USS Spectre Compile - February 1st-29th 2008 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 123 Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:22) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:24) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 128 Stardate: 2408.01.12 (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:13) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 130 Stardate: 2408.01.14 (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:45) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:46) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 131 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:59) (USS Spectre - Science Department – Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Science Department – ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 10:03) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:01) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:03) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:04) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:19) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:20) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:22) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 8 Stardate: 2408.01.23 (USS Spectre – T’Pia’s quarters – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 2:00) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 10 Stardate: 2408.01.25 (USS Spectre – Sella’s office – Ensign Paul Morphy – 09:30) (USS Spectre - Turbolift One - Captain T'Vhor & Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 21:35) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Jynea Kreung - 21:45) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 11 Stardate: 2408.01.26 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 00:30) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CMO Williams - 02:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 02:35) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CMO Williams - 02:39) (Unknown Vessel - Ready Room – Commander Sajh – 22:30) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 12 Stardate: 2408.01.27 (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 11:30) (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman – 11:50) (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 12:20) (FS Good Profit – Bridge – Pilot Mowuk - 13:25) (USS Spectre – Security Station Echo – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:30) (Ferengi Ship Good Profit - Bridge - Daimon Blek - 13:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer, Commander Michael O'Conner - 13:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:37) (USS Spectre - Station Echo – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:41) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 13:41) (USS Spectre - Security - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 13:42) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:45) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 13:45) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 13:46) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:46) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:50) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:50) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 13:51) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:53) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 13:54) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:56) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:56) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:00) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:05) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 14:07) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:10) (FS Good Profit – Daimon Blek – 14:11) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 14:12) (USS Spectre – Marine dropship bay – Corporal Houseman - 14:15) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:17) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:19) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:23) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 14:23) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:25) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:27) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:27) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 14:28) (FS Good Profit - Bridge - Damion Blek - 14:28) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:30) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 14:30) (FS Good Profit - Lounge - Engineers Dogg, Lapp, Sing - 14:31) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:31) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – Ferengi Engineers Dogg, Lapp and Sing - 14:32) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:32) (USS Spectre - Theatres – CMO Williams - 14:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:33) (USS Spectre - Surgical Theater – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 14:33) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:35) (FS Good Profit - Deck Four - Engineers Dogg, Lapp, Sing - 14:37) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 14:38) (FS Good Profit - Deck Four - TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Ensign (sg) Jynea Kreung - 14:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:46) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:47) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:49) (FS Good Profit - Bridge - Damion Blek - 15:00) (FS Good Profit – Cargo Bay - Damion Blek - 15:03) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 15:04) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - Daimon Blek - 15:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 15:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:34) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot officer Smith - 15:35) (USS Spectre - Chief OPS Office - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:50) (USS Spectre - Chief OPS Office - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:58) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 14 Stardate: 2408.01.29 (USS Spectre - Marine Hanger Deck - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 09:21) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 15 Stardate: 2408.01.30 (Shuttle Gates - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:00) (Shuttle Gates - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:30) (USS Spectre – CSciO's office- Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:30) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay One - Flight Ops, Lt Funai Takamari - 07:32) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay One - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:33) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay 1 - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:35) (USS Spectre - MCO's Office - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:38) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 3 – SFI Lieutenant (jg) George La Flaga - 8:00) (Shuttle Gates – Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 08:10) (USS Spectre – Ten forward – Ensign Bys’At – 11:05) (USS Spectre - Ten forward - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 11:07) (USS Spectre - Ten forward – Ensign Bys’At - 11:08) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 16 Stardate: 2408.01.31 (USS Spectre - Capps' Quarters - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 18:00) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 17 Stardate: 2408.02.01 (USS Spectre - Recreation Room 2 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 06:15) (USS Spectre - Recreation Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 6:30) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:08) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:08) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:10) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:11) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CONN - Pilot Officer Smith - 13:11) (Shuttlecraft "Amur" - SFI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 13:12) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:14) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:15) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:15) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:20) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 13:21) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:24) (Shuttlecraft "Amur" - SFI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 13:25) ========================================================================= Mission: Docked Day: 123 Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Ensign Paul Morphy - 09:22) “You did not say what rounds we could use? So don’t be a sore loser and cough up.” Paul’s mouth dropped open. He almost dropped the Desert Eagle. ~What the hell!~ “Wha …” his mouth quivered but the words wouldn’t form. ~Cheater, fink, scoundrel, swindler, charlatan!~ Paul’s mind searched for the right term. Finally, settling on the obvious … ~MARINE!~ “You’ll have your disk, marine. But don’t think this is over! Not by a long shot!” (reply Houseman, IYW) “I’m reserving my right to a rematch!” Paul declared. (reply Houseman, IYW) Paul stormed out of the holodeck shooting range waving the Desert Eagle around wildly as he walked. As soon as he was out of view of the marine he let a smile touch his lips. He was already over the disappointment of ‘losing’ the encounter. Giving up the holodeck program disk was essentially being ‘thrown into the briar patch’. ~One of those goofball marines is going to redistribute “Chuck’s Angels”. It’s going to be a whole lot of fun.~ (reply Houseman IYW, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Marine Shooting Range – Corporal Houseman - 09:24) “You’ll have your disk, marine. But don’t think this is over! Not by a long shot!” “if you say so.” “I’m reserving my right to a rematch!” “Any time any place.” Houseman watched as Morphy left the shooting range. He gave a mental frown. There was something wrong with what had just happened but he could not put his figure on it. He slipped the disk into his pocket and decided to have a look at it later. He turned back to his squad who had been watching the whole affair. “Okay everyone play time is over. Small arms drills. Lets GO.” (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ======================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 128 Stardate: 2408.01.12 (USS Spectre - Counselor Sella's office - Ensign Goldsteen - 10:13) "Ah, but did you hear the way you just spoke to me, there is anger in your voice, there was anger emanating 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 you didn't say that another, or you are selectively amnesiac to the emotions you are experiencing. For a moment Alex was silent before answering. "When interrogating," he said "I have to pretend to be emotional at times. I suppose I got into the habit and sometimes fool myself into thinking that I feel something. But I do not." "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. "Alright" Alex responded unsure as to what he should say, "goodbye" "I'll talk to you soon, try and have a good day, until then," Sella said, sincerely, and smiled. At a loss Alex simply shrugged and left. (reply Sella iyw) (Posted by Dan Black) =========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 130 Stardate: 2408.01.14 (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – ACSO Ensign JG Taya – 10:45) Taya watched him touch the medicine wheel and sighed softly in slight annoyance that he still didn't understand. ~However did someone like him make it through the academy. I need my coffee.~ Taya started to walk towards the doorway to get a coffee from the replicator when Bys'At's voice stopped her. “You have already met Ensign Morphy haven’t you!?” blurted Bys’At. Taya turned and fixed a smile on her face, "That didn't sound like a question, more a statement. I think you know the answer." “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. Taya shook her head in exasperation. "It depends on what you believe. I believe in them and i believe that if you believe in something it is true to you even if other people disagree." She winced after she spoke realising she wasn't being quite as polite as she should be to a fellow crewmember. (Reply Bys'At IYW) "I'm sorry...umm...I hate to say so but if you wouldn't mind i have a lot of work to do ready for starting my first shift tomorrow..." (Reply Bys'At) Taya smiled and watched him leave. ~It is true~ she told herself. ~I do have work to do~ "Computer, one cup of coffee, hot, black, one sugar" The coffee materialised, she picked it up and a PADD lying next to the replicator and made her way to the sofa. She kicked off her boots and half sitting half lying she sipped her coffee and started to read about the Spectre's science labs and the crew who worked in them. (Reply Bys'At) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre – Taya's Quarters – Ensign Bys’At – 10:46) "It depends on what you believe. I believe in them and i believe that if you believe in something it is true to you even if other people disagree." Taya winced. Bys’At was stunned. ~What did that have to do with the subject matter?~ The woman was obviously not in ‘cahoots’ with Mr. Morphy, his cohorts all seemed clever. This woman … well … Bys’At didn’t speak ill of the woman … even in his thoughts. “I think I was mistaken. You have not yet met Mr. Morphy. Please stay away from a slick talking American Engineer.” Bys’At advised. "I'm sorry...umm...I hate to say so but if you wouldn't mind i have a lot of work to do ready for starting my first shift tomorrow..." “Oh, yes, I see” Bys’At said sitting on the edge of Taya’s bed. “Oh, right!” Bys’At lept up and made a quick exit through the woman’s quarters. Once outside after the doors had shut behind him he sighed. ~Not precisely the result I was hoping. I think perhaps Taya is not suited to my … expressions.~ (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================== Mission: Docked Day: 131 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Science Department - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 09:59) "Well, work I have plenty of," Ardena said cheerfully, "Grab a box and follow me. I'll give you the two credit tour." Taya smiled and picked up a box labelled 'science staff reports'. She followed Ardena outside and stood beside her when she stopped to point out a few things. "To your right we have what we laughably call the lounge. 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." Taya nodded as she repeated it under her breath to learn where everything was; ~I'll have to explore a bit later on~ "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." "I'll think i'll the one on the right of this one, be easier for everyone to have me next to you," Taya smiled. "Ooh one more question before i clean out my office. What sort of things do you research most, as in ship matters, federation matters or matters of personal interest?" "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." Taya nodded and watched the dust fly up when Ardena put her box down; ~hope my office isn't as bad as this. If it is it's going to take a good few days to get fully sorted for me to work properly~ "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." "Okidoke," Taya said. "Oooh do you want this box in here or i can take it and organise it?" (Reply Ardena) Taya nodded and walked to the door, "Permission to be dismissed to sort next door out and start on work". (Reply Ardena) Taya walked to her office and closed her eyes as the doors opened. She opened her eyes and smiled in relief. It was dusty but at least there were no boxes about. She walked in and the doors closed behind her. The office had a desk with computer terminal on, storage for padds and the like, a replicator next to a few chairs where small meetings could be held and a viewport. Taya smiled widely at that, it was what she most loved about being on a starship; being able to watch the stars. Taya avoided taking the deep breath of satisfaction knowing it would end with a coughing fit and proceeded to sort the room out. (Reply Ardena) (Posted by Chris) (USS Spectre - Science Department – Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 10:00) "Okidoke," Taya said. "Oooh do you want this box in here or I can take it and organise it?" Ardena was tempted for about half a heartbeat to make her new assistant do the grunt work for something not in her job description, but morality asserted itself, “That’s just Xenobiological samples from various worlds. It can be left on the table.. I’ll figure out what to do with it..” she looked around the mucky and cluttered office. “..Er, eventually.” (Reply Taya) Taya nodded and walked to the door, "Permission to be dismissed to sort next door out and start on work". Ardena was startled by the request, “Uhm, of course..” She watched the Ensign turn, “Ensign Taya?” she said. (Reply Taya) “Please, don’t ever feel like you need to ask permission to leave, or go to bathroom, or whatever. While we are scientists on a military vessel, in the science department, I feel science is the senior partner in the relationship.. and I think we all know most scientists deal better with a minimum of pomp and circumstance.” Really, if she got saluted every time she entered a room, she’d start smacking people. (Reply Taya) She watched the Ensign leave, glad to have an assistant who was *obviously* knew the ins and outs of Starfleet and knew procedure. ~Wonder if she’ll tutor?~ Ardena wondered with some humour. She was familiar with Starfleet protocols, but it was different than *knowing* them as the Ensign obviously did. She did know one thing, Ensign Taya was obviously much better suited to bridge duty with her general knowledge, training and classifications, she’d just earned herself Alpha shift bridge watch if she wanted it! (Reply any/all) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Science Department – ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 10:03) “That’s just Xenobiological samples from various worlds. It can be left on the table.. I’ll figure out what to do with it..” Ardena looked around the mucky and cluttered office. “..Er, eventually.” Taya nodded and walked to the door, "Permission to be dismissed to sort next door out and start on work". Ardena was startled by the request, “Uhm, of course..” She watched the Ensign turn, “Ensign Taya?” she said. "Yes?" Taya asked as she turned around. “Please, don’t ever feel like you need to ask permission to leave, or go to bathroom, or whatever. While we are scientists on a military vessel, in the science department, I feel science is the senior partner in the relationship.. and I think we all know most scientists deal better with a minimum of pomp and circumstance.” Taya smiled, "tell me about it. The amount of bureaucratic red tape to go through and that's on the simple things as well. I won't forget my 'meetings' when i came back to Starfleet; i don't think i could handle anymore of the useless things Starfleet think are important in the line of duty." Taya walked out and into the room next door. (Reply any/none) (Posted by Chris Barton) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.01.15 (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:01) Sammael's Anvil, the shuttle she had been told to "find something wrong with", was just about to get quite a lot wrong with it. Starting with her pulling the entire computer system out and stomping it into oblivion with her frustration. The antiquated systems of using the central OS as a translator was infuriating in and of itself, but with that foreign weapons system "upgrade" it was slower than it had any right to be. Besides which, it seemed that the system was bound and determined not to do what she wanted. She'd been here, alternately on her back and contorted into uncomfortable positions trying to get at the problematic systems, and all the while it was throwing up error messages like they were going out of style. NRPG: At least, that description is what I remember from the previous posts. If it's wrong I'll go back and make it work. RPG: "That does it," Jacqueline said through clenched teeth. "One more shot and then...coffee." She needed the break, she needed the illusion of caffeine, or (if she could trick the replicator) the reality of caffiene. Besides, if all else failed, she could always pour the hot liquid onto the terminal and blame it on the brilliance of whoever had set up that weapons system in the first place. Just as she had extricated herself from the awkward position she had been in and risen to her feet, the horrendous sound of grinding floor panels rang out through the shuttlebay. Coffee temporarily forgotten, her eyes locked onto the form of Ensign Paul Morphy. ~What the hell?~ "And you would be standing there because..?" “Help you … I came down here to,” he stammered. A glimmer of one of her father's obscure references flickered in the back of her mind, but that wasn't important right now. What was important was that she needed to find a problem with the weapons system, and while she was gifted with fixing things and knew more than most about cloaking technology and had some knowledge of Borg technology, she didn't really do weapons. Lucky for her, Morphy did do weapons. "Oh, I betcha did," Jacqueline said. "You're not skiving off something else while you're down here, are you?" She didn't really have that high an opinion of the man after he had started up that marriage rumor about her and Therul. Actually, she had yet to return the favor. Still, that didn't detract from the fact that he could be useful at the moment. (reply Morphy) "Great. You're officially being assigned to help me find something wrong with this stupid thing," she said, gesturing at the shuttlecraft. "Now, before anything else happens, I'm getting my coffee." (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Siobhan) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:03) "You're not skiving off something else while you're down here, are you?" Bristed eyed Paul. Sensing that the ACEO was a little miffed Paul answered quickly. “No, Sir, I just wandered down here to … uh … give you a hand … if you needed one.” Paul, with some effort, managed to keep his face (and story) straight while speaking but his eyes bulged slightly. "Great. You're officially being assigned to help me find something wrong with this stupid thing," she said, gesturing at the shuttlecraft. "Now, before anything else happens, I'm getting my coffee." ~That’s what’s wrong with her, no caffeine.~ thought Paul. ~She’s always nicer when she’s had a few gallons of coffee, unfortunately for me she apparently hasn’t had any today.~ Paul considered what she had said as she wandered off to get her coffee. “Hey, ‘find something wrong’, Sir!? I don’t know what you mean!” Paul called after her as she was heading out of the shuttlebay to get her coffee. (reply Bristed) ~Whatever.~ Paul shrugged. (reply Bristed, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:04) “Hey, ‘find something wrong’, Sir!? I don’t know what you mean!” Paul called after her. Jacqueline paused. It was a rather vague order, but then again, it was pretty much the same thing H'Chir had said to her. Find something wrong, link it to the weapons system, and report after it was repaired. "Just...run every diagnostic you can think of while I'm gone. Pick your favorite problem and we'll deal with that one." As far as she could tell, pretty much everything was wrong with the shuttlecraft, but telling that to the CEO was out of the question. Having answered the question at least to her satisfaction, she continued out on her quest for caffeine. Buried in chocolate and whipped cream and flavor shots. ~And maybe when I come back, mister weapons specialist will have some idea of where to go with this assignment.~ (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:19) Back, coffee in hand, ACEO Bristed entered the shuttlecraft via the rear hatch that lay open. “You haven’t missed much.” Paul commented scratching his head and looking about at the tangle of wires and various error messages. (reply Bristed) “It seems obvious that somebody’s tampered with the system.” Paul explained his ‘findings’, “Someone tried to upgrade the weapons systems but their idea had three major flaws. One, the system is so old that it can’t even understand the upgrade. Two, even if it could understand the upgrade the onboard phaser array couldn’t put out that much output if it tried. And three, I’m pretty sure he didn’t ask the Topaz Chief before making the change.” Paul giggled at the joke. (reply Bristed, IYW) “Anyway, what else is supposed to be wrong? ‘Find something wrong with it’ is a pretty vague order. It sounds like he wants us to make something up.” Commented Paul. (reply Bristed) “We might need a patsy for the official report. Any ideas?” (reply Bristed, NRPG: assuming she suggests Paul, lol) “HA HA, very funny, SIR. I was thinking of someone more … porcine.” Paul smiled. (reply Bristed) (reply Bristed, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 12:20) Today’s coffee involved coconut, vanilla, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and peanuts, not to mention iced coffee. She normally didn’t go for the cold stuff, but today, with such a stupid assignment, she had decided to go for the exotic. She’d already downed one before coming back, a second caffienated concoction in hand. She was feeling much better about things right now. "You haven’t missed much," Morphy said as she returned. She sighed heavily. There were a few more error messages, but otherwise nothing had changed as far as she could see. "Run what you’ve got by me." "It seems obvious that somebody’s tampered with the system." Paul explained his ‘findings’, "Someone tried to upgrade the weapons systems but their idea had three major flaws. One, the system is so old that it can’t even understand the upgrade. Two, even if it could understand the upgrade the onboard phaser array couldn’t put out that much output if it tried. And three, I’m pretty sure he didn’t ask the Topaz Chief before making the change." Paul giggled at the joke. "Topaz is orange, you know that right?" she said. Morphy seemed to ignore her. ~Probably meant azure. It has a "zed" in it too.~ "Anyway, what else is supposed to be wrong? ‘Find something wrong with it’ is a pretty vague order. It sounds like he wants us to make something up." Commented Paul. "Don’t think we need to. We can just write that everything is wrong and downgrade the thing back to the way it was. That’s the only feasible plan of action I can think of for this thing," she said. "We might need a patsy for the official report. Any ideas?" "I thought you were volunteering," she said dryly. "HA HA, very funny, SIR. I was thinking of someone more … porcine." Paul smiled. Jacqueline thought about it for a second. The idea of pinning this on someone as dislikable as Therul had some appeal, but as an officer she was supposed to have the restraint not to do such petty things. Besides, the guy was hardly interested in shuttle modifications. His only thought, either on duty or off, was to annoy any and every female in the name of being friendly. Lately, in her case, in the name of being more than friendly. If only throwing personnel out the airlock wasn’t against so many of the rules… But that didn’t mean she could blame this mess on Gorlan Therul. However vague the orders had been, it seemed fairly obvious that H’Chir had something in mind, something probably whoever had screwed this shuttlecraft up getting what was coming to him. "I’d rather not try to pin this on anyone. As far as I know, none of the engineers are this stupid," she said. "At least not in that manner. If H’Chir wants a name, he’ll snarl at me about it later. Right now let’s just get this rust-bucket back to working condition and make that report." (reply Morphy, any) (posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay 1 – Ensign Paul Morphy - 12:22) “If H’Chir wants a name, he’ll snarl at me about it later. Right now let’s just get this rust-bucket back to working condition and make that report." Ordered Bristed. Paul shrugged. “Well, that’s why you’re the boss.” Said Morphy returning to working on the weapons system. Whoever had tried to upgrade it was too curious for their own good … what a mess. NRPG: that should bring us up to the current time. RPG: (reply Bristed IYW, any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 8 Stardate: 2408.01.23 (USS Spectre – T’Pia’s quarters – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 2:00) T’Pia sat at her desk typing. Having suppressed her human half had gotten her further in the development of ELI. The Enhanced Logarithm Intellect was coming together nicely. A bit of quaternary code here, a deferred procedure call there, things were looking hopeful. “Where to put this new piece?” She pondered out loud. Despite the Vulcan logic there were still uncertainties in the undertaking. ~1.need, 2.inventory, 3.imbalance, 4.solution~ She thought. ~That the basis of the system, Find what is needed, take inventory of possession, see imbalance in needs and inventory, work towards solving any imbalance between need and inventory, this is the basis of all life.~ “There’s still something missing – I can’t put my finger on it.” T’Pia frowned. She couldn’t figure out just what could be missing from her ‘child’. Her baby was still incomplete. She would need to solve the issue … but how? (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) ======================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 10 Stardate: 2408.01.25 (USS Spectre – Sella’s office – Ensign Paul Morphy – 09:30) Paul was trying hard not to look directly at the blind counselor. “I’m not very comfortable with counselors.” (reply Sella) “I guess it stems from my days as a marine. I don’t like other people messing around in my skull.” Paul ‘explained’. (reply Sella) “I guess I’ll start at the beginning. I’m a red blooded American son. My sister Sarah and I are the only children our parents had. She’s an instructor at the academy now … I don’t hear from her too much.” Said Paul. (reply Sella) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Turbolift One - Captain T'Vhor & Morale Officer Ensign Jynea Kreung - 21:35) It seemed she was forever meeting Captain T'Vhor in turbolifts. Maybe the man just lived in turbolifts whenever he wasn't on the bridge or in his ready room. She supposed it was one way to socialize with the crew. Maybe she should get him a bellboy's hat to go with his red uniform so he could announce the decks. "Good evening Captain," Jynea said cheerfully enough, stepping in. "Deck ten, please." She said to the computer. "How are you today?" "I am very well Ensign Kreung", said the Captain, "in fact, I am feeling positively invigorated", he added as he returned his attention towards the doors as they slid closed to signal the continuation of the turbolifts journey. "And yourself, how have you been keeping of late?", asked the Captain, "it seems that we are always passing one another in corridors lately or corresponding via official reports", he added. Jynea wasn't paying a lot of attention, her mind was wandering as it was almost time her to get some sleep. "Why do Vulcans have beds?" She mused to herself, "It's not like they sleep in them or seem to use them for sex or anything." She could feel the presence behind her raise an eyebrow. ~Erk. I said that out loud.~ At first the Captain remained silent, had he just heard that or had it been simply a surface emotion that he had been picking up via his inate telepathic abilities, which, to say the least had been piqueing to levels he had never experienced lately? It seemed however that the words had indeed been vocalised & as such, the remark deserved an answer. If only for the purpose of shifting the now silent Ensign Kreung from her obvious embarrassment. "I can assure you Ensign that despite popular belief, I, as many other Vulcans, either full blood or otherwise, do indeed sleep", said T'Vhor, the Morale officers obvious embarrassment increasing now at saying aloud, what was clearly meant to be kept in mind. "I might add, that there have also been times when I have been known to have.... sex as you say", said the Captain, "Vulcan's are not the cold hearted, unequivically celebate beings you may suspect us to be Ensign Kreung", he added. Jynea raised her own eyebrow at that, "I don't recall ever thinking you cold hearted Captain, have you felt that some thing of you such?" She said in her best stereotypical counsellor voice. She didn't think such a tactic would distract the captain for long. The Captain stood up straight & then pulled at his tunic, then he re-addressed the Morale Officer. "It would seem a generalised concensus amongst non Vulcans that we are indeed a cold species", said the Captain, "your...'outburst' not a moment or two beforehand simply leads me to believe that you, as well as some others on board are of the same opinion", he added forming his response as always, on the logic surrounding it. Jynea sighed, "Perhaps the crew and everyone around you is concerned for your physical well being to go with your mental well being." Oh well, in for a meter, in for a kilometre. "Besides, maybe we of the feminine gender feel that such a good looking man of obvious intelligence and skill shouldn't be spending his nights alone." She was NOT going to mention the pool on the wall of the female enlisted showers. That one had stumped the CO for sure, he hadn't expected anyone, let alone the Morale Officer who ordinarilly would have made another nbegative comment in regards him, to refer to him as...'Good Looking'. He again drew himself up & quirked his head slightly in response. "A compliment?", he enquired with a quizzical raise of an eyebrow, "I am not sure I understand, first a negative remark, then a positive", he added turning his attention again straight ahead towards the doors. "Most illogical".... Jynea was actually concerned by that, enough that she hit the stop button on the turbolift and had it move out of the track so others could get by. "A negative remark Captain? A confused remark certainly, but I do not recall ever making negative remarks to or about you personally. If I'm wrong, please enlighten me." If he really thought she didn't approve of him, or thought negatively of him, no wonder he would never give any of her advice more than lip service and they'd gotten stuck in the spiral of her getting more and more desperate to do her job and he more and more desperate to avoid her suggestions like the plague. The fact that the turbolift had just suddenly stopped however had of course, registered with the Captain & if he had been slightly confused by that, the counter-argument that had followed by the Morale Officer had only served to confuse him further. He then re-iterated her previous sentiment. "Why do Vulcans have beds?..... It's not like they sleep in them or seem to use them for sex.....or anything", said the Captain turning to face Ensign Kreung now. "Did I not hear your statement correctly Ensign Kreung? Could this not be construed as.... negative?", he added, returning his gaze thence towards the unmoving transit bar where it sat within the window of the turbolift. "Granted, it might show a certain confusion on your part as to the reasons a Vulcan has a need for a bed, assuming of course that the bed is required for the sexual act but on the whole, the remark was indeed..... negative", said the Captain. "Or at the very least, perhaps prying into matters that you yourself might consider unacceptable should the sentiment have been reversed" "Would you have not considered the remark negative if I had made reference to Orion sexual needs or habits on a complete whim?", said the Captain. "Why do Vulcans have beds? The same reasons Horta have chairs." Jynea said, "Shortening Teryanis Ferlin, Understanding Xenopsychology. It's a text about making assumptions based on your own psyche and experiences when dealing with other races. For example, if you HAD made a comment about Orion sexual needs and habits, I'd probably agree with you. I don't consider my sexual nature negative in any shape or form and I think you'd be very hard pressed to make me view it so." "In the case of my earlier comment, I was thinking how you seem to swing from one end of your duality and back and never seem to find a happy medium. I was trying to remind myself, you might be perfectly happy with that even though it drives *me* bonky. My embarrassment was a mixture of 'I can't believe of all the things to say out loud, that was it' and 'Who the hell am I to speculate on such anyway?' Since you've made it quite clear you have no interest in my services as counsellor or morale officer and you're Lieutenant Sella's responsibility now anyway." The Captain was confused once again, how could she assume that he did not require her services as a Councellor, was'nt it she herself that had insisted that the term Councellor did not really apply to her many months beforehand? And then the question regarding the Horta's need for chairs, she was implying in that argument that since the Horta did not require chairs, then neither did Vulcan's require beds. Added to this was the fact that not once had the Captain suggested that Jynea's sexual needs were in any way negative, he had simply implied that the very act of enquiring about them might be construed as such. The notion that Orion's were apparently pre-occupied with pleasure seemed to be lost in this instance, for this particular Orion seemed to thrive on it's exact opposite. Conflict.... Perhaps this was simply a response to her own view of what other races apparently perceived as the norm in regards Orion females, either way the discussion seemed to be going nowhere fast & the Captain felt that it was time now to put an end to it. "Let us begin again, my name is T'Vhor", said the Captain, "I am half Vulcan, half Betazoid. And you are?", he asked intonating with his hand now for an answer. "I'm Jynea Kreung, Orion and apparent failure at basic communication." She said wryly, letting frustration bleed away. "I am Very pleased to meet you Jynea, I was on my way to Ten Forward in order to partake in a light snack & perhaps a drink also. Would you like to accompany me?", he enquired with a rarely given smile, courtesy of his Betazoid half of course! Boy, and people called her unpredictable in her mood shifts. "It would be my honour, I just have one small, teensy weensy problem first.." She said, chewing on her lip. "I have absolutely no idea how to restart the turbolift." The Captain just pursed his lips & then nodded. The Ensign in her haste to halt their progress throughout the ships internals, had of course hit the manual over ride without necessarily knowing how to re-instate it, a simple verbal command would have sufficed but.... "Computer, re-instate emergency over ride on Turbolift One, command authorisation T'Vhor Alpha Two Zero, execute on voice print analysis", said the Captain & the computer thankfully responded. After all, with the previous debacle with the Turbolifts at Starbase departure, anything could have happened. They could even have ended up both stuck there!!! [Emergency over ride is now cancelled, please restate the required destination] "Deck Ten please", said the Captain & the lift was once again on it's way, both occupants now falling silent for a brief moment or two. "Perhaps, if we have the time later, I will show you that I do indeed possess a bed", said the Captain almost as an afterthought of their previous discussion, but then on realising what he had just said & how that might be misconstrued in itself, he suddenly wished that he had not done so... Jynea looked up innocently, "Am I supposed to be instructing you in what to do with said bed?" "I am well aware of how to use my own bed Jynea", said the Captain, sticking with the use of her first name now for convenience sake, "I meant this purely as a means to prove to you that we do, in fact, have a need for them", he added & then he waited patiently for the doors to open, somewhat relieved when they finally did so.... (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna & Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - Captain T'Vhor & Ensign Jynea Kreung - 21:45) Jynea had been startled to see an Orion woman behind the bar in Ten Forward. She could only wonder when she'd been added to the ship. "We do seem to have a lot of Orions on a high security vessel." Jynea said to the Captain as they found a table by the view windows. "I would suspect no more than any other ship of the fleet", said the Captain as he took his seat opposite the already seated Morale Officer. "Why does this surprise you?", he asked. "Just.. Well, since the Orion Union is still considered at war with the Federation.. we seem to have a lot of Orions about. I'm not saying it's good or bad, just surprises me." She frowned a little, "Which, I suppose, proves what a hypocrite I can be." "The Orion Union may still be technically at war with the Federation Jynea, but you yourself are here & there are a good number of other serving Orion Starfleet officers within the Federations ranks as we speak", said the Captain as he took a sip of his drink & then awaited the arrival of his small food order. "I know.." She trailed off, then brightened, "If I were perfect, what a lousy person I would be to try and help people fix problems." The Captain nodded & then changed tact somewhat. "I am eager to put aside our own past differences Jynea, it does seem that we got off to a bad start beforehand", said the Captain, "but then circumstances around that particular time were not the best available", he added, just as the waitress duly arrived & handed him a small plate, upon which sat a bowl of Bertakk with a side order of Kreila. Jynea smiled, eyes dancing, "I excel at being difficult, I suspect you did too.. and when I started trying to fill David's shoes, you resented this new comer trying to boss you around on your own ship." Her own food showed up in the form on a plate of various cookies and a glass of apple juice. It was probably a good thing a good chunk of Jynea's time was spent climbing around Jeffrey tubes the amount of sweets she ate. "I will be the first to admit that I am not the easiest of people to convince of certain matters regarding rest & recreation", said the Captain as he paused to take a few mouthfuls of his soup, "I will however, in the interests of harmony & good intention, endeavor to meet any reasonable requirements you may outline", he added. Jynea snapped her fingers in mock disappointment before taking a cookie. "Shucks, I thought I had you until you mentioned the 'reasonable' part. There go my plans for the Captain dunk tank for the country fair." The Captain quirked his head & raised an eyebrow quizically. "Dunk tank?... Country fair?", he enquired. "Country fair.. a traditional gathering of farmers, entertainers and merchants in which there are amusement rides, contests, games of skill and chance, lots of really bad food, bad music and lots and lots of fun." Jynea explained. "The town I grew up in had one for two weeks every summer's end. Wonderful thing, but somehow, I don't think it'd be your cup of tea." The Captain pursed his lips & returned his attention to his soup bowl. For an Orion, Jynea certainly knew a lot of Human euphemisms, 'Cup of tea' had been one he had learned from a colleague a long time beforehand & so, it did not require explanation. The Morale Officer had not yet explained 'Dunk tank' though, perhaps that one would wait until later. "What IS your preference for rest and relaxation?" Jynea asked with open curiosity. Maybe she should have asked that question a long time ago instead of trying to force the Captain into things he obviously didn't want to do. The Captain took a bite of the Kreila, covered as it now was at one end, via the Bertakk soup it had just been 'dunked' into. Then he re-addressed Jynea as she took another bite of her cookie. "Normally, I would have to say that I indulge in the Khol-tor, Tvi-sochya is a wonderful state to be in & remarkably restful", said the Captain. "I also occasionally like to endulge myself in the Vulcan art of Lapan-skraman", he added before then going on to explain what it actually was to a somewhat confused looking Orion. "The art of carving wood into aesthetically pleasing shapes & figures", said the Captain. "I find it very..... helpful", he added. Jynea's eyes danced, "As long as you're not crafting 3D chess pieces to torment your morale officer with. Your ship's chess club on partner's night gives the winners of the previous tournament a certain counsellor to balance the teams for next time. I'm afraid, I don't have the patience or mindset for chess." "It is, an acquired taste", said the Captain. "So, what do you sculpt? Abstracts? Or animals.. or?" She was genuinely curious. She liked to paint, but it was abstract colours on canvas that struck her fancy, there was little skill involved and probably on par with a child's finger paintings, really. She'd never shown any of her work, but she'd never felt it necessary to either. The Captain placed his spoon back into the now half emptied bowl before him, then he brought his hands together on the table. "I have carved animal figures in the past, but to be honest with you, my passion is to let my mind do the carving for me & see what it comes up with", said the Captain, "it can be interesting to view the results, but, I suppose that in answer to your question, my main task would therefore be abstracts", he added. "And yourself? How do you relax, given that your own job is helping others to relax I mean", asked the Captain. "Do you have a specific activity separate from those you use in regards your work?", he added. "Oh. Well, my work is one big party." She said with a smile and drank from her tea cup. "But I have been known to put on the fuzzy slippers, pyjamas and watch incredibly bad 3D vid shows in my quarters. Its, all, of course, part of learning about the perceptions of the various societies on each other. Like the Betazoid psycho-thriller 'It takes sixteen' which is about a non-telepathic Betazoid who moves to Terra to be away from mentalists, but ends up falling in love with a telepathic human and goes.. well, as my mother would say, a slight step left of reality." "Intriguing", said the Captain, "perhaps I will have to avail myself of this, '3D Vid' sometime", he added as he once again resumed his meal. “I think you’d enjoy the country fair more.” Jynea said, eyes dancing with amusement, her smile mischievous and a mile wide. "I am curious Jynea", said the Captain enquiringly, "apart from Nurse Douwsy, I don't often see you mix with your own species, you also seem to distance yourself from those that serve on the ship... Is this something you have difficulty with?", he asked. “My own species?” Jynea echoed with furrowed brow, “other than Nurse Douwsy and our bartender who I had yet to meet, I didn’t realize there were any other Orions on board.” She shrugged, “I grew up, mostly, on Earth. I grew up in a melting pot of skin colours, ear types and some had hair, some had feathers and some had fur.” The Captain smiled, that rarely seen smile once again. "I too have lived amongst many different types of ear, fur & skin as you say", said the Captain, "but then, how bland the universe would be if everyone looked the same as one another", he added. "Exactly. And one could counter that I’ve yet to see a certain male at this table at the morning Suss Mahn sessions." Her smile managed to grow a bit wickeder, "Or at meyaski flower arranging classes held by Petty Officer Clrai. We are more than the races of the parents who birthed us." "Indeed", said the Captain, "but we do not always inherit the best parts of each", he added thinking back now to his stoic, set in his ways, father & realising that he himself, shared some of those traits. He then finished off the last of his meal. "If you would excuse me, I suppose that I had better think about returning to my quarters, we have another busy day tomorrow & no doubt you would insist that I get my rest", the Captain quipped. "Oh absolutely, have to put that bed to use somehow." She teased, remembering the start of this very enlightening conversation. "Then I bid you a good night Jynea, I trust that you will sleep well & awake refreshed, as will I, hopefully", said the Captain standing now from the table & then moving off, only to stop mid stride & turn to face the morale officer once more. "Perhaps, a certain male might attend Suss Mahn either tomorrow or in the near future", said the Captain, "although he might draw the line at the Meyaski flower arranging", he added with another, rarely seen smile. Jynea laughed, delighted. "I'm sure either event would be happy to include you." (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna, Alan) =========================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 11 Stardate: 2408.01.26 (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 00:30) Ardena sat down in the hot seat with a smile. The chair was remarkably more comfortable than T'Vhor's memories had lead her to believe. While he hadn't bled a lot onto her in their various melds, the few she had received all seemed to revolve around the bridge of the Spectre. On the other hand, he probably sat in it like his backbone was a tri-steel rod at all times. She couldn't say she'd ever really studied him when he was in command, she was generally busy with her own things. It wasn't a lot of a bridge watching. An ensign at helm, an ensign at security/tactical, and herself watching science. And really, she was doing THAT mostly out of nothing better to be doing while keeping an ear open for alerts or things needing a command personnel's okee-dokee. Getting qualified for bridge watch was a lot easier, and harder, than she'd thought it would be. Now, getting qualified for bridge command or away team command, that was a long and arduous task. But, bridge watch, one just had to hold it together until you got a hold of an expert or someone with the appropriate rank and experience. Of course, the fewer emergencies she had to deal with, the happier she would be.. "Ma'am?" McGintry called, getting her attention. She turned to look up at the security officer, "Yes?" she asked, curious. "I'm going to take my break, if that's alright? Will slave the terminal to you." S.O.P., Ardena was sure, but she knew very little about running security boards. However, when nature called, as she suspected it was.. "Sounds good to me, Ensign." She replied trying to look more assured than she felt. McGintry headed off in the direction of the bridge's head and replicator. Ardena was specifically not drinking anything because she wasn't sure if she was allowed to leave either in command. Though, she supposed, if she was allowed to be in the Captain's Ready Room (a luxury she would NEVER use!) as officer on watch, she was allowed to visit the little scientist's room. But this was her first watch. She was going to sit in the comfy chair and watch the stars. She supposed she could be using the time to study, or catch up on research, but really, she just wanted to enjoy the hear and now. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CMO Williams - 02:34) After Douwsy had basically kicked him out of sickbay he had decided to go for a walk. He had wandered the quiet ship and had finally ended up on the bridge. As he walked onto the bridge he saw that Carrow was the officer of the watch. He walked over to her sitting in the command chair. “Do you mind if I join you?” He motioned to the first officer’s chair. (Reply Carrow) He sat down and looked around the quiet bridge. “You are braver than I am being the watch officer I really hate it.” (reply Carrow) (reply Carrow, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 02:35) Ardena was startled when the turbolift opened and it was the Chief Medical Officer who appeared and came down to the command seats. "Do you mind if I join you?" He asked, motioning to the first officer's chair. "Be welcome," She replied with some amusement, some confusion, "Though, shouldn't you, as the second officer, be claiming my seat?" (Reply William's) "You are braver then I am being the watch officer I really hate it." "I don't know so much about being brave," Ardena replied, "It's a great time for reflection and thought.. and if anything happens I scream like a little girl until Captain T'Vhor or Commander O'Conner rescue me," she winked at the sleep deprived doctor. (Reply William's) "I like sitting up here and watching the universe go by. I think, sometimes, we forget how big it all is when we can go from one place to another in the blink of an eye. We hear of this planet being a pleasure planet, or that planet being aquatic, or a third planet being a scientific reserve, but we forget the size of a planet, how many lives they cradle, how many stories, how many individual things are going on at any given time. Sure, Risa may host R&R to many a fleet and travellor, but there's more going on there than just hospitality. There's life. And sitting here reminds me not to generalize, not to look at the whole and forget the atoms than make up the pattern." She glanced over at Andrew, "Er, sorry, I also tend to get a little rambly at 0230." (Reply William's, any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CMO Williams - 02:39) "Though, shouldn't you, as the second officer, be claiming my seat?" Andrew gave a slight smile. “You are the officer of the watch. I’m just here taking in the view.” He sat down in the second officer’s seat. "You are braver then I am being the watch officer I really hate it." "I don't know so much about being brave," Ardena replied, "It's a great time for reflection and thought.. and if anything happens I scream like a little girl until Captain T'Vhor or Commander O'Conner rescue me," Andrew grinned. “Bet they would not do the same if I screamed like a girl?” He shook his head and stared out of the view screen. "I like sitting up here and watching the universe go by. I think, sometimes, we forget how big it all is when we can go from one place to another in the blink of an eye. We hear of this planet being a pleasure planet, or that planet being aquatic, or a third planet being a scientific reserve, but we forget the size of a planet, how many lives they cradle, how many stories, how many individual things are going on at any given time. Sure, Risa may host R&R to many a fleet and travellor, but there's more going on there than just hospitality. There's life. And sitting here reminds me not to generalize, not to look at the whole and forget the atoms that make up the pattern." "Er, sorry, I also tend to get a little rambly at 02:30." Andrew smiled slightly. “Ow you should see me when I get started, I go on for hours.” (reply Carrow IYW) (Reply Carrow, any) (Posted by Robbie) (Unknown Vessel - Ready Room – Commander Sajh – 22:30) “That idiot Blek has been drunk for a solid week now.” Muttered an Orion man from a display console on Commander Sajh’s desk. “So … he doesn’t know what’s really going on anyway.” Commented Sajh reclining in her command chair behind her desk. “What do you want us to do about him?” asked the Orion. Commander Sajh twirled one of her blue Andorian Antennae with her left hand. “Nothing … the ghost ship will be engaging his vessel soon on their way to Ushari Prime. Our spy onboard the Spectre still has cover intact, if Blek lets slip anything of what little he does know he’ll be taken care of.” Sajh eyed the Orion on her screen. “The syndicate trusts your judgment in the matter.” Said the Orion on the screen. “Thank you, Ambassador.” Sajh didn’t allow herself to smile. “We remember your loyalty. After all, it was you who learned of Admiral Doenitz betrayal and took immediate action to see that Starbase Valhalla fell to the 52nd fleet.” Said the Orion. (reply none) (posted by Anton) ======================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 12 Stardate: 2408.01.27 (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 11:30) =^=30 seconds=^= Houseman stood at the hatch of the Amazon class runabout. He watched the planet slowly rotating below him. He could feel the presence of the rest of the squad behind him. He kept looking at the red light on the bulkhead above the hatch. As he watched it turned green. =^= GO GO GO =^= He placed his hands on either side of the hatch as she quickly scanned his suits seals on the HUDs display to see that they were green. He then took a deep breath and hurled his self out of the runabout. He immediately pulled his arms back and dived head first towards the planet surface as the gravity sucked him down. He watched the altimeter in the top corner of his HUDs display spool down. It beeped at him when he had reached the right altitude. He leaned back and spread out his arms and legs to slow his decent. He watched as features in the land shape below began to take shape. He could see mountain rages and huge forest stretching across the land masses. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and slowly turned his head. He saw the other members of the team were free falling around him and he gave a okay signal as he plummeted through cloud layers. The altimeter began a rapid beeping. Houseman manoeuvred his self away from his team and pulled the rip cord on the parachute on his back. He felt the kick as the parachute opened and his speed suddenly dropped. He unclipped his bundle which was attached to him by a short length of cord and now dangled below his legs. He steered his parachute as he followed the directions on his HUDs display. He saw his landing zone appear ahead of him. He pushed his feet forward to cushion the landing as he saw the earth move up to meet him. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman – 11:50) Houseman froze as his taccorder beeped. He looked down and took in the information. “Sarge two large contacts incoming three minutes out. On bearing 250.” “Wonderful. They are early. Must be the reinforcements we were warned about. Every one spread out. Houseman you have over watch.” “Yes Sarge.” Houseman turned and headed off the road and headed up to high ground. He found his spot and un-slung his TR-116. He lay down on the ground and activated his scope and looked down the way the contacts were coming. He saw two open top hover vehicles speeding down the valley towards them. Each one was packed with troops. Houseman activated the comm net. “Sarge two hover vehicles with troops. Heading towards us.” =^= slow them down Houseman.=^= “Sarge.” Houseman focused his rifle on the engine compartment of the first hover vehicle and fired. He saw the vehicle drop and slam hard into the ground. Its occupants tumbling out as it grinded to a halt. The second vehicle swerved wildly as it narrowly missed its stricken companion. Houseman fired again. This time the second vehicle’s nose bit the earth causing it to spin end over end fling its occupants and equipment all over the valley floor. “Two down.” =^= Houseman get back on to position were nearly at the target=^= “Acknowledged.” Houseman scanned the two destroyed vehicles through his scope before heading back to his squad. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Marine Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 12:20) The explosive charge shattered the door. Smoke and debree covered Houseman and his companion. Before the smoke cleared Houseman had stepped into the room and moved right covering his areas with his rifle. His companion moved left and covered his area. ~Clear~ Houseman moved forward clear the two rooms on the ground floor. He dashed up the stairs closely followed by his companion. At the top of the stairs was a door. He stepped up to it and placed four small breaching charges against the door. He stepped back under cover and ignited the explosives. Two flash bangs were hurled into the room. They exploded sending out a cloud of dense smoke and a blinding flash. Houseman stepped into the small room While his companion covered him he stepped over to the tied and hooded figure. He grabbed the figure and hauled the figure put of the room. They came down the stairs and Houseman through the figure onto the floor. Suddenly the world froze and then returned to the failure cross slats of the holodeck appeared. [Mission Accomplished] Houseman looked down at the figure that was lying on the floor. He bent down and pulled off the hood. “How was that for you?” He spoke slowly and clearly knowing that the flash bangs had probably made the person temporary def. (reply any IYW) (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams – 13:00) Andrew looked at the Lieutenant in front of him. “So you understand what’s going on and what you have to do.” The Lieutenant nodded and Andrew gave a slight smile. “Explain it to me then.” The Lieutenant paused for a moment and then started. “Because of my condition if I feel nauseated, vomiting or dizzy that I should come back.” Andrew nodded. “And if you feel any stabbing pain in your head get back as soon as you can.” The Lieutenant rolled her eyes. “Yes Doctor. Can I go to work know.” Andrew nodded as he watched as the Lieutenant left sickbay. “Gezz It’s not like I’m doing this for kicks.” He shook his head as he picked up his PADD and quickly wrote his medical notes. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (FS Good Profit – Bridge – Pilot Mowuk - 13:25) That was some great alcohol. It made everything look more beautiful. The little blinky lights on the pilot console were especially interesting. It couldn’t just be alcohol. Maybe someone put something in his drink. ~It doesn’t matter, it just feels so good.~ Mowuk thought. Every time he pushed the little red buttons they would turn blue. Then he could hit the blue button and it would turn red again. He pushed the buttons to make a blue face with red eyes and a smile. Mowuk looked up from the console and saw a pointy-eared guy on the viewscreen. He started to proclaim the unusual length of the man’s ears but he heard Daimon Brek beat him to it. The man on the viewscreen made some noise and the Daimon made more noise. Mowuk started to protest but as soon as his mouth opened a surge of belly air came to the surface. BELCH! ~whoa~ he thought. Muwok felt a bit off-kilter and started falling off his chair, ~more whoa~. Falling to the floor he lost consciousness. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Security Station Echo – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:30) Chuck had been monitoring the streaming information feed from the Spectre’s sensors as well as information input directly from Vasilyovna on the bridge. A Ferengi vessel had been encountered and it was registered as the “Good Profit”. ~Oh, snap, it can’t be!~ thought Chuck. He matched the ship registration number to the Federation’s profile of Ferengi vessels. The roster included the name of a man he remembered … Daimon Brek. ~It’s him … Daimon Brek … it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. We’re both far away from DS14.~ thought Chuck. ~Not that I’m happy he’s here, double dealer.~ Chuck knew Brek as a dabo gambler … what Ferengi isn’t? He knew him as a cheater … what player isn’t? He knew him. Instead of troubling the Bridge crew Chuck decided to communicate with Vasilyovna using the text-only relay. He quickly typed a message to the Chief. “Lieutenant Vasilyovna, I don’t want to announce it to the bridge but I know the Captain of the Ferengi Vessel personally. If I can be of assistance let me know. Lieutenant (jg) Chuck Donaldson” The other Security Officer stationed at the security station controls next to him seemed to be curious about his behavior. He didn’t know what he should tell her so he remained silent. He had seen her in briefings before but never quite got around to getting to know her. ~What’s her name, Jo something? John … right … Smith, her name is Jo Smith.~ (reply Vasilyovna, any) (posted by Anton) (Ferengi Ship Good Profit - Bridge - Daimon Blek - 13:32) =/\=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! "You may scan," Blek said with a generous wave of his hand as if conferring the power of Romulan Ale onto a minor. "There is nothing for you to find!" He said with a strangely cunning cast to his otherwise drunken features. =/\=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. "I am not trading." Blek said, "I am on vacation." He managed to make this preposterous claim with a straight face. "Drinking, women, wine, song, this are thing Hoomans are said to appreciate. Maybe you should spend more time with them Mister Vulcan Captain!" (Reply T'Vhor) With a sigh Daimon Blek yanked his pilot out of the chair and pressed a few buttons on the console. "There, we are stopped. If you are finished interfering with a party you seem to not want to attend, I am going back to it!" (Reply T'Vhor) "Fine, beam aboard your investigation - but no weapons!" Blek demanded. "I am not having my ship stolen from me by Federation space pirates who are making up rules and laws by the size of their phasor banks! If your crew wishes to come drink, search and have fun, they are welcome. But they can leave their weapons behind!" Daimon Blek disconnected communications again. Looking down at his drink he sighed and finished it off. Looked like it was a good batch of syntehol wasted. With mental twist he got rid of the drunken effects and left the bridge before the irritating man could try and contact him again. He had security matters to check in on! (Reply Any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - First Officer, Commander Michael O'Conner - 13:34) Michael was sitting down in his chair, waiting for the Ferengi to start making sense when the captain spoke up. "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. "If it was a Ferengi battle ship, maybe, but a trading vessel is just that. The Ushari government and people have every right to trade with whom they wish so long as they don't violate any laws." Michael said. "Have you ever encountered the Ferengi being involved in anything that has not been illegal in some manner or other?", said the Captain. "Personally, no, every Ferengi I have encountered has been up to something at some point. However, this doesn't give us the right to simply assume all Ferengi, by nature of their birth, are criminals. They are innocent until proven guilty, and without reasonable evidence of something illegal happening, we can't simply demand a search," Michael said. They'd just gotten through a war over Star Fleet over stepping it's bounds, Michael was not eager to flex Star Fleet's peace keeping muscles at the moment. He got up and walked to the Tactical console and watched as the reports came in. When they were done the Captain turned around to look at Michael. "Your recommendations Commander?", he enquired. Michael still wasn't happy about using a technicality in Federation Foreign Trade Law to search the vessel, but it was probably best to do it, just in case. "We should probably go over there, if only to make sure the ship isn't carrying anything dangerous." Michael said, not entirely enthused. 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. "Aye, Sir," Michael said, checking to make sure his tricorder was secure. Michael moved towards the turbo lift, tapping his comm badge. "Lieutenant Donaldson, Ensign Yates, Ensign Bristed, report to Transporter room One for an away mission. Hand phasers for security officers, engineering kit for Ensign Bristed," Michael said as he entered the lift and ordered it down to deck three. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor & TAC/SC Lt Yelena Vasilyovna - 13:37) The Ferengi Daimon was not being entirely honest, that much was obvious to anyone. But then again, was there even such a thing as an honest Ferengi anywhere? The very thought seemed preposterous & whilst the CO began running routine commands upon his armrest console, the Tactical officer chirped in with some relevant information that had apparently come up from the lower decks! It seemed that this particular Ferengi's reputations preceeded him... "Sir, I have just received word from Lieutenant Donaldson on Station Echo", said Vasilyovna, "he's tied in to our sensor data & has been monitoring our situation". Imediately, the Captain was, pardon the pun, all ears & listening intently to what the TAC officer had. "It seems that Lieutenant Donaldson knows our large lobed friend & possibly has pertinent information in regards him via previous encounters", she added. The Captain smiled inside, without actualising it upon his outward appearance of course. Perhaps this was just the edge that they needed. "Understood Lieutenant, have him come up to the bridge... he may be needed", said the Captain as he again returned his gaze to the viewscreen & the Ferengi ship floating within it. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Station Echo – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:41) Chuck was, to say the least, confused. First, in response to his message to Lieutenant Vasilyovna the Chief had sent a response requesting his presence on the bridge. Then, inexplicably there was an overriding order from the FO to his commbadge requesting that ACEO Bristed, Yates, and Chuck report to Transporter Room 1. Chuck had stubbed his toe on one of the Station Echo consoles in the course of leaving his station in the hands of Ensign Goldsteen. He wondered if Goldsteen and Jo Smith would get along? There was no time to question the decision to put the two together. Besides, his foot was killing him! After a short interlude he stepped into the transporter room, half limping. (Reply None) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering – ACEO Jacqueline Bristed - 13:41) Having finished with the screwy weapons system "upgrade" fiasco, Jacqueline had just returned to the work-orders she had been trying to deal with earlier. These were equally frustrating, but because they were on a smaller scale they seemed much more tolerable. At least with glitchy lighting or malfunctioning replicators the desired result was more obvioius. Just as she was about to head out and start working on them, her comm badge bleated. =^="Lieutenant Donaldson, Ensign Yates, Ensign Bristed, report to Transporter room One for an away mission. Hand phasers for security officers, engineering kit for Ensign Bristed. =^= ~Field trip!~ She didn’t have to worry about tedious work-orders after all. (Reply None) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Security - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 13:42) ...so anyway, there I was with this huge plant in my hands, walking down the corridor towards turbolift three & out pops this Arborial, which then proceeds to chat up said plant & make unsolicited advances towards it. I of course attempted to....." =/\="Lieutenant Donaldson, Ensign Yates, Ensign Bristed, report to Transporter room One for an away mission. Hand phasers for security officers, engineering kit for Ensign Bristed=/\= Yates stopped dead in his tracks, his verbal diatribe imediately cut off by the comms from the FO. The SO rolled his eyes & tutted. "Shoot, I was just getting to the good bit as well", he muttered as he spun about & then moved towards the weapons locker to check out a hand phasor. "On my way sir", said Yates as he clipped the phasor belt to his waist & set off through the doors with a backwards glance at those he had been relaying his strange story to. (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:45) Michael looked up as the three away team members arrived and nodded to each of them as he finished reviewing the legal sections that allowed their beam over. He also had a couple of isolinear chips in his pocket that contained a couple of code cracking programs, just in case. Once the trio were gathered, and had their items in hand, Michael began. "We're going to beam over the the Ferengi vessel and check it's cargo for any illicit or illegal items. We are only checking the cargo holds, we're not doing a room by room search. There is a presumption of innocence here, but the Vessel is operating outside of established trading and shipping lanes, reserved for vessels flying under a foreign flag so we are going to make sure everything else is on the up and up. Once we're there, Ensign Bristed and I will check the cargo, Donaldson and Yates will make sure we don't get jumped by any drunk Ferengi. If the Captain or any of the crew start to make a fuss, I'll handle it," Michael said with a smile. "I can be sneaking when I need to be," he said with a shrug. "Any Questions?" (Reply Bristed, Yates, Donaldson, room for more if needed) "Good, lets get this over with," Michael said and moved to the transporter pad. "We ready Chief?" Michael asked the transporter operator. "Aye Sir, we've got the coordinates for the Ferengi transporter room. "Good, Engergize when ready." Michael said, then watched the world around him dissolve in a blue light. (Reply Bristed, Yates, Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Transporter room 1 – ACEO Ensign Jacqueline Bristed - 13:45) Jacqueline came into the transporter room with just a hint of excited giddiness tickling her insides. The last time she had worked with Yates all hell had broken loose with that bomb scare, and then with Donaldson there had been the…actually, that had been a bomb too. She hadn’t worked with O’Connor this closely before, but with a two out of three record she was feeling just a tiny bit apprehensive about this whole thing. "We're going to beam over the Ferengi vessel and check it's cargo for any illicit or illegal items," began the FO. He explained the plan, which basically involved checking the cargo for contraband while the two security boys kept any would-be attackers at bay. It made sense to her, even if she did still have a completely illogical feeling that something was bound to explode on them during this trip. ~Third time’s a charm.~ She decided she didn’t need to comment when O’Connor asked if they had any questions. Instead, she shook her head and offered up a small smile. "Good, lets get this over with." O’Connor headed to the transporter pads, closely followed by the other three. The transporter operator confirmed the coordinates, and the world became a tingling sensation and a wash of sparkling blue. (Reply O’Connor, Yates, Donaldson, Ferengi) (Posted by Sio) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room One - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 13:46) Yates entered the transporter room & nodded to the awaiting officers already assembled there, then he took up his position on the transport pad next to the FO as he in turn, went off on the why's & wherefores of their away mission to the Ferengi vessel. Already Yates was having misgivings of course. If there was one thing he held a particular distaste for it was the Ferengi, damned untrustworthy, devious trolls every one of them. He thought back to the Brak debacle & the time he had fallen down a trap in that particular trolls lair & got stuck with some disease from a plant or something. The Ferengi, as Ferengi's invariably do, found it highly amusing & subsequently pushed the security officer repeatedly until he almost pulled Brak's head off with his bare hands when back on the ship. In fact if it hadn't been for the Captain's timely intervention & the fact that Brak was a necessary, although annoying evil, Doctor Williams may well have found himself having to try to re-attach said head to inert body in order to complete their presidential mission in a satisfactory manner. Now they were going to interact with the large lobed troglodytes yet again..... O'Conner had of course outlined their course of action to the letter, he & bristed would search the cargo holds & Donaldson & himself would be there to bash heads if anyone got too smart for their own ears. Sounded simple enough, but then so had the Brak situation. Yates shook his head as it all came back to him in a horrible blur whilst the FO then proceeded to ask for questions. Yates had many of course, mostly about why they shouldn't just tow the damned ship to a starbase & let them deal with it. Or perhaps just blow it out of the sky. But then that unfortunately was not allowed.... O'Conner gave the order to beam & within seconds, they were materializing on the Ferengi vessel, Yates already dreading what they would now encounter. (Reply Donaldson, Bristed, Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:46) "We're going to beam over the the Ferengi vessel and check it's cargo for any illicit or illegal items. We are only checking the cargo holds, we're not doing a room by room search. There is a presumption of innocence here, but the Vessel is operating outside of established trading and shipping lanes, reserved for vessels flying under a foreign flag so we are going to make sure everything else is on the up and up. Once we're there, Ensign Bristed and I will check the cargo, Donaldson and Yates will make sure we don't get jumped by any drunk Ferengi. If the Captain or any of the crew start to make a fuss, I'll handle it," Michael said with a smile. "I can be sneaking when I need to be," he said with a shrug. "Any Questions?" (reply Bristed, Yates, any) ~Nope, I get to stand around and wait … perfect mission for Yates though.~ thought Chuck. Without saying a word Chuck got up onto the transporter pad. (reply Bristed, Yates, O’Connor, any) (posted by Anton) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:50) Michael stepped down off the pad and looked that the Ferengi in the room. "I am Commander Michael O'Connor of Star Fleet. In accordance with Federation Trading and Shipping Laws, you have violated Section three paragraph 22 that define and establish trade lanes for use by foreign vessels, and I am hereby exercising my authority to search the vessel's cargo for any illicit, illegal, or hazardous material," Michael said, getting the legal mumbo-jumbo out of the way, wondering if the Ferengi was even sober enough to comprehend what was just said. (Reply Bristed, Yates, Donaldson, Ferengi) (Posted by Patrick D.) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:50) Chuck let the FO step off the pad first but kept abreast of Bristed while Yates lagged behind. A staggered diamond defensive posture was standard operating procedure for the current situation. ~Alright, Blek, you’re doing a good job of pretending you don’t know me … keep that up until it works to starfleet advantage.~ (Reply None) (Posted by Anton) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 13:51) Michael stepped down off the pad and looked that the Ferengi in the room. "I am Commander Michael O'Connor of Star Fleet. In accordance with Federation Trading and Shipping Laws, you have violated Section three paragraph 22 that define and establish trade lanes for use by foreign vessels, and I am hereby exercising my authority to search the vessel's cargo for any illicit, illegal, or hazardous material," Michael said, getting the legal mumbo-jumbo out of the way, wondering if the Ferengi was even sober enough to comprehend what was just said. The Ferengi nodded along like he was actually listening to the arrogant hooman. "You are on my ship, you are operating by my laws since you have no grounds to make your search." He said with narrowed eyes. "You have no evidence and only suspicions based on dabo dreams. So. When you put down your weapons, I will lower the force field and you are welcome to investigate my ship to your little heart's content since I suppose your Captain will destroy my vessel like Starfleet likes to do if I do not comply." (Reply Bristed, O'Conner, Yates, Donaldson) "Do not mistake me, Starfleet Commander, I know my rights in your space. I have not broken any laws. And you have wasted several hours of good drinking time with no hope of compensation but getting to lead a group of hoomans around my ship while they look for things that are not there." Of course, even if he were carrying contraband that the Fleeters could find, he'd still deny it to his dying breath. Why give them any indication that their search was anything but futile? But they were not stepping foot outside the transporter area without giving up their phasors and other weapons hidden around their bodies. They may look all smiles, but as the forty-eighth rule of acquisition said, "The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife." Besides, he wanted every advantage he could get. These 'fleeters looked like they were in desperate need of fleecing. (Reply Bristed, O'Conner, Yates, Donaldson) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:53) The Ferengi nodded along like he was actually listening "You are on my ship, you are operating by my laws since you have no grounds to make your search." He said with narrowed eyes. "You have no evidence and only suspicions based on dabo dreams. So. When you put down your weapons, I will lower the force field and you are welcome to investigate my ship to your little heart's content since I suppose your Captain will destroy my vessel like Starfleet likes to do if I do not comply." Michael looked at the rest of his team and signaled them not to listen to the Daimon. "Do not mistake me, Starfleet Commander, I know my rights in your space. I have not broken any laws. And you have wasted several hours of good drinking time with no hope of compensation but getting to lead a group of hoomans around my ship while they look for things that are not there." Michael heaved a sigh, and looked at the Daimon with a sad pitying look. "Daimon, it doesn't matter to me one whit whether you believe me that I have the right or not, because I do have that authority under the section of Trade law I quoted you. This is not a registered shipping lane, and that therefore gives me the right to investigate your cargo. It also gives me the right to have an armed Star Fleet escort while I investigate said cargo." Michael explained. (Reply Blek) Michael cut the Ferengi off before he could start. "And here's how it's going to work. If you want to insist that we not come aboard with two, count them," and Michael pointed to Yates and Donaldson, "Two armed security escorts. Then my team and I will leave. We will then impound your ship and send a full security team to take control of this ship, and we'll tow it to the nearest Star Base a week away, where we can look at every single millimeter of your ship in fine detail to make sure you aren't hiding anything. This whole process will take a minimum of two weeks, and that's if we get a berth immediately upon reaching the Star Base, and that there isn't a single item on this ship that is on the Federation contraband list." Michael said looking at the Ferengi Daimon. "I have no doubt that this will put you drastically behind schedule, and will probably put you in violation of at least one if not more of your delivery contracts, which will no doubt cost you an enormous amount of latinum in penalties. Now of course you could try to appeal my claim to having authority to search your ship under my terms, but I promise you, while your appeal waits, your ship will still be impounded, still be searched, and by the time your case is even before a tribunal, it will be sometime next year. And Then, even after all that, the Tribunal will still side with me, because as I have said, I do have the authority, so you will be out legal fees on top of all the penalties you will ensure for late deliveries." Michael said, his voice set in a tone of polite conversation, similar to one friend explaining something to another friend. "Now, Daimon Blek, I've never had a bad dealing with any Ferengi businessman, I bear neither you nor your crew any ill will. However I do have a job to do and I will do it, with or without your cooperation. Now, if you're telling the truth, and you have nothing illegal in your cargo bay, then you have nothing to worry about, and we'll check the cargo and move on to our destination, and you won't have a single problem with owing someone money you don't have to owe," Michael said crossing his arms over his chest. "So, tell me, which way would you like to do this, the easy way and free way, or the long way and the expensive way. If you'd like the long way, my team and I will beam back to our ship and I'll forward you the forms you'll need to fill out to file an appeal, and even the name of a good representative to use before the Federation Civil Courts. However I will warn you, they are mighty backed up due to our little scuffle that just ended, so it will be a while before you're heard. So, let me know what you want to do, feel free to think about it, my team and I will wait right here while you check your accounts to see if you can cover the towing and impound fees," Michael said turning his back on the Ferengi with a smile, as he gave a slightly larger one to his team members. (Reply Blek, Donaldson, Yates, Bristed) (Posted by Patrick D.) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 13:54) Blek nodded along once more, smile slowly getting bigger and bigger and bigger. He rocked back on his heels with the First Officer wrapped up his threats. "Okay." He agreed. He didn't move, he took no action. They stared at each other. (Reply O'Conner, Donaldson, Yates, Bristed) "I didn't think the Federation could afford a war with one of their allied races over the matter of impounding a ship with no cause," he shrugged, "Maybe Ferenginar could sell you weapons to defend yourselves with, I'm sure you've run out by now. I know hoomans would consider that a conflict of interests, but we Ferengi like to give everyone a sporting chance. Why, my cousin Dersk, he has a wonder quantum torpedo delivery service for when you just can't get your replicators to replicate fast enough." he generously offered. (Reply O'Conner, Donaldson, Yates, Bristed) Blek sighed, "Let it never be said I am not a generous man willing to compromise. Keep the melee weaponry such as knives and swords.." He peered up at Donaldson, "Though, only he walks like he has a sword hidden.. and beam back the phasors. I just don't want any accidents. My crew's whips and pistols are locked up in the armoury. Can we reach a meeting of .." he screwed up his face as he tried to remember the word, "gallantry?" (Reply O'Conner, Donaldson, Yates, Bristed) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:56) Blek nodded along once more, smile slowly getting bigger and bigger and bigger. He rocked back on his heels with the First Officer wrapped up his threats. "Okay." He agreed. He didn't move, he took no action. They stared at each other. "I didn't think the Federation could afford a war with one of their allied races over the matter of impounding a ship with no cause," he shrugged, "Maybe Ferenginar could sell you weapons to defend yourselves with, I'm sure you've run out by now. I know hoomans would consider that a conflict of interests, but we Ferengi like to give everyone a sporting chance. Why, my cousin Dersk, he has a wonder quantum torpedo delivery service for when you just can't get your replicators to replicate fast enough." he generously offered. "You honestly think the Grand Nagus and the Ferengi government would go to war over the deeds and honor of one Ferengi Daimon? You think He's willing to risk the trading contracts of every Ferengi, just because you seem not to understand that what I'm doing is legal because you are Outside Established Trade Lanes? I quoted you the law that says I have the right to look over your cargo, which means you will lose in court," Michael said getting frustrated. Blek sighed, "Let it never be said I am not a generous man willing to compromise. Keep the melee weaponry such as knives and swords.." He peered up at Donaldson, "Though, only he walks like he has a sword hidden.. and beam back the phasors. I just don't want any accidents. My crew's whips and pistols are locked up in the armoury. Can we reach a meeting of .." he screwed up his face as he tried to remember the word, "gallantry?" "Blek, this isn't a negotiation, you don't have a leg to stand on, and if you don't understand that you are in the wrong, then I'll have to take other actions," Michael said, then tapped his comm badge. "Commander O'Connor to Spectre. Lock phasers onto the Ferengi vessel's engines and weapon systems. Fire to disable them in two minutes if you don't hear back from me, or if they try to run. The Daimon needs some persuasion to let our team do our lawful duty." Michael said, leaving the comm line open. "So Daimon Blek, it's now your choice, either you let us do our jobs, our way, or we disable your ship and do it any while we tow you to a Star Base. You have... a minute and thirty seconds before your engines become slag." Michael said crossing his arms and looking at the Ferengi Daimon with a rather bored expression on his face. (Reply Blek, Spectre) (Posted by Patrick D.) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:56) O’Connor and Daimon Blek kept their banter up for several minutes and Chuck’s impatience was growing. Yates seemed to be looking up at the ceiling. “You have ... a minute and thirty seconds before your engines become slag." Stated O’Connor in ultimatum fashion. “Alright, Blek, we’ve had enough of the games. Just let us onboard already.” Chuck protested waving his hand across the forcefield. It made a static sizzle as he moved his hand across it. (reply Blek) “Yeah, it’s me … you must be drunker than I thought. Still sore about getting caught cheating at dabo?” (reply Bristed, O’Connor, Yates, Blek, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:00) Calvin sat with amazement about the Ferengi. In all of Calvin's Starfleet career he had never dealt with Ferengi in such a close way on a mission before. He of course had heard of Ferengi through all the stories or nightmares one would tell about them. They had come up in subject during classes in the Academy. He knew of them, but he had never dealt with them before. So far, they didn't seem that bad. The Ferengi vessell was full of drunken people, but that story doesn't surprise you if you were around a few klingon ships. Which the Spectre had had plenty of experience with during the war. But in all it was strange for an entire crew to be acting as the Ferengi were. Their thought processes were obvious being prohibited by the amount of alcohol they were drinking. Calvin did know that the Spectre had dealt with the Ferengi, or at least a certain Ferengi before. It was actually the mission before the Chief of Ops boarded the ship that the crew had to deal with one. After reading the reports on how a Ferengi had turned himself into a bomb, and how a certain doctor that was still with them today had disabled the bomb was utterly shocking for Calvin. When the Spectre first spotted the ship, Calvin thought that the awareness of the crew would peak even higher because of the race they were currently dealing with, but so far everyone seemed to have taken this mission just like any other. That was what Calvin thought until he heard the First Officers voice over the comm. =/\=Commander O'Connor to Spectre. Lock phasers onto the Ferengi vessel's engines and weapon systems. Fire to disable them in two minutes if you don't hear back from me, or if they try to run. The Daimon needs some persuasion to let our team do our lawful duty.=/\= Calvin was in awe of the order, and he didn't know if he should believe, but as it was an order Calvin placed all his instruments into place as he should. But as he was doing so, he thought that surely the situation could not have gone that bad once the away team had been transported over. The more he thought the more he remembered when he served on the Paladin with Cmdr O'Connor. He was a bit of a bluffing man. So to prove O'Connor's bluff Calvin saw that the phasers were actually locked onto the Ferengi vessel. Calvin thought it was a good bluff, but how would the drunk Ferengi crew react to a bluff. They were after all good dabo players. (reply any none) (posted by Calvin Capps) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:05) "About time to", said Yates as the area immediately around him shimmered once & then disappeared allowing the away team to finally step off the transport pads. Blek, being a typical Ferengi had argued his case to the very end of course, stating that regardless of the fact that he & his crew were drunk & clearly a hazard to other shipping, the Federation vessel had no business boarding his vessel & conducting a search under the conditions they were now posing. He had requested that they leave their weapons behind which was absurd in the extreme. Who in their right mind would wander around a ship full of drunk Ferengi unharmed & expect not to get either mugged or something pinched. It was preposterous. The Ferengi however, even in his final capitulation had smiled a somewhat knowing smile. The large lobed idiot clearly had something up his sleeve, that much was for sure & there also seemed to be something going on between him & Bristed, if the way he kept ogling her was anything to go by. "No you can't buy our Engineer!", snapped Yates, verbalising now what he had been formulating in his mind immediately beforehand. (Reply Blek, Any, IYW) The Ferengi then allowed them to leave the room, albeit with another two members of his 'Troll Squad' immediately in tow so as to keep an eye on them all as they carried out their 'Illegal' search. Yates frowned & shook his head as the squat Ferengi bounded along behind him up the corridor like a Magpie looking for something bright & shiny to steal from him. Donaldson was not amused at all by any of it. "So you know that guy uh?", enquired Yates. (Reply Donaldson) Yates nodded, what he had said was typical, the Ferengi had no morals whatsoever & he doubted very much that this ship would reveal anything other than that. "Odds on we find something that'll link this drunken shower to the Ushari situation", said Yates, "I mean why else would they be headed there", he added. "If that's where their navigator meant to point them that is" (Reply Donaldson, Blek, Bristed, Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room - Daimon Blek - 14:07) "No you can't buy our Engineer!", snapped Yates, verbalising now what he had been formulating in his mind immediately beforehand. "What would I do with a hooman female who wears clothes?" Blek asked, wondering what was going on in the insane hooman's mind. "Next you'd be offering me a keg of root bear. No margin!" Well, that wasn't quite true, there was a market for those willing to settle for a profit margin less than what Blek did. And these Starfleet people wondered why he didn't want them going about his ship armed? When they were obviously unbalanced and not in contact with reality? Stupid Starfleet. It was almost not worth dealing with them. He almost missed the Klingon trade routes where you could just shoot the people who were irritating you and say 'He started it.' And just substitute the word 'honour' in instead of the proper word 'profit'. Klingons were simple and predictable. Of course, they also tended to have bigger guns and better trained weapons crews, which while made for exciting trade when you're a young Ferengi, makes you want to find something a little less exciting in middle age. And lucky him, this was it. Dealing with this lot. Obviously they'd been sniffing their synthahol instead of drinking it like sensible, intelligent beings. (reply any) (posted Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Transporter room – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:10) "So you know that guy uh?", enquired Yates. “Yeah, he’s a ferengi … I used to play the occasional game of dabo with this guy. He cheated, I cheated … that’s pretty much an accurate summation.” Chuck shrugged. "Odds on we find something that'll link this drunken shower to the Ushari situation", said Yates, "I mean why else would they be headed there", he added. "If that's where their navigator meant to point them that is" ~Sherlock Yates.~ Chuck thought. (reply Yates, Blek, Bristed, Any, IYW) (posted by Anton) (FS Good Profit – Daimon Blek – 14:11) Blek watched the Federation team leave the transporter room with narrowed eyes and shrugged. He wasn’t particularly worried about them, he just hoped his security crew didn’t see phasors, assume boarders and try to dispose of them. He’d tried to warn the Hoomans, but as usual, they wouldn’t listen to reason. He checked interior sensors before leaving the transporter room to go back up the short corridor to the bridge. He went to the communications panel and placed a call back to Ferenginar. “Good Profit, Good Trade and Good Deals!” a male greeted cheerfully, all lobes and teeth. “This is Daimon Blek of the Good Profit,” It WAS one of the Nagas’ fleet after all, he should get everything he wanted and needed. “I want all information we have on the USS Spectre.” The database aboard hadn’t been terribly informative. Eyes narrowed speculative, “Are you thinking of claiming it?” “Latinum no!” Blek swore before he even gave it thought. The merris scrambled its wheel in his brain before he shook his head, “Not enough personnel.” He added, having quickly considered different angles. “Do you wish to make an .. incident.. report?” “Not yet.” Daimon Blek said smugly. Let them think he hadn’t recognized Donaldson. “We will send you the files.” The secretary reported and signed out. Blek smiled and retreated back to the Captain’s chair. He summoned another glass of Sauron brandy from the replicator. Sooner or later the hoomans would show up on the bridge to demand access to his files. Too bad they’d never find the files they needed to do anything but chase the merris around the pantry sixteen or seventeen times. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 14:12) The Captain nodded to the Ensign & then handed back the PADD that he'd been given that had been needing his authorisation. "Thank you sir", said the Ensign who promptly turned about & was on his way once again. The Captain then continued with the task he had been engaged in before the Ensign's arrival. The first opening lines to the log had been made already of course, he had got to the part where he had stated the title & the Stardate only & regardless of the fact that a re-iteration of those facts was completely unecessary, the Captain, being a creature of habit did so anyway. "Captain's log, Stardate 2408.01.27", he began. Again. "At twelve days into our current mission, we have encountered a Ferengi trading vessel acting under somewhat suspicious circumstances. The 'Good Profit' is of course a registered freighter but it's crew are most definately, not what we would expect.", said the Captain, pausing now to take a sip of his customary glass of fruit juice before continuing. "The 'Good Profit' is currently fourteen parsecs off it's alloted position & apparently en route to Ushar Prime itself. Daimon Blek, a Ferengi that is known to be troublesome from past dealings, is in command. His crew are shambolic in the extreme.... that is to say, they are somewhat intoxicated & in a condition where they are posing a hazard to both themselves & other shipping. It is in my opin....." =/\=Bridge to Captain, sir, I have a report from deck sixteen, Marine hanger bay, apparently there is a cat on the loose & the Marines are trying to.... um, catch it for supper=/\= "A cat!", exclaimed the Captain, his mind wondering now to a logical conclusion as to just who's cat it would be. He did not have to think for very long. "Have Ensign S'rrep report to deck sixteen immediately, have him retrieve his, 'pet' & ensure that it is safely back within his quarters", said the Captain. =/\=Aye sir=/\=, said the officer of the watch. The Captain then returned to his log entry once again, wondering as he did so whether he would ever reach the end of it! "It is of my opinion that due to the facts surrounding this encounter, the nature of our mission in regards Ushar Prime & the safety of the Ferengi crew, an immediate boarding & search of the ships cargo is both logical & warranted. I have therefore halted the Good Profit's progress & ordered this to be so" "End of log" The Captain then settled back into his chair just briefly, before rising & then leaving for the bridge & to whatever awaited him in regards the away teams progress. (Reply S'rrep, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Marine dropship bay – Corporal Houseman - 14:15) “Why cant we just shoot it Corp?” Houseman turned to the young marines beside him and shook his head. “Because Private, where would the fun be in that.” =^=Target spotted on top of the last drop ship. All units approach with caution=^= Houseman gave a slight grin, for something so small it had caused them some trouble. A few marines had gotten nasty scratches from its talons when they had ventured too close. He signalled his unit to move forward as they approached the drop ship in tactical formation. He was not at all surprised that most of the marine detachment were in the dropship bay trying to catch this target. There is only so many simulations one could do before getting bored. Houseman paused and dropped into a crouch. His section followed suit. He had spotted the target. It was sitting about half way along the drop ship licking its paw apparently not bothered about the whole situation. Houseman saw movement behind the target. He saw a marine who had quietly climbed up the side of the drop ship and was silently edging forward. The target turned and looked at the marine and then dashed off along the hull away from him. Houseman watched as the marines instantly gave chase. ~Come on, Come on~ As they reached the end of the drop ship the marine lunged at the target but he was too slow. The target leaped off the front of the drop ship missing the marines hand by a whisker. It sailed through the air and landed on a pile of stacked containers, where it vanished into the dark recesses of the containers. The marine on the other was not so lucky he hit the hull of the drop ship and with a startled cry slid off the edge out of view. “All units target is behind the stacked containers on the right aft of the bay.” He moved forward quickly to get over to the containers so that they would not loose the target. As he came round the side of the drop ship he saw the marine who had fallen lying on the floor. He could see that he was in a lot of pain. Houseman forgot about the target and dashed over to the marine. His leg was lying in an unnatural position and he was gripping his arm. ~Get him to sickbay~ “Man down man down. Corporal Houseman to Sickbay. One wounded incoming surgical emergency.” (reply any from sickbay) “Transporter room two surgical medical emergency two to sickbay.” (reply any in sickbay, any) (posted by Robbie) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:17) "Hello, what do we have here then", said Yates rhetorically as he began reading off the information on one of the crates he had just been scrutinizing. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these atmospheric relays?", he added just as Bristed arrived to begin scanning the crates with her tricorder. (Reply Bristed, Any on Away Team) The ever present Ferengi Chaparone was upon them in an instance of course, burbling something to the effect that whatever it was that was contained within the crate, it was nothing to do with him per se. How typical, a specific query in regards the nature of a single item of cargo & the squat troll was disassociating himself with his Daimon already, just in case... "Isn't it strange that our present mission concerns equipment of this very nature", said Yates, at which point the troll immediately went on the defensive once again. "Ah, yes, I mean.... I am not responsible for any specific item of this cargo, I, I just do as I'm told", said the now slightly worried looking Ferengi at his side. "Do you even know what this is?", said the Security Officer now looking down into the diminutive little figures somewhat confused face. "You don't do you, as far as your concerned this crate contains nothing but Latinum, a cut of which is more than likely destined for your own, very deep pocket", said Yates, his expression now changing as he regarded the Ferengi through narrowing, contemplative eyes. "Like I said", said the Ferengi, his hands going up in the air dismissively, "I just do what I'm told", he added as he shuffled about the room taking notice of what the other Spectre crewmen were currently engaged in. Yates let out a deep sigh, drew himself up to his full six foot four inches & then shrugged his large shoulders. "Of course you do", he said contemptfully, "of course you do"... (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 14:19) Michael looked over as Ensign Yates discovered the crates of atmospheric relays. Michael doubted it was a coincidence, they knew someone had been supplying the Ushari with weather control parts during the civil war and after, and the Ferengi were a reasonable assumption given their proximity to the Ushari system as well as their penchant for finding any business opportunity. Michael finished with the scans of his crate and moved over to Yates and Bristed. "Regardless of whether these are intended for Ushar Prime or not, remember," Michael said to Yates and Bristed, "There is nothing illegal with the Ferengi trading with the Ushari government. We're just here to determine if any of the goods on this vessel are on the Federation contraband list. However I'd like you to take a look inside the crates, make sure the contents listed on the packing slip and the actual contents match up, also make sure they're not getting any surprises." Michael said and turned to walk away, as he got out of ear shot of the Ferengi, he turned to Bristed. "Ensign, see if you can also determine who made these parts. I doubt the Ferengi produced this, I doubt they produce anything this high end, they're more than likely acting as a reseller." Michael said. (Reply Yates, Bristed, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:23) =^=Man down man down. Corporal Houseman to Sickbay. One wounded in coming surgical emergency=^= Andrew leaped up from his chair. “Dr Williams here. Understood Corporal standing by to receive.” Andrew headed into sickbay he saw Douwsy, and were there. ~Good to see that we are ready for anything~ He looked over at Heyes and Pelletier. “Would one of you mind giving me a hand in theatre?” (reply Heyes or Pelletier) Andrew nodded and looked over at Douwsy. “Mind the shop while I am gone.” With that he turned and hurried towards theatre. “Computer emergency theatre start up.” (reply Heyes,Pelletier, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 14:23) “Would one of you mind giving me a hand in theatre?” asked Dr. Williams. T’Pia had heard the commbadge announcement by the Marine Corporal. Heyes had been planning what she called a “poker night”. A certain junior counselor had recommended Chuck as a player and Heyes had been explaining it to T’Pia … as their relationship was well known, or rather well rumored. If only the idea of ‘Kaltoh partners’ wasn’t twisted into something romantic. “I’ll take it!” shouted T’Pia above Heyes’ persistent ‘do you think Chuck might’ games. “Computer emergency theatre start up.” Ordered Andrew. “Just tell me what to do, Doctor.” Said Pelletier. (reply Williams, Heyes, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:25) In the mean time, the Captain had ordered the Comms officer to monitor the Ferengi vessel for any outgoing communications, or anything untoward that could be gleaned from them or their ship whilst they waited for reports from the away team. It wasn't that he didn't trust them of course but, well.... actually it was because he didn't trust them. They were Ferengi after all & as such, trust was not even in the Ferengi dictionary. The arrival of Ensign Taya onto the bridge to relieve the current Science officer, prompted the Captain's thought's back to science itself & the role that the department might possibly be able to fill. "Ensign Taya, would it be possible to ascertain from residual traces on the Ferengi hull, exactly where they may have recently been?", asked the Captain. (Reply Taya) "Please do so, even if it only gives us an estimation, I am curious to see if the vessel can be placed anywhere within Cardassian space in the last week or so", said the CO. (Reply Taya) The Captain then called for a routine update from the First Officer aboard the Ferengi vessel. (Reply O'Conner) "Understood Commander, it was expected that Daimon Blek would not be entirely forhtcoming but I would urge that you leave no stone unturned. If anything points to the Daimon being involved in the Ushari situation, we need to know about it sooner rather than later", said T'Vhor. (Reply O'Conner, Taya, Any) (Posted by Alan) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO, Ensign Nathanial Yates - 14:27) Well, this seemed to be going nowhere fast... So far, the crates had all checked out as they should do, with everything written on the outsides equaling what was actually contained on the insides. Ensign Bristed's scans had revealed no dangerous or hazardous components whatsoever, in fact the only thing that looked slightly out of place was a spent power cell that looked decidely like the type that slid into the chamber of a Varon T disruptor. Without the disruptor itself however, this little snippit of evidence proved as equally inconclusive as the examinations of the crates themselves. It was at that point however, that Blek's voice had boomed from somewhere above them. It seemed that something somewhere had failed on the freighter, it didn't surprise any of them of course. With a mostly incapacitated crew, the entire situation was just an accident waiting to happen. O'Conner had heard the call as well & as a result of that, he had ordered Donaldson to go take a look under the pretence of helping out in any way that he could. The real reason though was clearly to see what else he could find out in regards the why's & wherefore's of this ships rather suspect mission objectives. Yates took a seat upon one of the crates & stretched his neck first to the right & then to the left before looking to the FO. "So, what now?", he asked. (Reply O'Conner, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:27) The good news was the Spectre did not have to fire on the Good Profit. Eventually Daimon Blek stood back from his ground and allowed the away team to enter and investigate the ship. It had been a little while since the bluff had happened and it seemed the Captain was itching for a report and something to do. The Captain spoke with Science for a brief moment and then called for an update from the First Officer. It seemed to Calvin that all was going as expected when dealing with the Ferengi. Calvin could only do his duty at his station, but be alert enough for anything to happen. Which it did at that precise moment. A beep not only on his station, but also on the Nav and Security station did a red flashing light appear. Anyone could have responded to what it was, but Calvin was the first to do so. The Captain had heard it to and was more than likely already waiting for an answer as to what it was. "The Ferengi vessel has changed course." Calvin didn't notice at first, since he wasn't in the CONN seat, but after looking at the new direction of the Good Profit the Chief Ops noticed something else. "Correction sir. The Good Profit is being pulled of course by a near Type Y planet. Something that this route would normally need a course correction once near this location." (reply T'vhor, iyw) "We will need to convince them that they need to alter their course." Calvin responded. "If they don't the planet will eventually pull the Good Profit into its gravity well." (reply T'Vhor, any) (reply Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 14:28) Taya stepped onto the bridge and nodded at the officer she had just relieved from the main science station. "Ensign Taya, would it be possible to ascertain from residual traces on the Ferengi hull, exactly where they may have recently been?", asked the Captain. Taya touched a few buttons and looked up at the Captain, "I can but it would only be an estimate and even then it might be wrong. Do you wish me to run the scan anyway Captain?" "Please do so, even if it only gives us an estimation, I am curious to see if the vessel can be placed anywhere within Cardassian space in the last week or so", said the CO. Taya ran the scan and was surprised at the results, "according to these readings the vessel has been here, and just about everywhere else in this sector. I can't tell how long it's been here or where it was before." She continued to run a few scans but no further information could be found. (Reply any/none) (posted by Chris) (FS Good Profit - Bridge - Damion Blek - 14:28) Blek wasn't going to ruin his crews' celebration of the Grand Vaults Light Day just because a bunch of Fleet people had shown up and acted like they were the boss of all space. Didn't they know you could only control what you had in your hand? Sell what you couldn't grasp, quick. Idiots, all of them. They seemed to forget that Ferengi *invented* synthahol. Sure, it might not taste exact to their weak humanoid tongues, but it was a perfect match for Ferengi taste buds and in case of emergency, all alcoholic effects could be banished. Of course, then you'd have to start the party all over again which had its pluses and minuses. The Captain was already owed a good batch of re-drunk time thanks to the Federation. Maybe he should send them the bill for interrupting religious worship, they seemed to fall for that sort of thing. A rumble went through the ship and suddenly the Good Profit lifted. Blek swore and dove from the command chair to the helm, it seemed the port thrusters had just blown trying to keep their position relative to the Spectre. Well, all things broke down, or there would be no profit to be had from replacing them. But really, the Blessed Exchequer could have chosen a better time! "Dogg, Lapp, Sing!" Blek ordered into the comm, "Shake it off and get down to deck four, the port thrusters are gone and starboard are going haywire!" Predictably, Captain Ears chose that moment to stick his lobes in. "Yes, yes, I know my thrusters are half stuck online and half offline. I'm sure Federation ships never have malfunctions or errors," he groused, "You could DO something, you - " he broke off as the tractor beam caught around them. "Thank you." He managed bitingly. And then smiled, "If you feel a refund for energy expenditure is necessary, you can apply to the office of the Grand Negus at comm. Code.." he rattled off the information while he was checking there was no sabotage attached. (Reply T'Vhor/any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:30) Well this was interesting... The Captain had not needed to be told that the Ferengi vessel was now veering off to the left in an apparent state of uncontrol, it was blatantly obvious on the viewscreen already but the Chief of Ops had rightly alerted him regardless. The first course of action from the Captain however had been to check their own positional status via helm & navigation. The Conn Officer had duly responded with... "It's a fluctuating gravity rift sir, sensors are detecting a minimal draw to port from a class Y Demon, 12,500 kms in diameter & in orbit of the core star of Lambda Boolis", said the Conn as he quickly fed the data directly to the Helm. Smith of course was already acting on the data the moment it had arrived & had corrected their own list by compensating with the Maneauvering thrusters. (Reply Smith, IYW) The Ferengi vessel however was now tumbling on it's axis with a heavy yaw to port & if it wasn't stopped, there was no telling what would happen to their away team if things began to fail. "Get a lock on the vessel with the forwards tractor beam", said the Captain, "once they are stablised, hail Daimon Blek", he added as he settled back into his chair in preparation for Blek's inevitable excuses for being clearly incompetant enough to not have a sober crewman in the Good Profit's driving seat. (Reply Any, IYW) Blek then appeared on the viewscreen. (Reply Blek, Smith, Capps, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Science Department - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 14:30) Ardena had learnt the hazards of staying up to the wee hours and then going straight into primary shift and then, luck of all luck, having interesting things happen preventing her from calling it an early day and going for a nap. She was glad Ensign Taya was up on the bridge, she didn't think the Captain would be too approving of his supposed chief of science yawning her head off every three minutes. She had her scientists doing various research tasks, historical signs of the Ferengi trading with the Ushari. "Urban legend, Ferengi technology, anything that shows that they've been this way before." was her order to her staff. She, herself, was looking into Ferengi society to try and explain the bizarre behavior of the Good Profit's Captain. Finding the religious information, she forwarded it up to Ensign Taya. Let her break the bad news to the Captain they were interrupting a religious observance. Though, Ardena couldn't say she thought much of any observance that required drinking kegs of alchohol, playing betting games, and buying women's clothes to burn in an offering plate balanced against latinum chips. She'd always believed Ferengi were one of the more unbalanced races, she was starting to believe it the more she read up on them. Maybe the Captain should schedule a counseling session or sixteen for the miscreants. Digging out a fresh PADD to take notes on, she sent the earrings she'd made for their new Chief Counsellor skittering off her boss of debris and onto the floor. "I guess I could recyc those." She figured she had probably offended the counselor somehow after all. She hadn't meant anything by it, anymore than she'd have offered a cane to someone who had broken their leg and needed to walk across a starbase. "I suspect, the counsellor would consider herself unneedful of the assistance and would learn to walk on her hands for the occasion." It was an unfair and uncharitable thought, but she was short on sleep and cranky. Of course, dealing with the archaic view of Ferengi about their females wasn't helping much. "Women, may choose, if they so wish, to wear clothes." was the 'enlightened' law changes that had been coming about on Ferenginar. Forty years since women were first allowed to do business and they still MAY wear clothes. Realizing she was gripping the PADD hard enough to crack her knuckles, Ardena put it down gently and stood up. It was more than time to go play supervisor and hopefully find some *good* news! (reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Lounge - Engineers Dogg, Lapp, Sing - 14:31) A head shake and they were clearer of mind, the three Ferengi hopping to their feet and shoving past the nosey hoomans and their lackeys. "Trying to get your latinum back?" Dogg asked Donaldson with a sneer on his way past. (Reply Donaldson/others) "Maybe, he is with Fleet because they are the only ones who would not charge him rent for a bunk." Lapp added as they disappeared down the hall. (Reply Donaldson/others) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:31) Chuck had been essentially loafing when Blek had snapped orders via the comm. system. "Trying to get your latinum back?" Dogg asked Donaldson with a sneer on his way past. “Watch the comments.” Chuck said simply in passing. (reply any IYW) "Maybe, he is with Fleet because they are the only ones who would not charge him rent for a bunk." Lapp added as they disappeared down the hall. Chuck, unable to help himself, changed his expression to a half smile. “I am a bit strapped for latinum at the moment … maybe I could interest some of you in a game of dabo.” Chuck’s grin grew from ear to ear. ~Likely they’ve heard of the ‘demon man’ – if they haven’t I’m in for some profit, myself.~ (reply any, IYW) (Posted by Anton) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – Ferengi Engineers Dogg, Lapp and Sing - 14:32) “Watch the comments.” Chuck said simply in passing. "Or you'll what, hooman? Start an international incident?" Dogg sneered up at him. "*Again?*" he added as an after-thought. (Reply Donaldson, if any) "Maybe, he is with Fleet because they are the only ones who would not charge him rent for a bunk." Lapp added as they disappeared down the hall. Chuck, unable to help himself, changed his expression to a half smile. “I am a bit strapped for latinum at the moment … maybe I could interest some of you in a game of dabo.” Chuck’s grin grew from ear to ear. "Sure!" Lapp agreed happily, "We've got a dabo table down in the recreational area I'm sure you haven't had a chance to fix yet!" Dogg rolled his eyes, "Don't throw your chips away, Lapp. He cheats better than a Ferengi." Lapp and Sing both looked impressed at that. (Reply Donaldson if any) "What do you charge for lessons?" Sing asked. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Lounge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:32) “Watch the comments.” Chuck said simply in passing. "Or you'll what, hooman? Start an international incident?" Dogg sneered up at him. "*Again*?" he added as an after-thought. “It’s good that you’ve heard of me, Doggy.” Said Chuck reaching a hand to pat the Ferengi on the head … Dogg dodged the movement. "Maybe, he is with Fleet because they are the only ones who would not charge him rent for a bunk." Lapp added as they disappeared down the hall. Chuck, unable to help himself, changed his expression to a half smile. “I am a bit strapped for latinum at the moment … maybe I could interest some of you in a game of dabo.” Chuck’s grin grew from ear to ear. "Sure!" Lapp agreed happily, "We've got a dabo table down in the recreational area I'm sure you haven't had a chance to fix yet!" Dogg rolled his eyes, "Don't throw your chips away, Lapp. He cheats better than a Ferengi." Lapp and Sing both looked impressed at that. “All except the Grand Nagus.” Chuck shrugged. ~It’s good to know my celebrity hasn’t diminished during my sabbatical~ "What do you charge for lessons?" Sing asked. His tongue rolled off his crooked and pointed teeth as he pronounced the two “s”s. “Rein in the enthusiasm … I’m here strictly by orders … not a pleasure cruise.” Said Chuck. (reply Ferengi Engineers IYW) (reply Ferengi Engineers, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Theatres – CMO Williams - 14:32) Andrew looked at the anesthetised marine in front of him. The 3D holo-projection was suspended above the wounded marine. He could see the red areas which indicated the damage that was caused by his fall. ~Looks like we are ready to go~ “Yep the top of his humerus is fractured. Lucky he did not shatter his scapula or clavicle.” He looked down at the other damaged area. “And a fractured neck of femur could have been a lot worse.” He looked over at Pelletier who was going to assist him. (reply Pelletier, IYW) Andrew nodded. “Let’s start with the arm first.” Andrew positioned the sterilisation field over the humerus and activated it. When he was happy with it he looked over at Pelletier. “Scalpel please.” (reply Pelletier, IYW) Andrew put his hands through the sterilisation field and then activated the laser scalpel. He made his incision and began to work his way through the muscle layers to the bone. “Small self retaining retractor please.” (reply Pelletier, IYW) He placed the edges of the retractor into the wound and then retracted them back so that he would get a better view of the fracture sight. As he finished with each instrument he placed it on the tray on top of the sterilization frame for Pelletier to take. “Were getting there. Good. I need the bone reduction forceps?” (reply Pelletier IYW) The bone reduction forceps were like a pair of blunt scissors with two spikes at one end. He placed the spiky ends on either side of the fracture and closed the handle so that the fractured ends came together. When he was happy that the fractured ends were properly allied he looked up at the 3D holo-projection to double check his work. “Looks good. Can I have the dermal regenerator back please?” (reply Pelletier IYW) As he watched the skin knit together he nodded pleased with his work. He then looked up at Pelletier. “One arm down, one leg to go.” (reply Pelletier IYW) With that he began again. (reply Pelletier ) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Surgical Theater – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier – 14:33) “Let’s start with the arm first.” Andrew positioned the sterilization field over the humorous and activated it. When he was happy with it he looked over at Pelletier. “Scalpel please.” “Yes, sir.” Said T’Pia coldly. She lifted the laser scalpel from the standard tool tray and inspected it for any defect prior to handing it to the doctor. Andrew put his hands through the sterilization field and then activated the laser scalpel. He made his incision and began to work his way through the muscle layers to the bone. “Small self retaining retractor please.” T’Pia had already been rolling the retractor in her palms and handed it over to the Doctor at his request. He placed the edges of the retractor into the wound and then retracted them back so that he would get a better view of the fracture sight. As he finished with each instrument he placed it on the tray on top of the sterilization frame for Pelletier to take. “We’re getting there. Good. I need the bone reduction forceps.” “Forceps.” Repeated T’Pia handing them over. The bone reduction forceps were like a pair of blunt scissors with two spikes at one end. He placed the spiky ends on either side of the fracture and closed the handle so that the fractured ends came together. When he was happy that the fractured ends were properly allied he looked up at the 3D holo-projection to double check his work. “Looks good. Can I have the dermal regenerator back please?” “That’s always the last thing you ask for, Doctor.” Said Pelletier dryly in true Vulcanoid style. As he watched the skin knit together he nodded pleased with his work. He then looked up at Pelletier. “One arm down one leg to go.” “Laser scalpel ready.” Commented Pelletier. (reply Williams) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:33) Blek was already feeding the Captain the predictable spiel when he felt what he had believed was the Spectre's tractor beam correcting their list to port. In actual fact though, the tractor beam had been engaged 'before' the communication had even been established, as per the Captain's orders & it had been holding their vessel for some time now. That much should have been quite obvious to the Ferengi bridge crew. It seemed though, that the Daimon & his cohorts were perhaps a little more drunk than they were willing to admit. "Thank you", he had said with a somewhat sham, appreciative nod, assumedly in response to the Spectre's assistance of the already engaged tractor beam. He then went off on a pointless rant regarding refunds for services rendered, perhaps safe in the knowledge already that the Federation Captain would not subscribe to such a course of action anyway. "That will not be required Daimon", said the Captain, "we will continue to stabilise your ship until you have 'Corrected', whatever it is that has failed in regards your thrusters", he added, "Spectre out"... The viewscreen then returned to the familiar starfield vista, the Ferengi vessel now fixed approximately dead centre within it & no longer rolling as it had been beforehand. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:35) "It's a fluctuating gravity rift sir, sensors are detecting a minimal draw to port from a class Y Demon, 12,500 kms in diameter & in orbit of the core star of Lambda Boolis", Jennifer got the data on her console. She put in a sequence of commands and fired the maneauvring thrusters. “Compensating trajectory.” She watched as the Ferengi vessel began to slowly tumble and drift heavily to port. ~I realy hope someone is flying the moose over there~ "Get a lock on the vessel with the forwards tractor beam" "Once they are stabilised, hail Daimon Blek", She carefully moved the Spectre into a position where the forward tractor beam would work most effectively and watched as it lanced out to grab the other ship. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (FS Good Profit - Deck Four - Engineers Dogg, Lapp, Sing - 14:37) "It doesn't look like sabotage, boss." Sing reported as Dogg and Lapp were busy repairing the thrusters. "Just looks like the station used substandard parts. =/\= You were supposed to catch that =/\= Blek said over the comm., his teeth obviously grinding. "I know boss." Lapp had half a dozen excuses ready, but Sing had served with Blek long enough not to waste his breath that could be used for deals he had a hope of landing. =/\= Can you do the replacement or do we need to replicate? =/\= Mass replicated parts were always cheaper than specially made parts. Any ship had the ability to pretty much fix itself, but it was always a question of cost vs. worth. "We would need to replicate." Dogg said from the tube. "And rewire the relays, they're fried in the overload. Damn fuses took them with." "Don't suppose the hoomans could be conned..?" Sing suggested, ignoring the human lobes within hearing. You could tell a human you were selling him your mother and he'd still buy! =/\= It's not worth the headache. =/\= Blek said sourly. The three engineers exchanged a glance, obviously the boss had decided to cut his losses and move on ASAP. No good trades to be found here. "We'll replicate and get installed in about fifteen minutes. Should be running again in seventeen." Lapp said, sliding out of the tube and heading towards the industrial replicator. =/\= Good. =/\= Was all Blek said before the comm. clicked off again. The three Ferengi produced dice and started to decide who would do what. (Reply any/all) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACSO Ensign JG Taya - 14:38) Taya looked at the information on her screen that Ardena had sent to her. ~Oh dear~ Taya thought and looked up at the exchange between the captain and the Ferengi. Taya bit her lip gently and looked back down at her screen. The captain closed the channel and Taya looked up at the viewscreen showing stars and the Ferengi vessel. "Captain," Taya started. "I have some information that Lieutenant Carrow has just sent me. It seems that Daimon Blek may have a legitimate reason for being here and in the...state he is in." (Reply T'Vhor) "The Ferengi has a religous observence of such which involves drinking, betting and buying womens clothes to burn them and offer them, along with latnium chips." Taya cleared her throat slightly unsure as to how the captain would take this news. (Reply T'Vhor/any on Bridge) (Posted by Chris Barton) (FS Good Profit - Deck Four - TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 14:40) "Don't suppose the hoomans could be conned..?" continued the Ferengi named Sing. ~If I thought O’Connor wouldn’t report it I’d wrap my hands around his collar.~ (reply any IYW) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:40) "Captain", said the Science officer, "I have some information that Lieutenant Carrow has just sent me. It seems that Daimon Blek may have a legitimate reason for being here and in the...state he is in", she added. "A legitimate reason for being a dangerous hazard & fourteen parsecs off their normal trade route Ensign?", enquired the Captain in disbelief, "please, enlighten me", he added, wondering now just what he was going to be hit with. Ensign Taya then began reeling off the information she had received on her screen regarding a dubious religious observence of some sort that centred around the Ferengi being blind drunk, burning womens clothing & gambling their belongings away. She then cleared her throat & fell silent, clearly wondering now just what the Spectre's CO would make of it all. The Captain of course pondered what he had been told, it seemed preposterous in the extreme, the only remotely religious text that the Ferengi had ever adhered to were the Rules of Acquisition & the nearest thing they had to a minister of any sort whatsoever, was the Grand Negus himself! Hardly a bastion of Ferengi religious observence. The information however WAS pertinent & should be taken seriously, just in case. The fact that the Ferengi were most definately off their trade route however was the preciding factor here & whether they were exercising religious doctrine or not, was neither here nor there. "Thank you Ensign, the information is duly noted", said the Captain who then resumed the task that he had been engaged in beforehand, namely compiling a report to Starfleet detailing their encounter with the Ferengi vessel itself & the clear & present danger it represented. (Reply Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge – Ensign (sg) Jynea Kreung - 14:45) Jynea stepped onto the bridge to take her turn in the hotseat. She'd been hearing all sorts of stories, rumours and tales as she made her rounds of the departments today. It seemed one thing the Ferengi were good at was creating chaos wherever they went. She could only wonder what profit was to be found out in this lonely sector to attract the eternal magpie traders. She took the seat beside the Captain and did a double take at him. It almost looked like Captain T'Vhor was grinding his teeth. "You could always just shoot them." She suggested, a twinkle in her eye. (Reply T'Vhor) "Well, it would certainly solve a host of problems, creating a whole new set of course.. And I suppose you'd have to wait till your first officer got off the ship, which might warn them.." She sighed a bit dramatically, over-acting for the sake of over-acting. "You're right, I guess you can't just blow them up, no matter how entertaining the mental picture." (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:46) The arrival of the Morale officer onto the bridge had prompted a slight change in the mind of the CO, it seemed strange to him at that moment in time to be feeling that he was actually pleased to see her, & as she took her seat to the left of him, he almost breathed a sigh of relaxation as the tension within him in regards the Ferengi vessel dissipated slightly! In the first few weeks of the Ensign's arrival on board, it went without saying that there had been issues between them both, it seemed that whether intentionally or otherwise, they antagonised one another. Now however this had changed somewhat for they had actually spent more time conversing instead of going against each other. Kreung appeared to observe the vessel in their viewscreen with a look of indiference, then she turned towards the Captain with a half smile to utter... "You could always just shoot them." At first the Captain wasn't sure he'd heard that, was this the same Morale officer that had always preferred to find an amicable solution to any problem? He turned to her with a quizzical look upon his face. "Shoot them?", he enquired. "Well, it would certainly solve a host of problems, creating a whole new set of course.. And I suppose you'd have to wait till your first officer got off the ship, which might warn them..", said the Morale officer with a sigh. "Indeed", said the Captain as he turned his attention back to the viewscreen, a thought forming in his head now of the Ferengi vessel exploding right there before them. It was not without a certain element of pleasure either, to the Betazoid half of course, not the Vulcan half! "That would probably not be a desirable course of action", said the Captain. "You're right, I guess you can't just blow them up, no matter how entertaining the mental picture." The Captain nodded accordingly & pursed his lips together as though slightly saddened that things could not be that easy. Then he turned towards her once again. "Did you manage to compile the Ushari protocol advisary at all?", he asked. (Reply Kreung) The Captain nodded again. "I will attend to it once we are under way again", he said, "that is, if we ever get under way again", he added. (Reply Kreung, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 14:47) "Did you manage to compile the Ushari protocol advisory at all?", he asked. "Oh yes, I left a pile of PADDs with your Yeoman to sort through." She said with that smile that said she'd enjoyed passing the buck. The Captain nodded again. "I will attend to it once we are under way again", he said, "that is, if we ever get under way again", he added. "Hmm, how is Commander O'Conner doing over there? I haven't heard of any formal charges going either way yet, so I'm guessing he's either still searching, still dancing the fun dance with the Ferengi, has shot everyone, or gone drinking. Or any mix there of." (Reply T'Vhor.) "If you'd wanted a boring, predictable life, you would have set yourself on a mountain top as a guru.. or at the least, be at the academy teaching tactical awareness to callow young cadets." She still remembered her second year tactical professor asking her only mostly joking if she'd consider becoming a pacifist to save them all a great deal of trouble. (Reply T'Vhor/any on bridge) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 14:49) Non-confrontational......that was virtually everyone serving on a Starfleet vessel wanted once the war was over. But now that the war was over it seemed every time things to seem to be going right an idea of violence seemed to appear. The thoughts were of the Chief of Operations. He sat on the bridge waiting for something to further their mission. After two incidents of officers expressing to blow up the Ferengi vessel Calvin wondered if war in space would ever be something that could be stopped. Not likely Calvin concluded. Although Earth had once been war free the Civil War, and external wars that had anything to do with Starfleet would be the same things as saying Earth was apart of it. Earth was no longer 'war free.' Back to the mission, Calvin ran another external test on the Spectre and the Good Profit. Both came back with no difference. He sat and waited for some type of update. (reply none) (posted by Calvin) (FS Good Profit - Bridge - Damion Blek - 15:00) He was sitting drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair with one hand, while the other was massaging his lobes over and over. This little trip was becoming more trouble than profit. “Wex!” he barked, causing his operations officer, who seemed to be snoozing under his console to stop snoring, snort, sit up suddenly and bash his head against the underside of said console. “WEX!” he growled, turning in his chair. “Stop acting the clown and call end to the celebrations! I want the ship sober!” “End the.. celebrations?” Wex said, wide-eyed, “But we can’t!” “CAN’T?” repeated Blek getting to his feet. The ship chose this moment to stabilize under its own power and stop lurching against the Spectre’s tractor beam.. & send the Ferengi captain stumbling several steps before he regained balance and hurried over to Wex’s station to grab him by the collar. “What. Do. You. Mean. Can’t?” “You and the engineers are the only ones drinking synthahol!” Wex spluttered, breath and body reeking of romulan ale. His feet were clearing the deck by an inch. “WHAT? WHY?” “Well, we had such a good deal off that Talaxian freighter from the Gamma quadrant.. it was a better *hic* deal than the cost of replication energy.. and what trouble could we get out to here and..” He stopped when his Captain dropped him to the deck. “I hate you all.” He muttered, turned on his heel and stomped off the bridge. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit – Cargo Bay - Damion Blek - 15:03) Finding the human away team ,Blek marched up to the first officer, “FINE! You win!” he spluttered, “Here!” he thrust a bag at the Federation officer, “The Marsiaga Pearls. Return them to their government with our blessings. The access codes to their planetary security net are in the tertiary data base in my quarters. The weather satellite parts and parcels are the cover for the pearl distribution so can you stop poking and trying to break them since I would like to try and make SOME profit on this run and get off my ship?” (Reply away team) (posted by Lorna) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - SO Ensign Nathanial Yates - 15:04) "Pearls?.... you think this is all about pearls?", exclaimed the Security officer in disbelief. The Ferengi Daimon had simply marched into the hold, his face a mask of fury at something or other that had obviously occured elsewhere. It also seemed a little strange to Yates at that moment in time that Blek was entirely sober! ~Synthehol, he's been on synthehol all this time~ he thought to himself. "Just how many cards are you actually playing right now you little......?", said Yates as he suddenly trailed off mid sentence at the realisation that the Ferengi had just given them all the clue they had been looking for. "Weather satalites?", he enquired, "so your telling us that these are the parts that are destined for the Ushari, YOU are the mysterious benefactor?", he added. (Reply Blek) The Ferengi had been blunt, of course they weren't the mysterious benefactor, they were simply the means to get the parts from the benefactor, whoever that might be, to the Ushari, & the fact that the lugheaded security officer had jumped to such a stupid conclusion only seemed to have riled the Ferengi further. It was blatently obvious that he wanted to get his ship under way again & the delay being caused by the Starfleet vessel & it's, in his eyes anyway, overzealous crew, had pushed him to the limits of his patience. "You didn't seem to be in such a hurry to resume your course when you demanded we bring our women over naked though did you", said Yates. (Reply Blek, IYW) Yates shook his head & glanced again at the FO who now held a small bag of pearls in his hand looking as though he were wondering exactly what to do with them. (Reply Blek, O'Conner, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (FS Good Profit - Cargo Hold - Daimon Blek - 15:05) "Weather satellites?", he enquired, "so you're telling us that these are the parts that are destined for the Ushari, YOU are the mysterious benefactor?", he added. Blek had thought the one with the most gold on his collar ruled, but apparently not. Or he seemed happy to let the hooman in gold speak for him. "benefactor? Of course not!" Blek replied, offended at the suggestion. "They buy, we deliver!" "You didn't seem to be in such a hurry to resume your course when you demanded we bring our women over naked though did you", said Yates. "Of course not, but you have effectively ended our celebrations of this most holy of occasions, so we may as well get back to business and then back to celebration once this is all dealt with." Wasn't that obvious? Why were humans always so dense? Or maybe they never took holidays, it would certainly explain their sour attitudes. Or that might have just been a lack of fibre in their diet. They should eat more worms. Seeing that the hoomans were exchanging glances, Blek threw up his hands in disgust. "I will be on the bridge when you make up your minds on what you want!" he stomped off. He was sure Captain pointy-ears would insert his two latinium chips soon enough! (reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 15:32) Once the away team was back on board with the relevant information firmly in the bag, the mood in regards the Good Profit had lifted somewhat. The Ferengi vessel had now been subsequently secured for transit, it's crew, albeit skeleton was more than capable of resuming it's course now due to the sensible thinking of some of the Ferengi on board. It seemed that some of the crew had had the good sence to imbibe Synthahol as opposed to the Alcohol that was being enjoyed by the rest of the partying rabble & thus, they were able to bring the bridge to some semblence of normality pretty quickly again with a rattled Blek in the command chair still wearing the frown he had been wearing for the last half an hour or so. The Federation ships Captain had, much to the Ferengi Daimon's obvious consternation, insisted that they shadow the Good Profit to it's ultimate destination. It hadn't gone down too well of course but since the two ships destinations were identical anyway, there was little that Blek could do about it. "Helm, resume course to Ushar Prime, match speed with the Ferengi vessel & remain in close formation with her", ordered the Captain. (Reply Smith, IYW) The Captain then rose from his seat & moved towards the turbolift with the First Officers newly arrived report from the Good Profit still fresh in his mind. "You have the bridge Commander", he added as he stepped through the opened doors & then decended to wherever it was that Captains went when they needed to get away from it all. It had been a long & complicated matter, that much was for certain & the Ferengi incident had done little else but complicate things further. They did however have their first clue to the puzzle of just what was happening with the Ushari. It wasn't much but it was a start, the real answers would of course be found five days onwards, which was more or less their newly recalculated ETA to the Ushari system itself, based upon the reduced speed of the Freighter itself. (Reply Smith, O'Conner, Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:34) The First Officer and the away team made it back to the Spectre with all their body parts still intact so it was easy to conclude that everything went ok on the Good Profit. While the away team was on the Ferengi vessel Calvin had been working on a few things at the bridge station. Needless to say he didn't get as much done as he could have if he was back in his office. So once the First Officer was back on the bridge, and the Spectre was following the Good Profit to their destination, Calvin excused himself from the bridge. A duty operations officer took over at the Ops station. (Reply None) (Posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot officer Smith - 15:35) "Helm, resume course to Ushar Prime, match speed with the Ferengi vessel & remain in close formation with her", “Yes Sir. Resuming course to Ushar Prime, matching speed with the Ferengi vessel.” Jennifer entered the commands into the helm. She swung the ship back to its original course. She then began the delicate maneauver to put the Spectre into close formation with the Ferengi ship. "You have the bridge Commander", She heard the Captain talking to O’Conner as he left the bridge. The Spectre slipped into formation with the Freighter as they headed on the new course. It did not matter who was piloting that thing she was going to keep a close eye on it. (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Chief OPS Office - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:50) It was actually amazing that the away mission was over before one of Calvin's scheduled appointments at 1600. The Lt Cmdr straightened his desk a little. Most of items in his office were already put away properly. The PADD that was left on the desk was only left there because he had to quickly get to the bridge when the Spectre had ran into the Good Profit. Waiting for his appointment to arrive Calvin leaned back in his chair and rested his eyes for a brief moment. (Reply None) (Posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Chief OPS Office - Chief Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 15:58) The sound of a chirp from the office door startled Calvin. He opened his eyes and realized that he had briefly fallen a sleep. The chirp of the door sounded again, and the Lt Cmdr sat up in his chair and allowed the person in his office. Lt Davis entered the Chief's office and walked up to Calvin desk. Calvin stood from his chair, extended his hand showing Lt Davis to have a seat. The Lt did so, and Calvin sat back down in his chair. Calvin turned to his computer console that was sitting on his desk. He quickly pushed a white circular button to make the computer come alive. He then looked at the man sitting across from his desk. "Lt Davis I had the opportunity to look over your department transfer from engineering to operations. I have already spoken with H'chir and he approves your request pending my approval." "Yes I was able to speak with Lt. H'chir before I placed the request. I wanted to make sure that he would approve it." "Why do you wish to switch departments? Your record shows that you have exceeded in engineering and that you are moving up on your goals that you have sat in your career development folder." "I did a generalist degree in Starfleet, and I was placed into engineering as my first post aboard the USS Comet. I was allowed to explore the Engineering department and when I made Lt, a position opened on the Spectre and I took the position because of some unique qualities the Spectre obtains. I have fully explored engineering in the time that I have been there, and I wish to have an opportunity to do the same within the operations department." Calvin listened intently and thought that Lt Davis had pre thought that he would be asked a similar question and thought of the answer. "Besides the academy do you have any operations experience?" "None sir, but as you are well aware of. All of us work closely with the operations department, so even though I don't have direct experience I do have some knowledge of the positions." Calvin was just asking the Lt some fairly routine questions after speaking with H'chir the Chief of Ops had already made up his mind to approve the transfer. Calvin smiled and stood up from his chair once again. "Lt Davis, I am approving your transfer. You will be placed on Beta shift with team two. I have already spoken with H'chir and you will not report to Engineering tonight, your first day in the operations department will be today." The new operations officer stood up with excitement. "Thank you, I am happy that you have chosen to accept my transfer. I will be on time." Lt Davis showed his respect to his superior and left the office. (reply none) (posted by Calvin Capps) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 14 Stardate: 2408.01.29 (USS Spectre - Marine Hanger Deck - Corporal Lewis O'Hara - 09:21) O'Hara threw the dice against the bulkhead & then drew the highest scoring ones aside before throwing the remainder again. Three kings on the first throw wasn't bad of course, but the elusive fourth was alas, not going to arrive. Predictably, O'Hara played the kings... "So anyway, just how many bottles are left now?", asked O'Hara, referring now of course to the Councellors coveted wine collection that the Marines had stolen all those months beforehand. The actual raid itself upon his office had been carried out with perfect military precision, crawling through the ductings & executing the final proceedings with an accuracy that had to be seen to be believed. In response to it's success that day, nobody had been able to look Taxia in the eye from then onwards & the result of the final insult of the card & the box of chocolates that had subsequently been left behind for him in place of the wine, could only be imagined. NRPG: If anyone wants to see the post in question, I still have it ;-) RPG: "About nine I think", said Tarby as he took up the dice himself & threw them against the bulkhead twice, without scoring anything significant. O'Hara screwed up his face, tutted & shook his head in disgust. "Not good my friend, looks like the lady ain't with ya today", he muttered. Tarby just frowned. "Hey, what say we don't endulge in one of the good Councillors bottles tonight in the mess", said Ferns, "it's been a while & I'm in the mood for some real stuff", he added. Tarby relaxed his face, the miserable look dissipating slightly as he nodded & then pursed his lips into a crooked smile at the notion. "Sounds good to me", he said as the five dice came to his own hand for subsequent casting. "Two fours & an ace, damn", said Tarby as he put aside the fours & then rethrew the remainder again, this time gaining another four & two nines before holding on what he had. It was better but it wasn't good enough though. O'Hara smiled predictably at his good fortune & then grabbed at the centre pot. "So, the lady is with me tonight then", he said with a wink in Ferns's direction. Ferns just tuttted & then dragged himself up into a standing position with a look of disdain. "Looks that way Lewis, but anyway, I have to get back to duty, Krige was looking mighty pissed the last time I saw him & the last thing I need is a damned Xenomorph on my back", he added as he sauntered off towards the door of the hanger deck. "Ceeya tonight in the mess for wine then Ferns, yeah?", enquired Tarby, a thumbs up from the Marine as he exited being the only indication of acceptance as Tarby himself moved to stand also. "Oh well, duty calls me too", he said with a grunt as he stretched his limbs & then made for the exit also, accompanied closely by a now flush, smiling O'Hara.... (Reply None, Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) ========================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 15 Stardate: 2408.01.30 (Shuttle Gates - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:00) Rameriz was awoken most rudely from a fantastic dream about a trio of Risan dancing girls by the pilot’s announcing they were approaching the Spectre and had clearance to land. “I’m nots just beaming over?” he asked, clambering into the co-pilots seat. The pilot, who looked like he had a headache the size of Io, replied “No, I have a pickup to make.” “Oh yeahs? Whatcha pickin’ up?” Rameriz asked with enthusiasm. The pilot wasn’t really chatty, but Rameriz figured he still had plenty of time to get the guy to warm up to him. He’d accomplished more with less time. The pilot eyed him, “You don’t have the clearance for that answer.” Was all he would reply no matter how he wheedled, whined or cajoled. Rameriz finally declared the man ‘no fun’ and went about gathering his belongings from the long trip. He didn’t see why they’d sent this uber fast quantum shuttle that could supposedly warp time and space like a Klingon could warp a keg on bloodwine, it seemed they’d taken forever to get here! (Reply Any) (Posted by Lorna) (Shuttle Gates - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:30) The landing was smooth enough and Rameriz found himself on the deck of the USS Spectre. Spotting a face in a green uniform he wiggled his fingers in an approximation of a wave. “Hiyas!” he said cheerfully, slinging his duffle onto his back as he walked down the gang plank. “One Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz reporting as ordered by Colonel Eva Straton!” he slammed his boots together and gave a perfect parade stance and salute. The effect, however, was somewhat ruined by his manic grin. (Reply marine victim, er, officer of the day.) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – CSciO's office- Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:30) Ardena was sitting in her office, looking with satisfaction that she had finally gotten everything sorted out, organized and cleaned. It was finally perfect and to her liking. With a happy sigh of satisfaction she stood up and picked up her watering can to gave her plants their daily TLC. She wasn't quite sure why a polymer container was called a can, but she'd leave that one for a linguist to work out. =/\= Incoming priority secured message. =/\= "Uh huh." She murmured. The last priority message had been David Brown from astrometrics complaining that his slot had been bumped for mission purpose and he had been rescheduled for 0300. Cynically she sat back down in her chair, still holding her watering can and called up the message. She was startled by the biometric scan. Obviously not David pitching another fit! As she read the message her eyes widened in disbelief and confusion. Surely there were a plethora of Vulcan Xenobiologists in Starfleet. This nonsense about her choosing emotions making her more acceptable to the Romulan people sounded like, well, nonsense! And how could she possibly be so important to SFI, the ambassadorial corps and Starfleet science that they sent a quantum shuttle to get her to the Hades at time of departure of starbase 989. She called up the reply information and found it was to a Lieutenant Granger, a helmsmen who was currently sitting in the Spectre's own shuttle bay! This was insane! She got out of her chair and said something to the scientists in the lounge about being in the shuttlebay and left the science department, not even realizing she still had her watering can in hand. (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay One - Flight Ops, Lt Funai Takamari - 07:32) The Flight operations officer had seemed somewhat taken aback by the arrival of the shuttles strangely mannered occupant, he had introduced himself as Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz & had performed a salute to the accompaniment of a grin that a cheshire cat would have been suitably proud. Whether the Marine had ever encountered said Cat or ever taken grinning lessons from one however was doubtful, perhaps it was just one of his inate qualities. The surname however had not gone unnoticed, the name Rameriz had already filtered through the lower decks as a Holo-character that had apparently gained some notoriety amongst some of the crew as being, 'a bit of a character'. The Rameriz standing here right now however was clearly flesh & blood & although he had introduced himself as 'One Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz', it was quite clear that he was incorrect in that titleage, for there was obviously, more than one of him... "Welcome aboard the Spectre", said Takamari, "the Captain has been made aware of your arrival & has instructed that you report directly to the Marine commanding officer on deck sixteen for supplementary debrief pending billeting". (Reply Rameriz) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Shuttlebay One - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:33) "Welcome aboard the Spectre", said Takamari, "the Captain has been made aware of your arrival & has instructed that you report directly to the Marine commanding officer on deck sixteen for supplementary debrief pending billeting". "Okee dokees!" Rameriz replied with confident ease. Some things were universal no matter the ship. He looked at the woman expectantly. "And that'd be where exactlys?" (Reply Takamari) "Excellent! Tanks Lieutenant!" He saluted again and didn't quite jog off in the direction of the cargo bay's door. The faster he got away, the less likely he'd be shoved back on the shuttle to spend several mind numbing days in the company of the non-talkative pilot. (Reply Takamari) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - MCO's Office - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 07:38) It wasn't exactly a far trip to the MCO's office on deck 16, but once out of the shuttlebay, it wasn't like he was in any particular hurry to get thirteen decks over. Since the door opened at his approach and there was no unlucky paperpusher sitting around to take appointments, Rameriz just strolled into the MCO's office. "Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz reporting for duty!" he informed, saluting with the hand that wasn't holding his duffle over his shoulder. (Reply Krige) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Shuttlebay 1 - Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 07:35) She walked into the shuttlebay and spotted the pilot doing a craft check. She was somewhat surprised that the Spectre's engineers weren't yet crawling over the unique craft, but perhaps it wasn't yet common knowledge he was here. Or the ever fore-seeing Captain T'Vhor had distracted them. "Lieutenant!" She said, striding over. "What is this about my being transferred to the Hades?" Michael Granger hadn't expected the scientist in question to be a tall, leggy, blonde, but he had expected the frustration and confusion that was evident in her green eyes. No one liked to be told they were being dragged away from their home of the last two years on the whims of the brass. "My orders were to pick you up and transfer you to the immediately ma'am." He outranked her, but no need to be rude. "But.." "They're in a bit of a hurry, as am I. You can check the database if you want to verify my orders." Frowning at his ease, Ardena handed him her watering can and strode over to the nearest interface, punching in commands in between shooting him dirty looks. Ardena Carrow was rarely a woman to swear or even use strong language, but the words out of her mouth would have made her Anglo-Saxon ancestors proud. "It shows me as already on the Hades!" she protested. "Transfer approved." He said smugly. "You'd THINK that the Captain would have said something to me before you showed up!" Ardena protesting, coming back and reclaiming her watering can. "Don't suppose he knew until I got here." Granger said with a shrug. He was just the taxi driver. At least she could only be a lot less irritating than the marine he'd just brought in. "Fine. I'll go pack." No point in arguing with established fact, she supposed. Granger supposed the nice thing about effectively kidnapping scientists was they didn't argue with him for three hours before they boarded if you provided what they'd considered factual evidence. "You're limited to a twenty kilo kit, ma'am. We're a bit tight on room." Ardena stared at him. "But – I'll – that's.." she spluttered. "The majority of your belongings will be forwarded to Geneva." He informed her, trying not to look sympathetic since that generally gave the impression of wiggle room. 'Belongings!' wasn't even the issue, what was she to do with all her birds? "Oh, and we leave in half an hour." He added. "What!" That didn't even give her time to say good-bye to anyone, prepare care for her birds, to.. "I know Lieutenant, but believe it or not, we're on a tight timeline." He explained, this time with some sympathy. "That, and I'd like to get out of here before the renown Engineer H'Chir hears he has a quantum shuttle on his ship." Ardena sighed, she could certainly understand THAT one! "Fine, thirty minutes." (Reply None) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Holodeck 3 – SFI Lieutenant (jg) George La Flaga - 8:00) George had been a zero pilot in the black ops “DOW Squadron” but having been assigned to the Spectre for Starfleet Intelligence he was to be relieved by a Lieutenant Commander in a few days. His final reports had been completed and were ready for Rogers review. Right now … playtime! George ran a gloved hand along the sleek white racecar. A big red circle with a yellow five was painted on the sides and hood. His driving uniform matched the car except for a dark blue shirt. The car was a convertible and leaping over the door George landed in the driver’s position. “Is the Mach Five ready?” asked a masked driver in a black car of similar design next to George. “Yeah, my car’s ready.” Said George shortly but with obvious excitement. He picked up a bright white helmet from the passenger seat and placed it on his head. Tying the strap around his chin he carefully reached for the ignition key. With a little hesitation the car cranked and George made it purr loudly in neutral. The crowd surrounding the small circular track roared wildly. NRPG: Go, speed racer. Go, speed racer. Go, speed racer. GO!! ;) RPG: (reply none) (posted by Anton) (Shuttle Gates – Lieutenant (jg) Ardena Carrow - 08:10) It seemed so strange to be watching the Spectre getting smaller and knowing she'd probably never serve on her again. It wasn't as if she wasn't used to the ideas of transfers and being bounced around as part of the military life, but one normally got more notification than an hour to get up and leave! She'd left a message for Taya asking her to take care of the department for her, that she had full faith in the woman's ability to do a better job than she ever could, and apologized profusely for the mess her office had been left in. "It seems we meet and leave over a messy office. Live long and prosper." She'd written to her fellow scientist. To Ensign Kreung she'd sent a request the morale officer take care of her trees and birds until they could all be moved out of quarters and to Geneva. She had faith the young Orion woman would take care of the living things with skill and soul. She'd wanted to pass on advice to the timid counsellor, but, really, what could she advise that the woman didn't already know in her heart? She couldn't think of what to say to Captain T'Vhor who had been mentor, and really, saviour of her mind. Instead she'd just opened the channel between them, left from many a session of training and healing, and sent a last burst of admiration, fond affection, deep respect, and lasting gratitude. If he'd had a reply, it was lost when the shuttle went into quantum warp. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Ten forward – Ensign Bys’At – 11:05) "That’s Jose … with a ‘J’ that sounds like an ‘H’?" pondered Bys’At. (reply Rameriz, any marines IYW, any) Bys’At never considered himself a linguist but this Rameriz man was intriguing. "Please, feel free to tell me more about this … Straton. Hearing you speak will familiarize me with the dialect." Conceded Bys’At. (reply Rameriz, any marines IYW, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Ten forward - Lance Corporal Jose Rameriz - 11:07) Rameriz had been trying to charm the Orion bartender without much luck. There sure did seem to be a lot of green skin on the Spectre. Seemed to be a lot in fleet in general, now that he thought about it. He wasn't sure if that was a sign of the Orion syndicate becoming less of a threat or that the Federation was just burying it's head in the sand. "Jose Rameriz," he said with his most charming smile. "But yous can just calls me handsome!" "That's Jose . with a 'J' that sounds like an 'H'?" pondered Bys'At. Rameriz turned his head from where the bartender was studiously ignoring him and looked way up to the Vulcanoid who was talking to him, "Hey! That's right, amigo! Tho everyone just calls me 'Rameriz.'" He turned to wink at the bartender "Tho you can calls me any time beautiful!" What better way to learn about a potential spy that gain access to her underwear drawer? (Reply Bys'At) "Huh?" He turned back to the engineer, "Oh, wells, I was sent her by Colonel Straton. Couldn'ts have me near her, so hads to send me where I was needed and out of reach of her broken heart!" The engineer seemed much more interested than the Bartender was. "Please, feel free to tell me more about this . Straton. Hearing you speak will familiarize me with the dialect." Conceded Bys'At. "Ey, it's Spanish, chico." Well, it was mostly. Some Spanish, some Mexican and some Lunar colony street rat mixed together to produce the strange language that was Rameriz. Close enough to standard that the universal translator didn't try to work on it. Though, Bubbles had claimed that even the universal translator couldn't work on such gibberish. The man had just been jealous. (Reply Bys'At, if any) Rameriz took his Sangria over to the nearest table that wasn't occupied. At pre-lunch time, there was quite the selection. "Okees, so, y'see, the Colonel, she is madly in love withs me. She is a very foxy chica. Very smart too, tough tough lady, but knows fine real estate when she's sees it. But 'cause she's a colonel, and I'm just a lowly lance corporal, she knows that it can never be. Y'know, no mixin' of the ranks no matter the heart, y'know? Anyways, so she sends me here!" The Rameriz logic was impeccable, even if it didn't have the slightest relation to reality. (Reply Bys'At :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Ten forward – Ensign Bys’At - 11:08) "Hey! That's right, amigo! Tho everyone just calls me 'Rameriz.'" He turned to wink at the bartender "Tho you can calls me any time beautiful!" “It’s nice to meet you, Ramirez.” Bys’At thought for a moment before he spoke again. “My name is Ensign Bys’At … I’m an Engineer aboard the Spectre. I’ve never seen you before. Are you new?” "Huh?" He turned his back to the engineer, "Oh, wells, I was sent here by Colonel Straton. Couldn'ts have me near her, so hads to send me where I was needed and out of reach of her broken heart!" "Please, feel free to tell me more about this … Straton. Hearing you speak will familiarize me with the dialect." Conceded Bys'At. "Ey, it's Spanish, chico." Said the Marine. ~It is indeed some variant of the Spanish language. I will learn more so that I may converse with this … marine.~ Rameriz took his Sangria over to the nearest table that wasn't occupied, Bys’At followed him. At pre-lunch time, there was quite the selection. "Okees, so, y'see, the Colonel, she is madly in love withs me. She is a very foxy chica. Very smart too, tough tough lady, but knows fine real estate when she's sees it. But 'cause she's a colonel, and I'm just a lowly lance corporal, she knows that it can never be. Y'know, no mixin' of the ranks no matter the heart, y'know? Anyways, so she sends me here!" The Rameriz logic was impeccable, even if it didn't have the slightest relation to reality. “Yes, I see … foxy chica Straton no wants to mix the ranks.” Replied Bys’At. (reply Rameriz, IYW) “I don’t pretend to be a linguist but I am very interested in conversing in this dialect.” Commented Bys’At. (reply Rameriz) (reply Rameriz) (posted by Anton) ======================================================================= Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 16 Stardate: 2408.01.31 (USS Spectre - Capps' Quarters - Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 18:00) Calvin finally finished his last report that was delivered to him on multiple PADDs. How quickly he forgot how busy a Chief of Operations officer was on board a starship. With a little dis-belief he still finished them all in time. He was at home and was tired, but he didn't feel like like just resting. He was in the mood to do something...anything. He sat on his couch and rummaged through his brain to try and figure out what it was he wanted to do. After several minutes he had thought of different recreation ideas that included long and sweaty sports, but he was defiantly to exhausted for that. Instead he decided to do something he hadn't done in a long while. In fact he thought the last time he had played was the day before he broke up with his first true love, Elizabeth Knightley. "Computer, play number 1 of my acoustic favorites." The song started to play and Calvin listened for a few seconds. That was when he stood up and went to his closet to take out his guitar. The guitar was given to him by his mother who wished him to learn some type of instrument. His father objected to it, but never stopped the lessons. After a while it was obvious that Calvin did have a fair ear to music and he was able to pick up notes by listening fairly easy. With guitar in hand Calvin sat on the edge of his comfortable chair. This way he would be able to place the instrument on his knee and hold it with is two hands. He closed his eyes and listened to his favorite acoustic guitar song, hence it being number 1. A few more seconds went by and his left hand began to cradle the different strings and began to move from one fret to the next in a slow and quick manner. His right hand strummed the strings in a particular pattern that made the song sound exceptional. He continued to play more and more of the songs that he had stored away. Finally when his fingers began to hurt he stopped playing and wondered how long he had been playing. "Computer, what is the time?" He asked. The computer answered back with its quick response. Calvin was amazed what time he heard. He had been playing the guitar for 2 and half hours. He put it down, and realized that he was now hungry. (reply none, any) (posted by Calvin Capps) ====================================================================== Mission: When Poachers Come to Call Day: 17 Stardate: 2408.02.01 (USS Spectre - Recreation Room 2 - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 06:15) Lieutenant Siral claimed he found the experience of sharing his knowledge with the crew satisfying first thing each morning. Jynea thought he just didn't like exercising alone, but she wasn't going to contradict the middle aged and stoic Vulcan. Every time she'd tried to contradict his logic he'd given her the raised eyebrow on stun look. She found it was just safer to hide in the middle of the pack and learn. Watching her, one would easily see she didn't have the power of the Vulcans in the room, or even the humans, but she had a grace that made the even graceful Vulcans look clumsy. Every movement was artwork with the ease and poise of a natural dancer. She would never be able to use the martial art as a defence, her musculature just wasn't set up for it, but she found it an exacting and demanding exercise. Besides, Petty Officer T'Lar had once said watching her was aesthetically pleasing. She'd thought he was hitting on her at first, but a study of body language had reassured her that he meant literally, like watching a nebula unfold was aesthetically pleasing. Well, who was she to argue with pleasing the stubborn, stoic, aloof Vulcans? Okay, okay, unfair thought, she told herself as she balanced easily on one foot, unfolding her left leg into a slow strike. Stubborn, absolutely, but most Starfleet officers were, having been trained in their views, morals and ethics for four years in the academy. Stoic, well, again, absolutely, Vulcans were the oak trees of the Federation. But aloof? No. They were always approachable, willing to share knowledge or view. They may not mingle or socialize as enthusiastically as some of the more exuberant races, but they were certainly not detached and unreachable to their shipmates. When she'd asked why there was no background music, Lieutenant Siral had studied her and asked if the need for music was why most humanoids did not participate. Jynea had to think about it, but she was pretty sure it was a lack of advertising rather than background noise. Or maybe her shipmates really didn't like to hear the creaking of their joints. She found the absolute silence of an occupied room eerie, maybe others did too. But the next morning, there was a soundtrack of what sounded like a cross between flutes and windchimes. Very soothing and peaceful. She'd been sure to thank Lieutenant Siral, but he'd just looked at her with *that* look and said gratitude was unnecessary in the facilitation of education and exercise. Really, having spent more time with the pure blooded Vulcan members of the crew, she was learning as Vulcans went, T'Vhor was pretty damn mellow. Of course, she also had a sneaking suspicion that Lieutenant Siral liked being extra Vulcan to her to drive her bonky, but that would require accusing him of something and she wasn't quite sure what. And of course, she never went out of her way to tweak him right back.. But it was nice seeing antennae and rounded ears in the room after being the only shade of green in a sea of pointed ears. Poor Siral had been rather disconcerted to realize he would have to move to the larger recreation room. All it had seemed to take was a certain Captain showing up to a couple of the sessions and suddenly it was the in thing to do. Jynea could only wonder if T'Vhor knew the influence he had on his crew, how they strove to emulate, learn and just be near their leader. If he didn't know, she wasn't going to be the one to tell him. He'd either be weirded out or just give her another of those 'Jynea is insane, let us humour her' looks again. Which, really, just had the effect of making her want to stick her tongue out at him and flounce off.. which would rather reaffirm the belief of insanity in his chief morale officer. The soft gong interrupted her thoughts, signalling the end of the class. A nod of appreciation from class to teacher, and they filed out to go about their daily tasks. Jynea wasn't sure about anyone else, but her first task was a quick tub! (Reply any/all) (posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Recreation Room 2 – Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 6:30) The class was over and others were filing out. As the Vulcans, humans, and ‘others’ filed out Lieutenant Siral focused his eyes on T’Pia. She could feel him mentally probing her … it was plain to every Vulcan, full breed or partial, that something was amiss within the nurse. She kept him at bay as best she could but keeping her anguished human side in check was too taxing. When the others were out of earshot Siral stepped up beside her. “Oh, child, what have you done?” he asked. His fatherly tone enraged Pelletier but she repressed it. “I am here only to help strengthen my body.” She explained to him and turned to follow the direction everyone else had already taken. “The Vulcan martial arts are also about the condition of the mind, T’Pia.” Said Siral. “To correct me on the issue and to leave the junior counselor in ignorance is illogical.” responded T’Pia. “Your judgment is inappropriate. The music I play for her helps strengthen her mind, as well as the other non-Vulcans.” Siral paused, “what can I do to strengthen yours?” “I suppose you’ve heard that Lieutenant Carrow decided to leave the Spectre?” T’Pia enquired. “I have heard so much.” Siral responded in Vulcan coldness … keeping his own paternal emotions in check now … his age had shown only once at this meeting … he would not allow it again. “Captain T’Vhor was teaching her to control her mental abilities. He is the only one strong enough onboard this vessel to help rid me of this emotional suppression. It’s natural in a pure Vulcan but my human side insists in equilibrium.” T’Pia blurted. “I will take you on as a private pupil and do for you what I can. I will speak to the Captain on your behalf.” Said Siral. “Thank you, master Siral.” T’Pia nodded. “I make no promises, child. T’Vhor is … his own man.” Responded Siral as T’Pia turned to leave. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:00) After returning from the away mission aboard the Good Profit Chuck had been trying to locate Nurse Pelletier. She had been avoiding him … or at least his male sensibilities had viewed the situation that way. On this particular shift Vasilyovna had placed Chuck on bridge duty. Chuck didn’t mind because bridge duty was the holy grail of Starfleet security officers. Ms. Carrow wasn’t on the bridge in her usual spot. In her place was a young woman who looked remarkably like a certain security officer. To her left at the other control position Calvin sat busily looking at his console. Chuck took his position behind the bridge command chairs. He nodded to Vasilyovna as she backed away from the console to allow him to take over. For being a boisterous Russian woman … she could make a quiet exit. Chuck re-familiarized himself with the controls. ~We’re getting pretty close to Theta Draconis. I’ll finish the General scan Yelena started.~ thought Chuck. A General Scan through the primary sensor array was standard operating procedure as the Spectre entered the Theta Draconis system in warp. The Captain gave the order to slow to full impulse and with a slight lurch (barely detectable by anyone and mostly a trick of the eye from the main viewscreen) the Spectre proceeded to Ushar Prime. Chuck checked the sensor logs to make sure the Good Profit dropped out of warp. ~So far so good.~ A blip on his screen made Chuck’s eyes wander. With a few taps on the console the Spectre’s computer returned an ‘unreliable signature’ warning on the incoming vessel. “Long range contact ‘unreliable signature’ vessel vectoring toward our destination in the Ushari System.” Chuck reported to the command crew. (reply T’Vhor IYW, any) “I’m keeping an eye on her.” (Reply T'Vhor IYW, Any) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 13:08) After a general scan of it's immediate surroundings, the Spectre dropped out of warp & then continued on into the area of space known as Theta Draconis. From there on in she would continue under full impulse, taking readings of the various planets & planetoids as they went, so as to attempt to glean any further information in regards what was actually happening here. So far, it had all seemed routine in the extreme. Everything was as expected & nothing looked amiss in any way, shape or form. As for the Good Profit, she of course had dropped out of warp also & was now continuing along on it's prescribed course, namely towards the core world of the Ushari system, Ushar Prime. The Tactical Officer currently on station, Lieutenant Donaldson, had previously reported a small long range contact that had been too far off to get a reliable signature. It's own course however was clearly an intercept with their own so that in itself had caused the TAC Officer to, 'keep an eye' on it as he had said... Moving on further into the system though, it soon became apparent that something wasn't quite right here, it wasn't that anything was typically wrong of course but it almost seemed a little too quiet. It was then however that the Captain called for an update on the previously logged intercepting vessel. NRPG: This will be a small shuttle carrying Kevin's character. As it is slower in speed than us, it will arrive later. You have carte blanche to elaborate as you will Anton ;-) RPG: "An update on the long range contact if you please Lieutenant", said the Captain, without actually taking his attention from the viewscreen as they moved further into the system, with the moody blue/grey Ushar Prime itself now visible upon it. (Reply Donaldson, Any) "Understood, the moment it is in communications range, please let me know", said the Captain before then addressing the helm. "Slow to one third impulse Lieutenant, prepare to establish geostationary orbit of Ushar Prime, point of reference the Capital city, perigee fifteen thousand kilometres", said the Captain. (Reply Smith, Any) The USS Spectre then began slowing, the target planet Ushar Prime now looming ever larger within the centre of the viewscreen before it skewed slightly, relative to the burn of the Spectre's maneauvering thrusters upon it's pre-orbit maneauver. The Helm then reported that orbit had been established, wherapons the Captain stood, handed off the bridge to the Chief of Ops & then called for a brief meeting in his ready room in order to clarify their next steps with the First Officer. (Reply O'Conner, Capps, IYW) "Inform Prime Minister Ung'Hst of our arrival & our intentions to negotiate at a time suitable to him", said the Captain to the Comms officer before quickly heading off towards his ready room. (Reply Donaldson, Smith, O'Conner, Capps, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:08) Jynea stepped out of the turbolift as Chuck glanced behind him. Chuck gave her a quick wink and went back to his duties. "An update on the long range contact if you please Lieutenant", said the Captain, without actually taking his attention from the viewscreen as they moved further into the system, with the moody blue/grey Ushari Prime itself now visible upon it. The ship’s computer finally recognized the vessel – the Shuttlecraft Amur. “Shuttlecraft Amur on long range sensors. They’re still out of communications range. Standard hail won’t reach them for another few minutes, Captain.” "Understood, the moment it is in communications range, please let me know", said the Captain before then addressing the helm. "Slow to one third impulse Lieutenant, prepare to establish geostationary orbit of Ushar Prime, point of reference the Capital city, perigee fifteen thousand kilometres", said the Captain. (Reply Smith, Any) The Helm reported that orbit had been established around Ushari Prime. The Captain stood, handed off the bridge to Calvin and then called for a brief meeting in his ready room in order to clarify their next steps with the First Officer. (Reply O'Conner, Capps, IYW) "Inform Prime Minister Ung'Hst of our arrival & our intentions to negotiate at a time suitable to him", said the Captain to the Communications officer before quickly heading off towards his ready room. Calvin handed his control over to a duty officer and made his way to the command chair beside Jynea. (Reply Smith, O'Conner, Capps, Any) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 13:10) Shocking to everyone who had ever met her, she was sure, but Jynea was running late. She'd *promised* she'd be on the bridge for the approach to Ushar Prime so Sella could deal with some last minute meetings with crew, and she'd been distracted by Petty Officer Cummings' birthday party. Oh well, at least she was in uniform, dry, and only slightly out of breath. It was an improvement over some of her grand entrances lately. Not that she really cared what she showed up in, but it made the senior officers wince.. and she supposed their morale was as important as everyone else's! She took the counsellor's seat as T'Vhor was giving instructions about the unknown craft. She waited until he was once again studying the view screen like it could provide all answers if he just looked hard enough. "You know, for an out of the way, off the travelled path sector, we do seem to be encountering a lot of traffic." One Quantum Shuttle, one Ferengi freighter, another who knew what behind them.. " (Reply T'Vhor / bridge.) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops, Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:11) Five days later the Spectre entered into Theta Draconis space. Calvin had never been to this particular system before and didn't know what to expect. However getting closer to the system it was suggested in one of the Ops meetings to increase the power to all ships systems and an even larger increase to crucial structural areas of the ship. Past examples and long range scans of the system did show that the Theta Draconis' sun did produce more than a regular size load of space debris from its solar winds. Without adjusting the power correctly, damage could be caused to the outer hull of starships and their internal systems. Of course Calvin had spoken about the change with the rest of the senior staff and the Chief of Engineering agreed with the changes. So now the Spectre had entered the system and was making its way safely to Ushar Prime. Once the Spectre successfully orbited Ushar Prime the bridge was handed over to Calvin from the Captain. The Lt Cmdr stood from the ops console and moved to the command chair. (reply any) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CONN - Pilot Officer Smith - 13:11) "Slow to one third impulse Lieutenant, prepare to establish geostationary orbit of Ushar Prime, point of reference the Capital city, perigee fifteen thousand kilometres", said the Captain. "Yes Captain." Jennifer began her decelerating burns as she reduced impulse power. She kept a close eye on the console as the kilometres ran down. She had to get the turn just right. Any mistake would either give them an elliptic orbit or give the planets populations a nice fire ball across their sky as the spectres hull skidded across the atmosphere. Both of those options would not be good for her or her ego. As the range indicator hit the distance she wanted she stopped the impulse engines and riding on inertia she gently pushed the spectre into orbit with the help of the maneauvring thrusters. She gave a slight grin as all her console told her that they had reached orbit. "Geostationary orbit over the capital city has been achieved Captain." She checked her readouts making sure that the Spectre was moving at the appropriate speed. Too much of a deceleration and they would drop out of the sky and on to Prime Minister Ung'Hst. Which would not be good. (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (Shuttlecraft "Amur" - SFI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 13:12) The sleek Type 11 shuttle pushed its way through subspace. Even at her maximum rate of Warp 7.7, she was still losing ground on the USS Spectre. No matter, Brian thought, she should arrive at her destination soon enough. Without a further thought, he spun around in the pilot's seat and stood up, and headed back to the small rear compartment, which contained a few bunks, equipment lockers and a replicator. Brian's black unmarked bags sat on the unused bunk. "Raktajino, steamed," he ordered, and soon, a mug of the hot Klingon drink was sitting in the replicator. Rogers took the mug and sipped it. At one point in his life, he had exclusively drank Earth coffee, but Raktajino was popular in Starfleet Intelligence, and the spicy taste soon grew on him. He barely remembered the events that led to him leaving the Spectre. He remembered a battle, and being in Sickbay with Dr. Williams. Then, he woke up in Starbase Geneva, in a private medical suite. From his time on Geneva, he knew that those suites were dedicated for patients who were in critical condition, or who's safety was a security risk. Rogers was neither, he felt fine, and was just the First Officer of the USS Spectre, hardly the usual Ambassador or Admiral that required use of the medical suites. The doctors and nurses treated his injuries as required, but refused his requests about why he had been transfered off the Spectre. Brian had graduated from the Academy with a Medical Major. He could read his own charts, and knew as well as anybody that Dr. Williams and his staff on the Spectre could have taken care of him. One late afternoon, he was greeted by a man with an Admiral's pips. He wore a black overcoat and looked like a mysterious handler out of a spy holonovel. Turns out, he was right. The Admiral sat down on the edge of Brian's medbed and held a small metallic object in his hand. He started giving Brian a speech about duty, and honor. He talked about the war with Doenitz, and Brian's military lineage and history. Who are you, Brian asked, and where am I being transfered? Brian asked. The Admiral explained that would be known as Admiral White, and that he was one of the senior members of Starfleet Intelligence. He said Brian was being transfered to SFI, and Lt. Commander Rogers had little choice in the matter. If he refused, LoDona's forces would receive a 'credible' tip that Rogers had been a Doenitz sympathizer during the entire war effort. Brian accepted, though he was disappointed he had little choice in the matter. His medical condition was changed from a matter of moments from 'serious' to 'stable and healthy'. He was shuttled away on an Anaconda-class runabout, and sent to an asteroid base. For the next few weeks, he was sent through a sort of boot camp where he was trained in combat, stealth, and intelligence. Following his training, Admiral White sent him on numerous cover field operations. Sometimes against Doenitz, sometimes against other races, and even sometimes against Federation citizens. Why are we fighting our own people? We're not fighting a war against them. Brian demanded of the Admiral after one particularly bloody mission. Sometimes, Mr. Rogers, you've got to fight a special kind of war. A war without a fleet, the Admiral had explained, and no further explanation was given. The field ops continued, and Brian was growing weary. They were slowly going from solo covert missions to group tactical strikes. Rogers was becoming war fatigued. He wasn't a Marine, despite his SFI training. It had all changed him, and he didn't feel like himself anymore. Soon, Admiral White called him into his ready room, and explained Brian was being sent back to the USS Spectre as a liaison for SFI. The Spectre? Why? Brian had asked. Admiral White reminded him that the Spectre was a Black Ops ship, with the phase cloak and the whole nine yards. The Spectre was the kind of ship that needed a constant SFI presence. Rogers thought of T'Vhor, and disagreed in his head, but accepted his assignment papers quietly. In his ready room, Admiral White explained several secondary objectives of Rogers' mission on the Spectre. Now, a day later, Brian found himself in a shuttle, streaking towards the Spectre, holding a now-cold mug of Raktajino. He found himself not in the mood for coffee anymore, and set the mug in the Replicator and disposed of it before returning to the controls. The Spectre was now orbiting Ushar Prime. He was just barely in subspace communication range, and with his fingers scurrying over the controls, he opened a secure channel to the Spectre. "Shuttle Amur to the Spectre," Brian tried to say a low-tone, but his excitement at being reunited with his old ship must have come through in his voice. (reply bridge) "Connect me to Captain T'Vhor's ready room, please. Tell him, an old friend has called," Brian said with a smirk. (reply bridge, T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson - 13:14) =/\=Shuttle Amur to the Spectre,=/\= came the clear voice of the former first officer. It brought to Chuck’s mind a near fight on the bridge that had happened quite some time back. Just before Mr. Rogers (Chuck stifled a chuckle) had been left at Starbase Geneva. Naturally that brought to mind Chuck’s own near fatal accident. His life had been saved by Suri Rapeet. ~Where is Ardena?~ The young woman came to his mind again. (reply bridge) =/\=Connect me to Captain T'Vhor's ready room, please. Tell him, an old friend has called,=/\= (reply T’Vhor, Smith, O'Conner, Capps, Kreung, any on bridge, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:15) =/\=Shuttle Amur to the Spectre.=/\= Calvin heard the hail over the secure channel that the TAC officer just piped over the communication system. "Shuttle Amur, I am Lt Cmdr Capps how may we assist you?" =/\=Connect me to Captain T'Vhor's ready room, please. Tell him, an old friend is called.=/\= "Shuttle Amur, stand by." The channel was closed and Calvin turned to the TAC officer. It was odd for the officer in the Amur not to have introduced himself so Calvin went to a different means of finding out who it was in the shuttle. "Lt Donaldson is the shuttle craft's security codes matching with ours?" (reply Donaldson) "Very well, Lt Cmdr Capps to Captain T'Vhor." (reply T'Vhor) "A friend from our intercepting shuttle is asking for an audience. He has requested that I tell you 'an old friend is calling'." (reply T'Vhor, Donaldson) (posted by Calvin Capps) (USS Spectre - Bridge – TAC/ASC Charles “Chuck” Donaldson – 13:15) "Lt. Donaldson is the shuttle craft's security codes matching with ours?" asked Lt. Cmdr. Capps from the command chair “They’re broadcasting a general Starfleet security code along with an SFI code. It’s definitely ours, sir.” Responded Chuck. "Very well, Lt Cmdr Capps to Captain T'Vhor." Said Calvin tapping his commbadge. (reply T'Vhor) "A friend from our intercepting shuttle is asking for an audience. He has requested that I tell you 'an old friend is calling'." ~Here to relieve Lt. La Flaga no doubt.~ thought Chuck. (reply T'Vhor, Capps, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - FO Commander Michael Ian O'Connor - 13:20) Michael had been sitting quietly on the bridge. He hadn't said much on the bridge for a while now, there wasn't much need, and he wasn't sure of what he wanted to say in any case. He watched as they approached Ushar Prime, a world that looked peaceful as could be, but everything looked like that from outer space it seemed. Empty space, devoid of sentient creations still lent a calmness and tranquility to the view, even after all his years in Star Fleet. Recently he'd taken to visiting the holodeck and just floating through space, in zero gravity, no suit, no ship, just him and the stars. Michael was tired of violence, he'd been tired of it for years, but he accepted it as a reality during the war. When the war ended he began telling himself that it was only a matter of time before peace would return and it would be like the golden days of the Federation. Every day he told himself that, 'soon we'll stop fighting, we'll be able to relax and smile at each other again,' and every day since he went to sleep telling himself that tomorrow would be the beginning of 'better', and every morning he woke up wrong. Even for all his hoping Michael had shocked himself when he ordered the Spectre to train weapons on the Ferengi vessel. He'd never know if he would have ordered them to fire, but the thing that scared him the most was that he actually might have. And so he sat on the bridge of what some called a black ops vessel, although given the depleted resources of Star Fleet, he suspected that they'd be doing every kind of mission for a long while, black ops or not, and wondered just how far south this mission could go. They'd already nearly had a violent conflict with a drunk Ferengi Crew, and now he was hearing murmurs from the crew that people thought the best way to handle the Ushari was to simply twist their arms and force them to trade with Starfleet again. He only noticed they'd made orbit when the captain stood up and motioned for Michael to follow, handing off the bridge to Calvin. Michael often wondered what Calvin thought of their positions, and wondered if he'd ever felt as isolated as he was feeling right then. ~~I'm so tired of being the calm cool and strong Michael. I don't want to fight any more, I don't want to kill, I don't want to be some kind of sanctioned bully any more.~~ Michael thought as he followed the Captain into the ready room and took a seat in front of the Captain's desk, waiting for the Captain to speak. (Reply T'Vhor, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 13:21) The Captain & the First Officer had just spent a few minutes discussing the ramifications of the forthcoming meet with the Ushari delegation. There had been a few misgivings in regards exactly how they should approach that situation, the First Officer feeling that they should simply go in, ask them right out why they had withdrawn from their previous arrangement & then take the necessary steps to correct the problem, whilst the Captain on the other hand felt that that approach would leave the Usahri feeling intimidated & cornered, & that the route of the problem would be best ascertained by careful observation & a diplomacy erring on the side of the 'kid glove' approach. Both officers had still been discussing how best to proceed, when the somewhat unusual comms from the bridge arrived with a certain amount of crypticism attached to it. It seemed that the approaching vessel, albeit having now been positively identified by both Lieutenant Donaldson & Lieutenant Commander Capps as the Amur via it's Starfleet registry, held an occupant that clearly liked to play games. He had not identified himself at all & had only stated that an 'old friend' was arriving who was obviously requesting an audience with the Captain himself. The Captain had glanced quizzically to his FO in regards the nondescript & vague announcement who in turn, just shrugged & then offered that there were no scheduled arrivals in regards the Spectre, or anything connected with them at this point in time. The Captains first thought of course was to request proper identification of the occupant before accepting the communication, that, after all would have been the logical, by the book approach. Considering their current situation however & the fact that there was something vaguely familiar in the manner of this persons methodology, the Captain chose to simply accept the incoming. "Put them through Lieutenant Commander", said the Captain as he moved from the observation window he had been standing beside, towards the desk where he promptly seated himself. The comms then came alive.... (Reply Rogers, O'Conner IYW, Donaldson IYW, Capps IYW, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Chief of Ops Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 13:24) Still sitting in the command chair of the Spectre, Calvin wished he knew about the shuttle craft that was floating outside of the Spectre hull. With such mysterious nature of who it was inside of the shuttle Calvin wanted to make sure he didn't just send something dangerous to the Captain's pipe line. About that time a message popped up on the arm of the command chair. It had seemed that the shuttle was attempting to send something to the Captains ready room desk console. With out violating any security violations Calvin turned to the Lt Donaldson once again. "Lt, run a quick scan of the data to ensure that it is safe for it to pass on to the Captain." (reply Donaldson) It would be a slight delay but hardly noticeable to anyone. Even though Calvin still didn't have all the answers he wished he had he felt a little better about the Amur for now. (reply Donaldson, T'Vhor IYW) (posted by Calvin Capps) (Shuttlecraft "Amur" - SFI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 13:25) There was a rather curious long time before he was connected to Captain T'Vhor. Brian wondered what was going on, perhaps he had interrupted some sort of crisis or something, but soon enough, his console showed he was connected to T'Vhor's ready room. "Captain, it's Lt. Commander Brian Rogers," Brian said, rather plainly. (reply T'Vhor) "I'm afraid that was a sort of cover-up, Captain. I was never seriously injured enough to require me being transfered to Starbase Geneva," Brian explained. "I was recruited into Starfleet Intelligence," Brian said, along with a long pause for effect. (reply T'Vhor) "It seems they want a SFI agent on the Spectre at all times, and I was chosen for my past experience with the ship and crew. I've got the proper transfer orders. I'll send them ahead to you for inspection," Brian explained, while he worked quickly, and transmitted his transfer orders ahead to the Captain's display. (reply T'Vhor) "I thought you might not like the SFI leaning on your ship all the time, Captain, but they didn't ask me," he explained. (reply T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) ========================================================================