NRPG: Star Trekker... a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a woman...who does not exist. Jael al-Sharif...a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law. Start music with the Boudicca doing flybys Today's compile index is brought to you by the Federation for Law and Government: Day 16 (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.15) (USS Boudicca, Main Engineering, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.44) Day 22 (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 2155) Day 23 (USS Boudicca - Rivers' personal quarters - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Laroon - 0012) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 1505) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 2100) Day 25 (USS Boudicca - Bridge- FO - Commander Archibald Stakes- 1601) (USS Boudicca - Bridge- CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren-- 1602) Day 1 (USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 0953) (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC/2O Lt. Cmdr. Aleksander Stolev - Day 1 - 0955) (USS Boudicca - Observation Bay - FO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 0958) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Captain Zachary Falthgood - 0959) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC/2O Lt. Cmdr. Aleksander Stolev - Day 1 - 1200) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Admiral Sevant - 1201) RPG: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 16 Stardate: 2407.03.09 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca, Ready Room, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.15) Lise attempted not to shift uncomfortably, but none the less the suggestion that she would serve as a guinea pig for the newest of mark tricorders was not something that sat well with her. What if she were to be discovered? However, in this moment, she had a sudden realisation that LoDona and his henchmen had been correct in what they had effected for her. Following her series of meetings, before she was permitted to board the shuttle, the presiding doctor (who had all the rights in the world to examine her, without her being able to refuse), had injected her with a hypospray. It had made her very nauseous and she had vomited several times during the voyage, before she finally stabilised -- at least in a physical sense. Her fist still ached a little from its impact with the mirror. "It looks like this is going to be a long day for the both of us" The commander had finished. "Perhaps for you, Sir." Jael responded back as she sat triumphantly. She was still in the time-frame of the concoction that had been injected into her blood stream. In this time of war, leaving a disguised individual parade around surgically altered when their bio-scan was completely different was less than a tactful idea. Instead, the Starfleet scientists had developed an inhibitor of sorts, one which projected a certain biorhythm into the aforementioned scanning device. Besides, when dealing with the highest level of Starfleet brass, they would not be so sloppy as to have her discovered by just anyone. The new mark of tricorders, those she had seen, before her departure. The Doctor, what was her name? Deirdra Eistal? Had scanned her with the new mark tricorder. All was well. The inhibitor was in place. This would permit her safe passage and just in case they were boarded by any other of the opposing fleet, they would not be able to discern who Jael really was. Nor would any particular commanding officers who did not see fit to follow Starfleet protocols. She regarded Stakes across from her, and he seemed to return the favour. This was, and would be a battle of wits. In another time, and another place, Lise would have enjoyed this. LISE would have enjoyed this. But the here, the now, as Jael, she did not. Her mind kept turning. Where was Susan? How was she? Was she ok? She could only hope for the best. She couldn't let her mind drift... She would need her wits about her, the time moment was about to come. Suddenly, she was glad that the morning had unfolded as it did. Her smashing the mirror lead her to reporting in with white foam, which lead her to be in a rush to clean up and re-report in. She'd not taken the antidote. Usually, she would have already returned her blood levels to normal. Having this inhibitor system in place for over two weeks proves toxic for the carrier. (Or so Dr. Eistal had explained). Lise was almost at the end of the period, and yet, she had hesitated, not taken the antidote. Now, she understood why. While the Boudicca's computers had been calibrated to see her as herself -- as Jael -- they would not notice any difference as they recognised her both with inhibitors and without. However, the tricorder was something different entirely. This would all work out. She kept repeating it to herself. After all, the more you said something, the truer it got? Not being a fan of that adage, Lise considered her surroundings. What were her escape plans? She was beginning to develop one when the door chime rang. She regarded Stakes again. Let the show begin. (Reply Stakes and Man with the tricorder?) (Posted by Kat) (USS Boudicca, Main Engineering, ACEO Jael al-Sharif, 10.44) "If yet'd take a look at it, I'll work on that ventral phaser issue" The aCEO responded. Lise nodded her head. "Absolutely, I would be more than happy to" The aCEO responded and indicated that he would be headed down to work on another area, if she needed any assistance, she only needed to call. Lise smiled and considered her own work before her. ~Now...~ She thought, as an array of possibilities lay before her. She would finally be accorded the opportunity to consider what had happened and what would come. Being onboard would be anything but easy, again. (Reply none) (Posted by Kat) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 22 Stardate: 2407.03.15 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 2155) Donald's hand reached for the replicator, when he heard a sharp voice say, "ZZT!!!" Donald froze like a child with his hand stuck in the cookie jar. "Just LOOK at the state of my kitchen!" the voice scolded angrily. "You'll clean it up immediately, you hear? And properly too - no messing around with a dry cloth and just spreading the mess further! You'll treat my kitchen with as much respect and care as you treat your engines or you'll be in REAL trouble!!" Donald was mortified, as he turned toward the keeper of order. "I am so sorry, Ms. Hikaru. But surely you cannot fault Zzt for reveling in the wonders of the natural world. Would it not be the same for a blind person to see for the first time or a deaf person to hear?" This, however, did not seem to allay her, for she now turned her phaser like stare in his direction. "And as for you, Donald Johnson, leaving him alone in the kitchen with food is like.... like leaving a baby to play with the knife drawer. However it ends it isn't going to be pretty! You will NOT get anything else from the replicator until this mess is cleared up! Is that clear?" "Once again I apologize for such grievous dereliction on my part. Please rest assured that when we are done your galley will have been none the wiser for the experience. It will be as though it had been placed through a vacuum followed by a thorough cleaning." pledged Donald, holding his hand up. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 23 Stardate: 2407.03.16 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Rivers' personal quarters - TAC/ASC Ensign(jg) Laroon - 0012) As Captain Sevant told Lorak about what was going on, Lorak would go from looking at the Captain to the body and then to Captain Rivers. After Sevant had finished talking with him he heard Rivers chime in, and Lorak was quick to respond. "Ensign Laroon, I will give you all the information you need tomorrow morning to pursue the remaining spies on the ship. I don't have any leads for you, I'm afraid. Commander Stolev can fill you in too, when he's back on duty. Our one advantage is that so far, the rest of the group don't know their leader is dead. We can't keep that a secret forever, obviously, but if it could be kept as quiet as possible for a while, that would help." Lorak nodded at the captain showing he understood but by that time Rivers was already speaking to Sevant. So Lorak toke a knee to examine the body. It wasn't until Rivers addressed him once more that Lorak stood up. "Ensign, if you can manage to search Casely's quarters tonight, and also look into the logs of his computer use, you may find clues to some of his partners in crime." Lorak noded. "Yes Captain I will get on it right after I take care of this body. If you will excuse me for just one second Captain's" Lorak turned and went out the door, to speak with the two security officers he had brought with him. He pointed to both of them as he spoke. "Both of you are now on escort duty." he paused for a second and then spoke once more "You are to escort Captain Rivers around were ever she might go. and NO ONE is to get close to her unless they are a part of the Command Staff or myself, and you will not speak about this to anyone but those I have told you of is that clear?" He looked at both of them until one of the officers replied "Yes Sir!" Lorak nodded and then walked back into the room. He looked at both Captains and said "Now Captain's may I take this evidence to a med lab?" (Reply Rivers, Sevant, any) (Posted by Jay) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 1505) "What kind of eggs are they?" Mei Ling asked. "They're from Thelma and Louise, they're Riesholme Reptiles." answered Donald. Mei Ling looked doubtful. "I don't think I've ever used lizard eggs before," she said cautiously. "I get mine from Agnetha in Hydroponics - she keeps chickens in a corner of the Botanical Gardens. How would you serve the lizard eggs?" "They have chickens here? Wow, that is great news. Oh, well they work like chicken eggs, perhaps a little thicker and a different color, but other than that I've used them in place of chicken eggs and so far no ill results." replied Donald. "Oh and before I forget, we'll probably want a drop cloth for Zzt. I'm sure that will help things." "I trust," Mei Ling said, enunciating every word with chilling distinctness, "that you have not invited him to help prepare the food for tonight?" Donald simply shook his head in the affirmative. ~Oops. Note to self, I better ask Zzt to bring decorations instead~ he thought to himself "In that case," she said, her tone warming slightly, "I agree. DEFINITELY a drop cloth. About 9 square metres should do it. And now, we'd better get started. I thought some hasperat for Susan - she likes it very spicy - and I think some devilled eggs, they're always popular..." "We should make it look like a chaotic carpet. No one will be the wiser if anything falls on it." suggested Donald, as he followed her into the kitchen. (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - OPS Lt (jg) Donald Johnson - 2100) Donald surveyed the food to see if anything needed to be refilled or cleaned. It seemed things were going well. A number of officers had shown up, but not as many as he had hoped. But it was early. Undoubtedly though, there were those who felt such gatherings inappropriate during times of war. But to his mind, it was that much more important to remember why they did what they did. War was never a pleasant thing. He was glad that they hadn't been forced to rations. That was a good thing. If things were truly desperate they wouldn't be able to have created such a varied buffet. ~Looks like that tray is empty~ he noted, looking to see if anyone was nearby. ~Better go switch it out~ He picked up the tray and headed back into the kitchen. (Reply None) (posted by Kaweo Kanoho) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Anointed, Day 25 Stardate: 2407.03.18 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Bridge- FO - Commander Archibald Stakes- 1601) "Commander Stakes." Archibald suddenly heard beside him and look to the Engineer. "I know you're busy sir, but I wanted to give you the courtesy of handing you the 243/D-3 forms and the Civil union documents that you had requested in person sir." Archibald accepted the padd and scanned quickly through it. "That seems to be in order, Mister McLaren. I will pass it on the the authorities. Miss Arania should receive a response in a few weeks time. But for the moment I can grant her the access that befits a Federation civilian on board a Federation star ship. Now then, Mister McLaren, are you enjoying your holiday? You should. It tends to give people time to reflect. Re-assess the priorities in life." Archibald nodded friendly. "Especially when they are changing. By the way, I have heard back from the Kitty Hawk, Apparently Mister Linskens has regained consciousness and a certain level of awareness. I understand that he will likely make a full recovery. Miss Dela Rosa is pleased and wishes to extend her thanks to you and Miss Arania. However, it will be unlikely that Mister Linskens will return to active service soon, he has some ... re-assessing to do himself. Bur apparently Miss Arania knows all about that." Archibald looked at the engineer then nodded. "Regardless, I am thankful of the service you and Miss Arania have provided to the couple. My thanks, Lieutenant." (reply Matthew iyw) (posted by Adrie Geuken) (USS Boudicca - Bridge- CEO- Lt. Matthew McLaren-- 1602) "That seems to be in order, Mister McLaren. I will pass it on to the authorities. Miss Arania should receive a response in a few weeks time. But for the moment I can grant her the access that befits a Federation civilian on board a Federation star ship. Now then, Mister McLaren, are you enjoying your holiday? You should. It tends to give people time to reflect. Re-assess the priorities in life." Archibald nodded friendly. "Especially when they are changing. By the way, I have heard back from the Kitty Hawk, Apparently Mister Linskens has regained consciousness and a certain level of awareness. I understand that he will likely make a full recovery. Miss Dela Rosa is pleased and wishes to extend her thanks to you and Miss Arania. However, it will be unlikely that Mister Linskens will return to active service soon, he has some ... re-assessing to do himself. But apparently Miss Arania knows all about that." Archibald looked at the engineer then nodded. Matthew smiled at the good news. "Regardless, I am thankful of the service you and Miss Arania have provided to the couple. My thanks, Lieutenant." "Thank you commander, for the opportunity to visit with Mister Linskens. As for the holiday, I admit freely, that I found it difficult to stay away from Main Engineering, but I found the time well-spent in some personal introspection as well as teaching Arania to speak and read Federation Standard." Matthew paused for a moment, "NO thanks are necessary, sir. I'm glad to hear about John, I owe him a great deal more than I think I'll ever be able to repay." he said somberly. "But I do understand that he has some things he needs to work through. I think the time off would be good for him, sir." Matthew removed the smile from his lips. " Is there anything else you need of me commander?" (Reply Stakes) (posted by Daniel Greene) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mission: The Fires of Heaven, Day 1 Stardate: 2407.06.28 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 0953) Archibald sat in the command chair, blowing on his fingers as he viewed the Sovereign class vessel, showing so prominently on the view screen. So that was the Steel Talons, a ship Doenitz would have given his right arm for to see destroyed with all on board. Well, both arms, really. And there it was, sitting there like a supposedly sitting duck in front of the Boudicca. Archibald shook his head and turned his attention to the situation at hand, being a part of the Boudicca being claimed without proof of authority for the storage of ... something. And the cause of all this was now spending time with the Captain. He looked at the door to the Observation lounge and wondered what had actually happened twenty minutes ago when someone had beamed aboard and then after a few minutes beamed out again. Ever since, no word has gone out of the lounge apart from the expected arrival of another person, which this time turned out to be a Captain ... of sorts. From the few moments that he had seen the new officer, he had not been greatly enamoured by him. But still, he was a Captain. From the corners of his eyes, he saw Victoria Sevant get up with a padd in her hand, heading for the door to the observation lounge. Had it been anyone but the Captain's wife, Archibald would have stopped her, but in her case, Archibald assumed that she had received a telepathic summons from inside and noticed how she came back a few seconds later, without the padd, nor any bellowing from inside to stay out. Archibald turned his view back to the view screen and compared the ship there to his own. If that had been his 'Rose', the Boudicca would have been in serious trouble. It was after all a Keltoi killer, designed specifically to battle and overpower the normally stronger Keltoi-class. Archibald nearly smiled at the remembrance of a fine ship and an even finer crew, when suddenly his comm badge beeped. =/\= Sevant to Stakes, report to the Observation Lounge immediately. All Senior Officers, report to the Observation Lounge for a briefing at 1200 hours.=/\=. "On my way, Sir," Archibald responded on automatic pilot as he got up, passed his chair to Stolev and nearly collided with the strange Captain as he left the observation lounge. "Sir," Archibald said, still on automatic as he side-stepped to let the Captain pass. Falthgood looked down at the man who had stepped aside. "Commander," he said with a quirked eyebrow. "Excuse me." (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC/2O Lt. Cmdr. Aleksander Stolev - Day 1 - 0955) "Now really, commander. You've been on some of the most dangerous away missions around, and been on the bridge in the thick of space combat, and you're telling me that you can't deal with a little sinus congestion?" Nurse Fisher looked at the TAC/SC in amused disbelief as she applied the hypospray to his neck. "I'b tellig you, my head feels like id's goig to egsplode!" complained Stolev as he rubbed his forehead. "Well, what I just gave you will take care of the symptoms at least," replied Alice. "We may be in the 25th century now, but there's still no cure for the common cold!" She regarded him and shook her head. ~Good thing he's not the one having twins. He'd never make it!~ "Thagks," replied Stolev. He gingerly tried to inhale through his nose, and heard a high-pitched whistle as the air flowed in through a very narrow opening -- a marked improvement, in fact, from the way it was when he arrived. After another minute he could actually breathe normally through one nostril, and the throbbing in his head was beginning to subside. Stolev winced as the whistle of his comm badge added its own aggrivation to his headache. =^= All Senior Officers, report to the Observation Lounge for a briefing at 1200 hours. =^= "Agnowledged," replied Stolev as he tapped his own badge. "Thagk you, Nurse," he said to Alice. He was just turning to walk out of sickbay and up to the bridge when his badge chirped again. =^= Commander, Skelton here. A Captain Falthgood just called down here looking for you. I told him you were in sickbay; I think he's on his way there now. Wanted to give you the heads-up, sir. =^= "Thagk you, Mr. Skeldon," he replied. ~Falthgood... Zachary Falthgood? No, it couldn't possibly be.~ (reply Falthgood, any) (posted by Aaron) (USS Boudicca - Observation Bay - FO, Commander Archibald Stakes - 0958) "Sir?" Archibald started as he walked in, but then fell silent as he noticed a single starred rank insignia on Sevant's collar. "My congratulations, Sir." he said with a nod to the insignia. "I'm sure you deserve it, Sir." Sevant looked up at Stakes, then back down at the PADD he was still reading. "Have a seat, Commander." The Admiral placed the PADD on the table and folded his hands together as the man sat, watching him frankly. Stakes' command style was completely different from his own, he was pomp and circumstance, The Book of Rules incarnate. However, the man was also efficient... and he was skilled. Personality conflicts had no business on a ship of war, and that alone had made the command team work. A few small battles had helped. Those reaving missions and their apparent insignificance, in fact, had new importance now that he'd started reading the mission orders. "Now we know why you were assigned to me, Commander." Sevant finally said. "I spent long periods of time pondering that dilemma, of why you would be demoted and stripped of your ship, only to be placed on a battle-ship which was finishing its refit and harassing the enemy. The answer... you are getting a new ship, if only temporarily." Sevant tapped his thumps together for a moment, "For all intensive purposes Mr. Stakes, you will be commanding the Boudicca in the single biggest mission we have ever undertaken. I'm now in command of the 19th Task Force, I won't have the time or concentration to see the Boudicca through single engagement." The Admiral stood slowly and walked over to the man. "I don't agree with half of your philosophies, but they are as valid as my own, neither of us is going to change. But for all that, you are more then competent, and you are one of only four people who know how to effectively fight the Boudicca. You know her strengths, you know her crew. And now, Mr. Stakes, you are going to lead them into danger." His eyes narrowed slightly, "The end is beginning, are you up to the responsibility of leading the Flagship into battle?" Archibald eyed the new Admiral with a frown. "If you didn't think I was, I wouldn't have been offered the position, Sir." "I am interested to know your level of confidence." Sevant replied. "Are you confident, Commander?" Archibald shrugged. "Does it matter what I think? I'm not confident, I do what is required of me, like I have always done. But up until now I have ALWAYS done what was required of me and I do not see a particular need to change my habits, Sir." he replied matter-of-factly. "And the Boudicca will do what is required of her, whatever the task, regardless of whether I feel confident enough to do it." "At least you are realistic." Sevant said. That was what he had come to expect, the man wouldn't change. But he would do what he must. That was enough, for now. Sevant didn't feel particularly confident himself. Stakes would have ample reason to feel a little quiver in his belly once their mission orders were released. "Very well, you have the Bridge." He offered a duplicate PADD. "Read this when you can, it will give you a brief rundown before the senior staff meeting. From now on, as well, you will be included on all messages to the CO's." Archibald shot a quick glance at the PADD but didn't start reading it just yet. "Of course, Sir," he said as he nodded. "That would be necessary so that I can fulfill my duty. I will inform Commander Stolev that he will be temporarily assigned as FO. But I will wait until I have read the PADD and understand all that will be required of us. I may feel that some officers may be better used in other positions." Sevant nodded, "Anything else?" Archibald looked at the PADD in his hands. "Not at the moment, Sir. But I will have some questions after this has been digested." "Very well, dismissed." Archibald nodded and said simply: "Yes, Sir," before turning to leave the lounge. (reply: any, none) (posted by Adrie Geuken & Trout) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - Captain Zachary Falthgood - 0959) "Sir," the Commander said, as he stepped aside. ~Former Doenitz Man.~ Zach thought as he quirked an eyebrow. "Commander," he said. After a couple seconds of pause he said, "Excuse me." and stepped past, taking no more notice of Commander Stakes. He crossed his arms behind him and made for the turbolift, but his eyes were drawn to the Operations Console, where Vicky Sevant sat, doing her duty. ~Amazing.~ he thought, as he paused and watched her for several long moments. What was more amazing was that he'd never connected the Victoria he'd saved on the Mystique to the Captain's wife. He'd also have given his left shoe to know how she had come to be aboard the Boudicca, under a double of her former husband. That was yet another mystery, one he simply didn't have time for, however. As he turned, though, he had one errant thought... the small hope that, maybe, she was enough like Sevant's wife that he'd come to fall in love with her again. The man would need some support for what was to come, even a Vulcan could break. He stepped next to the turbolift doors and said, "Captain Falthgood to Security, what is the current location of the Security Chief... a Mr. Stolev?" (reply: any on the bridge, Stolev) (posted by Trout) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC/2O Lt. Cmdr. Aleksander Stolev - Day 1 - 1200) Stolev walked into the observation lounge right at 1200, carrying a mug of herbal tea in one hand and a handkerchief in the other. One of the POs in the security department had suggested the tea to him, extolling its virtues as her grandmother's recipe, certain to cure a cold in hours instead of days. What she hadn't mentioned was that, as far as Stolev could tell, it accomplished this feat by diverting the body's attention from manufacturing cold symptoms to trying not to vomit from the concoction's nauseating flavor and an odor that reminded him of the Crimean mud flats at low tide. He took his seat to one side of Sevant, blew his nose loudly into his handkerchief, muttered "sorry," and then wished again that the standard Starfleet uniform had pockets as he deposited his well-used handkerchief in his lap and waited for the meeting to begin. (reply any) (posted by Aaron) (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Admiral Sevant - 1201) Sevant stepped into the room quietly, and sat down. The room, which had been abuzz with conversation, fell silent as he did so. Right behind him, the seven and a half foot Falthgood walked in as well. He was dressed as any Starfleet Captain, except that his uniform had a goodly number of extra pockets sewn into it, and he was wearing antique shades, sunglasses from Earth. Sevant could barely remember a time when Falthgood, whatever his rank, had not worn them. The Admiral gestured to a chair against the wall, next to one of the port-holes, and took his seat Falthgood followed suit a few moments later. The Admiral stayed silent for long moments, he was looking over his hastily typed notes on the PADD. He'd had time to read the PADD and his extended orders twice, already plans were forming in his head. However, the notes he'd written in his Ready Room no longer seemed... appropriate. Instead, a memory came to mind. Following one of his rare times of human intuition, Sevant tapped his PADD off and folded his hands together without looking up. "My mother told me a parable once, before she died." He began. "It's one of the last things I really remember about her, before the accident that took her life over Vulcan. This parable concerned a man who wanted released from Heaven into hell to save his best friend from the fate that awaited him there, and he wouldn't take no for an answer. He threatened, he cajoled, he begged: and eventually he was cast into hell as requested, where he fought his way back across the mighty River Acheron to the great Heavenly Gates after rescuing his friend, only to be burned to ash by the Fires of Heaven for his presumption. So he'd won, he'd succeeded in his mission, and still lost everything." Sevant looked up from his PADD at the assembled. "And so we find ourselves in something of the same situation, only we're not going to petition, we're going to force our way in. We're going to march beyond the shores of Acheron and shake the very foundations of the world we've come to liberate. And if we're lucky, we'll see those same fires cleanse our homelands without totally destroying them in the process... and if we're supremely lucky, we'll live to see it through to the end." The looks on the faces of his officers was classic. It was well known that Sevant was not particularly religious; he had lived as a Vulcan should for most of his life, and his mother's beliefs had never taken hold. They did, however, present awesome imagery in which to build an analogy. As Sevant saw it, they were making the most Supreme presumption possible for a Soldier- that they could destroy their own defenses, designed to prevent just such an occurrence, and come out clean on the other side. Of course, his crew didn't know that yet. For those humans among the crew, perhaps the analogy would snap into place as soon as he was done giving their mission directives. He stood and crossed his arms behind his back, "For those of you who haven't noticed my collar, I am now Rear-Admiral Sevant. I have taken command of the 19th Task Force; the Boudicca is now my flagship. We have seven days, during which time we are going to prepare for battle and harass the enemy in this general area while the Task Force gathers." He turned his head slightly, "Mr. Stakes will have command of the Boudicca during the battle, and I will be with Colonel Straton and the fleet. However, I maintain over-all command of the ship for now." (reply: if desired) He walked over to the screen and tapped a button. "And this, ladies and gentleman, is our mission." On the screen was a map showing the Terran solar system, the Mars Defense Perimeter, the known disposition of those ships still loyal to Doenitz and the incoming forces. A large blob of ships, sitting just outside of Alpha Centari space, was marked with the Starfleet symbol and Sevant's task force identifier. There were at least six other Task Forces in the immediate area, and a couple other fleets making sure they weren't flanked or that the former occupied words of Bajor, Vulcan, Tellar, Alpha Centari, Caita and Andor remained free. Mixed in with the Starfleet groups were no less then three pure Klingon Assault groups, though most of the Klingon ships were mixed in with the Starfleet ships to minimize the appearance of a foreign government invading the Federation. There was no battle-plan as yet, but this was what the anticipated fleet movements were to be by the time they were done. This was what he would have to work with. He tucked his arms behind him once he was done inspecting the crew and nodded once. "In one weeks's time, we will begin the first push that will take us back into Sol. As you can see, the culmination of a years planning, of so much blood spilled, will be launched from various points around the Terran system. And we, ladies and gentlemen, will be spear-heading the invasion. The 19th taskforce is the lance which will breech the Mars Defense Perimeter itself." A couple people took deep breaths at this pronouncement. Although every Starfleet Officer would know what the MDP was, only those intimately tied into Security or Defense would really know what it was capable of. Designed to defeat a Borg attack, first conceived after the debacle of Wolf 359, it had been designed to stop Invasions. And it had only grown stronger over the years. "You heard me correctly." he said, with just a touch of dark amusement. "We will be the first to break a hole in the unbreakable lines of the Mars Defense Perimeter, thereby giving the rest of the combined fleets and Task Forces a chance to destroy what loyal fleets are left over Earth." He touched a button and let the large monitor zoom in on Mars. "The Mars defense perimeter is a series of interlocked Battle platforms, phaser emplacements, and torpedo satellites. They're mostly static, but heavily shielded and very dangerous in and of themselves. All are unmanned, but they'll be expensive to destroy. There are also five major fighter-bases." he turned away from the group and to the larger map, and touched each place as he mentioned them. "On Io, on Jupiter, on Titan. And finally, one on Mars and one stationed here on Starbase Valhalla... which is the nerve center not only of the Mars Defense Perimeter, but of the Utopia Planitia fleet yards." He turned back, "Each base carries two Wings of Starfleet Fighters, four squadrons of twenty-five craft per wing. That's a total of a thousand fighters on hand, with no less then a quarter of them active at any one time, no matter what kind of tactical surprise we manage to achieve. Fighters, though small, pack quite a punch in numbers." He waved a hand, "And, of course, the 1st Standing Fleet. Two hundred ships minimum, plus whatever else Doenitz feels secure in sending away from Earth to bolster the line. "And to knock a hole in all that, the Fleet Admiral has given us four hundred and twelve ships, three carriers with full fighter wings and elements of seven other fighter wings. We also get what is left of the Marine Expeditionary Force, fresh from battle and occupation duty on Andoria. Not much, perhaps, but enough." he turned back. "But the price will be high, especially on the front-line. On the Line, life will be cheap and blood plentiful. The Boudicca will spearhead the attack; we'll be the first in. It is our job to make a dash for Starbase Valhalla and cut the nerve-center out of the Mars Defense Perimeter." He sat down, "That, ladies and gentleman, is our attack on the pillars of our world, beyond the shores of Acheron. Our target will hold no surprises; we already know what we're in for all-in-all." He stopped and said nothing for long moments. Finally, he said: "This is what we had hoped would never have to happen, but this is the position we find ourselves in. If any of you wish to back out, or speak up, this is the one and only time you will be allowed too. If you have questions, I'll answer them. I want no misunderstandings on what we're about to undertake." (reply: any) (posted by Trout) NRPG: You think the guy's recovered now? Does he look like you remember? Shh... I gotta do the ending. I'll tell you tomorrow. One woman can make a difference, Jael. Jael al-Sharif. A Lone crusader in a dangerous world. The World of the Star Trekker -USS Boudicca, NCC 49901 Star Trek: Freedom - http://www.startrekfreedom.com