>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Repercussions Day: 2 Stardate: 2444.07.09 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Facility – Williams-Verin Family Quarters - FSCO Lt. JG Trip Williams and CSO Ensign SG Sienna Williams-Verin - 11:00) (Mars Facility - Science Annex, Lab 3 office (temporary)- SO (Research) Ensign (jg) Stennin- 1128) (Mars Facility- 1st fighter Wing complex- Computer Ops. Ensign jg Lacey Jacobs-1149) (Mars Science Annex - Fifth floor, CSRD Office- CSRD, Lieutenant (jg) Sekal- Science Officer, Ensign (sg) Adala Michaels- CSO, Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin 1630) (Mars, Main Engineering - OPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1813) (Mars Facility, Security Services Complex, Security Chief's Office – SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters and Petty Officer (2nd class) Steven Hammons- 1900) (Mars Facility, Security Complex, Rear Entrance– SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters and Petty Officer (2nd class) Steven Hammons- 1905) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Facility – Williams-Verin Family Quarters - FSCO Lt. JG Trip Williams and CSO Ensign SG Sienna Williams-Verin - 11:00) To say that it had been an eventful morning would be an understatement. In just one hour life at the base had been turned upside down and on its head. The morning had started happy with a number of promotions and the like. But then the Admiral had been demoted and his wife placed in charge, things got a bit tense. Trip didn’t know what it meant, but that was fine. It wasn’t his job to know what it meant. However his day job did get a little bit more complicated. He had been promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and was officially in charge of the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars. His sister had also been promoted to Ensign Senior Grade and was officially the Chief Science Officer. So even though the morning ended chaotically, there was enough reason for Trip to want to celebrate. So he hurried from the meeting the moment it was acceptable to leave, headed to the Red Sands to pick up some ingredients and then raced home. He wanted to make a celebratory brunch, and he was craving pancakes. He hoped that his sister wouldn’t mind. He had mixed the batter from scratch just the way his grandmother had taught him, making sure that it was well blended. He meticulously monitored the pancakes on the griddle before taking them off and stacking them on a plate in the center of the dining table. Then while frying some bacon in the frying pan he diced some tomatoes, bell peppers, and other ingredients, as well as some cubed ham. He then removed the bacon and in the same pan made two fluffy omelettes, drizzled with shredded cheese. The first one he made without onions for his sister. The second one was with onions, but he very carefully made sure no onions or their residue got anywhere near his sister’s plate. He finished setting the table with a vase of water, a carafe of orange juice, and a small bottle of champagne to make mimosas. He sat down waiting for his sister only to realize in his rush to prepare brunch, he forgot to tell her he was making brunch. ~Come on Trip, man, how can you forget the most important part of celebration brunch.~ Sy felt something through the twin bond that kept the two of them so very close. Some nervous excitement that drew her back to their quarters. She wanted a good cuddle with Kenna before going to try and figure out what she was going to do with the department and help with the transfer of Luma from the Mystique to the base. As she approached the quarters she smelled it first. Bacon. She loved bacon. Not bacon like the replicator made, which was oh so perfect, but no. Real bacon. Crisp and unperfect and salty. She had helped on the ranch growing up, helping with the pigs that provided the real food that they served day in and day out on the tables of the Williams Clan, even the fosters. Most of the fosters came from either other foster homes or from space postings and had never before in their life had unreplicated food. Didn’t she have a bumper crop of basil and sage in the arboretum? She needed to get the UV light kit set up in their quarters so that Trip would have a full complement of herbs. She was expecting a lot in that freighter that was docking later today. A lot of department and Mars supplies, the birds for her Lynn, the seeds for Trip, starters, the viruses… It was all coming at once. She had learned the organizational skills at her Mother’s knee in Strategic Operations and Sienna thought that maybe that was part of why she had been bumped up to a full CSO rank. She had not realized how much she had learned from both of her amazing parents. What a gift they were. With that on her mind she peeked her head around the door, which quietly opened, to see Kenna stealing a piece of bacon while Trip’s back was turned. Kenna, who had the ability to escape any room in their quarters, somehow, should have been in Sy and Lynn’s room. “I’m not sure what I should say to you, Trip. Congratulations for making it?” She asked, taking the step into the room so that the door would close before Kenna escaped. She was also running interference for the cat so that Kenna would not get punished by her brother for stealing the bacon. Their Mother had been merciless. Pets that stole food got put in the humanoid beings room for the day and not allowed freedom. Some of the pets learned. Others took it as a challenge. Kenna took it to a whole ‘nother level. “And I’m not really sure about my feelings in all this.” Sy toed off her leather, low soled boots which were very muddy and undid her uniform jacket, slipping it off and hanging it on the chair behind her after sitting down on it. “I kinda expected it. And I’m super proud of you. But I’m also seriously jealous. I hope you haven’t told Mom and Dad yet. I’d like to be here when you make the call.” Sy leaned back, surveying the food for one moment ::Are we expecting anyone else?:: She asked quietly, using telepathy as her stomach gurgled in hunger. ::No it’s just us. Tried calling, but they’re busy. Rumor has it that Dad might get pulled back to the academy, and Billy told me that Mom’s name keeps coming up in a lot of communications hitting the Adm…:: he stopped himself, ::The captain’s desk. So they might be knee deep in politics, or they might finally get promoted.:: “I was kind of hoping it would be just us, on the Mystique, with separate quarters, we didn’t get to hang out too much. I missed our brunches,” “It went by so fast. Lynn was always busy, and going out it seemed to be helping people smooth down the inevitable clashes with Luma and learning about her and dealing with the antiquated technology. I learned a lot about how species evolve, like Luma had the ancient dna for what we think are the betazoids. And then on the way back my head was buried in the life sciences lab with that virus that is hitting the symbionts hard after Lynn was stabilized and dealing with… that other woman.” Sy’s eyes narrowed over how Ashlyn had acted towards HER Ailynn at the beginning and Trip knew very well what that expression plus that tone of voice meant in his sister. Tread carefully. Or change the subject. “I’m not sure I deserve the extra pip, but what I am sure of is that my sister is going to crush it as CSO” Sy smiled at that, her mood changed, “Do you uhm. Want to say the blessing? FOr some reason, since Lynn was hurt, I’ve been saying it recently when I’ve been eating most meals. I forget sometimes but yeah. I want to be more thankful for the good in the universe. Not every day is going to be good. Poor Admiral.” Sienna sighed. She really had not liked what had gone down with the Admiral this morning. At the very least that should not have been done on a stage in front of every one of his junior officers, undermining what authority remained to the poor man, who she had not had a chance to get to know. Trip nodded, “We give great joy for this time we share and the food we eat. We ask that our days be blessed with laughter and joy and that all we meet are filled with that same spirit of generosity that spreads throughout the universe. May this meal we share not only nourish our body through the food we eat, but nourish our mind and soul through the conversation and time we share. May all go who without, find comfort and hope.” Trip then paused in silent reflection. He wasn’t the best at off the cuff blessings. He was a spiritual soul, who hoped and prayed that there was more to just the universe than the here and now, but he hadn’t quite adapted to the Betazoid religion as his sister had. “Dig in, mine has onions, but I cooked yours first, no onion has touched anything on your plate” She wrinkled her nose at the mention of onions. Oh she would grow the things for her brother but she would not willingly eat them. She WAS impressed that he had managed to hide the smell from her. Likely that was what the bacon was for. Happily Sy poured real, pure sugar maple syrup over her stack of buttery, chocolate chip pancakes and watched in pure joy as the syrup cascaded down her stack of four. As it pooled around the bottom of the stack she very carefully lifted each of the four corners so that the wonderful maple goodness would flow under the pancakes and be absorbed by the delicious fluffy yumm. As she was concentrating on making sure that this went exactly to protocol spec, Trip was eating and speaking. Sy liked to make sure everything was perfect before she began to eat. She would divide the bacon into 3 equal sections per piece, cut her sausages in the same pattern, and would likely cut her omelette into the same proportions. She only tended to do this when she was working on some scientific pattern in her mind, or she was troubled about something. Or when her life was too chaotic and she needed control over something, “Oh,” Trip said in between bites. For someone who had been super meticulous with his school work, once revising a term paper 13 times before it was just ok enough to turn in (the paper had received an A+ even though Trip swore it would never be perfect) when it came to everything else he was messay and a slob. He had no qualms about his food touching and his only philosophy when eating was make sure it all enters the mouth. In that way he was the opposite of his sister, less science and more action. The good thing however is that opposites have a way of becoming the perfect pair. “we got new fighters in, some of them brand new, top of the line. We’re taking them out for a training exercise this afternoon.” Trip was as excited as a child who had gotten a new toy.. “A little war game, should be fun.” Sienna stopped eating and nearly dropped her fork. ::War game?:: She asked, a moment of panic making her throat too tight for a moment. ::Not serious? Just...fun?:: She asked, meeting his eyes. “Something is bothering me about all this.” She spoke softly. “Were the planes something you ordered before we went to Trill? Like I have a ton of stuff that I had ordered that a freighter will be arriving with tonight.” “Don’t worry everything is simulated, and yeah, when I was on restricted access, I was so bored I filled out a lot of requisition requests.” He looked on her, he knew the look on her face. “What’s up? You’re thinking so much I can hear the wheels in your brain turning,” “Like…” She bit her lower lip. “Why was the Admiral unpromoted in front of his command? He should have had that done privately and then been reassigned. What’s going on with Starfleet and why are they mad at him? He did a great thing. He brought Trill back into the Federation and got them to foot the bill on a fancy joint project Starbase that the sector needs. He should be hailed as a hero and promoted.” Sy slumped, idly picking up a piece of bacon to gnaw on it and then was pleasantly surprised when it crunched to the perfect texture that she liked. Trip was the only one in the family who could get that exactly right, every time. Glancing appraisingly at the tower of sugary carbs to see if enough of the blessed syrup had been absorbed, she appraised it to be complete and cut into it, straight through all 4 layers of pancake. The chocolate gooed and she folded one quarter over and ate it in one full bite, broadcasting the pure pleasure of the carb concoction so loudly that it was amazing that Ravok was not knocking on the door to get his own. “It’s for the same reason Mom and Dad, Miss Aimee and Miss Dale, and most of our aunts and uncles have been at the same rank for 20 Years. Stupid politics. Plain and simple. Do you mind if we talk about something else, I don’t have the tolerance for fleet politics right now. I just want to do my job and keep everything and….” he then pointed his fork at his sister, “everyone I love safe.” “No, I don’t mind but I’m kinda scared about what it means. It’s just my anxiety. It’s not really anything important.” Sy swallowed the lump of her anxiety with another bite of pancake. She thought for a moment, “That freighter I have coming, Lynn has always wanted an earth type parrot, and I got it for her. Well not an earth type, that’s a macaw and they are impossible to find because they are in DNA resurrection and reclamation projects, but the Trillians have a very similar kind of bird that people who love each other give. I don’t know why the government let me order a pair of them, but they will be here on the freighter tonight. Along with a ton of seedlings, fertilizers, and hopefully the plants that I need from Betazed that I ordered as well. And uhm.” Sy blushed as the words were steadily spoken as she decimated her way through the stack of pancakes with glee. “A case of wine, beer and some of those candied root things that Mom likes but she can’t find here. Are you scheduled to goto Earth at some point on patrol maybe and could drop them off?” Sy asked with a slight grin, hiding how very much the current political climate was terrifying her. “Well, funny you mentioned going to Earth,” Trip said awkwardly. “I’m going to Earth tomorrow, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it out to the Ranch.” Trip looked down at his food, he was at that point where he didn’t know if he was getting full or wanted more. Sy knew that tone. She peeked up at her twin, “And what ARE you doing?” She asked in the arch sister tone that meant he needed to spill the beans. “I’m ummm… taking Ash to go meet Miss Dale. She has never met her birth mother before, and since Miss Dale has been my mentor over the years, well I may have promised I’d go with her to make it feel less stressful. But if you can wait a few days, why don’t we take the day off and have a family day at the ranch with mom and dad. Dad can fire up the smoker, I'll make some biscuits and we can have a barbecue.” Sy tilted her head for a moment as she had consumed the bacon, al of it, then grinned, “You LIKE her. You -really- LIKE her. Is she your girlfriend yet? She’s a better choice than most of the people you dated and while I don’t know that I like her after the way she treated Lynn and acted like the stuff with Miss Dale was somehow LYNN’s fault, well.” Sy grinned. “For once you have my blessing.” Sy laughed for a moment. “She’s just a friend,” Trip protested, even then the reality of his and Ash’s relationship was obvious to everyone except Trip and Ash. “And she and Ailynn are working out the new normal” Trip said in a conciliatory tone. He knew deep down his sister was only being protective of Lynn. And he didn’t blame her one bit. “I mean I don’t know how I would react if I found out one day that my mom and dad weren’t my mom and dad, and the family I had so wanted my family to be like, was actually my family.” Trip paused. “Though I think the fact that you would give me your blessing even though we are totally not gonna date speaks volumes of her.” Trip blushed a little. He got distracted thinking about Ash’s cute freckles. Maybe he did like her. But he hoped that his sister wouldn’t pick up on his little day dream. Sy shook her head, “You got it bad. But ok. If you insist she isn’t your girlfriend, then that’s fine. She isn’t your girlfriend. But wouldn’t it be adorable if I married Lynn and you married her and we just somehow made it work and well,” Sy slumped again before very quickly shielding her mind from her brother but not fast enough. Sy was seriously worried about her relationship with Lynn since they had the crises on Trill. “Not ready to talk about it.” She spoke out loud to his unspoken question, “When I am, I’ll let you know. You know me, Trip. I’m the worrier of the two of us. I’m the one that makes things more complicated.” She smiled lightly at that. “Well maybe your just worried because if I marry Ash and you marry Lynn, I’d be Lynn’s uncle and bother-in-law. And Ash’s sister-in-law would be married to her niece. I’d be your uncle-in-law.” He said with a laugh. “See this is why Ash and I aren’t dating.” More cluelessness. “Uh huh.” Sy was unconvinced. “Can I give you some piece of advice?” “Only person who always can!” She spoke lightly, stealing the last half of the pancake off of his plate. Because chocolate chip pancakes should never go to waste. “When Rae and I broke up, we did it because we were young, scared and had never really dated and we didn’t know who we were yet. But we knew if it was meant to be, the Universe would find a way to bring us back together. If it were meant to be. And unfortunately that wasn’t the case, and I go back and forth in my mind a lot wondering if maybe I’d figured things out sooner, maybe she’d never have been in the blast zone. But what I do know is the time that we had was special. The bond we had was special. And I will cherish it always. Isn’t that what Imzadi means, not just beloved, but first. And that means something, and its special, and regardless of what happens, you should cherish it.” He paused, “And I truly believe that if the universe deems it so, no matter how far away you may be, it will bring you back together. Look at the namesake of our high school. He and his imzaid were separated for years, and when they reunited on the Enterprise, it took a decade for them to get back together. But they did.” He took a sip of water. “If I were you sis, instead about worrying about the what ifs and tomorrow, focus on the right now, the today. Make every day Ailynn has special as can be. Because it is special, and because one day you may wake up and they may be gone.” Trip began to tear up a little as he remembered Rae’s face and her beautiful dimples. “And that’s why when she said she wanted the birds and what happened on Trill scared me so bad, and I got them for her.” Sy whispered, having finished off the last bit of Trip’s pancakes too. Most of her omelette was still sitting there, but it and the remainder of her sausage would reheat later well enough. The fear was in her voice as well as she remembered Lynn basically dying and that there was nothing that she could do to save her other than sit there and listen as Luma tried to guide her through anchoring Lynn’s spirit to her body with a bond that was barely begun and to Sy at least it felt like the bond had not grown since that experience. But maybe she was trying too hard. “There is a quote from one of the old movies I love, Kung Fu Panda. Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present. Today is a gift, my dear darling sister, every day with Lynn is a gift. So don’t worry and don’t stress. Give her her birds, and be present to her. And if your life separates you, then remember it for the good times. For the smiles, for the love. I do that everyday with Rae. Because I know, in her last moments, she wanted me to have hope, and not give up on love. Cherish her my dear Sienna, cherish the gift, and know that she will never leave your heart, and I will never leave your side.” Sy, much shorter than her twin stood up and moved over to the other side of the table, wanting to be held. She didn’t really have to say anything, they were very attuned to each other in that way. Trip embraced his sister. He was significantly taller than her, standing at 6’4”, but he always said it was because he needed to be tall enough to wrap her up and protect her. And that he would do. ::I love you Sy. I just want you to know that. Sure I’m going to get married someday, I hope, and yes I made a blood oath with Ailynn, and she’s my blood sister, and that’s why Dad wouldn’t let me touch knives for a year. But you, you are a piece of my now and always. A super important part of my life. My sister, my friend, I am blessed that you are my twin:: Sy looked up at him for a long moment, their absolute twin betazoid eyes meeting before she laid her head on his chest and let him hold her for several long moments until the tension that Sienna had been holding for days drained out of her and she calmed. (reply none) (posted by Mel and Will) (Mars Facility - Science Annex, Lab 3 office (temporary)- SO (Research) Ensign (jg) Stennin- 1128) Stennin rose a brow as he saw the Reman officer tense when he turned his gaze to Foxglove. She was holding a phaser, which she slowly placed on the desk. " This is a dark matter phaser developed by SFI. It's my intent to allow the science to reverse engineer this prototype so we can mass produce a weapon system with a higher yield than current weapons allow." Stennin nodded slowly and looked at the phaser as Sekal picked it up. He extended his hand as Sekal handed it over to him. Stennin noticed the grip and the prefire chamber, and studied it closely. If they were to make a workable version, they would have to disassemble the whole thing. "After you have completed your studies of this and duplicated it I wish to have this one back if possible. If it is based on dark matter as named then it should have superior heating and stun effects." Stennin nodded. He knew that Dark Matter was a subject of physics that was much shrouded in uncertainty. However, to weaponise the concept could span a new wave of high energy weapons that would outclass other phasers. "That is agreeable. I will examine each component closely and see if we have any compatible engineering specs to reproduce this piece." Stennin looked at the phaser some more, and saw in his periphery that Foxglove handed Sekal a PADD. "Here are the schematics for ship variants of this weapon system. Also a complete schematic of the warp accelerated railgun (( WAR )) that is currently nearing operational status at the intelligence operations center. With this I hope your section will be able to adapt these weapons for shipwide use." Stennin looked up from the phaser and rose his brows. Using a railgun was nothing new, but in conjunction with warp technology, it could be quite powerful. But also dangerous. He listened as Sekal was making similar points. " The WAR system is interesting. Railgun technology already exists in the Fleet and we launch torpedoes and probes with it. Using it in conjunction with a warp coil is a fascinating step and it will have to be put through extensive testing first. Perhaps we can introduce it initially as a planetary defense system then look later at reducing the size for ship mounted systems. My initial estimation is that it would require a large vessel to make its inclusion feasible." Stennin nodded fervently. He was making some calculations in his head, but he believed it was able to be constructed. He looked as Sekal handed him the PADD. "After you have studied the contents of the PADD and downloaded it into the database please liaise with Ensign Merek in Engineering to determine how she would like to proceed with this. I will also be available if she wishes to bring me into the matter." Stennin nodded and glanced at the PADD. "I will examine the specifications of the WAR system and contact Ensign Merek." Stennin looked over as Foxglove stood up. "The last thing I want is for us to go back out into space and be outgunned like we were by the Andorians. Friends one day may be enemies the next. We need the ability to defend ourselves." Stennin nodded, as did Sekal. "Duly noted. We have other researches ongoing that will be helpful in this regard as well. Starfleet currently is three decades behind others in the quadrant. That roughly translates to two, possibly three generations of technological advances. This is unacceptable, and we are working to narrow the gap, and are pulling in technologies from all over the Federation, along with our own researches to accomplish it. To reach our goal will take some time but in the interim such advances as you just brought to my attention will be helpful. Once it is proven. And you have my gratitude for it. " Stennin nodded fervently as he took the PADD and Phaser in hand and then nodded to Sekal. He had to return to the labs and get some people working. (Written by Yoerik van Heugten) (Mars Facility- 1st fighter Wing complex- Computer Ops. Ensign jg Lacey Jacobs-1149) " That should just about do it " Lacey said as she waved her hands around the holographic interface in front of her. " You really think these old terminals can handle the advanced programming of these new fighters? The Valkyrie 3s are one thing, but the Valkyrie 5s are outrageous" Crewman Maria Reyes responded. Lacey looked at her and smiled " The programming language is the same between the ground side terminals and the Valkyrie 5s . Just think of it as new slang words having been added to that language by the newer fighters. I'm essentially teaching the ground side terminals the new hip lingo" she laughed. " How did you get into this line of work ? " Reyes asked as she took a seat in a nearby chair. Lacey kept her eyes on the holographic interface in front of her " I could ask everyone that same question, couldn't I? Why does anyone do what they do ? I am just lucky to be able to do what I love " she said as she powered down the holographic interface and turned to look at Crewman Reyes. " I didnt mean any offense, I was interested in how you go about the complex job of the computing capabilities of the systems like it's no problem at all" Maria said. " When I was a child I had no friends, I had computers. How those computers worked, fascinated me. So my father would sit with me 4 hours everyday for 5 years and teach me everything he knew about computers. There isn't much more to say about it. Is there anything else I can assist you with today ? " Maria shook her head " No that should be it" " The sensor logs from the new fighters should be tracked and recorded with accuracy, but if there are any problems just have any of the Lead technicians contact me at anytime and I will come back and make the proper adjustments." Maria nodded her head " Will do " Lacey grabbed her kit " Well I'm off to the next job" she said with a smile and walked off. ( reply none) ( posted by Davis ) (Mars Science Annex - Fifth floor, CSRD Office- CSRD, Lieutenant (jg) Sekal- Science Officer, Ensign (sg) Adala Michaels- CSO, Ensign (sg) Sienna Williams-Verin 1630) He had gotten T'Lah interested in one of her catnip toys that was colored and shaped like a large Terran honeybee. She was across the room attempting to disembowel it with her back claws while it was lodged in her teeth. Sekal had been setting parameters for materials that would handle the increased energy load across the gamut of s ship systems. While life support, computer, lifts, lighting, sensors and replicators for example could function on the decreased plasma output such things as weapons, shields navigational deflectors and the like would need energy siphoned from the warp drive. There was plenty to go around, more than current systems could use in the foreseeable future while still maintaining a significant buffer above warp drive at full power. The materials needed would not be available according to his calculations within the year. In order to set manageable goals he rated one hundred percent phaser power in graduating increments. The thirty percent threshold by his estimation could be reached in a little over a year using composites of available materials, the other milestones would require much more durable materials. The Republic's current engines could be used safely at a maximum of twenty six percent capacity but the energy to the noted systems would have to be severely restricted to the rated levels currently used. In order to fully utilize the theoretical limits of the crystal the Republic's engines themselves would have to be redesigned to handle the increased heat from the matter/ anti-matter reaction. Any ships built specifically to utilize the technology would be awaiting the same engine redesign. Advances to take full advantage of the technology then would be slow in coming. A buzz at the door caught his attention and he looked up. "Enter." Adira stepped into the office and looked around, turning to face the Lieutenant. “Sir .. “ She stopped mid sentence “Sorry Sir … I’ll come back.” She took a step back to exit. "That is unnecessary and illogical…," he replied, "... you are already here Ensign Michaels. Please take a seat." He turned from the screen and sat back as he interlaced his fingers level with his stomach. "How can I assist you Ensign?" He gave her his full attention as she talked. Adala took an uneasy step forward as she turned back into the room. She knew something had happened the last few times she’d been in the holodeck but didn’t understand or knew how to broach the subject. “Sir …. I have something I need help with. I don’t know for sure if you can help or not.” She grew silent and turned her gaze to the floor, shuffling her feet in uneasiness. He cocked his head to look at the uneasy Ensign. "Then please sit down. The replicator is available if you wish refreshment." Her voice was very low. "Thank you Sir." she said, not accepting his offer for refreshment and sitting on the edge of the seat. He waited until she had taken a seat. "What is the issue Ensign Michaels?" "I am not even sure where to start really." She paused as if turning things over in her head. "Twice now I found myself somewhere and have no memory of going there." She swallowed and shifted in her seat. "The first time I had gone to the holodeck and ran one of my exercise programs." she shifted again. "I don't know what happened, I was running the program and the next thing I remember was almost like waking up and the program was done." Her words seemed forced like she had to make an effort to get them out. She stood and began pacing, almost as if she couldn't help herself. The need to move almost a compulsion, her hands clenched and shaking. He watched her closely, she was obviously agitated. "There are a number of factors I am aware of which could cause memory lapses. Fatigue, stress, drug usage which could be caused by a medication of which you have an intolerance to perhaps, an imbalance in neuroreceptor function are some of them. Have you had a checkup with medical recently?" Adala shook her head as if to clear it and stop pacing. "Yes Sir." she paused and thought about her next words. "I had a check up with Medical before I arrived Sir." She forced herself to relax as she sat back down. "It's something else. If I didn't know better it was something about the program. Although I have checked it out and double checked it. Nothing in the coding or anything is amiss." He leaned forward, his curiosity aroused. "You believe it has something to do with your holodeck program? Would you describe the program you are using?" Adala had anticipated this question and passed a PADD to the Lieutenant. "It's basically a program that can learn and adapt or add other things to the program to challenge myself. However no one else has had access to the program and all I have included in the program is on the PADD." she let out a sigh. "There is nothing in it that would be represented by whatever this is that I am experiencing." Adala looked up at the Lieutenant. "I came to you because I have a favor to ask. It's an unusual one Sir. I want you to do a mind meld on me. I know there are things you might be able to pick up through them." An eyebrow rose. "You understand do you not that a mind meld is not entered into lightly by Vulcans?" She was quick to look at her hands and mumble. "I'm sorry." She didn't know where else to turn but knew something was off, something was going on she didn't understand. He shook his head. "Apologies are not necessary Ensign. I was merely making you aware that such intimate forms of contact are governed by a very strict code as I also informed Ensign Verin. I did not say I would not do so." He remained in his chair. "However there are also certain rules of decorum in StarFleet to be followed and your immediate superior officer needs to be present for a melding of minds." Adala nodded. "Yes Sir, I understand and appreciate your openness." Her tone quiet and thoughtful as if she was distracted, something else on her mind.. She shook her head and smiled at him. "Thank you Sir, I do understand. What I ask is not something I would if I thought there was another way." Nodding, Sekal commed Ensign Verin and filled her in on the pertinent details including Ensign Michael's concerns. Sienna reported as ordered, knocking on the door since for whatever reason the chime on this door did not like her. Slipping in, she took in Sekal and Ensign Michaels. Sienna had not had much interaction with Michaels yet, but that was on her books for tomorrow, “What’s going on?” She asked, looking between them and noting the tension. “How can I help?” He nodded at the CSO. "Ensign Michael's has reported lapses of memory and one experience occurred around an episode of a holodeck program." Sy listened and frowned, “I’m not sure that a mind meld is the first step here. We have Betazoid Counselors that might be able to help. You said that it had to do with a holodeck program while we were on the Mystique? Have you thought about asking Luma what she observed or sensed?” Adala grew silent as the two conversed. Her thoughts on what she'd asked, on her fears she was going crazy. This isn't the first time she'd asked for help and each time nothing is found to be wrong, either with her, her program or the ship. Each time it's been put down as a glitch in the system or too much time on the holodeck. Adala finally replied, speaking to both of them. “Sirs, This isn’t the first time I have had this happen or the first time I have been given the once over by medical staff or shrinks.” She let out a sigh, frustrated at feeling so helpless and confused. Luma’s presence seemed to surround them when she was called on to turn her attention towards them. =^= Luma is settling in to the computers, and they are vast but she misses the skin and the ability to move in the starsong.=^= The Lenai sounded sad in her speaker-voice. Sienna chose to speak, “Luma do you require Vex to be here to assist us with this task?” Sienna asked quietly. A pregnant silence and then Luma spoke through the speakers, =^= No. But my recordings are still in the bio neural gel packs of the Mystique, the ones that were passively taken. The Andelurien crystal was not large enough in order to transfer it all. The Mystique will always be the Luma’s skin. =^= Sienna nodded to Ensign Michaels, “Luma, this is Ensign Adala Michaels. She has been having problems with blacking out on the Mystique. Ensign Michaels, you may have not ever interacted with Luma before, but she WAS the Mystique while we were on board. If Lt. Sekal could set up the interface to the Mystique then Luma should be able to access those time periods and show us her passive recordings of what you were doing at the time? If that’s acceptable to you Ensign. It IS an intrusion of your privacy.” Adala sighed, this was nothing new, she’d been through this all before. “Of course it’s ok Sir, I just want to find out what’s going on.” Then she paused and frowned. “Sorry for snapping Sir.” Sekal nodded and accessed the base communication system and routed a link to the Mystique with a command for it to access the computer system on the ship. Once they had the link he spoke. "You may access the files now Luma." A humming energy flowed through the touchstone panel where Sekal’s hands touched the systems interfacing with the computer core and Luma. Luma played the recordings from the holodeck on the terminal in front of Sekal. They showed the physical events as they took place, not doctored in any way, shape or form. Sienna watched in interest, having let Michaels' outburst go, for now. When the recordings were finished, Sienna turned to Adala, "What can you elaborate on?" Sy waited patiently for an answer from the Ensign. Adala shook her head. "Sirs, I don't know what happened. The program ran as it should. I double checked it afterwards. Checked the flashlights, they were working perfectly. The batteries were charged." She suddenly grew silent, realizing she had been rambling. Maybe it was time she threw in the towel and went home. Sienna narrowed her eyes, catching the emotions from the Ensign. “Luma, do you detect anything below the surface of the program? Anything that could perhaps be hidden but not from you?” Luma paused, =^= No. Luma watched carefully. =^= Sienna nodded, “Maybe a visit to one of the Counselors? It could simply be a bad dream, a bad feeling. Sometimes we don’t know why something is bothering us.” Sienna was not being condescending, she was trying to be helpful. Sienna glanced back over at Sekal, “Do you have anything to add Sir?” Sekal considered. "That would appear to be a logical first step. If counseling finds nothing then we will revisit the matter." (Reply: None) (Posted by Charles, Kathleen and Melinda) (Mars, Main Engineering - OPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1813) Having had her transfer to the Operations position approved by the Admiral earlier in the day, some might have thought M'Rurrh's attendance at the Engineering meeting unusual. She justified it to herself as her new role included and generalised supporting brief across the base and needed some basic awareness of what needs Departments were likely to present. That and she was still trying to fathom just what state the Mars facilities were in, how far they'd progressed since being reopened by the Admiral, now Captain, and just how far there was still to go. The small crowd of engineers quietened as Ensign Merek approached the central display and opened the meeting: "Thank you everyone for your patience. First point of order. We have some new faces. Please introduce yourselves. I'm Ensign Merek, your CEO." M'Rurrh fought not to roll her eyes as the creeping death of introductions began working its way round the room, with a tendency toward too-long introductions. Her mind was just beginning to wander when one officer changed the tempo, introducing himself in just three words: "Ensign Scott Matrix." Sending a co-conspirators' smile at Ensign Matrix, M'Rurrh seized upon the silence to introduce herself in similarly brief style: "Ensign M'Rurrh." After the last of the introductions, Ensign Merek brought the meeting to a focus. "Assignments. Ensign M'Rurrh with the opening of the Operations section has put in a request to go to OPS her primary specialty from the Academy. I have put it forward with my approval. I wish her the best, I'm sure she'll do great things in OPS, CPO Tamblyn will likely mold her into the best officer on Mars with in the month." M'Rurrh nodded acknowledgement at the few officers who smiled their congratulations to her. "Thank you, I look forward to continuing to work with you all in my new role." The meeting moved on; allocating Departmental duties, confirmation of the intention to build a starbase in the Trill home system... M'Rurrh filed that away. Changing demands for components and resources could reshape the logistical operations from one system to another in a domino effect. A growing base at Mars would be helped if it became a jumping off point for Starfleet's local contributions... (Reply any, none) (Posted by MCD) (Mars Facility, Security Services Complex, Security Chief's Office – SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters and Petty Officer (2nd class) Steven Hammons- 1900) Steven had been fidgeting in the office he had been using until a computer check showed that Carson had returned to his office. Hammons had a plan he had discussed with Lieutenant Sekal after verifying his story regarding the messages and his report to the Admiral. The report was complete and had been filed which Steven had verified before bringing the Vulcan onboard. Had he asked anyone else he would have no doubt been turned down flat. Fortunately he had been able to make Sekal see the logic in the ruse. He buzzed the door then walked in. "Hey Chief do you have a minute?" Carson, who was only just beginning to settle into the new office in the Security Services Complex. He would still be doing the majority of his work from the main building office, due to its closeness to the CaC but since the majority of his forces operated out of this building he needed to set his office up. The door was open so he just looked up as Hammons popped in, “Of course.” "We have a dispute going on over a drunk and disorderly." He gave a caution sign that was routinely used during dangerous apprehensions then a wag of his head toward the door. Frowning he moved to the door and began following the Officer and as he did checked the weapon on his belt. They walked in silence, through the building, down eight floors and through several corridors. Hammons seemed to be leading him to the rear of the building. (Mars Facility, Security Complex, Rear Entrance– SCO, Ens(sg) Carson Peters and Petty Officer (2nd class) Steven Hammons- 1905) He led them a short way onto the grounds before stopping and looking around. The area was deserted. The Chief probably thought he was off his rocker but so be it, he wasn't taking any chances. He turned to Carson and looked him square in the eye. "There's something very fishy about this case you put me on Chief, investigators have been dropping like flies and I'm covering my bases here. I've got that report you wanted and a plan moving forward but the report on the PADD is only half the story." He handed it over. Carson smiled, understanding the man’s paranoia over the case he was dealing with. He was right, almost everyone who had been directly involved in the initial investigation had been reassigned from somewhere above Carson’s head. Either the gods didn’t want this resolved or someone in a much more senior position. He took the PADD from Hammons and whilst skimming it said, “Tell me about your plan?” The information on the PADD was thorough investigative work, but still very little they could use in an interrogation if they were to pull the suspect in for questioning. "First I hope you don't mind if I state the obvious." Hammons folded his arms but his eyes roamed the area as he spoke. He didn't think they were being watched out here but was leaving nothing to chance. "I think the infiltrator, whoever he or she is has a friend on the inside. Whether it's administrative or security I don't know but the longer this case remains open the more roadblocks are going to get thrown up." “So you understand the reason I asked you to look into this.” Carson said, happy with his choice. “We need this dealt with quickly and resolved beyond doubt. I cannot stand having a leak on this base and if it’s within Security, then…” "They could just be running interference or feeding him or her information. At any rate this person is going to have to be rooted out later. The best way to get to that one is to bring in our target so we need to bust this case open quick." Carson nodded, he agreed with Hammons' reading of the situation. “Very well, we can’t bring the suspect in though without having the evidence to really nail them. How do you plan to get that evidence?” Satisfied he gave Carson his full attention. "My plan is going to require your approval before I set it in motion, I've already got some people set aside that I trust completely to keep their mouths shut, Boyles and Fredericks. I've also enlisted Lieutenant Sekal in it." “Sekal?” This one threw him for a loop, he hadn’t expected the newly minted Lieutenant’s name to come up in this conversation at all. He knew of the transmissions which were listed on the PADD which Sekal had been a part of, “How are you involving the Lieutenant and why?” Hammons grinned. "Sekal is noted in the case files as a question mark and he's my bait. I followed up on the messages he sent and verified his story, they were approved after the fact by the Admiral but our suspect doesn't know that. If the woman we are watching is the real deal my trap should root her out, if she's not she will do nothing. We should know either way within a couple of days." He could see Hammon’s plan forming in his mind as the man continued to speak, it was a simple enough plan and if it worked it could ferret out the entire organisation. Carson sighed, “Why do I get the feeling I’m about to owe the Lieutenant a big favour once this is all said and done.” "Here it is in a nutshell. I'm going to doctor the Jade Lady file a bit, note that she's no longer a suspect and surveillance has been pulled off which is a lie and issue an arrest order for Sekal." He chuckled. "We will pick Sekal up in the morning, very public and officious with lots of witnesses. The word should be all over the base by nightfall then we watch to see if she makes a move. If she does we will catch her red-handed." “Nightfall? It’ll be all over the base within the hour of his arrest. The rumor mill in this place works overtime when there’s this level of a story floating. You’re going to have to pull back the surveillance on the suspect to bare minimum, they can’t have any idea they’re still being watched… perhaps Luma could help.” he said, thinking out loud. “Although I’m not sure I like the precedent that sets.” Hammons nodded. "I understand your concerns sir but if we sit on our hands and keep doing what we've been doing we'll get the same results. The Lieutenant agrees with that *logical* assessment and actually volunteered." Hammons couldn't hold back the chuckle. "If there's any kickback from it he has offered to run interference for us with the powers that be." “Ok, you have a go. Normally I’d have to run this up the chain, but I think in this case it’ll be better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Carson said, “What do you need from me and when have you set this charade up with Sekal for?” he asked, already wondering how much paperwork this was about to create. Steven gave a wink. "He has set up a briefing in the science annex auditorium at 0700 for department technical staff. There will be over two hundred in attendance and a third of them are working with medical on the Trill symbiote vaccine. You, me and Boyles walk in at 0700 on the dot as the meeting is about to start. Fredericks will remain in the hall as backup." His eyes scanned the area again before continuing. "When he sees us walk in he steps down from the lectern to meet us. You tell him his story doesn't check out and he's under arrest for espionage and complicity in the attacks in the system including the attempted takeover of the Mystique." Carson smiled, “I might just enjoy this a little too much. Make sure your men are fully kitted out, if we’re going to do this, let’s make sure it looks like we mean business and expect him to try and escape. I assume Sekal realises how much of his day this is going to eat up?” Hammons chuckled. "No brig, the Lieutenant was adamant about that. He needs a monitor so he can continue compiling some futuristic materials outlines for his work. He can have the office I borrowed to work on this case. Oh! One other thing, we've got to send someone to pick up his cat and bring her over. I can have Boyles do that while I watch over him and insure his safety. That wasn't his idea but as long as he's helping us I insisted on it." “That cat?” Carson said, somewhat bemused. “OK, that’s fair enough, although set him up in the Chief of Intelligence Office in this building.” he pointed back towards the building they’d exited, “It’s not being used by Intelligence at the moment, it’s roomy and has a terminal. It’s also near my office and in one of the most secure buildings on the campus.” "Roger that chief, the Intelligence office it is. Smart move, I'll bet you they have their access shielded so nobody can look in on him and see that he's active." “So we’re set, or is there anything else?” Carson asked, as he turned to face the building and scanned the rear exit. "Nope that's it. I'll have everyone fully equipped and ready to go by 0645 and meet you outside the Security office’s and we can do our Grant taking Richmond routine from there. We'll follow your lead from that point." Hammons grinned, he'd never been in on the arrest of a Lieutenant before sham or not. This was going to be "interesting" and maybe even fun. (Reply none) (Posted by Charles & Jono) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Repercussions Day: 3 Stardate: 2444.07.10 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Base Science Annex - 4th floor, Jaton’s Quarters - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl and Luma’Lenai - 00:54) (Mars Base - Medical Entrance - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1700) (Mars - Elysium Planitia dome, Central concourse - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1710) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1920) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD-- 1922) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1925) (Starfleet HQ -- Transport Area -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD and aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1945) (Earth, Galveston, Pleasure Pier -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD and aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 2000) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Gabe Vesper – 2001) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Dural Methor DrPH – 2003) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Dural Methor DrPH – 2007) (Starfleet Command - Medical Ward - (SPC) Admiral Jana Bell & ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez - 2102) (Starfleet Command - Personal Quarters Admiral Jana Bell - 2105) (Starfleet Command - Personal Quarters - ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez - 2108) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 2115) (Earth - Starfleet medical - Ensign Erin Cortez & Ensign Ravok Shara - 2156) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 2230) (Mars Base - Medical Entrance - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1700) (Mars - Elysium Planitia dome, Central concourse - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1710) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Mars Base Science Annex - 4th floor, Jaton’s Quarters - SO (Research) Ensign Jaton Alyl and Luma’Lenai - 00:54) Jaton was breathing heavily and mumbling in his sleep. No matter what had transpired between him and his family in the last month, the ghosts of his parents still haunted his sleep, and there wasn’t much he hadn’t tried to stop it. Sometimes multiple times a night he would bolt upright in his sleep and tonight was no different. His eyes snapped open and he sat up in bed with a shout. His chest was bathed in cold sweat and his breathing was still very fast and shallow. “Atsa? Ide?” He looked around the darkened room, and saw nothing. He wasn’t in his bed at home. He was on Mars. He remembered now. It was 25 years later. His parents were dead. And nothing he could do or say would change that fact. He brought his knees up under the blanket and rested his arms on them, trying to get his breathing back under control. To no avail. He buried his face in his hands and began to cry. Luma had spread all through the science annex at this point and she felt and heard the disturbance in the night. The air felt heavier as the entity focused her attention squarely on Alyl’s quarters and she made the air heavier around him, as if attempting to figure out a way to hug him. =^= The Jaton is sad? Why is the Jaton leaking tears? Is a Counselor required? Luma can call the Alaya and have her here very quickly. =^= The voice startled Jaton at first before he recognised it as Luma. He wiped his tears and tried to compose himself. Luma increased the pressure all over, to help. She had learned that sentient beings improved when pressure was applied to their bodies, it calmed and soothed them. =^= Is the pressure too much?=^= She asked anxiously, almost like a child. “Well it’s not the most comfortable thing ever. Much more and I might begin to sweat,” Jaton said with a half chuckle. Luma relieved the pressure swiftly, =^= Luma was told that pressure helped sentient beings. That was why they hugged. =^= “Luma, what do you know of grief and mourning?” =^= It is when the entropy wins and the small ones we care for go away forever. The Lenai do not believe in allowing the entropy to win. Most of the Lenai people were destroyed when our sun went nova and few of us made it to noncorporeal states. We decided it was our mission to tend to the small ones’ races and to aid in the process of resisting entropy. It is a terrible sadness when all that a race is just disappears due to entropy. Was this why the Jaton was making pained sounds? Would it make the Jaton cheered again to tell Luma of what he lost to the entropy? =^= “It’s rather complicated, to be honest, and I don’t know how much you know of my strange past. But I just learned recently that my parents have died. I visited their cenotaphs during the trip to Trill, but I can’t stop thinking about them.” Luma was quiet for a moment, =^= Luma once had a mate. He went insane and Luma was forced to channel the power of the Mystique’s warp drives and the power of all the telepaths aboard the Mystique through the mind of Vanyssa Winters. She was a betazoid captain of the Mystique and it nearly destroyed her. Luma did not want to live when she was forced to destroy the last living known Lenai, knowing that Luma could not procreate and bring forth more of her people.=^= Very few knew of this, and the depth of the sadness that Luma held over the subject was something that she did not even share with Vex. =^= Luma disobeyed the Admiral when we aboard the Mystique this time. Luma was to allow the small ones to learn aboard the Mystique and to make mistakes, but Luma was careful and she broke the rules to save the lives of several of the crew members. Vex said that it was our secret because learning should not be lethal and that is something that Luma agrees. It would be wrong to allow the small ones to be harmed. =^= Luma confessed her tiny sins in the dark of night to someone she hoped would become her friend. “Oh, Luma, you absolutely did the right thing. Of course it’s important that we must learn and use excursions like the one to Trill as a learning opportunity, but not at the cost of our own lives. How can one learn when one is dead, after all?” =^= The Bracken that makes the Sienna laugh would fix them. But it is better to not make her need to fix them?-^= Luma had a unique way of looking at the people she served along. =^= You are saddened that your progenitors have gone into the Fade? Do the Trillian peoples have a story of what happens to their spirits when the Entropy consumes the physical shell? Did they have the strange parasites in them like you do? Is that your progenitor's immortality?=^= Luma did tend to look at the universe sideways. “No, they weren’t joined like I am. Very few of us are. I’m lucky in the fact that I’ll live on after Jaton dies. In Alyl. But my parents are gone forever. I grew up to stories of Mak’relle Dur, where our memories dwell after we die, but only for those that are joined. Those who are not are lost to the ether.” Luma was quiet for a long moment, =^= Among the Lenai we believed that first when we had forms like your people and were more like the el-aurian in life spans, that when we Faded, that our immortality was in our childer. We did not have many, and our scientists believed that it was due to both our form and to the length that we lived. It was in the works we left behind, and that our legacy was genetic. And then the sun went nova. And very few, less than .1% of our people made the transition. Everything that defined us as a people was gone and the few that made it away.. We made the pact that we would assist other races of the small ones so that everything about them would not be lost as well. =^= Luma paused, and she seemed to sigh. =^= Luma once had a child, a small male crystal. He was lively and curious and he loved to create stories about rescuing other Lenai on the frozen tundra that was our world. Luma’s child was known as Lier’Lanai and he did not have sufficient mass or psionic skill to transition. It is Luma’s eternal grief but she knows that energy is not created nor destroyed and that somewhere there is a being that has her Lier’s mischievous curiosity to it. Among the Trill there will be creations in the future that have the traits of your progenitors? =^= Luma tried to sound hopeful as she spoke to Jaton. Jaton smiled. “Yes, there will be. In fact, I found out a month ago I myself have two sons. Kasian and Arvos.” Luma’s voice sounded more cheerful, =^= Did you visit your children upon the Trill? =^= She asked curiously, not having met Kasian when he was on Mars. =^= How did your family treat you on Trill in general? Are you happy with the way it went?=^= “It was… awkward at first. After all, because of circumstances that I don’t completely understand myself, I hadn’t been home in over 25 years.” Luma’s presence lightened a bit as if she knew that he was doing a bit better, =^= It would be wise to resume your rest cycle and speak with one of the Counselors in the morning, but the Alyl, the Jaton, the twos of you should know that Luma considers you her friend and that she will, what is it that the Ravok says? That she will has your back.=^= A pause. =^= Do you need Luma to disobey the rules and summon a mild sedative to helps you? =^= That Luma was willing to break any of the rules, which were in place to help both her and Starfleet deal with her, was an amazing thing in and of itself. “You’re right. Thanks, Luma. I think I’ll pass on the sedatives tonight but I’ll make a point to see a counsellor soon.” With that, Jaton lay back down and pulled the covers up agains the cold Martian night. (Reply none) (Posted by Spencer and Melinda) (Mars Base - Medical Entrance - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1700) Alaya was waiting for Steven outside the Medical Complex. She was in her standard dark plum pantsuit, with heeled black boots, her beautiful blue hair braided back but the rest hanging loose down her back. She had been sitting under one of the cherry trees and she smiled happily when she ‘felt’ Steven approach. Alaya offered her hand to him to kiss with a flirtatious smile. When their hands touched, skin to skin, something sparked between them. Alaya laughed, her laugh a hearty but delicate thing. Alaya was happy and she tended to make others around her happy as well. Hammons smiled as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. He held them there a moment before moving her hand to his side. "I am partial to laughter myself and I look forward to having a roll on the floor belly laugh with you at some point." He grinned and winked. "Maybe over the state of that guy I took down." He sighed. "If only I had a picture to show you." He gave her a mock critical eye in order to enjoy her disgust but instead she changed the subject. Alaya searched his face with her dark eyes and smiled, “I volunteered to stay behind so everyone else could go to Earth, but Dr. Bracken was supposed to be on duty and I guess was called to Earth due to something with the former Admiral’s health. I didn’t get the details before she skedaddled out of here, as my Earth foster father would say.” "Well I'm glad you stayed." He led her by the hand to the Administration complex where they could use the transporter to go to Elysium Planitia. "And I hear the veggies and livestock they grow there are unadulterated with nasty growth hormones and such. Natural they say brings out the best flavor." He looked over at her as they walked. "It's my good luck you drew the short straw. So what was this you were saying about an arrest?" Alaya sighed deeply, "Luma was afraid for you. She gave me the memory of you arresting the guy, the one who you were enraged at. I think she did it to protect you Luma cares for you above others because you helped to defend her. She was scared because she can not see into the security computer and thought you were being arrested." Alaya cast her dark eyes up at Steven, then tugged his arm up to tuck her smaller frame under his arm, cuddling closer to him as they walked. Steven snuggled her against him and adjusted his gait until they arrived at the administrative building and ducked inside to hot foot it to transporter control. Technically they could have called for a site to site transport from anywhere on the base but it was generally only used for important business as everyone moving about at once would flood the transporter system and overwhelm it. Fortunately there was an opening when they arrived. (Mars - Elysium Planitia dome, Central concourse - (SPC) SecO SPC Petty Officer (2nd Class) Steven Hammons & (SPC) COUNS Alaya Ravenstone - 1710) They materialized in a busy city center with pedestrians moving about in established patterns. Steven's casual garb of black button-down shirt and denim jeans with a brown leather belt and leather, western style boots wasn't much out of place though most here seemed to have on business casual attire. While he liked the look he drew the line at the wearing of hats. Alaya grinned. She was in a working Couns uniform, although most couns had moved away towards the more standard fleet uniforms. Alaya was not a standard anything, from the uniform to the heeled boots to the permanent blue hair. Least of all was her study of the betazoid martial arts and the fact that she liked weapons and was athletic. Probably due to her being raised on Earth. Steven laughed and pointed to the volcanic range of mountains to the north. "I hear there are some great spas and clinics in that area. Hot mineral water bath soaks not to mention all of the other amenities." A grin blossomed across her features, "Are there private areas? Or would I have to wear a bathing covering?" She spoke those words as if they were rude. Perhaps to her they were. "I do like the idea of doing a date day there. Are there any other pairings among the staff you consider friendly? It is a Betazoid thing to go with our friends to a date day doing something like that to enhance the event. Though we do not have sex in those group gatherings like it is whispered about in the Academy. " she smiled brightly as he kept her much shorter frame tucked under his arm protectively. He almost hurt himself laughing at the look of sheer bliss that came over her face at the thought of a spa day in the Elysian Volcanic region. After gathering himself he pointed to a restaurant front not far away. "There it is, The Fields of Paradise, supposed to be the best diner under the dome." Alaya's thoughts short circuited at the idea of her Steven without a shirt on. With water glistening on the curls of his chest. The way it would feel when her fingers tangled in them. It would be a lovely experience. But then he talked about food, a place that he had mentioned a few times. But the most important was, "Do they serve non replicated chocolate?" This was the most important question to a Betazoid female. Her stomach rumbled at the thought. Alaya was not a delicate eater. She was looking forward to eating. Steven was one of those guys that would be insulted if she offered to pay her portion of the bill and if she chose options with the idea towards cost rather than her preference or taste. "When do you need to be back at the Complex? This does not seem like the kind of place that we should rush?" "Chocolate?" He smirked. "Would I dare take you to a place that doesn't serve good chocolate? That sounds like a flogging offense for a non Betazoid to take a girl out without thinking of this stuff." He sobered a bit as they got close to the forest green building with dark brown trim. "We have an interrogation of that guy whos face I broke a knuckle on and I'm going to need to get back by eighteen thirty to get everything prepped. We have a surprise to spring on him. If you like this place though we can come back again at another time and make an afternoon of it. You know how it goes." He shrugged. "You get all pumped up for a place then find out it's lousy." He stuck out his tongue. "I think though that the worst that the place will be is good. At least there isn't a line today, we should be able to get a good table." He opened the mahogany looking door, let her in and then followed her inside. Alaya lost her grip on Hammons’ hand when he opened the door and let her go in first. She spun in place, taking it in. There were panels of dark carved wood, well polished with oils, and then smaller panels of stained glass. There were candles lighting the individual tables also in matching stained glass holders, but it was obvious that these were not mass produced, they were hand made. Couples sat at the intimate tables, the optimal distance for privacy. The lighting was low, and Alaya and Steven were both under dressed. Alaya’s chin went up in that female way that women had when they were disturbed but were determined not to be bothered, especially by the opinions of other females. The young woman dressed in a black skirt, a white shirt, black bowtie and black female tailored tuxedo jacket led Hammons and Alaya over to a table out of the way of other guests, to be expected since they were not appropriately attired. Hammons helped Alaya sit, then took the seat that best allowed him to watch over threats to her. The waiter approached, offering them a choice of wine, which Alaya looked to Hammons first. "Absolutely!" Hammons gave the woman a wink. While taken a bit aback at the hoity, toity atmosphere he had quickly regrouped and sauntered to the table. Steven was no stranger to awkward social situations since passing out on the floor of a bar only to drag yourself up then back to the base in front of other eyes was not the height of fashion. Of course those other eyes were normally well into their own inebriated states so did that really count? “Do you have any Betazoid wines by chance?” She asked with a smile. "We have a small selection. I will return shortly with a wine list." The young woman turned and sashayed off leaving the two of them alone momentarily. Steven chuckled. "I thought we were on Mars but we seem to have been diverted to upper San Fran." He crossed his arms nonchalantly and leaned toward her with an impish look. "They might have swiss chocolate for all I know but I did hear their chocolate mousse is heavenly. Topped with a little sweet whipped cream to stir in. The works." He imagined he could see her salivating behind her look of ecstasy at the picture he had conjured in her mind. She smiled wildly at the ideas he was describing, “People think that the Betazoids are stereotypically hedonistic as a people, but why is this a terrible thing to be? We enjoy life a day at a time and find joy in every day. I am glad that Betazed banded together with some of the other worlds in order to maintain defense capability, and that they never actually left the Federation entirely. That …” She was interrupted by the uptight hostess. The maitre de returned a moment later with the wine lists which she handed to both then backed away. Steven set his down unread and watched Alaya's eyes roam the pages. "See anything you like yet?" “I do, but the prices are obscene Steven. Even the Terran wines are ridiculously steep. And I know some of these drink names - the liquor ones - are made up. It is not worth wasting our credits on these wines, many have their only claim to fame being that they were bottled off world.” She caught a note on the bottom of one of the pages and turned it over, “Huh. Have you tried the honey meads from other worlds?” "Honey mead? I've drunk a bottle or two in my time." He smirked. "It's sneaky stuff. If you approach it like wine you will get hammered before you know it. I had a couple of glasses one time and you wouldn't believe the buzz I got from it. Almost knocked me on my keister because I was expecting a lower alcohol content. Knocked them back pretty quick." “Well, there is one on here from the Valley of Song on Betazed that is actually worth drinking. It’s about six times the cost of what I would have paid for it on Betazed but,” She shrugged with a smile, “And I… Can I ask a favor?” "And what would that favor be?" He asked while counting up Federation credits in his head. Four bottles of what would have been relatively cheap scotch on Earth had not been so on Trill. Still… he had a comfortable margin. It's not like he was having to pay room, board and meals on Mars after all. Alaya twined her fingers in his and with a soft smile, “Do you think you know me well enough in order to order for me? And..” Alaya dropped her eyes after holding his gaze for a few moments, a light blush touching Alaya’s cheeks. Alaya was a very strong personality, very self-assured and she loved to have fun. While on the Mystique mission she had gotten to know Steven pretty well. Luma had first sent her with extra supplies into the holodeck survival game and then had been very obviously playing matchmaker. "The ordering part I can handle, the and part is pretty non-specific." He quipped. Alaya was fine with this. She liked Steven a lot. They had hung out now and then, and he had set up a game called Skyrim on the holodeck that Luma loved. Apparently the highlands of the nords in the game were similar to what her homeworld was like. Alaya shook her head, the comb that had been holding one of the braids anchoring her hair about to fall out, She reached up nervously, trying to pin it back but was having trouble without a mirror. He popped out of his chair and slipped behind her then took over the task of reseating the comb. Her hair was soft which made him want to run his hands through it and the comb seemed to have a mind of it's own but he finally got it whipped into shape. "All right, turn your head and lets' get a good look at that." He moved to her side then lightly used his fingertips to turn her to face him as he leaned around. Her skin was soft, her eyes were bright and Betazoid dark and her cheeks red. He had a hard time looking away from those gorgeous, dark eyes but finally managed to concentrate on how her comb was sitting. Obediently Alaya turned her head so that he could make sure that the comb was in correctly. It was a lovely set of handmade betazoid artisan hair combs with small twinkling cut pieces of a blue crystal. ~Geez Hammons this gal is gorgeous. You are strictly minor league while she's the majors. No way you have any right to be around her.~ "All done and it looks good." Hammons said. He removed his fingertips from her face grudgingly as the hostess sauntered back up and resumed his seat just as she arrived. Her eyes flicked between the two. "Have you made your choice?" Her gaze had settled on Alaya. This annoyed Alaya a slight bit. Alaya had spent her time after the Academy on Betazed doing diplomatic things before being sent to Mars to help set up the badly needed medical and counseling. The interruption also slightly annoyed her because she had been enjoying the feelings from the skin on skin with Steven. She had been so careful not to read what he was thinking, but the feeling of essentially drowning in desire was quite heady. They had not progressed their relationship really past friendly visits on the holodeck, and really this had not been planned but it felt right to Alaya. “My Escort for the evening will be ordering the food. We will be drinking the Betazoid honey mead ‘Song Star’.” Alaya smiled, a bit of nervousness now sneaking in as she looked towards Steven for ordering the meal. Alaya could tell that the wait staff here did not like their decisions. But really, who cared what they thought. Frankly Alaya thought that the waitress should have figured it out with the eyes that Alaya could read her. His eyes left Alaya to focus on the other woman. “We will have the Elysia appetizer. A lamb roast with a vegetable medley and basil cream sauce for the lady and a medium rare ribeye steak with creamed carrots and asparagus for me.” She curtsied abviousy pleased at that selection. “Yes sir. Your appetizer and mead will be out shortly.” The amount of the resulting gratuity appeared to have rescued her from the depths of the doldrums and restored a bit of respect for her patrons. Steven turned his eyes away from her flouncing hips as she spun and walked off with a small smile. “Never argue with money.” He quipped to Alaya with a grin “StarFleet isn’t the most generous employer but the amenities make up for it.” Alaya leaned back with a soft sigh, “This feels right, us. I felt the desire and the feeling that you … well your nervousness. I am nervous too. I have had guys chase me since I landed on Mars. I really like the way you have been less obvious about it. You haven’t been pursuing the sex object like some are, but the person behind it.” She smiled up at him, a 100 watt smile that reached her eyes and turned them into the most beautiful of black diamonds. “Nervous? Me?” His tone was shocked. “I’ve got hands of stone and the liver to match.” He then winked before donning a sober expression. “Hell yes I’m nervous. Gals normally get tired of my quirky sense of humor pretty quickly. Hammons you just CAN’T be serious can you? I’m generally considered a party guy that a girl wouldn’t want to go steady with. There is a little truth to that though I’ve got to confess.” He paused then grinned. “I am a lot of fun at parties.” The mead arrived just then and the hostess poured it into crystal glasses. Not the fanciest crystal but not bad and they were clean. As the bread, meat, cheese and fruit tray arrived, the platter small pieces of five kinds of breads, four kinds of meats, three cheeses and two herbed butters with an sweet cinnamon butter and a herbed oil spread as well as small pieces of fruit, carved into interesting shapes, Alaya coloured herself both shocked and impressed. He had noticed how she preferred to eat small bites of food and have a great deal of variety, she even had nutritionally acceptable replicator programs ready. But this was all real food, either grown on Mars or imported and she loved it. And this was the appetizer. He chewed slowly while savoring the bites. Replicated food was supposed to be like the real thing but it wasn’t… it couldn’t be. It was a programmed simulation that was a facsimile of reality. In real food the flavor wasn’t bended perfectly. The flavors tended to clump in certain areas then spread through your mouth, lighting up taste buds as they went by. It was like the difference between the old fashioned analog music and digital. Digital music was packets of information with a white noise filler. It gave a good facsimile of music but the reality fell a little short. Analog music however gave a pure, true sound and every note traveled across the hairlike nerve cells, through the auditory canal and into the eardrum. Every decibel and wavelength was accumulated, catalogued and absorbed by the brain. That made for a pure, unadulterated and flowing delight. “This..” She waves her hand at the establishment, “Makes me happy. Being with you, here, that makes me more than just happy.” Now that they had finished the appetizer, she went back to twining her fingers in his. “We’ve never really sat and talked before, we’ve always been doing things, like hanging out with Luma on the holodeck. And I know I missed going to that pub on Trill with you because the Admiral needed a Counselor with diplomatic training with him, but maybe we could take the next bit TO get to know each other?” She was not looking at the time at all, basically saying screw it to her responsibilities for the first time since arriving on Mars. “That’s fine with me.” He shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell about me. I grew up on a farm in Idaho. I was the class clown, the guy who found something to laugh about every day and generally pointed it in some other guy’s direction. I can also laugh at myself though. If you can’t take it you shouldn’t be dishing it out. I didn’t want to be an officer, I was too busy drinking and having a good time but I liked the idea of a career in StarFleet security so that’s where I ended up. I’m a lot smarter than some of the officers think I am.” A vision of a furious Saarsgard entered his head and he gave a short, barking laugh before continuing. “I know when to laugh and cut up though and when to be serious. I can shoot a phaser, fight and lose suspects to assassins when I have them almost in the net.” He lost the grin and swallowed the curse that was on his lips. “But I’m making a good name for myself on Mars and I like it here.” “I think I told you that I was found in a Betazed Space Force pod that had heavy weapons damage on it. It was found by a freighter crew, not starfleet, one of the sublight freighters. No DNA match was made with me, and there was not enough leftover of the registration to tell which ship I came from. It was always a mystery but back then Betazed and Starfleet had too much on their plates to bother with trying to figure out where I came from. I was about two, but I didn’t talk. So they placed me with a Starfleet human family. Around ten I started showing signs of really strong telepathy, and it just so happened that the diplomatic ambassador to earth from betazed is the strongest telepath in several known generations and he is a mind-healer. He was my mentor and trainer and a big reason that I chose counseling in starfleet. He went out of his way to get me assigned for 2 years before here at the Starfleet Embassy on Betazed. It was pretty awesome, seeing the planet for the first time in my life and for getting a huge amount of experience working there. 2 years 7 months and 19 days. I took classes, explored, met people, went on tours, wandered forests, attended talks, saw the religious rituals. And you know what?” Alaya paused as their food arrived, “In the little over 2 years that I was there, searching so desperately hard for the sense of family that I did not have on Earth? Well, I didn’t find it on Betazed either. What I did find on the other hand….” She held her hands over both plates of food as the wait staff backed away. She took a deep, cleansing breath and spoke first in the beautiful language of Betazed, then translated for Steven. “Corn and grain, meat and milk, upon my table before me. Gifts of life, bringing sustenance and strength, I am grateful for all I have.” She blushed along her upper cheekbones, “Sorry but I always thank the Universe for the bounty of real food. It is a habit I picked up on Betazed. “ Her blush deepended, Alaya after all was not exactly a conformist by any stretch. “I hope you don’t think that too strange.” Alaya waited for Steven to take a bite before she did, thankful that he was here with her. He carved a bite of his medium rare steak and used the fork to lift the tender and juicy piece to his lips. It was real dead cow all right, cooked perfectly with just a hint of the spices that had been sprinkled on it and didn’t overwhelm the flavor of the meat. Steven could have eaten it without the spices and been happy. WITH the hint of them though the taste of the meat was transcendent. He chewed and swallowed then spoke. “I take it back, the worst this place can be is awesome…. Martian beef may be the best in the galaxy. They have my thumbs up.” When she finally did take a bite, and the taste of the food exploded through her mouth, she near groaned. The silkiness of the meat, the sweet of the cream, the bite of the mint, all coming together in this kaleidoscope of flavours. Alaya did indeed love food. He wasn’t too busy eating to notice the look of rapture on her face. “I thought it was the way to a MAN’s heart that was through their stomach. You’re turning my whole preconceived notions concerning females on its head.” He gave a chuckle at her reaction. Alaya blushed dark, “I should be sorry. But I’m not. The food is excellent here and whoever put these flavours together deserves a bonus. They are amazing and I really enjoy the way the flavours are blending together so well.” She looked at the bright collection of new potatoes with the medley of crisp spring vegetables in the light creamy buttery sauce. It was wonderful, the surprise zing of lemon behind the sweet tang of the butter. She ate steadily. “I don’t know if I have told you that I practice a betazoid form of martial arts. It’s mainly for meditation and I’m not fantastic at it by any means. I brought the programs back with me and I do an hours worth of lessons each day if I can get into the holodeck and if I can’t, I do an hours worth of control work, starting at the simplest moves and going through them until I make mistakes in the forms, practicing and practicing. It is designed to be done with sticks, and it means a lot to me.” She blushed again, wondering why she expected her own strong female traits to bother him. ~Silly woman because they bothered other guys in the past and it scared them off. You are not the sweet submissive most strong alpha men want walking behind them. You are the strong alpha woman that walks beside and defends your mate. It’s why you intimidated so many Betazoid men.~ Alaya looked up at Steven, unsurprised that her food had vanished so quickly and she had returned to picking over the excellent breads left from the appetizer, smearing the garlic goat cheese butter on a slice of rosemary bread. Her expression was amusing. “Those flavors are also excellent together. I hope we can get a chance to get back here when we have more time to eat our way through the spread.” Alaya hoped. Hammons motioned the hostess over. “Chocolate mousse for the lady.” He then winked at Alaya after the woman had left.. “I hope you have room otherwise I’ll have to eat it all myself.” Alaya pointed her fork at him, “Challenge accepted. You might get a bite.” The woman had left, returning very quickly with the dessert. “Please pack up the remainder of the appetizer, I will want to munch on it during my evening appointments.” She spoke with a brilliant smile as Alaya waited for the woman to sashay away with the decimated platter. “Two things Hammons.” Alaya mused. “One, any place that can get mousse out that quickly makes theirs at the start of the day and not in batches the correct way during the day, which is a slight minus in my book.” Alaya took a tentative spoonful of the mousse, thinking for a moment then offering a tiny taste to Hammons, “What do you think?” He took the utensil from her hand, used it to scoop out a good spoonful and stuck it in his mouth then let it slide around his taste buds before swallowing then grinned at her as he gave her back the spoon. “Tastes pretty damn good to me. I may have left you a little.” He eyed the goodly sized portion that remained. “If you don’t like that then you are a true connoisseur of mousse.” “More appropriate to say that I’m a true connoisseur of anything that has chocolate in it.” Alaya said with a grin, “But the other thing I was wondering was, Do women always look at you and flirt so openly when you are obviously on a date? That woman’s thoughts were loud enough that she must have some partial Betazoid blood in her somewhere. I mean, I get it with guys too so I won’t hold it against you.” She shrugged as she finished off the mousse, not offering him a second bite. ‘Flirting with me? Is that what she was doing? I just thought she was trying to upgrade her tip.” He shrugged. “It happens occasionally.” He gave her a shocked expression. “And you’ve already admitted the guys on the base have been chasing you, For shame.” He then gave her a wink to show that he was joking. “Men chase women and women chase men and then again sometimes they alternate. It’s the circle of life.” Alaya grinned in response, and then leaned forward and spoke very softly, “When the other men chase me, please make it very clear in that way that guys do that I belong to you currently. And only you. I do not desire to share you and I do not desire to be shared. If that is agreeable with you.” The very forthright counselor spoke quite clearly. His almost constantly sardonic grin morphed into an easy and satisfied smile. “I like the sound of that. Agreed. I’ll pound the other boys into submission and send them in the opposite direction. As for the gals.” He pretended to think it over. “You’re on. We are officially an item and I’ll shoo them away. Are there any other terms we need to negotiate?” Alaya grinned. “I’d like you to work out with me to help me improve. And I’d like a time set with you at least once a week like this. A date night. Starfleet can get hectic and well, I want to make time for us. I want to get to know you. Do you have anything to negotiate?” She grinned right back at him, teasing gently as she challenged him.” “Done. Date nights and vigorous physical exertion. As for me beer night with the boys and letting them know that I’ll stomp a mudhole through any of them who look cross eyed in your direction.” “Am I allowed to go on these beer nights with you or am I excluded? You are welcome to accompany me to any spa days, of course.” The laughter in her dark betazoid eyes. The check had arrived and Hammons had quietly taken care of it while they were bantering. “Excluded? Hell no. You can drink fancy sweet drinks and I’ll watch the other guys to see who needs to be whooped. It’s called entrapment in the security business.” He gave a guffaw as he got to his feet. “We will see about the spa days however. I can’t commit to more than one in any three month period at this time but we can renegotiate later.” He helped her to her feet with a hand. She twined her fingers in his as they headed out the door into the cooler air, “Do we have time to stop in that textiles shop before heading back? I saw something on the mannequin I was wanting to pick up?” She asked, smiling up at him. He checked the time. “My next half hour is yours, lead the way lovely lady.” She laughed, turned and dragged him into the textile shop. It was a small, artisan weaving shop and she very quickly negotiated to buy the shawl that was on display, that ran in all the colours of starfleet blue from the lightest to the darkest. Alaya folded it and draped it around herself as the two stepped back out of the shop and headed back to Mars.Base HQ. (Reply: None) Posted by Charles Gatling (Steven Hammons) And Melinda Gatling (Alaya Ravenstone) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1920) The night air was chilled with a crisp breeze every so often. The sky was clear with no signes of fog. You could look up and see the Mars colonies, and the spcaestation "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. Quinna smiled. She enjoyed spending time with Ryelle. He did bring a calmness to her world. "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." At times like this, my mind is in constant motion. I take the time to organize my thoughts. Tonight…” Quinna trailed off. "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?" “Umm, Yeah” but it was evident that Quinna’s mind was far off in the distance. Suddenly an idea popped in her mind. “Say, do you want to get out of here?” (Reply Ryelle) “Actually, I am thinking of someplace loud and busy and totally opposite of what I would be doing ok what we would be doing?” She suggested with the amusement of a child on Christmas morning. For the first time, she could open up. (Reply Ryelle) “It is ok to say no” She wanted to to make sure that Ryelle knew it really was ok if he did not want to come. (Reply Ryelle) (played by Kris) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD-- 1922) "Say, do you want to get out of here?” "What do you mean, is to quiet here do you want to go back to Mars?" Ryelle responded confused. “Actually, I am thinking of someplace loud and busy and totally opposite of what I would be doing ok what we would be doing?” "Well now I am intrigued, because when I think of a list that is the opposite of what I would be doing., that is a pretty long list." He said with a chuckle. “It is ok to say no” "Quinna," He said looking at her with a soft smile. "The reason why we are both on Earth is because I was trying to get you out of your officer or out of sickbay and forgetting about work for a change. So you would stop being all cooped up and feeling like all you do is work." (reply Quinna iyw) "So why then, when presented by this marvelous opportunity, to ensure that you do have a good time, would I even dream of saying no." (reply Quinna) "Now then." He said struggling to come up with a nicknamed for Quinna to show appreciation and frienship. "What did you have in mind, and do we need to change out of our dress uniforms fist?" (reply Quinna) (reply Quinna) (posted by Will(SPC Kyros Ryelle) (Starfleet HQ -- Garden -- aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1925) "Quinna," He said looking at her with a soft smile. "The reason why we are both on Earth is because I was trying to get you out of your officer or out of sickbay and forgetting about work for a change. So you would stop being all cooped up and feeling like all you do is work. So why then, when presented by this marvelous opportunity, to ensure that you do have a good time, would I even dream of saying no." “Perfect.” "Now then." He said struggling to come up with a nicknamed for Quinna to show appreciation and frienship. "What did you have in mind, and do we need to change out of our dress uniforms first?" “I was about to recommend that. Wear something comfortable and cool. We will be going to a hot climate. Lets meet at the transport spot in 15 minutes” (Played by Kris) (Starfleet HQ -- Transport Area -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD and aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 1945) Quinna entered the transport center and waited for Ryelle to arrive. She made sure she was comfortable with Khaki Shorts and Colorful loose tank top. It wasn’t long before she had company. “I am glad you made it. Are you ready?” Ryelle smiled, he was wearing the standard starfleet PT gear. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure how to dress, so I just went with this.” ~Though now I feel a bit under dressed.~ “Where are we headed?” “We are going to an amusement park.” Quinna gave the information to the transport officer. Within the blink of the eye, the two were standing on the Galveston Seawall next to pleasure pier. The music was playing, the lights were bright and the roller coaster beckoned for a ride. (Earth, Galveston, Pleasure Pier -- MO, Ensign JG Kyros Ryelle, PHD and aACMO Ensign S.G. Quinna Solice -- 2000) “Welcome to the Pleasure Pier. An entire amusement park over the Gulf of Mexico. Are you ready for some Noisy bright fun?” Quinna asked hoping that Ryelle would approve. “I guess, I’m not sure I’ve ever been to an amusement park before. But I have had to tell many personnel to stop eating funnel cake for their health. I hear those are sold at places like that.” Quinna pulled her hair that had been loose into a ponytail, “Let's go ride everything but the Texas Tea Cup ride.” Ryelle looked at her quizzically, “Why don’t you want to ride the Texas Tea Cup drive?” With a huge smile, “Let's just say I do not want to taste my Funnel Cake twice.” “Maybe I’m just a completionist, but if we are going to ride every ride, but one, we might as well ride every ride.” He said smiling. “You are one of those people are you. I bet you also believe in “Go Big or Go Home.” She said amusingly. “So what first?” “My vote is to go straight to the back and start with the roller coaster.” Quinna's eyes were wide as if she was a child on Christmas morning. She was excited by the fact that her life was not wrapped up in a book. “Can we get funnel cake too, I’ve never had it, want to see what all the hype is.” “Of course there is always a funnel cake.” “Well then, I am all for going to the roller coaster first.” Ryelle then offered her his arm for her to take. “Lead the way Quinna. Otherwise I might get us lost.” Quinna took Ryelle’s arm, “We can’t let that happen.” As they walked to the roller coaster Ryelle was impressed with how into the sights and sounds of the amusement Quinna was. “So I have to ask Quinna, what made you want to come to the amusement park?” “My baby brother.” Quinna started, “He married not too long after I transferred to Starfleet academy. Him and his wife honeymooned here. He told me I should come and have some fun. I just never did. Until now.” Quinna replied. “He is right though, you do need to have some fun.” Ryelle commented, “Why keep yourself locked up in the office when you have all of this to explore?” “Oh look. Here we are.” It was a perfect way to avoid the question. Quinna answered as the two of them loaded the car. She quickly tucked her necklace into her shirt. She did not want to lose it while on the ride. Ryelle joined her in the car, though he felt a little bit crammed with his 6 foot 6 frame. The roller coaster was fun, but there were moments where he legitimately feared that he might get his head chopped off. Still he enjoyed the rush. Quinna loved how the ride made her feel. She had such an adrenaline rush that when they exited the ride, she was bouncing on her toes, “So how do you feel?” “I’m good.” He said as he began to check his pulse. “I guess given my elevated pulses, the ride had the appropriate effect,” he said with a smile. “Since we went straight to my pick. Your turn. Where to?” Quinna was curious what he would pick. “I don’t think you want me to pick. I don’t think you will like my choice.” “What makes you say that?’ But Quinna had an idea. “Texas Tea Cup.” Quinna took a deep breath, “Are you sure about that?” “Well it’s the only way to guarantee we ride all the rides.” “Ok. I guess so. Maybe things have changed since I was 4. I rode a similar ride once before.” Quinna tightened her grip on Ryelle’s arm. She was dreading the backlash of the ride, but she was willing to do it. “You can back out of it if you want.” “No. No. Let's ride it.” Quinna put on her brave face. “On second thought Q, why don’t we just sit and have some funnel cake. We’ve had enough excitement, and there is a difference between facing your fears, and pressuring a friend into something they don’t really want to do, and I don’t want to be that guy.” “Oh I am not afraid. It's just the first and only time I rode a similar ride, I was sick the rest of the day. I just would not want to have you carry me home.” “So why don’t we get some of this mythical funnel cake, and whatever a fried oreo is and just sit for a bit. How does that sound?” “Sounds like a plan.” Quinna made a step towards the concession. They had every heart attack on a stick to offer. No replicators. All traditionally made. The Funnel cake was a must but also the deep fried cheesecake appealed to her. “We will get the Funnel cake. Anything else you are interested in?” “A corn dog….It seems interesting. I did not know they could make a dog out of corn.” Quinna looked around the area, people were starting to clear out. Quinna spotted an empty bench. “Why don’t you get us something to eat and I will go claim the empty bench.” “Sounds good,” he said as he stood in line and ordered two funnel cakes, two corn dogs, and something called fried butter, which as a physician sounded appalling, but he was trying to live a little. Quinna moved to a bench that faced the Gulf of Mexico. She could hear the waved below her. She had forgotten what it was like to have fun with others. After a while Ryelle returned to her with the food. “I got something called fried butter, you humans are very interesting. Apparently you guys fry everything.” “Well once upon a time in the southern United States, Deep Fried was considered a food group.” He sat down and handed her the plate with her funnel cake and corn dog. “Quinna, may I ask a personal question?” “Sure.” Quinna broke a part of the funnel cake and took a bite. “With your sense of adventure, and your desire to explore and soak in sight and sounds, why do you always shut yourself in your office?” Without time to think, Quinna opened up, “This is the first time since I was seven that I do not have to be behind a desk. But the main reason was you.” Quinna took a bite of the corn dog. “What do I have to do with anything?” He asked, confused.. “I … well… You are someone I enjoy spending my time with. I don’t always want to be all about work.” Quinna laid it out. “Well it is important to have a good work life balance.” “From what I have seen, you tend to drift off into meditation or silent reflection. What is an adventure to you?” Quinna was curious. “Well that's an interesting question.” He paused as he took a bite from the funnel cake. “I can see why this is such a big favorite.” He took another bite. “For me, an adventure is any moment, of any day, where we take a step from our comfort zone, into a world where we have no control.” “Oh?” “Meditation can be like that, to be honest, when you open your mind to the Prophets, to reflection, to the unknown. One never knows where one’s mind is going to go.” “But isn’t meditation supposed to bring control to your mind when you are feeling a bit out of control? Bring a balance?’ Quinna asked. She does not meditate, but recommends it to her patients that have those out of control moments. “So for me the adventure is the slight deviation from the routine, the ordinary, and allowing yourself to be open to things you can’t foresee or control.” “Interesting.” “Sometimes there is control in not having control.’ “I don’t know about you, but I am getting a bit tired.” Quinna yawned. She hated for this night to end. “It has been a hectic day. “ “Lets ride one more ride.” Quinna took Ryelle’s hand and guided him to the Ferris Wheel. “What is a ferris wheel?” He asked. “I guess I’m not too caught up on Earth Amusement park rides.” “One of the tallest rides. I think you should just try it.” “Lead the way then Q.” The two then walked up towards the Ferris wheel. The line was short and within moments they were on the ride. “So all this does, is we go round and around in a circular motion.” “Yep.” “I struggle to find the appeal.” He said, the concept of the ferris wheel was alien to him. “This is not about the ride. Sometimes a ride is just a ride and sometimes a ride is about…” Just then the car they were sitting in reached the upper vertex. A view of the pier was clear. Looking beyond the far side of the island and the cruising crafts were visible. “Interesting.” He said while taking in the view. “Well?” Quinna gave the sky an inquisitive look. “I can see the appeal. From here, everything is visible, clear, beautiful. I now see why people like Ferris wheels.” “There is nothing like a Ferris Wheel to put a new perspective in your environment.” The two made their way off the ride and started towards the front of the park. “You should live your life like a ferris wheel Q. There are ups, there are downs. But there are moments of clarity, where everything makes sense. Just like a ferris wheel, just like life.” He began to laugh. “Sorry, I can be, what do you humans call it, a cheese ball?” “You know, I like cheesy.” Quinna. (Reply None) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Gabe Vesper – 2001) 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. “Actually I’d send them out, to keep you here. If anyone requires surgical intervention they’d probably prefer your skills to mine in that regard. With Dr. Bracken gone, you are our only surgeon, and here are the only surgical facilities.” He admitted. “I’m not in charge of you, even de facto as on the Mystique. As long as you are responding with in regulations to the threat, I won’t stop you.” “You may have a point Dr” Gabe said throwing the med kit his way “yours if you want it, Ill sort out here if you would like to head to Operations?” (Reply Methor) (Posted by Mat) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Dural Methor DrPH – 2003) "I see no need. These trauma nurses are more than capable of handling that, with out my supervision." Dural shook his head and handed the med kit to the nurse closest to him and nodded for her to go. " I'll deploy out if there is a hazardous chemical, radiation exposure or biological hazard associated with the incoming casualties, that I need to handle." "Suit yourself, as you said, we dont outrank eachother. Senseless sending the CMO and the ACMO off to Earth without leaving someone in charge, may aswell use children!" Gabe muttered to himself. "In the interim I will triage incoming casualties so that you may concentrate on treating the worst of the incoming, keeping you free to do what you do best and that's treat." He said evenly. "Agreed, if we split sickbay into two, walking wounded over here and through there more serious cases, Ill help you with triage until I need to split off." Gabe said picking up the nearest trocorder. "Been in many battle situations?" he asked, his mask slipping slightly. (Reply Mathor, any) (Posted by Mat) (Posted by Will and Kris) (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 - Personal Quarters Admiral Jana Bell - 2105) Jana was sitting next to Erin, she wanted to see how she was and to see how she was coping with her experiences with Dulon. "Physically, weak. Ailynn… doctor Bracken said that it's gonna be a few days before I can run any marathons.", she said, quietly. The Admiral simply smiled at her while she waited for the Counsellor to tell her how she really felt. "That's not what you meant is it?", she asked before the Admiral simply shook her head. "If I can speak freely?", asked asked and Jana shook her head, "You've been kidnapped, assaulted, and you lying in the bed and you are still asking permission to speak freely? Come'on Erin.", she said and looked at her directly, "From now, I am making fleet-wide order, Ensign Erin Cortez has permanent permission to speak freely, give her option and say what she thinks to any officers of equal of higher rank and if you think I am joking, I am going to tell Billy to send out the order, tonight!", said Jana, her lopsided grin showing through. "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.", said Erin, starting to work through her experiences. Jana didn't want to stop her, now that she had started. "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 to put it plainly, I'm scared ma'am.", she said and she obviously was. Admiral Bell threw her arms around the Ensign, "You don't have to be scared anymore, you don't have to be guilty anymore, you are not responsible for that madman did to you.", she said to her quietly and for a moment longer, releasing her from the embrace. "It's going to take time, its going to be a toll but, the first steps is, you need to speak to Remae. You have both shared this experience, him, a much longer, shallow form of abuse, you, a deeper, short, sharp, version." she said continuing to sit on her stool. "That can wait till tomorrow... you need to close your eyes now and try to sleep, I will be right here, and I am not going anywhere.", she said turning down the lights on the biobed. (Reply from Erin, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen (Admiral Jana Bell)) (Mars Base – Central Medical – Medical Research – Ensign JG Dural Methor DrPH – 2007) "Been in many battle situations?" he asked, his tone changed. ~Ah, a conversation.~ “Battle?” Dural echoed his colleague’s question. “Yaq {Cardassian: No}. A few mass casualty situations, a tsunami off the continental coast on Cardassia Prime. An industrial accident… a few others. 15 years as a medical orderly, I’ve had a plethora of leaders all with different styles. Good examples of what to do, and even better ones of what not to do. What about yourself, any medical experience outside of Starfleet?” (Reply Vesper) (Posted by Todd SPC (Dural Methor) (Starfleet Command - Personal Quarters - ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez - 2108) "It's going to take time, its going to be a toll but, the first steps is, you need to speak to Remae. You have both shared this experience, him, a much longer, shallow form of abuse, you, a deeper, short, sharp, version. That can wait till tomorrow... you need to close your eyes now and try to sleep, I will be right here, and I am not going anywhere.", she said, turning down the lights on the biobed. Erin lay back and looked up at Admiral Bell, "Ma'am, I… he showed me what your husband went through. I don't know if I can sleep." (Reply Bell) "I will try and close my eyes for a moment… if i can ask a favour?" (Reply Bell) "Don't go. Please?" (Reply Bell) Erin nodded, closing her eyes as she let sleep finally take her. (Reply Bell, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 2115) Ailynn began her normal set of checks on Remae, passing the medical tricorder over him with practised ease. Remae looked toward the President. "How does the old Bajoran look, Doctor?", he asked her. She looked round toward the President, then back to Remae. “Well…” She said, the tiredness causing her filter to slip slightly. “Captain Old Bajoran looks very good considering, He needs rest, above all else, and if he doesn’t listen I’ll ask his wife to order him to.” (Reply Remae) She turned once more. “If however you mean President Old Bajoran…that’s a slightly different story. Her wound will heal beautifully, but it will take time. Her problems however aren’t physical, she’s had a lot crash down around her, I rather suspect that mentally her actions, or more correctly the lack thereof, are coming home to roost.” "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 her suggesting that he really shouldn’t. "President.", said Remae, standing in his ripped uniform and looking less than composed. Ailynn stood, impasse as the Captain and President conversed, a number of things slotted into place in her mind. She’d been in surgery during the time that all the action had taken place. “Captain, Madam President, I must insist that you both rest now. Nurse, assist the President into the empty room. I want obs done, keep the medical teams informed.” She turned to Remae, who was now back to resting. “Sleep now Sir. Anything that you need, the nursing staff are around, I’ll be through the way. (Reply Remae IYW) (Earth - Starfleet medical - Ensign Erin Cortez & Ensign Ravok Shara - 2156) Pulling on a comfy sweater, Erin sat in the medical bed and sighed. She knew that she felt different but just wasn't quite sure how. Rubbing her hands together, she knew that she had to leave this place but was more than a little scared to walk through the doors. Ravok made his way into the medical unit where Erin was located. He initially had a hard time getting in but he was listed in Erin's file as being a point of contact for her. Making it slightly easy for him to gain access to see her , although he had to wait a while, he was happy to have finally tracked her down. Security directed him back to where Erin was. Ravok walked up to the door and it opened. He looked over and saw her sitting there. Looking up, she bit her lip, ".... I…." " What the hell have you gotten yourself into now ? Everyone is talking. Everyone is going nuts" He asked. "Lathuel… it… it's hard to explain. Long story short, cardassian got in my head, literally. I had to watch whilst he assaulted Ailynn and Ensign frost… watch through my own eyes as my hands did that…. He showed me things that are going to haunt me for the rest of my life and then, to top it all off, I had emergency surgery to remove him from my brain." Ravok listened to her as she told him her side of the story. Things from her perspective. " Thats… horrible, are you alright? Has anyone even asked you that?" Looking down, she closed her eyes, "Admiral Bell was here before… but you are the first person, apart from Ailynn.. they hate me. The rest of the crew hate me. I…. It's all my fault…." Ravok sat down on the edge of the bed And placed his hand on her leg " No one hates you, you weren't in control...look at me" Lifting her head slowly, she looked at him, her eyes betrayed the fear within her. " No one hates you, you stopped him before it got worse. You saved lives, had the shuttle taken flight…"He stopped and drew a deep breath and shook his head " We would have been ordered to take it down and I would have disobeyed that order" he said to her, lowering his head. "No …. It wouldn't have gotten that far… I didn't let it… Lathuel, I ended it… phaser blast to the chest…." " I heard, your lucky it wasn't a disruptor. I can't believe you did that" he responded "I had to… I…. I'm so lost right now. I don't know who I am." Ravok thought for a moment. " You have leave, and a good amount of it too. You could always take some time. Go home spend it with family. You can even use my house if you need to be alone. Perhaps time away is what you need" "I know…. I don't know what to do." " I said this to you on the Mystique, but I think you're not in the right mind to be evaluating or tending to anyone else's mental needs. I'm not saying your unqualified, but right now you need to make you, your top priority" "Can I do that? Take time just for me? Maybe I should because being around people, hearing them whisper….." " Yes you can take all the time you need, put your career on hold as it were " he answered. "I… tell me what to do. I… don't want to leave… leave my friends, leave you." Ravok grabbed her hand " I would rather go the rest of my life never seeing you again but knowing your ok , than to keep you around and have you become worse off . " "I have to go back to Mars, at least for a few days. There are…. Things that need to happen. I.. need to talk to Captain Remae." Ravok nodded " Well I don't expect you to cut and run, but what about Remae?" "The file… Dulon, he was carrying it in his mind. It got into me and …. " she paused as the memory of what Remae had gone through, what she had experienced flashed into her mind. Ravok shook her hand " Stop, stop doing this. You don't need to talk to him about the file you need to get away from this, all of this. Stop dragging yourself through hell...because your not just dragging yourself" Closing her eyes, she trembled slightly at his words. She knew he was right but she couldn't just run. " I'm sorry , I just want you take care of yourself" Looking down, she trembled again and grabbed his hand tightly, "Lathuel, I'm sorry." Ravok smiled " Don't be sorry. You did enough for one day. " he said trying to reassure her she did a good job and hoping that in some way he got through to her. Hoping that maybe she would focus on her and take time to get herself right (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie and Rob D) (Starfleet Command - Starfleet Medical – CMO Ens(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 2230) Ailynn had made the critical error of sitting down, and blinking. The blink, it would appear, took a while longer than the normal blink, as the chronometer critically accused her. She slowly became aware of another person entering the room, “Admiral. She lifted up quickly out of the chair, the sudden action causing a moment’s dizziness. “Ooh…Headrush.” She rubbed her eyes and blinked a few times. “Sorry Admiral, had a long blink” (Reply Bell) (Reply from Remae, Bell) (Posed by Mark)