==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 2 Stardate: 2408.12.04 ==================== ==================== (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2308) "Oh, I'm a cruel and harsh mistress. I'll expect you to do things like fix the squeak in my office door and fill out your reports on time.” He decided to play along a bit. “Well… if yer door has a squeak, ah expect ye tae fill out the standard maintenance request forms – in triplicate, of course – and then ah will make sure it gets the appropriate priority on the repair list. As far as mah reports go, they are *always* on time.” (Reply Denise iyw) After laughing and detailing her ‘reputation’, Denise stepped out of the way for the approach of Dr. Jahlen. "What's this I hear? You want to leave Sickbay already?" asked Jahlen, as she struck a threatening pose which Bob dearly hoped was all theater. “Mind ye its nae the company, Doctor… but this bloody bed is givin’ me a backache. Ah promise ah’ll follow your orders if ye let me go?” "I'd prefer to keep you in overnight, Lieutenant but I understand that you'd rather be elsewhere still you must stay a while longer. I'm afraid it is too soon, I only completed the repair half an hour ago, you must stay in Sickbay another hour at least, I'm sorry. However I will leave orders that you may leave if your vitals are still within normal parameters, just be careful and remember what I told you. Don't dance! I don't care how good the music is and no drinking liquor." Bob smiled to hide his disappointment. “Right Doctor… an hour it is then… at least an hour. I’m not in much of a partying mood at any rate… just wanted tae pay mah respects tae Mister Trei was all.” He stopped a moment, lost in his own thoughts. He gave the Doctor another bright, appreciative smile. “Thank ye Doctor, for all that you and the rest of your people have done.” (Reply Jahlen, Lebranski, Any, None) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2310) "I'd prefer to keep you in overnight, Lieutenant but I understand that you'd rather be elsewhere still you must stay a while longer. I'm afraid it is too soon, I only completed the repair half an hour ago, you must stay in Sickbay another hour at least, I'm sorry. However I will leave orders that you may leave if your vitals are still within normal parameters, just be careful and remember what I told you. Don't dance! I don't care how good the music is and no drinking liquor." Bob smiled to hide his disappointment. "Right Doctor. an hour it is then. at least an hour. I'm not in much of a partying mood at any rate. just wanted tae pay mah respects tae Mister Trei was all." He stopped a moment, lost in his own thoughts. He gave the Doctor another bright, appreciative smile. "Thank ye Doctor, for all that you and the rest of your people have done." Denise caught Jahlen's eye, "How about half an hour if I get him to promise to stick to a hoverchair? Give me time to get a transporter lock increaser thingy to stick on his chair, if he has a relapse.. blip, he's right back here." She was pretty sure that Bob wanted to go ease everyone's worry and he'd do it at his own cost. Problem with pleasers was they typically needed watching to make sure they didn't do themselves harm. But, if she could make him happy without risk, she supposed it was the least she could do. (Reply Jahlen, Lorimar) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – SPC a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen – Day 2 - 2311) Jahlen could see that Bob was disappointed even though he did his best to hide it, but it couldn't be helped, he had to be under observation for a while after surgery. “Right Doctor… an hour it is then… at least an hour. I’m not in much of a partying mood at any rate… just wanted tae pay mah respects tae Mister Trei was all.” The doctor patted his arm apologetically and nodded. He really had no choice but to follow doctor's orders and she was thankful he was such a sweet guy. ~ Now if it had been Captain Rivers! ~ He stopped a moment then gave the Doctor another bright smile. “Thank ye Doctor, for all that you and the rest of your people have done.” "You're more than welcome. I'm just glad we could fix you, you'll be back to normal in a couple of days." She turned away from the biobed and Denise spoke to her quietly to ask if she would let him go in half an hour if she could get him to promise to stay in a hoverchair with a transporter lock enhancer. "That's a good idea, Lieutenant and actually we have Matthew McLaren's chair stowed away in the storage room." The J'Naii glanced around until she saw the duty nurse just across the room and nudged her chin towards the nurse. "Go and ask the nurse to get it for you. If he agrees to stay in it then he can go in thirty minutes, not a minute before, and I will calibrate his commbadge to give continuous feedback to Sickbay with his vitals as well." (Reply Lorimar, Lebranski, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2314) Bob had been lying quietly on the biobed as directed. Anytime he had ever found himself in the care of Starfleet medical, he had always followed any instructions in both letter and spirit. It was partly out of respect for the profession, partly in gratitude for all they had done for him after his various injuries. His hearing had always been above average, even exceptional. As he lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his sense of hearing seemed to focus into sharp relief. Starting with his own soft, measured respirations, he worked his way outward, hearing all the ambient noises of sickbay. When he heard himself being discussed by Denise and Doctor Jahlen, he focused his full attention on what they had to say. He listened without reaction… until he heard the words ‘Matthew McLaren’s chair’. After that, he heard nothing else. His next actions were entirely reflexive, and had absolutely not a shred of rational thought. His eyes snapped open, and he sat bolt upright on the bed, swinging his legs down and over the edge. Feeling no pain, but rather just a bit of residual discomfort, he shifted his weight off the bed and onto his feet. With a far more steady gait than he would have expected, he walked quickly to a nearby table and grabbed his commbadge, and gathered the closure at the back of his sickbay gown as best he could with his other hand. As he headed for the doors with speed that surprised even him, he shot a glance at his two friends. “Sorry and all that about ruinin’ yer evenin’ Denise… and ah thank ye both again. Doctor, ah’ll be in mah quarters… ye can monitor me by commbadge. Ah’ll not be in that bloody chair! Not now! Not *ever*!” The last part was delivered with a force and feeling he *thought* he had long since left behind. Evidently not. (Reply Lebranski, Jahlen, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – a-CMO – Day 2 - 2315) Jahlen and Denise were coming to an agreement that would allow Bob Lorimar to leave Sickbay sooner. The a-CMO thought that Matthew McLaren's chair which was stowed away in the storage room, could be utilized for Bob's ambulation and had just told Denise to ask the nurse to get it for her when a flurry of movement caught her eye and to her astonishment she saw her patient was not only suddenly out of bed, but was moving very quickly towards the doors. Far too quickly than was good for him. He shot a glance at his two friends. “Sorry and all that about ruinin’ yer evenin’ Denise… and ah thank ye both again. Doctor, ah’ll be in mah quarters… ye can monitor me by commbadge. Ah’ll not be in that bloody chair! Not now! Not *ever*!” His outburst added to Jahlen's astonishment, had she known he'd take such umbrage over this particular chair she would never have suggested it. ~ And what the heck was he doing listening in to a private conversation anyway? ~ her astonishment already overwhelmed by her indignation and rising anger and what had caused momentary paralysis now instantly motivated her As quick as Bob was moving Jahlen was quicker and in a spurt of speed she ran over and blocked the doorway, if he wanted out he'd have to go through or over her. "You are *not* leaving Sickbay against my orders, Lieutenant Lorimar, you *will* return to your biobed immediately so I can see if your irrational actions have done any damage." Her arms folded across her chest and she glared at him. Steam was practically venting from her ears and flames from her nostrils. "If you do not comply with my orders I *will* request security send someone to enforce them!" (Reply Lorimar, Lebranski, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2316) The speed with which Jahlen intercepted him at the Sickbay doors almost surprised him, but then he realized he was the patient, and she the doctor… if he had been quicker than her something would have been very wrong indeed. He was indignant at being stopped, and raised his hands, initially intending to push her out of the way and continue in his flight. Fortunately reason returned and he dropped his hands to his sides as she spoke. "You are *not* leaving Sickbay against my orders, Lieutenant Lorimar, you *will* return to your biobed immediately so I can see if your irrational actions have done any damage." His eyes which had been a bit wild looking returned to their normal focus. He took a deep breath and very quietly and very, very slowly spoke. “Whatever you say Doctor. You will not, however be putting me anywhere near that chair, so don’t bother getting it from wherever that accursed bloody thing is being kept, understand?” With that he returned to the bed, dropping his commbadge back on the table on his way. He lay on his back and shut his eyes, trying his best to shut out the world both inside and outside his head. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – SPC a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 – 2317) Lorimar was undoubtedly irritated by Jahlen's sudden action of blocking his escape and a wild look filled his eyes as he raised his hands. For a second she thought that he was most definitely going to run over her or through her but thankfully sense must have won over desperation and he dropped his hands as Jahlen ordered him back to his bed so she could see if his irrational actions have done any damage. He took a deep breath and very quietly and very, very slowly spoke. “Whatever you say Doctor. You will not, however be putting me anywhere near that chair, so don’t bother getting it from wherever that accursed bloody thing is being kept, understand?” Her hammering heart slowed and she hefted a soft sigh of relief, thanking the stars that he'd quickly come to his senses as he about faced and returned to the bed, dropping his commbadge back on the table on his way. Lying on his back, Bob shut his eyes and the doctor approached the bedside, fishing in her pocket for her medical tricorder. "It's okay, Lieutenant, you don't have to sit in McLaren's chair if you don't want too, but why are you so against it, if you don't mind me asking?" She said as she ran the tricorder scan over his body. (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2318) Bob was furious with himself for his reaction, and he vowed never again to publicly lose control over himself in that way. ~No matter what I have tae do… meditation, Vulcan techniques… never again will ah make such a fool of mahself!~ He kept his eyes shut – not tightly – but closed. He thought he could perceive a shadow falling across his lidded eyes, but it might well be his imagination in the dimly lit room. He forced himself to continue the relaxation technique that Dorga had taught him, keeping his breathing slow, deep, and regular. ~Dorga would be quite upset if she had seen mah performance just now… maybe that painstick rattled more than just mah nerves?~ He heard the faint beeping and thrumming of a medical tricorder, followed immediately by the soothing voice of Dr. Jahlen. "It's okay, Lieutenant, you don't have to sit in McLaren's chair if you don't want too, but why are you so against it, if you don't mind me asking?" ~I *do* very much mind ye askin’!! But ah suppose after mah wee stunt ah owe an explanation…~ He didn’t immediately open his eyes, but sighed deeply. He was certain it was audible, as he didn’t even try to repress it. “Doctor, again let me sincerely apologize. Mah outburst was unprofessional and uncalled for. Please, please don’t think it had anything tae do wie you. You’ve been nothing but wonderful since we first met, and ah surely appreciate all you have done for me… ye just happened tae be in the way of mah blind panic is all.” He did open his eyes, scanning quickly around to ensure that only the Doctor was within earshot. He then lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper. If Jahlen didn’t have excellent hearing, she might just miss some of his words. “The simple fact, Doctor, is that ah was primarily responsible for Matt’s injury. Ah put him in that chair… the mere hint that ah might be in it threw me intae a blind panic… and again ah am profoundly sorry for mah behavior. It was totally irrational, and ah hope ye will accept mah apology.” (Reply Jahlen, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2319) Denise had been stunned by the outburst from the normally affable Bob. She had no clue as to what set him off and wondered if she was supposed to. She felt awkward standing just out of range while the doctor calmed him down and returned him to the biobed. The two had their heads together, the doctor obviously trying to figure out what had gone through the man's head while Bob didn't seem to want to explain it. When he finally seemed willing to say what had caused his freak out, the barely audible conversation dropped to a whisper. She was the only other person around and he obviously didn't want her to know what the issue was. She suddenly felt very tired. Whatever was going on with Bob didn't include her and the feeling of camaraderie was long gone. She wasn't sure if it was the high road or the coward's route, but she slipped out of sickbay to return to her quarters. Maybe she should just get a pet cat. They seemed way easier to deal with and less of an emotional roller coaster. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 2 – 2320) Bob sighed deeply, causing Jahlen to think that he apparently would rather not talk about it, but he apologized for his outburst, stating it was unprofessional and uncalled for. ~ That is correct! ~ The doctor agreed but said nary a word, but she still wanted to know why he had such an extreme reaction to her suggestion. "....Please, please don’t think it had anything tae do wie you. You’ve been nothing but wonderful since we first met, and ah surely appreciate all you have done for me… ye just happened tae be in the way of mah blind panic is all.” ~ Okay, but why the blind panic? ~ He finally opened his eyes and looked around before he whispered to her, causing her to lower her head so she could hear him better and told her that he felt responsible for McLaren's injury and consequently putting him in the chair. “… the mere hint that ah might be in it threw me intae a blind panic… and again ah am profoundly sorry for mah behavior. It was totally irrational, and ah hope ye will accept mah apology.” Jahlen gave him a reassuring nod and smiled gently. "Of course. It was most certainly an irrational fear but we all have them. I am phobic about biting insects, just the thought of any being around me when I am outdoors makes me want to run screaming indoors and shut all the windows and doors." The tricorder had completed its scan and the doctor read the results. "I'm glad to say no harm was done...." She turned around to give Lieutenant Lebranski the good news that Cinderfella could indeed join the party, just in time to catch a glimpse of her back as she walked out of Sickbay. "Oh..." She said, her eyebrows raising in surprise for she had been certain that Lebranski had more than a friendship interest in Lorimar, after all she'd been in Sickbay for hours waiting for the man and now he was able to leave.... "It looks like your friend got tired of waiting." She stated, turning back to look at Bob. "I'm sorry!" She told him, genuinely empathizing as she patted his shoulder. "If you like I can accompany you to QV later on but first I must do some reports." (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2335) She'd gotten back to her quarters, peeled off her dress, removed her make-up and looked in the mirror with a sigh. Leaning forward, hands on the counter, she'd bonked her forehead against the mirror. She couldn't just abandon Bob to his 'fun' in sickbay. This whole caring about someone sure was inconvenient. It was bad enough when she had a family to try and keep out of trouble, now she seemed to have added Bob to her list of people to take care of. She should have known how much upkeep the average engineer was. Pulling on a pair of jean shorts and a white t-shirt, Denise had walked out of her quarters pulling her hair into a pony tail. Fancy up-do turned into a blonde tail that brushed the waist band of the shorts. Walking back into Sickbay she had the irrelevant thought she was glad she had a human nose. She couldn't even imagine how it smelt to the more scented gifted members of the Federation. She'd seen Betazoids make faces of supreme 'ick' on walking through the doors, what would Tellerites experience? Probably one of the many reasons you didn't see Tellerite doctors on Starfleet vessels. Seeing Bob was once again by himself, Denise wandered over, "Hey sickie, you still wanting to party or just wanting to go back to your quarters?" (Reply Bob, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca – Sickbay – CEO Lorimar – 2343) After Bob had politely turned down Dr. Jahlen’s offer to escort him to QV, he lay quietly on his biobed thinking, but trying not to think. His public display of lunacy, for lack of a better term, was shameful in the extreme. No doubt the whole ship would know about it in short order. ~Some fine Second Officer you make, ye clod! What ever happened to leading by example?~ He grimaced as though in physical pain, but stopped when he realized he was being closely monitored. No need to add more theatrics for the amusement of the medical staff… He tried again, with a greater degree of success this time, to calm his mind. He relaxed as he had been taught, starting from the bottom of his feet and working upwards. He had made it to mid-chest when he heard the *swish* of the sickbay doors opening, followed by soft approaching footsteps. He opened his eyes just as Denise reached his bedside. ~Nae longer dressed to the nines… but still a lovely lass indeed. Try not tae step wie both left feet this time eh?~ "Hey sickie, you still wanting to party or just wanting to go back to your quarters?" He thought that one over for a moment then gave a half smile and fully honest reply. “Frankly Denise, ah’d like a mulligan for this whole bloody day. Or, failing that, ah’d happily settle for it just being over with. The only part ah care tae remember is the time spent wie you.” (Reply Denise iyw, Any, None needed) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 2344) "Hey sickie, you still wanting to party or just wanting to go back to your quarters?" Bob seemed to give the question some consideration before he gave her a half smile and an answer, "Frankly Denise, ah'd like a mulligan for this whole bloody day. Or, failing that, ah'd happily settle for it just being over with. The only part ah care tae remember is the time spent wie you." ~C'mere, c'mere, c'mere, go'way, go'way, go'way. I'm sure when he figures out what he wants he'll let me know.~ "You do so flatter me so, good sir." She said with extra drawl to her accent for the occasion. "I still haven't signed my officer papers.. I've yet to swear off time-travel.. Think your runabout could handle a sling-shot around the nearest star?" she teased. (Reply Bob) "Now I know your painkillers are working," she replied with an amused snort before offering her hand, "C'mon, lets go down to the lounge, let Arania fuss over you, drink some hot chocolate and then we'll tuck you into bed and you can dream the day away." She'd just have to remember to reset his wake-up alarm to sometime around noon. (Reply Bob, medical, any) (Posted by Lorna) =================== =================== Mission Going Dutch Day 3 Stardate 2408 12.04 =================== =================== (Laestekens Station - Bar - ACSMO Basil Candle – 1012) "Well Basil. What did you get?" "Earache and the distinct impression that I’m being played. I’ve bartered with many types of traders and Hexe, despite all his assertions of truth, is reminding me of some of the worst ones." Basil checked the time; his impeding duty was almost upon him, "Sir, thank you for your time may I ask for one final favour? Hexe gave me this padd, it has details of some nefarious types, one of which Hexe says was behind the murder of the Ferengi, the woman in that list. Would it be possible to check to see if the information is correct? From the sounds of things these people have been busy and not been subtle about it. Unsure where we stand if we know of wanted criminals in the sector whether we can convince the Captain to help? I have my duty to do – how about we meet up, at the QV on the Boudicca, later on about half 6 to 7 in the evening? I’ll probably go there anyway – I’ll need a drink after today" (Reply Trei, any) (Posted by Warren ) ********* (Lastekens Station Bar - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1015) Detron heard what Basil said and agreed with him mostly about what characters they were dealing with. Basil asked another favor from Detron entailing him to run a search on the suspected woman listed on the PADD and her partners through the ship's computer. "I can do that Basil and meet you in QV at 19.00. I should have the information by then and possibly a response from starfleet command on the matter. I will talk to Captain Rivers on the matter. See you then Basil." ~We will see about the pet Klingon comment will we.~ (Reply Candle iyw) (Posted by Edward) *********** (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 3 - 1217) "What's a shaman?" Shadow asked. The FO rose and went to her replicator to get Shadow an iced tea to drink and a refill for her iced cappuccino then returned to her seat, sliding Shadow's drink complete with curly straw, across the desk to her. "A shaman of *his* people is a medicine man or woman, a healer, an intermediary between the human and spirit worlds. According to his culture, he can treat illness and is capable of entering supernatural realms to obtain answers to the problems of his community, besides that most of them are very wise." Dorga finally replied to Shadow's question after taking a slurp of her iced drink. "You know he's not so different from you or I. I had a hard time when I was a child, it seemed that neither the Klingons or the Vulcans accepted me, both cultures thought I was lesser than either because I was a hybrid. Eventually as I grew into maturity I decided that it didn't matter as long as I was true to myself and knew that I did have worth, and if they couldn't see that then they were the poorer for it. ManyHorses also knows what it is like to deal with bigots and prejudices, what it is like to be an outsider, you probably have more in common than you think." (reply Shadow iyw) "How's your love life? I hear things are going hot and strong between you and Parrr'Z - are the rumors correct?" (Reply Shadow) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 3 - 1218) "You know he's not so different from you or I. I had a hard time when I was a child, it seemed that neither the Klingons or the Vulcans accepted me, both cultures thought I was lesser than either because I was a hybrid. Eventually as I grew into maturity I decided that it didn't matter as long as I was true to myself and knew that I did have worth, and if they couldn't see that then they were the poorer for it. ManyHorses also knows what it is like to deal with bigots and prejudices, what it is like to be an outsider, you probably have more in common than you think." Shadow wasn't sure how ManyHorses was an outsider, other than he apparently heard the voices of nature speaking to him. She couldn't say *she'd* ever heard the spirits speak, nor heard of any of her people talking to them, but maybe it's just because they'd never had a reason to try? It had been many thousands of years since their world had been out of balance, mere centuries for the humans. "How's your love life? I hear things are going hot and strong between you and Parrr'Z - are the rumors correct?" The change of subject was both welcome and frustrating. Couldn't she have chosen something else? She didn't really need *another* voice defending Parrr'Z, but.. "He smothers me." She grumbled. "I care for him, but I am not respected as a warrior. He does not trust my to judge my own abilities. He is overprotective. I try to show I am capable but he does not see." She ran her claws along the edge of the iced tea, "I put up with it because I care for him and hope he will recognize my abilities, but I do not know how long I will wear a leash. I would like to be able to go places without thinking 'Would Parrr'Z approve? Will he track me down to lecture me?'" She sighed, "I know I am not the warrior he is, but I am not some stupid kit either!" (Reply Dorga) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 3 - 1219) "He smothers me." Shadow grumbled. "I care for him, but I am not respected as a warrior. He does not trust my to judge my own abilities. He is overprotective. I try to show I am capable but he does not see." She ran her claws along the edge of the iced tea, "I put up with it because I care for him and hope he will recognize my abilities, but I do not know how long I will wear a leash. I would like to be able to go places without thinking 'Would Parrr'Z approve? Will he track me down to lecture me?'" She sighed, "I know I am not the warrior he is, but I am not some stupid kit either!" The counselor in Dorga smiled but her face was deadly serious. So there was a problem that Shadow should discuss, it just took the right button to push to find out what it was and Dorga usually found it. The FO studied Shadow as she took another long draw on the iced cappuccino and then licked the froth of her lips before replying. "It's a male thing, Shadow. Males tend to become over protective towards the females they really care about regardless of that female's capabilities. Take for instance my human mate Parami. He was also like that, and let's face it Shadow, *no* human male is even half as strong as I am with my Vulcan and Klingon genes, but even when I would get annoyed and point out that I could better protect him than he protect me, Parami would insist that he just couldn't help it, that it was programmed into his masculinity and meant that he loved me." She gave her cappuccino a stir with the straw and continued. "You see he was perfectly aware that I was more than an able to take care of myself. Eventually I realized I had to change my reactions to something that was instinctive in him and I came to love him even more for it, it sure made me feel feminine, something I'd not felt before." Dorga waved her straw in the air as if to emphasize her words, drops of cappuccino spattering the desk. "It is all very well for me to be the big, strong, capable warrior type but I must admit it sure felt good to know someone simply loved me as a woman too." Realizing what she was doing with the straw she popped it back into the frosty glass, "however, he did not make me feel like a child...Far from it." A blush crept up her neck as she remembered just how he made her feel. "Have you actually asked Parrr'Z how he feels about you and why he treats you like a child? Remember he's male, their brains don't work the same as females do, sometimes you have to punch them hard between the eyes when you tell them something in order to get it into their thick heads. In other words be more direct with him, ask questions, tell him exactly how you feel, don't expect him to know, and I don't mean yell at him that you're not a child, Shadow, I mean discuss it with him and be completely honest, perhaps when you're cuddling together. I am betting the poor guy doesn't really think you are a child at all!" (Reply Shadow) (Posted by Sal) *********** (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 3 - 1220) Shadow listened to Dorga with some fascination. She hadn't had a group of elder females to learn from. She suspected her social education was lacking in many placesx. "..however, he did not make me feel like a child...Far from it." A blush crept up Dorga's neck, fascinating Shadow. "Have you actually asked Parrr'Z how he feels about you and why he treats you like a child? Remember he's male, their brains don't work the same as females do, sometimes you have to punch them hard between the eyes when you tell them something in order to get it into their thick heads. In other words be more direct with him, ask questions, tell him exactly how you feel, don't expect him to know, and I don't mean yell at him that you're not a child, Shadow, I mean discuss it with him and be completely honest, perhaps when you're cuddling together. I am betting the poor guy doesn't really think you are a child at all!" "I did read Caitains tend to have groups of female companions to the male. Something about five females born to every male?" She shook her head, tail looped still at Dorga's advice. "Maybe the Caitain males need that many women to keep them in good behaviour." She shook her head, "Or maybe Parrr'Z has read about *my* people and know we do not do monogamy long term and is insecure because he thinks I'm going to up and leave him and is over compensating." She blew out a frustrated sigh. (Reply Dorga, iyw) "Maybe I should tie his tail to something and make him listen. I just don't do confrontation or conversations about *feelings* well." An understatement to a strong degree, Shadow much preferred hiding until the confrontation went away. Well, social confrontation, physical was nice and simple. (Reply Dorga) "You sure I can't just write a nice letter?" Shadow asked, grooming her tail with her hands. (Reply Dorga) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 3 - 1221) "I did read Caitains tend to have groups of female companions to the male. Something about five females born to every male?" Shadow shook her head, tail looped. Dorga had quickly learned that she could tell a lot about how Shadow was feeling by watching her tail and had to admit she suffered from 'tail envy' especially over a prehensile tail like Shadow's as it would be like having a third arm. Very handy indeed. "Maybe the Caitian males need that many women to keep them in good behaviour." Shadow shook her head again, "Or maybe Parrr'Z has read about *my* people and know we do not do monogamy long term and is insecure because he thinks I'm going to up and leave him and is over compensating." She blew out a frustrated sigh. "Or maybe he's insecure because he feels your disapproval and resentment towards him," The FO shrugged. "However I believe that female Caitians outnumber the males 5 to 1 which explains why they practice polygamy. It's more of a necessity for the species survival than personal choice, but let's face it..." Dorga grinned, "what hot blooded male of *any* species would pass up the chance to have several sexual partners rather than just one?" Dorga really didn't expect a reply to her question which was more a rhetorical statement than a query. "Maybe I should tie his tail to something and make him listen. I just don't do confrontation or conversations about *feelings* well." Came the reply. "Then it's time you learned isn't it, if you want a meaningful relationship with Parrr'Z? From what you tell me you are much more than a frisk in bed to him." "You sure I can't just write a nice letter?" Shadow asked, grooming her tail with her hands. "Sure! If it is a Dear John letter then write it, but if you *really* care about him then he deserves the respect of a face to face conversation." Dorga looked steadily at Shadow until the girl met her eyes. "It's decision time, Shadow. Do you want him in your life or don't you? It's time to make up your mind one way or the other and stop stringing him along, get things out in the open and talk to him if you care about him." (Reply Shadow) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 3 - 1222) "Sure! If it is a Dear John letter then write it, but if you *really* care about him then he deserves the respect of a face to face conversation." Dorga looked steadily at Shadow until the girl met her eyes. "It's decision time, Shadow. Do you want him in your life or don't you? It's time to make up your mind one way or the other and stop stringing him along, get things out in the open and talk to him if you care about him." "I do want him in my life.. but I don't want him clinging so tightly! Can't I have both?" Shadow didn't *quite* whine. (Reply Dorga) Shadow absorbed this and a stray thought wandered through her head, "What's a Dear John letter?" (Reply Dorga the ever patient) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - FO's Office - FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 3 - 1223) "I do want him in my life.. but I don't want him clinging so tightly! Can't I have both?" Shadow didn't *quite* whine. "Intimate relationships, if they're good ones, should be based on a give and take foundation, not one person give all and the other take all but both must give and both must take for it to work. Think about what Parrr'Z gives you and what he gets back from you perhaps you may find that it is worth him being a little possessive, if that is what he is." Dorga couldn't help but wonder if Shadow was reading far more into Parrr'Z's actions than what was actually happening. Shadow seemed to think about what Dorga had said for a moment and then she asked a question Dorga had anticipated that she would. "What's a Dear John letter?" Dorga rose from her chair and collected the now empty lunch plate and glasses and tipped them in to the recycler as she replied. "It's a letter a person might write, in which they tell another person they're in a relationship with that the relationship is over for whatever reasons they have." The FO resumed her seat. "A cowardly way to do so, but that's my personal opinion." She thought it would be interesting to know just how Shadow would decide to handle her tom cat. (Reply Shadow) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1300) Detron had some lunch in his office while running a check on the woman suspected of killing the Ferengi. He didn't get much of anything so he came to the bridge to talk with Captain Rivers. Captain Rivers was sitting in the command chair as he expected. Detron approached her. "Good Afternoon Captain. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you regarding the Rat Market incident. I have some new information on the situation sir." Detron waited for her response. (Reply Rivers) (Posted by Edward) ********** (USS Boudicca – QV - ACSMO Basil Candle – 1844) Basil’s first duty on beta shift was, luckily, quiet. He managed to get familiar with the way a ship runs medical and took time to get to know others in his shift. Though he was not distracted whenever he had a spare moment he spent contemplating what the Hexe had told him. Basil needed to get all down – work it all out, at the moment everything was drifting through his head and if he needed plan for the worst he needed to figure out what that could be. Murderous kidnappers arranging a deal of some package or other did not sound like the delivery of home-baked cookies from a friendly aunt. The talk with Hexe had annoyed him more than he thought; the man’s lack of concerns for the reasons was staggering. How can anyone not want to know why? That is how the human race, for that fact any race got into space by resolving important questions. As his shift was nearing its end he was definitely up for a drink. He made his way through the ship straight after his shift, not wanting to change. At the bar he ordered a glass of beer and focussed a bit more on the assembled clientele. That was when he saw Ayslin Rel with a group of other people. She was the only one he recognised, Mentally shrugging he went over to their table, "Hello, may I join you?" (Reply any at the bar, anyone else) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1855) Detron entered QV and took a table near the back. He placed his PADD on the table and started making notes on the screen. The talk with Captain Rivers produced no real insight on how to handle the Rat Market situation. Detron asked for a response from Starfleet Command and was fairly disappointed not to get some word yes or no otherwise. Detron was on his own with Basil wanting answers he didn't have to give. The only real answer he could give Basil is that measures will be taken to secure the Boudicca as if a hostile intruder was trying to board the ship. Anything more than that will cause unnecessary alarm. Detron made the request of Starfleet Command to use all the information he gave them and bring the group to justice. That was all he could do at this point and much more that he should be doing because they are on leave. Arania brought over a bowl of those crunchy beetles and a glass of Earl Gray as if she knew what Detron liked. Detron waited for Basil to arrive. (Reply Candle) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - 1857) Basil had gone to relieve himself. He had drunk swiftly two beers upon his arrival and for some reason the liquid had rushed straight through his body to pressurise an area that after a short time he had to go and release. When Basil returned he saw Trei, sitting down on a table near the others. He walked over and when Trei looked up said, “Come on, don’t sit alone. Grab your“, he looked down,” your .. Uh … beetles and join the rest of us” (Reply Trei, any in QV, anyone else) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei 1858) Detron made some notes in his PADD when Basil called him over to join others at a table. Basil said to bring the bowl of beetles. Detron gave Basil a confused expression for a moment then decided that he wasn't going to win on this point. Detron joined Basil at his table and tried to shield their conversation from the rest of the table. "Very well Basil. I will join your friends, but this matter should be between us two for security reasons." ~Energetic but irrational. Get a leash on it Basil for your own good.~ (Reply Candle) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle – 1859) "Very well Basil. I will join your friends, but this matter should be between us two for security reasons." "I wouldn't call them friends yet, just getting to know them. I would have thought you knew them better than me?" (Reply Trei) Basil continued a little quieter "Look I need some advice, do you think I should pursue this anymore? I mean you know about .... them" He pointed to the padd, "Should we try to convince anyone else? Maybe the Captain or the FO should know to alert the station? (Reply Trei, Any on table, anyone else) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei 1900) Detron took a drink from his Earls Gray and considered his next answer. "Well Basil. The Captain has the information. Starfleet Command has the information. Dorga does not know at the moment but surely will be told. I expect a response from Starfleet Command by tomorrow or the next day. The matter is their hands until then. We may as well discuss the situation with the table to determine how you should proceed. I will help you with your decision as best possible." (Reply Candle, Any at table) (Posted by Edward) ********* (Laatstekans Station - Rahma's Holodecks - SPC CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - Day 3 - 2110) The Bolian proprietor gave Jerome a friendly smile as he walked in and approached the counter. "Welcome back, sir. What can I do for you? I'm afraid I will be closing the premises at ten p.m." Rahma informed him with an apologetic shrug. "I don't need a holodeck, thank you." Jerome replied, "but I do need some information." Rahma looked at him quizzically, whatever information could he possibly have, that this man would want? His head tilted to the side as he voiced his thoughts. With a chuckle, Jerome replied that indeed he could well have some information. "Do you remember the man who came out of holosuite 4 as you were leading us to the one I rented? He spoke to my companion as we passed by as if he knew her and I was curious as to who he is. She didn't appear to hear him and naturally - if he is an old friend, I am sure she'd hate to have missed the chance to talk to him, so I wondered if you knew his name, I could tell her he was on the Station." The Bolian gave a nod of understanding. "I'm afraid I don't know his name off hand, but I can easily find out what it is, I have his digitally authorized bill right here in my days takings and can track it down by entering the time he rented the holosuite, however I am reluctant to do so... client privacy you know...." Jerome interpreted the unfinished sentence, ~ but for a price I may be willing to forget my scruples. ~ He reached into a pocket and brought out a bar of gold latinum, pressed it to the counter and slid it towards the Bolian who quickly picked it up and pocketed it, nodded and turned to his computer terminal to enter the details needed for the information. "Ahh, here is the information about your friend's friend. His name is Justin Von Rache." "Thank you, I appreciate your help." Jerome turned on his heel and left the shop, pausing to think about what to do next. ~ Perhaps somebody in the bar will be able to tell me more about this Von Rache. ~ He decided and with a purposeful stride, set off towards the reputedly disreputable bar where the food was bad, black market goods and information could be found for a price, and trouble could be found for free. (reply none) (posted by Sal) *********** (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort - CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - Day 3 - 2121) Heading straight to the bar, Jerome figured that the bar tender would know of the man, perhaps not by name but possibly by description, and if he didn't know he probably knew someone who did. He slid his large frame on to a bar stool, placed his elbows on the bar and folded one forearm over the other, and then waited a couple of minutes while the bar tender finished serving a Nausican sitting two stools away. When the bar tender came over, Jerome ordered a pint of draft beer and when the foaming brew was brought he began asking the man a few questions about Von Rache, starting with his name and then giving a full description. He didn't notice the sidelong glances he was getting from the Nausican who was showing far to much interest in his conversation. (Reply npcs Bar tender, Nausican(?), Any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort - CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - Day 3 - 2135) While asking the bartender about Justin Von Rache, Jerome hadn't noticed the sidelong glances he was getting from the Nausican who was seated a couple of bar stools away, neither had he noticed when the Nausican had unobtrusively left the bar and his untouched drink. The bartender had told Jerome that he had seen someone of that description and was pretty sure that he'd been addressed as Captain Von Rache. He had noticed the Nausican rising from his bar stool, he had also seen the warning signal that the Nausican had given him before he'd strode from the premises. The bartender had clammed up on Jerome then, telling the commander that he didn't know anything else about Von Rache. The last thing he wanted was to end up beaten to a pulp or worse. Jerome had politely thanked him for his help, as little as it had been; all he'd learned anew was that Von Rache was a captain. A captain of what? For all Jerome knew it could be a garbage scow. It was blatantly obvious that the bartender knew more than he was telling ManyHorses, from being friendly and outgoing he had suddenly turned reticent and nervous, but there could still be a way to find out the name of Von Rache's ship because the station would surely have records of all the ships berthed and the names of their captains and first officers, plus inventories of their cargos and other needs-to-know data. Perhaps the station's security department would have more information. The commander drank half his beer and with a nod to the bartender, walked out of the bar determined to stop by the Security Department and see if they could help him. He had just walked past a dark utility corridor that lead to the back of the varied establishments for the purpose of delivering goods, when a soft sound coming from behind him caused him to start turning his head to look. There was a blur of movement and before he could react something slammed solidly against the side of his head and he went down hard. Semi-conscious, his vision was murky and he couldn't clearly see who his assailant was and the next thing he knew he was being dragged bodily - a big hand clasped over his mouth so he couldn't call out, into the dark corridor by at least two people, who dropped him on the deck once they were well away from the main promenade. As he struggled to get up they began to put the boots into him, kicking and stomping until they'd beaten him so badly he couldn't move. Teetering on the edge of sweet oblivion, the last thing Jerome heard was a hissing... "Mind your own business starfleet, or next time we won't be so gentle." (Reply Any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort – Talia Rangoon - Day 3 - 2140) The lights flickered then briefly went out. As light returned, slowly almost creeping back, to one of the station’s more secluded utility corridors Tiala was in front of the Nausican. Her hood from her jacket was up, creating dark shadowy depths hiding, what most men would call a beautiful face. A face that men have stared at longingly but would soon turn away as a deep crueller edge would flicker over her features. She was not alone, other members of her, no not her crew … Yosts’ but her’s for now. The Nausican was bristling with threat but was restrained as the need to return to the ship after their ‘meeting’ with the Starfleet Officer outweighing anything else. “I have a message for your captain, “, she spat. It was distasteful dealing with incompetents and betrayers. She would prefer to just destroy them, crush them under her heel like she had the Ferengi (though in her mind he didn’t suffer enough) but her task here was too important. “Tell him the package He supplied was incomplete. He had better not be withholding from us. Tell him he still needs to fulfil his part of the deal or face the consequences.” With that the lights went out again and upon their return, seemingly even more furtive than the last time, the Nausican alone. (Reply Captain Justin Von Rache, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort – Grak - Day 3 - 2141) Grak looked out from the darkness and into the more lit corridor. Surprised to see Talia Rangoon and a couple of her goons. His first instinct was to pull his gun but he resisted. Brinn was behind him in the darkness waiting to see what he does. “I have a message for your captain,“ she spat. “Tell him the package He supplied was incomplete. He had better not be withholding from us. Tell him he still needs to fulfil his part of the deal or face the consequences.” The lights flickered again in the corridor, when they came back on Grak noted that Talia had left. (posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Heart of Stone - Captain's Quarters - Captain Justin Von Rache - Day 3 - 2145) Justin was laying in bed trying not to let his mind drift back to the places he was earlier. He was starting to relax. The sooner the get off the station the better. Justin looked the covered naked body laying next to him. So much contradiction in his life, it was no wonder he felt like he was beginning to crack up. =/\=Brinn to Captain Rache.=/\= Justin got up and walked over to the workstation on his computer. He pressed the intercom button. "Yes Brinn, what is it?" =/\=You are needed on the bridge sir.=/\= "I'll be right there, this better be good." (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (Heart of Stone - Captain Justin Von Rache - Day 3 - 2150) Having dressed quickly Justin arrived on the Bridge. Standing there was Brinn and Grank. Brinn and Grak were the enforcers on the ship. Brinn human and Grak a Nausican. Grak was intelligent and dangerous, despite his Nausican temper. Brinn was likely dropped on his head as a child, but he was obedient and loyal. "What is it?" He asked annoyed. "We have a problem Captain," he paused, "actually we have two." Justin waited... "Well?! Are you going to make me guess?!" "Sorry sir. Ah..." Grak shifted his stance, not sure where to start. "There was a Starfleet officer asking about you at the bar on the station." "Describe him to me." Grak proceeded to describe the man. ~The man that I saw with Rivers, I guess he did hear me.~ Anton thought. "Ok, do nothing for now." "Actually sir we have already taken care of him," Grak stated proudly. "YOU WHAT?!!! YOU MORONS!!! Did you kill him?" Justin asked. "He was alive when we left him." Grak now hoped he would remain so. "Idiots! I am surrounded by idiots." "Captain, I just thought..." "Next time don't think! In fact, from now on you are not allowed to think. I will do all the thinking for you. I should just kill you and dump you out the airlock so that Stafleet can't trace this back to me. At least tell me you were discreet." Grak looked at the floor and said nothing. Justin approached the Nausican, "Tell me that no one saw you," he said with menace in his voice. "Talia Rangoon showed up and we think she saw what we did. She said she had a messa...." Grak did not finish his sentence as the blaster shot burned a whole in his chest. His body dropped to the deck with a loud thump. Brinn just stood there not knowing what to do or how to react. Justin pointed the blaster at Brinn. "No captain, she didn't see me, she didn't see me. I was in the dark, she didn't see me." Brinn started stammering. "What was the message?" Justin asked through clenched teeth. “She said the package He supplied was incomplete. That you had better not be withholding from them and that there would be consequences if you don't complete the deal.” Justin lowered the blaster. "Clean up this mess. Don't dump the body, disintegrate it." Justin walked up to the communications console and punched a few buttons in. The image of Talia Rangoon appeared on the screen. "I hear you have issues with the merchandise." (Reply Talia, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca - Basil Candle's Quarters - ACSMO Basil Candle – Day 3 - 2157) Basil didn't stay too long in the QV. He had a few quick drinks, and not much to eat, so the drink had swiftly rushed to his head then had rapidly flowed in the opposite direction. He had left Trei and the rest, sure that the Klingon had given him a disapproving look or maybe it was a pitying look, Basil was a little drunk to notice. He had asked, well probably mumbled something, for the padd with details of the group that Hexe was after for some late night reading. At least he was sure that was what he said the reasons were. Back in his quarters he ordered up another drink, and even the replicator sounded disapproving. He grabbed it and took a sip, He sat at his desk, took another sip, looked down at the padd but was distracted by a light just at the cornor of his sight, like a winking devil eager for attention. He looked at the screen at the blinking messge, "A message?" he said outloud. He opened it, blinked once and in his haste to leave dropped the glass. missing the table and hitting the floor. The message was simple, 'As you read this, Candle, a Starfleet officer will be dead or dying on the Station.' It was signed Kaldor Hexe "Candle to Trei, Dr Jahlen we've got an emergency, there's a dying Starfleet officer on board the Station!!!!" (Reply Trei, Jahlen) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2158) Detron continued to discuss the Rat Market incident with a group of officers he rarely spoke with. He talked with them mainly because Basil invited him to do so. Detron tossed a handful of beetles in his mouth and gloriously crunched down on them. He took pleasure in the faces he recieved from the officers at the table. Detron though to himself that they will never understand the way of the warrior. Detron drained a good portion of his Earl Gray when he heard Basil over his COMM. Basil called to alert Detron and Jahlen to an emergency aboard the station involving a hurt starfleet officer. Detron responded quickly. "Trei here. Understood Basil and on my way. Trei out." Detron walked to the turbo lift and requested the deck connecting to the station. (posted by Edward) ********* (Laatstekans Station - Talia Rangoon - Day 3 - 2157) The screen flashed, Talia, hood up, double-checked the connection was secure before accepting. The face of the Captain appeared, "I hear you have issues with the merchandise." “Glad you got my message so ... promptly. The delivery was … incomplete, I was guaranteed more. Do you know the whereabouts of the rest of the package?” (Reply Captain, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Heart of Stone - Bridge - Justin Von Rache - Day 3 - 2157) "Glad you got my message so ... promptly. The delivery was … incomplete, I was guaranteed more. Do you know the whereabouts of the rest of the package?” "As I recall, during our last discussion I remember telling you that there are never any guarantees in our business. However, if you feel that the service we provided is not to your satisfaction we will do our best to accomodate. Would you care to join me for dinner on my ship?" (Reply Talia Rangoon, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ******** (USS Boudicca - Deck 3 - Jahlen's Quarters - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen – Day 3 - 2158) =/\= Candle to Trei, Dr Jahlen we've got an emergency, there's a dying Starfleet officer on board the Station!!!! =/\= Jahlen leaped off her sofa like she'd been stung in the behind, the real book she'd been reading falling to the floor unheeded, where it lay open and face down. She kicked it aside without it registering as she rushed to the exit, tapping her badge as she went. "Jahlen here - acknowledged! I am on my way to Sickbay." She tapped her badge twice again disconnecting the link to Candle and opening a new one as she reached the door and plunged through the gap before it was fully open. "Jahlen to Sickbay, prepare STAT for an incoming emergency. I am on my way!" She thanked the stars that she'd had the forethought to move her quarters when the ship had been refurbished, to new quarters that were much closer to the turbolift. She was on the lift and speeding four decks down in the wink of an eye and within three minutes from the time she got the call, she was trotting through the Sickbay doors. (reply none) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Deck 7 - Sickbay - a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen – Day 3 - 2202) Jahlen had to give her people credit, they were standing by and ready for the incoming casualty or casualties when Lieutenant Trei's message was received, all the biobeds had been programmed for incoming emergencies. ^= Trei to Sickbay. Emergency medical transport direct to Sickbay. Two to beam up.^= As two bodies materialized before their eyes, the team moved into action. Jahlen thanked Trei for his swiftness as she crouched beside the battered and bloody body that lay on the deck. First thing she did was feel for a pulse before bringing her tricorder into play it was quicker than turning the tricorder on and waiting. "He's alive, thank goodness!" She stated, hearing a few relieved sighs from the other medical personnel as she read the tricorder data. "It's safe to lift him, his spine is intact, though there are several fractured bones and a small fracture just above his temple. Put him on the primary bed." She added, not that she couldn't have repaired his spine but the less further trauma added to his injuries, the better. Her workers lifted him gently on to the primary biobed designed for surgical purposes and began to strip off his dirty, bloodied uniform and clean him up while Jahlen got the biobed scanners working. The feedback from the biobed scans showed three broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, his left hand had been severely broken and of course the fractured skull. It was hard to tell who he was as his face was so swollen and puffed he was unidentifiable through using facial features, however, from the pips on his collar, the long, shining black hair and styling, his skin coloring and what she could see of the distinguishing tattoo on his left cheek, Jahlen was pretty certain that the patient was Commander ManyHorses, still it was never a good idea to assume anything when you were a doctor with someone's life in your hands. "Computer, retrieve DNA sample from patient on bed 3 and cross reference with recorded DNA results for Commander Jerome ManyHorses." She could also have utilized his brain circuitry patter using medical diagnostic image mapping of his neural activity as the BCP of each individual was unique, and serves as a positive means of identification, but she found the DNA test to be faster, whether that was just her observation or not, she didn't know. [Confirmation: DNA match to Commander Jerome ManyHorses] "Alright people, let's get to work on fixing our Chief Counselor up shall we?" When she stepped away from the primary biobed to prepare herself for the surgery she informed Lieutenant Trei that it was Commander ManyHorses and that his injuries were not life threatening. She went on to tell him that had he not been found quickly though, he might well have died. (reply Trei iyw) One of the duty nurses brought the overbed cradle into position over the now clean and naked form of ManyHorses and when Jahlen returned to the bedside, she initiated the sterile forcefield and privacy screen and the doctor was soon engrossed in relieving the pressure on the commander's brain and knitting the broken skull bones, while the nurses handled the easier tasks of knitting his fractured ribs and broken hand, and using the dermal re-generator on the cuts and abrasions. When the surgery was finally finished, ManyHorses was transferred to one of the intensive care biobed lining the perimeter of sickbay where information on his medical status was displayed on a biofunction monitor at the head of the bed. He was also placed under a bio-regenerative field to accelerate new cell growth which would aid in the quicker healing of his injuries. Besides keeping an eye on him and waiting for him to wake up, there wasn't much else Jahlen and her staff could do for him. As she checked the overbed monitor, she had to wonder who would have beaten the poor man so badly and for what reason? Then again, in the wild frontiers of space just looking at someone could cause trouble and this space station seemed to have more than it's share of trouble. (reply Trei, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Lastekens Station - Utility Corridor outside Bar - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2201) Detron rushed over to a man in starfleet uniform lying on the deck in a coridor away from the bar. Detron tapped his COMM. ^= Trei to Sickbay. Emergency medical transport direct to Sickbay. Two to beam up.^= (Reply Jahlen, Candle iyw) (Posted by Edward) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2210) Detron stood at the bed as the body was lifted to the bed. Jahlen thanked Detron for his quick response and said the man would have died if he didn't get there so fast. The DNA test confirmed it was Manyhorses. Jahlen made some repairs to Manyhorses then transferred him to an intensive care biobed on the wall. Jahlen told Detron there was nothing much else that can be done and Detron was free to go. Detron stood with a stoic warrior expression and said. "A warrior never leaves a man behind. I will stay until Manyhorses says I can leave him." (Reply Jahlen) (Posted by Edward) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - SPC a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen - Day 3 - 2211) Jahlen stepped away from the primary biobed to prepare herself for the surgery and took the opportunity to inform Lieutenant Trei that the patient was Commander ManyHorses, though she suspected he had already guessed as much. She also told him that ManyHorse's injuries were not life threatening, but informed him that had he not been found quickly he might well have died. She thought that the security chief would not stick around. "A warrior never leaves a man behind. I will stay until Manyhorses says I can leave him." With a nod, Jahlen smiled, "as you wish, Lieutenant. Now if you will excuse me, I must repair the commander's skull fracture." She thought it was quite admirable that Trei would refuse to leave. She left to prepare herself for the surgery, preferring to wear the red scrub uniforms even though it wasn't entirely necessary, as it put her in a more focussed frame of mind for surgical tasks. (reply any) (posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - SPCs a-CMO/Lt. Jahlen & CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - 2245) The surgery was over and ManyHorses lay on one of the intensive care biobed lining the perimeter of sickbay. The nurses were keeping close observation on him, so Jahlen disappeared into her office to fill out a report. Something serious like this was had to be brought to the Command Officers attention, so she sent her report out to the captain, the FO and the acting 2O and filled out the necessary information on ManyHorses chart. When she was finished she checked the chronometer which read *2305* and then returned to the Main Sickbay to place the chart at the nurses' station before checking on the patient. Just as she reached the bedside she heard a soft groan from ManyHorses and saw that his eyes were open thought they looked a little unfocussed. Gently she took his large hand in her two smaller ones and chaffed it. "Hello, sir, I see you're waking up, can you tell me who you are?" While she waited for his response, she examined his pupils, smiling as she saw they were normal, not dilated or uneven. Jerome blinked at her, trying to get the blur out of his eyes and slowly her face came into clearer view. ~ Who is this woman? ~ He couldn't remember ever seeing her. ~ And why does my head ache? ~ Jahlen saw the slight confusion in his dark, expressive eyes. "What's your name?" She prompted. "I am........." Panic filled him. ~ Who am I? I should know who I am! ~ His hand tightened on one of Jahlen's and he squeezed it until she could feel the small bones grinding together and gave an exclamation of pain, pulling her hand from his grasp in response. Wide brown eyes almost black, stared at her and she could tell that he was distraught. "I don't know who I am!" Jerome finally admitted, his distress evident in his voice. "I - I can't remember." Patting his shoulder, Jahlen nodded and she tried to reassure him, "it's okay, it is quite common for a person to suffer temporary amnesia after head trauma. I am sure your memory will return very soon." The commander gave her a wan smile; he appreciated what she was saying and hoped she was right. "There is someone here who has been waiting for you to regain consciousness, sir...." The doctor nodded towards Trei and beckoned him forward. "I will be administering a mild sedative when you are done talking." She informed them both before leaving the two alone. Jerome stared at the stranger who came to his stand at his bedside. "Who are you?" He asked, "And why am I here, what happened?" (reply Trei, any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei 2310) Detron waited for Manyhorses to wake up. When he slowly opened his eyes, Manyhorses spoke in a confused manner about not knowing where he was and who he was looking at. Detron nodded as if he expected some amnesia after the beating Manyhorses took at the station. Detron approached the biobed as Manyhorses asked who he was. "I am TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei. You are on the USS Boudicca. You are currently the Chief Counselor on the ship. I rescued you from sure death after being beaten severely on a space station we are currently docked for R and R until our next assignment. I will let you rest now so you may recover from your injuries. If you wish to talk just tap the COMM badge on your chest. I am sure your memory will return very soon. Rest my friend." (Reply Jahlen, Manyhorses) (Posted by Edward) ********** (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - SPCs a-CMO/Lt.Jahlen & CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - Day 3 - 2311) Detron approached the biobed as Manyhorses asked who he was. He informed Jerome of his rank and name and told him he was on the USS Boudicca and that Jerome was Chief Counselor on the ship. ".....I rescued you from sure death after being beaten severely on a space station we are currently docked for R and R until our next assignment. I will let you rest now so you may recover from your injuries. If you wish to talk just tap the COMM badge on your chest. I am sure your memory will return very soon. Rest my friend." "Thank you," Jerome replied, meaning for saving his life and for explaining so much so concisely. He tried to smile but his face was hurting. Seeing that Trei was done with ManyHorses, Jahlen stepped forward to administer the sedative to Jerome who was asleep almost instantly. She tucked the blanket around him and adjusted his pillow before turning to Trei with a smile. "Don't worry." She told him. "I am sure he'll fully regain his memory but I can't say how long it will take, it may be when he wakes up or it may take a few days where he'll have flashes of regained memories.... Are you going to leave now, Lieutenant? I really think you should get some rest, if there are any detrimental changes in his condition I will assuredly make sure you are informed you right away." (Reply Trei, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 2315) Manyhorses thanked Detron for saving him and laid back on the biobed. Jahlen told Detron to get some rest and said she will inform him of any changes in Manyhorses's condition. "That was my plan Doctor. I'll get right to it" Detron left Sickbay (Reply Jahlen iyw) (Posted by Edward) =================== =================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 4 Stardate: 2408.12.06 =================== =================== (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - Holo-marine Jose Rameriz - 0217) Holograms didn't sleep and neither did Sickbay. More often than not Rameriz had taken to lurking around sickbay on gamma shift. It didn't take a medical degree to play oderly and as long as he didn't even mock-leer at the females on shift, he wouldn't get kicked out. He wasn't shocked by Petty Officer Rewolski coming in already pushing the baby. This was her fourth and all of them had arrived in a hurry in the wee hours. Sickbay, was of course, running on a skeletal crew. "I cans watch the commander and summons the EMH if the wrong thing goes bleep." The nurse looked skeptical for a moment and then rushed off. "Guesses I've proveds myself a goods watch dog," he muttered to himself as he pulled the stool the nurse had been sitting on and put it beside ManyHorses' bed. He wasn't sure if the Commander was still sedated or in a more natural sleep now, but he still looked like he'd called a marine a sissy. "You knows, I only mets one other American Plainsmen." Rameriz started to ramble, he'd heard that friendly voices helped healing. He always thought it motivated someone to come out of their coma to tell the voices to shut up and let them sleep, but doctors disagreed. "He was a marine, likes me, part of B company. We wuz stuck togethers on a troop transport with four hundred an' some marines, barely four square feet to calls our own. We gots to talkin' since he was in the bunk next to mine and the drop seat on my right. "He tolds me all abouts the beliefs of your peoples. Offered to teach me how to talk to my totem, y'knows? I thoughts he was a bit nutty, an' I do recognizes the irony of that's, but I figured 'what the heck', y'know? My body isn't gonna go walk abouts any time soon, may as well like my spirit gets some exercise, rights? Anyways, I follow his instructions of fastin' and meditatin' an alls that stuff.. and my dream quest takes me to this really cool savannah. I recognizes it as Africa 'cause we did part of our ordinance training in basic there. An' I meets my totem which is a hyena. Totally cool, eh? "So's, when I wake up I tells MirrorTalker all abouts it, an' how I am gonna call my totem 'Ed.' An' he laughed and said my totems would probably like that. He was a totallys cool guy. He got killed in the first wave down." The holo-marine sighed, "An' you know what's really frelled up about it all? That's not even *my* memory. That's the memory of the real Rameriz, y'know? The flesh and blood guy who my program was based on.. and what's really, really twisteds is that the original holo-me killeds the flesh and blood me 'cause he felt the flesh-and-blood me's was givin' him a bad reputation. "I means, what the hecks right? I'm a marine. I'm a rule bending, salute faking, borderline sociopathic, liking of the blowing stuffs up *marine*. How cans I have a *good* reputation? And am I gonna go squirrelys next? Am I gonna go wanna kills someone for no real reason? Shoulds I be shut off to prevent some innocents death? It's all screwed ups, man." The silence that trailed Rameriz's words was broken by the cry of a newborn. "Ah wells, where's the life there's hopes, right?" He asked the sleeping shaman. "I'm gonnas go see if it's a girl or a boys.. you don't get up." He patted the commander's shoulder and followed the sounds of infant protest of the cold and light of sickbay. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - SPC CCOUNS/CDR Jerome 'Hoss' ManyHorses - Day 4 - 0218) It was early Fall on the Sweet Grass Reservation. The morning mist was rising off the mirror still surface of the lake where the boy had set up his camp the night before. It was very early in the morning, dawn was just breaking and 13 years old Hoss ManyHorses was standing on a small, raised prominence that jutted into the lake, his arms raised as he sang his morning song to greet the rising sun. Slowly the yellow disc rose unseen behind the trees that lined the shore on the other side of the lake, setting them starkly in a black, silhouette fringe against the blanket of red, orange and gold. As the sun rose slowly upwards in all it's majesty there was a stirring in the air and Hoss saw the mist begin to creep across the water towards him. Another hour or so and the sun would evaporate the mist completely. Hoss loved this time of day more than any and rarely missed a sunrise. He finished his morning song, spoke his prayers to the Great Manito and lowered his arms, watching the mist as it drew closer to him, a puzzled look on his young face. The mist looked different this morning, it appeared to be moving in from the sides and thickening in the middle and as he continued to observe it, it began to swirl around until it resembled a twister that often happened on the plains, only in miniature. The swirling grew faster and then a form began to take shape as it moved across the water until it was just off shore only about twelve feet from where Hoss stood rooted to the spot. Hoss was frightened but he stood his ground as he knew something profound was about to happen. The misty form gave a sudden surge and a large white buffalo materialized before his eyes, gave itself a shake as if shedding off the mist and walked out on to the shore where it stood looking at him, making soft huffing noises. "Greetings Grandfather," Jerome lowered his head respectfully, "you honor me with your visit, what is your message? What do you want of me?" The boy squatted down, gazing up into the big red eyes of the magnificent Spirit Buffalo, waiting expectantly for it's words of wisdom, his breath held. The mighty buffalo's mouth opened to speak...... "......Anyways, I follow his instructions of fastin' and meditatin' an alls that stuff.. and my dream quest takes me to this really cool savannah. I recognizes it as Africa 'cause we did part of our ordinance training in basic there. An' I meets my totem which is a hyena. Totally cool, eh?" Hoss frowned. What? He'd never heard of a Mexican buffalo before...a Mexican Spirit Buffalo who had a hyena for a totem? What did this mean? The boy shrugged and gave the Spirit a nod of agreement - cool yes. It continued to talk. "So's, when I wake up I tells MirrorTalker all abouts it, an' how I am gonna call my totem 'Ed.' An' he laughed and said my totems would probably like that. He was a totallys cool guy. He got killed in the first wave down." There was a big sigh that sounded rather sad, well apparently the buffalo had lost a friend so it would be sad but the buffalo didn't stop talking, it appeared that once it had started it couldn't stop. "An' you know what's really frelled up about it all? That's not even *my* memory. That's the memory of the real Rameriz, y'know? The flesh and blood guy who my program was based on.." Now the sleeping mind of Jerome realized that what he was hearing wasn't what the buffalo had intended to say, the words were in fact coming from outside of his mind, and with that realization Hoss became aware that he wasn't a boy any more, he was in a sickbay and that somebody was talking to him while he was sleeping or at least while he'd slept, but now Jerome was awake although he kept his eyes closed and his breathing in the regular sleep rhythm. Whoever was talking to him thought he was asleep, and when people talked at those times, they usually said things that they might not tell a person who was conscious. So Jerome remained still as if he slept and listened to what the person needed to say. ".... and what's really, really twisteds is that the original holo-me killeds the flesh and blood me 'cause he felt the flesh-and-blood me's was givin' him a bad reputation. I means, what the hecks right? I'm a marine. I'm a rule bending, salute faking, borderline sociopathic, liking of the blowing stuffs up *marine*. How cans I have a *good* reputation? And am I gonna go squirrelys next? Am I gonna go wanna kills someone for no real reason? Shoulds I be shut off to prevent some innocents death? It's all screwed ups, man." The silence that trailed the words of the unseen bedsitter was broken by the cry of a newborn child. "Ah wells, where's the life there's hopes, right?" The unseen marine asked. "I'm gonnas go see if it's a girl or a boys.. you don't get up." He patted the commander's shoulder and Jerome felt his presence leaving. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw the retreating back of the holographic marine Jose Rameriz. The child's cries ceased and ManyHorses heard the sounds of happy voices congratulating the mother. He smiled and winced, it hurt to smile but it was good to hear a newborn's cries; birth, renewal, a new soul beginning or an older soul returning to learn new lessons in life. It was good. "I am Jerome ManyHorses, some call me Hoss. I remember my name." His voice was a soft croak, even his throat hurt. His thoughts turned to Ramirez and he was troubled as he recalled what the hologram had said about the original program having killed the real Ramirez. Should the marine be shut down? But Hoss wasn't troubled for long, sleep came to claim him once more and as he drifted back into slumber he thought it was an awful shame that the Spirit Buffalo didn't get the chance to give him the message; perhaps he would return. (Reply any) (Posted by Sal) ******** (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0342) The first night in his new quarters, Dav had fallen asleep quickly, exhausted from traveling, seeing the ship, meeting new shipmates. The second night, he was forcing himself to stay awake. He pressed the refresh button on his desk terminal again. 0342. Three more minutes to wait. It had been a great night, despite his rocky start with the Captain and Commander. He'd had a chance to learn more about Ayslin, and got to meet more of the crew than he'd expected, and all of them good people. They'd all helped him feel better about his future aboard Boudicca. Later, he'd arrived back at his quarters, half tempted to call Sokar and apologize, more interested in crawling in his comfortable new bed and sleeping soundly for as long as he pleased. Oh, how he loved sleeping in, and looked forward to spending some of his leave doing just that. But OPS had called before he could get even one boot off, and his request for a personal comm channel had been received, and there was an opening at 0345, and did he want it? Dav had thought about it carefully, weighing personal comfort against homesickness. As one of the newest officers on board, he didn't have high priority on channels, and it was lucky to get one so soon, no matter the time of night. Yes, he had answered. Yes, he wanted very much to talk to his family on Trill, no matter how much sleep had to be lost. He clicked refresh: 0343. The minutes had dragged on all night. He'd replicated coffee to drink, then coffee beans to chew, though covered in chocolate, of course, as nature intended. It was only a few hours to go, and he knew that if he slept, even tried to rest for just a minute, no alarm in the sector could wake him. He took a shower, jogged around the room, played some Klingon opera, anything to keep him awake. He hadn't gone near the oh so tempting bed. Now he sat at his little desk, staring bleary-eyed at the terminal, just waiting. It was 0344. He could barely stand to wait another moment longer, in more ways than one. He'd been excited to talk to his sister since he'd found a message from her waiting for him when he arrived on Boudicca, sent in advance of his arrival, since no one really knew where he was while in transit. With so many odd berths on so many odd transports, he had barely known for himself half the time. But Enith had recorded a message anyway, and sent it to wait for him, congratulating him on getting an actual assignment, instead of bouncing around for any longer. "Maybe they'll keep you longer than a week this time," she'd joked, but it hadn't been far from the truth. Enith, with her husband Tor and three-year-old Liddi, lived on the family farm on Trill, with their parents and a large number of animals. Tor's family owned the next farm over, and with five older brothers jockeying for a piece of that pie, he'd seen fit to marry the girl next door and take over operations of her parents' successful farm as they grew older. It didn't hurt that Tor and Enith had been in love since the second grade. For herself, though she'd had childhood dreams along with Dav of going to the stars, Enith had found she was unable, or unwilling, to leave home with her brother. Instead, she stayed where she most wanted to be, and lived out that little inkling of wanderlust vicariously through Dav. The comm chirped, interrupting Dav's reverie. =/\=OPS to Ensign Maxon. Your channel is open.=/\= Sitting up straight, slapping himself awake, Dav said his thanks then turned the channel on his terminal. He waited. It should be about 1830 in Arnmere, their little corner of Trill, and he imagined everyone would be home that time of afternoon, when the purple skies started to turn orange, and the shadows lengthened across the fields. The screen blinked, and Enith was there, grinning. "Dav! It's you!" Her smile was just the same as the one spreading across his face as he saw her. She had his same eyes, a pale green that nearly bordered on blue; his same hair, brown just touched with orange, or orange just touched with brown, it was hard to to tell, though hers was much longer than his by far. In fact, they had always looked so much alike, they had often been asked if they were twins. Since he was born less than a year after her, it was a near miss possibility. "Hi, Sis. How's the farm?" "Pleasant as always. How's the void of space?" "Cold and uninhabitable. Luckily there's spaceships." Behind her, his parent's kitchen was transformed into a scene from his own childhood, Liddi's drawings and toys covering every inch. "What do you think of our news?" Enith asked, and her smiled beamed a little brighter. That was the other thing he'd learned from her message when he first arrived on Boudicca - she and Tor were expecting a baby brother or sister for Liddi. "I think it's great! But I can tell you're disappointed." "Yeah, I can't stop smiling, so sue me. And the kid couldn't be happier." Enith always referred to Liddi as 'the kid.' "Although I don't think she's thought it all the way through yet to realize her Only Child throne is in jeopardy." "Where is she? Isn't anyone home?" "Tor took her to town." "Oh, I was hoping to see them. Isn't it dinner time?" "It's carnival week! He's feeding her funnel cake and iceez and other assorted sugars. You know, she's only gonna live once. I, on the other hand, decided to stay home and put my feet up. I'm so glad I was here to get your call!" "You just hate carnival." "Pregnant lady's prerogative. Besides, thirty years of carnivals is just about enough for anyone. Mom and Dad went, though. They left a few minutes ago to walk down and see what's happening. They'll be sorry they missed you." "Me too. I'll have to try again when you're all home." "So you're settling in? Starfleet's not going to send you packing again in a couple days?" "It seems at least semi-permanent." "Good. You look like hell, by the way." "Thanks. It's four in the morning." She laughed. "You're ridiculous. Why not wait until a better time?" Dav shrugged. It had been a long time since he'd seen them in person, and though there had been long separations before, this time he hadn't been home in almost four years. "I miss you." Her smile was wistful. "I miss you too. Everyone here does. Sometimes... I wish you had stayed with Daystrom. You could have worked toward a position on planet." "Maybe I still will. I mean, Starfleet creates more jobs on Trill than Daystrom does." "Not science jobs. Promise me you'll come home some time?" "Promise. Of course I will." "Okay." Always the first to lighten the mood -- Dav had learned the skill from her -- Enith suddenly brightened. "By the way, baby brother, I happen to have a copy a little holochapter you might be interested in. A certain something called 'Max Alpha,' Chapter Three?" Dav nearly fell out of his seat. "Yes! Yes yes yes, please!" Max Alpha was a holonovel Dav loved, though only two chapters had yet been released. The programmer was a friend of a friend of Tor's. Enith laughed. "Tor just finished it. I'll transmit a copy and you can program your settings in. He said it's a good one!" "You're the best!" "Don't forget it. I'd better let you go, kid. Hey, take care out there." "Take care in there. Kiss your daughter from me." "And my husband from me. Call again, Dav. They'll love to see you. Bye." "Bye." He switched off the screen. Sometimes he had to remind himself how much he had wanted to travel the stars. Life had been good to him, his dreams had come true, but not without their price. Home is where the heart is, and a big piece of his would always be on Trill. (Reply None) (Posted by Brian) ********** (USS Boudicca - ACEO's Office - ACEO Ens (Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0800) For the most part, things on the ship were fairly quiet and lazy. After three days on the station the ship's systems have been run through their gambit of diagnostics and the leave rotation kept a minimal crew on duty. Anton liked relaxing as much as the next guy but it was starting to bother him a little. He was not the type to sit around for too long. The chief was working on a project and so far has not asked Anton for any assistance. As it were, two cooks in one kitchen could be a bad thing anyways. So, he was left to sit here in his office reviewing the paperwork. (posted by Oleg) ********* (USS Boudicca- Basil Candle’s Quarters-ACSMO Basil Candle - 0825) Basil needed a sounding board, someone .. some people with an intimate knowledge of technical details of engineering than he had ever mastered. Basil knew a little, very little compared to most he always thought, but the knowledge he did know was from being dumped in engineering for a short time back when he was younger. He tapped his Comm badge “Ensign Gesar and Ensign Maxon, this is Ensign Candle here, if it is possible can I see you just after 0900 hours for a bit of late breakfast, I need to ask your advice on something?” (Reply Gesar, Maxon, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0826) Dav was glad he'd stayed up into the night to talk with his sister back on Trill, but it sure made for a rough morning, especially after the time he'd spent in QV with his new shipmates. He'd planned on making an early start on setting up his work in the labs, but all things considered, maybe it would wait for later. Or the next day. Of course, if Enith had Tor send him the latest Max Alpha program, everything was going to have to wait until he'd had a chance to play it in the holodeck. He reached for his coffee, a necessity on mornings like this, although he'd avoided picking up a regular habit. The hot liquid seeped through him, itself running slow through his tired body. He was determined not to go back to bed. Just as he began to lie down again, the comm rang. =/\=Ensign Gesar and Ensign Maxon, this is Ensign Candle here, if it is possible can I see you just after 0900 hours for a bit of late breakfast, I need to ask your advice on something?=/\= Dav had met Basil the night before in QV, although it was just when things started to get fuzzy, and he didn't feel certain of how the night had ended before he was back in his quarters waiting to call Enith. He tapped his comm badge. "Maxon here. I'll see you then." He liked Basil, and hoped everything was alright. He wondered what this could all be about? And would there be coffee with breakfast? (reply Gesar, Candle) (posted by Brian Bennett) ********** (USS Boudicca - ACEO's Office - ACEO Ens (Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0826) Anton put another PADD on the stack of completed requisition forms. ~If I have to look at another Req. form I'm going to step out of an airlock,~ Anton thought desperatly as he looked at the time. ~26 minutes, feels like an eternety.~ =/\=Ensign Gesar and Ensign Maxon, this is Ensign Candle here, if it is possible can I see you just after 0900 hours for a bit of late breakfast, I need to ask your advice on something?=/\= ~Thank God!!!~ "This is Gesar, give me about 30 minutes and I'll join you." Anton replied. (posted by Oleg) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0904) Maxon entered QV and immediately spotted Candle. It looked like Anton hadn't yet arrived. "Hi, Basil," Dav said, approaching him. "What can I do for you?" (Reply Gesar, Candle) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 4 - 0907) Eggs! Scrambled, boiled, salted, poached or pickled Basil loved Eggs. This morning in the QV this was no different. He had simply gone for scrambled on numerous toasted malt bread loving lavished in a thick sauce one can only call brown. He was shovelling, the only other way he ate was stuffing, the brownish yellow contents of his plate down his throat when Maxon entered the QV. "Hi, Basil," the man said, approaching him. "What can I do for you?" Mouth full and brain still partly working on his idea he said, “Tummppor..erss” Realising that his joy of breakfast had intervened in the basic concept of communication. He swallowed, wiped his mouth, using his uniform, and repeated “Tricorders, specifically range and limitations. Are the different tricorders compatible and if so what do we have two and not one? Has anyone pushed them beyond what their limits should have been? Get some breakfast you look like you haven‘t slept all night” (Reply Maxon, Gesar, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0908) “Tricorders, specifically range and limitations. Are the different tricorders compatible and if so what do we have two and not one? Has anyone pushed them beyond what their limits should have been? Get some breakfast you look like you haven‘t slept all night” "That's not far from the truth. Ah, coffee, please," Dav said to a waiter who had seen him enter and approached. "I don't drink much coffee," he told Basil, "but some days it's necessary." The waiter returned immediately and Dav thanked him. "Fast service, I like this place. So tricorders. I don't know the most about it's range capabilities. I know that a handheld sensor will increase the range. Not the medical tricorder sensor, that increases diagnostic capabilites, but not range. The handheld unit we use in sciences is overlooked, I think because most tasks that require more range than the tricorder itself are performed with ship sensors. As far as modifying the tricorder unit for expanded range, I know there have been tests done, but I'm not familiar with the research." Just then, Gesar joined them. "Hello gentlemen, what did I miss?" Candle explained: "Excellent, I was just mentioning that what I am after is more detailed, hands on experience with Tricorders. If you could push a tricorder's limits or change them, focus them how far could you go?" "Have you read any of the research on modified tricorders?" Dav asked Anton. "It's probably more up your alley than mine." (Reply Gesar, Candle) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACEO Ens(Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0910) Anton walked into the QV and looked for Basil and Davris. Spotting them at a table he approached. "Hello gentlemen, what did I miss?" (Reply Candle, Maxon) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 4 - 0912) "Hello gentlemen, what did I miss?" Candle looked up to see Ensign Gesar "Excellent, I was just mentioning that what I am after is more detailed, hands on experience with Tricorders. If you could push a tricorder's limits or change them, focus them how far could you go?" (Reply Gesar, Maxon) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACEO Ens. (Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0912.5) Candle explained: "Excellent, I was just mentioning that what I am after is more detailed, hands on experience with Tricorders. If you could push a tricorder's limits or change them, focus them how far could you go?" "Have you read any of the research on modified tricorders?" Dav asked Anton. "It's probably more up your alley than mine." "I have read some things on the subject, however I personaly have not attempted to modify a standart Tricorder. But I'm always up for taking stuff appart and experimenting with it. Now all we need is a tricorder." (Reply from Candle, Maxon) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 4 - 0913) "I have read some things on the subject, however I personally have not attempted to modify a standard Tricorder. But I'm always up for taking stuff apart and experimenting with it. Now all we need is a tricorder." said Gesar “Thought someone might ask that, “ said Basil, dipped down under the table to his bag between his feet. Unzipping it he reached in and rummaged round then popped back up face flushed from the rush of blood, “One standard and one medical.” he said placing them onto the table.” which would be best to start with?” (Reply Gesar, Maxon, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0915) At Anton's mention of their need for a tricorder, Basil produced two of the machines. "One standard and one medical." he said placing them onto the table. "which would be best to start with?" Dav picked up the one closest to him, the medical tricorder. "I'll leave the standard to you," he said to Anton. "It's probably more useful, and you know what you're doing. Unless we're scanning life signs," he said to Basil, palming the handheld medical sensor. "In which case this is the one you want. What exactly are we scanning for?" (Reply Candle, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 4 - 0918) “What exactly are we scanning for?" Basil sighed. He knew this would come up. Despite what Trei had said, Basil knew he had to tell them. In Basil's view a crew needs to be able to deal with all situations so the more they know the better they can prepare. “It’s twofold, really. Unsure if you have heard about the Counsellor last night. He was beaten when he was on board the station. It reiterated the feeling I have had for some time in regards to any crew that go on away missions. If there is a way to monitor, constantly, a crew’s signs then if they are affected by anything or attacked then either the medical member on the away team or someone else will immediately know.” (Reply Maxon, Gesar) “The second is more … personal. Look on that station, I believe there was or maybe is a group that, in their time, have kidnapped, murdered and stole their way across this part of space. I would like to find them or a trace of them but using the Boudicca’s scanners on the station without approval would probably create an incident so I was hoping I could use a boosted tricorder. To stand in one location and scan the station for specific lifesigns or something else.” (Reply Maxon, Gesar) Basil took out the padd from his bag, the one given to him by Kaldor Hexe, “These are the ones I am looking for, have a look it makes for an unpleasant read” (Reply Maxon, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACEO Ens. (Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0919) “Thought someone might ask that, “ said Basil, dipped down under the table to his bag between his feet. Unzipping it he reached in and rummaged round then popped back up. “One standard and one medical.” he said placing them onto the table.” which would be best to start with?” Dav picked up the one closest to him, the medical tricorder. "I'll leave the standard to you," he said to Anton. "It's probably more useful, and you know what you're doing. Unless we're scanning life signs," he said to Basil, palming the handheld medical sensor. "In which case this is the one you want. What exactly are we scanning for?" Basil sighed, “It’s two fold, really. Unsure if you have heard about the Counsellor last night. He was beaten when he was on board the station. It reiterated the feeling I have had for some time in regards to any crew that go on away missions. If there is a way to monitor, constantly, a crew’s signs then if they are affected by anything or attacked then either the medical member on the away team or someone else will immediately know.” "And the second?" Anton inquired. “The second is more … personal. Look on that station, I believe there was or maybe is a group that, in their time, have kidnapped, murdered and stole their way across this part of space. I would like to find them or a trace of them but using the Boudicca’s scanners on the station without approval would probably create an incident so I was hoping I could use a boosted tricorder. To stand in one location and scan the station for specific lifesigns or something else.” "Well, I'm all for the idea of tinkering with something. But I must say that I have reservations about the applications you are suggesting. What I mean is this. Modifying the medical tricorder to allow a medical officer on an away mission have constant date on the health of the away team is fine. We can expand the medical tricorder for your purposes but you are still going to be limited by distance. We can expand the scanning capabilities of the tricorder if we can tie the tricorder into the ships sensors. The ship sensors can be set to constantly monitor the position of the communicators, and we can expand that function to constantly monitor the team's health and feed the info into the a medical transformer. However, as I understand it, ManyHorses was not on an away mission. Therefore this still may not have been prevented." "As for the second function, I am afraid that I don't feel comfortable with the purpose. Whether you use the Boudicca's scanners or a tricorder your purpose is still the same. Starfleet has no official jurisdiction on this station, we were warned about that when we arrived. That means that if it is discovered that the station is being scanned from the inside, we would create the same incident you wish to avoid. Therefore, I feel that we should involve the station authorities and get permission to use the Boudicca's scanners. But I think you have already surmised that we would not get permission to do so. My suggestion is that we use some old fashioned techniques instead and investigate what happened. We are likely to encounter the trouble that befell ManyHorses, but if we work together perhaps we can avoid his condition. Modifying the medical tricorder per your suggestion will help." "So, who are we looking for?" Basil took out the padd from his bag, “These are the ones I am looking for, have a look it makes for an unpleasant read.” (Reply Maxon, Candle, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - Day 4 - 0920) "So, who are we looking for?" Basil took out the padd from his bag, “These are the ones I am looking for, have a look it makes for an unpleasant read.” While Anton looked over the padd, Dav got up from the table to read over his shoulder. "Interesting bunch of characters. How do we know so much about them?" (reply Candle, Gesar) Dav put the medical tricorder on the table in front of Anton. "We're going to need this one and a couple like it. Guys, if you're planning on doing some old-fashioned investigating, I'm in." (Reply Candle, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSMO Basil Candle - Day 4 - 0924) Basil listened to Ensign Gesar discuss the pros and cons. Basil knew that what he was asking the two men was not strictly by the book but he had a sinking feeling that doing nothing would be much worse. There was a quote some of the instructors in Starfleet liked to use about great men doing nothing but it had slipped Basil's memories. While Gesar looked over the padd, Maxon got up from the table to read over his shoulder. "Interesting bunch of characters. How do we know so much about them?" “Bounty Hunter on the station gave me that, he’s ex-Starfleet and has official approval to look for their leader. He‘s asked me to help him find them, find them - find the boss” Maxon put the medical tricorder on the table in front of Gesar. "We're going to need this one and a couple like it. Guys, if you're planning on doing some old-fashioned investigating, I'm in." Basil smiled. “Okay so how do you propose we proceed? Some of these guys of fairly unique races. If we did look for them using the scanners we could look for their particular racial dna structures. Maybe we could talk to twohorses too? I never had the chance last night to go visit him? In regards to the scanners is there anyway we can increase the range?” (Reply Maxon, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca - QV - ACEO Ens. (Sg.) Anton Gesar - Day 4 - 0925) "Interesting bunch of characters. How do we know so much about them?" “Bounty Hunter on the station gave me that, he’s ex-Starfleet and has official approval to look for their leader. He‘s asked me to help him find them, find them - find the boss” Maxon put the medical tricorder on the table in front of Gesar. "We're going to need this one and a couple like it. Guys, if you're planning on doing some old-fashioned investigating, I'm in." Basil smiled “Okay so how do you propose we proceed? Some of these guys of fairly unique races. If we did look for them using the scanners we could look for their particular racial dna structures. Maybe we could talk to ManyHorses too? I never had the chance last night to go visit him? In regards to the scanners is there anyway we can increase the range?” Anton took the tricorder, "So what you're saying is that this bounty hunter knows who it was that attacked ManyHorses and that he is after their boss. I take it the reason he is asking our help rather than the authorities is because he doesn't want to loose the bounty. If I were to proceed I think that we should find out how he knows who attacked ManyHorses. Also, we have to consider that if his information is accurate, what we intend to do once we find them. This happened on the station, that means we can't arrest them." "As for the tricorders, if we increase the range we are going to loose resolution. Which means it will be more difficult to look for specific dna structures. However, we might solve that if we reprogram the standard tricorder with the programing from the medical tricorder." (Reply Maxon, Candle, Any) (Posted by Oleg Kislyuk) ******** (USS Boudicca - QV - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0926) Basil smiled “Okay so how do you propose we proceed? Some of these guys of fairly unique races. If we did look for them using the scanners we could look for their particular racial dna structures. Maybe we could talk to ManyHorses too? I never had the chance last night to go visit him? In regards to the scanners is there anyway we can increase the range?” Anton took the tricorder, "So what you're saying is that this bounty hunter knows who it was that attacked ManyHorses and that he is after their boss. I take it the reason he is asking our help rather than the authorities is because he doesn't want to loose the bounty. If I were to proceed I think that we should find out how he knows who attacked ManyHorses. Also, we have to consider that if his information is accurate, what we intend to do once we find them. This happened on the station, that means we can't arrest them." "As for the tricorders, if we increase the range we are going to loose resolution. Which means it will be more difficult to look for specific dna structures. However, we might solve that if we reprogram the standard tricorder with the programing from the medical tricorder." "If we're talking to ManyHorses," Maxon added," I'm not sure I'm the best one to do it. Last time I saw him, I didn't make a great impression. Although if you're working on the tricorder," he said to Anton, "that may fall to me. What do you think, Basil?" (Reply Candle, Gesar, Any) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (Laatstekans Station - Temporary Office - Kaldor Hexe - Day 4 - 1136) Kaldor Hexe sat in his temporary office on the station. The room was tiny, more a side room than an office but that was all the station security had deigned to give him. He didn’t care, it has a table to plant his booted feet and he was free to smoke as much as he liked. His little trap had not gone to plan but he was lucky that the still living Ferengi did not want to press the issue over the death of his brother. Due to this the station guards assumed, logically, this was down to a deal gone bad with the Ferengi and were happy to pass on the investigation to him once he explained why he was on the station. They and Hexe suspected that Ferengi was so up to his neck in dodgy deals, the holo-vids, that Kaldor was aware of, being only part of what the Ferengi was up too. He was in his room to call on Starfleet, specifically the ship the Boudicca. He sent the communication to the Captain, Rivers. He remembered a saying years ago when he was in Starfleet - as cold as the River’s heart, it was based on her. When a face popped onto the screen, it was not Rivers but one much more furry. “My name is Kaldor Hexe, I need to speak to someone about a funeral” (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca Personal Quarters ACMO Ensign Hawkeye Dolphine 1155) After the meeting with Capt Rivers had concluded, Hawkeye went back to his quarters to gather his personal belongings. He needed to stop by sickbay in order to say goodbye to Dr Jahlen and to finish up his remaining patient charts before he beamed over to the station to catch transport to starbase Geneva. He had his transfer orders in hand and was headed to sickbay. On his way he stopped and said goodbye to Louis in Med Reserarch. It was a bittersweet day for Hawkeye. He had enjoyed his time on board and while he was looking forward to teaching and to serving on his new post, he was sad to leave the people on board. When he arrived in sickbay, He didnt see Jahlen in the office. He left a message on the computer telling the CMO how he enjoyed his time serving with her and how he hoped that her leadership was something he could draw from in his future with Starfleet. With that done he headed to Transporter Room 1 and beamed over to the station to begin his travel to Starbase Geneva. (Reply any iyw, None required ) (Posted by Ben) ********* (USS Boudicca - Sickbay - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1300) Detron had some lunch in his office as he had work to take care of. The usual work involved with being a department head. Detron walked down the corridor to Sickbay to check on Manyhorses. Detron thought a visit in the afternoon would be better that in the morning so he would be more relaxed. Detron hoped Manyhorses recovered his memory but suspected that he would just be able to remember his own name. Detron entered Sickbay and approached Manyhorses's biobed. "How are you doing my friend? Have you recovered your memory yet? (Reply Manyhorses) (Posted by Edward) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 1542) During the run in to the system Lorimar had returned to his console to monitor the shuttle’s systems. When the third planet grew large on the viewscreen, he couldn’t resist the impulse to walk forward and stand next to Selek. He did manage to restrain himself from putting his hand on the young Vulcan’s shoulder, mindful of their predilection against random physical contact. “A lovely world Mister Selek… a pity we cannae linger overlong eh?” “An emotional response to a purely scientific discovery is not logical, sir.” Lorimar tapped the back of Selek’s chair lightly; he couldn’t resist the impulse. “Is it logical tae appreciate beauty in all its forms, lad?” “Initiating pre-orbital scan sequence. Logic clearly dictates –“ Whatever logic clearly dictated, Bob would never know. Selek was interrupted in mid-sentence by the blaring of alarm klaxons. Trouble indications lit on Selek’s console. The ship lurched heavily to starboard, and Bob barely kept his feet, and sprinted back to the engineering station which was also beset by alarms. “Silence those bloody alarms and report!” Selek raised his voice slightly, betraying his surprise and alarm. “Sir, it appears we are being scanned from the planet. Shields have come up.” He paused while his hands flew over the controls. “When I initiated the approach scans, we were scanned in return. Source unknown.” Lorimar had just gotten settled in his seat when an auxiliary panel to his right erupted in a shower of sparks. He watched in horror as the shuttle’s primary systems began to rapidly fail. “Whatever it is, its gone clear through our shields like they wernae even there.” The frustration in his voice was clear. ‘His’ ship was being battered and he didn’t know why. The why might be as important as the who and how. Right now, they had none of that information. He could hear more arcing and popping from the rear of the ship and he definitely didn’t like that. He wasn’t a commander by choice, but giving orders to save lives and control damage was something he excelled at. “Selek, get us out of here, best possible speed. Rel, see if you can locate the source of that scan. Parrr’Z, we are losing primary systems… see if ye can remodulate the shields tae block that scan, ah’ll gie ye all the power ah can. Candle, get a portable extinguisher and check for fires and damage in the aft compartment. Shadow, signal the Boudicca, report our position and status and request immediate assistance. Anyone wie any ideas I want tae hear them loud and clear right now!” (Reply All Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 5 Stardate: 2408.12.07 ==================== ==================== (Laatstekans Station - Of Last Resort – NPCs Froge Ademan M.D. & PO Charlie Smidden - Day 5 - 2040) The bar was particularly busy this evening, nicely crowded, just how Froge liked it when he was up to no good, it was easier to bump into somebody accidentally on purpose to pick pockets or to stick a needle in them. Sometimes the needle would be deadly. He had rid Talia of many an adversary or competitor with that neat little trick, but tonight he was on a different mission; tonight he was on the look out for what he liked to think of as a sacrificial offering to the great God of Avarice. Until ten years ago, Froge Ademan had been a good medical doctor, but his growing drug habit had got the better of him and eventually he'd turned to selling prescriptions to pay for his habit, and then before he knew it he was in over his head doing illegal surgical procedures which had led to him becoming involved with the likes of Talia Rangoon who had offered him great payments if he would just permanently eliminate anyone she chose. Of course after the first death she had the means to keep him ensnared and each one after that got easier than the previous one, so that now he didn't lose any sleep over the lives he'd ended with a syringe full of air. Talia might be the queen bitch of all bitches but she paid well, and Froge had no further need to practice his profession to make a living, though he did like to keep his hand in surgically, whether the recipient of his skills was willing or not. Froge had been sitting in a corner booth for several hours already, deep in shadow, (the murky sub-light gone due to a conveniently damaged light fixture), steadily sipping on a couple of ales while patiently watching and waiting, just as he had been for the past two nights.... waiting for that perfect one to come along...and they always did...those nondescript, insignificant beings who wouldn't really be missed once they were gone and whose going wouldn't cause to much of a fuss, much like worker bees he thought, dispensable, replaceable. He would give that person a reason to be, give a purpose to their mundane, pitifully boring existence, bestow on them a glorious and merciful ending to an unremarkable life, and he would know him or her as soon as they walked into the bar; it was only a matter of time before he fulfilled his contract to Talia Rangoon. The bartender had been paid off to turn a blind eye and the back room had been rented these past three nights and for two more besides. Froge was optimistic that tonight would be the night; he could feel it in his bones, so he avidly watched all the comings and goings, all the drunken bums, the whores, the pimps, the scum of the galaxy, unseen in his dark corner and nobody bothered him because they knew better - they wanted to stay alive. Time passed, it was 2245 and he was questioning his gut instincts when suddenly the one he had been waiting for - like a spider waits to strike - slunk in to the bar and headed to the counter where he slithered on to a stool at the far end. He was wearing his uniform, a crewman, and from what Froge could see of the insignias on it, he was in engineering. ~ Perfect! ~ Froge moved to the edge of his bench, catching the barkeep's eye and gave him a nod, informing the man that this was his victim and he was to spice up his drink with the potent drug that Froge had given him. The nod he got in return was so minimal as to be almost non-existant as the tender moved down the bar to ask the crewman what he wanted, and then turned his back on him to fetch a glass from the shelf behind and fill it with the chosen liquor. From Froge's viewpoint he could see the barkeep dosing the drink with the small vial of clear liquid he'd had tucked behind a bottle for the past few days. Rising from his seat, Froge quietly walked over to the bar and sat down on the stool next to the crewman where he ordered another beer and sipped at it, waiting for the drug to take effect, watching the man out of the corner of his eye for the first indication that it was starting. He didn't have long to wait, by the time the crewman had consumed his drink he was already looking a little woozy. Froge leaned towards him and touched his arm. "Hey man, are you okay? You don't look to good." Charlie Smidden turned his head towards the voice that seemed to be coming from a long distance and saw a blurred face swimming in his vision. He tried to shake his head. Suddenly he was feeling weak and nauseous and thought he should get back to his ship and stop by Sickbay. He tried to stand up but his legs gave out. He would have fallen but someone caught him and held him up. "Come on man, let's get you somewhere where you can lie down, take a nap. I bet you'll be fine once you've had a rest." Froge and the barkeep half carried, half dragged the now semi-conscious crewman into the back room, where he was lifted on to a cot bed. Once the bartender had left the room Froge locked the door and prepared the now fully sedated man for the minor surgery he was about to perform. When PO Charlie Smidden awoke the next morning he would find himself on the bed, hungover, head pounding from having too much to drink and unable to remember just how many drinks he'd actually had. There would be no indication whatsoever that an undetectable organic implant had been inserted into his right inner thigh. (reply none) (posted by Sal) ==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 6 Stardate: 2408.12.08 ==================== ==================== (USS Boudicca - Admin - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0945) =/\=Yeoman Shadow, the skills we all have are uniquely our own. They often hae little or nothing to do with the color of your uniform or the pips on your collar. We will be much stronger wie you along for the flight. Hae ye any other questions? =/\= While she was tempted to say 'yes' because she could listen to the Chief Engineer's way of rolling words for a year and a day, she knew he was a very busy and important man. "No, sir." She thought he was a bit off his hunt though if he thought a half-trained bard and paperpusher would be good in shuttle design! She remembered Denise once said bards were very important to Chief Bob's people 'back in the midsts of the dark ages of Earth's history' .. maybe he DID want her along as a bard? Arania was the better bard, but she was also a lot busier. (reply Lorimar) (posted by Lorna) *********** (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 0945) Ayslin sat at her desk, dressed in comfortable civilian clothes, her hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail, and her feet were resting on her desk. Ayslin watched her terminal screen as it modeled subspace wave forms in for a simulation she was running. She idly bounced a rubber ball against the far wall catching it and throwing it again as she watched the computer. She swore silently as he comm system chirped and she missed the ball forcing her to duck to avoid being hit in the face. =/\=Lorimar to Lieutenant Rel, Ensigns Candle and Selek, and Yeoman Shadow. Ye should all have just received a data packet from me. It’s a mission briefing; your skilled presences are respectfully requested on a test flight of the new runabout. We’ll be launching at 0700 tomorrow. If any of ye have any questions, comments, or issues feel free tae contact me, otherwise we will brief in the main shuttlebay at 0645.=/\= "Rel here, be there with my proverbial bells on," Ayslin said. She knew that Bob had been working on the new runabout for a long while, and she was thrilled to get to be one of the first people to get to go out on it. She read over the data packet that Bob had mentioned, and downloaded it on to her work PADD. (Reply Lorimar iyw) Pressing a button on her desk top Tanna quickly walked through the door, a smile on her elfin face. "Ma'am?" "I just got an assignment. Chief Lorimar just assigned me to his test flight team for tomorrow morning." Ayslin said taking her feet down off her desk. "I'm going to need a a full science kit, two spare bio neural gel packs and a chronometric calibration array," Ayslin said, which Tanna immediately wrote down on her PADD. "Have it all delivered to the main shuttle back by 0600 tomorrow morning so I can check over it before we set off." "Of course, just be careful out there." Tanna said with a look of friendly concern on her face. "I promise to be the voice of reason," Ayslin said putting her hand over her heart. Tanna just rolled her eyes and walked out of the room to begin preparations. Ayslin tapped her comm badge, "Lieutenant Rel to Ensign Maxon, report to my office at your convenience if you will." (Reply Maxon, Lorimar iyw) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******** (USS Boudicca – Basil's Quarters – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0949) "Lorimar to Lieutenant Rel, Ensigns Candle and Selek, and Yeoman Shadow. Ye should all have just received a data packet from me. It’s a mission briefing; your skilled presences are respectfully requested on a test flight of the new runabout. We’ll be launching at 0700 tomorrow. If any of ye have any questions, comments, or issues feel free tae contact me, otherwise we will brief in the main shuttlebay at 0645." The data packet was intriguing, Basil had only skimmed through the basics when he had recieved it as he was getting ready for his shift for the day. Even that was enough to get his brain fired up over a late breakfast. His padd he started making notes on was splashed with juice and crumbs as he split his time on eating, reading and brainstorming. There was an initial query he wanted to ask the engineer, Ensign Candle to Chief Engineer Lorimar, first thanks for the chance to help you in this, much appreciated. (Reply Lorimar) "How many of these tests are you planning? Reason I ask is that, if possible, I would like to test something myself so how intensive are you intending the test to be?" (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Warren) ********* (USS Boudicca, Science Labs - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon – 0949) It had been a few more days of leave, and Dav was beginning to think Starfleet was one big vacation. Since arriving, he'd spent half a week hanging around doing nothing. The rest of the crew needed the break, deserved it, but while they'd been on their last mission, he'd been sitting around in transports reading novels. It hadn't been exactly stressful. So on his fifth day aboard, he went to the science labs to get to work. He was out of uniform, but ready for a day in the labs, making a start on what would be his ongoing projects, communicating with his contacts at Starfleet and Daystrom. He entered to find the place mostly deserted. Not even Tanna was at her desk, but then he spotted her exiting Asylin's office. Just then, Ayslin's voice came over the comm. =/\=Lieutenant Rel to Ensign Maxon, report to my office at your convenience if you will.=/\= He caught Tanna's eye, and they were both laughing. He tapped his comm. "I'll be there immediately," he replied to Ayslin. "My timing is on today," he told Tanna, then went in the office door. "Hi boss, you wanted to see me?" (Reply Rel) (Posted by Brian) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – CEO Lorimar – 0950) Lorimar had moved on to his next project, which was scheduling some routine maintenance when his commbadge chirped. =^=Ensign Candle to Chief Engineer Lorimar, first thanks for the chance to help you in this, much appreciated.=^= He smiled when he replied. “Your assistance is appreciated lad… its nae like ah gave ye shore leave, after all.” =^=How many of these tests are you planning? Reason I ask is that, if possible, I would like to test something myself so how intensive are you intending the test to be?=^= Bob quirked an eyebrow at the question. He had been so absorbed in his own planning that the question almost surprised him. “Ah presume yer referring tae the list of objectives from the data packet? Most of that stuff is straight out of the environmental engineering section of the flight test manual. Ah added a couple things, which were specific tae the life support and life science systems of the runabout. Standard stuff for the most part. Ah’d welcome any input ye might have; there is some extra time built intae the flight plan for just that reason. What did ye hae in mind?” ~An’ that is precisely why ah invited these folk… ah ken we’ll get some great ideas flowing!~ (Reply Candle, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - aCSO Ayslin Rel – 0951) "Hi boss, you wanted to see me?" Dav said walking through her door not more than a minute after she'd called him. "Yep, just wanted to let you know that I've been assigned to the test flight crew for Chief Lorimar's new Runabout. We're leaving about 0700 tomorrow, you'll be the point person for the department until I come back. Hopefully nothing much will happen, and Tanna will handle most of the paper work. Just figured I'd give you fair warning that I wasn't going to be around." Ayslin said leaning back in her chair. (Reply Maxon) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0952) As Dav stood across the desk from her, Ayslin explained that she was leaving on a test flight with Chief Lorimar. "We're leaving about 0700 tomorrow, you'll be the point person for the department until I come back. Hopefully nothing much will happen, and Tanna will handle most of the paper work. Just figured I'd give you fair warning that I wasn't going to be around." Ayslin said leaning back in her chair. "Sounds interesting. Is it a short flightplan, or will you be gone for an extended trip?" (ReplY Rel) "What will you be studying?" (reply Rel) "Are there any specific projects you'd like me to focus on? I know it's still leave, but I'll be happy to work on anything you need. I plan on being here in the labs either way." (Reply Rel) (Posted by Brian) ********* (USS Boudicca – Quarters – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0953) “Ah presume yer referring tae the list of objectives from the data packet? Most of that stuff is straight out of the environmental engineering section of the flight test manual. Ah added a couple things, which were specific tae the life support and life science systems of the runabout. Standard stuff for the most part. Ah’d welcome any input ye might have; there is some extra time built intae the flight plan for just that reason. What did ye hae in mind?” “Well perhaps something that would test the ship and the people inside. Radiation, stress-related tasks, thought it would be nice to push things a little bit” (Reply Lorimar, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – CEO Lorimar – 0954) =^=Well perhaps something that would test the ship and the people inside. Radiation, stress-related tasks, thought it would be nice to push things a little bit=^= Lorimar mulled that over for a moment then replied. “Did ye hae something specific on yer mind?” (Reply Candle, Room for more iyw) Bob listened thoughtfully before continuing. “Ah’ve nae objections tae any reasonable scientific testing. Certainly we can wring oot the primary and secondary environmental systems, ah think that would be an excellent idea. Aside from that, ah’ll defer tae your judgement insofar as any medical testing goes. Anything reasonable that neither interferes wie our primary tasks nor places anyone under duress should be fine. Ah’d ask that ye coordinate with Lieutenant Rel of course… as the ship’s science officer that would be the sensible thing ah should think. Anything else for the moment?” (Reply Candle, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - aCSO - 0955) As Dav stood across the desk from her, Ayslin explained that she was leaving on a test flight with Chief Lorimar. "We're leaving about 0700 tomorrow, you'll be the point person for the department until I come back. Hopefully nothing much will happen, and Tanna will handle most of the paper work. Just figured I'd give you fair warning that I wasn't going to be around." Ayslin said leaning back in her chair. "Sounds interesting. Is it a short flightplan, or will you be gone for an extended trip?" "It's planned for about 16 hours give or take, but it may take longer if we want to work out any bugs that crop up," Ayslin said gesturing for Dav to take a seat. "What will you be studying?" "Nothing specifically, but I figure I'll be focusing on the runabout's sensor function, and possibly anything interesting we run into along the way," Ayslin said with a shrug. "Are there any specific projects you'd like me to focus on? I know it's still leave, but I'll be happy to work on anything you need. I plan on being here in the labs either way." "Not that I can think of, however I give you my permission to rampantly abuse what little power you have. Although, should any word of your high jinx reach the ear of the Captain, I will disavow all knowledge of this conversation," Ayslin said with obvious mock solemnity. "Frankly, I'm sure something will come up as soon as I step foot off the ship, if only because I've been waiting for something to do for the past few days," Ayslin said with a sigh. "So if something comes up, leave me a little mystery to solve when I get back. I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun." (Reply Maxon, room for more if you want) "No, that's about it, just wanted to let my fearless back up know that I would be away, so you would be too surprised when some angry scientist comes to you looking for solutions to all their problems." Ayslin said with a grin. "Unless you have any questions I think we're all set." (Reply Maxon) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Quarters – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0956) =^= Did ye hae something specific on yer mind? =^= came the reply "Well flying close to a sun tends to push and test ships and people to the limit, just something that may test an extreme range. Possiblt, if its okay with you, we could create a situation similar to damage. Could the ship function without particular systems? It doesn't have to happen in one flight, depends on how many you want to make before your happy the ship is ready?" (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – CEO Lorimar – 0957) Bob listened intently to what Ensign Candle had in mind, ticking off items mentally as he did so. =^=Well flying close to a sun tends to push and test ships and people to the limit, just something that may test an extreme range. Possibly, if it’s okay with you, we could create a situation similar to damage. Could the ship function without particular systems? It doesn't have to happen in one flight, depends on how many you want to make before your happy the ship is ready?=^= Bob nodded in affirmation, despite the fact that Candle, wherever he was calling from couldn’t see the gesture. “Excellent suggestions all, Mister Candle. Some of things we simulated, others not, for various reasons. We can certainly task shift from primary tae backup systems, and test a great deal of that. Why don’t ye work up a testing protocol? Ah look forward tae reviewing and implementing it.” (Reply Candle, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0957) Sitting across from Ayslin, Dav smiled at her jokes. She was a little wicked behind that calm exterior, and he liked it. "Frankly, I'm sure something will come up as soon as I step foot off the ship, if only because I've been waiting for something to do for the past few days," Ayslin said with a sigh. "So if something comes up, leave me a little mystery to solve when I get back. I wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun." "Hey, far be it from me. If the crew gets mutated, or our pets grow super-intelligences, I will be sure to leave some action for you." He chuckled. "So, is there anything else I should know before you leave?" "No, that's about it, just wanted to let my fearless back up know that I would be away, so you would be too surprised when some angry scientist comes to you looking for solutions to all their problems." Ayslin said with a grin. "Unless you have any questions I think we're all set." "I think we'll be okay here," he said standing. "I'll try to make you proud, Lieutenant." He grinned, giving her an informal salute. "Be safe out there," he said, knowing it should only be a routine test flight, but wishing her the best anyway. "Be sure you bring everyone back in one piece." (Reply Rel if you want) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – CEO Lorimar – 0959) =^=I get that to you later today if that’s fine with you, sir?=^= Bob smiled as he replied. “That’s perfectly fine of course lad. As long as the protocol is ready for the flight, that’s time enough. As ah said, we should have plenty of time for additional experiments built intae the flight plan.” =^=One thing that I am curious about sir? What are you going to call the shuttle?=^= The mere thought of it made his cheek instantly flush with embarrassment. As he spoke he could feel the heat climbing the back of his neck. “Ah’m going to call it ‘the runabout’, but Starfleet engineering is calling it the ‘Lorimar’. Any other questions? (Reply Candle iyw, Any, None needed) (Posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca – Quarters – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0958) =^=Excellent suggestions all, Mister Candle. Some of things we simulated, others not, for various reasons. We can certainly task shift from primary tae backup systems, and test a great deal of that. Why don’t ye work up a testing protocol? Ah look forward tae reviewing and implementing it.=^= “Okay, “ Basil said taken aback, he wasn’t expecting the engineer to pass it back to him, “I get that to you later today if that’s fine with you, sir?” (Reply Lorimar, Any) “One thing that I am curious about sir? What are you going to call the shuttle?” (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – CEO Lorimar – 1015) Bob was making the rounds from work station to work station, when he came upon ACEO Gesar. “Good morning Mister Gesar, ah see ye are hard at it, as always.” (Reply Gesar iyw) He smiled at his engineer and spoke quietly. “Ah wonder if ah might borrow ye for a few minutes… when ye are finished here of course? Ah’ll be in mah office when yer done.” (Reply Gesar iyw) (posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – CEO’s Office – CEO Lorimar – 1036) Bob was absorbed in finalizing duty rosters and other administrative work when Gesar appeared as requested. He waved a greeting and gestured toward the empty chair opposite his own. “Ah.. come in lad, take a seat. Care for a coffee or anything? Mah replicator has a fair selection of brews loaded. It’s nae as guid as Arania’s real coffee, but its nae six decks away either.” (Reply Gesar iyw) He switched off his desk monitor in order to give Gesar his full attention. He took a long pull from his own coffee mug and spoke. “Ah’m glad ye decided tae join me. We haven’t really had a great deal of one on one time since ye came aboard, and ah apologize for that. Mah fault entirely. Ah sometimes get so wrapped up doin’ mah job that ah don’t have time tae do my job, if ye get what ah mean?” (Reply Gesar iyw) “At any rate, as an ACEO ye deserve far more of mah attention and effort than ah’ve been giving ye, and ah intend tae remedy that, starting now.” He slid a PADD across the desk to Gesar. “That’s all the specifications of the new runabout, with the deviations from the Danube class highlighted. Ye may or may not have heard but we are taking her for a test flight tomorrow. Ah was afraid ye might feel excluded by mah not inviting ye… but that’s far from the truth. Ah wanted ye here tae mind the store in my absence. Yer a fine engineer from what ah’ve seen, and ah’m comfortable leaving the ship in your hands.” (Reply Gesar) He smiled across the desk. “Ah run a fairly informal shop here, no matter what ye may have heard. As long as the chain of command is respected, and the proper formalities are followed in the presence of the Captain and First Officer, ah dinnae much stand on formality. When we’re alone if ye are comfortable calling me Bob, feel free, alright? Ah see from yer personnel file that ye have a high ranking father. Admiral Gesar, eh? Must hae been interesting indeed!” (Reply Gesar, Any, Room for more) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Office - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel and Yeoman Tanna Slain – 1830) Ayslin had spent the remainder of the day in her office working on finishing up various projects before the test flight in the morning. She hadn't looked at the clock in hours and was surprised to find the day all but gone. Craning her neck to see out her open office door, she saw Tanna still sitting at her desk outside dutifully working away. ~~She's dedicated, I'll give her that,~~ Ayslin thought. "Tanna," she said speaking up. Tanna turned around, deep blue streaks in her short brown hair framed her face. She got up with the speed that only a 20 something could manage, and walked into the office, her PADD in hand. "What can I do for you ma'am?" Tanna asked. She seemed off some how, not as chipper as she normally was, but Ayslin just chalked it up to a long day. "Nothing Tanna, I was going to tell you to call it a night. It's already pas the end of your shift, and I'm not going to be around here much longer either." Ayslin said with a smile. "Thank you, if I don't see you before you leave, have a safe test flight." Tanna said with one of her typical smiled, with the exception that it didn't quite reach her chocolate brown eyes. Tanna turned and left and Ayslin didn't think much more of it, she quickly finished her work, turned out her office lights, and headed back to her quarters. (reply none) (posted by Patrick D.) *********** (USS Boudicca, aCSO's Quarters - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel and Yeoman Tanna Slain - 2315) Ayslin woke to the sound of her door chime ringing. Groaning, she rolled out of bed and ran her hand through her hair, brushing it out of her face as she headed to the door. "Lights, 33%," she said, and the computer responded bringing the illumination in the room up to something tolerable. When she opened the door, the hallway lights were a tad too bright, but she most definitely was looking into the face of her yeoman, who had most definitely been crying. "Tanna?" She asked, hoping to stall for enough time to get her brain in gear. "I'm sorry Ma'am, I didn't mean to wake you, I just..." Tanna started to say in a quiet shaky voice. "I'm sorry, this was a bad idea, I leave you to get back to sleep," she said and started to turn. "Wrong," Ayslin said, grabbing Tanna's shoulder and turning her back around. "You should come in, I know I haven't known you long, but you have had a bad idea yet, and from the look of you, you didn't start tonight," Ayslin said, guiding her gently into her living room and letting the door close behind them. "No really, you have a mission early tomorrow morning, I should have known you'd be asleep, it was just..." Tanna said as she took the seat on the couch Ayslin pushed her towards without protest. "Just what?" Ayslin said gently, as she moved to the replicator and ordered two hot chocolates before returning and putting one down in front of Tanna and sipping on one herself. "Just that I'm kind of running low on people to talk to that I trust at the moment," She said quietly. She really did look a mess. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she'd left her uniform jacket somewhere leaving her in her uniform pants and t-shirt, neither of which was at Tanna's normal standard of wrinkle free. "All right, you should probably start at the beginning," Ayslin said leaning back on the couch, cradling the mug of hot chocolate in her hands. "Really, I'm sorry I woke you up," Tanna said, looking at Ayslin with obvious sincerity. "What are friends for," Ayslin said, reaching out and giving Tanna's slender shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Now spill it." "It's really stupid, I don't know why I'm getting so worked up over it," Tanna started, delaying, until Ayslin poked her in the ribs. "All right," she said with a weak smile that finally looked real to Ayslin's eyes. "We've been arguing a lot lately. I guess when we were on mission after mission it was easy to ignore, but once we were on down time, it was harder to pretend we weren't having issues. Any way we got into a big fight after my shift today, I knew it was coming I think, and we broke up. And then I told my room mate about it, and she took his side, but I should have expected that, they're good friends. I don't want to go back to my quarters as I don't want to deal with her issues and..." Tanna said, taking a big slightly ragged breath and looking back over to Ayslin. "We were only seeing each other for a few months, and he was a controlling jerk in the end. Why does it hurt so much?" "Because our emotions and our brain have very little to do with each other. It's obvious you cared for him, even if there were logical reasons why you shouldn't have," Ayslin said quietly. "We don't always get a vote in who we develop feelings for. And yea, it hurts, it's going to hurt for a while, but you'll move on, every single one of us goes through this at some point. I'm not going to tell you you'll be over it tomorrow, but I will promise that you'll get over it and you will find someone who loves you, and isn't, as you put it, a controlling jerk, and whom you love in return, you just have to keep trying." Ayslin said rubbing Tanna's back. "Sure doesn't feel like it," Tanna said. "You're just going to have to trust me, I've done this life thing three and a quarter-ish times now, it's hard no matter who you are. Give it some time and keep your eyes open, you never know who you'll fall in love with, and you never know if it's going to be the real thing." Ayslin said with a kind smile for Tanna. They had become fast friends in the past week, and Ayslin hated to see her hurt, but there wasn't much she could do but talk. They talked for a while longer, Ayslin even got Tanna to laugh once. Finally they both started yawning. "I should go," Tanna said standing up slowly. "Nonsense, crash on my couch for the next night or two. There's absolutely no point in starting tomorrow off with a standoff with your room mate tomorrow. I'll key my door so you can get in and out. Put in a change of berthing request first thing, I'll sign anything you need when I get back from the test flight." Ayslin said standing up. "Sheets and pillows are in the closet, I'm sure you can find the bathroom and the replicator, the place isn't that big." Ayslin said with a grin and a wink. "Really?" Tanna asked, she looked like she was going to cry again. "Of course, it's not like I'm using it," she said glancing at the couch, "Besides, we've gone over this, if you can't crash on a friend's couch, they aren't much of a friend after all. Now to sleep with you, I've got work in the morning." Ayslin said with a smile to her yeoman, who without warning wrapped Ayslin in a big hug. "Thanks," Tanna said backing away blushing. "I'll see you off in the morning?" "Sure," Ayslin said with a friendly smile. "Sleep tight." She said before walking back into the bedroom. (Reply None) (Posted by Patrick D.) ==================== ==================== Mission: Going Dutch Day 7 Stardate: 2408.12.09 ==================== ==================== (USS Boudicca – CEO’s Quarters – CEO Lorimar – 0500) Bob finished dressing carefully after he had showered and shaved in preparation for the impending away mission. It should be routine, he thought, in the same sense that any Starfleet mission was. The unknown loomed at every juncture… but yet, that was in fact the very raison d’etre for Starfleet. He was a not a practitioner of the trademark ‘uniform tug’ but he did spare a quick glance in the mirror making sure his rank pips and commbadge were properly placed. As he turned from the mirror in the bathroom of his quarters, he cleared his throat and began speaking. He used his best ‘command voice’, suppressing his normally thick Scottish brogue somewhat, as his old commander Archibald Stakes had insisted upon. “Second Officer’s log, Stardate 2408.12.09. Lieutenant Lorimar, Chief Engineer and Acting Second Officer recording.” ~That was a wee bit long winded… need tae shorten that title a bit!~ “The Boudicca has been docked at Laatstekans Station for nearly seven full days now. The officers and crew – most of them – have been enjoying rest and relaxation aboard the station. Ah’ve not been over mahself as yet, but ah understand that the facilities aboard are interesting, if limited as compared to say, Starbase Geneva. Mah only personal observation is the exterior of the place is beautiful, from an engineering standpoint. She is a far and interesting cry from the ‘cookie-cutter’ designs more common in Federation construction. All hands seem tae be enjoying exploring the station, and ah’ve promised mahself ah will find time tae explore her a bit before we leave.” He paused to take a pull of water from the glass on his desk, and then pressed on. “It’s certainly nae all roses though. Evidently there has been a murder aboard the station since we arrived, in a section of the station called the ‘Rat Market’. It was a civilian, thankfully not one of our crew. The Starfleet presence is very minimal, and our security department is assisting with the investigation. Unofficially, I believe. Ah’m not sure how much help the civilian security force at the station will accept, however. That remains tae be seen. We have had some personnel changes, most notably the arrival of a new ACMO, Ensign Candle, and a new ACSO, Ensign Maxon. Ah’ve had limited interaction with the two of them thus far, but they both show a great deal of promise. Other changes of note include the departure of our long serving First Officer, Commander Stolev. Though he is sorely missed, his post is being most ably filled by Commander ‘cha Nooras, who moved up from her Second Officer post. Temporarily at least, ah’ve been given the assignment of Acting Second Officer, along wie my continued post of CEO. Big shoes indeed… ah’m hoping my best efforts will be successful. One other noteworthy change is the movement of our Protocol Officer Lieutenant Lebranski to Acting Quartermaster. Ah’m unsure of the motivation for her request, but ah hae nae doubt that she will be an asset in whatever capacity she serves.” Another long pull of water later, he pressed on. “The other event of note is a scheduled test flight of our new runabout, which the powers-that-be have insisted on naming… after me, much tae my embarrassment. Truth be told, Matthew McLaren, our recently departed ATT officer was the driving force behind it… ah just had some input. At any rate, we are scheduled to launch at 0700 today for its first operational shake down. Ah must admit ah’m very excited at the prospect. The rest of the ship’s company will continue to enjoy their downtime, as we all await our next assignment. End recording by Lorimar, Robert W, CEO/a2O.” With that, he exited his quarters heading for the main shuttlebay. (Reply None) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0535) Thud, thud, thud. There were three thuds in succession, right through the wall from next door, which didn't make sense in a ship specifically designed with soundproof reinforcements between quarters. Not that Dav had the mental wherewithal to think of such a thing at the end of his second night of sleepless, quietless agony. Thud, thud, thud. It came again. He'd pounded on the wall, but was sure his own pounds and choice curses went unheard. He'd already visited their door, and tried the comm to no avail. Whatever his neighbor was doing, he couldn't guess. But he wanted it to stop. Thud, thud, thud. Every ten seconds, without fail. It stopped for periods of an hour or more, but then, just when he nearly drifted off to a peaceful dreamland, it started again. Thud, thud, thud. Dav threw the pillow off his head, launched off the bed and across the room, slamming a fist into the wall. "Cut it out! Just stop it!!" He waited. The ten seconds passed. Had it worked, he wondered? Somehow his outburst had delayed the next set of sounds, had he really stopped-- Thud, thud, thud. "Auuuggghhh!" he yelled, infuriated. Yes, he was embarrassed by his tantrum, but he had tried everything else, hadn't he? Hadn't he? A thought began to form. Maybe there was an authority he could appeal to. If only he was in his office at this hour. (posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officer Quarters - Holo-Marine Jose Rameriz - 0536) Rameriz was sitting in his quarters with a tennis ball. The tennis ball was the only thing in his quarters other than himself and the only thing of substance, having been stolen from the rec area the evening before. He'd sat in his quarters depressed and realizing it was a fake quarters for a fake man. Thump, off the floor. Thump, off the wall. Thump, off the ceiling and down into his hand. Bounce a few times off the floor and off it went again. Every so often he could swear he heard voices and he'd pause in his repetitive task but hearing nothing, he'd go back to his ball bouncing. After a few hours of bouncing, Rameriz dropped the ball and stood up. "Enoughs." He told the empty room. "Computer, deactive holo-marine Jose Rameriz depending psychiatric eval." He didn't want to become even more of a murder. Killing killers was one thing, but he didn't want to be the cause of dead crewmates and their families. He disappeared in a glimmer of lights, leaving an empty quarters and a tennis ball behind. (Reply none) (Posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - Lt (jg) Denise Lebranski- 0600) Her first day as the acting quartermaster and in the big chair. This office was smaller than admin's, but it was all her's. Not that she minded sharing with Shadow, as office-mates went, Shadow was a pretty unassuming companion. But it was her's, all her's. She spun around the chair in glee, glad the door had a chime to announce anyone approaching. The old Chief had been a sour puss, but somethings would work in her advantage. HE was down in his quarters packing. She supposed she'd have to do the same soon, QM had smaller quarters than Protocol Officer. Of course, the QM was in charge of quarter assignment and until another senior officer came aboard and needed her quarters, she might conveniently forget to reassign herself. A stack of requests of goods and services and quarter adjustments were already gathering and reproducing since she'd looked at it last night. With a giggle she dived into the paperwork. She had to say she loved the new job, lots of paperwork and pretty much the final authority on "stuff." She was about to fire off a message to Bob asking him out to lunch when she remembered he was off gallivanting with half the senior crew and the ship's favourite cat-oid. She hoped Shadow put the 'care package' to good use. The yeoman didn't abuse her position nearly enough. Oh well, she'd just go down to the enlisted mess and win some credits at Bouree' instead then. You'd think they'd be smart enough not to play a game she'd taught them for credits, but who was she to point out the mistakes as they were making them? She didn't need the extra holodeck time, but it was always nice to have the option to replicate a new wardrobe or something if times got tough. (reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0605) Dav sounded the chime on the Quartermaster's door, and when it opened, he went in full steam. "Hi, okay, so the problem is that whoever has the quarters next to me is making this sound," he started, rubbing his eyes and trying to make sense, although he knew he was doing a bad job. Then he looked at the shocked face of the gorgeous woman in front of him and stopped. "Oh, sorry," Dav said. "Uh, I was looking for the Quartermaster. Kowalski? Old guy? Bitter and tired, kind of like me right now?" (reply Denise) "Oh. Congratulations. Uhm.. I'm sorry. I'm Ensign Maxon. Davris Maxon. Dav," he extended his hand. (reply Denise) "I'm glad to meet you. And I guess then my problem is for you, if you'll have me, and the questions is, will you?" (reply Denise) "Okay, sorry, sorry for bursting in like that," he said, grabbing a chair and sitting, quickly, leaning forward and looking, he knew, a little jittery. "I had some coffee, to get myself going, and it was, it was good coffee, but the thing is, I haven't slept. In two days. Or three, sort of, which was just because I stayed up all night to get this comm channel to Trill, which this PO in OPS did me a huge favor getting it for me, and I so owe him, and that was fine, but then, then two nights ago, this noise started. This noise, right, it's like this thudding sound. And it won't stop, all night long, and they don't answer the door, or the comm, and it's just these three thuds, over and over, ten second intervals, twelve if I yell loud enough, but then they're right back at it and then it stops, but an hour later, then it starts again. And the thing is," he sensed he was making a fool of himself, but couldn't stop laying his frustration out on her, "the thing is there's so much going on, with the investigation, and everything happening on the station, and then Lt. Rel wants me in charge of Sciences today while she's on the runabout, and I haven't slept a wink, just barely one wink, in two days." He finally stopped for a breath and looked up at her. "It's totally awesome." He'd learned that old expression on Earth. The sarcasm was his own. (reply Lebranski) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ********** (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - Lieutenant Denise Lebranski - 0606) Denise was spinning a stylus around her fingers while she was debating what she was willing to give up for a barrel of real potato salad. Her door chime sounded, and like the captain's was set to open if she wasn't occupied. In came a frustrated freight train of an ensign in blue. "Oh, sorry," Dav said. "Uh, I was looking for the Quartermaster. Kowalski? Old guy? Bitter and tired, kind of like me right now?" She couldn't help it, she laughed, "Good Morning Frustrated Ensign, I'm Denise Lebranski, ship's current acting Quartermaster." "Oh. Congratulations. Uhm.. I'm sorry. I'm Ensign Maxon. Davris Maxon. Dav," he extended his hand. She shook his hand, "A pleasure to meet you. Have a cup of coffee and a seat." "I'm glad to meet you. And I guess then my problem is for you, if you'll have me, and the questions is, will you?" "If it's within my power and ability - absolutely. But better start at the beginning, hmm?" The poor man looked like he hadn't slept in a week. "When WAS the last time you slept?" "Okay, sorry, sorry for bursting in like that," he said, grabbing a chair and sitting, quickly, leaning forward and looking, he knew, a little jittery. "I had some coffee, to get myself going, and it was, it was good coffee, but the thing is, I haven't slept. In two days. Or three, sort of, which was just because I stayed up all night to get this comm channel to Trill, which this PO in OPS did me a huge favor getting it for me, and I so owe him, and that was fine, but then, then two nights ago, this noise started. This noise, right, it's like this thudding sound. And it won't stop, all night long, and they don't answer the door, or the comm, and it's just these three thuds, over and over, ten second intervals, twelve if I yell loud enough, but then they're right back at it and then it stops, but an hour later, then it starts again. And the thing is," he sensed he was making a fool of himself, but couldn't stop laying his frustration out on her, "the thing is there's so much going on, with the investigation, and everything happening on the station, and then Lt. Rel wants me in charge of Sciences today while she's on the runabout, and I haven't slept a wink, just barely one wink, in two days." He finally stopped for a breath and looked up at her. "It's totally awesome." He'd learned that old expression on Earth. The sarcasm was his own. Denise had to blink at the outpouring of non-stop information. "Maybe you should switch to de-caf." Was her first irrelevant response. (Response Maxon iyw) She turned to her terminal and pushed some buttons. "Okay, first, there's a cot on it's way up to the Chief's office. You can grab some sleep between emergencies." She had been tempted to steal the one from the lab, but she suspected that would just invite a second irate scientist on her doorstep. She somehow doubted there'd be any scientific emergencies while they were docked and she was pretty sure a certain science yeoman could accidentally lose any paperwork that required signing for a couple hours. (Reply Maxon) "Next on the list, your neighbour is one holo-marine Jose Rameriz. So just colour me seven shades of shocked that he managed to find a way to work through several layers of sound dampering. And since HIS boss, one Chief Lorimar is out about exploring, I guess I get to go have a one sided conversation with him." She wasn't quite sure she wanted to know what holograms he'd created to amuse himself with that would cause such thumping on and off throughout a couple of evenings. (Reply Maxon) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0609) Dav finished his long-winded rant and looked to Lebranski for a response. "Maybe you should switch to de-caf." she offered. Dav couldn't help smiling in spite of himself, but he waved it off. "Oh, I don't really drink coffee," he said, then stopped to look at his hand, which seemed to be shaking. It had only been four cups, hadn't it? Or was it eight? Well, plus the one she had offered him, but it would have been rude to refuse. "It was kind of you to hear me out. Is there any way you can help?" he asked. She turned to her terminal and pushed some buttons. "Okay, first, there's a cot on it's way up to the Chief's office. You can grab some sleep between emergencies." He hadn't even thought of that. Obviously, Denise Lebranski was on top of things. "Next on the list, your neighbour is one holo-marine Jose Rameriz. So just colour me seven shades of shocked that he managed to find a way to work through several layers of sound dampering. And since HIS boss, one Chief Lorimar is out about exploring, I guess I get to go have a one sided conversation with him." "Rameriz. That's the name on the door. Remind me to tell you how I learned the importance of reading names on doors on this ship. Good luck getting him to answer, though. I couldn't get him on the comm either. He's holographic??" he asked, that part of her description just sinking in. (Reply Lebranski) "Do you want me to go with you to talk with him?" He wasn't sure, even if she said yes, whether it was a good idea. He considered himself very forgiving, but felt reasonably certain some hidden reserve of sleepless anger was waiting to bubble to the surface, and napping on a cot was probably a better solution than facing his torturer at the moment. (Reply Lebranski) Though more ready than ever to sleep, Dav was beginning to feel better. He couldn't help smiling. "Lieutenant, you're amazing. If you ever need a miracle, I'm sure I owe you at least one." (Reply Lebranski) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca - Quartermaster's Office - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 0610) "Rameriz. That's the name on the door. Remind me to tell you how I learned the importance of reading names on doors on this ship. Good luck getting him to answer, though. I couldn't get him on the comm either. He's holographic??" he asked. Denise wondered if he'd walked in on the Captain in the shower or something. "Yeah, someone on the Spectre had the brilliant idea to create a holographic, self-aware, version of one Corporal Jose Rameriz. Since then the program has spread through the fleet rather like a virus." "Do you want me to go with you to talk with him?" Maxon asked, eyes seeming to be trying their best to stay open. "Naw. If I feel like hiding behind someone I'll summon Lieutenant Trei. Who are we to take away his chance to wield a Bat'leth in defense of a poor helpless maiden?" (Reply Maxon iyw) He gave her a tired, but genuine seeming, smile. "Lieutenant, you're amazing. If you ever need a miracle, I'm sure I owe you at least one." "And here I thought the engineers were the miracle workers." Denise teased. (Reply Maxon, any) (posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 0644) Ayslin walked into the shuttlebay running a bit further behind than she had wanted, but she was still on time. She was dressed in a fresh new uniform, as fitting of launching a new ship, and her long red hair was pulled back into a pair of French braided pigtails. She caught Bob's eye and then headed over to the stack of gear that was marked as hers standing next to the open hatch of the new runabout. She quickly went over the gear and true to Tanna's skill it was all there. She sealed up the containers and signaled a shuttle bay deck officer to load and secure the equipment. Finished with her prep work Ayslin walked over to the gathering group of people that contained Lorimar, Shadow and Candle. "Good Morning all," She said with a smile for everyone. "Chief, is there anything you want me to check over before we launch?" (Reply Lorimar, Candle iyw, Shadow iyw, Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - ACSMO Basil Candle - 0647) Basil was surprised he actually got any sleep last night, excitement and trepidation filled his head. Throughout the night as he went over numerous scenarios of what could go wrong with the mission. His final fretting had made him go overall the crews medical deatils again as well as quadruple checking his device. Then grabbing that, the specialised medkit he made the previous day he almost ran out of his quarters heading to main shuttlebay. Upon his arrival he noticed the chief enginner had already arrived as well as one of the cat species. ~Must be Shadow~ he thought "Morning sirs" (Reply Shadow, Lorimar, Away Team, Any) (Posted by Warren) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – CEO Lorimar – 0649) Lorimar surveyed the assembled group with a smile. “Ah’m pleased tae see all these bright smiling faces,” he began by way of greeting. He looked first at Shadow. “Food and music are always good Shadow. We hae some weapons on board, but ah hope we dinnae need either those or yours.” (Reply Shadow iyw) He turned next to Rel. “Well, ah just watched ye check your gear. Once we are all loaded and secured we’ll do our preflight systems checks, which ah’d appreciate if everyone took care of their own part at their workstations.” (Reply Rel iyw) He looked at Ensign Candle. “Mister Candle, ah’d like ye tae work along wie Lieutenant Rel, assisting her as required. In addition, ye’ll need tae prepare for your own biomedical tests and experiments of course. (Reply Candle iyw) “Right. We’ll brief aboard while we are doing our systems checks and preflight. In the meantime, any other questions?” (Reply Away Team, Any) (posted by Russ) ********** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0651) "I'm not sure I rate a 'sir'," said the Saiovan, as Basil had found out in the preparation for the mission, "But I'll take the compliment. I'm the Captain's Yeoman, Shadow to Sretalles. I am thinking you are Ensign Candle, our latest in the vampire unit known as Sickbay. ~Shadow to what? Sounds like a dance move~ "Vampire? Well i've been called many a thing but a mythological blood sucking human leech is a new one. Maybe I should have brought a dark cape as I feel i'm decidededly under equipped." said Basil pointing at Shadow's assembled gear, "Did I miss a briefing?" (Reply Shadow, ifw) The chief enginneer, Lorimar, addressed the crew "Ah’m pleased tae see all these bright smiling faces," he said, ~He can't mean me~ Basil was still frowning over Shadow's waepons Lorimar looked first at Shadow. "Food and music are always good Shadow. We hae some weapons on board, but ah hope we dinnae need either those or yours." ~More weapons on board - great here's me thinking this is just a test ride.~ He turned next to whom Candle remembered was Ayslin Rel. "Well, ah just watched ye check your gear. Once we are all loaded and secured we’ll do our preflight systems checks, which ah’d appreciate if everyone took care of their own part at their workstations." Then he turned to Basil. "Mister Candle, ah’d like ye tae work along wie Lieutenant Rel, assisting her as required. In addition, ye’ll need tae prepare for your own biomedical tests and experiments of course. Basil nodded "Right. We’ll brief aboard while we are doing our systems checks and preflight. In the meantime, any other questions?" Candle spoke up, waving his hand over his bag where his device was secured, "One thing everyone but i'll be needing a volunteer for my experiment, so anyone?" (Reply Away Team, Any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – Crewman Shadow to Sretalles – 0652) "Vampire? Well i've been called many a thing but a mythological blood sucking human leech is a new one. Maybe I should have brought a dark cape as I feel I'm decidedly under equipped." said Basil pointing at Shadow's assembled gear, "Did I miss a briefing?" Now she just wanted to sink under the deck plating. The doctor hadn't appreciated her humour and apparently her prepardedness was unwelcome. She'd have thought better to pack too much than too little. She'd hoped that Chief Bob would distract Ensign Candle, but he was still frowning most unhappily at her! Lorimar looked first at Shadow. "Food and music are always good Shadow. We hae some weapons on board, but ah hope we dinnae need either those or yours." Shadow didn't quite jump when Chief Bob addressed her, "Better safe than sorry?" she said very quietly. She listened to the conversation of the officers with half an ear, recording but not particularly noting. She didn't understand most of it anyway. Candle spoke up, waving his hand over his bag where his device was secured, "One thing everyone but i'll be needing a volunteer for my experiment, so anyone?" "I have no assigned tasks if I can assist you, Doctor." Shadow would rather go climb a tree than help the grumpy human, but Captain Susan would want her to help if she could. (Reply Candle, any) (posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – ACSMO Basil Candle – 0653) Shadow volunteered to help out Candle. Silently nodding to Shadow Candle went to the bag at his feet, unzipped it and rummaged round for a brief moment. Slowly he removed a metal band a inch thick, with a clasp at one end. About halfway on the band stood out, quite prominently, a small display screen. Basil fiddled with a variety of buttons and the screen lit up. A few more minutes of fiddles and, if anyone was looking, a hardy shake by his ear, he smiled grimly ~It’ll do for now~ He looked up and spotted another felinoid, Basil knew from the roster this was from security. ~What? Now security wants in. Next we’ll have a contingent of marines wanting in~ Basil’s frown had as many lines as a old Dickens novel, luckily the chief brought things into focus “Right, lads and lassies, lets get the proverbial show on the road, shall we? Mister Selek, kindly begin the engine start sequence; the rest of us, let’s get all our gear secured and get aboard, aye?” Clambering aboard, Basil grumbled about security and trouble attracting like a black hole. He sat down near to the medical console of the shuttle and waited for the chief to continue. He started "While we are preparing for launch ah thought ah’d go over a few things.” The auxiliary display, showed the general flight plan and a few objectives. The chief continued “The primary purpose is tae test the various systems of the runabout, of course. We should, however, have sufficient time tae do a bit of exploration as well. As ye can see on the flight plan, the plotted terminus of the flight is a charted, but unexplored system. For the edification of ye science types, since we are – will be, rather – the first Starfleet vessel tae visit the system, the honor of cataloging and at the very least making a preliminary survey will be yours. This should afford us an excellent opportunity tae gie the sensor system a workout. At the Captain’s suggestion, we’ve loaded a sensor module aboard, along wie a short complement of probes. It should gie us plenty of toys tae play wie… and ah’ve secured permission tae extend the flight plan reasonably, if anything interesting crops up.” ~That’s what I’m worried about.~ Basil thought looking at the security officer “Sir, if I may?" the crew member, Selek interrupted. "I submit that charting a solar system will afford us excellent opportunity to test out the maneuvering systems, flight control, and navigational sensors. Perhaps the tactical sensors and systems as well. We may find an asteroid or something tae shoot at as well. Mister Parrr’Z may get a chance tae unsheathe the ship’s claws a bit after all.” ~Asteroids on my butt! It won’t be enough for that one~ Basil shook his head but left his seat. “Shadow, sir, I will need to put this on you” he said waving his little device. (Reply Shadow, any on board, anyone else) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (USS Boudicca - Main Shuttlebay - SPC Sec.O Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0657) Today was his off duty day but Parrr'Z couldn't resist the compulsion to seek out the 2O after talking to Shadow the previous evening. He had been willing the turbolift to move faster since boarding it, afraid that he'd be too late to offer his services for the test flight of the newest shuttle and audibly growling and causing some looks of alarm from other crewmembers who annoying stopped the turbolift to get off on other decks, then he'd been glaring at any who stepped on to the lift and then had the audacity to have it stop at another deck. His fur was practically standing on end with annoyance when at last the doors had slid open at his destination. A quick glance at a wall chronometer told him he might just make it by the whiskers on his face as he prowled into the Main Shuttlebay and hurried over to where a small group of people were gathered including his beloved Lady Shadow. Without hesitation he walked right up to the CEO. "Sir, I have come to volunteer to join you on this flight. I noted that you do not have a security officer going with you and as it is an off duty day for me and this area of space is relatively unknown to us, I thought it practical that I should come along with you." (Reply Lorimar, others) (Posted by Sal) *********** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – CEO Lorimar – 0658) Bob was making a final look around in preparation for boarding when a rather irritated looking Caitian security officer approached him. ~Parrr’Z or something like that, if ah recall. Ah’ve seen him wie Shadow on occasion… ah wonder…~ "Sir, I have come to volunteer to join you on this flight. I noted that you do not have a security officer going with you and as it is an off duty day for me and this area of space is relatively unknown to us, I thought it practical that I should come along with you." Bob looked at him with open curiousity. “Mister Parrr’Z, is it not? Am ah tae understand that ye are under the impression that the five of us need some sort of protection? Are you saying that we cannot handle ourselves?” (Reply Parrr’Z) “Ah assume ye’ve cleared this wee jaunt wie yer department head?” (Reply Parrr’Z, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 – 0659) Having volunteered himself to go along on the test flight to the second officer, Parrr’Z mentally crossed his claws and hoped that Lt. Lorimar would be happy to have him aboard. He was expecting a straightforward 'yes' or 'no', so his whiskers twitched mightily with surprise when Lorimar replied... “Mister Parrr’Z, is it not? Am ah tae understand that ye are under the impression that the five of us need some sort of protection? Are you saying that we cannot handle ourselves?” Parrr'Z's ears flattened against his head with alarm, had he said that? His mind went over the words he'd just spoken and he was relieved to remember that indeed he had *not* said that they needed protection in so many words nor had he intended to imply it. What he had said was that he'd noted a security officer hadn't been assigned to go on the flight and gave good reasons why he thought one should go. It hadn't even crossed his mind that any of the crew were incapable of protecting themselves. Before he could say as much, the CEO asked him if he'd cleared things with Lieutenant Trei first. Again the Caitian's ears drew back and his fine upstanding tail drooped slightly. He willed his claws to stay sheathed as his lips drew back from his sharp canines in his version of a sheepish smile. "With all due respect, Sir," he stated. "As I *am* on leave and not due to return to duty for several days yet, I felt that I am free to do as I please as long as it is not unlawful in any way and consequently I did not think it was necessary to ask for permission from my Department head." The Caitian stood his ground even though he felt like stalking back the way he'd come and wished he'd never heard of the test flight. When Shadow had told him about it, it had sounded interesting and fun, like something he'd enjoy and a good way to spend some time in his lady's company. He certainly hadn't expected the third degree from the 2O. He'd heard that the human was an easy going kind of guy and Shadow thought the sun shone out of his tail. ~ Perhaps his promotion has inflated his ego and enlarged his head. Power does strange things to some people. ~ Parrr'Z mused as he anticipated his offer being refused outright. (Reply Lorimar, Any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – CEO Lorimar – 0700) Bob watched the Caitian’s ears flatten against his furry head. Between that, and the movements of his tail (he’d been around Shadow often enough to realize that ear and tail motions were very much part of the felinoid body language; he didn’t understand it, but he feared he had hurt the security officer’s feelings somehow) Lorimar decided a quick change of approach might be in order. He smiled up at Parrr’Z taking care not to bare his teeth lest that be misunderstood as well. “Mister Parrr’Z, your reputation proceeds ye. Ah was hazing ye a bit, just to gauge your reaction. You are correct, both in the letter and spirit of regulations. There is but one thing we have to do, however. Yeoman Shadow, would ye be so kind as to alter our crew manifest tae include Mister Parrr’Z, and transmit the update tae the bridge, please?” (Reply Shadow iyw) Lorimar extended his hand, showing that *his* claws were sheathed, and he welcomed the Petty Officer. “Welcome aboard, lad. Ah’m sure we will find enough work tae keep us all busy.” (Reply Parrr’Z) He turned and addressed the rest of the party. “Right, lads and lassies, lets get the proverbial show on the road, shall we? Mister Selek, kindly begin the engine start sequence; the rest of us, let’s get all our gear secured and get aboard, aye?” (Reply Away Team, Any) (Posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca, Krolar Quarters - MCPO Laurence Krolar and CPO Ashley Kester - 0700) The door chime rang and Olivia shot from her chair to open the door, revealing Ashley on the other side. "Hi Ashley," Olivia said cheerily, grabbing Ashley's hand and guiding her over to the table. Ashley reached down and tousled Olivia's hair with smile. "Hey kiddo, I take it I'm not late for breakfast then?" "No at all, just put it on the table," Laurence said smiling fondly at Ashley and Olivia, and gesturing at the still warm plate of pancakes and bacon that he'd set out at the spot next to his. Olivia clambered back up to her chair to dutifully finish her breakfast before school, while Ashley say down next to Laurence, kissing him on the cheek when Olivia wasn't paying attention. Laurence smiled warmly back at her and rested his hand on her knee. Neither Laurence nor Ashley were in their uniforms, instead each wore reasonably comfortable clothes. Neither expected much more time off and had decided to pool some of their money and rent a holodeck on the station once Olivia was off to school. Laurence wore slightly faded t-shirt and jeans, his brown hair short as ever. Ashley had chosen to wear a pale blue ankle length sundress and a pair of sandals, her golden blond hair hung loose just past her shoulders framing her smiling face. "Can Ashley walk me to school today, daddy?" Olivia asked after finishing a mouth full of pancake. Ashley and Laurence had spent most of the past few days together, and Olivia and Ashley had really taken to each other. With so much free time, Ashley and Laurence had gotten to know each other quite well, and Laurence was thrilled to see Olivia accepting Ashley as a more permanent figure in her daily life, and not some competition for her father's attention. Evenings were spent as they always had been, with the simple addition of Ashley. True to her word, Ashley honestly loved kids and especially Olivia, joining in her games as if she'd been playing them for years and not just weeks. Ashley and Laurence had agreed after the events of Olivia's birthday party that Olivia still had to be the number one priority for Laurence, but that until both were sure that what felt so right was going to continue to be that way, they wouldn't tell Olivia anything. Ashley had explained that she knew what she was getting into and that loving and spending time with Olivia was part and parcel with having a relationship with Laurence, that she wasn't just getting him, she was getting a family if the relationship continued on at the pace and direction it was headed then. "You'll have to ask her," Laurence said with a smile, pretty sure he knew the answer already. Olivia turned and looked as Ashley and asked the same question of her. "Sure I can, Livs," Ashley said with a big smile, receiving one back from Olivia. They finished their breakfast with a little chatter. Ashley helped Olivia gather her school things, while Laurence made sure he had his spending money. They walked down to the school, Olivia between them, holding their hands. When they got to the school, she gave Laurence a hug, then thought for a moment and turned and gave Ashley a hug as well. Ashley did her best not to make a big deal about it, but she gave Laurence a look over Olivia's head that made it clear she was very touched by Olivia's unexpected action. "I'll see you after school, ok Livs?" Ashley asked. "Ok, Ashley, I'll see you later. Love you daddy," Olivia said then headed into her class. "You are either the best father ever, or she is just the perfect child." Ashley said, linking her arm through Laurence's. "Well, to be fair, you missed the terrible twos," Laurence said. "I loathe, the thought of her coming into what limited telepathic abilities she will have in her teens. But yes, she is the ultimate sweet heart, the light of my life." Laurence said with a proud smile on his face. (posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – Crewman Shadow to Sretalles – 0701) She was NOT happy that Parrr'Z had taken it upon himself to crash her very first mission. Counsellor Dorga she was sure would tell her he was just trying to be helpful, but she felt like he was babysitting. She was trusted to fly in the stars with some very important people and he came tromping in! Couldn't she do *anything* without him trying to stick his tail in? “Mister Parrr’Z, your reputation proceeds ye. Ah was hazing ye a bit, just to gauge your reaction. You are correct, both in the letter and spirit of regulations. There is but one thing we have to do, however. Yeoman Shadow, would ye be so kind as to alter our crew manifest tae include Mister Parrr’Z, and transmit the update tae the bridge, please?” Shadow managed to keep her tail from lashing, she blinked green eyes at Chief Bob, "Yes, sir." She said. She supposed she could use the terminal on the bulkhead, but that involved going past Parrr'Z and right now she wanted to bite through his ear so it probably wouldn't be a good idea. “Right, lads and lassies, lets get the proverbial show on the road, shall we? Mister Selek, kindly begin the engine start sequence; the rest of us, let’s get all our gear secured and get aboard, aye?” That gave her a good excuse to use a terminal on the ship. She ducked inside and secured her pack in a storage container, her spear in the weapon's locker with a collection of phasers, and put her lyre case on the seat she figured was the passenger seat. It didn't have much around it in the way of workspace, anyway. She contacted the bridge to inform the onduty operations officer they were including Petty Officer Parrr'Z and requested that Parrr'Z's chain-head be notified of the change of assignment. ~Wonder if he even bothered to tell his Chief he was leaving the ship!~ Still wanting to tie a knot in his tail, Shadow took the jump seat and hugged her lyre case while she watched the rest of the team work. (Reply any) (Posted by Lorna) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Shuttlebay – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – Day 7 - 0702) The second officer had smiled cautiously at Parrr'Z as the Caitian willed his tail to stillness, and he told him that Parrr'Z's reputation proceeded him and that he was hazing him to gauge his reaction -whatever that meant, but Lorimar's voice tone made the big furry guy feel that he'd passed the hazing, although he naturally wondered what his preceding reputation was. ~ Hopefully it is that I am an excellent security officer who is dedicated, experienced, knowledgable, fearless and loyal.~ ".....There is but one thing we have to do, however." Lorimar continued and addressed Shadow next. "Yeoman Shadow, would ye be so kind as to alter our crew manifest tae include Mister Parrr’Z, and transmit the update tae the bridge, please?” Shadow did her best to stop her tail from lashing and blinked her beautiful, luminous green eyes at Lorimar, but although she might have fooled the humanoids, Parrr'Z could read her body language easily, even when she tried to subdue it. "Yes, sir." She said. Lorimar extended his hand to the Caitian and welcomed Parr aboard. Parr grasped Lorimar's small hand in his large paw and firmly 'shook paws' with the human, restraining his strength so as not to injure the man. He appreciated the symbolic gesture of showing they had no weapons ready to strike each other down with, or more appropriate to this occasion, a form of coming to a mutual agreement. Parr thought of his twenty sheathed and deadly, vicious claws that could shred the 2O into minced meat within a matter of minutes if he so choose and smiled at Lorimar. The big felinoid gave a rumble of satisfaction even though he plainly saw that Shadow was not thrilled to have him on the mission. ~ Why am I always annoying her? Can't she see I just want to spend some time with her as well as be on this magnificent flying machine for it's historic maiden flight? It seems that I can't do anything right, I am always rubbing her fur up the wrong way! Well I am going whether she likes it or not. ~ "Thank you, I am pleased to accompany you on this significant test flight, Sir." The CEO turned and addressed everyone else. “Right, lads and lassies, lets get the proverbial show on the road, shall we? Mister Selek, kindly begin the engine start sequence; the rest of us, let’s get all our gear secured and get aboard, aye?” (reply none) (posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 0703) Selek had responded as instructed, and settled into the forward/port control station of the runabout. He was busily following the computer prompted checklist for engine start, executing and echoing each step as spoken by the ships’ computer. For his part, Lorimar had double checked that all personal gear was properly stored, then done a last quick walk around of the vessel. Following that, he ducked in through the hatch, and after a quick head count to reassure himself that all the away team members were aboard, he sealed the hatch. Walking to the engineering station, he took a seat and began activating systems one by one. He slaved one of the displays on his console to Selek’s, so that he could easily monitor each step the ensign took without having to converse unnecessarily. The engine start was progressing nominally, so Bob took a moment to start his mission brief. “Ladies and gentlemen, while we are preparing for launch ah thought ah’d go over a few things.” He paused and brought up the mission profile on an auxiliary display, then sent it to the forward view screen for everyone’s convenience. The optical display that had been showing the Boudicca’s shuttlebay was replaced by the contents of the data packet that everyone (Parrr’Z excepted, of course) had been given for reference. “For those of you joining our program already in progress – “ he shot a bemused glance in Parrr’Z direction “ – that is the general flight plan, wie a few objectives. The primary purpose is tae test the various systems of the runabout, of course. We should, however, have sufficient time tae do a bit of exploration as well. As ye can see on the flight plan, the plotted terminus of the flight is a charted, but unexplored system. For the edification of ye science types, since we are – will be, rather – the first Starfleet vessel tae visit the system, the honor of cataloging and at the very least making a preliminary survey will be yours.” He tabbed in a brief series of commands, causing the display to bring up what little data was known about the system. “This should afford us an excellent opportunity tae gie the sensor system a workout. At the Captain’s suggestion, we’ve loaded a sensor module aboard, along wie a short complement of probes. It should gie us plenty of toys tae play wie… and ah’ve secured permission tae extend the flight plan reasonably, if anything interesting crops up.” Selek spun in his chair to face Lorimar and interjected with an almost-human excitement. “Sir, if I may? I submit that charting a solar system will afford us excellent opportunity to test out the maneuvering systems, flight control, and navigational sensors.” Bob smiled at Selek’s unspoken but clear enthusiasm. “Perhaps the tactical sensors and systems as well. We may find an asteroid or something tae shoot at as well. Mister Parrr’Z may get a chance tae unsheathe the ship’s claws a bit after all.” He cast a glance at the assembled faces, and realized he was very lucky to have been given the opportunity to gather such a talented team. “Any comments or questions so far?” (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 0704) Ayslin listened as Lorimar ran through his mission briefing. With Bob in charge, she was having a hard time staying formal, it felt more like a grad school research team rather than a formal Star Fleet Test Flight with ranks and protocol. She'd finished her checks on the sensors and science equipment, and had already checked her equipment, which hopefully she wouldn't need. "Any questions or comments so far?" Bob asked. "So long as you promise me that the system is devoid of sentient life, I'm perfectly fine," Ayslin said with a smile remembering their previous mission. "Officially, however, Science is checked and ready, sensors and computer systems at 100%." She said leaning back in her chair, a friendly smile on her face. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 – 0705) Shadow was first to duck inside the shuttle with Selek on her heels. Parrr'Z waited for the others to follow them on and then, out of habit as a security officer, he took up the rear to go inside last in time to hear Shadow contact the bridge to let them know that he was now included in the crew roster for the flight and that Lieutenant Trei be notified. He made his way to the tactical station and sat down, adjusted the seat to his height and began to familiarize himself with the controls as the others busied themselves. “Ladies and gentlemen," The second officer stilled the activity and drew the crew's attention to him. "While we are preparing for launch ah thought ah’d go over a few things.” He paused and brought up the mission profile on an auxiliary display, then sent it to the forward view screen for everyone’s convenience. For those of you joining our program already in progress – “ he shot a glance in Parrr’Z direction “ – that is the general flight plan, wie a few objectives. The primary purpose is tae test the various systems of the runabout, of course. We should, however, have sufficient time tae do a bit of exploration as well. As ye can see on the flight plan, the plotted terminus of the flight is a charted, but unexplored system. For the edification of ye science types, since we are – will be, rather – the first Starfleet vessel tae visit the system, the honor of cataloging and at the very least making a preliminary survey will be yours.” He tabbed in a brief series of commands, causing the display to bring up what little data was known about the system. “This should afford us an excellent opportunity tae gie the sensor system a workout. At the Captain’s suggestion, we’ve loaded a sensor module aboard, along wie a short complement of probes. It should gie us plenty of toys tae play wie… and ah’ve secured permission tae extend the flight plan reasonably, if anything interesting crops up.” The Vulcan spun in his chair to face Lorimar, almost as if he was excited at the prospects this flight could have, an excitement that Parrr'Z was feeling palpably and showing by the twitching of his whiskers and the rumble in his throat. “Sir, if I may?" Selek interjected. "I submit that charting a solar system will afford us excellent opportunity to test out the maneuvering systems, flight control, and navigational sensors.” The CEO smiled. “Perhaps the tactical sensors and systems as well. We may find an asteroid or something tae shoot at as well. Mister Parrr’Z may get a chance tae unsheathe the ship’s claws a bit after all.” ~ He read my mind! ~ Parr thought, giving the 2O a big display of teeth. “Any comments or questions so far?” "So long as you promise me that the system is devoid of sentient life, I'm perfectly fine," A female Science Officer said with a smile. "Officially, however, Science is checked and ready, sensors and computer systems at 100%." She said leaning back in her chair, a friendly smile on her face. "I have no questions at the moment, Sir, but I must say that I am even more glad that I am part of this crew and that the tactical station is functioning within normal perameters." His big, amber eyes flecked with gold and copper, flicked towards Shadow. ~ Even if Shadow is not as thrilled to see me, as I am to see her. ~ (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 0708) Bob listened intently to the enthusiastic exchange regarding mission objectives. He had heard Ensign Candle grumbling (good naturedly, he hoped) about security bringing trouble as he had climbed aboard. No doubt Parrr’Z and Shadow both had hearing far superior to human norms, and he wondered briefly if and how they might react. Intrigued by the exact nature of Candle’s experiment, he made a mental note to obtain further detail as soon as time permitted. Having gotten affirmation from Rel and Parrr’Z that their respective systems were operating nominally, he turned his attention back to the engineering station. His eyes rapidly scanned the displays and he quickly determined that engine start and power up continued to proceed nicely. “Mister Selek, it seems engine and power systems are coming up nicely?” His tone indicated that it was part statement, part question. Selek was working diligently at his console and he neither turned nor looked up, but spoke in a clear voice. “Indeed sir. I do not, however, see the logic in verbally reporting information to which you have full access on your console. Sir.” Bob kept his tone deliberately light. “The manual isnae always logical lad. However, it does suggest verbal confirmation of all checklists – even those closely monitored by computer. Plus, ah’m a bit old fashioned, and ah like assurances when possible. You may not be subject to human error, but some of us are. Better safe than sorry, aye?” Selek *did* turn at that, raising a curious eyebrow at Lorimar. “Human reasoning is at times inscrutable sir. I mean no offense of course.” Lorimar didn’t even try to hold back the grin at that comment. “Tae quote a famous ‘Vulcan: Insult is effective only when emotion is present.’ None taken lad… nae worries.” Selek almost looked puzzled. “Sir, I did not intend…” He stopped in mid-sentence. The young Vulcan had been around Humans enough to recognize when he was being teased. He could not understand the logic in it, however. ~The expenditure of intellectual resource for the express purpose of amusement is not logical,~ he mused briefly. Aloud, he simply said, “Your comment regarding safety *is* eminently logical sir. Anytime life is involved, caution should be taken.” He turned back to continue working at his console. For his part, Bob pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers to partially conceal his amusement. “Carry on, Mister Selek.” He turned to face first Shadow, then Candle. “Yeoman would ye confirm with the hangar Chief that we are ready for departure, please? Mister Candle, are the environmental systems ready for space?” (Reply Shadow, Candle, Away Team, Any) (Posted by Russ) ******** (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0710) Shadow was studiously ignoring Parrr'Z who seemed to be studiously ignoring her. She guessed her 'need more space' hadn't been specific enough. She wished she could communicate somewhere between hissy fit and ineffective. Not that her hissy fit had seemed particularly effective. Maybe she should drag Parrr'Z in to a meeting with Dorga. The First officer made it all sound so easy and sensible! The doctor had left his seat and approached her. "Shadow, sir, I will need to put this on you" he said waving his little device "I am still not a sir," Shadow corrected with curled edges of mouth in a kitty cat smile (She'd learned it from Captain Susan's cat) and a looped tail. She held out her wrist for him to put the awkward bangle on her. Healers of her people would have made function and art one in the same, but it seemed Doctor Candle preferred function over art. Maybe she could find a way to combine the two for him on the flight. (Reply Candle) Chief Bob turned to face first Shadow, then Candle. "Yeoman would ye confirm with the hangar Chief that we are ready for departure, please? Mister Candle, are the environmental systems ready for space?" "Aye, Aye, Sir Bob." Shadow said, tail curled around her non-medically wearing wrist, turning to the communications console. She was glad to have a job, it made her useful and not start looking for forks to jab through the back of Parrr'Z's handsome skull. ~Think nice thoughts,~ she repeated to herself as a mantra as she informed the shuttle chief of their imminent departure and got the clearance from the bridge. "We are scheduled to leave at your command, Sir Bob." Shadow relayed. (Reply Lorimar, Candle, any) (posted by Lorna) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0711) The second officer started giving more orders in preparation for the runabout's eminent flight, first he told Shadow to confirm with the hangar Chief that they were ready for departure, and then he asked Ensign Candle if the environmental systems were ready for space. ~ I surely hope they are, I have yet to learn how to breath in carbon monoxide. ~ Parrr'Z thought with amusement, despite feeling Shadow's imaginary fangs in the back of his neck. Sometimes it was enjoyable to be bitten but somehow he didn't think she was wanting to playfully or teasingly bite him on this occasion, do he continued to stoically ignore her ignoring him. "We are scheduled to leave at your command, Sir Bob." Shadow relayed. (reply Candle) The Caitian continued programming some of his personal tactical strategies into the tactical station terminal with one key shortcuts that could easily be deleted once the flight was over, or by whoever was next to man the station. He soon had everything as he liked it and sat back to watch the others, pointedly *not* looking at Shadow, and wishing that they'd get going already. (Reply Candle, any) (posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - ACSMO Basil Candle - 0713) Shadow looked like, to Candle at least, like the cat that had eaten the early bird and topped it with cream when she said, "I am still not a sir," She was correcting him but he was sure she didn’t mean it and quite liked the thought “Now all this does is allow me to monitor your life signs plus a few other … things. Its specific to you, “ ~Sort of~ thought Basil, he had time to programme the basic medical records of all the proposed crew but not enough time for more details. It would be enough he hoped. “I admit this is really for ground away missions so that medical personnel can keep an eye on all members of the away team. It had been at the back of my mind anyway but after what happened to the FO I decided to pursue it with a bit more vigour” ~Hopefully if this works we may not need to worry about it happening again~ He clicked the device round her wrist and went back to his console as the shuttle’s ‘captain’ said, "Yeoman would ye confirm with the hangar Chief that we are ready for departure, please?” to Shadow and then, “Mister Candle, are the environmental systems ready for space?” “They are, sir, ready when you are” was his reply As Chief Lorimar was talking to the bridge Basil checked part of his screen to see of it was picking up the information from the device on Shadow’s wrist “Shadow, sir“ he said, “can you do me a favour and think of something pleasant for me” he said as the Vulcan Selek was giving a detailed account of their progress “excellent and now something unpleasant” As he was checking the initial scans against what he had factored the Caoitian’s standard signs were, he also kept a swift eye on the Environment systems. “In the meantime Mister Selek… impulse maneuvers at your discretion. The rest of ye… all stations, report if ye please.” “Everything all normal here, sir. So, if I may sir, what’s do you want to do first?” (Reply Shadow, Lorimar, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0713.5) As Chief Bob was talking to the bridge Doctor Vampire compared his console to the doohickey on her wrist."Shadow, sir" he said, "can you do me a favour and think of something pleasant for me" That was easy, she could think of her kits around a campfire at a camp while a bard played. She did miss her kits. She wondered if Parrr'Z would be upset if she got them to visit her on the Boudicca. "Excellent and now something unpleasant." Shadow blinked and then thought of her screaming argument with Parrr'Z. That was unpleasant and unfair. She was being unfair again. She stifled a sigh, why couldn't it be easier? "Everything all normal here, sir. So, if I may sir, what's do you want to do first?" Doctor Vampire asked. (Reply Chief Bob) Shadow waited until the officers had stopped chatting, "Sir, Doctor.." she said in her usual whispery voice, "Uhm, you're referencing me against Caitans? I think there's some physiological differences.. You might want to pull up Doctor Fickett's file on me. I think he's been working with Siaovo's healers to fluff the database on my people." Most of the data had been on her Eeioan cousins which were quite similar, but not identical. (Reply Doc Candle) After straightening that out she turned to Chief Bob, "I was scenting that you're not well pleased with the ship's name..?" she half-asked the engineer. (Reply Chief Bob) Her tail looped at the tip, "Maybe you could call this it's adulthood rite and at the end change it's name from it's baby name to it's adult name?" Her eyes twinkled, "Of course, I'd name it something like 'About the Stars'.." (Reply Bob, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 0714) Satisfied at last that all systems were ready, he glanced around the cabin once again. “Right folks… let’s move along, shall we?” He tabbed open the comm channel to the bridge and spoke the words he had been waiting for ages to say. “Boudicca bridge, this is Runabout Lorimar. We have clearance from the hangar chief, ready tae launch.” (Reply Bridge) The forward viewscreens showed the parting of the shuttlebay doors. Only a forcefield now separated them from the vastness of space. With a barely contained smile, he gave the order he’d been dreaming about since he and Matt McLaren had started the runabout project oh so long ago. “Mister Selek, take us out.” Had he been human, Selek would have been bouncing with enthusiasm in his seat. Vulcan decorum intact however, he played his long skilled pilot’s fingers across the controls. “Activating lifter quads,” he stated matter of factly. The runabout’s gravity generators subtly shifted their background humming as they created a sort of cushioning effect beneath the hull. With a barely notable sense of movement, the shuttle lifted free of the hangar deck and into a steady hover. With a gentle *thump* the landing skids retracted into the ventral hull. Immediately, Selek activated the maneuvering thrusters to give a slight but steady forward acceleration. As the shuttle passed slowly through the atmosphere retaining forcefield at the mouth of the bay, a beautiful sparkling corona effect formed where the runabout’s shields met the Boudicca’s forcefield. Lorimar gave up trying to contain his childlike delight and broke into an unprofessional but heartfelt ear to ear grin. He remained silent however, savoring the moment. Selek scanned his flight instruments to confirm what the view screens already told him. Satisfied, he turned toward Bob. “Sir we are clear, and free to navigate.” “Very well Mister Selek. Boudicca bridge, this is the Lorimar. We are clear the ship, requesting permission to depart.” (Reply Bridge) “In the meantime Mister Selek… impulse maneuvers at your discretion. The rest of ye… all stations, report if ye please.” Selek engaged the shuttle’s impulse engines and began a slow flyby of the Boudicca and the station. (Reply Away Team, Any) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel - 0715) Ayslin's fingers ran over the console in front of her with a practiced ease. Everything checked out fine, computers, sensors, everything in her purview was a-ok. "Sir, comparative sensor analysis with Boudicca sensor readings indicate no sensor anomalies. Computers operating at 100%. You've put a good ship together, Captain," Ayslin said, looking over to see what Bob's reaction to that title would be, a glint of mischief in her green eyes and a smile on her lips. (Reply Lorimar, Away Team) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******** (Runabout Lorimar - ACSMO Basil Candle - 0717) “Glad ye asked, Doctor. Let’s see what ye have worked up for a testing protocol, shall we? And while we are at it, what exactly is this particular experiment about?” He pointed at the apparatus attached to Shadow’s arm. “Once I was a salvager, used to find these wrecks, floating drifting like giant metallic tombs. The remains were unstable, flooring, walls whatever .. Empty death traps. Anyway crew members would get injured but it would take ages to realise, sometimes ….. too long. Lets just say I rather that not happen again” “Interesting technology here Doctor… is it something of yer own design? Ah’m not familiar with this particular device.” “Actually it’s a lot of things. I had help from Gesar and Maxon but I didn’t have time to implement most of their ideas so I do what I always do … improvise” He smiled up at the Chief at that and tried to give a wide, reassuring grin to Shadow too, well something that her species would understand. The chief and Shadow talked about the initial medical data he had about Shadow but didn‘t interrupt. Shadow asked about the ship’s name, something that Candle asked earlier the previous day but had decided not to pursue. “It’s nae mah job tae be happy or unhappy with the name, lassie. Starfleet officers follow orders… and the higher ups have named this runabout what they did. Ah had nae choice in the matter.” "Maybe you could call this it's adulthood rite and at the end change it's name from it's baby name to it's adult name? Of course, I'd name it something like 'About the Stars'.." ~Maybe it could be Lorimar’s Star~ Basil’s thought, ~long as it’s not Lorimar’s Folly” Basil returned to his station for the long run to the uncharted system. (Reply any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) ******** (Runabout Lorimar – CEO Lorimar – 0718) Bob was really starting to enjoy the flight. He hoped that the mission would be both a productive and enjoyable one. "Everything all normal here, sir. So, if I may sir, what's do you want to do first?" That was a perfectly reasonable question on the part of Ensign Candle, and wasn’t in any way responsible for his elevated vital signs. “Glad ye asked, Doctor. Let’s see what ye have worked up for a testing protocol, shall we? And while we are at it, what exactly is this particular experiment about?” He pointed at the apparatus attached to Shadow’s arm. (Reply Candle, Any, Room for more) Bob took a closer look at the unit, giving it an appraising gaze. “Interesting technology here Doctor… is it something of yer own design? Ah’m not familiar with this particular device.” (Reply Candle) He paused after listening to Candle’s explanation. He and Shadow had a brief discussion regarding the medical database; evidently Shadow was concerned that the Doctor was using incorrect baseline data. Shadow turned to face Bob and raised his blood pressure. Unintentionally, he was sure… so innocently had she put the question. "I was scenting that you're not well pleased with the ship's name..?" He did his best to put his professional face on, though he suspected his feelings were clearly telegraphed by body language, and perhaps even scents. To one so perceptive as Shadow, he was likely an open book. “It’s nae mah job tae be happy or unhappy with the name, lassie. Starfleet officers follow orders… and the higher ups have named this runabout what they did. Ah had nae choice in the matter.” "Maybe you could call this it's adulthood rite and at the end change it's name from it's baby name to it's adult name?" Her eyes twinkled, "Of course, I'd name it something like 'About the Stars'.." He smiled at her with genuine amusement. ~Got tae love that childlike innocence… it’s a shame we couldnae all be a bit mair like her!~ “Ye can feel free tae pass that along tae the Captain… ah already tried but perhaps ye would have a bit mair success.” (Reply Shadow) His attention was next drawn to Lieutenant Rel. "Sir, comparative sensor analysis with Boudicca sensor readings indicate no sensor anomalies. Computers operating at 100%. You've put a good ship together, Captain." Clearly she was greatly amused at his expense. He leaned in toward where she sat at her work station. He replied in a theatrical whisper, “Nice report Lieutenant, “ he placed mock emphasis on her rank. “If ye dinnae wish me tae start *acting* like a Captain, ah suggest ye secure that nasty talk.” He finished with a wink that only she could see. (Reply Rel, Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0718.6) "It's nae mah job tae be happy or unhappy with the name, lassie. Starfleet officers follow orders. and the higher ups have named this runabout what they did. Ah had nae choice in the matter." She was confused by this. It was HIS ship, shouldn't he have a say in what it was called? Did he not design it and build it? Shouldn't it be his job to be happy? "Maybe you could call this it's adulthood rite and at the end change it's name from it's baby name to it's adult name?" Her eyes twinkled, "Of course, I'd name it something like 'About the Stars'.." He smiled at her with genuine amusement. "Ye can feel free tae pass that along tae the Captain. ah already tried but perhaps ye would have a bit mair success." Her tail looped, "Oh yes, I will be as sneaky as if I were hunting Welcome Homes." She hummed under her breath as she headed back to the communications centre. It seemed Chief Bob had appointed her in charge of communications. Mostly she was keeping a running log of what they were doing and how they were doing. Filtering in activities from the other stations wasn't hard even when she didn't have the faintest idea what any of them meant. With time on her paws, she replicated a length of silver wire and started braiding, bending and looping it into a much more attractive holder for the medical devices of the doctor. (Reply any) (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Officer's Quarte - Liseutenant Denise Lebranski - 0720) It had taken her a while to try get up to Rameriz's quarters. She'd spent a while trying to figure out a way to pass the buck to Lieutenant Trei. After all, wouldn't he enjoy a chance to smack around the chaotic and undisciplined marine program? But really, the program had no chain of command per say. He had accepted orders from the Captain and Bob and that was about it .. and the Captain was MUCH too busy to bother with this. So, that's about how she found herself standing outside the quarters wondering if she should have brought some sort of bazooka. Taking a deep breath she pressed the chime. As Maxon before her, she got no reply or door opening. She tapped her commbadge, "Lebranski to onduty bridge security personnel." She was pretty sure that'd be Trei, but she'd heard rumours he'd been wearing his detective hat on the station a lot lately. (Reply Security) "I need an override to Holo-marine Rameriz's quarters please. He's not answering his communications." (Reply Security.) "Thanks!" she said as the door opened. "What the hell?" she added a few seconds later, forgetting she hadn't closed the channel. (Reply Security) "His quarters are empty! No sign of occupation at all, not even the default furniture. I hate to say this - but strange sounds were reported coming from his quarters for the last couple of days, can you send down an investigator?" (Reply Security.) "Thanks again." She chimed off her comm. badge with a sigh. She entered the quarters, looking around. All that was in the very empty rooms was a tennis ball sitting in the middle of the living room. ~Bizarre.~ was all she could think. She backed out of the rooms, not wanting to ruin any potential evidence. She felt a tad awkward standing around waiting for security to arrive, so she decided to investigate the reason the dampeners weren't working. Going to between the two quarters, she pried off the access hatch and had a look around. Denise wasn't technologically inclined. She could operate a database, manipulate data, do energy controls and even operate a tactical console in a pinch, but she was pretty sure the holes in the bulkhead, tunnel looking things, weren't supposed to be there. The scat in one of the tunnels was also a fairly good indicator that they didn't come built with the ship. Poor Maxon.. She hoped he operated well on less than no sleep. She tapped her comm. badge, "Lebranski to Science." (Science :) "Looks like we have some sort of animal infestation in our walls. Signs are not limited to tunnels about nine and a half centimeters across but also some leavings. Might want to send a team down here to scan this mess." (Science) "I'll let you figure out a way to ask engineering to figure out how wide spread this is. Sensors are *your* department and problem.. I just find the holes." She shook her head. With the disappearance of Rameriz, she hoped that his banging hadn't been a request for help before the space-weevils, or whatever they were, had eaten through his section of the main computer. Computer, of course, also being science's problem. She still had some blood wine left.. maybe she should send some to Maxon after he got off shift, he'd certainly deserve it. (Reply Security, Science, Any) (posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Bridge - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0725) Detron heard Lebraski call from his COMM badge asking for security override into Ramirez's quarters. Detron touched the necessary buttons to alow her to enter the quarters. She thanked him for the action then after a few minutes asked for backup as she entered the quarters. The Bridge was calm and nothing was going on so Detron left his post to help her. "I'll be with you in a minute Lebraski. Trei Out." (posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca - Science Dept. - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0726) It had felt so wrong to sleep in Ayslin's office, but after three sleepless nights, it also felt so right. Laying on the cot Lt. Lebranski had sent down for him, Dav had slipped straight into a dreamland where glowing sound-proof walls surrounded him while holographic intelligences twirled noiselessly outside, unable to reach him. A literal dream, yes, but at least restful. Twenty minutes later, he awoke to find a Vulcan standing over him. "Sokar," he said, sitting quickly so the blood drained from his head and he felt dizzy for an instant. He had a rested feeling, though, like he'd slept for days, until a quick glance confirmed it had only been a few minutes. "Ensign Maxon, I understand you are the on-duty officer while Lieutenant Rel is away." "Yes, that's right. Hey Sokar, you know you can call me Dav." He was afraid he hadn't been very nice to the Vulcan since they'd met, Dav's first night aboard. After his run-in with the Captain and Commander Manyhorses, Dav had abandoned his plans with Sokar, and had barely spoken with him since. But Vulcans didn't hold grudges, did they? Without acknowledging what Dav had said, Sokar continued. "Lieutenant Rel was to have approved my supply request before I purchased goods on the station today. However, the padd remains unfiled." "The Chief wouldn't leave a loose end like that, I think Tanna should have the padd she signed off on.." Dav began. "Yeoman Slain is presently not at her desk." He held out a padd. "Will you approve this request?" Dav took it, a bit unnerved by his friend's icy demeanor. It was one thing to be businesslike at work, but in his tone and expression, Sokar was taking it to an extreme. Maybe he *was* angry after all. The thing was, Dav didn't know enough about Vulcan culture to know the difference. There was certainly as high a percentage of Vulcans working for Daystrom as there were in Starfleet, but Dav had never had the opportunity to work closely with any Vulcans on the projects he'd been assigned. He'd drawn Sokar into conversation in QV by asking questions about his planet and his culture, but that had only been one conversation. He'd hoped to find out more, the kinds of things he couldn't read in a text book, what it's like to really be a Vulcan, what it feels like. Sokar fascinated him because he was so different. But maybe he'd lost the friendship before it began. He took the padd from Sokar and signed off on it. "Hey, I want you to know how sorry I am we haven't been able to connect again in the last few days." Sokar didn't move. He looked hesitant, as though he wanted to say something, but held it back. Then he reached out and took back the padd. "It is regrettable," he said tersely. "Thank you for your assistance, Ensign." Dav didn't want to let it go. "You're an ensign, too. I'm hardly your superior." "And yet you are the acting head of the department." "For twelve hours, yes." Was that his problem? An issue of seniority? He had been aboard longer than Dav, after all. Dav wondered how long. Vulcans had such long lifespans, after all. "How old are you, Sokar?" "I fail to see the relevance of that information." "Oh, come on. I'm 29. I bet you're younger. I've got to be older than you." "I am 73 years of age." A puff of air expressed Dav's surprise. "How much is that in dog years?" he muttered. Maybe that was rude, and not having meant it to be, he opened his mouth to apologize. Just then, the comm interrupted. =/\=Lebranski to Science.=/\= His new friend Lt. Lebranski! Maybe she'd been able to get through to Rameriz. Dav looked apologetically to Sokar, who froze for a moment before he reclaimed his padd, then left the room in one quick motion. Dav moved wordlessly to stop him, but it was too late. He hadn't meant to dismiss him that way and considered going after the Vulcan, but Lebranski was waiting. He tapped his commbadge. "Maxon here. Lieutenant, thanks to you, I just slept for an entire twenty minutes. Say anything, you can do no wrong." =/\=Looks like we have some sort of animal infestation in our walls.=/\= Eating his own words, Dav barely managed a sort of choking noise. =/\=Signs are not limited to tunnels about nine and a half centimeters across but also some leavings. Might want to send a team down here to scan this mess.=/\= While Lebranski explained the situation, Dav walked out to the main lab bay, hoping to find Sokar still there. Maybe they could team up on this. Sokar was into biology. Facing the empty lab, Dav responded, "I'll send you a team, but the team is just me." =/\=I'll let you figure out a way to ask engineering to figure out how wide spread this is. Sensors are *your* department and problem.. I just find the holes.=/\= He almost laughed. Of course this would happen when Ayslin was off the ship, and she'd been the one to joke about how something interesting would happen as soon as she left. Not a joke, apparently, but more of a jinx. But Lebranski was right, it was now *his* problem. "I'll take care of it, and join you shortly." Grabbing the necessary scanners, including the medical tricorder he'd continued tinkering with since Basil first suggested it, Dav tapped his commbadge again. "Ensign Maxon to Engineering." (reply Engineers if you want) "We appear to have an animal problem in the bulkheads. I'm going to take some scans and send you the information and coordinates. Will you be able to determine the extent of the damage?" (reply Engineering) "Once I've assessed our ability to remove the problem, we'll be looking at clean-up and repair to the bulkheads. Sorry to drop this in your lap." (reply Engineering) "Here's hoping the damage isn't too extensive!" (posted by Brian Barrett) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officers Quarters - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0730) Detron entered Ramirez's quarters to see Lebraski checking the vents and a strange tennis ball in the middle of the room. Detron was puzzled by the tennis ball there without someone to use it. Detron walked over to Lebraski. "What do you need me to do Lebraski?" ~These better not be Tribbles. I don't need the freak out session with them. Marvelous." (Reply Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officers Quarters - Lieutenant (jg) Denise Lebranski - 07.30.3) "What do you need me to do Lebranski?" Denise looked way up at the chief of security. ~You never pick the small fights, do you?~ she grumbled at herself. "I have absolutely no idea." She replied with a friendly grin. "We had reports of weird noises, then we're missing one Artificial .. well, I'll give the benefit of the doubt and say Intelligence. I'm not sure who qualifies as his CO, but I figure something fishy is going on here." (Reply Trei) "Oh!" She looked over her shoulder at the hole riddled bulkhead interior, "I also have absolutely no idea with that either, I called in Science to do their scan and study routine. Now, if you want to know the common trading price of Filden Gagh, I can help you." (Reply Trei) "Before you get too involved Lieutenant.. I do have a really dumb question for you.." Denise hated doing any part of her job badly, and well, damnit, she wanted to prove herself worthy to the senior Lieutenant even if it killed one of them. (Reply Trei) "Which is better? Fresh bloodwine or aged? They're priced similarly and the few Klingons I've asked just offer to sell me both and let me figure it out for myself.. Problem with THAT is all Bloodwine does is make me drunker than a skunk and have me giggling under a table before I finish the first glass." (Reply Trei) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Officers Quarters - TAC/SC Lieuenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0740) Lebraski explained to Detron the situation. She told him about the disappearance of the Holo Marine Ramirez evident by the tennis ball in the middle of the room. She also told him about the holes in the vents. "I see the tennis ball and it is a good deduction that Ramirez vanished from this spot. As for the vent holes, I sure hope it is not Tribbles. They go crazy in the presence of Klingons and I rather not be there for the freak out session. To answer your question on the Bloodwine, Aged is probably a better choice but fresh will do as long as its chilled. Now I'll take the rooms and you check the vents. Come back here in ten minutes to share information." ~This detective gig is getting weirder by the day.~ (Reply Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0740) Everyone seemed absorbed in their own thing, so Shadow took the opportunity to approach Parrr'Z. She knew he knew she came up behind him, but he didn't turn until she put her arms around his neck and buried her face in his mane. "I'm sorry," she mumbled into the wonderful mass of fur. "I'm not used to anyone caring about me, I'll try to learn." (Reply Parrr'Z) She crouched beside her lover's seat so she wasn't in anyone's way while she sought his advice. He'd been in Starfleet a lot longer than her and had been dealing with the furless since he could walk. "How do I get the doctor to stop calling me 'sir'? I do not want to follow Denise's example and growl something like 'I'm not a sir, I work for a living.' That's rather rude.. and disrespectful and.." She looked up at Parrr'Z hoping he had a polite answer. (Reply Parrr'Z) (Posted by Lorna) ******* (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0741) When Lt. Lorimar had requested status reports, Parrr'Z had dutifully informed him that tactical was hot to trot at 100%, and then had resumed his scrutiny - beneath half lowered eyelids - of the various crew members as they went about their tasks. Despite being engrossed in observing and listening, his feline senses of hearing and smell quickly informed him that one certain, special, sexy felinoid was approaching from behind. His ears twitched slightly as he wondered if he was about to get a set of sharp teeth buried in the back of his neck, but pridefully he acted as if he was unaware of her, stubbornly determined to ignore her presence. At least he was determined until her arms slithered around his neck and she buried her cute, furry face into his thick amber mane. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I'm not used to anyone caring about me, I'll try to learn." Delicately he ran the tip of his tongue over her ear affectionately. "It's hard to break down your barriers and I understand that, Lady Shadow. I will also try harder to not worry about you as much as I do, however I want you to know that you are not the only reason I wished to come along in this test flight." (Reply Shadow) She crouched beside his seat. "How do I get the doctor to stop calling me 'sir'? I do not want to follow Denise's example and growl something like 'I'm not a sir, I work for a living.' That's rather rude..and disrespectful and.." She looked hopefully up at Parrr'Z, not finishing her sentence, waiting it seemed to him, to come up with the right solution. He chuckled a long, deep, rumble. "Denise is indeed a law unto herself." He gave a nod and grinned at Shadow, he rather liked the human female. "However her methods *do* work. You might do well to find a happy medium somewhere between your own ways and hers. Being polite and respectful is all very well but it didn't work on the doctor earlier....Yes I overheard. If he does it again I recommend you hiss at him and then tell him in your sweet tone, that either he refrains or you will be forced to pierce his earlobes for him, while you display your magnificent claws. Not quite as aggressive as Denise but I can guarantee it would work.... I would volunteer to persuade him for you, but I know you don't want me to interfere." He grinned at her again. (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 - 0742) Delicately he ran the tip of his tongue over her ear affectionately. "It's hard to break down your barriers and I understand that, Lady Shadow. I will also try harder to not worry about you as much as I do, however I want you to know that you are not the only reason I wished to come along in this test flight." Her ear twittered against his nose and he tickled her. She sneezed at the sensation, something that seemed to amuse him to no end. She put paw over his heart, "Your duty guides you." She crouched beside his seat. "How do I get the doctor to stop calling me 'sir'? I do not want to follow Denise's example and growl something like 'I'm not a sir, I work for a living.' That's rather rude..and disrespectful and.." She looked hopefully up at Parrr'Z, not finishing her sentence, waiting it seemed to him, to come up with the right solution. He chuckled a long, deep, rumble. "Denise is indeed a law unto herself." He gave a nod and grinned at Shadow, he rather liked the human female. "However her methods *do* work. You might do well to find a happy medium somewhere between your own ways and hers. Being polite and respectful is all very well but it didn't work on the doctor earlier....Yes I overheard. If he does it again I recommend you hiss at him and then tell him in your sweet tone, that either he refrains or you will be forced to pierce his earlobes for him, while you display your magnificent claws. Not quite as aggressive as Denise but I can guarantee it would work.... I would volunteer to persuade him for you, but I know you don't want me to interfere." He grinned at her again. Her tail thwipped his nose, "Yesss.. I do have to learn to fight my own verbal battles." She sighed, "Dorga insists." She added another sigh, "Can't you and Dorga be wrong once in a while?" (Reply Parrr'Z) She studied her knee as she tried to get the rest of what she knew she should say out. "My people.. aren't much for love and long life mates. We tend to wander too much for strong attachments. But I have sung the songs of love, and I think, what is in my heart for you is such.. and it scares me to be so different from my people yet again." (Reply Parrr'Z) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - ACSO Ensign Davris Maxon - 0742) Dav arrived, scanners at the ready, and found Lt. Lebranski and Lt. Trei in Rameriz' quarters. A vague inclination to duck into his own quarters next door and have another nap entered his mind, but Dav hoisted his science scanner on its long shoulder strap and set his mind to the task ahead. Inside, he heard Trei's voice. "To answer your question on the Bloodwine, Aged is probably a better choice but fresh will do as long as its chilled." ~What are they talking about in there?~ Dav wondered, then heard Trei continue: "Now I'll take the rooms and you check the vents. Come back here in ten minutes to share information." "Now don't forget about me," Dav said. "I carried the big scanner all the way here, and I'm going to use it. What's the situation?" he asked, inspecting one of the open bulkheads. (reply Lebranski or Trei) Dav stood and looked around the room. "Hey. Where's all the furniture?" (Reply Lebranski, Trei, Engineering - Gesar?) (Posted by Brian Barrett) ******** (USS Boudicca - Rameriz Quarters - AaQM Denise Lebranski - 0743) "Now don't forget about me," Dav said. "I carried the big scanner all the way here, and I'm going to use it. What's the situation?" he asked, inspecting one of the open bulkheads. "I'd never forget my favourite zombie," Denise teased with a toss of her pony tail. "The stat-rep as I know is : We are missing one holo-marine, we have holes inbetween the walls that were created by an unknown life-form, unfortunately tribble sized tunnels left behind. Although, I don't recall tribbles eating inorganics." She gestured at the tennis ball, "I think that's what you'll find kept you up all night." She looked up at Trei, "Did I miss anything?" (Reply Trei, Maxon) Dav stood and looked around the room. "Hey. Where's all the furniture?" "AWOL as well. I checked the records, he'd had the furniture shipped out and replaced with holographic furniture. His energy expenditures were ridiculous. A BBQ on the hull with the EMH, an Orion dancing girl in QV, all sorts of silliness. But as to why all of it poofed? I'm hoping it's not because space-weevils ate part of the computer." (Reply Trei, Maxon) (Posted by Lorna) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0742.5) He grinned at her and she gently batted her tail on his nose. "Yesss.. I do have to learn to fight my own verbal battles." She sighed, "Dorga insists." She added another sigh, "Can't you and Dorga be wrong once in a while?" "She would not be a very good counselor if she was wrong. As for me, I cannot help being right it just comes naturally." He chuckled the deep rumble again. (Reply Shadow iyw - room for more) Shadow went quiet and lowered her eyes. Parr felt that she wanted to say something but was having trouble getting the words out. He stroked her neck gently and patiently waited, but when she finally spoke, her words were those that he never thought she would speak. "My people.. aren't much for love and long life mates. We tend to wander too much for strong attachments. But I have sung the songs of love, and I think, what is in my heart for you is such.. and it scares me to be so different from my people yet again." His heart beat like a drum in his chest with excitement. Finally she was telling him she loved him in her own roundabout way. A pure yowl of pleasure and joy threatened to burst from him, but with great difficulty he purged it. Instead his chest and throat thrummed with a mighty purring so loud he was sure all the crew could hear it, but he didn't care. He lifted her chin so their eyes met, his were filled with tender love for her. "I love you too and I have since my eyes first saw you! Today you have made me the happiest Caitian alive and I for one am glad you *are* different from the rest of your people, as I am sure many of your friends are also glad, for we would not know and love you were you not unique among your race. So do not let that give you sorrow my love, it is the different ones who have the power to change things, you have set the path for other young Siaovans who long to travel the stars. Be proud, for I am very proud of you." (Reply Shadow, any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - Yeoman Shadow to Sretalles - Day 7 - 0742.7) "She would not be a very good counselor if she was wrong. As for me, I cannot help being right it just comes naturally." He chuckled the deep rumble again. Shadow eyed Parrr'Z for a long moment, then turned her head to one side and decided on Shun's favourite expression. "Thpppppppppt." She said, with a very credible imitation of a furless' raspberry. (Reply Parrr'z iyw ;) The discussed emotions, probably a conversation too long in coming. "I love you too and I have since my eyes first saw you! Today you have made me the happiest Caitian alive and I for one am glad you *are* different from the rest of your people, as I am sure many of your friends are also glad, for we would not know and love you were you not unique among your race. So do not let that give you sorrow my love, it is the different ones who have the power to change things, you have set the path for other young Siaovans who long to travel the stars. Be proud, for I am very proud of you." She was tempted to repeat the raspberry. She had no wish to be some avatar of adventure. She just wanted to be wander the forests with family and sing the songs of the stars and life. Besides, any Siaovan who wanted to get on a ship could, it wasn't like they wanted to - life was fine at home. But she could be happy Parrr'Z was happy and there were certainly worse mates to have beside her as she travelled the unknown with the furless. So, she twined her tail around his and asked him what he was scanning for and let him explain what his job on the away mission was. (Reply Parrr'Z, any) (posted by Lorna) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0743) Shadow eyed Parrr'Z for a long moment causing him uneasily to wonder if he'd said something wrong to offend her, perhaps she had taken his words about always being right too seriously, then she turned her head to one side and made a very strange noise. "Thpppppppppt." Parr blinked at her owlishly in astonishment and wiped some spit spray off his chest. "That is a word I have no translation for." He told her. "What does it mean? It sounds like a flying insect got in your mouth and you are attempting to spit it out." (Reply Shadow iyw) Shadow appeared to be happy and twined her tail around his and asked him what he was scanning for. At that moment he longed for a tail as flexible and useful as hers, one that he could affectionately squeeze her cute tail with, or stroke her neck and back but he made do with telling her exactly what his duties involved as the 'tactical' member of the away team. (Reply Shadow iyw, any) (posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1544) Her scans were rudely interrupted by the ship shaking and lurching, and other things a new runabout shouldn't do. “Selek, get us out of here, best possible speed. Rel, see if you can locate the source of that scan. Parrr’Z, we are losing primary systems… see if ye can remodulate the shields tae block that scan, ah’ll gie ye all the power ah can. Candle, get a portable extinguisher and check for fires and damage in the aft compartment. Shadow, signal the Boudicca, report our position and status and request immediate assistance. Anyone wie any ideas I want tae hear them loud and clear right now!” Ayslin tried to locate the scan but she couldn't pin point it, whether it was due to damage from the rough treatment, or from something from the planet interfering with the scans. "Oh you think you're smart, don't you," Ayslin said, quickly rerouting the sensors and running a cycling multi-variable algorithm. "Sir, I have remodulated the shields but it doesn't appear to be working...I recommend that I target the source if Ayslin can pinpoint it, and attempt to destroy it or at the very least incapacitate it with some weapons fire." "I would like nothing better at this moment than for you to shoot something Petty Officer, but they're scrambling my signal, I can't get a decent location. Best I can give you is the South Western quarter of the smallest continent. But the location of the scan seems to be moving at random, and sometimes I'm getting multiple sources." Ayslin said with an annoyed tone. "Bob, I'm going to suggest we launch a probe, with our sensor and flight logs, back along our approach path towards the Boudicca, just in case what's attacking us is also interfering with our communications, we do have probes, don't we?" Ayslin asked, suddenly aware she had never asked that question before. (Reply Lorimar, Parrr'z, away team) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 0744) Parr blinked at her owlishly in astonishment and wiped some spit spray off his chest. "That is a word I have no translation for." He told her. "What does it mean? It sounds like a flying insect got in your mouth and you are attempting to spit it out." Shadow's tail looped, "It is a word that means how it sounds. It means that I say with good humour and no respect, thppt to your belief you are always right." (Reply Parrr'Z, any) (posted by Lorna) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 0744.5) Shadow's tail looped with what Parr had come to recognize as a sign of amusement. "It is a word that means how it sounds. It means that I say with good humour and no respect, thppt to your belief you are always right." "I see! A strange custom, is it Siaovan?" (reply Shadow) Parr nodded with understanding, that certainly explained the idiosyncrasy. "Yes humanoids are certainly a strange lot, always inventing new expressions, words and sounds that speak volumes with one noise, such as thppt. I am sure you will learn many such..." He wanted to say ridiculous or useless but he didn't want to hurt Shadow's feelings or make her angry and spoil the sense of togetherness he was enjoying, besides some of them were of use. "...Such unusual articulations from your friends." If nothing else Shadow was never boring as he was certain that he could be at times, and often wondered just what Shadow saw in him. Until she had declared her love for him, he had thought that perhaps it was just for the bed sports. (Reply Shadow, any) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca - Ramirez's Quarters - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 0752) Detron checked the room finding absolutely nothing as if Ramirez vanished from existence. Detron was concerned however of the animal problem in the bulkheads. Tribbles are no fun. Detron went to the meet point and found Maxom from Science there scanning. Detron asked him what he found out. "Good to see you Maxom. What did you find out with your scans?" (Reply Maxom, Lebraski) (Posted by Edward) ********* (Laatstekans Station, Rahma's Holodecks - MCPO Laurence Krolar and CPO Ashley Kester - 0800) Ashley and Laurence walked into the holodeck they'd reserved. They didn't have a lot of disposable income so an early morning reservation was cheapest, but they didn't much care, they had a reasonably long block of time that Rahma, the proprietor was nearly giving away just to fill the spot on his schedule and get a little credit in his pocket. Still Rahma was nice and helpful and worked with Laurence and Ashley to get them the perfect program. The two walked through the large doors, fingers entwined, to the fresh smell of sea air. They appeared on a path leading up to a cottage that over looked the ocean. The season was set at mid to late spring and the temperature was pleasant, but not overly warm, although the water temperature was set to be unseasonably warmer than it normally would. The sky was pale blue matching Ashley's dress and eyes, with a few white wisps of clouds out over the water, which was dotted with a handful of boats on the horizon. The breeze blew in from the water bringing with it the smell of salt and sea, making Laurence long for the real thing a little. The breeze also had the effect of playing with strands of Ashley's hair, blowing the around her face, which Laurence found incredibly cute. A sun warmed cobblestone path wound it's way up to the cottage, splitting just before the door, a branch leading around the side of the cottage and down the rocky incline to the beach below where Laurence and Ashley could hear the waves gently breaking against the sand and stone. Ashley kicked off her sandals, electing to carry them and walking through the short grass next to the path as the couple made their way to the cottage. The cottage was a two story affair, it was simple and old fashioned in design, although Laurence knew it didn't lack some of the more modern amenities. They walked through the simple front door and into a beautifully appointed home. Hardwood floors, stained and sanded to a smooth finish made up the hallways and kitchen with the sitting room having a soft carpet. The furniture was soft and large, the kind that didn't just allow for long naps, but practically induced them. The windows the looked out over the ocean were large and open letting the breeze into the house, the curtains blowing gently. Fruits and breads were laid out on a dining room table, and a cooler filled with ice and drinks sat just outside a sliding door off the sitting room. "Oh, this is perfect," Ashley said with a contented sigh, dropping her sandals next to the sliding door the lead out to the path down to the beach. "My parents used to rent a place just like this, in the summer, when we were kids. Proxima colony was and is still far less populous compared to any of the homeworlds and there is still a lot of places like this. I could spend hours in the water when I was little, and when I was a teen just crashing on the couch and listening to the water was one of the most peaceful things in the world to me." Laurence said putting his arm around Ashley's shoulders, and pulling her in close. They spent the first hour relaxing and talking about various things and nothing in particular, laughing and and being serious as the various conversations required. They felt easy in each others presence, and enjoyed the time together. After a mid morning snack, they changed into swimwear, and Laurence did his best not to stare at Ashley's well toned body in a blue bikini, and Ashley made it quite clear she appreciated Laurence in his trunks as well. They spent a good chunk of the morning playing in the waves and pursuing other physical activities that wore them out quite a bit, and then ended up crashing on the extra deep couch in each others arms and fell into a light daze. It was quite literally a perfect morning and both Ashley and Laurence enjoyed themselves and each other thoroughly. They left the holodeck reluctantly, hand in hand, and smiles on their face. (posted by Patrick D.) ********** (USS Boudicca, Krolar Quarters - MCPO Laurence Krolar and CPO Ashley Kester - 1230) Laurence and Ashley walked back into their quarters, Laurence kicked off his shoes and Ashley turned around and leaned her head against Laurence's shoulder, releasing a contented sigh. Laurence wrapped Ashley in a hug and kissed the top of her head before guiding her further into the quarters. He dropped onto the couch and Ashley followed him, leaning back against her chest. "You had a good morning, right?" Laurence asked with a smile. "You know I did," Ashley said, squeezing the hand of the arm draped across her shoulders. She closed her eyes and for a few moments they sat in silence, simply enjoying the moment together. "You know I love you, right?" "I do, I love you to," Laurence said, and in that moment, that last of the voices in his head telling him he was betraying Abby, telling him he wasn't ready, telling him he was moving to fast, they all disappeared, because in that moment, he knew he really did love Ashley, and he wanted to make sure it lasted. (Reply None needed) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 1503) The first nearly eight hours of the mission had passed in a blur for Bob. He found himself wishing that he had scheduled a multi-day flight test, but he hadn’t wanted to keep the crew away from leave for that long. After all, they had been gracious enough to lend their time and effort. He was seated at the engineering console sipping a mug of coffee he had just replicated when a soft beep from the navigational sensors caused him to raise his head. Ensign Selek, for his part, was unsurprised as he had been closely monitoring the progress of the runabout on its course. When the sensor telltale sounded, he quirked an eyebrow, and reported as required. “Sir, we have the unexplored system on long range sensors. Just coming into extreme sensor range now.” “Very well Mister Selek, approach course please.” Lorimar turned to Rel and Candle. “Science types, yer hour has come. Please begin scanning as your sensor systems come into range. Mister Parrr’Z, a detailed tactical scan as soon as ye can… ah’d like tae avoid any untoward surprises. Shadow, signal the Boudicca we hae arrived at the uncharted system… which our science staff will be naming as well.” He grinned at all of them, quite satisfied thus far. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ************ (Runabout Lorimar – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1506) Ayslin sat at her console running the sensors through their paces on anything that came within range. She only looked up from her work when she heard the report by Ensign Selek. “Very well Mister Selek, approach course please.” Lorimar turned to Rel and Candle. “Science types, yer hour has come. Please begin scanning as your sensor systems come into range. Mister Parrr’Z, a detailed tactical scan as soon as ye can… ah’d like tae avoid any untoward surprises. Shadow, signal the Boudicca we hae arrived at the uncharted system… which our science staff will be naming as well.” He grinned at all of them, quite satisfied thus far. "Aye sir," Ayslin said with a smile, brushing a loose lock of red hair back over her ear. She brought the sensors on line and loaded the correct suite of analysis programs, and as soon as she could she started scanning. Double checking everything she gave her report as they came in. "Sir, sensors show a yellow star, similar in nature to Sol, and Trill's primary. In orbit we have five planets, two gas giants in the outer orbits, at typical Legrange points. Two rocky planets in inner orbits, no atmospheres to speak of, but might be worth looking at for possible mining opportunities. All of the planets except the inner one." Ayslin said while the sensors churned away on the data for the middle planet, when it was finally done she grinned. "Most interesting however is the third planet, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, traces of other gasses as well, but most definitely breathable. Oxygen levels indicate significant portions of the planet are covered by jungle, probably some decent oceans and fresh water as well. If the plan is to explore, I'd suggest we start with Planet number three, and see what's there. I'd like to take a look at the gas giants on the way in or out as well, might have some decent gas mining opportunities." Ayslin said with an excited smile. (Reply Lorimar, Away Team) (Posted by Patrick D.) ********** (Runabout Lorimar - SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z - Day 7 - 1507) Several hours had gone by. The test flight had passed uneventfully so far for which Parr was both thankful and regretful, though the scientific minds were happy enough. He would have liked nothing better than to try out the weapons of the runabout, but hadn't had an opportunity to do so yet, nonetheless he remained alert and ready to spring into action should it be required; one could never count on things going smoothly when they were flying in new frontiers so to speak. “Sir, we have the unexplored system on long range sensors. Just coming into extreme sensor range now.” The pilot informed Lorimar. “Very well Mister Selek, approach course please.” Lorimar turned to Rel and Candle. “Science types, yer hour has come. Please begin scanning as your sensor systems come into range. Mister Parrr’Z..." Parr's ears perked up and swiveled towards the CEO before his gold-flecked amber eyes did. "....a detailed tactical scan as soon as ye can… ah’d like tae avoid any untoward surprises. Shadow, signal the Boudicca we hae arrived at the uncharted system… which our science staff will be naming as well.” He grinned at all of them, reminding Parrr'Z of an Earth story about a grinning Cheshire cat, he looked mighty pleased with their current situation. "Aye sir," Ayslin at the science station replied acknowledging his orders. The Caitian echoed her phrase almost simultaneously before immediately setting to following them by initiating both long distance and short distance scans, having previously run short scans only. While he ran his scans he listened to the science officer giving her report. "Sir, sensors show a yellow star, similar in nature to Sol, and Trill's primary. In orbit we have five planets, two gas giants in the outer orbits, at typical Legrange points. Two rocky planets in inner orbits, no atmospheres to speak of, but might be worth looking at for possible mining opportunities. All of the planets except the inner one." There was a short pause and then Ayslin continued with her commentary. "Most interesting however is the third planet, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, traces of other gasses as well, but most definitely breathable. Oxygen levels indicate significant portions of the planet are covered by jungle, probably some decent oceans and fresh water as well. If the plan is to explore, I'd suggest we start with Planet number three, and see what's there. I'd like to take a look at the gas giants on the way in or out as well, might have some decent gas mining opportunities." The tone of her voice and the big smile on her face gave away her excitement. Parr also hoped that they could check out the third planet up close the thought of a planet covered for the most part by jungle and oceans was most intriguing and something he'd like to get a look at, for his peoples' history spoke of how their own planet had once been covered with trees, mountains and oceans in ancient times. A beep so soft only felinoid ears could hear it told Parr that his scans were complete. He checked out the data and set the LD scan to continue indefinitely. "Long distance and local scans show there is nothing to overly concern us, sir." Parr stated. (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 1512) Lorimar listened with satisfaction to the reports he had received, thankful yet again that he had drawn such a professional crew for this mission, simple though it was. “Anything to add, Mister Candle?” (Reply Candle, Room for more) “Very well then. Based on our science staff’s recommendations – and the tactical scan by Mister Parrr’Z let’s take a closer look shall we? Mister Selek, take us in… standard orbit, and then we can start scanning in earnest.” “Aye sir.” His talented fingers danced over the flight controls, altering course and decreasing velocity slightly. Navigational sensors reached out with their long invisible fingers, probing ahead to ensure a clear flight path forward. (Reply Any) (posted by Russ) ******** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – NPC Ensign Stacey Enright & NPC PO Charlie Smidden – 1535) Stacey paused briefly to brush a stray blond lock out of her face. She was wearing her normal tightly pulled back ponytail, but as always a strand or three had escaped their confines. She quickly got back to her task, which was a routine calibration of the matter/antimatter reactor control software. The timing was ideal, as the reactor had been shut down while the Boudicca was docked at Laatstekans Station. The ship wasn’t drawing power from the external support system as she would be if docked at a Federation facility, but rather was providing for her own needs via the impulse reactors and auxiliary fusion generator systems. She popped open an inspection panel and examined the cluster of bio-neural gel packs which formed a dedicated subprocessor for the reactor controls. This allowed the extremely precise and extremely complex adjustments to be carried out as the reactor operated. It also made for very stringent maintenance requirements, as the simplest of malfunctions would cause a great deal of trouble. She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and saw her friend Charlie Smidden reporting early for his shift as usual. She liked Charlie immensely; he was very quick with a joke, exceptionally good at his job, and a very dedicated Petty Officer. If Charlie had a flaw, it was that he drank a bit too much. Not synthehol either, if the rumors were correct. ~None of my business – he always does his job, shows up early, stays late… I know Bob recommended him for his last promotion, so evidently he agrees..~ “Afternoon, Chief Smidden!” she exclaimed brightly. “Good afternoon, Ensign Enright,” he responded with equal enthusiasm. She couldn’t help but smile. “Early as usual I see Charlie.” “Yes ma’am. Early and often… love my work… every formation a parade… every meal a banquet. Guess my brother’s Marine Corps enthusiasm rubbed off and stuck on me.” They had a good laugh at that, and she proceeded to brief him on the task she had been performing. After several minutes, she realized that she needed a bit more technical data than she had at hand. “Excuse me a moment Charlie, I left a PADD in Bob’s – ahem, I mean the CEO’s office with the rest of the specifications. I’ll go get it.” She entered the CEO’s office and started shuffling through the stack of PADDs. They were convenient, but she often wished they looked a bit less alike. As she continued to search the stack she glanced up through the transparent aluminum viewports out to where Charlie was examining the processor node. Just as he bent down to check on one of the gel packs, the organic package that had been implanted in Charlie’s thigh finished dissolving. Since it had been implanted two days before, his body had been slowly dissolving the organic material which both kept it intact and kept the two distinct materials it contained from mixing. The flexing of his thigh muscle completed the process, and the two materials met. The results were catastrophic. The explosive force of the detonation was roughly on the order of two photon grenades. Had the warp reactor been operating, it might have utterly destroyed the ship and the station before any failsafe system could shut down or eject the core. The actual results were terrible enough. Burning debris rained down on the main gallery from the destruction of the console and the processing node. Coincidentally the blast knocked out the automatic fire suppression systems in the area, so the fires began to spread. Enright had ducked reflexively when the blast occurred, though she would later swear that she saw the transparent aluminum buckle inward from the concussion. She shook her head to clear it, and got back to her feet as quickly as she could. The devastation she saw appalled her, and for a second or so she froze in place. Some of what remained of Charlie Smidden oozed down the outside of the office viewports. Training took over, and she reached out to the panel on Bob’s desk and slapped a button hard with her palm. She was still partly deafened by the blast, and the sudden activation of klaxons compounded the problem. She slapped at her commbadge and shouted much louder than she otherwise might have. “Red Alert! Bridge, Engineering. This is Ensign Enright… we have an explosion and fire in Engineering! Multiple casualties! We need security, medical teams, and damage control teams! Urgent! I repeat, Bridge, we have an explosion and fires in Engineering!” She raced out of the office to try and bring some semblance of order to the chaos. (Reply ALL not on away team) (Posted by Russ) ********* (USS Boudicca, Main Engineering – Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar – 1538) The world exploded in a sudden fury of light, sound and pain. He picked himself up off the floor and testing his bodies stability gently, he'd been on the very edge of the blast radius, or at least he figured he'd been if only because he was still alive. He could feel blood running down his cheek and wetting his left sleeve, whether it was his own or not, he didn't have time to determine. Alarms were blaring and people were running around confused, or else simply not moving. He pushed through the crowd, the pain shooting through his left shoulder indicating that it was probably his blood he had felt. "Lets go people, this isn't a drill, I want head counts, anyone who's able to work, get your gear and get moving. I want the Warp engine isolated now, it's not active, but I want to make damn sure it doesn't go up like a set of Tamarian fireworks. Moran, what in the name of the all that's holy are you doing? You're injured get your bleeding backside out of the way and get yourself looked at." Laurence looked around, Ensign Enright trying as well to bring order to the Chaos. "I want portable shield generators in here on the double, set them up around vital equipment until security clears the deck. Somebody find me Petty Officer Yoran, I want his team going over the EPS taps..." He started to say then stopped as he looked down at a burned and battered body lying crumpled in a corner. "Petty Officer Grigs," Laurence said over the din in the room, seeing the Bolian across the room, trying to get to Laurence. "You're now in charge of Damage Control team Bravo. Get to work on the EPS taps and conduits, I don't want one that's damaged exploding on us, just reroute around damaged ones for now, we'll replace later," He said, sagging against the wall and running his hand through his hair, and looking at it when it came back bloody. "Master Chief, you need to sit down." Grigs said with a concerned look on her face, pointedly not looking at her friend lying dead on the floor. "I'll sit down when there's no more work to do, Ensign Enright needs the help right now. Now get to work, I need to get the Beta Shift NCOs up to speed," he said as he saw veteran faces running at full speed around the corner some missing uniform jackets, some struggling to put them on. Their teams came in quickly behind them, and Laurence was proud of the response time, he had to assume some of them were either just waking up for their shift or just finishing meals, none of them were expecting an explosion. He didn't really need to fill anyone in, it was readily obvious there was damage, and what needed to be done, they were all vets from the war, they knew the drill quite well. He walked over to where Ensign Enright was standing and looked at her with a curt nod, his left arm hanging limply at his side as he rubbed blood off his forehead and out of his eye. "Where do you need me, Ma'am." (Reply Enright, Medical(?), Any) (Posted by Patrick D.) ******** (USS Boudicca – Bridge – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 7 – 1540) Dorga could hardly wait for her stint on the Bridge to conclude, just another 20 minutes and she could go home and relax for the rest of the day. Perhaps she'd take the kids to the botanical gardens with a picnic supper as they loved to play in the small playground that had been set up there, she felt they didn't get enough physical activity and it would mellow them out. That's when she felt the deck buck beneath her feet. Jumping up from the command chair she vocalized a rather profane Klingon expletive and asked of nobody and everybody. "What the hell just happened?" Her question was answered by the sudden blaring of the alarm klaxons and the flashing red lights. Whatever it was it was something bad. =/\= Red Alert! Bridge, Engineering. This is Ensign Enright… we have an explosion and fire in Engineering! Multiple casualties! We need security, medical teams, and damage control teams! Urgent! I repeat, Bridge, we have an explosion and fires in Engineering!=/\= Enright's bellowing voice made Dorga's head ring thanks to her highly sensitive Vulcan ears. The FO let out another thunderous Klingon profanity and slapped her commbadge. "Commander 'cha Nooras acknowledging, Ensign Enright. Help is on its way! Sickbay send your emergency teams to Engineering STAT. Lieutenant Trei get your security teams there right away, there has been a massive explosion, you will also have to thoroughly search the ship for any further explosive devices!!" ~ By Kahless why didn't the scanners pick up on that? ~ =/\= Jahlen responding,=/\= Came the immediate reply, =/\= Our teams are on their way! =/\= (reply Trei) Closing the connection the commander began barking orders. "Silence those curs-ed klaxons! OPs get those damage control teams moving, have them take extra fire extinguishers. All shore leave is now cancelled, recall any crew aboard the station and when they're all aboard then *nobody* is to allowed *on* or *off* the ship until further orders, also inform the station security what has happened and that our ship will shortly be off limits." Pausing a moment to think if there was anything she had forgotten she decided that she hadn't and strode towards the turbolift. "Mister Gesar you have the Bridge, I'm going down to Engineering to see firsthand what's happened, inform the Captain what's going on and tell her everything is under control." It was just a little premature, but Dorga was certain that everything soon would be under control. (Reply ALL not on away team) (Posted by Sal) ******** (Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO Lorimar & NPC Ensign Selek – 1542) During the run in to the system Lorimar had returned to his console to monitor the shuttle’s systems. When the third planet grew large on the viewscreen, he couldn’t resist the impulse to walk forward and stand next to Selek. He did manage to restrain himself from putting his hand on the young Vulcan’s shoulder, mindful of their predilection against random physical contact. “A lovely world Mister Selek… a pity we cannae linger overlong eh?” “An emotional response to a purely scientific discovery is not logical, sir.” Lorimar tapped the back of Selek’s chair lightly; he couldn’t resist the impulse. “Is it logical tae appreciate beauty in all its forms, lad?” “Initiating pre-orbital scan sequence. Logic clearly dictates –“ Whatever logic clearly dictated, Bob would never know. Selek was interrupted in mid-sentence by the blaring of alarm klaxons. Trouble indications lit on Selek’s console. The ship lurched heavily to starboard, and Bob barely kept his feet, and sprinted back to the engineering station which was also beset by alarms. “Silence those bloody alarms and report!” Selek raised his voice slightly, betraying his surprise and alarm. “Sir, it appears we are being scanned from the planet. Shields have come up.” He paused while his hands flew over the controls. “When I initiated the approach scans, we were scanned in return. Source unknown.” Lorimar had just gotten settled in his seat when an auxiliary panel to his right erupted in a shower of sparks. He watched in horror as the shuttle’s primary systems began to rapidly fail. “Whatever it is, its gone clear through our shields like they wernae even there.” The frustration in his voice was clear. ‘His’ ship was being battered and he didn’t know why. The why might be as important as the who and how. Right now, they had none of that information. He could hear more arcing and popping from the rear of the ship and he definitely didn’t like that. He wasn’t a commander by choice, but giving orders to save lives and control damage was something he excelled at. “Selek, get us out of here, best possible speed. Rel, see if you can locate the source of that scan. Parrr’Z, we are losing primary systems… see if ye can remodulate the shields tae block that scan, ah’ll gie ye all the power ah can. Candle, get a portable extinguisher and check for fires and damage in the aft compartment. Shadow, signal the Boudicca, report our position and status and request immediate assistance. Anyone wie any ideas I want tae hear them loud and clear right now!” (Reply All Away Team) (Posted by Russ) ********* (Runabout Lorimar – SPC Sec/PO1 Parrr'Z – Day 7 - 1543) Lorimar had decided that they would take a closer look at the third planet much to Parrr'Z's delight, and gave orders for Selek to take the runabout into a standard orbit for more thorough scans. The minutes seemed to be much longer than sixty seconds to Parr who was eager to peek out the porthole for a good look at the planet, he loved to see the big spheres and always marveled at how unique each one was, however he dutifully watched his scan data with occasional glances over Selek's head at the looming planet. Apparently the 2O was as curious as Parr because he left his console where he was monitoring the shuttle’s systems, and stood next to Selek, where he made a comment to the pilot about it being a lovely world and that it was a pity they couldn't linger. Although his back was turned to Parr, the Caitian nodded in response; from what Parr could see it looked like a lush, green world. ~ Much like my own Cait must have looked like a millennium ago. I wish we could land and explore it closely. ~ He sighed with regret, knowing that was not on the agenda as they should soon be making the return journey back to Laatstekans Station. ~ I would love to investigate the jungle with Shadow at my side.~ Naturally Selek being a Vulcan he had something to say about it not being logical to have an emotional response to a scientific discovery. causing Parr to snort with disgust. He thought life must be very boring and mundane for a Vulcan if everything was experienced without emotion, he couldn't think of anything worse than being born an emotionless Vulcan, wasn't Love an emotion? The best one of all? ~ Makes me glad to be Caitian. ~ “Is it logical tae appreciate beauty in all its forms, lad?” Lorimar replied but Selek was initiating the pre-orbital scan sequence and his answer was cut off when the alarm klaxons began blaring their warning causing Parrr'Z to almost jump out of his skin and making his fur bristle with alarm and his claws to unsheathe as a defense against danger. ~ What the?!! ~ Parr forced his claws to retreat and looked at his own scans feedback closely. “Silence those bloody alarms and report!” Parrr'Z silenced the alarms while Selek gave a report. “Sir, it appears we are being scanned from the planet. Shields have come up.” He paused while his hands flew over the controls. “When I initiated the approach scans, we were scanned in return. Source unknown.” An auxiliary panel to Lorimar's right erupted in a shower of sparks. The acrid smell of burned elements causing Parr to sneeze as he keyed in a command to the short range scanners. “Whatever it is, its gone clear through our shields like they wernae even there.” Lorimar remarked, his voice tinged with the frustration he must be feeling. There was the sound of more arcing and popping from the rear of the ship, causing Parr to wonder what else had been fried by the scan from the planet. “Selek, get us out of here, best possible speed. Rel, see if you can locate the source of that scan. Parrr’Z, we are losing primary systems… see if ye can remodulate the shields tae block that scan, ah’ll gie ye all the power ah can. Candle, get a portable extinguisher and check for fires and damage in the aft compartment. Shadow, signal the Boudicca, report our position and status and request immediate assistance. Anyone wie any ideas I want tae hear them loud and clear right now!” While Parr set about remodulating the shields to block the scan he told Lorimar his idea. "Sir, I have remodulated the shields but it doesn't appear to be working...I recommend that I target the source if Ayslin can pinpoint it, and attempt to destroy it or at the very least incapacitate it with some weapons fire." ~ Now this is what I call an adventure! ~ (Reply Away Team) (Posted by Sal) ********* (Runabout Lorimar - Crewman Shadow to Sretalles - 1545) Shadow had been trying to stay out of the way of the emergency procedures, communication being hopelessly frazzled beyond her very limited ability to fix. Chief Bob would just have to fix them himself. "I would like nothing better at this moment than for you to shoot something Petty Officer, but they're scrambling my signal, I can't get a decent location. Best I can give you is the South Western quarter of the smallest continent. But the location of the scan seems to be moving at random, and sometimes I'm getting multiple sources." Ayslin said with an annoyed tone. "Bob, I'm going to suggest we launch a probe, with our sensor and flight logs, back along our approach path towards the Boudicca, just in case what's attacking us is also interfering with our communications, we do have probes, don't we?" Ayslin asked, suddenly aware she had never asked that question before. "We have probes," Shadow said. A scientific mission would be a bit silly without probes. (Reply Rel, any) "But why are we looking to take hostile action? We scanned them, they scanned us. Their scan overloaded our shields, yes, and caused reactions, but it does not strike me as the actions of a hostile people or planet. If they were hostile, would they not have fired weapons or launched missiles?" Such as a certain security officer wanted to do. Really, boys, they thought with their claws sometimes. (Reply Parrr'Z, Rel, any) (Posted by Lorna) ********** (USS Boudicca - Security - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1545) Detron heard Dorga call for him to send security teams down to Engineering . Detron was making notes on his PADD of the visit to Ramirez's quarters. The documentation was necessary to make the trip justified. Detron responded. "My teams and I will be there shortly. I'll see you there Dorga. Trei out." ~A explosion in Engineering. That is just greeeeat." (posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca – Engineering – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 7 – 1547) When Dorga arrived at the scene it reminded her of many others she'd seen before but this one of the worst by far. The carnage was unbelievable she could hardly recognize the place as being the remarkably orderly, clean and well organized department and she realized that they'd been lucky that the warp core hadn't been breached otherwise she wouldn't be standing there to see the shambles. The thought chilled her blood; her children and everyone else's could have been annihilated in the blast. Blood and pieces of minced flesh was everywhere and she had to wonder how many had been killed, maimed and injured in the blast. Her hands clenched into tight, white knuckled fists and her jaw clenched as her angry indignation rose. ~ By Kahless if I get my hands on whoever is responsible for this....~ She could see that Doctor Jahlen and her teams were already there efficiently seeing to the injured, Jahlen herself acting as a triage doctor. Dorga knew that the medical department was short a doctor with Hawkeye Dolphine gone but at least they had several exceptionally well trained nurses and orderlies who could work unsupervised and do many procedures that the doctors would normally do, allowing the doctors to attend the more severely injured, Jahlen had instigated that training and ensured that their skills were maintained at a high level by frequent drills and mock emergency scenarios. On their part, the nurses and orderlies were pleased with the confidence and trust placed in them and enjoyed their added responsibilities. Seeing Chief Petty Officer Krolar talking to Ensign Enright, Dorga picked her way around and over the debris and unfortunately a few body parts, to go and talk to them just as Detron arrived with a dozen of his people and quickly had them going about their business, one team of six staying to secure Engineering while the second team went with Detron to control the connecting decks. "Can you tell me how this happened?" She asked Enright, and then she noticed that Krolar was injured, his left arm was bleeding and hanging uselessly at his side. "You should get your wounds seen to, Chief. It looks like your shoulder may be dislocated and you are bleeding quite badly, your arm could also be broken. If you will allow me? I have medical training and plenty of field medic experience." (reply Krolar) She moved closer to him and gently began to manually assess his injuries. First she removed one of her trusty daggers from a boot and cut the sleeve of his uniform away as Enright told her what she knew. Dorga could see right away that she'd been correct in her diagnosis of a dislocated shoulder but once the sleeve was gone she could also see where the bleeding was coming from; Krolar had a very nasty compound fracture of the humerus and the bones had ripped through the flesh so that the jagged, broken ends could be clearly seen. "It's probably not a high priority on the triage list but I do think you should sit down Chief." She told him and smiled wryly at him, "in fact that is an order. You may not be feeling any pain right now, but you will and soon once the adrenaline wears off." It had happened often enough before. People could do amazing things when badly injured thanks to adrenaline but once that dissipated and the pain set in, well she figured he had less distance to fall if he were already sitting down. (Reply Enright, Krolar, any) (Posted by Sal) ********** (Runabout Lorimar – a2O/CEO & NPC Ensign Selek – 1548) Lorimar was back at his engineering console, trying to make some sense of what was happening. He had little time to mull things over however. Both hands were moving rapidly across console controls, finding many non functional or damaged. As he listened to first Parrr’z, then Rel, and finally Shadow with reports and recommendations, he considered each option, rejected some, and hopefully accepted the best course of action. “Sir,” interjected Selek, “Warp Drive offline. Impulse engines offline. Maneuvering thrusters non-responsive. Attempting to bypass through auxiliary systems.” “Mair guid news,” muttered Lorimar. He half turned and shouted toward the aft compartment. “Mister Candle how are things back there?” (Reply Candle) Bob practically sprang from his chair and popped open several access panels. What he saw was not at all good. Every panel he opened had bio-neural gel packs melted to gooey puddles, with the distinctive odor that generated. His nose wrinkled with involuntary disgust, but he was far more concerned with the implications of the damage. Leaving the panels open, he returned to his console and brought up a new set of subroutines as rapidly as his fingers would move. “Selek, keep trying on yer end. Ah’m rigging a manual bypass but it will take some time. In the meantime can ye dae anything tae stabilize our flight path?” Selek came as near a frown as any Vulcan ever would. “Negative with any attempts sir. We are carrying insufficient velocity to escape the planet’s gravitational pull. Attempting to orbit.” Bob didn’t even try to conceal his displeasure with the situation. He stretched up on his tiptoes and started opening several panels in the overhead, speaking as he did so. “Lieutenant Rel, belay mah last order. Whatever sensors ye have workin’, try and find us a spot tae put this thing doon, in case that becomes necessary.” ~Or unavoidable!~ he thought grimly to himself. “Meanwhile we’ll dae as Lieutenant Rel suggested. Shadow, try that distress call on automatic repeat on all oor comm channels. Position and status, along wie a request for assistance. Dump the data from oor flight recorder as well. Parrr’Z, as soon as the data is uploaded, launch a probe back along our flight path, configured as a recorder marker.” He worked as fast as he could in the overhead, trying to setup a manual bypass to get some sort of functionality back to stabilize their orbit. “Shadow, ah concur wie you. Absenting any further evidence that this is a deliberate attack, we will not fire unless fired upon. Assuming we have any working weapons tae fire with…” (Reply Away Team, Boudicca?) (Posted by Russ) ******** (Runabout Lorimar – aCSO Lieutenant (jg) Ayslin Rel – 1550) Ayslin kept working doing her best to beat out what ever was interfering with her scans. Beads of sweat had broken out on her forehead, and she wasn't sure if they were caused by the stress or if the temperature in the cabin was rising. She did her level best to keep her focus on her panels, but one by one her systems were slowly crashing, just as the runabout seemed to be. Bob didn’t even try to conceal his displeasure with the situation. He stretched up on his tiptoes and started opening several panels in the overhead, speaking as he did so. “Lieutenant Rel, belay mah last order. Whatever sensors ye have workin’, try and find us a spot tae put this thing doon, in case that becomes necessary.” Ayslin re-tasked her sensors, and cajoled a couple of work-arounds, and going started on her task, compiling a list of available landing sites on the planet, ruling out polar landings unless absolutely necessary. "Bob, I hope you don't mind if I call you Bob, at the moment, but do you want us as close as I can figure to the source of the scans or as far away as possible?" Ayslin asked, aware that her sarcastic side was coming out. "Personally I'd like to meet the folks who are scanning us, hand them the bill for the repairs personally, but then I see the wisdom in never laying eyes on anyone who can thrash us like this with a simple sensor scan, and not notice they're tearing us apart. It's your call Boss." (Reply Lorimar, away team) (posted by Patrick D.) (USS Boudicca - Engineering - TAC/SC Lieutenant(SG) Detron Trei - 1550.3) Detron arrived in Engineering with two teams of 6 officers. Detron was quick to dispense of the officers to secure the area. The first team stayed back to secure Engineering and the second team went with Detron to control the connecting decks. "First team stay in Engineering and secure the area. Second team is with me to secure the connecting decks. Move." (Reply anyone there) (Posted by Edward) ********* (USS Boudicca – Engineering – Master Chief Petty Officer Laurence Krolar - Day 7 – 1550) Krolar was still talking to Enright when the First Officer came up and asked Ensign Enright what was going on, then turned to Laurence. "You should get your wounds seen to, Chief. It looks like your shoulder may be dislocated and you are bleeding quite badly, your arm could also be broken. If you will allow me? I have medical training and plenty of field medic experience." "I'm a big guy, sir, I've got plenty of blood to spare, there are plenty around here that don't at the moment, but if you want to stoop to playing medic, go for it, Ma'am." Laurence said with a one sided shrug. She moved closer to him and gently began to manually assess his injuries. First she removed one of her trusty daggers from a boot and cut the sleeve of his uniform away as Enright told her what she knew. Laurence left the commander to her work as he listened to Enright. Looking down at his arm and seeing it wasn't pretty. "It's probably not a high priority on the triage list but I do think you should sit down Chief." She told him and smiled wryly at him, "in fact that is an order. You may not be feeling any pain right now, but you will and soon once the adrenaline wears off." "I'm not one to disobey orders," Laurence said, a little bit taken aback by the severity of his wounds. He moved into the nearby office and came back with a chair, and sat down in it heavily. (Reply Cha'Nooras, Enright, others iyw) "I've got teams checking the EPS system in the blast area to make sure there aren't secondary explosions, and another checking the warp core and making sure it's secure and safe, as well as setting up portable shield generators to keep it that way in case something else happens. There will be a lot of systems to reroute and repair, I'm sure we lost a number of bio neural gel packs and probably a couple of ODN relays and after the triage of the EPS system, I want it looked at with a fine tooth comb, the last thing we need it a plasma explosion in a week because of a micro fracture." Laurence said, looking up at the senior officers. "If you'll excuse me, I need to make a call," Laurence said pushing himself away from Enright and the FO on the chairs rolling wheels and tapped his comm badge, quickly calling Ashley. =/\=Laurence, are you ok, people are saying there was an explosion down there.=/\= Ashley's voice came back obviously concerned. "I'll live, love, but I'm not exactly a pretty sight at the moment. As soon as you're cleared from alert, I need you to get Olivia and keep her occupied until I'm not as gruesome, the last thing she needs is to see me right now. If she asks, just tell her that I'm working, and she'll get to see me in a couple of hours." Laurence said =/\= Oh god what happened down there, what happened to you?=/\= Ashley asked. "Just a little blood, and a compound fracture, gruesome, but most definitely not deadly, I'll be fine once a doc can look at me." Laurence said, his voice tired. =/\=I'll take care of Olivia, don't worry about that, but don't you dare bluster, you find a doctor right now, and you get yourself looked at, you hear me? I love you.=/\= "I love you too, and thank you, I'll keep you up to date. Laurence out." He said, closing the channel when she said good bye, rolling back to the Ensign. (Reply Enright, Cha'Nooras, any) (posted by Patrick D.) ********* (USS Boudicca – Engineering – FO Dorga 'cha Nooras - Day 7 – 1553) "I'm a big guy, sir, I've got plenty of blood to spare, there are plenty around here that don't at the moment, but if you want to stoop to playing medic, go for it, Ma'am." Krolar said with a one sided shrug that looked a bit grotesque, like a broken puppet. ~ I hardly think playing medic is beneath me. ~ Dorga thought, frowning slightly as she busied herself by cutting away his sleeve and assessing his injuries while Ensign Enright informed her of what she knew about the explosion. (room for Enright's response) After making sure the Chief was in no mortal danger, Dorga ordered him to sit down. "......You may not be feeling any pain right now, but you will and soon once the adrenaline wears off." "I'm not one to disobey orders," Laurence replied and went into the nearby office to bring out a chair. He sat down in it heavily and Dorga noted that his face looked pale and drawn, it was just as well he was sitting down now. He began to give the FO his report. "I've got teams checking the EPS system in the blast area to make sure there aren't secondary explosions, and another checking the warp core and making sure it's secure and safe, as well as setting up portable shield generators to keep it that way in case something else happens. There will be a lot of systems to reroute and repair, I'm sure we lost a number of bio neural gel packs and probably a couple of ODN relays and after the triage of the EPS system, I want it looked at with a fine tooth comb, the last thing we need it a plasma explosion in a week because of a micro fracture." The Chief said, looking up at Enright and Dorga who nodded appreciatively at his thoroughness. "If you'll excuse me, I need to make a call," he said pushing himself away from Enright and the FO on the chairs rolling wheels until he was out of earshot. ~ Must be personal. ~ Dorga assumed, now giving Ensign Enright her full attention. "So you are actually telling me that you think that Petty Officer Smidden was the source of the explosion?" (Reply Enright) Now Dorga was thinking aloud as she tried to make sense of what the ensign had just told her. "This is quite puzzling....Why would he blow himself up with the bomb too? And how did he manage to smuggle it into the ship without sounding an alarm? Perhaps it was already aboard, but then why didn't the security scans find it?" Every question seemed to just create more questions. "He wasn't depressed or displaying a change in behavior or character was he or voiced any discontent with any co-workers or command staff?" ~ And there's not even enough left of him to autopsy, perhaps that might shed some light on why this happened. ~ "Chief." She addressed Krolar as he wheeled back to them, "I want Smiddens remains that can be positively identified as his - if any, to be processed by our medical staff. Have some of your people work with security and medical to sift through the organic matter with this goal in mind once the area has been cleared of casualties." She gave a grimace, "I know it's a nasty task but it has to be cleaned up anyway, and if it will shed some light on what happened it will be well worth it." (Reply Enright, Krolar, any) (posted by Sal) ********** (USS Boudicca – Main Engineering – NPC Ensign Enright – 1554) Master Chief Krolar’s straightforward question turned into an impromptu staff meeting with the arrival of Commander ‘cha Nooras. Enright focused on Krolar first. “Right now Master Chief, I need your brains and experience first. We have plenty of help coming to take care of the work.” She paused a moment while the First Officer started tending to his injured arm, then continued. “You’ve made all the right moves Master Chief, as usual. When you are up to it, and after the situation is stable, would you start a detailed damage assessment please? We are going to need to know just what we lost… aside from the obvious.” She looked from the damaged and debris strewn chamber to the dead and wounded crew. (Reply Krolar, Any) After the FO had tended to his arm and gotten him to sit down, he began to give a more detailed report to ‘cha Nooras. Enright listened appreciatively; it was nice to have such an experienced MCPO around in a time like this. She had more than her own share of damage control experience, but another mind was *always* a good thing. In fact he had covered a couple of items that her racing mind had not gotten to, as well as many that it had considered. After giving his report, he excused himself and rolled away on the wheeled chair. "So you are actually telling me that you think that Petty Officer Smidden was the source of the explosion?" With that question Enright’s full attention went to the First Officer. She looked back toward Bob’s office and had to force herself to look away from the hideous sight. She ran her fingers absently through her hair as she replied. “Commander, to be frank I’ve had damage control on my mind exclusively so far. But thinking about it… I would have to say yes. Not definitively until we investigate… but the whole reactor system was shut down… we didn’t even have diagnostic power flow running through the console or the processor. Charlie – Petty Officer Smidden that is, and I were just discussing what we were going to do in terms of calibrations and preventive maintenance. I was in the CEO’s office when the blast occurred… otherwise I’d be… well… I wouldn’t be here talking with you ma’am.” The shock of the whole event suddenly struck her, and Enright felt a wave of nausea sweep over her, and she reached out to a piece of equipment to steady herself. (Reply FO, Any) (Posted by Russ) =========================================== END OF TRANSMISSION ===========================================