Compile#3 December' 08 14-20 (USS Rosenante) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Fields of Elysium Day: 3 Stardate: 2408.04.27 Compile Summary (The Harvester - Bastion - Spirit Counselor- Chaska Day 3 - 1639) (USS Rosenante – Transporter Room – 30/CCOUNS Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati -1623.5) (The Harvester - Bastion - COPS, Lt Tom Jackson - 1631.5*) (The Harvester - Bastion - FO, Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - 1632) (The Harvester - Bastion – 30/CCOUN S Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati – 1632.5*) (The Harvester - Bastion - 2O/CTAC - Lieutenant T'Larah Sullivan - 1632.7) (The Harvester - Bastion - FO - Lt Cmdr - Josh Caskie Day 3 - 1633) (The Harvester – Bastion – ATAC Ensign (jg) V'Shera – 1634) (USS Rosenante - Science Lab 2 - Science Officer Andrew E. Maddox - 1635) (USS Rosenante- Corridor Deck 3, SO- Ensign Mike Rosenbauer- 1637) (The Harvester - Bastion - 30/CCOUNS Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati – 1638) (USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- Day 3- 1640) (USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- Day 3- 1643.5) (The Harvester – Bastion – ATAC Ensign (jg) V'Shera – 1644) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room – ACEO Lt. T'Kron - Day 3 – 1644.5) (Hur'q Hive Ship- Command Chamber- Grand Imperator- S'Kanon- Day 3- 1645) (The Harvester - Bastion - Provost- Qamda- Day 3 - 1645.5*) (The Harvester -Bastion - Lt Tom Jackson - Day 3 - 1646) (The Harvester - Bastion - FO Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 3 - 1647) (The Harvester, Bastion, Haruspex Ji'yala & Ambassador Morgan -- Day 3 - 1647.5) (The Harvester - Bastion - First Hunter - Detron Dash - Day 3 - 1648) (The Harvester - Bastion - Provost- Qamda- Day 3 - 1649) (USS Rosenante, Bridge, aCOPs, Ensign Smith - 1649.2*) (The Harvester – Bastion – 30/CCOUNS Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati -1649.6*) (Hur'q Hive Ship, - Command Chamber - Sub-Commander Nu'chei - 1652) (Hur'q Hive Ship- Command Chamber- Grand Imperator- S'Kanon- Day 3- 1659) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Fields of Elysium Day: 3 Stardate 2408.04.27 (USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid- Day 3- 1643.5) The doors to the bridge opened and rather than seeing Lieutenant Martinovich walking onto the bridge, he saw instead Lieutenant morrow. The ACEO did not appear to be comfortable. "Sir." Alimi said as he stepped up to the captain. "Reporting in the place of Lieutenant Martinovich, sir." Ahmed raised an eyebrow. "Is there a reason that Lieutenant Martinovich can not join us herself?" "Yes, sir, she is currently in decontamination. She was inspecting the Port side impulse reactor when your call came in. She asked me to attend in her place and advised me to tell you that she'd be here as quickly as she could." Ahmed nodded. Even if he didn't like it, there was at least a valid excuse. "So what can I do for you, sir?" Ahmed pointed to the main View screen. Alimi turned to follow the captain's extended finger. There was a federation starship prominently displayed on the main viewer. It looked as if it had been partially stripped to her frame. "That is the Epiphany, " Salid said, "I need to send an engineering and security team aboard her. I need to know what sort of damage she's sustained, what components we may be able to salvage from her to bring us back up to speed and I want her Logs." Alimi nodded. "I'll have to do some scans before we go over, sir. I'll need to know if there are radiation leaks or worse over there, before we send anyone aboard." The captain nodded. "I understand. I also want you to figure out if the navigational deflector can be salvaged." "The navigational Deflector, sir?" Alimi asked in a surprised manner. "Did I stutter, Lieutenant?" "No sir, It's just..." "It's a critical piece of equipment that the Rosenante needs. It is my belief that we may be here a while. But if that turns out not to be the case, I want this ship as functional as possible when we leave this place. This scrap yard is as good as a space dock, and I don't see why we couldn't perform a transplant." Alimi looked at the captain, " But sir, no disrespect meant, that deflector is designed for a Nova class ship. Not only is it smaller than the one meant for the Rosenante, It's installed differently. We'd need to cut out bulkheads and close up the installation point around the Epiphany's array once we moved it. That would take serious reworking just to make it stable, and I can't guarantee that we have the raw materials to do the job." Ahmed nodded and pointed at the viewer again. "You have all the raw materials you need, Mister Morrow, right there. You can replicate a pair of work bees to assist you in moving the heavier components. It can and it will be done in a timely fashion." Alimi swallowed. "Yes sir. Will there be anything else captain?" Ahmed nodded, "I want the engineering team accompanied by security at all times. I expect you to have your teams on board the Epiphany for the survey no later than 0900 tomorrow morning ship's time. In the meantime, start rotating your engineering crew for rest cycles. I want them to be fresh." "Yes captain." "That will be all mister Morrow. " Alimi turned and left the bridge. Ahmed watched the engineer go, he knew that he was asking a nearly impossible feat of engineering to be performed with a set of tools that were not really designed to do the job in question. He simply couldn't come up with any other solution. He turned and regarded Ensign Smith. "Mister Smith, Notify all department heads and their assistants that they are to put their crews on rest cycles." (reply Smith) Ahmed turned to head towards his ready room, he stopped short of the door as it opened. "And Mister Smith?" (reply Smith) "You have the CONN, notify me at once if there is trouble with the away team or if something changes that I need to know about. Oh, And have Ensign T'Kron report to my ready room." (reply Smith, T'Kron) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester – Bastion – ATAC Ensign (jg) V'Shera – 1644) It was at this point in time that V'Shera detected a low level energy signature in the homogenous biological environment of the Bastion. The reading was 1.65 meters, at twelve o'clock, from V'Shera's current position. Its strange energy signature was too small and too steady to be a biological life form. Its signature was definitely some form of alien electronics. But what would it be doing so far out in the Bastion? Adjusting her tricorder's controls, V'Shera scanned the object emitting the electronic signature she had detected. It was vermillion in color, 3.74 inches in conference, weighed 89 grams and looked like a spiny spore. It was nonchalantly lying against a large, striated rock of identical color. Given its small size, camouflaged coloration and distance from where the current meeting was taking place, it would have been entirely invisible. Its low level energy signature was obviously designed to hide it from electronic detection as well. V'Shera's tactical mind didn't like the implication of this device being concealed here. V'Shera stopped moving. Running the concealed device's energy output through the min-computer inside the tricorder, V'Shera sought the function and limitations if the hidden artifact. Within scant seconds, the tricorder reported that the tiny vermillion spore was most probably some short range spying device Her tricorder told her that the detected device had both been there for around two Terran years and might be linked with other devices to create a sensor net in the immediate Bastion area. The only good thing was that the device seemed passive and, apparently, wasn't registering the electronic scan of her tricorder. Continuing to monitor the passive status of the concealed bug, V'Shera first switched on the silent function of her commbadge and tapped in. "V'Shera to Caskie. Position is compromised. I have located a concealed eavesdropping device 7.93 meters from your location. Device seems to have been here over two standard years. Do not reveal anything regarding Rose's operation. Awaiting further instructions." (Reply Josh Caskie, T'Larah Sullivan, Any) (Posted by Jim McCrary) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Ready Room – ACEO Lt. T'Kron - Day 3 – 1644.5) After Lt. Morrow informed him he was being summoned to the Captain's Ready Room, T'Kron arrived on the Bridge and pressed the door chime. (Reply Ahmed ibn Salid) T'Kron entered the room and approached Captain Salid. "You wanted to speak to me Sir?" (Reply Ahmed ibn Salid) (Posted by Sheila) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Hur'q Hive Ship- Command Chamber- Grand Imperator- S'Kanon- Day 3- 1645) S'Kanon watched the display screen with an acute interest. It seemed that Ji'yala and the other inhabitants of the Bone yard were meeting with the new arrivals in an attempt to make them alliance members against the Hur'q. He clicked his mandibles together as the meeting progressed. The data collectors that he had sewn throughout the bastion many cycles ago were functioning perfectly and allowed him to follow not only the video, but the audio as well. =^=As to the questions, that we have. We'd like to know how many crew are serving aboard the Rosenante, her tactical capabilities, and her level of functionality. We would also like to know where the Rosenante was, as in which sector of space she was in, when she was trapped by the harvester.=^= The Nechani ambassador intoned. "yes indeed, tell us all about your vessels tactical abilities. I would so love to hear about them." S'Kanon said to himself, allowing a slightly pleasing pheromone escape from him, which immediately put the bridge crew at ease. "Imperator, I beg forgiveness." a tactical worker interrupted. A slight taint of worry hung over him. "What is it now?" S'Kanon asked in reply. "The new vessel the ros-en..." he began. "Rosenante, yes?" S'Kanon said with irritation. "It is moving." "Moving? Where?" "we don't know, but it is slowly maneuvering among the wreckage, we believe that it is headed for the wreckage of the other federation vessel, the epi- fun.." "Epiphany." S'Kanon completed. "How far is the Epiphany from the bastion?" "195.28 molteks." S'Kanon clicked his mandibles together in delight. He knew that the Hur'q spatial displacers could not work at that range, and he had no reason to think that the Federation Transporters could either. "Very good. Summon Sub-Commander Nu'chei. It is time for a raid." "Yes Grand Imperator" (Reply Sub-Commander Nu'chei ) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester - Bastion - Provost- Qamda- Day 3 - 1645.5*) Qamda watched as the daughter of the Sky Spirit chief crossed the gap between the newcomers and the Alliance. Qamda glanced over at the Haruspex, who seemed to be conferring with her Ambassador and was not paying much attention to the members of either delegation at present. Qamda was well aware that he was not a member of the alliance that Ji'yala had formed. It was not because he would not have accepted, it was because the First Hunter Dash, would not tolerate their presence. Still Ji'yala had seen the need to include them here and so Qamda had come. He took a deep breath and walked towards the new comers, selecting a man that seemed to be scanning the area with some sort of device. He approached slowly, so as not to startle the man. When, he was noticed, he spoke, "It is an amazing place really." (reply Jackson, any other nearby) "The Bastion. We, that is, my shipmates and I have been here a long time. When we arrived there were several other species here, that have since passed on. Among those here with us, only the Hur'q have been here longer." (reply Jackson, Any nearby) "I am Qamda. I lead the Kobali people here. We are the memory of this place. We have been collecting the memories of those that have become trapped here. We know of your species, we have encountered them before in this place." (reply Jackson, Any nearby) "I tell you this, because not all of us are as demanding as Ji'yala there. I want only to make a fair alliance with your people. We have needs, our ship is slowly failing and if it should fail, we will all die the final death. Likewise, I am certain that you and your people will need information. My people are excellent doctors, we could exchange technology in return for aid. We also have experience of this place that the others do not." Qamda turned to look to see if Ji'yala or Dash was watching him. Satisfied for the moment with what he found, he continued. "We are not unreasonable. If you choose not to ally yourself with the Nechani, I would still be willing to ally with you against the Hur'q if you would promise a fair exchange in return." (reply Jackson, Any nearby) Qamda nodded. "I understand, please speak with your Commander Caskie and convey to her my words. I must not tarry here to long, else I draw to myself unwanted attention." (reply Jackson, Any on Away Team) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester -Bastion - Lt Tom Jackson - Day 3 - 1646) Tom Jackson was using his tri-corder and taking readings. He figured the information might be useful at some point. AS he watched the indicators Tom did not notice the being called Qamda approach. Feeling the presence of someone Tom looked up and noticed Qamda was speaking to him. "It is an amazing place really" Qamda told Tom. Smiling Tom replied "Yes it is - my name is Tom Jackson". "So Qamda, how long have you been in the Harvester?" Tom asked. He noticed the darting eyes and looks Qmada would periodically shoot towards his comrades. "We have been here a long time. When we arrived several other species were here that have since passed on. Among those here with us, only the Hur'q have been here longer." Jackson thought for a moment. He wondered why they had not tried to escape? "Qamda, have you tried to leave the Harvester?" he inquired. (reply: Qamada Tom listened as Qamda spoke in quick, brief sentences - noting again the guarded looks toward the others. Qamda continued speaking in guarded tones. The scene reminded Tom of the movie Casablanca - where information was bought and sold on a regular basis. Qamda got to his main point. As the being spoke, Jackson sensed Qamda was about to ask for something from the Rosenate's crew. Qamda continued "I tell you this, because not all of us are as demanding as Ji'yala there. I want only to make a fair alliance with your people. We have needs, our ship is slowly failing and if it should fail, we will all die the final death. Likewise, I am certain that you and your people will need information. My people are excellent doctors, we could exchange technology in return for aid. We also have experience of this place that the others do not." Tom looked at Qamda closely.and spoke slowly, feeling his way. "I agree that we will need information. We don't want to stay trapped here" Tom admitted honestly. The two stood quietly - each considering the words of the other. Qamda added " "We are not unreasonable. If you choose not to ally yourself with the Nechani, I would still be willing to ally with you against the Hur'q if you would promise a fair exchange in return." "I must speak with Lt Cmdr Caskie - she is my leader Qamda" he stated. Qamda nodded and added " I understand, please speak with your Commander Caskie and convey to her my words. I must not tarry here to long, else I draw to myself unwanted attention." "Goodbye Qamda" Tom added as the being walked away. Alone with his thoughts, Tom thought about what to do. Much of what Qaamda had told him made sense. But would the cost of information justify the risk? Qamda seemed resigned to stay in the Harvester - Jackson and the others were not going to stay locked in here forever. Seeing Josh Caskie look in his direction , Tom made a motion with his head he needed to speak with her. (reply: anyone) (posted by: Bill West) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester - Bastion - FO Lt Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 3 - 1647) As soon as Josh had finished her discussion with T'Larah, she noticed Lt Nayati at her elbow. Turning to him she listened to his council. "We need this alliance, but they are hiding something. Ambassador Morgan has gone Nechani and Ji'yala wants to have it all her way." Josh nodded her head at both of them. "I agree, on all points. However I think they probably need us just as much as we need them. However..." and Josh looked around her noticing that some of the members of the alliance had began talking to, or at least were beginning to approach members of the away team. "Spread out and speak to whomever you can at present and be as diplomatic as possible with them without promising anything yet." Josh grinned. "I think I might just challenge our little Napoleon here and see what she has to say for herself." Turning back finally to Anna and Ji'yala Josh smiled at them again. Everyone in Sickbay would have recognised that smile immediately and would already have been running for cover. Josh hesitated for a moment as if she was working something out. Finally she spoke directly to Ji'yala rather than Anna. "Let's see if I have this right. You expect us to provide you with all of our scientific and technical information. You expect complete technical specifications for our ship and our entire crew roster. You expect my Captain to submit to your authority and all we get in return is limited access to the rest of this Alliance's science and technology." Not giving her time to answer Josh continued. "Not only that but you insist that this is a one off offer and must be accepted within a definite, but unspecific time limit, or else." (reply Ji'yala) Ignoring Ji'yala deliberately for the moment, Josh looked Anna straight in the face. "Tell me Ensign Morgan. What exactly happened to the Epiphany? Did they refuse an alliance and then come down with a bad case of the or elses?" (reply Anna) Turning back to the Haruspex again Josh looked her up and down. "I will of course convey your 'request' to my Captain. It will, after all, be his decision." (reply Ji'yala and all of the away team) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester, Bastion, Haruspex Ji'yala & Ambassador Morgan -- Day 3 - 1647.5) Ji'yala couldn't help but be entertained by the seeming discussion between Caskie and her confidents. As was expected, they were much like the Epiphany crew, who had discussed things with great care. Ji'yala honestly did not expect any reasonable answer, but the response that she did receive was not quite what she expected either. Her experience with the Federation, although limited to a few short encounters, had been that the federation officers were diplomats and only too aggressive stances when pushed too far. Commander Caskie seemed to be in opposition to Ji'yala's expectations based on her prior experiences. The commander broke her confidential meeting and approached them with a smile, but this smile soon proved to be a deception as she by-passed the Ambassador and spoke directly to Ji'yala. "Let's see if I have this right. You expect us to provide you with all of our scientific and technical information. You expect complete technical specifications for our ship and our entire crew roster. You expect my Captain to submit to your authority and all we get in return is limited access to the rest of this Alliance's science and technology." Caskie summarized. It was an aggressive and somewhat uncomfortable tone of voice. And Ji'yala actually found herself shocked for a moment or two in silence at the woman's audacity. "Not only that but you insist that this is a one off offer and must be accepted within a definite, but unspecific time limit, or else." She continued. When she finally recovered from her shock, Ji'yala was trying to decide if she should be angry or not. Undecided, she nodded a single nod and replied, "Fundamentally, that is correct." Caskie, turned away from her deliberately and addressed Ambassador Morgan. This put Ji'yala a bit more at ease, since this sort of unpleasant exchange was really beneath her station. She knew that Anna would explain everything in a manner that her people would understand. "Tell me Ensign Morgan. What exactly happened to the Epiphany? Did they refuse an alliance and then come down with a bad case of the or elses?" Ji'yala watched as Anna's face took on a look of shock. "No, of course not!" she replied loudly, " Captain Doyle chose not to join the alliance. The Nechani didn't attack the Epiphany, in fact there was some limited trade between the Pip and the Oracle's Tears for a while. But when the captain died..." Anna's voice trailed off. She took a deep breath, "When the captain died, Commander X'rus wasn't inclined to continue trading with anyone. He wanted the ship to be self- sufficient. Things started degenerating after that, it was..... It was difficult going, and eventually the Hur'q realized how weak the Epiphany was. They raided us and Captain X'rus he ordered us to fight to the last... They all died. I would have died too, but Ji'yala rescued me. The Nechani, they have very particular beliefs, Jennifer, they don't break their word and if they say they won't help... They don't." Anna dropped her eyes for a moment as the memories returned to her. Ji'yala remembered the day that she had brought the seriously injured woman on board. She believed that it would be best that someone recorded Anna's knowledge and they needed and expert to help them strip the useable parts from the federation ship once the Hur'q were through sorting through the wreckage. Caskie turned back to the Haruspex again. She looked her up and down. "I will of course convey your 'request' to my Captain. It will, after all, be his decision." Ji'yala nodded. "That is reasonable and expected, commander Caskie. I would have thought you a fool and your people doomed if you had accepted my demands, as one-sided as they were. Speak with your captain, I will grant you 48 of your standard hours to bring me a reply or a counter offer. In the meantime, I would encourage you to speak with those that you will be sharing the rest of your life with. It is important that you learn of your neighbors. Anna Morgan will remain here at speak to you about the Nechani, or about the history of the ship, or about the things that she misses from your world, as she sees fit to spend her time. I, however, must return to my ship and pray for further guidance." Ji'yala turned to walk away and noticed that Anna bowed as expected. She turned back towards the Ambassador. "Return to the ship at your leisure, Ambassador." Anna bowed a second time. With that she turned away once again and dematerialized as she was walking away. (reply Caskie, Any on the Away team) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester - Bastion - First Hunter - Detron Dash - Day 3 - 1648) Whilst he was way over the other side of the Haruspex from Provost Quamda, Detron was still keeping one eye at least on him, all the while listening with one ear to the conversation going on between Ji'yala and the new arrivals. He grinned as he heard the woman's response to what was basically an ultimatum from the Haruspex. At least this person had grasped that fact immediately. The other ones from her species had not, or had been dubious about the threat, and had eventually paid the price. Still watching the Provost, Detron could not help but notice that the daughter of the Sky Spirit Chief moved to speak to one of the newcomers. Shortly afterwards Provost Quamda did the same. Not wanting to be outdone, or indeed left behind in any negotiations, Detron regarded the strangers, his eye settling finally on the one who, from Detron's point of view,seemed in charge of their security here. Crossing over to him and making sure not to inhibit his line of fire, Detron introduced himself. "Greetings, I am First Hunter Detron Dash of the Hunter ship N'eq." (Reply Raschen iyw) (Posted by Marilyn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester - Bastion - Provost- Qamda- Day 3 - 1649) "Qamda, have you tried to leave the Harvester?" Jackson inquired. The provost nodded his head, "three times. And as you can see without success. The last time, we severely damaged our vessel and dare not make another attempt. My people are content here. They have come to accept certain truisms about our fate now." Qamda continued "I tell you this, because not all of us are as demanding as Ji'yala there. I want only to make a fair alliance with your people. We have needs, our ship is slowly failing and if it should fail, we will all die the final death. Likewise, I am certain that you and your people will need information. My people are excellent doctors, we could exchange technology in return for aid. We also have experience of this place that the others do not." Tom looked at Qamda closely and spoke slowly, feeling his way. "I agree that we will need information. We don't want to stay trapped here" Tom admitted honestly. The two stood quietly - each considering the words of the other. Qamda added " "We are not unreasonable. If you choose not to ally yourself with the Nechani, I would still be willing to ally with you against the Hur'q if you would promise a fair exchange in return." "I must speak with Lt Cmdr Caskie - she is my leader Qamda" he stated. Qamda nodded and added " I understand, please speak with your Commander Caskie and convey to her my words. I must not tarry here to long, else I draw to myself unwanted attention." The provost then turned and walked away. "Goodbye Qamda" Tom added as the being walked away. Qamda turned and smiled then moved back to observe again as the others began to intermix. (reply Any) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Bridge, aCOPs, Ensign Smith - 1649.2*)   Robert had been listening to the conversation between the Captain and Lieutenant Morrow. The task the Captain had set for engineering was hard but it would be an exiting challange.   "Mister Smith, Notify all department heads and their assistants that  they are to put their crews on rest cycles."   Robert turned to Salid.   ”Yes Captain.”   Robert turned back to the console and quickly sent out the order.   "And Mister Smith?"   Robert looked round at the Captain as he stood by the ready room door.   “Captian?”   "You have the CONN, notify me at once if there is trouble with the away team or if something changes that I need to know about. Oh, And have Ensign T'Kron report to my ready room."   “Yes Captain.”   Robert turned round to his console and sent a message through the computer system that Ensign T’Kron was to report to the Captain’s ready room. Once this was done he logged his self out of the Ops console and stood up.   ~He did say the conn didn’t he. Why did he not just say the bridge? Ow well~   He glanced round the bridge briefly as he crossed over to the CONN console. He sat down in the conn’s chair and logged him self on to the console. He watched as the screen came to life and showed the surrounding area. On one of the subsidiary panels he brought up the information on the away team which slaved to the mission ops console.   That done and happy that nothing was going to happen in the next few seconds he looked at the Conn systems.   ~Okay last time you did this you were on the Champlain in a fire fight. This should be simple~   He ran a quick diagnostic of the systems to make sure that there were no glitches and then took a deep breath and lay his fingures on the controls.   ~This could be okay if I don’t crash into anything like Epiphany or the other aliens out there or even the walls~   (reply any) (posted by Robbie) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Harvester – Bastion – 30/CCOUNS Lt. (jg) Jon Nayati -1649.6*) "I agree, on all points. However I think they probably need us just as much as we need them. . . Spread out and speak to whomever you can at present and be as diplomatic as possible with them without promising anything yet." Lt. Commander Caskie smiled. "I think I might just challenge our little Napoleon here and see what she has to say for herself." Jon was happy that Lt. Commander Caskie was going to negotiate through strength rather than weakness. He was also gratified to see that other members of the Anti-Hur'q Alliance were starting to make some efforts to interact with Rose crew independently of Haruspex Ji'yala. ~Perhaps the alliance could be an alliance rather than a theocratic dictatorship, Great Spirit.~ Separating from Lt. Commander Caskie, Jon was suddenly and instinctively aware of another person's eyes watching him intently. Turning Jon saw that it was the deep, soft brown eyes of Chaska, Chief Nekawana's daughter, looking at him appraisingly. In a moment his true sight perceived a number of emotions run rampant in the nubile, lovely woman's bright aura. First there had been the color of intense curiosity, followed by a moment of bright red desire, which was shut off by gray embarrassment. Simultaneously, Chaska abruptly turned her beautiful oval face away from him, and Jon saw the walls of emotional suppression rise up in the young Sky Spirit woman's now diminished aura. Despite that effect, Jon felt the strong magnetic pull of biochemical attraction pass between Chaska and himself. ~May be there were worse things than being trapped inside a colossal star ship eating monster and being threatened with extermination by giant, aggressive bugs, Great Spirit. Hell, being threatened with extermination by a monster was sort of like being back on NCR II.~ Catching himself start to watch the conflict play in Chaska's emotions and body language, but closed his eyes instead. ~ Now I don't want to be a peeping tom, Great Spirit.~ After a moment of discomforting blindness Jon opened his eyes to see Chaska gliding effortlessly toward Caskie, Sullivan and himself. Looking at her aura, Jon could tell that Chaska had really worked up her courage to hold counsel with them. Chaska arrived a moment after Lt. Commander Caskie had ordered the rest of the Rose's crew to meet and mingle with the other alliance delegates. Standing by Caskie, Sullivan and himself, Sky Spirit Chaska indicated that she wished to counsel with Jon privately. Jon was happy to oblige her. Jon stepped to the side of XO Caskie to face the slightly taller Sky Spirit woman. Raising his right arm in the universal Indian peace sign, Jon smiled and addressed Chaska respectfully. "I am honored that you sought me out, lovely daughter of noble Chief Nekawana. I look forward to your counsel. I have faith that there is much we can learn from each other, things that can benefit both our tribes." (Reply Chaska, Any) (Posted by Jim McCrary) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Hur'q Hive Ship, - Command Chamber - Sub-Commander Nu'chei - 1652) The Sub-Commander kneeled before the Grand Imperator. His head bowed before he spoke. He knew his place. "You summoned me Grand Imperator?" he said. (Reply Grand Imperator Skannon) "I know of it, yes M'Lord." he said in response, all six eyes still cast down. (Reply Grand Imperator Skannon) "You wish me to personally be the hand of the colony? To crush the impetuous soft bodies that defy our Queen?" he said, enthusiasm tainting his words. (Reply Grand Imperator Skannon) "Your will be done, my master, for the Colony." he said in conclusion and rose to attend to his duty. (Reply any, none required) (Posted by Todd) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Hur'q Hive Ship- Command Chamber- Grand Imperator- S'Kanon- Day 3- 1659) The Sub-Commander kneeled before the Grand Imperator. His head bowed before he spoke. He knew his place. "You summoned me Grand Imperator?" he said. S'Kanon clicked his mandibles together with pleasure. "Yes, I have need of your skills, Sub Commander." he replied. "You know of the bastion?" "I know of it, yes M'Lord." . The Warrior Hur'q responded, all six eyes still cast down. "There is a meeting taking place there even as we speak. It is the leaders of the alliance against us, that seek to make an alliance with the new arrival. I wish the meeting to come to an end." "You wish me to personally be the hand of the colony? To crush the impetuous soft bodies that defy our Queen?" Nu'chei said, enthusiasm tainting his words. "I wish you to lead your troops into glorious battle against those that would plot against our queen and our colony. See to it that they continue to fear us." S'Kanon replied. "Disrupt their meeting, show the new arrivals that there is no place, no alliance that will protect them from the might of the Hur'q queen. And when the time comes, I will honor you with the glory of leading the troops of the colony against our opponents. I assure you that time draws near." "Your will be done, my master, for the Colony." The sub-commander said in conclusion and rose to attend to his duty. "Sub-commander, " S'Kanon added as the Warrior stepped away. "Do not fail me." (reply Sub-Commander Nu'chei) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------