~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mission: To Live and Die in Starlight, Day 2 Stardate: 2407.02.02 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ List of Headers: (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant & Capt Grailik - 0753) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1314) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, ACSO – Ensign (jg) Sarrik, 1314) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1317) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, ACSO, Ensign (jg) Sarrik, 1318) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1335) (USS Boudicca, Strategic Operations, StratOps, Lieutenant Commander Paul Casely, 1406) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1409) (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1410) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 1411) (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-Chief OPS Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:11) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1413) (USS Boudicca - Maintenance Tube - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1414) (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-Chief Ops Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:14) (USS Boudicca - Access Tube - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1416) (USS Boudicca-Corridor En Route to Bridge-Chief Ops Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:16) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 14:17) (USS Boudicca - Tube - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1417) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1530) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt Major Drizzt - 1530) (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-CMO Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie-15:32) (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1533) (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-CMO Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie-15:34) (USS Boudicca - Training Holodeck, "Bridge" - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - 1645) (USS Boudicca - Training Holodeck, "Bridge" - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1646) (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1730) (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - Security SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1732) (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 1733) (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1735) (USS Boudicca, Marine Armory - Combat Engineer Marine Sergeant K'Tor - 1740) (USS Boudicca, Bridge, Commander Trevan West, 1745) (USS Boudicca - Marine Deck, Marine Armory - Lt Major Drizzt - 1745) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Ensign (jg) Sarrik - 1745) (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 1747) (USS Boudicca, Outside Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1750) (USS Boudicca, 'Helldeck' - CE Sergeant K'Tor - 1750) (USS Boudicca - Marine Deck, Outside Armoury - Heavy Weapons Specialist, Adon Rull - 1750) (USS Boudicca, Outside Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1751) (USS Boudicca - Outside Hell-deck - TAC/SC Stolev - Day 2 - 1755) (USS Boudicca - Outside Hell-deck - Walker Isengard - 1756) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1800) (USS Boudicca, Helldeck - NPC CE Sergeant K'Tor - 1800) (USS Boudicca - Helldeck - ACEO LT/JG Matthew Mclaren - 1802) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1805) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - MXO Drizzt - 1805) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - 1805) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Ensign (jg) Sarrik - 1805) (USS Boudicca, Marine Hell-deck, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1806) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton & Captain Grailik, 1806) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers, 1806) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1807) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1809) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck: Enemy Base, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton 1809) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1810) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck: Enemy Base, staging area - Major Robert LoDona - 1810) (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1811) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, Lt(jg) Walker Isengard, 1811) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt(jg) Walker Isengard - 1812) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt Major 'Spider' Drizzt - 1812) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1814) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1816) (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, Captain Grailik, 1817) (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1818) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Start of Compile ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mission: To Live and Die in Starlight, Day 2 Stardate: 2407.02.02 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant & Capt Grailik - 0753) ==================================== "There are some questions I was meaning to ask earlier, but the time never presented itself." Sevant said, leaning back in his chair again. "Like why a doctor and psychologist would be leading a covert mission to destroy one of Doenitz's pet projects." "I project dealing in genetic manipulation, and physiological conditioning," Grailik said, casually. "Requiring the use of a still experimental drug in order to protect the crew carrying out the mission. If you ask me, a doctor and psychologist would most certainly be needed." "We have a doctor and psychologist; this is a mission for a covert team." Sevant answered back. Grailik was silent for a moment. ~I could easily point out that I have far more medical experience than anyone else on the ship.~ he thought at he regarded Sevant. Finally, he rose and moved over to the replicator. "You know," he said, as he typed his order into the replicator. "I told Robert, before he sent me on this mission, that you were going to ask that exact question. You know what he said?" Grailik picked up the fresh cup of coffee and moved back over to his seat. Sevant quirked his eyebrow without saying anything. "He said," Grailik continued sitting back down. "That he would leave the choice to me." He took a sip of his coffee. "I could order you to drop the subject and not bring it up again. To just accept the fact that I am leading this mission and there isn't anything you can do about it." He paused as he took another sip of his coffee, completely at ease. "However, I'm not going to do that, for two reasons. First, I have a pretty good idea how you would react to that, given your psychological profile. Second, and more importantly, we served together for several months. In that time, as your First Officer, I would like to think we developed a mutual respect for each other, as well a degree of trust." He regarded Sevant over the rim of his mug as he took another sip. "We do have a degree of trust and respect, don't we?" Sevant took a breath and looked at Grailik, thinking back on the months of distrust. He mused longer, knowing that it was Grailik's profession which had always set him ill at ease. His command skills had been inviolate, and the rest of the crew had pretty much liked him. What's more, he did trust Grailik to do his duty, even if he wouldn't had given him the darkest secrets of his life. Grailik had been his first officer, not his therapist. "Yes." He replied evenly after a few more moments of thought. Grailik nodded as he took another sip of his coffee. He savored the flavor for a moment then swallowed as he opened his uniform jacket and pulled a small device from a hidden pocket. He held the slender disk up so Sevant could see it. Before Sevant could ask any questions, Grailik pushed the middle of the device with his thumb. The device hummed quietly, as Grailik laid it down on Sevant's desk. "That will prevent anyone from listening in on our conversation," Grailik said. "It will also prevent the ships internal sensors from recording our conversation. We have a few minuets before it raises any internal security alerts. What I am about to tell you is for you, and you alone. *No one* else is to be privy to this information. Understood?" Sevant nodded, simply. Grailik nodded and leaned back in his seat. "When I left the Boudicca it wasn't because the Admiral needed my advice on interstellar relations, or as a doctor, or a counselor. What he needed, what the fleet needed, was solid intelligence on what was going on inside the Federation. There was already a standard intelligence network in operation. I should know, I helped set it up. We needed more. Something not standard. Robert gave the job to me." Grailik paused as he took another sip of his coffee. "If you look carefully at my service record, you will notice a seven year gap between when I graduated Star Fleet Academy and when I was promoted to Lt(sg) and assigned as CMO aboard the Odin. During those seven years, I work for Star Fleet Intelligence. Before that, I was an information broker. I bought and sold secrets. I worked largely with the Orion Syndicate, but there was some governments that I sold to on occasion as well. I was *VERY* good at it. Considering I'd been doing it for close to three centuries I should be. I joined Star Fleet to get out of the intelligence field. To make a new start, but SFI had other plans. Eventually, I was able to arrange to get out of SFI and become *just* a doctor again with my intelligence background deemed classified and sealed. This war has forced me to return to that field. Hopefully, when this war is over, I can go back to being just a doctor again." Grailik took another sip of his coffee, as he watched Sevant. "Does that answer your question as to why I am leading this mission?" The Captain said nothing for long moments, studying Grailik. He tapped his fingers together for a few moments, "You were originally sent to the Boudicca to watch for something, else the Admiral wouldn't have spared you, not to be a mere XO." He finally said. "And at this point I don't want to know why, the answer may be distracting." He took a breath, "Very well, my question is answered. What do you want to do about a tactical team?" Grailik shrugged as he picked up the small disk, turned it off and slid it back into his inner coat pocket. He then lifted the PADD he had brought with him. "I've compiled a list of possible candidates," He said, handing Sevant the PADD. "I would like to run a full training simulation prior to deciding for sure who will be on the primary and back up teams. Also, thinking about dividing our primary team into two group with one playing as a diversion while the second team tries to sneak in. I assume you will want to keep certain key officers on the Boudicca. Once our presence is detected the Boudicca will become a target, so don't want to leave you short handed up here." "Those key officers required for combat," Sevant agreed. "I'll leave the team up to you, just send me the final results." "I'll make my final decision after the training simulations," Grailik said, "I intend to make it as realistic as possible. This place is one large hell hole, so it won't be pleasant. I need to have some idea of who is likely to crack under extreme conditions and who won't. I will not include Commander West, Lt. Fredricks, or Lt. Commander Mackenzie right off the top. I will need a tactical officer or two. I will try to leave Lt. Commander Stolev on ship as well, it will depend how the other assistant tactical chiefs measure up. Anyone else you would like me to leave behind?" "I would rather no engineers be assigned." He said. "The Combat Engineers should more then suffice for your purposes." He considered, "Beyond that, just send me your list and I'll see if anyone else undesirable is on it. You know what the Boudicca and the Task Force will be stepping into; I trust you won't strip me." "Absolutely not," Grailik said, seriously. "Your our ride home, if the Boudicca goes down then the rest of us are as good as dead. I intend to use the marine holo-deck for this, it has the size and power needed for a simulation of this scale. I assume Major Drizzt still handles the marine training simulations?" Sevant nodded, "Indeed he does. And don't worry about holodeck space, all non-mission related energy expenditures will be stopped within the next hour." Grailik nodded, "Good, I will need to go over a few things with the good Major then before hand. I will also be looking in on the Colonel's medical records, for your information. I would strongly recommend she have a complete check up before the away part of this mission. I need to make sure, besides the pregnancy, that she is physically up to this mission. Don't need her going hormonal during the mission." "Tell her then," Sevant said as he leaned forward in the chair. "Anything else?" "I think that about covers it," Grailik said, downing the last of his coffee and standing up. "I'll keep you informed." He then turned and headed for the door. Sevant watched him leave disquieted. He leaned back in the chair after long moments, for once not considering the mission, but rather why LoDona would have sent a spook to be his first officer after her relaunch... and then what had happened that caused Grailik to leave satisfied. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1314) ==================================== It had been a long day already and it was only just past 1300. ~1314.4215 to be precise.~ thought the Vulcan to himself arching an eyebrow. He had been working over 36 hours without meditation or rest and he knew if it kept up much longer his logic would continue to slip. What was worse, the sickbay had seen some of the most overt displays of emotion over that time period that he had witnessed by any species. The announcement of pregnancy had sent many of the crewmembers into a tailspin of emotion, positive and negative. He found it annoying and very distracting. ~The distracting is acceptable, I must not be annoyed however. Annoyance is an emotional response.~ Mor'rel did his best to avoid the annoyance factor as the next member of the crew moved past him and he grabbed another hypospray. He looked up and watched as the young Vulcan proceeded to him. "Please be seated," stated Mor'rel in a neutral and clinical tone. (Reply Sarrik) Mor'rel looked at the young Vulcan who was submitting himself to the mind-numbing effects of the shot. "You must be aware that your abilities will be unaccessable for some time after this. The loss may be traumatic in the short term, much like the sensation of being blind. Extra meditation may be necessary to account for it as a good deal of Vulcan self control is linked to telepathic abilities." ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, ACSO – Ensign (jg) Sarrik, 1314) ==================================== "Please be seated," stated the doctor, interestingly enough also a Vulcan. Sarrik sat on the biobed and prepared himself for the injection. Sarrik hated these things, but orders were orders. The doctor looked at Sarrik and said, "You must be aware that your abilities will be unaccessable for some time after this. The loss may be traumatic in the short term, much like the sensation of being blind. Extra meditation may be necessary to account for it as a good deal of Vulcan self control is linked to telepathic abilities." “I did not realize that ,” replied Sarrik. “Is there anyway to not get the injection? I just reported aboard yesterday and would prefer to not have to worry about not performing to my utmost” ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1317) ==================================== Mor'rel considered his young fellow Vulcan for a moment. Obviously he had not been briefed at any point as to the necessity of this procedure. "As the resultant feature of not getting the innoculation would be the tearing of your mind by telepaths far superior to you in strength I would say that the innoculation is most necessary," stated Mor'rel coldly and directly. (Reply Sarrik) Mor'rel regarded him for an instant, "What is more, the lack of the innoculation would mean that powerful telepaths could read your mind, making you a major security risk. As I recall, the Captain stated that you could go without the innoculation as long as you were willing to be put in stasis for the remainder of the mission under lock and key. At this point, it is your choice. Do you desire the innoculation or stasis?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, ACSO, Ensign (jg) Sarrik, 1318) ==================================== "As the resultant feature of not getting the innoculation would be the tearing of your mind by telepaths far superior to you in strength I would say that the innoculation is most necessary," stated Mor'rel coldly and directly. Mor'rel looked at Sarrik for a second and then said, "What is more, the lack of the innoculation would mean that powerful telepaths could read your mind, making you a major security risk. As I recall, the Captain stated that you could go without the innoculation as long as you were willing to be put in stasis for the remainder of the mission under lock and key. At this point, it is your choice. Do you desire the innoculation or stasis?" "I understand. Ignorance of orders is not an excuse. Please proceed with the innoculation as I was brought here to perform a specific function, not enjoy a free ride in stasis," replied Sarrik. When the innoculation was complete, Sarrik look at Mor'rel. "Thank you doctor. I appreciate your assistance in this logical decision." He then stood up and left for his office. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1335) ==================================== Eva had used the last 20 minuets to program in a series of drills she planned to use to prepare the marines for the training session planed latter that day. The drills would test everything from accuracy with a weapon to critical thinking and response times in dangerous situations. After the dismal showing in last nights session, Eva was going back to basics to determine what their strengths and weaknesses where so that further training could be more focused on their weaknesses. Personally, she was having a hard time getting Sasha and the idea of being pregnant out of her mind. She kept finding herself mentally feeling the warm spot in the back of her mind that was the link she shared with Sasha. ~It will go cold and numb soon.~ She kept thinking. ~Once he takes that damn shot.~ Shaking her head she again pushed the distraction out of her mind. She turned to regard the marines assembled before her on the hell-deck. "Alright marines!" She yelled getting their attention. "After last nights pathetic showing, we are going back to basics! You've gotten soft! I should ship the lot of you off to get mustard shirts and join Security!" She marched back and forth in front of them, hands behind her back, scowl on her face. She could see that her insults where having the desired effect, as she looked at their faces. "You think you deserve to wear a marines uniform!? That you are worthy of the title MARINE!? Well we will see about that! It's back to Paris Island for the lot of you! Fall out by squad! One in each corner!" She turned and moved over to the arch as the marines fell out of formation and each squad formed up in one of the four corners of the large holo-deck. She placed her hand over the 'engage' command. "SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT MARINES!" She yelled as she pressed the 'engage' button and the training simulation commenced and the holo-grid vanished. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Strategic Operations, StratOps, Lieutenant Commander Paul Casely, 1406) ==================================== Paul rubbed his temples and stared at the PADDs in front of him. He was starting to get more than annoyed with some aspects of this job. Despite being trained in diplomacy, he felt his own patience slipping fast. The people who had trained him had never had to deal with the regular and prolonged bluster of several Klingons. "Computer, open a channel to Brigadier Temtak," stated Paul, his annoyance beginning to show. [Channel is open] Paul peered with some annoyance at the Klingon in front of him. He felt his eyes blaze at seeing the sneer of the Klingon in front of him. "Brigadier, I want you to form up with the rest of the fleet and stop going ahead. You are deviating from the battleplan set out and approved by both Captain Sevant and by your own military." =^=IF WE FOLLOW THAT PLAN, THERE WILL BE NO GLORY FOR US. The battle will be done!=^= "Temtak, there will be more than enough for you to do, trust me. Now drop back. You're trying my patience," stated Paul, beginning to grow angry. At this point, the Klingon laughed, almost howled with laughter, in reaction. It wasn't shocking to Paul, but it was still annoying. =^=And what will you do Starfleet? I'm trying your patience! HA! Go running to your Captain!=^= Finally, Paul couldn't stand it anymore. "Hab SoSlI' Quch!," the Klingon stopped blustering at the powerful insult and bared his teeth, "qIm! I've had enough of this! If you go on ahead and attack you will destroy any chance we have to get to our goal without attracting too much attention. You put this entire war at risk for your desire for glory. There is glory enough for all, but you must follow the plan. You risk all future relationships and all future plans." Temtak moved closer to the monitor and growled, =^=You have made your point for now. I will rejoin the fleet, but only so I may meet you personally to discuss your issues with my mother and her 'smooth head' at a later date.=^= With that, the channel closed and Paul sighed aloud. Paul tapped his comm badget, "Casely to Captain Sevant. I think I've dealt with our Klingon issues, at least for now. I might need a bodyguard when we meet them though." ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1409) ==================================== Mor'rel had proceded through his time giving injections in a logical and efficient way, as befits a triage doctor and a Vulcan. He glanced around and waited for Doctor Mackenzie to direct some of the waiting patients to him. It was not long before Victoria Sevant approached him. "Sir, I'm here for my injection," Victoria stated. "I understand. Please relax and I will administer the innoculation," stated Mor'rel directly. He was aware that this was the Captain's wife, however he had no intention in treating her any differently than any other member of the crew. To do so would be, after all, illogical. She seemed to hesitate for a moment. As he got the injection ready, she then said, "I'd also like to recieve a pregnancy control booster shot." Mor'rel nodded briefly. He had only been discussing the logic of not becoming with child during a mission, or in fact during a war. Mor'rel was pleased with her logical approach to things. "Of course. I cannot combine the innoculations in one as some of the compounds are not compatible and I will have to ensure that there will be no drug interaction. However, your logic about doing this all at once is quite sound," replied Mor'rel. With that, Mor'rel began to punch some information into the computer checking for drug interaction problems. He noted that she seemed to be becoming annoyed with him. "There are no reasons for drug interactions and therefore the injections will be administered immediately. You however seem ill at ease. Have I done something to cause you distress?" asked Mor'rel. He had been working, on advice from several of his colleagues, on trying to improve his bedside manner. Mor'rel couldn't help what or who he was, but he could try and take note of when people seemed displeased with him and attempt to adjust his behaviour for it. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Corridor - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1410) ==================================== "Well... I've been in sickbay with the injuries I got in the runabout crash. I was only released a few hours ago," Miller explained. "Yeh you were bashed about pretty bad i heard. Glad its all come good though." Matthew said. He noticed that when the conversation steered away from engineering toppics Jason would get incredibly nervous. (Reply Millar iiw) "Ok, I've localized the problem to one of the junctions along with tube. There is sixteen in total, so if we take eight each, we'll get it done pretty quickly," McLaren explained and then climbed into the tube. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 1411) ==================================== Sevant, walking around the bridge slowly and watching each of the bridge-crew at work for a moment before moving on, was deep in thought when his comm badge went off. =^=Casely to Captain Sevant. I think I've dealt with our Klingon issues, at least for now. I might need a bodyguard when we meet them though.=^= "Explain, Commander." he replied. ==================================== (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-Chief OPS Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:11) ==================================== "I'd also like to recieve a pregnancy control booster shot." Awaiting Mor'rel's reaction, she observed he had none. ~Well, at least none to the outsider's eye,~ she thought. After all, Vulcans tended to be good at hiding any emotion, if there were any at all. "Of course. I cannot combine the innoculations in one as some of the compounds are not compatible and I will have to ensure that there will be no drug interaction. However, your logic about doing this all at once is quite sound," replied Mor'rel. With his reply, Victoria was almost happy she had Mor'rel instead of Mackenzie. Mostly because of the fact she knew his logical side would take over and agree with her, like he seemed to do so. Not that Mackenzie might not have, but it was more of a given with Mor'rel, or so she thought. Swinging her legs from the biobed, she waited for Mor'rel to check on possible drug interactions. She then glanced at the chronometer. Victoria wanted out of here badly. ~Can't he just give them to me already?~ she asked herself, getting impatient as usual. "There are no reasons for drug interactions and therefore the injections will be administered immediately. You however seem ill at ease. Have I done something to cause you distress?" asked Mor'rel. Feeling a twinge of guilt, she replied, "Oh no, you haven't done anything at all. I'm just ready to get out of here and back to my duty station is all." <> "Yes, well after all sickbay isn't the place I'd like to spend my time in. No offense to you." At the nod of Mor'rel's head, she assumed he took that for a good answer. Brushing her hair to one side, she cocked her head over so that Mor'rel could then administer both medications. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay Triage Centre, Triage Chief, Doctor Mor'rel, 1413) ==================================== Mor'rel nodded his understanding. "I do understand your desire to return to active duty. However, I prefer to ensure that my cures do not harm the patient. Losing a vaulable operations officer due to carelessness would be illogical. The time interval shall be short before innoculation." "Yes, well after all sickbay isn't the place I'd like to spend my time in. No offense to you," she replied. In truth, he had long suppressed anything that would make him feel offended. Mor'rel nodded, "I do understand that many individuals have an emotional response to being in sickbay. I personally would find it inconvenient as well." With that, Victorial cocked her head and Mor'rel administered both hyposprays, one after the other. "I can see no reason to keep you here for any longer. If you have difficulties of any sort, please do come back and talk and see me." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Maintenance Tube - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1414) ==================================== "Uh, no, sir. I was just asked to show up. I'm not really sure," Miller stopped. Then, "Didn't they tell you, sir? Aren't you a senior staff member?" Miller asked. Matthew clolsed up the junction he was working on and moved down the tube a few meters to the next one. "Well, i'm only an ACEO so i report to the chief. I don't always get invited to all the briefings." He said thinking about it for a second . ==================================== (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-Chief Ops Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:14) ==================================== "I do understand that many individuals have an emotional response to being in sickbay. I personally would find it inconvenient as well." With that, Victoria cocked her head to the side and let Mor'rel administer both hyposprays, one after the other. Feeling the tingling sensation, she absent mindedly rubbed her neck, then slid down from the biobed. She felt a little dizzy, but she assumed that was a side effect from both medications being administered. ~Didn't he say there were no incompatabilities though?~ She let her thoughts trail as she decided he was right and there was no need for worry. "I can see no reason to keep you here for any longer. If you have difficulties of any sort, please do come back and talk and see me." "Thanks," she said, then was on her way out of sickbay. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Access Tube - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1416) ==================================== "Well, I'm only an ACEO, so I report to the Chief," McLaren explained has the two men continued working on the nodes, trying to find the problem in the environmental systems. "Oh, I see," Miller said. "Do you want to be the CEO one day?" Miller asked. (reply McLaren) Miller thought about what Lt. McLaren said, and was going to say something, but stopped. "Sir, I've found the problem," Miller said, running a tricorder over the node to confirm this was in fact the troubled one. (reply McLaren) Once Lt. McLaren made his way over, Miller asked, "So, now we correct it?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca-Corridor En Route to Bridge-Chief Ops Lt. Victoria Sevant-14:16) ==================================== ~I didn't think this stuff would work so fast....uuuhh.~ Victoria was slowly starting to experience the ripping of her mind from Sevants...or vice versa, she wasn't really sure at the moment. Slowing down in the corridor, she came to a complete stop, and grabbed the railing to balance herself. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes then opened them back up, seeing things they right way once more. ~Damned medications,~ she cursed to herself. Picking up her pace, she passed several crewmembers, then finally made her way to the turbolift. Once inside, she said, "Bridge." Strolling up towards the location, she was fine for a moment, then without warning, dizziness hit her again...only this time something was different. Struggling with whether or not to give the command, she decided to anyways. "Computer...halt turbolift!" She shouted. Leaning against the wall, she was thankful she was the only occupant. "What's going on with me?" She asked herself outloud. [Please restate command.] "I wasn't talking to you!" She grumbled out, at the same time sliding down the wall until she found the floor and sat down. Concentrating, she suddenly found herself alone...in a different state than she was used to. ~My husband?! Where is he?!~ Closing her eyes, she tried to reach out with her mind to find him, but she couldn't. Starting to panic, she didn't know what was wrong with her. ~Yes I do....those damned medications.~ Not thinking it would take that fast, she wasn't sure if she could function like this for long. Finally, she concentrated harder, standing up. ~I can do this....~ Calming her breathing, she said, "Resume," through gritted teeth. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Capt Sevant - 14:17) ==================================== Sevant, standing on the rear-bridge and looking over a schematic of the Boudicca on the Engineering main panel, suddenly felt his legs buckle and put his hands on the console itself to stop himself from falling. He blinked his eyes a few times and put his hand to his temple, feeling a round of dizziness and the entirely unpleasant feeling of having his mental connection suddenly cut. Oh, this was all to familiar to him. He reached out to her, first gently and then with increasing mental strength, until he found the smallest glimmer that was her... to weak for her to even notice. His hand was most of the way to the badge before he realized what was going on... the drugs, the psi-inhibitors. He hadn't considered the dynamics of having Vicki on them. ~Yea God Gods.~ he thought as his dizziness was pushed aside after the link was mostly severed and regained his balance. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Tube - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1417) ==================================== "Oh, I see," Miller said. "Do you want to be the CEO one day?" Miller asked. Matthew thought about that for a second. "Yeah I sure would! but can't see it happening anytime soon. We already have a highly competent CEO." Matthew said. "Sir, I've found the problem," Miller said, running a tricorder over the node to confirm this was in fact the troubled one. "Aaa good work." Matt said crawling along the tube to Millar's position. He ran his own tricorder over the junction so he could take his own readings. "So, now we correct it?" "Hmmm." Matthew said reading over the data on his tricorder. "No I think this ones a lost cause. Looks like someone diverted the power flow through this node and it blew out. Its gunna need a replacement." He said clipping his tricorder onto his belt and pulling cables out of the node so that they could lift it out. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1530) ==================================== Sam really hated injections, but since she would need it for the upcoming battle, she finally put off the inevitable and went to Sickbay. Walking into Sickbay, she looked around for Dr. Mackenzie. Spotting the doctor, she walked over to her, "So who do I see about getting this injection?" she asked. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt Major Drizzt - 1530) ==================================== Drizzt came to attention as the simulation ended with 45% casualties. This mission had been simple, comparatively, to the humdinger that he'd created for the CE's last night. He could hear minor grumbling as some of the Marines, especially the CE's, discussed the ramifications of the training between them. None of them were stupid; they knew this was a basic scenario that was fairly easy to beat... albeit beefed up to make it more of a challenge. A couple mused quietly on whether they were basic recruits or CE's. Drizzt wondered the same, briefly, but only because of that question. It was true Straton was being harsh; they had 'passed' last nights simulation... the idea was to drive them harder, though, to make them better. They could afford few casualties. They would have to do it BETTER then the enemy if they wanted to walk out of this war nominally intact. Not that skill would ensure that, mind; fate had a lot to do with it as well. Fate, and CO's competence. Not even the best trained squad in the fleet would succeed if those giving the orders were idiots. He took a breath and waited for Straton's report on their progress. ==================================== (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-CMO Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie-15:32) ==================================== "So who do I see about getting this injection?" Not even bothering to turn and see who it was, Kaitlyn made a motion with her hand, meaning for the person to come towards her in the triage center. She waited for only a few moments before she could tell it was Sam standing next to her. "Hey Sam," she said on the informal side. She had still remembered the time they were together in the hostage situation and how Sam had saved her life. She owed her one, that much was for sure. "Hop up here and I'll get you started," she said. <> As she did so, she got the injection ready and made some small talk. "So how's everything going down in security these days?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Sickbay, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1533) ==================================== Sam walked towards Kaitlyn when the doctor motioned to her. She waited for the doctor to look up and see who it was. "Hey Sam," Kaitlyn said on the informal side. "Hop up here and I'll get you started." Sam hopped up onto the biobed that Kaitlyn indicated. She watched as her friend prepared the hypospray for the injection. "So how's everything going down in security these days?" Kaitlyn asked, making small talk. "Very busy," Sam replied. "We have been working to get the ship's tactical and security systems ready for the upcoming battle. We got some help earlier this morning. A new TAC/ASC arrived." (Reply Mackenzie) "What about you?" Sam asked. "How are things going down here in Sickbay?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca-Sickbay-CMO Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlyn Mackenzie-15:34) ==================================== "So how's everything going down in security these days?" Kaitlyn asked, making small talk. "Very busy," Sam replied. "We have been working to get the ship's tactical and security systems ready for the upcoming battle. We got some help earlier this morning. A new TAC/ASC arrived." "Well that's always good there's extra help in that department," Kaitlyn said, not really thinking about much. "What about you?" Sam asked. "How are things going down here in Sickbay?" Kaitlyn sighed a huge sigh and said, "Busy as usual, especially with these injections." She hoped Sam didn't think she was referring to her as an annoyance, but she was referring in general. "And of coarse," Kaitlyn started up, "with the upcoming battle at hand sickbay will more than likely be hit hard, though that's something I'd rather not think about." <> As Kaitlyn injected the medicine into her bloodstream, she said, "Well, that's it. You may feel dizzy or faint. If you do that is somewhat normal. Just don't wait too long before contacting me if it gets to a serious point." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Training Holodeck, "Bridge" - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - 1645) ==================================== By the end of her third run-through, Susan had made several adjustments to the settings. She was beginning to get the hang of looking around herself instead of down at an instrument panel and found that she was appreciating the flexibility the new system gave her. She also found herself to be less disorientated than she had been at the start and could see that, whilst she needed a lot more practice to become as reflexive as she would need to be, she had still made advances. She felt encouraged by the progress she had made, even though it didn't seem much, and each run-through had gone better than the one before, if only slightly at first. But she knew Haverstaad was right, regular practice was the only way to get herself up to scratch. She also knew that it was better to have concentrated practice sessions over a few days rather than try to fit it all in at once, tempting though the idea might seem to be. "Thanks for all your help, Chief." she said to Haverstaad as they exited the holodeck. "I'll keep practicing and when I'm ready, I'll ask you to assess my progress." NRPG: I'm assuming that Haverstaad doesn't need to supervise all the practice sessions? If she does let me know and I'll change it RPG: "I'm going to grab something to eat before I turn up for the training with Major Drizzt at 1800," she added. "Would you like to join me?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Training Holodeck, "Bridge" - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1646) ==================================== "Thanks for all your help, Chief. I'll keep practicing and when I'm ready, I'll ask you to assess my progress." Melody nodded as she stretched her back a bit. She'd ended up standing in one place longer then she was like to, and was therefore a bit stiff. "I'm going to grab something to eat before I turn up for the training with Major Drizzt at 1800," she added. "Would you like to join me?" The Petty Officer considered that for a few moments, mentally cataloging everything she had left to do for the night. There wasn't much really, the TIHS was in working order and her security squad was ready for combat. "Certainly Lieutenant." She finally said with a smile. She rolled her shoulders a couple times in unconscious thought. "You might want to make it a light dinner though Sir, Drizzt's romping on the helldeck aren't usually... kind." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1730) ==================================== Stolev wandered into the mess hall, nearly bumping into someone as he studied the PADD he was carrying. The battle readiness reports had been streaming in all day, and while checking them all over had been a tedious and time consuming task, they proved a welcome distraction for him. Between the weapons readiness status, torpedo inventories, incorporating marines into the security guard/patrol schedules, and auxillary systems checks, he'd barely had time for a single stray thought. Stolev stepped up to the replicator and tapped in his order, then turned to glance around the room to see who else was in here in the minutes leading up to the training session. He spotted Rivers at a table with Haverstaad; evidently she had taken his advice to heart and gotten a head-start on the TIHS training. Seeing her reminded him to check the the log file when he next got a chance, which probably wouldn't be until after the training. The replicator beeped and Stolev pulled his tray from the bay, then started to head over to their table. "Mind if I join you?" he asked as he stood behind one of the empty chairs. (reply Rivers/Haverstaad -- assuming it's fine with them) As he set his tray on the table, Stolev noticed Ensign Chandler sitting at a nearby table and caught her eye. "Would you care to join us as well, Sam?" he asked. (reply Chandler) Once they were all seated around the table, Stolev raised his cup of water. "To what will hopefully be a successful training session," he said with a smile. (reply R/H/C) Setting down his cup, Stolev took a couple of bites, then looked up. "Speaking of the training, are you all ready for it?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - Security SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1732) ==================================== "Mind if I join you?" Melody looked up for a moment before gesturing to a seat. Her own meal was long since done, but it was pleasant just sitting here talking. It happened rarely enough, and it served to clear her mind for the upcoming test. Stolev also invited over Ensign Chandler, meaning that all the Department Heads were here. She smiled impishly to herself, hidden behind her cupped hand, she was moving in high circles today. "To what will hopefully be a successful training session," She picked up her glass of a fruity concoction, "Here here." (reply: Rivers, Chandler) Melody took a drink, finishing off the last of her fruit-punch in one slug, and carefully laid the glass on top of her plate... which she had yet to clear. She then carefully folded her hands together and looked around the table as Stolev said, "Speaking of the training, are you all ready for it?" Melody absently lifted her hand to her shoulder and rubbed it, the same shoulder she had repeatedly slammed into during their last excursion into civilization. That planet which had been made into rubble. "We'd better be," she said grimly. "We're about to step up to people who don't make many mistakes." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 1733) ==================================== "Mind if I join you?" a voice asked. Susan looked up and saw Sasha standing behind one of the empty chairs at the table she was sharing with Melody. "Of course," she said with a smile. She and Melody had finished their light meals, and were now just sitting talking. As he set his tray on the table, Stolev invited Ensign Chandler, whom Susan hadn't noticed previously, to join them as well. Once they were all seated around the table, Stolev raised his cup of water. "To what will hopefully be a successful training session," he said with a smile. Susan raised her glass, which contained mineral water, and smiled back. "Here, here!" The others agreed too, Setting down his cup, Stolev took a couple of bites, then looked up. "Speaking of the training, are you all ready for it?" "We'd better be," Melody said grimly, rubbing her shoulder. "We're about to step up to people who don't make many mistakes." Susan raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Sasha whose expression seemed to indicate he agreed with Melody. She nodded soberly. "Then let's make sure this training is the last place we make ours." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Mess Hall - ACEO LT/JG Matthew McLaren - 1735) ==================================== Matthew walked into the lounge and looked around. Several crew members were sitting around tables eating, drinking and conversing with their crewmates. He thought he saw some of the senior tactical staff sitting around one table having a discussion but didn't want to intrude. Instead he found a table over by a view port and sat there looking out at the stars streaking passed. He had originally come here to eat but didn't feel like doing that now. Ordering a coffee, he sat there sipping it, stairing aimlessly out at the stars, thinking about the battle ahead. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Marine Armory - Combat Engineer Marine Sergeant K'Tor - 1740) ==================================== K'Tor sat on the bench in the Armory, his BDU on fully except for his helmet, designed to take into account his fairly large ears. He pulled out his combat knife, and checked the edge before re-sheathing it, even though he knew it wouldn't ever dull short of him taking a high powered laser to it to actually cut the edge off. The combat knife was matte black, but the other knives he proceeded to strap to his upper arm and ankle, were very shiny, and razor sharp. The knifes came in handy when he had to convince prisoners that they should tell him what he wanted to know before the knives got dirty. He didn't ever get to actually use the knives in any way prisoners feared, but as long as the prisoner thought he might, then it worked. He stood up slowly, and steadily holstered his side arm, and slung his scatter gun across his back. He picked up he helmet and lowered it over his head, being very careful of his ears. After he sealed it up, the suits computer, nicknamed Jinx, booted up and ran a full diagnostic. He picked up his phaser rifle and headed out of the armory to the 'Helldeck' for the second time that afternoon. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Bridge, Commander Trevan West, 1745) ==================================== Bridge operations were running as planned, the viewer displaying the streaking stars, and despite the usual silence, you could feel the tension building up. The silence was broken by an indication of an incoming message from one of the ships from the task force. Trevan displayed the message on his console and frowned. 'The Captain isn't going to like this' he thought. Trevan walked over to the Ready Room and the chime rang and he was asked to enter. Captain Sevant was currently sitting at his desk looking at his viewer. "Sir, sorry to disturb you but we just received a status update report from the USS Providence and the USS Starbird. The Providence is falling back out of formation due to warp system problems, they are only able to maintain warp 3 at the moment and it appears it will take several hours for the repairs to be completed." he paused, "and the Starbird has had a complete failure of their secondary phaser array. Apparently due to a battle they were in prior to joining the fleet. I will be passing this to StatOps, but I thought you would like to be informed as well sir." (reply Sevant) "Aye, sir. Thank you sir." Trevan walked out onto the Bridge and took the center seat once again. "West to Casely, please report to the Bridge." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Deck, Marine Armory - Lt Major Drizzt - 1745) ==================================== "Computer," Drizzt said, looking inside his 'little black bag', "Reproduce each of the items in this container and save into holo memory, pull the explosive data from the tactical database and prepare sub-programs that accurately depict each of these explosive devises." [Done, waiting in memory] The Combat Engineer closed his bag, a container with over twenty different explosives, and put it back in the extra-security safe. He'd not had the computer replicate these items yet, he'd only carried some of the basics during his previous missions. This particular simulation, however, required that he carry a 'full kit' just in case. He usually only carried in when he thought he might have to destroy something, he'd been trained in their use (as were all CE's) so that he could deny the enemy Federation technology. He nodded and stepped out of the armory after picking up his Pallas battle helmet, then sat down on a small bench and went over his weaponry. His suit was fully powered, his weapons were charged, and everything was secure. He nodded satisfaction and turned his attention to the rest of the Marines. Most were in various stages of gearing up. There were light infantry, standard infantry, forward infantry, and heavy-infantry/artillery. Over to one side were the Angels, already suited and recently recovered from their latest bout with the helldeck, and beside them were the scouts, elements of the Recon unit 'Troubled Minds'. The Heavy-infantry men were already pulling up the big guns, mounted phasers for high-power backup, and armorors were doing last minute checks on weapons and BDU's. It had every feel of a real mission, not just a training exorcise... perhaps because the party was for real after tonight. All 60 of the Marines present and arming were pulled from various squads, only the Angels and Death Dealers were present and complete. The rest were cobbled together from every discipline on the ship. That in itself was odd, but not unheard of, especially for a training exorcize. He had no real idea of what Straton had in mind; there was no way ALL these Marines would be going on the mission, to do so would leave the Boudicca horribly undermanned in the event of an invasion. But he supposed it would do well to get them all into the melee, some of them might even have standing orders to be the offense for the mission. And if not, well, Drizzt and Straton had programmed some particularly nasty enemies into the computer. If it were him, he'd be using a mix, real and imaginary. Any instillation of such import as what they were going to take would have a large defense contingent. The Boudicca couldn't afford to throw all its Marines and Security into a holodeck, but it could afford a few handfuls for spice... real living bodies had more flexibility then the computer when it came to combat. He stood again and picked up his primary weapons, a scatter-gun and a marine-altered type-3 phaser rifle, this one with a sniper scope. The rifle was slung over his shoulder so it wouldn't get in his way, the scatter-gun he checked to make sure it was on training mode (low power). He had a feeling he'd be using it, the thing was absolute murder in the tight spaces of a corridor. Spider was almost looking forward to this. Having a dozen other officers along, those who would need looking after, was just the sort of nagging worry that would test the mettle of his men. Having to work with several security squads would add to it, Tactical Squads tended to use different tactics then armored Marines, even when they were in the weak trama-plated armor they usually wore in combat. It was a refresher course his men could use. "Marines, mount up." He said loudly, resting the weapon up against his shoulder. He slipped his helmet on over his head, being careful of his antenna, and left it unattached with face-plate up as he turned on his heel and headed for the Helldeck, where a couple dozen other officers and crew were waiting for simulated battle the likes of which hadn't been seen on the Boudicca in a long time. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Ensign (jg) Sarrik - 1745) ==================================== Sarrik arrived at the Marine area for the "requested" training exercise. He was wearing his uniform and had brought is Star Fleet issued sidearm. He waited while everyone else filed in. He rubbed the side of his neck where he had received the injection. So far there had been no side effects, but he was definately not feeling like himself. The last few people filed into the holodeck and the doors slid shut. "ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!," someone at the front yelled, and the holodeck became quiet. "All non-marines will need to replicate cold weather gear and breathing masks. Out target is situated somewhere on a giant ice ball with extremely nasty weather," said the person, obviously the commander of this training exercise. The person next to him sighed and said, "Computer, replicate a tactical snow kit appropriate to my size in armor, and replicate an air re-breather, also appropriate to my measurements," after she had laid down her rifle and backpack. Sarrik repeated the command, "Computer, replicate tactical snow kit to my size with air re-breather." Sarrik looked at the equipment that had appeared before him. Somehow it looked different that the chief's equipmet. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - Capt Sevant - 1747) ==================================== ~Another late night.~ Sevant thought, looking at the chronometer. His shift should have ended nearly two hours ago. But there was much to do, and he loathed being far away from the bridge when they had already stepped into enemy territory. Not that he was going to have a choice soon; everyone would have to get some rest before the action picked up. The consequences of failure would be extreme. He looked at the chrono again briefly and decided he'd go and try to... relax... in the next twenty minutes or so. The chime went off, bring Sevant back from his musings. "Come." West stepped in, and he didn't look particularly happy. Sevant picked up a mug of tea and took a sip. "Sir, sorry to disturb you but we just received a status update report from the USS Providence and the USS Starbird. The Providence is falling back out of formation due to warp system problems, they are only able to maintain warp 3 at the moment and it appears it will take several hours for the repairs to be completed." he paused, "and the Starbird has had a complete failure of their secondary phaser array. Apparently due to a battle they were in prior to joining the fleet. I will be passing this to StatOps, but I thought you would like to be informed as well sir." The Captain's grip on his mug tightened, that was unwelcome news indeed. "Have the Providence double their efforts at fixing the warpdrive and have Stratops offer the Starbird an engineering team if they need it, and any spare parts we might have, they'll have to go into battle regardless of a secondary. We're cutting it close as it is." "Aye, sir. Thank you sir." "One more thing, Mr West." Sevant said, turning in his chair a bit. "I want you to stop in on the holodeck training the Marines are running for the next couple hours. Take a look around, acquaint yourself with their progress. They should be starting in the next 15 minutes." (reply: West) He watched him leave, which left the Ready Room in relative quiet. And in that silence he slammed his fist into the desk, "Damn!" ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Outside Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1750) ==================================== Eva was standing outside the hell-deck, keeping mental note of everyone as they arrived for the training session. She was still dressed in full BDU armor, her scatter gun was slung across her back, and her compression phaser rifle was held in the crook of her arm. She nodded grimly at people as they moved past her and into the hell-deck. She turned her head as she saw Sasha coming down the hall way followed by a few other officers. She watched, her expression a mask, as they approached. She put out her hand to stop Sasha from entering. "One moment Commander," She said, looking from Sasha to the other officers. She jerked her head toward the door, indicating that the others were to enter. She waited till they had gone, then looked down the corridor in both directions to make sure they were alone. She then flicked her eyes and her helmet face plate slid up. She silently prodded the numb spot in the back of her mind represented their link. "Tonight," She said, "After the training session. I was just wondering, where you were intending to sleep tonight? It will be our last night before we reach our destination." She stopped then leaving the rest unsaid, as she looked into his eyes. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, 'Helldeck' - CE Sergeant K'Tor - 1750) ==================================== K'Tor walked into the Marine holodeck with a couple other Combat Engineers that he met on the way. He wore the his BDU's helmet but kept the visor up so people could see his face. His small group mustered up with the rest of the Combat Engineers as they waited for the rest of the Starfleet Officers to arrive. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Deck, Outside Armoury - Heavy Weapons Specialist, Adon Rull - 1750) ==================================== Rull stood with his heavy pack loaded with explosives, powerups and weapons hanging from his armour plated shoulders. He carried a type 3 compression rifle in one hand and a type 2 phaser in the other. As well as this he carried a scatter gun slung across his shoulders and an assortment of knives placed at accessible positions over his body. Only his bulky stature combined with the extra strength provided by the BDU, allowed him to hold the huge assortment of weaponry. The face plate of his helmet was raised allowing people to see his grim expression. He watched as several other marines and crew members moved about him getting ready for the upcoming training session. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Outside Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton, 1751) ==================================== "But before that, we both have work to do," Sasha added, nodding towards the entrance to the holodeck. "Yes, we do," Eva said, taking a step back. Her face plate slid down once more. "And don't expect me to take it easy on you." She then motioned with her head for him to enter the holo-deck. (Reply Stolev IYW) Once everyone was in attendance, including Captain Grailik who had opted to only observe, Eva entered the holo-deck and allowed the doors to close behind her. "ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!," She yelled, getting everyone's attention. "All non-marines will need to replicate cold weather gear and breathing masks. Out target is situated somewhere on a giant ice ball with extremely nasty weather." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Outside Hell-deck - TAC/SC Stolev - Day 2 - 1755) ==================================== Stolev led the four security officers down the hall towards the combat training holodeck. They had all been fairly talkative in the mess hall, but now that they were about to enter what was likely to be an intense and grueling training session, they had fallen silent. Stolev saw that one of the marines was standing outside the holodeck, decked out in full BDU. He assumed it was Drizzt, as he had been the one to organize the training after all. When the marine's hand extended to stop Stolev from entering the holodeck, he looked up at the BDU's reflective face plate quizzically. "One moment Commander," said the marine, looking from Sasha to the other officers. At the sound of Eva's voice, Sasha relaxed a little bit, then stepped aside to let the others into the holodeck. While waiting for the rest of the trainees to enter, Sasha took a moment to regard Eva -- it had been a while since he had seen her in full combat gear. She was already taller than him without the armor; now she was several inches taller than him. Combining this with the phaser rifle slung over her shoulder and the various other weapons, both visibile and concealed, that were interspersed throughout her armor, and she formed quite an intimidating figure. He had to silently remind himself that underneath it all was the beautiful woman that would someday be his wife, and the mother of his children... if they all survived what was to come. Eva waited until the last of the trainees had entered the holodeck, then looked down the corridor in both directions to make sure they were alone. She then turned to Sasha and her helmet face plate slid up. Sasha felt a slight tingling, a hint of sensation where Eva's presence had been before he had received the shot, but then it faded almost immediately. "Tonight," she said, "after the training session. I was just wondering, where you were intending to sleep tonight? It will be our last night before we reach our destination." She stopped then leaving the rest unsaid, as she looked into his eyes. Now that he could see her face, she somehow was less intimidating. Sasha's own face softened in response. "I know," he replied with a small smile. "I would like for us to spend this night together." He lifted his hand slightly, unconsciously, before lowering it again. "But before that, we both have work to do," he added, nodding towards the entrance to the holodeck. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Outside Hell-deck - Walker Isengard - 1756) ==================================== Walker, standing slightly to the side with his arms crossed, looked over the collected mass of officers, Marines and Security teams with something akin to interest. The same kind of interest as a scientist pulling wings off a fly might show. He'd seen many of them in combat, but equally, there were several he hadn't. He was wondering which would crack, which would become panicky, and which would shine under pressure. It was an interesting mental exorcize since he had almost no thoughts or feelings to help his deductions, he was being forced to 'rough it' as most non-telepaths. He grunted lightly when the MCO gestured that they should all go inside, that was fine with him. He pulled the strap on his tactical helmet to tighten it and stepped inside. It was... interesting. The land presented was highly inhospitable. Ice, Ice and some more ice. Here and there the ice was pushed up in pressure ridges; he could see a couple chasms at the range of his vision. Isengard could just imagine what this simulation was gong to be like once it was started... temps well below zero and blowing snow as far as the eye could see (which would be about 2 inches past the end of his nose). ~At least the temperature is still normal~ he thought bleakly. Everyone in the holodeck should have been freezing by now; nobody had brought foul-weather gear of a sort needed for this type of terrain, the starting simulation, apparently, included a normal range of temperature. Odds are everyone who wasn't in Marine armor would have to have the holodeck simulate the armor. Walker wasn't looking forward to that; the necessary gear tailored to fit over Security-issue armor was bulky. It didn't restrict movement much, but it DID make him feel like an oversized feather-bed. He quirked his eyebrow as he looked back through the door, the MCO had turned her back to them all and was having a conversation with the Security Chief. ~Interesting~ He took a moment to readjust the small pack he was wearing, it contained a few supplies and spare power-packs; the basic necessities that he would be carrying on a mission of any duration. His phaser-rifle was slung over his shoulder and his sidearm at his side. Almost everyone in Security was so-armed, and the Marines all sported full EVO/C with pack, as if they were going to war in the next moment. Which was, of course, entirely possible. Walker crossed his arms again and took note of the area. The one thing that no training program could replicate was telepathic emanations. Being a strong telepath, he'd usually be able to tell the tactical team in which direction the enemy was waiting just be letting his shields down and spending some time searching. That wouldn't be possible here, more was the pity, and it would be doubly difficult on him since the rest of the team was now nearly psi-dead to him. This was going to be an interesting night. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1800) ==================================== The first thing that struck Stolev about the holodeck was that despite the obviously icy and snowy conditions, the ambient air temperature had not yet been lowered to reflect them. He found it a little disorienting. He looked around and saw a large number of marines, dressed in their full winter BDUs, and he wondered if so many marines would really be going on the mission. If they were, there wouldn't be many left behind to assist with shipboard defense. Stolev turned as he heard the holodeck doors shut and he noted that all of the senior staff that had been asked to attend previously were now in attendance. "ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!" yelled Straton, getting everyone's attention. "All non-marines will need to replicate cold weather gear and breathing masks. Out target is situated somewhere on a giant ice ball with extremely nasty weather." Everyone promptly set about ordering up their replicated gear. Stolev wasn't particularly fond of wearing so much equipment; even though it was quite lightweight, he still felt it restricted his mobility and vision, however slightly. At least whoever they were fighting would likely have the same issues, thus levelling the playing field. Once he had finished, Stolev looked around and watched the rest of the officers outfit themselves. Those who weren't in security were understandably having a little bit more difficulty outfitting themselves; it was no simple task even for those who had practiced it regularly. Stolev hadn't done any cold weather assault training in years, but at least during his time at the academy there had been an entire semester course focused on away missions to planets with inhospitable environment, so the equipment wansn't completely foreign to him. Now that everyone else was fully equipped, Stolev looked towards the marines, waiting for Drizzt or Straton to give the orders for the training and to fully implement the inhospitable aspects of the environment. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Helldeck - NPC CE Sergeant K'Tor - 1800) ==================================== K'Tor watched as the Starfleet crew and officers filed in. None of them looked happy about having to wear the bulky snow gear, not that K'Tor wanted to be in their place, he rather liked his armor, and the fact that it kept him warm and safe, and wasn't nearly as cumbersome once it was powered up. He watched his Boss walk over to a kid and help him get his gear on right. "Jinx, engage the armors winter cammo scheme and activate my boot spikes," K'Tor said, even though the ice hadn't been fully activated, meaning it still had traction and was room temperature, he wanted to be prepared once it was activated. [Done] Lifting his feet he stomped down to secure the spikes in the ice. His armor had changed to the mottled grey and white pattern that would help them blend in with the ice and snow. He was patiently waiting for everyone to get their gear on, which was taking a little bit of time. "Jinx, lock all articulation points from my ankles to my chest," K'Tor said, then crossed his arms over his chest and had his suit's AI lock them too. With the suit balanced and the joints locked, preventing him from moving, it meant he didn't have to exert any effort in standing or resting, and as the suit fit him like a glove, as it should be, it supported him, he could let all of his muscles relax and rest up for when it was really going to count. He could reactivate his joints at any point he wanted, but for now it was much easier to let his suit support his body weight. He continued to watch everyone, looking for possible weak links in the Starfleet officers and crewmen, while he waited for more orders to come. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Helldeck - ACEO LT/JG Matthew Mclaren - 1802) ==================================== Matthew stood on the ice surveying his surroundings. "Computer, replicate the appropriate equipment for this setting including breathing mask, goggles and thermo-suit." The equipment appeared in front of him in a pile and he began putting it on. As he did he noticed the other people around him doing the same thing. Matthew had majored in tactical training as a secondary course to engineering at the academy so he was pretty sure of himself with regards to the equipment and he thought back to the few times they had undergone training missions like this one. He stood in waiting, fiddling with the settings on his phaser, checking its power level. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1805) ==================================== Melody shuddered after hearing the commands given, that was typical. She hadn't known anything about the simulation or the mission before this, now she was almost sorry she knew. She pulled her phaser-rifle from the crook of her arm and put it on the icy ground (which somehow retained traction at this moment) and started undoing her weapons harness and backpack as she said, "Computer, replicate a tactical snow kit appropriate to my size in armor, and replicate an air re-breather, also appropriate to my measurements." Just about everyone who wasn't a Marine joined in. The computer took a moment before a lightly cammoed garment of white, grey and ice-blue was replicated at her feet with an air-mask and goggles on top of it. She sighed as she put the mask and goggles aside for a moment and picked up the one-piece garment. It was big, bigger then something she would normally wear, but it was made to fit over such things as trauma-plating. It had a few hard points for her weapons harness, a shoulder-protector for the backpack, and a type of hood that would form-fit her neck with a flair for her tactical helmet. It also came complete with a half-mask, a giant set of goggles that would serve the duel purpose of protecting her eyes from cold/weather/snow while also keeping her hood in place and preventing it from flaring up in wind. Normally she would have gotten a full face mask to cover her whole face, but the computer (smart thing that it was) had given her the half-mask so she could wear the re-breather. The hood and the goggles did their best to give her unlimited peripheral vision, but they still cut back some. It was probably a good thing they were running this simulation, she hadn't trained in tactical winter-gear for an age. Melody opened the one-piece jumpsuit and wiggled herself inside before closing it tightly and buckling it closed, though she left the hood down for the moment. She was toasty immediately; the weather in the holodeck was still warm and the suit did its job well. She ignored the discomfort though as she slung her backpack and weapons harness on again, after adjusting both for her now larger size. She jumped a couple times; making sure everything was snug, before picking up the mask and tucking it under her shoulder for a moment. The hood came up next. It fitted to her neck with a strap that went around her throat and attached along the side, for wind protection. The hood flared up and fitted neatly over her helmet with a minimum of fuss. She turned her head a few times to make sure it was snug in place before fitting the goggles with their elastic headband over her head and strapping them down. The elastic strap squeezed what little flare there was to her hood down against her helmet, and the goggles themselves fit perfectly over the top half of her face. She grabbed the re-breather afterwards and attached it to a hook on the bottom of the goggles, and then attached it over her mouth to the suit, to check for fit. It was, as expected, perfect. Her gloves, which had been attached to a loop on her waist-band, fit and locked onto the rest of the suit and left her with excellent mobility. They were the thinnest part of the whole suit, and therefore the only piece that was powered for warmth... you couldn't have thick gloves and still work a phaser. Once she was fully dressed there wasn't an inch of her exposed to the elements, the goggles and air mask completely covered her face and the suit was (except for the gloves) one-piece. And it was also damned hot in the current conditions. She pushed the air mask aside and the goggles up on her forehead once she was sure it was all fit, and then picked up her rifle and balanced it on her shoulder as she awaited the rest of the officers and men to finish dressing. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - MXO Drizzt - 1805) ==================================== Drizzt looked around at the bleak landscape with a frown. There were plenty of places to hide, lots of pressure ridges to use, but they wouldn't be much for cover. The purest ice might deflect some energy fire, but it wouldn't absorb heat like rock or stone. This truly was hell. He sighed and touched a couple controls on his arm, engaging 'winter cammo', changing the standard pattern into a white and grey mix that would break up his visible form in an ice-hole like this. He noted most of the Marines had already followed suit, though a few were playing with other bits of gear first. The Andorian was already quite happy he wasn't one of the Security guards. His suit would keep him quite comfortable, and the foot-spikes would provide traction. He was already used to wearing something bulky, something the guards and non-security officers would have to get used to. He shook his head as he turned back to face the group, massive as it was, as they prepared for arctic battle. A few had already gotten dressed, the Senior Chief had replaced her goggles and appeared to be sighting down her phaser-rifle, probably to get used to any distortion the mask would give... or the fact she was now fighting in bulky gear. Some of the others were still in the process of strapping on their weapon belts or survival gear. A couple others, yet, looked like they were lost. A couple had even put the gear on wrong. He walked up to one, an engineering or operations Petty Officer he had noticed earlier. "Here." He said, as he reached up and undid the neck-strap that went around the man's neck. "This has to be tight, or you'll get frost-bite." He pulled the strap across the man's neck and attached it, leaving a near-seamless finish at his neck. He nodded satisfaction and stepped back, "Better." The man, whose name Spider didn't know, was spooked. Drizzt had seen enough Marines before combat to see that right off. He moved, "This is just a simulation Chief." He said only loud enough for the man to hear him. "Photons and sweat, nothing more. If you end up going along with us, this will be useful practice. IF you don't, it's just exorcize." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers - 1805) ==================================== They didn't have to wait long before everyone had arrived. The big marine female who had stopped Stolev outside came in and the door closed. "ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!," she yelled. Immediately the little chatter that had been taking place fell silent and she had everyone's attention. "All non-marines will need to replicate cold weather gear and breathing masks. Out target is situated somewhere on a giant ice ball with extremely nasty weather." ~Oh great~ Susan laid her phaser-rifle down carefully on the icy ground, and followed suit with the other security officers, who were undoing their harness and backbacks and giving orders for the replication of tactical snow kits in their own peculiar measurements... As she donned the white, grey and pale blue camouflaged garment Susan wondered how recently the others here had trained in cold weather gear. For herself it had been a few months, and she knew it would take her a short while to get used to the bulkier feel the clothing would give her movement, as well as the slight restriction on her vision caused by the goggles. She slipped on her equipment again, made sure it was secure, and tried a few flexing movements to get used to the feel of the extra clothing. It wasn't so much the weight, for it was surprisingly lightweight, it was the bulk. That was bound to affect movement and Susan didn't want to get caught unawares by an unexpected restriction at a crucial moment. Satisfied, she picked up her phaser rifle and sighted down it. She frowned slightly - she didn't much like the feeling that the goggles gave her as she sighted but she knew it would be out of the question to raise them on the ice planet so she had better get used to it now. Pushing up the goggles as she finished she caught sight of Melody doing the same thing, and nodded to her. As her glance moved on, she noticed some of the other, non-security staff, having trouble with their cold weather gear being helped by those who were more familiar with it. She hoped this wasn't an omen for how the scenario was going to go. Once they were out there for real, they couldn't afford to baby-sit anyone if their mission were to succeed. Susan flexed her hands and waited for instructions. Like everyone else apart from the marines (whose BDUs had environmental controls) she was beginning to feel hot inside her EV suit, and wished that whoever was in control would turn the temperature down to whatever it would be on this forsaken place they were heading for. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Ensign (jg) Sarrik - 1805) ==================================== After looking at the equipment at his feet, Sarrik started to put it on. Nothing really felt quite right. He had never had to don any of this type of equipment. After getting the equipment on, Sarrik tried moving around. It was extremely bulky, and he knew that it would take some getting used to. After a few moments the call came, "ALRIGHT!" Straton yelled, her voice amplified by her armor. "EVERYONE FALL IN!" Sarrik fell in to a line as instructed. The next speaker was a man that Sarrik had never seen before. He started, "Alright everyone, before we get started let me explain a few things to you. First, this simulation has been programmed to simulate conditions at target as closely as possible. Expect high winds, snow and electrical discharges. The high level of ionization in the atmosphere will make transporting impossible and scanning any great distance difficult. We will be going in by marine drop ship. The exact location of our target is unknown, so this simulation will reflect that. Second, even inoculated with the psi-suppression drug, you are *NOT* immune to a telepath of the strength we will be encountering. So, don't get cocky! They can still detect you and they can still hurt you, if you are close enough. The drug makes it HARDER for them to detect you or hurt you, but you are not immune. That's where Colonel Straton and Lt. Isengard come in." He nodded to each of them in turn. "They will actively be working to block the enemy telepaths from getting a lock on us. However, if one happens to lock onto you and begins attempting a deep scan, begin using the mental exercises given to you and alert another member of your team. If you don't know what it feels like to be scanned by a powerful telepath, just let Lt. Isengard or Colonel Straton know and they can demonstrate. In order to simulate that aspect here, Colonel Straton and several of the marines will be playing the part of the enemy in this simulation. Lt. Isengard will have to work to shield the Boudicca team from Colonel Straton, while she will have to work to shield her people from Lt. Isengard. This simulation is set to begin right after touch down. You will have to find the hidden installation, infiltrate, plant the necessary charges, and escape again before the charges detonate or you are over come by enemy forces. I will be supervising only. Once the simulation starts the holo-deck will hide my presence from everyone. I will be using this simulation to determine who will be on the alpha and beta teams for this mission. Any questions so far?" Sarrik did not have any questions yet, but he was sure that something would come up during the training. After a few moments pause, allowing for any questions to be asked, the Captain said, "Colonel assemble your team in the far corner," pointing to the still visible far corner. "Boudicca team, will assemble in the other corner." "Death Dealers and Desperate Measures, your with me!" the Marine Colonel yelled, as she moved across the icy landscape toward the far corner. The two squads of marines right behind her. "Computer," the Captain said, once everyone was in position, "Begin simulation." The Captain vanished as the simulation began. Suddenly there was a lot of wind and snow and his visibility went to nothing. Fiddling with the controls he was able to eliminate some of the interference, but he was still only able to see a few meters ahead of him. Suddenly he was able to see much clearer and noticed that thermal imaging and image enhancement sensors had been added to his equipment. =^=Good suggestion Senior Chief,=^= came the Captain's voice, =^=I have noted the suggestion and modified everyone's equipment accordingly. If anyone else has any ideas don't hesitate to speak, that's one of the reasons we do these training exercises, to see if we overlooked something crucial to the mission. Carry on.=^= Sarrik tapped his mouthpiece to open a channel to LCDR Stolev. "Sarrik to Commander Stolev. Commander, what if we networked everyone's sensor array so that we had more of a 360 degree field of view? Would that be helpful and is it feasible?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Marine Hell-deck, TAC/ASC Ensign Samantha Chandler - 1806) ==================================== Sam stood near the other security personnel that were part of the training session, waiting for it to begin. "ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP!," she heard Straton yell. "All non-marines will need to replicate cold weather gear and breathing masks. Out target is situated somewhere on a giant ice ball with extremely nasty weather." Sam hadn't trained in cold weather gear since the academy, but she had been trained nonetheless. The others around her moved to follow the orders. Sam did as well, ordering it in her size. She put on the gear, careful to make sure that everything was in its place and was in a comfortable position. Adjusting the straps on her goggles, she picked up her phaser rifle to make sure that they didn't block her line of sight and trying to get used to looking through the lenses when aiming. After making sure that everything was alright and correct, Sam straightened up and stood waiting for the training session to begin. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton & Captain Grailik, 1806) ==================================== Once everyone finished getting their cold weather gear on and adjusting their other equipment, Grailik stepped up next to Straton and nodded to her. "ALRIGHT!" Straton yelled, her voice amplified by her armor. "EVERYONE FALL IN!" The marines moved quickly into formation, followed by the tactical and regular officers. Grailik held his hands loosely behind his back as he looked over the group of officers and marines. "Alright everyone," He said, "Before we get started let me explain a few things to you. First, this simulation has been programmed to simulate conditions at target as closely as possible. Expect high winds, snow and electrical discharges. The high level of ionization in the atmosphere will make transporting impossible, and scanning any great distance difficult. We will be going in by marine drop ship. The exact location of our target is unknown, so this simulation will reflect that. Second, even inoculated with the psi-suppression drug, you are *NOT* immune to a telepath of the strength we will be encountering. So, don't get cocky! They can still detect you and they can still hurt you, if you are close enough. The drug makes it HARDER for them to detect you or hurt you, but you are not immune. That's where Colonel Straton and Lt. Isengard come in." He nodded to each of them in turn. "They will actively be working to block the enemy telepaths from getting a lock on us. However, if one happens to lock onto you and begins attempting a deep scan, begin using the mental exercises given to you and alert another member of your team. If you don't know what it feels like to be scanned by a powerful telepath, just let Lt. Isengard or Colonel Straton know and they can demonstrate. In order to simulate that aspect here, Colonel Straton and several of the marines will be playing the part of the enemy in this simulation. Lt. Isengard will have to work to shield the Boudicca team from Colonel Straton, while she will have to work to shield her people from Lt. Isengard. "This simulation is set to begin right after touch down. You will have to find the hidden installation, infiltrate, plant the necessary charges, and escape again before the charges detonate or you are over come by enemy forces. I will be supervising only. Once the simulation starts the holo-deck will hide my presence from everyone. I will be using this simulation to determine who will be on the alpha and beta teams for this mission. Any questions so far?" (Reply Any) (NRPG: Leaving room here for any and all questions any one might want to ask.) With the last of the questions answered, Grailik looked over at Straton. "Colonel assemble your team in the far corner," Grailik said, pointing to the still visible far corner. "Boudicca team, will assemble in the other corner." "Death Dealers and Desperate Measures, your with me!" Eva yelled, as she moved across the icy landscape toward the far corner. The two squads of marines right behind her. "Computer," Grailik said, once everyone was in position, "Begin simulation." Grailik vanished as the simulation began. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, TAC/ASC Lt(jg) Susan Rivers, 1806) ==================================== "ALRIGHT!" the marine who'd been talking to Stolev earlier yelled, her voice amplified by her armor. "EVERYONE FALL IN!" Swiftly and efficiently everyone did so. Susan was mildly surprised to see Grailik there, then thought that she shouldn't have been. He was, after all, one of LoDona's closest officers. She listened as he explained the set-up of the scenario to them all. The conditions sounded even fouler than she had expected, and she hoped that the EV suits the non-marines were equipped with would provide the protection they would surely need. On top of that, they didn't even know the exact location of the target, and to cap it all rogue telepaths would be trying to find them and scramble their brains. She frowned. ~Good job I like a challenge~ Then she heard a name she had not expected to hear, and she began looking through the assembled officers and crew. It sort of felt as if Walker Isengard should be more than just the name of someone she had met once or twice on Geneva a while ago, but she knew that there had been no more to it than that. Still, there was this odd feeling as though she knew something else about him. She sighed. She couldn't put her finger on it. Perhaps she was confusing him with someone else, but somehow she didn't think so. "This simulation is set to begin right after touch down. You will have to find the hidden installation, infiltrate, plant the necessary charges, and escape again before the charges detonate or you are over come by enemy forces. I will be supervising only. Once the simulation starts the holo-deck will hide my presence from everyone. I will be using this simulation to determine who will be on the alpha and beta teams for this mission. Any questions so far?" Susan had none herself at the moment, but waited for others to speak. She was sure there would be some, there usually were. With the last of the questions answered, Grailik looked over at Straton. "Colonel assemble your team in the far corner," he said, pointing to the still visible far corner. "Boudicca team, will assemble in the other corner." "Death Dealers and Desperate Measures, you're with me!" the colonel yelled, moving in the given direction herself as she did so. Susan shouldered her phaser rifle and headed for the opposite corner along with everyone else not with Straton. As she did so, she found herself next to the man whose name she had recognised earlier. "Lt Isengard?" she said, "Nice to see you again. I didn't realise you'd left Geneva?" (reply Isengard) "Computer," Grailik said, once everyone was in position, "Begin simulation." And as it did so, he vanished from sight. Susan waited for orders, feeling a sense of anticipation and even a little excitement, which she was careful to channel into readiness. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1807) ==================================== "ALRIGHT!" Straton yelled, her voice amplified by her armor. "EVERYONE FALL IN!" Stolev brought himself to attention beside Major Drizzt. The rest of the regular crew fell in line beside and behind him, while the marines did likewise relative to Drizzt. Once everyone was in place, Captain Grailik began to explain the mission parameters and how the training would work. "In order to simulate that aspect here, Colonel Straton and several of the marines will be playing the part of the enemy in this simulation. Lt. Isengard will have to work to shield the Boudicca team from Colonel Straton, while she will have to work to shield her people from Lt. Isengard. Sasha's eyes quickly flicked towards Eva, but her faceplate was down. ~So that's what she meant by not taking it easy on me.~ Sasha tried to supress a small ironic smile when he considered that not only was Eva commanding the "enemy" forces for the simulation, but as the ranking officer, he was commanding the landing force. "Any questions so far?" concluded Grailik. Stolev didn't have any questions; at least, none that he would be voicing in front of the entire group. He glacned around to see if anyone else had any. (reply any w/questions) With the last of the questions answered, Grailik looked over at Straton. "Colonel assemble your team in the far corner," Grailik said, pointing to the still visible far corner. "Boudicca team will assemble in the other corner." "Death Dealers and Desperate Measures, you're with me!" Eva yelled as she moved across the icy landscape toward the far corner. The two squads of marines fell in right behind her. "Computer," Grailik said, once everyone was in position, "Begin simulation." Grailik vanished as the simulation began. "Listen up," Isengard said before Stolev could give any orders to assemble the troops, his voice cutting through the little bit of talk going on. "I don't know who is going to command this shin-dig, but I have one basic standing order." He glanced at Stolev and Drizzt. "Since I'm going to be covering your butts, I'll require that all of you stay together in a fairly compact group. This won't quite hold true for the mission, where the good Colonel is at my side, but for this simulation I'm covering all of you... a job much larger then the ultimate aim. Unless any of you want buzzed, I suggest you stay close." "Very well, Lieutenant," replied Stolev, placing a little more emphasis than he might usually have on the word "lieutenant". He then turned to the rest of the team. "All right, everyone, gather together! First order of business is to find this base. Mr. Isengard, start your searching. Major, I want a perimeter of marines covering us, particularly Lt. Isengard. We lose him and it's checkmate. I want everyone else to stay close together." He turned to his recon officer, who was fiddling with her tricorder. "Cooper, you getting anything on that?" "No sir, too much interference," replied Ensign Cooper. "I can barely read beyond the perimiter of our group." "Well, at least they won't be able to scan us either, which is good. Our very own Mutara nebula, eh?" Stolev then turned back to the rest of the team. "Until we get some guidance from Lt. Isengard, let's keep moving so that we're not a stationary target. Remember, tight formation. Let's move out!" As they started moving, Sasha positioned himself next to Isengard and fiddled with his comm system until he had a private link with the telepath. "Lieutenant, there's something you ought to know, for the purposes of this simulation." He paused as he considered how much to tell Isengard about his link with Eva. He knew enough about Eva's competitive side from their prior sparring sessions to know that she would use every advantage at her disposal to come out on top, and would expect nothing less from him. "Colonel Straton and I have been working together recently to develop my latent telepathic skills," he began, deciding on a version of the truth that relayed all the practical information needed for the scenario, without getting into the more personal aspects. "As such, she's more likely to be able to detect me, even through the drugs, due to this added familiarity with my mind. Is there anything in particular that you would suggest I or we do to compensate for this?" ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1809) ==================================== Miller nervously ended the 'hell-deck'. It was a cold environment, and Miller felt like he was going to throw up any second. He had a nervous stomach, and wanted to go on the mission and be a help, but had visions of a Marine boot camp with big mean Marines picking on him and kicking him. Those not in the Marines began ordering the computer to, "Replicate a tactical snow kit appropriate to my size in armor, and replicate an air re-breather, also appropriate to my measurements." Miller did the same, and the equipment appeared at his feet. Miller looked down at the gear, and his knees slowly started to shook. He glanced around the hell-deck for his friend, Counselor Rogers, however he was no where in sight. Frowning, Jason grabbed the combat garment. He slide into it. It was uncomfortable, but Jason couldn't decide if it was because he was so worried about this exerise, or because it really didn't fit right. He buckled it closed and finished putting on the various other equipment. When it came to the hood, Miller tried to get it to get on correctly, but noticed his hands were shaking. Trying to remember what Counselor Rogers had told him, he claimed himself enough so that his hands and knees weren't shaking. This allowed him to finish putting his armor on. When he was finished, Miller nervously looked around and waited for everybody else to finish. ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck: Enemy Base, MCO Lt. Colonel Eva Straton 1809) ==================================== Once the simulations started, Eva and the two squads of marines with her found themselves inside a standard looking facility, by the looks they were in the facilities tactical center. The facilities schematics uploaded on her HUD a second latter. ~We are the defenders, of course we would know the lay out of the base. Time to put our little surprise into play.~ "Computer, access and integrate program Straton 2532L. Run at this location," She said, moving ahead of the rest of her marines. She had already told Grailik she was planning on running this subprogram within the training session to give the Fallen Angels a real test. Grailik had agreed. It had been a gift from her mentor. Something she only used for training for an exceptionally hard mission. A fully authentic holo-reproduction of Admiral LoDona's old CE squad Blackops. The computer chirped and a moment latter a squad of fully armed and armored marines appeared in the room. The leader of the squad turned and walked up to her. He was a good 8 inches shorter than her, but he carried himself with a familiar stride and an air of command "Blackops reporting for orders Sir," The marine said, his face plate sliding up to reveal his face. "Welcome aboard Major LoDona," Eva said, smiling behind her face plate at the sound of his voice. "We need to secure this installation against possible intrusion by enemy forces. I need your people to secure the perimeter. Death Dealers and Desperate Measures will back you up. Tactical and security forces will be held in reserve while continuing routine patrols." (Reply Holo-LoDona) As Eva talked she began to reach out mentally, looking for the tell-tale signs of the 'Boudicca' team, or Lt. Isengard. This training session was also the perfect opportunity for her and Isengard to get in some telepathic sparring. She planned to make use of the opportunity. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1810) ==================================== Miller was standing around nervously, when a Marine came up to him. He felt the marine undo his neck-strap. "Here, this has to be tight, or you'll get frost-bite," he explained. Miller nodded nervously, worried he would get 'chewed-out.' He felt had the marine reattached the strap, then saw the man step back. "Better," he said. Miller nodded quietly. "This is just a simulation, Chief," he said, saying within range of Jason only. "Photons and sweat, nothing more. If you end up going along with us, this will be useful practice. If you don't, its just exercise," he said. Miller nodded again, "Photons and sweat... got it." He looked down at the ice, then glanced around the hell-deck. "Do you know... do you know how they are going to select us for this mission?" Miller asked the Marine, still nervous, yet better than before. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck: Enemy Base, staging area - Major Robert LoDona - 1810) ==================================== "Blackops reporting for orders Sir," Robert twisted his head slightly and caused the cammo-plate to slide up so his face could be seen. "Welcome aboard Major LoDona, We need to secure this installation against possible intrusion by enemy forces. I need your people to secure the perimeter. Death Dealers and Desperate Measures will back you up. Tactical and security forces will be held in reserve while continuing routine patrols." Robert looked out one of the windows at the atmosphere-controlled area around the base, a hundred meters of force-field controlled ground. "I think we can come up with a little something to surprise them Sir." He said seriously. He turned back and came quickly to attention, "With your permission then?" (reply: if desired) LoDona turned and looked at the squads noted, "Fall out Marines!" he bellowed in a growl. He closed the cammo plate and stepped outside, all the while looking at his HUD and deciding the best course of action for defending this hell-hole of a base. They stepped up to the perimeter wall after a while, still protected from all the elements by the force-field... a field which would shortly go down at his command. "Alright," he said. "Death Dealers to the wall, spread yourselves out nicely and grab some cover. Desperate Measures, take up positions just outside the gate to strafe, staggered pattern. Be prepared to pull back and join the Dealers immediately." He looked around, "Blackops..." he grinned behind the face-plate slightly, "Lets prepare some surprises. Break out the bags!" All the Marines scrambled and several brought up bags of explosives and other goodies used for clearing fields. Included were mines, trip-wires and triggers... and enough explosives to level the 7th fleet. He grabbed his and the entire squad stepped out of the base and out into the hellish ice-world beyond the force-field. They were immediately assailed by high winds and blowing snow, which cut down visibility to the naked eye to mere meters. Thankfully the Marines had extra sensors, infrared and tactical scanning. "Aight, you know what to do." He said into the silence of his suit while the tempest raged outside. "You all have fifteen minutes, make it deadly." ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Marine Hell-deck - Engineer - Chief Petty Officer (2nd) Jason Miller - 1811) ==================================== "Do you know... do you know how they are going to select us for this mission?" Drizzt glanced over at Captain Grailik, who had joined them all on their little excursion in nothing more then his uniform, and shook his head slowly. "No clue Chief," he replied. "This terrain makes selection difficult anyway, not many are used to fighting in it." He looked back. "So I wouldn't worry much anyway, we're all in fate's hands." ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, Lt(jg) Walker Isengard, 1811) ==================================== "Lt Isengard?" she said, "Nice to see you again. I didn't realize you'd left Geneva?" Walker turned his head and looked at the officer for a moment as they walked to one side. He frowned in thought for a moment, but his near-perfect memory eventually brought her face back to mind. "You were a Captain the last time I saw you." He said flatly. (reply: Rivers) Once the team of Marines and such had gathered, Walker looked around for the person in nominal command of the group. There were several to choose from, he decided to get a word in edge-wise before orders could be given in earnest. "Listen up." He said, his voice cutting through the little bit of talk going on. "I don't know who is going to command this shin-dig, but I have one basic standing order." He glanced at Stolev and Drizzt, both of them probably in command. "Since I'm going to be covering your butts, I'll require that all of you stay together in a fairly compact group. This won't quite hold true for the mission, where the good Colonel is at my side, but for this simulation I'm covering all of you... a job much larger then the ultimate aim. Unless any of you want buzzed, I suggest you stay close." He pulled down his goggles and applied his gas-mask without another word, not even pausing to let anyone say anything, in prep for the simulation to start. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt(jg) Walker Isengard - 1812) ==================================== "All right, everyone, gather together! First order of business is to find this base. Mr. Isengard, start your searching. Major, I want a perimeter of marines covering us, particularly Lt. Isengard. We lose him and it's checkmate. I want everyone else to stay close together." "My, I feel special." Walker said low into his rebreather. He shuddered a bit as it filtered out the last of the dirty air he'd gotten while speaking, one couldn't breathe that crap for more then twenty seconds without a mask. Toxic stuff, fun fun. He unshouldered his phaser-rifle as they were all ordered to move, but he didn't move himself. Now that he knew they had live targets to search for... =^=Lieutenant, there's something you ought to know, for the purposes of this simulation. Colonel Straton and I have been working together recently to develop my latent telepathic skills, As such, she's more likely to be able to detect me, even through the drugs, due to this added familiarity with my mind. Is there anything in particular that you would suggest I or we do to compensate for this?=^= Isengard almost growled at his interrupted concentration, but this was business. "It shouldn't matter a peck unless you two are actually connected, not through all the drugs." He replied. "So unless you two are Imzadi or similarly attached..." he quirked an eyebrow slightly, "Are you?" (reply: Stolev) "Well, that makes things more interesting..." he muttered. The Ice-wench, queen of this ice-world and commander of the DefFor, was romantically attached to the commander of the OpFor. NRPG: Opposition Force and Defensive Force. I've been reading to much Tom Clancy. RPG: "Alright, I'll do what I can to shield you in the mean time. Start humming songs to yourself, or doing mathematics, and stay surrounded, don't go to the edge of the group where your consciousness is less hemmed in by the errant thoughts of others." It was small protection, but it was something. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - Lt Major 'Spider' Drizzt - 1812) ==================================== Spider opened a Marine-only channel once he'd gotten his orders, he had two squads here... the angels and the aggregate squad. Add that to a squad of Security and this little party could get hot real quick. "Angels spearhead, look for surprises and keep alert. Traps and Crevasses are the flavor of the day. Everyone else, spread out behind and watch for stragglers." He pulled out his type-3 phaser and spoke quietly into his mic, bringing up ambient conditions. The temperature was -28 degrees C (-20 F) with a wind-chill that averaged far below that. He was perfectly comfortable in his suit, thankfully. And the rest of the men and women wouldn't be suffering, the gear they were wearing was rated for a lot worse then this. He didn't envy them the air masks though, they were uncomfortable as hell. But, they were also very necessary; the readings he was getting for atmosphere were positively demonic. "Marines," he continued after a few moments thought. "If anyone gets left behind on this little hike, I will personally through you all down the deepest hole I Can find. Clear?" =/=OOwah Sir!=\= was the general response. Drizzt closed the channel and began unobtrusively scanning. Not that it was getting much at long distance, but at least he could see more then a few dozen feet in front of him. Anyone not watching a tricorder screen wasn't going to be that lucky. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1814) ==================================== "It shouldn't matter a peck unless you two are actually connected, not through all the drugs," replied Isengard. "So unless you two are Imzadi or similarly attached..." he quirked an eyebrow slightly, "Are you?" Ssaha sighed. "Well... yes. I'm surprised you haven't heard the rumors; I'm sure they've been flying around the ship." ~So much for discretion.~ "Well, that makes things more interesting..." muttered Isengard. "Alright, I'll do what I can to shield you in the mean time. Start humming songs to yourself, or doing mathematics, and stay surrounded, don't go to the edge of the group where your consciousness is less hemmed in by the errant thoughts of others." "Thanks, I appreciate it," replied Sasha as he closed the comm channel. He began to hum to himself, but the first song that popped into his head was the theme from Swan Lake. ~That won't do," he told himself, and he instead focused on another theme, settling this time on Prokofiev's third piano concerto. ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - SCPO Melody Haverstaad - 1816) ==================================== "I've died and gone to hell." Melody growled as she pushed herself against a near vertical wall of ice, the result of some sort of stress which had forced the ice straight up in a pressure ridge, and poked her phaser out to scan the immediate area. Almost all of the Security and Marines were doing this, providing cover in one form or another to the rest of the non-tactical units. The Marines were ranging further, the Security team formed the inner nucleus of the group, and that was just fine with her. But it didn't really matter all that much, she couldn't see more then a few dozen feet in front of her, depending on the wind conditions. She looked at the tac-corder attached to her phaser, kind of a mini-tricorder, and took in the layout around her. It was, as expected, one hell of a mess. It was almost as if God had decided he wanted a giant dish of iced gumbo. ~How the hell are we supposed to fight in this crap?~ she mused as she pushed off the ice and started walking forward again, her phaser at the ready. ~Why not just bomb it from orbit?~ She tapped her mouthpiece a few times, which came installed inside the air mask, and brought up a channel to Stolev and the ranking Security and Marines. "Haverstaad to Commander Stolev and the Security chiefs. Sir, I think we'll have to have special gear for the real thing. I can't see anything, we'll need some sort of interference-cutting device instead of the usual gear. We're almost combat-ineffective." ==================================== (USS Boudicca, Hell-deck, Captain Grailik, 1817) ==================================== Grailik was standing off out of the way still able to see and hear both teams. The Colonel had activated her little surprise. Grailik had almost forgotten that Robert had given her that holo-program. He would appreciate her putting it to good use. Being psi-blind, Grailik had no idea what was going on in that regard, if anything. Neither Straton or Isengard had given any visible signs to indicate they had even started looking for the other yet. Grailik shrugged and hope the two didn't try to kill each other again. =/\=Haverstaad to Commander Stolev and the Security chiefs. Sir, I think we'll have to have special gear for the real thing. I can't see anything, we'll need some sort of interference-cutting device instead of the usual gear. We're almost combat-ineffective.=/\= Grailik heard Stolev's reply, but he was already looking down at the PADD he was carrying and typing in commands. This was another reason for running a training simulations as close as possible to the real conditions. It would highlight any oversight in equipment. Grailik was making sure that the Senior Chiefs recommendation was noted on the list of equipment the away teams would need. After a second he looked up again. "Computer," He said, confident no one else would hear him. "Access and alter visual equipment for opposition forces not in marine BDU armor to include integrated thermal and enhanced imaging sensors." The computer chirped and the googols being worn by everyone that wasn't a marine changed suddenly to include the new parameters. "Open channel to opposition forces only," Grailik said. [Channel Open] "Good suggestion Senior Chief," Grailik said, "I have noted the suggestion and modified everyone's equipment accordingly. If anyone else has any ideas don't hesitate to speak, that one of the reasons we do these training exercises. To see if we overlooked something crucial to the mission. Carry on." Grailik closed the channel and went back to just observing. ~Hopefully, we won't have any more crucial oversights like that one.~ ==================================== (USS Boudicca - Hell-deck - TAC/SC Lt. Cmdr. Stolev - Day 2 - 1818) ==================================== Stolev hadn't gotten very far into Prokofiev's theme when his comm system crackled to life. "Haverstaad to Commander Stolev and the Security chiefs." Stolev had to struggle a little bit to make out what the chief was saying through the interference. "Sir, I think we'll have to have special gear for the real thing. I can't see anything, we'll need some sort of interference-cutting device instead of the usual gear. We're almost combat-ineffective." "Agreed," replied Stolev as he glanced at his own nearly-useless tricorder. "After we're done here, work with Cooper and someone from engineering. Major Drizzt, hopefully you can provide a CE or two as well, to help outfit the marines." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ End of Compile ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~