Shafio has requested someone to go to the probe launcher to modify a probe. You should tell you are coming.=^= "Really," Saim said ruefully. So much for catching up on sleep. "Lt. Shafio, I'm heading there now. Just give me fifteen minutes." (reply Yalta) Getting changed quickly Saim headed to the probe launcher. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, CSO's Office, Cmndr Grailik, 0505) Grailik heard snoring as he approached the CSO's Office, none to surprised. ~Everyone's been burning the midnight oil tonight.~ He looked in to see Rin fast asleep at his desk. His head propped up on his arms. Grailik picked up the PADD on the desk and looked at it to make sure it was the one he wanted, with the data from the escape pod. Once he was sure he had the right PADD he looked back toward Ensign Rin and considered waking the Ensign and sending him to his quarters. ~He's sleeping peacefully now. Why disturb him. Best to let him rest.~ Quietly, Grailik closed the office door as he left, looking over the PADD with the sensor data on it. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio & ACEO Ensign Enaj - 0505) Yalta listen to what was going on and before getting up she tap her combadge. “Yalta to engineering, I need an engineer right away in the probe launcher to modify a probe.” =/\=Really,=/\= Saim said ruefully. So much for catching up on sleep. =/\=Lt. Shafio, I'm heading there now. Just give me fifteen minutes.=/\= “Understood, I will meet you in 5 minutes.” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Office - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0510) Kestra walked in with the Ensign behind her and he shut the door behind him as he entered. "Have a seat Ensign, want anything from the replicator?" She asked as she walked over to it. (Reply Chang) Kestra then returned to sit beside him and started to tell him what was happening with the patients in quarantine. at the present." She said the proceeded to head for her office. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, Tactical Holographic Systems Research Center - Tactical Senior Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0520) Melody growled and slapped the computer she was working on upside its monitor. There was only one other person with her, the only other person on this ship that had been trained on Earth in using and calibrating the experimental Tactical Holographic System. With the ship at Yellow Alert, and the buzz being that the Captain was taking them into a combat situation, Melody had come down to make sure the nerve-center of the system was working properly and that everyone on bridge duty knew what they were doing with it. So far, it had been a royal pain for her to work with, its matrix was going unstable whenever power became slightly strained on the ship... Which was nearly every moment, since they were at high alert and they were under cloak. She had tweaked it, and run diagnostics galore. She finally sat back after slapping the computer, and admitted she needed an engineer on this one. It wasn't an issue she could touch, she wasn't an engineer herself, just a tech troubleshooter on a very new system. She tapped her fingers on the console for a few moments. She didn't want some raw wannabe digging around in her baby, she needed someone with experience and she needed it quick. "Computer," she called, "Who is the highest ranking engineer on this ship, with the most experience on Boudicca's systems." [Lieutenant Trevan West, Chief Engineering Officer, has served on the USS Boudicca in the Engineering department for the greatest amount of time] That worked. She tapped her badge, "Chief Haverstaad to Lieutenant West, I require your services and I require them soon." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge, FO Cmndr Grailik / CO Capt Sevant, 0515) Grailik stepped back onto the Bridge, the PADD with the recovered sensor data in one hand. He had looked it over during the trip to the bridge. He stepped down to the command deck and walked over and sat down next to Sevant, handing him the PADD. "The recovered sensor data from the first escape pod," Grailik said, "A bit piece meal, but it at least gives us a hull profile of what ever attacked them and a partial energy signature profile." "Have you given this to anyone else yet?" Sevant asked as he took the PADD. "What've we learned so far?" "Not yet," Grailik said, "I just got it from Ensign Rin. Thought you'd want to look it over before giving it to tactical. I've never seen that profile of ship before or that type of energy profile. You?" Sevant scrolled down and looked at it. His brow wrinkled slightly, "Nothing even remotely close," he admitted. "We're dealing with an unknown, this isn't standard tech for any of the major powers in this quadrant." He looked over, "Get it to engineering and tactical immediately, every little bit helps." Grailik nodded, took the PADD and rose to his feet and headed over to Lt. Bush at the tactical station. "Lt," Grailik said stepping up beside him, "Here is a the recovered data from the escape pod. Could you get together with someone from engineering and go over the hull profile and energy signature and come up with an analysis." (Reply Bush) Grailik turned back toward Sevant as Lt. Bush got to work on the data. "Captain, can I have a word with you in your Ready Room?" he asked casually. Sevant nodded and stood, then made his way for the ready room. Once inside, he stepped to the side, and waited for the First Officer had passed. The door slid shut as Sevant put his hands behind him, "Yes, XO?" Grailik moved over to the replicator and got himself a fresh mug of coffee. "Would you like anything to drink Captain?" "I'm fine." he said as he moved over to his seat behind the desk. "Captain," He said, looking up at Sevant, "have you given any consideration to the possibility of opening a dialogue with this ship when we finally track them down? Sevant quirked an eyebrow as he settled back in the chair. "Consideration? Surely. It depends on the condition of the Backtron herself, and the actions the enemy takes when we meet them." He folded his hands together, "I won't allow anything like what we are seeing now to happen to the Boudicca if I can possibly help it. " Grailik nodded. "Of course not," He said taking another sip of his coffee, "Yet, so far the only preparations we have made is for an armed confrontation. This species obviously has technology we do not have. They could prove to be a voluble ally in this region of space, if we can some how open a dialogue and find some common ground." Sevant waved a hand, "We are dealing with something that utterly destroyed the minds of Federation Citizens. Whether or not we are diplomatic, we have to prepare to the best of our ability to defend against them." His face hardened slightly, "And whoever they were, they boarded the Backtron forcefully, I would not take that as indication that they are overly peaceful or interested in treaties. If I'm wrong, we will know soon enough." "And we still have no idea why," Grailik countered, "They could of thought the Backtron an invader. We have no way of knowing at this time exactly what their motives where. Speaking as the Diplomatic Attaché to Admiral LoDona, I advise you not to proceed with the sole conclusion that they are totally hostile. Preconceived intentions of another can color how we perceive a situation and cloud our ability to be objective. The Backtron, on the greater scheme of diplomatic affairs, can be a minor incident or what precipitates a full scale war. The actions of this ship and her Captain could very well determine which." Sevant nodded, "I'm aware of that. However, if this is a matter of turf, then they are just moving in. We've had a few surveys in this direction, none of them ever encountered a post-warp race, much less one that held a large area of space." He sat back and mused for a few moments, "I will not be attacking them right off, not if I can help it. Neither am I going to let them be a danger to the Federation, however." He looked over, "This is the balance between our primary functions, XO, exploring and military. I will have to see when we get there." "Balance indeed, and a very fine line to walk sometimes. I've seen the survey results of this area as well, and why none of the surveys showed any advanced races in the area. We both know they've missed things before. I just wanted to make sure that you remember that we are not JUST a military vessel. As Star Fleet officers, peaceful contact with a new species should always be our first option." "A philosophical point, perhaps." Sevant replied, "One that I will keep in mind." "Isn't it Star Fleet's 'philosophy' that has gotten the Federation to where it is today?" Grailik asked taking another sip of his coffee. "Sometimes philosophy is all we have." "Even philosophies have exceptions," Sevant countered. "And it's those exceptions I am planning for, just in case." He shrugged, "Borg, Furies and Xenolithe come to mind. This race might have a perfectly good reason for wiping out a crew, but I won't take the chance it was benevolent until I meet them. In the mean time, we're preparing for battle." "Just so long as you haven't completely discounted the possibility of opening a peaceful dialogue. At least not yet." The Captain shook his head, "I never do." "Good," Grailik said, standing, "glad to hear it. Glad we had this little conversation, Captain. So there are no misunderstanding between us. We know where we each stand." Grailik smiled. Sevant nodded slightly as he looked at Grailik. The Commander had already spoken as 'the Admirals attaché' and not as his First Officer, he wondered just what else Grailik was and what he had the power to do. They would have to have another talk about that, sometime when they weren't in the midst of a crisis situation. "Carry on, Commander." he said as he stood himself. The bridge was his place, that was where he wanted to be. Grailik moved over to place his mug back into the replicator to be recycled. "Think I'm gonna take this lull to catch a little cat nap. Been up all night, and well I'm not as young as I use to be." Grailik smiled good naturedly. "Would you like me to relive you in a few hours so you can get a little rest your self?" Sevant considered that for a few moments, "That would work," he said. "Very well." "I'll see you in a couple hours then, Captain." Grailik inclined his head slightly and headed for the door and the turbo-lift. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering, CEO Lt jg Trevan West - 0520) Trevan was finally able to place some of his items back in his office and was ready to go to SLEEP for the night when the comm. system beeped at him again. A wonderful angelic voice filled the room, =/\=Chief Haverstaad to Lieutenant West, I require your services and I require them soon.=/\=. ~Who the hell is this?~ he thought to himself, "West here, on my way." he slapped his comm. badge a little to hard and hurt his chest. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Office - 2O/CMO Lt. Cmdr Kestra Troi - 0520) "Have we been able to determine their race or point of origin?" "At present time all we know is that the pods originated with a civilian science ship called the Backtron. All the patients arrived in a catatonic state." Kestra started answering the many questions that she knew would come. "Catatonic you say? Where any of their high brain functions intact. Obviously their lower brain functions must be functional as they are breathing and their cardiac and haemodynamic status is stable." Edmund offered excitedly. ~Finally some action~ "Yes they are stable and that is all that is functioning." Kestra was rapidly being impressed with her new assistant. "We need to examine them first hand. Take some tricorder readings, some blood tests. We need to confirm whether their catatonia is due technological causes: that is, via some mechanical means or biological causes: being suppressed via the blocking of acetylcholine creation or something preventing neurotransmitter binding in the postsynaptic membrane?" "What do and the counselor think? You are both Betazoids, what are you initial impressions?" "Well, The FO and Myself did the first examination of the patients. We took all the readings and blood tests that we could come up with. So far nothing out of the ordinary has shown up. I then asked that the counselor join us, not for the counselor expertise, but, for her talent as a Mind-Healer. Her impressions where that the mental functions, knowledge and such, have been sucked out. I am not under any reason thinking that this is done by any weapon of any sort, it is too clean." Kestra stopped short of telling all that she discussed with the captain. "I suggest that we don some environmental suits and get to work. That should protect us if it is indeed an a blood or airborne pathogen. Quick." Kestra could see that the Ensign was getting more excited by the moment at being able to work on something like this by the way his talking was progressively getting faster. She knew that she would have to bring him down to a tolerable level quickly. "Ensign, Ensign, hold on" Kestra said with a large smile on her face. "While it is good to see someone with so much enthusiasm, we need to slow down and take one step at a time." She saw him visibly shake and recognize that he was getting a bit overzealous. "We have already set up the quarantine area for the patients and the procedures are in place. If you want to go in to examine them you can but be careful. Also, let me know if you find anything." She wondered if she was letting him go to get into trouble or if he might be able to find something. She sat back watching his reaction for a minute then continued. "Ensign, Have you found your quarters and settled in as of yet? If not, I want you to do that before you do anything else then check back with me so I can give you some tasks to complete. Before you go though, tell me a bit about yourself, like before you started your career in starfleet and why you decided that starfleet was what you wanted." She sat there to listen to his story Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC - Tactical Senior Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0520) =^=West here, on my way.=^= The channel clicked off immediately. Her partner looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. "I've got squad duty coming up, off to grab an hour before hand." Melody nodded absently as she walked over to the ODN Access panel and popped it. The other Senior Chief walked out as she was putting it to the side. For several moments she stood there looking at it, remembering all her lessons about the power grid and how the Holographic Systems independent power tapped into everything. Her best thought was that the connection wasn't aligned, so whenever main power fluctuated, the Independent system was a half-heartbeat slow in taking over. She stuck her head in and looked around for a few moments, gazing at the connections as she waited for the engineer. "Excuse me, that's an ODN access panel, please don't touch that. I am the Chief Engineer how may I be of service?" Melody closed her eyes, head still in the panel. ~Breaking his arms would be bad, remember that.~ She pulled her head out and turned it to look at him, one eyebrow quirked. "I've got power problems with the Holographic Tactical Systems... And being in yellow alert, with the specter of combat, I want it taken care of." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC - Tactical Senior Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0520) =^=West here, on my way.=^= The channel clicked off immediately. Her partner looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. "I've got squad duty coming up, off to grab an hour before hand." Melody nodded absently as she walked over to the ODN Access panel and popped it. The other Senior Chief walked out as she was putting it to the side. For several moments she stood there looking at it, remembering all her lessons about the power grid and how the Holographic Systems independent power tapped into everything. Her best thought was that the connection wasn't aligned, so whenever main power fluctuated, the Independent system was a half-heartbeat slow in taking over. She stuck her head in and looked around for a few moments, gazing at the connections as she waited for the engineer. "Excuse me, that's an ODN access panel, please don't touch that. I am the Chief Engineer how may I be of service?" Melody closed her eyes, head still in the panel. ~Breaking his arms would be bad, remember that.~ She pulled her head out and turned it to look at him, one eyebrow quirked. "I've got power problems with the Holographic Tactical Systems... And being in yellow alert, with the specter of combat, I want it taken care of." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Probe Launcher – Enaj - 0520) Yalta had started to work on the probe has she saw Ensign Enaj walk in. He look tired like everyone. She return her attention to the task. “I have started, I took out the diagnostic system and started the reprogramming of it. It's necessary for the best accurate reading. The guidance system will need to be link up with it... this probe needs to be like a Bloodhound and the band we are searching to follow is very narrow.” "Woah there," Saim replied. She knew she was not feeling particularly clear headed at the moment but still. "What is this probe looking for?" “The trail of the Backtron, here are the details and data you will need for the guidance system. We need to do this quickly and send this probe on it's way. There, I have completed this and the tests are conclusive. Now, can we work on the guidance system. I forgot to present myself... Chief OPS, Lt. Schafio.” "ACEO Enaj. Right then if you want to get started this should only take a little while." “You look tired... will you be okay?” "Sure. So we are close to the Backtron. That's the ship from where that mystey shuttel came from isn't it. It's very strange," Saim said striking up conversation while getting to work on the guidance system. When they were finally finished Saim turned to Yalta and said, "It's already now. I'll leave you to send its on its way. I have to head to the bridge to make sure the connection between the bridge and engineering is as I want it. It's been nice meeting you." Having said that Saim turned to leave. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC - Lt jg Trevan West - 0521) She pulled her head out and turned it to look at him, one eyebrow quirked. "I've got power problems with the Holographic Tactical Systems... And being in yellow alert, with the specter of combat, I want it taken care of." Trevan just stood there staring at this lovely woman who had the strangest look on her face. "Umm, yeah, power problems. Well let's see what we have here. I am familiar with this type of technology so it shouldn't be a problem." Trevan flipped out his Tricoder and was scanning away, "So, Senior Tactical Chief eh?" he said swallowing hard, "Must get pretty boring down here sometimes, I know the feeling." He looked back at her and she still had this look on her face. ~Right Trev, good one. Shut up~ he thought to himself, "Chief? Looks like the plasma flow is out of sync. It's still within regulations, but since this display is so sensitive to changes in the ship, any little fluctuation will just throw it for a loop. "West to Engineering, I need a repair team to Deck 12. West out, " he turned around and flipped his tricorder shut, "And we should swap out and processing components you may have." West walked over towards the far wall that housed most of the ships tactical displays and tapped a few commands into the computer when it suddenly warned him. "Warning, you are about to change engineering protocols, this procedure is not recommended." it replied. "To hell with that, override lockout, West Theta 2, 9, 9, 7." he smiled back at Melody, "That should also help, I have changed the protocol so when the ship is at Yellow or Red alert Status, there will be a 15% increase in the power flow to this deck. Also in a alert situation this unit will receive priority status." "You mind if I have go at it? I would love to try this thing out. Or we could wait until the Engineering crew finish in a few hours, up to you Chief?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC - Senior Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0521) "Umm, yeah, power problems. Well let's see what we have here. I am familiar with this type of technology so it shouldn't be a problem." Melody pulled completely away so he could work, and crossed her arms as he started scanning. She still wasn't impressed, she knew more then enough not to get zapped by the power flowing through that panel. "So, Senior Tactical Chief eh?" The Engineer said after a few moments, "Must get pretty boring down here sometimes, I know the feeling." He looked back over at her, though she didn't move a muscle. He quickly looked back down again. Melody quirked a small grin at that, he looked more at home with technology then inter-personal relations. "Chief? Looks like the plasma flow is out of sync. It's still within regulations, but since this display is so sensitive to changes in the ship, any little fluctuation will just throw it for a loop." She nodded. She had learned enough in her time with Tactical to pick up a lot of the engineering principles behind it, that sounded plausible. Either way, he knew more about this then he did by far. She sat back at her terminal as he called for a repair team. He turned back to her a moment later, "And we should swap out and processing components you may have." That caused Melody to quirk her head, but he was already walking over to the Master Status board. ~If you screw up by baby, bucko, Ill turn you inside out...~ She was half out of the chair when the computer said, [Warning, you are about to change engineering protocols, this procedure is not recommended.] "To hell with that, override lockout, West Theta 2, 9, 9, 7." he smiled back at Melody, "That should also help, I have changed the protocol so when the ship is at Yellow or Red alert Status, there will be a 15% increase in the power flow to this deck. Also in a alert situation this unit will receive priority status." Ahhhhh, that was more like it. She looked at him for a few seconds more as he said, "You mind if I have go at it? I would love to try this thing out. Or we could wait until the Engineering crew finish in a few hours, up to you Chief?" Melody placed her hands behind her back as she considered him. "You said you were familiar with this system?" she asked slowly, in thought. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC -Lt jg Trevan West - 0522) Melody placed her hands behind her back as she considered him. "You said you were familiar with this system?" she asked slowly, in thought. Trevan switched the unit on and stepped inside the holographic ring where all the major ship functions were displayed infront of him. He moved his head around and flicked his fingers a few times accessing the phaser controls, torpedos and basically a blank starfield. He could see where this might come in handy in very tense firefights. After about 10 minutes fiddling with the systems and other various options he shut the display off and turned around the Melody, "You have an intersesting setup here, very accessable with the fingertip functions. I have worked and read about these systems but never used one until now. Very nice indeed," he said with a small smile on his face. "Well," he cleared his throat, "Umm, if there is anything else you need, big or small, I am at your disposal chief." (reply Melody) "You're welcome, it's not a problem. This is what I live for, I love this stuff. I'll check in, in a little while to see how the engineering guys are doing. But in the meantime, could I ask you a favour?" "I am looking to add some security protocols in the engineering section in case we get boarded. Engineering is the first or second place someone would go to cause trouble, would you mind coming down and taking a look for me?" Trevan placed his hands behind his back and stared at his feet while he 'kicked the dirt' as it were waiting for the reply. This was certainly a confrontation he was not use to. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, Tactical Holographic Systems Research Center - Lt jg Trevan West - 0523) Trevan waltzed into the Research Centre and saw someone hovering over an open ODN access panel, "Excuse me, that's an ODN access panel, please don't touch that. I am the Chief Engineer how may I be of service?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Security Center, THRSC - Senior Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0532) "You have an interesting setup here, very accessible with the fingertip functions. I have worked and read about these systems but never used one until now. Very nice indeed," Melody inclined her head, it was always useful to find someone who knew just what she was doing. There were others on the Boudicca trained with this technology, but she had trained most of them herself. "Well, Umm, if there is anything else you need, big or small, I am at your disposal chief." Melody pressed her lips together, "Nothing particular comes to mind, just as long as my systems work. Thank you, by the way, for your swift response." Not that he should have done anything differently, but it always helped to have engineers on your side. "You're welcome, it's not a problem. This is what I live for, I love this stuff. I'll check in, in a little while to see how the engineering guys are doing. But in the meantime, could I ask you a favour?" Melody cocked her head to the side and quirked an eyebrow, in askance. "I am looking to add some security protocols in the engineering section in case we get boarded. Engineering is the first or second place someone would go to cause trouble, would you mind coming down and taking a look for me?" The Senior-Chief looked over at her systems. There was nothing more she could do until the engineers got here to fix whatever need fixing, meaning she was back on typical Security duty. It wasn't usually her place to check out the integrity of locations, but word had already filtered that the whole ship was supposed to be tighter then a Deltan virgin. Besides, her team was supposedly near engineering right now, she should check how they were mingling with the Jarhead Marines. "As you say," she said, as she noted that he was doting like a schoolboy. That nearly earned him a chuckle, but she kept her face straight. "Lead on, Lieutenant." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge, ACSO - Ens Vegra Gretud - 0532) Vegra entered the bridge it was a strange hive of activity with people rushing about. In the centre of the room was what Vegra assumed was captain Caladryll Sevant. He walked up to him and snapped to attention. “Ens JG Vegra Gretud reporting for duty.” Said Vegra handing over a padd. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0532) "Ens JG Vegra Gretud reporting for duty." Sevant looked over and quirked an eyebrow. Before him was a Ferengi, rare enough in the fleet. The half-Vulcan took the PADD and looked at the Ensign for a few moments more before bending his head and looking at the contents. He scrolled it quickly, then shut it down at looked back up again. "We are in the midst of an emergency Ensign, and we don't have the time for you to settle in. Report immediately to Doctor Rin, he is currently in charge of the Science department." (reply: Gretud) He filed the ensign away in his mind, he would have to sit down and talk with him later. They didn't have the time now for his customary speech, for now he would have to be tested in a Trial-by-fire. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – ENS Gretud - 0532) "Ens JG Vegra Gretud reporting for duty." Sevant looked over and quirked an eyebrow. Before him was a Frengi, Rare enough in the fleet. The half-Vulcan took the PADD and looked at the Ensign for a few moments more before bending his head and looking at the contents. He scrolled it quickly, and then shut it down at looked back up again. "We are in the midst of an emergency Ensign, and we don't have the time for you to settle in. Report immediately to Doctor Rin, he is currently in charge of the Science department." “Aye Sir” said Vegra Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering - Lt jg Trevan West / Senior-Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0539) Trevan and Melody walked in towards Main Engineering, the large warp core pounded away with all the energy of a thousand stars. Melody was in front by a few steps, possibly on purpose but Trevan new better then to say something to her, he didn't want to end up in Sickbay; looked like she could take him. "Here," he said gesturing towards the master control station, "is the master display, I would like some extra monitoring of this especially during high alert situations. Also, I think the warp core area needs some better security, either in the way of personnel or devices. Too many places to hide and do damage, what do you think?" Trevan tensed up awaiting a barrage of answers he didn't want to hear, ~Why did I ask her to come down here?~ Melody frowned as she looked around Engineering. There was one squad, nicely split and put in various corners, the legacy of orders given earlier. "You might want to think up some methods for locking the place down in a hurry, something to augment the security procedures already in place." "Oh yeah, that, well, I think we can get away with that down here. I can make a few adjustments to it." replied Trevan. Melody flipped open her tricorder and began to scan Engineering, while she was doing so she ended up walking right into the Chief Engineers office and was scanning the bulkheads. The Boudicca was basically sound, several places had been weakened when they had been cut apart to bring in new parts, or power cables, or whatever else. It was one of the after-effects of a rushed refit, something that was supposed to be fixed as time went on. The Engineers office was sound, it could serve as a base of ops in an invasion. She had read past records of the Boudicca, once this place had suffered a grenade explosion, not pretty. She swung the tricorder around and noticed a picture on the desk, beside one of the monitors. "Who is that?" she asked somewhat offhandedly as she flipped the Tricorder shut. "Oh, her, umm, that used to be well, my fiancé." he said almost with tears in his eyes, "I'd rather not talk about it." he said in a shaky voice. "Also I would like to have a word with you in here in private if you don't mind?" and he started to speak when she interrupted him. Melody held up her hand, with a sudden premonition of how things were about to degenerate. "Whoa, we're both on duty..." she frowned slightly, "I can meet you for a drink later on, but for now I have a scan to run. I trust that meets with your approval, Sir?" Trevan's eyes lit up for a brief moment then sub-sided, "Yeah go ahead with the scans, I'll just wait. A drink sounds good I guess, as long as it isn't alcoholic, I don't drink really. Not in a long time, so yeah go and run the scans." he replied. Melody took a breath and exited the office. They were not going to be able to fit more men into this area, not unless it was a battle situation. There were six security and seven Marines, fairly hefty firepower in the event of an emergency... Especially around such volatile things as Warp Cores. Her eyes flicked up and around, and she nodded. "Unless you want to trip over us and our equipment, I wouldn't recommend more people in here. We can alter your security procedures, you can talk to the Big Chief about having the engineers carry sidearms, that might be a good idea as long as they know how to use em." She looked over, "The rest would be methods of locking this place down in a hurry, and making life difficult on whomever wants it." Trevan nodded, "Lock down sounds like a feasible plan to me," he coughed, "and no, the Engineers can't carry sidearms in here. Too many things can get hit, but I will look into the possibility anyway. Trevan folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the bulkhead, "Well, we have the isolation door and emergency bulkheads, I think we can install several forcefield generators and perhaps an aft isolation door as well. You are," Trevan was going to say 'super great' and realized that would sound very corny, "very good at this Melody. Thank you very much." The look on her face was something he was not expecting, almost a smile, perhaps just shock he used her first name, he wasn't too sure. What he was sure of however, is that the room was becoming very uncomfortable to be in, "If you will excuse me, I believe I am needed on the bridge," and with that Trevan turned on his heel and literally sprinted towards the turbolift without giving a second thought to how rude he just was towards Melody. The Chief quirked an eyebrow as the CEO practically ran out of engineering and jumped into a turbolift. She crossed her arms as someone came up behind her, she recognized the foot-pattern, so she didnt bother turning. "Scare another one, Chief?" he said behind her. Her replying smile was patentedly evil as she half-turned to face her squad XO. "You expected less?" She looked over his shoulder briefly at the partial squad on duty, they were all hers. Melody slowly turned her attention back to him, "Smooth operating?" The Chief nodded, "We're staying out of the way, even the Marines are playing ball and staying in a corner." His snort told Melody all she wanted to know about his opinion of that, he didnt think much of them most times. Though, he had once quietly admitted they came in handy during heavy combat. Melody herself had to admit they often-times were over-muscled brutes, but Starfleet wasnt stupid and neither were the men and women who ended up getting into the Marine BDU's. She looked around and nodded, "Very well, Ill have some new proceedures for you most likely, after I.. hmm... consult with the Chief Engineer again." The XO shook his head as he turned to leave, "You are a wicked lady, Boss." What could Melody say? The man was not only a Saint, he was perfectly correct. Haverstaad herself walked for the turbolift, but tapped her badge as she did so. "Computer, inform me the momoent Lietenant West comes off-duty." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Engineering, Lt jg Trevan West, 0542) Running through the corridors at warp speed Trevan finally stopped, huffing and puffing leaning against the bulkhead. Several crewmen passed by probably wondering if he was going to explode or collapse. "Where the hell am I going?" he said out loud to himself as he is known to do. Trevan took a deep breath, activated his communicator "West to Captain Sevant, I need to have a word with you sir. It is of the up most urgency." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0543) =^=West to Captain Sevant, I need to have a word with you sir. It is of the up most urgency.=^= "Very well Chief, Ill be in the ready room." (reply: if desired) Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Bridge, Lt jg Trevan West, 0547) Trevan walked onto the bridge totally ignoring everyone. As usual something was going on and he wasn't informed about it. Trevan rang the door chime and entered when he heard the Captain's voice. The ready room was pretty standard fare for a warship, sure there was the odd trinket and memento that belonged to the Captain but nothing really that put you at ease. Trevan wondered if that was on purpose or not. "Captain, firstly I want to apologize for my attitude towards you earlier. I know you understand where I am coming from but still, it was no excuse for it. Especially since we go way back." Trevan took a seat at the desk and clasped his hands on it, "Secondly I have a few issues that need to be discussed now, not later." Trevan went onto explain how out of the loop he felt and since he was the Chief Engineer he should be made aware of everything going on related to this ship and how that he knows that it's standard procedure to have the Chief on the bridge during alert situations, Trevan felt that he could be of better assistance to the ship and crew if he were to man his station in Engineering. "I can more efficiently direct my staff from there." "Also on the subject of Engineering, I was looking over the cloak and noticed that it could be performing better. Our engines need to be tuned to make sure our signature doesn't leak through the cloak. As it stands right now, it's on the bare minimum and one power fluctuation and poof, cloak is useless. I have assigned an engineering crew to better tune the engines, should be finished shortly." Trevan leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling, "You know, most of the systems are in a total mess, being mothballed and then rushed out of dock doesn't make for a good mix, I would like permission to start overhauling some non-essential systems like the holodecks, tractor beams etc. It's the best I can do without interrupting key systems. What do you think?" (reply sevant) "Thanks, I will get on it sir." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 0547) Sevant folded his hands together in his lap and leaned back in the chair as his Chief Engineer walked into his ready room. This was the second time in few hours, he wondered what had come up so suddenly and couldn't be discussed over comm. "Captain, firstly I want to apologize for my attitude towards you earlier. I know you understand where I am coming from but still, it was no excuse for it. Especially since we go way back." Trevan took a seat at the desk and clasped his hands on it, "Secondly I have a few issues that need to be discussed now, not later." Sevant nodded his head, and gestured for the CEO to continue. He started off saying that he felt he should be kept in information essential to the ship, Sevant agreed with that, and from there he continued saying that he didn't much want to be on Bridge Duty. "I can more efficiently direct my staff from there." "Also on the subject of Engineering, I was looking over the cloak and noticed that it could be performing better. Our engines need to be tuned to make sure our signature doesn't leak through the cloak. As it stands right now, it's on the bare minimum and one power fluctuation and poof, cloak is useless. I have assigned an engineering crew to better tune the engines, should be finished shortly." The Captain remained silent as his Chief Engineer almost took on an introspective aspect and started looking at his ceiling. "You know, most of the systems are in a total mess, being mothballed and then rushed out of dock doesn't make for a good mix, I would like permission to start overhauling some non-essential systems like the holodeck, tractor beams etc. It's the best I can do without interrupting key systems. What do you think?" Sevant quirked his head. "Once we are out of this combat situation, most certainly. As it stands now, I can't tell you if we will be in a fight or when, but it's starting to look likely." He leaned forward and put his folded hands on the desk. "This ship was taken out too early, we both know that, but there is nothing to be done for it. Once Geneva has covered her terrain we will be able to put in and get some more of the extensive work done, we just need to make sure she doesn't fall apart." He frowned slightly, "Assuming we are not required on the battle-line the entire time, which is entirely possible." He looked at Trevan closely for a moment, "Unless you have nothing else to do to put us up to battle readiness, or once we have over-come this crisis, then by all means Lieutenant. This ship was my home once, for a long time, I hate to see her broken when she doesn't need to be." "Thanks, I will get on it sir." Sevant waited a moment as he stood up, "Chief?" He waited for Trevan to pause, "Welcome aboard." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Chief Engineer's Office, Lt jg Trevan West, 0615) Trevan was busy pulling repair schedules together and notifying the required departments of the repairs to their areas when a PADD came across his desk. Trevan read the information contained in the report and slammed it down on the desk, "Damn," he cursed under his breath, "West to ACEO Ensign Enaj, report to me at once Ensign." (reply Enaj) After that Trevan sunk back into his chair and started going back over the reports and constantly gazing up at the ceiling of the office, noticing the small, almost unnoticeable burn scar from when he was first posted here. Trevan made a mental note not to have that removed, as it gave him reassurance that at least some things never change. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Corridor 16 - ACEO Enaj - 0615) "West to ACEO Ensign Enaj, report to me at once Ensign." "Coming", Saim replied. Who was this West Saim wondered. "Computer. Where is West? [Lt. West is in Chief Engineer's Office.] "Lt. West," Saim wondered outloud. [CEO West] "CEO. No one told my boss had come on board," Saim quietly swore and wishing not to keep her direct superior waiting started quickly walking. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Chief Engineer's Office - 0620) Saim stuck her head round the door and saw a man with the right number of pips sitting at the desk. "Sir?" Saim said enquiringly. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office – ACSO Dr. Kyle Rin - 0535) Vegra walked to the Science Department and did what he was told and reported to Dr Rin. Vegra reached the dr and said “ENS Jg Vegra Gretud reporting for duty.” Kyle motioned for Vegra's PADD with his current orders on it. "Welcome aboard Ensign, i'm sure you'll find the Boudicca suitful to your needs?" Kyle asked with a raised eyebrow. (reply Vegra) "Finish getting any items to your quarters, then i will need you to begin your duties by monitoring the current probe read-outs on science panel nine. Let me know of any strange activity you might come across." Kyle returned to his work and watched as the ensign took his leave towards the science department. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0700) Yalta was watching the analysis of the probe has it follow the trail of the Backtron, for now there was nothing in sight. She was starting to get annoy by this, making calibration, watching new information and reports from medical, and tactical, it was went she heard the turbolift doors and saw Ensign Shylynx that she remember it was breakfast time. Ryko walked onto the bridge, and caught Yalta's eye almost immediately. He approached, and stood next to her station. He looked fleetingly at the screens then asked her, "0700, don't tell me you forgot." “I didn't, just was very busy this pass couple hours.” Yalta knew that she had forgotten but it was true that she had been very busy. Ryko laughed and looked at her again. He cast a glance at the tactical console, then looked at the viewscreen. "It's alright. Are you ready?" He asked, wiping an invisible speck of dust off his sleeve. “Yes I am, just transferred everything to this padd, so I am ready and hungry!” She smiled getting up and signaling to her replacement that he could take her place. Ryko smiled at Yalta and motioned for her to go first as the turbolift doors opened (USS Boudicca – Mess Hall – 0705) They arrive to the Mess Hall, there was starting to be a lot of people there yet, there was a nice spot beside the main window. “I think this spot is ok... there's 2 seats free there.” Said Yalta. "After you, Ryko said, following her to the table. “Thank you.” She sat down and they waited for the waitress to come to there table which was quick. “I would like 2 andorian pancakes, with strawberry jelly.” She put her padd beside her. "2 ktarian eggs, scrambled, please," Ryko said. The waitress nodded, and disappeared to take care of the order. Ryko absently touched his nose where his injury was, as if it was itching. “While we are waiting... how this injury happen to you?” Ryko smiled and leaned back a little. "It was before my first commission, I was in training at the Antares III colony, in orbit around Jupiter. I was only 19, so of course I acted like a complete showoff," Ryko said, chuckling a little. "You know they say, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall"? That was me. I messed up one simple loop, and whacked my face off the control console." "For the next month I had to go around in a special regenerative dressing. Some of my friends thought I had a huge zit on my nose." “Ouch! Well, I had my share of scraps too back on my home. Broken ribs, wrist, and forearm.” She chuckled. Ryko laughed a little. "How did you do that?" he asked. “Let me see, wrist was during an expedition to a savage sector in are homeworld. There was an accident in water rafting. Forearm and ribs was during an excursion. We had a ice rock face to escalate, there was an accident, it was in the rescue. I was taken to an out post and then returned to the city. No pain killer at all.” “At least, until I arrived to the out post.” "Wow. Sounds like you had a rough ride," Ryko said as the food arrived. "Can't say I've had much worse than this," Ryko said as he touched his nose again. "Except maybe that fight I had with my dad a while back. Left me with a broken wrist," He sprinkled a little extra salt onto his eggs, and started to eat. “The weather was at least not so bad, so we made the trip quickly enough, but it wasn't fun. I was about 17 yrs old when that happen. We learn really young how to fight. At 5, I received my Kouta, a knife, we start to learn how to fight early, it's a rite of passage. At the age of 12, I started to learn about Bat'Leth and hand to hand combat. We learn endurance also, some the very hard way.” She look at her pancakes with a smile. “Starfleet was a shock for not saying change, but I don't regret my decision.” "Sounds a hell of a lot more grueling than I went through. I had to get up at about 4am every day, then run for around 4 miles." Ryko could clearly see that his early days were nothing compared to Yalta's. "Most of my training was mostly focused towards my stay at Antares. My dad always told me that I was gonna be a pilot. I didn't agree, I just wanted to learn about starfleet weaponry. I ended up making a whole load of weapon modifications, I must have at least forty at home." “I have learn to manipulate and improvised weapons since early childhood. Women's education are rather peculiar on my homeworld.” Yalta blush a little. “We have the same education has the men but we are separated at puberty for obvious reasons.” "I can guess," Ryko said, as he had some more egg. "Antares was kinda like that, they don't care who you are as long as you can fly, but guys and girls were seperated. "You got any family back home?" Ryko asked as he finished the ktarian eggs." “I have an older brother, my family is still on Elaas.” She finished one pancake and attack the other. "My mother and father are still on earth, but my Son Fox is in Starfleet. “He doesn't speak to me much," Ryko said. A lump crawled into his throat. He felt guilty at not being more incontact with his own flesh and blood. “Why?” "He doesn't trust me. I never made it home in time before his mother died, and ever since I've been like a stranger to him." "It gets depressing, sometimes, but I prefer not to talk about it.” “I understand... everyone has secrets.” Yalta finished her second pancake and took her glass of milk. Ryko was grateful that Yalta didn't want to talk about it. He smiled, and tried to find something else to talk about. “Tell me, in your free you do train right?” Yalta drank her milk slowly, being careful not to have a mustache. "All the time," Ryko said. "It depends on what I feel like. Sometimes I just blow things up, but whenever I need to relax, I run the Ilasia Fighter Program. I just fly around for an hour or two then sit and watch the nebula." "How about you? You train in your free time?" “Yes, usually fight training... Old habits die hard. Hand to hand, blade, but sometimes I recreate my planet... the white sand beach on the south continents on Elaas. I just walk, and walk sometimes sit and look at the sun set." Ryko nodded. He knew exactly what she was talking about. "Yeah, sometimes you just need to wind down. I know the feeling," he said. "I also like to play guitar," he said. "It's one of those things about childhood I can't leave behind." “Missing home but I think everyone feels like that one and a while. I don't play any musical instruments... but I like the Elasian musical composer Makrtir. Soft music, it calms me.” "I've always been a bit of a sucker for ancient earth music. Things like Meatloaf, but I generally just ad-lib," Ryko said. "Give me a topic and the chances are I can invent a song around it." “I can't think of one... I guess I'm preoccupied.” "What's bothering you?" he said. “This situation, with those people not dead and yet. We should have found the ship by now but we haven't. It's like it is hiding. No indication about what happen, no trace. An invisible enemy.” "I know what you mean. When I scanned that pod, the crystallization was definitely caused by weapons. That video playback just made me sick." “What did you see?” She said interested by what he had to say, herself not having seen the recording. Ryko leaned close, hoping no one else would hear. "It was mostly scrambled, but it was certainly a log entry. The crew looked as though they were being raided. It was... sick, " Ryko said as he struggled to put the playback into words. "There was weapons fire, sounded like civilian phasers. The crew was horrified, but it still didn't explain what happened to them. It just made the whole thing sound like a pirate raid." “What ever did this, they just might be in trouble. I hope I didn't scare you about my past... it can be for certain people.” "I wasn't scared. If anything, it tells me that I'm not the only one who went through hell to get where I am today," Ryko said, smiling. “There's no right or wrong education I guess. We have both finished and I think we should get back on the bridge.” Yalta smiled a bit relieved. "Never could say no to a lady," Ryko said in an unnecessary texan accent. He stood, and motioned for Yalta to lead the way. On the way to the turbolift, he stopped. "I'm planning to hold a recital at some point in the future, not sure when, but hopefully soon. If you could be there, it'd be great," he asked, admittedly nervous. “I would be happy too.” She said has they left the Mess Hall. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0900) Yalta had return to her console now since a little less then an hour and a half ago. Even since she was back she was scanning away area and at the same time keeping an eye on the probe. Suddenly the probe detected debris, at first very little, in between escape pods. Yalta ordered the probe to stop, when there was more debris. “Captain Sevant, the probe detected a good quantity of podds, about 15 of them. Also a debris field. I can put it on the main viewer.” (Reply from Sevant) “Yes Sir!” Yalta put the image on the viewer, the Backtron was completely destroyed at the exception of the drive section, heavily damage and missing about half of it.” (Reply from Sevant) “I don't know, but there are signs of energy weapons being fired and also organic lifesigns. There might be more people in the same stated in the pods. They are spread out for about 10 million kilometers across from the half destroyed drive section that we see here. More of the same weapons fire, but I can't detect anything out there or particular signature other then the Backtron.” (Reply from Sevant) “Time to intercept at the new current speed is half an hour. Understood... Security, and medical... get ready... we will have more of those pods coming in.” Yalta look at Captain Sevant, he didn't seem happy at all even if it was difficult to discern if he was or not. She return back to her console and check the progress of security and medical. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0901) "Captain Sevant, the probe detected a good quantity of pods, about 15 of them. Also a debris field. I can put it on the main viewer." Sevant leaned forward, his exhaustion immediately forgotten as word came. "Do so, full magnification." "Yes Sir!" Sevant frowned as the image on the screen was flipped from a star field to an unmoving Starscape, and then was rapidly enhanced to show details and magnification. It was wreckage, and apparently from what he was hearing it was defiantly the Backtron. Most of the ship was in pieces, utterly destroyed, only a part of it was still recognizable as part of a Ship. "Scan it, what caused that?" "I don't know, but there are signs of energy weapons being fired and also organic lifesigns. There might be more people in the same stated in the pods. They are spread out for about 10 million kilometers across from the half destroyed drive section that we see here. More of the same weapons fire, but I can't detect anything out there or particular signature other then the Backtron." Sevant sat back again and folded his hands together. They were rapidly pulling on a lot of new people, soon enough Medical would be filled and they would have to turn a Cargo Bay into a triage area. "Bring us out of warp and set an intercept course. Run a full scan of the area, and make sure there is nothing about that can surprise us, and make ready to bring those pods aboard. Time to intercept?" "Time to intercept at the new current speed is half an hour. Understood... Security, and medical... get ready... we will have more of those pods coming in." Sevant looked at the screen hard for several moments. They defiantly had a real situation here, something they might not be able to handle on their own. He had already sent off a flash subspace message to Geneva and the Talons, and their log-buoy was ready at all times for launch should they run into major problems. "Launch several more Type 9 probes and blanket this entire area, if there is an enemy or any other lost ships within half a day's reach, I want to know about it post-haste." (reply: Ops, Science) Sevant sat back in his command chair, "Send the Tactical, Engineering and the Marines a full sensor schematic of what's left of that ship. If its safe enough, I want that ship boarded and searched." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0905) “Time to intercept at the new current speed is half an hour. Understood... Security, and medical... get ready... we will have more of those pods coming in.” Yalta look at Captain Sevant, he didn't seem happy at all even if it was difficult to discern if he was or not. She return back to her console and check the progress of security and medical. "Launch several more Type 9 probes and blanket this entire area, if there is an enemy or any other lost ships within half a day's reach, I want to know about it post-haste." “Understood... probes will be ready and launch in a few minutes to blanket the area. Science department report ready please.” (reply: Science) Sevant sat back in his command chair, "Send the Tactical, Engineering and the Marines a full sensor schematic of what's left of that ship. If its safe enough, I want that ship boarded and searched." “Sir, the probes are launched, we should have results has we go. Waiting status on Tactical, and Engineering, Marines reported ready Sir!” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - Dr. Kyle Rin - 0905) As Kyle slept his mind wondered the dream he was currently having was of the current mission towards the backtron. There was some light ahead in the distance slowly coming towards him he was unsure of what this light was sopose to be... A sudden com link opened up and Kyle rose out of his deep sleep he reconized the voice as that of Lt. Schafio's. "Understood... probes will be ready and launch in a few minutes to blanket the area. Science department report ready please." "Science here." Kyle said slowly rubbing his eyes and tapping a few keys in to set-up the probe for it's scan after being launched. "All systems read normal and section ready Lt." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Marine Staging Center - Major Straton & Major 'Spider' Drizzt - 0908) "Straton to the Planning Center!" Spider said into his helmet as the planning board in front of him started going crazy with data from the bridge and engineering. =/\=On my way,=/\= came the curt response. Spider, a fully certified engineer as part of the pre-requisite to being a Combat Engineer, bent over the table and tapped up the sensor images. His hand lashed out and he brought the full schematics of the ship they had been planning with all night up on another screen. He cursed lightly as he compared the two, "Mother Frelling ship has been blown to hell," he growled. And that, at least, was an understatement. All that was really left of it was the Engineering section, and certain portions of that were exposed to vacuum. All told, there was 58% of the total deck-space of the ship still surviving, the rest was debris. The bridge had sent these down to ascertain if there was enough left of her to board. Spider frowned as he continued studying the schematics with his trained engineering eye. "As long as the Marines are in full EVO/C," he muttered, "A pity the bridge isn't intact, I hope this ship had working backups for the data-recorders." He stood up again as someone called that the Marine Commander was on deck. He turned as Eva entered, and without any other formalities gestured to the plans. "We can go, but you're going to want to see this first." Eva walked in slinging her scatter gun over one shoulder, a mrk 3 phaser rifle over the other and her sword between the two, it's hilt easily visible and in easy reach over her right shoulder. She nodded at Spider. "Troops are on the pad waiting. What do you got?" She said, stepping up beside him "A mess, a frellin' mess." he said. He brought the sensor sweep of the ship up on the larger planning screen as he was talking and pointed at the center Engineering. "Engineering proper is intact, a lot of the secondary decks are exposed to vacuum. Figure 90% of the Engineering section is still intact, in one way or another. All the forward decks are completely destroyed, and the lower anti-matter storage decks are disabled. It looks like we caught a break there though, all the storage pods had been jettisoned." He crossed his arms, "Until we can get it secured and the vacuum exposed decks clean, its only going to be EVO/C and space-suits going over there." Spider looked over, "Now the good news. Too much interference from disabled machinery, leaking coolant, radiation and other such goodies to tell if there are hidden enemies, its going to be a complete sweep-job for that. The place is a hell-hole." Eva looked over the display, she was still certified as a CE herself, even if she had changed to the command track some time ago. "I see what you mean," She said, running an armored finger along parts with the highest concentrations of radiation, her tactical mind working. "All right," she said, after a second, "We will beam in here, your team will beam in here," she pointing out two different locations. "We will still be close enough to lend fire support to each other if need be, but not too close to all get fraged at once. From there we will sweep outwards making sure there are no surprises waiting. Then you and your boys can get to work." "Ill have it rigged in minutes, it won't take much." Spider said with a shrug. "Ill have the rest of the team purging the data-banks after copy em, assuming there is anything left." He looked over, "Alright, go ahead and make the call to the Cap saying it's a go.. Ill get the teams informed and the backups on the pad." "One more thing," Eva said, standing straight, "I want transporter locks kept on all of us while we are over there. If something goes wrong, we bug out immediately. We don't fight this enemy on their terms. We cut and run. That understood?" "Perfectly." was his only response before nodded and heading to the Staging Center. "FALLEN ANGELS AND DEATH DEALERS TO THE PAD, MIGHTY THUNK AND SAMPLER PLATTER ON BACKUP... MOVE YOU APES!" Eva opened a comm-channel as Spider left to make final preparations. "Straton to Sevant." =^=Sevant here.=^= "Drizzt has given the green light. We are ready to deploy on your command." =^=The Command is given, proceed immediately and keep me informed.=^= "Understood. Straton out," Eva closed the connection already moving toward the transporter pad. The men were already hanging around the pads, they quickly took position as Spider moved up. He switched to a frequency that only the four squads and the MCO were using, and started talking as he unslung his scatter-gun. "This ship is in pieces, we're going to be sweeping it for both evidence and enemies. Johnson and Huruul are on the Core and Recorders, everyone else rig the wench to blow using standard techniques of cover." He stepped onto the pad himself as was handed a metal container, his 'little black bag' of explosives. He nodded that he had possession of it and strapped it to the special hooks on his BDU. "Once that's done, we will be joining the 'Dealers on inspecting the rest of the ship. The ship is a combat zone, Standard Firing Point Procedures for contact, if something moves on that ship you blow it to hell." He grasped the scatter-gun in both hands, "The backup squads stay here unless we run into problems. Keep a lock on us at all times, just in case." Eva stepped onto the pad, and unslung her scattergun as Spider was giving the troops their orders. "Cerberus," Eva said, referring to the experimental AI in her BDU armor. [Cerberus on line.] Came the AI's response. "Tie in with Boudicca tactical systems. Give me read out of ship's tactical status and sensor read out. Place in lower right hand corner. Then up link to Captain's console, real time tactical display of marine deployment and status." [Standby. Working. Tie-in complete. Up link complete.] Spider looked over at Straton, "Ready for your go, Major." "Let's roll," Eva said, bringing her scattergun up to a ready position. She nodded the marine running the transporter. Seconds latter, she felt the transporter beam engage and the world vanished. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge – OPS Lt. Schafio - 0915) Yalta was looking at the results of the probes, they were down right scary, but so far, there was nothing in sight. She didn't know if it reassured her or not. With one hear she was listening to what was going on around her. Everyone expecting the unexpected coming from the corner, and usually the hidden corner of the mind, imagination was the place where everyone should be weary about, in this game it was better to think with the facts and detachment. Troops were ready to get inside the remain of the ship, actually, they were there already because she was reading there lifesigns now. The podds that were scattered were being retrieved quickly, one out of 4 was empty which meant that there could be people alive on what remain of the Backtron. “Captain, I have been trying to download what ever logs is in the memory core of the Backtron, I can't... it might help us know what happen to him.” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 0915) "Captain, I have been trying to download what ever logs is in the memory core of the Backtron, I can't... it might help us know what happen to him." Sevant nodded, "I'm not surprised, with all power on the ship out. The Marines will be trying a physical extraction." Stardate:2406.07.03 (SS Backtron - Main Engineering - Major 'Spider' Drizzt - 0916) Spider brought the scatter-gun up as he immediately fell to his knee and scanned the area in front of him. The ship was in pieces, and it was only running on emergency power. He had his HUD pulling in various forms of imagery to make up for the deficient light. There were obvious signs of battle damage everywhere, though there wasn't hardly enough power to even provide for a sparking conduit. Smoke hung limply in the atmosphere, this whole area had been sealed off before the ship itself had been mostly destroyed, so no air was moving anywhere. There were no obvious signs of movement, but there was debris everywhere. Spider squinted as he looked, noting the pattern of fire. All he could make out were Federation style phaser marks, there didn't seem to be much else. It didn't, in the least bit, explain the utter chaos that he was seeing here. He brought up a hand, then with his hand flat, pointed to the engineering section. It was time, they had work to do. "Angels hovering in Main Engineering," he said lightly into his mic as he moved slowly for the Core. (reply: Straton, if desired) His squad expertly spread out through the Engineering section. Half of them immediately went on guard duty, covering the backs of the rest. Two went to a computer access point with a mobile power source, to purge it. The rest of them, Spider included, were rigging the ship for utter destruction. Typically, They would have rigged the core to go critical... But the core was silent, there wasn't any anti-matter left in the ship to blow. So, they were forced to rely on other methods. Spider spun the scatter-gun around his shoulder on its strap, and grabbed at an access panel in the floor. According to the plans, one of the four fusion generators was close by for easy maintenance, that would be one thing he set to go critical immediately. With the ease that bespoke his races strength, he yanked the access panel open and looked down. The generator and its control panels were right there, at first glance it apparently was functioning at minimal power. ~Odd~ He scanned it for a second, then hopped down beside it. He took a few moments to look at the status panel, to discover why this thing wasn't operating full-blast to augment the emergency power systems. It didn't take long to discover, the coolant lines had been ruptured and it was barely maintaining its lowest level of operation before shutting down. That made it easy on Spider, nearly anything he did was have a near instant effect on the reactor. With deft movements he opened his explosives pack and pulled out a small 'tube'. The fun part was getting to the places he needed to be in full BDU. He crawled around the side of the reactor, until he got to the coolant joints, and gently squeezed some of the substance onto the joint on the under-side where it wouldn't be seen without a careful search. Once he had put several grams worth onto it, he recapped the tube and pulled a thumbs-size detonator out of his pouch - and carefully stuck it into the mass. Once he was done, he went to the reactor control systems and bypassed all the safety features, then ordered it to go to full power on remote command, and keyed it for the detonation command of the detonator. The end result would be catastrophic, and probably enough to deal with this entire segment of the ship without any other explosives from his team. He looked at the chronometer in his helmet, he had been down here four minutes. The rest of the team should be finishing up, with the exception of the Computer retrieval team. He climbed up quickly, and looked around. "Status?" =/=Done Chief=\=, =/=Finished boss=\=, =/=explosives set=\= and various other confirmations that their work was done filled his ear. The only thing that needed done was, as predicted, the core. =/=Sir, there is heavy damage to this core, it was nearly wiped out. I'm downloading what I can, as fast as I can, its gonna be another five minutes minimum.=\= Spider nodded at that, his men didn't exaggerate. If they needed five minutes, that's what it would take. "Make it quick Johnson." The Chief Combat Engineer pointed at three men, "Stay with em, the rest of you up a deck... Time to start exploring." There were no confirmations, the other members of the squad not directly involved with the core-extraction started moving for the nearest set of Jeffery tubes. Spider went to command-frequencies and said, "Explosives set major, this ship is rigged to go." (reply: if desired) Spider flung the scatter-gun back around for easy grabbing, and followed one of his men up the tube. Gravity was minimal under emergency power, it was a quick trip up. At the top rung, Spider popped his head just above to look, and only came up at the 'all clear' sign from the man who had gone before him. The Andorian quietly pulled himself through the hatch, then quickly jumped to the side as he grabbed at his scatter gun. This was one of the secondary engineering decks, a lot of rooms and hallways, monitoring stations and theoretical engineering labs. Before the attack, it had been far more deftly decorated then any Starfleet ship. Now, it was hard to recognize that there was really even a corridor here, masses of wiring and tubing hung from the ceiling. Holes had been knocked into rooms, doors were half open, or even ripped out completely. His frown was intense as the rest of his half-squad quickly took a beach-head position and scanned. =/=What could do this Major, It wasn't energy weapons... not primarily energy weapons, anyway.=\= Spider shook his head as he tracked the path of phaser shots. "Keep your eyes open, there shouldn't be survivors but watch for em. If anything so much as looks wrong, back out quick." were his only words. His grip tightened on the trigger of his weapon as he brought up a hand, and then pointed forward. Half a second later his weapon came up for cover-fire as four men jumped forward and ran for the nearest doorways. They quickly scanned the rooms themselves, then stepped just inside to provide the next layer of protection for forward moving Marines. It was going to take some time, but that was fine by Spiders thinking... This place was a battle-zone, and he didn't intend to get killed himself. Stardate:2406.07.03 (SS Backtron, Main Engineering, Major Straton, 0917) Eva materialized in a dark smoke filled part of Main Engineering, not far from Spider and his squad. She quickly scanned the area, her scatter gun leading as her squad spread out around her. "Standard search pattern," She said, into her mic, talking only to her squad. "Billings you got point." Corporal Billings nodded, brought up his weapon and moved to the lead position. Eva and his squad-mates backing him up as they moved into the darkness around them. =/=Angels hovering in Main Engineering,=/= Spider reported over the command frequency. "Acknowledged, Major," Eva replied, "When your done there, begin a standard search. Dealers moving forward now. Aft is all yours." Spider and Eva were both combat veterans. They had served together before. Saved each others life more times than either cared to remember over the years. So, Eva did not have to tell him to follow her lead. She knew he would. The ship was a mess. Eva saw signs of phaser fire everywhere. Almost as if the civilians had been firing wildly at random. Her pallas helmet compensating for the low light by enhancing what light there was, as well as using it's internal scanners to build a 3D map of the corridor ahead. Slowly and carefully Eva's squad advanced. Moving from room to room. So far the ship seemed deserted. =/=Explosives set major, this ship is rigged to go.=/= Spider said several minuets latter. "Good. How long on that computer core?" She asked speaking normally, confident that the sound would not pass through her armor to alert any potential foes. (Reply Spider) "Acknowledged. Time to see who's home." She replied before closing the connection. Her squad had come to an intersection. Debris everywhere, wires and power conduits ripped from the ceiling. Down one corridor, Eva could see debris floating lazily, indicating that the artificial gravity had failed in that section of the ship. She point to 3 men and motioned them to search one way and another 3 the way, while she lead the rest straight ahead. Rooms every few meters made the progress slow. Eva stopped and was examining a door apparently ripped open by some unknown assailant. They're were grooves gouged into the metal as if by something immensely hard and sharp. Inside the room two bodies lay, staring blankly at the ceiling. Dead from exposure. =/=What could do this Major, It wasn't energy weapons... not primarily energy weapons, anyway.=\= "Looks like something metallic ripped the doors open," She replied to Spider inquiry, "Lends some evidenced that our friends need at least line of sight on their target to use their psycic weapon. Something to keep in mind." (Reply Spider) Eva rose to her feet, and motioned her group to move on. "Baker, Collins, report." She said, referring to the two groups she had sent in different directions. =/=Found a few more of the Backtron crew, Major. Their dead.=/= Collins responded first. Eva could hear the fear in the privates voice. He had never been in combat before. Had probably never seen a real corpse before. =/=Lots of weapons fire residue here,=/= Baker said, his voice still calm and collected. =/=Looks like all Federation phaser fire. Nothing special to report.=/= "Continue search," Eva said, "Report any contacts immediately." The search continued, slowly, carefully, with every ones nerves on edge. Eva's instincts told her it was the quite before the storm. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi - 0920) Kestra had gotten the time frame for the arrival of more possible 'survivors ' from the Backtron. She was hopeing that there would be some real survivors in the next group, but, she was not so sure based on the ones she already had. "Ensign Chang, we will be having more 'survivors' coming in about thirty minutes. I want you to see to it that they are put in the quarantine area. Let me know when you have them settled then we together will examine them along with Counselor Alizara. Do you have any questions?" (Reply Chang) "Well, maybe we will come up with some as we examine them no doubt." Kestra replied to the Ensign. (Reply Chang, iyw) "I am going to go down to where they will be transported in and see first hand what the pods look like when they come in. Also, I want to see from the begining what they look like when the pods are opened." Kestra informed Chang. (Reply Chang) "Oh I will be careful Doctor Chang, believe you me." Kestra replied with a chuckle. "Dr. Troi to Security, I want to be present when the pods arrive, so, could you ensure that adequate security is present pls." Kestra asked as she tapped her combadge. (Reply any in Security) "Aye, thanks" Kestra closed the connection after confirmation was recieved. "Dr. Troi to Science, could you make sure that someone is with me when the pods arrive. I would like to get an initial opinion from your department as to whether or not they are in the same condition as the first." Kestra asked. (Reply any in Science) "Thanks I will be there just before they arrive. Troi out." She also cut the connection when they were done. "Dr. Troi to Engineering, I know that your department has examined the first pods that arrived. I don't know if you are aware that we have some others coming or not. I would like it if you could meet me where the others are when the new ones arrive and possibly tell me if they are in the same condition or not." Kestra explained what she was looking for. (Reply Engineering) "Aye, thanks. I will meet you there." This time Kestra did not have the chance to cut the connection as engineering did. She thought that engineering probably was being stretched to no end at the current time and she felt for them. Kestra went to her office to gather her medical equipment that she wanted to use when the pods arrived. She then looked around sickbay to ensure that all was moving along smoothly at the present time before moving out. Just as she was about to leave she had a thought and hit her combadge once again. "Dr. Troi to Counselor Alizara, could you meet me where the pods are arriving and help me there with the initail exam of our guests?" Kestra knew that Domini would be needed either there or sickbay but more likely both areas. (Reply Domini) "Thanks I appreciate the help" Kestra closed the connection then left sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering - ACEO Enaj - 0920) Saim was busy at a console, feeling puzzled at all these changes that had happened (it seemed someone had been doing things without her authorisation which were not particularly routine) when her com chirped. "Dr. Troi to Engineering, I know that your department has examined the first pods that arrived. I don't know if you are aware that we have some others coming or not. I would like it if you could meet me where the others are when the new ones arrive and possibly tell me if they are in the same condition or not." "Sure thing. I'll see you in a minute. "Aye, thanks. I will meet you there." Saim decided the minor mystery would have to be put aside for a while for the larger continuing mystery of the Backtron. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Dr. Kyle Rin - 09:20) =^= "Dr. Troi to Science, could you make sure that someone is with me when the pods arrive. I would like to get an initial opinion from your department as to whether or not they are in the same condition as the first." =^= "I'll make sure to be there personaly doctor, contact me again the moment you've arived at the cargo bay. Rin out." =^= "Thanks I will be there just before they arrive. Troi out." =^= Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Cargo bay - CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi - 0928) As Kestra walked to the Cargo bay, she reflected back on the unpleasant conversation she had with Domini. She still had not liked the fact that the MCO had deemed it better to have the counselor with her during her visit with the 'Survivors' than the CMO. Also resented the fact that the Counselor had not deemed it necessary to suggest that the CMO accompany them. She could not fathom the why of the whole situation being that they all were Betazoids. There was something there that no one was saying, which, Kestra surmised they thought was none of her business or they would have told her. The more she rethought the conversation the more it infuriated her. She entered the Cargo bay and saw that Saim had already arrived ahead of her. She could see the other pods that had already been worked on and were still being worked on. She tapped her combadge as she continued in, "Dr. Troi to Dr. Rin, I have arrived the Cargo bay." (Reply Rin) "Aye see you in a few then." Kestra said after listening to what he had to say then cut the connection as she walked up to Saim. "Thanks for coming Ensign Enaj, maybe we can come up with something more about this mystery when the other pods come. Another set of eyes never hurts." Kestra said as she approached him. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Cargo bay - ACEO Enaj - 0928) Saim spotted Kestra walking towards her. "Thanks for coming Ensign Enaj, maybe we can come up with something more about this mystery when the other pods come. Another set of eyes never hurts." Kestra said as she approached her. "Yes. Do you know when the shuttles should be coming in?" Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Dr. Kyle Rin - 0928) As Kyle picked up a few things for his trip to the cargo bay there came a beep from his com badge. =^= "Dr. Troi to Dr. Rin, I have arrived the Cargo bay." It was Kestra's voice informing him that had arived. "I"m on my way Doctor." "Aye see you in a few then." The com link closed and Kyle left the office, standing in the corridor he paused for a few seconds to shift the load he was carrying into some order and headed for the nearest turbolift. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Cargo bay - CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi - 0932) "Yes. Do you know when the shuttles should be coming in?" "As I was told, they should be arriving any moment." Kestra replied looking toward the other pods that were still being looked over. At that time there came a whine as if from something being beamed in and the other pods had arrived. Kestra looked over at Saim with a shrug both of them walked over to them. From what she saw at first was that they seemed to be in the same shape as the first ones had been in. Then she saw that these had a few dents in them. "Ensign look at this" Kestra said as she pointed out the dents, "You think that could have happened as they were being sent out?" (Reply Saim, any) "Hmm, ok. So, if that is the case I wonder how the 'survivors' inside are." She ran her tricorder over one of the pods to see how the person inside read. "You know, I thought one time that we needed to be in protective suits to examine these, but, there have been people here all the time since they came and nothing has happened to them." She said as she observed the others in a different light. (Reply Saim,any) "Ok well I am going to open the first of the pods to see what the condition is of the person inside is. My tricorder only shows faint traces of life." She said as she opened the first one and made an audible gasp as she looked at the person. This one a male of about five feet, nine inches she guessed. He had many abrasions and cuts that was made by something very sharp. The cuts were not jagged as in most cases but razor sharp thin lines. She looked at Saim who had the same look on her face as she did. She ran the tricorder over the individual and it showed the same readings as the ones in quarantine with the exception of the damage. "Open the rest now!" Cried Kestra as she ran to the next one. After a few minutes she estimated that half of the new 'Survivors' had been damaged by whatever possibly in a fight to get to the pods, she did not know. "Transport the 'survivors' of these pods to the quarantine area of sickbay now." She hurriedly said as she tapped her combadge. "Dr. Troi to Dr. Chang, 'Survivors' incoming to Quarantine area. See what you make of them, I will be there shortly." Kestra informed Chang as he had been waiting for them to arrive. Then turning to Saim, "See if you can find any difference from the other pods that should be reported to the Captain." (Reply Saim, any) "Good, let me also know if you find anything" Kestra said as Saim turned heading for engineering to do some analysis there of what they had found. Kestra decided that it would be best that she head back to sickbay to see if she could find anything with the help of her assistant Dr. Chang. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Cargo bay - ACEO Enaj - 0932) "Ensign look at this" Kestra said as she pointed out the dents, "You think that could have happened as they were being sent out?" "No. There seem to be the same type of scorch marks as the other pods but they seem to have reacted differently. As if the last ones got damaged in space and these got damaged sitting in the Backtron." "Hmm, ok. So, if that is the case I wonder how the 'survivors' inside are." Kestra ran her tricorder over one of the pods, "You know, I thought one time that we needed to be in protective suits to examine these, but, there have been people here all the time since they came and nothing has happened to them." She said as she observed the others in a different light. Saim nodded sagely not quite knowing what was expected of her. "Ok well I am going to open the first of the pods to see what the conditionis of the person inside is. My tricorder only shows faint traces of life." Saim leaned over Kestra's shoulder to look and wished she had not. Saim did not think of herself as sqeamish but the sight of a man, very obviously deeply cut in a very purposeful way, made her feel quite sick. "Open the rest now!" Cried Kestra as she ran to the next one. Saim decided not to see what the other members of the Backtron looked like and left Kestra to search the rest of the pods while Saim started taking readings of the crystalline scorch marks which seemed to be all the hulls. Saim deep in thought was interrupted by "See if you can find any difference from the other pods that should be reported to the Captain." "Sure thing. I'll send an engineering team down to get more readings. If you need me I'll be analysing the results in engineering, for better comparison with the data collected from the other pods. I advise you get Science to come down and check the scorch marks out. They were very interested in them the first time." "Good, let me also know if you find anything" Kestra said as Saim turned heading for engineering to do some analysis there of what they had found. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Cargo bay - COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara - 0935) Domini walked into the quarantine area as Kestra was having the survivors beamed away. "I'm sorry, I was reassuring one of the crew." She said walking up to Kestra. "Did you notice anything different in the survivors? Any kind of correlation?" She said as they headed out to sickbay. Stardate:2406.07.03 (SS Backtron, Engineering Section Deck 6 Aft, MXO 'Spider' Drizzt, 0938) Spider nodded to the CXO and pointed forward with his flat hand. Once again, his newly reformed squad moved forward in perfect choreography to take the ship room-by-room. The ship was dead quiet, only the sounds of Marines moving in their BDU's filled the corridors. They had run across a number of the crew, but all of them had been dead. Straton's squad had been at the search longer and had found a couple live ones, but they were all in the same shape as the escape-pod crew. It was disheartening, in a way, it also pissed him off something fierce. This was NOT how the Federation did things. This was the reason that they had Marines, to kick the rears of anyone who dared. Spider quelled his inner thoughts as he rushed forward, keeping his head down to minimize the target he made. He rushed passed the spot his Marines had just secured, and jumped inside another open doorway. He scanned the inside, and cursed as he saw another body. It was cold, dead, another corpse. He didn't have to check the pulse, no human could survive with a mean body temperature of 28 degrees. This ship had been without power for long enough that it was a meat-locker. Only certain parts of the ship retained its heat, thanks to several quirks of the power system and individually powered heater systems. =/=Stay sharp marines, We're not done yet and there could still be surprises on board.=\= Spider was just about to point more people forward, another leap-frog maneuver that would put them THAT Much closer to Straton's squad, when his Command Tactical HUD suddenly gave warning of outside intruders. His hand came up in a fist, telling everyone to stop and hunker down. =/=Incoming!,=\= the Major yelled into the general frequency. Spider cursed, "Angels form squad, move to Straton's position!" be bellowed himself. They started getting together and moving forward when several beams formed around them. Spider's face pulled back into a savage grimace as he brought up his scatter-gun and took a shot. Fifty small phaser-beams fired directly into something that resembled... Well... A metal spider. Still, very little could stand up to a scatter-gun at close range, the metal itsy-bitsy didn't stand a chance. "Didn't like the taste of THAT, didja!" he bellowed as he took aim at another. "We're a little harder to chew then the civilians you killed, eh!" His whole squad had, as they had trained for so long, formed a circle and were kneeling or standing at random to cover all angels. They were firing hot, taking out the enemy before they came close enough to really get a good bite. =/=ALL MARINES! ENGAGE BORG PROTOCOLS NOW! ALL WEAPONS ON RANDOM FREQUENCY ROTATION! DON'T LET THEM THING TOUCH YOU OR YOUR DEAD!=\= "Uh oh," the Andorian said to himself. He flipped the setting on his scattergun, then started spraying fire. "Move, Move, Move!" he bellowed into his mic. They weren't far from the MCO's position, they would be in a better situation when they could get together. "Borg Protocols, move in circle!" They began moving at a rapid pace, something they had practiced as Marines for ages at Paris Island... One didn't turn your back blindly to Borg Drones. The CE next to him went down without even a sound, though someone else blasted the offender before Spider could turn enough to engage it. ~One down.~ Within a minute they were just outside visual range of Straton and the Death Dealers, they weren't moving nearly as fast as he wanted too. He waved the men on, and turned to face the open corridor they had just come down, there were a number of the enemy coming down it. His HUD was alive with red 'threat' dots, there were far to many for them to overcome on their own here in this open corridor. =/=Spider! Watch your flank damn it!=\= Out of the corner of Spider's right eye, he noticed movement. That was all the warning he needed, he grabbed at a low, slung phaser with right hand, flung it out, and fired at high-power at whatever was moving. He hadn't had the time to bring the scatter-gun around. One of the metallic legs slapped his arm, slicing the armor slightly. His onboard computer told him the Nanite repair system had been activated, but he ignored that. Nothing other then that happened, he didn't die immediately. "It's just the glow-prods," he said into the mic, "Avoid touching the glow-prods!" (reply: any if desired) Spider reholstered the phaser and regripped his scatter-gun. A quick glance at it told him he had fired a forth of his energy clip, this thing was effective... But it was a power-hog. Luckily he carried a dozen more clips, the Marines made always made sure they had enough fireworks. He cursed as another Marine fell to the prod, and jumped aside himself as two of the spider-beasties came at him. =/=Alright marines! Lets punch a hole through these bastards! Concentrate fire to move toward amidships. Spider move toward us. Try to set up a cross-fire, corridor 6, junction 17.=\= "Johnson, Herrendez, cover our flank!" Spider bellowed as he fired point-blank into one of the Spider-beasties, someone else fired on the second that was intent on jumping him. "Angels, tighten the line and move in! Careful of your fire, we're moving at friendlies!" He swung the gun around, and fired randomly into the corridor, angled slightly so the fire would hit the bulkheads and walls well before it touched the incoming squad. "Move!" Stardate:2406.07.03 (SS Backtron, Engineering Section Deck 6, MCO Major Straton, 0940) The search of the Backtron was nearly complete. They were finishing searching the last few decks that remained. The CE's had finished downloading the content of the ships computer core and it had already been returned to the Boudicca for analysis. Currently Spider and his squad were in a rear section of the ship searching the last couple decks while Eva and her squad searched the fore sections of the same decks. The bodies they had found had been returned to the Boudicca for autopsies. They had only found two people on board still alive, but their were like all the other survivors found so far. Their minds gone. "Stay sharp marines," Eva said into her mic, broadcasting to all marines on board the Backtron, "We're not done yet and there could still be surprises on board." [Contact alert.] Cerberus, her suits AI, said suddenly, highlighting the tactical feed from the Boudicca on her HUD display. Eva held up a fist to stop her squad. Her eyes on the tactical feed. A ship had suddenly appeared on sensors and it had placed the Backtron smack dab between it and the Boudicca, and it was coming in very fast. The Boudicca would not be able to engage with out fear of hitting what was left of the Backtron. An obvious attack approach. "Incoming!," Eva yelled into her mic, dropping to one knee bring up her scattergun. as suddenly around her, and her squad, an alien transporter beam could be seen. Multiple contacts appeared suddenly on her HUD, they were surrounded. She quickly saw that Spider's squad was also surrounded. The unknown vessel had opened fire on the Boudicca, but Eva had her hands full and couldn't worry about that right now. They were surrounded by what appeared to be giant mechanical spiders, made of some unknown metal. One of their forelegs ended in a strange glowing rod. They charged the marines, their intent obvious. Eva opened fire as one leapt at her, blowing it to pieces, as her troops opened fire around her. In seconds an intense fire fight was underway. Eva watched as a phaser blast from a marine on her right was suddenly dispersed by an apparent force field surrounding one of the spider like things. It landed on the marine and touched him with the slightly glowing end of it foreleg. Eva was staggered, by the force of the psychic scream that filled her mind before the marine dropped to the ground his mind torn from him. "Holy Mother," Eva exclaimed, quickly switching to full broadcast. "ALL MARINES! ENGAGE BORG PROTOCOLS NOW! ALL WEAPONS ON RANDOM FREQUENCY ROTATION! DON'T LET THEM THING TOUCH YOU OR YOUR DEAD!" Eva flipped the setting on her scattergun and kept firing, a few more of the things were blown to bits as her weapon randomly changed setting not allowing them time to adapt. She noticed the things seem to be targeting her out, like they knew she was the leader. She was forced to dodge several leaps and attacks as multiple 'spider's' would attack her at once. Her troops, to their credit, also noticed this and moved to help when ever they could. "Boudicca, get us the hell out of here, or send us back up," Eva said into the comm, guessing they had their hands full at present too. =/\=Standby Major,=/\= came the curt reply. "Spider! Watch your flank damn it!" Eva yelled still firing away. (Reply Drizzt) "Collins fall back!" She cursed as she felt another psychic scream and Collins fell to the enemy. "Alright marines! Lets punch a hole through these bastards! Concentrate fire to move toward midships. Spider move toward us. Try to set up a cross-fire, corridor 6, junction 17." Stardate:2406.07.03 (Boudicca - Bridge - Captain Sevant - 0941) Sevant gripped the arm-rests of his chair and half turned as a ship suddenly appeared between the Boudicca and the Backtron. He didn't wait long enough for anyone to announce it was there, he had seen it as well as they had. "Red Alert, Evasive Maneuvers!" The alien ship was the same design they had seen earlier, meaning they knew very little about it. It was, at first glance, exceptionally fast. And if his instincts were right, then it was obviously on an attack vector. ~So much for a peaceful solution.~ he thought grimly. "Incoming Fire!" yelled the officer at Tactical. Sevant gripped his arm-rests even tighter, he waited a couple seconds and the ship shuddered horribly. The Captain's teeth pressed together, the Boudicca hadn't taken that hit well, he could tell by the shimmy. "Forward shields down to 65%!" The Vulcan waited a few more seconds for the alien ship and the Boudicca herself to move into different positions, then grinned savagely as the Backtron no longer silhouetted the alien vessel. "Tactical... Fire at will!" His ship shuddered again as the alien vessel lanced out with more energy weapons. Yalta suddenly said, "Multiple transport signatures, all over the ship!" Sevant cursed, "All hands, repel boarders!" (reply: ALL on the Boudicca) =^=Boudicca, get us the hell out of here, or send us back up,=^= came a call from the Backtron. Sevant grimaced, there wasn't a lot he could do at the moment... He also couldn't leave them there, not this early in the game. He still didn't know what they were in for, but he couldn't leave the Boudicca to suffer either. Once again, he was forced to weight the many vs the few. If he had too, he would leave them for the good of the ship, he hoped Straton knew that. "Standby Major," Sevant said shortly. He looked at the First Officer, "Send them one squad, XO, it's all we can afford. We'll send them more as we're able." (reply: Grailik) The ship shuddered once more, then fell silent as no more weapons fire fell upon her. Sevant took a quick look at the tactical scans and noticed the ship was pulling back for now, probably to protect it's own landing parties. He cursed silently, the bastards would pay! He was just standing up to give more orders when the glow of an alien transporter beam filled the room. Three spider-like creatures stood in front of his ready room, complete with metallic legs and a glowing cattle-prod of some sort. Sevant was just pulling his phaser when one of the spider-beings lanced out at a bridge-replacement, touching him with the prod. The psychic scream Sevant heard was more then enough to give him a headache, AND convince him that there would be absolutely no negotiations with this race. "No prisoners!" he bellowed as he took aim at the closest creature, and let loose with a high-power phaser blast. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Engineering - ACEO Enaj - 0941) Saim was minding her own business, seeing to the every increasing pile of repairs when out of nowhere appeared this big old shiny spider. "Security," Saim bellowed, diving towards safety before lances of energy shot towards the intruder. (Saim had not signed up to shoot.) Straight after the shots were fired however suddenly ten more appeared from a greenish transporter. Suddenly "All hands repel boarders", boomed over ship wide frequencies. ~Well at least every one knows about it~ thought Saim, crawling towards the store of weapons. She did not care if she was meant to have one or not. While the ship was being boarded she was going to protect herself. Saim saw West come out of his office. "Sir, over here," Saim shouted. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sick bay, CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi, 0942) Kestra walked into sick bay and was heading for the quarantine area when the Red Alert klaxon went off. As everyone in sick bay moved into action required by Red Alert, the ship rocked as if it had been hit by something and hit hard. Kestra was about to request what was happening from the bridge when another announcement came over the comm, =/=All Hands, Repel Boarders=/= Then she felt the Boudicca return fire as she felt it through her feet and recognized it as being in command at one time on the bridge. The Boudicca shuddered once again as another hit from something outside connected with them and Kestra knew that there would be casualties coming in at any time. "Ok people we are going to be getting casualties very soon lets be ready. Medical teams get ready to go out and render assistance where needed." Kestra started barking orders to her people and they were moving like a well oiled machine getting things going. Kestra watched and knew that they were ready for anything, and then in that same moment she knew they were not ready for anything when she heard a psychic scream. She knew that they must have reached the Backtron and whatever had attacked them. As she was moving to ensure that everyone was ready, blue lights emerged into sick bay and left three strange looking spider like things complete with metallic legs and a glowing cattle prod of a sort. Some of the nurses began to scream as the spider-like creatures started toward them. Kestra saw that one was heading for Lt. Fala, she picked up one of the microscopes that was nearby then throw at it catching it where she thought would be the head of the creature. It caught the creatures attention enough for the Lt. to run from it. "Security alert intruders in Sickbay" Kestra yelled into her combadge as she moved quickly away from it also. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sick bay, COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara, 0943) Domini was standing outside the quarantine area, mentally probing each of the new survivors and finding nothing but minor scrapes in those with a higher psi quotient and nothing in those that had none. She shook her head as she looked up, realizing she was on the floor. She heard Kestra talk about readying sickbay. Domini got up, and then held her head as several psychic screams ripped through her. Her shields had been down and she couldn't, she needed to move. As she managed to drag her shields into place, to din down the psychic babble, she looked up and saw a spider thing almost on top of her. She screamed and rolled out of the way of the metal wand that it was holding. She managed to get up and to the other side of sickbay. She hit the emergency phaser stash and grabbed two, looking around, she saw Kestra near her. ::Kestra!:: Domini cried, and when Kestra turned, Domini threw one across the intervening space. She looked down at the one in her hand, and thumbed the setting all the way up to Vaporize. She sighted her phaser on one, and fired, somehow her hand steady. She was surprised that it didn't vaporize, and only fell over. She sited on the next one, having it fall over also. She sited again and a blue force field appeared. She backed up against the wall as it turned towards her, somewhat angry that this phaser wasn't set to randomize it's beam. ::THEY ADAPT!:: She cried with all of her mental strength to the couple of telepaths on the ship. ::LIKE THE BORG!:: She ducked and grabbed another phaser, heading out of the sickbay, with a couple of other people. She saw one in a hallway, and sighted with her new phaser, knowing she would get at most, two hits out of it. This one didn't waver but kept advancing. She sited again, causing the metal spider like thing to fall. More psychic screams ripped through her skull and she knew that she wasn't going to be much help if this kept continuing. She looked around the hallway, and ran into her office. She huddled in a corner, putting her hands over her ears in an attempt to summon some kind of shield to block it all out. She felt herself black out about then, from all the pain. ::I'm going to die.:: She thought, unrealizing in her extreme pain that she was projecting as she passed out. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge- ATAC Ensign Skylynx- 0919) "Red Alert, Evasive Maneuvers!" Sevant yelled. Ryko was on the bridge, handling the tactical station and trying to suppress the urge to yell "yeehaa" and take the boudicca through a bunch of Fighter manoeuvres. "Incoming Fire!" Ryko yelled as a wave of energy seared accross the Boudicca's shields. "Forward shields down to 65%!" "Tactical... Fire at will!" Ryko smiled the first true smile since he'd left Antares III. "Music to my ears, sir," he said as he brought up a tactical analysis of the enemy. The ship shuddered again as the alien vessel lanced out with more energy weapons. Yalta suddenly said, "Multiple transport signatures, all over the ship!" Sevant cursed, "All hands, repel boarders!" Ryko manouevred the Boudicca into firing range and let loose a volley of photon torpedoes. The shining emeralds of light struck the enemy ship, dealing direct damage to its weapons. "Direct hit, enemy shields down to 53 percent!" Ryko said over the noise of sparking consoles. The ship shuddered once more, then fell silent as no more weapons fire fell upon her. Sevant took a quick look at the tactical scans and noticed the ship was pulling back for now, probably to protect it's own landing parties. A transporter beam flared and suddenly Three spider-like creatures stood in front of the captain's ready room, complete with metallic legs and a glowing cattle-prod of some sort. Sevant was just pulling his phaser when one of the spider-beings lanced out at a bridge-replacement, touching him with the prod. The psychic scream made Ryko flinch and duck, before he resurfaced from the storage locker with a phaser rifle. "Damn lucky I forgot to put this away," he said, as he moved to join Sevant. "No prisoners!" Sevant bellowed as he took aim at the closest creature, and let loose with a high-power phaser blast. The lifeform crumpled to the ground, twitching. Ryko took aim and shot the nearest creature, sending it to the floor. He went to fire on the other but the beam of his rifle was absorbed. "Shit, these things can adapt?" he yelled, as he backed off slightly. The bridge crew was panicking. Only one thing to do. Ryko charged forward, and holding the butt of the rifle in one hand, delivered a heavy blow to the creature's head. It stumbled slightly as it tried to recover, giving both the captain and Ryko more than enough time to remodulate their phasers. Both men took aim and fired. The alien was vaporised. Ryko lowered his rifle, panting, and headed back to the tactical station to tell the defending parties the news. (Reply Sevant) "All decks acknowledge," Ryko reported, still holding his rifle. "Captain, now may be a good time to bring those phaser mounts online," he said, looking at the captain, his face alight with anger. (Reply Sevant) Ryko tapped a few commands into the console. "Done," he said, setting his rifle down. He cast a glance at Yalta. She looked a little shaken. "You okay?" he asked as he approached her. (Reply Yalta) "Good, I wouldn't want you to get hurt before I have a chance to take you to dinner," he said, as he checked the status of the ship on the main cutaway display. (Reply Yalta) Ryko returned to his station and set about programming the ship's internal defences, as he waited for Sevant's orders. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - Senior-Chief Melody Haverstaad - 0944) Melody grimaced as she brought up her phaser and loosed three quick shots in succession into the upper-segment of a spider that had moved up beside her. Someone screamed off to the side as her target blasted into pieces, and another moved to take it's place. She took another couple shots, but they were absorbed by the creature. She cursed as someone else took her place and blew it to hell. She wasn't paying any more attention then that, she already had her phaser down and was running through a different frequency patterns. "No good Chief, they're eating us up!" her squad XO bellowed as he took aim at another and blasted a couple of its legs off. Melody's face was pulled back in a grimace as her side lanced pain, she had caught the sharp edge of one of the enemies legs. Her uniform was good and wet already from the gash, but she didn't have time to stop and look at it. Besides, if she hurt, she wasn't in shock... It was all good. "No choice XO, we've gotta hold em off!" she bellowed back as she flipped the phaser up and took aim down its barrel. She took two quick shots that blew one of the spiders apart before it could get a hold of an engineer, then turned her targeting and started firing at another. Her XO was right though, they just didn't have enough manpower here to stop the flood, and they had been taken too much by surprise to get much for reinforcements right away. "Withdrawal to the core!" she bellowed into the chaos, "To the CORE!" Her squad was well trained, and the Marines were also well trained, they began covering each other as they backed into a cordon around the warp core itself. Engineers were rushing everywhere, some armed, some not. The lucky ones were those that managed to get to a weapons cache or stay near the security/marine teams. The unlucky ones were laying on the ground like bags. She cursed as she jumped to the side when one more Spider jumped at her, but it was taken apart before it could reach her. Her side pulled with sharp pains, nothing to be done about it. One more spider made moves towards her general direction, she pulled her side-arm and fired for several long seconds, dismantling it with the stream of power. "Fall back!" she once again screamed into the din. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant- 0423) "Captain, now may be a good time to bring those phaser mounts online," Sevant ignored the Assistant Tactical Chief for a moment as he walked forward to the mental wreckage. He kicked a couple pieces aside, and looked at the pile. "Belay that," he said as he knelt down, "Get all internal forcefields up proto." "Done," Sevant picked up a hot piece of metal and threw it aside, looking at the main section of what had been the 'body' of the Spider. They had hit it with high power, but it hadn't been disintegrated, there were metal shards everywhere.. But there were no obvious organics. No bodies, no nothing. That didn't bode well, stunning wouldn't do much, not with machines that were adapting to their phaser frequencies. =^=Captain, Security has secured Sickbay and we are going to activate force fields to keep the area secure. I'm also going to secure Cargo bays and activate force fields around there to act as emergency shelters. A security detail is on route to the bridge however sir i'm suffering heavy casualties my own team is down to 4 from 9,=^= "Belay the team to the bridge, we have it covered. The Marines are under your command now, Commander, hop to it!" Sevant said as he stood. "Put me on speaker." he said to anyone in particular. (reply TAC/SC) "Bridge to Crew: Condition Black, Full Anti-Borg procedures. These are not aliens, these are machines, and they are reacting like the Borg in adaptation. Destroy them, take no chances, and avoid all physical contact. Bridge Out." Sevant jerked a head to the two Marines, then looked back over at the TAC/ASC. "Get yourself to the Chief, he is under heavy attack. Move!" (reply: Skylynx) "Status report." Sevant ordered, looking at his Ops officer. (reply: Schafio) Sevant looked at the Tactical display on the screen and bit back a curse. The enemy ship had pulled away out of range, and was holding. With an internal fight on their hands, he didn't want to take the Boudicca into more fire if he could help it. "They're waiting..." he said to himself darkly. He turned to the replacement on tactical, "Keep a targeting solution on them, if they come within range, hit them hard without waiting for confirming orders." The Tactical Chief nodded. "Aye, Sir!" ~If they get close enough to beam more in, should this batch fail, we will be lost.~ He turned to face the First Officer, "XO, grab a Marine and make way for the Battle Bridge double-time. If we go offline here, the ship is yours." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant- 0947) "Captain, now may be a good time to bring those phaser mounts online," Sevant ignored the Assistant Tactical Chief for a moment as he walked forward to the mental wreckage. He kicked a couple pieces aside, and looked at the pile. "Belay that," he said as he knelt down, "Get all internal forcefields up proto." "Done," Sevant picked up a hot piece of metal and threw it aside, looking at the main section of what had been the 'body' of the Spider. They had hit it with high power, but it hadn't been disintegrated, there were metal shards everywhere.. But there were no obvious organics. No bodies, no nothing. That didn't bode well, stunning wouldn't do much, not with machines that were adapting to their phaser frequencies. =^=Captain, Security has secured Sickbay and we are going to activate force fields to keep the area secure. I'm also going to secure Cargo bays and activate force fields around there to act as emergency shelters. A security detail is on route to the bridge however sir i'm suffering heavy casualties my own team is down to 4 from 9,=^= "Belay the team to the bridge, we have it covered. The Marines are under your command now, Commander, hop to it!" Sevant said as he stood. "Put me on speaker." he said to anyone in particular. (reply TAC/SC) "Bridge to Crew: Condition Black, Full Anti-Borg procedures. These are not aliens, these are machines, and they are reacting like the Borg in adaptation. Destroy them, take no chances, and avoid all physical contact. Bridge Out." Sevant jerked a head to the two Marines, then looked back over at the TAC/ASC. "Get yourself to the Chief, he is under heavy attack. Move!" (reply: Skylynx) "Status report." Sevant ordered, looking at his Ops officer. (reply: Schafio) Sevant looked at the Tactical display on the screen and bit back a curse. The enemy ship had pulled away out of range, and was holding. With an internal fight on their hands, he didn't want to take the Boudicca into more fire if he could help it. "They're waiting..." he said to himself darkly. He turned to the replacement on tactical, "Keep a targeting solution on them, if they come within range, hit them hard without waiting for confirming orders." The Tactical Chief nodded. "Aye, Sir!" ~If they get close enough to beam more in, should this batch fail, we will be lost.~ He turned to face the First Officer, "XO, grab a Marine and make way for the Battle Bridge double-time. If we go offline here, the ship is yours." Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Deck 22, outside Anti-matter Storage Bay 3 - Master Sergeant Hammond McMatthews - 0949) =/=I repeat, we are under heavy attack!=\= Hamm ignored his Squad Superior, some wet-nosed 3rd Lieutenant, he was to busy playing games of life-or-death with metallic beasties at the moment to pay anything more then passing mind. Not that the wet Lieutenant was doing a bad job, Hammond would have already dealt with that had it been true. This squad, Dennings Demons, was brand-spanking new and it was reacting as such... They were all Marines, but there was something to be said about having been together long enough that each member knew the others strengths and weaknesses. The Master Sergeant side-stepped one of the metallic monsters and was greeted with a scraping sound as one of its legs just scraped the outer-surface of his combat BDU. Faster then thought, the Marine ripped out his knife and gave a determined swipe as a glowing prod came close to him. He struck it just behind the glow, and was well satisfied when the prod broke nearly in half and the glow died. Someone else sawed into it with a type-3 phaser just as the beastie was rearing back to have another go with its legs. "Thankie laddy!" was all the Sergeant said as he stuffed the knife back into it's belt sheath and brought up his scatter-gun. "Aight my lovlies, come hea' ta daddy and get yer whoppin' like ya deserve!" His scatter-gun made a positively lovely mess of their metallic hides, this was the kind of close-quarters battle it was made for. Considering their tight locale and the fact they couldn't back the fight off into the actual Storage Bays for fear of blowing them all to hell, this was where they had to make their last stand, there was no where they could escape too. There were no less then twenty of the buggers in the immediate area, and most of them were pressing them from the two sides of the corridor they could come across. The 3rd Lieutenant, Dennings, had taken the Sergeants advice and split the squad in two with their backs to the corner so they could easily reinforce each line as holes opened up, but even so they were being pressed hard... Already five of their number had dropped in the mass-suicidal attacks of these spider-beasties. Another scream ripped through his helmet as a man on the port line fell, followed quickly by the blasted body of a spider as it was taken out. Ham grit his teeth and continued bellowing taunts to the enemy. "Come on out'n fight like men!" he bellowed as one got particularly close to him before being blasted into a dozen pieces by the power of his scatter-gun. He grunted his happiness at that shot, then turned his gun to face another that was moving swiftly at him. "Have at ye!" he bellowed as he fired a full blast into it... And croaked as the fire did nothing in particular to him. With the swiftness of trained years at combat he started pulling his sidearm, but he wasn't quick enough. He tried dodging the glowing prod, but also wasn't quick enough. It touched his armor, and for half a moment he fancied that he felt heat in every place where the armor had metal connects to his skin. Then, all fancy was gone as his head literally felt like exploding from the inside out. The scream that formed on his tongue didn't have time to form as he fell to his knees, and he didn't feel when his body fell to the floor and the metallic shell fell on top of him. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca - Deck 22, outside Anti-matter Storage Bay 3 - Master Sergeant Hammond McMatthews - 0949) =/=I repeat, we are under heavy attack!=\= Hamm ignored his Squad Superior, some wet-nosed 3rd Lieutenant, he was to busy playing games of life-or-death with metallic beasties at the moment to pay anything more then passing mind. Not that the wet Lieutenant was doing a bad job, Hammond would have already dealt with that had it been true. This squad, Dennings Demons, was brand-spanking new and it was reacting as such... They were all Marines, but there was something to be said about having been together long enough that each member knew the others strengths and weaknesses. The Master Sergeant side-stepped one of the metallic monsters and was greeted with a scraping sound as one of its legs just scraped the outer-surface of his combat BDU. Faster then thought, the Marine ripped out his knife and gave a determined swipe as a glowing prod came close to him. He struck it just behind the glow, and was well satisfied when the prod broke nearly in half and the glow died. Someone else sawed into it with a type-3 phaser just as the beastie was rearing back to have another go with its legs. "Thankie laddy!" was all the Sergeant said as he stuffed the knife back into it's belt sheath and brought up his scatter-gun. "Aight my lovlies, come hea' ta daddy and get yer whoppin' like ya deserve!" His scatter-gun made a positively lovely mess of their metallic hides, this was the kind of close-quarters battle it was made for. Considering their tight locale and the fact they couldn't back the fight off into the actual Storage Bays for fear of blowing them all to hell, this was where they had to make their last stand, there was no where they could escape too. There were no less then twenty of the buggers in the immediate area, and most of them were pressing them from the two sides of the corridor they could come across. The 3rd Lieutenant, Dennings, had taken the Sergeants advice and split the squad in two with their backs to the corner so they could easily reinforce each line as holes opened up, but even so they were being pressed hard... Already five of their number had dropped in the mass-suicidal attacks of these spider-beasties. Another scream ripped through his helmet as a man on the port line fell, followed quickly by the blasted body of a spider as it was taken out. Ham grit his teeth and continued bellowing taunts to the enemy. "Come on out'n fight like men!" he bellowed as one got particularly close to him before being blasted into a dozen pieces by the power of his scatter-gun. He grunted his happiness at that shot, then turned his gun to face another that was moving swiftly at him. "Have at ye!" he bellowed as he fired a full blast into it... And croaked as the fire did nothing in particular to him. With the swiftness of trained years at combat he started pulling his sidearm, but he wasn't quick enough. He tried dodging the glowing prod, but also wasn't quick enough. It touched his armor, and for half a moment he fancied that he felt heat in every place where the armor had metal connects to his skin. Then, all fancy was gone as his head literally felt like exploding from the inside out. The scream that formed on his tongue didn't have time to form as he fell to his knees, and he didn't feel when his body fell to the floor and the metallic shell fell on top of him. Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca – Sickbay, CMO office – OPS Lt. Schafio – 1000) Yalta had she relax on the biobed and let the nurse do some exams about where was her wound look at what was going on with Ensign Wolfgaard. The usual stuff but once it was over, the Doctor turn toward her and didn't expect this. "Ok Lt. Let's go into my office as what I need to talk to you about is not for out in the main bay." She told her as she started to walk in direction of her office. "Nurse Fala, I will be in my office with the Lt. Don't bother us unless it is an emergency." Nurse Fala nodded her acknowledgment and Kestra knew she needed nothing else. They both walked into her office and the Lt. shut the door behind her. "Please Lt. Have a seat over here." Kestra said as she walked over to the couch. Yalta sat wondering what was going on. Was there a bad news. “Is there anything wrong?” "Well, what this is about is that I have some concern as to what you have said earlier today." Kestra said as they both got comfortable on the couch. “What I said, I don't see where you are going.” She look at Kestra with surprise. "What I am told is that you said earlier before you were incapacitated was that you had the indication that there was a ship attached to the bottom of the Boudicca. I was wondering what was it that gave you that indication." Kestra explained. “It wasn't attached, it was just under the ship, and I'm not even sure it was a ship, but it might be.” "Oh, so, the Ensign was wrong in what he thought you said?" Kestra asked now thinking that maybe she got her information wrong. “I barely heard what he said, but probably. What I saw was a reading that there was something underneath the Boudicca.” "Well, in that case you had best talk to the Captain as I believe he reported it to him. I know that I am not the counselor, but, I was one for a long period. If you need anything, talking, listening, and Counselor Alizara can not help you, please feel free to come see me." Kestra finished and waited to see if there was anything that the Lt. would like to say. “I'm alright, if there is I will come and see you... I was just surprised by an opponent that is stronger then I am obviously. I had sent a report about the incident of yesterday this morning to the captain. I didn't hear from him so I presume that everything is alright. I just need to get back to work. For sickbay, do you need anything about materials and such?” (reply from Troi) “I will see what I can do.” Stardate:2406.07.03 (USS Boudicca, Sick bay, CMO Lt. Commander Kestra Troi, 1000) Kestra heard the reply from Lt Bush that he was on his way, but, had other things to worry about than to reply. She had too many spider-like creatures in her sick bay and too many people to worry about. She continued to dodge the creatures and trying to get all her people out before they were victims. Out of the blue, she heard someone call her name in her mind. ::Kestra!:: She recognized it as Domini and she looked around just in time to catch something she had thrown. She looked down and saw that it was a phaser, she had no time to figure out where in the world Domini would have gotten one. As far as she knew, there were no weapons in sickbay and if there are then she will make sure they are taken out after this was over. She did not like having weapons in her sickbay even though she could use one she really did not like to. ::THEY ADAPT!:: Kestra heard Domini again, ::LIKE THE BORG!:: Domini had yelled it in her mind so loud that it had drowned out most of the other sounds that Kestra was receiving, but, her shield held. She had always had her shield up and the psychic screams she was receiving had not penetrated them only enough for her to acknowledge them. Ever since her battle with the Alternate Vanyssa her shield strength and abilities had risen, but, she had not liked it. Kestra felt Domini leave sickbay as her presence was no longer close by. She figured that she would be heading to her own office. A few moments later Kestra received one more projection from Domini, ::I'm going to die.:: Kestra could feel the extreme pain that Domini was in, but, at that time she was unable to go to her aid. Kestra watched as one of the creatures was carrying one of her ensigns out of sick bay. She was about to head toward them to help when she heard the voice of Lt. Bush. "PUT HIM DOWN NOW!" Lt. Bush shouted from outside. She knew that the creatures would not comply. She did not know if it was from not understanding or pure arrogance. She then heard screams from, she guessed, the men that were evidently being hit from another group of creatures. Then an all out battle ensued and Kestra started to move around sick bay to get ready for the injured hopefully. She hoped that Lt. Bush and his men would prevail with minimal injuries, but, with what she saw from the creatures, she know differently. After what seemed like ages, she finally heard Lt. Bush once again, "Get them to sickbay," just as several creatures materialized again in Sick bay. Kestra set her phaser on random since Domini had said that they were like Borg. Kestra knew that the Borg were able to adapt to the weapons fire on them quickly. Once she had set it, she started firing at the nearest one, which, vaporized instantly. Then Lt. Bush and his men, that were left over, burst into sick bay to start firing at the other creatures left. They soon cleared the room of all creatures to Kestra's relief. "Commander, im going to leave my security detail here and I have casualties, "William stated to the her. "Absolutely" she responded to him and started to look at the men that were brought in. "Put them on the beds now!" She waved at her staff to come over to help. "Lt. Bush, the counselor headed out I believe headed for her office. Please check in on her to see if she needs help. Also, if you would let the captain know what has happened, I would be thankful while we work on your men." Kestra asked then turned back to the wounded men. She saw that her team had started working on each one of them and hoped that they would be able to save all of them. Stardate:2406.07.03 (Boudicca – Counsellor's Office – COUNS Dr. Domini Alizara - 1011) Domini felt something warm touch her, someone saying her name. The screams were still tearing through her, and it made her want to go and hide. There was concern, and the concern was warm, and good, and everything that these monsters weren't. She tried to focus on the voice, to wake up, and her eyelids fluttered a bit. Her brow furrowed and she woke up to see the quite handsome security chief bent over her, two fingers on her neck. "Oh." She said, blushing quite red. The blush didn't quite go with her fair skin and blond hair, though. She accepted his hand, sitting up against the wall. She waited for the obvious question to come, about what happened.