USS Rosenante Compile Some Time Away 6 ==================== Some Time Away Days 6-8 Stardate: 2414.06.22 to 2414.06.24 ==================== (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 0950) (Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 1022) (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 2230) (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 2245) (Campsite-ASO Engsin Thomas C'Nell-Day 7, 0018) (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 7, 0019) (Camp site-ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-day 7, 0021) (Camp site- ATAC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos 7, 0024) (Chronus Four - Meadows - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1320) (Dinamede 3 System - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1330) (Chronus Four - Lex City - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1355) (Chronus Four - Lex City - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1502) (Chronus Four - Panacea - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1715) (Chronus Four - Ancient Structure - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1725) (SB Geneva, Observation Lounge, Captain Sanok, Day 7, 1914) (SB Geneva, Observation Lounge, Captain Sanok, Day 8, 0702) (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 0723) (Camp Site-ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-Day 8, 0730) (Camp site ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-Day 8, 0921) (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 0925) (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 1027) (Runabout Rubicon LCDR Tom Jackson 1100) (Runabout Rubicon LCDR Steven Matrix, 1110) (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Tom Jackson Day 8, 1120) (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Steven Matrix, 1O/CEO - Day 8, 1125) (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Steven Matrix, 1O/CEO - Day 8, 1151) (Runabout Rubicon, Lt. Tom Jackson, 2O/CSEC - Day 8, 1155) ==================== (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 0950) When the team was finally back, Ailyn had so much questions. She was furious, barely able to hold her rage. She was still following the lean red-head in front of herself but she just wanted to slam something really hard. She has been played. Used, controlled. She felt like a pawn, marionette. When the others went to their room they shared, Ailyn continued walking towards that elusive elevator. She punched the button for up so fierce that it almost fell out of the control panel. Couple of seconds later and she was right in front of the General. "You lied to me!" the first thing she said. The man, and pretty much anyone in the room at this very second, took a look at her, but no one spent any words for the furious woman in front of them. "You used us all. You damn well knew what's on that outpost. You sent us there to die!" "If my agents are useless enough to be killed by a single assailant, then they're not good enough for this." he calmly explained. "What else did you forget to tell us?" "I told you everything you needed to know to get the job done. You should know this first-hand, Ailyn, after all, you tell your commanding officer of your ship only those things that he needs to know about yourself. How come you never told anyone that..." "That's none of your damn business!" "Yes, boss, why don't you tell us a little bit more?" a voice came from the dimmed background. Someone was standing in the elevator, a pretty figure with long fluid motions came to Ailyn, and stood by her side. He looked at Taylor, then he turned back to face the window. "We got an anonymous tip from our sources that some kind of experiment will be done on that outpost. Far from Starfleet eyes, so no one would suspect foul play. We hoped you would be able to find this person conducting these experiments and... persuade him to join our cause, or at least, to share the technology with us." "That place was a death trap, there was this creature with..." "I know Ailyn, I read Taylor's report. It is definitely not any kind of species we ever met. What we would like you to focus on is those nanoprobes. I want you to forget about that outpost, Ailyn, and concentrate your efforts on the breakthrough." "It was horrible, so many innocents died there. We can't let this go unchecked, we have to alert the proper authorities, we have to..." "Ailyn!" he yelled and she snapped and stopped talking "What we're dealing here with is something that's better left alone. I assure you, Starfleet will get a tip from us when our secondary team removes all the evidence from the facility." "Boss, I never knew we had a secondary team?!" asked Taylor. "Machines, Taylor. They... lack the touch of a human to be used as our primary line, but they certainly make excellent shock troops and they have no problems cleaning out the area." "Yeah, no moral problems I'm sure, boss." Taylor said sarcastically. General just ignored. "So, is this the only time we allowed so many innocents to die while we assemble the team to grab a piece of worthless technology?" "Accidents happen, Ailyn. You're idolizing the world. You do sometimes remind me of... your father, a man I used to know. He was also so naive. We cannot be to blame for a natural order of things. Strong will always triumph over the weak. What we can do is make sure their... sacrifice did not happened in vain." "Or in the other words, they die and we get all the shiny things thanks to their untimely death." "The world... our world was built on the sweat and blood of us humans. It was our deaths, our pain, our suffering that eventually taught us how to travel the space. How to create weapons we do, how to create all the technology we enjoy in today. The world was built on generations paving a way to the better future, our future. You do not see the greater picture, Ailyn. Our technology allows us a creation of... a device that can see into the future. I'm not talking of time travel. I'm talking of probabilities. And something is coming our way, Ailyn. It sees only shadows befalling on our race. I won't stand idle while there's possibilities to be so much more. Look at me Ailyn. Take a long look at me. Once many years ago, I was a broken man, I lost everything, I cared for nothing, my life had no meaning, I was hoping some pirate scum would end my misery. Then... I had a dream and I saw the light..." "Words of a madman, right?" Taylor whispered in Ailyn's ear. "... and it was shining like thousands of suns. And then I knew, we are born to be something more..." "Doesn't he just likes the sound of his own voice?" Taylor again whispered. "... and there is only one possible way how to achieve it. So Ailyn, take a long look at me. Do I look like a man that do not believe in his own words... in his own destiny? We all have the role in the unfolding events of the future. Your role in this, doctor, is to help us with the technology and incorporation of it in a man. You can do it for science, you can do it for your own gain... or you can do it for humanity. Truth is, Ailyn, we need you. Real humanity needs you. You may not like our ways, but we always stayed true to our cause. We want to bring that light I experienced to everyone. No matter what race, what background, what gender, what age." "It was a nice speech." said Ailyn out loud, and Taylor chuckled. "Ailyn, you may not like me. And if knowing that you're doing it for good cause is still not sufficient for you, then again I need to remind you that you're also helping us because we helped you, and we're still helping you. If you do not wish to be a part of the upcoming world, then that is your choice. I respect it, but you still need to do your job. Now begone both of you." he finished turning around to face the window again, and the elevator was opened waiting for the two women to enter. "After you." Taylor said pointing to the elevator. (posted by Lani) ----- (Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 1022) The duo got down, and after a very quick meal, they sat on the bed talking about Taylor's history, while the other three were running at the other part of the facility. "I was excellent marine. Best in my class actually. I've done a few missions, I remember the one when my best buddy accidently activated a photon torpedo still in loading bay, haha. We had to quit our maiden voyage of that ship because the darn thing just wouldn't turn off, and if we touched it, it would just blow." "Did you tried transporting it?" "Well I actually wasn't in charge, I don't know if they did or not, or if it worked, all I know is it took us several ours to get back to the starbase and we all felt like we're a walking time bomb!" Ailyn laughed, while Taylor's jokes weren't as sophisticated as Ailyn got used to, they were still somewhat funny, and it was more about how he tells them, then their real content. "And then, you know, as we arrived, they sent a bomb squad to deactivate it, but the blasted thing was totally malfunctioning. Sadly, it blew with thirteen souls on that deck... my best buddy... he just had to wait there, like a moron he always was, and check what they're doing despite being said to leave..." Taylor was trying hard not to cry, but it was visible her eyes are all watered. "I'm sorry, Taylor, I really am." said Ailyn, hugging Taylor. Taylor sobbed for few times, then moved out of Ailyn's hug, and slowly kissed her. She did it so unexpectedly that Ailyn was just standing there not being able to react right away. It was a nice, tender kiss. Ailyn remembered her younger days, her first love and.. taste of peaches. But she had no idea how to deal with this. "I... I'm not sure if I gave the wrong kind of..." she started "I thought you wanted this?" said Taylor still with teary eyes. But Ailyn didn't really know what to say. She was unsure of her feelings. She was unsure if she has ANY feelings at all. She really liked Taylor, but she know not in what way. She did not wanted Taylor to change towards Ailyn, so she did not wanted to tell her a negative answer either. Whatever the answer, she felt she would do things even worse... so she said nothing. Taylor eventually picked herself up, dried her eyes with her hands and looked at Ailyn with big, beautiful wide open sad eyes. "I understand. I won't do it again. I am sorry." and she walked away. She disappointed another person in her life, this time Taylor, and hurt her feelings despite trying not to do anything wrong in the first place. She sighed. She was really confused, and lonely at this moment. What would she have to loose all in her life... for her parents. (Reply: None) (Posted by: Lani) ----- (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 2230) Taylor broke Ailyn's sleep abruptly, yelling almost next to her ear. She slowly opened her eyes looking at Taylor, that suddenly seemed a little bit different then before. "What's... wrong with your hair?" "I dyed it black again, silly, to my natural color. Come on sleepy head, the boss wants to see us two, we shouldn't keep him waiting." Taylor explained almost giggling. "Aaaah, how long did I sleep anyway?" "Couple of hours? You worked with trying to program those little nanoprobes, and then you just crashed. We've been playing poker all day long, you missed all the fun." "Listen... about that thing earlier today, I just wish to say..." "Ailyn, hush. I completely understand how you feel. I feel like a moron trying it out, when I knew I'm just going to confuse you. I'm sorry." "It...should be me saying the sorries." said Ailyn "Oh, so you did enjoy it?!" "That's not what I..." "Gotcha! I was just joking you anyway. Come on get up, we really shouldn't keep the old man waiting up, or else he might plan another suicide mission. By the way, when do you need to get back to your ship? That's... totally question I'm asking in my own name and not in his." "I don't know, I haven't been notified of anything. I'm guessing a few weeks at least. They need to repair the ship that took some damage." Explaining, Ailyn got up, she wasn't dressed in uniform, but in a sleeping set. "Wow, now that's something nice to see." said Taylor, giving Ailyn's the look. "Damn Taylor, you certanly know how to scare a woman." "When you're marine, you learn to say the things that are on your mind openly and direct, because you understand that you might not see the other chance to speak your mind out. Besides, your figure definitely deserved the comment." "I'll wait for you at his office, I'll let you dress up in peace. Don't worry about the others, the general sent them home for few days." said Taylor and slowly but graciously left the room. (posted by Lani) ----- (Planet Earth - Unknown Place - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 6 - 2245) The two women stepped out of the elevator, to be brought by the four security officers directly in front of the General. "Sir, what is the meaning of this?" asked Taylor. "Just a precaution. We will need a drop of your blood." General explained. "You have my blood in the archives, boss." "Your fresh blood." he explained, looking at the fifth figure in the center of the security officers, a woman in her mid twenties, putting the small dosage of blood they took from Taylor to some kind of hand device. After several seconds, she looked at General, and moved her head horizontally several times, acknowledging whatever she was doing came out negative. "It's your turn now, Ailyn." Ailyn nodded to the General's request. "You're both fine. I am glad." "What were you testing?" Ailyn asked with a dose of intrigue in her voice. "Nothing you should worry yourselves about. Instead, I have another mission for you two. Taylor, you will accompany Ailyn to the planet Chronus 4, located in the system baring the same name." "Yes, boss." "What are we looking for?" Ailyn asked again. "Ailyn... do you consider yourself religious?" "I do not think there's omnipotent benevolent being or beings guiding us through our mortal lives into something the science probably will never explain." she quickly explained. "But, do you believe in anything?" "I believe in science." "Then, you are believer. Well, some of our agents came into contact with a rather peculiar race, called Lavians. Their society is based around women controlling the economy, the politics as well as being the primary gender. Men are seen as slaves, and workers." "Sounds like my kind of place." said Taylor shrugging. "I still do not understand what that planet has to do with religion." Ailyn said. "You're getting a head of yourself, Ailyn. I was simply pointing out why am I sending the two of you and not the others on this mission. Recently, there came a riot on their planet with several of the slave tribes trying to break through their mines into the female-controlled cities. Amidst this chaos, it will not be so hard to go deeper into one of the mines. According to local legends, this is where a certain object of value was found several weeks ago." "Now we're even chasing legends around, boss?" asked Taylor making a dumb face. "Also, this will be a perfect point in time to let you know our experimental ship is done, and that two of you will be the first to use it in a mission. The Panacea is waiting for you two at the designated coordinates you will find in your personal computers back at the transporter room on deck 2, section 4 in this facility. She's a small ship incorporating all the technology we have currently access to. She's primarily a science vessel so try not to get into skirmishes. You will find all the suites on it you need." "But, what about the thing we need to find on the planet, and religion?" asked Ailyn. "Ah, yes. Long long time ago, when both genders were equal on Chronus 4, they came into contact with sky beings, as their scriptures say. No doubt, it was another race. The legends tell us that they cast shackles and all the native men turned into violent beasts, twice their size. It took several dozen of years for women engineers to create a way to subdue them, and eventually use them as workforce alone. They still believe these sky being will be back to help them. What's interesting to us here, is the device. I don't think those were shackles. The DNA we got from our contacts show us the males had their DNA completely changed, literally over the night." "So, you're sending us to try to retrieve the device?" Ailyn asked. "Indeed. Also, for this mission, I'm putting you Ailyn in charge. This is a delicate mission, one we're not expecting any kinds of fights. Regardless of this, Taylor will accompany you on the journey to watch out for you. You will start tomorrow at 6 o'clock." "Dismissed." he quickly explained, continuing to stare at the two women until they left the control room. "I'm looking forward meeting this culture, actually." Taylor explained full of enthusiasm. "Somehow, I knew you're going to say that." said Ailyn as elevator doors closed. (Reply: None) (Posted by: Lani) ----- (Campsite-ASO Engsin Thomas C'Nell-Day 7, 0018) C'Nell lie awake, he had migrated to Jessica's hammock finally resigning himself to her consistant demands for him to sleep properly. He looked at her sleeping form and smiled. She was holding his hand. The phermones had certainly left his body by now but he still admired her. They had decided to stay at the camp because it was more open than the enclosed camp site. C'Nell thought back over the last few days. They had been very busy over the last few days gathering supplies and such each of them using their skills perfectly; C'Nell had salvaged parts of the shuttle and he hoped that he had managed to build some sort of messaging system for warning a possible rescue party which he had to hope for. He was a scientist and not an engineer though so it was basic the signal wouldnt give a precise location (NRPG: Important to rescue team). He had also collected a few samples of the local flora and a skeleton of one of the strange birds Signos had shot down. Yesterday they had managed to sort out their camp to allow them to be self-sufficient building a stockpile of hunting meat. This had given them time together during which their love had grown. This had also given them time to kill which was when C'Nell had done his investigations, Jessica for her part had practiced various martial art forms. This was something they had in common C'Nell demonstrated to her Judo that he practiced as well as some Vulcan forms. She was better than him though-he didnt mind. He looked at her again she was awake. He held her closer. "They will be coming, there the crew of the USS Roseante after all" he said to her. (Reply Signos) He listened to her calmly but he was concerned about her past she was quiet about it. They had talked little. (Reply Signos iyw) (Posted by Nathan) ----- (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 7, 0019) "They will be coming, there the crew of the USS Roseante after all" C'Nell spoke holding her. Jessica was lost in thought she had spent the last few days, battling herself should she tell Thomas about her past or should she not. Would he accept that or not. IN the end she knew what needed to be done it was the same thing she decided with Eian. Because it was the right thing to do, and the sooner it was done the better. "C'Nell, I was curious what do you know of my past." She asked softly shivering, there wasn't much that scared Jessica but this conversation terrified her. (reply C'Nell) "Please, I don't want to lose but I feel you need to hear my past from me and not from someone else." Her grip tightened (reply C'Nell) "During the Federation Civil War, I was know by another name, At that time I was called Lily..." (Reply C'Nell) "During which time I did horrible, unspeakable things, anything Section 31 ordered me to." She took his hand in her shaking hand and lifted it to her temple. "Please Lily, let him see what we are." (Reply C'Nell) She let C'Nell remove his hand and waited for him to leave her side. She knew she did the right thing. The moments that pasted seemed to stretch on into eternity. (Reply C'Nell) (posted by Matthew) ----- (Camp site-ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-day 7, 0021) Jessica shivered as she asked what C'Nell new of her past, and he decided to be honest. "I looked up your personnel file, but a great deal of it was blacked out, in places it was like you just jumped missions, I knew you must have been in some dangerous missions, secret ones and well my past at the Institution was an awful event and I reconised the section 31 in you I was never part of them-but it walks within your eyes" She tightened her grip around him as they talked "Please, I don't want to lose you but I feel you need to hear my past from me and not from someone else." C'Nell nodded he was willing to hear from her. "During the Federation Civil War, I was known by another name at that time I was called Lily..." Thomas didn't reply he just contemplated, he was curious perhaps they had both hidden something. "During which time I did horrible, unspeakable things, anything Section 31 ordered me to." She took his hand in her shaking hand and lifted it to her temple. "Please Lily, let him see what we are." C'Nell saw everything through the mind meld, he saw his beloved assassinating many people, killing anyone in her path, hiding, lying and so much which made him judge what she might now be capable off. He removed his hand but did not recoil he held her close instead tight to him. "I still love you" he whispered at last. "you are not Jessica or Lily you are both and that person is the one I love" (Reply Signos) "There are things I haven't told you though about my father you know I was raised on Earth and I have little control like most Vulcan's? The things I have omitted is why" C'Nell had decided it was both logical and right to share such information with her and this time he raised his palm to her temple to share information. "My father was a radical he took a vessel of his own when he believed starfleet was too "flawed" which he further supported when the federation civil war broke out. He left them and my mother for years" He then showed her everything his birth on an outpost above Earth but his mother dying; he was raised on Earth, Britain with a human mother, his father returned and tried to train him, he failed and his father beat him; he returned to Earth and was taught at the institution for gifted people but he refused to join several projects he spent much of his teen years designing weapons... which he now fears have been used by the wrong people the he never saw where his designs went. He refused the projects and then when he could joined the Academy, he wanted to put something right. NRPG: I know I am taking a few liberties with character here. (Reply Signos) (Posted by Nathan) ----- (Camp site- ATAC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos 7, 0024) "I still love you" Thomas whispered at last. "you are not Jessica or Lily you are both and that person is the one I love" Tears welled in her eyes as Thomas spoke the words she waited to hear for so long. C'Nell spoke and Jessica listened intently has he spoke about and showed her his past. It seemed he like her had their secrets and past to set right. When he removed his hand from her she grasped him and cried. For once since the barrier in her mind fell and Jessica and Lily began to merge Jessica felt that there was someone that could understand and love her for who and what she was. "I love you." she managed to say though the tears she held C'Nell though the night afraid the this might all be just a dream and in the morning all would be for not. Jessica cried tears of joy long into the night, shaking in Thomas' arms. She was near sleep drifting between awake and slumber when she heard a voice in her mind. ~ I am sorry Jessica, but I hope you understand now why I had to drive Eian away, He would not accept me and in such would not accept you. Such a person could not, would not love you. This night Thomas C'Nell you have my respect I hope dearly that you have spoke honestly. In such you have the ability to love Jessica, as she should be loved. Love her.~ Lily spoke softly in her mind. Jessica took comfort in those words, she remembered the war that raged between Lily and Eian. A war which Eian had lost he could not drive Lily out. So he turned his back on Jessica, and left her in darkness. Jessica knew not when sleep overtook her body and mind. But she knew for once she slept soundly and peacefully. (reply C'Nell, iyw) (posted by Matthew) ----- (Chronus Four - Meadows - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1320) Whole trip went pretty silent. Whenever Ailyn would try to talk with Taylor, for some obscure reason, she'd answer her briefly, enigmatic and would just close her mouth afterwards. Ailyn found this very weird, but instead chose to spent the time on the ship reviewing some of the systems. The Panacea, baring the serial number XX-1, was an experimental ship. Long range ship with extensive science and medical suites. Despite it's size that seemed somewhat in the league of an Intrepid class, the ship remarkably needed only a single person running for the recon - the ship was widely automated. Ailyn had no idea where would a person - or a group, get their hands on an cloaking device and she knew very well having one on board the ship would be a direct violation of the Treaty of Algeron - if the ship would be Starfleet. The ship was flying at high warp speeds, perhaps one of the highest in known space - and by far the one being able to go to longest ranges without having to refuel or resupply. Sadly, both defensive and offensive capabilities of the ship weren't even up to Starfleet standards, let alone able to follow the general high level of other systems on the ship. Obviously, this ship wasn't built for warfare. No, instead, as Ailyn quickly noted, more then likely the original reason for this ship was in fact espionage. She also heard the rumors from the rest of the mercenary crew, that the ship is utilizing a Romulan-origin cloaking device. However, it seemed very unlikely that to be true. Regardless of what kind of cloaking tech the ship used, it's extremely low emission profile, coupled with it's own integrated system for further manipulating all kinds of fields and particle emissions really meant the ship would be hard to detect even without it's cloak. The ship also utilized an advanced electronic counter measure system to easily fool or jam the target's sensors as well as several tricks already preconfigured and preprogramed to be easily accessable and usable in a quick fashion, such as a mirror holographic image of the ship. To add on top of that all, the ship's hull could be changed holographically to match any other in the database. Taylor only briefly mentioned advanced counter-counter measure systems, as Ailyn remembered - hinting of the possibility it might have been also built as a new breed of warships - the one specifically made to target command and scientific-oriented ships behind enemy lines, stealing the information and manipulating and sending further disinformations. The ship was definitely more then able to accomodate that type of warfare. The clinical doctor's mind inside Andersen, however, at first noted something completely different about the ship - it's asymetrical hull shape. They were told not to damage the ship, as it was one of the kind, and a replacement probably could not be built at all, so even though it took suprisingly little time to the planet, Taylor still manually piloted the ship through the planet's atmosphere. Ailyn never before saw a ship of this size being able to land - and all that without loosing it's cloak. They hid the ship on the wide green field - seemingly the same as countless more around it. Chronus 4 was a beautiful planet. Like it was caught in time, majority of the planet wasn't colonized - only occasionally could Ailyn see a high city with long and steep towers far in the distance. "Beautiful isn't it?" Taylor finally decided to start talking - they were out of their craft, standing in the meadows. "Why were you silent back then the whole trip?" "Everything we speak there is transmitted back, so we better keep these kinds of talks to a time we're out of that thing." Taylor explained shrugging. "And yeah, it is beautiful." "You know, supposedly 12 million years ago an asteroid hit this planet. The poor thing doesn't spin correctly anymore. One side is always sunny, the other in the constant darkness." "What's on the other side?" Ailyn asked. "Freezing temperatures, bad allergies and lots of angry men." "That's..." "Where we need to go, yeah. First, though, we should head into one of the cities, as we're women, we will be accepted." "I meant to say that's pretty scary." "The men part? Yeah I agree." "Uh Nevermind. How are we supposed to get to the other side anyway?" "We were given lots of local monetary currency, we should have no problems trading it for goods, tools and probably a guide. Just..." "Yeah Taylor?" Ailyn turned towards her partner on the mission. "Just let me do the talking, okay." "Okay." (posted by Lani ----- (Chronus Four - Lex City - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1355) After more then half an hour of walking, the duo managed to get to main doors of the massive city simply called Lex. From the distance, the looks of the city reminded of the fairy tales, however, up close, it was everything but. The large skyscrappers were particularly pointy and high, so much in fact they seemed defiant to the gravity, that was very similar to that of the Earth. Around these large buildings were lots and lots of smaller ones on two floors, with a large plateau in between. Between all of these, a large amount of small personal crafts were flying. They looked like bees flying around looking for honey. Interestingly, despite their funny look compared to the rest of the inhabitants, the guards on the main gates let them through one of the many smaller gates, greeted them in a quick fashion "Welcome Lex patron, city to." and left them be. They found something reminding of a taxy driver - a craft fit for three, that charged per minute. While humanoid, the Lavians had the skull bones clearly visible and much larger then a human - their looks quickly summerized by the 'eww' face Taylor did the first time she met one. Pre-programed universal translator saved them lots of headaches here, as they were reasonably able to understand the driver, although not all words seemed as they should be. "Coming you other from tribe saw never with kind that of head?" "Um, yeah we are coming from another tribe." "Distant?" "Very very very distant." Taylor made a moronic face. Leaning next to Ailyn, Taylor whispered "We need to get them talking more so the device catches and calibrates on their own. It seems our intel about their language was largely limited." "So, who is the leader of this city?" Ailyn asked looking through the vehicle, noticing that everywhere she would turn her head, that part of the craft would turn almost completely transparent. She hoped it was just from the inside. "Mother our Lex Revered Keila city this leader of." "Can we see her?" Taylor asked. "Audience Mother taking unusual not situations only is for." "I see. Is there some kind of... guide that can show us the beautiful points of your.. I mean our planet?" "Depending valute from many can had be, not lot a valute dangerous bad, lot valute of great." "I think the translator is starting to pick up the logical order of the words in Lavian spoken language. I hope there's not a lot of dialects out there..." she whispered to Ailyn, then turned back to the driver. "We don't have a lot of... valute." "What are you doing, didn't you said we had tons of that to spend?" Ailyn shockingly asked. "Ailyn hush. You'll have to trust me on this one. Only someone with very lots of misfortune and in dire need of lots of this... valute would be interested in taking us where we need to go." Taylor explained with a large smile. She was so pretty when she was smiling... that of course Ailyn put as a good opinion of her own friend, and quickly dismissed the thought. "Will I take you to old Gora. She everything know. My friend. Payment good, yes?" "Yes, please, pretty please." "1200 vals more and 80 hinats wait to." "Yes, we will wait 80 hinats more. Here is your valute." Taylor said, giving another three little blue pyramids. "How long is 80 hinats?" Ailyn asked dumbfounded. "About an hour, more or less few minutes. This city is huge and so beautiful. When I heard there's a mining on the other side of the planet, I expected this civilization to be on a much lower technological level." Taylor looked fascinated, her eyes glowed like never before. Ailyn just found out one thing at least she really enjoyed. "That's a long time but..." "But spending it with you talking will eat up the time fast." She smiled looking at Andersen. "There's something I.. wanted to tell you Ailyn." "Certainly." Ailyn answered, worried that something bad's coming towards her now. She based this on Taylor's sad and confused expression. "I... I feel I can trust you. With my life, with my past and... and even with my dreams." Ailyn did not speak, instead she was just listening. Taylor needed her at this moment, and perhaps this was a great moment to find something more about the woman she's spending the most time with in the last couple of days. "I was raised on Mars, you know. I left my parents early because they didn't want me joining with the Starfleet. But, you know, me being an marine... that's not entirely true." "What do you mean?" "I'm a dropout. I just... couldn't satisfy the standards. I couldn't really go back either, so at the first sign of a chance, I accepted. I ended up working for the old man. I... dislike what I turned into." "But we're all working here together, and we're all needed. We wouldn't be here if we weren't good at the things we do." "I do not trust in that we're needed. I do not buy old man's praising. I was his right hand for a few years. He would backstab his own mother if only he could get something out of it." "My point was that you're doing here something that counts." "I do. But it does not fill me anymore. I feel empty. I changed too much. I was a funny girl before. You know, buying shoes enjoying looking pretty in new fashion. I was always pretty strong because I started practicing early in my life but lately I haven't been living. I was merely surviving. And I don't even know what I'm surviving for." Another awkward moment for Ailyn, and another thing to do good. She hoped this one isn't going to end like that last one did. She brought her arm around Taylor and hugged her. "I want out... I really want out but the old man's not letting me. The last doctor, he also wanted out but he just disappeared. I want to go to Starfleet. I want to go serve with you, Ailyn." Taylor was trying hard not to cry, but as she was forcing her tears not to fall, she was just looking cute about it. Her teary eyes were still visible. "I don't think it's possible. Not at the moment, at least. But don't worry. I have a feeling I'm going to be around regularly." she said trying to tell Taylor what she thinks is the reality without braking her heart. She never knew such a big, strong and confident woman could have such a fragile heart. "At first it was the idea that I'm going to work enough to get myself a ship... I've went beyond that point more then a year ago, but he doesn't let me leave, Ailyn." "Shhh, once we come home with this device, I will talk with him. Maybe... maybe he can arrange to transfer you somewhere." "He might not listen but, thank you nontheless." "Taylor." "Yes, Ailyn?" "Do you... remember your father?" "I do. Why?" "Can you tell me about him?" "Last time I even saw him was five years ago. He's still on Mars, drinking his life out in some foggy bar loosing time on betting. He's a stubborn oldfashioned man. He would never show any kind of emotions in our family, just authority." "You're nothing a like that." "I am, minus the drinking part, of course." "You're being too hard on yourself, Taylor." "Maybe... tell me about your father, Ailyn." "I... I do not remember enough. I just sometimes get images in my head that I do not remember later on when certain people remind me of my father at some situation." "What was the last person to remind you of him?" "It was, in fact, the General..." "I hope he was nothing like the old man. But still, a father is a father." "Indeed. I miss him even though I feel I've never even knew him." "Would you like to hear about my mother? She was so like me." "Oh yeah, please continue." (Reply: None) (Posted by: Lani) ----- (Chronus Four - Lex City - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1502) The two women were brought to a opening under the bridge. There were homeless around, living from the things they would find around being thrown by the more wealthy up above. The women in this part of the city were emaciated, visibly sick, and very untrustful to Taylor and Ailyn. The old foundations of the buildings that were here long time ago paved a good contrast to the modern-looking buildings up above, the perfect society showing it's darker side. A perfect example of a society built upon money and materialism. The wealthy ones had everything, the others had to live from their scraps, and if that wasn't enough, they had to cope with all sorts of sickness and diseases as they did not have even basic medical care. But even as dark as this all seemed, there were very little lawbraking on Chronus, even amongst these poor people - if they would try anything, they would be sent to the beasts on the other side of the planet. To most this notion was worse then death. The horrible smell was far superseded by the decay of everything around them. The whole place looked as it was ready to crumble at any given moment. As it wasn't enough, the place was filled with echoes of crying, sobbing of the women being crushed by the horrible life they were living - trying hard just to survive. It was here where they were supposed to meat old woman called Gora. On the further end of what could be described as a street, a small hut-like building. Ailyn knew this was the place, as the driver instructed them to find a building fitting the looks of that one. Taylor naturally took the lead, showing Ailyn to wait and go behind her. She wanted to check the place first, to see if it's safe. As she went in, Ailyn followed. Inside, there was an old women, sitting on the floor, with closed eyes, having some kind of small plate in her hands, murmuring something in her own chin. "Hello? Are you Gora?" Ailyn instinctively brake the silence. The woman slowly opened her eyes, moving her head to face Ailyn, still whispering something only she could really hear, then finally putting the small plate on the ground near her. "I am Gora." The woman was obviously calm and, unlike majority around her, did seemed content with her situation in life. "My name is..." Ailyn started but got interrupted by Taylor before she could finish her sentence. "Our names does not really matter. We have valute. We need to go to the unbound shrine. Can you take us there?" "Shrine is on the other side. Only the beasts and those soon to be dead go there." "It's an real place, can you take us there, or can you at least show us what we're looking for?" "You do not walk in there. They are guarding it. It is their home. Long long time ago, they got that curse from our ancestor. They will not allow you to see it." "So it actually exists, it isn't only a legend?" Ailyn asked, trying to at least look like that was a surprise for her. "Every Lavian knows it exists. It was worshiped every quazzol by our revered leader, but has since fallen to the control of the beasts. They rebelled, stopping the mines from extracting and refining the materials we need to power our atmospheric centers." "Wait, atmospheric centers?" "Gora is no engineer, bad details. But it is known down here that our planet needs the centers for the shield from our twins and to create air here." since Taylor and Ailyn walked without their suits, following the data they received prior to the mission, they completely forgot the fact Chronus 4 had an atmosphere and beautiful nature despite the fact it was close to the twin stars illuminating it - and that they were able to breath. It should technically not be so. "So, without the... materials from the mines on the other side, there is a limited time until the shield above the planet gives in to the proximity of the suns' reach and destroy the planet?" Taylor naively asked, trying to keep it simple. "Rumors speak that we have enough for maybe a generation, but the revered leader says she will find a way how to force the beasts to work again." "How do you know so much about your leader and the planet? I thought most of citizens aren't given details?" said Taylor mirroring what she read in the early mission report. "It is not something Gora talks about. They think Gora is mad, but Gora is mother to the revered leader. But the child was taken. The child could not be unpure. Gora was removed from the city but Gora still have friends." "Wait, how do you actually... you were with a child, how?" Taylor asked awkwardly. "Gora was chosen based on DNA. It was said Gora as a mother would produce all the qualities in the child needed for revered leader. But Gora had a small portion of beast's in her blood, unpure, soe Gora was removed from the city." "Wait, how can you have..." Taylor started. "Obviously, the males can still breed with their females, and it happens, willingly or unwillingly, although I would bet on the second." Ailyn explained. "Sometimes, few of the beasts escape. They come from the underground, from under the city during the night. And they attack. They tear down the walls, force themselves upon us and even feast upon us. They are quickly found and removed but sometimes the damage is done. If... if it would be a known thing, a tainted childbearer would be removed and sent to the other side." "So, you, some time ago, had a child with a beast, and then were picked by your DNA to be the bearer of the next leader?" Taylor asked raising her eyebrow. "Our blood map is kept since we were very little. It only showed what we are created with, not if we are pure or tainted." "How come there's so many of you down there if you're all created? Aren't you created with a purpose?" Ailyn asked openly, she felt it wasn't the time to be subtle. "We are all created to be the best. Some succeed... others do not. When they can no longer benefit the city, they are removed. They are lucky if they fall to someone's pity and get thrown in here." "This all sounds like a fairy tale to me." Taylor whispered to Ailyn, and shrugged "It's just their way of explaining and expressing things, I'm sure." she explained back. "Gora, we understand your pain, but we really need to get to the shrine." "Why is it so important? Everyone is going to perish once the centers stop working. The beasts are right though, it is a life no one should live, as eternal slaves." "Because..." Taylor was thinking what to say, and Ailyn could see her struggling. "Because we believe that we can find whatever the ones you call beasts are protecting. We believe with it, we can change things." "Gora is wondering, what would you do with it?" "Ailyn, I urge you not to talk the details with alien strangers." Taylor whispered. "We believe it has the power to change those afflicted back as they were. Or, at the very least, it will provide better control of... the beasts." "What would you pick out of the two?" "I do not know. I... we first have to see if it works at all, but I believe it is worth the try." "Very well, Gora will come with you. You have the ship, yes?" "You... know about our ship?" "Just because we have no ships because they cannot pass the shield does not mean other races do not have those. Gora knew you were not from this place, but you are also one of us, not a beast, and we welcome you, you are our sister." ~Strange species, definitely.~ "How long will it take us?" Taylor asked, picking herself up from the place on the ground she sat down while Ailyn was talking. "Once Gora remembers the maps and founds a place, not long but getting through those guarding it will be hard. Gora will wait for you on your ship." "No, there's no way we're going to..." "You are welcome to stay on the ship, Gora, provided you help us with everything." Ailyn finished, chuckling on Taylor's furious face. "Gora will help. Show me the way." The trio called a vehicle for three this time, and even though with heavy disgust towards Gora, the driver accepted a larger sum of valute and dropped them at the outskirts of the city - as far as she could. There, only some walking were between them and their ship. This was proving to be rather easy mission so far, indeed no wonder General did not sent any more with them. It also seemed something done pretty quick. She wondered why would they sent thus in the first place, and not someone, or anyone else. Ailyn was bugged for the fact he chose not to add the rest of the mercenaries even to the ship, where they wouldn't be seen. She then remembered the test they had to do the last time, and more and more she was getting the impression that the General was testing them out for something. Perhaps he was looking for an intruder? Could that be possible at all? The trio slowly walked through the beautiful fields admiring the nature around them and the beautiful sight on the sky. (Reply: None) (Posted by: Lani) ----- (Chronus Four - Panacea - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1715) Gora asked the two to show her as much as possible about their race. This wasn't really considered a first contact situation because the General already made contact with Lavian government, acquiring and trading things between. At the same time, Ailyn found herself talking with Taylor more and more. The two shared many passions and hobbies, and both enjoyed each other's company. "Yeah, I woke up with tears on my fingertips. I have no clue how they got there." "Must've been some dream, huh. I never woke up with teary eyes." explained Ailyn. "More like a nightmare. I dreamt the eternal sea, waves crashing on the island I was on. The sun was shining high, and there were all flowers around, blossomed, beautiful. The waves followed my breathing, and soothed my mind. I felt at home, I felt so peaceful. But then, everything changed. The sea turned to blood, the sun was darkened, the flowers withered, the waves started crashing faster and irregular, and I could visibly see something tearing up the sky. I woke up a second later. I guess my eyes really disliked what they saw." Taylor made a face. "I believe all dreams have a meaning. It's our subconscious mind." explained Ailyn, wanting to go into further details about scientists proving this to be the case time and time again, but didn't want to make the two other occupants of Panacea extremely bored. "I don't really know. Last flash I remember was a light above, I know I moved my hands over my head, like I'm trying to protect it, and I felt everything is shaking. It took me few days to remember that part. I hope there's no explaination, I mean it's just a weird dream, right?" "May Gora get a swala tea?" asked the guest, seeing as Taylor and Ailyn both got themselves cups of coffee while they were talking. "Uh uh, I don't know how swala tea is made but..." "Do your kind drink tea?" Gora asked, the translator got a lot better, and was able to translate virtually anything. What it couldn't, it would simply not touch at all. "We drink lots of different teas. What's swala tea alike?" asked Taylor. "It... calms you. Gives you purpose. It's taste is very delicate. Last time I tasted it was so long ago, I barely remember the taste." Taylor looked at Ailyn, shrugging her shoulders. She had no idea what to do. Luckily, Ailyn had just a thing for Gora. The computer was set up just like on Federation ship - this was done on purpose, so both Ailyn and Taylor, with Federation training, could use the systems with least amount of learning. "Panacea, one cup of bergamot tea, medium temperature, double the sugar." Ailyn ordered. Without any kinds of sounds or other signals, the computer replicated the tea directly to the bridge beside the console that was near Ailyn. "Here you go, try this." said Ailyn passing the tea to Gora. Couple of seconds later, and Gora was enjoying the drink. It was obvious she likes it. "Is it anything like the swala tea?" Taylor asked "It is a little bit more... raw tasting. It is similar. Thank you." The main viewscreen, that took quite a big portion of the front wall on the bridge, started blinking and Panacea turned off it's engines. The scans beared fruit, finding the cave they needed to go. "We will never go deep enough with all the beasts guarding it." Gora was scared, understandably. "We will transport directly on the same level the artifact we found is."Taylor explained non-chalantly. "Transport?" but Gora of course did not understood. Lavians had high levels of technology, in some cases, higher then Federation, such as genome manipulation. However, they could not directly manipulate matter as easily as most of major powers of the known space could. "In simple terms, a transporter is a device capable of converting a person, or object, into an energy pattern, and then converting this energy patterns at a different place back into matter as needed." Ailyn gave a simple explaination to the device, it was common knowledge. "Gora is not good at technology. Does that hurt? What must I do?" Taylor jumped in before Ailyn could say something again. "No, it does not hurt and poses very little risk. It will... make you disappear here and make you reappear at another place, in a few seconds, like on several levels deeper then surface on the planet." "With your transport technology, we will skip majority of the beasts. This will aid us greatly." Gora said. They had to instruct Panacea to replicate another EV suit that fitted Gora, and all three got suited up, ready for the absence of air and any kinds of light. Only to be surprised yet again. (posted by Lani) ----- (Chronus Four - Unknown Ancient Structure - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1725) They got transported directly to some kind of a corridor. They expected caves, the scanners on board Panacea showed caves, however, everything around them looked more like some kind of a ship. It was an unknown design, and it looked very old. The bony ridges that were on the walls looked realistic, although judging how unified they looked like, it seemed more logical they were manufactured to look that way. The walls felt sticky. It was high humidity, and there definitely was breathable air. Despite the fact Gora took her helmet off, without being told, Ailyn insisted Taylor she shouldn't do the same thing. Instead, while the two were arguing that it was perfectly safe according to tri corder scans, Gora walked away through the corridor, into the next. When Taylor and Ailyn figured that out, they went after her, still with their full EV suits on. One corridor poured into another. Everything really looked the same, until they came upon opened doors. Taylor naturally peaked in first, showing only moments later that it is safe to Ailyn. Inside, in the center, Gora was standing with her hands touching some kind of stones, or something that looked that way, controlling what appeared to be some kind of machine capable of recording the images from Gora's mind. Specially the ones she grabbed reading about Humans. She then simply removed her hands from the position, turning towards the two woman. "How... what are you doing, Gora?" Taylor was without words, she had a phaser rifle in her hands pointed towards the figure in front of her. "That thing won't work here. You can remove your helmets, it is perfectly safe for your kind." "You will have to excuse us if we don't take your word for it." Taylor chuckled. "Ha ha, trust what you will." Gora laughed. "You're not really Lavian, aren't you?" Ailyn caught enough courage to ask the creature in front of her. In a quick flash of light, almost blinding Ailyn, Gora was no more. Instead, an arachnoid looking creature with deep black skin stood in front of the two. It's single eye on it's face pointed towards Ailyn, and it's forward legs being moved up to act as clumsy hands. "I was surprised it took you so long, human." the creature said, speaking in a language that both could understood - with or without universal translator. "We have you on our aim, so why don't you..." Taylor were trying to coerce the creature into obedience. "Like I said, that thing will not work in here. You can try, but you should know I set up energy dampening fields calibrated for your weapons." said the creature, visibly amused by Taylor's approach to a situation. "What race are you? Why are you here?" Ailyn asked in a friendly tone, trying to shed some light into a situation. "Why are YOU here?" the creature asked, "Did you really believed there was such a device capable of creating races or modifying them lying there for your taking?" Ailyn opened her mouths trying to answer, but Taylor bumped her in the shoulder, moving her head left to right, trying to tell her to say nothing to the creature. "Yes, we were sent for the device." Ailyn explained, despite Taylor's silent protests. "Interesting." the creature exclaimed. "So that's it? You brought us here so you can be interested in the reasons we came on the planet?" Ailyn just couldn't keep her voice down and her opinion for herself. "I have learned a great deal from you. Your minds were opened for my reading. Even now, you can hear my words without me speaking them. I have satisfied my curiosity. Since you were friendly so far, I shall satisfy your curiosity as well. I see your race are explorers, always striving for something more. Our race was like that as well, until we met a force we could not deal with. What you were sent wasn't any kind of device. The only thing on this side of the planet is my ship. The Lavians are my creation, one of the many races I did." "Why are you creating races?" Ailyn asked interested. "I am simply trying to find my way home. It is difficult to explain with your language. Only by understanding how was I made could I finally return home to rest." "So you justify taking so many Lavians and doing experiments to them?" "I did what was necessary. But they were always brought back, and they would never remember anything I did here. I would heal their wounds, give them new faces, new names and put them back. I would make them happier in their lives as a gift for helping me." "What did you really do with the Lavian males? Where are they?" "They never existed. I gave them limited technology enough to shield themselves, and create a society. A society based on similar technology I started with. It did not take them very long to do the same mistakes. But by following them, I could remember and learn from my own. The resources were never an issue, and they were cared for." "So, what exactly happens now?" Taylor finally spoke. "I am at a difficult situation. I never wanted it to come to this. You now know about me, and then since you were sent here, others will eventually be sent as well." the creature moved a bit, activating his stone-like consoles on the sides. "Perhaps if you allow me to give you one final answer to the questions that were troubling you, as a farewell gift." the creature explained, turning his eye towards Taylor at first. "The answer is yes." creature said and Taylor looked to the floor, finally moving her rifle away, she looked lost in her thoughts. "And you..." ~My feelings... I have constant feeling... that my father is alive.~ she could not think of anything else at the moment. It was as if her thoughts had mind of their own. "Ah yes, fear not in knowing you are correct." the creature said looking at Ailyn, then it finally turned away towards his monitor. Everything around them started to shake. "Do not be afraid, you will, in time, remember the gifts I have given you, and only them." "I am sorry, but I can't have you remember any of this. And this planet cannot exist any more. I am so sorry." "Please, do not destroy..." Ailyn started, but she could never finish the sentence. (posted by Lani) ----- (Dinamede 3 System - CMO Ensign (sg) Ailyn Andersen - Day 7 - 1330) Ailyn opened her eyes to see Taylor right in front of her face, their lips touching each other's. Taylor smiled innocently, her cheeks blushing. Ailyn felt uneasy, as she couldn't quite remember anything up to this point. "Taylor..." "I know I know, I shouldn't take advantage of your cute face, but you didn't seem to mind, so I continued." she explained, smiling positively. "What just happened?" Ailyn asked Taylor with wide opened eyes. "How do you mean... oh, well if it will make you feel better if we put it into words... we were talking over the meal, and we both agreed we like each other, and you started daydreaming, closing your eyes, obviously waiting for my kiss. So I, you know, kinda took advantage of that face." explained Taylor, trying to understand if she screwed everything once again. "What are we doing in this system?" Ailyn asked persistantly. "Uh, the General told us to check some kind of planet with some kind of device, but it was a wild goose chase. We went there, and there wasn't any kind of planet orbiting the stars. Since we have so much time, if you remember, we thought about spending it together." "Are you okay, Ailyn?" Taylor finally asked. "Yeah, yeah. I'm.. I'm fine. Can we just jump back and let the General know we found nothing?" "Yeah... I guess we could." Taylor spoke with a sad voice, "I'll set up Panacea in a second." Taylor said, picking herself up, ignoring Ailyn that was trying to speak something. (Reply: None) (Posted by: Lani) ----- (SB Geneva, Observation Lounge, Captain Sanok, Day 7, 1914) Sanok stood looking at the Rosenante as it was being repaired and refitted inside the huge space dock on the starbase. Once his work for the day was finished, and it still surprised him how much there was, he found that going to the lounge and simply watching, was something agreeable to him. Two days had passed since Matrix, Jackson, and Scudder had gone to search for Signos and C'nell. The rescue team had sent reports several times each day, but since they were still almost another day away from where the missing crew had been last seen, there was little to say. Signos was a survivor. Short of an outright fatal accident or deadly attack, he knew she would be alive somewhere. He did not know C'nell much, but he was certain he would be alive as well. At least that was what a commanding officer had to think. Earlier that day, he had received a recorded communique from Ben. He and Marah had arrived safely on Earth and were having a wonderful time. Sanok could see the joy in his friend's eyes, but Ben had also let him know that he missed Starfleet. What he was going to do was still undecided, but there was still time. Life had many lessons each person had to learn, and one of them was that it continued, no matter what else happened. Life was change, no matter how much anyone wanted it to stay the same. One met people, and if fortunate enough, they enriched one's life. Often, those people moved onward, never to be seen again. Sanok sighed inwardly. Lessons were disagreeable, too many times. (reply none) (posted by Bob B.) ----- (SB Geneva, Observation Lounge, Captain Sanok, Day 8, 0702) It was three days after the rescue team had left to search for Signos and C'nell. Sanok, who normally slept well, had found himself awake for much of the night. Vulcans were able to function on little sleep, so he was all right that morning, but he had spent much of the time in meditation instead. He did not know when, but he anticipated a good report some time that day. While watching the engineering crews working on the Rose, he saw a reflection in the window of someone familiar. The person stopped next to him. "Do you know how much longer it's going to be before they're finished?" "No." "I was hoping to be able to see you off, but I suppose it was unrealistic to expect that much battle damage would be fixed in a week." "You're leaving the base?" "Yes. I have business elsewhere. Profit waits for no man." "I thought it was, opportunity waits for no man." "I like my way better." Bral. What would the Grand Nagus say if he heard you?" "Who's going to tell him?" Sanok did not respond. He certainly wasn't going to tell. "How have you been doing, Sanok?" Normally, Sanok wouldn't have participated in a personal conversation like this, but he had gotten to know Bral. He was 100% Ferengi, but he was also sincere about certain things, one being his relationship with Sanok. "I am well." Sanok could see the reflection of a smirk on Bral's face. "My connections tell me you'll be leaving in no more than a week. In case we don't see each other again, I wanted to say good-bye and wish you well." Sanok looked at Bral, studying his face. The Ferengi was very adept at acquiring information, so it was probably accurate that the Rose would be leaving in the time frame Bral stated. The most disturbing thing was, that Bral knew and Sanok did not. Though Sanok had a friendly relationship with Bral, he had not expected that it was so meaningful to Bral to make it a point to say good-bye. If it were another Ferengi, Sanok would be suspicious that something was in the works, or that there was an ulterior motive. Again, Bral was sincere. "Thank you, Bral." Sanok held up his hand in the famous Vulcan gesture. "May you live long and acquire many profits." Bral burst into a raucous laugh. "I truly hope we meet again, Sanok." He nodded and headed off. Sanok was quite sure their paths would cross again one day. (reply none) (posted by Bob B.) ----- (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 0723) Jessica had been up for a few hours, the morning was cool and she sat on a rocky outcropping sipping on some warm water out of something that resembled a coconut husk. She looked into the distance at a storm in the distance she had been watching the storm since she waked. C'Nell still slept or seemed to be sleeping. In the hours she watched the storm she knew the bad weather was coming toward them. Jessica knew some of bad weather being raised in the lightning capital of Earth, Florida. She saw C'Nell walking toward her. "I don't think we are going to miss that." She spoke of the storm, "It cam in on us during the night and now it's to close to escape the coming weather." She looked and the rolling thick black clouds the wind was already increasing, and it whistled though the trees. She looked back into the mountain, knowing what C'Nell was thinking She shook her head. "We don't have time to reach the shuttle. If we get caught in the mountain we will be at the mercy of flash floods. No our best bet for survival is to in the woods close to the beach, and hope Someone is out there looking for us." She watched the wall of water close the distance to the beachhead. (reply C'Nell) (posted by Matt) ----- (Camp Site-ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-Day 8, 0730) "We don't have time to reach the shuttle. If we get caught in the mountain we will be at the mercy of flash floods. No our best bet for survival is to in the woods close to the beach, and hope Someone is out there looking for us." Jessica said C'Nell thought for a few moments "I guess your right" (posted by Nathan) ----- (Camp site ASO Ensign (jg) Thomas C'Nell-Day 8, 0921) The preparations where pretty much done there wasn't much they could do but they wrapped up supplies, C'Nell had tied up the scientific samples he had taken and he was taking out a phaser rifle for two reasons; a signal or just to warn off the animals. Signos had already taken cover. "Its only going to get worse" Jessica shouted over from her ditch. "I know but I must finish this" he shouted back as sand whipped up distracting him from the tree that was about to fall. Jessica's body collided with his and he was sent sprawling out of the way, the tree fell on her and trapped her leg. He came over to her "is it broken? sprained?" (Reply Signos) After doing what he could to make sure the leg wouldn't get any worse. He thought for a few moments he couldn't use the phaser it might do more damage but then he had the perfect idea. A couple of days ago when he was doing his research his tricorder had recorded a tree clinging creature spitting out an enzyme to eat into a tree. He had kept a sample of the enzyme for further analysis, he theorized that if he applied this enzyme to the tree it would eat through it, it was one of the most powerful he had seen but it would still take an hour or more to weaken the bark sufficiently as to get Jessica out. He went to the crate and took out the small dish. "Jessica I am going to apply the enzyme I found, it will take a long time but its our only option I cant lift the tree, now if anyone is looking for us they will be trying the shuttle and if they find us not there, they wont search this far out unless we attract their attention. We cant light a fire in the storm. Your a tactical officer, is there anyway we can lock the phaser into an automatic fire without running it down so we could fire it upwards to attract there attention? Or is there another way?" (Reply Signos) (Posted by Nathan) ----- (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 0925) "Is it broken? sprained?" C'Nell yelled over the storm. "I don't know." Jessica yelled to him. She screamed trying to move trying to take a measure of how bad her leg was. The water from the beach was starting to reach their position. C'Nell moved to get something from their supplies. When he returned he spoke. "Jessica I am going to apply the enzyme I found, it will take a long time but its our only option I cant lift the tree, now if anyone is looking for us they will be trying the shuttle and if they find us not there, they wont search this far out unless we attract their attention. We cant light a fire in the storm. Your a tactical officer, is there anyway we can lock the phaser into an automatic fire without running it down so we could fire it upwards to attract there attention? Or is there another way?" She yelled. "Yes, set the phaser to emit a low energy burst, the range should be enough to let someone know our position with causing harm, the problem is in this storm they wont be able to pick it up on senors till they are close to the island." She continued to fight the fallen tree, fire and pain burning though her leg. (reply C'Nell) (posted by Matt) ----- (Camp Site - ATAC Ensign(sg) Jessica Signos, Day 8, 1027) The pounding of the storm continued, every inch of Jessica was soaked. The water continued to rise C'Nell had done a wonderful job reinforcing the small area that they held up in but soon the small rise of earth they hid behind was gonna be over run the by the ever increasing flow of water. Again another tornado passes by their area sending debris in all direction. Between the enzyme and Jessica doing her best to dig herself out from under the fallen tree. Fate had finally smiled and her trapped leg came free. "C'Nell," She screamed. "We need to move to higher ground." Has to make her point water flooded over the small rise that protected them drenching Jessica. The water receded slightly and Jessica gasp filling her breath with air. Thomas was by her side then and he helped lift her and together they made their way deeper into the woods. Trees broke the wind, and shielded from the rain. But instead limbs fell from trees making the hazards of the woods known. Then silence the sky cleared, birds chirped, and all calmed. "We need to find an other area to hold down in, the storm will start anew." Jessica spoke taking the time to examine her leg. The area where the tree landed was black, blue, and the swelling was starting build. She looked at C'Nell a quizzical look on her face. "This storm, is similar to hurricanes on earth, I was born in an area where such storms were normal. We are in the eye of the storm. I will be fine." She knew he would be concerned about her leg. True it hurt like hell, but it could be worse. She did not think it was broken, multiple small fractures maybe, a near break but not complete. She figured that her leg was suffering from internal bleeding which would complicate things but those they would worry about after the storm. A few minutes later the storm started a new, hell bent on finishing what it started. (posted by Matt) ----- (Runabout Rubicon LCDR Tom Jackson 1100) Tom dropped the Rubicon out of warp speed navigation system indicated they work at the last known position of their crew mates Tom Jackson turned to Steve Matrix and asked " Any sign of an emergency transponder signal?" (Reply: Steve) Tom turned to the doctor and asked" are you ready? I have a gut feeling we are, close " !! (Reply Doc) The rescue was simple search!? for any transponder signatures on likely habitable planets. There were several possibilities. Tom hoped his crew mates could hang on till they found them. (Reply: Any) (Posted by: Bill W.) ----- (Runabout Rubicon LCDR Steven Matrix, 1110) Tom's prowess at the helm was unmatched. He dropped the Rubicon out of warp and pivoted the ship within meters of the crew's last known position. Matrix beamed with Tom's ability to fly a craft. ~Nicely done.~ he thought. " Any sign of an emergency transponder signal?" asked Tom. "No...nothing...wait! Yes!" said Matrix staring into the sensor screen. "Yes...second M class ahead. Looks like the far side of the planet." continued Matrix. "Doctor...heavy weather on the planet according to the sensors. We should be able to put down near their position." said Matrix. "Tom should we try hailing them?" asked Matrix. (Reply Jackson, Scudder) (Posted by Steve) ----- (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Tom Jackson Day 8 1120) Tom considered Steve’s suggestion to try and contact the missing pair . " Why not, we have nothing to lose by trying" Jackson admitted, (Reply: Any in the Rubicon) Tom waited, first for a reply. Nothing -silence, Tom once had been told, could be deafening! It sure was in this case. The lack of response was beginning to worry Tom. The three man I only have the other . The silence seemed to last forever. At last Jackson suggested setting up an automated calk to try and locate the missing crew. "We've got some time Steve can you setup an automated calls, so if we're heard and a reply is generated we can be alerted?" Tom asked his friend . (Reply: Steve ) (Posted by: Bill W.) ----- (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Steven Matrix, 1O/CEO - Day 8, 1125) Steve tried hailing the two missing crew members and waited. Simple static filled the comm channel, but they listened intently nonetheless. A few moments passed and Matrix expanded the frequency range and rechecked the transmission strength. He tried hailing again, but nothing was heard. "We've got some time Steve can you setup an automated calls, so if we're heard and a reply is generated we can be alerted?" Said Jackson. "Great idea Tom. I can have the communications channel open an alert tone if it detects a response. I've also increased the frequency range of our transmission, but we had been transmitting on known Star Fleet channels. Hopefully we're just out of range." replied Matrix. Steve made the adjustments to the channel communications matrix and set the hail to repeat every 5 minutes. The computer would alert them if they received a reply. Matrix turned his chair back to the forward position and resumed scanning. "Okay the computer will send out an automated hail every 5 minutes and alert us if it detects any replies." said Matrix as he looked back at his scanning monitor. "This is interesting...." said Matrix. (Reply Jackson, Scudder) "The sensor array has picked up a faint impulse signature. It could be nothing more than an echo from anything other than our crew mates, but it appears to track to the third planet up ahead. The impulse trace is distorted by the magnetic field of the planet and appears to be several days old...I can't discern anymore detail than that at this distance. I suggest we take orbit and see if we can't get a better look at things. We should be able to make orbit in about 25 minutes at our current speed." continued Matrix. (Reply Jackson, Scudder) (Posted by Steve) ----- (Runabout Rubicon, LCDR Steven Matrix, 1O/CEO - Day 8, 1151) Following impulse trace to the third planet the Rubicon entered a standard orbit. Within a few moments Matrix centered the runabout's scanners on a life form reading on the far continent. "I've got life form readings...human and Vulcan. I think we found them!" said Matrix. (Reply Jackson, Scudder) "I'm not sure Doctor. Can you access the secondary scanner station in the port bay. I'll forward the sensor reading over." replied Matrix. (Reply Scudder) "Tom, can you take us over the sensor spike? I'll continue to hail them as we descend." asked Matrix. "Tom, Paul...we may have a problem. Looks like a severe storm in their vicinity. Scanners are showing high winds. Indications are possible tornado activity." continued Matrix. (Reply Jackson) (Posted by Steve) ----- (Runabout Rubicon, Lt. Tom Jackson, 2O/CSEC - Day 8, 1155) Tom listened closely as Steve shouted "I've got life form readings...human and Vulcan. I think we found them!" said Matrix. "Hot dog " Ton replied and he guided the runabout to the location as Steve asked him to head that way . Steve then added a sobering caution " "Tom, Paul...we may have a problem. Looks like a severe storm in their vicinity. Scanners are showing high winds. Indications are possible tornado activity." Tom swore in vintage Ferengi "Steve, lets risk it and get them. I'll need your help with flight controls" Tom urged. (Reply: Steve) Tom dropped them carefully down through the atmosphere. The buffeting worsened ad they neared the site. (Reply: Not Needed) (Posted by: Bill W.)