Stardate: 2434.07.01 (Earth – Bracken Family Vineyard, Tuscanny – Ailynn Bracken (aged 15) – 1900) Stardate: 2444.05.25) (Trill - launch pad- Medical officer Ensign jg Kasian Poldan - 0800) Stardate: 2444.06.01 (Local Merchant vessel, guest quarters, Ensign (Jg) R'Vek Kental - 06:00) (Mars Surface Facilies- Personnel Building, Peripheral Lounge 5- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 06:30) (Mars Surface Facilies- Personnel Building, Exterior Walkway- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 07:00) (Mars surface - Transporter room - Engineering / Fleet yard - Ensign (Jg) R'vek Kental - 07:00) (Mars Facility - Personal Quarters - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 0701) (Mars Facility - Personal Quarters - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 0701) (Mars Surface – Outside the Landing Platforms - Admiral Remae Ktell – 08:30) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities – A Random Office - Admiral Remae Ktell – 08:45) (LSS Endurance - CONN - Ensign J.G. – Ire Williams 0845) (Mars Surface Facilies- Personal Qrarters- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 09:30) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Gymnasium - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams - 9:30) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Gymnasium - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams and Security, ENS JG Rebecca Flagg - 9:35) (Starfleet Martian Facilities - Gymnasium - ENS jg Ariel Trei - 09.35) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Outside the Landing Platforms - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams - 11:30) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 11:32) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Outside the Landing Platforms - OPS, ENS JG Jacob Jackson - 11:32) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platforms - Medical Officer, ENS JG Kasian Poldan - 11:35) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platform 94 -Shuttle Sally K. Ride - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 1138) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platform 94 -Shuttle Sally K. Ride - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 1138) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Ire Williams - 11:41) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Trip Williams - 11:42) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Ire Williams - 11:43) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Trip Williams - 11:44) ==================== (Earth – Bracken Family Vineyard, Tuscanny – Ailynn Bracken (aged 15) – 1900) Ailynn sat at the large table, made of Italian oak, it was the centrepiece of the patio area that backed the house, and overlooked the fields below them. It was a rare moment, the whole family together for dinner. Ailynn picked up a glass of the local red wine that was the family’s speciality, she tilted the glass so it caught the evening light, seeming to set the liquid afire in a blaze of colour. Aimee her mum, and Dale, her gran sat at the other end of the table, talking in hushed tones, they seemed to be doing that more and more these days, there where times that she wished that she would be allowed into those conversations, but mostly, judging by the tiredness, and worry that they both seemed to show, Ailynn was almost glad that she was not. Plates were brought to them, her great gran had settled in her advancing age, and loved to cook, helped with a couple of other women of similar age, the food that was brought out of the kitchen was to die for. “Grazie Nonnina” She said, to one of the ladies, who’d put a plate of her favourite pappardelle in front of her. She felt a gentle, but surprisingly strong hand rest on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze, and an aging smile beamed to her. Food and bread was eaten, and wine drunk. And conversation ebbed and flowed as the evening progressed. Ailynn smiled deeply, and sipped once more at her wine, a deep contentment swimming over her as her face was basked in the setting sun, bathing the entire countryside in the red light of the evening sun that was frequent in this region. She stood up, and walked over to the wall, drystone, and ancient, leaning against it, and looked over the fields of merlot and sangiovese grapes that they grew. She found herself looking over the fields, past the hill on the other side of the valley, the ancient church breaking the line of the hill, and despite knowing what was there, she found herself wondering, looking out into the world. Aimee felt a kick to her shin, turning round to rebuke her grandfather, she caught Kingsley’s glance, who nodded toward Ailynn. “Seen that look before.” He whispered and motioned to Dale. “She was almost the same age when she had that exact look on her face.” Aimee stood up from the table, and went over to her daughter, putting an arm around her shoulder, only 15 she was only a couple of inches shorter than her. “Baby?” Ailynn smiled, her mum always called her that. “I love it here…” She paused, uncertain. “…but it’s not enough.” Aimee nodded, “I know. It isn’t the fleet that I joined, you know that?” Her daughter nodded, but said nothing more, her mind already trying to escape the comfortable confines of her childhood. (Reply none) (Posted by Mark) Stardate: 2444.05.25 (Trill - launch pad- Medical officer Ensign jg Kasian Poldan - 0800) Kasian stood looking at the ship that was going to be taking him to meet another ship that would transport him to Mars where he would report in for his first official assignment. He felt a lot of different emotions at once, scared, excited, happy, nervous. He had no idea what to expect. He hadn't moved and turned out everything around him. “Sweetheart,” His mother said as she touched his shoulder getting his attention he turned to face her and his brother who had a bit of a sour look on his face. “I beg you to reconsider this you know we are not part of starfleet anymore.” Addison said Kasian just looked at her blankly. “The great Councilor who server under some of the greatest captains in the fleet denies being part of it.” Kasian said in a calm tone and he took his mother's hands. Giving her a warm smile he always enjoyed the stories of her fleet days and of his fathers he wanted nothing more than to be apart of Starfleet as they where. “Kasian that was in the past, it's not the same anymore, those Captains those crews are gone.” he wasn’t sure what to say he wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings or worry her, but this was his choice. ::Think young one before you speak:: Poldan words echoed in his head. “I need to experience this for now, I really hope you understand. I feel this is what I need to find that missing piece to be closer to my father.” Kasian hated bring up his father at all he knew it still broke his mother's heart. She had never really gotten over him ,however, she would never admit that to anyone. Even if she did marry and loved her current husband very much. “This isn’t going to bring him back nothing will hes gone forever and I am sorry you will never know him, but tossing your life away on some stupid mission like him is pointless.” His mother's words were harsh, but she did have a point nothing would ever bring him back, but he already knew this. “I have to go, Arvos make sure you look after mom little brother.” Kasian said before turning to get on the shuttle, before the door closed he heard his brother words. “I’m 3 minutes older than you jerk.” “Then I clearly wasn’t talking to you big brother.” Kasian said with a smug tone. Their younger brother laughed he had just turned 13. Kasian saw so much light and happiness in the young boy that gave him a lot of hope. (Reply none needed) (Posted by Richard) (Local Merchant vessel, guest quarters, Ensign (Jg) R'Vek Kental - 06:00) The room was dark and cool the only light illuminating the room came from a padd on a desk. The room was quiet and secluded away, R,Vek sat at the desk looking down at the desk. His skin stood out in stark contrast from the rest of the room. His tall stature, pointed ears and set back forehead made him easy to distinguish as a reman. His yellow uniform was immaculate he was on the final leg of his journey to the mars Surface facility. After graduation of the academy there was a accident at a near by Reman colony if you could call it that. Being the only Reman he knew of in starfleet he had been assigned temporarily to help clean up and calm the people. He set the padd and shook his head, he had been looking at his new assignment and while he had come to tolerate and like some none remans he still felt a strong dislike for most. There had been a Vulcan at there since academy he had take exception to but he was not sure what had happened to him when starfleet opened the academy again in need. Looking back at his padd he noticed they were about to arrive. He stood and gathered what few belongings he had and walked out the door. He flinched slightly as the light was significantly brighter and even with time in the sun growing up it took time for him to adjust to the light. He hadn't lived on Remus long only 10 when he lost his home world but those years were long and hard je still ached to one day see his people reunited and and Remus rebuilt in a better imagine. He stopped out side the transporter room and then entered, he made one last act of straightening his uniform then stepping on the padd and nodding to the man at the console that he was ready. with that in a blink of a eye he was gone off to mars and the federation. (Reply None) (Post by Andrew Rock) (Mars Surface Facilies- Personnel Building, Peripheral Lounge 5- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 06:30) The officer watching the activity in the lounge and wearing a teal uniform was somewhat older than the usual 'junior pip' ensign due to the number of years he had spent at the Vulcan Science Academy before joining Star Fleet. His preoccupation with his studies and abnormally rapid progress toward advanced degrees had raised more than a few eyebrows there much as it had caught the attention of his Star Fleet Academy instructors and cadets who found him focused near to the point of obsession. Leaving what would have been extremely lofty not to mention lucrative opportunities on his home planet had baffled his peers not to mention his mother who had demanded an explanation for his planned departure. She had found his reasoning far from logical and lacking in certain aspects. Firstly the Federation had many cutting edge facilities though its exploratory mission had been severely gutted in the past decade. No that was not correct, exploration had been non-existent which T'Kess had expressed quite pointedly. Secondly he would have the opportunity to have first hand experience with his chosen subjects of study. This was also quite thoroughly debated though the fact that StarFleet was once again queuing to fill their officer corps was a mark in his favor. The third reason however appeared to mollify her objections; Should his theories hold merit and be proven valid he would have the option after his tour of duty was complete to return to Vulcan and continue where he had left off or be promoted to an even more advanced position. Staying with Star Fleet on further tours was a possibility as well though depending on whether it had indeed succumbed to entropy or was poised to once again cast off into the frontiers of space. However every race in the quadrant had a similar outlook to the Terran expression... "Time will tell." For his progenitors it was encapsulated in the I.D.I.C.and one could not foresee how those combinations might one day interlock. His father had no such qualms about his son's future plans since he had once served in the fleet as well and had held command on a number of front line vessels both before and after the civil war. Saleke had accepted his son's decision as that made by a male entering adulthood who had the right to choose his own destiny. Sekal knew however it came with a proviso, that whatever he chose for himself he would strive to excel... or be prepared to explain to his father why. Sekal turned his gaze to the observation bubble window above and noted that the sky was beginning to lighten with Sol's entry onto the horizon. The lounge was currently sparsely occupied at such an early hour and he had a table to himself in a corner. The plate was empty of the fruit that had constituted his breakfast but his beverage glass had been refilled and he lifted it again to his lips as his gaze returned to the spacious room. It could easily seat one hundred and fifty occupants at a time and was one of several such located in the hubs that surrounded the central facility. That location sported a similar lounge that could accommodate twice the number of crewmen at minimum. He had arrived yesterday by ahuttcraft from Earth during the early afternoon and checked into the officers quarters where he had stowed his small bag. He finished the glass of water and rose then began making his way to an exit where he would take the hallway to an exterior door for an early morning walk. (Reply: None yet) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Mars surface - Transporter room - Engineering / Fleet yard - Ensign (Jg) R'vek Kental) The transporter room was abuzz with the new staff arriving and deliveries of other needed equipment that you it wouldn't be strange for a ensign to arrive and the room to keep moving but that's not what happened with R'vek had appeared on the padd. People had to stop to look at him, some in amazement some aw others with distrust. It had been 57 years since the destruction of Remus. Remans had been pushed out into colonies into refugee camps, they were no longer locked away as slaves forced to mine but then lost souls. They had no home, no culture, no sense of them left but most held a anger st there brothers the Romulans who enslaved them and the federation for not doing more about it. He knew it wasnt the federations fault just like it was not the fault of there cousins the Vulcans but it didn't keep many from blaming them, for feeling they should have done more before the time of Shinzon and the Reman uprising. He quickly covered his eyes in a attempt to block some of the light. Even after years he was still sensitive to the light and changing of brightness from the ship he came on to the station was more than he had expected. He stepped of the transporter padd and made his way out of the room. He stopped and looked at his padd again and made his way to assigned temporary quarters. The door slide open and he was thankful that the lights were dimmer by default. He set his items down before sitting on the bed. He opened one of the bags he had brought with him and inside was dark carved box. The material of the box was sleek and black the Humans had called it obsidian. the box was square and small just larger than the palm of his had. He had been given the the box from a starfleet officer many years ago as him and countless other Remans were rushed off there home world to the path of being the orphans of the universe. R'Vek slowly slid the top of the box open what lay in side was a small chunk of ore, it had no value to the world in the size of a piece it wasn't worth much if anything but to R'vek to the other Remans he had shown, it was the most valuable thing in there lives. This chunk of ore came from the heart of his world it was one of only a few remaining pieces and he had kept it with him since the day it was given. A tear started to for on the eye on the face of the reman, the thoughts of home of a world he would never see again brought a serge of emotions to the surface. The tear slowly made its way down his pale face from his yellow eyes, it moved down his rigged cheek bones and thick lips then off of his chin leaving a light glistening line on his leather like skin. Another tear followed by another and before he knew it tears were streaming down his face on to his most precious item. He closed the box and whipped his face as he remembered what Vulcan named Sanok had told him once long ago in the Vulcan defense academy. "Your home may be gone but you are not forever alone in the universe." Those words had stayed with him forever the man had become the first Vulcan he had trusted but it had been a long time since the two had last spoke. R'Vek laid back on the bed and folded his hands, he closed his eyes and let the darkness comfort him. The room was quite but he could hear the cries and screams of his people, the shock on there faces, feel the tremors as there home was lost. it grew louder and louder to him before finally it all stopped and went dark and he was asleep. (Mars Surface Facilies- Personnel Building, Exterior Walkway- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 07:00) The morning was dawning chill as was to be expected even though the emissions of the sun of this system was radiating through an atmosphere thinner than that of Earth though roughly equal in oxygen content. The reason for the chill was that the planet lay in the outer reaches of this planet's habitable zone. Temperatures before terraforming averaged negative sixty degrees celsius due to a lack of sustainable atmosphere but now lay in the twenty degree average range which could rise to thirty degrees during the Martian summer or fall well below zero during the winter. One thing the Vulcan had noted upon arriving was the extremely low gravity and it had taken him several minutes to get accustomed to walking in it. At thirty eight percent earth normal he had felt as though he was going to launch himself off the ground with every step. This was due partly to him being from a heavier gravity planet of course. Citizens of Earth would notice the change as well though it would be not nearly as pronounced as what he had been feeling. At some point he had decided he would test the limits of his running and jumping abilities here but there would be a protracted time before he would get to that. One thing he had noted was the necessity of a change in his gait which had become automatic after the first several hours. He looked down at his legs as he traversed the walkway and was suddenly struck by how similar it was to his father's. He stopped suddenly at the thought. When he was a small boy he had tried to imitate Saleke's smooth' effortless glide which had often been compared to that of a stalking predator. The attempts had failed of course since his body had found it's own natural rhythm but this gave him a new appreciation of it. What kind of leg strength must his father possess to cause him to retain that gait even during his stays on Vulcan? Some of it could be muscle memory of course but that required intense physical training that Sekal couldn't currently conceive of. What was his father's workout regimen and how did a command officer find time for it? Sekal himself was a runner and routinely navigated a five kilometer course on Vulcan two to three times per week. He made a mental note to ask his father at a future time to relay his training schedule to him to see how much of it he could incorporate into his own training plan. The grounds were extensive and he was still walking around the facilities on an unguided tour of the exterior when the order came in to muster at noon. Since that was a little over three hours away he decided to return to his room to freshen up before making the meeting. (Reply: None Yet) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Mars Facility - Personal Quarters - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 0701) The alarm she set the night prior toned. Softly at first, no effect. The volume slowly increased until Keira began to stir from slumber. "Computer, what is the current time?" she mumbled, face still smashed against her pillow. She already knew the answer, but hearing it helped motivate her to leave her slumber. =/= The current time is Zero-Seven-Zero-Two hours, shall I delay the alarm an additional ten minutes?=\= "FINE!" she said in frustration. "I'm up, computer cancel alarm." she swung her feet over the side of the bed as the computer toned in acknowledgement. She set about grabbing her uniform for the day, and absentmindedly grabbed the red cadet uniform she had been used to wearing for four years. ~No, today I wear the gold. I'm finally commissioned.~ She put the red back with the four bars on the collar, and pulled out the gray trimmed in yellow with a single black pip on the collar. She traced her finger along the shoulder of the new uniform and brushed non-existent dust off both shoulders and smiled. She continued getting ready for her day. (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platform 94 -Shuttle Sally K. Ride - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 1138) Post flight checks complete, she had just enough time to get to the meeting place and settle in before her new CO was scheduled to speak. Honestly she was cutting it a little close considering there were already a number of people gathered, and she could have cancelled her celebratory joy-ride around Phobos to arrive earlier, but she made it so everything should be on the up and up. She made mental note of who had already arrived, her eyes scanning those that had already gathered. Uniform colors and ranks, trying to keep track of the new faces and trying to guess what department they might be in. She kept quiet waiting for the briefing to begin. (Reply any) (Posted by Todd) (Mars Surface – Outside the Landing Platforms - Admiral Remae Ktell – 08:30) For the past few weeks, junior personnel had been arriving on Mars, all of them were enlisted class and no officers. The initial reports were that the Ensigns, of which there were many, were gathering onboard Earth’s Spacedock prior to their arrival in the next few days on Mars. Some had already left and were on their way. All around the surface, supplies, personnel and confusion reigned as the arrival of everything and everyone had turned the entire place into a mess. Two older runabout class shuttles had landed on both platforms, it looked they had been assigned to the surface and transporter beams flashed here, there, as supply boxes appeared, and personnel disappeared and reappeared. The usual procedure would be for each officer coming to report for duty, would seek out the commanding officer and report. Admiral Remae wasn’t thrilled with this idea… his estimations indicated that it could take several days to show each person around and then, repeat the same process again and again. “To hell with that.”, he mumbled under his breath. (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities – A Random Office - Admiral Remae Ktell – 08:45) Inside someone’s office, Remae had constructed a makeshift coordinators room and from here, he had been speaking to Starfleet Command and doing what he could to make sure what needed to where did, and everything else, well, had to wait. The small computer terminal listed what was going to arrive and when his Ensigns would be arriving, but it was all over the place, some here, some there. He made a plan, and he grouped everyone by their departments… Science, Engineering, Security, Medical, Pilots and Intelligence. ~Intelligence?~ He looked again at the roster. He booked one of the runabouts for himself, constructed a schedule and sent it to all his senior officers : Noon - Science 13:00 – Security/Tactical 14:00 – Medical 15:00 – Pilots 16:00 – Engineering 17:00 – Intelligence In the meantime, he directed all new officers to report to the main area outside the base where he would speak at 11:45 and according to his schedule, everyone would have arrived. (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities – Outside the Landing Platforms - Admiral Remae Ktell – 11:40) The Admiral didn’t have a podium, he had a supply box. He stood on it… he had no microphone so it put his fingers in his mouth and let out the loudest whistle. It was time to get everyone’s attention. (Reply from ALL) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (LSS Endurance - CONN - Ensign J.G. – Ire Williams 0845) Ire smile to himself as he looked out of the main view port, then scanned the nav console to his right and grinned to himself. He loved sailing his light sail ship through space, it had been a gift to him by his Aunty Coleridge who had been overly causes before she had let him sail it for real but ever since his first flight he had been hooked. “You can have your impulse and warp engines you can give me a light sail ship any time.” He glanced at the chronometer and made a quick time calculation. ~Only if you were not going anywhere in a hurry~ But he was in a hurry as he had been told to report to the Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities for 1145 for assignment and the last thing, he wanted was to be late. This was why he had mainsails, sprit and the jib sails fully extended to catch as much of the suns light pressure as his sails could as he raced away from the sun. =^= LSS Endurance this is Martian Orbital Control please transmit your next tack=^= He could hear the slight unease in the voice of the Orbital Controller. It had happened with in his first year at the academy when he had been sailing around the system a shuttle had dropped out of warp totally out the proper lanes of traffic and unscheduled. It had sheared off his Jib and starboard main sail he had to eject the starboard sprit as well. The shuttle pilot had been arrested for dangerous and piloting with undo care while he and the Endurance had been towed back to Martian Orbital Facility for repairs. Ever since then Martian Orbital Control had been overly cautious when ever he was sailing around. =^=Martian Orbital Control this is the Endurance I will be tacking to port in 30 seconds onto a course of 045 point 090=^= =^= Martian Orbital Control copies and would like to remind Endurance not to over speed in proximity to the Martian Orbital Facility=^= Ire smiled widened. =^=Endurance understand and will comply…=^= He glanced at the chronometer. =^=…..Martian Orbital Control tacking now=^= He floated over and pulled hard on the main control bar which moved the jib as he kicked out and disengaged the hand winches which controlled the main sail and sprit down one side which reduced their cross section of their sails and swung the ship around. He jumped back and began to tighten all the sails back up as the Endurance turned onto its new heading. =^= Endurance this is Martian Orbital Control we confirm your new heading. Please stay on his heading as it is now cleared for you all the way to the Martian Orbital Facility=^= Ire spun slightly to looked through the main view port and although he could see mars the Martian Orbital Facility was only a speck. ~Its going to get a whole lot bigger soon~ =^=Copy that Martian Orbital Control. I will comm back when I reach the outer boundary markers=^= And with that Ire pushed back from the view port so that he was floating in the middle of the main cabin watching the speck getting bigger. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (Mars Surface Facilies- Personal Qrarters- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 09:30) Having returned to his room which was set at a comfortable thirty five degrees Celsius and with a little time to before the muster Sekal retrieved his bag and moved to the desk in the room. Whether he would retain these quarters was unsure at the moment. He sat in the provided standardized chair. "Computer activate console." The screen was in the center of the desk top taking up one third of the available surface area and leaving an equally spacious amount of room on either side. It lit up with a short tone. Satisfied the Vulcan opened the bag and removed a disk shaped object, its width slightly smaller than the diameter of his palm and its height twenty five millimeters. Its color was like burnished copper but on top in the center it was black to a diameter of four point five centimeters leaving three millimeters of copper hue around its upper rim. Around its face on one side were two terran herbivores called horses facing to the left in silhouette. The leading horse was a grey so pale it was almost white and gaunt to the point of skeletal. Its eye was a pale blue. The following horse was black, appeared well proportioned, the eye was red and its head was held high. He placed the display to the right of the screen then pressed the center of the black circle with the tip of his index finger, it gave off a hum so low it was almost indistinguishable from the background noise of the ventilation system. This and the item it displayed had both been given to him by his father when he had enrolled in Star Fleet and this display had been gifted to Saleke by one of the officers on his first command. Reaching back into the bag he extracted a chunk of crystal which was a deep Cyrillian blue. It was not quite as large as his fist and tapered to a rounded tip. This particular mineral had been called an 'Anelurian Crystal' by the Vulcan science team that had discovered it. His father had been a youth on that research ship accompanying his parents and had gone to the Academy with this memento. The mineral was still being studied by scientists and several more expeditions had been sent to collect samples, the last two of which he knew of had been led by Saleke who was in command of the research team. How many more times had his father returned to that place? Wherever *there* was. The difficulty in its study lay in the energy absorption and transference properties which if properly catalogued might well revolutionize power generation and warp field technologies. To unravel the enigma might mean being at the forefront of the greatest technological advancement since the discovery of the warp drive. He reached out and held it several centimeters above the display device then removed his hand. The Anelurian crystal hung suspended in the air by the anti- gravity display disk and began revolving slowly. The glint of light from its roughly faceted surface as it turned in place held no particular interest. "Computer position the display." With a muted hum the back edge of the display lifted while the front edge slid back horizontally due to a tightly controlled electromagnetic field. When it had reached a sixty degree declination facing him he spoke. "Stop." He inspected the angle minutely, making two small adjustments before he was satisfied. "Computer save position for Sekal. Verify voice print." =^= Position saved. Voice print verified as Sekal, Ensign, home planet Vulcan...=^= "Stop. Turn off display." The display blanked and slid down until it had once again become one with the desktop. He then reached into the bag a third time and extracted his personal PADD which was smaller than that normally used by a third and optimized for scientific disciplines. Sekal set the PADD on the desk to the left of the display, its edges aligned precisely with those of the desktop. He planned on making use of its contents quickly. His personal effects other than clothing now removed his next destination was a sonic shower so he rose from the chair. (Reply: None Yet) (Posted by Charles Gatling) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Gymnasium - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams - 9:30) It had been an interesting morning for the man known as Trip. He had arrived on Mars at around 800 hours, and after going through basic check in, finding his lodging, and getting an orientation schedule, he quickly changed out of his uniform in to is PT gear and headed straight to the gym. The trip over had been rather sedentary and he just felt like he needed to work off some of the rust of just sitting around for the entire trip. He tried to sleep and catch up on his reading, but it was hard to focus due to the fact that he had his twin sister constantly interrupting him telepathically. As he entered the empty gym he was disappointed. The workout machines were dusty and some appeared to be in disrepair. Perhaps the new parts hadn't come, or perhaps they would never come. Still he needed to get some workout in. If nothing else just to get his heart pumping and get out some of the rage and pain he was feeling. He was very grateful that a month early his entire family were visiting his grandfather's ranch and that they were all out of San Francisco when the device went off, but he was begging to become tired with the attacks on his hometown, on his home planet, and all the various politicians sitting on their keisters like a bunch of bureaucratic cowards. It didn't matter, he was finally in Starfleet, a commissioned officer, and could forge his own path. Hopefully now know one will tease him for being James Andrew Williams the third, son of a Captain, grandson of an Admiral, just part of a legacy, not his own man. Hell even his nickname that is father gave him was a reminder of his being 'The Third', though admittedly it was also done in honor of former NX-01 engineer Trip Tucker. He even debated going by Drew or James, but he was so used to Trip that it wasn't worth the hassle. Maybe if he had changed it when he was six, but at twenty-two it seemed like he would be stuck with it. As he entered the dimly lit and empty gym he noticed a punching bag in one of the corners. ~Perfect~ he thought to himself ~That'll do the trick.~ Trip walked over to the punching bag and took the gym bag that he had been wearing and placed in on the ground. He took out some athletic tape from the bag and wrapped them around his wrists and hands. He was wearing a pair of black shorts with the Starfleet emblem on the left leg and a red tank top that red Starfleet Academy. He was a recent graduate, having graduated two weeks prior. The Academy PT gear was all he had. He preferred the tank top variant as it showed of his tattoos, a Spade, that evoked an Ace of Spades, on the upper part of his right arm and a Roman numeral three surrounded by two blue lightning bolts on his left. He lined up in front of the bag and took his stance. He threw one punch, the another, then another. It felt good to hit something, to let the contact release the rage. It is why he would escape from the academy after curfew to take part in underground street fights throughout San Francisco. There he wasn't somebody's kid, he was The Ace of Spades, Trip Williams, the man whose fists hit like lighting. He was good too, out of 25 fights he only lost 7. It was easy, he used his empathic abilities to read his opponents movements and counter and strike. He hadn't fought in two years, from before the attack. He never really spoke about why, and only his sister knew the real reason. Thankfully the Academy administration never found out. Or if they did, they just didn't care. But he was out of the Academy now, out of the shadow of bureaucratic lethargy, out of the shadow of his dad. He could be his own man here. (reply any) (posted by Will Banowsky) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Gymnasium - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams and Security, ENS JG Rebecca Flagg - 9:35) Rebecca was used to moving around and less than ideal bases from her time in the marines but she never let it get to her, she looked at it was an opportunity to shine agent the roughness. With all the transiting she had done to see her beloved Japan one last time before she felt Earth, she needed some exercise. Like with a lot of things Rebecca did not do things in the normal way all the time, instead of her sports bra and shorts she instead opted for a simple Black Cheongsam with gold design that gave her the movement she would require if she could find someone to spar with. Grabbing a matching pair of black Tessen Rebecca made her way to the gym. It was a little worse than she had expected with the equipment, but her attention was drawn to the sounds of a punching bag being used. For a few moments she watched the man work out enjoying the view, looking not to disturbed him until he finished a set of punches. Walking forward into the light she knows that she would look odd but that was the way that she liked it. As Rebecca stopped, she allowed her hip to move to the side and smiles at the man. “That is impressive but what are you like with a moving target?" Trip looked at the newcomer and smiled. It had been a while since he spared with an actual target. Well that wasn't entirely true, he was on the academy wrestling team, but wrestling and a brawl were two different things. "Pretty good actually," he said with a smile, "why you looking to go a few rounds?" Rebecca thought about starting off to play him by fainting a weakness but she know that fighters did not always appreciate that and decided to be more upfront about it. "I was hoping for someone that could last the time." Trip nodded and pointed to one corner of the room that had padding on the floor. "If we are gonna do this thing, lets do it over there, and let's no go full tilt. Would hate to have to go to sick bay on the first day." She walked to the spot with her hips swaying, just before the mats dropping her tesson onto the floor. As she spoke it was clear that she was serious but also flirtatious. "Don't go too easy on me, it a long time since someone has taken me to the mat." Trip headed to the mat and took a spot on the far end across from his opponent. He did a quick sizing glance to get an idea of who he was facing without seeming creepy. She was redheaded and looked to be much older than him. If was going to guess, probably late thirties, roughly 5'6". Her cheongsam however was a clear indicator that she was probably familiar with at least some martial arts and had the nimbleness of movement to strike fast. Trip was 22 and had the obvious size advantage at 6'2" and 215 lbs. Still he had been in enough fights to know not to take things for granted. Trip took a boxing stance as the two began to circle each other, he was going to wait for her to make the first move. Rebecca locked her eyes on Trip as they moved around the area but was all the time using her perifrial vison to look for any move on his part. She was smiling at trip truing to size him up, she knows she had the advantage of already seeing him swing. Rebecca had a respect for her opponent and knew that she would have to use more than just her fighting skills if she wanted to quickly gain the upper hand. "If I wanted to dance I would have found a club." "You have jokes, but let's see if you can back up that mouth of yours or if your are just talk." Trip smiled. He was looking forward to the sparring session, but he was hoping to be able to keep his empathic abilities in check. He tended to not be able to keep them under wraps the more he exerted himself physically. As Trip finished speaking Rebecca made her move with several hits designed to keep him defensive rather than hit him with a jab that quickly turned into a spinning elbow and another punch all to the upper chest. Trip managed to block her every step of the way. He couldn't help but think back to her dancing joke. In some cultures, a fight was just as expressive as a dance. She punched and he blocked. She kicked, he blocked. He didn't mind taking a punch, his body had experienced worse. Still it was time for him to put some pressure on her. "I hope that isn't all you have." He said after blocking her latest punch. He stepped back and reaffirmed a defensive stance. He wanted to see what kind of offense she might present, so he shifted his guard so as to show an opening to be attacked. Rebecca knew there was an opening for a counter-attack she moved below it and punching up to trips stomach more to push him back. Trip waited for the blow, anticpating the punch he was able to get a clear grab of the wrist. As he did his mind wandered slightly. He had gotten opponent through this maneuver before, he had the arm by the wrist and a clean shot at the elbow. He was in a cage surrounded by cheering spectators, a ferengin counting latinum in the corner, he felt the rage, the rage of the crowd that their champion was in his grasps and without thinking slammed his fist into the joint right in front of the elbow, shattering it. That day, when the rage took over. Distracted, he looked at Rebecca's arm and instead moved his body to where is hip was in front of hers and did a Judo hip toss to get her onto the ground. Once she was on the ground he stood back allowing her to get up. His mind wandering to the day he let others emotions overwhelm him and he almost took a life. The day he almost died. He took a breath and as she stood up he decided to go on the offensive. Trip delivered blow after blow, but his sparring partner was able to dodge or block them. She was a skilled fighter. Trip was trained but was less of an expert in one thing and more of basically a wild child when it came to fighting. What he did excel at was grappling. So after a serious of missed blows he once again left himself vulnerable to attack. As Rebecca charged, he waited, blocked her blow and then wrapped both arms around her torso. Then with a smile lifted her up in a belly to belly suplex and throwing her to the ground. Then as she landed on the ground with a thud, he quickly stood back up getting ready to go for a ground attack. In a pure striking battle she may have had an advantage, she was quicker and better trained, but Trip knew that if he got her to the ground and used more of a wrestling style, he'd win the sparring match. As headed that way he tripped over a part of the map that had been torn due to neglect and never repaired falling flat on his face. "Are you freaking kidding me!" He shouted as he rolled on to his back to stand up. "We need a better gym here!" For a secondary Rebecca thought about a comeback about no matts in combat but decided agents it staying silent but giving him a conserved look. She moved over and offered Trip a hand to help him get up. "Seriously, treadmills look like they haven't been used in years, weight machines look rusted, and the freaking mat has a nice tear in it, that I only made worse by wearing shoes on it" Looking around to make her point, Rebecca was disappointed that it was ending too soon, she was looking forward to a good session. The disappointment was obviously in her voice. “I don’t think bear foot would be a better idea.” "Let's call it for today, not sure if the mat is safe for use right now." Rebecca nods in agreement her eyes showing her sadness. “until we have a safe environment. Your always welcome to join me in a run.” ~Seriously, I don't know what hurt worse, my face or my pride.~ Trip thought as he walked over to the bench and sat down. As he did so he felt a sticky liquid stream across of lips with a slight taste of iron. ~Great now my nose is bleeding.~ He thought to himself as he took of his shirt to use to apply pressure to his nose and stop the bleeding. His torso was muscular and well defined, but what was readily apparent was that this was a man who taken a beating. Of note were the multiple scars, one large one across his chest, and a few others scattered around his lower abdomen and back that looked like stab wounds. Rebecca allowed her eyes to linger on trips body moving to help him with his nose. Slowly biting her lower lip as she let her mind drift a little as she concentrated on Trips body. His words pulling her back into the reality and she again started to think of his nose. "Well, mystery woman," he said realizing he did not know his opponent's name, "Thanks to the floor, I guess my face is now as red as your hair." She thought and a sense of humour, she wondered if they would get a similar assignment. Rebecca pored some water on to a towel. “I am Rebecca Flagg, and who is my worthy opponent.” "Trip Williams, which was my name before I tripped on the mat, kinda ironic, but that's life. Thanks for the help." Gently Rebecca lifted Trips shirt away from his face to help clean some of the blood from his face with the towel. Her other hand her other hand resting on his shoulder and tracing along a small scar. “It’s my pleasure.” Rebecca was cold reading Trip looking to find an interest they shared. She did not want to come off too proactive “Maybe we can get a quite drink and take care of your nose?” Trip stood up and looked at Rebecca, smiling a friendly smile, he said, "I think there is a replicator and a little lounge around the corner, guess we can test to see if it works." (reply none) (posted by Will Banowsky and Giles PJ) (Starfleet Martian Facilities - Gymnasium - ENS jg Ariel Trei - 09.35) The journey from Earth to Mars was pretty uneventful but being confined for that time made her want to work out some of the kinks from the trip. She stopped by the personal quarters to shower and change into her Work Out clothes. She wanted to do some gymnastics but the gym was less than stellar. She saw a heavy bag to fight with so she chose to tape her hands and use the bag. She saw Trip Williams over there. He projected an arrogant front. She loathed arrogance. It was her view that an arrogant front compensated for something the arrogant one wished to hide. She will have fun knocking him down to the cause of his arrogance in the Psych evaluation. She proceeded to take her dislike of Trip out on the bag. Every blow she pictured punching the arrogant smirk off his face. When she was done, she felt better. She left the gym to get ready for the introduction. (Mars Surface, Landing platform, Ensign (jg) R'vek Kental, 1120) R'vek awoke and swung his legs off the bed. He shook his head slowly he hand not needed the rest but it had saved him and helped calmed his emotions. He stood up and began making his way to the landing platform for muster. He felt one should always be early. He made his way to where the mars facility engineering and shipyards staff was assigned to line up. He looked around the platform seeing ensigns from all kinds of departments and of all different races. He took a deep breath as he fixed his uniform and waited for the meeting to begin (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Trip Williams - 11:44) “That must be nice to have family on board.” "Yeah, it is nice, most of the time," Trip said with a laugh. “Yes, I only just graduated. So green I squeak.” He grinned. “I am also in-flight OPS but specialised in small craft. Do you know much about what we are going to fly?” "Yeah I thought I recognized you from some of my classes, just graduated myself. I took some flight classes, but I majored in Stellar Cartography. More of a navigator type though I am certified in sma,ll craft, I am more proficient at the larger vessels. I chose Flight OPS because I love flying, but majored in Stellar Cartopgraphy because it offers more career versatility." (Reply Ire) "As for crafts, no idea, haven't had a chance to check it out. But I hear we most pilots are pulling double duty and have both ship and fighter duty." (reply Ire) "Oh and for the record, you told me you were half-bajoran." Trip then pointed at his eyes, "Half Betazoid. Figured since you were honest with me, I'd return the favor. But hey isn't that life in the federation. I'm surprised halfies like us aren't more common," (reply Ire) (reply Ire) (Posted by Will Banowsky) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Outside the Landing Platforms - CONN, ENS JG Trip Williams - 11:30) One of the 'side effects' of growing up in a Starfleet household is that oftentimes certain aspects of the job can bleed over into how one raises their children. In Trip's family that was definitely the case. If you are not early you're late. How many times did his dad pass that message on to him. It stuck. As much angst as he had living in his father's shadow, he loved his dad dearly. They actually had a great relationship. If anything, the only thing he wished is that he had a different name. Being his father's son, he made sure that he was early. He had finished his workout, cleaned up, and was standing near the landing platforms in his new and freshly pressed uniform. He was getting excited to actually do something that didn't involve going to class everyday. He had been assigned to flight operations and he couldn't wait to actually fly something. Yet as his grandmother reminded him many times as a child, patience is a virtue and good things happen to those who wait. As he stood around with ten minutes to kill before the meeting, he quickly scanned the crowd that was gathering. He was trying to find his sister but was having trouble spotting her in the crowd. ~She'll turn up.~ He thought to himself. He loved his sister dearly, she was his best friend, but she was an adult and she could take care of her self. As he stood there waiting for the start of the introduction, he wondered who else had been assigned to this 'fool's errand' and whether the people he met would be relaxed offiicers who were in Starfleet for the joy of it or if they were a bunch of uptight and rigid types who cared more about advancement than the people around them. Only time would tell. (reply any) (reply any) (posted by Will Banowsky) Mission: You can't go home again Day: 1 Stardate: 2444.06.01 (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) Sekal - 11:32) There is an old military axiom that states, "If you are on time then you're late" so Sekal had made it a point to arrive early. The Admiral had been pacing about impatiently and the other officers were just beginning to arrive so the six foot five inch Vulcan scientist found a convenient place in the front near the center and stood with his hands cupped behind the small of his back. The posture was ancient and ingrained in the Vulcan culture, so much so that standing in this manner while balanced on the balls his feet he was perfectly at ease. It was considered a posture that while deferential to a commanding authority was at the same time relaxing. Humans might find this dichotomy somewhat confusing since they often tended to be nervous and ill at ease around authority figures. It was logical to assume that the meeting would be to give them their orders going forward which Sekal found mildly interesting. (Reply: Any) (Posted by Charles Gatling) Mission: You can't go home again Day: 1 Stardate: 2444.06.01 (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Outside the Landing Platforms - OPS, ENS JG Jacob Jackson - 11:32) Jake stood outside on the landing platforms. Jake was very curious and a bit unsure. His summons had seemed a bit hurried. There was a mass of ensigns mulling about waiting for briefing to start. One of his area(s) of specialization (Security/Tactical) was set to meet in addition at 1300 hrs. As Jake waited, he looked around at the base. The last few months had been difficult for SF and the Federation. (reply any) (posted by Bill West) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platforms - Medical Officer, ENS JG Kasian Poldan - 11:35) Kasian stepped off the shuttle that had brought him here from the space dock seemed like he had been changing ships a lot on the last few days just to get here. Looking around Kasian didn’t see anyone he knew he was going to be surrounded by strangers this much was obvious to him. Kasian left the shuttle and walked over towards the ones who had already arrived. Kasian wondered about his family and made a mental note that he should call them when he got settled in. (Reply any) (Posted by Richard) (Starfleet Martian Ground Facilities - Landing Platform 94 -Shuttle Sally K. Ride - Ensign JG Keira Merek - 1138) Post flight checks complete, she had just enough time to get to the meeting place and settle in before her new CO was scheduled to speak. Honestly she was cutting it a little close considering there were already a number of people gathered, and she could have cancelled her celebratory joy-ride around Phobos to arrive earlier, but she made it so everything should be on the up and up. She made mental note of who had already arrived, her eyes scanning those that had already gathered. Uniform colors and ranks, trying to keep track of the new faces and trying to guess what department they might be in. She kept quiet waiting for the briefing to begin. (Reply any) (Posted by Todd) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Ire Williams - 11:41) Ire slowed to a walk as he exited onto the Landing platform. He hopped that he was not running late but it looked like it had not started yet. There was a lot of people standing around and there was a supply box at one end. He edge himself to the edge of the group of people and He was a shy shorter than his own 6 foot 3 inches and with short brown hair and black eyes but what Ire found slight strange was that he saw the strap of a watch on his wrist. ~That’s different~ He stopped beside an Ensign J.G. ~Aunty Coleridge always said not time like the present to make friends~ “Glad it’s not started yet I thought I had missed it.” (Reply Trip Williams) (Reply Trip Williams, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Trip Williams - 11:42) “Glad it’s not started yet I thought I had missed it.” "No, you're early, don't worry." Trip said as he looked to the ensign that had just arrived. Trip sized up the new arrival. Slightly taller than Trip, but kind of a bean pole, maybe not even 175lbs. Too skinny. ~Need to take this guy to the gym, he needs some meat on them bones~ "Name is Trip Williams, Flight OPS" he said as he extended his and to the guy, "Welcome to the party." (reply Ire) "Ire, huh, odd name, but I guess it doesn't hurt to have another Williams running around. I guess that makes three of us." (Reply Ire) "Yeah I got a twin sister running around here, hopefully she is on time, but it would be like her to show up late. Are you a recent graduate, you look familiar?" (reply Ire) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Ire Williams - 11:43) "Name is Trip Williams, Flight OPS" Trip extended his and to the Ire "Welcome to the party." Ire shook Trips hand and smiled. “Thanks, I am Ire Williams.” "Ire, huh, odd name, but I guess it doesn't hurt to have another Williams running around. I guess that makes three of us." Ire nodded it was not the first time he had heard that question. “I am part Bajoran…” He ran his hand over his nose. “…. But you would not know it by looking at me.” He paused for a moment. “You said three Williams?” "Yeah I got a twin sister running around here, hopefully she is on time, but it would be like her to show up late. Are you a recent graduate, you look familiar?" “That must be nice to have family on board.” (Reply Trip) Sadness threatened to could his mood which he squashed it quickly and carried on. “Yes, I only just graduated. So green I squeak.” He grinned. “I am also in-flight OPS but specialised in small craft. Do you know much about what we are going to fly?” (Reply Trip) (Reply Trip, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Mars Surface - Outside the Landing Platforms- Ensign (jg) - CONN – Ire Williams - 11:43) "Name is Trip Williams, Flight OPS" Trip extended his and to the Ire "Welcome to the party." Ire shook Trips hand and smiled. “Thanks, I am Ire Williams.” "Ire, huh, odd name, but I guess it doesn't hurt to have another Williams running around. I guess that makes three of us." Ire nodded it was not the first time he had heard that question. “I am part Bajoran…” He ran his hand over his nose. “…. But you would not know it by looking at me.” He paused for a moment. “You said three Williams?” "Yeah I got a twin sister running around here, hopefully she is on time, but it would be like her to show up late. Are you a recent graduate, you look familiar?" “That must be nice to have family on board.” (Reply Trip) Sadness threatened to could his mood which he squashed it quickly and carried on. “Yes, I only just graduated. So green I squeak.” He grinned. “I am also in-flight OPS but specialised in small craft. Do you know much about what we are going to fly?” (Reply Trip) (Reply Trip, any) (Posted by Robbie)