3.4 - Lost

[fthelev]

Lost.
The word was hanging in the air like smoke in a room with faulty air-conditioning. It was not something anyone wanted to hear.
“Ypoc told us we would always be transported within a seventy-five light year radius of a gateway,” Jira recalled. “Mr. Thelev, the information on the positions of the gateways, is it still accessible?”
Frek quickly checked the request. “Yes sir, but without the navigation device we have no way of knowing where it will transport us.”
Jira stared into infinity for a moment. “It’s our only change getting back home.”

“There’s a system with an M-class planet half a light-year from here sir,” Jenkins reported after having scanned the surroundings. “It’s not inhabited.”
The energy surge had brought some serious havoc to several systems. “Mr. Thelev, take us to the planet and get us in a standard orbit. We’ll remain there until repairs are completed.”
“Yes sir.”
Captain Jira headed towards his ready room. “Get me a complete damage report as soon as possible.”

Frek had relinquished the helm to one of the junior helm officers. While the ship was getting on its final approach route, preparing to get into a standard orbit, Frek made his way to his quarters. He was very much in need of a shower and perhaps some rest.
He pressed the button to open the door to his quarters. Nothing happened. With groan he remembered the circuit had shorted out during the first skirmish with the Iconian vessel.
He sighed and stared with hanging shoulders at the door, his antenna’s low over his head.
“Open up, you stupid thing!” He yelled, loosing his patience. He gave it a few good kicks, but the door had apparently decided to remain inflexible and didn’t budge.
It was an evil door, he decided. Purely evil, in every possible way.

It wasn’t until then he noticed one of the crewmembers, following his efforts with interest, staring at him with an odd expression on her face. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps she was gloating.
“What are you looking at?” Frek snapped at her.
The girl looked at him for a while and put up an angelic face. "When you're feeling under pressure, do something different. Roll up your sleeves, or eat an orange,” she cited.
If faces would be compared to weather conditions, Freks face would have the expression of dark, terribly destructive thunderstorm. She wore a security uniform. No doubt one of Danara’s accomplices.
“You…” he started, but his intended victim wisely decided to get herself out of a possible hazardous situation.
She stuck her head around the corner. “Be on the look out for things that make you laugh. If you see nothing worth laughing at, pretend you see it, then laugh.”
He heard her footsteps fading away in the corridor, accompanied by laughter. He let out a deep sigh. The universe was definitely an evil place.

[Deleted]

Melain glanced over her shoulder at Tom who was fighting to keep the Iconian stable.

=A= Doctor, I'll have to make this breif, but to sum things up, that atack from the Iconians messed up the navigation on the gateway navigator. We seem to be exactly where we should be, but... in the Andromeda galaxy.=A=

Melain was at a loss for words, but only one thoguht came to mind. =A= and the Iconian...=A=

=A= May be our only ticket out of here, we aren't sure how to repair the navigator, chances are he's the only one who can. Do what you can doctor, I know what I'm asking for is a miracle. Jira out =A=

Melain turned back to the Iconian on the biobed. "Tom, take charge of our other patients, Rachael I need you help." Tom handed her the PADD on Y'poc's physiology and she read through it as quickly as she could.

"What did the captain say?" Racheal asked.

"W're lost." Melain replied, she didn't want her cheif nurse to panic, and so that's al she would say untill Y'poc was stable. "He's got major interior bleeding around the heart and.. whatever this organ is, We've got exterior bleeding on the head." she pointed at the purple liquid comming from cuts on Y'poc's forhead. "Seal that cut, and then we'll work on stopping the bleeding around the heart."

It seemed like they had things almost under control when the sensors went off, warning Melain that things took a turn for the worst. She checked the scans, then double checked on her own scanner. Nothing seemed to be wrong, and the patient had shown no visible signs of anything having gone wrong.
=A= Sickbay to Ensign Tanat Neval, I need you to take a look at my primary sensors on biobed 5 immediatly=A= She paged the Medical technician.

=A= Understood doctor, I'll be right over=A= The Bolian replied.

"Coronary internal bleeding is under control Doctor." Tom reported.

"Excellent, move onto the unidentified organ, I'll use my portable scanner to give you directions" Melain directed, hesitant to rely on the bed's equipment.

They had made little progress when Tanat enterd sickbay at a near sprint. He headed right for the biobed and opened up his medkit. He wasted no time getting to work.

"Bleeding of the unidentified organ has stopped." Tom spoke suddenly. "It just.. stopped."

"That's good Tom, let's do another scan and procede." Melain replied.

"Doctor Lorre, there is nothing wrong with these scanners." Tanat reported as he began putting his equipment away.

"I don't understand, they gave off an alarm when there was nothing to warn me about. Let me pull up the history, let's see what it says." Melain worked at the consol for a few moments before locating the record. "That can't be right... According to the record Y'poc's heart, nervouse system.. everything failed here, but all the other scans afterword show them as functioning."

"Then those scans are wrong, Mr. Y'poc is most certainly dead." Tom reported from where he stood checking the Iconians vitals.

[Deleted]

Melain took a moment to process this. "The Iconian's must produce something that interfers with scans when they die. Some sort of an evolutionary adaptation. Or maybe...maybe when that organ we couldn't identify losses enough blood it blocks the scans, It's a survival tactic some scavenger on the Iconian homeworld must use some sort of natural scan to find prey.

"And it looks like we fell for it." Tom added. "Time of death..."

"...Unknown" Melain finished. "I need to contact the Captain, The death of Y'poc is the last thing we need right now."

"What do you mean, we used the gateway, we're home now.. aren't we" Tanat asked.

"Melain, you told me we where lost.. do we have any idea where we are?" Racheal questioned.

Melain looked at here team, afraid to break them the news. Tanat had recently married his first wife on Bolia, Racheal had a loving family at Home and even Tom.. even the EMH would be troubled by this. "When we where going through the gateway we where attacked by th Iconian vessel, it only fired one blast but that was enough to destroy the gateway navigator before all the information could get through. We are in the Alpha quadrant, but not of the Milkyway galaxy." Melain sighed, Welcome the the Andromeda Galaxy team, feel free to make yourselves at home because it looks like we'll be staying awhile." She added bitterly. "Put the body in the morgue, and clean everything up. I'll be in my office if you need me."

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Zhuk was still in a nice deep slumber. He never noticed the ship being rocked by the attack, nor the red alert that came briefly afterwards ;D.

[Harrias Jira]

With the ship certainly stranded for the next few days, Harrias had cancelled red alert. There was little need to have the whole crew rushing around when they were in no foreseeable danger. It was however, still of the highest importance to get home. The ship carried over seven hundred crew members, and he knew that all of them would have someone back home, even they didn’t admit to it. He looked through the numbers that he had in the crew database. Of the seven hundred person crew, over two hundred were married. Of those, just under a hundred had children. Another hundred and fifty members of the crew admitted to be in a relationship, and the trill there would be more that were not revealing their relationships. And with the life expectancy being so high these days, almost every crew member would have living parents.

His head sank into his hands, the numbers becoming more and more shocking as he read through them. There were no two ways of looking at the facts. The USS Nevada had to get home. His head stopped with a light clunk on his desk, and Harrias jerked his head up once more. As he did so, his door chime sounded. He moved to close his computer screen, but instead just turned it further out of sight from the other side of the desk.

“It’s open.” He called out, and Grace stepped in through the door. He ought to have known really. It was obvious that he, in addition to the rest of the crew, was going through a rough time, and as counsellor it was her job to try and get them through this. As was it his job to do the same as captain. He offered her a faint smile. She returned it, hers containing much more warmth.

“You’ve been locked away in here for ages Captain.”

“It wasn’t locked.” He replied, knowing it was childish, and only caring in that Grace was a nice person, and didn’t deserve it. She however, simply raised her eyebrows at him, and continued.

“I thought you might want to talk? It must be difficult.”

“Yes.” He considered. “It is difficult. It’s very difficult. I am responsible for every single person on this ship. That means I am answerable not only to my superiors, who really only number less than ten, if we are talking about people who actually deal with this ship and her orders, but I am also answerable to the families and friends of those people that are part of my crew. They number in the thousands. The tens of thousands probably. On these shoulders, these hands, this voice, I can affect the lives of over ten thousand people. At the moment, those people are hollow. They are missing someone. That is because we are here.”

He breathed slowly, looking at the counsellor, the pain evident in his eyes. “We are lost. I don’t know if we can get home. I don’t know if we will be able to return this week, next week, ever. If we are lost, I don’t know what we can do. I don’t know where we can do, how we can cope. I just don’t know.” His eyes were damp now, his spots accentuated. “I am powerless Grace, powerless. The destiny of this ship does not rely on me, but on whether this technology can be fixed, maybe even on luck. It’s not a case of life or death, it a case of a hollow meaningless existence, or a full purposeful one. And even though everything weighs down on me, there is not a thing I can do about it.”

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Zhukarak woke up. Theel’zhiin stretched his wings with his mouth gaping open for a big yawn. Zhuk went to the replicator to process some thin strips of raw meat. Theel’zhiin was waiting anxiously.

While Theel’zhiin ate, Zhuk refreshed himself and got dressed into a new uniform. He was wondering how they were progressing with the Iconian, for all he knew they could have been home already. He went over to his terminal to check.

“Computer, what is our location?”

{We are currently located in the Andromeda Galaxy.}

~ Andromeda Galaxy? That can’t be right! ~ Zhuk rushed out of his quarters to get straight to the bridge.

The turbolift doors swished open and Zhukarak stepped forward. Cmdr Frek Thelev was busy piloting and Lt Rex Bonar was doing his usual at his station. Cmdr Steve was in the Captain’s chair.

Zhukarak approached the commander. “Sir, I understand we are in the Andromeda Galaxy. What is our situation?” Zhukarak listened intently. At one point they were interrupted because of an “Ouch” coming from Mr. Thelev. Zhuk turned around just in time to witness Frek suckling on his finger. Zhuk wondered if it was the same one that was attacked by a bird thing while he was on planet. ~ Must still be sore. ~ Zhuk thought.

[fthelev]

It was some sort of noise that awoke Frek from an uneasy sleep. Somehow he couldn’t really relax. Perhaps it was the fact he wasn’t sleeping in his own quarters. He managed to get some guest quarters until he could get back into his own room. Perhaps it was the fact they were along way from home. Things weren’t looking too brightly. At first they were stuck five billion years in the past and now they were in their own time, but stuck five billion lightyears from home. Not the most pleasant thing either.

Frek sighed as he looked at his reflection in the mirror and brushed his teeth. The shower a few minutes earlier helped waking him up. He was grateful that he finally could put on a clean uniform again, he had replicated one last night. His shift started in half an hour or so, not that they would be going anywhere within the next few days, but he could always take a look at the broken gateway navigation device.

The bridge was fairly deserted. Except for Steve, who apparently was the officer on watch and Lieutenant Bonar. They exchanged the usual greetings. The view screen was mostly occupied by the image of the uninhabited M-class planet they were orbiting. Mostly large bodies of water and several small landmasses, grouped in archipelagos. It might be fun to take a look on the surface if he could convince the Captain. It would be a nice change of scenery and it never hurts to get some fresh non air-conditioned air.

He shifted his attention from the viewer to the scorched box mounted on the floor between the ops and the helm consoles. He grabbed one of the tools he brought with him and started unscrewing the casing. It came of rather easily. Frek looked up to see Hrisvalar enter the bridge. He went straight for Commander Steve.

“Sir, I understand we are in the Andromeda Galaxy. What is our situation?” Frek heard him ask.
While the First Officer briefed the senior marine officer of the latest events, Frek peered inside the device. It looked like a real mess. At least half of the circuits inside were totally burned through and the components that still seemed to be intact were completely unknown to him. He probably new upfront what he was going to find, but he still had some little spark of, apparently unfunded, hope left.
He tried to shift some of the carbonized aside with his fingers.

A sharp tingling sense of pain shot through his finger.

“Ouch!” A stream of muttered curses followed and he stuck his finger in his mouth. Apparently there still was some power on some components. He realised, perhaps a little bit late at this time, he should have disconnected the power before opening the whole thing up.

“Any luck?” Hrisvalar asked staring down at Frek sitting next to the device.

Frek shook his head and pulled the finger out of his mouth.
“No,” he stared up at Hrisvalar with a sad face. “It’s totally fried and the components that aren’t are completely different from what I’ve ever seen.”

He got back on his feet and shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps T’Fat can make something out of it, but I sincerely doubt it.”

Hrisvalar looked from the device to Frek’s finger and then at him. “We’ll get home. Voyager was lost as well and they’ve made it back.”

Frek hoped Hrisvalar was as sure of that as he sounded, because he wasn’t that optimistic. At least Voyager was stranded in their own galaxy and it still took them seven years to get back. He glanced at the device. He gave up, it would be no use. He probably could spend his time better trying to break into his own quarters. Perhaps T’Fat would lend him a blowtorch. That was the least she could do since she didn’t want to spend any of her people on fixing the problem. She kept on mumbling about ‘other more important’ repairs.

[Deleted]

Melain fought her emotions for a few minutes before settling down and beginning the necessary paperwork. She probably should have reporter Y'poc's death to the Captain first, but the fact was she wanted to put that off as long as possible.

The questions on the PADD where relatively strait forward, of course most of them she simply had to answer "unknown" age was unknown, next of kin: unknown, time of death: unknown, reason of death: best guess was internal bleeding but they couldn't really be sure. Any medical errors leading to death...

...Too many. She knew better then to trust the scanners for all her information, she knew better then to focus on external wounds first. She knew better then to ignore a scanner alarm, even if she couldn't find out why. In the Academy things were strait forward, you knew the species you where working on, you knew what was wrong, you relied on scans for you every move, and the scans always proved reliable. Even if you failed and the patient died, it was simply a hologram, without a family, a life without consequence.

She stared at the screen, and simply entered: "all medical errors can be attributed to lack of familiarity with species". Afraid to admit Y'poc's death could be placed squarely at her feet.

Melain entered the report into the medical database and sat back in her chair. The ship was lost, and it was highly plausible that they would never find their way home, or even to their own galaxy. There was a crew of hundreds whose health was her responsibility. She wasn't ready for this. It wasn't like the crew would be changing, it wasn't like their where replacements. These people where stuck here, an unchanging community and she would get to know each one of them, and chances where that at some time or another each one would be under her knife, each one's life would rest in her hands...

Melain's thought's where interrupted by Rachael. "Melain, we've cleaned up. Should we continue to crew examinations?"

In the craziness of the day Melain had nearly forgotten that they hadn't even finished examinations on half the crew. "Of course, Tom and you can begin. I need to speak with the Captain."

Rachael nodded and headed to her own office to get the crew lists. Melain got up and slowly headed to the turbolift, realizing she couldn't put off speaking with Harrias any longer. "Deck one, Bridge" she sighed stepping onto the turbolift. The ride went on far too briefly and she nearly changed her mind as the doors opened. Taking a deep breath she stepped onto the bridge and headed to the Captain's ready room

[gracemitchell]

"Harrias, you have every right to feel this way, it's part of being a humanoid. It is the way everyone is feeling. Your feelings of hopelessness are understandable and expected." Grace said.

"The worst part for me, is thinking of the crew's loved ones and how they are feeling about the loss of them."

"Let me tell you how I felt when I first found out I had left family behind in my past. Even though I didn't remember them, I still mourned for the loss of them, then I hoped that they moved on without me. I hoped they lived a full and happy life and I went forward in my life because to keep looking back on what I should of, could of or would have done would have resulted in myself living a half life. I believe everyone can and should live their lives to the fullest. That's what I intend to do now, to live for what is coming not for what has been. From what I am sensing around the ship, that is what the crew is struggling to get to and, unfortunately, that will fall to you to inspire them to get to. You have to get there first, however. Take sometime to mourn, then try to look to the positive, we will get out of this because there is a great crew here with a captain who has a lot of determination to help them find the solution to any problem that is thrown our way. "

"Thank you, Grace I will think on your words. I was wondering, did you ever find out what happened to your family?"

"Yes, I did. My husband raised our children to know that mom loved and cared about them, but would have wanted them to live life not wallow in it. He found someone else to love when the kids were in their teen years. I cried because they had been happy and healthy, remembered me but embraced their new mom from the very beginning and all three of them never looked back."

"Now, what do you feel you should do, Captain?"

[steve]

Steve was sitting in the Commanding officers chair watching Frek and Zhuk talking about their current situation. Mr Hrisvalar was correct, the USS Voyager had been lost and had gotten home but this situation was on a much larger scale.
Steve looked up as the door to the bridge opened and he saw the doctor walk in heading for the captains ready room.
"Doctor" Steve called out
"Yes commander?"
"The Captain is in his quarters at the moment, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Well he asked me to compile a report for him and asked me to bring it to him as soon as it was ready."
"Understood, take it down to him now... I need to have a word with him and I will let him know you are coming."
With that the doctor headed off of the bridge and Steve stepped into the ready room.
=^= Steve to Captain Jira =^=
=^= Go ahead Commander =^=
=^= Sir, with our current situation I feel it might be a good idea for me and a few of the staff to head down to the planet as scans show alot of plant life. We don't know how long we could be here and I feel that if we can find plants that are enable we can start to cut down on power usage."
=^= Commander do you really think that is necessary at this time? =^=
=^= Sir one think I learnt at my time with Star Fleet Intel was to plan for the worse and if it happens you will not be taken by surprise and you are ready. =^=
=^= Very well, take who you need but try not to use anyone who is needed to repair the ship =^=
=^= Very well sir, I will leave as soon as possible =^=
=^= Understood Commander, keep me informed. =^=
=^= Yes sir, and just so you know the Doctor is heading your way with a report. Steve out =^=

Steve walked out of the ready room and turned to Zhuk "Mr Zhukarak I need you to come down to the planet with me, sensors show no signs of life but I want you to make sure."
"We are going to the planet?" Frek called out.
Steve looked over to the CNO "Haven't you had enough of away missions the last few days?"
Frek shook his head
"How are the repairs going on the navigation controls?" Steve asked
"Well to be honest sir I am stuck, I cant make heads or tails of this and I am waiting for an engineer to come and have a look."
"Well then both of you geared up and report to the transporter room in 20 minutes."
Both of the officers nodded and left the bridge Steve tapped his comm badge
=^= Steve to Dr Lorre =^=
=^= Go ahead commander =^=
=^= After you have finished with the Captain please report to the transporter room, we are going to the planet to look for supplies and anything to help in our current situation, Steve out. =^=

Off: Sorry about my LOA - it was a little longer than I expected. The last mission was great and I would like to say well done to you all.

[Deleted]

Melain stepped out of the turbolift and headed to the Captain's quarters. Maybe the report could wait, she didn't want to interupt him and he was probably having a harder time with this then anyone else on board. Then again, she couldn't keep putting it off. He thoughts were interupted by a beep from her comm badge.
=^= Steve to Dr Lorre =^=
=^= Go ahead commander =^=
=^= After you have finished with the Captain please report to the transporter room, we are going to the planet to look for supplies and anything to help in our current situation, Steve out. =^=

Good, an excuse to get off the ship and have some fresh air. Tom and Racheal could handle the exams without her for awhile.

The Captains quarters loomed in front of her. Melain took a moment to straiten out her uniform and attempt to make herself look composed. Taking a deep breath she chimed the door and waited for a reply

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

On his way to the marine armory LtCol Zhukarak Hrisvalar tapped his comm badge.

=/\= SSgt Carrera, meat me at the armory. I want you to join us for an away mission. =/\=

=/\= Yes sir. I’m on my way. =/\=

SSgt Jason Carrera was Zhuk’s right-hand man. Cmdr Steve didn’t mention that Lt Bonar was coming along and he did want to ensure some sense of security. Zhukarak knew it was prudent to bring along his sergeant.

~ Theel’zhiin ~ There was a slight wisking sound and Zhukarak’s firelizard appeared in the corridor as he had just thought of him. Zhukarak knew that Theel’zhiin could use the exercise and he would be helpful also as an added security measure.

The two of them had just arrived at the armory right after SSgt Carrera. SSgt Carrera had already laid out two sets of gear and he was proceeding to put his on. “Standard security gear, sir?” He had asked, not really knowing what kind of mission they were going on.

Zhuk replied outlining the mission. “Yes. This is basically a fact-finding mission for the Commander. You and I will be…how does your species put it…the extra muscle. Standard security detail procedures. Cmdr Thelev will be coming along also.

They geared up and the three of them headed to the transporter rooms.

[fthelev]

With a soft hiss the turbolift continued its way down with Zhuk. Frek continued to the guest quarters he was assigned to for the moment. He had been thinking about going down to the planet, but he didn’t really expected going down there so soon. It seemed trying to break into his own quarters would have to wait for the moment. He wondered which of the archipelagos Commander Steve had chosen to make their landfall.
He entered his temporarily quarters. It was a shame they were only going to look for eatable plants. With all the water around it would be ideal for trying out his latest idea. Self propelling water-skis. When they made it back home he should patent it. It could become the thing to do on holiday planets like Risa. Perhaps he could have a go at it later.

He quickly got the things he needed and headed to the transporter room. Commander Steve would probably already be waiting. A few minutes later Zhukarak and Carrera walked into the transporter room as well.

“All ready sir,” the Andorian marine reported.
Steve looked at them and nodded. “Good. As soon as Doctor Lorre joins us we’re ready to go. She’s probably still with the Captain.”
“She coming as well?” Frek informed. He hadn’t seen her since the last briefing in the conference room.
“Yes, she can determine what plants are most nutritious and which aren’t,” Steve said. “No offence lieutenant, but if you have to determine that we’ll probably all end up with food poisoning.”
Frek gave him an indignant look and decided it would be best to keep quiet. It had been ages since he accidentally gave someone food poisoning. And it hadn’t even been his fault.

[Harrias Jira]

Just as he was about to reply to the counsellor, the door chime sounded. Harrias wasn't sure who it was, but then he was captain, so it could be anyone. He gave the acceptance order, and the door slid open. Dr Lorre stepped in through the doorway, and moved towards them.

"Captain, I have the report you requested."

"Brilliant, thank you." The captain replied, taking the offered PADD from the bajoran. "Do you know how the repairs are going?"

"Sorry sir, I don't."

"No worries Commander."

He smiled at her, and after returning his smile, she turned and left.

Harrias placed the PADD on the desk without reading it. That could wait. He looked back up at Grace.

"Right now, I think I need to do my damnedst to get this ship back home. This is a professional crew, I do not doubt that they can manage it. What about yourself though Grace, I hear you had another vision?"

[Deleted]

Melain breathed a sigh of relief as she left the Captain's quarters. he would read the PADD later, and she wouldn't have to stand there watching him, if she was lucky he'd read it while she was gone, and then something would come up and he'd never talk to her about it.

=A= Lorre to Sickbay, I'm going on an away mission ans won't be back for several hours. Continue the examinations without me and keep Tom activated till I return=A=

=A= Understood Doctor, enjoy the fresh air=A=

Melain stopped by her quarters to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the transporter. When she got there she noticed the others milling around waiting. "Oh, Sorry guys, I'f I' known everyone was waiting I would have picked up the pace a little.

"Don't worry about it. How's Y'poc, we thought he was dead on the Bridge." Frek askd, obviosly not realising how sensative the issue was.

"He might have been, we're not sure when he died." Melain answerd, although she was quite sure he was alive when the beamed him onto the biobed. "Something about him messed up the sensors."

"oh, I'm sorry." Frek apologised.

"No need to apologise, you're not the one who didn't do thier job." Melain replied as she stepped onto the transporter to signal that the conversation was over.

[steve]

Steve was quite surprised by the comment his Chief medical Officer had just made but by the look on her face he decided not to say anything. Instead he decided to talk to her about it once they got home... Steve hadn't made many friends on the ship and maybe he should start.
Turning his head to Frek who to be honest looked shocked by the doctors comments shook his head to tell the CNO to drop it and he did.
"Team.." Steve started "As you know we are a long way from home and Myself and the Captain have decided we should look at stocking up on supplies and resources before we set off on our journey home." Steve paused and took a deep breath "Now if we can get this gate device fixed it could be a matter of days until we are back in federation space but if we don't it could be a long trip and we need to be ready for every possibility." Steve looked each of them in the eyes to make sure they were all listening "Understood!?" He barked
They all nodded all looking more comfortable around him.
"Right" Steve said "You two marine's are incharge of our safety down there, I don't expect anything, but this is an alien planet and you never know."
"Yes sir" was the response.
"Well then if everyone is ready... Chief energize"

The image of the transporters room vanished into a white light and then returned to show him that they were now down on the planet. It looked like they were in the middle of a large valley, hills and mountains surrounded them on all sides. There was trees and green everywhere, a real untouched paradise. Steve looked down at his feet to see that they were standing on a field of grass, grass that climbed up to his knees and he could hear the humming of insects and the tweeting of birds.
Steve looked over to his team "You don't see this everyday" he said with a laugh in his voice.
"Its lovely" he heard the doctor reply "Better keep them birds away from Frek"
Everyone laughed apart from Fek who after a few seconds saw the funny side and a smile appeared on his face.
Sgt Carrera was standing to one side with his tricorder scanning the area.
"I spose we had better get one with some work, Sgt any sighs of life?"
"No sir" He reported "Scans match the scans taken from orbit, apart from animal life we are alone."
"Good" Steve said glad that there wasn't going to be any complications at this point "Mr Thelev... You seemed to be eager to get off the ship back on the bridge, please show us the way." Steve extended out his arm and waited to follow his CNO.

[fthelev]

Commander Steve was right; it was a truly idyllic place. Frek enjoyed the surrounding thoroughly. This was definitely better then being stuck the back on the ship. A nice breeze made its way through the hills, taking the scent of the ocean on the flowers on the island along. This, along with an agreeable temperature of twenty-five degrees Celsius made it a very place to be indeed. Commander Steve had chosen the biggest isle of the archipelago to start their search.
Frek checked the map of the island on his tricorder and took a good look around.
“This way seems to be as good as any,” he said to his superior officer and started to walk in a south-west direction, following the valley towards the coastline a few miles away.

They progressed slowly, the high grass made a bit hard to keep a good pace. The only animal life they encountered so far were birds and insects. It was quite possible other animals made themselves scarce as soon as they spotted the strange intruders.
Frek looked over his shoulder and shot a glance at Melain. Her behaviour in the transporter room worried him a bit. It was not like Melain to behave like that and after all she was a good friend Frek held quite dearly. Perhaps she wanted to talk about later.
“You see anything?” Steve interrupted his thoughts. He probably noticed the chance in pace.
“Huh?” Frek reacted. He composed himself quickly.
“I think their there’s stream a hundred meters ahead, sir. Perhaps we find something there.”
Frek had his doubts about this plant searching thing. After all, who like vegetables anyway?

The grass thinned and the gurgling sound made by the stream became quite clear by now. The stream, perhaps two meters wide lingered through the landscape, looking for the easiest way to sea. Some trees provided some shelter from the system’s sun and spread their branches lazily over the water.
“Hey guys, look at that!” Excitingly sergeant Carrera pointed at some coconut sized things hanging in the trees. “You think it’s fruit?”
They all entered the clearing around the stream by now and stared up at the somewhat exotic looking deep red and purple coloured shapes in the trees.
“Looks like it,” Zhuk agreed.
“Yeah, do you think it’s edible?” Steve questioned.
“It might be,” Melain concurred.
“I’m not trying it first,” Frek said.
“Don’t worry,” Steve said, “The Doctor can scan it first to see if it’s poisonous or not.”
Frek stared at what they assumed to be fruit and back at Steve, a bit uncomfortable. “I’m still not eating it first.”
He didn’t notice Carrera turning away, fighting not to burst out in laughter. Steve sighed and looked at Frek maintaining a serious face. “Very well then Lieutenant. I’ll go first.”
“Thank you sir,” a relieved Frek replied. He stared up at the branches. They were at least three meters from the ground, a bit hard to reach.
“We might need a stick or something to get the fruit down,” Melain noted.
Zhukarak looked around. “It shouldn’t be hard find something.”

They all started searching the area. It didn’t take them very long to find what the needed. Triumphantly Zhuk waved a two meter stick over his head.
“That will do the trick nicely,” Commander Steve noted. He took over the stick from Zhuk. Frek made sure he took enough distance; he didn’t want one of those things landing on his head. For all they knew they might be as hard as rock.
Steve took aim and swung the stick against the branch. Nothing happened. He tried again, this time with more luck. Two of the fruits fell down and landed in front of feet.
Steve picked them up and headed back to rest of the group.
“They don’t feel very hard,” he noticed handing one over to Melain. She took the fruit from him and scanned it.
“Seems perfectly safe to me,” she said after the scan was completed. “According to scan it’s nutritious as well.”
Steve accepted the knife handed to him by Zhukarak and sliced of a piece. The fruit seemed very juicy as it dripped down over Steve’s hand. Carefully he tried a piece.
“Not bad,” he judged after tasting it. He slit of some more pieces and handed them over to the others so they could try as well.
Frek took the piece and put it in his mouth. Commander Steve was right, it wasn’t that bad. It was somewhat sweet and had some sort of indefinable taste.
He leaned back in the grass and consumed another piece. “We should name this fruit,” he said lazily, “We haven’t even named the planet for that matter.”
Frek was about to say something else when suddenly the expression on his face changed. “Oh no,” he groaned in horror.
“What’s wrong?”
Frek jumped back unto his feet started dancing around waving his hands. “I think I’ve just sat in the local variant of fire ants,” he wailed back to the others. “It’s itching terribly!”
“The water!” someone shouted back to him, “Jump into the water.”
The water, that’s good idea, Frek thought as he made run for the stream in the meantime making up not-so-nice names for the local ant population. With a big leap he jumped into the water. He spat put a mouthful of water as he came back up. This was so much better. Thankfully these creatures weren’t waterproof. His colleagues in the meantime had appeared on the shore. Frek was about to climb out and join them when he made another terrible discovery.
“Hey, could you guys pull me out?” Frek asked, “I think I’m stuck in the mud.”

[Deleted]

Melain rolled her eyes and laughed. "Oh really Frek, can't you go for one hour without making a fool of yourself." She put down the fruit, and for the moment completly forgot about the day's former trials. "Someone give him and end of that stick, we'll have to pull him out."

"Couldn't we use the transporter?" Carrera asked.

"We could, but I don't see how a little physical exercise would kill our helmsman." Steve replied, Melain had to agree.

Frek seemed unable to hold onto the stick, and several attempts later the away team had to accept the fact that he was indeed quite stuck.

"My rear hurts." Frek Complained as the rest of the away team debated on what they should do next.

"It's the ant bites, I'll have to take a look once we get you out." Melain replied. "It looks like we'll have to use the transporter anyway."

(O.O.C I am mentaly drained guys so that's really all I can think of right now. I am taking an LOA till the 22, as usual go ahead and post about me, I'm not picky about that sort of thing)

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

=/\= Transporter Chief. Please lock on to Mr. Thelev and beam him on shore two meters east of his location. =/\=

Shortly after Zhukarak had made the request, Frek was beamed out of his predicament. From the waist down his uniform was soiled from the local mud. He couldn’t help but continue scratching his rear where the ant like insects had done their business.

Lorre went over and scanned his derriere. “Nothing a little pain killer and antibiotic can’t cure.” She pulled out a hypospray and injected him. He felt instant relief of his painful itching.

SSgt Carrera did find the whole ordeal funny, but he kept a straight face as much as possible…at least in front of his superior officers.

[rex]

Rex had handed over the bridgestation and was currently in his quarters. When he took a seat he finally realized what had happened in the last days, and more importantly how it had drained his energy. Were they ever going back home?

The lieutenant was disturbed by the fact that it didn't matter that much to him wether or not they would return into their own time and space eventually. Fact was that for
Rex there wasn't much to get back to. He hadn't spoken with his parents in years. And besides the occasional fling, a meaningful relation wasn't waiting either.

With that thought still going through his head, Rex fell fast asleep.

[gracemitchell]

"I wouldn't call it another vision, more like a visitation from th ship's ghosts." Grace replied.

Harrias gave her a look then said "Just what I need right now, ghosts on the ship! I thought they were just your ghosts?"

"Well, I guess thay can be considered my ghosts as I am the only one that sees them. Maybe I'll keep them a secret from the rest of the crew."

"What did your ghosts visit you about?"

"Ummmm, I am not sure I want to release that information just now. I will keep it between the ghosts and myself, it isn't relevant at the moment."

"Keeping secrets now, Grace. That's not like you."

"Have you ever heard the expression, a woman's perogative? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. "
"Seriously, Harrias, why not use me as a sounding board about the ship's predicament. Sometimes saying thoughts outloud can be helpful at finding solutions or releasing tensions that one is feeling." Grace said and waited for Harrias to speak knowing full well that he would not talk to her about his thoughts or feelings.

"Not now, Grace, later perhaps. You on the other hand are looking a little tired, maybe you should take sometime and go have a rest."

"Not a bad suggestion, I think I will. Good-bye, Captain" Grace left Harrias, knowing he will probably never be able to let himself talk to her about his feelings. "Wonder what he is hiding" Grace thought to herself.

In a way, Grace would have liked to have gone to the surface, it would have been a nice break from the ship, instead she headed to a holodeck. "Now, I wonder if the program is still here" Grace looked throught the programs in the holodeck and found what she was looking for. She gave the command to the computer and entered the holodeck.

[Harrias Jira]

Harrias wasn’t sure that he liked Grace’s decision not to reveal what the ‘ghosts’ had said to her. However, of all his worries, it was one of the less pressing ones, much more pressing was the need to get home. The trill taped his commbadge.

=/\= Captain Jira to away team. =/\=

=/\= Steve here, go ahead Captain. =/\=

=/\= How is your hunt going Commander? Find anything of use? =/\= He hoped they would be able to find something. If nothing else, it would prove some kind of victory for them, and that was something that they were in dire need of.

=/\= We have found one edible fruit, but I’m hoping we will be able to locate some more. =/\=

=/\= Very good, keep me updated. Jira out. =/\=

He took a breath, and then contemplated what to do. Strictly speaking he was off duty, although he felt like that was something he never was anymore. With a sigh, something he did tend to do more recently, he started to make his way to the bridge. Before he got as far as the turbolift however, he rethought his plans, and returned to his quarters. Stepping back inside, he sat down on the sofa in the middle of the room.

He carefully slowed his breathing down and then, with his legs folded underneath himself, he let his mind fade away, and take its place alongside the previous six hosts. The hosts personalities and thoughts started to intermingle, to cooperate, to help him. Meditation had been long overdue, the problems ailing him, along with the feeling of unease that he still had at times about his joining had been bothering him more and more lately.

Finally, he allowed Marcos’ personality to come to the fore, and he leaned over to the table in front of him, and picked up a pad of paper, and a pencil. Slowly, he started sketching, the lines connecting and creating in ways that Harrias could barely understand, but were locked away in the Jira symbiont, and now were released, letting go of some of the anxiety that was with him. His eyes closed slowly, letting the mind rest, but still his hand kept drawing, drawing something that Harrias could not see, could no imagine. The sketching only drew to a close when the trill lost consciousness, and fell into a light slumber.

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Another away team had been sent so that they could gather up the edible fruits that had been found, enough to stock up part of a cargo bay. The coordinates had been transmitted for the transporter chief to beam them up. The cook would find ways to use this fruit to enhance other dishes.

In the meantime the initial way team had continued on. A crossing had been found over the stream that Mr. Thelev had been stuck in. It was low level at this point and smooth rocks were jutting out of it for safe passage. The foliage had become a little denser than before. There wasn’t much to see as their vision had become limited.

SSgt Carrera was out at point. It didn’t seem like they were getting anywhere. Zhukarak addressed Cmdr Steve. “Sir, I’m not sure if continuing on would make us any more successful in locating anything else to bring back to the ship. What are your orders?”

<Steve>

[Deleted]

Melain was enjoying the fresh air, and was reminded somewhat of Bajor. She should have spent more time enjoying the planet instead of fretting her week away in the archives, and now it looked like she may never see her homeworld again. Don't think like that Melain, Voyager got home, and you will too she caught herself. The senior crew would need to at least try and put on a hopeful face.

Senior crew It was hard for her to think of herself as one of them. She'd only graduated from the Academy last month, and the only reason she was given a position as CMO was because the fleet was in bad need of medical personnal. There where ensigns on board with more experiance then her, and would she really be able to gain thier respect and trust?

"Melain, is this root safe to eat?" Frek asked, shoving a foul smelling tuber in her face, interupting her thoughts.

Melain scanned the root. "Not unless you want to spend the next three days hovering over the latrine. Oh you may also want to wash your hands."

"Yuck!" Frek yelled, tossing the tuber aside and rushing over towards the stream. "Why don't you tell me these things before I pick them up!"

"Because you would probably pick it up anyway." Melain replied flatly as she investigated some shrubbery. Frek seemed to have found his Niche among the crew, how long would it take her?

[fthelev]

Frek stared at Melain. She seemed to be a bit absent-minded again. He noticed that more often with her lately. He sighed deeply and stared at his crewmates scattered around the area, when all of a sudden he felt a cold stroke in his neck. Another gust of a chilling wind, increasing in speed, sending a shiver down his spine. Melain had noticed the sudden change as well. She looked up alarmed.

“What was that?” she asked, shocked out of her thoughts. By the time Frek could reply the others had joined them as well.

“Look at that.” Four pair of eyes followed the outstretched hand of Steve, which guided their stare towards the sky visible above the tree line. Clouds, dark and grey, packed together and obscured the light from the planets’ star. Menacingly rapid they extended, throwing the land below into an eerie twilight. Within minutes the scenery had changed, from what could be considered paradise like, into something horrendous.

“That can’t be good,” Zhukarak muttered. He had barely finished his sentence when the sky exploded with a loud crack, sending bolts of lightening towards the ground. Slowly at start the rain began to fall, quickly picking up in ferocity.

“We have to get out of here,” Steve shouted, trying to top the sound of the rain lashing down on the leaves of the plants surrounding them.

“According to earlier scans there are some caves in the hills towards the east,” Frek shouted back, “We might find some shelter that there.”

Steve considered it and made a quick decision. “Let’s go and hurry!”

Another crack thundered through the sky accompanied by another bolt of lightening. The storm seemed to be approaching fast. Not totally unconcerned Frek wondered how long the storm would last. He had heard stories at the Academy about some planets where terrible storms lasted for days. It was not something he cared to experience himself.

“Stay close together,” Steve shouted, “It’s easy to lose track of each other. Let’s go!”

It was a valid warning. The rain had transformed everything into a haze. Frek could barely distinguish Melain and she was standing right next to him. Frek kept a close eye on Carrera who was walking in front of him and grabbed Melain’s hand, dragging her along and closed the line. The rain had not diminished and didn’t show any sign of doing just that. Everyone on the away team was soaked and the temperature had dropped notably as well.

“How far are we?” Frek could barely hear Melain over the pounding booms of the thunder.

“I don’t,” he yelled back, “I gave the tri-corder to the Commander.”
He wanted to say something reassuring but it got lost in the noise of a new round of rumble, immediately followed by a series of flashes. Another loud crack and the dark sky spat its fire downwards. The sparks rained down as the bolt of lightening struck a tree, perhaps ten or fifteen meters away. The stem broke and crashed to the ground between Frek and Carrera, separating the two. A sharp stench came from the smouldering remains of the tree top, releasing a string of smoke and vapour in its unfair fight against the water.

ooc. Sorry it took so long for me to post. I've been a bit too busy lately.