Alyana Ryat
Commodore
Registered: Sept 5, 2007 16:34:56 GMT
Posts: 347
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Post by Alyana Ryat on Dec 8, 2015 19:22:52 GMT
Aly slept for 16 hours straight. What amazed her wasn't that she had slept for so long, it was that no one had interrupted her in that time. Even with her ship in dock and her crew hopefully off enjoying themselves she had expected something. She was almost at a loss for what to do.
Aly had a long leisurely shower and the rummaged through her limited supply of civilian clothes. Jenni had done her best but Aly still never had much down time. Selected a comfortable tunic in a shade of purple and and trousers that were black but too loose fitting for uniform Aly dressed and then started on breakfast. Admittedly the ship's chrono said it was early afternoon but there was a world full of time zones down there so it didn't matter. She still wasn't sure what to do, maybe she would go planet side and just sit on a beach with a book.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Dec 8, 2015 21:31:02 GMT
Stood on the Bridge, he watched as what seemed like a veritable 'Armada' of shuttle's departed the Space Station .... A quarter of Earth's orbit away, the new, much much bigger Star Base was under construction. Over fifteen hundred levels, and close to three kilometers in total length, it was to be the largest space-borne construction Starfleet ad yet undertaken. He almost envied the next, younger Generation of Officers. Bigger, faster vessels, more wide-ranging scope of operation, yes, Starfleet, and the Federation had a future ... As to where his lay, that was still to be decided upon, both by his Superiors, and someone special to him ..... ooooo000ooooo Boarding a shuttle, he took a vacant seat and put his head back. This would be the first time on his Home-world in almost a month, not long by some standards, but given their exploits with the Whal, it was more than long enough in his opinion. The shuttle dropped away from the Station and headed into the atmosphere. Moments later it was landing outside San Francisco ... Boarding an automated transport he was whisked into the very heart of the city and deposited almost on the steps of Starfleet Command Headquarters ... His meeting with his Superiors would either go well, or go badly, he had no clue at this point as he rose in the elevator to the seventh floor. He had expected that Fleet Admiral Foale to have visited the Excalibur, but it had been re-arranged for some reason. As he entered the Intelligence Division offices, he headed straight for the office of the Head of Intelligence, Admiral Tekeda Shingen. The meeting, far from being an in-depth analysis of his report during the Excalibur mission, was more congratulatory. He had, according to Commodore Ryat, performed above and beyond the call of duty, as had the Chief Engineer and many others. "She seems to think you would make an excellent Commanding Officer in your own right Daniel." "I can't comment on that Admiral, but I appreciate her confidence in my throughout the mission." Dan said. "Indeed." Shingen replied knowingly, "Now, I think we need to discuss your future ....." ooooo000ooooo Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge he headed for the Presidio. Passing Crissy Field he made his way to Old Mason Street ..... He stood on the walkway opposite the house for two, maybe three minutes and suddenly heard a small voice shouting his name. Looking back the way he had come he could see a little girl, three, maybe four, peddling like crazy as if escaping a group of banshees. A couple of meters from him she deftly threw herself off the bike and seemingly levitated into his arms, almost knocking him to the pavement in the process ! "DANIEL ... DANIEL, ... You're homeeeee !" she said, almost squeezing the life out of his, then she gave him a look only a four year old could, "Mummy allows me to ride my bike as long as I don't go past Mister Grumpy's house .... Why are you standing over here ? ... Mummy and Kendall are in there." she added by way of explanation for her being out alone apparently, before frowning and pointing at the house opposite. "Mister grumpy ?" Dan asked. "Don't tell Mummy I call him that." she whispered, grinning conspiratorially, before pointing at the house again. As he reached the other side of the road, Kenzi pushed away and he allowed he to drop to the lawn. She turned and put a finger to her lips, signifying he should remain quiet as she opened the door, "Mummy, there's someone here to seeee youuuuuu." she said, giggling in anticipation of the surprise. Kendall got to the door first, running to leap into his arms, bestowing countless kisses on him as he realized Kenzi had now attached herself to his left leg. He looked up ..... Lana was silhouetted in the doorway, the noon sunlight highlighting her blonde hair. they looked at each other for long long minutes until the girls had exhausted their affections for the time being. Kendall took Kenzi by the hand and headed off the retrieve her bicycle. Dan walked to meet Lana, who seemingly in slow-motion put her arms around his neck and kissed him warmly. Finally, the girls' pulling and prodding forced them apart and they walked into the house. Dan was ushered to an ornate leather wing-back chair he couldn't remember being there on his previous visit. But Kendall informed him while Lana got drinks, that both her and her Sister had got the chair for him out of their 'chore' allowance. Lana handed him the glass of brandy then sat opposite: "So, how long are you home for ?" she asked, trying hard not to become tearful. "Well .... That depends on you three I suppose." he said, smiling. Lana just managed to pluck the glass from his fingers as the two girls jumped on him ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Dec 10, 2015 19:10:18 GMT
Karka took a shuttle to the surface, bound for a particular assignment in western Europe (which - at the behest of Lirwa who'd insisted on accompanying him - he had actually visited some decades ago, when Earth had been in its late 21st century).
An interesting period, Lirwa had told him; the continent, the whole world in fact, still recovering from a devastating world war fought with nuclear and thermonuclear devices. Mass devastation, though nothing compared with Hybrudea's primordial conflicts of course - when children had been born in the normal way and archives existed only as a means of depositing vast amounts of information - when entire solar systems were obliterated, their stars made to spontaneously fuse all of their remaining matter - no matter what state it was in, what stage of evolution the star currently occupied - and eject themselves as messy incomplete supernovae, part neutron stars, part planetary nebulae, destroying all planets in each of the systems.
On the other hand, Lirwa had confided in him as they'd passed a checkpoint en route to the airport's departure lounge, the human species had recently made first contact, with the Vulcans from a system in - according to a primitive means of categorisation of astronomical phenomena - a constellation which humans called Eridanus. From that first contact, ninety years later humanity would begin its true ascent to the stars, with their first warp 5 capable vessel.
"Fascinating," he responded to Lirwa dryly, as they now entered the bustle of the departure lounge of Barcelona Airport. A city near-destroyed by attacks from the Eastern Coalition during the conflict humans had called World War III.
"Isn't it just!" Lirwa looked out the windows, spreading his arms and leaning back at the sight of the taxi routes and runways, the strange oblong craft with, attached to what Karka supposed were the fuselages, their two ridiculously long appendages, perpendicular to the direction of flight - presumably to keep these heavy machines in the air and to provide means for control of the craft by manipulating direction of air flow over the surfaces - and the grey embattled horizon, smoke rising from various points in the desolate land further south. The Hybrudean shouted for joy at the sight, drawing looks from passers-by, before Karka approached and led him away.
Now that he recalled the time, when he'd not been much younger, he was grateful for the incorrigible Lirwa's absence on this occasion. Peace, serenity, was what he desired now. He'd had two close brushes with death in the last two missions. One saving a whole civilisation, the other - something slightly more cynical - the seizing of the body of another Starfleet officer when Karka had been breathing his last, blood streaming from the dent and wound in his head (after the roof of the capsule had collapsed on him during a Whal attack). He'd repressed that man's essence, it roaming in his unconscious, taking on the guise of unfulfilled wishes, memories and dreams so that it could pass unnoticed in the depths of his psyche to strike once more, leaving the world of language and passing into image, where it could take back control of its consciousness and life.
Now that man who'd had his body stolen away, Lieutenant Vance, was dead - at the hands of Makar. And the body that Karka now inhabited - was that of Makar. Though it looked identical to his own, as Makar's design had been to fool the Excal crew into thinking he was Karka, though Karka had in the end triumphed. And he could take the scantest consolation at the memory that Makar, and not he, was responsible for Vance's death, though Karka had caused the scientist much torment in the process, drawing out the time until the man's expiration, almost as if it'd been inevitable, predetermined.
So it was why he was here, at Lieutenant Pierre Vance's homeland, near the border with the country that of old had independent sovereignty: France. Walking up hill into the village, he opened the appropriate gate and walked up the path, attired in formal Starfleet uniform, and knocked on the door of the old-fashioned house with its thatched roof. After moments the door was gingerly pulled open, and an old woman's face looking very much like Mr Vance's appeared in the crack. She stared into Karka's face for indeterminable seconds (indeterminable at least for these people; Karka knew the interval to be almost exactly 4.8 seconds), then fidgeting, her nose twitching, she started crying.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Dec 16, 2015 22:30:07 GMT
Even though Dan had been required to go back to the Excalibur as the refit and upgrades progressed, he did find he had a lot of time to be with Lana and the girls ....
On the second day home, they decided to visit the West Bluff Picnic Area. Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, they enjoyed a packed lunch. Kendall and Kenzi ran him almost to exhaustion as they threw balls back and forth never letting him actually catch one of them. Finally, Lana told the girls they could go visit the Warming Hut Cafe ..... It had been on the Bluff, in various forms for hundreds of years and still served the most authentic savories. While the girls ran off Dan finally managed to rest. He lay down on the picnic blanket, head resting on one palm as they watched the Children run off for ice cream.
"Have you given any thought to, things ?" he asked.
"You mean, have I decided on whether you go back to space, remain here as an Intelligence Officer, or you quit Starfleet entirely, taking one of those jobs you dismissed when picking Starfleet in the first place ?" Lana asked.
"Well ... Yes." Dan replied, knowing she was simply winding him up on the subject, "If it isn't too mu ......" he stopped talking as a shadow fell over him. Looking in the direction of the newcomer he waited:
"Commander. My name is Lieu ....."
"Unless the Excalibur is falling out of the sky, i don't want to know Lieutenant." Schirra interrupted, suddenly annoyed as he glanced in the direction of Kendall and Kenzi.
"My apologies Commander, but my Superior would like a word with you." the Lieutenant said, un-phased by the mans abruptness, "If you would ?" he finished, motioning towards a bench some fifty meters away, where one woman sat impassively waiting. Dan, not one to loose patience quickly, found himself annoyed. he turned to Lana and said he would be back momentarily, then, standing he walked towards the bench .....
"This had damn well better be important." he said without preamble as he stood in front of the unknown woman.
"Calm down Commander. You'll be back with your 'prospective' Family before those delightful girls get back with the ice-cream." she said, deciding not to introduce herself as she continued, "You are, at this point in time, debating where you career should go next ... Intelligence, to Executive Officer of a Star Ship, to what, Family Man, impressive. Now, we have a little job for you."
"I'll decline." Dan said, getting up ready to leave.
"Nice girls ..." the woman commented darkly, stopping Dan in his tracks. She waited, but he was already reacting. He turned to face her, placing both palms on the bench before her and spoke very quietly:
"You have three people with you." he began, eyes locked on hers, "One tiny movement and no doubt they will come'a'running, or simply fire on me from where they are. Alas, I have the feeling that I could very likely succeed in killing you before any of them can bring their phasers into the open. So, lets not play the cloaked threat card .... You're Intelligence .... Try acting like you have some control, but before you re-start, one bit of advice, do 'NOT' threaten Lana, or her Daughters, because if you do, I will make it my goal to ensure your, retirement. You are new to this, that is obvious, so lets start afresh ... You want me to do something, I'm declining. I don't think we have anything else to discuss, do you ?" he said, eyeing the woman, who finally nodded.
"Enjoy your day Commander. My apologies for our, interruption." the woman said, standing and walking away, her entourage vanishing with her. Finally he returned to Lana, who was still on the picnic blanket. She eyed him with a concerned look on her face as Kendall and Kenzi returned with the Ice cream ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Dec 19, 2015 0:36:38 GMT
Karka found his feet and clambered out of the crash-landed shuttle. The impact had been minor; the craft had come in on a correct trajectory into the circular landing pit, but a nacelle had clipped the surrounding building and sent the craft careening to the dusty ground and landing on its side. Karka and the shuttle's other occupants had scrambled towards the portside exit, standing atop the crashed shuttle and surveying the onlookers who must've in turn been surveying them and thinking it quite a surreal sight.
At the sign-out desk, he electronically scanned his name and, about to depart, caught the eye of the clerk, "Commander Psonoir, USS Excalibur," he said, wondering why the woman persisted in her look. "Can I help you?"
"No," she replied, "It's just the first time anyone's managed to crash a shuttle at my pad. You're the officer in charge, yes, Commander?"
"Of the shuttle? Yes, I was."
She shook her head and started making notes on the pad before her, the intent downwards focus of her eyes making it clear that any conversation that might've been pursued was not in the slightest possibility.
He found his apartment - relocated now to Oakland, in a recently regenerated area of the supposed utopia that the Federation had built here on Earth, world foremost - though he was sure the Vulcans would object - in the United Federation of Planets. The place was much less spartan, more finely decorated than his previous abode on the Ashbury Heights.
He descended the short steps from the kitchen to the main sitting room with its view over the bay - and the spectacular Bay Bridge that loomed, a white dash across the azure sky, the rust red relic of the Golden Gate lying beyond it, and Starfleet HQ, a pinnacle gleaming in the distance just south of that ancient landmark - and sat in the couch, real-paper padds in orderly piles on the desk in front of it, a growing collection of all his experiences here serving with Starfleet, since his beginnings as a vigilante with an interest in human affairs of the 23rd century.
He'd come close, far too close on too many occasions, to revealing his identity to his shipmates - or at least, revealing that he was a being quite far from being human. And yet as he'd developed an attachment towards them, it seemed to matter less and less - though, the Anti-Evokes reminded him, matter it certainly did; indeed, his attachment could only be temporary, and the nature of his being meant that in any case he would eventually leave these people behind. All the better it may be, to escape persecution, or intensive questioning from Starfleet Intelligence, for the events that'd nearly caused him to reveal his inhumanity couldn't be explained away easily: saving billions of a race through some exorcism of positive energy from his body (wreathed in flames yet somehow still intact; he'd been lucky there'd been no witnesses, though he suspected Daniel was harbouring thoughts, internal, quizzical enquiries about just how Psonoir had managed such a feat);
coming back to life! He had been killed by the impact of a collapsing cockpit section of the shuttle Telemachus, his essence escaping to another plane to return to wrest control of the mind of Lieutenant Vance, who had claimed defiantly to Schirra and the skeptical Joyeuse crew that Karka was indeed in his head. Then, they'd found Karka aboard the USS Confederate, alive and well. How was he to explain that? Why had people not questioned him yet? Unless... He reached back in his mind, pulling the data from one of the nodes that connected to a marker - by remote - that would give him access to the nearest Archive, or rather it at its equivalent position if it were to exist there in this time and not in the 29th century; the Archive's automated analysts confirmed it... Unless the Excalibur crew already knew, or at least strongly suspected, that he was not human.
There was a way to right that. He could return to the past, change his actions; prevent the saving of all those billions of people locked in their hibernation units amongst that infinite hall of obsidian pillars like death sentinels; stop himself from taking over Vance's body and, instead retreating to the 29th century, whereupon he might've sent himself back in time into the pod or mortuary that the Telemachus shuttle crew, while in Whal space, would've put him into. That way he could emerge from the pod, show that he was very much not dead, and claim that Lieutenant Adams - a security officer and not a doctor - had his scans wrong when determining his vital signs.
He laughed, dismissing the idea and picking up one of the paper padds. Sometimes, time had to be left to slip away.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Dec 20, 2015 13:45:43 GMT
West Bluff Picnic Area ::
After watching the woman go, he returned to Lana, who was still on the picnic blanket. She eyed him with a concerned look on her face as Kendall and Kenzi returned with the Ice cream.
"Well ?" she asked as she took one of the offered ice-creams before the girls went off to sit chatting, Dan smiled.
"It's nothing, some young novice Intelligence Officer dropping by to offer me a job." he shrugged, deciding it would serve no purpose to tell her the woman had made an amateur threat against them.
"You know you are going to have to make a decision soon. The Excalibur won't be in dock for ever, it's bound to be given an assignment sooner or later."
"I've plenty time, stop worrying." he said, leaning in to kiss her gently, receiving 'yucks and ewwes' from the giggling girls, he narrowed his eyes, trying to look mysterious as he slowly climbed to his feet, Kenzi and Kendall knew what was coming and they sprang to their feet too, sprinting off in opposite directions, knowing he could only chase one at a time ... Ten minutes later he dropped onto the picnic blanket thoroughly exhausted, the girls, having run him ragged, stood only meters away please with themselves, Dan held his hands up in submission ...... The rest of the day was uneventful and they returned to Lana's home ......
Aboard the Excalibur ::
With both Commodore Ryat and the ship's Chief Engineer still on the surface, Alyana at home, and Karka off somewhere in France apparently learning how to land a shuttle, Dan had laughed at the news he had made a hard landing, and was determined to mention it once Psonoir was back aboard. He had spoken to the Engineer earlier and had been reassured that there was no mystery, just a simple 'pilot error' he had said. Schirra, not one to take things on face value, didn't believe him. But he hoped they knew each other well enough now that either could approach the other if there was an issue, so he decided to wait it out. Besides, he had more than enough to do overseeing the refit of the Excalibur ...
Entering the Captains Ready Room, he was shocked to see the number of reports on her desk terminal awaiting authorization. These were duplicated on the terminal in his office too, so it made little difference 'where' he read them. Sighing, he sat himself down and opened the first report and began reading ....
Two hours later he had managed, somehow, to clear the screen apart from those he would need to see hands on, so to speak, mainly due to the fact that hardly anyone knew he was aboard, so no-one interrupted him. There were several for Engineering, mainly concerning the new nacelles. he had thought they were simply going to refurbish and upgrade the existing ones, but it appeared that it would be easier to simply replace them with the newer version. Heading to Engineering he entered, seeing wiring, tool boxes, a myriad of spare and replacement parts. He found the Duty Maintenance Officer:
"Chief ... I'm assuming the Commodore and Chief Engineer have been informed of the change of plans re the nacelles ?"
"Yes'r ... Commodore Ryat said to see you and the Engineer. We were about to contact him directly but seeing as you are here ...." he said, holding out the PADD for Schirra's authorization code.
"Make a start." Dan said, entering his code before handing the PADD back, "But make sure our Chief Engineer is here to do the final calibrations."
"We 'can' do it Sir." the man said, obviously annoyed at apparently having his competence brought into question, but Dan smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder before replying:
"I don't doubt it Chief, or you wouldn't be here ... But Commander Psonoir has his own way of doing things shall we say, and the nominal spec' settings simply won't cut it for him. Now, you can go ahead against my orders, something I wouldn't recommend unless you want to be stuck on the surface for the rest of your career, or you can wait. There's nothing preventing you doing everything, just leave the final calibrations to Commander Psonoir, OK." he said, walking off before the Chief could collar him for anything else.
Next stop was Life Support ..... He headed for Deck Six .....
Entering the turbo-lift he stated his destination. The 'lift halted only one deck lower and a woman entered, nodding as the turbo-lift continued it's descent. Dan stepped out on his deck and walked towards Life Support. Given they were in Space Dock, the ship was almost overrun with 'Base Engineers, Maintenance Staff, Upholsterers, Carpenters, so he didn't give a second thought to the woman on the 'lift, nor did be realize she had stepped off herself a second behind him. Entering Life Support he began signing off on work already carried out, the woman meanwhile, moved further along the corridor and once alone, spoke quietly into a communicator. Once done she returned it to one of her overall pockets then pulled an access panel and began looking as if she was too busy for idle chatter ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Dec 22, 2015 3:56:59 GMT
He walked along the indigo-shaded pathways towards the Golden Gate - it gleaming with a dull red lustre in the late afternoon sun - the water of the Bay on his right and the shadows of palm trees cutting across his path from either side. Awnings of cafeterias loomed from up the hill on his left, and there Karka spotted Enedis, sipping something like a martini in front of a bar with tables and chairs set out. Enedis the Hybrudean, permanent fixture of the past since his banishment, having gone slightly too far as a vigilante (that is slightly too far into the future, testing the limits of the Standing Wave).
Karka had sympathy for him, especially as - going by the evidence of how he'd seemed of late - he had been frequenting increasingly the bars all across the waterfront in San Francisco as far down as San Jose. Psonoir diverted off the main path - he had been heading for the Presidio - and clambered up the steep incline to the front of the bar; Enedis saw him immediately.
"Karka, approach my old friend." He put down his drink. Karka walked up and extended one hand before him, bowing slightly (keeping up the appearance of originating from an obscure Federation colony world with its own bizarre customs) and pointing to the seat opposite his friend.
"Yes, yes," Enedis nodded rapidly, gesturing to the chair, "Sit, for crying out loud. Have a martini."
"No, thank you. Enedis, it's good to see you." He smiled, "You must tell me all." The martini-brandishing Hybrudean - waving his arms and legs and jerking his neck muscles, ducking and diving - launched into a lengthy reply detailing his exploits in the Iberian Peninsula and also, strangely, on an island called Newfoundland that was just off the coast of what used to be Canada and the east coast of the old United States. Enedis was banned in perpetuity from finding his way back to the future, no matter which world-line he managed to insert himself into - displacing another instance of himself - or however he tried to plead to the implacable judges of the Archive Xetleti.
The 29th century was a dangerous time for the Hybrudeans, hence why it was useful to have the Standing Wave... - only a select few time periods were within the danger zone in the 29th - where Raiders and other rebellious groups were abound, harrowing Hybrudean supply lines as the latter attempted to expand their civilisation to the nearby star system of Etis Omicron; the rest of Hybrudean territory, in permanent temporal flux, were in periods of time ranging from the 27th century to the 31st where the populace were on the whole safe (with the small exception of the problems raised by the breaking-the-eternity-barrier paradox that'd formulated itself in an outlandish set of equations at the far end of the 31st century). Those that broke beyond it were never heard from again; their lightspeed transmissions always receding, always red-shifting and filling the universe beyond that spectral Wave with an ever-brightening luminescent scarlet. Such was the nature of the Hybrudean civilisation at its furthest extent in time, an impenetrable wall, saturating all living beings who dared let time progress to that point.
Enedis was one such Hybrudean who'd dared the eternity paradox, threatened the equations and goaded them to work on him, to dissemble and dissipate him into the haze of red... His attempt had not backfired; nor had it launched him into the unreachable-for-others future, rather he'd been sent back to live out his existence - effectively as a mortal, or one who was time and space stranded to the same degree as the humans and other Federation-affiliated species he found around him - in the mid-late 23rd century.
The indigo that'd spread across the sky began fading to the impenetrability of night, jewels of the celestial sphere piercing through the atmosphere and delivering enticing light. On the western horizon, only a patch of maroon and red remained where Sol had set, had shone her last over the effervescent day - the terminator had passed, as had the man with his communicator that he stashed in his carry-case surreptitiously as he walked down the path Karka had half an hour ago ascended.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Dec 25, 2015 20:00:46 GMT
She had stood some way off watching the exchange in the picnic area earlier and had moved away unnoticed when instructed. Now, she was on the Excalibur, her credentials showed she was a Master technician with access to all area's of the Star Ship ..... The tracker, acquired by her Superior and surreptitiously placed on Schirra was working exactly to specification. She knew exactly where he was on the ship, so when he left the Captains Ready Room she was only meters away. She followed him into Engineering, moving to one of the auxiliary stations and running a minor system check while listening in to the man's conversation regarding the new Nacelles. She made a mental note to pass this onto her Superior, it may come in useful if or when they needed to hinder the Excalibur's departure.
Following the man, she could tell he was at ease with his role, and obviously a popular Executive Officer given the casual greetings he received as he passed through sections of the ship. Finally he reached his next stop and she walked past the closing doors and around the corner, finally doubling back on herself until she was in a position to observe the doors. She took a small communicator from her pocket and made a five second report before returning the device. She removed an access panel and began to appear to be working .....
Twenty minutes later Schirra left and headed for his quarters. He changed and headed for the Bridge, informing the Duty Officer that he had decided to spend his down-time on the surface and would be available if the need arose. Again she followed him through the ship until he entered the shuttle-bay. Here she would have to loose him for the time being as the shuttle only held six personnel, and she didn't want him to begin seeing her almost everywhere. Luckily, the shuttles to the still under construction Star Base or to the surface, left every few minutes, so as long as she could rely on him going directly to the woman's home, she could be fairly certain she wouldn't loose him. Of course, it didn't really matter if she did now, as her task was complete. The dermal tracker would disintegrate when he showered, and if the need arose, one could always be placed easily enough in passing.
Falling through the atmosphere the tracking device fell silent. Landing she began to make her way towards the location of the woman's home and within minutes the signal returned. Satisfied of his location she sat on a bench, seemingly enjoying the last of the sunset and the warm night. Glancing left and right she again took out her communicator and made her report ..... Thoroughly exhausted, he finally walked into his quarters. He resisted dropping onto the bed for fear of falling to sleep. He freshened up and changed into something less official before making his way to the Bridge ... Fifteen minutes later he took an auto-cab from Star Fleet Headquarters to Crissy Field, the other side of the bridge, from there he walked the short distance to Lana's home ..... Almost falling onto the lounger, he gratefully accepted the offered drink and closed his eyes. He knew at some point Lana would ask him about the encounter that afternoon in the picnic area, and he was deciding on how much he could tell her, not for his sake, but for her safety and that of her children. Kendall and Kenzi both came in and threw themselves beside him, kissing him goodnight before being ordered back to bed by their Mother. She took his empty glass and refilled it, sitting beside him and lifting her legs up to hug her knees. "You can always say it was 'work' you know." she said, almost too casually that he could hear the worry in her voice. He sat n silence for a long moment then replied: "It was someone from Intelligence." he said, sipping at the brandy, "They tried to persuade me to take on a job. given their approach it was obviously going to be something they knew I wouldn't be comfortable with, so they tried to ....." "Threaten me, the Girls ?" Lana said, her voice steady. "..... Yes." he answered finally. "Don't they always say something 'dark' like you never actually leave the firm." she asked, making him open his eye to look at her. "You watch way too many old films, this is hardly nineteen twenties Chicago." he said, a nervous grin forming, "But seriously, Intelligence is a job, just like any other, just a different set of working parameters. They hardly go around assassinating former Intel Officer's, burying them under foundations of 'FBI' buildings and such, at least, not that I'm aware of. You have nothing to worry about OK." he said leaning over to kiss her warmly, she accepted his answer unconditionally, instantly relaxing. She let her knees go and stretched her legs out over his. They sat in silence for a few moments, he allowing her to digest what he had told her, and her taking the time to realize how much she trusted the man beside her. "You want some supper ?" she asked ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Dec 26, 2015 1:52:38 GMT
Karka returned to his apartment further east from Oakland on Broadway Terrace, the evening sun finishing its descent into the Pacific, and casting all about in indigo, spreading from the horizon suddenly before darkening, dropping shades to the studded blackness of night. The Bay and Golden Gate Bridges shone brightly - the sight was magnificent across the Bay and towards the Presidio and HQ, that pinnacle of humanoid creation glowing in the night.
He settled down for the evening, finding his way into his little used thus-far bedroom to acquaint himself further with the Romulan language. He knew Earth English, Vulcan, some other tongues of races attached to the United Federation of Planets, Klingon, but not those the interstellar civilisation still held as enemies, or if not enemy in the Romulans' case then, on occasion tentative ally.
Padd in hand, he started by examining the primary diphthongs and basics of syntax (for why start with simple word forms in learning a language, examples and the like, when one could start at the roots of a dialect itself; learn its fundamentals, and from there the tree of knowledge would be filled with every conceivable lingusitic combination of words, signifiers, whatever terminology one desired if one was to take into account the myriad philosophical theories on language, explored by this race to date.
A few pages in, an alert signal emanated from his personal terminal; situated as it was next to the cooker, he headed into the kitchen and read the incoming communication's identifier... 'Classified'... Curious. The Federation seal was present, so that was marginally less cause for alarm. He tapped the console to open the channel.
"Stay away, Mr Psonoir... You don't know what you're getting yourself into," the message began, a visual image having sprung up.
Fine introduction, he thought. "I'm sorry... sir," he noted the man's Commodore insignia. "I didn't know I was getting myself into anything." Something occurred to him, and he risked to say it, "You mean the Federation, in general?"
The Commodore grunted, "In a manner of speaking. I'm Commodore Aaron Deakin of Starfleet Security. You've been stalking a particular officer belonging to Starfleet Security. He's reported to me your transgression; it won't go unpunished if you continue this behaviour, Commander."
Karka wracked his brain, looking away from the screen for a moment before he realised, "You mean the man that walked past me outside the restaurant, on the waterfront this evening? I saw him, I made no attempt to follow him... On my return to my apartment, we did cross paths briefly though I said nothing to him, made no attempt to directly approach him, and we went our separate ways - him down to Starfleet Security I believe - which would make sense if he's the man who's claimed I've stalked him - and me to my apartment as said."
The Commodore let out a breath, seemingly one signifying admission of defeat, "Ok, Commander. And yes that was the officer in question, Lieutenant Garson, you know his name presumably... I'll speak with him and hear his story again -"
The transmission started breaking up, the screen fuzzy, choppy like colourful bars inserted either side that carved up the image of the Commodore. Karka heard a few more muffled instructions and enquiries about what was happening, before the comm failed completely and was replaced by a black screen, which then, had lines of alphanumeric code streaming down it - seemingly interminable, until it finally did reach a stop, its cursor hovering, blinking for a couple seconds before executing whatever command the code above it was meant to represent.
The buzzing sound, quite familiar, built in the terminal - which was growing warmer, and the static buzz growing louder. Karka was feeling the tingling in his fingers, before the electric charge built to such a level that it'd sufficient energy to arc out at him. His hands were involuntarily gripped to the terminal, his arms shaking, his muscles seized by the electric shock as the arc continued to beat into his chest. He gritted his teeth, trying to summon his ability to slow his perception of time, accelerate his consciousness so that he could find a way to circumvent the continuing discharge, but before he could attempt it he was flung back by the force of what turned out to be the last discharge, and was left a singing heap on the floor.
He climbed to his feet - uniform smoking, still feeling the tingling but otherwise unharmed - and stared at the terminal. Some new sound had started within its electrics... a whine, rising in pitch, the machine beginning to glow red hot. Realising what was about to happen he grabbed his oven gloves - cooking was an agreeable pastime - and taking the terminal in one hand, shoved open the window and threw the thing out with all his strength - it exploded in mid-air some fifteen metres away from the house.
Relieved and gasping for breath, he sank against one of the cupboards... He determined he would reach the Commodore as soon as he was able, telling him it would be best not to trust a word the supposed 'stalkee' Garson said about his story. Garson if anything had been stalking him, and a legitimate concern raised via comm by a Security Commodore (for whom Garson was supposed to work) had been disrupted by an unknown code that'd somehow inserted itself into his terminal, and attempted to kill him.
<Tag Ryat, Schirra>
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Alyana Ryat
Commodore
Registered: Sept 5, 2007 16:34:56 GMT
Posts: 347
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Post by Alyana Ryat on Jan 5, 2016 22:43:21 GMT
OOC: I am assuming that people are deliberately trying to keep Aly out of the loop as far as her ship and crew are concerned.
Aly sat on the beach and sighed gently, her knowledge of Earth geography wasn't the greatest she had gone where there was morning sun to be had, Hawaii so she understood. She had added a large straw hat to her ensemble and had slung her sandals over her shoulder to better feel the warm white sand between her toes. She had walked a few hundred meters along the beach splashing in the surf and being supremely unconcerned when the hem of her trousers got damp too. She found a likely looking patch of shade created by a palm tree whose precise type she also couldn't name, settled back, called up her book of choice and began to read. She did not have time for this often and intended to enjoy it.
It was only when she reached the end of her second novel some hours later that she realised that something was wrong. She glanced out at the sun which was now right over head an highin the sky. She should have received an update from the Excal by now, she was sure she should have.
She sighed deeply and pulled her communicator from her bag. She flipped it open.
"Commodore Ryatt to Excalibur” there was a fizz on the line as the communication link failed to connect. Aly stared at the communicator for a moment then tried to get through to members of her senior staff individually. Nothing....
She wasn't surprised when she couldn't get through to Starfleet command or the local comms relay either. Something was interfering with communications, specifically her communications. She wasn't sure if she should be worried on her own behalf or on the behalf of her crew. It was easier to do the latter.
If she couldn't call anyone she was going to have to go the long way round to get back. She gathered up her shoes and packed her bag again. There were other people on the beach but she wanted a full comms relay so that would take a trip up to the nearest town. It was more or less time for lunch anyway...
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Jan 6, 2016 3:26:02 GMT
So this Lieutenant Garson, Karka thought, No, he hadn't known his name before the Commodore from Starfleet Security had told him it, Karka had barely acknowledged the man - though had done enough to give the impression that he knew what the man was up to - as he'd passed him heading back down to the waterside after his meeting with Enedis.
He had a fresh uniform replicated but before donning it decided on civilian clothes... It would make him seem less conspicuous as he strode about San Francisco. Throwing the burnt uniform into the recycler he left his apartment on Broadway Terrace and headed into downtown Oakland. He stopped at a communications terminal, looked about himself to check he wasn't being watched - at least from street level - and opened a channel to Commodore Ryat, who was holidaying he understood in a place called Hawaii. The link failed to establish; he frowned, then understood...
It was an extreme sense of deja vu that came over him; not a couple of missions ago, he and the other members of the senior staff had been pursued by corrupt Intel and SCE officers across the whole of the Americas, Karka at one point being in a nature reserve in Colombia, then on a shoreline in northern California, south of a township called Fort Bragg, and then back at San Francisco. Again they were chased by secret assassins, the Hybrudean's personal console giving him an electric shock and then self-destructing in his garden.
Downtown Oakland was a vibrant place at night, neon lighting like that of the 20th and 21st centuries, Karka understood, adorning the establishments and, where they weren't utterly lurid, their vividity had him look away... It was - as he found out to his relief - only an affectation, traditional symbolism and a reminder to the Federation, specifically the humans, of their past, their culture, and so on.
The terminal had allowed him to track Garson to a set of coordinates near the harbourside; he intended to find the man in this spectral glow of downtown, light casting shadows that represented an extension of night, peeling off the buildings either side - multiplied in complexity by the passers-by whose own shadows muddied those cast by the buildings. If he found Garson, overcame him, he may find out why the Excalibur senior staff were being shadowed, spied upon again.
He saw a figure, uncertain - a mass of beige and dark limbs jostling their way into a large establishment with a wide entrance. It was - contrary to the appearance of the place from the outside (a luminescent horror of a building, whose design aesthetic and what was contained within still had a residue of the unsavoury aspects of old world economics, only just abolished, of Earth from the 20th and 21st centuries) - a dim empty den, with the man who clearly to Karka now was Garson, turning to meet his pursuer. He raised his arms in self-defence.
Karka charged towards him, head lowered and barrelling into the man's chest; both officers went to the ground in a heap, and after receiving a flurry of punches to the abdomen, Karka wincing rose up like an uncoiling serpent and struck Garson across the face, the red-shirted officer sent skidding across the floor of this disbanded - by the looks of things - grainery (this being close by the old harbourside and works).
He headed across to Garson and taking out a pair of binders tied the man's hands behind his back. "Lieutenant," he nodded respectfully, "Who do you work for?"
"Commodore Simmons," the downed security officer coughed, still prostrate on the floor and evidently still feeling the impact of Karka's fist on his jaw, "Of Starfleet Security."
"But the Commodore thinks I've been stalking you," Karka replied, "When the opposite is... or rather was, true."
"I don't know what you're talking about..."
"Your superior officer Simmons called me, saying I'd been following you. He was going to speak with you... around now, and ask to hear your story again. Now, for one: you're not there... Instead you've fled to this... unsightly place. And two, just as Simmons said this the transmission broke down and my personal terminal tried to kill me. You wouldn't know anything about this."
"No, sir." Garson said, "I report directly to Simmons. I stopped by this way to pick up some bread for him. He doesn't like replicated food."
TBC
<Tag All>
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Jan 6, 2016 22:58:38 GMT
The following morning Dan had resolved himself to the fact that this shore leave wasn't going to be one of rest and recuperation. With the installation of the new warp nacelles still tens days from completion he had thought he would have got some time to spend with Lana and the girls, but he needed to sort out this 'issue' and quickly. he had thought that it was him being harassed by Intelligence, but during the night he had begun to wonder if they had been dividing their attention. The logical people would be Commodore Ryat and Karka Psonoir, the Excalibur's Chief Engineer. After breakfast they were in the garden and he excused himself, going back into the house. Once alone he took out a communicator and conracted the ship: =^= Schirra to Excalibur =^= =^= Excalibur .. .. Lieutenant Drakol .. Duty Officer =^= =^= Lieutenant .. Do you have the present locations of Commander Psonoir and Commodore Ryat ? =^= =^= One moment Commander .. .. .. .. Sir .. The Commodore is on Hawaii .. Last contact sixteen hours ago .. Commander Psonoir was last logged at his home in Oakland =^= =^= Thank you Lieutenant .. Any issues with the refit ? =^= =^= Nothing we can't handle commander .. but there are a few things that will need your sign-off at some point =^= =^= OK .. Keep me informed .. Schirra out =^= He closed the comm and walked back through the house to the garden. Lana was trying hard to look disinterested as he dropped onto the lounger beside her. Kendall and Kenzi must have gone into the house behind him because they both emerged in bathing costumes, running towards the pool then suddenly doubling back to grab Daniel. allowing himself, with a little fight, to be pulled to his feet they dragged him towards the pool. Despite his protestations that two onto one wasn't fair, he found himself falling face-first into the water, the girls jumping on top of him before he could scramble free. They played for half an hour then Lana demanded they all get out for breakfast ... It went unsaid that he would need to leave, but he stayed to eat then said he needed to go back to the ship for a few hours ...... ~~~~~~~~~~On board he went straight to the Captains Ready Room and sat at the desk. Turning the desk screen towards him he instructed the computer to contact Commander Psonoir ... Karka's face appeared: "Karka. Sorry to disturb you." Dan began before reassuring the Engineer that it wasn't an issue with the Excalibur, in fact it was something potentially more worrisome, "Has anyone contacted you in the last day or so, or have you noticed anyone following you around by any chance ? ..."
"Following me ? .... Yes. Some 'Intelligence' type."
"Have you spoken to Alyana ?" Dan asked.
"Not since I left the ship, no."
"She was going to a resort on Hawaii ... She is registered at a place called Kahaluu-Keauhou close to the Kahaluu Beach Park. The staff there haven't seen her since she left for the beech early this morning." Dan said, frowning a little, hoping he was being melodramatic, "Fancy a trip ?" he asked.
"No problem. You think she could be in trouble ?"
"No, maybe she took our advice and went off to relax, but given we have both been approached, I'd rather play safe. Intelligence have something in mind for us and I'd much prefer the commodore be given an assignment without the need for Intelligence to be dealing all the cards."
"You've decided to remain as Exec' then ?" Karka asked, a wry grin on his face, but he couldn't miss the slight hesitation from the man he was speaking to.
"To be decided." was all Dan could say, then changed the subject a tad too obviously, "Can you transport back to the ship and we'll take one of the shuttles from here ?"
"I'll be there in ten minutes." Psonoir confirmed before closing the Comm. The shuttle landed at the back of the Kona Coast Resort where Alyana was registered. They entered the foyer and headed for the reception desk: "We are here to see Commodore Ryat." Dan said to the young Hawaiian, who informed them that the Commodore had been seen leaving the hotel at lunchtime the previous day but hadn't requested room service or had had breakfast that morning. Both men began to worry, but the young girl seemed to have a viable explanation for their Colleague's absence: "She had asked to be given access to Kualanui Point, a very secluded beech. It is free of all communication, one of our selling points to those who may require 'privacy' if you will, somewhere where you can actually 'get away' from it all, so to speak, she was planning to go there." "So you have a section of the beech that is Comm-dampened ?" Dan asked, more surprised than worried. "Communications, transports, it's a no-fly area re shuttles ..... Some of our guests demand, and 'GET' complete, seclusion." the girl said, somewhat defiantly. Dan looked at Karka. "Kualanui Point ?" ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Jan 10, 2016 6:15:06 GMT
Karka stole away from his pursuer, ducking down an alley and watching him rush by. His eyes glinted in the light of passing repulsor cars and multicoloured street lamps, "You'll never catch me," he whispered gleefully, and climbed on top of a recycling unit, from there bounding on to a rooftop of corrugated iron and rattling along it with half an eye on the street below and to his left.
* * *
His communicator started buzzing as he was stood at a street corner waiting to cross over back into Oakland proper. Taking it from his civilian garments he listened to the automated message and nodded unconsciously, heading towards a nearby communications terminal. Daniel Schirra's face appeared, leant into the terminal and looking quite serious; Karka could see that he was aboard the Excalibur.
* * *
Reaching the Hawaii resort, they spoke to the female attendant and then set off across the beach, resigned to a long walk due to the lack of access for transporters and shuttles. Karka had a feeling that if Starfleet Intelligence were truly involved in all this they would not be subject to the same rules regarding the seclusion of the area. After reaching a headland they were confronted by a grassy dune that climbed nearly as high as the main bulk of the island off the beach to their right; climbing to its summit in their sandals, the secluded area of the beach came into sight.
Seeing that Schirra was pausing to catch his breath, Karka acknowledged silently and looked out to the sea, before his eyes tracked back across the jewelled waves to the beach below and a shady grove of palm trees that lay nestled in its near corner. He lifted his dark sunglasses, took note of the green and indigo shaded area then looked behind him, studying the headland that was nearly on level with them which they'd just passed - that must be Kualanui Point, he thought. He puffed out his cheeks and looked to the shadowy area of trees ahead once more; he glanced at Daniel, "Commander."
"What?" Dan asked, still doubled over regulating his breathing.
"Has it occurred to you that... ahem," Karka had his binoculars in his hands but refrained from using them, "That... the Commodore may not wish to be bothered? That she chose the seclusion Kualanui Point for reasons of... privacy?"
"Intelligence demands it," Schirra answered slightly cryptically, lifting himself up and starting off down the dune, zigzagging in his course as his feet slipped across the shifting sands. Karka rose an eyebrow and followed, the duo now headed for the grove of trees.
They neared the enclosure; Karka took out a tricorder and was soon shaking his head, "The same dampening field that is preventing transportation and external sensor scans is jamming the tricorder." He looked ahead, "There's no knowing what lies inside there."
"Commodore?" Schirra called, trying to see beyond the tall reeds and human-sized palm leaves.
Karka scouted the perimeter of the shaded area - which almost backed onto the low cliff face - trying different frequencies on his tricorder that might allow him to break through the dampening field placed over the grove, dune, and headland just crossed. He started as he began rounding a corner, a sharp intake of breath, he saw three sets of white-uniformed legs passing back and forth out of the palm tree area. He kept himself concealed, peering round the corner and seeing three Starfleet officers in the unfamiliar white uniform. One was heading away from the enclosure; two had just entered it.
He scampered round the perimeter and signalled to Schirra, directing his sight to the white-uniformed individual striding away from this area of the beach. Schirra nodded and directed Karka to step past the treeline into the enclosure, while the XO would pursue the person leaving. Karka protested silently, but entered - reluctantly - on the insistence of his superior officer. With slight trepidation he pushed past the colourful flora, soon catching sight of the white uniforms again (this time two of them), and someone in a straw hat beyond.
<Tag Both>
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Jan 16, 2016 2:53:10 GMT
Slowly he inched forward, trying to keep line-of-sight with Commodore Ryat, still on the beech. Karka signaled, pointing at a single figure ... He made a decision:
"I'll go after him, you get to Alyana." Schirra whispered, then, not waiting for a reply he stood from his concealed position and stepped into the open. There was a lot of distance to cross with no cover, so he thought it best to hide in plain sight. Almost seventy meters behind the newcomer he strode casually along the shoreline. So accustomed was he to ensuring his own safety he was scanning the surrounding beach with his peripheral vision, seeing no-one who aroes his suspision as the man reached a gap in the wicker-type fence in front of a small building ...
Increasing his pace so as not to loose the man he failed to see the woman approaching from the opposite direction. She was getting closer and closer but not heading directly at him, but as he changed direction to head towards the path leading off the beech, the woman crossed his path ... He felt the minutest scratch as she caught his arm with her bag. He turned to apologize but realized he was already loosing consciousness as the woman turned to face him, a wry smile on her face. As he dropped to his knees she looked past him and nodded to someone unseen. Unconsciousness finally overcoming him, Dan fell face first into the sand .......
~~~~~~~~~~
"Glad to see you finally back among the living."
Dan looked around the room, obviously a med-center anteroom or a private ward. He had the feeling he was still on Earth and his 'guest' confirmed that next:
"You should have done as asked Commander." the stranger said, shaking his head in resignation as he helped Dan to his feet. moments later they were leaving the room and moving down a long corridor, "You know that, don't you ?"
The man opened a door and stood aside while Daniel entered. The room was sparsely furnished, a table, two chairs, computer console, and little else. with no instructions to the contrary, he sat in one of the chairs as the man departed, closing and no doubt locking the door behind him, Dan watched the other wall for lack of anything better to do, and a moment later it slid aside. Two people entered, one remained at the door, eyeing Schirra like a prize to be toyed with, while the second sat opposite him.
"We have tried to be reasonable, Commander, but time constraints are unfortunately forcing our hands." he said, accessing something on the screen before turning it to face Dan, "You are being recalled to Intelligence with immediate effect. The mission you are required to undertake is of utmost importance and vital to the security of the Federation."
"If you say so." was all he could say, realizing they had him, for the moment.
"Oh, come now. You knew your secondment to the Excalibur was a temporary thing. You required time after your last assignment, and we allowed you that, but now it's time to return to the tasks you were employed to fulfill." Dan sat in silence as the man spoke, wondering how Starfleet could condone such actions, they were here to 'protect' the Federation, not to be held ransom.
"You cannot do this. I will take it to Starfleet Command if need be, but ......."
"Oh, but we can Commander. You see, when you were 'recruited' by Intelligence, you also came to our notice, and it is in fact 'us' that you have been working for." the man said, almost laughing at the expression on Schirra's face, "You are confused, let me explain, at least a little ... Did it never occur to you that you 'assignments' invariably involved someone loosing their lives ? ..... No ? ...... Well maybe you should review you last dozen commissions while I continue ..... Something has come up that requires your shall we say 'unique' talents, and should you continue to resist it could be difficult for those in positions of, leadership. not to take your reluctance, personally, given their personal time expenditure in your training and so forth."
"I have the feeling there is a point you are glacially moving towards, so before we both grow too old to understand your train of thought, please get the hell on with it." Dan said casually.
"You know that we can, persuade you in other ways, but let's no dwell on the obvious. We are in need of your skill and alas, won't take 'no' as an answer. Any further disruption to our schedule and there will be, consequences. We are 'NOT' in the habit of threatening civilians, loved-ones, or 'children' but if you decline this task we will have no option." and Dan realized suddenly what all this was about !
"You want someone assassinated." he said simply, reading the man's face opposite confirmed what he had said, "Who ?"
"Oh, that can wai ......"
"WHO !" Schirra shouted, making the man lean away from the table. He motioned to his colleague who had so far remained at the door but now came forward. He leaned in to speak to the Interrogator than looked at Schirra expressionless.
"The Vulcan Ambassador." the seated man replied. Had he said Santa Claus, Dan would have been less surprised, "He is about to propose an alliance that we cannot allow. His failure to make the proposal will nullify the treaty agreement set out, and the Kourten will be refused acceptance to the Federation. As to why this needs to be done is of course not of your concern. You will carry out the task as specified or we will, guarantee that you will not see Lana, Kendall, and Kenzi ever again. You will be imprisoned and left to rot in some hell-hole penitentiary ... You have our word on that." the man said, satisfied he had Schirra 'exactly' where he needed him to be. Alas, he was mistaken:
"That screen of yours, I assume you can use it ?" he asked, sarcasm oozing from every syllable. The man glared at Dan then nodded, eyeing his colleague for a second before returning his gaze to Daniel.
"Yes." he said, needlessly.
"OK, well, I did tell you not o threaten Lana and her Children, did I not ?" Dan asked, waiting until the man reluctantly nodded confirmation, "Good, then please access our Halkan Database if you would."
"I have it." the man said, confusion growing.
"Access the planet's current weather formations and search for data-file 'Fourteenth session-torra period - - Gamma-Zero-Beta-Beta-Two-Nine-Nine-Four-Proxi ......."Dan said, sitting back and waiting as the mans eyes widened. He leaned forward in his seat and seemingly re-read the information on the screen.
"But ! ...." the man said, asking his colleague to look at the screen before returning his gaze to Schirra, "This information outlines, in great detail, the assassina ....."
"Yes it does." Dan interrupted, ".... and there are umpteen similar files all denoting the Federations involvement is shall we say, less than 'legal' activities during Federation negotiations. Feel free to have that archive removed by the way, it was simply a taster for you anyway. There are over one hundred such archives, all hidden deeply in countless minor sub-records on half a dozen worlds, all of which will be released to public consumption should I fail to send the appropriate default codes. Oh, and before you think it's a simple task to dig them up from my memory, not going to happen. The first intrusion without a unique recognition symbol dictated by the arm, weather on the day, will result in 'ALL' the records being released throughout the Federation. But hey, feel free to knock yourselves out looking for a workaround."
"Your safeguard procedures. What you say is impossible to enact." the man standing said dismissively.
"You are familiar with color brainwave frequency recognition I assume ?" Dan asked, making both frown, "I'll make it simple .... When the reset code is required, my position, and bio-sign data will be used to confirm my 'living' status. Any sigh of duress will trigger the release. I would be required, subconsciously, to input the code including a specific data stream which requires my optic nerve response to a two color shift. Be it a red door and white wall, or any combination within the spectrum."
"But why would you even wan ....." the seated man asked, dumbfounded at what he was hearing.
"Does it matter ? ... I have the information. You will cease any attempts to bring me back unless I personally approach you, in which case you'll be more than happy to have me back. If, for any reason, something happens to Lana or the girls, be it a kidnap or a stubbed toe, I will release the data instantly. Same goes in the event of me sudden unexpected death. Oh, before you start to contemplate using them, they know nothing of this. Let's call it my 'retirement' nest-egg. along with that you will remove any surveillance on the Commodore and our Chief Engineer, Commander Psonoir ...... So let's agree that you will find someone else to carry out your 'assignment' and in the mean time, the delay's on the Excalibur's refit will suddenly fall away. I won't be surprised if the ship receives orders in the next week. Now, if there's nothing else gentlemen, I would like a ride home." ..........
The two men looked at each other in obvious shock that they had been so comprehensively beaten.
"I'd like to go home NOW !" Dan said, grinning ..........
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Alyana Ryat
Commodore
Registered: Sept 5, 2007 16:34:56 GMT
Posts: 347
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Post by Alyana Ryat on Jan 20, 2016 22:12:52 GMT
Aly had gone to check in but had felt that she was being followed, that had been distinctly unnerving. She hadn't quite known what to do, she had decided not to go back to the hotel and instead to wander. If she didn't know where she was going then they could only follow her. She hoped that they hadn't picked up that she had registered that they were there. She wasn't sure what her next move would be, she needed to get word out. Lunch was good though, first time she had
She loses track of time somewhat as she focuses on trying to find a way of getting through the jamming. She had her communicator and a small community kit, she really shouldn't carry it anymore especially when she was on leave but she had never felt right without it. It wasn't that she had ever used it, but it was always nice to have it.
She wasn't sure what she was trying to do at this moment.
She glanced up, she thought she heard a voice she recognised but there was no one in sight. She wasn't sure what that meant, maybe she had started hallucinating. After the last missio. She supposed it was possible... Still, she would consider these things but not doubt herself. She was a Starfleet flag officer command and certainty was she generated. She did not doubt.
She glanced back to her work, something was about to happen, she just wasn't sure what.
OOC: Apologies for short post.
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Jan 20, 2016 23:59:01 GMT
A Hybrudean in a human's body tumbled through the foliage into the small clearing in front of the Commodore. He looked around, dazed, finding that the two assailants he'd presumed were upon his captain were entirely absent; having come to his standstill, he asked the Commodore if two people hadn't just been beamed away; she answered negative.
Then they were still somewhere in the vicinity, he thought. Treading with his sandals, protected from glare by his dark glasses he moved through the gathering of palm trees, knowing that if the two theorised intelligence operatives - possibly imagined, he had to accept now - remained within the enclosure they would've surely attacked him by now. Still, it would be verily reassuring to have a phaser in addition to his tricorder - which was returning no lifesign readings besides their own.
"Area secure, sir," he returned to Ryat. She thanked him, minimising the tone in her voice that indicated she very much didn't see the reason why she'd needed rescuing from these invisible assassins. He considered the problem, soon realising that there perhaps wasn't any, although... "Ah," he turned dials on his tricorder, "It seems the jamming has been lifted. Perhaps upon realisation of our presence they were able to inform their commanding officers that signs of their own presence best be removed."
"Who are 'they', Commander?"
"Allow me to explain, much like last shore leave it appears we have been tracked by people perhaps in the employ of Starfleet Intelligence. Myself and Commander Schirra were able to track you to this location, after shaking off our own pursuers, and I upon entrance to this enclosure of trees saw two individuals standing near to you. It's possible..." he ruminated on an old form of technology he'd encountered on Zeta Cephei VII, "That they may have used some toxin on you that erased your memory of the previous few minutes, so that when they beamed away just now, or otherwise found some means of disappearing, you were left with no recollection of their presence nor their transportation out of here. The issue is, I do not understand where they went either; the second before I entered this area of trees, they were before you; the second after, they were gone."
What actually happened:
Karka tumbled through the foliage into the small clearing in front of the Commodore; standing there were the two white-uniformed Intel operatives he'd seen from outside - though the exact type of uniform was unfamiliar to him - who twisted about as the eyes of the Commodore fell on him at a point between the two operatives' shoulders.
"This is none of your concern!" one of them barked, pushing Karka away firmly with the palm of his hand, "Get back to your bathing." Karka pushed the hand aside and produced his tricorder box from behind his back, smashing it on the man's head; the other intel operative responded by striking him in the jaw, sending him sprawling into the sand and the marram grass that gathered in greater quantities up the rise behind them, further in land.
"Commodore!" he tried lifting himself up, "Phaser?"
The intel operative still on her feet hit him again, flattening him front first into the sand; the engineer thus disposed of, on the edge of consciousness... - a faint hissing was heard, dispersing from the barrel of a stubby phaser into the air of the enclosure and glassing over the eyes of the two Excalibur officers who instantly took on the facial expressions and bodily movement associated with dumb unawareness - this action carried out, the intel operative nodded to her companion - just now rising from the low-density shrubbery and rubbing at his head where Karka's tricorder had clunked into it - and they both pressed fingers to their equipment belts, being beamed away by what seemed to be a type of personal transporter device.
Thirty seconds later, Karka was able to rise to his feet, coming to a standstill - a fog of unremembered events empty of images or attachments confusingly layered in his mind - he asked the Commodore if two people hadn't just been beamed away; she answered negative.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Jan 24, 2016 12:43:51 GMT
Following his confrontation with the shadowy gentlemen from Intelligence, their leader had ordered one of them to return Daniel to his home and remove all surveillance of any of the Excalibur crew ...
It was almost one in the morning when he arrived outside Lana's home. He had almost decided to go to his own house, but something made him go to Lana's deciding she deserved to know everything was now alright, and that there would be no further covert interference in their lives. All Intelligence had achieved was to strengthen his resolve to make a decision, and now he was leaning even more to resigning from Starfleet all together ... He could see a light on in the living room and realized that she must have remained awake. entering he saw her, blanket over her knees and head resting on her arm, she was sound asleep. Pulling the blanket up to cover her bare shoulders he sat in the chair opposite, meaning to gather his thoughts before waking her .....
"Wow, you can sleep can't you."
He opened his eyes to see four year old Mackenzie stood over him grinning.
"Kenzie I said to let him sleep." Lana said.
"It's OK, sorry, I meant to wake you when I got back, but for some reason I fell fast asleep." Dan said, getting to his feet and accepting the offered coffee.
"So ..... Everything went OK, you know ?" Lana asked anxiously. Dan smiled and kissed her gently before feeling Kenzie pulling at him .......
Aboard USS Excalibur ::
He had returned to the ship to change and check on how the maintenance and refit schedule was progressing. Surprisingly, both Commodore Ryat and Karka Psonoir had been aboard since the early hours but were now at Starfleet Command. Sat in his office he went through countless PADDs that listed what word was completed, needed sign-off, or was still pending. He was about to throw one of the last ones back on his desk when he noticed something ... It was transfer orders ! ... frowning, he read the order, still apparently pending, and had to re-read it. "This can't be right." he said to the empty office.
He tapped the Comm button and contacted the Bridge:
=^= Schirra .. Open a Comm link to Commodore Ryat =^=
=^= The Commodore has told us she is not to be disturbed Commander =^=
=^= Contact Commander Psonoir =^=
=^= Same there Sir .. They were requested to go to the surface and have been out of contact since they departed the ship =^=
More curious than annoyed, he closed the Comm and got up. Leaving his office he headed for the Bridge approaching the Communications Officer on his arrival. He was again told they were not to be disturbed. Dropping into the Command seat he eyed the inactive view-screen as if it was going to furnish the answers he was looking for, alas he was disappointed. Making his mind up to go down to the surface he was about to stand when several of the Engineers working on the ship took advantage of his fortuitous appearance to get signatures for work they were hoping to finish that day. It was almost three hours later when he managed to find a quiet moment to attemt to contact his Commanding Officer or the Chief Engineer once again, but as before he was stopped at the first hurdle.
He opened the transfer order again, wondering what was going on ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Jan 27, 2016 1:42:58 GMT
"Are we done now?" Karka said internally, the words echoing through his augmented - yet hidden from any signs that it had been changed away from the human norm - mind. The Admiral before him and the Commodore looked at the both of them, stern behind his desk, before opening his mouth to say that Karka was dismissed.
Raising an eyebrow and giving a slightly mischievous smile to his CO Karka left the Admiral's office and, stepping outdoors at the first opportunity, walked straight across the quad before being accosted by an NCO brandishing a PADD, "Sir, your ship, the USS Excalibur has been attempting to make contact with you. Now you are out of your meeting, you're free to communicate with your ship."
Karka was left at the edge of the sunbaked quad, puzzledly reading the PADD given to him; he found some shade on a grass bank under a large tree and looked in some more detail, very soon having absorbed every bit of information. He fished round his waist and flipped open his communicator, "USS Excalibur, this is Psonoir. You asked for me, sir."
"Commander, at last."
"Commander Schirra. Commodore Ryat is still in the meeting with Admiral Connolly. I'm sorry, sir, he has some strange ideas in mind for the Massachusetts - he wants to lead it off against the Gorn, though they've already surrendered, and has requested from his superiors a task force to accompany him. He wanted to sound us out on the possibility of the Excalibur joining said task force; I assume he's discussing it with the Commodore now."
"Why wasn't I summoned in your stead?" Schirra said, though a tone in his voice seemed to suggest he already had an inkling as to the answer.
"I have no idea. Perhaps because we were in the area - well, in Hawaii - and he thought it would be most expedient. Perhaps, in addition, your intelligence links and the people we ran into have worked some of their tricks. Maybe Connolly felt more comfortable not having a former intel agent to consult with. It's an insult to you, sir." Karka paused, suddenly intimately aware of his surroundings - the fresh air, the cool grass, the temperate conditions, the sounds of the birds and the distant bay, most of all the sunlight - benevolently invaded his senses and visited upon him an encapsulated picture of bliss of his current surrounds. He realised that he didn't know why Schirra had wanted to contact them, "What do you require, sir?"
<Tag Daniel, Alyana>
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 2, 2016 21:58:24 GMT
Daniel wasn't the type to 'fret' or worry about minutia, but he was one for ensuring things ran as they should, and the appropriate channels were used, where applicable, so he sat at his desk mulling over the document on screen .....
Had it been 'his' name on the transfer order, he would have gone to the proverbial 'horses mouth' to find out who or why, but it wasn't his name was it ... He got up and requested a cognac from the replicator, then changed his mind and opened the ornate drinks cabinet he had purchased the previous year. Pouring the amber liquid into the glass as the Comm chirped to life:
=^= Commander Schirra .. Duty Comms Officer Sir .. I have Commander Psonoir =^=
=^= Commander .. At last .. .. .. =^= Dan said, exasperation getting the better of him for a split-second.
As the conversation progressed he had the distinct feeling that something else was at work here. Command routinely transferred personnel, that was a given, but to take a Chief Engineer off the Fleet's Flagship in order to move him elsewhere simply didn't make sense in his opinion, and while ultimately 'his' opinion did not count for much, it did count ! ...
=^= What do you require of me Sir ? =^=
=^= Get up here .. Schirra out =^=
He closed the Comm and finished the last of the liquid in his glass. He knew he had been short with the Engineer, but given the circumstances, and his decision to forego his career in Intelligence to remain on the Excalibur, he felt somewhat ignored regarding recent proceedings. Tempted to simply walk away and let the Commodore and the rest do as they please, he poured himself another drink. He was the ships Executive Officer, and as such made most of the day to day decisions. One of his duties was to oversee transfers. 'Hey-ho' he thought as the door access chimed. He walked toward the door until it sensed his presence and opened. Commander Psonoir was stood waiting ...
"Help yourself." Dan said seating himself behind his desk as Karka entered. The Chief Engineer eyed the cabinet then sat down opposite his direct Superior Officer and waited. Dan in turn, pushed a PADD across the desk.
"I'm assuming you knew about this Karka ?"
"Quite."
"So what's the plan ?"
"You are free to rescind the order if you deem my presence necessary Commander." Karka replied, not knowing exactly what Dan wanted from him.
"The transfer has already been approved by Commodore Ryat .... It seems."
< tag : Karka / Ryat >
"But to be honest, I still can't get my head around this 'Task Force' idea .... What's at Triaud II ?" Dan said, looking over what scant information he had available to him, "If this were you, and say if you were in my position, how would you look at it ?" he asked Karka, who could only sit in silence, this again annoyed Schirra. He tapped the Comm link to the Bridge, when the Duty Officer answered he barked an order, making it clear it had to be done:
=^= Find Commodore Ryat .. Use whatever means at your disposal .. But find her .. .. NOW ! =^=
"There's something not right here." he said, helping himself to another drink, waving Psonoir's refusal to accept a drink off before sitting himself down, annoyance building exponentially now.
"Commander. I'm sure you will be fully appraised of the assignment orders in due course. I fully agree that it is unconscionable that you were excluded from proceedings, but I beg you not to act in haste. Explanations will be forthcoming I am confident." Karka said, a genuine concern in his voice. Dan looked at his glass, then at the Engineer:
"Thank you Commander, you can go." Dan sat back as the Engineer got up and left his office.
"Rest of the day Commodore." he said to the empty office, "Rest of the day, of I'll be making alternative arrangements regarding my continued stay on the Excalibur !" ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Feb 4, 2016 6:39:31 GMT
"But to be honest, I still can't get my head around this 'Task Force' idea .... What's at Triaud II ?" Dan said, looking over what scant information he had available to him.
Karka furrowed his brow, "Triaud II... That's a world that my possible new commanding officer Captain Escude had mentioned to his chief of security. I overheard them speaking of it when I was in the lobby to the Admiral's office. As for what's there, I couldn't possibly say, sir."
Schirra sat back in his seat, looking profoundly dissatisfied, and was about to speak again when Karka continued, "Admiral Connolly wants to lead his task force, potentially with the Excalibur as a member, into Gorn space to put down a rumoured revolt by certain elements of the Gorn's command hierarchy. The Gorn Hegemony have already agreed to hand over the territories in question; some want to stay and fight the Federation's annexing of their space. The USS Massachusetts under Connolly will -"
"If this were you, and say if you were in my position, how would you look at it ?" he asked Karka, who could only sit in silence.
The rest of the exchange passed somewhat cheerlessly, and Karka feeling somewhat dejected and sorry for Dan was dismissed. He turned back in the door, "You know, it's true, I did crash that shuttle," he smiled wanly and walked back onto the bridge.
The background noise of consoles beeping, turbolift doors sliding open and shut, the just audible electronically mangled voices of department heads and others reporting in from over the ship, and the whirrings and warblings of several scanning and scientific instruments filled his conscious perception; the sounds of a starship, one that he would miss if he were reassigned to the USS Charon as was the yet to be signed off plan.
Perhaps the Commodore's talks with Admiral Connolly had been extended due to that very point: a wrangling over the Chief Engineer's reassignment to Chief Science Officer on the Charon. Either way, he would still be part of the planned task force - if Command gave its final approval of Connolly's plan - and would still be serving on a Constitution class starship.
What would you think, Lirwa? he asked his far away in space and time friend, just in the same way Daniel had asked Karka what he would think put in the XO's position, though this concerned whether he was happy being assigned to the Charon - the Excal by now was a home to Karka, and while the surroundings would be the same on the Charon, the people would not. Serving as Science Officer would be no problem however, he having mastered most of the disciplines therein during his time of learning in the Archive of his birth, cut off of course from his Carrier-Donor (Hybrudean nearest equivalent of a mother) Pirya.
I don't know... I can only say if Connolly's going with this you'd best get out of there quick. He's not the type to play games of dice with the gods! the screeching laughter receded in his mind, falling back into the partitions and to the metaphysical null marker through which Lirwa had sent his intrusive and all too cryptic message. Still, some inkling Karka had gained from it, and he found himself shaking his head smiling wryly - if Lirwa had chosen to meddle with this operation, then steps would have to be taken, on the eternal beach, the redshifted end of the Wave.
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