Compile break down: Day 183 (USS Dennison - Bridge - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 22:54) Day: 184 (USS Dennison - Ready Room - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0909) (USS Dennison - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 0910) (USS Dennison – Phaser Range – Marine XO 2L Leola Bracken - 0911) (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - ATac Ensign (jg) Sanok- 1200) (USS Dennison - Deck 11, Stellar Cartography - Scientist Raymond Masterson - 1300) (USS Dennison - Deck 10, Sickbay - Nurse Carl Masterson - 1430) (USS Dennison - FO Office - Commander Trevan West- 1449) (USS Dennison, FO Office, Commander Trevan West 1500) ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- CMO Dr Nymes- 1604) (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Dr Nymes -1610) (USS Dennison - Sickbay -ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma-1613) (USS Dennison, Sickbay, CMO Dr Nymes 1649) (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Dr Nymes 1655) (USS Dennison - Sickbay - Commander Trevan West 1656) (USS Dennison – CSO’s Office - CSO/a2O Lt Dale Bracken and Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 1740) (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – Commander Trevan West– 1952) (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – Confused CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 1956) (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Nymes & CSO/2O Bracken -1959) (USS Dennison - Holodeck 1: Sierra Nevada - CMO Nymes & 2O/CSO Bracken - 2000) (USS Dennison - Ten Forward – Ensign Miandra Simmons- 2047) Day: 185 (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 0629) (USS Dennison - Bridge - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 0657) (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - Commander Trevan West 0850) (Maltoria - Citizen's Clinical Center - Asklar Th'ilonel - 1400) (USS Dennison, Intelligence Office, Commander Trevan West, 1400) (USS Dennison, Bridge, Commander Trevan West, 1405) ********************************************************* Mission: The Healer in the Tower Day 183 Stardate: 2408.01.08 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Bridge - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 22:54) "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." "Anything further for me sir, or shall I report to the Chief Engineer at the turn of watch?" Archibald nodded. "Good, all above board and all according to the regulations. And I have the logs to proof it. I will inform the Dockmaster of my decision. He may not like it, but there is little he could do against it. I'm pleased and better at ease than when I read the engineering reports for the first time. Getting the right man in the right position, that is all that this game is about. But every game has their own rules, some strict and some more .... lenient, and I consider it my duty to get the best result for the ship using my knowledge of the regulations and the restrictions imposed by them. Good." Archibald nodded again. "I would have hated seeing a qualified man wasted doing menial tasks on a Starbase, simply because he did not understand the 'niceties' of command structure, or because of some political game that his superiors decided to play." Archibald smiled humourlessly for a second. "Unfortunately for them I know the rules for political games too. As for your question, Chief, I expect to see Chief Atwood returning soon, now that the Dennison is under full power again. I would suggest waiting for him in Main Engineering. You know the way. Dismissed, Chief Freeman. Oh, and Mister Freeman? Welcome on board." (Posted by Adrie Geuken) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Stardate: 2408.01.09 Day: 184 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Ready Room - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 0909) Before Stakes could reply, Shrekt's commbadge beeped. =/\=Lieutenant Shrekt, this is Marine XO Bracken, please report to the Phaser range on deck 16.=/\= Shrekt raised an eyebrow and said, "Excuse me a moment captain." She tapped her commbadge and said, "Shrekt here. I am meeting with the Captain. Can we meet in twenty minutes?" (Reply Bracken) "My apologies, Captain. As I was saying, could I have a minute?" asked Shrekt. (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) === (USS Dennison - Captain's Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 0910) "Captain, might I have a word." requested Shrekt, as she stood at the door way. Archibald was about to nod when her comm badge beeped. =/\=Lieutenant Shrekt, this is Marine XO Bracken, please report to the Phaser range on deck 16.=/\= Shrekt raised an eyebrow and said, "Excuse me a moment captain." ~Sure, don't mind me, I'm just sitting here, keeping a seat warm," Archibald thought with a pang of annoyance. But the TAC/SC did not pick it up as she responded to the message herself. She turned after receiving a response from the Marine. "My apologies, Captain. As I was saying, could I have a minute?" Archibald regarded her for a second. "Yeoman!" Esme came in quickly with a questioning look on her face. "Yeoman, the Lieutenant here wants to know if I have a minute to spare for her. Do I?" Esme looked at Joan then at her father. "Uhh, yes? Commander Belgrada will meet with you at 11 o'clock but up til then you are available." A look followed. "Sir." Esme hastily said before turning. Archibald shot his retreating daughter a glance then looked at Shrekt. "You heard my Yeoman, Lieutenant. But for future references, if you wish to inquire about my availability for a social call, I would prefer it if you directed that question to my yeoman, as she has my full itinerary and she may set an appropriate time for the meeting. However, if you *need* to see me, I expect you to barge in regardless of my itinerary. I do not care for social chit-chat and do not expect my staff to require my presence if they wish to do so. Nor do I expect you to be wishing or willing to engage in social chit-chat, so in future, Lieutenant, if there is something that you feel that you need to discuss with me, you will state so. Now, Mister Shrekt, do you *wish* to see me or do you *need* to see me?" (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison – Phaser Range – Marine XO 2L Leola Bracken - 0911) “Lieutenant Shrekt, this is Marine XO Bracken, please report to the Phaser range on deck 16.” =/\=Shrekt here. I am meeting with the Captain. Can we meet in twenty minutes?=/\= “Understood Lieutenant, I’ll still be here. Bracken out.” Leola closed the channel, and re-aimed the rifle that she had lowered, the conversation with Shrekt would prove interesting. (posted by Mark) === (USS Dennison - Shrekt's Office - ATac Ensign (jg) Sanok- 1200) After the initial meeting with Lieutenant Shrekt and Ensign Soma earlier that day, Sanok had gone to his quarters to study the Maltorian information. He was finding it to be fascinating, and had a bit of difficulty putting it down when it came time to meet for the tactical tour. Arriving at Lieutenant Shrekt's office at precisely 1200 hours, he rang the chime and entered when given permission. "I am ready to conduct the tour, Lieutenant," said Sanok, "though I'm sure there isn't anything I can show or tell you, that you don't already know." (Posted by Robert Brown) === (USS Dennison - Deck 11, Stellar Cartography - Scientist Raymond Masterson - 1300) Ray sat at his desk going over the latest results. The end of the war had meant that things were not so dire as it had been. But then most resources had been diverted to reconstruction, so a lot of his work had been put on hold for several months. In the meantime, Ray had been stuck assisting reconstruction efforts. It hadn't been completely intolerable. He had spent most of his time rebuilding schools. His brother was wasting his time in hospitals. Ray didn't understand why Carl bothered, it was not as though Carl had the brain capacity to advance far into the medical field. At best he would be a glorified orderly. But Ray hadn't bothered really speaking with Carl, as it was Carl's life and it was what he wanted to do. As it was, Ray had continued to work on his projects in his spare time and now finally he was back onboard a starship exploring the galaxy. Studying the vast phenomena that filled the universe was a magic spell all on its own. Access to the facilities that a starship had to offer was as good as he could expect. He stared at the dancing digits that played across the screen. The data spoke volumes to him as in his mind he assembled the pieces into an enormous puzzle. ~Just have to up the flow~ thought Ray, as he adjusted the setting when he noticed that it was not changing. He checked his settings and saw that he wasn't getting enough power. Tapping his commbadge, Ray said, "Stellar Cartography to OPS" (Reply OPS) "I am unable to get sufficient power for an experiment I am running. Divert additional power." said Ray, not being the most polite of people nor having a high number of people skills. His work was vital. Why would they be diverting power elsewhere? The ship was not in combat? (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) === (USS Dennison - Deck 10, Sickbay - Nurse Carl Masterson - 1430) Carl stood at attention as Chief Nurse Diane Duande assisted a doctor in conducting a medical exam. Carl had moved to the ship with his brother relatively recently and he was still getting used to the rhythm of the ship. Each ship seemed to have a different beat to it and it took time to get in sync with daily life. Carl was a large man at six foot six inches and was built like a brick wall. Many times has he been mistaken for a security officer. And he had been for a while. But he was no longer there and was studying to improve his skills in medical. He could break a man in half if called upon, but it was putting folks back that interested him now. He stood genially, listening as attentively as he could. There were times when the doctor or Nurse Duande spoke a little too fast for him, but he tried hard to please. He smiled as often as possible, since he found folks responded better to that. In his previous job, a smile really wasn't called for often or even desired. And he was never one of the better interrogators, his mind just didn't move fast enough to speak. His body on the other hand was very intuitive, but now those things weren't as helpful. His superiors were trying to get his skills sufficient to act as a field medic which would work well with his previous training in combat. So far he had basic first aid down, but it was the more complex things that he required his tri-corder to tell him what was going on. And there were still times that it was so complex, that it was nearly impossible for Carl to act upon the information it provided. But now it was nearing the end of Alpha shift and he was starting to think of what he would be doing in his spare time. ~Maybe go to Ten-Forward.~ he thought, while trying to look as attentive as possible. ~Get a card game going~ Eventually the examination came to an end and Carl began to clean up the instruments. "Is there anything else you need, Ma'am? Sir?" (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) === (USS Dennison - FO Office - Commander Trevan West- 1449) Trevan had been sitting there, in this office which was McDermotts until a few moments ago, trying to think of how to tell Dale that she was permanent second officer. ~Be direct~ was his thought. "West to Dale Bracken, please report to me in the First Officer's office please." (reply Bracken) === (USS Dennison, FO Office, Commander Trevan West 1500) The door chime rang and Trevan gave his permission to enter. "Hey Dale," he said, "grab a seat will you?" he said being polite. "Don't worry, you aren't in trouble. Quite the opposite actually. With Commander McDermott now gone for medical reasons, I have been moved into the First Officer position and I need a good and permanent Second Officer, so you are the best choice for that spot," he explained. (reply Bracken) "Well it was an easy choice for me and the Captain thinks you have what it takes and I do as well. Do you accept?" he asked. "Good! Then I will make an official entry in the database. We work well together and I want that to continue as it would benefit the ship and crew to have a good team." (posted by Kerry Fletcher) === ( USS Dennison- Sickbay- CMO Dr Nymes- 1604) " 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. "Thats good - theres no need to be otherwise, ensign." Nymes replied, before tapping the controls again, setting the scan in progress. (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Dr Nymes -1610) "So, ensign, tell me a bit more about yourself...?" (reply ben) [...Beep... Scan Complete...] ~CVS nad, Resp nad, Neuro nad, GiT nad, uro nad, endocrine nad, ortho nad. immuno - nad.~ Nymes nodded and smiled as he let the ensign out of the biobed. "Absolutely normal, ensign. Fit to fly." (reply ben) Nymes nodded, happy in another job finished, and watched the ensign leave the sickbay to his next job, before retrieving his office and reviewing the data on the Maltorians. (posted by GC) === (USS Dennison - Sickbay -ATac Ensign (jg) Ben Soma-1613) "So, ensign, tell me a bit more about yourself...?" " I enjoy all forms of martial arts, hand to hand, weapons handling and combat simulations. So you may see me in here with the odd laceration from time to time, safety protocols prevent life threatening injury but the odd cut is unavoidable." Ben said to Doctor Nymes as a beep sounded. [...Beep... Scan Complete...] Nymes nodded and smiled as he let the ensign out of the biobed. "Absolutely normal, ensign. Fit to fly." " That's great news Doc," Ben said with a smile. " wouldn't want to start the mission any other way." Ben nodded his thanks to Doctor Nymes and turned to leave the medical bay. Nymes nodded, happy in another job finished, and watched the ensign leave the sickbay to his next job, before retrieving his office and reviewing the data on the Maltorians. ( posted by Milo Young) === (USS Dennison, Sickbay, CMO Dr Nymes 1649) 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. ~Don't we all~ Nymes thought, his mind turning to the research he had to do regarding the Maltorians. His memory was projecting fleeting semblances of memory, images from a past, perhaps imagined, and had since the the mission briefing that morning. "Just lie back, sir." (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Dr Nymes 1655) [...Beep... Scan completed...] Nymes looked up from the PADD, glancing at the readout from the biobed before continuing, picking up a medical tricorder to confirm the biobed readings. (reply West) ~Anaemia?~ Nymes thought. But there was no real doubt behind both sets of scan results; it was valid, even if the reading was at the fringe of the the abnormal range. "Sir, Have you been feeling tired at all?" Nymes asked, his manner caring, keeping any concern away from his voice and demeanour. "Breathless, especially after exercise?" (reply West) "I had to ask, sir; your Hb is a little low... Looks like you are running on an anaemia - even if it is slight. Your scan shows no other abnormality, just this." (reply West) "Well..." Nymes started. "You are fit to fly - but I'll need to keep an eye on this over the next few weeks, sir. After that, we can consider treatment if its persistently low; change in diet, injections via hypospray - things like that." (posted by GC) === (USS Dennison - Sickbay - Commander Trevan West 1656) [...Beep... Scan completed...] Nymes looked up from the PADD, glancing at the readout from the biobed before continuing, picking up a medical tricorder to confirm the biobed readings. Trevan sat up and saw the Doctor looking at the readouts, "What's the diagnosis Doc?" he asked. "Sir, Have you been feeling tired at all?" Nymes asked, his manner caring, keeping any concern away from his voice and demeanor. "Breathless, especially after exercise?" "Actually," he said, "I have been. Been busy and not really sleeping much, why do you ask?" "I had to ask, sir; your Hb is a little low... Looks like you are running on an anemia - even if it is slight. Your scan shows no other abnormality, just this." That didn't sound too good to Trevan. He didn't know what that was, and it worried him, "What is it, and should I be worried about it," he asked Lewis, "Can I still work?" "Well..." Nymes started. "You are fit to fly - but I'll need to keep an eye on this over the next few weeks, sir. After that, we can consider treatment if its persistently low; change in diet, injections via hypospray - things like that." "See this is why I hate coming here!" he said laughing, "You always find something to keep me here Lewis," and smiled, "I'll be back next week, and hopefully that will be the end of it." (Posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (USS Dennison – CSO’s Office - CSO/a2O Lt Dale Bracken and Bar Manager Mei Ling Hikaru - 1740) Mei Ling, pleased that the CSO was willing to see her, had gone directly from the Yeoman's office on Deck 1 to Deck 6 and the CSO's office. She sounded the doorchime and on receiving permission to enter, had done so. "Good evening, Lt Bracken. Good of you to see me at such short notice," Mei Ling said with a smile. She held out her hand to the other woman. "Mei Ling Hikaru, newly-appointed Manager of Ten Forward." Dale looked up, and took the hand of the other woman, shaking briefly "Come in Mei Ling, Please sit down. How can i help you?" "Thank you," Mei Ling said as she took a seat. "I only came aboard today, but I have to say I was shocked to find replicated food whilst we sit at the best-stocked starbase in the sector. On further enquiry, the staff there informed me that it's their habit to use only replicated ingredients. However, as I'm sure you know, some things just don't replicate well. On the last ship I was on, I had the use of two hydroponics bays, for about 400 crew. Here there are 1400 crew, but no hydroponics bays. Only your labs." She paused a moment. "I would like to request the use of some of the hydroponics labs to produce fresh food for the officers and crew. I'd concentrate on the things that really don't replicate well, but I think it would make a tremendous difference. And if you could think of any area on the ship which could possibly be given over to create some proper hydroponics bays, then that would be even better." Dale leant back in her seat, nodding slightly. She was right. There wasn't enough fresh sourced ingredients used on board. In truth it was something she had never considered until Mei Ling had brought it up, but now she thought about it, she was right. "The hydrophonics labs are all yours, use them as you deem the most appropriate." Dale stood up, and made her way to the replicator, "At the risk of offending you horrifically, can i offer you a...replicated coffee?" Mei Ling grinned. "You can, I'm not offended, and I accept. Black, double strong, no sugar please. But from tomorrow, fresh coffee will be available in Ten Forward. Yeoman Stakes was good enough to, ah, assist me with convincing the quartermaster to get a whole list of supplies from Geneva before we leave. Fresh coffee being one of them." Dale turned and smiled as she replicated the drink, "Fresh Coffee? You and i are going to get along really well." She passed the drink over, and sat back down, taking a sip of her own. "Space on the other hand, is going to take a whole lot more doing." Dale pause, pensive "This as you know is a ship with a crew of 1400, based on a chassis of a ship designed to carry probably half that number. " she sipped her coffee again, "We can possibly find a couple more labs, bays, at the moment are out of the question i think. we also have a company of marines that need training room. I'll tell you what, i'll have a look at deck plans and see what we can do, but I really, really doubt if we can find that much space." Mei Ling nodded. "I thought as much, to be honest. And I'm very grateful for the hydroponics labs. I'll get started on that tomorrow. We will have enough to go on with until the hydroponics get underway, but it's good to know that I'll be able to replace what I use of my fresh stock." She smiled. I think you'll all like the results." She tasted the coffee and smiled. "You know, for replicated this isn't half bad. Do I detect a hint of cinnamon?" Dale smiled, "caught me, and a touch of Cardamom, gives it an...aromotic hint." She smiled again, finishing the coffe in the cup. "So, how do you find the Dennison? Apart from the hydrophonics being below standard?" "So far, she seems a good ship. But I've only been on her a couple of hours. I'm still finding my feet, getting to know folks. I'm lucky in that I know a couple already from the Boudicca. And I heard tell there's a few more from her too. I think you have one assigned to your department? Ray Masterson, a technician? Stellar Cartography if I remember correctly?" Dale nodded "I saw his details, I'm ashamed to say i haven't had time to speak to him properly. Don't seem to have stopped since yesterday morning. Stellar Cartography you say?" Mei Ling nodded. "That's what his brother Carl said. He's in medical. He's a nice guy. Ray can be a little on the abrupt side, but I hear he's good at his job." She grinned. "Perks of the job. After a week in Ten Forward there's not much you don't know about anyone. " Dale laughed gently "Now that i can believe. Tell me, how long have you been working in the fleet?" "Eight years," Mei Ling said. "I managed Ten Forward on the Boudicca from the day she launched in 2404 until recently. Then I spent a few weeks running a place on a starbase, found I missed shipboard life, and was lucky enough to be offered a berth here." Dale nodded, "They have a habit of drawing you back don't they. I was born on a fleet ship, Mummy and Daddy were both in the fleet. Both NCO's. Daddy left the fleet when i was 12, following mummy being..."Dale paused, uncertain what to say. "There was an accident on the ark royal, All the computers listed her as being deceased...long story. Anyway, As I grew up the pull of the Fleet Ships took me more and more, so, i joined up to the academy, and...here I am." "I'm sorry about your mother," Mei Ling said with genuine sympathy. "That must have been hard for you. But it does get into your blood, doesn't it. And I like the family feeling you get on a ship. I think that was what I missed most on the starbase. It's too big." Again Dale nodded, then picked up on the tone of sympathy in Mei Ling's voice. Dale realised that She hadn't made herself very clear. "You're right, it does become a family." She chuckled slightly "Funny thing is, that she wasn't dead, and was posted by the Corps as Marine XO to a certain USS Dennison. Where her wonderfully talented daughter was CSO." She laughed, putting a heavy note of humour over her immodesty. Mei Ling chuckled, and then added, "I'm glad to hear she is still alive. Though it must have been a shock for you to find out like that. I'm lucky, both my parents are still alive, and living on Earth. And they survived the war intact. They run the Blue Parrot in San Francisco, I don't know if you ever went there while you were at the Academy?" "I did once or twice, Nice place, sadly work took over and, free time was a rare resource." Mei Ling nodded. "Yes, I can believe it. I'm glad you made it there a couple of times though, but I'm probably biased." Her eyes twinkled. "However, I shouldn't take up too much of your time," she added, finishing her drink and rising. "Thank you for the coffee - and even more for the use of the hydroponics labs. And if there's a particular dish you'd like to see you'd like on the menu of Ten Forward, you only have to ask." Dale looked up, and smiled back, "I'm sure i'll think of something, Anything with fresh ingredients will be really wonderful. You can be sure that I'll be in as soon as is possible." She looked over her cluttered desk "I'd better get back to it, these reports won't read themselves i'm afraid." "Thank you, Dale, for your time and your help," Mei Ling said. "And I look forward to seeing you in Ten Forward soon." (Posted by Liz and Mark) === (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – Commander Trevan West– 1952) "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?” Trevan nodded his head, "Yes, you are to take over. You aren't being demoted, Lieutenant Darsons was acting Chief Engineer and was made full Chief, but as she is not able to do her duties at the moment, you are now in charge." Trevan hated confrontations like this, "When the Beowulf was destroyed she was temporary acting ACEO, under Captain Davis. When we needed a full-time chief, she got moved into place and then you were also given the spot for some reason. I will look into this but as it stands, you will take over. (posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (USS Dennison, Main Engineering – Confused CEO, Lt. Harry J. Atwood – 1956) Harry was very confused as he waited for the commander to answer. The aCEO was a lower rank than him so for him to take over Darsons position would mean leaving the CEO spot behind; a demotion in Harry’s mind. Trevan nodded his head before he spoke as to say ‘Yes’ you are wrong, but the words that came out of the commanders mouth were rather different. "Yes, you are to take over. You aren't being demoted, Lieutenant Darsons was acting Chief Engineer and was made full Chief, but as she is not able to do her duties at the moment, you are now in charge… When the Beowulf was destroyed she was temporary acting ACEO, under Captain Davis. When we needed a full-time chief, she got moved into place and then you were also given the spot for some reason. I will look into this but as it stands, you will take over.” ~Take over?... I don’t need to take over… I’m already in charge…~ It didn’t make any sense at all to Harry what was happening but it sounded like he was still the CEO of the Dennison so he let it roll without saying any more to the Commander, he would make a complaint/enquiry to SFHQ and find out who had made the mistake. “Ok, Commander… I will try my best to fulfil Lt. Darsons shoes…” He said in a voice which probably betrayed the confusion and frustration which was building up inside of him. He smiled weakly. (Reply West IYW) Once the conversation was over the newly re-appointed CEO stood there still a little confused he decided to turn back to the crew he was working with and continue. (Posted by Jono) === (USS Dennison - Sickbay - CMO Nymes & CSO/2O Bracken -1959) Nymes yawned, hiding his face behind a PADD which showed him where they were up to with the crew physicals. They were doing well, with all but two of the senior staff cleared, and 90% of the crew already fit to fly. The ACMO could continue the other physicals at his leisure, and Nymes was finally able to retreat to his off duty self. "Computer, locate Lt. Bracken, 2O." [... The 2O is on Holodeck 1...] ~time for a house call~ Grabbing a medical kit, along with the PADD, Nymes walked out of the Sickbay, visibly relieved to do so. It had been a draining, bizarre, day. (USS Dennison - Holodeck 1: Sierra Nevada - CMO Nymes & 2O/CSO Bracken - 2000) "Nymes to Bracken; mind if i join you?" Nymes said, whispering the command behind Dee's back, watching her turn with a smile. "How are you, Dee?" Dale looked up from the area around her, the snow covered mountains of what on Earth was called the Sierra Nevada, surrounded her. She had not long begun writing a program, but smiled a genuine, warm smile as she saw Lewis approach her. “Lew.” She pulled him down to a sitting position next to her, still taking in the view. “Disturb me anytime.” She looked around her, then spoke out loud. “Computer, pause program.” The computer beeped its acknowledgement, even as Dale began speaking again. “Truth is Lew I’m tired, but it’s a good kind of tired, the 2O position is taking some getting used to.” She shrugged, “Feels good somehow i don’t know.” Dale then felt a rush of guilt, and still looking around the mountain range beyond them, spoke once more to Lewis. “I’m sorry, how are you, we haven’t spoken for such a long time.” "Its been hellish - only two jobs to go today, then I can relax until we arrive on task." Dale frowned slightly, “two jobs left? I’m going to assume therefore that you’re not here to join me base jumping? Tell me mate, which two?” "One, review a patient on the starbase..." Nymes started. "Two, your neuro assessment, Dee." Dale sighed, a deep sigh that somehow turned into a laugh. “I’m going to assume that even as 2O I can’t order you to leave me alone?” She flashed him the winsome smile that she saved for her close friends, not feeling in the slightest bit guilty in trying to use her charm to avoid the, seemingly unavoidable medical. She knew that she could play this game with Lewis, they had arrived on the ship barely hours apart, and since then she had come to regard him as the closest friend that she had ever had. "It didn't work too well for me, when I was a2O!" Nymes said, smiling back at the CSO. “Headaches all gone now, no lasting internal damage, but you’re the Doc.” She smiled at him again, showing no intention of being serious. Not in this place, that had always filled her with awe. She sat still as he began his scans; then spoke once more. “Speaking as a senior Officer Dr. Nymes, there’s a chance that Lt Bracken, Marine XO is also due a medical sometime soon. Can’t trust any of that Bracken family you know.” "I heard that rumour. The Marine detachment first aider had some good things to say about the new MXO, though I'm sure he wishes he hadn't said anything now!" Nymes looked out into the vista, and was filled with emotion, even if the scenery was holographic, the response could not be faked. It was fantastic. "Well, I'll just run the scans as before." Nymes let a comfortable silence camp around the two, the drone of the tricorder whistling around the two officers, as Nymes considered Dee's medical history. She had been knocked unconcious in a blast during Davis' incarceration on the holodeck, and had needed neurosurgery; surgery that Nymes had seemingly performed without fault. She now stood here, reporting no symptoms, and Nymes was happy enough with her progress. "Well, Dee, you've managed to stay lucky, I see!" Nymes smiled. "But I want to take more scans - here's a local scanner, I'll pop it here on your temple." Dale tilted her head, and pulled her hair away, allowing him to attach the temple scanner. “Still worried Lew? Whats up?” "Its nothing, I just want to review more data in case you are susceptible to epilepsy in the future, I figure its best to be prepared than not?" She nodded, “I see.” She looked round the vista again, “How long do I need this to be on?” "It'll just be for a day, I'll see you in sickbay at 0800 on the 11th?" “Thanks Lew” She sighed, “Tell me,” She paused, “What do you make of this next mission?” "Maltorians? It'll be, as we always say, Dee, an adventure!" Nymes replied with his normal humour. "Seriously? We are running in, blind, into a situation that could be friendly, first contact by the book; or something unbelievably different - We've seen evidence of some of the technology... but 100 years down time? Sounds like something.... whats that human called... Orwellian?" Dale nodded. “I know what you mean, this...could go one of several ways.” "Well, we'll just have to be optimistic, Dee." She nodded as Lewis answered, “I suppose. Did you get the detail on their procreation? What do you think?” "Personally? They lay eggs and they turn out to be more intelligent than their father at birth." Nymes said. "Professionally, its bizarre but the incubator technology seems to be incorporated into the life cycle, and that it happened within 100 years. Perhaps the advent of that started off their technological development - more of the children were surviving development?" “I wondered about that myself actually. Question is, which came first?” Nymes nodded his agreement to the question, but was pragmatic. "I don't know, Dee. What's your thoughts?" “Well, was the technology created as a result of falling birth rates, high predation of infants and the like, or, was it the other way round? Do you know what i mean? "I... think so, Dee. And the answers lie waiting ahead of us, I guess." Dale shrugged “I don’t know. The Intel is quite interesting reading, the more we find out, the more the whole society baffles me.” Nymes nodded, and walked a few yards away, casting his gaze around the mountains that rose steadily up in front on him. "A society with three genders, reportedly with misogynists in charge... A society so technologically advanced but xenophobic... I don't know... "What about the Primaries, Dee? Any new information?" “Sadly not.” She looked round the horizon again, “Only that they seem to be holding on to most of the major positions, but not all of them. How they actually fit into normal society in terms of procreation, and day to day life I have no idea. I suspect that we’ll find out soon enough.” "Soon enough." Nymes echoed her words. "Computer... Time." [...Time is 2016 hours...] Nymes jolted with a start - he had to file reports before he went over to the starbase to see to Ensign Lane, and that meant returning to Sickbay to review any outstanding crew notes first. "I've got to get going, Dee." “Yeah i know. I’d better get back to it, I need to stop by the labs and check up on things,” She looked up at him, tapping her temple. “We good?” Nymes winked in reply, "As always, Dee." She stood up, “Computer, save progress and end program” The scenery disappeared, returning to the yellow grid. She patted Lewis on the shoulder as she passed him, “See you later mate, hopefully we’ll both get time and sit down for more than five minutes at a time eh?” She walked toward the door, making her way back toward the Science labs, Nymes walking at her side until he turned to the Sickbay, and back to work. (Posted by Mark and Greg) === (USS Dennison - Ten Forward – Ensign Miandra Simmons- 2047) Mia was startled by the presence of the Boudicca's bartender and quite amused to see she apparently knew the Commander. Was there anyone a bartender *didn't* know? "Oh and Mia too! I had no idea I'd be meeting so many people I knew!" Mei Ling seemed genuinely happy to see her. "I still have that list of dietary needs for you that Esme gave me. I'll make sure they are available to you if you choose to eat here." "Yum!" Mia said with a smile, "How you managed to get that kelp so fresh I'll never know!" (Reply West/Hikaru) "Is Tommy with you?" Mia asked, teasingly, "The place seemed to have come as a mess, so hard to tell if his presence has been involved.." (posted by Lorna) ********************************************************* Healer in the Tower Star Date: 2408.01.10 Day: 185 ********************************************************* (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 0629) Archibald had a hard time following what the Ensign was trying to say. Two languages, one covered by the second? One official, one common, like Japanese? And then there was a possible third element? It sounded like somebody wanted to tell them something but didn't want others to know. That spelled controversy. And danger. "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." Archibald shot his FO a glance and slowly nodded. "I think I can get you everything you need." he then said to Spero before turning back to the Captain. "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." ~I hope time is the only enemy to face,~ Archibald agreed in his mind, ~But if she is right, we could walk straight into a barrel of gunpowder with the fuse already lit.~ "Ensign Spero already has some data, and there is more in the computer. As for the old stuff, it will take a bit." Archibald mused for a second. "Make it so, Commander. But don't delay. Mister Spero, apart from this additional work, I must impress upon you the necessity to have the UT translate correctly. High-speak to High-speak, common to common. The last thing I want to do it to welcome a member of their government, only to have my 'Be welcome, Excellency' to be translated as a 'Yo, dude.' That would not be a good start." (Posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison - Bridge - CO - Captain Archibald Stakes - 0657) Archibald regarded the Vulcan as he entered the bridge and approached him, nodding to him as he sat down. For a second he considered asking Alosar for the reason for his tardiness, but decided against it. He would have a sufficient reason, Archibald had no doubt. It wasn't that they were close enough to the Maltorians that his presence was urgently required. "Is all well, Captain Stakes?" Alosar asked, which earned him a long look from Archibald as he contemplated the possible reasons for such a question. He considered that with a Vulcan you needed to know why a question was asked as that could influence the answer that he expected. The CO had already dismissed the notion that the Vulcan might have been engaging in small talk. But after a few more seconds of thinking he wondered if he could be sure of that. It could as easily have been the result of a logical deliberation from a Vulcan serving with many emotionally rendered crew members on board. A small gesture to facilitate communication with the 'strange-thinkers'. In the end Archibald shrugged inwardly. "All as well as can be expected, Mister Alosar," he responded. "It's a good ship and a good crew and we are all eager to make our mark on history. You have read the report on the Maltorian society? Your thoughts please. What can we expect? What will be the psyche of the race? And of the ones in charge? What counter measures do you recommend? I am thinking specifically about their lack of trust in female capabilities. Personally I think we should confront them with our different approach as soon as possible. They are going to find out sooner or later and I'd rather have it sooner. Saves us a lot of hassle later on. But if we do, how can we make it acceptable to them? We, well I, am convinced that we are needed to perform some service for them. Unfortunately for what I don't know. So we can't use that to 'force' our way through. But then again, would that be acceptable behaviour? I doubt it. We have to accept their way of life and they have to accept ours. But how, without it becoming a point of contention?" (posted by Adrie Geuken) === (USS Dennison - Briefing Room - Commander Trevan West 0850) The Dennison, still a few hours away from sector 4502, was running smoothly. Most, if not all, of the science departments were pouring over all the data regarding the Maltorians' and the message they had sent us. Dissecting the language for the translation matrix was Ensign Spero's department, and Trevan was sure that she would do a good job with it. However, Trevan was busy trying to pry more information out of the Intelligence Department on Earth. "I understand sir, but without it, we would have an incomplete translation at best. If you could just send the information to me, that would save time. We are only a few hours away and we would really like to talk to these people if given the chance." said Trevan to the display in his office. The Captain on the other end, a tall human with short black hair with a flyaway grey streak and neatly trimmed moustache, did not look happy. "Commander West, I understand your situation but those files are not available." "How is that even possible?" asked Trevan, "They should be in the Starfleet Database, they aren't classified last I checked." The Captain could see this turning into an argument, "They aren't available," was all the man said. Frustrated, Trevan took a deep breath before speaking. He did not want to get into an altercation with a commanding officer, "Sir," he almost pleaded, "If you want us to get any contact going with these people, we will at some point need to talk to them. A basic understanding is okay but, if we are to engage them in any sort of lengthy discussion, basic just won't cut it," he said, "Sir," he added. The Captain on the other end considered what he had heard, "I'll get back to you. Starfleet out," and the channel was closed abruptly. Trevan was furious, not only with the lack of co-operation from this man, but the fact that he was being stonewalled at every turn. He looked at the display on his desk, and without giving it another thought, he took it and slammed it against the bulkhead, which made the display burst into a shower of sparks and broken circuits. "Damn it," he said regretting the outburst and began to clean up the mess he had just made. Once the mess was cleaned up and a new one replicated, Trevan thought hard on what to do. He didn't want to go over the man's head, but if he didn't, they were dead in the water. "Computer, open a channel to sub-space relay station forty-seven, encryption signal seven alpha" A moment later, the familiar seal of the Federation appeared on the screen and replaced quickly by Captain Clark, the man whom he had been recruited by before arriving on the Dennison. "Sir, I would say it's a pleasure to see you but frankly I am not in the mood to banter. I need information and I am not getting it from YOUR science department. The files I need are not classified, yet, they seem to have gone missing. I need them." The Captain looked slightly stunned, "I don't appreciate your tone Commander West, although I do understand your situation. I can tell this is bothering you, as you have never spoken to anyone like that before, am I right?" he asked. Trevan wasn't sure how he knew that. They only thing he knew was that he was right about that, "Yes sir," he said, "and forgive me for it. This is too important to the Federation for us to screw up now." Captain Clark looked at Trevan for a moment, "and Intelligence," added the man. "I suppose, but right now I don't care about that. My first duty has always been to the Federation and Starfleet and you come second sir. If we don't get those files, we could are basically going into a first contact situation without any idea on the complexities of their language. Remember how the first contact went with the Klingons? Do we want a repeat of that and end up in yet another war?" Trevan knew he was slightly exaggerating, but only a little. Captain Clark looked to his right, obviously looking at someone off screen, and then nodded, "Alright Commander, the files were removed by us, but under the circumstances they will be sent to you. But," he said, and there always was one when dealing with Intelligence, "you are the only one who can see them." Trevan started to get angry inside again, "Well then what is the point sir? I am not a language expert, my OPS officer is. The files do not contain anything classified, as I have read them a few times before, so I need them to be available to everyone." Captain Clark admired the guts in Trevan. Sticking up for his own rights, making sure the job got done properly and by the right people. "Very well, but don't ask for any favours from me any time soon. Clark out." The image winked out and Trevan let out a smile, ~at least I won one battle with those people~ he thought. "West to Captain Stakes, can I see you for a moment sir?" he asked. (posted by Kerry Fletcher) === (Maltoria - Citizen's Clinical Center - Asklar Th'ilonel - 1400) The Triple-C was alive with sounds, sounds hell unleashed in from one simple altercation. The Maltorians had, or some of them had, tried to rebut the importance of class, worming their way from the slummish suburbs of the capital city to the spires of the inner districts. It had been bedlam as soon as they stepped into the light, the ragtag collection of green males and blue females, with the odd primary child; the district had gone on alert, actively removing the crowd from the streets, taking the primary away. The police force had moved in, once the child had been safely returned, and like the automatons that they were, the robotic Intelligences had run as per instruction, forcing the wall of, now angered, Maltorians back towards the suburbs, using force if required. Which was why the clinical center was now full. Th'ilonel stood still, trying to relax before returning to the hell that the Intelligences had inflicted. She was short, barely five feet tall, and her lightened skin betrayed her genes - she was a primary - but not her ethos. For years the primaries had been held in high regard on Maltoria, taking the place of prophets, kings, emperors; but the esteem turned into power, and the Primaries had held on with both hands when the others tried to claim that all Maltoria was equal. That, had been a bad day. It was called "Maltorithke", day of no return. The others had been forcefully beaten back, a small collective of Primaries retreating to the technological center of the city, and had cut off all relations from the rest of the quadrant. The others had no idea, of course, that the Primaries who were envoys to the stars had undertaken a great travesty on the future of their race, and within generations the Maltorians had restored faith in the Primaries as rulers once more. Once again, primaries such as Th'ilonel could walk the streets, seeing the unbridled squalor in the city. That had been about 150 years ago... but the seeds of discontent, like weeds in a garden, were still present, and had resurfaced once again, tying the peace and tranquility of the District into knots. Th'ilonel was caught in the center of the slums, working as she did as a Asklar, a practioner, a healer; treating the wounded Maltorians as her brethren used technology to oppress once more. Th'ilonel disagreed with the application, and it showed; her calm demeanour agitated when another casualty pitched up at the triple-C. Communication was no good - the Ministers were content in their glittering spires, comfortable in the exile that they had wreaked on the others and primaries alike. Every day, it seemed, a primary child would rally support for equality, a ruse to return to the comfort his forefathers had entertained, his journey on the backs of the faithful others a tale of finality for the uprising, and downtrodden, masses, a sad testimomy to the civilisation that she represented; far from being content at the status quo, Th'ilonel worked tirelessly to bridge the divide, to reunite the society, to heal the wounds. (posted by GC) === (USS Dennison, Intelligence Office, Commander Trevan West, 1400) The message indicator was blinking on his display screen as he moved into the side room of his Intelligence Office. Sighing, Trevan sat down at the desk and activated the unit. Suddenly, a message appeared with co-ordinates that was sent from the Maltorians to Starfleet Command, and then to him on the Dennison. He transferred the data to an isolinear optical chip, encoded it and rushed out the door, heading for the Bridge. (USS Dennison, Bridge, Commander Trevan West, 1405) The Dennison was just about to approach the edge of sector 4502, "Helm, full stop. Captain Stakes to the Bridge please," said West. (reply Stakes) "Sir," he said addressing the Captain, "We are now at the edge of the sector and we have received coordinates to the exact location the Maltorian's want us to be in. It was just sent to me from Command." (reply Stakes) "Aye sir," West replied and moved to the aft station behind the Captain. Inserting the chip into the provided slot, instantly gave Trevan the ability to move the information to the Helm and the Science Station. "Coordinates transferred to helm sir," he stated. Turning to Lieutenant Bracken, Trevan rose out of his seat, "Dale, about these anomalies....how slow do we need to get, how close are these things going to get to the ship and how long to reach our destination at that speed?" These were all good questions that needed to be answered. (reply Bracken) ~Well that at least gives Kit time to study the language.~ he thought to himself, ~but better to be safe than sorry I guess~ "Sir, I recommend going to Yellow Alert until we are clear of these anomalies. Shields only of course," he said to Stakes. (posted by Kerry Fletcher) ******************************************************************** Th.th.th.th.th.th.th.th.that's all, Folks!