Compile#19 February 14-17(USS Rosenante) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: The Gilded Man Day: 8 Stardate: 2413.11.08 Compile Summary (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ACEO Lieutenant Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2018) (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ACEO Lieutenant Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2019) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - CONN - Lieutenant Dralar - Day 8- 2027) (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ATAC/ASEC Ensign Marta Nunez - Day 8 -2028) (USS Rosenante- Transporter Room - ATAC/ASEC Ensign Marta Nunez - Day 8 - 2028.2) (USS Rosenante- Corridor - Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2031) (USS Rosenante- Main Engineering - Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2034) (USS Rosenante - Observation lounge- CO - Fleet CO Frazil - Day 8- 2049.7) (USS Bohrs-Main Engineering - Lt Boranma - Day 8 - 2053.5) (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2054) (USS Rosenante Bridge COPS Lt Tom Jackson Day 8 2105) (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2118) (USS Bohrs- Sickbay -ACMO Ensign Sam Lopez,Day 8,2119) (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2054) (Irlix, Khoda City- Governmental offices, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 2300) (USS Rosenante, Lieutenant jg Ben Soma, Ensign sg Sanok, Day 8, 2331) ===================================================================== Mission: The Gilded Man Day: 14 Stardate: 2413.11.14 Compile Summary Captain's Log, supplemental. Stardate 2413.11.14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ACEO Lieutenant Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2018) =^= Matrix to Rosenante, 60 seconds and my away team should be in place and ready for beam out. Nunez and Smith are making there way to the extraction point now. Data has been relayed. Please advise. =^= Matrix has been trying to contact the Rosenante for some time now without any success. "Either the Rosenante is preoccupied, left the system or we have a communications problem." said Matrix. (Reply Sanok - IYW) =^= Matrix to Rosenante...come in please. Rosenante come in. =^= "No response." said Matrix with a frown. "Damn it...we get through finding this intel and we're stuck." =^= Matrix to Rosenante, please come in. My away team is nearly in place for beam out. Please come in." =^= "We read you, Lieutenant. What is your location and status?" a voice said over his commbadge. "Finally!" said Matrix. =^= My away team one is at the rally point, team two is on their way now...just minutes and we'll be ready for beam out. Data extraction successful. No causalities. Please advise. =^= said Matrix. (Reply Rosenante, any) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ACEO Lieutenant Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2019) Matrix waited a few moments...then a voice was heard. "Steve, this is Tom Jackson . We are just now in Transporter range prepare for transport - the cavalry has arrived" said Jackson. Matrix smiled, =^= Mr. Jackson...good to hear your voice. My team is nearly in position. Please standby for my signal for beam out. =^= replied Matrix. Nunez and Smith arrived within moments. "The Rosenante is ready for us to beam out. I'd like to get out of Dodge so to speak...is everyone ready?" asked Matrix. (Reply Sanok, Nunez, Smith) =^= Matrix to Rosenante away team is assembled at the rally point, four to beam out. =^= said Matrix. Matrix turned to this team, "Excellent work everyone. Lets go home." smiled Matrix. (Reply Rosenante, Sanok, Nunez, Smith) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Bridge - CONN - Lieutenant Dralar - Day 8- 2027) =^= Matrix to Rosenante, please come in. My away team is nearly in place for beam out. Please come in.=^= The call came in from one of the Away teams on the surface. The Skorr officer turned to look at Jackson and gave him a single nod. "You may answer them mister Jackson." he added for clarity sake. "Lt Matrix this is the Rosenante. What is your location and status?" Tom replied =^=Finally!=^= said Matrix. =^= My away team one is at the rally point, team two is on their way now...just minutes and we'll be ready for beam out. Data extraction successful. No causalities. Please advise. =^= "Steve, this is Tom Jackson . We are just now in Transporter range prepare for transport - the cavalry has arrived" Tom added with gladness and relief in his voice. =^= Mr. Jackson...good to hear your voice. My team is nearly in position. Please standby for my signal for beam out. =^= replied Matrix. There was brief moment of silence before Matrix continued. =^= Matrix to Rosenante away team is assembled at the rally point, four to beam out. =^= "Bring them home mister Jackson." Dralar ordered. (reply none needed) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Irlix - Khoda City, Government HQ - ATAC/ASEC Ensign Marta Nunez - Day 8 -2028) "The Rosenante is ready for us to beam out. I'd like to get out of Dodge so to speak...is everyone ready?" asked Matrix. "You know it, Sir." Marta replied happily. She was more than prepared to get off this planet before something bad happened. After all their luck thus far had been phenomenal. A few moments passed and she felt the familiar tingle of the Rosenante's transporters. She was going home. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Transporter Room - ATAC/ASEC Ensign Marta Nunez - Day 8 - 2028.2) When she rematerialized Marta notice Lieutenant Xim standing in the transporter room waiting for them. "Welcome back, aboard." he said greeting them. "Commander Sullivan has asked that lieutenant matrix report to Engineering, and that mister Smith report to the operations department to monitor the Rosenante's computers against cyber attack. Mister Nunez and Mister Sanok are dismissed form immediate duty." (reply any, but not needed) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- USS Rosenante- Corridor - Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2031) The return to the Rosenante was overdue and welcome as far as Matrix was concerned. As he made is way from the transporter room he couldn't help but feel he was home again. While the Rosenante was a ship, it was home as much as any place he had ever lived or served. The mission was rather uneventful, but it wasn't without anxiety. Matrix was grateful that everyone on his away team returned safely and that no Irlixian was harmed in the process. Sure, they had to disable a few Irixian's, but none died in the process of their mission. They would live again. Equally satisfying was the information they were able to retrieve. The mission was a success. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Main Engineering - Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 8 - 2034) Matrix entered main engineering and found the familiar site and sounds refreshing. Engineering was lit to coincide with the standard Earth day and therefore dimly lit to reflect night time. The ambiance green glow of the main consoles entering engineering was a visual indication that all was well aboard the Rosenante and her systems. As Matrix entered engineering he was handed a PADD from one of the Ensigns on duty. THE PADD as it was referred contained summary and detailed status information of engineering; weapons, operations, life support and overall ship posture. "Good evening sir...good to have you aboard again. Here is the current ships status. Alpha shift reported an anomaly in the port nacelle's injector. We've checked it out, but have found nothing so far. A level three diagnostic is currently running. The primary computer core is currently experiencing a 2% lag in response. Stellar cartography running a simulation and is responsible for the lag time. We've been told they will need the computer for the next 36 hours while their simulation is running. Crewman Henson reported in sick...sickbay confirmed a case of the Cardassian flu and has confined her to sickbay for the duration of the illness. Ensign Bennett broke his arm after falling off of a shelving unit in cargo bay 11. He's recovering nicely according to the EMH and is currently in ten-forward...he's off duty sir. One of the aft quantum torpedo launchers is being repaired. A stuck initiator is preventing launch and should be operational within the hour. The emergency transporter room 4 is currently undergoing routine maintenance and is currently offline for the next 6 hours while the coils are being replaced. We've experienced a minor problem with the environmental systems on deck 21, section 10 through 15. We believe we have it under control...some of the marines had apparently stuffed the interconnect conduits full of expanding foam as some sort of joke. I have a full crew down there clearing it out now. All other systems are currently operating at peak efficiency. Do you have any questions or orders at this time?" asked the Ensign. Matrix pondered the Ensign's report briefly as he looked over the PADD, "No Ensign...thank you for the update." replied Matrix. "Thank you sir. I assume you'll be in your office?" replied the Ensign. "Not immediately Ensign. I'm going to check out engineering first. Carry on." replied Matrix. (Reply none) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Observation lounge- CO - Fleet CO Frazil - Day 8- 2049.7) "Given your vessel's destruction, I thought it be better if you informed your comrades that your crew survived. Also to pass along their status," she handed him a PADD with the medical triage report. He took it and reviewed it as she continued. "We will return you and your crew to Irlix, while we pick up the remainder of ours left on the planet, including the remaining crew from the Bohrs. We can then if you wish dispatch engineering crews to your vessels to aid in their recovery." "That effort would be most appreciated." Frazil replied. "Open a channel to the Irlixian fleet." she ordered and a moment later the hail was answered by the battle fleet's current commander. The two discussed of the status of the vessels of the fleet, and when they expected the ships to be moving again. Then Frazil turned to T'Larah and asked a question. "Can you tell me how long it will be before we reach the planet?" "Our ETA to Irlix is 2200 hours or one hour and seven minutes." she replied. "Thank you." Frazil responded before resuming his discussion on the fleet. "Of course none of the actual details were being discussed, since it was obvious that Frazil was a prisoner. But at least the Fleet Commander could let his people know that he and his crew were being treated well and we relatively unharmed. "Thank you for your time, you can reach the Commander by hailing the Rosenante." Sullivan added once it became clear that their discussion had concluded. The channel closed shortly thereafter. The Romulan woman seemed to be thinking for a moment before she stated. "Once I check on some of my crew members that are in critical condition, I can arrange for an escort for your tour. If you will excuse me." she said. "Of course." Frazil replied as she left the lounge. (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Bohrs-Main Engineering - Lt Boranma - Day 8 - 2053.5) "See, nothing to worry about." Doug said as they powered up the refurbished field systems. "I'm impressed." "Anything else need to be repaired?" Doug asked. Bora turned and tapped out a series of commands on the console behind her before responding. "We have issues with the Matrix resequencer and the mater relay emitters on the Replicators." "Do we really need that to get underway?" Doug asked. "We'll we don't know really how long we might be aboard ship and I doubt we have any emergency rations on board after the Irlixians raided our supplies." Bora answered seriously. "Yeah, I didn't think of that, it is part of the transporters too isn't it?" he said. "OK, start on that, we need the transporters up. I disabled them too. I replaced the pattern buffer with a hollow mock-up. Just replace that and run a level 5 diagnostic it should be fine." "Alright I can handle that." Bora replied and then headed to the transporter room to conduct the last of the quasi critical repairs. (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2054) =^= Bridge this is masters=^= Mike's commbadge chirped. The Ex-Ranger tapped his badge and quickly replied. "Rosenbauer here, go ahead." =^=We have the impulse engines on line along with the SIF and inertial dampers. Transporters will be on line with in a few minutes. The display on your chair should inform you when they come on line.=^= Mike smiled. "Thank you mister masters please continue to bring the ship up to full operational capability. Bridge out." Mike then watched his display and the moment the systems came live he ordered the ship to depart. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante Bridge COPS Lt Tom Jackson Day 8 2105) The speaker's on the bridge crackled with an incoming static encased message. =^= Matrix to Rosenante, please come in. My away team is nearly in place for beam out. Please come in=^= Tom Jackson sat up as if shocked and looked at Lt Dralar for ok to put the call through (reply Dralar) "Lt Matrix this is the Rosenante. What is your location and status?" Tom replied "Finally!" said Matrix. =^= My away team one is at the rally point, team two is on their way now...just minutes and we'll be ready for beam out. Data extraction successful. No causalities. Please advise. =^= said Matrix. "Steve, this is Tom Jackson . We are just now in Transporter range prepare for transport - the cavalry has arrived" Tom added with gladness and relief in his voice Jackson notified the transporter chief and sent him the team coordinates. (reply Matrix) (posted by Bill) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2118) Mike paid close attention as Soma sent an attack plan to helm and the two officers handled the situation without any real need for him to interject. Maybe his training as a Ranger allowed him to understand that this was their area of expertise whereas, most other Starfleet officers may not be able to do so. The shuttles got into range and Some, giving directions to helm managed to drive them off without any loss of life. It was a skill that made Mike glad to have the man at the tactical station. It was a gift that he was greatly in need of as he ordered the Bohrs to move forward into harm's way. The ship rocked a couple of times, from the few successful attacks that the shuttles had managed before they had been forced to withdraw. Once it was clear that they were no longer a threat Soma gave him a report. "Shields holding at sixty five percent, phaser batteries at forty percent charge. Aft shield emitter has been damaged but is still functional. Looks like we're in the clear for now." "Very good work mister Soma. Keep your eyes open in case they come back with friends." Without waiting for a reply Mike then turned his attentions towards O'Neill. The new officer had proven to be a valuable addition to the away team and Mike couldn't help but respect the way the junior officer had held up under the less than ideal situation that he had found himself in. He didn't have to ask the question, since O'Neill seemed to anticipate it before it was vocalized. "Nothing, Sir." "Alright, then let's hope they've returned to the Rosenante then. Just in case keep transmitting and monitoring the channels." Mike replied. "Yes, Sir. I've got a continuous message going now." The Ensign tapped out the commands on his console as Mike turned back towards the Main viewer to consider his next move. "Helm, take us out of the planet's atmosphere. Bring us around to the far said of their satellite and let's get a good look around before we determine if we should head for the Rosenante or not." "Aye sir." The image on the screen was filled with blue sky dominated by the wispy white gossamer threads of clouds. The blue dimmed and the clouds disappeared and were replaced by the sight of the dark backdrop of space, dominated by the planets and the stars surrounding and inclusive of the Irlix system. The Bohr's turned toward the closest of Irlix's two satellites and slid past it so that they would not be observable from the planet. "Looks like the Rosenante is engaged." Mike stated, as he looked down at his command console. "We'll stand by here for a few minutes and determine if we'll be needed to help out. Besides we may yet get a call from Lieutenant Matrix." --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Bohrs- Sickbay -ACMO Ensign Sam Lopez,Day 8,2119) “I guess we made contact” Kimiko stated “Dr Lopez, I need to initiate emergency protocol, I would like you to direct all injured nonessential personal, after their treatment, to their evacuation route and expedite treatment, we may have need for beds.” "I'll get right on it,sir"Sam said as he got right to it.Sam watched as the doctor activated the EMH and had an interesting conversation with the same old holographic response's and actions.You just could not win with the EMH and its i know better attitude. “Did he just sniff at me?” "I think he just did,but don't take notice of it that's how they are,"Sam said and then went back to work. (Reply by Kimiko,any) (posted by shawn) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Bohrs- Bridge -SO, Ensign Mike Rosenbauer, Day 8 - 2248) Once it had become apparent that the Rosenante had dealt with the Irlixian warships and was heading back towards the planet, Mike had ordered the Bohrs to break their position and link up with the ship. The mission scout was small enough to fit inside one of the empty shuttle maintenance bays that the Rosenante possessed, and it had taken several minutes for anything that needed to be moved to make room had been cleared out. The Helmsman had then parked the Bohrs into the maintenance bay and once everything was shut down Mike ordered all the crew to disembark for the Rosenante. He looked back on the bridge one last time, smiled and followed everyone else aboard the Rosenante. Now that he knew that Matrix's team was home he was pleased to be home. (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Irlix, Khoda City- Governmental offices, CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 2300) It had been a long few hours working with the Irlixian leadership to convince them that it would be in their best interests to form a planetary government. In the end Salid was dubious about how much he had actually achieved, but his job wasn't to actually close the deal, it was more to plant a seed of mutual cooperation that the specialists in the diplomatic corps could work with. He had dismissed himself from further discussions, once he had been notified that the Rosenante had returned to orbit and that the away teams had been successful in their mission to recover the Bohrs crew. He had ordered Rhone beamed up and secured in the brig under constant suicide watch. And that had meant that, with Rhone and Remey recovered, he was the last living federation officer remaining on Irlixian soil. Soon, teams of federation diplomats would be arriving on this corrupted world and attempt to right all the wrongs that one power hungry and arguably insane man had caused, but for now, he was glad to be leaving this world behind. With a hesitant smile on his face, he tapped his commbadge and said. "Salid to Rosenante. Once to beam up." A moment later, the transporter beam captured him and brought him home. (reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Lieutenant jg Ben Soma, Ensign sg Sanok, Day 8, 2331) After returning to the Rosenante after the final mission on Irlix, Sanok went directly to sickbay to have his injured wrist treated. He then returned to his quarters to meditate. Now that he was refreshed and in a clean uniform, he was making one last security round before retiring for the day. Things were quieting down, as it was closing in on midnight ship time, but just ahead, he could hear someone trying to open a door. He was in the section where temporary quarters were used, so it was probably one of the crew that was just rescued. Perhaps they needed assistance. Coming around the curve in the corridor, Sanok stopped when he saw the person. "Good evening," said Sanok. "Do you need assistance with anything?" Ben knew the voice was familiar, but was it possible? What were the odds he would wind up on the same ship as his friend? If the locking mechanism on the door hadn't been stubborn, he would have been inside the cabin before the new arrival had noticed him. He almost laughed at the situation. A weight felt as if it were suddenly lifted from his shoulders. Dropping his duffel on the floor, he turned to face the individual who had inquired about offering assistance. He almost forgot he was still holding his father's katana as he turned. "Sanok?" Ben asked, wondering if he were dreaming. The officer turned around to face Sanok and said Sanok's name. It was Ben Soma. There was a long silence between the two men as they stood staring at each other. Ben's face first showed disbelief, then he smiled. On the outside, Sanok showed no emotion. On the inside, things were different. "Hello, Ben. It is most agreeable to see you again." Ben felt like giving his friend a hug, but he knew Vulcans disliked physical contact. A hundred questions rushed through his mind, but there would be time for those later, as hard as it was to believe he had been reunited with Sanok. "It's most agreeable to see you again, too." Ben said with a growing smile. "I'd offer you some tea, but the door to this cabin seems to be malfunctioning." Ben thumbed the button to open the door with his free hand. "Perhaps it is an affect from the battle with the Irlixians," said Sanok, still showing no sign of any emotion on the outward. He stepped forward and used his security code on the stubborn lock. The first try did nothing, but on the second, there was a click as the magnetic lock released, and the door slid open. The two men stood in the corridor again, just looking at each other. For most of Sanok's life, he had chosen to live with his emotions. With the war being so devastating, he had struggled to deal with the suffering and the loss; it had begun to overwhelm and consume. Under the care of a Vulcan counselor, he had taken six months leave after the war and returned home, studying under one of Vulcan's greatest Kolinahr masters. Since then, there had been times where the inner turmoil was a great battle, but through what he had learned, he had always maintained control. Now, seeing Ben again, the old emotional wars were sweeping through him. Sanok and Ben had served together. They had fought side-by-side. They had solved a murder together. They had saved each other's lives. When Sanok was transferred, Ben lay in sickbay in a coma from wounds suffered at the hands of Romulans. Sanok had been part of a strike team that rescued Ben, but they had been too late to prevent his injuries. Everyday, Sanok would sit with Ben and read to him from a story about a Samurai warrior, in the hopes his friend would awaken. Alas, as things often were in Starfleet, Sanok was needed elsewhere and had to leave before Ben regained consciousness. With the anomaly that caused some starship crews to jump forward in time, Sanok did not know if he would ever get to serve with Ben again. It would seem that they were being brought together again after all. With every once of strength and discipline that he had, Sanok maintained his stoic exterior. "What brings you to the Rosenante?" said Sanok. "Were you part of the Bohrs crew that was shot down by the Irlixians?" Ben shook his head before replying. "I was not a member of the Bohrs crew. I was piloting a shuttle," he said as he crossed the room and dumped his duffel in the corner. Crossing back to the table, he placed the katana on its surface and offered his friend a seat as he sat himself. Ben couldn't help but notice that the Vulcan seemed a little more tense then he remembered. No doubt there was an internal battle waging between his emotions and his self control. "I was on leave from the Mithrandir," Ben explained. "After everything that happened to me........" Ben trailed off. He didn't need to explain it to Sanok; his friend had been there through it with him. He'd been battered and beaten more times then he cared to remember. He was almost hung. He'd been abducted twice and had lost everyone who he felt close to. Had his DNA scrambled in some ridiculous experiment and recently managed to avoid an execution. "When I woke on the Mithrandir and learned you were gone, then I couldn't find Marah," he continued. "There's only so much pain and loss a person can deal with. I needed some time to sort things out." Ben sat back and a small smile formed on his face. "Now things are starting to look up. At least we're on the same ship again," Ben said. "Not sure how long it will last, but it does provide a sense of hope." Sanok listened to Ben tell the tale of what had happened to him after Sanok was transferred. He wished he could have been there when his friend was going through the worst of the affects of the Romulan experiment, but the needs of Starfleet, outweighed the needs of the few, or the one. Sanok started to talk, but he had to clear his throat first. His mouth was dry, for some reason. "I wish that I could have been there to help you." That was it. To the point, Vulcan efficiency. Anything else, and he may have lost his control. "Let us hope that we can continue serving together." Ben simply smiled at the response of his friend. "Not sure what will happen to me after everything gets sorted out. I'm not sure what I want to do now," Ben said. He stood again and moved to the replicator and requested two mugs of Vulcan herbal tea. Strangely enough, he had developed a taste for it after Sanok had introduced him to it. Moving back to the table, he sat one mug near the empty chair Sanok had yet to sit in and kept the other as he again sat down. "It is good to see you again, Sanok. I'm not sure if I imagined it or dreamed it," Ben began. "I could have sworn I heard you speaking to me while I was in the coma, like you were reading to me. I think it was what helped to pull me back into the light." Sanok sat in the chair across from Ben and took a sip of tea. It was an uncommon blend, but tasty and soothing, nonetheless. "Yes, I did read to you," said Sanok. "It was a story called, The 47th Samurai. It is good that I was able to help in some way to bring you back. As I have stated in the past, my life would be dull without you getting me into trouble all the time." The tiniest bit of a very small smile appeared for only a second at the corner of Sanok's lips. Ben noticed the hint of a smile forming on his friends lips, but didn't comment on it. Instead, he took a mouthful of his tea and almost laughed at Sanok's reference for Ben's uncanny ability to find trouble. He leaned on the table, a grin on his face. "I get you in trouble?" Ben said, pointing a finger. "That business on Axtis was your idea, if memory serves me correctly." Ben thought back to the events of their so called shore leave; the tournament, Marah, Kavol's murder, and the following accusations. "They almost hanged me." Ben knew he was fighting a losing battle. It was Sanok's idea to go to Axtis, but had he not gotten involved with Marah, the events would have played out differently. They've had this same debate many times in the past, and it always went the same way. It defined their friendship. They had been through some tough scrapes and each one manged to bring them closer together. He was glad he could once again debate the events with his lost friend. Sanok took another sip of tea and thought for a moment before bringing up the next subject he wished to discuss. It would likely bring back some painful memories for Ben. "Have you been able to make contact with Marah? Because of the time anomaly, it has been five years since either of us saw her. Do you know if she is well?" Ben placed a hand to his forehead. He hadn't been able to find anything out about Marah. She had left for Earth before he had been taken by the crew of the Magee. He missed her and it troubled him to no end that he hadn't been able to locate her. Looking back at Sanok, he could feel the hole growing a little bigger, felt the water build, but fought it back. "I haven't been able to contact her. She was supposed to be at my family's residence on Earth," Ben said. "I did contact the caretaker and he said that he hadn't seen anyone fitting Marah's description near the house. I only hope she is well and is still out there somewhere." Sanok could see the sorrow on Ben's face. He wished it hadn't happened, but he had to mention Marah. She was an important part of Ben's life, and because of the time anomaly, from her perspective, Ben had simply disappeared five years ago. She had most likely contacted Starfleet about Ben's whereabouts and been told he and his ship were listed as missing. She would have waited and hoped for his return, but she would have eventually accepted that Ben was gone. She would have grieved, then moved on. In that, though Federation space was large, they still should have been able to find her eventually. It was logical to assume that something had happened to her. "I do not know when, but I promise you this, Ben," said Sanok, his eyes boring into Ben's. "We will find Marah." "Thank you Sanok," Ben said. "I just hope we can find her." A promise from a Vulcan was as good as latinum in the bank. As a rule, Vulcans never lied or exaggerated. If a Vulcan promised you something, you could be sure they would deliver. Ben tried not to think about Marah being dead; he knew it was a possibility, but pushed the thought to the back of his mind and tried his best to keep it there. Someone, somewhere, knew something. He just had to find that someone and see if they were willing to share. "Someone must know something about her. She was headed for Earth. I checked the manifests of the transports for the time she was planning to visit. She was listed and her boarding was conformed, " Ben continued. "She made it to Earth, but then disappeared." "Then that is where we will begin," said Sanok. There was a pause between the friends, then Sanok stood up. "It is late and we both need our rest." He offered his hand and Ben shook it. "I look forward to serving with you again." (reply none) (posted by Bob & Milo) ===================================================================== " Captain's Log, supplemental. Stardate 2413.11.14" We have remained in Irlixian space for the last six days lending aid to the crippled Irlixian ships in the system and also assisting the newly arrived ships of the Diplomatic corps as needed. It seems that the Irlixians are eager to unite under a single planetary government so that they can reap the benefits of more advanced Federation technology. Ios has been elected the head of an international committee that is acting a s temporary provisional planetary government that is attempting to build a new more permanent unified government for the Irlixians. Despite all of Nakamura's attempts to corrupt these people, it seems that his messages of hate fell upon mostly deaf ears. And while there will be growing pains and serious obstacles for the Irlixians to overcome before they are ready to join the interstellar community, It is my sincere belief that they will be able to come together and do so with a resounding effort that will make them a welcomed and accepted member among the various interstellar races. It just goes to show that we are not always as different as things may appear at the outset and that even where there is evil, that good seems always to prevail in the end. "End log." Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------