=================== =================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 1 Stardate: 2408.12.03 =================== =================== (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort - Lt.(jg) Denise Lebransk & SPCs Cy Tudor & Sec.O. Parrr'Z - 1638) "Should we go rescue a certain Caitian from himself?" Denise's words drew Cy's attention from Parrr'Z to her. He put one forefinger against his lower jaw and raised his eyes upwards in thought. ~ Well now, let me seee. Do *I* want to go over *there* and talk to an angry cat man with sharp teeth and even sharper claws; one who could eviscerate me and leave me bowel-less and bleeding on the deck with one almighty slash of said claws? Tough decision, *not*! ~ He glanced back at Parrr'Z who looked like he was scowling if cat faces could scowl. His brow was most certainly lowered, narrowing his eyes to glowing slits; fortunately he appeared not to be aware of the puny human man who was scrutinizing him from across the room. Cy gulped audibly as visions of his own mangled, shredded corpse flashed into his mind, after all, the cat man had looked like he wanted to tear something apart when he'd slammed into the bar after Shadow left him in the lurch and he didn't look much different now. ~ Poor @#$! ~ "Ummm....What exactly do you have in mind, girlfriend?" "Well, I'm thinking Shadow is a friend. I'm also thinking the Captain would be pissed if one of her crew started a barroom brawl. I think she'd also be extra pissed if she knew we were here and we could have prevented it." "Mmmhmmm. Good point. So the true question is...Do I want to die at the paws of the cat man, or at the hands of the Captain?" Cy sighed heavily, there really was no choice. He stood up, drink in hand, "at least my death will be quicker by Caitian! Let's go...you first!" Denise gave a one armed shrug, grinned to her friend, and picked up her rum to head across the room to Parrr'Z's table. As they drew closer to Parrr'Z and Cy could see his face, it looked to the young man that if anything, the Caitian looked even more frightening up close. There was no doubt about it. The cat man was decidedly angry, even the air around him bristled with it. "'Scuse me," Denise said to Parrr'Z who frighteningly didn't have much of a look up to her from his seated position. "My friend and I were wondering if we could sit with you. We're not feeling terrible secure on our own." The story had the benefit of being the truth. If the sheep did float to the fan, she wanted a nice big, strong, security officer like Parrr'Z to hide behind. She was okay at hand-to-hand, but she'd rather hide under a table. Cy smiled, genuinely. Trust his girlfriend to come up with a good excuse to sit with the cat man, well it certainly had the ring of truth to it. ~ Good thinking, wonder woman! ~ Parrr'Z glared at them, he really didn't want company, he just wanted to be left alone so he could think but then his training kicked in, he was after all a security officer and he knew that these two were part of his crew. It was his duty whether off duty or on duty, to ensure the safety of his crewmates and the ship. "Sssit then." He growled at them, "but be warrned I am in no mood forrrr pleassant converssattion." "That's okay, Cy and I could carry on conversation in a windstorm," Denise said, "I'm Denise Lebranski this is Cy Tudor." "I believe I have sseen you in QV on ssseverral occasssions." Parr replied looking directly at Cy, who felt like slithering downwards from the chair he'd just sat on, to pool like melted butter under the table. "But I did not know yourrr name." Parr concluded, then looked at Denise and twitched his whiskers. "I know who you arrre. My name isss Parrr'Z and I would ssay I am pleassed to meet you, but rrright now I could carre lesss." The Caitian finished his part of the introduction and punctuated it with a massive swig from the large tankard in his paw. "So how long do we have to stay before we can claim we're brave and tough and scurry out of here to a safer part of the station, do you think?" Denise asked Cy. She wasn't really good at subtle, she hoped she could lure Parrr'Z into a 'Ha! I knew it wasn't safe!' conversation. Of course, chances were, her bestest friend would be much better at this than her, he talked to people for a living and loved it. A rumbling growl erupted from Parrr'Z, at least one female could tell the place wasn't safe, why couldn't Shadow? Cy flinched and every hair on his body seemed to stand to attention, it was a very strange feeling. He looked around. He noticed some averted looks and still felt like all eyes were on them. "I think we're still pretty interesting to this lot. My goodness I'd hate to be female *and* alone in here. That would just be asking for trouble." He looked at the big Caitian and smiled. "Don't you think so, Mister Parrr'Z?" With a loud snort, Parrr'Z nodded. "You have morrre ssenssse than sssome people I know." Denise raised an eyebrow, "Which people would that be?" "I speak of my girrlfrriend, orrr morre than likely my ex-girrlfrriend, the lovely Lady Ssshadow." "Well, I think, if I grew up on a planet were you could get eaten by giant reptiles with big teeth just getting breakfast and had knives on the end of my hands, I'd feel pretty secure." Denise swirled the rum in her glass, "Of course, has Shadow been in many bars?" She was mostly thinking out loud. "hmmph, harrrdly knives, herrr clawss arre much smallerr than mine, and even herrr clawss would be an ill match againsst a phaserrr orrr a drrug." Parrr'Z thought Denise was talking out of her tail but he held his tongue and listened with one ear as she continued talking, wishing she would just go away and take her friend with her and let him drink himself silly. "Having grown up in New Orleans, I'd think I could handle anything anyone could throw at me," she rolled her eyes at her own folly of youth, "But we're all immortal when we're teenagers, aren't we?" "Lady Sshadow thinks ssshe *iss* apparrently, and misstakess my wanting to keep herrr ssafe as trreating herrr like a child." Parr looked at Cy. "Arrre all femaless ssso ssstrange?" Cy almost laughed, "Oh yes, that's why I much prefer my girlfriends to be males." "Hmmph!" Parr turned his attention to Denise. "As a female, would you not want to be prrotected by yourrr mate, orr arrre you also 'merry'?" Denise laughed, "His mates are male, his girlfriends are girls.. unless Cy needs to tell me something about me?" "If the cap fits!" Cy replied, batting his long, lush black eyelashes at her. ~ God knows she's got more ^&**@ than most men I know. ~ "But to answer your question.. I don't think I'd mind a man who has my back, who wants to help, but I think one who tried to prevent me from doing things by force would get a fork stuck in his hand." She frowned and then shrugged, "But I am NOT the world's most reasonable woman!" Cy laughed aloud this time. "Now *that* has got to be the biggest understatement ever!!" Parrr'Z made a hissing noise of derision, "I am prrretty ccerrtain that femaless in generral, frrom my experriencce, arre all unrreassonable." He looked at Cy and tilted his big head to one side, his ears swiveled forward towards the young man. "What do you think? Wasss I wrrrong to trrry to protect my girrrl?" Cy almost spat out the sip of rum he'd just taken. He blinked owlishly at the huge Caitian who seemed to grow with every sip of rum he took. He swallowed the raw liquor and coughed politely into the crook of his elbow before answering. "Well of course not! It's in your nature to want to protect those you care for. I'd be the same way; but it does seem to me that you and Shadow need to learn more about each other, after all you haven't been together very long." "The Merry Man is right," Denise agreed, "Communication that's done not at the top of your lungs is probably helpful." She tilted her head to one side to study the felinoid, "But I have to say, well done, I've never heard Shadow talk in anything but a whisper before! You've drawn her out of her shell some!" The Caitian almost laughed at that. The woman was right, he hadn't thought of it in that way but that *was* the loudest he'd heard Shadow *ever*. "Then perhapsss it wass a good thing that sshe wasss angry with me. Perhaps now sshe will continue to be morrre asssertive in the future." He drained his tankard and licked the foam off his whiskers. "Do you wish for more drinks or sshall I esscort you frrom the prremissess?" Denise was distracted for a moment, entertaining thoughts about a boyfriend with a tongue that wide and flexible, while Cy had been staring with fascination and wondering if Caitians' tongues were as raspy as terran cats. "Huh?" She blinked, "OH! Yes please, probably more than time for me and Cy to find trouble we can get ourselves out of again!" With a huge yawn that exposed all his teeth, canines prominent, Parrr'Z put his tankard on the table and stood up. He thought he might just go back to his quarters and try to have a cat nap. Perhaps what these two humans had suggested might not be a bad idea, to learn more about her...that is if his Lady Shadow let him anywhere near her. "Verrry well, let'sss go then." Without waiting for the other he paced towards the door, glowering at every one who happened to look at him; the others were quick to follow. (reply none) (posted by Lorna and Sal) ==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 2 Stardate: 2408.12.04 ==================== ==================== (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - CCOUNS/CDR Jerome ManyHorses - Day 2 - 1355) Susan smiled when Jerome had finished asking her about their future sojourn to the station and for her to have dinner with him as well but she told him she couldn't tonight due to Lieutenant Trei undergoing the Rite of Ascension and that he'd invited her to attend. "....I believe there will be a celebration afterwards in QV too - how about tomorrow afternoon? We could take a look around the station and finish up with a meal in the early evening, if that would suit you?" "Of course." Jerome nodded and smiled in agreement, "that will be perfect, shall I pick you up at your quarters? Say around 1800 hours?" "That sounds fine," Susan agreed. "I'll arrange for childcare to send a babysitter for the children. Thank you, Jerome. I'll look forward to it!" Jerome was thrilled, and knew that the time between now and the appointed hour would drag mercilessly he was looking forward to having her all to himself so much. He reached for one of her hands, taking it gently in his big one and raised it to his lips to kiss lightly. "I will count the hours until then, Susan. Thank you." (reply Susan iyw) He was reluctant to leave her but duty called, there was still a lot of personnel files to go through. He sighed softly. "Well, I guess I had better get back to work. By your leave?" (reply Susan) Unfurling from the seat he tugged on his tunic and giving Susan one last smile, turned and walked out the door with a marked spring in his step. He was feeling happier than he had for a long time. (Reply Rivers, any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign Hawkeye Dolphine-1552) =/\=Rivers to Dolphine. What is so urgent, Doctor?=/\= "Nothing of an urgent matter Captain, I simply would like you to join me in sickbay. I received a message today from starfleet medical that I need your assistance with whenever you are available ma'am." ( Reply rivers) (posted by Ben) ********** (USS Boudicca - Ready Room -CO Captain Susan Rivers - 1553) =/\= Nothing of an urgent matter Captain, I simply would like you to join me in sickbay. I received a message today from starfleet medical that I need your assistance with whenever you are available ma'am.=/\= Susan frowned. That hardly sounded like it warranted a summons to Sickbay. "Then if it is not urgent, Doctor, I would prefer you to come to my Ready Room. At your convenience, of course. I am rather busy myself. Rivers out." (reply Hawkeye, Any) (Posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign Hawkeye Dolphine- 1556) Bob Lorimar had walked into sickbay and directed by the duty nurse into the office where Hawkeye was still looking at the computer screen. Hawkeye looked up upon hearing him enter the room. "Sir thank you for coming down. I have a few things I would like to discuss with you if you have the time. Please take a seat." (Reply Lorimar) After the 2O sat down Hawkeye began to explain. " Sir the reason I asked you to come down here is two fold. I received a message from a friend of mine at Starfleet Medical. They want me to put together a program for a new surgical procedure to be taught at both Starfleet Medical and I wanted to know if you or your department would be able to assist in creating a Hologram that can be utilized for the instruction and demonstration of the procedure. I can put together a course that would need to be programmed in to the interactive subroutines. This would allow for a question and answer period from the students." (Reply Lorimar) " The other reason I asked you here sir is I was approached by the same individual who informed me that he was informed by his colleague that he had run into a member of the Mithglin contingent who informed him of the compound we created to areosolize the antiviral agent. Offically, Starfleet Medical has no knowledge of our assistance with the Mithglin and their plight of the Dentarians, However I was asked to write a paper for the medical journal about the effects of the gas and its components. Seeing as how this was a joint project between all departments, I wanted to ask you to participate in this paper. I was hoping you and your department could compose a paper on the gas and its deployment methods." (Reply Lorrimar) (Posted by Ben) ********** (USS Boudicca- Sickbay- CEO Lorimar - 1558) The duty nurse had indicated where Doctor Dolphine could be found – an office off of Sickbay proper – so Bob made his way over and knocked politely at the door. The doctor looked up from where he appeared to be studying something on a computer screen. "Sir thank you for coming down. I have a few things I would like to discuss with you if you have the time. Please take a seat." Lorimar nodded and took a seat opposite the desk, whereupon Dolphine spoke again at length. “Sir the reason I asked you to come down here is two fold. I received a message from a friend of mine at Starfleet Medical. They want me to put together a program for a new surgical procedure to be taught at both Starfleet Medical and I wanted to know if you or your department would be able to assist in creating a Hologram that can be utilized for the instruction and demonstration of the procedure. I can put together a course that would need to be programmed in to the interactive subroutines. This would allow for a question and answer period from the students." Lorimar smiled at Dolphine. “Engineering personnel are at your reasonable disposal Doctor, always. Anything that doesnae interfere with their normal duties is fine, of course. As far as programming goes, that isnae a particular specialty of mine, but ah’m certain we have the talent available in the department. (Reply Dolphine iyw, room for more) The doctor went on to explain his other reason for calling Lorimar. The very mention of the Mithgiln gave him the start of a headache, as he recalled the spirited debate in the Observation Lounge during that mission. Nevertheless, the doctor had his full attention. Bob was no detective, but both inductive and deductive reasoning were the stock-in-trade of any good engineer. Some elements of the doctor’s story set off a warning in his mind immediately. ~How does that go again? The chances of keeping a secret are inversely proportional tae the number of people trying tae keep it? Clearly someone told a tale out of school..~ He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, shutting his eyes for a second as he did so. When he opened them, he folded his hands in his lap and gazed squarely at Dolphine. “In view of the fact that our mission was a first contact with the Mithgiln, ah’d be interested in exactly how that ‘individual’ came across that information, Doctor.” He paused and held up his hand briefly. “On second thought, ah dinnae want tae know – though its quite possible that the Captain might.” ~Truthfully, ah dinnae ken what the Captain reported tae Starfleet, and what she didnae. But ah’ll hold that in abeyance for the moment~ “As tae the rest of it… ah have nae problem with engineering assisting with any technical journal production requested or required of course. However, in all fairness ah had very little tae do with the whole thing… so ah’d ask that ye consult with Ensign Gesar, as he handled all the heavy lifting for the project, fair enough?” (Reply Dolphine, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market – ACMO/ACSO Ensign Candle - Day 2 – 1620) "Why don't you go and look at what you wanted too, while I stop here for a bit." She suggested, "we can meet at the door say in ten minutes?" Basil was busy looking at the retreating figure of the Captain to truly hear what she said. He waved acknowledgement and continued into the crowd. (posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market – ACMO/ACSO Ensign Candle - Day 2 – 1631) “Are you a cat person?” asked a voice “Ahhhhh no, but there is one on board” replied Basil absently “Do you like them?” came the voice again. “Well I only saw the person once and well it wasn’t the time for conversation though I did wonder whether they still licked themselves clean” “No .. do you want a cat for a pet?” insisted the voice. Basil turned for the first time to address the voice face to face. The voice emanated from a flat headed large eared humanoid alien with tufts of white hair peaking from the sides. Basil had been watching the back of Captain Hexe near to the alien’s stall, not wanting to make the Captain aware that he was being observed. As Candle was following the Captain, who was following the Ferengi, he had decided, as he was not the best person for surveillance to keep a long distance between him and Hexe. They had not gone too far when the Captain had stopped moving so Basil took up his vantage point. Looking now at the alien that had addressed him, Basil also noticed the cats that were on sale, something perked his interest, “Your selling cats am I right? Basil asked “Yes” replied the seller “Then why are they purple?” There was a brief pause as the man considered his response “Bred especially” “With purple fur?” The alien nodded his flat head; his white tufts of hair shook with the motion, “And the long snouts?” “ummm … weellll…. Okay they’re not cats but please, sir, just take them off my hands. I cannot cope”, the man’s voice dropped to pleading The bundles of snouted purple fur soon produced large innocent eyes. Basil looked down and couldn’t help but crouch down to stroke one of them. The sudden flurry for his outstretched fingers made him jerk back, foot shooting behind him for support. He moved up abruptly bumping into people who were walking behind him. He turned, apologising, the words tumbling out until the first syllable of sorry stopped falling as he spotted something strange quickly hidden under the folds of a robe, a weapon of some kind. It took Basil a few seconds to digest this but by then the robed figure had pushed his way through the crowd, aiming for Captain Hexe. Hexe was not aware of this threat and quickly Basil made a decision. Pushing as quick as he can through the tight throng of alien and human he soon reached the robed figure just as, Basil could now see, the person was reaching back into the folds for something. “Hexe look out!” Basil shouted as he grabbed the threatening figure on the right shoulder. A hand immediately whipped out and held Basil’s arm, just above where his hand was on the shoulder. Swiftly the figure moved into Candle’s body slamming him hard in the belly. The force of the blow was strong and breath from Candle’s lungs burst from his mouth following the word’s he had shouted. The station room changed its direction as heads of the crowd around him seem to be floating near to the floor. With the second body blow in succession Basil realised it was him that had changed as he had been thrown from where he was into objects that were soft and edged, mainly edged. Briefly the world went dark but not silent. Sounds of phaser fire erupted then an almighty eruption of sound as the assembled crowd of traders and buyers simultaneously started running, pandemonium followed. (Reply Dr Jahlen, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - SPC a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1634) For the umpteenth time, Jahlen stood on her tiptoes and craned her neck to see if she could spot Basil on his way to meet her. He was late! ~ He should have been her five minutes ago, he must be engrossed with something to have forgotten the time. I'll give him a few minutes more... What the??? ~ She could hear the unmistakable sounds of phaser fire in the distance and then the assembled traders and buyers simultaneously started running towards the exit, towards *her*, shouting and screaming as they charged at her like a stampeding herd of crazed steers. "Great Cosmos!!" Jahlen yelled in alarm and threw herself bodily out of the away as the stampede crashed through the doors where she had only just been standing. Surely she would have been crushed underfoot in the melee. She rolled and continued to roll until she found herself beside one of the closest stalls while the herd surged out of the market, clawing and fighting their way through until the last person had disappeared. The noise of the panicked crowd continued for a while until even that too finally disappeared. Now there was an unbelievable silence that was almost loud to her ears. Slowly she rose to her feet and dusted off her clothing as she began to walk warily towards where the phaser fire had been, be careful to walk silently, crouched and keeping close to the line of vendors' stalls so that she could dive behind or under one if she had too. She hadn't seen Basil, but she supposed he could have been among the herd of people fleeing, yet some how she didn't think he would, after all he was star fleet. ~ We just don't run away from trouble if we can help. ~ Before long, Jahlen found Basil stretched out on the deck and hurried over to see if he was injured. Not far away from where he lay she could see another body, but she could tell from where she crouched beside Basil, that there was no hope for that person, half his head was completely blasted away. (Reply Candle, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - ACSMO Basil Candle- Day 2 - 1638) The first face Basil saw was Dr Jahlen's flooding his with relief. As the doctor helped him up he almost fell back down as pain burst across his chest. "Arrrrrrrgh!" he grimaced. (Reply Dr) After the pain subsided he managed to look around, seeing the emptiness of the market emphasing the body sprawled nearby. Despite the mess of the figure's head he could see that it once was a Ferengi. Captain Kaldor Hexe suddenly returned through one of the doors, face flushed. He looked down at the body absently swearing to the empty air. Sounds of running feet began to echo back from where the captain had come from, "Your meddlings going to cause me a large headache. I'll talk to you two later but for now make a decision. You staying or you gonna get before the station's guards shove in their noses?" (Reply Dr Jahlen, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1639) As Jahlen attempted to help Basil up he almost fell back down again, his face grimacing with pain. "Arrrrrrrgh!" he groaned loudly and Jahlen lay him back down again. "Where does it hurt?" Jahlen asked him, mentaly cursing herself for leaving her medical tricorder on the ship. ~ Still you weren't planning of having to use it! ~ (reply Basil rfm) After a little while, somebody with a flushed face came through one of the doors. When he saw the dead body he started swearing. The sound of running feet could be heard in the distance, behind the door the man had come through. "Your meddling's going to cause me a large headache." He said, sounding quite annoyed. Jahlen wondered why he was angry with Basil. "I'll talk to you two later but for now make a decision. You staying or you gonna get before the station's guards shove in their noses?" ~ You two?? He means me too? ~ Her eyebrows raised in disbelief and surprise. "Why would we want to be gone, we have nothing to run away for? Stop talking rot!" She told the guy testily as she helped Basil to his feet. (Reply Hexe, Basil, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - ACSMO Basil Candle- Day 2 - 1641) "Where does it hurt?" Jahlen asked him. “My chest, my ribs mainly” Basil said through gritted teeth Basil heard Hexe accuse him of meddling and bit back a reply. Hexe then asked whether they were staying or going. “Stop talking rot!" exclaimed Dr Jahlen Hexe shrugged at the sharp response but Basil was sure he saw a little smirk. Emerging through the doors was a couple of station guards, Hexe approached them, removing something from his jacket pocket which he showed the first one to enter. This guard looked at, what seemed like identification or pass of some kind, and nodded. Basil saw Hexe take the guard aside as the other guard, approaching the body, warily kept an eye on him and the doctor. Hexe was obviously explaining something quietly to the guard, with frequent gestures to the body and Basil. The guard did a final nod then left Hexe and walked to where Basil was resting. “Excuse me, maam, is he well enough to answer some questions and can you spare some time too?” (Reply Doctor, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1642) Basil told Jahlen that his chest and ribs hurt mainly, and after some gentle prodding with her fingers she could tell that nothing was broken. "Just a cracked rib and some bad bruising, nothing too serious. I'm sorry I didn't bring my medical tools with me so you will have to wait until we get back to the ship." She informed him, giving him a pat or two of sympathy. "You'll be fine." Somebody with a flushed face came through one of the doors. When he saw the dead body he started swearing. The sound of running feet could be heard in the distance, behind the door the man had come through. "Your meddling's going to cause me a large headache." He said, sounding quite annoyed. Jahlen wondered why he was angry with Basil, so she was quite taken aback when he included her in his next comment, saying he'd talk to them later and asking them if they were staying of going before station security arrived. "Why would we want to be gone," she exclaimed, "we have nothing to run away for? Stop talking rot!" She told the guy testily as she helped Basil to his feet. The man shrugged at her retort, making Jahlen even more annoyed. ~ Who does this fellow think he is? ~ She was about to ask when a couple of station guards entered. The obnoxious man approached them, removing something from his jacket pocket which he showed the first one to enter. The guard looked at it and nodded and then the man took the guard aside as the second guard came to inspect the body. Whatever it was the man was saying to the first guard, with frequent gestures towards the dead body and Basil, Jahlen couldn't hear but she didn't like the way he was indicating Basil; she was getting a bad feeling about the man and suspected he was trying to implicate Basil in the killing of the Ferengi. "What's going on?" Jahlen whispered to Basil, "why does he keep gesturing towards you? Who the heck is he?" (reply Basil) The guard did a final nod then left Hexe and walked to Basil and Jahlen. “Excuse me, ma'am, is he well enough to answer some questions and can you spare some time too?” "I'm afraid he really should be transported back to our ship to Sickbay. I'm a doctor on the USS Boudicca. I can stay and answer some questions, though there isn't a lot I can tell you, but I really think he should be beamed back and treated right away. He can give you a statement when he's fixed up." (Reply Basil, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 2 - 1644) "What's going on?" Jahlen whispered to Basil, "why does he keep gesturing towards you? Who the heck is he?" "He is a Captain of a ship that bought me here but something is different" Dr Jahlen spoke to the guard that came over to ask the question, "I'm afraid he really should be transported back to our ship to Sickbay. I'm a doctor on the USS Boudicca. I can stay and answer some questions, though there isn't a lot I can tell you, but I really think he should be beamed back and treated right away. He can give you a statement when he's fixed up." "Fine," replied the guard, "we'll be requesting eyewitness statements from you later" Dr Jahlen hit her comm asking for transport straight to sickbay. The brief shift in view from the one in the rat market to sickbay occurred quickly to Basil's senses. He was ushered to a bed then Dr Jhalen began her business of tending his wounds. He was feeling sheepish, the trip to the station had gone haywire quickly and from the looks of things Captain Hexe was involved somehow. "I'm sorry about ..." he couldn't finish, again sheepishness about the events took over (Reply Dr Jahlen, any) "The Captain, Hexe, he said when he was giving me a lift that he was coming here for job opportunites, he obviously found one" (Reply Dr Jahlen, any) Basil had been musing whether he should ask this, mentally he shrugged, "Should this be mentioned to the Captain?" (Reply Dr Jahlen, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Laatstekans Station – Rat Market - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1645) According to Basil the man was the Captain of the ship that bought him to the Station, but something was different. Jahlen would have liked to ask what he meant, but one of the guards over to ask if Basil could answer questions to which Jahlen replied in not so many words, no. She said he should go to sickbay on their ship and answer questions later. "Fine," replied the guard, "we'll be requesting eyewitness statements from you later" (posted by Sal) ******* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1646) Dr Jahlen hit her comm asking for transport straight to sickbay and they were immediately beamed to Sickbay where Jahlen ushered him to a biobed. Once she'd sonic washed her hands and gathered her tricorder, bone-knitter and a dermal regenerator, she began treating him. "I'm sorry about ..." he couldn't finish his sentence for some reason. Jahlen thought perhaps he was feeling responsible for cutting short there trip to the station. "Oh it's just fine, Basil, don't you worry. We can always go again another day." She told him, smiling reassuringly as the tricorder buzzed over his body, its diagnosis confirming her manual one earlier. "The Captain, Hexe, he said when he was giving me a lift that he was coming here for job opportunites, he obviously found one." Jahlen blinked at him in obvious confusion. "What do you mean? What job would that be?" (Reply Basil, any) The bone-knitter was soon busily fixing his cracked ribs. "Should this be mentioned to the Captain?" Basil asked. Looking up, Jahlen looked into his eyes, "I think if you have to ask that you already know the answer." She stated and then continued with his treatment. (Reply Basil, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay- ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 2 - 1648) "What do you mean? What job would that be?" “I don’t know, Hexe used to be a Federation marine but when I questioned him on the journey here he was tight mouthed” ~Not that he was too talkative to begin with~ though Basil The bone-knitter motored away fixing his cracked ribs, pain easing as it did so, but that could have been a mild sedative the doctor had administered. After asking whether he should mention this to the Captain, Dr Jahlen replied looking right at him, "I think if you have to ask that you already know the answer." Basil nodded and let the doctor carry on. (posted by Warren) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters – CEO Lorimar - 1739) Denise rolled to her feet with a smile, "Happy to know where I stand." She pulled him to his feet, and he offered no resistance to her effort. ”And I'm thinking you also have a date with a Klingon this evening, so I better take what time I can get in the busy Lorimar schedule," she teased leading towards what passed as her kitchenette. “*Date* with a Klingon?” he sampled the taste of her phrasing, decided he liked it and smiled broadly. “Ye make it sound like a tawdry wee rendezvous in some dark corner pub!” he chuckled lightly with genuine amusement. “For the record, Madame… ah was invited, as were we all, if ah’m nae mistaken. Klingon honor being what it is, it would be quite impolite for me not tae show up, ah’d say. Aside from that he is a friend, fellow officer and a good lad… ah’d hate tae refuse the kindness. ‘Tis an honor tae be invited ye know.” "Mmm.. I was invited along with all senior crew, but having insulted his house I somehow don't think he'd want me there. He accepted my formal apology in Klingon style with a threat to me, my family and everyone who ever met me." She shrugged, "I figure the best way to keep ship's peace is just to stay out of his way." He shrugged lightly as he replied, “Well ‘tis your decision of course… but are ye sure ye don’t wish tae reconsider? Ye’ve made yer peace wie him, as ye said… it might well be seen as an insult tae his honor if ye don’t show. Of course, ah’m hardly an expert on honor – Klingon version or otherwise – just a thought is all. Aside from that, ye don’t strike me as the type tae duck a challenge… even an implied one.” He grinned broadly at her wondering what she would say to *that*. (Reply Lebranski) She opened the cupboards under the serving counter to pull out a coffee grinder, beans and a coffee maker. "What can I get for you?" she asked. “The possibilities boggle the mind,“ he replied with a wink to rob any offense from his words. “Mah original intention was tae take ye to dinner, perhaps on the station. Ah’ve only seen it from the outside so far… ah’d like tae see the rest sometime before we leave.” He paused to run two fingers through his beard thoughtfully. He rolled his eyes theatrically as though making a difficult decision. “Perhaps coffee for now, since ye already have the equipment out. If its nae too late for ye we could still have dinner after his ceremony? Ah’ve been to one before, and they are not terribly long.” (Reply Lebranski) (Posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1740) He shrugged lightly as he replied, "Well 'tis your decision of course. but are ye sure ye don't wish tae reconsider? Ye've made yer peace wie him, as ye said. it might well be seen as an insult tae his honor if ye don't show. Of course, ah'm hardly an expert on honor - Klingon version or otherwise - just a thought is all. Aside from that, ye don't strike me as the type tae duck a challenge. even an implied one." He grinned broadly at her wondering what she would say to *that*. "*I* made my peace, our Chief of Security would rather make pieces.. of protocol officer," Denise shuddered dramatically. (Reply Lorimar) "I'm treating it as one of my Dad's clam bakes.. better to not attend when not specifically invited than to ditch if you were. He'd sick my mother on you in the latter case, and I'd rather deal with an angry Klingon with a pain stick!" (Reply Lorimar) She opened the cupboards under the serving counter to pull out a coffee grinder, beans and a coffee maker. "What can I get for you?" she asked. "The possibilities boggle the mind," he replied with a wink to rob any offense from his words. "Mah original intention was tae take ye to dinner, perhaps on the station. Ah've only seen it from the outside so far. ah'd like tae see the rest sometime before we leave." He paused to run two fingers through his beard thoughtfully. He rolled his eyes theatrically as though making a difficult decision. "Perhaps coffee for now, since ye already have the equipment out. If its nae too late for ye we could still have dinner after his ceremony? Ah've been to one before, and they are not terribly long." Denise grinned, "Oh, I know a few places to eat, a bar to get into trouble in, or one of the holosuites to borrow. If you're a good boy, maybe I'll take you noodling," she teased wickedly as she prepared the coffee. (Reply Lorimar) "Noodling is where you take a long, flexible stick, and dive under the river waters and poke it in a hole where a catfish resides. If all goes well, the fish attacks the stick and you grab the fish and resurface," Her eyes were dancing, "The pro's use their hands instead of sticks, but I'm much too much of a wuss for that. Might chip my nail polish!" (Reply Lorimar) She handed over the coffee, making a note to figure out how he preferred his beverages. Chief Bob, as Shadow called him, didn't seem much for sharing personal information even under direct question! "Anyway, you go torture a Klingon into manhood, I'll figure out something to wear that doesn't have splotches of paint on it and I'll meet you at the umbyllical?" (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Officer’s Quarters – CEO Lorimar – 1742) "*I* made my peace, our Chief of Security would rather make pieces.. of protocol officer," Denise shuddered dramatically. “Perhaps he fancies ye,” Bob replied with a mock dramatic look. (Reply Lebranski iyw) "I'm treating it as one of my Dad's clam bakes.. better to not attend when not specifically invited than to ditch if you were. He'd sick my mother on you in the latter case, and I'd rather deal with an angry Klingon with a pain stick!" “Well… ah was going tae ask if ye wanted tae take mah place… I think ah’ll be standing in for on of the holographic warriors. Ye may never get another chance tae jab Detron wie a painstick,” he teased. He considered her other statement and continued. “Are ye telling me ah should be in fear of your Mother? Is she as formidable a force as you are?” (Reply Lebranski iyw) He watched as she removed coffee making necessities from her kitchen, then suggested that they might get dinner together after Trei’s ceremony. Denise grinned, "Oh, I know a few places to eat, a bar to get into trouble in, or one of the holosuites to borrow. If you're a good boy, maybe I'll take you noodling," she teased wickedly as she prepared the coffee. ~Noodling? What in the world?~ She seemed to read his mind… or more likely just anticipated his confused curiosity. "Noodling is where you take a long, flexible stick, and dive under the river waters and poke it in a hole where a catfish resides. If all goes well, the fish attacks the stick and you grab the fish and resurface," Her eyes were dancing, "The pro's use their hands instead of sticks, but I'm much too much of a wuss for that. Might chip my nail polish!" “Sounds positively barbaric!” he laughed heartily. “But since ah’m a barbarian at heart… it rather appeals to me. Ah am fairly good with mah hands after all.” She handed over the steaming mug of coffee, and he nodded and smiled in thanks. His eyes glinted with amusement in the light. "Anyway, you go torture a Klingon into manhood, I'll figure out something to wear that doesn't have splotches of paint on it and I'll meet you at the umbyllical?" “Sounds fine indeed. It’s not torture… though ah hae trouble understanding pain for pain’s sake… they wear it as a badge of honor, really. Ever watch any Klingon opera? It’s a fair insight into some of their ideas… ye might try it sometime. My Klingonaase is pretty rusty, but ah could translate some for ye if ye wish. As for meeting ye, ah’ll call and let you know if the ceremony runs long for any reason, alright?” (Reply Lebranski) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 1744) "*I* made my peace, our Chief of Security would rather make pieces.. of protocol officer," Denise shuddered dramatically. "Perhaps he fancies ye," Bob replied with a mock dramatic look. Denise gave a mock shudder before carrying on without acknowledging that comment directly, "I'm treating it as one of my Dad's clam bakes.. better to not attend when not specifically invited than to ditch if you were. He'd sick my mother on you in the latter case, and I'd rather deal with an angry Klingon with a pain stick!" "Well. ah was going tae ask if ye wanted tae take mah place. I think ah'll be standing in for on of the holographic warriors. Ye may never get another chance tae jab Detron wie a painstick," he teased. He considered her other statement and continued. "Are ye telling me ah should be in fear of your Mother? Is she as formidable a force as you are?" Denise grinned, "My mother had Captain Sash saying 'Yes Ma'am' on first meeting and she's never held a rank." She then added in afterthought, "Though, she did paint the Wolf 359 memorial mural at the Academy." (Reply Lorimar, iyw) He watched as she removed coffee making necessities from her kitchen, then suggested that they might get dinner together after Trei's ceremony. Denise grinned, "Oh, I know a few places to eat, a bar to get into trouble in, or one of the holosuites to borrow. If you're a good boy, maybe I'll take you noodling," she teased wickedly as she prepared the coffee. ~Noodling? What in the world?~ She seemed to read his mind. or more likely just anticipated his confused curiosity. "Noodling is where you take a long, flexible stick, and dive under the river waters and poke it in a hole where a catfish resides. If all goes well, the fish attacks the stick and you grab the fish and resurface," Her eyes were dancing, "The pro's use their hands instead of sticks, but I'm much too much of a wuss for that. Might chip my nail polish!" "Sounds positively barbaric!" he laughed heartily. "But since ah'm a barbarian at heart. it rather appeals to me. Ah am fairly good with mah hands after all." She handed over the steaming mug of coffee, and he nodded and smiled in thanks. His eyes glinted with amusement in the light. "Anyway, you go torture a Klingon into manhood, I'll figure out something to wear that doesn't have splotches of paint on it and I'll meet you at the umbyllical?" "Sounds fine indeed. It's not torture. though ah hae trouble understanding pain for pain's sake. they wear it as a badge of honor, really. Ever watch any Klingon opera? It's a fair insight into some of their ideas. ye might try it sometime. My Klingonaase is pretty rusty, but ah could translate some for ye if ye wish. As for meeting ye, ah'll call and let you know if the ceremony runs long for any reason, alright?" "I know enough about Klingon culture to get myself in trouble, as you've observed, but.." She shrugged, "I don't see how enduring pain for the sake of pain makes you a better person. Pain for having babies, pain in combat where you save the lives of the defenceless, sure.. but just to prove you're more macho than the next guy or gal? That doesn't make sense to me." (Reply Lorimar) She drank from her coffee mug and wondered where she'd next manage to scavenge some from. Maybe she could bribe the Captain into turning her into Chief Supply Officer and a demotion with some Bajoran Msie Tea. (Reply Chief Bob) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters – CEO Lorimar - 1746) "Though, she did paint the Wolf 359 memorial mural at the Academy." “Ah’m certainly nae art critic… but ah can tell ye that she is quite good. That’s a verra moving tribute. Never could ah walk past that without stopping for a moment tae think.” Coffee and conversation went on pleasantly until the subject turned to Klingon culture, and the embrace of pain for its own sake. "I know enough about Klingon culture to get myself in trouble, as you've observed, but.." She shrugged, "I don't see how enduring pain for the sake of pain makes you a better person. Pain for having babies, pain in combat where you save the lives of the defenceless, sure.. but just to prove you're more macho than the next guy or gal? That doesn't make sense to me." He put his coffee mug down a moment and cupped his chin in his hand thoughtfully. “Ah had nae intention of a philosophical discussion when we started, but ye pose an interesting topic.” He stopped again, briefly considering the times he had been wounded, and those times he had been forced to put himself in harm’s way. He blinked back from his reverie, then smiled at her. “But perhaps that’s for another time eh? Unless yer feeling thoughtful that is?” (Reply Lebranski) (Posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1747) "I know enough about Klingon culture to get myself in trouble, as you've observed, but.." She shrugged, "I don't see how enduring pain for the sake of pain makes you a better person. Pain for having babies, pain in combat where you save the lives of the defenceless, sure.. but just to prove you're more macho than the next guy or gal? That doesn't make sense to me." He put his coffee mug down a moment and cupped his chin in his hand thoughtfully. "Ah had nae intention of a philosophical discussion when we started, but ye pose an interesting topic." He stopped again, seeming to give the matter deep thought. He blinked up at her after a moment and then smiled. "But perhaps that's for another time eh? Unless yer feeling thoughtful that is?" "Me? Think? Tsk. You'll ruin my reputation as a spoiled princess of the fleet." She gave her best vapid look, before her lips twitched into a smile, "I'm often happy to debate the unanswerable. I'm sure the Klingons have a perfectly valid anthropological or sociological reason for sticking each other with sticks.. such as, how do you depend on someone in battle if you don't know what level of pain they can endure? But, I still maintain the right to think it unnecessary torture in this day and age." (Reply Lorimar) (Posted by Lorna) ******* (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – CEO Lorimar – 1908) Bob had half turned away from the assembled group of well wishers; he was once again marveling at the detail in the holodeck program that Trei had come up with. ~Ah’ll have tae remember tae talk wie the lad about programming… if ever ah need--~ His train of thought was interrupted rather abruptly by searing pain. Just at the base of his spine he felt as though he had been hit with a photon torpedo. An agonizing combination of heat and electric shock traveled instantly from his lower back along his spinal column, feeling at once as though he were being burned and electrocuted. The pain raced up all the way to the base of his skull, seeming to penetrate to the very core of his brain, and spread out to jangle every nerve in his body. He was no Klingon, to be sure… and he had absolutely no chance to prepare mentally or physically for the shock. He explosively vented all the air from his lungs as though sucker punched. He fell, landing badly and smashing his left knee which hit the deck first, followed shortly by his face and the rest of him. He danced on the precipice of consciousness, never quite blacking out but his world was reduced to his body alone. The pain subsided, his wits returning as the pain departed. He was left with a dull ache in his knee and the warm taste of blood in his mouth. ~Musta smashed mah mouth when ah fell… what hit me? Pain stick? Ah set mine on high… how did it hit me? Ah’m bloody certain ah placed it properly in the rack…~ He opened his eyes and half rolled toward a sitting position. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, neither realizing nor caring that he was smearing blood on his dress uniform. He blinked his eyes several times to clear them and looked up at the others. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – SPC Child - Parami 'cha Nooras – 1908.5) The effect the pain stick had on the CEO was both a surprise to Parami and very frightening to the boy as Lorimar crashed to the deck. The lad was frozen to the spot with fear, his face turned chalk white and he began to tremble. What had he done? ~ I have killed him!!! ~ His mind screamed at him. He wasn't even aware of Trei who had rushed over to him in a futile attempt to stop him from jabbing Lorimar. He could hear someone talking in the distance but it was like a babble, the words weren't coherent in his mind, but suddenly his body responded to his brain and with an ear splitting shriek, Parami threw down the pain stick and rushed from the holodeck screaming all the way out the door and down the corridor. All he could think of was that he'd just murdered a man. As he reached the turbo lift, the doors opened and he ran inside. Luckily nobody was in it and the doors closed immediately behind him. Where could he go? He was a bad boy, a murderer! He deserved to be punished for what he'd done but he was scared of being punished. Tears streamed down his face unheeded, all he could think of was getting away, hiding somewhere and then he knew where to go. "Deck ...sniff...snuffle....22." (reply any) (posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 –FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras – 1909.5) At first Dorga was slightly confused about what had happened. They had all been talking together when Bob had suddenly and violently spasmed and then crashed to the deck at her feet. Instinctively she had jumped back and crouched in a defensive posture and for a second or two she'd just stared down at him in utter amazement, and then she heard Detron speaking in a rough tone. She glanced towards his voice just in time to hear her son give a blood curdling shriek and watch as he threw down a painstick and run, still screaming at the top of his lungs, from the holodeck and down the corridor. The holodeck door closed behind Parami. Certain that Parami would go home, Dorga knelt down beside Bob who was lying face down on the deck, carefully she felt for a pulse in his neck and breathed a sigh of relief when she felt it pulsing strong but thready. Briefly she closed her eyes and thanked the Creator that Bob had survived the excrutiating pain. Gently she rolled him over on his side and then tapped her commbadge. "First Officer to Sickbay please send a medic to Holodeck 1." (reply Sickbay) After a short while Bob opened his eyes and half rolled toward a sitting position. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, smearing blood on his dress uniform. He blinked his eyes several times and looked up at the others. "I am so sorry, Bob, I think it was Parami who jabbed you with a painstick. I assure you he will be severely punished for his disgraceful actions." Dorga was heart sick at what her son had done. ~ Heavens what must I do to Parami to compensate Bob for what he did? ~ What she felt like doing was beating his bottom until it glowed in the dark, she was so angry with him for doing something so thoughtless. (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – CEO Lorimar – 1911) "I am so sorry, Bob, I think it was Parami who jabbed you with a painstick. I assure you he will be severely punished for his disgraceful actions." Lorimar’s brain was still very fuzzy from the strike of the painstick. ~How dae Klingons stand that sort of a hit? Ah’ve broken bones that didnae feel this bad! Eh? What’s a ‘Parami’? Oh… wait… ‘tis the Commander’s son if ah recall correctly~ He coughed weakly to clear his throat. His whole body was still tingling… what he could feel of it anyway. “Yer son hit me with a painstick? Ah thought ah got run over by a shuttlecraft or something.” He started processing the frenzied activity, and began to realize that he was the subject of concern. He waved his hand dismissively, attempting to allay the concern of those gathered around. “Ah’m fine, really… just shaken up is all.” It was just then, when he tried to get his feet under him and rise off the deck, that he realized that the tingling all over wasn’t quite all over. He couldn’t feel the tingling in his legs. In fact he couldn’t feel his legs at all. He did his best to fight off a growing unease. “Perhaps ah’m nae quite as fine as ah thought…” (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – SPC Child - Rivers 'cha Nooras – 1912) Forgotten for now as the adults fussed around Lieutenant Lorimar, Rivers had backed as far away from the fallen man as she could although she found she couldn't tear her eyes away from his bloody face and the brightness of his red blood on the white of his dress uniform as it spread quickly, eating up the whiteness like a cancer. Her thoughts turned to her twin brother who had run screaming from the room just a few short minutes before. She had seen the look of anger on Uncle Deston's face and then her mother's and knew it meant big trouble for Parami, but now nobody seemed to be bothered about him and she was worried; where would he go? What would he do? He was scared that was for sure and perhaps he thought he'd killed the man, after all he had been lying so still on the deck as the blood had begun to pool under his head. ~ Even I thought he was dead! ~ She thought, the thought making her heart thump faster again. ~ I tried to stop him, why didn't he? Why does he always do stupid things? ~ Rivers train of thought turned to what would happen to Parami once all the fuss over the CEO had died down and she thought whatever it was, it would have to be something bad for what he'd done. ~I must find him, we can think of something together. ~ The holodeck door opened and someone dressed in the uniform denoting medical, rushed in. Rivers slipped through the open door and quickly headed for the turbolift. First she would check home to see if Parami was there. She hoped desperately that he was so they could get away together, certain that the least they'd do to her twin was to take him away to a penal colony, but if they could get on the space station then they could stow away together and never be parted. (reply any) (posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras – 1912.5) coughed weakly to clear his throat. His whole body was still tingling… what he could feel of it anyway. “Yer son hit me with a painstick? Ah thought ah got run over by a shuttlecraft or something.” He started processing the frenzied activity, and began to realize that he was the subject of concern. He waved his hand dismissively, attempting to allay the concern of those gathered around. “Ah’m fine, really… just shaken up is all.” Bob then tried to get up but was unable to do so. “Perhaps ah’m nae quite as fine as ah thought…” he mumbled weakly. "So it would seem." Dorga agree with her usual one nod and wondered where in Kahless' name the medical staff were. ~ And when I get hold of Parami.... ~ "Computer, activate the LMH!" Susan ordered. "Well, what is it now?" a testy voice said. ~ Typical LMH, no tact whatsoever. ~ The captain informed the LMH what had happened much to the hologram's verbal disgust and he pushed past Dorga, who barely managed to stop herself from landing on her butt on the deck in a most undignified manner. The FO scowled at him and grumbled about ill-mannered holograms and their creators and what she'd like to do to them as the LMH ran the tricorder over Bob. "Do lie still, Lieutenant," he added in a rather abrupt manner. "And let me finish my examination," he added, making tsk tsk noises again as he reviewed the data on his tricorder. After a while he informed them that Bob had damage to his lower spine nerves which affected his ability to stand and walk, but the good news was that it could be fixed in Sickbay. ".......I assume someone *has* summoned medical assistance, other than myself?" he asked the room at large. "Of course," Dorga snapped at him, "they should have been her by now!" Any show of anger towards the LMH was like water off a duck's back, he completely ignored it and kept on prattling. "No need for me to replicate the equipment here then. I will, however, administer a pain reliever before having you transported direct to Sickbay. That does *not* mean you can move around," he added sternly to Bob as he pressed a hypospray to his neck. "Computer, initiate site-to-site medical transport to Sickbay, and alert all medical staff to incoming patient. Transfer all data from my tricorder to the relevant biobed." Just as the LMH and the Lieutenant disappeared, two medics arrived. "Your patient has already been transferred to Sickbay." The FO growled at them, "you had better work on your response time in the near future!" She didn't see her daughter slip through the open door of the holodeck. (Reply Lorimar, MEDICAL, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – CO Captain Susan Rivers and LMH – 1913) Concerned, Susan saw Bob try to get up but unable to do so. “Perhaps ah’m nae quite as fine as ah thought…” he mumbled weakly. "Computer, activate the LMH!" Susan ordered. She had heard Dorga summon medical help but it wouldn't hurt to have the Long-term Medical Hologram online until it got here. "Well, what is it now?" a testy voice said. Susan looked hard at the hologram, a tall, spare, bearded man holding a medical tricorder and looking like he had anything but a good bedside manner. ~Whatever happened to 'please state the nature of the medical emergency?'~ she wondered, even as she briefly stated what had happened. "Tsk, Tsk, children and pain sticks, what did you expect?" the LMH muttered as he unceremoniously pushed past Dorga to run the medical tricorder over Bob. "Do lie still, Lieutenant," he added, still in a rather abrupt manner. "And let me finish my examination," he added, making tsk tsk noises again as he reviewed the data on his tricorder. A short while later the LMH looked up from his tricorder. "I'll put this simply since I'm sure no one here will understand the technical terms. You have damage to your lower spinal nerves which will affect your ability to stand and walk. It should be easily fixed once we get you to Sickbay so no need to make a fuss. I assume someone *has* summoned medical assistance, other than myself?" he asked the room at large. (Reply any) "No need for me to replicate the equipment here then. I will, however, administer a pain reliever before having you transported direct to Sickbay. That does *not* mean you can move around," he added sternly to Bob as he pressed a hypospray to his neck. "Computer, initiate site-to-site medical transport to Sickbay, and alert all medical staff to incoming patient. Transfer all data from my tricorder to the relevant biobed." (Reply Lorimar, MEDICAL, Any) (Posted by Liz) ********** (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 – SPC Child - Parami 'cha Nooras – 1916) The turbo lift door slid open and Parami paused at the threshold and looked outside with tear blurry eyes. He couldn't see anyone around so he moved out of the lift and began walking down the corridor until he saw a sign on a door that said Warp reactor core jettison hatch. As he stepped to the door it opened and seeing nobody around, Parami walked in and crawled into a corner where he curled himself into a fetal position, still crying. His small body shaking harder now with the shock of what he'd done. After a while, exhausted from crying and shaking, he slipped into an uneasy sleep, one thumb slid into his mouth as he slept and he sucked on it finding comfort while he slept in something he hadn't done for several years. (reply any) (posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Krolar Family Quarters – Master Chief Laurence Krolar – 1917) Laurence looked at his terminal when it beeped. [Access to Deck 22 occurred at 1916 hours. No listed work teams in the area.] "What the...?" Laurence muttered under his breath. Deck 22 was one of the more sensitive areas of the ship that was still left open to general access. Because it was the anti-matter storage area as well as the aft torpedo launcher and storage, the access points were monitored, and any access that didn't correspond to the maintenance logs was sent to the senior enlisted on call to go and see why people were wandering around where the might not be welcome. Generally it was simply a petty officer that forgot to log the work, or sometimes a few crewman looking for a good time in private. Laurence stood up and put on his uniform coat over his t-shirt and jeans. "Olivia, I've got to go and check on something, I'll be right back, you know the drill if you need me, just ask the computer." "Ok, Daddy," Olivia said running over to give him a quick hug before running back to her coloring. Laurence just shook his head and walked out the door. (posted by Patrick D.) ******** (USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski – 1920) The computer had notified her when the right was done and there was a reception in QV. She was pretty darn proud of herself for realizing they’d want to eat, drink and be merry and had even managed a trade for a keg of bloodwine for the party. She kind of hoped newer was better when it came to Bloodwine, the oldest she could find was a couple years old and it’d been transported in a stasis field from Qo’NoS. So, once the computer logged Arania was prepping for a party, Denise had gotten into her favourite little red dress, an a-line number that was a shade of red never to be confused with command colours, and meandered down to the umbyllical to wait for Bob. After a few minutes she started to get teased by security for being stood up by her date while ‘looking like that, too!’ and had a few offers on escorts. She decided he was probably in the QV, being much too polite to wiggle out of the reception. Oh well, not like any more would see her in QV dressed for a date than would have seen her on station. Walking with practiced ease in the high heeled boots she made her way down to the lounge. (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Outside Officer Quarters - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1920) Shadow was floating on cloud nine. She'd made up with Parrr'Z and they were going to have dinner in the botanical gardens. It seemed when they had dinner in the QV they ended up socializing with all of Parrr'Z's friends and coworkers and when they went to the holodeck they did things more physical. Today they would talk and learn each other. She'd even finished work early, working only an eleven hour day. So happy and bouncy she did an aerial cartwheel down the empty corridor to her quarters. When she came back to her feet she was very surprised to see Rivers coming off a turbolift by herself. It wasn't that the Boudicca wasn't safe, but wasn't the girl supposed to be at Trei's manhood celebration? "Hello," Shadow said to the girl, hoping her immaturity hadn't been seen. She was still wearing her duty collar and it was probably frowned on doing gymnastics in the halls while in uniform. Probably frowned upon out of duty, too. (Reply Rivers) "Are you okay?" Shadow asked, the girl smelt of fear and worry. "Where is your brother?" The two might slip out from Counsellor Dorga's care once in a while, but she couldn't recall ever seeing the siblings apart. (Reply Rivers) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Outside Officer Quarters -SPC Child Rivers 'cha Nooras - Day 2 - 1921) As luck would have it the turbolift only had to make one stop for a crewmember before halting at the deck her home was on. Rivers stepped off the lift and immediately halted as she saw a body cartwheeling towards her down the corridor. ~ Who *is* that? ~ If Rivers hadn't been so frightened and worried for and about Parami, she'd have laughed to see that it was Shadow. As it was her bottom lip quivered, on the verge of crying, she was so upset. "Hello," Shadow said to her. Rivers managed a wan smile, but knew if she said anything that she would begin to cry. "Are you okay?" Shadow asked. "Where is your brother?" The quivering lip began to tremble visibly and the little girl threw herself at Shadow, arms hugging her around the waist as she began to cry softly. "I don't know, S-S-Shadowwww, he's gone! But I think he might be at home, hiding, and when I f-find him we're going to r-runaway t-together." (reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Outside Officer Quarters - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1923) The quivering lip began to tremble visibly and the little girl threw herself at Shadow, arms hugging her around the waist as she began to cry softly. "I don't know, S-S-Shadowwww, he's gone! But I think he might be at home, hiding, and when I f-find him we're going to r-runaway t-together." Her first reaction was to eviscerate whoever had made the little girl cry. She'd never seen Dorga's kit shed a tear before, the fountain of them upset her greatly. She hugged Rivers back while she thought. "Well, I don't think you should leave camp without your mother. Who would make your jam sandwiches?" She asked to distract the girl while she gathered thoughts together. Her obvious thought was to ask the computer where her brother was, but wouldn't she already have done that? Frazzled the girl may be, but she grew up with the computer and Shadow hadn't. (Reply Rivers) "Computer, what is the location of Parami 'cha Nooras?" She asked the panel beside them. [Unable to locate Parami 'cha Nooras', last known location was turbolift 17. Do you wish to initiate a full scan?] Shadow didn't know. Would that cause security issues? Would that get the boy in *more* trouble than whatever trouble he was in now? She chewed on her whiskers, "Why do we not go to turbolift 17 and see if I can find his scent? We will find him together." (Reply Rivers) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Outside Officer Quarters - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1925) Shadow was startled and very glad to see the Chief of Security. "Come on honey." He said. "Lets go find Parimi. Lieutenant Lorimar is not dead. He looks like he will recover just fine. I am angry at what your brother did, but Dorga and I will deal with it rationally when we find Parimi. Then we can celebrate my rising." Shadow felt a bit of a tag along getting into the turbolift with Rivers and Trei, but she wasn't going to abandon her friend now. Besides, while the Klingon might be a top notch security officer, he had been through a pain trial and had to be a bit worn around the edges. She could also sniff what he couldn't. She was just glad she didn't have to comm. Parrr'Z and ask what procedure was and then try and convince him not get to involved. Well, probably she should have let him get involved and do his job, but it was moot now anyway since Trei was here. "Congratulations on adulthood, Sir." Shadow said quietly to the chief of security. (Reply Rivers, Trei, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Outside Turbolift - TAC/SC Lieutennat(SG) Detron Trei - 1926) He saw Rivers crying holding on to Shadow. He walked over to Rivers and waited for her to calm down. "Come on honey. Lets go find Parimi. Lieutenant Lorimar is not dead. He looks like he will recover just fine. I am angry at what your brother did, but Dorga and I will deal with it rationally when we find Parimi. Then we can celebrate my rising." (Reply Rivers) (Posted by Edward ********* (USS Boudicca - Outside Officer Quarters - SPC Child Rivers 'cha Nooras - Day 2 - 1926) Uncle Detron's news that Lieutenant Lorimar would recover just fine managed to cheer Rivers up a little, at least she stopped crying. She'd been very scared for her brother and because Detron hadn't mentioned anything about finding her brother, she knew he was still missing and feared he might have managed to leave the ship and be on the space station all alone. All three of them walked into the turbolift. Rivers was glad that Shadow was still with her, she'd thought that her friend might have gone away now that Detron seemed to be taking charge of the situation. She slipped her hand into Shadow's paw and smiled up at her, certain that Shadow would know how important it was to Rivers to have her with her. "Congratulations on adulthood, Sir." Shadow said quietly to the chief of security." ~ Hmmph, if it hadn't been for that rite of ascension Parami wouldn't be in trouble right now! ~ Rivers couldn't help but think; it was only natural to try to find something to blame and it might as well be the rite, for without it there'd have been no painstick for Parami to be curious about and poor Lieutenant Lorimar wouldn't have been hurt. She looked up at the adults, she trusted as much as she trusted her own mother, big blue eyes moving from one to the other's face as she wondered where they would pick up the scent and track Parami down. (Reply Shadow, Trei, any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca, Deck 22 - Master Chief Laurence Krolar - 1930) Laurence finally found the 'intruder' in warp core jettison hatch facility, generally not a place one should be messing around. It had taken some searching, the computer and his tricorder, the life sign wasn't big and it wasn't wearing a com badge. He had thought of calling security, but he had a gut feeling it wasn't necessary. Squatting down he spotted a child, not much older than Olivia, curled up in a corner. Sitting down on the floor across the room, but in sight of the boy, he put his tricorder away then coughed gently, hoping to wake the boy as non threateningly as possible. (Reply Parami, any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - SPC Child - Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1932) A noise infiltrated Parami's slumber like a crack of thunder in utter silence. His eyes flew open wide and heart racing, blood pounding he snapped instantly from sleep to panicked awareness and abruptly sat up; he scooted even more into the corner, pressing himself against the bulkhead, his eyes flicking around wildly for the source of the sound and holding his breath so he could listen, like a cornered mouse hiding from the cat. There was the sound of soft breathing and although the lighting was dim in the jettison hatch facility, Parami's eyes adjusted quickly and he saw a man sitting close by, facing him, though he couldn't quite make out his facial features. ~ It's *his* ghost, he's come to get me! ~ He drew his knees up and hugged them, his body began to tremble and he began to cry as he remembered the terrible crime he had committed. "I'm s-s-s-so s-s-sorry!!" He sobbed, wiping his tears and snotty nose on his shirt sleeve, but it did little to stem the flow. "I d-d-didn't m-m-mean to kill y-you! I p-promise to b-be a g-g-good b-boy forever, p-please don't t-take m-m-me away!!" He managed to say between hiccuping sobs. (reply Krolar, any) (posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 2 – 1933) He drew his knees up and hugged them, his body began to tremble and he began to cry. "I'm s-s-s-so s-s-sorry!!" He sobbed, wiping his tears and snotty nose on his shirt sleeve, but it did little to stem the flow. "I d-d-didn't m-m-mean to kill y-you! I p-promise to b-be a g-g-good b-boy forever, p-please don't t-take m-m-me away!!" He managed to say between hiccuping sobs. ~~well this isn't the result I was hoping for.~~ Laurence thought. "I'm not going to take you away, I don't know what you're talking about, you didn't kill me, I'm very much alive." Laurence said, but kept his distance. "My name is Laurence, I work here in Engineering, what's your name?" (Reply Parami) "Parami, I promise you I'm not mad at you and I'm not going to take you away. I'm just here to figure out who's wandering around near the antimatter and warp core stuff," Laurence said in a calm voice that comes after years of parenting. "Now, Parami, can you take a deep breath and tell me the whole story of why you're down here hiding?" (Reply Parami) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - SPC Child Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1934) The ghost told Parami he wasn't going to take him away, and his next words gave the boy some short lived hope...he was alive! Unfortunately the hope that was dashed when he told Parami his name. "..... "My name is Laurence, I work here in Engineering, what's your name?" The fact that this man wasn't Lieutenant Lorimar's ghost come to take him away did register in Parami's brain, but that didn't make him feel any better it just meant that the Lieutenant was too dead to come for him right away, but he would come, Parami didn't doubt that for one second. The young boy continued to sob with those harsh breathless distressed ones that caused youngsters to try to catch their breath with soft, grunting yup noises. "Uhhha uhhhhha I-yuh-I-yuh-I-yam P-P-Par-r-r-rami." "Parami, I promise you I'm not mad at you and I'm not going to take you away. I'm just here to figure out who's wandering around near the antimatter and warp core stuff," Laurence said calmly. "Now, Parami, can you take a deep breath and tell me the whole story of why you're down here hiding?" Well, the man seemed nice enough, he certainly didn't sound angry or upset, but nice didn't change the fact that Parami was a killer as far as the boy was concerned, but some adults' moods could change quickly; this man was a stranger to him, what would he do if Parami told him what he'd done? But right at that instant all Parami wanted was to feel safe and protected, slowly, still sobbing though the violence of his sobs was diminishing, Parami crawled towards the man and nestled on his lap, pressing snotty nose and tearful eyes into his chest, small hands clenched in the fabric. Parami's voice was muffled by Laurence's tunic but he managed to tell him exactly what he'd done and by the time he'd finished although tears still coursed down his cheeks, he was no longer sobbing, soothed and comforted by Laurence's closeness and warmth. His thumb had found its way back into his mouth. (Reply Krolar, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 2 – 1936) Laurence listened as Parami told him how he killed the Laurence's boss, even as he was curled up on Laurence's lap trying to find some comfort. Laurence let him sob for a few moments. ~This is what you get for bringing children to a ceremony they couldn't begin to understand.~~ Laurence thought. He couldn't really blame the kid for not understanding the severity of the pain stick, that level of pain was really too abstract of a concept for a kid of seven or eight, even if they were partially Klingon. "Parami, I want you to listen to me," Laurence said softly. "I don't think you killed anyone. What you did wasn't good, but you aren't a killer." (Reply Parami) "I know you believe it, I know you feel it right down to your bones, but what you did wouldn't have killed him, I promise you on my honor as a Master Chief Petty Officer, that Lieutenant Lorimar is quite alive, do you want me to check the computer for you, prove that Lieutenant Lorimar isn't dead?" (Reply Parami) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - SPC Child Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1937) Laurence let Parami sob for a few moments after he'd told him how he'd killed Lieutenant Lorimar, he didn't react with shock or horror, he didn't shove Parami off his lap, and when he finally spoke Laurence softly told him that he wanted Parami to listen to him. "....I don't think you killed anyone. What you did wasn't good, but you aren't a killer." The little boy looked up into Laurence's face searchingly, eyes puffed up and red from all the crying he'd been doing, but his hiccuping sobs had subsided as he'd told his tale of woe. He could see in the adult's eyes that the man believed what he was telling Parami. "But he has to be dead, he didn't move and there was so much blood coming from his head, I know I killed him, I......." He wanted to say he just knew it deep down, but his voice trailed away and he shook his head, this man was wrong. "I know you believe it, I know you feel it right down to your bones, but what you did wouldn't have killed him, I promise you on my honor as a Master Chief Petty Officer, that Lieutenant Lorimar is quite alive, do you want me to check the computer for you, prove that Lieutenant Lorimar isn't dead?" Hope was beginning to burgeon within Parami, could it be possible? But what if the computer told them that Lorimar was dead, what then? ~ If he's not dead you won't be a murderer, and if he *is* dead, things won't be any different. You may as well know for sure. ~ Parami nodded and leaned against Laurence wearily. (Reply Krolar, any) (Posted by Sal) ************ (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - Master Chief PO Laurence Krolar - Day 2 – 1938) Parami nodded and leaned against Laurence wearily. "All right, we'll check. But if he's alive, the two of us are going to have to walk out of here and you are going to have to apologize to your mother and especially Lieutenant Lorimar. Don't worry, I'll go with you, but I think you're a brave enough person to stand up tall and do the right thing." Laurence said. (Reply Parami) "Computer, have any deaths been logged in the last two hours?" Laurence asked. "Specifically has Lieutenant Lorimar been reported as injured or dead? [Negative. Lieutenant Lorimar has been listed on an injury report and alive, further information is restricted] "See he was hurt, but it wasn't serious. Lieutenant Lorimar is going to be just fine," Laurence said gently squeezing Parami's shoulder before picking him up and setting him on his feet. (Reply Parami) "Now you need to be brave, I learned a long time ago that no matter how scared you are it's better to admit your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions than run from them. When you apologize I want you to look Lieutenant Lorimar in the eyes, tell him that you're sorry your hurt him. He's a good man, and as long as you don't try to make excuses he'll be fair. I don't know your mother well, but I think you'd be best to do the same thing with her. Don't make excuses, I found out long ago, that doesn't help anything. If you're feeling nervous, take a slow deep breath, it will help keep you steady and give you some time to think of how to answer their questions. And remember more than anything else, no matter what you did in the holodeck an hour ago, you're doing to right thing now, doing the right thing is always good." Laurence said. (Reply Parami) Laurence pulled a handkerchief out of his uniform pocket and cleaned off Parami's face and nose. "There, now I think we should find your mother and Lieutenant Lorimar," he said standing up and straightening out his uniform jacket, holding out his hand for Parami to take. (Reply Parami, any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22 - SPC Child Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1940) Parami nodded, agreeing to Krolar finding out if Lorimar was dead or not, thumb still in his mouth and leaned against Laurence wearily, all the fear, worry and sobbing had exhausted him. He listened quietly as Krolar told him he'd check, but that Parami would have to apologize to his mother and Lieutenant Lorimar, causing Parami's eyes to widen with fright, his mother was going to kill him for certain. There was no telling what punishment she was contriving for him at that very moment, that's if she didn't kill him first. He was dreading it. But even more, he was dreading seeing the CEO. ".....Don't worry, I'll go with you, but I think you're a brave enough person to stand up tall and do the right thing." The kind man said. The little boy's liquid big blue eyes stared up into Laurence's again. Did he really think that he was a brave boy? He didn't feel particularly brave; he felt frightened and ashamed and really wished that Laurence hadn't found him. "Computer, have any deaths been logged in the last two hours?" Laurence asked. "Specifically has Lieutenant Lorimar been reported as injured or dead? [Negative. Lieutenant Lorimar has been listed on an injury report and alive, further information is restricted] "See he was hurt, but it wasn't serious. Lieutenant Lorimar is going to be just fine," Laurence said gently squeezing Parami's shoulder before picking him up and setting him on his feet. Parami's heart sank to his stomach, he really felt more like running away again, but now he knew that Lorimar was only injured and this nice man thought he was a brave boy and would do what *he* thought was the right thing. Perhaps he was attributing some Klingon traits to him, the strong sense of honor. Of course he would have apologized to Lieutenant Lorimar eventually, but did he have to do it right now? "Now you need to be brave, I learned a long time ago that no matter how scared you are it's better to admit your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions than run from them. When you apologize I want you to look Lieutenant Lorimar in the eyes, tell him that you're sorry your hurt him. He's a good man, and as long as you don't try to make excuses he'll be fair. I don't know your mother well, but I think you'd be best to do the same thing with her. Don't make excuses, I found out long ago, that doesn't help anything. If you're feeling nervous, take a slow deep breath, it will help keep you steady and give you some time to think of how to answer their questions. And remember more than anything else, no matter what you did in the holodeck an hour ago, you're doing to right thing now, doing the right thing is always good." Laurence said. ~ Is it an hour already? It only feels like it happened a few minutes ago. ~ Parami thought as he digested Laurence's advice. ~ If he thinks I can do it, then I can do it. What is it that Yoda guy says? There is no try only do it or not do it. ~ Parami took his thumb out of his mouth, only now realizing where it had been, looked at it in disgust, wiped the wet off on his top and straightened his shoulders with resolve. It was best now, for him to get the hard part over with. Laurence pulled a handkerchief out of his uniform pocket and cleaned off Parami's face and nose. "There, now I think we should find your mother and Lieutenant Lorimar," he said standing up and straightening out his uniform jacket, holding out his hand for Parami to take. With a small smile of gratitude, Parami trustingly slipped his hand into the bigger one. It made him feel better knowing somebody who had been a complete stranger, actually believed that he was more than he had thought himself to be. Whoever this man was, he was now Parami's hero and if he wanted Parami to be brave, then Parami would be. Together they walked out of the Warp reactor core jettison hatch and down the corridor to the turbolift. The doors slid open and in they stepped. "Sickbay." Parami told the computer, his voice now filled with determination, his back straightening with resolve. Whatever happened he would face it with a new found courage. (Reply Krolar, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22, Turbo Lift - Master Chief PO Laurence Krolar - Day 2 – 1942) Laurence and Parami walked into the turbo lift and Parami ordered it to sickbay. Laurence was proud of him, even though he barely knew the boy. "Parami, I'm going to let you in on a secret that they only tell people when they're promoted to Chief Petty Officer, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone unless it is a very very important situation, a time when you need to help someone else be brave and do the right thing like you're doing right now. Can you promise me that?" Laurence asked, still looking straight ahead. (Reply Parami) "Bravery doesn't mean not being afraid. Even old sailors like me get scared. Being brave means being afraid, but still standing up and doing the right thing. We all get afraid sometimes, even if we don't want to admit it. What you're doing now, going and facing your mom and Lieutenant Lorimar even though you're afraid, that is being brave. You'll make a good Enlisted man when you're older." Laurence said with a nod of certainty. He had no clue if Parami actually wanted to go into Star Fleet, but he figured it might mean something to the young boy. He hoped Parami's mother would take his coming forward and not go too hard on the boy, but he knew that Parami would have to be punished in some form. (Reply Parami) He wasn't sure why he was spending so much time helping the boy, he wasn't Parami's parent or even family, but he knew that if Olivia was in trouble and he wasn't there, he'd want the other parents and crew members to help her if they could. The ship really was extended family. The turbo lift slowed to a stop and the doors opened, and Laurence let Parami take the first step. (Reply Parami, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Deck 22, Turbo Lift - SPC Child Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1943) "Parami," Laurence said as the lift began to move. Parami looked up at him expectantly. "I'm going to let you in on a secret that they only tell people when they're promoted to Chief Petty Officer, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone unless it is a very very important situation, a time when you need to help someone else be brave and do the right thing like you're doing right now. Can you promise me that?" Laurence asked, still looking straight ahead. This brought a small frown to the boy's brow. it sounded very serious if Laurence wanted Parami to promise not to tell anyone unless it was very important. It also made Parami feel quite special that his new friend and hero would share a secret with him. A smile replaced the frown and he nodded his head, face turning grave as he replied. "I promise." He vowed solemnly, placing his free hand over his hearts, and listened gravely while Laurence told him being brave didn't mean not being afraid. He interpreted this as meaning that being afraid didn't mean *he* wasn't brave. At this, Parami's eyebrows rose in surprise and he listened intently as Laurence continued, wondering why it didn't. He almost laughed when Laurence said even he got scared, somehow he really didn't think so. Heroes didn't get scared. "....Being brave means being afraid, but still standing up and doing the right thing. We all get afraid sometimes, even if we don't want to admit it. What you're doing now, going and facing your mom and Lieutenant Lorimar even though you're afraid, that is being brave. You'll make a good Enlisted man when you're older." Laurence said with a nod of certainty. "Do you really think so? Do you think I would make a good Klingon Warrior too?" The little boy asked. Although he had thought earlier that he would follow the Klingon Warrior path and go through the rites of Ascension as he'd watched the ceremony, after what had happened he wasn't so sure anymore, but being in Starfleet wouldn't be such a bad thing either. Laurence's approval of Parami just made the boy all the more determined to be brave and face the music. (reply Krolar) The turbo lift slowed to a stop and the doors opened, and drawing in a deep breath and squaring his slender shoulders, Parami stepped out and walked into Sickbay. (posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay - FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras & SPC Child Parami 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1946) As he walked in, Parami knew where Lieutenant Lorimar was because there was a small group of people gathered close to the biobed he lay upon, including his mother, Dorga. His hearts began to pound harder and he gulped nervously but Laurence was close by and he didn't want to let him down, so with grim determination, the little boy walked purposefully towards the bed that Lorimar was lying on. Dorga noticed her son approaching and felt the rage begin to rise up in her once more over the dishonor he'd brought on himself and his family. She almost reached out to grab him and scold him, but something about his body language stopped her. She could see that it was difficult for the boy to be there but she could also see by his posture that he was determined; that he had a goal he was going to see through. Also there was something in Chief Krolar's demeanor that warned her to not interfere. ~ Well at least he isn't armed with a painstick! ~ She thought and walked over to the Chief while watching her boy approach Lorimar on the biobed. "Thank you, Chief, for finding him and bringing him here." She told Krolar. Parami reached up and gently tugged on Lorimar's sleeve to get his attention and when the man looked at him he looked him straight in the eyes, just as Laurence had told him, and when he spoke it was with all the sincerity he felt, which made him sound several years older than his age. "Sir, I have come to tell you how sorry I am to have hurt you. I could say that I didn't believe the painstick was so painful for that is the truth, but I will not excuse my behavior because it was wrong anyway. Please forgive me! I am prepared to undergo any punishment you see fit, I will even take the painstick if it means I am forgiven." Hearing Parami own up to what he'd done and that he was prepared to accept his punishment, diffused Dorga's rage somewhat and she waited to hear what Bob had to say. (Reply Lorimar, Krolar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca, Sickbay - Master Chief PO Laurence Krolar - 1948) When they walked into sickbay, Parami held himself tall and walked straight to Lieutenant Lorimar's biobed. Laurence stood well back, this Parami would have to do on his own. "Thank you, Chief, for finding him and bringing him here." She told Krolar. "I won't say I didn't find him, but he did come here on his own, Sir. Coming to apologize was his decision." Laurence said watching as Parami made a good apology to the Lieutenant. He wasn't going to explain everything that happened to Parami's mother, that would be between Parami and Commander Cha' Nooras for later. "I wouldn't be surprised if Parami wanted to talk with you once he was done apologizing to Lieutenant Lorimar." (Reply Dorga) "He's a good kid, sir," Laurence said watching as things unfolded around the biobed. "Just glad I could help." (Reply Dorga, any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 2 - 1948.5) "Thank you, Chief, for finding him and bringing him here." Dorga told Krolar. Krolar told her that he had found him but that Parami had decided to come to sickbay and apologize to Lorimar. Dorga gave her curt one-nod to this. "I wouldn't be surprised if Parami wanted to talk with you once he was done apologizing to Lieutenant Lorimar." Krolar added. I see." The FO replied, wondering exactly what, if anything, the Chief had said to her son and where he'd found him, because the way Parami had run out of the holodeck, she had been certain he'd run home and hide under his bed, but it was obvious to her that the Chief wasn't inclined to divulge whatever had happened. "He's a good kid, sir," Laurence said watching as things unfolded around the biobed. "Just glad I could help." She gave him a warm smile, "thank you again, Chief. However I am inclined to think you did have something to do with Parami's decision, but I won't press for details." At that moment the doors parted yet again and Detron arrived with Shadow and Rivers in tow. Rivers had a tight hold on Shadow's paw as if she didn't want her friend to leave her. Shadow brought her daughter over to her and gave Rivers a hug before leaving. (Reply Krolar iyw) (Posted by Sal) ******* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1949) Before Detron entered the turbolift, he thanked Shadow for her congratulations to him. Detron with Shadow and Rivers entered the turbolift. Logic told Detron that if they would find Parami anywhere it would be Sickbay to see how Lorimar is doing. Detron entered Sickbay to find Parami standing next to Dorga looking at Lorimar on the biobed. Detron heard Parami apologize to Lorimar for jabbing him with the painstick. Detron felt less angry with Parami for bravely taking responsibility for his actions and waiting punishment. Detron walked over to Lorimar to check on him. (Reply Dorga, Parami, Lorimar) (Posted by Edward) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 1950) After the somewhat less than gentle ministrations of the LMH, and then the jarring shift of the site to site transport, Bob was feeling pretty disoriented indeed. He was keenly aware, however, of the crowd of concerned folk gathered around his biobed. He hated being the center of attention for any reason; this was particularly bad. His first instinct was to go run back to his quarters and get away from all of it… but since his legs still weren’t working, that was a practical impossibility. He looked around from one face to another, then another, finally settling on the closest medical person who could find. “How long before ah can get up from this bloody bed, if ah may ask?” (Reply Any medical, Any) As he absorbed that information, he looked around at the faces in sickbay once again, giving them each a slight smile which was entirely faked. Again, he wanted nothing more than to be out of there and pretty much anywhere else away from the attention. Oddly, he heard the doors to sickbay swish open and shut several times, signaling more arrivals. In the background, he noted a flash of blond over red, and recognized the face even in his partly confused state. ~Och… Denise is going tae be some upset wie me… imagine being late for dinner for this reason… wonder if she’ll ever forgive me?~ He tried to gesture for her to come closer, but wasn’t sure if he got his message across or not. Shortly thereafter, he noted Chief Krolar coming in, being preceded by a small child… Parami, his brain recalled. It was difficult to make any connection between the child and the event that led to Bob being in sickbay, but nevertheless he had to accept the situation as it had been explained to him. He shut his eyes for a moment, opening them again when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked over and saw Parami looking steadily back at him. "Sir, I have come to tell you how sorry I am to have hurt you. I could say that I didn't believe the painstick was so painful for that is the truth, but I will not excuse my behavior because it was wrong anyway. Please forgive me! I am prepared to undergo any punishment you see fit, I will even take the painstick if it means I am forgiven." Lorimar gave him a very stern look indeed, considering for a moment what he might say. Truthfully, he had no time to reflect on the details before now. But doing so now, he could feel no malice toward Parami at all… and he was suitably impressed at his willingness to take responsibility and the obvious sincerity of his apology. “Apology accepted,” Bob began. “Yer a brave and honorable lad, coming straight here tae apologize and take responsibility. Ah suspect ye know now that painsticks are something not tae be fooled about with… they are serious weapons, for a serious purpose… but ah’ll leave that explanation for someone else. The medical folk tell me nae permanent harm has been done. As far as any punishment goes… well that is up tae yer mother laddie.” He reached out and clasped Parami’s hand as best he could with his own, hoping he would understand that Bob meant what he said. (Reply Parami, Any) That done, Bob tried again to get Denise’s attention. He really felt terrible about holding her up for dinner… (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles - 1951) Shadow had led Rivers and the Chief of Security through the ship. She'd had to step out on every deck and sniff before they'd decided he was on deck seven that Trei had led them to sickbay. Feeling her job was done, Shadow was going to let Rivers and Trei go ahead and continue on with her after dinner plans. Parrr'Z was on a four hour shift after all.. But, Rivers had held tightly onto her paw and Shadow had followed the girl into her least favourite place on the ship. It wasn't that she didn't like the pushy, meddling healers, it was just the place smelled so incredibly BAD. The Federation could swim through space like fish through water but they couldn't make antiseptics that didn't smell like a spike through the brain? She listened to Parami apologize to Chief Bob and Chief Bob's reply before she managed to slip Rivers' hand into her mothers. She thought that was a perfectly good time to make a get away. Chief Bob was certainly in good hands, even if Denise smelled like a mating interrupted. She gave Rivers a final hug before slipping out of Sickbay to let the elders deal with Parami and the injured Chief Bob. She was just glad things had a (mostly) happy ending. (Reply none needed) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras & SPCs Parami & Rivers 'cha Nooras - Day 2 – 1952) Lorimar gave him a very stern look but Parami didn't flinch, although his heart rate increased and he felt scared, he continued to look the 2O in the eyes just as Laurence had advised him too even if all he really wanted to do was lower his eyes with shame. “Apology accepted,” Lorimar began. “Yer a brave and honorable lad, coming straight here tae apologize and take responsibility. Ah suspect ye know now that painsticks are something not tae be fooled about with… they are serious weapons, for a serious purpose… but ah’ll leave that explanation for someone else. The medical folk tell me nae permanent harm has been done. As far as any punishment goes… well that is up tae yer mother laddie.” Then the 2O reached out and clasped Parami’s hand awkwardly, but the gesture was greatly appreciated and it seemed to make Lorimar's forgiveness even more tangible than his words had. Parami gave the man's hand a squeeze and nodded and smiled; he was very relieved that his apology had been accepted, but then he caught a glimpse of his mother's face and he couldn't help wish that Lieutenant Lorimar had not placed the responsibility of punishment into her hands. He was certain it would be far worse than anything the 2O could have come up with, perhaps even worse than a painstick jab, at least that would be over with quickly. With a word of thanks, Parami moved away from the biobed and turning saw that Rivers was there together with Deston Trei and Shadow; naturally he concluded they had come in while he was talking to Lorimar. He saw Shadow hug Rivers and leave. Now it was time for him to apologize to his mother as he'd promised Laurence he would. He swallowed nervously and looked over to where his hero Laurence Krolar was standing, for moral support before he walked over to Dorga. Dorga glared down at her boy, arms crossed at her chest and waited for him to speak. Again he looked her in the eyes as he spoke. "Mother, I'm very sorry to have disappointed you. I know I have been bad and must be punished and I am ready to accept whatever you think I deserve." "You didn't just disappoint me, Parami, you brought dishonor with your actions. I allowed you to attend because I thought you knew how to behave yourself. It wasn't just me you let down it was Lieutenant Trei and everyone else who attended the ceremony." Parami gulped and gave a perfect one nod exactly like Dorga did. "Yes Mother and I am ashamed and ready to be punished as you wish." He stated. Dorga gave a very Klingon-like grunt, that could have been acceptance or not. "I will think about your punishment. Until then, you will not be attending the celebrations in QV. You will go directly home, activate the Parami Holoprogram for child minding and then prepare yourself for bed. I do not wish to see your face until tomorrow. Do you understand?" Parami again gave the simple one nod, hearts sinking to his stomach, and without another word he turned on his heel and headed out through the door looking neither right or left, with as much dignity as he could muster. The door slithered closed behind him. Rivers who had hugged Shadow goodbye and then stood beside her Mother, had been listening to all this in silence, but now she spoke up. "If Parami has to go home then so am I." She stated firmly and ran out of Sickbay calling to her brother, "wait for me, Parami!!" Again Dorga gave a snort. "Well!" She said, "I guess the apples don't far fall from the tree. Perhaps it was a mistake to give them those names because they both display certain traits of their namesakes." (Reply Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1955) Denise waited until discipline had been dealt with, she caught Trei's eye before he left, "I didn't know what was an appropriate Right of Ascension gift, so I hope a keg of non-replicated Bloodwine is acceptable." (Reply Trei, if you want) She gave Bob a smile, but it seemed the doctors were busy prepping him for something, probably surgery. Knowing her 'right to know' was about the same as the nearest table's, she just kept out of their way and planted her butt in one of the chairs near the entrance. All it needed to be a waiting room from a bad holo-vid was some ancient articles on plas-film or something. What had happened to Bob that required surgery? Someone had said something about a painstick, but human and Klingon physiology wasn't *that* different was it? Trei wasn't even a full-blooded Klingon and he got zapped with six or eight or whatever of the things and *he* was fine! What had happened to cause Bob to be so injured? What could a young boy possibly have done to cause so much damage? (reply Trei iyw) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - CEO Lorimar - 1956) His brain was still somewhat foggy, between the pain medication and the actual hit from the painstick. But he was beginning to be able to sort things out in a semblance of his normal logical way. The crowd was thinning. The medical personnel were getting ready for his procedure, or so he surmised. As his line of sight to the rest of sickbay cleared, he noted that Denise had taken a seat near the entrance; did she intend to stay, he wondered? He tried to catch her eye, but was unsure if it worked or not. (Reply Lebranski iyw) As Doctor Jahlen got within earshot, he spoke quietly to her. "Ah'm relieved tae hear ye can fix this up that quickly Doctor... ah was expecting a longer stay. Ah thank ye in advance for your diligence." (Reply Jahlen iyw) (posted by Russ) ******* (USS Boudicca - Trei's Office - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1956) Detron went to his office to arrange some things like placing the dagger in a good viewing place, and catching up on all the blasted paperwork. Detron settled down in his chair for a second when he heard Ariana through his COMM. Ariana sounded very anxious and disturbed about the party. Detron understood this and he was sure she would understand the delay when he told her the situation. Detron tapped his badge. "Sorry for the delay Ariana. A situation came up in the holodeck. Bob Lorimar was hit with a painstick and sent to Sickbay for treatment. He will be fine after surgery. You can send a message that the party is still on and they can come now. I will arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. Thank you for the arrangements friend." Detron made some notes on his desk computer. (Reply Ariana iyw) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca - Qulaetha Vorenda - SPC Bar Manager Arania - Day 2 - 1957) Detron's reply was almost instantaneous. He apologized for the delay and explained what had happened to cause it. Before Arania could ask how Lorimar was, Detron told her that he'd be fine after surgery. He went on to tell her that she could send a message to the party guests to let them know the party was still going to happen and that they should come to QV right away, and that he'd arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. He thanked her and closed the link. Making a list in her head of the people who had attended the Rite of Ascension, Arania tapped her commbadge once more. It was a very short list so Arania hoped those who were already in QV would join in the celebration. "Arania to the Captain, First Officer, Parami and Rivers, please to come to QV as Lieutenant Trei's party still is to happen. Hurry please, the food needs to be eaten." She knew that neither Parami or Rivers had commbadges but she figured if they were by their mother that they would hear the message. Cy Tudor who was behind the bar, had heard the short interaction and when Arania looked at him and nodded he smiled and popped into the kitchen, to give word that the food could be taken back out into the lounge once more. Arania asked the computer to play a special selection of music that she thought everyone would enjoy while they ate and conversed with each other before she too went into the kitchen to help bring out the food and beverages. (Reply Party goers, any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - SPC a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 1957) "Ah'm relieved tae hear ye can fix this up that quickly Doctor... ah was expecting a longer stay. Ah thank ye in advance for your diligence." Lorimar addressed Jahlen. He made her grin; she had found that he was such always a nice man, courteous, considerate and kind, and as usual always grateful whenever she fixed him up. ~ And obviously one of those people whom trouble seems to find quite easily, usually the painful kind. ~ She thought as she flashed her grin at him and gave him a wink. "You are most welcome... As usual." She replied and laughed softly to herself as she passed by. (Reply Lorimar iyw) (posted by Sal) ************ (USS Boudicca - Personal Quarters - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 2000) Susan had reached her quarters when Arania's message came through. Luisa was fast asleep but Loren and Shun were still up, so she asked if they would like to attend too, and give Lieutenant Trei their good wishes. Both agreed eagerly and pausing only to request the childminder to stay on for a couple of hours and to receive her agreement, Susan took them with her to QV. (posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2010) Detron allowed for people to arrive for the party. He motioned to Ariana that the party guests can sample the bloodwine if they wish. Detron took a position at the buffet to enable easy congratulations and easy mingling as well. Detron raised his glass of bloodwine and said. "May your blood scream." It was a popular Klingon toast so he said it with feeling. ~That should get the part started.~ (Reply Ariana, All at party) (Posted by Edward) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 2010.5) There was music playing as they entered and Shun was about to make a bee-line for the food when Susan stopped him. "Wait until everyone arrives," she said sternly. "OK," he muttered, then looked around. "Will Lieutenant Lorimar be here?" he asked hopefully. "No," Susan said. "There was an accident with a painstick, Lieutenant Lorimar is in Sickbay and won't be able to attend. But there are plenty of other people who will be here." She wasn't sure if Parami and Rivers would be, so she didn't mention them. "Best behaviour, now, both of you," she reminded her charges, and then went to congratulate Arania on the spread she had provided. "...And at such short notice too," Susan added. "Thank you, Arania." (Reply Arania, any present, any) (Posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - SPC SciO Lieutenant Isobel Macbeth - Day 2 - 2011) Isobel had come to QV for something to eat and some company. She was wearing a kind of kaftan-style dress shed bought from a small stall in a market-type area on the station earlier that afternoon, but had missed the near-riot which had erupted there about half an hour after she's returned to the ship. She'd heard about it though from one or two others and wasn't sure whether she was relieved or annoyed that she'd missed the excitement. On the whole she rather thought she was relieved. She watched the preparations for the party with interest and was glad to overhear one of the servers say that those already in QV would be welcome to remain. She hadn't eaten yet and the food did look very appetising, as Arania's food always did. She looked around the room, and approached a table where there were a couple of other officers waiting for the celebration to begin. "Mind if I join you?" she asked. (Reply Any) (Posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - FO/CDR Dorga 'cha Nooras & SPC Bar Manager, Arania - Day 2 - 2012) Arania had made sure that the cask of bloodwine was placed prominently on the food and drink laden table. She was feeling less irritated now that Detron had finally arrived and some other people who were already there were going to stay for the party, naturally others were still on duty so couldn't stay but a few said they'd come by after their shift ended to see if the party was still on. All in all it looked like there'd be a decent turn out for Lieutenant Trei and Arania was glad for him. She gave a wave to Shun and Loren when she say them come in with Susan and break away from her to go and do whatever they had in mind, and she greeted the captain with a warm smile as she came over to her and congratulated her on what had been provided. "...And at such short notice too," Susan added. "Thank you, Arania." "It seems that more efficiently people work, when haste must be made. I will pass along your words to the workers they will be much appeased for my slave driving, I think." She chuckled for she'd heard quite a bit of grumbling from her staff about the lack of notice they'd received, and then more grumbling when nobody showed up. "It is glad I am, that the party will start soon. Detron told me of Bob's accident, my hopes are that he may join the party later?" (reply Susan) She looked up as the door opened again and the FO walked in alone, causing Arania to wonder where the twins were so she asked the Captain about them. "I thought Dorga would bring Parami and Rivers, although it is reasonable that bedtime must be adhered too. Still a special occasion is good cause for a later bedtime, no?" (reply Susan) Seeing Susan talking to Arania, Dorga smiled and strode over to them. "I just stopped by my quarters before coming here to check on the twins, they're now tucked up in their beds and the Parami hologram is taking care of them until Mrs. Askew gets there. She wasn't too thrilled about being asked but until Parami Senior has his kinks worked out, I can't rely on him 100%." Dorga looked over at the bountiful supply of edibles. "Nice spread you've supplied, Arania, well done as usual." The Bar Manager smiled appreciatively and nodded, "My thanks and my staffs' thanks." "I suppose it would be rude to start eating without the guest of honor starting?" Dorga's nose wrinkled on one side ruefully. "Oh well stomach, you'll just have to wait a bit longer." She patted her growling mid section. "He IS going to eat soon I hope!" Right then Detron raised his glass of bloodwine and said. "May your blood scream." Dorga grinned at him. "That's my cue to eat, drink and be merry!" She stated as she walked over to the buffet where Detron was standing. "You'd best get something to eat Mister Guest of Honor before I fall down from lack of nourishment." She stated jokingly as she helped herself to a large tankard of bloodwine. She raised her tankard to Detron. "Quapla!!" She toasted him and downed the tankard of bloodwine in one go then quickly refilled it. "This is a good vintage." She remarked, smacking her lips with appreciation. (Reply Rivers, Trei, any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei 2013) Dorga raised her glass of bloodwine and toasted Detron before downing it in one gulp. She refilled her glass then helped herself to some food. Detron took a plate and placed a fair amount of food on it for he was hungry but not enough that he would scarf it up like a plate of Gagh. He agreed with Dorga that it was a good vintage and greeted more at the party. (Reply Any at party) (Posted by Edward) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - CO - Captain Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 2015) "It is glad I am, that the party will start soon. Detron told me of Bob's accident, my hopes are that he may join the party later?" Susan shook her head. "I don't expect him to come. Dr Jahlen will most likely want to keep him in Sickbay for another few hours at least." At that moment Dorga arrived sans twins, and Arania expressed surprise and asked Susan if she knew why. Not wanting to go into details, Susan merely said that Parami had acted up a bit at the ceremony, so she guessed that Dorga had decided that he should miss the party, and that Rivers had opted to stay behind with her brother. Dorga approached them then and also complimented Arania on the spread, and expressed the hope that Detron was going to eat soon. At that moment Detron raised his bloodwine and gave the Klingon toast "May your blood scream!" Happily, Dorga headed over to the buffet, and Susan looked around for Loren and Shun before heading over there herself. (posted by Liz) ******** (USS Boudicca- Personal Quarters- ACMO Ens Hawkeye Dolphin- 2100) Hawkeye was in the middle of reviewing the latest case reviews from Earth when his computer chirped with a message. He put down his PADD and walked over to the computer terminal. "Computer, activate message". Moments later Hawkeye saw the image of his old station director. "Hawkeye I hope this letter finds you well. We miss you around the station. We were all pleased to hear your last con ed program. I have a favor I need to ask of you pal. One of you're old coworkers has enlisted in starfleet. He intends to go to med school while he serves as a field medic. He and I were wondering if you would be willing to take him on as a student. He is either billeted on board the Spectre or the Hades. I want to say its the Spectre. If you are able to and your CO approves it, would you be willing to transfer to where he is and begin his lessons? It would mean a lot to him. Take care old friend. Jason" With that the message ended. "Dolphine to Rivers" Hawkeye said after chirping his commbadge. "Ma'am do you have a few minutes?" (Reply Rivers) (posted by Ben) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 2105) Susan was deep in conversation with one of the other guests when her commbadge chirped. She excused herself and walked away a few steps to take the 'call'. =/\=Dolphine to Rivers. Ma'am do you have a few minutes?=/\= Suppressing a sigh before she responded, Susan said "Captain Rivers here, Doctor. Meet me in my Ready Room in ten minutes. Rivers out." Closing the link she made her apologies to Detron and asked Dorga to keep an eye on Shun and Loren until she returned. (Reply Dorga, any) (posted by Liz) ********** (USS Boudicca - QV - FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 2 - 2106) As always the food was excellent and Dorga had eaten her fill, now she was concentrating on drinking more of the fine bloodwine that Arania told her had been supplied by Denise Lebranski. She was enjoying her fourth tankard when Susan requested that she keep an eye on Shun and Loren. With a short nod and a smile of assent, Dorga watched as Susan left QV, naturally she was curious as to what had called Susan away and she automatically thought of Lorimar, hoping that he was alright and that nothing unforseen had occurred. ~ I am sure he is fine or surely she would have said something. Then again I suppose she may not know yet or she may not have wanted to spoil the party. ~ She took a big swig of the wine and looked around for Shun and Loren, spotting them in the petting corral giving Arania's little pygmy goat the attention the little beast craved, adored and accepted as her full due. ~ I wonder if I should get the twins a pet or two to take care of, they may learn to be more responsible for others welfare perhaps. ~ Dorga wandered over to the corral to watch the animals within, pondering what would make good pets for her twins. Besides Silky there were several holographic animals, a couple of rabbits, one with floppy ears the other with long fur, a lamb, a minature pony that whinneyed a welcome to her as it trotted over for its ears to be scratched, with which Dorga absentmindedly obliged it. There was also an assortment of birds big and small in a vivid flurry of many colored feathers and songs, a giant tortoise and a small monkey with a prehensile tail and huge eyes and even a baby targ curled up and sleeping on a bed of hay, much to Dorga's surprise. ~ Certainly not the loveliest of creatures, I wonder why Arania has a targ in the petting corral? Well, baby targs are so ugly they're cute at least. ~ (Reply any) (Posted by Sal) ******* (USS Boudicca - Ready Room - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - 2115) As she awaited the arrival of Ensign Dolphine, Susan tapped her fingers on the desk, wondering what was so urgent that it could not wait until tomorrow. She hoped it wasn't bad news about Bob, but then thought that Jahlen would have contacted her if that was the case. (Reply Hawkeye, any) (Posted by Liz) ********** (USS Boudicca- Ready Room- ACMO Ensign Hawkeye Dolphine - 2125) Hawkeye made his way to the ready room. He was nervous talking to the captain about a possible transfer, but he couldn't pass up the chance to teach. Je got off the turbolift and made his way to the ready room. He reached out and pressed the door chime. He stood out side the ready room and awaited acknowledgment from the Capt. (Reply Rivers) After the Capt. let him into the ready room, he gretted her with a small quiver in his voice. He tried not to let his nervousness show but he couldn't help it. "Captain thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I apologize for taking you away from the activites in the QV but this needed to be addressed ASAP as to set the remainder of affairs in order. First of all I want to thank you for the opportunites I have received on board the Boudicca. I have enjoyed my time on board so far. The men and women of this crew have made the transition from civilian practice to Starfleet much easier and have been so kind while I got adjusted here." "And while I am apprecative of the time on board, Ma'am I have something I need to speak with you about. I received a message from my old station cheif on Earth. He informed me that an old co-worker had enlisted in Starfleet with the hope to go through medical school while he was on board. I know the man personally and feel he would be a great asset to the medical profession as well as Starfleet. It has been brought to my attention that he has been posted on board the USS Hades and has asked me if I would assist him with his pre-med and subsequent medical training. It has always been my philosphy that the best way to learn the practice of medicine is by hands on experience. He has enlisted as a field medic in starfleet. I would like to continue to assist him in his aspirations of becoming a physician and would like to transfer over to the Hades to assist him. I realize that this sounds unorthodox, but he has applied to Boston Medical School, where I happen to be a satellite instructor. In order to best assist him while he serves as a field medic it would be easier for me to work closely with him. Both he and I could benefit from the experience. It would also give me the chance to do some live teaching, something I haven't been able to do for a while now. I am a physician first and foremost and believe that the only way to become a better doctor is through teaching. I have the offical request typed up on this PADD." With that he handed the PADD to Captain Rivers. (reply Rivers) (posted by Ben Church) ********* (Laatstekans Station - The Last Resort - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - Day 2 - 2207) "Hey's Chiiiica.." Rameriz greeted the loosely clothed woman, sliding onto the stool next to her. "You's comes here oftens?" he asked, giving his best winning smile. Said winning smile had an unfortunate resemblance to an oil slick. "Yeah, she does, with me." Growled a deep voice, causing the holo-marine to look over her shoulder and way up at the humanoid that was glowering down at him. ~Even if he's hooman, he's one big mother frek.~ Rameriz blinked up at him for a moment before shrugging, "Yeahs? So? Maybe she wants to upgrade?" "To YOU? A short little no-man?" The humanoid got further into Rameriz's personal space. "Yeahs, some girls can'ts be restistin' the charm of a real leather neck." He looked at the girl and wondered what type of gal would show up in a bar dressed like that when she had a boyfriend, husband, meat puppet, whatever he was lurking around. Bait, it seemed. ~Heeeere's fishy, fishy..~ Rameriz snickered at his own wit. "You laughin' at me?" Growled the male-whatever he was and before Rameriz could decide whether a yay or a nay would be funnier the mound of muscle decided to try and flatten Rameriz's face. Unfortunately for him, and most fortunately for Rameriz, the fist went sailing through the image and into the girlfriend. "Ooooo.." Rameriz said as the girl was forced off the stool, into the patron on the other side and then to the ground. The patron she hit, a surly looking Andorian, growled and launched himself at the boytoy. Rameriz ducked so his emitter wouldn't get caught in the carnage and hopped off his stool to look at the woman. "You's okay?" "Do I LOOK okay, dumb ass?" She was daubing blood from her lip. "Wells, I won't calls you a doctor den!" Rameriz said and made his way away from the growing riot. He, of course, didn't make faces, mime punches, and smack talk on his way towards the door. He'd *hate* to make things worse after all. Out on the concourse once more, he looked around with a sigh. No one on the Bouddy had missed him, he'd thought the station might be some fun but not being able to touch anything sure dragged it out. He wondered if the cats were still fighting. He wondered if he shut himself off, where would he go? Sighing, he figured he may as well return his emitter to Bob's office and go back to cheating the EMH at cribbage. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2235) Once the doctors seemed to be done working on the chief engineer, Denise caught the eye of the chief surgeon, "Can I stick around and keep him company? I won't wake him." She'd spent a great deal of time at Sash's side on the Hades, she doubted doctors on the Boudicca would be so greatly different. (Reply Jahlen) She thanked the doctor and let the woman get to whatever was next on her busy list of things to do. Denise tugged a stool over to Bob's Biobed since it didn't seem that medical wanted to release him any time soon. She folded one knee over the other and tilted her head at him. It was pure coincidence, of course, that she showed off a chunk of leg above her black high heeled boots. She was more than happy to sit at his side and wait for him to wake on his own. (reply Jahlen) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 2236) The surgery had been completed without a hitch, it had been pretty straight forward and Lieutenant Lorimar had slipped from deep unconsciousness to a peaceful sleep. De-activating the sterile forcefield, Jahlen stripped off the surgical scrubs and tossed them into the recycler, as she turned Denise caught her eye, apparently wanting to talk to her. "Can I stick around and keep him company? I won't wake him." With a smile, Jahlen said she could, certain that Lorimar would appreciate seeing a lovely, sexy young woman at his bedside when he woke up, rather than a nurse or doctor. ".... You shouldn't have to wait too long." She informed Denise as she headed off to her office to catch up on paddwork before she went off duty, which would be any time she wanted once that was done, barring any further incoming patients. Then again Dr. Dolphine would be the one on call once she left, or the LMH and she did plan on leaving asap. An hour passed before Jahlen was ready to finally walk out of Sickbay and head to QV for a snack; perhaps she wasn't too late to participate in Detron Trei's party. Lifting a hand in farewell as she walked by the young couple, she smiled as her gesture appeared to go unnoticed. Obviously they were too engrossed with each other. Seeing them like that brought a pang of sadness to her as she remembered the good times she'd had with Tollian before he'd transferred, perhaps the party would cheer her up. (Reply any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2255) "Good Evening, Mr Lorimar," Denise said when he roused on his own, breaking off her thoughts of plans for repainting her quarters. It looked like she'd be staying a while and she wanted to be comfortable. (Reply Bob) She waited for the on duty nurse to come by and do the medical thing. She was very careful to get the heck outta the way even if she thought the nurse was overly fussy and took forever. Once they were alone, so to speak, again, she grinned at Bob. "Well, I have to say, Mister Chief Engineer, this is certainly the most unique way a man's lured me to his bedside." (Reply Lorimar) "But now you have *plenty* of time to tell me all about *your* family," she told him with a wicked grin, "After all, I'm pretty sure if you were raised by wolves in a forest on Delta Eximina Prime, you wouldn't know which end of a hyperspanner to use on a power conduit." Assuming one even used a spanner on a power conduit. There was a reason why she was always extra nice to the boys in gold. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay- ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 2 - 2257) Once the doctor dismissed him, he had retired to his room for the evening. After many hours of failing to try to relax and forget about the evening he checked his the computer which indicated he had a message. It was from the Station, from the Guards requesting the statement. It was a recorded message asking for a detailed reply of the events in the market and that any further queries they would contact in person. Basil suspected that Dr Jahlen had been sent one as well. He recorded his statement and sent it back to the station then, as he was doing it, recorded a message to the captain as well. “Captain, I don’t know whether you have had any contact from the station but Dr Jahlen and I were witnesses to a shooting in the station’s market area. The victim was Ferengi, I will send you my recorded statement made for the Stations guard’s investigating the crime. If you have need of anymore information then let me know” (Reply Captain, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - CEO Lorimar - 2259) Bob had dreamed the most curious of dreams while he was out. Perhaps the effect of the medications, but who could say? He awoke slowly, but with a clarity of thought and mind that he had not had since being struck by the painstick. He opened his eyes, thankful that the lighting was subdued. He looked for a moment at the overhead instrumentation in sickbay, orienting himself to place. ~Time? What time is it? How long was I out?~ "Good Evening, Mr Lorimar." The pleasant voice he recognized instantly as that of Denise. He turned slowly and awkwardly toward her. He noted some overall stiffness and discomfort, but took that as a good sign since he had sensation in parts of his body which were numb prior to the surgery. "How long was I out?" he asked, ignoring her greeting for the moment. (Reply Lebranski) Just then, the on duty nurse came by, no doubt to check on his return to consciousness. She ran some evidently cursory scans on the biobed, checked the results, and generally fussed over him as medical people are wont to do. With a final adjustment to his pillow for better comfort, she departed into sickbay proper once again. "Well, I have to say, Mister Chief Engineer, this is certainly the most unique way a man's lured me to his bedside." He tried with some success to suppress a laugh. "Hardly mah objective young lady. Ah feel rather guilty aboot ruinin' yer evenin' though. Ah hope ye dinnae waste all yer time here watching me nap did ye?" He paused briefly, but not nearly long enough for her to reply. He tried to turn to face Denise more directly and was partly successful. He gave her his broadest possible smile under the circumstances. "A bit overdressed for a sickbay visit, are ye not lass? Or was that for the dinner that ah seem tae have screwed up?" He intended it to come out as a joke, but his grin twisted to a grimace as he felt guilty for messing up their plans. (Reply Lebranski, Any) (Posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2300) "How long was I out?" he asked, ignoring her greeting for the moment. "It's just hit 2300," Denise replied, not having to glance down at her watch. She'd been looking at it only every two minutes, "so about three hours." That made it sound like she hadn't been clock watching.. she hoped. Bob looked like he was swallowing a laugh. "Hardly mah objective young lady. Ah feel rather guilty aboot ruinin' yer evenin' though. Ah hope ye dinnae waste all yer time here watching me nap did ye?" He paused briefly, but not nearly long enough for her to reply. ~*Young* Lady?!~ Denise was about to protest when he turned towards her. Probably about to get a cranky nurse descending on them both for doing so. He gave her his a smile. "A bit overdressed for a sickbay visit, are ye not lass? Or was that for the dinner that ah seem tae have screwed up?" He intended it to come out as joke, but his grin twisted to a grimace as he felt guilty for messing up their plans. "Piffle. So we go for dinner another time." She dismissed the matter with a hand wave. She wanted to make a fuss about the whole condescending 'young lady' thing, but the poor man was on his sickbed and had just come out of surgery. She'd just have to smack him around for it later. She smiled, "Of course, I shall use this opportunity make you pay. 'Oh, but Bob, *you* stood me up the last time, surely you owe it to me..'" she said in a falsetto voice and then batted her eyelashes in a ridiculous manner. (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2302) He managed to make the mental arithmetic work, simple as it was, it was important to him. Knowing that his brain was coming up the same answers as he was being given gave him so reassurance that no permanent damage had been done to his brain. Despite all the comforting assurances from the medical staff, he had still been inwardly anxious about the procedure. The relief washed over him like a wave as he made small talk with Denise. "Of course, I shall use this opportunity make you pay. 'Oh, but Bob, *you* stood me up the last time, surely you owe it to me..'" she said in a falsetto voice and then batted her eyelashes in a ridiculous manner. He grinned at her with genuine amusement. “Well I must admit… if the price must be paid in order tae have you at my bedside when ah wake up, it might just be worth the torture. Ah’m not so sure aboot the painsticks though. This has certainly given me a new appreciation for Klingon culture. Perhaps they are a lot tougher than ah gie them credit for?” (Reply Lebranski) “Could ye dae me a favor? Would ye mind findin’ one of those nice medical folk and askin’ them if ah can get out of bed yet, please?” (Reply Lebranski, Any) “One other favor, if ye wouldnae mind lass? Ah’d like tae pop around tae QV just to see how Mister Trei is getting on. Could ah prevail on ye for just that much longer? Ah’d take it tae be very much in your debt if ye would.” (Reply Lebranski, Any) (Posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2303) He grinned at her with genuine amusement. "Well I must admit. if the price must be paid in order tae have you at my bedside when ah wake up, it might just be worth the torture. Ah'm not so sure aboot the painsticks though. This has certainly given me a new appreciation for Klingon culture. Perhaps they are a lot tougher than ah gie them credit for?" "Hey, they're on my list of races I want on my side in a barfight," she said with a grin. "Could ye dae me a favor? Would ye mind findin' one of those nice medical folk and askin' them if ah can get out of bed yet, please?" "*Another* favour, Bob? Tsk.. You're wracking up quite the bill.." Denise teased, getting to her feet. (Reply Bob) "One other favor, if ye wouldnae mind lass? Ah'd like tae pop around tae QV just to see how Mister Trei is getting on. Could ah prevail on ye for just that much longer? Ah'd take it tae be very much in your debt if ye would." "I'll let you lean arm, drink my beer and protect you from overly friendly alien goats, all free of charge." She put on an overly thoughtful expression and tapped her lips, "Though, you better not tell anyone, you'd right ruin my reputation." (Reply Bob) Denise turned to the nearest medic and asked if they could ask the doctor on duty to give Bob an eval. "Typical Starfleet, barely better and already wanting to get banged up again," she said. "I'll just wait out of earshot," she told Bob. (Reply Bob) (Posted by any) ********* (USS Boudicca - Personal Quarters - CO, Captain Susan Rivers - Day 2 - 2310) Susan was sitting with her legs curled under her on the sofa, sipping a glass of Spring Wine before going to bed. Shun and Loren were in their rooms and, as far as she knew, asleep, as was Luisa. She was appreciating the time to herself and feeling slightly guilty that she was happy there was no one to share it with her except for Pangur Ban who was lying across her lap, fast asleep. One paw twitched as he dreamed but other than that he was completely relaxed. Her commbadge beeped and relayed a message from Ensign Candle about an incident on the station that afternoon. Frowning slightly, she gently moved the cat off her lap onto the sofa, uncurled her legs and made her way over to the terminal in the corner. Sure enough there was a message from station security - a standard report with not many details, informing her that two of her officers had witnessed a shooting and would be required to provide statements. There was also Candle's statement, which she viewed carefully. After a little thought, she recorded a message for Candle, requesting him to keep her informed of any future developments, including if station security wished to speak to him further. For now it was enough that he'd informed her, but if matters were taken further then she wished to know. Having sent her reply, she returned to the sofa and picked up her glass again. As Pangur crept back onto her lap she wondered for a moment if Ensign Candle were one of those people who seemed to be dogged by 'interesting' events. She smiled, remembering someone else she'd known years ago who had more than his fair share of such happenings. Then she returned her attention to the wine, which was an excellent vintage. Time, she was sure, would tell. (Reply Candle iyw, any) (Posted by Liz) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2305) Denise seemed to enjoy teasing him; or perhaps that was merely the impression his still not quite fully coherent thought process gave. She agreed to do what he asked, at least initially… though the price sounded dear indeed. “Ah guess ah’m settling rather heavily intae debt wie ye… are ye a friendly creditor, or will ah regret bein’ in yer debt lassie?” (Reply Denise iyw) She wore a rather thoughtful look and then answered his second request. "Though, you better not tell anyone, you'd right ruin my reputation." He wasn’t *quite* sure what to make of that statement, and it surely piqued his interest. “Reputation? Is there somethin’ ah should be aware of that ye have not decided tae share?” (Reply Denise iyw) He mulled it over as she walked away to presumably locate someone from the medical staff. She (rather tactfully, he thought) offered to wait ‘out of earshot’. He nodded his thanks, and waited patiently. (Reply Any, None) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2306) "Ah guess ah'm settling rather heavily intae debt wie ye. are ye a friendly creditor, or will ah regret bein' in yer debt lassie?" "Oh, I'm a cruel and harsh mistress. I'll expect you to do things like fix the squeak in my office door and fill out your reports on time," Denise continued to tease. (Reply Bob) "Though, you better not tell anyone, you'd right ruin my reputation." "Reputation? Is there somethin' ah should be aware of that ye have not decided tae share?" Denise laughed, "I'm a spoiled princess who demands her way all the time and is a cold hearted negotiater when it comes to the deal. Why, if it was found out I was doing *nice* things for no gain.." She mock fanned herself, "Why, ruin everything! I'd never be able to wear my tiara again!" Leaving Bob to his thoughts, she got out of the way so medical could do their thing and they could head down to the QV. Not that she was sure there'd still be many around at this hour. (Reply Bob) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 - 2307) The duty nurse had popped her head through the open door to pass on the message from Lieutenant Lorimar who was requesting an evaluation, so Jahlen had told her that she'd be along momentarily, finished the sentence in the report she was making and then had left her office. "What's this I hear? You want to leave Sickbay already?" Jahlen placed her fists on her hips and tried to look intimidating but the corners of her lips kept trying to curl up and her eyes belied any possible angst on her part. (reply Lorimar iyw) The evaluation was brief, vitals were normal and the tricorder showed that his previously damaged nerves were well on the way to healing, so the doctor had no objections to Lorimar leaving to attend the party in QV later. "I'd prefer to keep you in overnight, Lieutenant but I understand that you'd rather be elsewhere still you must stay a while longer. I'm afraid it is too soon, I only completed the repair half an hour ago, you must stay in Sickbay another hour at least, I'm sorry. However I will leave orders that you may leave if your vitals are still within normal parameters, just be careful and remember what I told you. Don't dance! I don't care how good the music is and no drinking liquor." She saw Denise Lebranski hovering just out of earshot so she raised her voice. "Young lady, if you are accompanying the 2O to the party later, you make sure he follows my orders, no booze and no dancing." Returning her gaze to Bob she patted his shoulder apologetically. (Reply Lorimar, Lebranski iyw, any) (Posted by Sal) **********