USS Rosenante compile 16 January - Compile index: Mission: Picking up the Pieces Stardate: 2408.01.06 (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CEO - Lt.( jg ) Bird - 1732) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge – ACMO LT(jg) Nissa Whetari – 1758) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge ­ SEO - Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1800) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CEO - Lt.(sg) Bird - 1804) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 1805) (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO - LT. Matrix - 1806) (USS Rosenante - Quarters - PFC Marta "The Nun" Nunez - 1955) (USS Rosenante – Ensign Smith personal quarters. – Ensign Smith & 2nd Lieutenant Smith -2000) (USS Rosenante – Trade Winds – MCO - Lt Col Drizzt - 2004) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 2005) (USS Rosenante - Deck 10 - Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 2006) (USS Rosenante - Armoury - 2nd Lieutenant – Kenneth ‘SatNav’ Smith - 2007) (USS Rosenante - Deck 20, Armory - PFC Marta "The Nun" Nunez - 2008) Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Rosenante - CEO Bird's Private Quarters - CEO - Lt.(sg) Bird - 0056) (USS Rosenante - Main Engineering - PO3 Kiita Seleen - 0814) (Transport - EO Ens.sg James Hudson - 0900) (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – ACMO LT(jg) Nissa Whetari – 1023) (USS Rosenante - Admin Central - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1030) (USS Rosenante - Main Engineering - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1035) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - FO - Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid- 1343) (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 2, ATT Lt, Commander Zzt, 1345) (USS Rosenante - Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 1348) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1349) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - ATT Lt, Commander Zzt - 1350) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1351) Compile begins: Mission: Picking up the Pieces Stardate: 2408.01.06 (USS Rosenante-Observation Lounge - CEO Lt.( jg ) Bird - 1732) After the councillor it was Paul's turn. "Lieutenant Bird, front and centre. " Paul rose and moved to the captain , nodding to her in acknowledgement of what had happened and what was about to occur now . "Lieutenant Paul Bird, in addition to the commemorative medal from the command of the 52nd, you are hereby awarded the Cross of Fire in recognition of your actions during the battle. You are also awarded the Combat Action Ribbon. That is from Starfleet Command. In my personal gift is the Captain's Commendation, which is given by me in recognition of all your actions during and after the battle. I also have pleasure in promoting you to Lieutenant (sg), with all the rights, privileges and duties that entails. Congratulations, Paul," she added with a smile, holding out the box containing his medal and his new gold pip to him and offering him her hand. Paul was overwhelmed as again he wasn't expecting quite so many accolades , let alone a promotion . He just beamed at the captain as she gave him his box and took her hand to shake it , perhaps a bit too enthusiastically . He was about to turn away and take his seat when the captain once again spoke . "Ensign Eric McCally, SCPO Alonzo di Costa and Crewman Chuss have been posthumously awarded the Star of Hope. I would like you, as their department head, to forward the medals to their families. I have, of course, already sent my personal condolences on their loss, but I feel that a few words from someone who worked with them would mean a lot." Paul's face fell as he took the second box of medals , knowing in his heart the pain of the actions to come in returning those medals . As he sat down he thought again of his friends killed in action , and there families . He had already spoken to the parents of McCally .They had recently returned to Mars from which they had left to escape the persecution of family members of 52nd fleet crew. He decided now that he had Eric's medals he would go and see them in person . Paul had also got in touch , although he had not spoken to them , DiCosta's relatives ,but Chuss's he had no contact with . ~ We will have to remedy that ~. For the remainder of the meeting he sat motionless thinking sad thoughts to himself , that was until the captain said , "After the meeting is over I would like to speak to Lieutenants Bird and Matrix, and also to Dr Whetari, if anyone else wishes to talk to me individually please also wait behind. Are there any questions? I have no details as yet about our first mission or when it will start, but I do know we will have a week or so to get to know our way around the ship." Paul sat quietly studying one of the PADD's in front of him so as not to have to interact with those leaving the observation lounge , until just the few of them remained , then he listened closely to hear what the captain had to say . === (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge – ACMO LT(jg) Nissa Whetari – 1758) "Dr Whetari - Nissa - as you know Josh is ill and although she is assigned to the ship, I don't know when she'll be well enough to join us. As you are the senior ACMO, I would like you to take over until she returns as acting CMO." Captain Rivers explained as Nissa remained seated in her chair. Her foot abruptly ceased twitching and she gave the Captain a sharp nod. “Understood, Captain, though I do hope that Dr. Caskie feels better soon. I will do my best to run an efficient and effective Sickbay until her return.” After Nissa heard about Dr. Caskie’s illness and was then asked the remain behind after the meeting, this wasn’t exactly an unexpected turn of events . But Nissa didn’t enjoy being in charge; the responsibility of healing a person or saving a life wouldn’t phase her, but towers of PADDs filled with reports and personnel problems made her head ache. Though she hadn’t meant to let it show, Nissa’s face had twisted slightly into a look somewhere between confusion and distress. The Captain must of noticed, but she didn’t mention it, blessedly giving Nissa the opportunity and excuse to depart. "Thank you for waiting behind, Nissa. I imagine you'll want to speak to Henna-Star and familiarize yourselves with Sickbay. It's rather larger and better equipped than on other ships; we'll have a number of families traveling with us, since our missions may take us away from Federation territory for some time." Rivers smiled at her. "I have every confidence that you and Henna-Star will manage just fine until Josh returns." “Thank you for your confidence in myself, Dr. Henna-Star, and our medical team, Captain.” Nissa replied, standing and giving the Captain on last nod before heading out of the Observation lounge and toward the turbolift. === (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge ­ Lieutenant Steven Matrix - 1800) Matrix remained standing as the Captain addressed others, then she turned to him. "I'm pleased to meet you properly at last, Lt Matrix. I understand that during the last few months you have had some opportunity to assess the spiral warp drive, at least from the documentation?" asked Rivers. Matrix smiled, "Yes Captain. I've had a lot of time on my hands lately and am thankful and excited for this assignment. Warp drive is one of my specialties and passions." Rivers turned to the CEO, "Paul here is our CEO, he's an excellent engineer and I'm pretty sure he's raring to get a look at the spiral drive. I'd like the two of you to come up with some testing simulations, and assess any likely problems or issues we might run into when we test it out for real. Starfleet is anxious to get feed-back from us before they look at installing it on other ships. I know you've had a lot of experience, Mr Matrix, and have previously been a CEO yourself. You understand the pressures of the job, and your position as specialist engineer will be a valuable one. So I'm sure you and Paul will make a good team." Matrix looked at the CEO, envious of his position and authority on the ship, but knew his place. "I'm sure we will Captain. Mr. Bird, it will be my pleasure to work with you." replied Matrix. "Captain, if I may...and with the approval of Mr. Bird...I would like to spend time reviewing the ships systems...a complete diagnostics, then I'll be able to recommend some testing procedures. I would hope Starfleet would allow us some shakedown time before deployment." said Matrix. (Reply Rivers, Bird - IYW) Matrix smiled, "Would someone direct me to the yeoman? I don't yet have assigned quarters." === (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CEO Lt.(sg) Bird- 1804) Paul listened as the captain spoke to the new Lt. , explaining what was to be and what she expected . "I'm pleased to meet you properly at last, Lt Matrix. I understand that during the last few months you have had some opportunity to assess the spiral warp drive, at least from the documentation?" asked Rivers.Matrix smiled, "Yes Captain. I've had a lot of time on my hands lately and am thankful and excited for this assignment. Warp drive is one of my specialities and passions." ~ A spiral warp specialist , good I could use some help with that new bit of kit ~ Thought Paul as the captain turned towards him , but carried on speaking to Matrix "Paul here is our CEO, he's an excellent engineer and I'm pretty sure he's raring to get a look at the spiral drive. I'd like the two of you to come up with some testing simulations, and assess any likely problems or issues we might run into when we test it out for real. Starfleet is anxious to get feed-back from us before they look at installing it on other ships. I know you've had a lot of experience, Mr Matrix, and have previously been a CEO yourself. You understand the pressures of the job, and your position as specialist engineer will be a valuable one. So I'm sure you and Paul will make a good team." Paul allowed his fellow engineer a chance to speak , a chance he took straight away ."I'm sure we will Captain. Mr. Bird, it will be my pleasure to work with you." replied Matrix."Captain, if I may...and with the approval of Mr. Bird...I would like to spend time reviewing the ships systems...a complete diagnostics, then I'll be able to recommend some testing procedures. I would hope Starfleet would allow us some shakedown time before deployment." said Matrix. Susan nodded. "That makes sense to me - Paul? Is that OK with you?" His reply was swift as he was getting just what he wanted , " First of all , a special welcome on board , a welcome from someone who has only just beat yo on board . Captain that also makes sense to me , as I would also like some time to get my head around the techs of this wonder ship . I've been concerned about the Spiral drive and I am truly grateful to have any help I can get . " Here he smiled before carrying on , " that's one less headache , and Lt. it's Paul by the way . " Paul extended his hand to shake . ( Reply Matrix) " Super then if you don't mind I've got to go back to the Hypatia and get certain equipment sent over , as well as pack up my quarters and get settled in other here . " === (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 1805) "Captain, if I may...and with the approval of Mr. Bird...I would like to spend time reviewing the ships systems...a complete diagnostics, then I'll be able to recommend some testing procedures. I would hope Starfleet would allow us some shakedown time before deployment." said Matrix. Susan nodded. "That makes sense to me - Paul? Is that OK with you?" (reply Bird) Matrix smiled, "Would someone direct me to the yeoman? I don't yet have assigned quarters." Susan, remembering the speed with which Shadow had exited the meeting, said, "You'll find the admin centre on deck 2, near the Operations offices. But if she's not there, I would ask the computer where she might be found." === (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge - SEO - LT. Matrix - 1806) Matrix paused in response to the Captain's comments to the CEO. Susan nodded. "That makes sense to me - Paul? Is that OK with you?" Paul spoke in turn, " First of all, a special welcome on board , a welcome from someone who has only just beat you on board . Captain that also makes sense to me , as I would also like some time to get my head around the techs of this wonder ship . I've been concerned about the Spiral drive and I am truly grateful to have any help I can get . " Here he smiled before carrying on , " that's one less headache , and Lt. it's Paul by the way . " Paul extended his hand to shake . Matrix smiled at the CEO's gesture and extended his hand in kind and shook the CEO's hand. "Paul, good to be working with you." said Matrix. " Super then if you don't mind I've got to go back to the Hypatia and get certain equipment sent over , as well as pack up my quarters and get settled in other here . " said the CEO. "Yes, I need to find my quarters as well. Thank you." replied Matrix === (USS Rosenante - Quarters - PFC Marta "The Nun" Nunez - 1955) Marta stepped out of the shower, rejuvenated and refreshed. It was just what she had needed after a long hard two-hour workout. She was, of course, in peak physical condition and she paused for a moment to regard herself in the full length mirror for a moment. She regarded the dull jagged scar below her left breast. She traced it with her finger to the bottom of her ribcage. It was a harsh reminder of her time in the 1st MEF. How many Starfleet marines had she killed or helped kill during the war? How many of her friends had been killed? She'd lost count so many times. Her family in Puerto Rico , did not survive the war either. They had been killed when a marine drop ship had lost containment while trying to rush troops to a Doenitz held stronghold. It was over for them in an instant, they had been vaporized by the antimatter/matter explosion. The city of San Juan had been leveled and there had been so many casualties. Marta considered everything that she knew. Both brothers dead, killed for the Battle of Cardassia, her parents vaporized when a civilian zone turned into a war zone. Her grandfather and Grandmother long dead of natural causes, and she alone remained. It was a hell of a Legacy for a family that believed in service, even if her own parents had been against her joining the Starfleet marines. She was dropped harshly from her revelry back into the present when the computer chimed in her quarters and the emotionless female voice droned. [Stage One Alert, All marines and security to the staging areas in full battle kit.] ~Holy Sh*t. We're being invaded?~ she thought and immediately dropped her towel and grabbed her duty uniform. She dressed quickly, and sprinted from her quarters towards the Armory. Her boots gripped in her left hand and her tac belt in her right. Ship's crew threw themselves out of the way as she shouted "Make a Hole! Marine coming through!" whenever they were blocking the corridor. She reached the turbolift in record time and jumped inside and slapped the emergency door close button before any one else could hold her up. "Deck 20! Emergency speed!" she ordered The turbolift plummeted as fast as the safeties would permit, and while she was riding the elevator down to the marine deck, she strapped her tack belt on and pushed her feet into her boots. She didn't bother to tie her boots, instead she just tucked the laces into the top so that she wouldn't trip over them and continued on her way. === (USS Rosenante – Ensign Smith personal quarters. – Ensign Smith & 2nd Lieutenant Smith - 2000) Kenneth sat down as the table as Robert passed him a plate of food. “Hey this is nice. What’s its it.” Robert rolled his eye and gave a slight sigh. “Its granny’s stoves recipe. You’ve been eating to many marine boil in the bag meals. You don’t know what real food is.” Kenneth gave a slight grin and nodded “At least its hear recipe and not yours.” Robert dropped the plat in front of him. “And what are you insinuating about my cooking.” Kenneth’s grin widened. He loved getting Roberts back up it was so easy. “Ow nothing, nothing.” “Look if you are going to be nasty about my food I’ll just take it to some one who appreciates it.” =^=Stage One Alert, All Marines and Security to the Staging Areas in full battle kit=^= All the good will and humour dead in a spilt second and was replaced by grim determination. Before the announcement had finished they had left the room running hard one to the bridge and the other to the Armoury. The hot steaming food sitting abandoned in the quiet room. === (USS Rosenante – Trade Winds – MCO - Lt Col Drizzt - 2004) Drizzt, sitting with a drink in his hand and watching all the people in the lounge, sat back in his chair and mused over times gone by. Everyone was so happy, so unrestrained. Smiles flashed like sunshine, and the grim specter of death appeared to be the last thing on anyone’s mind. It was a heartening sight. It gave weight to the years worth of blood they had shed. It proved, if only in a small way, that the war was over and they could move on. Sure, there were still nightmares… there would always be nightmares. But the fabric of life was still being sewn, the horror could be left behind. For some, at least. The Marine took a deep drink from his mug, nearly finishing the Andorian Ale he’d been nursing for the last thirty minutes. Several Marines were in evidence, not really being rowdy yet, but that would surely come later. Not that they’d go overboard, they knew his boot would have to be surgically removed from their rears if they caused that much trouble. OF course, Drizzt was a masochist. Happy Marines were Marines in need of more training. He discreetly tapped his badge, “Drizzt to Bridge, Request Marine Training Scenario Four- all Marines to be recalled for Stage One Alert.” Drizzt took another drink as the open line closed. The Scenario would take a minute or so to be implemented. He turned away from the Lounge and again faced the bartender. He wasn’t much of an actor, he didn’t want his Marines to see him smiling at their sudden panic. After about forty five seconds, suddenly, every Marine badge beeped. =^=Stage One Alert, All Marines and Security to the Staging Areas in full battle kit.=^= He almost chuckled as he heard it. No Marine would be recalled to duty without Security being called as well… that was the fun part of this particular drill, no security guard was actually called. It was just to add some realism. The smart Marines would figure out quick it was a drill when the ship didn’t suddenly become a beehive of activity, but most of them would be to busy jumping into their armor to notice.” Still, he had a part to play. He thumped the mug down and jumped from his chair, “Move it Marines!” he said, unnecessarily. It might have been a few months, but most of these Marines had been with him from the start of the war. They knew the difference a few seconds could make if there was a problem, some of them had literally dropped their glasses to sprint for the door. Drizzt joined them, literally breaking out into a full run once out of the double-doors of Ten Forward, a mass of enraged marines around him. And God help the crewman that got in the way of the thundering herd. They jumped into the Staging Center not very long later, Marines were already around them in various stages of being armed. The squad on duty had their weapons free and charged, Marines were almost flying in from every entrance possible and making a jump for the Armory. “Report!” Drizzt bellowed. “Stage One Alert, we don’t know anything else yet.” Drizzt stepped over to his command suit and slipped his feet into the heavy encased boots and partial leggings, the first part of the Heavy Command EVO/C he wore. “Drizzt to Bridge, Request Report on Stage One Alert!” === (USS Rosenante - Bridge - Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 2005) He would have had a bit of warning if he'd been paying attention, but as it was, he was watching a cute technician repairing a console, which seemed to involve her bending over a lot. He'd learned pretty quick, if he stayed out of the way, and mostly quiet, no one seemed to care if he haunted the bridge. He was nearly startled out of his skin when suddenly the computer informed him [Stage One Alert, All marines and security to the staging areas in full battle kit.] And he was suddenly wearing full battle gear. ~Hey! This don't get much easier!~ He thought happily, hefting the gun that had appeared in his hand. ~Just one little problem.. Hay, computer, sweetie, what the drek is a stage one alert and where is my staging area?~ The computer had no information about what the alert was, it also had no idea where a holographic marine was supposed to go. "Eh, just beam to the MCO. He'll puts me to work!" === (USS Rosenante - Deck 10 - Holo Marine Jose Rameriz - 2006) Fortunately, the computer was feeling benevolent and had him appear BEHIND the running marines, instead of in front of them. He didn't want to find out what being run over by marines was like, even as a hologram! Pivoting on one foot he chased after the gang and found himself in the armoury with the rest of the green team. The MCO seemed to be playing along - unless this really wasn't a drill and he was as clueless as the rest of them? It wasn't like he was properly integrated with the computer yet - it could be failing to give him information. He was frustrated for half a heart beat and then smiled happily as everyone around him checked each other's armour. Either way, he'd get to blow some stuff up! === (USS Rosenante - Armoury - 2nd Lieutenant – Kenneth ‘SatNav’ Smith - 2007) Kenneth ran in hard on the heels of the marine in front of him. He stepped over to his locker and opened it. He heard a bellow behind him “Report!” Smith turned to see that Drizzt had entered the room. “Stage One Alert, we don’t know anything else yet.” He turned back to his locker and started to get his BDU on. “Initiate combat start.” He heard the beep from the suits computer as it obeyed his request. Smith’s field BDU was different compared to the other marines and to Drizzt’s heavy command EVO/C. He wore a light weight stripped down field BDU of a FO/Sapper which was his speciality. Additionally to this as an officer he also had command equipment which filled some of his BDU’s already considerable storage space. He fitted his helmet on hearing the soft hiss as the seal engaged. The faceplate powered you and he looked at his HUDs display. “Connect me to all tactical commnent as well as senior subnet” [Connection complete connection to tactical commnent and senior subnet activated] When he was happy that his suit was working properly he stepped over to the equipment rack and grabbed a small reinforced back pack which he fitted to hard points on the back of his BDU. It carried all the equipment he was going to need. He then turned to the marine to his left and waited has the marine done a visual inspection of his BDU. When he felt the double tap on his helmet he began his visual inspection and then repeated the double tap. He stepped over to the armourer who was dishing out weapons and ammunition as quick has possible. He took his weapons and checked them. He placed spare power cells in his BDU. ~That’s me~ He saw from his HUD display that all the marines present were ready to go so he headed over to Drizzt and reported. “All squads ready Sir.” === (USS Rosenante - Deck 20, Armory - PFC Marta "The Nun" Nunez - 2008) The doors slid open and Marta made three quick strides into the room. She noted the other marines in various stages of suiting up and Marta quickly turned to her own BDU armored suit and grabbed the helmet. "Hello Conception, Start pre-suit warm up, immediately please." she said into the helmet, even as she fixed her boots and tucked in her uniform shirt [initiating pre-suit warm-up. All secondary systems are showing green, Nun] the computer replied. Marta popped the hatch to the suit with practiced experience, she stepped into the suit, settled her feet in the stirrups for the autonomic response network, then dropped her hands and arms into the appropriate spots in the armored suits. She pulled the suit closed. "Commence pressure and atmosphere check, filter check and thermal regulators check please?" [All checks complete, all are green across the board] 'Thank you, test magnetic seals and boot up the comm. suite." [Magnetic seals are showing one hundred percent efficiency and the comm. suite is coming on line now.] "Ping all suits in the command net and the squad and let them know we're live. Ping new additions to the commnet as they come online. Verify their authentication with encrypt Delta nine-three." [All active suits pinged. Verifying encryptions now. All encryptions authenticated.] "Heads-up." The HUD came online. "Run a complete optics and audio systems check" [All checks complete.] Without even thinking about it she turned to the marine on her right and started checking his armor. Tapping each critical component as she went through her mental checklist. A quick visual inspection of the hardware could make all the difference between life and death. When she was finished, she double tapped the top of his helmet and turned as he returned the favor. He double tapped her helmet indicating he was finished with the visual inspection and she turned and retrieved her issue ordinance from the Armorer. Once outfitted, she was ready to report in. "Time since Alert?" she asked Conception. [Time elapsed 12 minutes twenty four seconds] ~great!~ she thought, pleased with her time. She opened a channel to the Command Net for Troubled Minds, " Troubled Minds TacComm is hot and active, all channels running crystal clear with no jamming present. Standing by for traffic." She reported. === Stardate: 2408.01.07 (USS Rosenante - CEO Bird's Private Quarters - CEO - Lt.(sg) Bird- 0056) The view screen in front of Paul flicked to the Image of the Klingon high command , and Paul slouched back in his chair . ~ Well that went differently ~ . The conversation he had just had was markedly not like the one he had made a few hours ago . After getting his gear sent over from the Hypatia , and finally having a tour of the engine room and settling people in , Paul had set to the task he had been set by the captain . Having already spoke to the McCally's , he had had no problem in getting in touch with them again and arranged to see them the next day . ~ No , that would be later today . ~ He had also previously sent a message to June , the chief's daughter and so it was no arduous task to track her down on Veradin Prime . Paul had been in luck . She had not long been in from the dig , by the look of her it appeared that archaeologists still dug the ground by hand . At 28 she looked proud and strong , but also looked enough like her father that Paul had almost taken a breathe in shock . He had told her again how her father had died , trying to delay the destruction of their ship , The Champlain . In this he had proved to be successful , giving many a chance to escape when they would not of . Paul could not look the eyes of the woman which were filled with tears , and had to turn his head away slightly as he told her that he was one of those saved souls . Paul went on to explain just how good a friend and mentor her father had been not only to him but to all those in the engine room . The medals he had been awarded and would be sending on to her proved with out doubt what Paul knew to to be a universal truth , Alonzo DiCosta was a great man and a true hero . At this the floodgate of tears burst for June , and she gave Paul a hurried thanks before swiftly cutting the connection. Paul had had to sit quietly in the dark for quite a while , composing himself before getting down to contacting the family of Chuss .Although being friendly with Chuss , the taciturn Klingon had never really fitted in only coming alive around the engines of the great ship , ~now that I can understand ~ It ha upset him to realise just how little he knew about his friend . He had gone through he personal file and had found her family's house name , and on contacting the Klingon authorities had discovered that were powerful group . Paul had been put through to Chuss's father , an important man in the Klingon government .He had started to tell him how brave and heroic woman his daughter was , about the medals and awards she had won . At this he had just snorted and sneered at him . It soon became clear that Chuss was considered by the family as a poor Klingon and had been shunned by them . Her crime had been to love engineering and running away to join the humans in Star Fleet instead of becoming a Klingon warrior . Paul had snapped . He shouted at the man about how stupid he was and that his daughter was a better and braver Klingon than he . Chuss's father's face had been contorted in rage . He gave of a long string of Klingon curses before severing the connection . ~ Oh Well , not made a friend there . ~ with that Paul made arrangements for the shipping of the two sets of awards , and turned in to get some sleep , which he expected wouldn't come , before going down to Mars and meeting the McCally's . === (USS Rosenante - Main Engineering - PO3 Kiita Seleen - 0814) Not having any belongings more than a toolkit meant that the young woman could step onto the ship and start work immediately. A temporary transfer from the base, she wasn't quite sure how long she would be aboard the Rosenante, but a shortage of engineering technicians with appropriate clearance meant she was often sent strange places for unknown lengths of time. Once the ship's crew learnt the in's and out's of the vessel, she'd probably be sent off somewhere else with equally short notice and explanation. The Rosenante still *smelled* new. The warp core was still giving off its faint installation ozone smell, and the chairs still smelled of their dyes and the robotic arm weavers. Or manufactures. Kiita stopped in mid-step as she tried to figure out how Starfleet chair coverings were created. A cough from behind her, moved her out of the turbolift with an apologetic smile. She was very careful to keep her mouth closed, however. She got enough strange looks for having a long red, bushy tail with white tip and red ears with black tips on her head. Was it her fault her teeth were shaped for the carnivorous meals she preferred? It wasn't as if she was covered in fur or anything, she looked like the humanoid majority with her long auburn hair, even if black streaks weren't the norm. When on station she was known to wear a cap so she looked like just every other technician from a distance. Apparently amber eyes were disconcerting. But new ship meant new dress code until she learnt how cranky the CEO was or wasn't here. It had also meant paring her claws down into fingernail looking shapes. Which was irritating since they were so very handy for prying things off and not having to use tools. Oh well, they'd grow back and the humanoids would grow used to them as they did. It wasn't that she thought the average human-base model was xenophobic. She'd yet to meet a member of Starfleet that wasn't an open minded individual, it was just she got tired of QUESTIONS. Who was she, where did she come from, what were here people like, when were the Keetsun applying to join the Federation, which colony world was she from, were the streaks natural, what's it like to have a tail.. Humans! Curious at batlas all of them! They could at least feed her before bleeding her brain dry! Not seeing an officer around to introduce herself to, she decided to just pick up the duty list and compare it what the station had sent her. No need checking what had already been done after all.. === (Transport - EO Ens.sg James Hudson - 0900) The transport ship sped through space, the warping stars visible through the viewport in the darkened room where the young officer sat, back against a wall, hugging one knee for support as he gazed outwardly without seeing, his thoughts firmly in the past, and the last few days. James Hudson was a broken man. He had been accused of being aloof, selfish and unliveable with. Some of these had been true; he was professional, and knew exactly where the line should be drawn, and never put a toe past it, unhappy when he saw others pull rank in a situation where general common sense would suffice. In other words, an engineer. It had been months since his "voluntary" incarceration in the second mental institution that he had called "home", the second one in 4 months or so. The first incarceration, and incarceration was the right word, was ordered for the simple expedient of removing him from the round hole that he, the square peg, had been placed in, without embarrassing anyone who had made that decision in the first place. It was a minimal security Psychtank, one that was bearable, regardless of the cynicism that Hudson had unwillingly brought with himself. The relative Eden-like calm of his stay there would be shattered by Doenitz's invasion and reappropriation of the facility for the simple reason of mining on the moon that it was based. The inpatients were left in Draconian conditions, and the sane Hudson had watched the descent of man from the pinnacle of sanity into the depths of the hells of their own making. Hell on earth, James had put it, when he was in a fit state to record his thoughts. Hell on earth with all the trimmings - a sane man in such an institution, alone with all the audible demons of others, unmitigating realisation of the horror of the humanoid mind. That was months ago. A happier memory; freedom; the end of the Civil War; survival. And back into Psychtank. A normal one, psychiatric assessment, one that would change Hudson's prospects of a lifetime of sectioning into one of prospective service. He had been cleared back into normal life, and Starfleet had proved no sterner a test than their own medical corps. In the space of three weeks he had been cleared back into duty, and reassigned onto the next vessel in the fleet; the Rosenante. Hudson had been part of a future vessel research team before the war had separated the team in two and forced the then junior ensign to choose where his loyalties lay. Now he was free, on a transport back to base, back to the 52nd, back to his engineering posting; not fearful of reactions - though there would be a handful of those - nor of recriminations, he knew little of the actions following his dismissal. When he was forced to leave, he had a bag with a change of clothes and his velocity phaser. Now he returned, he had the same bag, a new uniform, and a PADD with his orders. As the transport slowed from warp, docked with the ship, Hudson stood by the airlock. Older, Wiser and Back. === (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters – ACMO LT(jg) Nissa Whetari – 1023) Rubbing her forehead in frustration and pulling her hand down to cover her mouth and chin, Nissa stared at her new nemesis. “Honestly, what part of ‘hot chocolate’ are you finding difficult to understand?” The replicator hummed and made a strange noise that reminded Nissa of a earth feline hacking up a hairball, producing a viscous puddle that smelled like burnt chocolate mixed with vinegar and hot peppers. Nissa took one of the chopsticks that she carried with her since medical school and poked at the mass, popping a stinky bubble that oozed around what may have been a whole jalapeno, though she wasn’t going to get any closer. "Computer, recycle food on replicator." In a shimmering beam, the dark mass disappeared while Nissa wiped her chopstick off on a cloth and put it aside. She'd never been fond of replicators, though they did have the wonderful ability to produce an amazing variety of foods within seconds. With her arms crossed in front of her chest and a slight pucker to her lips to match her glaring eyes, Nissa looked from the replicator to on of the PADDs on her desk and then back again. Nissa walked over to her desk and composed a quick message to the Captain's Yeoman. -------------------------------- To: Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles From: Acting CMO Nissa Whetari Subject: Needs for Personal Quarters With regards to the modifications that Captain Rivers mentioned we could request, I would like to request that the following items be installed in my quarters to form a "kitchenette": 1 two-part metal sink with water "tap" mini-replicator, one rectangular sink with standard recycle drain, one smaller inverted dome sink that is approximately 25cm deep with voice activated fine-mesh screened 5mm drain holes and adjustable vented cover and steam function. 2 oak wood-front cabinet sets (honey finish), one under an installed, sealed replicated granite counter-top (blue/white), the other cabinet can be installed anywhere in the "kitchenette" area, except above the cooking unit. The counter top should measure approximately 65cm in length and 40cm deep from the backsplash and be located on the left side of the sink. One 25cm long, 40cm deep metal counter to the right of the sink, flush with it at the joint. This counter should be angled at 10 degrees so that water will drain back into the sink. Two cooktop burners (back/front) with oven/broiler combination (see attached files for specifications for all equipment listed here). One drawer adjustable temperature/humidity "chill chest" for chilling of dishes and deserts. Besides the above modifications, my replicator is not working and needs maintenance. Please contact me with any questions or concerns, or to schedule installation. Best wishes, Nissa Whetari ----------------------------- After taking a moment to read over her work, Nissa sent the request to the Captain's Yeoman. Though she hadn't had a chance to eat yet, Nissa knew that she should tour the medical facilities again before the Medical Staff meeting at 1300. Heading out the door, Nissa paused a briefly flicked her ear in an insulting Aldean gesture at the replicator before continuing on her way. === (USS Rosenante - Admin Central - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1030) Shadow came back from her break and sat down at her desk to find a message specifically for her blinking. Normally it was general ship stuff, or to her office rather than her person, but one Acting Chief Medical Officer was sending her stuff specifically. Uh oh, was she going to get in trouble for avoiding sickbay and not doing the follow up meetings like she was supposed to? She felt fine and Shun had been helping her eat! As she read she felt relief and a bit silly. ~See, its not about you at all!~ She told herself off and got more and more lost and confused as she read the list of what the doctor wanted for her quarters. Anything beyond a grill, stove or campfire was a bit beyond her. It wasn't that her people *didn't* have kitchen devices for large groups, Shadow had just never learnt to use them and had never studied the matter. She'd spent most of her time in the bard's cottage learning the songs and ways of her people past and future. She needed an expert, and she was pretty sure the building experts were all down in engineering. === (USS Rosenante - Main Engineering - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1035) Shadow stepped into Engineering wide-eyed at the sight of the warp corp. Something so deadly and powerful also was a mistress of grace and beauty. Realizing she was drawing curious looks, she looked around for a face she knew and found none. Well, the chief engineer would surely know who could build a kitchen! She'd just find him! Shadow stuck her head in the Chief's office and was happy to see a face she'd seen the day before at the large meeting. "S-Sir?" She asked, hoping she wasn't interrupting. (Reply Bird) "I have a quarters modification request from Doctor Whetari," she had learned that most healers in Starfleet preferred to be called such, not by their Starfleet rank. She was sure that 'Doctor' meant warrior and healer and so respected such and defaulted to it when she knew no better. "..and I'm not quite sure what to do with it." She finished a bit lamely. === (USS Rosenante, Bridge, FO-Lt. Cmdr. Ahmed Ibn Salid-1343) Ahmed sat in the command chair reviewing a PADD handed to him by one of the bridge specialists. It contained an updated perishables inventory. Ahmed took careful note of the inventory that Zanarra had put together for review and approved the report for filing. He tapped the holographic command panel that was floating in front of him to pull up the latest ship's statistics. He had already discovered the usefulness of the holographic interface and was very pleased at the ease and speed at which the system seemed to work. He scrolled through the report with a slight drag of his right index finger, absorbing the data that was displayed. It was somewhat more efficient in his opinion to use this system rather than the PADDs, but so far the regulations still required a physical PADD copy be kept on hand for manual review in the event of a computer core failure. He had not heard the ultra silent turbolift doors slide open, but he did catch a gasp from one of the bridge crew just before the onslaught took place. "SALAD!" he heard, and every heckle on his body stood on end. He barely managed to get to his feet, before Zzt had lifted him off them, hugged, licked and hugged him again. In a moment of mercy, Ahmed was replaced on his feet and was not in danger of strangulation. The Ursoid spouted off a series of rapid fire questions as Ahmed wiped the bear slobber from his cheek and neck with the sleeve of his uniform tunic. "How you do? Zzt glad see you gain! Zzt forget you be here. Maybe you talk Zzt later?" He returned his face to as neutral a position as possible before answering the questions in the order that they were asked. "I'm well, thanks. I'd be glad to talk with you later commander." he replied, then added, "And it's nice to see you again as well." Apparently that was the only conversation that Zzt was interested in for the moment, as he then stood to his full height as he turned to look at the ready room doors. He paused fro only a moment, before he walked slowly toward the Ready Room door and pressed the chime with one claw. Once Zzt was out of sight and earshot, Ahmed glanced around the bridge regarding each of the bridge officers in turn. Most of them had stopped whatever they had been doing and Ahmed wished for all the world that they would get back to work and stop staring at them. "Well people, we have work to do, so let's get back to it shall we?" he asked aloud. The bridge was suddenly back to it's normal hectic state. He walked back to where Jono was standing at his station and smiling stated. "Just be glad he didn't see you as well. Take the bridge, will you? I need to go wash my face and change my uniform shirt, it's covered in Zzt slobber. I won't be but a few minutes." (reply Janeway) Ahmed smiled at Jono then and turned to head to his office for a few moments so that he could clean up. === (USS Rosenante, Transporter Room 2, ATT Lt, Commander Zzt, 13:45) Zzt materialized on the transporter pad, his massive tool-kit in one paw. As the transporter beam released him, he lifted his snout into the air and sniffed several times before stepping down from the transporter and into the transporter room. He curled his lips back from his fangs, in an approximation of a smile, as he nodded his massive head at the transporter operator. "Lt. Coomender Zzt, Advanced Theoretical Technologies," Zzt said, introducing himself to the crewman standing behind the transporter controls. "The Captain is in her Ready Room. You are to report to her there," The Crewman said, looking up at the massive engineer. Zzt nodded. "Zzt know way," Zzt said, moving toward the door. "Zzt study ship specs on way." Zzt exited the Transporter Room and quickly moved toward the nearest turbolift. His ears twitched as he listened to the subtle hum of the power flowing through the ship, the sub harmonics vibrating through the bottom of his paws as he walked down the corridor. People moved quickly out of the way of the giant Ursinoid as he walked down the corridor and into the turbolift. === (USS Rosenante, Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 13:48) Zzt stepped out onto the Bridge and immediately caught a familiar scent in the air. His eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "SALAD!" Zzt exclaimed, as he moved down and scooped his old ACEO up into a firm hug followed by a lick and another hug before putting him back down again. "How you do? Zzt glad see you gain! Zzt forget you be here. Maybe you talk Zzt later?" (Reply Salid) Zzt stood to his full height as he turned to look at the Ready Room doors, knowing who was on the other side. ~Does she still hate me for what happened on the Boudicca? Is this some plot to get revenge? Does she really want my skin as some kind of sick rug like she said?~ Zzt swallowed nervously, as walked slowly toward the Ready Room door and pressed the chime with one claw. ~Time to find out.~ Zzt closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the Ready Room doors opened and he stepped inside. === (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 13:49) =/\= Transporter Room 2 to Captain Rivers. Lt Commander Zzt is on his way to your Ready Room.=/\= "Thank you, Harries." Susan closed the link, and smiled down at Luisa in the small carriseat beside her desk. At five months, Luisa was absorbed in repeatedly pushing a button on the playcentre suspended in front of her carriseat. When she pressed it, a merry little jingle played: =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= Luisa found this endlessly fascinating. Susan found it mildly irritating after the first ten times but it kept her daughter amused so she put up with it. There were several other buttons, levers and wheels but this one seemed to be a favourite. =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= "You are about to meet Uncle Zzt," Susan told Luisa. "He's very big but very friendly. So a nice smile please." =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= Susan wondered how the meeting would go. Their last encounter hadn't exactly ended well, but she was over the anger and embarrassment she'd felt at the time and had been happy when she had ascertained that Zzt had survived the battle unscathed. =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= The doorchime sounded and true to her instructions, the door opened straight away and Zzt walked in as Susan stood up and walked round the desk to greet her one-time CEO. "Zzt!" she exclaimed, smiling and extending her hand. "It's good to see you again!" =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= === (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - ATT Lt, Commander Zzt - 1350) "Zzt!" Captain Rivers exclaimed, smiling and extending her hand. "It's good to see you again!" Zzt opened his mouth to reply when he was interrupted by a sudden sound. =dah dah-dah dah dah dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah da= Zzt blinked and a confused look came on his face. ~What was that?~ He thought lifting his snout into the air and sniffing several time. His eyes grew wide at the scents in the air and it suddenly occurred to him. "You have you litter!" He said, looking back at Rivers and realizing she was no longer pregnant. "You keep cubs here1?" He took a tentative step backwards, not sure if he wanted to get too close to a mother and her cubs. He looked around the room to see if he could spot where the cub might be so he would be sure not to get too close. ~Is it a trap!? Lure me in too close to the cubs then strike!?~ Zzt looked back at Rivers with a look of panic coming on his face. === (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 1351) Zzt sniffed the air then suddenly exclaimed, "You have you litter! You keep cubs here?" He added, taking a step backwards and looking a little panicked. Susan, remembering a tale John and Francesca had told her about two-year old Inez chasing Zzt around his own warp core on the Nimitz, smiled reassuringly. "I have only one baby, Zzt. Her name is Luisa and she's in her seat on the other side of the desk. You can take a look if you like, I don't mind. Say hello, if you want. Or not, whichever you prefer. But I really don't mind, I trust you." ~After all,~ she thought ironically, ~there's no ice cream here.~ === Authors: Lorna Appleby Greg Cox Sarah Feldman Paul Foden Liz Geuken Robbie Gray Daniel Greene Wes Harden Steve Smith Jeremy Trout