USS Spectre Compile - September 1st-30th 2011 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: Slipstream Day: 1 Stardate: 2414.03.10 (Station Echo One Zero - Control Hub - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:49) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC - Ensign Alexandria Smithson - 11:50) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - SCience Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:51) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC, Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:52) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - Security Officer, Ensign Nathanial Yates – 11:52) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:53) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC, Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:53) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC - Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:54) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 11:59) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging - NPC Marine Lhia Reye - 12:18) (USS Spectre - Marine Hanger deck - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 12:32) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 12:35) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 12:45) (USS Spectre - Outside Transporter Room 2 - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 12:47) (USS Spectre - 10 Forward - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:00) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:13) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:15) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:18) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:20) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:22) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:24) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:26) (Research Station - Corridor - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 13:26) (Research Station - Corridor - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 13:38) (USS Spectre - Deck 13, Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:47) (USS Spectre - Deck 13, Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:48) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:49) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:50) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:51) ========================================================================= Mission: Slipstream Day: 1 Stardate: 2414.03.10 (Station Echo One Zero - Control Hub - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:49) Ensign Fala Taban lay on the deck of the station gasping for breath. He couldn't catch is breath. "Smithson...," he gasped. Ensign Alexandria Smithson was at Fala's side instantly tricorder extended. "It's okay, Fala. You are safe. Whatever is happening to this station seems to be affecting you quicker than me. Hmm. I'm no doctor, but a slightly elevated white cell count and a trace of chronitons. We have to find the rest and get out of here." The security officer stood up and extended a hand to Fala pulling him back to his feet. "Okay, Mr. Science Officer. Where would our two wayward shipmates be?" Fala shook his head and blinked a few times to clear his mind. At the end of the long hallway there were some double doors with the words "Medial Bay" above them. He pointed to the doors. "Let's try there." (reply Smithson, any) (posted by Jason French) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC - Ensign Alexandria Smithson - 11:50) Ensign Fala Taban lay on the deck of the station gasping for breath. He couldn't catch is breath. "Smithson...," he gasped. Ensign Alexandria Smithson was at Fala's side instantly tricorder extended. "It’s okay Fala. You are safe. Whatever is happening to this station seems to be affecting you quicker than me. Hmm. I'm no doctor, but a slightly elevated white cell count and a trace of chronotrons. We have to find the rest and get out of here." The security officer stood up and extended a hand to Fala pulling him back to his feet. "Okay, Mr. Science Officer. Where would our two wayward shipmates be?" Fala shook his head and blinked a few times to clear his mind. At the end of the long hallway there were some double doors with the words " Medial Bay " above them. He pointed to the doors. "Let's try there." “As good a place as any I suppose” She said leading the way. They both got to the door and Alex had to open it manually, upon entering they found people in their beds with nurses and Doctors tending, then it was once again looking like a rampaging bull had been through the place. “I do not know about you Fala but I got the creeps, its like we have entered the Twilight Zone” She said and physically shuddered. “Did you see what I just saw? Now this room is in a state of disarray” She asked. (Reply Fala, any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - SCience Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:51) Ensign Alexandria Smithson pushed appart the doors to the Medical Bay allowing entrance by herself and the science officer Ensign Fala Taban. They both looked upon a full room which contained people lying on biobeds and doctors and nurses attending to people. Then, once again, they all faded away. The room left in total disarray. "I don't know about you, Fala, but I got the creeps. It's like we have entered The Twilight Zone," stated the security officer. "Did you see what I just saw? Now this room is in a state of disarray." "Wow. I agree. This place gives me the creeps. Look, there's two people left," replied Fala pointing at the end of the bay. Two officers were examining an empty biobed which was still registering life signs. It was the missing officers. They had finally run into Ensign Yates and Dr. L'Risa. (reply Smithson, Yates, L'Risa, any) (posted by Jason French) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC, Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:52) Both stood still in amazement as they saw the two Officers they were sent to find. "Wow. I agree. This place gives me the creeps. Look, there's two people left," Replied Fala pointing at the end of the bay. “That is Yates and L’Risa if I am not mistaken!” Alex said and as she began to move forward she suddenly stopped as she saw something that could not be there. Alex saw a large Gorn, one of the few species that made her uneasy, she pulled out her collapsible quarterstaff and extended it. *schtik, schik* the sound was audible and she was actually doing the action, so oblivious to Taban who was an observer. She began to battle with the Gorn, but only she could see the Gorn to the casual observer she was swinging and jumping at air, she was lost in a double moment, one the base was having on her, the other battle frenzy. “Damn stinking Gorn P’taQ” She cursed as she swung again at thin air. (Reply Fala, Yates, L'Risa) (Posted by Paul Davies) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - Security Officer, Ensign Nathanial Yates – 11:52) Yates spun around in surprise, half expecting to see another armour clad knight advancing menacingly towards him, but seeing both Taban and Smithson walking through the door. Nathanial breathed a sigh of relief and then broke into a smile. "Man, am I glad to see you guys", he said, before again turning back to the biobed and the anomolous readouts that said there was a patient there, when there actually was not. "Have you ever seen anything like this?", he asked, gesturing to the readouts. L'Risa scratched his head, clearly puzzled by the displays himself regardless of his medical training. "I thought we were alone here", said Yates, "you know, I've actually just had a damned fight with a knight!" (Reply Any, IYW) It was at that precise moment though that things got decidely more strange, for suddenly, Smithson drew a weapon that Yates had not seen before causing him to instinctively draw his phasor whilst Smithson went into a bizarre Kata like display of moves simulating an attack upon... something. It was then that Yates' mind went back to the Knight. ~What if something WAS there?~ "Smithson, are you needing a hand there ol girl?", he asked, aiming his phasor now at nothing in particular. (Reply Smithson) Smithson continued to exchange blows with thin air, then she looked about herself and cried, "We gotta get outta this place!" Yates furrowed his brow in confusion, but gave his fellow security officer the benefit of the doubt as Ensign Fala came to her side looking equally confused. It was true that this place was becoming weirder by the minute, but Smithson was just not making sense right now and her sentences seemed even odder. "See if they are with us, or with the Woolwich", she asked. Yates scratched his head again. ~Woolwich?~ "What in god's name are you talking about woman", he asked, "tell me something, were you fighting a knight there, or something else?" (Reply Smithson, Fala, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - Science Officer, Ensign JG Fala Taban - 11:53) After searching for an hour, Ensigns Fala Taban and Alexandria Smithson were finally reunited with their missing crew mates. As they walked towards Yates and L'Risa, Smithson started acting a little strange. Fala jumped back as the security officer extended her quarterstaff and started to attack an imaginary foe. "Damn stinking Gorn P'taQ," yelled Smithson as she continued swinging her staff. "Smithson!" yelled Taban trying to get her attention. (reply Smithson, any) "What do you think we should do?" asked the science officer finally getting over to L'Risa and Yates after dodging the security officer's swings. (reply Yates, L'Risa, Smithson, any) (posted by Jason French) (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC, Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:53) "Smithson, are you needing a hand there ol girl?” he asked, aiming his Phaser now at nothing in particular. It was shortly after coming out of the effect and advancing towards Yates, She registered Yates saying something. “I am good” She said. After collapsing her quarterstaff, she said out of the blue… "We gotta get outta this place!" Alex looked at her companions and realized that they did not understand what she was talking about, so she just shrugged. "See if they are with us or with the Woolwich?" Alex had asked. Yates scratched his head again. "What in god's name are you talking about woman", he asked, "tell me something, were you fighting a knight there, or something else?" She looked at Yates “The Woolwich comment is old earth slang, give it no mind and I was fighting a Gorn” She said shrugging, “but the sooner we get out of here the happier I feel” She added. (Reply Yates, Fala, L’Risa, Any) (Posted by Paul Davies (Station Echo One Zero - Medical - TAC/ASC - Ensign Alexandria Smithson – 11:54) "Smithson!" yelled Taban trying to get her attention. As she was in the middle of a Death swing to the imaginary Gorn a voice brought her back, looking at the Bajoran Science Officer “Like the old song from 1960’s Earth We gotta get out of this place” She said *schtik, schik* her staff made as she collapsed it again. (Reply: Taban) "What do you think we should do?" asked the science officer finally getting over to L'Risa and Yates after dodging the security officer's swings. Following the Science Officer to the other two she answered his question “See if they are with us or with the Woolwich” She said, realizing she used an old slang term, looking at Taban’s confusion “With us or like I was back there” She said indicating where she saw the Gorn. (Reply Yates, L'Risa, Taban, any) (Posted by Paul Davies) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 1 - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 11:59) The transporters were operational, but contact still couldn't be made with the away team. They had to cut through the interference. Chief Engineer Adams called up to the bridge to get the captain's opinion on a plan. "Suggest sending over some pattern enhancers. If the away team is still in the vicinity of the original transport, they could set them up and we could transport anything within the enhancers once they are activated. What do you think?" =/\=Given the situation on the station, can we rely that the pattern enhancers will arrive at their target?=/\= asked the captain over the comm system. "I believe so. There's nothing on this end that indicates there's anything wrong. They will go where ever the away team went." =/\=Proceed with your plan, Lieutenant. If we need to send further personnel to the station though, we will do so via manual transport so as not to risk any further losses.=/\= "Understood. Adams out." The engineer proceeded to unpack the pattern enhancer tripods that were stored in one of the lockers in the transporter room. He loaded them up onto one of the transporter pads and used the control panel to beam them over to the research station. "I'll monitor their signal from Engineering," Adams explained to the transporter chief on duty. "Keep monitoring the station for any life signs. If you see something, contact me immediately." The chief nodded in agreement and Adams walked out the door and towards one of the nearby turbolifts. (reply Williams, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Marine Staging - NPC Marine Lhia Reye - 12:18) As a bottom of the rank combat engineer, Lhia hadn't been on too many missions yet. She had only just arrived right before they had left the starbase with the new personnel. She didn't really know anyone yet, so she stood there, precise as the others were, in her line, hands behind her back and chin tilted up proudly. She was a Marine, in Starfleet and it did not matter that she was a grunt, she was a combat engineer, one of the elite. Or so she liked to think. She knew that the odds of dying horribly as a Starfleet marine were really really high. But she was smart. Only the best made it through training. A little bit of a smile quirked her lips as the Major gave his speech. "Sir, No Sir." She sounded out, with the others, proud of herself that she got the voice perfect. She waited until they were dismissed, then went to get her gear and get ready. She lined up with the others, a fluttering in her stomach as she anticipated her first real mission. This would be dangerous and she was ready to face it. The marines where who you called when things went rough. They were the white knights who saved the Princess. She took a deep breath and focused her mind on the here and now. She had a job to do, and the orders to come back alive from it. She would do just that. (reply any, none) (posted by mel) (USS Spectre - Marine Hanger deck - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 12:32) The Major stepped one foot up into the door way of the trojan as it's engines thrummed to life, looking back over his shoulder to those in tow he gave a nod, slung his marine III-C rifle over his shoulder and then gave the order. "OK boys and girls, let's go find our people and get this done", he shouted, and immediately brought his other foot up onto the deck plating of the marine assault shuttle and hauled himself aboard. Settling into the front seat beside the pilot, he again glanced over his shoulder as the five man, and one woman team climbed aboard and began seating themselves before routinely checking their equipment as ever they did. To a marine that was as natural as breathing, your equipment was what would save your life in a crisis, and as such it's importance could never be overlooked. Kowalski curled his lip up on one side and stretched his neck to ease the tension in his neck muscles, then after a brief nod from the pilot himself, he opened a channel to the Ops officer on the bridge. "Kowalski to bridge - Please inform the big guy that we are ready to roll, all lights are green and the trojan is alive", he said, knowing as he spoke that the normal relaxed phraseology of a marine officer might raise an eyebrow or two amongst the more 'formal' bridge officers. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 12:35) All at once, the Ops officer turned from his console at the announcement from the Marine hanger deck, a half smile forming upon his lips as he did so. "Sir, the Marines report they are....", he began, but the Captain had cut him short. "I am aware of that Lieutenant", he said abruptly, "you do not have to translate the Majors somewhat cryptic announcements", he added before briefly accessing his armrest console and then turning again to the Lieutenant. "Are docking bays Three and Two on the station still showing low power readings?", he queried. The Lieutenant then accessed his console again to check what he already knew anyway. "Yes sir, I would advise bay One for access, don't want the Major to have to blow a door to get in there", said the Ops officer wryly. "Indeed", said the Captain with a raise of an eyebrow. "Inform the Major that they are cleared for departure, inform him also of the correct docking bay to to use" "Aye sir", said the Ops officer before turning to his console and carrying out the Captains order. It was then though that the Tactical officer made a report regarding an incoming shuttle. "Sir, she began, "I have an incoming shuttle arrival, registry is confirmed, all transponders are cleared. The Captain, again accessed his console beside him, duly confirming the arrival of the transport as expected. It had been an almost impromptu decision for the officer aboard to be arriving at such short notice, nonetheless, the Captain was looking forwards to seeing him again. "Inform the officer aboard that he may transport at his leisure", said the Captain, pausing then as though contemplating something to add. "Inform him.....inform him, welcome home", he added, the pregnant pause mid sentence clarifying the earlier contemplation. The Tactical officer smiled, although uncertain of why she was actually smiling, then she turned back to her console accordingly. "Aye sir, message is sent"... (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Transporter Room 2 - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 12:45) Thump went his foot as he stepped back onto the Spectre. Remae nodded at the transporter chief as he walked towards the door, "Sir.", came the sounds from the Chief but he was already moving out and into the corridor like someone who had come home. Thump... again. The Bajoran had walked into a wall! (Reply None) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Outside Transporter Room 2 - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 12:47) He was rubbing his head as he gave the 'new' wall a kick, it shouldn't have been there…another kick for good measure. ~ Take that! ~ The Bajoran looked up for the first time since arriving and took in his surroundings. "Need a hand, Sir?", asked the Chief, poking his head outside of his transporter room, but a quick dismissive wave from Remae sent him back in. Doors whooshing closed as he did so. The Spectre was quite different; Remae wasn't sure how many refits, reconfigurations and alterations the ship would have received since his last visit but it was fair to say, lots. He mentally adjusted, relying on old memories or thoughts to guide him around the ship and moved on heading down the corridor. (Reply None) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - 10 Forward - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:00) His meeting with the Captain wasn't right away and he had to report in to the CO but the few spare minutes available afforded him the time for a quick drink and to take a breath. "Captain Remae?", asked someone stepping up to his table. Remae had no idea who it was, but he knew this would happen, perhaps someone from the old days…that was a long time ago and there was no recognition in his eyes. Remae tapped the single pip on his collar as a way of replying to the Lieutenant. It was inevitable this was going to happen but some of the collection of people were already looking around at him and for the first time in many years, his artificial legs began to ache. "Oh, sorry Ensign.", said the inquisitive officer seeming embarrassed for her error but she was beginning to sit down. Before she could, Remae stood up, "Excuse me.", he said and headed out the door. (Reply None) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:13) So, the Marines had successfully docked with research station Echo One Zero, Major Kowalski himself had reported that although their arrival had been, to use his own words, 'unmomentous and cake like', he still felt a certain aura about the place that disturbed him somewhat. 'Creepy' had been an adjective that followed, and then he had then deployed his team accordingly in order to secure the station and hopefully find their missing personnel. So far though, not one person had been found, and the station had not given up it's secrets yet by a long shot. In the interim and due to the bizarrity of the unfolding situation, the Captain had seen fit to call Admiral Alexander on a secure channel, and had just ended the conversation that had followed. Specifically, he had required further information on the nature of the experimentation that had been carried out by the scientists that were based here, and although initially reluctant to divulge too much on the matter itself, and given the Vulcan hybrids insistence that his crew might be in danger here if they did not know all of the facts, Alexander finally relented. The Captain was now settled fully back into his seat in an uncharacteristically relaxed posture, his mind running over what he had just been told. Nobody had mentioned genetic manipulation or temporal experimentation when the ships officers had been briefed, nobody had even offered anything more than a reported loss of contact with the science team, and for that, T'Vhor's Betazoid blood was boiling! It was then though that the annunciator to his ready room sounded, and the Captain bade the new arrival enter, sitting upright in his chair as he did so just as the familiar countenance of his old CO came to an abrupt halt on the other side of his table. "Captain, Ensign Remae, reporting on board as ordered." T'Vhor felt almost humbled at the mans presence, after all, Remae, an Ensign now no less, had once commanded the Spectre himself and had sat in the very seat that her Captain himself now sat. Respectfully, and with a degree of warmth, the Vulcan CO rose from his chair, a hand extending towards his old friend and Captain as he did so. "Remae", he began warmly, "It's been a long time", he added, grasping the mans hand firmly in his in a gesture of genuine friendship. (Reply Remae) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:15) He was on the Bridge and without making a lot of contact with anyone else on duty, he pressed the bell and entered upon received permission. "Captain, Ensign Remae, reporting on board as ordered.", he said coming to slight attention in the presence of the Commanding Officer. (Reply from T'Vhor) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:18) "Remae… It's been a long time", said Captain T'Vhor, extending his hand. The Bajoran took it and they shook for a few moments and he released his hand, letting it drop to his sides. "A very long time.", he said simply. The CO gestured for him to take a seat and he did so, slightly thankful to be off his legs. The feelings his legs were giving him weren't normal and it had been a long time since they had given him any such trouble. There was a PADD in one of his hands and he passed it over. It was usual Starfleet procedure and protocols. A "simple" transfer from the Civilian Shipyards at Neptune, a reactivation of his Starfleet Service at the rank of full Ensign. A posting in Engineering was indicated but left to the CO's discretion. He was wearing a standard red uniform, indicating his previous preference for Command but suddenly, he realised he was out of uniform. He left it pass, he could change later. "I must admit...", he said faltering a little, "...Captain, I am little out of sorts…being back here helps but I've not been in Starfleet for a long time and I've fallen out of the habit a little.", he said making a gesture to his surroundings. A flashback that took only a moment had Remae back on Betazed and to the battle where he lost his legs. Had it really been over 7 years? He didn't feel like it for that split second. Another quick memory washed over him. Remembering that he had served for 6 months onboard the USS Paladin as First Officer. T'Vhor was looking at him but not speaking "A lot of memories to sort out.", he said simply and left it at that. Starfleet had returned him to duty and he was at least glad of that. He'd had enough of Civilian life and a spell back on the Spectre was what the Doctor ordered. Well, it would have been if he listened to his Doctors anymore, which he didn't. "So, Captain - what's going on and how can I help?", he said looking over at T'Vhor, crossing his hands and with some effort, attempt to sort out what had happened. (Reply from T'Vhor) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:20) Remae looked at odds with himself, his demeanor understandably uncertain with the way things had panned out over the past six or seven years. The man now before the Captain had changed, it was inevitable of course, nobody lost two of their limbs and their position as Commanding officer without some changes to be had in their psyche. Aside from that though, T'Vhor was glad that his former CO had seemed to have come to terms with his inner demons, and his decision to rejoin the ranks of Starfleet, 'and', in particular request his old ship, were a testament to the mans strength and character. "A lot of memories to sort out.", said Remae, his mind clearly wandering on past events now. The Captain nodded accordingly, he too had his demons and he fully understood where the mans statement had come from. "Time heals, as they say", said the Captain rhetorically. Remae simply nodded and then came to the crux of the matter in hand. "So, Captain - what's going on and how can I help?" he asked. The Captain paused momentarilly and then leant forwards, his hands coming together before him. "We were ordered to investigate the loss of communication on research station Echo Zero One", began T'Vhor, "what Starfleet might term, standard fair", he added with a quizzical raising of an eyebrow. "However, this mission is far from standard fair. Both the crew of the station and our away team is missing under unusual circumstances. We have a station running on minimal power, buildups of what appear to be chroniton particles emanating from the lower levels, a less than informative Starfleet command and a puzzle that so far anyway, has failed to reveal any answers", said the Captain. (Reply Remae, IYW) The Captain continued. "Major Kowalski has taken a team of marines to the station on the Trojan, I have restricted use of the transporters in regards the station itself due to, shall we say, anomolies that may or may not be affecting the transport beam and... so far at least, we are still in communication with our marines", he said. (Reply Remae) NRPG: Room for more here. RPG: The Captain then brought the subject to Remae's immediate duties on board the Spectre. Somehow, it did'nt seem right to be speaking to him as a subordinate though, an 'emotion' courtesy of his Betazoid half perhaps, but logic WAS paramount here. The truth of the matter was that T'Vhor was now his Captain, and as such, this had to be addressed. "You will no doubt be wondering as to your duties aboard the Spectre Remae", he said, actively stopping himself from using the words 'Sir' or 'Captain' as he spoke. (Reply Remae) "Lieutenant Adams will be your immediate superior as he is now heading the Engineering department", he added. (Reply Remae) NRPG: Making an assumption here in regards H'Chir as Remae knew him well beforehand. RPG: The Captain nodded and then settled back into his chair. It was a valid question of course, and one which was inevitable given Remae's past position and memories of the ship. "I'm afraid that Lieutenant H'Chir never quite recovered from his interrogation and torture at the hands of the Cardassians on Betazed", said the Captain. "For a while, he continued to head the department... admirably", added the Captain, "but the strain was too much and the cracks, to use a Human idiom, were already beginning to show" (Reply Remae) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:22) Remae was listening to the CO explain the situation regarding the station. He picked up two parts, 'Chronitons' and 'Low Power'. For a few moments he thought about that and not about how he got to the Spectre. "I see Captain.", he said as he continued to think about the situation. "... so far at least, we are still in communication with our marines.", the CO said. NRPG: I won't hang around, I am sure everyone is eager to get on. I'll catch up as we go. RPG: Captain T'Vhor started to mention Remae's duties in the role of Assistant Chief Engineering Officer. The newest ACEO to the Spectre knew his role well enough and was as familiar with the heart of the USS Spectre, the warp core and the cloaking systems, as anyone. However, he could appreciate how awkward it was going to be for everyone, not at the least himself. Still, he had chosen the Spectre and his rank. Given the limit choices offered and the fact any last favours had been used up from anyone he knew at Starfleet Command, he had made the best choice. The chances of promotion were thin to say the least and that it how it had to be. ~ Consequences ~ In order to survive this transition, he was going to have to find the Counsellor on this ship and park himself on her couch for the long term. He sat up straight on his chair and remembered what he could about the structure of the Spectre and from what he could remember, there was one Engineering Officer that stood out. "From the crew I can remember from Engineering, what happened to H'Chir?", he asked as his memories of the past began to surface. The CO laid out the rise and fall of H'Chir, Remae nodded as the details were explained but if honesty was to be told, his own memories were sketchy at best. "Very well, Captain. I'll assume my duties now with your permission. Was Lt Adams assigned to the away team? If not, I will report to him now.", he said beginning to stand up to take his leave. (Reply from T'Vhor) "We'll make the time to catch up properly soon but for right now, I need to find my feet...", he said as a small smile appeared on his face, as he was sure the irony of that statement wasn't lost on the Captain. (Reply from T'Vhor) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:24) "Very well, Captain. I'll assume my duties now with your permission. Was Lt Adams assigned to the away team? If not, I will report to him now.", said Remae as he made to stand. "Lieutenant Adams is on board", said the Captain, "I believe that he is still working on deck 15 attempting to isolate an anomolous power drain we detected after we arrived", he added, wondering as he spoke just how the CEO was getting on with that little puzzle. (Reply Remae) The Captain nodded accordingly, pausing just for a moment before he spoke again. "Perhaps you might like to meet up a little later", he said, genuinely wishing to know more of his old CO's antics during the time that he had been away from things. "We'll make the time to catch up properly soon but for right now, I need to find my feet...", said Remae with a smile at the irony of his own statement. "Indeed", said the Captain, "speaking of feet, I'm sure that any problems you might have in regards your prosphetics can be addressed admirably by any of our medical personnel", he added. (Reply Remae, IYW) ...and with that, the Captain again reached over to shake the mans hand. "It is good to see you again Remae, I trust that you will enjoy your tour of duty with us." (Reply Remae) "Anything that you require, please do not hesitate to ask. Welcome aboard", said the Captain.... and with that, the Ensign turned away and headed to the door. (Reply Remae) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:26) "... any problems you might have in regards your prosthetics can be addressed admirably by any of our medical personnel.", said the CO. Remae smiled at that, "I am sure they will.", he said standing to shake the CO's hand, "It is good to see you again Remae, I trust that you will enjoy your tour of duty with us.", added Captain T'Vhor. The Bajoran headed out the door with a quick nod and a small smile in the CO's direction as he left. He was lucky to find out that the CEO was still onboard and that he wouldn't be walking in blind on the first day of his new position. (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (Research Station - Corridor - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 13:26) Major Kowalski had made the decision not to split the Marine detail into separate groups, as was the norm in most recon missions, the last thing he wanted now was for them to start losing their own team like the fleeters had. One, their strength in this situation was in the group, and Two, it would not look good! So far though, they had failed to find even a trace of lifesigns anywhere on the station and the likelihood was that they would'nt be doing so anytime soon. The Major, taking point duty now with Reye, swept the immediate area with his weapon mounted TACOM, the semi concentric indicator flashing every other second and highlighting anything in it's vicinity that had a pulse, respiritory system or a heat signature. So far though, it remained as it had the moment they had set foot on the station. There was nothing here but themselves. Now, light, or indeed lack of it, could play tricks on the mind, create movement where there was none, and generally 'fool' a person into thinking he was not alone. Marines though were trained to see only what was actually there, they knew how mind tricks worked and it was not easy to fool them into thinking otherwise. Or so you would think! At that precise moment, Kowalski had raised his hand to halt the group. Reye had fallen to her knee, her own weapon pointing straight ahead and raised to her shoulder. (Reply Reye, IYW) Kowalski shook his head as though clearing his mind. Then he spoke. "I heard something, a broken mechanical voice, inhuman", he began, looking down again at his TACOM display and shaking his head again at the realization that there was nothing there. A pause followed as he ratified the sound, it was strangely familiar, a voice from his childhood, something he had seen before that had chilled him to the bone. "It's nothing, let's move on", he ordered. Reye stood up again and together they advanced further up the corridor and edged around it whilst keeping a close eye on the weapon display for... comfort. Suddenly, Kowalski had raised his hand once again and had turned to both Reye and the others, a look of confusion now showing upon his face. This was not normal for him. "Did you hear that?", he queried, "did anyone hear that?" (Reply Reye, Any) Kowalski looked to the ceiling, then to the rear, and then forwards once again. The lights were dimmed due to power conservation devices having kicked in and the view ahead was filled with shadows that appeared to move in relation to... something! Again, Kowalski looked to his TACOM display, again though, nothing was showing. Irritated, he knocked the display with his hand as though to jar it into working properly, the display was telling him one thing whilst his mind was telling him another thing entirely, and for the first time in a very long time, the Major felt fear... Real fear! "I don't like this at all, something is'nt right here", he said, still scanning to the right, left, behind and forwards as his nerve began to fail him. "You're telling me", said a voice from behind, one of his team, he was'nt sure which right now. Not that it mattered. Kowalski took a deep breath and closed his eyes. ~Focus... Focus damn you~ Then he opened his eyes once again. The TACOM still showed nothing, the corridor remained devoid of anything but shadow and flickering light. But something WAS coming. Up ahead, a rolling, mechanised noise, a light... or something, flashing to the accompaniment of a disembodied, mechanical, broken voice. Then it appeared!!! This time, they all saw it. Reye had again fallen to her knee, as had most of the others in the team, their III-C rifles raised to their shoulders as they tried in vain to target the thing that their eyes were saying was there, but their TACOM displays said not. Kowalski himself was frozen to the spot, still standing upright and unable to move as the object moved towards them, he knew the image, it had been indelibly burned into his mind at a very young age, it had frightened the life out of him then and had become the stuff of his nightmares... and it frightened the hell out of him now. All around him, his team were calling for orders. "What do we do sir?" "What the hell is that thing?" "Sir, sir?" Kowalski was'nt hearing any of it, the 'Thing' was taking up all of his concentration now and all that it had to do to seal the deal for him now, was speak. And it did... In that horrible, broken, mechanized voice that he knew so well from his childhood! "Halt! - Do not move! - OBEY, or you will be..... EXTERRR-MIN-ATED!" (Reply Reye, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Research Station - Corridor - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 13:38) Kowalski halted momentarilly and leant against a nearby bulkhead, his III-C slung low against his hip as he reached over to his shoulder in order to massage a little growing tension from within it, then he turned to the rest of the team, all of whom looked a litttle surprised at what they had just had to deal with. Indeed, nobody quite knew what it was that they had just shut down in the firefight with the mechanised dustbin earlier, the thing had referred to itself as a 'superior being' and had called itself a Dalek. Those in the know of course, namely the Major himself, knew that Daleks were fictional creatures from a twenty first century television show.... and they certainly were not real! So what the hell were they doing here? "Something is playing with our heads here", said Kowalski all of a sudden, "that thing was not real, but it was capable of interacting with us on a material level to the point of causing injury", he added, looking to Samuels as he spoke, and to the injury he had sustained to his left arm. "I don't know what these scientists have been playing with but it does'nt involve test tubes and bunsen burners. This mission is turning out to be far from routine." (Reply Any, IYW) Kowalski checked his weapon over, AGAIN. Then he straightened up and looked up towards the sign ahead, it's illumination flickering but clearly showing an arrow and a destination. 'Main Control' With a point of his finger to the sign in question, Kowalski took a step forwards. "That's where we're headed boys n girls. Expect the unexpected...", he said, without really taking onboard the irony of that statement himself. And together they all followed. (Reply Any on team) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Deck 13, Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:45) It had been an hour and a half since he sent the pattern enhancers over to the research station and there had been no indication that the away team had received them. A contingent of marines had shuttled over to the station, but there was no word yet if they were successful in finding the away team. There was a beep from the communication system. =/\=Ensign Marciano to Engineering=/\= ~I had almost forgot about those guys,~ thought Lieutenant Christopher Adams. It had been a while since he left an engineering crew down on deck 15 looking into a drain in the warp engines. "This is Engineering. Go ahead," replied the chief engineer. =/\=I think we have it,=/\= stated Marciano. =/\=The drain isn't internal as you had suspected. It's the station. It's so small that it's almost not detectable, but there's a clear ion trail from our port warp nacelle that leads directly into the station, level G.=/\= "Good work. You've definitely earned your pay for the week. Adams out." The chief engineer opened up a communication channel to the bridge. "Adams to the Bridge." (reply T'Vhor) "We have finally traced down our warp power drain. It's the station, Sir. Something on the station is pulling warp power from our engines." (reply T'Vhor) "I suggest we shut down the warp core until we figure out what's causing it on the station. It's risky if we need to get out of here quick, but I think it's the right move considering the circumstances." (reply T'Vhor, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 13:47) By now, the Captain was back on the bridge, the senior officer there having briefed him of any recent occurences and stepped away from the centre chair in order to allow the Captain to take his place once again. "Sir, Major Kowalski reports only minor injuries and no casualties in regards the firefight with... whatever it was. It would appear that the thing was a mechanised conveyance for a being that we have never encountered before. It was neutralized accordingly", said the officer. "The Major and his team are progressing onwards, however, still no sign of our away team as yet" "Very good Lieutenant, keep me appraised of all further developments as they unfold", said the Captain as he activated his armrest console and began overseeing the variables that were now showing on the small display within it. So far, nothing much had changed, the power drain was still in evidence despite extensive diagnostics having taken place. As if my some sixth sense however, at the precise moment the Captain was thinking of the CEO himself... in came the call! =/\=Adams to the Bridge.=/\= "Go ahead Mr Adams", said the Captain, hopeful now that some progress may have been made. "We have finally traced down our warp power drain. It's the station, Sir. Something on the station is pulling warp power from our engines", said Adams. The Captainm mused on that for a moment. What could be actually drawing power away from them? Was there anything on board the station that could actually do that? It seemed somewhat illogical, but then this mission was turning out to be far from logical anyway. "I see, what are your recommendations?", asked the CO. "I suggest we shut down the warp core until we figure out what's causing it on the station. It's risky if we need to get out of here quick, but I think it's the right move considering the circumstances", said Adams. Again the Captain contemplated... "Our impulse engines can effect a withdrawal if need be, albeit at a much slower rate", said the Captain, "can we be sure that the warp core will restart under the circumstances we are seeing here right now?", he asked. (Reply Adams) "Very well", said the Captain, "Shut down the warp core but make sure that we have power available to the impulse drive in case we need it" (Reply Adams, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Deck 13, Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:48) With the drain from the warp engines finally narrowed down, Lieutenant Adams called up to the bridge for permission to shut down the engines. =/\=Our impulse engines can effect a withdrawal if need be, albeit at a much slower rate,=/\= explained Captain T'Vhor from the bridge. =/\=Can we be sure that the warp core will restart under the circumstances we are seeing here right now?=/\= "Absolutely," responded Adams. "However, it's still going to take fifteen to twenty minutes to bring the warp core back online once they are offline." =/\=Very well. Shut down the warp core but make sure that we have power available to the impulse drive in case we need it.=/\= "Aye, Sir. Adams out." The chief engineer tapped his combadge closing the channel to the bridge. "Okay," he stated to the engineering crew that had assembled in front of him. "Chief Biign, you oversee the warp engine shutdown. I'm going to review the sensor readings as you bring the engine off line to see if I can figure out what might be going on over there." (reply Biign) "Alright. Let's get it done." The engineers broke up and went on to their duties. Adams walked over to one of the engineering stations that lined the corridor which lead to the warp core. He brought up the sensor readouts of the station. (reply Biign, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - ACEO, Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:49) It didn't take too long to find the main engineering section of the ship. At least that was still there, as he remember it but something wasn't quite right and he had noticed it the moment he'd come aboard. As the main doors opened, the imposing view and sounds of the warp core were silent. The core had been shutdown. He noted one of the diagnostic screens as he asked someone for a few directions and located his quarry. "Lt Adams? Ensign Remae Ktell reporting for duty. I've been assigned as your Assistant Chief Engineering Officer.", he said formally. From the start, there was going to be a clear line. He wasn't here to command, he was here to assist the Engineering Department. (Reply from Adams) "Sir, I am a little behind. Could you give me a little background on the mission and why the core has been shutdown? The CO mentioned a power drain? Did you manage to isolate it?", he said, his head slightly to one side as he considered possible solutions to the problem. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of the core being offline, it could take 20 minutes to bring the warp drive back online from cold…in an emergency, 20 minutes could be a very long time indeed. (Reply from Adams) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - CEO, Lt Christopher Adams - 13:50) Lieutenant Adams continued to look over the readout as the warp core was taken offline. The ion trail that was leading to the station stopped and eventually dissipated as the remaining warp power was sucked into the station by whatever was drawing the energy away from the ship. The doors to Engineering slid open and a Bajoran with a familiar face walked through and approached the chief engineer. Recognition came across Adams's face and he stood to greet the new officer he had heard would be arriving. "Lt Adams? Ensign Remae Ktell reporting for duty. I've been assigned as your Assistant Chief Engineering Officer." "Yes," he replied with a smile. "Your reputation precedes you, S...I mean Ensign. I remember you from the Civil War. Captain Stratton spoke of you." (reply Remae) "Always," replied Adams. "She only had fond things to say of your exploits here on the Spectre." It was a little awkward. While Adams was a lowly ensign back on the Paladin, Remae Ktell was commanding a starship. Now years later, Adams was Chief Engineer and Remae was now the ensign. Adams had read the report on why Remae was commissioned back as an Ensign, but it seemed a waste for such a great commander. He was looking forward to working with him and learning from his experience as well. "Sir, I am a little behind," stated the ensign, getting down to business. "Could you give me a little background on the mission and why the core has been shutdown? The CO mentioned a power drain? Did you manage to isolate it?" "There's some sort of anomaly on the station," explained Adams. "It was drawing power from our warp engines. I was hoping that if we shut them down it might stop feeding whatever it is over there and maybe we could get back in contact with our away team. So far no luck." (reply Remae) "I could really help narrowing down the types of anomalies that could draw warp power from such a distance. If we could figure out what it is, then maybe we could figure out how to stop the warp power drain." (reply Remae, any) (posted by Jason French) (USS Spectre - Main Engineering - Ensign Remae Ktell - 13:51) Captain Straton…that took Remae back a bit, talking about the USS Paladin made him remember the time he had spent that as First Officer. "She spoke about me? High praise indeed!", he said to the Second Officer and for a moment there was a silence between the two but Remae pressed on to ask about the power drain. He doubted it would be the last time he would make people uncomfortable but he wanted to see what he could do to help. The CEO begin his explanation. "So far no luck.", he said stated. The core shut-down had failed to resume communication with the away team on the station. An anomaly on the station caught the Bajoran's interest. Something on the station was draining the Spectre's warp energy. "Sounds like a good idea, sir. Perhaps over time, the lack of power drawn will begin to affect this anomaly but even a partial drain could sustain whatever it was that was blocking for a while.", he said waiting for Lt Adams to finish. "I could really help narrowing down the types of anomalies that could draw warp power from such a distance. If we could figure out what it is, then maybe we could figure out how to stop the warp power drain.", he said and Remae looked over at the dead warp core and made his suggestion. "With all due respect, sir, we're going to need a very long time to figure that out. It could take weeks to examine every single possible candidate and just from thinking about it then, I don't think we have that kind of time. Might I make a bold suggestion?", he said grabbing a PADD from a nearby console. "I suggest we go the other way with this problem, power up the core again, throw open the antimatter/matter injectors as wide as you dare and generate as much power as you can…transfer everything the Spectre has into the warp coils. Releasing that much energy at once without going to warp is going to do a few things. We can track where the energy goes easier, perhaps locate where on the station the drain is coming from.", he said pausing a moment before adding, "If we can locate it, we can get some short range detailed scans and find out what this and in the process even satisfy it long enough to leave us alone for a while.", he said concluding his recommendation. He waited for the reply from the Chief Engineer. (Reply from Adams) (Posted by Anthony Keen) =========================================================================