Day -4 1804 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -4 Stardate: 2408.07.29 (ISS Rosenante, Bridge- COPS, Lt. Tom Jackson (MU), Day -4, 1804) Jackson tensed - he always kept his eye on Ensign Smith. He had heard rumbling through his 'informants' that Smith was vying for Tom's job as COPS. He had his suspicions that Smith were keeping watch on the captain. That irritated Jackson to no end. Fortunately for Smith, Jackson had no hard evidence to go to the Captain with. Smiling evilly and massaging his wound scar Jackson mused ~I'll get you yet Mr Smith~. The ship jumped into the conduit but Jackson sensed something was wrong. He couldn't define what as yet but he would. He ran through his readings and was ready to report to the Captain once they stabilized and figured out what the frack had occurred. ------------------------- Day -2 - 0919 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.30 (USS Rosenante- Sickbay One- ACMO Esn Kimiko Ichijo - Day -2, 0919) "You look lost, Ensign, what can I do for you?" Kimiko turned at the voice, she noticed the women who had approached her. ~That must be my new boss~ The doctor took a moment to examine the women before she got into official notice range. The CMO had a confident air that Kimiko envied ~and a few more inches~ Kimiko thought. ~Is there anyone on board, that doesn’t make me feel like lilliputian~ “No Ma’am. I mean that I am not lost. I am here to report in” Kimiko bowed partially to show respect and partially to hide her embarrassment. ------------------------- Day -2 - 1902 Mission: Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge- ACMO, Esn Kimiko Ichijo, Day -2, 1902) With a nod to indicate that he was ready to begin, and a pause just long enough for everyone to settle down, Ahmed brought the meeting to order. Kimiko noticed that everyone appeared to be finding their seat and she moved silently to her and looked at the captain. She could feel the tension raise a few levels; the closest the she had experienced to this was as a medical student waiting in the trauma intake. It was the first day that she was released to handle minor triage without an attending hovering at her elbow and there was a major accident at the port ten kilometers away. That day, with the broken, bloody bodies pouring in, would live in her memory as the most painful, exhilarationing day she has ever experienced. After that day she had never questioned her decision to become a doctor. She was not looking forward to another day like that one. ~well, I would be climbing the walls living a predicable life~ even with that flippant thought, Kimiko had a metallic taste in her mouth that she always ascribed as the emotional response to first stirrings of the breeze before the tsunami. "As of a half-hour ago, the Rosenante has gone off mission." He began, "I and I alone, working under my own authority as this ship's Commanding Officer, have ordered the Rosenante to abandon the orders presented to me by the Admiralty. I am not going to deny that I did not receive orders countermanding our previous orders, because I did not." Ahmed leaned forward placing both palms flat on the table. "I have come into some reliable intelligence at the highest levels that have led me to undertake this grave decision. I am not at liberty at this time to share the details of that intelligence, but I can tell you that there are strong indications that members of the admiralty may be involved in a significant conspiracy that could prove devastating for not only the Federation but for the entire Alpha Quadrant." "Most of us here, served with distinction and honor during the civil war. We all know what the results of that conflict were. Billions of beings died needlessly and the very existence of the United Federation of Planets was at risk." "I tell you now, that we are facing a potential crisis that makes that entire conflict look like child's play. The repercussions of the intelligence I have received are more dire than anything else we as a crew, a ship, a species or a group have ever, and will ever face." "As such, I know that I can count on each of you and your crews to continue to render the same level of competence and duty that you have always shown. I have no doubt in your abilities to perform well under duress, but I need your complete trust if we are to avert the danger that lies ahead of us." "Because of the possibility that members of the admiralty may be involved, there is the chance that they may dispatch a Federation starship to stop us. That vessel may be aware of the situation or they may not. But the distinct possibility is that we may be forced to defend ourselves against our brothers and sisters in the fleet. I pray that this will not be the case, but if it should be, we will do as we must to ensure the continuation of the Federation and the Quadrant as a whole." Kimiko was not in the fleet when the war broke out, she did remember the totals as the war raged on. ~that the problem with a war in space, there are not a lot of flag-draped coffins, most ships lost were with all hands, but the dead…..~ The junior-grade ensign felt a growing unease with the captain’s brief, ~high placed conspiracies that threaten the whole of quadrant.~ She thought ~Federation vessels sent to stop us from out righteous cause~ "As captain of this ship, I have the ultimate responsibility for all actions of the crew under my command. I will not shy away from that responsibility. However, I will not allow a breakdown of discipline to take place because of our current situation. The ship will continue to operate as if we are undertaking any other mission for the Federation. You are to maintain order and discipline in your sections and you will not discuss the true nature of our mission with anyone unless there is no other alternative." "I have ordered the Rosenante cloaked and her course altered to the Ikev System. Latest estimates put us two days out. There will be further orders upon our arrival." "I have ordered a complete communications blackout, and expect that order to be fulfilled. Additionally, I am ordering Mister Raschen maintain the integrated force fields throughout the ship. The movements of all personnel will be monitored at all times, Anyone found in any area of the ship for which they are not authorized will be detained until the current crisis is over. Mister Raschen will post security details at all critical ship's systems. " He regarded them all again. "I am opening the floor at this time to comments, questions and statements." ~This reeks of a psychotic break, now he suspects the crew. ~ Kimiko though agitatedly she glanced around to see if this concerned anyone else or if, like the captain, they expected to see demons in every darkened corner. ------------------------- Day -2 - 1915 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day -2, 1915) Raschen was the first to gain Ahmed's attention with a slight raise of his hand. Ahmed nodded and said, "Lieutenant Raschen" “I have just a few things sir. I have no problem following the orders that you have given thus far, but I must play Devil’s Advocate on this sir. You are aware that under Interstellar Law that you have just gone rogue and will therefore be wanted for piracy, and we will all be tried as your accomplices because none of us tried to prevent you from taking this ship from positive Federation control. I would also like to speak with you off-line after the meeting sir.” Ahmed frowned, although Raschen had a good point. "I assure you Mister Raschen, that I am well aware of Interstellar Law. Of all the officers assembled in this room, no one understands the gravity of this situation better than I do. As for complacency of my senior crew, there is some danger of course, which is why I have decided to be as straight forward with you all as I can be. I could have easily taken this ship off mission and done so in such a manner that no officer in this room would be aware that I had done so without orders. This ship is completely under Federation control, it is simply not under the control of Starfleet Command. If I were to receive an order from the President of the a federation to stand down. I will do so immediately, As I have no thought that the President has nothing but the best in mind for the federation. I can not in good conscience at this time say the same for the admiralty of the Fleet. Therefore it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Starfleet officer here, to protect the lives property and sovereignty of Federation Citizens. If any officer in this room does not feel that they can not fulfill that duty, I will accept your complete and immediate resignation to take immediate effect. I can assure you that should this intelligence prove to be true, there will be no repercussions. Likewise I can assure you that if It turns out that I am wrong, I will immediately remand myself into custody without issue and turn command of this vessel over to Commander Caskie." Ahmed replied. "I will certainly speak with you after the briefing Mister Raschen." "The captain turned his attention back to the assembled officer corps of his ship. "No one here is under any obligation according to regulations to follow any unlawful order that I issue. However, I remind you all that you are under an obligation to follow a higher moral order." Ahmed looked directly to Commander Caskie and then allowed her eyes to drift over to Sullivan. Both were exceptional officers. "Commander's Caskie and Sullivan. I am giving you a direct and lawful order. If at any time you come to a realization that I am acting in an immoral or dangerously unlawful manner, I hereby order you to relieve me of my command and take me into custody. Is that order understood?" Ahmed looked back out at those assembled before him. He noticed Jackson raise his hand. "Mister Jackson the floor is yours." He said. ------------------------- Day -2 - 1916 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go 1 Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge- COPS LT Tom Jackson, Day -2, 1916) Tom sat and watched the crew for a few minutes as the captain had spoken of his intentions to openly go off-mission. Jackson several different looks. Caskie seemed uncomfortable but trying to project an image of support for the CO. Lt Cmdr Sullivan looked impassive to Tom but hard to read her. Jackson knew how Chief Sheridan felt - Phil was a man who always spoke what he thought - sometimes to his detriment. Robbie Smith - well Tom could not tell - Robbie looked worried as well they all should be. Just before Tom raised his hand to get the Co's attention, he glanced at the two new ACMO's Lopez and Ichijo.Shaking his head , Tom thought ~What a mess to step into on your first assignment~. Tom's mind shifted to the possibility of having someone remove the CO using Article 184 of The UCMJ. That would require the concurrence of several people and he hoped no one would try removing Ahmed Salid using this. Any attempt would tear asunder the closeness of the crew. ~Well, I came into Sf with nothing. I can always leave that way~ he thought. Jackson was casting his fate with that of CO. Jackson raised his hadn and sought permission to speak. Thwe captain acknowledged him with "You have the floor Mr Jackson" and waited for the Chief of Operations to speak. Tom Jackson rose and stood rigidly at a ttention and spoke. "Sir, I am with you 100%. I don't understand all of this but whatever you and the FO need - I'll get." Tom felt like he came off as a butt kisser but that was the way he felt. ------------------------- Day -2, 1917 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge- FO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day -2, 1917) Josh had sat listening to the Captain speak to the rest of the senior officers. She knew that what he had decided to say to them was probably hard for him to do and at the same time hard for them to hear as well. She more or less knew where the problems would surface and who would chime in with something and she sat quietly as Lt Raschen spoke his piece. Josh simply sat with a smile on her face trying to project confidence in her Captain. As the Captain answered Lt Raschen he suddenly gathered both Josh and T'Larah by eye. "Commander's Caskie and Sullivan. I am giving you a direct and lawful order. If at any time you come to a realization that I am acting in an immoral or dangerously unlawful manner, I hereby order you to relieve me of my command and take me into custody. Is that order understood?" Josh simply nodded her head. "That order is understood sir, however I would like to point out that this order is already a standing order from the fleet and I would implement it without orders from yourself, if I thought you guilty." ------------------------- Day -2, 1922 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante, Observation Lounge - ACEO - Ensign (jg) Mitena Rixx - Day -2, 1922) There were a great many things that Mitena felt she could have expected to hear during a senior staff meeting. In all the scenarios she'd come up with for possible discussion topics none of them had started with "As of half-hour ago, the Rosenante has gone off mission." Her heart sank as the captain had continued on with his validation for his opening statement. The solemn look on his face left no room for doubt concerning the severity of the situation. She spared a momentary glance about the room as the Captain concluded. The severe look that had been on the captain's face was being reflected back at him by his officers. As she tried to decide if she had anything relevant to say, she listened as the security chief voiced a concern about the ship being wanted for piracy. Mitena quietly lamented that if legal laws had been nearly as interesting to her as those of physics then maybe she would have a better understanding of the laws concerning piracy that he was referring to. It would definitely be worth reading up on, all things considered. Everything she'd been told about the Captain since arriving on ship had led her to believe that he was doing a good job in the position and had a great deal of respect for his crew. Certainly officers that had been on ship longer then she would have a better understanding of the captain's demeanor. Notably, most of those officers were silent at the moment. She took that has her cue to remain so as well. A snippet from a lecture on responsibility she'd attended while at academy came to her mind. ~The hardest part of being an officer is leading when the solution is unknown. ~ It certainly seemed appropriate. ------------------------- Day: -2 - 1931 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: -2 Stardate: 2408.07.31 (USS Rosenante - Observation Lounge – ATAC Ensign (jg) V’Shera – 1931) V’Shera listened to Captain Salid talking about why he had taken the Rose off its assigned mission and the need for absolute silence and internal security. However she was appalled at the possibility that the Federation might actually dispatch another fleet star ship to apprehend the Rose. Lt. Raschen’s raising the idea that the Rose’s crew might be branded as pirates was especially troubling to V’Shera. So she eagerly waited to see how Captain Salid would respond to Lt. Raschen’s alarmed in put. Not involved the civil war between the 52nd Fleet and Admiral Doenitz’s racially poisoned Star Fleet, V’Shera abhorred the idea of having fire on the crew of an Federation star ship. ~Especially, if both they and the Rose were still on the same side of protecting sentient life inside the Federation. She was relived when Captain Salid directly ordered both 20 T’Larah Sullivan and FO Caskie to relieve him when and if they thought that he was unfit for command. Their mutual assurances that they would do so began to reduce V’Shera’s trepidation. Out the corner of her right eye V’Shera saw 30 Nayati nod in silent agreement as well. V’Shera had seen actual moments when the Necron counselor was able to see/read the emotions of others. ~Since CCOUNS Nayati was raising no objections what Captain Salid was doing, it follows that he believes the captain was neither criminal or insane.~ Though the assurances of all three command officers that would relieve the captain, if it became necessary, diminished V’Shera worry about the chain-of-command question. However V’Shera was still concerned about the innate danger about where Captain Salid was taking the Rose. But since she was only a low ranking ensign, with nothing offer as in put, V’Shera remained silent through the rest of staff briefing. Once the briefing was concluded and the attending officers were dismissed V’Shera returned to her post at Tactical. ------------------------- Day 2, 1345 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (Runabout Wells - Passenger compartment - ATT, Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McLaren - Day 2, 1345) "So Doctor Holis, what are you working on, if I may ask? Looks biological in nature." Matthew asked. "It does doesn't it." The Betazoid mused. "I've spent two years studying the subspace river. I've charted many of its eddies and currents and traced its energy field which has given me a unique perspective on energetic field dispersal and cloaking devices. I've measured its boundaries and wavelengths, its ebbs and flows, speed and vectors and now something new comes along to throw me into a tailspin." "How so?" Matthew asked his curiosity piqued. "What are you reviewing currently?" "It's some of the data sent to Geneva from the Spectre, they've detected evidence that there might be a biologic component to the river." Holis pointed at the sets of phased wavelengths and intrinsic harmonic variables that undulated across the screen. " And this looks tantalizingly like the endemic code for engrams as though they were snipped from a human brain which is patently impossible. How can a river think or know after all? Reason or make decisions, plan or execute those plans or use its will or power to expel a ship from its midst?" Matthew smiled for a moment. He had seen quite a few engrams of his own. After all, he had been all but forced to study the basic fundamentals of human brain activity patterns, not that long ago. The small computer, half the size of a PADD, that he wore strapped to his left arm was proof enough of the success of his work. After his encounter with the biodegenerative radiation of the Planet Killer, Matthew had been crippled and bound to a gravity chair. Both his legs and his left arm had been useless just a little over a year ago. The actual cause was nerve damage. The areas affected by the radiation simply stopped carrying impulses from the his brain to the muscles. His solution had been to implant the first cybernetic wireless subspace wireless relay. The computer monitored a sub-cranial neural monitor and sent the signals to the nanowire implants seeded throughout the affected portions of his body. The images that he was seeing on the screen looked a great deal like brain engrams, but there was more than that going on also, some sort of traveling impulses. It was almost as if the impulses were traveling from sensory organs to the central processing areas and then back out again." "Amazing isn't it?" Holis chuckled. "Just when you think you know something the universe jumps up and yells BOO!" Matthew shook his head. "Definitely amazing." he agreed. "You know," Tollian chimed in from the operations console, "There's no reason that it can't be alive. Starfleet has encountered a large number of energy creatures, crystalline creatures and for that manner, near omniscient creatures who can alter their very nature at a whim. Why is is difficult to imagine that the Subspace river could be alive? Because it's so large perhaps? Another thought for you.." The Efrosian added turning in his chair to face the other two officers. "What if what you or we as a collective are seeing is only a part of the life form? What if this entity live in another dimension or layer of space and what we are seeing is only a relatively small aspect of it?" With that, he turned around and went back to his work without waiting for an answer. Matthew just looked at his shipmate for a moment. "he does have a skill to make you think," The Engineer added. ------------------------- Day 2 - 1352 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (USS Furious - Turbolift off Bridge - SEC/TAC Ensign (SG) Andrus Williams - Day 2 - 1352 ) The Bolian man waited for the ride to the bridge and wondered what to expect. He had been shuttled from a comfy desk job on Starbase Geneva to the Furious just before her departure. Arriving on the Bridge, Andrus paused and took in the view. He loved being on the ship and glad to get out and away from a desk job. Williams strode to his console and sat down. He delighted in in his work as Sec/Tac. He scanned the readouts and turned to the First Officer and Captain and said "All Systems Functional Sirs". ------------------------- Day 2, 1510 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (USS Furious, Deck 13, Shuttlebay, CSO, Lt. Commander Gralen, Day 2 - 1510) Holis stepped off the ramp behind Lt. Yalix and Lt. Commander McLaren with a shoebox sized case under his right arm, the rest of the mineral samples were still aboard and would be offloaded by members of the science section as soon as he had a chance to interface with them. The captain was a stickler for detail on everything he did and these samples were from his own personal store taken from the Nahru and Nimitz. The particular sample he was carrying on his person was the one in question which he had made a significant breakthrough on less than a week ago and he wanted to make a report to Saleke as soon as possible. An officer was waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp. He wore the yellow of tactical/security and was standing in a very officious manner. He stepped up to Lt. Com. McLaren who was first in line. "Your orders sir." After verifying the contents of their padds and inputting their quarters assignments he smiled at each in turn and after they were all checked in and addressed them in a group. "I apologize gentlemen that the Captain and Commander were unable to greet you upon arrival and will be unavailable until 1700 hours. The Furious was launched only four days ago and they have been very busy insuring the ships' performance goals are being met on this shakedown. If you will report to your respective departments about your availability until that time I am sure they will make time for you when Alpha shift concludes. That is those of you who are not department heads yourselves." He smiled in addressing Holis. The Betazoid shrugged his shoulders as they were dismissed and walked from the shuttlebay with the two men with whom he had had such a delightful technical discussion on the Runabout. Lt. Yalix and Lt. Commander McLaren were two very bright and capable individuals who he was looking forward to working closely with until they had to depart to their permanent posting on the Rosenante. Holis himself would check in at the CSO's office and drop off the sample before beating a path to the bridge... since he was on the Furious anyway he might as well make the most of the time. ------------------------- Day 2 - 1551 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (ISS Rosenante, Bridge, COPS, LT Tom Jackson (MU), Day 2 - 1551) Jackson had several things going through his mind - the situation with Smith, their being in a different dimension and what the frack to do get home Tom watched the captain closely and listened for his instructions. After a few sessions in the Agonizer, he learned instant obedience was essential. Captain Salid ordered "Jackson, scan the facility. Verify that they are still processing Boronite and that they have a supply suitable for our needs." "Sir, we shall be able to get the quantity need" he replied after pressing a few buttons. "The quality is slightly higher than what we are used to Sir" Jackson added. Watching Ahmed Salid in action never ceased to amaze him. Jackson, like the others, knew he was a protegee' of the feared Doernitz. He wondered what it was like to be equipped with such power. He realized that he probably had reached the peak of his personal power and was content for now. Jackson prepared to transport FO Caskie and Temparious to the surface to finish the mission assigned to them. Tom smiled as he thought of the ruthless Commander working the facility over. ------------------------- Day 2 - 1556 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (ISS Rosenante, Bridge, aCOPs, Ensign Robert Smith (MU), Day 2 - 1556) Robert watched as the Rose came into orbit around the mining complex. He had heard that the Captain had been a prisoner here. No in his universe. ~I wonder what things are different here~ "We've reached orbit, Captain" Midas reported. "Mister Smith, open a channel I want to talk to them before we destroy them." ”Yes Captain.” He entered a command on the console and the view screen changed to an image of the facilities administrative center. On the center screen was the administrator of the facility Alix Sorvex. "What a pleasant surprise." Robert suppressed a shiver as he heard the Captain’s voice. If this man lived through this experience it will be a mirical. "It's been a very long time since I've seen you Sorvex..” Alix seemed to be confused as he replied, =^=I'm sorry do I know you?=^= he replied instead. "Oh yes... of course not." "How rude of me. I'm captain Salid of the Rosenante. And I'm here for some Boronite." Alix looked as if he was about to panic. ~Ow you better give it to him coz he will get it~ =^=I'm sorry, but I'm not authorized to turn over any Boronite to you.=^= "I know Alix," he replied with an even broader smile, "but nonetheless you will." =^=I most certainly will not. You've no authority for...=^= He saw Salid signaled Sullivan with a movement of his hand and Alix's response cut short when the station shook under the first of the impacts from the photon torpedoes. Dirt and dust rained down from the ceiling. "I believe you've seen my authority," "We'll be with you shortly, I suggest you pray." He motioned for the channel to be closed. Robert tapped the console and the image of the planet reappeared on the main viewer. "Let them get out one distress call, then destroy their communications." "If everything else proves to be true, They'll be looking for this universe's version of our ship. We'll be free to pursue our goals unmolested." "Let me know when the shields are all down. Jackson will then see to it that Commander Caskie and Temerarious are transported to the surface to complete their mission." ------------------------- Day 2 - 1557 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (ISS Rosenante, Bridge, COPS, Lt Tom Jackson (MU), Day 2 - 1557) Tom watched the readouts closely. He found it unsettling to accept that they were not in 'their' timeline/universe. Did he have a counterpart here? What was he like? Jacskon curseed in Ferengi - a language his step-dad had taught him long ago. ~Such thoughts are unworthy. The goal is to follow the Captain's orders~ he mumbled to himself. The Rosenante's bridge crew were used to Jackson's rambling at times - more out of fear than respect. Tom Jacskon was a cruel man and was feared. Tom smiled as the person on the surface was obviously confused. ~This dimension might have osome interesting opportunities~ he thought. Jackson's fingers reaced over the controls and waited for the order to get Caskie plantside. Tom wanted very mcuh to join them and watch the First Officer in action. ------------------------- Day 2 - 1558, 1559, 1606, 1608 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (ISS Rosenante, Corridor, SO - Mike Rosenbauer (MU), Day 2 - 1558) Mike Rosenbauer loved the sound that his squad made as they marched down any corridor on the ship. Their booted feet stomped out a rhythm of centuries of military might. They tread on the weak and ensured that the strong always led the way by example. It was the sounds of war coming to visit the enemy that he loved so much, especially when he was leading the march. Behind him, his entire squad, Cooper, Saint Jean, T'Vyr, Rojas, Sodra and Mosh followed along behind him. He was the undisputed master of the corridor for the moment, the strong hand of the Imperial Rangers; The personification of the warrior elite, intent on making those around him suffer shame, defeat and indignity. The members of the ship's compliment scattered before him like so many cockroaches when the lights had suddenly been flipped on. A smile graced Mike's once handsome, now scarred face. His visage was a patchwork of scars left from a battlefield injury he had obtained in the line of duty. The very fact that he had any flesh left on the right side of his face at all after the bloody mess that a fragmenting explosive had caused still amazed him. His squad had called him miracle Mike after he had recovered. Not long after he had left the mutilated and gutted remains of the idiot squad leader laying on the battlefield and had forged Mike's Maniac's. He had gotten his vengeance for the idiot's mistakes that had cost him his good looks. (ISS Rosenante, Transporter Room 1, SO - Mike Rosenbauer (MU), Day 2 - 1559) Mike led his people into the transporter room. They were, of course, all very well armed; Type III-C Phaser rifles, Type II hand phasers and a few other nasty surprises awaited anyone that they were sent to kill. His left eye tracked across the room, taking in those assembled there. Temerarious had his own people, of course. And Mike sized them up. They were a tough lot of pirates. Maybe not as highly trained or as experienced as Mike's Maniacs, but they were most assuredly a rough bunch of cutthroats. Mike gave the Security Chief a nod of his head and a short two fingered salute. He was a man worthy of Mike's respect, if no one else on the ship was. Mike just relished the day when he'd have to kill the man, but today would not be that day. A few moments later Doctor Wyler entered the room. The woman was a hazard to be wary of. Her demeanor wasn't much different than Mike's. And although she wasn't as dangerous with a weapon, that mind of hers was as sharp as the laser scalpel that she carried in her jacket pocket. The woman was a Sadist to the extreme, deriving some perverse sense of joy from the exquisite pain that she caused. That always made Mike a bit uncomfortable, if only because he knew that someday, he'd eventually have to find his way under her knife. The Doctor stopped, took a long look around, then allowed her eyes to rest on Mike's white right eye. He had lost it in the same explosion that had shredded his face. She always seemed drawn to it for some strange reason, and Mike had always suspected that she fantasized about plucking it out. Mike looked at Cooper and gestured that they should get situated on the transporter PADD before Temerarious' goons realized that there were prime tactical places to stand. He moved his squad up onto the platform and they settled into place just a moment before the First officer stepped into the room. She took a moment to look around the room, pausing for a second to make eye contact with each member of the away team. Mike just twisted his face into a small smile when their eyes locked. "Ladies and Gentlemen we are orbiting and have just started firing on the Boronite Mining Facility in the Bardon System. All you need to know is that the Captain wants their next shipment of Boronite and has tasked us with acquiring it. That we will do." she finally stated, telling them exactly what their mission was to be. ~A raid.~ Mike thought with a little pleasure. It was about time that he got to go back to killing. "Dr Wyler, it seems that the Administrator is not quite as forthcoming as he should be regarding where this shipment is. Your task will be to persuade him otherwise. However, I want him alive once you gather this information, the Captain may still want to kill him himself. As for the rest of you. Find the Boronite and be quick about it. Kill everyone else on the facility with the exception of one person other than the administrator. If you are all ready then assume your positions on the transporter and let's get the Captain what he wants." "I do so love away missions," Wyler cooed, as she took her place on the transporter PADD next to Mike. He could feel her eyes burning a hole through his scarred flesh. With a nod from Caskie, Dawson initiated the transport. (Boronite Mining Facility - Bardon System, SO - Mike Rosenbauer (MU), Day 2 - 1606) As they rematerialized in the facilities transporter room, Mike's people immediately went into action. inside a matter of moments, they had secured the compartment and the hallway beyond. The rest of the away team were a little more relaxed. Temerarious and his people scoffed at the way Mike's people had handled things, but it didn't really bother him too much. He'd get his someday. "Simons, Davies, both of you track down the Boronite. Find it pronto and notify me when you have it." Caskie ordered the two scientists. They nodded and immediately headed out of the room in a hurry. Mike noticed the First officer summoning him over, so he stepped close enough he could smell her scent and simply smiled. "Have two of your squad go with them. As soon as they find it I want the co-ordinates. After that, then have them kill the scientists and secure the location." she breathed into his ear. He smiled, then turned to Cooper. "Help the scientists find the Boronite, log it's coordinates and then give them furlough. Take Sodra." Cooper nodded and headed out of the compartment, slapping Sodra on the derriere on his way out. She followed him with a wink and a smile. Caskie continued, "You and Dr Wyler are with me. Let's go find the control room." "Gladly." Mike replied then gave Saint Jean the nod. (Boronite Mining Facility- Control Room - Bardon System, SO - Mike Rosenbauer (MU), Day 2 - 1608) The facility was sparsely manned, and the three technicians that they encountered along the way were quickly and easily dispatched. The doors to the facility's control room would have been a hindrance, but Saint Jean was an expert with explosives of all sorts. She had quickly assembled a plasma charge, which burned through the door's control system without pause. The door, dropped to it's default setting and slipped open. A few phaser blasts slammed into the corridor wall and ceiling from the now open doorway. "Don't kill the administrator, Dr Wyler has a date with him and leave one other person alive if you will." Mike smiled and nodded. "Mosh, T'Vyr. Do your thing. The administrator and one other left alive." They stepped into the room, ready for a fire fight. There was some ineffective return fire as Mosh and T'Vyr swept the room, killing two hiding technicians, but sparing the Administrator and a man who looked as if he were going to hold them all off with a spanner of some sort. Mosh raised his rifle to finish off the man, when Mike intervened. "Not this one. We leave him alive. I like him. He has spirit." Mosh nodded and lowered his weapon. The Bolian never took his eyes from the technician. The man, Dallas, according to the tag on his jumpsuit regarded him for a moment. "Drop the spanner. And I'll let you live." Mike ordered. The man hesitated for a moment, but finally realizing that he was not going to get a better offer, capitulated. Mike gave him a grimace, then in one fluid movement stepped forward drawing a dagger and stabbed the man in the gut. The Technician's eye's widened at the unexpected pain. Mike stepped back and wiped his blade on the man's jumpsuit as his victim pressed both his hands against his abdomen. "But you said." he muttered, before falling to his knees. "And you will." Mike reassured him. "It takes days for a man to die of a gut wound like that." Mike pushed the man back into a sitting position with his foot. He looked over at the Bolian. "Bring me the Administrator, alive and unharmed." Mosh nodded, then walked a few meters over and drug the man out from under the console with unpleasant persistence. A few moment's later the administrator was on his knees in the center of the room, flanked by Saint Jean and T'Vyr. Mosh was sitting on one of the consoles, his weapon ever-ready. "It's clear commander." Mike called. A few moments later Jennifer and Wyler stepped into the facility's control room. There was a sight that could chill any man's blood. Separately they were dangerous enough, together... Mike didn't want to think about it. Even he had places he didn't want to visit. Jennifer raked him up and down with a glance and smiled. "Dr Wyler, I believe he is all yours." Wyler stalked forward like a predator about to make a disabling kill. She crouched in front of the Administrator. She reached out and placed her right hand on his cheek, gently caressing it. She then gripped his chin and leaned forward planting a full kiss on the surprised man's lips. When she withdrew she said simply. "There's something very erotic about having another sentient beings life in your hands, don't you think administrator? It's the power of a god coursing through your veins. Knowing that you have that sort of power over another being is exhilarating. Knowing that only you can grant them either pleasure or pain at your whim and that they are powerless to stop you." Tears began to trickle down the administrator's cheek as the realization of his fate was beginning to dawn on him. "Don't..." he pleaded. Wyler pressed her index finger against his trembling lips. "Oh I won't Administrator. But I can't promise you what my friends here might do. They don't understand you like I do." she whispered. "I can help you..." "How?" Alix's voice creaked. "Tell me what I want to know and I'll leave you with functioning appendages. Otherwise. I think I'll give you a little anatomy lesson." Her hand slipped into her pocket and a metal scalpel emerged. She slipped the blade cover off the archaic device with a slow deliberateness that petrified the administrator. His eyes fixated on the point of the blade hovering in front of him. Alee leveled the blade towards his left eye. The administrator shirked backwards away from her. His movements were stopped by the Vulcan. "The human body is full of redundancies. It's a survival mechanism. Lose one ear and the other compensates. Go blind in one eye..." she smiled, "You get the idea." The blade stopped just a short distance from the man's cornea. His eyelashes slapped against the blade as he blinked. "Please." He pleaded. "You're only going to kill me if I tell you where the boronite is." he argued. "You should be so lucky." Mosh stated matter-of-factly. "No administrator. I won't kill you. But either way, I'm a trained medical doctor. I can leave you writhing in agony for the rest of a very long existence, unable to move without pain. but not before I remove a few excessive wastes that your human body doesn't really need. Such as your eye and your ear and an arm and a leg...." "okay, I'll tell you." He said panicked as the blade still hovered only a short distance from his eye. "I'm waiting." Aleesa breathed gently. "It's in the south storage bay." he added. "All of it?" Aleesa asked. The man started to nod but remembered that the scalpel blade was still dangerously close. "Yes." He croaked instead. Aleesa smiled, then in a single quick and steady movement, she ran the razor sharp steel blade along the man's cheekbone leaving a thin bone-deep trail of red two inches long. Wyler stood and turned to look at Jennifer. "You heard him commander. South Storage bay." T'Vyr pulled the man to his feet, even as that same man was struggling to press the heel of his hand against the bleeding gash in his cheek. "I'll have Cooper redirect the Scientists. We'll get confirmation soon enough." Mike added. "How can you do this?" The Administrator suddenly asked. "Starfleet officers don't do this sort of thing." He was beginning to panic. Mike smiled at Jennifer's reply, then stepped forward and punched the man in the jaw. He collapsed in a heap. "Shall I have him beamed up now?" Mike asked. ------------------------- Day 2 - 1600 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (ISS Rosenante, Transporter Room 1, FO - Cmdr Jennifer Caskie (MU), Day 2 - 1600) Striding into the Transporter Room Jennifer was extremely gratified to see that everyone she requested was waiting for her. Smirking somewhat she allowed her glance to rest on all of them, one at a time for a second or two before she began briefing them. "Ladies and Gentlemen we are orbiting and have just started firing on the Boronite Mining Facility in the Bardon System. All you need to know is that the Captain wants their next shipment of Boronite and has tasked us with acquiring it. That we will do." "Dr Wyler, it seems that the Administrator is not quite as forthcoming as he should be regarding where this shipment is. Your task will be to persuade him otherwise. However, I want him alive once you gather this information, the Captain may still want to kill him himself. As for the rest of you. Find the Boronite and be quick about it. Kill everyone else on the facility with the exception of one person other than the administrator. If you are all ready then assume your positions on the transporter and let's get the Captain what he wants." As they all stepped onto their positions on the transporter Josh nodded towards the technician and he transported them down. (Boronite Mining Facility - Bardon System, FO - Cmdr Jennifer Caskie (MU), Day 2 - 1605) As they materialised on the transporter padds Jennifer began issuing orders. Looking first at the two scientists with them she smiled. "Simons, Davies, both of you track down the Boronite. Find it pronto and notify me when you have it. She crooked her little finger at Rosenbauer. Have two of your squad go with them. As soon as they find it I want the co-ordinates. After that, then have them kill the scientists and secure the location. You and Dr Wyler are with me. Lets go find the control room. (Boronite Mining Facility- Control Room - Bardon System, FO - Cmdr Jennifer Caskie (MU), Day 2 - 1610) After marching down a few corridors they came to a room which was defended and Jennifer sent Rosenbauer and the rest of his team in to clear it. "Don't kill the administrator, Dr Wyler has a date with him and leave one other person alive if you will." Eventually Jennifer got the all clear from the security team and she and Wyler walked into the room to find the Administrator held on his knees between two security personnel. Josh raked him up and down with a glance and smiled. "Dr Wyler, I believe he is all yours." ------------------------- Day 2 - 1610 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (Boronite Mining Facility - Control Room -Bardon System - Corridor, FO - Cmdr Jennifer Caskie (MU), Day 2 - 1610) Jennifer tapped her phaser unconsciously against her leg as she watched Wyler begin her work. Unfortunately, at least for Jennifer's amusement, the doctor didn't actually have to do much more than threaten the administrator before he very quickly capitulated. Jennifer was disappointed, but probably not half as disappointed as the doctor was. That thought brought a thin smile to Jennifer's lips. As the doctor stood and turned back to her Jennifer could see the disappointment plain in her face. "You heard him commander. South Storage bay." Nodding, she smiled at the doctor. "I did. Very well done doctor." Rosenbauer informed her that he would have someone redirect the scientists and she simply nodded her head and holstered her phaser. Suddenly their captive had the temerity to speak up. "How can you do this?" Starfleet officers don't do this sort of thing." Jennifer regarded him in much the same way as people would regard a slave who had spoken out of turn. First with amazement, then with disbelief and finally with anger. Crossing nearer to him she looked him up and down pityingly. "I think you need a lesson in exactly what officers in this fleet can and cannot do." As Mike punched the administrator he asked Jennifer if he should have him beamed back up to the ship. Jennifer shook her head. "No, we are here for the Boronite, anything else is unimportant. Get him back on his feet now." As soon as he was upright Jennifer deliberately moved in between him and Mike. Facing Mike she smiled at him for a moment before turning her head to look at the administrator. "Officers can do anything they damn well please." With blinding speed she brought her knife out of it's sheath at her hip and turning on the balls of her feet neatly sliced through the administrator's jugular vein. She didn't even wait to see him drop but continued her spin until her knife was resting a mere centimetre from Mike's jugular. Gazing into his one good eye she smiled at him her eyes ablaze with anger. "The next time I give you an order I expect it to be obeyed to the letter. The Captain ordered me to leave one person alive here. Not half alive and not dying. You had better pray that he doesn't punish me for your mistake. Because if he does, lover or not, I will make you wish you were dead." Sheathing her knife she walked away kicked out the nearest chair and sat down. "You may inform me when the shipment has been transported up. We'll leave then." ------------------------- Day 2 - 1633 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (USS Rosenante, Bridge , FO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 2 - 1633) As soon as the Captain had been told about the distress call he immediately entered the bridge. Standing in the middle he began issuing orders. "Replay the distress call Mister Jackson." As the main screen came to life Josh could see, as well as anyone else on the bridge that whoever was on the other end of the distress call was under attack. =^=This is Administrator Sorvex at the Bardon Alpha Mining Complex. We are under attack by a federation starship calling herself the Rosenante. They are demanding Boronite ore. We need assistance immediately. Repeat we are under attack and need assistance immediately.=^= "Did he say they were under attack by the Rosenante?" Josh sighed and nodded her head. "Unfortunately Sir I'm afraid they did." "Mister Dralar. Take us to warp 9. At that speed what is our ETA to Bardon Prime?" "An hour and Ten Minutes, Captain." Ahmed glanced up at the ship's chronometer. ~1745. Too Long~ "Engage." Dralar tapped a few keys on his console and the Rosenante increased her speed. "Mister Caskie, liaise with medical. I want relief teams ready to beam down to the surface when we arrive. You'll be leading the away team. Take Mister Nayati. Have Doctor Wyler stay aboard ship to prepare to receive casualties." "Take Ichijo and Lopez and anyone else you think you'll need." Josh simply smiled at him. "Aye Sir." Tapping her comm badge she began to contact people and issue orders. =/\= Caskie to Nayati. Please meet me in transporter room 1 in 50 minutes please.=/\= =/\= Caskie to Dr Wyler. I need a medical team ready in Transporter Room 1 in one hour. I would be grateful if you could spare both Lopez and Ichijo and possibly E'Mpak and Fuller as well. Prepare sickbay for incoming wounded, if you would.=/\= =/\= Caskie to Lopez, Ichijo, E'Mpak and Fuller. Report to Transporter Room 1 in 50 minutes please and prepare for serious casualties and a full medical evac.=/\= As Josh tapped her badge again shutting her comm down she turned to Lt Raschen. "I will need three full security teams Lt. One each to guard all of the medical away teams and one with Mr Nayati and I. Please have them ready in Transporter Room 1 ten minutes prior to beam down. Then liaise with Mr Jackson and see what he needs in the way of security." The Captain looked round after hearing the flurry of conversation that had gone on. "I have the bridge." he added as an after thought. Josh immediately vacated the Captain's chair and moved to her own. "You have the bridge sir, aye." ------------------------- Day 2 - 1634, 1641 Mission: Into the Darkness, Go I Day: 2 Stardate: 2408.08.02 (USS Rosenante, Sickbay, CMO -Lieutenant Aleesa Wyler - Day 2 - 1634) Aleesa was standing in front of the doors to the trauma ward speaking with Doctor Reynolds. She had her left arm crossed across her chest while she allowed the fingers of her right hand to mindlessly twirl a lock of her hair as she spoke. "And I want to you take charge of Sickbay if anything should happen." she was saying. Reynolds shook his head, "with all due respect Lieutenant, I am not your ACMO. You have two Lopez and Ichijo. That's their job not mine." "Listen Steve, I don't know if Sam can handle it. He's a great surgeon, but I haven't had enough time to determine if he's got the ability to run a department yet. And Ichijo, has been on ship all of a couple of days. You're the senior doctor." "There's Kitty," Reynolds replied, still trying to wiggle his way out of things. "Yes, there's Kitty, but she's not a doctor. It has to be you." Alee retorted. =^= Caskie to Dr Wyler. I need a medical team ready in Transporter Room 1 in one hour. I would be grateful if you could spare both Lopez and Ichijo and possibly E'Mpak and Fuller as well. Prepare sickbay for incoming wounded, if you would.=^= She gave Reynolds a look. "I'm not done with you..." she replied then tapped her commbadge. "Wyler here commander. I'll send a support team right away. My personnel are your personnel. Take whomever you need. Sickbay out." Steve gave her a look. "We'll have to talk about this later. I'll prep a primary shipboard triage in the secondary sickbay, we can handle the critically injured here in main and we can have Fuller and E'Mpak categorize and sort groundside." Alee nodded. "Okay then get to it, Doctor Reynolds." The senior doctor nodded and turned to head back into the primary sickbay. He immediately started things rolling. (USS Rosenante, Sickbay, CMO -Lieutenant Aleesa Wyler - Day 2 - 1641) Aleesa had followed Reynolds back into the Primary sickbay, and had started barking orders about setting up for serious trauma cases. She had just ordered both of the surgical bays prepared for surgery when her commbadge chirped. =^=Ichijo to Sickbay One=^= Aleesa tapped her commbadge "Wyler here." =^=I am currently in transporter room one and was a bit curious to what is going on, if you have a moment, and what to expect, Ma'am=^= ~that's a damned good question.~ Aleesa thought. "Uhh.. I'm not entirely certain at this moment Miss Ichijo. However, the first officer should be joining you in the transporter room shortly. She'll be able to give you a briefing when she arrives." Aleesa replied. ~I hope~ "Sorry Ensign. You'll probably know more about what's going on than I will in a few minutes. Wyler out." ------------------------- Marilyn Work __________ NOD32 4023 (20090420) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com