USS Spectre Compile - November 1st-30st 2008 by Alan Reading ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.02.08 (USS Spectre – Smith’s personal quarters – Security officer Smith - 12:45) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 16:38) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 16:39) (USS Roger Young – MCO Quarters – 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth ‘Sat Nav’ Smith - 18:05) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – ACMO - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 18:08) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – CMO Williams - 18:08) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – Captain T'Vhor - 18:09) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - STI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:30) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 18:31) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - STI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:31) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 18:32) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:33) (USS Spectre - Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 18:46) (USS Spectre - Security - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 18:47) (USS Spectre - Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 18:55) (USS Spectre - Security - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 18:56) (USS Spectre - Outside Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:05) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 19:06) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:07) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 19:08) (USS Spectre - Ten forwards – Nurse Douwsy - 19:23) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters– ACMO – Dr. Michaella Kirien - 19:35) (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CMO Williams - 19:35) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:36) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters– ACMO – Dr. Michaella Kirien & Family - 19:37) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:38) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – ACMO, Dr. Michaella Kirien - 19:42) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:49) (USS Spectre - MCO office - 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth ‘Sat Nav’ Smith - 21:30) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.02.09 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Corporal Jose Rameriz - 19:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 19:05) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 3 Stardate: 2408.02.10 (USS Spectre - Engineering - Ensign Paul Morphy and Ensign Bys'At - 04:00) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 10:03) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Lewis O'Hara and MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 10:05) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 10:05) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman - 10:08) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Rameriz - 10:14) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Lewis O'Hara and MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 10:14) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman - 10:16) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman/2nd lieutenant Kenneth 'SatNAv'Smith - 10:21) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Corporal Jose Rameriz & Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 10:22) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - STI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 10.23) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck – Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 10:24) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Corporal Houseman - 10:46) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:17) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:20) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - Pilot Officer Smith - 12:20) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - Pilot Officer Smith - 12:23) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 – OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:25) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 – Pilot Officer Smith - 12:32) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:32) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:43) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward – Pilot officer Smith - 12:45) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:47) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward – Pilot Officer Smith - 12:50) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 15:00) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 15:01) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 15:04) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters– Elizabeth and Gabriella Wilson-Kirien - 16:07) (USS Spectre – Outside Holodeck One – Pilot Officer Smith – 16:15) (USS Spectre – Outside Holodeck One – Civilian Child, Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien – 16:18) (USS Spectre – Out side Holodeck One – Pilot office Smith – 16:20) (USS Spectre – Holodeck One – Civilian Child, Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien – 16:24) (USS Spectre – Holodeck One – Pilot officer Smith – 16:27) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC's Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:00) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 19:00) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:03) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 19:04) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:05) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 4 Stardate: 2408.02.11 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 03:30) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 6 Stardate: 2408.02.11 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Chief OPS - Lt. Chenoll - 14:30) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 14:33) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:33) (USS Spectre - Sickbay Lab - ACMO Dr. Michaella Kirien - 14:33) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Chief OPS - Lt. Chenoll - 14:34) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:37) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 22 Stardate: 2408.02.29 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 21:09) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 28 Stardate: 2408.03.06 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 18:32) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 36 Stardate: 2408.03.14 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 01:20) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 38 Stardate: 2408.03.16 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 10:00) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 10:02) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 10:05) (USS Spectre – Corridor – Nurse Douwsy - 12:05) (USS Spectre – Corridor – Ensign Jynea Kreung - (USS Spectre – Corridor – Nurse Douwsy - 12:08) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:30) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 12:32) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:33) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 12:35) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – CMO Williams – 13:01) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – Ensign Jynea Kreung – 13:01) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – CMO Williams – 13:05) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 42 Stardate: 2408.03.20 (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:46) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 09:48) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - CMO Williams - 09:50) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:51) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room – CMO Williams - 09:54) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 119 Stardate: 2408.06.06 (USS Spectre – Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:03) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 14:05) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:07) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:09) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:09) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams/ Nurse Douwsy - 14:13) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 14:15) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:15) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:19) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:20) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:21) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:26) (USS Spectre - Bridge, TAC 2nd Station - TAC.Officer, Lt. Ammon Ranae - 14:28) (USS Spectre – T'Pia's quarters – Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 15:00) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 15:40) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CONN - Pilot Officer Smith - 15:44) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - FO Commander Williams/Nurse Douwsy - 15:45) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC Officer, Lt. Ranae Ammon - 15:48) (USS Spectre - Obs Lounge - Captain T'Vhor, MXO Major Bruce Kowalski and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 15:49) (USS Spectre - Obs Lounge - FO Williams - 15:49) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 1 Stardate: 2408.02.08 (USS Spectre – Smith’s personal quarters – Security officer Smith - 12:45) Jo sat by her work station in her quarters. She was working her way through a couple of personal messages that she had received, she knew that they were messages from the family and decided to look at them now rather then later. She brought up one from her brother Kenneth how as she recalled the MCO on the USS Rosenante. ~Wonder how Soldier boy is doing~ The screen changed to the image of her brother. ~Blimy he’s looking tired~ “Hi Spooks just dropping you a line to see who you are doing and giving you the low down. First family business. Got a message from dad and mum they says hi and mum’s wondering if you still want her clootie dumpling recipe?” Jo nodded to her self. ~Hmm that would be nice. Will get it when we get back~ “Ow good news cousin Beth had a baby girl to add to her collection, ow and auntie’s Maggie’s son William’s applying for the marines so watch this space.” He stepped back out of camera view and Jo could see the cargo deck behind him. He then stepped back so that Jo could see him again. “As you can see things have changed a little since I last spoke to you. My demi-company has been disbanded and I have been relocated so I’m not MCO any more.” He shrugged. “Due to the necessity of the corps but hay will be interesting. I’ve been bounced from on squad to another. No one seams to know what they want to do with me but hay ho that’s the nature of the beast. Hear from you soon Spooks say hi to Petrol Pigeon from me.” Jo grinned and shut down the message. She looked at the chonomiter and saw that her shift was staring soon. ~Better get going. Got a feeling that I have a few things that I need to do today~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 16:38) "Of course", said the Captain, "but you, as the first recipient of any information, will be sworn to secrecy until such time as I execute that prerogative" The Vulcan captain warned solemnly. Brian nodded grimly. "Of course, sir. I'm not one to spread tales anyway," Rogers said, before rising and heading to the door. "Mr Rogers..... Alpha Primes?" the captain asked before Rogers had left. "Yes, you know, those ships, whatever they were called," Rogers said. (reply T'Vhor) "Oh, the Zulu Alpha. In my day, ships had a proper name," Rogers said with a smirk. (reply T'Vhor) And with that settling the issue, Rogers grinned and headed off to his oft-used office. (reply T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 16:39) "Mr Rogers..... Alpha Primes?", asked the Captain. Rogers furrowed his brow just briefly, perhaps a little unsure of exactly what the Captain was going on about right now, then he raised a hand along with both eyebrows as the penny finally dropped. "Yes, you know, those ships, whatever they were called", said Rogers. The Captain appeared puzzled at first, ships? That wasn't much to go on after all but with the passing of another few seconds, the second proverbial penny dropped. "You are referring to the Zulu alpha attack ships I assume?", said the Captain. "Oh, the Zulu Alpha. In my day, ships had a proper name", said Rogers. The Captain raised an eyebrow in typical Vulcan fashion, todays ships had names also didn't they, nothing had changed there and yet Rogers had harked back to what he termed 'his day' as though he had served on the seafaring wooden sailing ships of his species pre-flight existence. "Is the USS Spectre not a name?", said the Captain, "or the Lexington, the Endeavour, the Alacrity?", he added. "In my experience, covert vessels attached to specific attack sortee's such as Admiral Doenitz's attack squadrons, are often designated by numbers or phonetic variants designed to confuse the enemy or obfuscate certain facts", said the Captain with a quirk of his head. "I would imagine that the Zulu Alpha's were named in much the same manner", said T'Vhor. Rogers simply nodded his assent and then remained silent until the Captain duly dismissed him, then he was off to wherever he intended to contact his handlers, the logical ramblings of the Captain no doubt still resonating in his head as he did so. (Reply Rogers, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Roger Young – MCO Quarters – 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth ‘Sat Nav’ Smith - 18:05) Kenneth stepped smartly into the MCO’s quarters and saluted. “Lieutenant Smith reporting as ordered.” The MCO returned the salute. “At ease Smith.” Kenneth moved to at ease position. “You are being disembarked when we reach the star base. From there you are to report to the senior officer on the Spectre. You have been transferred to their detachment there.” ~What the Spectre no way~ Kenneth kept his face neutral. “It appears that HQ feel that you have had too much free-range when you were in charge of the Rosenante detachment and want you to get some experience.” The MCO paused for a moment. “The MCO on the Spectre is a man called Kowalski. He’s tough as old boots and sharp as they come so don’t think this is going to be some kind of holiday.” “No Sir.” “Now get your stuff together and be at the docking port by 2000.” “Yes Sir.” “Dismissed Marine.” “Yes Sir.” Kenneth saluted again, turned and headed for his quarters to get his gear sorted. (Reply None) )Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – ACMO - Dr. Michaella Kirien - 18:08) Michaella had spent the meeting observing. It was what she was good at. Some of it watching her Superior. "It will take us One hundred and nineteen days at maximum warp to reach our destination, a long time yes but we are closer than any other suitably equipped Federation vessel", said the Captain. "I suggest that we use this time to our advantage, it will give us time to prepare." Then Andrew spoke. “The Medical department will be ready by the time we depart. We are just waiting for the last of the equipment and medication to be loaded.” Michaella chose that moment to speak up, "Captain, that amount of time running at combat readiness will be draining on morale. There will be predictable outbreaks of fighting caused by tension and stress. I suggest that the counseling team work with the morale officer to mitigate those at high risk. I also suggest that we mandate periods of rest. Some of our Officers like to push themselves and now isn't the time we need them to. We need them at peak WHEN we engage, not before hand. I'd also like permission to set up some in depth physicals on our combat personnel to double check. We have the time, we might as well use it wisely." She leaned back and waited for Williams or the Captain to agree or disagree. (reply any) (posted by Mel) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – CMO Williams - 18:08) "Captain, that amount of time running at combat readiness will be draining on morale. There will be predictable outbreaks of fighting caused by tension and stress. I suggest that the counseling team work with the morale officer to mitigate those at high risk. I also suggest that we mandate periods of rest. Some of our Officers like to push themselves and now isn't the time we need them to." ~Wonder who she could mean not me surely. I always make sure that I am properly rested~ " We need them at peak WHEN we engage, not before hand. I'd also like permission to set up some in depth physicals on our combat personnel to double check. We have the time, we might as well use it wisely." Andrew was going say something but T'Vhor spoke first. "The Spectre will not be at combat readiness until the last day of our approach to our optimal destination Doctor", said the Captain, "we will remain at standard alert readiness until it is otherwise indicated", "However, I see no reason not to implement your recommendations anyway... Medical assays to be performed on all Marine details and any Spectre crew that have not recently had a medical please", A flicker of a smile danced across Andrews face. ~You'd sooner get a Farengi parting with latinum then getting some of the marines to do medicals~ "Yes Captain we'll liase with Major Bruce Kowalski and Lieutenant Donaldson." He looked over at Kirien in case she wanted to add anything. (Reply Kirien, IYW) "Ensign Kreung, please assist the medical department in organising said Councilling for those that might benefit from this", said the Captain, "the very mention of a Borg involvement, regardless of specifics is enough to raise the adrenalin levels of a good deal of our crew" Andrew nodded at what T'Vhor had said and knew that he was one of the mentioned crew. ~Yep you can say that again~ (Reply Kreung, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge – Captain T'Vhor - 18:09) Kirien had a point, more or less anyway.... Her mention of draining morale whilst running under duress however had indicated a certain misunderstanding of their situation that he felt needed to be addressed. "The Spectre will not be at combat readiness until the last day of our approach to our optimal destination Doctor", said the Captain, "we will remain at standard alert readiness until it is otherwise indicated", he added pausing now to ponder her suggestions. "However, I see no reason not to implement your recomendations anyway... Medical assays to be performed on all Marine details and any Spectre crew that have not recently had a medical please", he said, clearly addressing both the CMO and his companion at the table. (Reply Kirien, Williams IYW) "Ensign Kreung, please assist the medical department in organising said Councilling for those that might benefit from this", said the Captain, "the very mention of a Borg involvement, regardless of specifics is enough to raise the adrenalin levels of a good deal of our crew" (Reply Kreung, Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - STI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:30) Following the conclusion of the staff meeting, Rogers stood up from his seat and patiently walked over to Captain T'Vhor, who had been lingering near his chair. Rogers withdrew a PADD from his sleeve and offered it to the Vulcan. "A little gift from our friends in the shadows," Rogers said while the Vulcan took the complete Starfleet Intelligence dossier on the cyborg race known as the Borg. (reply T'Vhor) "It appears to be all there, none of it left out," Rogers said. "Some rather interesting things." Rogers glanced over his shoulder, as the Observation Lounge was now mostly empty. He spoke in a hushed tone, "Did you know that in 2367 Vice Admiral Ford personally tried to negotiate some sort of a peace treaty with the Borg and never returned? Poor bastard is probably Six of Fifty by now," Rogers said. (reply T'Vhor, iyw) "And-" Rogers looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, "The Omega molecule... very interesting subject," Rogers said. He patted T'Vhor on the shoulder and grinned. "Thanks for the unconditional security clearance regarding the dossier, but I'll imagine you'll want to classify some things in there before you start handing out copies to the senior staff," Rogers offered. (reply T'Vhor) Rogers spoke frankly with his friend "How are we going to beat them, Captain? Head-to-head combat fights rarely work. Do you have something up your sleeve?" Rogers asked. (reply T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 18:31) Exactly why Roger's had remained behind after the rest of the senior officers had left was at first, a puzzle. The PADD in his hand however suggested data of a sort and if the SFI officers usual modus operandi could be relied upon, it was probably something secretive and more than likely linked to their earlier discussion involving SF intelligence files. The Captain took the offered PADD with a typical raise of a Vulcan eyebrow. "A little gift from our friends in the shadows", said Rogers resorting now to one of his usual idioms. "Shadows?", said the Captain quizically, "I take it by that you mean your colleagues in SFI?", he added as he took the PADD and then began persusing it's contents. "Interesting", said T'Vhor, "it would seem that there have been new discoveries in regards how the Borg function and diversify. This looks to be a highly comprehensive account", he added. "It appears to be all there, none of it left out, some rather interesting things", said Rogers as he glanced furtively around the room, curious now as to who amongst the senior crew might still be within earshot before continuing on. "Did you know that in 2367 Vice Admiral Ford personally tried to negotiate some sort of a peace treaty with the Borg and never returned? Poor bastard is probably Six of Fifty by now", said Rogers, resorting to expletives to get across his point before going on to mention something termed an Omega molecule, an unfamiliar term to the CO but no doubt something within their mission specialists understanding. "......I'll imagine you'll want to classify some things in there before you start handing out copies to the senior staff", said Rogers. The Captain nodded accordingly at the SFI mans suggestion and placed the PADD upon the table, Rogers then began quizzing the Captain about his plans regarding the Borg, and what he saw as an inevitable fight later on. "How are we going to beat them, Captain? Head-to-head combat fights rarely work. Do you have something up your sleeve?", he asked resorting to yet another idiom. "We are not going to the Zeta Gellis cluster to specifically fight the Borg Lieutenant Commander, our remit is to observe them, find out what they are there for and remain covert for as long as we are able", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) The Captain nodded again, Rogers was probably correct, the moment the Borg sensed that the Spectre was a hostile vessel, then they would respond with deadly and decisive force. That much was a certainty. (Reply Rogers) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - STI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:31) "We are not going to the Zeta Gellis cluster to specifically fight the Borg Lieutenant Commander, our remit is to observe them, find out what they are there for and remain covert for as long as we are able," Captain T'Vhor said. "We'll have trouble, sooner or later, with them, sir," Brian said. The CO said nothing, just simply nodded solemnly. "Hopefully the specialists have some suggestions on modifications to Spectre," Rogers said. "Shields, phasers, things like that," Rogers suggested. (reply T'Vhor) "well, good luck with that, Captain. I don't suppose you have any things for me to do on this mission," Rogers quipped. (reply T'Vhor, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - Captain T'Vhor - 18:32) If ever there had been an understatement, the SFI man had just made it. "We'll have trouble with then sir", he'd said, the 'them' being the Borg of course.... The Captain nodded. "Undeniably so", he said, "our aim however is to limit that 'trouble' to a managable level, we have no idea what the Borg are doing, all that we know is that for the past few days they have been routinely monitored on the outermost fringe of the cluster", said the Captain. "It would appear that from the available data, they are using the cluster itself as a regular retreat, our best indicator of their intentions to remain there for some time no less", he added. (Reply Rogers, IYW) "I have spoken to Doctor Gunnell on these matters and she assures me that all the relevant information will be made available to us in full before our encounter with any Borg vessels", said the Captain. "Hopefully the specialists have some suggestions on modifications to Spectre.....shields, phasers, things like that", said Rogers, obviously expecting, or rather hoping that this was the case. The Captain nodded his concurence and continued on. "Again, Doctor Gunnell has assured me that she will be spending some time with H'Chir on this matter, she has both suggestions and modifications in mind for him to carry out", said the Captain. "Well, good luck with that, Captain. I don't suppose you have any things for me to do on this mission", asked Rogers seemingly hoping that he would be left alone for the majority of it no doubt. "I'm quite sure that we will find something to keep you busy Lieutenant Commander", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) "And remember Brian, anything that you learn from SFI on this matter is to be brought to my attention immediately.... do I make myself clear?", said the Captain. (Reply Rogers) "Then I will see you in the fullness of time, until then.... we have work to do", said T'Vhor as he gathered up his PADD and headed towards the door. (Reply Rogers IYW, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Observation Lounge - SFI Agent - Lt. Cmdr Brian Rogers - 18:33) "I'm quite sure that we will find something to keep you busy Lieutenant Commander," The Vulcan quipped. Brian smiled. "Aye, sir," he said plainly. "And remember Brian, anything that you learn from SFI on this matter is to be brought to my attention immediately.... do I make myself clear," T'Vhor offered. The Lt. Commander nodded and put his hands behind his back. "Of course." "Then I will see you in the fullness of time, until then.... we have work to do," The CO said as he left the room. Rogers stood in the empty Obs Lounge for a few moments, taking in the passing starfield from the large windows. He stood up straight, holding his hands behind him, and gently felt the texture of his sleeves while he took in the moment. Rogers had always wanted to be a hero, to have a name for himself. But now, he found himself barreling towards an encounter with the Borg, and an impending sense of dread, as his thoughts about his future suddenly ended at the end of the mission. Brian Rogers wasn't sure what would happen, but he couldn't escape the feeling that he was going to die on this mission. (reply none, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 18:46) "Aha, there's that masked cleverness." Said Chuck, "I think I've discovered your secret." "Yeah well, don't tell anyone, I'm trying to avoid office hours." Said Jynea. "As are we all, Counselor." There was a silence as the two didn't look at each other. Jynea pulled a squishy(*) ball out of her pocket and threw it at the new head of security. (Reply Donaldson as he catches it easily, one would assume.) "Well, you're not answering questions, you're being morose and miserable.. and while throwing things isn't exactly in the counsellor's handbook, it broke tension." She closed her eyes for a moment and told herself very sternly to not add 'Break tension.. break wind, it was one of the other.' (Reply Donaldson, if any) "So, you were going to tell me what was going on behind those pretty eyes of yours, right?" Jynea baited. (Reply Donaldson :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Security - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 18:47) There was a silence as the two didn't look at each other. Jynea pulled a squishy ball out of her pocket and threw it at the new head of security. Chuck was a bit surprised that Jynea had produced the odd article but she hadn't thrown it to hit him ... just for him to catch, which he did. "And that was for?" he asked squeezing the ball and alternating it between his hands in a half-juggle kind of motion. "Well, you're not answering questions, you're being morose and miserable.. and while throwing things isn't exactly in the counselor's handbook, it broke tension." She closed her eyes for a moment. He considered throwing the ball back to her but instead he sat it quietly on his desk. "I'm curious where you got this 'ball' but I'm thinking it was perhaps at one time intended for a certain furry companion?" asked Chuck. (reply Kreung IYW) "So, you were going to tell me what was going on behind those pretty eyes of yours, right?" Jynea baited. "You've managed to wear me down, Counselor." Chuck paused a moment and curled an index finger across his chin, "The plainest way to say it is that I have fallen for your charms." (reply Kreung) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 18:55) "I can't say that I'm used to talking about this topic so openly with anyone. Except ..." Chuck paused, "I don't love you either, you just have that nasty habit of making intelligent speeches that make you so damned attractive." "Intelligent?" Jynea looked at him suspiciously for a moment, "Wise, I might buy.. but intelligent? Pffft. But either way, thank you." "Perhaps I'm just vulnerable to those Orion pheromones. At any rate you have a magnetism that makes me never want to lose you. On whatever level I may *have* you at this moment ... friend, confidant, or whatever it may be." She crossed her arms, "Mmmf. Way to take back a complement Mr Donaldson. A girl doesn't like to be told a guy's enamoured of her only 'cause she smells good." (Reply Donaldson) "Well." Jynea said, head tilted to one side as she seemed to consider the matter with great seriousness, "You could always come back to my quarters with me and help me wash off all this mud and we could skip the whole deeper emotional probing and go for the fun stuff." (Reply Donaldson) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Security - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 18:56) She crossed her arms, "Mmmf. Way to take back a complement Mr Donaldson. A girl doesn't like to be told a guy's enamored of her only 'cause she smells good." "'smelling good' isn't exactly what I was trying to convey, Counselor." Said Chuck. "Well." Jynea said, head tilted to one side as she seemed to consider the matter with great seriousness, "You could always come back to my quarters with me and help me wash off all this mud and we could skip the whole deeper emotional probing and go for the fun stuff." "I don't think ..." Chuck paused a moment and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "I don't think I can do that. I suppose that's a little non-progressive of me but I'm not wired to block out my emotions." (reply Kreung IYW) Chuck leaned as far forward as he could at his desk and reached across it to touch Jynea's hand. "You're just so damn attractive." He said meaning more than her physical beauty. He had seen into her heart on a few occasions and he was convinced that there was much more there to be discovered. (reply Kreung IYW) Chuck turned Jynea's hand over gently and with his other hand placed the squishy ball in her open palm. "I believe this belongs to you." He said, smiling in spite of his wounded pride. He had taken a kind of leap and been both rejected and accepted. It was an odd mixture of feelings. (reply Kreung IYW) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Outside Security - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:00) Jynea wasn't quite sure how she ended up outside security and heading back to her quarters by herself. ~He's attracted to me, but doesn't want emotional involvement because of his wife, but he also doesn't want physical involvement without the emotional. I don't get it.~ She restrained herself from smacking her head against the nearest bulkhead. She had the sneaking suspicion she'd missed something and she wasn't quite sure where she'd missed it. She started to review the conversation in her mind as she stepped into the turbolift. Had she been too forward? Not forward enough? Should she have been more subtle? Small steps instead of offering big ones? How could she figure out what Chuck wanted of her when he didn't seem to know himself! She was pretty sure it all had something to do with his human honour though. "Deck 3" She told the lift and listened to it whir its way through the ship. (Reply Dowsy :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:05) Didn't anyone ever go off duty on this ship? She'd have to pitch a fit soon in the counsellory way. She caught Dowsy in the backroom looking over lab samples. Jynea hauled herself up onto the counter behind Dowsy that was currently unused. She didn't think sickbay was desperate enough to have her run scan results. "I don't get human males." She started without preamble. She and the head nurse were good enough friends by now that they didn't need to exchange the small talk most humanoids felt so essential. (Reply Dowsy :) "Chuck says he's attracted to me but doesn't seem to want to do anything about it! As far as I can tell, he just wants to mope and moross and sop. I offered to take him to my quarters, he turned me down and left me feeling like I'd made some fumble. What should I have done?" It was mostly a rhetorical rant, but she was open to inspiration. (Reply Dowsy :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 19:06) Douwsy was going through the small pile of lab samples when she heard some one enter the small lad and sit on the counter behind her. A small grin appeared across her face as she realised who it was. "I don't get human males." The grin widened as she stood up and stretched her stiff back muscles. She turned to face Kreung but her grin disappeared when she saw the look on her friends face. “All of them or just one in particular?” "Chuck says he's attracted to me but doesn't seem to want to do anything about it! As far as I can tell, he just wants to mope and moross and sop. I offered to take him to my quarters, he turned me down and left me feeling like I'd made some fumble. What should I have done?" Douwsy frowned and moved over to Kreung. She sat her self on the counter beside her. She paused for a moment before answering. “I don’t know what to say Jynea it’s not like I know a lot about human males, just look at the one I’ve got to work with but males of any species are strange. There could be a perfectly good reason. This mission for instance might be brining up some bad memories and feelings.” She looked at her. “What do you think is the matter with him?” (reply Kreung) Douwsy nodded. “What do you want to do about it?” (reply Kreung) She listened to what Kreung was saying and nodded. ~Looks like I might need to try and make her happier. I have the perfect answer~ She then grabbed Kreung’s hand as she slid off the counter and turned to her. “Well this calls for some chocolate therapy, nothing like a big helping of chocolate to make you feel better. If remember this use to be a thing for counsellors.Come on .” (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Ensign Jynea Kreung - 19:07) “What do you think is the matter with him?” "Oh thank you Counsellor Douwsy." She stuck her tongue out at her friend, "If I knew *that* .." She trailed off. (Reply Douwsy) Jynea sighed, "I think he's not over his wife but is attracted to me and doesn't know what to do about it." Douwsy nodded. “What do you want to do about it?” "Wait for him to make up his mind before I invite him back to my quarters again, I guess!" Damn. She had a brief wonder if the SFI officer could keep a fling casual and quiet.. Douwsy grabbed her hand, slid off the counter and turned to her. “Well this calls for some chocolate therapy, nothing like a big helping of chocolate to make you feel better. If remember this use to be a thing for counsellors.Come on .” Jynea laughed, "Ooooh, can I have whip cream on my hot chocolate? Hot chocolate and whip cream is better than a man any day." (Reply Douwsy) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 19:08) "Oh thank you Counsellor Douwsy." "If I knew *that* .." ”So what do you think?” "I think he's not over his wife but is attracted to me and doesn't know what to do about it." Douwsy nodded. “What do you want to do about it?” "Wait for him to make up his mind before I invite him back to my quarters again, I guess!" Douwsy grabbed her hand, slid off the counter and turned to her. “Well this calls for some chocolate therapy, nothing like a big helping of chocolate to make you feel better. If remember this use to be a thing for counsellors.Come on .” Jynea laughed, "Ooooh, can I have whip cream on my hot chocolate? Hot chocolate and whip cream is better than a man any day." Douwsy grinned. “Yeh I can agree with that. You can have whip cream on yours. I’m going to have a banana split or a choc Sunday not sure which. ” She grabbed Kreung by the hand and pulled her towards the door. “Come on lets go. To hell with the diet, I’ve got a choc craving coming on and I need chocolate.” (Reply Kreung, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten forwards – Nurse Douwsy - 19:23) Douwsy sat at the table with a large chocolate Sunday in front and was making steady work of it. She put the spoon in and scooped another peace Vanilla ice cream and looked across the table at Kreung who was drinking her hot chocolate with whipped cream. “So feeling any better?” (Reply Kreung) (Reply Kreung, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters– ACMO – Dr. Michaella Kirien - 19:35) Michaella sat with her daughters as they worked on their homework. She had dinner almost ready and Ella was almost done with her genetics homework, and Beth was staring out at the stars instead of at her astronomy. ::Beth..:: Michaella warned her daydreaming daughter as she set out the plate of potatos and creamed corn. ::Beth, Why don't you help Mum with the meat since you can't concentrate on your homework.:: Ella chided, closing the small computer she was doing her genetics modeling on, then got up to get the place settings. Beth shot her twin sister an incredibly nasty look that said that she didn't need any interference or help as she put aside the astronomy. The emotions that Beth sent back to Ella caused Michaella to raise an eyebrow but ignore it. The childish jealousies and infighting amongst her teenaged daughters was something she could easily ignore as long as they handled it before it exploded. It had only exploded three times that she could remember... Her thoughts were interrupted as Williams called for her. =^= It’s nothing urgent I just wondered if you were free later to go over some details of the mission. If its not convenient then we can to it another day. I know you have other considerations at the moment. =^= Michaella looked at the dinner that was almost ready, as she tapped her comm badge, "My daughters and I were just about to have dinner. Would you like to join us? My daughters like earth foods - we're having chicken, potatos and corn." She smiled as she waited for the response, ferrying bread and butter and jam from the replicator to the table. (Reply Williams, any) (posted by Mel!) (USS Spectre – Sickbay - CMO Williams - 19:35) =^= My daughters and I were just about to have dinner. Would you like to join us? My daughters like earth foods - we're having chicken, potatos and corn.=^= Andrew paused for a second caught of guard by the question. "Um. Thank you very much. That would be lovely. I'll be there shortly." Andrew sat there for a moment before he realsied what had happened. ~Blimy dinner with her and her kids~ He had a quick look in the mirror as he got up from his desk. ~At least I don't look like a reach that I usially do~ As he crossed sickbay he looked at the nurse who was on duty. "I'm just going out for a bit call me if you need me." (Reply None) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:36) Andrew had grabbed a fresh uniform as he passed his quarters. It would not have looked good to be invited for dinner and turn up the grubby and smelly uniforom that he had been wearing all day. He pressed the door chim and stepped in when the door opened. In front of him stood a teenage girl of about five foot. ~Okay Andrew you have read their medical file you should at least be able to recognise them. Here gose~ "Hallo Elizabeth, I'm Andrew. Your mum's invited me for tea, hope that's okay?" (reply Elizabeth/Gabriella) (reply Elizabeth/Gabriella, Michaella, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – ACMO, Dr. Michaella Kirien & Family - 19:37) "Hallo Elizabeth, I'm Andrew. Your mum's invited me for tea, hope that's okay?" Elizabeth had to bite her lip not to laugh, "Come on in!" She stepped back from the door to let him in. The Quarters smelled like cinnamon, and overlaying it was the smell of freshly prepared food. "Ella hates earth foods, but I love them. Are you a doctor like Mom?" Another girl, about the same height, in fact her fraternal twin popped her head out of the kitchen. "Beth don't talk his ear off!" Ella stepped around the corner. Her hair was slightly darker, and she looked a bit more Betazoid in appearance than Beth. "And I don't hate earth foods, they are just..bland. Nothing like what Granma used to make on Betazed." By this point they were at the table. "Mum's freshening up." Ella replied, taking her seat. Beth chimed in not a second later, "What would you like to drink?" ((reply andrew)) As Beth went to get the drink, Michaella came out of her room, her long dark hair down rather than in it's typical braids and snood. She looked exotic, as most betazoids tended to be. "I hope my daughters haven't been talking your ear off. Do sit down and let us say grace." ((reply andrew)) ((posted by Mel :-) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:38) "Come on in!" As Andrew stepped into the Kirien’s quarters he could smell cinnamon as well as freshly prepared food. ~That does smell good. I really hope she does not mind me dropping by~ "Ella hates earth foods, but I love them. Are you a doctor like Mom?" Andrew was about to answer Beth but before he could answer another girl popped her head out of what Andrew guessed was the kitchen. "Beth don't talk his ear off!" ~So this must be Ella. Really must try and remember their names~ "And I don't hate earth foods, they are just..bland. Nothing like what Granma used to make on Betazed." Andrew was about to say that there were some very good non-bland human food but though that, that conversation might be better suited for another occasion. They had arrived at the table. "Mum's freshening up." "What would you like to drink?" Andrew though about what to drink as he sat down. “Yes please. Could I have a glass of water please?” He felt that it would imposing if he asked for anything else and it was also some thing different to the usual caffeine supplements that he drank. Beth went to get his drink and as he looked up Kirien entered the room. ~Blimy she defiantly looks different out of uniform~ "I hope my daughters haven't been talking your ear off. Do sit down and let us say grace." Andrew instantly decided that staring at his hostess was probably not a good idea so he smiled and quickly carried on the conversation. “No they have both been fine and thank you again for inviting me for dinner.” (reply Kirien, Family , any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – ACMO, Dr. Michaella Kirien - 19:42) Michaella gestured to the table and three of the four took their seats. Ella however went to a small gong sitting on a shelf behind them and hit it with the tiny mallet laying next to it. "Once for the Bright Goddess who gave us life." She hit it again, a pleasing sound, "Second for the food that she gifted us with, that which died to feed us and be reborn." Another chime, "And thirdly for the people we share this bounty with. May her favor bless us in all we do, as her gifts sustain us." The girl placed the mallet down and slid into her seat, the blessing completed. Michaella turned to Dr. Williams, "On Betazed, it is customary to give thanks to our Goddess, the Bright Mother. The chime is said to call to her, attract her attention. Generally it is rang for an entire meal..." "But it's really annoying!" Beth chimed in, wrinkling her nose and spearing some of the chicken slices before passing it to Williams. Michaella smoothly continued, "But it is annoying. So we give thanks simply, and hope that she does not mind. There are not as many who follow the old ways anymore." "But Grandmother would be really angry if we didn't." Ella interjected. "Aye, that she would. Pass the corn, please Ella." Michaella looked each of her daughters in the eye, ::And be good. No being rude by talking with your mouth full, or responding telepathically. This man is my boss.:: Beth turned to Dr. Williams as she served herself a helping of potatos. "We're to apply to the Academy next year." She said, chosing a neutral topic to address him with. (reply Williams) (posted by Melinda) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters – CMO Williams - 19:49) Andrew listened as Kirien gave the blessing. He knew a little about Betazed culture and was fascinated to learn some more. "On Betazed, it is customary to give thanks to our Goddess, the Bright Mother. The chime is said to call to her, attract her attention. Generally it is rang for an entire meal..." Andrew nodded. "But it's really annoying!" Andrew took the chicken from Beth and gave him self a piece before passing it on. "But it is annoying. So we give thanks simply, and hope that she does not mind. There are not as many who follow the old ways anymore." "But Grandmother would be really angry if we didn't." . "Aye, that she would. Pass the corn, please Ella." Andrew felt rather strange then he saw something pass between Kirien and her daughter. He saw Elizabeth and Gabriella shift slightly in their chairs before Elizabeth turned to him. "We're to apply to the Academy next year.” Andrew nodded. “That’s great what classes are you both planning to take?” (Reply Beth, Ella, Kirien) (Reply Beth, Ella, Kirien, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - MCO office - 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth ‘Sat Nav’ Smith - 21:30) Kenneth had run across the Starbase from one docking port to another to reach the Spectre. He had made it and got on board as quick as he could. He made his way strait to the MCO’s office not wanting to dump his stuff of first. ~Better go and meet the boss~ He pressed the chime at the door and entered. He stepped smartly up to the Kowalski and saluted. “2nd Lieutenant Smith reporting as ordered.” (reply Kowalski) (reply Kowalski, any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.02.09 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Corporal Jose Rameriz - 19:00) "Hubba, Hubba!" Rameriz called as he waltzed into sickbay. He was one of the few marines in Star Fleet who didn't need to be forced to his yearly physical at rifle point. In fact, he took every opportunity he could to spend some time in sickbay making googly eyes at the nurses. Seeing there was no line-up, he hopped onto the first biobed. "Who's tha lucky lady that gets to run her .. scans.." a ridiculous wriggling of eyebrows, "on everyone's favourite lothario?" (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 19:05) "Hubba, Hubba!" Douwsy looked up to see Rameriz enter sickbay and hop onto a bio-bed.. ~What does he want now. If he flirts with my staff too much I’ll give him a slap~ She paused for a second before heading over to him. ~Better not, he might like it~ "Who's the lucky lady that gets to run her .. scans.." "On everyone's favourite lothario?" She grinned as she came up to him. “That would be me Marine Rameriz.” (reply Ramirez IYW) “So you are here for your physical then? How are you feeling today?” (Reply Ramirez) “Any aches or pains anywhere?” Douwsy winced mentally as she said the question. (Reply Ramirez) (Reply Ramirez, any) (Posted by Robbie) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 3 Stardate: 2408.02.10 (USS Spectre - Engineering - Ensign Paul Morphy and Ensign Bys'At - 04:00) ~Ohoho! This is rich! Chuck's the new chief of security!~ Paul thought. "By the look on your face you either are having difficulty believing me or you do believe but you're giddy in response." Said Bys'At. "Yeah, pointy ears ... I believe it ... it's just a bit too much." responded Paul, sipping his coffee. Ensign Bristed had introduced him to the stuff and now he was hooked. "It is a strange method of selection. What marketable skills does Lieutenant Donaldson have that others do not possess?" asked Bys'At. "No ... I meant ..." Paul began to explain to the Vulcan/Romulan hybrid but stopped the futile enterprise. "Anyway, I've got a plasma leak on deck 4. Can you go take care of it? I've got a lot of crap here to do." "No problem! I'm always ready for a challenge!" Bys'At exclaimed bowing low like some kind of odd looking man-servant. ~A plasma leak!?! How ridiculous ... a ridiculous waist of my talents.~ thought Bys'At. ~A plasma leak?!? A challenge? He's prone to overexaggeration.~ thought Paul. As Bys'At wandered off in his semi-manic outward appearance Paul took another sip of coffee. "It may be time to distribute a certain holodeck program. I'll have to be real careful though now that he's the Security Chief." Paul whispered to himself. (reply any in Engineering) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck – Corporal Houseman - 10:03) Houseman ran his finger around the collar of his uniform. The muggy atmosphere was making him sweat which in turn made his uniform stick. ~Stop fidgeting and focus~ Something moved ahead of him at the far end of the corridor. Through the mist he could see the unsettling stride of the Borg drone which was heading his way. He lowered his pistol and stepped aide as the drone lumbered past. He realised that he had been holding his breath and slowly released it. ~I hate Borg. I really do~ He moved cautiously down the corridor past more drones that were secured into their alcoves. He had been told that the Borg would not react to his presence until he was perceived as a threat. ~Well that’s nice but they are not here~ The whole detachment was on exercise and for some unknown reason he had been given the task to start the whole thing off. As part of the spectre’s sniper detachment he was used to doing solo recons but it would have been nice to have taken his rifle. He remembered with a grunt of annoyance that his rifle would have been useless in the close quarters of the Borg cube. He pulled out his tricorder as he reached a junction. ~Right or Left~ The little map blinked that his destination was to the right. ~Well at least I’m nearly there~ He turned right and followed the corridor until he reached a chamber with what looked like a console in front of him. He looked the two drones which were in their alcoves. ~I hope you both are heavy sleeper~ He tapped his comm badge. “Houseman to Major Khran. I have reached the position alpha one. Every thing appears to be correct.” (reply Khran) “Copy that understood. Entering the program now.” He moved over to the console and downloaded a program that was designed to surreptitiously drop shields leading up to the power core. So that they could get access and blow it up. ~Come on come on. If this stuffs up Rameriz is going to be intolerable to the others~ He watched with relief as the program began to work and the shields dropped. “Houseman to O’Hara the doors open.” (reply O’Hara) ~Now don’t screw this up~ He saw a drone moving through the alcove and moved out of the way. Suddenly an alarm went of, shields around the alcove two entrances flashed into existence. ~Ow B******S~ "Houseman to Major Khran. We have a slight problem. I swear I did not touch anything but they found me. The have raised shields in my area…” He heard a soft click and hiss from behind. He turned realising what it was. The two drones he had seen earlier were disengaging from their alcoves and were advancing. “…and the natives are not pleased.” (reply Khran) Houseman pulled out his pistol and fired two shots at the first drone. The two shots entered the drones head two millimetres apart. The drones head exploded and it crashed to the floor. He turned to the second and fired again but the shot bounced off its shields. “One down the other has adapted to my rounds.” He holstered his pistol and pulled out his combat knife. The drone advanced towards him. Its right arm began to whirr with vicious blades. An evil grin spread across Houseman face. ~So this is what it comes down to then~ “COME ON THEN.” With that Houseman leaped at the drone. (reply Khran, O’Hara, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Lewis O'Hara and MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 10:05) Lewis shuddered slightly as he entered the corridor and then began moving forwards towards the red pulsing light at it's furthermost end. They had run sims like this before of course, standard fare for Marines that needed to keep their skills honed in readiness for any situation they might be unexpectedly thrown into. This one though was not your usual, run of the mill training sim for this one pitted them against what was possibly the Federations most deadly enemy. The Borg were unpredictable and yet completely logical in their actions and the sight of the four drones currently standing inert and apparently of little threat within their regeneration alcoves only served to enforce that fact. Lewis moved onwards, casting a glance into each of their blank, expressionless faces as he did so whilst wondering just when he himself might be catagorized a threat to them. It was then however, that the marine tactical net crackled to life within his earpiece. =/\=Houseman to Major Khran. I have reached the position alpha one. Everything appears to be correct=/\= (reply Khran) =/\=Copy that understood. Entering the program now=/\= O'Hara took a deep breath and then continued on towards the flashing red beacon that illuminated the entire area before him, then he waited for the signal which came soon enough, probably a little too soon perhaps. =/\=Houseman to O’Hara the doors open=/\= O'Hara acknowledged the call accordingly and then moved off towards the outermost hatch set into the bulkhead.... then all of a sudden, all hell broke loose. It seemed that O'Hara had tripped an alarm, but where he wasn't sure. Alarms began sounding and the drones were coming to in the corridor behind him whilst the comms crackled into life once again. =/\=Houseman to Major Khran. We have a slight problem. I swear I did not touch anything but they found me. The have raised shields in my area... and the natives are not pleased=/\= ~Uh... an understatement House~ thought O'Hara as he raised his weapon towards the first of the drones in the corridor and then readied himself for the inevitable. (Reply Khran) The drone advanced lumberingly and inexorably, it seemed strange to O'Hara that he actually paused to take in the person that once existed behind the implants and the enhancements, this had once been a Klingon officer, his appearance though drastically altered by way of the Borg 'improvements' to his anatomy. Lewis put aside his thoughts and quickly raised his phaser rifle to his shoulder, then he brought the advancing Borg to it's knees as it collapsed in response to the subsequent hit. It didn't take long though before another had replaced him and Lewis began retreating, knowing full well that the Borg would have already adapted whilst House reported similar contact via the Marine comms. =/\=One down the other has adapted to my rounds=/\= "Same here House, looks like we got a regular party on our hands.... what say we do the Tango uh buddy", said O'Hara as he set his rifle to rotate it's frequencies, thus enabling the downing of two more Borg drones in the process. Somewhere in the distance, O'Hara could hear the resulting mellee as the Borg began emerging from their alcoves, their intentions now to neutralise the threat that the collective had now perceived via the proximal sensors and the fact that they had been inadvertantly tripped. "Whe....hey!", cried Lewis as he threw down his rifle, the later having now lost it's effectiveness, before charging at the remaining Borg in his path so as to grab at it's mechanical arm in an attempt to rip it from it's mounting. Immediately, the Borg turned it's head to make eye contact with O'Hara as they wrestled for dominance in the corridor. For a brief moment they appeared to have become stuck in some sort of bizarre tableau, neither combatant giving the other any advantage as they wrenched at one anothers fleshier parts in an attempt to gain that advantage, then suddenly, the menacing looking arm of the Borg came free with an arcing rip as the electromechanical contacts securing the adapted limb to it's torso, seperated from their hardpoints. O'Hara threw the limb roughly to the floor and then stepped backwards, leaving the Borg to stare somewhat deluded at the arcing contacts at it's shoulder where the aforementioned arm had once been. Clap! Clap" Clap! O'Hara swung around at the sound to come face to face with Kowalski standing in the doorway off to the left. "Computer, pause program", said Kowalski as he stepped out of the doorway and into the frozen scene of the cubes interior. "Bravo Mr O'Hara", he said continuing with his somewhat insidious and condecending clapping as he spoke, "the only problem is, is that all of you are now dead", he added with a smirk. Lewis stood up straight. "Sir?", he enquired. "You tripped the unseen alarm soldier, if you hadn't done that neither you, nor House or any member of the team would now be trading blows with the enemy..... the truth is, you failed the mission and got your asses fried", said Kowalski, "if you'd done the job correctly, you would all have retreated prior to the explosion that would have decimated the cube entirely, and all without even awakening one drone from it's bye bye's", he added. "I-I scanned for beams sir, it didn't show up", said O'Hara whilst the MXO moved around the bemused grunt shaking his head almost in disgust at his mistake. "What's the first rule of combat in any unpredictable situation soldier?", cried Kowalski. O'Hara suddenly stood to attention. "Sir!, to anticipate any eventuality sir, to expect the unexpected and to pre-empt accordingly... sir!", shouted O'Hara. Kowalski smiled and then leaned towards O'Hara, his face coming to a stop mere inches away from the Marines unflinching face as he did so. "Correct, give that man a shiny new tin hat", cried the MXO whilst holding the mans gaze with his for a few seconds longer, then he stepped back and moved away towards the doorway just as House and the others appeared through it. (Reply House, Any IYW) The MXO was having none of it. "Run the sim again until you get it right.... and remember, this time the scenario will change", said Kowalski. "Sir, yes sir!", cried O'Hara before turning to House and shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry bud, I didn't see it, I really didn't", he said apologeticly. (Reply House, Khran, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 10:05) Khran moved silently through the Borg corridors, with his compression rifle out and at the ready. As the tall blue man stalked through the black metallic corridors, he always like to imagine how he must look from a third-person perspective. ~Hopefully, I look like a complete bad-ass.~ Khran thought to himself, as he stood waiting. His path was blocked by several green shimmering force fields, and now all he needed was word from Houseman. =/\= Houseman to Major Khran. I have reached the position alpha one. Everything appears to be correct, =/\= Houseman said. "Roger that, Corporal. Begin the upload," the Andorian said routinely as he waited. He didn't have to for long, as the green force fields dropped and Khran started moving through the protected corridor. =/\= Houseman to Major Khran. We have a slight problem. I swear I did not touch anything but they found me. The have raised shields in my area… and the natives are not pleased. =/\= The Corporal said. Khran looked ahead to his objective then back the way he came, which would have been the quickest route back to Houseman. "Hold them off, Houseman. I'm going to place my photon charges on the coolant unit and come back to your position," Khran said, as he picked up his pace to a full sprint. Khran's stomach started to drop as he heard various Marines across the simulation report that their rifle blasts were no longer effective against the Borg. Suddenly, Khran felt a sharp pain in his neck. Knowing what had happened, he tried to jump away, but felt a rather uncomfortable paralyizing feeling from his neck down. He was able to crank his head just far enough to see a lone, and rather wimpy looking drone sticking his two little tendricles into Khran's blue neck. Just then, the simulation froze, and Khran had full control of his motor functions again. Elsewhere in the faux Cube, Khran could hear the lecturing voice of Kowalski. Disappointed in himself, Khran shouldered his compression rifle and navigated the maze of the Cube's corridors to where the Marines were talking. Khran's appointed mission during the simulation had been to place detonation charges on the power core's coolant unit on the absolute bottom deck of the Cube, a mission that sent him the furthest. Khran had appearantly missed all of the discussion. He nodded to his fellow officer, Kowalski. "I was assimilated," Khran declared. "Or at least enough nano-probes to make me rather Borg-ish," Khran declared to the group. (reply Marines, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman - 10:08) Houseman slammed hard against the drone. They both fell back with him landing underneath. He dug his combat knife into the drone’s neck up to the hilt. As he lay there looking up at the drone who was he realised was a Bajoran female he felt a pang of guilt for killing the Bajoran but then pushed it away as he realised that she was in a better place now. Some where the Borg collective could not get her. He sensed his surrounding pause. ~Dam failed this one~ He slowly pushed him self away from the drone and stood up. He then picked up his knife and headed down the corridor. He heard the raised voice of O’Hara and Major Kowalski. ~Sounds like some one’s having an interesting conversation~ He entered the room with the other marines and saw Kowalski giving O’Hara a telling off. "Correct, give that man a shiny new tin hat", ”Is that us finished Sir?” "Run the sim again until you get it right.... and remember this time the scenario will change", ~Or not~ "Sir, yes sir!",. "Sorry bud, I didn't see it, I really didn't", Houseman shrugged. “Ah don’t worry mate. There is no one I’d rather have to help me on the farm. I don’t do all that agriculture stuff.” Houseman watched his surrounding change to another part of the Borg cube. He pulled out his pistol and glanced over at O’Hara. “First one to die byes the beers.” (reply O’Hara) Houseman grinned as he took point and began to head down the corridor. ~Off we go again~ (reply O’Hara, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Rameriz - 10:14) “First one to die buys the beers.” He heard Houseman say before clomping off towards his unit. He opened fire, minimum stun, to send Houseman down on his ass. "I prefers Sangria thoughs!" Another textbook engagement was ruined by Houseman and Rameriz devolving into a brawl. Holo-marine Rameriz tsked and picked up his "blood" half's phasor, cranking up the stun and shooting his mirror self into a coma. "So's, now that the whole ship a borg knows we're here, we gets another fails right?" Holo-Rameriz asked. (Reply Houseman/O'Hara) Holo-Rameriz, stuck playing medic because he could patch into the EMH slapped a stun regen patch onto Houseman's leg. "Chico's, I say we label Corporal Rameriz a terrorist, throw him in the paddy wagon, calls the mission a success at findin's the terrorists and retreats to ten forward." It had absolutely nothing to do with their mission objective, but really, how many times did the powers that were stupid expect them to run the same scenario at high alert without a break? He was a *hologram* and he was tired and thirsty! (Reply Houseman, O'Hara, Marines) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Lewis O'Hara and MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 10:14) The sudden phasor shot streaking towards the Houses rear end had barely missed O'Hara's cranium on the course of it's trajectory, not that Rameriz was bothered by that at all but Lewis himself surely was. One minute Houseman had made the gambit about the beers and then the Spaniard had interjected with a request for sangria.... Houseman had begun to walk off down the corridor to begin the sim again, but suddenly he had inexplicably toppled over, landing hard on his shoulder as he did so. "Oh my, that's gotta hurt", said Lewis screwing his face up into an angst ridden approximation of the pain he imagined Houseman had just experienced during his trip deckwards. ~What the hell is Sangria?~ thought Lewis as he recovered from his ducking motion and then returned his head to an upright position, shaking it, just to make sure that nothing fell out of his ears of course! That though was apparently not the end of it. From his prone position upon the floor, Houseman had pulled his phaser in order to retaliate but the other Rameriz had took the shot for him, saving him the effort of doing so and bringing his flesh and blood counterpart to the ground in a heap. Lewis looked on, his mouth agape... ~I've walked into a freakin freak show~ he thought looking at both the Rameriz's in turn whilst wondering which one would be most likely to have the brains to understand. "Damn you Rameriz, jeez man I say we just send you onto the Borg vessel when we get there and have you and your.... your friend here", said Lewis pointing to the holographic version of the man himself, ".... and have the both of you mop em all up kind of accidental like", he added. Rameriz remained unphased.... or rather unconscious. "So's, now that the whole ship a borg knows we're here, we gets another fails right?" said holo-Rameriz in that wierd, nonsensical manner that he always resorted to. Lewis nodded. "Fails, yeah... we get's another fails", he said, apeing the Spaniards strange verbal delivery. Holo-Rameriz shook his head as though he didn't quite know what O'Hara was on about, then he went off on another rant involving them winging the holo-mission by utilising his comatose twin and then heading out to Ten Forward for the aforementioned drinks. The plan was of course immediately countermanded by Houseman who certainly did not look in the mood to rub the MXO up the wrong way right now, a sentiment duly confirmed by the subsequent and rather loud arrival of the MXO himself, who had apparently not ventured that far since the restart of the Borg simulation. "RAMEEERIZ!", cried the MXO, his stance firm and somewhat imposing, both hands clenched firmly behind his back. (Reply Rameriz) The MXO exhaled heavily and then walked purposefully into the area in which they all stood. Both Houseman and O'Hara were already on their feet of course, despite their obvious state of disarray. The Rameriz twins however, took a tad longer to come to attention, the one on the floor seemingly playing dead for the time being. The MXO though was facing what he assumed was the 'real' one within a second, the look upon his face clearly not one that any of the Marines particularly enjoyed being on the receiving end of. "Rameriz, rameriz, rameriz", said the MXO speaking now in a calmer, much more subdued voice. "Explain to me soldier, whenever anything goes...to use an idiom here...'tit's up', YOU are always to be found in the middle of it.... nay not the middle, the epicentre", said Kowalski correcting his choice of words mid sentence as though seeking a more suitable descriptive. "Do you know what an epicentre is Marine?", he asked, leaning in towards the now upright Marine as he stood at attention. (Reply Rameriz) Kowalski shook his head in disbelief, only Rameriz could have come out with such a response as that one. "An epicentre is the point within a given disaster zone from which everything else radiates", said the MXO, "it is the point of origin from which chaos and destruction ensues, from which everything else is destroyed in a sequential manner until the expanding point of origin has lost it's momentum and everything has been wiped out", added the MXO. "This, Mr Rameriz is you, YOU are an epicentre, a destructive point of origin.....and I do not like epicentre's in my unit unless they work for the good of the unit rather than against the good of the unit", said the MCO as he began walking slowly around the man in question like some predator sizing up it's prey. Kowalski's pace faltered just briefly as the now running simulation produced a Borg drone, which suddenly appeared from a corridor and then raised it's mechanical arm towards them... "Resistance is futile, you will be ass........", it voiced, just as Kowalski drew his sidearm and then shot the drone in the centre of it's forehead without even drawing a breath, or even looking at the intended target! "Computer, Freeze simulation", said Kowalski as he calmly replaced his sidearm and then continued on with his descriptive narrative as though nothing had just happened. "When I give the order for a simulation to be repeated Corporal Rameriz, your response should not be to attempt to fudge the mission and then head off to party.... No, you repeat said mission 'as ordered' until it is completed to MY satisfaction without resorting to targetting the fellow members of your squad .... is that understood soldier!", said Kowalski as he returned to face the Spaniard once again. (Reply Rameriz) "Good, then make sure that it's written down in triplicate somewhere within that brain of yours, and also within the program from which your diabolical twin spews forth with seemingly alarming regularity these days", said Kowalski turning his attention thenceforth towards Houseman and O'Hara whilst shaking his head in the negative. "As for you two, you should know better", said Kowalski, "if this had been a real situation then Rameriz's 'Sangria' would not have been your rewards today, indeed I would have been informing your nearest and dearest of your untimely demise, not something I particularly relish", he added before turning about and then moving off towards the corridor in which the dead drone lay. "Repeat the simulation AS ordered, any more foul ups and you'll ALL be on report", said the MXO as he moved towards the corridor from whence he had came. Then turning briefly towards holo-Rameriz.... "....and deactivate that damned twin of yours before he causes any more trouble", he added, clearly assuming that the inert Marine still laying upon the floor was actually the holo version of the Spaniard before he disappeared from sight down the corridor as quickly as he had first arrived. (Reply Ramiriz, Houseman, Khran, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman - 10:16) Houseman felt a sharp pain in his leg. He tried to take a step but his leg would not respond and as he was moving forward this was the direction he fell. He tried his best to role in the air and he came down hard on his shoulder. He rolled onto his ass and pulled out his phaser. "I prefers Sangria thoughs!" “Rameriz that f*****g idiot.” ~Trust him to get too enthusiastic and attack me~ He aimed his phaser at Rameriz’s head but before he could fire a phaser shot came from behind him. It hit Rameriz and he dropped like a sack of potatoes unconscious on the floor. "So's, now that the whole ship a borg knows we're here, we gets another fails right?" Houseman turned to see the holo-Rameriz standing nearby with a phaser in his hand. ”Why does he pick on me the blithering idiot . It’s not like I’m mean to him or something. Just because he can’t accept the I have more sucsess with the woman then he does.” (Reply O’Hara, Holo-Rameriz) He watched as the Holo-Rameriz a stun regan patch onto this leg. "Chico's, I say we label Corporal Rameriz a terrorist, throw him in the paddy wagon, calls the mission a success at findin's the terrorists and retreats to ten forward." Houseman shook his head. “Have you seen the mood the Boss is into day. He’s space us with out a second thought if he found us off mission.” He gingerly stood up carefully as not to rip the patch. (Reply Holo-Rameriz , O'Hara, Marines, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - CPL Houseman/2nd lieutenant Kenneth 'SatNAv'Smith - 10:21) "As for you two, you should know better", "if this had been a real situation then Ramiriz's 'Sangria' would not have been your rewards today, indeed I would have been informing your nearest and dearest of your untimely demise, not something I particularly relish", Houseman just fixated at a spot on the wall and waited for Kowalski to stop yelling. There was nothing he could do but weather the storm from his Boss. "Repeat the simulation AS ordered, any more foul ups and you'll ALL be on report", He watched as Kowalski left feeling a great sense of relief. ~Well we're severely stuffed then~ Houseman looked over at the door as a figure entered. He thought for a moment it was Kowalski again but another marine emerged instead. Houseman spied the lieutenant rank on his collar. He carried a phaser rifle in his hand and had a stern look on his face as he approached. ~Must be the new LT. This could be interesting~ “I am Lieutenant Smith...” ~What another one. We’ll have the whole family soon~ “ .. and we are going to run this simulation again and again and again until we get it right. I have no plans at the moment so you will have my fool and undivided attention. If you want to squabble and lark about then do it on your own time not mine. We can take it as long as it takes to get it right.” Smith looked at each one in turn. “Right then lets do this by the numbers. Ramirez take point, O’Hara in the middle with me and Houseman your tail end charley.” He put the butt of his rifle into this shoulder and held it ready. “Right people lets move.” (reply Ramirez, O’Hara, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Corporal Jose Rameriz & Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 10:22) "RAMEEERIZ!", cried the MCO, his stance firm and somewhat imposing, both hands clenched firmly behind his back. "YESSIR!" Holo-Rameriz pocketed the medican scanner and snapped to attention. Corporal, and corporeal, Rameriz lay on the deck and drooled. "Explain to me soldier, whenever anything goes...to use an idiom here...'tit's up', YOU are always to be found in the middle of it.... nay not the middle, the epicentre", said Kowalski correcting his choice of words mid sentence as though seeking a more suitable descriptive. The being made of Houseman's mad programming wasn't quite sure what sort of answer the MCO was expecting from a comatose marine, but decided he wouldn't point it out. He didn't feel like being deleted. "Do you know what an epicentre is Marine?", The MCO snarled "Isn't that the places in Diz-kneee-land?" Rameriz, the holo version, asked, trying to show off his excellent databanks. Kowalski shook his head in disbelief, only Ramiriz could have come out with such a response as that one. "An epicentre is the point within a given disaster zone from which everything else radiates", said the MCO, "it is the point of origin from which chaos and destruction ensues, from which everything else is destroyed in a sequential manner until the expanding point of origin has lost it's momentum and everything has been wiped out", added the MCO. "This, Mr Ramiriz is you, YOU are an epicentre, a destructive point of origin.....and I do not like epicentre's in my unit unless they work for the good of the unit rather than against the good of the unit", said the MCO as he began walking slowly around the man in question like some predator sizing up it's prey. Kowalski's pace faltered just briefly as the now running simulation produced a Borg drone, which suddenly appeared from a corridor and then raised it's mechanical arm towards them... "Resistance is futile, you will be ass........", it voiced, just as Kowalski drew his sidearm and then shot the drone in the centre of it's forehead without even drawing a breath, or even looking at the intended target! "Computer, Freeze simulation", said Kowalski as he calmly replaced his sidearm and then continued on with his descriptive narrative as though nothing had just happened. As Kowalski frothed and ranted holo-Rameriz was wondering if the MCO was confusing the duplicates and wondered if he should summon a red H for his forehead. Maybe that would be less confusing for officers. Officers were made officers, after all 'cause they weren't real bright. "Repeat the simulation AS ordered, any more foul ups and you'll ALL be on report", Holo-Rameriz was about to make a suggestion about his stunned flesh twin when another greenie joined the party. “I am Lieutenant Smith...” ~Oh goodies, another freakin' officer. What, did they re-do a john somewhere and they all fell out??~ “ .. and we are going to run this simulation again and again and again until we get it right. I have no plans at the moment so you will have my fool and undivided attention. If you want to squabble and lark about then do it on your own time not mine. We can take it as long as it takes to get it right.” Smith looked at each one in turn. ~F'n moron.~ Rameriz thought. ~Can't train marines in boring safe simulations. All you do is make them bored and reckless.. Rammy was just the first to crack.~ “Right then lets do this by the numbers. Ramirez take point, O’Hara in the middle with me and Houseman you're tail end charley.” He put the butt of his rifle into this shoulder and held it ready. “Right people lets move.” Holo-Marine Rameriz actually sighed as he stepped over the out-for-the-count marine. He'd be down for a good twelve hours and wake with a screaming headache and nausea. Which was all good in the holo-marine's books. Though, he supposed he could just generate a computer glitch and shut himself off. Their success rate was probably going to be much higher without a bored psychopath wanting to shoot things and blow them up. Maybe if he was a good marine and stayed out of trouble.. and a sleeping Rameriz was about the only not-in-trouble state he had .. a holo-medic would slap him awake and let him blow up a few holo-borg cubes. (Reply Those in Green) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - STI Agent - Lt. Commander Brian Rogers - 10.23) "Repeat the simulation AS ordered, any more foul ups and you'll ALL be on report" The MXO shouted before leaving. The red-shirted Lt. Commander passed Kowalski as he stormed out. Rogers stood before the Marines and tightly gripped a PADD in his hands. He had used the classified STI dossier on the Borg to help the Marines in planning their holodeck training simuplation. "And, a reminder, gentlemen," Rogers said, as he waved the PADD in the air. "This simulation isn't even using the accurate model of Borg drone intelligence. These are dumbed down drones for training purposes," he lectured. "Imagine if we had used the latest, highly accurate Borg intelligence profile in these simulations." The blond-haired STI man let his words sink in for a beat. "These simulations won't get any easier," he said. "This is the Borg, after all," Rogers said, before turning on his heels and heading out the arch. (reply Marines) Without another word, Rogers promptly turned on his heels and headed out of the holodeck. Once outside, he met with Kowalski who was standing there, where they both could monitor the action. As soon as the large bulkhead doors closed, isolating the two officers from the Marines inside, Rogers broke a smile and began tapping on his PADD. "The hidden alarm was brilliant, Major," Rogers complimented. "This time, let's have the drones manage to reroute the power grid just before Houseman uploads the virus, forcing them to go to the secondary console three decks down," Rogers suggested to the Marine XO. (reply Kowalski, Marines, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck – Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 10:24) The blond-haired STI man let his words sink in for a beat. "These simulations won't get any easier," he said. "This is the Borg, after all," Rogers said, before turning on his heels and heading out the arch. ~Is he the dumbest of dumb officers or has he just nevers faced the Borg before??~ Rameriz couldn't help but stare at the idiot pyjama boy. He shook his head and waited till the orders were issued and the officers all seemed like they were proud of themselves for doing exactly nothing but waste oxygen. "So's uh, am I turnin' myselfs off as ordered or takin' the place of sleepin' beauty?" Either way had their advantages. (Reply He In Charge, Marines J ) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre - Marine Training Holodeck - Corporal Houseman - 10:46) Houseman looked down the corridor and saw the small chamber ahead. He motioned for Rameriz to move forward while he covered him. As Rameriz took point he was sorely tempted to shoot him in the head. ~No not in the head, his arse it’s where he thinks and speaks from~ He carefully followed him down the corridor. “Maybe I can get him assimilated. That would shut him up but he would probably send the Borg mad with all that yapping in their heads. Yeh do that. Destroy the borg in one go~ As they reached the edge of the chamber he paused and looked at Rameriz. “You first this time, if you keep your head straight and not act like an arse that we all know and love.” (reply Rameriz) Houseman nodded. “Houseman to Lt we are at position one.” (reply Smith) Houseman looked over at Rameriz. “Come on mate can’t let the Boss down now can we?” (reply Rameriz) He motioned with his hand. “After you.” (reply Rameriz) (reply Rameriz, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:17) George hit the turn too hard and the Red Spyder he was driving began to tip over. George shifted his weight and the car began to roll on its side. George unbuckled his safety harness and curled around the frame of the door. "This is gonna be a close one!" he exclaimed to no one in particular amidst the screech of car frame against pavement. Despite his weight shifting the car started to roll on its top. The Spyder was a standard convertible and the car rolling on its top meant catastrophic death for George (at least if it weren't a holodeck simulation. George leapt out of the car as it rolled and without pausing the program he tumbled in the grass lacing the road. "ouch, ooof, hrmmmph." He declared as he rolled. His elbow slammed hard on a rock as he came to a full stop. The car that he had left in the dust in the street race caught up to him and stopped. He inspected his arm and could only find bruises. "Hey, I guess you beat me that time. I took that turn a bit too rough ... it happens to the best I guess." George said. The door to the other car opened as it parked beside where George stood up dusting himself off. NRPG: I'm leaving this open if someone thinks their character would be in the car. RPG: (reply any in holodeck) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:20) "George, want a lift? Or you wanna walk?" called Jennifer. "Ha ha, very funny." George responded to her teasing. He grabbed a hold of her passenger door and hopped over into the seat. "That way." Said George authoritatively with a hand gesture towards the roadway. George gave Jennifer a wink. (reply Smith, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - Pilot Officer Smith - 12:20) Jennifer came screaming round the bend, she had tried to slow her turn but she was going way to fast. She stomped her foot onto the accelerator and spun the wheels around so that the back end would not swing out too wide. “Come on, come on baby were nearly catching up.” The buildings whipped past in a blur as she power slid round the corner. She straightened out of the turn and slammed through the gears as she began to build up the speed that she had just lost while turning the corner. Up ahead she saw a Red Spyder that had landed on its roof. ~Ow that’s gonna need more then a re-spray that’s for sure~ She caught sight of La Flaga getting up from the wreckage of his car. “Shall I give him a lift or leave him there.” A grin spread across Jennifer’s face and she applied the brake and stopped the car beside La Flaga. She leaned over and opened the door. “George, want a lift? Or you wanna walk?” (Reply La Flaga) (Reply La Flaga, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - Pilot Officer Smith - 12:23) She watched as La Flaga jumped into the pasingure seat beside her. "That way." He gesture authoritatively with a hand towards the roadway. ~Blimy I would ner have gessed~ He gave Jennifer a wink and she grinned back. "You better buckle you deat blet then." Before he could reply she slammed the car into gear zoomed off with the tiers screaming for traction on the road. The road startened out in front of them as the car picked up speed. Not far in front of them she could see the dust being kicked up by anouther car. "Looks like we found them." (reply La Flaga) A sight flashed pased them as the sped passed. ~hmm small birdge ahead. I think that's given me an idea~ "Hope you like to fly." (reply La Flaga) She stomped on the acceleratior and the car leaped forward. She could see that that other car had just on over the small humped back bridge and was about to start to get some speed. ~Ow no you don't~ They were traveling at a fast speed as they hit the rise of the bridge. the car leaped into the air its engines screeming and the tires lost traction with the ground. Jennifer felt her stomack lurch as they sailed over the car in front. they car smalled into the road the suspention bearly holding up the onslaut. they car swerved slightly as she faught to bring it back under control. She grinned at La Flaga as she saw the other car in her rear view mirror. "Looks like we are in front." (reply La Flaga) (reply La Flaga, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 – OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:25) The tires squealed as George tried frantically to find his seat belt. The road straightened out in front of them as the car picked up speed. Not far in front of them he could see the dust being kicked up by another car. "Looks like we found them." Chimed Jennifer. George was just glad that he finally found his belt buckle. “Let’s pass ‘em!” George said contentedly easing down into the crux of the passenger chair. George saw a devilish grin slide across Jennifer’s face. "Hope you like to fly." Jennifer quipped pushing the accelerator. “Using the bridge as a ramp? Ehhh, here we go!” George yelled grabbing his seat with one hand and the center console with the other. They were traveling at a fast speed as they hit the rise of the bridge. the car leaped into the air its engines screaming and the tires lost traction with the ground. The car landed with the suspension barely holding under the onslaught. The car swerved slightly as Jennifer fought to bring it back under control. She grinned at La Flaga as she saw the other car in her rear view mirror. "Looks like we are in front." She quipped again slyly. “Stop gloating ... I could’ve won this race.” Said George folding his arms and slumping in his seat. (reply Smith, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 – Pilot Officer Smith - 12:32) “Stop gloating ... I could’ve won this race.” Jennifer saw George folding his arms and slumping in his seat. She grinned as they sped through the finish line. She slammed on the brakes and turned the car into a sideways skid. The car came to a halt and she turned off the engine. She looked over at La Flaga with a smile. “Well if you believe that you’ll believe anything." She grinned at him “And you did bash your car in. Think it’s a right off though.” (reply La Flaga) “Next time we’ll do aerial combat Okay?” (reply La Flaga) Jennifer nodded. “Do you want a drink?” (reply La Flaga) (reply La Flaga, any) (posted Robbie) (USS Spectre - Holodeck 3 - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:32) "And you did bash your car in. Think it's a right off though." Jennifer shot back. "It wasn't me ... it was the pavement." Said George trying to look forelorn and fighting a giggle. "Next time we'll do aerial combat Okay?" asked Jennifer half joking. "That's cool, no pavement." Said George breaking into a big smile. Jennifer nodded. "Do you want a drink?" she asked. "I've only got to be on shift in a few hours ... but ... okay." Replied George. (reply Smith) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:43) George wasn't drinking synthehol. He preferred to drink a tall glass of orange juice ... with a little vodka for flavor and some kind of alcohol substitute created by the Ferengi. George called it a "Sonic Screwdriver". "Alright, Miss Smith, tell me how you managed that curve and I didn't." ordered George taking a sip of his Sonic Screwdriver. (reply Smith) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward – Pilot officer Smith - 12:45) Jennifer watched LaFlaga drinking something called a "Sonic Screwdriver". In her hand was fruit juice cocktail, she would have liked to have had something stronger but she was due to start work soon and flying the ship drunk was just a really bad idea. "Alright, Miss Smith, tell me how you managed that curve and I didn't." Jennifer grinned at him. “I saw you as you entered the turn and noticed that you were going rather fast so I took it a little bit slower then you.” (reply La Flaga) She took a sip of her drink. “The next time Mr La Flaga we do this I’ll challenge you to a flight. There is a good program in the system. Racing down the canyon continent of Foyle Gamma Five, they use small light air craft which makes the race challenging.” (reply La Flaga) (reply La Flaga) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward - OPS Lt. George La Flaga - 12:47) "I saw you as you entered the turn and noticed that you were going rather fast so I took it a little bit slower then you." "Maybe the next time we do this, Miss Smith, I'll let the lady go first around the curves." George joked taking another sip of his drink. "The next time Mr. La Flaga we do this I'll challenge you to a flight. There is a good program in the system. Racing down the canyon continent of Foyle Gamma Five, they use small light air craft which makes the race challenging." "I may be a bumbling fool on the ground, Jenn, but in the sky ..." George stopped short before finishing his sentence. He was proud of his H-squadron days but it wasn't the sort of missions you talked about without thinking ... a Civil War iron curtain. (reply Smith) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward – Pilot Officer Smith - 12:50) "I may be a bumbling fool on the ground, Jenn, but in the sky ..." Jennifer saw La Flaga pause. She knew that he was a pilot of some skill by the way he had flown the drop ship but he had kept the rest of it quiet. ~Some things are just personal~ She quickly carried on so that the pause did not become an embarrassing silence. She gave a cheeky grin. “Okay then. I challenge you Sir to a duel at Foyle Gamma Five canyon continent. You name the time and the air craft.” It was not as stupid an idea as it sounded. Jennifer was a combat pilot and had done many thousands of hours in fighters so that she was confident that any plane that La Flaga picked she would be able to give as good as she got. (repy La Flaga) (reply La Flaga) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 15:00) The Lt. Major stormed into the MXO's office, his blue knuckles turning white has he clutched a PADD as tightly as he could. He slammed the PADD on the desk and saluted the senior officer before speaking. "Sir, we have an urgent case of several enlisted Marines engaging of conduct uncoming of a Marine, sir," he said, loudly. (reply Kowalski) "It seems, sir, that some of the Marines do not respect me, sir. Either because of my history as a 'Fleeter or because of my strict opinions on Marine off-duty activities, but either way, they do not have proper repsect for an officer," the Andorian complained. (reply Kowalski) "Sir, look at the PADD," he asked. "There is a new holonovel program circulating the enlisted men, sir," he said. "Typical Marine holo-novel fair, sir. Lots of intense action, with overtly-sexual Orion women with unrealistically large bossoms who throw themselves at the player." Khran said. (reply Kowalski) "My problem with it, sir, is that one character of note, is a flamboyantly homosexual Andorian Marine colonel named Thran, sir. It is a satire of myself, sir," he said. (reply Kowalski) "I want permission to begin an investigaton as to who wrote this program, and have them PUNISHED!" Khran said, the typically icy Andorian breaking his temper. (reply Kowalski) "If it were up to me, I'd have them spaced out the airlock, but, the exact form of punishment would be up to you or the Colonel, sir," Khran said. (reply Kowalski, other Marine characters iyw, any in general) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - MXO, Major Bruce Kowalski - 15:01) "What the.....", said Kowalski in surprise, "I do hope you have a good reason for storming in here like a Klingon Targ in heat Lt Major", he added as a PADD previously in the custody of Khran, slid across his desk and bounced onto his arm. "It seems, sir, that some of the Marines do not respect me, sir. Either because of my history as a 'Fleeter or because of my strict opinions on Marine off-duty activities, but either way, they do not have proper repsect for an officer", said the Andorian. Kowalski frowned and placed his arms firmly onto the table before him with a sigh, it seemed that Khran had been having problems on board ever since his arrival, perhaps it was his lack of interaction with his own species, perhaps not, either way it was becoming a bugbear. "Do you have any specific incidents that you wish to use to back up those concerns Lt Major?", asked the MXO. "Sir, look at the PADD there is a new holonovel program circulating amongst the enlisted men, sir, typical Marine holo-novel fair, sir. Lots of intense action, with overtly-sexual Orion women with unrealistically large bossoms who throw themselves at the player", said the increasingly agitated Andorian. The MXO quirked his head in confusion. "And your problem with this is what exactly?", said Kowalski. "My problem with it, sir, is that one character of note, is a flamboyantly homosexual Andorian Marine colonel named Thran, sir. It is a satire of myself, sir", said Khran. Kowalski looked down upon his desk and shook his head in disbelief, then glancing back up into the Lieutenant Majors face, he could have sworn that he had actually gone a darker shade of blue! Did Andorians get darker he wondered... "I hardly think that the men would stoop to such a low level Lt Major", said Kowalski, keen now to try and calm the somewhat agrieved Andorian, lest he suddenly turned black! Khran though would have none of it and fired up once more. "I want permission to begin an investigaton as to who wrote this program, and have them PUNISHED!" The MXO furrowed his brow once more, it didn't look like he was going to be able to appease the man unless he aquiesced to his demands, at least to an extent anyway. "Very well Lt Major, if you think it would help I'll have it looked into... and assuming that there is a culprit to find, I can assure you that they will be admonished", said Kowalski, hoping that that would make the Andorian return to his lighter shade of blue. "If it were up to me, I'd have them spaced out the airlock", said the Andorian, "but, the exact form of punishment would be up to you or the Colonel, sir", he added, a little more composed and calmer now that he had essentially been given recourse to his concerns. "I think we'll draw the line at something less harsh Lt Major, but rest assured that if someone is making undesirable assignations towards you.... it will be addressed", said Kowalski as he sat back into his seat. (Reply Khran IYW, Any) The MXO then formally dismissed the Andorian officer. (Reply Khran IYW, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Marine XO's Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 15:04) The Lt. colonel did not seem to be as bothered by the holo program as Khran was, but then again, it wasn't him in the holonovel. Khran nodded. "Aye, sir," Khran said. "I hope the problem will be addressed," he said softly, before stepping out of the office. Once the doors had closed, Khran banged his blue fist on the bulkhead of the corridor before strutting arrogantly towards the turbolift. (reply none, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre – Kirien's Quarters– Elizabeth and Gabriella Wilson-Kirien - 16:07) After lessons were over for the day in the very small school that the two girls attended, they came back to their quarters. Starfleet understood the needs of their crew to have family along, and a small cabin had been renovated into a school for the two girls. A specialized teacher was even brought along to help tutor them on their studies. Elizabeth rolled on the fuzzy carpet on the living room of their suite, while Gabriella curled up with her biology padd to study for a quiz the next day. "I'm b----ooooorrrr----eeeedddddd..." Elizabeth whined, her homework sitting in a pile on the dining room table untouched. ::You might do better if you studied rather than whining.:: Ella sent to her twin. ::Being a pilot in Starfleet requires a great deal of mathematics you know, and the sums won't get easier by ignoring them.:: "Doing ~anything~ in Starfleet requires a great deal of ~everything~ Ella. I don't see how Dad did it." Beth whined more, rolling onto her tummy to pick at the fuzz on the carpet. Privately Ella had to agree with Beth. Their Father must have slept his way through the Academy to good grades. "I wanna do ~something~ like go run the simulators or the holodeck to see Betazed or goto 10-Forward for ice cream or just something different." Ella rolled her eyes discretely behind the Padd. Her twin had too much of her Father in her. "Well you could go see Ensign Jokeen about your math....." But Beth had already interrupted her. "Math Math Math!" Beth exclaimed hopping up from the rug and emanating agitated emotions. "I'm tired of blasted Math!" Beth stalked into her bedroom, grabbing her Father's leather aviator antique jacket and throwing it on over the jumpsuit both girls wore on ship. "I'm going flying!" And with that she'd left the room, and a very stunned Ella. It wasn't often that Beth did things without her. Ella's jaw dropped and it took a tear hitting her hand for her to realize that her twin's outburst had hurt her. Normally Beth asked her to copilot. (reply none) (posted by Melinda :-) (USS Spectre – Outside Holodeck One – Pilot Officer Smith – 16:15) Jennifer was having a long day. She had just finished her shift at the helm. Flying through the subspace river was an amazing experience and did require concentration so that the ship did not bash into the sides as it was pushed through by the current. She was glad that it was smooth ride as she had heard about ships finding could be eddies and swelling currents but most of the main routes had been carefully charted by science vessels and probes. Although she really enjoyed piloting the Spectre she some times felt that old habits died hard and she wanted to fly something more fast and manoeuvrable. This was why she had loaded a few fighter sims that she had taken from the her time on the Paladin on to the holodeck. She smiled as she remembered the raw power and adrenalin rush she got every time she had launched from the fighter bay. As she reached the holodeck doors she was a young girl heading towards her from the other direction. She wore an antique leather aviator jacket over her jumpsuit. ~Hmm must be one of the Dr Kirien girls~ She looked at the girl and smiled. “Are you flying to?” (reply Gabriella Wilson-Kirien) She grinned. “Ha that’s good us pilots should stick together.” (Gabriella Wilson-Kirien) Jennifer nodded and patted the bulk head. “Yes I fly this old girl. I’m Jennifer by the way. But you can call me Jen if you like.” (Gabriella Wilson-Kirien) “Do you want to fly together?” (Gabriella Wilson-Kirien) (Gabriella Wilson-Kirien, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Outside Holodeck One – Civilian Child, Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien – 16:18) Elizabeth headed towards the holodeck not even sure what she would do, other than she needed to be flying something. It was about then that she saw the woman loading up a simulation. With a frown she was about to turn but decided not to. Beth wasn't sure what prompted her to go without Ella. Flying was something that they did together, because it was something that their Dad had done. A way to honor his memory. “Are you flying to?” Beth nodded, a little warily. She didn't know this woman, or know if she was going to tell on her. Technically she was underaged and shouldn't be using the holodeck without her Mother. But the woman grinned. “Ha that’s good us pilots should stick together.” Beth's eyes bulged out, "You are a pilot? Do you fly the starship?" Jennifer nodded and patted the bulk head. “Yes I fly this old girl. I’m Jennifer by the way. But you can call me Jen if you like.” Beth made an awed sound and then rubbed her palm against her jumpsuit holding it out, "I'm Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien, but you probably already knew that. You can call me Beth." Then the woman said the one thing that elevated Beth's mood from depressed to happy. “Do you want to fly together?” Beth nodded happily, "YES!" She exclaimed, nearly hopping into the air. Two sets of pilot's wings were pinned to her jacket. A military set from Starfleet that once belonged to an Officer, and a smaller, gold set of an apprentice pilot. "I know how to fly shuttles and pleasure craft and my Dad had some old earth planes that we used to fly together. What are we flying today, Captain?" She asked with a grin, bouncing on the tips of her toes, her worries (and schoolwork) well forgotten. (reply Jen) (posted by Mel) (USS Spectre – Out side Holodeck One – Pilot office Smith – 16:20) "I know how to fly shuttles and pleasure craft and my Dad had some old earth planes that we used to fly together. What are we flying today, Captain?" She asked with a grin, bouncing on the tips of her toes, Jennifer smiled as she saw Beth bouncing on her tip toes and ginning. ~Captain. not for a very long time I hope~ "Actually it's Second Lieutenant not Captain but don't worry about it." She moved over to the holodeck door. "Computer activate. Pilot training course alpha one, shuttlecraft." There was a pause and then the computer replied. [Enter when ready] As Jennifer ushered Beth towards the holodeck doors she said. "I was wondering if you wanted to choose what we would be flying." The doors opened and they walked in. The walked onto a vast hanger deck like the ones she use to remembered from her training days at earth spacedock. In front of them parked neatly in a long row was a long line of shuttle crafts. Everything from the huge Sovereign captain's yacht and the Danube class runabout at one end. Through to the mission Scout and the Argo shuttle craft. To the Type class shuttle craft and finished at the small yellow work Bee at the far end. Jennifer looked at Beth. "Well Beth which one to you want to fly first?" (reply Beth) (reply Beth, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Holodeck One – Civilian, Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien – 16:24) Beth's eyes were wide as she stared at all the different crafts available. She's never been permitted on any of these under normal circumstances! "Well Beth which one to you want to fly first?" Jen asked her. Beth pointed to the standard mission shuttlecraft. "That one. That's what I want to learn how to fly." She skipped off towards it and put her hand on the padd to open the shuttle door. She didn't know any of the flight checks that she was supposed to do, as her Father had been more of a do-it kinda guy rather than a planner and thinker. She'd read the manuals of course... She slid into the co-pilots seat, making a happy sound as the seat conformed to her smaller body. She ran a hand appreciatively over the controls, then looked back expectantly at Jen for orders. (Reply Jen, any) (posted by Mel) (USS Spectre – Holodeck One – Pilot officer Smith – 16:27) Jennifer watched Beth as she pointed to the standard mission shuttlecraft. "That one. That's what I want to learn how to fly." ~Nice to try one of the old ones again~ She grinned as she watched Beth skipped off towards it and put her hand on the pad to open the shuttle door. She followed quickly and to the pilot seat beside Beth. “Computer run through pre-flight and start up check for departure.” She scanned the console for a few second as the shuttle powered up and ran its checks. Once she was happy that they were not going to blow up on the hanger deck she looked over at Beth who was looking expectantly at her. ~Lets see what she can do?~ “Okay Beth she’s all your. Take her out of the hanger and we’ll see what to go next.” She took her hands off the console and placed them on her thighs. This would stop the urge to fiddle or take control. (Reply Beth) She watched as her co-pilot lifted off the hanger deck and moved out into space. She watched as they moved away from the earth dock and were able to manoeuvre freely without risk of collision. “Okay Beth takes us to a heading of 235 mark 34 and take us to warp 1.” (Reply Beth) As the shuttle jumped into warp she looked over at Beth again. “It looks like you have the knack Beth. Piloting is something you should consider if you want to apply to the academy.” (Reply Beth) Jennifer grinned as she heard Beth’s reply “I know exactly what you mean Beth I hate maths as well but its worth it if you can do this.” She paused and looked at her console. “Okay, take us out of warp.” The view in front of her changed to a planet system. Two were M class planets with moons and the other was a large gas giant. ~Okay lets see how she does with this~ She looked back at Beth. “Okay Beth a small challenge plot a course around this system. You need to pass the gas giant, the second moon on the first M class planet and back round the sun. Make sure we stay out of the planet’s gravitational pull and not too close to the sun we don’t need a sun tan okay.” (Reply Beth) (Reply Beth, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC's Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:00) NRPG: I hope this works for Kevin and Alan. If it doesn't just let me know. RPG: Marine XO Kowalski had sent Chuck a commbadge communication detailing the necessity for an investigation into a holodeck prank that had gotten out of hand. At this very moment Lt. Major Khran sat in the chair opposite from Chuck. "Kowalski was appropriately vague. What exactly is the problem?" Chuck asked. (reply Khran) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 19:00) Khran had hoped to keep the holonovel prank within the Marines, as it were, but the Lt. Colonel had somehow seen fit to notify the half Borg Security Chief Donaldson. Khran walked into his office and noticed it was bigger than the Marine XO's office, which troubled him. Khran entered his office promotly and sat at the man's desk. "Kowalski was appropriately vague. What exactly is the problem?" The TAC/SC asked. "Well, there is a new user-written holonovel circulating among some of the enlisted Marines," Khran offered. "It features a parody of myself as a flamboyant homosexual," Khran said stiffly. (reply Donaldson) Khran shrugged his shoulders, "No, Lieutenant, I am not gay, as it were," he said. (reply Donaldson) "It's insubordation. I AM a Lt. Major," he said. "Imagine if it had been the Captain, or Commander O'Connor, or Admiral Jopek," Khran said, his anger growing slightly. (reply Donaldson) "I don't have a copy of the novel program with me. Maybe if you ask some of the enlisted men, you can get in touch with it," he said cooly. "As you can imagine, they pretend not to have heard of the program in my presence," he said. (reply Donaldson, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:03) "Well, there is a new user-written holonovel circulating among some of the enlisted Marines," Khran offered. "It featured a parody of myself as a flamboyant homosexual," Khran said stiffly. "And ..." Chuck tried to sort out the precise problem by extending a vowel verbally. Khran shrugged his shoulders, "No, Lieutenant, I am not gay, as it were," he said. "I see," Chuck sat back in his chair and wandered a moment mentally, "This barely seems a Security issue." "It's insubordation. I AM a Lt. Major," he said. "Imagine if it had been the Captain, or Commander O'Connor, or Admiral Jopek," Khran said, his anger growing slightly. "Security will investigate the circumstances but I have to be honest ... it doesn't seem like a security priority." Said Chuck. (reply Khran) "I don't have a copy of the novel program with me. Maybe if you ask some of the enlisted men, you can get in touch with it," he said cooly. "As you can imagine, they pretend not to have heard of the program in my presence," he said. Chuck cleared his throat. "I see, I'll get someone on it." Said Chuck. (reply Khran, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - Marine Officer - Lt. Major Khran - 19:04) "Security will investigate the circumstances but I have to be honest ... it doesn't seem like a security priority." Said Chuck. The Andorian nodded. "I agree, Lieutenant," he said. "I don't have a copy of the novel program with me. Maybe if you ask some of the enlisted men, you can get in touch with it," he said cooly. "As you can imagine, they pretend not to have heard of the program in my presence," he said. Chuck cleared his throat. "I see, I'll get someone on it." Said Chuck. The Andorian nodded and stood up. "Well, I would appericate if you gave the matter an honest investigate, but I understand you are busy. Some Marines... have a big mouth, as the expression goes. We may found the culprit sooner, rather than later," Khran offered. (reply Donaldson) "Aye, Lieutenant," Khran said, before leave the TAC/SC's office. (reply Donaldson, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - TAC/SC Office - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 19:05) The Andorian nodded and stood up. "Well, I would appreciate if you gave the matter an honest investigate, but I understand you are busy. Some Marines... have a big mouth, as the expression goes. We may find the culprit sooner, rather than later," Khran offered. "I certainly wish that all the burden of Spectre security could be handled in the same manner." Said Chuck standing himself, "Now, if you'll excuse me I have something important to attent to ... I'll assign one of my officers to your case." "Aye, Lieutenant," Khran said, before leave the TAC/SC's office. (reply any) (posted by Anton) ========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 4 Stardate: 2408.02.11 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams - 03:30) Andrew sat in his office. He had a cup of caffeine in one hand and a PADD in the other. He read the information as he sipped his cup. He had been trawling through the amount of data he had gained on the Borg. He had made a special request before they had left the Starbase to Starfleet medical to get as much information they had on Borg technology and the information he had obtained from Doctor Gunnell. He did not want to get caught unawares. He put down the PADD and sighed. He had just been reading Crusher’s technique on implant removal surgery. ~I hope to what ever higher being that’s up there I don’t have to do this for real~ He took a long swig of caffeine. ~I am so rusty on this stuff. I so need to get some practice and study this data before we get there~ He picked up the PADD again and began reading the next file which was Shelby’s report on Borg assimilation. ~This is going to be a long haul of a read~ (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 6 Stardate: 2408.02.11 (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Chief OPS - Lt. Chenoll - 14:30) With her shift just having ended, the Bolian headed down to Sickbay and quietly entered. It was moderately busy, but a nurse approached her rather quickly. (reply nurse) "Um, yes, I need to see a doctor. I know Dr. Williams is busy, but any doctor will do," Chenoll said. (reply nurse) Chenoll nodded and sat on a medical bed and waited for a doctor to arrive. She nervously held her hands and tugged at her comm pin while she waited. (reply doctor, nurse, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 14:33) Douwsy looked up as Chenoll entered sickbay. They had been busy not not to manic. ~What can we do for you~ She smiled at Chenoll as she walked up to her. "Hallo Lieutenant How can I help you?" "Um, yes, I need to see a doctor. I know Dr. Williams is busy, but any doctor will do," Chenoll said. Douwsy nodded. "Take a seat on the bio-bed and I'll see if I get some for you." Douwsy stepped away from Chenoll so that she was out of ear shot. "Nurse Douwsy to Dr Williams or Dr Kirien. I have a patient in sickbay who needs be seen." (reply Williams/ Kirien) (reply Williams/ Kirien, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 14:33) Andrew had just finished a very dry report when Douwsy's call came through. =^=Nurse Douwsy to Dr Williams or Dr Kirien. I have a patient in sickbay who needs be seen=^= ~Time to get back to my day job~ "On my way Douwsy." He got up from his chair and headed into sickbay. He saw Douwsy and walked over to her. "Who's the patient?" Douwsy looked over at him. "Its Lieutenant Chenoll. She's over there on the bio-bed." Andrew nodded his thanks as he walked over to Chenoll. "Good after noon Miss Chenoll. How can I help you?" (reply Chenoll) (reply Chenoll, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay Lab - ACMO Dr. Michaella Kirien - 14:33) =^=Nurse Douwsy to Dr Williams or Dr Kirien. I have a patient in sickbay who needs be seen=^= Michaella hunched over her desk, finely tuning the string of dna that she was working on, manipulating the pieces on a micro cellular level, when the comm badge rudely interrupted her train of thought. Cursing the betazoid hit it and replied, "I'm on my way!" It took her a minute or two to store the sample and make her way to sickbay. By the time she got there, Dr. Williams was standing over the bio bed. She walking over with a brilliant smile. "Dr. Williams". She said professionally and smiled at the bolian woman. "I'm Dr. Kirien." She introduced herself then turned to her colleague to see if he needed her. (reply Chenoll, Williams) (posted by Mel) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Chief OPS - Lt. Chenoll - 14:34) The Bolian had waited a few minutes until Dr. Williams showed up. "Good after noon Miss Chenoll. How can I help you?" he said polietly. "Hi, doctor, I've been having some trouble sleeping," she said softly. (reply Williams) Just at that moment, a new doctor that Chenoll hadn't met yet walked up. "Dr. Williams," she said to Williams before turning to Chenoll. "I'm Dr. Kirien," she said. "Oh, hello," Chenoll said. "I was just telling Dr. Williams that I've been having some trouble sleeping. Maybe I need a sedative or something," The blue-skin woman suggested. "But I'm not a doctor or anything," she said, quickly trying to cover her tracks. (reply Kirien, Williams, any) (Posted by Kevin Schram) (USS Spectre - Sickbay – CMO Williams - 14:37) "Hi, doctor, I've been having some trouble sleeping," Andrew nodded. He was about to ask Chenoll a question but at that moment Kirien arrived. "Dr. Williams," Andrew nodded to Kirien. "I'm Dr. Kirien," "Oh, hello," "I was just telling Dr. Williams that I've been having some trouble sleeping. Maybe I need a sedative or something," "But I'm not a doctor or anything," Andrew nodded. “How long have you had sleeping problems?” (reply Chenoll) “Is there anything worrying you at the moment?” (reply Chenoll) He looked over at Kirien. “Any thing you would suggest Dr Kirien?” (reply Kirien) (reply Kirien, Chenoll, any) (Posted by Robbie) =========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 22 Stardate: 2408.02.29 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 21:09) “Computer seal the door and do not let any on enter with out my permission.” The computer chimed at his request. ~Okay lets get started~ “Computer surgical training program alpha one. The patient is to be a Borg adult. Randomise gender and race.” On the operating table in front of him a Borg appeared. He could not make out whether who or what it was as the person was covered with to much Borg adaptations. He paused and took a deep breath. ~If you think this is bad then what about the next step~ He had personally made him self swear that he would ban Kirien from the operating theatre as he went through the training program when it came to Borg children as she had the only children on board. This was not some thing he wanted her to go through. He did not want to go through it and he had not children but he knew that if anything happened to her kids because of his incompetents he would not know how to live with him self. He stepped over to the operating table and picked up the surgical scalpel. He paused clearing his mind of all his worries and doubts. “Computer, begin the clock on my mark.” ~Get it wrong now, to get it right later. You learn from your mistakes~ He took another deep breath. “Mark.” He began. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 28 Stardate: 2408.03.06 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 18:32) Andrew put down the dermal regenerator and looked at the human in front of him. “Computer time.” [Nine hours and fifty nine minutes] Andrew sighed to him self. ~Well that was a bit rubbish wasn’t it~ He looked at the scans of the patient in front of him. ~I saw to slow removing the coronary and respiratory implants. I should have not bothered with the neural buffers I took so long..~ He ran his fingers over the different implants he had in the tray beside him. ~The spinal clamps not even going to go there~ He let out another deep sigh and tried to stretch some of his stiff muscles in his back. “No, not good at all. Absolutely appalling. Lets try that again. Computer resent patient to original parameters and start the clock on my mark.” He watched as the human regained all of his Borg technology. ~No time like the present~ “Mark.” He picked up the laser scalpel and began. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) =========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 36 Stardate: 2408.03.14 (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 01:20) “Come on Andrew pull your finger out and get it right.” He looked at the child on the table in front of him. He checked the scans and looked back at the patient. “Why is this relay implant so difficult to get” He carefully began to remove the implant but suddenly the sensors screamed at him and the patient disappeared from the operating table. “No, no, no, NO” He felt the anger and frustration rise in him as he lashed out with his foot. He kicked the base of the operating table hard, pain shot up his leg he stepped back and stat quickly down on a chair. Paediatrics surgery was not some thing he enjoyed. Talking to kids was fine but when they were very sick or died that was something he found very hard to cope with. He remembered with grate sadness the time he had spent as a medical student in Neo-natal intensive surgery. Operating on small sick children especially when not all of them made it. “Computer what is the time?” [0125] ~Better get some sleep and try again in the morning~ He got up and slowly headed towards his quarters. (reply any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 38 Stardate: 2408.03.16 (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse Douwsy - 10:00) Douwsy shook her head and rolled her eyes as she entered sickbay.She noticed the lack of Dr Williams as usual he was no where to be seen. ~What the hell is he doing?~ She walked over to Pelletier who was at the nurses station. ~If he dose not start to behave like a normal person things are going to get bad~ “Hallo Pelletier. I am looking for Dr Williams is he still in the operating theatre doing sims?” (reply Pelletier) “What on earth is he doing in there?” (reply Pelletier) (reply Pelletier, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 10:00) "Hallo Pelletier. I am looking for Dr Williams is he still in the operating theatre doing sims?" asked Nurse Dowsy. "I believe that is the case." T'Pia responded lifting an eyebrow, "although I haven't seen him in some time. I have been very busy." "What on earth is he doing in there?" asked Dowsy. "Unlike you I haven't had any nagging desire to find out." Responded T'Pia dryly, "As I said ... very busy." (reply Dowsy, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse Douwsy - 10:02) "Unlike you I haven't had any nagging desire to find out." ~good for you~ "As I said ... very busy." ~Really and I thougth you were dossing about~ Douwsy nodded. "I'll leave you to it then." As Douwsy turned and head out of sickbay a grin formed on her face. She realy like working with Pelletier, some people could find her maner a bit off putting and hard but she just found it quite funny at times. She headed inthe direction of ICU and HDU to find out how they were doing their preperations. (reply, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - Nurse T’Pia Pelletier - 10:05) "I'll leave you to it then." Replied Dowsy. T’Pia went back to what she had been doing. There was a little girl in room 3 with chicken pox. It needed her attention otherwise the minor annoyance would become a ship-wide epidemic. “Young lady, please rub this on infected areas every six hours and they should be cleared up in a few days.” Said T’Pia handing the cream to the girl’s mother who, while being in uniform, seemed to have lost her officer demeanor when dealing with her child. “Every six hours, all infected areas, a few days.” Murmured the girl’s mother in a half dazed checklist to aide her memory. “That’s it exactly.” Said T’Pia moving on to the next patient with a Vulcan-like eyebrow raise. As close to a smile as she could muster these days. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre – Corridor – Nurse Douwsy - 12:05) Douwsy had decided enough was enough and that she was really getting worried about Andrew. She had tracked down Kreung with the help of the computer and found her in a corridor. She quickly walked up to her. “Counsoler do you have a moment?” (reply Kreung) “I’m fine thank you. No its about Dr Williams. Ever since we left space dock he has gone a bit obsessive compulsive about the mission. He has shut him self in the operating theatre and run sim after sim. He hardly ever goes out and most of the time it’s to his quarters.” (reply Kreung IYW) “I know you may think that I worry too much but it’s just that I have never seen him that way before. I’m worried that he might not be able to do his job. That’s why I came to you. Can you talk to him off the record just to make sure he’s not flipped out or something? Can you do this as a favour to me?” (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Corridor – Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:06) “Counsellor do you have a moment?” "I always have time for my favourite cousin," Jynea said, stopping to the side, hugging a PADD. Her friend looked stressed out. "Everything okay?" “I’m fine thank you. No its about Dr Williams. Ever since we left space dock he has gone a bit obsessive compulsive about the mission. He has shut him self in the operating theatre and run sim after sim. He hardly ever goes out and most of the time it’s to his quarters.” "And I doubt it's to go to his bed, either." Jynea grumbled. Really, you'd think a DOCTOR would take better care of himself! “I know you may think that I worry too much but it’s just that I have never seen him that way before. I’m worried that he might not be able to do his job. That’s why I came to you. Can you talk to him off the record just to make sure he’s not flipped out or something? Can you do this as a favour to me?” Jynea laughed, "Great medical terminology there Dowsy. Flipped, geez." She shook her head, "Our Chief Doc is an OCD disorder walking and talking, I'll go thump him back to normalacy." (Reply Dowsy) "Hey - don't worry, I'm the second best counsellor on the ship!" (Reply Dowsy) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Corridor – Nurse Douwsy - 12:08) "Great medical terminology there Dowsy. Flipped, geez." "Our Chief Doc is an OCD disorder walking and talking, I'll go thump him back to normalacy." Douwsy nodded. “That may be true but go easy on him I need him in one peace not a pulping mess on the floor okay.” "Hey - don't worry, I'm the second best counsellor on the ship!" Douwsy looked over at her smiled. “You are still my favourite, in my book.” (reply Kreung) “Better get back to work. Not rest for the wicked.” (reply Kreung IYW) Douwsy nodded and headed back towards sickbay. (Reply Kreung any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:30) Jynea blithely bypassed the security lockout on the Operating Theatre by entering her access codes. They'd never been changed from when she'd been the acting chief counsellor, the only good thing about being stuck with *that* job. Thank the fates for Sella! "Good afternoon, Doctor," She greeted him, completely ignoring the surgery in-progress with the entirely too real looking body bits everywhere. "How are you this day?" She continued. (Reply Williams :) Jynea ignored him, "It's come to my attention that a member of this crew hasn't been resting, eating or relaxing and that I should throw my weight around at them. Now, since I'm just a small little Orion, I don't have a lot of weight to throw around, so I thought I'd ask my favourite doctor what his recommendation is for someone who's going to have to be put under sedation and medical treatment shortly if he doesn't start taking care of himself?" She asked with her sweetest smile and batted her eyelashes at him. (Reply Williams :) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 12:32) Things were not going grate. He was getting frustrated as he tried to remove the relay nodes in the nervous system. Getting this wrong would leave the patient paralysed and it just looked so complicated. “Come on Andrew. Why are you making this so difficult?” ~This should be simple for you. You have done more complicated surgery before~ "Good afternoon, Doctor," He was so occupied with his work he did not head the door open and was slightly startled when he heard some one speak behind him. "How are you this day?" ~Jynea who let her in. Dam this is not a bloody social event~ “Really busy at the moment.” He snapped at her over his shoulder. "It's come to my attention that a member of this crew hasn't been resting, eating or relaxing and that I should throw my weight around at them. Now, since I'm just a small little Orion, I don't have a lot of weight to throw around, so I thought I'd ask my favourite doctor what his recommendation is for someone who's going to have to be put under sedation and medical treatment shortly if he doesn't start taking care of himself?" Andrew paused for a moment as he thought about what she had just said. “Computer pause sim.” He gave a heavy sigh, put down his laser scalpel and rubbed a hand over his tired face. He turned and looked at her. She was smiling sweetly and batted her eyelashes at him. ~Ow bloody hell she’s doing what Douwsy dose when she’s pissed at me~ “Your not going to go are you, even if I asked you nicely?” (reply Kreung) Andrew sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew that things must have been bad for Kreung to be here. ~You have been a stupid ass again haven’t you~ A flicker of a smile danced across his face before he answered. “To answer your question. It depends of how much of an idiot the crewmember was being. I would suggest a big dose of Melorazine and may be lobotomy to stop him being such a prat. That would be my medical opinion but of course you are the counsellor so what would you suggest?” (Reply Kreung) (Reply Kreung, any :) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – Ensign Jynea Kreung - 12:33) “Your not going to go are you, even if I asked you nicely?” "Nope!" Jynea replied cheerfully, rocking back on her heels. A flicker of a smile danced across his face before he answered. “To answer your question. It depends of how much of an idiot the crewmember was being. I would suggest a big dose of Melorazine and may be lobotomy to stop him being such a prat. That would be my medical opinion but of course you are the counsellor so what would you suggest?” "Gosh, I'd try that, but the last time I threatened the ability of a crew member to do their job, Captain T'Vhor said I'd have to do their job.. and y'know I would rather throw up on someone than perform surgery." Medic in emergency situations was about Jynea's limit, she couldn't do the whole cool, calm, collected, cut someone up to heal them thing. (Reply Williams) "So, Doc, what *I* think you should do is put down the scapel, go have a hydro shower, meet me in the botanical gardens, have lunch and then go pester your medical staff." She batted her eyelashes again. ~If only so they'll stop pestering me!~ (Reply Williams) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Operating theatre – CMO Williams - 12:35) "Gosh, I'd try that, but the last time I threatened the ability of a crew member to do their job, Captain T'Vhor said I'd have to do their job.. and y'know I would rather throw up on someone than perform surgery." Andrew gave a quick grin. “I’m sure that would never happen.” "So, Doc, what *I* think you should do is put down the scapel, go have a hydro shower, meet me in the botanical gardens, have lunch and then go pester your medical staff." Andrew looked at her as she batted her eyelashes again at him. He was always amazed how she was able to persuade him to do stuff. ~That’s why she’s a counsellor and you a doctor~ He straitened him self up nodded. “Okay I give in. You win. You can stop batting your eyelashes at me. I’ll meet you in the botanical gardens.” (reply Kreung IYW) He followed her out of the operating theatre and the quickly headed for his quarters. (reply Kreung) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – CMO Williams – 13:01) Andrew who now had a shower, shave and found a clean uniform entered the gardens. He had not spent a lot of time there since he joined the Spectre. It was just not some where he went. As he began to walk through it he realised that he had been missing out. He saw Kreung up ahead and walked up to her. “So counsellor I’m here but no more batting of eyelashes please. I’ve already been hypnotised by them today.” He gave a slight grin and waiting for Kreung to begin. (reply Kreung) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – Ensign Jynea Kreung – 13:01) “So counsellor I’m here but no more batting of eyelashes please. I’ve already been hypnotised by them today.” He gave a slight grin and waiting for Kreung to begin. Jynea did what every mature, responsible, and reasonable adult would do. She stuck out her tongue and gave the chief medical officer of the Spectre a raspberry.* (Reply Williams) She waited until Andrew had seated himself before she opened the picnic basket. She pulled out two long stem glasses, a bottle of sparkling apple juice, some sandwiches, some salads, and some miniature sausage rolls. She grinned at the last, "I know the last don't qualify as picnic foods, but I can't resist them." (Reply Williams) (Posted by Lorna) (USS Spectre – Botanical Gardens – CMO Williams – 13:05) Andrew watched as Kreung stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry at him. He paused for a second as he had not expected her to do that. He then gave a slight chuckle. ~Well that was not the reply I was expecting~ "Well Jynea, its nice to know that you are being sensible and mature these days." He sat down beside her as she opened a picnic basket. He watched with amusement as Kreung pulled out two long stem glasses, a bottle of sparkling apple juice, some sandwiches, some salads, and some miniature sausage rolls. ~Blimy I'm glad I did have an early lunch~ "I know the last don't qualify as picnic foods, but I can't resist them." Andrew shook his head. "Hay you made the picnic. you can bring what every you want but it all looks lovely." He looked at the picnic and then at Kreung. He knew why he was here and what the conversation going to turn to but as he look around he realised that he did not want to go there. Not right at the moment any way. "So Jynea how have things been with you? I've not see you around sickbay for ages. Things been busy?" (reply Kreung) (reply Kreung, any) (posted by Robbie) ========================================================================== Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 42 Stardate: 2408.03.20 (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:46) Ratkajino was not at all what the Captain had expected, it was certainly not as bitter as he had expected it to be, nor was it as distasteful. On this particular morning, the Spectre's Commanding Officer had forgone his usual fruit juice in favour of something a little different and perhaps, with the 'kick' that he required after what had just taken place. As it was though it had tasted rather refreshing, hardly a drink that one would have ascribed to a warrior race such as the Klingon's, but then again who was a Vulcan to judge. The disembark of Commander O'Conner had more or less been carried out without notice, the communique having been received on the eve beforehand and being acted upon with the urgency that it clearly required. The Commander had only stated 'of an urgent matter' in his request for extended leave and the seal on the official 52nd fleet communique itself, 'seemed' to comply with that statement. What did all this mean though? To be blunt, the bottom line was that the ship was now without a First Officer at a critical moment within a highly important mission, it was most disconcerting and yet, it could not be argued against. O'Conner was not bound indelibly to the ship and as such he had excercised his right to extended leave without condition due to extenuating circumstances. The Captain had complied of course but despite the upset the rest of the crew had barely noticed anything amiss, apart from the fact that the ship had briefly dropped out of warp to necessitate a shuttle disembark. At that point the CO, together with a few senior officers had accompanied the First Officer to the hanger deck and had attended to their individual formalities, after that, shuttle Arianne had left the hanger deck bound as it was for Starbase 39-Sierra complete with the aforementioned Commander O'Conner aboard. The Spectre then continued on it's way and the Captain had returned to his ready room. Now seated in his chair, he took another sip of the Ratkajino and then settled himself back into it, then he tapped at his combadge. "T'Vhor to Doctor Williams" (Reply Williams) "I need to see you in my ready room Doctor, a matter of some urgency", said the Captain. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - CMO Williams - 09:48) Andrew was going through yet another report. They just seemed to spring out of nowhere. ~ It would be nice just to space the lot and forget about them~ He shook his head and sighed as he placed the PADD down on a small pile. He looked at the larger pile of unread reports beside it and reached out for another report. =^=T'Vhor to Doctor Williams=^= "Yes Captain what can I do for you?" =^=I need to see you in my ready room Doctor, a matter of some urgency=^= He frowned before answering. "Of course Captain on my way." ~Hope the Captain is okay~ Andrew quickly put down his PADD, headed across sickbay and nodded to the duty nurse as he headed out the door. "Just popping up stairs. I'll be back soon." (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Ready Room - CMO Williams - 09:50) Andrew pressed the buzzer of the ready room door and entered when it opened. He walked up to see T'Vhor who was sitting behind his desk. "Good Morning Captain is there anything I can help you with?" (reply T'Vhor) (Reply T'Vhor) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 09:51) "Good Morning Captain is there anything I can help you with?", said the Doctor upon his arrival. The chime signalling that arrival had been expected of course and once the Captain had bade him enter, he quickly indicated for the CMO to take a seat opposite him. "I sincerely hope so Doctor", said the Captain, "as I said, this is a matter of some urgency" (Reply Williams) The Captain nodded and then came to the crux of the matter in hand. "It concerns you Andrew, and your appointment to the post of First Officer of the Spectre", said the Captain, "if you accept the post of course", he added. (Reply Williams) "Commander O'Conner has been recalled to Starbase 39-Sierra, this unfortunatly leaves us without a First Officer and you as our current second are the logical choice to succeed him", said the Captain. (Reply Williams) The Doctors point was a valid one of course and the Captain concurred with his statement regarding his position of Chief Medical Officer. "For the time, you may continue your duties as Chief Medical Officer until your replacement comes aboard, as First Officer however, your duties to the ship must come first", said the Captain. (Reply Williams) "I understand of course, Doctor Sanderson and the rest of your staff will be available to take on the bulk of sickbays demands", said the Captain. (Reply Williams) "Can I assume that you accept this posting then?", enquired the CO. (Reply Williams) The Captain then reached across the table and took hold of the CMO's hand to congratulate him. "Then all that is left for me to do is address the one remaining matter", said the Captain as he subsequently pushed a small black box across the table towards the somewhat bemused looking medic. (Reply Williams) "I am officially authorised to promote you to the rank of Commander with all due privaledges attached", said the Captain, "it would seem that you passed your command entrance examination with....", he added, pausing now to choose the correct adage. "...flying colours", said the Captain. (Reply Williams) "Nothing less than what I would expect Doctor, I have no doubt at all that you will make a fine replacement for Commander O'Conner", said the Captain as he duly dismissed the proud looking officer and then set about making the assignment official upon the ships database. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room – CMO Williams - 09:54) "I sincerely hope so Doctor", said the Captain, "as I said, this is a matter of some urgency" Andrew nodded. The Captain would not have sent for him if it was not serious. “Yes sir.” The Captain nodded and then came to the crux of the matter in hand. "It concerns you Andrew, and your appointment to the post of First Officer of the Spectre", said the Captain, "if you accept the post of course", he added. Andrew paused for a second trying to take it all in. ~First officer but what happened to O’Conner~ “If you don’t mind me asking Captain what has happened to Mr O’Conner?” "Commander O'Conner has been recalled to Starbase 39-Sierra, this unfortunatly leaves us without a First Officer and you as our current second are the logical choice to succeed him", said the Captain. “Yes Sir but I am the CMO on board at the moment.” "For the time, you may continue your duties as Chief Medical Officer until your replacement comes aboard, as First Officer however, your duties to the ship must come first", said the Captain. “Yes Sir I understand.” "I understand of course, Doctor Sanderson and the rest of your staff will be available to take on the bulk of sickbays demands", said the Captain. “Yes Sir Doctors Sanderson and Kirien are fully able to deal with sickbay.” "Can I assume that you accept this posting then?", enquired the CO. Andrew nodded. “Yes Sir I would be honoured.” The Captain reached across the table and took hold of the Andrew’s hand to congratulate him. "Then all that is left for me to do is address the one remaining matter", said the Captain as he subsequently pushed a small black box across the table him and Andrew picked up the small box. ~How can something so small bring so much responsibility~ “Thank you Captain.” "I am officially authorised to promote you to the rank of Commander with all due privaledges attached", said the Captain, "it would seem that you passed your command entrance examination with....", "...flying colours", said the Captain. Andrew nodded. He had done the command course as part of his career progression and had not realised that he would be using it so soon. “Thank you Captain. I must admit I am a bit shocked. I had not expected this so quickly. "Nothing less than what I would expect Doctor, I have no doubt at all that you will make a fine replacement for Commander O'Conner", said the Captain Andrew nodded to the Captain, took himself and his new rank out of the ready room and back to sickbay. (Reply T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) ========================================================================= Mission: The Gates of Prometheus Day: 119 Stardate: 2408.06.06 (USS Spectre – Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:03) Jennifer looked at the read out on her console. ~Looks like this is us~ She turned to the officer of the watch. “Sir we have entered the Antarchus system and the Zeta Gellis cluster is just over four hours at our present warp speed.” The officer of the watch nodded as she tapped her comm badge. “Bridge to Captain.” =^=Go ahead=^= ”Sir, we have just entered into the Antarchus system, the Zeta Gellis cluster is now four hours distant at present warp speed.” =^=Very good, engage the cloaking device and set a course for the last known coordinates of the most recent communication as reported by the Tan'Talus array=^= ”Aye sir, engaging cloak... setting course one nine four mark two six as ordered.” Jennifer nodded at the officer of the watch, “Setting course one nine four mark two six. Sir.” As she set in the new course she looked over at Chenoll. “We made it this far lets hope we come back in one piece.” (reply Chenoll IYW) (reply Chenoll, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Captain's Ready Room - Captain T'Vhor - 14:05) =/\=Bridge to Captain=/\= The Captain immediately opened his eyes at the sudden announcement, terminating his brief meditation in an instance. "Go ahead" =/\=Sir, we have just entered into the Antarchus system, the Zeta Gellis cluster is now four hours distant at present warp speed=/\= The Captain stood and tugged at his tunic in response to the comms, his mental state now focused and ready for what might lay ahead. "Very good, engage the cloaking device and set a course for the last known coordinates of the most recent communication as reported by the Tan'Talus array", said the Captain. =/\=Aye sir, engaging cloak... setting course one nine four mark two six as ordered=/\= The Captain then made for the bridge. (Reply Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:07) Chuck stood resolutely at Tactical one and surveyed the viewscreen looking for some subtle visual cue in the folds of blackness that comprised the vacuous Antarchus system. The Captain emerged from his ready room and then called for an operational report. "Things seem to be running just fine, sir. Things are pretty quiet out there except for a few nearby spatial anomalies. No signs of the Borg thus far at least." Reported Chuck. The Captain took his chair from the duty officer and activated the phase cloak. With the ship now phase cloaked, active sensor scans of their immediate vicinity were pointless and skewed out of phase with normal space, so, relying upon passive sensors only the Captain then requested the best they could give under those conditions. "Are we showing any vessels in the immediate vicinity, Lieutenant?" the Captain enquired. "Nope, we appear to be alone out here, sir. That may be what is bothering me. This is a very stable segment of the river and there appears to be no 'traffic' within sensor range" reported Chuck. "Very good, continue on course to the Zeta Gellis Cluster, bring the ship to amber alert status and engage passive telemetry linkup with the Tan'Talus deep space array", ordered the Captain before activating the comms. "Amber Status confirmed." Said Chuck authorizing the change in status. A soft yellow glow pulsed throughout the ship including the bridge. (Reply Any, IYW) NRPG: I left the linkup for someone else to post about ... maybe OPS? RPG: "Captain to Doctor Gunnell, please report to the bridge immediately", he said before turning his attention thence towards the science officer currently on duty at Science One. "Ensign, Doctor Gunnell will be working with you on Science Two, be prepared to relay any telemetry data recieved to her console upon request", said the Captain. "Aye sir", said the Female Ensign. The Captain then settled back into his chair. ~Doctor Gunnel should be on the bridge. What happens if the Borg suddenly show up and we lose communications? There goes our expert.~ Chuck thought. (reply any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor - 14:09) Striding purposefully onto the bridge, the CO briefly surveyed the viewscreen and then called for an operational report. (Reply Tactical, Donaldson, Any) The requisite officer in place in the centre seat duly arose and the Captain took his place, pressing at a few buttons on the armrest console to call up additional status reports as they went. With the ship now phase cloaked, active sensor scans of their immediate vicinity were pointless and skewed out of phase with normal space, so, relying upon passive sensors only the Captain then requested the best they could give under those conditions. "Are we showing any vessels in the immediate vicinity Lieutenant?", he enquired. (Reply Donaldson) The CO pondered the results whilst observing the starfield upon the screen, the warp stars still streaking towards them at a steady warp eight and a clear subspace river signal approximately twenty thousand kilometres off their starboard aspect. "Very good, continue on course to the Zeta Gellis Cluster, bring the ship to amber alert status and engage passive telemetry linkup with the Tan'Talus deep space array", ordered the Captain before activating the comms. (Reply Any, IYW) "Captain to Doctor Gunnell, please report to the bridge immediately", he said before turning his attention thence towards the science officer currently on duty at Science One. "Ensign, Doctor Gunnell will be working with you on Science Two, be prepared to relay any telemetry data recieved to her console upon request", said the Captain. "Aye sir", said the Female Ensign. The Captain then settled back into the command chair and waited.... (Reply Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Ten Forward Lounge - Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:09) "...I know that this might seem a strange remark to be making, but the Borg are actually a remarkable species", said Doctor Gunnell. The Barkeep simply quirked her head, clearly not understanding the words that had just been uttered by this apparently emminent scientist. "They are cold blooded ruthless killers", she exclaimed, "and you...admire them?", she enquired in disbelief. Gunnell shook her head. "Of course not, I am aware of the danger they present but it cannot be denied that their process of evolution is indeed, 'remarkable'.... They follow a path of nature, their hive mentality mimics many species on Earth, Bees, Ants for example, all have thrived against almost impossible odds and remain in existence despite the wars of the planets past", said Samantha. This time, it was the barkeep that shook her head, in confusion. "I think you've had one synth too many Doctor, the Borg aren't like any peaceful insect I know of, Bees, Ants and the like do not integrate other species into their core against their wills...", said the Barkeep looking somewhat flustered right now. "....and they certainly don't produce honey, or anything else worthwhile come to think of it" "I think you missunderstand, what I meant was.....", began Gunnell just as the comms came to life with a request aimed squarely at herself. =/\=Captain to Doctor Gunnell, please report to the bridge Immediately=/\= And that was it! Vulcan efficiency at it's best, no explanation, no elaboration, just straight forward, all you need to know directness. In a way it was quite refreshing, most people she knew of always resorted to slight meanderings during sentences, Vulcans however invariably resorted to the logic of a direct approach... and it appealed to the scientist in her. "On my way Captain", said the Doctor as she finished the last of her drink and then bade the barkeep goodbye. "Until next time then", she said, and then she was on her way. (Reply None, Any IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO Williams/ Nurse Douwsy - 14:13) Andrew looked up from his desk as the yellow alert alarm went off. He went over to his console and accessed the ships data base. ~It looks like we have arrived~ He turned off the console and entered sickbay. He saw that his sickbay team had arrived as was required during an alert call. “We have arrived at Antarchus system. We will reach the Zeta Gellis cluster in about four hours.” “Make sure everything is ready to go and then everyone get some down time for the next couple of hours. I’ll stay in sickbay in case we are needed before then. Douwsy make sure we are ready and then get some rest I think we are going to need it.” “Yes Doctor.” Douwsy nodded as she turned to the other sickbay crew. “Pelletier I need you to check HDU, Marshal you have ITU, Heyes check triage and I’ll do sickbay and theatres.” (reply Pelletier, Heyes) Andrew watched as Douwsy issued out her jobs. He walked over to Kirien. “If you want, go and spend some time with your daughters. I’ll be fine here and I will contact you if I need anything.” (reply Kirien) (reply Pelletier, Heyes, Kirien, any) (posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 14:15) “Pelletier I need you to check HDU, Marshal you have ITU, Heyes check triage and I’ll do sickbay and theatres.” "Yes, Doctor." said Pelletier heading off with a sickbay PADD in hand to make the SOP checks. (reply Heyes, any) (Posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:15) The arrival of Doctor Gunnell illicited the usual response from the bridge crew, their heads turning to see who had just arrived. A formality? probably not, more of a built in reaction to the possibility of someone unexpected walking onto the most important area of a starship without authorisation, the bridge after all was it's nerve centre and as such, it maintained a discrete but active security awareness. The Captain turned his attention to the Doctor also, his eyes following her as she moved around to stand before him. "Captain", she said. The Captain nodded respectfully and then began to brief her on their current situation, again following that expected Vulcan directness. "We will be arriving at the last known coordinates of the Borg transmission in a little under four hours Doctor, the ship is cloaked and at Yellow alert, this means that we can rely only upon our passive sensors for information from this point, componsated accordingly of course", said the Captain. Gunnell nodded and then motioned towards the science station. "I'll need full access to your science station", she requested, "and, I'd like a passive linkup with the Tan'Tallus array", she added already walking towards the requisite console. "This is in effect as we speak Doctor, linkup took place and was verified at precisely fourteen hundred hours, ten minutes", said the Captain. "Excellent", said the Doctor, "do we have contact with the Borg vessel at all?" The Captain shook his head in the negative. "Not at this time Doctor, but then we are limited to passive scans only", said the Captain. By this time of course, Gunnell was seated at Science Two inputting commands and pulling up data from the central core, some of it not yet seen by any of starfleets active personnel it would seem. For a moment, she worked quietly and intently, then Donaldson alerted them of a possible contact. "Captain, I'm detecting traces of a Borg probe. I can't verify the source or destination of the probe while we're cloaked but it's out there....I've tagged the signature in the sensor array." Doctor Gunnell responded immediately. "Is it in the river or outside of it?", she enquired. (Reply Donaldson) "Then we can assume that they are not in direct connection to the subspace matrix", said the Doctor as she returned her attention to her own console and began analysing the relevant data and that of the river itself, which seemed now to be giving off a signature they had never before seen. "That's odd", said the Doctor, "I have a field variance in the rivers base signature, the energy composites are not alligned as expected", she added. "A working theory Doctor if you please?", enquired the Captain. Gunnell shook her head and bit at her lower lip. "It can really only mean one thing Captain, something has interacted directly with the matrix itself, thus setting up a resonant pulse.... a ripple in the water if you like", she added in an attempt to clarify the situation to those not blessed with a scientific bent. "I could really use an active scan right now", said Gunnell. "Out of the question at this point", said the Captain whilst he began pondering the situation further. "The data should be more discernable the closer we get, helm, hold our present course and slow to warp four", he added. "Maintain a twenty thousand kilometre distance from the river itself" (Reply Helm, Any) Doctor Gunnell then returned to her console and the analysis of the data so far. "Lieutenant Donaldson, be sure to keep track of that probe and alert me the moment it shows signs that it may have detected us", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson) The waiting game then continued on.... (Reply Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge – CONN – Pilot Officer Smith - 14:19) Jennifer had been listening intently to the conversation between Donaldson, Doctor Gunnell and the Captain. It appeared that there was something funny going on with the subspace river. She really hoped that it would not become a problem especially as the Borg were so near by. "Out of the question at this point", "The data should be more discernable the closer we get, helm, hold our present course and slow to warp four", "Maintain a twenty thousand kilometre distance from the river itself" ”Aye sir holding course, slowing to warp four and maintaining twenty thousand kilometres from the subspace river.” She quickly made the adjustments on her console as the Spectre reduced speed. Doctor Gunnell then returned to her console and the analysis of the data so far. "Lieutenant Donaldson, be sure to keep track of that probe and alert me the moment it shows signs that it may have detected us", said the Captain. ~Yep and he won’t be the only one keeping an eye on it too~ (Reply Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:20) "Captain, I'm detecting traces of a Borg probe. I can't verify the source or destination of the probe while we're cloaked but it's out there." Said Chuck, "I've tagged the signature in the sensor array." (reply T'Vhor, Any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC/SC Charles "Chuck" Donaldson - 14:21) "Captain, I'm detecting traces of a Borg probe. I can't verify the source or destination of the probe while we're cloaked but it's out there....I've tagged the signature in the sensor array." Doctor Gunnell responded immediately. "Is it in the river or outside of it?", she enquired. "It's ouside of the subspace river but I can't get a direct fix on a flightpath. It could be headed for the river ... the sensor data is too spotty but it doesn't appear to be scanning us." said Chuck. "Then we can assume that they are not in direct connection to the subspace matrix", said the Doctor as she returned her attention to her own console and began analysing the relevant data and that of the river itself, which seemed now to be giving off a signature they had never before seen. "That's odd", said the Doctor, "I have a field variance in the rivers base signature, the energy composites are not alligned as expected", she added. "A working theory Doctor if you please?", enquired the Captain. Gunnell shook her head and bit at her lower lip. "It can really only mean one thing Captain, something has interacted directly with the matrix itself, thus setting up a resonant pulse.... a ripple in the water if you like", she added in an attempt to clarify the situation to those not blessed with a scientific bent. "I could really use an active scan right now", said Gunnell. "Out of the question at this point", said the Captain whilst he began pondering the situation further. "The data should be more discernable the closer we get, helm, hold our present course and slow to warp four", he added. "Maintain a twenty thousand kilometre distance from the river itself" (Reply Helm, Any) Doctor Gunnell then returned to her console and the analysis of the data so far. "Lieutenant Donaldson, be sure to keep track of that probe and alert me the moment it shows signs that it may have detected us", said the Captain. "Aye, Captain." said Chuck keeping his eye on the sensor reading. Chuck allowed the quiet of the bridge settle in slightly before he interrupted again. "Doctor Gunnell, the security sensors aren't properly logging the readout you mentioned earlier. I'm getting concerned that the signature variance in the river may be tied to the probe but I can't get that lock." said Chuck. (reply Gunnel, any) "I need an engineer working on recalibrating the sensor array to take into account the phase variance you're observing. I don't want any surprises." (reply Gunnel, T'Vhor, Engineering, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 14:26) For a while the bridge had fallen quiet again, each officer working resolutely at their consoles and each wondering just when the next alert would come. Dealing with an entity such as the Borg was never an easy task and their cold detachment was unnerving at the best of times, one could never know just when they would turn and that fact alone made them an enemy you could never take your eyes off. Just when everyone thought the quiet was going to last though, the TAC/SC made another observation in regards the probe he'd reported earlier. "Doctor Gunnell, the security sensors aren't properly logging the readout you mentioned earlier. I'm getting concerned that the signature variance in the river may be tied to the probe but I can't get that lock." said Chuck. The Doctor paused briefly whilst rechecking her own data, then she turned to the Tactical Officer with a shake of her head. "It's nothing to do with the probe, this is something that has been disturbed for quite some time, heirarchical analysis points to the latest reading being the result of an interference that began almost a week ago", said Gunnell. The Lieutenant however remained resolute. "I need an engineer working on recalibrating the sensor array to take into account the phase variance you're observing. I don't want any surprises", he offered. At this point the Captain joined in the discussion that was taking place. "Our sensor scans will be skewed even if they are compensated Lieutenant, being out of phase with the rest of the universe put's us at a distinct disadvantage, the main one being 'unreliable' sensor data", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, Any) The Captain nodded, taking in what the Lieutenant was saying with respect. "Does the variance show any sign of becoming a threat to us at our current distance Doctor?", said the Captain turning his attention now to Gunnell. "No, I would be more concerned about the probe and the vessel that launched it to be perfectly honest with you", said Gunnell. "It's out there and not too distant I would imagine", she added. "Very well. Lieutenant Donaldson, maintain discrete observation as ordered, if you feel we can benefit from it then have Engineering look into any possibilities of enhancing the reliability of our sensor arrays", said the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge, TAC 2nd Station - TAC.Officer, Lt. Ammon Ranae - 14:28) It had been a long journey for Ranae to rendezvous with the USS Spectre at Starbase 621 and had involved a number of transfers from ship to ship, which had been taxing and tiring. When she had arrived at the Starbase she'd been relieved to hear that the Spectre wasn't due to dock for two more days, so she would have a little time to rest up before reporting in. That had been several weeks ago and since then she'd settled in to her new quarters and been busy getting acquainted with the layout of the ship, the weaponry systems and some of her new crew mates, particularly those who were in the same department as her, which was only natural, considering she spent most of her waking hours with them. She had missed being on the bridge and at the brain of the ship, so when she'd received word that she could man Tactical 2 on the bridge that day, she had been quite excited by the prospect. Perhaps if she could show her superiors what she was made of, she'd get to spend more time there. It was a shame that the Spectre didn't have the TIHS system installed, she hoped that at least the Primary Tactical station would one day be upgraded with it in the near future, then perhaps she would be able to train some of the other Tac. officers to use it. Fortunately she had spend as much time as possible in the holodecks, keeping her skills up with the more formal weapons system operation, but she'd also been using the TIHS program she had made, in order to retain the prowess and quick reactions she'd had on the USS Hades. It never hurt to be prepared for any scenario. She had messaged her lover Baylon Trinin on several occasions, giving him updates of how she was and how she was settling in, telling him how much she missed him, and had received a couple of replies, but they'd been brief as if he was too tired or too busy for anything longer. At least that is what she'd hoped it was, and not what her mind kept nagging that it probably was, that he'd decided to play it cool because he didn't think they'd ever be together again or because he was angry with her for leaving him, or even worse... that the love he'd claimed to have for her had all been a complete fabrication. Ranae kept telling herself that she was just being insecure, that he would never have strung her along like that. Told herself that they were making plans to get married before she'd received her transfer orders, but every now and then the insecure Ranae would surface. Those were the nights when she'd cry herself to sleep she was so lonely for Baylon. Ranae was snapped out of her thoughts by the TAC/SC saying that the security sensors weren't logging the readout properly that Dr. Gunnell had mentioned earlier. He was concerned that the signature variance in the river might be tied to the probe, and that he couldn't get a lock. Listening to the discussion between Lt. Donaldson and the doctor, she kept her eyes glued to the erratic sensor readings on her terminal screen while she listened. Eventually the Captain told Lt. Donaldson to maintain discrete observation as ordered, and have Engineering look into any possibilities of enhancing the reliability of the sensor arrays if he felt it would benefit the ship. ~Anything that makes our sensor readings clearer has to be beneficial, surely it's worth a try. ~ The Bajoran/Cardassian hybrid thought. ~ The way they are now, we could find ourselves under attack with hardly any warning, and a lot of damage can be done in a very short time before the shields are engaged. ~ (Reply Any) (Posted by Sal) (USS Spectre – T'Pia's quarters – Nurse T'Pia Pelletier - 15:00) grabbing a minute or two of sleep in her quarters T'Pia lay quietly on top of her bed sheets. She was in full sicjbay attire and lay on her left side with her right hand barely touching her chin. "bor ... bo ... g, borg" she mumbled nearly inaudibly in her sleep. She could feel the emotions of the whole ship. So much fear, so much hesitation. Behind her eyes she could see the bridge of the spectre. The viewscreen seemed to jump between starscape and the face of a female borg. The bridge shook violently and forced T'Pia to her knees. "Wha ... What's happening?!?" she cried more like a scared little girl than a starfleet officer. "We are borg. Resistance is futile." said the borg woman on the viewscreen. "No!" T'Pia whined. "We have to fight them!" she cried to the other members of the crew on the bridge who seemed like statues. Seeing her friend Chuck at the Security station made her a bit more confident and she stood beside him using his arm as a brace as the bridge shook. "Fight them." she repeated a little softer. The borg woman's face disappeared and the viewscreen showed a borg cube in full view firing multiple weapons at the Spectre. The shaking of the bridge intensified and fires broke out on various consoles. "We have to ..." T'Pia woke in a deep penetrating sweat screaming, "RESIST!!" She sat up and cradled her head. (reply none, any) (posted by Anton) (USS Spectre - Bridge - Captain T'Vhor and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 15:40) By now, the Spectre had closed the distance between Antarchus point of entry and the last known transmission of the Borg vessel. Already their sensors, though passive and initiating minimal harmonics outside of their phased envelope, had been optimised further at the suggestion of the Tactical Chief, resulting in a much more accurate and stable scan. If there was one thing that a Captain could almost invariably rely upon during a mission, it was the ingenuity of good engineers and on this one occasion it had taken the CEO less than an hour to postulate and put in place the idea of broadening the scanning field in conjunction with an offset algorhythm, as opposed to utilising the normal narrow beam used to pinpoint objects in the sensor paths whilst cloaked. H'Chir had never been one for convention of course and today was no different, as an engineer stationed aboard the only 52nd fleet vessel equipped with a phased cloak he probably had a better understanding of juggling the numbers and adapting to differing laws of physics than anyone else. Plus, he had learnt a trick or two along the way. Given that the Spectre was not operating under conventional conditions, it had followed that the problem needed to be approached in an unconventional manner so with that in mind, a conventional narrow beam scanning solution was thrown straight out the window. What replaced it was to throw a blanket over the entire area so to speak and then shunt the data through a complex offset algorhythm designed to compensate for their phase variance. And it worked a treat. The Andorian Engineer of course had wasted no time in informing the CO of his success and the requisite communication from the 'still out of breath' H'Chir had been most welcomed by the bridge. =/\=Sir, I have the working solution in place, by way of the Tactical console you should be seeing a definate distortion indicating the location of any vessel in the vicinity=/\= "Good work Mr H'Chir", said the Captain as he quickly turned his attention towards either of the two TAC officers at the Tactical consoles. "Lieutenant?", he enquired, implicitely trusting the Engineer enough now to know that something positive would arise. (Reply Donaldson, Ranae) "Excellent. Helm, take your bearings from the tactical console and alter course to suit, prepare to drop out of warp... full impulse on my mark", said the Captain. (Reply Helm) The CO then gave the mark and the ship slowed to full impulse and began closing on the object that had suddenly appeared as a far off dot on the viewscreen. "Take us to red alert", said the Captain. (Reply Tactical) "Slow to one third impulse and bring us to a full stop twenty thousand metres from the vessel itself", said the Captain. (Reply Helm IYW) It was then that the viewscreen produced their first close look at the Borg vessel.... and what they saw was not what they had expected. This was not a conventionally configured cube at all but a variation of a tactical scout in an as yet, unseen configuration. Dodecahedral in it's core dimensions and with four spherical modules attached at equidistant hardpoints, this was a ship that looked as though it had been made for a specific purpose not in keeping with normal Borg protocol. It matched nothing in the Federation database and the Doctor herself was more confused than anyone. "I don't understand this at all... it's predictive in the fact that it's geometrical but that's where the similarity ends. I've never seen this type of vessel before", she added. (Reply Any) "Is there any indication that we are visible to the Borg vessel Lieutenant?", enquired the Captain. (Reply Donaldson, Ranae) That much in itself was a relief, whilst the Borg remained unaware of their presence they had a certain luxury of time and a window through which to observe what the Borg were actually doing... but only for as long as their stealth remained intact of course. The Captain immediately took advantage of the situation and ordered a retreat to a safer distance of One hundred kilometres before calling a quick impromptu meeting of the senior officers in the Obs lounge to the rear of the bridge. "You have the bridge Lieutenant Chenoll, Doctor Gunnell... if you please", said the Captain indicating the Doctor to follow him to the Obs lounge, "be sure to alert me the moment the situation changes Lieutenant", added the Captain as he retreated to the rear of the bridge with the officers already present in tow. (Reply Donaldson, Chenoll, Ranae, All other senior crew) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre - Bridge - CONN - Pilot Officer Smith - 15:44) "Excellent. Helm, take your bearings from the tactical console and alter course to suit, prepare to drop out of warp... full impulse on my mark", said the Captain. "Yes Sir," Jennifer got the bearings from the tactical console and set up a new course. When the Captain gave her the order and altered course and dropped out of warp. With a quick command on the console she pushed the Spectre to full impulse speed. As she looked up at the view screen a small object which had suddenly appeared began to get bigger as they moved towards it. "Take us to red alert", . The bridge was suddenly drenched in a red light as the red alert klaxon begun to scream. "Slow to one third impulse and bring us to a full stop twenty thousand metres from the vessel itself", said the Captain. "Slow to one third impulse and full stop at twenty thousand metres Aye Sir." Jennifer looked as the distance spooled down she glanced up at the view screen to see their enemy. The ship in front of her was nothing she had seen before. It had the usual Borg colour but apart from that it looked totally different. It was dodecahedral in it's core dimensions and with four spherical modules attached at equidistant hard points, this was a ship that looked as though it had been made for a specific purpose not in keeping with normal Borg protocol. "I don't understand this at all... it's predictive in the fact that it's geometrical but that's where the similarity ends. I've never seen this type of vessel before", she added. ~Ow great and your the Borg expert~ (Reply Any) "Is there any indication that we are visible to the Borg vessel Lieutenant?", enquired the Captain. Jennifer looked at the console they had reached their required distance. From where she was sitting it seemed way to close. ~Just being in the same system is way too close~ The Captain gave new orders which to Jennifer's relief were to pull back. She quickly entered the new distance and she began to pilot the Spectre there. "You have the bridge Lieutenant Chenoll, Doctor Gunnell if you please", "be sure to alert me the moment the situation changes Lieutenant", Jennifer looked round as the Captain headed toward the observation lounge. A soft beep came from her console and she looked round. ~Well we are now One hundred kilometres from it but it still feels to close~ "Lieutenant Chenoll we are now one hundred kilometres from the Borg vessel." (reply Chenoll IYW) (reply Chenoll, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Sickbay - FO Commander Williams/Nurse Douwsy - 15:45) The red alert klaxon screamed out across sickbay. Andrew got up from his seat where he had tried not to look like he had been fidgeting. He hated waiting and was glad finally to get going with something. He looked over at Douwsy who gave him a nod. He felt reassured that everything was as ready as it ever would be. He looked around his sickbay and saw the familiar faces of his medical team. ~Won’t be yours for long as soon as they get a new CMO you'll be going up stairs and sitting in the chair~ He gave a quick smile. ~One day at a time or you might get what you wish for~ "Commander Williams." The mention of his name brought him back. ~Won't get use to that for a bit~ "Yes Douwsy." "You and Doctor Kirien have been requested to go to the bridge. The Captain has ordered a senior officer meeting right away." Andrew nodded and looked over at Kirien. "Dr Kirien. We are wanted in the observation lounge." (Reply Kirien) Andrew nodded and headed for the door. (Reply Kirien) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre - Bridge - TAC Officer, Lt. Ranae Ammon - 15:48) The CEO had come through for the Tactical team and had come up with an uncoventional solution to their scanning problems by broadening the scanning field in conjunction with a complex offset algorithm, and Ranae was pleased to find that it was working well. She no longer felt half-blinded by the poor scanning abilities of the narrower beam normally utilized when the ship was cloaked, of course had the TIHS system been installed, she could have activated it and also had her own visual of the space surrounding the Spectre. "Good work Mr H'Chir." The Captain commended the CEO and turned in his chair to look towards the Tactical stations and inquire. "Lieutenant?" Pointedly looking at both Lt. Donaldson and Ranae. Ranae had immediately noticed a vast improvement on her console scanners feedout but she waited for her superior to reply. After two breaths and no reply from Lt. Donaldson, she took it upon herself to nod in affirmation. "It's one heck of an improvement, Captain." She stated, smiling at him before returning her attention back to the data flow. (Reply Donaldson) The Captain was obviously pleased from his words and told the Helm to take the bearings from the tactical console to alter course to suit and be prepared to drop to full impulse on his mark. Soon the CO ordered the decrease in speed, and called for red alert when a far off dot appeared on the viewscreen. Red alert was initiated immediately and the Captain called for one third impulse and a full stop twenty thousand metres from the vessel. Ranae glanced up at the viewscreen and frowned. Although it was clearly a Borg vessel, it wasn't a conventional Borg design, it looked as if it had been custom made for an unknown specific purpose and she found herself wishing she knew what that purpose was, and alternatively hoping she'd never find out. "I don't understand this at all... it's predictive in the fact that it's geometrical but that's where the similarity ends. I've never seen this type of vessel before", the Helm officer stated. ~ I doubt any of us has, unfortunately. ~ Ranae thought, returning her gaze to her console. (Reply Any) "Is there any indication that we are visible to the Borg vessel Lieutenant?", asked the Captain. He was assured by Tactical that the Borg could not detect the Spectre. ~ Thank the Prophets for that, but I hope we don't get too close, just in case the cloaking device fails us. If they get a hold of us with their tractor beams.... ~ She mentally shook herself to rid her mind of the gloomy thoughts. As if he read her mind, and to her relief, Captain T'Vhor ordered the Helm to back the ship off to a safer distance of One hundred kilometres, and then called a meeting of the senior officers in the Obs lounge to the rear of the bridge. Ranae moved quietly from the secondary TAC station to the primary one as Lt. Donaldson left to follow the Captain to the lounge. (Reply Donaldson, Any) (Posted by Sal) (USS Spectre - Obs Lounge - Captain T'Vhor, MXO Major Bruce Kowalski and Doctor Samantha Gunnell - 15:49) The Captain moved immediately to his seat and sat down, there was no time now for formality's and no time to waste either so with that in mind, he began in earnest. "Gentlemen, Ladies.... The bare bones of the matter, we have an unknown configuration Borg Vessel One hundred kilometres to port, they are presently unaware of our presence but it is logical that this will not remain so indefinately. There IS evidence that they have interacted with the subspace river and, no doubt this has affected the stability of the entire network", said the Captain. "Our options now are currently limited but I feel that we must inform Starfleet that the river is best off limits until we can be sure that it is safe for our ships to use it. However, in order to send a transmission we must first lower our cloak and risk certain discovery", said the Captain as he glanced around the table at those attending. "The table is open, feel free to contribute", said T'Vhor. The MXO was the first to offer, breaking momentarilly from the act of rotating the smooth steel bar in his hand as he always did whenever concentrating or involved in a meeting. "I suggest a small detail of Marines, hand picked and highly specialised is beamed aboard the Borg ship and we eliminate the threat in one foul swoop", said Kowalski. Gunnell countered in an instance. "You do that and before you know it, you'll have a number of Borg assault ships bearing down upon you in a matter of hours Major", said the Doctor, "we need to address this matter in the manner we are now, i.e with kid gloves and the minimum of risk", she added. The metal bar began rotating in the MXO's hand once again at the Doctors suggestion. "We've dealt with the Borg a number of times already, I'm not suggesting we go in gung ho with phasors firing Doctor, I'm suggesting a covert solution, quietly executed so as not to alert the Borg until their communications and any risk of them alerting their counterparts, is thoroughly eliminated", said Kowalski. "And what if there is an unknown second vessel within the river? Can you guarantee that you will be able to destroy both ships communications at the same instance?", said the Doctor. A small frownline appeared upon the MXO's forehead in response to that. "There's no evidence of a second ship", said Kowalski leaning forwards in his chair now, to which the Doctor begged to differ. "My analysis tells me that interference has, or is currently taking place... now I'm not saying that it is the case, but that interference may be coming from another vessel within the river itself and until we know otherwise, I say we work upon a solution taking into account that possibility", said Gunnell. "Agreed", said the Captain interjecting himself into the discussion again, "Major, assemble a team in readiness for an assault should it be required, I see no reason why we cannot be ready for all and any eventuallity", he added. Kowalski nodded and then settled back into his chair. "Mr Rogers, do you have anything to add at this point?", said the Captain, hoping now that the SFI man might grace them all with something useful from the recent intelligence files, or anything for that matter. (Reply Rogers) The Captain acknowledged the Lieutenant Commanders suggestion of utilising his own covert channel to SFI and then continued on. "We will retreat to the fourth moon of the Antarchus system as suggested and establish low polar orbit in order to mask our signature, once there, we will decloak and you Lieutenant Commander will send your transmission in the manner you suggest", said the Captain, who then turned his attention towards Lieutenant Donaldson. "Mr Donaldson, you have a unique perspective here, is there anything you can add that might help us?", he asked referring of course to the fact that Donaldson had once had the missfortune to have been assimilated by the Borg. (Reply Donaldson) (Reply Donaldson, Any at meeting) (Posted by Alan) NRPG: Room for more discussion here... (USS Spectre - Obs Lounge - FO Williams - 15:49) Andrew entered the observation lounge and found his new seat. As he sat down T'Vhor started. "Gentlemen, Ladies.... The bare bones of the matter, we have an unknown configuration Borg Vessel One hundred kilometres to port, they are presently unaware of our presence but it is logical that this will not remain so indefinately. There IS evidence that they have interacted with the subspace river and, no doubt this has affected the stability of the entire network", said the Captain. "Our options now are currently limited but I feel that we must inform Starfleet that the river is best off limits until we can be sure that it is safe for our ships to use it. However, in order to send a transmission we must first lower our cloak and risk certain discovery", said the Captain ~Dammed if we do, dammed if we don't~ He was glad that the Captain had given a brief overview of the situation as he had felt that he had been slightly out of the loop while being in sickbay. "The table is open, feel free to contribute", said T'Vhor. "I suggest a small detail of Marines, hand picked and highly specialised is beamed aboard the Borg ship and we eliminate the threat in one foul swoop", said Kowalski. Gunnell countered in an instance. "You do that and before you know it, you'll have a number of Borg assault ships bearing down upon you in a matter of hours Major", said the Doctor, "we need to address this matter in the manner we are now, i.e with kid gloves and the minimum of risk", she added. The metal bar began rotating in the MXO's hand once again at the Doctors suggestion. "We've dealt with the Borg a number of times already, I'm not suggesting we go in gung ho with phasors firing Doctor, I'm suggesting a covert solution, quietly executed so as not to alert the Borg until their communications and any risk of them alerting their counterparts, is thoroughly eliminated", said Kowalski. "And what if there is an unknown second vessel within the river? Can you guarantee that you will be able to destroy both ships communications at the same instance?", said the Doctor. "There's no evidence of a second ship", said Kowalski leaning forwards in his chair now, to which the Doctor begged to differ. "My analysis tells me that interference has, or is currently taking place... now I'm not saying that it is the case, but that interference may be coming from another vessel within the river itself and until we know otherwise, I say we work upon a solution taking into account that possibility", said Gunnell. "Agreed", "Major, assemble a team in readiness for an assault should it be required, I see no reason why we cannot be ready for all and any eventuallity", he added. ~The marines will love that. They have been preparing for this since we left the starbase~ "Mr Rogers, do you have anything to add at this point?", said the Captain, (Reply Rogers) "We will retreat to the fourth moon of the Antarchus system as suggested and establish low polar orbit in order to mask our signature, once there, we will decloak and you Lieutenant Commander will send your transmission in the manner you suggest", said the Captain, "Mr Donaldson, you have a unique perspective here, is there anything you can add that might help us?", Andrew looked over at Donaldson. Any information and in site would be useful. (Reply Donaldson) (Reply Donaldson, Rogers, Kirien, any) (Posted by Robbie) ========================================================================