Compile break down: Day: 183 (USS Dennison - Ready Room - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 2211) (USS Dennison - Bridge - MCPO Freeman - 2252) Day: 184 (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - CO - Archibald Stakes - 0648) (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0805) (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0810) (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – CEO, Lt. Harry Atwood – 0904) (USS Dennison – Ready Room – CO - Captain Archibald Stakes – 0905) ( USS Dennison- Ben's Quarters- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0906) (USS Dennison - Bridge - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0907) (USS Dennison - Captain's Ready Room - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0908) ( USS Dennison- Main Engineering- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0920) (USS Dennison, CEO’s Office – CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 0923) (USS Dennison- CEO’s Office – ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0926) (USS Dennison - Shrekt's office - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1200) (USS Dennison - Outside Shrekt's office - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1202) (USS Dennison - FO Office - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 1429) ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- CMO Dr Nymes- 1601) ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1603) (USS Dennison, Sickbay, CMO Dr Nymes , 1647) (USS Dennison, Sickbay, Commander Trevan West, 1648) (USS Dennison - CO's Yeoman's Office - Yeoman PO2 Esme Stakes - 1730) (USS Dennison - CO's Yeoman's Office - Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 1732) (USS Dennison - outside CO's Yeoman's office - Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru -1734) (USS Dennison – CSO’s Office CSO/a2O Bracken- 1735) (USS Dennison - Main Engineering- Commander Trevan West- 1945) (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 1951) Day: 185 (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - OPS - Ensign Cattia Spero - 0626) (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - Commander Trevan West 0627) (USS Dennison - Darson's Personal Quarters - Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 0653) (USS Dennison - Bridge - Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 0655) (Maltoria, President's Office, President Lefkin, 1200) (Maltoria - Minister's Office - Ministry for Information - 1230) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Stardate: 2408.01.08 Day: 183 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Ready Room - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 2211) "When ever you have the time Captain," he said. "There is no rush, unless you have something more pressing to discuss with me, than the time you have allotted." Archibald narrowed his eyes as he considered this, for moments lost in thoughts. There had been plenty going on inside him since the battle and it's aftermath. He checked his thought processes, examining if there were any induced negative effects. He could find none. Satisfied, he cleared his throat. "There are other matters more pressing, Lieutenant," he said, clearing his mind of any doubts that remained. "I have a duty to fulfill first." "Then I will await your confirmation of an appointment," the counsellor continued. "Is there anything else that you wish to discuss with me?" For another moment Archibald fell silent. "No, not at the moment, Mister Alosar. Unless there are issues that you require solved to ensure optimum efficiency for your department? If not then you are dismissed, Lieutenant." (posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison - Bridge - MCPO Freeman - 2252) "It is my intention to commandeer you, Chief, because I feel that that would be in both our interests. And like I said, because I can. Do you have a problem with that?" Freeman remained at attention throughout Stakes' entire monologue, listening intently. He was surprised, slightly... and disappointed in equal measure. ~I had thought after all the rumors that this guy was different somehow. Guess I was wrong. Typical Starfleet Captain.. always needing to assert his self-righteousness... burning desire to be 'in charge' of every situation, even just a conversation. Funny... I expected something different from him. Still... perhaps there is more to this guy than the typical protocol and bluster? After all... he had gotten his previous crew to perform near miracles... and no bad Captain gets that from a crew. We'll give him another chance to be the unique individual he may truly be..~ ~I'll wager I know the manual as well or better than this guy does. He is both right, and wrong about the repairs. Ain't my job to point out his mistakes, he has plenty of officers on this ship that could do that. Come to think of it... having an Admiral for a wife, I betcha he gets plenty of lectures already!~ He was amused at his own thoughts, taking care to neither smile, nor underestimate the man before him. After all, as crazy as Starfleet could be at times, they didn't give out Captain's pips in TKL ration containers did they? He only hoped Stakes would bear in mind that Master Chief insignia did not come that way either. "As I said sir, this is your vessel, and everything that occurs or does not occur aboard is both your choice and responsibility. In answer to your question Captain, negative, I have no problem(s) with your intentions as you stated them." He paused a moment, thinking this might just be an interesting billet after all... temporary or no. "Anything further for me sir, or shall I report to the Chief Engineer at the turn of watch?" (Posted by Russ) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Stardate: 2408.01.09 Day: 184 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - CO - Archibald Stakes - 0648) Archibald looked up and saw that most had left the room apart from Spero and Esme. He regarded the OPS-officer from under his eyebrows as he pretended to continue to read his PAD. It seemed like the officer was waiting for a private session. Archibald inwardly sighed but turned to the Yeoman. "Write up your report and file it in my personal folder, Yeoman" he told her and receiving a questioning look from her he jerked his head towards the door in a precise and almost invisible manner. Esme picked it up though and with a nod got up and left the room, rather hastily. "Excuse me, Captain," Archibald heard the Ensign say with a hint of nervousness? ~Oh boy.~ "Might I have a word?" The CO looked up from his PADD and nodded. "Of course, Mister Spero." "Sir, I would like you to grant me access to the original data. I would like to work on a translation matrix for the Maltorian language and the universal translator before we reach them, but I will need the original files to do so. I cannot work from the data on the PADD, I need the original language files, and any recently transmitted data." Archibald narrowed his eyes for a second, contemplating the request. It took a second as he was also wondering why it would require such secrecy or why she would be nervous. He had expected the Ensign to be bled by now by his wife. "So you intend to succeed where the brightest minds of SFI have failed, Ensign?" Archibald asked, wondering if that was the only reason for the request. Before she could respond, Archibald raised his hand. "Request granted, Ensign. I will ask Commander West to make those files available to you and update you as soon as more relevant information has been uncovered. Update me and the Commander on your progress .... regularly." (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0805) Shrekt studied the two ensigns before her as they responded to her questions. Soma answered first and his response to Shrekt's first question was a concern she held as well. The reassurance that the Maltorians were non-violent, but in possession of a powerful weapon that the ship's shields could not resist was not a comforting thought. Sanok followed it up by voicing his own concern regarding Commander West's ties with Starfleet Intelligence. "Those are both valid points of concern," acknowledged Shrekt, as she chose her next few words carefully. "I don't like the idea of going in defenseless, but we will get to that specifically in a moment. As for Commander West and Starfleet Intelligence, I think it may be prudent for us to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. The fact that Commander West openly acknowledges his association with SFI, leads me to believe they have other less public agents aboard." Shrekt paused a moment to let the thought sink in before continuing, "Now, while Commander West retracted his statement, Lieutenant Bracken reiterated it at the end of the briefing, so it casts further doubt upon the veracity of Commander West's claims. When we encounter the Maltorians, I want us all to be mindful of anyone absconding with anything. If we discover anyone doing so, I expect them to be arrested and held for questioning. Understood?" (Reply Soma and Sanok) Shrekt moved on to her next question and the replies that the ensigns had for her. Soma's response was short and to the point, while Sanok's was more involved. ~Interesting,~ thought Shrekt as she listened to their response. ~Perhaps they did not hear the actual proposal that Lieutenant Bracken suggested.~ Shrekt nodded her head in agreement to their statements and said, "In the event that we are assaulted, I am considering the possibility of having the ship engage its tri-vector mode and to have the warp capable sections depart in opposite directions leaving the non-warp capable section behind to buy time for the majority of the crew. A shuttle is a possibility, but I shall bring this up with the captain later today. If their vessels are indeed faster than our own, a shuttle will hardly hinder a pursuing vessel. The loss of a third of the ship would be costly, but may be unavoidable." The remainder of the meeting consisted of handing out assignments and at the end of it, Shrekt said, "Very good. I shall see you both back here at 1200 hours and Ensign Sanok may give his tour at that time. Dismissed." === (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0810) "Now, while Commander West retracted his statement, Lieutenant Bracken reiterated it at the end of the briefing, so it casts further doubt upon the veracity of Commander West's claims. When we encounter the Maltorians, I want us all to be mindful of anyone absconding with anything. If we discover anyone doing so, I expect them to be arrested and held for questioning. Understood?" Ben nodded and said, " Understood Sir." (reply Sanok) The meeting proceeded and Lt. Shrekt said "In the event that we are assaulted, I am considering the possibility of having the ship engage its tri-vector mode and to have the warp capable sections depart in opposite directions leaving the non-warp capable section behind to buy time for the majority of the crew. A shuttle is a possibility, but I shall bring this up with the captain later today. If their vessels are indeed faster than our own, a shuttle will hardly hinder a pursuing vessel. The loss of a third of the ship would be costly, but may be unavoidable." Ben understood what Lieutenant Shrekt was proposing, in the event of hostole action a small section of ship and crew may need to be sacrificed to ensure the remaing ship and crew may reach safety. The remainder of the meeting consisted of handing out assignments and at the end of it, Shrekt said, "Very good. I shall see you both back here at 1200 hours and Ensign Sanok may give his tour at that time. Dismissed." === (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – CEO, Lt. Harry Atwood – 0904) Harry had literally just walked into Main Engineering when he could see several blue sparks shooting of the consoles on the right. He quickly moved over to them and asked the crewman what was happening. “I’m not sure, Sir.” Was the answer he got, ~useless~ he thought to himself. He logged onto a near-by console. “You’ve fried the isolinear grids on deck 4. Get a team down there ASAP. We’ll compensate for it up here.” He said as he nodded to a couple of people and gave them jobs quickly. The job was quickly corrected, just as he was finished up he got a comm. Call. =^=Ensign Soma to Lieutenant Atwood. Sorry to bother you Sir, but Lieutenant Shrekt would like me to work with you on the defensive systems. When would be a good time to meet with you?=^= ~great~ he thought to himself before tapping his badge to reply. “Anytime is good, Ensign. You can make your way to my office now, I am available at the moment.” (Reply Soma) Once he closed the comm. link down he quickly made his way to his office. (Posted by Jono) === (USS Dennison – Ready Room – CO - Captain Archibald Stakes – 0905) “No questions as such sir, only to say that, yes I do, or did have intel connections, but they were so beyond classified, that most people do not know I existed." the Marine Lieutenant explained. "Any agent that they send here, in all likelihood, will not see past the 40 something year old Marine XO” Archibald nodded. "Part of me hopes that someone who was sent over here would have been properly briefed, Lieutenant. Perhaps with a nod to get you to assist? It wouldn't surprise me. Which means that things might get hot around you." “Yes sir I understand, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. With your permission, I need to see Lieutenant Shrekt.” Archibald nodded. "Of course you do, Lieutenant. If you want my advice, be as open to her as you can. The Shrekts have a reputation for being rough and tough, but they have so far always been above ground. Intelligence is not their preferred line of work." Archibald watched the Marine get up and come to attention. "Go get them, Lieutenant." Archibald said with a nod. (Reply Leola IYW) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison- Ben's Quarters- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0906) As the comm link was closed Ben grabbed the PADD he was reviewing and turned towards the door to leave. Lieutenant Atwood would be waiting for him in engineering and Ben didn't want to keep him waiting. He exited the room and headed down the corridor in search of a turbo lift. Ben passed a few crewman on the way and nodded his head to them and said good day, they nodded back and returned the greeting. He reached a turbo lift and waited for the doors to open. He stepped inside and when the doors closed Ben said, " I hope we can come up with some form of a defense." [ Please restate destination ] came the computers reply. " Main engineering." Ben said in response, and the lift began to move. === (USS Dennison - Bridge - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0907) Joan waited at the tactical console that unlike in other vessels faced away from the main view screen. She had come to speak with the Captain after having finished her meeting with Sanok and Soma, but was told he was unavailable at the moment. She studied the panel and went over the major systems and was pulling up efficiency reports when the door to the Captain's Ready room opened and a marine officer departed. ~A Marine.~ thought Shrekt. She knew that they had a small contingent onboard and she would undoubtedly have to speak with them in regards to the coordination of the ship's defenses should the ship be boarded. She made a mental note of this, when the yeoman signaled that she could go in. Nodding to the yeoman, Shrekt entered the ready room. === (USS Dennison - Captain's Ready Room - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0908) "Captain, might I have a word." requested Shrekt, as she stood at the door way. (Reply Stakes) === ( USS Dennison- Main Engineering- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0920) Ben entered main engineering and looked around for a moment, people were moving about performing various tasks, diagnostics and calibrations. Ben assumed the CEO wanted to be sure everything was ship shape for the mission. Even though the ship had been worked on at Geneva by its engineers Ben knew the CEO would run his own tests to see that everything was up to scratch. Ben headed towards the CEO's office and entered to find Lieutenant Atwood waiting for him at his desk. Ben nodded to him and said, " Sir, Ensign Soma at your service. Where shall we start?" (posted by Milo Young) === (USS Dennison, CEO’s Office – CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 0923) It seemed to take the ensign a fair amount of time to get to the CEO’s office, at one point Atwood thought that he may have got lost. Harry was having a bad enough day as it was, without a tactical ensign being late to a meeting they themselves arranged. The repairs which had been made to the ship while they had been in dock we’re at the best, darn right c*ap. He was ready to make a complaint to Engineering command and to the captain, if he hadn’t been as busy sorting everything out he probably would have. The ensign walked through the door and Harry looked up, ~never heard of knocking? I suppose not~ he thought to himself. He smiled and stood up. "Sir, Ensign Soma at your service. Where shall we start?" The man said nodding. Harry sat down and motioned for the man to do so also, “A man after my own heart, straight to business then eh? – Probably for the best. I think the best place to start; Ensign would be exactly that – the start; which would be running through the tactical advantages and defensive measures this ship already has in place. Why don’t you run me through them quickly...?” He looked at the Ensign and smiled, he needed to gage the mans knowledge of the ship before he could work with what he already knew... "After all that is your expertise..." He smiled. (Posted by Jono) === (USS Dennison- CEO’s Office – ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 0926) Ben sat in the seat that was offered him by Lieutenant Atwood. Then the Lieutenant said, “A man after my own heart, straight to business then eh? – Probably for the best. I think the best place to start; Ensign would be exactly that – the start; which would be running through the tactical advantages and defensive measures this ship already has in place. Why don’t you run me through them quickly...?” Ben begin to think about the knowledge he absorbed about the Dennison, when the Lieutenat smiled at him and said,"After all that is your expertise..." Ben nodded and said, " Yes Sir, it is my expertise. The Dennison's main tactical advantage is its tri-vector mode, the ship seperates into three independant ships with a full array of weapons. The saucer is not warp capable which leaves it at a slight disadvantage as opposed to the engineering sections. The saucer has 6 phaser arrays, both engineering sections have 4." Ben paused for a moment before continuing, " Each section has a single photon and quantum torpedo launcher. The Dennison's main sheilds are auto-modulation regenerative shields, secondary shields are standard type 4. Key areas are also protected by ablative armor. And last but not least the Dennison is also equiped with a type 4 phased cloaking device, for use when the ship is operating as a whole." Ben then looked at Lieutenant Atwood and said, " All of these tactical systems and advantages will mean nothing if the Dennison is hit by a single Maltorian anti-matter weapon. We need to come up with something that will afford us some kind of protection, Sir." Ben waited for Lieutenant Atwoods reaction to his statement. (posted by Milo Young) === (USS Dennison - Shrekt's office - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1200) Joan had just returned to her office, after the captain had borrowed it to speak with an ensign. She had not quite understood what had happened that had landed him in the brig, but had little time to untangle the rather strange events that seemed to have lead to his imprisonment. She had spoken briefly with the arresting personnel, but decided that the captain must have handled it and that her expertise would be called upon if need be. She returned to complete a few last minute things before the ensigns returned to begin their inspection of the tactical and security department. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) === (USS Dennison - Outside Shrekt's office - ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1202) Ben reached for the doorchime on the panel and pressed it. He was eager to learn the tactical systems of the Dennison and curious to find out how the ship functioned in Tri- vector mode. Co-ordination would be the key in any situation where the ship was seperated for battle. Ben heard his summons for within the office and entered nodding to Lieutenant Shrekt. (posted by Milo Young) === (USS Dennison - FO Office - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 1429) Archibald regarded his hands as he considered this to be a bad omen. Finally he inwardly shrugged. He had never believed in luck or bad luck and he thought it a strange time to start believing it now. So he looked back up at the Commander as Trevan replied to him. "Thank you for considering me sir. I won't let you down," replied Trevan, then added, "As far as Lieutenant Bracken goes, she will be made permanent 2O sir. She is more than up to the task, a very capable officer and would be my choice. I'll make sure she learns the ropes as fast as possible in any area she needs it, but again, I don't think that will be needed." Archibald nodded but was not so convinced himself. Command positions tended to be more involved than most people gave it credit for. And many, otherwise fine, officers were unable to cope with the additional pressures brought to bear on them. Unfortunately the only way to really tell was by baptism of fire. "Is there anything else sir?" Archibald heard his new FO say, which broke his line of thought. "Don't think so, Commander," Archibald said after a moment of thought. "But regardless, I think we should make a move on. Inform the crew that I plan to leave tomorrow morning. We will cast off at four hundred hours in the morning, have some running tests done outside of the base and then move out at oh six hundred. Make it happen." "Permission to be dismissed and speak to Lieutenant Bracken?" asked West. Archibald nodded. "By all means, Commander. Oh, and I have asked Engineering to install two new chairs on the bridge, one for you at my right hand side and one for the counsellor at my left. If you wish you can have your intelligence network linked to yours but I would advise against it." (reply Trevan, iyw) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- CMO Dr Nymes- 1601) Nymes had spent the afternoon reviewing officers, grabbing ten minutes here and there to overview the Maltorians, with their specialised reproduction and genders, and had settled down for the last 20 minutes with the current Intel PADD that Bracken had forwarded onto them. It wasn't much. "[Maltorians] ...mate every 3 years, and take 2 mates each time. Similar to Denobulans in that respect, however, to give birth, the egg is fertilized and then implanted into a chamber where it is incubated over a period of 4 months. The child then comes out looking 3 earth years of age and retains the knowledge of it's parents memories. Average life span is 80 years." Nymes looked up as the air in the room was disturbed by the door opening, revealing another new face, and another transfer review to complete. " Doctor, " Ben said," I am Ensign Soma. I believe it is time for my medical exam." "Ensign Soma... Soma... Soma... There's a manifest list here somewhere..." Nymes said, underhis breath as he retreived the data from the padd on the top of his organised In tray. Heis desk was incredibly organised, the sheer weight of things in the Intray being the only problem. Every single transferring officer had to have a new entry in their notes, which had to be filed on individual PADDs to prevent mixups with the paperwork. All of the entries so far had read "mandatory medical completed. Patient is fit to perform allocated duties." and Nymes did not envisage any deviation from that line, unless Ensign Lane was transferred across to the Dennison. "Ensign Ben Soma, Human, 26." Nymes began. "Brown eyes, black hair, and a couple of scars, I see. Your records have followed you from the academy, ensign, so I just need to ask you a few questions, before running a bioscan. So I'll get to it. Are there any medical problems that I should know about?" (reply Soma) "Any problems that run in families?" (reply Soma) "Thats okay. I have to ask. How do you feel today?" (reply soma) Nymes realised that he was quickfiring questions, but he hoped his demeanour was relaxing enough for the ensign to realise that the trill was caring and attentive to his patients; he wasn't projecting boredom or distaste at asking the same questions again and again, but happy enthusiasm for his job, and the safety of his crew. "Well, I note that you have already seen the counsellor, so I can forego that line of enquiry. If you'd like to step up to the biobed, ensign, and I'll get the scan underway." (reply) Nymes tapped a button, and the biobed cocooned the human. "It'll be a few minutes, Ensign." (posted by GC) === ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma- 1603) "Ensign Ben Soma, Human, 26." Nymes began. "Brown eyes, black hair, and a couple of scars, I see. Your records have followed you from the academy, ensign, so I just need to ask you a few questions, before running a bioscan. So I'll get to it. Are there any medical problems that I should know about?" " I have no medical problems that I am aware of Doctor." Ben replied. "Any problems that run in families?" Ben thought for a moment and said, " No, the families have no history of medical problems or mental disorders. " "Thats okay. I have to ask. How do you feel today?" " I am feeling well, happy to be onboard and beginning a mission." Ben answered the Doctor. "Well, I note that you have already seen the counsellor, so I can forego that line of enquiry. If you'd like to step up to the biobed, ensign, and I'll get the scan underway." Ben moved to the biobed, hopped on and lyed down. ~ A little more comfortable than I figured it would be~ Ben thought. Doctor Nymes tapped a button and Ben was cocooned by the biobed. "It'll be a few minutes, Ensign." " I'm not going anywhere Doc, I think this is the first time today that I felt relaxed." Ben said with a slight smile as he looked at Doctor Nymes. (posted by Milo Young) === (USS Dennison, Sickbay, CMO Dr Nymes , 1647) "Lewis, how are things here in Sickbay.Is there anything you need and are you fully operational?" he asked the Doctor. "Ah, Commander, take a seat." Nymes said, proffering the chair opposite his desk. "Sickbay is busy - its the season for the medical. We are set for departure, waiting on one detail. Ensign Lane is currently on the Starbase, and I am due to review him later today. If he is stable and recovering, he should be back in duty by the end of the week, so I think I'll transfer him to the Dennison Sickbay." (reply West) Nymes waited for the reaction before continuing. "And, sir, its been six months since I last reviewed your health. It would be opportunistic to monopolise your time, sir, but I think prudent to do so too. Any health worries since your last visit here, sir?" (reply West - rfm) "Well, lets see. Hop up onto biobed three, sir, and we'll take a scan." (posted by GC) === (USS Dennison, Sickbay, Commander Trevan West, 1648) "Ah, Commander, take a seat." Nymes said, proffering the chair opposite his desk. "Sickbay is busy - its the season for the medical. We are set for departure, waiting on one detail. Ensign Lane is currently on the Starbase, and I am due to review him later today. If he is stable and recovering, he should be back in duty by the end of the week, so I think I'll transfer him to the Dennison Sickbay." Trevan nodded, "Sounds like a good idea," he said. Sensing something else he said ,"and?" Nymes waited for the reaction before continuing. "And, sir, its been six months since I last reviewed your health. It would be opportunistic to monopolize your time, sir, but I think prudent to do so too. Any health worries since your last visit here, sir?" "Not that I can think of Doc," replied Trevan "Well, lets see. Hop up onto biobed three, sir, and we'll take a scan." Well he knew that was coming, always with the scans. Then came the other scans, and then hyposprays and then rehab or something equally stupid. But Trevan knew if he didn't comply, Lewis would chase him around the ship until one of them couldn't run any more, and knowing that they were both good runners, that would be a while. Trevan sighed, "Fine," he said with a hint of surrender, "as long as it doesn't eat up my day. I still have things to do." and hopped up on the biobed. (posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (USS Dennison - CO's Yeoman's Office - Yeoman PO2 Esme Stakes - 1730) "I just needed to confirm that the Captain has no problems with me running things my way before I start putting the fear of the deity-of-choice into some of those lazy so-and-sos that allegedly work in Ten Forward. Have you been in there?" Mei Ling asked in a in an uppety kind of way. Esme shrugged. "No, my mother got us some rooms on Geneva and we have been holing out there. Some of the restaurants do a delivery service. Ma got tired of waiting for Dad to get home to cook. Apparently when you become an Admiral they do home deliveries, even the more expensive ones. *Especially* the more expensive ones, come to think of it. 'S not the same though," she said with a sigh. "As for the food - I would like to use the hydroponics labs, until it's possible to get a couple of proper hydroponics bays installed and running, who should I speak to about that?" Mei Ling inquired. With her line of thoughts broken, Esme looked stupefied for a moment until it clicked. "Oh, hydroponic labs. Yeah, that would be the CSO, I would reckon. Lieutenant Bracken. Dale Bracken. I doubt we would ever be able to get a full bay in here. Too many people, not enough space." "Proper hydroponics bays could keep the mess hall supplied with fresh food, as well as Ten Forward," Mei Ling explained. "Replicated food is fine but I'm a strong believer in fresh produce as well. As for an arboretum or botanical garden, their effects on the well-being of the crew are well documented and ..." she broke off. "I'm sorry," she said. "I tend to run on a bit. I just want to do my best for the officers and crew of this ship!" Esme sighed. "I think we all want the same but, with the limited space on board, that might be hard. Mind you there are some entertaining centers on Deck 3 but I do not know what they are and if there would be room to place some shrubberies there. Your best bet would be Lieutenant Bracken. She is also the acting 2O so she might be more inclined to give you additional space in the labs if that could improve morale. But if she says no, there would be little more I could do. Dad would take her side and I am not going in against him. Nor should you. I'll uhhhh have a word with him regarding your requirements. But as he made no mention about your rules when we were on board the Boudicca, I doubt he would have an issue with them on this ship." (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison - CO's Yeoman's Office - Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 1732) "Thank you for your help," Mei Ling said to Esme. "I will speak to Lt Bracken now." She smiled. "No time like the present and I really want to get this sorted out as soon as possible." (reply Esme if you wish) (USS Dennison - outside CO's Yeoman's office - Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru -1734) Mei Ling tapped the commbadge she had been given. "Ten Forward Manager Hikaru to Lt Bracken. I would like to speak to you as soon as possible, Lt. When would be convenient?" (Posted by Liz) === (USS Dennison – CSO’s Office CSO/a2O Bracken- 1733) =/\=Ten Forward Manager Hikaru to Lt Bracken. I would like to speak to you as soon as possible, Lt. When would be convenient?=/\= Dale looked up from the PADD that she had been reading, a slightly confused look on her face. The voice and name was unfamiliar, so that meant that Hikaru was new to the Dennison. “Come straight up if you’d like...I’m in the CSO Office on deck 6. Bracken out.” Dale took a look over her desk, the various PADDS from her department around the ship and a separate small pile on the Maltorian Intelligence, that she picked up, and locked each one with her code, then put them behind her desk. A few minutes later the doorchime rang. “Come.” Dale called simply. (Posted by Mark) === (USS Dennison - Main Engineering- Commander Trevan West- 1945) The hum of the warp core was filling the room and many people were busy calibrating and adjusting the Dennisons' systems to their own proper, and better, specifications. Off to the side near the main display monitor he saw Lieutenant Atwood busy doing something important. "Lieutenant, a moment please?" he asked. (reply Atwood) "Sorry to bother you Lieutenant, I know you have your hands full. As you know Lieutenant Darsons is currently off duty, you are to assume her role for the time being as you are the next senior officer. She has still not been cleared for duty, so if you do see here poking her head around here, you let me know and I will see to it. Also," he said lowering his voice a touch, "I know our shields won't take any shots from the Maltorians but see what you can do about running some additional power from non-essentials. But to do that you will have to run an anodyne relay to join things up." He saw the look on the man's face, "Sorry, old engineer habits die hard you know?" said Trevan. (reply Atwood) "Very well, keep me posted." replied Trevan and then slowly walked around the room, giving everything a close look before moving on. "West to Alosar, do you have a free moment Lieutenant?" (Posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 1951) It had been a long day, he had worked through the defensive systems with Ensign Soma, a bright and clearly enthusiastic Ensign. Among other parts of the day he was glad to be clocking off in half-an-hour, although as CEO he was pretty much always on call. He looked around to see the Commander and Intel agent walking towards him. "Lieutenant, a moment please?" he asked. Harry looked at him and nodded, they moved off to the side before West began speaking again. "Sorry to bother you Lieutenant, I know you have your hands full. As you know Lieutenant Darsons is currently off duty, you are to assume her role for the time being as you are the next senior officer. She has still not been cleared for duty, so if you do see here poking her head around here, you let me know and I will see to it. Also," he said lowering his voice a touch, "I know our shields won't take any shots from the Maltorians but see what you can do about running some additional power from non-essentials. But to do that you will have to run an anodyne relay to join things up." Harry just looked confused. Not at the relay comment but at what the commander had said before that. "Sorry, old engineer habits die hard you know?" “Sorry… Sir?” He said still with the confused look upon his face, “Could you repeat the first part of your orders again? – I seem to be a little confused. You want myself to take over Lt. Darsons position? So are you demoting me or have I just got my position as Chief Engineering Officer aboard the Dennison confused?” (Posted by Jono) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Stardate: 2408.01.10 Day: 185 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - OPS - Ensign Cattia Spero - 0626) Kit was alone in the Briefing Room, reviewing her data and rehearsing the explanation she planned to give as she waited for the Captain and Commander West to arrive. She looked up as the door opened and Stakes entered. "Mister Spero, you had something you wished to show us?" he asked. "Yes Sir," Kit answered. "I think I've found something that will help us with a Maltorian language matrix for the UT." Once Commander West had arrived as well, Kit began her report. "If you remember, when Commander West showed us the data on the viewscreen, there were quite a few gaps and blanks where they hadn't been able to translate it properly. And since there has been no direct contact with the Maltorians for over 150 years, and we didn't have our own translation matrix from the last contact - according to the information Commander West gave me, they 'picked up our language and used their own translator to understand us' - forming a useful matrix would be extremely difficult. So as far as I can gather, the translation of their recent communication to us is based on what they wanted us to know, 150 years ago." She took a deep breath. "However, the fact that our UT could not *then* create a matrix for the Maltorian language does not mean it cannot do so *now*. A lot has changed in 150 years, and our language matrix database has increased exponentially in that time. Commander West gave me a PADD with the basics of the information on it, which in short I uploaded and took a look at. There was a recognisable pattern, one I wasn't familiar with but a pattern nonetheless. So I ran comparisons against all the language matrices in the database and eventually an hour or so ago, I found a partial match." She tapped her PADD and the data she was referring to sprang to life on the viewscreen. "On the left is the Maltorian data. On the right, a Terran language called Japanese." She looked at the Captain, who seemed to be frowning slightly. "You may not see the connection there yet, Sir, but let me explain. The structure of the Japanese language is complex, and includes different words and syntax according to whom you are speaking. So they use a different form of language for (roughly) family - close and far; outer circle; extra outer circle; strangers. That's putting it very roughly, but you get the general idea. As you can see, this is represented within the matrix displayed by interconnecting groups of data - a common base but beyond that, unique variations. Now if we look at the Maltorian data, you can see a similar, but less complex, structure. I've identified two 'main' elements - the first," she indicated the relevant part, "corresponds with the data on the PADD referring back to our first contact with the Maltorians 150-odd years ago. I refer to that as High Maltorian in my report. The second corresponds with some of the more recent data as I understand it, and I refer to that as Common Maltorian - in the sense that it is less formal, and therefore more likely to be spoken by the general population. There is a common root but the two variations are almost completely distinct now, which might suggest a ruling caste and an under caste, though that is just speculation on my part. It could simply be that High Maltorian is used for official documents and government business, whilst everyone uses Common Maltorian in everyday speech and writing. Without more data it's not possible to make a more definite hypothesis, Sir." "The communications we received from them were ostensibly all in High Maltorian, but it's possible to encode a transmission so that there is a hidden message. In this hypothesis, the hidden message would be in Common, whilst the main message was in High; thus the Common would not have translated based on the information the Maltorians gave us during the first contact with them since that related purely to High Maltorian. There is also a possibility of a third element, but I can't be sure of that as I had only the information Commander West gave me to work with. The matrix I have put together for our UT will give a limited translation, with gaps; if I could run that matrix against all of the communications with and from the Maltorians, I might be able to produce something better before we meet with them; otherwise the matrix will as usual update itself constantly as we communicate with them but that will leave us at risk of misunderstandings on both sides until it gathers sufficient data." She paused. "I believe that if I could run this against all original data from the communications, recent and former, some of the gaps in the recent data might be filled in. I can't guarantee it, but I think it's worth a try, Captain. The programming is complex, but workable, and I can adjust it as necessary if the matrix I have is not accurate." (Posted by Liz) === (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - Commander Trevan West 0627) She paused. "I believe that if I could run this against all original data from the communications, recent and former, some of the gaps in the recent data might be filled in. I can't guarantee it, but I think it's worth a try, Captain. The programming is complex, but workable, and I can adjust it as necessary if the matrix I have is not accurate." Trevan nodded along with the report and then when Kit finished, Trevan spoke up, "I concur sir. Whatever we can get out of the previous communications to add to our matrix would be helpful," he said to Captain Stakes looking him in the eye. Then turning to Spero he added, "I think I can get you everything you need." Turning to face the Captain again, "Sir, with your permission I would like to get started on downloading those old transmissions plus all of our new stuff, time is the enemy now." he added without dramatics . "Ensign Spero already has some data, and there is more in the computer. As for the old stuff, it will take a bit." (Posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (USS Dennison - Darson's Personal Quarters - Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 0653) As Alosar had promised, he had stopped by Haley's quarters to check on her. It had taken a few rings at her door chime, but Alosar felt it was important for him to keep his promises to her, even though he knew his presence on the bridge would be required. Their conversation had gone on longer than he had anticipated and so he was not surprised when the CO's voice came over his comm badge. =^=Lieutenant Alosar to the Bridge!=^= Alosar let his mouth droop just a bit. This was not the ideal time for him to leave but his presence was required. "Haley, I must attend to the captain right now," he explained. "Are you certain that you are well, and that I can go?" (reply Darsons) Alosar nodded, "Very well. I will come back as soon as I am able." Alosar tapped his comm badge as he exited Darson's chambers. "On my way Captain." === (USS Dennison - Bridge - Counselor- Lt. Alosar - 0655) Alosar stepped off the bridge and headed over to the CO. The standard Promtheus class bridge did not have seats surrounding the CO, however, it was clear that the Dennison was not standard. Although the bridge was less aesthetic than, say a Galaxy class ship, it was more functional. However, there had been command seats placed next to the captain. The one to his right was already occupied by Commander West. Alosar made his way to the captain's left. Alosar nodded at the CO as he sat down. He felt it unnecessary to explain his not being present before at this time. Lt. Darsons did not need her personal life explained in front of the entire bridge crew. And they were not yet in range of their destination for it to be considered bad form for his tardiness. "Is all well, Captain Stakes?" he asked. (posted by Al Muir) === (Maltoria, President's Office, President Lefkin, 1200) Lefkin, sitting in the large molded chair, looked outside his window. He could see almost a hundred kilometers east, the most prominent feature he could see was the Jorhir Monastery, with its golden spires stretching almost into the upper atmosphere. His thoughts however, were higher than those spires. It had been months since they sent out their message to the Federation Starfleet and they had not received any indication that their message had been understood. ~Perhaps they are not evolved enough to understand it~ he thought, ~Perhaps they are extinct or no longer interested in exploring the galaxy as they had done before~. Nonetheless, Lefkin sent for the Minister of Communications. When he arrived, he directed him to send another message. This time, to include the exact spatial co-ordinates in sector 4502. ~No more waiting, the Maltorians need help~ ***************Message************* 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 19828.22 by 03495.2 by 56378.3 ************End Message********** He placed the message on an endless loop, hoping someone would hear it. "Frixlak!" he swore loudly to his Minister. "We should have been more specific in our first message. Now, it may be to late for Maltoria" he shouted at the man. Slamming his hand on the table, three guards came in line from the door at the end of the room and took the Minister into custody. "Rasjid," was all he said and the guards stunned the Minister and dragged him off into the side room. Lefkin then turned back to face the window and looked at the monastery. He closed his eyes and prayed. (Posted by President Lefkin a.k.a Kerry Fletcher) === (Maltoria - Minister's Office - Ministry for Information - 1230) “So you see Tweean, that this morning’s...regrettable incident had nothing to do with Police overreaction and more to do with the riotous assembly outside the Ministry of Provisions and Agriculture.” Durrell, the Minister, was a tall, heavyset man, he had help his position for many years now, and had seen occurrences like this many times before, and today’s was dealt with as all the others had, Ruthlessly. It was his job to make sure that the public understood that thing, did not always happen as they had seemed to. It was his job to make sure that they understood the truth of the matter, at least, the Governments version of the truth, and that, was not to be argued with. “Durrell, word on the street is that it was simply a que of people getting food allowance tokens, the Police turned up and opened fire. This is getting out of hand Durrell.” “Tweean, Tweean” Privately the Minister of Information had doubts about the suitability of the Minister for Resources and Ethics. His Politics were beginning to lean toward those of the sympathiser. He was a tall man, though built more of a labourer, the muscle that showed across his shoulders and arms turned Durrell’s Stomach, Tweean had the appearance of a lowly farm hand, not a minister. “Tweean, that’s what these insurgents WANT you to believe, to me it’s clear that had that patrol not been passing then they would have attempted to destroy the Ministry of Provisions, and then where would we be? Those starving leeches that you seem so fond of would be in serious trouble. I advise you to really consider the realities of the matter. The government must act in the strongest manner to destroy this type of incident. Now, I’m rather busy, so if you don’t mind?” Tweean sighed, the dismissal not even subtle, there was no doubt in his mind what had transposed this morning, but his department was not a powerful one politically. “Of course Durrell. I’ll leave you to your...ministrations.” He turned and left, in truth glad to be out of the Information Ministry, one thought on his mind. ~We need help, quickly~ (Posted by Mark) ******************************************************************** Th.th.th.th.th.th.th.th.that's all, Folks!