Mission: Swords to Ploughshares, Day 7
Stardate: 2408.05.26

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 1400)

They had arrived at the Tobias system some three hours previously, and had
cloaked before entering the system at one quarter impulse. Knowing that the
occupants of the planet known to Starfleet as Tobias 5 (but very likely to
its inhabitants as something quite different) had been on the threshold of
discovering rocket science 40 years ago made it a distinct possibility that
they had by now at least got some satellites up, if not attempted space
flight themselves. Their caution had proved correct when the scans revealed a
network of satellites orbiting Tobias 5.

Running constant scans, the Boudicca had approached the moon of Tobias 5,
searching for the device that Zach's files said had been hidden there.
Unfortunately all scans had come back as negative and they were now taking a
closer look.

Traces of Zach's shuttle landing on the moon's surface were clear enough. So,
unfortunately, was something else.

Susan looked at the magnified image on the viewscreen.

"Is that what I think it is?" she asked, rhetorically. It was clear enough to
all not to need a reply. A flag bearing an alien insignia that she recognised
from the files of the earlier survey of the system was firmly planted on the
moon's surface, not far from Zach's landing site.

The Tobians had not only made it into space, they had made it to their moon.

Worse than that, there was no trace of the device at all.

(Reply any on the Bridge, any)
(Posted by Liz)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 7 - 1401)

Stolev's eyes flicked between the main viewscreen and his armchair console as
they scanned the surface of the Tobian moon for traces of the device they had
come here to retrieve.  So far their results were negative, so they had moved
in closer to the moon and were searching the area where he had supposedly
landed both visually and with scanners.

A peculiar pattern of moondust caught Stolev's attention, and he leaned
forward to peer at the viewscreen.  "Increase magnification on grid sector 23
beta."

The area instantly enlarged, and he could now clearly make out not one, but
two sets of landing marks. One was clearly a standard Starfleet shuttle; the
nacelles gave the landing site a distinct configuration.  However, the other
marks were alien, and a closer look revealed what appeared to be a flag of
some sort planted between the two landing marks.  ~Well that sure complicates
things, doesn't it.~

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Rivers rhetorically.

"I'm afraid so," concurred Stolev.

"Captain," Sprak said turning his chair from the science station so he could
face the Captain.  "There is no sign of the device anywhere on the moons
surface.  I don't think we need the legendary Sherlock Holmes to know where
the device is now.  There are no other signs of any warp capable ships having
been in the system.  I have broadened the scanning radius to include the
planet looking for the distinct power profile of the device, but we may have
to get close to get a more positive reading.  I feel I must also warn you
that if the device is now on the planets surface, in the possession of the
native species, then this whole system, us included, are in grave peril.  The
device is NOT stable, in fact I am amazed they managed to move the device
without detonating it in the first place.  I can only surmise at this time
that their lack of subspace technology has saved them in this instance.  I
would recommend we either retreat from the system, and to a safe distance,
until a course of action has been decided, or we take a really deep breath
and establish a standard orbit around the planet and attempt to determine the
device's location and hope it doesn't detonate taking the planet, us, and the
entire system with it."

Rivers listened to the CSO's assessment, and nodded. "We will not retreat,"
she said. "This device is here and this system and its inhabitants are at
risk because of us. Not this ship or crew directly but Starfleet was
responsible indirectly for it being here and we are the ones tasked with
retrieving it. We will do so," she added firmly. "Helm, establish standard
orbit around the planet. Mr Sprak, do whatever you can to locate the device.
Once we know where it is, we will then formulate a plan to retrieve it, or at
the very least make it safe."

(reply helm, Sprak)

"In the meantime, I will see what else I can discover from Falthgood's notes
that may help us. Number One, you have the Bridge. I will be on the
holodeck."

"Understood," replied Stolev.

As she spoke, she rose and headed for the turbolift. "Deck 10," she said,
then tapped her commbadge as the turbolift began moving. "Rivers to Colonel
Drizzt. Meet me at Holodeck 1 as soon as you can. I need your help."

Stolev shifted over to the center chair and watched the viewscreen as Tobias
5 grew gradually larger, and suddenly more ominous, as he pondered how they
would retrieve the device from the planet without violating the Prime
Directive, or worse, destroying the entire star system.

----------

(USS Boudicca, Bridge, CSO, Commander Sprak, 1405)

    Sprak had been studying the ships sensors readings on the moon they
were orbiting looking for any sign of the device they'd come to destroy,
with no success.  After studying the readings, Sprak had reconfigured the
sensors and broadened the scanning radius, though he was fairly certain
where they would now find the device.

    "Captain," Sprak said turning his chair from the science station so
he could face the Captain.  "There is no sign of the device anywhere on the
moons surface.  I don't think we need the legendary Sherlock Holmes to know
where the device is now.  There are no other signs of any warp capable
ships having been in the system.  I have broadened the scanning radius to
include the planet looking for the distinct power profile of the device,
but we may have to get close to get a more positive reading.  I feel I must
also warn you that if the device is now on the planets surface, in the
possession of the native species, then this whole system, us included, are
in grave peril.  The device is NOT stable, in fact I am amazed they managed
to move the device without detonating it in the first place.  I can only
surmise at this time that their lack of subspace technology has saved them
in this instance.  I would recommend we either retreat from the system, and
to a safe distance, until a course of action has been decided, or we take a
really deep breath and establish a standard orbit around the planet and
attempt to determine the device's location and hope it doesn't detonate
taking the planet, us, and the entire system with it."

(Reply Rivers, Any on Bridge)
(posted by Wes)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 7 - 1407)

Susan listened to the CSO's assessment, and nodded. "We will not retreat,"
she said. "This device is here and this system and its inhabitants are at
risk because of us. Not this ship or crew directly but Starfleet was
responsible indirectly for it being here and we are the ones tasked with
retrieving it. We will do so," she added firmly. "Helm, establish standard
orbit around the planet. Mr Sprak, do whatever you can to locate the device.
Once we know where it is, we will then formulate a plan to retrieve it, or at
the very least make it safe."

(reply helm, Sprak)

"In the meantime, I will see what else I can discover from Falthgood's notes
that may help us. Number One, you have the Bridge. I will be on the
holodeck."

As she spoke, she rose and headed for the turbolift. "Deck 10," she said,
then tapped her commbadge as the turbolift began moving. "Rivers to Colonel
Drizzt. Meet me at Holodeck 1 as soon as you can. I need your help."

----------

(USS Boudicca, Bridge, CSO, Commander Sprak, 1408)

    "We will not retreat," Captain Rivers said. "This device is here
and this system and its inhabitants are at risk because of us. Not this
ship or crew directly but Starfleet was responsible indirectly for it being
here and we are the ones tasked with retrieving it. We will do so," she
added firmly. "Helm, establish standard orbit around the planet. Mr Sprak,
do whatever you can to locate the device. Once we know where it is, we will
then formulate a plan to retrieve it, or at the very least make it safe."

    Sprak took a deep breath, nodded once, and turned back toward his
station.  "It wouldn't of exactly been retreating," He mumbled softly under
his breath.  "More like a strategic withdrawal.  Yea, that's it, a
strategic withdrawal."

    He only half listened as the Captain gave the issued more orders to
the helm before leaving the Bridge.  Sprak began tapping away on his
console working to reconfigure the sensors while looking over the data that
was coming in as the ship changed course toward the planet.

    Within seconds Sprak was once more engrossed in the sensor data
coming in to the exclusion of all else.  ~Finding this device and actually
being able to study it will be a wonderful opportunity.  Destroying it will
be a real shame.~

    Sometime latter Sprak was working on pin pointing the exact
location of the energy signature of the device, or as close as he could get
at present, when the Captain's voice suddenly jarred him from his train of
thought.

    =/\=Rivers to all senior staff. There will be a meeting in the
Observation Lounge at 1500 hours. Mandatory attendance. Rivers out.=/\=

    Sprak looked at the crono briefly noting the time before turning
his attention once more to his sensors.  ~The game is afoot.~  He thought
with a small smile.

----------

(USS Boudicca - Deck 10, Holodeck - CO Captain Susan Rivers and MXO Lt Col
Leonal Drizzt - 1420)

"Thanks for coming along," Susan said. "I don't know what information Zach
put on here but it seems to me that if we need to disable this weapon, then
it will help if you know something about it. But since I don't know what else
he might say, I don't want to run the program in a room full of people I
hardly know."

They entered the holodeck, and the door slid closed it behind them.
"Computer, seal this room," Drizzt ordered.

The computer beeped in reply.

"Computer, activate program Zulu Foxtrot Sierra Romeo Tango One," commanded
Susan.

In the centre of the room, not more then a couple of feet from the pair, the
image of an exceptionally tall man in Lieutenant's pips appeared, and he was
wearing a pair of antique shades. The hologram, whom Drizzt assumed was
Falthgood, stood frozen for a few moments before 'coming to life'. He/it
looked around, and then focused his gaze on Rivers.

"Susan!" the large man said, before bending down faster then a flash, tipping
the Captain back, and giving her a rather deep and impromptu kiss. He tipped
Susan back up after a couple of moments, "So, are you ready for kids yet?
And... did you ever find those shades we lost on..." He broke off and looked
over at Drizzt.

The Andorian quirked an eyebrow as the hologram coughed, "Sorry, the mood
took me. Lieutenant Falthgood, mad scientist extraordinare." The hologram
paused and looked back at Susan- he still hadn't given her a chance to speak.
"Is it safe to talk around blue-foot here?"

"You can trust him as you trust me," Susan replied simply. "Zach, this is Lt
Colonel Leonal Drizzt. Leonal is my life-partner, and the father of my
daughter."

She knew this was only a hologram, and technically she didn't have to explain
things to him, but somehow, knowing Zach and what he was capable of, she
decided to err on the side of caution.

"Ah, alright then. So, how are you?" he smiled largely, "And what brings you
to this plain..." the hologram paused and snapped a dramatic finger, three
chairs appeared out of nowhere. Zach sat down, "... to this plain room?"

Susan took a seat. "We're in the Tobias system, to look for the device hidden
there. Since there's a planet with a pre-warp civilisation, we need to know
how to deactivate and destroy it safely. I have your instructions, of course,
but I need to know if there is anything else you can tell us. "

The jovial look on the Lieutenant's face suddenly disappeared, and a couple
of moments passed. "I have been programmed to access to knowledge of the
database," he said in a voice as close to toneless as one could get. "And a
few other pre-programmed responses. Ask your questions, I will tell you what
I can."

Susan felt a small pang almost of loss as the happy-go-lucky persona of the
Zachary Falthgood she had known disappeared, to be replaced by what was
almost an automaton with his face and voice. She had been very fond of Zach,
and had even shed a few tears when she had received the box he had sent her
and realised he was dead.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Getting maudlin wasn't going to
help now.

"We went to the moon specified in your notes," she said. "There was no device
there. There was evidence of some kind of moon landing though, primitive
space equipment, footprints. Debris. A flag. But no device. And no sign of it
having been there either."

"I left it in the care of the race whose planet that moon orbits." The
pseudo-Zach said, matter-of-factly.

"You. did. *what*?"

"I guess you should read further. They had big rockets and little common
sense, I had to improvise, I thought I did pretty well under the
circumstances - so bite me."

"I'm tempted, believe me," Susan said grimly. "What the... *hell* were you
thinking, Zach?"

"Hmmm. either take more unscheduled time that would make Doenitz question
where I was, and why I had gone incommunicado for so long... or improvise,
show up as the Prophet of their chief good Deities and set an entire
civilization to watching over it as a holy relic that would blast them all to
hell if it were stolen, touched or misplaced. Tell me, Susan Rivers, what
would you have done?"

"I would have told Doenitz to stick his head up his **** the first time he
asked me to do something dodgy," Susan retorted. "But we're not talking about
what I might have said or done but what you did and why."

"... and then nobody would have been present to oversee his activities, head
off some of the more unnecessary actions, and prepare for a future. Who else
of influence and with any moral code at all existed within the structure?"

"Oh, you could always justify anything," Susan snorted. "You have the gift of
the gab, Zach. But the past is the past, what we have to do now is find a way
to get that device away from those people. Or make it safe."

"Laudable goal." he said after a pause. "Follow my directions exactly and the
people should not be harmed. In fact, you might even put them on a religious
golden age, having fulfilled the task assigned to them by their gods."

Susan rolled her eyes. "I am not going to interfere with their civilisation
any more than you have already," she snapped. "Is there a booby-trap? If the
device was accessed incorrectly for example, without the correct codes being
entered, would it go off?"

Drizzt quirked his head to the side and stepped up next to Susan as the
hologram paused for many long seconds, not moving and not speaking. Finally,
the reproduction of Zach made a human gesture by pulling off his shades.

"Booby trap..." the hologram said, almost in a musing tone. The tone was
replaced almost immediately by his monotone: "That was one of the many cached
devices I'd hidden away against the possibility of Admiral Doenitz rising to
power, one that I had not recovered at the time this recording was made"
Zachary said, his tone now deadly serious. "If you are going to attempt to
find and deactivate it, you had better be ready for a rough ride. Although it
wasn't the most deadly of the things I found, it was never meant to be a
weapon at all, it -was- rather touchy.  Furthermore, I enlisted the aid of
the native civilization to help guard it. In order to ensure they never
touched it, I had to instil in them that the device is the key to the gateway
to the Darkness, which you can roughly equate to the Terran Hell although the
premise is rather different. In order to retrieve it without killing most of
the temple that they have it stowed in, you will have send an away team to
pose as Tresan, the Goddess of Light, Yeltendy the Earth Deity, and Brensa,
the Moon Deity or their emissaries. These three together are the opposite
counterpart of the Lord of the Black, who rules over the Darkness and
together they form a balance, the balance of life itself. You can find the
basics to their religion on one of the PADDs that Zachary provided- he had to
do a detailed analysis to make sure he had instilled the proper amount of
fear into their society." The being paused.

"The combination code to the device is 5-6-Alpha-9-five." He paused again,
"This code is incorrect, it has been encrypted for security. Zachary will
have given you a secure PADD of decryption keys and security subroutines, run
my provided code for the correct one." Zach paused again, almost as if in
thought. "Be careful when disarming the device and destroying it, if its
power source is deactivated improperly, it will release a wave of energy
which will disassociate all nuclear bonds across the entire system."

Susan stared at him in silence for a long moment. "That we knew," she said
evenly, after the pause. "Tell me something, Zach, are all these devices
going to be as easy or are we just lucky with this one?"

The image smiled in a lopsided manner. "Did I ever do anything ‘the easy
way’?" he asked, rhetorically.

"Computer, end program," was Susan's response. She had got the information
she was after, and more besides. One thing she was certain of, no one was
going to be impersonating deities or emissaries on her watch. Zach might have
regarded the Prime Directive as a set of guidelines but that didn't mean she
had to.

She looked at Leonal and smiled ruefully. "Well, things just got a whole lot
more interesting, didn't they."

She tapped her commbadge. "Rivers to all senior staff. There will be a
meeting in the Observation Lounge at 1500 hours. Mandatory attendance. Rivers
out."

(Reply ALL)
(Posted by Jeremy Trout and Liz Geuken)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance - A/CEO Lorimar - 1421)

Lorimar had been working with two of his engineering crew trying to sort and
inventory the remaining parts from the Runabout Astoria. After the small
vessel had been stripped and renamed Phoenix, she had been lost on the away
mission to stop the Planet Killer

~Along wie the loss of much more important things,~ Bob thought grimly.

He had originally assigned Ensign Harris the job of redesigning and
reassembling a replacement, since Runabouts and auxiliary craft were in very
short supply after the war. The only way to get a 'new' vessel in the
immediate future was to build one aboard the ship. Sadly, Mr. Harris had
barely started the design stage when his attention was required on more
immediate matters. Boudicca was still short a Runabout... so the project had
to be picked up once again.

He had a rough draft of some updated specifications, along with the latest
revisions from Fleet Engineering. Now to 'tweak' things a bit.

He uploaded the files in progress onto his PADD, and appended a short
notation:

    "To: Any/All interested departments
      Re: Runabout Design Project
      CC: CO,FO,2O,ATT

       Engineering is in the process of reconstructing a replacement
       Runabout. Any departments having interest or input please contact
       A/CEO Lorimar. All suggestions
       welcome, anyone with mission specific requirements please come
       forward.

       Thank you in advance for your participation,

       Lt. Lorimar"

Satisfied, Bob uploaded the message to be distributed to all department heads
and assistants via the shipboard comm system.

=^=Rivers to all senior staff. There will be a meeting in the Observation
Lounge at 1500 hours. Mandatory attendance. Rivers out.=^=

Bob tapped his commbadge, acknowledged, and then got back to the task at
hand.

(Reply Any interested)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 7 - 1435)

They had been in standard orbit for a few minutes, and so far Sprak had not
been able to locate the device.  However, the planet was much larger than its
moon, and would understandably take longer to scan, as the profile of the
device was low and any scans had to be completely passive in order to avoid
detonating the device or being detected by the Tobians.

The comm system whistled, and Stolev instinctively looked up at the sound of
the captain's voice.  =^= Rivers to all senior staff. There will be a meeting
in the Observation Lounge at 1500 hours. Mandatory attendance. Rivers out. =
^=

"I guess she found something," he muttered to himself, hoping that whatever
it was would make it easier for them to complete the mission.

-----------

(USS Boudicca - Conference Room - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 -
1440)

Shadow felt a little naughty sitting in the Captain's chair as she finished
her notes for meeting preparation, but it wasn't like she was sitting in the
Big Chair on the bridge or something. She wouldn't stay long, afterall, just
a place to rest her rump.. besides, it squished her tail into her bum and it
was terribly uncomfortable. She didn't know how Captain Susan managed to sit
on it without squirming.

Drinks, plenty of PADDs, mission details, department reports, notes, clean
table, chairs, the place was as ready as it would get. Shadow took her
customary seat on the stool behind and to the right of the Captain. Placed
behind mostly so she couldn't be kicked. Not that she didn't think the
Captain wouldn't find a way if she wanted, or wouldn't just send her mate to
do the kicking as necessary.

(Reply any)
(Posted by Lorna)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Conference Room - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1445)

It was almost an obsession with Dorga to arrive early for meetings.
Eversince her very first staff meeting on her first assignment out of
the Academy, (was that really over a decade ago?), when she'd hurtled
into the meeting having run all the way there, and still arrived a
minute late.  Now she made sure she was always on time by arriving as
early as possible.  She wondered what this meeting was about, it had
been right out of the blue without a lot of notice.

Just as she had expected, Shadow was already there having prepared
everything with her usual efficiency.  Dorga greeted her with a smile
and took a seat at the table after helping herself to a large glass of
ice water.  Soon after her fellow Vulcan/Klingon hybrid arrived and she
gave him a welcoming smile.

As each of the other officers arrived, Dorga would look up from the PADD
she was reading and greet them cordially before reading more.  It was
always a good opportunity to catch up on personnel files, or making
reports while waiting for a meeting to start.

(reply any)
(posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - A/CEO Lorimar - 1448)

Bob walked into the Observation Lounge, comfortably early for a change. He
was getting better at managing his time, barring emergencies of course. With
a polite nod to those already present, he took his usual seat.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Russ)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Conference Room - ATT- Lt. Cmdr- Matthew McLaren - 1450)

Matthew had spent the last couple of days working with Shun to perfect and
assemble the new grav chair. This one was more upright than the last and
Matthew preferred the raised design to the recumbent version that he had used
prior.

Besides the smaller chassis, there was also the advantage that the more
upright model took up less space on the horizontal plane. This meant that not
only could the chair more easily fit into a turbo lift car, but that  he
could now share it with a couple of other officers without making them feel
claustrophobic.

The doors to the lounge hissed open and Matthew drifted in with the ease of a
veteran pilot. The Chief counselor greeted him and he returned her greeting.

His transfer to the ATT department was now official and Matthew couldn't be
happier. He had completed his first project and was already looking into his
second. He had even had time to send Ensign Harris a few modification
suggestions for the design of the replacement runabout that was being
constructed in the Maintenance bay.

He had a woman that loved him, he had work to occupy him, and the freedom to
conduct his own work as he desired. For the first time since his accident,
Matthew was genuinely happy.

He no longer looked at the physical limitations as a hindrance, but more as a
challenge to be overcome. He had been spending a great deal of time reading
technical papers on Neural interface chips and  neural chip-to-nerve
interaction studies. That research teamed with the data that Lorimar had
provided on the micro servos and microsensors, had planted a seed that
Matthew was starting to grow in his fertile imagination.

In his own mind, if nowhere else, he truly believed that technology could
solve any problem, if applied correctly. He had a problem and he had
technology. The solution would be coming along soon enough.

He stopped his chair at the end of the table, where there would be the most
room, then lowered it so that the foot of the chair hovered just a few
millimeters above the floor of the lounge.  He would still be sitting higher
than just about anyone else except maybe Zzt, but it was the lowest that he
could get.

Matthew activated his PADD and continued reading up on the research that he
was doing while he waited for the meeting to begin.

(reply Any)
(posted by Daniel Greene)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Conference Room - ACOP- Lt. Tollian Yalix- 1452)

Tollian walked in a few minutes early as was his habit, when asked to attend
meetings.

He was greeted by and returned a greeting to the Second Officer. There were
already a few officers present and Tollian took a few moments to claim a
chair before filling a glass with cold crisp water and taking his seat.

He smiled and nodded at the Captain's yeoman in silent appreciation for her
consideration and sat waiting for the  captain to arrive and the meeting to
begin.

(reply any)
(posted by Daniel Greene)

----------

(USS Boudicca -Deck 1 -Observation Lounge - ACMO Ens.(Jg) Tau Renora - 1453)

Dr. Tau entered the Observation Lounge. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to
be here, but scuttlebutt among the crew about the Captain led him to believe
that if this were an overstepping of his rank, an official reprimand was
probably not forthcoming.

None of the scattering of officers already present, however, seemed
concerned, so he slipped quietly into the furthest chair from the Captain's
chair. Here he could have more control over how much he spoke, if at all,
during the conversation. It's not that he was planning on remaining silent,
it's just that that usually what ended happening in situations like this,
whether or not he wanted it.

He sat back, smiled briefly at the ones who made eye contact with him, and
then sank back into his own thoughts waiting for the Captain to arrive.

(Reply any)
(Posted by Rori)

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(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, CSO Commander Sprak, 14.58)

    Sprak walked into the Observation Lounge, his nose buried in a PADD
that contained all the latest sensor data.  He had linked it directly to
the science station on the Bridge and was receiving updated sensor data as
it came in.  ~Fascinating.~ He thought to himself, his tail whipping about
absently behind him as he studied the complex energy profile of the device.

    Absently, Sprak made his way over to his chair and hopped up into
it, never taking his eyes off his PADD.  "The quantum variance is very
intriguing," He said to himself, "Wonder if it could pierce the dimensional
barrier if the power level was increased sufficiently?  Maybe even the
temporal barrier."

(Reply Any at Meeting)
(Posted by Wes)

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(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, ATT Lt. Commander Zzt, 14.59)

    Zzt walked in at the last possible moment turning sideways and
bowing down in order to fit through the door way.  Once inside, he stood to
his full height, stretched his neck and shoulders.  He curled his lips back
from his fangs as he smiled at everyone in the room, wiggling his claws in
greeting to everyone.  Lifting his snout he sniffed the air taking in
everyone scent before moving over to his usual spot and sat down cross
legged on the floor.  He looked around confused for a moment before looking
over at the Captain's yeomen.  ~What was her name again?~  He thought
briefly before it came to him.

    "Yeomen Shoe-dew, where snack?" He asked the Yeoman, looking around
again for the large bowel of berries and nuts that the Yeoman had given him
at the last meeting

(Reply Shadow IYW)
(Posted by Wes)

----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, Crewman Shadow to Sretalles, 1459.5)

    "Yeomen Shoe-dew, where snack?" He asked the Yeoman, looking around
again for the large bowel of berries and nuts that the Yeoman had given him
at the last meeting

Shadow blinked, startled that the very big engineer was talking to her and
licked her whiskers nervously. "I apologize Sir Zzt, I did not have the time
or resources to create an appropriate environment to assist with your
meeting process." A bit stilted, but it was better than twisting her tail
and saying 'Well, there was that whole spitting on half the senior crew
incident at the last meeting..'

(Reply Zzt :)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 7 -
1500)

Stolev walked into the Observation Lounge just as the chronometer display
switched from 1459 to 1500, and took his usual seat to the right of the head
of the table.  He leaned back in the chair and waited for Rivers to arrive,
eager to hear about what she found in Falthgood's notes.

(reply any at meeting)
(posted by Aaron)

----------

(USS Boudicca  - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(jg) Detron Trei -
15.00)

Detron walked into the Observation Lounge and took a seat near the front.  He
placed his PADD on the table and went to the replicator for some Earl Gray.
He returned to his seat and waited for the rest to arrive.

(Reply Any at meeting)
(Posted by Edward)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George -
1500.5)

It had been about twenty-five or so minutes since the Captain had stated a
meeting for the senior staff. Niles had been working, on some reports that
needed to be done, on the bridge at tactical two. One after another, officers
left for the Observation Lounge. Soon enough, Lt. Trei himself, went there on
the dot and left him to take over until his return.

Niles had been on the bridge for a minute, before finally deciding to head to
the meeting. He gestured another officer to take his position. The officer
moved from her station to his and he walked around the circular bridge to the
Observation Lounge.

Niles smiled when he entered, but felt a little awkward. When he entered,
everyone was seated and ready to go. Besides the fact that Detron was coming
from the replicator with a cup of some kind of drink. He walked around the
table to sit next to his superior tactical officer. He pulled up a chair and
sat down.

~Am I late?~

(Reply Any in Room)
(Posted by Niles George)

----------

(USS Boudicca  - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC lieutenat(jg) Detron Trei -
15.01)


Detron saw his assistant sit next to him with a worried look on his face like
he was late for the meeting.  Detron turned to Niles.

"You are not late Niles.  The drink I have in front of me is Earl Gray.  Earl
Gray is a fine form of English tea."

(Reply George, any at meeting)
(Posted by Edward)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1502)

Niles had just made himself comfortable when Detron had stated he wasn't late
and describe what kind of drink he had. Detron described it as some form of
English tea. Niles sighed in relieve that he wasn't late, but still had some
hint of personal insufficiency. He quickly shook it off and just kept
smiling.

Turning his attention back to the "Earl Gary," that he thought sounded
interesting to try, he turned to talk to Detron. "I think I might go try
some," he said standing up slowly not to interrupt anyone's conversation. He
gracefully walked over to the replicator. He politely asked the computer for
some Earl Gary tea. Even if he knew the computer wouldn't care about manners.
It soon materialized a cup full of liquid. He reached in and took it out of
the space in the wall. Spinning around on his heel, he headed to his seat.
Niles took a quick sip, but stopped dead in his tracks. The drink was a taste
of citrus favor. It had a kick.

Trying to keep a quieted voice, he leaned over to Trei, "Is it supposed to be
so... strong?" Niles said with some internal mirth, but he didn't expect to
have an answer on a such rhetorical question.

(Reply Trei, IYW)

He continued to seat back into his seat and pondered how anyone could stand
the sharp taste. But as he continued to take sips, the once strong English
tea, mellowed out. Soon enough, the drink had become something that his taste
buds could get used to. After setting the only sixth-eighth full glass down
on the table, he slowly began to nudge it away from him.

~Who ever his Earl guy is, I've had enough of him.~

He looked around the room at the other officers and out the window, while
waiting for the meeting to begin. He was sure it would be very soon...

... As sure as life on other planets existed.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Niles George)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(jg)  Detron Trei -
15.03)

Detron smiled in amusement as Niles drank Earl Gray for the first time.
Niles reacted to the strong kick Earl Gray provided, but soon calmed down as
the taste calmed down as well.  Detron gave a quick look of disappointment
when Niles pushed it out  from his seat.

~Can't handle the kick can you?   Grin.~

(Reply George iyw)
(Posted by Edward)

----------

(USS Boudicca  - Observation Lounge - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - 1504)

Susan walked into the Observation Lounge a few minutes late, having
first stopped off in her quarters to collect the PADDs Zach had sent her
and check the information on them with what the holo-Zach had told her
in the holodeck. It had taken her a little longer than she had
anticipated to track down all the pertinent notes, and she now realised
why she had overlooked it at first. Zach had used a complex notation
method and the extra information was in an addendum to his original
notes which she had originally thought to refer to another section.
Having gone through everything again, cross-referencing all the
information, she was now certain she had everything.

"I apologise for my lateness, ladies and gentlemen" she said abruptly as
she took her seat, placing a small pile of PADDs on the table in front
of her. "It took longer than I anticipated to gather all the relevant
information."

(reply any iyw)

"As some of you know, we are tasked with something extra aside from the
survey of this system."

She gave a brief overview of the device they were looking for, for the
benefit of those who were not already familiar with the information, and
then continued.

"That device was not where we believed it to be, on the moon of Tobias
V. At first we believed it had been removed by the inhabitants of the
planet, who have achieved space flight in the years in between the last
survey of this system and today. It seems that the late Captain
Falthgood changed his mind about the wisdom of leaving the device on the
moon, rightly as it now appeared. What he decided to do, however, I
cannot condone. He chose to impersonate the Prophet of their deities and
entrusted the device to the safe-keeping of the Temple of the Divine
Three and the priests who run the religion. He told them it was the key
to the gateway of the Darkness which considering the effect it would
have if it went off is probably not inaccurate."

She activated the screen. "These are the details of their religion.
Tresan, the Goddess of Light, Yeltendy the Earth Deity, and Brensa, the
Moon Deity are the Divine Three; they are the opposite counterparts of
the Lord of the Black, who rules over the Darkness and together they
form a balance, the balance of life itself. Further details can be found
on these PADDs - " she indicated the PADDs she had placed on the table -
"which you will later need to read and absorb. The correct code for
disabling the device are also in those PADDs. We will have to be very
careful when disarming the device and destroying it; if the power source
is deactivated incorrectly it will release a wave of energy which will
disassociate all nuclear bonds across the entire system."

She laced her fingers on the table in front of her. "That is, however,
not our immediate problem as I'm sure you realise. Our immediate problem
is how to gain access to the device in the first place. I have ruled out
Captain Falthgood's suggestion of impersonating one of the Deities or
their emissary; I believe the Prime Directive has already been abused
enough. Therefore, we need an alternative plan. I propose an away team
to go to the planet and attempt to gain access to the device in order to
make it safe. Once it is, we will use the transporter to remove it from
the temple and replace it with a duplicate, without the destructive
capability of course."

She looked at Louis and Tau. "Doctors, you will need to find a way to
alter the away team's appearance so that they look like normal
inhabitants. Louis, I believe you were studying the information supplied
in the previous system survey - will you need more in-depth scans taken
before you can work out what needs to be done?"

(Reply Louis, Tau, room for more)

"Lieutenant Lorimar, Commander Sprak, I will need the two of you to make
a mock-up of the device for the substitution. Dimensions and images can
be found on your PADDs; it will need to be exact. How long would you
anticipate for that?"

(Reply Bob, Sprak)

"Lieutenant Trei, Ensign George, you will need to study the security at
the Temple; we need to know what the away team may encounter."

(reply Detron, Niles)

"Sasha, I want you to put together an away team capable of achieving our
objective. Without bloodshed, Sasha. These people are innocent pawns in
a game not of their making."

She paused for a moment.

"Does anyone have anything to add? Commander Sprak, I would particularly
appreciate your input on what you have been able to learn so far."

(Reply ALL in the meeting, any)
(Posted by Liz)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(jg) Detron Trei -
15.05)

After Detron heard the orders from Captain Rivers, He responded.

"Understood sir.  I will work with Niles on that immediately.  Would you need
me on the bridge when the away team is in action sir?

Detron waited for the response.

(Reply Rivers, George)
(Posted by Edward)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1506)

The doors opened and the Captain walked into the room. At the time, Niles had
been looking over some of the security teams latest reports, on his PADD. He
was doing so like he did everyday. Inventory, shift changes, so on and so on.
All looked good. He set the PADD down, on the table, in front of his cup of
Earl Gray. Then, he focused his attention to the Captain.

She had started making an apology by being late. She continued on to showing
everyone a displayed view of a device. The one they were after by the look of
it. She described the device was not on the moon anymore, but on the Tobias V
itself. Niles's eyes widen in dismay. Carrying on with the briefing, Susan
explained that the civilization had gained space flight since the last survey
and started talking about their religious beliefs. Next, she indicated that
the PADDs she had in front of her had all the details of the religion.

Niles took notice of the PADDs and grabbed his off the table. He silently
began transferring files from a PADD at the end of the table, he didn't know
which one, to his. Thinking the action over, he decided to wait and canceled
the transfer. ~Maybe I should wait.~

"Lieutenant Trei, Ensign George, you will need to study the security at the
Temple; we need to know what the away team may encounter," said a voice,
echoing across the table. Niles snapped his attention to the Captain again.

"Understood, Sir. I will work with Niles on that immediately. Would you need
me on the bridge, when the away team is in action sir?" asked Trei.

Niles, before realizing it, his mouth had opened and words were coming out.
Actual words! Could this been a sign that he was coming out of his shell of
being a quiet-type officer, and now learned how to speck on instinct? Not
likely. This was probably caused by a simple mental response of panic from
the sound of his name.

"Lieutenant, Captain, if it is alright with you both. I would like to request
to go to the planet with the away team. I could try to infiltrate the temple,
disguised as a priest or such and could use my tricorder to scan the temple
and record passive bio-scans. Stationed bio-scans that are organized in key
areas, could be reason to believe they're guards to protect that specific
area. In addition, if there are routine repeating bio-scan patterns, that
could mean patrolling guards. During these scans, I would be using a live up-
link to the ship's database. That way we can get a detailed map of the
temple. Plus, where and when the guards are and will be. Maybe if we can find
a heavily guarded area, of the temple, we can find the device."

Whether that was a simple mental response of panic or not, that was the first
idea that Niles had given a loud to everyone to hear. He was surprisingly
satisfied, with himself, either the idea passed or not.

(Reply Rivers, Trei, Any)
(Posted by Niles George)

----------

(USS Boudicca  - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras -
1501)

Uncharacteristically, the Captain was late for the meeting she'd called,
which surprised Dorga as in all the meetings the 2O had been to, Susan
had always been prompt.

~If she's late there has to be a good reason.~

The big bear had been the last of the summoned officers to arrive, she'd
greeted him with a nod as he'd grinned at them all and wiggled his
claws at everyone before parking his furry rear on the floor and
demanded to know where the snacks were, making Dorga smile because she
knew for a fact that there were no snacks because Zzt was overzealous in
his enjoyment of them.  He was a very messy eater.

When Susan finally arrived she apologized for being late and placed a
small piles of PADDs on the
table in before her, stating it had taken longer to gather the relevant
information that she had anticipated.

"As some of you know, we are tasked with something extra aside from the
survey of this system."

After giving a brief overview of the device they were seeking for the
benefit of those who were not already familiar with the information, she
told them that the device that was believed to be on the moon of Tobias
V was not there.  She explained that the inhabitants of the planet had
achieved space flight in the years in between the last survey of the
system and now and it was believed that they had found the device at
first, but Captain Falthgood had changed his mind about leaving the
device on the moon.

"....What he decided to do, however, I cannot condone. He chose to
impersonate the Prophet of their deities and entrusted the device to the
safe-keeping of the Temple of the Divine Three and the priests who run
the religion. He told them it was the key to the gateway of the Darkness
which considering the effect it would have if it went off is probably
not inaccurate."

~Oh isn't that just stellar!~  Dorga thought, wondering how idiots like
Falthgood alway managed to succeed in getting things completely screwed
up and endangering millions of lives.

The Captain activated the screen and gave the assembled officers  the
details of their religion, naming the Deities of the Divine Three, who
apparently were the the opposite counterparts of the Lord of the Black,
the ruler of Darkness and together formed a balance.  Then Susan
indicated the PADDs she'd brought along, stating that further details
could be found on them, and that they were to read and absorb the
contents. The correct code for disabling the device were also in the
PADDs.  Susan warned them that they would have to be very careful when
disarming the device and destroying it.

...if the power source is deactivated incorrectly it will release a wave
of energy which will disassociate all nuclear bonds across the entire
system."

~Well, isn't that just wonderful, how are we going to get a hold of the
device?~

Dorga's question was answered immediately by the Captain, who stated
that getting to the was their immediate problem.  She went on to say
she'd ruled out Falthgood's suggestion of impersonating one of the
Deities or their emissary; believing the Prime Directive had already
been abused enough.  The 2O had to agree with her there. So an
alternative plan was required.

"....I propose an away team to go to the planet and attempt to gain
access to the device in order to make it safe. Once it is, we will use
the transporter to remove it from the temple and replace it with a
duplicate, without the destructive capability of course."

It sounded like a workable plan to Dorga, the question was, how were
they to get into the Temple, couldn't they transport directly in?

The Doctors were charged with altering the away team's appearance to
resemble the general populace. the CEO and CSO had the job of making the
substitution device for which the specifications were on the PADDs.

Security's job was to study the security at the Temple so they would
know what the away team might encounter.

"Understood, Sir. I will work with Niles on that immediately. Would you
need me on the bridge, when the away team is in action sir?"  Trei asked.

Niles spoke up directly after him requesting to be a member of the away
team, saying he could try to infiltrate the temple disguised as a priest
or such and then could utilize his tricorder to scan the temple and
record bio-scans.

"...During these scans, I would be using a live up-link to the ship's
database. That way we can get a detailed map of the temple. Plus, where
and when the guards are and will be. Maybe if we can find a heavily
guarded area, of the temple, we can find the device."

Dorga wasn't so sure that Niles would get away with pretending to be a
priest, though his idea about tracking the guards had merit.  It was
logical to assume that a place that was well guarded would hold their
prized possessions, however it could also be a ploy to divert possible
thieves from the real place.

As expected the FO was to be in charge of the away team and would put
together a team he thought were capable of achieving the objective
without any harm coming to the aboriginal people.

The Captain paused for a moment and Dorga reached for one of the PADDs.

"Does anyone have anything to add? Commander Sprak, I would particularly
appreciate your input on what you have been able to learn so far."

After Sprak had replied, Dorga spoke her piece.

"I recommend that Ensign George not attempt to infiltrate the Temple as
a priest.  Priests are generally well known and prominent characters,
and although I think his reasoning about the guards is valid and has
merit, it might be just as likely that the device is hidden away in a
place that is not well guarded, in order to fool possible thieves into
believing it is well guarded, and therefore direct their attempts at
accessing it, from the true location.  Therefore if any scans are done,
searches of both likely locations would be in order.  All temples I have
known of always have treasures to safeguard and had secret places that
only the most high of priests know about to store it."

(Reply ALL in the meeting, any)
(Posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, Crewman Shadow to Sretalles, 1507)

"I have thoughts," Shadow offered, very tentatively. Captain Susan had said
*anyone* but she wasn't quite sure it was her place to speak, but who knew
more about 'primitive' societies than herself in this room? Bard Arania,
perhaps knew much more, but she was not here. Maybe her mate knew more by
association, but..

(Reply whomever - I'm gonna assume a speak up :P )

"Priests are those who sings for the soul, yes? Very important peoples, they
would not travel alone. They would have guards. You would need important
priest to get to important places. There you have way in and protection for
our people." She felt very nervous with all the adults watching her. She sat
on her hands so she wouldn't wring her tail furless. "I would think - you
should find important priest of this religion and study him, and then
pretend to be him visiting this temple. It may be an interrupt in their
individual lives to have this priest asleep and temporarily kidnapped, but
less damage over all?" She'd heard 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs
of the one' so many times during training, she hoped she applied it properly
in this meeting.

(Reply whomever)

"The other thought, was, perhaps, you should have your team practice living
like the world? I would think Bard Arania could help greatly in adjusting to
life without great technologies." Shadow just hoped she hadn't made a
complete fool of herself in front of the adults, surely the holodeck could
emulate the world. At least Captain Susan hadn't kicked her!

(Reply any/all)
(Posted by Lorna)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - ACMO Tau Renora Ens.(Jg) - 1507)

"Doctors, you will need to find a way to alter the away team's appearance so
that they look like normal inhabitants. Louis, I believe you were studying
the information supplied in the previous system survey - will you need more
in-depth scans taken before you can work out what needs to be done?"

The Captain had ended her opening introduction, listed her own plans for
handling the situation, and was now seeking advice from her officers. And
despite his own pseudo-plan to watch the meeting silently from the
sidelines, she had looked straight at the young half-Bajoran doctor when she
began her first request, that of the medical staff, drawing the eyes of
everyone around the table. With dozens of eyes upon him, as well as Captain
River's own intensely blazing green pair, he decided to revise his strategy.

Although Renora had become very familiar with the previous survey, having
read it through a few times since Louis had given him a copy several days
ago, he let his boss have the first response to the Captain's request,
before adding his own thoughts.

(Reply Louis Fickett)

The CMO finished, satisfied his message was clear; Renora jumped at the
moment.
"As for my own thoughts," he began, trying actively to make his voice as
confident and determined as Louis was a moment ago, or Capt. River's when
she arrived, "We could make a passable disguise with our current
information, but the more the better. In fact, if I could recommend, that we
send out a preliminary scout team. They will have our best disguises, but
we'll make use of shortcuts... for instance if we make them away team look
like chronic patients of some malady, we'd be able to make liberal use of
bandages. It could also excuse certain gaps in our current information." He
paused and looked around, breaking his eyes from the Captain, who he had
been talking to up until know. He looked around the table, but no one seemed
to object to his initial ideas, so he smiled and let himself detail his idea
more clearly.

"The only purpose of this scout team, would be to gather the medical and
physiological information we need to send the actual away team. With
holoimages of even a few farmers, we could make nearly impenetrable
disguises. Which bring us to the second problem we'll need to deal with."

He let his eyes wander, focusing on everyone in attendance for a sentence or
two. Naturally, he'd rather let his eyes drift to the windows, or to captain
Rivers, but he wouldn't let himself lose focus. He was speeding up now, as
he struggled to express the images in his head into words, and as the
information became more intuitive and accessible to him, he knew he'd have
to concentrate on his words and prevent himself from losing everyone on a
tangent, or losing his own place in his thoughts. The rest of the room the
ship and everyone on it seemed to disappear, and Renora felt more like he
was talking to himself, alone. This made the words come easier, but every
time he felt himself in this state, he forced himself back to the ship, and
let his eyes move to the next officer.

"None of these previous surveyors ever set foot on Tobias V: we don't
currently know what to expect in terms of local atmosphere and indigenous
pathogens, and in disguise an away team won't have the luxury of EV suits.
If we inoculate the scout team with an overabundance of vaccines, and run
full medical scans upon arrival, we'll be able to, if necessary, make more
specialized vaccines for the larger away team." Here Renora smiled, it was
the perfect segue way into his own self-indulgence.

"Of course, I couldn't in good conscience recommend anyone but myself for
this first, and potentially hazardous, scout team. And, as a doctor, I'd
have the ability to cope with any surprise shoreside. And as CMO, my good
associate Dr. Fickett, though more capable than myself, is far too vital to
send away on such a... risky mission." Renora took a quick look at Louis who
just smiled privately. The CMO knew of his subordinate's desire for away
missions.

The ACMO stopped and took a breath. He looked around, and confident he had
expressed his idea clearly, or at least, clearly enough.

(Reply any in meeting)

He sat back, twisting the PADD between and through his fingers, listening to
the rest of his peers offer up their own particular brand of advice. He
especially agreed with Ensign George's plan to attempt to dissuade suspicion
by posing as commoners. Renora nodded fervently at his suggestion. He
would've like to say 'I agree with Niles', but held back at the last minute,
and the chance soon passed. He did, however, make sure many senior officer
saw him nod at the suggestion.

'Next briefing, I'll be more vocal,' Renora vowed to himself, knowing there
was only a fifty percent chance he actually would. Still, he was pleased
with his involvement this time around. He had had daydreams, admittedly
ludicrous ones, while waiting for the briefing to start, of opening his
mouth to speak, instantly being berated, and while dodging heavy items
lobbed at his head, is dragged by his heels from the observation lounge to
the airlock.

(Reply any/all/every)
(Posted by Rori)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CMO Lt. Louis Fickett - Day 7 - 1507)

"Doctors, you will need to find a way to alter the away team's appearance so
that they look like normal inhabitants. Louis, I believe you were studying
the information supplied in the previous system survey - will you need more
in-depth scans taken before you can work out what needs to be done?" asked
the Captain.

Louis nodded.  "The survey from before was done entirely using orbital scans,
fifty years ago, so by any modern standards the techniques used were quite
archaic.  We will need a closer look -- at the very least updated orbital
scans, though I'd feel more comfortable if we could get something higher-
resolution."

He tapped a few commands into the console by his chair, and what information
they had came up on the viewscreen, which included a crude CGI rendition of a
humanoid.  The humanoid had a distinctly metallic sheen to its skin, hair,
and eyes.  "The distinguishing characteristic of this race, as you can see on
the monitor, is the biopigment process," said Louis.  "As best as we can tell
from the old survey, the hue of skin, hair, and eyes is generally
proportional to the concentrations of various conductive metals in the
surrounding environment.  Something about their biochemistry latches onto
these elements and incorporates them into their pigment."

Leaning back in his chair, Louis pushed his glasses back up his nose as he
gazed thoughtfully at the image on the screen.  "I'd sure rather have more
information before trying to disguise an away team that's presumably going to
be traipsing about in some of their more heavily trafficked areas."

At this, Dr. Tau spoke up.  His suggestion to send a biological scout team
was a good one, though Louis was still concerned that if they weren't
believable enough, they'd run into some trouble.  He also hoped that the
scout team wouldn't run into some incurable disease, though those types of
things they ought to be able to detect with modern scanning equipment.

"Of course, I couldn't in good conscience recommend anyone but myself for
this first, and potentially hazardous, scout team. And, as a doctor, I'd have
the ability to cope with any surprise shoreside. And as CMO, my good
associate Dr. Fickett, though more capable than myself, is far too vital to
send away on such a... risky mission."

Louis raised an eyebrow at this one but said nothing aloud.  Clearly his new
assistant was a go-getter, and his enthusiasm pleased Louis.

(reply any)
(posted by Aaron)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1508)

"I recommend that Ensign George not attempt to infiltrate the Temple as a
priest. Priests are generally well known and prominent characters, and
although I think his reasoning about the guards is valid and has merit, it
might be just as likely that the device is hidden away in a place that is not
well guarded, in order to fool possible thieves into believing it is well
guarded, and therefore direct their attempts at accessing it, from the true
location. Therefore if any scans are done, searches of both likely locations
would be in order. All temples I have known of always have treasures to
safeguard and had secret places that only the most high of priests know about
to store it," said Dorga.

"Priests are those who sings for the soul, yes? Very important peoples, they
would not travel alone. They would have guards. You would need important
priest to get to important places. There you have way in and protection for
our people. I would think - you should find important priest of this religion
and study him, and then pretend to be him visiting this temple. It may be an
interrupt in their individual lives to have this priest asleep and
temporarily kidnapped, but less damage over all?" replied Shadow which you
could tell was nervous.

"The other thought," Shadow continued, "was, perhaps, you should have your
team practice living like the world? I would think Bard Arania could help
greatly in adjusting to life without great technologies."

Niles at this point, stunned anyone even considered his idea, thought it over
again. This time in his own consciousness. "Maybe, if we can find out if the
temple has visitors, we can get in," he said still thinking of his whole
point, "I mean, Dorga, I see that impersonating priests can be very risky and
then again, Shadow, that finding and being an important priest can possibly
gain us access to the temple. Although, we can't be sure yet that every
priest or priest with authority, knows where the device even is. Guards for
that matter too." Niles could tell everyone was a little confused to see his
point, so far.

(Reply Any, IYW)

"What if we look at this plan in an entire new way. Why not go like normal
civilians. See, in the centuries of almost every religion I know, free normal
everyday people, go to the temple to praise/ worship their God(s). So maybe,
if we go to act like we are there to worship their Gods, they might be
willing to let us pass. If not, we distract the guards while the others sneak
passed. Then do some scans from then on. But, before we can sneak pass, we
would need to know if they have any alarms or surveillance devices."

~I think, I may be getting in a little deep.~ He thought, while biting his
lower lip gently.

(Reply Any/All/Every/Parts/Room for more/Join the party/Come on in/See Above
- :P -)
(Posted by Niles George)

-----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, CSO, Commander Sprak, 1508)

    "Lieutenant Lorimar, Commander Sprak, I will need the two of you to
make a mock-up of the device for the substitution. Dimensions and images
can be found on your PADDs; it will need to be exact. How long would you
anticipate for that?" Captain Rivers asked, looking at both of them.  Sprak
raised a brow and looked over at Lorimar, deciding to defer to the
experienced engineer on this particular matter.

(Reply Lorimar)

    There was some discussions on how best to gather strategic
information about the lay out and security measures around the temple, and
presumed hiding place of the artifact.  Again, Sprak decided to defer to
those more knowledgeable than he on the subject and remained silent but
listening with some interest.  ~Doubt I will be included on the Away Team
to the surface.~  He thought a little disappointedly.  ~Would have been
nice to do some field studies on the native inhabitants as well as some
hands on scans of the artifact.  Oh, well.~

    After the discussion had wound down Captain Rivers moved on to the
next subject.  Eventually, she turned to look at him.

    "Does anyone have anything to add? Commander Sprak, I would
particularly appreciate your input on what you have been able to learn so
far."

    "Of course, Captain," Sprak said, with a smile and nod of his head.
He picked up his PADD and typed in a some commands.  Suddenly the rooms
lights dimmed slightly and the holo-projector in the conference table
hummed to life.  A three dimensional image of the artifact appeared in the
middle of the table and slowly rotated allowing everyone a good look. Sprak
cleared his throat before beginning.

    "The artifact is believed to be anywhere between 35,000 to 55,000
years old," He started, speaking loudly enough so everyone could hear him.
"It's exact purpose is not entirely clear, but it is theorized that it's
original purpose was not as a weapon.  It is extremely sensitive to
subspace energy fields, and acts as a type of subspace field amplifier.
This fact, along with the fact that is seems to have suffered a fair amount
of damage over the millennia make it extremely unstable.  We do know that
it's power source is NOT matter\anti-matter in nature but something of
equivalent power.  Looking over the data that was collected on it
previously, I hypothesize that the artifact is in fact a component of a
much larger device.  Perhaps an intergalactic portal or interdemensional
portal.  As long as it's power source is active it will be impossible for
us to use the transporter to move the device, in fact that will most likely
cause it to explode.  It would also be prudent to limit the amount of
expose of subspace fields around the device.  I have been discussing with
Commander's Zzt and McLaren on the best way to scan the device to surmise
it's current state before going about the disarming process.  We hope to
have some specially modified tri-corders and a few other scanning devices
ready and in place by the time we have acquired access to the artifact."

    Sprak looked at Commander Zzt and McLaren to see if either of them
had anything to add.

(Reply Zzt, McLaren, Rivers, Any at Meeting)
(posted by Wes)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Conference Room - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1509)

Young Shadow had made some interesting remarks about priests being
important enough to have guards when traveling, which would give them a
way in.  She suggested that they study an important priest and then
pretend to be him to visit the temple.  Shadow also suggested they
consult Bard Arania about adjusting to as life without great technologies.

Niles was first to reply. "Maybe, if we can find out if the temple has
visitors, I mean, Dorga, I see that impersonating priests can be very
risky and then again, Shadow, that finding and being an important priest
can possibly gain us access to the temple. Although, we can't be sure
yet that every priest or priest with authority, knows where the device
even is. Guards for that matter too."

At being addressed by her first name and never having given the Ensign
permission to use it, Dorga's left eyebrow rose.  Dorga was after all,
Second Officer of the Boudicca and also his superior in rank, and this
*was* work, not an informal party or therapy session or any other off
duty occasion when she wouldn't have minded quite so much.  Even she,
being on first name terms with the Captain, never addressed or referred
to her as anything else but Captain during working hours.

The 2O considered reprimanding Ensign George right then and there but
decided she would not embarrass him in front of the others and the
conversation was continuing unheeded, however she did send him a
scathing glare and made note to draw him aside to make him aware of his
error, later on.

Ensign George suggested they go as normal civilians on some kind of
pilgrimage and if the guards wouldn't let them pass, some could distract
them while others sneaked past them and wondered if they had any
security alarms.

~Hard to do if they are guarding a doorway, I would imagine. ~  Dorga
thought, ~and I fully expect that a civilization that is on par with
20th Century Earth, would have alarms.~

She noted the new ACMO enthusiastically nodding in agreement with Ensign
George, and had to wonder if some of those gathered were thinking more
of a medieval culture rather than one that had space travel
capabilities, where it was highly unlikely that bandage clad, diseased
people would be wandering around freely.  However, she remained quiet,
continuing to listen to all the suggestions the gathered officers were
giving as the discussion was flowing well.

(Reply ALL in the meeting, any)
(Posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, ATT- Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren, 1512)

Matthew listened to the data as it was presented. This situation was worse
than the one that they had encountered on Iradon, in so many ways. There, a
member of the crew had become a god-like entity and threatened to completely
destroy any possibility that the Prime Directive could have ever applied.
Here, something similar had happened, although this time it wasn't a member
of the ship's crew, but a now-long-dead Captain who had used an alien
religion to hide away a device that could potentially destroy everything in
the system.

He almost wondered if it wouldn't just be easier to break the directive in
this case and pose as emissaries of the gods. Sure, there were hundreds of
rules that prohibited it, and even more that turned it into a serious crime.

He understood that the directive was important and why it was there, and even
why it was important to adhere to it. But there were times when he just
believed, like now, that it should be set aside.  He was very glad that he
wasn't the one making the decisions. He knew that Susan had a good head on
her shoulders and that if she felt that they needed to discard the Prime
Directive, then when it became necessary, she'd do so. Until then, he'd
follow her lead, and stay on track.

A plan was put forward and revised and discussed and Matthew just followed
along, because some of the information that he had was still working out some
sort of puzzle in the back of his head.

He tapped out a few pieces of information on his PADD as he listened to the
discussion. It wasn't until the lights dimmed and the holographic projectors
activated that he looked back up from the concept idea that he was working on
to secure the device.

The CSO had taken the floor and was providing some information for those
present.

"The artifact is believed to be anywhere between 35,000 to 55,000 years old,"
He started, speaking loudly enough so everyone could hear him.

"It's exact purpose is not entirely clear, but it is theorized that it's
original purpose was not as a weapon.  It is extremely sensitive to subspace
energy fields, and acts as a type of subspace field amplifier."

~That leaves out transporters and most sensing equipment.~ Matthew thought.

"This fact, " the CSO continued, "...along with the fact that is seems to
have suffered a fair amount of damage over the millennia make it extremely
unstable.  We do know that it's power source is NOT matter\anti-matter in
nature but something of equivalent power.  Looking over the data that was
collected on it previously, I hypothesize that the artifact is in fact a
component of a much larger device.  Perhaps an intergalactic portal or
interdemensional portal.  As long as it's power source is active it will be
impossible for us to use the transporter to move the device, in fact that
will most likely cause it to explode.  It would also be prudent to limit the
amount of exposure of subspace fields around the device."

~You can say that again~ Matthew thought, although an idea was forming in the
forefront of his brain.

"I have been discussing with Commander's Zzt and McLaren on the best way to
scan the device to surmise it's current state before going about the
disarming process.  We hope to have some specially modified tricorders and a
few other scanning devices ready and in place by the time we have acquired
access to the artifact."

Sprak looked at Commander Zzt the at Matthew as if seeking further input.
Matthew took that as his cue to speak.

"Forgive me for not standing." He began, smiling as he spoke. "There are a
couple of concerns where initiating any sort of deep molecular scan is
concerned. We must work on the basic assumption that this device is powered
by some sort of as of yet undefined higher order quantum reaction. Which is
to say, a micro reactor, quantum singularity, cosmic string, Neutrino
generator,  or some other such type of core power generating system. Where
this becomes an issue is that all the primary scanning methods that we can
use at present, phased photonic imaging, Isotopic decay mapping, neutrino
scanning and so on, could possibly interfere with most of the higher order
quantum reactions that /COULD/ be the devices power source. Without a great
deal of lab time, it is relatively improbable that we will be able to
determine exactly how it is powered and which process /MIGHT/ be safest to
use for a detailed scan. Additionally, judging by the power levels that this
device puts out, any dummy device that we were to create, if it were to be
convincing, would also have to possess come sort of quantum level reactionary
power source. All of which pose their own unique set of problems over both
the short term and long term life of the device."

He paused.

"In this regard, however, we may have been fortunate in our recent
interaction with the Planet Killer, as hard as that is to believe. As you are
all aware, we were suffering significant problems as a result of subspace
interference. To combat this, we did develop  a few shielded components for
our computer core and with them we have developed the process of making those
components, that could be of use to us here."

"I am almost of the opinion that this device is nothing more than a
controlled and a contained subspace rupture, something akin to a controlled
isolytic burst, which in turn is bleeding power from the tear into normal
space. That would explain a couple of observations such as why it would
magnify subspace waves. I believe that is happening as a result of subspace
harmonic symbiosis- basically that the device is trying to /STRETCH/ the
rupture so that it encompasses the source of the new emissions of subspace
and in so doing causes a more vigorous reaction between subspace/space
barrier contained in the device."

"Where our recent experience comes into play is that we have the ability and
the knowledge to create a container that will completely isolate the device
from any other sort of subspace energy, including that which is ambient. If
my concept is even remotely close to accurate, the decreased interaction of
the subspace harmonic symbiosis and the device will cause the power plant of
the device to weaken, or perhaps quit entirely. Theoretically we could even
transport such a container by shuttle safely, although I wouldn't chance
transporting it by transporter."

"But before we do any thing to the device we need to inspect it /PRIOR/ to
any actions that would need to be taken to render it transportable or
harmless. That means more than one trip to the device's location. And that
we'll have to get there without the use of transporters."  Matthew concluded.

(reply Any)
(Posted by Daniel Greene)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - A/CEO Lorimar - 1508)

Bob had been quietly taking in the ideas as they were presented by various
officers, trying to make them dovetail with his own thoughts. A question was
put to him by the Captain and he noted the Science Officer glancing in his
direction. Clearly, Commander Sprak wanted him to field it.

~Very well then, I'll put mah oar in the water~

He glanced briefly at the PADD which he had been working on, then addressed
the Captain and the rest. "Ma'am, not knowin' the precise makeup and function
of the device makes it a tricky job indeed," he began. Fabrication
requirements and various difficult factors swirled about in his mind. "Ah'd
say a bare minimum of twelve hours from the start. To be honest, it might
well be as much as twenty four, working straight through. Call it eighteen
tae twenty four hours, minimum Captain. That's after we hae the detailed
information from a close survey of it of course."

~Assuming no major unforseen problems creep up, which they usually do...~

(Reply Any)

He listened to the enthusiastic discussion which followed, as he worked away
on the PADD in front of him, trying to come up with a starting point for the
fabrication. He was quite absorbed in the engineering aspects of the task,
and barely heard the various thoughts on how to gain access to the device.

When McLaren and Sprak expounded on thier theories of the device he stopped
working and gave their theories his full attention. The problem of course,
was that all the discussion, whatever merit it might have was just that...
theoretical. They needed hard data on the device, and soon. He waited for a
break in the conversation; he had a couple points to add, and thought they
might just be important.

Bob had quite a few ideas about making the exchange once they had gained
access to the device. Getting to it, of course, was going to be problematic
at best. He listened with an open mind to the various options presented. As
he did, something else occurred to him. He added it to his list of mental
notes. He listened to the new Doctor whom he had yet to meet.

"Of course, I couldn't in good conscience recommend anyone but myself for
this first, and potentially hazardous, scout team. And, as a doctor, I'd have
the ability to cope with any surprise shoreside. And as CMO, my good
associate Dr. Fickett, though more capable than myself, is far too vital to
send away on such a... risky mission."

Bob cleared his throat and spoke up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if ah may... a
couple mair points." He cast a glance around the table at the assembled
officers before pressing on.

"Security is hardly mah baileywick. However, ah point oot that we need close
access tae the device tae scan it in order tae make an effective and
believable copy. Security can take many forms of course. The device could be
guarded by armed troops, locked away, protected by an electronic frontier...
worst of all, it might be in plain sight. Suppose this 'icon' of thier
culture is on public display? That might be most problematic of all in terms
of getting tae it." He paused a moment, letting that thought hang in the air.

"Commanders Sprak and McLaren both make very interestin' assertions. Given
the wee bit of available information we have, ah tend tae agree wie their
assessments. We may well be able tae act as they suggest... a simple shell
game with our copy and oot we go. However, ah must in guid conscience suggest
at least one other possibility: tis' possible that the device acts as a
'black body' of sorts. What ah mean is, its routine operation may be powered
by the simple -- there's nothing simple aboot it really, but I digress --
process of absorbing ambient energy. It may simply absorb background
radiation, cosmic or solar energy... kinetic forces... whatever. That may
just work in concert with the dimensional tap or subspace rift that they
mentioned. In any case... we must be verra, verra careful in interrupting or
shutting doon the device. If it is a gateway of some sort, or even if its a
dimensional tap or something similar... we must shut it down so that the
aperture closes in a controlled fashion. Else, we may trigger the verra
destruction we are tryin' tae prevent."

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Russ)

----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, AOPS- Lt. Tollian Yalix, 1513)

Tollian had listened to every word that had been spoken thus far. He was
concerned  about the possibilities that something would go wrong and that
there would need to be an interaction with the natives.

He had been on many first contacts over his career, including the decidedly
different species traveling in their generation ship to Iradon, and the
Efrosian felt that he had the necessary experience to be of use to away team.

"Not to change the subject," he said as he stood immediately after Matthew
McLaren wrapped up his theoretical musings. "But it has occurred to me that
at some point we may have to make some sort of direct contact with these
people. In the best situation,  only on an individual level, but on the worst
on a level with their governing or theological body. As I have many contacts
and observational missions throughout my years of experience in Starfleet, I
would like to volunteer to participate on the away team."

With that the Efrosian operations officer took his seat and allowed the
conversation to continue.

(reply Any)
(posted by Daniel Greene)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 -
1513)

Shadow was happy when the senior officers made note of her words and
continued the meeting on without her. She'd had a brief, heart stopping,
moment of thought that the first officer was about to ask her questions. She
didn't know what a pre-warp society was like, but she knew that they didn't
have medical advances they did, and that they couldn't summon food from
walls. She was fairly confident that between herself and Bard Arania they'd
have a better idea of the day to day life of an industrial society than the
average Starfleet citizen.

She was designing a holoprogram as Lady Dorga had shown her on the available
data of the planet below. One ear was recording every word of the meeting so
she could note it all down later. "Needs a marine's expertise." appeared in
text on her screen.

Shadow's nose wrinkled in irritation and she tapped back, "What do you know
of pre-warp society?"

"I grew up in the slums of Luna, I know a lot about backwards society and
lack of energy powered technology." came the swift reply.

Shadow was startled that Rameriz's written language was flawless. If he knew
all the words, why did he phrase them verbally so strangely? "I'll make the
suggestion to the Captain. LATER." She wasn't going to speak up in the
meeting a second time. She didn't think the Captain would get upset for
offering words when it pathed past conflict, but bringing the sore point
holo-marine up when it could be saved for later probably wouldn't impress her
Captain much.

Besides, she really didn't want the very intimidating first officer looking
her way again like she knew anything useful and could answer questions. She
was very happy to have her tail wrapped around her right arm in a comforting
squeeze and to talk to a slightly insane holoprogram.

She realized that Rameriz didn't have access to wander about the Boudicca
like he had the Rose. She'd have to talk with Loren and come up with a plan.
Maybe a nice engineer would exchange a useful for some holo-projector thingys
in her quarters. She had enough room for a lap loom after all, and she was
pretty sure Lady Lieutenant Dorga would know how to get one from the
computer.. the Lady seemed to know a little of everything.

"Hey - Ensign Harold has some great holoprograms of beach volleyball!"
Rameriz suddenly sent to her PADD.

"Don't. Wanna. Know." Shadow sent back and found the button on the bottom
that disengaged the connection to the main computer. She wouldn't have live
update feed, but she also wouldn't recieve descriptions of furless bouncy
breasted women from a randy holoprogram.

(Reply any/all)
(posted by Lorna)

----------

(USS Boudicca, Observation Lounge, CSO Commander Sprak, 15:13)

    Sprak was taking notes on his PADD listening to everything being
said as he worked on some of the problems that were being discussed.  Lt.
Commander McLaren was talking about the device and what he was saying
suddenly caused Sprak to look up from his PADD in surprise.

    "...Additionally, judging by the power levels that this device puts
out, any dummy device that we were to create, if it were to be convincing,
would also have to possess come sort of quantum level reactionary power
source. All of which pose their own unique set of problems over both the
short term and long term life of the device."

    ~No. No. No!  That will not do!  Not at all!~  Sprak thought as
McLaren continued talking followed by others who didn't seem to grasp the
scope of the problem before them.  Sprak looked at each speaker waiting
anxiously for the opportunity to but in again himself.  After what seemed
to Sprak an inordinate amount of time and right after Commander Stolev was
naming the members of the first away team Sprak decided he had to speak now
or never.

    "I'm sorry to interrupt," He began, trying to get everyone's
attention by waving his arms over his head afraid the meeting was about to
end.  Once he had everyone's attention he over lapped his hands in front of
him, took a deep breath and continued.  "I feel I must point out that our
decoy can NOT contain ANY advanced technology of ANY kind.  In fact we must
construct it with materials indigenous to the planet below, otherwise we
ourselves will be violating the Prime Directive.  We can not leave anything
that could influence the natural evolution of this race or their society.
Some may argue that damage has already been done due to Captain Falthgood's
putting the artifact in their custody.  I do not feel that is justification
for us to abandoned one of the founding principles we swore to uphold when
we joined Star Fleet.  We must take very careful and measured steps to
orchestrate things so that they are left believing that the device was
stolen by non-extra terrestrials.  It is sheer folly on our part to assume
that they won't, in time, learn that their religious artifact has been
stolen.  I think the Captain realizes this, but some of us may not.  The
decoy only needs to fool them long enough for us to neutralize and remove
the artifact from the surface and leave them and their world in peace."  He
turned to look at Captain Rivers specifically.  "Captain, I would like your
permission to put together a team to work out a suitable 'cover' story.
Come up with clues we can purposely leave behind that would point suspicion
toward some native culprit rather than aliens from across the galaxy."

(Reply Rivers, Any at Meeting)
(Posted by Wes the Nit Pick)

----------

(USS Boudicca  - Observation Lounge - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - Day 7
- 1515)

Stolev sat quietly, listening to the Captain give the rundown of the
information they had so far and the input of the various other officers,
tapping a few notes into his PADD as he did so.  Eventually, the Captain
turned to Stolev.

"Sasha, I want you to put together an away team capable of achieving our
objective. Without bloodshed, Sasha. These people are innocent pawns in a
game not of their making."

Stolev nodded.  "Understood.  I've already started that," he replied with a
glance down at his PADD.

The meeting continued for a few more minutes.  Once productive discussion
seemed to be winding down, Stolev leaned forward.  "All right, first order of
business is to send a scout team down to gain more information.  Dr. Tau, Mr.
Deston, and Mr. George will comprise the scout team.  Avoid any contact with
the natives unless absolutely unavoidable.  This is an information gathering
mission only, to enable us to perfect our disguises and our temporary
integration into their society.  Report to sickbay immediately for disguise
treatments, and leave as soon as you're ready.  Upon your return, the medical
department will take charge of preparing the larger away team for the
extraction mission.  Any questions?"

(reply any/all)
(posted by Aaron)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - Captain Susan Rivers - 1517)

Detron had asked if he would be needed on the Bridge whilst the away
team was in actions, and almost immediately Niles had volunteered to go
on the away team.

"We will decide later, Lieutenant Trei, whether or not you will also be
part of the away team. The recovery of the device will be a difficult
mission, and your expertise may well be needed as well as Ensign
George's," Susan told him. She wished she could have given him a more
definite answer but until they had decided the members of the away team
she couldn't be more specific.

There was some suggestion of disguise, and it seemed that some of the
people around the table were thinking the society on Tobias V was very
primitive. To be sure technologically speaking they were a long way
behind the Federation but they were, Susan knew from her perusal of the
reports of the last survey of the system, by no means primitive. She was
relieved to hear Dorga dismiss the idea. There was, however, Susan
considered, merit in the idea of visiting the temple in the guise of
ordinary worshippers. She was also pleased to see that Shadow had a
contribution to make; it was good to see her shy yeoman come out of her
shell a little.

Lorimar and Sprak were as usual well-informed and had constructive
ideas. McLaren too had some good ideas, but when he mentioned giving the
dummy device a power source way beyond the technology of the planet in
question, Susan knew that was a definite no. The Prime Directive forbade
such an action, and rightly too. Besides, she wasn't about to give them
a working device. All she wanted was to buy them some time. Something
that *looked* like the device itself would do just fine. It didn't have
to *work*. She supposed that some kind of batteries mimicking those of
the society on the planet would do if lights were required to flicker on
and off. Of course they would fail eventually but that wouldn't matter
if the dummy were constructed of elements found on Tobias V.

~Maybe we could put a small label on it saying 'batteries not included'~
she thought to herself with a flicker of amusement, although her face
did not betray her thoughts or her amusement at them.

There was no shortage of volunteers to go on the away mission, which
came as no surprise to Susan. The chance to view first hand a society
some 400 years behind their own was something which didn't come around
every day and she regretted not being able to go herself. However, she
had every confidence in Sasha to lead the away team and successfully
deactivate and retrieve the device.

She approved the suggestion to send a small team down to do a
preliminary survey, and Sasha stated that Tau, Deston and George would
form the scout team.

It was at this point that Sprak spoke up, voicing concerns with some of
what had been said which echoed Susan's own. He insisted that the dummy
or decoy device had to be made using indigenous materials and could
contain absolutely no advanced technology of any kind, reminding
everyone of the Prime Directive and how imperative it was that it should
not be broken. Susan looked approvingly at the CSO; on several
occasions, she knew, the Prime Directive had been broken by one captain
or another in the name of expediency and she didn't approve of that. She
nodded her agreement as Sprak stated that it was foolish to believe the
people in charge of the device would not at some point realise that the
real one had been stolen and a decoy left in its place, and that it was
extremely important that they should believe it had been taken by
someone on their planet. Finally he spoke directly to Susan.

"Captain, I would like your permission to put together a team to work
out a suitable 'cover' story. Come up with clues we can purposely leave
behind that would point suspicion toward some native culprit rather than
aliens from across the galaxy."

"Agreed, Commander. Put together your team and create a cover story that
will stand up to scrutiny on Tobias V. You are right; the Prime
Directive is to be upheld at all costs, not whenever it happens to suit
us. As for indigenous materials, use whatever scans you need to
ascertain what is available on the planet; we will need to know also
whether they can be replicated on the ship or will need to be obtained
down there."

(Reply Sprak, any iyw)

"Thank you all for your input," Susan said. "Commander Stolev, I look
forward to the report from the scout team." She looked around the table.
"I would like us to be ready to send the larger away team, to retrieve
the device, in two days. But if more time is needed, so that we are
completely ready, then you will have all the time you need. Keep
Commander Stolev and me informed. If there are no other questions or
concerns, you are all dismissed."

(Reply any)
(Posted by Liz)

----------

(USS Bouudicca- Observation Lounge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(jg) Detron Trei -
15.19)

Detron heard the discussion and made some notes in his PADD.  He nodded that
he understood what Captain Rivers said of waiting to be needed.

"Understood sir.  I will wait to be called for an away team."

Detron sat as the meeting came to a close.  Detron began to leave the
Observation lounge as the meeting ended.

(Reply Any at Meeting)
(Posted by Edward)

-----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1520)

~This has to be one of the most interesting staff meetings I have ever
attended, except perhaps the one about the Oracle.~ Thought Dorga, after
listening to all the individual input that had been divulged.

All the department heads had given excellent suggestions and the 2O
could see that the Captain was considering them all.  Susan would digest
and ponder the merits of each and then decide on a game plan for the
mission.

Now the meeting was winding down and the Captain approved the idea of a
small scouting party to go ahead of the main away team to prepare a
cover story.  The main away team would be assembled by the FO, as he
would know best who to take along.  Strong emphasis was placed on the
Prime Directive being adhered to.

There had been no shortage of volunteers to go down, so Dorga hadn't
done so, if her presence was required then she would be told, although
she half hoped she could go, it was a rare opportunity to see life at an
earlier stage of civilization. She wished she had been on the Boudicca
when they'd gone to Iradon, now that would have been something to see,
no power sources, no metropolises, no factories.  Simpler times, and
living off the land.  It had a certain appeal to her.

"Thank you all for your input," The Captain said. "Commander Stolev, I
look forward to the report from the scout team." She looked around the
table. "I would like us to be ready to send the larger away team, to
retrieve the device, in two days. But if more time is needed, so that we
are completely ready, then you will have all the time you need. Keep
Commander Stolev and me informed. If there are no other questions or
concerns, you are all dismissed."

Dorga stood up, with the meeting officially over she had something she
needed to do.  She looked over at Niles George.

"Mister George, remain behind when everyone has gone, I wish to talk to
you."

(Reply George, any)
(Posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1521)

After Niles had finished talking, he then looked around to the other
officers. When he finally came around to look at Lieutenant Nooras, she was
at a stone hard stare. Worst of all, it was at him. Niles's mind, snapped.
Never before had he had a look of worry, from one of his own. His head was
filled, no, flooded, with thoughts of what he could of done to make such a
stare. Had it been that she thought I was cutting off the Yeoman; or perhaps,
she thought he was trying to disprove her statements. Either way, he had no
idea what he had done. Eventually, she glanced quickly to the new ACMO, Mr.
Renora if had heard it right, and continued listening to other officers.

Niles, who was once confident in his last statements, was now slowly fading
into a thinking mental darkness. Just when he had thought he had made some
improvement, it was snatched away. Like a caterpillar, that just about
reaches the top of a tree, before a robin comes and swiftly takes it away. He
could not place what he did wrong.

~Unless... Unless, I hadn't done anything erroneous. Maybe she just suddenly
had something on her mind and went into a stare.~ Niles calmed a tad bit.
~Just happening to be looking in his direction.~ He, in spite of the theory,
bit his lower lip and decided to remain calm the unobtrusive the rest of the
meeting.

Officer-after-officer had exchanged opinions, views, and other ideas for
sometime now. The Captain who turned to Commander Stolev, finally asked for
an away team being able to succeed in our mission. Stolev effortlessly
responded, "All right, first order of business is to send a scout team down
to gain more information. Dr. Tau, Mr. Deston, and Mr. George will comprise
the scout team. Avoid any contact with the natives unless absolutely
unavoidable. This is an information gathering mission only, to enable us to
perfect our disguises and our temporary integration into their society.
Report to sickbay immediately for disguise treatments, and leave as soon as
you're ready. Upon your return, the medical department will take charge of
preparing the larger away team for the extraction mission. Any questions?"

Niles had no questions, at the time, to give. Though, he did seem to have the
courage for a small smile. He liked away missions, but also understood the
severity of this one. It was time for payback of the merciless invaders that
held him hostage. He had no intention of going for revenge, but was going to
make sure, that the plan they 'were' planning was completely and utterly
impossible to achieve, by anyone, again.

"Thank you all for your input," Susan said. "Commander Stolev, I look forward
to the report from the scout team." She looked around the table. "I would
like us to be ready to send the larger away team, to retrieve the device, in
two days. But if more time is needed, so that we are completely ready, then
you will have all the time you need. Keep Commander Stolev and me informed.
If there are no other questions or concerns, you are all dismissed," said the
Captain to conclude the meeting.

At this point, Niles had almost completely forgotten about Ms. Nooras almost
stare. When the Captain had ended the meeting, Niles had just stood up and
headed for the door with the rest of the officers. Before, something caught
him by surprise.

"Mister George, remain behind when everyone has gone, I wish to talk to you,"
said Dorga's gentle, but with a small piece of animosity, voice coming from
behind his back.

Niles stopped gradually, so no one would have to run into him. He looked up
at a forty-five degree as he stopped and then after a second he dropped it
down to the same degree. His fearing thought was becoming reality. He
clutched both his hands to fists leisurely, that were at his sides, during
while he was halting also. After relaxing his fists and straighting his head
to look parallel with the floor ahead, he turned around.

He slickly, in one motion, went into the traditional security posture while
turning around. Hands grasped together behind his back, chin straight, and
widened leg stance. He respectfully moved over to the side for officers still
leaving the room, and watched as officers eyed him while departing. Niles at
last stepped up to the table. On the opposite side that the Lieutenant was
sitting. Keeping a straight face, he remained standing with his straight
posture. He waited for Dorga to speck and prepared for the worst.

(Reply Nooras)
(Posted by Niles George)

---------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1522)

"Mister George, remain behind when everyone has gone, I wish to talk to
you."

Dorga's tone was cool, but not cold enough to freeze the man in his
tracks.  She almost smiled as she saw the Ensign, who was sprightly
heading towards the door, gradually stop as if he was in slow motion.
As a counselor highly trained to observe body language, she noted how
his head came up in surprise and then his hands become fists.  It was
obvious he was nervous and he took a second to adjust his posture and
relax a little.

He turned around and stepped aside to allow the departing officers to
pass through the doorway, standing at ease and to one side of the door
until the last of them had cleared the room, then he walked over to the
table where the 2O was seated, watching him impassively as he finally
stood rigidly across the table from her, apparently waiting for her to
speak.

Dorga gave him her usual one perfunctory nod and ordered him to sit
down.  When he was seated she spoke, watching him closely and wondering
if he had any idea at all why she'd told him to remain behind.  Most
likely he had no clue, for surely if he had he would never have breached
protocol as he had.  Well she would now find out.

"Tell me why you think I called you back to speak to you, Ensign?"  She
asked as she interlaced her fingers on the table top and looked
unwaveringly into his eyes, her left eyebrow lifting slightly.

(Reply George)
(Posted by Sal)

-----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1523)

Dorga gave Niles a slight nod and ordered him to sit down. Niles looked at
the seat and determined he should do what she asked of him. When he was
seated, he cross his left leg over the right and locked his fingers on his
lap. If he was going to be a nuisance to someone, then he'd do it
comfortably. She then started specking, watching him closely.

"Tell me why you think I called you back to speak to you, Ensign?" She asked
as she interweaved her fingers on the table top and looked unwaveringly into
his eyes, her left eyebrow lifting slightly.

"I'm..." Niles spoke trying to pick his words wisely. "... not sure. There
are a lot of reasons that could be why." He commenced shacking his head, to
some extent, back and forth. Then he looked somewhat away from the direction
of Nooras, while trying to think. He then turned back to look at her,
"Honestly, I just don't know." After closing his mouth, he began unnoticeably
clenching his teeth. Hoping, that he had not just failed a pop quiz question,
from the officer across the table; or was not going to make things worse for
himself. He subsequently went back to his usual straight face.

(Reply Nooras)
(Posted by Niles George)

-----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1524)

"I'm..." Niles spoke trying to pick his words wisely. "... not sure.
There are a lot of reasons that could be why." He shook his head and
averted his eyes so he wasn't looking directly at Dorga, giving her the
impression he was unwilling to meet her gaze or giving his reply more
thought.

The Ensign turned back to look at her, "Honestly, I just don't know."

Dorga gave a perfunctory nod again.

"Then I will tell you why, but first I want to say that your thoughts
and input at the meeting impressed me.  I am pleased you weren't nervous
about speaking up."  The 2O stated.  "Having said that, the reason you
are seated there is because you made a grave error in judgment by
calling me Dorga during your comments, Ensign George.  I am second
officer of this ship and of superior rank, and although I am not adverse
to being called by my given name during informal parties by anyone, or
by my equals or superiors during work hours, it is correct protocol that
we address each other appropriately while we are on duty or at staff
meetings."

(reply Ens. George)

"I am sure you will not make that mistake again, Mister George, and now,
since you said so, what are the other reasons you thought I'd be wanting
to talk to you.  Perhaps I can assist you if you are having problems."

(Reply George)
(Posted by Sal)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - TAC/ASC - Ensign JG Niles George - 1525)

"Then I will tell you why, but first I want to say that your thoughts and
input at the meeting impressed me. I am pleased you weren't nervous about
speaking up." The 2O stated. Which made Niles smile a bit. "Having said that,
the reason you are seated there is because you made a grave error in judgment
by calling me Dorga during your comments, Ensign George. I am second officer
of this ship and of superior rank, and although I am not adverse to being
called by my given name during informal parties by anyone, or by my equals or
superiors during work hours, it is correct protocol that we address each
other appropriately while we are on duty or at staff meetings."

That was enough to make Niles's straight face, turn into complete shock. His
mouth open and eyes wide. "I..." He couldn't speck. He had thought of a lot
of reasons for being there, but misaddressing an officer wasn't one of them.
His nadir thought for his being there, was that he had bumped the table with
his leg accidentally during the meeting. Apparently, that wasn't it. "I
had?!?" Niles said sounding a little confused. Trying to recall what he had
said earlier. Most of it was a blur, and didn't remember much of the meeting,
that he was 'just' at. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant, I didn't know I had addressed
you in that manner. Conceivably, in my train of thought during the meeting, I
hadn't realized it. It won't happen, again."

"I am sure you will not make that mistake again, Mister George, and now,
since you said so, what are the other reasons you thought I'd be wanting to
talk to you. Perhaps I can assist you if you are having problems."

"Well, frankly, I had thought you were feeling as if..." he cleared his
throat, that felt as if it was clogged with no more than a straw's width
opening, "Sorry... as if I had, negated your comments for the mission," he
said trying to sound as clear and apologetic as he could.

(Reply "Lieutenant" Nooras - ;D)
(Posted by Niles George)

----------

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 1526)

Ensign George's straight face changed to one of shock when Dorga told
him of his misdemeanor.  Obviously he had no idea that he'd done it even
before he replied.

"I..." His mouthed moved but nothing came out and finally he blurted.
"I had?!?"

Then came the expected apology. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant, I didn't know I
had addressed you in that manner. Conceivably, in my train of thought
during the meeting, I hadn't realized it. It won't happen, again."

Another perfunctory nod from Dorga met his apology.

"I am sure you will not make that mistake again, Mister George, and now,
since you said so, what are the other reasons you thought I'd be wanting
to talk to you? Perhaps I can assist you if you are having problems."

"Well, frankly, I had thought you were feeling as if..." he cleared his
throat.  "Sorry... as if I had, negated your comments for the mission,"
he said, his tone apologetic.

"That is relevant to such meetings and not reprimandable in my view,
Ensign.  It was an information and brain storming meeting where
everyone's input is sought. You must always speak your ideas even if
they do question or negate a senior officers. Naturally there will be
differences of opinion and I certainly don't expect my input to always
be irrefutable...."  Dorga smiled at him as she lifted her arms and
shrugged.  "Just most of the time."

(reply George iyw)

She stood up and gathered up the PADD the Captain had given her, to
study later in her office.

"Dismissed, Mister George."  She told him and then strode out of the lounge.

(Reply 'Ensign' George iyw :P)
(Posted by Sal)