From: owner-spectre-nrpg@startrekfreedom.com on behalf of Michael Drake [michael@startrekfreedom.com] Sent: Monday, 20 February 2006 12:59 AM To: spectre-nrpg@startrekfreedom.com Subject: SPECTRENRPG: Spectre Compile: The Death of Dreams, #8 Mission: The Death of Dreams Compile: 8 -=/\=- Stardate: 2407.01.14 Day: 2 (USS Spectre, Engineering - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 1824) Stardate: 2407.01.15 Day: 3 (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge – StratOps, Commander Tahlmari - 0708) (USS Spectre, Bridge – COUNS, Divon Lronen - 0821) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 0840) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CMO Williams - 0845) (USS Spectre, Bridge - ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 0849) (USS Spectre, Ten Forward – ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0923) (USS Spectre, Ten Forward - First Officer T’Vhor - 0924) (USS Spectre, Sickbay - CMO Williams - 0935) (USS Spectre, Engineering - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0940) (USS Spectre, Deck 3 - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0943) (USS Spectre, StratOps Centre – StratOps, Commander Tahlmari - 0945) (USS Spectre, 2O's Office - 2O, Lt. JG Banowsky - 0945) (USS Spectre, Bridge - ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 0958) (USS Spectre, StratOps Centre, Lt. JG Banowsky - 1000) (USS Spectre, Ready Room – ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 1006) Stardate: 2407.01.16 Day: 4 (USS Spectre, Bridge – First Officer T’Vhor – 0955) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 1015) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell – 1030) (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1032) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 1100) (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1102) (USS Spectre, Ready Room - First Officer T’Vhor - 1103) (Avandar, Forest-Swamps of Kiluni - Lt Col Krige - 1110) (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1115) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CMO Williams - 1120) -=/\=- Stardate: 2407.01.14 Day: 2 (USS Spectre, Engineering - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 1824) Kyla had been continuously busy with routine tasks throughout the day, so it came as a surprise to her when the FO's voice suddenly broke her concentration. "T’Vhor to Angeletti, please respond", said the FO. "Angeletti here, sir." Angeletti continued working as she spoke. "As of this moment you are now to assume the role of acting CEO, you are to assume all duties associated there of until further notice", said T’Vhor Kyla hesitated at the contemplation of his words. "Yes sir." She then stood momentarily silent, wondering how long this would be in effect... and why. Kyla wasn't going to let this bother her. She assumed she'd find out soon enough... (Reply None) (Posted by Sondra) Stardate: 2407.01.15 Day: 3 (USS Spectre, Observation Lounge – StratOps, Commander Tahlmari - 0708) Tahl sat in his seat and listened as the CO went through the mission. It seemed basic enough. In and out recon. However, as his old flight instructor had once pointed out to him, anytime something seems easier than it should, you've probably missed an important detail. Of course, one detail was, how making sure that they weren't detected. "Perhaps a ruse sir," said T'Vhor. "Something to distract their attention upon our arrival." "Go on," the CO said simply. "Once we have established entry into the system, I would also recommend we enter into a close opposed orbit with the Betazoid moon Avandar, we can use this as a base of operations and so maintain a margin of some safety." Remae turned to the Second Officer who said, "I agree with Lt. T'Vhor." "With the fact that we don't know what awaits us when we near Betazed. Therefore using the moon as cover is our best option. As far as a ruse, sir, I could work with Commander Tahlmari to come up with something we could use as a decoy when we enter the system, so as to aid in going unnoticed." "Very good. One of the problems is however, the subspace tunnel we are taking terminates outside the Betazed system, so we'll have to travel to the moon but that will give us a chance to examine the activity but we'll have to be careful of anything that could penetrate our cloak,” said Remae and then added, "Commander Tahl, do you have anyone stationed on Medara?” said Remae and awaited for the StratOps to answer. Tahl thought about how to answer that question appropriately. This wasn't SFI, thank God, but still, having it known where their information was coming from was always dangerous. Finally he said, "I have ways of getting information from that sector. It may be a bit... shady, but it will be mostly accurate." "Any current information you can get us from the Capital would be very useful." "I'll get on it immediately," Tahl acknowledged With no other questions the meeting was dismissed and the room emptied. Tahl's mind was in motion as he was working out a way to get Remae the tactical information that he wanted. There were several other obstacles that they faced, like the arrival in the system. If they thought that Doenitz hadn't figured a way of detecting a cloaked ship going through the heart of the Alpha quadrant, then someone had lost their mind. Tahl also wondered who this calmer and more relaxed Remae was. It was a far cry from the man who walked all over people to obtain his goals. Not that he was unhappy about it, but he just hoped that it was a permanent change. He could hear the voice in his head- "Hope springs eternal." Which ended with a chuckle. Leaving that chuckle behind Tahl left the conference room and headed down to his new StratOps centre. (USS Spectre, Bridge – COUNS, Divon Lronen - 0821)   Divon stood and waited for the Captain to respond to what he had said. He nodded as the Captain spoke: "Understandable; I want you to arrange a meeting between all the Betazed crew in one of the cargo-bays, I want to address them myself and give them some assurances, can you do that for me Counsellor?" asked Remae. Divon looked at the man and considered for a moment. It did make a lot of sense; hopefully Remae could alleviate some of the tension. "Yes Sir, I can do that. I'm sure it would be helpful." "Also, I am unfamiliar with the Betazed system of planets, can you add to your research the locations and current status of those planets? We may need one as a base of operations while we are in the system. While we are cloaked, you won't be able to contact headquarters but we downloaded the latest reports before we left,” asked Remae "Well sir, there is Darona, one of the moons. There is a small terraformed colony there, but otherwise it should be fairly... barren. Its exact position is something I'm not sure of. I'll have to look into it. I can also check for other planetary positions of stellar bodies farther out," replied Divon. "Thanks," came the only reply as Divon turned to get down to work on his assigned duties. (Reply Remae, iyw) (Posted by Jeff) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 0840) The Spectre had recently departed and Remae had set several crewmembers to the task, and after speaking to the Counsellor, the Doctor approached. "Hello Captain sorry to disturb you." The CO looked up, "What can I do for you Doctor?” he asked. "Just to inform you that Sickbay is ready for any eventuality,” he said simply. ~ Interesting ~ "Have a seat Doctor,” said Remae and indicated to the free seat that the First Officer usually occupied. "I would guess things are quiet now? It's not easy where there isn't a lot going on aboard the ship, but this is the chance as you have already done, to complete work that were normally can't do because it's too busy, or another crisis is upon us,” said Remae thinking a little more. "We're going to be putting the crew in more danger than usual and we're going to be having multiple missions, more than likely, multiple away teams across the surface of Betazed and who knows where else." "I want you to implant the entire crew with something that we can place in the sub-dermal skin, something that the transporter can lock onto at distance, even beyond the 40,000 kilometre range of the transporter; so we can locate missing crew quickly." (Reply from Williams) "It's a large job and there is limited time, can you begin immediately? If you need help constructing the device, I am sure Lt Nollys and Ensign Angeletti will be happy to help. Carry on,” said Remae turning back to the screen. He has plenty to do and he was preparing himself to get the ship and crew ready for the task at hand. There was a lot do. (Reply from Williams, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen)   (USS Spectre, Bridge - CMO Williams - 0845)   "I want you to implant the entire crew with something that we can place in the sub-dermal skin, something that the transporter can lock onto at distance, even beyond the 40,000 kilometre range of the transporter; so we can locate missing crew quickly."   Andrew thought for a moment. "Captain the only thing that I can think of using would be nanotechnology. It would take a bit of time to produce enough for the entire crew but is possible with a bit of help. The only thing that I can see might be a slight problem would be that the there might be slight discomfort when they are implanted." ~at least it will get doing something instead of hiding in sickbay~ "It's a large job and there is limited time, can you begin immediately? If you need help constructing the device, I am sure Lt Nollys and Ensign Angeletti will be happy to help. Carry on,” said Remae turning back to the screen.   Andrew nodded to the Captain and walked away he noticed Nollys standing beside the Science station and crossed over to her. "Hallo Lt Nollys. How are you?" (Reply Nollys) "The Captain wants a device that is inserted sub-dermally and has a range of 40,000 kilometres. I was thinking of using nanotechnology but I wanted your suggestions in case I've missed a better idea." (Reply Nollys) "Thanks you very much. I'll keep you up dated once I've started." With that Andrew left the Bridge. (Reply Nollys, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre, Bridge - ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 0849)   Working on getting her plan underway the captain had asked for, her thoughts were disturbed by someone saying, "Hello Lt. Nollys, how are you?"   Seeing the doctor's reflection in her station, she didn't have to turn around to see who it was.   "Hey Doc Williams," she said, finishing grafting her last thought into the computer. She then turned to face him. "What can I do for you?"   "The captain wants a device that is inserted sub-dermally and has a range of 40,000 kilometres. I was thinking of using nanotechnology but I wanted your suggestions in case I've missed a better idea."   Thinking for a moment, she finally said, "The best thing other than using the nanotechnology would be a sub-dermal transceiver, but that wouldn't work for the specified range we're talking about." Pausing, she then decided she concluded with Williams. "Nanotechnology seems to be the best bet I can think of at this time. It would be able to carry a stronger signal and the nanites would probably respond quicker."   "Thank you very much. I'll keep you updated once I've started."   "No problem," she said as Williams left her station and headed back towards the turbolift. She then faced back to her station. ~I've got to finish this plan for Ktell....~   (Reply: Any, none) (Posted by: Stacey) (USS Spectre, Ten Forward – ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0923) Kyla had just entered Ten Forward, head down, her eyes scanning over the material she was to present to the FO, making sure everything was in order and that she hadn't omitted any part of her report. Hearing the doors close behind her, she looked up and around the bustling room. There was no sign of T’Vhor at the bar or any of the nearby tables. Angeletti moved forward, her eyes scanning the perimeter of the room. Her pace quickened after noticing T’Vhor's figure, outlined by stars, before one of the expansive windows. His head turned to one side as she approached, as if he had heard her coming towards him. T’Vhor turned to face her, but Angeletti noticed something strange... The way he was looking at her, it was eerie. It was as if he were someplace else in his mind. Angeletti didn't know what to say, but felt she should speak, in hopes of returning his attention to the reality his mind seemed to be evading. Kyla watched as confusion showed clearly on the FO's face now, and he looked dazedly around at the other people occupying the room. Kyla looked to see if anyone's attention was on T’Vhor, but no one returned his gaze. Kyla turned back to T’Vhor just in time to see his hand extend to her, as if he were trying to draw her nearer to him, and she instinctively backed away. "Sir?" Angeletti looked sympathetically into his eyes as she noticed sadness and confusion replacing the distant look his face once held. It took T’Vhor several moments to gather himself and address Kyla, who now stood silently. He seemed to be contemplating what had just happened and she thought it best to give him time to mentally sort things out. And now came an expression of embarrassment to replace the sadness and confusion, which still showed in his eyes, as the situation became clear to him. "I’m sorry", said T’Vhor, "I was........somewhere else for a moment or two, please forgive me", he added. There was a brief awkward silence as Kyla's mind searched for words. "I could see that. I know it isn't my place to ask, but, is everything okay?" (Reply T’Vhor) "At any rate, it's not a big deal, sir. You have my word that I won't hold it against you." Kyla smiled and handed over the PADD when she noticed his gaze had fallen upon it. "Good work Ensign", said T’Vhor as he reviewed the information & then handed it back to her. He still seemed preoccupied by his thoughts, whatever they may be. The FO looked disappointed. Kyla just hoped it wasn't anything to do with her report. T’Vhor moved to one side and motioned to a table that was close to him. "Would you care to join me for a drink Ensign?” said the FO, "perhaps we can discuss the implications of the current situation regarding our saboteur", he added. Angeletti hesitated momentarily before she answered. "Sure." The two officers then took up their seats opposite one another in front of the window. (Reply T’Vhor) (Posted by Sondra)   (USS Spectre, Ten Forward - First Officer T’Vhor - 0924) "I’m sorry", said T’Vhor, "I was........somewhere else for a moment or two, please forgive me", he added. "I could see that. I know it isn't my place to ask, but, is everything okay?” said Angeletti. The FO paused for a moment at the engineers question, to be honest he felt decidedly embarrassed that the situation had even arisen. It was not his Vulcan side that was for sure.... T’Vhor looked at Ensign Angeletti & dismissed the event from his mind entirely. "Everything is fine Ensign", said the First Officer. "You... reminded me of someone I knew, someone very special to me", he added. "Forgive me if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way, it was not my intention of course", said T’Vhor. "At any rate, it's not a big deal, sir. You have my word that I won't hold it against you,” said Angeletti as she smiled and handed over the PADD to him. The FO then looked over the information presented to him before handing the PADD back & acknowledging the Ensigns thorough attention to detail in her report. Then, almost as an afterthought or perhaps a means to disarm the awkwardness of the preceding situation itself, T’Vhor asked Angeletti if she would care to have a drink with him to discuss the situation further. She appeared to ponder the thought but he was surprised to see her eventually accept.... Since Krysta, the First Officer had not associated at all with any other women other than on a professional level, perhaps it was now time to at least make a friend of one. (Reply None) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre, Sickbay - CMO Williams - 0935) Andrew looked at the console again. ~I almost have it. This is really not my area of experience. I should get some help~ "Williams to Ensign Angeletti is it possible for you to come to sickbay I have a project that I need your expertise in." (Reply Angeletti, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre, Engineering - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0940) "Williams to Ensign Angeletti is it possible for you to come to sickbay I have a project that I need your expertise in." "Sure thing, sir. I'll be there in a few minutes." Kyla quickly finished what she had been primarily focused on up until Lieutenant Williams' request, and then exited engineering. (USS Spectre, Deck 3 - ACEO, Kyla Angeletti - 0943) Her mind wandered as she moved along the corridor. She was glad for the change of scenery. Being holed up in engineering wasn't bad for the most part, and she did get to visit other sections of the ship when the occasion arose. Upon entering the medical bay, Kyla saw CMO Williams looking at a console as if he were in deep thought. Williams looked up from the console on Angeletti's approach. He looked as though he were eager to accomplish his task. "Ensign Angeletti, sir. What can I do to help?" she said, a polite smile on her face. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Sondra) (USS Spectre, StratOps Centre – StratOps, Commander Tahlmari - 0945) Tahl had been looking at the information that he'd gathered. There weren't going to get any confirmation until they actually hit the sector and Tahl was able to get to use those new sensors that had been installed. But it looked pretty grim, at best. He was going to need a little help here. Tapping his commbadge he called. "Tahlmari to Banowsky, Mr. Banowsky, could you join me in the StratOps Centre when you get the chance." (Reply Banowsky) (Posted by Al Muir) (USS Spectre, 2O's Office - 2O, Lt. JG Banowsky - 0945) Will was going over some operation reports that were made earlier in the day. There were no problems which was always a good thing, but reading over the reports was rather tedious. He would have rather been on the Bridge; however he was not scheduled for bridge duty at this time. Therefore it was report reading time. He was reading the last report when his commbadge beeped. He then tapped his commbadge. =^=Tahlmari to Banowsky, Mr. Banowsky, could you join me in the StratOps Centre when you get the chance.=^=   "Yes sir, understood, I will be done as soon as possible." Will replied. Then tapping off his commbadge, he finished reading the end of the last report. Then getting up he headed out the door for the StratOps Centre. (USS Spectre, Bridge - ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 0958)   Blinking, Yayla wondered if her break would ever come. She knew she hadn't been on the bridge for long, but her eyes were starting to get tired from starring at the screen all day.   ~Don't think about that...think about a beach....a nice vacation...a break to...~   "Lieutenant, will you join me in my Ready Room?"   ~...a break to the ready room works,~ she thought, and shrugged slightly to herself before getting up and following the Captain into his ready room. (USS Spectre, StratOps Centre – Lt. JG Banowsky - 1000)   Will entered the StratOps Centre where Commander Tahlmari was waiting. Walking in, he said, "You wanted to see me?"   (Reply Tahl) (Posted by Will Banowsky)   (USS Spectre, Ready Room - ACSO, Lt. Yayla Nollys - 1006)   "Lieutenant, have a seat for a moment," said the Captain as he walked around to take a seat behind his own desk.   Doing as told, she took a seat and wondered why she was there. ~It's not like I'm CSO or anything...~   "When we emerge from the subspace tunnel, Lieutenant we're going to have two very large problems, the first is, the enemy fleet would have the end point of the tunnel under surveillance, and secondly, the tunnel is outside the system, so we have to make an approach towards Betazed through a hostile fleet."   She watched as he spun the computer around and tapped at the screen, showing her a schematic of what it would look like as they came out of the tunnel. Now the trick was getting out of that tunnel un-bombarded.   "We have to devise some way of exiting the tunnel unnoticed and approaching The system undetected. Usually, with the cloak, this wouldn't be a problem but we have to surmise that Doenitz and his Captains have thought of this and have something in place to detect us, even if we are cloaked."   "That's understandable," she said, the wheels in her head already starting to turn on various ways to make things work in their favour.   "I want you to work on these two problems, we have to get in to the system and up close and in transporter range of Betazed without being detected, use anyone you think can help you but I want something by 17.00s, any questions Ensign?"   Raising her eyebrows, she replied, "No sir, I think it's pretty clear cut what I need to do." Smirking, she then walked out of his ready room and onto the bridge where she could further her ideas.   (Reply: any, none) (Posted by: Stacey) Stardate: 2407.01.16 Day: 4 (USS Spectre, Bridge – First Officer T’Vhor – 0955) "Sir, we are nearing our exit point on the river", said the First Officer. "Sensors indicate three vessels nearby, configuration matches scout class, their patrol pattern suggests a standard cross path opposed slice by slice matrix" (Reply CO) "Aye sir", said the FO turning immediately to access the status panel beside him. "All systems are nominal, the cloak is functioning at one hundred percent efficiency & there are no indications that we will be visible upon exit", said T’Vhor. The Captain appeared to be relieved at that knowledge, it was clear that the concept of visibility at such a delicate time in the mission perturbed him somewhat, as indeed it should do. "There appears to be two class M worlds nearby, I would suggest a course taking us around those worlds, The Betazoid system lies two hours beyond this point sir", said T’Vhor. (Reply CO, Any) "All hands, this is the First Officer, we are preparing to leave the river, be ready for possible conflict", said T’Vhor. "Engineering", he added, "make sure we don’t lose that cloak". (Reply Angeletti, Any in Engineering) "Yellow alert", said the First Officer & within seconds their status was raised accordingly. "Prepare to backflow the ram-scoops on my mark", said T’Vhor. "Mark", said T’Vhor & the ruse was duly executed. The transition from the river to conventional space was pretty much uneventful due to Lieutenant Nollys’ pre-planned ejection of hydrogen from the Spectres ram-scoops to simulate an asteroid collision nearby upon their exit. The next thing they knew, they were once again in normal space & meandering on a course that took them smoothly away from the patrolling vessels as they probed the event further whilst completely unaware of the cloaked Spectre. "Helm, make your course one ninety, mark two seven five", said T’Vhor. (Reply Helm, IYW) The Spectre then continued on thankfully undetected towards the two class M worlds & then onto the Betazoid moon Avandar. (Reply CO, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 1015) "Helm, make your course one ninety, mark two seven five", said T'Vhor. Remae was satisfied, they had completed their exit from the tunnel and as expected, a welcoming committee was waiting for them, but they evaded them without incident. "Take us into sensor range of Betazed and then bring us around to Avandar and assume standard orbit,” ordered the CO, the plan was to take a reading of the system, see what they were up against and then to bring them back again to evaluate the readings. The Spectre had entered the system and made its way towards the inner planets and activity was high, it was clear the Admiral Doenitz's forces had decided to make Betazed one of their staging posts. "I want positive identification on all the ships in the system and their Captain's files on my desk in one hour,” said Remae to the assembled crew on the Bridge. Remae wanted to know who he was dealing with. (Reply from anyone wanting to contribute) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 1030) Without making their presence known, the Spectre had continued deep into the system, without incident, on the way, they passed ships, stations under construction and a mass array of other support vessels. It seemed that a large section of the fleet was based here. "Something big is going on here, we have to find out what it is,” said Remae as the ship approached Betazed, it was clear, they weren't getting close, a large array of defence platforms and other equipment that shouldn't be there, was. "Alright, best scan and then bring us around." (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1032) It had certainly been an interesting excursion into the Betazed system so far, the Spectre had ‘Skulked’, for want of a better word around each of the assembled vessels without incident. Of course this was what she had been built for, it was what she was best at. As a cloaked vessel, her missions were invariably stealthy & so it was now as they scanned the ships along their route with passive sensors so as not to alert any of their bridge crews of their presence. As they swung about once again onto a direct approach vector for Betazed however, it was clear that things were not as they would have expected. Brows quickly furrowed as each crewmember gazed at the forward view screen at the vast structure that had suddenly loomed into view. "Something big is going on here, we have to find out what it is,” said the CO. "It would appear that they are expecting the 52nd sometime in the near future", said the First Officer. (Reply CO, IYW) "Alright, best scan and then bring us around,” said the CO as they continued in on their pre-planned course to carry out the Captains last order. (USS Spectre, Bridge - CO, Captain Remae Ktell - 1100) "Standard orbit, Captain,” said Lt Banowsky as the ship arrive at Avandar. "We'll lie low for here for now, Mr T'Vhor, I want a plan for getting an away team led by you, onto Betazed and I want a second plan for getting a one man away team onto a ship of that fleet, to infiltrate and download their database, within the hour along with recommendations for personnel and equipment,” said Remae to the First Officer. (Reply from T'Vhor) "As for everyone else, keep your eyes peeled on their forces, I want to see a pattern in what is happening here, is there a building up for an attack, is this a staging post or something else.?" "Also, OPS, keep a close eye on Avandar,” said Remae cryptically and with that he was finished and headed for his Ready Room. (Reply from All on the Bridge, Any) (Posted by Anthony Keen) (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1102) "Standard orbit, Captain,” said Lt Banowsky as the ship arrived at Avandar. "We'll lie low here for now", said the Captain, "Mr T'Vhor, I want a plan for getting an away team led by you, onto Betazed and I want a second plan for getting a one man away team onto a ship of that fleet, to infiltrate and download their database, within the hour along with recommendations for personnel and equipment,” said Remae to the First Officer. "I’m on it sir", said T’Vhor. "As for everyone else, keep your eyes peeled on their forces, I want to see a pattern in what is happening here, is there a building up for an attack, is this a staging post or something else.?” said the Captain with just a hint of worry in his voice before he rose from his chair & headed for his ready room. The First Officer watched as the CO left the bridge, he then he stood to follow. "Lt Banowsky, you have the bridge until I return", said T’Vhor, "inform me of any changes as & when they happen", he added as he walked to the CO’s ready room. (Reply Banowsky, IYW) (USS Spectre, Ready Room - First Officer T’Vhor - 1103) The Captain was now seated at his desk, PADD in hand as he scanned its contents, he looked up only briefly as the FO entered, then he placed the PADD onto his desk. "Sir, the one man away team you mentioned", said T’Vhor, "is this to be a mission running concurrent to the landing parties or are you planning this to take place once my own away team arrives back on the Spectre?” said the FO. (Reply CO) "I believe I am the best qualified for this mission sir", said T’Vhor, "I have done exactly what you require on three separate occasions, plus I am familiar with the computer systems & the cryptographic routines employed on these vessels", he added. "I AM the logical choice for success sir", said T’Vhor. (Reply CO) "Understood", said T’Vhor upon his Captains reply. He then returned to the bridge to carry out the Captains prior orders. (Reply CO, Any) (Posted by Alan Reading) (Avandar, Forest-Swamps of Kiluni - Lt Col Krige - 1110) There was something distasteful about swamps. There was something even more distasteful about being literally neck deep in swamp water. Yet what was most distasteful is that Lieutenant Colonel Krige, CO of the Special Recon Unit 'Understar', had run through most of his personal maintenance supplies and his air scrubber wasn't functioning quite as well as it should. The aroma was... interesting. But those were the shakes, and this unit had expected these conditions and the long duration of duty. They, along with so many others, had been sent forward to sneak and record. To learn, and to remember, but not to kill. For verily, a Marine must first know his enemy before he shot them. Colonel Krige had learned enough, he sincerely hoped the shooting would begin soon. He and his squad had been all over these rocks, this moon was their final point before extraction and replacement by a fresh team, they spent their time watching and waiting. He looked at his chronometer, it was just about time. His encoded orders, delivered by short-burst from some relay system whose location he didn't know (what he didn't know he couldn't leak under interrogation) had changed his personal standing orders. His squad would remain, but he was going to be extracted for detached duty. ~Wonderful.~ He slowly moved to the side, creating as few ripples as possible for others to notice, and lightly tapped his Pallas Battle Helmet against one of his oldest comrades. "Bones, its time, you'll have command." "Aye Sir, wake the squad?" The Colonel's eyes turned inward to the HUD where 13 other men were spread out over a quarter mile in the swamp, it was high noon on this part of the moon, and this was their sleep period. But it was only luck that had brought them to a swamp today... "Negative, they know the order." He replied. "Keep to the plan, stay in the weeds, report at the scheduled times." "Godspeed Sir." The Colonel slowly backed away again and took his former position. And with infinite care he tapped a button on his BDU and said slowly into the mic', "Activate extraction beacon, frequency Alpha." =/=Beacon Activated on Frequency 25432.1=\= With the same care he had shown in moving, the Colonel let himself sink even deeper into the muck, until finally he was fully submerged. The air-processor and filter cut off as the vent closed immediately, leaving him on canned air. He was not in a fully EVO/C BDU, but he had enough air for approximately four hours if he didn't exert himself. Not that he planned to. Once his head was under, he quickly went about the motions of laying down flat on the mud with a good seven feet of dark murky water over his head. The reasoning was simple; he didn't want the light of a transporter beam to show. Being picked up from under the water would hide all but a minor glow, something which could easily be shrugged off as swamp lights to anyone within 150 feet... something that wouldn't happen. And so, he sat with his back in the muck under all that nasty water, waiting to be extracted. (Reply: Spectre) (Posted by Trout) (USS Spectre, Bridge - First Officer T’Vhor - 1115) By the time the transmission finally came through, the bridge crew knew exactly what they were expecting. One marine, a Lt Colonel going by the name of Krige, nobody actually knew why the man was coming aboard, they only knew that he was & that he was pivotal in their mission. "Sir, I’m picking up a spike transmission from the surface of Avandar", said the comms officer. "Is it the Lt Colonel?” said T’Vhor turning to face the crewman in question. "The signature matches the Lt Colonels transponder frequency sir", said the Ensign. "It appears to be coming from...beneath the surface of the moon though", he added. "Beneath the surface?” said T’Vhor pondering this for a moment & wondering why that could be, he wasted no time however & activated the console beside him in the command chair. "Bridge to transporter room one, lock onto the referenced signal beacon & beam the officer aboard", said T’Vhor. =/\=Aye sir, transport is locked, beaming now=/\= A few seconds then passed as the transport took place, then came a reply from the transporter chief. =/\=Sir, the officer is er... um aboard, he may need a shower & a change of clothing before he reports to the captain though=/\= "A shower?” said T’Vhor wondering again as to what state the Lt Colonel could possibly be in. "Very well, have him report to the bridge as soon as he is able", he added. "Bridge out" (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Alan Reading) (USS Spectre, Bridge - CMO Williams - 1120)   "Sir, I’m picking up a spike transmission from the surface of Avandar", said the comms officer.   Andrew lifted his head to hear T’Vhor response "Is it the Lt Colonel?” said T’Vhor   "The signature matches the Lt Colonels transponder frequency sir", said the Ensign. "It appears to be coming from...beneath the surface of the moon though", he added. Andrew turned round and looked at T’Vhor. ~I hope his is not dead that would be terrible~   "Beneath the surface?” said T’Vhor "Bridge to transporter room one, lock onto the referenced signal beacon & beam the officer aboard", said T’Vhor.   =/\=Aye sir, transport is locked, beaming now=/\=   ~well we are about to find out~ A few seconds then passed as the transport took place, then came a reply from the transporter chief.   Andrew stiffened. ~well we will find out in a moment~ =/\=Sir, the officer is er... um aboard, he may need a shower & a change of clothing before he reports to the captain though=/\=   Andrew noticed that he had with out realising it picked up his medical kit. ~always ready. Better get on with it~ "A shower?” said T’Vhor "Very well, have him report to the bridge as soon as he is able," T’Vhor added. "Bridge out"   ~bet he will have an interesting story to tell~ He turned back to the console. The diagnostic program for the nano-bots he had injected into the crew was complete. ~good this means that it has worked and the good side is that we have no Borg on board~ He turned to Lt. Nollys who was working at the other science station. "Lt. Nollys it looks like every thing has worked thank you." (Reply Nollys) ~now all I have to do now is to fined Angeletti and see if I have missed anything~ (Reply Nollys, any) (Posted Robbie) -USS Spectre Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com