NRPG: Compile Index: Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate: 2408.03.11 (New Eden - The Planet's Capital City, The Red Mansion - Prime Director, Dak Osiris - 1110) Stardate 2408.03.12 (New Eden - The Planet's Capital City, The Red Mansion - Prime Director, Dak Osiris - 0940) Stardate: 2408.05.14 (New Eden, The Capital City, Senate Building, Sub-Director Hok Sorak, 0800) Stardate 2408.06.07 Day *1* (USS Mithrandir - Bridge - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 10:55) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 11:13) (USS Mithrandir- Bridge - ATac Ensign Ben Soma-11:18) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, OPS Office - OPS - Ensign Cattia Spero - 1118) (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, Conference Room A - FO Cmdr. Olorin Okita - 1155) (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, Conference Room A - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1156) (USS Mithrandir- Conference Room A- ATac Ensign Ben Soma- 11:57) (USS Mithrandir, Conference Room A, ATac Ensign sg Sanok, 1158) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer Markra - 1158) (USS Mithrandir - Conference Room A - CMO, Doctor Nymes 11:59) (USS Mithrandir - Conference Room A - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 12:00) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Corridor - OO Petty Officer 1st Class and Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus and Montro - 1200) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes 12:01) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - ATac Ensign Ben Soma 12:06) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes 12:07) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer 1st Class and Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus and Montro - 1210) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer Markra - 1211) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate: 2408.03.11 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (New Eden - The Planet's Capital City, The Red Mansion - Prime Director, Dak Osiris - 1110) ~It isn't easy being Prime Director.~ Dak Osiris thought as he paced back and forth before the window of his office in his official residence, The Red Mansion - so called because of the red clay used in the brickwork. When he'd first come to office 22 years ago, he thought it would be a walk in the park and that there was nothing to it, and he'd been right.  His people did what he told them and he delegated well, so he had plenty of time for more pleasurable pastimes - like keeping his three mistresses and family content. How he wished he could turn back time to happier times. At the time of his induction he'd been the youngest PD ever at the age of twenty nine. Many of his peers had scoffed and said he'd never make it past his first four year term but he'd proved them wrong. He had an excellent support staff and knew how to pick good, reliable, hard working people who got tasks done and his public loved him for the charitable donations he gave and public works he instigated. Yes, he'd been a happy man without a care in the world...until about three years ago when the 'trouble' had started. Three years ago they hadn't thought much about the first minor earthquake that occurred on the main continent, where they had infrequent ones. It had only damaged buildings and killed just a handful of people, some small village in the northern hemisphere. But that was the first of many earthquakes that gradually intensified in power, killing more people as they affected the highly populated areas. Dak had demanded to know why this was happening and had ordered the top scientists to find out, and find out they had. The reports were very grave indeed. With a hefty sigh, the tall, lean, broad shouldered man who resembled a soldier more than a politician, returned to his seat at his desk and lifted the last report to read the final few paragraphs, but already knowing what it would say. He ran his fingers through his short, dark brown hair that was beginning to show some gray at the temples. It was conclusive. A dozen or more scientists had delved into the problem and every report he'd received from them stated that their moon had been struck at some point by a large asteroid, and as a result the orbit of the moon had begun to slowly decay. Now it was being pulled in by the planet, causing the gravitational forces to slowly increase on both orbs, until at some point they had begun to tear each other apart. As they drew closer the gravitational forces increased, leading to the moon to start breaking up under the pressure. It was just a matter of time before the moon, or its pieces, would collide with New Eden. The pull was slow, but with the decrease of distance between the two orbs, the speed of the moon would increase and smash into the planet like a massive cannon ball, but they'd all be dead before that happened because the planet's core would be pulled out of its mantle by the moon's gravitational forces. It would not be a pleasant way to die. Demands by Dak as to why the initial collision of the asteroid had not been reported immediately had just drawn accusing finger pointing between the scientists and astronomers. Heads had rolled but it didn't alter the fact that something had to be done immediately. Dak threw himself under his massive desk as another tremor set everything about him in motion, feeling like he was about to be swallowed up by the earth at any second as his world heaved, setting of the intruder alarms throughout the building. He could hear commotion outside his office doors and in the distance some screams. The lighting flashed on and off and things began crashed heavily around him, something hard landed on his desk causing it to shudder but the sturdy piece held, and Dak looked at his timepiece to see how long it had been since the last one, and how long this one would last. They were certainly becoming more and more frequent. Fifteen minutes later he emerged from his safe haven, crawling out like a beetle from under a rock to find his office in total shambles. He shoved a big bookcase off the desk sending it crashing to the floor and prayed that his computer terminal was still in working order. His people needed help, he had to get them off the planet or they would all die. Reaching for the activate button, he was relieved when the console screen slid out from the desk and winked on, just as the office door burst open to reveal his Chief of Staff, Richard Onest. "Thank God you're alright, Dak!" Dak beckoned Richard to come in. "I'm contacting the Federation. We must get our people off this planet Richard before we're all killed." "I agree Prime Director, I don't think any of the other sub-Directors will argue with you." Onest replied as he came to stand behind Dak. "I don't plan on asking them! I believe we don't have time for the usual humming and hawing. If those reports are correct we'll all be dead in about a quarter's time, as it is we've lost 40% of our population." Dak tapped the key for Federation HQ and a familiar face appeared on the viewer. "Hello Reefa, we urgently require assistance. We must evacuate New Eden and emigrate to another planet. I am sending you the details that explain why and approximately how long we have before this planet and everything on it is destroyed." The plump middle aged Edener male nodded, "understood Prime Director, I will personally deliver it the President's as soon as I get it." Dak tapped in the command for the data to be relayed to the Federation President's office. When the communication was ended, he turned to his CoS. "Initiate Plan Beta." He told Onest. With a nod of acknowledgement, Richard Onest withdrew from the shambles of Dak's office. The lights flickering strengthened to a steady light and the Prime Director moved to stand beside the smashed window, where he stood staring out at what had once been a beautiful city. The sky was darkened by dust and smoke from the fires that had broken out sporadically. He blinked his eyes as they teared up and drew in a shuddering breath. ~So many lives already lost, how many more before we are rescued?~ (reply none) (posted by Sal Hammond) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate 2408.03.12 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (New Eden - The Planet's Capital City, The Red Mansion - Prime Director, Dak Osiris - 0940) Richard Onest was a good man and took his duties seriously.  He wasn't a politician and never wanted to be one, he had been content with his life before his loss, and was dedicated, hard working and honest. At 50 he was a widower, having lost his wife almost a year ago in an earlier earthquake.  They had no offspring.  Although they had wanted children it just hadn't happened and now he was thankful it hadn't, they probably would have died with Miriam Onest, and grieving over his wife was bad enough. He had done what most men under the circumstances would, he had immersed himself fully into his work, spending day and night at the Red Mansion where Dak had arranged for him to have his own suite of rooms, his own home having been destroyed completely, which was just as well as he would never have returned to it.  To many happy memories to make him sad. Their marriage had been a good one, full of love and mutual respect and he missed her desperately.  There were still time when he expected her to stop by so they could have lunch together. The Prime Director's Aide was neither short nor tall, of a stocky build, and was a little pudgy thanks to Miriam's fine cooking for the twenty years they'd been wed, his shock of auburn hair was beginning to recede giving him a higher than usual forehead but he didn't do what some did, try to hide it with long strands combed over.  Miriam would smile and kiss the bald spot when he bemoaned the fate of his hair and tell him, "moss never grows on a busy street", and they'd laugh together. As he ran his fingers through his longish hair he remembered those words, and tears sprang to his eyes as a stab of pain ripped through his heart.  He pinched the bridge of his nose banning the tears that burned and took a deep breath, focusing on the message he'd received from the Federation President's Office, banishing the memory and the pain.  How he missed her.  Grief was a private thing to Richard and now was neither the time or place to indulge in it.  There was important work to done. Taking another deep breath, he rose from his desk in what had once been an opulent office adjoining the Prime Director's, and PADD in hand approached the door leading to Dak's Office, knocked on the solid wood door before opening it and walked in. "We've received word from Federation HQ."  He stated, coming to a stop before the large impressive PD's desk, now scarred and battered by falling debris and handing Dak the PADD he'd brought with the data on it.  "Help is on it's way." "That's good news."  Dak Osiris replied taking the PADD and smiling to his closest and most trusted advisor, confidant and friend.  "How are the evacuation plans going?"  He inquired as he read the information. "Extremely well, sir."  Came the reply.  "The military have brought everyone from the outer districts to several camps that have been set up for them on the outskirts of our four major cities, to await transport."  Richard's lips pressed together in a grim smile that didn't reach his eyes.  "Of course there was minor opposition, some people just didn't want to leave their homes and had to be restrained and brought in, but that was to be expected, there are always imbeciles around who don't know what's good for them." The Prime Director nodded, "I know, we have our share in the senate as well," he grinned, "but with every earthquake we get their voices become fewer, now they're beginning to demand faster action on the government's - our part.  At least now I can tell them that aid is on the way and when it will arrive." Dak rose from his chair and stretching, turned around to look out the big bay window behind the desk at the once magnificent city for a moment before turning back to nod at Richard. "Alright, you had better inform all the ministers of the latest news and give them an ETA.  That should keep them quiet for a little while." With an answering nod, Richard Onest backed away and returned to his office to dispatch the information. As the door behind Richard closed silently, Dak walked over to the one that accessed his private living space and headed down the short corridor to the living room where his wife Reyna and three children were.  He had insisted that they remain together all the time now, and although the children, Dak junior, his 17 year old eldest son, Filisa his 15 year old daughter and 11 year old son, Trey complained about being cooped up together they were getting along quite well.  His wife of 20 years knew how to control them. Four sets of eyes turned to regard him as he walked into the room which had been reinforced to sustain the quakes, and now housed their beds.  Dak smiled reassuringly to them all as he sat down on the couch beside Reyna and took one of her hands in his. "Well, it won't be long now and we'll be off this god forsaken planet, the Federation has dispatched a flotilla of vessels to get us out of here."  He held up the PADD.  "Says here that the USS Mithrandir is heading it up." Reyna sighed with relief and pressed herself into Dak's arms.  "Thank heavens!  How long before they arrive?" "The freighters are already on their way, they should arrive in about six weeks or so, then we can start getting our people aboard them.  The USS Mithrandir should arrive shortly after."  He wrapped his arms about her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Dak loved Reyna dearly, she was an excellent wife and mother.  She knew of his three mistresses and had never given him a hard time over them, in their society it was a natural thing for a successful man to take a mistress, and the more successful a man was the more mistresses he could take.  They were an expensive commodity. Reyna knew he loved her and was satisfied with his demonstrations of that love.  She also knew that he'd had his women brought to the Red Mansion for safety, that too was acceptable.   Just as long as he didn't flaunt them in her face she would remain his faithful, loving wife. Dak gave her one more kiss on the cheek then rose to return to his office.  Now he had to order rationing of their food supplies in order for them to last until the freighters arrived. (reply none) (posted by Sal) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate: 2408.05.14 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (New Eden, The Capital City, Senate Building, Sub-Director Hok Sorak, 0800) Hok finished reading the last report and placed it on his desk with a satisfied chuckle.  In the midst of planetary disaster, things couldn't be going better for him. First, his long-hated political rival, Prime Director Dak Osiris, had completely bungled solving the problem of why earthquakes had suddenly begun to happen on New Eden, where nothing of that sort was indicated in the initial surveys to colonize the planet were conducted.  Nothing in the history of the colony indicated there would be quakes.  To not know that the moon had been struck by an asteroid, was incomprehensible, and intolerable.  Osiris should have been removed from office just for that.  However, he was popular, and the people loved him.  Therefore, Hok would need more to discredit the man. Science ships from Starfleet had come and were able to slow the descent of the moon, which gave them more time to evacuate, but that help in itself, was another blunder by Osiris.  Forty years prior to that, a starship had delayed a moon from crashing into Bre'el 4.  With the advanced technology of today, had ships come in time, they would likely have halted the moon and saved the planet.  Yet, in that, Osiris was still a beloved leader. Hok would need still more to bring down this man. Using his contacts in the planetary militia, Hok had begun to stir up the people.  Osiris had forced them to leave their homes and live in refugee camps closer to the capital city.  No problem there, but this was two months ago.  Instead of allowing everyone to live in their own homes, they had been forced out and confined to the camps.  Any protests were quashed by the militia.  So much for freedom of speech. The people were beginning to criticize their wonderful leader.  If this could be increased, if someone could be seriously injured, or even killed by the militia, the outcries would be intense.  Osiris couldn't rely on his past accomplishments to get out of that one. Just a bit more manipulation, and Hok Sorak would have an open road to become Prime Director of another New Eden. "New New Eden," said Hok, bemusement in his voice.  "What a unique name for the colony I'll be running!" (Reply None) (Posted by Bob) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission Wagon Train Amongst the Stars Stardate 2408.06.07 Day *1* <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Mithrandir - Bridge - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 10:55) "Sir, incoming communication from Admiral Linden. Marked urgent." Archibald nodded as he got up. "My ready room, Ensign, Commander, you have the bridge." he responded with a nod to Okita as he strode to the port bridge exit. (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 10:57) "Admiral," Archibald started, nodding at the Admiral who peered at him through his computer screen. "Archibald, what is the status of the Mithrandir?" Archibald almost frowned at the question, wondering if for some reason the female Admiral hadn't received the status report updates that he sent in daily. "The ship is performing as well as can be expected. Updates and improvements have been completed and tomorrow we are scheduled to return to Geneva for final assessment by the starbase engineers and picking up our final supplies." Linden nodded. "The starbase can wait, Archibald. The Mithrandir has been chosen for a mission. The choice was made a few weeks ago but we needed to wait for the update and repair program to be finished. Unfortunately your repairs took a bit longer than expected but now that the ship is ready, we need you to move out immediately." Archibald's eyebrows arched but the Admiral cut him short with the wave of her hand. "No time for that now. Here's what you need to do....." (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 11:13) "So you see why you need to move out immediately," Linden finished. Archibald nodded and was about to respond when the Admiral gave him a stare. "Oh, and Archibald? Please keep your ship this time in one piece, if you can?" Archibald looked at her as he was slightly surprised by the question. "Yes, Sir," he responded as it was the only thing he could think off at the time. The Admiral nodded. "Expect the files to be sent to you shortly. Linden out." The screen went dark as Archibald sighed. He looked at the timer and suddenly grinned. It was action-time again. "Computer! Send an urgent message to all senior staff. Message states: "Attend an emergency meeting in Conference Room A at twelve hundred hours." Send the message to comm badges and computer systems." [Message sent at 11:18.] Archibald nodded then tapped the comm badge on his chest. "Stakes to bridge. Plot a course for New Eden, warp factor 7. Engage when ready." Archibald saw how his computer started to receive SFHQ files, no doubt the mission files that Linden had promised him. He reviewed them as they came through and after the last file was downloaded, Archibald tapped his badge again. "Captain Stakes to Yeoman Stakes. Please come to my ready room. I've got a job for you." (USS Mithrandir- Bridge-ATac Ensign Ben Soma-11:18) Ben was at the tactical station when his commbage informed him that his presence was required in Conference Room A at 1200 hours. It was unnecessary to reply as the message came from the computer and not a member of the crew. He glanced at the chronometer and noted that he had forty minutes before the scheduled meeting. He ran a diagnostic of the station and then made sure everything was as it should be. Checking the photon torpedo complement and the charge on the phaser batteries showed just what he had expected to find, everything was accounted for and all tactical systems were on standby. Glancing at the display again he noted it was time to head out to the meeting. He locked out the console and motioned for another crewman to relieve him before he left the bridge. (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, OPS Office - OPS - Ensign Cattia Spero - 1118) Busy at her terminal, Kit was alerted to a message from the Captain. =/\=Attend an emergency meeting in Conference Room A at twelve hundred hours.=/\= Quickly she sent an acknowledgement, and then turned back to her work, first setting an alarm to alert her when the time came to leave for the meeting and allowing enough time to stop off and grab a sandwich and a drink first. (USS Mithrandir - Deck 1, Conference Room A OPS - Ensign Cattia Spero - 1154) Kit sat down, placing what Mei Ling had told her was called a tortilla, rolled up and stuffed with a savoury vegetarian filling, in front of her next to her PADD and a mug of cold klahva juice. She busied herself with her snack, and waited for the meeting to begin. (reply any) (posted by Liz) (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, Conference Room A - FO Cmdr. Olorin Okita - 1155) Olorin entered the conference room and took his customary seat.  He acknowledged those already present, as he took out a padd from his coat pocket and placed it on the table.  This was then followed by a flask and a rice ball. He often found it curious how easily meals were missed on a starship.  Well, for some in any case.  It was not so with himself.  Starving was an ignoble way to die. By the time the Captain walked in he had finished his rice ball and took a quick swig from his flask, before replacing it back within his coat.  He took one small piece of a sweet and turned his attention to the Captain's briefing. (Reply Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Mithrandir - Deck One, Conference Room A - TAC/SC Lt (sg) Joan Shrekt - 1156) Shrekt stalked into the room, annoyed at being interrupted during a review she was conducting.  Her eyes swept through the room, making note of those who were present and then took her seat at the far end of the table from where the Captain normally sat.  Despite it being on a starship and no enemy being present, Shrekt preferred to sit where she could see the exits. She took a bite out of a granola bar she had brought with her, as she waited, noting that others in the room were eating as well.  Her stomach grumbled as she spied more substantial offerings, noting that she would have to stop and get something else. As she finished downing the bar, she regretted not having anything to drink and hoped the briefing would be brief. (Reply Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Mithrandir- Conference Room A- ATac Ensign Ben Soma- 11:57) Ben entered the conference room and took a seat at the table and awaited for the Captain and the others to arrive and convene the meeting. Maybe now they would finally have a mission to start and they could again do what it was they were meant to do, explore the unknown and make a difference. (reply any) (posted by Milo Young) (USS Mithrandir, Conference Room A, ATac Ensign sg Sanok, 1158) Filing into the conference room with the other staff members, Sanok found an empty seat next to Ben. "When you left the bridge to come here, what was the status of the tactical systems?"  Sanok already knew they were at 100% efficiency, as Ben wouldn't have left tactical to someone else at anything less.  Though he had purged his emotions, Sanok found that he still retained a sense of humor that allowed him to actually joke with Ben.  It was odd, and it seemed it took Ben some time to become accustomed to it.  Since he had, the two officers often passed some of their duty time, trying to one-up the other.  Of course, in Sanok's mind, he was winning. Before Ben could respond, Captain Stakes, with Yeoman Stakes dutifully in tow, entered the room at precisely the time the meeting was to start. Sanok had wondered since their time on the Dennison, if Stakes had preplanned how much time it would take to walk from various points on the ship, to the conference room, or if he stood outside the room, just out of view, and waited until the exact second to make his entrance. Sanok considered being late one time, just to find out, though the stern rebuke that would surely follow, probably wasn't worth it. Whichever it was, the meeting was about to begin. (Reply None) (Posted by Bob) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer Markra - 1158) Markra had spent much time on the past few months getting to grips with his new role onboard.  Never before had he served on a ship, never mind one as small as this.  He was used to the daily grind onboard a Starbase, like Geneva, being one of a great crowd and not being noticed and recognised for his accomplishments. Things were much different here, onboard the Nova-Variant USS Mithrandir.  He was part of just a small team now, and on any one shift there would be only between 3 and 5 people, so he was a more valued member of the team than he had ever been before. Right now he was alone in the OPS office.  Alex and Kit had gone off to the emergency meeting of the senior staff leaving him to the hold the fort.  Markra wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but he knew that it held great responsibility so he was a little bit nervous with this being his first time. So, in an effort to ease his own nerves, he decided to have a look at something he knew a lot about - the ships Structural Integrity Fields.  So he activated the console in front of him and brought up the ships system status.  As he reviewed the data he could help but think, ~I wonder what the meeting is about.~  he was hopefully that Alex and Kit would return soon and be able to tell him all about it. (reply: none, any) (posted by Dave) (USS Mithrandir - Conference Room A - CMO, Doctor Nymes 11:59) Nymes had arrived, albeit in the nick of time, in his Work scrubs; a work suit of white, with a thin blue bar running around the shoulders of the suit, his combadge attached to his waist, as was customary for medical personnel out of “normal” uniform. He had found that the scrub suit was much more comfortable in his incarnations as doctors, and was well within the normal purview of dress regulations to be wearing them as a normal variant of the uniform. The trill expected an eyebrow to be raised at him by his senior officers, but was assured by the scheduling of a standard orthopaedic procedure on a Xenexian security officer who had broken a bone on the Velocity court. In answer to the unheard question, he commented. “I’m due in theatre after the briefing.” (reply by any) (posted by GC) (USS Mithrandir - Conference Room A - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes - 12:00) Archibald entered the conference room at precisely twelve o'clock, followed by his daughter. He looked at the people already there and signaled to Esme to make a note of the attendees. (reply by ALL, any) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Corridor - OO Petty Officer 1st Class and Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus and Montro - 1200) "In here, in here," said Montro as he dragged Chrystine by the arm. "Wait, wait!" said Chrystine, as she followed against her will. "I saw it though," said Montro, as he tugged at her sleeve. "Montro!!!" protested Chrystine.  "What are you talking about?" "I saw it go in!" said Montro, as he continued to lead them down the hall to the operations centre. "What did you see?" asked Chrystine. "I don't know!!!" said Montro excitedly, as he came to a stop in front of the operations centre door.  "Let's find out!" Montro slapped the panel above his head opening the door.  They slid open to reveal a humanoid operations officers.  Montro dragged Chrystine back just outside the door way.  He stuck his head so that only his eyes peered through the doorway. "See," whispered Montro to Chrystine. The now slightly annoyed Chrystine peered over Montro's head and looked in to see Markra. "Montro," scolded Chrystine, rolling her eyes and grabbing him by the collar of his uniform.  "Come here." "What is it?!?" squealed Montro, as Chrystine did the dragging this time into the Operations centre. (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO, Captain Archibald Stakes 12:01) Archibald nodded at Esme to take her place at the side of the room where she had a small control console and sat himself down. He had already noted in his head that both Ensigns LaVigne and Jefferies were absent. It was disappointing but he would have a word with them later on and he hoped it was going to be the last time he would have to have a word with them regarding their time-management. He shook his head for a second then regarded the crew as they sat around the table. He noticed that a number of people had drinks and food in front of them and refrained himself from commenting. Instead he looked over at Esme who had taken her seat and nodded to her once. She keyed in a number of commands and a holographic picture of a section of space was shown in the middle of the table. "Planet New Eden," Archibald commented as a red dot blipped on and off in the middle of the holographic projection. "On March 11th, the government of the recently newly built colony on New Eden contacted Starfleet. The moon of that planet had been hit by asteroids and the impact sent the moon into a lower orbit, which resulted in the planet slowly being torn apart by the moon. Starfleet sent out a number of ships to stop the moon's orbit from further decaying but by the time they got there, the situation was irreversible. They have attempted to relieve the tension in the planet's core and they have been able to keep a small area relatively safe from earthquakes but that is only a temporary solution. They cannot return the moon to its original position as that would induce even more gravitational tension into the planet's surface, nor can they keep the moon in its current orbit. Before long the ascend of the moon will start again. Starfleet has agreed to relocate the survivors." Another look at Esme and a green dot started flashing. "System Gamma Hygachi Orestes, a system with a similar star and similar sized planet, ready for colonisation, two light years away from the Romulan Neutral Zone. Starfleet has sent a number of freighters and transports to New Eden to pick up the first wave of survivors. It is a rather ragtag band of freighters, consisting of 4 Malon freighters, 4 Kressari, 2 Rigellian and 5 Tarellian class transports. The Tarellians will transport the colonists, the rest the required building materials and supplies. Please note that these freighters have not been selected for their speed but for availability. The slowest freighters can just about manage Warp 4, that is if they were properly maintained. And even if they can reach that speed there is no indication how long they can maintain it. Yeoman!" A blue curved line appeared, slithering from the red dot to the green dot. "This is the expected route to take. Note the grey cloud approximately thirty light years away from New Eden. It is the Falengi Expanse, a section of space where sensor efficiency is greatly reduced and filled with gravimetric disturbances. If possible, the freighter fleet would need to go around that expanse, but that would increase the flight time from two months to nine months. But the remaining people on New Eden will not be able to survive that long. So the freighters will have to go right through the expanse. Because of our extensive sensor capabilities, the Mithrandir was chosen to guide them though it and to provide escort-services. A number of vessels have disappeared inside the expanse, most likely due to the mentioned gravimetric disturbances, so the group of freighters will need our eyes and ears to steer clear of these. We will be joined by a group of three runabouts to assist with forward scouting. Our task is to scout and be available to provide any assistance that is required, be it medical, security or engineering wise. Then once the freighter fleet has arrived at Gamma Hygachi Orestes we will assist with unloading and overseeing the construction of the new colony until it is up and running." Archibald looked around the room. "This may not be a glorious mission, but it is a necessary one never the less. Any questions?" (Reply by ALL) (Posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - ATac Ensign Ben Soma 12:06) Captain Stakes was explaining the mission to the senior staff, it was basically an escort mission. The Mithrandir was to escort a convoy carrying survivors from a doomed planet to another inhabitable planet.The new planet was two light years from the Romulan neutral zone. The convoy consisted of a number of transport craft and freighters, with low warp capability. Enroute they would have to pass through the Falengi Expanse, a region filled with gravimetric disturbances and where sensor efficiency was reduced. This is why the Mithrandir was chosen for the mission, the ship had extensive sensor capabilities suited for the escort through the region. "............A number of vessels have disappeared inside the expanse, most likely due to the mentioned gravimetric disturbances, so the group of freighters will need our eyes and ears to steer clear of these. We will be joined by a group of three runabouts to assist with forward scouting. Our task is to scout and be available to provide any assistance that is required, be it medical, security or engineering wise. Then once the freighter fleet has arrived at Gamma Hygachi Orestes we will assist with unloading and overseeing the construction of the new colony until it is up and running." Captain Stakes said. Then Stakes looked around at the officers present in the room, then said, "This may not be a glorious mission, but it is a necessary one never the less. Any questions?" Ben thought for a second and said, “Will the Romulans pose any threat to the convoy?" (reply any) (posted by Milo Young) (USS Mithrandir - Ready Room - CO Captain Archibald Stakes 12:07) Ben was the first one to react. "Will the Romulans pose any threat to the convoy?" Archibald looked at the security officer as he asked the same question that had sprung to his mind when he was told of the position of the new colony. But unlike Ensign Soma, Archibald had not asked the Admiral the same question. "The colony will be within agreed Federation territory, Ensign," Archibald responded. "And the area of neutral zone close to it has always been quiet. Of course, the position is quite close to the neutral zone but the closest Romulan settlement on the other side is fifteen light-years away. Therefore I do not foresee any Romulan intervention. Nor have I heard any reports that could indicate that the Romulans are interested in starting a war with the Federation. In fact I heard that there is some sort of discord within the Romulan senate, although these reports are normally notoriously misleading. But even if that was the case there is little reason to expect them to act. Besides, two months ago another colony was raised three sectors away, just five lightyears away from a Romulan planet and there was no reaction then, not even a letter of complaint. So we can lay that worry to rest. Anything else?" (reply any) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer 1st Class and Crewman Chrystine Nicklaus and Montro - 1210) "I'm sorry about this, Markra," said Chrystine. indicating Montro Montro stood behind Chrystine, staring out at the Xindi and waved his hand before hiding behind her again. "This is Montro," said Chrystine.  "He's.... different." (Reply Markra) "Montro, this is Markra." introduced Chrystine. A solitary hand stuck out from behind Chrystine and waved again. (Reply Markra, Any) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) (USS Mithrandir - Deck 5, Operations Centre - OO Petty Officer Markra - 1211) Markra had found no fault in the structural integrity fields, not that had expected to.  It was really more a wishful thinking, wondering there was something that he could fix.  So instead, he was about to turn his attention to a routine check of the ships multiple holo-emitters, but was soon disturbed a scuffling and commotion at the doorway.  Markra recognized Chrystine and smiled, but he could see that something crouched behind her, and his face wore a look of curiosity and concern. "I'm sorry about this, Markra," said Chrystine, indicating to the figure behind her.  To Markra's surprise, a head popped out and, a hand waved, and then the head popped back again.  The figure looked distinctly canine in nature, but larger than most he had seen before.  He was wearing an OPS shirt, and Markra was surprised that he had not noticed this being before, given that he had served onboard a good few months now. "This is Montro," continued Chrystine.  "He's.... different." Markra smiled, trying to seem welcoming.  To him, although Montro appeared to be canine in some form or another, he was not all that different.  With so many different species developing on his own world, he was not surprised at what miracles nature could conjure up.  Still, he was surprised that he had not met Montro before, given a ship of this size, but then he hadn't really made too much effort to study the crew manifest and seek out those he had not met during his normal working shift. "Montro, this is Markra" said Chrystine, finally introducing Markra to the timid officer.  A solitary hand stuck out from behind Chrystine and waved again. Markra raised a hand to wave back, "Hello there Montro.  It is good to meet you."  He quickly lowered his hand and smiled at Chrystine, hoping that Montro might come out from behind her so he could get a good look at him.  "Is he shy?" (reply: Chrystine, Montro) Markra turned back briefly and deactivated his console, then moved toward a seat at a nearby table.  "So Montro, how come we haven't crossed path's before?  You haven't been hiding from me, have you?" (reply: Montro, any) (posted by Dave)