Stardate:2406.11.25 USS Nimitz- Captain's Ready Room - TAC/SC - Ensign {SG} Paul Casely- 1158) Paul walked up the the ready room door and pushed the chime. After waiting a few moments the door slid open. He saw Captain Sash sitting there... Paul knew he was expected. His report was due at 1200 hrs. "Sir, I've come to give you my preliminary report," stated Paul handing the Captain a PADD. "Very good," Sash replied taking the PADD and reading it. Paul nodded, "Sir, I have met with Doctor Gralen and we believe we have devised a method of creating a bit of havok with enemy ships. We're outfitting probes with holoemitters and the doctor has devised an EM pulse that should at least cause some equipment failure on some of the ships. As far as the enemy ships are concerned, at least for a short time, they will see a small fleet of rebel vessels coming towards them. As soon as the probes are close enough the doctor has designed them to unleash the pulse." Sash listened to the tactical chief then asked, "How will the probes affect each other?" Paul nodded, "I had considered problems with making the probes not pass through each other. I had Ensign O'Neill disable the section of the probe's 'brain' that allows it to notice other probes. It will basically see 5 other ships flying around it and react accordingly. That helps us to control the probes." "That's great," Sash smiled, probably the first time for the day. "K'ven has been apprised of the plan and has been given the information necessary to effectively liase with the Boudicca so they are aware of our plan and don't panic," stated Paul, "I have to be honest, if you think of something I'm missing in terms of problems with the plan I'd love to hear them. I'm a bit nervous about this one," said Paul with a weak smile. Sash nodded and got out of his seat. He stepped around the desk. By the time he had reached Casely his mind had already seen something. "I do have a suggestion. Let's see if we can do thins." He leaned in closely and the two of them began to work out a little plan. (reply none) (Posted by Jeff Bergeron) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Nimitz, Personal quarters, CEO, Lt.(sg) Zzt, 1445) "Well, then my young Gerratlian, we're in a little bit of trouble now aren't we? Want to tell me what you're talking about? Why would I think you're incompetent. You know I think you're the best engineer in Starfleet. You also know that I would never send someone to hurt you. What started this?" Sash said, taking a seat opposite Zzt. Zzt only looked at his paws for several seconds before replying. "Him," Zzt began, pointing a claw at the closed door to his quarters and Casely on the other side, "Him insinuate Zzt sloppy in maintenance. Not keep up on repairs on all ship systems. Then you agree with him and assign other engineer to over see work! You not even ask Zzt opinion. Just ignore Zzt him not even there. You never ask Zzt opinion. You rush off to potentially hostile ships with only crazy Klingon to watch back, and not even consult Zzt. Zzt could of helped. Could of arranged escape if you needed. Zzt just big dumb engineer though. What him know? Him," again Zzt's claw stabbed toward the closed door, "you always listen to him though. Him your favorite now. Zzt looked down then at the phaser burns on his chest and frowned, as if noticing them for the first time. He lightly touched one with one claw. "Them sting," He said, before looking back up at Sash with sad eyes, "Why you let them shoot Zzt?" (Reply Sash, Any) (Posted by Wes) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Nimitz- Personal quarters- CO- Captain Devan Sash- 1446) "Well, then my young Gerratlian, we're in a little bit of trouble now aren't we? Want to tell me what you're talking about? Why would I think you're incompetent. You know I think you're the best engineer in Starfleet. You also know that I would never send someone to hurt you. What started this?" Sash said, taking a seat opposite Zzt. Zzt only looked at his paws for several seconds before replying. "Him," Zzt began, pointing a claw at the closed door to his quarters and Casely on the other side, "Him insinuate Zzt sloppy in maintenance. Not keep up on repairs on all ship systems. Then you agree with him and assign other engineer to over see work! You not even ask Zzt opinion. Just ignore Zzt him not even there. You never ask Zzt opinion. You rush off to potentially hostile ships with only crazy Klingon to watch back, and not even consult Zzt. Zzt could of helped. Could of arranged escape if you needed. Zzt just big dumb engineer though. What him know? Him," again Zzt's claw stabbed toward the closed door, "you always listen to him though. Him your favorite now. Zzt looked down then at the phaser burns on his chest and frowned, as if noticing them for the first time. He lightly touched one with one claw. "Them sting," He said, before looking back up at Sash with sad eyes, "Why you let them shoot Zzt?" Sash sat on the floor next to Zzt. Sometimes it was hard to remember that Zzt was still very much like a child. A 1200 lb, sharp toothed, walking bag of muscle child, but a child nonetheless. There was obviously some huge misunderstanding. Gently he touched one of the phaser wounds, quickly withdrawing his hand as the Gerratlian winced. "I'm sorry. I have no idea why anybody fired a weapon. It's inexcusable and there will be a consequence handed down." Zzt just hung his head and sniffed, as if he were trying to fight back tears. Sash sighed heavily. "Zzt, look at me." The engineer was being stubborn and looked away. "I said look at me." He reached up and grabbed Zzt under the snout and moved his head around, hoping that the authority he held over the big bear was enough that he wouldn't bite off his hand. "You know that you're my favorite engineer in all of Starfleet. You know that. I have never ignored you. I can't. But you have to let me assign tasks to other members of the staff. You're just one Gerratlian, and even you need some help. And if any were to insuinuate anything different they'd have to deal with me." Sash looked at Zzt's face sternly, "and I don't think they'd like that do you?" (reply Zzt) "Yes I did go to the Boudicca," Sash continued, "but the possibility of danger was so small, and I didn't want you to worry. And I don't always consult everyone on all of my decisions. When you're captain, then I'll ask your permission. You got it?" (reply Zzt) Putting his hand on Zzt's shoulder he looked sternly into the Gerratlian's eyes. "Now we have to decide what to do about this." He waved around the demolished room. "Plus you hurt two other crew members. Granted, they attacked you, and I appreciate you showing restraint, and not killing them, but if I punish them I'm going to have to punish you too." (reply Zzt) "Let's start out this way," Sash said, "you're restricted to quarters until this room is cleaned up, and made perfect again, like it was before. After you fix your room, we'll talk more about what to do with Lichfield and Kane." (reply Zzt) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 2 - TAC/ASC Lt Stolev - Day 2 - 1535) Stolev ducked back behind the rocks as more phaser blasts seared the air above him. A nearby explosion showered him with dirt and rock. The clearing below was literally crawling with enemy forces. Their team was having little trouble in dispatching them, but were suffering more casualties than Stolev would have liked. "Major, doesn't this seem a little intense for an outer patrol?" he asked as he turned to Stratton. Too late he noticed the movement behind them out of the corner of his eye, and before Stratton could reply, the tree next to her was splintered into a thousand pieces. Stolev dove for cover just as another blast obliterated a chunk of the nearby rocks while Stratton returned fire. A flashing red light appeared on his phaser rifle. It was clogged with dirt. Stolev quickly tapped a few keys and heard the quiet whistle of the overload sequence beginning. He peeked around the rocks and saw Tagon charging the marines who were attacking Stratton. He managed to take out a few marines barehanded -- Stolev hoped they were holograms and not actual men, otherwise they'd be spending some time in sickbay after this was over -- but another group came over the rise and took Stratton out with a phaser volley. Stolev hit the overload release button on his rifle and hurled it. It landed amid the upcoming group who didn't seem to notice it as they were so intent on subduing Tagon. Just as the Brikarian slumped to the ground, the rifle detonated, sending half a dozen incoming marines flying through the air towards Stolev. He stepped out of the way as a couple of bodies fell to earth right beside him. Pressing his back to a particularly large nearby boulder, Stolev pulled out his personal hand phaser and snuck a peek into the clearing. There was still the odd phaser blast but the battle seemed largely over. He could pick out plenty of bodies from his team, but the only ones still moving did were enemy forces. He counted about four enemy still standing. They were gathered in a fairly tight group in the clearing, each facing a different direction as they surveyed the area and looked for any signs of life. Stolev tapped a few commands into his phaser to up the dispersion setting and increase the power to maximum, then aimed for the center of the group and pulled the trigger. The group was knocked backwards by the beam and all four fell to the ground, unconscious. Stolev crept hesitantly out from behind the boulder, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. Something wasn't quite right. He whirled at the sound of a branch cracking behind him just in time to see the glowing orange phaser beam catch him full in the chest. His last sight before he lost consciousness was that of the clearing dissolving into the familiar black and yellow holodeck grid. (USS Boudicca - Security Office - TAC/ASC Lt Stolev - Day 2 - 1900) Stolev watched in silence as the dejected security team filed into the office. He has in no mood to feel bad for them -- after the disasterous training session, his sole focus was on making sure that didn't happen again. After getting out of sickbay he had gone to his quarters and stared the vodka bottle in his force field, willing the urges to subside. His hand still throbbed from where he had bruised it with a quick punch to his dresser, but at least the pain from that had brought him back to his senses enough to head to his office and pore over the reports from the training. Once the group was all seated, he slapped his PADD down hard on the table and leaned forward, ignoring the series of cracks that were now evident on its display. "I think we can all agree that our first training mission was a complete failure," he said as evenly as he could manage. The undercurrent of anger was strong -- Stolev hated to lose, but even more so, he hated to lose due to a lack of preparedness. "I don't care that Drizzt threw us into a worst-case scenario. There is no excuse for how poorly we performed. We didn't make it twenty yards past our beam-in point." Westington opened his mouth as if to respond, but a glare from Stolev silenced any thought he had been prepared to voice. "I know for a fact that Major Stratton is letting her marines have it as well. We both agree that our absolute lack of preparedness is unforgivable. If this had been the actual away mission, we would all be dead, as would the Captain." He paused and looked around the table to let the significance of this statement sink in. "I expect us all to double our efforts. We'll have one more training scenario to run through once we get more details on the planet, then it's the real thing. We can't afford another fiasco like this one. Dismissed." (reply Tagon/any) (posted by Aaron Scifres) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Boudicca - Holodeck 2 - Major Drizzt - Day 2 - 1850) Nobody said a word, none of the Marines on the 'enemy' side who had taken part in the exorcize had anything to say... none of them had any action, the extraction team had been removed too quickly, not even the real roving patrol had gotten anywhere close. There was none of the grins and hoots that usually followed a successful team. Unlike most training, this had been as near-to-direct mission trainer as Drizzt could design with the information he had on hand, this was what they were using to train the extraction team that would recover their Captain. And that team had failed miserably. The Andorian had been looking at the program; he had replayed the scenario from start to finish several times while watching it as the rest of the crew did their thing. His combat team looked on with him, all of them grim. The scenario stopped again and the holodeck reverted to its grid. Drizzt didn't move an inch, his arms were crossed and his antenna were still focused intently on the place where the TAC/ASC had fallen. Drizzt had made it difficult, for sure; he had done everything he could think of to trip up the Team. ... because that is exactly what he would do if here were in charge of security on the prison planet. He slowly uncrossed his arms and clasped them behind him, and with infinite slowness he turned to face the squads he had brought with him on his side. They looked back at him, silently. "Thoughts." One of his CE's shuffled slightly. "Permission to speak freely?" The Andorian nodded once, sharply. "This is a job for us, and we would have some serious issues pulling it off. I don't see how they are going to pull it off, I don't see how they are going to get into the compound and get the Captain out." He paused, "It's a suicide mission. I would suggest a more drastic approach, bombing the compound with every photon and quantum torpedo the Boudicca can fire in thirty seconds." "To kill the Captain, no hope of rescue." Drizzt made it sound like a fact, rather then a question. The CE nodded. "Unacceptable." Was Drizzt's only response. One of the supports shifted his own weight, "I have to agree, they would be going to their deaths." He waved to the holodeck, "They didn't survive long enough to even get in sight of the compound. I've seen places with thicker forces then this." "Granted." The Andorian said. After a few more moments he said, "We're not going to leave anyone behind without at least a chance of rescue, get the thought out of your heads, it's a last-chance option only." He took a breath, "Fall out and be ready to be called on again, immediately. Keep your involvement in this quiet. The offensive forces still don't know your identities; I will be using you again. Dismissed." He watched the Marines snap to attention and file out, leaving him alone in the holodeck. His own expression, a tightly controlled mask, hardned as he ground his jaw. "They will succeed," he said to himself. "Or I will shoot them myself." He let his face melt again and tapped his badge, "Drizzt to Straton, we're ready to move again immediately." (reply: Straton, any) (posted by Trout) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Boudicca - Security Office - Lt Dru Tagon- 1901) Tagon came into the securit office, looking down at the dejected security team. they really hadn't performed that badly, but they definitely got spanked. However, Stolev began going into them like they'd lost the war. And nobody seemd to be arguing with him. Tagon himself, was a little down. he should have seen that third wave coming before he did. It was something that he would have done. It came down to a matter of seconds. If only he'd thought of it seconds before. But he'd been caught flat footed, and that wasn't acceptable for himself. But it was when Stolev said told them ,"If this had been the actual away mission, we would all be dead, as would the Captain." That was when Tagon really shook his head. In all of the years that he had done SAR he prided himself on never losing a single target. And the prospect of losing Captain Sevant was quite unpalitable to him. "I expect us all to double our efforts," Stolev told his men. "We'll have one more training scenario to run through once we get more details on the planet, then it's the real thing. We can't afford another fiasco like this one. Dismissed." The team got up and dragged themselves out of the room, leaving Tagon there alone with Stolev. "They really didn't perform that badly," Tagon told him, "considering the circumstances." (reply Stolev) "I take as much repsonsibility," he admitted. "I should have seen that other flank being attacked. I should have realized before hand. We were out guessed, that's all." (reply Stolev) "You know what," Tagon moved away from the wall, "I need a drink. What about you?" (reply Stolev) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Boudicca - Security Office -TAC/ASC Lt. Stolev - Day 2 - 1915) "I expect us all to double our efforts," Stolev told his men. "We'll have one more training scenario to run through once we get more details on the planet, then it's the real thing. We can't afford another fiasco like this one. Dismissed." The team got up and dragged themselves out of the room, leaving Tagon there alone with Stolev. "They really didn't perform that badly," Tagon told him, "considering the circumstances." Stolev ran his hands over his close-cropped hair in exasperation. "Well, the circumstances just highlighted how unprepared we were going in. 'Expect the unexpected,' as one my academy instructors always used to say. And we did a lousy job of that, both in mission prep and in the actual combat scenario. We weren't that badly outnumbered; there's no way we should have all been wiped out like that." "I take as much repsonsibility," Tagon admitted. "I should have seen that other flank being attacked. I should have realized before hand. We were out guessed, that's all." "Maybe you're right. I don't know." He looked back at the wall display which showed a diagram of the simulation breakdown and heaved a weary sigh. "This is the most important mission I've faced in my career. Never before has the life of my Captain been held so directly in the balance of the outcome of an away mission. Maybe the stress is getting to me a little bit." "You know what," Tagon said as he moved away from the wall, "I need a drink. What about you?" Stolev looked curiously at the Brikkaran. He tried to imagine what it would look like to see a giant boulder sipping a cocktail. "Sure. I could use a little down time to collect my thoughts. And luckily, Ten Forward's not far away." (reply Tagon) (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward -TAC/ASC Lt. Stolev - Day 2 - 1925) Stolev and Tagon walked into the lounge and headed for the bar. "What'll it be, gentlemen?" asked the bartender cordially. Stolev closed his eyes and fought a small battle with himself. "Cranberry juice and seltzer, please," he replied shortly. (reply Tagon) Once they got their drinks, they headed into the lounge proper. Stolev let Tagon lead the way as Tagon's seating requirements were a bit more specific than his own. Shortly they found an acceptable location and took a seat. "So," began Stolev, "how are things with Nimitz security? It was a pretty good group when I was there." (reply Tagon, any) (posted by Aaron Scifres) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - Lt. Dru Tagon - 1927) Stolev and Tagon walked into the lounge and headed for the bar. "What'll it be, gentlemen?" asked the bartender cordially. Stolev closed his eyes and fought a small battle with himself. "Cranberry juice and seltzer, please," he replied shortly. Tagon stood silently for a long time. The bartender began to wonder if the Brikar hadn't fallen asleep while he was standing there. Suddenly he said, "Water, cold, in the largest cup you have." They made their way trough the people that were already enjoying some relaxation time. It was more that they moved out of their way as they saw the large, walking boulder move towards them. They parted and stared as the wake of the ocean for a ship. Tagon appreciated Stolev ignoring it and also taking the time to find an appropriate place for someone of his size to sit. He pulled three chairs together and sat. The chairs alll screamed from the strain, but held. "So," began Stolev, "how are things with Nimitz security? It was a pretty good group when I was there." "They are," Tagon admitted. He knew that Stolev had once been SC on Nimitz and had left after being injured during a mission. "Can I ask why you left?" (reply Stolev, anyone else that wants to be in 10 forward) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - COUNS -Ensign John Harrison- 1959) Harrison greeted each of his fellow officers and smiled as K'Ven confused the cue for a weapon. The Captain waited until everyone turned up and then began the event. "Computer, access all of the personnel present on the holodeck. Randomly select each player with a partner." There was a moment of lag time and then the computer beeped. [Partners- O'Neill and Gralen, Casely and Harrison, K'ven and Kinkaid] The computer continued until it completed the list of play partners with [Sash and Bixx.] Sash smiled at a now beaming Bixx. "Well, everyone step up to a table, and have a go. Remember, this is to relax, so enjoy." Harrison selected a cue and walked up to his pool partner. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Paul," he said, briefly observing with some surprise that this was the first time he'd referred to the Tactical officer by his first name. "Are we meant to be playing against our partners, or as a team?" (reply Casely) "So, are you any good at this? Let me warn you now - I'm not," he smiled. (reply casely) (posted by james Batchelor) Stardate:2406.11.25 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - SPCs - Gabriella and Elizabeth Wilson-Kirien- 2001) "How do you know the Captain won't see us, Beth?" Ella asked, kneeling beside the pool table watching everything with big round eyes. Her beloved Captain Sash was teaching his senior crew how to play something called pool, and it was fascinating. "He just won't." Beth whispered back to her sister, watching Sash help that annoying Bixzx learn to hold the stick with which...no... it wasn't a stick. She looked a question at Ella, and Ella giggled, uncharacteristically. "I think it's called a cue," She laughed, drawing the Captain's eye to them. "Uh oh." Ella looked down at the floor as the Captain came over, with the Counsellor. ::What's the human term, Ella, party pooper?:: Her sister thought to her really frantically as they climbed out from behind the table and waited for the shoe to fall. "You see, Sir," Ella began, then decided to change tactics. "Your invitation didn't say only your adult senior officers, Sir." And Beth goggled at her sister's audacity. "Can we stay ?" Beth squeaked up. "Please?" (Reply Harrison, Sash, any who want to find the troublemakers :-) (posted by Melinda :-) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Boudicca - Ten Forward - TAC/ASC Lt Stolev - Day 3 - 0108) Stolev walked into Ten Forward and noticed that there were very few people present. That was fine with him -- he just wanted to grab a quick midnight snack and collect his thoughts. If he stared at the wall of his office any larger he feared he would go insane, so he had sought this change of scenery. The replicator beeped to inform him that his order was ready. He reached into the cubby and pulled out his tray. The surface of the liquid in his steaming cup of coffee -- his second today, though his count over the past twenty-four hours was nearing a dozen -- rippled slightly with the rhythmic hum of the ship's engines. He took a bite out of his muffin, then set it down next to the fruit cup and yogurt dish and carried his tray out into the dining area. Stolev heard a sigh from a nearby table and turned to see an officer sitting alone, staring out the viewport, sipping tea. He frowned for a minute before he recognized that it was Ensign Talda, the ACSO. Stolev carried his tray over. "Mind if I join you?" he asked politely. (reply Talda) "Thanks," replied Stolev as he sat down. He extended his hand. "Aleksander Stolev. You're Talda, right? The ACSO?" (reply Talda) Stolev nodded. "Yep, we haven't really had much occasion to work together, especially since neither of us has been aboard long." He took another bite of his muffin, then took a sip of coffee. "You can call me Sasha, by the way," he said with a smile. (reply Talda) Sasha turned to look out the window. "Sorry to talk shop at such a late hour, but there aren't many hours to be had. How's the analysis of the planetary system coming? Will we have enough info to run some realistic simulations in the holodeck, do you think?" (reply Talda, any) (posted by Aaron Scifres) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Boudicca - Personal Quarters - ACSO Ensign Caleb Talda - 1220) His morning run completed, Caleb stood in the shower, mentally poring over the data he had presented the night before. He had several strong ideas about what might await the Boudicca, but with frustratingly little hard evidence, all he had were mere ideas. Absently, he shampood his hair as he mused. Naturally, Munroe selected that precise instant to call him. =/\=Munroe to Ensign Talda, can you come to my office?=/\= Caleb killed the water, grabbed a towel, and picked up the commbadge. Thankful that the feed was audio only, he responded. "Talda here. Give me five minutes, doctor." Quickly, he hopped back into the shower, rinsed the remaining suds from hair, then exited again, hastily throwing on a uniform. Having always hated the way clothing felt when pulled on over wet skin, the ASCO made a face as he ran a comb through his dripping hair. He was quickly learning that a duty schedule was a suggestion only for starfleet officers with any level of responsibility. (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Ensign Caleb Talda - 1226) As the door hissed open, Talda fought the urge to snap to attention, remembering how the CSO held such trappings in distaste. The doctor greeted him before he had a chance to speak. Munroe smiled at the younger man. "How you doing Caleb? How long have we been at this research anyway?" Returning the smile, Caleb replied. "I'm doing well, doctor, thanks. To be honest, I'm enjoying this project quite a bit, trying to figure out exactly what our target system holds, though the lack of hard data has been a tad maddening. I started this current path of research around this time yesterday, when Commander West asked for my report on the biology of the system." "Have you come up with anything good yet?" she asked. "You know, don't answer that yet. Let's grab some lunch and we can do this in a relatively relaxed setting." Caleb almost replied with a knee-jerk "Aye, sir" but bit it off at the last possible moment, covering it with a slight cough and a smile. "Absolutely, doctor - I could use some food." Taking her request for informality as an invitation, the ensign ventured a non-starfleet line of conversation. "I haven't seen much of you in the past couple of days, doctor. Where have you been hiding yourself?" (reply Munroe) (posted by Olan Suddeth) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - ACSO Ensign Caleb Talda - 1226) As the door hissed open, Talda fought the urge to snap to attention, remembering how the CSO held such trappings in distaste. The doctor greeted him before he had a chance to speak. Munroe smiled at the younger man. "How you doing Caleb? How long have we been at this research anyway?" Returning the smile, Caleb replied. "I'm doing well, doctor, thanks. To be honest, I'm enjoying this project quite a bit, trying to figure out exactly what our target system holds, though the lack of hard data has been a tad maddening. I started this current path of research around this time yesterday, when Commander West asked for my report on the biology of the system." "Have you come up with anything good yet?" she asked. "You know, don't answer that yet. Let's grab some lunch and we can do this in a relatively relaxed setting." Caleb almost replied with a knee-jerk "Aye, sir" but bit it off at the last possible moment, covering it with a slight cough and a smile. "Absolutely, doctor - I could use some food." Taking her request for informality as an invitation, the ensign ventured a non-starfleet line of conversation. "I haven't seen much of you in the past couple of days, doctor. Where have you been hiding yourself?" As they exited her office Maddie blew that loose strand of hair from her face again. "This research has been eating all my time. Between finding out about Captain Sevants, "friend", who apparently isn't much of a friend, and now trying to find out about the planet we suspect they're keeping him on, it has left me brain weary and butt sore." She looked back at her back side, frowning. "Do you think it's a little flatter than before. I've spent so much time on it recently." Caleb nearly choked at the question. ~What the hell?~ There was never a good answer to such questions, as every man well knew. At least she had asked if it was "flatter", not "fatter". After a moment's hesitation, Talda decided to meet Munroe where she had lead. Casting a critical eye at the region in question, the ensign deadpanned, "If there is any flattening, doctor, it appears to be very minimal. I wouldn't worry about any long term effects." A quirky smile sat on his lips after the comment. (USS Boudicca- Officer's mess- ACSO- Ensign Caleb Talda - 1230) The mess hall was at peak activity when the two science officers entered, so Caleb moved quickly to grab a tray of his own and get into line behind doctor Munroe. Deciding that he was in a carnivorous mood, Caleb went for a burger and fries, but had to wait a few extra moments for it to be cooked to his preferred doneness - a state that his father had always referred to as "charcoal". By the time he arrived at the table Munroe had selected, the CSO was in the midst of a private moment with her beverage. "Mmmmmmmmm," she smiled sensually. Then she opened her eyes to see Talda looking at her. "Sorry, I love Strawberry shakes, and this one is a big treat for myself." For the first time since coming on board the Boudicca, it really occured to Caleb just how atractive Madison Munroe really was. For the briefest of moments, he considered the possibility... but Starfleet was a totally different culture than Risa had been, a fact that the academy had drilled home with no doubt whatsoever. A misstep here could cost him dearly in the uptight atmosphere of the fleet. Caleb let the line of thinking slip, and simply smiled. "No need to apologize, doctor. I am a firm believer in enjoying pleasure wherever one may find it." As the ACSO sat down she said. "So tell me what you've found out." Talda nodded. "Not a great deal, as you might expect due to the lack of detailed data. Full spectral analysis of the star, a breakdown of the planetary composition, some decent ideas of the types of terrain and lifeforms we can expect to find on the planet itself." Placing his PADD on the table, the ensign continued. "A full copy of my report is here; I sent one to you last night, as well." Taking the break in conversation to swallow a bit of well-done burger, he continued. "I have several intriguing models in progress right now, mostly dealing the the srot of life forms we can expect to see; I'll be interested to see how they fare against actual data, when more becomes available." (reply Munroe, any) (posted by Olan Suddeth) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Boudicca - CSO's Office - CSO- Dr. Madison Munroe- 1226) As the door hissed open, Talda fought the urge to snap to attention, remembering how the CSO held such trappings in distaste. The doctor greeted him before he had a chance to speak. Munroe smiled at the younger man. "How you doing Caleb? How long have we been at this research anyway?" Returning the smile, Caleb replied. "I'm doing well, doctor, thanks. To be honest, I'm enjoying this project quite a bit, trying to figure out exactly what our target system holds, though the lack of hard data has been a tad maddening. I started this current path of research around this time yesterday, when Commander West asked for my report on the biology of the system." "Have you come up with anything good yet?" she asked. "You know, don't answer that yet. Let's grab some lunch and we can do this in a relatively relaxed setting." Caleb almost replied with a knee-jerk "Aye, sir" but bit it off at the last possible moment, covering it with a slight cough and a smile. "Absolutely, doctor - I could use some food." Taking her request for informality as an invitation, the ensign ventured a non-starfleet line of conversation. "I haven't seen much of you in the past couple of days, doctor. Where have you been hiding yourself?" As they exited her office Maddie blew that loose strand of hair from her face again. "This research has been eating all my time. Between finding out about Captain Sevants, "friend", who apparently isn't much of a friend, and now trying to find out about the planet we suspect they're keeping him on, it has left me brain weary and butt sore." She looked back at her back side, frowning. "Do you think it's a little flatter than before. I've spent so much time on it recently." (reply Talda) (USS Boudicca- Officer's mess- CSO- Dr. Madison Munroe- 1230) They entered the Mess Hall and Maddie immediately went to get a tray for food. It was a bustle of activity, but after getting her chicken salad, tuna sandwich, and strawberry milk shake, she easily found a table where they were far enough away from anyone else that they could talk. As she waited for Talda to get his food she took a big sip of her shake, closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation and flavor. "Mmmmmmmmm," she smiled sensually. Then she opened her eyes to see Talda looking at her. "Sorry, I love Strawberry shakes, and this one is a big treat for myself." As the ACSO sat down she said. "So tell me what you've found out." (reply Talda, anyone else that wants to join them for lunch, hey we're not drones) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Boudicca- Officer's mess- ACSO- Ensign Caleb Talda - 1235) "So tell me what you've found out." Maddie said. Talda nodded. "Not a great deal, as you might expect due to the lack of detailed data. Full spectral analysis of the star, a breakdown of the planetary composition, some decent ideas of the types of terrain and lifeforms we can expect to find on the planet itself." Placing his PADD on the table, the ensign continued. "A full copy of my report is here; I sent one to you last night, as well." "I have several intriguing models in progress right now, mostly dealing the the srot of life forms we can expect to see; I'll be interested to see how they fare against actual data, when more becomes available." "Mm..mm..," Maddie mummbled through her salad, poking at the PADD with her fork. "Yes, I saw that, very interesting indeed. I'd love to see those models and see how they stack up against what I've discovered through my research. Using your information, and referencing with some resources, that will, for now, remain unnamed, I have a a few theories myself. That region of space is NOT as unexplored as we've been led to believe. It's just that the data had been hidden in very unusual places." She put down her fork and picked up the PADD. Tapping in a few commands she accessed her personal files and downloaded the infromation from her research then slid the PADD back across the table. "Check that out, and see what you can come up with. Especially check out the figures on the magnetic dispersion. See the pulsar in the quadrant? It's a magnetic pulsar, creating a unique magnetic field that will be next to impossible to penetrate with sensors. And we can forget transporters." She returned her attention to her food as Tala looked over the information she had just given him. It was as if she hadn't said anything of importance. And he seemed to have forgotten his own food. "So," Maddie said, after swallowing another mouthful of strawberry shake, "Caleb, do you play poker at all?" (reply Talda) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- Ready Room - CSO Gralen - 1712) Sash stood up as Holis walked in and spoke then replied "Ah Doctor Gralen. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important." He didn't wait for a reply but continued with his introduction. "I wanted to introduce you to your new ACSO, Ensign T'Pau Vorik. Ensign Vorik, this Dr. Hollis Gralen, you department chief." Holis gave the Vulcan a big smile, he couldn't help it although he knew the gesture was not actually lost on the Vulcan but dismissed as unnecessary. "Well, well! My ACSO eh? Welcome aboard the Nimitz Ensign Vorik! " Holis thought for an instant about extending his hand as a bit of a joke but squelched it, he was in a light-hearted mood tonight and it was a good thing he wasn't going to the pool tournament since there was no telling what kind of trouble he might get himself into. (Reply: Vorik) "Well gentlemen," Sash cut in, Holis picked up a dismissive note in his voice and knew it was getting time to leave even though he had just arrived. "I'll leave you two to get aquainted. Holis, I'll see you at the tournament tonight?" "Well actually I..." Holis picked up a strong feeling of discontent from the Captain that brooked no discussions or excuses and stammered a bit. "I.. uh... well yes I suppose I will be Captain." "Excellent!" Sash commented drily. "Bring your new assistant with you. He looks like a man who enjoys spatial geometry." Holis nodded and sighed as he turned away from the Captain wondering where he could get a "pool" lesson in a little over two hours. " Very well Captain we will see you there." (Reply: Vorik) "Then you are dismissed." Sash said finally. (USS Nimitz- Turbolift - CSO Gralen - 1720) As they were entering the turbolift Holis had an idea. "We can save the shop talk for later in the evening Ensign, right now I don't know about you but I need some help; I know nothing whatsoever about pool. What do you say about going to the holodeck and finding an instructional program? You don't look like someone who has played before. Well what about it?" (Reply: Vorik) (Posted by Charles) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- Turbolift - ACSO T'pau Vorik - 1721) As they were entering the turbolift Holis had an idea. "We can save the shop talk for later in the evening Ensign, right now I don't know about you but I need some help; I know nothing whatsoever about pool. What do you say about going to the holodeck and finding an instructional program? You don't look like someone who has played before. Well what about it?" T'pau thought about it,he himself had no idea how to play pool so he decided to join the CSO. "Sir I don't understand the need for myself being at the tournament I would much rather get on with my work."Moaned the ACSO. (Reply Gralen) The vulcan even though it was illogical to engage in pool, he felt the need to impress his superiors so they procceded to the holodeck. (USS Nimitz- holodeck- ACSO T'pau Vorik -1730) The ACSO and his CO found a suitable program and entered.The setting was a late-twentith century pool house with typical human decor.T'pau had never liked human decor it was like everything else human,too bright and full of colours that hurt his eyes.They walked up to a square table with coloured balls on it,there was also green material on the table.To the human this looked extremley confusing but after mastering kelto this couldn't be much of a challenge,could it. (reply Gralen) (posted by Scott Hepburn) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- Turbolift - CSO Holis Gralen - 1722) "Sir I don't understand the need for myself being at the tournament I would much rather get on with my work." The Vulcan said with a flabbergasted expression and Holis picked up more than a bit of frustration and impatience emenating from his ACSO. ~Fascinating indeed! This should be a treat.~ The Betazoid thought brightly. "Don't I know it Ensign. I was looking forward to a nip of brandy and some fine concerto music tonight but the Captain has other ideas obviously." (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - CSO Gralen- 1731) Holis was intrigued as they walked into the dimly lit room with the garish colors, indeed there was a rectangular light fixture above the green clad table that had the inward facing bumpers. The light fixture had swirls of color in it and emblazoned letters which spelled out "Budweiser", Holis wondered what this was in reference to. There was a man standing with his back to them who was holding a long, slender stick of wood in his right hand and a small red paper wrapped block in his left, he seemed to be trying to screw the stick through the block and it was making a strange rubbing sound. The man was shorter than six feet tall by an inch or two but looked to weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds. He turned toward them and a calculating look came into his eyes. "So how much are you playing for?" He asked. (Reply: Vorik) Holis was confused. "What do you mean? A wager?" "Of course." The man said. "I don't play for free so unwrap some greenbacks and let's get hopping." (Reply: Vorik) "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding." Holis said. "We're here for some instruction on how to play the game." The man snorted. "You want the fat man to roll over on you? I don't give out tips for free." Holis was puzzled. "The fat man?" "Yeah, you mean you don't know my name? I'm the fat man from Minnesota." He laughed. "Everyone calls me Minnesota Fats. Why should I waste me time teaching you when I could be earning some dough?" (Reply: Vorik) "As he said we are playing in a tournament and need some tips on how to play." "Oh really." The man named Minnesota Fats said as he looked them up and down. "And how many weeks do you have to practice before the tourney?" "We are playing in a couple of hours" Holis said sincerely. He thought the man might have a seizure he laughed so hard. After his guffaws had died down he gathered himself and said. "You want to win a tourney and you have two hours to practice? What a couple of maroons!" (Reply: Vorik) (Posted by Charles) :-) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - CSO Gralen- 1735) The man was shorter than six feet tall by an inch or two but looked to weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds. He turned toward them and a calculating look came into his eyes. "So how much are you playing for?" He asked. T'pau stated in a stern voice"Vulcans do not gamble." Holis was confused. "What do you mean? A wager?" "Of course." The man said. "I don't play for free so unwrap some greenbacks and let's get hopping." "What do you mean by unwrap a greenback and it seems illogical to do this by hopping,in any case Vulcans do not hop." "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding." Holis said. "We're here for some instruction on how to play the game." The man snorted. "You want the fat man to roll over on you? I don't give out tips for free." Holis was puzzled. "The fat man?" "Yeah, you mean you don't know my name? I'm the fat man from Minnesota." He laughed. "Everyone calls me Minnesota Fats. Why should I waste me time teaching you when I could be earning some dough?" T'pau turned to his CO."Sir my knowledge of ancient earth history is limited,was cooking dough used as a form of currency?"Asked the Vulcan in a confused voice. "As he said we are playing in a tournament and need some tips on how to play." "Oh really." The man named Minnesota Fats said as he looked them up and down. "And how many weeks do you have to practice before the tourney?" "We are playing in a couple of hours" Holis said sincerely. He thought the man might have a seizure he laughed so hard. After his guffaws had died down he gathered himself and said. "You want to win a tourney and you have two hours to practice? What a couple of maroons!" "My superior learning should give me enough of a basic understanding to participate in the tournament."Stated the ACSO. The man broke into manic laughter again,T'pau found his laughter most uncomfortable. "Computer,delete Minnesota Fats and give me an instruction manual on playing pool." The computer beeped compliantly. (Reply Gralen) Using almost lighting speed the Vulcan read the thick playing manual in just under 2 minutes. Once finished he turned to the table and picked up a triangle shaped object,placed it on the table and put the coloured balls inside. (Reply Gralen) T'pau instructed his CO on how to hold the item called a cue and that the cue is used to pot the balls in six different pockets. (Reply Gralen) (Posted by Scott Hepburn) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - CSO Gralen- 1740) "My superior learning should give me enough of a basic understanding to participate in the tournament." Vorik stated. After another bout of laughter the Vulcan quickly deleted the one called Minnesota Fats but Holis was intrigued, he was a strange character but who would know better the things about pool to give you an edge than someone who played for money? He could probably teach Holis things not covered in any manual. "All right Vorik, let's do it your way." Holis said as his assistant began scanning the manual. After finishing Vorik picked up the triangular "rack" and began setting up the balls. As he was doing this Holis began looking over the rack of sticks set upon the wall but was summoned over to the table where Vorik began explaining the object of the game. "So how hard should we hit the white ball?" Holis asked. (Reply: Vorik) "I see the aim of the game, it seems pretty simple." Lets play a few games and see how well we do." (Reply: Vorik) (Posted by Charles) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - ACSO Vorik - 1744) "So how hard should we hit the white ball?" Holis asked. Vorik explained to the ACSO that you hit the white ball against a coloured ball in order to get them in one of the six pockets,he explained further that you must hit the ball at a certain angle and with a degree of strength depending on which pocket you are aiming for. "I see the aim of the game, it seems pretty simple." Lets play a few games and see how well we do." "Very well,I shall break."Vorik moved around to the front of the table and positioned the cue in front of the balls,he then struck them with enough force to send them hurtling around table.One of the red balls dropped in to a corner pocket and when they had settled Vorik looked over at his CO and realizec that the betazoid looked completley confused. "I am red since I potted one of the same colour."Staed the Vulcan in a confident tone. (Reply Gralen) T'pau moved around the table to take his next shot,he aimed for a ball near the top left corner and potted it with ease.~I find this very simple,I should excel at this~T'pau thought to himself. To his surprise he missed the next one."I don't understand it,I lined up this shot perfectly it should have went in." (Reply Gralen) The Betazoid obviously had got to grips with this game also as he proceeded to pot four of the yellow balls."You seem to have played this before Sir."Said the Vulcan in a slightly suspicious tone. (Reply Gralen) The two Science officers played a few games of pool,when they agreed that they had the basics mastered the final score being 2-2 they called it a draw and shut down the holodeck. "Sir I believe we shall impress thge Captain tonight,if I may be dismissed I shall see you tonight at what time?"asked the Vulcan (Reply Gralen) (Posted by Scott Hepburn) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - CSO Gralen - 1745) "I am red since I potted one of the same colour."Stated the Vulcan in a confident tone. "Oh! I see!" Holis said as he watched Vorik move about the table knocking in balls which didn't last long as he missed and coming up from his crouch looked a bit confused as to why. "I don't understand it,I lined up this shot perfectly it should have went in." "Hmmm." Said Holis. "I think there is more to this game than sheer mechanics. Let me give it a try." Holis worked his way through four balls to his amazement, he seemed to have a "feel" for the game but there was something missing. He decided that he liked it and would have to carry out his earlier plan. "You seem to have played this before Sir."Said the Vulcan. Holis looked up in surprise, had that been an emotional tone in Voricks voice? "No Vorik, they were just easy shots." He said and played closer attention to Vorik. After their split of four games Vorik spoke as they were putting away their cues. "Sir I believe we shall impress the Captain tonight,if I may be dismissed I shall see you tonight at what time?"asked the Vulcan "We'll get together after the tournament depending on what time it's over, I'll let you know later." Holis said. "If its too late we can start in the morning. I'll see you at the tournament Vorik." (Reply: Vorik if you want) (USS Nimitz- holodeck 1 - CSO Gralen - 1835) Holis waited until Vorik had left then said. "Computer reinstate program Minnesota Fats." The portly man was returned to his place by the pool table, he saw Holis and a big grin split his face. "So what'ya want now? Ready to pony up with some dough?" Holis shook his head and said. "No. You will instruct me as I said earlier." Minnesota Fats chuckled. "Now why would I want to do that? I don't work for free." "You will because you are a computer similacrum and I am ordering you to." Holis said with a bit of heat in his voice. "Good answer." The man said. "What do you want to know?" "Well." Said Holis. "There have to be nuances to the game that you don't find in manuals and tutorials, things that someone who played for money would know about." He looked pointedly at the man. "I want you to show me those things." "Well there isn't time to go into everything." Fats said. "But I'll show you the basics. "First of all never use a house cue." A wooden case appeared on the table, on the outside was the legend Diamond Custom cue. After putting it together Holis found that it fit him perfectly, he then listened closely as "Fats" went over a few basic items determined he would pay this program many more visits until he had pumped him dry of imformation. ~Besides, who better to play against to hone my game.~ Looking up he found it was getting late. "All right Fats I will see you later. Computer end program." As the scene dissolved and the antiseptic inside of the holodeck appeared he walked through the door to get a quick bite before the "Tourney". (Reply: Vorik) (Posted by Charles) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - Ensign Miles O'Neill - 1958) Miles lifted his hand in greeting and said, "Hey Paul. I didn't know you played pool." "Ummm... I don't. I don't even like the game to be honest with you," stated Paul, "I'm just here for the social aspects." "Oh. Well, I'm sure you'd get what you came for." Miles replied. "How was your day?" stated Paul. "Pretty good, nothing broke down or exploded in Engineering, that's always good. How are things with you?" replied Miles. Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - TAC/SC -Ensign {SG} Paul Casely - 2002) Paul listened intently as the computer paired people up. [Partners-O'Neill and Gralen, Casely and Harrison, K'ven and Kinkaid, Sash and Bixx.] He watched as the new partners paired up and the Captain and Bixx walked to the table. She was definitely looking at him in a way that would indicate she thought a great deal of him. This would be an ' interesting' match to be sure. Soon Harrison walked up to Paul. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Paul," he said, "Are we meant to be playing against our partners, or as a team?" Paul nodded for a second and grinned, ~Someone who knows less about this game than I do.~ "Well, if I remember correctly we play as a team, alternating shots," said Paul. "So, are you any good at this? Let me warn you now - I'm not," he smiled. Paul laughed out loud. They didn't have a chance then. "Well, to be honest, I'm not very good at pool either. I've come tonight more with the idea of socializing in mind. I honestly don't care about 'winning' in this case. Lets just enjoy ourselves," stated Paul with a wide grin. (Reply Harrison) (posted by Jeff Bergeron) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - COUNS - Ensign John Harrison - 2003) "Looks like you're stuck with me, Paul," Harrison said, "Are we meant to be playing against our partners, or as a team?" "Well, if I remember correctly we play as a team, alternating shots," said Paul. ~Ah, that would make sense,~ Harrison thought. "So, are you any good at this? Let me warn you now - I'm not," he smiled. Paul laughed out loud. "Well, to be honest, I'm not very good at pool either. I've come tonight more with the idea of socializing in mind. I honestly don't care about 'winning' in this case. Lets just enjoy ourselves," stated Paul with a wide grin. "Absolutely," Harrison beamed back, "This should be most interesting. This is the first time i've played pool in years." He walked up to the table where everyone else had gathered "So which team is going first?" he asked. (reply Casely, any) (posted by James Batchelor) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - ACEO Miles O'Neill and CSO Gralen- 2005) Holis watched with a slight smile on his face as the Captain gave a demonstration since he now knew something about the game, it was like watching a kindergarten teacher giving instructions after the program he had gone through earlier. "Computer, access all of the personnel present on the holodeck. Randomly select each player with a partner." Holis gave a comradely smile at Miles when their names were chosen together. "Well, everyone step up to a table, and have a go. Remember, this is to relax, so enjoy." After following Miles to the table Holis reached down and brushed the green felt lightly with his hand and said. "Computer; Diamondback custom cue in carrying case." On the playing surface appeared a wooden case 28" long with a carry handle and Holis reached down to open it, inside was a burnished cue broken down into two pieces, the larger end had a threaded protrusion and was decorated with gleaming, diamond shaped beige patterns on a dark, mahogany stained background and the end had a short rubber "foot". The small end was slim with a delicately shaped "tip" of a hardened cork and synthetic compounds. After joining the cue Holis looked it over appreciatively and smiled at Miles again. "So Miles, who racks this round?" "You can rack first." Miles said. "Don't read my mind while we play." Miles added jokingly. ~Now, what pool cue do I want?~ "Uh...computer; Sterling Midnight Cue with extra shaft, black." The black cue with what looked like a blue marble design, and a black shaft appeared on the table, Miles picked both pieces and attached them. "So, ready when you are." ~Don't read your mind eh? You are tempting me.~ Holis thought with a smile as he set about racking the balls the way he had been shown, eight ball in the center behind the point ball with the one and fifteen behind it and the outside balls alternating solids and stripes. He was tempted to use the little trick Minnesota Fats had shown him to slow down an opponent with a good break but this first one was only for fun after all and he wasn't planning on playing all night anyway, he'd play this match straight and see what happened. After rolling the rack firmly a couple of times he used his thumbs to hold the balls tight against the point as he stopped the point ball on the dot on the tables' surface. ~Almost right~ Another pass did the trick as he flicked the rack off the balls with a flourish. "Have at them Miles." He said as he backed away and picked up his cue. "Alrighty." Miles replied as he took his cue and bent over the table, in a ball-hitting stance, and aimed the cue. He hit the white ball, and a second later, the sound of that ball hitting the others made Miles grin. He saw that the 5 ball was almost in the left-far hole, which made Miles wince a little. "Well, it looks like you've got an easy shot." Miles said. Holis chalked the cue as he had been shown and walked to the cue ball which had settled at about a thirty degree angle and 18 inches away from the five which was a "sitting duck" he had been told. Holis bent over the cue after using it to verify the angle and correct spot on the 5 to hit. ~An easy shot Holis, remember what you were told~ He thought as he brought the cue to the white ball and struck it. Had the ball been any farther from the pocket he would have missed, as it was it almost popped back out but settled into the pocket teasingly as the cue ball settled only a few inches from the rail. Holis let out his breath and hunted for his next shot which turned out to be the 7 ball near the far corner, it was a long shot though with a torturous angle, the 1, 2, 3 4 and 6 balls however were near the rails or locked up behind some of the striped balls. Holis figured if he hit the ball fairly hard at that 60 degree angle the cue ball would free the 1 and 4 balls, he was right; too bad though the 7 hit the near corner and bounded away from the pocket halfway down the table and knocked in the 12 which was a striped ball. Holis stood up with a sigh and a wan smile. "You win some and you lose some." He stepped back and chalked his cue again as he thought about how to manage the table better next time. "Indeed." Miles replied. He chalked his cue as he looked at the table. He was chalking slowly, a sign that he was thinking hard on his next move. ~Okay, Holis did me a small favor with the 12. I think I can sink the 10.~ "Okay...." Miles said to himself as he aimed the cue ball at the far right of the 10 ball, hoping to sink it in the close-left pocket. He pulled back, and hit the cue. To Miles' disfortune, the 10 ball and the cue ball sunk into the pocket. "Well, that's not good." Miles said as he stepped back and rechalked his cue. "Okay, here we go." Holis muttered and moved to pick out the cue ball then placed it on the break side of the table then leaned over and sighted in on the 4 ball which was near the other side pocket with a fairly easy angle. He tapped the cue and it rolled easily to the four ball and knocked it in leaving him with a clean shot down the rail at the one ball which was nestled against the rail. It was a long reach from the end but he managed to hit the cue ball solidly but the 1 ball popped off of the rail and out near the center of the table. They were now matched at two balls apiece. Miles observed the table. Miles could see the 15 ball near the far-right hole, and the 9 near the mid-right hole. ~I might be able to sink both balls, but it's going to take some good angle calculation and a little luck.~ Miles aimed the cue at the 9, and hit the cue ball. The 9 sunk, but the 15 wasn't even touched. "That's just bad luck." Miles said as he aimed the cue ball at the 15 again. He tapped the cue, however the 15 stopped short of the hole. ~Damn.~ Miles said as he stepped away from the table. Holis whistled the Betazoid marching tune absently as he moved to the cue ball from the far side. The 1 ball was sitting near the 7 which had been knocked up to the side pocket. He shot the cue ball and it hit both balls, the 7 settled into the side pocket and the 1 rolled toward the corner pocket. ~A nearly straight in shot.~ Holis thought and didn't realize his mistake until he had already hit the cue too hard, the 1 popped into the corner pocket but the cue ball rolled all the way to the other corner and in after hitting the 13 ball near to the corner. Holis had a 4 to 3 edge in balls but Miles now had the 15 and 13 both near corner pockets, two sitting ducks! ~Da**~ Thought Holis as he stepped back from the table. ~Wow.~ Miles thought as he aimed at the 15 and the 13. He hit the cue, and both sunk in. ~Five down, two to go.~ Miles thought as he looked at the other two stripes. the 14 was impossible to sink at the moment due to it being surrounded by solids, but the 11 was doable, if not hard to sink. He aimed towards the far left of the 11 to sink it in the far-right pocket, but when he hit it, the cue ball missed the 11 entirely, and made an easy shot for Holis to sink the 3. "That wasn't supposed to happen." Miles said as he stepped back. Holis chalked absently then stepped up to the table, the 3 went in like a charm but he was far short of the closest ball which was the 2 and at a bad angle. He looked the shot over closely then got down and shot the cue ball at the 2, not only did the 2 not go in but it clipped the 8 ball which bounced off of the side rail, off the 6 and 14 which were nestled together and into the corner pocket. Holis' mouth turned up in a wry smile as he looked at Miles. "Good game Miles." He smiled. "It looks like I sank the wrong solid ball." (Reply: Any) (Posted by Matt and Charles) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - Captain Devan Sash and Ensign Darteena Bixx - 2005) Sash looked down at the smiling Bixx as he approached the able. Was she leaning back against the table? It looked quite seductive. if they weren't in a room full of people Sash would swear that she was trying ... seduce him. He held his cue stick close to his chest, semi-protectively as he looked from her, to the balls on the table. "So...," he said cautiously, "Darteena, have you ever played before?" Dartena watched as Devan moved his cue stick into a more... interesting position. She looked at him and smiled sweetly, "I've played many things before, just not pool." With that, Dartena ran her index finger along her bottom lip and smiled demurely. She was sure that by the Captain's actions he was more than a little interested in her. It was rare for Dartena to find a man not of her species that showed this much interest. Making sure she came was the first thing, then there was the way he made sure they were on the same team... now his cue stick action had clinched it, he had more than a passing interest in her. "Ummm..., ok" Sash replied, uncertainly, "then maybe I should show you how to play first. Like I said before, the objective is to get those balls into those pockets, by hitting them with a stick, like this..." He leaned over the table and made a shot. One of the solid colored balls dropped. "So, now I have the solid balls. You're going to have to sink the other ones. I guess you'd better grab a stick." Dartena smiled demurely again and half lidded her eyes, "And how does one choose a proper... stick?" If he wanted to play games, she was more than happy to accomodate. His desires became clearer and clearer with each word he spoke. His every movement was a nuiance, a signal. ~No being could be THAT oblivious to the signals he's sending out,~ she thought. "Well," he said, wondering if there was something wrong with Bixx's eyes. Maybe she had an allergy to the felt on the tables. She seemed to be having trouble keeping them open. "You need to be able to grip it firmly and wrap your hand alll the way around it. Then you slide it back and forth between the bridge of you other hand, like so..." He demonstrated the sliding motion with his own stick, moving it back forth. "Here, try mine," Sash said. Dartena's eyes suddenly went wide. Was this lack of... modesty... a racial trait? "Well, I'd like to... but here might not be the most appropriate place for that behaviour," she said winking. "Not appropriate," Sash looked at her confused. "I can't think of a more appropriate setting." He handed her his own stick, and she took it, confused. "Now, lean over the table and hold the stick like I did." He could tell she was a little confused, and knew the only way to help her was to move her into the right position. He came behind Bixx and put his arms around her, putting his hands over hers. He helped her lean over the table, and try to line up the stick with the cue ball. He could feel her body press back against his, wondering if she were uncomfortable with the his proximity, but he didn't know a better way. His face came right next to hers as he spoke softly and patiently. "Now carefully, line up the balls and push the stick." The cue ball moved and struck a solid ball, which promptly went into the pocket. Dartena nestled her body gently into Sash's and rubbed against him gently in a back and forth motion... "Oooo... that was fun!" she said almost purring. She glanced up at Sash and gave him a wicked grin. Was he just playing dumb, or was he really that stupid? When Bixx looked into Sash's face they were centimeters apart. Suddenly, the sexual tension that he'd been trying to ignore became very aparent to him. "Is it getting warmer in here?" Unfortunately, it was that moment in which the motion around the pool tables caught his eye. Then the light sound of girls giggling. Sash would have been able to identify that laugh anywhere. He looked back at Bixx, who was still giving him a wanton grin. "Umm... please excuse me for a moment," he said, and released his hold on his partner. He stepped back from the table and straightened his clothes. Then he marched towards Beth and Ella Wilson-Kirien. (reply Bixx) (posted by Al Muir and Jeff Bergeron) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - CO - Captain Devan Sash- 2010) As Sash walked through room he passed by Harrison. "Counselor, I hate to bother you, but coudd I borrow you for a moment?" (reply Harrison) The captain had a hard time repressing the smile he had growing as he saw the look of guilt that was on the girls faces as he approached. Then he tried to put a stern, fatherly, look on his face. It was something he asn't good at, even when it had been his own children. "Ladies," Sash said, "what do you think you're doing here?" "You see, Sir," Ella began. "Your invitation didn't say only your adult senior officers, Sir." And Beth goggled at her sister's audacity. "Can we stay ?" Beth squeaked up. "Please?" Sash looked at Harrison for any help, which he didn't seem prepared to give willingly. "What do you think counselor?" (reply Harrison) Giving an extreme heavy sigh he finally said, "Well, I suppose you are correct. I did not say only adult senior staff. And since you two are my senior of the junior staff, I suppose it would be ok. But you two have a curfew, and you better not be late for it." (reply Ella and Beth) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - COUNS - Ensign John Harrison- 2012) As Sash walked through room he passed by Harrison. "Counselor, I hate to bother you, but coudd I borrow you for a moment?" "Certainly, sir," he replied, turning to his pool partner briefly, "Excuse me, Paul." (reply Casely iyw) He followed the captain to where Dr Kirien's two daughters were hiding. He managed to supress a grin. ~Professionalism at all times,~ he thought "Ladies," Sash said, "what do you think you're doing here?" "You see, Sir," Ella began. "Your invitation didn't say only your adult senior officers, Sir." And Beth goggled at her sister's audacity. "Can we stay ?" Beth squeaked up. "Please?" Sash turned to Harrison. Harrison managed to supress a smile and pretended to look sternly upon his captain. "What do you think counselor?" Sash asked. "They are entirely correct, sir," he said, "If you chide them for your own lack of specific information, it shows an unwanted element of hippocracy in a Starship captain. That is not only a negative image to portray to the crew, it is also a poor example of leadership to these two at their impressionable young age." ~Dear God, I hope he knows I'm joking,~ Harrison thought. Giving an extreme heavy sigh, Sash finally said, "Well, I suppose you are correct. I did not say only adult senior staff. And since you two are my senior of the junior staff, I suppose it would be ok. But you two have a curfew, and you better not be late for it." (reply Ella and Beth) Harrison watched as Sash was distracted momentarily by the hasty exit of Ensign Bixx. He surpressed a thin smile, barely, and stopped himself from speculating further. It was none of his business. "Girls, why don't you take my table, since Bixx has decided not to play," Sash told them. "When I come back you can play with me." He leaned down and looked sternly into their faces. "You two be good." Then smiled and winked at them. (reply Beth and Ella) He looked at Harrison. "If you would just keep an eye on them Counselor? I'd appreciate that. I should be back soon. I just want to check on Bixx." "Understood, sir," he replied seriously, and watched the captain leave the holodeck, hurriedly. He turned to the girls. "I must congratulate you on outsmarting the Captain," he grinned, "but it's probably best not to do it that often. Now, if you need anything, I'm over there with Ensign Casely. You two know how to play pool?" (reply Beth and Ella) He smiled. "Very well. Enjoy yourselves." With that, he turned and returned to his own table. "Sorry about that, Paul," he said, "Now, let's begin." (reply Casely, Beth and Ella) (posted by James Batchelor) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - OPS - Ensign {SG} Dartena Bixx - 2014) Dartena watched as the Sash disentangled himself from her and more or less left her flat. She could see what he was doing. Suddenly, he'd decided that he didn't like her and was using the presence of the children to make a break for it. Dartena felt humiliated by him. He had sent clear signals to her, and now he was rejecting her. She dropped her cue on the floor with a clatter and strode away from the table and towards the holodeck exit. As she passed she looked at Sash and gave him a look that would curdle fresh milk and then let out a sneer. Despite Dartena's best efforts, she did not make it all the way through the exit before the tears began. She felt rejected and humiliated and that she had been toyed with. As the door closed behind her she broke into a run towards the turbolift, sobbing as she went. (Reply any, none) (Posted by Jeff Bergeron) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - CO - Captain Devan Sash- 2018) Sash looked up at the sound of the cue stick hitting the ground. he saw Bixx heading for the door.Sash watched her with confussion. Where was she going? Perhaps the sexual tension between then was only in his imagination. It had been a while since he'd enjoyed the company of a woman, and Bixx was certainly looking good. Kinkaid had summarized it well in his wolf whistle. Then again, perhaps she wasn't enjoying the game, although she did smile and giggle when she sank the ball. Or, perhaps she was ill. He wondered if he should go after her and check. She did seem to be having problems with her eyes. But the look she gave him as she left. No there was something behind that. Sash looked around the room to see everyone busy playing. Conversations had begun, which was what he really wanted. The crew were communicating with each other. They didn't need him there right now. Then he looked down at his two charges, both beaming at the permission to stay. "Girls, why don't you take my table, since Bixx has decided not to play," he told them. "When I come back you can play with me." He leaned down and looked sternly into their faces. "You two be good." Then smiled and winked at them. (reply Beth and Ella) He looked at Harrison. "If you would just keep an eye on them Counselor? I'd appreciate that. I should be back soon. I just want to check on Bixx." (reply Harrison) Sash left the holodeck and looked down the corridor, both ways. There was no sign of Bixx. He tapped his comm badge. "Computer, locate Ensign Bixx." [Ensign Bixx is on deck 3, section 3] Sash began to walk quickly. Sounds like she's heading for her quarters. The turbo lift door opened as he approached it. "Deck 3," he ordered, hoping that Bixx was alright. He kept replaying her exit in his mind over and over. The more he thought about it the more he felt that there was something else going on here. The turbo lift stopped and Sash headed down the corridor. He came up to the door of Bixx's quarters and paused for a moment. Did he really want to know what was going on? No, he couldn't just shirk this. Somehow he felt responsible, although he couldn't figure out why. He reached out and hit the door chime. (reply Bixx) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Holodeck - Strat Ops - Sogh la' K'ven - 2020) [Partners-O'Neill and Gralen, Casely and Harrison, K'ven and Kinkaid, Sash and Bixx.] K'ven listened to the computer as it announced the teams for whatever was suppose to happen. When it announced that he would be paired against Doctor Kincaid, he grinned to himself a bit. But, how could he win against someone that was clearly not his equal, he just could not battle someone that, he assumed, could not kill a fly. Then he thought maybe that was why the weapons were so flimsy, because it would give the weaker opponents a bit of a chance to stay alive. He began to twirl the stick in his hands and was beginning to get himself in the stance of a warrior, but, then the look in the Doctor's eyes told him that it was inappropriate. Next he turned to the table to notice that a bunch of round looking things were set on it in a diamond pattern. There was a white one of them sitting by itself. Then he reflected on what the captain had demonstrated for them and walked over to place himself behind the ball. Growling at the Doctor, who had not come close to K'ven, he then bent down with the stick in front of him. He preferred the large end to hit the ball then the small end as it would probably miss. He began to pull the stick back in preparation to hit the ball, in a baseball type fashion, and was about to swing at it when he heard a small commotion that turned out to be the captains partner. She had looked like she was in some kind of distress as she gave the captain a sneer before walking out of the holodeck. (Kincaid) "What do you mean I am doing it wrong? I have not done anything yet." K'ven replied with his regular gruffiness as he returned to what he was going to do. He again began his swing at the ball, but, just before he did, Kincaid again decided to interrupt him. (Kincaid) K'ven listened to what Kincaid told him then watched as he demonstrated it for him. K'ven then stepped up to the table again once the balls had been reset in the diamond pattern. K'ven thought he knew now what he was suppose to do and set to show everyone he could do it. He bent over like Kincaid had demonstrated to place the cue in his hands in the similar pattern. He slid the cue back and forth aiming at the white ball, then, he pulled back and was ready to hit it. Just as he pushed it forward with all his might, he was distracted by someone talking. The cue missed the white ball to dig into the felt with a sick tearing sound as the cue ripped a long hole in it. The ball went flying across the room with people ducking as it came past their heads. It finally bounced off the opposite wall from where K'ven had been. He stood straight daring anyone to say anything to him, "I meant that to happen." He said to stifle anyone saying that he did not intend on missing it. (reply from Kincaid, any) (posted by Frank) Stardate:2406.11.26 (USS Nimitz - Deck 3 Section 3 - OPs - Ensign {SG} Dartena Bixx - 2025) Dartena had walked into her quarters and collapsed on the sofa. She now sobbed openly. How could she have been so foolish to think that someone like Captain Sash would be interested in her. Dartena had never felt at home in Starfleet... she'd worked so hard to get here, but perhaps it just wasn't the right thing for her. After almost a year in the shuttlebays on the Nimitz she never had really made friends with anyone... she was lonely and right now she hated her commanding officer. She opened her desk computer and began writing up a request for transfer. She knew that she'd be stuck on the Nimitz until their present mission was over and she'd do her best to complete her tasks, but she also knew she didn't belong here. Her tears blurred her vision as she filled out the form. Amongst her anguish she barely heard her door chime go off. Dartena sighed... she didn't really want to see anyone at the moment... but still. "Come in!" came her shaky voice. The door slid open and in walked Captain Sash. "Oh... its you," she said as icily as she could muster and continued tapping on her computer. (Reply Sash) (posted by Jeff Bergeron)