USS Spectre Compile - January 1st-31st 2008 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission : Docked Day : 3 Stardate : 2407.09.09 (USS Spectre - Goldsteen's quarters - TAC/ASC Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:06) (USS Spectre - Ensign Goldsteen's quarters - Captain T'Vhor - 13:08) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 12 Stardate: 2407.09.18 (Earth - Southwestern Texas, McLaren Ranch - TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:00) ========================================================================= Mission : Docked Day : 27 Stardate : 2407.10.03 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 11:06) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:03) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:05) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 13:09) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 13:11) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:14) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 13:15) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:17) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 123 Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:00) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:05) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:06) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:08) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:10) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:12) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:15) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:17) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:19) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:21) (Earth, Rawlings, Wyoming - Clarke Estates - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 10:40) (USS Spectre - Counselling Department - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 12:08) (USS Spectre - Counselling Department - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:15) (USS Spectre – Mess hall – CMO Williams – 13:33) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung & Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:30) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:45) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:48) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 124 Stardate: 2408.01.08 (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 07:30) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 125 Stardate: 2408.01.09 (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:05) (USS Spectre - Kreung's Office - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Kreung's Office - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:02) (USS Spectre - XenoBiology Labs - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 09:30) (USS Spectre - Counseling office - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:30) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 126 Stardate: 2408.01.10 (USS Spectre – Phased Cloaking Device Engineering Section – Ensign Bys’At - 7:00) (USS Spectre - StratOps Centre - StratOps, Ensign Korak - 12:56) (Shuttle Sammael’s Anvil – Cockpit – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:02) (Shuttle Sammael’s Anvil - Cockpit – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:04) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay Two – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:00) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:10) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 18:18) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 18:22) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor – 18:24) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 18:26) (USS Spectre - Jeffries Tube Junction 23-Gamma - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:28) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 2 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:32) (USS Spectre - Shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:43) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:43) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:44) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:45) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 127 Stardate: 2408.01.11 (Repair dock 36 - Observation Lounge – CMO Williams – 15:15) (SS Hepburn – Bridge - CMO Williams - 15:33) (SS Hepburn – Secondary Shuttle bay - CMO Williams - 15:42) (SS Hepburn – Sickbay - CMO Williams - 16:00) (SS Hepburn – Jay’s personal quarters - CMO Williams - 16:09) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 22:00) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 128 Stardate: 2408.01.12 (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:01) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:02) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:05) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Alex Golsteen - 10:06) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:12) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest – CMO Williams - 12:36) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 15:00) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 18:02) (McKinley Station - Spectre-Umbilical cord 7 - Security check post - Checkpoint controller PO Jonathan Agrear - 19:16) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 20:00) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign (jg) Styg - 20:15) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 20:25) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign Styg - 20:27) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's Captain T'Vhor - 21:57) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:00) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:03) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Captain T'Vhor - 22:04) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:06) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 129 Stardate: 2408.01.13 (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 06:01) (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:05) (USS Spectre - ACSO Office - Ensign (jg) Styg - 07:15) (USS Spectre - Lounge - Ensign (jg) Styg - 07:18) (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 07:20) (USS Spectre - Holodeck Two - Captain T'Vhor - 13:00) (USS Spectre - Holodeck Two - Captain T'Vhor - 13:35) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Captain T'Vhor - 13:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 13:59) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 14:01) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:02) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Captain T'Vhor - 14:03) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:09) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:11) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 14:15) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 14:17) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 14:20) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 14:23) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 15:00) (USS Spectre – Ten forward - Security Officer Smith - 17:34) (USS Spectre - Marine Mess - Ensign Nathanial Yates - 20:06) (USS Spectre - Astrometrics - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 20:57) (USS Spectre - Astrometrics - Mark the Bunny - 21:00) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 130 Stardate: 2408.01.14 (Federation Space - Shuttlecraft - Ensign (JG) Taya - 06:00) (Federation Space - Shuttlecraft - Ensign (JG) Taya - 07:10) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 07:12) (USS Spectre - Shuttlecraft - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 07:14) (USS Spectre - Deck One - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:10) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 08:12) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:14) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:20) (USS Spectre - Engineering Corridor - Captain T'Vhor - 09:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 09:45) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Transporter Room 1 - Crewman Abigail Heyes - 09:53) (USS Spectre - outside the Ready Room - Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 10:02) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Med Tech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:03) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 10:04) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:05) (USS Spectre – Bys’At’s Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:30) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:31) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:32) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:34) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:35) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:37) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:40) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:45) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 10:46) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:47) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:49) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:51) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 10:53) (USS Spectre - CEO's Office - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 12:00) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:02) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 12:02) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:03) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 12:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 12:07) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 12:08) (USS Spectre – Science – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:15) (McKinley station – Observation lounge - Pilot officer Smith – 13:00) (USS Spectre – Bridge - Pilot officer Smith – 13:09) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 13:11) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room – Pilot Officer Smith - 13:13) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 131 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 05:59) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 07:34) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor - 08:50) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 08:52) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 8:55) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 08:55) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 08:56) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 8:56) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 8:57) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 8:58) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 08:59) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 2 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:00) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:03) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:04) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 9:04) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:05) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 09:05) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 09:06) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:10) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 09:10) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:10) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 9:10) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 09:11) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 09:14) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 09:14) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 09:15) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 09:18) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Goldsteen - 09:19) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:25) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:26) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:26) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:27) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:28) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:30) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Chief OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:31) (USS Spectre - Strategic Operations Centre - StratOps, Ensign Korak - 09:43) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:45) (USS Spectre - Science Department – Ensign S’rrep - 09:47) (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:55) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:56) (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:57) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:57) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 10:10) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Ensign S'rrep - 10:11) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 10:30) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 10:32) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:32) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 10:35) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 10:48) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Bristed - 10:49) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:00) (USS Spectre FO's Quarters - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 12:10) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 3 – Pilot officer Smith - 23:55) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come To Call Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.01.16 (USS Spectre - Captain's Quarters - Captain T'Vhor - 03:32) (USS Spectre – T’Pia’s Quarters – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 3:40) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwy - 03:40) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 04:05) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 04:20) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come To Call Day: 4 Stardate: 2408.01.18 (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 4:00) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 15:00) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 10 Stardate: 2408.01.25 (USS Boudicca - The Brig - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 15:20) (USS Boudicca - Marine bunk room - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 15:35) (Starbase Phoenix - Docking Ring 2 - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 16:02) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day : 11 Stardate: 2408.01.26 (Shuttle Gates - Rear bunkroom - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 13:00) (USS Spectre - S'rrep's quarters - S'vrrp - 15:40) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 12 Stardate: 2408.01.27 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:27) (Ferengi Ship Good Profit - Bridge - Daimon Blek - 13:29) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:31) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:33) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:45) ========================================================================= Mission : Docked Day: 3 Stardate : 2407.09.09 (USS Spectre - Goldsteen's quarters - TAC/ASC Ensign Alex Goldsteen - 13:06) "Ensign Goldsteen, I am ordering you to report to one of our Councillors for evaluation", said the Captain, "it is clear that whatever it is you are engaged in here is affecting your mind adversely", he added, thinking as he spoke that he was begining to sound just like Jynea in his advice. Alex bit back the first reply that came to mind, mainly that the Captain could take his order and shove it. ~Will I ever be free of these wretched counselors?~ Taking a deep breath Alex forced himself to focus long enough to give a logical reply. "Captain" he said speaking slowly and choosing his words carefully "I perform this project only when off-duty. If you would check the logs you would find that my performance regarding my duties is at its usual efficiency" though considering how quiet things were a monkey could have performed Alex's duties "and thus I do not believe that you're order is necessary or, with all due respect, justifiable." (reply T'Vhor) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre - Ensign Goldsteen's quarters - Captain T'Vhor - 13:08) Clearly, the overly stressed security officer was having a problem now. The mental anguish being displayed upon the mans face as he attempted to hold back the well of bubbling anger within him, was quite obvious to the empathic CO now standing before him. Goldsteen had only closed his eyes briefly in response, then he turned to face his superior. "Captain, I perform this project only when off-duty. If you would check the logs you would find that my performance regarding my duties is at its usual efficiency", he began, before then going on to outrightly question the Captain's seemingly unecessary order. Unecessary in his own mind anyway! The Captain however remained stoic, the man was telegraphing thoughts that were hardly healthy & as his Captain, he would have been failing in his duties to not move on them. "Off duty or not Ensign Goldsteen, your project IS adversly affecting your abilities to remain focused", said the Captain. "There have been concerns raised already as to how you attend to some of your duties", he added before taking a deep breath & repeating the order to the clearly, perturbed Ensign. "The order stands Ensign, see to it that you book some time with the Councilling department", said the Captain sternly before turning about & leaving the somewhat befuddled security officer to the chaos he had been creating, amidst the hundreds of sticky backed pieces of paper now adorning the walls of his quarters. (Reply Goldsteen, IYW) (Posted by Alan) ========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 12 Stardate: 2407.09.18 (Earth - Southwestern Texas, McLaren Ranch - TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:00) Chuck had been invited to the wedding by an old acquaintance. The man hadn’t stated what he wanted but with Ssgua’an … it was probably illegal. Normally Chuck would have simply dismissed the get-rich-quick Caitian but with so much vacation left he decided to humor the impetuous homofelinoid. Chuck deliberately missed most of the ceremony making it just in time to see Matthew and Arania (the Bride and Groom) slip away. The red fur of Ssgua’an could b noticed in just about any crowd. Chuck’s eyes met the feline’s. Having dressed for the occasion Chuck tipped his black cowboy hat to Ssgua’an. The catman moved gracefully to stand beside Chuck. “Why did you invite me here, Ssgua’an?” asked Chuck glancing around to make sure nobody was watching. “Don’t be sssuch a killjoy. It’ss been awhile.” Said the Caitian. “You know I’m a Starfleet Officer now. Whatever it is I’m sure I’m not interested … me showing up here is a miracle.” Said Chuck. “Alright, fine … you always lliked thingss quick. See the Bajoran ambassador?” Ssgua’an said pointing an index claw in the direction of an Bajoran man. “Why is there a Bajoran ambassador at a non-Bajoran wedding?” asked Chuck. “It’sss a PR move. But more importantly, check out the sparkliesss.” Explained Ssgua’an. Chuck noticed the brilliant jewels adorning the neck of the Bajoran ambassador. Chuck’s borg implant began to itch, he rubbed his eye. “And you want me to steal it.” Chuck frowned, “did I not make myself clear?” “Whaaat?” moaned the Caitian. “I don’t do snatch jobs anymore. Oh, sure, I still bend the occasional rule … but this is a line, Ssgua’an. The jewels he’s wearing are important relics to the Bajorans. Every Bajoran in the quadrant would be on our heads if I took it.” Objected Chuck. “You owe this to me.” Protested Ssgua’an. “Oh, no, don’t start that again. The Tamarian affair was a long time ago and as many times as you brought it up I’d think it was already repaid.” Said Chuck backing away slightly. “Oh, come now.” Started the Caitian in a convincing tone. “Alright, look, I’ll go get us a couple of drinks … and … we’ll talk about it some more.” Said Chuck turning to step away. “Good, come back quickly my friend.” Responded Ssgua’an. Chuck eased away and headed for a beverage table at the corner of the area marked off for the festivities. He noticed a man standing between the Caitian and the drink table that had a communication device in his lapel. Chuck figured he was event security since he kept glancing around. Chuck tapped the man on the shoulder and the man made a quarter turn to face him. “There’s a Caitian behind me that is plotting to steal the ambassador’s jewel.” Chuck said easing by the man. In a flurry of activity Chuck could see the man say something into his lapel and two men swarmed around Ssgua’an. The other guests didn’t seem to notice as the Caitian was led away. Chuck slipped away from the wedding party with a smile. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================= Mission : Docked Day : 27 Stardate : 2407.10.03 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 11:06) “As one of the lead nurses on the ‘floor’ I’m not necessarily required to ask your permission on every little treatment. My care of Ms. Carrow was within the expected parameters of my job description. I’m sorry if you feel that I should have come to you in this case, but I made a quick decision which led to the patient’s survival. Andrew nodded. "That is true and I am thank full for your quick action in Ms Carrow's care." "While it is my right to determine emergency treatment - I understand your duty as the department head.” Andrew nodded to what she had said. ~While it is in your right but only to a point~ He realised that this was not the time or the place to talk about job descriptions. So he carried on. "I am not adverse to different forms of treatment, depending on the circumstances. Would you please tell me what you did?" “If you must know I used a Vulcan mind technique to make contact with the patient, who was in a comatose state. It was the only form of treatment that could have helped her in a longer term. The only other option was to further sedate her and I did not see the need for further delay.” Andrew nodded. "I would be interested in learning more about Vulcan mind techniques. If you could enlighten me?" “I think before this conversation goes too much farther you should interview the patient. If I made the right decision she should be feeling much better, much less be in a coma. If I made a mistake I am more than willing to take responsibility.” Andrew nodded. ~Don't drift from the topic Andrew~ "From your actions Ms Carrow is better which I thank you." “My mind is clear in the case. As a member of the medical personnel aboard the Spectre I took an oath to do whatever I could to protect the crew. My decision was based on that duty, sir.” Andrew nodded. "That was never in dought. Thank you for your time T’Pia. I'll let you get on with your work." (reply Pelletier IUW) (reply Pelletier, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:03) Andrew looked up as the sickbay doors opened. He saw Capps enter and was taken aback by the colour of his skin. He suppressed a laugh but gave a slight frown as Capps came over to him. He then nodded hallo and smiled at him. “Hallo Mr Capps is there something I can do for you?” "Good afternoon. I am here to see you doctor," ~I could not guess why~ Andrew smiled at him. “Okay what seems the problem?” ~Apart from the obvious~ "It is sort of a long story, would you like to talk in your office?" Andrew nodded. The middle of sickbay was not the place for this. “Sure not a problem.” He ushered Capps into his office and took a seat. "I am not for sure how much you know of my DNA genetic structure, but it is in my medical files. My father and mother both altered it, and in reaction to that my skin did occasionally turned green. It usually just lasted a few hours maybe. But this time my skin has been this color for months. I don't think it is going away. I thought I could get your help on this mystery?" Andrew frowned at what he had heard. He had read Capps’s medical file as he did all the members of the ships company. “I have a couple of questions I hope you don’t mind?” (reply Capps) “What do you think causes it?” (reply Capps) “Have you seen any one before about this?” (reply Capps) “When it happened before did you take anything for it?” (reply Capps) “Do you mind if we run a few tests to see what we come up with?” (reply Capps) (reply Capps, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:05) “I have a couple of questions I hope you don’t mind?” Calvin shifted slightly in the chair. He came to sickbay fully prepared to answer questions. "No, doctor. Go ahead." “What do you think causes it?” "My parents was never able to answer that question. Although since the last time they tried there has been considerable progress in DNA study, especially dealing with something like mine. Tri-link DNA is what I think they are calling it now. In the past my skin changes sporadic. It seems to follow emotions." “Have you seen any one before about this?” "Not a doctor. It has never harmed my body. It has never lasted this long either. That is why I came to you this time." “When it happened before did you take anything for it?” "Not really. When I was a lot younger my parents did experiment with some prescriptions, but nothing ever seemed to counter it. I don't think it is in my files. I may have some personal files that may help you." “Do you mind if we run a few tests to see what we come up with?” "Do what ever it is you need to do Doctor. We shall we began?" (reply Williams) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 13:09) "Do whatever it is you need to do Doctor. Where shall we begin?" Andrew nodded and ushered Capps into a small examination room. Although people had seen Capps and knew that he had a skin problem. He was entitled to a private and confidential examination. He indicated for Capps to lye on the bio-bed “Okay Mr Capps. This should not take long.” (reply Capps IUW) Andrew activated the scanners and waited for the data to appear. ~Okay this is it~ He looked at the data as it appeared. ~Okay so that’s it. It looks very embedded~ He frowned at the data and then looked again at the results. ~Damn this is not good~ He looked over at Capps. “Calvin from what I can see here. The transition looks permanent. It appears to have integrated into your DNA. I’m going to send the data to Starfleet medical for further tests if that is okay with you?” (reply Capps) (reply Capps, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 13:11) Andrew nodded and ushered Capps into a small examination room. Although people had seen Capps and new that he had a skin problem. He was intituled to a private and confidential examination. He indicated for Capps to lye on the bio-bed “Okay Mr Capps. This should not take long.” "Ok Doctor." Calvin did exactly as he was told. He hoped onto the bed and laid back. He gulped and was a little nervous he had done this many times, but this time was different. He had never had a problem with his skin like this before and he was worried that something was serious. Andrew activated the scanners and waited for the data to appear.He frowned as the data and then looked again at the results. He looked over at Capps. The green Lt Cmdr saw the frown on the Andrew's face, and he did not like that. He looked in the doctors eyes and may be saw some confusion. Calvin heart began to beat even faster. “Calvin from what I can see here. The transition looks permanent. It appears to have integrated into your DNA. I’m going to send the data to Starfleet medical for further tests if that is okay with you?” "Integrated!" Calvin said loudly. He was surprised to hear what the doctor had to say. He didn't believe that something like that could happen. "Permanent!" Calvin said equally surprised. The news gave Calvin a lot to think about. "Yeah, doc," the green man said a little bit more informal. "I don't mind if if you send it to starfleet medical. If you could please just keep me informed with whatever they send." (reply Williams) "Can you also send me the data you took here to me as well." Calvin was no doctor of course, but he would still go through the data and try to cross reference anything from when his parents to scans of him. He knew it was the doctor's job and starfleets medical now, but Calvin just couldn't let it go just yet. (reply Williams) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:14) "Yeah, doc," "I don't mind if you send it to starfleet medical. If you could please just keep me informed with whatever they send." Andrew nodded and gave reassuring smile. “Of course Mr Capps. That is not a problem.” "Can you also send me the data you took here to me as well." Andrew nodded again. He understood that Capps would want to look at the data he would want to if he was in the same situation. “I’ll down load every thing I have and anything new when I get it. Give me a moment and I’ll get when I have right now.” (reply Capps IYW) He took a PADD which was lying near by and quickly copied the scan results and other data onto it. “Here you go. Is there anything else I can do for you.” (reply Capps) (reply Capps, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps – 13:15) “I’ll down load every thing I have and anything new when I get it. Give me a moment and I’ll get when I have right now.” "Thank you doctor," Calvin really had nothing more to say. He was now deep into his own thoughts of what the news from the doctor was. He took a PADD which was lying near by and quickly copied the scan results and other data onto it. “Here you go. Is there anything else I can do for you.” "No, thanks again." Calvin jumped off the bed. He placed his hand outward to shake hands with the doctor. "You have been a great help. I'll see you around." (reply William, iyw, none) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:17) "No, thanks again." "You have been a great help. I'll see you around." Andrew shook Capp’s hand and watched him walk out of sickbay. He felt sad as he realized that there really might not be any way to cure him of his condition. It was a feeling that he did not like and found hard to come to terms with. He was a doctor he should be able to heal the sick and help the wounded. The knowledge that he could not do this with all the medical knowledge that he had at his figure tips was a depressing feeling. As one of this lecturers had said to him when he was at the academy. Even at this present age of medicine the body still has many doors which hide wonderful and amazing secrets that are still out there to be found. As the doors shut after Capps, he just wished that he would be able to find the key to the door that would open this secret. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 123 Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 9:00) Paul held the Desert Eagle pistol grip with both hands (one holding it with a finger in the trigger guard and the other cupping the bottom of the clip). He fired off a few rounds at a stationary target 200 yards away. Setting the pistol down on a stool standing beside him he pulled off ear and eye protection and went to see if he hit the target or not. His gait was interrupted about a third of the distance by voices from behind him. Paul stopped and turned around. A group of marines had just entered the holodeck (with the door disappearing behind them) and they were standing at the ready preparing their firearms for discharge. “Someone’s on the range!” Paul yelled. The Marine’s initially gave no response but a few of the group gave him disapproving looks. He knew he was technically on marine ‘turf’ but what other holodeck was going to allow for him to discharge a firearm? (reply any marines, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 9:05) Houseman entered the shooting range with his squad. “Okay I want clean head shots not messing around.” “Courp some one’s on the range?” Houseman turned and looked down the range and saw some one three quarters down the range. ~What’s he doing~ “Someone’s on the range!” Paul yelled. “Well isn’t he a clever one.” “Why don’t you get up here.” As the man got closer Houseman noticed that he was a fleet officer. ~What the fleet Rupert’s doing here~ “Excuse me Sir but what are you doing here?” (reply Morphy) Houseman nodded and gave a slight grin. “With all due respect sir but your Desert Eagle may be good at making holes in armoured tanks but it’s not a precise weapon when your on the move.” (reply Morphy) (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 9:06) “Why don’t you get up here.” Called one of the Marines. Paul wasn’t phased by the presence of the marines … as long as they didn’t shoot him. He decided to get off the range as the marine had “asked”. As he approached the man seemed to notice the pistol in his hand with very little regard. “Excuse me, Sir, but what are you doing here?” “Don’t get all bent outta shape. It’s the only place on the ship I can let off a few rounds with my Desert Eagle.” Responded Paul, tapping the barrel of the pistol with the hand not holding it. The Marine nodded and gave a slight grin. “With all due respect sir but your Desert Eagle may be good at making holes in armoured tanks but it’s not a precise weapon when your on the move.” Said the Marine. ~Oh, ho,ho, he’s such a comedian. This sounds like a challenge.~ Paul thought smiling. “The name’s Paul Morphy, what’s yours?” asked Paul. (reply Houseman) “Well, Corporal, maybe you’d like to test that theory of yours? Say, my Desert Eagle against a marine issue field weapon?” Paul eyed the man. (reply Houseman) (reply Houseman, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:08) “The name’s Paul Morphy, what’s yours?” asked Paul. Houseman looked at Morphy for a second. “I’m Corporal Houseman Sir.” “Well, Corporal, maybe you’d like to test that theory of yours? Say, my Desert Eagle against a marine issue field weapon?” ~Well good to see that the fleet has some bottle~ Houseman looked at Morphy for a few seconds and then nodded as a ghost of a smile flashed across his mouth. ~Could just get my Angle and use its grenade launcher that would work but would not be fun~ “Okay Sir but we are using mobile and stationary targets.” (reply Morphy) Houseman turned and walked over to the weapon carbonate. He looked at the large array off weapons that were available to him. He finally picked a TR X46. This was a pistol version of the TR116 rifle. The TR X46 fired solid round rather then phasers he felt that he should at least fire the same type of weapon to make things a bit fairer. He slammed a clip into its base watched the ready indicator light to turn green and then grabbed a couple of spear clips. He walked back to Morphy. “Okay Sir. Let’s start with the stationary targets. You can go first sir if you want?” (reply Morphy) (reply Murphy any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:10) “Okay Sir but we are using mobile and stationary targets.” Said Houseman. “No problem.” Paul said excited. He replaced the clip in his Desert Eagle and tilted the weapon between his thumb and index finger for a moment. He waited for the Corporal to choose a weapon. “Okay Sir. Let’s start with the stationary targets. You can go first sir if you want?” asked Houseman. “Oh, naturally, ladies first, right.” Paul laughed, “and stop calling me Sir … it’s starting to grate on my nerves. The name is Paul, Paul Morphy.” (reply Houseman) “What are we wagering anyhow? Can’t have a contest without a prize.” Said Paul. (reply Houseman) “Tell you what … I’ll throw a holodeck program in as a prize if you win.” Paul grinned devilishly. (reply Houseman) NRPG: Anybody remember ‘Chuck’s Angels’? :}~ RPG: (reply Houseman, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:12) “Oh, naturally, ladies first, right.” Paul laughed, “and stop calling me Sir … it’s starting to great on my nerves. The name is Paul, Paul Morphy.” “Yes Sir.” Houseman gave a slight grin. “What are we wagering anyhow? Can’t have a contest without a prize.” Said Paul. “If you win you get access to the shooting range.” “Tell you what … I’ll throw a holodeck program in as a prize if you win.” Houseman frowned for a moment trying to get the meaning behind Morphy’s grin. He then nodded. “That sounds fair enough.” Houseman stepped forward to the firing booth. He placed his pistol on the table in front of him and his clips beside it. He turned to Morphy and gave a grin. “Do you want to go first or shall I show you how its done?” (reply Morphy) (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:15) “Do you want to go first or shall I show you how it’s done?” said Houseman. Paul eyed the man from behind him (since Houseman had passed him and stepped into the firing booth area). Paul looked down at his Desert Eagle. He half smiled as Houseman readied himself for firing. Paul leaned sideways around Houseman and the booth. He could see the stationary target just barely. Houseman was waiting for an answer. Paul took aim carefully. Houseman looked his direction. (reply Houseman, IYW) Paul fired a shot at the target. He couldn’t tell how good a shot it was … somewhere near dead center was fine for Paul. Either outcome was fine with Paul. Beating a Marine in marksmanship would gain him respect. Losing would bring him a fall guy to blame for the distribution of the “Chuck’s Angels” holoprogram. That is … if the Marines would distribute it. Paul wasn’t worried about hitting or missing a stationary target. The fight would be decided in the moving target portion. “Your turn.” Said Paul, smiling as the shell casing flew out the gun’s chamber. (reply Houseman, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:17) “Your turn.” Houseman nodded. He had been watching Paul as he fired his round. He could see that he was not an amateur and knew his way around a weapon. He would not admit that though. “Why thank you Sir.” He gave a grin as he positioned himself. Although Morphy had asked him not to call him sir he still did it to see if it would wind him up. He slid out his clip from the pistol and double checked the clip. When he was satisfied he slammed it back into place. He looked down the range as he flicked the setting to single shot. He could see his target down the range in the shape of the head and an upper body of a person. He aimed the pistol down the range. As he was in no hurry, he took his time to get himself in a comfortable position. He looked down the sights at the center of the head of the target. Having spent hours a day firing on this range, he knew that the gravity generators on the range pulled the bullet slightly off target as it went through its trajectory. He compensated his aim, took a breath, steadied himself and fired. He felt the pistol jerk in his hand but his eye never left the target. He nodded to himself as he was pleased with that attempt. He then looked at Paul and gave a wide grin. “All yours Sir.” (reply Morphy IYW) (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:19) “All yours, Sir.” ~He’s really pushing it … trying to rile me with this ‘Sir’ stuff.~ “Computer, moving target Mark17.” Ordered Paul. A silhouette appeared and then filled out in the shape of a rabbit. “Think you can hit it?” Paul giggled. He modeled the moving target as an almost exact likeness of Kreung’s little french fry munching housepet. (reply Houseman) “It’s a hologram so the bullets just go right through. I wouldn’t want anybody turning green.” Paul slyly grinned at his pun. Paul took aim at the furry hologram and in response to his movement the little ‘guy’ began running around in a mad dash. “I’ll have to hit him in one shot.” Commented Morphy. (reply Houseman, IYW) Paul kept his eyes open as he moved the Desert Eagle about. He was fighting not to blink and struggling to keep the bunny in the crosshairs. Paul fired. [Torso hit, fatal, 110 points.] declared the computer as the bunny continued his bizarre ‘dance’ around the holodeck. “Well, it’s up to you … the score can be beaten.” Paul shrugged. ~If I lose I’ll have to make sure to mark the holodeck for maintenance when I want to use it.~ thought Paul NRPG: Toss a coin, Robbie … Paul calls Heads. ;) RPG: (reply Houseman, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:21) “Think you can hit it?” Houseman looked at the small bouncing bunny that was lopping around at the far end of the shooting range. He knew instantly that Morphy had modelled it off the moral officer’s pet. He raised an eye brow as he looked at Morphy. “A bunny.” “It’s a hologram so the bullets just go right through. I wouldn’t want anybody turning green.” ~Well I hope you can run my friend. Really fast~ “I’ll have to hit him in one shot.” said Morphy. “You can have two if it makes you feel better.” Said Houseman with a smile. He watched as Morphy fired at the bunny. [Torso hit, fatal, 110 points.] “Well, it’s up to you … the score can be beaten.” Paul shrugged. Houseman just nodded. “Computer add biological referenced to mark 17.” As the computer beeped Houseman put a single round into the chamber of his pistol and watched as the bunny hopped around the far end of the range. ~Hop stop. Hop stop, Hop stop, Hop~ He snapped his pistol up and aimed at the bunny “Bang.” Houseman fired. The round caught the bunny in the centre of the torso but instead of passing through the bunny like it had before it exploded. Houseman watched as the smoke cleared where the bunny had once been. ~I knew those explosive rounds would be good for something~ [Obliteration, fatal, 150 points.] He turned to Morphy. “You did not say what rounds we could use? So don’t be a sore loser and cough up.” (reply Morphy) (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Robbie) (Earth, Rawlings, Wyoming - Clarke Estates - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 10:40) "I HATE COMPUTERS!" Jynea yelled, taking a swipe at the collection of PADDs and the terminal screen, sending it all crashing to the floor in a mess. "HATE! HATE! HATE COMPUTERS!" She stood panting for a few moments, not even knowing when she'd gotten to her feet. She sighed and picked up the chair she'd knocked over and started picking up the various PADDs. It was probably a good thing her mother was out shopping at the local market and she was the only interior staff. Well, excluding the maintenance team that came by twice a week to do the cleaning and, well, maintenance. The computer was still insisting that she didn't have proper access. She could now pull up anything she wanted on the Spectre, but anything outside of the Spectre, even the public access library, was denied to her. SOMEONE had royally fubared her access somewhere! "I don't even know where to START to fix it!" Jynea grumbled and kicked her bed in frustration. The bed, because it was soft and she was barefoot. "Think logically." She told herself as picked up the terminal and placed it back on the desk. "Who do you know who knows about computers? There's an entire Ops department on the Spectre who should be able to give you a straight answer." Her terminal chirped and announced a roster update. What now? David had been transferred off, she just hoped she wasn't going to be trying to do intake reviews and real counselling work. Of course, since she didn't seem to exist, the powers that be probably didn't think the Spectre even had a counsellor. Oh, no, wait, she didn't have that kind of luck. The powers that be probably knew there was a counsellor, she was on the Spectre and probably thought she had a double doctorate and was already a Lieutenant Commander or something so she wouldn't need help in a staff strapped organization. THAT was more like her luck lately! Oooo. A new counsellor! Well, THAT was the best damn news she'd had in a month! Jynea opened her closet and dug out a uniform. Finding word on the Clarkes could wait, she could snoop and find out about the new counsellor first! And the best place to do that was on the ship. And if she happened to run into that nice Commander Capps on the way to or from, well, maybe he'd have some inspiration. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Counselling Department - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 12:08) "Okee, starting at the top, I guess.." "Captain T'Vhor is an overcompensating Vulcan. It's my opinion, due to his Betazoid heritage, he tries to be what he views as the ideal Vulcan. He seems to have a slightly skewed view of what that is. While a good commanding officer, he seems to have nothing outside of his command. If he has personal relations, relaxation time or anything else, he hides it well. I know he requested his leave to spend time on Vulcan and would be very surprised if he's doing something other than renewing the principals of Kolinahr." Sella leaned back in her chair and stopped pretending to focus her non-existent vision on Jynea. She knew some people found it uncomfortable when she wasn't showing she was paying attention, but they learned that she didn't need to be facing them to be listening. "Over compensating Vulcan...fairly sure that's redundant, but still. I haven't talked to the Captain yet, so I can't really form an opinion, but I'll see what I can...well see. I'm not necessarily sure there's a problem with only embracing half your genetic make up, but the two of us will keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't slip or anything." Sella said. "Lieutenant Commander O'Connor is a talented officer and is good in command. He is young and has risen through the ranks quickly and this is displayed in a mix of quick decision making and second guessing after the fact. As far as I can tell, he has good instincts if a bit of 'old earth' view set." "Old Earth?" Sella asked. "I mean.. the etiquette of provinces of Earth that were once part of the English Empire? The whole, stand when a lady comes into the room, carry their luggage, mind set? It's not *bad* just.. antiquated, I'd think. I can't see it interfering with his on duty performance or responsibilities, just something I've noticed." "Ah," Sella said. "Well, as long as he can perform his duties, we won't have a problem with him." Sella said. "Lieutenant Andrew Williams is an overworked, under slept, dedicated man. Past trauma that I really am not of the ability to effectively counsel keeps him working long past the point where he should sleep. He is reluctant to deal with it and I don't know how to pursue the matter. I made a full report to David, but, the gist is he saw his mother killed before his eyes in a ship accident and I don't think he's ever fully processed it and has survivor's guilt on top of it. He is, however, a damn fine doctor." "I've come to learn that Doctors rarely follow their own advice. I'm not sure we can force him to get counseling, but we can try to help him if we find the opportunity. "Lieutenant Commander Calvin Capps is a skilled operations officer and dedicated officer." Which, really, his record could tell her. Jynea shook her head, "I wish I could tell you more about him, but I've only ever seen him on the bridge. I couldn't begin to tell you what he does on his off-duty time. He seems to be the loner and doesn't socialize with the crew." She felt guilty she didn't know more. Saying he was senior crew and David's problem was a weak excuse since she should have tracked him down when she realized she knew nothing about the man who influenced and ordered people who were under her care. "Lieutenant Yelena Vasilyovna I will admit I do not know well. She is a very competent and capable officer, but she intimidates the void out of me and I haven't approached her more than casually. I suspect she copes through alcohol." How to qualify THAT hypocritical statement? "But I suspect many of us did during the atrocities of the war." "Another one we can keep an eye on, again, if she does her duty, and doesn't let her private life effect her work, then we can only help as crewmates and friends." Sella said. "Ensign Charles, AKA 'Chuck,' Donaldson is a dedicated security officer. He masks pain behind humour and is very much a 'will do what is necessary to get the job done' officer. He will bend the laws of Starfleet but not the morals or spirit. He will take shortcuts if he thinks unnecessary bureaucracy interferes with the benefit of the completion of the task. He doesn't trust easily, but once his trust is earned one keeps it. He is loyal to the ideals of Starfleet even if he doesn't think so. He believes, in his conscious mind, that he joined Starfleet as a means to an end to find his wife. Reality, its my belief, that he knows deep down she is gone and he wants to save others from the pain he went through and Starfleet is the most readably available vehicle to that end." "However he wishes to justify doing the right thing in his mind, I'm not too worried. It's not my job to make him follow the rules, unless someone orders him to counseling, and as long as he keeps to the Spirit of the Federation and Star Fleet, then he's doing as good as most of the Admiralty." Sella said. "Ensign Alex Goldsteen.." Jynea let out a breath, "I'm not even sure where to start with him. He has some sort of emotional blockage and seems to only channel negative or obsessive emotions. He doesn't relate to other's, he seems to have trouble identifying moral or immoral behaviour, tending towards the amoral. He seems to have no personal goals or motivations beyond the visceral glee he gains from enforcing his will and view on other's. He enjoys physical and mental manipulation of other's. He seems to have no conscience, no shame and no regrets of the harm he's put on others. I, personally, have no idea how he got into Starfleet or manages to pass counsellor exams. I'm just glad I am not qualified in dealing with him because beyond my ability is a drop in the bucket. The best I could manage was making myself a target so he wouldn't target other crew." Not exactly the wisest course of action, but she could only hope when she'd started that he'd not consider her having anything to gain, just an irritant to try and ignore. ~~Well, there's some history here, that I might need to discus with her.~~ Sella thought to herself. "Ensign Goldsteen's already been assigned to active counseling, and I will be making an appointment with him as soon as he's back from leave." Sella said. "I would appreciate if you could write up some notes for me." "Lieutenant H'Chir.. as far as I can tell never leaves the Jeffrey Tubes. I know he exists since the other engineering officers and personnel speak of interacting with him, but I honestly have never seen him or conversed with him in any shape or form." Sella nodded to herself, "Engineers will be engineers, and sometimes that means anti social, especially Andorians. We'll see if I can draw him out, or at least get him drunk in Ten Forward so everyone knows he's real." Sella said with a playful tone of voice. "Ensign Jacqueline Bristed is a dedicated engineer of talent. She is a good departmental assistant and leads well when H'Chir is not to be found. She is a woman of humour if less patient than some would desire. She is a risk taker, for adrenaline highs, is my guess, in her off-duty activities. She tends to be stand-off'ish in personal interactions and I suspect a heart break of some magnitude in her past." "To each their own, again, Star Fleet attracts all characters, as long as she does her job and isn't suicidal, there isn't much to do or worry about." Sella said. "Ensign Ardena Carrow is another Vulcan hybrid, although she seems to follow her human mother's path. She recently lost control of her mental abilities. I'm not sure if the catalyst was her girlfriend's death or if that was the one weight too many, but she's on Earth in her mother and father's care at the moment." "If she needs us, we'll be here, but sometimes the touch of a parent can be the best medicine." Sella said. "She'll be evaluated like everyone else and if she needs more care, she'll get it." "And, I suppose, that brings up around to the counseling department." Jynea said with a smile, "I'm lacking in self-confidence, ambition and tend to speak before thinking. Which, I'm sure, you've already noticed. I'm very happy being a morale officer and have no wish to do any other task or job. I enjoy the observation and interaction and most of all, being able to legitimately dump major problems onto the much more capable shoulders of fully ranked, educated and trained counselors. But, I make up for that in being cute, perky, friendly and having a good sense of humour and the ridiculous." Sella now turned her sightless eyes on Jynea, or at least as close to her general direction as she could manage. "Don't worry, we'll talk. We all have our issue, myself included," Sella said with a smile. "Every member of the Counseling department who sees patients will have mandatory meetings with another counselor lets say...once a month. If we're going to be taking care of the minds of the crew, we need to be taken care of too, and as we all know, we make the worst patients. So we'll just get that out of the way by making it a rule on this ship." Sella said, and while her words were serious, he tone was friendly. (Reply Kreung) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Counselling Department - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:15) Sella now turned her sightless eyes on Jynea, or at least as close to her general direction as she could manage. "Don't worry, we'll talk. We all have our issue, myself included," Sella said with a smile. "Every member of the Counselling department who sees patients will have mandatory meetings with another counsellor lets say...once a month. If we're going to be taking care of the minds of the crew, we need to be taken care of too, and as we all know, we make the worst patients. So we'll just get that out of the way by making it a rule on this ship." Sella said, and while her words were serious, he tone was friendly. "Okay." Jynea agreed. "David and I used to have breakfast every third day to compare notes, did you want to continue the tradition?" (Reply Sella) "Is there anything else I can help you with?" Jynea asked earnestly. (Reply Sella - I'm assuming not :) "Okee, I'll let you get on with your acclimatization and I'll go see how my pet has destroyed my quarters today." Jynea said getting to her feet. (Reply Sella - Jynea will depart unless you want/need her) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Mess hall – CMO Williams – 13:33) Andrew sat at the table looking from his ‘Stew’ to the picture in his cookbook and back. He had finally finished cooking it and had tidied up his mess as the chef would do something nasty to him if he found out. He frowned and shook his head slightly. “Okay it says here that the stew should be lightly brown in colour with the vegetables and meat visible.” He looked from the nice image to the orange mass in his plate. “Well I definitely got it wrong there. Didn’t I?” He quickly glanced around the deserted mess hall to make sure the he was alone. When he was happy he pulled out a tricorder and activated it. He scrutinised the data making sure that he had not made some kind of biological hazards. He gave a slight sigh and put the tricorder away. “That’s good I don’t need to be quarantined.” He picked up a fork and cautiously poked at the semi-solid orange ‘stew’. ~Hmm well it’s not bitten me yet~ He turned his attention to the dumplings that he had also made. “Well they look okay?” He prodded it with his fork. ~Okay they are supposed to be light a fluffy with a kind of melt in the mouth sensation~ He pulled his fork out with his dumpling firmly embedded in the end. Andrew shook his head sadly as he looked at it. “Soft and fluffy is it hell. I could kill someone with this and that’s before they eat it.” He put it back, pushed his plate away and picked up his cup of coffee. “Well I think I’ve shattered my dreams of becoming an amazing cook. Unless I can find some who likes orange stew?” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung & Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:30) Jynea realized she could have cornered Lieutenant Commander Capps on the bridge, but it wasn't exactly a private place to talk. She didn't want to spread her private business all over the ship. On her own, anyway, she was sure the gossip mill would grind out its own version of her family woes soon enough. Hopefully, everyone was distracted enough with their own problems. She rang the chime. Inside of Calvin's quarters Calvin was picking up a few things off the floor, and placed them where they were suppose to be. The past few days Calvin worked a different shift than normal, and the result of that was a less than perfect room. When Calvin heard his chime go off he looked around his quarters, and was happy that it was clean enough to allow someone to see it. He walked over to the door and pushed the wall panel button to allow the door to open. Jynea blinked in surprise at the very green commander in front of her. Well, apparently some were having a more interesting R&R than she was! "Costume party someone forgot to invite their favourite morale officer to?" She asked with a smile. She doubted that was it, but it was a good launching point. "Umm, no," Calvin said with hesitation. He then quickly figured out why the moral officer did ask the question. "Oh, sorry. This new skin of mine is the effect of my very odd and altered genetics from my parents. No worries, it doesn't hurt or anything. "How fast do you heal from injury? You were tossed around pretty good on the bridge, if I recall reading the reports right. Orions heal faster than humanoid norm, maybe your parents snuck in some Orion DNA to give you an increased healing factor and it's just not done healing you yet so it hasn't 'submerged' again yet?" Calvin smiled. "Couldn't hurt with how many times I have gotten hurt lately. Please would you like to come in." Calvin showed Kreung to the way of the living area. "Have a seat. Can I give you something to drink?" "Oh, I'm find than you." Jynea replied, taking the offered seat. Sitting on the chair opposite of the couch the moral officer was sitting, Calvin wondered why the Ensign had come to his quarters in the first place. "I am really glad you stopped by, but was there another reason you did or was it just for a social visit?" "Oh! Er, right." Jynea flushed feeling a bit of a goof, yet again. "I'm sure you've heard since coming aboard how much computers and I *don't* get along. If there's a way for it to not work for me, it'll find it! I try to be polite and charming, but inanimate objects seem resistant to that." "Computers can give everyone a problem," Calvin tried not to make her feel stupid or anything. He quickly thought about his own statement and could remember when he first attempted to run a scientific computer on his dad's desk at research facility 23. "Anyway, I've been trying to do a search for what happened to Admiral Clarke, BUT.. Well, not having much luck. At all. Its like he no longer exists and I was wondering if you have any ideas on where a computer incompetent counsellor should look for help or where to start or anything." It was a bit much to ask a near stranger to do work FOR her, but certainly it wasn't being too pushy to ask for guidance on where to try and find answers.. right? "Ah, a bit of a mystery ahey. Follow me to my small but yet competent area I call my office away from the office. Jynea and Calvin walked to the left side of the living area, but before the bedroom. They came across a U shaped desk that had 5 integrated consoles in all available space. Calvin rushed his hands over the top panel to start up the computer. Jynea looked amused at the computer power in the operation chief's personal quarters. "You realize, revealing to a counsellor you have your work in your home means next time we force R&R on you, you'll get locked out of your quarters?" she teased. Calvin had never thought about his computer at home that way, but she was telling the truth. He would often find himself awake at night doing work at his computer. "You said his name was Admiral Clarke, correct?" "Yes, Admiral Andrew Clarke." Jynea confirmed, trying not to be obvious about peering over the Lieutenant Commander's shoulder. But, she'd be the first to admit, computers were a mysterious magic to her, and watching a wizard at work was always a treat. "Ok let me look here. Was the Admiral in the 52nd fleet?" "I'm really not sure." Jynea replied honestly. "I think he may have been part of the underground or resistance since I was assigned to the 52nd Fleet from the Academy and I don't know who else who could have, or would have, done such a thing." "Alright, let me take a look in the files here. Give me one second." Calvin spun a bit in his chair to the next console over and pressed a few command buttons. He switched back to the original console that he had started working on. "Ok, so a simple search didn't do the trick." He looked at her and thought that he didn't hope to hurt her feeling by trying the obvious thing first. Jynea shrugged amiably, "Its nice to know it's not complete incompetence on my part." She replied with good humour. "Well lets assume for some reason those files were deleted. Unless they have done a total restart of the server the files were once kept on, then a residue of that information should still be there." "Yes, have some?" Jynea offered when he seemed to be expecting some sort of reply from her. Calvin picked up a isolinear chip and inserted it into a computer slot. "This program was given to me by our first officer, Lt Cmdr O'Conner, when we served on the Paladin. This is a great sniffer program basically. It will help us find deleted files." "The Commander does seem the devious sort to have such things in his arsenal." Jynea confirmed, sitting on the back of the couch to watch Calvin at work. "It mad take a few min...." The computer beeped and Calvin quickly looked back down at the noise. Well we found something." "Already?" Jynea hoped her surprise wasn't insulting to a man who was plainly very good at his job, but her eagerness was obvious. With a little more research Calvin once again turned to Jynea. "Is there any reason you think for these files to be deleted?" "Well, that's a bit of a patchwork story." Jynea replied, looking thoughtful. "My guess is he was found out as being a sympathizer, a supporter or part of the underground or whatever and the administration took their 'justice' out on him and his family. I suspect the only reason they left my mother in the house was they thought she was no more than staff and not familiar with the Clarkes at all." Jynea shrugged, "As far as I can tell, I'm supposedly assigned to Deep Space Two and HQ still hasn't caught up with my assignment here. So I don't know if they would associate my mother or Admiral Clarke with my presence on the Spectre." "May I ask who Admiral Clarke is to you?" Calvin listned to Jynea's story and was still a little confused. As he waited for an answer he continued to look at the data that he had found and began downloading on to his computer. (reply Jynea) "I see. Well, what we have done was find what we were looking for, but now I need to follow a little protocol. Before I continue I need to get permission from Lt Cmdr O'Conner or Captain T'Vhor. After I get that I will take this download material and cypher it to gain its contents. I will keep you informed with everything. I promise." (reply Jynea) Calvin leaned his head and looked at Jynea. "Would you like to get an early dinner?" (reply Jynea) (posted by Lorna and Calvin) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 16:45) "May I ask who Admiral Clarke is to you?" Calvin listened to Jynea's story and was still a little confused. As he waited for an answer he continued to look at the data that he had found and began downloading on to his computer. "He's er.." Jynea had to think about that one, "I guess my sponsor into the Federation and Starfleet?" She offered. "It was his ship that rescued my Mom and I and brought us, with other's to Earth. Somehow we ended up staff, of sorts, more family, for his family. He helped me get into Starfleet and, I guess, the 52nd. I haven't talked to him since before I graduated." She felt more than a little guilty about THAT. She really should have tried to keep in touch with him, but everything had just seemed so busy and confused.. "I see. Well, what we have done was find what we were looking for, but now I need to follow a little protocol. Before I continue I need to get permission from Lt Cmdr O'Conner or Captain T'Vhor. After I get that I will take this download material and cipher it to gain its contents. I will keep you informed with everything. I promise." "I'd suggest the first officer, if there's a choice. He probably has a few brilliant ideas. Captain T'Vhor would assume any meeting with my name attached is an attempt to kidnap him, put him a box and ship him to Risa." she explained with wry humour. (Reply Capps, if you want) Calvin leaned his head and looked at Jynea. "Would you like to get an early dinner?" At first thought Jynea thought the Chief of Operations was being flirtatious, but a glance at body language just said he was being friendly. She wondered how many people the Commander had made the same offer to, she couldn't recall seeing him in Ten Forward with anyone. Or by himself. Or.. Hmm. Well, there was one way to unravel the mystery! "Sure, what and where do you have in mind?" Jynea asked. (Reply Capps) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Officer's Quarters - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:48) "I'd suggest the first officer, if there's a choice. He probably has a few brilliant ideas. Captain T'Vhor would assume any meeting with my name attached is an attempt to kidnap him, put him in a box and ship him to Risa." she explained with wry humour. "I will of course consider your recommendation." Calvin smiled and sort of laughed at Jynea joke. Calvin didn't really understand what it meant, but he assumed it had something to do with getting the Captain to go on his R&R. Calvin was real good friends with the Captain, and it probably would not be hard for him to convince the Captain to allow him to investigate a little further. But the Lt Cmdr was also good friends with the FO as well. The ops officer knew however that Jynea was right. Lt Cmdr O'Connor was a better person to go to first for many different reasons. Calvin leaned his head and looked at Jynea. "Would you like to get an early dinner?" At first thought Jynea thought the Chief of Operations was being flirtatious, but a glance at body language just said he was being friendly. She wondered how many people the Commander had made the same offer to, she couldn't recall seeing him in Ten Forward with anyone. Or by himself. Or.. Hmm. Well, there was one way to unravel the mystery! "Sure, what and where do you have in mind?" Jynea asked. Calvin was normally a fairly closed book. He ate in his quarters and never really ate out. He really didn't feel like being cooped up in his home that day. When he was asked where he really didn't have a good idea. "Ten Forward?" Calvin asked. It was where everyone else went and Calvin couldn't think of a reason not to go. (Reply Jynea) (Posted by Calvin) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 124 Stardate: 2408.01.08 (USS Spectre - Transporter Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 07:30) Ardena wasn't sure if she was ready to be back or not. She felt steady on her feet. Starfleet had offered her a leave of absence but she was sure if she left now, she'd probably never come back. If the storm tossed your boat, you fixed the hole and went back out to sea. Besides, she was thoroughly sick of medical personnel poking her physically and mentally. If she stayed behind her mother would have her wrapped in linen and shipped off to Vancouver General before she could sneeze. As she stepped off the transporter platform, the transporter chief smiled at her. "Welcome back, Ensign. Quite the personnel changes, never sure who is or isn't coming back!" "As long as Lieutenant Yayla is about to man the bridge, I'm happy!" Ardena replied with a smile. She'd done more than enough alpha shifts on the bridge. She didn't mind being secondary or even tertiary bridge officer for science, but she'd rather skip it all and hide in her lab if she got a say. Well, okay, maybe not. It was kind of nice being in the midst of the excitement and feeling like she had control of her destiny, but really, there were much more suited scientists for bridge duty. Unless they ran into a new species with a sick housecat equivalent, Ardena didn't expect command to be calling on her any time soon. She wanted to ask the man who of the senior crew had been transferred elsewhere, but it probably would start all sorts of gossip, and really, there was enough about her already! She would find out soon enough, she was sure. If only by calling up the latest roster update out of the computer. (USS Spectre - XenoBiology Lab - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 0800) She hadn't been in any particular hurry to get to her duty station, she'd stopped by the lounge and picked up some coffee and a bowl of oatmeal and meandered her way to science. She'd placed covered bowl and travel mug down and been surprised to see a tool kit sitting on the chair. She looked around for any sign of engineers or operations officers, but the only people lurking in the science department seemed to be her fellow scientists. Eyebrow raised she looked at the ID tag and felt a pang to realize it was Suri's personal kit. Someone had found it and left it her for her. Surely this should have been sent to her family? Ardena couldn't say she'd contacted them herself but she knew Suri's personal effects had been forwarded. She picked up a sonic screwdriver and put the toolkit under the console. Tucking the screwdriver into her lab coat's pocket, she sat down with a sigh. There were a few messages waiting for her. A reminder from sickbay for a review, a memo from counselling saying that there was a new counsellor and she was doing intake meetings with all officers, a query from engineering about her water usage. She filed them all in the trash folder and pulled up her journal from the institute. Unless Command had something specific for her to do, she may as well just carry on with trying to further the Federation's understanding of the universe and those that lived within it. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) =========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 125 Stardate: 2408.01.09 (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:05) Ardena really didn't know why they insisted calling a counter along the back wall the 'lounge.' It had a replicator that was supposed to be used in lab work but often made snacks and coffee, a sink for cleaning lab equipment, that often had mugs sitting in it, and a white board for meeting notes that had been tossed out of one of the conference rooms turned lab. Said white board almost always had doodles and jokes on it. Ardena hadn't seen it used for its express purpose in the two plus years she'd been on the Spectre. "Did you hear about the new scientist?" Rose asked as soon as Ardena walked into conversational range. "The one who balanced the diamatrimre equation in thirty two seconds?" Ardena asked facetiously. Really, people could apply some context. That created a burst of "Who managed that?"s and "Doctor Epsitin? Where's he from?"s and "I can't believe thirty-two seconds?!"s. Ardena just fetched her favourite cup and put it in the replicator slot to be filled with tea. She had almost managed to escape when Rose caught her. "Ensign Styg. He's some sort of gaseous being who inhabits an EVAC suite. He came into his office and has just been standing there ever since. We all tried to say hello, but.." she shrugged. Ardena rolled her eyes, "Well, that would be the chief's problem, not mine. I'm sure when Ensign Styg wants to be social and join the pools, he'll let us know. Till then, why don't we try and get some work done? Rotating R&R doesn't mean sleep on duty, party off." She managed a smile, "or at least, I didn't get that memo if it did.." Grumbles and mutters as the group broke up. Not that Ardena could blame them. Science was a fairly boring department on a ship with nothing active to investigate, but it would be computer core testing and analysis time for the sensors soon enough. (reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Kreung's Office - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:00) The past two days Calvin had a hard time thinking about anything else. The task that he accepted from the morale officer of the Spectre turned out to be more of a mystery than he originally thought it would be. He had gotten the permission to dig a little deeper in the deleted files from the First Officer without hesitation. Lt Cmdr O'Connor even had a few suggestions on how to proceed. Two straight days with hardly anything being turned up, but all of that had changed only hours ago. Once the missing link was discovered, covered very well, Calvin took the most appropriate steps he knew. Not first, but second the OPS officer went to Jynea's office because he promised her that he would keep her informed of everything. Already inside of the office he faced the surprised moral officer who was not expecting him at that time. "I figured it out. Please, have a seat." (reply Jynea) "The files, as we both thought, were being deleted deliberately. It was hard to understand why, until this morning. Two hours ago someone went back into the files and attempted to delete even more files. The hacker was exposed since we were watching. It turns out that there is still a very small and hidden party hiding underground that is loyal to Doenitz. (reply Jynea) "I agree as well. That is why I went to Captain T'Vhor first. He has already placed the call in with Starfleet. I knew the location of the hacker, because I was able to trace it. As we speak there is a military force invading that underground hole." (reply Jynea) "One last thing. Admiral Clarke is being held captive there, and he is still alive. The orders for the marines is search, rescue and destroy. I think you will see your friend after all." (reply Jynea) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Kreung's Office - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:02) Jynea was looking at the piles of PADDs and wondering if she could accidently flush them out an airlock when Calvin appeared in her doorway. She stood up in concern, not sure why anyone would come visit her - it would have to be some sort of emergency. "I figured it out. Please, have a seat." He said without preamble. "Er, what?" Jynea managed, sitting down again. She was at her most brilliant once again! Boy, did she know how to impress superior officers or what? "The files, as we both thought, were being deleted deliberately. It was hard to understand why, until this morning. Two hours ago someone went back into the files and attempted to delete even more files. The hacker was exposed since we were watching. It turns out that there is still a very small and hidden party hiding underground that is loyal to Doenitz. "Ohhh!" Jynea focused onto the matter at hand now having context and subject. "Some good out of all this then, I suppose?" she offered. It was probably too much to hope the Clarkes had remained safe and sound if there were still "I agree as well. That is why I went to Captain T'Vhor first. He has already placed the call in with Starfleet. I knew the location of the hacker, because I was able to trace it. As we speak there is a military force invading that underground hole." "Well, that's good I guess?" Jynea wasn't really sure what it all had to do with her. Okay, she'd started the ball rolling, but this whole situation was beyond her little corner. Unless the Lieutenant Commander was trying to gentle his way up to some really bad news? "One last thing. Admiral Clarke is being held captive there, and he is still alive. The orders for the marines is search, rescue and destroy. I think you will see your friend after all." *SQUEE!* Jynea squealed and hopped over her desk to give Calvin a rib cracking hug, "Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you-thank-you!" She realized she was hugging her vastly superior officer and let go and stepped back, "Er.. sir. Thank you!" She was all smiles and practically bouncing up and down on the spot. Her "Dad" was O.K. and would be coming home! (Reply Calvin) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - XenoBiology Labs - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 09:30) Ardena was thinking about their new chief counsellor. She wondered why the woman didn't use a portable sensor net. It wasn't as advanced as a VISOR or cybernetic eyes, which wouldn't work on the Aenar's system as far as she understood. The Aenar, having no sight processing in their brains had no way to hook a processor up. Ardena wasn't even sure they could process the sight of other's in their own brains, but had to 'piggy back' the brains of others. She wondered if the Lieutenant would be amicable to experimentation.. It wasn't like Ardena had much left to hide, countless telepaths and counsellors had been in and out of her brain lately.. ..but the lady would probably want to keep her own privacy and not be made into some biological experiment by a nosey and disrespectful scientist. Ardena sighed and pulled up the bio-feedback sensor net. It was a standard portable tricorder that gave magnetic feedback that was picked up and processed by a sensor that could be put in an adapted universal translator. Every member of Starfleet, and most outside of it, had a universal translator implanted. How much use it would be, she didn't know. It could say things like 'tree 15 meters at degrees blah' but it couldn't tell facial expressions. It was an old technology, possible from the Kirkian era originally! No one had been thinking of Aenar when they were creating navigational and assisting tools for the blind, they'd been trying to help sighted people regain their sight. Or at the minimum assist the blind approximate the sighted through the methods in which the sighted saw. Such wouldn't work for the Lieutenant. But, if the lady were to do away missions, she'd need to be able to move, navigate and react as quickly as a sighted person.. and there were plenty of poisons and toxins that an unfriendly planet could use to shut down a telepath's ability. Of course, that self-same unfriendly place would probably try and scramble a sensor net too. Well, what if the sensor net was defaulted to a foot in every direction? It could be extended as necessary.. That wouldn't invade privacy or set off alarms most places. But how long would a power supply last in 'extended mode'? She sighed, she really wasn't an engineer! Normally, she'd just go down to engineering and grab H'Chir by an antennae and drag him into her plots and plans, but seeing as he was Andorian and the lady was Aenar and the whole crew was doing the two step boogie until the two met under their own power.. Ardena exhaled. Okay. What if she made basic sensors that were earrings and the feedback unit was a pin sized sticky that went in the ear canal? The computer was more than capable of producing a basic design for a beta test, and if the Lieutenant liked it, she could ask engineering to refine the design to something more to her liking. Ardena left the computer to do her grunt work while she dug up a PADD and hit record. "From Ensign Ardena Carrow, Science to Lieutenant Sella, Counselling. Lieutenant, I thought these might help you with landing party qualifications." She went on to explain operations and her logic behind them. "I don't want to offend, I'm just thinking we will probably need you in situations where you need all the information you can get. If I have offended, please accept my most sincere apologies." She signed off, put the earrings in a small box and magnetted it to the top of the PADD for inner ship mail drone to drop off in counselling. Now, the problem with the Pverian Retia tail virus.. (Reply Sella, anyone else) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Counseling office - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:30) Sella was going over reports and the like when one of the Counseling yeomen walked in and dropped off a package for her. "From the Science department, Ma'am," the yeoman said before leaving again. "What does science want with me?" Sella wondered aloud as she felt the package, a small box and a PADD. Taking the PADD she tapped out a few commands she knew by rote, and had the computer read the PADD to her, via her ear piece. "From Ensign Ardena Carrow, Science to Lieutenant Sella, Counseling. Lieutenant, I thought these might help you with landing party qualifications." the ensign's voice went on to explain operations and her logic behind them. "I don't want to offend, I'm just thinking we will probably need you in situations where you need all the information you can get. If I have offended, please accept my most sincere apologies." Sella sighed as she opened the package and took out the items. Since the day she entered Starfleet, everyone had tried to fix her, and in the mean time explain to her why she was broken. In their defense, most didn't know of her innate abilities all that well, but that still never explained why they felt the need to view her as helpless simply because she lacked a sense they didn't, even if according to some, she didn't completely lack sight. Her abilities, allowed her to move and navigate her way around her environment. True, it had it's short comings, and wasn't as effective as actual sight, but it kept her from bumping into too much. Upon her joining the Academy, no less than five doctors did their best to convince her that she was broken, and it was simply impossible for her to be an effective crew member on any ship. They told her she'd never be able to qualify with a phaser, and she quickly informed them as a registered pacifist, she wasn't required, even in a time of war, to carry one. They brought up objections to her being able to be assigned to away teams, at which point she informed them that as a counselor, she wasn't likely to be assigned to hostile situation, and sight was only useful if you were dependent on it in situations she would be required to deal with. She shot down every objection they raised, and managed to pass the Academy with flying colors, at least that's what one of the Humans said. Over the years, she had relented to her curiosity and tried the various sensor nets and other aid devices that were presented to her, all of them were more confusing than necessary and all of them drove her mad. Trying to listen to what the sensor net was telling her, as well as focus on people talking to her, as well as here telemetric sense was simply too much to do and still do her job. Giving one last sigh, she leaned her head back and spoke, "Computer take a message...Ensign Carrow, thank you for your thoughts and work, it is good to know that the crew is looking out for me. I do regret to tell you that I won't be able to use the sensor net. I've had experience with them in the past, and I find them fairly aggravating. My Telemetric sense works well enough for me to get around and function. Once again, thank you for your thoughtfulness, and I look forward to meeting you in person." Sella said, then signed the message and sent it off to Ensign Carrow. (Reply Carrow iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) ======================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 126 Stardate: 2408.01.10 (USS Spectre – Phased Cloaking Device Engineering Section – Ensign Bys’At - 7:00) The cloak had malfunctioned in one of the various test phases and Bys’At had jumped at the chance to show one of his passions. While it was true that he wasn’t a member of the special Engineering division devoted to the device aboard the Spectre … such trivialities never stop true genius. Bys’At looked around the roof room from left to right and ceiling to floor. There were many different devices which could constitute the required elements, but it was very confusing. Bys’At’s training with the Romulans wasn’t much help. He had mastered theoretical warp and cloak technologies but had only studied standard applied warp technologies at the academy. His mind worked like a clock as he glanced from one cranny to the next. His mother had always taught him to avoid frustration and it was generally an accomplishable task. His usual manic self was experiencing a true difficulty, the realization that he might not be able to solve a specific problem. He could feel blood pulsing into his face. “Obstructive mundane machines!” He blurted. In a moment of weakness and anguish he did something he had never done before. He struck out at something with his foot. With an angry kick he thumped the nearest device. A slightly round containment sheathe housing the backup phase induction generator. It made a slight humming sound and several lights on the sides began to blink in a pattern. [Backup phase induction generator now working at optimum efficiency.] proclaimed the computer. “Brilliant!” yelled Bys’At, all traces of anger replaced by unbridled glee, “A most ingenious effort on my part. So clever I concealed it from myself until the last moment. A task only the great Bys’At could possibly perform.” Bys’At then and there decided that for the next big problem presented to him he would again try this newly discovered and tedious technique. In his wisdom … he would simply kick it! (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - StratOps Centre - StratOps, Ensign Korak - 12:56) =/\= Are you certain of this, Ensign? =/\= "Had you asked me during our first weeks in Earth orbit I would have answered differently, Admiral," the platitude did not sit well with Korak's Vulcan heritage, but he knew an emotional superior would find it more comforting that an outright refusal, "but with the repairs to the Spectre nearing completion I feel I can do the most good by remaining here." =/\= I can't say I don't feel you're making a mistake there, boy. =/\= Korak deliberately slowed his heart rate in order to focus his mind; his conversation with Admiral Donahue had already lasted twenty minutes - most of those repeating what had been said within the first five. =/\= Still if there's no changing your mind I'd better get on and find someone else. =/\= Korak tilted his head in acknowledgement and the Admiral's face disappeared from the screen, replaced by the Starfleet insignia. Standing at his full height, Korak was tall by most standards, his perfect Vulcan posture only serving to emphasise the fact. He kept the lights in the Spectre's Strategic Operations Centre at a comfortable low, finding the sunken shadows more conducive to his concentration that the bright lights and twinkling consoles of somewhere like the Sickbay. He crossed the room to his newly installed replicator. "Tea, Earth Lapsang, hot." The smoked scent immediately began to fill the small space set aside within the Spectre for the great many things lumped together under the Strategic Operations umbrella. "Computer, resume log entry. "Repairs on the Spectre are all but complete and I have it on good authority that we'll receive a new mission within the next two weeks. The Admiralty are doubtless anxious to fly the flag and make it clear that things are returning to normal. I have turned down the offer to transfer to Strategic Operations Co-ordinator for the Utopia Planitia shipyards despite Admiral Donahue's various attempts at persuasion. It is clear that my brief sojourn there was successful, but I do not feel... "Whilst it's true I have not seen H'Chir since before our return to the Terran system, I cannot yet rule out a reprise in his condition and for that reason if nothing else I must remain here for the foreseeable future. Besides, the return to space will doubtless see an increase in workload for the Strategic Operations Centre. Until then I shall resume such duties as I have. End of log." (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Sammael’s Anvil – Cockpit – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:00) There hadn’t been a requisition request for another shuttlecraft but Starfleet Command had sent one anyway as a kind of ‘welcome home’ gift to the Spectre. The shuttlecraft was an older model of the common design but it still ran like a charm. The Engineers had all but taken the thing apart when Chuck sent a request to Vasilyovna for a security check/flyby. He could only go 3/4 impulse and he had to stay within short range sensors but, hey, he was a rocket man. Almost coming to the completion of the flyby Chuck banked quickly to come across the nose of the Spectre. He knew the USS Sammael’s Anvil would be in view of the bridge when he reached up and tapped his commbadge. “Chuck to Bridge.” Chuck ordered (reply Capps, any on bridge) “You’re looking good from out here, Spectre.” Chuck smiled even though he knew they couldn’t see his face. (reply Capps, any on bridge) “Requesting permission to redock this bird.” (reply Capps, any on bridge, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 16:02) Calvin was sitting in the OPS chair. He currently had the viewscreen follow the shuttle that Ensign Donaldson was test driving. He and others were taking multiple scans of the shuttle and surrounding areas testing how the shuttle faired. =/\=Chuck to Bridge.=/\= Chuck ordered "This is Calvin, go ahead." =/\=You're looking good from out here, Spectre.=/\= Chuck smiled even though he knew they couldn't see his face. "The shuttle looks good herself. Who says you can't teach a old dog new tricks." Calvin joked knowing that the shuttle was an older version. He wasn't for sure if anyone got the joke or not. =/\=Requesting permission to redock this bird?=/\= ~A dog, a bird.~ "Permission granted, shuttle Sammael's Anvil." (reply Anton, iyw) (posted by Calvin) (Shuttle Sammael’s Anvil - Cockpit – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 16:04) =/\=Permission granted, shuttle Sammael’s Anvil. =/\= came Calvin’s response. “O---kay. I’ll make a quick pass and come about to dock.” Chuck informed the Bridge crewmen. “Chuck out.” Chuck leaned back in the pilot chair and folded his arms. He could just dock like normal … but, hey, it wasn’t everyday Starfleet let him pilot a shuttlecraft on his own. Chuck unfolded his arms and clenched his hands together until a knuckle popped. “Here we go.” he said letting his hands rest on the controls. He turned the nose of the craft to face the general direction of the bay and increased speed until he reached his ‘mission limit’. He gave a half smile and set the controls to automatically calibrate a barrel roll. The computer went to work and Chuck enjoyed the view as the craft spun repeatedly and the internal gravity controller recalibrated itself. The ride was relatively comfortable. ~Woo Hoo!!~ thought Chuck. He was enjoying the view. With the touch of a few buttons the shuttle settled in linear equivalence with the Spectre and within minutes was settled onto the floor of the shuttlebay. ~Now, to update these old weapon systems.~ (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay Two – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:00) Chuck hadabout had it with the stubborn weapon systems aboard the Samael’s Anvil. The system was an old design and was resisting the guidance system software enhancements Engineering had put in it. It was perhaps the first time he agreed with Ensign Yates. The patented ‘let someone else handle it’ attitude of Yates was looking appealing at this moment. Several instrument panels lay strewn about the floor as Chuck traced the root of the problem. He could let an Engineer handle it but what did they really know about weapon systems? “Alright, for the moment you’ve gotten me in a strait.” Commented Chuck staring at a tangle of wires. ~I need a break … and then I’ll come back and beat this thing.~ thought Chuck. Standing from his perch on the floor he gave one of the panels a frustrated kick. He felt a little bit better and peered out of open rear hatch of the craft. It was quiet. Chuck leapt the foot or so from the top of the ramp to the ground. Now, to get in some R&R without Vasilyovna noticing. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:10) NRPG: the shuttlebay is on deck ten, what can I say. RPG: Chuck stepped into the Ten Forward lounge and scanned the room. He had come into the lounge looking for a drink … but … his eyes stopped. What was HE doing here! Chuck tried not to let himself appear phased and simply walked past the man sitting at the bar. The bartender gave Chuck a knowing eye. The man knew Chuck preferred the replicator to his concoctions. It wasn’t personal. “Blackhole” ordered Chuck. The Ferengi drink appeared in the replicator and Chuck grabbed the tall glass. ~Oh, well, the best way to handle a problem is head on.~ thought Chuck. Without visible hesitation Chuck sat down next to the man at the bar. “Commander.” Said Chuck nodding to the man. (reply O’Connor) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 18:18) Michael walked into Ten Forward and looked around, it was only just beginning to fill up with the post Alpha shift dinner crowd which was fine with him. Grabbing a stool at the bar, and putting his PADD on the counter, he looked up at the bar tender. "Fish and chips, mayo and malt vinegar on the side, and a cup of black tea, you're choice." Michael said with a smile, picking up his PADD as the bartender walked away to make his meal. 'The Thousand Fold Choice' was a book, written recently by a Denoblulan author, just before the war broke out. His food arrive, and Michael nodded to the bartender in thanks before he split his attention between the book and food. He was so entrenched in his novel that he didn't notice the man walk by, or then sit down next to him. He only looked up when he heard the voice. "Commander," Chuck said sitting down. Michael looked up and saw Donaldson sitting next to him with a drink. "Ensign," Michael said. "I hope you're R&R was enjoyable." (Reply Donaldson) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 18:22) The FO looked up from reading a book and gave Donaldson a kind of curious look. "Ensign," the FO said. "I hope you're R&R was enjoyable." Chuck sipped his ‘Blackhole’ drink and thought about it a moment. “Yes, Sir … in fact I didn’t expect to enjoy myself so much.” Chuck paused to take another sip. “It’s good to be back though. I’m aching for a new mission … exploration … defense … rebuilding … whatever.” (reply O’Connor) “What did you do with your time off?” (reply O’Connor) Chuck’s eyebrow lifted and he rubbed a thumb across his ocular implant. An idea had hit him. “Sir, I know you know a lot about computers. Maybe you could give me some advice?” (reply O’Connor, IYW) NRPG: Chuck’s going to ask you how to fix the weapons OS aboard the Samael’s Anvil. Basically, he updated the OS and weapons aren’t working because the old weapon system doesn’t speak the same language as the new OS. It needs an interpreter program. I was planning on making T’Pia help Chuck but then this idea hit me. Chuck’s a guy of convenience you know … why track down T’Pia when someone is right here. (even if they don’t really get along all that well). RPG: (reply O’Connor, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor – 18:24) The FO looked up from reading a book and gave Donaldson a kind of curious look. "Ensign," the FO said. "I hope you're R&R was enjoyable." Chuck sipped his 'Blackhole' drink and thought about it a moment. "Yes, Sir … in fact I didn't expect to enjoy myself so much." Chuck paused to take another sip. "It's good to be back though. I'm aching for a new mission … exploration … defense … rebuilding … whatever." "Yeah, it's time to move on, I think. Can't live in our memories forever." Michael said taking a bite of his meal. "What did you do with your time off?" "Visited family mostly, did some rebuilding work at home, and a lot of thinking." Chuck's eyebrow lifted and he rubbed a thumb across his ocular implant. "Sir, I know you know a lot about computers. Maybe you could give me some advice?" "Sure, why not," Michael said. If Donaldson wanted to be friendly, Michael wasn't going to stop him. (Reply Donaldson, I assume he'll fill in Michael about the shuttle) ~~Upgraded Starfleet equipment, without consulting with the ships CEO, or even and assistant chief...AND screwed around with the operating system? He's out of his mind.~~ "Wait, let me get this straight. You took the shuttle's computer, and what was a single operating system, and installed/upgraded the operating system for just the tactical systems?" Michael asked. It was pure lunacy, you don't have two operating systems on the same computer core, and expect them to work together. Installing a translation protocol to help them get along wouldn't even solve the whole problem, it would slow the processing speed and response time of the systems down as commands and data now had to go through a new layer of programming, get translated into something the new OS could understand and then passed onto the tactical systems. Not to mention the fact that it would be impossible to debug completely, as there were a near infinite number of situations to account for. (Reply Donaldson) "Has Lieutenant H'chir looked over the systems yet?" Michael asked. (Reply Donaldson) "Does he even know about the 'upgrades'?" Michael asked, already fairly sure he knew the answer. (Reply Donaldson) Heaving a sigh, "All right, lets go have a look, but I think we should have H'chir meet us there if he's available, I want him to check out the rest of the systems." Michael said, and without waiting for a response tapped his comm badge. "Commander O'Connor to Lieutenant H'chir, if you have some free time, would you be free to join us in shuttle bay 2, this isn't an order, I just want your opinion on something if you're free," Michael said. (Reply Donaldson, H'chir) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 18:26) "Sir, I know you know a lot about computers. Maybe you could give me some advice?" asked Chuck. "Sure, why not," Michael said, seemingly friendlier than usual … Chuck had caught him in a good mood apparently. “I was upgrading a shuttlecraft weapons system and now the darn thing won’t ‘talk’ to the primary system. I need to install a translation protocol in the system for the new weapons OS to communicate. I thought you might know what to do … it’s not really my field of expertise.” Chuck smiled. "Wait, let me get this straight. You took the shuttle's computer, and what was a single operating system, and installed/upgraded the operating system for just the tactical systems?" Michael asked. “No, no, I’m not that big of a dunce.” Replied Chuck giggling. “The shuttlecraft is an older design … Mark III Vienna Class (Berlin Variant) … the systems are all partitioned with the core functioning only as a translator. What can I say … an old ‘extra’ from command.” "Has Lieutenant H'chir looked over the systems yet?" Michael asked. “Well, I don’t think he’s personally looked at it but a few hours ago he had a crew looking it over. I took it off their hands for a preliminary field test.” Said Chuck. "Does he even know about the 'upgrades'?" Michael asked, already fairly sure he knew the answer. “I don’t report to the Engineering Chief. True, it’s something probably an engineer should be handling … but I’m not comfortable with allowing the Tactical Systems to be fiddled with by people who aren’t going to have to use them.” Said Chuck. (reply O’Connor) “Let the Engineers keep the engines working and Security man the guns.” Said Chuck “Besides, you just show me what to do and I’ll learn quick.” Heaving a sigh, "All right, lets go have a look, but I think we should have H'chir meet us there if he's available, I want him to check out the rest of the systems." Michael said, and without waiting for a response tapped his comm badge. "Commander O'Connor to Lieutenant H'chir, if you have some free time, would you be free to join us in shuttle bay 2, this isn't an order, I just want your opinion on something if you're free," Michael said. (reply H’Chir) (reply O’Connor, H’Chir, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Jeffries Tube Junction 23-Gamma - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:28) A voice cut through the gentle hum of the starboard Jeffries Junction, and H'Chir inwardly groaned. =/\= Commander O'Connor to Lieutenant H'Chir, if you have some free time, would you be free to join us in Shuttlebay 2? This isn't an order, I just want your opinion on something if you're free. =/\= ~Fairly obvious he doesn't *want* to be talking to me,~ he thought. ~Perhaps one of those nuisance busybodies has arranged a little get-together to cheer me up!~ Tapping his comm-badge, H'Chir snarled, "On my way." (Reply None) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 2 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:32) H'Chir was growing impatient. He was in no mood for conversation, pleasantries or little human social games; this little sojourn was taking him away from trying to undo the mess one of the repair crews had made of the starboard power flow regulators. It was taking hours to get things back the way he wanted. He was in the same uniform he'd been wearing since 04:00. Creases were beginning to show; and not just in the uniform. He looked up as the ship's First Officer entered the shuttlebay, continuing a discussion with the ship's Tactical Officer as he did so. "Well Commander," H'Chir interrupted, "what is it?" (Reply O'Connor, Donaldson, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:43) H'Chir had spent the better part of ten minutes inside the shuttlecraft, listening to the Tactical Officer explaining the 'upgrades' he'd installed. He was currently lying flat on his back, his legs bent so as to fit in the narrow confines of the shuttle's interior, with his head almost inside one of the main consoles. Donaldson seemed to have (correctly) taken his silence as an indication that he was less than happy to have been dragged to the shuttlebay to investigate upgrades installed by non-engineering personnel. This caused the man to talk almost non-stop, which only served to irritate H'Chir further as he tried to block out the noise and concentrate on the machinery in front of him. With an audible sigh, H'Chir hauled himself into an upright position and in a fairly neutral voice said, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't order an engineering crew here to undo all of... this." (Reply Donaldson, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:43) Chuck had been trying to explain the weapon system upgrade to the Chief Engineer but apparently both the CEO and the FO thought he should sit in a corner and wear a pointed hat with a big D on it. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't order an engineering crew here to undo all of... this." Remarked the Andorian Engineer speaking from inside one of the consoles. “All of this?! Sir, it’s only a weapon systems upgrade.” Chuck frowned. ~Good grief, mess with one shuttlecraft and Papa Smurf has a tantrum.~ (reply H’Chir) “If it’s too big an issue I can just reinstall the old weapons OS from the Spectre mainframe. That is … if you’ll let me near it.” (reply H’Chir, O’Connor, any IYW) “Despite all the objections I am still convinced that the idea is sound. It’s true that the new system requiring a translation protocol will make the system run slower. But we’re not talking about minutes … just a few seconds. The output from the weapons will be worth a few seconds.” (reply any) “Anything that has to be fired at a few seconds faster probably won’t even be affected by this shuttlecraft’s standard weapons anyway.” (reply H’Chir, O’Connor, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 18:44) “All of this?! Sir, it’s only a weapon systems upgrade," the Tactical Officer protested. H'Chir stood up, taking advantage of his height and flexing his antennae so that they bore down on the unfortunate officer. "An 'upgrade'," he replied with deep sarcasm, "to a critical system, performed without proper authorisation and with no thought for how it might impact on the other systems. You might think that a small thing, but some of us take our work a little more seriously." “If it’s too big an issue I can just reinstall the old weapons OS from the Spectre mainframe. That is … if you’ll let me near it.” "Thank you for the offer, but I'd prefer it were handled by someone a little more qualified," H'Chir sneered, and moved towards the doorway. "There's no telling what you might damage on your way out." Moving to block his exit the Tactical Officer said, “Despite all the objections I am still convinced that the idea is sound. It’s true that the new system requiring a translation protocol will make the system run slower. But we’re not talking about minutes … just a few seconds. The output from the weapons will be worth a few seconds.” "A few seconds?" H'Chir wasn't sure whether to class the continued debate as persistence or petulance, but either way he wasn't done yet. "You mean you can't even quantify the damage... sorry, *changes* you've made? Besides, I was under the impression that the kind of situation where we'd usually use the weapons system might be the kind of situation where a few seconds could make all the difference." “Anything that has to be fired at a few seconds faster probably won’t even be affected by this shuttlecraft’s standard weapons anyway.” "That's not for you to judge. H'Chir to Operations; I'm placing the shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil off-line until a full diagnostic can be carried out. Given our current workload and priorities, estimated return to operational status is six days." H'Chir picked up his tool-kit and moved to the door. "And please, Lieutenant, if you have an urge to play with one of your toys again, drop by and see me first." (Reply any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 18:45) “Anything that has to be fired at a few seconds faster probably won’t even be affected by this shuttlecraft’s standard weapons anyway.” Said Chuck insistently. "That's not for you to judge. H'Chir to Operations; I'm placing the shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil off-line until a full diagnostic can be carried out. Given our current workload and priorities, estimated return to operational status is six days." H'Chir picked up his tool-kit and moved to the door. "And please, Ensign, if you have an urge to play with one of your toys again, drop by and see me first." Chuck rubbed his implant in frustration. The Andorian had been standing over him and Chuck was debating whether to hit him or simply let it go. ~Yet another superior officer … why can’t I get into a fight with a cadet and stomp a crater in their rear. Oh, no, no, that’s beneath me … I have to piss off two superior officers in one go.~ thought Chuck. “Rest assured, sir, I will be bringing my tactical upgrade ideas to you directly from now on.” Chuck responded with a similar tone to the Chief Engineer’s. ~I’ll flood his desk with every little detail. It’ll drive him bonkers and he’ll still have to write good reports.~ Chuck didn’t let his plan show on his face, ~Hey, I’m getting the hang of this protocol stuff.~ As the Andorian Engineer left in a rush … apparently to go … well, just to go. Chuck turned to the FO who had stayed pretty silent. “Am I dismissed, Sir?” Chuck’s eyes narrowed. (reply O’Connor) (reply O’Connor, any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 127 Stardate: 2408.01.11 (Repair dock 36 - Observation Lounge – CMO Williams – 15:15) Andrew looked around the crowded room. He was wearing his formal dress uniform and felt rather uncomfortable. Along one side of the long room was a row of window He walked over to them and looked down at the docking bay below. The ship below was of a design that he had been familiar with. He could make out the hard lines of a defiant class star ship sitting in the repair cradle below him. “Do you like my new ship.” Andrew turned to see Captain Sazboe standing be side him. “It’s not different from the last Hepburn. Where did you get it from?” He saw a flicker of a smile on her face as she looked at the ship below. “From what we can gather it was moth balled until last year when Doenitz decided to retrofit it into an tactical assault ship as a last ditch attempt to put ships out in the field. When the fleet came in and liberated the fleet yards she was almost ready to launch. She was given along with a few other vessels for the work my crew and others have done. Since then we have been with the help of the fleets yard crews and R&D teams getting her fit for our purpose.” Andrew nodded. “I heard that you had a rough time with the fleet how are the crew holding up.” “Some of them decided that the Hepburn was too much of a front line ship and wanted a posting a bit calmer.” Andrew nodded he had heard about how the Hepburn had been placed into one of the forward assault groups and how they had faugh hard against tough opposition. “Any one I know?” “The Dr Finley our chief doctor has been transferred to our main training facility to teach the new cadet.” Andrew nodded. “Do you have any one in mind as his replacement?” “Trying to get the job Andrew. You’re to late?” Andrew turned to face the familiar voice. He saw Surgeon Jay walking towards him looking good in her formal dress uniform. Andrew grinned as she walked up to him. “Nice to see you Jay.” He saw that Jay turned to look at Sazboe. “Captain can I steel Andrew from you. I have a few things to discuss with Doctor Williams.” A faint flicker of a smile crossed Sazboe’s face and she nodded. “See you later Andrew.” “Captain.” As Sazboe retreated Jay took his arm and began to steer him towards the turbolift. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (SS Hepburn – Bridge - CMO Williams - 15:33) Andrew and Jay entered the small minimalist bridge. It was very small compared to the size of the ship. Most of it was taken up with its armoured hull. “So this is it.” Andrew nodded. “It’s a bit small mind but so was the last one.” Jay grinned. “Its is, but its right for what we need.” He saw Jay walk over to the command chair and enter a few commands. Then beside them an image started to appear. The wire frame of a human appeared and quickly became the solid image of a woman. The hologram turned and smiled at the both of them. “Andrew you finally get to meet Coleridge at her proper size thanks to the fact that we have holoemitters all through the ship.” Andrew grinned as he looked at Coleridge. “It’s nice to finally meet you properly?” Coleridge smiled back. “Yes being 30 cm tall dose nothing for your ego that’s for sure.” Andrew nodded and was about to ask something when Jay interrupted. “Coleridge is the R&D guys out of the secondary shuttle bay? I want to show Andrew our new toys.” A slight grin spread over Coleridge’s face. “Hang on a moment.” There was a slight pause. “Yes Commander Goodman and his team have left the ship.” Jay nodded. “Thanks Coleridge. Can you keep a eye out for use.” “Not a problem.” With that Coleridge faded from view and Jay quickly headed for the turbolift. Andrew turned and quickly followed her. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (SS Hepburn – Secondary Shuttle bay - CMO Williams - 15:42) Andrew followed Jay into the into the secondary shuttle bay. In side the shuttle bay there were three sleek machines about the size of a small shuttle but had not obvious enter hatch or cockpit. Two were stacked on top of each other in the maintenance area and the third was on the launch pad. He followed Jay as she headed towards one of these machines. “What are they?” Jay turned to her with a slight smile. “These Andrew are the future. They are unmanned space vehicles. They are fitted with the same sensor packaged as the Hepburn. So when they are deployed they will extend our sensor area and thus our search area.” Andrew ran his hand across its sleek hull. “Why are we bypassing this Commander Goodman?” Jay gave a slight grin. “He’s a bit of a stick in the mud. He feel that his USV should be used in a more military role. Rather then be given to us.” Andrew was about to ask another question when Coleridge’s voice came over the comm system. “Commander Goodman has returned to the ship and is heading in your direction.” “Jay nodded to her self. “Thanks Coleridge.” She then looked at Andrew. “Better get out of here. If Goodman knows that we have been here he will get a coronary.” With that he quickly followed her to the turbolifts. (Reply any) (posted by Robbie) (SS Hepburn – Sickbay - CMO Williams - 16:00) Jay and Andrew entered sickbay. She turned to him with a big smile. “This is all mine. Okay it’s a bit small and nothing like what I had on my last ship but its mine all the less.” Andrew nodded as he looked around the tiny sickbay. He knew exactly what Jay meant. He had felt the same when he had been given Spectres sickbay as CMO. “I know what you mean. You will have great fun terrorising all your staff.” She gave Andrew a grin and nodded. “I’ve got some thing to give you but it’s in my quarters.” Andrew gave her a slight grin and she rolled her eyes. “You have a filthy mind young man.” He followed her out of sickbay. “Me! You’re the one who started all this.” She gave a mischievous grin. “Ow yes forgot that one.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (SS Hepburn – Jay’s personal quarters - CMO Williams - 16:09) She entered her quarters and walked over to her wardrobe which she opened. He saw in side was the Kirk era medical uniform that he had given to her. She grinned and shook her head. “Thank you your gift. I can’t believe you actually got one for me?” She then crossed over to a small desk. She took a small data chip and gave it to him. “This is something for you but you must only open it until you have left dock okay.” Andrew nodded as he took the chip. As he looked around her small quarters and noticed a fully laden rucksack lying on her bed. “Going any where nice?” Jay nodded. “I have a friend who is studding traditional methods with indigenous people in south America.” She paused for a moment and then looked from the rucksack to Andrew. “Do you want to come with me. I’m only going for two days to give him some equipment he needs. Because he is working with indigenous people we can’t just transport into the village.” Andrew paused and then nodded. “Yeh why not?” Jay grinned. “You are going to like this. Let’s get you some stuff.” With that she picked up her rucksack and headed out of her quarters. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 22:00) Chuck awoke in a sweat. He had had a nightmare but he couldn’t remember what it was. It was an occasional occurrence for any part Borg. Thank God he didn’t have them every night. “Another nightmare?” asked a female voice from behind him in the bed. Chuck rolled over swiftly and there was the unmistakable red hair and smiling face of Judith Donaldson in the bed next to him. “Ye …” He almost answered her before realizing the improbability of her presence. “Wha …” “Don’t worry about it … I’m back to stay … just go back to sleep.” Said Judith settling her head down on the extra pillow that Chuck always kept on the bed. “But …” Chuck couldn’t find the words. His eyes began to reservoir with tears. “Who’s she, Charlie?” came three voices from behind Chuck. He didn’t need to turn around but the sheer embarrassment of having four women present in his “nuptial chamber” was too much. His eyes fell on Kreung, Bristed, and Vasilyovna standing just off the beds edge … bell-bottoms and all. A mixture of joy, puzzlement, fear, love, and embarrassment took hold of Chuck. No words seemed to come as Chuck looked at his wife to gauge her reaction. “Who are they, Charles!” demanded Judith looking puzzled. He had “first-named” him. “Well …” Chuck looked back at the three women standing over the bed. Their retro clothes had been replaced by bathing suits and the bed began to feel more like sand and sea than a bed. As Chuck’s eyes scanned the scene he noticed that his wife seemed to fade into sand and sea herself. Chuck reached for her hand as it became like the sand. Her hair ran off her head … salt water off sand. “Come on Chuck, join us.” Cheered the three bikini clad women, now tossing a beach ball. Chuck let out a scream. It sounded more like a mouse than a man. The scene faded and Chuck woke up still laying in his bed. Chuck sat up quickly. The room was freezing. Chuck ran his hands through his hair. Apparently the room’s temperature regulator had malfunctioned. “I guess it beats a cold shower.” Chuck muttered to himself. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) =========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 128 Stardate: 2408.01.12 (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:00) If Alex allowed himself to show his emotions he would have been punching the walls. Instead he simply internally yelled while he walked to the Counselor's offce as he had been ordered. ~This is utterly ridiculous, I do not need counselling. What I need is a captain who does not meddle in my personal affairs.~ But he could no longer put it off. At last he reached the door, and waited for permission to come in while hoping that the Counselor was sick. (reply Sella) Cursing in his head Alex walked in. "Ensign Goldsteen reporting as ordered against his will" he said. One would have thought that such words would be accompanied by a growl or sarcastic tone, but his voice had less emotion in it that an Android's. (reply Sella iyw) "Let's get this exercise in futility over with," he said with the same tone while sitting down. His body language gave away little if anything. He sat straight, hands on his knees and his eyes looking straight at the counselor. (reply Sella) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:01) Sella reveled in the silence and empty space. With no moving object in the room she was able to loose enough focus to fade the room to an empty space, no spacial perception, no mental shadows, just empty space. She was given a few moments warning of her reverie being disturbed by a wash of volatile emotions just before the door chime rang. Clamping down on her shields she sat up straight and put a smile on her face. "Come," She said, and heard the door open. "Ensign Goldsteen reporting as ordered against his will" he said. "So noted," Sella said. "Please, take a seat," she said moving around the desk and sitting in a chair facing another chair. "Let's get this exercise in futility over with," he said sitting down. "First off, I am ethically obligated to tell you that I am a full telepath. I will not use my abilities on you without your express, vocal permission," Sella said. It wasn't entirely true, there were two or three other cases where her ethical requirements would allow her to read Ensign Goldsteen's thoughts. There were strict constructionists in the Aenar society that would say that there were no situations that allowed one to use telepathy against the will of the target. However, many Aenar in the medical profession, as well as those more worldly ones, agreed that in rare and sever occasions it was more important to help a patient than get their permission. (Reply Goldsteen iyw) "Secondly, whatever you think, you did come here of your own free will. You could have easily refused the order. Either tried to resign your commission, fought the order through JAG, or simply said no and been put in confinement. Which means one of two things, either you value being a service to the fleet and Federation, or there is some part of you, somewhere, that wants to talk to someone about something." Sella said, her sightless eyes moving never focusing on Goldsteen. "But in the end, it doesn't really matter to me, which reason it is, all that matters is your had your options and you chose to show up. As to this being futile, nothing is ever completely futile, it just doesn't always come to the conclusion we want or expect." Sella said with a shrug. (Reply Goldsteen) "Well then on with this futile exercise as you so deftly put it," Sella said. "So, did you have a refreshing R&R?" (Reply Goldsteen) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:02) "Secondly, whatever you think, you did come here of your own free will. You could have easily refused the order. Either tried to resign your commission, fought the order through JAG, or simply said no and been put in confinement. Which means one of two things, either you value being a service to the fleet and Federation, or there is some part of you, somewhere, that wants to talk to someone about something." Sella said, her sightless eyes moving never focusing on Goldsteen. "But in the end, it doesn't really matter to me, which reason it is, all that matters is your had your options and you chose to show up. As to this being futile, nothing is ever completely futile, it just doesn't always come to the conclusion we want or expect." Sella said with a shrug. "That's a lovely sentiment" Alex said uninterestedly "let's just get this over it." "Well then on with this futile exercise as you so deftly put it," Sella said. "So, did you have a refreshing R&R?" "I closed three cold cases" Alex said in the same toneless matter, "I'd be solving more if I wasn't forced to be here. I like to solve these cases because I enjoy solving a puzzling challenge. Congratulations, you've successfully unlocked the key to my psyche. May I go now?" (reply Sella) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:05) "I closed three cold cases" Alex said in the same toneless matter, "I'd be solving more if I wasn't forced to be here. I like to solve these cases because I enjoy solving a puzzling challenge. Congratulations, you've successfully unlocked the key to my psyche. May I go now?" "Lets just clear this up, before we go," Sella said, clamping down even harder on her mental shields. "The door is unlocked, you can stand up and walk out at any time. However, if you do so, I will recommend that you are discharged from duty and returned to civilian life. If you want to stay in Star Fleet you will do as your Commanding officer orders. You're not a prisoner, and you're free to make the decision that best suits you, but you also have to accept that your decisions have consequences. And as being friendly doesn't seem to have an effect on you, lets just cut to the chase." Sella said, hoping that being blunt might help. "You become a workaholic during your six month R&R, and yes you solved three cold cases, but why, why did you need to do so, so badly. You're looking for justice for someone, I don't know who because you won't talk to me, or anyone else for that matter. I've also had reports that your preferred methods of suspect interviews are far from legal under the Federation and Star Fleet laws. I haven't seen any of your methods myself, nor have I had explicit details about them, but from the reports, they aren't something Star Fleet or the Federation condones, on top of the fact, that the more aggressive interrogation tactics get, the less reliable the information you receive is going to be. So now that I've been honest, why don't you try it out. And see if you can get your emotions under control, I prefer not to spend so much energy on my mental shields trying to get the blizzard your sending out." Sella said in a clam and relaxed voice. (Reply Goldsteen) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Alex Golsteen - 10:06) "You become a workaholic during your six month R&R, and yes you solved three cold cases, but why, why did you need to do so, so badly. You're looking for justice for someone, I don't know who because you won't talk to me, or anyone else for that matter. I've also had reports that your preferred methods of suspect interviews are far from legal under the Federation and Star Fleet laws. I haven't seen any of your methods myself, nor have I had explicit details about them, but from the reports, they aren't something Star Fleet or the Federation condones, on top of the fact, that the more aggressive interrogation tactics get, the less reliable the information you receive is going to be. So now that I've been honest, why don't you try it out. And see if you can get your emotions under control, I prefer not to spend so my energy on my mental shields trying to get the blizzard your sending out." Sella said in a clam and relaxed voice. Alex cocked his head as he took in the Counselor's lengthy statement. He hoped that she did not think that he was hearing anything new, in fact she was reiterating what many others had already told him. But her ability to sense emotions, the fact that she sensed his emotions added a very new element to the situation. "Perhaps closing cases is simply a hobby of mine," he answered cooly. "Some choose to wile time away in the holodecks, others choose to socialize. I chose to engage my mind in three satisfying puzzles that were of sufficient difficulty to keep those that worked on them earlier from closing them. I was given the pleasure of a good challenege, and the thrill of being proved smarter than the ones who tackled it earlier. Now isn't having a satisfying thrilling time the point of a vacation. And before you mention it my family was not on earth during my R&R and I had no other reason to actually leave the ship. (reply Sella) "Furthermore if you wish to condone my interrogation techniques, perhaps you should find a specific complaint to bring up besides hearsay of my agressivenss. May I point out that I at no point do I physically hurt or even threaten the one I am interrogating. In fact I never even touch them. All I do is present them with the viewpoint that their actions or either foolhardy or irrational and it would be much better for them to cooperate with me. Now what part of that breaks Federation law?" (reply Sella) "As far as getting my emotions under control, well that is difficult since I have no idea what I am feeling." (reply Sella) "Do not mistake my meaning counselor" Alex said sharply. "I am not some simpleton that is lost and confused because he needs someone to tell him what he is feeling and why. I am being quite literal, I have no idea what emotion you sense eminatting from me. I have not been capable of feeling an emotion since before I joined Starfleet." Alex frowned for a second, "though for brief moments that she seems to change on this ship. I do not mean to give that a positive connontation by the way." (reply Sella) (posted by Dan Black) (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 10:12) "Perhaps closing cases is simply a hobby of mine," he answered cooly. "Some choose to wile time away in the holodecks, others choose to socialize. I chose to engage my mind in three satisfying puzzles that were of sufficient difficulty to keep those that worked on them earlier from closing them. I was given the pleasure of a good challenege, and the thrill of being proved smarter than the ones who tackled it earlier. Now isn't having a satisfying thrilling time the point of a vacation. And before you mention it my family was not on earth during my R&R and I had no other reason to actually leave the ship. "Fair enough, although I'm not sure it's just that, but go on," Sella said with a smile. "Furthermore if you wish to condone my interrogation techniques, perhaps you should find a specific complaint to bring up besides hearsay of my agressivenss. May I point out that I at no point do I physically hurt or even threaten the one I am interrogating. In fact I never even touch them. All I do is present them with the viewpoint that their actions or either foolhardy or irrational and it would be much better for them to cooperate with me. Now what part of that breaks Federation law?" "That's not how I've heard it from people who have seen a demonstration of your techniques," Sella said. "Also, physical contact isn't necessary for a interrogation technique to be considered out of line. However, if you'd care to demonstrate your methods for me, maybe we can clear all this up a little easier." Sella said NRPG: I wasn't on the list when Goldsteen did his demo for Kreung or whom ever, so I don't actually have specific things, as I've never seen the post which started all of this. "As far as getting my emotions under control, well that is difficult since I have no idea what I am feeling." "And that I can help you with, everyone gets confused sometimes," Sella said. "Do not mistake my meaning counselor" Alex said sharply. "I am not some simpleton that is lost and confused because he needs someone to tell him what he is feeling and why. I am being quite literal, I have no idea what emotion you sense eminatting from me. I have not been capable of feeling an emotion since before I joined Starfleet." Alex frowned for a second, "though for brief moments that she seems to change on this ship. I do not mean to give that a positive connontation by the way." "Ah, but did you hear the way you just spoke to me, there is anger in your voice, there was anger emenating from you before you walked in here. You might be refraining from showing the emotion, and maybe you really are unaware of the fact that you are experiencing them, but that's the key. You said of your down time that they gave you the "Pleasure" of a good puzzle, and the Thrill of solving it, both of those are emotions. So either you're simply telling me what I want to hear at one moment and then pretending your didn't say that another, or you are selectively amnesiac to the emotions you are experiencing. (Reply Goldsteen) "However, as this is going to be an on going relationship, there's no need to rush through things," Sella said, determining that forcing Alex would be the worst thing she could do. "We'll set up some more appointments, and see if we can't make some progress. And remember, nothing you tell me will leave this room, unless I determine your a danger to yourself or others. The only thing the Captain will hear from me is whether you're fit for duty or not," Sella said, typing something into her PADD. (Reply Goldsteen) "I'll talk to you soon, try and have a good day, until then," Sella said, sincerely, and smiled. (Reply Goldsteen) (Posted by Patrick D.) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest – CMO Williams - 12:36) Andrew sat in the small canoe looking out at the river bank as they passed. He looked at the dense vegetation that was surrounding them as they wound there way through the snake like river. He could hear the sounds of the rainforest over the soft noise of the canoe’s engine. He looked over and Jay and their guide who was an indigenise man from the village. Andrew looked back at Jay who was stretched out on her rucksack behind him. “How long are we going to take.” Jay shook her head and grinned. “Andrew live a little. Relax and enjoy it. Its not often we get to get out and see this.” They had transported to a river side port and were met by Remero who had come to collect them from the village. They then set off on there trip upstream. He nodded at what Jay had said and tried to relax as he looked back at the environment around him. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 15:00) Andrew looked around the village of San Marko. The village had been cut into the rain forest and it looked like they were fighting a never ending battle trying to stop the rain forest from reclaiming the land. The village comprised of about twelve houses which were surrounding a football pitch. Andrew grinned slightly to him self. It did not matter where people went sports always brought people together. He could see people were looking at them from the door ways of there houses. ~Must not get a lot of visitors~ “Ah Jay you made it good.” Andrew turned to see a large Bolion come out of one of the houses. Andrew paused for a moment thinking about how strange it was that a Bolian was learning medical anthropology from a humans on earth. He pushed these thoughts out of his mind as he followed Jay over to the smiling Bolian. “S.T. how are you doing?” S.T. grinned and gave her a big hug. “So who is your friend that you have brought with you?” Jay turned and looked at Andrew. “S.T. this is a friend of my Andrew Williams.” S.T. nodded. “Nice to meet you. Ow Jay please tell me that you brought it?” Jay nodded. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry. S.T. gave a big sigh and grinned as he saw the frown that had crossed Andrew face. “It’s chocolate.” Andrew’s frown deepened. “Chocolate!” Jay nodded. “S.T. had a big craving for chocolate and as it is hot here it melts very quickly. He realise on frequent aid parcels.” S.T. nodded and turned towards one of the closest houses. As Andrew and Jay followed him he realised that the houses were on stilts about a foot off the ground. They made of wood and had leaf roofs. ~This is definitely not standard Starfleet issue~ “Come in and grab a seat and you can tell me what’s been happening since we last met.” Andrew followed them into the dark and cool interior of the house. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 18:02) Andrew sat in one of the small kitchen huts that were behind the main house. The wood fire was at the far end and had been burning four hours. His clothes were saturated in buy the smock of the fire but he did not mind as he watched fascinated by one of the woman cooking there meal. He had been watching her for hours as she prepared their meal and cooked it. Andrew looked up as Jay and S.T. entered the kitchen. “So there you are. Picking up any tips.” Andrew blushed slightly and nodded. The woman turned and poured something into three tin cups and handed it to them. Andrew looked at it for a moment and realise that it was bigger then the rest. The woman said something to him in her own language. Andrew just gave her a blank look. She repeated it again and then looked at S.T. who grinned and replied. The woman’s face split into a grin and laughed as she turned back to the fire. Andrew eyed S.T. “What did she say?” “She says that you look unwell because you are so thin. She said that you look to thin and needed more meat on your bones. To make you big and strong.” Jay giggled. “Yeh that’s true.” Andrew just glared at her. (reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (McKinley Station - Spectre-Umbilical cord 7 - Security check post - Checkpoint controller PO Jonathan Agrear - 19:16) "Hi Carol," the checkpoint supervisor heard and as she looked up, she saw John Agrear walk up to her, carrying a padd. "Hey, John, I didn't know that you were back already. How was the holiday?" John grinned broadly. "Short, way too short. I was just about to get to learn this gorgeous woman I met on Palagar a bit better, when out of nowhere this shuttle lands to take me back. I mean, how unsporting can you get!" Carol Fraser grinned for a second, knowing full well that John was the kind of man who saw it as a marriage invitation if the woman didn't frown at him five seconds after she laid eyes on him. "I know, John, I know. Life is so unfair, eh? But what brings you down? Aren't you afraid that your comfy chair upstairs will get cold?" John grunted but disregarded the jibe. "The cord is now cleared for passage. The problems with the airlock have been resolved. And we have a PAWOL-ler. An Ensign ..... Styg, apparently. Should have reported in to the Spectre today but didn't. Probably did a runner but you know them, we have to make sure he isn't lying around somewhere. I've got his reporting card on this PADD. This Styg-fellow. Ring any bells?" Carol shook her head. "Not on this floor," she replied. "An Ensign, you say? VERY unlikely. He would more likely report in on the main deck rather than us. When was the last time one of them Ensigns graced us with their presence?" "Well," John replied after some thought, "There was this guy, Ensign Taylor, I think, three years ago?" "He doesn't count," Carol said with a frown. "He was lost. No, he's main, I bet you anything he's one of their hotshots." John fell silent, then suddenly grinned. "You're on." he said quickly. "You did say anything, didn't you?" Carol eyed the PO wearily. "Yes," she said slowly, wondering what she had gotten herself into. "Why?" Jonathan by this time beamed. "Just came from there," he said laughing, "They haven't heard or seen him either. Ok, it's settled then. Dinner for two in my quarters and you do the cooking." Laughing loudly he turned and walked away, quickly followed by the checkpoint supervisor. "But John," Carol tried, "you know I'm a lousy cook!" "Not as lousy as I am," John replied then stopped and turned round, facing her. "Unless you wanna go back on your word?" he said. Carol stopped dead in her tracks, sighed and shook her head. "No," she said sighing, "I won't. OK, I'll cook your flippin' dinner. But don't you go expecting any after dinner deserts!" "I'm not," John replied quickly, a bit too quickly for Carol's liking. ~And what is wrong with me?~ she thought with a pang of anger. "Good!" John said then smacked his lips. "Baked beans on toast with melted cheese on top. Lovely! You won't find that in any posh restaurant." ~And that is for a VERY good reason,~ Carol thought annoyed. "You cheated," she accused. "You still haven't got a clue where this Ensign is." "Where what Ensign is?" they suddenly heard a third voice from behind. Jonathan turned around and nodded to the newcomer. "Hi LT, Carol is going out with me," he said to Lieutenant (jg) Melvin Bradley, the secondary checkpoint manager. "Is she now?" Melvin said, shooting a glance at Carol. "No, I'm not," she replied frostily, "I'm gonna cook his dinner, that's all." "Ahh," was all that Melvin said with a questioning look in his eyes. "And that has something to do with this Ensign that is lost?" Melvin tried again when no further explanations followed. "Well, sort of, " John replied quickly before Carol could say anything. "I just told Carol about this Ensign-dude that was supposed to report in to the Spectre but did not show. I've got his report-card right here and a rank and a name, an Ensign ...." Jonathan checked the padd again. "Styg," he finished having found it on the PADD. Melvin looked at the man for a second then whistled sharply through his teeth. "The ghost?" he asked as he grabbed the PADD to check the name for himself. "Ghost?!" both of the others exclaimed. "Yeah, creepy guy, came here three days ago from upstairs." He then turned around to look at Carol. "You must have seen him?" he tried, "White evac suit, been here for the last three days?" Carol's eyes opened wide. "That? Eh... him? But I thought it was an exhibition piece that somebody forgot to remove. That wasn't an Ensign? It hasn't moved! Not an inch!" Melvin nodded. "Nope, hasn't moved a muscle ever since he came down. I had some ship-guys check him out, because, basically he gave me the creeps. Like looking at a statue and you get this feeling that it is about to jump you, you know? Very weird and creepy. But they checked him out and said he was legit. He was an Ensign from planet Styg and his name was Styg. And then they hightailed out of here. Never seen them walk that fast. But he didn't move, didn't speak, basically did nothing but stand around. And after a while, we forgot about him. well, he was always there, you see and after a while he kinda blended in with the background so to speak. Kilana from the canteen once stepped up to him and asked if he wanted something to eat or to drink? Not a single reaction. Just ignored her and stood there, for sixty or seventy hours. And not one movement. I tell you, he's a creep." Jonathan looked around him frowning. "And where is he then?" he said tersely, pretty sure that he was being wound up. Both Carol and Melvin spoke as one "Well, over..." and both Carol and Melvin fell silent simultaneously as they both pointed to an empty floor at the back of the landing. "Well, I'll be.." Melvin said. "He was just there, not more than a minute ago. I saw him!" Suddenly three hearts stopped beating as the three heard this .... sound. It sounded like somebody with asthma breathed heavily through a large metallic pipe. Actually three large metallic pipes, each with a slightly different diameter. On the whole it sounded like a wail that lasted for several seconds, and all three suddenly saw in their mind this banshee rising up through the floor behind them to claim their souls. They all shivered when the wail ended, to be followed by three voices with slightly differing frequencies and with slight delays between them saying softly: "C-c-c-o-o-o-n-n-n-e-e-e-c-c-c-t-t-t-i-i-i-o-o-o-n-n-n ..................... a-a-a-v-v-v-a-a-a-i-i-i-l-l-l-a-a-a-b-b-b-l-l-l-e-e-e?" NRPG: Imagine somebody who breathed in helium and then spoke with a spooky voice combined with three thousand fingernails scratching on the blackboard. RPG: Jonathan, suddenly feeling very foolish, not having seen that apparition himself, turned on the spot. He froze as he saw a statue, clad in a white evac suit, standing behind him unmoving, but at the same time about to jump him. "Uhhhh, " he started then fell silent as he heard the small motors inside the suit start whirring and the helmet turned slowly until it faced him and Jonathan looked upon the black visor and suddenly felt trapped by the utter blackness that emanated from it. His knees started buckling, or would have, if his muscles weren't so rigid with fright. "Uhhhh," Jonathan uttered again, his gaze held by the visor and the emptiness it promised behind it. "You Styg?" he uttered with dried out mouth. The motors whirred again and the helmet turned slowly to the front again, his visor pointing now in between Melvin and Carol. Again a long wail followed, and John thought his heart would stop beating permanently. "Y-y-y-e-e-e-s-s-s," followed the seconds-long wail and then after what felt like a lifetime: "S-s-s-t-t-t-y-y-y-g-g-g ......... c-c-o-o-o-n-n-n-e-e-e-c-c-c-t-t-t-i-i-i-o-o-o-n-n-n ..................... a-a-a-v-v-v-a-a-a-i-i-i-l-l-l-a-a-a-b-b-b-l-l-l-e-e-e?" NRPG: In future I will write single letters, but I did the above to give an impression of how it must have sounded. RPG: Having been released by the unstaring stare, Jonathan swallowed quickly. "Uhhh, yes, Sir," he followed on, looking down at his PADD which gave him new courage. " I have your report card here, Sir. But I need your thumbprint as proof..." He fell suddenly silent as the motors started whirring again and the helmet turned towards him again, but then he heard different motors whirring and the helmet also moved downwards until the motors fell silent again and the helmet looked at the PADD. Jonathan suddenly realised that it would be hard to get anything from the Ensign, let alone a thumbprint from a fully-gloved hand. Different motors suddenly started whirring and the Ensign's left arm came up and turned and his hand, clad in white gloves, opened and he lay his index finger on the PADD. It remained there for several sounds until the hand and arm moved again, accompanied by several whirring motors. The hand fell in place next to the body and a whole orchestra of motors sounded out as the statue started walking away from the three towards the area in the back that Carol was still pointing at, open mouthed. "... of arrival ," Jonathan finished the sentence and then looked down on his PADD. He nearly dropped it when he saw a thumb-sized spot of cascading green and purple in the area reserved for the thumb-print to acknowledge arrival, obviously left there by the index finger as it 'touched' the PADD. Frowning, he ran his finger over it, wondering if somehow the Ensign had broken it, but he found he could not rub it off. He pressed harder with his thumb and accidentally touched the 'report' button. The PADD responded with a beep and a green light to signal that it accepted the identification evidence. Again Jonathan swallowed, but this time out of surprise until he started laughing nervously. He looked up and saw to his amazement that the suit was halfway through the umbilical entrance. "Uhh, yes, thank you, Sir," he shouted out at the back of the retreating figure. "But we need to see your reporting in PADD, Sir." Suddenly the figure halted and although he was now too far away to hear the motors, Jonathan could imagine hearing them in his mind as the helmet turned again and didn't stop until it had turned 180 degrees and looked backwards. The wail didn't sound as frightening this time, most likely due to the distance between the Ensign and Jonathan. Never the less seeing a helmet of an evac suit gave the mind an impression of a head being inside it and to see it turn for a full half turn was frightening enough on its own. "No," the figure said, " Not see PADD. Not be T'Vhor. T'Vhor see PADD. Regulations." Jonathan looked for a second at the equally baffled Melvin. "But I can assure you, Sir, that that is how we can see who can access a ship and who shouldn't. Just to check, Sir. You'll get it back. But, Sir, I must insist that I see it!". The helmet moved under constant whirring but then his arm moved to the pocket on his right hip and the fingers opened the flap. "Activate visual organs." "He means, you got your eyes open?" Carol said grinning, then looked up at the suit-figure in the entrance section of the umbilical cord and saw it taking a PADD slowly out of the hip-pocket to hold it up, then after a few seconds, the arm was lowered and the hand deposited the PADD back into the pocket. He then started walking again, with his head still pointing backwards. Yet he found his way without faltering and only when he had disappeared into the umbilical cord did the head turn to the front again. Seeking assistance Jonathan looked at Melvin, who looked at Carol then at Jonathan. "Uhh?" John said, "Shouldn't we stop him. You're the LT." Melvin regarded John for a second. "You want to call him BACK? Besides you said you needed to see his PADD and he showed it. That you do not have eagle vision is not his fault. And did the report card accept him? " John looked down at the 'smudge' on the PADD. "Well, yes." John said hesitantly. "Then he is no longer our problem. They can deal with him on the Spectre." (reply by nobody at this time, unless you wish an NPC to 'interact' with Styg. There will be further posts about him.) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 20:00) The Captain had entered his ready room today feeling refreshed & more than ready to return to duty immediately, rather than the four days time that he had actually been scheduled to do so. His time on Vulcan had been both restful & taxing in equal amounts, a fact that the Morale Officer would no doubt have disapproved of course, but nevertheless, the fact remained that it had done him good & he was ready now to return to duty. Devoid of his uniform at this point in time however, he was still wearing the clothing that he had arrived in upon disembarking the Ganymede after it had established orbit of Earth, it's journey from Vulcan having completed well ahead of time now that the route restrictions had been lifted. Slinging his holdall haphazardly upon the sofa against the wall, T'Vhor walked towards the replicator & undid the top buttons of his tan jacket whilst verbalizing his wishes to the presently inert machine set into the wall. "Coffee, Brazilian santos, white & sweetened" The replicator performed it's usual magic with a slight whirring noise & then the required beverage materialized in the reception tray for collection, the Captain taking a quick sip from the cup as he walked towards his desk to take a seat & then peruse the reports & status evaluations that he knew would be waiting for him. It went without saying of course that the ship was almost at full operational readiness now, the repairs to the spaceframe & the external hull having completed along with the various upgrades that had been scheduled for all fleet vessels, so as to bring them into line with current technological advances. That upgrade list read more than four pages in length indicating that the research facilities had certainly not been idle during the war. Moving on further to the personal communique's however, the Captain settled back into his chair & allowed them to play one by one whilst sipping his coffee to the steady background hum of the warp core idling under test in engineering far below him. =/\=.......it was good to see you again T'Vhor, the years have hardly made a difference to..... & then we had to deal with an outbreak of tribbles on board the ship & the cook ended up in..... our losses were heavy, but we are rebuilding. Slowly.....=/\= The messages played on, seemingly blurring from one to the next as each imparted it's contents. Then came the command communiques, operational updates & such detailing the many & varied developments that had been occuring on the key worlds as the utter mess of forced occupation was slowly, but surely cleared away. There were of course the new crew arrivals as well, their names listing sequentially along with their assignments & such as the CO surveyed them one by one. The chime sounding at the door as he read through them however could have seemed synchronicity to anyone but a Vulcan had they in fact known what now stood beyond it, & as the Captain indicated for the person to enter, he was hardly prepared for what would now appear. How often had a Vulcan been left speechless? It could have probably been counted upon one hand for sure & yet right now, T'Vhor could only gaze at the somewhat bizarre vision now standing in the opened doorway before him. At first thought, it might have seemed that someone might be playing a practical joke by arriving on ship in an EVA suit, but then the proverbial penny dropped & the CO responded, logically of course. "You must be Ensign Styg", said the Captain as he rose up from his chair, his hand extended to greet the strange newcomer. "I have been eager to meet your aquaintence", he added as the figure proceeded towards him amidst a multitude of electro mechanical servo sounds which accompanied it's efficient but robotic like movements. (Reply Styg) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign (jg) Styg - 20:15) "You must be Ensign Styg", said the Captain as he rose up from his chair, his hand extended to greet the strange newcomer. "I have been eager to meet your acquaintance". "Yes, Styg", the reply came as the suit came to a stand still a meter away from the desk. The helmet turned until it 'looked' at the Captain and then went down to look at the extended hand. For a moment there was silence, then: " T'vhor. Come for T'vhor." The helmet whirred up again until it rested on the Captain's face. It remained there for four seconds then turned back to front as the left arm moved towards the hip pocket, from where the gloved hand retrieved a PADD. "PADD for T'Vhor. Box for T'Vhor. PADD and box for T'Vhor. PADD first," Styg recited as his right arm dropped the PADD onto the hand of the Captain. The arm then went back to the pocket and retrieved a small box from it which it placed on the desk. As soon as the box was placed down, it emitted a holo-projection of the face of an elderly man, wearing Star Fleet teal. "Oh, uhh, you sure it is on?" The figure spoke as it looked away to the side. The answer was inaudible but it led to the face looking forward again. "Oh, well, you're supposed to be the technical brains here." the man said as he sighed looking straight forward. After a minute of looking straight ahead, the eyes of the man in the projection moved left. "You will tell me when you start recording, right?" Again the answer was inaudible but the man's expression suddenly changed to shock. "What?" he said then shook his head. "Oh, ehhh, Hi there. Uhh Captain. Yes. Uhh. Hi there, Captain. I am professor Gustav Grendel, leader of the Xeno-biology section of Star Fleet Academy and for 35 years project leader of project New Life. Styg, which you must have met by now, is the subject of project New Life and a constant source of wonder and excitement. In short, Captain..... you are a Captain, aren't you?" The figure went silent for a few seconds then after an inaudible hiss from the side, he continued. "Well, if you haven't made it to Captain yet, it will only be a matter of time, I am sure. Anyway, Captain, or something similar, in short Project New Life was created to study and develop the life form that was found in the gas clouds of planet Styx. Styg is that life form. Now I know that there are many debates on whether Styg classes as a life form but since Star Fleet agreed with our definition we can take it that he is. Anyway, for the last 95 years after having been found, we have studied and developed Styg as best as we could. But we have noticed in the last ten years that his development has slowed down. We think, after many discussions, that it is the surroundings that are key to that. You see, Styg has only seen and lived in a few places, the laboratory on the USS Darwin and then straight from there he went to the science park on Luna. And that is where he has spent all of his days. So a certain boredom can be expected. Mind you, we are convinced that time is for him an abstract concept and it had taken us years to explain the term waiting to him. Otherwise he is quite a bright lad... or lass. He seems to be able to grasp certain aspects quicker than others and some will not stick at all, how hard we tried. One was the definition of life and death, by the way. Totally alien to him." The face shrugged. "Of course, in most cases he was totally alien to us. His reality seems to be quite different from ours. I would think that poor Styg is living in a constant state of utter confusion. And bless him, he does his best to create some kind of structure in this world of his. Which leads me to you, Captain. Or Admiral. Or Commodore. Project New Life is starting a new phase. Instead of staying in the research facility, we have decided to ship him out and let him experience life out there and thus hopefully he will start developing again. We wanted to send a few of us along, just to keep an eye on things but we have been told that that would stop him in his progression. So the onus is now on you, Captain, or Vice-Admiral, or whatever. Allow Styg to experience real life. In return you will find that he has a darn sharp and quick mind and he knows physics better than anyone I know of. Mind you, with some of the physicists that I have seen, that wouldn't be too hard. But he is quite good at observing and drawing conclusions from it. We do have a problem with his communication though. He knows grammar and spelling and he will understand everything you say. But somehow he doesn't want to use them himself. Apparently good grammar is a 'waste' according to him. So don't expect him to talk your socks off because he won't. But when he does say something, make note of it. It doesn't matter if you don't understand a word that he is saying, if it is important, and we have witnessed that on several occasions, he will alter it until we do understand it. He is really a very bright lad." The face now beamed. "Just as a pointer, Styg himself taught himself how to operate the EVAC-suit. How, we don't know yet, but when we changed his suit, we noticed a large number of Ammonia crystals embedded in the fabric's material. Likewise, when his suit was hung in a shuttle for transport home he taught himself how to operate a shuttle. We assume that he has been observing the pilot but even so it would not explain everything. So you get a smart cookie on board your vessel, Captain. In return all we ask is that from time to time you allow one or two of our team on board to observe and talk to him and to allow him full use of your facilities. He won't learn that much if he is stuck inside a storage container for all of the time. Also, and this is vital, you must allow him to visit a gas giant in a shuttle every two to three months. We think it regenerates him but again we have no idea how. Oh, and if you wondered how you were chosen for this job, we .... ehh.. drew lots and you won. Or lost, if you wis. Just be aware, Captain, that project New Life is fostered by some of the highest Star Fleet officers around and your assistance will be greatly appreciated." The scientist nodded. "I think that is about it, Captain. If you have any more urgent questions, you can reach us on Luna Station. Oh, just one more thing. Whatever you may think, Captain, Styg is utterly and totally alien to us. Do not think that because he looks like a human, he will act like one, because he won't. Ok, That's all I can think of at the moment. Grendel signing off." The face continued to stare head for a few seconds then he relaxed visibly. "Well, that wasn't going too bad, I wou..." The projection disappeared. "Fahhh-ther Grehhhh-ndel." Styg said before his motors started whirring again and the helmet faced the Captain. "Fahhh-ther T'Vhhhor." NRPG: Styg IS totally alien to us. Can I play such an alien concept? Well, there is only one way to find out. 8-) RPG: (Reply by T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 20:25) The visual aids employed by the bizarre automaton were strange to say the least. After verbally introducing himself, sort of, Ensign Styg had placed the small holo-emitter upon the desk with his PADD in the same manner he had every other act since entering the room, namely slowly & precisely. Once it had been activated though, the orator being projected had proved to be everyones idea of a somewhat 'mad professor', right down to the bumbling attitude & the bald head, flanked as it was by the bushy extremeties gracing the sides of his cranium. The message itself however seemed straight forward enough, it explained the Ensign's core origins & his state of play in regards his long progression through Starfleet's hallowed & much vaunted scientific research & development corridors. The Captain listened intently throughout of course as the message was relayed, occasionally glancing up into the cold, black visor of the EVA suit now standing almost impossibly still in front of him. Then once the bumbling, occasionally flickering orators verbal updates had finally come to an uneasy end, the Captain again returned his gaze to Ensign Styg as the strange, hollow voice came forth once more. "Fahhh-ther Grehhhh-ndel.......Fahhh-ther T'Vhhhor.", said Styg as he moved a hand thenceforth towards the PADD on the table. T'Vhor raised an eyebrow quizically.... ~Father T'Vhor?~ He hoped that the Ensign was not going to be needing to be babysat here, that would not do at all. The Captain however suddenly found himself wondering then about how the strange new addition to their ship would go down with the rest of the crew. The voice in particular would need to be worked upon if Styg's interaction as a duty member were to be reliable & intuitive enough to those he dealt with, after all, waiting any more than a minute for a report on an approaching anomoly in regards whether or not it was dangerous, was quite simply not an option during a mission! Styg's speciality however did seem to be science, so no doubt he could work with the Spectre's science team to immprove his verbal processing & response times & also fine tune any other failings that might present themselves at a later date. "Father?", said T'Vhor flatly, "No Ensign, I am your Captain, your Commanding officer", he added. "It is time now for you to interact at an entirely different level to that you have already experienced prior in Professor Grendel's laboratory", said T'Vhor, wondering then if the Ensign would actually be requiring any sustenence at all beyond that already stated by his... 'Father'. (Reply Styg, IYW) "Is there anything I can get you, do you require anything other than the occasional immersal within the atmosphere of a gas giant?", he asked, thinking at the same time that perhaps they could adapt his quarters to suit such needs for ease of access to such things. It wouldn't be beyond them after all. (Reply Styg) The Captain nodded & brought his hands together in front of him upon the desk. To a Vulcan familiar & comfortable with logic, the voice, although considered somewhat eerie to others perhaps was simply a means of communication & as such it did the job, albeit a little slowly. "I can see that you will be an interesting addition to the Spectre crew Ensign Styg", said the Captain moving on, "quarters have of course been arranged for you already. Whether or not you avail yourself of them immediately, have use of them even or perhaps prefer to visit our science facilities however is your choice entirely", he added. "Other than that, we are scheduled to depart spacedock in ninety six hours & fifty two minutes, your duty shift will not begin until that time", said the Captain as he gazed again into the stark, blank & unmoving faceplate of the EVA suit. (Reply Styg) ~Our Xenobiologist is going to find you very interesting I'm sure~ thought the Captain wryly, then he handed the Ensign back his PADD, ammended as it now was with the requisite updates, clearances & essential info that would be required by Styg himself during his familiarisation of his new surroundings. "Please Ensign, do not hesitate to contact me or any of the crew if you require assistance of any kind", said the Captain as the hollow mechanical voice sounded once more. (Reply Styg) "It has been.....", said the Captain pondering his next words carefully, "....a pleasure", he added as the figure turned about & then continued on it's way. (Reply Styg) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign Styg - 20:27) "Father?", said T'Vhor, "NoEnsign,IamyourCaptain,yourCommandingofficer", he added. "Itistimenowforyoutointeractatanentirelydifferent leveltothatyouhavealreadyexperiencedpriorinProfessorGrendel'slaboratory" As the Captain was talking, Styg adjusted his memory 'unit' feeding it with new pulses so that the information contained therein was updated. For instance Father T'Vhor became No-Father T'Vhor. His position didn't seem to change, being that tells what to do, so perhaps this Captain-description was a different term for the same thing. It couldn't be related to No-Father T'Vhor specifically , as the term Captain was stored in the same 'section' as Commander and Ensign, like Styg apparently was, so it was a description for a group not for a being. "Un der stood," Styg fed the voice box with pulses. "IsthereanythingIcangetyou, doyourequireanythingotherthantheoccasionalimmersalwithintheatmosphereofagasgiant?" Styg had trouble locating the right memory sections. As soon as he accessed one, he realised he had to access another, which then meant that the first one was lost again. There were just too many references that he had to access at the same time and he realised he needed more storage. He opened a microleak in his suit to allow Nitrogen molecules to enter it so that he could later 'construct' more storage units after he had collected a few hundred molecules. Of course, the term molecules meant little to him. They were just references to some of the information he had received earlier on in the lab. Styg fed the voice box with pulses again with his standard answer if the question was too much to cope with. "No." The being's shape changed. "IcanseethatyouwillbeaninterestingadditiontotheSpectrecrewEnsignStyg. Quartershaveofcoursebeenarrangedforyoualready. Whetherornotyouavailyourselfofthemimmediately, haveuseofthemevenorperhapsprefertovisitoursciencefacilitieshoweverisyourchoiceentirely. Otherthanthat, wearescheduledtodepartspacedockinninetysixhours & fiftytwominutes, yourdutyshiftwillnotbeginuntilthattime." There were many references to items stowed deep inside the memory as they had tried to 'teach' Styg all that he needed to know to be able to perform on board a starship. It had been at least ten years of training worth and Styg had had to create many memories during that time. The access speed was getting an issue as he had never before needed to structure the information received. But the need became apparent. "Un der stood" Styg 'stated' as he ordered his right hand to grab the PADD that the No-Father had handed him. As he held it, he injected a few new crystals into the glove to 'link up' with the PADD and the information it contained. Accessing a piece of equipment had been one of his first 'achievements'' even if it had been a rather simple voicebox. But 'soon', after a few years he became to realise that equipment that came from the same source, were set up the same way, which speeded up his access to information greatly. "PleaseEnsign, donothesitatetocontactmeoranyofthecrewifyourequireassistanceofanykind" "Yes," Styg started but then accessing another memory section added. "Sir." "Ithasbeen ........ apleasure". As Styg walked out, he turned his helmet to face the Captain and his right hand and arm turned 180 degrees to face backwards. Still walking towards the door his arm was raised and his glove split outwards. The amount of information that they had 'instilled' into him was amazing. "Lihve long and prohsper." Styg said slowly as the door opened for him and he turned his arm, wrist and helmet back forward again as he left the office. Unfortunately he had no idea where he would go next to. Perhaps he would investigate his new duty-position first. Or his quarters, whatever they were. On the other hand, he could just wait. (Reply T'Vhor, IYW) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's Captain T'Vhor - 21:57) The resonant tone now meandering it's way through the air in the Captain's quarters was pleasant enough, albeit a little straining on the ear in one or two places. Vulcan opera was like that though, not quite as unpleasant as Klingon opera could be but an acquired taste nonetheless. It helped the Vulcan hybrid though, relaxed him & allowed him to focus on just being, well.... blank. At this precise moment in time, his eyes were closed, he was in a place of utter tranquility & the air around him was almost palpable in an enjoyable way rather than an intrusive one. Kohl-tor itself invariably achieved this though, the desired goal had been attained, now all one had to do was disconnect. The chime seemed distant at first, nondescript. It was as though someone were striking a gong on mount Seleya or Gol. Then the reality arrived as the Captain snapped free of the Kohl-tor to realise that someone had rung the chime to his quarters. He sat upright upon the couch he had been resting on, then he took a deep breath. "Computer, what is the current time?", he asked. [The current time is twenty two hundred hours, five minutes & forty two seconds] ~Who would require to speak with me at this hour?~ thought the Captain as he turned to face the door & then gave the command for whoever it was to enter. The door of course opened in a moment to reveal an Aenar female dressed in medical teal, she took one step into the room & then stopped, apparently as though waiting now for a sign that she was not intruding, then she called the Captain's name. "Captain T'Vhor?", said the woman as she looked about the room for something significant to fix upon before finally stopping in the Captain's general location. "Ah Captain, I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I'm Counselor Sella, at your service", said the Aenarian woman. The Captain remained seated, not wishing to confuse the Ensign now by changing his position suddenly. "I see, how may I help you Ensign?", enquired the Captain in a calm tone. "I do apologize for coming so late, but I did wish to introduce myself before you get caught up in the relaunch of the ship", said the Councellor, "if you are in the middle of something we can easily do this during more regular hours", she added in an almost apologetic tone of voice now, obviously fearing that she may be disturbing the Captain's privacy. "It is not a problem Councellor, please, enter. Make yourself comfortable", said the Captain as he stood & then made to move towards a nearby table to pour himself a glass of pure fruit juice from the jar that had stood upon it. "Perhaps I can get you something to drink?", asked the Captain as the Aenar female moved into the room & felt her way to a nearby seat. (Reply Sella) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Counselor Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:00) Sella smiled and walked slowly down the hall, the fingers of her right hand brushing lightly against the wall as she carried a small case in the other. She was forced to stop once when a trio of bodies jogged past her, inciting a wave of vertigo as he spacial sense was overwhelmed for a moment. "Use the gym you brainless wonders," Sella muttered under her breath after they had passed around the corner. "Computer, directions to Captain T'Vhor's personal quarters...detailed, transmit to my ear piece," Sella said regaining her balance. [Proceed 20 meters in your current direction, turn 90 degrees to your left, the door will be directly in front of you.] Sella, long ago, had learned to measure and count her paces in attempts to find her way around. The Aenar ability kept her from bumping into larger objects, most of the time, but it didn't help her find a door, or read a sign. It was so easy on Andoria in her home city. The Caverns changed so slowly it was easy to remember her way around. She knew the Northern city by heart, and she missed the familiarity of it. She felt helpless having to ask the computer for directions, but she'd learn the ship soon. "Computer is Captain T'Vhor located within his quarters?" Sella asked as she reached the door. [Affirmative] "Is he located in the sitting, or study area?" [Affirmative] "Excellent," Sella said as she walked towards the door. The one good thing about Starfleet was they tended to standardized everything they could. Reaching out her hand the felt along the wall next to the door frame. She knew she'd found the panel when she felt the slightly rougher wall give way to the smooth touch of the door panel. ~~Three inches down from the top of the panel, along the left side...~~ Sella thought as she found her way to the door chime and pressed it. (Reply T'Vhor) Sella walked into the quarters and stood just inside the entrance. "Captain T'Vhor?" Sella asked turning her head from side to side, finally finding a humanoid silhouette amongst the other objects in the room. "Ah Captain, I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I'm Counselor Sella, at your service." She said with a smile. (Reply T'Vhor iyw) "I do apologize for coming so late, but I did wish to introduce myself before you get caught up in the relaunch of the ship. If you are in the middle of something we can easily do this during more regular hours." Sella said with a friendly smile. "I do hope your R&R went well." (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Patrick) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:03) "It is not a problem Councellor, please, enter. Make yourself comfortable", said the Captain as he stood. "Perhaps I can I get you something to drink?", asked the Captain. Sella inhaled deeply through her nose catching the scent of fruit in the air. "If that's fruit juice your pouring, I wouldn't mind a glass." Sella said as she bumped her shin into something chair like, and decided she'd take that seat and save herself the trouble of finding her way around. Sitting down, she set her case on the table, and waited for the Captain to come back. As she heard him come back, and the clink of the glass on the surface of the table, she smiled. "Did you have a good R&R, sir?" Sella asked. (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Captain T'Vhor - 22:04) The Captain pondered that last question carefully. Some would have said that what he had just engaged in was hardly Rest & Recreation at all, after all it had involved a lot of effort, less than hospitable conditions & a good deal of unpleasant sticky heat. Vulcan at it's best could hardly be called a popular location for someone seeking either of the aforementioned R's & at it's worst, it was positively inhospitable. T'Vhor took a slow sip of his fruit juice & then glanced across the table at the Aenarian Councellor as she did likewise. "It was....highly enjoyable", said the Captain, hoping that she wouldn't be requiring specific details. The last thing he wanted now was to have a Councellor questioning his sanity! "And yourself Councellor, may I enquire as to how you are settling in on board. Do you foresee any problems at all?", asked the Captain. (Reply Sella) "Interesting. I trust that you have met our Morale Officer Ensign Kreung", said the Captain, "she would tell you no doubt that your Captain is not one to give in & have.....", he added, pausing briefly now to choose the correct words. ".....pleasurable outings", he added with a raise of an eyebrow as though questioning the said Ensign's assessment of his off duty activities. (Reply Sella, IYW) "Could it not be said that I am allowing myself pleasure right now, meeting with our new Councellor & enjoying a refreshing drink?", said the Captain with a quirk of his head, "in retrospect, I have yet to see Ensign Kreung herself, let her hair down", he added almost as an afterthought. "The words 'Pot' & 'Kettle' come to mind, assuming that I know my Human Idiom's correctly of course", said the Captain. (Reply Sella) The Captain then fell silent, to be honest he was still wondering why the Councellor had chosen to arrive at such a late hour & not left her introduction until the morning. Perhaps promptness was an Aenar trait? Perhaps the Captain needed to brush up on Andorian/Aenarian culture? "Have you met our Chief Engineering Officer at all?", said the Captain all of a sudden, "he is an Andorian" (Reply Sella) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Deck 2 - Captain's Quarter's - Counselor, Lieutenant (jg) Sella - 22:06) "It was....highly enjoyable", said the Captain. "And yourself Councelor, may I inquire as to how you are settling in on board. Do you foresee any problems at all?", asked the Captain. ~~Change the subject will you, we'll see about that later.~~ Sella thought to herself. "I'm getting settled quite well, thank you. Still learning the lay out of my quarters, but I'll get it settled in time. I'll have some bruised shins for the next few days, but still..." Sella said with a small smile. "Interesting. I trust that you have met our Morale Officer Ensign Kreung", said the Captain, "she would tell you no doubt that your Captain is not one to give in & have.....", he added, pausing briefly now to choose the correct words. ".....pleasurable outings", he added. "It may or may not have been brought up." Sella said with a slight chuckle. "Could it not be said that I am allowing myself pleasure right now, meeting with our new Councelor & enjoying a refreshing drink?", said the Captain, "in retrospect, I have yet to see Ensign Kreung herself, let her hair down", he added almost as an afterthought. "The words 'Pot' & 'Kettle' come to mind, assuming that I know my Human Idiom's correctly of course", said the Captain. "I'll have to trust you on that, human idioms confuse me to no end." Sella said. "Everyone has their own methods of relaxation, I will take care of Ensign Kreung, and we'll both make sure our Command staff is, how do I put it...mentally sound...Sir." Sella said with a grin. The Captain then fell silent, then finally spoke up. "Have you met our Chief Engineering Officer at all?", said the Captain all of a sudden, "he is an Andorian" "I haven't met him yet; some Andorian's aren't very fond of the Aenar. They find our pacifism aggravating at best, and treasonous at worst. I'll give it a couple of days for the scuttlebutt to make it's way around that there is an Aenar on board, before I go searching him out." Sella said. "I do want to apologize for arriving so late, Sir. I'm something of a night person, and I was thinking about heading to the mess hall and play some solo 'go' while it's quiet." Sella said, patting the case on the table. (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Patrick D.) =========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 129 Stardate: 2408.01.13 (Earth – Peruvian Rainforest - San Marko village – CMO Williams - 06:01) Andrew woke slowly. The first thing that he felt was the shooting pain that was running up and down his back. He groaned as he sat up off the hard floor that he had been sleeping on. He felt all his muscles in his back complain against the movement. ~Ow hell I’m going to need some pain killers~ He rubbed his hands over his face as he tried to push the reminiscence of sleep away. Some thing buzzed past his ear. He slowly turned his head to follow the sound. As the buzzing moved back across the front of his face he opened his eyes. As his blurred vision cleared he was aghast to see what looked like a huge mosquito zoom past him. ~What the hell~ His hand darted out and he squashed it against the blanket that he had been sleeping on. He looked at the bloody remains of the beast. ~Evil critter would have eaten me alive~ Andrew suddenly realised that had been scratching his arm. As he looked down he saw that his arm now resembled a mountain range of red nasty looking spots. He looked back at the dead mosquito. “Hey that bloods mine. Give it back.” “Andrew, get up or you will miss breakfast. We need an early start if we want to get back.” Andrew turned and looked through the mosquito nets that had dismally failed in its purpose. He saw Jay standing by the wooden steps that went up the open plan room that they had slept in. He uncrumpled his shirt and trousers which he had been using as a pillow. He quickly got dressed and joined Jay. “So what’s for breakfast?” Jay shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a surprise.” “I really hope not. I don’t think my stomach can handle any more gastronomical excitement.” Jay gave a small laugh as they headed over to the kitchen. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:05) Ardena really didn't know why they insisted calling a counter along the back wall the 'lounge.' It had a replicator that was supposed to be used in lab work but often made snacks and coffee, a sink for cleaning lab equipment, that often had mugs sitting in it, and a white board for meeting notes that had been tossed out of one of the conference rooms turned lab. Said white board almost always had doodles and jokes on it. Ardena hadn't seen it used for its express purpose in the two plus years she'd been on the Spectre. "Did you hear about the new scientist?" Rose asked as soon as Ardena walked into conversational range. "The one who balanced the diamatrimre equation in thirty two seconds?" Ardena asked feceaciously. Really, people could apply some context. That created a burst of "Who managed that?"s and "Doctor Epsitin? Where's he from?"s and "I can't believe thirty-two seconds?!"s. Ardena just fetched her favourite cup and put it in the replicator slot to be filled with tea. She had almost managed to escape when Rose caught her. "Ensign Styg. He's some sort of gaseous being who inhabits an EVA suit. He came into his office and has just been standing there ever since. We all tried to say hello, but.." she shrugged. Ardena rolled her eyes, "Well, that would be the chief's problem, not mine. I'm sure when Ensign Styg wants to be social and join the pools, he'll let us know. Till then, why don't we try and get some work done? Rotating R&R doesn't mean sleep on duty, party off." She managed a smile, "or at least, I didn't get that memo if it did.." Grumbles and mutters as the group broke up. Not that Ardena could blame them. Science was a fairly boring department on a ship with nothing active to investigate, but it would be computer core testing and analysis time for the sensors soon enough. (reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - ACSO Office - Ensign (jg) Styg - 07:15) Having waited for the being to arrive to the central science section, Styg stepped forward from his place in front of his computer and holding a PADD containing a photograph of the 'lounge' when it was first constructed. With surprisingly soft steps he left his office. (Reply None) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Spectre - Lounge - Ensign (jg) Styg - 07:18) Styg stepped up to the being and tapped it's shoulder. "En sign Car roh. Room not as in speh sih fih cah tion. Reh ctih fy. Order." He then placed the PADD in its hand and turned his helmet around 360 degrees. "Th ere .... th ere ... th ere ... Not ah corh ding speh sih fih cah tion. Mahh chine not for perh soh nal uuse." His helmet whirred until it pointed towards the container it held in its hand. "Ohhh fih sih al uuse onlyyhhh. Rehh gu lah sions sayh. Reh ctih fy." (Reply by 'Calloh', any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Spectre - Science Lounge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 07:20) Styg stepped up to the being and tapped it's shoulder. "En sign Car roh. Room not as in speh sih fih cah tion. Reh ctih fy. Order." He then placed the PADD in its hand and turned his helmet around 360 degrees. "Th ere .... th ere ... th ere ... Not ah corh ding speh sih fih cah tion. Mahh chine not for perh soh nal uuse." His helmet whirred until it pointed towards the container it held in its hand. "Ohhh fih sih al uuse onlyyhhh. Rehh gu lah sions sayh. Reh ctih fy." It took Ardena several run throughs to understand what the new scientist was saying. Not surprising a being of his composition was having trouble communicating with less empyreal sapients. "Official use includes it's current use." She replied slowly, carefully enunciating as he seemed to be doing for her. (Reply Styg) "While not the designed use of the tools, the tools are being used in the course of scientific study and exploration of knowledge, if indirectly." Ardena hoped Ensign Styg's vocabulary was up to the conversation. "While your EVA suit was not originally designed for the use in which you employ it, it became acceptable and official use, no?" (Reply Styg, any others about :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Holodeck Two - Captain T'Vhor - 13:00) With the usual Pneumatic/mechanical actuation noises associated with such doors, those of the holodeck closed behind the Captain as he walked steadfastly into the yellow & black gridded environment that graced holodeck two. He then instructed the computer accordingly. "Computer, load & initialise program T'Vhor Maquis one", said T'Vhor & the room imediately changed into that of an apparently war torn area of Bajor that would have been instantly recognisable to any that had witnessed the Cardassian occupations many years beforehand. It was dark of course, but the fires could be seen raging brightly in the distance as the aerial bombardment continued relentlessly, both from the Galor class vessels in orbit & the smaller atmospheric fighters that seemingly infested the skies above. Off to the right, a row of dwellings paid skant testament to their former glory as they lay in ruins, only the outermost supporting walls still standing now as thick black smoke issued forth from within it's pitiful skeletal constructs. Captain T'Vhor of course had imediately taken cover the moment the simulation had begun, swinging down his earpiece & the ranging equipment from the aging, but functional helmet now in place upon his head as the comms began arriving thick & fast from the resistance units already on the ground. =/\=Zulu One to all units, contact at grid.... one nine, four six, sixty eight. Proceeding with caution=/\= "Cohagen prefix nineteen - Confirm your contact", said T'Vhor as he gazed briefly skywards to watch a Cardassian fighter swooping low overhead as it unleashed it's deadly fire once again. T'Vhor then moved off in a staggered formation along one side of the desolated street towards the previously given coordinates. In minutes, his own helmet mounted ranger had picked up two contacts ahead & off to the left & although it was relaying them sporadically to the Vulcan hybrid due to the damage it had already sustained in conflict, it was good enough to still be of use. For now anyway. The first signs of the Cardassian unit in question imediately brought up the hackles on the Captain's neck of course, this wasn't because he couldn't rely on his Vulcan heritage to control such emotions of course, it was more the fact that he was allowing himself to slip back into the reality of the situation that once was. Here & now, as he was then, the Captain was not a Starfleet officer, he was an operative of the Bajoran resistance fighting a common foe with no other goal than that of complete & unequivical enemy attrition. Added to this were the emotional losses that he himself had suffered during the occupation of course & once it had all been thrown into the mixing pot, it was no surprise at all that hackles were duly up. Moving stealthily towards his objective however, T'Vhor crouched down onto the still warm earth, heated as it was now by the fires that had previously raged there less than an hour or so beforehand. He could hear them quite clearly now though as they shouted off clipped orders to an as yet undisclosed & out of sight person whilst he raised his assault rifle to his shoulder & brought the infra-red rangefinder to his eye. It was then that he spied the source of the commotion, picked out clearly in relief as they were through the brick walls themselves. Three Cardassian soldiers were standing within the burnt out wreck of what had once been someones home. A young Bajoran woman crouched upon the floor between them as they each took turns trading blows to her body & face whilst instructing her to reveal information. Without much success it would seem..... Imediately, the memory came back into the Vulcans mind as he logged the contacts, acquired them to the TACOM & then moved again quickly to the right in order to get a clearer shot at the reptilian monsters as they continued to rain abuse upon the sobbing young woman. In his own mind, he was now remembering back to how he had found his Mother on that fateful day, beaten to death at the hands of a marauding Cardassian Gul because she had refused to impart information, just as these three lowlifes were doing now. This of course was the test that he could never pass... All those years ago on that very same day, something had snapped in the young Vulcan hybrids mind & as a result of that, he had disobeyed Maquis central command & set about a one man, maverick crusade to take out as many Cardassians as he was able to. That day, he had vowed that they would stop him only by ending his life. As it was however, they did not end his life of course for that embittered young man went on to destroy four Cardassian garrisons over a period of four & a half weeks before he finally came in again, a ravaged, battered & empty mess of his former self. In truth, there were those amongst the resistance that had hailed him a hero for this, in reality however the entire matter had officially been regarded a disaster & a complete disregard for the chain of command. T'Vhor was reprimanded but to him it didn't matter at all, to an extent he had been vindicated & yet still, he had never been able to exorcise that last final demon. And now he was here again.... He now had two of them in the sights of his rifle, with a squeeze of the trigger they would be no more, but the third, as always was not in the sights at all. Once his compatriots had fallen, he would end the life of the sobbing woman and the nightmare would begin again. Each time this scene had been enacted it had always ended in the same way, all three Cardassians would lay dead upon the dirt, unfortunately the young Bajoran woman along with them. Undeterred however, T'Vhor lowered his rifle & then wiped a bead of sweat from his brow as he moved again, this time closer to the blackened exterior walls of the house, the thick soot & smell of burnt flesh hanging in the air all about him as he did so. The Cardassian soldiers continued on of course in their relentless interrogation of the young Bajoran woman as he approached to crouch down again, about four metres from the window & behind a sloping verge of scorched grass. He then raised his rifle again, this time framing all three of the Cardassians in the sights. He had been here many times before of course & always it had ended in failure, the shots were always taken, two Cardassians would fall & the third would dispatch the Bajoran female before T'Vhor's third shot could take him out. It always ended the same way. For a moment, T'Vhor remained where he was, unmoving, the first two Cardassians millimetres from the crosshairs central point & easily despatchable with one squeeze of his trigger finger. It was at that precise moment however that the reality of the situation was to finally dawn upon the soldier holding that rifle for the very first time. It was utterly pointless. After so many failed attempts, it was time now to accept the situation as it was & in an instance, T'Vhor lowered his rifle & then he placed it upon the floor at his feet. Then he stood up & began walking slowly towards the doorframe, the door to the house now lying upon the rubble outside in the street as the sound of the womans crying grew incessently louder upon his now single minded approach. His hand reached slowly into his tunic to grasp the handle of the Klingon D'k'Tahg where it was strapped to the side of his torso, he removed it from it's scabbard & activated it's concealed latch to reveal the viscious tearing attachments set into the base of the handle. Then he walked into the house to finally confront his demons in the flesh. At first they didn't see him at all, a dark & menacing shape set into the frame of the door like some wraith or Nemesis, intent on extracting it's pound of flesh from those that turned their backs upon decency & good. Today, they would pay their dues. One way or another they would pay their dues. The Captain paused just for a moment, he gave the order to freeze the simulation & then, perhaps somewhat foolishly, he removed the holodeck safety's. Then he took a deep breath & restarted the scene. "Is this what they teach soldiers in the Cardassian military", said T'Vhor, "to beat one that is weaker than yourself & that cannot fight back?", he added as he raised the knife out in front of him in a direct challenge to the soldiers themselves. "You clearly have no honour, it is time now for you to pay for this", said T'Vhor, "with your lives" For another brief moment, there was silence as all three scrutinised the newcomer & assessed his strategic importance. The fact that he was alone spelt one of two things to them, either he was crazy, or he had a personal vendetta of some kind. Either way they would dispatch him regardless but for now anyway, there was hope in the Bajoran womans eyes. The arrogance of the Cardassian soldiers was so typically predictable of course, their smiles broadening in unison as the one holding the woman by the hair imediately let her fall onto her side in a battered & crumpled heap upon the floor. All three of them then squared off to surround the Vulcan hybrid as he moved forwards, each of them drawing knives of their own from respective scabbards strapped to their body armour. The dance of death then began in earnest..... NRPG: More to come. (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Holodeck Two - Captain T'Vhor - 13:35) From the moment that he had hit the floor, the severity of the damage to his right shoulder had been made clearly evident to him. The Cardassians last blade strike had actually sliced almost completely through the Brachialis muscle & rendered the entire arm from the shoulder down pretty much incapacitated & now bleeding profusely. The dust that had just been thrown forcibly into his eyes hadn't helped much either, but at least the last injury the Captain had inflicted upon the Cardassian had earned him a slight reprieve, which he quickly took advantage of by lifting himself up to brusquely wipe the dirt from his eyes. His eyes of course were reddened & wet in response to this, his vision blurred but slowly clearing now until he could again make out the other occupants in the room. The woman of course had retreated to one corner & she now sat huddled into it, fear still evident upon her face as she did so. For her, there was nowhere to go for she knew that to run outside would risk further contact with the Cardassian patrols, to remain where she was though brought equal risks for how was she to know that her young liberator would come out on top in the conflict now playing out before her. Away to the Captain's left & about two metres from where he lay, the Cardassian Gul had not faired much better, he was however beginning to stagger slowly to his feet whilst at the same time attempting to hold together the scaled surface of the upper portion of his right thigh with his fingertips. The interior of his damaged leg now oozed copious amounts of green fluid upon the floor beside him but his two comrades, a Glynn & an officer of lesser rank had faired less well. One now lay dead against the wall, a deep penetrating wound to his left side that had severed the main artery coming from his heart. The other was incapacitated in the extreme, unable to walk now, courtesy of a D'k'Tahg slice directly through both of the supporting ligaments of each of his legs in one foul swoop. The Captain spat out the last of the dust in his mouth, then he stood again & switched the D'K'Tahg to his left hand in preperation for the continuing conflict. He looked the Gul directly in the eye, his resolve as determined as it had been when he had first walked in to the house itself. "You.....", said the Cardassian through gritted teeth, "...do not give up, do you", he added as though surprised now by just how much fight the Vulcan hybrid had in him, as he too re-established his grasp upon his own knife in readiness for the continued combat that was clearly to come. "Never", said T'Vhor breathilly, his right shoulder sloping forwards now as he fought against the pain to simply hold it upright. "Your... SPECIES!", he cried emphasising the word species venomously, "is a disease..... you know only how to maim, vanquish & corrupt", he added. "That may be so, Vulcan.... Bajoran... whatever the hell you are", said the Cardassian acidically, "but YOU, know only how to die & how to suplicate, YOUR....species!", he added, countering the Captain's previous remark by emphasising the word with an equal amount of venom, "is not the cure for the disease you claim us to be", he added, moving the knife in a wide arc before him as he spoke. The Cardassian quirked his head slightly to one side. "I'm sorry to disappoint you", he said in a calm, almost taunting voice as he squared off to the Captain once again. "It's time now to put YOU, out of MY misery", said the Gul as he suddenly lunged towards the Captain in a decisive attempt to bring the situation to an end now. It was not to be though, the Captain sidestepped the attempt, countered the clearly telegraphed move & with one deliberate lunge, he plunged the D'k'Tahg through the Cardassians reinforced body armour & pearced his heart in an instance. The Gul fell to the floor, his face a mask of utter surprise. "No!", cried T'Vhor twisting the knife now, "it is time now for me to put YOU..... out of MY misery....once & for all", he added before he himself fell to his knees upon the gound, the defeated Cardassian now lying motionless beside him. The Captain bowed his head for a few moments, his breathing laboured through sheer exhaustion, then he turned his attention slowly towards the woman huddled in the corner, precisely where she had remained pretty much throughout the ordeal. There were tears in her eyes but slowly, the faintest signs of a smile began to appear upon her face. A smile of gratitude. At long last, she had been liberated...... (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Captain T'Vhor - 13:59) Arriving into sickbay, the Captain must have struck an unusual sight. To anyone standing there it would have been clear that he had probably been injured in a holodeck scenario of some kind, after all this wasn't the first time someone had been injured there & it certainly wouldn't be the last either. Exactly what had transpired however would remain with the Captain himself. Again, it wasn't the first time that someone had been foolhardy enough to have removed the Holodeck safety's as a personal test of course but as far as the Spectre's CO was concerned, it was a neccesary step & one that had been required for completion to have taken place. Approaching one of the nurses now, the Captain brought attention to the fact that he needed, for want of a better word, fixing. The nurse of course responded right away. (Reply Any in Medical) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 13:59) T’Pia was busily preparing a Neproxene drip for a crewman with Klingon ‘measles’. How on earth a Bolean officer contracted a Klingon disease was not an inquiry T’Pia wished to explore with the patient. About ten minutes of treatment and the man’s symptoms would dissipate … but it would take weeks to cure. Contemplating how best to explain to the currently unconscious crewman “confinement to quarters” T’Pia heard Andrew address the Captain. She tried to keep busy but the drip was complete and it seemed illogical to stay cooped up in a containment suit while there were other patients to see. The Captain had been avoiding her but she was convinced that he was the only person onboard who was a likely candidate to aid her recovering her human half. As long as he wanted to avoid her she would comply with his wishes and keep out of his way. It seemed impossible to avoid him in sickbay … but a resourceful nurse … T’Pia exited the containment room and in the connected chamber removed the suit and with a sigh of relief rubbed one of her ears. She swore the helmet wasn’t the same size as the rest of the suit. It bunched up her ears to put her head inside. How could even Andrew stand it? T’Pia could still hear voices on the other side of the chamber. Opening the doors now would make her visible to the Captain. It would call to the man’s mind their meeting several months earlier. Then, to have Doctor Williams reveal the contents of their private conversation. It would be … as the humans express it … ‘uncomfortable’. Could she wait for the Captain to leave? It didn’t seem logical. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:00) Jynea was sitting on the counter, writing down the totals of the inventories as Douwsy rattled them off at her. In between, they were gossiping. "..So Jason asked me to join the commune, which of course, led to the whole having to reveal I'm a star fleeter and.." she trailed off as the body who had walked into Sickbay crossed her field of vision. The Captain looked like he'd lost a wrestling match with a thresher. If Jynea didn't know better, she'd think he'd been playing in the holodeck without safeties.. but why would he do anything so lacking in logic and common sense? She nudged Douwsy with her foot and nodded to where the Captain was approaching one of the other nursing staff. "Might want to fetch Andrew." The other nurse looked rather stunned at the condition of the captain and unsure how to handle treating a command officer. ~Must be new,~ Jynea thought with some amusement, didn't take those in blue long to learn how to boss everyone around. She watched him with tilted head. ~Well, at least, unlike most of us who injure ourselves, he has the sense to haul himself to sickbay!~ Jynea thought. She'd stopped kicking her legs as soon as she'd spotted T'Vhor, and she was tempted to hop down off the counter and at least look professional - but really, she didn't want to pull attention to herself. She didn't want to go three rounds with the Captain any more, as far as she was concerned, he was Lieutenant Sella's problem child now! She decided if she remained still, and in the supply room, she'd probably escape official notice and attention. (Reply T'Vhor, Douwsy, Williams, any else in Sickbay) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 14:01) Douwsy was enjoying having a good time. Which she was surprised about because going through the storage area was one of the boring jobs in sickbay. She looked up at her companion who was sitting on the console. She had been grateful that Jynea had wanted to help partly to make the job go faster but also for the possibility of hearing some juicy gossip. "..So Jason asked me to join the commune, which of course, led to the whole having to reveal I'm a star fleeter and.." She heard Jynea pause and look back at her from the shelf of drugs she was checking. She saw Jynea's face had dropped & was about to ask what the problem was when Jynea nudged her with her foot and indicated to look at the door. She turned to see Captain T'Vhor standing in the door. He looked in a terrible state. "Might want to fetch Andrew." Douwsy nodded and headed quickly across sickbay towards Andrew's office. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:02) Andrew sat in his office looking at the plant on his desk. It had been given to him by one of the village. S.T. had said that it had some medicinal properties and he was intrigued to find out what. He had put a sample in the medical scanners and was waiting for the results. ~I hope Douwsy and Jynea are not spreading too much gossip~ He noticed a commotion in sickbay and got up from his chair and walked into main sickbay. He slowed his stride as he saw the situation unfold. The first thing he saw was Douwsy walking towards him looking over her shoulder at the door. He glanced over to see T'Vhor standing near the door. He looked like he had gone ten rounds with a bear. ~What the hell~ Andrew was over to his Captain in a couple of quick strides. "Captain? are you okay?" (reply T'Vhor) Andrew nodded and then ushered T'Vhor to a bio-bed. "Captain what on earth happened to you?" He activated the bio-beds sensors as he listened to T'Vhor's explanation. (reply T'Vhor) (reply T'Vhor any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Captain T'Vhor - 14:03) The moment the CMO had spied him was the moment he imediately made tracks towards him. It was clear that he was surprised to see him in the state he'd just arrived in & he verbalised it accordingly. "Captain? are you okay?". asked the Doctor. It seemed a rather strange question to be asking but the Captain responded anyway. "That Doctor, would depend upon your own definition of Okay", said the Captain flatly as he looked down at his shoulder & the blood soaked sleeve of his uniform. "It would seem that I am not though", he added. Andrew nodded and then ushered T'Vhor to a bio-bed. "Captain what on earth happened to you?", he asked upon further examination of the sensors above the Biobed. "I was engaged in one of my Holodeck scenarios", said the Captain, "I fell awkwardly & the knife I was carrying, a Klingon D'k'Tahg pearced my upper arm", he added, his face remaining as impassive as it had been when he had walked into the doctors domain. (Reply Williams) "I am sure that it is not too extreme", said the Captain moving his fingers to & fro as he spoke, "it would seem that my hand still works well after all", he added, much to the Doctors obvious concern. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:09) "I was engaged in one of my Holodeck scenarios", "I fell awkwardly & the knife I was carrying, a Klingon D'k'Tahg pearced my upper arm", Andrew watched T’Vhor’s impassive face as he told him what had happened. Andrew also kept his face impassive not wanting indicate to the rest of sickbay what he thought. ~If you expect me to believe that you’ve got another thing coming~ “Yes Captain.” "I am sure that it is not too extreme", "It would seem that my hand still works well after all", Andrew looked at the scans of T’Vhor’s arms and then back to the Captain’s moving fingers. “With all due respect Captain. You were lucky the blade has some how weaved its way around the major arteries and nerves.” ~And you have more injuries then just a simple fall~ “I’m going heal your wound Sir and take care of those bruises.” (reply T’Vhor IYW) He took a dermal regenerator from the near by table. “If you would hold still for a moment sir.” He activated it and began to carefully heal the knife wound. As he did this he tried to think about what he was going to do about this. If the captain was harming him self then this would be a cause for concern. (Reply T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:11) With Andrew attending the Captain, Jynea felt it was probably fairly safe to sneak out of sickbay without seeming like she was spying. Well, she'd been here first! And she really didn't want to eavesdrop anyway, the Captain had made it abundantly clear he had no wish to talk or confide in her, well, fine. No skin of her nose! She hopped off the counter and walked out into main sickbay and gave Dowsy a wave on her way out. They'd catch up later. Jynea had promised to play murder victim at the Film Noir club meeting anyway. Apparently it was her job to show up as a ghost and prompt the lead character about details of her death.. and she hadn't read the details of her murder yet. It was probably fairly important for her to know how she died. She didn't quite understand how or why anyone would want to be looking into Earth murders of centuries past, but if that's what made them giggle and relax, she supposed it was her job to help them. She just wasn't quite sure how a ridiculously short skirt, large floppy hat and high heels would help with anything. She'd have been overly suspicious of Crewman Janck's costuming if she hadn't seen other female crew members in similar coming out of the meeting. Shoving the problems of the Captain out of her mind, Jynea was more than happy to retreat to her quarters to study and get dressed. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 14:15) T’Pia sat on the floor beside the door of the containment chamber. She had her legs stuck straight out perpendicular to the wall and her hands clasped tightly folded across her chest. ~It isn’t logical. I should be working … not sitting here wasting time.~ She thought. T’Pia unfolded her arms and placed one on the wall to her back and the other on the floor. She contemplated standing up. He legs trembled slightly at the movement and she decided moving at the moment was impossible. She laid back against the wall and with a hand brushed aside a lock of black hair that had fallen over her eyes. ~The hair’s wet, I’m sweating … what’s wrong with me?~ thoughts raced. Her hand traced the outline of her face from forehead to cheek. ~The skin … clammy … am I sick?~ “It’s logical now … I must be sick therefore I’m in containment.” She whispered to herself. T’Pia folded her legs and put her knees to her chin. She clasps her legs close to her by wrapping her arms around them. Hiding her head in the cavity between her chest and knees, she wept. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 14:17) After seeing that the Captain wasn't in immediate danger from Andrew or his wounds she decided to get on with her checks. She gave a nod to Jynea as she slipped out of sickbay. ~Good plan~ She realized that she had not seen Pelletier for a while. She had Andrew had a long talk about her treating patients and she had convinced Andrew to give her some leeway. Pelletier was not given free range by any means. She headed for the containment chamber where she had seen Pelletier earlier. As she entered the decontamination area she saw Pelletier sitting on the floor with her head in her knees. ~Is she okay~ As she stepped closer she glanced at the door lock of the containment chamber the panel indicated that every thing was okay. ~Thank goodness for that~ As she stepped beside Pelletier she could hear the sound of muffled crying. Her face dropped as she realized that Pelletier was crying. ~Ow no. what’s wrong~ She sat down beside her and softly pulled her close into her arms. “Its okay T’Pia. Its okay.” She said softly (reply T’Pia IYW) (reply T’Pia, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 14:20) Nurse Dowsy had entered the decontamination area. T’Pia didn’t pay her much attention until the woman, true to her nature, sat down and held the Vulcan/Swiss woman in an embrace. T’Pia certainly needed held but she would have much preferred a quieting of her mental storm. The residual emotions from T’Pia’s encounter with Ensign Carrow were becoming unbearable. “Its okay T’Pia. Its okay.” Said Dowsy as she held her. Rethinking the situation T’Pia pushed Dowsy away. Violence was unnecessary as Dowsy’s grip wasn’t tight. T’Pia leaned her back against the wall tightly and pushing with her legs slid upwards until she stood on her feet. “Nurse Dowsy, if you make a report of this incident,” T’Pia paused, “make sure to include a recommendation for psychiatric evaluation.” (reply Dowsy) T’Pia left Dowsy to consider the matter. There was work to be done. T’Pia wiped a tear from her cheek. (reply Dowsy, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 14:23) Douwsy felt T’Pia pull away from her and stood up. “Nurse Dowsy, if you make a report of this incident,” “make sure to include a recommendation for psychiatric evaluation.” “If that’s what you want?” Douwsy watched T’Pia walk away. As she watched her disappear around the corner she thought about what had just happened. She knew that some people deal with their emotions differently. What she had experienced from T’Pia was not a new experience. She got up from the floor and looked at the patient inside the containment chamber made sure that he was okay and then carried on with her checks. T’Pia was a responsible person. If she felt the need to see some one then she would but she would keep an eye on T’Pia in case she needed some one. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 15:00) "HEADS!" Climbing a ladder to the upper engineering floor, M'Rurrh swung out gracefully with one arm to catch the falling phase coupler. It slapped straight into her paw and she continued up the last few rungs. "I think you lost this," she called out to the crewman on duty repairing one of the various consoles dotted around the engine-room. She'd done her best to keep the consoles largely aligned to the lay-out H'Chir preferred. Considering how little they saw of him sometimes, they're cranky Andorian Chief Engineer was very quick to notice when something wasn't done to his liking. ~Come to think of it, I haven't seen him for days... possibly not even weeks...~ She sat for a moment, her eyes watching the crewman at work whilst her mind tried to work out the last time she'd actually seen H'Chir. It had been easy in the first days after the final battle. The sheer number of ships with damage had meant that the shipyards had been overloaded. Those ships that were beyond immediate hope were towed out of the way and abandoned, whilst those with only minimal or superficial damage had been left largely to their own devices, albeit with the option of salvaging what they could from anywhere they could find it. In many ways it had been like being stuck out on the frontier, only with the Earth pictured from almost every viewport. There seemed to be a subconscious desire across the ship to keep the Earth in view, in case it and the victory it stood for might suddenly disappear from their grasp. During those initial stages H'Chir had been his usual self; barking orders and disappearing into the Jeffries tube network for the day, never to be seen except for the odd comm-call, usually well past the close of the duty shift and almost certainly to complain about something or other. But those days hadn't lasted. The triage system the shipyards had adopted rolled around, and soon it was the Spectre's turn to nestle down in a comfy berth and turn herself over to the tinkering of several repair crews. The regular crews went on R&R and the repair crews worked to a very different drumbeat. She could see it in the areas they'd rebuilt; uniformity reigned and everything was done to 'fleet norms. To her knowledge H'Chir hadn't taken the option of R&R, which didn't surprise her, but she supposed she wouldn't really have been able to tell. Her own trip to Paris had lasted a good portion of the Spectre's third month in orbit - she'd felt no desire to return home - and there was always the possibility that he'd been down during that. The repair crews hadn't talked about him, so maybe he really had left them to it and taken a break. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre – Ten forward - Security Officer Smith - 17:34) ~I can’t believe what’s happened~ Jo looked at the woman across from her. She could see the woman was a strong and intelligent person. ~She has grown up so much. It was not yesterday that I was helping her to ride her first bike and look at her now all grown up~ Her little sister looked over at her. “You okay Jo you’ve gone a bit vacant?” Jo shook herself and gave a quick smile. “I’m sorry what were you saying?” “Things were a bit of a mess after Betazed. We’ve been in dock now for ages. The crew has been rotated to other assignments. Most of my fighter wing has been snapped up by other squadrons.” “Are you going to go with them?” Jennifer shrugged. “I’m not sure. Flying a fighter is the most adrenaline filled rush that I ever have. Its just you and your fighter against the world. Which is wonderful for a time?” Jo felt that Jennifer needed a talk so pushed her a bit. “But” “But seeing my friends die so easily. You see there is not much hull on a fighter a few direct hits and your toast. Your atoms floating freely around the galaxy. I know that said in training that fighters were not capital ships but that’s what we went against at Betazed. One minute in attack formation and then boom fighters start dropping out of the sky. I just don’t think that I can do that any more.” Jo felt her sister’s pain and desperately wanted to take it away. To take the hurt away and make it all better. “So if not fighters what will you do?” Jennifer gave a long sigh as she looked out of the windows “I don’t know I might drive star ships. I don’t know….” She paused for a moment and then looked back. “Anyway enough about my problems, have you heard from Kenneth and Robert?” Jo nodded as Jennifer changed the topic. “Yeah. Robert is over the moon. A new starship a class lead at that. I could almost see him bounce up and down with excitement.” “And Kenneth.” Jo grinned. “He’s not bothered. It’s just a ship to him. It gets him the shooting.” Jennifer grinned. “Typical marine.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Mess - Ensign Nathanial Yates - 20:06) ".....I tell ya, this has to be seen to be believed", said the big security officer as he swung himself into the seat & shoved his feet up & onto the table in the mess hall. "The guy just isn't real, I mean, if he is a guy that is, or is even a he", he added trailing off now into the depths of his own confusion over the matter in hand. "Gas?", said one of the grunts, "your saying he's like, vapour or something?" Yates simply looked into the marines face, his own face impassive & unyielding at the condescending glance that he was now clearly receiving. "You think I'm lying or something?", he barked, "I'm telling you man, he walks about like some freakin robot in an EVA suit", said Yates as he reached over himself to grab at the tankard on the table, then after taking a gulp of it's contents, he sat back into the chair indignantly with said tankard still in hand. "Whether you believe me or not is no concern to me", said Yates, "you'll see for yourself soon enough". "So, let me get this right", said Torpin jumping suddenly into the discussion now after completing the stripdown & maintenance of his III-C & then laying it onto the table. "This is an actual serving Starfleet officer yes? A real live entity, not something you found in the bottom of a beer glass?", he added to the accompaniment of hoots of laughter from those assembled there. Yates simply remained stoic. He let his face form into a silent smile & chose not to even grace the comment with an answer. The laughter eventually died down of course & before long, someone had reached for the card deck for an impromptu game of blackjack, much to the obvious pleasure of those intent on raking credits from the less accomplished players congregated there. The table was cleared, chairs were assembled about it & the game began in earnest, but not before someone piped up again about their strange new arrival. "How does he pee?" "What?" "If he's gas I mean, does he take a dump or pee", came the response. "I mean, Houseman will tell ya, when he uses the John he produces more gas than anybody we know, so if the guy himself is just gas, what's the byproduct...... and more importantly, do we need to give the, umm, Ensign a wide berth just in case we all end up covered in.... um, something we don't wanna be covered in", said the Marine as he began shuffling the deck & then doling out the cards to the others at the table. Yates screwed his face up in contemplation of the grunts question, then he picked up his cards & scrutinized them. It didn't bear thinking about at all. "I'm not sure I even wanna know", he said, "there is a slight methane smell though, when he came through security the hazmat sensors tripped because of it. Lieutenant Vasilyovna is being very professional about it though I must say & after querying it with the CO, she's been authorized to work with Science to adapt the Spectre's internal screening to compensate", he added. "Either that or their gonna have to fit some kind of filtration to the EVA suit itself so he don't go tripping every light fantastic on board the ship" "I dunno", said Torpin as he shook his head & then threw his cards down onto the table in disgust at the obviously meagre hand he'd just been dealt. "What the hell next, first we got android Commanders & Captains, then we got gas clouds working in critical departments, I'll tell ya guys I can see problems with this one", said Torpin. Yates sighed heavilly, the Marine was being an ass, it was as simple as that. "What the hell are you going on about T? This has obviously been passed by Starfleet already, do you really think they would put something onboard a starship that might be dangerous to the rest of the crew?", said Dawson. "They put you onboard didn't they", said Torpin with a laugh, "what I'm saying though is that, What if he's a combustable gas cloud, what if he goes up with one almighty bang at the first sign of a goddamn spark" Yates just smiled at the stupid notion of it all. "You really are a dumbass ya know that T, from what I can tell he ain't any danger at all, just different that's all", said Yates as the game then commenced around the table in a surprisingly orderly manner for such an accomplished bunch of scallywags as those now assembled there. Five minutes further into the game & someone just had to say it of course. And it was Torpin. "I smell gas!"..... (Reply None, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Astrometrics - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 20:57) The room was dark, the only real light coming from the main display screen. The scientists and stellar cartographers that would normally be buzzing around, updating star-charts and reviewing the latest data from Starfleet Command were all either on leave or assigned to other duties. No one need study space when their ship's berthed in the Terran system, there were enough sensor-webs and orbital stations to do that for them; the Spectre wasn't going anywhere so there wasn't even a need to keep an eye out for the usual cosmic debris. Dust clouds and comet fragments; detritus swept aside by the ship's deflector, but of such vibrant interest to those with an eye for such things. Dust clouds. H'Chir's eyes ached. He would have rubbed them, but his back ached when he moved. He hadn't had a proper night's sleep since the end of the war, choosing to spend all his time directing repairs from this room. Some of his engineering crews thought it odd, they'd become used to him seeking the peace of the confined space of the ship's Jeffries tubes. So far he was doing a decent job of keeping them all out; keeping them away from this. Andor stood at the centre of the screen. At this distance it was still very much the same planet he'd seen on his first trip into space. The continents were all in place; the weather systems were so unique, yet so uniform that for an instant it was possible to relive that moment of his first backward glance as he ascended into space. The planet spinning below him, and the quietened tension of all those around him; one or two people becoming sick at the conflicting information their brains received; we're staying still, but we're moving. The planet below turned quietly; a crater becoming visible from under a storm system. He knew the only reason he could even see the crater was that the storm would have cleared away the dust clouds - at least for now. His antennae buzzed and the door swooshed open, casting a knife-edge of light across the room towards him. H'Chir closed his eyes until the doors swooshed closed again, he knew already that no one was there, there were no bio-electric signatures registering at the door. Something nudged his ankle and he sat up in surprise, his back groaning in complaint. Looking down he saw a terran rabbit biting into the remnants of his dinner. Leaning his tall, angular frame down, H'Chir hoisted both rabbit and doughnut onto his lap. He stroked the back of the animal's neck. He returned to his contemplation of the viewscreen. He wept. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Astrometrics - Mark the Bunny - 21:00) Mark entered the room that's door swooshed open for him and had the smell of something yummy within. Hop, Hop, hop. The lop looked around in blue eyed innocence, standing up on his hind paws as he triangulated the location of the smell. It seemed awfully dim in the door, so he was trying to navigate through the strange lights by smell. Still, he was a talented enough rabbit to not bonk his head on the chair near the yummy smell. Periscoping once more, Mark identified the scent as coming from above and with a mighty leap he landed on the seat of the chair.. that rolled from reaction towards the wall and away from the scent! Mark hung on with grim determination until the seat stopped, bumping gently against the wall. Studying the situation Mark considered hopping down, but then wouldn't reach the food. But he couldn't reach the food from here either. Mark nibbled thoughtfully on the material of the chair and chewed while he pondered and considered the situation. He groomed his left ear for good measure. With bunny glee, Mark leaned forward and gave the wall a shove with his nose, and sure enough, the chair moved back towards the food. He did a bee's in the ears head shake of happiness, he'd figured out this two foot's game! He turned around and with a good solid mule kick of his back paws, the chair shot back towards the desk! The landing was a little less gentle this time as it thumped into the desk, but Mark was perfectly content to pretend he'd meant it that way. After he'd groomed himself and checked everything was still with him, for a moment he'd thought he'd left something important behind! Front paws on the desk, Mark peered around and spotted the plate with the food on it. He wiggled his rear as he judged power necessary and with a quick thrust of power, he was up on the desk and investigating the sweet smelling bread product. The pastry had pink stuff on the top and little sugary smelling lumps sprinkled over it. It appeared to be half eaten with a big hole bitten out of the middle. With a dainty nibble, Mark tried the yummy smelling substance. Chew, chew, taste, taste. YUM! Donut met rabbit, and rabbit agreed it was wonderfully edible! (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) =========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 130 Stardate: 2408.01.14 (Federation Space - Shuttlecraft - Ensign (JG) Taya - 06:00) Taya yawned and pulled herself up in the driving seat of the shuttle. She knew she could have gone to the bunk but she knew she wouldn't have slept very well if she had. She had to be near the controls just in case something went wrong. It wasn't very likely that something would go wrong but it was better that she was here in case it did. She looked at the chronometer. ~0600, is that all?~ "Computer how long till we reach the USS Spectre?" [This vessel will reach the USS Spectre in one hour and fifteen minutes] Taya sighed and grabbed her book that she had left on the seat next to her. She read the same line three times before she stood up and walked over to the replicator book in hand. "Coffee, black, hot," She took a sip and growled slightly at the burning sensation. ~Damn, forget how hot the replicator takes hot to be. It's so different being able to use replicators and transporters again. Didn't realise i had missed them so much as well as exploring space~ Taya sighed and got back to reading her book. (Reply None) (Posted by Chris Barton) (Federation Space - Shuttlecraft - Ensign (JG) Taya - 07:10) Taya slowed to impulse speed, sat up in her chair and fixed her hair slightly fully aware of the fact this was going to be her first impression on the crew and/or captain of the USS Spectre. She opened a channel to the ship; "This is Ensign Taya reporting in to Captain T'Vhor as the new assistant chief science officer." (Reply Captain T'Vhor or any who received the communication) (Posted by Chris Barton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 07:12) Calvin was standing in the middle of the bridge. He was currently in command before the alpha shift came on. One of his duties that were on his list was the acceptance of a new officer that should be coming in about this time. So when one of the console's beeped and the tactical officer reported that a shuttle was heading toward the Spectre; Calvin was not surprised by this news at all. Further more the tactical officer reported that the new officer was hailing. "Open a channel." The new officer's face appeared on the large view screen. =/\=This is Ensign Taya reporting in to Captain T'Vhor as the new assistant chief science officer.=/\= "Welcome to the USS Spectre Ensign Taya. I am Lt Cmdr Capps. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are cleared for docking procedures in shuttle bay 1. Report to the captains ready room at 0815." (reply Taya) (posted by Calvin) (USS Spectre - Shuttlecraft - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 07:14) =^=Welcome to the USS Spectre Ensign Taya. I am Lt Cmdr Capps. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are cleared for docking procedures in shuttle bay 1. Report to the captains ready room at 0815.=^= "Thank you sir," Taya replied before she cut the link and input the commands into the shuttle. She looked at the ship as the shuttle took her round it, ~Not bad, not bad at all~ Taya took control of the shuttle when it was just outside the bay doors. She could have left it on auto pilot and the landing would have been textbook but she loved to do it herself. Feel the machine beneath her hands and to control it herself. There was just something about flying using hardly any of the computer systems that appealed to her. The shuttle touched down on the bay floor and Taya waited for the all clear from the deck crew. She took a deep breath and walked to the aft section to retrieve her belongings. She looked at the one bag she had and memories came back of her first day aboard the Mystique. She only had one bag then. No personal belongings except her 'spirit bundle' as Jason had said. She had gained more possessions over the time of her service but they had all gone now and again she was left with just this one bag. ~At least this time i have my dream catcher as well~ Taya smiled sadly and shook her head slightly as if to dispel the memories. She walked out of the shuttle and started to make her way to the Captain's ready room. (Reply None) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Deck One - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:10) Taya stood outside the door to the Captain's ready room and was amazed that she was early. She had been so engrossed in exploring the decks on her way here that she got carried away and nearly forgot completely about meeting the captain. She took a deep breath and stood as tall as her five foot three of her and pressed the door chime to the captain's ready room. (Reply Captain T'Vhor) (Posted By Chris) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 08:12) "Enter", said the Captain & the door swished aside to frame the newly arrived ACSO, Ensign Taya. The Captain was expecting her of course, this in itself though was not exactly the norm of late for docked as they now were, so many new arrivals had quite simply just appeared completely unannounced at the door to his office. Lieutenant Commander Capps's however had of course brought him up to speed the moment he had arrived back on the bridge, letting him know beforehand of the ASCO's shuttle docking & subsequently imminent arrival at the door to his ready room. "Please", said the Captain as Ensign Taya approached to come to attention on the opposite side of the desk, "at ease Ensign", he added & then indicated for her to take a seat. (Reply Taya, IYW) "So...", said the Captain, opening up the Ensign's files upon his monitor now in order to see just who Starfleet were sending him. "I trust your transit was uneventful & that nothing held you up at all", he added. (Reply Taya) The Captain nodded. It was to be expected of course, the fleet was arriving at operational readiness now but even so, the complete & utter mess that had been borne out of the Doenitz occupations were still hampering proceedings here & there. Delay's were inevitable. "I see that you had some dealings with Professor Grendel during your Academy training", said the Captain, his interest piquing now at the apparent synchronicity of the Ensigns posting on Spectre alongside the very species that the Professor had been working with. (Reply Taya) "We have just received Ensign Styg to our ranks", said the Captain, "perhaps you could work with him & assist him in his acclimatisation?", he added. (Reply Taya) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:14) Taya sat down in the chair that the Captain had referred to. Even though he had told her to be at ease she still sat with her back upright. She was nervous that the Captain was going to ask her why she left Starfleet in the midst of war just like her academy instructor had done. "I trust your transit was uneventful & that nothing held you up at all". "It was fine sir, nothing went wrong at all apart from a slight delay; the shuttle didn't have it's full warp speed but I made do. It was just what I needed actually, some time to recollect myself without having to worry about anything serious going wrong. Then again, I don't think I would have minded if something had gone wrong. I have been so used to things happening out of the ordinary." She smiled and hoped the Captain didn't take that to mean she hadn't wanted to be posted on board the Spectre. She was very happy to be aboard any ship in Starfleet after all she didn't think they would take her back. "I see that you had some dealings with Professor Grendel during your Academy training". Taya nodded, her hair moving round her face. "A little bit i wish i could have spent more time with the professor, amazing person". "We have just received Ensign Styg to our ranks", said the Captain, "perhaps you could work with him & assist him in his acclimatisation?", he added. "Of course, if there's anything I have had to do with people these past couple of years is acclimatise them." Taya smiled remembering some of the people she had come to regard as a second family. Her first family would always be the crew aboard the Mystique/Hades. Her biological family had died very early on in her life and the people that bought her up never seemed to bond with her. "Do you know where he is now sir?" Taya asked. (Reply Captain) "Thank you sir, I keep forgetting that i can just ask the computer. I've been without technology for a while. Takes some getting use to being able to use a replicator again and finding where people are in an instant." (Reply Captain IYW) "O Sir, one more thing. Can i ask where my quarters are? I just want to drop my bag off there before finding Ensign Styg." (Reply Captain) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 08:16) "Do you know where he is now sir?", asked the new ACSO in response to the mention of Ensign Styg. "I believe that he may be found on deck four in one of the Science labs", said the Captain, "the computer can be queried as to his specific location of course but since he has spent most of his time there since his arrival on board, Science would be my first guess anyway", he added. "Thank you sir, I keep forgetting that I can just ask the computer. I've been without technology for a while. Takes some getting use to being able to use a replicator again and finding where people are in an instant.", said Taya. The Captain simply nodded. The Ensign was correct of course, not everyone had the luxury of having technology at their fingertips all of the time, it was so easy these days to take it all for granted. "Oh Sir, one more thing. Can I ask where my quarters are? I just want to drop my bag off there before finding Ensign Styg.", said Ensign Taya. "One moment Ensign", said the Captain as he moved to access the updated crew rosters on his monitor for the required information. "Your quarters are situated on Deck six, once you arrive on the deck you may request specific directions to your personally assigned quarters via one of the Computer interfaces", said the Captain. "Any problems, please don't hesitate to contact me" (Reply Taya, IYW) "All that is left for me to do is to welcome you aboard... Welcome aboard the Spectre Ensign, I hope that your time with us is both rewarding & enjoyable", said the Captain as he extended a hand towards her to shake her hand. (Reply Taya) The Captain nodded accordingly & then dismissed her to continue on her way. (Reply Taya) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 08:20) "Any problems, please don't hesitate to contact me" Taya nodded and hoped that she would be able to leave the ready room and see her quarters. She could put her bag down and put her things away; it would finally feel like she was aboard the ship. "All that is left for me to do is to welcome you aboard... Welcome aboard the Spectre Ensign, I hope that your time with us is both rewarding & enjoyable", said the Captain as he extended a hand towards her to shake her hand. Taya took the hand and shook it, smiling as she did so. "Thank you Sir. It's an honour to serve with you." After she had been dismissed Taya walked into the turbolift and made her way to her newly assigned quarters where she planned to contact her spirit guide, after she had put her things away. (Reply None) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Engineering Corridor - Captain T'Vhor - 09:32) ".....it'll be ok at launch sir, that I catagorically promise you", said the Engineer as he gingerly took the PADD back from the CO's hand. "Careful Lieutenant, I may just hold you to that", said the Captain as the Lieutenants facial expression went from a smile to a blank & serious one in about a second flat. The Lieutenant cleared his throat & then readressed his candor with a raise of both eyebrows & a small bite at his lower lip. "It will be sir, don't worry", he added as he spun about & then returned double quick through the doorway & back to the task at hand. ~Hmm, let's see shall we~ thought the Captain as he watched the man imediately begin questioning some of the junior technicians that were still working in the Engineering section. The young Engineers haste to return to his duties was nothing untoward of course, in fact it was most admirable. What had just raised the initial concern however was the fact that quite simply, the warp core had just failed a functional manifold pressure check at the secondary intermix chamber. In itself it was actually only a minor failure but when any ship left McKinley, it always did so in an optimal state of readiness with no discrepencies whatsoever on it's job sheet & the Spectre would be no different. It would not leave dock until the manifold pressure test revealed a normal reading at all levels of functionality, it was as simple as that. Making his way through the corridor towards turbolift nine however, the Captain was now quite aware of the increasing level of activity throughout the ship as the crew began returning from their leave in readiness for eventuall transit. It was a strange feeling, like a hybernating animal slowly awakening after a cold, dark winter, the Spectre was begining to return to the level it had been before it had gone to dry dock. Of course the presence of the Engineers still hard at work was still in evidence in almost every corridor. An opened access panel here, an exposed floor panel there, one had to be careful not to fall into the floor or tread upon the exposed hand of an engineer as he worked blindly within. Stepping into the turbolift, the Captain gave his destination as the bridge & then spun about to face the closing doors, the lift then began it's horizontal & vertical travail throughout the spaceframe until it had terminated at the requested deck. Or so the Captain thought. As it was however the first thing that greeted him upon the opening of the doors had been a blank wall, no bridge, just a beige nondescript wall marking the boundary of a traversing corridor at an as yet, unidentified deck. "Computer, what is my current location?", said the Captain quizically & the computer responded in an equally confusing manner. [Your current location is the bridge] The Captain quirked his head in curiosity & then after a short delay, he began walking along the corridor towards what he quickly recognised as a deck two jefferies tube access panel, he then made his way towards the nearby manual bridge accessway & entered through the hatch in order to begin his short climb up the ladder within. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 09:45) The panel dropped with a light thud until it's upper edge lay flat against the blue carpetted floor of the bridge, the Captain then crawled out, stood up straight & then brushed down his uniform with his right hand before turning to face a rather stunned looking Engineer. "Sir?", came the confused response, "err, did you not wish to use the turbolift?" "I did indeed", said T'Vhor, "however, it would seem that the computer thinks that the bridge is now on deck two", he added as he moved quickly towards his ready room with the increasingly confused tech following close behind him. "Sir, sir is there a problem with the turbolift?", he asked, somewhat stupidly. "An understatement?", said the Captain turning about to face the technician, "perhaps you may want to run diagnostics on the internal positional sensors & the proximal cross referencing array to the computer", he added calmly before turning about & then resuming his path to his ready room, apparently unperturbed by his prior need to climb to the bridge! The Tech however looked briefly towards the turbolift, then again to the now retreating CO as the doors to his ready room closed behind him to leave the beleagered Engineer to the task of putting right, whatever it was that had just hindered the Captain's arrival. "Coffee, Brazilian Santos, white & sweetened", said the Captain upon the closure of the doors, he then took a seat & began going through the Spectre's newly arrived mission briefing. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Deck 3, Transporter Room 1 - Crewman Abigail Heyes - 09:53) Abigail Heyes, recently graduated from the remnants of the academy (enlisted section), looked around her curiously before starting to walk off the transporter pad. Suddenly remembering the protocol which had been drummed into her, she stopped with one foot in the air, almost lost her balance but righted herself just in time. "Umm. Crewman Abigail Heyes, assigned to USS Spectre. Reporting to Captain Umm." She fished in the carrisak that contained her meagre belongings and pulled out the PADD she had been given before being bundled into the transport that had dropped her off at Earth Station McKinley. She thumbed it on and read down the page until she came to the information she needed. "Captain T'Vhor. Sir," she added as an afterthought and for good measure. From here she couldn't quite make out the rank insignia on the collar of the transporter operator, but in Abigail's view it never hurt to err on the side of assuming someone was senior to her. The chances were that unless for some inexplicable reason the transporter was being manned by a raw cadet, they did outrank her. ~I knew I should have read the PADD on the way~ she thought. But she'd been too interested in looking out of the window of the transport shuttle as it left the atmosphere and headed for McKinley. The man behind the console consulted his own PADD. "Yes you're expected, crewman Heyes. You're to report to Captain T'Vhor in his Ready Room. You can get off the pad now," he added as Abigail appeared rooted to the spot. With an embarrassed smile, Abigail stepped off the pad and walked towards the console. "Where do I find the Ready Room?" she asked. "Deck 1, off the Bridge. Turn left as you head out of here, and walk along the corridor to the turbolift. Give your destination as the Bridge." He looked at her carrisak. "Is the rest of your luggage arriving later?" he asked. Abigail shook her head. "No, this is everything. My quarters were among those destroyed in the battle and I never got around to replacing most of my stuff," she explained. "I guess I can replicate what I need, as I need it. " The operator smirked slightly. "You'd be most men's ideal woman then, if you can manage with that little amount of luggage," he joked. Abigail gave a slight smile, "Oh I doubt that," she said enigmatically. "I doubt that very much, Chief." By now she had recognised the insignia of a Chief Petty Officer and was glad she had called him Sir earlier. "Thanks for the directions," she added, and left the transporter room, turning to the left as instructed once she was through the doors. (Reply None) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - outside the Ready Room - Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:00) On the way to the Bridge Abigail had read as much of the PADD in her possession as she could manage. She had absorbed what she considered to be the salient points and hoped that would be enough. Taking a deep breath, she sounded the doorchime and waited for the signal to enter. When it came, she walked into the room and up to the desk, and began to come to attention. Too late, she realised her carrisak was still slung over her shoulder so the 'attention' was not quite as smart as it should have been. ~Should have left that somewhere~ she thought. ~too late now!~ "Crewman Abigail Heyes reporting, Sir," she said, and proffered her reporting PADD to the man behind the desk. (Reply T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 10:02) The chime sounding at the door had broken the Captain's concentration from the matter in hand, which just happened to be the question as to why an apparently loyal low priority, but essential class M world may have withdrawn it's supplies of Dilithium to the Federation all of a sudden. It was a most curious matter, but it stank of suspicious activity. "Enter", said the Captain closing the monitor display as the door slid aside to reveal a sprightly young female crewmen in Medical teal & carrying a shoulder holdall to his gaze. "Crewman Abigail Heyes reporting, Sir", said the woman as she approached the desk, came to a somewhat clumsy attention & then waited for a reply from her new CO. The Captain thought back to the list of new arrivals, then he remembered the name. "Ah, yes, Crewman Heyes", said the Captain as he extended a hand towards her in a formal, human greeting. "Please, at ease, have a seat", he added & the young woman availed herself of the chair whilst the CO proceeded then to call up her academical reports. A minute or so later & the CO seemed most impressed at what he was reading & verbalised it accordingly. "You come to us highly recommended", said the Captain with a respectful nod, "it would seem that rear Admiral Gr'iann himself has shown an interest in your assignment with us", he added with another nod & then an inquisitive glance towards the new arrival opposite him. (Reply Heyes, IYW) "Nevertheless, rear Admiral Gr'iann is not one to attach his name to any medical graduate, clearly you have impressed him more than you might imagine", said the Captain as he closed the monitor screen & then relaxed his arms loosely upon the table top. "Tell me Crewman Heyes, this is your first deep space assignment, what do you know of the Spectre & the nature of it's missions?", asked the Captain. (Reply Heyes) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Med Tech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:03) "You come to us highly recommended Crewman Heyes", said the Captain with a respectful nod, "it would seem that rear Admiral Gr'iann himself has shown an interest in your assignment with us", he added with another nod and then an inquisitive glance towards Abigail. Abigail looked slightly startled for a moment, like a rabbit caught in the lights of a hovercar. For a moment she wondered if this was some kind of joke, but then Vulcans didn't joke. But then the Vulcans she'd met didn't shake hands either. Then she remembered the Captain wasn't a full Vulcan, so maybe he was different. Finally she recalled that Admiral Gr'iann was a regular visitor to her father's casino, although to be fair he seemed to spend more time in the restaurant eating her mother's cooking than gambling in the main part of the casino. He had, however, had one or two big wins at her blackjack table. The admiral, as her father had ruefully commented afterwards, had more luck than a barrelful of black cats. She'd only come across him once at the Academy, and that was in her final medical exam. He'd been a holographic patient along with several others, mainly lesser ranks, all of whose medtests she'd had to process and prioritise. She'd recommended the Admiral should be treated last as his symptoms were less advanced than those of three engineering crewmen. She had been shocked when the panel of officers questioning her conclusions afterwards had included the Admiral himself, but she had stuck to her guns that it was the patient's condition that dictated priority for treatment, not rank, and afterwards had earned an approving nod from Gr'iann. "I only met him once at the Academy, Sir. In my final exam. He was on the assessment panel," she replied. "Nevertheless, rear Admiral Gr'iann is not one to attach his name to any medical graduate, clearly you have impressed him more than you might imagine", replied T'Vhor as he closed the monitor screen before asking Abigail what she knew of the Spectre and the nature of its missions. "Only what I read on my PADD, Sir," Abigail responded. "I gather that she is entrusted with some of the rather more... delicate missions?" (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 10:04) ".......only what I read on my PADD, Sir", said the Crewmen, "I gather that she is entrusted with some of the rather more... delicate missions?" The Captain quirked his head & then gave a nod. "The PADD will not give express detail to mission specifics of course", said the Captain, "but you are correct in your assumption, we are frequently tasked with missions of a, shall I say, surrepticious nature", he added. (Reply Heyes, IYW) "I'm quite sure we will be able to provide you with a certain degree of challenging situations on board", said the Captain, "but then, from your record already I see that challenge is something that you thrive upon", he added. (Reply Heyes) "Your imediate superior will be Doctor Williams, who I believe has now returned from shore leave. The medical department, & of course it's staff however are freely available to any inquiry you may have", said the Captain, "I'm sure that they will point you in the required directions", he added. (Reply Heyes) "Is there anything else you wish to ask?", enquired the Captain thoughtfully. (Reply Heyes) NRPG: I'll assume that Abigail is fine at this point but I can change if need be. RPG: "Then all that is left for me to do is formally welcome you aboard the USS Spectre", said the Captain, again reaching across the table to shake the new crewman's hand. "Welcome aboard Crewman Heyes, I hope that your tour of duty will be an enjoyable & rewarding one", said the Captain. "You are dismissed" (Reply Heyes) "Before you go Crewmen", said the Captain suddenly, "you may want to check with the Engineers before you attempt to use the turbolift", he added, wondering to himself now whether or not the previous faults had actually been rectified or not. After all, he didn't want Abigail to end up somewhere she didn't wish to be right now. (Reply Heyes) The Captain nodded & then returned to his prior task of going through their mission orders as the Crewman turned about & made her way towards whatever it was that awaited her. (Reply Heyes) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:05) "The PADD will not give express detail to mission specifics of course", said the Captain, "but you are correct in your assumption, we are frequently tasked with missions of a, shall I say, surreptitious nature", he added. Abigail nodded. "I understand, Sir," she said. Inwardly she wondered if she did,but then again, not being an officer, she supposed it wouldn't concern her over much. "I'm quite sure we will be able to provide you with a certain degree of challenging situations on board", the Captain continued, "but then, from your record already I see that challenge is something that you thrive upon", he added. "I do my best, Sir," the crewman replied. "Challenge is a part of life, or so I was always taught by my parents." "Your immediate superior will be Doctor Williams, who I believe has now returned from shore leave. The medical department, and of course it's staff however are freely available to any inquiry you may have", T'Vhor said. "I'm sure that they will point you in the required directions", he added. "Thank you, Sir. I'll report in to Sickbay as soon as possible." "Is there anything else you wish to ask?" Abigail thought for a moment. She had a lot of questions, but they were ones her department head could answer, since they involved her duties and the roster and other things not the purview of the Captain of the vessel. "No, thank you, Sir." "Then all that is left for me to do is formally welcome you aboard the USS Spectre", said the Captain, again reaching across the table to shake the new crewman's hand. "Welcome aboard Crewman Heyes, I hope that your tour of duty will be an enjoyable & rewarding one", said the Captain. "You are dismissed" "Thank you, Captain,"Abigail said. Standing up and picking up her bag, she turned to leave. "Before you go Crewmen", said the Captain suddenly, drawing her attention back to him, "you may want to check with the Engineers before you attempt to use the turbolift." "Yes, Captain, I will," Abigail said, wondering why but not questioning the Old Man. T'Vhor nodded and returned his attention to whatever he'd been doing before she entered, as Abigail executed a reasonable facsimile of an about turn and left the room. (Reply None) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre – Bys’At’s Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:30) The Vulcan/Romulan hybrid was excited. That isn’t precisely unusual - but a new adventure awaited him. For the first time in history … Bys’At … had a new … neighbor! That’s right … she had just moved in and gotten comfortable, it was the perfect time to let her know who she could count on in this part of ‘town’. None other than Bys’At, of course. ~But, how to approach her?~ Bys’At thought standing with his arms folded outside her door. Bys’At had once seen an old 2D entertainment called a ‘Western Flick’ where all of the Native Americans said ‘How’ in greeting perhaps that would be appropriate? ~Hmm … perhaps a more central greeting? ‘Why’? ‘Who’? Definitely not ‘How’.~ He reasoned. ~No, an Eastern greeting. Finding a rabbit is no big deal … my friend Mark will oblige. But the rabbit eggs … well that’s another matter … Mark being Male can’t help there.~ Bys’At racked his brain. Then it hit him … a cup of sugar! In the other popular matinee … the ‘Chick Flick’ … it is the perfect excuse for a male to visit the residence of a female. Arousing no suspicion in the process. ~A brilliant deduction!~ Bys’At lauded himself. Without further hesitation he rang the door chime. (reply Taya, IYW) The door opened and the young woman he had expected was standing before him. Bys’At raised his right hand. “Ho …” Bys’At stopped himself. The mistake was half made but genius as he was he could recover. Bys’At arked his hand through the air in a waving motion. “…llo. Hello. Howdy.” Said Bys’At hiding the offending hand behind his back. (reply Taya) “I am your new neighbor, Bys’At, perhaps you’ve heard of me?” Bys’At inquired. (reply Taya) (reply Taya) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:31) Taya had just finished her vision quest and felt relaxed after having connected with her spirit guide. It had been a while since he had come to her. She smiled and wrapped her medicine bundle up before putting it back in her bedroom. She walked over to the replicator to get a drink but halfway there the door chime sounded. Taya shook her head slightly and prayed to the spirits that it wouldn't be important or take long as she was hungry. Having no breakfast this morning was taking it's toll on her and she wasn't ready to mingle with a large amount of crewmembers yet. She walked over to the door and when they opened Taya had composed herself to one of neutral expression. “Ho …” Bys’At arced his hand through the air in a waving motion. “…llo. Hello. Howdy.” Said Bys’At. ~What was that?~ "Hi," Taya said wondering who this was at her door. “I am your new neighbour, Bys’At, perhaps you’ve heard of me?” Bys’At inquired. "I'm sorry I haven't. But I haven't been in touch with the Federation for a while and..." Taya drifted off not ready to talk about what she had witnessed and how guilty she felt for not being with the Federation in it's time of need. ~I should really see a counsellor, I hate counsellors~ (Reply Bys'At IYW) "Would you like to come in? I mean it's a bit pointless having a conversation half in the corridor and half in my room isn't it?" (Reply Bys'At) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:32) “I am your new neighbour, Bys’At, perhaps you’ve heard of me?” Bys’At inquired. "I'm sorry I haven't. But I haven't been in touch with the Federation for a while and..." The woman’s words drifted off. Bys’At frowned at the woman’s ignorance. Fellow scientists should not be so ignorant of one another. He would see to this deficiency. "Would you like to come in? I mean it's a bit pointless having a conversation half in the corridor and half in my room isn't it?" “Ensign Taya, I will happily accept your invitation.” Bys’At smiled. ~Thank you, Ensign Perreti, for informing me of the new arrival’s name.~ thought Bys’At. Bys’At skillfully navigated around the woman and into her quarters. “Oh, what is this exquisite piece?!” exclaimed Bys’At excitedly. On a far wall hung a round ‘thing’ with intricate beadwork and feathers. (reply Taya) “a Dreamcatcher? Hmmm … a device for catching dreams? What is the purpose for such a device? The design is so aesthetic … it reminds me of one of the Nurses in sickbay. Her skin is so flush with brilliant hues, I pursued her for hours just to gaze upon the stunning colors.” (reply Taya) (reply Taya) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:34) “Oh, what is this exquisite piece?!” exclaimed Bys’At excitedly. Taya turned round and looked at what had got her neighbour so excited. She smiled at the blue frame and orange twine with blue feathers and beads. It added just a bit of colour to the Starfleet grey walls. She walked over to stand next to him and replied to his question. "It's a dream catcher." “a Dream catcher? Hmmm … a device for catching dreams? What is the purpose for such a device? The design is so aesthetic … it reminds me of one of the Nurses in sickbay. Her skin is so flush with brilliant hues, I pursued her for hours just to gaze upon the stunning colours.” Taya's eyes widened slightly at the last of his sentences and moved slightly away from him, ~hmm very....interesting personality here. Wonder if he has to see the counsellor on a regular basis~ "Yes, it is to ward off the evil spirits that cause bad dreams like the coyote. It's a tradition among my people to have one. Just like the medicine wheel." (Reply Bys'At) "Have a seat," Taya said indicating a chair. She felt pleased that someone was taking an interest in her heritage and her people's customs. So much so that the thought of a cup of coffee left her brain completely. She took a seat on the sofa adjacent to the chair where her guest sat. "The medicine wheel is used when one of my people are in a coma or near death. It is during these periods that our souls are walking the wheel. Stones are placed on it to direct our souls back to our bodies. If any stone is placed wrongly it can lead the soul astray to places that require extreme endurance or to places where we may never want to leave." (Reply Bys'At) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:35) "Yes, it is to ward off the evil spirits that cause bad dreams like the coyote. It's a tradition among my people to have one. Just like the medicine wheel." To the manic Engineer her words sounded so foreign … yet benign. ~Coyote? Medicine wheel? Such a fascinating woman … and an obviously strong culture. I must learn from her.~ thought Bys’At. “You must tell me about this Coyote thing later. However, at the moment I’m much more interested in the … medicine wheel.” Bys’At was certain to get the tone and syntax as a rough equivalent of the one she had used. He resisted the urge to scream the new term as he might otherwise have been inclined. "Have a seat," Taya said indicating a chair. Bys’At leapt into the offered chair with his lanky frame. One leg flailed wildly as the other served to balance in the act. The woman took a seat on the sofa adjacent to the chair where Bys’At sat and didn’t seem to notice the movement. ~She is very much like me … appreciating a finer meaning in common things. She is almost as enticing as Ensign Bristed. I wonder if hugging is a more public expression in her culture. I must ask her about that later as well … onward … to Medicine Wheel.~ "The medicine wheel is used when one of my people are in a coma or near death. It is during these periods that our souls are walking the wheel. Stones are placed on it to direct our souls back to our bodies. If any stone is placed wrongly it can lead the soul astray to places that require extreme endurance or to places where we may never want to leave." Bys’At was … to say the least … confused. To formulate a coherent question addressing the many deficiencies in the practice was difficult. Intellectual, though he was, the words were illusive. An idea thunderbolted behind Bys’At’s eyes. His keen deductive skills had paired down a myriad of inquiries into a single question. “Why do the people of your culture walk, as you said, when they have wheels?” Bys’At presented his question with a grin of satisfaction. (reply Taya, IYW) “If you will forgive me, I cannot help but question the placement of the stones as well. It seems the more logical argument that stones placed in any fashion around a wheel are placed inappropriately. How is a wheel surrounded by boulders to move?” Bys’At looked at the woman with sheepish innocence. ~I wonder if she has met Mark? I’ll have to introduce them.~ (reply Taya) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:37) Taya finished her explanation of what a medicine wheel was and could see Bys'At thinking. She stayed quiet and waited for the question that was bound to come. Sure enough, it did. “Why do the people of your culture walk, as you said, when they have wheels?” Taya could see the smile on the misguided man's face and smiled back so as not to make him feel uncomfortable, "it's complicated. Let's leave it at that." “If you will forgive me, I cannot help but question the placement of the stones as well. It seems the more logical argument that stones placed in any fashion around a wheel are placed inappropriately. How is a wheel surrounded by boulders to move?” Bys’At looked at Taya with sheepish innocence. Taya bowed her head and finally understood what had prompted the strange questions. "I think you misunderstand me. The medicine wheel isn't actually a wheel as such. Come, i'll show you." Taya stood up and walked into her bedroom which still held no personal artefacts except for the medicine bundle stowed in a drawer and the medicine wheel hung on the wall at the foot of the bed. "This is the medicine wheel," she said indicating the cloth on the wall. "As you can see the stones are placed round the outside at the moment. This is because i am in the waking world where i am not walking the path of souls." Taya looked at the other ensign, "do you understand now?" (Reply Bys'At) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:40) "I think you misunderstand me. The medicine wheel isn't actually a wheel as such. Come, i'll show you." Taya stood up and walked into … her bedroom!? ~Oh, dear, this is certainly beyond the average comprehension. I have heard of Earth exploits in cars, perhaps this wheel is used in the passing of genetic material?~ Bys’At reluctantly followed the woman and he was about to explain his utter lack of compatibility with any mate when she addressed him first. "This is the medicine wheel," she said indicating the cloth on the wall. "As you can see the stones are placed round the outside at the moment. This is because I am in the waking world where I am not walking the path of souls." The woman looked at Bys’At as if searching for some sign of thought transference. ~Again, walking when there is a wheel. Not only that but this ‘wheel’ is quite incapable of moving. I suspect it isn’t a wheel at all.~ "Do you understand now?" She asked. Bys’At pondered the scene a moment. He felt the clothe with both hands and yet he could not grasp its meaning. Colors, symbols, stones, clothe, beads, feathers, how … it all seemed so surreal. That must be it! “You have already met Ensign Morphy haven’t you!?” blurted Bys’At. (reply Taya) “Oh, you are clever, but I am better endowed in the deductive arts. You and Mr. Morphy are, how you humans express it, ‘in cahoots’. There is no possible way that such things as this dream catcher and motionless wheel are truthful artifacts.” He moaned. (reply Taya) NRPG: Taya will either become Bys’At’s cultural liaison … or she’ll get mad as a hornet and throw him out of her quarters and avoid him for as long as possible. ;) RPG: (reply Taya) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:45) It had taken a lot longer than Abigail had anticipated to get to Sickbay. The turbolifts were working after a fashion, although the engineer she spoke to on the Bridge suggested it had been more by luck than anything that the lift she'd taken from near the transporter room had actually arrived at the Bridge. Due to the recalibrating the engineers were doing, Abigail found herself routed what felt like half way around the ship and then having to walk from the far end of Deck 3 to Sickbay. ~Hey-ho, back where I started~ she had thought, amused, as she passed the transporter room she'd arrived in. Finally though she had arrived at what appeared to be the main entrance to Sickbay and, still shouldering her carrisack, she entered and spoke to the first person she saw. "Excuse me, Sir," again she erred on the side of caution, "MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes, just assigned here. Is the CMO available? I'd like to report in as soon as possible." (Reply Williams if he's there, any) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 10:46) Douwsy was sitting by the nurse’s station looking at the PADD in front of her. Being the senior nurse or Sister as Andrew sometimes called her. She was in charged of the off duty for the nursing and technicians staff in sickbay. There had been a few changes in the team as new staff arrived and others departed. She then had to changed the rota to make sure that there was a good skill mix on each shift. "Excuse me, Sir," "MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes, just assigned here. Is the CMO available? I'd like to report in as soon as possible." Dousey looked up at Heyes and saw that she was still carrying a carrisack. ~Not even able to unpack, poor love~ “Hallo Heyes I’m Douwsy one of the nurses here, nice to meet you. Dr Williams is in his office just through there.” She pointed in the direction of Andrews office. (reply Heyes) (reply Heyes, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:47) “Hallo Heyes I’m Douwsy one of the nurses here, nice to meet you. Dr Williams is in his office just through there.” The Orion nurse pointed in the direction of an office doorway. Abigail gave a genuine smile in return. "Thanks, Nurse Douwsy. Nice to meet you too." As a medical technician Abigail had a healthy respect for nurses. Their duties sometimes involved tasks she wouldn't want to do - and not only that, but their knowledge of medical and nursing procedures often rivalled (and in certain cases outstripped) that of the doctors they worked alongside. "I look forward to getting to know you later," she added as she headed off towards Dr Williams' office. Reaching the doorway she sounded the doorchime and waited for the doctor to tell her to enter. NRPG: Robbie, I don't know whether Williams usually has his door open or closed, or how he feels about staff just walking in, so Abigail is erring on the side of caution again ;) RPG: (Reply Williams, any) (Posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 10:49) Andrew sat in his office with a cup of caffeine in one hand and a PADD in the other. He was reading a research article which was looking into the a new technique of bio-regenerative surgery. This technique used patients own cells and DNA to make new parts and organs which could then be implanted into the patient. He knew that this research was on the back of previous research that had been made going back hundreds of years. He did not know much about it though he had learnt some of the theory at the academy. He had not had any practical application but thought it might be an interesting field to look into. He heard a chime sound in the room. He paused because he had not heard it before. He quickly looked up to try and find the source of the noise. He saw an out line of a person through his door waiting out side his office. ~Did not remember shutting the door.~ He sat forward so that he was slouching in his chair. he then placed his cup and PADD on the table. "Um Please com in." The doors opened and he saw a human woman standing by the door. She was wearing the the insignia of a crewman and was carrying a carry sack. ~Wounder who this is?~ He gave a warm smile. "Good morning, Please come in. Take a seat. Is there anything I can do for you?" He stood up and indicated the seat across from him. (reply Heyes) (reply Heyes ,any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - MedTech Crewman Abigail Heyes - 10:51) Dr Williams gave a warm smile as Abigail entered the room. "Good morning, Please come in. Take a seat. Is there anything I can do for you?" He stood up and indicated the seat across from him. "Good morning, thank you" Abigail said as she sat down. "I'm Crewman Abigail Heyes, and I've been assigned here as one of your medical technicians." She dug in her bag and pulled out the PADD. "I've reported in to the Captain, and he sent me along to you." She handed the CMO her PADD and waited while he read it. (reply Williams ,any) (posted by Liz) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 10:53) "I've reported in to the Captain, and he sent me along to you." Andrew took the PADD that Heyes had given to him and quickly read it. “Good to have you on board Miss Heyes. We run a friendly and highly dynamic team which combines many specialities. ~Including Vulcan mind melds techniques~ We care for any one that comes through these doors what ever the condition. Nurse Douwsy is the sister in charge; Nurse Marshal and Nurse Pelletier are team leaders. I work an open door policy her in sickbay. If you have any problems of things that you would like to discuss then come and find me I’ll be either here or at the end the comm channel. I hope you will enjoy your time with us.” (reply Heyes) (reply Heyes,any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - CEO's Office - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 12:00) The office was cold. He'd deliberately instructed the computer to lower the temperature to just 14 degrees Celsius. He wasn't sure why, but with the crew returning from their leave and the increased bustle and chatter throughout engineering he'd suddenly felt as though the air were stifling. He sat back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the console before him. Seconds ago he'd forwarded his own status report to the Captain and First Officer, an addendum to the overall readiness check and repair sign-off prepared by the shipyard's repair co-ordinator. They'd gained, amongst other things, an all new deflector dish, salvaged from a ship that had been left little more than a drifting hulk in space by the close in combat. The new dish was a significant upgrade on the one the Spectre had previously, and was designed to better integrate with the ship's overall shield and forcefield network. H'Chir had his doubts about how well it would integrate with the phase cloak, but no amount of tests had given him anything to worry about. His report included an update on the engineering staff. Nearly every team across the ship had lost someone, either during the fighting or in the endless shuffling about as the reduced fleet attempted to find a new level and move on. Some people had even resigned their commission, deciding that their future didn't lie with Starfleet any longer. All things considered things had remained pretty static in Engineering. Those who had survived had largely stayed (although one Petty Officer had left to take up post running one of the dockyards) and those who stayed were now returning home ready to exchange stories of their time away. The chime sounded and informed him of the mission briefing for department heads the following morning. ~Time to move on.~ (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:02) “So anyway, that’s what happened with the ‘Sammael’s Anvil’.” Chuck finished his explanation. He leaned back only slightly in his chair and eyed the Chief. (reply Vasilyovna, IYW) “I know I should have let an Engineer handle the upgrade but, eh …” Chuck paused and smiled, “I don’t want to turn out like Ensign Yates.” (reply Vasilyovna) “I could have just wrote a report but I thought it’s be better coming from me directly. Is there something else I can do for you while I have your attention?” asked Chuck (reply Vasilyovna) While Vasilyovna was speaking the Chime sounded and the entire crew of the Spectre were informed of the meeting the next day. “Finally, a new mission briefing. I personally am ready to shake off the war.” Said Chuck allowing his personal volume control to turn off for a second. ;) (reply Vasilyovna) (reply Vasilyovna, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 12:02) "........so anyway, that’s what happened with the ‘Sammael’s Anvil’", said Donaldson as he brought his explanation of the commotion regarding his impromptu alterations to the shuttle earlier, to a sudden close. Vasilyovna nodded & then shifted her position slightly in her chair. Both sides had valid points of course, Donaldson shouldn't have meddled without permission but then..... Yelena furrowed her brow as she idly spun the PADD upon the table around with her index finger. "Uh, Engineers my friend, from my experience it is always best not to tamper unless explicitly asked to", said Yelena, her candor today unusually relaxed as it clearly was. Donaldson seemed to notice it also, or at least she felt that he did anyway for lately, he had been incurring the chiefs wrath for one reason or another, now however she seemed to be actually agreeing with him. "I know I should have let an Engineer handle the upgrade but, eh …", said Chuck, "I don’t want to turn out like Ensign Yates" Vasilyovna rolled her eyes at the man's very mention, Yates had that knack of course, he was an efficient enough Security officer but he just seemed to be a little too layed back at times & had a very definate ability to find himself wherever trouble dwelled. "I could have just wrote a report but I thought it’d be better coming from me directly. Is there something else I can do for you while I have your attention?" asked Chuck. Vasilyovna reached casually for the PADD on the desk before her & then picked it up to glance idly through it. It was so quiet today, but then again being in dock as they were, this was hardly unlikely. A station such as McKinley didn't have the facilities of somewhere like, say, Geneva of course, which in turn meant that there weren't that many places here that a crew could cause alcohol induced havok. That & most of them had returned from leave now anyway. There were however, only so many times that a security sweep could be performed & yet another so close to launch, would probably have revealed no changes since the last one a few days beforehand. "I guess you could have a look in on Ensign Styg", said Vasilyovna, "as you know, the Captain is concerned about his EVA suit & the methane exhuast that tripped the sensors when he came through Sec", she added. "We can't have another.......", she began, just as a shipwide broadcast from the FO sounded regarding a mission briefing the following morning. "Finally, a new mission briefing. I personally am ready to shake off the war", said Donaldson hapilly. Yelena nodded. "Well on this one at least, I must agree, I'm eager to see what's happening out there", said Vasilyovna. "But anyway, as I was saying, another Hazmat alert is not going to go down well, take yourself up to Science, see what they've come up with to prevent it", she added. (Reply Donaldson) Yelena nodded & then suddenly grabbed the mans attention once again as he was departing. "And no messing with shuttle's", she added, "at least not without an Engineer there that is authorising it on behalf of the Blue one or the direct wishes of those upstairs", said Vasilyovna. (Reply Donaldson) Yelena then sighed & began going through the PADD once again. (Reply Donaldson) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – TAC/SC’s Office – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:03) Lieutenant Vasilyovna nodded. "Well on this one at least, I must agree, I'm eager to see what's happening out there", said Vasilyovna. "But anyway, as I was saying, another Hazmat alert is not going to go down well, take yourself up to Science, see what they've come up with to prevent it", she added. ~Methane emissions from a ‘cloud’ in an EVA suit … … she hates me.~ Chuck thought. “No problem, Chief, I’ll get right on it.” Said Chuck standing to leave. Yelena nodded & then suddenly grabbed Chuck’s attention once again as he was standing to leave. "And no messing with shuttle's", she added, "at least not without an Engineer there that is authorizing it on behalf of the Blue one or the direct wishes of those upstairs", said Vasilyovna. “You’re hard on me, sir, but I’ll do it.” Chuck said in his best Yates impression. Yelena then sighed & began going through her PADD again. Chuck made a swift exit before the head of Security changed her mind and decided to yell at him in Russian. (reply Vasilyovna, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 12:05) Seated in the centre chair & overseeing operational readiness & status reports, the Captain had finally been relieved that word had just come up from main engineering, regarding the previously failed Warp functionality tests. The secondary intermix chamber problems had now been fully rectified as promised & the ship was now officially declared ready for transit. With that in mind, the Captain turned towards the First Officer seated beside him, requesting that he arrange a mission briefing in the conference room for 09:00 hrs the following morning. All department heads were to attend, as were their imediate subordinates, all leave as of 23:59 hrs that same evening was now ended. (Reply O'Conner) The Captain then stood & made to return to his Ready Room to personally inform Starfleet command that the Spectre was now fully operational. "You have the bridge Lietenant Commander", said the Captain as he entered his ready room whilst flexing & stretching a previously damaged shoulder. (Reply O'Conner) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 12:07) Michael sat to the right of the Captain as they got final word that the ship was ready to go. The Captain informed him that he wanted a senior staff meeting for the next morning at 09:00 hours, and that leave was officially over at midnight. The Captain then stood & made to return to his Ready Room to personally inform Starfleet command that the Spectre was now fully operational. "You have the bridge Lietenant Commander", said the Captain as he entered his ready room whilst flexing & stretching a previously damaged shoulder. "Aye sir," Michael said as he switched seats. Noticing the Captain stretching his shoulder, Michael decided to ignore it. "Ops, signal all crew, leave is hereby officially over. All crew are to be back on board, by 2359 hours or face charges for missing ships movements." Michael said then turned to his own terminal and sent a note to all those concerned about the meeting the following morning. (Reply Ops, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Bridge - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 12:08) "Aye sir," Michael said as he switched seats. Noticing the Captain stretching his shoulder, Michael decided to ignore it. "Ops, signal all crew, leave is hereby officially over. All crew are to be back on board, by 2359 hours or face charges for missing ships movements." It was truly sad for some that R&R was now over for everyone. The rest was very good for every member of the ship. Calvin had never seen a ship full of officers that were ready to get back out there and explore once again. It seemed everyone was excited to get back. Calvin worked his hands over his board as usual, and carried out his orders. Most of the crew had already been back. In the last 24 hours people knew it that their break would be over and they wanted to get back in the flow of things on board a ship. The notice was sent, and it was back to the last day diagnostic before the ship was on its way for its new mission. (Reply none) (Posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre – Science – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 12:15) Chuck stepped through the double doors into the main Science section. He hadn’t really had a reason to be down here before … and didn’t particularly like the reason he was down here now. It was plain and gray like every other part of the ship but Chuck couldn’t help but envision Dr. Frankenstein in some corner yelling “Give my creation … LIFE!” The place gave him the creeps. He saw bubbling cauldrons, newts, and frogs … okay maybe his mind exaggerated just a little … but there were a few cats … err … Caitians roaming about (not necessarily Black ones … but ‘cats’ nonetheless). Then he saw it, the cloud in the EVA suit. As he dealt with O’Connor … he would deal with this Styg. Approach the target head on without hesitation. Chuck inhaled a short breath and keeping his chest broadened by the oxygen he approached the creature. “Mister … Ensign … Styg. I am here to evaluate the condition of your … exhausts.” Chuck said, contorting his face slightly at the last word. (reply Styg) “My name … Ensign Donaldson … people call me Chuck.” Said Chuck, losing the greater portion of air he had hoisted into his chest. (reply Styg) (reply Styg, any in Science) (posted by Anton) (McKinley station – Observation lounge - Pilot officer Smith – 13:00) Jennifer looked at the ship that she was now going to call home. It was bigger than she had expected but as her last ship had been a 10 metre Gueken Fighter and compared to the 450 metres of Spectre was absolutely enormous. ~Well this is definatly different~ She had been surprised when the personal officer had given her the PADD and had told her that she had been assigned to a ship. It was the way that he had said it that had intrigued her. She looked at the PADD with the Spectres specs on it. USS Spectre NCC 8741, length: 450 m, width: 195 m, height: 54 m and has 17 Decks. She had a Mark IV Warp Drive which incorporated a Matter/Antimatter with Triad Reactant Injector System which powered two nessels. She also had a deuterium powered Type IV Impulse Propulsion System which ended at two engines. She would cruse at warp 7, max at 9.2 for 26 hours and emergency at 9.6 for 10 minutes. ~Better get started then~ With that she entered the umbilical gangway and headed towards the ship side security check point. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Bridge - Pilot officer Smith – 13:09) Jennifer entered the bridge. There were some crewmembers at a few of the stations. She nodded at the officer in the command chair. She had been informed by the security check point that the Captain was in his ready room. By this time the Captain and the Officer of the watch would probably been told that she had arrived. As she crossed the bridge she saw the conn station. ~It looks so big compared to what I’m use to but they say that she is very manuoverable~ She walked up to the ready room door and touched the door chime. ~Time to introduce myself and then go and find Jo. She should be some where on board~ The door opened and she entered. She saw the captain sitting behind a desk in a chair. She stepped up to the desk and came to attention. “Sir Pilot Officer Smith reporting as ordered.” (reply T’Vhor) (reply T’Vhor, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 13:11) And there she was.... No sooner had the report of the arriving Second Lieutenant been made, the chime had sounded, been accepted by the CO & the officer in question was at attention before his desk. You just had to admire the military efficiency of the fighter wing pilots, it never ceased to amaze. "Sir Pilot Officer Smith reporting as ordered", said the female officer. "At ease Second Lieutenant Smith, take a seat", said the Captain & the ever efficient officer's butt was quickly occupying the indicated seat. "I'll make this brief", said the Captain, "as your probably aware, the Spectre is not equipped with a fighter wing but your transfer to us comes with the acknowledgement of your considerable piloting skills", said the Captain. (Reply Smith, IYW) "Our Conn is available of course, the Spectre is a little bigger than what you may be used to, she might not be as agile or as maneuverable as one of your fighters but is nonetheless capable", said the Captain. "We do carry a Marine Trojan assault vehicle of course, it may be available to you as & when the need arises but again, it is not exactly in the same catagory as a Void Sphynx, please remember that", he added as he turned & opened up the monitor on the desk to peruse her Starfleet record. (Reply Smith, IYW) "I see that you come to us from the USS Paladin, a ship that I myself served upon as Security Chief", said the Captain, "how is Captain Straton these days?", he added. (Reply Smith) The Captain nodded, he had heard that the ship had been taken off the line so speak but then in times of war, the fate of any ships deployment was always rather unpredictable. The Captain closed the monitor & then turned his attention back to Smith once again. "I understand also that you have kin aboard the Spectre already", said T'Vhor. (Reply Smith) "Yes, I know her well. Arrived in less than favourable circumstances but has proved to be a valuable addition to the crew, albeit with a slight need to be kept in line so to speak", said the Captain with a curious raise of an eyebrow. (Reply Smith) "I trust that you will", said the Captain as he reached over to shake the officer by the hand in a formal greeting. "Welcome aboard the Spectre Second Lieutenant, quarters have been assigned to you & all arrangements have been made for your access to all relevant areas according to your duties. I trust that your time here will be both favourable & rewarding", said the Captain. (Reply Smith) The Captain nodded accordingly. "You are dismissed" The Captain then watched as the Officer left to settle in. (Reply Smith) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room – Pilot Officer Smith - 13:13) "I'll make this brief", "as your probably aware, the Spectre is not equipped with a fighter wing but your transfer to us comes with the acknowledgement of your considerable piloting skills" Jennifer nodded. “Yes Sir.” "Our Conn is available of course, the Spectre is a little bigger than what you may be used to, she might not be as agile or as maneuverable as one of your fighters but is nonetheless capable", ~It will be fun to put the girl through her paces~ "We do carry a Marine Trojan assault vehicle of course, it may be available to you as & when the need arises but again, it is not exactly in the same catagory as a Void Sphynx, please remember that", “Yes Sir.” "I see that you come to us from the USS Paladin, a ship that I myself served upon as Security Chief", said the Captain, "how is Captain Straton these days?", he added. Jennifer gave a ghost of a smile. “The last time I saw the Captain Sir, She was still kicking the tires and lighting the fires Sir.” "I understand also that you have kin aboard the Spectre already", said T'Vhor. Jennifer nodded. “Yes Sir My older sister. Jo Smith. She is in your security detachment.” "Yes, I know her well. Arrived in less than favourable circumstances but has proved to be a valuable addition to the crew, albeit with a slight need to be kept in line so to speak", Another ghost of a smile crept onto Jennifer’s face. Her sister’s affection for authority was legendary within the family but it looked like she was fitting in. “Yes sir.” "I trust that you will", said the Captain as he reached over to shake the officer by the hand in a formal greeting. "Welcome aboard the Spectre Second Lieutenant, quarters have been assigned to you & all arrangements have been made for your access to all relevant areas according to your duties. I trust that your time here will be both favourable & rewarding", said the Captain. Jennifer smiled. “Yes Sir. Thank you sir.” The Captain nodded accordingly. "You are dismissed" Jennifer turned and left the ready room. She needed to dump her stuff before she went searching for Jo to tell the good news. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 131 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 05:59) Douwsy walked into sickbay. She walked through the dimly lit sickbay towards the nurse’s station. She walked past the row of empty bio-bed towards the pool of light that illuminated the nurse’s station. “Nice to see you.” She nodded and smiled at Marshal. She could see the dark rims under her blood shot eyes and the pasty look on her face. “Hand over and then go and get some sleep.” She sat down beside her. “Anything fun happened last night.” Marshal rolled her eyes. “Well triage, ICU & HDU are now up and running.” “That’s good. I just hope that the new equipment does not go funny when were out.” Marshal nodded in agreement. “We got an emergency warning call from the station but they cancelled it. probably someone burnt the toast or something.” Douwsy looked over at the CMO’s office and saw that the light was on. “Did you wake him?” “No he was already awake.” Douwsy rolled her eyes. “How long this time?” “About four hours.” Douwsy sighed. “Well better then most nights.” She took the shift report PADD from Marshal. “Go get some sleep. You look like you need it.” Marshal nodded sleepily and stood up. "Have a good shift." Douwsy gave her a smile. "You have a good sleep." Douwsy watched her walk tiredly out the sickbay door. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 07:34) Andrew was sitting in his office in his relaxed pose. He was reading a PADD with one hand and had a cup of caffeine in the other. The soft dulcet tones of Ella Fitzgerald play quietly in the back ground. ~So what shall I try to day~ He looked down the long list of items. ~Well we have heart of Targ, hmm maybe not since my last experiment with Klingon food went badly~ He scanned down further. ~Augergine stew? No strew. Haggis better talk to Jo about that~ He skipped the rest of the section and looked at puddings and deserts. ~Okay so we have Tarvokian pound cake, hmm that sounds a bit heavy. Thalian chocolate mousse well I’m putting on the pounds by just looking at it~ He sighed and put his PADD down. He new that it did not mater what he wanted to cook he was not aloud to. Chief had some how found out about his orange stew. He had respectfully but in no certain terms told him to keep out of his kitchen. ~I mean it’s not like I actually did any harm~ He paused for a moment as he remembered he look on chief’s face. ~Yep if he could have gotten away with it he would have shoved me out the nearest air lock~ He skipped to the front of the cook book under a heading this was titled. How to boil an egg. ~Looks like I have to start some where~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor - 08:50) "Thank you Yeoman", said Captain T'Vhor as he took the offered mug of coffee from the Yeoman & then took his seat midpoint at the table in readiness. In his hand he held a small silver case which held a PADD containing their mission specifics & a few other essential items that would be required throughout this briefing. He took a sip of his coffee & then opening the case, he removed the PADD & then lay it upon the table, then he closed the case & activated the PADD. There was nothing partularly new contained within it of course as Starfleet were pretty much in the dark over the entire affair anyway. To be fair though, whenever the Spectre was deployed on a mission, it invariably contained little more than, go see, find out, report back & try not to get killed. This mission was no different but it did mark a change in the tempo of what they were used to. Starfleet command seemed confident enough that there was no specific threat as such, in fact, the mission seemed to be little more than a diplomatic exercise. It sat rather well with the Captain actually for after little more than extreme risk taking in the past, it was good to finally be receiving a mission that 'should' be what the Humans often referred to as 'A walk in the park'. In actual fact, the Admiral had actually referred to it as such when he had personally conveyed the mission to him! The Captain pursed his lips at the notion & nodded at the sentiment. ~We shall see, we shall see~ He then took another sip of his drink & awaited the arrival of the others. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 08:52) Andrew entered the conference room. He was early but as he had been awake most of the morning it a few minutes would not make a difference. He felt refreshed and was looking forward to getting on with a new mission and he knew that sickbay would be able to cope with anything that was thrown at it. He liked how is department had come together. He knew that there were a few rough edges they worked well together. He saw the captain sitting at the table. He crossed over and sat down at the table. “Good morning Captain.” (reply T’Vhor) (reply T’Vhor Any) (posted by Robbie) (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 8:55) Chuck wasn’t going to let himself be late to the conference. He was on the bridge (having just come off shift) standing just beside a young woman at her station. Having been standing there silent for a few moments watching the viewscreen he decided to break the silence with the woman. “They’re beautiful aren’t they?” he asked. (reply Carrow) “The stars I mean. My wife used to love them but I hardly look at them anymore.” Responded Chuck. (reply Carrow) (reply Carrow, any on bridge, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 08:55) Calvin had waken early that morning excited about the meeting that was being held. He had had a long R&R, and he was delighted to began a new mission. From what he had heard through various rumors their first mission after the war was indeed going to be a peaceful one. The Lt Cmdr was looking forward to the mission briefing. He walked through the doors to the conference room and saw that most of the crew had already arrived. Although he was in the room 5 minutes before 0900 hours he felt late. He took his respected seat with PADD in hand and waited for the briefing to began. (reply none) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 08:56) Ardena was doing the science station diagnostic for lack of much else to do. Really, she didn't even have to be on the bridge, but she'd wanted to escape the gossip center for a while. She was starting to remember why she locked herself up in her lab for so long. It wasn't that she didn't like people, just they could get so .. irritating. Absorbed in her work, she didn't even notice she had a companion until he spoke. "They're beautiful aren't they?" he asked. Ardena let out an undignified squeak and put hand on side to still her suddenly pounding heart. "I'm sorry?" She managed as she turned to look at the man. "The stars I mean. My wife used to love them but I hardly look at them anymore." Responded Chuck. Ardena flipped through her mental rolodex and came up with the identity. "You'd be the gentleman Suri rescued? Tac Donaldson, wasn't it?" (Reply Donaldson) Ardena smiled a little sadly, "She was so tickled pink over that, she'd said engineers normally don't get involved in wet work, and was happy that it all came out roses." Well, for some, she guessed. (Reply Donaldson) "The stars are beautiful. I don't know if you ever listen to the popular music stations, but there's a song on the charts right now written by a Siavaon bard.. 'The Song of the Stars.' It's about how if you watch them dance you can hear them sing with the love of friends and family past, present and future." Ardena suddenly looked a little embarrassed, "I think, it's saying, you should stop appreciating beauty of people, things and environment just because it's become old hat to those of us who live in space. To so bad to enjoy the things your wife enjoyed." (Reply Donaldson, any of bridge) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 8:56) Ardena flipped through her mental rolodex and came up with the identity. "You'd be the gentleman Suri rescued? Tac Donaldson, wasn't it?" “eer … yes. Chuck. I owe Suri my life.” Said Chuck still half facing the viewscreen. Ardena smiled a little sadly, "She was so tickled pink over that, she'd said engineers normally don't get involved in wet work, and was happy that it all came out roses." Said Ardena. “As you say.” Said Chuck placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder. (reply Carrow, IYW) Chuck nodded in understanding "The stars are beautiful. I don't know if you ever listen to the popular music stations, but there's a song on the charts right now written by a Siavaon bard.. 'The Song of the Stars.' It's about how if you watch them dance you can hear them sing with the love of friends and family past, present and future." Ardena suddenly looked a little embarrassed, "I think, it's saying, you should stop appreciating beauty of people, things and environment just because it's become old hat to those of us who live in space. To so bad to enjoy the things your wife enjoyed." “I’ve always lived in space. I visited planets a few times but always got pulled back to the stars. A lot of people aboard have a home to miss. I can’t help feeling like … well … like I … am home.” Chuck said. He moved from the woman’s side and glided his hand across the viewscreen. (reply Carrow, IYW) “I guess that’s enough sentimentalism on my part.” Chuck said pulling himself back to duty. “It’s almost time for the conference.” With a last glance around the bridge to gauge the crew’s reaction to his bizarre behavior Chuck continued on his way to the conference room. (Reply Carrow, any of bridge) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 8:57) "I guess that's enough sentimentalism on my part." Chuck said turning back to her. "It's almost time for the conference." With a last glance around the bridge Chuck continued on his way to the conference room. Ardena stared after him with a raised eyebrow and quite confused look. She wasn't sure what to make of the security officer at all. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs, she was just glad she wasn't someone in the crew who was supposed to figure out what was going on in people's heads. She had enough trouble figuring out why metamorphical bacteria weren't morphing under lab conditions. With a sigh, she left the diagnostic to run and to page her if it ran into any problems and followed Chuck into the conference room. The day could only get more interesting. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 8:58) Chuck walked into the conference room. It was a bustle now with officers finding their places and everything getting settled. Chuck nodded to Jynea as he sat down between Vasilyovna and Goldsteen. ~The knights have assembled.~ he thought. Admiring the humor of the Arthurian scene. “Captain.” Chuck muttered nodding at his superior. Chuck ran a finger across the bridge of his nose avoiding the urge to rub his implant as the new counselor … Sella … seemed to stare at him with her blank expressionless eyes. (Reply Any) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 08:59) Ardena followed Chuck into the conference room, brain's hamster still scurrying in its little wheel as it flitted from subject to subject. Why had *she* been requested here? She suddenly felt a bit like the other secondary officers who got invited to the senior meetings, what was the Captain up to, what information did he want, what should she have brought with her that she didn't? It wasn't her first command meeting by a long shot, but normally she got some warning and a memo from the department head telling her why she was wanted so she could prepare. Ah well, when in doubt, wing it. She took one of the chairs at the end of the table, even with her father's retraining and support she was still sensitive to T'Vhor's mind and really didn't want to see what was going on in his brain that made him look like he should take an antacid. Well, as sour as a man trying to be stoic emotion-suppressing, broom up the butt CO'ing, could look anyway. Or maybe that's why he looked that way.. Ardena dragged her brain back to the matter at hand. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 2 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:00) The computer pointedly reminded her she was due in the conference room as of now. Jynea looked down at her costume, "Crap!" Why was she being summoned? Surely Sella didn't need or want her there! If it was a mission briefing, which Jynea figured it was from the scuttlebutt, what did it have to do with her? Surely the first officer hadn't thought to bring her on another away mission after the last disaster? And the worst part was, she wasn't going have time to change if she didn't want a completely honked off Captain! ~Okay, fair is fair,~ Jynea thought as she dashed out the holodeck door for the nearest turbolift with vague explanation, ~It wouldn't be anger it would be stern, fatherly disapproval.~ She rolled her eyes as the turbolift closed. ~All logical and suppressed emotion, of course.~ ~Feh.~ She really didn't feel like dealing with the man who seemed to view her as a weight around her neck. She'd just been trying to do her best by ship and crew and had been more than thrilled to get back into her proper role of morale officer. But the Captain still seemed to expect her to pop out from behind a bulkhead and scream "WET T-SHIRT CONTEST!" at him or something. (Reply Any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:00) Taya entered the conference room in a bit of a hurry knowing she was cutting it fine by coming in at nine on the dot. She looked around and saw a couple of empty chairs; ~i'm so glad i am not the last one~ Taya looked at the captain as he began the meeting and focused on what this mission would be about. (Reply any/none) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:03) Jynea arrived in a swirl of poodle skirt, her hair extension up in a pony tail. She was bright purple from embarrassment, "My most sincere apologies, it was the sockhop this morning for gamma shift's dance club.." It didn't need to be said she'd lost track of time, or not expected to be here, or anything else. Excuses didn't justify, just explain, sit down, and shut up. She managed to regain her composure as the briefing went on without anything more than the occasional strange glance in her direction. While she was fairly happy to hear they were going to be doing something supposedly non-warlike, her opinions were with Chuck's. They wouldn't be sent if there wasn't going to be interesting things expected. It wasn't like there was a shortage of ships in sector zero at the moment. (Reply Any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:04) Now that everyone had finally arrived, the Captain began what he assumed would be a rather short briefing. "Gentlemen, Ladies. Let me begin by saying that I hope that everyone of you had an enjoyable leave & that you all achieved whatever it was that you needed to achieve during shore leave. I trust also that everyone is now rested & ready for duty once again", said the Captain as he glanced briefly at the assembled faces around the table to guage whether that was actually so. (Reply Any, IYW) "First things first. As you now know, our new mission orders have finaly come through. You will no doubt be relieved to hear that it does not involve the kind of danger that we as a crew have been used to of late", said the Captain before then going on to a brief rundown of the key details. "Our destination now is the Ushari system, more precisely the Class M world Ushari Prime in the vicinity of Theta Draconis. This system lies at approximately midpoint between the Ferengi Alliance & the Cardassian union & has, up until just recently been a key supplier of essential Dilithium to the Federation", said the Captain. (Reply Any, IYW) "According to latest reports, all trade with the Ushari has suddenly & inexplicably ceased. The Federation has no idea why that might be but it is essential of course that we find out, rectify any situation that may have developed & hopefully re-secure the supply of Dilithium as soon as is possible", said the Captain. (Reply Any, IYW) "The Ushari, as some of you may know rely heavily upon weather modification equipment to maintain the surface climate of their world. That equipment, supplied as it is by the Federation in return for regular Dilithium supplies is now due for upgrade. The Ushari minister for commerce however has returned to Ushari Prime & has terminated the arrangement without explanation leaving the Federation in somewhat a quandry", said the Captain. (Reply Any, IYW) "It would seem that there are signs that another benefactor may have entered the scene, possibly at a time when the civil war was at it's peak & that this benefactor, whoever they may be, may now be supplying the weather control equipment that the Ushari have always relied upon". (Reply Any, IYW) "Exactly who this may be is open to speculation of course, but put simply, the Spectre's mission is thus. Travel to Ushari prime, find out what has happened & attempt to rectify the situation", said the Captain as he leaned back into his chair in expectaion of the questions that would invariably follow. "Any Questions are of course most welcome?", he added whilst reaching for his mug to take another sip of his coffee whilst his team deliberated. (Reply Any, All) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 9:04) "Gentlemen, Ladies. Let me begin by saying that I hope that everyone of you had an enjoyable leave & that you all achieved whatever it was that you needed to achieve during shore leave. I trust also that everyone is now rested & ready for duty once again", said the Captain. Chuck thought about a certain Chinese Triad woman and half smiled. (Reply Any, IYW) "First things first. As you now know, our new mission orders have finally come through. You will no doubt be relieved to hear that it does not involve the kind of danger that we as a crew have been used to of late", said the Captain before then going on to a brief rundown of the key details. ~Yeah, I needed the fight six months ago … time to use my brain instead of my arm.~ Chuck thought looking at his palms as they rested on the conference table. He had a minor scar across an index finger he had ‘earned’ during the battle for Starbase Valhalla. "Our destination now is the Ushari system, more precisely the Class M world Ushari Prime in the vicinity of Theta Draconis. This system lies at approximately midpoint between the Ferengi Alliance & the Cardassian union & has, up until just recently been a key supplier of essential Dilithium to the Federation", said the Captain. ~hmm … I wonder if I’ll run into any Grand Nagus emissaries. They’ll likely recognize me as the gambler I used to be. I’ll have to keep my face scarce if we come across any.~ thought Chuck. A frown chasing away the thought. (Reply Any, IYW) "According to latest reports, all trade with the Ushari has suddenly & inexplicably ceased. The Federation has no idea why that might be but it is essential of course that we find out, rectify any situation that may have developed & hopefully re-secure the supply of Dilithium as soon as is possible", said the Captain. ~I don’t get it … sending a cloaking ship on a diplomatic mission. There must be trouble anticipated.~ (Reply Any, IYW) "The Ushari, as some of you may know rely heavily upon weather modification equipment to maintain the surface climate of their world. That equipment, supplied as it is by the Federation in return for regular Dilithium supplies is now due for upgrade. The Ushari minister for commerce however has returned to Ushari Prime & has terminated the arrangement without explanation leaving the Federation in somewhat a quandary", said the Captain. ~uh huh, another power player, we could be flying into enemy forces. Or … old friends.~ Chuck wondered if maybe renegade Doenitz fanatics were roaming in the sector. (Reply Any, IYW) "It would seem that there are signs that another benefactor may have entered the scene, possibly at a time when the civil war was at it's peak & that this benefactor, whoever they may be, may now be supplying the weather control equipment that the Ushari have always relied upon". (Reply Any, IYW) “Excuse me, Captain.” Chuck said standing up interrupting the commanding officer with a motion of his hand. (reply T’Vhor) “What your saying is that the reason we were selected for this mission is that other ships can’t get in quietly. That would mean command expects trouble … and we don’t have a clue what kind.” Chuck turned his head slightly to gauge everyone’s reactions. (reply T’Vhor, IYW) (reply any, IYW) "Exactly who this may be is open to speculation of course, but put simply, the Spectre's mission is thus. Travel to Ushari prime, find out what has happened & attempt to rectify the situation", said the Captain as he leaned back into his chair. "Any Questions are of course most welcome?", he added whilst reaching for his mug to take another sip of his coffee whilst his team deliberated. (reply any, IYW) “Are we going to try an away mission? The weather systems might hamper communications between the ship and the surface. Maybe the Chief Engineer has some idea of what can be done about that? (reply H’Chir, any) (reply T’Vhor, H’Chir, any, all) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:05) There was nothing abnormal about the briefing so far. The mission objectives seemed fairly straightforward, but Calvin knew that finding the answers would be hard. Captain T'Vhor did an excellent job in being precise in their mission orders. "Any Questions are of course most welcome?", he added whilst reaching for his mug to take another sip of his coffee whilst his team deliberated. No matter how exact the Captain was, there were a lot of unanswered questions. Questions, even if asked, no answer could follow. It was for that reason why the Spectre was going on their new mission. Calvin thought about any questions he may have personally and for the OPS department. As a few others spoke up, and asked their question or gave a comment Calvin placed notes and key factors of the full briefing on a PADD. This way it could be referenced to if needed. The disscussion seem to have slowed down, and the Lt Cmdr could not think of anything to add. OPS was ready for anything that may come along, as it always was. (reply none) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 09:05) H'Chir slunk quietly into the back of the conference room, knowing full well that his late arrival had been noted by just about everyone present, but not really caring. The Captain was clearly finishing the description of their latest mission orders. He leaned back in his chair as he summarised, "...Exactly who this may be is open to speculation of course, but put simply, the Spectre's mission is thus. Travel to Ushari prime, find out what has happened & attempt to rectify the situation. Any Questions are of course most welcome?" H'Chir closed his eyes and was quite happy to zone out. Whatever he'd missed, his role in the mission would be pretty much the same. Get the Spectre to her destination, and keep her in working order until they returned home again. “...Maybe the Chief Engineer has some idea of what can be done about that?" Uncertain what was being asked, H'Chir began trying to replay the last few minutes of conversation. It took an effort not to glare at the Tactical Officer who must have known he'd missed virtually the entire mission briefing. After an extended few seconds H'Chir said, "Standard weather control systems shouldn't create much interference - there's one in operation on Earth right now. If Ushari Prime is prone to particularly bad weather cycles then their weather control system would need to be a lot heavier." Nice and obvious; nice and vague. And now for the kill: "Of course, if someone other than the *authorised* Federation engineers have been tampering with the system, or even replaced it, we could find a completely different and far less predictable situation waiting for us. We could even find that Ushari Prime has been laid waste by a series of hurricanes." H'Chir was relieved to see that his answer seemed to have been enough for most of the senior officers; and he hoped the barb had struck home. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 09:06) "Gentlemen, Ladies. Let me begin by saying that I hope that everyone of you had an enjoyable leave & that you all achieved whatever it was that you needed to achieve during shore leave. I trust also that everyone is now rested & ready for duty once again", Andrew gave a slight smile and nodded. He knew that even a day in dock could be as hectic as when on a mission. Especially if the last few day s had anything to go by. "First things first. As you now know, our new mission orders have finaly come through. You will no doubt be relieved to hear that it does not involve the kind of danger that we as a crew have been used to of late", "Our destination now is the Ushari system, more precisely the Class M world Ushari Prime in the vicinity of Theta Draconis. This system lies at approximately midpoint between the Ferengi Alliance & the Cardassian union & has, up until just recently been a key supplier of essential Dilithium to the Federation", said the Captain. ~great a diplomatic mission. Which will probably mean lots and lots of meeting which will eventually get us nowhere~ "According to latest reports, all trade with the Ushari has suddenly & inexplicably ceased. The Federation has no idea why that might be but it is essential of course that we find out, rectify any situation that may have developed & hopefully re-secure the supply of Dilithium as soon as is possible", said the Captain. ~Well at least it’s not a war zone. I have had enough of patching up wounded crew for a life time~ "The Ushari, as some of you may know rely heavily upon weather modification equipment to maintain the surface climate of their world. That equipment, supplied as it is by the Federation in return for regular Dilithium supplies is now due for upgrade. The Ushari minister for commerce however has returned to Ushari Prime & has terminated the arrangement without explanation leaving the Federation in somewhat a quandry", ~Yeh I don’t doubt that. The federation needs as much dilithium as she can get, especially at the moment~ "It would seem that there are signs that another benefactor may have entered the scene, possibly at a time when the civil war was at it's peak & that this benefactor, whoever they may be, may now be supplying the weather control equipment that the Ushari have always relied upon". ~May be this mission will not just be sitting in meeting after all~ "Exactly who this may be is open to speculation of course, but put simply, the Spectre's mission is thus. Travel to Ushari prime, find out what has happened & attempt to rectify the situation", "Any Questions are of course most welcome?", Andrew listened to the others asking questions as he ran the mission details through his mind. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:10) "I'm assuming we are fully able to assist in an emergency if need be?", said the Captain as he fell briefly silent as though contemplating something. "I will need to meet with you in my ready room after our briefing Ensign", he added thoughtfully, "you too Lieutenant Commander Capps", he added whilst turning towards his old Paladin comrade, "I need to discuss something of importance with you both" Calvin looked quizzically at his friend T'Vhor. He was surprised by the order to his ready room with Ensign Carrow. He did notice that Ardena gave him a look, and without much movement of his body he attempted to tell her that he did not have an idea why. "Yes, OPS is ready for the mission. I think I may have a few recommendations for that specific system, but nothing major. I will add those to my daily reports to Lt Cmdr O'Connor along our way." The Captain then brought his hands together in front of him upon the desk. "This brings me to the final matter of our meeting", he said opening up the small silver case next to him & then fishing about selectively within it. "For partaking in combat to retake the Federation from forces loyal to Admiral Doenitz at the MDP & beyond, I am hereby authorized to award each of you the combat action ribbon, in recognition of your considerable personal risk & for services rendered." Calvin smiled when he heard the news. There was always being modest, and Calvin tried to be. But there was also nothing wrong with being happy about your accomplishments. He accepted his award with great honor. The OPS officer was also happy to hear and see many of his new friends and crew receive additional promotions, which he felt each and everyone of them deserved. The war was tough on everyone, and it was good to see that the rewards for hard work were seeing their right place. (reply any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 09:10) The mood in the room seemed pensive now, seemingly a lot of questions were hanging in the thoughts of those assembled there as their mission details were duly imparted by their Commanding Officer. As an Empath of course, the CO could sense those thoughts regardless of the fact that he always obeyed the moral laws of telepathy. Sometimes, it just couldn't be helped though, an unavoidable side effect of having that damned Empath Gene that resided in his DNA as a permanent reminder of his own often damning duality. ~Why are we, an apparent ship of stealth & espionage being sent on a simple diplomatic mission. Why not another less specialised vessel~ ~What gives~ ~Uh oh, here comes.... why on Earth is she still wearing that ridiculous get up?~ The surface thoughts were coming in fast & furious, those thoughts telegraphing as they now were so as to be more than just a little obvious. The Morale Officer, Ensign Kreung had of course been her usual unconventional self, dressed more as though attending fancy dress than a ships briefing, a fact which prompted the Captain to wonder whether having to tend the crews morale all of the time might not be having an adverse affect on her perhaps. She also seemed to be feeling a little out of place here right now, it didn't take an empath to see that she was wondering why on earth she had even been required to attend. Perhaps he would explain that importance to her later, for the moment however he had merely glanced in her direction as she arrived, predictably late of course, then he returned to what he had been saying beforehand. The first comments had come from Ensign Donaldson who had offered his views on the mission & had also raised some legitimate concerns regarding beaming down into possibly unpredictable & harsh weather conditions... "What your saying is that the reason we were selected for this mission is that other ships can’t get in quietly. That would mean command expects trouble … and we don’t have a clue what kind", he'd enquired. It was a good question & one indicative of the general feeling throughout the room. Actually, the truth of the matter was that the Captain, like Starfleet command itself no doubt, had no idea what the hell was going on in the vicinity of Theta Draconis. It was feasable of course that due to it's sensitive location, straddling the divide of both the Cardassian Union & the somewhat greed driven Ferengi Alliance, either or both might be involved in the Ushari puzzle in some way, hence the need to send a ship properly equipped to deal with such an eventuality. In that sense, Donaldson's hypothesis was probably correct, then again the civil war had now terminated, hostilities had ceased regardless of the fact that there might still be small factions & offshoots carrying on the Doenitz cause here & there. The Federation itself of course was now rebuilding, supplies were low, what better time than now for someone wishing to take advantage of that to appear, like a veritable fly in the ointment. Certain questions of course, although requested by the CO at the end of the briefing, could not be answered until such time as they had actually reached their destination, it was still important though that he knew any concerns they might have beforehand. "I am curious Ensign Kreung, what is the general morale of the crew right now, many have lost family & friends. How do they feel about returning to duty & full mission readiness", said the Captain addressing the somewhat flamboyant looking, muticoloured Morale Officer. (Reply Kreung) The Captain nodded & then began moving around the table to each of the senior crew in turn. "Are there any other concerns we should be aware of in any of the departments right now?", he asked quirking his head slightly as he spoke. (Reply Any) "Mr H'Chir, I understand that there were problems with the starboard power flow?", said the Captain prompting the CEO for further evaluation of the situation. (Reply H'Chir) "I see", said the Captain, "I note warp engine efficiency is at optimal level so clearly your attention to this has been succesful", he added. "Lieutenant?", said the Captain turning his attention towards the Security Chief. "No problems at all sir, in fact the ship is quieter than I've known it in a long time, I've liased with Starfleet command for an operational update on the entire fleet situation, we were at Amber alert for a duration as you know, but confidence is high as to negative repercussions from any of the key worlds at this time", said Vasilyovna. The Captain nodded his assent once again & then moved on again to Dr Williams. "Andrew, what do we have in our database regarding the Ushari, is there anything we need to be aware of before we arrive?", he asked. (Reply Williams) "And the situation regarding their surface climate?", said the Captain, this time addressing the Science Officer Ensign Carrow. (Reply Carrow) "I'm assuming we are fully able to assist in an emergency if need be?", said the Captain as he fell briefly silent as though contemplating something. "I will need to meet with you in my ready room after our briefing Ensign", he added thoughtfully, "you too Lieutenant Commander Capps", he added whilst turning towards his old Paladin comrade, "I need to discuss something of importance with you both" (Reply Carrow, Capps) The Captain then brought his hands together in front of him upon the desk. "This brings me to the final matter of our meeting", he said opening up the small silver case next to him & then fishing about selectively within it. "For partaking in combat to retake the Federation from forces loyal to Admiral Doenitz at the MDP & beyond, I am hereby authorised to award each of you the combat action ribbon, in recognition of your considerable personal risk & for services rendered", he added as he then doled out a number of small black boxes to all of those assembled before then turning his attention towards the First Officer. "Lieutenant Commander O'Conner, in addition I am now authorised to grant you a rise in rank to that of Commander with all due privilege associated with said rank", said the Captain as he handed the First Officer a small box containing the gold pip that would soon replace the black one upon his lapel to show his new rank. "Congratulations Commander", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) "Doctor Williams, your official rank will now show as Lieutenant Commander", said the Captain facing the erstwhile medic, "all privilege associated with said rank are now yours of course. Congratulations Doctor", he added. (Reply Williams) The Captain then adressed Ensign Carrow. "Ensign Carrow, pending your acceptance of the conditions I will lay out to you after this briefing, I am promoting you to Lieutenant Junior grade with all due privilege associated with said rank. Congratulations Lieutenant", said the Captain. (Reply Carrow) "Ensign Donaldson, you will henceforth be increased in rank to Lieutenant Junior grade with all due privilege associated with said rank, Congratulations", said the Captain as he handed over the small box that contained the security Officer's new pip. The Captain then closed the silver case & placed it upright on the floor beside him. "And so to business", he said curtly, "Let us get under way & see what Ushari Prime & the Ushari themselves holds for us shall we", he added as he stood & then formally closed the mission briefing. (Reply ALL) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 09:10) Jynea knew she was getting side-long glances under the heading of 'Geez, couldn't she at least get in a uniform?' But be damned if she was going to let it bother her. Yes, she was late, she'd apologized, they'd get over it or they wouldn't. She wasn't some muckity muck senior officer, she was a junior officer in a junior position doing her best with what she had. It wasn't *her* fault the ship was understaffed and a junior officer was filling a senior's job as assistant chief counselling officer until better came along! And if THEY didn't like it, well, THEY could just go find another counsellor to do the job! "I am curious Ensign Kreung, what is the general morale of the crew right now, many have lost family & friends. How do they feel about returning to duty & full mission readiness", said the Captain addressing her. If they'd been alone, Jynea probably would have tried to tease the Captain a bit about asking about emotions of crew. Oh, she was sure he'd come up with some shpiel about how emotional stability was important to those of the crew who depended on their emotions, insinuating the whole way emotions were a crutch for those who didn't have the focus and discipline for logic, but she'd still have fun tweaking his nose. Of course, she was pretty sure he went into ultra-logic mode just to tweak her's.. But, middle of a meeting, and even if she was done up like a 1950's teenage human, she had a job to do. She wasn't comfortable speaking specifics infront of the majority, and she didn't think the Captain would want *that* anyway! "The crew is looking forward to putting the death and destruction behind them, healing their wounds and getting on with being a Starfleet officer instead of a soldier, sir." She hoped the answer was neither too long nor too short. Well, if he wanted more information, he could just summon her at his convenience. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 9:10) "Ensign Carrow, pending your acceptance of the conditions I will lay out to you after this briefing, I am promoting you to Lieutenant Junior grade with all due privilege associated with said rank. Congratulations, Lieutenant", said the Captain. ~Conditions? Oh, that’s interesting … I’ll have to see what I can dig up about this situation. I could ask Miss Carrow about it later.~ Chuck let his eyes wander to the … still green … Calvin. ~Then again, it might be more fun to ask the green guy … I’ll have to think on that one.~ (Reply Carrow) "Ensign Donaldson, you will henceforth be increased in rank to Lieutenant Junior grade with all due privilege associated with said rank, Congratulations", said the Captain as he handed over the small box that contained the security Officer's new pip. ~Eww … shiny~ thought Chuck. ~hmm … no conditions? Now that’s a mind bender. What’s so special about a Xena … Zen … biologist, anyway? Jynea doesn’t look puzzled … does she know something about this? She corners me up after these meetings anyway … might as well see what she knows then. Then again, the ‘Sock Hop’ attire might make her want to make a swift getaway, she won’t get past this Security Ensign … umm … Lieutenant … it just rolls off the tongue.~ Chuck realized that for quite a deep think he hadn’t said anything. His eyes were fixed on the little box in his hands. He opened it and fixed the pip to his lapel while nodding his thanks to the Captain. (reply T’Vhor, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 09:11) Jacqueline had been unashamedly zoning out for the better part of the meeting. She had been doodling on a PADD for the better part of it, taking in the new mission and setting it immediately on the back burner. It was a trade issue, and therefore it didn’t concern her much. Even if the primary resource gained from these Ushari was dilithium, which was in her line of business. Diplomacy was something she was remarkably bad at. The PADD now sported sketches that involved random acts of violence, most of which were being carried out by Engineers. She cleared the screen, figuring that she may as well try to pay attention now that it was open forum time. "I am curious Ensign Kreung, what is the general morale of the crew right now, many have lost family & friends. How do they feel about returning to duty & full mission readiness", said the Captain. Which meant there really wasn’t anything worth paying attention to after all. Jacqueline found herself fidgeting in her chair "The crew is looking forward to putting the death and destruction behind them, healing their wounds and getting on with being a Starfleet officer instead of a soldier, sir." ~Read: The crew is still f****d up, but what’s new?~ She made an effort not to roll her eyes. He moved through several more departments, asking questions and getting responses that were as inane as they came. She returned to her sketching, changing subjects from random battles to fantastic beasts. There really wasn’t any point in her being here, but she felt it was best not to mention that. (Reply none, any) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Ardena Carrow - 09:14) "And the situation regarding their surface climate?", said the Captain, this time addressing her. Ardena's immediate response was along the lines of "How the heck should I know? This is the first I've been hearing of this planet or the matter!" but after throttling that part of her brain that the Academy had trained into good behaviour, she put on her best happy smile and replied, "Unfortunately Captain, I have not had time between being informed of our destination to access the databases. I will be happy to give you a full report, however, an hour after dismissal?" (Reply T'Vhor) The meeting swirled on around her as she tried to think about what the situation *really* was. "I'm assuming we are fully able to assist in an emergency if need be?", said the Captain as he fell briefly silent as though contemplating something. "I will need to meet with you in my ready room after our briefing Ensign", he added thoughtfully, "you too Lieutenant Commander Capps", he added whilst turning towards his old Paladin comrade, "I need to discuss something of importance with you both" "As far as I know, Captain, we're fully stocked, charged and able to assist." This was like trying to do log rolling competitions, you were never quite sure when the Captain was going to turn the conversation the other way. Obviously something was gnawing on him and he was trying to identify what that was by examining it from every angle. Unfortunately, it was up to them to keep up to the angles. Now her curiosity, however, was definitely raised, what could she and the Commander offer him? It had to be computer related. She gave Calvin a side-long glance to see if he had any better idea than she did. (Reply T'Vhor, Capps) Ardena listened to the rewards and promotions with a smile, but good grief, Michael was climbing the ranks fast. It seemed like just last month he'd been a lieutenant. Star Fleet, apparently, didn't believe in keeping good command officers back! Then the Captain turned to her, "Ensign Carrow, pending your acceptance of the conditions I will lay out to you after this briefing, I am promoting you to Lieutenant Junior grade with all due privilege associated with said rank. Congratulations Lieutenant", said the Captain. Ardena blinked twice and then smiled widely, "Thank you Captain!" she took the extra pip happily. Her mother would be so proud! Privilege, however, she suspected was less time in her lab and more time herding cats. One more promotion for Chuck, which Ardena gave a congratulatory thumbs up, and the Captain dismissed the meeting. See what the planet had to give them, really! Probably missiles up the tailpipe from angry Orions or something. As she watched the Morale officer escape, she decided to amend that thought to 'angry Orion syndicate members.' Now, on to the dragon's den.. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 09:14) "Mr H'Chir, I understand that there were problems with the starboard power flow?" Although tempted for a moment to believe that the Captain had intended the question to catch him off-hand, H'Chir quickly put aside the idea. The information itself was too readily available and had been at the top of the Andorian's list of priorities for several days - ever since the off-ship repair crew had given the area their all-clear. "They returned us to the fleet norms," the Andorian replied, his disdain clear in his voice. "I've personally rectified the situation, sir." "I see", said the Captain, "I note warp engine efficiency is at optimal level so clearly your attention to this has been successful." ~As if I'd leave it any other way! Can we get on now?~ H'Chir glared angrily at the floor throughout the rest of the meeting, willing the Captain to give the word and let them all get on with some real work. He didn't look up once during the various promotions and awards. He could feel the congratulatory smiles of those around him and desperately hoped there wouldn't be a round of applause. Eventually the assembled officers were given permission to leave, H'Chir raised his gaze from the floor and for an instant he saw the fragile form of the ship's new Aenar Counsellor, before someone else passed between them. Rage clouded in at the edge of his vision as he stalked into the turbolift. "Engineering," he growled, waiting for the doors to close. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - FO Lieutenant Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 09:15) Michael sat at the Captain's right, listening to the briefing. He was glad for a mission that wasn't expected to thin the crew's ranks even more. They were headed to the Ushari home world. He couldn't say he knew much about the Ushari, they were a Federation member, but they were out on the edge, and not near enough to any of the major sectors for Michael, or anyone Michael knew to give it much notice. The question about why the Spectre, a special ops ship in the past, was going to straighten out what was a trade mission. It was an odd question, but Starfleet was down a tremendous number of ships and crew. Close to 500 ships were destroyed in the battle for the MDP and Earth, the battles are Betazed, Tellar, Andoria, Trill, Benzar, had lost StarFleet close to 500 more. To compound the problem many of the surviving ships lacked full crews, and were in desperate need of repairs and up grades. So in the end, Michael understood that every available ship that had enough crew to fly were going to be doing what ever missions were needed. Once the questions were answered the Captain moved on to awards and promotions, and surprised Michael. "Lieutenant Commander O'Connor, in addition I am now authorized to grant you a rise in rank to that of Commander with all due privilege associated with said rank", said the Captain as he handed the First Officer a small box containing the gold pip that would soon replace the black one upon his lapel to show his new rank. "Congratulations Commander", said the Captain. "...Thank you, sir," Michael said, taking the box and opening to look at the third solid pip and deciding to put it on later. He smiled and congratulated the others who received their promotions. Once the meeting was done, Michael rose to leave. The Captain was meeting with Capps, and Carrow, and Michael had work to do as well, but he was planning on doing that from the bridge, as the Captain would be in disposed. He wanted to do one last look over the tests before they headed out of dock, and he definitely wanted to be on the bridge when the ship pulled out under her own power. (Reply Any who need to catch him either here or on the bridge) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Conference Room – CMO Williams - 09:18) Andrew listened patiently to the Captain and the others speak. When he heard their destination he quickly brought up the data on his PADD. "Andrew, what do we have in our database regarding the Ushari, is there anything we need to be aware of before we arrive?", he asked. “It does not say much apart from the fact that since the Dilithium mining had been the main reason why the planet is still inhabited. It appears that with the present rate of mining, within the next seventy years there will be no more dilithium left to mine. This will obviously effect the population of Ushari prime who need the dilithium to sustain themselves.” "And the situation regarding their surface climate?", Andrew listened intently to what the other had to say and was happy when O'Conner received his promotion. "Doctor Williams, your official rank will now show as Lieutenant Commander", "All privilege associated with said rank are now yours of course. Congratulations Doctor", Andrew paused for a split second as he realised that he was being spoken to. “Thank you Sir.” He sat there in a slight daze looking at the box that contained his pips. ~I’m a Lieutenant Commander. Well fancy that~ He looked over at Carrow and Donaldson as they received their promotions to Lieutenant Junior grade. ~Good for them~ "And so to business", Andrew looked back at the Captain as he took charge of the meeting again. "Let us get under way & see what Ushari Prime & the Ushari themselves holds for us shall we", When the Captain ended the meeting. Andrew stood up and quietly left the room. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Ensign Goldsteen - 09:19) Alex quietly arrived and sat down without drawing attention to himself. Ever since the captain had ordered him to go to counseling he had been withdrawn, still fulfilling his duties but not expressing his opinions on anything. As far as Alex was concerned, it had been made clear that Alex’s behavior was considered irregular at best and insane at worst. Alex disagreed, but he knew that protesting would garner no results. Instead he would simply stay silent, and not give anyone any ammunition to attack him further. "First things first. As you now know, our new mission orders have finaly come through. You will no doubt be relieved to hear that it does not involve the kind of danger that we as a crew have been used to of late", said the Captain before then going on to a brief rundown of the key details. "Our destination now is the Ushari system, more precisely the Class M world Ushari Prime in the vicinity of Theta Draconis. This system lies at approximately midpoint between the Ferengi Alliance & the Cardassian union & has, up until just recently been a key supplier of essential Dilithium to the Federation", said the Captain. "According to latest reports, all trade with the Ushari has suddenly & inexplicably ceased. The Federation has no idea why that might be but it is essential of course that we find out, rectify any situation that may have developed & hopefully re-secure the supply of Dilithium as soon as is possible", said the Captain. ~Obviously because they either want something or experienced a change in the balance of power.~ "The Ushari, as some of you may know rely heavily upon weather modification equipment to maintain the surface climate of their world. That equipment, supplied as it is by the Federation in return for regular Dilithium supplies is now due for upgrade. The Ushari minister for commerce however has returned to Ushari Prime & has terminated the arrangement without explanation leaving the Federation in somewhat a quandry", said the Captain. ~So someone offered them a better deal~ "It would seem that there are signs that another benefactor may have entered the scene, possibly at a time when the civil war was at it's peak & that this benefactor, whoever they may be, may now be supplying the weather control equipment that the Ushari have always relied upon". ~So it seems that the powers that are in charge of intelligence are capable of some intelligence. Who would have thought?~ "Exactly who this may be is open to speculation of course, but put simply, the Spectre's mission is thus. Travel to Ushari prime, find out what has happened & attempt to rectify the situation", said the Captain as he leaned back into his chair in expectaion of the questions that would invariably follow. "Any Questions are of course most welcome?", he added whilst reaching for his mug to take another sip of his coffee whilst his team deliberated. Alex had neither questions nor comments for the rest of the briefing. He left as quietly as he came, simply trying to be left to do his job without interference. (posted by Dan Black) (reply any/none) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:25) "And so to business", he said curtly, "Let us get under way & see what Ushari Prime & the Ushari themselves holds for us shall we", he added as he stood & then formally closed the mission briefing. Calvin stood up from his chair, and made it over the newly promoted Lt Carrow. "Congratulations on your promotion." (reply Carrow) "Your welcome," Calvin did wonder about what condition the Lt had to be willing to accept for her promotion. He did know that it was none of his business so he did not bring the topic up. Nothing needed to be said the both of them knew what the other was thinking. "I have no idea what Captain T'Vhor wants. It was a surprise to me as much as it was to you I believe." Calvin noticed that the Captain had left the conference room, and so had most of everyone else. There were still a few officers left that were talking about their award or promotion. It was good to see happy faces. (reply Carrow) "Well, are you ready to go see him?" (reply Carrow) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:26) "Bring the rope!" Ardena said, and then seeing the puzzled look on the strangely Orion looking officer's face, "Didn't those getting hanged get told to bring their own rope so it was pre-stretched and they'd not die the more horrible death of strangulation?" Calvin had to smile. He knew that she was only trying to use an Earth phrase, but either Calvin had never heard of any such attempt to this certain one. He was quite lost. "I don't think I have heard that one." "I'll have to research some American-Western Holoprograms more carefully." Ardena said with a twinkle in her eyes. "Lead on, Sir." "Very well." Calvin turned and lead the way out of the conference and toward the Captain's Ready Room. (Reply None) (Posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Conference Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:26) Ardena was fixing the new pip to her collar when the Calvin came over to her. "Congratulations on your promotion." That got a wide smile, "Thank you Lieutenant Commander," "You're welcome," He seemed to have something else on his mind and then said, "I have no idea what Captain T'Vhor wants. It was a surprise to me as much as it was to you I believe." Ardena laughed, "Well, as much as he's been in and out of my head trying to get my gifts under control, I can't say I understand how he thinks at the best of times. I'm sure he'll tell us what should be obvious when he realizes we're in the dark." "Well, are you ready to go see him?" "Bring the rope!" Ardena said, and then seeing the puzzled look on the strangely Orion looking officer's face, "Didn't those getting hanged get told to bring their own rope so it was pre-stretched and they'd not die the more horrible death of strangulation?" (Reply Capps ;) "I'll have to research some American-Western Holoprograms more carefully." Ardena said with a twinkle in her eyes. "Lead on, Sir." (Reply Capps) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:27) Ardena followed Calvin into the Captain's ready room, still amused and still completely clueless about what "conditions" he was about to stick onto her. She was sure Michael knew, but she hadn't managed to even catch his eye before he retreated to the bridge. Probably wouldn't tell her anyway - but it was a fond thought that she could have at least gotten a hint. Of course, just because one stole a man's bed and slept on it for 32 hours, didn't mean he'd be all that likely to reveal any secrets, let alone secrets that weren't his to reveal. (Input Capps) "Lieutenant Carrow reporting as requested, sir." Ardena said, following Calvin's example. (reply Capps, T'Vhor) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:28) The arrival of both Lieutenant Commander Capps & the newly promoted Lieutenant Carrow through the doors of the Captain's ready room, broke the CO from the task of overseeing the final station reports from McKinley in preperation for their imminent departure. Both officers had seemed unduly worried & as they approached to take the offered seats opposite the Captain, it was clear that there was some confusion over why he had actually requested their presence. "Relax, both of you", said the Captain sencing their obvious unease, "this will not take long so I'll get straight to the point", he added whilst bringing his hands together upon the table before him. "You are both no doubt aware that positions have been changing of late in various departments on board the Spectre", said the Captain, "the recent conflicts have of course been responsible for the sad losses of some of our key personnel on board", said the Captain, his manner changing slightly now as he contemplated the latest piece of news that he'd just received from command. He took a deep breath in response to this & then continued on. "I have just been informed that Lieutenant Nolly's, our acting CSO, passed away this morning due to injuries sustained during the liberation of the Mars Defence Perimeter", he said, genuinely saddened now by the loss himself. The Captain had actually come to know the Bajoran Science officer particularly well during her time on board, & even though such an emotional response perhaps would have been confusing to some, it would not have been to all. After all not everyone knew of his clear, but oft times supressed Betazoid half. Both Carrow & Capps of course were not amongst them. The Captain continued on... "I had been reliably informed that she would have been returning to duty before our departure, a sudden relapse in her condition however has proved this not to be the case, which leaves us with nobody at all in charge of Science", he added. (Reply Capps, Carrow, IYW) The Captain's attention had already by this time turned to the somewhat apprehensive looking Xenobiologist opposite him. The rank pins in place upon her collar already showed her acceptance of what he was about to ask to a degree of course, but he found himself suddenly wondering whether she might be taking them off again sometime soon. "The position of acting Chief of the department is yours if you want it Lieutenant, pending upgrade to full department chief once the word is formally approved by command", said the Captain. (Reply Carrow) NRPG: Assuming an acceptance here, albeit with a possible slight doubt, I can change if this does not suit ;-) RPG: The Captain nodded, he respected what she was saying of course but the truth was that he felt she had earned a shot at the spot & was confident of her ability to meet it's demands, regardless of her own thoughts on the matter. "Like I said Lieutenant, the position is yours if you wish to take it", said the Captain as he then turned his attention towards the Lieutenant Commander. "Lieutenant Commander Capps, I will not, to use a Human Idiom, beat around the bush here. I want you to head up the Ops department as of right now", said the Captain, "your position forthwith will show you as Chief of Ops, I need a reliable officer at the top of the department on this mission & I can think of nobody more qualified to fill that position", he added. (Reply Capps) NRPG: Assuming another acceptance here... RPG: Again, the Captain nodded. "I know enough, from both our service together & the friendship we have shared to know that you Calvin, are the right officer for the job", said the Captain. (Reply Capps) "I'll see that the records show both your decisions accordingly, congratulation to you both. You are dismissed", said the Captain, immediately returning to the cold Vulcan efficiency that he was known for. (Reply Capps, Carrow) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:30) Ardena was shocked to hear of the department head's passing. She'd knew there'd been illness, but.. It was hard to drag her attention back to what the Captain was saying, he seemed to be winding up to what his plans were to do with Science. Ardena didn't know if she should be worried or if she should be excited. "The position of acting Chief of the department is yours if you want it Lieutenant, pending upgrade to full department chief once the word is formally approved by command", said the Captain. Even though he'd been leading up to it, Ardena was still a little startled to be offered the position. There were scientists who had been on the ship longer, but she'd taken the admin courses. Ardena offered a bit of a rueful smile, "I'd be lying if I'd never pictured a command position, sir, but I really didn't expect it this soon.." and she sighed, "And certainly not under these circumstances. I'll do my best." "Lieutenant Commander Capps, I will not, to use a Human Idiom, beat around the bush here. I want you to head up the Ops department as of right now", said the Captain, "your position forthwith will show you as Chief of Ops, I need a reliable officer at the top of the department on this mission & I can think of nobody more qualified to fill that position", he added. (Reply Capps) Again, the Captain nodded. "I know enough, from both our service together & the friendship we have shared to know that you Calvin, are the right officer for the job", said the Captain. (Reply Capps) "I'll see that the records show both your decisions accordingly, congratulation to you both. You are dismissed", said the Captain, immediately returning to the cold Vulcan efficiency that he was known for. "Aye sir," Ardena saluted before turning on her heel. If he wanted to be all hot and cold, fine. She wasn't going to try and figure out what was going on in his head. She had better things to do. It was a bit of a shock to realize she really did have better things to do.. Like figure out how to run a department and get information on the planet they were rushing too as soon as possible.. (Reply Capps, T'Vhor) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Chief OPS Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 09:31) Sitting, Calvin listened to the explanation of the Captain why he had called the science officer to his office. It was truly sad to hear what had and is still happening to the former science chief. "The position of acting Chief of the department is yours if you want it Lieutenant, pending upgrade to full department chief once the word is formally approved by command", said the Captain. "I'd be lying if I'd never pictured a command position, sir, but I really didn't expect it this soon.." and she sighed, "And certainly not under these circumstances. I'll do my best." Calvin smiled, and looked over at Lt Carrow. He once again said congratulations to her without actually saying it for the second time that day. "Like I said Lieutenant, the position is yours if you wish to take it", said the Captain as he then turned his attention towards the Lieutenant Commander. "Lieutenant Commander Capps, I will not, to use a Human Idiom, beat around the bush here. I want you to head up the Ops department as of right now", said the Captain, "your position forthwith will show you as Chief of Ops, I need a reliable officer at the top of the department on this mission & I can think of nobody more qualified to fill that position", he added. "Thank you sir, I accept humbly. I also consider this a honor to serve as your Chief of OPS sir." Calvin's smile continued after he heard the news from the Captain. Calvin had been Chief of OPS on two other ships. The first, and his first posting was on the USS Cochrane, and the second was on the USS Paladin. He had experience in the seat, and believed he would be comfortable being back there. Again, the Captain nodded. "I know enough, from both our service together & the friendship we have shared to know that you Calvin, are the right officer for the job", said the Captain. Calvin nodded toward the Captain. "I'll see that the records show both your decisions accordingly, congratulation to you both. You are dismissed", said the Captain, immediately returning to the cold Vulcan efficiency that he was known for. Calvin stood and showed his respect to the Captain and then left the ready room to head the OPS department. (reply any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Strategic Operations Centre - StratOps, Ensign Korak - 09:43) Korak had taken a brief stroll around a couple of decks after the meeting in the conference room, allowing the Captain's words to sink in before being tainted by any alternative sources of information on Ushari Prime, its people or their relation with the Federation. Logically there were only four possible situations they'd find on arrival; the Ushari had decided to fend for themselves, they had changed allegiance to some other power, they were being coerced into assisting another power against their will, or some unknown event had occurred meaning the Ushari were no longer there, at least not in their former capacity. The most likely candidates for any "other power" were the Cardassians, the Ferengi or some splinter group of the Federation still attempting to win through attrition the civil war they'd lost in combat. The last of these options was the most disturbing as they would be the most desperate of the three and so the most volatile. Thankfully they were also the least likely in Korak's estimation. "Tea, Earth lapsang, hot." He carried the mug to his console and took his seat before issuing the computer it's instructions: "Computer, show me a tactical overview of the Ushari system, overlaying cultural, historical and general information on their species and the last known status of their planet and any off-world settlements." [Working] His display shifted and a the familiar projection of a star system appeared before him, Ushari Prime marked out with key data and the other planets showing in their orbits. To the side, a second section of the screen began scrolling with various facts and figures regarding the Ushari, their planet and its history. A third section of the screen displayed an adult Ushari native. "Computer, show a list of all known ships in or around the Ushari to a distance of one light-year over the next thirty days, and prepare a report of the mission logs for all Federation missions to the Ushari system over the last fifty years. Play on audio when ready." [Requested function will take approximately seventeen minutes] He leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea and digesting the data, and waiting for the rest to come in. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:45) "Good morning people," Ardena started at the informal gathering that had started as soon as she walked in the department door. She didn't know how it worked, but they seemed to have known about her promotion and title change before she did! "I guess my lab is once again up for grabs." She said with some humour. The Department Chief's lab had been in dust balls for a while now, she supposed she'd get to move into it. More room, same equipment, a lot more paperwork and a desk. Hmm, maybe she wasn't trading up. "Ardena - er, Lieutenant.. sir -" Lydia Reynolds floundered. Ardena laughed, "I hear by give everyone permission to call me by first name in any non-administrative situation. If you're too military to be comfortable with that, I'll compromise with 'boss.'" "Er, right, Ardena, I was thinking, for Ensign Styg, maybe we could implement a colour communication code. He seems to have control over physical form colours broadcast, and it would probably be easier for him to use than verbal communication.." Ardena held up a hand, "Talk to Ensign Styg and see what he wants and would like, I'm not about to dictate how someone else should talk. As long as I can understand them in the middle of a red alert, I'm happy." Lydia smiled and headed off towards Styg's lab. The poor man was probably about to be tortured by a woman who spent her life and breath dedicated to methods of communication amongst all living beings. Ardena had already heard the story from the ensign's boarding, she wasn't too worried he couldn't get rid of the woman if she started getting up his tail pipes. "Mark, Seurel, could you two kindly get me information on the planet Ushari and the latest scans, data reports, and hell, news reels if you can find them? Feel free to poke Ops as necessary." She threaded her way through the crowd to her old-lab to clear it out before turning back to the expectant faces, "I'm sure the rest of you have work to do, or do I need to find you some Petri dishes to scrub?" she teased. The scientists scattered like leaves in the wind at the threat of make-do work. Shaking her head Ardena entered the lab, Lieutenant *and* acting department chief. That was pretty good for a girl who'd just wanted to sing with whales! (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Science Department – Ensign S’rrep - 09:47) S’rrep was feeling rather useless. Here they were, starting a new mission, gathering information—well, not all of them. Some of them had other work to do, important work. And he had nothing. Because when your specialty was botany, specifically in cross-breeding and hydroponic techniques, there really wasn’t much you could do in a situation like this. Or in any other situation. Perhaps it was time for him to branch out. ~But even the phrases I use are centered around flora! ‘Branch out’ indeed.~ He was a smart Caitian, he could learn something else if it was required of him. And it seemed it was. If not for any other reason, he was tired of being unnoticed. Being shy and quiet would only take him so far in life, and obviously he’d come about as far as he could. But what could a shy freak plant-obsessed Caitian do within the confines of a ship like the Spectre? He decided to present his problem to the newly promoted Lieutenant Carrow. She might be able to find something she wanted him to do. Or find a way to tell him he was superfluous to the ship and should consider transferring. Or not even realize that he was in her department until he said something to her. Or just laugh at him like everyone else. Maybe he wouldn’t say anything and would pretend there was some use for him in the ‘ponics section. At least he wouldn’t have to try explaining his problem to a human he wasn’t sure even knew he existed. He made his way on silent feet toward the turbolift, sneaking off to the refuge afforded by the plantlife as he had as a kit. He didn’t expect to be noticed, nevermind addressed on the way. (Reply Carrow, any) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:55) Taya entered the room and looked around; this was the first time she had properly looked at the labs. She had used the first day and half to get acquainted with the ship and where everything was. She looked around and she identified the person with which she wanted to speak to within seconds. "Ma'am?" Taya asked to get her attention. "Ensign Taya reporting in. Thought i should introduce myself to you." (Reply Carrow) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:56) Ardena was standing in the middle of her lab, eyes closed, trying to picture what else she could possibly need to pack up and move before the scientists squabbled over who got her space and everything left in it. A voice broke into her process which was failing anyway. "Ma'am?" Taya asked to get her attention. "Ensign Taya reporting in. Thought I should introduce myself to you." Ardena turned to see the human behind her in a teal uniform. "Ensign Taya, an honour and a pleasure." Ardena said with a smile, "I would love to say I knew you were arriving or knew a thing about you, but I suspect it's either blinking on the terminal I haven't activated yet or.." She gestured at the two overflowing boxes, "In there somewhere." (Reply Taya IYW) "Well, why don't you tell me what you do and what you need and we'll start from there?" Ardena asked. (Reply Taya) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:57) "I would love to say I knew you were arriving or knew a thing about you, but I suspect it's either blinking on the terminal I haven't activated yet or.." Carrow gestured at the two overflowing boxes, "In there somewhere." Taya smiled, "That's alright. To be truthful I don't actually know who is in the science department apart from a couple of people. So...where do you want me to start?" Taya asked looking around at the various people going about their daily tasks. "Well, why don't you tell me what you do and what you need and we'll start from there?" Ardena asked. "I'm one your ACSO's and i was holding that position on the Mystique and Hades for a while and so i don't really specialise in anything i just do what needs to be done and if anything in particular takes my interest i have been known to 'obsess' over it a bit. I'm also a competent shuttle pilot. In answer to what i need i don't really know. Probably a tour round the science department here as this is my first time in here and some work to bury my head in i guess." Taya laughed slightly and hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself. (Reply Carrow) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 09:57) "I'm one your ACSO's and I was holding that position on the Mystique and Hades for a while and so I don't really specialise in anything I just do what needs to be done and if anything in particular takes my interest I have been known to 'obsess' over it a bit. I'm also a competent shuttle pilot. In answer to what I need I don't really know. Probably a tour round the science department here as this is my first time in here and some work to bury my head in I guess." Taya laughed slightly and hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself. "Well, work I have plenty of," Ardena said cheerfully, "Grab a box and follow me. I'll give you the two credit tour." (Reply Taya) As she exited her old lab she started the tour, "To your right we have what we laughably call the lounge." The group of scientists were still trying to work out the system of who would get which lab in the shuffle of trying to improve one's space. "As we come down the corridor, you'll find biological labs to your left and botanical to your right. Astrometrics is up and over. Computer sciences is at the end on the other side of the department." She hung a right down another corridor, "Here we have the administrative offices. Feel free to steal one, but you'll have to empty one out. Or you can take an office up in astrometrics. Whatever you prefer." (Reply Taya) "In all honesty, we in science on the Spectre spend more time researching matters for the Federation at large than on mission related tasks. I'm not sure why Captain T'Vhor ended up with such a large scientific staff, but we have a full upload link to memory prime and unlimited access, so I suppose this ship is as convenient as any. We're rigged for full holocommunication outside of the warp rivers." (Reply Taya) Ardena dumped her box on her new desk and ignored the dust that floated around. Apparently her predecessor hadn't been any more fond of paperwork than she had. Damn, she should have kept the lab. "If you want a starting point beyond 'getting settled and staking your ground' .. we've got a ton of information on Ushari Prime to sort through." (Reply Taya) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 10:10) Ardena caught the Caitain out of the corner of her eye, "S'rrep! Just the man I was looking for." She turned to the scientist. (Reply S'rrep IYW) "The Captain has asked us to get all the information we can on Ushari, and I just pulled a ton of the vegetative information. I don't think any of it could interfere with dilithium mining or refinement.. but.." She shrugged, "I'm not the expert, you are." (Reply S'rrep) "My old lab is up for grabs at the moment, if you wanted to grab it before anyone else has the chance. Otherwise, I'm afraid you're going to be stuck waiting for the dust to settle while everyone figures out where they want to be." She, for some reason, wanted to scratch him under the chin and tell him it would all be okay. A very unnatural response for a well educated Xenobiologist! (Reply S'rrep) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Ensign S'rrep - 10:11) "S'rrep! Just the man I was looking for," said Lt Carrow. S'rrep instinctively froze up, worrying that his lack of usefulness had come to her attention. Either that, or she had been reading his mind and knew he had almost gone to speak with her and had talked himself out of it. He turned toward her, but kept his golden eyes downcast, feeling shy and awkward. "The Captain has asked us to get all the information we can on Ushari, and I just pulled a ton of the vegetative information. I don't think any of it could interfere with dilithium mining or refinement.. but.." She shrugged, "I'm not the expert, you are." "Rrrreally?" he asked, his ears pricking up at the prospect of doing what he was good at and making himself useful at the same time. "I..." he began, unsure how to articulate his delight at the assignment. "Anywherrrre in parrtic'larrr I can worrrk on thissss?" he asked, electing to go straight to work instead of embarrassing himself by trying to explain what this meant to him. After all, his usual workspace was the hydroponics section, and that was hardly the place to be looking into Ushari flora and its potential impact on "My old lab is up for grabs at the moment, if you wanted to grab it before anyone else has the chance. Otherwise, I'm afraid you're going to be stuck waiting for the dust to settle while everyone figures out where they want to be," she said. The old lab was fine with him. "How ssssoon do you wan' a rrrrepor't?" (Reply Carrow) (Posted by Siobhan) ========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 10:30) Mckinley station had just signalled that all maintenance crews were now present & accounted for & that they were ready for disconnect at the Captain's leisure. For some of the crew, it could not have come too soon. The Spectre had been in orbit of Earth now for over six months & a lot of them were now itching to just get back out there again & see what was happening. It went without saying of course that their system upgrades had passed every functional test & the offload Warp tests had now completed to Warp 9.8 without error, or fluctuation in any part of the secondary intermix chamber, a fact that had not gone unnoticed by the CEO who had been predictably apprehensive as always. The Andorian had of course been his usual self, treating 'His' engines as he always had done, with the kind of kid gloves normally only associated with a father tending his child. Not that that was a bad thing of course... Sitting in the Command chair however, the Captain took a deep breath & then finally opened a shipwide channel to the crew. "All hands this is the Captain, we are now cleared for departure, all stations report please", said T'Vhor as he settled back into his chair & then listened to the status reports coming in one by one until all had reported as optimal. He then addressed both the communications officer & the helm respectively. "Signal McKinley we are ready for departure, Umbilical disconnect on my mark, maneuvering thrusters to station keeping Mr Rodriguez", said the Captain as he gave the mark accordingly. Almost instantaneously, the ship rocked just a little as the reciprocal mooring clamps of McKinley were released to move out & upwards & so release their grip on the Spectre's captive hull. Lieutenant Vasilyovna then confirmed that the umbilicals had withdrawn to leave the Spectre under her own power & now free to transit. "Helm, Take us out, four metres per second, prepare for one third impulse on my mark", said the Captain & the view through the viewscreen shifted accordingly to show that they were indeed, transitting out from the cradle of the McKinley station. Then all of a sudden, the outer markers had been cleared. "Mark", said the Captain & the helmsman engaged impulse drive at one third. The Captain then addressed the Communications officer. "Send the following message to McKinley Command Ensign Fereau..... many regards & much gratitude for your hospitality", said the Captain & within a few moments, the McKinley OPS Officer had responded with... =/\=Don't mention it, it was a pleasure Spectre, just make sure you don't undo all that good work we did, McKinley out & cleared down=/\= The remark brought a smile or two from those manning their stations, but apart from that, nothing more was said as the Captain quickly got them under way. They had a fair way to go now, fifteen days of travel at warp eight to be precise until they reached the Ushari system, some forty two lightyears from the Sol system. What they would find there however, was anyones guess. "Helm, come to heading one ninety mark two seven, warp eight on my mark", said the Captain. "Mark" The Spectre then left orbit of Earth in a blur of photonic blue light & quickly exited the Sol system for the first time in six months. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Engineer's Mate, CPO M'Rurrh - 10:32) =/\= All hands this is the Captain, we are now cleared for departure, all stations report please. =/\= M'Rurrh was in her favourite position; at the central console before the warp core. Blue light cascaded down over her, giving the room a faintly sterile glow. As Engineer's Mate she was often left as watch officer in the engine-room, responsible for co-ordination and monitoring the ship's systems whilst the engineering crews handled or repaired specific systems. "Engineering to bridge; the board is green, sir. Impulse and warp engines are ready at your command." She glanced sideways over her shoulder. H'Chir had moved to the doorway between his office and the main engine room. She smiled at him, full fangs and friendship. In return he simply nodded once, acknowledging her response to the bridge and her command of the situation, before turning back into his office to resume... whatever he was working on. She sighed. She'd learnt not to pry into his affairs - theirs was a strictly professional relationship - but she couldn't help feeling that he was in a worse state now than when that Vulcan had brought him back to the Spectre. She still didn't know the whole story about what had happened to take him away, let alone what had brought him back and what had happened in between. Slicking a stray lock of hair back into place, she sighed again. ~Definitely something new.~ (Reply any, none) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 10:32) "No." She didn’t know what he was going to say, but Jacqueline was quite certain that whatever was about to spew forth from the mouth of Gorlan Therul, she didn’t want to hear it. "You don’t even know what I’m going to say!" he said, his porcine features dropping into a grin. Annoyance danced through her as she realized how closely his comment mirrored her own train of thought. "Are you sure you want to stick with that answer?" The little Tellerite oozed excitement, radiated enthusiasm for whatever it was he had in mind to the point where she wanted to vomit. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have other things to do right now, or things she’d rather be doing. Some items in the later category included swimming with Denebian Slime Devils, depressurizing the airlock while standing inside it, and insulting the honor and ancestry of a large and rather drunk assortment of Klingons, Romulans, and Andorians. Speaking of Andorians, why didn’t Therul ever bother H’Chir with his stupidity? Or anyone else in Engineering, for that matter? Even if he were attracted to her as more than a friend (gods and other lesser deities forbid), there were plenty of other females he could have attached himself to. M’ress, perhaps. If Caitians were one of the more beautiful races, why couldn’t he be interested in one of them? Or better yet, on a fellow Tellerite! Not that she wished his odious company on anyone else. "You didn’t answer my question," Gorlan prodded. Jacqueline resisted the urge to pretend he wasn’t there and get on with her life. "I still say ‘no’," she replied, turning her attention to the maintenance orders that sprung eternal on a ship of any size. Trust machinery to go mess itself up at the first opportunity. Much like her social life, she though wryly. "You sure?" "No. No. A thousand times no, Therul!" "So you aren’t doing anything tonight? Good!" the Tellerite beamed. Jacqueline bit back a flurry of swearing. It was a habit she was trying to break. "Maybe you’d like to get together?" Therul continued, apparently oblivious to the fact that she wanted nothing to do with him, now or ever. "I thought you might be lonely. I haven’t seen you much lately." ~Because all that leave time was supposed to be spent with you, of course.~ "I’ll think about it. I might…have something to do after all." ~Like test phaser strength against my skull, perhaps.~ Grinning like the moron he was, Therul skipped away. Presumably he was returning to whatever task he had left undone in the name of friendship. Thanks be to whatever gods arranged that. "I’ll meet you when the shift is over, okay?" he said. It wasn’t really a question, and Jacqueline refused to dignify it with a response. Damn. She’d walked right into that one. (reply any, none) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 10:35) =^=All hands this is the Captain, we are now cleared for departure, all stations report please=^= Andrew looked up from his PADD. “Sickbay here Captain. We’re ready for the off.” (reply T’Vhor IYW) Andrew then got up from his desk and walked to sickbay. He looked around his little domain and smiled. It was good to be finally off again. He had enjoyed his shore leave but there was nothing better then getting out into the big unknown. When he was happy that there was not some kind of medical emergency that he had not seen, he went back to his office and got back to his boring reports. ~Next time only say yes to a promotion get some one else to do the reports~ A smile danced over his face as he shook his head and got back to work. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lieutenant H'Chir - 10:48) ~Right then, this has waited long enough.~ "Ensign," H'Chir said as he drew over to Bristed's side, "I have a special job for you." (Reply Bristed, if needed) "I want you to run a full diagnostic on the shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil. Find something wrong with it, link it to the weapons operating system, fix it and then report back to me." (Reply Bristed) "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I want you to find a fault within the Sammael's Anvil, then fix it and report back to me. Is that understood?" He watched her head out the door, not clear whether she'd fully understood his meaning, but someone had to make people understand they couldn't go around messing with delicate equipment and expect everything to work perfectly. Walking back into his office, H'Chir returned to the PADD he'd been working on; his report to the First Officer regarding the fault in the Sammael's Anvil. (Reply Bristed, any) (Posted by Michael Drake) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign Bristed - 10:49) "Ensign, I have a special job for you," said H'Chir's voice. He loomed up next to Jacqueline, something he seemed exceptionally good at. She was fairly sure he did it on purpose, just to make her uncomfortable. "Oh? I was going to get these work-orders out of the way," she said, but a look at the Andorian told her this was not up for discussion. Someone had put him in a bad mood. A worse mood than normal, actually. "I want you to run a full diagnostic on the shuttlecraft Sammael's Anvil. Find something wrong with it, link it to the weapons operating system, fix it and then report back to me." Jacqueline tried to process this for a second. He wanted her to find something wrong with it? "Really? Anything I should know about before I go in there?" "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I want you to find a fault within the Sammael's Anvil, then fix it and report back to me. Is that understood?" She nodded, still feeling a bit confused as to what was going on. Still, it was better than fixing malfunctioning replicators and figuring out why the computer refused to set a certain set of room's environmental settings to the occupant's preference. That she could now happily relegate to someone else. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:00) Paul kept silent and watched Ensign Bristed work. He could just barely make out her figure sprawled along the floor of the shuttlecraft. He was afraid to move closer because she might spot him. Then he’d have to actually do some work. He didn’t like the ACEO very much and he was sure she liked him even less. He smiled a little to himself as he realized he was in the perfect vantage point for a practical joke. Had he known she’d go down here he would have rigged something up earlier … too bad. He decided to move just a little closer. It couldn’t hurt anything, she wasn’t even paying attention to the shuttlebay. ~If I can sneak up there I can scare the living daylights out of her.~ he thought. After several steps a shuttlebay floor panel shifted under an extended foot and made a metallic grinding noise against an adjacent panel. He looked down at the panel and then at Bristed. She was looking right at him. “Help you … I came down here to.” He stammered. Realizing he had reversed the statement in a panic he swallowed hard. (reply Bristed) (reply Bristed, any in shuttlebay that Paul doesn’t see, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre FO's Quarters - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 12:10) Michael sat down at his desk to eat his lunch and do some work that needed doing. Picking up the sandwich he took a bite and swallowed before getting to work. "Computer Display sociological, historical, cultural, and planetary records of the Ushari and their home planet, Ushari Prime," Michael said, and waited for a moment as the screen filled with the reports. He started with the records of the Ushari themselves. The Ushari were a subterranean species, descended from a mole like creature. They had rather strong hands and arms suitable for digging, and evolved under ground. They're eye sight wasn't superb in full day light, but they we're blind, and most simply work a form of sunglasses to adapt to surface light. They were expert miners, and geologists, simply by nature. They also had a good portion of the population that excelled at farming in adverse conditions, including poor weather surface farming, as well as cave and other subterranean farming. They looked like bipedal moles, to some degree, at least as far as Michael could tell. Three fingers, and an opposable thumb on each large hand. Their skin was covered in a velvet like fur, ranging from browns to blacks to grays. They had a Talpidine face, including the tiny eyes and ears, and large nose. As far as their planet went, it was, frankly, a mess meteorologically speaking. While the land masses were large enough to support a decent sized civilization, the weather patterns prevented almost any development of the surface, except for high altitude cities in some of the Northern Mountain ranges, and a few small zones on the lee ward sides of large mountain ranges that were all nearly consumed by farming to support the growing population. Most of the Ushari population lived in vast cities underground, and only a few ventured into what holdings they had on the surface. The Ushari used the high altitude calm areas, to build their first warp drive and test it, resulting in Federation contact soon there after. Due to the nature of their planet and the subterranean life style, their technology had advanced to a point beyond where most civilizations would be when they developed Earth Technology, having developed both transporter and replicator technology prior to developing warp theory. Most anthropologists determined this was due to the fact that movement between continents and production of food and goods were a much higher priority in a culture that couldn't make use of surface space for travel and food. After their initial warp test, they were contacted by the USS Aberdeen, and the USS Yan'Tar'Shen who had been in the area. One of the first technologies the Ushari took interest in from the Federation was weather control and modification systems. Trading their vast mineral wealth, including dilithium, the managed to establish control over the dominant weather forces and colonize the surface of their planet as well as establishing bases on their moon and other planets in the Ushari system. The Weather control systems, some of the most robust and sophisticated in the Federation still needed continuous maintenance, and one of the key elements, topsiline control crystals, had to be mined and couldn't be replicated on site, meaning the Ushari were dependent on outside help to allow the surface of their planet to remain habitable. Their current society wasn't all that different from most Federation members, even if they didn't get much traffic out where they were. Many of the Ushari people still lived underground in their cities there, but some had moved to newer surface colonies. There aren't many off worlders living on Ushari prime, although they have a mining technologies research center and university specializing in mining and mine engineering, that attract a fair number of the geologically inclined. They had a parliamentary government, and an elected assembly for each city and continent. The current Prime Minister was one Shantani Urselon, and she seemed to run a fairly tight ship, and needed to as far from the core worlds as they were. Michael continued reading as he munched on his sandwich, muttering at their bad luck in not having any Ushari Star Fleet officers in the sector. NRPG: Well this is turning into a fairly detailed write up (it's not all hear), if people have any other information they're looking for or are curious about, let me know and I'll try to put something together for you off list so you can introduce it. RPG: (Reply None/Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 3 – Pilot officer Smith - 23:55) Jennifer sat at the Conn on the Spectre’s bridge. Her fingers danced across the console. “Come on you can do it this time.” She had adapted her fighter training and orientation program for the Spectre. She should have been able to do this in her sleep but there were a few things not in her favour. The first was that the Spectre had a lot of mass that she had to throw around space. The second was that she was far less reactive than her fighters she really had to over anticipate her maneauvers more than she was used to. [1/4 light speed] ~okay lets go~ [½ light speed] ~faster~ She increased her velocity. [3/4 light speed] ~Okay a little more come on~ She watched as the impulse engines strained at their maximum speed. If she did not engage the warp engines now the impulse engines would explode. “Now.” She swung the ship into a tight spin as she killed the impulse engines. The computer screamed as the internal gravity generators strained with the excessive G-force. Jennifer gripped her console tightly as she fought desperately to keep herself in her seat. “Nearly there” She watched as the read out on her console showed that they had done a 360 degree spin. She powered up the engines and stopped the turn. When the bridge had come level she leaped up and punched the air. “Yes. Ow yes I did it. Sit and Spin in a starship. Ow yeah” She dropped back into her chair with a big grin. “Computer what’s the time.” [00:09] “Ow hell that late better get some sleep. I have my first shift later.” With that she headed for the door and her bed. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come To Call Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.01.16 (USS Spectre - Captain's Quarters - Captain T'Vhor - 03:32) The Captain had found himself in a place that was entirely dark. In any direction that he looked there was no light whatsoever, this place, wherever it happened to be was entirely devoid of anything whatsoever...... & then there was light. It seemed strangely iconic in some way, the light first appearing in the distance, ethereal & cloudlike, it's photonic tendrils seemingly reaching outwards towards him as though craving contact. "What is this?", said the Captain, speaking under his breath now & to nobody in particular of course. "Where am I?" Predictably, no answers came to him. The light remained steady, accompanied as it was by a sound which reminded him of glass shards hanging in the air & chinking together to produce a resonant chime of a sort. Then all of a sudden, the light grew more intensified, growing larger before him until it began to illuminate his entire field of vision, forcing the Captain to turn his attention briefly away & then inexorably towards it as it radiated both warmth & light towards him. "Don't be afraid", said a strange, ethereal voice. "I am with you, I am always with you my love", it added. The Captain fell silent at the words, his jaw dropping slightly as he registered the voice in his innermost consciousness. It had been instantly recognisable of course, after all, how could he have possibly misconstrued the voice of his own wife! "Krysta?", he uttered, his own voice, constrained by logic only slightly betraying his basal belief in what it was that he felt he was now hearing. Then the warmth came upon him, an all encomposing, all enveloping sense of pleasure that enshrouded him like a blanket to comfort the very core of his innermost being. The Captain closed his eyes, basking in the sensation as he did so. There had only been one other time in his life that he had ever experienced such peace, calm & detachment from the pressures of life that he felt right now, and that was when he had succumbed the emotions that bubbled ever present within & allowed himself to float aimlessly within 'her' arms. T'Vhor opened his eyes once again, & she was there... For a moment he remained silent, his brain not quite registering what it was that his senses were saying he was seeing. "This is illogical", he said, his voice betraying his emotions now as the figure reached out a hand towards him. There was no point in resisting of course, he could never resist it even in a dream for he was unable to turn away from one so beautiful as she. The vision smiled, the smile melted him as easily as it had done when she had lived & for a brief moment, the Captain wondered whether the years that had passed had been but a dream. He reached out & took hold of her hand. Then all of a sudden, he was somewhere else entirely. He recognised the place imediately of course, it was the home he'd shared with her on Earth, the little stream outside, bubbling away as invariably it always did. Krysta was seated at the large oak table, her flowing red hair shining in the light of the sun as it shone through the little window below the pantry. T'Vhor reached out & touched her face with his fingertips, the warmth of her skin seemed so real & yet his logical mind still refused to accept what was. "This cannot be", he uttered as he bowed his head forwards in denial of the strange scenario unfolding all around him. All at once, her fingers were beneath his chin, lifting his face gently upwards again so that he was once again gazing into her sweet, lovely eyes. It was then that the tear formed in the corner of his own eye, pooling as it did to eventually break it's own surface tension & drip inexorably down the length of his right cheek. She smiled lovingly into his eyes & then caught the tear upon the tip of her index finger before it managed to fall any further. "Don't be sad my love, don't grieve for me, I am here, I am always here you know this", said Krysta to the accompaniment of a warm & reassuring smile. If nothing else, that smile had always melted him & if this were indeed nothing more than an aparition, then her smile would have betrayed it had it been flawed in any way shape or form. This was something she always did of course, when he was at his most confused, at his lowest ebb & questioning the innermost aspects of his confusing, hybrid nature. His own duality of course had caused him much angst, the cold logic of his paternal half ALWAYS fighting for dominance with his warm passionate Betazoid side. His father had of course always stressed the importance of maintaining logic above all else, his mother on the other hand had stressed the importance of never losing touch of the passion that burned like a fire within him. It was an impossible situation at times & was very probably the single most reason why he chose to adhere to one aspect of himself only. After all, in emotion there was invariably pain, there was no pain at all however residing within the black & white binary polarity of pure logic. And yet........ "Why did you leave?", said T'Vhor, "why did you have to go?" His tone was utterly heartfelt of course for the Vulcan was not talking now, only the Betazoid voice held court at this moment in time. "I cannot answer that my love, you know that", said Krysta, "it just had to be, it was my time", she added. "And what of our son?", asked T'Vhor, his voice growing slightly embittered now at what had transpired all those many years beforehand. "His time also", said the vision before him, "but we are here, we are always here.... waiting", it said with that self same smile that he knew & had come to trust above all else. Then all of a sudden the tears began flowing with ease. The stoic, headstrong Starfleet Captain was sobbing uncontrollably, the barriers to his emotions falling all around him now like a hundred & one dams breaking against the strain of intolerable pressure as she took him into her arms like a child to comfort him. "I am lost my love", he cried, "I don't know what to do, I must maintain calm & hold onto logic, they need me to do this, they need me to remain strong", he cried as she continued to hold him close as a mother holds a child. "It is imperitive that I not lose control!", he hollered. "I MUST not lose control" Her words were there again though, comforting him, warming him. "Sssh", she said calmly, "hush my love, nothing is lost, everything is as it should be. The birds still sing on our porch, the fish still jump in the lake, the sun & the moon still rise & the universe is harmonious, everything is A-OK". T'Vhor then held her tightly, knowing as he did so that this would end again soon but drawing strength from her words as he did so. It was the 'A-OK that had resonated within him of course, Krysta had always said that when he had needed reassurance, perhaps after a dark dream or a total loss of control. That simple phrase had warmed his soul, made him feel that all was indeed, not lost. He relaxed his hold upon her & then pulled back to gaze lovingly into her beautific, lovely face once again. She was an Angel, there was no other word in the entire universe for her & in life, he had lived to hear the song of her soul. In death however, it seemed she still soared & sang with such orchestral precision, a testament to his very being, a catalyst to his existence & an incorrigable, indestructable monument to their love. He gazed deeply into her wonderful green eyes & then he wiped away his tears. "I love you my wife", he said. "I have never stopped loving you" She smiled & then replied likewise. "And I love you too husband, I have always loved you & still do now.... I am always with you.... I am so, so very proud of you", she said as she suddenly began to slowly fade into nothingness once again, right before his very eyes. "Don't go", said T'Vhor reaching forwards now with his hands, "not again Krysta, please" "I never leave you my love, I am with you always, remember that", said the now disembodied voice as the scene faded into black once again to leave the Captain alone once more. "Krysta!!!!" His own verbal outburst had awoken him of course, he was sitting upright in his bed, his face wettened by an apparently sudden & uncontrollable emotional release. The Starfleet Captain reached for the picture frame at his bedside & then gazed upon it. It then began to dawn upon him, it was but a dream..... Or was it? (Reply None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – T’Pia’s Quarters – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 03:40) The last thing T’Pia remembered was succumbing to that enemy of logic … … sleep. From her bed she seemed transported. No sooner had her eyes closed than she was on a slide inexorably falling downwards. She was surrounded by water … lots of water. She had been here before, it was the symbolism of the thoughts of those individuals scurrying about the Spectre. Knowing this symbolism wasn’t helping her at the moment. She still barely kept breathing by sticking her head just above the water line. Still moving downwards. ~I’ll drown in the thoughts of others if I don’t get control.~ she thought. The illogic of the scene was shown in the occasional diversion of water. Here and there along the ‘slide’ there was an opening that divided the water. The openings seemed to appear and disappear and yet the water level was unaffected each time. ~Must get out.~ T’Pia reasoned with herself ~MUST GET OUT!~ She clawed at the edges of the slide. She could lose herself here … forever. By mere chance her fingers caught an opening as it formed. ~I have to pull through.~ she thought. Despite her efforts she could not pull herself up or even bring her other hand to bear her weight. She simply dangled there while the opening became smaller. “No!” she screamed. The water running over her face garbled the word. It can’t close without her getting off. Through the water T’Pia could see another opening forming. She could just swing from the one closing to it if she made it. Without ceremony T’Pia released her grip and tried to angle her body through the rushing water. Inexplicably the portal she had angled for closed and the water took her harshly. She spun wildly without any further concept of up and down. It felt a little like being drowned in a ball filled with water as she constantly tumbled downward. The waters suddenly diverged into two paths and T’Pia was thrown out of the slide and into a landscape. She tumbled through empty air for a moment before landing hard on her back. She lay on the bed of rock as the waters from the slide formed a brook across the ground of what seemed like a field. T’Pia slowly picked herself up and stumbled downriver. ~If I can only find out where I am I can return to myself.~ she declared in her boldest inner voice. The Vulcan inner voice makes things sound so simple. She followed the waters edge until she came across a familiar sight. Captain T’Vhor embraced a red haired woman. ~I don’t feel like I’m in his mind … it must be some sort of residual ‘shadow’ of his thoughts.~ She rationalized. The two seemed to speak to one another but the words made no sound. The only logical explanation was that whatever the Captain had felt caused this residual image to be created. It was an impression of memories, dreams, or past events floating along the waters of the unchained thoughts of the crew. How to get back to her real destination? Before she could ponder the relevance of this silhouette scene a hand touched her face from behind her. She reached up to grab the hand and turned around. “Suri!” she exclaimed. Sure enough it was the young lover of Ardena Carrow. It was not her own emotions for the woman that came suddenly to the surface, but those felt by Ardena that now resided within her. T’Pia very much wanted those feelings gone but knew she could not do it herself. “Humpless Camel!” Suri Rapeet flared her trademark obscenity. “You don’t belong here. Come … this way …” So saying Suri reached out both hands and grabbed T’Pia around the shoulders leading her out. T’Pia followed her willingly. She was going back to herself. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwy - 03:40) Douwsy looked around the deserted sickbay. Being the only one in sickbay she had the lights on and a soft Orion tune playing as she moved lightly around sickbay. She had finished all the night shift checks and was getting ready to settle down for the last few hours of her shift. She gave a soft grin as she crossed in front of the darkened CMO’s office. She had finally persuaded Andrew to leave sickbay. She did not mind what he did but as long as it was not there. “Okay the sickbay is tidy. The store room is stocked up. The crash trolley is ready and I hope to all that is holy that we won’t be using that to day. The beds are working fine and the EMH is functioning within normal parameters. Looks like H'chir has been feeding the little hamsters.” She signed her work PADD and placed it on the desk of the nurse’s station. ~I think that’s it~ She gave a quick look around sickbay to make sure that she was alone. When she was finally satisfied she walked into the centre of the room. “Computer new track. Locate music file from Orion database. The Dance of the setting moon.” She shut her eyes as the music started she let it wash over her as her body became one with the music. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 04:05) It had actually been a while since the CO had come down to Ten forwards in need of talk & the fact that he had even done so right now, at this somewhat untimely hour was a testament to just how much he really needed to do so. The dream of course had left him unsettled, if a Vulcan could ever really be unsettled that is & feeling unable now to return to a restful sleep, he had chosen to come here for a while. Predictably, the lounge was sparsely populated, a few crewman from Gamma shift on lunch break here & there along with the usual sprinkling of Civilian staff as always. The ever present barkeep, a pretty Bajoran waitress etc etc. Moving towards the bar, the Captain availed himself of a seat & then waited for the barkeep to approach, which eventually, she did. "What can I get for you Captain?", said the colourfully dressed female Orion behind the bar. If the Captain hadn't known better, he may have sworn that she had been taking fashion tips from the Morale Officer, if her recent arrival at the briefing was anything to go by that is. "I will have a fruit juice please", said the Captain with just the hint of a sigh. The barkeep smiled & then leaned forwards towards him. "You sure you wouldn't want something with a little more venom?", she asked, "fruit juice indeed... tut tut", she added as she turned about & then made for the drinks cabinet behind her to grab at not one, but three bottles. The Captain eyed her curiously but allowed her to continue with whatever it was that she was planning. For a moment, he wondered whether she might be planning to juggle the bottles, but then once she had placed them side by side on the bar next to a tall glass, he threw that notion aside. "May I enquire as to what you are doing?", said the Captain quirking his head slightly to one side. The barkeep simply laughed again, this time somewhat impishly as she began pouring different amounts of each of the contents of the bottles, into the glass until they mixed to display an interesting colour change effect that seemed to cycle through the entire spectrum. "Curious", said the Captain upon witnessing the effect. The Barkeep slid the resultant cocktail of liquids across the bar towards him, then she leaned back against the cabinets, her arms folded across her chest whilst eyeing him idly. "Well, drink up my good man", she said. The Captain glanced briefly towards her, then he reached for the glass & then brought it up to his nose in order to smell it. At first, he recoiled slightly as the aroma invaded his nostrils, then he moved back to savour it once more. This time it seemed more pleasant to his senses, there was a definate hint of fruitiness to it, so that much was in keeping with his original order at least. Apart from that however, a slight hint of mint &..... The Captain sniffed again, that last component however evaded him, it seemed chocolaty, but not entirely so. There was only one thing left to do of course & that was to taste it, which he promptly did. Two sips into the curious multicoloured mix & he was not really any the wiser in regards the elusive last component. The drink fizzed slightly though, although not until it had actually hit the tastebuds themselves. Everything said & done, it wasn't at all unpleasant & he gave the barkeep the facial equivilent of a thumbs up, meaning that he approved of it.... whatever it was. The barkeep unfolded her arms & then shook her head before turning to serve another crewman that had just arrived at her bar. That took all of a minute or so, far less than the time it had taken for the Captain to be served the colour changing nectar he was now seemingly enjoying. "What exactly is this?", the Captain enquired as the barkeep again came into his view. "A speciality of mine, secret recipe", she quipped, "I can tell you but then I'd have to either kill you or make love to you, neither of which Starfleet would approve I would imagine", she added as she began removing glasses left by the former visitors to her little piece of the Spectre. "Kill me or make love to me?", said the Captain quizzically, "I fail to see the logic, how can imparting facts relating to a drink ellicit such a rash & illogical response?", he added. The Barkeep returned to lean against her side of the bar directly in front of him now. "When was the last time you got.... um, you know?", she asked. "The last time I got what?", said the Captain, taking another sip of the liquid, which had now turned a curious shade of blue. "Never mind", said the barkeep, "you Vulcan's probably have an entirely different name for it anyway & it would no doubt involve a ceremony of some kind beforehand to make it all proper &..... logical", she added with a laugh. The Captain raised an eyebrow, then he took another sip of the drink, which this time had turned yellow. "Are you referring to......", said the Captain, pausing now to choose the correct word, "....lovemaking", he added. "Bingo!", said the barkeep, "the penny drops, the Captain IS in the house", she added, much to the consternation of the Captain, who found himself wondering now what Earth games, currency & living abodes had to do with it all. "I fail to see your point", said the Captain, "what would this have to do with anything I have mentioned already?", he added. "Believe me, it does", said the barkeep as she turned her attention thence towards yet another arriving customer acknowledging him with a nod before leaning towards the Captain so as to whisper something to him beforehand. "Go get yourself layed sometime, it'll do you the world of good, believe me", she said. And then she was gone again, leaving the Captain to his thoughtss & his drink. Which was now bright pink..... (Reply Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 04:20) ~Get laid?~ thought the Captain as he moved from the bar towards one of the tables looking out onto the warp stars, as they swept past the forward section of the ship. He shook his head briefly as he took his seat. Why was it that so many races held the belief that wanton sex was the cure for all & everything? To one of a Vulcan disposition of course, it seemed most illogical & from previous experience, only served to compound & confuse matters even further. He would even go as far as to say that the entire thing normally led to more trouble than it was worth! Unless of course it was something more than just wanton sex that is, wherapons it could be quite a beautiful thing, even for a Vulcan. The Captain took a sip of his now refilled glass, the same multicoloured displays cycling about within it as he did so. Then he allowed his mind to drift towards the Ushari & the report that the First Officer had previously layed upon his desk the day beforehand. Mole-like.... ~How strange~ Thought the CO. He had never actually encountered this race first hand apart from a fleeting glance from behind once, as an Ushari delegate left a meeting on Earth a number of years beforehand. The trade that they had seemingly enjoyed with the Federation had always worked so well up until now, why had it all gone wrong? The Captain pondered further as he took another sip of his colour changing beverage. It was obvious of course that they could not do without the weather control equipment that maintained their surface climate, had they perhaps found the means to construct their own? After all they were a warp capable species so it was inevitable that someday, they might achieve such a thing. No, the likelihood was that someone else had become involved & that someone was inevitably going to be a thorn in the Federations side. Some of the crew had already questioned the Spectre's deployment on this mission of course, but the truth of the matter was that the most likely thorn, given the Ushari's location was going to be the Cardassians, or someone connected with them. Perhaps the Obsidian Order itself even! The thought did not bear thinking about. The last thing they needed now was to be coming face to face with that particularly distasteful order. In the past, encountering them had ALWAYS spelt trouble & the Captain had a feeling that if they were to find they were involved in this matter now, nothing good could come of it. It was clear though, at least to the Captain anyway, exactly why the Spectre had been chosen for this mission. He wiped the thought from his mind, at least for now anyway & then took another sip of his drink before turning his attention to the windows & the streaks of coloured light that the stars made in response to the ships forwards motion. His thought's then drifted, as always to his wife who had loved to watch the stars more than anyone else he knew, or had known in his entire lifetime. A smile appeared upon his face in response to the thought, unusual perhaps for a Vulcan but then one had to realise of course that the Captain's other side occasionally surfaced to prominence, as it had done at that precise moment in time. He took another sip of his drink & then continued to gaze at the stars, whilst the steady trickle of customers arrived in need of the Orion barkeep's curious brand of council... (Reply Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) ========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come To Call Day: 4 Stardate: 2408.01.18 (USS Spectre – Ten Forward – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 04:00) “So, what the heck is it?” He said eyeing the drink. “My specialty, secret recipe. I’d tell you but …” began a beautiful Orion girl behind the bar. “Yes, yes, I get it.” Chuck interrupted. The Orion girl frowned. “You drink that and you’ll get more sheets to the wind than drinking three of those Blackhole drinks.” She said. “How did you know …?” Chuck began. “I see you come in here almost every day and you order the same thing.” The Orion took her turn to interrupt with the exuberant lustfulness akin to her race. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s a favorite of mine.” Chuck explained shortly. “So, tell me, why the Ferengi drink?” inquired the woman. Chuck was a little taken aback, she had never taken any interest in him before … and now suddenly the bizarre color changing drink and the twenty questions. “Why do you want to know?” asked Chuck puzzled. “I don’t … just sparking conversation.” The woman prepared another patrons drink, “You know you’re kinda cute.” “So, you thought you’d loosen me up?” Chuck ‘asked’ smiling. “You caught me red handed.” Said the woman making an effort to emphasize her green palms. Chuck laughed and the woman couldn’t help but follow the example. Chuck slurred some of the drink down his throat. “If you must know … I bet a man once.” Chuck began to explain. The Orion woman looked at him in confusion. “The Grand Nagus bet me two hundred bars of gold pressed Latinum that I couldn’t drink sixty Blackhole’s in an hour.” Chuck continued. “Does this story have a happy ending?” muttered the barkeep. “I drink it now … to remember I’m still alive.” Chuck smiled. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Chuck’s Quarters – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 15:00) His head pounded as he pulled himself up from the floor. “Computer, lights” Chuck ordered. In a flash of brilliance his headache suddenly became worse. “Dim lights.” He muttered. The computer obeyed. In the dimly lit room he looked around. He had fallen asleep on the floor of the ‘living area’. ~Oh, well, at least I made it to my own quarters.~ he thought. He couldn’t remember if he had spent much time with the Orion woman. The last thing he remembered was talking about the Grand Nagus. ~She was right … that drink packs a punch.~ he thought. “Computer, when is my next duty station?” asked Chuck. [Next rostered duty station for Chuck Donaldson is at 16:00.] answered the female voice of the ship’s computer. Chuck simply frowned and moved to the replicator. “Sunglasses.” He demanded. The darkening accessory appeared in the cubby and Chuck extended his hand to remove it. Another pair seemed to fall onto his hand from nowhere. ~What’s this … I didn’t order two pair?~ pondered Chuck. The lights in his quarters began flicking on and off. Chuck closed his eyes and slipped the sunglasses on. His Borg implant forced the article to be tilted on his face. He opened his eyes but the flashing was still not being helped. His head pounded harder with each flash. ~What’s going on?~ he thought. Chuck tapped his commbadge to get someone in Engineering to fix the glitches. The commbadge shocked his hand. He got a brief memory of his first day aboard the Spectre. He had hoped it was the last time a commbadge would malfunction. “Computer, turn off the lights!” Chuck yelled in primal frustration. The lights turned off. He’d have to get somebody up to his quarters to fix things … and trace the problem. First the temperature control and now this, it was an electronic epidemic. Chuck grabbed the commbadge and threw it to the floor receiving a mild shock in the process. ~This kinda stuff happens to me all too frequently.~ (reply any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 10 Stardate: 2408.01.25 (USS Boudicca - The Brig - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 15:20) Rameriz was woken by a grinning marine sergeant. "Get up!" was the barked order. Jose hopped to his feet, looked like salvation was at hand. "Yeah?" He asked. "Your transfer came through, you're heading to the USS Spectre." The Sarge gestured for him to head out the door of the cell. "You have one hour to gather your kit and catch your transport." "Transfer? Geez man, I just got's HERE." Jose bitched, but not stopping to do so. An hour wasn't long, but he didn't exactly have a lot of stuff either. "Ah, but you were never formally assigned, so the Colonel thought it was the least she could to get you a proper assignment and post. And golly, it seems the Spectre has a spot open for. I'm sure it's pure coincidence that it's on the other side of the quadrant." "Aww, I knew she couldn't resist my charm." Rameriz said happily, thumbing his nose at the security officers of duty as he left the brig. "You're insane." The Sergeant told him, derision at full force. "She's shipping you out because you're a disgrace to the corps but SOMEONE won't let us cashier you." "Nah, no points. I'd just sign up again." Rameriz said happily. "But don't worries, I knows the truth. The Foxy Colonel knew that our rank differences would keep us apart and knew that day after day of seeing each other on the ship would just drive our passion insane." What was disturbing, was Rameriz actually believed he was irresistible. "Yeah, you keep dreaming that." Was all the sergeant said before peeling off to get on with more important duties. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Boudicca - Marine bunk room - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 15:35) Jose dragged his duffle from under the mattress and gave it a few shakes to get the fluff bunnies evicted. He'd collected more in good-bye presents than he'd had when he'd arrived. It'd take him a while to get through all the booze and girly holo's, but at least transport wouldn't be boring. In return he'd given away his second favourite knife, the secret of quick tying your combat boots, and three decks of cards. When you didn't want to leave an electronic boot print, there was little else to do when waiting but B.S. and play cards. He shoved some uniforms in the bag, made a weapons check and carefully put in the minimal body armour that was assigned to marines individually. He left a bottle of sangria for Craig and departed. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (Starbase Phoenix - Docking Ring 2 - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 16:02) He'd watched the FO, FlOps and family claim a shuttle and for a moment had hoped they were heading his way. He'd liked Esme, she was so fun to flirt with. She squooshed up her nose all wrinkly and cute whenever he'd paid court. Not that he'd ever date a chica so young, but it was fun to tease. Alas, the fates had other ideas. He had been told he was getting the trading vessel Lightning Fist for his transfer, a civilian liner apparently that would be catching up to the Spectre at some point. Rameriz had hoped for a casino party ship, or at least a tourist trap, but it appeared it was a cargo freighter. With a hard done by sigh, Rameriz climbed the gang plank and got ready for a long and boring trip. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) ========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day : 11 Stardate: 2408.01.26 (Shuttle Gates - Rear bunkroom - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 13:00) Only one day in space and Rameriz was already thoroughly bored. He'd been warned that there may be "some time dilation effects" from the quantum warp shuttle thingy ma jiggy, but so far, there's been nothing much to see. Not even the stars seemed to be outside the windows. Whatever the warp bubble was, it was certainly different. So much for interesting effects due to unique shuttles. He wasn't quite sure how he rated such a fast transport, but he bet that sweet cheeked Straton had something to do with it! She really had been soft on him after all. He knew she couldn't resist his numerous charms even with the rank difference and regulations supposedly separating them. Bet she was the one who picked the Spectre for him and everything. Probably under the heading of if she couldn't have him, she wanted as much space as she could get between them to resist temptation. He wouldn't have minded the relationship and not getting promotions since everyone would assume favouritism. They were just parts of the uniform on the arm, they didn't mean nothin'. Well, he didn't have much else to do, so he may as well write a letter to his lady love. And by writing, of course, he meant dictate to the computer so he could wander back and forth and clamber over furniture as his muse moved him. "Computer, record message for Colonel Eva Straton, USS Boudicca!" [Recording] "Dearest Eva's, I looks deep into yours eyes, I sees my heart lookin' out, to meet me in your soul. I see you touch my essence, with tender hands and thoughts, and you hold me close and let me in!" He hit pause while he considered the poetry and nodded before hitting the resume button. "I realizes that you have sent me away 'cause of the realization that you's and me's can never be.. our lust never realized, our passion unignited. I knows you feel that rank would stand in our way, thats you worry about my career. So in honour of that concern, that care, that fire, I shalls work my way across the galaxy, to rank and glory so that we's can be together again!" He hit pause once more and thought over his message before hitting resume a second time. "An' if nothin' else, we can always lose our uniforms in a starbase, off-duty and please ourselves for three days and nights and none need know but you, I, and our soarin' bliss!" Happy and content, he signed off with a "Your beloved, Jose." and told the computer to send. Who knew when or how the message would arrive with the quantum effect, whatever that was, ruling the shuttle, but he had belief that love would deliver the message on the wings of cupid if it had to. Hey, while he was at it, he should write a poem for that cute waitress on Geneva who'd slipped him her comm number.. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - S'rrep's quarters - S'vrrp - 15:40) In general, life was good. Sleep, peruse her environs, eat, find somewhere new to sleep. The trouble was being lonely, not getting the attention she deserved or a playmate when she wanted one. The Big Cattish thing was almost always missing when she wanted to play. For example, right now. The real inconvenience was being trapped in such a small space. She wanted to explore, to seek out new playmates and sleeping spots. Instead she was trapped behind a wall that would only open if the Big Cattish thing approached it. For some reason, it didn't seem to like her much. But today she thought she had a solution. She started crying. And crying. And pawing at the indifferent wall in hopes that she would get it's attention and sway its allegiances. As before, the stupid thing completely ignored her. That was as she expected, but it was worth a final try before implementing the next part of her plan. Satisfied that the wall was still paying no attention to her, she trotted off in the direction of the Cattish's things bed-box. She slid under it, looking for the much more cooperative wall she had discovered the night before, one with a little give to it when she had run into it on a mad dash around her territory. The panel she had discovered was still there. Unfortunately, apart from making a satisfying clunky noise when she slipped her paw between the loose panel of wall and the rest, she was accomplishing nothing. For some reason, the wall didn't want to open for her over here either. She swiped at it, claws extended to make the most impact. This place was stupid. Walls were not supposed to think, that was a cat's job. And cats were supposed to reign supreme over their surroundings, not be locked up and kept away from everything that interested her. Disgusted, she took out her frustration on whatever was near her, from the floor to the sleeping box to that stupid stupid wall. Scratching made her feel better, actually. She decided to keep at it for the time being. Fortunately for everything around her, the allure of scratching wore off quickly, and she settled in for yet another nap under the sleeping box. (reply none) (Posted by Sio) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 12 Stardate: 2408.01.27 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:27) "Has the contact changed course or altered it's status in any way Lieutenant?", said the Captain, his interest in it now piqueing somewhat from that of what could be considered, normal curiosity. The Tactical Officer remained attentive to her console & then methodically reassessed the situation in regards the other vessel. "No sir, they are maintaining previous course, weapons & shields are powered down", said Vasilyovna. "It's as though they haven't seen us... but surely they must have", she added. The Ferengi cargo vessel was of course no threat to the more powerful Federation vessel, but it's course heading had raised some concerns to say the very least. It had been reported as one ninety mark nine two & had not deviated from that course at all.... which equated to a direct heading for the Ushari system & more importantly, Ushari Prime itself! ~Curious~ thought the Captain as he pondered the situation further. "Hail them", said the Captain, settling back into his chair now & awaiting the expected response from the Deltan Comms Officer, Ensign Elira. "Aye sir", said Elira as she ran the respective procedure through her board until a response had been duly received. It was however far from what she had expected to be receiving... "The Ferengi Captain, Daimon Blek, is responding sir but.....", said the Comms Officer, her brow furrowing now in confusion over the nature of the reply she had just received. "Their reply is.... um...", she added. The Captain turned imediately to face the somewhat confused Ensign, clearly wondering now exactly what the problem was with their communication with the Ferengi vessel. "Ensign?", he enquired... "Their reply is non standard sir, it's probably best I just put him on screen", said the Comms officer. NRPG: The Ferengi freighters Captain is drunk, his ship is carrying materials to Ushari Prime but typically, he is going to be reluctant to disclose any facts about them. He has also just invited the crew of the Spectre over for a party, requesting that our females come over naked if they wish to attend!!! Anyone wish to have a crack at playing him? RPG: The Captain raised an eyebrow at the Communications officers nondescript last comment & then he returned his attention to the viewscreen, eager now to see what the problem actually was. "Put the Ferengi Captain on screen Ensign Elira", said the Captain. "I am in no mood for any of their usual tactics designed to delay or obfuscate whatever it is they are doing here", he added. The Ferengi then appeared upon the screen, glass in hand.... (Reply Ferengi CO, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Ferengi Ship Good Profit - Bridge - Daimon Blek - 13:29) "Captain pointy ears!" Daimon Blek greeted cheerfully, "Bring your women, leave their clothes and come join the party!" (Reply T'Vhor/Spectre Bridge) Blek waved that as immaterial to the matter at hand, "Great profits, good booze, fine women.. what more is needed in any sector of space?" The pilot suddenly belched and fell over sideways in his seat. Possibly explaining the erratic course. "Bring a pilot!" Blek added and signed off the communications. (NRPG : I'm assuming communications will be re-established) RPG : "Yes? What? Oh, you need coordinates to beam across! Why, for only a small fee, we could save your hard working engineers a little work and.." He trailed off, seeming to forget the deal he was trying to make and took another swig of the concoction he was drinking. "..oh yes, two bars of latnium, we'll do all our beaming for you!" (Reply T'Vhor/Spec Bridge) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:31) The Captain could only do what every member of his bridge crew would have imagined he'd do under such circumstances. He raised an eyebrow in typical Vulcan curiosity over the Ferengi's remark. "Captain Pointy ears?", said the Captain in concern to the Ferengi's obvious & complete lack of decorum over their contact. Actually, the Betazoid in him may have responded with something like... "who the hell are you to talk", the Captain however thought better of it. Sometimes it was just best to remain typically Vulcan. The Ferengi was of course, quite inebriated on lord knows whatever he had managed to get his hands upon during one of his recent trades. The Comment in regards the Spectre's female crewmembers however had deserved a rebuttal. =/\=Bring your women, leave their clothes and come join the party!=/\= the Ferengi had quipped, only to have the straightfaced Vulcan decline such an unfavourable outcome almost imediately, referring to Blek's unsavouriness has typical of the species that he represented. "You are in Federation space on a non ratified trade route", said the Captain, "please explain your presence here & the nature of the cargo you are carrying" Blek however chose to ignore the Federation Captain's requests & then went off on a rant about profit, women, alchohol & Latinum, whilst in the background & in clear sight of all on the Spectre's bridge, the Ferengi helmsman fell off his chair!!! =/\=Bring a pilot!=/\=, shouted Blek & the screen returned to the starfield vista of before so as to indicate that the Ferengi had either lost comms, or terminated them. "They cut the communication sir, I am attempting to hail them again", said Elira without even being prompted by the CO. =/\=Yes? What? Oh, you need coordinates to beam across! Why, for only a small fee, we could save your hard working engineers a little work and..=/\= Blek paused to take another four gulps from the glass in his hand, then he continued on with his somewhat odious diatribe. =/\=...oh yes, two bars of latinum, we'll do all our beaming for you!=/\= The Captain's patience was now growing thin of course, the Ferengi was just being, well, Ferengi. As the scallywags they inevitably were & always had been, they had always just assumed that any negotiation involved a price & a profit. Normally in their favour of course! As it was though, this particular Ferengi had just run into a Federation ship that neither recognised, nor aquiesced to their normal manner of thinking. "Out of the question", said the Captain turning to Vasilyovna behind him. "Lieutenant, prepare to scan the Ferengi vessel, ascertain what they are carrying & identify any dangerous materials onboard", said the Captain, he then returned his attention to the Ferengi, who looked both confused & surprised at the Vulcan's apparent lack of interest in partying! (Reply Blek, IYW) "Bring your vessel to a full stop Daimon, you will comply with Starfleet order twenty nine, subsection four paragraph nine, which authorises me to stop & search any vessel illegally trading in Federation space", said the Captain. (Reply Blek, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:33) Michael did his best to not roll his eyes at the Ferengi's behavior...cultural tolerance and all that, besides, he'd seen his fair share of drunks in his time, and apparently they all acted like idiots. The Captain ordered the freighter to essentially 'pull over' for inspection, although in Michael's opinion the Captain was stretching the use of the statute, as they didn't actually know the Ferengi ship was trading illegally, the captain and bridge crew were all just too drunk to explain what was going on. Still, it was best to find a reason to see what was going on...the Ferengi were always up to something. Michael stood up from the First officer's chair and walked around to the Tactical console, he wanted to see what the scans were going to show. (Reply Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:34) The First Officer had seemed a little uncertain of the Captain's motives in regards their dealings with the Ferengi. This of course was something that should be aired & as a response to that, the Captain turned towards the second in command & requested his thoughts on the matter. "You seem a little unsure Commander, would you not have exercised the same concern in regards a Ferengi vessel that was clearly off course & headed towards the very planet that we are concerned with?", he asked. (Reply O'Conner) NRPG: Assuming input in accordance with your last post here Patrick... RPG: "Have you ever encountered the Ferengi being involved in anything that has not been illegal in some manner or other?", said the Captain. (Reply O'Conner) The Commander had a point of course, but the fact remained that the freighter WAS acting in a manner not befitting those of a normal trading vessel engaged within established trading routes. Added to that that the Captain also had to consider the recent intelligence updates that he was privvy to regarding this mission & the nature of the cargo the Ferengi were carrying was indeed, very much of interest to the Federation. The First Officer by now had stood up & then made his way to the Tactical console in order to oversee the scans for himself as they came in. The Captain however had a feeling that they would show very little. The Ferengi usually covered their backs very well in such situations & regardless of the fact that this crew were more in the mood to party than diligently conceal facts, their inebriated state could well work to the Federations advantage right now. (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:45) The Ferengi had been both obstructive & obstinate, his demeanor continually falling back into a frame of mind that kept bargaining with the Federations ships Captain for some kind of profitable solution to their situation. It wasn't at all surprising of course, Ferengi were the same wherever they went & their damn rules of aquisition were normally not too far from where they happened to be. Rule thirteen of the rules of Aquisition allow me to follow this course of action..... blah blah blah. Even Blek had resorted to it's use to justify his previous statements & yet still, his ship had been brought to a standstill, his cargo now under scrutiny by a Federation Captain, curious as to just why he happened to be en route to the exact same place the Spectre was currently headed. If there was one rule in the entire universe that should surely be written in stone, it was the one that said that wherever there were Ferengi, there would be concealment, deviousness &..... unwarranted profit. This Ferengi was a testament to it. It was at that point however that the Tactical Chief came back with her predictable findings. "I can only read various items of electro-mechanical equipment in their rear storage compartment sir", said Vasilyovna, "if their carrying anything that could be considered illegal, then it isn't showing on sensor scans", she added. The Captain let out a deep breath, this wasn't what he particularly wanted to be hearing at all but it was of course expected & in consequence to this, he turned to face the First Officer who had by now returned to his seat, to ask for his own opinions on the matter. "Your recommendations Commander?", he enquired, eager now to see if the FO would concur with what he now had in mind, for it seemed that the only way they could now be sure of anything, was to board the freighter & make a visual check for themselves. (Reply O'Conner) The Captain nodded. "See to it imediately, take Lieutenant Donaldson, Ensign Yates & one of our Engineers", he said as he turned to look at the freighter now floating motionless in their viewscreen. "See if you can find anything that might tie in with our Ushari problem, also any clues that might point to which source may have supplied the cargo they are carrying", he added. (Reply O'Conner) The Captain then began tapping his fingers lightly against his right armrest, whilst the First Officer moved off towards the turbolift. (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan) ==========================================================================