NRPG: Okay, so someone got that, huh? I've got a toughy then. A little blasphemous, I know. Start trumpets, enter male chorus: We're off to outer space We're leaving the Federation To save all Alien Races Our Star Trekkers Searching for a distant star Heading off to Andoria Leaving all we love behind Who knows what danger we'll find? We must be strong and brave Our home we've got to save If we don't in just one year Earth just might disappear Fighting with Doenitz's Thugs We won't stop until we've won Then we'll return and when we arrive The Earth will survive With our Star Trekkers Look we've only got a year left, will we make it? Check out the Compile Index and see: Day 16 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak - 0920) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Commander Archibald Stakes, 10.09) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Commander Archibald Stakes, 10.10) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Lorimar - 1040) Day 20 (USS Kitty Hawk, Personal Quarters - FO Commander Susan Rivers - 0417) (USS Kitty Hawk, Drizzt's Quarters - MXO Lt Major 'Spider' Drizzt & FO Commander Susan Rivers - 0432) Day 21 (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, ACMO Josh Caskie - 0920) (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, aCOUNS Oggie Marsh - 0930) Day 22 (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak Laroon- 2130) (USS Boudicca - Outside Eva's Quarters - Capt Sevant - 2131) (USS Boudicca, Corridor outside Observation Lounge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 2132) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- FO - Commander Archibald Stakes - 2137) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren-- 2138) (USS Boudicca, 10 Forward, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 2140) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 16 Stardate: 2407.03.09 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak - 0920) "What?" I'm sorry Ensign. I may be new here, but rest assured there are better places than airlock for Thelma and Louise here." Lorak looked at the Lieutenant then to the crates and the mess all around the bridge and then back to the Lieutenant. "With all do respect Lieutenant, I’m sure that your petting zoo was a big hit from where ever you came from, but this is not a place for so much......junk." ~why can’t I understand humans? I can't wait to get this shift over with so I can get to a holo deck to practice on my tactical and combat skills.~ After speaking Lorak looked at all the crates and then to the Commander for further instructions. (Reply Stakes, Johnson any) "Perhaps you could clean up the eggs, Ensign. I'm sure you know where to put them." Lorak looked back at the Lt. with an enraged look on his face. His ears went back, his yellow eyes narrowed and his fangs were clearly showing as he spoke. "Yes Sir I put them right up your a........." Lorak stopped and regained his composure. "I'll have it taken care of" ~Hmmm I wonder how long I would spend in the brig if I broke both his arms? ..ah nevermind, then I would have to spend time with the Chief and shes about as nice and talkative as a Hydran~ (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Commander Archibald Stakes, 10.09) Stakes was surprised that the Ensign would go so far to enter a staring competition with him. Which, surprisingly, ended in Archibald blinking. Something was not right here, no Ensign would ........ . His thoughts processes were interrupted when she spoke. “Don’t trust me. I wouldn’t. I’m here to do a job. As are you. That’s what I do, my job. My record indicates I am competent at it. That’s it. You can “trust” me to do my job. Should you believe me? That’s up to you. But I have been stationed here and I will do my job ­ be an engineer. And then, you can decide whether to trust me more substantively or not. But now, commander, I don’t envy you. You get to make the decision whether or not to trust what I have just said. SIR, and I would hate to be in that position. Luckily, however, I am not.” Archibald tapped his fingers together as he thought, there was things in what she said that made no sense. ~I don't envy you?~. ~I would hate to be in your position?~ Those weren't the thoughts of a lowly officer. They 'hinted' at experience, experience with the job. Archibald sighed and shook his head to clear it. "No, luckily you are not. But once Susan Rivers was, wasn't she? And something that you said must have changed her mind. It can't have been your 'record' because that is probably as fake as your face. So what was it that you told her that you haven't told me? Or didn't you have to tell her anything? Did she just accept your doctored record? That, to be honest, wouldn't surprise me. Everybody knows that she has a tendency to let her emotions get the better of her. That lost her her captaincy and personally I wouldn't have stopped there. If you behave like a spoilt brat then you have lost all respect that your position can command. No, on hindsight, I do not find it strange at all that she gave you a good report. Probably just one of her emotional outbursts." Archibald snorted and with a malicious grin he followed: "I bet that she didn't even make your life that difficult, did she, Captain?" (Reply Jael, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, Commander Archibald Stakes, 10.10) Lise watched as Commander Stakes began to speak. However, it was almost as if something clicked before he opened his mouth. At once, Lise felt ill at ease. "No, luckily you are not. But once Susan Rivers was, wasn't she?" Inwardly, Lise cringed. This wasn't going to be good. Already she'd messed up. ~Crap.. Me and my big mouth...~ "And something that you said must have changed her mind. It can't have been your 'record' because that is probably as fake as your face." Lise made sure Jael's facial expression didn't change, she listened patiently as Stakes continued, although containing her emotions was becoming much more difficult. Stakes continued: "So what was it that you told her that you haven't told me? Or didn't you have to tell her anything? Did she just accept your doctored record? That, to be honest, wouldn't surprise me. Everybody knows that she has a tendency to let her emotions get the better of her." ~That's NOT true!!~ Lise's blood was boiling, now realising that she'd walked straight into this trap. The last time she'd come aboard, she had lucked out with Sevant passing out right in the middle of his coming aboard interview with her. She couldn't react. She couldn't. That would get both her and Susan in trouble. Instead, Jael stood, not flinching. "That lost her her captaincy and personally I wouldn't have stopped there." ~Lise Arianna, you let this go, just let it go. Just let it go. LET it go. Lise... Control yourself, Lise.... Lise.. He's bating you, you know that. You gave him enough info, and now he's just... Lise....~ She kept telling herself, meanwhile being extremely conscious to keep her eyes forward watching Stakes as he pronounced every single syllable of every single offensive word. "If you behave like a spoilt brat then you have lost all respect that your position can command. No, on hindsight, I do not find it strange at al that she gave you a good report. Probably just one of her emotional outbursts." Lise consciously regulated her breathing, not letting on that anything had changed. Inside, she was furious. Absolutely furious. The commander snorted, and a debatably evil smile spread across his face: "I bet that she didn't even make your life that difficult, did she, Captain?" It was the final interrogative that confirmed Lise's suspicions about what had been happening. The point had been TO make her have an outbreak. Instead, Lise had control. Her fury still present, her mind was racing. This was her element: self control. She waited a moment, not responding to the most obvious piece of bait that had been dangled before her. Still looking at Commander Stakes. A moment passed. And another. "I am sorry?" Jael ventured "To whom were you referring? As far as I can tell, there is no captain in the room..." (Reply Stakes) "I see. Well, Commander, I am quite certain that I know not to what you are referring. And furthermore, I was not aware that Starfleet Regulations permitted officers to be so candid as to their feelings when speaking of other superior officers. I believe, sir, that you have misunderstood the situation. While I am not certain why it is that Commander Rivers felt my performance worth mentioning in a record, there must have been something that I had done. As for Commander Rivers, she most definitely did not make my life *easy*." Lise didn't flinch, she didn't take her eyes of Stakes. This moment was crucial, she had no idea how he would react. Her temper was still flaring. Susan was none of what he said she was. And he'd done that on purpose, that made her even angrier. Above all, she was angry with herself for being so flippant, that was most definitely what had caused this situation. ~Calm, Lise Arianna, daughter of Kre'Tos, Calm.~ (Reply Stakes) (Posted by Kat) (USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Lorimar - 1040) “And yes, I would like to know what I can do to help out. What’s the plan?” Bob stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled broadly. "Right. If ye will come with me please, we can sort this out straight away." He turned, and walked the dozen steps into the chief engineer's office. During his brief tenure as acting CEO, he had found the office and its information and control displays extremely useful. He had, however, taken great pains to neither disturb nor reconfigure anything, very mindful of the fact that he was merely 'borrowing' the office for a short while. He moved his hands rapidly over the repeater controls and called up the repair status displays and duty rosters. "Forgive me lass... this administrative stuff is nae my favorite kind of work, but I think ye shall find it understandable nonetheless." He smiled at Jael again, and highlighted several entries on the screen with his fingertips. "As I said before, all the primary stuff is online, but that is not to say it cannae do with a bit of tweaking. As ye can see here," he gestured again with his finger, "the starboard impulse engine control circuits have a four percent variance. That is what I was working on when I heard you come in. Along with that, we have work left on the auxillary power couplings to the ventral phasers... fusion reactor #3 is still offline... we have a cargo transporter down in bay 2... some of the ODN backups for turbolift control are out on decks 3, 8, and 11. Hmm. That's the biggest outstanding stuff. Hae ye a specialty? What do ye like to work on, or dinnae like tae work on? There's plenty tae do... and I can always use another pair of hands. Not to mention another brain... mine is getting a wee bit tired from all these extra hours... I could do with someone to double check my work. Some diagnostics have been skipped simply for lack of time. Plenty of choices. If ye hae a preference, let me know... otherwise I can assign something, but people work better doing work they enjoy, usually." Bob smiled again as he looked at Jael. His face paled for a moment and the smile disappeared. ~Where's yer bleedin' manners Bob? She may have just come aboard, need quarters... food... who knows. Bloody idiot!!~ Lorimar pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, shutting his eyes briefly as he did so. He exhaled a slow breath, then opened his eyes again. "Forgive me lass... my manners are poor. Did ye just report aboard? Do ye need quarters? Are ye hungry? Can I buy ye a coffee before we get started? Forgive me, I make a poor first impression and a poorer host I fear." Lorimar finally wound down and smiled sheepishly at Jael. (Reply Jael, any) (Posted by Russ) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 20 Stardate: 2407.03.13 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Kitty Hawk, Personal Quarters - FO Commander Susan Rivers - 0417) Having sought out Josh before leaving Sickbay and talked with her, Susan had returned to her quarters and showered and changed. Out of habit she had changed into a uniform and now she sat staring at nothing in particular for a long time. After a while she became aware of Pangur Ban on her lap, looking up at her with green, unblinking eyes. Absent-mindedly she stroked his head, and he began to purr. "It's all very well for you to purr," she said quietly. " *Your* life hasn't just been turned upside down and inside out. Becoming a parent never bothered *you* one little bit - OH!" She had suddenly remembered that there was someone else who really _ought_ to be told. Apart from Sevant, that was. He would have to know too. Hell, the whole damn ship would know soon enough but Sevant had to be told first. ~Afterwards~ "Computer, where is Major Drizzt?" [Major Drizzt is in his quarters] Putting Pangur gently to one side she stood up. He immediately lifted one of his hind legs and began to clean himself. "No point procrastinating. There or here do you think?" she asked him. The ginger cat stared at her for a moment, then resumed his washing, unconcerned. "Fine. There it is. Somehow, my pet, I doubt your presence would make it any easier." He gave her another look, and changed legs. With a sigh, she left her quarters. (USS Kitty Hawk, Drizzt's Quarters - MXO Lt Major 'Spider' Drizzt & FO Commander Susan Rivers - 0432) Taking a deep breath to steady herself she sounded the doorchime and waited, hands clasped behind her back. Spider, kicked back in his make-shift quarters, ignored the chime. He poured a little bit of a certain blue Medicinal liquid into his cup without really looking at the glass. He was sitting in a chair, his legs well above his head, trying desperately to get rid of the headache he'd managed to acquire on that thrice-damned planet. His clothing, what was left of it, was sitting in a corner and he'd changed into some loose fitting pants, something he could lounge in. His upper body was still bare, and he intended for it to stay that way. He'd only really had a chance to enjoy one glass of the 'Medicine', though. Too many other thoughts were floating around in his head. A second chime went off, breaking him away from his train of thought. He cursed under his breath and leaned forward in the chair. "Enter." When the door opened, Susan stepped through, determined to get it over with as soon as possible. "I've got something to tell..." she began, then broke off as she took in his state of dress.. "...you," she finished after a distinct pause. "If this is a bad time, I can come back," she added, turning towards the door. "On the contrary, pull up a chair." He said, and held up his glass for her. "I'm having a toast to our most gloriously slain." He paused, almost as if searching for words. "Though I understand why we're here and why we MUST be here, I've never really understood the 'glory' in being vaporized, burned, stabbed or otherwise slaughtered." He focused his eyes on her again, "But I'm forgetting my manners." He gestured to a chair, still holding the drink. She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to remain standing or to sit. Remaining standing would give her a fast exit if she wanted. Sitting would mean her legs wouldn't shake. Against her better judgement, she sat. "Are you drunk yet?" she asked with a smile, hoping inwardly that he wasn't. This conversation would be hard enough as it was. Drizzt chuckled as he put the glass in front of her. "Oh no, only had one so far." He said as he took up the bottle. "But I plan on it." He quirked his head, "And you look like you've been shot between the eyes with a phaser. So, I take it you're not here to partake in the b'reez ritual. Is this official, Commander... or am I talking to Susan?" "Susan," she said, looking at him, puzzled. "Of course Susan. Why would this be official?" Then she realised she was still in the uniform she'd changed into at the first opportunity after their return. She smiled wryly. "I'm afraid it didn't occur to me to get changed again. I suppose I should have really but... anyway, no, it's Susan you're talking to." "Good!" he said, lifting the bottle. "To those lost and better times, then." Before taking a healthy swig. He leaned back in his chair a bit and swirled the drink around, letting it warm his insides a bit. He pushed his lips together and sighed, slightly. "Better. So, ashke, what blows you into my door this night?" Ashke. Beloved. The word gave her courage. "A wind of change," she said quietly. "Did you wonder... have you thought what... " She caught her lower lip and lowered her eyes. Prophets but this was even harder than she thought it would be! She took a deep breath, still not raising her eyes. "I'm pregnant," she said quietly, a hint of the turmoil she was in showing in her voice. "Mmmm," Drizzt said, nodding his head after taking another sip from the bottle. "I rather figured you might be, sneezing all the time." He put the bottle on the table and leaned forward slightly to place a finger under her chin. "Leaving us one basic ordeal, mm? What to do about it... yes?" He didn’t lean back again when she did finally raise her chin, but he did clasp his hands in front of him. "Well there's the rub," she said. "It seems that Bajoran physiology has a very short window to - to *do* anything about it. And that window passed while we were on that blasted planet." She looked at him seriously, searching his face to gauge his response. "But you don't have to be involved if you don't want to. I thought you should know, though. I didn't mean it to happen and now it has, I don't really know what to do. But it doesn't have to be your problem. Not if you don't want it to." Spider started a deep, slow, belly roll at that. After a few moments he said, "You don't know me, Marines or Andorians if you think I could walk away from a child." He said, with great amusement. "We're rather protective of our offspring; we don't tend to leave them willingly." He leaned back in his chair again, but not before grabbing the bottle. "So, no... unless you really can't stand me... and I don't think that's the case..." he said, with quick wiggle of his eyebrows, "Then I think we'll be looking for some other path." His face did cloud over, though. "This is not a world I would have brought a child into though, not with us both on the front lines. A shame... but fate and destiny and all that." "It wouldn't have been my choice either," Susan replied, still in the quiet tone she had used before but with much of the tension gone from her face and voice. A wry smile twisted her lips. "Sevant will be livid, another of his senior officers expecting. And in my case, not that far off either. We'll tell him together?" she suggested. "Only, not right now?" "No, not right now." He said, as he stood and lifted her to her feet, before wrapping his arms around her. "Tonight, we celebrate that we're still alive after one more crazy stunt. We plan, we scheme... and basically do whatever 'normal' people do." His lips quirked at the corner, "Because neither of us knows what tomorrow brings. Besides..." he continued as he nuzzled her neck for a moment, "Near-death experiences... have a very real biological effect on me." Susan laughed. A small laugh but a laugh nonetheless. "I had noticed, dear one," she said softly. "I had noticed. And the prophets know, there's a lot we both need to forget tonight." (reply any, none) (Posted by Jeremy and Liz) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 21 Stardate: 2407.03.14 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, ACMO Josh Caskie - 0920) After talking to Nurse Fisher Josh had started her rounds. Thankfully there were very few patients in the facility at present and just as she was preparing to check on Ensign Linskens a loud bellow came from the direction of one of the other isolations rooms. "NUUURSE!" Josh had never heard that voice before, at least, not at that decibel level, but it certainly didn't take a genius to work out where the problem was. ~Oh lord, what now. I swear that woman is more trouble than a whole nursery full of two year olds.~ Taking to her heels Josh somehow managed to get through the doors before they were even fully open. Understanding what was happening in only a couple of glances, one at the biobed monitor and the other of the faces of the two men on either side of the bed, Josh jumped into action. Quickly deciding that it would be best for the Colonel if she at least had a physical contact with Commander Stolev Josh decided to shove the Counsellor out of the way and just as quickly bounced right back off him. "Out of my way Sir, NOW" Reaching over she activated the clamshell on the bed, grabbed a hypospray of a mild sedative and injected it into the Colonel. Keeping an eye on the vital signs monitor Josh keyed in instructions for the clamshell to shock the Colonel's heart back into regular rhythm. Once the readings began to stabilise she turned to both of them. "I take it she did this to herself, and Counsellor, I take it you told her everything, yes? Well, I've restarted her heart again and given her a mild sedative which should at least stop her from trying that little stunt again for at least eight hours. I'll have a member of the medical staff stationed here permanently with orders to sedate her again if they feel it necessary. You are both welcome to stay, you especially Commander and perhaps you should take the time to explain to the Colonel that a good few people risked their lives to retrieve her and that committing suicide is certainly not an option that I will tolerate in my Sickbay." Josh turned to the Commander and one look at his face softened her anger. "I apologise Commander that comment was uncalled for. Just keep explaining to her all the reasons she still has to stay alive. You are probably the one person who can get that through to her." Eye up his greyish colour and tired face Josh started speaking again. "Also Commander, since I am pretty sure you haven't had any sleep whatsoever since we beamed back on board, I am ordering a sedative for you too. Just a mild one, but enough to give you a few hours sleep. No, don't even bother arguing with me, It's my medical opinion that you need to rest now and since the Colonel will be our for a good few hours, then you can certainly spare the time to rest yourself. If you don't want to leave her then I am quite willing to have a cot brought in here, but sleep you will." (Reply Oggie, Stolev, Eva, any) (Posted by Marilyn) (USS Kitty Hawk, Sickbay, aCOUNS Oggie Marsh - 0930) "Out of my way Sir, NOW" Oggie suddenly heard behind him and he took a step to the side to allow an arm to reach for the clamshell on the bed, grab a hypospray of a mild sedative and injected it into the Colonel. By that time Oggie had recognised the medical officer, Josh started operating the medical console. "I take it she did this to herself, and Counsellor, I take it you told her everything, yes? Well, I've restarted her heart again and given her a mild sedative which should at least stop her from trying that little stunt again for at least eight hours. I'll have a member of the medical staff stationed here permanently with orders to sedate her again if they feel it necessary. You are both welcome to stay, you especially Commander and perhaps you should take the time to explain to the Colonel that a good few people risked their lives to retrieve her and that committing suicide is certainly not an option that I will tolerate in my Sickbay." With a smile Oggie wondered, when he was actually supposed to reply to her but perhaps she was one of those people who had to rattle on just to keep herself focused. Mind you, a lot more people could do with a bit of rattling on, he considered. He turned his attention from the Doctor to Eva and back again as she started speaking to a haggard looking Sasha. Oggie snorted as she finished. When both looked at him Oggie smiled. "I'm not too sure that that is such a grand idea, Josh. Obviously having had him near her did not stop her from her overreaction. In fact, his presence may have aggravated the situation, if we assume that she felt ashamed by her actions on the planet it is easy to extrapolate that having someone very close to you nearby would only increase the feeling of shame. An interesting reaction, though. From one moment to another deciding that death is the appropriate punishment and acting on it, disregarding any other side-effect the punishment may have. Almost a panic reaction, it would seem. And easily countered, I think, asking her what Sasha did that was so wrong that he has be so severely punished. Not to mention her children. What have they done that they deserve an immediate death? The only problem is that I find it very convenient that such an attempt was made in one of the safest places on the ship. Anywhere else, and we might have been too late to save her. But here? Hooked to a machine that will warn everybody as soon as even the smallest hints of problems occur? Convenient. And quite safe." Oggie sighed. "Assumptions, assumptions. Did we witness the sincere desire of a woman to pay the ultimate price for her crimes? Or did we watch the greatest show on Earth since Lieutenant Folicker taught his targ to bark in four different languages? To be honest, I don't know." Oggie watched the now still laying MCO. "But I'll find out, one way or the other." (Reply Josh, Sasha, any) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 22 Stardate: 2407.03.15 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Lorak Laroon- 2130) As Lt. Johnson came up to Lorak and asked to meet with him later to talk Lorak narrowed his eyes and replayed to the Lt. With a stern and unwavering voice. "Sir I don't think we need to talk about my needs or concerns. If the tactical staff or security staff needs anything we go to Commander Stakes and to be blunt I have no wanting to know you on a personal level. But if you need to talk to the head of the Tactical staff then talk with Lieutenant Commander Stolev as he is my commanding officer." Before the Lt. had time to speak Lorak had walked past him and headed for his quarters, Speaking in something in Lyran as he went. (Reply Stakes, Johnson, Zzt, Any, All) (posted by Jay) (USS Boudicca - Outside Eva's Quarters - Capt Sevant - 2131) Sevant, his arms behind his back, stepped off the turbolift and into Officer Country. The Senior Officers kept their quarters here; some even kept their offices close. The deck was therefore mostly deserted; most of the Senior Officers were off doing one thing or another, or on duty. There was almost no reason for junior officers or crew to be on this deck, especially at this hour. So the single guard at the door to one of the personal quarters was an image out of place, even if regulations said it must be so for now. He stepped in front of the door; the security guard nodded once but didn't move otherwise. He wasn't in the way, so no matter. The Captain paused for several moments and considered walking on, but waved that thought off immediately. He also considered hitting the enunciator, but that would denote a personal visit... and this was not. Sevant had a mission. He reached out and tapped his command code with practiced ease, and stepped forward immediately as the door opened. Once inside, however, he stopped so he could be recognized. It was generally unwise to sneak into the quarters of a telepathic marine, especially one with the brute strength of Eva Straton, without giving said person a few moments to recognize you. Especially if said telepath was unstable, which Sevant feared Eva might become. She was one of three on the ship who could overcome his mental shields; it wasn't something he relished the thought of. Eva was off in a corner, sitting on a couch. Sevant crossed his arms behind him again and looked at her as the door slid shut behind him. His brow creased and his lips tightened, and he strode forward until he was standing directly in front of her with just enough room for her to stand erect. "On your feet, Marine!" he barked. "Eyes up." He growled a couple seconds later. He brought one hand around and pointed to his own eye, "Right here, Colonel." (reply: if desired) Sevant clasped his hands behind him once he was certain he had her undivided attention. He was taller then her, though not by much. He was stronger then her, by virtue of his bloodlines, but she would give him a rough time of it from all her training. Even so, he looked her up and down like a raw recruit, his face pitiless. "I have seen many things on this ship, Colonel." He rasped. "I have seen my crew behave rashly; I have seen them make mistakes. But I have never, until now, seen one of them be a perfect fool! My Commander of Marines has always had broad shoulders and a respectable view on morality, responsibility, brute force and the balance between the three. It takes a warrior of sorts to have that kind of mentality; Eva Straton as I remember her was that kind of warrior." He took half a step closer and put his face within two inches of her. "A demure Colonel Straton, not looking anyone in the eyes? Walking around as if the weight of the universe was on her shoulders, because she had done unconscionable things under total amnesia? You were not that person, Colonel Straton, and I refuse to see you act as a child would for events that were completely beyond your control!" He didn't move, but his face got harder. "This ends now, Colonel. There is no alternative, I do not allow one. I am in need of every officer I have left, war is brewing... WAR!" he bellowed nearly at the top of his rather considerable lungs, right in her face. "War is about death; Command in a war is about managing resources in what is inherently a wasteful pursuit. You are very good at that, Colonel, and I will require your expertise in the coming months. Failure is simply not an option, you breaking under pressure is expressly forbidden. And furthermore, the Straton I know would have understood all that already!" Sevant stepped back, not giving her a chance to argue. "You will find yourself again, Colonel... THAT is an order. You are an honorable woman, and you are intelligent. There are some things that are beyond our control- what happened to you is one example. Creatures of conscience must mourn those decisions they make and the actions they perform, or be in danger of loosing their soul. But creatures of responsibility, such as we are, must pick up and continue on when there is a job to be done... and there is, Colonel, there is. Creatures like us must mourn when the task is done, and not before." He half turned, but stopped and turned his head mostly back to her so he could see her out of the corner of his eye. "As a Captain, by the Articles of War, I have the authority to suspend charges against individuals for the good of the ship for as long as we are in a State of Emergency." He turned his head back and looked at the exit, his back to her. "There will be a Court of Inquiry in one week's time to investigate your actions on that planet. Whatever its findings, however, all charges made against you will be suspended until after this god forsaken war is over and my authority under the Articles is exhausted." Sevant paused then and let his shoulders sag, "Make no mistake, this is not a gift- you will stand before a Court Martial one day for what you did, though I suspect no court in the Federation would find you guilty given the circumstances. We all answer for our supposed crimes in the end, even those we are innocent of." Sevant stepped to the door and was half out of it before he stopped again, and slowly turned to face the Marine. His face, the rock that it was, softened slightly. "How you punish yourself in the mean time... that is your own business. How you salve your conscience is also your private concern. You are not hated, you are not detested. If you were, I would have shipped you off already so as not to destroy the harmony of my command structure. But you must find yourself and what is important again, Eva Straton; there is work to be done and I will need you here and now, not living the memory of a woman who had forgotten who and what she was." "Rest, think, cry if it'll ease your pain. But be on the bridge with some of your inner fire back in 48 hours time, primed and ready for duty. From that point on, Colonel, you're back in the war- I have special need of you now." He spun on his heel, not having let her had a single word and only stopped to catch his breath when the door was safely closed and he was well out of sight. His words would either sink her, or would fire her up. They would know soon enough. (reply: Straton) (posted by Trout) (USS Boudicca, Corridor outside Observation Lounge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 2132) Zzt looked down at the man who had just invited him to dinner and smiled a large smile. ~Someone is actually inviting ME to dinner!~ Zzt thought excitedly. People didn't normally invite him to eat with them and Zzt wasn't sure why. "Who you gain?" Zzt asked, having already forgotten many of the new crews names. (Reply Johnson) "Jew-sin?" Zzt said, trying to get his fangs around the Lieutenants name. "Jo-hen? Jo-sin?" Zzt shrugged. "You want eat wit Zzt? Zzt hungry. Where go? 10 Forward?" (Reply Johnson) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- FO - Commander Archibald Stakes - 2137) "Yes, sir. Thank you Commander. I will see to it that the documents are provided in proper form to you within the 72 hour deadline." Matthew replied. "Does the Commander have any further need of me at this time, sir?" Archibald eyed the Lieutenant suspiciously for a second. He couldn't remember having had a 'Yes, Sir, Of course, Sir, will do, Sir' reply since he came on board. Not even the hint of annoyance. He nearly smiled. ~This must be my lucky day," he thought. "Even if the Commander had, Mister McLaren, he would have to wait 48 hours since Lieutenant McLaren is now officially off duty. Enjoy the downtime, and that, as they say, is an ord...." Archibald fell silent for a second. "A recommendation." he corrected himself. "By the way, I have read your profile and can you imagine what the Commander would do if he saw the face of the Lieutenant near anything even remotely related to Engineering within the next 48 hours? Let's not have that happen, shall we? We don't want to upset Mrs. Arania, now do we?" (reply Matthew) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge- CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren-- 2138) Commander Stakes regarded Matthew for a few moments, and Matthew wondered what was going through his mind at this very moment. "Even if the Commander had, Mister McLaren, he would have to wait 48 hours since Lieutenant McLaren is now officially off duty. Enjoy the downtime, and that, as they say, is an ord...." Archibald fell silent for a second. "A recommendation." he corrected himself. "By the way, I have read your profile and can you imagine what the Commander would do if he saw the face of the Lieutenant near anything even remotely related to Engineering within the next 48 hours? Let's not have that happen, shall we? We don't want to upset Mrs. Arania, now do we?" "No sir, we do not, Commander. I can assure you I have no intention of stepping foot in Main Engineering or any other engineering project unless we are summoned to red alert status, sir. I can appreciate the Commander's candor in advising me of his expectations. I can assure you they will be met in this matter. If I may be dismissed, sir? I would like to visit with Mister Linskins before I no longer have an opportunity, and I also have some paperwork to fill out which the Commander was kind enough to provide." (reply Stakes) (posted by Daniel Greene) (USS Boudicca, 10 Forward, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 2140) Zzt walked into 10 Forward followed by Lt. Johnson. Zzt looked around the room, lifting his snout into the air and taking several sniffs of the air. He then pointed toward an empty table while looking down at Johnson. "There table," He said, "Let sit there." Zzt lead the way toward the table, the crowd splitting before him as people hurried to get out of his way or risk getting stepped on. Zzt took several of the chairs around the table and moved them over near the wall, then returned to sit on the floor. Zzt pointed at one of the remaining chairs then at Johnson then the chair again. (Reply Johnson, any) (posted by Wes) NRPG: He cheated! The Death Star, come on!!! And now this? Next thing you know he's going to do the theme song from the Love Boat.... oh.... I hope he didn't hear that. Come back anyways. Trust me, I'll make it worth your while. I'll show him... Oh yeah, Just 360 days left, will the Boudicca return to Earth in time. End theme coda -USS Boudicca, NCC 49901 Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com