Compiled by Calvin Capps =================================================================================================== Mission: Into the Gates of Hell Day: 7 Stardate: 2407.01.10 =================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Away team staging - 20/TAC/SC T`Vhor - 06:30) After a particularly restful nights sleep, Lt T`Vhor had arrived at the staging area to be greeted by eight other security officers already sectioned off into two groups to compliment the MCO`s marine squads. Elsewhere in the room, the marines were preparing to suit up having just checked the status of their sensor kit & weaponary, prior to attaching the neural stabiliser devices to their temples. Lt T`Vhor nodded once to the MCO in acknowledgment as he entered the room, then he walked towards his officers where they too were engaging in similar activities. "This will prevent psyche interference yes?", said Conner holding up the small black device to T`Vhor. "It will interface with the synaptic pathways in your brain & prevent illusary involvent", said T`Vhor. Conner merely smiled at the vulcan hybrids choice of words. "I`ll take that as a yes then", he said as he then turned to his men to continue with their mission briefing. "Once we are on the alien vessel, you are to form into your designated teams & follow the gameplan", said Conner. "HA will be on standby in the Trojan if we need them, the known routes are programmed into your HUD`s so keep to the markers & maintain coms checks at five minute intervals", he added as each of the marines responded with nods & sirs. Lt T`Vhor then turned to his own officers. "Ok, our primary goal is to attempt to make contact with the species encountered by team one on the last away mission, the secondary goal is to obtain as much information from the ships computer database using the translation matrix provided from the first log", said T`Vhor. "Remember, we don`t want to be there any longer than we need to be so look sharp & keep your wits about you", said T`Vhor. "Let`s get down to hangerbay two & do this, we have a job to do & people are waiting for us", he said as they quickly filed from the staging area in their EVA suits although at this time minus their helmets. (posted by Alan) (USS Paladin - Hangerbay two - 20/TAC/SC T`Vhor - 06:45) Prepped for launch now & waiting in the hangerbay were two runabouts complete with their assigned away teams. Everyone knew their places, everyone knew what their jobs were & all were eager to get the task done so that they could finally put this strange ship behind them. Lt T`Vhor imediately saw the FO as he walked to the first runabout, he too was suited up & discussing finer details of the mission with Ensign Dunn who was looking decidedly worried. "Lt Cmdr....Ensign", said T`Vhor as he acknowledged each of the men in turn. (Reply Capps, Dunn, Any) "On the contrary sir, I am looking forwards to seeing the vessel first hand", said T`Vhor as each of the men shook their heads in disbelief. (posted by Alan) (USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Commander Rulestaad - 0910) =^=Unknown runabout, you are ordered to heave too immediately and explain your presence.=^= Jenna looked up from her PADD as the pilot quickly tapped buttons and brought the shuttle to a dead stop. They had already been traveling at impulse, running silent. In front of them, a Defiant class ship was bleeding the last of the energy needed to maintain a cloak. She fully solidified before Jenna's eyes. She looked... predatorial. "ID that ship." She said. A moment passed and the pilot said, "She matches your records. The Praetor, Captain Reyenalds." "Hmmm, we're close." Jenna tapped a button on her panel. "Captain Reyenalds, this is the Runabout Daystar enroute to the USS Paladin, Commander Rulestaad speaking. I require an escort to the USS Paladin." =^=Under no circumstances am I going to allow an unknown craft near the Paladin, Daystar.=^= the reply came back immediately. =^=I suggest you turn back immediately or provide a very good reason for your presence.=^= Luckily, Jenna had a trump for this. She took a deep breath and said in her most glacial tone. "Captain, input this into your computer. Jenna Rulestaad, Strategic Operations. I am operating under Stratops order 1204, as given by your last fleet updated. My command code is Zulu five-two-one. Check me." She waited patiently, that order was a Stratops command to give full cooperation. Seconds passed. Finally, the Captain said =^=We do indeed have that general order.=^= He finally admitted. =^=But I'm not convinced you're not a spy. So convince me.=^= "Aww, how sweet." She said in a sickly-sweet tone. It hardened immediately. "If you don't let me pass, or escort me to the Paladin... the result will not be pretty. My orders come directly from Captain Richard Lee, Stratops Commander of the 52nd. My Orders request and require me to get on board the Paladin and confer with her Captain. Now, if you try to stop me here, I'll have your chair, your command AND your balls... and I will do so with a smile on my face. The Court Martial that comes later will be nothing but a sweet dream once I'm done ripping you apart." She paused for a moment, "Now get the HELL out of my way Captain, I'll only say it once." Long moments passed, Jenna let them go without issue. Finally, he said =^=Runabout Daystar, you are cleared to pass, coordinates are being fed to your computer. Be aware, you'll be escorted in by the USS Ulysses. If anything is amiss...=^= he didn't have to say that a Prometheus class vessel could easily engage a runabout. Hell, a Prometheus could eat 200 runabouts and still be hungry. "Very well, instructions received." Jenna cut the communication. "Get us out of here." She said in a no-nonsense tone. (posted by Trout) (USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Commander Rulestaad - 0945) "Sir, we're coming up on the Paladin." "Very well, drop out of warp and get us clearance." "Aye sir..." the runabout dropped out of warp with her escort right behind. The pilot immediately opened communications, "USS Paladin, this is the USS Daystar, requesting permission to dock with crew replacements aboard." (posted by Trout) (USS Daystar - Runabout Operations - Lt Kerge - 09:45) "Sir, we're coming up on the Paladin.", said the runabouts Pilot. Lt Kerge stirred from the bunk he had been resting on for a good part of the journey there at the pilots words. ~About time~ The 'by the book' Strat Ops was of course on it the minute it had been announced. "Very well, drop out of warp and get us clearance.", she had said at which point Kerge sat upright & straightened out the heavy cerimonial sash he wore across his chest. Women in command positions had never sat well with him to say the least & he had stated the fact to the strat ops on more than one occasion. Regardless of this however, it appeared that they had a mutual respect for one another & basically tolerated each others almost fierce independence. Truth be known though Kerge admired her spirit, he considered it to be one of her more, `redeeming` qualities. Indeed it had actually been Commander Rulestaad that had requested his presence on the journey, a testament it would seem to her trust in him to get things done. This was not a new scenario to the lieutenant of course, he had worked on a number of starfleet vessels already & although he was used to working in the SC position by himself, he was now going to be working alongside the Paladin`s current chief for a short while until he was transfered. It was all up in air, at least that was his opinion anyway..... Kerge took a deep breath & then he raised his arms high in the air to stretch his muscles before standing & walking to the ops station to gaze out at the Paladins impending side profile as it loomed into view. "Chop'a'", said the big Klingon as he turned to the Strat ops & smiled. (Reply Rulestaad, IYW) Kerge laughed at her responce & walked slowly back to the rear compartment where he sat once again prior to removing his D`k Tahg from it`s scabbard in order to check the smoothness of operation of the secondary blades. It had been a long journey, all they had to do now though was await clearance to dock. (posted by Alan) =================================================================================================== END OF COMPILE I hope you enjoyed!