Hepta Mission: Mind your P's and Q's

[lohnen]

At the mention of the Hanson, Danny had started. It was one thing to be sent to the future, but quite another to actually meet people they had known in their own time. Danny stood up. "Put her on screen," he ordered.

The screen was turned on and S'Reena Hope appeared. "Commander Hope," Danny started addressing her, before he realized his mistake. "I mean Admiral Hope," this is Captain Löhnen of the Hepta. "At present, we do not require assistance, at least not the assistance you were probably thinking of."

He could see the surprised look on the Admiral's face as it dawned on her that none of the Hepta crew had aged a day. It took her a moment to respond. "What happened? Admiral Drew, is he okay?"

Danny nodded, then tapped his commbadge.

=^=Admiral Drew, please report to the Bridge at once, there's something you have to see sir.=^=

He returned to address Admiral Hope. One word sufficed. "Q!"

As he saw Admiral Hope's expression become grave, the turbolift doors swooshed open and Admiral Drew entered the Bridge. He was about to asknwhat the problem was, but his voice faltered as he set eyes upon the Admiral on the viewscreen.

<TAG: Hanson crew, Admiral Drew>

[Deleted]

"As you can guess its Q and I dont like it, I would be watching for anything. Not to mention we are out of date with this era I'm transmitting you shield up grades now dont ask where I got them and destroy them before we return. Its not much but it will strenght what we do have. Also get with cadet Park about strenght phasers, until we know the extent of whats going on I dont want to be caught off guard"

“Aye Sir.”

John listened to K’ratak finish and sprung into action, he encroached onto the Science station on the Bridge. Standing as he punched the new frequencies and shield parameters into the main computer, he could see the effect the modifications which K’ratak gave him were having. John thought he had worked on a project similar before he left StarFleet R & D but they never had a working example. It dawned on John that the XO had ordered him to destroy them when Hepta returned, John sighed – this could have made quite a research paper.

John turned to Commander K’ratak and exchanged a nod with his superior to signify that the updates had been installed. “Shield strength boosted by 50%” John thought to himself, how is this possible?

Cadet Park had run off on some security matter, so John tapped his comm. badge to contact the young cadet. Making sure he was far enough away so as not to arouse any undue suspicion from their fellow academy ship.

=^= McFarland to Park. Commander K’ratak would like us to work on strengthening the weapons just in case we are called into using them. Meet me on the Bridge =^=

(Tag Cadet Park)

John then turned to his Cadet Blakus, not pointing out the modifications he had made. John stood with his Cadet at the rear of the Bridge,

“How was working with the Science Department, come up with anything tangible?”

(Tag Cadet Blakus)

[Andae Blakus]

John stood with his Cadet at the rear of the Bridge,

“How was working with the Science Department, come up with anything tangible?”

"Well sir we bandied some ideas around but I don't think we went into any great detail," Blakus told him, "As I was thinking earlier, I don't think anything we can do is going to be worthwhile while Q is holding the leash." Blakus knew this wasn't what his instructor wanted to hear at this point. Sometimes though, you had to be honest. "If you don't mind me asking sir," Blakus said out of the blue, "What did Commander K'ratak get you to do just a minute ago?"

<Tag: McFarland>

Andae Blakus took a moment to take things in. He was standing on the bridge of a Galaxy class starship, admittedly in a crisis situation. Seeing the Captain and First Officer standing together and all the bridge crew at work, Blakus was pleased to finally be a part of it.

[kratak]

Looking at the view screen the captain and the admiral as he entered the bridge. He kept thinking so far everything is differnt. Although some of the small things have stayed the same, there she was just as he remembered her from the last time. Although the ship was differnt and so was her xo.

His concern would have to wait, there were other matters to worry about. If he knew Q something would happen soon and it wouldn't be good. Looking back up at the view screen, and turning to his captain.

" sir if I may we need to be sure about this, I know I seem like a broken record her but it is Q. I would suggest that if there's any beam to be down they beam over to our ship. I dont like the idea of any of us over there on there ship."

Looking around the bridge He saw cadet Blakus " Cadet have you and the science department come up with anything to get us back yet"

[Jon Park]

=^= McFarland to Park. Commander K’ratak would like us to work on strengthening the weapons just in case we are called into using them. Meet me on the Bridge =^=

Tapping his combadge in kind Park responded =/\= " Yes sir on my way." just as he finished responding the turbolift deposited him on the bridge going over to the engineering console just outside the turbolift door park looked at both Commander McFarland and his cadet.

"Sir I have some ideas how to boost the phasers have you seen the schematics i handed off to the commander?" Park looked at his instructor. " Sir would i be permitted to show the commander my chip idea.

<Tag McFarland and k'ratak>

As park and the officers work on the weapons out of the Conner of his eye he saw admiral drew enter the bridge. No security team park realized i will have to discuss that with the XO when we are done with the weapons.

" sir if I may we need to be sure about this, I know I seem like a broken record her but it is Q. I would suggest that if there's any beam to be down they beam over to our ship. I don't like the idea of any of us over there on there ship."

As Park heres the commander he wonders if it would be right to have armed security when the away team from the Hanson- B arrive, Yet it is thing when beaming over unkown personal . Yes they were starfleet yet we have been thrown 55 years ahead in time so what if they aren't the people we knew. Also the admiral will insist of meeting them. Just as he realized this park wanted to voice a big concern. "

"Commander K’ratak" Park said "Sir i am in need your assistance." When the commander came to his station. Park addressed his concerns for the beam-over.

<Tag K’ratak>

[ainsleighmcleod]

Time travel! Ainsleigh was still trying to grasp the concept as something nagged at the back of her mind. It was something she had read but couldn't quite put her finger on.

The thought had been stewing for a while when suddenly it hit. Captain Kirk! His exploits had been required reading in one of her academy classes. A lot of his missions ended up classified but McLeod had always suspected that he had time traveled.

It occurred to her that if they really were 55 years into the future that some of it may have been declassified or that Starfleet would see the need for them to know.

Quickly explaining her thoughts to B'reca, Ainsleigh asked, "Do you think we have time to stop by our quarters and change?" The Klingon dressed as a witch and herself as a wizard looked ridiculous among the uniformed crew.

Handing back the cat to Keran, the pair headed out at a brisk pace.

[Deleted]

"Well sir we bandied some ideas around but I don't think we went into any great detail," Blakus told him, "As I was thinking earlier, I don't think anything we can do is going to be worthwhile while Q is holding the leash."

“That’s what I thought, with Q pulling the strings there isn’t very much we can do. We don’t even know how he did it? I bet you cannot believe your luck – your first mission and we get shot forward 55 years into the future.”

John chuckled, making light of the situation as Andae asked him a question, he hoped he wouldn’t have to answer.

"If you don't mind me asking sir," Blakus said out of the blue, "What did Commander K'ratak get you to do just a minute ago?"

“I just ran a diagnostic on the ships systems and made some adjustments to key systems that the Commander asked me to, for improving efficiency.” John retorted,

John had never been a good liar but it was half true, John just failed to mention that he changed the shields using information which could damage the space time continuum if it was not rectified before they returned. Thankfully before Andae could ask any follow-up questions Commander K’ratak’s voice boomed from behind them.

"Cadet have you and the science department come up with anything to get us back yet"

John nodded at Blakus to field the question, he did consider answering it on what his Cadet had told him but the Commander asked for Blakus’s report not John’s. John smiled;

“Spit it out then…”

(Tag Blakus)

[brecakeran]

"I wonder why the two of us didn't change back with the rest of the crew."

"It is strange, isn't it?" B'reca frowned at the cat. How could such a small, insignificant creature manage to look so smug? Blakus and McLeod seemed to unconsiously do its bidding without any prompting or threats from the animal. It wanted attention and so it got attention - it was as simple as that.

"It seems to me that this Q entity has a warped sense of humour," she said, watching as the cat wriggled until McLeod dropped it and then walked over to Blakus to have its ears scratched. "Who can tell why he does anything that he does?"

“The Captain wants us to report our ideas within the hour.” Blakus informed them before he left. As far as B'reca could tell, they hadn't really come up with anything useful. For lack of anything better to do, she took out her tricorder and scanned the cat, but was interrupted halfway through by McLeod's idea.

"Do you think we have time to stop by our quarters and change?"

B'reca looked down at herself. The dress was not designed for a Klingon female and was most definitely not regulation.
"Excellent idea," she agreed, remembering that her quarters were right next to McLeod's. It didn't take them long to get back to their quarters and change, and B'reca felt much more in focus when she was back in the green-blue Starfleet uniform - although she supposed that the design must have changed now that they were in the future.

When B'reca exited her quarters, the cat following close behind, she found McLeod waiting outside for her.
"So what's the plan?" she asked. "Do we walk up to the bridge and ask about the classified missions, or do we access the Starfleet archives of this era and see what information we can find?"

<Tag McLeod>

[ainsleighmcleod]

As Ainsleigh changed she thought of the people she left behind. Her parents were no doubt dead. A pang of loss shot through her. Little did she know that she would never see her mother again. Her parting gift to her beloved daughter was silence about the disease that ravaged her body. Rhiannon had wanted her child to live her dream, not be saddled with the dictates of a closed society.

She thought of Imad and wondered if he was still in service. He would have to be very high ranking if that were the case.

Once again properly attired, the two science cadets met in the corridor and headed to the bridge, the cat close behind.

A strange thought hit Ainsleigh so she reached down for the animal. Stopping dead in her tracks, McLeod forced Keran to stop too. Ainsleigh looked the young Klingon straight in the eye trying to convey a thought without speaking it.

Looking pointedly down at the cat and back to B'reca, McLeod tried to pass on her concern that the animal was still here and so insinuated into their actions. All the while Ainsleigh continued to scratch the purring animal unconsciously.

Thoughts and images raced through her mind. Tossing the cat into the turbolift. Cadet Park would no doubt be close to tactical and could put a forcefield around the turbolift. Explaining to the Captain that the lift to the bridge was out of commission because of a cat.

Small mistakes were annoying. Ainsleigh figured if you were going to err, blunder big, but what if they were right? She left the thought hanging as Keran returned her look.

[Deleted]

"There isn't much of a need to communique me" Howd said to Cadet Park as he walked across the bridge. Arriving at the tactical station, he commented on Park's orders. "And Mr. Dawnthief is here too," he motioned his hand to the Aasimar. "Was that on the double enough?" He smiled at his quip. It was the first time that Timothy had smiled since being aboard, and it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"The Admiral should be safe with a security team posted outside his room" Howd never knew an Admiral that would sit tight while a security team guarded him or her. It would be like a prison, and there was nothing an Admiral liked to do better than to escape from the persecution of being famous and needed. The Cadet was doing his job, though, and rather than warn him Howd decided he would watch as the Admiral foiled every knee-jerk plan a new Cadet could come up with. Howd had other plans, and the Admiral no-doubt was a big boy. He didn't need to be watched that closely.

"Commander," he addressed the Klingon first officer, "I wouldn't mind taking a shuttle over to the Hanson if you wish. Even if it is a trap, we really don't have much of an option here. Perhaps we can gain the help of Hope and her crew without violating the prime directive. That would proof of our resolve, no?" He threw in the part about countering the prime directive so that the Commander and Captain would be more likely to agree to his request. It was a long shot, but sitting on the bridge taking orders from a Tactical Cadet wasn't exactly his cup of tea either.

"Dawnthief could use a lesson in Starfleet shuttle procedures." a nice little bonus.

Dawnthief left with Park to implement the guards outside of the Admiral's room, and returned afterward.

The command team pondered their options, as the marine waited in hope that he had a mission on his hands.

[Jon Park]

There isn't much of a need to communique me" Howd said to Cadet Park as he walked across the bridge. Arriving at the tactical station, he commented on Park's orders. "And Mr. Dawnthief is here too," he motioned his hand to the Aasimar. "Was that on the double enough?" He smiled at his quip. It was the first time that Timothy had smiled since being aboard, and it disappeared as quickly as it came.

As the marine instructor finish his comment park saw him smile "Funny Sir.' Park says 'I didn't see you on the bridge."
As Dawnthief left with Park to implement the guards outside of the Admiral's room Park turned to him 'So cadet what do you think of your instructor i find him a little like the borg... adversarial." As park searched for the right words

"So we never really got to know each other in the holodeck, Where is you home-world. what is your race's name i know you are the only one of your kind in starfleet. You know about my past some of my past but you may not know that when my sister was 5 she was kidnapped by Klingon's i was able rescue her but it left a scar, I have never really been able to see my way past my hatred for them. Yet i have sworn an oath to starfleet and my fellow cadet to assist were needed i will not let my past get in the way.

<Tag Dawnthief>

After the cadets oversaw the security detail for the admiral as they finished heading back to the bridge park hear McFarland call for him. As the reemerged on the bridge park headed to the commander.

As he went over the plans to getting more power to the weapons he thought what a day and it's not over yet

[wford]

=^= Science Department, this is Commander McFarland. I need a situation report! =^=

Penfold tapped his commbadge. "We are hardly more informed than yourself, Commander. Everything is rather disorganised at the moment. Rest assured that once we have formulated or discovered anything that warrants attention we will inform you and your department as swiftly as possible. Penfold out."

Accessing the sensors, Penfold did his best to review the logs from the period when Q transported the ship through time, but it was all blank. Penfold was not surprised. He tapped his commbadge. "William, we've got a problem. Let me fill you in..."

The science officer's voice failed as a highly-ranked Romulan filled the viewscreen. "I'll get right back to you," muttered Penfold, closing the comm channel.

"USS Hepta, you have taken some time to get back. Do you need assistance? Where is Admiral Drew? Is he aboard? Is he well?"

Loehnen nodded, tapping his commbadge. "Admiral Drew, please report to the Bridge at once, there's something you have to see sir."

He returned to address Admiral Hope. One word sufficed. "Q!"

Penfold shifted his gaze between the two commanding officers. He had met and was on good terms with both, although he was not close friends with either officer. He waited anxiously for Admiral Drew to arrive, still unable to wrap his mind around the situation. Hope's age clashed sharply with Penfold's memory of their last meeting on Starbase Conqueror, and he thought he recognized other familiar faces in the background. The whole idea of time travel did not sit well with Penfold, and he busied himself with his station in an effort to avoid thinking about the impossibilities Q had brought to life.

[brecakeran]

Reaching slowly for her tricorder, B'reca started to scan the cat again, paying attention to what she was doing this time. It watched her with dark eyes as she took her reading.

"This is... strange," she muttered. Were these readings due to the fact that the cat had been created from nowhere and existed differently from a normal feline, or was this animal something other than they had first expected?

"Meow."

Flicking its tail impatiently, the cat wandered off down the corridor as B'reca turned her tricorder towards McLeod and showed her the readings. She wasn't too worried about letting the cat get away; it hadn't objected to her scanning it, so it didn't seem to possess any form of sentience.

"It appears to be made of pure energy," she told McLeod. "It could be that it doesn't really exist at all, just as decoration for Q's elaborate joke, but..."

<Tag McLeod>

[ainsleighmcleod]

Responding to Keran, "I think it definitely is still here because of Q. Maybe information gathering or," and Ainsleigh paused at B'reca's reading of a pure energy being, "a weapon.".

Not wanting to announce it to the ship, "You go on, I'll inform Penfold." The pair of science officers parted ways, B'reca to the bridge and Ainsleigh back to the science labs.

Entering at a run, McLeod found Penfold working and approached him to report what she and Keran had found. "Sir, Q left a pure energy being aboard the ship in the form of a cat."

The short, furry being actually seemed happy to have something to wrap his mind around. "Interesting," was his comment and he bolted into one of the labs.

[Andae Blakus]

" Cadet have you and the science department come up with anything to get us back yet"

Blakus had not noticed Commander K'ratak's approach and it startled him slightly. Looking for some support, Blakus looked at his instructor. John nodded at Blakus to field the question, John smiled;

“Spit it out then…” he said.

"Nothing concrete as of yet sir," Blakus said after an intake of breath, "As you seem to know sir, anything we try to do where Q is involved is usually futile."

Blakus hated having to tell a superior officer that he didn't have much of anything to report, but then he remembered something, "However," he said slowly, "There is the Sun Slingshot Maneuver done by Kirk. I know it's not even confirmed that it ever happened, but we do not have anything else to go on."

<Tag K'ratak>

Blakus waited for the XO's reply and hoped he hadn't made a hopeless blunder.

[kratak]

He understood the cadets worry " Cadet Blakus you will fiend that there are many things that are true with out hard information. The question I have for you and the science team , is can we do the sling shot around the sun. Kirk had a smaller ship and little choice of the risk, you are right to be concerned about Q. Chances are he might stop us then again he might never return us to our own time. I want at least some chance to get us back, if you think this is the best chance then get working on it."

Turning to face Colonel Howd " I agree with your assessment of our current problem colonel, as I know the admiral will not want security detail, chances are he'll want to go over there against my advice. Since this will be the case I think having you over first might be a good idea. I'll run it by the captain but I see no reason why he would object, the matter of the prime directive is another issue. Do to the nature of whats going, I feel that you should be aware of a few things first. I my self have been here before do to Q, at that time I learned a great number of things I also learned to keep my mouth shut. What ever the two of you see over there I want it kept to your selves is that clear. Under no circumstances are you to relay what you learn, unless it pertains to the safety of this ship or crew. As you have pointed out he prime directive will be a big issue and I dont want it used against us to prevent out return to normal time line. You are not to report anything on ship logs to me or the captain unless its a threat to us. I suggest you get to the shuttle bay and get ready I would like you over there before that admiral leaves like we all know he will"


He walked over to the captain to confer with him. " Sir Colonel Howd would like to take a shuttle over to the Hanson before that admiral arrives. We both know he'll want to beam over no matter our objections. If Colonel Howd is there first then he will at least have some security until we figure things out."

" Also Cadet Blakus might be able to get us home using the sling shot around a sun, I would like to get the science department and him working on it. Its a slim chance with Q involved but its better then nothing. Every moment we are here we take the chance of changing our time line when we return. It was a big problem the last time I was here and very nearly didn't get to go home"

Looking back up at the view screen to see Admiral Hope and Her Xo " Admiral Hope you do understand since Q is involved, that I would like some proof of who you say you are. I'm not in the habit of letting Flag Officers run off into unknowns, as the xo its my job to protect both my captain and the admiral. I would feel better about this if you allowed one of our shuttle to come over first and check things out. They will not report anything to us or record anything they see or hear. Just confirm that you are really who you say you are"

Tapping his combadge " Doctor Barnes I would like you to meet colonel Howd in the shuttle bay and go with him. Please pull of the DNA Records of Commander Hope to compare against Admiral Hope"

[Jon Park]

As Cadet Park waits on the bridge for a decisions to be made regarding his weapon idea he thinks what a day it has been so far deciding to record a log park grabs a padd.

Cadet's personal log Stardate 931102.44 "Well it's been a weird day to say the least first we are heading on a mission to negotiate a disputed plant and then we are transported into the Hanson-B's presant 55 years in fact. No knowing what has happened to my family i know what my father may be been going though. I am still convinced that he is captured by someone and not killed why else would starfleet list him as MIA not killed." As for why we are here one word Q, Why is he here doing this to the crew. I know from past records he wouldn't hurt us at least i hope so. He didn't for Picard, Janeway and Sisko too. What waits for us

Anyway the crew of the hepta is a great crew and the ship is too. I an honored to train under this crew I hope to be great officer one day learning from this Captain and Commander i have no doubt it will happen. End log

Realizing the temporal prime directive Cadet Park press the erase command on the padd destroying the information there in.

Looking at the Commander he hears some ideas for action but he knows it will be interesting to find out what will happen in the next few days.

As the Commander says "Sir Colonel Howd would like to take a shuttle over to the Hanson before that admiral arrives" Park Clears his throat "Sir Permission to send a security team with him it isn't a good idea to send him alone. I know the doctor will be going with him but no offense if it is a trap it won't be good for him to have to look out for the doctor and try to get outta there."

[Deleted]

S'reena waited anxiously while she heard someone in the background order for Drew to report to the bridge. If her memory served her correctly, Admiral Drew didn't take kindly to being called to the bridge, especially not while being off duty. Yet, she hoped his interest would be peaqued, and she found herself looking forward to meeting him again.

"Admiral, the Hepta is charging weapons and shields," Lieutenant Connie Howard reported from tactical, "if Q's behind this as Captain Löhnen claims, then they could think we're an image of Q's imagination."

S'reena nodded and exchanged a curious glance with Manto. "I'm going over there," she told her first officer.

"Not without security escort," Howard insisted.

"Oh yes I am," S'reena retorted, "I know these people. I knew them well before your mother learned to walk." She turned her attention back to Manto. "Keep a lock on me at all times, and beam me back at the first sign of trouble. I want to see him, you understand don't you?" She had known her first officer for so long now, few words needed to be spoken between the two women to understand eachother.

Turning back to face the screen, she offered Löhnen a very weak smile, her expression one of anxiety and hope. "I am beaming over to your ship," she announced, "lower your shields and I will beam straight to your bridge." Even if their shields were not lowered, nowadays technology allowed beaming from one federation ship to another, even with shields raised. Her query was just one of being polite to a fellow commanding officer.

Seconds later, the Romulan admiral found herself standing in the middle of the Hepta bridge, unarmed and unescorted. She looked around, looking to see Drew's face but he hadn't arrived yet. Then she spotted a face she did know very well, even though that face didn't look too pleased. She smiled softly. "You don't appear to be glad to see me, Commander K'ratak," she spoke, raising her hand to silence a cadet that had rushed up to her. "Is Admiral Drew on his way? I am anxious to see him. It has, after all, been 55 years."

She looked sideways at the cadet. "Yes?" she promted the young person.

(note: I generally don't tag either...anyone can respond if they feel compelled to do so

[kratak]

Watching the Admiral beam on to there ship, was not something he was prepared for. They went straight through the shields, just like the last time. He looked up to see Admiral Hope looking at him with a smile on her face.

He turned to cadet Park " Search her for weapons cadet, being looking for a romulan Honor blade. If its the real Hope she wont be with out it trust me on that, signal Colonel Howd to report to the bridge with his cadet. Tell him he will be escorting Admiral hope to sick bay for scans."

Looking back at the admiral " No to be honest Admiral I'm not happy to see you, before you ask no to the second question as well. You will not meet with admiral drew until I'm sure you are who you say you are. I'm sure you remember Doctor Barnes after he confirms your identity then will talk about a meeting with the admiral. "

Tapping his com badge " Doctor Barnes there's been a change in plan report to sick bay. I'm sending Admiral Hope to you scan her to confirm her Identity. " Tapping his com badge again

" Commander Ford I want you and your cadets in sick bay, I want you to confirm that Admiral Hope is who she says she is"

This is getting old really quick he thought to himself , tapping his com badge again " Commander Mcfarland I want you and your cadet blocking all transport locks. I also want to know how Admiral Hope beamed through our shields so easy and a way to stop it"

Turing back to face that admiral " As soon as cadet Park confirms you have no weapons, you will be escorted to sick bay. I'm sure you will understand that under the circumstances why I'm being so careful. I will alter that admiral your aboard and in sick bay, you will have a escort at all times until we understand whats going on here"

Pausing for a moment thinking about the last time he was in the future , and not to miss a chance to get Admiral hopes goat. " A question admiral how's Captain Manto and Lt Connie Howard doing, I trust there still assigned to your ship"

He knew that would get her to thinking about how he knew that. That should keep her guessing on what he really knew which wasn't much but enough.


OCC: Okay I think I tagged everybody, first off confirm that she is Commander hope but now a admiral in our time. Also don't anybody get to carried a way and shoot our guest YET. I give you free leave to figure things out, but don't take to long and feel free to converse with our guest. I don't know when admiral Drew will post but I'm sure it will be soon. I don't want to make him wait to long to talk too admiral Hope.

[Deleted]

"They are the traditional harmonics we had to switch from when we discovered the Romulan Empire could match modulation, weren't they?" It was discovered after the Romulan Empire and Starfleet had agreed to their first peace accord. Elal, the ship's chief science officer, nodded. Captain Manto had been a science officer throughout most of her Starfleet years until graduating to the rank of First Officer. She was only verifying her thoughts.

"Beaming her straight through should give them something to talk about." She let out a small laugh, and sat down in Admiral Hope's chair. Elal sat next to her, in what was normally her chair.

"The quandary of guaranteeing someone is who they say they are in this instance is quite perplexing." Elal started, ", suppose Q was the culprit here. How do we know that we are not the ones in his game?. Perhaps the Hepta is not real."

Konal nodded in agreement. She hadn't thought of that aspect.

"Further, how will they prove that we are who we say we are? Or us prove that they are actually the Hepta members? Q is a omnipresent and omnipotent being. There is nothing that he cannot know. I fear that neither side will be able to verify anything."

Another good point. "So what is your suggestion, Commander?"

The Vulcan science officer folded his hands and brought the tips of his fingers to his mouth in thought. "Perhaps we should proceed as if Q was not involved. If Q is involved, we have no way to overcome anything he does not wish us to overcome. If he is not involved, we will have acted in the best interest of ourselves and the USS Hepta."

"But what about the Prime Directive?" The prime directive was not something she was fond of when she had joined Starfleet in her younger years. The Cardassian Union had no such considerations. However, in the situations that had presented themselves since she had received a command position in Starfleet, she has since become thankful for its guidance.

"The Prime Directive states we may not give any information to this crew if they were to go back to their own time. At present, we do not know if they are able to return to their 'present'." Elal didn't see the conflict.

"I think this is where we need to deviate from your plan, Elal" Konal said, in a thoughtful tone. "I think we need to proceed in this case as if Q is involved. If they do get sent back to their original time, and we have divulged to them any futuristic knowledge, we could destroy the natural order of things."

The more Konal thought about it, the more she didn't find the return of the USS Hepta to be so exciting. It brought emotions of sorrow back to the surface - sorrow for losing Admiral Drew, for the families that had lost loved-ones... And now it forced Admiral Hope into making decisions that were in the best interest of Starfleet, and not necessarily in the best interest of the USS Hepta - and Konal was supposed to support such decisions.

"Quite the quandary." she finally muttered to Elal, using his original words. "Quite the quandary indeed."

[Deleted]

“Tea, hot” Drew ordered as he approached the replicator. Instantly a silver mug appeared in the service hatch, steam slowly rising from inside. Taking the cup, Drew held it close to his face, enjoying both the warmth and smell of his favourite beverage. Letting out a sigh, he survived the quarters that had been assigned to him, typical of the Galaxy-class his state quarters were far too big and overly comfortable. Although his own quarters back on the Hanson were grand, they were a Captain’s quarters and as their design reflected that, but these quarters, well, the President of the Federation herself would have felt right at home here.

Walking through the large living area, Drew sat in the leather chair positioned near the desk and activated the computer terminal; he was after all here to work and not just relax. Calling up the records on the Klaathu and Vordon, he continued working on his notes for the meeting. Both races were very proud, and also very stubborn, the entire diplomatic process would therefore go much smoother if Drew fully understood their culture and traditions.

As he worked, Drew amused himself by recalling the Hepta crew’s reaction to his arrival. In true Starfleet Officer style, the First Officer of the ship, Commander K’ratak, was attempting to arrange strict security measures around Drew. No doubt the Commander’s over-zealous attitude to security had something to do with S’reena Hope, his over protective First Officer had served during the Hepta’s last mission as Acting First Officer, and no doubt she had briefed the crew on what she considered the proper way to guard an Admiral. Drew had always taken great delight in finding new and inventive ways to avoid S’reena’s security arrangements and he was already looking forward to doing the same on the Hepta.

After an hour or so of work, Drew felt an old trimmer run through the ship. Looking up to the star port, he saw a blinding white light, which vanished almost as soon as it appeared. Before he could contact the bridge, he heard a commotion outside his door, putting down his work, he walked to the front of the room.

“Can I help you?” he asked as he opened the door to find one of the security cadets and several security officers waiting for him.

“Sir, for your own safety we are going to assign security officers at the entrance to your quarters and at all entrance points throughout the deck,” the cadet, whose name Drew thought was Park, said crisply, “I must also ask if everything is ok in your quarters.”

Drew raised a sharp eyebrow at this news, and the cadet’s attitude. It was clear from the way he spoke that something of incident had just happened to the ship.

“I think, Cadet that I would rather go to the bridge” Drew said, moving to leave his quarters.

“I am sorry sir, but my orders are to secure your position here. If you will excuse me, I must return to the bridge now; these officers here will help you if you need anything.”

Drew watched in both shock and amusement as the cadet turned and left. He couldn’t recall a single incident when any cadet had spoken to him like that.

Just as he was wondering how to get past the security guards that the cadet had left behind, the unmistakable voice of Danny Löhnen sounded over the intercom, summing him to the bridge.

“As I was saying gentlemen,” Drew said, straightening his uniform and making for the exit, “I should be on the bridge.”

“With all due respect sir, we should accompany you,” one of the guards said sternly.

“That wont be necessary,” Drew said, in a calm voice.

“I must insist sir,” the guard answered.

“Crewmen,” Drew said, his voice rising, “In case it escaped your attention, let me remind you that I am a Vice Admiral, if I say something isn’t necessary, then it isn’t necessary, understood?”

“Yes sir,” the guard replied in a slightly less confident voice.

“I am so glad we resolved that,” Drew said, once again in a calm voice, “now if you would excuse me.”

A few minutes later, Drew walked out onto the bridge. Unsurprisingly a great deal seemed to be happening, most of the officers seemed on edge, and the viewscreen showed a ship that Drew had never seen before. It was also clear from the posture of Danny Löhnen and K’ratak that a confrontation of some sorts had just taken place.

“Does someone want to explain to me what is going on?” Drew asked sternly.


(OOC) Ladies and Gents, the Admiral is in to see you now.

[Jon Park]

As Cadet park approaches the Admiral who has transported trough there Shields he was concerned but then again they were in a time where technology may make it possible to do such thinks.

Searching the Admiral he doesn't find the weapon the commander is asked him to fine looking at admiral hope " Sorry admiral i hope you understand please follow me to sickbay." As he nodded to two security officers to follow him they all head into the turbolift "Sickbay" Park Calls out. as the lift stars taking them to sickbay park fells he must ask a question " Admiral hope i know you mayn't be allow to answer this but i must know did my sister Marcy ever enter starfleet?"

<Tag Admiral Hope>

As the walked into sickbay two more security officers meet them at the door entering sickbay Cadet park and the first two officers followed her in as the other two waited outside of the doors. "Doctor here is the admiral" Park said.

The first two officers stood by the door park was near the doctor something in the back of his head said to stay near the admiral for what he didn't know what

[Deleted]

S'reena allowed the cadet to search her and watched with mild bemusement when he seemed disappointed that he didn't find any weapons. She hadn't taken her Honour Blade with her, having given it to Konal for safekeeping for now. When she said she was going unarmed, she had meant to do exactly that. "Don't worry cadet Park," she answered, "I understand perfectly. Please, lead the way."

The Romulan shot the Klingon commander a sour look as he ordered for her to be taken to sickbay. In 55 years, her dislike for sickbays hadn't decreased, in fact it had increased again to almost fear level. However, there was no point in arguing, she knew the Klingon well enough to know he'd get his way one way or another, so she thought better of making an argument out of it. She followed Park into the turbolift.

" Admiral Hope, I know you may not be allowed to answer this but I must know; did my sister Marcy ever enter starfleet?"

"I'm sorry cadet, I can't answer that. I am bound to the Prime Directive as well as the Temporal Directive in this instant. I can't tell you anything about the past 55 years. It is the one reason I am beaming to your ship rather than welcoming you all on mine."

Together, and flanked by four more security guards, they walked into sickbay, where Park announced her presence. She smiled as she recognised Barnes. "Hello doctor, it has been a long time. I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances, even though they are better than the last time we worked together."

The Romulan waited patiently for Barnes to respond to her. "Commander K'ratak has orders for you," she smiled, "you and any cadet you have are to verify that I am indeed Admiral S'reena Hope. Or commander if you wish, as that is how you remember me." She nodded to Park. "Cadet Park has been so kind to show me the way back to sickbay, though please hurry. I am still not too keen on sickbays and I am anxious to see admiral Drew."

[Jon Park]

"I'm sorry cadet, I can't answer that. I am bound to the Prime Directive as well as the Temporal Directive in this instant. I can't tell you anything about the past 55 years. It is the one reason I am beaming to your ship rather than welcoming you all on mine."

As cadet park heard this he was upset but understanding "I understand Admiral. Thank you all the same."
As the admiral went thought the exam Park wondered we all going to assist in some mission. Hearing the doctor announce he was finished and that the admiral was indeed the commander. "Understood Doctor, One moment admiral i will see where to take you next." Tapping his com badge

=/\= "Park to Commander k'ratak. The doctor is finished with the exam. Where do take the admiral from sickbay."

<Tag K'ratak>

After getting his orders "Understood Sir, Park out."

[Deleted]

"I suppose we don't need to be taking a shuttle mission to the Hanson now," Howd said, almost begging for the opposite was true. With Admiral Hope here, there was no need. There was only a ship full of negatives, in the way of the Prime Directive, that could be had by going now. Howd received the orders to stay, and relayed them to Cadet Dawnthief.

When the young Admiral arrived on the bridge, Howd nudged his Cadet, and used his head to point toward the Admiral. "That's him." he said under his breath to Quinn. "The Admiral."

He wasn't sure if Quinn had met the Admiral already, having supposedly secured him in his room. Howd wanted to say 'I told you so' to Park and Dawnthief, but he had never made his thoughts about an Admiral's uncanny ability to escape audible thoughts. Instead he got the personal gratification of being right without the ability to brag.

Commander K'ratak would no doubt wonder why Drew was alone, so, to cover Park's rear end, Howd pushed himself to be nearer to Admiral Drew. It made it appear as if security had planned for Paul Drew's little outing. In fact, Howd sort of had... but he didn't think it would happen so soon! No matter, the marines were on it.

"I suggest we tag along with him, play friendly with him." Well, for Howd, "friendly" was playing. He had no friends, and social skills leading to that end were definitely lacking. Quinn agreed, and they kept themselves busy, always in visual range of the Admiral.