Exeter Compile 19 Dates: October 8, 2020 to October 14, 2020 Mission: The Flames of Purity, Day 16 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 16 Stardate: 2445.09.16 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0820) ( USS Exeter -Bridge, CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams- 08:45) (USS Exeter - Bridge – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0847) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 0848) (USS Exeter – Cargo Bay – Engineer – Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0849) ( USS Exeter - Sickbay - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 08:50 ) ( USS Exeter - Deck 8 - Security Office - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 08:54 ) (Uss Exeter - Corridor- ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford .08:56) (USS Exeter - Deck 8 - Tactical department - aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok - 0859) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0859) (Uss Exeter deck 8 security office -ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford 09:01) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0901) (USS Exeter - Sickbay – Nurse – Ewan McDonald - 0903) ( USS Exeter - Security Office Deck 8 - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:03 ) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Computer Ops Officer- Ensign Sg. Zot– 0903) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0905) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford 16 09:05) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0907) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and RSE Director Ashlyn Williams - 0908) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:08) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0908) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office - Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 09:09 ) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – 2O/CEO Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0909) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0911) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:12) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Computer Ops Officer- Ensign Sg. Zot– 0913) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room –Engineer - Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0915) (USS Exeter- Personal Quarters - ACFO, Ensign SG Ronnie Winters -0930) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - Ensign Benedict Wetherby - 0934) (USS Exeter Bridge –CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0945) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8- Chief tactical officers office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:46) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:46 ) (USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - Ensign Rylee Page - 0948) (USS Exeter Bridge –aACSO Benedict Wetherby - 0948) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay– CFO- Lieutenant – Ire Williams- 0951) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay, Broken Bow Command Compartment– Strat OPS, Ensign SG Billy Alexander -0953) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay - Ensign Jg Rylee Page - 0955) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:56) (USS Exeter – Shuttlebay - Shuttle Michaelangelo - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 0957) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay- Tactical Officer, Ensign SG Cade Blackwell Jr. - 0958) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:59) (Gamma Quadrant, Open Space – Survival Pod Alpha - CSO – Dr. Fave Itel – 1007) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Begin Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 16 Stardate: 2445.09.16 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0820) "We're going as fast as we can Lieutenant, and there is at least one other ship out there that wants us dead. In the meantime, you've got homework. I want you analyzing that energy build up and figure out what the hell it is." Taking a breath, Erin nodded and replied, simply, “Yes, Sir.” ~Homework? Really?~ she thought to herself as she turned back to her console and began to try to figure out what the hell was going on where Ailynn was. ( USS Exeter -Bridge, CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams- 08:45) =/\=Vespers to Bridge, Captain, I believe it would be best to have Mrs Williams remain here in sickbay, I know you're concerned but she's been through a rough time and I would strongly urge you to reconsider and keep her in Sickbay.=/\= "I get that Doctor, I won't keep her long." Trip replied. He was being selfish, sure. But the other officers whose loved ones or friends had returned were in a position to go see them, Trip was not. He wanted to see her, he wanted to make sure that she was ok. See her with his own eyes. "With the greatest of respect Captain, as her physician I am requesting in strongest possible terms she remain in Sickbay" "Doctor, I promise, she will be back down before you know it. You don't need to worry." (reply Gabe) "I understand your position here Dr. Vesper. It's just, please let me have this one favor. Let me have this one moment of....." Trip looked around the bridge as everyone was essentially hearing this conversation, it was a bit awkward and he was slightly embarrassed, "one moment of vulnerability." (reply Gabe) "Thank you Doctor, I promise to send her back as soon as possible." (reply Gabe) (USS Exeter - Bridge – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0847) (USS Exeter - Bridge – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0847) Trip then looked at Lieutenant Merek, "We'll probably need some tech support on the ground, especially with whatever they're plotting. Merek put together a team with Cortez, Vosi, Zot, and whoever else you think you might need." With her friend Erin being right there, and a nod from her, Keira knew she was ready to go. While the CSO summoned her replacement at the console, Keira assembled the rest of the away team, she tapped her combadge, “Merek to Vosi and Zot, assemble for an away team briefing in Engineering conference room, we’ve got a little time for planning” (Reply Vosi, Zot) “I’m bringing current readings, and we’ll do some planning from there. See you both in ten, Merek out.” She finished closing the channel. (Reply Weatherby) “Yes, I was just about to ask you. Please, transfer all your readings down to the Engineering conference room.” Keira asked. (Reply Weatherby) “Thank you.” Keira said as she got up and followed the pair to the turbolift. Walking to the turbolift, Erin nodded to Ravok and Merek as they stepped inside. Standing to one side, Erin closed her eyes for a brief second as Ravok stopped the turbolift and spoke, “I say this in the most serious way possible. I don't want either of you worrying about me. Worry about your teams and yourselves, complete the mission and come home in one piece" Smiling softly, Erin looked at her dear friend, “Lieutenant, the same could be said for yourself. Don’t worry, i’ll bring her home safe for you.” (Reply Vosi, Zot, Weatherby & Ravok, Cortez if you want) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 0848) Erin knew that people around her were talking and orders were being issued but she didn’t hear the first set. Her mind and focus were trying to figure out what the energy build up was, what it meant and what was going on. ~Come on, girl. You can figure this out. Take a deep breath and remember what Professor Bournville said back at the Academy. Every problem has a solution, it might take a while to figure it out but there is always a pathway.~ Tapping her fingers on the console, Erin rubbed her forehead with her free hand as Trip’s voice broke through her concentration, "We'll probably need some tech support on the ground, especially with whatever they're plotting. Merek put together a team with Cortez, Vosi, Zot, and whoever else you think you might need." Looking over at Merek, Erin nodded that she had understood, stood from her console and tapped her combadge, “Cortez to Wetherby” =/\= Wetherby here =/\= “Report to the Bridge, you’re on point duty.” =/\= Understood, Ma’am. =/\= Walking to the turbolift, Erin nodded to Ravok and Merek as they stepped inside. Standing to one side, Erin closed her eyes for a brief second as Ravok stopped the turbolift and spoke, “I say this in the most serious way possible. I don't want either of you worrying about me. Worry about your teams and yourselves, complete the mission and come home in one piece" Smiling softly, Erin looked at her dear friend, “Lieutenant, the same could be said for yourself. Don’t worry, i’ll bring her home safe for you.” (Reply Ravok, Merek, any) (USS Exeter – Cargo Bay – Engineer – Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0849) It had taken a bit longer than Galu reconnected to return the cargo transports back to normal as well as fix the damage that had been cause during the fight. =^=Merek to Vosi and Zot, assemble for an away team briefing in Engineering conference room, we’ve got a little time for planning=^= Galu paused for a moment with his arm deep in a hatch by the side of the control consol. “Understood Sir. I will be there.” =^=I’m bringing current readings, and we’ll do some planning from there. See you both in ten, Merek out=^= He nodded to himself as he finished what he was doing pulled his arm back out and replaced the cover. “How are you doing over there Kryx?” (Reply Kryx) “Okay I am finished here. I better head back to engineering and see what crazy plan the senior staff have though up. I will see you later.” (Reply Kryx) He grinned and picked up his case and headed for the cargo bay door. ( USS Exeter - Sickbay - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 08:50 ) Stan was taken aback by how polite Nix was. He had been expecting a tirade of abuse. “ If you do need any help. Just ask.” Stan replied "Anyways, thanks for helping out kid. But if its alright with you, I think I need to go find myself a fresh uniform that isn't covered in vomit." “ I understand.... poor Doc. I do hope he will be alright.” Stan said As Nix began walking toward the door he turned to More, "Listen kid, you got a lot of heart and a lot of potential. Don't waste it." “ I won’t,” Stan scratched his bearded chin and thought. ~ Now want on Bonny Scotland did that mean ?~ More wondered to himself. =/\= “Tactical relief to the bridge...Ensigns More , Sleeford report to the deck 8 security officers immediately"=/\= “ On my way. More oot.” ( reply Sleeford) ( USS Exeter - Deck 8 - Security Office - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 08:54 ) Stan arrived and seeing that not everyone had arrived. He began fiddling with his hand Phaser again. More heard the doors open and was surprised to see Vespers. "Reporting as ordered".The Doctor winced as he sat down. “ Doctor are yee Ok? “ ( Reply , Vesper ) “ Och that’s good ta hear. This..... oh just doing a few tweaks to my Phaser. For some reason the beam is not firing straight it’s off by 1%.” Stan said (Uss Exeter - Corridor- ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford .08:56) Sleeford walked at the rear of the small group heading to the temporary medical facility in the main cargo bay, not entirely trusting the cultists captives to do something stupid he had his hand held loosely by his side. Entering the bay he stepped to the side and motioned for the two other officers to carry on with the detail. Watching as the group was moved to the biobeds and the waiting medics. As they where being dealt with, Sleeford placed the phaser in the clip on his belt. As he stood and idly watched the proceedings he felt the vibration of his badge. .”Ensigns More , Sleeford report to the deck 8 security officers immediately” Tapping his badge Sleeford replied. “ Understood, on my way.” Nodding to the two security officers Sleeford left and headed for the security office. (USS Exeter - Deck 8 - Tactical department - aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok - 0859) Made his way to the security offices along the way he stopped. He was hesitant to call Lieutenant Foxglove . Not of dislike for her but because something about her and intelligence officers in general, made him feel uneasy. ~ She's like a fly on the wall. She's probably already waiting for me.~he thought as he tapped his commbadge. "Lieutenant Foxglove, This is Lieutenant Ravok. Could you please meet me in the deck 8 security offices for an away team briefing" he paused slightly. " The away team that I'm leading to the surface." He said as he winced. ( reply foxglove) " See you soon Si.. Lieutenant... , Ravok out" ~ Sir? Lieutenant? Same rank but she is the third officer, but I'm leading the away team. So does that make me the boss temporarily?~ " STOP IT! " He yelled at himself. A few passing members of the crew looked at him. His face turned slightly green with embarrassment. He gave a gentle and subtle nod to them and continued on his way to meet with the team. ( reply foxglove) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0859) As the assigned personnel filtered in the smaller conference room with no windows, Keira began to speak. “Thank you for being prompt.” She started. “I did some digging and the planet we are going to was one of the planets chosen by the Vedek Assembly for a post Dominion War Shrine to the Prophets on the Gamma quadrant side of the Wormhole. You can reference DS9 log 2 – 26, Stardate 2370.06.02 if you want the fine details of the original mission. The site was chosen as a candidate because it was one of the planets the Bajoran Emissary Captain Sisco had stepped foot on that same year. It was not chosen because it still technically belongs to the Dominion, though they have made no effort to further develop the planet since that year.” (Reply any) “Sensors indicate no Dominion presence in orbit or on the planet. No Ships and no settlements. You are correct though it is the Captain’s call, and it’s our job to give him options. If I know the Captain as well as I think I do, he’s already planned on crossing that line. With one of his best officers and a whole planet, maybe the sector and two quadrants in the balance, I’d put real money on some mission going forward.” (Reply Any) “Our science department has done a thorough job of scanning the planet from this distance.” Keira spoke as she pulled up the scan results they had and threw them up on the display hologram on the center of the table. The display used a standard Starfleet cartography, green for vegetation, blue for water white for manufactured structures, brown for non-vegetative elevated terrain. A small planet appeared with mostly vegetation on the surface and just under 50% surface water, and some mountainous terrain. She zoomed in on a particular area on the globe, which replaced the globe with a map like three dimensional representation of what was the area in question. A small white structure mostly completed shrine with living quarters attached could be seen in the middle of the display. Off the back of the structure but still on the grounds of the building three energy signatures could be seen, one pink and domed to one side, one dark blue piece of machinery with an antennae or dish pointed skyward, and one very small red one under two meters tall oblong and vertical between the other two and a bright crimson color. Over the entire section of it a very large circular area cast a cyan shade over everything in the area. She pointed to each in turn, “Temple, maybe a dozen life signs. Energy shield, maybe a cell, one life sign. Maybe a communications array or possibly a weapon of sorts. The shaded area is likely a transport inhibitor field, but what is that?” She asked pointing to the last smallest volume energy signature but not the lowest, not by a long shot. (Reply any, Cortez, Vosi, Zot) (Uss Exeter deck 8 security office -ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford 09:01) Walking into the office Sleeford saw that Vespers and More already there, watching as More was fiddling with a hand held. “Stan we have an armoury Officer for that” ( Reply More) Shaking his head, Sleeford grabbed a seat. “Who are we waiting for?” (Reply Vespers and More) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0901) “Thank you for being prompt.” Galu looked over at Merek when as she started to speek. “I did some digging and the planet we are going to was one of the planets chosen by the Vedek Assembly for a post Dominion War Shrine to the Prophets on the Gamma quadrant side of the Wormhole. You can reference DS9 log 2 – 26, Stardate 2370.06.02 if you want the fine details of the original mission. The site was chosen as a candidate because it was one of the planets the Bajoran Emissary Captain Sisco had stepped foot on that same year. It was not chosen because it still technically belongs to the Dominion, though they have made no effort to further develop the planet since that year.” He looked down at the PADD that he had received and saw the header in the index “Are there any signs of the Dominion Sir?” (Reply any) “Sensors indicate no Dominion presence in orbit or on the planet. No Ships and no settlements. You are correct though it is the Captain’s call, and it’s our job to give him options. If I know the Captain as well as I think I do, he’s already planned on crossing that line. With one of his best officers and a whole planet, maybe the sector and two quadrants in the balance, I’d put real money on some mission going forward.” “Yes Sir.” (Reply Any) “Our science department has done a thorough job of scanning the planet from this distance.” Galu watched as Merek put the scan results on the holographic display table in front of them. ~Ow this is going to be interesting~ he though as he looked that information that was displayed. “Temple, maybe a dozen life signs. Energy shield, maybe a cell, one life sign. Maybe a communications array or possibly a weapon of sorts. The shaded area is likely a transport inhibitor field, but what is that?” Gaku squinted at the display. ~Another power source but why would they bring another one, its small but producing energy, explosive device but why would it be powered~ “I don’t know sir, but it is drawing a lot of power?” (Reply Cortez, Merek, Zot) (USS Exeter - Sickbay – Nurse – Ewan McDonald - 0903) "Not sure who's going to regret that the most." She muttered under her breath as she approached one of the new Doctors that had arrived. Ewan nodded as he caught the end of the conversation. “I would not want to get on her bad side.” (reply Silvine IYW) He watched as the doors closed behind the whirl wind that was Ashlyn Williams. ~Don`t want to be anywhere near her when she goes off on one~ He stepped over to the Doctor who he had picked out to help him. “Doctor.” The Doctor turn and looked at him. “Yes what?” ~Okay~ “As you can see we are full and I a Doctor`s authorization to start discharging the non-critical patients or at least move the ones that can to their quarters.” He watched as the Doctor frowned at him. “That`s a job for the Interns why are you bothering me with his.” As if on que one of the interns came past heading for the linin closet with something that looked like vomit down his front. ~Ow no~ “Doctor I think that the Interns have a lot to do as well. All I need you to do is to look at these medical charts and confirm their release.” He offered the PADD to the Doctor who huffed, took it and began reading. ~Its heartening to know that even the mighty Starfleet has its share of irritating people~ (Reply Silvine, any in room) ( USS Exeter - Security Office Deck 8 - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:03 ) Stan smiled at Vesper and continued to fiddle with the Phaser. He had removed the power pack so he would not end up shooting himself. As he worked on the firing end of the weapon. He heard the doors opening. He “Stan we have an armoury Officer for that” More looked up and smiled. “ That’s true and I have nay problem there. But yer see Starfleet regulations say that these wee beasties firing accuracy. Is fine and dandy at 99%. I feel that missing 1% however is the cross between. Stopping yer target hurting someone or missing any vital organs. So they can continue to hurt our friends.” Stan replied as he continued to tinker. Out of the corner of his eye. He saw Sleeford sitting down. “Who are we waiting for?” “ A few others and the boss. Yer know funny as it seems. I have not yet met Lieutenant Ravok.” Stan said putting the Phaser to his eye. (Reply Vespers , Sleeford) “ Nay dinna worry yer selves. I took the power pack oot. She canna hurt me. Och this lens is well dirty. No wonder me aim was off.” Stan replied (Reply Vespers , Sleeford) “ Eye I have heard that. But in this instant it was the tool that was bad. Just look at this wee thing.” Stan said showing them the lens. (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Computer Ops Officer- Ensign Sg. Zot– 0903) Zot listened closely. He had the audio implants in his ears, he used a small wrist mounted device to control its settings . Having the audio device turned all the way up he was able to hang onto every detail spoken by the Chief Engineer. He listens as the others spoke, offering their input and questions about more possible threats, perhaps even a dominion resurgence. Lieutenant Merek remarked on the science departments ongoing efforts to scan the planet to the best of their abilities thus far. "The shaded area is likely a transport inhibitor field, but what is that?” She asked,pointing to the last smallest volume energy signature. Ensign Zot stood and leaned forward, tilting his head. Without even asking he reached his hands forward toward the hologram and used his fingers to expand the holographic image and zoom in on its volume, its size and started grabbing various parts of the holographic image and began expanding those. All while keeping the small but powerful energy volume stationary. He was comparing the images in detail at a fast speed. " Sir, I predict the energy signature is contained to an area roughly about the size of a humanoid. " Ensign Zot said. ( reply any ) " That is correct, that much energy should not be able to be inside of a humanoid. But cross referencing the energy signature at various timestamps shows that it is mobile and by comparison to the other fixed structures. It is only rational to assume that there is a being on the planet capable of emitting high level energy." He stopped and turned toward Lieutenant Merek. " Is this a Pah-wraith?" He asked with curiosity and a almost childlike ignorance. He had read about them and given the current situation perhaps this cult had one, or the Pah- wraith had a cult. ( reply Merek or any) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0905) “Where’s my niece?” Trip turned and watched as his wife strolled onto the bridge. He was filled up with emotion and joy, he could feel the same emanating from her. It took everything he had to not collapse with the tears of joy right then and there on the bridge. It took most of his will power to not melt into a puddle of emotions. He could feel her, every emotion, every bit of love they shared. "Now, now Mrs. Williams. You know its not protocol to give information on ongoing operations to civilian personnel." Trip said with a smile. With a sigh he continued, "And might I say goodmorning to you Mrs. Williams." Trip chuckled. “Morning dear, busy day?” "Busy wouldn't begin to describe it." Trip then turned and looked at Billy. "Ensign Alexander you have the bridge." "Aye sir." Came Billy's reply as Trip and Ash moved into the ready room. (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- ACTO Ensign Paul Sleeford 16 09:05) Sitting Sleeford picked up a PADD and began compiling a load out for the away mission, not knowing what to expect made it difficult, he had a rough idea of what, which made him slightly nervous. Looking across as More answered his question.  “A few others and the boss. Yer know funny it seems. I have not yet met Lieutenant Ravok.” Stan said putting the Phaser to his eye. Smiling at Mores antics Sleeford pondered the question, he’d not known Ravok all that long, the odd nod on the Mars base, the hand over comments, he found him to be fair. “To be honest Stan, I don’t know him that well, he’s been fair in my dealings with him, I have no problem with him. Doctor you’ve known him longer.” (Reply Vespers) Looking at More playing with the phaser Sleeford shook his head. “ He’s not that bad you have to shoot your self “ “ Nay dinna worry yer selves. I took the power pack oot. She canna hurt me. Och this lens is well dirty. No wonder me aim was off.” Stan replied Looking across at Vespers, Sleeford laughed, “ Doctor, what’s that old expression about a workman and his tools” (Reply Vespers ) “ Eye I have heard that. But in this instant it was the tool that was bad. Just look at this wee thing.” Stan said showing them the lens. (Replies Vespers, More iyw) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0907) As soon as the two were alone Trip pulled Ash into the biggest hug he could muster and began weeping tears of joy. It was if over the last 12 hours he had done everything he could to remain serious, calm, composed, collected was finally lifted. He no longer had to keep that brave face, he no longer had to hold back the emotions. The dam was temporarily broken, "Oh Sugar Bear, I missed you so much. I'm so glad you are safe." (reply Ash) He released the hug. "Sorry, I've been holding back so much. I'll just blame it on the implant." (reply Ash) "Are you ok? Did they hurt you? How's the baby? Any complications?" Trip then began asking the overreacting questions. He just was happy she was home, but they still needed to rescue Ailynn and Ryelle. (reply Ash) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams and RSE Director Ashlyn Williams - 0908) "Oh Sugar Bear, I missed you so much. I'm so glad you are safe." Ash felt herself glow in the embrace. He released the hug. "Sorry, I've been holding back so much. I'll just blame it on the implant." Ash pulled her husband into an embrace, she worried very very deeply about a lot of what was going on. She utterly trusted her sister, and even more so Ailynn, in whose hands she would place her life countless times over. But the implant tech set her water on edge, the ancient part of her brain didn’t like it. Pulling his head into her chest in a deep embrace, Ash kissed the top of his head. “Don’t you ever hold back from me baby. I’m not that same stupid kid, I never was that kid, You share with me dammit, no matter how painful to your pride it may be.” “It’s fine baby, I just had to hold back all the worry all the anxiety, all the sorrow, and do my job. It’s hard wearing that mask, and I realize now why so many Stafleet Officers never marry. But…. I wouldn’t change our family for the world. As painful as days may be...It’s better with you in it. I’m so glad we got you home.” “More fool them. Everyone needs a someone. A...person at home. It may be man...woman...whatever, but baby...You can’t do your job without talking to me? Honeycakes...you know you talk in your sleep yeah?” “Do I?” “And I worry, but in the morning you give me that smile, and that hug, and tell me you’re okay.” “So what do I say in my sleep?” “That...Captain...is need to know….” She pulled him into a hug. “And you don’t. It's okay. I’m...your support.” “I love you, you know. This adventure...would be a little less without you.” Ashlyn twinkled as she smiled, her cadence of speech unnaturally reserved. “So there is more..I...didn’t feel too great on the other ship, Vesper scanned me.” "Are you ok? Did they hurt you? How's the baby? Any complications?" Trip then began asking the overreacting questions. He just was happy she was home, but they still needed to rescue Ailynn and Ryelle. “H’oookayy. One at a time there Captain.” Ash smiled, her soul melding once more to Trips presence. “The baby is fine. I'm horribly morning sick and other than Vesper being a pain, Which I love him for, he’s a lovely passionate Doctor. I’m fine baby.” “Gabe certainly is something else. Sometimes its hard to believe that he and Ailynn are related. Other times it is very easy to see.” Trip paused, “Wait a minute, I guess he knows huh? I guess I kinda told the bridge crew too. Guess the secrets out.” “I’m afraid so, but you mentioned complications?” “It was just a question of...well I guess paternal concern. Well that’s a new one for me.” Trip said with a smile as he backed away and placed his hand on Ash’s stomach. Ashlyn tilted her head, glowing in the moment, her entire body feeling alive, her entire being encapsulating the happiness that she felt. Lifting up, she pulled him into her, and whispered into his ear. Quietly nodding, biting her bottom lip, and leaning back on his desk. She nodded gently. “So how certain?” “I know.” She whispered. Two words heard only to themselves, once more she pulled him toward her. The closest of embraces. “I love you honey.” “Elephant in the room...his name. Ummm, I kind of have a request.” “Sooo. We’re doing this now...Of course honey.” “See ever since the first of the Williams clan to enter Starfleet, Andrew Michael Williams the first, each of the first born son of the first born son bore the name of the father, up until the third. Then once they got to the third, they switched to a different name. Usually some combination of James, Michael, Andrew, and Gabriel.” Ashlyn smiled gently, listening as he spoke. “So, I’m the third, so in theory, I should name the kid something else right? But as I connected more and more with my dad and gramps over the last year, and realized how proud I am to carry on their legacy, well I want to buck tradition, and start a new line. So might I suggest, James Andrew Williams the Fourth? But with a twist. My Gramps was James, dad was Duke, I’m Trip. Why not call him Drew, after Captain Drew Williams, my ancestor, the first Williams in Starfleet. If that’s ok with you. I promise, we can name the next kid after someone your family. Like Veronica Kadaya if its a girl.” Ash pursed her lips, amused. “Next time? Lets get this one here first with all the changes that he will bring. “Yeah,” Trip said with a soft sigh, as if this little reprieve’s bubble was popped and he remembered he had two crewmembers still missing. She hugged him again, and kissed his cheek. “Now, I’d better get back to sickbay. You...bring my family home.” “I will.” He said with a smile. “Love you” Minutes later Ashlyn stepped back into sickbay, waved at the nurse she had seen earlier, and lay back on the biobed that she had been put on. She hadn’t realised how tired she was until that moment, and quickly drifted off to sleep. As Trip returned to the bridge and sat down in the command chair his eyes seemed more determined, His biggest fear lifted, his wife and unborn child safe. He was going to have a son, and he couldn’t wait to meet him. But now, now that the one thing holding him back was back on board and he no longer had to worry about Ash and little Drew, his eyes flashed a steeley resolve. Play time was over. It was time to kick ass. (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:08) Ravok walked into the security office and walked to the desk. " Good morning" he said to them and took a seat. He looked at Ensign More who was tinkering with his phaser. " Ensign" Ravok said to him to get his attention." If there is an issue with your sidearm, we have others." ( reply More) " Off by 1 percent? That's not enough raise concern but 1 percent could mean a lot in a tight situation. We will look into" He paused and looked at the others. " I have summoned you all here because we are going to the surface of the planet where Lieutenant Bracken, our first officer is being held. Our objective, our mission is straight forward. We are to rescue Lieutenant Bracken. With that being said it won't be easy, but what rescue mission is? " He asked rhetorically. He cued up a holographic image of where Bracken was believed to be. The image hovered in the center of the room . "The planet was selected by the Vedek assembly as a tribute to the dominion war. On this planet we have isolated the signal being transmitted from Lieutenant Bracken is located near a temple. We are going down in force to find and rescue. All weapons on the highest stun setting. The captain has authorized me to use lethal force if necessary, but hopefully it doesn't need to come to that. I don't want any of us having to take life when it can be avoided...we are the good guys. Any questions?" Ravok asked as he looked around ( reply More , sleeford , Vespers , Foxglove ) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0908) As the meeting had been going, Erin had stood off to the side of Lieutenant Merek. Listening to what had been stated and taking mental notes. This was the first reasonably big mission as Science Chief and she knew that this would be a test for her. Something that she needed to do well at and, in some ways, needed to prove herself on. " Sir, I predict the energy signature is contained to an area roughly about the size of a humanoid. " Ensign Zot said. Erin took a step forward and looked at the data, "It does look like that… but that much energy inside a humanoid shape… it's not sustainable and it certainly shouldn't be." " That is correct, that much energy should not be able to be inside of a humanoid. But cross referencing the energy signature at various timestamps shows that it is mobile and by comparison to the other fixed structures. It is only rational to assume that there is a being on the planet capable of emitting high level energy." He stopped and turned toward Lieutenant Merek. " Is this a Pah-wraith?" "We can't be sure. Science is based on fact. What we know versus what we don't. Right now, what we know is at least one, of not two of our crew are down there with whatever is emitting that energy. We are the back up. We are the tech support group. Whilst we are not tasked with the importance of rescuing our crew, it does not mean that our job is any the less important. " she paused for a moment, regarding everyone in the room. "What we need to do is focus on the technology that is down there. What it is for, how it works and, if needed, shutting it down safely. Each of you needs to be on top of their game because we have no idea what we are walking into. We will be going in after the security team has secured our colleagues but that does not mean that we can be complacent. Eyes on the prize and be aware of your surroundings. " (Reply any) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office - Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 09:09 ) Stan could not understand why everyone kept telling him. To leave his hand Phaser alone. It was a natural thing for anyone going into battle. To alter their weapon so it worked a little better. On Earth during the Napoleonic Wars the canon crews. Before the ships would go into battle. Would scratch and carve small groves. Into canon balls so they would fly better. Looking up Stan saw Ravok enter the room. He stood with the others and greeted him. " Good morning" he said to them and took a seat. Stan sat down again and continued to tinker with the Phaser. Ravok looked at Ensign More who was tinkering with his phaser. " Ensign" Ravok said to him to get his attention." If there is an issue with your sidearm, we have others." “ Och no. Their all be the same 1% off on accuracy. At least this wee bestie will be 100% sir.” Stan told Ravok. " Off by 1 percent? That's not enough raise concern but 1 percent could mean a lot in a tight situation. We will look into" He paused and looked at the others. Stan put his Phaser down and listened. Then when Ravok asked for any questions he raised a hand. ( Reply Ravok , sleeford , Vespers , Foxglove ) “ Do we know if any of the kidnappers have been weaponised?” Stan asked ( Reply Ravok , sleeford , Vespers , Foxglove ) “ We could bag , tag and transport them. Like we did on the asteroid base. A heavy stun would keep them under. Until the Exeter can pick em up.” He suggested. ( reply Ravok , sleeford , Vespers , Foxglove ) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – 2O/CEO Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0909) Questions were brought up about the smallest reading in size being some kind of power source, but Keira left the question on the table not sure of how to answer it. " Is this a Pah-wraith?" the computer specialist asked. Keira honestly hadn’t thought of that, but if it were true it would bring some metaphoric gravity to the situation. "We can't be sure. Science is based on fact. What we know versus what we don't. Right now, what we know is at least one, of not two of our crew are down there with whatever is emitting that energy. We are the back up. We are the tech support group. Whilst we are not tasked with the importance of rescuing our crew, it does not mean that our job is any the less important. " Erin paused for a moment, regarding everyone in the room. "What we need to do is focus on the technology that is down there. What it is for, how it works and, if needed, shutting it down safely. Each of you needs to be on top of their game because we have no idea what we are walking into. We will be going in after the security team has secured our colleagues but that does not mean that we can be complacent. Eyes on the prize and be aware of your surroundings. " “Two points. One,Cortez is correct, we have no knowledge of what constitutes a “Pah-Wraith”. The only witnesses to one supposedly 60 some odd years ago are former Kai of the Vedek assembly Wynn who died in the fire caves and Captain Benjamin Sisko, who is listed as missing in action but presumed dead in the fire caves as well. So, hokey religions aside, we can’t confirm that they exist. Two, we also can’t confirm that they don’t exist, because we can’t rule it out,” Keira started. “We should focus on what we can find out concretely. Agreed?” (Reply any/all or you can treat it as rhetorical) “We see the shield and the scattering field. We’d have to come in, outside of it, either by shuttle or transport in, and we also can’t bombard the shield from orbit to crack it, as we’ve got one life sign we can see from here, from your signal Cortez, we’re sure it’s the XO?” (Reply Cortez) “Then orbital bombardment is out of the question. This isn’t a Klingon ship attrition isn’t the way we make rank here in Starfleet. We’ll just have to find the power supply, shut it off or blow it up,” Keira said. “If we’re lucky there will be only one power source. (Reply any) “I don’t see it either. When we get closer maybe it’s shielded and our sensors will be able to pick it up. They are rather close to those mountains, maybe there are fractal metal ores in the rock that block sensors. We’ll know more when we get closer.” Keira said. (Reply any) “That device is the only thing left to advise on. I’m standing by my earlier assessment from this distance it looks like an older bulky dish directional antennae. What’s it pointing at? Let’s extrapolate. Account for curvature of the planet movement of said planet on it’s projected orbit and intervening celestial bodies.” The officer working the controls it took them seconds to plot out all the known variables and the complex math involved. “Punch it up,” Keira ordered once the calculations were complete. (Reply any IYW) The image zoomed out until the planet was a speck on the display the size of a dime. A white line went out from the planet and off into empty space. ~Unexpected,~ Keira thought. She expected some grand revelation. (Reply any) “Seems prudent, advance the time table one hour per second until we hit something or until we make an entire revolution,” Keira said. (Reply any) The white line moved like part of an old cog & gear clock that was well tuned and wound, to the left, once, twice, thrice and on the fourth movement stopped. “Way too short to be a full day. What did we hit?” She asked, thinking another planet or an old Dominion colony to start a war. (Reply any) “The wormhole? They are sending something to the wormhole?” Keira stated shocked. “What in Loki’s ass are they trying to accomplish?” (Reply any) “Yes, send this to the Captain I’ll be available to brief him if he wants. In the mean time, be ready to head down, planetside. Tactical armor, type three phasers if you are comfortable, but you will go armed. And Vozi, you want to pick up some more of those mining charges we used on the asteroid base? They might come in handy if we have to go blasting in the mountains or blow up that thing. You’re all dismissed to prepare until we reach range of the planet, then there will be an announcement. Dissmissed.” (Reply Vosi, all) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez – 0911) “Two points. One, Cortez is correct, we have no knowledge of what constitutes a “Pah-Wraith”. The only witnesses to one supposedly 60 some odd years ago are former Kai of the Vedek assembly Wynn who died in the fire caves and Captain Benjamin Sisko, who is listed as missing in action but presumed dead in the fire caves as well. So, hokey religions aside, we can’t confirm that they exist. Two, we also can’t confirm that they don’t exist, because we can’t rule it out,” Merek stated. “We should focus on what we can find out concretely. Agreed?” “Agreed.” Erin replied succinctly. “We see the shield and the scattering field. We’d have to come in, outside of it, either by shuttle or transport in, and we also can’t bombard the shield from orbit to crack it, as we’ve got one life sign we can see from here, from your signal Cortez, we’re sure it’s the XO?” Fighting down the urge to reply in a manner unbecoming of an officer, Erin took a deep breath and replied, “Absolutely positive. That signal corresponds with the tracker put into Lieutenant Bracken.” As the meeting continued, it became apparent to Erin that the main directive of their group was to disable the energy source. The question soon became whether they would be able to disable it or whether it would need eliminating. The scientist in Erin screamed at the idea of blowing up a device they knew nothing about nor the consequences of the action. What it would mean for the planet it was on. Would it destroy the temple that it was nearby? The anthropologist in Erin was hoping that she would get a chance to at least explore the temple, scan the interior and make it back before they had to destroy anything but she also knew that the primary objective was stopping what ever was going on and rescuing their crew. Especially her close friend. Still, the thought of destroying a device which, after careful and controlled study, could have yielded some fascinating insights had given Erin a quandary. One that she would not discuss openly. She knew that she would follow whatever Lieutenant Merek’s orders were on the surface. That was her job to do that. “Yes, send this to the Captain. I’ll be available to brief him if he wants. In the mean time, be ready to head down, planetside. Tactical armour, type three phasers if you are comfortable, but you will go armed. And Vozi, you want to pick up some more of those mining charges we used on the asteroid base? They might come in handy if we have to go blasting in the mountains or blow up that thing. You’re all dismissed to prepare until we reach range of the planet, then there will be an announcement. Dismissed.” Erin nodded and headed for the door. ~Few things to pick up from the lab before we go down there. I hate the thought of carrying a side arm but orders are orders.~ she thought to herself as she left the conference room (Reply any) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:12) “ Do we know if any of the kidnappers have been weaponised?” Ensign More asked. Ravok looked at him. " If you mean turned into organic bombs, there is no absolute clarification this far, but for safety sake we should assume all that we encounter are Ensign More. “ We could bag , tag and transport them. Like we did on the asteroid base. A heavy stun would keep them under. Until the Exeter can pick em up.” More suggested Ravok nodded his head. " Yes shoot and tag them, I don't even want to list all the crimes they are guilty of but with luck they will face justice, even if we have to usher them to that justice ourselves….Ensign More get with the armory officer on duty and have working phaser rifles ready to go in 15 minutes." ( reply More) " Ensign Sleeford, have security reinforcements ready to go incase we need them. " Ravok ordered. ( reply Sleeford) "Lieutenant Foxglove, get as much up to the minute intel as possible as we approach the planet... buildings , the layout ,the foliage, temperature Hell I even want to know what they are having for dinner.. " Ravok said. ( reply Foxglove) He then turned to Doctor Vespers." And Doctor, the standard first aid and any useful things you need to bring you have clearance to bring along." ( reply vespers) He looked at them all. " Dismissed" ( reply More, Sleeford, foxglove, Vespers) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room – Computer Ops Officer- Ensign Sg. Zot– 0913) Zot sat and listened to them ramble on but his vision was fixed on the holographic image front of them. ~ Faith, all faith has a basis in truth. If the prophets are real and concrete as they worded it. Concrete isn't the hardest of materials. Easy broken with the right amount of force or energy. They require no stability of evidence for prophets, they are respected and recognized as non corporeal beings. By all available lore Pah-Wraiths are the same. Records of non corporeal beings entering host corporeal host bodies exist. Some are claims without proof, some have evidence to support this event. ~ Zot thought to himself. He grasp of interactions with others left much to be desired. Computers were more simple and less open to interpretation. His attention focused back to Lieutenant Merek. "In the meantime, be ready to head down, planetside. Tactical armor, type three phasers if you are comfortable, but you will go armed. And Vozi, you want to pick up some more of those mining charges we used on the asteroid base? They might come in handy if we have to go blasting in the mountains or blow up that thing. You’re all dismissed to prepare until we reach range of the planet, then there will be an announcement. Dissmissed.” The Lieutenant said. ~ Armed ?~ He thought with nervousness. ~ I can't use a phaser…we can't use phasers~ He thought as his body tingled slightly….~Phasers are a precautionary device used in a defensive manner to ensure the success of the mission, therefore are a requirement.~ His thoughts concluded the emotion leaving his body. Zot stood up from his chair and exited the room and headed to grab his gear. ( reply none needed, just wrapping it up) (USS Exeter – Engineering Conference Room –Engineer - Ensign – Galu Vozi – 0915) Galu listened to the conversation. Going into the unknown was not something that he was happy with especially when it was dealing with those crazy Bajoran extremists. ~We need to get the XO back but its not going to be easy~ "In the meantime, be ready to head down, planetside. Tactical armor, type three phasers if you are comfortable, but you will go armed. And Vozi, you want to pick up some more of those mining charges we used on the asteroid base? They might come in handy if we have to go blasting in the mountains or blow up that thing. You’re all dismissed to prepare until we reach range of the planet, then there will be an announcement. Dissmissed.” He nodded to Merek as he got up and headed for the door. Thinking about his last away mission to the asteroid and making sure he had enough things that go bang for every situation. ~Okay mining charges. I wonder if they have some hull crackers on board, they should split anything, also some toe poppers in case we need to delicate demolition as well as some photon grenades from the stores. It’s a pity that I don’t have the time I could bring along a torpedo warhead that would defiantly make a crater~ (Reply any) (USS Exeter- Personal Quarters - ACFO, Ensign SG Ronnie Winters -0930) Ronnie sat in her quarters quietly, still in a state of shock. Her best friend was still prisoner of the cult, but more than that, her very existence was brought into question. The future she came from was no an alternate timeline to the one she was currently in. Her parents were supposed to have conceived her in a few months time, instead now her mother was pregnant with a baby boy. She would never come to exist, not in this timeline. Did she alter the timeline by her being here, or was she always from a different timeline. These were the questions bothering her, as she was wondering if at any moment she might fade away. But she was still there, sill breathing, still existing, yet knowing that in this timeline she would never be born. But at least she still had a life to live. At least she could still live, love, laugh, and be. But her cousin, her best friend, she was still captive. She was still alive. Ronnie, or Veronica Kadaya Williams, as she was then known being named after her mother's birth Father's family name Ronal (Ronal to Veronica to Ronnie, or so was Trip's logic when she named her) and her mother's adopted mother Kadaya Jones, never met her cousin. Ailynn was supposed to have died on the Interceptor. Which is why Ronnie made sure Ryelle was on the away team, because then he'd be with her, he'd be there to keep her alive. All the rumors she had been hearing around the ship seemed to indicate that she was in fact still alive, so her plan worked. Yet there was still time for time timeline to correct itself, for Ailynn today. But Ronnie had already changed things, changed things enough to prevent her birth, so maybe it was enough to prevent her death. Ronnie desperately needed Ailynn right now, she needed her cousin, someone to talk to. Ailynn was the only one who knew her secret. Selfishly, Ronnie just wanted nothing more than to curl up next to her cousin, eat chocolate, and talk. They were connected, they were family, and they both cherished that cousin bond, ever since Ronnie told Ailynn almost a year prior. (Flashback to Stardate 2444.11.05) Ronnie was nervous. She had worked diligently for Trip for months as his assistant and flight officer. She was having the time of her life. She loved spending time with him, getting to know him, learning his whimsical wisdom. When she was around him she liked to imagine she was a little girl again, hanging on her father’s every word. Except she was afraid of slipping, of people fining out who and what she was. The more she spent withTrip, the more her heart was bursting and she wanted to talk and share about her feelings. But Dale was on Earth, and she didnt always have time to listen with her new job. So she went to the one person she though might be able to keep her secret, understand her, and love her. “Hey Dr. Bracken, do you have a quick moment?” she said nervously entering Ailynn’s office. Ailynn looked toward the newcomer to the room, and seeing that it was Ensign Winters. “Veronica...please come in...of course.” Ailynn motioned awkwardly toward the chair at her desk. “It’s a horrible cliche, but my door’s always open as they say.” “Please call me Ronnie, everyone else does.” She said sitting down, “There is something I need to talk to you about, but maybe its better to show you. I just can't hold this in alone anymore.” “Computer. Lock door.” [Acknowledged, door is locked] “Ailynn…” There was a mannerism about Ronnie which tingled something, the card player in her could read a tell. “Door’s locked. My name is Ailynn.” “Ailynn, Gran always said you were wonderful, brave, smart, and I could always trust you, and I need to trust you now.” Her eyes tightening as her mind worked, she looked puzzled at Ronnie, her considerable intellect was fully focussed on the woman in front of her...to a loss. “I’’m more sorry than you know...your gran...I’m so ashamed to say…” “Can you ummm, draw a sample of my blood, and compare it to Ashlyn’s and Trip’s?” The leftfield question nudged her. “I’m sorry? What now?” Ailynn shifted to recover her senses. “Miss Winters.” Her Command voice, as yet not fully developed, cut in. “Are you certain what you’re asking me to do?” “It’s the only way you will believe me.” Holding the gaze, and seeing a determination in the young Ensign’s eyes she leant back in her chair, and leant into her bottom drawer, pulling out her medical tricorder. “You sure?” she asked as she passed the scanner over Ronnie’s offered wrist. “I need an ally or I’ll burst.” She said anxiously. [compiling] “Computer...cross reference scan between James Andrew Williams the third and Civilian Ashlyn Jones.” A few moments passed and as the small holo display flickered in the corner of her eye, nudging a change in readings, she held Ronnie’s gaze. She flicked her eyes over to the display, and with the flick of her hand , pages of complex scan data ran through her gaze. Finally, she flicked her eyes up toward the young Ensign. “Explain….” “I have to be sparing in the details, because, well timeline. But, ok, so four years ago, I managed to come back in time from the future. There was something that happened, that was bad, really bad, and well, ok, I was raised by Gran. We ummm…” Ronnie began to cry. ~time…? Gran?” Her mind ran over assorted possibilities, and found only one. “Gran?” “We umm, risked everything to come back and stop it, I went straight to Gran, and she helped me create a new identity, and enroll in Starfleet. Made sure I could meet Trip so that I could be at his side to fix, things.” Ronnie continued crying. “Ok...stop…” Ailynn spoke, standing up from her desk, and moving around to lift the younger girl out of her seat. Once standing she pulled her into the firmest hug. “I’m here. At your own pace...please, whatever you can tell me.” “Umm, I am the daughter of Ash and Trip, I’m your cousin, and um..” She was sobbing into Ailynn’s chest. “Something happens, I needed to be close to mom and dad, to help them….help you change the future. But…..the more time I spent with dad, the more I just wanted to share everything I was feeling, talk to somebody about it….but who? I had no one. I felt so alone.” Ailynn felt the warmth of the other girl’s sobs at her shoulder. “I’m here honey.” She found herself saying, resting one of her hands on the back of Ronnie's head, still pulling her into the tight embrace. She thought of the fibs, the half-truths, the deceptions that she had fed people over the years, Now, she knew, the feeling was utterly honest. You can trust me.” “Gran trusts you so much, both from my timeline and this one. And she said if I ever needed someone, I should go to you. And the joy, the joy of finally knowing my mom and dad...too much, and I’m afraid I might slip and mess up the timeline, change things for the worst, keep them from getting together. I need someone to talk to, I need a friend. I need my cousin.” “Mitochondrian DNA, you know that’s how I noticed I’m assuming.” Ailynn smiled. “Cousin…” She tried the word. The Brackens hadn’t in her memory been ones for extended family. “So…” She held her hands, encircling Ronnie’s warm palms in her long, cool fingers. An outward sense of protection in her eyes. “What can you say Cuz?” “Not now, I just want to hug you right now.” She said squeezing Ailynn as tightly as possible. “I think, I think right now, I can just tell you who I am, and come to you when I need to talk about mom and dad. And you can help me keep my secret. If that is ok?” Ailynn nodded. NOw understanding the burden that her mum and Dale, her Gran, had both endured. She knew that Ronnie had read her face. “It’s never simple for us Bracken girls, is it?” Ailynn shook her head, “‘Heavy lies the crown’ I suppose.” “But in case you ever wondered why we looked similar, or Ash and I looked similar, this is the reason why.” Ronnie was holding Ailynn tight, as if she was never going to let her go. “She’s your mum.” Ailynn answered simply. “Yeah, and shes more beautiful than any of the pictures I’ve ever seen.” There was something...no...a number of somethings...all of which came into her focus all at once. She pushed Ronnie away gently, and longed to look in her eyes. “She knew didn’t she…” Ailynn spoke, her brain supplying information, thankfully now all in the right order. “Gran I mean.” “I told her everything. I couldn’t…. I could never lie to Gran, she was the first person I went to. She knew from the get go. She knows a lot, not everything, but a lot. She just had to wait for it to happen.” Ailynn’s eyes tightened as if to will her mind to put the final pieces into place, which perhaps sadly, they did. Doors of logic opened and closed in her brain, all under the gaze of Ronnie, who she was under no doubt could almost see her thinking. “Are you ok?” “We’ve never met before...have we Ronnie?” Once more her eyes closed as she pulled Ronnie into the closest of hugs, a hug of familial intimacy, and protection. “What do you mean?” she asked confused. Ailynn held up a finger, thinking as she did. “Which Gran trusts me. Now Gran or later Gran.” “Both. Both trust you.” “Fibber. This gran loves me...but my mistakes are still far too fresh. You may think that she does…” Ronnie grabbed Ailynn and pulled her into a hug, not one for seeking comfort but giving it. “Oh Ailynn,” she said, “Do you think so little of Gran that she will let your mistakes keep her from trusting you. She, not future gran, now Gran was the one who told me to come to you.” “Not so little of her...just heavily of myself.” Ailynn answered, simply. “She said, and I quote, ‘Ailynn may have made mistakes, but she has really and truly done her best to work past them. She may not realize it, but she is one of the finest people I’ve ever seen and I’m not saying that because she’s my grandkid.’ Just because we make mistakes, doesn’t mean the people that loves don’t trust us. Our mistakes don’t define us. Our triumphs do. Dad told me that just last week. And he’s right.” Ronnie squeezed her tighter. She felt herself pulled into the embrace of the shorter, younger girl. Her body itself recognising her as Kin. Holding the tight, fierce embrace, she kissed the top of Ronnie’s head, bestowing a familial warmth on her. “You dodged it, didn’t you”. She tried again. “Oh…..” “You’ve never met me...Have you.” Ailynn flicked her full gaze, her full intellect toward Ronnie. Ronnie dodged the question again. “When I was really little, not quite yet two. Gran was watching me, the Exeter was supposed to be on a routine cruise. Mom and Dad thought it best for me to be with Gran, it was only for a few months. Mom was supposed to stay too, but at the last moment she decided to go with dad. They were so in love. But...But...at the end...all hands were lost.” ~But you, you died well before that, on her maiden voyage. You were alone, you suffocated, you dextrocardia could handle the gas, and you died. They say Dad was never the same after that. Oh he could have used you against….well, when thing went down.~ “I’m so sorry my Darling cousin.” Once more, a kiss on the head. “More sorry than you know...I can’t imagine your pain...My Gran actually said that?” “Yes….she and I have talked about you a lot.” Ailynn smiled, ready with a quip, but her face fell serious as Ronnie carried on. “I always dreamed of knowing my cousin, but when I was born you were 26 years older than me, now you are only three… Honestly,” Ronnie smiled, “I am so glad you know. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of being….. Being your friend.” “Well sweetie.” She pulled Ronnie into another close hug. “We have however much time for that.” She looked over her shoulder at the Chronometer on the wall, “Seems like the sun is over the yardarm. Rum? For...medicinal... purposes?” “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say that.” (End Flashback) Ronnie looked silently at her window. The away team would soon be underway to rescue her beloved cousin. One of two people who knew her secret. As she sat there, looking, staring, wondering, she also wondered if she should tell someone else. He had the tendency to be a bit of jerk, but for some reason she could always get him to settle down. Maybe it was time to tell Gabe her secret. She hesistated getting closer to him, because she was certain once the future was changed she would disappear, cease to exist. But now that she knew she would never exist, yet was still existing, maybe it was time to begin planting roots. Still that would be a conversation she would want to have first with her beloved cousin. ~Oh Ailynn.~ Ronnie thought to herself. "May the prophets keep you safe." (reply none) ( USS Exeter - Bridge - Ensign Benedict Wetherby - 0934) Having been sat on the bridge for a good few minutes, Benedict was still in awe. This ship and crew seemed like a well oiled machine already. To him, he was playing a small part in that. Looking after the science station whilst the chief was off doing something important. As he sat monitoring the energy fluctuations coming from the location of the First Officer, he heard something that made his wars prick up, “Confirm target plus receive tricorder file Bracken 099.Command authorisation. Bracken - six - kappa - nine - omega. Vibrate crystal to confirm receipt. Radio silence Bracken out” His eyes widened and he looked down at his station as he saw the tricorder file come through. "Sir?" (Reply Trip) "File has been received. Shall I forward it to you and vibrate the crystal as requested?" (Reply Trip) (USS Exeter Bridge –CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 0945) =/\=Exeter, this is Bracken. Request generator assault target gps 522548.72N-015557.00W. Command Order Radio silence.=/\= " Captain…" "You know what to do Crewman." " Coordinates are in Captain " "Transfer it to OPS and Helm." Moments later another communication came through. =/\=Confirm target plus receive tricorder file Bracken 099.Command authorisation. Bracken - six - kappa - nine - omega. Vibrate crystal to confirm receipt. Radio silence Bracken out=/\= Trip sat silently in a moment of thanks that his best friend was still alive, doing her best to try and let them know where to find her. "Sir?" "Yes ensign." "File has been received. Shall I forward it to you and vibrate the crystal as requested?" "Do it." Trip then sat silently looking at his console, reviewing the briefing from Merek, something clicked, something he had read the day before. Sensor reflective hulls on escape pods. Perhaps there was something out there in the wreckage that could be catastrophic if it fell into the wrong hands. If Merek's briefing was accurate, he was going to need to double back at some point, but it didn't necessarily need to be the Exeter that investigated. "We're approaching orbit of the Lt. Bracken's location." Came the chime from the OPS officer, an ensign Rodriguez who had come on to fill in for Ensign M'Rurrh. "Ensign Frost, drop us out of warp." (Reply Frost) Trip then tapped his commbadge, "Master Chief Brown, Ensign Page, and Ensign Alexander, please report to main shuttlebay." (Reply Brown, Page) Billy looked at his cousin from the back of the bridge, nodded, and went to the turbolift. Trip then tapped his commbadge again. "Bridge to Lt. Williams, have the shuttle bay prep the Michaelangelo. Ravok's team can take the Leonardo, Merek's the Michaelangelo, I need you to take the Broken Bow along with Master Chief Brown, Ensign Page, and Ensign Alexander. Go back to the spot where we fought the Interceptor and check the wreckage. I'm sending you Merek's briefing. They probably have escape pods coated with sensor reflective hulls which will make them hard to locate, but I think the four of you can do it. Find whatever you can that you think is important to salvage and secure it, but be careful. This group has been known to place explosive devices in escape pods." (Reply Ire) "You are clear for departure as soon as your team is ready." (Reply Ire) Finally Trip made one last call, "Lt. Merek, Lt. Ravok, I'm sending our coordinates for Lt. Bracken's location to the Shuttlecraft. Stay safe, do your best, as soon as your teams are assembled and ready, you are clear for launch. Bridge out." (reply Merek, Ravok) Trip then sat silently in his chair. "Yellow alert!" (reply Frost, Page, Brown, Ire, Merek, Ravok) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8- Chief tactical officers office- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:46) Ravok looked at his reflection of a blank wall terminal he was geared up in his tactical vest a hand held phaser on side and his bat'leth on his back. The harness which held the bat'leth in place was dark brown and ran over his right shoulder, the emblem of the House of Kal'Beroth was pressed onto it , it was made of highly polished Baakonite, the same reinforced metal used to forge the famous Bat'leths. Although he was romulan, Ravok in many ways felt a strong klingon influence in his life thanks to his Step mother Kora. He began learning Mok'bara, the fighting style associated with bat'leth combat use at the young age of 4 from Kora. Being that she bore no children of her own she wanted to share her heritage with him. Ravok wasn't much of a marksman or hand to hand combatant, but he was highly trained with the bat'leth, being trained by his step mother who herself was named champion standing in six contest in her teens. The use of the bat'leth wasn't just about killing your opponent, it was much more than that. When used properly it could be used to render an opponent unconscious or even crippling them, disarming them was the best display of mastery of the awkward weapon. =/\=Lt. Merek, Lt. Ravok, I'm sending our coordinates for Lt. Bracken's location to the Shuttlecraft. Stay safe, do your best, as soon as your teams are assembled and ready, you are clear for launch. Bridge out.=/\= Trip voice said over the comm. " Understood Captain, Thank you." Ravok responded. Almost instantly Ravok's wrist mounted mini PADD let out an audible chirp, when he looked at it. It was an alert that the Leonardo was being prepped for service and that he would be made aware when it was flight ready. He took a few minutes to get his mind right. After a while a familiar voice came across the comm. It was his friend Ire. =/\=Lieutenant Williams to Lieutenants Merek and Ravok. Your shuttles have been prepped and pre-flighted. They are ready for you in the main shuttle bay.=/\= " It's a damn good feeling to hear your voice again Lieutenant. " Ravok replied with a smile. ( reply Ire) " If it's not too much trouble can you make sure the heated seats are working. " Ravok said jokingly. ( reply Ire) " See you soon, Ravok out" He said ending the comm. Ravok slapped his commbadge "Ensigns Sleeford , More , Vespers and Lieutenant Foxglove proceed to the main shuttle bay and prepare to board the Leonardo." ( reply More, Sleeford, foxglove, Vespers) (Uss Exeter- Deck 8 Security office - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:46 ) Stan listened as the meeting continued. Another ground assault. More ran his fingers lovingly along his hand Phaser. Unfortunately he would not be taking it with him. But at least it now had an accurate beam. Ravok nodded his head. " Yes shoot and tag them, I don't even want to list all the crimes they are guilty of but with luck they will face justice, even if we have to usher them to that justice ourselves….Ensign More get with the armory officer on duty and have working phaser rifles ready to go in 15 minutes." “ Yes sir.” Stan said nodding. For some reason the Starfleet accuracy guidelines. Were a lot higher for Phaser rifles. 100%. At least he would not have to tinker with anything. Once dismissed as he had been ordered. Stan went over to the armory officer. It only took ten minutes to collect working Phaser rifles. More decided not to start an argument over Phaser shooting accuracy. If he’d had longer then maybe. But where to send them? The answer came in a few moments. =/\="Ensigns Sleeford , More , Vespers and Lieutenant Foxglove proceed to the main shuttle bay and prepare to board the Leonardo."=/\= “ Oh my way.” More replied. ( reply Sleeford, foxglove, Vespers) (USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - Ensign Rylee Page - 0948) As Rylee sat quietly in her uniform running through the computer core specifications and trying to hone up her knowledge before her next shift, the voice of the captain came through the Comm, "Master Chief Brown, Ensign Page, and Ensign Alexander, please report to main shuttlebay." ~Oh crap. Shuttle again…~ Rylee thought to herself as she tapped her combadge, “On my way, Sir.” (USS Exeter Bridge –aACSO Benedict Wetherby - 0948) "Do it." Benedict nodded in reply. He was out of his depth, these kind of rapid decisions were not his specialty. He was a physicist, slow, methodical and a careful approach was his forte. ~Here was a lesson in entropy in its rawest.~ He mused. The implanted crystal was something that his ordered mind would never have thought of in a million years, he tapped out the command that would send the tiniest of signals across the system, to tiny fleck of crystal that had been surgically implanted in the First Officer’s skull. Benedict liked logic, and simple, but the Bridge was a centre of chaos, but as he observed, he realised that it was chaos in its most beautiful form. Order and response, order, countersuggestion. Here, an order was followed, all threads lead away from the young man in the centre chair, who wore the burdens that belied his age, but all under him weren’t afraid of making counter ideas to any orders from what he had seen. There was a key piece missing though, and they all felt it. And the key piece he was now sending a message to, via a fleck of crystal that she had had implanted in her skull prior to this mission. That alone said enough about the type of people that he was surrounded by. He’d met and spoken to the First Officer a couple of times, and found her a frighteningly intelligent young lady, her family had a certain reputation, as indeed did Commander Williams’. Although In Bracken he could see a layer of pain in her eyes, that she perhaps thought that no one saw. Now though, here she was, kidnapped and held captive...in who knows what situation, she had still managed to get two messages out, a tricorder reading, and a precise gps target for an away team. He looked at the file. He wasn’t an engineer, but it seemed that it wasn’t the co-ordintates for a rescue, from what he had seen of Bracken, that wasn’t her M.O. ~No, this is a target to attack, not rescue.~ “Ss..Sir…” He managed. His words tripped over themselves when he was on edge. “Ss...Signal away. C..crystal initiated.” (Reply Trip IYW) “Ssir...I..I..d....don’t know the Lieutenant as well as yourself or others; b..but these coordinates are not where she is. These are a short way off, these I th...think are targets to hit. Th..they s...seem to coincide with structures in the file she sent us. Sorry Sir.” (Reply Trip.) “Understood Sir.” He continued monitoring his station, any ideas about his own abilities, had been seriously tempered by the blinding raw talent that she shared a floor with. Frost at the helm called out cutting across everyone. “Aye Sir. Planetary sensors, coming in high standard orbit, on my Mark.” A couple of seconds passed. “MARK!” Benedict watched as her fingers danced over the helm controls. The confidence in her ability oozing out of every fibre of her being. He had been on the ancillary station earlier when she had taken manual control of the ship to line up a shot for tactical. She was another supremely confident Officer. ~and her hair is amaz…~ He screwed his eyes up, and released them, trying to force himself to relax, thoughts began to settle in his mind. That this wasn’t for him, He knew his abilities, and the raw talent that encompassed this area merely proved that he had far more limitation than he realised. Looking sadly at his screen, he became aware of Ensign Frost, who after bringing the ship in to orbit had briefly stood up and stretched herself, turning and smiling in his direction. Nodding back out of politeness, he returned to his scans. (Reply tags as above if appropriate.) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay– CFO- Lieutenant – Ire Williams- 0951) Ire walked across the shuttle bay heading back towards the Brocken Bow when the comm channel activated. =^=Bridge to Lt. Williams, have the shuttle bay prep the Michaelangelo. Ravok's team can take the Leonardo, Merek's the Michaelangelo, I need you to take the Broken Bow along with Master Chief Brown, Ensign Page, and Ensign Alexander. Go back to the spot where we fought the Interceptor and check the wreckage. I'm sending you Merek's briefing. They probably have escape pods coated with sensor reflective hulls which will make them hard to locate, but I think the four of you can do it. Find whatever you can that you think is important to salvage and secure it, but be careful. This group has been known to place explosive devices in escape pods=^= He paused for a moment as he took in the information. “Understood sir we will be careful and not underestimate them.” =^=You are clear for departure as soon as your team is ready=^= “We will go as soon as they all arrive Sir.” He turned towards the Michaelangelo. He knew that he would have to be quick before Merek arrived to make it ready. He walked around the shuttle scrutinizing it for any defects or damage. Once he was happy, he opened the hatch, stepped into the shuttle as the door opened and slid into the chair. “Computer begin pre-flight checks.” He watched as the console in front of him lit up. He watched as the main computer came in line. ~Okay that looks good~ His eye scanned the read outs. ~Okay warp drive is powering up to standby the matter and anti matter is with in safety margins~ He glanced at the impulse engines as it fluttered to life. ~Okay that looks good~ He examined the shuttles systems making sure that there was nothing untoward that he had missed. Once he was happy placed the shuttle into standby and headed back out into the shuttle bay. He tapped his comm badge as he close the shuttle's hatch. “Lieutenant Williams to Lieutenants Merek and Ravok. Your shuttles have been prepped and pre-flighted. They are ready for you in the main shuttle bay.” (Reply Merek, Ravok) (Reply Merek, Ravok, any) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay, Broken Bow Command Compartment– Strat OPS, Ensign SG Billy Alexander -0953) Another day, another away mission. Billy was beginning to miss his desk job on Mars more and more. Though he was definitely being kept busy. At first he wondered why he was being sent on this mission, as other than Ire who was the pilot and mission lead, Master Chief Brown and Ensign Page were both OPS officers. But when Trip sent him a crapload of briefings to sort through, he knew. It was Billy's job to study the tactics and methods of the the Maquis, Freight Traders, and tactics used by the cultists in the past. Thus being able to better pinpoint and help the ops team find out what they were looking for. Especially given the escape pods were probably covered with sensor reflective hulls. Once again Billy was playing analyst. He liked that. Entering the Runnabout Broken Bow, named after the town were humanity made first contact with the Klingons, in which an Oklahoma farmer shot a klingon with a plasma rifle when he thought the Klingon was attacking his farm, he entered the command compartment. "How's it going Ire?" (reply Ire) "Ready to go find a needle in a haystack?" (reply Ire) (USS Exeter –Main Shuttle Bay - Ensign Jg Rylee Page - 0955) Walking into the shuttle bay, Rylee saw the shuttle ahead of her and stopped. ~Okay, things can’t go wrong again. I mean, what are the chances that …~ Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of voices in the command compartment. Walking a little closer, she recognised the voice of Ensign Alexander and Lieutenant Williams. Biting her lip slightly, Rylee felt her palms beginning to sweat and her spots began to itch. For her, that was a sign that she was nervous. Some Trill reacted to food. For her, when she was nervous, Rylee’s spots started to itch. Fighting the urge to scratch, she took a moment to take a few deep breaths, calm her mind and, standing tall, walked onto the shuttle, “Good morning, Gentlemen.” (Reply Ire, Alexander) “Why are we here?” (Reply Ire, Alexander) A look of surprise fell over her face and then a small smile, “I may have an idea that could work.” (Reply Ire, Alexander) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-09:56) Ravok entered the main shuttle bay to see the crafts were prepped and ready to go. as the members of his away team entered the shuttle bay. He approached them. " Alright , we have the coordinates. I'm gonna fly the Leonardo, Ensign More you are on weapons control. Lieutenant foxglove sensors , and Ensign Sleeford...keep the doctor company in the back. " Ravok said, cracking a smile. ( reply Ravoks away team) ( reply ire) ( reply Ravoks away team) (USS Exeter – Shuttlebay - Shuttle Michaelangelo - CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 0957) Walking onto the shuttle, Erin noted that she was the first one of their team on board. Stowing away her Science kit, she sat down at the science console and began to power up the systems needed. “All seem to be operating within tolerances and expected levels. That’s good. We have no idea what we are walking into and any heads up we can get will be good.” As she began to synch up the data from the science console on the bridge, she pulled through the data on the tracker that had been put in Lieutenant Bracken. ~Still there. Blue you do me proud. Now keep doing what you do and we will be there to get Ailynn as soon as we can.~ Tapping her combadge, Erin rolled her shoulders and said, “Cortez to Ravok.” (Reply Ravok) “Tracking data for Lieutenant is holding steady. I’ve sent the details to you. Can you confirm receipt?” (Reply Ravok) “Good. Now do me a favour?” (Reply Ravok) “Go get our girl and get both your asses back home. I’ll keep an eye on our team.” she emphasised team a little, hoping that he would understand that she meant Merek. (Reply Ravok) “Understood, see you on the other side, Lieutenant. Cortez out.” Sitting back in her seat, Erin drew a deep breath as she waited for the rest of the team to come aboard. (Reply Ravok, Any) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay- Tactical Officer, Ensign SG Cade Blackwell Jr. - 0958) As Ravok's away team was loading the shuttle, Ensign SG Cade Blackwell approached the acting Tactical Chief. The tall, muscular tactical officer was a little bit upset that here was the second away mission in two days and it seemed like it was the same people always getting the good gigs. Cade was at risk of becoming a lower decker, someone ancillary to the function of the ship, who did their job right, but didnt get any of the opportunities. Or so that was what his mind was telling him. Not that there was anything wrong with being a Lower Decker, but he just wanted an opportunity to prove himself. His dad, a retired Starfleet Marine, always said that it never hurt to ask, so Cade decided that the worst thing that could happen was that he would be told no, but at least he was showing some initiative. Cade approached Ravok silently, his 6'5" frame slightly towering over the Romulan Officer. "Excuse me sir, do you have a moment?" (reply Ravok) "I know the timing is tight sir, but I was wondering if I could join the away team. I know that its probably odd to ask this close to your leaving sir, but I just want an opportunity to show what I can do. It's an important mission, sir, and I think I could be of use. If nothing else sir, I am certified hand to hand specialist, and achieved highest classifications in marksmanship at the academy." (reply Ravok) (Uss Exeter- Deck 7- Main shuttle bay - Tac/Sec Ens. Stan More - 09:59) More had beamed over the Phaser rifles from Security. So the shuttle teams could grab them when they arrived. It would save valuable time. Fiddling with his straps Stan arrived in the Main Shuttle Bay. He had been attempting to put his outer security uniform on at the run. Twice when trying to strap his helmet. He almost collided with someone. He came to a halt near Ravok. " Alright , we have the coordinates. I'm gonna fly the Leonardo, Ensign More you are on weapons control. Lieutenant foxglove sensors , and Ensign Sleeford...keep the doctor company in the back. " Ravok said, cracking a smile. ( reply Ravoks away team) “ I have also transported the Phaser rifles to each shuttle. We are good to go” More said smiling. ( reply Ravok , sleeford , Vespers , Foxglove ) (Gamma Quadrant, Open Space – Survival Pod Alpha - CSO – Dr. Fave Itel – 1007) The blackness gave way to at first a ringing. Tinnitus it seamed would be the alarm walking him from slumber. He tried to get his bearings, despite his better judgment and his dizziness he attempted to stand up, and promptly banged his head against the top of the pod. Which did very terrible things to his headache that he just now realized he had. “I guess ignorance sometimes truly is bliss.” He mumbled to no one. Once he realized he was in one of three survival pods, the most recent events in his memory came back to him slowly. He remembered the battle. He had bombarded the Starfleet vessel with a Tachyon sweep from the main deflector, which broke their lock. Starfleet had managed to tag the rear shields, they had to have done it manually. The Truth had managed to swing around to the Starfleet vessel’s rear arc and give the shields quite a wallop before she was able to answer back and, did she answer back. Apparently they were just playing before, because it took one salvo to take out the vessel. Fave remembered seeing the damage control panel. Crew quarters, and impulse drive were the first hit, followed by artificial gravity he was floating across the bridge before he could make it to the damage control panel to see the damage. The main deflector was hit next, then a phaser blast hit the bridge three explosions from power conduits in rapid succession took out the pilot, Ops and the center seat. The tactical officer had grabbed me and threw me into the survival pod meant for the bridge crew, and then the torpedo took out structural integrity, and as the vessel broke apart the three survival pods launched automatically. Which propelled Itel into the bulkhead with enough force to knock him unconscious. Now with his wits more or less about him he looked at the pod’s sensor panel. Both of the other pods survived. All three were equipped with sensor reflective hulls. If he stayed put people would think that the three pods were empty, or just part of the wreckage. He used passive sensors only to detect if any ships were in the area, nothing with in one half light year, according to the readings. He risked a brief sensor sweep of any nearby class M or L worlds. No luck. If there was a chance that other people were in those two other pods he might risk opening a channel to hail them to get their status. Itel already knew what was in each. He had placed the Genesis Torpedo in the Beta pod as it was right off of the lab he was given. Having it in the pod would mask the genesis wave readings once the pod was closed for launch. In the Gamma pod the one most aft he had placed the remains of the second Starfleet Officer, he had came up with the idea when they were headed towards the Starfleet ship to stop them some how. He wanted the option of jettisoning the pod and making the Starfleet vessel chase that so they had time to get away. He never got to use that plan. Now he had a new plan. The pods were designed to dock together to allow the escaping crew to share resources. As far as Itel knew he was the only one left. So if he docked with the other two, not only would that give him 200% more air to breathe because the torpedo certainly doesn’t need air and taking life support away from the Starfleet officer’s pod would likely preserve his remains better. Then he would have 200% more energy, rations, sensor capability, and thruster power he might even be able to set course for the shrine world. Prophets he may even survive this. The scientist set about his work of survival. (Reply None) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<