NRPG:

Compile Index:

Day 185

(USS Dennison – Turbolift - Counselor - Lt. Alosar- 1908)
(USS Dennison - Transporter Room 3 – Counselor - Lt. Alosar - 1913)
(Maltoria - Maltorian Street, Commander Trevan West, 1916)
(USS Dennison - Transporter Room 3 - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1917)
(Maltoria - Maltorian Street - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1918)
(Maltoria, Warehouse, Commander Trevan West,  1919)
(Maltoria – Warehouse - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1920)
(Maltoria ­ Warehouse ­ SO Crewman Abu Nighy ­ 1921)
(USS Dennison ­ Bridge ­ TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt ­ 1921)
(Maltoria- Maltorian Warehouse – CSO/2O Bracken – 1922)
(USS Dennison - Primary Engineering - MCPO Freeman - 1922)
(Maltoria- Maltorian Street- Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 1923)
(Maltoria, First Minister's Office, First Minister Aleth, 1925)
(Maltoria- Warehouse- Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 1927)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1928)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1929)
(USS Dennison, Personal Quarters, Lt. Haley Darsons, 1929)
(USS Dennison - Quarters - SO Scientist Raymond Masterson and MO Nurse Carl Masterson ­ 1930)
(Maltoria – Ministry of Information – Information Minister Durrell – 1930)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1930)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-Counselor- Lt. Alosar- 1931)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1932)
(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1945)
(USS Dennison - Ten Forward - Nurse Carl Masterson - 2000)

RPG:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Healer in the Tower
Stardate: 2408.01.10
Day: 185
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

(USS Dennison – Turbolift - Counselor - Lt. Alosar- 1908)

Alosar cocked his eyebrow when he heard West say tell Bracken that she and he had a firm grasp on the Maltorian culture.  Alosar had theorized greatly on the culture, but in there was little, actually fact, to firmly grasp.  He had no idea what Bracken had postulated, but it was not comforting to know that they were the ,,, "experts."

"If you show to them, what you show to the rest of us," West went on, "they will respect you. Simple."

It had been Alosar's experience that it was not that simple.  Races that held that degree of biases were not likely to change those biases when confronted by an individual that negated their own beliefs.  In fact, such a conflict often resulted in the death of the individual, or a split in the society, which then led to the death of the individual.

"Anything else, professionally?" West asked.

"No Sir," Bracken replied, "I don't think so. Let's get this started."

Alosar wanted to stop the FO and explain that the reasoning for bringing Bracken along was flawed.  But he had already expressed his concern on the bridge.  To reiterate it now would only cause ill will on the team.  He would have to watch out for Bracken to overstep her role.

(USS Dennison - Transporter Room 3 – Counselor - Lt. Alosar - 1913)

West stopped Bracken outside an allowed Alosar to joint the rest of the team.  He stepped beside Ben Soma on the transporter pad.  The final members of the team arrived and a security officer was dismissed.  Then all seemed set.

"Ok, is everyone prepared? Tricorders and the like?" West asked.

Alosar had to force himself not to frown.  To show up for an away team and not be prepared would be the highest level of unprofessionalism that he would have seen.  He wondered what West was thinking and then realized that he was probably just trying to ease the tension of the team.  There were no questions or comments and so they were ordered to transport.

(Maltoria - Maltorian Street, Commander Trevan West, 1916)

“I’m not certain about what you expected Commander, but personally I’d have thought that there’d be less market stalls in the President’s office?”

Trevan looked at his Science Officer and thought that she had guts and that she was quite funny, and just squeaked out a small laugh before he turned his attention to more important matters, "We need a situation report."

She nodded, then motioned to the security officers, “Soma, Sanok, scan the area, secure it as much as possible. Let me know if we’re going to get any company. Doc, help them out, scan for life signs”

(Reply Soma/Sanok/Porter)

West tapped his communicator Trevan tried to hail the Dennison, "West to Dennison," he said but there was no reply, "West to Dennison come in please," again there was no reply from the ship. "West to Bracken,”

Dale heard the Commander’s voice both from himself and the communicator, she shrugged, and nodded,

“Well at least short range communications work,"

“Agreed Sir,” Dale had removed a tricorder from her kit, “attempting to locate position, I think it’s clear that something has happened and we’re nowhere near the President’s Office. Question is, was our information incorrect, or was the transfer pattern disrupted in some way?”

"The transport didn't feel any different, so let's go with no for the time being. We need to establish where we actually are and how to get to the President's Office. That's where the answers are, but first we need to find cover. I don't like being out in the open like this." he said to Dale.

Quickly looking around at his surroundings, Trevan could see a few abandoned looking buildings. One was only a ground floor type, possibly and old type of store, but the other was at least three stories tall and provided an excellent vantage point from the roof.

Trevan pointed at it, "Everyone in there now," he ordered and quickly followed Crewman Morris as he lead the way making sure the area was secure before entering.

(USS Dennison - Transporter Room 3 - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1917)

Ben stood on the transporter platform with the rest of the away team, Yeoman Stakes and joined them for the meeting. Everyone was preparing themselves for transport in their own way, Ben relaxed his shoulders and began a breathing pattern he had learned years ago to help focus his body and mind. The paralysis of the transporter beam grabbed him and the transporter room faded.

(Maltoria - Maltorian Street - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1918)

As the transporter beam released Ben his first thought was that the presidential office was not what he had expected it to be, but then his dislike of the situation began to grow. The away team had not been greeted by a delegation or anyone for that matter, they were alone in the middle of a street.

“I’m not certain about what you expected Commander, but personally I’d have thought that there’d be less market stalls in the President’s office?” Said Bracken

Trevan looked at his Science Officer and said, "We need a situation report."

She nodded, then motioned to the security officers, “Soma, Sanok, scan the area, secure it as much as possible. Let me know if we’re going to get any company. Doc, help them out, scan for life signs”

Ben pulled out his tricorder and proceeded to scan the surrounding area, the range of the tricorder seemed off to him so he made an adjustment to the instrument and retried the scan and received the same result. He scanned in a different direction and found the same thing, " Scans appear to be very limited, so far it seems that we are relatively safe. I can detect no weapons in the immediate area."

Commander West tried to contact the Dennison but had no luck."West to Dennison," he said but there was no reply, "West to Dennison come in please," again there was no reply from the ship. "West to Bracken,”

Dale heard the Commander’s voice both from himself and the communicator, she shrugged, and nodded,

“Well at least short range communications work,"

“Agreed Sir,” Dale had removed a tricorder from her kit, “attempting to locate position, I think it’s clear that something has happened and we’re nowhere near the President’s Office. Question is, was our information incorrect, or was the transfer pattern disrupted in some way?”

"The transport didn't feel any different, so let's go with no for the time being. We need to establish where we actually are and how to get to the President's Office. That's where the answers are, but first we need to find cover. I don't like being out in the open like this." he said to Dale.

Quickly looking around at his surroundings, Trevan could see a few abandoned looking buildings. One was only a ground floor type, possibly and old type of store, but the other was at least three stories tall and provided an excellent vantage point from the roof.

Trevan pointed at it, "Everyone in there now," he ordered and quickly followed Crewman Morris as he lead the way making sure the area was secure before entering.

(Maltoria, Warehouse, Commander Trevan West,  1919)

"We will stay here until the sun sets and then use the cover of darkness to move out,"

Looking at his officers, "Everyone set your tricorders to proximity alert at ten meters. If anyone is coming I want to know about it, and Sanok see if you can gain access to the roof. I want to know where we are exactly."

Taking out his own tricorder, Trevan began to scan around the area but that proved difficult. Smacking the side of his tricorder he looked at Dale, "What's the matter with this thing?" he asked her, "I can't get a scan past five hundred meters."

(reply Bracken)

"Alosar, what will the reaction be if we are detected by the general population?" he asked the Vulcan.

(reply Alosar)

Trevan nodded and then grabbed a small hexagonal storage bin to sit on. Through the covered windows he could see daylight and a few small shops in the far distance, however he did not see anyone passing by at the moment. That meant, at least for the time being, they weren't seen beaming in.

"Don't worry about the Prime Directive in this case people, it doesn't apply as they are warp capable and this falls under Starfleet General Order Sixteen as well."

(reply ALL)
(Posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(Maltoria – Warehouse - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma - 1920)

"We will stay here until the sun sets and then use the cover of darkness to move out,"

Looking at his officers, "Everyone set your tricorders to proximity alert at ten meters. If anyone is coming I want to know about it, and Sanok see if you can gain access to the roof. I want to know where we are exactly."

Taking out his own tricorder, Trevan began to scan around the area but that proved difficult. Smacking the side of his tricorder he looked at Dale, "What's the matter with this thing?" he asked her, "I can't get a scan past five hundred meters."

Ben made the necessary adjustment to his tricorder and began to scan the warehouse.

 "Alosar, what will the reaction be if we are detected by the general population?" Commander West asked the Vulcan.

Ben figured their presence would cause quite an uproar with the general population, aliens in their city that were both male and female. Hopefully if they were detected it would be by a representative of the president or the science director to minimize the risk to the away team.

"Don't worry about the Prime Directive in this case people, it doesn't apply as they are warp capable and this falls under Starfleet General Order Sixteen as well." Commander West said after he had sat on a hexagonal storage box.

~ At least we won't have to worry about contaminating their culture~ Ben thought as be continued with scanning the warehouse and what little he could scan around the perimeter.

(reply any on Maltoria)
(posted by Milo Young)

(Maltoria ­ Warehouse ­ SO Crewman Abu Nighy ­ 1921)

Abu stared out from a dusty window in the warehouse.  He really wasn’t sure what he was doing here.  He had been on duty and assigned to the mission along with another crewman.  But at the transporter room the other crewman was told not to come.

Abu was puzzled by the brief look of relief on the crewman’s face.  He didn’t really know him and so far things on the Dennison seemed to be going along quite swimmingly.  He was a little nervous that the reason he got transferred had been made public.  It wasn’t as though anyone got hurt, but still it was a little embarrassing.  He never actively sought the bizarre situations he often found himself in, but there they seemed to be waiting for him.

But Abu put it out of his mind, as he stared out at the world around him.  It was rather quiet and so far he had not spotted any of the aliens that they had come to meet.  The daylight was already fast fading making it harder to see.  He pulled out his tricorder out and tried to set it as the commander had instructed, but something was making the device function in unexpected ways.

One of the few things he had gotten decent marks in were in first contact missions.  He found it a little odd that he had been asked to conceal his phaser.  Especially given that the standard uniform didn’t really hide bulges terribly well.  So to help hide the phaser, he kept his right hand down at his side to cover it as much as he could.  For a moment, he checked to make sure that it was still functional, but couldn’t be sure in the poor lighting.

He remembered the commander making some comments about first contact and meeting some high official.  But the beam down to the planet didn’t seem like what they had expected.  At least that was the feel that Abu got, as everyone seemed to be expecting something else.  And now they were hiding in an apparently abandoned building.

As was typical, Abu’s mind started to wander, as his eyes began to wander over the contents of the warehouse itself.  The dim light that filtered through the holes and dirty windows did not help.  He almost turned on his torch, but realized it wouldn’t help their hiding.

But why were they hiding, he wondered.  If this was a first contact, shouldn’t they be looking for someone to contact?  Couldn’t they just ask the nearest passerby for help?  Abu didn’t really know though.  There were a good many things he did not know.  He accepted it as a matter of course.  Abu knew that he wasn’t the most brilliant man about.  He found it comforting to know that there were those out there who were.  So Abu carried on as best he could.

“Can I help, sir”, he asked the Vulcan ensign.

(Reply Sanok)
(posted by Kaweo Kanoho)

(USS Dennison ­ Bridge ­ TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt ­ 1921)

Shrekt was mulling over the ship’s current status.  The captain had been nearly prophetic in his denial of her plan to get the ship out of harms way by warp.  It seemed that it would take some other method of transport to extricate the Dennison from its current situation, especially if things went poorly.  The away team had just departed and she was checking their status, when she noticed that they had disappeared.

Her fingers flew over the console to verify her initial discovery.  She ran a quick diagnostic to ensure that the sensors were functioning correctly.  But that proved to have some difficulties that she had not anticipated.  Shrekt corrected what she could initiating some repair routines.

“Shrekt to Engineering, could you please check the sensors?  Are you experiencing any issues?  I am having difficulty locating the away team.” asked Shrekt.

(reply Engineering)

“Captain, I’m not sure what to make of this.  But it appears that the away team has disappeared.  Ensign Spero can you confirm my readings?” asked Shrekt urgently.

(Reply Stakes, Spero, Engineering, Any)
(posted by Kaweo Kanoho)

(Maltoria- Maltorian Warehouse – CSO/2O Bracken – 1922)

"What's the matter with this thing?" West asked her, "I can't get a scan past five hundred meters."

Dale shook her head, and once more shrugged slightly, she was on edge slightly, and hoped that it didn’t show. She knew that West could read her, but the rest of the away team didn’t really know her as well as he. The almost flippant humour had been a cover of that unease.

“Unknown Sir. All longer range scans at the moment coming up negative, perhaps indicating some kind of dampening field?”

(Reply West/any on Maltoria)

“Unknown sir, Working on it. Now, we could find out exactly where we are using methods over a thousand years old, by using the sun, stars and an astrolabe, unfortunately, that means we’ll be stuck here for a whole day.”

(Reply West/any on Maltoria)

(Posted by Mark)

(USS Dennison - Primary Engineering - MCPO Freeman - 1922)

Freeman was absorbed in his calculations. Never much of a theorist, he was always a much more practical engineer. That was not to say, however, that like most engineers he couldn't lose himself in a problem, to the virtual exclusion of all else.

Such was his concentration that the voice from communications startled him slightly.

=^=Shrekt to Engineering, could you please check the sensors?  Are you experiencing any issues?  I am having difficulty locating the away team.=^=

Butch's initial reaction as he tapped his commbadge to reply was the logical ~WHAT away team??~ Of course he was far too professional to ask that question. Instead, he reacted in the expected fashion. "Stand by one... initiating diagnostics now."

(Reply Shrekt iyw)

His hands fairly flew over the controls, as he simultaneously began a level four diagnostic on the sensors, and accessed mission ops to see where, who, and what they were looking for.

~Ahh. Away team... supposed to beam to these coordinates.... surface of Maltoria... got it. Must be a diplomatic mission, not heavy security... and the CEO is down there...~

He frowned as the results of the diagnostic poured in. He started a level three check as soon as the level four was complete. He took another few seconds to puzzle out the results, not liking what he saw at all. It did dovetail pretty well with the research and theory he had come up with so far. But that was not going to help find the away team....

"Lieutenant Shrekt, this is Chief Freeman. I can confirm sensors are operating normally. That is, as normal as can be for where we are at the moment. All the data I'm getting is negative information thus far. The away team is definitely NOT where they are supposed to be. This does not, repeat does not appear to be a sensor glitch. I'm accessing transporter logs now..."

He moved to another console, and called up transporter subsystems. He really didn’t like what he saw now. He double checked the data, then spoke again.

"Lieutenant, I've checked the transporter logs, and you are not going to like this. Someone... or something... either interrupted or more likely redirected the annular confinement beam, which sent the away team off target." He paused a moment as he delved further into the system and puzzled out the information. "Ma'am... my best guess at this point is someone deliberately did it. I'm basing this on the fact that 'false positives' were transmitted back to the transporter console. That is to say, whoever redirected the beam wanted the operator to get a 'safe arrival at targeted coordinates' signal. They were sufficiently sophisticated that they could fool the targeting scanners and all the safety protocols too. Normally I'd say it was a natural result of being in this region of subspace, but all indications thus far are that this was done with intent. We'll get a team on it right now to see if we can find them."

Worried now, Freeman directed several engineers to get to work on various aspects of the puzzle. He himself started to integrate the data from the transporter logs with what he had so far discovered about the interspatial rift they had passed through. This all had to make some kind of sense. Right?

(Reply Shrekt, Any, Room for much more)
(Posted by Russ)

(Maltoria- Maltorian Street- Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 1923)

As they materialized Alosar noted that they were not at place that one would normally deem a meeting place.  However, logically, if you wanted to observe a culture, one might put them in a situation that they did not expect and see how they reacted.  It had been done on more than one occasion.  The others seemed confused by the setting, but Alosar took out his tricorder and began recording the events that followed.

Bracken made a, supposedly humorous, comment about their location, and West sent Soma and Sanok to make scans of the area.  Then West tried to contact the Dennison.  However their communications system did not seem to work.  And when the report came back that their tricorders were limited in their scanning ability Alosar began to think.  He turned to his own tricorder and began to look for something.

Bracken began to try and find where they were, but Alosar was wondering what she was using as a point of reference.  They did not have any form of map of the planet.  West expressed his own concern about being in the open.  It struck Alosar as odd that they had not yet registered any life.  He motioned to a building and ordered everyone to enter it.  Alosar was not so certain that they were in any danger, however, he followed the orders and entered the building.

(Maltoria, First Minister's Office, First Minister Aleth, 1925)

Sitting in his office, high above the city below, Aleth closed the channel with the Science Director and proceeded to hail the Dennison.

The First Minister opened a channel to the Dennison, the Federation Starship currently in orbit.

"USS Dennison, this is First Minister Aleth, we are still waiting for your crew to beam down. Is there a problem? Do you wish us to use our own device?" he asked wondering what they would think of this.

(reply Dennison Bridge)
(Posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(Maltoria- Warehouse- Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 1927)

As they entered Alosar began to look around.  It seemed to be some kind of storage facility, yet it was empty.  ~Odd. ~

"We will stay here until the sun sets and then use the cover of darkness to move out," West told them.  He then ordered them to set up proximity alerts and ordered Sanok to try and access the roof.  Suddenly the Commander began to strike his own tricorder.

"What's the matter with this thing?" he asked, "I can't get a scan past five hundred meters."

Alosar came over and showed his tricorder.  "That appears to be the range of all of our tricorders.  If am reading this energy signature correctly there is some kind of dampening field in effect."

(reply Bracken, West, any)

"Alosar," West turned to him, "what will the reaction be if we are detected by the general population?"

Alosar shrugged, "Uncertain.  We are, of course, trespassing, and in a society as rule bound as the Maltorians are I would be confident in thinking that the reaction would not be positive.  However, if you notice, this storage building is empty of anything that one would expect a people to store things in.  I also believe that being detected by the general population as there does not appear to be a general population.  Do you not find it odd that in 500 meters of an area of this structure that there are absolutely no life signs.  None, not even animals.  The only life signature I can pick up is plant life."

(reply West, any)

West sat on a storage container and said, "Don't worry about the Prime Directive in this case people, it doesn't apply as they are warp capable and this falls under Starfleet General Order Sixteen as well."

Alosar hadn't even considered the Prime Directive, since they were there by invitation.  It must have been a prying thought in the FO's mind, however.  Alosar stopped scanning, but continued recording, then hung his tricorder over his shoulder.

"This certainly does not appear to be the advanced society that we were led to believe they were."

(reply any)
(posted by Al Muir)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1928)

Alosar came over and showed his tricorder.  "That appears to be the range of all of our tricorders.  If am reading this energy signature correctly there is some kind of dampening field in effect."

~Great~ Trevan thought, ~Just what we need~

"Alosar," West turned to him, "what will the reaction be if we are detected by the general population?"

Alosar shrugged, "Uncertain.  We are, of course, trespassing, and in a society as rule bound as the Maltorians are I would be confident in thinking that the reaction would not be positive.  However, if you notice, this storage building is empty of anything that one would expect a people to store things in.  I also believe that being detected by the general population as there does not appear to be a general population.  Do you not find it odd that in 500 meters of an area of this structure that there are absolutely no life signs.  None, not even animals.  The only life signature I can pick up is plant life."

That was indeed odd. Just another mystery in a long line of mysteries that they have encountered thus far, and Trevan didn't like mysteries, especially when they involved him.

This certainly does not appear to be the advanced society that we were led to believe they were."

"I agree," he replied, "I remember something saying that the general population was ignored. It didn't say that exactly but that is what I got from it anyway," said Trevan.

"Perhaps this is an abandoned area for some reason, and whatever that reason is I don't want to stay and find out."

Trevan turned to the side and managed to glance out of the window and feel the sunlight hit the top of his face. It had been too long since he felt real sunlight, "That's odd," he said to no one in particular, "Dale, answer me this," he said to her as he shifted around to face the young Science Officer, "This planet, it's people and us exist in a layer of sub-space correct?"

"Okay, well if there aren't any stars in sub-space, where exactly is that sun, it's light and heat coming from?"

It was an interesting question to say the least, if the area they were in did not have a star to be an actual sun, what can be creating the heat and light and the image of a sun in the sky.

Trevan looked down at the shadows on the floor, "It moves like a sun should, that shadow is a bit longer and has moved since we arrived in this building."

(reply Bracken, Alosar)

Trevan listened to their observations on the subject at hand, but he was also thinking of a plan to get out of the area they were in without a map to tell them how to get to their meeting place. He was certain that the Dennison was actively searching for them, but if they were having the same problems he was having, it would take them forever to find them.

(reply All)
(Posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1929)

Ben was scanning or at least trying to scan the area around the warehouse, the range of the tricorder was limited by some kind of dampening field. The area that Ben was able to scan showed up nothing in the way of life, it was very puzzling. The away team was beamed into a city street devoid of any people and in the time they were on the surface they hadn't detected so much as a rodent in the warehouse.

"That's odd," Commander West said,

"Dale, answer me this," he said to her as he shifted around to face the young Science Officer, "This planet, its people and us exist in a layer of sub-space correct?"

"Okay, well if there aren't any stars in sub-space, where exactly is that sun, its light and heat coming from?"

Ben considered the question for a moment and thought that it was indeed quite strange. Being in sub-space there should be no star to provide light or ambient radiation, but yet Ben had felt the heat of the sun and saw the light it produced. Once again Ben's dislike of the situation fell another notch. They could not contact the Dennison to confirm they are where they were supposed to be and no one from Maltoria had contacted them to begin the meeting that they had beamed down for.

Trevan looked down at the shadows on the floor, "It moves like a sun should, that shadow is a bit longer and has moved since we arrived in this building."

Ben looked down and confirmed the Commander's observation, his own shadow had grown in length and moved as it would have in real sunlight. Was it possible that the Maltorian's had somehow manage to reproduce the energy and light of a sun, or was it possible that the away team's transporter beam had some how been intercepted and redirected to some other place entirely?

That thought really bothered Ben and he decided to voice the thought.

"Commander, we know that we are not where we are supposed to be. Maybe someone doesn't want us to meet with the president and intercepted and redirected our transport. That might also explain the communications black out and the dampening field, someone wants to keep us in the dark."

(reply West, any)

Ben felt his hand move to the spot where his phaser was concealed, he did not like the situation as it was, now to think that someone had deliberately diverted the transporter beam was not improving the situation in any way. He relaxed his hand and moved it to his side, as much as his instincts told him to seek out the information he wanted he knew his duty over rode those instincts and Commander West was in command of the mission, it was his place to make the hard decisions.

(reply any on Maltoria)
(posted by Milo Young)

(USS Dennison, Personal Quarters, Lt. Haley Darsons, 1929)

Haley had been fine for the last little while after talking with Alosar. Still, not being back on duty was tough for her as she liked to be busy doing something. She had tried to keep her mind active by reading the latest technical reports from Engineering and catching up on some much needed sleep, although, the memories of what happened to her kept her awake and unhappy.

She tapped her communicator, knowing that it was time to eat and wanted to have Trevan join her for a small dinner. "Darsons to West, are you busy for dinner?"

She waited for him to reply but there was no answer to her hail. Furrowing her brow, she tried again, but again nothing.

"Computer locate Commander Trevan West please?" she said, still finding it odd to say please to a machine, "Commander West is not on-board."

~Not on-board?~ she thought, "Where the hell is he?" she yelled at the computer.

"Commander West left the ship at 1915 ships time."

That didn't answer her question, but she knew it had to have been something important if he didn't tell her.

"Men," she said out loud, "he could have said something to me."

Grabbing her communication off her chest she threw it down on the table in anger, and stormed out of her quarters.

As she marched down the corridors of the Dennison, she could see people looking at her. It probably had to do with the fact she was not wearing her uniform and that her feet were bare. Not caring about what they thought she rounded a corner almost slamming into some poor young crewman on his way somewhere else.

She shoved him out of the way, "Move it or I will move you." she said with anger in her eyes. The crewman moved quickly not wanting to get in her way again and risk a confrontation.

Upon reaching the end of the corridor and a turbolift, she entered and said the first destination on her mind, "Ten Forward."

(reply none)
(Posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(USS Dennison - Quarters - SO Scientist Raymond Masterson and MO Nurse Carl Masterson ­ 1930)

Ray stalked into the quarters he shared with his brother in a foul mood.  He threw the padd in his hand across the room.

“The fools!” he shouted in frustration, as the padd bounced off the wall.

The clattering startled his brother, who was preparing dinner.

Carl knew better than to provoke his brother when he was in this kind of a mood.

Ray continued with his tirade about how his department was being run.  “I can’t believe I had to stop my work to do such menial tasks!” he vented.  “We have a whole department being made to do this inconsequential work.”

Carl nodded, as he placed the plates on the table.

Ray sat down and stared at the plate before him.  “What’s this?” he asked, his fingers tapping the plate.

“Dinner,” answered Carl, as he plopped himself down across from his brother.

Ray stared down at the green mass that Carl had named dinner.

“And by what criteria have you come to that decision?” Ray asked sarcastically, as he picked up his fork and inspected the Ray could have found on a petri dish.

Carl considered the benefits of actually arguing the point with his brother.  After a moment, he decided it wasn’t worth the tongue lashing and began to eat.

Ray raised an eyebrow at his brother who was now ignoring him.  He sat and stared between Carl and the plate.  Finally, he took a bite.  After chewing a bit, Ray’s fury at his bad day returned.

In between mouthfuls, Ray continued, “They couldn’t even distribute all the data to us.  We had to work piecemeal.  How the heck are we expected to work without seeing the whole picture.  Science is predicated on having a goal to prove and disprove.  We don’t even have that?”

Carl nodded in sympathy.

“Plus they want us back in the labs because the sensors need to be recalibrated.  Something about that rift the ship went through.” complained Ray.

“You were going back to the lab anyways.” commented Carl.

“Yes, but to work on something important.  Now it’s back to more meaningless drivel.” whined Ray.

“Maybe it’ll be over quick and you can do that too.” offered Carl, knowing it probably wouldn’t placate Ray.

Ray sneered derisively.

~Well, at least he’s eating dinner.~ thought Carl, as he continued eating.  He was going to go to Ten-Forward after he had finished eating with Ray.  It would definitely help him to relax.

(Maltoria – Ministry of Information – Information Minister Durrell – 1930)

Durrell ignored the servant that held the door open for him, making his way toward his second best quality desk. In truth, he detested the plainness of this office, but it was the one that was dedicated for this next task. He much preferred the austere surroundings of his main office and it’s adjoining antechambers, but he didn’t allow anyone into it that didn’t have proper business with him.

Not that this next task wasn’t important, quite the opposite, this was one task that he placed above everything else.

“Are we on all channels?” He spoke to the simpering servant.

“Yes Minister, All Channels, all the street and market screens as well, there isn’t a single place on the planet that can’t see the broadcast.”

“Good, Good. Time to broadcast?”

“20 seconds and counting Minister”

Durrell nodded, and waved the man away, he needed these few seconds to pull his composure. Looking up at the camera in front of him, he saw the light appear, signifying that the broadcast was about to start, seconds later it went out, telling Durrell to begin speaking.

“Good Evening Maltoria from the Ministry of information, making sure that the people know the truth.”

This would be a tricky broadcast, and would have to be handled carefully.

“Just over a hundred years ago, our forefathers took the decision to remove all ties from our surrounding neighbours in this part of the galaxy. However, recently, our magnificent nation was contacted by a civilisation beyond our own.  Now, at the moment we have had very little contact with them, and so, we are unsure of their true intentions. We understand that they have transported some of their people onto the surface of the planet. We have no idea where they are, what they are doing or even how many of them there are. Therefore, government advice is that they are to be avoided at any cost, until we can discern their true goals. We must use vigilance in every aspect of our daily lives.”

Durrell smiled slightly, showing the worry, the concern that he showed for his people.

“If any of you, adult, or child has any concerns, worries, or even information, local patrols have been doubled, and all carry instructions to help, and protect you, the people. Remember, the sharing of information is the duty of all, the right of all, and the government helps those who help the government. We must all remember our duties in these, difficult, and uncertain times.  Good Night Maltoria, and remember, your government loves you.”

The light flicked on again signifying that the broadcast was over. He smiled slightly, leaning back in the chair, the feeling of wellness overriding his dislike of the room. Silently, he stood up, still smiling, as he made his way toward his antechambers, his day over at last.

(Reply any on Maltoria)
(Posted by Mark)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1930)

"Commander, we know that we are not where we are supposed to be. Maybe someone doesn't want us to meet with the president and intercepted and redirected our transport. That might also explain the communications black out and the dampening field, someone wants to keep us in the dark." said Ben.

That thought had also occurred to him. Was it possible to even re-direct a transporter beam mid transport? The truth was they weren't sure about anything at this point. All they had to go on was they beamed in somewhere different, the why and how were questions that could not be answered at the present time.

"All we have is speculation at the moment and I don't want to base our motives towards these people based solely on theories," Trevan said to the away team.

Trevan was about to say something else when a sound coming from just outside the window caught his attention. It was hard to make out, the static from the overhead speakers on the street garbled some of the voice, but not enough to disrupt the broadcast.

“Good Evening Maltoria from the Ministry of information, making sure that the people know the truth.”

“Just over a hundred years ago, our forefathers took the decision to remove all ties from our surrounding neighbors in this part of the galaxy. However, recently, our magnificent nation was contacted by a civilization beyond our own.  Now, at the moment we have had very little contact with them, and so, we are unsure of their true intentions. We understand that they have transported some of their people onto the surface of the planet. We have no idea where they are, what they are doing or even how many of them there are. Therefore, government advice is that they are to be avoided at any cost, until we can discern their true goals. We must use vigilance in every aspect of our daily lives.”

“If any of you, adult, or child has any concerns, worries, or even information, local patrols have been doubled, and all carry instructions to help, and protect you, the people. Remember, the sharing of information is the duty of all, the right of all, and the government helps those who help the government. We must all remember our duties in these, difficult, and uncertain times.  Good Night Maltoria, and remember, your government loves you.”

"Perfect," said West to Dale and Alosar, "just what we need now. The entire planet looking for us, trying to get us arrested or worse." He hid the worry on his face well enough so as not to alarm the rest of the team.

"I still plan to move out at darkness, which seems to be all the better now. But" he said pausing, "we need supplies. Food and water, I know you Vulcans can go for awhile without it but I can't. If we can't get food, water will do."

Trevan turned around to face Yeoman Stakes, "Yeoman, you will go with Alosar and Crewman Morris. They will look for food and water, but you will be needed to translate anything they come across. You will leave the moment the sun sets, which looks to be in about thirty minutes or so. I don't want you gone more than twenty minutes, and maintain an open channel at all times."

(reply Stakes, Alosar)

Trevan knew things were tough, but it could take them days to get their bearings and then get to where they needed to be. They wouldn't last long without basic needs like water and food.
He took a peek out the window again and checked his own tricorder, still no sign of anyone at the moment. "Okay, rest up because I have a feeling we will need our strength and I don't want you all fighting fatigue at the wrong moment."

Then after hearing everyone out, he moved his storage box to a small area near the rear of the building. Dust was billowing everywhere as he slid the container along the floor. Trevan sat down and started to think.

(reply Stakes, Alosar, any)
(posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-Counselor- Lt. Alosar- 1931)

When West commented on where the sunlight was coming from, since there were no stars in subspace Alosar realized that was what had been striking him as unrealistic from the moment they had arrived. It should have come to him sooner.  He would have to examine his thought processes later.

"Although it is true that there is no know stellar events in subspace," Alosar stated, "subspace itself, and the multidimensional aspects of subspace make it hard to predict what one might find on a subspacial plane. Although it is highly likely that one might find random light particles trapped by the quantum gravitational forces, that bind all forms of physical nature, it is equally unlikely that those forces would create a centralize light source that either moves or in which this planet moves around."

He looked to see the blank stares of the others.  "It is my belief that the light source is artificial, and the change of placement of the light source is contrived.   Of course, subspace theory is not my specialty, and perhaps a more learned point of view might give a different theory.  Lieutenant Bracken?"

(reply Bracken, West)
(posted by Al Muir)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1932)

Ben listened to the public broadcast, now his dislike of the situation had hit a new high. Patrols had been increased and he didn't like the sound of that. The mission had taken on a rather unexpected turn, at first it seemed that the transporter and sent them to the wrong area, was it possible that they were grabbed mid-transport and redirected.

Commander West had selected Lt. Alosar, Crewman Morris and Yeoman Stakes to search for supplies when the sun had set. The away team had beamed down without any rations, food and water would now be a priority for the team. Then West had told everyone to get some rest for their move after dark.

"Although it is true that there is no know stellar events in subspace," Alosar stated, "subspace itself, and the multidimensional aspects of subspace make it hard to predict what one might find on a subspacial plane. Although it is highly likely that one might find random light particles trapped by the quantum gravitational forces, that bind all forms of physical nature, it is equally unlikely that those forces would create a centralize light source that either moves or in which this planet moves around."

He looked to see the blank stares of the others.  "It is my belief that the light source is artificial, and the change of placement of the light source is contrived.   Of course, subspace theory is not my specialty, and perhaps a more learned point of view might give a different theory.  Lieutenant Bracken?"

Ben listened to Lt. Alosar as he prepared a place to sit and wait till they moved, he chose a spot close to the entrance and dragged a crate over to sit on stirring up a small dust cloud as he moved. The idea that someone was able to create a light source that mimicked a sun was quite a feat, they reproduced the light, heat and even the movement of the sun. Ben settled on his crate and continued to scan for some sign that someone or something was alive outside. The scan revealed nothing as usual but Ben continued to focus on scanning anyway, he felt is necessary to concentrate on something to occupy his mind and time.

(reply any on Maltoria)
(posted by Milo Young)

(Maltoria- Warehouse-Commander Trevan West- 1945)

With the majority of the away team busy getting ready to leave to collect provisions or scouting for roof access, Trevan was by himself thinking on what a complete mess things have turned out to be.

Using his finger in the thick layer of dust on the floor, he traced out several pictures when an idea came to him. If he connected the two figures with a line it made a connection, "Dale!" he shouted in a whisper, "take a look at this."

Trevan showed the diagram to her, saying that the larger circle represented the outdoor speaker that the broadcast had come from and the two lower lines connecting to it could be a power relay of some sort, "It's got to be powered by something no?"

"Well then, why don't we just follow the power signature. It should lead us to a relay station, or some sort of public utility building. They should have a computer we could access and find out what's what."

Trevan pulled out his tricorder, and tried to scan. To his dismay, he couldn't get anything as the dampening field was interfering with the scans, "See what you can do for us okay?"

"West to Sanok, what is the status on gaining roof access. I want it before we head out so we can get a clear look around,"

(reply Sanok)

Trevan acknowledged his answer and turned his attention back to Dale, he asked her to do what she could and to use anything and anyone to help if it was needed.

Looking outside, the street was still void of people which freaked Trevan out to no end. The shops here seemed abandoned and hadn't been used in quite a while. Trevan asked himself why would people just up and leave their business with so much left behind. They weren't picking up any radiation or anything else hazardous, so it must have been something other than an accident.

With a small breeze blowing through the cracks in the wooden boards, it gave a bit of relief from that stale, dusty air inside, even if it was brief. It was going to be hard to move about the city blocks without being detected by people, they would have to keep to as many shadows as possible.

Trevan called Ben Soma over to him, "Ben, can you come here for a moment please?"

"Do you have any suggestions on how we can keep out of sight while still moving towards our intended destination?"

Now with that out of the way, he could rest for a little. Darkness would be coming in about thirty minutes or so, the sun or what ever it was, was low on the horizon making the sky a deep shade of pink. Propping himself against a wall he closed his eyes, Trevan knew he couldn't sleep but a little rest always goes a long way to recharging the body and mind. He was feeling safe in the knowledge that he would be alerted to any problems by his more than capable away team if anything should arise.

(reply all)
(posted by Kerry Fletcher)

(USS Dennison - Ten Forward - Nurse Carl Masterson - 2000)

Carl had left his brother muttering under his breath and glad to interact with others again.  Ten Forward seemed a little slow, which Carl thought odd.  He walked up to the bar and smiled at the barkeep.

"How's your day been, Mei Ling?" he asked.

(Reply Hikaru, Any)
(posted by Kaweo Kanoho)


-USS Dennison
Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com