>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mars Mission: To boldly go Day: -7 (Minus 7) Stardate: 2445.08.26 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Trill - launch pad- Medical officer Ensign jg Kasian Poldan - 0800) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Commanding Officer (Mars) - Commodore Remae Ktell – 0800) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Medical- Ensign Gabe Vesper– 0805) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform -aCoS Ensign SG Sleeford P – 08:45) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform -aCoS Ensign SG Sleeford P – 08:45) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Commanding Officer Lieutenant Trip Williams – 0900) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0907) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – COO – Lieutenant jg. Ravok Shara– 0908) (Mars Facility - Outside Platform - Chief Tactical Officer Ensign Dareshaa - 0909) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 0910) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams– 0910) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – CFO – Lieutenant JG – Ire Williams – 0913) (USS Exeter -09:15) (USS Exeter – Deck 03, Room 03-2383 – 2O / CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0930) (USS Exeter – Deck 03, Room 03-2383 – COO - Lieutenant Ravok Shara – 0951) (USS Exeter – Transporter room – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1000) (Mars Facility – Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez – 1001) (USS Exeter – Personal Quarters – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1010) (USS Exeter –Sickbay – Nurse – Ewan McDonald– 1026) (USS Exeter - Bridge - Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Trip Williams and ACADCO Vice Admiral Duke Williams - 10:30) (USS Exeter – Main Sickbay – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1030) (USS Exeter – CMOs Office – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1035) (USS Exeter – Personal quarters ACMO – Ensign Kasian Poldan – 1036) (USS Exeter, Deck 7, Counselors Office – Counselor, Ensign Jestayre "Jester" Lavorre – 1040) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Pilot - Lieutenant JG – Ire – Williams - 1045) (USS Exeter –Sickbay – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vespers– 1045) (USS Exeter –Sickbay –Nurse – Ewan McDonald – 1047) (USS Exeter - Sickbay - CMO - Ens Gabe Vesper - 1050) (USS Exeter – Main sickbay– Medical Officer, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1101) (USS Exeter – Main sickbay– Medical Intern, Ens(jg) Lyssa Wakeman - 1102) (USS Exeter - Sickbay - COUNS, Ens(sg) Jester Lavorre - 1103) (USS Exeter – Main Ward – CMO- Ens Gabe Vesper – 1105) (USS Exeter – Deck 13- operations department – COO - Lieutenant Ravok Shara – 1114) (USS Exeter – Deck 13- operations department – Ensign Rylee Page – 1116) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Assistant Chief Flight Officer, Ensign Senior Grade Ronnie Winters - 11:30) (Sickbay: - 11:30) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – CFO – Lieutenant JG – Ire William - 11:34) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Shuttle Bay Officer - Ensign JG – Isra Tiar -11.40) (Mars Base - Arboretum - Exeter CO Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Illuminar FO Sienna Williams-Verin - 12:30) (USS Exeter - Deck 8 - CTO Office - Chief Tactical Officer Ensign Dareshaa - 1300) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Engineering Intern Acting Ensign JG Rissa Williams - 15:00) (USS Exeter - Observational Viewing Lounge - Engineering Intern Acting Ensign JG Rissa Williams - 16:30) (USS Exeter – Corridors deck 2-COB-MCPO Erik Knight-2258) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CONN – CFO - Lieutenant JG – Ire – Williams - 23:05) (USS Exeter – Bridge -deck 1-COB-MCPO Erik Knight-2308) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Trill - launch pad- Medical officer Ensign jg Kasian Poldan - 0800) Kasian stood looking at the ship that was going to be taking him to meet another ship that would transport him to Mars where he would report in for his first official assignment. He felt a lot of different emotions at once, scared, excited, happy, nervous. He had no idea what to expect. He hadn't moved and turned out everything around him. “Sweetheart,” His mother said as she touched his shoulder getting his attention he turned to face her and his brother who had a bit of a sour look on his face. “I beg you to reconsider this you know we are not part of starfleet anymore.” Addison said Kasian just looked at her blankly. “The great Councilor who server under some of the greatest captains in the fleet denies being part of it.” Kasian said in a calm tone and he took his mother's hands. Giving her a warm smile he always enjoyed the stories of her fleet days and of his fathers he wanted nothing more than to be apart of Starfleet as they where. “Kasian that was in the past, it's not the same anymore, those Captains those crews are gone.” he wasn’t sure what to say he wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings or worry her, but this was his choice. ::Think young one before you speak:: Poldan words echoed in his head. “I need to experience this for now, I really hope you understand. I feel this is what I need to find that missing piece to be closer to my father.” Kasian hated bring up his father at all he knew it still broke his mother's heart. She had never really gotten over him ,however, she would never admit that to anyone. Even if she did marry and loved her current husband very much. “This isn’t going to bring him back nothing will hes gone forever and I am sorry you will never know him, but tossing your life away on some stupid mission like him is pointless.” His mother's words were harsh, but she did have a point nothing would ever bring him back, but he already knew this. “I have to go, Arvos make sure you look after mom little brother.” Kasian said before turning to get on the shuttle, before the door closed he heard his brother words. “I’m 3 minutes older than you jerk.” “Then I clearly wasn’t talking to you big brother.” Kasian said with a smug tone. Their younger brother laughed he had just turned 13. Kasian saw so much light and happiness in the young boy that gave him a lot of hope. (Reply none needed) (Posted by Richard) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Commanding Officer (Mars) - Commodore Remae Ktell – 0800) Everyone was gathered for the ceremony, 14 months had passed since Remae had been given his vision of the future on Bajor and since them, Starfleet had poured everything it had into the Martian shipyards, limited resources from what was left of the Federation was fuelling the construction of three ships, the USS Illuminar, the USS Hades and the USS Republic. The three ships were in orbit, complete, resplendent, primed and ready for departure. The schedule for their departure was set, 7 days and counting. For the crews, training, preparation and learning the ropes was their mantra, along with running Mars and making sure the next generation of officers were ready to take over from them, Mars was ready to work on the next projects, construction scientific development and the defence of Sector 001 was top priority. Luckily for Starfleet, their local allies were helpful, Trill, Betazed, Vulcan, Tella and even Andoira had taken interest in the development of the Federation. Starfleet Command had given the ships of Mars a new mission, to explore the Alpha Quadrant, to rediscover what was once well known, to find out what happening to the Federation and that started with, fixing up the increasingly disturbing reports from Bajor. The fleet consisted of more than two ships of course but, those ships, like the USS Wraith were running support missions, exploration was a luxury they couldn't afford, until now. Today was the first step in that journey and the awarding of the first commissions of the new fleet was a long time coming. To that end, President Atremi, the Commander in Chief, Admiral Kriller, the Chief of Staff Admiral Bell and base CO, Commodore Remae Ktell had come to the ceremony. Two sets of crews, one on the left, one on the right, fronted by 1 senior officer. One side, Sekal and the other, Trip Williams. "Thank you all for coming.", said Admiral Kriller. The Vulcan was known for being a man of few words, even more than other Vulcans and so, as expected, he was short and to the point : "We launch into a new era, not just one of exploration of the unknown but of rediscovery of the once known.", he paused and looked around, "Rediscovery. That word has special meaning today, for each of us.", he said and stood back from the podium. Admiral Jana Bell, the Chief of Starfleet, took the stage, front and centre and looked over at them all, "For the past 14 months we've strived to rebuild this fragment of Starfleet and now, we are ready to once again, take our place in the depths of space, to ensure that we protect those who cannot do it themselves, to help those who need help and to need those, who are need.", she said and she was done. It was the Commodores turn, as he had regained an Admirals rank earlier in the year, it was deemed that an Admiral was needed to oversee the facilities of Mars once more, Remae had reassumed command of Mars, and hard worked tireless to make Mars ready for what was to come next. "Lieutenants Senior Grade, "Trip Williams and Sekal, step forward please.", said the Commodore to the two officers who stood at the front of their assembled officers, crew, enlisted and non-commissioned alike, all came to attention automatically, they were well training and disciplined. Remae read from the PADD as the two officers approached, "Lt SG Williams for outstanding service, in the best traditions of Starfleet, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lt Commander, with all the rights and privileges therein.", he said pausing for a moment as Admiral Bell attached the extra pip to the collar of the Commander. "Attention to orders. To Commodore Remae Ktell, Commanding Officer, USS Exeter, you are herby requested and required to relinquish command of the USS Exeter to Lt Commander Williams as of this Stardate. Signed, Admiral Kriller, Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command. Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander Trip Williams, voice authorisation Exeter-7032-beta.", he said reading the PADD. << Confirmed, the USS Exeter is now under the command of Commander Williams. >> Remae, as the construction CO of the Exeter was now relived of its command, he turned to Lt Commander Sekal. To Commodore Remae Ktell, Commanding Officer, USS Illuminar, you are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of the USS USS Illuminar to Lt Commander Sekal as of this Stardate. Signed, Admiral Kriller, Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command. Computer, transfer all command codes to Commander USS Illuminar, voice authorisation Illuminar-24145-gamma.", he said reading the PADD. << Confirmed, the USS Illuminar is now under the command of Commander Sekal. >> The authority of the ship passed and Remae handed the PADD to Commander Sekal. "Dismissed.", said the Commodore looking at the crowd. A good day for Starfleet after many years of bad deeds and bad news, of going in the wrong direction, it was time to start swimming upstream, in the vacuum of space, once again. (Reply from ALL) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Medical- Ensign Gabe Vesper– 0805) Gabe stood looking at the platform as the briefing was delivered, he scratched his arm more as a sign of being uncomfortable rather than anything else. Recently life had been pretty busy and eventful, he had made things up with Janey, who stood next to him, started making inroads with Ailynn who stood near. His research into new equipment had continued to go well with help from his mother on earth. As the attention to order was given he stood to, hating all the polo and ceremony he felt even more uncomfortable. ~not why I joined~ Hearing the information of the two ships made him wonder, it seemed everything had been slipping into some sort of plan. Being dismissed he looked around ~maybe now is the time to start making friends~ (Reply any) (Posted by Mat) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform -aCoS Ensign SG Sleeford P – 08:45) Sleeford stood with the rest of his new crew mates, it felt strange seeing the Mars 'Crew' separated like it was but each of the two squares where now separate teams, some of the faces he knew, others he would come to know as the day and weeks progressed, as the commodore finished his long speech and pinned the new pips on Sekal and Williams, assigning each a ship to command. As the brass left the podium, Williams walked to stand in front of his crew and gave another speech. As the new CO finished and dismissed the crew Sleeford like the others went to collect his belongings and head to his new home. (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Commanding Officer Lieutenant Trip Williams – 0900) As the festivities had ended and the crowd was dispersing, Trip gathered the assembled crew of the Exeter for a small briefing. "Some of you know me, some of you don't," Trip said with a smile. "My name is Lieutenant Commander Trip Williams. I am your commanding officer and I am very much looking forward to serving as your captain. For me this is a great honor and a great privilege and I know you will be a great crew. Myself and Lieutenant Bracken are very much looking forward to getting to know you." He paused and smiled, "When my father began putting down the design plans for the Exeter, he was doing it based on a dream he had. It was within the first decade of Andoria leaving and it seemed the federation was in shambles. He wanted to create something that would inspire hope, inspire a new generation of Starfleet officers. He studied design after design of Starship, and he knew that the best thing he could do was reflect on history, reflect on the past. So he began designing the Exeter based on the old design of the Constitution class. For many the Constitution class embodied a special place, image, in Starfleet's history. How many people saw the old Consitution class ships, The Enterprise, the Hood, the Lexington, The Defiant, The Consitution, the Farragut, the Kongo, the Intrepid, and the Exeter, and were filled with hope for a brighter future. It was that ideal, that principle, that my dad poured his heart and soul into, to make the Exeter class a reality. Unfortunately, Utopia Planitia closed before it could be completed. But now, 15 years later, she is done, she is ready and she is ours." Trip began to smile wider, "And so it is up to us, the successors of the brave explorers of Starfleet of yesteryear, to carry on that legacy, carry on that torch, and bring back the hope, ideals, and principles that Starfleet stands for back to the Alpha Quadrant. That is our mission, that is our goal. To be the beacon of hope Starfleet was always meant to be. Those of you who are to be promoted, your promotions are effective as of right now. You should be receiving your quarters assignments via your personal communication devices within the hour. I expect all of you to be moved into your quarters by the end of the 30th and have the ship ready for launch by the first of the next month. So get on board, get settled, and get to work." With a laugh Trip decided to finish his initial briefing. "As a great man once said, Space is the Final Frontier, our mission is not only to bring hope back to the Federation but also to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before. And with that being said, dismissed." (reply any) (posted by Will Banowsky) “If you have a moment sir?” Keira said once the gathered died down she grabbed Ravok to go speak to trip. (Reply Ravok, Trip) She whispered to Ravok on Trip’s approach. “You had a question for me a couple days ago, this is your answer.” She squeezed his hand. (Reply Trip, Ravok) “Sir, I was wondering your position on Officers sharing quarters and freeing up bunk space.” She said quietly. (Reply Trip, Ravok) “Well, we stay over at each other’s quarters more often than not as it is.” She answered. (Reply Trip, Ravok) “Bunk beds? Truthfully, I stopped making him sleep on the couch several months ago.” She said with a grin. (Reply Trip, Ravok) “No, I won’t hurt your OPS Chief.” She said. (Reply Trip, Ravok) (Posted by Todd) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – COO – Lieutenant jg. Ravok Shara– 0908) “If you have a moment sir?” Keira asked trip. ( reply trip) "What are you doing ?" Ravok questioned. . “You had a question for me a couple days ago, this is your answer.” She said as she squeezed his hand. ~ I had lots of questions. What's for dinner ? Have you seen my boot?~ he thought to himself (Reply Trip, ) “Sir, I was wondering your position on Officers sharing quarters and freeing up bunk space.” She said quietly. Ravok snapped his head and looked at her " Favh?" { romulan for what} (Reply Trip, ) “Well, we stay over at each other’s quarters more often than not as it is.” Keira answered. He nodded his head " Yeah it happens alot" he smiled, but than corrected himself " Staying over that is Sir" (Reply Trip,) “Bunk beds? Truthfully, I stopped making him sleep on the couch several months ago.” She said with a grin. He smirked " Does wonders for my back Sir" Ravok stated (Reply Trip, ) “No, I won’t hurt your OPS Chief.” Keira said. Ravok laughed " Really funny Captain " ( reply trip) ( posted by davis) (Mars Facility - Outside Platform - Chief Tactical Officer Ensign Dareshaa - 0909) Barely an hour ago Dareshaa watched her new Commanding Officer receive his first command. She watched with inspiration as he was granted his promotion and prized ship. A ship that held a personal attachment to him. During the speeches, which were fairly dull and standard, Dareshaa pondered on the thought of rank and positions. The relationship between ones greed and ambition associated with their rank and position was a tricky path to step. A path that Dareshaa found herself on often. She recognized that for her it felt more like greed than ambition. But then again, wasn't her greed just another word for ambition in relation to gaining rank and promotions. Maybe it was the tactic one took in order to receive their accolades. Some choices could be considered bad or even evil, whereas others could be thought of as right, just, or the proper way. For each individual person there was a slightly different track to their current rank and position and her new CO was no different than any other in that regard. Her on the other hand. She felt the way she handled her business was different than most Starfleet Officers including how she applied and graduated from Starfleet Academy and how she made her way to Mars to become the Chief Tactical Officer of the Exeter. Was there really a right way and a wrong way she questioned. She concluded there probably was, but she didn't allow her mind to dwell on that answer for too long. It was time to continue to meet the crew of the Exeter. After all, she would be watching them. There could be nothing better than knowing everyone. (reply none, any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform - Assistant CScio - Ensign SG – Adala Michaels - 0910) Adala was glad she hadn't had to come back to Mars except for the ceremony and to get her orders. This was the one place she'd been avoiding and had put out of her mind with her work back at HQ. That had been a welcome change to her routine. The only drawback was that she'd been out of touch with everyone, until she ran into Erin, her new department head. She was glad of that at least, this gave her some comfort. She stood in silence as Commander Williams was given command of the ship she'd be serving on, the USS Exeter and Commander Sekai was given command of the USS Illuminar. It was a short ceremony and after she’d joined the rest of the crew for the short briefing by her new CO she slipped back to the hole in the wall that was her quarters to finalize the distribution of her belongings between a shuttle back to Earth and the few items she'd be keeping with her on board the ship. Any of the classified projects she'd been working on had been stowed away and either sent directly to her quarters on board the Exeter or left back on Earth, as it had no reason to be with her if she wasn't under the security of HQ. She was still waiting to hear from HQ about what projects she'd be allowed to continue to work on and what ones she'd be passing on to others. (Reply: None) (Posted by Kathleen) “If you have a moment sir?” Keira asked trip. "For my Chief Engineer, always." Trip said with a smile. "What are you doing ?" Ravok questioned. . “You had a question for me a couple days ago, this is your answer.” She said as she squeezed his hand. "Umm, is everything okay?" “Sir, I was wondering your position on Officers sharing quarters and freeing up bunk space.” She said quietly. Ravok snapped his head and looked at her " Favh?" { romulan for what} "Well, I mean I guess, I don't necessary see a problem with it. Are y'all planning on moving in together. “Well, we stay over at each other’s quarters more often than not as it is.” Keira answered. He nodded his head " Yeah it happens alot" he smiled, but than corrected himself " Staying over that is Sir" "Well I guess we could get you some stuff for a blanket for, maybe some bunk beds." Trip said with a chuckle. “Bunk beds? Truthfully, I stopped making him sleep on the couch several months ago.” She said with a grin. He smirked " Does wonders for my back Sir" Ravok stated "Well as long as you don't hurt him. We only have one of him." “No, I won’t hurt your OPS Chief.” Keira said. Ravok laughed " Really funny Captain " "Look you've kept it professional for the last year, I have every hope that you will continue to do so onboard the Exeter. But you're adults and I expect you to act that way. You two are essential parts of my senior staff, and I expect you, when you are outside of your quarters, to comport yourselves as model officers. Is that understood?" (Reply Ravok, Keira) "Now then, if there is nothing else, I need to get going." Trip began to walk away. "And don't worry, I'll get you a house warming plant or something. I'm a benevolent captain after all." Trip then laughed as he began to head back inside. ~Those two, they're either going to make my life easy or a lot more interesting.~ (reply Ravok, Keira) (reply Ravok, Keira) (posted by Will) (Mars Facility – Outside Platform – CFO – Lieutenant JG – Ire Williams – 0913) Ire had watched as the Trip was given command of the Exeter and that Sekal was given command Illuminar. He listened to Trips speech afterwards and was excited in the fact that they were going out into the big black again. He had enjoyed being in the Sol system, spending time at the academy had been great for Ire who had not had the opportunity with real interaction with other people. Then getting sent to Mars and joined the Wing. The last year had been exhilarating being in charge of the Void Haunters. Having the responsibility of all those men and woman had been terrifying at first but as time passed, he’s growing understand of what it meant to be in command grew and he was immensely proud of his people. Now a new adventure being at the helm of the Exeter would be fantastic. The Exeter was so big compared to his little fighter. He was exchanging a 20 meter fighter with a 375 meter starship and although the basic flight parameters were the same mass in motion will make a huge difference. He was a fighter pilot not a starship pilot and he was going to have to spend the next few day in the holodecks getting his skills on big ship flying back up to scratch. The last thing he needed was to scratch the hull as they were leaving the dock. He was still a but surprised that he had go the position of Chief Flight Officer rather then Ravok who was the Wings first officer, but Trip had chose him and made his reasons clear. He sighed to him self as he realised that he had been standing by himself as the rest of the crew were departing from Trips chat. He turned and began looking for Greta and as he moved off he wondered if he would be able to fly lucky thirteen one more time before they departed. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Exeter -09:15) Stepping off the platform with the seven other crew members Sleeford nodded to the harassed chief and left the transporter room to find his quarters, as he walked the thronging corridors he glanced at his PADD, finding the right sector on deck three was easy, the harder part , finding the room. entering he fund his gear in a pile. As the door closed Sleeford threw the PADD onto the couch and set about stowing his gear. Whistling as he placed his books on the shelf and his off duty clothes in the compartment. Grabbing a coffee he headed down to sickbay for his medical. (USS Exeter – Deck 03, Room 03-2383 – 2O / CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 0930) It was a very short conversation with the quartermaster to get the room assignment for her and Ravok. Keira was pleased with her fortune just assuming she had beat the rush. She had packed a small bag and put in a work order to have the rest of her things brought up at a later time. Ravok from the brief meeting with the CO had left to finish some operations assignment delegation, and said he would “catch up”. The door swished open on her approach, and she was surprised how spacious it actually was. She unceremoniously dropped her bags at the door as it closed behind her. She quickly moved about the nearly empty space to check everything out, opening every drawer, door, hatch or anything else. She was pleased to see that their windows had a view of the port side nacelle and the bussard collector. She started thinking about where everything would go. Couch, table. Where Venus’s bedding would go, that she would ignore and hop in the bed with Ravok and her. They could hang the Bat’leths on that wall. She could make some Martian iron decorations. “The bed!” she said out loud to herself and ran into the main bed room. She ran and jumped two meters from the bed soaring in the air for a moment with her legs straight back and her arms straight out in a “T”. She landed face down on the bed with a satisfying muffled “pumbf”. The bed satisfactorily absorbed all the force of her landing. She had only a moment to herself before she heard the door opening. (Reply Ravok) “In here.” She said loudly but her face being buried in the bed, it came back muffled. (Reply Ravok) She rolled over onto her side. “I know, right?” she grinned because now she had the opportunity to say, “It’s not much, but it’s got a great view.” (Reply Ravok) “I’m glad you remembered.” She said. “But it does have a great view.” She said pointing out the nearest window. “Can you imagine what that’s going to look like when warp plasma is sent through the warp coils and it lights up?” (Reply Ravok) “No, sadly I still have a lot to do today, I’m sure you do too.” (Reply Ravok) “Rain check until tonight?” she said before giving him a quick kiss. (Reply Ravok) “You, cook? You mean the replicator is cooking?” she said teasing him. (reply Ravok) “You’re on Lieutenant.” She said. “See you tonight.” She said as she left to take the lift to Engineering. (Reply Ravok) (Posted by Todd) (USS Exeter – Deck 03, Room 03-2383 – COO - Lieutenant Ravok Shara – 0951) Ravok found the quarters which were to be the joined quarters of Lieutenant Merek and himself. He walked up to the door and the biometric systems scanned him, almost instantly. ~ Well isn't that something? ~ he thought as he entered the quarters. He waited for the door to shut behind him. " Keira ? " he asked out loud. “In here.” She said loudly but her face being buried in the bed, it came back muffled. He heard the sound of her voice with Romulan ears. She was in the bedroom he looked around the quarters, as he walked into the room. " This is pretty cool, brand new everything. The biometric door scanners are nice little touch." he said walking over to the window. " Wow, this what I'm talking about" he said as he rested his arm against the window and and looked out at the view. She rolled over onto her side. “I know, right?” she grinned. “It’s not much, but it’s got a great view.” Ravok looked back at her and laughed. " This definitely better than my view on the Mystique" “I’m glad you remembered.” She said. He smiled. " Of course I remember" “But it does have a great view.” She said pointing out the nearest window. “Can you imagine what that’s going to look like when warp plasma is sent through the warp coils and it lights up?” His heart skipped a beat with excitement " Its gonna be the best. "He said and smiled. " The bed looks comfortable too" he said as he plopped down on it " Let's take a nap" he joked and grinned at her. “No, sadly I still have a lot to do today, I’m sure you do too.” He looked back at the window" Yeah , I know. Would be great though." “Rain check until tonight?” she said before giving him a quick kiss. " Rain check..." he said as he tried to remember the phrase. " Oh yeah , a rain check" he said as he smacked himself lightly on the forehead and laughed. " How about I cook dinner tonight , here " “You, cook? You mean the replicator is cooking?” she said teasing him. " Oh ha ha " he laughed. " You're so funny. No for real I'll make steak , rare just the way you like it and some baked potatoes. Tri...I mean the captain showed be how to make baked potatoes the right away. No more fires. " Ravok said. “You’re on Lieutenant.” She said. “See you tonight.” She said as she left to take the lift to Engineering. " See you later Lieutenant " he replied mocking her. After Keira left he stood up and walked around the quarters. Checking everything out. " The bat'leths would looked great on this wall" he said out loud, but with no one there to hear him ,he was just talking to himself. He looked around for a good spot for Venus' bedding. He laughed " Who am I kidding , she's just gonna jump in bed with her momma..." he said and paused. " I'm seriously out numbered." He spoke once again to himself. Ravok walked to the couch in the common area and sat down and slapped his commbadge " Lieutenant Ravok to all Exeter operations personnel. Please meet me aboard the Exeter on deck 13 in the operations department for a brief meeting today in one hour, the time is currently. 1007. Ravok out" ( reply all exeter ops .spcs included ) ( posted by Davis) (USS Exeter – Transporter room – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1000) Gabe walked down the steps from the Transported pad, his boot hit the deck plating, for a moment he swore he heard the reverberating sound of rubber against the plate but it was in his head. Pushed past by other arriving officers he tried not to be urgent, tried not to go with the flow; he took the moment in. Leaving the room he tried to remember the way to his new home the ships schematics ran through his head, lost he wandered the corridors just soaking the day, the moment in. (Mars Facility – Shuttle bay - ACMO Ensign Erin Cortez – 1001) As the shuttle carrying her back to Mars began landing procedures, Erin's mind flew back. Back to the year or so that had seen her leave Mars and find a new direction in her life. She had made new friends, kept in touch with old friends and felt more comfortable in herself than ever before. As the shuttle began its decent, her mind wandered back over the year that she had been away. (Flashback) Five months had passed since she had left Mars. Five months of both physical and mental therapy. Five months of working to make herself better, both as a person and as a Starfleet officer. Erin had been through hell and back and now found herself standing outside Starfleet Science wondering why she had received a mysterious summons from an Admiral Krane. Walking into the building, she was directed to a turbolift and down a corridor towards an office. Sitting outside the office, Erin's knee was shaking. ~why the hell am I here? I'm not a scientist. Why does the Admiral in charge of Starfleet science want to see me?~ Looking at the PADD she had brought with her, she bit her lip and put a hand on her knee to stop it shaking. A man walked up to her as she was sitting there waiting, he was wearing an admirals uniform. "I guess you're waiting for Admiral Krane, huh?" "Yes I am." "Yeah me too, It's currently 0742, He doesn't get in until 0800" The admiral said to her. "Oh, well, I'll wait. Better to be early than running late." " You are ?" He asked her. "Cortez, Ensign Erin Cortez. " He sat down next to her and folded his arms. He wore a black leather glove on his right hand. " Nice to meet you , Ensign. I'm one of the many admirals that run around this place. These days it seems anyone can be an admiral. I'm even an admiral " He laughed, pointing to his pips. She smiled, "I'm sure you deserved those pips, sir." He smirked " Some say I don't but, I say to hell with them , I busted my ass. Gave up my freedom for these tiny pieces of brass If you don't mind me asking , Do you know why Admiral Krane wants to see you?" He questioned as he looked off at the wall across from them. "No, although I have a suspicion. " He chuckled " That's good, you should go into every situation informed. Go through all the scenarios in your head, balance the equations of this and that. Just to find out you may be right or you may be wrong. So what scenario are you thinking ?" "It's a long story. But the short version is about 5 months ago, I had an experience." He turned and looked at her " Go on, I like a good story" "You must have heard about Gul Dulon?" He smiled " You're her? The Ensign who shot herself in the chest. " he smirked. " Yeah might have heard a few things " Sighing, Erin nodded, "seems everyone heard about it. I took a leave of absence for a few months. To get my health back." " Oh crap, that sucks " "I had to have surgery to get him out. Knocked me for six. It's taken me this long to even start running again. Haven't been able to pick up my bow in months." He smiled and pointed to himself " Academy Archery Team captain, class of 2411" "I thought you looked familiar. Archery team Captain myself. Last year." He listened to her talk and then stood up checking the time " It's 0745, let's go inside and wait." Puzzled, Erin looked at the man, "Can we do that? " Of course we can. Whose gonna stop us? We have a meeting don't we ?" He walked to the door and typed in a code. The door whooshed open and he entered. Taking a seat behind the desk. ~wait…. Is that?.... oh great, Erin. Fan freaking tastic ~ she thought to herself as she followed him through the door and took a seat opposite the desk. " Take a seat Ensign. " he said to her. On the wall to her left were images of the man in front of her at various points in his career. There was even a photo of him as a young cadet he was holding a bow in the image. Erin smiled softly as she saw the image of the man infront of her, younger, darker haired with a bow. ~looks similar to mine~ "Is that you there sir?" She asked, pointing to the photograph. " Yeah that's me Admiral Markus Krane. Ensign I am highly impressed with your punctuality, arriving here before me. That is something that doesn't happen often." "It's something I try and keep to. Punctuality. Although a walk that takes 10 minutes now takes me 20. Getting better though." "Your academy record was flawless. Every single one of your instructors have spoken very highly of you. " Admiral Krane stated. "Let me guess, Lieutenant Hough had a hand in this meeting… I bet it was his suggestion that you lead me on, making me think you weren't… well, you?" " It's so...Stiff around here. I have to have moments of fun when I can, but now for the reason I brought you here. " He paused . " You're here because I think you need a refreshment. You need change. I have read your starfleet record and your personal file. You've been through a lot." She nodded, "Even before the last incident… I'm sure it's there in my file about the legal case… the incident in my teenage years… " she sighed as a flash of Christian entered her mind. He nodded " You've been through so much. In fact that I think you make a terrible choice as a counselor. Your academy record reflects that as well. Your accumulative academic marks in the fields of Xenobiology and anthropology place you among the elite. So tell me why in the hell are you a counselor? Do you like wasting your time?" Her eyes widened for a moment as Admiral Krane spoke bluntly. She took a moment and then replied, "If I may speak freely?" He gestured his hand to her " Always" "Sir, in all honesty, you are right. I wanted to help people. After… well, that incident… I received counselling and it really helped me. I wanted to make a difference. To help others as I had been helped, as I am being helped now. I don't like wasting my time and I don't often admit when I am wrong. But, I was. I was wrong in choosing the path I did. I admit that now. " she replied, stopping realising she was rambling and sat back in the chair with her hands in her lap. " Perhaps you've been on the right path the entire time and you're just now realizing it. " he said leaning forward, resting his arms on his desk. " It's your career Ensign. Spend it however you want, but make sure you enjoy doing what you're doing at the same time." "That could be true, Sir. It's taken me walking through fire to realise that." " Now, onto why I brought you here. Ensign, I would like to delay your return to mars for the next several months. I would like to keep you here to oversee a project for me and offer your assistance to a geological research team. I can't be everywhere at once but you can be there for me. " he said to her. A flash of shock ran through her mind, "Well, thank you, sir. That's a big honour." " Effective immediately you are being transferred to work directly under me. You are to work alongside Ensign Adala Michaels. She will provide you with details of her research, truly groundbreaking , the things she is working on . Her ideas are...Well you will see for yourself " The admiral stated. "Knowing Adala as I do, I can believe that her ideas are slightly out there. She's a character and a half ." He pressed a button on his desk and a PADD materialized in front of her. " The information contained in the PADD is strictly for the eyes of you and Ensign Michaels. Give it a look and report to her location as soon as you can. " "Yes sir. May I ask a question?" He nodded his head obliging to her "Why me? If it is some sort of pity job because of what happened on Mars, then fine. I just need to know, why?" Admiral Krane took a deep breath. " No Ensign, this isn't an assignment of pity. This assignment is because I see your untapped potential. I have always placed high stock in new officers, because they haven't been broken by the system. You're a fresh start, a clean slate. You Ensign, are exactly what starfleet needs." Smiling, "Sir, that means the world. Some around here look at me and still see him. So, to hear that, means the world." He smirked slightly. " To hell with what they see. All that matters is that you do your best for you and the rest will fall into place" "I'll try not to disappoint you." He nodded his head. " I trust you Ensign, now go" he said as he looked at the time. " It's currently 0756, looks like we are ahead of schedule." He smiled. "You're dismissed " "Yes sir." Erin stood, turned to walk out and then stopped. He stood up as she took her leave. "Sir, if I may, would you like to come out to the academy archery range sometime? It would be good for me to have someone there who can get me back into shape…" He smiled " Anytime Ensign. " (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie and special guest star, Rob D) (USS Exeter – Personal Quarters – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1010) Arriving finally he threw his duffle bag onto the sofa, his stuff was yet to be transferred from Mars there was a long list of things to be moved and he knew there was time. “Peach tea, over ice splash of hibiscus” he ordered from the Replicator, taking his drink he wondered to the window to watch the worker bees make the changes after the shakedown. Always admiring the engineering side of Starfleet a road he sometimes wished he had gone into, but medical was his calling, his home. The last few weeks he knew why, his extended family and paternal side were all medics. Looking at the display he noted the time; he had wanted to get to sickbay before anyone else, he wanted that moment alone in his new domain. Downing the drink he tugged his uniform and left the room Ewan had literally dumped his duffle bag on his bed the NCO quarters that he saw sharing and headed for sickbay. His usual routine when getting somewhere new was to unpack his sleeping and wash kit and make sure his bed was ready as he might not be getting back to it until extremely late. That was when we was living in an emergency tent with hundreds of patients to treat and doing late nights and early days for weeks was the norm but he was on a star ship in dock and reasoned that he would have time later. Arriving in Sickbay he had realised that things were crazy. He smiled to himself as he gazed around sickbay with engineers and other staff working hard to reach the deadline. ~Okay treat this as a day one MST drop where you have been dumped with all the kit. Your surgeon, anaesthetist and ward nurse have just gone to do that first round of examinations on the patients and you are standing beside 650kg of equipment and stores~ He looked again with a more critical eye and nodded to himself. ~Starfleet sickbays are all designed to a set pattern no matter their configuration lest get started~ He nodded to an orderly as he picked up a box that said medical supplies sickbay gamma five echo. He glanced at the tracker icon that was sitting on the top. “Okay storage locker five third shelf.” He stared at the set of storage lockers along one wall found what he was looking for. As he slid the box into place, he heard raised voices near the open door. “Watch it crewman, you almost knocked me over.” There was a tall man with dark hair he could not see his face as he was talking to a Bolian orderly. “Sorry sir, didn’t see you there.” “Clearly. Dr Vesper, CMO” he said trying to see the rank of the man “Oh, well sorry. The last of the new equipment. Some person wanted bespoke stuff on board.” “I would check the name on the transfer, that person was me, theyre to go in medical storage two, try not to knock anyone else over, sickbay isn’t up and running yet.” He watched as the man named Dr Vesper turned and headed towards an office marked CMO which Ewan presumed was his as he was the CMO. He walked over to the Bolian and gave him a friendly smile. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone is a bit stressed at the moment. Let me give you a hand putting this equipment away.” “Yes. This way.” He followed the cart pushing Bolian who manoeuvred the cart through mass of people and stopped at its appropriate place. Ewan had no idea how the Bolian knew where Storage Two was, but he gave him a hand off loading his cart. He was approached by an Engineer waving a PADD. “Are you in charge here.” “Well umm I work here.” “That will do. Here is a PADD with the updates to the work being done. You can tell the new CMO.” “Ow thanks.” The PADD was thrust into his hand and the Engineer walked off. He scanned the PADD and saw that there was a lot of work, but everything should be done before they departed. He stepped back into main sickbay scanning the PADD. He spotted the Vesper exiting his officer and picking up a tricorder. He gave a mental shrug and headed over to intercept his new boss. “Good Morning Dr Vesper, I am Nurse Ewan McDonald. I have just been given the revised time scale on getting sickbay up and running from Engineering.” (Reply Vesper) (Reply Vesper, any) (Posted by Robbie) (SPC Ewan McDonald) (USS Exeter – Main Sickbay – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vesper – 1030) Gabes wish had not been granted walking into sickbay he saw the sworm of engineers putting the very last touches to things. Avoiding a large create of supplies being pushed in by an orderly he yelled “Watch it crewman, you almost knocked me over.” “Sorry sir, didn’t see you there.” The bolian replied with their normal brashness “Clearly. Dr Vesper, CMO” he said trying to see the rank of the man “Oh, well sorry. The last of the new equipment. Some person wanted bespoke stuff on board.” “I would check the name on the transfer, that person was me, theyre to go in medical storage two, try not to knock anyone else over, sickbay isn’t up and running yet.” Gabe said turning on his heels and heading through the doorway to his office. (USS Exeter - Bridge - Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Trip Williams and ACADCO Vice Admiral Duke Williams - 10:30) The bridge was silent, perhaps the last time it would ever be this quiet. Trip walked from the turbo lift door to the center of the bridge and took it all in. This was his bridge, not his old tree house that was set up to be a pretend bridge, but the real deal. It was his bridge. No longer was he that little kid playing pretend, soon it would be real. He looked at the center chair, smiled, and sat down. "It's a good fit son." Trip looked over to the ready room door as it opened, out walked an Admiral with a very familiar and friendly face. "Hey Dad, what's up. You stalking me old man?" Trip said with a smile. "No, thought I'd take advantage of being over on Mars and tour the Exeter, I haven't walked her halls since the day they shout down the program. So I just wanted to see what she looked like done." "That it Dad?" "Yes son, that's it, well and I left a box of cookies on your desk, Memaw's secret recipe. Thought you and Ash might appreciate it." "Thanks Dad," Trip said as he smiled as his father approached and sat down in the first officer chair. "I'm proud of you son, you and your sister." Duke said with a calming voice. "I'd be proud of both of you no matter what, but you have both turned into fine young officers, with a bright career, but more importantly, you will both do good in the universe, and to me that is the most important thing." "Yeah, we'll we had good parents." Trip said smiling, "Hey Dad, can I ask you something?" "Do you talk to Sy, ever since she got back from Trill, and since I got married, she's been distant, shutting me out, more than usual, and I just, I just don't know what I did. Or how to fix it." "Son" Duke said looking at his son right in the eyes. "It's not that simple. The fact that Ailynn is your First Officer, rather than the possibility of going with your sister, which, well look, I'm not going to judge you for that, the Brackens are excellent officers and Ailynn is no different. Though you could have handled it in a different way. But its a bit more complicated than that." "What do you mean Dad?" "Look it goes down to personality, to who you are and how you live your life. You both may be twins, but you are both very different people. You were always the more independent one, even as a kid. Always trying to do your own thing, hanging with Ailynn and your other little friends. But as a kid, you always had time for your sister. But then you went to high school and you quickly became a big man on campus, dating, playing baseball. You had a better grasp on who you were. You always felt more human and you embraced it, and that helped you become the outgoing, caring, person you are." "But? Dad there is always a but." "Trip, as you got older, had more activities, you always made time for you sister, but it became less and less, and that weighed on her. You are more human, but she's always been more Betazoid. Her side of the bond is stronger. Her skills her stronger. You don't have the health condition that she has, the allergies she has. Many time she felt like an alien in her own skin. While you were sure of who you were, she needed more time to figure it out. Then you got to Mars and both of your careers took off. And as you spent less time with her, you spent more time with your friends, with Ash, whom I adore. But when your sister got back from Trill, in her eyes, it was almost like she was replaced. And I know Trip, you weren't doing that, you just fell in love. But from her perspective, it was just another way you were moving on from her. You move at different paces, and moving forward is good. But you moved faster than she had ever expected, it caught her off guard." "But I never intended to..." Trip tried to say. Duke stood up and put his hand on Trip's shoulder. "I know son, trust me, sometimes us Williams men, we mean well, but we don't always understand what we do are say effects the ones we are closest to. We have insert foot in mouth disease. You are no different son." "Thanks Dad," Trip said with a laugh. "Son, did you ever tell your sister why you picked Ailynn as your first officer, did you ever mention why you didn't offer her a position on the Exeter." "Umm no, I didn't." "Well there you go kiddo. Sometimes, what we think is obvious, isn't obvious." "Guess you're right." "Talk to her, be honest, and let her know. She just needs to know." "Guess you're right pops." "Of course I'm right, I've learned from my mistakes." "I'll try." Trip said as he stood up. "Listen kiddo, I've reinstated the Academy internship program, placing cadets that meet the requirement qualification on ships in the fleet. I'm placing two on your ship, one in Medical and one in Engineering. They're good kids, and should serve you well. One of them is one of our former fosters. Rissa. I think she'll do well here. Not sure if you two spend much time together, she came to us when you were already in the academy. Get to know the two of them, I'm gonna send you the curriculum requirements for both." "Yes sir," Trip said. "Alright kiddo, I got to finish my tour. You take care of yourself son, I'm proud of you and I love you." "Thanks Dad," Trip said as he hugged his dad, "I love you too." (Reply none) (Posted by Will) Letting out a sigh he looked, there was a small box in the corner of the room, he hadn’t requested anything be sent to the sickbay other than the equipment. Opening the box there was a large soft parcel and on top a photo, the same photo that had caused so much trouble before, this time complete. Gabe laughed and pulled the frame out, he placed it on his new desk; stopping to look at the Risa scene with his half sister, their mothers and Janey. Pulling out the soft package he sat down to open it. Under the ribbon was a card that simply said ‘mum’ sliding off the ribbon and the packaging he saw the teal blue material. Standing to his full length he let the coat drop, examining it there was a faded patch for an old style combadge. Turning the coat inside he saw the uniform allocation –Lt Cmdr M Nicolae 4576391- Laughing to himself he tried it on, the fit was a little short but it didn’t matter, the idea shone through. “Lets get this over with. Computer, activate the EMH” Standing infront of him was a small darker skinned woman “Please state the nature of the medical emergency” her voice of soft with a raspy edge and as she spoke her head accentuated the words. “No emergency, I’m just checking youre working” Gabe said impressed with the upgraded EMH. “Starfleet Regulations state that I am only to be used in an Emergency, my holomatrix and pathways have all been checked by the Engineering team.” The EMH said without a hint of annoyance but more of a tone of mother telling their child not to do something again. “Yes, I know, I have the full report on your diagnostic) ~well I don’t, not even looked at the padds~ “but youre not good to be if you don’t turn on, not that we should be using you often, with a full medical compliment” Gabe blustered through, it wasn’t often he met someone with his bedside manner. “I’ll let this one slide, Ensign. But in the future please remember regulations. Oh and that style lab coat is no longer standard issue” “Yes….computer deactivate the EMH” Gabe said locking eyes with the woman. “No need to be….” The hologram faded away. Looking around he saw some of the medical staff arriving and knew he now needed to start sorting the various watches out and the dreaded crew medicals. Pinning his badge onto the coat he tapped it. “Dr Vespers to all medical and Counseling leads, report to sickbay at 1100” (reply Ryelle, Poldon, Lavorre, any) Acknowlodgin the calls he closed the comm. Walking through to the sickbay he picked up a tricorder from its holder and placed it into his pocket. Approaching the orderlies he started organising the room. (Reply Ryelle, Poldon, Lavorre, any medical, any) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter – Personal quarters ACMO – Ensign Kasian Poldan – 1036) =/\=Vespers to all medical leads, report to sickbay at 1100=/\= Kaz tapped his combadge closing the channel without responding he had only been back a short time but something about Gabe Vespers annoyed the hell of him. He already hated his new assignment and wanted nothing to do with his actual title. His head was pounding all the extra work he was putting in today was draining him. He couldn’t hear Poldan at all he was completely cut off from him. He felt so alone and it scared him so much. Tears filled his eyes as he sat at his desk looking at a picture of his family. Kaz let them time pass in silence only getting up and leaving to make it to sickbay right when the meeting was scheduled to to start. (USS Exeter – Main sickbay– ACMO – Ensign Kasian Poldan– 1100) Kasian walked into the room that looked like a mess. Nothing seemed to be in the right place or did it even have a home. He walked around dodging the people working till he found the rest of the medical staff. He didn’t say anything as he joined the group. (Reply any medical) (Posted by Richard) (USS Exeter, Deck 7, Counselors Office – Counselor, Ensign Jestayre "Jester" Lavorre – 1040) Feeling somewhat jolly that moving day was finally here, Jester was stood surveying her new office. Having just placed a large painting behind her desk, she stood and stared at it, giggled a little and then swiftly moved over to the next box she needed to unpack. =^=Dr Vespers to all medical leads, report to sickbay at 1100=^= Tapping her comm. badge she responded, "Dr. Vespers! I shall see you then! You CAN respond to this message." Feeling pretty dandy with herself, having now spoken to her superior for the first time since she was recruited for the mission aboard the ship she skipped with it back to her desk and began to open it up and decant the golden tipped candlesticks, (USS Exeter, Deck 7, Counselors Office – Main Sickbay, Ensign Jestayre "Jester" Lavorre – 1059) Not wanting to be late to her first ever meeting, she skipped along the corridors of the Exeter, saying 'hello' whenever she passed anyone with a huge grin on her face. As she got to the doors of sickbay, she continued to skip and pressed on in as the doors opened coming to a stop just inside as she noticed a few people gathering. "GOOD day! Morning you all, I'm Ensign Lavorre at YOUR service." She looked around the group with smiling constantly. Whilst standing there, she thought back to what one of the guards had said when they had delivered the painting she'd put up in the office and wondered the meaning behind him asking why she had a phallic painting. She might need to bring him in for an evaluation. (Reply all medical leads) (Posted by Jono Bradley) (USS Exeter –Sickbay – CMO – Ensign Gabe Vespers– 1045) Looking around this time in more detail Gabe was heading to the main ward when a man stopped him. “Good Morning Dr Vesper, I am Nurse Ewan McDonald. I have just been given the revised time scale on getting sickbay up and running from Engineering.” Gabe took the PADD from the man the annoyance once again on his face. "Thank you for being the messenger nurse, I'll make a note with Engineering to ensure future correspondence is given to the correct people, your time is as prescious as mine. I have the clinical leads coming in shortly, general tour of the facility and breakdown of all works to be completed prior to departure. Would you care to join us?" (Reply Mcdonald) "In the mean time I could do with a hand clearing these boxes that have been dumped." Gabe said looking at the PADD "Oh you're kidding! Emergency medkits weren't ready in time for fitting, we'll have to fit them ourselves. 23 decks and God knows how many sections." (Reply McDonald) (Posted by mat) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Pilot - Lieutenant JG – Ire – Williams - 1045) Ire stood in front of what the inventory said was a Delta Class Shuttlecraft. She was bigger than his fighter Lucky Thirteen, he paused, not his fighter anymore. He pushed that thought to one side and looked back at the sleek aggressive looking craft as he ran a hand over its surface and smiled. “You are very pretty it will be fun to take you out for a spin.” He thought for a moment. ~No it probably wont be you as you will be on the bridge, it might be the Shuttle Bay Officer if I can keep Trips hands off the controls~ “Who is my Shuttle Bay Officer and my Assistant Flight Officer?” ~Come on Ire Trip would have been on this by now~ He looked at the PADD he had been carrying since he had arrived on board. He quickly brought up the information and found that an Ensign Ronnie Winters as his number 2 and Ensign JG Isra Tiar as his Shuttle Bay Officer. ~Okay where can I meet them~ He scanned the ship deck plan on his PADD. ~Okay I don’t have an office, but the shuttle bay flight ops should be empty~ He looked to the row of windows that overlooked the shuttle bay and nodded to himself. He had one quick errand to do be fore meeting his senior team and as headed across the shuttle bay toward the doors he tapped his comm badge. “Lieutenant Williams to Ensigns Winters and Tiar please report to main shuttle bay flight ops at 1130.” (reply Winters, Tiar) (Reply Winters, Tiar, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Exeter –Sickbay –Nurse – Ewan McDonald – 1047) "Thank you for being the messenger nurse, I'll make a note with Engineering to ensure future correspondence is given to the correct people, your time is as prescious as mine. I have the clinical leads coming in shortly, general tour of the facility and breakdown of all works to be completed prior to departure. Would you care to join us?" Ewan paused for a moment taken aback by the Vesper’s comment. “Yes Doctor of course.” "In the mean time I could do with a hand clearing these boxes that have been dumped." Ewan nodded as he noticed Vesper looking at the PADD and gave a mental wince. As there was a lot of things on that list that needed to be finished before they left the system or things would get very basic very quickly. "Oh you're kidding! Emergency medkits weren't ready in time for fitting, we'll have to fit them ourselves. 23 decks and God knows how many sections." He nodded and gave a slight smile. “Yes Doctor it is a lot but at least we don’t have to put them together first.” (Reply Vesper) (Reply Vesper, any) (Posted by Robbie) (SPC Ewan McDonald) (USS Exeter - Sickbay - CMO - Ens Gabe Vesper - 1050) "Yes Doctor it is a lot but at least we dont have to put them together first" Ewan said with a slight smile "Once again, every cloud Nurse. You are correct the packs are made up, we just need to find them." (Reply McDonald iyw) as the two officers moved around sickbay working through the boxes, putting away the equipment they could find; the doors opened and Gabe became aware of someone coming up to him "GOOD day! Morning you all, I'm Ensign Lavorre at YOUR service." Gabe looked at the green officer, he smile would be infectious if he had time to smile ~wonderful, an Orion, this should be interesting. ~ “Good Morning Ensign Lavorre, ships counsellor yes?” (Reply Lavorre) “We’re just waiting for the rest of the medical staff to arrive, this is Nurse McDonald, he was in the wrong place at the right time so will be joining us, he was also the tempory liason to engineering for about 30 seconds.” Gabe laughed a little at his own joke (Reply Lavorre, McDonald) As the officers spoke Gabe spotted Dr Poldan arrive “Excuse me a moment” Heading off Poldan he took him slightly to one side “Dr Poldan, Dr Vesper excuse the abrupt welcome I was looking at service records so I recognised your face. Just a quick note, when a superior officer contacts you, its generally considered respectiable to reply; shall we?” (Reply Poldan) As the two lead officers returned to the small group Gabe noted that no one seemed to understand the instruction to arrive at 11am, other than the Lavorre. “Ok everyone, a fair bit to get through. Welcome to sickbay, what seems to be the forgotten world of shakedowns. There is a lot of equipment that has been dumped and needs to be put away, Nurse McDonald has made a start on that, so thank you. I would like the nurse to continue his work and lead the ordleries in clearing the triage area once weve finsished the tour” (Reply McDonald) “Shall we?” Gabe pointed to the door off the room they were in. (USS Exeter – Main sickbay– Medical Officer, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1101) Ryelle arrived in sickbay for the meeting of medical staff, and as he looked around at those assembling there were some familiar faces, and some new. The Chief Medical Officer was Dr. Gabriel Vesper, who was a 1/4 Bajoran, but unlike some of the other Human/Bajoran hybrids that were on the crew, Gabe's ridges were visible rather than subdermal. Then of course there was Dr. Poldan, the Trill. He had seen both of them in action over the course of the last year and they were both phenomenal doctors and was looking forward to continue working with them. Then of course there was the new comer. He had not had a chance to meet her yet, but just looking at the Orion officer, he could only describe the smile on her face as one, according to an old earth song, possessing a pocket full of sunshine. "Dr. Kyros reporting in as ordered sir." (reply Vesper) (reply Vesper, Med team) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter – Main sickbay– Medical Intern, Ens(jg) Lyssa Wakeman - 1102) Lyssa trembled slightly as she approached the room where the Medical staff meeting was being held. She quietly entered the room, seeing the diversity of the other medical staff, some of whom from peoples who not that long ago, would have never worked together. “Forgive Me Sirs, won’t happen again.” (reply Vesper, Med team.) (posted by Mark (SPC)) (USS Exeter - Sickbay - COUNS, Ens(sg) Jester Lavorre - 1103) “Good Morning Ensign Lavorre, ships counsellor yes?” the CMO replied in what seemed to be a rather sullen tone. "Correct on that one- Sir?" she winked at him and took a seat whilst waiting. “We’re just waiting for the rest of the medical staff to arrive, this is Nurse McDonald, he was in the wrong place at the right time so will be joining us, he was also the tempory liason to engineering for about 30 seconds.” Gabe laughed and so did she, happy to see the man had a sense of humor afterall. She continued laughing until realising everyone else had stopped and then cleared her throat. Not really understanding the joke either, hadn't have helped. "An absolute pleasure to meet YOU Nurse McDonald." (Reply McDonald iyw) (USS Exeter – CMO Office – COUNS, Ens(sg) Jester Lavorre – 1109) The CMO had given them a very brief tour through Sickbay and then lead them to his office, offering them drinks Jester turned and grabbed herself one following the mans lead. She then sat herself towards the back of the group so she could gain any insight into her new colleagues as they spoke and discussed shift patterns, workloads and generally met up for the first time. “Counsellor, I’ll let you work out your own schedule, but I would appreciate and update 0900hrs tomorrow where and what your plans are, I would also like to see you on a private matter 1800hrs this evening?” She smiled a big smile, nodded, "This is much appreciated! I MUST say, after listening to you all here and now, I'm extremely happy to be working with you all. This team is THE team." looking between each and everyone one of them, "as ships Counselor my hours will no doubt shift dependant on appointments. As they say, my door is always OPEN. Unless it is shut." and she winked. Leaving a little gap before continuing whilst pulling her padd to her, "I will book you in for 6pm now, Doctor." (Reply Vesper iyw) The meeting then continued for a brief amount of time before ending. (Reply any present) (Posted by Jono Bradley - Jestayre "Jester" Lavorre) (USS Exeter – Main Ward – CMO- Ens Gabe Vesper – 1105) “We are lucky in a way to be given an updated, more spacious sickbay than ships normally this size. As you enter you go into the main triage area, this is the ward more of a recovery area, its quieter better suited for recovery. Through that room is the main surgical area” He stepped aside to allow the officer to look “Through here and looping back to the main triage is the CMO office and through those doors are the labs, morgue and medical storage areas. You may notice the lay out is similar to the old Galaxy Class design, a little more compact but more spacious than the current designs. Now, to business” Gabe said as he lead the team into the office to be free of the mess (USS Exeter – CMO Office – CMO – Ens Gabe Vesper – 1107) “Help yourselves to drinks, we’re gonna need it” he said getting himself a peach tea. “on board are about 400 officers all transferring across the next few days, Utopia crews will start to depart hopefully soon. We need to complete their medicals, check the records are up to date; any officer transferring onto the ship needs their medical done prior to departure. Nobody likes them I know, but this will be quick and simple, a mere walk in the park, everyone should be within their timeframes so wont need a full physical. I would like to kick them off tomorrow at 0800 hours Dr Poldan, if you could arrange to break down the crew so we all have a manageable workload?” (Reply Poldan) “Thank you, Nurse McDonald, you have until 0600 tomorrow to have the equipment, triage and ward cleared away. You can use the auxiliary rooms for storage and working areas if you need.” (Reply McDonald) “Dr Ryelle and Intern Wakeman. It appears that the emergency med kits have arrived on the ship but were too late to be fitted. I need you both to work with a team and ensure they go to the correct places, you’ll find them somewhere I cant impress on you the importance of need to make sure each of the 23 decks have medkits. Starfleet and the Federation being what it is now we will no doubt have some trouble to run into.” (Reply Ryelle and Wakeman) “Counsellor, I’ll let you work out your own schedule, but I would appreciate and update 0900hrs tomorrow where and what your plans are, I would also like to see you on a private matter 1800hrs this evening?” (Reply Lavorre) Nrpg: room for more RPG: “Very well, I will be down in operations and Engineering kicking a stink up since the two medical consoles havnt been fitted, we’re to have one in each ward, and there is a list as long as my arm of stuff not completed. Any questions?” (Reply any) Vesper sipped his tea (Reply Lavorre, McDonalds, Poldan, Ryelle, Wakeman, any) (Posted by Mat) (USS Exeter – Deck 13- operations department – COO - Lieutenant Ravok Shara – 1114) Once everyone arrived Ravok began to speak. "Hello Everyone, I am your Chief Operations officer. I wanted to welcome each of you here and also discuss how I plan on running the department." He looked down at his PADD in front of him. " We will operate on a Three shift rotation, Alpha shit begins at 0800 and will run until 1600. Beta shift will begin at 1600 and run until 2400, Gamma shift will begin at the end of Beta shift and run until 0800" He looked up. " Ensign M'Rurrh you will lead Beta shift with Master chief petty officer Brown. Ensign Foster you will lead Gamma shift with Ensign Page as your support. " Ravok swiped a few times on his PADD " Petty officer 3rd class Kervik, you are a part of the operations department but you have been assigned as comm ops. You will have a team of 4 people within the communications branch of this department use them wisely." He paused a drew a breath. " We have enough coverage in the department , that everyone gets two consecutive days off. So thats five days on two days off. These off days are subject to disruption if the need for staffing of stations arises during yellow and red alert situations. I will be available around the clock. If there are any questions, you are always welcome. I will always be a slap of your commbadge away. ( reply any, all in ops) ( posted by davis) (USS Exeter – Deck 13- operations department – Ensign Rylee Page – 1116) "Hello Everyone, I am your Chief Operations officer. I wanted to welcome each of you here and also discuss how I plan on running the department. We will operate on a Three shift rotation, Alpha shit begins at 0800 and will run until 1600. Beta shift will begin at 1600 and run until 2400, Gamma shift will begin at the end of Beta shift and run until 0800. Ensign M'Rurrh you will lead Beta shift with Master chief petty officer Brown. Ensign Foster you will lead Gamma shift with Ensign Page as your support. Petty officer 3rd class Kervik, you are a part of the operations department but you have been assigned as comm ops. You will have a team of 4 people within the communications branch of this department use them wisely. We have enough coverage in the department that everyone gets two consecutive days off. So thats five days on two days off. These off days are subject to disruption if the need for staffing of stations arises during yellow and red alert situations. I will be available around the clock. If there are any questions, you are always welcome. I will always be a slap of your combadge away.” Rylee listened carefully to the details being given and felt an immediate sense of pride. Knowing that she was one of the few Trill that had joined Starfleet since they had rejoined the Federation, she was proud. As the meeting disbanded, she walked over to Ensign Foster, “Sir?” (Reply Foster) “Ensign Rylee Page, Sir.” (Reply) “I am happy to work wherever you wish me to Sir.” ( reply Foster, any) ( posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Assistant Chief Flight Officer, Ensign Senior Grade Ronnie Winters - 11:30) Ronnie was excited. Since she was a little girl growing up with her grandmother, the prospects of soaring the galaxy on a Starship was always something she had dreamed of. But the stories of the Starfleet that her grandmother had shared with her, and the one that the grew up with were almost two different entities. Yet here she was on the Exeter, mere days away from going of to try and recapture the spirit of the Starfleet of her grandma's stories. She was excited. She liked being a flight officer in the fighter squadron, it was a lot of fun and led to a fulfilling career. But the thought of being out in Space, zooming across the whole galaxy, that to her, was more exciting. Besides she was following her boss, Trip, so it wasn't to big of an adjustment. She had really enjoyed working with him. So of course when he asked her to join the Exeter crew, she was going to. They were the same age, but she was often mesmerized by the fatherly concern he showed to his crew, his friends, and the fighter wing. The part of Trip's personality that Ravok had dubbed, "papa Trip". Walking into the shuttle bay she approached Ire. "Reporting in as ordered sir." (reply Ire) (reply Ire, Isra) (posted by Will) (Sickbay: - 11:30) Walking into sickbay was like walking into chaos as people rushed everywhere, nurses carrying bundles of bedding, doctors carrying equipment, crewman generally getting in the way and getting things done. Walking round the edges keeping out of the way Sleeford made his way to the CMOs office. Poking his head round the door frame Sleeford called out. "Anyone home" (Reply Vespers) "Came for my medical, get it over with, so to speak" (Reply Vespers) Sitting on the edge of the bed Sleeford waited for the examination to begin. (Reply Vespers) (Posted by Alistair) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – CFO – Lieutenant JG – Ire William - 11:34) Ire looked at Winters and Tiar as they both entered the shuttle bay. He paused gathering his thoughts before he started. “Thank you both of coming. I know that you are both busy, so I will not keep you long. I just wanted to gather you both here as you are the senior members of flight ops and introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Ire Williams the Exeter’s new Chief Flight Officer and I wanted to have a quick chat with both of you before we get the Exeter ready to fly.” “Okay we will be operating a three shift rotation, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Alpha shift will be from 0800 to 1600, Beta shift will be from 1600 to 2400 and Gamma will be from 2400 to 0800.” He looked at Winters. “I will be on alpha shift with Ensign Winter as the assistant flight officer will take Beta and Gamma will be run by one of the Ensigns.” He looked over at Tiar. “Ensign Tiar as our Shuttle bay officer you will have flexibility in which shift you want to place yourself as the shuttle bays and their maintenance staff will be under your authority.” “Over the next few days as we get ready to depart, we will be getting the department up to scratch. We will be getting the flight ops staff allocated and the rosters sorted. As well as running familiarisation scenarios for flight crews for the Exeter we will also be getting as the shuttle bay crews and maintenance staff. Once we are settled in the next day or so it would be good to get our heads together and get something hashed out.” “I also have an open-door policy so if you have any problems or queries then please don’t hesitate to come and see me anytime.” He paused hoping he had not rushed it too much. “I may be the Lieutenant in charge of Flight Ops but I am not running this as a dictatorship and I am not infallible. I will need your help to get us ready for launch. I want and need your views and options, so if you both have any questions or suggestion please ask?” (Reply Winters, Tiar) (Reply Winters, Tiar, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Exeter – Main Shuttle Bay – Shuttle Bay Officer - Ensign JG – Isra Tiar -11.40) Isra ran into the shuttle bay, having just gotten notice of the meeting. She ran up out of breath but remained silent as the Lieutenant spoke. She nodded as he spoke to show that she understood and acknowledge her new duties. "Yes Sir, I understand." She shook her head at his last question. "No Sir, none here, .... yet." (reply Ira) (Posted by Kathleen (SPC)) (Mars Base - Arboretum - Exeter CO Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Illuminar FO Sienna Williams-Verin - 12:30) “I knew I’d find you here.” Trip said as he walked into the arboretum and walked towards his sister. “Do you have a moment?” he asked. She froze, her hands in the dirt. She had not felt him. She had been shielding that hard and she always felt him before. "I do. Several as a matter of fact. I was digging up some things I wanted moved, this is a research arboretum rather than a pleasure one," A single tear rolled down her cheek unbidden. Trip walked over to her, and taking out a handkerchief wiped the tear from her eye. He didn’t say a word about it. “I just wanted to see how you were doing, see if you wanted to get dinner or something before things pick up. Just the two of us, if you want?” "I don't know what I want. Other than to go back and change it all. To try and figure out what happened with Trill. It was like I disappeared into a dark hole with the research and became obsessed. When the papers were published and Mom helped me stomp on the politics to get the meds TO Trill… I came back up and instead of everything being the same it had changed and I did not really know what to do." She potted the culinary herb starters she was separating into the two rectangular shallow trays. "One is for you. Maybe someone there can plant them for you, I will let you know when I have them split." She wiped her very dirty hands off on a rag. And just stood there. Not sure. Trip approached his sister and pulled her into a big hug. “I’m sorry.” he said in a soft tone. “I didn’t make things easy for you did I.” Sy did not pull back from the hug, she just froze, as if confused. “I talked to Dad a little bit earlier, and he ummm, he helped me sort of figure it out. I’m sorry. I never, never really looked at things from your perspective. And I never really saw or understood how hard I must have made things for you.” "You have what you most want though." She said in a very tiny, scared little girl voice that spoke of night terrors and worst fears. “Not everything I want.” Trip said as he placed his hand on the back of her head like he used to do when they were younger and she was scared. “Life without you, isn’t full. But no matter where I go, wherever you go, I want to make sure you know I’ll be there.” Trip paused, “I never….. I never….” He was struggling to find the words. “I’ve always been more independent, but, I never thought we would drift, and I guess for my part in that I’m sorry Sienna. And I don’t want us to have our careers take us to different places without, without letting you know how much...how much I care about my sister.” Trip pulled away to wipe away a tear. “Sorry dust in my eye.” He said lying. She continued to look down, dropping her shields for just a fraction of a second to see how utterly fractured her heart was with the way things were with Lynn. She let him see how bad the relationship with Ash had itched at her emotions until she had put enough distance in place to dull it. She tried very hard not to let him see other things, but flashes were there. Sy had her first major relationship fail at the same time her twin was finding his life partner apparently. There were other things she did not say, doubts that haunted her in the dark. But under it all was a beautiful, piercing unbreakable love for Trip. "You know what I want the most? Right now, this second? I want to go home." That last word was a soft wail that was barely heard. "Why don't children ever appreciate the amazement of a childhood home until it is gone?" “Because, when you're a kid, all you can think about, is growing up as fast as possible.” He said, still reeling from the flood of her emotions. He hadn’t felt her that clearly in a long time, at least since before the wedding. “And when you’re an adult, or start to become one, and you enter into that world. You realize that you wish you would have had more time as a kid, more time to play. More time to just have a simple life, with minimal burden. We never really appreciated what he had until….” he paused. He felt a wave of emotion, not from his sister, but his. He had to sit down on a small nearby bench. “ We don’t appreciate what we have until it is about to slip through our fingers.” She brushed back a strand of her hair, smearing dirt on her face. Taking a look at Trip she entered into the small break room and returned with one of the energy chasers the science interns were tinkering with, the latest fad a fizzy blue flavor, if you could taste a color. She tossed one of the shot size bottles to him before moving back to sit beside him. There was something deeper under it all, and Trip both had enough psych and knew his Sister well enough to guess. But she needed to say it, and realize how baseless that ridiculous fear was. She twisted the cap off her shot and downed it, wrinkling her nose at the intensity of the flavor and how quickly she was beginning to perk up. She was tired under it all. So she tried changing the subject "I got caught up in the Illuminar's flight trials. It was the most exhausting month I had since I boxed the first thousand vaccine doses and the most at risk symbionts… And I told some people, but it was not natural. There is very little way it could have been. Sekal wont tell me where or what we are doing but my very human intuition says it is going to be rough." “Yeah, I’m not quite sure on my orders either. I’ve got a meeting at HQ, but they haven’t scheduled it yet. I’m sure he’ll let you know as soon as he can,” Trip paused. “Tell me more about the virus, we haven’t really talked about it much.” She paused, "I can't beyond what is public. But I am positive it was deliberately created. Other more important, better credentialed scientists are saying no, but would the government want the truth out there? Trill philosophy is a little different than ours, in that the symbionts are much more important than the hosts, they hold the legacy, and destroying the symbionts… that basically will destroy Trill's history and culture. But we averted it, thank the Goddess." She sighed again, haunted and tired, not at all herself, but she had not been for several months. “Good…I’m glad.” Trip said as he finished the drink his sister had given him. “Listen Sy, ummm. I guess I didn’t think I had to say it but, look the reason why I didn’t offer you a spot on the Exeter was I heard that you were going to be offered the spot on the Illuminar and I didn’t want you to turn it down, I didn’t want to get in the way of your career…. And I couldn’t…. I know it probably hurt, picking Lynn over you as my first officer, but I couldn’t.” He paused to get the strength to finish his thought, “Idiotic promise aside, I have to be able to send any member of my crew into danger, into the unknown, to their potential death. I can do that was Ravok, I can do that with Ire, as much as it would pain me forever, I could do that with Lynn. I could never do that with you. I don’t think I am capable of putting you in a situation where you could be seriously hurt or die. I’d be emotionally compromised before I could even make that call. You’re my sister and I’m not strong enough to make that call.” Something a little bit lost passed over her features before they shuttered again, as if her emotions were too painful to be born. “If that is what you are telling yourself. It doesn’t matter. You got what you wanted. It was always Lynn that you picked in the games. I knew then that you loved me and that I was the other part of you. Now… Now I don’t know anything. There was not anyone else you could have picked that would have hurt me more. I don’t know where we go from here, James. I finish potting the herbs for meals I won’t have anymore. And I don’t think you understand… I have nothing in my life now when a little over a year ago I had everything. I’m not you. I didn’t want to be running a ship before I was 25. I wanted nights like the first night we really got here on Mars and Lynn, you and I were performing for the crowd, singing and music. I wanted picnics where we all - including Ash- had time to get to know each other. I desperately wanted to be included in your decision making. I didn’t want what happened. I didn’t want to have everything I loved and cared about just disappear in a blaze. I didn’t want to not be Mom so bad that I turned into her. I just… I don’t know anymore. You tried. I tried. It wasn’t enough on either side. Maybe we can rebuild it. Maybe the first step is to ask me what I want to do. You came here wanting to go have lunch just the two of us, right? Where did you have in mind?” She bit her bottom lip and looked back down at the herbs she needed to finish potting. Trip sighed, he heard what she was saying, but it took a lot to keep his internal monologue to himself. In his mind she was being selfish, but he didn’t know best how to approach it, he knew what he said next would either make things better or worse. But to him, the thought that she had nothing in her life, that he couldn’t move forward with his life upset him. He wasn’t trying to replace her. “Look,” he said as he stood up, clenching his fists in frustration as he tried to think about what to say next. “I understand that you wished you would have more time, but we always knew this would happen, we always knew we’d be separated by the fleet. It didn’t happen after the academy, but its happening now, and it's ok. We will always be a team, but I can’t always be with you everyday, every second. We are twins, but we are also two independent people, with different wants and desires. I always tried my best to include you. But even from the moment we got to Mars, we were being pulled in different directions, different paths. It's part of growing up, part of life. I never tried to get rid of you Sy, never tried to leave you out, but…. It’s selfish to think that I have to go at your pace, at your comfort. Yes, I’m married, but that doesn’t change who you are to me, or relationship. And yes, picking Ailynn hurt, and I’m sorry, but I needed someone in that position that I could trust, who knows what I am thinking, who can anticipate my orders. And since it obviously can’t be you, she was the best choice. I’m sorry for that. But you have also grown, and you will realize that. You’ve come into your own, your science brilliance is known, you are the first officer of a brand new science vessel. You have more than you realise. And I know, I know, we’re not going to be in the same physical proximity anymore, but how many times do I need to tell you that no matter what, I’m still going to be around. But Sy, everything you said was I, I, I, Me, Me, Me. I love you Sy, I do. But I’m not a possession.” She stared at him for a very, very long moment. “We both made mistakes Trip. And maybe mine are worse right now. I love you too. But I can’t be where you are with Ash.” She swallowed hard. “I tried to shield, I did. I went to the Counselor. The only thing that helped was distance and town from base, then even that wasn’t enough. The ship was almost enough most of the time with me shielding hard. I never had that happen with you and … others. Ever. And it hurt. It hurt when Lynn … her Mom’s going to lose her mind when she hears that Lynn’s your FO, you know that? But…” Sy shook her head again as if it really hurt her. “I don’t know.” She whispered after another moment. “I want to rewind.” “But that's the thing, Sy, it’s not like I can just put my life on hold until you are ready. It’s not fair to me, and what if you were never ready? This was going to happen eventually. And I’m sorry that me finding someone to share my life with hurt you rather than you being happy for me. But look, I’m going to be here for you no matter what, so when you’re ready, I’ll be there. As for Miss Aimee and Lynn, she’ll come around eventually. We all have an idea of what we think our lives and the lives of those we love should follow, but life doesn't always do what we want.” He sighed, “Look, I don’t want to make this any worse than it is, and I will give you whatever you need to feel comfortable with this. I’m not going away from your life, and neither is Ashlyn. Both of us want to be there for you. When you are ready. I get that you need more time to be ok with everything, but I hope in time you can get to a point where you can be happy for me. I’m proud of you and I love you.” Looking at her he placed his hand on her shoulder. “I am still open for lunch, but I can understand if you’d rather be alone right now.” “Would rather you got down here and helped me separate these herbs.” She whispered. “I hope your wife is a better gardener than you are.” “I don’t know if anyone can be a worse gardener than me.” He said with an awkward laugh. “I kinda expected you to ask me how the trials went. But maybe you didn’t know. Sekal sent me out with the Illuminar for the space trials.” She said that last bit quite shyly. “I didn’t know.” he said, “I really only found out about the ships recently, I wasn’t involved in the Exeter shake down cruise. As they told me, we didn’t want to take you away from the fighter wing until there was a succession plan in place.” He paused, “How did the trials go?” “Well,” Sy said and lowered her voice mischievously almost to the timbre of the voice their Father used, and in almost perfect imitation of Duke, “She flies.” Sy held her breath for a second and then just burst into laughter. She had their Dad almost down pat. “I loved the trials. They were difficult, especially the exhaustive testing that the Illuminar needed for the new systems and drive. She’s sleek and she will fly.” This was the most relaxed and like herself that he had seen Sienna for months. “The integration with Luma is going well too. We had to do the trials without her, but with the Illuminar, it means the Mystique can really be retired as she should be.” Sienna put her hands back in the dirt, “Do you want all the forms of basil that we have?” The dirt seemed to do something to his sister, it always had. It grounded her and kept her stable. “If you don’t mind. I’ve been tinkering with my pesto sauce, but it doesn’t really taste the same without your basil.” Trip said with a smile. “I’m glad that Trials went well and that Luma is integrating securely.” “I truly do not mind.” Sienna easily sifted the different forms and wrapped the seedlings in a cottony fabric. From experience Trip knew to dampen those but not get them wet, and to keep them damp until the seedlings were planted. “I’m kind of jealous.” He said with a laugh, “The Exeter was completed before the Illuminar and did all her trials before they knew for certain I was going to be the CO, I didn’t get to do any of that. I bet it was a lot of fun, taking a brand new ship out, and testing her limits. Like training a new puppy.” “We built inset panels by the turbolifts on each deck. For roses. They will be self sufficient and glassed and we will be bringing an expert along and roses from over fourty different worlds. For Luma.” Sienna smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. “Are you relieved she is not on the Exeter? I liked that we could deal with the integration issues she had with the Mystique from the ground up. She’s got improved sensor function.” “Relieved wouldn't be the right word. I never understood Luma, not in the way you did. So not relieved that she’s not on the Exeter, but more relieved that she is on the Illuminar, where she can be free to continue to learn, with those she is closest to. It’s a good situation for her. So in that sense I am relieved.” “Sy,” he said as he began rubbing his hands together to get some of the dirt off so they wouldn’t get too caked with dirt. “Ash and I would love to have you over dinner, one last time before we depart. I know, I know, you want your space. But I need to at least offer.” Sienna sat back on her haunches as she looked up at him, “It isn’t that. It’s that I don’t know or trust what I feel right now. I feel like Trill was where it all began to go very wrong. Lynn discovered her long lost half Aunt, you fell for her, and you fell hard. And Lynn started to drift away… Or maybe that I perceived it that way. I don’t know. Lynn is without a doubt my Imzadi. But is she my life partner? I don’t know. I hope so. I hope we cycle back to each other Trip. But it all hurts so terribly.” Sienna looked up at him and unshielded completely, then guided her brother towards where the Imzadi bond was and it was razor sharp, jagged and not at all healthy. It was obvious why Sienna was in such absolute pain. “Please don’t tell her.” She whispered. “If she’s functioning better than me, then I am glad.” He did not need to know how little sleep she was truly getting. “I know Sy, trust me. I know better than you think. Which is why I hope you get to a place where you feel like you can talk to me about this. It takes time to heal, but it will in time. And don’t worry I wont share any of this with Lynn. Your feelings are between you and me.” She nodded and then leaned against him. She needed her older by a few minutes brother. “But if the offer for food is there, I would not mind some of your double chocolate pancakes. What I really want… I want to get back home Trip. I want to sit at Dad’s feet and lay my head on his knee. I want to cry on my Daddy’s shoulder. I want Mom to make everything better with her fussing. I want the kids to run around like crazy and shove drawings in my face and make me recite the periodic table in two languages for their homework. Speaking of…” Sienna looked over, “Is it true Rissa, the Tiburonian sweet pain is going to be on your ship? Dad mentioned it in a line in his last communique. I don’t know whether to congratulate you or feel sorry for you. I saw that she’d settled a lot at the wedding and wasn’t all sharp thorns anymore.” “Yeah, her and another cadet will be interning on the Exeter. I set up a meeting with her later to set up some boundaries, but also to make sure she feels welcome. I think she will do well. Hopefully she learns a lot from Lt. Merek. She can be a bit intense at times, but she’s a good person for Rissa to learn from.” “I hope… I should let Rissa know she can contact me too. Some things it might be easier to talk to a girl about.” She finished packaging the plants, “You should have these moved. Or I can get a crewman to do it.” “Probably best to get a crewman to do it. There is a lot of paperwork that needs to get done.” He paused. “Sy, maybe you should go home. You’ve done a lot of work on the Illuminar already, maybe Sekal will give you a day off to go home and spend time with them. If there is one thing I know to be true, no matter how far you go in life, home will always be a place you can go back to.” She looked up, “Would you come too? If so, I’ll ask him. If not, maybe I’ll still ask him. Or maybe mom and dad can get up here for a few hours.” “I don’t know if I can take any time off to go to Earth. There is a lot that needs to be done, and I need to be around, ya know.. But you should totally take advantage of the opportunity. If it’s what you need, you need to go for it.” She nodded. And gave it thought. “It get easier in time you know…” Trip said with a brotherly smile. “Being away from your Imzadi, not having them around, having to live in a world without them…. It’s hard, but time heals.” he paused, “And I will be here to talk about it, and so are mom and dad. I don’t get over Rae without you, My heart isn’t ready to be made whole by Ash without you. And if I need to, I will return the favor.” “I won’t be a stranger. I just… I can’t handle the sense of your forming bond while mine is being jaggedly destroyed. I need the space.” She looked down, then moved, and began to pick strawberries for him to take as well, giving her hands something mindless to do. “Surprisingly Sekal hasn’t pried, and has done me many small kindnesses like prioritizing my quarters over his when the ship was being built.” She looked up as another tear escaped. “Maybe once everything settles it will be easier. Time like you said. I love you.” She was beginning to close down again, trying to compartmentalize her pain and personal issues from her professional. Trip walked over to her and embraced her in a giant hug. “Hey, sis” he said, holding her as close as he could. “I can feel what you are trying to do. Don’t bury your feelings. It’s important to find someone you trust over there that you can talk to and process. But sometimes, when you buy things, it can linger until it boils over and explodes. You need people in your lives you can talk with, cry with, have a beer with, and cry in your beer with. I hope you can find someone like that on the Illuminar.” She smiled shyly at him, “Maybe if I can get some Betazoid mead.” She said with a nod, “But I’ll try.” She looked down at her dirty hands, sinking them back into the earth “I expect at least weekly letters. I might write you every day.” She sighed. “You’re going to be ok, we’re going to be ok. And Ash really likes you.” Sienna seemed disbelieving at that notion. “It’s all going to be ok. And I mean let’s be real. We’ve just made history.” She now was confused. “I’m a commanding officer, you’re a first officer, and we’re both only 23. The skies the limit for us sis, we may be separated by quadrants of space, but we will always be together, and together we are unstoppable.” She laid her head on his shoulder again. He was right, they were together. (reply none) (posted by Will and Mel) (USS Exeter - Deck 8 - CTO Office - Chief Tactical Officer Ensign Dareshaa - 1300) As if she was gliding Dareshaa stepped into her office which was positioned in the back of the main tactical hub on Deck 8. One could not simply reach the CTO by an exterior door, but rather would have to interact with the front desk first and allowed into the facility behind it. The facility consisted of more than just offices, but access ways to brigs, writing stations, training facilities and other rooms necessary for tactical. The bright lights of her office annoyed her. "Computer, turn down lights to 50% and change light temperature to 2000K." The computer complied as expected. Dareshaa immediately felt better in the space. As of now her office had none of her personal touches, but that would change in time. But for now she walked behind her desk and sat. Reaching, she tapped on her terminal which was embedded into her desk. In her soft yet no doubt serious tone she spoke. "Chief Tactical Officer Dareshaa to all senior tactical officers. Your presence is requested at 0900 in the Main Tactical Briefing Room on Deck 8 tomorrow." (reply Senior Tactical Officers) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Exeter - Ready Room - CO Lt. Commander Trip Williams and Engineering Intern Acting Ensign JG Rissa Williams - 15:00) Rissa had just reported to her quarters to drop off her two regulation duffel bags of belongings when she had received the message to report to the Commander’s Ready Room on the Bridge. Of course Rissa knew that the Commander of the Exeter was her foster-brother, Trip Williams. She had been lucky that her final foster placement was the Williams’ ranch in Texas. She had been lucky that she had a fantastic social worker who knew Sophie Williams-Verin and that she took on the difficult cases. Rissa snickered to herself that she was certainly a difficult case. The Ranch was a place full of animals, people, children and a Clan of mostly human people that before she had met them Rissa would have thought existed only in a novel. She hadn’t been that nice when she landed on their doorstep would a duffel bag of broken dreams. Bur Sophie was a Betazoid, otherwise known as the nosiest race of do-gooders to walk the planet. Sophie had made it clear that the reason Rissa had landed on their doorstep was her engineering aptitude and that it was not going to be lost due to poor decisions. Sophie had kept Rissa in the ranch house all through the rest of her very abridged high school career. Duke Williams was the most renowned engineer of his generation and he was a patient and caring man where children were concerned. Rissa only had a few months of meeting the twins, and only one meeting with the older girl from Sophie’s first marriage. And then other children cycled into and out of the Rance until the Incident, and they got four permanent additions. Adorable additions that wormed their way into Rissa’s previously uncaring heart. The pearlescent greened skinned Tiburonian tugged her tunic straight as the turbolift she had been reminiscing ended the journey at the bridge. Taking a moment to stare at the ship that she had before only seen in diagrams and engineering problems at the Ranch’s kitchen table, she remembered the call. A few steps towards the ready room and she toggled the sound, frowning when she did not hear the sound from the outside and was curious if it needed a repair. “Come in,” Trip said. He expected his next appointment. He didn’t know Rissa very well, but he knew his parents were both very fond of her. He knew she was desperately seeking a home, a clan, a place of belonging. He knew it was important to set some boundaries but also make sure she knew she was welcome. “Have a seat Rissa.” Rissa looked around his ready room, smiling a little bit when she saw the hologram of his wedding. She had attended as part of the Clan. She took the indicated seat and nervously crossed her ankles under the desk. “Listen, I wanted to have a chat with you real quick before things got away from me. First I just wanted to let you know that I am very happy to have you here. Dad thinks you will flourish here. I’ll have a full briefing with you and your roommate in a day or two, especially as it concerns your academic requirements. But that can wait.” Rissa’s dark eyes looked into Trip’s for a moment, “Master Duke,” She spoke of his Father as the head of this branch of the Williams Clan, “Has been very kind to offer me this opportunity. And to you for providing it.” Her white teeth shined against the pearly skin. “First off, there is a sense of familiarity between us, a family bond and connection, and that is very important. But when on duty, when I’m on the bridge, when I’m wearing the uniform, I’m not your foster brother, I’m your CO, I’m the Captain. Is that understood.” Rissa’s smile disappeared. She had known this talk was coming. “I understand, Sir. The Captain is always the Captain, even when he is not. I know my place in the Clan, Sir. And I will bring honor to you, and in reflection to Master Duke.” Tiburonian Clan structure made little sense and the poor girl was trying to make sense out of the joyful chaos of the Williams Clan. “With that being said, you are family, at least in my eyes, and I know that you are desperately looking for your tribe. So after hours, I just want you to know that my door and my wife’s door are always open to you, whatever you need. Ash and I are there for you, no matter what.” Her jaw just literally dropped when he said that. “You are my Clan brother in truth?” She spoke carefully. “Master Duke said that you were but…” Her voice dropped off in surprise and good tears appeared in her eyes. “Of course that also means a family dinner once a week, if that is ok with you?” Rissa looked up, “Do you have the knowledge to replicate Clan Mistress Sophie’s sunday deep friended chicken?” She had never managed to call it fried, and Sophie had declared that with the number of people who ate it, it may as well be Friend Chicken. “Yes, I can make her friend chicken, and I can make my father’s cookies, and of course my own recipes. And yes for the family dinner, everything is made from scratch.” Her knowledge of standard had her blinking for a moment as if searching for the meaning of that word, “Ah, non-replicated. Clan-Brother, many aboard will expect a favoritism from you, or attempt to use me to get that from you. I do not know my judgement of humans is perfected.” Her accent had grown a lot less in the academy as she worked with a dedicated speech therapist to minimize what could be a distinct handicap for her. “I know that in a Tiburonian ship that those favors would be expected or I would be beaten.” She whispered that last little bit, “Clan Master Duke says that if any bring pressure upon me that I am to report it to you, but in the Academy that is referred to as snitching, and it is a bad thing to be? I am unsure…” She sighed. “If you feel you need to, then you can always come to me. But this is Starfleet, if they don’t understand no means no, and they pressure you into anything, then I need to, because that is inappropriate and they should be disciplined. Yes you will be an acting ensign, but you are still a cadet, and they just teach you, not take advantage of you.” Trip paused. “And your tribe isn’t just Ashlyn and I, I will be bringing my dog Layla with me, and you are welcome to play with her whenever you like.” Her eyes lit up at that, literally lit up. “Clan Brother to take solace in your spirit animal would be a pleasure above few others, not even the Clan Mistress’ triple chocolate brownies.” “And I can make those too. And I know Layla will be happy to have more people to play with.” He smiled again. “The tribe and the clan is very important for your culture, and as you bear the Williams name, my clan is your clan. We are here for you Rissa. Now do you have any more questions for me?” Shyly she reached into her pocket and took out the box Duke had given her. It was a jewelry box with two pendants. The W of their name, a Starfleet arrow below, in a circle. “Clan Master Duke told me to give you these, Clan Brother. He had them created. They are for you and your Lady.” She was still shy as she showed him the one on a platinum chain Duke had given her. “The Clan Master said we were a Clan in spirit, before? Now we are one in truth. There is a gem, ah… chip. For the computer to create one for your cousin. He is having one sent to Clan Sister Sienna, although he gave the impression of wanting to speak with her.” Rissa cast her garm, jewel-like eyes down, “Clan Brother, I feel so lost even now within your culture. The Clan Master desires that I continue my counseling sessions.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust. And like any twenty-ish year old, tried to get something out of an elder sibling, “Perhaps you could override?” She asked, a quirky half smile as she already knew what the answer would be. “Now, now, I wish I could. I really do. But while he’s my dad, he’s also the Academy CO, and he made that request in the file as Academy CO, and I can’t do that. It would also be inappropriate for me to do that. But going to the counselor is nothing to be afraid of. But if it helps, I’ll let you in on a secret.” She sighed, but he had that tone to his voice that their adopted brother Declan would sometimes get, “If it is not a problem to divulge?” She did not always understand human teasing. “I go to a counselor once a month to talk about stress and anxiety, for guidance and comfort. So you aren’t alone. I have to go see the counselor too. And you’ll like our new counselor, Jester. She’s very happy and friendly, not scary in the least.” Rissa had a lot of experience with counselors through her years, “It is considered rude to doubt a Clan sibling, but … would it be wrong to ask you to accompany me to meet her?” For all her academic accomplishments, she was still a lost barely twenty. “I will make the introduction. I would want any of my crew to feel comfortable with the counselor and if this is something you need to feel comfortable, I will. But, after that, I can’t go into the meetings, but I can be there to make the first introduction.” She smiled lightly at that, “Yes, Clan-Sib. I will endeavor to understand and keep the appropriate boundaries between us.” “You will do well here, and learn here, but I can’t hold your hand. You are an acting ensign JG, and I expect you to comport yourself in that way. So I expect you to treat your counseling with seriousness. But that doesn’t mean that on rough days, there might not be a plate of cookies in your quarters for afterwards. You know, to share.” He said with a wink. She quirked an eyebrow at that, “And Clan Master Duke did not? Or the Clan Patriarch? But I understand. I will do my best as I said to bring honor to the Clan...and in the human concept for the Clan Mistress to be proud of me.” She whispered that last word, she obviously admired Sophie. “I do not know if it is wise for me to seek out the Lady Lt. Merek or if I should wait to be summoned by her.” Subtleties of human culture still eluded her. “I don’t think it would hurt to pop in and say hello.” Trip looked down at his console and saw the time. “Unfortunately, I have to cut our meeting here.” Trip then stood and stretched out his arms for a hug. Quickly standing she stretched as she had seen other humans do and took the offered hug. “From my Clan Sibling, not my Captain.” She whispered to him. “Yes from your clan sibling.” Trip then released the hug. “But as your captain now, Acting Ensign, you are dismissed.” She kissed his cheek softly before leaving. She stopped at the door, closed her eyes, took a very deep breath and then exhaled it after five seconds before leaving his ready room. Trip smiled as she left. “I hope she can find her place here. She has a lot to offer as long as he can find where she belongs.” (reply none) (posted by Will and Mel) vational Viewing Lounge - Engineering Intern Acting Ensign JG Rissa Williams - 16:30) Rissa had left the meeting with her Clan-Sib/Captain and had gone to one of the many observational lounges to stand and stargaze and think. She pulled out the small Williams Clan 'crest' she had been given by Duke and thought. She was blessed, she knew that. It was a human concept that she really did not understand. Sophie had tried to explain it to her in the several years that Sophie had gently molded and taught and sanded the prickly thorns from Rissa's edges. Duke had helped. The meeting with her Clan Sib had surprised her. She had not expected that Trip Williams would obey the edicts of the Clan Master and the Clan Patriarch and treat her as a full Clan Sib. But he had and he said he would do so. She worried the stylized crest between her fingers as she thought. She hoped that she could put the spectacular knowledge that she had of this ship to use. But first she needed to find her Senior Officer, the Lady Lt. Merek. So she hit the comm badge, "Lt. Merek, this is Ensign Williams, your engineering intern. If it would please you, when should I report in to you to review the academic requirements and responsibilities?"