>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Repercussions Day: 3 Stardate: 2444.07.11 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Base – Infirmary – CEO – Ensign Keira Merek – 0452) (Mars Base – Holodeck - Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 0743) (Mars Facility- Flight Operations Department- aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok -0847) (Mars Base -- Counseling office -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 0903) (Mars Facility Science Annex - CSO's Office - CSO Ensign Sienna Williams-Verin- 0907) (Mars Base -- Intell Office -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 0915) (Mars Base -- Intell Office -- CIO Ensign S.G. Jaelle Foxglove -- 0918) (Mars Facility Science Annex - CSO's Office - CSO Ensign Sienna Williams-Verin- 0945) (Mars Base – Temporary Personal Quarters - Nurse – Ewan McDonald - 1002) (Mars Base -- Intell Office – SFI Agent – MCPO – Rebecca Faust- 1008) (Earth- Ketchikan, Alaska- Ravok's Earth residence - CEO Ensign Sg. Keira Merek & aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok Shara -1101) (Mars Base, Shuttle Bay, Pilot Officer Ens(jg) Trinity Frost, 1150) (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1217) (Mars Base – The Vault – Science – Ensign (JG) – David Clark/Archivist – Aleese Akess - 1234) (Mars Facility - Science Annex, Physics Labs - SO (Research) Ensign (jg) Stennin- 1300) (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1510) (Mars Base -- Counseling Offices -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1515) (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1517) (Mars Base, -- Personal Quarters -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1525) (Mars Base, Security Center, Holodeck 1, aATAC Ensign sg Taya, 1530) (Mars Facility – Outside Admiral’s office - MC Ensign Ezra Tevan – 15:31) (Mars Base, Security Center, Holodeck 1, aATAC Ensign sg Taya, 1533) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, CSec Office - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters & (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan - 1538) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, CSec Office - SPC- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1540) (Mars Base Science Annex - Science Lab 4 - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl and CSRD- Lt. (Jg) Sekal- 15:42) (Mars base, Personal Quarters - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez - 1551) (Runabout Evangeline -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1555) (Mars Base - Main Shuttlebay - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl - 1556) (Mars Base-Medical Building, Counseling Suite - SPC Counselor Alaya Ravenstone - 1601) (Mars Facility – various, Quarters Sec Officer, Ens (jg) Paul Sleeford 1602hrs) (Runabout Evangeline - Cockpit - ENS JG Billy Alexander- 16:03) (Mars Base- Security Complex, Borrowed office - SPC -SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1601) (Mars base, Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez - 1602) (Mars base, Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1602) (Mars Facility - Shuttle Bay - CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1605) (Mars facility – Various – 16:05) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1650) (Mars Facility, Science Annex- 3rd floor, High energy particle physics lab– Ensign (Jg) Stennin - 1700) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1701) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS JG Billy Alexander - 17:02) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1703) (Mars Facility, Science Annex- 3rd floor, High energy particle physics lab– CSRD- Lieutenant (jg) Sekal- 1704) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.05) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Admiral's Aide. Ensign JG Billy Alexander - 17.08) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Medical Officer Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 17.10) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - aACMO -- Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 17.11) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.15) (Earth - San Francisco, Starfleet HQ Ballroom - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl - 17.16) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.17) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Medical Officer, Ensign JG, Dr. Kyros Ryelle - 17:18) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1743) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, Forensics Office - Security & Forensics Officer, CPO Percy de Rolo III, 1744) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th floor, Interrogation Room 1- (SPC)- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons and (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan- 2100) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th Floor, Hallway- (SPC)- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 2115) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th Floor, Interrogation Room 1 - (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan - 2116) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Base – Infirmary – CEO – Ensign Keira Merek – 0452) “OK, You are good to go. Mr. McDonald will give you something to dull the aches.” The Doctor ordered. The nurse nodded. “Yes Doctor Solace.” Keira raised an eyebrow. “Mr. McDonald, would you please administer 10 cc of Terakine for the pain.” Quinna asked. “This should help take of the edge. For a while at least,” the nurse said after grabbing the hypospray from the tray. Keira moved her head to the side to expose the injection site. “Maybe I can get some sleep before my trip then.” She felt the pressure of the hypospray and in a moment her tense muscles relaxed. “When you leave, you are to rest. No extra-curricular activities. Try to take it easy on duty.” Solace spoke “You can go after your meds are administered.” “I’m scheduled R&R today, I don’t know what Ravok has planned specifically but we were supposed to go look at some personal craft. Switch out some parts that kind of thing. I’m sure he has antigrav lifts. We will be fine.” She said while putting on her shirt. “Thanks again, Doctor.” She said with a smile. “…and thank you, Mr. McDonald.” She said. ~I wonder if he knows how close he came to getting laid out?~ she wondered to herself, but said nothing. “See you around.” With those words she left sickbay. (Reply McDonald, Solace, but not required) (Posted by Todd) (Mars Base – Holodeck - Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 0743) Ire pulled himself along in long graceful motions with his flight suit’s lights illuminating the way in the dark airless corridor. He glanced at the helmets huds display showing his air supply and a waypoint tracker as well a small timer which was counting down. ~Come on come on~ The waypoint tracker showed that he was needing turn right at the next junction. He new that he was going too fast to just grab into the corner a swing himself round which would also send him into an uncontrolled spin so he push himself of the right side wall and orientated him self so that his feet planting on the left wall of the corridor at the junction. Coiling his legs he pushed out sending him into the right hand corridor he bounced off the far wall as the laws of physics pulled on his original direction. He glanced at the timer as his finger gripped the wall and he began to hurl himself. ~Okay, Okay nearly there~ The door was straight ahead as he passed another junction with out slowing down. He reached out and grabbed the top of the open door and swung himself into the room. Suddenly the gravity came on as he passed the threshold and he dropped like a stone. He landed in a crouch and used his momentum to move forward as into the centre of the room which looked like a sickbay. He saw on the bio-beds there were patients in stasis pods as he reached for the pattern enhancer that was strapped to this back. He pulled it out, extended its legs and placed it on the floor. It activated with a soft hum and Ire gave it a couple of seconds for it to activate properly before he tapped his comm badge. “Rescue One to Nightingale pattern enhancer activated ready to transport on your command.” He heard the computer beep [End Simulation] Ire took a deep breath and stood up as he took of his helmet. He glanced at the timer on the wall of the sickbay which gave him his score. He had beaten the courses time but was slower than his personal best. “Thank you, computer.” He dropped the helmet on a nearby bio-bed and stretched. He found this program in the computer system as part of the Academy’s Zero-G disaster response training. It was based on the actual training vessel that some of the senior cadets would practice on. The starship had been in the verge of being decommissioned and had been towed to Mars. She had then been stripped of everything valuable and was replaced with working mock-ups. Which meant that the ship looked and felt like a working starship but she draws external power and could not fire weapons. From what he had heard she had been used for shipboard disasters training scenarios as well as ship boarding and defence with security. There had been a talk about the infamous Operation Broadsword scenario where two whole year groups in the academy were pitted against each other over a week. They ran boarding and repelling borders, sending in emergency engineering and medical team along with combat Search and rescue team. It all culminated in a mass evacuation before a simulated detonation of the ship. People were still talking about it when he had gone through the academy. “Computer is the star ship that this program is based on in the utopia planitia shipyards?” [Affirmative USS Expanse is in docking cradle Beta 329] He paused for a moment. “Computer has the USS Expanse been cleared by Engineering?” [Unknown, Still processing by Engineering Department] “Okay Thanks you.” He tapped his comm badge. “Ire to Engineering I have an enquiry. I realised that the USS Expanse is in orbit and I am wanting to go on board. I was wondering if the ship had been cleared for use or is, she still in the queue?” (reply engineering) (reply engineering, any) (Posted by Robbie) ( Mars Facility- Flight Operations Department- aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok -0847) " What do you mean the shuttle is no longer available? I reserved it well within the procedural guidelines . " Ravok said slightly agrivated. " I'm sorry Sir, but there must have been a scheduling error " The man at the flight operations service desk replied. Ravok tapped his foot and bit his lip with frustration as he leaned on the counter in front of him. " Well fix it, make it right..." He paused for a second and calmed himself. " Look I'm sorry. Please just arrange for another shuttle. I have a big day planned on earth and today is my day off. " The man looked at the terminal on front of him. " Sir, I do apologize but there is no shuttle available for the time slot you want ." Ravok laughed and slapped his hand on the counter. " This is great , just great. Who is in charge here ? " He asked . The man looked at his terminal and pretended to type in a few commands " Let me check...Ah, yes that's right. Lt. Williams, perhaps you've heard of him ?" The man asked very sarcastically. Ravok glared at the man. " I'm joking Sir, but if you seriously want to go to Earth, just go. " He said to Ravok. " How do I do that with no shuttle ?" Ravok questioned. " Simple , barely an inconvenience. Just take your fighter " The flight operations officer responded. Ravok laughed. " I just cant take a fighter to earth because I feel like it" " Of coarse you can " The man said as he made a holographic readout appear in front of Ravoks face. " As you can see Sir, as The Flight Squadron Executive Officer..." Ravok quickly cut him off. "Acting." The man smiled " Either way you have the authority to deem a Fighter Wing vessel a usuable means of transport, as long as it doesnt conflict with the day to day operations of the Fighter Wing. Since this is your day off, your fighter is grounded therefore isn't apart of the current days operations..." Ravok nodded his head as he read the policy, displayed in front of him. " Well, that's interesting. I guess you learn something new everyday huh?" The man smiled and nodded his head. " It appears so Sir" " Sorry about my...attitude and frustration. You have been most helpful. Please note that Warbird One will be traveling to earth in about an hour. " Ravok said. " I will , have a good trip Sir." The man nodded to him as Ravok took his leave. Ravok walked away and headed to his step mother's new quarters. He had to ask her a favor. ( reply none) ( posted by Davis- PC ENSIGN SG. RAVOK) (Mars Base -- Counseling office -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 0903) Quinna had sat in the chair. She never sat at the desk in the office. She wanted to show others that she was open to all who wanted to talk. Sadly no one wanted to talk. Everyone was content without conversations as a counselor. As she looked at her counseling to do list, she noticed that Intell seemed to escape their evaluations. Quinna decided that if Intell was not going to come to her, then she just had to go to them. With a PADD in one hand and a fresh travel cup of coffee, Quinna headed out. (Mars Facility Science Annex - CSO's Office - CSO Ensign Sienna Williams-Verin- 0907) Sienna looked up as Alyl rushed into her office. Sy caught the emotional overload and held her hand out, indicating that he was more than welcome to have a seat. "I just heard about Sekal. What do we do?" Alyl almost demanded of her. SIenna had been wondering exactly that. "You were not called to the all research hands meeting?" Sy asked quizzically. Something about the whole Sekal thing was not sitting right to her, but nothing had really been sitting right for the last 3 days or so, every since the Admiral's wife had showed up and demoted him. (reply Alyl) Sy nodded in confirmation. "I do not know that there is anything that -we- can do right now. I am going to go get T'Lah and make sure she is taken care of. I will try and get in contact with the Captain or the Admiral, and find out what is going on so I can brief the department. What you can do that would be very helpful is to please take over the day to day duties of the department. Ensign Michaels has a difficult assignment from me in regards to some of the invasive species the local farmers are reporting. I am not sure she's ever had a large project before, or been in the lead. If you could assist her, I would be most appreciative." This man would be an excellent ACSO if he stepped up and showed that potential that she could feel in him. (reply Alyl iyw) Sienna leaned back, "I also have another idea on how to help. My Mother is one of the lead Captains in Strat Ops at SFQ. I am going to contact her, Lt. Sekal should have someone from the Vulcan Embassy to advocate for him. " She had another idea, but she was not going to say anything to Alyl. "Anything else?" (reply Alyl) (posted by Mel) (Mars Base -- Intell Office -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 0915) Quinna entered the office, “Ensign Foxglove” Quinna said. “How are things today?” (Reply Foxglove) “Well, I am trying to close out initial reports and Intell has not been to counseling offices to get cleared. So you have time to take care of this? I am already here.” Quinna asked not wanting to pull out her mental weapon. (Reply Foxglove) (Played by Kris) (Mars Base -- Intell Office -- CIO Ensign S.G. Jaelle Foxglove -- 0918) Jaelle rubbed the soft area between her eyes at the bridge of her nose. She had spent the entire night looking over files of peoples past with no sleep the deep dive into not one but two adrmial's and a now captain was enough to make any intelligence officer cranky. It was only a matter of time before security and Earth would know what she accessed, the contacts needed, and the methods used and they would come for her. Which made the arrival of the counselor that much more surprising. “Ensign Foxglove” Quinna said. “How are things today?” the woman spoke as she entered Jaelle's office. "Can I help you." She spoke tired and slightly annoyed, at the sudden interruption. “Well, I am trying to close out initial reports and Intell has not been to counseling offices to get cleared. So you have time to take care of this? I am already here.” Quinna asked not wanting to pull out her mental weapon. It was bound to happen sooner or later but this wasn't really the time. But turning the medical officer away would issue even more issues to come. She made a motion and the windows around her office dimmer to allow a measure of privacy. "Okay where would you like to begin." (reply Quinna) (posted by Matthew Locke) (Mars Facility Science Annex - CSO's Office - CSO Ensign Sienna Williams-Verin- 0945) Sienna had finished her meeting with Alyl, and then made herself a cup of tea. She would check on T'Lah in a few minutes. "Luma, I need some assistance, please." Sy waited a minute, then almost 'felt' Luma's presence, =^= Luma is here to help the Sienna. Why are you agitated about the Sekal? He is our friend. =^= Sy smiled, Luma was very happy and she likely did not understand about what was going on with Sekal. "He is our friend, even though vulcans have a hard time understanding friendship. Luma, can you get me a secure connection to the Vulcan Embassy on Earth for me? Quietly. I don't want anyone else to know, I don't want it in the logs. I do not believe that Sekal is a traitor and I do not believe that the Admiral deserved to be demoted either. Something bad is happening and I want to protect our people." =^= The Sekal is our people? =^= Sienna laughed, "Oh yes, Luma he most definitely is." Another pause while Luma set up the connection and a vulcan female appeared on the screen, =^=Vulcan Embassy, Earth.=^= The woman on the screen spoke in that emotionless voice. "I am Ensign Sienna Verin, stationed at the Starfleet Mars Base . My co-worked, Lt. Sekal of Vulcan was just arrested on charges of treason and sabotage. His father is Saleke. I was hoping that the Embassy could send an advocate to assist him. He has not asked me, but he is my friend." The Vulcan woman seemed to listen, but her eyebrow went straight up at Sienna's statement. =^= I shall inform the Ambassador. Good day Ensign.=^= Before Sienna could say anything, the screen clicked off. Sy wanted to curse but Luma was speaking. =^= The Sienna does a good thing to help her friend. He will be all right though. He is not frightened. The Vulcans turned off the message though. Hopefully the Embassy will send friends to help our Sekal. =^= "I do not care if they are friends Luma, I only care that they take care of our friend and no one is better at tying legal knots than a Vulcan." Sienna put her head in her hands, a bad headache from the tension in her neck and shoulders. "Luma, if they do not send help, then tonight I will need your help to contact Saleke so he can rescue his son." Sienna's heart was racing. =^= Why is the Sienna so scared? =^= Luma asked, that curious, child-like voice. "Because the penalty for those crimes is death Luma. That is why I am so scared." There was no reply from Luma, as if the entity was thinking hard. (reply none) (posted by Mel) (Mars Base – Temporary Personal Quarters - Nurse – Ewan McDonald - 1002) The comm system buzzed as Ewan slapped the receive button with his hand. The wall mounted screen flickered to life illuminating his darkened room and a woman’s face appeared in it. =^=Ewan you there=^= Ewan got up from the bed and stepped towards the screen where he could be seen. “Hay big sis how are you doing?” =^=I am fine. What time is it where you are and why are you sleeping. I thought that Starfleet would be working you hard rather then letting you lounge about=^= He smiled thought his tiredness. “No Sis I am on swing shifts.” He saw his sister pull a face. “These things happen. I am the new guy so I am placed where I am needed.” He could see she was about to as another question so jumped in before her. “How are things on the Vital Spark?” The Vital Spark was an Oberth Class starship which the group his sister worked for had manged to get almost intact during the downsizing of the Federation. They had taken her and refitted her into a heavy-duty space tug which meant that she now has the capacity to tow almost anything that was in space to date with tractor beams or old fashioned tow lines depending on the situation. =^=She is doing fine and so are we. We might be heading your way soon. We are nearly finished here=^= The Vital Spark had been working one of the federation post war junkyards where a lot of the star ships in the civil war which were too irreparably damaged for refit were sent. “That is great I can show you around here.” =^=Mars! It’s going to be full of Starfleet?=^= “Well yes as this is the main base on mars but there is also a civilian area.” She was about to make a retort when something off screen caught her attention. =^= I am on my way=^= She turned back to screen =^=Sorry got to go. The number two tow line winch is playing up again and we need to get it sorted before we get in position for another two=^= “No problem Sis. See you when you get here.” The screen went blank as he turned and collapsed back onto the bed. ~A bit more sleep will be good~ (Reply Any) (Played by Robbie) (SPC Ewan McDonald) (Mars Base -- Intell Office – SFI Agent – MCPO – Rebecca Faust- 1008) Rebecca Faust stood at holo table going through her Trill mission timetable. She had the map of the city spread out in front of her and she was tracking her movements from the time she left her apartment until she was snatched on the street. She had been through it many times but had returned to it to see if she had missed something. Her mind wandered over the whole mission timeline as her eye unfocused. Her mind moved back to her deployment and her time on the Raven Fighter while traveling to Trill. An idea formed in her mind as she realised that she might be able to add something to the updating of the equipment used by their department and others like Foxglove’s and others had done. She paused as her idea solidified in her mind. “Show a class 8 probe.” The image changed to that of a class 8 probe. She remembered reading some where when she was at the academy that some crazy special emissary by taking out sensor equipment which was then replaced by a life support system that was able to keep one person alive during transport. “Computer place for comparison the class 8 and the class 9 probe.” The image changed again to show the two probes. They did not look to much difference on the outside and were both built on the torpedo chassis. ~Okay lest use the 9 as it has more a better performance and capabilities~ “Computer get rid of the class 8 and remove the outer casing of the class 9. Take out the sensor package, leave propulsion and navigation.” The image shifted and she looked inside. “Cozy. Put in a life support system.” She scrutinized it again. “Enough space for one person but nothing else. No space for equipment…….. Computer remove life support system and add a humanoid figure in a Ghost suit.” The image changed showing a person wearing a Ghost Suit inside the class 9 probe casing. “Okay add supplementary equipment for long term Ghost Suit use and add a type one mission equipment pack as well.” The image fluctuated as it rearranged itself as Rebecca looked at the finished arrangement. “Computer with the new specifications has the performance been degraded at all?” [Negative] “Great. Computer transfer new specifications to Ensign Foxglove for her approval.” There was a beep as the computer did as she had asked. ~Now I just need to find a way to get Jaelle to let me test it~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (SPC Rebecca Faust) (Earth- Ketchikan, Alaska- Ravok's Earth residence - CEO Ensign Sg. Keira Merek & aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok Shara -1101) After leaving Mars ahead of schedule, due to a shuttle schedule mix up. Ravok opted to use his Valkyrie 5 as a means of transport to Earth. Keira's eyes were wide the whole way there from excitement. The trip was much shorter than it would've been, in the shuttle. He landed the fighter on a concrete pad in front of the house. The house was in the woods in the outskirts of Ketchikan. Most of the vegetation was coniferous, pines and towering spruce trees. The house was a large structure composed of wood and stone. The windows of the house were opaque. Ravok opened the hatch of the fighter and climbed down the ladder, the scent of pine rushed into the cockpit filling their nostrils. Ravok waited at the bottom to make sure Keira made it down alright. "This is your place?" She asked, she was looking around at all the trees as she climbed down the boarding ladder. " Yeah this is it," he said as he looked at the house. Ravok continued, "I acquired the house while in the academy from one of my instructors who had previously used it as a vacation home for his family. His children were grown and had no interest in the property." "That's odd none of them had an interest," she said. The flight suit securing mechanisms were bunched in uncomfortable places. She was in such a hurry to get into the thing and take off, she had not done a careful job of putting it on. ~ I'll have to remember to put the suit on properly next time. ~ He walked to the back side of the Valkyrie and keyed open a hatch which contained their belongings and several crates of things needed for repairs on the Snakehead and Scorpion. She grabbed some of the equipment to take inside. She made sure the lighter things were in her left hand and the heavier ones in her right. After Dr. Solace's lecture on taking it easy, she wanted to make sure she didn't have to go back and explain to her that she did not indeed take it easy. " While other cadets were visiting family during breaks, I came here." He said as he stepped toward the house carrying their bags, as he did a security system activated and blue light extended away from the house. Ravok stopped in his tracks. On the ground surrounding the house were several steel posts ,each one about half a meter high, with red lights on the top of them. A drone flew in front of their faces. // Security systems are active\\ a voice from the drone said as it scanned Ravok’s face. " It's me Simon, stand down all security systems. Voice authorization M6128J " He stated to the drone and as he did, the force field dissipated, powering down the security. The drone flew off back to the house. He looked at Keira " Sorry about that" "Can't say I blame you." She admitted, "you get top marks for high tech, though." " This way" he nodded with his head. Leading her around to the side patio entrance of the home, completely ignoring the front door of the house . "Isn't it customary to use the front door on Earth homes? Is it holographic?" She asked about the apparent course correction. " The door was real ,but I had it walled off from the inside. The house may be on Earth, but I am still Romulan " he laughed. "Father insisted our home was the same, Mom thought it was silly." She admitted as she followed inside. Ravok laughed " What's silly about having false front doors ?" He asked sarcastically not needing a response. He opened the side door and entered the house . The patio entered into the kitchen area. Dark marble counters and fancy brushed steel appliances. She saw a butcher block cutting board that she was sure would come in handy. She had never cooked with an oven before, mostly over hearth fires. She'd have to learn if she was going to cook in her quarters on Mars, she had lunch to plan as well. So she started mulling over that. Inside the house Model ships covered most of the counter spaces and the dining room table. Ravok walked past them and set the bags down in the living room area and looked at Keira and smirked. " Are you gonna make fun of me for having toys?" He asked jokingly. She picked one up at random, "Too precise to be toys.." " Oh that's a Galaxy class, 42 decks, 641 meters in length, 473 meters in width, and 133 meters in height. Its warp core generated nearly 13 billion gigawatts of pow…" He stopped his rant, pausing in embarrassment. " I'm sorry, you're an engineer, you probably know all of that already." He smiled "I did know it's a galaxy class, and remembered it's warp speed tops of at 9.95, though I didn't have the rest memorized." She said. " I could go on for days about the starship classes" he said as he picked up a model bird of prey. Just looking at it. "Klingon." She said. "Is that the B'rel or the K'Vort? Easiest way to tell is size or crew compliments, since it's a scale model, you can't really use that...I really don't want to count wing induction coils or count bolts…" " B'rel" he said as he turned it over to show the bottom of it, the word B'rel and the year 2270 written in Klingon were on the bottom. "B'rel? Did you know that class came about as a cooperation between the Klingon and Romulan Empires? The two interstellar giants in response to both recently losing major conflicts to Starfleet had a very brief alliance before and even some parts surviving after the events of the Kitomer accords." She informed him. He nodded his head " Yeah the B'rel class is pretty much synonymous with espionage." "Klingons had better disruptors and faster warp drives, Romulans had better, more reliable cloaking devices, plasma torpedoes and better sensors." She stated. " I can only imagine who is truly responsible for the end of that alliance." He remarked. "In the end? Like a bad marriage, inconsolable differences. Klingons were too forward, Romulans of the time were too arrogant and too patient, for the Klingons at least. They split some time before the Kitomer massacre that involved one of the Enterprises." She shrugged, "Mom, history buff as she was would not like that I didn't remember which one." " Enterprise-C " he blurted out. " Come on let's get these flight suits off and head to the hangar. " "I agree. Let's get these parts to your hangar so I can look to see what we have ahead of us before I plan lunch." She said with a smile. He smiled back at her " Simon, disengage hangar holographic security network" Ravok said to the home's security system, to remove the holographic display of the surrounding landscape that surrounded the hangar. After removing their flight suits, they carried the crates containing various components and parts to the Hangar. The hangar was partially underground, inside the hangar were random parts of various small crafts laying around on the floor in sectioned off areas. The floor had handwritten markings on it signifying if the parts were good, bad , Romulan, Federation. The Type 11 was in perfect condition sitting in the far left corner of the hangar, the Snakehead was practically in pieces the main bulk of the Snakehead was surrounded by 4 large piles of parts. The Scorpion attack fighter had its hatch open and various parts laying around it. Its disruptor cannon was laying on the ground next to it. Signs of the power relay overload still present from his attempt at converting its power systems. Along the wall were a few different mobile robotic lift units, meant to assist in heavy lifting. In the right corner of the hangar was a large black tarp covering something up. He watched as Keira walked over to the Scorpion to examine it. "No carbon scorch marks on the walls, that's a good sign." She teased him giggling, "Your house is still here, so that's also a good sign." He looked at the burn marks on the concrete floor and laughed, rubbing the back of his head " Yeah, it was like having a series of micro fireworks going off, I have never ran away and screamed louder in my life. If I were to ever lose control of my bowels, that would have been the day" He laughed. "Has anyone else looked at this?" Keira inquired. " I asked Kora to look at it last year and she slammed her head against the hull and downed two bottles of bloodwine , before kindly calling me an idiot." He grinned "You didn't install power converters first did you? You hooked it straight up.." she was trying to get more information out of him. " You're the Chief, you tell me. " He responded, embarrassed by his foolishness. He was in such a hurry that day, that he skipped over the crucial step his step mother had hounded him over in his youth time and time again. ~ Good thing I'm not this careless while flying~ Ravok thought. She flipped open the tricorder she had palmed before getting a closer look. The device hummed happily as she got closer to the small craft. Warning buzzes issued from the palm sized device. "Most of these power conduits are fused. They'll have to all be removed and replaced individually. I'll have to run a diagnostic to check all the systems." He nodded his head in agreement. " Sounds like a good place to start, I'll do the diagnostic of the auxiliary power support systems, At least I know I can't mess that up," he said laughing at himself. “Hey, I can’t imagine many of the pilots doing a much better job. Could you imagine Ire doing the same thing?” she said in an attempt to console him. " Probably not " “I don’t think you’d have a house left.” she said with a grin continuing the scan. “Cascade power failure….” she just spoke straight from the device screen. “Coupling inversion, fused EPS grid, Structural Integrity Field is out of phase, three inner hull breaches.” She also began taking notes. It was getting clear to her this might not get done in an afternoon. Listening to her every word as she went down the list of every mistake he made. He couldn't help but think of his step mother. If he closed his eyes he swore she could be her, although less condescending. " That's exactly why I'm better at destroying ships than I am fixing them. I know how to blow them up, putting them back together….Not so much" He said as he winced. “We can try and salvage these, but recycling them might be a cathartic clean slate.” she asked. She knew from previous projects she’s worked on, that sometimes starting over can help your sanity. He shook his head in agreement. Knowing that was the best course of action to pursue. “What about the Snakehead?” What are your plans for that?” " Well the snake head just needs assembly and my plans are to install the new warp core " he answered. “Mind showing me what you got so far?” She said, “We can then prioritize and, if you want we can go to the market and pick up some food, then I’ll cook.” " Food sounds great." He smiled as he walked over to a terminal located next to the snakehead , and its various scattered parts and activated it. A holographic display popped up in front of him displaying an image of the snake head fully assembled. He raised his hand to the image and spread his fingers wide causing the image to break apart into a perfect representation of the scattered parts on the floor. "As you can see, every part is cataloged and accounted for. Coincidentally this vessel was designed to be highly adaptable to upgrades and for integration of new and foreign technology." Ravok explained as a highlighted image of the sub thrusters rotated counterclockwise in front of his face. “That makes them fairly adaptable.” she admitted and was genuinely impressed. “Like another famous adaptive collection of species.” He looked her in the eyes " Inspiration from…such things could have been the reasoning behind its adaptive design. " He said reluctantly, not wanting to talk too much about the possibility that Snakeheads came about from Romulans trying to understand Borg technology. Such things were still very taboo to discuss. “So what are we looking at, bottom line?” She asked. " The Scorpion requires more time but less work. This one requires more work, but less time." Ravok stated, nodding his head toward the scout ship. " Also, now that I think about it . You can have the Scorpion if you'd like. Either one take you pick" Ravok offered. She pondered for a moment looking over the collective arrangements of parts strewn about the hangar. “If the scorpion is to be mine I’d like to take some scans of its current state, so I can plan how I’m going to go about the reconstruction.” she stated, and then grinned, “Besides it’ll give me an excuse to come back,” teasing him. " And I thought getting some alone time out of uniform with me would be enough…." He said sarcastically. “That might be another reason….” She smiled. “Are you ready to go to the market?” " Sounds good. Do you have an idea of what you want to get ?" “I’ve got a list already made up. These items should be readily available.” she said. Ravok glanced at the list on the mini PADD. " The market area of town isn't far, I do however think we should take the type 11, bringing a fighter to the market is a little ...outrageous. " He laughed. “On second thought, I will take the Snakehead after all. I know how boys and their classic toys are. I wouldn’t want to keep you from it. We’ll plan out our priorities while we eat. Save your enzyme shot for dinner, I have something else planned. It’s plants for lunch.” (Reply none) ( posted by Todd and Davis ) (Mars Base, Shuttle Bay, Pilot Officer Ens(jg) Trinity Frost, 1150) "Ensign Frost, come here a moment." Trinity looked up from the PADD that she had been running her eyes over in the small seated area adjacent to the Main Hangar. She’d spoken to Lieutenant Williams a few times, finding him a reasonable, and decent boss. She looked confused as she stepped over. “Lieutenant?” "Hey listen, I've got a job for you. I need you to make sure this shuttle gets taken to get serviced. It works fine, but it's old, like have the stuff here, we don't want it to malfunction. Then if you could make sure the Maintenance crews get the Evangeline up and ready to go for her 16:00 departure." Trinity nodded, and shrugged. “I’ll run the diagnostics myself, we’ll have the old girl dancing a cha-cha at homecoming prom.” "Oh, and so yeah, I had requested a type 8 for my personal use this afternoon, decided, I'm just gonna take my fighter instead. I need to get a bit more flight time with the new Mark V. So since it is going to be prepped for the afternoon anyway and you need the flight time. Have her prepped to depart at 16:15. Then I want you to take a trip to earth and back. That should log you an hour and a half. Go ahead and leave at 16:15, I bet there are sure to be stragglers who miss the 'Party Bus', so you can be the back up ride." Trinity nodded. She genuinely liked the directness. She’d always hated the ‘beating around the bush’ types. “Aye Sir. Prep Valkyrie. “ She felt a tingle of acceptance as he told her to just simply run to Earth and back, with potentially no passengers, a simple ferry mission that would net her a good couple of hours. “Thank you Sir.” She answered simply, a gentle smile on her face. “Ships will be ready.” "Little by little we'll get your flight time logged don't worry Ensign. Dismissed." She nodded an acknowledgement, and then turned to a Tech Chief who had read the situation and appeared at her shoulder. She relayed the orders, and turned herself to the Evangeline. She wasn’t kidding when she’d said that she’d be dancing on her prom. (Reply none) (Posted by Mark) (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1217) Erin was back from her trip to Earth, and the Admiral was eager for news on what was happening with Remae. "Ensign, what happened?", she said, looking at the Counsellor as she seemed worried and angry at the same time. "Ma'am, it didn't go.. Quite as planned.", she said, trying to compose herself. Erin described Admiral Cayne, the Commander in Cheif of Starfleet walking around, armed and then she, she blurted out... "Ma'am, I shouted at the President." "Good!", said, Jana had little time for the Bajoran President as it was, and even less time for the nature of Starfleet as it had become. Re-starting Mars was the first right thing that the organisation had done in many years, in her opinion. Erin was expressing her guilt, but Jana waved it away with a hand in the air, but the Admiral has summoned their CMO to Earth to get that damn file out of Remae's head, and there was nothing she could do about it. She was considering taking a shuttle and going to Earth right now; nothing was going to stop her rescuing her husband... she was halfway out the door when she stopped in her tracks. She remembered what she was told before being assigned to Mars. "Go, prepare for a trip to Earth - I will see you in the shuttle bay before you go..." (Mars Base – The Vault – Science – Ensign (JG) – David Clark/Archivist – Aleese Akess - 1234) David paused as the stepped out of the elevator and into what the computer had called the Vault. The large room stretching out in front of him. There was a large open area running down its centre stretching right to the far end. There were rows and rows of what looked like stone bookshelves rising floor to ceiling, spanning multiple floors. He looked up into the high vaulted ceiling seeing the red stone of mars and wondered just how deep he was under the surface. ~This must have been a mammoth construction~ “Hallo can I help you?” David jumped startled out of his thoughts and turned. In front of him stood a woman in her twenties with red hair and grey eyes. He pulled himself back to the purpose of why he was here. “Hallo I am looking for Archivist Akess?” “I am her, how can I help you?” David gave him self a mental slap. ~Of course, she is El-Aurian. No wonder she looks so young to be a senior archivist~ “Um sorry. My name is Ensign David Clark. I am new transferred to the Science department and I am wondering if you could help me with a project that I am working on.” “Of course. Walk with me while you explain the reason for your visit.” With that Akess turned and began to walk down the middle of the room. David was taken about with her sudden departure hurried to catch up with her. “I am here to ask about the Flying Dutchman.” Aleese looked at him for a moment, letting the sound of their foot falls echo softly in the in the great room. “Are you a doomsayer or a rescuer?” There was a pause before David answered. “Will it affect you answer which one I am?” “No but it will help me understand the reasons why you are here. The doomsayers would say that the next return will precede a galactic cataclysm and the rescuers saw that it is trapped in a recurring loop that repeats itself again and again. That the people on board have no idea about what is happening?” David nodded. He had heard both opinions and although he leaned towards the rescue there was so much uncertainty about the Flying Dutchman that he was not sure. “I am more of a rescue then a doomsayer.” Aleese nodded. “That’s good those doomsayer types are very narrow minded in their thoughts and very repetitive in their arguments. I guess you are here because Flying Dutchman will appear soon?” “Yes we are predicting that Flying Dutchman should appear soon.” “Soon that’s not very specific from Temporal Investigations.” David nodded. “Unfortunately, it’s the closest they have been able to come up with.” “How much about the Flying Dutchman do you know?” “I have read the file that Temporal Investigations have but apart from that, that was one of the reasons for me to come to mars.” Aleese nodded. “So Temporal Investigations still thinks that it’s a federation starship of unknown class and configuration which has randomly appeared through out time. It comes out of a temporal vortex with all its weapons firing and attacking anything in the surrounding are before it gets pulled back into the temporal vortex as it closes.” “There is a theory that something happened to Flying Dutchman maybe during a battle which caused her to get caught in the temporal votex and sent her back through time.” “Back through time?” “Well yes. The main federation data banks have been checked but Flying Dutchman dose not match any know ship or design and as Flying Dutchman is going to appear soon it was though a good idea to get as much additional information as is available.” “Of course. I have some date in the secure section that might be of interest.” With that she turned and headed down between of the stone bookshelves. “Come on Ensign David don’t fall behind. You don’t want to get lost down here.” (Reply Any) (Played by Robbie) (SPC Science David Clark/ Archivist Aleese Akess) (Mars Facility - Science Annex, Physics Labs - SO (Research) Ensign (jg) Stennin- 1300) Stennin poured over his notes once more. he had spent some time with calculating all the necessary energy and resources to power the Warp Accelerated Railgun, and it had been difficult. The database did not have many sources for the components needed for the WAR, but he remembered that Sekal had mentioned the Engineering department. Stennin stood up straight and tapped his commbadge. "Ensign Stennin for T'Loren." (reply T'Loren) "I was informed that you are a weapons specialists in this department. I have a weapons project. It would be logical if you could assist me." (reply T'loren) "That is agreeable. I will see you shortly." (Reply T'Loren) (Written by Yoerik van Heugten) (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1510) The doors to the Admiral's temporary home whooshed open and someone new stood at the door. Waving him in, the Admiral looked up from her desk with a slight head tilt. "Ensign Sleeford reporting for duty Ma'am.", reported the new arrival. "Ensign.", said the Admiral as she took up the PADD and read the transfer orders for a moment and looked through the biography for anything that caught her eye. His age popped out a little from the page but she didn't make any comment on the matter or on his slight limp. Why the injury wasn't repaired or attend to was none of her concern. "Ensign. I see you've been assigned to Mars as a Security Officer. Very good, very good.", she said, placing the PADD back onto the pile Remae would have to look at when he got back. "Unless you have any questions for me, Ensign, you can resume your duties and report to your Cheif, Ensign Peters.", she said simply. Her mind was on Remae and not on the job and it showed. She trusted the senior officers of Mars to take care of the details. (Reply from Sleeford) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Mars Base -- Counseling Offices -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1515) Quinna’s body jolted as her arm slipped off the arm of the chair. She rested her head on her propped uo on her hand. She had dozed off for the moment. “Computer, time.” The request came between yawns. “The time is 1515 hours.” “Oh Crud.” Though those may not have been her exact words. Her time had ended at 1400. Quinna put her coffee cups back in the replicator for recycling and ran out the door. (Mars Facility - Admiral's Office - Acting CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1517 Billy had alerted the Admiral to another new arrival and, having just seen out Ensign Sleeford, she waved the next one in... ~ Is this how Remae spends his time? ~ "Ensign Ezra Tevan, reporting for duty, sir.", said the new Ensign, Jana noted that she was Trill and that wasn't a surprise, Trill Officers were becoming very well represented in the station. She wondered if President Zon was accelerating the recently reactivate Academy training program. Even though Trill was no longer a part of the Federation, their recent agreements were already bearing fruit. "Ensign, welcome to Mars.", she said, taking the PADD and transfer orders from the newest member of the facility. "I see you are a Medical Officer, perfect; you'll be working under Ensign Bracken. She is a very capable Cheif Medical Officer, and I am sure you will learn a lot.", said the Admiral, her slight Australian accent coming through as she thought about what Doctor Bracken had to do this afternoon. "After a strange set of events, there is a ceremony tonight on Earth. Ensign, grab your dress uniform and report to the shuttle. Departure is 1400.", said the Admiral. With the CMO being offside, and what was happening with Remae, it seemed cruel and unusual to leave Ensign Tevan on her own on her first day on the job. "Unless you have any questions, Ensign, you are dismissed." (Reply from Tevan) (Posted by Anthony Keen (Admiral Jana Bell)) (Mars Base, -- Personal Quarters -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1525) Quinna made it back to her quarters, she grabbed her to go bag and dumped the contents on her bed. She shift through the contents until she found her special necklace. It was her mother’s necklace. Her mother got it on their last family vacation. The pendant was a locket in the shape of an orb container. Quinna could not remember what it was called, but she did not care. When her and her brother was sent back to Earth, Quinna was given the locket and her mother kept the key. At that point, Quinna thought about her mother. “The time is 1545.” The computer alerted. Quinna jumped, and grabbed a few items she was going to need. She threw the clothes in the bag, closed her bag, and grabbed her necklace at the last second. She flew out of her quarters and towards the transport. Taya was finally able to start her work on forming her tactical department. She had 217 applicants that were originally scheduled to meet here in the holodeck at 0900, but the covert plan to catch the spy, put that on hold. As things turned out, the spy was killed, so they didn't arrest her anyway. Taya didn't like the loss of a life, but when a person played a dangerous game, things often went badly. Before addressing the people assembled, Taya spoke to her aid, CPO Paul Kirby. "Thank you for everything you did to put this together. I couldn't have done it without you." Kirby smiled. "I appreciate you saying that, ma'am." Taya still didn't like being addressed so formally and had told Kirby he didn't need to do it. However, in the presence of other personnel, protocol had to be maintained. "Are you sure you don't want to try out?" said Taya. "You're still in security." "No, I'm fine," said Kirby. "Someone needs to make sure you stay out of trouble." Taya harrumphed. "You've grown on me," said Kirby. Taya wasn't sure what that meant, but it was certainly a compliment. "Okay then," said Taya. "If I get any comm calls, I have the computer set to forward them to you. Don't interrupt unless it's something that needs my immediate attention. Either tell them I'll call back, or you take care of it." "Yes, ma'am," said Kirby with a nod. "All right. Let's get things going," said Taya. She moved towards the troops. "Attention!" It was someone from the crowd. The room quickly got quiet. "At ease." Taya gave them a moment. "Today is going to be one of the hardest days of your life. If that causes concern, you can leave now without anything held against you." No one left. "Then let's get started." NRPG: To be continued. (reply none) (posted by Rob Brown) (Mars Facility – Outside Admiral’s office - MC Ensign Ezra Tevan – 15:31) Ezra gave a small sigh, staring at the grey doors of the admiral’s office. The grey doors, barring the name of Admiral Bell reminded of her first visit to the admiral’s office at the academy. That visit didn’t turn out that well and almost made Ezra quite the academy altogether. She had to remind herself this situation was completely different. Her fingers trembled as she lifted her hand to press the chime. Another sigh and pushed the button. She heard the familiar sound of the chime followed by the voice of the admiral. (Reply Bell) The doors slid open and Ezra stepped inside the office. Ezra was pleasantly surprised by several things she saw. First of all the office didn’t look anything like the office she visited at the academy. What surprised her the most was the admiral herself. Ezra had, of course, checked the files on Admiral Jana Bell, before coming into the office, and she had seen the profile picture, but Ezra had to admit the picture didn’t do her justice at all. Despite having an air of authority, she definitely had an attractive quality about her. Ezra took a few steps into the office. She clasped her hands behind her back. “Ensign Ezra Tevan, reporting for duty, sir,” Ezra said. She wasn’t looking at the admiral but focused her gaze at an indistinct point somewhere over the shoulder of the admiral. (Reply Bell) (Reply Bell, any) (Posted by Jeroen Nagtegaal) (Mars Base, Security Center, Holodeck 1, aATAC Ensign sg Taya, 1533) "As ordered by Admiral Remae..." Taya paused as she realized what she had said. Though Remae was a captain now, he was an admiral when he issued the order to form a separate department. "We are forming a tactical team here on Mars base." Respecting Remae, Taya didn't correct herself. "We will man the planetary defense system. We are the first line on the ground. We'll also be like the old Earth SWAT or emergency response teams. We're still Starfleet security, but we're also a specialized department. There are 217 of you here, but for now, only 160 of you will make the cut." Taya paused to let that sink in. "Starfleet has a minimum standard each person must attain. It's higher for security. For tactical, your minimum score must be 25% above the security minimum." No one grumbled or complained, but Taya could see some reactions. Still, no one asked to be excused. "You will receive advanced training in energy weapons, projectile weapons, melee weapons, and unarmed combat. You'll study anatomy of any race we might encounter to learn the vulnerable points on their bodies. On duty, you will have a phaser, a stun baton, and a tricorder. Off duty, even in civilian clothes, you'll carry a cricket phaser." Taya was enjoying this, as she was excited about the new department. It felt good to be trusted with more responsibilities. "You will work 12-hour shifts; midnight to noon or noon to midnight. Two on and two off, and three over the weekend, forty on duty at all times. At least one day off per week, will be spent in study and training to insure you stay at peak efficiency. Only the best in my department. You'll all have the opportunity to earn team and shift command positions." Taya considered asking if anyone had questions, but she covered everything she wanted to say. It was time to get things going. "Computer, begin program, Tactical 1." The large holo room became a training center. "We have you divided into groups. Find your name on the list..." Taya pointed to a large board on a wall. "Report to your station. A holographic instructor will get you started. I'll be moving throughout the room, but know that everything is being recorded. Let's go!" While the mass of people hurried to the board, Kirby came to Taya's side. "I haven't figured out yet all your antennae moves, but from the way they're bouncing around, you're loving this," said Kirby smiling. Taya shouldn't have been surprised that Kirby had been studying her. He was security, after all. "Yes." That's all she said. Kirby nodded. The first of the recruits had reached their assigned areas, so things were getting started. Taya nodded back to Kirby and she began watching. (reply none) (posted by Rob Brown) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, CSec Office - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters & (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan - 1538) "Except the knife." Steven stated firmly. "That's in evidence and needs to be checked by forensics to see if it's the murder weapon. If it is it will have two sets of DNA on the blade, hers and mine since he slashed me with it." "And as for the why and how?" He shook his head. "They kill her the very day we set the trap. If you believe in coincidences good for you but I don't. The timing was way too neat for my liking." Vax'ildan twirled the thought around in his head for a moment before respomding, "You're probably right. I don't hold too much stock in coincidences either... however we took the time to wait them out, they were probably doing the same. There is a chance we both acted at the time time as both sides of this were working on similar schedules, however slim that chance is." Carson nodded. "That leaves two possibilities in my mind. They guessed or were told. How the hell they would have guessed I have no freaking idea. Everything was tied up neatly on our end. She was no longer a suspect in our case file and we had gathered enough evidence to place an arrest order on someone else... again by the case file. How do you jump from that to 'Oh! It's a trap!' I don't get it! We laid a perfect trail away from her, gave her the opening she needed and she ends up dead." He stomped the floor with his right foot. "It doesn't fly with me." "Nor me." said Carson as he leaned forward over his desk clearing his throat, "and I don't like that this seems to be leading us back within the same circle as before." "Yeah that leaves only one possibility. Someone ratted us out. One of the seven people who had knowledge of it either let it slip or warned them purposely. The only other explanation if this case makes you as paranoid as it's made me is that big brother is watching us but I think Luma can be our watchdog on that front." "The obvious answer is Ensign T'ay'ia sh'Mila'aa. That or by bringing Lieutenant Sekal into the fold, you either accidentally found the mole in him or he let it slip. It was only after these two were brought in that they acted so quickly." Vax pointed out. Carson blanched a little at the use of Taya's full name, ".. and I wouldn't be so expectant with Luma on that front, from what I understand she has nowhere near the level of oversight ability her on the base that she would have had on the Mystique. Heck, what happened today showed that. There are multiple areas of this base which aren't accessible to her and I won't be changing that any time soon, however much I enjoy her." Vax nodded, he knew his bosses wouldn't be happy if Luma was integrated into their systems. (Reply Hammons iyw) Carson began bringing up his personnel roster, "As soon as they're capable, I want our two assassins interogated." Until proven otherwise, he'd continue to trust the two men infront of him. "This evening if possible. Medical should be done with the autopsy and Forensics the apartment and evidence within the next few hours. I've placed both of these jobs on the highest priority." (Reply Hammons) "I shall be available to assist, if you wish." Vax said to Hammons. (Reply Hammons with room for more) "I'll be opening an Internal Affairs investigation tomorrow morning, headed by Ensign Saarsgard & Ensign Sleeford. Until you have any information, you're both dismissed." (Reply Hammons) Vax stood-up, gathered the padds. he had brought with him, silently nodded and left the office behind the Petty Officer. Carson sunk back into his chair, opened up the requiste forms to open up an IA investigation. No one was going to come out of this looking good, IA investigations invariably targetted nobody and wounded everybody. Carson hadn't needed to explain why he was picking the two newest Ensigns within the department to run the investigation, both had, had nothing to do with the current operation and neither were around or apart of the base when it was all uncovered before the Trill mission. Both could come to this as unbiased as anyone and having them be his own officers was preferable to asking for help from Earth. He just hoped the men were up to the job. He sent a schedule reminder out to both of them, asking for them to be in his office at 8am the next day, but gave no mention of why. (Reply Hammons, Sleeford, Saarsgard) (Posted by Jono Bradley - SPC Vax'ildan Oberan) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, CSec Office - SPC- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1540) "The obvious answer is Ensign T'ay'ia sh'Mila'aa. That or by bringing Lieutenant Sekal into the fold, you either accidentally found the mole in him or he let it slip. It was only after these two were brought in that they acted so quickly." Vax pointed out. Carson blanched. ".. and I wouldn't be so expectant with Luma on that front, from what I understand she has nowhere near the level of oversight ability her on the base that she would have had on the Mystique. Heck, what happened today showed that. There are multiple areas of this base which aren't accessible to her and I won't be changing that any time soon, however much I enjoy her." Hammons shrugged, at the moment everyone was a suspect until cleared. "I said she could help, not that she was the second coming of the messiah. The leak is going through our systems and she could help with that. Don't want her helping? It's no skin off my nose but until we find and plug that hole we should at least pretend to consider every possibility." "As soon as they're capable, I want our two assassins interogated. This evening if possible. Medical should be done with the autopsy and Forensics the apartment and evidence within the next few hours. I've placed both of these jobs on the highest priority." Hammons liked the sound of that and gave a knowing grin. "I'll start with the guy who knifed me. I doubt he will be scared of me but I might be able to make him mad enough to let something slip. He isn't going to like me much right now and the feeling is mutual. His partner went down too fast to be rattled." "I shall be available to assist, if you wish." Hammons looked across at Vax. "You know how to play good cop? Meet me at their cells at 2100 and we'll see how good your acting skills are." (Reply: Vax iyw) "I'll be opening an Internal Affairs investigation tomorrow morning, headed by Ensign Saarsgard & Ensign Sleeford. Until you have any information, you're both dismissed." Steven got to his feet. "Fine by me. We'll see if those bozos know anything first." He got to his feet, spun on his heel and left the room, growling at Richards as he passed. "Take a break bub you're off duty." Then left the man in his dust shaking his head. (Reply: Vax iyw, Any) (Posted by Charles G (Steven Hammons) (Mars Base Science Annex - Science Lab 4 - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl and CSRD- Lt. (Jg) Sekal- 15:42) Jaton was doing one final lap through the science labs, making sure that everything was all set before he left. He had his rucksack slung over his shoulder as he was headed straight to the shuttlebay, but he stopped when he reached lab 4 and saw who was inside: none other than Sekal. He knew he had to be quick, but he had to say something. He walked into the lab and approached Sekal. The Vulcan had been talking to one of the technicians about the holographic interface changes that had been initiated by Trill advances. The control interface was greatly simplified and on par with Andorian technology which made it a suitable replacement. “So, with all due respect sir, you want to tell me what this morning was all about?” He turned with a raised eyebrow to the science officer. "I have no reason not to comply as it is after the fact Ensign. Petty Officer Hammons needed a public arrest on a sensitive matter to bait out an infiltrator on the base. The ruse wasn't a threat to some outlines I was setting up for future use therefore I volunteered my services." Jaton frowned. “So… just some sort of palace intrigue? Did it at least turn out successfully?” "Unsuccessful it appears. Something must have happened to their suspect but that was not disclosed to me. The Chief of Security seemed to be highly agitated over the matter when he told me my presence was no longer needed." “I see,” Jaton said, disappointed. “Well I just wish that I’d have known beforehand. I can’t tell you what a panic it threw me into once I heard. I was this close to going straight to JAG over this as soon as I set foot on Earth. I know it might not be possible to let us in on it, but I still wish I’d known.” "Your concern is noted…", he said, "... it was noted that no one was to be told as they wanted the matter spread over the base by word of mouth and that quickly." He arched an eyebrow. "The plan was flawlessly logical, too logical it appears when applied to illogical beings." He dipped his head to Jaton. "No insult was intended." “The logical part of my mind knew that already, and I wish that it governed me more in these matters, sir.” "Pure logic can only be attained when the emotions are brought under control Ensign. There are meditations that can help if properly applied." The Vulcan intoned. Jaton nodded. “That’s good to know, sir. Perhaps that’s something I can look into when I return. I really must go if I want to catch the shuttle to Earth, but I hope you’ll excuse my intrusion. I was just concerned for you is all.” "You have my gratitude Ensign. We will talk when you return. There are still other plans to be made as well on upcoming projects. Tomorrow at ten o'clock." “Understood, sir. If the shuttle isn’t back by that point I will contact you from Earth. Depending on what time we have off, I will try to get to Istanbul and a couple other places in Anatolia, so there may be a bit of a time difference, but I’ll be sure to contact you then if I’m not back on base.” Sekal nodded. "Understood. Notify me of your expected time of return and I will plan accordingly. It would be best for you to leave now if you wish to make the shuttle." “Aye sir.” And with that, Jaton left the lab and continued down the corridor towards the shuttle bay. (reply none) (posted by Spencer and Charles Gatling) (Mars base, Personal Quarters - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez - 1551) Sitting in her quarters, Erin had passed the last hour or so replicating her dress blues, a set of scrubs and speaking to her mum. She couldn't shake a feeling of dread about this whole thing. Whether it was because of leaving Captain Remae, not being able to tell Billy what was going on or something else, she couldn't tell. Putting her things into a small bag, she fixed her hair into a sharp ponytail and looked at herself in the mirror. ~Well, it's now or never, lady. Let's go get Pipsqueak back.~ she thought to herself as she headed out of her door and pressed her combadge, "Cortez to Bracken. Let's kick the tyres and light the fires, momma bear. Time to go." “Acknowledged. On my way. Bracken out.” Erin hefted her bag onto her shoulder and headed to the shuttle bay. (Runabout Evangeline -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1555) Without any thought, Quinna threw her bag into the storage area and looked for a seat. The place was filling up. She found an open sitting area and took a seat. Her eyes closed as she started to drift asleep. (Reply Any) (Played by Kris) (Mars Base - Main Shuttlebay - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl - 1556) Jaton had to run part of the way to get there in time, but he was relieved to see the shuttle hadn’t left yet. He quickly boarded the shuttle and took one of the last seats left. He stowed his rucksack beneath the seat and settled in for the journey to Earth. Another planet he hadn’t set foot on in decades. “I’m so relieved,” he said to no one in particular. “I thought I wasn’t going to make it.” (Reply any on party bus) (Posted by Spencer) (Mars Facility – various, Quarters Sec Officer, Ens (jg) Paul Sleeford 1600hrs) Leaving the medical facility Sleeford felt drained , as he usually did, the question, the probes, the manipulation of his left hip area, left him feeling like he’d been hit by a runabout. Wandering aimlessly Sleeford took his time to look into everything, trying to get his bearings and fix in his mind were places where. Making his way to the dormitory wing Sleeford looked down to his PADD to find his designated room. As he wandered around Sleeford noticed an absence of personnel on the base, lie was like walking around a ghost town. Standing in front of the door Sleeford placed his hand in the sensor and waited for the computer to register his access, as the door opened Sleeford saw his meagre possession dumped in the middle of the room, stepping in he rested his cane against the chair and began the slow process of stowing his gear. While he worked he had the computer play some Mozart. Placing the last book on the small shelf Sleeford stood in the centre of the small room and looked around ~ Well its bigger then my old room in OTC at least I have my own shower ~ Sitting on the small sofa Sleeford closed his eyes and listed to the music. Opening his eyes Sleeford tapped his badge. “Sleeford to Ensigns Saarsgard and Taya” (Reply Saarsgard & Taya) “Are you both free this evening? , Ive been asked to meet with you for a brief meet and greet “ (Reply Saarsgard & Taya) “Okay great 19:00 hours in the main lounge?” (Reply Saarsgard & Taya) (Posted by Alistair) (Mars Base-Medical Building, Counseling Suite - SPC Counselor Alaya Ravenstone - 1600) Luma mad e a sound aloud, then connected with Alaya telepathically, ::Alaya will come quickly and make the helps of our Hammons. We like him for you, so you should make sure he is all right.:: Luma then flooded Alaya's mind with the last half an hour and Alaya staggered and reached over to steady herself with a hand against the wall. Poor Steven. Alaya closed her eyes for a moment, having never been close enough to Luma to get a dump of a memory as if she were living it. She was not going to mention that to her Steven though. Although he was not really hers yet. They had only been on a couple of dates. Something she was hoping to fix. "Luma, where is he?" Alaya asked out loud, letting her mind catch up to the experience. =^= The Hammons in in the Security building with the Carson. =^= Luma supplied in her chirping, very helpful voice. "Thank you, Luma. I will indeed help 'our' Hammons not be so unhappy if I can." There were a number of ways to deal with that, but Alaya thought lunch would be a good start. Or maybe dinner considering the time. Alaya tapped her comm badge, "Counselor Ravenstone to Petty Officer Hammons. Luma shared your arrest with me, Steven. Will you be available to have dinner with me?" Alaya nervously waited an answer. (reply Hammons) (posted by Mel- SPC Couns Alaya Ravenstone) (Runabout Evangeline - Cockpit - ENS JG Billy Alexander- 16:00) The time had come, the bus was full, and it was time to get the show on the road. It would be a 45 minute flight to Earth. 45 minutes and they would be at the dog and pony show that would be the party. Billy hoped that this party would be on the up and up, but having grown up in the shadow of Starfleet HQ, he knew very well how the politics of it all could work. A ship filled with ensigns, raw graduates no less, heads to Trill, gets them to join in a partnership that could lead to their reentry into the Federation, and remind the Trill that they need the Federation more than the Federation needed Trill. Somehow, he just had this feeling, that the brass were gonna make it about them, how great they were to approve this mission, send this particular crew, they were the one to assign them. Sure the crew would be honored, but there would be a lot of self congratulation and people straining themselves patting themselves on the back. But who knows, maybe it would be more on the up and up and not some political affair. Billy had been wrong before, and it was an occasion where he wouldn't mind being wrong. He entered the course heading and with a few quick presses of the console the Runnabout lifted itself up from the ground and begin its slow exit from the shuttle bay, as soon as it was clear of the bay doors, it began its ascent towards the Martian atmosphere, then open space, and finally the Evangeline was on her way towards Earth. (Mars Base- Security Complex, Borrowed office - SPC -SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1601) He had left the meeting with Carson and Vax and come back here to think, fortunately he no longer had a shadow for which he was appreciative. Richards had just been doing his job but the fact he was no longer present was a relief to Hammons. His booted feet were once again upon the desktop as he was thinking through the options. He would talk with Fredericks and Boyles later but even Boyles hadn't known the depths of his plan much less Fredericks and he trusted Boyles implicitly. The only other people to have known besides himself were senior officers except for Vax. Internal Affairs would be conducting an investigation but Steven decided he would continue this one from another angle. Who else could have found out what they were doing? There would have been an electronic trail certainly so he would be working to find out who had tapped into that feed. Once again it looked like a mole in Security or Administration and finding which one would be a daunting task. He couldn't just start pulling in members of those departments without evidence or a plan. His thoughts were interrupted by the chirp of his combadge which had been reopened to all incoming calls after the aborted trap had failed. =^= Counselor Ravenstone to Petty Officer Hammons. Luma shared your arrest with me, Steven. Will you be available to have dinner with with me? =^= He tapped his badge to reply. "My arrest? Luma told you I was arrested?" (Reply: Alaya) He gave a chuckle. "Naw I wasn't under arrest, I just had a shadow while I got patched up after the arrest of some murder suspects and sure. What time do you want to get together for dinner?" (Reply: Alaya) "I don't know about you but I'm tired of replicated food, there's a place at the Elysium Planitia dome that serves real vegetables imported from Earth along with meat raised locally. Are you interested?" (Reply: Alaya) "I'll meet you in an hour then and we'll transport over." The call ended he got to his feet, he would go back to his pad, shower and change then pick her up. The case wasn't ended and he would pick it up again tomorrow. (Reply: Alaya) (Posted by Charles G (Steven Hammons) (Mars base, Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez - 1602) Walking into the shuttle bay, Erin groaned audibly. All the shuttles but 1 were gone. "Damn it." (Reply Trinity) Erin turned and saw the young pilot. "Are you free?" (Reply Trinity) "Myself and one other need to get to earth as soon as possible." (Reply Trinity) (Reply Trinity, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Mars base, Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1602) Walking into the shuttle bay, Erin groaned audibly. All the shuttles but 1 were gone. "Damn it." Trinity looked up, a tiny bit hurt, irrationally so at the Officers reaction. “Problems Ma’am?” Erin turned and saw the young pilot. "Are you free?" Seeing a hint of something behind the dark haired medic’s eyes, she relaxed slightly, then spoke. “I’m leaving in 5. My orders are to Earth and back.” "Myself and one other need to get to earth as soon as possible." Trinity looked at the two Ensigns that had strode onto her deck. They had the marks of those that needed to be somewhere; fast. It belied their rank, though there was something in their demeanour. “I’m your huckleberry.” She shrugged simply. “Wheels up in 2.” She moved with a fluid motion, a smile of finally feeling alive swam over her. The smile deepened as she stepped into the cockpit and began the warm-up sequence as the other two officers took their seats. “Mars Ops this is Party-2 requesting launch clearance, vector and path is set and locked in.” =/\= Confirmed Party-2. Taxi to pad 2 vector is marked and locked in. =/\= Minutes later mars was receding behind them, Trinity opened a channel. “Estimated flight time 40 minutes, I’ll try to land you on the pad that’s closest to SFMHQ.” "Thanks for this." (Mars facility – Various – 16:05) Having made his arrangements for meeting his counterparts Sleeford sat at his desk and drummed his fingers on the desk top, he was aware that the majority of the members of staff where back on earth invited to some soiree or other from their last mission, grabbing his PADD he stood and headed out of his quarters and wandered over to the security complex. Standing outside he entered a few commands and brought up a map of the facility. Heading off to his right Sleeford entered the science block and wandered down empty corridors rounding a corner he walked through Science and into Medical, seeing a few nurses still on base Sleeford nodded and carried on. Walking through the admin block Sleeford came to a corridor off to his left, looking down at his PADD, Sleeford frowned see nothing. “Computer where does the corridor to my left lead to?” After what seemed like several second the computer replied.”There is no corridor in your vicinity” Frowning deeper Sleeford asked again. “Computer from my current location there is corridor leading to my left, where does it go” “There is no corridor in your location” Sighing Sleeford walked a few paces into the corridor, “Computer were does this corridor lead” Hearing silence Sleeford raised his eyebrows “Now why would they shield an unknown corridor” Walking forward Sleeford glanced to his left and right, seeing no doors or windows, nothing to indicate what the area was used for. Coming to a platform he found two flights of stairs, one going up, the other heading down. Mentally flipping a coin Sleeford headed down, as he went deeper the air got colder and damper. Feeling dirt and slime beneath his boots, walking fowards Sleeford turned back to see a darkly lit corridor. ~Strange~ Walking onwards Sleeford felt the ground rising as he moved forward, rounding a corner he stepped into a well lit corridor, looking down at his PADD he saw his was near the recreational area. “So why would they have an unmarked corridor here” Sleeford asked the world in general. (Posted by Alistair) (Mars Facility - Shuttle Bay - CO Admiral Jana Bell - 1605) Jana arrived to see the shuttles being prepared to leave... one was the infamous party shuttle and the other, was a shuttle taking the officers to see Fleet Admiral and President. She was in shadows but she was there long enough to be seen by a few people but then she was gone again. "Is everything onboard?", she asked the security officer and when they nodded back, Jana headed back to the base. She was there to bring the calvary if it all went south, what happened if it did, was she willing to take them into a yet another civil-war with a madman for a CINC and a complacent President? The thought had crossed her mind but it wasn't the time. She was putting her fair and the fate of her husband in their hands... (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen (Admiral Jana Bell)) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1650) Trinity had been as good as her word. They’d landed a couple of hundred metres away from the most accessible door to where she’d found out from her mother where Remae was being ‘held’. They alighted the shuttle, and walked toward the doors. Ailynn spoke to Erin as they paced into the next part of the plan. “Walk as if you have every right to be here. Follow my lead. Not many people will give us a second glance, but those that do will only see two senior Ensigns mid shift change. The ones from one shift will assume that we’re regularly on the other one. If anyone shows closer notice and starts talking to us, let me handle it.” Taking a deep breath, Erin nodded simply. “I won’t say a word. You’re in charge here.” They strode through the doors, and down the long corridor, glad that her assessment of the flow of people was correct. She allowed a smile to herself as they turned into a turbolift, to ascend up onto the third floor. “There’s a couple of private rooms, with attached bays up here, Remae is in one of these. They’re not used very much.” “How can you be sure?” “I’ve used them myself a time or two while I was at med school here. Plus, Mum gave me as much information that she could do.” Allowing herself a moment to calm, she followed her friend through the turbolift doors and looked around. “No-one’s home.” “Sweet. ‘Floor 3, section 6.’” The lift moved rapidly, and a few seconds later, reached its destination. Ailynn nodded her head to the left, and then went through a single, unremarkable looking door off to her right. “Through here. They’ve put a code on the door since last time, but my clearance should be enough.” ~hope so or this is gonna end quickly and not good for us~ she thought to herself as she waited “Computer, medical authorisation. Chief Medical Officer Bracken, Iota-three-kappa-epsilon-1” [Authorisation accepted. Enter when ready] The two young Officers stepped into the room, and saw a figure on the biobed. Ailynn turned to Erin. “He’s…” (Reply no-one) (Posted by Jackie and mark) (Mars Facility, Science Annex- 3rd floor, High energy particle physics lab– Ensign (Jg) Stennin - 1700) Stennin rose his brows as he tapped a few more commands on the console. He had spent the last hour with scanning the components of the dark matter phaser. He had been able to identify two of the important components already, however both the prefire chamber and the magnetic coils were proving to be a bit more difficult. He turned as he notified Sekal, who stood behind him. He rose his hand. "Dif-tor heh smusma, lieutenant. Are you in need of assistance?" He lowered his hand and looked at Sekal. Sekal nodded at him. "Is your study proceeding successfully?" Stennin nodded back and turned to the scanners, looking as Sekal followed his movements. "I have been able to identify both the grips and the focusing crystal. However, the magnetic coils and the prefire chambers appear to be somewhat erratic. Most illogical, I might add." He looked at the readout. "The magnetic focusing coils are not standard. What alloy of material did they use in the manufacture of it? The magnetic fields they are generating is of extremely high strength for such an application but it is logical. Dark matter is of a highly stable energy form that is difficult to influence." Stennin nodded fervently. "I would surmise the alloy would have to be a duranium-kelmocite mesh. It is currently the only material able to withstand such high energy electromagnetic fields. As to the specific readout of the magnetic fields, I am uncertain." (Reply Sekal) Stennin nodded. "I was able to create a condensed holographic schematics of the phasers exterior. But without the precise specifications of the prefire chamber and magnetic focusing components, I deduce it would be unable to replicate this." (Reply Sekal) Stennin tapped a few more commands. "It would be logical to assume that the exact specifications of this weapon will be known to us if we examine each component precisely. If will be able to reconstruct each component from the database, if we have the right materials." (Reply Sekal) "The WAR project is proceeding as well." Stennin turned away from the scanner and tapped a LCARS panel in the wall. "I have entrusted Ensign T'Loren with some of the work. She is a weapons expert who will give us some idea about the specifications of the railgun. I have run some simulations, but her expertise was a more efficient use of time and resources." (Reply Sekal) (Written by Yoerik van Heugten) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1700) Remae was waking from a deep sleep... whatever he was asleep on, it was hard as a rock, it was quite comfortable, like... he opened his eyes. It all came back to him in a rush, and the small burn mark front and centre on his chest confirmed it. It was hardly an unfamiliar feeling; a phaser had shot him on stun. He attempted to move, but he wasn't going anywhere, the medical forcefield kept him still but he could move his head, there was someone else in the room, a few someones else, perhaps there was someone by the door. "Is anyone there?", he asked out, and the face of Admiral Cayne hovered over him. "Interesting question, Captain, under the circumstances.", said the CINC, "Sorry for the restraints but it's for your own good, as much as ours.", he said very sure that shooting the Bajoran was the right course of action. There was no sign of the President, or anyone else, it was dark, quiet and noone else was around. "Doctor Bracken is on her way, once she has arrived, we'll get on with your treatment and remove that file from your head... after that, I don't see any reason why you can't return to work.", said the Admiral. "You want that file pretty badly, Admiral - I have a hard time in believing is all for my own good. What's the deal?", he said, his head becoming clearer. The Admiral simply smiled at the question but didn't answer but simply said, "It won't be long now." (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS JG Billy Alexander - 17:00) The flight was smooth, with no issues and they had arrived on Starfleet HQ at roughly 16:45 , then there was the 15 minute walk to get to the Ballroom at HQ. As they arrived, the configuration seemed to be pretty standard, with a few tables in one corner of the room for people to sit and chat, a large section of the ballroom open for those who wanted to stand an mingle, and a variety of tables set up throughout with a myriad selection of beverages and hors d'oeuvres. Not quite filling enough to be a full meal on their own, but in combination would be enough to get the job done. As Billy scanned the room he didn't see any of the admiralty their yet, but there were a few junior and senior officers who worked at the building already congregating, mostly Lieutenant JGs to Lieutenant commanders, some in dress uniform some in their normal duty uniform. It was obvious that some of them had stopped by from their offices to raid the food tables. As the group from Mars congregated at the entry way Billy turned to the group and with a sigh and a smile said, "Well I guess until the program starts, I guess we mingle and fill up on the hors d'oeuvres." (reply Party Bus group) (reply Party bus group) (posted by Will) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1701) “...in here...and As they entered the small room, they immediately caught sight of Remae on the biobed in the middle of the room. “Erin. Trolley” She motioned to the medical trolley at one side. “Lay out the tray.” Nodding, Erin fought to remember everything she had learnt in her little medical training she had had at the academy and did as she was told. “Computer. Activate sterile field. Get me a full cranial scan and blood sweep. Send it to my projector.” [Acknowledged. Scanning.] As Erin and the computer worked, Ailynn set out a small holoprojector, which after a few moments flickered into life, showing the scan of Remae’s skull, and adjacent to that a full blood sweep. “Blood O2 maximal, BP as per previous standard assessment...Toxscreen clear...He’s been given...Ah come on!...really? Amateurs.” Minutes ticked by, Ailynn dispensed a couple of drugs, one to counter the inappropriate anaesthetic, and another containing her own preferred cocktail. “So when I ask for something pass it to me swiftly and firmly. I need the handle placed directly into my palm.” She paused. “I’m sorry to be so intense.” "It's fine. Rather you than me in charge or it could go very wrong." Pausing for a moment, she looked down at Remae lying on the table in front of her and closed her eyes. ~just keep a steady hand and a steady head, Ailynn ~ “Target is right between the two hemispheres. Here...Erin…” Ailynn maneuvered the image with her hands, pulling them apart to enlarge and zoom in to the single, tiny rice grain sized crystal. “Can you see that?” "What the hell is that?" She responded, looking. "There's an actual data crystal in his head. How long is this gonna take to get out?" “Thirty minutes. Scalpel. Computer...monitor SATS, get me surgical feed 1.” She held hand out, glad to see that Erin was a fast learner. The handle of the scalpel hit her outstretched palm. “Small primary incision, retract to the skull.” Happy with the placement, she continued, “Drill.” This was passed over quickly too, Ailynn turned the neck, giving her a smaller focus, thus boring a much finer hole.” Minutes passed. As she often found, Ailynn’s breathing had slowed down considerably as she focussed on the horribly intricate job at hand. “Hole complete.” Ailynn sighed. “Item is too deep for... Get me the fine retractable probe and microclamp. Outside right.” Looking at the tray, Erin grabbed the tool and handed it to her. "This isn't right." Once more it was passed over well. “No it isn’t and I didn’t want to do it this way, it’s too close to a lot of really important cross linked neurons though. One slip and he’ll have an echo in his head for the rest of his days.” Millimeter by millimeter she fed the tiny probe in between the two hemispheres of Remaes brain. “Come on Bracken...taking too much time... Probe in place. Pulling out, and inserting microclamp.” She turned to Erin. “Once we get this to the surface we don’t have many options…” She turned to Erin and winked impishly. “This is kind of exciting no? Elicit brain surgery on one of the most Influential Officers in the Federation. We’re under somewhat questionable orders from Cayne and other members of the Federation council." ~exciting is not a word I would use for it~ Erin thought to herself as she watched her good friend work her magic. Slowly but surely, she edged closer to the small crystal. Erin's breathing slowed as she watched her pull it out. Standing by her side, Erin held a small, shallow container ready as Ailynn dropped the crystal inside and turned back to her patient. Taking the small container with the crystal inside, Erin placed it slowly down on the tray beside her and looked at it. ~hard to believe something so small could be the cause of all this. ~ she thought to herself as she turned her head and looked at the security feed that they had established looming down the corridors and around the area. Seeing two security officers walking towards their location, she hissed slightly, slamming her hand down on the tray. "Damn it, we may have company….." pausing a moment, she realised two things at the same time. One, the security officers were turning a corner and two, her hand hurt. Looking down at the tray, she realised that she had put her hand onto one of the sharp instruments on the tray and it was now digging into her skin. A small pool of blood was forming underneath. Glancing back to Bracken, Erin said nothing as she bit her lip, removing the instrument from her hand, ripped a piece of her scrubs off and wrapped her hand. (Mars Facility, Science Annex- 3rd floor, High energy particle physics lab– CSRD- Lieutenant (jg) Sekal- 1703) The other Vulcan nodded vigorously. "I would surmise the alloy would have to be a duranium-kelmocite mesh. It is currently the only material able to withstand such high energy electromagnetic fields. As to the specific readout of the magnetic fields, I am uncertain." Sekal considered briefly. "A logical supposition however it will need to be verified." Stennin nodded again. "I was able to create a condensed holographic schematic of the phasers exterior. But without the precise specifications of the prefire chamber and magnetic focusing components, I deduce it would be unable to replicate this." "While the specification for the ships design contained in the PADD will have some differences due to the power curve involved it should be within point zero three percent on the magnetic field rating adjusted for the efficiency loss scaled up. I suggest therefore using the data on the PADD as a baseline for comparison." Stennin tapped a few more commands. "It would be logical to assume that the exact specifications of this weapon will be known to us if we examine each component precisely. If will be able to reconstruct each component from the database, if we have the right materials." "And what of the warp assisted railgun concept?" "The WAR project is proceeding as well." Stennin turned away from the scanner and tapped a LCARS panel in the wall. "I have entrusted Ensign T'Loren with some of the work. She is a weapons expert who will give us some idea about the specifications of the railgun. I have run some simulations, but her expertise was a more efficient use of time and resources." Sekal nodded. "Having someone conversant in heavy weaponry assisting with the project was eminently logical." (Reply: Stennin) "After Ensign Alyl returns from Earth I will schedule a meeting between the senior officers in science and we will decide how best to allocate resources to the current projects." (Reply: Stennin) (Posted by Charles G) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.05) The trip to Earth was pretty uneventful It was good to walk around even though it was a short trip. She needed to stretch her legs anyway. She saw the layout of the ballroom. She saw some tables with horderves and various drinks. One of the drinks looked like a Bellini. She had similar drinks like that on Betazed so she grabbed one of them. It had a nice strawberry taste plus the taste of champagne. She will be careful with not consuming too many of these though she can probably drink some of the brass under the table. She got a plate of horederves and took a seat. She ate what was on the plate then walked around to mingle with the crowd sampling as she went with a glass in her hand. (Reply Any) (Posted by Edward) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Admiral's Aide. Ensign JG Billy Alexander - 17.08) Billy looked around as the group began to disperse. More people were filing in. He had seen a few of the brass there, but no one higher ranked than a commodore, yet. He knew eventually people would start filling in. Whether there was going to be a formal program or not, he didn't know. But there would definitely be some self congratulation and a couple of brown nosers tryings to kiss Admiral butt coming. Not from him or any of the mars crew, but from the low level pencil pushers who think that was the best way to get promoted. And in a way Billy was sure he could easily end up with them, he knew how to schmooze, he was already an Admiral's aide, maybe there were people who thought he was a brown noser. But for him it was more about the mission the pips on his collar, and as long as he stayed true to who he was, he would hopefully never be placed in the category of pencil pushing brown noser. Still he had been to these parties before. His grandfather and father were both admirals. He had been to his share of HQ parties, they were usually dull affairs, but they all had one thing in common, eventually people stop drinking synthehol and start drinking the good stuff. And loose lips sink ships. All he had to do was wait, schmooze, and maybe someone would let slip why Remae got the political run around. Then hopefully he would have enough leverage to get his old boss his job back or at least understand the why. Looking around at the party away team, he turned to the enigmatic ensign Foxglove. "So, you ever been to these fancy fleet parties before?" (reply Foxglove) "They can be a bit of bore, but there is always hope for chaos. One time, I went to one of these with my folks and a Lieutenant Junior Grade had a little too much and went face first through a table. That was kind of exciting." (reply Foxglove) Billy then paused a bit. "So is it true what they say about you?" (reply Foxglove iyw) "You know, you can kill someone just by winking at them." Billy said with a laugh and a smile, hopefully she knew he was joking. (reply Foxglove) (reply Foxglove) (posted by Will Banowsky (SPC Billy Alexander) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Medical Officer Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 17.10) Ryelle felt a bit like a fish out of water. He was just a gentle soul from a rural part of Bajor who used to be a monk. Yet here he was in the heart of Starfleet HQ at some fancy party, in his dress uniform. It was not often he wished he was back in the monastery, but this was one of those moments. He was a fish out of water, but at least the food table seemed appetizing. "Well," he said as he turned to Quinna, "We're here." (reply Quinna) "Not gonna lie though, kinda wish I was back in sickbay, kind feel a bit out of my element here." (Reply Quinna) "You ever been to one of these things before?" (reply Quinna) (reply Quinna, any who want to crash the conversation) (posted by Will Banowsky (SPC Kyros Ryelle) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - aACMO -- Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 17.11) Quinna was in awed. She wondered how many of these events she would attend in her career. She was intimidated by those with the rank of captain and above in the room. "Well," he said as he turned to Quinna, "We're here." “Yep” Quinna replied not knowing if she wanted to go any further.” "Not gonna lie though, kinda wish I was back in sickbay, kind feel a bit out of my element here." “Really,” Quinna turned with a smile, “You are the one that wanted to come.” Quinna smiled, “Come on. We can be awkward, together "You ever been to one of these things before?" “My last Starfleet affair was graduation from the academy.” Quinna Replied. "I have not been to too many formal parties either. My father has quite a bit consulting with Betazed High Counsel. He told me stories of them so this is new for me too. The Hors-d'oeuvres are pretty good. Go sample some and have a glass of champagne. I will be here when you get back." Quinna turned to the voice. “Hey. I did not see you there.” (Reples, Trei, Ryelle, any) “Shall we get something and find a table?” Quinna suggested, “WE can think of this as another mission training event.” (Reples, Trei, Ryelle, any) (Played by Kris) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.15) She saw ENS Ryelle arrive with Quinna. He looked uncomfortable being in this setting so she walked over to keep him company. "I have not been to too many formal parties either. My father has quite a bit consulting with Betazed High Counsel. He told me stories of them so this is new for me too. The horderves are pretty good. Go sample some and have a glass of champagne. I will be here when you get back." (Reply Ryelle) (Posted by Edward) (Earth - San Francisco, Starfleet HQ Ballroom - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl - 17.16) Jaton walked into the ballroom, his dress uniform starched, pressed, and looking impeccable. He took a glass of champagne off the tray carried by one of the waiters walking by him, and sipped at it slowly and delicately. He walked over to the Mars crew he'd travelled with. "I have not been to too many formal parties either. My father has quite a bit consulting with Betazed High Counsel. He told me stories of them so this is new for me too. The horderves are pretty good. Go sample some and have a glass of champagne. I will be here when you get back," Counselor Trei was saying. "Soirees like these are old hat for me. My parents were ever the socialites and held dinner parties every week. I learned early how to behave at these and how to look. Sure the last one I went to was back in 2418, but how much could've possibly changed?" (reply Trey, Ryelle, any) (posted by Spencer) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - ENS SG Counselor Ariel Trei - 17.17) Alyl suggested that they go to sit at a table. She nodded at the suggestion and walked over to a table. She put her Bellini down to mark her seat then got a plate of hors deaerves. She took the plate back to her seat and waited for the others to do the same. (Reply Alyl, Quinna, Ryelle) (Posted by Edward) (Starfleet HQ - Ballroom - Medical Officer, Ensign JG, Dr. Kyros Ryelle - 17:18) As the group headed towards the table, Ryelle started to feel a bit more comfortable. Safety in numbers as they say. He noticed Trei go off to get some food after placing her food on the table. Looking at the other two he smiled a soft smile. "Have you ever noticed how the dress uniform is somehow more comfortable than the the every day uniform? I feel like there is something in the fabric, especially the pants that make it somehow lighter and more breathable. It's odd but my dress pants are the most comfortable pair of pants I own." (Reply Jaton, Quinna) ~There it is Ryelle, get all the awkward small talk out right now.~ Ryelle nodded wih a smile as Trei returned and the foursome sat down at the table. "So, here we are I guess. Been about what, six weeks since we graduated from the academy, well with the exception of Jaton, but that is a whole separate issues." Ryelle paused for a moment. "Sorry Jaton I meant nothing by it, just don't know how else to explain your anomalous existence." Ryelle paused again, "Wow somehow I made it sound even worse. I'm so sorry." (reply Jaton) "But still for all of us, it's been a month since we've been assigned to Mars, plus few extra days, and well there was the trip on the Mystique. But how have you guys found it, being out and working and doing the stuff we were trained to do? How has the transition to Mars been?" (reply Jaton, Trei, Quinna) (Reply Jaton, Trei, Quinna, any who wish to crash the convo (I'm thinking specifically of either of Trouts characters who I believe are on mars) (posted by Will Banowsky (SPC Kyros Ryelle) (Earth - StarFleet Medical HQ - ACMO Ensign (sg) Erin Cortez and CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1743) Looking at the Captain, still lying unconscious on the medibed, Erin sighed. Surgery was now complete and she began to remove her scrubs. Her mind raced, closing her eyes to steady herself. It was then she became aware of the footsteps. Opening her eyes, she whirled round and looked straight into the face of Admiral Cayne. Her eyes widened in shock as she took a step back, (Reply Cayne) Glancing towards Bracken, then back to the Admiral, Erin felt a flash of anger. This man, she knew in her heart, had shot her Captain. She knew this but had no proof. Balling her fists slightly, she glared at him, "We are doing what you asked us to do. Right after you shot him." (Reply Cayne) Turning away from him, she ignored him, took off her scrubs and placed them in her bag. Her injured hand grazing something at the bottom she had almost forgotten. A smile crept over her a face as she gripped it tightly, stood back up and turned to face him. (Reply Cayne) "Well, Sir. I said quite plainly that you shot a ranking Starfleet Captain. Would you like me to repeat that? Perhaps on record this time?" (Reply Cayne) Rolling her eyes slightly, Erin shook her head, "No, Sir. Frankly, I don't really care. I lost all respect for the office you hold when you walked into the President's office and didn't answer my question of what you had done and where my Captain was. Now, I have a question for you." (Reply Cayne) Erin smirked a little as she pressed the small beacon she had in her hand, "Tell me something, Admiral. Have you ever heard the saying that the female of the species is more deadly than the Male?" (Reply Cayne) She nodded behind him as the figure of Admiral Bell materialised behind him, "Transwarp beacon. Great device. Now, you explain to Captain Remae's wife why you shot her husband. Myself and the erstwhile Doctor Bracken are walking out of this door and we are not going to stop. " Nodding at Ailynn, the pair made their way to the exit of the surgery suite before Erin stopped, turned and said simply, "It's on the table over there. Admiral?" (Reply Bell) "Give him hell, for me." (Reply Bell) (Reply Cayne, Bell, any) (Posted by Mark and Jackie) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, Forensics Office - Security & Forensics Officer, CPO Percy de Rolo III, 1744) Grumbling to himself about the amount of time spent in Kiva Rothvaryn's with no results, Percy was now back within the Security Services Centre sat at his desk looking out at the small section of the department which he was in charge of. In front of him was the report on the quarters he had searched. It was painfully empty, never in his career had he felt so entirely pointless. Finding nothing useful in the Quarters, he finished the report and brought up the file which held the autopsy report from Medical. =^=Authorisation Required=^= ~What?~ he thought to himself as he tapped his code in again. =^=Insufficient Access=^= He pulled up the report he'd just sent off. =^=Insufficient Access=^= ~What the?~ He had signed out the knife from the evidence locker to help verify whether it had been used in the murder. Unable to open up the autopsy was going to make it more difficult. Why wouldn't he have authorisation to view reports on a case he was attached too? The knife itself was an interesting looking weapon, a short black handle lead to a wide dagger. A small twist on the handle enabled an electric current, which ran across the blade once activated. ~Explains the lack of blood.~ Percy thought to himself as he twisted the weapon around in his gloved hands. Standing up and taking the weapon over to the machines on the opposite side of the room, flipped open the main one on and began a DNA sequencing programme. Placing parts of the blood left on the weapon into it, he pulled up Hammons DNA profile up and entered it into the machine so it ignored that and then waited. (Reply none) (Posted by Jono Bradley - SPC Percy de Rolo III) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th floor, Interrogation Room 1- (SPC)- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons and (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan- 2100) Steven and his cohort were waiting in the interrogation room when the 'suspect' was escorted in. He was restrained with magnetic cuffs and escorted by two security officers, one had remained outside. The table in the center of the room was metal and magnetic with three chairs, two on one side and a single on the other. The prisoner sat down and placed his hands on the table at the guards urging and a full magnetic lock was activated pinning his hands to the table. His face was still swollen even though his jaw had been repaired and would take some time to subside. There was a one-way glass on one wall which was a throwback to old interrogation days even though the room was wired for visual and sound. Steven had on his most wicked grin as he took a seat across from the guy. "Don't you look pretty today? Your face looks like a balloon that's about to pop." Standing at the back of the room Vax was stood in the corner, half concealed by a shadow created by an imperfect light. Knowing this was a unique chance for him to show his superiors he could do more than track figures, dates and such he’d jumped at the opportunity when Hammons had asked him to join in on the interrogation. If Foxglove gave him any flack, he could deflect it to Peters, he was the one giving orders after all. Once the man had been placed in his seat, Vax shuffled over out of the dark. The guy growled as Vax sat down and indicated the cuffs. "What's wrong, afraid of me?" Hammons laughed derisively. "Of you cupcake? You fell so hard and so fast I'm surprised you didn't leave a crater. And you don't even have the pig sticker you use to kill women from behind with. Tell me why I should be worried about a chump like you." Vax sat their studiously, tapping information on the padd in front of him. He understood Hammons wanted to rile the man up, he’d be better at that than Vax ever could be. Especially after rumbling with him already. Hammons chuckled as the guy turned beet red. "I suppose there's room for guys like you at the bottom of any shady organization. Kills women… check. From behind… check. A true bottom feeder. With your stellar cowardice and lack of character they should charge YOU to work for THEM. Must not be very much call for your limited skill set." “A grunt.” Vax said, the first thing he’d said out-loud since entering the cell. His voice quiet, just barely audible, he felt the table shift as the man moved his head closer to hear what was being said. There was a pause before he continued, speaking as if only to himself whilst he tapped away. “Within Intelligence circles, a grunt is the bottom feeder, the disposable asset. Someone that can be used for the most heinous and dangerous of crimes and then thrown away, killed or incarcerated without a second thought. Either they know nothing, or what they do know means they’ll be killed.” He stopped tapping and raised his head to look at the killer in the eye, raising his voice only a little. Vax said, “Are you about to be killed?” "First of all I didn't do anyth…." "Save me the spiel." Hammons growled. "We've got the report back from forensics. The knife you used to slice me with is the murder weapon. We've got you dead to rights pumpkin-head and you aren't getting out of this with anything short of life in prison… if you're lucky." Vax spun the padd around and pushed it towards him with the forensics report showing. "You son of….." Hammons pounded the table with his fists and he leaned so far over the table his face was only inches from the guys nose as he bawled out in a parade ground roar. "You want to call ME names you cross between bovine squat and marine scum? YOU are the filth people step on every day when they walk through a dog lot. YOU are the one who killed our suspect before we could bring her in. YOU are the reason I got called off a sting to a murder arrest. And YOU had better tell me who you are working for if you have any hope of getting out of prison before they carry you out in a pine box!" “I didn’t mean you should kill him.” Vax said pointedly and louder now, so the man could hear him clearly. As he stood up he put a hand on the back of Hammons as if to hold him back in case the “feral” officer decided to kill the man locked to the table. Hammons sat back down with a grim smile, the man across from him was almost grinding his teeth in rage at the repeated insults that were being shoveled his way. "Oh I'm not planning on killing him." The Petty Officer clearly enunciated each word. "I'm thinking if he ever makes it to prison he'll eat a shank in the prison yard or maybe in his cell after orders filter down from on high to make sure he keeps his mouth shut. Working for people who order these types of hits is a hazardous occupation. What scum like this do to other people can get turned on them just as fast as he got his orders." “After you almost killed him earlier, I wasn’t so sure.” Vax said, without so much as looking towards the man. He attempted to portray disinterest with Hammons and turned to the prisoner, “So are you going to tell him what he wants to know? I’m interested to see if his rudimentary interrogation techniques have worked.” “I’m not talking.” The man leant back in his chair and smiled some, “I know my rights.” Vax’s eyebrow raised, “I told you this wouldn’t work. You can’t threaten someone who was willing to die for their mission, with death. You’d know this if you didn’t just work in Security.” he watched as his eyes widened a little, telling both Hammons & Vax he hadn’t been prepared to die at all. Hammons shrugged. "A guy with no brains deserves what he gets." Vax leaned forward, “You don’t know who I am and you won’t get to know who I am. I do not work for Starfleet Security, I work for… an organisation better suited to utilise your…” Just then the lights began to flicker then abruptly shut off followed a few seconds later by the emergency lighting coming on dimly. Hammons stood up with a curse. Focusing on the training he was given when initially testing as an Agent many years ago, Vax shifted the chair away from him and moved around the table in one swift movement. The sound of booted feet running down the hall were muffled by the door followed by shouts and phaser fire. Hammons grabbed his sidearm and moved to the wall to the left of the door and he motioned for Vax to take cover. The prisoner was still locked down at the table. His confusion was soon replaced by triumph at the thought he was perhaps about to be broken out of the pokey. Standing by the prisoner, Vax ducked down behind him sliding a palmed phaser into his hand and stabbing it into the man’s ribs. “If they’re here for you, you won’t be going anywhere.” he hissed into his ear. Nodding to Hammons, they both waited to see what would happen. Silence eventually fell outside but Hammons remained crouched by the door in shadow. After a few moments the door opened, framing a guy in blackout armor and a black helmet complete with a smoked visor that covered all except his mouth. Seeing the prisoner shackled to the table he gave a grim smile. "Got you." He raised the phaser rifle to fire at the suddenly terrified murderer with the barrel poking well into the room. Hammons jumped toward it with a shout knocking the barrel high and twisted it out of the guys hands as he rounded the corner then dove straight into the guy's midsection with his head and right shoulder. The would be assassin grunted as the air was driven from his lungs and Steven kept his legs pumping which propelled the two into the corridor. The sound of a scuffle could be heard outside as the door shut, cutting off visual of the melee taking place. (Reply: None) (Posted by Charles Gatling (SPC) Steven Hammons) and Jono Bradley (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th Floor, Hallway- (SPC)- SecO, Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 2115) Steven rolled over and got to his feet then looked down at the guy who was chuckling while on his back. His helmet had been knocked askew so he pulled it off and tossed it aside and grinned up at Hammons. "A pretty good tussle there, I thought the docs told you to go easy on the repairs." Hammons extended his hand and Petty Officer Jared Boyles clasped it and was levered to his feet. "You know I forgot about it in all the excitement." Hammons grinned. "Besides it's important business we're about here." "You think he'll crack now?" His buddy asked. Hammons shrugged. "If I thought my employers were out to cut my life short I'd roll on them in a heartbeat but I'm not that guy. Plus we don't know how much he DOES know. Hopefully he will tell Vax SOMETHING we can use." "Yeah." Boyles brushed himself off reflexively. The floors down here were pretty clean but not exactly spotless. Booted feet tended to spread the ever-present Martian dust everywhere. "Well here's to hoping he sings like a canary. Are you going back in?" "Not right now." Hammons shook his head. "The guy hates my guts as much as I hate his. He will say more without me in there." "Don't these rooms have one-way glass windows?" Hammons grin got wider. "And here I thought that I was the smart one of the bunch." He pointed to the next door. "After you." Boyles kept his chuckle low to avoid tipping off the murder suspect and let himself in followed by Hammons. After they entered the viewing room Hammons stopped for a moment to initiate something they had prepared. "Computer start program Hammons, alpha, gamma three, one." "What's that?" Boyles asked. "Don't want to spoil the surprise." Hammons almost successfully kept the smile off his face. "Watch and see." They then took seats and watched as the lighting in the room was turned back on and Vax got to work pumping information from their suspect. "Don't you need popcorn and beer during a movie?" Jared whispered. Hammons whispered back. "How about some scotch instead afterward? I brought two bottles back from Trill." Boyles paled. "Maybe a couple of shots, I don't want THAT hangover again so soon." Hammons put his finger to his lips in a shushing motion and turned on the speaker. "The show's starting." Boyles chuckled quietly and turned back toward the glass. (Reply: None) (Posted by Charles G (Steven Hammons) (Mars Base, Security Services Centre, 7th Floor, Interrogation Room 1 - (SPC) IntO Analyst, Vax'ildan Oberan - 2116) As Hammons tumbled out of the room with the masked man, Vax rushed forward to the door, closed it, turned around and said, “Computer lock Interrogation Room 1 with authorization Intelligence-Alpha-Zeta-Pie-Gamma. Voice lock to me.” =^=Confirmed.=^= Turning his attention back to the locked down prisoner, he took a moment to flatten down his jacket, pulled his chair back to the table and sat down directly opposite him. Placing his phaser down on the table he finally said, “Well, that was overly dramatic. You’re clearly far more important to your boss than you were letting on.” His eyes flitting back and forth from Vax and back to the door, “Are you not going to help him?” his voice was a little frantic. “Who? The security officer? No. I’m sure they’ll keep each other busy enough. Gives us enough time to talk.” Vax smiled. He could feel the higher level of fear and adrenaline pumping off the man in front of him. “Nothing to say, I’ll be killed.” breathing heavily, he attempted to shrug, but the maglocks kept his arms in place. “There’s a chance you’ll be killed if you don’t.” He nodded back towards the door. “Hammons is capable, but if your man’s busted through several of this bases, Security Officers already. I see no reason why he won’t be back in this room within the next few minutes.” The man stayed quiet, clearing trying to work through his options in his mind. Vax could see clearly that he was confused by his calm demeanor. Finally settling on a response, “You don’t seem too scared? Prepared to die?” “Oh I won’t be hurt today.” Vax responded immediately, beaming. “I have an escape route. If the door opens before you tell me what I want to know, I’m gone and you’ll be dead.” Vax watched as he turned his head once more, looking around the room for a secret entrance. “How… what… who are you?” “Tell me what I want to know.” Vax glanced slightly at the door and then back to the prisoner. Silence followed. Vax sat back in his seat and waited. And waited. A full minute passed. The lights flickered again. Both of them looked towards the door at the same time as the lights went out once more and the room was sent into a midnight black. Unable to see anything for the seconds as the lights were out, Vax counted the seconds, stood up and moved back around the table by memory. As they room was thrown back into light, he was behind the man with his phaser back in hand. “Time’s up. What’s the answer?” As he said that a light began emanating from the door as someone from the outside began to cut through it. “OK. Get us out of here.” “Nope, that’s not how it works. Looks like you’ve got about a minute before he gets through.” Vax began fingering a portable transporter device in his hand. It wasn’t the type he would have used during a proper Intelligence operation, but this was easily identifiable and that was what he was going for. “Er.” time was speeding up, Vax could see him beginning to panic as the door was being cut open. “We were told to kill her. No extractions. Your man, Hemmend, was right. I used the knife I stabbed him with.” he spoke quickly, not taking his eyes off the door. “Why?” “Why?” the question repeated back at Vax. “Why now? Why was she killed?” “She was compromised. About to be arrested, they couldn’t take the risk she’d turn on them. Get ME out of here.” “Who’s they and how did they know?” “They knew. They gave us the job and told us her usefulness had expired, she’d.. Er.. completed the main portion of her job. She’d given them a better way of gaining the knowledge they wanted.” “How?” Vax asked, not forgetting the man hadn’t answered ‘Who’ they were. The cutting light was now almost three quarters to opening a hole in the door. “I don’t know.” “That’s not helpful,” Vax said as he slid the portable transporter shut and began to put it back in his pocket. “I DON'T KNOW. I swear. Look… you said it yourself earlier. I’m low-level, a gun for hire.” he began trying to shift the manacles on his wrists, pulling against them and kicking out at the table. “Please. Come on man, I can help. Take me to your bosses, you work in Intelligence right? I could be useful. Please.” Vax smiled and nodded, “I’m sure you could.” he moved back around the back of the prisoner. “Hold still.” he said as he began poking around with the portable transporter and said, “Computer, end program.” Very little changed around the room as the Holo-emitters turned off. The only change was that the door returned to it’s normal self. “What?” he said confused as the door opened to reveal Hammons behind it grinning. (Reply none) (Posted by Jono Bradley - SPC Vax’ildan Oberan)