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Mission: Where Fools Fear to Tread
Day: -5
Stardate: 2408.11.15 
Day: 5
Stardate: 2408 11.25
Day: 6
Stardate: 2408.11.26
============================================
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Stardate: 2408.11.15

(USS Boudicca - Personal Quarters - FO Commander Aleksander Stolev - 1125)

Sasha walked into his quarters with a slight spring in his step.  Any minute now, Eva and the twins would be calling so that he could wish them a happy birthday and enjoy a rare chance to have a real-time conversation with his wife.  It had been several weeks since he had been able to do so, and he was sure they'd have a lot to catch up on.

As he waited for the signal to come in, Sasha paced the room, pausing every so often to brush an imaginary speck of dust from the desk or straighten his perfectly straight uniform shirt.  Eventually, the comm station beeped, and the monitor screen popped to life with Eva's image, a one-year-old on each knee.  His face lit up as he saw them.  "Hello!  Oh, I've missed you all so much!  Happy birthday, Evan and Aleksandria!"

Eva smiled as the twins squealed with delight and leaned toward the monitor their little arms out stretched toward their father.  She clearly was working hard to keep them from falling off her knee and onto the floor.

=^= We've missed you too, =^= Eva said, as she fought to keep a hold of the squirming twins.  =^= In case you couldn't tell, =^= she finished with a smile looking down at the twins as she managed to get them both firmly back onto her lap.  Evan screamed loudly in protest, his little arms still reaching out toward the monitor.  =^= Did you remember to get them presents? =^= Eva asked with a smile.
    
"Of course," replied Sasha with a smile as he kissed his hand and placed it to the monitor.  "There should be a couple of new items in your replicator menu.  I also have some other things that my parents sent from Earth -- no replicators of course -- that I will give them when I see them next... whenever that will be."  He added the last bit as though it were an afterthought, but his eyes betrayed his angst over the uncertainty of when he would next see his wife and children.

Aleksandria chose that moment to start 'talking' to daddy, cutting Eva off.  Evan, jealous of his sister, screamed in protest before slapping Aleksandria across the face.  Aleksandria started crying as Eva smacked Evan on the rear.

=^= You don't hit your sister,=^= Eva scolded Evan who also began crying.  Now with two screaming children on her lap, Eva sighed and looked at Sasha.  =^= Our little angels, =^= she said.  Eva took a moment to quiet Aleksandria, caressing her cheek and kissing her forehead.  =^= Why don't you two go with Aunt Marie for a minute, =^= she said, handing first Evan and then Aleksandria to Marie off screen.  =^= Mommy needs to talk to Daddy for a moment. =^=

Once the comm line grew quieter, Eva looked back at Sasha.  =^= I take it you've heard about Captain Sash? =^= she asked.

Sasha nodded.  "Yeah, it sounds like it was awful.  Do you know who your new CO will be yet?" he asked.

=^= Yes, =^= Eva said,  =^= Me.  Star Fleet Command has made it official and permanent.  I've been promoted to Captain and given command of the Hades. =^=

Sasha stared into the screen for a moment, mouth agape and eyes wide.  Any hope he might have had of being reunited with his wife had been dashed in an instant -- Starfleet Command would never allow a husband-and-wife CO-FO command team.  Quickly he recovered, forcing a big smile on his face.  "Well congratulations, Captain!" he said. "You must be very excited."

=^= Well there is one cloud still in the sky, =^= Eva replied.

His ears perked up at that.  Maybe there was some technicality that would make it so she couldn't take the command... or better yet, maybe she had turned it down because she had come to the same conclusion as he had.  "Oh?" asked Sasha.  "What's that?"

Eva scowled at Sasha, and his momentary hopes were again dashed before he even heard her reply.  =^= You have to ask that? =^= she asked angrily.  =^= I'm here.  You're there. =^=

"I know that, obviously," snapped Sasha just as angrily, his frustration getting the better of him.  "I thought you perhaps meant something else.  Like maybe, oh, I don't know, you had to refuse the promotion because if you took it, you'd never be stationed with your husband again."

=^= Refuse the promotion!? =^= Eva retorted in disbelief.  =^= You know I couldn't have done that! =^=

Sasha opened his mouth to retort further before stopping himself.  He knew any further comments would simply add fuel to the fire, and he didn't want to waste what little time he had with her in a useless argument.  He ran his hand over his head and sighed.  "I know, you're right. I wish I could honestly say I am happy for you..."  His voice trailed off as he looked down at his hands, trying to think of how to say what he meant.  He had grown accustomed to not having to figure it out, but Eva was too far away for their telepathic link to be anything more than a vague sense of each other's existence.  "...and I am.  I am happy for you. For us?  Not so much."

=^= Things will get better for us.  We just have to be patient, =^= Eva said, clearly trying to be reassuring.

Sasha sighed.  "I wish I were as confident as you."  He glanced at the chronometer off-screen, and saw that he was late for a command staff meeting.  "Well, I have to get back to the bridge.  Thanks for calling, and tell the twins again how much I love them."

Eva frowned.  She clearly wasn't pleased that he had to go, especially as they hadn't really resolved anything.  =^= If you *must* go, then go, =^= she said, rather harshly he thought.  =^= I love you too, =^= she added, perhaps as an attempt to soften her prior statement.

"Of course, I love you too."  Sasha smiled sadly into the monitor.  "See you soon, I hope," he said, before closing the connection.  He stared at the blank screen for a moment before letting out another sigh and walking wearily from his quarters.

(reply none)
(posted by Aaron and Wes)


======================================================

Stardate: 2408 11.25

(USS Boudicca – Outer Hull – Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 1315) 

“What I’m sayin’s man, is that they can just tells us what to do and hows to do it. Hows is that right or fair? We’s should have some test for sapience, an’ ifs we passes the test, we can’t be ordered around like automatons, man..” Jose took a swig of the holographic sangria.

The two holograms were sitting on deck chairs on the bulge of the hull that protected the shield doors of the shuttle bay. Between them was a fire pit barbeque with hamburger patties on the grill, a table to the side with various holographic drinks and a checkers board where white had creamed black singlehandedly.

“One could point out, Mr Rameriz, that we are just manifestations of the computer and cannot exist outside of it, so there for to give us individual recognition is illogical.” The EMH sniffed at the beer and took a drink, making a face. He plunked it down on the table and took up a glass of white wine instead.

“Heys, Chief Bob mades me the walk about model, man. It’s nots a matter of lack of individuality, it’s a lack of *power*. Humans needs oxygen, dat doesn’t make them less individual or sapient. I’ll agrees we are not *alive* but we shoulds still have rights!” Rameriz poked at a burger but decided he wasn’t ready for it to be done yet.

“I will point out, Mr Rameriz, you have quarters. You may not have a duty station, you may not have training, but you have a certain percentage of the computer’s time and energy dedicated to your existence, which is more than I have. You have a limited ability to control your manifestations; I do not outside of your influence. Your lot is not as bad as it could be.” Really, he thought the marine was just whining.

“Mans, it doesn’t matter how thick the chains are, they’re still chains.” He muttered. “I will, in theories, live forever. Forever doin’ what? Bein’ ordered around by every Tom, Jill an’ Harry.” He took another swig of the sangria that seemed a perfect chill despite the sub-zero vacuum around them.

“You ARE a marine, Mr Rameriz.” The EMH pointed out with unsympathetic logic.

“There’s a difference, man, there’s a difference.”

The two holograms stared off into space for several long minutes, the strange alien ship seeming to watch them and study them. ~What kind of universe were you in when the freaky aliens cared more about you than your crewmates?~ wondered the frustrated hologram of a Spanish marine.

“Burgers are done.” The EMH said, breaking into Rameriz’s brooding.

If only all of existence could be as simple as a BBQ on the hull of a space ship.

(Reply any)
(Posted by Lorna)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1320)

"Oh that's a nasty bite, Shadow I'm going to give you a shot of 
antibiotics too.  Bites can lead to all kinds of unpleasant diseases." 

Shadow sighed as the doctor played with her hypospray, but didn't protest
the extra medication. "I am thinking positive that monkey diseases don't
translate to Sioavan diseases." 

"Actually I read somewhere that monkey is quite tasty and the brains are 
supposed to be good eating as well," Jahlen's nose wrinkled up at the 
thought, "now I will try just about anything once, but monkey brains do 
not appeal to me in any way, I think I'd pass on trying those."

Shadow's tail looped around the doctor's hand as she worked, amused, "I have
eaten worse. But I would not eat someone's pet, no matter how ill mannered
it is."

(Reply Jahlen, if any)

"Doctor," Shadow said thoughtfully as the professional had moved up to her
back, "You know what I said about diseases? I heard when I was stationed on
Jeneva that they thought most of the Alpha and Beta quadrant's races were
spread by beings called the seeders.. or something?"

(Reply Jahlen, if any)

"Why didn't they seed Sioavo? I mean, we're so different physiologically, we
have to be self-adapted. Or is it that these seeders just created the life
and then slowly grew it to what they wanted it to be and on Sioavo they
never came back to help it grow and so we became what we are, so different
from so many of the races who are here?"

(Reply Jahlen, if any)
(posted by Lorna)

******

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - 1323)

"Doctor," Shadow said thoughtfully as the Jahlen moved up to her back, "You know what I said about diseases? I heard when I was stationed on Geneva that they thought most of the Alpha and Beta quadrant's races were spread by beings called the seeders.. or something?"

Jahlen nodded, even though Shadow wouldn't see it.  "Yes I recall having heard something like that, we even have ancient songs that tell of something similar on my world.  I am unsure whether to believe it or not but I can see that it is a possibility."  The Doctor wondered where the conversation was heading.

"Why didn't they seed Sioavo? I mean, we're so different physiologically, we have to be self-adapted. Or is it that these seeders just created the life and then slowly grew it to what they wanted it to be and on Sioavo they never came back to help it grow and so we became what we are, so different from so many of the races who are here?"

For a few seconds as she continued to work slowly and meticulously at plucking thorns from Shadow's body, Jahlen deliberated Shadow's questions and came to a conclusion.  She paused.

"Logic tells me, that if the seeders were in fact real beings who did do all that is said, they did, then I believe that they would have just started life on the different worlds and then allowed it to evolve over time in its own way and the varied environments of the worlds dictated how the life evolved, that is why there are many diverse looking beings.  You are not the only felinoids as you know, there are the Caitians and perhaps there are others.  There are reptilian-like beings, insectoids, some that can fly and others that live in water.  Your race is no more different than many. "

(Reply Shadow iyw)
(posted by Sal)

******* 

(USS Boudicca - Ship Corridors - Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles - 1325)

Normally Shadow would retreat to the botanical gardens to do her thinking,
but she really didn't want to encounter a certain monkey again just yet. The
doctor had said there were lots of different races, but all she saw in
Starfleet were the races who could have children together. She hadn't even
seen one of her Eeoaiun cousins in forever. She thought about talking about
it with Parrr'Z, but they didn't really talk much. So she wandered the veins
of the ship instead.

Her conversations with Parrr'Z normally had to do with the hunt, or him
telling her she was pretty and her telling him he was handsome and strong
and off they went to hunt or mate or whatever physical whim moved them. She
hadn't quite decided if Parrr'Z was limited in imagination, had little in
common with her or just limited mentally. She liked his muscles, she liked
his tail, and she liked hunting with him, but when she wanted to think and
talk she normally went to find Loren or Rameriz. Loren was in school, or at
least she SHOULD be in school and she hadn't seen Rameriz in days.

"Computer, where is Rameriz?" she asked. She still wasn't very happy with
the spirit of the boats being able to tell you where anyone was at any time,
but sometimes it was very handy.

[Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz is on the outer hull above the shuttle bay.] The
computer reported happily.

"What is he doing there?" Shadow asked, startled into stopping and talking
up to the ceiling. 

[The holo-marine and the emergency medical hologram are roasting hot dogs
and discussing the future of artificial intelligence in the Federation.]

Shadow stared up at the ceiling, stock still, for several heartbeats. She
wasn't quite sure if the computer was pulling her tail or not. But, then, if
anyone would want to have a campfire in space it would be Rameriz.

She shook her head and continued on her wanderings. The other reason for not
bringing her thoughts Parrr'Z was Caitains were genetically compatible with
humans and klingons and romulans and.. She sighed. She'd never heard of a
Caitain having children with a furless. After all, who'd want to be stuck
with a mate who couldn't defend their children with claw and tooth? She
could understand a furless wanting a fierce mate with furcoat and tail to
curl up with and be protected by, but she wasn't quite sure why anyone would
ever go the other way. 

So, if all these 'different' races, the non-genetically compatible, existed,
where were they? Were they out further than the seeded influence? Or were
some races seeded and others the whim of the universe and it's spirits? Or
were the seeders painters who were specific with a few and just blobbed
paint around for the majority and they just hadn't found the majority yet?
Were these seeders the agents of the universe, or were they something less?

So many questions and no way to ever answer them. Maybe she should write a
song about it. She sighed again and realized her wandering feet had taken
her into engineering. She was on the upper deck, looking down at the warp
core as it beat life into the ship and it's occupants; a thing of beauty and
deadliness. It could grant life with one thrum or death with the next. It
was suitable that this design was cared for by so many humans; of the
furless they were the race for the greatest capacity of evil and good, often
in the same body.

Wrapping paws around the guardrail, Shadow lost herself to thoughts and the
ship's heartbeat.

(Reply any/none)
(Posted by Lorna)

***********

(USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - XO - Captain Susan Rivers - Day 5 - 1326)

At the end of his expansion on what he would be able to do to assist in dealing with the plague, the new doctor offered an apology which Susan had no trouble identifying as sincere.

"...I ask for your forgiveness and assure you that something like this will never happen again," he finished.

Susan nodded. "Thank you, Doctor. I will hold you to that." She felt a little sorry for him; clearly his devotion to his medical responsibilities and a certain amount of over-enthusiasm had led to his earlier outburst. That, and feelings in the room had been running high.

"Captain, with your permission I would like to head towards sickbay and begin working on this compound. It will take some time to prepare."

"Permission granted, Dr Delphine."

The following spat between Lebranski and Trei having been dealt with admirably by Dorga, the meeting closed not long after and Susan and ManyHorses left the room to contact Marshall Wersh again, but Susan was stopped just outside by Ensign Orion.

"Captain if I may,  I would like to go help the Dentarians. I understand that and believe in Dr. Dolphine ability to create an air born vaccination to this disease. But I wonder how can we cover the planet with the vaccination in the amount of time we have to work with. I would like permission to take the fighter, modified to carry the vaccine and cover as much sky as possible. I understand that this can cost me my federation career, but do not want to sit idly by and watch everything I believe in fall  apart. I will await your decision."

Susan raised an eyebrow. This was rather a turn-around from his previous statements. "As yet, Ensign, we're uncertain how the vaccine will be delivered; it could be that the Mithgiln have a means in mind, and we have yet to get their agreement to a non-contact method. My wish is to avoid *any* detection of an outside agency and sending a fighter to deliver the vaccine into the atmosphere would certainly be detected by those on the planet. I am however grateful that you wish to help and therefore I ask you to work with Dr Delphine, Lieutenant Lorimar and Ensign Gesar on a method of delivery in default of the Mithgiln having one that meets with our obligations under the Prime Directive. I think it unlikely that they do, given that their version of a prime directive seems to be benevolent contact in all similar cases."

(Reply Orion, any)
(Posted by Liz)

********

(Shonora Ellian, Command Deck – Marshal  Torias Wersh – 1336)

The Marshal was sitting in his chair waiting for ManyHorses to get
back to him.  He wasn't sure how much longer he could wait.  His
Medical staff was already working on "worst case" scenarios in case
the Boudicca couldn't help them, and none of them were pretty.   All
of them involved refusing certain portions of the population the
vaccine so that vital areas could be vaccinated.

He looked up when the comm line opened.

=/\=Marshal Wersh! A decision has been made to aid you indirectly in
helping the Dentarians. If you will send your vaccine's composition to
us, our medical team will convert it to an airborne carrier and will
be able to replicate it in the massive quantities that would be
necessary to cover all populated areas of the planet. As you already
know our assistance in person on the planet would be a direct
violation of the Prime Directive rules.=/\=

"Give me a moment Commander," the Marshal said, then muted the line
and looked at his Vice Marshal.

"It's possible, we don't have the replicator technology to be able to
pull off that production, but if they do, it should work.  Our medical
staff can help them aerosolize it, and keep it undetectable to the
Dentarians technology.  I'd rather they didn't panic prior to our
being able to intervine and explain.  We'll still need to make a hands
on first contact to help with those people who the vaccine doesn't
work on and the like, but it's really our only option if we want to
save the most people."  Erril said.

"Fine, get a sample ready to send over with the specs and start
working on our end," Torias said, then turned back to the screen,
unmuting it.  "For the sake of the Dentarians, this will be fine.
We'll send over a sample of the vaccine to coordinates you specify.
And we'll work on a method of hiding it's dispersal from the
Dentraians capabilities."  Torias said.

(Reply ManyHorses, Rivers)

"Jerome, I hope our disagreement over methods won't prevent future
contact between our two cultures.  And thank you for your help.  You
have helped save billions of people today, at least allow that to
sooth your conscience some.  I pray I haven't gotten you in too much
trouble back home."  Torias said, with a sympathetic smile.  "As far
as I'm concerned, you're welcome in our corner of the universe any
time."

(Reply ManyHorses, Rivers, Any)
(Posted by Patrick D.)

***********

(USS Boudicca – Observation Lounge – M-CO Jerome ManyHorses – 1337)

The Marshal looked hopeful when his face appeared on the view screen and Jerome told him of the decision to aid the Mithgiln by indirectly helping the Dentarians and asked for a sample of their vaccine, stating that they'd be able to replicate it in the massive quantities that would be necessary to cover all populated areas of the planet.

=/\= Give me a moment Commander, =/\= the Marshal said, then silence followed as Jerome saw him turn to look at his Vice Marshal and confer with him. After a few seconds Wersh turned back to the screen.

=/\= For the sake of the Dentarians, this will be fine. We'll send over a sample of the vaccine to coordinates you specify. And we'll work on a method of hiding it's dispersal from the Dentarians capabilities." He told the small group of officers.

Jerome gave a short nod to Commander Stolev to send the coordinates over and then assured the Marshal that as they spoke, the crew were already preparing for the distribution.

(Reply Stolev, any, room for more iyw)

As Commander ManyHorses was about to close the link, Marshal Wersh addressed him by his given name and stated he hoped their previous disagreement over methods wouldn't prevent future contact between their two cultures. He went on to thank them and said he hoped he wouldn't get in too much trouble for helping.

=/\= As far as I'm concerned, you're welcome in our corner of the universe any time."

Again Jerome gave a nod and smiled sincerely, "Thank you Tobias, we look forward to future contact with the Mithgiln and hopefully you will visit our worlds in the future."

(reply Tobias iyw, any)

"Inform the Medical officers that the sample and specs for the vaccine is on its way, and that they're to start the surgical procedures on our volunteers just in case they're needed, inform them that if they need to bring others in to help that they are to do so, also inform the volunteers they are to report to sickbay stat...The quicker we are prepared for any eventuality the better."

(Reply Rivers, Stolev, Any)
(Posted by Sal) 

*********

(USS Boudicca – Observation Lounge – XO Captain Susan Rivers – 1342)

Susan was almost (but not quite) getting used to sitting quietly whilst others did the talking. She had no problems, though, in recognising that Commander ManyHorses' diplomatic skills far outshone her own. ~Sometimes the brass get it right~ she admitted to herself wryly.

To her relief the Marshal acquiesced in their plan; she had been afraid that he would insist on doing things the Mithgiln way. ~After all, no doubt they have their own rules about First Contact, no race could do so willy-nilly, that's how we developed our Prime Directive. Their experience must have been different to ours, or perhaps they have always been more careful about their contacts with pre-warp civilisations. Whatever the reason though I'm glad they can recognise our position and are willing to compromise too.~ She was already mentally drafting a report to Starfleet regarding this unusual first contact and their reasons for their actions.

=/\= As far as I'm concerned, you're welcome in our corner of the universe any time.=/\= the Marshal finished. Susan smiled as sincerely as ManyHorses did at that, and found herself hoping that the Boudicca would be involved in some future contact with the Mithgiln. She was intrigued as always by meeting a new race, and one with such striking differences in their development too. And how different they were from the Xenolathe, who had also used living ships but who had brutally enslaved them, rather than working alongside them in a mutually beneficent relationship! Yes, she really did hope to learn more about the Mithgiln and their society first hand.

Once the Mithgiln commander had closed the link, ManyHorses turned to Susan and Sasha.

"Inform the Medical officers that the sample and specs for the vaccine is on its way, and that they're to start the surgical procedures on our volunteers just in case they're needed, inform them that if they need to bring others in to help that they are to do so, also inform the volunteers they are to report to sickbay stat...The quicker we are prepared for any eventuality the better."

"I'll take care of that," Susan said, with a nod to Sasha. There was something about him that was niggling at the back of her mind, although she couldn't work out just what at the moment. He was performing his duties with his usual efficiency and didn't seem overly uncomfortable around her but there was something, she was sure. Was the little... incident a few weeks ago bothering him still? She hoped not, and decided that once things quieted down a bit she would speak to him privately.

"If there's nothing else, and you'll excuse me, I'll get onto it right away," she added.

(Reply ManyHorses, Stolev iyw) 
(posted by Liz)

******

(USS Boudicca – Ready Room – XO Captain Susan Rivers – 1355)

Susan sat down at her desk and pressed the comm button.

"Rivers to Dr Dolphine and the medical department. The sample and specs for the vaccine is on its way over from the Mithgiln, you should receive it soon, please begin work on it as quickly as possible. You are authorised to request help from any other department as necessary. Dr Dolphine, please would you also arrange for the surgical procedures to begin as well, we need to be prepared in case we send an observation team down to the planet."

(reply Delphine, medics)

Having finished speaking with the medical department, Susan then sent a communication to those who had volunteered for the away team.

"Please report to Sickbay as soon as you can to receive the necessary alterations in readiness in case an away team is needed. It may take some time," she added, her previous experience of alterations leading her to believe it wasn't going to be a quick change.

(Reply all away team volunteers) 

Having finished her comms work, Susan stood up and herself headed for Sickbay in accordance with the M-CO's orders.

(Reply all away team, medical, any)
(Posted by Liz)

*******

(USS Boudicca- Corridors- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1358)

 While enroute to Sickbay, Hawkeye couldnt help but review the staff
meeting in his head. He wished he could have handled that better. Mid
thought He heard his comm badge chirp..


 =/\= "Rivers to Dr Dolphine and the medical department. The sample
and specs for the vaccine is on its way over from the Mithgiln, you
should receive it soon, please begin work on it as quickly as
possible. You are authorised to request help from any other department
as necessary. Dr Dolphine, please would you also arrange for the
surgical procedures to begin as well, we need to be prepared in case
we send an observation team down to the planet." =/\=

   "Captain Rivers, I will review the specs for the vaccine, I would
recommend waiting on sending down the volunteers for the surgical
alterations. I will review everyones medical profiles and prepare the
prosthetics for attachment, but if I am to have the gas compound ready
for delivery by 2000, I need some time to get this done. I require at
least two hours to finish both of these tasks."

(Reply Rivers)
(posted by Ben Church)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1412)


"Excuse me Dr? I'm Ensign Dolphine, the new ACMO onboard. I'd offer a 
hand with your treatment being performed, but I was never very good at 
botany." He said with a smile. "No offense Crewman, I'm sure that the 
other party looks worse."

Shadow's tail looped in amusement. She wasn't about to interrupt the adults
when they were talking though.

Thrusting her right hand forward, Jahlen shook his right hand firmly. "How
do you do Ensign Dolphine, I am Ensign Jahlen.  Jahlen is my one 
and only name so far and you may call me by it if you wish.  This young 
crewman is Yeoman Shadow, our Captain's personal Yeoman, and as for the 
other party involved in the battle, fortunately I do not have to tend to 
its wounds, if it does in fact have any."

"Some," Shadow said, "I am sure the gardeners will put me to work on the
botany first aid when they catch me," It was easy to joke in Doctor Jahlen's
presence, she was a very reassuring person. She was like one of the
old-tellers, all stories and mother.

He asked that when the ACMO was finished she would join him in Dr. 
Fickett's office. Apparently he had a project that was going to require 
everyone in sickbays' assistance. Shadow just hoped no one had the brilliant
idea to put her to work with them helping organize. She liked the people
well enough in sickbay, for all that they nagged and bossed, but the place
stunk worse than a grabfoot's nest.

Jahlen watched him enter Fickett's office before turning back to her 
task.  Six more deft tugs with the tweezers and a quick pass with the 
dermal regenerator and Shadow was as good as new.

"All done."  The Doctor told Shadow, "and if you get an impulse to go 
monkey hunting among rose bushes again, please make sure I am not on 
duty!"

Shadow wrapped her tail around the doctor's wrist and squeezed lightly in
thanks, "But Healer Fickett said I should always see you first," she claimed
in wide-eyed innocence. "He said someone should become a specialist in
self-destructive crewmen and he doesn't have the time."

(Reply Jahlen)

"I pull your tail, Doctor. I promise to restrict all further botanic wars to
your off-duty schedule." She licked her whiskers, hoping she hadn't been too
forward.

(Reply Jahlen)

Tail corkscrewed and minor wounds and major bite attended to, Shadow left
the healers to heal. She sneezed twice on the way out the door to try and
get the stink of antiseptic out of her nose.

(Reply those in blue and innocent bystanders)
(Posted by Lorna)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - 1414)

The new aCMO, fresh from the Academy had arrived, introduced himself to Jahlen and Shadow, requested her presence in a meeting with Dr. Fickett and himself and then left her to finish up her work on the multi-punctured felinoid.

Six more deft tugs with the tweezers and a quick pass with the dermal regenerator and Shadow was as good as new.

"All done."  The Doctor told Shadow, "and if you get an impulse to go monkey hunting among rose bushes again, please make sure I am not on duty!"

Shadow wrapped her tail around the doctor's wrist and squeezed lightly, it was a strange sensation.

"But Healer Fickett said I should always see you first," Shadow claimed in wide-eyed innocence. "He said someone should become a specialist in self-destructive crewmen and he doesn't have the time."

"What?!?!  I will have to have a word with that man!"  Jahlen blustered, completely taken in by Shadow's joke.

"I pull your tail, Doctor. I promise to restrict all further botanic wars to your off-duty schedule." She licked her whiskers.

Jahlen smiled, "good tail pulling, Shadow!  Now be off with you."

Tail corkscrewed Shadow left Sickbay, sneezing twice on the way out the door,  making Jahlen think that perhaps the cat girl had caught a cold, or perhaps it was just some fur got up her nose.

~ I wouldn't mind being an expert in felinoid physiology though, after all there are quite a lot of Caitians serving in Starfleet... and I'd also like to learn what all those different tail movements mean. ~  The doctor mused as she headed to Fickett's office for the important meeting.

(Reply Shadow iyw)
(Posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca – Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance Bay – CEO Lorimar – 1415)

Lorimar was standing on a mobile anti-grav work platform with most of his upper body sandwiched into the access hatch of the runabout. He was just about done resetting the power coupling control processor for the bow mounted sensor array. When he finished that, he was planning on recalibration and testing; it was a standard part of the maintenance procedure for the equipment, and it allowed him to be absorbed in the task without taxing his concentration too much.

If he thought about it, he would have realized that he was making ‘busy work’ for himself, in a subconscious attempt to keep his conscious mind occupied. He wanted to do anything but think at the moment.

=^=Lt. Lorimar from Ensign Deston.=^=

The chirp from his commbadge was so unexpected when it broke the quiet of the area as to be startling; so startling, in fact, that Bob straightened up reflexively and smacked the back of his head on the hatch coaming. 

He very carefully withdrew his body from the opening, rubbing the back of his head with his hand and cursing himself for a fool as he did so.

“Go ahead lad.”

=^=Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I could talk with you for a few minutes.=^=

~We *are* speaking, in the literal sense…~

He stopped rubbing the back of his head and scratched his beard thoughtfully with two fingers. “Certainly lad… always at yer disposal. If ye wish tae meet me ah’m in shuttle maintenance… or ah can meet ye somewhere else? Ah’m assuming that ye wish tae meet rather than chat over the comm. Aye?”

(Reply Deston, Any)
(Posted by Russ)

*******

(USS Boudicca – Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance – ACEO Ens(Jg) Anton Gesar 1417)
 
On his way to the Shuttle Maintenance Anton had a moment to reflect on the events of the day.  At first his strict training was at odds with the free discussion and he was not sure how to participate.  Not wanting to seem apprehensive to his new crew he found a way to participate, even if it was to the irritation of one or more of the crew.  In the end he was relieved to see the captain take charge of the meeting.  Free thinking is good, so long as someone is there to rein it into a cohesive idea. 
 
Anton also felt some level of satisfaction that they had decided to help the Mithgiln.  It was the best strategical decision, to help the Mithgiln without direct contact with the Dentarians was an opportunity to help a plannet on the verge of destruction and to complete a first contact mission.  However it was not the people nor the mission success that Anton felt satisfaction with.  It was the fact that in the end, the captain choose a strategy that was in line with his conclusions. 
 
Anton entered the Shuttle Maintenance at what seemed to be a comm conversation between the CEO and someone else.  Anton stood a moment to make sure the conversation was over before proceeding.
 
"Lieutenant Lorimar, may I have a moment of your time?" 
 
(Reply Lorimar)
 
"Yes sir, I'll make it brief.  I am on my way to Engineering to begin work on how best to deliver the cure to the Dentatians as a means of inhalant through the atmosphere.  As you are my commanding officer I wanted to speak with you about how I should proceed.  Not from a technical standpoint mind you, but whether you wished to be in charge and directly involved in the process or if you wished for me to continue on my own while keeping you up to date on the progress?"
 
(Reply Lorimar)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

********

(USS Boudicca – Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance – CEO Lorimar – 1418)

Bob was just finishing up his brief discussion with Carl Deston when he noticed the ships’ newest engineering officer approaching. With approval, Lorimar noted that Gesar halted briefly to be certain he wasn’t interrupting.

~Nice tae see either his parents or the Academy turned the laddie loose wie some manners,~ he thought and smiled to himself. He straightened up as the young officer addressed him.

"Lieutenant Lorimar, may I have a moment of your time?"  

Bob smiled as he toggled the antigrav platform controls off and it settled gently to the deck. He stepped off and walked toward Gesar.

“Of course lad… what are ye needin’?”

"Yes sir, I'll make it brief.  I am on my way to Engineering to begin work on how best to deliver the cure to the Dentatians as a means of inhalant through the atmosphere.  As you are my commanding officer I wanted to speak with you about how I should proceed.  Not from a technical standpoint mind you, but whether you wished to be in charge and directly involved in the process or if you wished for me to continue on my own while keeping you up to date on the progress?"

He gave Gesar an appraising look as he replied. “Well Mister Gesar ah find it interesting that you dinnae care for mah *technical* input, but we’ll hold that in abeyance for a wee bit. Tae answer yer questions, in order: First, go ahead and make all preparations for assisting the medical department, assumin’ of course that they are able tae aerosolize the vaccine. Second, treat it as yer own project, but ah *always* expect tae be kept in the loop as the department head, clear enough?”

(Reply Gesar)

“Right. If ye hae any further questions, feel free tae ask. Even if it happens tae be a technical one.”

(Reply Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Russ)

********

(USS Boudicca – Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance – ACEO Ens(Jg.) Anton Gesar – 1419)

Bob was just finishing up his brief discussion with Carl Deston when he noticed the ships’ newest engineering officer approaching. With approval, Lorimar noted that Gesar halted briefly to be certain he wasn’t interrupting.

~Nice tae see either his parents or the Academy turned the laddie loose wie some manners,~ he thought and smiled to himself. He straightened up as the young officer addressed him.

"Lieutenant Lorimar, may I have a moment of your time?"

Bob smiled as he toggled the antigrav platform controls off and it settled gently to the deck. He stepped off and walked toward Gesar.

“Of course lad… what are ye needin’?”

"Yes sir, I'll make it brief.  I am on my way to Engineering to begin work on how best to deliver the cure to the Dentatians as a means of inhalant through the atmosphere.  As you are my commanding officer I wanted to speak with you about how I should proceed.  Not from a technical standpoint mind you, but whether you wished to be in charge and directly involved in the process or if you wished for me to continue on my own while keeping you up to date on the progress?"

He gave Gesar an appraising look as he replied. “Well Mister Gesar ah find it interesting that you dinnae care for mah *technical* input, but we’ll hold that in abeyance for a wee bit. Tae answer yer questions, in order: First, go ahead and make all preparations for assisting the medical department, assumin’ of course that they are able tae aerosolize the vaccine. Second, treat it as yer own project, but ah *always* expect tae be kept in the loop as the department head, clear enough?”
As the CEO spoke, Anton realized that the chief misunderstood his comment.  He did not participate in much social interaction when he was at the accademy and perhaps it is begining to show.  He would write his father to see if perhaps he could suggest to include social interraction on board a Starfleet vessel to the curriculum. 
 
Anton wanted to say to the chief that he only meant that he could handle to project on his own, if the chief was considering letting him be in charge of this project.  But clearly what he meant to say and what he said were two different things.  No matter, this was not the time for apologies.  There would be other opportunities to get on the chief's good side, or off his bad side.
 
"Yes sir, crystal clear."
 
"Right. If ye hae any further questions, feel free tae ask. Even if it happens tae be a technical one."
 
"Yes sir, I will sir,"  Anton turned around and walked out of Shuttle Mainenance.  He had to chuckle to himself, that last jab was well deserved.   Perhaps the chief isn't all that mad.

(Reply Lorimar, Any)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

********

(USS Boudicca – Deck 4, Shuttle Maintenance – CEO Lorimar – 1420)

"Yes sir, crystal clear." 
 
"Right. If ye hae any further questions, feel free tae ask. Even if it happens tae be a technical one." 
 
"Yes sir, I will sir,"  Anton turned around and walked out of Shuttle Maintenance.  

Bob couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as he watched Gesar depart. He had just heard more ‘sirs’ in a few seconds than he might normally hear in the course of a day.

~Ah’m certain he’s a guid lad… the Academy doesnae send fools tae starships. Ah’ll have tae read his file when ah get back tae mah office… ah’m sure there will be some clues there. Ah’m difficult tae understand mahself on occasion right enough…~

He shook his head slightly, smiling all the while. He climbed back onto the antigrav work platform and touched the activation stud. The platform rose obediently back to its previously set position and Lorimar went back to work on the sensor array as he waited for Deston to arrive.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Russ)

*******

(USS Boudicca – Holodeck 2 – ACSO Carl Deston - 1420)

Deston shucked the loose teeshirt as he ran toward the cliff's edge, discarding it carelessly as he built up speed and - it couldn't really be called courage; call it foolhardiness.  A few more pumps of his legs and he was there, too late to stop, no backsies, so kick off with the ball of his left foot against the rough edge of rock and LAUNCH! and

(was it enough? pounding waves roaring on rocks below, spray from the violence reaching even this far up)

out

(a moment suspended, rent wavetops framing glistening jags, oh, no, NOT far enough)

and

then

down

(fool!  fool!  not enough, die foolishly for foolish reason)

down

down

(wait - maybe - still moving out - maybe just barely enough-)

down

(hands clasp the HANDS straighten OUT)

down

(legs legs HEAD DOWN aim aim AIM AIM!!)

a brief flash of shining black (definitely igneous) and the cold shock of seawater, no time to react, the chaotic surge of the swirling tide clawing, beating at him - then he was beyond the pull of the surf, into the calmer (but no less powerful) waters of the deep ocean.

He descended slowly, only feet away from the underwater cliff that was the continuation of the island he'd just left so spectacularly.  The adrenaline jolt was tapering off, and his mind and body tingled with the aftereffects.  His perceptions were sharpened, which served him well as he observed the rich diversity of sea life that made the underwater cliff home.  Jewel-like fish, colorful fronds and tendrils, strangely but beautifully shaped shells and structures.

Movement to the right - something large - his eyes widened.  An aquatic humanoid!  It swam towards him with incredible grace.  Another one, this one carrying a slender staff-like object longer than it was.  The first one stopped a mere meter away from his face.  He stared, then laughed.

The water was cool, but invigorating to breathe.

(Reply none)
(Posted by John)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1425)

Upon hearing the order to head to Sickbay stat, Detron made his way over to get the alterations done.  Detron didn't have any fears of the alterations since he had some done before.  What he did think about was what a lizard appearance would look like.  He imagined it would not be very attractive.  He walked into Sickbay and  found Delphine.

"I am here for the alterations.  Where do you want me to go?"

(Reply Delphine)
(Posted by Edward)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1428)

After being scanned for the alterations and checked for  any heath issues, Detron was told to come back later when the alterations would take place.  Detron did as told and left Sickbay.  Before leaving he asked Dolphine when to come back.

"When do you want me to come back Dr Dolphine?"

(Reply Dolphine)
(Posted by Edward)

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay Lab- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1430)

 As he returned to his work in the lab, he heard the doors open in
sick bay. A moment later he heard the doors to the lab open and a
voice behind him begin to speak. It was the voice of the TAC/SC,
Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei.


"I am here for the alterations.  Where do you want me to go?" The Lt
asked Hawkeye. Hawkeye thought for a moment before responding.

       "Head back into the main sickbay. One of the nurses will
preform a medical scan and input your profile into the computer. I
will begin the surgery as soon as I am finished here."

(Reply Trei)
(posted by Ben Church)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - aCEO Ensign(jg) Anton Gesar - 1500)
 
Anton was at his work station in main engineering.  He has been sitting here running various simulations, looking over specifications while trying to come up with an effective way of delivering the medication to the atmosphere.  So far he was having no luck, but he would not stop.  ~Failure is not an option, failure is never an option.~  Anton sighed as his father's words rang through his mind as it traveled back into the past.
 
Anton was living on the streets of Moscow having run away from the orphanage for the third time.  Anton was handy with taking things apart and rewiring them, something he enjoyed doing as long as he could remember.  So getting out was easy, but as usual staying hidden was not.  He was picked up by local security the next day.  Anton was now old enough that his parents were a distant memory by now.  The died when he was very young, told that it happened in an industrial accident.  As far as he knew, Anton had no other family such as uncles or grandparents.  He decided that since his parents died when he was too young to truly remember them, there was never a reason to check into the local city records for family history.  It was easier to simply become annonymous.  And so he was bounced from orphanage to orphanage, always being just enough trouble to avoid getting adopted.  And perhaps this is how he would have spent the rest of his life if it wasn't for...
 
Boris Gesar was in mourning.  It had been three months since his wive passed away.  He would have liked to continue hiding in their home but it was time to face the world.  Duty demanded that he return to work.  Boris Gesar spent his life dedicated to serving Starfleet.  Maria had never complained, not when he was serving aboard a ship, not when he became an instructor at Starfleet Academy and they had to move to San Francisco, not when he accepted the rank of Admiral which kept him away from home once again.  No, she was a loyal woman who understood the meaning of duty and Boris's dedication.  His only regret was that in order for him to achieve the things that he desired she sacrificed the one thing she wanted more than anything.  But children would have complicated things.  Boris realized that his career and his drive would mean that he would be, for the most part, and absentee father.  And he did not want that, memories left over from his own childhood.  He would never do that to a child. 
 
Today he was visiting an old friend.  This was a business visit, but it was good to see a friendly face.  On his way out he noticed two security officers struggling to control a young boy,  He must have been about 10, but he fought and struggled against the restraints with such commitment that Boris paused for a moment.  He asked the officer in charge what the kid had done. 
 
"He ran away from his orphanage sir,  third time in the last 4 months.  And that's just from this one.  I figured he'd give up by now, we always catch him the next day."
 
The next day Anton was back at the orphanage.  He was in the orphanage manager's office getting yet another talking to about running away.  "...But alas a miracle has happened, you are no longer my problem," the man said as he looked past Anton.  Anton turned around and saw a strange older man.  He was tall and had a look to him that suggested that Anton better not try anything... yet.
 
Those first months were perhaps the roughest.  Boris never reprimanded Anton for running away only to be returned by the local security.  But the punishments were severe.  Well they were to Anton.  Boris would make him read and memorize the Starfleet code of ethics.  When he memorized that one it was memorizing and reciting from memory all the worlds that are members of the Federation and so on and so on.  It was a few months into his stay that Anton began to get curious about Boris.  He would sit and eat dinner at the table with Boris instead of taking it to his room.  Eventually they began small conversations, which in time became long conversations and that is how they began.  Boris officially adopted Anton.  Anton in turn took Boris's name and became Anton Gesar.  
 
Boris started his career as a tactical officer eventually reaching the rank of Captain.  As Captain, Boris Gesar had become well known for his tactical theories which led to him teaching strategy and tactics at Starfleet Academy and earning him the rank of Admiral and a post within Starflee HQ.  Never having been a parent, Boris relied on his years as an instructor to raise Anton.  First he taught him the value of hard work, then duty, then as he was getting older it was hand to hand combat, tactics, strategy, war games.  In the meantime he insisted that Anton take all the advanced classes in school and demanded only top grades.  It amazed him that the bigger the challenge the more driven Anton would become.  Boris was very proud.  Even when Anton, though with great trepidation, told him that he chose engineering as his specialty when he entered Starfleet Academy.   And of course the day that Anton graduated from the Academy and got his first assignment.  Sometimes Boris wondered if not having a mother figure in his life would effect Anton in the future.  But he had given him everything he could.  He could only hope it was enough. 
 
The last thing Anton said to his father before departing for his assignment, "Father, I do not want you to be worried.  I will make you proud."
 
Anton realised that he went too far into his thoughts.  It was time to get back to work. 
 
(Reply from None)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)
 
*********

(USS Boudicca – Personal quarters – ACSO Carl Deston 1510)

Carl finished pulling on his shirt.  "OK, Computer; let's record this.

"Hello, everyone!  Your favorite black sheep, reporting in from the VERY FRINGES OF SCIENCE!" (here he edited in some still images of himself in classic Mad Scientist garb, complete with brass goggles, neck-to-knee buttoned lab coat, and elbow-length rubber gloves, in a pastiche-laboratory setting with plenty of electric arcs in the background.)

"Beanie, your holoadventure was GREAT!!  The cliff dive really had my heart pounding, for starters."  He inserted a vidclip of his cliff dive as he continued.  "The detail level was incredible - were the fish originals?  I didn't recognize any of the species, but they were beautiful.  You and Hao make great merfolk, too.  Have you published this professionally?  If not, you should.

"So you're all moved in to the top floor now.  I expect Papa Dev will be expanding his garden; if you can, sir, I'd love to have some garlic and asafoetida; the stuff they replicate here is all right for the pedestrians, but nothing like the real thing."

Deston went on at some length with personal notes for each of his parents and siblings, individually and in aggregate; while of great importance to himself and his family, they are of little interest here.

"Not so much to report from my end of things - kind of like the old saying, 'long periods of interminable boredom punctuated by brief moments of intense excitement'.  But it's not actually that extreme - there's lots of 'same-old' but plenty of 'hey-wow', too; but the 'brief moments' - well, the punctuation here is pretty intense.  We're right in the middle of one right now.  I'm not quite sure how much I can say about it - it'll probably be old news by the time you get this - but there's an aspect of it that, well...  it got me pretty upset about my job and some of my crewmates... and myself.  I'll get it worked out - ever since my, ah, 'happy little incident' last year, I've really come to appreciate Starfleet's Counseling service, so I don't expect this to bend me too far out of true.  But it was still unsettling to be reminded that not everyone is always of the same mindset as oneself, even though - especially though! - one thought one knew better.  Can't get complacent - guess I relearned that lesson!

"Well, I think that's all for now.  I believe I'll have some leave coming up fairly soon; I'd like to meet Ilona Lengyel, she sounds like she'd be an excellent addition to the family.  I've got a few presents for everyone, too."  Carl signed off with the usual warm, personal closings for the various family members, with his customary extra farewell for his biological parents.  He did some final fiddling with the message - video editing, a short retake of one spoken bit - and then sent it off.

After his little holoadventure (Beanie was very adept - she really should pursue a professional career!) and his communique, Carl felt a lot better than he had for several hours.  ~Some stretching out, some yoga, and then I think we'll pay a visit to The Veranda.~  The plan further eased his mind, and he set out to begin the preliminary stretches of a good, calming yoga set.

(Reply none)
(Posted by John) 

*******

(USS Boudicca – Officer’s Quarters – CEO Lorimar – 1701)

Bob barely had time to shift the tray he was carrying from his left only back to both his hands when instead of a disembodied voice coming from the speaker, an actual human appeared where only a moment prior there had been a closed door. Lt. Lebranski seemed rather pleased about something, and evidently she was on the mend from her earlier episode of illness.

"Hello Chief Engineer Lorimar, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Many thoughts flashed through his mind as he was greeted by the very attractive blond standing before him… including some absolutely awful dialogue from some absolutely awful entertainment tapes he had seen growing up. For a brief moment the name “Mae West” popped unbidden into his conciousness, then he shook off the image and returned her smile.

“Well, ah couldnae help but notice that ye were under the weather at the meeting, so ah thought ah might bring ye a bite of nourishment,” he raised the tray in his hands just a bit for emphasis. “If ye dinnae mind, that is?”

"Come on in!" She said, stepping back and making a gesture. She proceeded to the couch to toss the sketch pad and pencils onto the table before flomping at one end. "Make yourself at home, and please, ignore the stuffiness. My environs have been on closed-circuit-whatever since I got sick and I think they've been processing Ode-de-Marine into the mix."

He followed her inside and felt as much as heard the door swish shut behind him. He watched with interest as she gathered what appeared to be drawing or painting materials and moved them aside. He was mostly successful at curbing the impulse to look around. His initial impression was of a sort of ordered disorder… but he realized he might of course be far wrong at that.

He took the offered seat taking care that she sat first. As he did so, he made a show of sniffing delicately at the air. “Ah cannae smell Ramirez… but then he’s only a hologram after all, aye?”

(Reply Lebranski iyw)

"Okay, I'm done being polite," Denise declared in full mischievious, spoilt, minx mode, "Whatcha bring me??"

He smiled broadly as he gently slid the tray in her direction. “Ah… mah mission… mah purpose for a visit ye mean?” He removed the thermal cover with a flourish, folding it neatly and draping it over his arm, revealing the contents of the tray. “Mah Grannie’s special chicken soup, from a secret family recipe nae less.” He chuckled lightly as he pointed at the container. “If only ah had a real kitchen… but ah did what ah could wie a replicator. There are some fresh biscuits there tae go wie it.” He tapped a steaming coffee mug with his fingertip. “That,” he said, “is a hot toddy. Ye can save that for later if ye wish, but it will need tae be reheated of course. Drink it doon and crawl under as many blankets as ye can stand. When ye wake, ye’ll feel much better… Grannie would surely guarantee it.”

He smiled and slid the tray carefully the rest of the distance toward her, taking care not to upset the contents.

(Reply Lebranski)
(Posted by Russ)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski -
1706)

He took the offered seat taking care that she sat first. As he did so, he
made a show of sniffing delicately at the air. "Ah cannae smell Ramirez. but
then he's only a hologram after all, aye?"

Denise snorted amusement, and then sneezed. "Sorry." She muttered applying
Kleenex, "But.. You do know that one holo-marine Rameriz is friends with one
civilian Toral Loren and Yeoman Shadow, right?"

(Reply Bob) 

"Mmm, and who has the best nose on the ship and is helping you develop
scents for holograms?" Denise raised an eyebrow and managed a rueful smirk,
"Trust me, One Holomarine Rameriz *does* stink. What's truly impressive is
it's the scent *he* probably chose!"

(Reply Bob) 

Like a magician on stage, Bob produced soup with a flourish and smile and
handed it over to her.

She was used to men who would make some sort of comment on crawling into
bed, but the Chief Engineer genuinely seemed to just want to fuss over her
and make her feel better. It was a very strange feeling and she wasn't quite
sure how to deal with it. 

"Uhm, thank you," she managed, looking at the bowl probably as puzzled as
she felt. She took the bowl, she wondered if she should pretend maidenly
virtue and claim she couldn't possibly eat it all. She had always had an
appetite like a horse and told it wasn't ladylike. She didn't understand how
starving yourself was supposed to be attractive. 

(Reply Bob?)

Denise sighed, looking at the bowl, "Okay, pardon blunt me a moment - I'm
sick and fuzzyheaded.. and you're less likely to challenge me to a duel to
the death for speaking mind and heart.. but, what do you want?" She
continued on before Bob could possibly answer the question, "I'm used to
male making crass comments and invites, I turn them down with flare and
humour and we're friends and nothing ever comes of it. I like the flirting
and fun, but I'm not really *that* kind of girl." She was probably sounding
like the prissy southern belle she was, but.. hellfires. "I like you Bob. I
like talking to you. I like hanging out with you. And frankly, I doubt I
would have opened that door for anyone but you or a commanding officer when
I feel this crappy.. and I honestly have no idea of how I should treat you
or anything." She looked up through her eyelashes really hoping she didn't
sound as completely stupid as she felt. Ordering around Captains was easier
than this stuff!

(Reply Bob)
(Posted by Lorna)

**********

(USS Boudicca – Officer’s Quarters – CEO Lorimar – 1709)

Denise snorted amusement, and then sneezed. "Sorry." She muttered applying Kleenex, "But.. You do know that one holo-marine Rameriz is friends with one civilian Toral Loren and Yeoman Shadow, right?" 

Bob smiled in return. “Actually… ah wasnae aware o’ that… thanks for enlightening me. Come tae think of it, that would explain some of the strange goings on ah’ve seen..”

"Mmm, and who has the best nose on the ship and is helping you develop scents for holograms?" Denise raised an eyebrow and managed a rueful smirk, "Trust me, One Holomarine Rameriz *does* stink. What's truly impressive is it's the scent *he* probably chose!" 

He glanced sidelong at Denise and smiled mischievously.  “Shadow may indeed hae the best *sense of smell* aboard… but ah might disagree with the ‘best nose’ part. Though ah admit that is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.” Bob winked, wondering if in fact she got his inference after all.

(Reply Lebranski iyw)

Bob watched without watching… or, more correctly, watched without staring as she thanked him for the food and took the bowl. She appeared to be giving it some sort of appraisal – clearly some mental deliberations seemed to be going on beyond appreciating the aroma of the soup. 

~Och… maybe she doesnae fancy chicken soup?~

He was about to put that very question when she spoke first.

"Okay, pardon blunt me a moment - I'm sick and fuzzyheaded.. and you're less likely to challenge me to a duel to the death for speaking mind and heart.. but, what do you want?" She continued on before Bob could possibly answer the question, "I'm used to male making crass comments and invites, I turn them down with flare and humour and we're friends and nothing ever comes of it. I like the flirting and fun, but I'm not really *that* kind of girl."

~*That* kind of girl?? Surely she doesnae think ah have some sort of --~

"I like you Bob. I like talking to you. I like hanging out with you. And frankly, I doubt I would have opened that door for anyone but you or a commanding officer when I feel this crappy.. and I honestly have no idea of how I should treat you or anything."

~So she *does* think ah have an ulterior motive! Bloody fool… ye’ve screwed up yet AGAIN!~

He could feel the flush rising from his neck upwards… his ears felt like they were going to spontaneously combust unless he soaked his head in a bucket of cold water quickly. He decided to be honest, whether she believed him or not remained to be seen.

“Lassie… Lieutenant, “ he began expecting the fire suppression forcefield system to activate and try extinguishing his ears any second, “Ah’ll be frank in return. Ah simply noted that ye were far away and under the weather during the meeting, so ah was hoping tae help. As ah said, tis an auld family recipe.. the soup should be tasty and nourishing and easy tae keep down. As for the toddy… well, ah know that will help… it always did in our home anyway.”

He paused a second, wondering if she believed him or thought he had an agenda. “Unless you dinnae care for chicken soup of course?”

(Reply Lebranski)
(Posted by Russ)

********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski 1710)

Well, she was certainly good at sticking her foot in it today. One Klingon
officer threatened her life twice in an hour and now she made the chief
engineer turn a beautiful shade of red.

"Lassie. Lieutenant, " he began hesistatingly. "Ah'll be frank in return. Ah
simply noted that ye were far away and under the weather during the meeting,
so ah was hoping tae help. As ah said, tis an auld family recipe.. the soup
should be tasty and nourishing and easy tae keep down. As for the toddy.
well, ah know that will help. it always did in our home anyway."

He paused a second, wondering if she believed him or thought he had an
agenda. "Unless you dinnae care for chicken soup of course?"

Well, now didn't she feel like a world class jerk. Poor guy, trying to be a
nice guy and she totally misreads him thinks he's interested in her. Boy,
what a goober she was! Now she felt like a heel and like she was going to
cry, which was totally stupid because it wasn't like she was actually losing
anything. Even if had winked at her after complimenting her.. 

"Oh no, I like chicken soup just fine," She said giving him a smile, "I'm
just worried my stomach will overrule my tastebuds." Which was a polite way
to say she'd rather lost her appetite in the last few minutes and felt kind
of hollow. "Seems kind of a poor way to treat a gift," she managed to add
with a wry smile, even if she could feel the wilt around the edges.

(Reply Bob, iyw)

"So, what did I miss in the meeting?" she asked, being obvious in her
changing the subject to safer things.

She was more than happy to apply spoon to soup while the Chief brought her
up to speed.

(Reply Bob  :) 
(Posted by Lorna)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - CEO Lorimar - 1712)

"So, what did I miss in the meeting?" Denise asked as she then turned to her soup and began eating it.

Bob watched in silence for a few moments, wondering what he might say. Clearly, he had caused some confusion. He had honestly meant to do something nice... but it surely didn't seem to be working out quite the way he had intended.

He finally spoke quietly, wondering if she would eat, or answer, or some combination of both or neither. "Well Lieutenant... after the bit of... ruckus that erupted after yer comment tae our security chief, ah'm afraid the fun sort of went oot the meeting."

Not that anything about the meeting had been fun; it had been confusing and contentious and not especially informative... at least to Bob.

He felt suddenly very uncomfortable, sitting here in the quarters of a woman he barely knew.

Rising to his feet, he nodded politely at Lebranski. "Truely ah hope ye feel better, ah apologize for the intrusion... enjoy the soup, alright?"

He made for the door, hoping to be stopped... but also hoping not to be stopped.

(Reply Lebranski)
(Posted by Russ)

********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 1715)

Bob finally broke the silence, interrupting her wondering if she'd
completely alienated him all over again. "Well Lieutenant... after the bit
of... ruckus that erupted after yer comment tae our security chief, ah'm 
afraid the fun sort of went oot the meeting."

Denise shook her head, smiling wryly, "How could anyone top that, after
all?" She mumbled. Really, she hoped Trei got the stick out of his butt
sometime soon. It wasn't as if he was raised on Q'o'Nos. It wasn't as if he
didn't have half of his heritage to consider. It wasn't as if they were all
more than their heritage. If he couldn't look beyond that, what the hell was
he doing in Star Fleet anyway?

Suddenly Bob stood up, distant in word and demeanor, "Truely ah hope ye 
feel better, ah apologize for the intrusion... enjoy the soup, alright?"

"Er, what?" Denise said brilliantly, trying to figure out where this had
started to go wrong. Well, maybe she shouldn't have opened her big mouth
after all. ~Honest is the best policy, My Aunt Fanny.~ She thought sourly to
herself. "Uhm, no intrusion, thanks for the soup?" She felt more mystified
than anything else.

How was she supposed to figure out what Bob wanted when he didn't seem to
know what he wanted himself? Men!

(Reply Lorimar, etc)
(posted by Lorna)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - CEO Lorimar - 1716)

"Uhm, no intrusion, thanks for the soup?"

Something in her tone made him stop, just short of the door sensor. He half turned, then paused, then finished his about face maneuver.

He took a couple of steps back toward the couch, but more directly toward Lebranski. He looked at her, this time little caring how his gaze might be met or perceived. The silence hung between them for another long moment then he found his voice, quiet though it was.

"Lieutenant... it seems mah talent for obfuscation is as great as it is unintended. Forgive mah 'wounded animal' act... its nae mah usual demeanor, and ah apologize. Just... ahh... had a bit of unsettling news from home recently, which put me off balance."

~Especially around beautiful women,~ he thought but refrained from adding.

"At any rate... please dinnae think ah find yer company or yer countenance unpleasant in any way -- quite the opposite in fact -- but... how can ah explain this? Hae ye ever been in a state o' mind where ye felt as all yer nerves were rubbed raw, and the slightest wee thing set ye off like a firework? Ah'm making no sense ah suppose... but ah dinnae wish tae be forward wie ye in any way. Its just that ah enjoy your company very much as well. Ah was indeed concerned aboot yer health of course... but ah must be honest and admit that there was a desire tae see ye so we might chat a bit. Seems ah've stepped with both mah left feet forward and scrambled things with mah extra thumbs though..."

He wound down, running out of drive energy.

~She must really think yer a bloody nut now lad!~

(Reply Lebranski)
(Posted by Russ) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 1718)

Denise listened to Bob meander verbally as he tap danced both sides of the
fence. Suddenly she just felt very tired. "Thank you for the soup, you're
welcome back any time." She decided was the safest answer.

(Reply Lorimar)
(Posted by Lorna)

********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - CEO Lorimar - 1718.5)

"Thank you for the soup, you're welcome back any time."

~Now ye've done it... she thinks ye a fool, or coward or both!~

He had nothing further to say... not anything of import anyway. Clearly, 'small talk' was out as well. He leaned forward and grasped her forearm lightly with his fingertips and smiled into her eyes.

"Thank ye kindly for yer patient listening. That was mah rendition of 'Bob, the silly oaf'. Ye get better alright? An' dinnae forget tae reheat that toddy before ye drink it... they are nae any good cold."

With that he headed for the door and left, with no glances back or silly dialog this time.

(Reply Lebranski iyw)
(Posted by Russ) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Personal Quarters - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 1720)

Seated on the sofa, Susan looked up from the PADD she was reading as Luisa played with some blocks at her feet when Loren walked through the living area from her bedroom and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Susan asked.

Loren flushed a little, her chin went up slightly in unconscious imitation of her guardian when she was defiant, and she said a shade too nonchalantly. "I'm going to Leesa's, she's having a party."

"I see," Susan said. "And of course you've finished all your assignments?"

Loren rolled her eyes. "Yes!"

"No she hasn't," Shun piped up from the table where he was disassembling a tricorder to see if he could make it work better. "She's got an essay to write for Ms Sollu which was due in yesterday." He met his sister's furious gaze and shrugged. "I heard her tell you in Federation Studies. We only got home half an hour ago, and you've been in the bathroom getting ready ever since. I don't know what took you so long," he added, with a brother's disregard for his sister's feelings. "You look just the same as you did earlier only you've got more of that black stuff round your eyes." He looked at her critically. "It makes you look like a ghoul," he added matter-of-factly.

Luisa chuckled, delighted with a new word. "Gool!" she said, liking the sound. "Gool!"

"That's not the point, Shun," Susan interjected hastily before Loren could respond to this insult. "Loren, if you have schoolwork to do you're not going out until it's finished."

"YOU'RE SO UNFAIR! No one else's parents make them do homework before they go out! Everyone else will be there, I'll be the only one! And Leesa's expecting me!"

"That's alright," Susan said sweetly. "I'll give Leesa's parents a call, I'm sure they'll understand why you will be a bit late at the party when you have homework to do."

There was a moment's silence which stretched just a beat too long before Loren said rather too casually," No, it's alright, you're right, I need to write that essay," and abruptly turned round and returned to her room, leaving Susan staring after her in astonishment.

She looked at Shun to see what he made of his sister's sudden and unusual capitulation but his attention had already returned to the tricorder. ~Running a starship is a d*** sight easier than managing a family~ she thought, but before she could ponder further on Loren's odd behaviour the chime of her commbadge interrupted.

=/\= Ensign Deston, Ensign Gesar, Captain Rivers and Commander ManyHorses from Ensign Dolphine. Please report to Sickbay at your earliest convenience. I have information that I need to go over with all of you. If sickbay is not convenient, we can meet somewhere else, just tell me where. =/\=

            "I will be there in ten minutes, Doctor," Susan replied. The sitter she had booked with childcare would be here in less than five minutes, which would give her ample time to get to Sickbay.

(reply none)
(posted by Liz)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Qulaetha Vorenda - ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston - 1720)

=/\= Ensign Deston, Ensign Gesar, Captain Rivers and Commander ManyHorses from Ensign Dolphine. Please report to Sickbay at your earliest convenience. I have information that I need to go over with all of you. If sickbay is not convenient, we can meet somewhere else, just tell me where. =/\=

Deston examined the glass of pale amber fluid in his left hand speculatively, as his right tapped his comm.  "On my way; Deston out."  He paused another moment, then downed the glass in one long gulp.  He stood, placing the empty glass on the table, and walked out of The Veranda.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by John O'Neill) 

********


(USS Boudicca- Sickbay Lab- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine - 1725)

      After three hours in the lab, he had finally completed his
research and was ready to deliver the vacceine to the science and
enginnering department for implementation into an inert gas to be
delivered planet side.~ I should talk with Capt Rivers and Cmdr.
ManyHorses to see if we can arrange to deploy this on the overnight
shifts. Less apparent. I also need to talk with ACEO Gesar and the
Mithglin Engineering staff and input this formula into their deflector
dish.~ He thought to himself.

     He tapped his comm badge and began to relay information to the
other teams.
       "Ensign Deston, Ensign Gesar, Capt Rivers and Cmdr ManyHorses
from Ensign Dolphine. Please report to sickbay at your earliest
convience. I have information that I need to go over with all of you.
If sickbay is not convient, we can meet somewhere else, just tell me
where."

(Reply Deston, Gesar, Rivers, ManyHorses)

          He looked over to Jahlen to see what progress she had made
in this compound. " Jahlen, I have what I believe to be a final
mixture if you want to come and review. I would appreciate any input
you have or any advances you have discovered that I might have missed.
Also, if you have some free time I have some patients coming into
sickbay for surgical alterations I could use a hand with. Ensign Trei
has been given sedatives by the duty nurse and is ready for surgery.
These will involve some serious alterations. I have a PADD on the desk
by the door that will give you the specific alterations required for
him."


(Reply Jahlen)

 As he awaited the response from the science and engineering
departments to respond. He began to review the list of volunteers for
the away team and their medical profiles.~Its going to be a long
night~ Hawkeye thought to himself. With that in mind he headed over to
the replicator and ordered a cup of coffee. He found an empty chair in
sickbay and began to tap away at the computer consuole and began to
review medical profiles.

               While he had the PADD in front of him, he typed up a
memo to all away team members. it read as follows:

                 "To: Away Team Members
                  From: ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine
                  RE: Surgical alterations for planet-side mission
                   CC: Capt Rivers, Cmdr. ManyHorses, CMO Fickett

               Ladies and gentlemen, I am currently reviewing
medical profiles for all of you that volunteered to join the away
team. While I hope that the inert gas distribution will be effective
enough to treat everyone on the planet, I will need to preform a
physical exam on each of you. Please be in Sickbay no later than 1900
tonight. The exam will take approximatley 10-15 mins per person. I
should be able to preform surgery with only minor sedation in less
than 2 hours for all of you. Please send me a list of medical
allergies so that I may prepare the appropriate sedative for each of
you. Should you have any questions before coming in tonight please
don't hesitate to get a hold of me. I will attempt to answer your
concerns to the best of my ability.
                                     Thank you for your cooperation.

                                         Sincerly,
                                         Hawkeye

(Reply away team and any iyw)
(Posted by Ben)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - 1725)

Deston entered Sickbay, instinctively moving to a position out of the way of the busy medical personnel.  He scanned the room and spotted Dr. Dolphine.  He approached the good doctor - again, making sure to keep out of the way - and said, "Good evening, Doctor.  How're things on the medical side of the blue contingent?"

(Reply Any)
(Posted by John O'Neill)

******** 

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - aCEO Ensign(Jg) Anton Gesar  -  1725)
 
Anton was still at his workstation running the numbers from his last simmulation.
 
=/\=Ensign Deston, Ensign Gesar, Capt Rivers and Cmdr ManyHorses from Ensign Dolphine. Please report to sickbay at your earliest convience. I have information that I need to go over with all of you. If sickbay is not convient, we can meet somewhere else, just tell me where.=/\=
 
"This is Ensign Gesar, I will come to sickbay as soon as possible."

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

**********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - 1726)

Jahlen was in one of her favorite places - the research labs she'd hopefully requested and to her amazement had got during the ship's last re-fit.  She spent a lot of her free time doing research when she wasn't with Tollian, before she'd met him and they'd become practically inseparable, almost all of her free time was spent in research or working extra in Sickbay, and it looked like she would be reverting back to working constantly again, now that Tollian had received orders the previous day to transfer to another ship when the mission was over.

She had spent some time during the more routine work in converting the vaccine, thinking about Tollian and what he had meant...did mean to her.  He was more than a friend for they had become intimate and she believed they were in love, or had believed it, but since he'd received his orders he had changed in his manner towards her, become less warm, more distant and stand-offish as if he was already gone from her.  It hurt more than she would admit to anyone but when she thought it over she realized it was his way of coping with the separation and if that is how he wanted it, she loved him enough to let him.

Their work on the vaccine had progressed excellently and she thought it was about to come to a successful conclusion when Dolphine addressed her.

"Jahlen, I have what I believe to be a final mixture if you want to come and review. I would appreciate any input you have or any advances you have discovered that I might have missed.  Also, if you have some free time I have some patients coming into sickbay for surgical alterations I could use a hand with. Ensign Trei has been given sedatives by the duty nurse and is ready for surgery.  These will involve some serious alterations. I have a PADD on the desk by the door that will give you the specific alterations required for him."

She walked over to review his work and couldn't help wonder why he seemed to be in charge of everything.  True he'd been at the meeting and been given the orders directly for the medical team, but that didn't make him head of the team. It was Cdr. Fickett who was CMO and who should have been the one telling everyone what to do.  A frown creased her brow as she remembered Fickett asking Dolphine to remain behind when their previous meeting had concluded.  At the time it had struck her as odd, for in her mind it meant Fickett had something to say to the new arrival that he didn't want Jahlen to hear.

~ Why would he be confiding in Dolphine, he hardly knows the man, and now here this man is, acting like he's superior, telling *me* what to do when I outrank him both in rank and experience, and besides that he's telling *his* superiors to come to him for a meeting?  Just who does he think he is?  Perhaps it is time for me to have a talk with Fickett.  I should know what is going on! ~

Review of his findings done, she nodded curtly.  "That looks good to go."  She stated, "I will clean up my station and then start on the surgical alterations."  Jahlen was nothing if not organized and tidy.

She was walking out the lab doors with the PADD in her hand when she saw Captain Rivers arriving for the meeting, passing her closely she smiled and gave her a nod before continuing on the Main Sickbay.

(reply none)
(posted by Sal)


******

(USS Boudicca – Holodeck 1 – M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses – 1726)

Crawling out of the sweat lodge, his body hot and heavily sweating but feeling refreshed after the ceremony and his vision, Jerome stood and walked to his ethnic clothing to retrieve another prayer gift to thank the lodgekeeper with when he heard that his presence was required in Sickbay, by Doctor Dolphine.

"Computer! Inform Ensign Dolphine that I will there in approximately ten minutes."

[ Message sent ]

~ I should have time for a quick sonic shower. ~

He had hoped to talk to the natives about his vision to get their perspective on what the message was, if they agreed with his interpretation, so he was a little disappointed about having to leave.

Gathering up his buckskin garments, Jerome handed the lodgekeeper another small red bag of tobacco, thanked him for the sweat, told him he would return later and ended the program.

When the door appeared he left carrying his clothing, barefoot and dressed only in a leather loincloth to quickly make his way to his quarters for the shower.

(Reply none)
(Posted by Sal) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras
- 1927)

Dorga woke up to the sound of Detron's voice asking Doctor Jahlen if he was
cleared for duty.

Upon hearing the Doctor's reply, she figured that she'd get the same answer if
she asked too so she didn't bother asking, she just got off the biobed, dressed
in the privacy of the holographic screen and then walked through it to leave the
Sickbay.  She figured she would go to her quarters and wait for the summons
to go to the planet, should that summons manifest.

As she walked out into the corridor, she found a Dentarian dressed as a security
officer waiting there.  She figured it had to be Detron.

"Hello."  Dorga greeted him, her voice sounding lower and like a breathy growl.
"I guess this is going to take some getting used too."  She patted her chest to
indicate her appearance.


(Reply Detron)
(Posted by Sal) 

*****

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 1735)

As she walked in, Susan nodded to Dr Dolphine. "I won't ask what you've got for us until everyone is here," she said. "No point in you going over everything twice. How are you settling in?"

(Reply Dolphine, Deston, Gesar, ManyHorses, Any)
(Posted by Liz) 

*******

USS Boudicca - Sickbay - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 1736)

Pristine and in a clean uniform, the Commander entered Sickbay and immediately spotted Captain Rivers talking to Ensign Dolphine. With a smile he walked over to them.

"Good evening." He greeted them, "I guess we're a couple people short of a meeting."


(reply any)
(posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay Lab- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1738)

     He sat in the Sickbay lab and awaited the arrival of the Capt and
the other officer's to arrive. He was nervous as he waited, not sure
how they were going to react to the news. As he sat thinking of how he
was going to present the results and the thoughts he had for deploying
the vaccine. ~ I hope this works, It would be easier then preping the
away team for deployment.~

      As he thought to himself, he heard the doors to the lab open. He
turned an noticed Captian Rivers entering the lab. He turned as she
began to address him.

   As she walked in, Susan nodded to Dr Dolphine. "I won't ask what
you've got for us until everyone is here," she said. "No point in you
going over everything twice. How are you settling in?"

  "To be honest, I'm not sure . Other than the embarassment I'm doing
okay. I'm still reeling from the shock of an earlier conversation with
Dr. Fickett. Not a bad conversation mind you but suprising nonetheless. 
Thank you for asking though Capt. And thank you for coming to meet 
with me on such short notice."

(Room for more iyw)
(Reply Rivers)

During the conversation with Capt Rivers, he noticed Cmdr ManyHorses
entering the lab. He watched as the Cmdr paused, smiled and walked
over."Good evening." ManyHorses stated, trying to break the ice. "I
guess we're a couple people short of a meeting."

              " Not as many as I had hoped for to respond but at least
the important topics will be covered with the members of staff that
make the final desicions. Cmdr thank you for coming down on such short
notice."

(Reply ManyHorses iyw)

         No sooner had Cmdr ManyHorses Spoken when Ensign Deston
walked into the room. Hawkeye watched as the Ensign made his way over
to where the three of them were speaking. He watched as the Ensign,
almost reflexively, ducked out of the way of one of the duty Medics
preparing IV sedation.

  He watched as Deston scanned the room.  He approached the good
doctor - again, making sure to keep out of the way - and said, "Good
evening, Doctor.  How're things on the medical side of the blue
contingent?"

            "Steady I guess. Weve had most of the away team members
come through the doors within the last few hours with more due to
respond later this evening. Thanks to Dr Jahlen, who has been
outstanding with her support and picking up the surgery schedule
untill we finished this meeting, we should be ready for all scenarios
inside 2200 hours tonight."

(Reply Deston)

" While we are waiting on the Engineering Dept let me bring the three
of you up to speed. With the help of Dr. Jahlen, we found a way to
turn the compound into a aerosol form. If we do this correctly, we
should be able to hit the majority of the surface structures. The only
part of the planet I am concerned about is the suburban regions. My
best guess is that we will have to do this under the cover of night."

That is excellent news. Now...what needs to be done now to make the
distribution of the vaccine possible as efficiently as possible, and how 
long before we can actually distribute it and how long will the delivery 
take?" Cmdr. ManyHorses replied.

Before he could answer, He noticed Deston glancing over towards Cmdr
ManyHorses, as if awaitng permission to speak.

"Sir, I believe the bulk of distribution can be attained via transporter.  
As with most planets at this level of technological development, the 
majority of the population is concentrated in urban centers and suburban 
regions.  Most of the urban/suburban population spends time in buildings 
serviced by bulk air-handling environmental systems.  It should be simple 
and quick to encase the aerosol agent in neutral organic* packages that 
dissolve without trace in air after a short time; by transporting these 
packages into the air handling systems of these buildings, the aerosol 
agent will be released into the building air supply, to be inhaled by any 
Dentarians therein.

"It should be noted that any outdoor aerial release would need to be
done at nearly ground level, as normal atmospheric conditions would
prevent any but the most coarse aerosol agent from descending to
ground level from a matter weeks to a matter of decades."

Deston had been working his PADD feverishly while he spoke; he
completed his work and looked up.  "If the data concerning the aerosol
agent and the Dentarian civilization are accurate, this method could
have 70% of the population inoculated within one standard week.  It
will require near-total use of all of our and the Mithgiln transporters for 
the duration, however.  It also leaves inoculation of the rural areas a 
challenge."

              Hawkeye then turned to Cmdr ManyHorses. "Cmdr, have you
any information on the Mithglin flight craft? Specifically if they
have any sort of cloak technology. If they do, we could send a
Mithglin flier under cloak to the outlying areas. A release of the
medication could be preformed using a site to site transporter system.
If we did this late enough in the evening on the planet, detection
should not be a problem."

(Reply ManyHorses)

" In the mean time, we will continue to have surgical procedures
preformed on the remaining away team members. Are there any 
questions or concerns before we continue?"

(reply, Rivers, ManyHorses, Deston)
(Posted By Ben C)

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - aCEO Ensign(Jg) Anton Gesar - 1738.5)
 
Anton walked into the Sickbay and saw the Captain, the M-CO and the aCSO Deston.
 
The doctor was speaking as Anton walked in and quietly joined the group.
 
"...up to speed. With the help of Dr. Jahlen, we found a way to turn the compound into a aerosol form. If we do this correctly, we should be able to hit the majority of the surface structures. The only part of the planet I am concerned about is the suburban regions. My best guess is that we will have to do this under the cover of night."
 
"That is excellent news. Now...what needs to be done now to make the distribution of the vaccine possible as efficiently as possible, and how long before we can actually distribute it and how long will the delivery take?" Cmdr ManyHorses replied.
 
Deston stepped in.  "Sir, I believe the bulk of distribution can be attained via transporter.  As with most planets at this level of technological development, the majority of the population is concentrated in urban centers and suburban regions.  Most of the urban/suburban population spends time in buildings serviced by bulk air-handling environmental systems.  It should be simple and quick to encase the aerosol agent in neutral organic* packages that dissolve without trace in air after a short time; by transporting these packages into the air handling systems of these buildings, the aerosol agent will be released into the building air supply, to be inhaled by any Dentarians therein.  It should be noted that any outdoor aerial release would need to be done at nearly ground level, as normal atmospheric conditions would prevent any but the most coarse aerosol agent from descending to ground level from a matter weeks to a matter of decades."
 
Deston had been working his PADD feverishly while he spoke; he completed his work and looked up.  "If the data concerning the aerosol agent and the Dentarian civilization are accurate, this method could have 70% of the population inoculated within one standard week.  It will require  near-total use of all of our and the Mithgiln transporters for the duration, however.  It  also leaves inoculation of the rural areas a challenge."
 
Hawkeye then turned to Cmdr ManyHorses. "Cmdr, have you any information on the Mithglin flight craft? Specifically if they have any sort of cloak technology. If they do, we could send a Mithglin flier under cloak to the outlying areas. A release of the medication could be preformed using a site to site transporter system.  If we did this late enough in the evening on the planet, detection should not be a problem."

(Reply ManyHorses)
 
" In the mean time, we will continue to have surgical procedures preformed on the remaining away team members. Are there any questions or concerns before we continue?"
 
"Yes if I may," Anton stepped in.  "I appologize for being late.  I was making sure I had all my notes,"  Anton waved his PADD.  "It may be difficult and time consuming to attempt to transport something into the air system of each building that posesses the bulk air-handling environmental system.  What I mean is that so far, other than a basic scan of the planet surface we have no detailed topographical layout.  We would first have to do a detailed scan of each of the urban centers to find out how many buildings are in each area.  Once we determine how many buildings are in each urban area we would also have to determine which have a bulk air-handling environmental system.  Assuming then that all these systems are in a functional state we would then have to replicate enough neutral organic packages to transport."
 
"Even without scanning the planet, based on what we know already we can assume that the population numbers are in the Billions.  Several billion in fact.  From this we can estimate that planetwide we are likely looking at millions of buildings.  I estimate, "Anton punched a few numbers into his PADD, "that we may be able to replicate enough of the neutral organic packages in time with the help of the Mithgiln.  However, by my calculations, even with the help of the Mithgiln, we would not have enough time to transport all of them to the appropriate locations.  The problem is not the number of packages, it is the number of targets.  We can modify the transporter to transport a large number of people or objects to one target, but not to transport a large number of objects to multiple targets instantaneously.  We could save time by dematerializing a large quantity of these packages and storing them in the pattern buffers.  Then all we would have to do is target and rematerialize.  However, with the time we have the best I could do would be," Anton punched some more numbers into his PADD to make sure his calculations were correct.  "No more than 300 patterns.  This means that we would not be able to get to about 40% of the urban centers before the weather front hits the planet.  As far as the use of site-to-site transport from flight craft is concerned, we face the same problem.  More so in fact as the pattern buffer on a shuttle is much smaller and would not be able to hold as many patterns." 
 
"That's to long. I don't care what you have to do to get it done quicker, get it done before that!" said ManyHorses.
 
 "However, we can link our ships transporters with the transporters on the flight crafts and beam the packages directly into their pattern buffers.  I don't know if buffer to buffer transport has ever been actually done but I theoretically it is possible.  This way we can link up each transporter room on the ship with a flight craft.  The packages should be small enough for the shuttles to store 50 patterns at a time.  We can then store a large quantity of packages in the ships transporters to make transfer to flight crafts faster and then transfer the patterns to each flight craft.  The flight craft will be close enough to where their transporters can target the buildings faster and more accurately.  I believe that this way we could finish vaccinating the population in time."
 
 
(Reply Any, All present)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - 1739)

First Jahlen read what was needed for a successful alteration and thought it wouldn't be as hard as it seemed, and she was confident in the outcome of any surgeries she'd perform.  So she uploaded the specifications to the medical data and went to find her first patient.

As Lieutenant Trei had been the first to report in for his alterations, Jahlen walked over to him where he sat waiting, smiling reassuringly at him although she knew from experience that all Klingons and half Klingons never showed any fear.  He had been given a mild sedative and was in a robe which would come off for the operation.  Close by she noted that the 2O was also waiting, garbed in a robe, and extended her the courtesy of a short nod, receiving one in return.

"Good evening Lieutenant Trei, thank you for your patience.  Now, if you come with me I will proceed with the alterations."

(reply Trei iyw)

Jahlen led the way to a biobed already prepared with the appropriate surgical tools and hyposprays ready for use.  She pressed a key on the bed side and a holographic privacy barrier formed around the biobed.

"Please disrobe and get on the bed, Lieutenant."

She waited while he removed the robe and lay down on the biobed and then picked up a hypospray that contained a much stronger anesthetic.  Alteration surgery like she was about to do was extensive and painful, therefore she felt it would require that the patients be unconscious throughout the procedure.

~ Even you big, strong half Klingons get to go to sleep! ~

"This is a stronger anesthetic.  It will put you to sleep but when you waken you will not feel groggy and should be able to function perfectly normal."  Jahlen informed Trei, holding up the hypospray for him to see before pressing it to his throat and releasing the narcotic into his bloodstream.

"Sweet dreams!"

(reply Trei, any)
(posted by Sal) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 1739)


"To be honest, I'm not sure . Other than the embarrassment I'm doing okay. I'm still reeling from the shock of an earlier conversation with Dr. Fickett. Not a bad conversation mind you but surprising nonetheless. Thank you for asking though Captain. And thank you for coming to meet with me on such short notice."

Susan raised an eyebrow, wondering what Louis could have said to the young doctor to elicit this reaction. She wouldn't herself have thought of Dr Fickett as intimidating, but she supposed he might seem so to an ensign fresh out of the Academy.

She decided not to ask Dolphine about it though, but to talk to Louis later.

Instead she smiled at the ACMO. "You're welcome, doctor. But no captain worth her pips would deny the, ah, request of one of the very few officers on board who could remove her from duty." Her eyes twinkled, showing that she was joking.

(reply Dolphine iyw) 

********

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign (jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1740)

As he continued his conversation with Capt Rivers, he could tell that
the mood had changed from the staff meeting where he made a fool of
himself during the senior staff meeting. Capt Rivers looked like she
had something more to ask.

Instead she smiled at the ACMO. "You're welcome, doctor. But no
captain worth her pips would deny the, ah, request of one of the very
few officers on board who could remove her from duty." Her eyes
twinkled, showing that she was joking

"Captain. please" Hawkeye said with a joking lilt in his voice," I
would never relieve you of duty. You think I want to run a daycare?  I
have a hard enough time with my nephew back home listening to me, I
don't think I could handle a whole shipload of people not listening to
me either. He said with a smile and a raised eyebrow to show he was
returning the humor.

(Reply Rivers iyw)
(posted by Ben Church)

*********

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay Lab – M-CO Jerome ManyHorses – 1740)

Once everyone had gathered for the meeting with Ensign Dolphine, 
ManyHorses was pleased to hear that the medical team had found a way to 
convert the vaccine into an airborne agent.

"That is excellent news. Now...what needs to be done now to make the 
distribution of the vaccine possible as efficiently as possible, and how 
long before we can actually distribute it and how long will the delivery 
take?"

(reply Deston, Gesar, any)
(posted by Sal)

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston - 1740.5)

The new ACEO was speaking, and made Deston grimace internally in disappointment at himself.  ~Dummy, you should have been clearer about this stuff~  "...However, we can link our ships transporters with the transporters on the flight crafts and beam the packages directly into their pattern buffers.  I don't know if buffer to buffer transport has ever been actually done but I theoretically it is possible.  This way we can link up each transporter room on the ship with a flight craft.  The packages should be small enough for the shuttles to store 50 patterns at a time.  We can then store a large quantity of packages in the ships transporters to make transfer to flight crafts faster and then transfer the patterns to each flight craft.  The flight craft will be close enough to where their transporters can target the buildings faster and more accurately.  I believe that this way we could finish vaccinating the population in time."

Deston was impressed by the young engineer's alacrity and attention to detail.  "Ensign, we should share data /post haste/," he said, turning to Gesar.  "Cogent points, all; I should have provided some detail.  When I said this would involve /all/ of our transporters, I meant just that - thank you for clarifying my brief.  Although I confess we need data concerning the Mithgiln's transporter capacity.

"While not exactly a trivial task, a scan to pinpoint those HVAC systems is easily within our capacity, and should be completed in a matter of a few tens of minutes; I do not anticipate any issues with that portion of the overall job.  My projected timeline for both the scan and distribution was based on starting in the areas most immediately affected by the weather, then moving ahead of the threatening weather patterns as best as we are able.  Here; integrate my data with yours."  Deston initiated the data transfer from his PADD to Gesar's.  As he did so, he made eye contact with Gesar and gave an affirming nod.  "The buffer-to-buffer idea:  that should significantly improve our performance."  Deston, normally as social and polite a fellow as one would care to meet, was now a bit brusque, being so deeply involved in the problem at hand; otherwise, he would have further praised Gesar's idea of the pattern buffer transport there and then.  But, now, he was too deeply involved in the fluctuating data, trying to discern the patterns that would enable the crews of the /Boudicca/ and the /Shonora Ellian/ to execute their self-appointed, world-saving task.  He briefly wondered if someone was going to offer up a suggestion or a point that would throw a monkey wrench into the works.  He rather hoped so; like most Starfleet officers, he thrived on challenge.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by John O'Neill)

*********

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay Lab – ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston – 1741)

"That is excellent news. Now...what needs to be done now to make the distribution of the vaccine possible as efficiently as possible, and how long before we can actually distribute it and how long will the delivery take?"

Deston had been examining the problem while the Mission CO spoke; he cleared his throat and sought visual permission to speak.

"Sir, I believe the bulk of distribution can be attained via transporter.  As with most planets at this level of technological development, the majority of the population is concentrated in urban centers and suburban regions.  Most of the urban/suburban population spends time in buildings serviced by bulk air-handling environmental systems.  It should be simple and quick to encase the aerosol agent in neutral organic* packages that dissolve without trace in air after a short time; by transporting these packages into the air handling systems of these buildings, the aerosol agent will be released into the building air supply, to be inhaled by any Dentarians therein.

"It should be noted that any outdoor aerial release would need to be done at nearly ground level, as normal atmospheric conditions would prevent any but the most coarse aerosol agent from descending to ground level from a matter weeks to a matter of decades."

Deston had been working his PADD feverishly while he spoke; he completed his work and looked up.  "If the data concerning the aerosol agent and the Dentarian civilization are accurate, this method could have 70% of the population inoculated within one standard week.  It will require near-total use of all of our and the Mithgiln transporters for the duration, however.  It also leaves inoculation of the rural areas a challenge."

(reply any)
(posted by John O'Neill)

*********

(USS Boudica - Sickbay Lab - aCEO Ensign(Jg) Anton Gesar - 1741.5)
 
"Ensign, we should share data /post haste/," he said, turning toward Anton  "Cogent points, all; I should have provided some detail.  When I said this would involve /all/ of our transporters, I meant just that - thank you for clarifying my brief.  Although I confess we need data concerning the Mithgiln's transporter capacity.  While not exactly a trivial task, a scan to pinpoint those HVAC systems is easily within our capacity, and should be completed in a matter of a few tens of minutes; I do not anticipate any issues with that portion of the overall job.  My projected timeline for both the scan and distribution was based on starting in the areas most immediately affected by the weather, then moving ahead of the threatening weather patterns as best as we are able.  Here; integrate my data with yours." 
 
Anton looked at his PADD as the data began coming through.  He looked up and got an affirming nod from Deston.  "The buffer-to-buffer idea:  that should significantly improve our performance." 
 
"Good ideas, gentlemen. Make it so," chimed in Captain Rivers.  "I suggest you involve the other senior members of your respective departments in order to get this done quickly. You had better liaise with the Mithgiln too, make sure that what you propose is compatible with their systems." 
 
She turned toward Dolphine, "Doctor Dolphine, how long will it take your staff to do the changes to the away team?"
 
(reply Dolphine)
 
"Doctor, I'm afraid that my alterations will have to wait in order to complete my current assignments in time."
 
"Best to get started as soon as possible then.  That is, I assume that is what you would want them to do, Captain?"

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 1742)

"Captain. please, I would never relieve you of duty. You think I want to run a daycare?  I have a hard enough time with my nephew back home listening to me, I don't think I could handle a whole shipload of people not listening to me either". the ACMO said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
 
"Oh, don't worry, doctor, it's the FO and 2O who'd have that problem. Although I'd hate to think that any officer or crewmember under my command would fail to listen to their commanding officers." Susan broke off as Deston and Gesar entered, and nodded to them.

(Reply any, if you wish) 
(Posted by Liz) 

*******

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay Lab – XO Captain Susan Rivers – 1744)

For a moment, listening to Deston and Gesar, Susan remembered John Linskens. Their innovative ideas were similar to his, and the mention of the buffers reminded her painfully of the ill-fated (in many ways) expedition to rescue Eva. It seemed that John's shoes were more than adequately filled by these two young men at the start of their Starfleet careers. She almost smiled openly at the thought. What was it about this ship that seemed to draw out the best from its crew?

"Good ideas, gentlemen. Make it so," she said, unconsciously and completely unintentionally by-passing ManyHorses who was for the time being in command. "I suggest you involve the other senior members of your respective departments in order to get this done quickly. You had better liase with the Mithgiln too, make sure that what you propose is compatible with their systems."

She turned to the medical officer. "Doctor Dolphine, how long will it take your staff to do the changes to the away team?"

(reply Dolphine)

"Best to get started as soon as possible then," Susan stated, then belatedly looked at ManyHorses. "That is, I assume that is what you would want them to do, Captain?"

(Reply ManyHorses, Dolphine, Deston, Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Liz)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei  1745)

Detron followed Jahlen to a biobed and as directed removed his clothes.  After he removed his clothes, he put on a robe and the privacy shield was activated at the biobed.  Jahlen informed Detron that he will be  unconscious during the alteration and she asked if he understood that.  Detron responded.

"That is fine Dr.  Whatever is necessary.  Proceed when ready Dr."

Detron showed no fear as usual and felt the hypospray against his neck.  It took a little time for him to go out.

(Reply Jahlen)
(Posted by Edward)

**********

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay Lab – M-CO Jerome ManyHorses – 1746)

The young officers had some brilliant ideas to get the vaccine where it was
needed and Jerome remained quiet while they informed those gathered of
their innovations.


"Good ideas, gentlemen. Make it so," Captain Rivers said, causing Jerome
to smile.


The fact that she'd slipped into CO mode did not phase him at all, it was to
be expected, it was who and what she was and she was acting true to her
self.

"I suggest you involve the other senior members of your respective
departments in order to get this done quickly. You had better liaise with the
Mithgiln too, make sure that what you propose is compatible with their
systems."

She turned to the medical officer and asked him how long it would take for
the away team to be altered.

(reply Dolphine)

"Best to get started as soon as possible then," Susan stated, then looked at 
ManyHorses as if she'd suddenly remembered he was there. "That is, I
assume that is what you would want them to do, Captain?"

The soft smile on his full lips broadened into a bigger one and he gave a nod
of assent.

"Naturally, Captain." He replied, "I expect everything to be carried out
immediately and finished yesterday!"

He straightened up to his full height and tugged on his uniform top. "Now,
if this meeting is finished what do you say to partaking of a little refreshment
with me in Q.V.?" He asked Rivers.

(Reply ManyHorses, Dolphine, Deston, Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Sal)


******

(USS Boudicca - Deck 5, Stellar Cartography - CEO Lorimar - 1747)

Bob had left Lebranski's quarters after his dinner delivery and wandered the corridor in officer country for a few moments before winding his way down to stellar cartography. He found it fascinating, and always had. Surprisingly, he found the room empty, the control banks idle. There was always something oddly comforting and compelling about this section of the ship. Perhaps it was the ability to look far beyond a visual or sensor sweep, perhaps something different entirely.

He ran his fingers lightly over the controls, thinking of where he might look in a moment alone. His thoughts were interrupted by the chirp of his commbadge.

=^=Ensign Gesar to Lieutenant Lorimar=^=

~He must still be on his project tae deliver the medicine. Aboot time ah checked in anyway...~

He powered down the system with one hand and tapped his commbadge with the other.

"Lorimar, go ahead."

=^=I require your...=^= There was a curious pause, as though the young engineer might be carefully choosing his words. When he finished it was in an almost amused tone. =^=Technical expertise sir.  As well as update you on the current progress.=^=

Bob repressed the urge to chuckle. "Right. Are you still in Main Engineering? If so ah'll meet ye there directly."

(Reply Gesar iyw, Room for more)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign (Jg) Anton Gesar - 1748)

=/\=Right. Are you still in Main Engineering? If so ah'll meet ye there directly.=/\=
"Yes sir, I'm still in Main Engineering."  Anton tapped his comm. badge cutting off communications.  It was time to organize his PADDs.  It's good to look busy just not messy.

(reply Lorimar)
(posted by Oleg)

**********

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign (jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1748)

    After the meeting in Sickbay started to wind down, Captain Rivers
looked towards Hawkeye. Doctor Dolphine, how long will it take your
staff to do the changes to the away team?"

" Thankfully Captain Ensign Jahlen has already started on Ensign Trei.
I have a memo out to the rest of the away team members requesting them
to report to Sickbay by 1900 for surgery. If everything goes as
planned, I should have the surgeries completed by 2300 hours, Ideal
for a late night deployment. I will also begin inoculating the members
of the away team with the anti-viral agent as soon as possible. I will
have Dr. Jahlen preform my surgery, if I am still to join the away
team, after I complete the remaining surgeries."

"Best to get started as soon as possible then," Susan stated, then
belatedly looked at ManyHorses. "That is, I assume that is what you
would want them to do, Captain?"
     (Reply ManyHorses, Rivers, Deston, Gesar)
     (Posted by Ben)

**********

(USS Boudica - Main Engineering - aCEO Ensign(Jg) Anton Gesar - 1750)
 
"Ensign Gesar to Lieutenant Lorimar"
 
(Reply Lorimar) 

"I require your..." Anton could not help but crack a smile to himself, "technical expertise sir.  As well as update you on the current progress."
 
(Reply Lorimar)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - CEO Lorimar - 1753)

Bob walked into Main Engineering and cast a glance around, quickly locating Ensign Gesar at his work station. He walked over and smiled thinly, wondering what was up.

"Right lad... how might ah be of help? An' how is yer project progressin'?"

(Reply Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Russ) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Ensign (Jg) Anton Gesar - 1753.5)

Anton was standing at his workstation when Lorimar approached.
"Right lad... how might ah be of help? An' how is yer project progressin'?"
 
Right to business, "Well sir, Ensign Deston has come up with using neutral organic packages to deliver the vaccine into HVAC systems of building in all the suburban areas.  The dilema was the method of delivery.  I have suggested storing large number of these packages in the pattern buffers of our transporters and linking each one to the transporter systems within Mithgiln fligh crafts.  The difficulty I am facing is that in order for this to succeed we would need to perform a buffer to buffer transport.  We would have to transport 50 packages at a time.  Your experience will be invaluable if we are to succeed in time.  Especially if we are to integrate the Mithgiln technology with our own."
 
(Reply Lorimar)
(Posted by Oleg)

******

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - CEO Lorimar - 1754)

Bob listened intently as Ensign Gesar outlined the situation as it stood.

"Well sir, Ensign Deston has come up with using neutral organic packages to deliver the vaccine into HVAC systems of building in all the suburban areas.  The dilema was the method of delivery.  I have suggested storing large number of these packages in the pattern buffers of our transporters and linking each one to the transporter systems within Mithgiln fligh crafts.  The difficulty I am facing is that in order for this to succeed we would need to perform a buffer to buffer transport.  We would have to transport 50 packages at a time.  Your experience will be invaluable if we are to succeed in time.  Especially if we are to integrate the Mithgiln technology with our own."

Lorimar nodded at the neat summation. "Well, ah have a few questions that need be answered before we can proceed. First, are the Mithgiln transporters sufficiently similar in operation and technology as tae be compatible wie our equipment?"

(Reply Gesar)

"Alright... secondly, and equally important, can the drug and its 'organic delivery package' be transported at molecular resolution, rather than quantum level, without being degraded or rendered inert? If they can, then that increases our options substantially. We could use the cargo transporter systems, and their inherently higher capacity pattern buffers tae great effect if molecular resolution is acceptable, would ye agree?"

(Reply Gesar, Room for more)

"Additionally, if the command staff approves it, we could reset the personnel transporter buffers for storage and operation at molecular level, which would increase their capacity as well. We'd need tae tweak the autosequencers and biofilters of course so they would more easily dae what we need them for... that would leave the bottlenecks at the targeting scanners -- they can only scan and track and lock on tae a fixed number of simultaneous targets, as ye know. We'd be up against a hard limit in terms of the cool down period for the phase transition coils and primary energizing coils as well. Ah think yer concept is excellent though... if we can work out the few hurdles that are bound tae come up, ah see no reason why we cannae make this happen as ye suggest. Nice work indeed."

Bob smiled at Gesar, waiting to hear his further input.

(Reply Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Russ) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Gesar - 1754.5)

Lorimar nodded when Anton finished. "Well, ah have a few questions that need be answered before we can proceed. First, are the Mithgiln transporters sufficiently similar in operation and technology as tae be compatible wie our equipment?"

"I have looked over the data we recieved on the Mithgiln technology.  Their data transfer protocols from the molecular imaging scanner is quite different from ours but once the data is in their systems and the packages are in their pattern buffers they will be able to take care of the rest."  Anton felt silly for a brief moment realizing the explanation was not necessary, "Yes sir they are compatible." 

"Alright... secondly, and equally important, can the drug and its 'organic delivery package' be transported at molecular resolution, rather than quantum level, without being degraded or rendered inert? If they can, then that increases our options substantially. We could use the cargo transporter systems, and their inherently higher capacity pattern buffers tae great effect if molecular resolution is acceptable, would ye agree?"
"Yes sir, I do.  I had thought of using the cargo transporter but not of storing the packages on the molecular rather than subatomic level.  This..." Anton punched a few things into his console, "... will also nearly double the storage capacity of the flight crafts that will be used to deliver the packages. I will check with Ensign Deston as soon as possible."

"Additionally, if the command staff approves it, we could reset the personnel transporter buffers for storage and operation at molecular level, which would increase their capacity as well. We'd need tae tweak the autosequencers and biofilters of course so they would more easily dae what we need them for... that would leave the bottlenecks at the targeting scanners -- they can only scan and track and lock on tae a fixed number of simultaneous targets, as ye know. We'd be up against a hard limit in terms of the cool down period for the phase transition coils and primary energizing coils as well. Ah think yer concept is excellent though... if we can work out the few hurdles that are bound tae come up, ah see no reason why we cannae make this happen as ye suggest. Nice work indeed."
Lorimar smiled.
 
"Thank you sir.  As soon as you give the word I will begin modifying the transporters.  In the meantime I will speak with Ensign Deston and see if I can find a way to lower the cool down period for the phase transition coils and primary energizing coils as well.  That should improve our bottleneck.
 
(Reply Lorimar)
 
Anton tapped his commbadge.
 
"Ensign Gesar to Ensign Deston"
 
(reply Deston)
 
"We require some information regarding the neutral organic packages.  If they were to be transported at molecular resolution, would they be able to maintain integrity?"
 
(reply Deston)
 
"Thank you,"
 
(Reply Lorimar, Deston)
(Posted by Oleg)

**********

(USS Boudicca – Science Labs – ACSO Ensign Carlyle Deston – 1755.5)

Once the meeting in Sickbay had broken up, Deston left for the science labs to finalize the work on the vaccine packages he'd suggested, letting the others know his plans prior to leaving.

En route to the labs, he commed two of the best organic chemists on staff and invited them to join him.  Kathok offered his regrets that he was otherwise engaged, and would require at least twenty minutes to arrive; Mrr'esh signaled that she was already in the lab area and would meet him immediately.

In the lab, he outlined the situation for Mrr'esh's benefit, and the two began collaborating on the design and composition of the packages, Mrr'esh doing most of the heavy work.  They were not very long at it when Ensign Gesar called him over the comm.

"Go ahead, Ensign."

=^=We require some information regarding the neutral organic packages.  If they were to be transported at molecular resolution, would they be able to maintain integrity?=^=

Deston looked at Mrr'esh, who cocked her head and closed her eyes for a moment, deep in thought.  Her fingers tapped swiftly on the console in front of her, and they both scanned the display that resulted from her manipulations.  They looked at each other and nodded in unison.

"The packages will be quite stable at any resolution, Ensign; frankly, they will be too crude to be negatively affected by a reduction in transporter resolution.  It will only be the contents that will require care."

=^=Thank you,=^= replied Gesar.

Deston turned his attention back to Mrr'esh.  "Now, if we design in a 'weak spot' that will erode when the air-handling units are in operation, as you suggest, then the main body will need to compress to aerosolize the contents before the container itself erodes.  What is the spectrum of dissolve times we can expect from the basic formula, and how precisely can we adjust them...?"  The work went on, hastened when Kathok arrived ten minutes later.

(Reply any, none)
(Posted by John O'Neill)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - CEO Lorimar - 1756)

"Thank you sir.  As soon as you give the word I will begin modifying the transporters.  In the meantime I will speak with Ensign Deston and see if I can find a way to lower the cool down period for the phase transition coils and primary energizing coils as well.  That should improve our bottleneck."

Lorimar looked at Gesar as he replied. "Tis' nae a matter of me 'giving the word' but for something like that we need command approval. If it were an emergency, engineering has the authority tae proceed as needed tae save the ship or the crew. But, since this is a modification that is going tae affect the operation of the Boudicca, we'll need get permission from the command staff before proceeding. Nae worries though lad... tis' mah experience that ye get an answer from the bridge in short order when ye ask a question."

He paused a moment, recalling system specifications. He pulled up a display of the transporter subsystems on a nearby panel, confirming his recollections. "As far as the cool downs, as ah said we are against a hard limit there. Of course, starfleet specs and the engineering regs dae gie us a bit of wiggle room, which we can utilize if needed. Provided we can operate at molecular resolution ah think we'll be fine though without going tae any extreme stresses on the equipment. The sheer number of duty cycles required will trigger some extensive maintenance when we are through anyway."

(Reply Gesar)

~Provided o' course we dinnae burn oot half the system just getting this done... its a massive task and will be a huge strain on the systems... like a large scale evacuation or something of that sort would be...~

"Right... ah'll see aboot that permission now." As Gesar conversed with Deston, Bob called the bridge.

"Bridge, this is Engineering."

(Reply any on Bridge)

"We have a workable contingency plan developed. Mister Gesar and Mister Deston are ironin' oot the details now. Tae make it work we will need tae modify, at least partially, the transporter systems, which will render them temporarily unusable for transport of lifeforms. Looking for permission before we make that move of course."

(Reply Any, Room for more)
(Posted by Russ) 

*********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - ACEO Gesar - 1757)

"Thank you sir.  As soon as you give the word I will begin modifying the
transporters.  In the meantime I will speak with Ensign Deston and see
if I can find a way to lower the cool down period for the phase
transition coils and primary energizing coils as well.  That should
improve our bottleneck."

Lorimar looked at Gesar as he replied. "Tis' nae a matter of me 'giving
the word' but for something like that we need command approval. If it
were an emergency, engineering has the authority tae proceed as needed
tae save the ship or the crew. But, since this is a modification that is
going tae affect the operation of the Boudicca, we'll need get permission 
from the command staff before proceeding. Nae worries thoughlad... tis' 
mah experience that ye get an answer from the bridge in short order when 
ye ask a question."

"As far as the cool downs, as ah said we are against a hard limit there. Of 
course, starfleet specs and the engineering regs dae gie us a bit of wiggle 
room, which we can utilize if needed.  Provided we can operate at molecular 
resolution ah think we'll be fine though without going tae any extreme 
stresses on the equipment. The sheer number of duty cycles required will 
trigger some extensive maintenance when we are through anyway."

"Well, it's not often you get to fix something we had permission to break," 
Anton said with a smile.

~Provided o' course we dinnae burn oot half the system just getting this
done... its a massive task and will be a huge strain on the systems...
like a large scale evacuation or something of that sort would be...~
"Right... ah'll see aboot that permission now." Lorimar turned to call the 
bridge.
 
Anton finished up his conversation with Ensign Deston and waited for 
Lorimar to finish up with the bridge then approached.
 
"It seems that the packages can be transported at the molecular resolution. 
Now we just have to find out about the vaccine."
 
 
(Reply Lorimar, Any)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence
Krolar and Olivia Krolar - 1805)

Laurence sat in his little office, watching graphs and numbers scroll
by.  His daughter Olivia sat in the corner playing with a toy shuttle,
making shuttle noises and playing both the pilot and the control
tower.  Laurence wasn't ready to settle down for the night, but he
hated leaving Olivia in after school care, so he'd picked her up and
brought her to his office.  He'd gotten permission for her to be there
so long as there wasn't a red alert or any vital mission issues.  If
something came up, he'd get her out of there very fast.

Still, at that moment, everything was calm, there was no looming
conflict, and no immanent danger, and he liked having Olivia around.
His skills weren't needed at the current juncture of the mission, so
he was working on his own problem.  He had spent most of his time the
last couple of days trying to figure out how the Shonora managed to
travel at such high warps with a warp field that looked so out of
calibration.

Without being able to go over to the Shonora, Erril, and ask a lot of
questions, and lacking the biological background, he wasn't sure he
was going to be able to get to the bottom of the problem.  No one had
assigned him the task, some latitude on tasks like these was simply
the advantage of his rank and position.

"Hey, Sprite, what did you learn in school today?" Laurence asked Olivia.

"Captain Sprite," Olivia said matter of factly.

"Sorry, Captain Sprite, what did you learn in school today, Ma'am?"
Laurence asked, trying not to grin at his daughter.

"I learned that hat and mat and cat, all rhyme," Olivia said, saying
the last word very slowly making sure to get it right, "because they
all sound the same at the end.  And then I started to learn how to
write my name, and how to write a little 'L'."  She said, looking at
her father with her gray eyes that were so much like his, and a smile
that was her mother's through and through.

~hmm, much not be teaching Kindergartners warp theory or exobiology
these days, really could have used the help.~ Laurence thought to
himself.

"That's great sweet-heart, what do you want for dinner tonight?"
Laurence asked, nearly ready to give up for the night.

"Can we have 'spargus, that chicken thing that I like?" Olivia asked
bouncing up and down a little.

"I think I can manage that," Laurence said with a smile.  "Just a few
more minutes then we can go back to our quarters."

"Ok," Olivia said, walking over to his desk and putting the toy
shuttle on it, and grabbing her coloring supplies and settling down on
the floor to start drawing in the serious manner only a five year old
can muster.

Laurence watched his daughter start to draw something he didn't really
recognize, and remembered Abby.  Dead in the early days of the civil
war, he still missed his wife and Olivia's mother.  Olivia rarely
asked about her and he chalked it up to the quarter of her blood that
was Betazoid.  She knew it was hard for him to talk about, whether she
realized it or not.

Laurence looked up when his door chime rang, "Enter," he said.  The
door opened and in walked Chief Petty Officer Ashley Kester of the
Science department.  He only knew her because he was there when she
got her promotion from Petty Officer to Chief Petty Officer.  She was
perhaps a decade younger than Laurence, and maybe a foot shorter.  She
had long blond hair pulled back into a french braid, and piercing blue
eyes.  She had the thin but toned build of a dancer and a friendly if
nervous smile.

"Evening Chief Kester, what can I do for you?" Laurence asked with a
smile for his colleague.

"Actually, I was just dropping by to give you the analysis you asked
for yesterday evening," Ashley said with a smile, handing him a PADD
filled with graphs.

"Oh geeze, I completely forgot I'd even asked your group for anything.
 Please take a seat if you want."  Laurence said, gesturing to the
chair in front of his desk.  "I've just been trying to figure out how
that Shonora manages to go that fast with what looks to me like a
broken drive."

Ashley sat down and looked at the work Laurence had done that was
displayed on the various screens around the room.  "What have you
looked at so far?"

"I've looked at their their warp fields interaction with their
structural integrity field and their inertial dampening field.  I
tried to get a spectral reading on their secondary field harmonics,
but couldn't get a clear look.  I'm at the end of my rope, and I'm
ready to give up and leave it to the next round of engineers that get
a closer look," Laurence said running his hand through his short hair.

"Daddy," Olivia said, piping up from the corner for the first time
since Chief Kester walked into the room, causing Ashley to jump a
little.  "Daddy, you can't quit, you told me I couldn't quit just
because something was hard," she said walking up to his desk, a stern
look on her face.

"Chief Kester, let me introduce you to my daughter, Olivia," Laurence
said with a smile, tousling his daughters hair.  "Olivia, say hello to
Chief Kester."

"Hello Chief Kester, my name is Olivia, I'm five years old, almost
six." Olivia said with a friendly smile.

"Hello, Olivia, you can call me Ashley.  And you're right, your Father
shouldn't give up, not just yet, because now he has some help.  And I
think I have an idea."  Ashley said with a friendly smile for the five
year old.  Laurence was glad she wasn't put off by his precocious
daughter, some of his colleagues were a little put off by children in
the work place, or they simply ignored them all together.  Being a
single parent on a star ship meant that Laurence took every
opportunity to spend time with Olivia when he could, because he never
knew when work would keep him away.

Lifting his daughter up into his lap, he looked at Chief Kester.  "And
what is your idea?"  Laurence asked with a good-natured smile.

"Computer display file Kester 343 Alpha," Ashley said, moving around
to stand next to Laurence and Olivia who spun in their chair to look
at the big screen behind his desk.  On the screen a pair of graphs
moved across from right to left.  Olivia looked on with a very serious
expression on her face, although it was impossible for her to
understand what the graphs meant.  "The top graph is the dominant warp
field harmonic of the Shonora across time, as you can see, it just
looks like a random miss-calibration.  The bottom graph is local
subspace topography across the same time as the harmonic graph."
Ashley said pointing out various peaks and valleys.

"Daddy, the two pictures match," Olivia said pointing at the screen,
then looking up at Laurence confused.  "What does it mean when they
match."

Laurence wanted to slap himself.  "It means Daddy needs to remember to
ask for help a lot sooner next time," Laurence said, then looked at
Ashley.  "Are you saying you think that the Shonora is actively
altering it's Warp field to match the local subspace topography?"

"I don't see why not, it evolved in space going to warp is just like
up going for a run.  Changing it's warp field is just like us changing
our stride over uneven ground as we run.  Sure we'd suffer massive
sheering forces if we tried it with the Boudicca is because we
couldn't match the topography as exact as the Shonora obviously can,
but then it's alive and has a brain, which is always better than a
computer," Ashley said with a shrug and a smile.

"The Shonora must save a massive amount of energy from doing that,"
Laurence said, already starting to do calculations in his head.

"I can only imagine," Ashley said, typing a few things into the PADD,
lost in thought.

"Daddy, did you and Ashley solve the problem?"  Olivia asked her
father, craning her next backwards to look at Laurence.

"I think we did, Cadet, I think we did." Laurence said.

"Good," Olivia said squirming down from Laurence's lap.  "Does that
mean we can have dinner now?"

"I think it does," Laurence said, standing up.  "Sorry, Chief Kester,
with that problem solved, I think it's time to head back to my
quarters and feed this bottomless pit of mine," he said, picking up
Olivia and tossing her over his shoulder playfully, Olivia giggling,
he feet kicking in the air.

"Understandable Chief.  I'll see you around, let me know if you need
any more work from the science department on this topic."  Ashley
said, with a smile.  "It was nice to meet you Olivia."

Laurence put Olivia down on her feet facing Chief Kester, still
giggling slightly.  "Bye Ashley, thanks for helping Daddy."

Ashley gave Olivia a smile and a wave then headed out the door.
Laurence and Olivia gathered up their things and headed out the door
shortly there after.

(Reply None needed)
(Posted by Patrick D.)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - CEO Lorimar - 1817)

After listening to Gesar and Deston conferring over the required minutia for the upcoming task, Lorimar set himself to work on the hardware aspect. He moved to an unoccupied work station, and called up detailed displays for the transporter systems. Focusing for the moment on the cargo transporters, as they had (he hoped) a much greater capacity for the task at hand, he set to work.

Consulting the computer databanks for a frame of reference, he rapidly calculated the time and energy requirements for the task at hand. Scowling silently at several of the displays, he adjusted performance margins repeatedly, looking for bottlenecks in the system. What exactly were the weak points going to be for such a task? With some detailed modeling, he was fairly certain he had located them. A lot more work was needed to refine the plan however.

(Reply Any, None) 

*******


(USS Boudicca -  Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen -  1830)

The surgical procedure had gone well and quicker than Jahlen had thought it might.  As she had worked on Lt. Trei she had reflected on surgeons of the past and their methods, in the times when sharp knives and other devices (that resembled torture instruments) were used.  It all seemed so barbaric and primitive when compared to the modern medical and surgical instruments but had been necessary to carry out certain procedures.

One of her hobbies was collecting ancient medical tools and researching their uses.  She also had a holodeck program where she could actually use the tools as she felt that it was always possible that some time they would be the only tools available to her.  It was all very well having high tech equipment but that high tech equipment relied on a power source to work.  What would happen if power was unavailable for an extended length of time?

Finishing up with Lieutenant Trei, Jahlen asked the nurse to take him to recovery while she shed the red scrubs she'd been wearing for a clean set and re-santized herself before starting on Commander 'cha Nooras who had already been sedated by one of the nurses.

(reply none)
(posted by Sal)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Lab - ACMO Ensign(Jg) Hawkeye Dolphine - 1900)

After the meeting had ended with Capt. Rivers, Cmdr ManyHorses and
Ensign Deston was concluded, Hawkeye wanted to catch Dr Jahlen between
surgeries. He wanted to thank her for her help breaking down the
compound for airborne delivery. Her support throughout this endeavor
was unremarkable.
             As he saw Dr. Jahlen waiting for her next set of scrubs,
he walked over to her. "Dr. Jahlen, could i borrow a moment of your
time please? I promise this will not take long."

     Hawkeye took a deep breath before continuing. "Dr I wanted to
thank you for your ongoing support on this enormous task. I do not
think things would have gone as smoothly as it appears they have
without you on board for this mission. Furthermore I wanted to
apologize to you, Dr. to Dr. if it seemed as if I was acting in a
superior fashion. I want you to know that this was never my intention.
I would never intentionally overstep my boundaries, seeing how you
outrank me, but because I wanted you to know that you have my deepest
respect. You did not have to willingly accept these requests I made of
you, you could have told me to jump out the nearest airlock. I'm
grateful you didn't mind you, as Ive heard jumping out an airlock can
be hazardous to your health. In any event, it is not my intention to
create a hostile work environment here. I would hope that you and I
will be able to work together without animosity between us. I swore
going into Starfleet that I would not become the same type of Dr, that
my attending was, someone who pushed people away or alienated them. I
would rather you and I be comfortable working together."

        " Why dont you wrap up here, I'll continue on with the
surgical alterations. I'm sure you've had a longer day than I have.
Besides, you've done more than your fair share of this workload. I
will be more than happy to continue on for you." He said with a smile.

(Reply Jahlen)
(Posted by Ben C)

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - Day 5 - 1901)

As Jahlen waited for an orderly to bring her next set of scrubs after
finishing with the 2O, Doctor Dolphine approached her asking for a
moment of her time.  She nodded and looked at him expectantly.

He thanked her for her help and then went on to apologize if he seemed
to be acting in a superior fashion, stating that it was never his intention,
and causing Jahlen to wonder if he was a mind reader, though she was
pretty certain that he was a 100% human.  Perhaps she was wrong.

"...I would never intentionally overstep my boundaries, seeing how you
outrank me, but because I wanted you to know that you have my deepest
respect. You did not have to willingly accept these requests I made of you,
you could have told me to jump out the nearest airlock..."

Jahlen smiled but said nothing at that, for it was something she might well
have wished for, and had she been angry, might well have said.

He went on to express his hopes that they could work together without
animosity between them and suggested she wrap things up there, stating
she had done more than her fair share of the workload.

"....I will be more than happy to continue on for you." He said with a
smile.

"Thank you Doctor that is very considerate of you, however I will do
the Trill female first, then I will retire for the rest of the evening."

(reply Dolphine iyw)

As she turned away she heard Dr. Fickett calling her and turned to see
him in the doorway to his office.

"Dr. Jahlen?  Could I have a quick word with you?"

Jahlen wondered if the CMO was about to tell her what had been said after
she'd left the meeting with him and Dr. Dolphine, so she nodded and
walked in to his office,  the door closing behind her.

The CMO smiled at her asked her to sit down and asked if he could get
her anything.

"No thank you I'm fine."  Jahlen responded as she sat down in a chair in
front of his desk and folded her hands neatly in her lap waiting for him to
sit down behind his desk, so she was surprised when he sat down beside
her instead.

"Doctor..."  He began. "...first of all, I hope you know how much I have
come to respect your skill in the time that I've been here, not only as a
physician but also as a researcher.  You've been doing some really excellent
work in the lab, and I can tell from the way you go after it that it's something
you truly love."

Jahlen smiled and inclined her head affirmatively.  "Yes, to be truthful it is my
first love which is why I spend so much time in the labs during my off duty
time."  ~ At least I used to before I met Tollian. ~  She thought, her smile
growing as she remembered they were to meet later that evening for dinner
together.

Then Fickett told her he had something to tell her.

~ Ah this must be it! ~  She thought, expecting to finally learn what all the
secrecy had been about earlier with Dolphine.

"...You should know that I have been relieved of my duties as Chief Medical
Officer, so that I may be able to devote my time to medical and biological
research.  To be honest, the promise of such an opportunity was the only
way they lured me back into shipboard duty to begin with.  Anyway, this is
where you come in."

Jahlen looked at him, her puzzlement obvious.  ~ What is he talking about,
am I to be the new CMO? ~

But as soon as he continued to tell her there was too much for one person to
do alone she knew that wasn't it and his next words verified her conclusion.
He wanted her to assist him with his research.  She remained silent and
listened to what else he had to say, intrigued by his offer.

"...While on paper I am technically your superior officer, in the research lab I
will consider us equals.  You will be free to pursue your own research
interests as well as assisting me with mine, and I'll be happy to assist you
with those.  Plus, you'll have the option of devoting as much or as little of your
time to this as you wish.  If you still want to work some shifts in sickbay to
keep your skills up, that is completely fine with me."  He took a deep breath. 
"So, how about it, Doctor?"

Although it wasn't a promotion, Jahlen knew that if she'd had the choice - be
CMO or devote the majority of her working time to research, she would have
chosen the latter, so this offer was just up her street.  She was thrilled at the
prospect and she grabbed his hand closest to her and gave it a squeeze.

"Marvelous Doctor Fickett! I'll be happy to accept your offer and I will take
advantage of being able to keep up my skills in Sickbay as time and
inclination permit.  Naturally it goes without saying that I'll chip in when there
are emergencies.  Thank you very much!"

(reply Dolphine, Fickett, iyw)
(posted by Sal)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen -  1910)

Having completed one alteration, the 2O's had gone a little quicker as she was quite similar in appearance as Lt. Trei had been.  Jahlen was sure that with the humans things would proceed a lot faster.

~ Two down how many more to go? ~  Jahlen thought as she yet again shed the red scrubs and re-sanitized before moving to the next biobed where the patient was groggy but still awake.

"Hello, I am Doctor Jahlen and I will be performing the alteration surgery."  She stated, gently placing a hand on the patient's shoulder in reassurance.

(Reply next in line for surgery)
(Posted by Sal) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - ACSO Ensign Ayslin Rel  -  1911)

Ayslin laid back on the bio bed, groggy but still awake.  It was the
first time she'd been surgically altered for a mission and she was
slightly apprehensive, even if she had worn more than one face in the
course of her four hosts.  She had spent most of the day reading the
anthropology reports on the Dentarians, now she was about to look like
one.

"Hello, I am Doctor Jahlen and I will be performing the alteration
surgery."  She stated, gently placing a hand on the patient's shoulder
in reassurance.

"Evening Doctor," Ayslin said, speaking very slowly to keep from
slurring her words.  "I trust you're a good artist."  Ayslin said with
a tired smile.

(Reply Jahlen)

"Just do me a favor, oh master of the laser scalpel, take a picture of
the spots before you take them off," Ayslin said, weakly tapping the
spots on her shoulder that ran the length of her body, "so you can put
them back in the right spot.  I'd look funny in the mirror if they're
different, you know?"

(Reply Jahlen)
(posted by Patrick D.)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen -  1912)

"Evening Doctor," the young woman on the biobed said, speaking
very slowly and deliberately as if thinking about each word before
vocalizing it. "I trust you're a good artist."

"I guess so, I haven't had any complaints so far."  Jahlen replied
with a big  smile and another reassuring pat on her shoulder.

"Just do me a favor, oh master of the laser scalpel, take a picture
of the spots before you take them off," Ayslin said, weakly tapping
the spots on her shoulder that ran the length of her body, "so you
can put them back in the right spot.  I'd look funny in the mirror if
they're different, you know?"

"Don't you worry."  Jahlen took a look at the PADD chart attached
to the bed noting the young woman's name, "...Ensign Rel.   You
will be reverted to your original looks including spots in right spots,
the computer stores all the before images, there won't be a spot or
a hair out of place when we're done with you."

(reply Ayslin iyw)

"Now I am going to put you to sleep."  Jahlen informed her, lifting a
prepared hypospray from the instrument tray a nurse had provided
and pressing it to the Trill's neck.

"When you wake up you won't be sleepy, this sedative has no
residual effects."

There was a soft hiss as the sedative was administered.

(Reply Rel iyw)
(posted by Sal) 

******

(USS Boudicca - Main Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1920)

Detron woke up from anesthetic with no groggy after effects.  Detron looked around from the bed for a surface he could see himself in.  He found nothing suitable for that purpose so he called out requesting something he could view his altered state.  A mirror of some kind was brought over to Detron eventually.  When Detron looked at himself, the initial shock wore off fairly quickly then he studied his appearance with several facial expressions.  The smile he noted should be used infrequent  because of its very menacing look.  With that done, Detron asked if he was cleared for duty.

"Dr. Jahlen am I cleared for duty?"

(Reply Jahlen)
(Posted by Edward)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - aCMO Ensign Jahlen - 1921)

Busily working on Ensign Ayslin Rel, Jahlen had only just started on pigmenting her skin when she heard Lt. Trei asking if he was cleared for duty.


Around her and Ayslin Rel, a holographic privacy screen was erected together with a force field that ensured a completely sterile atmosphere so although Jahlen could not see him and he could not see her, as he was just a couple of biobeds away, she heard him perfectly.


"If you feel you are ready to go then by all means you may return to duty, Lieutenant."  She told him.


(reply Trei, any)
(posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Lt. (jg) Denise Lebranski - 1922)

She couldn't sleep.

She had given up on the couch and gotten up and tried the bed. She hadn't
been able to sleep in the bed either. So she got up, had a shower, played
with her hair for an hour, played solitaire for a while, and then finally
threw her hands up and called her mother.

She was oh-so-lucky her brother Markus answered the call. "What're you doing
at home?" She grumbled.

"Hey runt - we get this thing called 'leave' maybe you've heard of it?" Her
elder brother mocked her. "Grats on cheating into the officer rank, by the
way!"

"I'd give it back if I could!" She snarled back, "Nothing but a giant
headache while I watch everyone do everything backwards!"

He grinned, "Not all of us got our training as the fleet's paperworkers, we
have to do things backwards."

"Mmph." She'd have to spend some more time on revenge on Sash for getting
her the promotion. 

"So why'd you call squirt?" He asked, grin getting bigger.

"I wanted Mom's advice on how to deal with MEN. You should be familiar with
the rant, dealing with impossibly pig headed idiots who don't know what they
want!" Denise snapped back.

"Grab him in the turbolift and give him a kiss he won't forget then waltz
away. He'll figure out what he wants in a hurry." Markus replied, some
sincerity in his big brother teasing.

"WHAT?" Denise spluttered.

"Well, it worked for Carole.. Uh, by the way, you may meet her if you make
it home before I ship out again.. You'd like her, tells me what to do all
the time."

Denise stared at the screen her gasted flubbered. "YOU have a girl friend?"

"Yeah, seems like. Hey, it worked for her, you could always give it a try.
Here's Mom!"

She let him part by singing "Markus and Carole, in a 'lift.."

Her mother gave her the hairy eyeball. "I had hopes that my children would
grow up one day. I see it's been nothing but a smoke dream!"

Denise grinned, "Aww, but Mooooom.."

"Oh don't start. What did you want other than to rile up your brother?" Her
mother asked, folding arms under ample chest.

"Hey, I didn't even know he was in town, that was just a side bonus. I'm
having trouble figuring out a guy and I figured my mother, most knowledgably
of all females, would have some ideas.."

She could see the snappy replies filtering behind her mother's eyes. She
expected teasing about 'Oh so you've finally found one worth giving the time
of day?' or 'Your heart finally unlocked?' but her mother proved the better
woman, "Well, cook him a hell of a meal and then disappear. Hard to do on a
ship, but I know you can do it. Make him realize what he's missing."

"That sounds like it could backfire pretty quick." Denise answered with a
frown.

"If he doesn't miss you, it wasn't meant to be." Her mother replied. "How is
Captain Rivers treating you?" Her mother asked changing the subject.

"Oh lord." Denise had a momentary flash of her mother lecturing Captain
Rivers like she'd lectured Captain Sash. "She treats me like a junior
officer; unfortunately. I'd rather be a Yeoman!"

"Everyone has to grow up sooner or later 'Nees. Now, I'll cook you dinner
when you're next in town, stop racking up the bill to whine. I'm sure
there's a perfectly good counsellor on ship you could whine at instead." 

"Yes, Mom" Denise said with a sigh.

"Good luck with your man, bring him over for dinner when you're next at
Earth." Her mother added before disconnecting.

Oh yeah, wouldn't THAT be fun. Bob, her three brothers, her parents and the
animal farm they all supported. At least the food would be good. She sighed.

Strangely she felt better and like she might be able to sleep now. Moms
always made things right.

(Reply none)
(Posted by Lorna)

**********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1925)

Detron heard from Jahlen that he was cleared to duty when he felt ready.  Detron put his uniform back on with the privacy shield up.  When he finished getting dressed, Detron lowered the privacy shield and left Sickbay.  Detron waited outside Sickbay to discuss the mission with Dorga.

(Reply Dorga)
(Posted by Edward)

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine-1930)

 After the meeting with Dr. Jahlen, Hawkeye Began to focus on his next
task, The final surgeries needed for the away team to go planet side.
"Computer please send a message to Captian Rivers and Cmdr Nor'Chaas
to report to sickbay at their earliest convenience for surgery."

                             -------------Messages Sent---------

 With that being done, and while awaiting his next two patients for
surgery, he began to wonder what progress, if any had been made in
engineering. He was close to the 2000 hour deadline he set to have
this ready for deployment.

 "Ensign Gesar from Ensign Dolphine, Do you have any progress to
report on converting the vacceine?" Hawkeye asked after tapping his
Comm Badge."I'll need the specifications soon if we are to meet the
deadline of 2000 hours"

(Reply Gesar)
(posted by Ben Church)

*******

(USS Boudicca -  Outside Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG)  Detron Trei - 1935)

Detron saw a Denterian come towards him and assumed it was Dorga.  She expressed to him that being a Denterian was going to be hard getting used to.  Detron nodded.

"Yes.  it will be hard getting used to being a lizard and waiting for the call to action.  I would prefer action over waiting."

Detron waited for Dorga's response.

(Reply Dorga)
(Posted by Edward)

******

(USS Boudicca - Deck 7 Corridor - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras
- 1935.5)


Dorga greeted Detron Trei outside Sickbay and patted her chest, stating it
would take some getting used to, meaning their appearance as Dentarians. 
Not the most attractive species Dorga had ever seen.  Still looks weren't
what really mattered, what really mattered was temperament,  heart and
intelligence.  A good sense of humor helped.


She couldn't help wonder if the Dentarians had a sense of humor and what
their laughter sounded like.  She was certain she'd find out about the
laughter.


Detron nodded.


"Yes.  it will be hard getting used to being a lizard and waiting for the call to
action.  I would prefer action over waiting."  He replied.


Dorga started walking down the corridor.  "Yes, I'm like that too, I guess that
must be the Klingon genes.  Fortunately in my case the Vulcan side of me
tempers that trait some what and I have also become more patient as I have
matured."
(Reply Detron - room for more)


They reached the turbolift and waited a short while for it to arrive talking 
together. The doors slid open and Dorga walked inside.

"Deck three."  She ordered before speaking to Detron, "I am going to my 
quarters for some meditation.  Hopefully we won't have to wait  to long before 
we hear whether or not the away mission will happen."


(Reply Detron, any)
(Posted by Sal)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay Corridor - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1938)

Detron nodded Dorga's assessment of the Klingon traits wanting to take action.  Detron hoped his Betazoid traits will calm his urge to act and wait for orders but he suspected it will be a great struggle.  At the end of this mission, Detron was to prepare for the Klingon Rite of Ascension.  That will require eating Blood Pie and strength endurance training.  It is a painful ceremony that has to be endured by walking the gauntlet being jabbed with pian sticks.  Detron will go through with honor as a strong Klingon Warrior.  The ceremony is to be done in Klingon so Detron has to prepare for that as well.  Detron felt that he will be promoted soon to command rank and he needed to justify that promotion with honor.  Detron went to the Holodeck to do some endurance training.

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Edward)   

********
(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine-1952)

 Hawkeye sat in sickbay in front of a computer terminal with a cup of
coffee and awaited the 2O. He knew that this and the other surgery
would take some time to complete.

As he sat at the computer, reviewing information, he contemplated the
days events; from the passionate outburst in the staff meeting, to
being informed that he was going to be reccomended to Capt Rivers as
the Acting CMO on board. ~Hell of a first day~ He thought to himself.

As he sat contemplating, he heard the sickbay doors open and he saw
the Captain walk through the doors.

(Reply Dorga, Rivers, any iyw)
(Posted by Ben)

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers -1953)

Susan walked into Sickbay, having settled Luisa in her cot and making sure that Shun at least was well-occupied. Loren was still at her friend's quarters.

She felt a little excited at the prospect of leading an away team; she didn't get to do that much these days. However she did wish, heartily, for the chance to go on an away mission that *didn't* involve surgical operations to change her looks.

~At least this time we won't be chasing after a crazed Betazoid with memory loss and a god-complex~

She looked around for the ACMO and, locating him, walked over.

"Well, doc, do your worst," she said. "Just make sure you get every one of these," she indicated her nose-wrinkles, "back in place. I want to recognise the face I see in the mirror once you restore me to my natural self!"

(Reply Dolphine, any)
(posted by Liz) 

******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay-ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 1954)

 Hawkeye's gaze turned from the computer terminal to Capt Rivers as
she entered sickbay. "Well, doc, do your worst," she said. "Just make
sure you get every one of these," she indicated her nose-wrinkles,
"back in place. I want to recognize the face I see in the mirror once
you restore me to my natural self!"

" Captain, I will make sure to leave no, wrinkle, out of place. And I
want to thank you for choosing the Hawkeye Dolphine Lube and oil space
station and surgery center, Where every mechanic went through the
difficult one hour surgery and medical training. If we mess up youre
surgery your next tire rotation is free!" Hawkeye replied jokingly.
                 (Reply Rivers iyw)
  " In all seriousness Capt, I'm going to give you a mild sedative,
This will allow you to slip into a twilight sleep while allowing me to
complete the necessary alterations. I assure you this will not leave
you groggy and you will feel no pain after the surgery. Now if you
will excuse me I need to scrub up for surgery."  He looked at the duty
medic and instructed the administration of the sedative.

  Hawkeye went into the locker room and changed from his duty uniform
into his scrubs for the surgery. He exited, went over to the sink, And
began to scrub. While this was not a difficult surgery, it would
require multiple alterations. He paused, took a deep breath and
entered the surgery suite.

"Nurse vital signs please" Hawkeye requested. The OR Nurse read out
the vitals on  Capt Rivers." BP 90/60 Pulse is 74 Respirations are at
15 and the patient has been intubated. ECG shows a Sinus rhythm
Doctor. Patient is being ventilated by an Ambu-Bag attached to 15L/min
Oxygen and SPO2 is 98%. ETCO2 is within normal limits Doctor."

" Thank you nurse. Computer, overlay schematics of the alterations to
be performed on Capt Rivers" Within moments, a detailed map of
incisions, resections and surgical enhancements needed lay over Capt
Rivers.

 "Ladies and gentlemen this will be a multi-phased surgery. Nurse.
Laser Scalpel." With that Hawkeye began the operations.


(posted by Ben)

******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 1955)

Susan looked sharply at the ACMO and wondered if his levity covered nerves, or was a natural habit. She wasn't sure whether or not it was meant to be reassuring, but for now gave him the benefit of the doubt. She was sure that she didn't like being compared to a 300-year-old form of transportation, and was a little vague exactly what a 'tire rotation' might be, but said nothing.

She did miss Josh, always had since she had transferred back to the Boudicca and Josh had remained on the Rosenante.

" In all seriousness Capt, I'm going to give you a mild sedative, this will allow you to slip into a twilight sleep while allowing me to complete the necessary alterations. I assure you this will not leave you groggy and you will feel no pain after the surgery. Now if you will excuse me I need to scrub up for surgery."  Before Susan could object to being addressed as 'Capt' he had given his instructions to the nurse and left the room.

"He isn't serious about scrubbing up is he?" she asked the nurse, who shrugged.

"I couldn't say, Captain, he's new. But I'd imagine he'll use a sonic sanitzer like everyone else. This isnt the dark ages you know!"

Reassured, Susan submitted to the anaesthesia from the hypo-spray. 

(posted by Liz)

*******

(USS Boudicca - 20's Quarters - 2O/CCOUNS/Lt.Cdr. Dorga 'cha Nooras - 2000)

The 2O stared at the strange face that was staring right back at her in the mirror over the sink in the washroom.  The eye contacts had vertical slits for irises and her head was completely bald, the skin looked slightly bumpy like she was about to break out in scales. The nose - if you could call it that - was smallish and the jaw implant made her look as if she had a huge, powerful jaw that could tear the throat out of a full grown G'nar lizard with one bite, which would be quite a feat as a G'nar lizard grew to be twenty feet long from head to tail tip and weighed half a ton.  It felt weird and it looked weird but it was the face of a small Dentarian male.  At six feet 2 inches in height, Dorga was too tall to be a Dentarian female.

~  Hopefully there won't be any reason for me to strip naked! ~  She smiled at the thought and was shocked to see the strange Dentarian face looked like she was about to eat something alive in a very gory manner, as the false teeth she wore over her own were many and most resembled short fangs.  Her ears, she noted, had pinned back against her head with alarm.

~ Note to self, do NOT smile at the children! ~

She spent several more minutes making emotion faces at the face in the mirror and noting how different the expressions were to what she was used to seeing.  Scowling angrily gave the face a surprised look and a surprised look was only similar to what she was used to in that the eyes widened, but to such a degree that they looked like they'd pop right out of her head.

~  It should be interesting trying to remember what expression shows what, I must try to keep my face impassive if I can. ~  Dorga turned her head this way and that, eyeing the head from as many angles as she could see.

~ At least its a decent color, though it looks like it would make a great hand bag! ~

Her skin was now a warm milk chocolate brown with irregular patches of yellow, and she was relieved to not be a female Dentarian, the thought of having four mammary glands was daunting.

~ Two were bad enough! ~  For as long as she could remember she had wondered why most humanoid females breasts didn't just swell for nursing and then shrink back when the young were weaned. Questions to her parents about it during her youth had brought no satisfactory answers.

A few more pretend emotions at the mirror and Dorga figured she'd got most if not all of them memorized, the Dentarian physiological make up was such that facial expression of emotions was more limited than Vulcans and Klingons, or humans for that matter.

She left the washroom and headed for her bedroom where some Dentarian garments were laid out on her bed and crawled up on to the bed to sit cross-legged, suddenly feeling the need for some meditation.

~ First I'll make my log while events of the day so far are fresh in my mind. ~

"Computer begin recording my log and stardate appropriately."

[Recording]

"It has been a couple of days since my last entry into my journal.   Today we reached the planet Dentarit and due to scans of the planet showing that it was a pre-warp civilization - which we were unaware of before, as we believed them to be warp capable due to the Mithgilns' mission to aid them.  Anyway, Commander ManyHorses ordered that the ship be placed behind a moon in hiding from their satelittes and he immediately informed the Marshal of the Mithgiln vessel that we could not reveal ourselves to the Dentarians as it would be breaking the Prime Directive.

It was obvious that Marshal Wersh was displeased by the Commander's decision but he accepted it and Commander ManyHorses called a meeting of the senior officers to discuss ways to help the Mithgiln without revealing our presence to the Dentarians."

Dorga chuckled as she remembered the heated debate that had ensued.

~ Holy cosmos but that was one hot topic! ~

"Captain Rivers turned up for the meeting too and I could tell from his body language, that ManyHorses was surprised by her attendance and by the way he squeezed the FO's shoulder I guessed that he figured that Commander Stolev had notified the Captain of the meeting and possibly expressed a lack of confidence in ManyHorse's ability to tackle the problems.  I rather felt sorry for ManyHorses who I'm thinking was feeling a little betrayed by that action, still he took it well and didn't seem to hold any grudges towards Stolev although he surprised us all when he handed command back to Captain Rivers.

Susan acted as if it had been arranged beforehand, stating that she would accept the running of the ship while he focussed on the mission and I believe that most of the attendees were fooled into thinking it had been pre-arranged, but she couldn't fool me, she was as surprised by ManyHorses' actions as the rest of us.  Still it was thoughtful of her to not embarrass him, I'm sure he was feeling like crap at the time.  It must be hard to believe that those that you are in command over don't believe you can do your job properly.... But on to the meeting... and what a meeting that was!!

When the facts were put to those in attendance it stirred up quite a debate about whether the Prime Directive should be broken or not.  Some of the officer got very hot under the collar about their respective beliefs but that wasn't why the Commander had called the meeting, neither was it what he'd asked for, what he wanted was a brain storming for ways that would allow an away team from our ship to go planetside and observe the Mithgiln at work.

About half way through the meeting the M-CO got a message there was a communication request from Marshal Wersh and he invited Susan to go with him to her Ready Room to talk to the Mithgiln.... When they returned he told everyone that the Marshal had asked urgently for our help, apparently the rainy seasons that bring the disease on was about to start several weeks early and although Wersh had requested more Shanora vessels and Mithgiln to come and help, it would take a couple of weeks for them to arrive and by then it would be to late.  The Mithgiln needed our people's assistance to administer the vaccine.

After more discussion, it was decided that the Medical team were to surgically alter volunteers to resemble the Dentarians and convert the vaccine into an airborne distributor.  Volunteers were called for and I was one of them.  It may be likely that we won't have to go to the planet if distribution of the vaccine is successful, but  those of us who said we would go have been altered.

Now we wait to see if the conversion of the vaccine can be accomplished and that enough of it can be replicated to administer in the atmosphere.....

Computer end recording and save."

[log saved]

Dorga straightened her spine and closed her eyes, methodically relaxing her body for meditation while Parami and Rivers were in their rooms quietly completing their homework before bedtime.

(reply none)
(posted by Sal)

*********

(USS Boudicca - 20's Quarters - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles & 2O/CCOUNS
Dorga 'cha Nooras & family - 2015)

Shadow had rung the chime to the Second Officer's quarters with tail in paw.
She was VERY nervous about seeing the formidable counsellor in her quarters.
Shadow really, really tried not to intrude in people's personal spaces
unless invited, but she thought this was pretty important.

In her bedroom, Dorga was just finishing her meditation when the door chime
sounded.

~I wonder who that can be? ~  She thought as she unfolded herself from her
cross-legged stance and headed out the bedroom door.

"I'll get it!!"  She called out to the children as she walked towards the entrance 
and manually activated the door control panel to open the door, though it took 
a couple of tries before she managed to control the claw on the end of her 
finger. The door slid open to reveal the Captain's Yeoman, Shadow to Stretalles.

Completely forgetting what she looked like now and what a smile on the
Dentarian face looked like... Dorga smiled at Shadow.

Shadow looked at the strange face who had answered the doors and then the
face, attached to a being in clothes she didn't know, made hostile grimaces
at her. She jumped back, reaching for a knife she didn't carry and settled
on a fur raising growl and flexing of claws. Had some being killed and eaten
Counsellor Dorga and her kits??

Shadow's rapid and unexpected reaction to Dorga startled the counselor
who in turn jumped back with a yell and assumed a defensive, crouching
stance as the Yeoman looked like she was about to attack her, and reached
for one of the daggers she normally kept in her boots, but tshe was
barefoot.

Had the Yeoman turned assassin?  Then she remembered about how the
alteration and how her Dentarian face looked when she smiled.  She started
to laugh, it really was quite amusing.

"Oh dear, I am so sorry Shadow, I forgot I shouldn't smile while wearing
this face, it is a scary one I know but I am Dorga, honest, I was surgically
altered in case we have to go planet-side.  If I wasn't Dorga I wouldn't
know your name, right?  Why don't you come in?  I promise I won't bite you
and I'll try my best not to smile again."

Shadow leaned forward and sniffed the chief counsellor. It smelled like
Counsellor Dorga, she looked up doubtfully, "You do not even sound like
you!" she complained.

"I know, but I rather like the way it sounds."

"You can smile, I know what it looks like now." She said as she entered
Dorga's quarters.

Dorga smiled, she really liked Shadow and found her very amusing most of
the time and her children adored her.

Shadow looked around the counsellor's quarters with some curiosity. She
wouldn't pretend otherwise, the officer was entirely too good at reading her
body language. "It is.." She stopped and started again, "It is my
understanding that under normal circumstances that when you are on an away
mission and Captain Susan is not, she takes care of your kits.. and when she
is on away mission and you are not, you take care of her kits. But, now you
are *both* on this mission.. I was thinking, if needed, I could help take
care of your kits? Captain Susan has already given me 'carte blanche' on
being Cousin Shadow for her adopted kits but.." She tried not to wring her
tail. She wanted to try and take a load off the fierce woman's shoulders, but
she didn't want to seem too forward either.

Dorga tucked her legs under her as she sat down in the large comfy armchair
and waited for Shadow to sit down also before she replied and fought the
urge to smile at the felinoid.

"Well, Shadow that is very thoughtful of you, I do often feel as if I am
Imposing on Mrs. Askew when I have to call her in for babysitting at all
hours of the day or night.  I haven't contacted her yet about the
possibility of babysitting as I am not sure if the away team will actually
be utilized, but I think that would be most suitable.  It will give Maude
more time for herself.  Yes...the more I think about it, the more I like the
idea and I'm sure Parami and Rivers will be delighted.... Thank you Shadow!"

Also in an emergency situation, Dorga felt she could call on her holographic
Parami to stand in until a real flesh and blood person would, but if Shadow
was willing to do it, Dorga thought that would be far better, after all a
holo-graph could be knocked out of commission if the ship came under
heavy fire from an aggressor.  Although it would be highly unlikely it was still
nonetheless a possibility.

Well, of course the counsellor already had a plan b, she was silly to think
other wise, but her tail looped in happiness that the officer, mother, and
warrior seemed willing to trust her with her precious off spring. "I am
happy to help. I like your kits." She said simply.

(reply none - to be continued)
(posted by Lorna & Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - 20's Quarters - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles & 2O/CCOUNS
Dorga 'cha Nooras & family - 2021)

The children had heard some strange noises in the other room and had
tiptoed down the short corridor from their rooms to peek round the edge of
the doorway.  When they saw that Shadow was there they both squealed
with delight and ran over to hug her calling her name in unison.

"Shadowww, Shadowww!!"  They yelled as they wrapped their arms
around her furry waist, one on each side of her.

"Ooof.." Shadow said with mock moan, "You're getting so strong, you'll
break my ribs!"

"It's lovely of you to come visit us!"  Rivers said, looking up at her 
furry
friend with a big smile on her face.  "Did mother scare you?  She 
reminds me
of the story of Red Riding Hood and the wolf, you can guess she's not Red!"

Parami laughed aloud as he released Shadow from his grip.  "I don't 
think the
wolf looked like THAT!"

"No silly of course not, but wolf had a big mouth and big teeth just 
like THAT!"

"I think your mother would eat the wolf," Shadow said. She didn't quite
understand all the wolf ate people stories, but humans seemed very fond of
inflicting them on every unwary race they came into contact with. She'd 
seen a wolf outside of London and she'd been very impressed with the canine 
predator, they didn't have anything like them back home.

Rivers gave Shadow's waist one last hug and pressed a kiss to her side 
Before letting go.  "Is it true?"  She squealed and jumped up and down with 
excitement. "Are you going to babysit us?"

"I think I would require babies to babysit," Shadow said, looking around
comically, "I don't see any babies.. have you hidden them?"

"Oh you old fussbucket!  Have you come to childmind then?  Now?!"  Rivers
asked, looking very happy and wriggling with excitement at the prospect,
perhaps Shadow would let them stay up a bit longer.

"No, I have asked your mother if you could help keep me out of trouble
while she and Captain Susan are elsewhere. It's a very big job though." She
flicked her tail against Parami's cheek.

Parami giggled and rubbed his cheek, "that tickles!"

Rivers looked very serious, "oh!"  She stated, just a little puzzled now as
she'd been certain she'd overheard them talking about child minding and
surely Shadow wasn't a child, or was she?

She exchanged looks with her brother and they came to a decision without
the need for words and spoke in unison with enthusiasm.

"We can do that!!!"

"It's time for your bath and then get ready for bed."  Dorga told the 
twins, only to be answered by loud groans and vocal moaning.

"Must weeeee?  Shadow just arrived."  Rivers complained. "And we want to
spend some time with her."  Parami finished the sentence.  "Pleeeeeeease
Mother!"  They both pleaded together.

They were usually very good about bath and bed time, they very rarely
disputed it and Dorga knew how fond they were of the furry Yeoman.

"Alright, you have ten minutes so run and get a warm mug of milk
and your bedtime snack."  She looked over at Shadow.  "Would you
like something too?"

"I am fine, thank you." She'd eaten lunch; after all, she didn't need
another meal. Though she had a sneaking suspicion that Dorga would make 
her drink some tea.

Dorga's Dentarian brow lowered menacingly although Dorga was merely
wondering if Shadow was just humoring her by saying she was fine or was
she truly fine.

"Well you'll have some herb tea, won't you?"

"Yes Mom" Shadow replied dutifully.

Now Dorga was certain that Shadow was humoring her, but she didn't mind.
She got up and went to the food replicator to order them all some drinks and
the twins' bedtime snacks. 

Shadow curled her tail around her legs as she sat cross-legged in the middle
of the sofa. She'd been sure to leave lots of room for a twin on either side
since they seemed to think her a giant teddy bear. She'd looked up what a
teddy bear was, but she didn't quite understand why anyone would want to rub
their face in a dead bear shot by a dead president of a dead country.

"Can you tell us a story, Shadow, we love your stories, don't we, 'Rami?"
Rivers begged as she clambered up and wiggled her way under Shadow's
right arm to press against her.

Parami nodded eagerly as he climbed up on Shadow's left and sat as close as
he could without acting like a silly girl.

"A story?" Shadow asked, all wide-eyed innocent, "I may know a story or
two.."

Dorga returned with the tray of goodies to find Shadow and the twins were
snuggled on the sofa together so she placed the tray on the small coffee
table in front of the sofa.

"Got any stories about big bad wolves?"  Parami asked hopefully.

"Well, if we are to talk about the 'big bad wolf' I may know a song about
him.." Shadow teased.

"Cosmic!!"  The twins responded in unison and snuggled closer to Shadow
as she began her tale, Parami forgetting that snuggling like that was 
girlish.

"The Big Bad Wolf is not such a bad wolf, really. He is called the Big Bad
Wolf, that the children say huffs and puffs and shouts, but he says he's
really not such a bad guy that they all talk about.

"He has a wife and a family, and he lives near a clean blue lake. He's
really not such a bad guy, you should believe him for heaven's sake."

"He has dreams of being a shuttle pilot, and soaring high into the sky. You
could sit right behind him on the shuttle, and you could all wave as you fly
bye.
 
"He has dreams of scuba diving, in the oceans deep. He has dreams of
collecting star fish and sea shells, and he'd share with you for your very
own collection to keep.

"He has dreams of going on a jungle safari, and meeting all the animals
there are to see, he would be dressed in his green camouflage suit, do you
think if you looked hard you could see he?

"He has dreams of standing at Home of Liberty, and learning about the
freedoms we all share, Eating hotdogs at Alcatraz Island, and standing in
the middle of Sharing Square.

"He has dreams of playing the cello or bass, in an orchestra that sounds so
fine, Eating in a fancy Risan restaurant, just to eat out and dine.

"He has dreams of being a cowboy on Texas Rodeo Three, Or on Houston
Newmo where things grow so big and tall, or Maybe working on Antonic Soris
One, under the hot, hot sun.

"He has dreams of visiting all of his nursery rhyme friends, in an 
attempt to
change his bad reputation, to ask them for their forgivenest and build some
friendly relations.

"He has dreams of being so very much, and doing even more, but mostly he
wants you to try and see, that while he may be called The Big Bad Wolf, he's
not so bad at all."

Dorga listened to the story, quite impressed by Shadow's talent in making up
stories on the fly like that and she saw that the twins had been 
engrossed as they listened and hung on every word.  She liked the idea of
Shadow child minding more and more with every passing minute and she was
certain that Mrs. Askew would welcome the sharing of the task, especially in
the evenings when her husband was home.

When the story concluded, the 2O told the twins to get their snacks and got
her own cosmos sized iced cappucino but when she tried to suck it up 
with the straws, she found it was quite difficult and she was making some
awfully loud slurping noises as she attempted to do so.

The twins naturally thought it was hilarious and rolled around on the sofa
laughing hysterically at her, so with a disgusted snort that sounded 
more like a hissing growl, she gave up and put the drink back on the tray.

"Settle down now!  Eat your snacks and drink your milk.  Shadow kindly told
you a bedtime story and now you must prepare for bed."

Dorga's tone of voice warranted no further resistance from the twins, they
knew when she meant business and promptly got off the sofa to kneel beside
the coffee table to drink and eat.

Suddenly Rivers remembered her manners.

"Thank you so much for the lovely story, Shadow, I hope we hear lots of your
stories when you look after us."

Parami nodded, his mouth too full of peanut butter and jelly sandwich to
politely speak.

"I think I may be able to provide a tail," she said, poking Parami with the
named object. What fun other people's kits were, wind them up, get them the
case of the giggles and leave them for their parents to deal with!

(Reply any/all)
(Written by Sal and Lorna)

********

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg)  Hawkeye Dolphine- 2023)

Hawkeye walked over to the bio-bed where Captain Rivers lay, still
awaking from the sedative given prior to surgery. "Capt Rivers? Can
you hear me?"
    (Reply Rivers)
"Captain please, rest your voice for a few moments more while the
sedative and effects from the Endotracheal tube wear off. Your surgery
went off with out a hitch. I hope you will be comfortable with the
alterations." Hawkeye said in a gentle, reassuring voice.

"You will be happy to know that I received the information from
engineering in regards to converting the antidote into its molceular
form. As soon as you and the other members of the away team feel up 
to it, report back to sickbay and I will brief you on the deployment
planetside."

With that Hawkeye walked away from Capt. Rivers and allowed her to
recover from surgery.

(Reply Rivers)

"Sickbay to Cmdr ManyHorses, Have you relayed the information to the
Mithglin so that they may deploy this agent?"

(Reply ManyHorses)

"Sickbay to away team members, please report to sickbay at your
earliest convenience for a final breifing of the planet side
distributions"

(Reply Away Team)
(Posted by Ben)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 2024)

"Capt Rivers? Can you hear me?"

"Yes," Susan began, then stopped as her voice croaked.

"Captain please, rest your voice for a few moments more while the sedative and effects from the Endotracheal tube wear off. Your surgery went off with out a hitch. I hope you will be comfortable with the alterations." Dr Dolphine said..

~Endotracheal tube?? You're kidding me!~

"Don't worry doctor, I'm used to it. Not the first time I've had to look like another species and probably not the last," she rasped.

Dolphine went on to say that he had recieved a report from engineering about converting the antidote to its molecular form, and added that he would be able to brief the away team on the method of planetside deployment as soon as they were ready.

Before she could reply, however, he walked away again. That did, however, have an advantage in that she was able to get out of bed without him stopping her, and Susan took full advantage of that.

~must have a word with him about calling me 'Capt' though~ she thought as she inspected the alterations in the mirror. She smiled at how well they had been done, and instantly knew that she couldn't go back to her quarters without scaring Luisa into fits.

Dressing herself carefully and noting that her uniform no longer looked as if it had been made for her (which it had, in the replicator) Susan headed into main sickbay to await the arrival of the other away team members.

(Reply away team, any)
(Posted by Liz) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Bridge - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 2025)


Over the hours since he'd informed Marshal Wersh that they were willing to aid the Mithgiln Jerome had been keeping the Mithgiln leader updated with their progress.  He hadn't long finished telling Wersh of their success and been given a progress report by the Marshal when his commbadge warbled and he received a message.

=/\= Sickbay to Cmdr ManyHorses, Have you relayed the information to the Mithglin so that they may deploy this agent?=/\=

Jerome felt like a school child being asked if he's done his homework and it didn't sit well with him, he was tired and not a little cranky.

"I presume I am speaking to Ensign Dolphine?"  He asked cooly before continuing. "Everything is in readiness."

Almost immediately after he heard another message from Dolphine telling the away team members to report to sickbay for a final briefing.

~ What the...??  I don't recall putting Ensign Dophine in charge of this mission. ~

He stood up and marched towards the turbolift.

"You have the CONN, Commander.  I'll be in Sickbay."  He told Stolev before the turbolift doors parted.

"Deck Seven!"  He growled.

(reply Stolev, any)
(posted by Sal)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Main Engineering - CEO Lorimar - 2027)

Bob was quite confident that the operation would work, but two questions remained unanswered: First, could the 'vaccine' be transported at the lower resolution transporter setting, allowing them the far greater capacity of the cargo system; and secondly, would the command staff approve the plan?

~Better answer the first a'fore the second lad,~ he mused.

"Computer, locate Doctor Dolphine, please?"

[Doctor Dolphine is located in Sickbay.]

"Grand. Thanks. Ah'll be in sickbay," he said to the duty officer and headed out with a trio of PADDs in his pockets.

(Reply Any, None) 

******

(USS Boudicca - 20's Quarters -  2O/CCOUNS Dorga 'cha Nooras & family - 2029)

The impromptu story that Shadow told the twins was interesting to say the least.  Dorga realized just how talented the felinoid was and it was obvious that the kids had enjoyed it even if it hadn't been scary enough for 'Rami's taste or didn't involve red clad heroines.


"Okay you two, it's time for your bath and then off to bed."  Dorga insisted firmly.


No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the ship's computer announced an incoming message.

"Read message."  She stated.

[Cmdr Nor'Chaas - report to sickbay at your earliest convenience for surgery.]

Noting with amusement that the computer had figured out to whom the message was intended despite the name being wrong.  Nor'Chaas sounded nothing close to ManyHorses or Stolev, but then again, she thought, neither did it sound close to 'cha Nooras.

~ No doubt it used some of the actual letters involved. ~


"Computer send a message to Doctor Dolphine informing him that I already have been surgically altered and sign it Commander 'cha Nooras."


[Message sent]


The twins had hurried to the bathroom after they had pleaded with Shadow to go with them.  Dorga followed to run their bath and get the towels ready.  She tossed in their favorite bath time toys as they undressed.


(reply Shadow, Dolphine iyw)
(posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 2030)

He was a man with a purpose when he strode into sickbay, looking around as he did so.  He saw that Captain Rivers was seated there apparently waiting, recognizing her not from her looks but from her uniform.  Jerome gave her a nod and strode past her over to where Dolphine was.  As there was only Rivers and Dolphine there he had no compunctions about pulling Dolphine up by his jock straps.

"Doctor!"  He stated, the look on his face and his ramrod straight back making it quite clear he was neither amused nor impressed.

"I think you are working under the mistaken assumption that you are in charge of the away mission when all you were ordered to do was find a way to convert the vaccine and carry out some surgical alterations.  I am here to make it quite clear that I am in charge of this mission and that Captain Rivers is in charge of the away team.  It was not for you to call a briefing meeting.  You are overstepping your boundaries.  The away team is not your responsibility and I recommend that you review your orders in future in order to not make the same mistake twice. "

(reply Dolphine, Rivers, any)
(posted by Sal)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - CEO Lorimar - 2031)

Lorimar walked in to Sickbay in search of Doctor Dolphine, but his attention was immediately distracted.

" --- future in order to not make the same mistake twice."

~Uh oh... what did ah walk intae??~

Commander ManyHorses' tone was clearly a serious one... and Bob guessed from the flinty note in it that he was annoyed. At whom or what he could only guess. He really didn't know the man at all, except for a couple of brief interactions. He had seemed friendly enough... but he might be in 'command mode' at the moment. His voice certainly was.

The air in the room made Bob pull up and stop short; he didn't want to interrupt something so important... whatever it was. His questions could wait, at least for a moment.

He took that moment to appraise the situation a bit further. Someone... something... looking like the pictures of the Dentarians he had seen was sitting in the main sickbay area, wearing a not too well tailored captain's uniform.

~That must be Captain Rivers... unless the Dentarians have joined the fleet in the last several hours...~

He withdrew a PADD from his pocket, studying it unobtrusively, waiting for someone to notice his arrival and either usher him in or wave him off...

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Russ) 

******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine - 2033)


As he waited in sickbay for the remainder of the away team to arrive,
He began to record his thoughts to the computer  "Even with this
antidote, there are still some health risks they need to be aware of.
The last thing I want to see is any of this crew harmed by the
airborne antidote.. I have a second inoculation to give to the crew to
prevent any adverse effects to the humanoid respiratory system. It
should be noted that due to the Dentarian physiology, the airborne
antidote will do no damage to the species I will wait until all the
away team is present to inoculate them and give them a warning about
this agent." Computer end recording and save under Personal Log.

            ------------Recording Saved------------

He began to prepare the inoculation into hyposprays when he heard the
sickbay doors open. He turned and noticed Cmdr ManyHorses enter
sickbay. From the look on the Cmdr's face, he could tell that
ManyHorses was a little more than miffed, though at what he could not
begin to winder. Nor was he going to ask, he didn't want to intrude on
the Cmdr's personal life. Before he could open his mouth to say
'hello', ManyHorses began to read him the riot act.

"I think you are working under the mistaken assumption that you are
incharge of the away mission when all you were ordered to do was find
away to convert the vaccine and carry out some surgical alterations.
I am here to make it quite clear that I am in charge of this mission
andthat Captain Rivers  is in charge of the away team.  It was not for
you to call a briefing meeting.  You are overstepping your boundaries.
 The away team is not your responsibility and I recommend that you
review your orders in the future in order to not make the same mistake
twice."

Hawkeye paused for a moment, not wanting to look insubordinate, before
he began to respond to the Cmdr's "recommendations".

"Cmdr, with all due respect sir, I am acutely aware that the away team
is not my responsibility and further aware that Capt Rivers is in
charge of said away team and that you are in command of this mission.
With that being said, It was my understanding of my orders to prepare
a conversion of the vaccine and prepare the away team for a planet
side deployment. I was under the impression however, that as a
physician it is also my duty to this crew to ensure they are aware of
what risks they can be exposed to with this vaccine. It was not my
intention ,Cmdr, to make this a final away team briefing, number 1 and
number 2, rather than repeat several trips to sickbay, I thought it
more prudent to have the away team report to sickbay and give the
innoculations and the warnings to their life and health in one shot. I
will however be certain that in the future, to avoid any serious
misunderstandings or misinterpretations of my intentions, to clear my
actions with the mission Cmdr and let them make the final decisions.
My apologies for thinking that it would be better to have this done
after the last alteration was preformed rather than taking time, which
I was under the impression was limited, to repeat the warnings and
inoculations several times. My further apologies if it appeared as I
was overstepping my boundaries Cmdr, As I stated that was never my
intention"

(Reply ManyHorses)

             As soon as the meeting with Cmdr ManyHorses had been
completed, Hawkeye readjusted his tunic and noticed that CEO Lorimar
had entered sickbay. He paused, took a deep breath and walked over to
greet him.

              "Can I help you sir?" Hawkeye asked in his normal,
pleasant tone of voice.

(Reply Lorimar)
(Posted by Ben)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 2034)

Commander ManyHorses had entered Sickbay with a purposeful stride, nodding at Susan as he stalked past her to where Dr Dolphine was standing.

~Uh-oh~ Susan recognised the expression on his face and his whole demeanour from years of service with Aragorn, and tensed herself for the expected outburst.

It came, although when it came it was not with the storm she associated with the Vegan, but a stern and purposeful tone that she guessed was nevertheless intended to leave the recipient in no doubt of Jerome's feelings on the matter in hand.

Clearly ManyHorses felt that Dolphine had overstepped the mark, and he lost no time in making that obvious, ending by recommending that Dolphine should in future avoid making the same mistake.

As the tirade was approaching its end, the hiss of the Sickbay doors opening drew Susan's attention away from the M-CO and the ACMO momentarily. Bob Lorimar entered, and looked slightly taken aback when he saw her. This puzzled Susan for a split second before she remembered how different she looked. Just in time she prevented herself from smiling at her CEO, who looked uncomfortable enough as he probably realised he'd just walked into a scene that most thinking people would rather have avoided.

Tactfully Lorimar drew a PADD from his pocket and studied it, looking to Susan for all the world as if he wished he could fade into the background or become part of the furniture.

She turned her attention back to the scene between ManyHorses and Dolphine, in time to hear the ACMO's reply.

It was respectful, but made clear that Dolphine felt that ManyHorses had misunderstood his communication. He explained that his intentions had been to expedite matters, and apologised if he had overstepped his boundaries. Susan, who had been wondering whether to intervene or not, decided to allow ManyHorses to reply without her sticking her two-credits-worth in. Jerome was the M-CO and within his rights to take to task any crew member he felt was not performing their duty correctly. She had no intention of undermining his authority. In fact, given the wording of Dolphine's announcement, she could see where he was coming from. It was, however, her experience that science officers in general and medical officers in particular often had no inkling that the way they put things lacked a certain degree of... well, tact, for want of a better word.

~Take Linskens, Josh, Tobias, any number of them!~ she thought to herself. ~Take you,~ her subconscious added. ~And you're not even a science officer.~

(reply ManyHorses)

Once that discussion was completed, Dolphine readjusted his tunic (making Susan wonder if he was subconsciously doing so in the same way that a cat licks itself, displacement behaviour) and headed over to speak to Bob.

(Reply ManyHorses, Lorimar, Dolphine, Any)
(Posted by Liz) 

******* 

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 2035)


ManyHorses, having spoken his mind to Dolphine, expected and got the Doctor's excuses for his actions.  He listened, still annoyed while Dolphine respectively told him that he felt he'd misunderstood his communication, that he knew who was in charge and explained that his intentions had been to expedite matters.  The Doctor said he would be certain in the future, to avoid any serious
misunderstandings or misinterpretations of his intentions by clearing them first with the mission Commander and let them make the final decisions.  He apologized if he had overstepped his boundaries.


"Well there is no 'let us' involved in making the final decisions, doctor.  Protocol dictates that Command officers do it, we don't need you to allow us to do so, and there is no 'if' about overstepping your boundaries...you did!  However I do now understand your reasoning behind your actions, but I stress that in future you make absolutely sure that you give me no further cause to think you're getting to big for your britches again.  Now carry on!"

(reply Dolphine iyw)

Dolphine readjusted his tunic, an action that ManyHorses interpreted as regaining his composure.  He promptly turned on his heels and began walking out of Sickbay, giving Lorimar and Trei a nod of acknowledgment and another to Rivers as he did so.


(Reply Rivers, Trei, Lorimar, Dolphine, Any)
(Posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - CEO Lorimar 2036)

Bob listened quietly to the exchange (It was far less one-sided than he imagined it would be) between Doctor Dolphine and Commander ManyHorses.

~That explains the tail end of what ah walked intae,~ he thought as the discussion played out.

It appeared that their chat was concluded, and Dolphine approached Bob with a friendly expression on his face.

"Can I help you sir?"

~Och... this is surely a record! Mair 'Sirs' than ah could shake a stick at!! One for the logbooks, ah'd say...~

He smiled slightly, though he certainly didn't feel much like it. The tension in the room was palpable; he needed to get this out quick, query ManyHorses after giving him a rapid briefing, and then carry out whatever his decision might be. He handed Dolphine a PADD with the proposed distribution method outlined, and spoke quickly and succinctly. "Doctor, when ye hae a moment tae review that, 'tis a draft of the plan for dispersin' the vaccine that Mister Deston and Mister Gesar hae come up wie. What we, or rather ah, need tae know is can we transport it at molecular resolution rather than the standard quantum setting withoot renderin' the drug inert?"

(Reply Dolphine)

As he was speaking with Dolphine, Commander ManyHorses headed toward the doors. Bob hated the thought of annoying him, but his consent was absolutely necessary before any work could proceed. He spoke up quickly as the M-CO approached the doors. "Sir, may ah have a moment o' your time?"

(Reply ManyHorses)

"Sir, ah'll be brief. Ensigns Gesar and Deston hae come up wie a distribution plan, which is outlined in detail on this PADD." He offered it to the Commander as he continued. "Sir, ye shall see that there are two scenarios on there... which one is applicable is contingent upon the Doctor's response tae the question ah just now asked him. The figures for approximate completion times are based on the numbers we got from the Science Division; ah can tighten those up a bit as we get the empirical data."

(Reply ManyHorses iyw)

He paused a bit so the Commander could digest the information thus far. "Essentially sir, *if* the vaccine willnae be harmed by lower resolution transporter operation we can use the much higher capacity of the cargo transporters. In addition, we *could* modify some, or all, of the personnel transporters tae operate at molecular resolution as well. There is a table on the PADD cross referencing transporter capacity, estimated times for the whole operation, and energy consumption. If we make the modifications, the personnel system will be unsafe and unusable for humanoid transport until we switch them back. The modifications should take aboot twenty minutes per unit, if ye decide tae go that way of course."

He nodded toward the transformed Captain Rivers. "Ah've prepared additional copies of that plan for Captain Rivers, and Commanders Stolev and 'cha Nooras. Engineering is essentially ready tae go forth whichever way on yer say-so, Commander."

(Reply ManyHorses, Any)
(Posted by Russ) 

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay-ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine-2036.5)

Hawkeye listened as the CEO Explained the findings he had and the
question he had for the good doctor. He handed Dolphine a PADD with
the proposed distribution method outlined, and spoke quickly and
succinctly "Doctor, when ye hae a moment tae review that, 'tis a draft
of the plan for dispersin' the vaccine that Mister Deston and Mister
Gesar hae come
up wie. What we, or rather ah, need tae know is can we transport it at
molecular resolution rather than the standard quantum setting withoot
renderin' the drug inert?"

" Lt I will review this momentariily and get back to you as quickly as
I can. From the looks of things here however, I dont think that this
will present a problem."
    (Reply Lorimar iyw)

*********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 2038)


As the M-CO approached Sickbay doors to leave he heard someone address him, asking for a moment of his time.  Recognizing the soft Scottish burr of the CEO's voice, Jerome stopped to hear what he had to say.


Lorimar explained that Ensigns Gesar and Deston had formed a distribution plan for the vaccine and handed him a PADD with the details on it.  As Jerome glanced through the recommendations, seeing two possibilities, the CEO continued to talk,  verifying there were two scenarios on there.


"... which one is applicable is contingent upon the Doctor's response tae the question ah just now asked him. The figures for approximate completion times are based on the numbers we got from the Science Division; ah can tighten those up a bit as we get the empirical data."


Jerome nodded indicating his understanding of the situation and listened further to the CEO as he continued to explain what was possible, how all the transporters including the cargo ones could be utilized for deploying the vaccine after modifications, however the modifications would render the personnel system unsafe for humanoid transport until switched back which should take approximately twenty minutes per unit.  The decision was up to ManyHorse.


~ At least *he* knows his position in the greater scheme of  things. ~  Jerome couldn't help but think.


Lorimar nodded toward the transformed Captain Rivers. "Ah've prepared additional copies of that plan for Captain Rivers, and Commanders Stolev and 'cha Nooras. Engineering is essentially ready tae go forth whichever way on yer say-so, Commander."


"Use all the transporters Lieutenant, and get started with the distribution immediately.  Marshal Wersh assures me that their technology is on par with our own so given that there are the two vessels involved, how long do you estimate the full deployment of the vaccine will take?"


(Reply Lorimar, Any)
(Posted by Sal)


*******


(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2039)

Bob couldn’t help but smile at the quick turnaround on his question.

~Ah guess they really dinnae just gie those pips away in TKL ration containers… ask a question and get a decision straight away!~

"Use all the transporters Lieutenant, and get started with the distribution immediately.  Marshal Wersh assures me that their technology is on par with our own so given that there are the two vessels involved, how long do you estimate the full deployment of the 
vaccine will take?"

He rubbed his beard for a brief moment as he did some quick and approximate calculations in his head. He consulted his PADD to recheck two factors then looked ManyHorses in the eye.

“Goin’ wie the initial data from Science, and assuming the Doctor’s answer allows us tae utilize full transporter capacity… also assuming neither we nor the Mithgiln hae any major malfunctions… ah’d estimate between thirty six and forty hours from start tae finish sir.”

(Reply Any)
(Posted by Russ)

*******

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses – 2039.5)


Lieutenant Lorimar rubbed his beard while he thought about what to tell ManyHorses in reply to his question about the estimated time it would take for full deployment of the vaccine. He consulted his PADD and then looked ManyHorses in the eyes as he told him he estimated it would take between thirty six and forty hours from start to finish, if Dolphine said it was possible to utilize full transporter capacity and that there were no hitches during delivery.


"Great Manito that is a lot longer than I had hoped." Jerome exclaimed softly and then he shrugged and sighed. " Oh well Lieutenant, if you *can* shave some time off that somehow, working one of the miracles you engineers are famous for I'll be very impressed. Make it so CEO!" He raised his voice a notch so all gathered there could hear what next he had to say.


"As for the away team, if you are sent planet-side you'll be going by shuttle." He looked back at Lorimar, "make sure one shuttles' transporter system is not configured for dispersion of the vaccine. We don't want any nasty accidents to happen to them."


(Reply Lorimar, Any)
(Posted by Sal)

********



(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC  Lieutenant(SG)  Detron Trei - 2040)

Detron was only able to get a half hour worth of endurance training when he heard the order to come to Sickbay for the briefing.  Detron growled at his COMM badge before he responded.

"On my way Sir."

Detron left the Holodeck and proceeded to Sickbay.  When he walked into Sickbay, he saw Captain Rivers and walked over to her.

(Reply Rivers any)
(Posted by Edward)

*******

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2040.5)

"Make sure one shuttles' transporter system is not configured for dispersion of the vaccine. We don't want any nasty accidents to happen to them." 

Bob nodded as he replied. “Aye sir… oor new runabout isnae in the dispersion calculations for that reason… a contingency. We can deliver the away team – if needed – and use the runabout as a rescue craft, either by transporter or landing as required.” 

He stopped a beat and answered the Commander’s first question next. “As far as speeding up the process, ah’ve done the calculations wie the factors that ah know. We can safely reduce the normal cycling times of the equipment *slightly*, which will shave a touch off. If the science department can come up wie a way tae reduce the sheer number of transporter targets… clustering the deliveries, so tae speak, then we can save time there as well sir.”

(Reply ManyHorses, Any)


Just as the Commander had replied, Ensign Gesar approached them.

"Sir's if I may have a moment.  Lieutenant, I was looking for you in order to get my next set of... orders. I was not sure if you would want me to remain on the ship to oversee that the transporters or if I should see Doctor Dolphine to prepare for the away mission."

Lorimar smiled slightly as he answered. “Ah can always use a skilled set of hands lad,” he began. “But away team composition is above my pay grade certainly. Ah’m certain the Commander here –“ he gestured at ManyHorses “—will be the one tae answer that question, aye?”

(Reply ManyHorses, Gesar, Any)
(Posted by Russ)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO Captain Susan Rivers - 2041)

Susan stood up and approached the M-CO. Before she could speak to Jerome, however, Detron approached her. She knew it was Detron by his uniform, and suspected that was how first Bob and now Detron had recognised her.

"I take it you're here for the vaccinations and the briefing on the risks of exposure to the vaccine, Lieutenant?" she asked.

(Reply Trei,  Any)
(Posted by Liz) 

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2041.5)

Captain Rivers asked Detron if he was here fpr the briefing and Vaccination.  Detron wasn't aware of the vaccination but made a mental note of it.

"Yes I am here for the briefing.  Do you know when we are to beam down?"

(Reply Rivers)
(Posted by Edward)

*******

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay -  2O/CCOUNS Dorga 'cha Nooras  - 2042)


The twins were in good hands so Dorga had left them and headed to Sickbay for the briefing.  She knew that the away team was not a big one and she wondered if this briefing meant that they'd soon be going planet-side for observation and monitoring but she was uncertain as to whether she felt it was necessary.  Still that decision was up to the mission commander.  If he were to ask her advice she would certainly tell him frankly she felt that way.


When she arrived she knew by the uniforms that Detron and Susan were already there, she personally was wearing the Dentarian clothes that had been replicated for her and she couldn't help but smile as she wondered whether those there would know it was her.  Of course not to many of the crew members were as tall as she was.


Lifting a clawed, four-digit hand she gave a slight waving gesture of greeting to the others and then stood easy, hands cupped together behind her back as she waited for the remaining away team member(s) to arrive and the meeting to start.


(reply all involved, any)
(posted by Sal) 

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 2042.5)

 Hawkeye took a breif look around the room at the members of the away
team. He paused for a moment before entering the room. He shook off
what had happend between him and ManyHorses, chalking it up to a
combination of misinterpretations and the physical exhaustion that the
entire crew presented with. He knew that ManyHorses had already put in
some long days before Hawkeye arrived, that he was wrestleing with the
decision he faced about the "Violation" of the prime directive and
assisting in the prevention of a planetwide disaster, He was sure
ManyHorses had a lot on his plate. ~Perhaps I will talk to Cmdr
manyHorses when this is over and attempt to leave this behind both of
us. I'm sure we can work together without wanting to throw each other
out an air lock~ He thought.

He took a deep breath and entered the room where the away team was standing.

 "Ladies and genltemen, I want to thank you for coming back here. I
know we have all had a long day, I can assure you that other from the
return of your physical features, knock on wood this should be the
last time I need to see all of you during this mission. There are a
few things to be discussed before you report for your various
assignments; One, this antidote that we are delivering can have
caustic properties to the anatomy of all those going planet side. From
the looks of the composition and physiology studies preformed on the
Dentarians, their respiratory system is designed for this atmosphere.
As a result, I will need to innoculate all of you prior to the beam
down so that you will be able to breathe while on the surface without
damage to your respiratory systems."
                     "I'm going to give you a mild steriod as well. to
prevent the inflamation to the airways and bronchi. Should there be
any damage to your airways or lungs, this should reverse this
instantly."
            With that said Hawkeye approached each memeber of the away
team and, with a hiss, adminstered the antidote via hypospray.
               "The other thing I have added to this antidote is a
bronchodialator. This will allow you to get the maximum amount of
oxygen with each breath, avoiding any type of tissue hypoxia while on
the surface. Are there any questions before any of you depart?"

(Reply any away team member iyw)


*******

(USS Boudicca, Sickbay - ACSO Ensign Ayslin Rel - 2043)

Ayslin walked into sickbay, although, short of her uniform, which fit
quite oddly now, she wasn't sure anyone was going to recognize her.
She was acutely aware she'd walked in after something had happened but
not what that event was.  She stood in the back and listened to the
Doctor give them their warnings and didn't ask any questions.

She'd stared at her new face in the mirror for a long while after the
surgery.  She found it oddly easy to wear, easier than she had
assumed.  She chalked it up to remembering three other faces as hers
as well, adding a fourth besides her normal one wasn't such a hard
task, even if it was drastically more predatory than she was used to.

(Reply Any at briefing)
(Posted by Patrick D. that other  Science Officer)

*******

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses – 2043.5)


The CEO had appraised ManyHorses about the new runabout having been saved for delivering the away team, or as a rescue craft, either by transporter or landing as required, and then told Jerome that some time could be shaved from the dispersal if the science department could come up with a way to reduce the number of transporter targets… clustering the deliveries.

"I don't doubt our resourceful scientists can come up with something, Lieutenant. Once thing I have learned about this ship's crewmembers is that they're always up for a challenge and almost always are victorious in their endeavors."


The words were no sooner out of his mouth than Ensign Gesar approached them.


"Sir's if I may have a moment. Lieutenant, I was looking for you in order to get my next set of... orders. I was not sure if you would want me to remain on the ship to oversee that the transporters or if I should see Doctor Dolphine to prepare for the away mission."


Lorimar smiled slightly as he answered. “Ah can always use a skilled set of hands lad,” he began. “But away team composition is above my pay grade certainly. Ah’m certain the Commander here –“ he gestured at ManyHorses “—will be the one tae answer that question, aye?”


"I think you'd best serve the mission by remaining aboard and assisting Lieutenant Lorimar, Ensign." Jerome stated. "Now I should return to the Bridge and update Marshal Wersh on our status."


He nodded at the two men, gave another to a Dentarian look-alike who had just walked in as he was walking out and returned to the Bridge.


(Reply Lorimar, Gesar iyw, Any)
(Posted by Sal) 

********

(USS Boudicca – Sickbay – ACEO Ens.(Jg) Anton Gesar – 2044)
 
Anton was awaiting the reply as he looked at both officers.
 
Lorimar smiled slightly as he answered. “Ah can always use a skilled set of hands lad,” he began. “But away team composition is above my pay grade certainly. Ah’m certain the Commander here –“ he gestured at ManyHorses “—will be the one tae answer that question, aye?”
 
Anton looked over to ManyHorses.
"I think you'd best serve the mission by remaining aboard and assisting Lieutenant Lorimar, Ensign." Jerome stated. "Now I should return to the Bridge and update Marshal Wersh on our status."
As ManyHorses walked away Anton turned to Lorimar.  "In that case sir, with your permission I would like to return to Main Engineering to continue preparations."
 
(Reply Lorimar, Any)
(Posted by Oleg Kislyuk)

*******

(USS Boudicca- Sickbay- ACMO Ensign(jg) Hawkeye Dolphine- 2050)

After the meeting with the away team was complete, Hawkeye wanted to
do nothing more than go back to his quaters and relax. After all, he
hadn't even checked into his accommodations since he'd come aboard. 
But there was something more pressing on his mind that he wanted to
resolve, and quickly.

   "Cmdr ManyHorses from Ensign Dolphine, Sir if you are available
would you join me in the Vorenda in an hour sir?"

(Reply ManyHorses)
(Posted by Ben)

*******


(USS Boudicca- Bridge - M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses - 2050)


Jerome stifled a massive yawn as he sat half dozing in the captain's chair.

~ I should call it a day and get some shut eye. ~  He resolved and stood up.  He knew that if he got at least 3 or 4 hours sleep he'd be ready for another full day in the morning.

He'd just given CONN to the next highest ranking officer on the Bridge when his commbadge chirped.


=/\= Cmdr ManyHorses from Ensign Dolphine, Sir if you are available would you join me in the Vorenda in an hour sir? =/\=


Jerome strode towards the turbo lift and tapped his badge to reply.


"I'm sorry Doctor, I am about to retire for the night and I am sure you are feeling the strain of a busy day too, but I will take a raincheck, why don't you meet me there for breakfast tomorrow, say at 0530 hours??"


(Reply Dolphine, any)
(Posted by Sal) 


*******

(USS Boudicca – 10F – Shadow to Sretalles - 2107)

She hopped up onto the stage and was happy to hear a few whistles and claps. A bard did like to be appreciated so! She did her best human-like smile, which was probably more fang  than not, but it was the effort that counted or so she hoped. “For the past several moons, er, months, I’ve been trying to write a song for our chief engineer.”

 

She had to stop because of the whistles and catcalls from the table filled with members of the engineering department.

 

“The problem is, I know nothing about engineering and it’s very difficult to write about what you know nothing about, so instead I dug through the human records and found this song for him instead. It’s called ‘Wings’ and I think it sums up every engineer who has ever, or will ever, serve in Starfleet.” She sat on the stool and held her guitar on her leg. It was a well travelled instrument and thought lost in action more than once, but Captain Susan had found it for her again and again.

 

“WINGS”

“Where the shot and the shell are falling,
And the bugles are a-calling,
Where the smoke and smell of powder is on the wind;
And the sharper rifle rattle,
Shows the forefront of the battle,
A squad or two of Sappers you will find.

Be it bridging or pontooning,
Be it survey or ballooning,
A path through swamps or obstacles to clear;
Then the man they will all beckon,
And the man on whom they’ll reckon,
As serving in the Royal Engineers.

Everywhere our motto where our country needs’
As the Sapper watchword not by words but deeds.
First when bugle summon;
Last to leave in war
Is the proud tradition
Of our glorious Corps.

Wings to bear me over mountain and vale away;
Wings to bathe my spirit in morning’s sunny ray.
Wings that I may hover at morn above the sea;
Wings through life to bear me, and death triumphantly.

Wings like youth’s fleet moments which swiftly o’er me passed;
Wings like my early visions, too bright, too fair to last.
Wings that I might recall them, the loved, the lost, the dead;
Wings that I might fly after the past, long vanished.

Wings to lift me upwards, soaring with eagle flight;
Wings to waft me heav’nward to bask in realms of light.
Wings to be no more wearied, lulled in eternal rest;
Wings to be sweetly folded where faith and love are blessed.”

 

Shadow took the silence that followed as compliment and hopped off the chair and stage to retreat to where her favourite bar manager had a peanut butter sandwich waiting for her.

 

(Reply any/all)

(Posted by Lorna)

********

(USS Boudicca - Qulaetha Vorenda - Bar Manager Arania - 2110)


"....Wings to lift me upwards, soaring with eagle flight;
Wings to waft me heav’nward to bask in realms of light.
Wings to be no more wearied, lulled in eternal rest;
Wings to be sweetly folded where faith and love are blessed.”


As Shadow's beautiful song came to an end there was no applause for her, no clapping or whistles of appreciation. When the last note of music faded away just the greatest acknowledgment and compliment to any entertainer filled the air.


Total silence.


Because all there had been so taken up with her song, feeling it, and at one with the song and each other in the magic of the music and the words.


Everyone was enthralled still including Arania.


Arania choked back a sob, turning away from the room to quickly wipe away the tears that had been flowing down her face with a counter towel and dabbed at her eyes to make sure they were dry, while praying to the Goddess that they weren't red and swollen. She was very thankful that the lights had dimmed when the audio enhancer system had activated, so that the room was very dark.


The lights slowly returned to normal while Shadow hopped off the stage and came over to where Arania had a peanut butter sandwich - extra PB waiting for her, together with a large cold glass of goat's milk.


"You have been endowed with a wonderful gift, Shadow and that was a beautiful song." Arania told her furry friend as she pushed the plate and glass closer to her, a big smile of welcome on her face.


"It is my hope that pleasing us with your music and songs more often you will. Always I so love to hear you sing."


(Reply Shadow, any)
(Posted by Sal) 

******

(USS Boudicca - Qulaetha Vorenda - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 2111)

"You have been endowed with a wonderful gift, Shadow and that was a 
beautiful song." Arania told her furry friend as she pushed the plate 
and glass closer to her, a big smile of welcome on her face.

Shadow's tail looped as she claimed the sandwich and glass of iced green
tea. "I am only as good as my teacher," she said whiskers twitching in
mischief. 

"It is my hope that pleasing us with your music and songs more often you 
will. Always I so love to hear you sing."

"As long as you have a stage, I will be happy to sing and play," Shadow
replied wrapping her tail around the leg of the stool. She picked up the
yummy multi-seed bread and took a big chomp of bread and gooey, sticky,
glumpy peanut butter. She proceeded to chew happily and studiously.

Maybe if all food were so fun, she'd eat more!

(Reply Arania, Any)
(Posted by Lorna)

********

Stardate: 2408.11.26
===============


(USS Boudicca – Quarters – M-CO Cdr. Jerome ManyHorses – 0415) 

Jerome sat in an island of soothing semi-darkness at his desk in his quarters, with one solitary desklamp on that only lit up the desk's surface and cast a circle of light no more than two feet in diameter around it. His large hands, looking disembodied as they moved nimbly over the keys in the bright light, bringing up the data the Mithgiln had recently sent over regarding the status of their vaccine delivery.

Things looked good both with the Boudicca's efforts and the Mithgilns', and it was becoming increasingly apparent to the Commander that the mission would be easily accomplished within the time frame that the CEO had given ManyHorses.

He hibernated his computer and sat back in the swivel rocker, arms resting on the chair arms, fingers templed together as he considered the away team. Whether to send them down to monitor proceedings or not.

After a moment of deliberation he sat up straight in his chair having made his decision.

"Computer record message and send to Captain Rivers, Lieutenant Commander 'cha Nooras, Lieutenant Trei, Ensigns Rel and Gesar...
Commander ManyHorses to away team members, there will be no away mission, proceed to sickbay at your ease for surgical alteration. End message."

[message sent]

He felt a little sorry for Captain Rivers, he knew how much she'd been looking forward to heading up an away team, but he really couldn't see any good reason to send them when things were going very well, it wasn't as if they'd be actually watching the Mithgiln hands on with the Dentarians, and he was beginning to get itchy feet. He wanted to move on now and do what he loved best, explore the galaxies and meet new species.

(reply away team, any)
(posted by Sal) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - Protocol Officer Lebranski & CEO Lorimar - 0600)

Denise rang the chime on Bob's quarters with a determined look on her face.
The computer claimed it got up at the unholy hour at 0600 and she was going
to feed him breakfast like it or not. She was feeling better. Her voice was
no longer hoarse, her head was no longer stuffed with cotton balls and her
brain no longer ached. Maybe it had been the miraculous chicken soup, or
maybe it had been as the doctors had promised, within 30 hours of no longer
being contagious she'd feel fine. As long as she never had to drink another
cup of Shadow's idea of coffee, she'd be fine.

Lorimar had just finished his shower and begun dressing; that is to say, he
had pulled on undershirt and his uniform pants. No jumpsuit today... he had
to change it up occasionally after all! He was just starting to trim his
beard with the ultrasonic shaver when his door chime rang.

~Who in the world.... at this hour??~

He never gave more thought than that to the guest at his door... he merely
walked over to open it without a query first. He thumbed the door  switch
with his left hand, still holding the trimmer in his right.

"Good morning Lieutenant Lorimar," Denise said, holding up the covered tray,
"I am the bringer of breakfast." She pushed past him before he could stammer
some 'go away' message.

It was a good thing he was only working on his beard and not something more
delicate -- the trimmer dropped from his hand to the deck with a soft
clatter. He bent to retrieve it and watched as Lebranski pushed past him
into his... *his!!* quarters without so much as a by-your-leave from him. He
watched in amazement as he slowly straightened up, keeping an eye on her
retreating figure all the while.

She plunked the tray down on the table, "I bring you Eggs Hussarde and Hush
Puppies. I also have coffee so black it'd be a dark spot at midnight, but if
you don't like it, I'm happy to drink it all." She stood challenging him to
toss her out.

He had deliberated briefly on whether he should be irked or not; his
pleasant side won out, barely. "Well this is certainly a pleasant surprise,
Lieutenant... tae what do ah owe this honor... at this hour?"

"Until you start calling me 'Denise' as requested, I will be calling you
Lieutenant Lorimar. I hear you hate being called rank and surname as much as
I do." Denise gave him her best 'deal with it, so nyah!' smile. ~I'm here,
I'm not going away and you're just going to have to figure out what you want
to do with me!~ Better to follow her mother's advice than her brother's.
Knowing her luck, Trei would walk in on them in the turbolift anyway.

He had been reminded of Mae West the other night. This morning, with her
impish devil-may-care-and-let-me-toss-down-the-gauntlet-of-challenge smile,
she reminded him of someone else entirely. Who, he wasn't entirely sure...

"Surely ye know ah appreciate the gesture... but ah'm feeling a bit guilty,
knowing ye had tae get up at an unholy hour tae dae all this..."

"Piffle." She said removing the tray cover to reveal a collection of halved
biscuits, English muffins perhaps, with egg and sauce, and deep fried
pastries. The coffee was in mugs and smelled like heaven to Denise. "I think
you're worthy of a good Cajun breakfast. Are you going to argue with me?"
She asked, tilting her head to one side as if daring him to try.

He was too surprised and very much too hungry to put up much of a fight...
and it certainly *did* smell terrific. It was all new to him, absent the
coffee of course. He took a seat at the small table and gestured for Denise
to do the same. "Alright... Denise... ah'll bite, so tae speak. But only
provided ye join me? There's far more here than ah would normally eat."

Denise smirked, "Oh, I had no intention of starving just for politeness
sake. I'm a lousy delicate southern belle."

Bob had been racking his brain. The term 'Cajun' had a familiar ring to it,
but it just refused to click into place. Certainly the smell was
overpoweringly enticing, the mix of coffee and spices could be considered
intoxicating, particularly to a hungry man. He took a sip of the coffee,
which was hot and strong, just the way he liked it. He was
take it or leave it about cream -- sometimes yes, sometimes no. Certainly he
would never ruin a good cup with sugar though!

He had just taken a bite of food to chase the coffee when the flavor crept
up on his taste buds. Very nice! At the same time, something like a
flashbulb went off in his head. He looked across the table at his chef.
"Cajun? As in... 'New Orleans'? 'Mardi Gras?'  'Jumbo... Jumba...
Jumbilayah?' however ye say it?"

Denise grinned around the Hush Puppy she was disposing of. She licked the
residue off her fingers before she answered, "That's us. Crawdad bakes,
Mississippi swims, catfish wrangling, good food, good cheer, and always a
hell of a party," She remembered the party her Mom had thrown the crew of
the Hades. She'd lectured Captain Sash like he was one of her errant
children. God, she was glad to be from heaven on earth. "I considered
signing up as a chef, but I don't like cooking *that* much, and that would
require all that pesky academy stuff which I managed to avoid. Paperwork is
easy."

She keep the chatter light and silly through out the meal and when they'd
finished, she tidied everything up, wished him a good day, blew him a kiss
and disappeared out the door.
Poor Bob, rather looked like a shuttle landed on him she thought..

(Reply None needed)
(Posted by Lorna & Russ)

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0600)

Detron walked into Sickbay for the reverse alterations.  He figured he will be out 3 hours for the alterations and that will be plenty rest to make up for lost sleep.  Detron walked up to Dr. Jahlen.

"Lieutenant(SG) Trei reporting for the alterations as ordered sir.  Where do you want me."

Detron was somewhat disappointed to not be going on the away mission though.  He suspected Captain Rivers was much more disappointed that he was.  He felt for her.

(Reply Jahlen)
(Posted by Edward)


*******


(USS Boudicca - Guest Quarters - XO - Captain Susan Rivers - Day 6 - 0615)

Susan woke to a low-toned but insistent beeping and took a few moments to recognise it as the message console. She'd opted to sleep in an empty set of quarters so as not to frighten Luisa if she woke in the night, which had had the slightly guilty bonus of her not being woken at 5am when the little girl decided it was time to get up.

She put her hand up to rub her eyes and jumped slightly when she felt the texture of the skin on her face, before she recalled the changes. Shrugging into a robe, she made her way over to the desk and accessed the message waiting for her.

When she read it she took full advantage of both being alone in guest quarters with no little ears around and of long service with Aragorn and cursed fluently.

Sighing, she headed for the sonic shower before fixing herself some breakfast prior to going to Sickbay to have the changes reversed. She didn't fancy sitting around in what felt like someone else's skin for any longer than she had to. 

(reply none)
(posted by Liz)

********

(USS Boudicca – Rec Area 2 – Lieutenant Lebranski - 0647)

Denise knew the tennis dress didn’t go with squash, but she just thought the little skirt and pompom socks were cute. Was it her fault she’d rather smash a ball off a wall than try to figure out what another sapient was doing? Walls tended to be predictable, and the bouncy blue ball was more fun to play with anyway. She could think of 101 blue ball jokes as she exercised. She waved to the ensigns leaving the court and double checked her pony tail before launching the ball.

She was just finishing her warm up when someone joined her on her court, she turned over her shoulder and looked up at the brawny security officer who was giving her a smirk. Was he one of the ones she accepted a drink on base? She couldn’t remember. But really, she had thanked him for the drink, let him chat her up and then moved on. She could have sworn he left the bar with an Andorian science tech. What was his name? Smithers or something? “Lieutenant,” she greeted.

“Why howdy Ms Protocol Officer,” he said with the slow drawl of the eastern end of Texas. Next he’d probably offer her a ride.

“I’m afraid I don’t remember your name.” It was easier when she was a Yeoman and processed everything across the Captain’s desk, the XO tended to not deal with the junior ranks while the Captain, in theory, approved everything to do with the crew’s coming or going.

“Jenkins, Marlow Jenkins.”  He told her, walking up, “Now, I heard a rumour, and I’m thinkin’ you’re the lady to be answerin’ it for me.” He gave her a slow, sly smile.

“This is a star ship, it’s fueled on rumours.” Denise said warily, bouncing the squash ball a few times. Hopefully he’d take a hint.

“Now, this rumour is that you left the chief engineer’s quarters at the wee hours of the mornin’ before your shift.. an’ I said, now Miss Lebranski is much too much a lady for such things,”

Denise wasn’t quite sure which angle he was hoping for, “I did leave Bob’s quarters first thing, yes,” Denise replied and debating providing the rest of the information, she’d used the CEO’s first name on purpose, “However, I also *entered* his quarters first thing.”

“Oh, so the rest of us still have a chance then?” Marlow asked with his grin widening into friendly relief.

“Lieutenant Jenkins,” she said, tossing the ball and catching it, “You never had a chance. A wise woman once told me players only love you when they’re playing.. and I don’t like playing 24-7. Now, either grab a racket or get off my court.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied, storm clouds in eyes. He turned on his heel and marched out.

“That went well,” Denise muttered before smashing her racket into the ball and sending it flying against the wall where it thundered its impact and release.

(Reply any/all)
(Posted by Lorna)

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - XO - Captain Susan Rivers - Day 6 - 0715)

Susan's mood hadn't lifted much when she stalked into Sickbay, but she made an effort not to let it show. Truth be told it would probably be hard to tell what mood she was in at the moment due to her disguise in any case but she made the effort nonetheless.

She nodded politely to the nurse who approached her, and asked if Dr Dolphine was available. she hoped either he or Dr Jahlen would be able to remove her alterations quickly. She wanted to get on duty as soon as possible.

(Reply Dolphine, nurse, any)
(Posted by Liz) 

********

(USS Boudicca - Sickbay - ACSO Ensign Ayslin Rel - 0930)

Ayslin walked into sickbay and looked around.  She'd already done over
an hour of work in the labs with her reptilian look, figuring people
would be racing to get their faces back.  She wasn't that worried, she
didn't need to look in the mirror as he long red hair was gone for the
Dentarian look, and the Ensigns and junior crewman were asking far
fewer questions.  Still it would be nice to have her spots and hair
back, and have her uniform fit right again.

She found a nurse and gave her name, and was shown to a bio bed, where
she changed into the surgical gown and waited as the nurse prepped
things while they waited for the doctor.

(Reply Jahlen or Dolphine)
(Posted by Patrick D.)

*********

(USS Boudicca, Goat Locker - Master Chief Laurence Krolar and Chief
Petty Officer Ashley Kester - 1210)

Laurence sat in his corner of the Chief's Mess hall on deck 19, slowly
munching on his meal without playing much attention to it.  He was
focused on his report to Chief Lorimar concerning the Shonora's warp
propulsion, and why the  Boudicca wouldn't be able to take advantage
of it without significant advances in Artificial Intelligence, or
brain/computer interface technology.  Taking a long drink of his Iced
Tea, he added the final notes, as well as adding Chief Kester's name
to the finding and making it clear the key discovery was her's not
his.  He quickly amended the to line to include the Ensigns Rel and
Deston.

"Good Afternoon Chief Krolar, mind if I join you," a voice said next
to him.  Laurence was fairly sure he pulled a muscle in the effort of
not jumping out of his skin.  He looked up to find Ashley Kester
standing next to him with a nervous smile on her face.

"Of course, and call me Laurence, the chiefs don't stand much on
formality in private," Laurence said gesturing to one of the empty
seats.

"Then call me Ashley then too," she said sliding into the seat and
setting her food down.  "Sorry, I'm still getting used to this, it's a
big jump to Chief."

"What, you mean nearly eight centuries of tradition is hard to catch
on to over night, surely you jest," Laurence said with a chuckle.

"It is a bit much to handle.  I'm just a science geek," she said
smiling and putting her napkins in her lap, and taking a bite of her
sandwich.  "Do you know why they call this the goat locker?"  Ashley
asked after she finished chewing.

"Not a clue, although it doesn't sound so complimentary for us, does
it?" Laurence asked before sliding his PADD with it's report across
the table with a quick flick of his wrist.  He hated to blind side
someone, even with good news.  "Figured you'd want to see my report,
as you're involved, before I submit it."

Ashley read the report quickly, and Laurence watched her pale blue
eyes flick back and forth.  "Really," she said finally looking up, her
pale cheeks blushing slightly, "I didn't do much, you really don't
have to give me so much credit."  She handed the PADD back to Laurence
with a suddenly shy shake of her head.

"I give credit where credit is due, and I wouldn't have gotten to the
solution if you hadn't put those two graphs together on one screen.
So either you came up with the solution, or you are one hell of a
muse, either way, you are the source of the solution, and therefore
you get credit."  Laurence said with a shrug picking up his sandwich
to take another bite.

"But I wouldn't have gotten there without the work you had already
done," Ashley protested.

"Which is why I took some level of credit as well.  Listen Ashley,
you're a good Chief.  The good ones never like to accept credit.  We
pass it on down the line, we're parents, teachers, advisers, and yes,
sometimes disciplinarians.  It's not about credit for us anymore, at
least not directly, we get our credit from a job well done by our
crews.  So just pass down any credit you don't want, it's what I do,"
Laurence said with an grin.

"I'll give it a try, I did have help from my team," Ashley said,
brushing a loose strand of light blond hair off her face.

"We all do," Laurence said with a shrug.

"Olivia is quite adorable," Ashley said, changing the subject away
from work, "and smart too."

"She is.  I worry about her sometimes.  It's hard raising her on board
a star ship, I think she's growing up too fast some times, then other
times I wonder how she can grow up at all when she can only see the
sky, the real sky, maybe twice a year, and the rest of it, she's
running around with us out here possibly getting herself killed."
Laurence said with a shrug.  "Her mom, my wife, Abby died nearly two
years ago at the beginning of the war.  When things started heating
up, we took separate assignments I took a spot on Geneva, she took one
on a ship.  Olivia stayed with me because it was safer.  She was just
four when her mom was killed.  I'm all she has left, both Abby and I
were only children and all our families are gone now," Laurence said
with a sad shrug.

Ashley reached out and touched Laurence's arm, "Oh god, Laurence, I'm
so sorry.  You don't have to talk about it."

Laurence put his other hand over Ashley's and gave it a squeeze, glad
for the human contact.  Her blue eyes were a little misty when
Laurence looked at them, and he couldn't honesty say his weren't
either.  "No, it's ok.  It's good to just say her name out loud.
Every one is too scared of upsetting me to ask me about her, and
Olivia is a partial empath, and I think she doesn't ask because she
can tell it makes me sad.  I've grieved, and I'll always love her and
miss her, but I've also moved forward too.  Now it's just good to
remember her out loud to someone other than a shrink."  Laurence said
with a smile for Ashley.  It was good to talk to someone, good to be
Laurence and not Master Chief Krolar.

"You sure?"  Ashley asked warily.

"Yea, it's good to have someone to talk to, it's been a while.  Too
many people see me as the boss, it's good to have someone willing to
sit down with me and just talk about stuff outside of work.  It's good
to have someone willing to be a friend."  Laurence said with a
relieved look on his face.

"Well if it's a friend you want, you got it."  Ashley said.

Laurence and Ashley talked over the rest of lunch, later Laurence even
remembered a good laugh.  When it finally came time to head back to
Engineering Laurence gathered his things and stood up.  He said his
good byes and started to walk away but stopped and turned back.

"Hey, thanks for the talk, it's been a while," He said, giving her
shoulder a quick, friendly squeeze.  "We'll have to get together for
dinner soon, it'd be fun."

Ashley looked up at Laurence and gave him a happy smile.  "It would,
stop by the labs and let me know when," she said, he cheeks blushing
slightly.  Laurence turned any walked away, a smile on his face as he
dropped off his dishes in the recycler.

(Reply None needed)
(Posted by Patrick D.)

********

(USS Boudicca, Science Lab 3 - Chief Petty Officer Ashley Kester - 1320)

Ashley walked back into the science labs with a smile on her face.
Fixing her hair back into a pony tail she washed her hands and donned
her lab coat.  Ashley didn't have a PhD, she didn't have any
indecipherable letters after her name, she started at the bottom and
worked her way up.  She had gotten a bachelors degree in biology
provided by star fleet, but that was it.  She started her career as a
technician in a lab on Jupiter Station then transferred to the fleet a
couple of years prior to the war.  Generally working in biological
based labs, she'd worked her way up to managing research teams.  Sure
the Officers told them what to research, and even sometime why, but it
was her and her petty officers and crewmen who actually did the work,
compiled the graphs and plots and data.

Currently Ashley was the head of a group of five other people in the
virtual neurobiology division of the science department.  It was a new
division, created only because Ashley's team, which she had been a
member of until her promotion to team leader, had developed quite an
aptitude in virtual neuronal modeling, basically the creation and
refining of artificial intelligence systems such as the EMH (they took
no responsibility for the EMM who took the name Rameriz).  They were
one of the few such groups in the fleet, and were making a name for
themselves.

Ashley walked into their work space and sat down at her desk near the
front.  It wasn't as neat as most would expect.  For all that
scientists were known for their organized and rational thinking, there
were very few organized desks in the science world.  She had two
terminals on her desk, one actively compiling code, and the other used
for her other duties.  She had pictures of her siblings and their
families, and her parents.  Sitting center was the large group shot
from just after the war ended.  Her mother had insisted on seeing all
of her children and grandchildren "In the Living Flesh", at the same
time.  Ashley's family was large, and she frequently missed them, even
if her exploits in far off space made her the "Cool Aunt" who was
known amongst her nieces and nephews for finding the best birthday
presents.

She looked up when she heard the footsteps approaching her desk.
Petty Officer First Class R'Mol, and Petty Officer Third Class Ginar
pulled up seats opposite her, Ginmar flashing her a friendly smile,
while R'Mol nodded in her Vulcan way.

"I trust lunch was satisfying, Chief Kester?" R'Mol asked politely.

"Very," Ashley said, "I got a chance to talk to Master Chief Krolar,
he commended us on our help yesterday.  He's submitting a report, and
I'll append out internal findings to it for the Assistant Chiefs.
Thank you for your work on this."  Ashley said with a smile.  It had
been nice to have lunch with Chief Krolar, nice to sit and talk with
someone who was willing to ditch the rank for an hour, hell, he'd even
laughed at a few of her jokes, if that didn't make the man a saint,
Ashley wasn't sure what did.

"So we were right?" Ginmar asked.  Ashley had known him long enough to
know he wasn't hung up on being right, he was simply one of the most
curious people Ashley had ever met.  If she told him they'd been flat
out wrong, she was pretty sure Ginmar wouldn't sleep until he'd come
up with another solution.  And after seeing Ginmar when he didn't get
enough sleep she was glad they were right.

"It looks that way.  It will be submitted in the report, and I assume,
as the Shonora are Sentient, once better diplomatic ties are settled
it might be able to be confirmed simply by asking.  We shall see, I
guess," Ashley said with a shrug of her shoulders.  "So how is the
Cetacean programing coming along?"

"Slowly," Ginmar said, somewhat dejectedly. "I'm working on the motor
and locomotion subroutines now, but they seem to be very closely
linked with the portion of the brain that gives them such advanced
navigational abilities.  It's making the subroutines significantly
more complex than we've dealt with prior, especially as we don't have
all the mapping data for the navigational centers of the brain done
yet.  Still, I should have simple movement and motion down by the end
of the week."  Ginmar was the team's holographic modeler, and he was
very good, if a little bit of a perfectionist at times.

"R'Mol, how's the personality mapping and integration going?"  Ashley
asked, turning to her chief assistant.

"It is progressing without issue, we have interviews and psychological
mapping from ten cetacean officers within the fleet, and Riley and Mok
are cataloging the data points, they'll be ready to begin setting up
the integration matrix by the end of the week, a fully integrated
personality map should be ready within four months of uninterrupted
work shifts, unexpected mission events could cause work delays,"
R'Mol said matter-of-factly.

The Personality integration always took forever, it was a lot of trial
and error to prevent various components from interacting in negative
manners.  Riley and Mok both had a kind of intuitive skill at
designing personalities, it would be a shame to loose either one of
them when they got their promotions.

"Excellent, carry on then I guess.  Ginmar, just let me know if you
need and extra set of eyes.  I'm going to run some more tests on
Quantum, Command wants an update on our final release of the data to
Jupiter Station before final release."  Ashley said with a smile, as
she pushed back from the desk.  The others did so as well and quietly
left.

"Computer, unlock program Quantum Theta Two, access code
Kester-Psi-Omicron-546-Cerberus."  Ashley said standing up.

[Quantum Theta Two now unlocked]

"Run Quantum Theta  Two in my current location," Ashley said, and was
greeted with the shimmering of the holo-projectors activating, and
quickly resolving into quite a happy looking black Labrador Retriever.
 Kneeling down Ashley got a happy greeting from her holographic dog.
"Hey their girl, how you doing today?"  Ashley asked scratching the
dog behind the ears.  All she got back from Quantum in response was a
dog faced smile and a rapidly wagging tail, and that's all she
expected.

Quantum was a new design for a broad ranged, holographic therapy dog.
She was programed to be a happy good natured dog, she was also
programed for nearly all breeds of dogs and his energy level could be
modified to suit various patients needs.  Ashley checked Quantum's
collar, where some of her controls were coded during the testing
phase.  She was a fully independent self learning hologram, similar in
structure to the EMH, but lacking the sentience.  Obviously Quantum
wasn't any more self aware than a flesh and blood dog, but other than
that she was fully independent, no script to follow, no pre-programmed
responses.  Quantum responded to outside stimuli and reacted as a real
dog would, and the longer she was allowed to stay active, the more she
would learn and grow.

"Quantum, where's your ball, go get your ball, go get it."  Ashley
said in an excited voice.  "Does Riley have your ball?"  She asked,
pointing towards Riley.

Quantum looked over her shoulder to the back of the lab, where Riley
was sitting, then took off at a shot.  Riley nearly jumped out of her
chair when a fully grown lab dove head first under her desk, emerging
quickly, with a yellow tennis ball in her mouth.

She gently tossed the ball to Quantum a couple of times before putting
it away.  Quantum's tail wagged non stop as Ashley ran the holo-pup
through some standard routines.  Ashley settled down and began to run
the necessary tests on Quantum.  Humming happily as she did.

(Reply None)
(Posted by Patrick D.)


***************************