Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 3:18:18 GMT
Nack flipped past the his normal dinner selection for something more tasty. The blood flea soup took more replication rations, but he felt that it was worth it. He was, in short, celebrating.
"Come in," he said to the door chime.
Dan Trek entered the office, "Late night?" he asked, pointing to the soup.
"Too much on my mind to leave. I have asked Doctor Grey to let me know when Commander Waterson is awake, and I've been on edge ever since. I imagine, when she is awake, we can get a lot of information in the next couple of days. We are bringing Commander Waterson to Qualinost, where Starbase Assailant has been evacuated to," Nack replied. He shrugged, showing he didn't know the details of the evacuation. Nack was just following orders. "There, we will submit our reports, and she will be in their hands."
Nick slurped up his soup, most of it finding its way on his chin, where it met a swoop of the Ferengi's sleeve before it could make the plunge for the desk.
"I, for one, will be happy to get her off of this ship."
Nack knew, due to the sensitive nature of the Romulan-Federation front, that Waterson would be made an example of. The story, likely, would be changed to cover the fact that she was caught in Romulan space. The rest of the details would be made public, and probably overly public, in an effort to show to the Romulans the Federation's responsible prosecution. Nack almost felt sorry for the Doctor.
"How are you holding up, Commander?" Nack asked. It was the first time in awhile that there was nothing immediately pressing to be done, which allowed the First Officer and Captain to talk casually.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 3:26:06 GMT
|Sickbay
Security officer PO2 Griffen's face went blank for a moment then brightened with a smile. Lucy wasn't sure what was going on but the end result seemed favorable. Griffen walked to the doctor with a sense of confidence.
"I've just found out that your patient is the victim, not the attacker. Just a matter of miscommunication, ma'am. Static in the line, so to speak."
"I'm glad to hear it, petty officer. You'll be leaving, then?" Lucy wasn't a bit surprised at the announcement. What with the explosion and electrical burns. Her patient couldn't have been the attacker unless the attack had backfired.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm being diverted to brig duty. Not the best of posts, but I suppose the boredom will allow me to think about becoming 1st class."
Griffen turned and left after a brief wave. Lucy grinned then turned to nurse Devin.
"Keep a watch on the ensign. Burns have a tendency to become infected at the drop of a Gorn."
Back in her office, dictating an updated report, Dr. Grey received a call from the ship's XO.
=/\= <Dantrek> =/\= =/\= "Acknowledged, commander. Nurse Devin will be lead at the transporter room." =/\=
Dr. Grey swiftly turned to the exam room to set up a triage situation. Whatever injuries Waterson had would probably be life threatening. At least, Lucy had to think that way.
To her surprise, a security shield went up around her. "What the hells bells?" she asked the bulkhead.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2008 4:06:49 GMT
Tristan found himself pacing engineering getting angrier by the second, every time he looked at the blown out console he felt like hitting something, he had considered visiting the injured ensign in sickbay nut he was sure he would say something that he would later regret. Tristan threw the PADD he was holding at the wall before storming out of engineering to seek out someone to solve his problem.
Tristan found himself in his quarters writing an unusual request on a PADD he did not know if something like this had been done before but it was either this or Tristan would leave the Nevada. Tristan finished writing up the request and made his way to the captain’s ready room. When he arrived at the door he took a deep breath he didn’t want to take out his frustration on the captain, after a moment he entered seeing Commander Trek was there too.
“Excuse me sirs I am here to make a formal request may I speak freely”
<Tag Nack>
Tristan approached the captains desk and slid the PADD to the captain, he picked it up and his eyes immediately widened he didn’t say anything as he handed the PADD to Commander Trek. Tristan spoke first saying.
“I know replacing all the senior engineering crew may seem excessive but I have an ensign in sickbay because Lieutenant jg . Ridden wilfully disobeyed my orders I won’t work with people who don’t follow my orders, We are approaching Qualinost I want to recruit new crew there and leave the current senior engineers there for re assignment, I don’t want to pressure you sir but the other option is this”
Tristan slid his request for re assignment to Captain Nack, Tristan had received offers from starship design department and seriously considered them before accepting the chief engineer position.
“Either I need a staff who will respect me or the staff needs an officer who they can respect.”
Tristan said waiting for Captain Nack or Commander Trek to answer his request.
<Tag Nack, Trek>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2008 3:31:53 GMT
"How are you holding up, Commander?" Nack asked.
"Increasingly frailly, sir," Dan replied, sighed, then looked back at his CO. "I'm getting older, Captain. I keep wearing out, retiring, getting bored, coming back, and the process starts all over again. I'm afraid it may only be a few more years before I retire for good, Nack." That was the first time he could recall addressing the Captain by his actual name.
"I've looked at your service record, Commander, and the notes by your previous COs," Nack replied. "The problem is that you never take any substantial leave. If you'd just take a break every once in a while, perhaps you wouldn't keep leaving and coming back."
"Perhaps."
There was a knock at the door. "Come," Nack replied.
“Excuse me sirs I am here to make a formal request may I speak freely”
"Certainly, Ensign," Dan replied. "What can we do for you?"
Tristan approached the captains desk and slid the PADD to the captain, he picked it up and his eyes immediately widened he didn’t say anything as he handed the PADD to Commander Trek. Tristan spoke first saying.
“I know replacing all the senior engineering crew may seem excessive but I have an ensign in sickbay because Lieutenant jg . Ridden wilfully disobeyed my orders I won’t work with people who don’t follow my orders, We are approaching Qualinost I want to recruit new crew there and leave the current senior engineers there for re assignment, I don’t want to pressure you sir but the other option is this”
Tristan slid his request for re assignment to Captain Nack, Tristan had received offers from starship design department and seriously considered them before accepting the chief engineer position.
“Either I need a staff who will respect me or the staff needs an officer who they can respect.”
Dan held up the PADD. "These are some good engineers, Ensign. I wouldn't be so quick if I were you to dismiss such experienced officers. One can't handle reporting to someone lesser-ranked, yes, but that doesn't justify throwing them all out."
He took another look at the list. "There's one name here that, regardless of whatever else happens, won't change. Lieutenant James Selgur, head of maintenance for our Fighter Wing. He stays. He has other specialties that are needed here. My left arm is actually a hologram, Ensign. And Mr. Selgur was one of the team that designed it, and he's the field technician for it. So he stays. Other than that," Dan trailed off and just shrugged.
"Your thoughts, Captain?" Dan asked, handing the PADD back over to the CO.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2008 4:06:39 GMT
“These are some good engineers, Ensign. I wouldn't be so quick if I were you to dismiss such experienced officers. One can't handle reporting to someone lesser-ranked, yes, but that doesn't justify throwing them all out."
The reply from Commander Trek was just what Tristan had expected to hear, Tristan had already had this argument with himself before writing the request. Tristan stayed quite as Commander Trek read the rest of the list.
"There's one name here that, regardless of whatever else happens, won't change. Lieutenant James Selgur, head of maintenance for our Fighter Wing. He stays. He has other specialties that are needed here. My left arm is actually a hologram, Ensign. And Mr. Selgur was one of the team that designed it, and he's the field technician for it. So he stays. Other than that," Dan trailed off and just shrugged. Commander Trek asked the captain what he thought but before he answered Tristan turned to Commander Trek and said in a more understanding and diplomatic voice.
“I am not talking about killing their careers Commander, Some of those people should be chief engineers themselves by now it does not look good on their records if they were passed over to serve under an ensign, I will see to it that they are assigned to positions worthy of their talants, my other reasoning for this is that I intend to throw the book at Mr. Ridden most of those names would be long time workmates of Mr. Ridden it isn’t fair for them to have to take sides. As for Mr. Selgur I will need someone who knows the ship inside and out I will make him my second in command”
Tristan looked over at Captain Nack and waited for him to make his decision it was after all his call.
<Tag Captain Nack>
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on May 28, 2008 22:49:38 GMT
Black. The utterly dark ceiling was all Seth could see as he awoke. He immediately sat up and swung his legs out of bed, and now found himself surrounded by a dark grey. Still delirious from sleep because he had got up too quickly, Seth tried standing to wake himself up. Only now did he realise that he was sweating all over. The dripping, cold sweat caused him to shiver.
Seth dragged his tired legs over to the wash-basin. Lights above the basin lit up automatically as they sensed his presence, and Seth was confronted by his reflection. The worn-out eyes stared back at him. It became clear to Seth that he wasn't in the best of shape, he was feverous. A trip to sickbay could be in order, he thought. Perhaps they had something to help him. It was then that Seth remembered that he was due to go to sickbay soon anyway, for his mental health assessment with Doctor Grey.. Shaking himself, Seth stepped away from the mirror and turned the main lights on, I can't think right now!
He sat heavily on to the couch in the smallish living area of his quarters and cupped his head in his hands. As Seth rubbed at his face with his hands, flashes of memory of the mission just gone went through his head, just fleeting images... It was difficult to think of it all at once, a lot had happened. Seth turned his head to the side and tried to think of it in detail. First, there had been the securing of the Romulan hospital facility. Seth had found it to be quite a refreshing experience, being on dry land had comforted him in some way. It had all turned out to be a pointless venture though, as it was later found out that Waterson was responsible for the subsequent robbing of the base. None of it was worth it... nothing new there then, Seth thought. His efforts were never appreciated by fate or destiny, the two would always turn against him, spiting his every move.
The rest of the mission had involved chasing an ion trail, the result of which had actually been a success, in a manner of speaking. Because, they had of course ended up turning back the way they came, back towards Yavin. Then they were pursuing and securing Commander Waterson.. right up to when the Romulan ship had decloaked and escorted them back to Federation space.
Now the Nevada was en route to the temporary home of Starbase Assailant's personnel. Apparently, Assailant had been evacuated, due to something that Seth knew absolutely nothing about.
Seth stood back up and walked around, he had no choice but to stay awake. His night's sleep had been fitful, and he had no wish to return to that uneasy slumber. Seth thought pacing may work, there had to be some way to walk off his shivery, unwell feeling. It soon occurred to him that the way was not to think about it and to have something to concentrate his attention on.
Invariably, he found his thoughts wandering to those of home. The dusty, barren plains. The rocky mesas of sandstone; as dangerous, as they were captivating in their threatening visage. Perhaps not an idyllic home to be constantly returning one's thought to, but home it was, and that was where Seth's heart ultimately lay.
Not yet.. Not so soon would he be returning to his homeworld, many tasks lay before him before he could rightfully return there. Many unseen adventures would befall Seth before he could land on the planet's surface and return victorious to his homeland, debts paid, every hardship undertaken and all tests passed. He would finally be able to go back to Ascension and be safe in the knowledge that there was, finally, full support from the Federation. Support and protection which Seth and his people without question deserved.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 15:56:10 GMT
|Sickbay
Dr. Grey studied the bio cluster above Cmdr. Waterson's head. Vitals had leveled out, the minor radiation burns were treated with dermaline gel and a swift acting analgesic. Lucy wished she could induce a heart attack in the patient. Well, not really, if she was completely honest with herself. The fleeting thought was quickly squashed. No reputable doctor would do such a thing.
After going over the captain's medical records for the third time, Lucy had discovered the discrepancy. She mentally kicked herself in the shin then leaned over and rubbed at her ankle, the imaginary pain subsiding in response.
A gray clothed officer cleared his throat on the opposite side of the bio bed. Lucy looked up, startled. A padd was thrust into her fingers.
"What can I do for you, sir?" she asked.
"We're here to transport Commander Lisa Waterson to the base hospital. My orders are on that padd. If you have any questions, contact General Paul Drew."
Taking the padd, Lucy said, sternly, "Do nothing until I return."
Lucy's boots made soft clicking sounds on the uncarpeted floor as she rushed back to her office.
=/\= "Grey to Cmdr. Trek and Capt. Nack. SFI is here to take Waterson to the base. Do you know anything about this? By the way, is Drew a general now? I thought he was a rear admiral." =/\=
=/\= <TAG: Trek, Nack> =/\=
Oh, damn!
Running, actually running back to the exam room, Lucy skidded to a halt.
=/\= "Grey to Nack. She's gone, sir." =/\=
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 19:21:15 GMT
"I think you two need to work this out. Commandter Trek knows the crew better than anyone, and you are currently in charge of Engineering," he said to the engineering chief. "By the way, I've been meaning to inquire into your Acting Ensign status. Seems to me, due to recent performance, we should be promoting you to full Ensign."
Realizing he had side-tracked a bit, Nack continued. "Regardless, I think you two are good enough to work it out." With nothing left to discuss, Tristan left the office, waiting outside for Commander Trek to follow. Dan politely excused himself as well, but Nack asked him of a favor. "As long as he isn't rearranging everything, maybe throw him a bone here or there. As long as we don't have a mutiny in Engineering, I don't see why you can't give in to some of these." He tossed the PADD back to Dan.
When Dan and Tristan had left, Nack sat back in his chair, ready to enjoy his tea again. Before he could, though, there was another interruption.
"We are here to take your prisoner off of your hands, Colonel Nack." The officer standing next to the first officer nudged him, and whispered in his ear.
"I mean, Captain Nack." He blushed at the embarrassment. The young man had always forgotten the difference in rank between Starfleet and Marine... always deferring to the marine rank.
"She's in sickbay right now. She should be ready to go, although you guys have come a little earlier than I hoped. I had some... personal things... I wished to discuss with her."
The first marine raised an eyebrow, but quickly took the expression off of his face.
"Permission to take her aboard our vessel, and transport her, per General Paul Drew's orders." Again, the marine was jabbed by his partner. "Sorry, Admiral Drew."
"Seems like everything is in order. Proceed," Nack said, handing back the padd.
The two left his ready room. It was only a few minutes later when Lucy's voice came over the combadge, with the sound of suspicion in her voice.
=/\= Doctor, don't worry, I've checked their credentials. They are fine. Don't forget to remove the tether from her leg before they take her. =/\=
The communication channel cut off, but Nack could hear a muffled cursing by the Doctor. He laughed to himself, realizing that he probably reminded her of something she forgot to do.
A few moments later, as expected, an emergency tone emitted throughout the ship. ~/\~ Intruder Alert. ~/\~
=/\= Stand down, Computer. =/\= Nack said, inputting his codes. =/\= To all senior staff, it was a false alarm. =/\=
Nack sat back down. The tether could easily be removed from Waterson while en route to the holding facility. The hiccup they just occurred marked the end of their dealings with Waterson. At least for now.
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Jon Park
Commander 1C
Approved Grade Reduction
Red Alert
Registered: Oct 14, 2007 20:46:50 GMT
Posts: 811
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Post by Jon Park on Jun 3, 2008 16:03:24 GMT
Jon was walking around the ship heading for no place really when he turned and almost ran head first in to a bulkhead looking around he was glad no one saw his little trip in to the wall. ~You need to stop thinking about him.~ Park told himself yet he knew it would be hard to do. The nearest turbolift was in the next section of the ship and Park entered it. "Bridge." Park ordered as the lift took him up he was still in lost in thought as the doors to the lift opened to the bridge.
The crew had been relaxed since the had started back to temporary home of starbase assailant a place called Qualinost Park had finished his reports and had just to give them to the captain to review. Park was checking the bridge readouts when the computer starts beeping and saying "Intruder alert" Park looks at a few security personnel and nods to the them follow him. The captains voice is next over the comm =/\= To all senior staff, it was a false alarm. =/\= Park relaxed and the personal went back to what they were doing.
Park found it kind of odd but the Captain knew best. As Jon retuned to the console he was looking over may things happening on the ship but nothing that was a security matter. Heading back into the turbolift Park was looking for something to talk his mind off his troubles. but that lingering thought kept coming in about Lt.Commander Collins assigned to Security team Gamma. Park knew he had to talk to the Counselor. "Deck 15" Park ordered the lift.
As the turbolift took him down to his office he knew he was going to have a hard time he already had Lt.Commander Thomas run training with them. Lt.Commander Salfer has requested a security team review and he had to be present for that but could he face the man who could be responsible for his father being MIA for so long.
Jon entered his office and sat behind the desk activating the computer he just ran random programs trying to occupy his mind. Pressing the commands on his computer he called up the info he really wanted his dad's service record and Collins's to see there is a pattern.
Scanning the record Park saw nothing in the few months before his father and Collin's started the Warp project. But a few months into the project his father asked to be transfer to the Uss Victory Request denied. A few weeks later another request this time to go to utopia planica again request denied. One more request before the warp flight where his father was lost to him was a transfer request to the Uss Thomas Pride Request Pending. ~Strange~ Park thought but then again his father may have told Starfleet that he was finished and the warp flight would be his last.
Park looked at some of the other people in the program but his father did know them at all. Could the transfers have made starfleet consider... ~No~ Park screamed in his head Starfleet wouldn't kill a decorated officer and one of the best helmsman in starfleet history. Instead of thinking crazy thoughts Park knew to contact the Counselor. Tapping his combadge he called out =/\= "Park to Commander Rylka. Counselor do you have some time to talk?"
<Tag Rylka>
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 4, 2008 2:16:17 GMT
Growing tired of gazing out of his quarters' portal, Seth turned away from the majestic inky black of space and looked into his room instead. It wasn't in the best of states, his quarters. Clothes and other assorted belongings were strewn over the floor, so much so that it almost looked to have been done just for the sake of it. Seth rubbed at his chin as he made his way across the room, it was stubbly. As he made the decision to have a shave, he noticed something on the floor that definitely shouldn't have been there. Seth stopped and looked at it for a moment, he then experienced one of those special instants of clarity. It was an experience of realisation, a sudden clearing of the clouds of hazed perception. He blinked at the rare specialty he had just been served and then quickly bent down to pick it up.
After looking at it for a minute or two Seth put the picture of him and his family back in its rightful place, on his bedside table, where he could easily see it. He was slightly annoyed and angry with himself that he had let something of such sentimental value to be wantonly knocked off the table, flicked off its perch, into the masses of meaningless flotsam and jetsam littering the grey floor.
Stepping up to the basin, Seth grabbed at his shaver and rapidly performed the operation. He didn't shave all that often, subconsciously preferring to leave a gap to allow the stubble to grow. Seth guessed it gave him a rough look, something he quite liked to hold on to.
The Nevada was now officially on shore leave. Crewmembers were already leaving for the surface of Qualinost. There had been a delay in getting the crew who wanted off the ship to the new (temporary) location of Assailant. Seth supposed such hindrances were understandable given the circumstances. The end of the mission meant something else besides shore leave for the colonist, he had an appointment to keep.
Seth headed for sickbay. Doctor Grey had wanted him to submit to a mental evaluation once the mission was over. He had to oblige to the good Doctor even thought she hadn't made it an order.
Without hesitation, Seth walked through the doors of sickbay and turned towards the office. Sure enough, Grey was in there. The CMO did not immediately notice Seth standing outside her office, so he cleared his throat. She still didn't notice him. Not sure what else to do to get her attention, Seth actually knocked on the glass. "Excuse me, Doctor?" he said through it. Grey finally did look up from working at her desk and ushered him in. "I am here for the evaluation we talked about?" Seth said, briefly wondering if Grey remembered.
<tag Dr. Grey>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2008 17:10:39 GMT
|Sickbay
It wasn't as if Lucy didn't have other things to do, it was just that she delighted in Nurse Devon's reports. Having put Elric Devon on the 'graveyard' shift, the RN was charged with calling in the doctor-on-duty when he was needed and writing up the doctor's notes into a readable report. Trying hard not to edit the doctor's words, Elric ended up doing it anyway. The resulting material was funny, strange and concise.
The CMO did not immediately notice Seth standing outside her office, so he cleared his throat. Seth actually knocked on the glass. "Excuse me, Doctor?" he said through it.
Grey finally did look up from working at her desk and ushered him in. "I am here for the evaluation we talked about?" Seth said, seeming to question her memory of having asked him to report in.
"Yes, I remember my request," Dr. Grey said, smiling. "Please, have a seat. On the sofa over there" *pointing* "if you'd be more comfortable there."
After sitting, replicating drinks for the both of them [Lucy having iced tea, lightly sweetened], they sat on either side of her desk, facing each other.
"I've read your personnel profile, Seth," Lucy started. "I'd like to hear it from you. Tell me about yourself. I know you grew up on an arid planet. What was it like?"
<TAG: Helacaan>
"How is it you decided to join Starfleet?"
<TAG: Helacaan>
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 7, 2008 22:19:17 GMT
"Yes, I remember my request," Grey said. She smiled, "Please, have a seat. On the sofa over there,"she said pointing towards a soft looking beige couch, "If you'd be more comfortable there."
"Hmm," Seth said after considering for a moment, "I think I would be fine with these seats here, if that is alright Doctor." Grey indicated that it was and went off to fetch some drinks. Seth asked for Wezean coffee as he took the seat opposite Grey's. He had no idea what this mental evaluation was going to involve, it made him... apprehensive. Yes, that was the right word.
The Doctor returned bearing two cups of liquid, she sat opposite Seth and placed his coffee in front of him. "I've read your personnel profile, Seth," she started. "I'd like to hear it from you. Tell me about yourself. I know you grew up on an arid planet. What was it like?"
Seth felt like he had just been narrowly missed by a large vehicle, his body recoiled into the back of the seat in the reflex of surprise. He didn't really know what to say, no one had quizzed him about any of this during his entire stay on the Nevada. "Well, arid," he began, rather too bluntly. He had not meant it to come out that way, and he was sorry for it, "It's a harsh world," he tried to elaborate to make up for it.
Seth felt reluctant to talk about it, he thought it was something that he didn't wish to share with other people. He suddenly looked deep into Doctor Grey's eyes, he looked for trust in her, he looked for something that would make him feel comfortable talking about his home. She wouldn't understand.. no one in Starfleet can... one part of his mind told him, On the other hand, another part said, Who can you trust if not the people that you risk your life with every day? It was true, all his life Seth had had to put trust in others, perhaps this was no different?
"Ok," he began, "We call the world Ascension. It has been a Human colony for over one hundred and eighty years. It's very dry, there is very little moisture in the atmosphere which means lack of water in some regions. There are 'oceans', but they only take up about twenty percent of the planet's surface. Because we are so far out from the Federation's centre, we have been 'majorly' cut off from the technological influence in the UFP..." He stopped, Grey silently signalled that he should keep going. The words were coming out in a jumble as he thought of more and more to say. "There are two million inhabitants, we have a loose sociopolitical structure based around families. My family is fairly famous on the planet and is, or was, quite influential."
Seth rapidly turned to the deep bitterness within him, "Also," he said, anger building in his voice, "Because we are hardly considered to be part of the Federation, being only 'technically' within its borders, we have been virtually forgotten, raiders from adjacent space have been making hit and run attacks on what little we have, robbing us, killing, maiming.. they virtually have a permanent presence on Ascension these days." He lightly slammed his fist on the desk, releasing some of the pent-up anger and frustration in one stroke, and felt calmer.
"How is it you decided to join Starfleet?" Grey said after a while.
That was the stumbling block for Seth. He would say no more regarding the matter, and wished Grey to figure this out for herself. It wasn't mad at her, he just couldn't talk about this part. One, because he didn't want to create a difficult situation, and two, because some of it was simply not allowed to be said.
"I'm afraid I can't say," was what Seth settled for. He knew it was an odd response. A much more common reply would have been that he 'wanted to explore the universe' or something similar.
Seth tried to turn to what he perceived was lighter conversation, he leant forward in his chair over the desk. "If I may say so Doctor, all of this, seems a bit personal." He chose his words carefully. "Is it common for Doctors to ask these questions in mental evaluations?"
<tag Grey>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2008 3:14:17 GMT
|Sickbay |CMO's office
Seth leaned forward in his chair over the desk. "If I may say so Doctor, all of this, seems a bit personal. Is it common for Doctors to ask these questions in mental evaluations?"
Lucy took a sip of her tea before answering. The anger he had displayed was common for a person that had been 'pushed' away from his home. She didn't know, of course, if that was true, but she had the distinct impression he didn't leave home willingly.
Finally, Dr. Grey said, "Yes, it is. Psychologically, the way a patient describes his home is very telling. For instance, you became angry when telling me about the stress of growing up there. The raids, the killing... You also seem to love your family and wouldn't leave home without due cause. I can understand your frustration with a situation you cannot control." Lucy bent forward, meeting Seth's eyes directly. "I have an idea why you joined Starfleet. I would have done the same thing."
Lucy held up her hand to stop a comment she wasn't even sure Seth was going to make.
"Seth, you have erected a shield around yourself. I recognized it but couldn't understand why an officer as young as you are would do that." Lucy lifted her arms, placed her elbows comfortably on the desk and steepled her fingers.
"Lieutenant, I have to officially do a report on our little meeting here. Only the captain, myself and the counselor will have access to the file. If you don't want to see the counselor, that's your choice. But I wish you would."
Another pause while she considered whether she should offer further assistance. Would she be bypassing the head counselor by offering? She didn't have the expertize Cmdr. Rylka had but she did pass the same tests and exams the commander had. Finally, she decided to say it and see what reaction she got. After all, a Starfleet officer could handle just about anything.
"I'm not trying to take the counselor's position, but if you'd like, we could meet again. Seth, we could meet off the record if you'd like. In most cases, a friend that will listen is all a person needs. Or wants," Lucy hastened to add.
<TAG: Seth>
"Take your time. Now that I understand you a little more, I'll be able to treat any injuries as a doctor should. With compassion and sensitivity. For now, I simply want to be your friend." Lucy bowed her head before saying softly, "I've known that same kind of anger."
<TAG: Seth>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2008 15:31:44 GMT
Nurse Ranquist left Nack's office, pleased that Nack had taken the news rather well. The Ferengi had overreacted enough in the past to put the crew on edge when there was news to be delivered that might be considered 'bad' news.
Nack called Commander Trek into his office, leaving himself no time to contemplate the implications of what he was told.
"Dan!" Nack exclaimed. It had been a day or two since he saw Commander Trek in his office, and he was beginning to wonder if Commander Trek had gone to the surface of Qualinost. The original plan was to take turns being in command of the ship so that the other could enjoy some shore leave, but Nack, still feeling the emotional effects of Waterson's betrayal, had shut himself in his office daily. He didn't want shore leave.
"I am going to need for you to watch the ship for awhile. I am going to have to go down to Qualinost for business."
"What kind of business?" Commander Trek always laid his thoughts and emotions out for everyone to see. Nack was hoping in this instance that he would refrain from questions, but, true to his nature, Dan had asked.
"Due to my heart problems lately, it was recommended that I get some tests done at the medical facility on Starbase Assailant."
"You mean, Qualinost?"
Nack waved his hand dismissing the mistake. The difference was negligible. "Yeah. Qualinost. Even displaced, their facilities are better than ours."
"When do you leave?"
"Whenever I want, although it is suggested I go as soon as I am able. Personally, I'd rather get this over with, so I will most likely leave as soon as I get a pack together."
As a Doctor by training, Nack new of the importance that he get this test done. Even with all of the medical knowledge and resources that reside on the USS Nevada, there is still more that could be done on Starbase Assailant.
"Did they ever find what Waterson did to you when they thought you had a heart attack?" Dan picked his words wisely. The subject of that particular incident had a tendency to cause Nack to become agitated.
"Yes, but it was unknown what it would do to my Ferengi physiology in the long run. One of the referrals I have is for an alien physiology specialist who deals with poison victims. I guess I get to be his slime devil for a few days."
"Slime Devil?" Dan asked.
"Guinea Pig?" Nack replied, trying a different cultural cliche. Idiomatic phrases never received proper semantic translation by the universal translator.
Commander Trek still didn't understand.
"Test subject?"
He nodded, "Ah."
"Yeah, so, while I'm gone to the surface, you shall remain here. Nothing special. I should be back after a few days."
The two continued discussing ship matters.
"I've been meaning to tell you, sir, that Acting Ensign Littlewood has been performing his duties with a high degree of aptitude."
"And you want to promote him, don't you?" Nack knew this was coming. Being on Qualinost, Littlewood would be able to shed his field commission, and be formally indoctrinated as a Starfleet Officer. The officials to do so were on the surface.
"If you take care of it, I see no reason why not."
"Great." Commander Trek said. "Great."
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 9, 2008 23:12:34 GMT
"Seth, you have erected a shield around yourself. I recognized it but couldn't understand why an officer as young as you are would do that."
A million protests tried to jump out of Seth's mouth all at once, the sheer number of conflicting thoughts had the result that he didn't say anything at all, he just choked slightly.
I'm not that young, is what he did think in pathetic indignity. Grey was right of course, in her own way. He had built barriers, refusing to share his problems with others, not wanting others to know of his past troubles. "You're right," he finally managed. Finding little else to say, he simply shrugged his shoulders, collapsed into the back of the chair and smiled weakly. It was a meagre offering of reassurance that he would be OK. Nothing more was said for a while and the silence started to get awkward.
"I'm not trying to take the counselor's position," Grey said suddenly, breaking the palpable silence, "But if you'd like, we could meet again. Seth, we could meet off the record if you'd like. In most cases, a friend that will listen is all a person needs. Or wants."
Seth still said nothing. He wasn't sure what he wanted, he liked Doctor Grey, but he didn't know if wanted to talk about his own problems. It made the whole prospect dissatisfying, not totally bad, just....
"Take your time," she said. "Now that I understand you a little more, I'll be able to treat any injuries as a doctor should. With compassion and sensitivity. For now, I simply want to be your friend." That cleared things up for Seth, at least he knew now what Grey's thought processes were regarding the matter. "I've known that same kind of anger."
"Thank you," Seth told her, as he made his way for the exit, he stopped in the doorway as it slid open, "And may I call you Lucy?" He asked. She nodded, and then he left. It made sense, she had felt comfortable enough to call him by his first name, well, it wasn't his proper first name...
Later Seth rested in his quarters, he sat himself on the edge of his bed and stared at the picture he had in his hands. His mother, father, brother, two sisters, all of their children.. they were all in the picture. The background of the picture was something that Seth was drawn to as well, it was green. Unusual for Ascension, a rare spot of live, green, foliage amongst the harsh landscape, they were scattered across the planet, like Oases in the desert, like rich dashes of green painted onto the surface.
Disturbing his reverie was the wall mounted comm-panel by the door. He got up and pressed the button allowing the caller to speak, =/\=Lieutenant Helacaan?=/\= said a voice Seth didn't recognise.
=/\=Yes?=/\= he asked a bit too roughly.
=/\=There is a priority one message for you, being relayed through Starbase 162.=/\=
Seth frowned, =/\=Thank you. Route it through to my quarters.=/\= He cut the channel and wandered off to his desk to his monitor. Still frowning, he sat in the seat and turned the monitor on. The screen displayed the federation seal, with the words, 'Incoming Communication. Rerouted by Federation Starbase 162 from Sector 163 Beta. Text Only.' Eyes widening substantially, Seth pressed the button, he was half apprehensive, half excited.
After reading it, he stood slowly and then realised he either had to sit back down somewhere before he collapsed on the floor from the shock. After lying still for ten minutes, thoughts rushing at lightspeed through his head, Seth jumped up. He should not have been sitting around. Literally throwing his uniform jacket back on, he ran from his quarters. What did he have to do? He knew what he had to do.
Checking that Captain Nack was still on board, Seth went to the Ferengi's ready room. He hastily called the chime, and then did so again at the lack of an answer. Why now?! He nearly flipped out right there on the bridge. Seth was finally accepted in, and the reason for the delay was apparent as soon as he stepped in. Nack seemed to be getting ready to go as well, down to Qualinost. "Captain, I hereby request an extended leave of absence from my duties aboard the USS Nevada." He handed the surprised Nack a PADD containing a very hastily written LOA request. Not wishing to wait for the CO to read all of it, Seth summed up his reasons, "There has been an extremely personal development at home," was as much detail as he went into. "I must be granted this leave, now." Desperate situations called for desperate measures and Seth didn't care if his tone made him seem insubordinate.
<tag Nack>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2008 3:03:55 GMT
Nack paced back and forth in his office, trying to find the canister of beetle snuff. There was enough left to last him the entire time on the surface, if he could just find it.
"I bet Lucy would be excited to see I lost it," he sneered. The Doctor had her opinions on the substance that the Ferengi Captain felt the need to partake in, and they weren't good opinions. "I bet she took it from me when I wasn't looking." The rant of an addict.
"I didn't even have time to pack," he commented to a photograph of his human parents on his desk. "If I was home right now, I'm sure I'd be hearing about how I can never be anywhere on time." His human mother was a punctual person, and Nack... well, Nack wasn't.
He flipped his chair gently upside down. Perhaps the can landed underneath it somehow. The wheels spun while in the upside down position, one of the squeaking every rotation about its axis. Nack stopped it when he thought he heard the door chime and waited a second... but didn't hear it again immediately, so continued his search.
In one motion, the chair was flipped back onto its legs and Nack continued his search.
Crawling along the floor, near the edge of the room, Nack heard the door chime this time. He called enter, not thinking quite clearly, and Seth walked in while the Captain was on his hands and knees. He barely paid attention to his chief operations officer as he spoke. Instead, he was busy flipping over every cushion and piece of desk memorabilia trying to find his beetle snuff.
Nack eventually grabbed the padd from Seth when he realized that Seth wasn't going away. Seth continued giving his reasons verbally.
"Looks in order, sir" he said, cutting off the younger officer. The Ferengi barely looked up, but continued opening and dumping out drawers.
"I must be granted this leave, now."
Nack backed his head out of the replicator, said, "Granted," and placed his head back in to get a better look in the nooks and crannies of the replication system.
Seth had left and Nack had given up in his search. He grabbed his packs that he had packed and left his office. It was getting late, and he was already late for the first shuttle to the surface. He would have to wait for the second.
Leaving the bridge he commented to Commander Trek, "You have the ship, sir."
On the turbolift down, Nack shoved his hands in his pockets. It was a longer ride down to the belly of the ship than the usual ride to sickbay, or his quarters.
Hearing a jingle, he pulled his hand out grasping a few objects. One was a slip of latinum... his lucky slip. The other, his canister of beetle snuff.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2008 3:24:11 GMT
Sitting alone in his quarters Tristan was typing up letters of recommendation for his outgoing staff the next step was to tell them, Tristan had been on the Comm. Channels to all different Starfleet ships for the last hour he had called in a lot of favours but he was sure the staff would be happy with their new assignments. Getting up from the chair Tristan gathered up the PADDs and headed out of the door.
Entering Engineering Tristan was met with a few nods of greeting before he yelled to get everyones attention.
“Listen up everyone I have some news I worked very hard pulled in a lot of favours but I got most of you the promotions you so richly deserve the only downside is most of you have new assignments when I call your name please step forward and get your PADD with your orders.”
Tristan had phrased his language to sound as if he was upset with the news most of them would be leaving but in truth he found the task of finding new crew for his Engineering invigorating. An hour after announcing the news all of the new assignments were handed out most of them were to happy with their upcoming promotions to care where they went, Tristan had found two in his staff Chief Engineering posts on other starships and they were busy celebrating when Tristan left to find James Selgur to tell him that he would be second in command of Engineering.
Finding out James was in his quarters Tristan made his way there now fully feeling the task ahead, he was sure he was going to have to poach for his new team but he wouldn’t settle for second best, Standing in front of James Selgur’s quarters Tristan pressed the keypad and the doors opened showing Luetenat Selgur standing in the doorway.
“I have been expecting you Ensign were am I going to be posted then.”
Tristan stepped inside holding a PADD out to James as he said.
“You are staying here to be my second in command I need someone on board who knows the ship inside and out, your service record is fantastic and I was ordered to keep you on board so it all worked out.”
James took the PADD reading it over before showing a little smile.
“Okay Ensign I accept on one condition that in future all personnel decisions be made with my input.”
Tristan smiled as he took the PADD back off James and said.
“Done and with that in mind you are coming with me to qualinost to pick our new team right now.”
James nodded as they both made there way to the captain finding him after a turbolift opened they both stood there and Tristan decided he would be the one to speak up.
“Captain permission for me and Mr. Selgur to leave the ship for qualinost we need to do some interviews for new staff foe engineering,”
Hoping the captain wouldn’t be upset that he was stopped in the middle of something they waited for his answer.
<Tag Captain Nack>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2008 1:21:25 GMT
|Personal quarters
"And may I call you Lucy?" He asked. He being Seth Helacaan.
Lucy tossed her tunic on the bed, decided to drink a glass of white zin while she showered and once decided finished undressing. While the water was growing hot, she poured the wine from a bottle of San Francisco's finest grower and stepped under the water. Setting the glass at the top of the enclosure, she stood there, letting the water run over her head and course down her body.
Seth was a man that didn't have many friends, was sorry he was away from home and clearly wanted to return. So, why was he in Starfleet? Lucy didn't understand most of what she was wondering about and, in fact, didn't understand why she was so interested in one particular man.
After all, Stephen had left without a by-your-leave or ta-ta. Men were irritating, unpredictable and plain moody at times. She didn't want another man in her life. Well... Captain Nack could stay. She loved stimulating his senses. She also wondered if his yeoman had been able to swipe his beetle snuff. Just a joke, mind you, and she was sure Nack would react with humor.
Grinning, Lucy stepped out of the shower which turned itself off, searched around for a towel then issued a mild curse. At the dresser, she pulled out a towel of improper length then dried herself off. Dumb ship!
After notifying the ACMO of her plans, Dr. Grey left the ship for a little R&R. She'd worked for it, she deserved it and no-one was going to deprive her of it.
At the transporter room, Lucy stopped. Where, exactly, was she going? She didn't know. She could stop by the Dragon's Lair. They had some interesting Klingon weaponry and a holodeck for practice before she bought. There was The Dungeon. She sharply shook her head. Nope! Not going there ever again.
Thinking that there would probably be something that would catch her attention, she was reminded of a supply list that she carried by a bump agains her thigh. Her med kit. Always work whether she liked it or not.
Dr. Grey entered the transporter room and requested to be beamed to their arboretum.
TBC
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 13, 2008 12:12:50 GMT
The battered and worn transport ship dropped out of warp several million kilometres from Ascension. Seth had requested to be on the bridge when they were to arrive, and as he did so now, he gazed out of the viewscreen at the brown-red and grey world far off in the distance. It was little more than a small, quaint circle providing an intrusion in the black vacuum.
"We'll take her into a high orbit, you can beam down to the surface from there." Seth looked across to the command pedestal where the Captain, who had just spoke, stood. "Let's hope the matter-energy converters are working this time." The Captain joked.
Seth looked across sharply now, "Yes," he said, "Let's."
The Captain laughed loudly, "It will be fine, Mr. Helacaan. I was only pulling your leg. You Starfleet worry too much over equipment."
"I am not Starfleet." This was of course, a lie. The Starfleet commbadge, Starfleet carry-bag, tricorder and phaser all said otherwise. Seth had cursed for having to use them, but the bare facts were that the equipment he had was far superior technologically - and much more efficient - than anything the inhabitants of Ascension possessed.
The Captain didn't remind him of any of this. He was a good man, Seth supposed. Gruff and worn by appearance, he had a lighter side to him as well as a deeply caring side to him. Knowledge which was made known to Seth when he had discovered that the man had his wife and children aboard the transport ship.
"Entering high orbit of the planet." The helmsman announced a few minutes later.
Seth immediately picked up his bag that he had layed down on the deck, and moved to shake the Captain's hand. The latter took it. "Thank you for diverting from your course to come here." Seth said briefly. As much as he appreciated the Captain's willingness to increase his route length by ten parsecs in order to get Seth home, he really needed to be going. The Captain nodded in acknowledgment and Seth Helacaan left.
In line with the old Captain's assurances, the transporter worked perfectly, and beamed Seth down into the town that is own home was on the outskirts of. He materialised on another transporter pad and was confused for a brief second. He then realised he had been beamed into a building with the small pad inside of it. Seth tried to remember something about it. He believed it was used for exactly the purpose it had just been used for, beaming people to and from ships in orbit, which happened quite rarely. He looked around the room; it was dark, musty, with bits and pieces of what looked like useless junk lying about it, some on the floor, some on equally tired looking shelves that could have collapsed at any moment.
He stepped off the pad and his eyes finally settled on the man who had watched him beam in from behind the antiquated transporter controls. "Helacaan," he said and nodded in acknowledgment. He looked at Seth evenly as the latter moved towards him.
"Do I know you?" Seth said to him as he set his two bags down for the moment.
"No. But I've been told that a Helacaan was due to arrive, from Starfleet." The man added the 'from Starfleet' almost as an after-thought, but in doing so he had made it quite clear to Seth what he thought. Not bothering to waste words on him, Seth settled on flashing a dirty look, he promptly picked up his bags and left the building.
He borrowed a repulsor vehicle from an old friend in the centre of the town. They hadn't talked much, but what little had been exchanged between them was friendly. It had just been the typical meeting of two friends that hadn't seen each other in nearly four years. "Careful how you go, Karmelo," was the last thing the ageing man had said to him as Seth had climbed into the vehicle. Seth had even felt able to remind the man that he didn't like that name. It was perhaps pointless though, he had always called Seth that.
Finally, after travelling the few dusty kilometres to home, Seth parked the vehicle in the custom yard, stepped out of the cockpit and ran across the field to the door of his house. It was his, although it had been shared with his brother and his brother's wife and children for eight years - that would be twelve years now. He tapped the antiquated chime once, and grinned from the nostalgia when he remembered that it almost never worked.
So instead, he simply opened the door by hovering his card over the lock sensor. It clicked and swung open, he dived inside. He was about to call out for somebody when a man, no two men and a woman, jumped out from the first room on the left. "Seth!" Seth bounded towards them, they instantly embraced.
After the euphoria of the greetings had died down, Seth's father and mother, Arnon and Liv, his brother John and Seth himself stood in the main room. The talk had turned serious, to say the least. "I had a hard time believing the message," Seth said, "I am still having a hard time with it now."
"They landed during the night Seth," John said, "People saw it. They set down in the Ridges last week. We all know that's there usual base when they conduct these raids. Now, we think they are poised for a takeover. People have been disappearing one by one."
"Including our sister.." Seth nodded, well familiar with it by now. "Well let's get started," he said.
His father looked pensive and finally spoke, "We've all been trying Karmelo, we've conducted attack after attack. But the raiders are well entrenched up there. All we are, we're just unorganised groups of rabble scrambling up the cliffs." Arnon shook his head, "Besides, they are much more suited to the thin atmosphere and corrosive air than we are, even after nearly two centuries of adaptation."
No one said anything further on the matter that afternoon. The people of Ascension were well used to being patient, there was no use in worrying over something they could not do anything about until the time called for it. They'd learnt that from the ignorance of the Federation.
But the question did remain, what could they do?
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Jon Park
Commander 1C
Approved Grade Reduction
Red Alert
Registered: Oct 14, 2007 20:46:50 GMT
Posts: 811
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Post by Jon Park on Jun 16, 2008 16:41:08 GMT
Jon heard the Computer tell him the Counselor was no longer on board. Jon checked the logs and saw that she had been removed from the ship but no reason was given. ~Damn now who will help me~ Park thought. Just as he was going to contact Commander trek his computer beeped "Incoming Message from Commander first class Park." his mother contacting him park spun back to his computer. Tapping commands into the panel his mother appeared.
"Commander!? Mom what is wrong." Park asked seeing the look on her face. “Is Marcy ok?" he asked quickly thinking that was it. "Jon your sister is ok as far as her last call to me anyway it's about your father.....the ships logs were just located in a crate under a old house." Jon was shocked his fathers log's it could explain why he went missing." Are you going to leave starbase 78 and head to earth?” Jon asked "You fast Jon no one can take that from you. Yes I am Heading to earth on a temp assignment to the Academy as an instructor. But I will be reviewing the logs they just found." Jon's head was racing he wished he could head back to the academy to support his mother but with a crew member already off ship dealing with family issue he didn't think Nack would let him go as well. "Let me know what you find and tell Marcy I love and miss her. Park out."
Turning the computer off he grabbed the padd and headed to the bridge to locate Captain nack or Commander Trek. Heading out of his office Park saw many crew he knew nodding to each as he passed them he turn into a turbolift and barked "Bridge" the doors closed and he headed up. Park thought he could get leave under the emergency family provision but decided Not to it his family as far as Starfleet was concerned was fine and no real evidence about his dad had been found so leave would not be given under this reason. The lift doors opened and he headed to the command area not seeing anyone there he looked at helm. An ensign was sitting there just to be there. turning and looking at tactical he saw Lt.Commander Salfer going over the systems so when she started her bridge training she would know what she was doing.
Not seeing any command personal he went to a station not being used and pulled up the departure list and saw Captain Nack had left the ship no record of commander Trek leaving. then he saw him just out of the corner of his eye. Heading up to the commander he said. "Commander sir I have finished the security report from the last mission and just was contacted by my Mother on Starbase 78."
<Tag Trek>
"She is fine thank you sir. It seams that after a long search my fathers Data log's from the test flight the "black box" if you will has been found and my mother is heading to Command to review them.
<Tag Trek>
"I had been thinking of requesting a personal leave to review them with her but I know that Lieutenant Helacaan has left the ship on personal leave so I will wait and see if anything happens."
<Tag Trek>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2008 4:41:33 GMT
"Captain permission for me and Mr. Selgur to leave the ship for Qualinost we need to do some interviews for new staff foe engineering" Tristan asked.
"Permission granted," Nack replied. His head was hurting a little; side effects of some of the medication he was on. It stopped him from outright questioning his engineering officer. If people wanted his permission for things, though, he rarely questioned whether it was his job to do so.
All ready, Nack headed for Qualinost himself. He took a transport with nobody else on it, so he wouldn't have to strike up small talk.
It was a few hours later that he reached the medical facility where he would be treated.
"Can I have you lie down, sir" a nurse said. She had the rank of Commander, higher than any nurse that was on the USS Nevada, Nack though. (This, of course, wasn't true. However, Nack had never familiarized himself with the sickbay. As a Doctor, one might think that was strange. But only a Doctor would be the type that, once they moved on, had no need to inspect the sickbay of another officer. Thus was Nack's temperament.)
"Yes ma'am," Nack replied. She seemed pleasant, and cute, even though she was clearly older than he was. She immediately hooked him up to the computer diagnostic system that would do a more in-depth analysis of his condition.
"The Xenobiologist will come in at morning to discuss with you the symptoms you had while you were knocked out on the Nevada." Finally, someone called it what it was. It WASN'T a heart attack, it was getting knocked out.
Even though Nack was in a sickbay, a place that normally would make him feel uncomfortable as a patient, he couldn't help but feel as if he was on vacation. This was the most relaxation he has had in a long time.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 24, 2024 15:39:00 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2008 12:02:16 GMT
After they had the captains permission Tristan and Selgur headed for the shuttlebay to head down to qualinost, during the trip Tristan and James Selgur looked over a list of potential engineers. Tristan and James sorted them out into three lists Not wanted, Undecided and Wanted, Tristan had been on the communicator contacting people to set up meetings Tristan knew it was an unorthodox thing to do in Starfleet but he wanted to make sure the people he chose where the best he could get his hands on.
Landing on Qualinost Tristan and James made their way to a room they had borrowed for the next two hours and began to see people, after two hours had finished James and Tristan had discussed the people they liked and disliked and had finally come up with a list of names. Tristan called back all the people who were going to make up his new team all of his offers had been accepted happily and without a hitch except one Ensign John Marks.
“Okay I will join your crew if I am promoted otherwise I would like to stay here.” John said with confidence
Tristan laughed for the first time in a few days as he shook his head.
“No you will join my team as your current rank because those are your new orders Mr.”
Smiling John took the PADD James Selgur passed to him and he said.
“Well worth a try sirs.”
Nodding Tristan said.
“Yes it was but don’t try it again otherwise you will have a change of rank it just won’t be one you like dismissed.”
After finishing their business on Qualinost Tristan and James headed back to the ship they had a lot of work to do a whole new team to break in and general repairs the ship needed it was not going to be an easy task.
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 17, 2008 22:29:59 GMT
The Wezeans advanced across the edge of the rock face. They cast deep shadows against the high, craggy surface of the ridge. The sun of the Canis Major Delta system had long since sunk below the distant hazy line that was the horizon, but the deep yellow and purple trail of colour that it left still lingered, owing a small amount of light to the barren landscape.
Seth was leading the ragged line of men with his brother John. It was just one of many retaliatory strikes against the occupiers of the rocky mesa that was simply known as the Ridge. It's size was deceptive, while appearing quite small it was actually several miles in average diameter, and contained a truly labyrinthine maze of rocky cliffs. It was the first strike that Seth had been involved in since his arrival back on the planet. He led his people now with a sense of purpose that he knew had always been there. He really was at home here, in every single way. The fast-fading light of the horizon, displayed in a myriad of weird and wonderful colours (weird for someone from Earth at least), silhouetted the 'strike force' as they now made their way up a slope, into the bottom of a wide crevice cut into the side of the Ridge.
Seth plunged into the darkness of the crevice, cutting himself off from the light of the set sun. The rest followed him in, turning on their palm-lights in order to illuminate the dark faces of rock watching over them on either side.
"Not far now." John Helacaan whispered in Seth's ear. Seth nodded almost absently. He knew exactly how far they were from the place the invaders usually deployed themselves in. But if it was true that they had brought a ship this time, then their camp would be something more than a simple base camp with a few tents. According to John and others, the invaders now had forcefields, proximity sensors, even a few drone weapon emplacements.
They were called the Naal. They weren't a single race, rather they were a conglomeration of several races. Their member races didn't represent their entire respective species either, the members of each race that were in the Naal Conglomerate were usually the most despicable examples of their species. The exception was, of course, the Naal themselves, who founded the group and seemed to have just one objective: terrorising worlds just outside of their space, one of those rather unfortunate worlds was Ascension. The region of space they controlled was fairly large as well, it was just outside of Federation territory in an area where the boundary was very loosely defined. Again, Ascension was in exactly the wrong place: right in the middle of this hazy border.
"Seth, let's move on." It was John Helacaan whispering to him again. He was keeping his voice low with good reason too. They had no idea how close the Naal were, and were naturally erring on the side of caution. They did well to do so, if they had known how close their enemy was...
"Yep," Seth replied. "Let's just take it slowly, we need to be careful, remember how Dad was calling us no more than a ragged band of -"
"Yes, yes." John said. Seth saw his brother's silhouette nod and watched him move quietly on ahead, he couldn't help but notice his unsteady, almost excited, breathing. He had noticed his sibling's eagerness to get into the action earlier and had been worried by it, perhaps it was his haste in wanting to get their sister back, perhaps something else. Seth had full confidence that John would always do the right thing, he just hoped that the situation wouldn't cloud his judgment.
Seth and John surveyed the crevice. The sharpshooters were in position on either side of the top of it, and had already relayed down that they had sighted an even darker object against the black of the mesa of rocks; the Naal's starship. They had set it down in the highest part of the Ridge, in the deep depression, that gave the area a very loose donut shape as viewed from above. The top-most part of the ship protruded out from even the highest cliffs, yet another harsh and sharp point amongst the labyrinth of peaks.
Seth, even though he was an Operations officer, had tried to instill some of the tactical philosophy of Starfleet's combat doctrine into his comrades. This should be the most organised strike yet.. he thought. Him, John and the main strike force took cover behind a rocky outcrop that was backed by sheer, near-vertical cliffs. Everything was ready. The Helacaan brethren looked at each other from their prone positions behind the rocks. "Let's do this." Seth said.
Fifteen minutes later...
Seth's ear-drums shook as another plasma shell landed close behind. The sound of the blast resounded around the rocks, creating an echoey noise that Seth had first thought were secondary explosions. He grimaced, cluster bombs would be just what they needed right now... The rest of the Wezeans were running with him, down the face of a steep (almost too steep) rocky slope. Yet another plasma shell exploded, this time marginally in front of Seth, and nearly knocked him off his feet on to his back. He briefly stumbled and slid several metres down the slope, razor sharp shards of stone broke off under his boots. Then Seth felt himself falling forwards. Another blast, just behind. He was sure they were targeting him personally... A hand reached across his chest, grabbing him roughly, but preventing him from falling flat on his face.
The two slid down the rest of the slope and dived into a fortunately placed ditch. Only then did Seth find out the identity of his saviour, it was no one he knew personally. "Where the hell is John?!" Seth yelled over the racket of the plasma shells as they shrieked through the dry air and impacted on the slope of scree.
"I don't know!" The man shouted back. "I last saw him just after we hit the second forcefield!"
Great.. Seth thought, So now his brother was missing, possibly (although unlikely) captured. More likely he had been cut off from Seth when the Naal had ambushed Seth's group after they'd disabled the forcefield, he was probably better off than Seth right now. Either way, their latest attack was in tatters. "We can't go on like this...!" Seth shook his head at the man beside him and hit the ground with his fist.
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Jun 21, 2008 14:11:39 GMT
"Are you sure about this, Seth?"
"No. Not at all." Seth stood up from the old chair to face the man asking him the question, "If I could, I would avoid it, but we have no choice."
John Helacaan sighed, looked as if he was about to argue the point, but then just huffed and folded his arms. He didn't understand his brother's attitude. He thought he was mad to contact Starfleet for help, they had tried that in the past.. with little success... "We are getting better, we're still learning about this species."
"Not quick enough!" Seth almost yelled and then turned towards the window. He rested his elbows on the high sill and looked out, desperately thinking of something to counter his own argument. He'd snapped at John, but he knew his brother was well used to that attitude, he couldn't help it. "That operation last night was the most organised thing we've done. We had a plan, and infiltrated their base camp. Even with the Starfleet minimal-risk tactics it wasn't enough."
"It's better than what we were doing. We used to entrench ourselves out there during broad daylight, just taking the occasional pot-shot in prolonged disorganised fights. You've pulled us all back from there.."
Seth still kept his back to John as he looked out the small portal to the world beyond. He had a feeling that this conversation was going around in circles. Funnily enough, that was the exact pattern his thoughts were following. Seth kept going over everything again and again his mind. Where could he have done better? What could he have done to prevent any of this happening in the first place? "I'm going to go into town," he said, pushing off the window sill, "To talk to a few people, and then use the subspace transceiver." He looked at his sibling. "Do you want to come?" he said simply.
John shook his head, "I'll hold the fort." He said. Seth nodded and then left the house, wondering if there had been intended literal meaning in his brother's words.
"Damn thing." An annoyeed Seth kicked the comm station into life, and briefly thought of how much easier it would have been, had he been using a Starfleet comm. He had been in mid conversation with some Commander on Starbase Assailant, trying to get put through to Captain Nack or somebody else on the Nevada.
The screen before and slightly above him flickered, a sound of what could have been a voice emanated from the speakers. "Yes, hello?" Seth said, "Hello?" Just as he said 'hello' again the screen once more resolved the Starfleet Commander, but only momentarily, because then it switched to Captain Nack. Seth was slightly surprised, but kept his calm. "Sir." Seth nodded in acknowledgment of the Starfleet Captain. Nack asked him what his call was all about.
"Captain Nack, I need your help. My homeworld's been... invaded." Yes that was the right word, there was no getting away from it, no trying to bury it under some false pretence. "Only by one ship, but it is several miles long. We think it might be a mothership of some sort, they're from the Naal Conglomerate." He looked for recognition of the name in the Ferengi's face.
<Tag Nack>
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