The Third Law - Compile #8 - 21st - 27th March 2011 ========================= Mission: The Third Law Day: 8 Stardate: 2414.03.22 ========================= (USS Rosenante - Ready Room- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1136) (USS Rosenante - Main Engineering, CEO Lieutenant Commander Steven Matrix, Day 8- 1138, 1142) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1139) (USS Rosenante - Bridge-CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma- 1140) (USS Rosenante - Captain's Ready Room - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1141) (USS Rosenante - Captain's Ready Room, Lieutenant sg Sanok, Day 8, 1143) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1145) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - Lieutenant sg Sanok - Day 8 - 1147) (USS Rosenante – Bridge – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1148) (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma - 1149) (USS Rosenante – Bridge- LT Chance Raschen - 1211) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 8 - 1316) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office - Lt Jg Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 - 1320) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office - CMO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 8 - 1323) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office -aCMO Lieutenant JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 - 1324) (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters- Marah Neru- 1400) (USS Rosenante – Bridge – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan - 1432) (USS Rosenante – Bridge – CO – Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1435, 1437) (USS Rosenante – Bridge- LT Chance Raschen - 1436) (USS Rosenante – Ready Room – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1447) (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1715) (USS Rosenante - Signos' Quarters - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1740) (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1744) (USS Rosenante - Signos' Quarters - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1748) ========================= (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1136) Ahmed hated waiting, and even worse than waiting he hated trying to determine a course of action when there were two solid conflicting arguments to give credibility to both of them. In this case, the Prime Directive and his own moral code. And to make matters worse, he couldn't just order everyone to go to the planet that was threatened and undertake an away mission to see if they could find even a small shred of evidence that would even allow them to help the inhabitants in the first place. And then there was the other problem, what would they do if they did discover that the inhabitants were eligible for their assistance? They'd never be able to get enough federation starship's here to evacuate the planet's few billion people. likewise deviating the planet enough to prevent a shift wasn't going to be possible without months of work and a great deal more power than the Rosenante or even a hundred ships like her could muster. Ahmed stood looking out of the window of his ready room, regarding the small sliver of the rogue planet as the mighty starship orbited it. It was hard to believe that this 1600-mile diameter ball of stone and dirt could be the end of a world six times or more it's size. From here it looks so serene and so innocent of any wrong-doing, yet if left unmolested, it would bring about the potential extinction of an entire sentient species. The Captain turned his gaze upwards, away from the crescent of the small planetoid and squinted off into the distance, perhaps a little hopeful that he'd be able to see the shining orb that was the word that this terraformed rock was sailing towards. That was hopeless, although he could admittedly distinguish the entangled pair of stars that comprised the binary parents of that star system. He grimaced as he considered his options, and what path he would have to personally take during the current crisis. The enunciator to his ready room door chimed, and Ahmed quickly assumed a neutral expression as the door slid open. now was not the time to let any members of his crew see him having second thoughts about their current situation. He turned slowly, almost lazily to see who had entered. he was not surprised to see that his visitor was Counselor Davis. The counselor wasted no time, getting to the point of his visit, but it was probably more because they both already knew why he was here. Davis reached out and handed him a PADD as he stepped up to the desk. Ahmed accepted it readily. "The list of those going, Sir. I received several offers from additional officers in the past few minutes, including Lt. Tamblyn and Lt. Frasier." The counselor shifted his weight slightly. "I also volunteer my own presence, Sir. I believe it's essential to have someone down there who can psychologically analyze this culture. We need to know whether they may eventually pose a threat to the Federation, but we also need to know if they've been influenced by another culture in the past. While technological and scientific studies may be able to do both of those things to a certain point, a behavioral analyst will be able to determine it with more precision." Ahmed resisted the temptation of looking immediately at the list of officers going on the mission. instead, he placed the PADD on his desk and gave Davis a single nod of understanding. "I'm glad, Mister Davis," Ahmed said in response, "I was hoping you'd be available to give me advise during the mission. I'm going to need it, once we get down there, and the very fact that you are opposed to the mission itself is a perfect reason that you should go along. I will review the PADD and we will put together the away team. Please see what you can do to help people prepare. That will be all counselor." (reply Davis iyw) Once the counselor had left, Ahmed turned back towards the window of his ready room. "Salid to bridge" he said as he tapped his commbadge. (reply Sullivan) "Mister Sullivan, recall all current away teams currently on the surface of the rogue planet. Once they are aboard, activate the HISS system and set a course to the inhabited planet at warp 7." (reply Sullivan) He closed the channel, turned over the PADD on his desk and scanned the list before tapping his badge again. "Salid to Sanok, Soma, Signos, Matrix and O'Neill, report to my ready room for a pre-away team briefing." (reply Sanok, Signos, Soma, O'Neill, Matrix) Once he received his acknowledgments, he closed the channel and opened another one this time to the medical department. "Salid to Caskie and Frasier" (reply Caskie, Frasier) "Doctors, I need you to make any preliminary preparations that you can in anticipation of performing cosmetic alteration surgery to all the members of the away team. Currently there are nine members of the away team, including myself. I would like for you to prepare for as many as 12 possible members. All are human with the exception of Doctor Frasier and Sanok." (reply Caskie, Frasier) "Very well, I'll send a list down shortly. And I do understand that there will need to be adjustments made once we get closer to the planet and gather more information. Thank you Doctors, Salid out." (reply Davis, Sullivan, Sanok, Signos, Soma, O'Neill, Frasier, Caskie, Matrix) Daniel Greene -------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Main Engineering, CEO Lieutenant Commander Steven Matrix, Day 8- 1138) Matrix had been detailing his away tasks and preliminarily packing for the mission. Three PADDs, two Tricorders, two field kits, emergency rations, two auxilary battery packs, a Mark IV hand phaser, a Mark VI palm phaser, testing kit, field knife, digial recorder, extra communicator, field first aid kit and one large backpack all neatly arranged in his desk. Matrix stood behind his desk looking everything over. "Salid to Sanok, Soma, Signos, Matrix and O'Neill, report to my ready room for a pre-away team briefing." "Matrix acknowledged Captain." replied Matrix. (USS Rosenante- Ready Room, CEO Lieutenant Commander Steven Matrix, Day 8- 1142) Matrix arrived within a few minutes to the Captain's ready room. "Good afternoon Captain" said Matrix as he took a seat at the table. (Reply Salid) "Very well sir, thank you. We're fully operational, some minor repairs ongoing." replied Matrix. (Reply Salid - IYW) (Posted by Steve) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1139) When the Captain called over the comm system, Eian was already en route to the Ready Room. He had completed research on civilizations that had made contact with a warp-capable species, and how it influenced their technological development. He wanted to discuss the results with the captain. He didn't know if this meeting would be a good time, but he thought with the audience selected--Security and Engineering, it was going to be a fairly receptive crowd. "Sir," Eian greeted when he was granted entrance to the ready room. (reply Salid, others) (posted by Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Bridge-CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma- 1140) Ben was at the tactical station wondering how he was going to explain everything to Marah once his shift ended, she wasn't going to be happy with his decision. The Captain had asked for volunteers this time around so he couldn't make the argument that he was following orders, he made the choice and now he would have to deal with the consequences of that choice. He couldn't stay on the ship while his friends and co-workers put their lives on the line, it wasn't his way. He also couldn't sit idly by while another civilization was in danger of becoming extinct, if there was a way to help he had to try. From the briefing it was apparent that most of the senior officers felt the same. Captain Salid was conflicted, torn between duty and morals, it was the only way Ben could explain the way he handled the briefing. He knew the Captain wanted to help as much as anyone else but he couldn't do so because of his obligations, the Captain had more to lose then the rest of them. Just then the Captain's voice caught his attention. =/\=Salid to Sanok, Soma, Signos, Matrix and O'Neill, report to my ready room for a pre-away team briefing.=/\= Ben tapped his commbadge. "On my way Captain." He said stepping away from tactical as another officer took his place. He crossed the bridge and when he was at the ready room door he reached out and thumbed the door chime, after receiving permission to enter the doors opened and he stepped inside. "Captain." He said as he moved to stand in front of the Captain's desk. He wondered how many of them would be going down to the planet, what would they find when they arrived. The civilization was pre-warp and it would be Ben's first opportunity to observe a race in that stage of their development. He had read files from previous mission dealing with such studies but to be able to do it himself was something different, he sincerely hoped they would be able to find something that would allow them to intervene. The Prime Directive was developed for a reason but there were times when he almost wished it hadn't. These missions put a lot of stress on those involved and it only took a small misstep to spell disaster. (reply Salid, any in attendance) (posted by Milo Young) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Captain's Ready Room - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1141) Jessica made her way to the captain's ready room has soon has she had heard the call. Jessica entered the room to stand next to those already gathered. She knew just by looking that this was a select group, she was sure there was more you had volunteered to go planet side than this. Jessica was curious on what the captain was going to outline what there mission was. Most of the people gathered had some kind of tactical knowledge. It was a fact that was not lost on the Section 31 assassin. Jessica stood next to Eian waiting for the captain to start the briefing. She was a good deal shorter than the rest of the gathered. Jessica was sure if the rest of the gathered had not already seen the kind of devastation the young girl could cause. It was a advantage she was sure she could bring to the unexpected people of the planet they were soon to visit. Jessica hoped that she could just her talents and her smaller form to get closer to the native people and learn from them. Has an assassin she knew how to emulate groups of people, how to blend in and disappear in a crowd. Jessica listened has the captain began to speak. (reply any in the briefing) (posted by Matthew Locke) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante, Captain's Ready Room, Lieutenant sg Sanok, Day 8, 1143) Sanok was now in Captain Salid's ready room with Ben and Matrix, waiting for the others that were summoned, to arrive. Prior to that, he had been in his office, making adjustments to the schedules for security duties, since he would be gone for an indeterminate amount of time. Sanok had a meeting with his shift leaders, leaving instructions for drills and special training, though his people knew their jobs. He supposed it was for his own benefit, that knowing things would be in good hands while he was away, he would be able to concentrate fully on the task at hand. Information on the planet they were approaching was sparse, so there wasn't really much available for him to study. Though it was unusual to have a mission briefing in the ready room, Sanok presumed they would learn what was necessary. He wondered how much cosmetic alterations would be required for them to appear as natives of the planet. Sanok and Ben hadn't spoken, but he knew his friend well enough to know that he was thinking about Marah and how she would be feeling about him volunteering for a mission that could be dangerous. Necessary orders were one thing, but this mission was strictly on a volunteer basis. Marah would most certainly have a thing or three to say about it. If the situation weren't so serious, Sanok would have picked on his friend over it. There was an uneasy silence filling the room, and apart from the usual pleasantries, no one was saying anything. This one must be difficult on Salid, though Sanok still disagreed with the decision. It wouldn't be difficult at all for them to nudge the rogue planet enough to cause it to miss the planet ahead. It was smaller than the moon of Earth, and it was far enough away, that it wouldn't take much of a trajectory change at all to cause it to miss. The longer they waited to do something, the more difficult the task would be. Sanok hoped everything would work out. Billions of lives were the price if they didn't. (reply any iyw) (posted by Bob) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Ready Room- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 8- 1145) Once all the officers had assembled in his ready room, Ahmed wasted little time in giving them instructions. "First of all, I'd like to thank you all for volunteering for the away mission. It was my opinion that this wasn't the sort of mission that I should order people to undertake considering the potential ramifications. That said, I appreciate the fact that you all have decided to join me on this mission." He began. "We will be reaching the inhabited planet in roughly two days, in that much time, I need a great many things done and the bulk of that is going to fall to those of you in this room." He allowed his gaze to sweep over the assembled officers as he spoke. "Because of the unknown state of the inhabitants technological development, once we have the data we need, I am going to need the engineering team, Commander Matrix and Lieutenant O'Neill to figure out a good means by which we can conceal the majority of our equipment. Among the items that we will need to conceal will be our communicators and tricorders. It is imperative that we do not give any indications to the inhabitants that we have them." "Along that line," he continued, now turning his attention towards the tactical and security team, "Mister Soma, Sanok and Signos will need to come up with a means to keep us secure without phasers or beam weapons of any sort. The chance that something like that being discovered could upset the balance of power on the planet in ways we can not even imagine. That said, we'll be going into the situation with minimal equipment and technology." He nodded to them all. "Mister O'Neill, I want you to liaise with Commander Caskie and Doctor Frasier, and see to it that they take the bare minimum of medical equipment and that the equipment that they take is very well concealed. I don't want to limit our medical support or our ability to uncover data any more than is necessary." Mister Tamblyn and his science teams will be gathering details about clothing, language and the like, but if these people are pre-radio, we may not be able to pre-program the universal translators before our departure. So that is something we will need to have ready. I am considering allowing Mister Rosenbauer to beam down to the planet first to establish for us a base of operations, and to predetermine the phonetic patterns for our UTs. I have not yet decided upon that aspect of the mission yet." "Counselor Davis will be accompanying us on the away mission, and I will be appointing him as our Away Team second in command. I think his psychology and social observational skills will be critical. I will be leading the away team." He paused to let that last bit sink in. "Once we have beamed down to the surface, after our cosmetic alterations, The Rosenante will be breaking orbit to continue their study of the rogue planet under the command of Commander Sullivan, Mister Xim and Lieutenant Raschen." "I will need engineering to come up with a stealthy means by which we can relay our commbadge communications to the ship at that distance. Perhaps a cloaked communications relay satellite? Feel free for your departments to work together on these tasks, but realize that the goal here is minimal, if not complete lack of technological exposure to the natives of this world." He paused. "Questions or comments?" (reply Sanok, Soma, Signos, O'Neill, Matrix) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - Lieutenant sg Sanok - Day 8 - 1147) "That said, I appreciate the fact that you all have decided to join me on this mission," said Salid. Sanok did a double take. Join me? The captain was going on this away mission? That was highly out of the ordinary. Sanok considered objecting, but it was logical that Commander Sullivan already had, and it did no good. Salid was certainly set on this decision, and nothing would change his mind. "Mister Soma, Sanok, and Signos, will need to come up with a means to keep us secure without phasers or beam weapons of any sort. The chance that something like that being discovered, could upset the balance of power on the planet in ways we cannot even imagine. That said, we'll be going into the situation with minimal equipment and technology." Sanok did not like the idea of not being allowed to have energy weapons. He understood what could happen if one of the natives acquired one, but energy weapons were nowhere near the main risk of cultural contamination that could happen. From the back of his mind, he remembered a fictional story from Earth called, The Butterfly Effect. "Captain," said Sanok. "It is important for us to learn the types of weapons native to the people, and their laws, customs, and traditions regarding the carry and use of them. We may then be able to bring some sort of weaponry with us. As an example, perhaps a stun baton, disguised as a common item of the day. If they carry knives or daggers, we would need the design to make ours appear native. In short, sir, we will not be able to resolve this matter until we have more information about the people." The briefing continued. "Counselor Davis will be accompanying us on the away mission, and I will be appointing him as our away team second-in-command. I think his psychology and social observational skills will be critical. I will be leading the away team," said Salid. That confirmed it. Captain Salid was going against standard procedure to lead the away mission. Again, Sanok considered objecting, but it would have done no good. Besides, he understood the captain's reasons. The briefing went on, and Salid left room for the team members to ask questions. Sanok had already asked about local weapons, so he remained silent, waiting to see if any of the others had anything to say. (reply any at briefing) (posted by Bob B.) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1148) The Captain was in his Ready Room, presumably to be alone with his thoughts, and Sullivan was on the Bridge in the center seat. Her mind was two places at once. One half was analizing the status reports and memorandums that normally came into the bridge. The other was thinking on what was going to happen when Star Fleet called her up. The official letter from Star Fleet told her that she would be send another communiqué with the same clearance level telling her where and how to report. She’d ask Rosenbaur what to expect if she thought for a moment that he could actually tell her what was going on. =^= Salid to bridge. =^= “Commander Sullivan here.” She responded. =^= Mister Sullivan, recall all current away teams currently on the surface of the rogue planet. Once they are aboard, activate the HISS system and set a course to the inhabited planet at warp 7. =^= “Understood.” Sullivan replied simply. As the channel closed T’Larah opened another channel to the planet. “Rosenante to all away team leaders. Pack it up. Finish all sample taking that will take no more than ten minutes. Anything else abort and pack everything up. I want all away teams on-board with all equipment no later than thirty minutes from time,” she looked at the chronometer, “now. Report in with acknowledgement.” =^= Alpha team acknowledges. =^= =^= Bravo team acknowledges. =^= =^= Delta team acknowledges. =^= “Call in when your entire team is aboard or if you are delayed long enough to not meet the deadline.” She added. “Rosenante out.” (Reply any, but none required.) (Posted by Todd) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Ready Room - CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma - 1149) Once all the officers were present the Captain wasted no time getting to the briefing, Ben was surprised to learn that Salid planned to join the away team. He listed what he wanted each of them to do and the fact they couldn't carry energy weapons disturbed him somewhat. But he remained professional about it and didn't let that concern show, after all he was highly trained in martial arts and could use many things for weapons, if the natives didn't posses energy weapons they should remain relatively safe. "Captain," said Sanok. "It is important for us to learn the types of weapons native to the people, and their laws, customs, and traditions regarding the carry and use of them. We may then be able to bring some sort of weaponry with us. As an example, perhaps a stun baton, disguised as a common item of the day. If they carry knives or daggers, we would need the design to make ours appear native. In short, sir, we will not be able to resolve this matter until we have more information about the people." When the Sanok had finished Ben spoke up "Captain if I may." Ben said. (reply Salid) "Your the least expendable member of the crew and we are going into the unknown here." Ben stated. "Should the unthinkable happen and we become stranded your decision to lead the mission would put Commander Sullivan in a very difficult position, she may face a court marshal for allowing you to participate. Are you certain this is the best course of action to be taking?" (reply Salid) "Understood Sir." Ben replied. "I'll begin working on the problem once we finish the breifing, Lieutenant Sanok, Ensign Signos and myself will give it our complete attention for the remainder of the voyage." He looked to Sanok and Jessica for their approval and allowed the others to have their say. (reply Salid, any present) (presented by Milo Young) --------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge- LT Chance Raschen - 1211) Chance sat at his the Operations Station working on some of the preliminary work for forthcoming away mission as well as some stuff for the away mission on the rogue planet when the new arrival walked to his side and said “Excuse me, Lieutenant Raschen is it?” Raschen held up a finger as a sign of ‘I acknoledge your presents, just give me a second and I will be right with you’. Once he finished hitting the last few commands he needed, he turned to her and replied “Yes, I’m Chance Raschen.” Tayla held out her hand and said, “Lieutenant Fraiser; pleasure.” Raschen stood up and shook her hand, “Nice to meet you; what can I do for you?” Tayla smiled and said, “Captain Salid suggested you're the man to speak to about finding a bed for the night.” Raschen raised an eyebrow and tilted his head for a moment before replying. “Hold on just a second.” He said as he leaned over his console and began punching in commands. Chance sent the info to the padd he noticed in her hands “I got you set up on Deck 8 just a couple doors down from the Lifeboats. I sent detailed information to the padd you got there.” He finished pointing to her hand. (Reply Fraiser iyw) The ex-Privateer just nodded at her and smiled politely as he sat back down and went back to work. (Reply Fraiser iyw, but none needed) (Posted by Charlie) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay - CMO's Office - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 8 - 1316) Josh was working her way through her never ending stack of padds when a light tap on her door caught her attention. Looking up she smiled at the younger woman standing there and waited for her to speak. "Commander Caskie?" Josh nodded. "I am. What can I do for you Lieutenant?" She watched as the woman entered the office and extended her hand. "Lieutenant Tayla Fraiser, reporting in, Ma'am." Josh shook the outstretched hand and smiled. "Ah yes, you're my new ACMO. Welcome aboard Lt Fraiser, please have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Would you care for something to drink?" (Reply Fraiser) Josh brought the drinks back over to her desk and sat down. "I take it that you have already reported in to either the Captain or the FO. Have you been assigned your quarters yet?" (Reply Fraiser) Josh nodded. "Good. Then I suggest that after we are finished here you take the rest of today to settle in and get acquainted with the ship because as of 0800 sharp tomorrow morning I shall expect you here ready for the Grand Tour, and believe me it is a very grand tour. This is a large ship and a large Sickbay and staff and it takes a while to get used to everything. However I will try to give you at least half a day to find your feet before I throw you in at the deep end, but I cannot promise anything since our present mission will soon see me beaming down with a landing party to explore a planet we are currently headed to.. In fact Lieutenant how do you feel about away missions since your Betazed heritage might indeed prove useful to this mission." (Reply Fraiser) Josh nodded. "Good, I'll pass the word along." Josh picked up a padd and began downloading everything the Rose had regarding the away mission and sliding it across the desk she smiled at Tayla. "This is everything we have so far. Look it over and I will contact you nearer the time regarding the mission. Now there is only one final thing I have to say. I am not a big fan of being called Ma'am or Sir. You can call me Doctor if you insist, but I much prefer to be called Josh by my staff. I tend to run Sickbay fairly informally and we are all pretty much on a first name basis here. If that is going to be a problem for you then say so now and I will give the staff a heads up to at least call you Doctor." (Reply Fraiser) Josh grinned. "Good, now if there is nothing else I suggest you go settle in and find your way around. You are dismissed until tomorrow morning unless of course you have any questions." (Reply Fraiser) (Posted by Marilyn) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay - CMO's Office -Lt Jg Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 - 1320) "Ah yes, you're my new ACMO. Welcome aboard Lt Fraiser, please have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Would you care for something to drink?" Tayla smiled and said, “Water will be just fine.” She watched as Josh carried the drinks and, greatfully accepted it as she spoke, "I take it that you have already reported in to either the Captain or the FO. Have you been assigned your quarters yet?" taking a sip of her drink, Tayla nodded and said, “Yes, I have. Although i've not had chance to actually see my quarters yet.” She smiled. Josh nodded. "Good. Then I suggest that after we are finished here you take the rest of today to settle in and get acquainted with the ship because as of 0800 sharp tomorrow morning I shall expect you here ready for the Grand Tour, and believe me it is a very grand tour. This is a large ship and a large Sickbay and staff and it takes a while to get used to everything. However I will try to give you at least half a day to find your feet before I throw you in at the deep end, but I cannot promise anything since our present mission will soon see me beaming down with a landing party to explore a planet we are currently headed to.. In fact Lieutenant how do you feel about away missions since your Betazed heritage might indeed prove useful to this mission." Tayla thought for a second and then replied, “Away missions, I look forward to them. If my heritage can come in useful, then all the better. It gives me a chance to keep my telepathic abilities honed.” Josh nodded. "Good, I'll pass the word along." Tayla watched as she slid a Padd across to her, saying, "This is everything we have so far. Look it over and I will contact you nearer the time regarding the mission. Now there is only one final thing I have to say. I am not a big fan of being called Ma'am or Sir. You can call me Doctor if you insist, but I much prefer to be called Josh by my staff. I tend to run Sickbay fairly informally and we are all pretty much on a first name basis here. If that is going to be a problem for you then say so now and I will give the staff a heads up to at least call you Doctor." Laughing a little, she replied, “Well, I have no problems with first name basis. I think it fosters a closer working relationship with the people around you.” Josh grinned. "Good, now if there is nothing else I suggest you go settle in and find your way around. You are dismissed until tomorrow morning unless of course you have any questions." Tayla, taking another sip of her drink, thought for a moment. There were questions that she wanted to ask but they could wait for another day. ~Hmm there is something that I do want to check with her.~ She thought to herself and then said, “Well, I do have a couple of questions actually. I'm supposed to report to Counselor Davis for a pre duty evalutaion... I'm not looking forward to it. Mind you I don't suppose anyone does. What's he like?” (Reply Caskie) Tayla smiled and nodded. That reply had settled her mind. “Okay, there was one other thing. It's a little bit of an odd question but I always check this one on a new duty assignment.” (Reply Caskie) Tayla winked and said, “What's the policy around here with practical jokes?” (Reply Caskie) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office - CMO - Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 8 - 1323) Josh waited since it was obvious from her demeanour that the Lieutenant did have at least one question. “Well, I do have a couple of questions actually. I'm supposed to report to Counselor Davis for a pre duty evaluation... I'm not looking forward to it. Mind you I don't suppose anyone does. What's he like?” Josh sighed and then remembering who she was talking to kept her face neutral. "I'm afraid you're asking the wrong person there Lieutenant. Counselor Davis is a recent addition to the crew and since I have only recently transferred back to the Rose myself, apart from seeing him at a couple of Senior Staff Briefings I really haven't had much interaction with him at all." ~And hell will freeze over before I do.~ The thought popped into the front of Josh's mind all by itself and Josh squished it down as best she could and smiled at the Lieutenant. "I've heard that he is very personable young man and very good at his job. Unfortunately that is all I can tell you." Josh waited since Fraiser had said she had a second question and was perplexed by the Lieutenant's opening comments. “Okay, there was one other thing. It's a little bit of an odd question but I always check this one on a new duty assignment.” Raising an eyebrow and tilting her head to the side Josh smiled. "Lieutenant, you would probably not believe some of the odd questions I have been asked in my time. I could tell you stories believe me. But, you're question?..." Tayla winked and said, “What's the policy around here with practical jokes?” Josh grinned. She knew full well that a lot of medical personnel tended to play practical jokes as a way to let of steam and Josh, who used to be known as quite the joker when she was younger allowed it as long as it didn't get out of hand. "Never, ever play one on a patient. All that will get you is a one way ticket on the next shuttle off this ship. No ifs, no buts, no extenuating circumstances. I don't care how well you know that person, if they are a patient in this Sickbay then they are off limits. Nothing cruel, hurtful or dangerous to the recipient. Nothing that mocks the recipient's personal, moral or religion beliefs and nothing aimed at anyone who is not a member of Sickbay staff unless you know that person very, very well. It goes without saying that any joke you play must be done during your free time and not when you are on duty. Finally, if someone complains about any prank you play on them then you will apologize wholeheartedly to that person and you will stand them and whomever they choose to include a round of drinks in Ten Forward by way of apology. Does that answer your question Lieutenant?" (Reply Fraiser) "Good. Now, if you have no other questions you are dismissed until tomorrow morning and I will see you then. Enjoy the rest of your day. You're dismissed. I suggest you leave now before I change my mind and put you to work on this stack of padds. Have a nice day Tayla I will see you in the morning." (Reply Fraiser iyw) (Posted by Marilyn) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office -aCMO Lieutenant JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 8 - 1324) "Never, ever play one on a patient. All that will get you is a one way ticket on the next shuttle off this ship. No ifs, no buts, no extenuating circumstances. I don't care how well you know that person, if they are a patient in this Sickbay then they are off limits. Nothing cruel, hurtful or dangerous to the recipient. Nothing that mocks the recipient's personal, moral or religion beliefs and nothing aimed at anyone who is not a member of Sickbay staff unless you know that person very, very well. It goes without saying that any joke you play must be done during your free time and not when you are on duty. Finally, if someone complains about any prank you play on them then you will apologize wholeheartedly to that person and you will stand them and whomever they choose to include a round of drinks in Ten Forward by way of apology. Does that answer your question Lieutenant?" Tayla nodded and replied, “It certainly does, yes.” "Good. Now, if you have no other questions you are dismissed until tomorrow morning and I will see you then. Enjoy the rest of your day. You're dismissed. I suggest you leave now before I change my mind and put you to work on this stack of padds. Have a nice day Tayla I will see you in the morning." Tayla rose from the chair and said, “Good day, Josh.” she turned and walked out of sickbay. Stopping just outside the door, she sighed and thought to herself, ~That didn't go too bad. She seems like a nice woman. God, now, this Counsellor Davies. The one part of the day i'm not looking forward to.~ (Reply No-one) (Posted by Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Personal Quarters- Marah Neru- 1400) Marah had returned to her shared quarters with Ben after being out for her daily walk, she wasn't just doing it for exercise but to familiarize herself with the ship, if she was lucky enough to be granted a position in sickbay she would need to know her way around. She thought back to her lunch with Josh in the Trade Winds lounge, the CMO seemed to like the idea of having her help out and offered to speak with the FO about it and the FO would then pass the message along to the Captain. She was hopeful that they would allow her to help out in some small way, she wanted to contribute and help the crew. Ben spoke very highly of everyone on the ship, he had respect for them. Marah had to admit it wasn't what she had expected when she first came aboard, she envisioned that everyone would be stuck up and by the book, all duty and no socialization. She was glad she had been mistaken. She checked the time and saw it would still be a while before she could expect Ben, she planned a nice meal for them tonight nothing extravagant but something closer to home cooking. She crossed to the replicator and requested a variety of fruits, bread, some lettuce, salad dressing (which turned out to be a nightmare considering the computer had almost one hundred varieties on file), some cheese (which also created a couple moments of confusion) and some Terran ham. She intended to prepare a fruit salad along with a tossed salad and make some ham and cheese sandwiches, she wasn't used to replicators and preferred making her own food. Ben on the other hand relied to much on the replicator for his meals, though she heard through the grape vine he had visited the Trade Winds on occasion for some real food now and again. She took her supplies into the cabins modest kitchen and began peeling and chopping the fruit, Ben had a small refrigeration unit so once she had everything ready she could place it in the cool until it was time to eat. She wasn't in any rush, if it took her two hours to finish that was fine with her, she didn't have anything else planned for the day. After they had eaten Marah was going to suggest they visit the holodeck and see if Ben had the program he ran for her on the USS Grant, she didn't get home sick very often but she did miss Bajor a little. Prophets, for her it had been almost six years since they had sat in that holodeck together but for Ben it hadn't been much more then a year. She should have known he wouldn't give up looking for her, but after all that time had passed she assumed he had moved on. When she saw him on Aldaveye she had to admit to mixed feelings, but that didn't matter now. Ben had found and freed her and now they were together again, that's all that mattered. (reply none) (posted by Milo Young) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan - 1432) Finally finishing up all her reports from the away mission T’Larah had already sent them to the Captain, but had other matters that she had to speak on, but there could be no record of the conversation. The middle of the bridge was not the place for it. She found Captain Salid in the middle of the bustling bridge, just as she had hoped. Apparently the Captain had noticed the moment she crossed the threshold. (Reply Salid) “For that I am glad, however that is not what I came here to discuss.” She replied plainly. (Reply Salid) “In private please.” She said in a serious tone. (Reply Salid, room for more, reactions) Ahmed assigned someone to the CONN and both walked into the ready room. (Reply Salid, Room for more, pleasantries, etc. Assuming all pleasantries are accepted in a silent manner) “Of course I wouldn’t have requested otherwise.” T’Larah answered to the Captain’s reasonable question. (Reply Salid, room for more, especially for ECM “Cone of Silence” or other some such super-science Trek effect) “It has something to do with a communiqué I received from Star Fleet Command, addressed to me with a security clearance marked on it that I would not normally be able to open as a Commander, I’m to understand that Priority One is reserved for Captains’ eyes only and for other special organizations in Star Fleet.” She said dryly, explaining herself. (Reply Captain Salid) “Then it would probably have to do with the Marine Colonel I told you about that I spoke to during our block shore-leave.” She deduced. (Reply Captain Salid) “Then I’ve been ‘Ear Marked’ I believe the vernacular is?” she inquired. (Reply Captain Salid) “I will delete the message on my return to my quarters and respectfully decline the away mission to the target planet on the grounds that I may be called away. If on the planet I may not have the ability to return in a timely manner.” She responded. “ Do you wish me to speak to the counselor? Just to touch bases and decline the away team for personal reasons.” (Reply Captain Salid, room for more.) “Also while I am here Doctor Caskie wanted me to speak to you about a Bajoran Civilian with considerable medical talent working in the Sickbay as a nurse or medical tech. “ She added. “Marah Neru is her name.” (Reply Salid) “I had mentioned the regulation on ‘Non-Standard Procurement of Star Fleet Personnel’. I was wondering your thoughts on it.” NRPG: If you need the original post where I mentioned it, it’s based off of Star Fleet Canon (Voyager) (Reply Salid) “I will mention it to Doctor Caskie. Is there anything further?” She said. (Reply Salid) Once the Captain had released her she rose from her seat. “Thank you for your time and the tea, I should request it the next time I’m taking a meal.” She exited with-out another word. (Reply Captain Salid) (Posted by Todd) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge – CO – Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1435) They were on their way. Already the rogue planet was behind them and the Rosenante was slipping silently and unseen through the vast expanse of space. The mighty starship carrying her crew towards a planet orbiting a binary star system, threatened by total destruction in a little under 35 days. They'd reach her in 2. The doors to the bridge opened and Ahmed glanced up from his reports to see his first officer returning to the bridge. "It's good to be underway isn't it commander; despite the situation we may soon find ourselves in?" Ahmed asked. Always the stoic, T'Larah gave him a dour look and replied, "“For that I am glad, however that is not what I came here to discuss.” "Something troubling you commander?" Ahmed asked, sensing that something was eating away at his first officer. ~She's seen my name on the away team list~ he thought to himself. “In private please.” She said in a serious tone. Ahmed nodded, and rose from the center chair, allowing his gaze to sweep around the room. Several officers were pretending not to be watching what was unfolding on the bridge, but they remained evermore the professionals. "Of course, let's retire to the ready room." His eyes landed on Lieutenant Raschen, " Mister Raschen you have the CONN." (reply Raschen) Ahmed gestured to the commander to lead the way into the ready room, which she did. He entered a step behind her. (USS Rosenante – Ready Room – CO – Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid - 1437) "Can I get you something, or should we get right down to the important business?" he asked as he rounded his desk."I assume that it's a matter of some importance that we spoke privately?" “Of course I wouldn’t have requested otherwise.” T’Larah answered to the Captain’s reasonable question. Ahmed stepped over to the replicator and made them both a cup of his favorite herbal tea. he returned to the table and placed both cups on the desk between them. He then settled into his seat. He reached over and sealed the door and as a secondary thought activated the emissions and communications scramblers embedded in the compartment, recent additions since running afoul of section 31. "We're completely secure from eavesdropping commander, what can I do for you?" he asked her. "What is the nature of our meeting?" “It has something to do with a communiqué I received from Star Fleet Command, addressed to me with a security clearance marked on it that I would not normally be able to open as a Commander, I’m to understand that Priority One is reserved for Captains’ eyes only and for other special organizations in Star Fleet.” She said dryly, explaining herself. "That's usually the case, yes." Ahmed agreed. “Then it would probably have to do with the Marine Colonel I told you about that I spoke to during our block shore-leave.” She deduced. "How so?" he inquired. “Then I’ve been ‘Ear Marked’ I believe the vernacular is?” she inquired. Salid frowned, "I see. Well then you're going to have to be ready to depart in a moment's notice. And you'll want to make certain that you're communiqué is not going to fall into unauthorized hands." He added, still frowning. "I was hoping that they wouldn't be stealing my First officer without a little more advanced warning, but I understand that we all have our duty, and that sometimes it doesn't come at a convenient moment. of our choosing." “I will delete the message on my return to my quarters and respectfully decline the away mission to the target planet on the grounds that I may be called away. If on the planet I may not have the ability to return in a timely manner.” She responded. “ Do you wish me to speak to the counselor? Just to touch bases and decline the away team for personal reasons.” "No that won't be necessary, unless you decide that it is best that you do so." He replied, realizing that he'd almost said, 'unless you feel' instead of 'decide'. “Also while I am here Doctor Caskie wanted me to speak to you about a Bajoran Civilian with considerable medical talent working in the Sickbay as a nurse or medical tech. “ She added. “Marah Neru is her name.” "I'm familiar with her. I actually need to speak to Mister Soma about her, in fact. She won't really be able to stay aboard ship if she's family of a crewmember or Starfleet personnel. I'm already in violation just for having her aboard for the length of time she's been here." He replied, "By the same token I don't know that she can work in sickbay in her current status aboard ship." “I had mentioned the regulation on ‘Non-Standard Procurement of Star Fleet Personnel’. I was wondering your thoughts on it.” "I hadn't considered it, actually, considering the fact that it's so rarely employed, and is normally reserved for very dire circumstances. Put her on a shift in sickbay under supervision only if Caskie is willing to have her closely monitored, until i can discuss the situation with Neru and Soma." he decided. “I will mention it to Doctor Caskie. Is there anything further?” "No I have nothing. Thank you for making me aware of the message Commander, I appreciate not being blindsided by it. You're free to depart as required on the condition that you promise to come back at some point. You're dismissed of course." Once the Captain had released her she rose from her seat. “Thank you for your time and the tea, I should request it the next time I’m taking a meal.” Ahmed rose to his feet. "In case I've never told you, You're a damned fine officer and I'm glad that you're serving alongside me. I know you'll do well wherever things may take you T'Larah. " (reply Sullivan) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge- LT Chance Raschen - 1436) They were on their way. Already the rogue planet was behind them and the Rosenante was slipping silently and unseen through the vast expanse of space. The mighty starship carrying her crew towards a planet orbiting a binary star system, threatened by total destruction in a little under 35 days. They'd reach her in 2. Raschen noticed the doors to the bridge open to admit the first officer returning to the bridge. The skipper asked her a question, and always the stoic, T'Larah gave him a dour look before replying. Next thing Chance realized, Ahmed rose from the center chair, allowing his gaze to sweep around the room. Several other officers were pretending not to be watching what was unfolding on the bridge, but they remained evermore the professionals. The vessel master’s eyes landed on Lieutenant Raschen, “Mister Raschen you have the CONN." “Roger that sir. I have the CONN.” After the Ready Room door closed behind the Captain and Commander, Raschen moved from the Operations Station to the center chair. As he sat down, he remembered back to the first time he ever sat down in the center seat of the Rosenante. Though she hadn’t been officially named yet, the Doenitz Regime had refered to her as the ‘Errant Knight’. The ex-Privateer had commanded the Rose for space trials, and if he had not of defected during the closing days of the Civil War with the Loyalists losing the war, Chance would have been the first mission commander of the Rosenante class starship. But that was a long time ago; the IFF isn’t what it once was. For that matter, not much is what it once was. (Reply none needed) (Posted by Charlie) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Ready Room – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1447) Ahmed rose to his feet. "In case I've never told you, You're a damned fine officer and I'm glad that you're serving alongside me. I know you'll do well wherever things may take you T'Larah. " “Thank you, sir. I’ve learned a lot under your command. I will take what I’ve learned and put it to good use. Once they are done with me, what ever they plan on doing, I will file for re-assignment back to the Rosenante. I will be on the bridge if you need me.” She said. (Reply Salid, none required) (Posted by Todd) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1715) It had turned to be an emotionally taxing day, when the prime directive gets brought into question things can normally become emotionally taxing quickly. It seemed everyone had their own point of view on the subject and everyone seemed to never budge when the prime directive was brought up. Jessica entered her quarters after her shift it seemed the Rosenante was a buzz with vague details of the upcoming mission. Jessica paid the rumor little creditably. She knew what was needed of her from her briefing with the Captain. Jessica laid possible tools and equipment out on her bed, things that she thought she would need planet side. Things that would help keep her friends safe. An assortment of concealable blades, a collapsible phaser, and extra power cells. She kept in mind a type of dress that she could hide a number of various pockets, pouches, and other compartments. Next, Jessica laid her body armor she hoped she didn't need the form fitting protective suit that covered her like a second skin, but she wasn't gonna take the chance. The end result was they were all going into the unknown and no one knew what laid before them. They had to be prepared for the best and worst of possibilities. To which the outcomes were endless. Jessica then made her way into the Sonic shower it was something she was gonna take time to enjoy, there was no telling how many times she could enjoy this treat before the mission to go to the planet surface went underway. At least Eian was going to by her side, again they were going to temp the fates together. It was something she could not shake from her mind. She knew Eian was not has committed to the ideal of a relationship between the two of them that Jessica was. But Jessica like her mother was a spiritualist she believed in the cast of fate and how they continued to effect peoples lives. It seemed that fates wanted them together, they had a fate together, why else would the fates continue to throw them together. She was surprised when she was transferred to the Rose it was a shot in the dark, but it had worked. Jessica had tried to tell Eian that she needed him. Had tried to be honest with her feeling for him but he turned them away. Jessica could see the look in his eye. That she needed something greater than him to believe in. But Jessica did believe in something greater. Did Eian understand that, that her love for him was born out of her belief in the fates that they have placed him in her life so she could have someone to love and feel love in return. Did Eian understand how many times he had hurt her. Jessica didn't believe so because he had refused to understand her, could she blame him. No, for he could barely understand himself. She held the dagger, the one she had plunged deep into Volus's skull. Jessica had told herself that she would end the nightmare and she did. She would continue to protect the people she had come to know and love. For the time that was all she had in this life, until the fates placed their next gift into her hand. She placed the dagger back into its place and continued to make her preparations. She glanced back to the door a few times never knowing when Eian might decide to show up. (reply whoever wants) (posted by Matthew Locke) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Signos' Quarters - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1740) Eian had spent most of the rest of the day after the briefing preparing to depart for the mission. He found someone to watch Murphy, and had sent a personal note to his father and brother. Just in case he didn't return, he explained to them that he loved them and that he thanked them for standing by his side through his less than perfect life. He left it at that, knowing that his father would likely understand that something big was happening but that he wouldn't ask questions if Eian didn't volunteer any information. He wanted to have dinner, but didn't feel like eating alone. The first thought that came to mind was to go to the Promenade, but he didn't want to eat alone amongst other people, either. Murphy was growing like crazy, teething, and attention-starved, and he wanted to spend time with the puppy. Then the thought occurred to him to go eat with Jessica. He could surprise her with Murphy's presence, and probably brighten her hectic and tiring day. He clipped the leash onto Murphy's collar and said, "Come on, buddy, let's go eat dinner at Jessica's place. Computer, verify Jessica Signos is in her quarters." [Jessica Signos is in her quarters.] "Let's go!" he said to the puppy, and Murphy excitedly panted and darted to the door. He arrived at Jessica's quarters and rang the chime, hoping that his visit didn't come at a bad time. (reply Jessica) (posted by Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters - ATAC/SC Ensign (sg) Jessica Signos - Day 8 - 1744) She had just dawned a light flowing house dress, it was something simple yet elegant. She heard Murphy whimper, just before Eian pressed the chime to her room. "Enter." Jessica said cheerfully, has she made her way to the door bolting over the small couch. She was before the door before it opened. Jessica smiled has she saw Eian before her. She wanted to throw her arms around him and embrace Eian lovingly. "Eian." She spoke softly, her eyes wide "I was hoping you would drop by." She then looked to Eian's side has Murphy nearly bowled Jessica over. Has she dropped to her knees and petted the dog whose tail wagged happily at the attention. "By the gods he's getting big. Well just don't stand there, Come in." (reply Eian.) "So what brings you to my door, I was just in the middle of contemplating dinner." Jessica asked has she moved to allow him entrance to her quarters. She remembered slightly what happened last time Eian had graced her room. They had argued, fought like cats and dogs, neither had made any leeway and the entire argument had ended in a stalemate. (reply Eian.) (posted by Matthew Locke) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Signos' Quarters - ACEO Lt Eian O'Neill - Day 8 - 1748) He released Murphy from his leash and gave the puppy the bone he had carried with him, allowing the little dog to happily trot off to the couch with it. "Thanks," he said to Jessica when she offered their admittance, and followed Murphy in. He promptly picked the dog up off the couch and set him down on the carpet next to it. "So what brings you to my door? I was just in the middle of contemplating dinner," Jessica told him. He smiled, eying her flower dress. "I thought you could use some company for dinner. Do you mind? Or do you want to go out to eat?" (reply Jessica) "Well, I think I know just the thing. How does a steak with bleu cheese melted on top sound? I have the recipe in the system." (reply Jessica) (posted by Morgan G) -------------------------- ========================= Mission: The Third Law Day: 9 Stardate: 2414.3.23 ======================== (USS Rosenante - Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 9 - 0101) (Asrai Prime - Ancient Ruins, Freelancer Mayrud, Day 9 -0600) (Asrai Prime - Celdebrai City- Tilsholl Headquarters, Outcast Layeela, Day 9 -0800) (USS Rosenante - Parker Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 9 - 2300) (USS Rosenante - Parker Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt. JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 9 - 2345) ========================= (USS Rosenante - Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 9 - 0101) Parker didn't often have flashbacks. The dream he was having, though, was not a dream at all, but a memory. It was the memory of his early days at the J. Samuel Juvenile Detention Center in Detroit, and although he was dreaming, he was cognizant of that fact and had to wonder why in the universe would this memory surface right now? ____ "Davis, Parker Jason," a man called, and fifteen-year-old Parker stood up from the bench. A boy next to him, probably about twelve, stuck his foot out to trip him, but Parker simply side-stepped it and glared back at the boy, who kept his head down and his arms folded. He made his way to the front desk, where a vacuum-seal bag and a gray jumpsuit were passed to him. "Change in the bathroom, report back here when you're finished. Officer Andrews will escort you." Without saying another word to him, the man behind the desk yelled, "Drew, Harold Christopher." Parker held the garment and the bag in one hand as he walked with an attitude toward the bathroom. Officer Andrews followed him inside. "You gotta be kidding me. I'm not changing in front of you," he said to Andrews. "You'll do as your told. You have two minutes," Andrews said forcefully, and stood against the wall as Parker stared him down, and finally conceded. He slipped his shoes off and slowly pulled his shirt over his head. He was going to cut his two minutes close, but he didn't care. "What will happen to my stuff?" he asked. "Your items will be vacuum sealed and released to you upon the completion of your sentence, or when a parent or guardian retrieves them," Andrews stated. "You sound like a Borg Drone, man," Parker said with disdain. He pulled the jumpsuit over his underwear and snapped up the front. It had his name on a tag at the left pocket. "Your two minutes are up," Andrews stated. He collected Parker's things and stuffed them in the bag for him, crushing them into a small enough pile for the vacuum seal to click. They were not neatly folded, and would come out looking incredibly wrinkled. "Proceed to the front counter." Parker walked solemnly to the front counter, glancing behind him at Andrews, who was no more than an arm's length away at all times. The officer placed Parker's things on the counter, and a woman behind the gated area took the vacuum bag and placed it on a shelf with all the others. "We'll proceed to Security now," Andrews stated. Parker's frown deepened. "I want a drink of water." "You'll get nothing to eat or drink until Security is finished processing you. Move." The Security station was disturbing to him. They placed him on a platform and told him to hold his arms out. The other boys dressed in identical gray jumpsuits were behind and in front of him, with the same posture. An officer walked down the line, rolled down each boy's left sock, and snapped an ankle bracelet to it. It locked in place and self-welded together. There would be no hacking that thing, Parker realized. Another officer walked down the line and snapped a metal tracker onto the back of each of their right hands. It pasted itself to the back of the hand, but also had a black strap that came around the front of the palm and around the thumb. It was tight and impeded no motion, but Parker had a feeling the material was probably indestructible. He was theirs now. He felt like crying, but held it together in front of the other boys. The kid two spaces in front of him must have been ten years old. That little boy did cry, and for his trouble, the boy in front of Parker kicked him in the back of the knee when the guards were finished. There was no correction. No 'rehabilitation'. At this stage, only instruction. Parker actually felt relieved when they marched forward and Andrews said, "You will be escorted to your assigned counselor. This person will escort you to your cell. You will eat at 1700. Lights out at 2100 every evening, no exceptions. You will begin class at 0700 tomorrow morning. Dismissed." Parker was led to an open area where he was guarded by a new officer, this one with a phaser rifle handy. This was the 'handoff' from Security to Counseling. He saw several children meet a counselor who put an arm around their shoulders as they led them out. He saw others assigned to a counselor who didn't say a word, but walked behind the child and led them like the guards had. Parker wondered who he was going to get, but tried to tell himself that he didn't care. He also wondered when they would get shoes. They were still all in sock feet. Then he realized that sock feet made them less mobile, more easy to control. He felt a lump grow in his throat, but beat it down. Watching the new intake always was interesting. Joe could always tell the weak ones who would be easy to control from those who would prove more challenging. He watched as the new kids found their counselors and were taken off for their initial consultation. A mixture of fear and swagger flew around the room as variety of new kids took in their surroundings. Then his eyes spotted someone interesting. A teenager he reckoned, just by the fact he stood a foot taller than anyone around him. ~This one might be one to work on.~ he thought to himself as he watched the kid be collected by his counselor. He sighed, ~ That meddling witch of a counselor. She'll be the death of me.~ he thought to himself. But then, he remembered the briefing they'd had earlier before the new kids had been brought in and he knew what this kid was in for. A smile crept on his face as he remembered how smart this kid was billed. ~Parker Davis, you're working for me now. You just don't know it yet.~ A laugh escaped his throat and he covered it with a cough. He would bide his time and then get to know the kid. See if he really is as smart as he's supposed to be and then we can go to work. ___ One week later, Parker snapped down the front of his coveralls so that they hung on his hips and grabbed the pull-up bar on the ceiling of his cell. He pulled himself up so that his chin touched the bar, and his newly formed muscles rippled at the physical labor. The kids in the cell across the hall watched with disdain. They had not yet hit puberty, but Parker was almost ready to start shaving. He was big enough that he encountered no major problems from the kids around him. It was those assholes down the hall, easily seventeen or eighteen years old, who had cornered him in the bathroom six days ago and forced his head in the sonic toilet. His ears didn't stop ringing for the rest of the day, and he smelled like toilet cleaner until he was allowed to shower. So now he was working out, getting himself in shape. His counselor appeared outside his cell, and Parker continued to do pull ups as if she wasn't there. She stood and watched this kid for a moment. She hadn't gotten to know him that well in the last week and this was something she wanted to rectify. She knew what he'd done but she also knew what he hadn't done. That, to her, spoke volumes. She coughed and said, "Parker... do you have a minute?" "What do you want?" he asked, straining now to continue to do the pull-ups. He didn't want to quit, though. Not with her here. Janette smiled to herself as she watched him continue his pull-ups. She knew he didn't like her or want to spend any amount of time with her but she perserved, "Would you mind stopping for a few minutes?" He huffed and jumped down, stretching his arms. "Fine," he said, trying to sound as if he didn't want to stop. He folded his arms and faced her. "Would you mind putting down the force field?" he asked her, matching her tone to make it clear that he wanted something in return for stopping. She looked at him, shaking her head. This was becoming almost a game with him and she knew it. ~These kids think that they're so tough when really....~ she thought to herself as she replied, "You know I can't do that. Not yet anyway. You need to complete your initial evaluation first.... then we'll see about letting down the forcefield." "You know you can't make me," Parker said defiantly. He knew the Overton Window Theory well--ask for more than you know you'll get, so you'll get something you actually want. Right now, he held all the cards with her--she needed him to complete the evaluation or she'd get in trouble, he reasoned. So he could get her to give him a favor or two. Maybe not let down the forcefield, but she was bound to agree to something less if he played hardball long enough. ~He's good. Definately got some brains on his this kid.~ She smiled and said, "Well, that's certainly true. I just thought that someone with your intelligence level wouldn't be scared by a simple evaluation." She turned as if to go, hoping that he would stop her. A challenge to one's intelligence often worked wonders. The kids in the cell across the hallway smirked at him, and whispered something to each other. He clenched his jaw. She had insulted his intelligence and his courage in one sentence. He had to show the kids on this floor that he wasn't messing around. Although he would normally never talk to an adult in that manner, he yelled after her, "I ain't scared by nothin', bitch!" The kids stopped smirking in the cell across the floor. He stood his ground, not even looking after her. When he got her alone, he would apologize and convince her he had only said what he said to keep up his reputation with the other kids. And that, after all, was the truth. She closed her eyes, ~Yes, I knew it.~ she thought to herself. Stopping, she waited for a heartbeat and then turned to face him, an unreadable face. She walked towards him slowly and said, "Really? Then prove it. If you're not scared of anything, you prove it by getting in that room and completing this evaluation. Of course, if you don't want to..... " "I don't want to," he said loud enough for most of the other kids on the floor to hear. "But I'm not afraid to do shit I don't want to do." He smirked. "Besides, this is a good excuse to get out of this tiny room. Let's go." He was in charge. He was in control. He felt energy rise to his chest at his success in manipulating her. She was going to drop the force field so they could go to the counseling room. She glanced to the side of his cell and knew that this wasn't really going to go down well but it was the only way. She looked back to the office and the guard watching her and nodded. The field between them fell and she walked foward a step and said, "Right, let's go." She motioned to the two security officers and they moved to Parker's side. Smiling at him, she whispered, "I knew what you were doing." Parker's expression didn't change as he walked peacefully between the two guards, but he respected her a bit more. She had let him manipulate her, so he didn't lose credibility with the kids in his cell block. They walked to the counseling center, and Parker saw children in identical coveralls interacting with their counselors in various activities, both individually and in groups. There was a group of younger kids, probably ten to twelve, who were playing a game with a levitating ball. And there was a group of older kids doing manual labor, repairing a viewing window on a holodeck. Janette simply pointed to a seat and sat opposite him. She read the Padd containing his file and crimes for a second and then looked at him, "So tell me then, Mr Davis... Why are you here?" He folded his arms and slouched in the chair. "'Cause Judge Fanaram sent me here," he said, as if it was common knowledge. They were in a secluded room, but there were viewing windows everywhere for security purposes. It made him feel like people were watching him, even though the guards were the only ones who could see him clearly. ---------- Janette sighed as she looked at her notes from the evaluation. He was a difficult one, this Parker Davis. A challenge but not one she knew she wouldn't succeed at. Highly intelligent, he'd run through her questions with a bracing air about him. Shaking her head, she began to write up her notes, "Highly intelligent but completely distrustful of anyone. He seems almost afraid to open up to anyone and is constantly analysing the whole situation he is in and the people around him. Conflicted internally and boy, he has some major trust issues that we need to work on." She put down her pen and looked at the words she'd written, ~Parker, what am I gonna do with you?~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He was in his cell the next morning, having come back from class and physical training. Six of the kids in his cell block had earned Free Time, which was an allotted time for them to go outside in the yard and participate in organized sports or go to the library and access the computers. He wasn't eligible for Free Time yet--he had another three months to go before he started earning points towards daily Free Time. He hadn't seen the older kid on the end of the cell block, the one who had led the pack of kids who had cornered him in the bathroom. Yesterday the seventeen-year-old was seen in the mess hall at dinner, grabbing a female counselor by the shirt and throwing her into the table in anger before he was stunned and taken away. He wasn't in his cell that night, and he wasn't back this morning. It was time for his counseling session, and he didn't put up a fuss this time. He just stood, stuck his hands in his pockets, and waited for the force field to be lowered. Sighing, she looked at him then turned to the guard and nodded for him to lower the forcefield. She watched him look at the guards and said, "Come on, Parker. You know the rules. Hands outside the pockets." He hesitated for a minute, watching the kids across the hall. They could play this mental game, but she was on to him and he didn't think she'd go for it again, just to give him 'street cred'. But if he obeyed, he'd lose too much credibility. So his hands stayed in his pockets and he stood there immobile. "No," he tested, just to see what would happen. ~You really do like making this hard for us both~ she thought to herself as she watched him stand there. She knew what had to happen next but she really loathed to do it. Nodding to the guards either side, she gave them the silent command to make him withdraw his hands from his pockets and thought to herself, as they advanced, ~Don't make this even worse than it has to be.~ One guard pointed his phaser at Parker while the other lowered the forcefield and moved behind him. The burly man slapped a handcuff on Parker's right wrist and dragged it out of his pocket, then slapped the other handcuff on his left wrist and activated the magnet. His hands snapped together behind his back and the guard pushed him gently forward. It was a seamless effort, mainly because Parker didn't put up a fight. Instead, he held his chest out and walked proudly in the handcuffs, as if they were a badge of honor. The other kids now knew he had to be forced to cooperate--he was still in control. She watched him walk past her, chest out. She knew that this was all for show and played along with it a little. But, deep down, she knew he was still scared as hell about this place. Walking behind him to the room they had met in a few times before, she watched as the guards pushed him into the chair opposite her desk and sighed. These guys were way too tough on the kids. Sitting opposite him, she regarded him for a second and said, "So how are we this morning?" The guard finally deactivated the handcuffs, but they stayed on his wrists. He brought his hands around and set them on his lap. The ankle bracelet, the hand tracker, and now the cuffs... He shrugged, and looked at her as he folded his arms again, regaining his slouching, indignant composure. "Okay, I guess. How are *you* this morning?" The question was asked in a suggestive manner, simply because he was trying to play all angles. If he annoyed her enough, she might just get fed up and let him slide through these sessions instead of trying. But she was almost too old to be his mother, and the actual thought of romance disgusted him. "I'm doing just fine." she replied, nonchalantly. Looking at his file a second, she thought to herself, ~Hmm I wonder.~ Without looking at him, she simply said, "So, so you feel like telling me why you're being so rude?" She paused a second, for dramatic effect and then looked him, striaght in the eye and continued, "I mean, come on. You really think this tough guy routine is really going to work on me?" "No, but it works with the kids in the cell block," he said honestly, and unfolded his arms. "By the way, what happened to that kid in 8-b? Where'd he go, why wasn't he in class this morning?" She looked at him and said, "That Jason?" ~Oh great. Okay best thing to do is be honest. At least he'll know you're not hiding anything.~ Janette sighed and continued, "Well, you know what he did to the counselor?" "Yeah, he assaulted her, at dinner. I saw it, I was across the table. That's what he's in here for," he said simply. "Assault. Of his mother, right?" He had gotten that tidbit from the kid in 9-a, a fourteen-year-old who seemed like a decent human being but could never get any sleep with Jason what's-his-name in 8-b, being obnoxious day and night. Nodding simply, she replied, "Yes. There are those that we try and help, people like you Parker. Those that we know are good inside but just have gotten lost along the way. You are an intelligent young man and know right from wrong. Then there are people like Jason. People who no matter what help we offer.... What we try and explain to them, just don't want to listen. Being bad, violent etc is just a fact of life to them. Just like breathing is a fact of life, something you don't take for granted, you simply do. Being bad is the same for them. You really don't want to tar yourself with that brush. It's not a nice road to travel down. Sedation, restraints, no free time, no visits and just the inside of your cell for twenty four hours a day. Is that what you want?" Parker was silent. Sedation? Restraints? That was far worse than no free time and no visits... "What do you mean by sedation and restraints?" he asked, his 'city' accent gone and replaced by the tone his parents had taught him to speak with. He was not just genuinely curious anymore, and not just playing a game. Could this happen to him? He felt the weight of the cuffs on his wrists as she spoke. "Well, exactly what I said. Sedation drugs so that you are not yourself anymore. You wouldn't feel, simply exist." She paused for a moment to let that sink in and then continued, "Restraints would be applied to your wrists and ankles. It would be the only way to make sure that you can't harm yourself or others. That isn't you, Parker. Are you sure that is the way you want to go?" "No, I never said I wanted to go that way," he argued, defensive now. "When did I say that?" While he argued, he thought about that kid, Jason. Drugged somewhere else in this facility, in some dark dungeon of a place, restrained to his bed, probably, or to a chair somewhere...in his cell all the time. He not only wasn't himself...he was hardly human anymore. "Does any kind of violence mean you'd be restrained all the time? Can that kid get out of there, wherever he is now? Can he earn his way back here?" Earn his way back *here*. He *never* thought he would say those words. He didn't think there was anywhere *worse* than here. "That would depend. Some kids play the bad guy role as a way to tough it out. Those guys will usually break. The others, the ones that are truly bad to their soul.... No. There is no way back for them, we can only do what we can to make them comfortable." Like a terminal patient. Like a comatose shuttle accident victim. He couldn't concentrate for the rest of his session. He wasn't sure what his responses were, but they were probably far less sarcastic than his usual quick remarks. On the way back to his cell, his handcuffs were reactivated and he thought about what it would be like to have them like that all the time. To be unable to move his arms from whatever position they were in. Or to be too drugged to make voluntary movements. He was not 'bad to the core' like those hopeless cases. He was an intelligent kid and he *did* know right from wrong, but this place would punish anyone who was violent, and his crime was a violent one. Someone had died. He had to find a way out of this place, or at least a way to guarantee his safety from the lunatics that would tie him to a bed for the rest of his life. Watching the kid come back from his session, Joe could tell something had changed. He was different somehow, resigned, quiet and not himself. Gone was the swagger and an almost terrified look was all over him. He waited until the guards had gone and wandered over, saying, "God, I wouldn't like to end up like Jason. Such a shame what happened to him." "What happened to him?" Parker asked, trying not to sound eager to hear. The guards didn't usually talk to the kids, unless they were giving instruction. But this one seemed to want to share with Parker, and he wondered why. Perhaps he knew something? He wanted to tip him off as to some crime that was being committed here, against the kids? Joe smiled inwardly. ~This is going like a dream. Hook, line and sinker.~ he thought to himself as he walked infront of Parker's cell and said, "You really don't want to know. I mean, they say he was bad and deserved what he got but... I'm not so sure. Yeah, he was violent but that's not the reason he got that treatment." Pausing a second for dramatic effect, he lowered his voice and whispered, "He failed one of their tests. Lord knows, if that's what happens when you kids fail, I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes." Parker swallowed. Then he lowered his brow. "What do you want?" he asked carefully. There was only one reason why this man would come to him with this information, useful though it was. And that was because he wanted Parker to do something. Joe walked closer to Parker's cell and lowering his voice further, said, "I want your help, Parker. To protect the others. Will you help me?" _____ "Throughout history, mankind has always had prisons. It has always had criminals. There has never been a time when man could boast that it had constructed a crime-less society, though many theories cropped up claiming to build such a utopia. While these things are universally true, another truth eludes many an arrogant, ideological thinker. And that is that darkness lurks in every heart. It is only a matter of how you deal with that darkness, that determines on which side of history you will fall." A bored Parker sat in the back of the ethics class later that day, the handcuffs still on each wrist for 24 hours from the incident, as was procedure when one physically resisted basic instruction. He wasn't listening to the teacher. He was thinking about the guard's proposal. He knew exactly how he could organize it, how to execute it, and how to avoid detection. He had thought of the plan only moments after the guard proposed it, and had spent the rest of the day tweaking it. He now had to make a decision as to whether he would agree. "It usually starts very small for most people. They think they're doing something good. They truly believe that they must bend the rules slightly in order to serve a greater purpose, whatever that may be. It's easy to take just a little from this pot, and put it into this pot," the teacher was now taking small chocolates from one glass bowl and transferring them to another. Parker rolled his eyes. "It just takes the motion of a hand, and if no one's looking, it's even easier. If I move one chocolate, you can hardly tell the difference. No one will notice. Now that was so easy, next time I might take two, because the people who eat out of this bowl are hungrier than those who eat out of this bowl. They need more chocolates. I can justify it however I like. But I'm still stealing from this bowl, even if I give to this one." The lesson dragged on. Parker was counting the ceiling tiles and lighting fixtures in the room, studying the strange cowlick on the boy's head in front of him, and plotting his plan. "It may be that the decision is too ambiguous for you to decide on your own. That's why authority figures exist. That's why your parents exist, why your teachers are there for you, why your friends are there--so that when you're conflicted, you can turn to them and ask for assistance. If enough of the people you trust agree, then whatever they agree on is probably what you should do. But that's only if it falls into the basic categories of law. Here they are..." Parker had made up his mind. He knew what he was going to do. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that are guaranteed to all people. Now this is a very old idea. Who can tell me where it came from?" He was going to go through with it. Hopefully he was making the right decision. (no reply necessary) (posted by Morgan G and Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (Asrai Prime, Ancient Ruins, Freelancer Mayrud, Day 9 -0600) The darkness of the tunnels would have been complete had it not been for the light emitted by the headlamp that he wore. Deep inside the mountain the blue pale light that was emitted seemed otherworldly. He was almost tempted to believe in the Cardath Wraiths that were said to reside deep in the underworld that lay within the sacred mountain. In fact, he wasn't certain why he felt that way. He knew that the Order of the Bane guarded the entries of the mountain to keep the demons from escaping into the world, but they just as much prevent strangers from entering into the mountain just the same. Perhaps they were afraid that someone would awaken the creatures from the ancient times and unleash them upon the world. Mayrud would have shrugged if it wasn't for the fact that he was wedging himself through a narrow opening in an otherwise sheer wall of the cavern. He was already deeper inside than he'd ever been, and he wondered if the High Oracle ever led his troops so far into the mountain as the explorer was presently. He squeezed through the crack in the wall, and tumbled down onto the broad floor of the adjoining chamber. It was a less than graceful landing and Mayrud's helmet light fell from his head and clattered on the floor a half dozen times before falling down a deep shaft that was just a few dozen feet away. The biolight was gone before he even realized it was falling. "By Bosak's Wicked tongue!" he exclaimed as the cavern plunged into darkness. His only source of dependable light was now gone. It took only a few moments before his eyes adjusted to the dimness. It took a little longer for him to realize that the room wasn't pitch black as it should have been so far beneath the surface of the world. An adjacent passageway was visible, just barely, lit by a dull red pulsing glow. It was so weak, that at first Mayrud thought it was an after-image upon his eyes. But after several minutes had passed, he determined that it had to be the real thing, since his eyesight would have corrected itself after a few short moments. Remembering the vertical pit in the middle of the room, the explorer and relic hunter began the slow process of circumnavigating the room. The going was slow, and he often times struck his head upon various outcroppings of stone, or stumbled over the uneven surface of the cavern floor. Despite the slowness, the fear of being trapped so far below the surface mixed with the tinge of curiosity and imminent danger seemed to have his heart racing as if he had just run a few dozen Novik's. He finally found the entrance to the glowing passageway, although the reddish tint made him think twice about moving along it's crowded corridors. Perhaps it was the remnant of the tales of demons from the underworld, or maybe the dangerous seething pulse of red light that made him wary. In either case, it didn't matter. He realized that without a source of light, he'd never be able to maneuver and navigate through the tunnels that he had entered the mountain through. And then there was the promise of some sort of forbidden prize that lay ahead. No one head ever recovered an artifact of the Aowa that pulsed with red light. Such an item would be worth enough to make him rich beyond his wildest belief. He wouldn't have to stop with just a small farmstead. No, he could buy a larger one, and caravans to trade goods throughout the broader world. Such a find would mean that he could all but set his price. So it was greed, rather than bravery that carried his legs forward despite the better judgment of his brain. If there was a fortune t be had, then it was only right that he be the one to have it. As he made his way down the rough corridor, the light grew brighter and brighter, until he felt as if he were standing outside beneath the glare of a red sun. The temperature, this far below the surface was reminiscent of such an event as well. Heat welled up from deep below his feet and this only helped to reinforce the stories of the underworld being filled with fire and demons. He stepped out into a massive cavern, the height of which he couldn't explain, and there within the confines of the massive structure he saw something that he wasn't certain he could describe. It was, well huge. Some sort of platform, that stretched out above him, suspended on large pillars of metal, that looked as if they were rings stacked one-atop-another. He could almost feel a sort of primeval pulse that vibrated through his body although there was no physical sound. Shafts of red light bathed the chamber in an eerie glow that was somewhat supernatural in effect, although he surmised that the red was caused not by the fires of the underworld but by some other means. He knew then that he'd found the score that he was looking for, if there were just a few items up there that he could salvage, he could retire a wealthy man, richer than he could even imagine. He dropped his pack and quickly shuffled through it until he could find his climbing rope and hook. There seemed to be a railing of some sort surrounding the platform, so he decided to air for it, despite the fact that the height of the railing was almost as high as his rope was long. In the end he was willing to take the risk, and with a broad swishing sound as he wound the rope in a broad circle, he released it and the hook sailed upwards and clattered off the bottom of the platform. He had to dodge the hook as it came tumbling back down to land beside him. Still, not one to be easily dissuaded, he took another throw and was rewarded for his diligence by the firm connection of the hook over the railing. He smiled as he tested the hold, and although it might be prone to swinging during ascension, he didn't feel that the rope would give. He tied his pack to the bottom of the rope to provide weight and stability for his climb, and then he pulled himself hand-over-hand upwards. He was tempted to stop and gawk at the massive tubes that held up the platform, but he realized that with the full weight of his body on his arms, and being unaccustomed to climbing such heights that any inspection would have to take place later. Eventually he reached the top of the platform, and nearly exhausted he pulled himself upward and onto the smooth, cold metal. He collapsed, struggling for air to fill his burning lungs, and hoping that his arms stopped feeling as if they were made of lead. He was so preoccupied with simply catching his breath that he didn't bother to look around until he'd brought his breathing under control. He rose slowly, gazing about at the area where his exploits had carried him. The platform was massive, at least 100 Torsils broad and in the shape of a circle. Along one edge were cabinets made of glass and metal, which seemed to be working at something, as a series of lights blinked on and off in no discernible rhythm. Above them were massive glass towers, which were like moving paintings, showing strange symbols and images the likes of which Mayrud had never seen. Some seemed to be moving bars, others traced a series of jagged lines across the screen as if recording some sort of information. Yet another seemed to be displaying some sort of massive whirlpool made of clouds, as if it were looking at the clouds from above. He turned his attentions to the other side. There were some sort of red beams of energy, very much like large bolts of static electricity that moved across two metal and glass walls. They crackled with energy, and Mayrud determined that it would be a good idea to stay far enough away from them that he wouldn't conduct the charges. On the far ends of the electrical walls, were two glass cylinders, filled with some sort of slightly glowing red gas. In each of the cylinders, he could tell that something was being concealed inside the gas. What they were he could not tell, because he could only occasionally glimpse a deep shadow from time to time as the gas roiled and bubbled. In the center between the two electrical walls was some sort of cylindrical chamber. A small pedestal and a flat moving painting was inside. Mayrud didn't know what it was, but he as certain that he shouldn't touch it just yet. Devices hung from the ceiling, the one in the center possessed a sort of red glowing lens that pointed directly downward at some sort of symbol set into the glowing red circle on the floor. It seemed to be duller than it should be, but Mayrud realized that it was only an impression and not based on any fact. Nearby, the platform attached to a broad walkway, that in turn attached to some sort of strange parking area, where something that looked like some sort of bizarre wagon rested. At least he thought it was a wagon. There were no wheels, but the object just looked as if it should be able to move somehow. It looked vaguely like some of the images recovered from Aowa carvings that resembled the star chariot that they were reputed to have used when they left this world. Mayrud didn't really keep track of how long he just gawked at everything he saw, without touching it, until he realized he was getting hungry. With a sigh, he went over to the rope and hauled up his pack and then sat down upon the platform to eat some of his rations and to figure out what he should salvage first. (reply none) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (Asrai Prime, Celdebrai City- Tilsholl Headquarters, Outcast Layeela, Day 9 -0800) Layeela sat in the well appointed library of the Tilsholl headquarters pouring over ancient manuscripts that she knew she would never have the ability to have seen if she had remained within the order of the celestial sphere. Across the table from her Adom was reading a treatise on something called Thermal inductance. Her own work was about the complexities of something called orbital mechanics. Before she had started reading about this subject just three days ago, she, like all the other members of the Order of the Celestial sphere had been told that the world spun around the twin stars because there was an invisible string connecting them to their world. And just as a child could spin a stone in a circle around his body by passing his end of the string from hand to hand, so too did the stars pass the string, which was why the world never slid into either of the holy chambers in which the twin sisters resided. Now, however, she was learning about a strange force known as 'Gravity' and how it bent the fabric of the universe into furrows, inside of which the worlds rolled, like balls in a trough. The concept was unlike anything that she had ever seen, and it was further exasperated by the concepts that it was their speed that kept the balls rolling along, and that there was no sacred string holding the word in place as they orbited the twin stars. These were concepts that she had never heard of, let alone had imagined. Yet here within this library, there wasn't only a single book on the subject there were literally hundreds. And she had been told that there were some books that were recorded not upon paper, but upon crystals. She had, of course, wanted to see them, and she was shown to the room where they were stored. She had even inspected one, weighing the small blue and red stones in her fist looking for a way to 'read' them. She was told that they could only be read by light, but that as the light was of a rare kind, that no one alive had ever seen the contents of any of the books stored within the crystals. This had disappointed her, but rather than lament over this loss of information, she had found the portion of the library that had most closely related to the teachings of the order of the celestial sphere. She had expected to see some more advanced texts about the construction of the universe, but she had not expected to read about things that made absolutely no sense to her at all. Talk of other worlds beyond the sight of the eye or the looking glass, and the claim that the twin stars were not the only ones of their kind in the universe were so surprising that Layeela had wondered how the universe could be so complicated in the first place. It was a complex and difficult thing, learning that everything that you had been taught for the entirety of your life was a lie, and that these texts hidden away here, beneath the deep streets of the city were the true repository of all knowledge. "How are your studies, Layeela?" A voice asked from behind her. She turned to see Kaso, the eldest member of the Tilsholl standing just a short distance away. He was holding his hands in the position of inquiry and discovery. She shifted her own hands into one of the humble student. It was an act that caused Kaso to frown deeply. "We are all students here Layeela; even I, we teach each other and there are no Chalo here." he stated to her again; words that he had repeated several times over the course of the last few days. "Of course, my apologies..." she had almost said master, but had managed to use his name instead, "Kaso" Kaso smiled then and dropped his hands to step over to her, looking down at the book that she had open before her. "Ah, the study of Orbital mechanics" he said reading the title with a sense of awe and wonder. "Yes it's a difficult read. So much is different than what I had believed true. I struggle with some of the concepts within these pages." she admitted. Kaso nodded. "The basics are simple. consider the factors of motion and the forces of gravity. Gravity pulls things, objects towards each other, while motion pulls them along a path in which the momentum is applied. Remember that any moving thing remains moving unless something stops it or alters it. Likewise it will always travel in a straight line unless something alters it. This is the case of gravity. An object circles another when it's momentum is greater than the linear pull of gravity, but not so strong as to overcome it. So the path of a moving object becomes circular or elliptical dependent upon speed, angle and mass, as well as the strength of the gravity. The closer an object is to another, the greater the attraction between them, likewise when they are distant this attraction is weakened. Our own world circles two stars, because they also circle each other. There are times when the gravity is combined, when they align opposite us, but at other times they are in opposition, and our attraction to one star is greater than the other, which is why our orbit more closely resembles interlocking circles, with our world only following the areas at the edge of the two circles of gravity's influence." Layeela nodded. "Yes I understand. There are many factors to consider. And so if we know the speed, mass, distance and angle of motion, we should be able to plot the path of the orbit of any object." "Yes," Kaso nodded, "This is because the power of gravity increases and decreases in proportion to the distance and mass between two objects. It is these relations that this book explains." "I see. Thank you." Layeela said, taking on the pose of gratitude. "You are most welcomed child. I am still amazed at how quickly you are reading and understanding the complex subjects these books contain. Perhaps someday you will become the elder librarian here." Layeela blushed. "I couldn't possibly." "Ah but you can," Kaso countered, "you worry about replacing me, but you already know that someday I will not be here, and that someone must carry on our work here to learn and enlighten our world. There is no reason that you can not accept this place if you have achieved the knowledge needed to do job." "But..." she began, but Kaso interrupted her. "There are no castes here, Layeela. You advance through merit and knowledge. You are not judged by the place of your birth, or by the position of your parents within this world. You are judged solely by your contributions, and that is something that only you can control and decide upon." Layeela blushed. "Thank you. I understand." she said as she turned her head away. "Do not be ashamed, learn all that you wish to learn, for it is the scholars born within this library that will someday bring about the change among our people and lead them from the darkness and the ignorance of the teachings of the high Oracle." Layeela nodded, and then mumbled, "You are correct of course. I must return to my studies." "Yes." Kaso agreed, and then looked over at Adom and smiled. "Do not hesitate should you require more help." And then he turned and left the two speaking between themselves. Adom spoke first. "You are too humble." he said simply. "You should embrace your intellect. You are gifted with a sharp mind and a keep sense of observation." Layeela blushed again, "Perhaps, but I can hardly understand what it is I read, let alone explain it to someone. I think that Kaso gives me too much credit." Adom shook his head. "No Layeela, you do not give yourself enough. Already you have completed two books and are nearly through with a third. You understand most of what you read the first time, and you have only been here less than a week. You are the most gifted I have ever seen. It took me a month to finish my first book. And...I had to read it twice before I began to understand it." "You are too kind Adom. But I thank you for it." She blushed. "I would deign to speak only the truth to you Layeela, for you are nothing short of amazing." "Speak not of such things, we can not be together." she replied. "Why not? There is no rule against it. Karsa and Brott are a couple. No one complains of their grunting in the night." "But you and I..." she began, but then she felt the words stall as they tried to escape from her lips. "we... can not be this way. I am not ready for a man. I need to study and feed my mind." "And what of your heart and your body? Would you let them starve for the sake of your mind?" he asked her. She bit her lip. Then gave him a short nod. "I would. It is my mind that makes me live. My heart and my body must not interfere with the mysteries that my mind learns from these texts." Adom frowned, "Then your heart and your body will starve like a beggar in the street and you will forget the taste of food for it's nourishment and eventually you would die for lack of it." Layeela turned away from him, causing the chair to scrape against the stone floor of the library vault. "Then I shall have to make the best of my final days. I will not die ignorant, not when I have come so far." She could almost feel Adom nod at her sadly as he spoke, "Then that is the way it shall be. Perhaps if you change-" "I shall not!" she stated emphatically. "I must not!" "Very well." Adom stated, his voice taking on a tone of the morose. "I shall take my studies to my chambers. I grow tired of the library today." She said nothing as she heard his chair scrape across the stone floor and his footsteps recede from her. Only when they were gone, did she turn back to the table. She sighed and turned back to her book. ~There is much to learn~ she thought as she continued to study the diagrams and equations within. (reply none) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Parker Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 9 - 2300) "Tayla, I had a dream last night...there's something I want to tell you about myself." That was how it had started out. A late-night call, the request for her to come to his quarters. He expected to verbally explain to her about his past. What he ended up doing instead, was plugging in the J. Samuel Juvenile Detention Center's recordings of the event, and letting her watch. He had requested the recordings years ago, but hadn't been able to watch them until only a few years ago. Each time he did, and he didn't watch often, it got a bit easier. He remembered his faith, and he remembered his counselor Janette, and he took comfort in Tayla's hand in his. _____________________ It was the screaming that first alerted the doctors to the arrival of their patient. They knew he was coming but it was the noise that they really noticed. It was almost inhuman, pain and complete and utter confusion. The doors burst open and the guards carrying the small body, thrashing and yelling, came through and placed him, gently on the operating table. They soon left and it was left to the doctors to sort him out. Ordering all the tests they could, they began to work on the kid. But this was hard as he was yelling at things that simply weren't there. Anasthetic soon sorted that out and the surgeons began to examine him. Shocked at what they saw, they stopped for a moment. As they removed the rest of his prision issue outfit, the full extent of what had happened to the ten year old became clear. His body was a network of purple and blue as bruises spread all over his chest and abdomen. The main problem thought was evident. A four inch long stab wound to his abdomen. Looking at each other, they gave the silent orders to begin working. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pulling off his operating gloves, the surgeon wiped his forehead. Beads of sweat from pure effort dripped from his head as he leant against the wall outside the operating theatre and closed his eyes. He turned and saw Janette walking towards him, her face full of concern for her young charge. Their eyes met and she stopped walking. Neither of them moved for a moment and then, with the slightest shake of his head, the doctor indicated that what she most feared had happened. The little ten year old, that wouldn't harm a fly anymore, was dead. -------------------------- "Thought I told you not to bother me here," Parker said as he lifted 90 lbs to rest at the locked slot on the bench press. He sat up to look at his eleven-year-old 'dealer', Josh, who he expected to be fidgeting and biting his lip like he normally was. The kid had obsessive compulsive disorder and although he was treated with medication, he had never broken the habit of biting his lip until it was bloody. But today the boy had tears in his eyes and was digging his fingernails into his palms, trying desperately not to cry. "What's wrong with you?" Parker asked, probably a little too harshly. "Walter's dead," Josh blurted out, and then began to bawl. Parker's face shifted from shock to sadness, and then he corrected himself and assumed a harsh expression, his jaw set. "Get a hold of yourself," he ordered, and looked around. "Did you search his bunk?" Josh's lip quivered, and he nodded. The two boys were cellmates. Younger children were not allowed to have their own cells. "Well give it to Cameron and don't bother me here again." The boy nodded again and rushed away. Parker exhaled, and rubbed his eyes, taking it in. The ten-year-old was dead, and he was the cellmate of a member of the ring. At least Josh had the presence of mind to snag the remaining stimulants their cell, because it would certainly be searched soon. The drug ring had started very small. Parker had made friends with some of the older kids who had Free Time, and had offered them the way to pass the rigorous exams they needed to get out of J. Samuel. In exchange, they would agree to pass stimulants on to other kids, and expand the ring. They would pick kids who were only dealers, and set up a cellmate-by-cellmate accountability diagram to ensure that no kid who was using would be paired with a kid who was selling, to prevent the kids from initially knowing about each other. Word traveled fast, but no one could prove anything because no one saw anything. It was brilliantly constructed, and by the time it had grown to the size that the guards could know about it, everyone knew not to say anything for fear of enforcement. Parker had gotten three enforcers on board, all sixteen-year-old boys who were more than happy to beat up anyone Parker wanted in exchange for some free stimulants. The others had to pay, and the system was a simple business model. Kids in 'dealer' cells would purchase the stims from Joe. Then kids in 'user' cells would purchase the stims at a higher price from their assigned dealer, and no one else. No competition was introduced because Parker had to keep prices down and and profits low, to not attract attention. They couldn't be a booming business, just a sustainable one. Also, if kids were only allowed to obtain the drug from one source, they didn't know for sure who the other sources were, and they would risk exposing themselves as users if they were to try to find out. This kept them all safer from detection. He stood up and went directly to his lead dealer, John. The fifteen-year-old was playing a handheld game, and Parker sat next to him. "Walter's dead. Shut down all trades today." The boy nodded once, but didn't speak. Parker then stood up and walked toward the building. ---------------------------------------- The day had started out so well. Being woken up by Tony with breakfast in bed, hot shower and then a good walk to work. Now this and the whole day had come crashing down with a vengeance. But she knew she had a job to do and so, wiping her tears away with a tissue, Janette looked up as the guards brought in Parker for his weekly evaluation. He'd been different in the past few weeks, working harder in their sessions and seemed to be doing well but something was bothering her. It was something she couldn't quite put her fingers on and it bugged her every time she saw him. Today, she simply didn't care and wanted to get through the day. Through the day and home to Tony. She sighed as Parker was seated in his chair and said, "How are we doing today, Parker?" "Honestly?" Parker asked, and leaned back, calculating his response. "I just found out that kid in 13a is dead. That little kid, what's-his-name...Walter something. The kid who shot his brother with the phaser. I don't know how he died...I didn't stick around and find out the details out there on the yard. I just..." he bowed his head in genuine remorse. He had to wonder if he had anything to do with the kid's death. He knew he wouldn't get the truth until he spoke to Joe. "...what a waste. You know? He's ten years old, he spends most of his life getting into trouble, he shoots his brother with a phaser and lands himself in here, he's barely old enough to be in here, he spends four months here and then dies. What a waste of a life." She nodded. It was something that she regretted. She should have known something was up, that something was wrong with him. It was only that morning she'd spoken to Walter and there had been something different about him but she had put it down to being nervous for his first family visit that day. She sighed and said, "You're right. He was only young with his whole life ahead of him." She rose from her chair and walked around to the front of the desk and stood infront of Parker and said, "I know this is a shocking turn of events, Parker. But remember that I am always here to talk to. Any time of the day or night, okay?" Parker nodded, knowing full well that he would never talk to her about anything he was truly thinking. He had carefully constructed his 'recovery' so that it covered for his involvement in the stimulant ring. He had also removed himself from any dealing with the stimulants, so he never saw any deals, and never saw a single ounce of the drug. Joe had told him that his job was to set up the ring, and Parker had specifically refused to take any stimulants or deal any. It was the only way that the ring would be fool-proof, because all the kids beneath him could fall but he was untouchable. In exchange for doing this, Parker was granted protection from Joe so he would eventually get out of here. "Do you know how he died?" She looked at him, a eyebrow raised for a second and then said, "He was stabbed." The memory of the doctor shaking his head flashed before her eyes as she continued, "But he had also been beaten pretty badly. The Doctors are currently running standard tests before he's released to his family." Looking at Parker, she smiled and said, "There'll be a service for him later in the week. It might be good for you to go. Get some closure." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~The universe just hates me.~ she thought to herself as they exited the last cell in the corridor and walked into the main habitation area. Janette and the three guards stood for a moment. Everyone was strangely silent as though they knew what was coming and what was about to happen. A few of the older boys stood watching her, almost daring them to come near. She knew their game and was in no mood to play ball today. Glancing around, she spotted a good place to start on this section of the search. It made her so angry that they had learnt last night that Walter had been taking stimulants, that his body was so full of them that he'd begun to hallucinate. It had transpired that the kid that had stabbed him had taken offence to something he had said and just flipped. Drawing in a deep breath and steeling herself for a barrage of abuse as they moved forward. She walked purposefully towards the cell in question and said, "Davis, Parker. Cell search. Assume the position and don't move until the guards bring you out." Parker steeled his expression and placed his hands on the wall, spreading his legs. The guards came in and stood on either side of him, a hand on each shoulder as they led him out. He wasn't restrained, but he was closely watched as the third guard began to root through all his possessions. There wasn't much there--his mother had little Credits and didn't send him many. She paid for his meals and uniforms, sent him a book or two per month, and had purchased a music player for him. But what little he had was now being turned inside out, and he hated it. He didn't resist, but the expression on his face was one of deep annoyance. His mattress was on the floor, his uniforms were systematically taken out of the drawer and turned inside out and dumped in a pile. His underwear, socks, and t-shirts were all turned inside out and dumped. There was nothing in his cell, he knew, so he stood with confidence. But he also seethed with hatred for the guard who was so carelessly handling his things. She watched Parker carefully as the guards finished their search and returned to her side. She looked at them and they shook their heads to indicate they'd found nothing. She felt a sense of relief as she watched them join another guard who had just arrived on his shift. They moved onto the next cell while one of the guards, Joe, stayed behind to guard Parker as he talked to the counselor. Turning to Parker, Janette said, "I'm sorry for that. Those guards can be real luddites but it needed to be done. You do understand?" "Yeah, you're looking to see where the knife came from, right?" Parker asked, hoping his act was convincing. It was convincing so far, so he had no cause for concern. He glanced at the other boys in the cell block, who were watching the cell searches with interest. He looked back at her. "I can tell you this much--none of these jokers know enough to make a knife. If it was stolen from the mess hall, it's probably over in Block A. Not here. We're too far from there." She sighed and shook her head. She knew in her heart of hearts that there was no way that Parker was in on what had been going on but she also knew that she would be remiss in her job not to ask him, "That's not it, Parker. There's something else." She paused a second, contemplating what to do and then decided, "I can trust you right? Well, it seems that someone or a group of the kids have been getting their hands on stims. Walter's blood work came back last night and the poor guy was wired more than I've ever seen before. He'd been taking stims for at least the last few weeks and we have no idea how he got them. So the Head asked the staff to conduct searches of all the cells to see if we can find out who's involved." She stepped back a moment, regarded him and then asked, "You haven't heard anything about this amongst the others?" Her initial comment caused the color to drain on his face slightly, but he regained his composure when he saw the other kids staring at them. They couldn't hear what she was saying, because she was speaking too softly and the sound was dimmed in each cell. He turned away from the others and said, realizing he needed to cover for his initial reaction, "Actually...I did see something. I don't know if it's connected, but I saw a stim dispenser on the grounds outside, by the bush near the weights. When I was doing bicep curls, that's where I saw it. I didn't point it out because it was spent, so I figured it was probably the guard or someone trying to stay awake. Do you think that's the one Walter used? Where was he last seen?" He was covering, but he was also fishing for information, starting to conduct his own investigation. He was responsible for this boy's death. He was now obligated to do something about it. She shook her head and said, "You know better than to ask that. It's more than my life's worth." She paused, there was something about Parker. Something that was tingling in the back of her mind. Something she should see or notice but it just wouldn't come to the forefront of her mind. He was shocked at the murder, but then weren't the rest of the kids? She'd seen the colour drain from his face when she'd spoked before, was it shock at the death of such a young child or was it something more? She, gently, placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded to the guard standing with Parker. He glared at her slightly, ~There's something about him that I don't like. He seems way too interested in what's going on here.~ she thought to herself as he moved away from them, allowing them a little privacy. Turning back to Parker, her hand still on his shoulder, she said, "Listen, Parker. I know you don't really trust me but you can and I want you to tell me if you know anything, anything at all about where these stims are coming from? If you don't want to talk to me directly, that's fine. But you're not doing anyone any favours by keeping silent. If this problem is as big as we think it could be, do you really want to be the one that could have stopped it but didn't out of some mis-guided loyalty to someone." She glanced back at the guard and shivered a little. His stare was cold and almost..... well he looked a little scared. She leant forward and whispered in Parker's ear, "Even if it's one of the guards here, I can promise you you will not get into any trouble. You have my word on that." ~Right.~ Parker thought sarcastically. He had no idea how Walter had ended up dead, but whether it was related to the stims or not, it wasn't worth his life to tell some bleeding heart counselor. He stared her straight in the eye and said sincerely, "All I know is Walter was a loudmouth little brat. If he was taking stims and then tried to blackmail his dealer into doing him a favor, that's probably why he ended up shanked." And it was the truth. It was probably some stupid argument between two young prisoners that started with a hotheaded ten-year-old's 'brilliant' plan on how he would obtain more Credits in his possession than someone else, and ended with the same hotheaded ten-year-old stabbed and beaten to death. "Walter was like a chihuahua who liked to pick on pitbulls," Parker said. The key detail he left out was that Walter was supposed to be a dealer, not a user. His body should have never injested the stims. According to Parker's plan, enforcers would watch the dealers to see if they were using, and if they were, take the stims away from them by force and blacklist them. The users would be assigned new dealers. Something clearly went terribly wrong. The thought occurred to Parker that if he injected himself in the investigation, he would do two things. He would suggest to Janette that he had 'found his calling', something that truly stimulated his mind and he was motivated to fix because it was close to home. He would also gather critical information that would help him determine what had gone wrong in his ring. Janette listened to Parker. The kid clearly knew something but he was trying to bluff his way out and she knew it. But, clearly, he couldn't be pushed into telling her, he had to want to do it for himself. She looked at him, pretending to be all grown up and thought, ~Oh, if only you knew what goes on in the outside world, you wouldn't be acting so tough. But, whatever it is you know, it will come out in time.~ Watching him for a second, she smiled getnly at him and walked away to where the guards were continuing the next search. Joe watched her leave. He could feel his anger and suspicion rising in him and fought to keep it down. ~That bitch knows something, I know it. ~ he thought to himself as he walked his little genius back to his cell. The premise had started out simply. Get a few kids hooked on the stims and then withdraw them until they did whatever he wanted them to do in order to get their hands on more. Get their parents to bring in contraband, illicit photos, even the odd weapon on occasion--he didn't care. It was all toward the true purpose--Credits. Now the ring was under threat and he had never felt so scared in all his life. His perfect scheme was crashing down around him and all because of one stupid little kid. As he put Parker back into his cell, he glanced to make sure no-one could hear them and then, with evil intent dripping heavily on his voice, said, "Listen and listen good. That counselor knows something and believe me when I say that if she finds out what happens here.... It won't be the other kids I'll come after. Why go after the users when you can take out the pusher, right? Do I make myself clear? You do not talk to that woman about anything that we do otherwise you will end up just like Walter." He stepped back to let his words sink in and then said, "Delivery's tomorrow and I want payment as well." Parker wanted desperately to spin around and face Joe, but he was forced to assume the position until the guard left his cell. Otherwise, it would arouse suspicion. So with anger in his voice, he demanded quietly, "Are you responsible for what happened? Because if you are, I'm out." A flash of terror flew through his mind as he stood next to his golden boy. Joe knew that he had to say something, to keep the kid sweet. He sighed, dramatically and said, "What do you take me for? Honestly do you really think that I would off that little pipsqueak? No, it wasn't me." He moved away from the kid and said, "Look, I'll tell you what.... if I hear anything about who did, I'll keep you in the loop. Cause if we've got a loose cannon, it will need to be dealt with." He stepped back outside the cell and activated the force field and said, "Parker, you and I have a good thing going here and I don't want any little upstart ruining our operation. If you find out who it was, deal with it." Parker nodded once, and took his hands away from the wall as he watched Joe depart. ---------- It was a week later, and sales had been reactivated two days ago. Parker had also been doing some digging. He had inserted himself into the investigation as he had previously decided, asking Janette for details and giving her the explanation that he was very interested in investigations, that he seemed to have found a passion. It wasn't uncommon for incarcerated kids to grow up to go into law enforcement, so there was nothing suspicious about it. He spent most of his Free Time now in the library, reading up on criminal law and investigations, just as proof. But he also changed where he sat in the cafeteria, slowly migrating to the other end of his assigned table so that he could talk to some of the people who were in classes with Walter the day he was killed. He had gotten himself reassigned to laundry duty yesterday so that he could talk with Josh and ask him whether Walter was in his cell right before Free Time, and if he had gone to his counseling session that morning. At this point, Parker had narrowed his location down to the power generator room. He had been on a Punishment Assignment, which was given by some guard for allegedly kicking him in the shin. The Punishment Assignment was to last for two days during the time between Free Time and his counseling session, and he was to scrub the walls with a standard sonic scrubber about the size of his palm. An impossible task, but one that 'taught character' and one that was quite common for short-term Punishment Assignments. He didn't have any more details than that. He didn't know who had found the boy, or why security cameras hadn't caught the crime. It was well after lights out. Parker was in his cell, staring at the ceiling and analyzing his predicament. Did he confront Joe? There were so many questions about this death, and something about the man's behavior really rubbed Parker the wrong way. Joe stood quietly in the shadows and watched Parker from a distance. The kid knew what had happened with Walter or if he didn't know he suspected and that was enough. He knew that what he had said to him a few days ago had done the trick but there was still something not quite right. Leaning against the wall and keeping his eyes on Parker, he thought to himself, ~If he starts to ask questions, I'm gonna have to deal with him.~ He knew that tomorrow was collection day and after having no stims for a few days, Joe was expecting a nice fat pay out. He'd been thinking about all sorts of fun he could have with his Credits and he had decided that he wasn't about to let some jumped up little know-it-all ruin this for him. As he watched, he could feel his suspicion of the kid growing but more than that, he could feel his anger. The red mist was descending and the last time that had happened, things had ended badly for the other party. He smiled as he remembered the look of shock and utter horror on the kid's face as he emerged from the shadows. That sight, he'd been playing over and over in his mind recently. But he bided his time and decided to wait and see what his protege would come up with. Parker heard someone at his cell, and he slipped off his bunk and made his way to the force field. He figured it would be Joe. This was, after all, their normal meeting time. "We're on track for tomorrow's collection," he said quietly. "But it's less Credits because there's less merchandise. The other guards found some of the stims and you haven't supplied us with any more." He closed his eyes a second, ~God damn it. I had plans for that money~ he thought to himself. He took a moment and then whispered, "Ok,what do you suggest we do then, smart ass? I mean you're the brains of this outfit.... you're in it just as deep as I am so you'd better come up with some solutions and fast." Parker raised an eyebrow. "It's really simple," he said. "Prices are set. This isn't a micro-economy, it's a give-and-take operation. You need to put more stims into the market. Then the revenue will rise," he explained. Then he folded his arms and squared his shoulders. "But before I okay any more inflow, I want some answers. I've been doing some research and found out that Walter was down in the power generator room when he was killed. He was on Punishment Assignment. Who was guarding him? Whoever was there must have seen something. It looks like we're in bigger trouble than we thought because if another guard is involved, he might bring this to light, and I can't control another guard with an enforcer. So who was it?" Joe knew, in that instant, that Parker was on to him. Either that or he knew someone that had seen something. But he'd been so careful when it had happened. He'd made sure that there was no-one else around and that he'd done it in the one area that the cameras didn't cover. Even so, he knew he had to tread carefully now, especially with this kid watching his every move. ~Your time will come, little man, and when it does, it's gonna be a slow and painful lesson to learn.~ he thought to himself. Forcing down his anger, he replied, calmly, "To be honest with you, I don't know. Those suits they sent in to investigate this aren't telling us guards anything. All I can tell you is they've questioned everyone, even the counselors. It's stirred up a hornet's nest of problems for them, this. That's why we got to keep things on the low side. Only deal to those you know you can trust and don't talk to anyone about Walter. You could raise suspicions in their mind and that's the last thing we want." He stepped back a few steps and said, "I'll get you the stims you need. Just you remember that. You supply the demand and I supply the product. Simple as that. Now look, tomorrow, I'll get you for the delivery and then we're back on track. Keep your head down and I'll try and find some proof for you. Okay?" Parker nodded. "Okay, deal," he said, wondering whether he could really trust Joe. It seemed odd that he hadn't heard anything. He was in a position of authority, so he had to have heard *something* from the investigators, right? He kept his expression neutral as he waited for Joe to leave before he got back into his bunk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The plan had been so simple at first. But now it was getting complicated and this was something he didn't want. He was loathed to actually deal with his star pusher but Parker had gotten too suspicous and had to be dealt with. Sure, he knew he could find another to take his place as the ring was already established now and successful but it would be a blow to the operation. He'd thought of nothing else the whole night whilst on duty and when he'd gone home to sleep. By the time he reported for his next shift, he had a plan in place. A plan to teach Parker a lesson about who was in charge here and it was a plan he knew that this kid would never forget. He'd spent most of his shift with the other kids this time, not avoiding Parker but keeping his distance as they always did on delivery days. When he had his chance, during a break, he'd gone down to the replicator area and managed to upload onto the replicator something to keep Parker sweet for a few moments whilst he sprung his surprise. A smile crept over his face when he thought about what he was about to teach the little brat. Fixing a look of calm on his face, he walked over to Parker and waited for a few moments whilst the kid finished his bench presses and then said, "Davis, you're with me." Parker looked up and saw Joe there. "Alright," he agreed, hoping the man had found some proof of who had killed Walter. "Where we goin'?" He stood. There were several kids watching them. Joe whispered in his ear, "I found something. Something to do with Walter. " He then said, loudly for the benefit of the kids watching, "Counseling session. Now move, Mr Davis, or do I have to make you move?" "I'm goin', I'm goin'," Parker said, an angry expression on his face as he walked back toward the building. He said quietly when they were at the door, "What'd you find? Are we going to the power generator room?" Joe opened the door and said, "No, I found something else. Walter was in the replicator room. He may have been trying to replicate something. I'm not a computer wizard, that's why I pulled you away. I need your help." When they entered the replicator room, Joe pointed to a particular replicator that had the panel open. "You want me to figure out what was the thing replicated at the time Walter was here? Okay...I can do that. It shouldn't be too hard. It's just a matter of accessing the logs and getting past the controls. I'll need your codes," Parker said, and got to work. Joe watched him work for a moment, his hand on his phaser. He glanced back to the door to make sure there was no-one about. Turning back to Parker, he smiled. the kid had no clue what was about to happen. He pulled his phaser from it's holster and took aim. He could take him out with one shot but the phaser was set to stun. He wanted this to be a lesson and not an excecution. This kid had to learn who was in charge here and it most certainly was not him. He stood at his side and said, "You know, you're really good at this. Thank-you for all your help.... but the thing is, the time has come for you to learn a lesson, Mr Davis. There's only one top dog in this operation and it's me." He fired the phaser and the kid dropped, stunned. He checked back to the door and saw no-one was there. He'd managed to arrange it that the guards and the bosses were not aware that anyone was in there. The security cameras were rigged to show a continuing shot of an empty room so no-one would come checking any time soon. He dragged the uncnscious form , roughly, and threw him onto one of the chairs that had been dotted around the room. Sitting him up, he yanked Parker's arms back and handcuffed them behind the chair. Standing back, he knew the kid would be not happy when he finally awoke and took the precaution of binding his feet to the chair legs as well. Placing a chair infront of him, he sat back and waited for this cocky little kid to wake up. Then the lesson could really begin. Parker awoke slowly, his head throbbing and his eyes struggling to focus in the dim light. He squinted and identified Joe, and then the last thing the guard said popped into his head. He moved to get up, but was restrained, his hands tightly handcuffed to the back of the chair and his ankles bound to its legs. "What is this?" Parker asked through gritted teeth, anger rising in his chest. "You're gonna get yourself fired, you dumb shit." Joe laughed a little and said, "See, this is what I meant. You realise that no-one knows you're in here. The security cameras are all rigged. We've got plenty of time together. Now, you need to learn." he turned to the table next to him and watched as Parker's gaze went with his. On the table, he'd laid out a variety of items that he wanted Parker to see. As the kid looked, Joe said, "Now, how this lesson progresses, depends entirely on you. You do well and the less we move down this line...." he guestured to the variety of things laid out on the table, "....However, it goes badly and we might make to the end of the line, which would not be good for you." He rose from his chair, well aware he was towering over Parker and said, "Now what do you think about that, Mr I-know-everything!" To emphasise his point, he clenched his fist and hit hard on the bridge on Parker's nose. Parker's eyes began to water as he grunted at the punch. His nose was now broken and as tears poured out of his eyes he glared at Joe and said, "Go ahead, you asshole. It doesn't matter if the cameras *are* off--you hurt me, I'll tell everyone." His body was the evidence, of course. But Parker realized as soon as he said it, that Joe had no reason to keep him alive. He realized for the first time what a precarious situation he was in...he could very well be killed by this man. He was now in a desperate situation himself; his job was on the line and if he didn't kill Parker, there was a good chance he would be fired. And he certainly wouldn't continue to get his drug revenue. Fear began to rise in the fifteen-year-old's chest, and his breathing became heavy. His nose hurt terribly but he couldn't hold it because of his restrained position. In addition to the natural tears in his eyes, a sob grew in his throat, and escaped when Joe came at him with the first instrument. Joe smiled and said, "I take it you've realised the position you're in." He held the lighter infront of him and said, "Now this is an interesting piece of history. Back when our predcessors used to smoke tobacco, they used this to light their poison. But it's interesting what this does to people when you hold it against them." To emphasise his point, he clicked the lighter open and struck the flame. Moving it closer to Parker's arm, he said, "I imagine this is gonna hurt." Parker closed his eyes and clenched his fists, but a scream still erupted from his throat as the lighter was applied to his skin. "Why?" he sobbed. "Why? Why?" But he received no answer. Because, as he had learned in his past few months here, criminals rarely understood why they committed the crimes they did. It more often came from an emotional whim. But this was the first time he felt the helplessness, primal terror, and hopeless despair that came with being a victim. ___________ The disk was done. The next one was in his small box, which he opened as soon as this one finished, but he found Tayla's hand stopping his. He looked at her. She couldn't believe what he'd been through. This was something buried deep in his past and it was just that, the past. She pulled his hand from the disk and said, "Parker... I can't.... I...." She couldn't find the words. This was something that she hadn't experienced herself and it had shocked her. She could tell that he was scared of her reaction and she wanted to reassure him, more than anything. What had happened to him in the past, the things he'd done had no bearings on her feelings for him now. Infact it made her care for him more. She smiled softly and said, "I can't imagine what that was like. But I can only say this. What happened then is the past. It has no bearings on the here and now." To emphasise her point, she leant towards him and kissed him gently. Pulling back, she placed a hand lightly on his face and said, "What you did, what you went through. The courage you've shown to even show me this just shows how much you've grown since then. Thank you for trusting me enough to show me this and I can safely say that you have no reason to fear I'm going anywhere. After all, that's not the reason I've fallen for you." (to be continued, no reply necessary) (posted by Morgan G and Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Parker Davis' Quarters - COUNS Parker Davis and Lt. JG Tayla Fraiser - Day 9 - 2345) _____________________ It was the beeping that woke her. She heard Tony groan and roll away from her as she reached for the clock. ~God who is calling at this hour~ she thought to herself. Pulling a robe around her, she crept into the living area and sat at the computer and said, "Answer." She yawned as the screen filled with her boss, Samuel. Rubbing her eyes, she said, "Samuel, what the hell are you doing calling at this hour?" The man sighed and said, "Janette, It's Parker. He's in the hopsital right now." Her mind cleared instantly and panic set it. "What happened? Is he ok?" Samuel shook his head and said, "You'd better get down here and see for yourself." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She'd made it to the facility in record time. Ran most of the way since she lived near by and was running on fear. Samuel hadn't said much more, just that he'd been hurt and hurt badly. He met her as she ran into the hospital wing and stopped her gently, "Janette, listen. Before you go in, you'd better prepare yourself." She looked at him and said, "Sam, just let me past to see the kid." He shook his head and said, "Listen, you need to understand what happened." He guided her to a chair outside Parker's room and said, "We found him in the replicator room. When he wasn't there for final lockdown, we went searching." He paused as the memory of what he'd seen in that room flashed before his eyes, "He'd been hurt badly. That's not the worst part though." "What is?" She asked, already fearing the answer. "It seems that one of the guards did it. Joe's gone missing." Fury rose in her like never before and she yelled, "God damn it, I'll kill him." "Wait, he'll be caught. Right now our concern is Davis and, seeing as you're the only one who's ever gotten through to him...." She rose from the chair and said, "I'll talk to him, Sam." She walked to the door and stopped. Bracing herself for the worst, she entered. Parker was covered in electronic bandages and splints. The doctors had put everything back together, he reasoned, but it wouldn't do well to jostle things up too much. That sentiment wasn't just his conjecture--it hurt to breathe, let alone move. It was a dull ache, like nothing he had ever experienced. The pain medication was probably dulling the worst of the pain, but it was also fogging up his brain so it was hard to think. His eyes squinted in the bright light of the hospital ward, and he thought he saw Janette. He closed his eyes, hoping she hadn't seen him awake. She stopped, the sight of him lying there on the bed covered in bandages was shocking. Before she'd walked in, she'd read the litany of abuse the guard had put Parker through and it was terrible. The poor kid had broken bones, bruising, burns, cuts and a whole lot more. But seeing him, this was worse than anything she'd imagined. Walking to his bed, she sat and placed a hand gently on his and said, "Parker.... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Feeling a tear fall down her face, she wiped it away and said, "I know you're not asleep so if you don't want to talk, you'd better listen. What ever this guy did to you.... he will be caught and dealt with. Whatever you two were up to, it doesn't matter now." She glanced down at his legs under the blankets and knew that they'd taken a hell of a beating. Almost every bone in his body had been broken. Parker winced at her words, and tears began to well in his eyes. Those were his mother's words to him when he had landed in this place. She had apologized to him. That had hurt so bad...worse than his present condition, for sure. He opened his eyes and tried to hold back his tears, but was unable. "Go away," he whispered, alarming himself at his inability to speak normally. "Please go away," he begged, even though he really wanted her to stay. He liked her hand in his, he liked the comfort it brought. He would never admit to anyone that he wanted his mommy, but she was the closest he had to that at the moment, and he felt more like a little boy than he had ever felt before. His conflicted feelings of wanting to appear strong but truly wanting a hug tore at his heart, and he turned away from her, squinting his eyes closed as the tears fell. She kept her hand in his as he cried and she stayed there for a while before saying, "Parker, I'm always here for you. Not just as a counselor, as a friend. I want you to understand that and that you can talk to me about anything. I know you want to appear the big tough man but sometimes, even those guys cry. It's not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. Strength of character that you know you're hurting and you need to release." She leant over him and gently kissed his forehead and said, "I'll leave you to sleep but know that I'm not far away.... If you need anything, have one of the nurses call me okay?" She wiped a tear from his eye and smiled, "Now, Mr Davis, I expect to see you working hard like I know you can. I'll come see you tomorrow." She watched him for a few more moments and then walked to the door. Stopping, she felt a tear run down her face. Reaching to wipe it, she thought, ~Why has this one gotten to me more than the others, why him.~ and then it hit her. He was exactly like the little child that she'd lost years ago. It was her motherly instincts that had kicked in and she realised that she was gonna work hard to make sure that he got better. She knew he was good inside, she just needed him to believe that now. -------------------------------------------- It was the next day that he was started on physical therapy. The doctors gave him soft balls to squeeze to gain back his hand strength, taught him rotation exercises for his shoulders, gave him stretching exercises for the partially healed burns to heal correctly, and they started him on the parallel bars. His legs were too badly broken to heal with a regenerator, and the surgery they required meant that he had to use leg braces and re-learn the muscle controls that allowed humans to walk. But his arms were still too weak to hold himself up to get the entire way down the track, and he found himself constantly pausing to let his muscles relax. It frustrated the hell out of him. She watched him from the doorway as he struggled to relearn the basic function of walking. It was tough, she'd seen people go through this before but none as young as Parker. Watching him was almost as frustrating for her as it must have been for him doing this. It hadn't been that long since she'd seen him and she knew that he'd made a remarkable recovery so far but still had a long way to go. Now came the hardest part, helping him to deal with what had happened. She watched as the aides helped him a little further along and then he stopped. She could tell he was frustrated and hurting but she watched, in admiration as he pushed forward. She walked to his side and said, "How are you doing today?" It was the same question she had asked him every day since his arrival, and he answered it differently for the first time. "Better than yesterday," was the grunted reply that emitted from his lips as he shuffled his arms forward on the bars and took another step. The braces hurt his legs, and his arms ached from the activity. He didn't look at her--he was embarrassed to be seen in this state. She smiled a little, knowing full well that he wasn't happy at her being there but she cared about him and wanted to keep an eye on his recovery. The psychical stuff would heal in time, but the mental scars would take longer. She watched him struggle for a moment and then said, "That's good. There's something I need to talk to you about." "Now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he shuffled his arms forward again and took another step successfully. He stopped there, relaxing his arms and taking a deep breath. He was getting tired so fast, it truly alarmed him. He had never felt so weak before. She nodded and said, "Now. I want you to tell me what happened? Who put you in here?" She knew full well who it was but it was important for him to acknowledge it. To acknowledge who had done this to him and that was the first step on the road to recovery. "Didn't get a good look at him." Scritch-scritch went his arms on the bars. "No locking the elbows, Davis," his physical therapist reminded him. He didn't acknowledge, but tried to relax his arms. Click-click went the braces on the floor as he took a step with each foot. So slow. So painstakingly hard. His jaw was clenched in frustration. Scritch-scritch. He took a breath. Click...the other leg was stuck. He told it to move, but it wouldn't. After a pause, and much effort, the second click came, and he exhaled as if he had just finished a set on the bench press. She shook her head and said, "Now I know that's not true. They found you tied to a chair. You had to have seen who did this." She watched him as he struggled. This wasn't going to be easy and he was probably going to get angry before this was over but it was needed. She nodded to the physical therapist to help Parker onto a bench so he could rest and she knelt infront of him and said, "Parker, come on. You can tell me." "Go away," Parker said, taking the offered cup of water from the physical therapist. "Can't you see I'm busy here?" She knew this was coming. Many people who had suffered as he had done were reluctant to deal with it. She knew this and knew that it had to be done. She looked him in the eyes and said, "I'm not going anywhere. Not until you tell me who did this. If I have to I'll sit right here until you spill it." She knew that to get him to talk she had to be tough and so, she took a deep breath and said, "Now tell me!" "If you won't leave, then I will," he said, and stood up. He promptly fell forward, unable to catch himself or even slow himself down. More in frustration than in pain, he banged his newly-healed fist on the padded carpet and cried out in anguish, "God DAMN it!" Leaning forward, she put her hands under his shoulders and gently lifted him back onto the bench. She looked at him and said, "Parker, much as you want to, you can't run away from this. You can't hide either. Sooner or later you will have to deal with it." She stopped, it was what she had had to do after...... The memory of what had happened to her flashed before her eyes and she closed them a second. Opening them again, she said, a little more forcefully, "Now tell me, who did this to you?" "You stupid bitch, why won't you leave me alone!?" He sobbed, and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, and his face buried in his hands. He could feel the braces on his legs digging into his elbows, but he didn't care. He was trapped here just like he was trapped there, with Joe. The physical therapist had to have seen him fall...why wouldn't he come over and make her go away? All adults were the same...they were all just out for their own gain, and wanted to screw the kids over. All the people who worked here were evil. His stomach twisted into a knot as he realized that he was right when he first arrived, and that he was right to give the kids stims to help them pass their tests, because there was no 'help' here, only profit for the adults and slavery for the inmates. He slid down the bench away from her, his stomach muscles screaming at the action. He was having trouble even holding himself up, and she was still right there pushing him, demanding an answer..."I HATE you!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. "I HATE YOU! GO AWAY!" She knew this was gonna be tough on him, but she hadn't expected this. She sat on the bench next to him and said, "You don't really mean that. I understand, you're hitting out cause the person who did this to you isn't here. You're hitting out at anyone and everything and that's okay. But Parker, you really need to calm down. Please, then we can talk like civilised people." She watched him carefully, knowing that she wouldn't be able to push him too far or he'd never open up. "Civilized people?! You wanna talk like civilized people? Well why don't you start with giving me some civilized people to talk with, 'cause I don't see any here!" He screamed. "Davis, calm down," he heard a guard order him, but he ignored him. He couldn't get up from the bench and he was on the end, so the only way to get her to go away was to get her to move. He shoved her, and the minute he did it, he knew what a huge mistake he had made. "Okay, Davis, let's go," he heard the words before he saw the guards, and his heart began to pound. "No...no wait...please, no..." She could still feel his arms on her as the guard moved towards him. She knew he was burying stuff and she wanted to help him. She looked at the guards and gestured to them to stop. They paused a moment and she said, "It's okay. Honestly." They backed away and she turned to Parker and said, "Parker... Listen, you don't wanna talk and that's fine. I understand that. I didn't and it was the wrong thing to do. I bottled myself up until I exploded and that's something I don't want to see happen to you." She stopped for a moment and said, "Look let's go somewhere else. Somewhere quiet." He was breathing heavily, and he said nothing at first. Then he nodded at her. She had said she wouldn't make him talk. Maybe he could believe her... She watched as the guards helped him into a hoverchair and pushed him to her office. Helping him sit on the chair that he always used, she pulled a chair in front of him and then walked to the guards and said, quietly, "Wait outside. Whatever you hear, please don't come in. This isn't going to be pretty but it needs to be done. We need to know who did this to him, well to confirm our suspicions anyway. The only way I can do that is by pushing him. He isn't going to like it." They nodded and left the two alone. As she locked the door, she sighed. This was going to be worse for Parker than it would be for her but she was still so upset that she had to take it this far. Sitting in front of Parker, she said, "Right, now we're alone and whatever you say here will go no further. You wanna tell me what really happened?" Parker watched in fear as she locked the door. He couldn't hear what she said to the guards but he heard the words 'isn't going to like it.' She had just told him that they were alone now. And he realized, looking out at the guards, that he was helpless. He was stuck on the chair where he sat, and couldn't get away if he wanted to. The guards were probably told not to come in, that he would put up a fuss but wasn't a threat. She had betrayed him. She had lured him in here and now he was trapped, just like he was in the replicator room, just like Walter was in the power generator room...and how many countless other kids had been trapped here, and betrayed here in this evil place. "Let me go," he demanded in a low voice, adrenaline moving through his body to give him back the strength he had lost from his fall and his physical therapy session. Before, he felt completely spent and ready to collapse. Now he was threatened, and was ready for a fight if he had to give her one. But he would not go down tied to a chair. Not again, not ever. She looked at him and said, "You are not going anywhere. You need to understand, Parker, that you can't run away from this because it will eat you up inside. Now, tell me, what happened?" She felt terrible that she was having to push him like this but she knew that he wouldn't tell her unless she did. Breaking someone down was the first step to rebuilding the rest of their lives. It was tough but neccessary. She put a hand on his leg and said, "Parker tell me. Please?" "No!" He yelled, and jumped away at her touch. He fell off the chair for the second time that afternoon, but this time his rage didn't cause him to flip out angrily. Instead, his breath came in sharp, fearful gasps. His lungs were not completely healed from being punctured with his broken ribs, and he could barely breathe as he began crawling toward the door. It was the slowest process he had ever undertaken, and moving each arm caused his body to feel like it was being violently stabbed. He suddenly couldn't breathe, the fear was gripping him and preventing the air from getting to his lungs. He gasped in short, desperate attempts to get air. She knelt beside him and said, "Parker, listen to me. It's hard, believe me I know more than anyone. It's difficult to go back to that place that caused you so much pain, so much heartache. But it will get easier, I promise." She gently helped him back into his seat and said, "It's okay to be mad, to want to hit out at the world. I did. I hit out at anyone and everyone. I smashed things, even went as far as...." She paused, her hands going subconsciously to her wrists as she remembered the feeling of utter helplessness. She sat on her chair, rubbing her wrists slightly and sighed, "It's difficult to talk about even now but it does get easier." He stopped. Occasionally in the course of one's life, there are moments when one realizes that it is not possible to continue from one's own perspective. That in order to go on, one must take a step back and examine the situation. This was one of those moments. Parker's breathing steadied, and he studied her words. These were not the words of someone who wanted to harm him. These were the words of someone...like him. Who had been through something terrible. Who wanted to share. He asked quietly, "What happened to you?" Sighing, she began, "It was ten years ago. Before I met Tony. I used to walk home every night past this little playground and this one night..." She paused, it was difficult to talk about it but she knew if she was going to get through to him, she had to tell him, "It was a beautiful night. The stars were out and I stopped for a moment. Looking at that empty playground made me sad that it wasn't full of kids but it was night. So, I stayed there for a few more minutes. Then I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't get a chance to turn before.... before I felt his hand in my hair. I tried to scream out but another hand clamped around my mouth and the scream didn't come." She sighed again and continued, "He dragged me into the bushes and..... well, I don't need to tell you what happened next. Afterwards, I couldn't get close to anyone, couldn't stand to be near anyone, even my family. I locked myself away, shut myself off from the world. The longer I stayed there, the harder it became to even function. Then, one night, I couldn't take it anymore and I...." She pulled her shirt sleeve up and showed him the scars on her wrists. "So believe me when I say, I understand." Parker was still. He didn't know what to say. He thought of a few things, and started to form the words, but then was silent. Finally, what came out was completely idiotic. "Detroit has really gone downhill." He looked away in shame at his comment, realizing it was inappropriate for the time. She saw him turn and smiled slightly. He was only 15 after all and most kids didn't know how to react to something like that. She pulled her shirt sleeves back over her wrists and said, "I suppose you could say that. But one thing that isn't going downhill is you. You're a good kid, Parker. But only you can solve this problem. Only you can make this right. But if you don't have the balls to stand up and say, I'm hurting and I need help, then that's fine as well. I didn't have them at first but I reached a point where I couldn't deny it any more and I don't want to see you go down the road I did." He was silent. He kept his head down, his hands clenched around the chair arms as if he would fall out of it again if he didn't hold himself up. He was so tense that his muscles were nearly shaking. He stared at the braces on his legs, plastic rings with padding that wrapped around his gray coveralls and supposedly used basic mechanics to assist his movements. His uniform covered the other electronic bandages, but there were plenty of those. A single plate went across his upper chest, working to support his collar bone where it was shattered. His upper and lower arms had rings that worked the same way the braces did, assisting his arm movements. His lower chest had a flexible electronic wrap around it, supporting his ribcage. He was a mess, and his physical condition exemplified the mental anguish he was in. How could he have gotten to this point? He had been in freefall since his father's death and had not been able to pick himself up for two straight years. He had gone from a happy student at the top of his class to an angry young man in a detention center, unable to sit up without devices attached to him because he had pissed off the wrong guy. He thought about some of his old friends, who had long since given up on him. He thought about Sandra, his girlfriend, who he missed terribly since he was locked up in here. He thought about how his mom was going to visit in two weeks, and now she would be turned away because once they figured out what he had done, he would be tied to his bed for the rest of his life, restrained like that kid Jason. A lump grew in his throat, and his lip quivered. "I don't want to waste my life," he said in a whisper, tears starting to fall down his cheeks. She knelt infront of him and placed a hand on his knee and said, "Then don't. Work with me Parker and I promise you I will not let you waste your life. Can you do that?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been almost two years since the incident. She stood by the door to the outside waiting. Proud was not the word for it. At first, she honestly hadn't known if this day would ever come but it had. Sure, she was sad to see him go but it was right that he did. He had the rest of his life ahead of him, a new and happy life, stronger and better than before. Sure, most of the physical stuff had healed long ago but it was the emotional side that still held problems. Being released was the first step down a long road to recovery and one that, in his darkest moments, she'd promised she would help him though. After all, this was her final day here too. After everything that had happened here, she couldn't work here anymore and had decided to go into private practice, working with troubled teens. Parker had been instrumental in this descision and it was right that she was here to tell him that. That and the other thing she had to tell him. Something that she knew would help him move on. Suddenly, the door opened and she drew a breath, waiting for him to come out into the world again. Parker was to meet his mother at the shuttle station. Parents weren't encouraged to come right to the gates. Instead, his counselor would drive him to the shuttle station where he would meet his mom and they would go home until he was ready to start school. Seventeen-year-old Parker Davis was free. He was on probation but the ankle bracelet was removed, and the sensor was gone from the back of his hand. He stepped out of the main gates and through the security passageways that brought him to the final front door. He opened it and sunshine hit his face instantly. He put on the pair of sunglasses his mother had sent him, and smiled at the sight of the outside world. A sight he hadn't seen for two years. He was wearing a light colored long-sleeved collared shirt with a pair of dark pants and new shiny boots. His backpack held all his possessions that he had accumulated in two years--mainly books and posters and small electronics. Other than that, he was possession-less. He was really a new man. He spotted Janette and walked over to her, giving her a one-armed hug and a warm smile. He was taller than her now, by about three inches. And he wasn't done growing. "To the shuttle station?" She returned his hug fiercely and said, "Definitely." She walked to the shuttle-car and then said, "You've done so well, Parker. Just continue doing what you are doing and I have faith that you will become someone that your mother will be proud of." Opening the door, she got in and said, "You ready for this?" He took a deep breath, tossed his bag in the shuttle-car and nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I am." Janette smiled and said, "This might sound corny but today is the first day of the rest of your life. Don't waste it. Do something worthwhile. Help others like yourself and, for God sake, Parker.... find yourself a good woman and love her with all your heart." ____________________________________________________________________________ Tayla leant back in her seat as the disc came to an end. This was a lot of information to take in at once but it seemed right. She cared for Parker, deeply and it had scared her how quickly this had all happened. But after all that she'd been through, she'd learnt to trust her instincts and her instincts were telling her that he was a great guy, no matter what he'd done in the past. She took his hand in hers and said, "It means a lot that you could show me this. What I find strange though is how I don't care what you did in the past. Who you are now is what matters to me. This...." She gripped his hand tightly, "... is the man I've fallen for." He smiled at her, and gripped her hand back. "Thank you," he said quietly, and leaned in to give her a kiss. (no reply necessary) (posted by Morgan G and Jackie Smith) ------------------------- ========================= Mission: The Third Law Day: 10 Stardate: 2414.03.24 ========================= (USS Rosenante - Bridge - CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 0601) (USS Rosenante - Bridge - ACSO Lt. jg Viskhard - Day 10, 0602) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CMO's Office - Day 10 - 0603) (USS Rosenante - Personal Quarters- CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma-0610) USS Rosenante - Sickbay- Marah Neru - 1300) (USS Rosenante - Sickbay - CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 1330) (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 1- aCMO Lt (jg) Tayla Fraiser, Day 10 - 1337) (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 1 - CMO- Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 10 - 1338) (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 1 - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 10 - 1339) (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 1- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 1340) (USS Rosenante – Transporter Room 1 – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1357) (USS Rosenante – Science Labs – Science Department – Crewman Andrew Maddox – 1733) ========================= (USS Rosenante- Bridge- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 0601) "Captain approaching the inhabited world, sir." The helm officer, one of the newer replacements to the crew reported. Ahmed glanced up from his reports and took a look at the view screen. There seemingly suspended in near empty space was the world that they were here to survey, in an attempt to ascertain if they fell under the purview of the Prime Directive. nearly two billion inhabitants of a seemingly pre-warp culture stood to lose everything if they couldn't somehow prove that they were eligible for help from the Rosenante and her crew. The rogue planet that threatened them all was a little more than 32 days away from the point of no return, 4-day round trip for the Rosenante at warp seven, although that time would significantly decrease as the small planetoid grew closer and closer to the inhabited world. "Take us into standard orbit Mister Shipley, keep your eyes open for an orbital debris or satellites." Ahmed ordered. "Aye sir." Ahmed turned to look at his science station manned by Viskhard, "Any radio signals, video or anything of that nature?" he asked the Denobulan (reply Viskhard) "Well maybe they haven't reached the radio wave era of development yet, then. That will certainly make communications simpler. Are you certain you don't want to come along mister Viskhard? We could certainly use a member of the team with your varied learning." NRPG: This is because I'm uncertain if Lori was going to have Viskhard attend or not, as she was ill about the time that the emails went out on the away team composition. We can accommodate her requests either way. RPG: Ahmed smiled and turned back to view the beautiful Class M world as it filled the main view screen before sliding off to the left side of the screen as the Rosenante slid into a standard orbit. He tapped his commbadge. "Salid to Rosenbauer" =^= Rosenbauer here sir=^= "We've arrived and are ready to transport you down to the planet's surface to collect needed data. Are you ready?" =^= I'll be ready to transport down in ten minutes sir.=^= rosenbauer replied, "Very good lieutenant, just remember you don't look like the natives and it's imperative that you remain unseen. I'll have Dawson maintain a transporter lock at all times in case you need an emergency beam up. You're clear on what we need?" =^=Yes sir captain.=^= Mike replied, =^= visual and cellular scans of the inhabitants, both male and females, as well as phonetic samples for the universal translators. In addition, a general technological assessment if the opportunity presents itself.=^= "Correct. but only if the risk of exposure is non-existant, lieutenant." =^= Not to worry captain, I've done this more than a few times, they'll never even know I was there.=^= "Very well then mister Rosenbauer, you are cleared to beam down, you will have two hours to complete your mission." =^= Aye sir, Rosenbauer out.=^= The channel closed and now there wasn't much more that could be done outside of waiting. He tapped his commbadge again. "Salid to Caskie and Frasier" (reply Caskie, Frasier) "Lieutenant Rosenbauer has beamed down to the inhabited planet in order to gather the information we need for the cosmetic alterations. He will be returning to the ship in roughly two-hours. Be prepared to start the cosmetic surgeries as soon as you have the necessary data." (reply Caskie, Frasier) "Very good then doctors, Carry on." Ahmed then tapped his commbadge again, "Salid to Soma, Signos, Matrix, Davis, Sanok, Tamblyn and O'Neill" (reply Soma, Signos, Matrix, Davis, Sanok, Tamblyn and O'Neill) "We have arrived and will begin the cosmetic alterations for the away team in a little over two hours, please have all final equipment and gear ready for distribution. Mister Davis, once the information comes through, please have the needed clothing replicated for the away team. We are tentatively scheduled to depart the ship at 1400 hours. Mister Matrix is your relay ready?" (reply Matrix) "Good, please use the cargo transporter to place it in the planet's high polar orbit and activate the cloaking mechanism." (reply Matrix) "Let me know when it's fully deployed. Salid out" (reply Caskie, Frasier, Viskhard, Tamblyn, Davis, Soma, Signos, Matrix, Sanok, O'Neill) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Bridge- ACSO Lt. jg Viskhard - Day 10, 0602) "Captain approaching the inhabited world, sir." The helm officer, one of the newer replacements to the crew reported. Captain Salid glanced up at the screen at the call of the helmsman, while Visk was already getting some long range scans in on this rather peculiar gem. He was still hemming and hawing about joining the away missions - knowing his propensity to get over-involved in his work and cause himself more trouble than it was worth to go. It was a tempting mission though. "Take us into standard orbit Mister Shipley, keep your eyes open for an orbital debris or satellites," ordered the soft-spoken CO. "Aye sir." The captain turned to Viskhard with his next words, "Any radio signals, video or anything of that nature?" he asked. Visk did a quick second check of his intruments, "None that I can detect at this time, Captain." "Well maybe they haven't reached the radio wave era of development yet, then. That will certainly make communications simpler. Are you certain you don't want to come along mister Viskhard? We could certainly use a member of the team with your varied learning." Viskhard smiled, "I think perhaps I will Captain. I will get a repalcement at this station for the appropriate times and be prepared." Visk set about to do just that, letting the Captain continue on his command activities. (reply none needed) (posted by Lori) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay - CMO's Office - Day 10 - 0603) =/\= Salid to Caskie and Frasier =/\= Josh was already in Sickbay, so when the call came through from the Captain she was already ready for it. =/\= "Lieutenant Rosenbauer has beamed down to the inhabited planet in order to gather the information we need for the cosmetic alterations. He will be returning to the ship in roughly two-hours. Be prepared to start the cosmetic surgeries as soon as you have the necessary data. =/\= Josh nodded although the Captain could not see her do so. "Understood Sir. We're on it." Closing that channel down Josh opened a new one. "Caskie to the away team. I need all of the away team to report to Sickbay no later than 0830 hours to begin preparation for cosmetic alterations. Captain Salid, Lts Viskhard and Davis please report at 0800 since your alterations will take slightly longer. Lt Fraiser please report to Sickbay now please." (No need to reply just catching up) (Posted by Marilyn) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Personal Quarters- CTAC Lt. sg Ben Soma-0610) Ben had just finished a meager breakfast alone, after Marah learned that he had volunteered for the mission she was very upset. At first she thought the Captain had ordered him to go to the stricken planet but when he told her he hadn't been ordered but volunteered she wasn't very receptive, she had yelled at him for making stupid decisions without thinking about the consequences. He tried to explain why he had decided to go but she didn't want to listen to him, at least not at first. After about an hour she had cooled down enough to listen and though she clearly didn't agree with him she did admit to understanding why he wanted to go. He crossed to the bedroom door and stepped inside, for a moment he remained at the threshold of the door just looking at the woman lying in his bed. He almost had second thoughts about what he was about to do but he had to go, there was too much at stake for him to remain on the side lines. He quietly crossed the room to the bed and gently sat on the edge as Marah rolled over, he placed a had gently on her shoulder as her eyes opened. She groggily rose up on her elbows and met his gaze. "Ben." She said. "What is it?" Ben gave her a weak smile. "We'll be at the planet soon." He said. "Before I go I just wanted to tell you how much I love you............, in case something goes wrong." "No." She said. "Your coming back Benjamin." Her voice pleaded with him, she was on the verge of tears. "Promise me you'll come back." "If it make you feel better." He replied. "I promise." Just then his commbadge chimed. =/\=Salid to Soma, Signos, Matrix, Davis, Sanok, Tamblyn and O'Neill=/\= Ben tapped his commbadge "Go ahead Captain." =/\=We have arrived and will begin the cosmetic alterations for the away team in a little over two hours, please have all final equipment and gear ready for distribution. Mister Davis, once the information comes through, please have the needed clothing replicated for the away team. We are tentatively scheduled to depart the ship at 1400 hours. Mister Matrix is your relay ready?=/\= "Understood, Soma out." He replied. Turning back to Marah he leaned in and gave her a kiss, she resisted at first but realizing it may be the last time she saw him she returned it with force. Ben was the one to break off slowly rising off the bed as she grabbed his hand. "Ben." She said. "I have to go now." He stated. "I love you Marah, I always have and always will." With that he released her hand and left their quarters to head to the armory, he had a final inventory to do and a staff briefing to list assignments in his absence. He entered the corridor and nodded to those he passed as he went. (reply any, none required) (posted by Milo Young) -------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay- Marah Neru - 1300) Marah entered sickbay for her shift a little late, she had to admit she was happy that she was allowed to help out and normally she would have been very enthusiastic about working with the medical staff but not today. She was worried about Ben, Sanok and the others. It bothered her that Ben hadn't discussed it with her before making his decision but she knew the end result would have been the same, Ben would have went anyway no matter how much she pleaded for him to stay. The alterations were now over and everyone had left to finish preparing for the mission, Marah had requested that her shift begin a little later today because she didn't think she could get through the rest of the day if she had been there to see the procedures. Her request was granted considering there were no emergency cases at the moment. She crossed to the main station and picked up her tricorder, part of her training was getting used to the equipment that was used on a daily basis. She turned it on and configured it for one of her daily tasks, before she started one of the nurses came over and flashed her a smile. The first couple times she went through the exercise wasn't pretty, she couldn't configure the tricorder and no matter what she pressed all it would do was sequel at her. Now she was getting the hang of it and didn't require as much help. She moved over to one of the tables containing a few dozen sample containers and went about the process of identifying them one by one, she recorded the sample number and her determination which she wold later enter into the computer for confirmation. When she had finished that she moved on to her next task of sterilizing some of the equipment, you could never have things to clean in a medical setting. She then helped the nurses arrange supplies on the trays so everything would be ready at a moments notice in case of an emergency. When that was completed she went to see what else she could do. "Is there anything else I can help with?" She asked. "If there isn't anything at the moment I'll grab a padd and download another couple lessons from the medical database and begin studying." NRPG: I know Caskie isn't present but are there any SPC's or other NPS's present? Kitty possibly? (reply any in sickbay) (posted by Milo Young) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Sickbay- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 1330) Ahmed stood looking at his new face in the mirror. His extremely pale white skin was broken up by the natural cracks and crenellations that seemed to be native to the Asrai species. His hair was long and blond, and trussed into long braids. There were small glass beads at intervals in his hair, which marked him as a member of the merchant caste, or as close to one as they could get based on Rosenbauer's limited information collection. His eyes were a vibrant blue color, that made his entire face look even more alien to him that the paleness of the skin. In all his years in starfleet, he'd only been cosmetically altered twice before, and of the total of three times, this one was the most radical departure from his normal appearance. The rest of the away team was already changing into their costumes, and Ahmed pulled himself away from the mirror to complete the process on his own. He slipped the surgical gown off and dropped it on the floor, and gave his body a quick once over. The same pale white skin was everywhere to be seen, and it almost looked as if it should be painful, but it wasn't. He pulled on a pair of loose fitting fine pants. They were a mix of fabrics, a combination of a silk and cotton analog material that proved to be very comfortable against his naked skin. The pants were kept in place by a thick multi colored woven cord that ended in an elaborate series of hooks and eyes that kept it fastened. His shirt was a billowy thick silk analog shirt, deep Burgundy red in color. Cream colored piping ran down the length of each sleeve and ran the perimeter of his color. The same multicolored cording, just on a smaller scale, that was used for the belt wove a corset stitch through his open collar, and that seemed to complete the imagery. A fur-lined cloak was added at his neck to help him ward off the cold. The region was going to be at a fairly high altitude and so he didn't want anyone freezing to death, especially Sanok. Now changed he stepped out of the head and into sickbay proper. It was time to head for the transporter room. There they'd pick up their equipment and get a short briefing from Rosenbauer before they beamed down to the surface. (reply none needed) Daniel Greene ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Transporter Room 1- aCMO Lt (jg) Tayla Fraiser, Day 10 - 1337) Tayla walked intio the transporter room and stopped. The assembled crew, even though she had played a part in their transformation, were a sight to behold. It took her a moment to realise who was who and then she spotted Parker. Smiling at him, she walked to his side and whispered, "This is going to be interesting." (Reply Davies) Tayla turned as Captain Salid walked into the transporter room and nodded her welcome. She could feel the tension and apprehension in the room as they prepared to make their way down to the planet. This was her first away mission with this crew and it was something she wanted to go well. Spotting Commander Caskie, she whispered to Parker, "I'll be right back." she gently gripped his hand for a brief moment and then walked over to Josh and said, "Is there anything you think i should be aware of?" (Reply Caskie) Tayla nodded and then turned her attention to Captain Salid as he said, "Okay all, we're just about ready to depart, but before we do, Rosenbauer is going to give us a few details that he picked up from his excursion." Ahmed turned to the Ranger, "Lieutenant." Rosenbauer stepped forward. "Thank you sir." He then turned to address the remainder of the away team. "Okay, the over all technology seems to be pre-industrial, although I saw a few examples of steam-age equipment. The people here are called the Asrai, and they are mostly uneducated and unable to read or write. They are ruled by a religious caste, and their civilization seems to be organized into distinct social castes as well." The man continued to talk for a few minutes about the various things that he'd discovered. One thing worried Tayla. This was the first pre warp civilisation that she had encountered but from all the things she had read over the last day, she wasn't sure how these people would react to the presence of a telepath or an empath. She had spent the last few hours after helping Caskie transform the rest of the crew, meditating and reinforcing her mental barriers but she knew that this was going to be diificult. "I haven't really much else to report. Are there any questions?" Tayla waited for a moment and then spoke up, "If i may, Is there anything that you noticed that, well, Sanok and I should be aware of? Are these people aware of the existance of telepaths and empaths?" (Reply Matrix) Tayla nodded. It seemed that not only would her talents, along with those of Sanok, come in useful, but that it was going to be tough, on her mind. She closed her eyes a moment and said, "Well, thankyou. That helps." (Reply Matix, Davies, Caskie, Any) (Posted by Jackie Smith) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Transporter Room 1 - CMO- Cmdr Josh Caskie - Day 10 - 1338) Josh was almost last to make it to the transporter room given that she had so much work to do in making sure that everyone looked the part. So when the doors opened she simply slid into the back of the room and paid attention to the information that Mike was dispensing. Tayla spotted her and crossing over spoke to Josh. "Is there anything you think I should be aware of?" Josh nodded. "I know that this is your first away mission Tayla. Don't assume that you know everything. I guarantee that every single person on this mission, regardless of their rank knows far far more that you do. Remember that and if they tell you to do something then do it. No ifs, no buts, just do it. Believe me I will be doing the same because what they tell you to do will probably save your life. Don't give them any back chat, this is not the time for it. If they tell you to run for the hills then you find out where uphill is and you start running and don't stop. Understood?" "Pay particular attention to what Soma, Sanok, Signos and Rosenbauer are saying and.." Josh lifted one finger and turned Tayla's cheek towards Rosenbauer,... "that includes now. Pay attention and listen." After listening to Mike's report Josh posed a question. "Would we get away with posing as a family group of traders? An extended family, possibly with bodyguards?" (Reply anyone) (Posted by Marilyn) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante - Transporter Room 1 - COUNS Parker Davis - Day 10 - 1339) "This is going to be interesting," Tayla said from the spot beside him on the transporter pad. He nodded, and smiled briefly at her. "It may end up being many things, but it will *absolutely* be interesting." He was trying not to engage in too much obvious chatter with her. As the mission's second in command, fraternizing with his subordinates would be frowned upon. But then she grabbed his hand and gripped it just briefly before she told him she'd be back in a moment. He was very thankful they were in the back of the transporter pad and no one saw. A few of the crew had brief conversations, and he spotted Eian O'Neill come in. He honestly wasn't sure how O'Neill would do on this mission, especially if they got stuck, but he had confidence that he would be able to help him through whatever morale problems the man might encounter. He was doing well with his therapy. He awaited for the others to arrive, and anxiously bounced on his heels slightly. This was going to be a very interesting experience, indeed. (reply any there) (posted by Morgan G) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante- Transporter Room 1- CO, Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid, Day 10- 1340) Ahmed stepped into the transporter room, happy to find his team assembled and already arrayed in a variety of rich clothes. It took his brain a moment to register whom was whom since the changes to the appearance of his crew was so dramatic. After a moment of putting it together, he looked at Matrix and said, "Do you have my equipment?" (reply Matrix) Ahmed took a few moments looking over the masterfully disguised pieces of high-tech equipment. It was a masterful stroke and Ahmed couldn't help but smile at the skill that his team had already exhibited, even before they had beamed down to the surface. "Thank you commander." Ahmed replied as he stowed the rest of his equipment away. The shoulder bag was a nice addition and he realized how helpful it was likely to become before the mission was over. "Okay all, we're just about ready to depart, but before we do, Rosenbauer is going to give us a few details that he picked up from his excursion." Ahmed turned to the Ranger, "Lieutenant." Rosenbauer stepped forward. "Thank you sir." He then turned to address the remainder of the away team. "Okay, the over all technology seems to be pre-industrial, although I saw a few examples of steam-age equipment. The people here are called the Asrai, and they are mostly uneducated and unable to read or write. They are ruled by a religious caste, and their civilization seems to be organized into distinct social castes as well." "I have determined that the planet has a planetary government, which is unusual for a world with this level of technological development, The capital of this government is called Celdebrai City, which is home to the Golden Temple, which is both the religious center of the planet as well as the seat of power for the government." "Relations between men and women seem to be equal, although limited by caste interactions. The exact barrier between the castes, as in how and to whom each caste can interact is unclear. We'll need to collect this information as we go." "The Asrai live exclusively in mountainous regions, so we'll be dealing with low average temperatures and thin atmosphere. I have managed to get enough of a phonetic sample to allow the universal translators to function, but there is another issue you will need to be aware of. It seems that in some situations, there are specific hand and body postures that are assumed during communication. As these are body language cues, the universal translator is useless in interpreting them. That said, we're going to have to make the best of it and we'll be depending upon our experts to figure out what they are and what they mean." "Family structure seems to be standard, and may include the immediate extended family such as parents. The local religion seems to center around the Aowa, which means 'ancient ones.'" Mike paused. "I haven't really much else to report. Are there any questions?" (reply all away team members) Daniel Greene -------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Transporter Room 1 – FO – Commander T’Larah Sullivan – 1357) T’Larah strode into the transporter room, and looked at the assembled away team. She had not gotten a chance to see any of them in their cosmetic surgically altered appearance. She was surprised and quickly realized that it was showing. Just as quickly she re-established the Vulcan mask of emotional control. (Reply Salid, any IYW) “You didn’t think I hadn’t noticed your name on the away mission list did you sir?” she inquired. (Reply Salid) “I don’t actually blame you. At least millions of lives, perhaps billions lay on this one decision that you are responsible for. I would want the evidence first hand as well. I just had to come to send you off in person.” She responded. (Reply Salid) The Captain continued the less than formal, yet still serious briefing on what he expected to happen while he was away. He explained protocols on subspace communications, transporter and even exit procedures. “I’ve got it.” She said. As the away team boarded the transporter pad, T’Larah turned to the Ensign manning the station. “I relieve you.” “I stand relieved.” The Ensign replied and moved off. (Reply Salid, away team) “Good luck and Godspeed.” She said. (reply Salid) She activated the transporter and the away team dematerialized before the Commander’s eyes. (Reply Away Team, Salid) (Posted by Todd) ------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Science Labs – Science Department – Crewman Andrew Maddox – 1733) Andrew sat at the station he had been sitting there nearly non-stop for the past couple of days. Taking breaks only for hygiene and a small respite of four hours for sleep then back to the labs. The sheer amount of data that was still coming in from the rogue planet experiments and samples was nothing short of amazing. So much so that Andrew didn’t dare leave the lab unless he had to. He even ate at the station, usually just grabbing a quick sandwich or grazing food from the replicator. “Sandwich, Teran style ham and swiss cheese, honey mustard. Tortilla chips lightly salted, coffee two sugars.” He ordered from the replicator. Soon a medium sized plate appeared, shimmering from the aether and next to it was a smaller saucer with a cup of piping hot coffee steaming merrily. He grabbed the pair and headed back to his station to monitor the data coming in. He found it better if he worked on what was coming in ordered rotations. He would work on organizing the incoming data, grouping it with like experiments. Then he would take the raw data and graph and chart it. Then use the data to build a working model, and extrapolate a working theory, based on new findings. From what he saw so far, the planet was either manufactured or being teraformed. There were too many refined ores, alloys and materials to consider it a coincidence. Maddox munched on his sandwich as he continued to work into the late after noon and early evening. (Reply none needed) (Posted by Todd) ------------------------- ========================= Compiled by Marilyn =========================