Compile#17 June 29-30 (USS Rosenante & USS Boudicca Joint) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Once More Into the Breach Day 3 Stardate 2414.1.17 Compile Summary (USS Boudicca - Bridge - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1030) (Runabout Lucent, ASCiO, Ensign Isra Caliel, Day 3, 1100) (Runabout Lucent, ASCiO, Ensign Isra Caliel, Day 3, 1101) (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1105) (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - ASCiO Lt Ensign Isra Caliel - 1110) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1120) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - ASCiO Lt Ensign Isra Caliel - 1125) ======================================================= Mission: Once More Into the Breach Day 4 Stardate 2414.1.18 Compile Summary (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CO Captain Durand - 1020) (USS Rosenante, Bridge, SciO Ens Narvak, 1144.5) (USS Rosenante - Turbolift - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1152) (USS Rosenante, Turbolift, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1153) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign (jg) Henry Jacobs - 1159) (Runabout - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1204) (Runabout Lorimar - ATT LCDR Lorimar - 1206) (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Nickolas Romanoff - 1208) (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1210) (USS Rosenante, Ready Room, CO Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid Day 4 1213*) (USS Rosenante, COPS Quarters, Lieutenant Tom Jackson, 2O/COPS Day 4, 1214) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1217) (USS Rosenante, Lieutenant Tom Jackson, 2O/COPS Day 4, 1218) (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1222) (Borg Pyramid, Regeneration Alcove, ATT Commander Matthew McLaren, Day 4 - 1300) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Bridge - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1030) Doug was busy, as usual. The operations department served as the liaison for so many different interactions between the various divisions of the ship’s crew and command that there was always something going on. With the possible exception of engineering, OPS tended to be among the busiest functions on any starship. True again today. He was reading through back logged dispatches as he monitored energy consumption and generation reports, with another panel tracking expended consumables... along with the sensor data coming from everywhere. Busy indeed. The next message he came to was one from BuPERS, addressed to the operations officer regarding a transfer. Incoming or outgoing personnel always required command attention after review. The Captain happened to be sitting just aft of him in the command chair... “Sir,” he began as he spun to face Durand. “Message from BuPERS, along with the rest of the new encoded traffic. Seems we are going to be getting a new face.” Durand looked up with interest. Despite the multitude of other issues he was dealing with, the ship and her company always were his priority. He nodded at Roberts, and gestured to the data display in the arm of the command chair. Doug copied the message to the command station, then turned back to his work. After a moment, Durand spoke up. “Mister Roberts, would you have someone meet the Ensign please? I’ll see her in my ready room when she comes aboard.” He took a moment to review the dispatch, but oddly it didn’t contain the information he really needed. “No mention of a pilot, just our Ensign? Well I’m certainly not sending that ship back on computer control... not from here. If they didn’t have the forethought to send a pilot, then that runabout is to be considered detached to us until we get back to someplace more civilized.” Doug grinned as he turned back to face the CO. “Very creative sir. We’ll arrange a berth for our non-living guest as well.” Time passed in a blur, and then Doug was startled by a real time hail. =^=Runabout Lucent to the USS Boudicca. This is Ensign Caliel, requesting permission to come aboard.=^= ~The Captain is going to come unglued... let’s hope Caliel didn’t know about the EMCON* protocol...~ Before he could ask, Durand answered. “Roberts, data only, low powered and directed. ‘Permission granted. DO NOT transmit further.’” “Aye aye sir,” he responded as he carried out the directive. After making the appropriate preparations, he called for a relief and then Roberts headed for the main shuttlebay. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lucent, ASCiO, Ensign Isra Caliel, Day 3, 1100) "Computer... How long until we're in range of the Boudicca?" Isra asked, sat back in the chair of the small runabout, its warp nacelle's humming as it flew at maximum speed. "Get there as soon as you can" she said to herself. "They need a science officer for the mission... Why do they have to put me against the Borg on my first mission..." she mused, not really caring that the Computer couldn't understand her in that way. "USS Boudicca coming into visual range now." The computer replied in its distinctive voice. Isra tapped a few keys on the panel, which opened a comm-link to the ship. "Runabout Lucent to the USS Boudicca. This is Ensign Caliel, requesting permission to come aboard." (reply anyone on the Boudicca) Isra piloted the Runabout in through the hanger doors, softly touching down on the metal deck before the doors closed. "No matter how many times I do that in a holodeck, its always harder in real life..." She shook away the nerves of landing, even though the computer did most of the work. A pilot, she was not. The Runabouts side door opened, and let Isra exit, two large bags carried in one hand, her right free for a salute as soon as she had left the ship. "Ensign Caliel, reporting for duty Sir." she said, saluting her superiors as they waited for her to exit. (reply high-ups on the Boudicca who would want to welcome a science officer) (Written by Andy Jones) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lucent, ASCiO, Ensign Isra Caliel, Day 3, 1101) "Runabout Lucent to the USS Boudicca. This is Ensign Caliel, requesting permission to come aboard." =^=Permission granted. DO NOT transmit further.=^= "huh? Are they under EMCON?" Isra asked herself, ruffling through her belongings to get the PADD. She skim-read the section on arrival, and sighed as she discovered it didn't mention the radio silence. "close..." she muttered. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1105) Doug watched as the runabout Lucent came aboard. In appearance, she was a standard Danube class. She passed effortlessly through the forcefield and the hangar doors closed even before the little vessel settled gently to the deck. There was a subdued hum as the hold down clamps engaged and cradled the runabout, then the engines shut down and she was aboard. Doug headed for the hatch, and as he arrived a fresh faced officer stepped out and saluted. "Ensign Caliel, reporting for duty Sir." He returned it, looking down a bit as he was fully a head taller than she. “Welcome aboard, Ensign. I’m Doug Roberts, Assistant Operations Officer.” He held the salute just a moment, then extended his hand in greeting. (Reply Caliel) Roberts nodded in response, then handed her the PADD he had prepared. “That’s your ‘welcome aboard’ data, with information regarding your berthing, some basics about the Boudicca and whatnot.” He gestured to a waiting crewman, who approached and stood at attention. “Ensign, this is crewman Bennett. He’ll take your gear to your quarters so that you can stow it later. Now... may I see your orders, please?” (Reply Caliel) Roberts reviewed the PADD with a practiced eye. “Everything would appear to be in order. Now, if you’ll follow me to the bridge, the Captain would like to see you.” (Reply Caliel, Room for more) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - ASCiO Lt Ensign Isra Caliel - 1110) "Ensign Caliel, reporting for duty Sir." The much taller man in front of her returned her salute, which made her feel at least like she wasn't overdressed for the party. She extended her hand to his as he stepped forward, and shook it. “Welcome aboard, Ensign. I’m Doug Roberts, Assistant Operations Officer.” He held the salute just a moment, then extended his hand in greeting. "Nice to see a familiar face." Isra said with a smile. "I don't really like runabouts at the best of times, much less when I'm the only one aboard." she added. "Oh, almost forgot. This runabout is for you, the reason I piloted it myself." she explained. Roberts nodded in response, then handed her the PADD he had prepared. “That’s your ‘welcome aboard’ data, with information regarding your berthing, some basics about the Boudicca and whatnot.” He gestured to a waiting crewman, who approached and stood at attention. “Ensign, this is crewman Bennett. He’ll take your gear to your quarters so that you can stow it later. Now... may I see your orders, please?” Doug responded, "Thanks." she said quietly as Bennett took her bags. She nodded in thanks as well, then handed over her PADD to Doug. "There we go. I think thats everything." she said, pretty happy that she was going to get what she expected here. Roberts reviewed the PADD with a practiced eye. “Everything would appear to be in order. Now, if you’ll follow me to the bridge, the captain would like to see you." "Thanks... I heard you're on a mission already... I've been given some cliff-notes to look over and get up to speed, but I haven't finished reading all of them just yet." (reply Roberts) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Bridge - AOPS Lt (jg) Roberts - 1120) He smiled at Caliel and brought her to the ready room door. “This is it,” he said quietly. Then he pressed the door chime and announced, “Captain? Ensign Caliel is here, sir.” In response, the door slid open and Durand’s voice called out. “Enter.” Before turning away, Roberts winked theatrically at Caliel. “Careful in the Lion’s Den,” he whispered before walking back to take his duty station. (Reply Caliel, Any) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Bridge - ASCiO Lt Ensign Isra Caliel - 1125) He smiled at Caliel and brought her to the ready room door. “This is it,” he said quietly. Then he pressed the door chime and announced, “Captain? Ensign Caliel is here, sir.” In response, the door slid open and Durand’s voice called out. “Enter.” Before turning away, Roberts winked theatrically at Caliel. “Careful in the Lion’s Den,” he whispered before walking back to take his duty station. Isra returned a slightly worried grin, before nervously entering the Captains ready room. "Sir." she said, standing to attention, and giving another salute. ~I'd hoped being out of the academy would lower my need to salute.. How wrong I was~ "I'm sorry if i broke radio silence, My paperwork didn't mention anything about it..." she explained, hoping it wasn't as much of a Lion's den as she had been led to believe. (Reply Captain Durand) Written by Andy Jones (snips from previous posts) ======================================================= (USS Boudicca - Observation Lounge - CO Captain Durand - 1020) "Yes sir, actually I have a report ready for your review." Durand almost sighed, wondering what other surprises would be revealed. He already had suffered sufficient professional setbacks for one day. Salid, he noted, was pretending not to closely observe him; but of course he had to be doing so. “Go ahead Mister Jacobs -- the salient points only, please.” =^=Apparently he still posses the necessary security command codes to allow him to reroute power to the holodeck. Because he has access to these commands no alerts sounded for unauthorized access. The program he was running coupled with his empathic abilities actual made the contact possible. Whatever he was doing in the holodeck actually magnified his abilities.=^= Durand frowned. Best to clarify this immediately. “Mister Jacobs, I suspect if you *re-check* now, you’ll note that Mister Roberts has disabled all of Trei’s access since you did your research. If not, we will take care of that immediately. Go on.” =^=The computer actually logged the telepathic spike readings in his cerebral cortex during the established contact period. This may be beneficial in the future, essentially we know what frequency necessary for contact. This may be useful for an attack if all else fails.=^= Durand glanced at Salid, with a look that said, ‘is this something we might use?’ “Very well Mister Jacobs, nice report. I’ll read it in detail as time permits. Meanwhile, I want you to look over the data you’ve just described, and give me a detailed analysis. Any feasibility for tactical, intelligence, or medical relevance that you can find. You have my leave to confer with any specialists or officers that you see fit, provided they or you are not more critically engaged. Well done.” (Reply Jacobs, Salid iyw, Any) After a polite, but probably justified dressing down from Salid... along with some recommendations for action, Salid closed it out. "I need to get back to the Rosenante. Get yourself prepared, I have a feeling things are going to get very active for us both." Durand drew himself to attention yet again. “Aye aye, sir. The Boudicca will *not* fail you Captain.” (Reply Salid iyw, Any) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Bridge, SciO Ens Narvak, 1144.5) Narvak examined whatever slight data was available though the long range sensors concerning the crashed shuttlecraft. ~well, that’s it, I guess the cloak and dagger crap is over~ Narvak had questioned the whole spying on the Borg. When there were Vlarics in your cellar, you don’t just watch to see what they were doing; you kill the darn things and thank the ancestors that they haven’t multiplied. Obviously the time for pussyfooting was over and it was time to kick the snot out of them. Then the Captain blew through. He was entirely too soft spoken and serious, not to mention the hair; but Narvak had to admit the human had presence. Salid outlined what was going to happen next, which seemed to involve destroying, not the Borg, but a ruin that had been sitting around for a few hundred thousand years. ~It’s not like it is going anywhere, we can come back and destroy it later, if it is really that offensive~ If that was not enough, he is going to send good money after bad, by sending out another party to the crashed shuttle. The Tellerite had nothing against the people in the first shuttle, but if they were not dead, then they would be amalgamated or whatever soon enough. It was stupid to think that the Borg would just ignore any other craft flying around. ~Maybe we can sneak~ Narvak thought derisively. ~Well, with luck, maybe they will think the idiot that contacted them was on the shuttle. That would happen only if the pyramid is the Borg equivalent of the short shuttlecraft.~ Narvak felt the overwhelming desire to give his opinion to the Captain, but showed admirable restraint, the human looked like he was working on his last nerve and Narvak was not convinced that Salid would not shoot the messenger. The science officer was in the process of closing his station, when Soma broadcast the order to report to the transporter room. ~You have got to be kidding me. See this is what you get for being quiet, you get ignored~ Being ignored was one of the worst insults for a Tellerite and was a perfectly acceptable reason for a very physical response. ~If the Borg don’t kill you or I, we are going to have ourselves a long talk, Soma~ Narvak thought as left his console. (Reply None) (Posted by Jack) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Turbolift - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1152) The runabout had crashed. On a planet covered in Borg drones. With an ancient weapon powerful enough that the Borg wanted it. ~God, when I said protect us...this wasn't exactly what I had in mind.~ Eian had prayed many such prayers before and knew it wasn't remotely sacrilegious to do so. His grandmother once told him, ~"If you want examples of people cursing God, just read Psalms. God doesn't want you to beat around the bush. He wants you to get your anger off your chest."~ But Eian wasn't angry. He wasn't even confused--he knew full well that things didn't always work out the way humanoids wanted them to. His mother's death was a testament to that. He supposed he was more disappointed than anything. He wanted the runabout's mission to be successful. He wanted this encounter to be surprisingly easy. He wanted to be able to contact his Dad on subspace and tell him that it was all a big nothing and they were headed back to 989 to pick up Murphy. He wanted to hold Jessica in his arms and laugh with her about how nervous they were. Instead, he was about to board a shuttle that was going down to a planet teeming with Borg like a piece of candy on the ground teeming with ants. Protection, indeed. "It looks like we're really in for it now," he heard Sanok, and turned to the Vulcan. He had never heard a Vulcan say such a thing. ~Don't judge a book by its species,~ he remembered his mother telling him countless times. "You could say that," Eian agreed. "But there's always hope." (reply Sanok) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Turbolift, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1153) "It looks like we're really in for it now," said Sanok. "You could say that, but there's always hope," said O'Neill. Sanok sensed that O'Neill had not expected Sanok to say what he had said, let alone make any comment at all. Why had O'Neill said hope? It was strange that he had, as Sanok had actually felt that very thing while on the Boudicca. He had lived with his emotions so most of his life. He had been taught that there would sometimes be a struggle to keep those old ways suppressed, but perhaps he had not successfully purged them after all. Sanok meditated regularly. He did the proper breathing exercises. He had done all he was trained to do. So why did these feelings rise up in him so easily? How did he manage to so easily have such a close friendship with Ben? Was he simply meant to be, as the Humans said, a black sheep of his race? He would need to meditate on this if they survived the mission. He looked at O'Neill. "Yes, there is always hope. (reply O'Neill iyw) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign (jg) Henry Jacobs - 1159) Jacobs had been sitting in the cockpit of the Lorimar runabout completing pre-flight checks for the mission he had been requested to join to transport the antimatter mine and destroy the object the Borg were after. He ran over the mission specs and saw the man power from both ships and how they were split into two away teams. One team to rescue the crashed runabout and another to deliver the bomb to the excavation site and stop the Borg in their tracks. Jacobs had made it down tot he shuttle bay before all the others and with good reason. Jacobs had wanted to get back into the cockpit of a craft for months and now he got the chance to fly again. He thought this might increase his chances of manning the conn of the Boudicca when ever necessary. ~ Any reason to be on the bridge right hen?~ The Lorimar runabout was a beautiful craft and Henry was glad to get to pilot her. Henry sat down in the cockpit chair and ran an auxiliary power output test. "Computer, begin auxiliary output test." [Acknowledged] While the computer beeped and the panels illuminated Jacobs heard the shuttle bay doors open as the other away team members arrived for the mission. (Reply Any) (Posted by Darryl) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1204) "Kid, considering the circumstances, this is about as good as it gets right now," the lieutenant told him, and Joseph looked curiously at the man. His mind was too scrambled to analyze what he had just been told. Under normal circumstances, he would have tried to understand why anyone would find humor in a situation like this. As it was, he wasn't able to even think about the After standing up, Raschen grabbed hold of Willowbrook's good arm, pulling him up to his feet and leaned him against the nearest console. "Wait here" Chance said sarcastically, smiling to the ensign. Joseph just stared at the man. He watched as Raschen got the first aid kit and began scanning him. He felt intensely uncomfortable--he didn't like people this close to his personal space boundaries in the first place, but as he was injured, his natural defense mechanisms had turned into blaring klaxon alarms. "Well, I can help with the dislocated arm. The ribs are another story," the lieutenant told him. "I'd rather you not--" Joseph began, but he didn't have a choice in the matter as Raschen had already grabbed his arm and lined it up. The ensign swallowed in fear. "Kid, I ain't gonna blow smoke up your butt. This is gonna hurt like hell." the lieutenant told him, and for a moment they seemed to stare at each other, Joseph unable to conjure up words and Raschen's hard look softening slightly. All the man told him, though, was, "Now relax, close your eyes, take two or three deep breaths and let me know when you are ready." Joseph took his first deep breath and then without warning, his arm exploded. Joseph saw a bright white light flash in front of his eyes as his body jerked and his nerves caught fire. He let out a primal scream and tried to get away from Raschen, but his ribs stopped him from getting far. Natural tears formed in his eyes and he fought down the urge to scream again. His vision returned and he couldn't hear the rush of blood in his ears anymore, but he still heard a faint ringing and struggled to breathe. Surprisingly, his arm felt better than it had... In situations like this, time seemed to move at an unusual pace. In one instant so much could happen, and then moments seemed to drag on forever. Joseph had no idea how much time had passed before he was handed a tricorder and ordered, "Run a med scan on him while I get him to his feet." They had been taught at the Academy that people fell into 3 natural categories when encountering a new and traumatic situation. 10% were leaders--they gave orders, knew what to do, and survived. 10% were panickers--they lost control of their faculties and did something extremely stupid and self destructive, like jumping out of a window or shooting a fellow hostage. Finally, 80%, the largest group, were followers. They simply froze in place until told what to do. Willowbrook was definitely a follower. Now with direction, with instruction as to what to do, he was able to dive into the task. He ran a med scan on Lorimar and was asked, "What's the survey say?" Never one to speak unless he had to, he held the tricorder at an angle that allowed Raschen to see the results and summarized, "He's not seriously injured." "Well Commander, none the worse for wear. Congratulations.". Raschen stated matter of factly. Then facing the Willowbrook "Take Holly, the tricorder and do med-scans on the rest and get accountability of the crew. Splint fractures, bandage cuts and apply tourniquets if necessary. If they are knocked-out but otherwise unharmed, adjust their position so they can breath better but let them snooze. Anyone starts to come to help them get oriented and then put them to work helping with the others. If you got it; then move out." There was no time to analyze the situation. There was no time to be a scientist. Despite his screaming ribs, burned leg, sore arm, and throbbing head, Willowbrook headed toward Holly and set his mind on the mission. Even if he wanted to try to analyze it or think about his own condition, he found that he was unable to think of anything except his orders. At any other time he would have concluded that he was experiencing a survival mechanism. For now, though, he didn't conclude anything. He just did what he was told, and decided to do it well. (reply none necessary, any welcome) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar - ATT LCDR Lorimar - 1206) As he paused a beat to allow the rest of the crew to reply, Bob began assessing the situation even from his half sitting position. Things were not good, but not hopeless, either. Nothing ever was... not with a crew like this aboard. The first reply he heard was from Raschen, and the tone of it set Lorimar immediately on guard. He was not pleased with the Lt., and his words made him much less so. "Its about time you sounded off like you got a pair." ~WHAT did he just say? Cheeky sonuva--~ Lorimar was quickly distracted by another, more reasonable voice. "I think I have cracked ribs Commander". responded Holly. Lorimar made to move toward Holly, but once again Raschen pre-empted his move. ~Does he bloody well think he’s in charge here?~ “Stay still a moment, Holly... we will get tae ye in a minute,” he managed to get out as Raschen approached and gripped his uniform. (Reply Holly) ~We’ll get this sorted and then --~ His thoughts were interrupted by Lt. Raschen. Instead of helping Lorimar to his feet, he *dragged* him to his feet. Raschen had one of the others -- Willowbrook -- run a medical scan on Lorimar. Unnecessary, but Bob tolerated it for the moment. He was about to step away when Raschen fairly dragged him around the corner into the after compartment, saying something about ‘needing to talk’ The next thing Bob knew, he was being slammed against a bulkhead and being lectured like a cadet. "How dare YOU endanger the lives of everyone onboard with your indecision! What the hell was going through your head? I know what was coming out of your mouth. The Damn Steps to Problem Solving!" Lorimar was seething. The fire in his eyes easily matched and even exceeded the evident anger in Raschen’s. His unblinking gaze bore into the Lieutenant’s own. He took a deep breath, speaking very quietly. “Listen here *Lieutenant* Raschen, an’ listen closely as ah will only say this one time. Take yer bloody hands off me, an’ ah mean RIGHT NOW.” His fists clenched reflexively, but his intellect took over, as usual. Getting into a brawl -- which he might well lose -- was going to solve nothing. But the situation had to be dealt with. Fast. He gritted his teeth, maintaining control through sheer force of will. “Listen here, boy. Ah dinnae care much who you are... or who you *think* you are... but *I* am bloody well in command here. Captain Salid and Captain Durand put me in charge of this lousy mission. *You* volunteered to come... no one asked you. An ah’m damned well certain that no one put you in charge.” "You remember that creed we all had to memorize? Remember the part about 'I will take appropriate action in the absence of orders'?" Lorimar was incredulous. “How dare you quote regulations to me!” he practically hissed. “You... who just assaulted a superior officer. If we were aboard the ship ye’d bloody well be under arrest. And what was that stunt ye pulled when we were being tractored by the Borg??? ‘Gie me control! As if! Shae was daein a fine job at the helm, whether ye thought so or not. I *had* issued orders, and valid ones. I also asked for recommendations. Evidently ye were too busy stroking yer own ego tae listen!” Lorimar pressed on, nearly as angry as he had ever been. “Now listen here boy, and listen close. Special forces or not, Captain Salid’s man or not, frankly ah dinnae care. Ye will follow my orders, starting *right now*, or ye’ll find my temper most unpleasant. Ah’d relieve ye of duty if ah dinnae need ye. But ah need every able body if we are going tae get out of this alive. This isnae some bloody pirate outfit! Tis’ starfleet! If ye dinnae like it, that’s just a shame. If ye dinnae like me, that’s just fine. But ye will follow orders Mister, and we will live through this. Is that clear enough, *Lieutenant*?” (Reply Raschen, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Runabout Lorimar - Science Officer Nickolas Romanoff - 1208) Nickolas didnt want to open his eyes. The pain he was feeling didnt match anything in his memory. He didnt want to open his eyes. He felt himself soaking in what could only be blood. He wasnt sure if it was his or if it was someone elses blood which trailed off and connected with the pool of his own. The shock of what happened as the runabout tried to escape was so great he didnt remember anything except for the shuttle jolting free from the clasp of the Borg tractor beam. The tremendous force knocked him towards a table top where he hit his head and collapsed onto the ground. Romanoff wasnt all that much afraid of dying but he just tried to avoid situations in which his life might actually be in danger. The sad thing was anything involving a little risk made it on Romanoff's list as being life threatening. This was exactly the reason why Romanoff seemed like a loner, since he actively secluded himself from social interaction and living life. Being chosen for the mission to survey the Borg didnt sit well with him but he made it a point to make sure he didnt get assimilated. He didnt even think about making sure his life wasnt threatened. Nickolas had been laying in a pool of his own blood for some time now and he could hear other crew members around him regaining conciousness and seeing if others were ok. The sounds of the other away team members took his mind off the pain for only one second; as a pain shoot through his body he remembered what situation he was in; he was bleeding out. Trying to move his lims with the little bit of strength he mustered had no affect. He still hadnt opened his eyes. He still didnt want to open his eyes. No one had made their way to see if he was ok. The sounds around him were flushed out by the slow beating of his heart. It declined to a slow thud and continued to decline. He didnt feel ok and he began to grow cold. He didnt want to open his eyes, so he didnt. (Reply none) (Posted by Darryl) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Shuttle Bay, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1210) Sanok and O'Neill had taken the turbolift together to the main armory and equipped themselves for the rescue mission. They hadn't said much other than taking about hope, though it was still something that was on his mind. He would need to push that out now, as it was time to give the mission his full attention. Now, the two men were in the shuttle bay, waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Sanok was wearing body armor. He had a phaser rifle slung over his shoulder, and a hand phaser on each hip. He also had a tricorder set to silent mode, and had a combat knife in a sheath on his leg. Sometimes he felt Lieutenant Raschen was over-the-top, but Sanok also recognized wisdom when he saw it. It was better to have weapons you didn't need, than to not have them and need them. He considered that he may not be bringing enough. ~Perhaps I should have had a projectile weapon made.~ Ah, well. They were past all that now. The rest of the team would arrive soon, and they would be on their way. Preparation was logical, but O'Neill was right. It was also good to also have hope. (reply any) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Ready Room, CO Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid Day 4 1213*) The two men looked into each others eyes for a moment that seemed to last forever. Ahmed looked Tom in the eye and asked, "Can you handle this Tom?" Jackson looked at him for a moment, searching his own soul before answering with a simple, "Yes." Ahmed smiled slightly in an attempt to lighten the mood, although that was difficult considering the orders he had just imparted. "I have complete confidence in you Tom. I always have, as is evidenced by the fact that you're my second officer. All I ask is that you do your very best. I know that you've got what it takes to overcome any obstacle to achieve your mission." (reply Jackson iyw) "Very well then Lieutenant Jackson, you are dismissed. I'll take that PADD if you please." (reply Jackson) Ahmed accepted the PADD with the go-codes on them and then with a couple of quick commands erased them from the computer, the PADD and made them unavailable to everyone except Jackson and Ahmed. Hopefully Tom had memorized them. Once the Lieutenant had left the compartment. He tapped his commbadge. "Salid to Soma and Sanok" (reply Soma, Sanok) "The Boudicca and the Rosenante will be engaging the Borg tactical cube to draw it off-station. We're going to draw it away in the hopes that you will be able to enter Dovek II's atmosphere from the far side without being detected by the Pyramid. Notify Captain Durand when both teams are ready to launch so that we can optimize our attack timing." (reply Soma, Sanok) "Good Luck Gentlemen and May Allah protect and guide you." (reply Sanok, Soma) He closed the channel to the two away team leaders and moved over to his desk. He dropped into the chair waiting for him and pressed a button on the desk top. "Mister Sullivan, get me Captain Durand." (reply Sullivan) A few moments later captain Durand appeared. He was sitting on the bridge of the Boudicca. The red pulsing lights of red alert the only indication of the Starfleet vessel's status. (reply Durand) "The time has come to stop beating around the bush Captain. It is my intention to use the Boudicca and the Rosenante to Draw-off the Tactical Cube and give our away teams the best chance of success possible." (reply Durand) "As you are the superior tactician here, captain. You'll be commanding the assault against the cube. Our goal is to move that cube in such a way as will allow the away teams to insert themselves into Dovek II's atmosphere opposite the Pyramid without being detected." "We don't need to destroy the cube, just displace it, although if destruction becomes a possibility, so be it. Be prepared to issue your orders as appropriate once the away teams are in position to make their insertion run. If you need any of my crew, just say the word, and I can send you some of them. I know Mister Yalix served aboard the Boudicca previously." (reply Durand, Sullivan, Jackson, Sanok, Soma) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, COPS Quarters, Lieutenant Tom Jackson, 2O/COPS Day 4, 1214) Tom walked to his quarters deep in thought, hardly noticing his surroundings. Jackson's orders from the Captain had given him a lot to consider. On his decision and his alone rested a lot. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1217) I took a bit of time before Jessica made found her way into the main shuttle bay, where the preparations were well underway for the Lorimar to receive the antimatter mine. She was glas to see the preparation to the Lorimar were preceding so well. She had extra security diverted to protect the mine and the shuttle bay. Jessica had that uneasy feeling, ever since She heard the recon shuttle went down. ~ If either Lt. Commander McLaren or Lorimar were captured by the Borg when the shuttle went down then the Borg know of the mine and the safety of this mission is already compromised. I hope whoever is in command of this mission has taken that into consideration. ~ The thought was one that caused her great concern if this was the case then no distraction no matter how large would cause the Borg to disengage from going after the shuttle. For that reason Jessica sent the last vantages of her free time preparing and getting the weapons she figured the away team would need. Has is stood Jessica although small was still very armed to the teeth, twin hand phasers mounted at each hip, a phase rifle strapped across her back, two combat knives one strapped to the side of each of her well defined legs mid calf. In her left hand she carried a TR-116 projection rifle, and in her right was the well defined case of one Isomagnetic disintegrator. Under her uniform one could now see the tall tell sign of armored body suit. Some might of looked at her and thought she had gone a bit over kill but with the Borg can one really be sure where overkill is. NRPG: the TR-116 came from memory alpha and was introduced in DS9 here's a link with information on the weapon. http://www.phasers.net/2370/tr-116.htm She made her way toward to Lorimar, followed by a member of the security safe pushing an anti-grav. pallet loaded with three large weapon boxes. One was filled with extra TR-116's and ammunition. The second carried three more Isomagnetic disintegrator if any felt so inclined. The last was filled with varying types of explosives. She looked over each crate has it was loaded on the Shuttle ~if this is gonna be our last stand then we will make it one worth remembrance. ~ She thought ~And in the process maybe, just maybe well find a way to make it out alive.~ Once the weapons were loaded she went entered the Lorimar herself, checking the holding bay that would house the mine, shortly. She looked toward the cockpit and realized she was not alone. "How are you, I'm Ensign Signos, ready to defy death one more time." (reply Jacobs) (posted by Matthew Locke.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Lieutenant Tom Jackson, 2O/COPS Day 4, 1218) Tom entered and headed for his mini-office. He opened his safe and removed the box inside. Slowly opening it he gazed upon the dagger his mirror universe self had once carried. He recalled the day he had received it. His other self had been killed and that Tom's Co had wanted to give it to him. Jackson tucked it into his boot and headed off to his fate. (Reply: none) (Posted by: Bill W,) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Shuttle Bay 2 - ACEO Ensign(jg) Henry Jacobs - 1222) "How are you, I'm Ensign Signos, ready to defy death one more time." "You bet! I'm Ensign Jacobs and while I am flying the Blackwater we aren't gonna be in any harm. It just might feel like we are riding a roller coaster." (Reply Signos) "Hopefully the others will be here soon, its time to drop the bomb on the Borg" (Reply any) (Posted by Darryl) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Borg Pyramid, Regeneration Alcove, ATT Commander Matthew McLaren, Day 4 - 1300) Matthew's body simply refused to respond to the commands that his brain was issuing to it. His limbs felt as heavy and lifeless as they had all those months ago after his encounter with the automated defense systems aboard the Doomsday machine. It was almost as if he had reverted back to the same state that he had been in shortly after the deadly radiation had rendered the entire left side of his body inert, but this time with a difference. Before, there had been no sensation of movement, no ability to perceive the nerve impulses that had been ravaged by the antiproton beams used inside the Planet Killer. Now, he could feel the impulses running up and down the length of the nanowires that he had installed years ago to act as replacements for the long decayed natural nerves that he had lost. He felt them working but he had no ability to resist their activities, as his body moved under the direction of the Borg Collective towards a Borg Regeneration chamber. There was a pressure in his brain, slowly building like a dam that was holding back more water than it was designed to handle. Only this pressure wasn't comprised of some tangible element; it was a pressure caused by the crush of a billion billion voices, all trying to wiggle their way into his conscious mind as the Assimilation process progressed. Matthew had studied a little about Borg nanoprobes and the assimilation process when he had been researching his subspace neural processor and nanowire muscular stimulators. They had intrigued him, but he had recognized that the assimilation process, the act of the submergence of the individual was nearly instantaneous once the nanoprobes were introduced into the victim. Which was why he was so surprised that he was able to think coherently, even if he was unable to control his own body. He had gained some insight from his studies, using the same temporal stimulation points as those used by a Borg Cortical array. Perhaps it was his neural subspace processor that was allowing for the cognitive awareness at this stage. After all, if the Borg nanites had to disassemble the assembly before they could install their own array, maybe it's very presence was hindering their complete control of his mental faculties. That meant that the nanoprobes were stimulating the nanowires directly. It was an interesting scientific theory, perhaps one that could someday be exploited- although in his present state it was little more than an academic mental exercise. He stepped into the alcove, not of his own volition, and felt the Borg Regenerative process beginning. It felt almost like a static tingling- at once teasing the finer hairs of his body to alertness. It was both stimulating as well as irritating, since it compelled him to desire to rub or scratch at the source of his discomfort. ~What am I to do now?~ He wondered to himself, still grateful that the multitude of Borg voices in the Collective seemed unable to hear his thoughts or to respond to his question. ~I know. Internal diagnostic~ He thought and mentally asked the Neural processor for a report of the system's integrity. [Working] came the mental reply, detected as a rendering of his own mental voice. [neural subspace processor integrity at 99%. Degredation detected. Seek medical attention.] [Computational abilities at Optimum levels] [NeuralRelay nodes functional] [Bioelectric systems functional] [Signal configuration nominal. Suggest re-attenuation of subspace transceiver assembly] [Diagnostic Routines Optimum] [Pinging Nanomuscular relays] [...] [Unable to establish connection to Nanomuscular relays 1-1653200] [Failure Assessment: no return signal. Unit is receiving but unable to reply.] ~Remodulate Nanomuscular relays~ Matthew ordered. [Working] [Remodulation will require 23.67542152 hours. All or some functionality will be taken off-line during remodulation. Would you like to continue?] ~Proceed.~ [Remodulating. Progress 0.0001%] Matthew had installed the diagnostics back when he had developed the original incarnation of the neural relays. He had never really removed them, considering that their usefulness would aid him in remodulating replacement components if it ever became necessary. He never dreamed that he'd be using them to help break free of the Borg Collective. Or at least he hoped he could break free. ~Increase nanowire propagation 300%~ he commanded. [Warning propagational increase will deplete current self-repair capabilities. Additional nanowire materials will be required to maintain new nanowire distribution rates. Confirm command.] ~Command confirmed. Increase current nanowire propagation by 300%.~ [Increasing propagation as ordered.] Throughout his body, the nano-muscular implants shifted to nanowire production. When completed, the new nanowires would deploy throughout his body, hopefully allowing him to regain some limited control of his hijacked limbs. He could only pray that it could happen before the Borg nanoprobes degraded his subspace neural processor to the point of futility. (Reply none) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------