ILLUMINARRPG: (7- 1800) Dr. Julian Penn and Dr. Teller and CO Captain Sekal

[Al Muir]

Mission:  Death in the Shadows

Day: 7

Stardate:2446.02.07


(USS Illuminar- Deck 1 - Bridge - Science Officers  - Dr. Julian Penn and Dr. Teller and CO Captain Sekal - 1800)


When Penn and Teller stepped onto the bridge they were both mesmerized by the sights and sounds around them.  Penn separated from his partner and immediately went to the science station.  He looked at what the officer monitoring the station was looking at.  He nodded and took a deep breath from the new and improved atmosphere breather he had invented and implanted in his nasal passages.  It avoided the awkwardness of the larger apparatus that was standard for off-Benzar travel.


“This is a very interesting energy modulation that you are using,” the Benzite offered, “have you considered…”


The look from the officer stopped him as he realized that nobody on the bridge knew who he was.  He realized that he had broached a protocol and stepped back.  “Forgive, I forget myself sometimes.  Dr. Gaillus Penn, at your service.”  He bowed slightly as a rather ominous looking Klingon stepped up behind him.


Penn smiled at the Klingon, “Ah, the local constabulary force.”


Teller, the Tamarian, looked at the klingon, “Barny Fife with a bullet?”


Penn shook his head, “Andy Taylor without a weapon.”


Teller nodded, looking at the Klingon again, “Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Rai of Lowani. Lowani under two moons. Jiri of Ubaya. Ubaya of crossroads, at Lungha. Lungha, her sky gray,” he said to the Klingon. Across his body was a sash with various colored holes and strange ornaments buttoned to it. A sheath with what looked like the handle of a knife was slung low, suggesting the Tamarian was left-handed.


The Klingon growled at the use of a near incomprehensible language, which of course, it was.  Penn put a hand on the Klingon’s shoulder.


“My friend is simply saying greetings,” he translated.


The Klingon grimaced, “Then why didn’t he say so?”


Now it was Penn’s turn to look stunned, “I believe that is what he just did.”


The Klingon shook his maned head. "You are here to see Captain Sekal?"


“Indeed we are my good Klingon,” Penn said, trying to be jovial with the dour being.


The Klingon’s eyes narrowed, “Your weapon, give it to me.” He held out a huge hand.


Penn looked at Teller, and they both looked confused, “Weapon?”


“Your friend carries a knife,” the Klingon pointed out.  “You may not take it into the Captain’s Ready Room and if you try I will escort you to Security.”


“Ahhhh,” Penn suddenly understood, “good luck.”  He turned to Teller, “Temba, his hands are open.”


Teller raised his eyebrow, looked at the Klingon and back at his partner.  “Zima at Anzo. Zima and Bakor?”


Penn shrugged his shoulders at his friend and turned back to the Klingon, “My friend presents no danger to you or your captain.  The knife is ceremonial by nature.  What do you expect to happen? We are scientists, not warriors.”


The Klingon straightened to his full height with a scowl and shook his head, his hand still extended. "Your weapon or the brig."


“The kitten. Pacing at the window?” Teller asked.


“Donald Trump on the apprentice,” he said, uncertain how to proceed.  Nobody had ever asked the Tamarian to give up his knife before.


The Tamarian nodded, “Harry and Megan. Lilbet. Naming the baby.” Taking out his knife, he flipped it around, hilt first to the Klingon. “Temba, his arms wide.”


Galk watched as the Tamarian deftly withdrew the knife, he knew how to manipulate the blade.  Plucking it from the scientist by the hilt he put it in the crease of his own sash.  Then he walked over to the door to the ready room and hit the chime.


“Wait here,” he growled.


Teller looked at Penn, “Burns.  Frank Burns in the swamp?”

Penn held his hand to his mouth to hide his smile, “Inspector Cleuseau, on the case.”


Teller nodded and let out a hearty laugh, clapping his partner on the shoulder.


As the two amused themselves at the expense of the security officer they waited for the captain to open his door.  “Thomas the Train, coming to the station.”


(USS Illuminar- Deck 1 - Ready Room - Science Officers  - Dr. Julian Penn and Dr. Teller and CO Captain Sekal - 1810)


The CO had been caught up on ships business and was looking over blueprints for the Protector. That class of ship would benefit greatly from the new warp drive engines and become a far more formidable adversary. It's complement of Peregrine fighters would be replaced with the newer Sphinx/Void attack craft. While they were versatile, being forced to rely on them in ship v ship battle was untenable as they were more effective at projecting force. Using it as the front line warship during the wargame could have been construed as an error. With the improvements however it would become hardened and stronger.


The tactics of the enemy in the wargame had been unanticipated certainly, the logical plan would have been to send in the Defiant class along with fighters to harry the Illuminar followed by the Protector while the Intrepid class monitored the battle.


The only concern he had was the arrogance of its commanding officer which could doom it in the long term.


"Send them in Mr. Galk." He left the program running but retracted the viewing screen on the desk then watched the two scientists enter. The file on them read brilliant though somewhat eccentric with tendencies toward a loose interpretation of orders which could require monitoring. He gestured to the two chairs on the other side of the desk. "Please be seated."


Penn nodded to the Captain and led the way to the seats, taking the one on the left, as Teller took the seat on the right.


“Thank you for taking the time to see us Captain Sekal,” Penn said, with his own version of a smile.  The tendril of his nasal plate wiggled slightly from his breathing apparatus.  “I am Dr. Gaillus Penn, and this is my companion and partner, Dr. Teller.  It is a pleasure to meet you.”


Sekal measured the two with a practiced eye. "Peace and long life Dr. Penn and to your partner as well."


Teller looked around the room, and back at the Captain before standing. “Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel. Rai and Jiri at Lungha. Rai of Lowani. Lowani under two moons. Jiri of Ubaya. Ubaya of crossroads, at Lungha. Lungha, her sky gray.” He raised his hand to touch his forehead, pointed to the Captain and repeated the motion to his heart before sitting down.


Sekal leaned forward with his elbows on the desk. "I understand the two of you have been working on research projects and you are free to continue your work on the Illuminar along with any other duties that may arise. I am sure that your insights and expertise will prove invaluable to myself and to the crew. How was this transfer to my ship begun? It is unusual for a scientific partnership to be assigned to the same vessel." He addressed the questions to Penn knowing that he could do any necessary translating to Teller. The Vulcan was aware he was going to have to make learning the Tamarian language a priority with Teller aboard.


Penn turned his head to address Teller, “Beowulf, Hrothgar builds the great hall. Grendall answers the song.”


Teller nodded, “Beowulf triumphant.”


Then he turned back to the captain. “We appreciate Starfleet being flexible. However, we do our best work together. And I would have to agree with your assessment, our insights can be invaluable. We are, if nothing else, thorough. When we heard about the advancements on this ship we wanted to be a part of that. And, to be honest, your reputation as a scientist precedes you. We knew that this vessel would give us the greatest opportunities to advance our own learning.”


He turned to Teller, ”Major Nelson with the genie.”


“The genie,” Teller smiles. “Samantha, her nose twitching.”


Sekal shrugged. "I merely took a step upon the foundation already laid and my interests are varied including engineering. There is something else I've been meaning to look into but the necessity of upgrading the capabilities of ships in the fleet took precedence followed immediately by command training and building this ship. Running it also occupies a great deal of my time. Should an opportunity arise I hope to investigate it."


“Really?” Penn sounded intrigued.  “Well if you need any help once you find the time I am certain that Teller and I can work some kind of magic for you.”


"That would be agreeable." Sekal noted. "We have quarters that will be more optimal for you Dr. Penn on deck eleven so I have set Dr. Teller up in an adjacent room. You may configure the atmosphere in your quarters to optimal requirements. I don't anticipate being able to begin that research until some time later but when able to do so I will bring you into it. Are there any questions about the ship I can enlighten you on besides the roses by the turbolifts on every deck? For those answers you would have to approach my first officer."


“Mike and Carol at the house,” Teller says, “Paddington at the station.  Endor, the moon.  Ewoks on patrol.”


“My thoughts exactly,” Penn said with a nod. “Wouldn’t you agree Captain?”


Sekal shrugged. "I know very little of Terran film history but it would seem he is ready to begin his duties." He pulled 2 padds from his desk and downloaded deck schematics with room and office locations and handed them to the two men. "Welcome to the Illuminar gentlemen, if you have questions on any of the ships systems feel free to bring them up after you are settled in. As I designed the ship I am quite knowledgeable or you can query the computer banks."


Penn looked at Teller and smiled.  “Temba has arms are closed.  Miles Standish, with the natives.”   They took the offered gifts and Penn nodded, “We thank you for your kindness and generosity.”


They rose from their seats and turned to leave the office.



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(posted by Al, Tim and Charles)



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