>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Repercussions Day: 3 Stardate: 2444.07.11 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Earth- Ketchikan, Alaska- Ravoks Earth residence- CEO Ensign Sg. Keira Merek & aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok Shara - 1803) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1808) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1810) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Operations - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1843) (Mars Base – Mess hall - Ensign JG Gabe Vesper – 1843) (Mars Base, Main Building, Floor 7 -CSO- Ensign(sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 1852) (Mars Base - Security Services, Staging area - (SPC)- SecO- Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1854) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Med Research - Ensign JG Gabe Vesper– 1857) (Starfleet -- Starfleet grounds -- aACMO -- Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1859) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1900) (Mars facility - Ens JG P. Sleeford – 1900) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1901) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPCs) President Atremi - 1905) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Ares 01 - FCSO Lt. JG Trip Williams and Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters - 1907) (USS Boudicca - Strategic Operations, Primary War Room - Stratops, Vice-Adm Sevant - 1907) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Warbird One - aFSXO Ensign Sg Ravok- 1908) (USS Rebel Wind - Bridge - Head of Reactivation & Refit Command’s Weapons & Propulsion Dept: Utopia Planitia, Ens. T’Loren Sevant - 1908) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1910) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Ares One - FSCO Lt. JG Trip Williams and SPC Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters- 1911) (Mars Orbital - Operations Control – FOC Officer Ensign (JG) – Oliver Wallis - 1915) (Starfleet -- Starfleet grounds -- Medical Officer Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle -- 1915) (Starfleet Command, Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Chief of Starfleet Security, Vice Admiral Jono Janeway - 1917) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 1920) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1920) (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7-CSRD- Lieutenant (JG) Sekal- 1921) (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7-CSRD- Lieutenant (JG) Sekal- 1923) (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7- CSO Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 1925) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams – 1926) (Earth-Napa Valley- Home of Dale Bracken - FCSO Lt. JG Trip Williams - 1927) (Mars Base, Main Building, Floor 7 - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters - 1928) (Mars base-armour- Security Officer Ensign (JG) Paul Sleeford-1930) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 1931) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken and ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 1947) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken and ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2050) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 2053) (Starfleet Command - Medical Ward - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 2100) (Starfleet Command - Medical Ward - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell & ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez - 2102) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPCs) President Atremi - 2110) (Mars Facility- Holodeck - Ensign Ire Williams & SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 2145) (Mars Base, Security Services, CSec Office - IA officer Ens(jg) John WilliamsSCO, Ens(sg) - 2230) (Mars Base, Security Services, CSec Office - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters - 2231) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2247) (Mars Facility- Holodeck - Ensign Ire Williams & SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 2251) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Outside Gardens – ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2253) (Mars Facility, Science Annex - CSO's Office – CSO Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 2255) (Earth-Napa Valley- Home of Dale Bracken - FSCO Lieutenant JG Trip Williams and SPC Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters - 2301) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Outside Gardens – ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2311) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Earth- Ketchikan, Alaska- Ravoks Earth residence- CEO Ensign Sg. Keira Merek & aFSXO Ensign Sg. Ravok Shara - 1803) It seemed the long morning had made her hungry enough to finish 3 kebabs. Ravok on the other hand was like ferengi finding a pile of gold pressed latinum. Keira had made plenty to go around .They even had enough to share with some of the neighbors. “You said the holo-comm unit was in the common area?” she asked. Ravok nodded his head and walked into the living room. " Right here " he said as he activated the holo-comm unit that was built into the coffee table. He typed in his code to unlock it. He made sure she saw the code. " use it wherever you're here for any reason " Accepting the controls after he unlocked them, she pushed in the coordinates for the sector, and system, and initiated a hail, putting in the frequency manually along with a passcode she saved both on Ravok’s system. [Searching……] Minutes had gone by as the subspace signal reached lightyears across the ether. [Connecting] The screen went from blank to the old Romulan Empire logo: the Raptor holding the twin worlds of Romulus and Remus. This let Keira know they were still using the old rebuilt communications device she had cobbled together with parts from an old Romulan terminal. Knowing that even though it would probably not be her parents that answered it, people in a small community talk, and she wanted to be the one who told them not whomever answered at dawn, Keira gently nudged Ravok off screen until she could introduce him. ~I hope he understands.~ She thought to herself, but she did it anyway even though it pained her to do so. Ravok stood off to the side, patiently waiting for the communication to go through he could see the image of the Raptor, he couldn't help but feel chills and goosebumps on his body. The sight of the Raptor clutching the twin worlds. Filled him with a momentary sense of pride, as he hummed the words to the Romulan anthem. He snapped out of it as he felt his hand moving toward his heart. The feeling of pride diminished. The glaring raptor was replaced by a human man in his early 50s. Hair greying at the temples, crow’s feet accented his green eyes and his face was recently clean shaved within the last couple days, stubble had started peaking through his weathered skin. His face wore a stern mask as if greeting a door to door. Ferengi used shuttle salesman. “This is Carraya four colony, who is it?” “Mister Jordan is that any way to greet an elf?” she said with a playful smile. His face completely changed to a joyous smile, “Why Miss Keira it’s you! I was just getting ready to go do the milking, you’re lucky you caught me.” “Luck had nothing to do with it. I know everyone’s schedules. If it wasn’t you living closest, it would have been one of the others heading out to the fields. I need to speak to Mom and Dad, are they up and about yet?” "I think I seen their house light on." Jordan said. "Can you bring them to the Comms? I've got some news to share." She said trying to remain tight lipped. "Oh, did you get an assignment?" He asked barely able to contain his excitement. "Among other things." She said she glanced off screen and smiled to Ravok. He stood there with his arms crossed and smiled back at her, continuing to wait patiently. The older man was picking up that there was more that she wasn't telling. "Alright I guess I'll just learn about it from your folks." He looked dissapointed, but in the end he understood. "I'll fetch 'em right quick." Jordan reached underneath the screen field of view and the picture was once again replaced by the majestic raptor clutching the twin worlds. She looked over again. "It's going to be a few minutes probably. You doing okay?" Ravok smiled " I'm good. I'm really good " he said happily just watching her. " They are gonna be proud of you." She nodded as a silent thanks for his sincere, kind words. After a few short minutes had gone by the screen went back to the video feed. Two faces shared the screen. On the left half a Romulan male with dark hair long grown out of the "helmet haircut" typical of the Romulan military in the late 24th century. It was now long enough to be tied in a loose pony tail behind his prominently pointed ears, his brow ridge could be seen peeking though his parted bangs. By his left side taking the right half of the screen was a human woman who looked to be early to mid forties with clear blue eyes, high cheek bones and blonde hair that had just recently started to fade with streaks of gray. She kept her hair down, but tucked behind her ears. She was the first to speak. "My little Elf! It's been so long my darling!" Her excitement seemed to blast from the screen as if it were the main deflector. "We're so glad that you called!" "Halló móðir. Faðir" Keira greeted her parents in her mother's native tongue. "You don't call often, Paenhe. You have news?" He said. ~Straight to the point, dad never changes.~ "A few things." She said. The tension in the room was palpable. "I've been assigned, to Mars." "Mars?" Her father protested. "Not a ship?" Her mother questioned. "Wait, there's more…" she attempted to calm them. "I've been promoted. To senior grade. I'm also Chief of Engineering." They both beamed with pride at different things. Her mother let out a girlish giggle and clapped with glee at the sound of "Chief Engineer", but her father's reaction was more muted and stoic and very much showing his own way at the mention of his child being promoted. "....and I met a boy." She said quietly. Both of their reactions were quite different. Her mother showed quiet curiosity, while what her father showed could be more described like fire. "Are we going to meet him?" Her father asked tentatively. Keira flicked one of the controls on the device with her finger that both activated the holographic function and widened the feed. She pulled Ravok in closer so he was now visible in the feed. Ravok sat next to her. " jolan'tru- shaoi kon lhhai " he said to her father greeting him in a highly traditional sense that displayed Ravoks understanding of the Romulan caste system, completely acknowledging Clan Merek as a superior clan above his own families standing and lowered his head. He looked back up to her mother " Hello it is a pleasure to meet you " "Ravok meet Tovus Merek and January Evasdottir-Merek. Mom, Dad meet Ravok my boyfriend." She announced. "You got a family name?" The elder Romulan interjected. The blonde woman smacked his arm hard. "Tovus! That sort of thing doesn't matter anymore." Ravok smiled ~ I'm starting to see who she takes after~ he thought. " Ihhai, tr'Shara " ( romulan translation is Shara, Sir ) Ravok said once again acknowledging her father as a superior. Ravok was clearly showing his mostly passive romulan side. "Wait. That name sounds familiar." Jan said, she began pondering while Tovus explained what he knew. "Shara. Southerner. Some military service. Land owners, though without major political aspirations. In the old times they were grain farmers. Ancient Soldiers and Centurions of Clan Merek marched with Shara grain in their bellies." Ravok smiled " mnek'nra ihhai " ( correct Sir) " You honor me and display your knowledge of our past impeccably Sir. " Ravok replied, highly impressed with her father's knowledge of his clan. He looked at her mother. " The name is an old name ma'am many have carried the name, my family had...servants who carried our name as well. " he stated, wanting to avoid the word slave. "No." She said shaking her head. "That's not it. I'm familiar with Earth history, and some of the greater galaxy at large. The big dates, first contacts, the 4 years War, Buh...the Khitomer Accords, Wolf 359, the Dominion War." She smiled looking at her husband. " Only in the last third of my life have I had access to old Romulan history. Thanks to my Elven Prince" Tovus glared at Jan. It was clear she crossed a pre-established line. She only smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Oh, stop acting mad. You love me." Ravok did not take his eyes off her father. Keira in an attempt to help her father who was obviously not comfortable showing emotion in front of a near stranger that he was trying to look important in front of, who happened to be dating his daughter, "So as Chief Engineer I've been heading up lots of projects. My department has roughly 600 people in it." Tovus wasn't taking the bait. "Ravok where do you work? I don't suppose there are farms on Mars?" "DAD! That's not fair!" Keira protested. "He's a great officer and he's already seen combat!" " Ihhai, I am the acting Flight Squadron Executive Officer and commander of the M01 Warbirds assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing of the Mars Defense Perimeter, Recipient of 3 combat medals, and I assure you Ihhai if there are any farms on mars they have been beneath my notice." Ravok said confidently. No doubt he was practicing the old custom of Rihan boasting of one's station and achievements. Tovus' snark was replaced a look of satisfaction. While January's eyes opened wide. "Kuiper belt!" She blurted softly. Her face returned to a neutral expression as she quickly regained her composure. "Mister Shara, Ravok." She said then remembered the custom, and corrected herself. "Will you excuse us? I'd like to have a moment alone with my daughter." Tovus and Keira both looked at the blonde woman, obviously confused. Ravok raised an eyebrow at the mention of the kuiper belt. He turned to Keira " You ok with that?" Keira shrugged, "I guess. It's your place do you mind?" " No I don't mind at all , you wouldn't want to hear the conversations I have with Kora" Ravok returned his attention to her parents and nodded his head and stood up and walked away to the patio outside and shut the door behind him. As the younger man left the room, Jan waited approximately 10 seconds. "Is he gone?" "Yeah, mom. He's outside. You're acting really weird." She said, really confused. "Trust your mother dear. You can't date this man." She said very slowly. Tovus looked very surprised. Of the people to protest in her dating life, he had never fathomed it would be her mother. "WHY!?" Keira said angrily but in a low menacing tone. "Because of what's going to happen.". She said. "What do you mean?" Keira demanded. "He's easily one of the best things that's happened to me." She explained. "He's loyal, kind, and a gentle soul." Tovus spoke, "I'm confused too. He seems like a good man." "It's…." Her holographic fingers made a fist, she was holding something back, "Complicated, you have to trust me. Call it mother's intuition." "No." Keira uttered a single word in defiance. "I'm an adult. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm not leaving him, he makes me happy. If you can't give me a reason. A good reason. Then the matter is closed." Tovus was shocked that his adult daughter was now using the same phrase that he used to use to settle discussions they'd have when she was growing up. " I'm going to go get him. Are you going to behave?" Keira announced glaring at her own mother. ~ I can't tell her, but this could be the biggest mistake. I know what I saw.~ A look of defeat washed across Jan's face. "Fine."she said quietly. Keira walked out to the patio where Ravok was waiting. "You want to come say good bye to my folks?" As the pair walked in and back in front of the area that the screen would pick up, Keira grabbed Ravok's hand a little more forcefully than the emotion she was trying to convey would seem to need. It all came out like defiance. He smiled " Yeah that would be great." Ravok walked back inside with her and walked over to the holo-comm and sat down. " It was great meeting both of you and If it matters in anyway, I will make sure your daughter stays out of trouble." he said smiling. " Although she's proven herself strong enough to handle almost anything thrown at h……" Ravok was cut off =/\=1st Fighter Wing to Ensign Ravok=/\= He slapped his commbadge “Yes” =/\=We have a situation at Starfleet HQ, Fighter squadrons are scrambling for patrol.=/\= Ravoks comm-band on his left wrist started flashing red. This meant serious business. “I’m currently on Earth, with my fighter, please note that Ensign Merek is my flight officer we can be airborne in minutes..” he said as he grabbed their flight suits and tossed Keira hers "Sorry. Duty calls." She said to her parents as she caught the uniform. Both parents were now visibly concerned. "Is everything going to be all right?" Jan asked. "I'll let you know as soon as we're out of it." She said before stepping off screen to put on her own flight suit. =/\=Affirmative. Lieutenant Williams is also being notified.=/\= The communication ended as he scrambled into his suit and yelled to Keira's parents " Like I said it was great meeting you , your daughter is very lovely" "Bye, mom, dad." She said and slapped the key to end the transmission. Within moments Ravok was geared up and ready to go, no doubt trained for fast response. She was only slightly behind him, having learned to better put on the gear after messing it up the first time. He typed commands into the built in padd on his left arm gauntlet, powering up the fighters engines and power systems. He pressed two buttons located on his suits collar, making his helmet extend out from his suit and wrap itself around his head. He turned back and looked at her. " Let's go" She mimicked his motion to activate her helmet and nodded. They both ran to the fighter. (Reply none) (Posted by Rob D, and Todd) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1808) Jana was heading out the door, she was planning to speak to whomever she could find but as she did so, an Ensign approached her with a PADD for her to read. Ensign Foxglove detailed the PADD and explained that an investigation had shown evidence that the incident that had so damaged San Francisco those few years ago, and he shown nothing of interest had indeed been linked to Admiral Cayne. Where this report had come from had Bell interested but she knew enough to keep her mouth shut and simply nodded at the Intelligence Officer with respect and proceed out the door. (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1810) Remae was lying on his biobed and he felt not the greatest as he attempted to follow the scene all around him. Whatever drugs he had been given, was causing him to feel a little out of it. “Sir, can give us a clue what just happened here?”, asked Ensign Solice, her face was blurry and seemed to be out of focus, perhaps more bent than usual. He shook his head to clear the image. "Not entirely sure, what's going on, it seems that I've been operated on, twice, once by an insane Admiral and them again by Ensign Bracken.", he said looking around for the Cheif Medical Officer, or Jana. Neither seemed to be there. The Bajoran laid backed again, the room was still spinning but he heard the noise, the commotion, He had concerns, he had concerns for all but, it was too much... even as he did try to stand but it wasn't going to work and he fell asleep again. (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Operations - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1843) The return-code was sent out and Jana had finished programming the communication system to send out the message. There was nobody around and she saw no Admirals, not many officers, where was everyone? The call to arms had been sent, the alarm bells were going off all around and the place was at Red Alert, she slapped her commbadge, "Anyone within Starfleet Headquarters who can hear me, report to OPS at once.", she ordered, she needed to know what was going on, she couldn't run the place on her own... As officers, crew and everyone else began running in, "Assume a station, get me some answers.", she commanded, taking over in the central areas, "Get the President in here as well.", she commanded. =^= Cortez to Admiral Bell. =^ "Ensign... where are you?", she asked but instead, Erin replied, "^= Ma'am, are you with the Captain? =^= "No, we're in Operations...", she said and she clicked her fingers to someone, pointing to see if someone could find out where she was, or what was going on. =^= Forgive me for being blunt but I don't have…. =^= and the line went quiet, =^=..... a lot of time =^= =^= The file your husband had was Dulon. =^= "What? Ensign, what does that mean?" =^= Because he's screaming in my head right now. Look, I can't hold him back long enough. I can't so I need you to do one thing for me. =^= =^= Tell everyone I'm… sorry. =^= A sound of a phaser was heard and then, the Ensign appeared next to her in a transporter beam. She was shot, she had shot herself at point blank range. It took a moment, "Oh no you don't my girl.", she swooped up Erin as if she weighted nothing, "Medical emergency, two to transport back to Medical.", she said, as both were swept away and as she dematralised. (Mars Base – Mess hall - Ensign JG Gabe Vesper – 1843) Gabe sat in the room, he hadn't had time for many of the new people he needed to meet, pouring over the report he was trying to make sense of. The small item that they had extracted from the body had been sent down to the lab to check over, but things still didn't make sense, he kept wondering what it was doing there. His attention diverted to and from what Bracken had said about the need to speak to JB. =^= This is Lieutenant Sekal. Red alert, I repeat red alert. All fighter wings to mobilize immediately for planetary defense and take up position in orbit. Medical facilities to be mobilized. Security and tactical forces are to arm and await further orders. All other departments are to mobilize and stand by for support. This is not a drill.=^= As the klaxon sounded Gabe jumped up and grabbed his PADD, instinct drew him right away, nodding to several officers as he bounded out the room "Ensign Vesper to Sickbay, I'm on my way" he shouted into his combadge (Reply any) Gabe bounded through the corridor trying to keep the pace up. "Oh forget this, emergency transport to central medical complex" he said tapping his badge and stood waiting for the transport. (Mars Base, Main Building, Floor 7 -CSO- Ensign(sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 1852) Sy had been in her quarters, preparing a surprise for Lynn when the call came. She was close, her family quarters were in the same building so it was quicker for her to run up the stairs than to clog up the transporters, even though the 'person' that was handling the transporter was Luma'lenai in many of the cases. In the places that she had spread and was present, she could greatly speed up many matters. Arriving slightly out of breath she slipped and was caught by one of the exiting officers and grinned up at him. The skin on skin contact that augmented Sienna's telepathy caused her to smile widely, with a slight laugh. "Sorry, Ensign, I am very much taken but I appreciate it!" She winked at him before turning to head inside. Sienna took the seat at the sensors array and spun it up. She took a second, calmed herself with a deep breath to center herself and 'called' for Trip. ::Where are you, and are you ok. Please..:: She did not feel the immediate connection, he was on Earth with the girl who was not his girlfriend and she KNEW it was too far. But she tried anyways. ::Be safe.:: She felt something, a brief blip of reassurance, but she was probably imagining it. The distance was far, far too far. When the video came up, Sy ran all the facial recognition against the Fleet Records. She spoke out loud, "Sir, facial recognition is a 96 to 98.4% match on all involved parties, voice matches are also within highly probably matches as well." The next beep from the computer also had Sy speaking, "The computer does not believe this to be an edited together or doctored file, by the time-encodes on the feed, it appears to be correct. This is history in the making." That was the best information she could give them. This was not a staged, but she felt like an idiot for saying that line but she had always wanted to. She was sure that the Vulcan would chart it all up to her being a highly emotional species. (reply any, none) (posted by Melinda G) (Mars Base - Security Services, Staging area - (SPC)- SecO- Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons- 1854) Hammons could almost hear the wheels grinding in the officer's head as he glared at him having not gotten what he wanted which he assumed was a smart a** quip or challenge. ~Hmmm. I think he needs use his noodle to think a bit more, those gears are squeaky. If he was looking for an opportunity to kick my a** from here to Earth and back he is seriously underestimating my intelligence.~ Saarsgard jerked a thumb to his side in a *follow me* gesture and started walking so Steven pulled in behind him. He considered duck-walking but discarded the notion almost immediately. That would be overkill and draw his wrath even though it would satisfy his desire to mock the officer. ~I've really gotta get my sense of humor checked and overhauled at some point, it could easily spill over into death wish territory. Hell my mouth has already gotten me into enough trouble with Eric the Red here.~ Saarsgard was obviously fuming over the missed opportunity when he stopped. "I don't like you. You're entirely too smart for your own good." ~I'm shocked, and here I thought we had a bromance going on. I wonder if he likes flowers. But maybe there's hope, he definitely sees my finer points.~ Officers despised people like Hammons, they considered them to be a breach of protocol, detrimental to discipline and an affront to their authority. But if an officer could look past those points there were other things men like he could offer, Steven was a lot of fun at parties. He watched with barely concealed astonishment while Saarsgard's furious look melted from his face as he turned toward him. It wasn't welcoming, wasn't friendly but he wasn't radiating hatred at the moment either. "But I don't have time for that, neither of us do. We could end up fighting our own very soon - and these men don't know me. They do know you, some of them anyway." ~I'm with you so far, keep going. I know you'll love me some day.~ Saarsgard looked toward the assembly and a shadow of introspection crossed his face momentarily before he turned back toward him. "They have to trust that we're doing the right thing, they have to trust that those they’re following won't spend them like cheap coins. They don't know that about me. But for all that I'd adore shoving my boot up your ass, you're fair - and they do know that. So, you're at my side until this is over. If something happens you think I need to know, you'll tell me. If we do have to fight, the men will see us kicking the same ass." ~A lot of truth in that statement, especially about how he feels about me.~ "If you don't think you can do this, point out someone who can." Hammons' carefully neutral expression didn't change as he nodded. "I can do that sir. We aren't friends but we're on the same team here and as long as the team kicks a** I could give a damn about who I work with. If a coup is happening on Earth then a stop has to be put to it no matter what." He regarded the taller man for a heartbeat. "So I'd say a truce is in order here. You do you and I'll back you to the hilt." (Reply: Saarsgard) (Posted by Charles G) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Med Research - Ensign JG Gabe Vesper– 1857) He beamed in and started rushing to the Sickbay in time to hear Dural finish his sentence. “Then that’s all we can hope for.” He tapped his combadge. “Central Medical to OPS, this is Ensign Dural Methor reporting, Medical stands ready to accept casualties.” "Yes, hope, let's just hope shall we? After all Starfleet was built on hope wasn't it Doctor?" Gabe said not thinking as he headed to the storage cupboard. (Reply Dural) Gabe pulled out the medkits "you, you and you kit up we'll head down to Operations stand ready. Unless you have another suggestion Doctor?" He asked throwing the kits to the three nurses he had pointed. (Reply Dural, any) (Posted by Mat) (Starfleet -- Starfleet grounds -- aACMO -- Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1859) Quinna looked lost. She had been doing her thing in Starfleet Medical. All of a sudden more Starfleet personnel, Members of the Mars team filtered into Medical. Quinna seemed to bypasses. Looking around, she was no longer needed there. She had lost sight of the group that had come with her. Quinna slipped out of Medical as she was not needed and was sure no one would miss her. She walked around until she found herself outside. She faced the Pacific Ocean, where she could feel the ocean breeze. She wondered if her talents should have been better place in Marin-tine service. While walking the grounds, Quinna came to a small garden. A familiar figure was in the distance. “What are you doing here. I did not see you in Medical earlier.” Quinna comment. When Quinna came closer to Ryelle, “What happened?” (Reply Ryelle) “It suddenly got busy. I don’t think anyone noticed I was even there.” Quinna held out her hand, “Would you like to take a walk with me?” (Reply Ryelle) “There is something very calming about this time of night.” Taking a cleansing breath of the night air, Quinna turned. “Any special plans?” (Reply Ryelle) (Reply any who what to join in) (Played by Kris) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1900) They beamed back to where it had all started, the President was on one bed, Remae on another and now Erin was placed into a spare medical unit as the medical officers swarmed around her, "Doctor Bracken... she said, "She said the file was Dulon...", she said and then both of them exchange glances and the Admiral got out of the way, "Be careful!", she said as she headed over to Remae's bed. She looked at him for a moment before he looked back and then together, they both looked at the Counsellor who was frantically being worked on by the medical officers. "Admiral Bell to all Starfleet Personnel, repeat, Starfleet Command to all units, system wide... cancel Red Alert. Ensign Cortez is safe, the President is safe. Starfleet is secure. Go to Yellow Alert, all stations.", she said, trying to end the panic, at least for now. A crackle came in over the communications, a confirmation was needed, it appeared Admiral Bell wasn't going to be enough to stop the alert. "President... we need you to step up, start to right your wrongs.", said Bell to the Bajoran, "Are you willing?", she said and then waited for her reply. "We're at Red Alert. They aren't going to stand down for me, we need the head of the government, a civilian, to let them know all is well, so that they can stand down.", she said, "Unless you want me to start a coup to take over Starfleet?", said the Admiral, "Because, if you like, I think we could do a better job!", she said walking dangerously towards the President. "Look up there.", she pointed towards a screen, the screen was filling with dots, sensors, all of Starfleet, what there was of it was mobilising and they were heading towards Earth. (Reply from All) (Posted by Anthony Keen (SPC Admiral Jana Bell)) (Mars facility - Ens JG P. Sleeford – 19:00) NRPG – Repsoting to correct time RPG Sleeford stood in the deep shadows near the flight operations building and hangers, not the first time he'd been on stag, although this time there'd be no 30k run in the morning, , his rifle resting gently in his shoulder, the fore-stock resting on his arm, scanning the horizon and the sky he waited, knowing that in the event of a fight, the first place hit would be flight ops, denying the enemy air superiority, thus dominating the air and the battlefield, was the first part of winning the war. He knew that there was friction between the office of the President and the CinC of Starfleet, but to actually lead to civil wear was an anathema to Sleeford, the idea of Starfleet was peaceful, one of exploration, any armed conflict to be avoided or if not as a last resort. The last major altercation had been the dominion war, when the founders and Cardis had formed an alliance and nearly brought the federation to it's knees. As Sleeford stared out into the distance, wondering if his old regiment would be sent against them, he knew most of the brighter class mates where now staff officers and aides to generals, the less able one where given line commands, most if not all to be licked into shape by platoon Sgt., Sleeford hoped that the marines were not sent in, those commanding officer had a sever lack of imagination in keeping their men alive and would just throw grunts at a wall until there was either none left or the enemy took pity and stopped firing. As he speculated on the coming events Sleeford's comm badge vibrated against his chest. "This is Lieutenant Sekal. Stand down from Red alert. All departments go to condition green and resume normal operations. All departments reply." Tapping his badge Sleeford spoke. "Understood " sighing Sleeford lowered his rifle and closed his eyes, he knew that if push had come to shove he doubted he could have fired on his own. (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1901) "Doctor Bracken... Bell said, "She said the file was Dulon...", she said and then both of them exchange glances and the Admiral got out of the way, "Be careful!", she said as she headed over to Remae's bed. “Aye Sir.” Ailynn said already passing on orders. “Get me a scan. Chief, put in a line and cross match me 5 units. Crash team on standby. Vital seconds passed into long minutes, and Ailynn was aware of every move that she and the HQ’s trauma team were making. Slowly, painfully slowly. Erin’s vitals stabilised. “Obs are steady BP is 125 over 75. Blood O2 99% breathing normal.” Ailynn sighed thankfully. “Bring her out of the sedative, take her through to Surgical 3. I’ll go in and remove shrapnel this evening. I can’t do it with what she’s had now though. Nurse?” “Doctor?” “Prep a standard surgical tray for me, and please stick around, I’ll need your assist.” There was a certain look about all of the others. They found themselves doing exactly what this young lady was ordering them to, but not actually knowing who she was. There was something about the tone and presence of the girl that they figured that she must just be in charge. (Reply none necessary) (Posted by Mark) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - (SPCs) President Atremi - 1905) The President was lying on her bed watching what was unfolding in front of her, the entire facility was at Red Alert until Jana and that Counsellor beamed in, she was injured and the frenzy had begun, everyone was running around, the klaxons were sounding. Jana looked over at the President and invited her to come over and she did, her shoulder was a mess but the pain was under control. The Admiral had called an end to the Red Alert, people were panicking, what else was going on out there. "Are you willing?", said Admiral Bell who was standing close to Remae's side, still the comotion of the work going on next to her was overwhelming, she looked at Bell. "I... I don't know what you are talking about.", she said, looking around until Admiral Bell looked up, "You see that.", said the Admiral. The sign said, RED ALERT, it flashed on and off, klaxons sounded and for a moment, the President seemed to not understand. The parts were clicking into place, perhaps it was her wound but, she finally understood, she looked over at Remae as he said her name. "This is the President, all forces stand down.", she said entering in her code to the nearby panel... the transmission begun. (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen (SPC President Atremi)) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Ares 01 - FCSO Lt. JG Trip Williams and Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters - 1907) =/\=Lieutenant Trip Williams, long way from home.=/\= Trip was a little taken aback, he knew the voice on the other end. It was his cousin's girlfriend, Erin Cortez, the counselor. He knew she was an odd ball, but he never thought she was capable of causing this much trouble. "Ensign Cortez, is that you? I'm ordering you to stand down, right now!" =/\=Not quite, but she's in here somewhere. Body isn't bad. Although, from what she has in her head, you aren't the right family member are you?=/\= "What the hell is going? If you're not Erin, who the hell are you?!" =/\=Gul Dulon. Scientist, Doctor in the great Cardassian Empire. =/\= "Well whoever you are, I wont say it again, stand down or I will open fire." =/\=Shush, she's such a whiner, this one. At least the other is silent.=/\= "What other one?" "The red head, pilot. " ~Frost?!~ Trip thought to himself. "Stand down!" Trip shouted. =/\= You bore me now. We are going to resume my plan for the Sol system and it's destruction. =/\= "Like hell you are, Ronnie, target the engines, two phaser shots, nothing lethal, their is a hostage aboard." "Aye Sir," Was the reply as two phaser strikes rocked the type 8 shuttle as it was held in place by the tractor beam. =/\= Trip, you still….. there?=/\= The voice sounded different this time, scared, weaker, not as confident. "I think the two phaser shots are indicative that I'm still here." =/\=It's…. Ducks.=/\= She replied and terminated the comm. "Does everyone know about my irrational fear of ducks." Trip said wondering if that meant Erin had taken some modicum of control. "Sir," Ronnie chimed in, "The shuttles transporters just activated, it looks like, yes the hostage has been beamed out of the shuttle, shes on the ground," Trip maneuvered the fighter to get a better visual, he could see Trinity on the ground and security personnel rushing to tend to her. ~Maybe Cortez did get control.~ "Alright Ensign, maintain phaser lock, let's see what happens next. "Aye," came the reply. The duo waited a bit to see what the Gul or Erin might be planning. "Sir, second transporter beam, I've got a lock on it's coordinates, looks like into HQ. There are no live signs on the shuttle." Trip maintained tractor lock. He was not sure what the Gul's play was. "Alright we'll wait here patiently, see what happenes next." He paused, "You handle yourself pretty well Ronnie, maybe I should poach you. I could use a good flight officer, and it has to be more entertaining then working as an Aide to Captain Bracken." Ronnie laughed, "Maybe, we'll see. I definitely would rather be in a fighter than an office" Trip smiled slightly, "Any movement from in the shuttle." "No sir, but the security team has it surronded, its not going anywhere." "Disable tractor lock, that way they can get inside." Ronnie did as commanded and the tractor beam was disengaged. Trip then maneuvered thef ighter to be in front of the shuttle. Ready to fire if needed to, The security team then entered and secured the shuttle. It wasn't going anywhere. The moment was then broken up by a comm message coming in. =/\="This is the President, all forces stand down.",=/\= "Ensign," Trip chimed, "Is that code legit?" "Yes sir," Trip gave a quick sigh of relief. "Alright then, lets do as the president asks.Lets stand down and get back. Dale, probably has been updated on what is going on, but I don't want Ash to worry." "yeah you wouldn't want to make your girlfriend worry" Ronnie said with a grin. "What, what are you talking about, she's, she's not my girlfriend." "You sure about that?" Ronnie said. Trip shook his head and ignored her as he set course to head back to the Napa Valley. (reply none) (posted by Will Banowsky) (USS Boudicca - Strategic Operations, Primary War Room - Stratops, Vice-Adm Sevant - 1907) =^=This is the President, all forces stand down.=^= Sevant tapped his fingertips together as he waited. Exactly nine seconds later, his XO turned to face him with her thumb in the up position, "Her code is confirmed, voice is a match. That's the president with Admiral Bell, no evidence of coercion." Then there was not going to be another battle on Terra. That was good, that was very good. For all that he was half-vulcan, Sevant could do a cartwheel over this good news. It almost made up for what he would have to do next. He tapped a button on his panel for communications to the 1st Fleet and MDP. "This is Admiral Sevant, stand down to yellow alert and return to previous locations." He paused a moment, "USS Rebel Wind, lower your shields and prepare to be boarded. All crew are to submit to security forces for an inquest into court martial charges." =^=Affirmative.=^= The Admiral almost bled inside at the sound of his daughter's voice, as he tapped another button. "Mars Base, send a security team by shuttle to pick up the engineering crew on the Rebel Wind. They are to be held pending charges." (reply: any on Mars/Mars Security) (posted by Trout) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Warbird One - aFSXO Ensign Sg Ravok- 1908) Arriving on the scene late Ravok and ensign Merek had missed the action. " Looks like we missed the show" Ravok said to Ensign Merek ( reply Merek) =/\="This is the President, all forces stand down.",=/\= " What the hell is going ? " He asked confused as he circled the airspace around HQ. ( reply Merek) " I'm gonna ask right now" he said as he activated the comm. " Warbird One to Ares One" ( reply trip) " Sir, what is going on ?" Ravok asked very curious about what just happened. ( reply Trip) Ravok was speechless and killed the comm signal to Trip. ~ Erin ~ " Keira , tell me what to do. What do I do ?" ( reply Merek) " Warbird one to ground control, I'm coming in for a landing. =/\= Ground control to warbird one. Proceed to landing pad 17 Delta , section 9 =/\= " Copy that" he responded as he quickly landed the fighter. " I'll wait as a long as I need too. I have to make sure she's ok " ( reply Merek) ( reply Trip, Merek ) ( posted by Davis ) (USS Rebel Wind - Bridge - Head of Reactivation & Refit Command’s Weapons & Propulsion Dept: Utopia Planitia, Ens. T’Loren Sevant - 1908) [USS Rebel Wind, lower your shields and prepare to be boarded. All crew are to submit to security forces for an inquest into court martial charges.] She closed her eyes after gesturing to the ensign at tactical to open a reply channel. “Affirmative.” was all she said. There was no need to say more, she would be going through plenty of Q&A sessions over the next few days, followed (most likely) by a court-martial for anything from Conduct Unbecoming to, possibly, Treason. Nevermind that she thought she was right, she was an Ensign who had roused the sleeping giant. Besides, she was an Admiral’s child. She had to be made an example of, one only hoped he wouldn’t be caught in the backwash. But knowing Starfleet Politics, he probably would. ~I didn’t need some random person to drag me off in order to get me in trouble, I can, apparently, do quite well on my own.~ She stood from the seat she’d taken at Ops and turned to face the rest on the bridge. Most of her crew was in Engineering, trying to coax more power into the stripped engines and malfunctioning combat shields. “Drop all shields, prepare for either a shuttle or a beamed-in away team. Offer no resistance.” The crewman at tactical nodded, “Shields are down.” “You have all done well, I will make it clear in my interrogation that this was all my idea. My files, my mistake.” She turned on her heel and exited into the turbolift before anyone could say anything in reply. Only when the door had closed did her shoulders slump. Even if she were vindicated for trying to warn the fleet of a smelly situation, her career was done as of today. She didn’t know where she would go, or what she would do, but it was clear that Starfleet would likely not be her life - as she once thought it would be. [Please state your destination.] “Hold until security board the ship, then take me to them.” [Affirmative.] (reply: any) (posted by Trout) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell - 1910) "Look up there.", said Jana and Remae had heard it all, he had heard the idea that, could it be possible, Starfleet was being accused of taking over the elected government. The viewscreen said someone was taking it seriously. Remae looked over at the President, his friend and he said one thing, "Stiave.." (Reply from Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Starfleet HQ- Cockpit of Valkyrie Fighter MkV Designation Ares One - FSCO Lt. JG Trip Williams and SPC Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters- 1911) As Trip and Ronnie began their ascent with a course laid in for the Bracken Villa in the Napa Valley, his fighter crossed paths with that of Ensign Ravok Shara as it began it's descent. =/\=Warbird One to Ares One=/\= "This is Trip, little late to the party Ravok. But its good to see you, if only in passing." =/\= Sir, what is going on ?=/\= "Honestly Ravok, I don't really know, when I got the call I flew over as fast as I could. Security forces were surrounding a shuttle. I locked it down with a tractor beam and opened comms. The voice on the other end belonged to Ensign Cortez, but apparently she claimed to be possessed by a Cardassian Gul. I honestly feel like this is all just some waking dream, next thing I know she beams out of the shuttle, and the president gives the order to stand down. So I'm following that order. Sorry you came all this way for nothing buddy..." Before Trip could finish his thought, Ronnie chimed in from the back. "Sir, he killed the channel." "I'm not surpised, Cortez is one of his closest friends. He's probably reeling from all the chaos." It was at that moment Trip realized, if Mars gave him the call to action, it meant Mars was aware of the red alert, meaning that Sy was probably worried sick since she knew he was on Earth and knew he would probably get the call to action, maybe even do something stupid. "If you will excuse me Ensign, I need to make a phone call." Trip said. His telepathy was not as good as Sienna's and the distance between Mars and Earth was too much for him. Not to mention that his adrenaline was still high, making it difficult to focus. So a normal comm call would need to be the best bet. "Trip to Sy, come in Sy, are you there?" (Reply Sienna) "Hey sis, I ummm, I just wanted to check in and make sure you knew I was ok. Things got a bit crazy here and I'm not really sure what happened." (reply Sienna) "Anyways I was on the scene and now I'm headed back to Miss Dale's house." (reply Siennna iyw) "I don't have much time to talk, its a really short flight, and my heart is still racing a bit, but I just wanted to let you know I was safe. I'll be home tomorrow and we can catch up then." (reply Sienna) "I love you sis, so very, very much. I'll see you in the morning. Give Kenna a treat from me. I think I may actually be warming up to that cat." (reply Sienna) "Love you Sy and have a wonderful night." (reply Sienna iyw) Trip then smiled as he closed the channel. "So Sy is your sister?" Ronnie chimed in from the back. "Yes, my Twin," Trip said as he looked at the course setting. The flight was a rather short one and it was time to begin the descent. "She sounds really nice." Ronnie replied. "She is, she really and truly is." The fighter then finished its descent and landed safely in front of Dale's house. (reply Sienna) (posted by Will Banowsky) (Mars Orbital - Operations Control – FOC Officer Ensign (JG) – Oliver Wallis - 1915) “Sir.” Oliver glanced looked over to the crewman on comms who almost shouted at him. “What?” he found. “You need to here this.” He nodded there was a click of a comm channel. =^=This is the President, all forces stand down=^= ~Ow thank goodness~ “ “Chris broad cast it through the main comm system. Boost it so that is punches through any distortion I needs everyone hear this.” “Yes Ensign Wallis.” He watched as the with relief as the acknowledge icons began to appeared on the main screen. He paused for a moment as he leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes for a moment. “Stand down from Red Alert. Tracking I want a close watch on every vessel in this system. We need to start getting everything going again.” (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (SPC Oliver Wallis) (Starfleet -- Starfleet grounds -- Medical Officer Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle -- 1915) “What are you doing here. I did not see you in Medical earlier. What happened?” Ryelle had been walking as a way to clear his head, there had been a lot of confusion going on and he was hoping for some time of quiet reflection. "When Dr. Bracken appeared, I had left to go see if there might be a need for a medic elsewhere, what with the Red Alert going on, and in all the chaos I sort of just go lost in it all. When the order to stand down came in, well I just needed some peace and quiet." "It suddenly got busy. I don’t think anyone noticed I was even there.” Quinna held out her hand, “Would you like to take a walk with me?” "It would be my pleasure Quinna," he said smiling as he followed beside her. “There is something very calming about this time of night.” Taking a cleansing breath of the night air, Quinna turned. “Any special plans?” "Not really, nothing other than clear my head, so to speak, but a stroll with you seems like a lot more fun." he said with a chucle. (reply Quinna) "And you are right, early evening is very calming. Back in the monastery I would usually spend this time for my evening prayers. Walking around the monastery gardens, just me, my thoughts, and the prophets. Some nights, I miss those simple, sweet, moments." (reply Quinna) "Something about being lost in one's thoughts as day gives way to twilight. It is poetic and an interesting reflection on life is it not?" (reply Quinna) (reply Quinna, any) (posted by Will (SPC Kyros Ryelle) (Starfleet Command, Starfleet Medical - (SPC) Chief of Starfleet Security, Vice Admiral Jono Janeway - 1917) Growling as he marched down the corridor towards Starfleet Medical, he wondered how the day had gone so horrifically, heroically, magnificently wrong. Having woken up this morning, given his wife a kiss and provided her with a much deserved Anniversary present, the day had only gone downhill from the moment his... nephew, yes that was the right word, nephews name had appeared on a report which had been forward on to him as an urgent matter on his day off. He knew she'd understand, having been apart of Starfleet for so many years herself, but he couldn't help but feel guilty for taking the call with his private aide, Lieutenant Hale. They'd managed most of the rest of the day in quiet bliss, enjoying each others company, toasting to their long marriage and eating a superb feast before Lieutenant Hale interrupted them for a second time and once again, the report had his nephews name attached to it. Something was happening on Mars which now he read the report in full, very possibly linked in with their two year long investigation on the Earth side. Seeing that Carson was about to initiate base IA procedures, he told Hale to send a rookie across to Mars from their team to help out and have it serve as a reminder that he was watching carefully. On the third interuption, he was ready to give the man an ultimatum that if whatever it was, wasn't life or death he'd be demoted back to Ensign Junior Grade until his face appeared on the screen and he was clearly panicked in a way which was clearly genuine. Having made quick decisions to ready his ship the USS Isabella, he apologised to his wife once more, transported to Starfleet and began building a team of his most trusted advisors around himself. "Admiral Bell has asked all available personnel to report to Ops." Hale said, as he jogged to catch up with the Vice Admiral. "Good for her," Jono replied. "Send Jackins. Have them report to me what's happening there. We're going straight to the President." They kept moving forward, Jono at the vanguard of several heavily armed Security Officers. "You're telling me that a Counsellor and a rookie at that, managed to ruin two years of investigation work and monitoring and noone, I repeat, noone thought to intercept her before this happened?" "Er.." Hale said, "I'm coming to it as late as you, Sir." he paused, but kept walking, "You're right I should have been keeping a closer eye. I was too focused on what was happening across on Mars." Jono growled again as they rounded the corner. The red light which was blinking in and out at regular intervals was making the corridor somewhat eeyrier than it needed to. Starfleet officers they came across, scattered out of their way was they continued forward unheeded by anyone. "Close in on me. Prepare for anything." he made clear as they made it to Starfleet Medical. The doors opened and they stepped in as he heard the President say in person and over the comm. system, "This is the President, all forces stand down." President Atremi tapped in her code and the red alert status reduced and there was an audible release of tension within the room. Eyeing it as only one trained and experienced in combat would, Jono surveilled the scene as he motioned to the officers he had attached to the detail to take up guard positions around the room and at all entrances. Having walked through the room towards Admiral Bell and the President, he waited for the woman to finish her transmission and then said. "What in the blazes is going on?" in a hushed voice so it wouldn't carry to the lower ranked staff in the room. Several of which, who seemed to be given medical aide to a woman he could only assume to be the aforementioned Counsellor. Making a motion of sheathing his weapon whilst he awaited their response. (Reply any present, President Atremi, Admiral Bell) (Posted by Jono Bradley - SPC Vice Admiral Jono Janeway) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 1920) Ire looked at the main view screen keeping track of where the fighters were and the other starfleet vessels. He knew that if it kicked off he might not have enough time to get the White Skulls and Warbirds up in into orbit before the Red Dragons and the Void Haunters got decimated. ~This is not good~ His eyes glanced at the ready status of the White Skulls which was blinking green for deployment. ~I will have to let her go up there. She is a pilot this is her job she knows the risks every time she gets into the cockpit. Stop it you are in command act like it. Deal with you feels afterwards~ He noticed that one of the comms team pause and the looked over at him with a slight look of shock. “Sir I have a priority message from the President being relayed by Mars orbital.” “Put it on.” =^=This is the President, all forces stand down=^= “Get me conformation.” He paused as he watched the comms crewmen leaned over their consoles their fingers moved furiously across it. “Yes sir its confirmed. That is a all forces stand down.” He paused, closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded as he tapped his comm badge. “Lieutenant Selak. I have received an all forces stand down from the President. It has been confirmed so I am going to stand down the Wing and keep one squadron normal patrol.” (reply Selak) (Reply from Selak Any) (Posted by Robbie) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 1920) Security and other officers were streaming in, it looked like Jana's messages had woke up some of Starfleet's residents. "What in the blazes is going on?", said an Admiral walking into the room and Jana looked around. The message had gone out, all forces had stood down. "Admiral. I am afraid you've managed to miss the excitement.", said Jana with a smirk as he continued to sit at Remae's side, holding his hand as he continued to rest. Erin was under the care of the Medical Staf, and the room was emptying of people. They were waiting for news. Everyone except the President who was stood motionless over the communications panel where she had stood the forces down. Maybe she was in shock, Jana didn't care if she'd finally had the wake-up call she was. (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7-CSRD- Lieutenant (JG) Sekal- 1921) They were working their way through the last of the footage when one of the technicians barked out. "Sirs I'm getting an alert from StarFleet Command, Priority one." The Vulcan barked out the order clearly and concisely. "Patch it through now!" =^=This is the President, all forces stand down=^= "Voice match!" The technician's fingers blazed over the controls before pausing and checking the readout. "Voice match confirmed!" Another voice spoke up. "Fighter wing command reporting in." "Patch it through." =^=Lieutenant Sekal. I have received an all forces stand down from the President. It has been confirmed so I am going to stand down the Wing and keep one squadron normal patrol.=^= "Permission granted. Go to condition green. Fighter forces to stand down and resume normal patrols. Sekal out." "Base wide channel." "Open." "This is Lieutenant Sekal. Stand down from Red alert. All departments go to condition green and resume normal operations. All departments reply." (Reply: All) He turned and nodded to Carson. "The control center is yours Chief Peters." (Reply: Carson, All) (Posted by Charles G) (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7-CSRD- Lieutenant (JG) Sekal- 1923) After Chief Carson's reply the Vulcan remained motionless and in contemplation for a moment considering what had happened and the lessons taken from it moving forward. He had taken the necessary steps in the correct order. He had placed the squadrons in a defensive posture pending review and called the other departments to alert status. Everything had been done in order but not perfectly. Every decision had been correct but not flawlessly executed. His father would have performed the dance of command with unerring precision but as noted before he was not his father. There were lessons to be learned yet and knowledge to be gained. In time should the opportunity arise those weaknesses would be corrected, the minute errors expunged. More study lay in his future, more drills until the reflexes were honed to a fine edge. The orders his department had received and were acting on were his prime responsibility but time would have to be freed up. While Saleke could be viewed as a perfectionist his son could be obsessive. Whether it came from being the son of said perfectionist or not was of no matter. In time he would see which was more noteworthy, perfection or obsession. "Transmission from the Boudicca." He reacted without thought. "On screen." The Vulcan on the screen at the nerve center of his ship spoke in clipped tones. =^=This is Admiral Sevant, stand down to yellow alert and return to previous locations.=^= "Admiral Sevant this is Lieutenant Sekal currently in command of the Mars Defense Perimeter. Our fighters have been ordered to stand down, have been recalled and are returning to routine patrols. Planetary defense batteries are on stand down. Shielding remains inactive but ready. All departments have been ordered to stand down and are returning to normal rotation and operations. The MDP is at a decreased state of alert as ordered." Having completed the report he cupped his hands at the small of his back until the transmission was ended. (Reply:Sevant iyw, room for more) "Lieutenant the Boudicca is hailing the Rebel Wind and preparing to board her." Sekal nodded. "Acknowledged." The MDP would not react, the call was the correct one. The call up of the MDP to full alert was not an idle demand and the repercussions for doing so in error would be harsh though not cruel. Had he made an error, had he unthinkingly ordered a strike on Earth or on any ships in the vicinity of Mars.. Had one of the fighter pilots been too zealous or accidentally fired upon a civilian or allied craft it would have escalated with astonishing speed. Lives would have been lost, ships damaged. The repercussions of one unthinking act would have been calamitous and the careers of those involved would have been an afterthought. The one who had called for the activation of the MDP would face an inquiry and almost certainly a court martial. Sekal himself had been at the trigger of a destructive weapon. Fortunately it had not needed to be fired. He turned from the viewscreen and began walking from the room but turned his head and spoke to Peters as he left. "I am returning to the annex and will be on call if needed." Then he swept through the door and was gone. (Reply: Peters, any) (Posted by Charles G) (Mars Base, Main Building, Security Operations center, Floor 7- CSO Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 1925) Sienna was nervous as this all happened around her. She kept an eye on Sekal and she found that she was proud of him for being so calm and knowing what he was doing. They all had done tutorials on the holodeck not that long ago in the academy about what to do when they were the senior officer in a life or death situation where they had to take command. Like all cadets, Sienna had shrugged that part of it off. It was drills, tutorials and exams. None of it was -REAL-. Sienna was very cognizant of the fact that now it was real. That the Ensign, who she did not know, who had been brave enough to take the Rebel Wind out and try to do her best, was likely going to be taken into custody and have her career destroyed. And what if someone had fired a shot and she didn't know what was going on with Cortez. Nor was Sy aware of the fact that Sekal had left the Ops Center. She was reflecting internally as she was still scanning, guiding the fighter wing in wards and monitoring the Rebel Wind as UP's tractor beams brought the severely damaged ship back into dock above them. She knew that she was thinking too hard and that too much time was passing, Looking around the Ops Center, most of the Officers had dispersed back to their days and she was one of the few left. She had that surprise for Lynn that she had prepared, and she inquired of the computer where was Lynn. Lynn was not on Mars. She had apparently left for Earth. Sy's heart sunk as she stood up and headed out towards her office. She didn't want to be in her quarters just this second, which would be more alone than her office. She had placed her siamese ragdoll cat Kenna in her office for the night. She needed to get Kenna if Lynn was going to be on Earth. (reply any, none) (posted by Mel) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams – 1926) =^=Permission granted. Go to condition green. Fighter forces to stand down and resume normal patrols. Sekal out=^= Ire nodded to himself “Understood standing down.” He was about to speak to the comm staff when the base channel activated. =^=This is Lieutenant Sekal. Stand down from Red alert. All departments go to condition green and resume normal operations. All departments reply=^= “Fighter wing copies.” He paused for a moment looking at the personal in the room with him. “Good work everyone you can celebrate later but we now have to get everything sorted. We are standing down White Skulls and Warbirds. We will also get the Red Dragons back down as they are rotating in a few hours. We will redeploy the Void Hunters to get us some better coverage.” He tapped his commbadge. “FWCC to White Skulls and Warbirds. Stand down. We are resuming normal routine. Thank you for your effort.” (Reply Greta, Whoever is in charge of Warbirds IYW) “FWCC to Red Dragons. Come back to base and stand down before you start your rotation.” (Reply Reena IYW) “FWCC to Void Haunters. Stand down resume normal patrol. I am sorry that you have to be up there for a bit longer but you will be back soon.” =^=This is Void One copies=^= ~Okay the wing is safe now lest find out what on earth has happened to Trip and Ravok~ “Comms can we get a clear comms chanel to earth?” “Yes sir we are clear on out secure comms.” “Good.” He tapped a command on the console before he spoke. “Ensign Williams to Lieutenant Williams. How are you doing? do you need any assistance from us?” (Reply Trip) (Reply from Trip, Greta, Warbirds, Reena Any) (Posted by Robbie) (Earth-Napa Valley- Home of Dale Bracken - FCSO Lt. JG Trip Williams - 1927) Trip was leaning against his fighter. He had been back at Dale's for a few minutes. Ronnie had gone back inside the house, but Trip was waiting outside just to decompress. He still had no idea what had happened, what was going on, only that the president had called off the red alert. He knew if there was an issue he'd get another call. He could be back at HQ in four minutes if he needed to. He had entered briefly, grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked back out. He needed to decompress. Leaning against the fighter, he took a sip of his beer. The cold crisp liquid danced down his throats. Pulling the bottle away from his mouth he let out an audible, "ahhhh". ~What the hell happened today. Cortez going rogue or was she really possessed by some megalomaniacal Cardassian. Above my pay grade that is for sure.~ At that moment he got a message on his fighter's comm system from Ire. =/\=Ensign Williams to Lieutenant Williams. How are you doing? do you need any assistance from us?=/\= "Negative Ire," Trip relied on the comms. "Looks like everything is clear here. President gave the order to stand down,." (reply Ire) "So looks like we're not needed right now. I'd have whatever squadron is currently on patrol sticking close to Earth just in case." (reply Ire) Trip took another swig of his beer. "Anyways, if anything changes over there let me know. Keep an eye on the Fighter Wing. You're in charge until I get back. I trust you to make good and right choices." (reply Ire) "See ya in the morning bud, Trip out." Trip then sighed, if anything changed that would cause him to need to go back Ire would let him know. Besides, being so close to HQ was also a strategically appropriate position. He finished his beer, sighed, and went back into the house. He felt sufficiently decompressed and now wanted some social time. (reply Ire) (posted by Will Banowsky) (Mars Base, Main Building, Floor 7 - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters - 1928) "The control center is yours Chief Peters." Sekal said, after standing down the base. It had been a tense few minutes, that had felt like hours and for most of it Carson couldn't get the feeling out of his stomach that someone had seen something wrong and it was all just some sort of mistake. Nodding to the vulcan, he moved closer to one of the Security Officers manning the console in front of him and in a low voice said, "The Ensign that called in the alert, I need a team ready to go extract her. God knows what she was thinking broadcasting the way she did." The man nodded as a call came from the other side of the room. "Transmission from the Boudicca." Before he could turn his head and ask for the transmission to be put through, Sekal who hadn't left asked for it to be put up on the main screen, =^=This is Admiral Sevant, stand down to yellow alert and return to previous locations.=^= "Admiral Sevant this is Lieutenant Sekal currently in command of the Mars Defense Perimeter. Our fighters have been ordered to stand down, have been recalled and are returning to routine patrols. Planetary defense batteries are on stand down. Shielding remains inactive but ready. All departments have been ordered to stand down and are returning to normal rotation and operations. The MDP is at a decreased state of alert as ordered." Carson stood straighter and returned to Sekal's side as he was chatting with the Admiral. (Reply Sevant iyw) "Lieutenant the Boudicca is hailing the Rebel Wind and preparing to board her." Sekal nodded. "Acknowledged." The Vulcan continued to stand there, staring at the screen as it went blank. A moment passed as he gathered his thoughts and then said, "I am returning to the annex and will be on call if needed." Nodding again, "Understood." he replied and then turned back to the CiC personnel and began seeing who was available to go to the Rebel Wind. "Transmission from the USS Boudicca, Sir." came from across the room. "Put it through," Carson said and as he looked around he was aware that Ensign Verin-Williams was still stood at the back of the CiC. Seemingly watching but not interfering. =^=Mars Base, send a security team by shuttle to pick up the engineering crew on the Rebel Wind. They are to be held pending charges.=^= "Understood, Admiral. We are already in the process of sending a team up." (Reply Sevant iyw) Once the conversation with the Admiral had finished, Carson tapped his comm. badge. "Ensign Sleeford, report to the hangar bay immediately. You're to take a Security team and a shuttle up to the USS Rebel Wind and take them all into custody pending charges." (Reply Sleeford) "Understand, I want the crew and especially Ensign Sevant on Mars within the next half hour, ready for questioning. The ship will be tractored into the yard and kept there under guard." Carson said. (Reply Sleeford) (Posted by Jono Bradley) (Mars base-armour- Security Officer Ensign (JG) Paul Sleeford-19:30) Sleeford walked towards the armoury, his rifle barrel resting on his shoulder, rounding the corner he lowered his weapon, removed the powerpack and discharged the rifle in the catchment area. Walking in he place the rifle and the pack on the shelf in front of the armoury hatch, turning into the main area he began to remove his body armour, feeling his comma badge vibrate he sighed and tapped it. Hearing the voice of the chief, Sleeford groaned. Ensign Sleeford, report to the hangar bay immediately. You're to take a Security team and a shuttle up to the USS Rebel Wind and take them all into custody pending charges." Sighing again Sleeford tapped to reply, “ understood sir. It might take a few minutes to get a team, most of them have been stood down. Instructions on arrival sir.” "Understand, I want the crew and especially Ensign Sevant on Mars within the next half hour, ready for questioning. The ship will be tractored into the yard and kept there under guard." Carson said. “Understood” closing the link Sleeford turned back to the hatch to see the armoury PO placing his rifle and pack back on the shelf with a grin. “ No rest ehh Ensign” Laughing Sleeford picked up the rifle and pack, “ Bo. I must have been a right evil sod in my past life” Hearing snickering from the locker room Sleeford turned to see five guards about to go off duty, enjoying the show of the new officer being put on by the boss. Smiling a nasty smile Sleeford walked forwards. “ Okay gear up and report to the hanger bay in 5 minutes” Sleeford could see the faces drop and the Petty Officer in charge stood up and faced him. PO Ward “Its like this sir we’ve been on duty since 06:00, we’re tired and hungry, sir and we’ve been stood down “ Sleeford had expected the problem, hell he’s seen it loads in training, some freshly minted 2nd Lt playing the big man, only to get his ass handed to him by a Sgt. Shanking his head Sleefrd pulled himself up to full height, “ WELL COME ON SOLIDER MOVE YOURSELF, WE HAVENT GOT ALL DAY” Walking away Sleeford headed to the bay to request a shuttle. Sitting in the pilots Sleeford waited until the security details where seated, tapping the console he contacted the flight office. “Bravo Alpha 1, requesting permission to launch” Not waiting for a reply Sleeford gently lifted the craft and headed out of the hanger and slowly headed over the facility, reaching a nice comfortable height pushed the shuttle into a tight S -Curve and gained height quickly. Hearing the groans in the back he smiled to himself and headed to the Rebel wind. Slipping through the force field, Sleeford gently sat the shuttle on the deck, turning to the squad he smiled slightly, “Thank you for flying Sleeford airways, please make sure all trays are upright and take your barf bags with you. “; Pausing slightly Sleeford carried on; “ Seriously guy, be careful. If their chiefs smart he’ll have stood them down, just in case some hot head gets punchy, if I don’t see it, I cant report it. Okay Ward your with me, to the bridge, the remainder, secure Engineering. I’m sure no ones going to dump the core, or set of the self-destruct, but best to be safe. Okay move out.” Leaving the shuttle bay Sleeford headed to the bridge hoping to catch Ensign Sevant before someone else dragged hereof to who knew where. Entering the bridge Sleeford saw worried looking faces, some looked away as two armed men walked onto the bridge. Lowering his rifle Sleeford looked around “I’m looking for Ensign Sevant, where is she?” Following the pointed finger of the helm officer Sleeford approached the turbolift door, glancing at the panel he noted that the car had been halted between decks, “Computer security over ride, Sleeford, Alpha, Gamma, 76843 Delta. Return the car to the bridge. As the doors opened Sleeford stood back. (Reply Sevant) Sleeford stood in front of the smaller ensign “ Ensign T’Loren Sevant I’m placing you under arrest for..”; Sleeford smiled; “Hell I don’t even know what it is you’ve done, so lets just go with making me miss my dinner and not letting me have a large scotch afterwards and anything else I can get to stick.”; Stepping closer Sleeford placed his right hand gently on the others shoulder, “Lets just call it protective custody for now. Theres going to be a lot of people wanting a piece of you” (Reply Sevant) Squeezing the shoulder Sleeford nodded. “Com on then lets get it over with. “; Seeing PO Ward removing the manacles Sleeford shook his head. Leading the ensign to the turbo lift Sleeford allowed Ward to enter first then Sevant, walking in he kept his back to the door facing the interior of the small space. As the car arrived Sleeford spoke to Ward. “when this is over grab the team, meet me in the lounge. For now get yourself and one other back up to the bridge and ensure they don’t do anything stupid. I don’t think they will, but you never know. “ NRPG – I’ll leave it here (Posted by Alistair) (Mars Facility- Fighter Wing Command Complex – Pilot – Ensign – Ire Williams - 1931) He paused for moment feeling relief that Trip was okay. =^=Negative Ire=^= =^=Looks like everything is clear here. President gave the order to stand down=^= “Yes sir he has. I am in the process of standing down the Wing.” =^=So looks like we're not needed right now. I'd have whatever squadron is currently on patrol sticking close to Earth just in case=^= “Yes Sir, I’ll change the Void Haunters patrol route.” =^=Anyways, if anything changes over there let me know. Keep an eye on the Fighter Wing. You're in charge until I get back. I trust you to make good and right choices=^= “Yes Sir. See you when you get back.” As the comm channel cut he nodded to him self ~Okay one down one to go~ He accessed it again. “Ensign Shara this is Ensign Williams?” (Reply Ravok) “Just checking to make sure that you are okay over there. I have gotten in contact with Trip who is good. You need any assistance from me?” (Reply Ravok) (Reply Ravok, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken and ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 1947) Opening her eyes carefully, Erin's body began to tremble. She knew she was in some form of a medical room but where, she couldn't tell. No-one was around. Sitting up slowly, she felt something, not fear but something close. Hopping down slowly off the bed, she noticed her breath quicken. ~oh no…. No… ~ Her gaze flew this way and that as she backed herself into a corner, not realising she wasn't fully dressed but in a gown of sorts. Closing her eyes, she mumbled to herself, "Not real…. This isn't real.. .." Ailynn dashed in, together with a nurse. "Erin...please...you're okay…" she turned to the nurse. "Help her back to the bed, check her bloods please." As the nurse helped Erin, Ailynn prepped a hypospray, and placed it to Erin's neck. Shaking slightly, she lay back on the bed and looked away as Ailynn pushed a hypo spray on her neck, "What's… what is it?" "A very light anti-anxiety tonic. Hun...you're okay. What happened?" "What… is this real?" Ailynn nodded and smiled. "Yes Erin it's real." "This isn't…." She tapped her forehead, hard, "....him, in here?" Ailynn frowned, puzzled. "Why don't you tell me what happened while we review your scans." "Scans ready Doctor." "Display." Ailynn knew this time what to look for. "There. Parietal lobe. How did it get there? Closing her eyes, she shook her head slightly, "Is it gone? Ailynn, is it gone… out of my head?" Ailynn nodded, and held her friends hand. "Not yet, but give me a bit of time, you're completely safe." "You mean that?....." She looked at her friend, eyes widening and then smiled as the woman in front of her kept talking. "I have to say, this is the first time I've taken the same object out of two different…" "Such a shame for you that is. I don't go easily." Came the reply as a hand shot up from the bed. .:No… she said… :. "Well, she lied my dear. Lied to keep you calm." Came the reply from.her own mouth as the hand that Had shot up from the bed grabbed the doctor by the throat and squeezed tightly. "Now, how do I get out of here?" Ailynn leaned over, slowing her breathing, and reached out, taking two items off the tray. She held up the first, so he could see it, "with this…" she hit Erin in the neck with the hypospray, but knowing she had a moment before the anaesthetic took hold. She leant into Erin's face watching as the telltale signs of her going under. She then held up the other item. And held it up so it could be seen. It was a scalpel. "I'm going to cut you out...and i can make sure no trace of you will ever survive." .: Ailynn….I'm…. Sorry:. She thought to herself, letting the blackness overcome her as her last thought entered her mind, .: forgive me. .. :. Sighing in relief at being able to breath again Ailynn began speaking. "Patient is a 25 year old human female scheduled for emergency surgery. Procedure is an object removal from the parietal lobe. Nurse please prep her, ill scrub up." (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken and ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2050) Ailynn finished closing up the wound and gave Erin the shot that would slowly bring her around. Blinking, Erin allowed her eyes to focus slowly. Taking a deep breath, she blinked again. .: I… what did I do? :. She looked at the tray and picked up the vial that contained crystal-Dulon looking around her and realising she had no pockets, she reached inside her scrubs top and slipped it into her underwear. "Erin? Can you hear me sweetie?" Groaning slightly, she nodded her head and instantly regretted it, "Yes.. Ailynn?" "You'll be okay...but you had emergency surgery. What do you remember?" Closing her eyes, Erin whispered softly,"All of it. Every part." Ailynn sat on a stool that the nurse had brought over. "I was rather afraid of that. Want to talk?" Sitting up slowly, Erin looked down, "I hurt you, the other woman… " she paused for a second, taking a deep breath. "... Ailynn, the things.. he showed me…." "We're all good. Ensign Frost is kind of cross with you, but I'll explain what happened." She cast her eyes over the scan and blood results that the nurse held out for her. "She should be. You all should. I… can't be forgiven for this." "This wasn't you. This happened because of the crystal. Now. We really need to speak to Admiral Bell and Captain Remae." Shaking her head, Erin pulled her knees up to her chest, "Do I have to?" "Its best that you do. Sooner that this is sorted, the better." She tapped her commbadge and opened a channel. "Ensign Bracken to Admiral Bell, please report immediately to ward three surgical two." (Reply Bell) "How…. Can I look at them? At any of you? Especially…. Trip… I.. well, he spoke to…" "Erin…" Ailynn spoke gently...calmly. "He used his name over the commlink. We have his name. People know it wasn’t you." "But it was. It was me, my voice, my hand that he used." On an instinct, born from who knew where inside her, Ailynn leant forward, and pulled Erin into a hug. Her cheek resting on the top of her friend's head. “I’m here. Look...E...we’ve got each other’s back. Follow my lead. Don’t give a direct answer, offer accountability back up the COC. I have the orders that sent us here.” Shaking a little, Erin's breath trembled as she fought to regain control of herself. "I… need to gain control… I'm scared, Ailynn. I let myself get … into a mess and now, look at me… " she replied. "I… I feel so lost. Like I'm not me anymore. If i'm not… who am I?" There was a wellspring, deep within her, something that she’d never really noticed was there, but once she found it, something in her mind almost clicked. It was the maternal instinct that she’d always felt passively, her mum, and especially from Dale, her gran, but she’d never understood. “You...are whoever you want to be. Those that love you...truly truly love you...will be no less proud. No one...not me...not...Admiral whatshername...whoever else comes through that door, is allowed to neither judge nor belittle you.” Feeling herself slowly calm, her breathing less shaky and her mind less anxious, she pulled away a little from Ailynn and looked at her. Knowing her eyes betrayed her, she glanced at her friend and then looked down. "I'm scared. Terrified. The people here…. Trinity… Trip… they won't see me… they'll see him… what he said, what he did…. I fought, I fought with every last bit of strength I had…. And it still wasn't enough…" “I heard you, and I listened; and I spoke back to you.” Sighing, she pulled herself into a seated position and closed her eyes. “They understand more than you know...Dulon made a mistake. One that I think you forced him to. He spoke openly, and declared his intent openly on the Comms.” "That wasn't me. That was his arrogance. " Ailynn shrugged. “I didn’t hear all of it obviously, but I suspect you did more that you know. As to the others; you’re good. Billy? All you need to do is wind in that crazy flighty chick and be a touch more...homegirl?” "I know. Easier said than done when fighting and madness is all I have ever really known." She wiped her eyes, knowing that they were red, and looked at her friend, " If he forgives me, then all I can do is try. If not…. Then… I'll accept that, learn and try to be a better person. Not for him… for me." Ailynn looked at her friend, still holding her hand, allowing Erin to begin to open up. "I… can't do this anymore. I can't go through this anymore… Dulon, he.. showed me what he did to Captain Remae. That was… that is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. Part of me wonders if I deserve it. If i deserve the nightmares because i haven't been the person i should be." "Sweetie you’ve gone through a lot. More than even I can imagine, but the self loathing is not healthy, and its badly misplaced. Erin, I’m giving you a course of an anti-anxiety medication, and I’m sorry, but it’s my duty to put you forward for PTSD counselling.” Looking down, she nodded, "I understand. Ailynn, can I ask you something?" “Of course. You know that you can.” Ailynn answered, smiling gently. "My dad once said that, at points in our lives, we get tested. We have to walk through the fire to burn our old selves away and become something new… I'm just concerned that I didn't pass this test, that I'm way too burnt for anyone to see me and not the scars I carry." Ailynn nodded. “Do you remember what I told you in counselling? About my past I mean?” She nodded, "I know." “We get tested day in, day out. Scars appear...some fade away, and some stick around. The thing is, that most of the time the person who most defines us based on those ones that stick around, is ourselves. We are our own fiercest critic. You are a good, kind hearted girl, who has got so much love to give, but I wonder if you allow yourself to be?” "It's hard, i think you have a point. I overcompensate, build walls and don't let anyone in. I need to learn how to do that." “I think your best first option is to talk to Billy, and I mean really talk. Talk to your friends...I’ll listen until the cows come home. You’re open enough with me.” "I Think I need time, space just to be me. Now more than ever it's gonna be hard to find myself when all people are going to see is him and what he did." “I understand, but get some assistance, and sure time and space, but don’t fall into that trap of pushing the best thing that could happen to you away because of it.” Nodding, Erin yawned a little, "I'll try." “Good girl. Now. Get some rest. You’re safe.” She pulled up the covers and lifted them over Erin’s shoulders, before turning and stepping out of the room. “Half hourly obs and scans please Chief. Keep me posted at all times.” “Aye Sir.” Ailynn went over to the replicator, and noting the time was rapidly approaching 2100 ordered a fruit juice, and began to catch up on Remae’s condition, and the news of the evening. (Reply Bell) (Posted by Jackie and Mark) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 2053) Jana was working on her PADD, messages were coming in, the affairs of Starfleet seemed to have become her affairs now, questions and answers, visitors and orders, she was processing each as they came in but she wasn't going to leave Remae's side as she did so. =^= Ensign Bracken to Admiral Bell, please report immediately to ward three surgical two. =^= The call had come in, and Jana stood up, "I'm coming too.", said Remae and then managed to make it nowhere before he laid back down again. "Typical!" Jana said, "You just lie there, and I'll talk to Erin and Ailynn.", said winking at him as she walked off in the direction of the ward. (Starfleet Command - Medical Ward - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell - 2100) In another bed, looking a lot better than she did, Jana laid eyes on Erin, and she passed Doctor Bracken heading the other way, probably going to take a look at Remae. "Well, you don't look so bad... how are you feeling?", she asked, taking a seat next to the patient. (Reply from Erin) "Remae? He tried to come but then, I think he's doing the official 'man flu' thing, and he's sleeping again, probably be in bed for days!", she said and then she put her head closer, "How ARE you?", she said with a genuine concern for her. (Reply from Erin, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen (SPC Admiral Jana Bell)) (Starfleet Command - Medical Ward - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell & ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez - 2102) Opening her eyes, Erin heard her friend leaving and a different set of footsteps walking towards her, "Well, you don't look so bad... how are you feeling?", came the voice of Admiral Bell "Like I just got hit by a truck. Where's the Captain?" "Remae? He tried to come but then, I think he's doing the official 'man flu' thing, and he's sleeping again, probably be in bed for days! How ARE you?", with a genuine concern on her voice. "Physically, weak. Ailynn… doctor Bracken said that it's gonna be a few days before I can run any marathons." She replied weakly. (Reply Bell) "That's not what you meant is it?" (Reply Bell) "If I can speak freely?" (Reply Bell) Looking away and pulling the covers up close, almost as though they were a protective shield, Erin took a breath, "Ma'am… i feel ashamed. Guilty. I tried to fight back. I tried so hard…. He showed me what he…. What he did to Remae… he made me go through it in here." She tapped her forehead. (Reply Bell) "Not just that, he made me hurt two Starfleet officers, one of whom is one of my closest friends. I had to watch as he used me to try and escape and now everyone thinks that that was me… that I caused this or …. Put it plainly, I'm scared ma'am." (Reply Bell) (Reply Bell, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Captain Remae Ktell and (SPCs) President Atremi - 2110) Doctor Bracken approached his biobed, and she began to wave a medical device around the Bajoran. Remae looked again at the President; she hadn't moved, it had been a few hours. "How does the old Bajoran look, Doctor?", he asked Ailynn. (Reply from Bracken) "Help me up.", he said to the Doctor, and he began to move, it wasn't so bad this time and he managed to get up despite the protests of those around him, Remae suspected that if he fell, they would let him lie there to teach him a lesson. So he made a real effort to get to the President. "President.", said Remae, standing in his ripped uniform and looking less than composed. The Bajoran President stirred for the first time in hours and looked at her old friend, an ex-friend? That remained to be seen. "I caused of all of this and I could have started a civil war.", she blurted out, her shoulder was still in its makeshift sling. "Well, not all of it, yes, I won't deny it and I am not here to tell you, a good job or anything. You did make those errors, and you'll have to explain yourself and your actions.", he said before adding, "You probably made more than I know about. Still, what you do now, is what's going to define your remaining time here.", he said and started heading back to his bed, "Do something good with the time you have left.", he said and was gone again. (Reply from Bracken, Any) (Posed by Anthony Keen (Atremi)) (Mars Base, Security Services, CSec Office - IA officer Ens(jg) John WilliamsSCO, Ens(sg) - 2230) Standing, Carson nodded, "Stand at ease, Ensign or, infact take a seat." He pointed to the seat on the opposite side of his desk. He sat back down and took the padd which the Ensign passed to him and began reading, "I appreciate you making the trip from Earth so quickly John." The name then clicked in Carson's mind, ~ANOTHER Williams?! How many cousins does Trip have?~ he thought amusingly. John nodded."Thank you sir." He said as he sat down."I'm...eager to get to work." "Your transfer was authorised at the highest level, you've clearly got someones attention Ensign." Carson said as he looked up from the padd.22 John chuckled at that. He knew that the Admiral was glad he'd be rid of John. And frankly, John was glad he's be rid of the Admiral. They did not get along. at all. "I have to be frank, I didn't request someone from Earth to come across and assist, but I certainly won't say no to the help. You are in no doubt better informed on what's been happening on Earth than I am, but let me catch you up on our operations here on Mars." John listened to Carson explaining what had happened. "Which obviously went horribly wrong. Once Lieutenant Sekal was arrested and we had our teams in place, Luma... you know about Luma, right? Detected a foreign transport signal straight into Kiva Rothvaryn's quarters and we initiated a rapid response unit, utilising Ensign Taya's tactical team and Petty Officer Hammons capture team to run down what turned out to be murderers and bring them back in." John nodded."I see. Have they been interrogated yet?" John was apprehensive to say the least. Murderers, traitors...This was going to be exciting. "Their interrogation has been completed just in the hour past. You'll have access from tomorrow AM to all the audio and video recordings. I need you to get settled in tonight and then report back here at 8am tomorrow, at that point I'll continue this briefing with you, Ensign Saarsgard & Sleeford who I want running an IA investigation to figure out if one of my team leaked the raid on Kiva Rothvaryn and therefore lead to her death." John nodded as he got up. "Aye sir. Today has been busy, for both of us i presume. May i suggest you try to get some sleep as well, sir?" (Reply Carson Peters) John turned to head to the door."Until tomorrow Sir" (Reply Carson Peters IYW) (Mars Base, Security Services, CSec Office - SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters - 2231) John nodded as he got up. "Aye sir. Today has been busy, for both of us i presume. May i suggest you try to get some sleep as well, Sir?" Carson suddenly yawned and it dawned on him how late it was. "A long day for sure." he stood up also. John turned to head to the door."Until tomorrow, Sir." He nodded, "Indeed. Tomorrow." The door closed behind the Ensign. Unable to even muster the will to head back to his quarters, he decided to swivel on his heels and head to the quarters which were attached to the office. Walking through the door another yawn creeped up on him and he found himself crashing into the bed and closing his eye's without thinking. "Computer, set alarm for 7am." he said and wondered how he was going to wake up and be coherent in the morning after the day he'd just endured. (Reply none) (Posted by Jono Bradley) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2247) Opening her eyes slowly, Erin let herself become adjusted to the darkness of the room first before looking around. Noting that she was alone, she sat up slowly, taking a deep breath as she did. Closing her eyes slowly, she swung herself round in the bed and put her feet down on the cold floor. Her bare feet twitched a little as they became accustomed to the feeling of standing and she stood up off the bed. Taking a breath, Erin fought down the dizziness that entered her mind and grabbed the bed for stability. Taking a step forward, she knew this was a mistake but she knew she needed to be out of here. “What the hell are you doing out of bed, young lady?” came the shout from the door as a nurse walked in and straight to her side. Gripping the bed even harder, Erin looked at her, “I need to get out…. I need air….” “Well, then you should have called for me.” replied the nurse and brought a chair to her side, helping Erin into it. “I.. i’ve caused enough trouble as it is.” Erin replied, rubbing her forehead with her hand. “You want to go outside?” Nodding, Erin said simply, “Yes. I need to be outside, even just for a moment.” “Then, let’s get you out there. I’ll have to stay close by because Doctor Bracken will kill me if i leave you alone.” Erin smiled slightly, “I bet she would.” (Mars Facility- Holodeck - Ensign Ire Williams & SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 2251) His eyes opened his eyes and smiled. He rolled over and glanced at the small chronometer that was on the bedside table. ~ow really~ He rolled back and gently stroked Greta’s face. “Greta we need to go. Our time is nearly up.” "I'm ignoring you " she replied, without opening her eyes. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You can ignore me but we still have to get up and I don’t want to be here naked when the next people enter.” Opening her eyes, she pouted and said, "Fine." Getting out of the bed, she walked into the bathroom and picked up her uniform that she had left in there. Walking back in, she stood by the bed and smiled, "You know that next time, it's your turn to surprise me." He had gotten out of bed and pulled on his uniform “I guess that going for a romantic trip in a lightship was not a surprise.” he smiled. “I will try. I am not the best at romantic gestures.” "That was special." She replied, getting dressed herself. Smiling at him, she sighed and continued, "Do you think… we have what it takes?" “You mean can we go long term like a proper couple.” He paused and then nodded. “I think we can if you think we can?” "I...think I'd like that. But…." He turned to look at her as he fished putting on his uniform. “But?” "Can you honestly say you can put up with me?" “I can be with you but I was more worried about you putting up with me.” "You are one of the sweetest men I have ever met. You're kind, considerate and you don't look that bad either." She replied with a wink. "In all honesty, I had feelings for you since that decompression incident. But, I just never knew how to say it." “You had feeling since the time we got blasted into space from our exploding fighter. That is very romantic.” he smiled slightly. "Oh shut up!" She replied hitting him playfully. “Seriously, I feel the same about you but you were my flight officer. It would have been complicated but now that you are a flight squadron officer. It would have been against the rules and Trip would have not been happy.” he smiled at her. “I am so glad that we are together and yes I do think that we can make it work.” "Then we try. We have to try." (Reply none) (Posted by Robbie and Jackie) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical - Outside Gardens – ACMO Ens(sg) Erin Cortez - 2253) The nurse had brought her outside and was sitting a little way off behind her. Sitting in the air, Erin closed her eyes and took a deep breath, almost drinking in the fresh cold air. Opening her eyes, she looked up at the starry sky and just looked. Seeing the constellations that her father had taught her about all those years ago, she felt instantly at peace. Her mind fell silent for the first time in many days and she closed her eyes, thinking about nothing. After a moment, she heard footsteps nearby. Uneven footsteps, heavy on one step and light on the other. Then, a voice she had not heard in a very long time, spoke, “Ensign Cortez?” Turning her head slowly, Erin opened her eyes and saw a man, walking with a cane and a slight limp towards her. “Commander Hough?” The man nodded, his dirty blond hair flopping slightly into his eyes. Walking to her side, he looked at her for a moment, concern on his face, “Ensign… what are you doing here?” “I… just had surgery. It’s a long story….” her voice faded away as a memory, not one of hers flashed into her mind. Taking a seat next to her, Commander Hough paced his cane on the floor and looked at her, “I am a good listener, you should remember that. I mean, i listened to you at the academy arguing with me nearly every anthropology lesson.” A soft smile crept over her face, “I remember.” He nodded, “you were one of the brightest young cadets i have ever taught. You seemed to get everything. Understood and took in everything i was trying to teach.” “I enjoyed your lessons, Sir.” Shaking his head, he replied, “I think, seen as we are both quite obviously off duty, rank doesn’t matter.” He held out his hand and said, “Peter.” Taking his hand, she shook it slightly, “Erin.” (Mars Facility, Science Annex - CSO's Office – CSO Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin- 2255) Sienna had entered her office for two things primarily. One was to put Kenna in her carrier for the not so short trip back to her and Trip's family quarters and the second, more important reason was so that she could pick up the vulcan succulent that she had ordered and had arrived on the freighter the day before. The vulcan obviously would not care but she intended to give him a gift for his promotion. In reality she had ordered them so that he would have a bit of his homeworld on the Mystique but they had arrived far too late. "Come on baby doll. You know the drill. Since you refuse the harness you have to go in the carrier and then you get run of the apartment. I don't know how you do it, but you should stay out of Trip's room. He's on Earth with the girl who isn't his girlfriend." That stung a bit. It was becoming obvious to Sienna that she was ordinary and not extraordinary like her twin and Sekal. She was not going to be the one who was going on to carry the Williams name. That had always been Trip. It was Sy who convinced herself that she was going to be any different. "Luma where is Lt. Sekal?" Sy asked after a moment, making sure she had everything she needed. =^= The Sekal is in his office with the Saleke.=^= Sy furled her brow, "His Dad is here?" =^= Yes, the Saleke is in the Sekal's office. We are talking about the past,=^= "Would they care if I stopped in? It would be an honor to meet him. He is a legend. I wonder if I have my card still and if he would be willing to sign it..." The impending dark mood that was going to hit Sienna lifted as she felt a little bit better. =^= Card? =^= Luma spoke in confusion. =^= Game? =^= "Yeah, when we were kids, they had the Fleet cards and since the ships my parents served on where in the 52nd, I concentrated on collecting those cards. A lot of mine are signed but I don't think my rare no borders Saleke-Mystique card was ever signed. After the collapse of the subspace river's harmonics, the 52nd Fleet mostly broke up and many of those Captains either made Admiral and retired or moved on to other jobs. Like my Dad, Duke Williams is the head of Starfleet Academy Engineering. And my Mom never made Admiral, she's still a Captain but she's a little younger than Dad, she mostly does Strat Ops on Earth. Dad had a card, but Mom never did." Luma was quiet as Sienna exited her office and headed for Sekal's Office, poking her head in, "Hey, I had this ordered in for the park, but I wanted to offer it to you as a Congratulations on making Lt so quickly and then...for how well you did tonight." Sienna placed the potted succulent on his table, "Luma said I would not be interupting anything. My twin is on earth and Dr. Bracken has been called emergently to Earth. And I'm not wanting to go back to empty quarters with just Kenna to think about all the ways that this could have gone wrong tonight." Sy just stood awkwardly in the doorway, Kenna's carrier over one arm, blocking T'lah's attempts to escape and go dig up her precious plants. (reply Sekal/Saleke, any) (posted by Mel) (Earth-Napa Valley- Home of Dale Bracken - FSCO Lieutenant JG Trip Williams and SPC Flight Officer Ensign JG Ronnie Winters - 2301) It was near midnight and Trip was sitting on the porch of Dale's house. He was an extrovert, and given the amount of time that he had spent around people, it might be another hour before he could go to bed. After returning and going back inside after the chaos had settled, Ash, Dale, Ronnie, and he and moved into the living room where Dale served her famous tiramisu and hot chocolate. Dale had asked Ronnie to stay the night, as there was an extra room and no one wanted the fun to end. After the Tiramisu there was cards, a lot of wine, and a very terrible, but incredibly entertaining science fiction movie from the 22nd Century. A perfect evening, and it appears that Ronnie shared Trips tendency for FOMO (fear of missing out) that of course she was going to ask to stay the night. "Mind if I take a seat." Trip looked up and saw Ronnie standing right next to him, "Go ahead Ronnie, take a seat. But be quiet, we don't want to wake up Dale and Ash." "Makes sense," she said as she sat down. "Can't sleep?" "Nope, too much extrovert energy, need to let it cycle out and calm down. My guess is I should be able to sleep in an hour. What about you?" "Can't sleep, too much thinking." Ronnie replied. "What about?" Trip said smiling slyly. "Well Captain Bracken told me right before bed, that if I wanted to get posted to the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars as a Flight Officer, that there was a spot open and an official request made, for me specifically. You wouldn't know anything about that would you, Mr. Commanding Officer of the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars, would you?" she said with a smile. Trip chuckled. "Look, I thought you handled yourself well today, you left on a moments noticed, handled orders well, were a great asset. I don't have a regular flight officer. Mine had been Ensign Shinsuke Kurosawa, but I assigned him to be a full time Pilot, and there it is. Haven't had time to really pick a new one. Plus Dale says you are a good assistant, so if you want it, I'd like to offer you the spot as my Flight Officer and Yeoman. You'd help me with some of my administrative duties, and any time I fly, you'll be right there with me. Dale thinks its an excellent idea. She speaks highly of you and thinks it would benefit your career." "I am greatly honored. Captain Bracken thinks I should take it. But I don't know, I like being her assistant, but being in the fighter, it felt right, so I just don't know what I should do." Ronnie replied. "Well I could make Dale order you to take the job." Trip replied with a laugh. "You know what," she said chuckling. "It would be a great opportunity, I accept." "You wont regret it Ronnie, I gave an official transfer request to Dale, all she has to do is authorize it, and then you make your way to Mars." "I cant wait," she said smiling. She then sighed and switched gears. "So seriously, how long have you and Ashlyn been dating?" "I told you we aren't dating." Trip responded with a sigh. "Why do people keep thinking that, you're like the 5th person this week that has asked me that question." "I mean, are you sure? Because I see the way you look at her, and the way she looks at you. I see the playful banter you have. The way you hang on her every word, laugh at her every joke. Your eyes brighten when she crinkles her nose. And this is just my observation over one evening." "Hold up," Trip said turning to look at Ronnie, "You saw all that." "Yup." "Huh?" he said with a deep breath. "I mean I did have a crush on her for a month in high school, but she was a senior and I was a freshman. Then of course I met Rae, my high school girlfriend. Of course Ash and I did drunkenly make out at a party in high school.... But I don't know, I mean there is a sense of comfort around her, but I haven't really thought of her that way." "At least not consciously, but subconsciously, I mean its all over your faces and you two don't even see it." "I mean, yeah, I guess I could see myself with her, I do spend a lot of time with her, but I don't think she thinks of me that way." "Well, Trip, there is only one way to find out." "I know Ronnie, but I don't want to jeopardize our friendship." "I'm going to say this to you before you become by boss. Something my grandmother used to always say to me. Sometimes your head and your heart are in agreement, and sometimes they are not. Your head will always tell you logic, but sometimes that logic is muddled with fear. But your heart, your heart will always speak the truth to you. The heart always speaks with courage. When your head and heart conflict, always listen to your heart. Nothing worth having in this life comes easy." "Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful and wise woman." Trip said with a smile. "She was, is, yeah. She raised me after my parents died, grew up with her, she home schooled me until it was time to go to the academy. I learned a lot from her. But she is totally right, nothing worth having is easy. So you have to ask yourself Trip, do you have the courage to listen to your heart, and is the possibility of being with Ash something you consider worth having." Ronnie then stood up, her body trembling a bit, she couldn't believe that she talked to Trip that confidently. The Trip that Captain Bracken had told her so much about. The kid who became Commander of the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars and promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade two months after the academy. The guy who was about to be her boss. She didn't want to see her trembling so she began to make her way to the door. "Goodnight Trip. Just remember, the heart never lies." "Night Ronnie," Trip replied. ~What the hell was that.~ He thought to himself as she went inside. ~Listen to my heart, what kind of.... But is she right.... do I like Ash in the way she says, I do. I mean I miss her greatly when she's not around. But I don't think Ash feels that way about me, I think she made it clear. But it wouldn't hurt to ask. But like how do I ask. I don't know. Do I even want to ask. Well I do have that blind date tomorrow. I should go on that and then see how I feel. But if I go and Ash does like me, and I like her, would she just not want to date me because I went on a blind date. I know, I'll bring it up on the flight home and see what she says, then I'll know. Right?~ Trip sat there on the porch for another few hours, pondering, thinking, trying to make sense of what Ronnie said. Finally at 0100 hours, he got up and went to bed. (reply none) (posted by Will Banowsky)