Shore Leave 6.0 - Nevermore

[Deleted]

Waking up in a sweat, Nack immediately called for illumination.

=/\= Computer, lights, 20% intensity =/\=

The lights slowly rose to a level to where Nack could see around the room. He had the most horrific dream - a dream that the Brain had returned. The fact that an escape pod got away haunted him, and probably would continue to do so for some time.

He swung his legs out of bed, planted his feet on the floor, and waited for his balance to catch up with him before he stood up. The replicator across the bedroom was ordered to materialize a glass of water, which it did. Nack gulped it down. He put the glass down and took a look at his neck in the mirror. There was still bruising from where he was held in a choke hold, but it was healing quickly. Ferengis had evolved rigid neck structures for just such a thing... being strangled. In a few days, it would be gone. Nack wasn't self conscious, though. He was just examining it. It was more a scar of courage than a scar of embarrassment.

"I wonder if anyone else is getting any sleep." he said to himself as he climbed back into bed. Lying in bed, half-awake half asleep, he drifted back into his sleep.

[Jon Park]

Lt. Commander Park was awakened by the ships computer "The time is 0630 hours." even when the ship was at starbase he had security rounds to do. Commander Razan had contacted him and informed him she would be leaving at 0900 so he had sometime to go before he saw her off. Heading to his closet he grabbed a fresh uniform looking at the collar he felt weird seeing the third half pip showing his rank as Lt.Commander after what happened Felt he didn't deserve it. Losing two crew members when the Brain destroyed there fighters and then losing the brain too. he was just down. As he arrived at his office there was a light on his computer.

"Computer play message" Park said. The computer asked for his security code and he gave it the computer stated the message had an auto reply function and to standby for live feed. As Park sat in his chair the screen flashed the logo of the starfleet security. Looking at the time on the terminal he saw the time was 0715 hours. ~What Officer would be in there office at this time of day.~ Park thought but was cut off by the face of admiral Harris at starfleet security.

"Commander. How are you?" Harris asked Park looked at him knowing he is on earth at headquarters but still. "Fine, Sir May i assume you are calling about Commander Razan?" Harris was shocked eyeing him Harris replied " How did you know? Never mind i have found you can guess things right. Anyway yes it is she has been approved for command training and i was going to send her last evaluation to the Commanders in charge yet the last CSTO never transmitted it. " Park started to access the wanted information but it couldn't be found "Sir I can't seem to find that file. But i did a transfer summery witch you have so i guess that will have to be enough." Park said. What wasn't said was how the Last CSTO was lacking in paperwork. Harris nodded "Yes commander that will have to do. Your new officers will be transfered on board at 0900. I know you will like Captain Marks." Harris added just before signing off "Enjoy your shore leave. Harris out."

Park looked at his clock the time was 0745 he need to start his rounds. Park headed to the bridge and was not surprised to find Lt.Junior Grade Riker on the bridge. When he saw Park he started to move away, But park held his hand to stay him. "I am not here to relive you i have no bridge duty today i an just here to do morning rounds and security checks." Riker nodded in response " Well, sir it has been quiet." As Riker handed him a Padd showing the nights activities. "Well make sure that Klino relives you at the right time and enjoy your shore leave." Park headed to the next spot on his check Main engineering. As the lift took him down Park was ready to meet there new CEO. Park was thinking ~Bit-Cloud interesting name~ of course he reviewed the Officers Bio when he learned he was assigned here and he hoped the Officer did as well.

Entering engineering he went to the CEO's office he didn't find the Chief but the assistant chief engineer." Ah Commander Belrug I thought that Ensign Bit-Cloud would be here at his station by know yet he does have some time. Please let him know i was here doing security checks and have him contact me should he need anything." As the assistant CEO let Park know that she would he left engineering seeing the time on a console as he passed he saw he need to get to transporter room 2 the time was 0845 hours and Commander Razan would be leaving soon.

Park arrived in transporter room two a few minutes ahead of Lt.Commander Razan. Knowing what this meant to him to have one of his first officers under his command to be leaving was a little depressing yet a happy occasion she was going to be going to do something better and maybe there paths would cross again. The transporter rooms doors opened and chief Tobias entered followed by commander Razan. She had one bag with her Park knew her other items were already on the starbase waiting for her. As she put the Bag down she turned to him "Sir, Permission to disembark." Park looked at her and said "Permission Granted. Good luck Commander Razan." As she steeped onto the transporter pad Park move up to the controls Tobias moved back already knowing what he was going to do. Razan looked around the Transporter room and finally her eyes fell on Lt.Commander Park "Energize." Park pressed the controls and in a simmer of light she was carried from the Nevada and was gone. Park turned to Tobias and gave him back the controls. A few minutes later Tobias told park the new officers were ready to come aboard. " By all means chief bring them aboard."

The transporter beam simmered and there stood four people three wearing gold uniforms and one in a marine uniform. stepping forward Park got there attain." I am Commander Jon Park i am your CSTO and for now i am the Marine Officer CO as well. I have placed Lt. Jones in command until we receive a replacement from Starfleet marine corp. Settle in and get the ship layout set to memory if you haven't yet. Should you need anything questions or concerns come see me." Turning to leave Park stopped just at the door " Oh one more thing report to sickbay for your physical." At that he left and returned to his office. got to work reviewing the padd he was given on the bridge

[Deleted]

|Hotel SolMelia

Dr. Grey's eyes were grainy with lack of sleep. She would lay down, doze for maybe 15 minutes then see the image of Captain Nack flying across the room and her eyes would pop open.

Two hours of this and she'd had enough. Succumbing to the lure of a sleeping aid, Lucy set a hypospray against her neck, heard the hiss of the drug entering her system and had time to set the hypo on the nightstand before she dropped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

==next day==

Lucille (call me Lucy) Grey woke feeling drugged. Her eyes kept dropping closed but she wasn't truly tired any longer.

Just the reason I didn't want to use that stuff in the first place.

To get the drug out of her system, she gave herself a massive shot of pre-natal vitamins. By the time Lucy stepped out of the shower, she was awake and alert for the first time in days.

The mission had gone well in comparison to others she'd been on. The trip to the Dyson's Sphere was a case in point. She's gotten lost, fell through the rotten floorboards of an old shack taking Beta with her. Captain Phoenix hadn't been too pleased about that. One of two androids in Starfleet and she'd almost destroyed him.

But they'd made it. She would get through this, too.

Leaving her rented, temporary quarters, Lucy checked the directional schematic and chose what should be a decent breakfast cafe.

Connor Stephens had left as soon as the ship docked. He hadn't said good bye or go to hell. She'd get through that, too.

[Deleted]

"Sickbay to Commander Trek," came a comm call.

Dan hit his comm badge. "Go ahead."

"Captain Dixon is awake, and he's asking for you, sir."

"I'll be right there," he answered.

Dan was quick to get to Sickbay. Restoring Alex's body to its proper form had been a long and difficult ordeal. The news that Alex was awake by itself would have gotten him down there as fast as his legs and ship's systems could take him. But that Alex was asking for him...

"Alex," Dan said, as his reached the bedside of his former Captain, and dear friend. His skin was discolored, and his appendages, particularly his fingers and toes, were still somewhat misshapen, but he certainly looked far more human than the last time Dan had seen him.

"Dan.." Alex said, opening his eyes.

"How do you feel?" Dan asked, looking at his face, rather than focusing on the rest of him.

"Myself. It's nice to have my thoughts be my own again, rather than having another entity always intruding...influencing....controlling. Though I also feel a bit...small. Being wired into a ship, I felt like I was the ship."

"What happened, Alex? How did you become part of it? And why did it leave the station, steal the ship?"

"Propogation," Alex said, confirming their hypothesis. "It wanted to reproduce. And the station wasn't big enough to allow that. And since the traffic to and from the Station was so limited, it finally just commandeered a ship. And it concluded that the best way to optimize my role in its decision-making processes, as it usually consulted me, was to direct link us. I was resistant to the idea, as you can imagine, but when it complete control over ship's systems, it was able to trap me and do as it wished. That was, without any hesitation or doubt whatsoever, the most horrific and terrible experience I've ever gone through in my life."

"I can imagine," Dan said, then added, "I take that back, I can't imagine."

At that point, the nurse came over. "Sorry, Commander, but he needs rest now."

Dan nodded. "I'll be back later," he said to Alex, then left.

[Deleted]

"These are enough to break a man's teeth!" Nack exclaimed as his pointed Ferengi teeth almost shattered on the cooked eggs he was eating. This was a bad breakfast choice on his part, combined with bad cookery. There must of been a replicator power surge that caused it.

He waived down someone to come help him. He had a long few days, continually getting debriefed by Starfleet command about the previous mission. This was supposed to be his day off, a relaxing morning, but so far he was not enjoying it.

He noticed Commander Grey eating across the way. It caused him to forget about his eggs to go sit with her. He could always order from her table.

Nack leaned in, almost too closely, to be sure that Lucy could see his new pip. He wasn't going to bring up his promotion to her, convincing himself he was too modest to do so. Instead, he made every attempt to coax her into speaking first.

"Yeah," he sighed, unprompted, "I got it pretty good over the last few days." He rubbed his neck, trying to draw attention to the Captain's pips.

"Apparently the Brain may have gotten away." he said, almost uninterested in his own words. Why wasn't she noticing? Perhaps she didn't want to stroke his ego? It was frustrating, so Nack blurted it out.

"They made me a Captain!"

But the way he blurted it out seemed very forced. "... I guess I didn't do too bad." he modified it.

The conversation continued, and eventually came back to the state of their senior staff. They had been running short on staff lately, and the return to the Starbase almost guaranteed a fresh influx of staff that were capable.

"Well, since Commander Trek left engineering to assume the duties of First Officer, he was overseeing Commander Belrug's running of the department. She did a good job, but made it clear that she did not wish to hold the position permanently. She only took the interim position because Dan asked her as a friend."

He grabbed the padd he kept in his back pocket. Scrolling past the latest business sales, contracts with Admirals Drew and Elron, and quarterly profit margins, he reached the screen he was looking for.

"Ensign Andrew Bit-Cloud will be joining us on our next mission. I haven't met the fellow, though." Captain's typically went awhile before meeting new crew, but if he was going to be Senior Staff, Nack felt it necessary to try to interact.

"Ensign?" went through Nack's mind. The first time he read that, he missed the rank. This time, out loud to Lucy, he realized how awkward that could be.

"Says here that Starfleet sees him as an up-and-coming engineer. Should be promoted through the ranks rather quickly." Nack was familiar with the program. He, himself, had received special promotions rather quickly. Lucy too. Starfleet rewarded quickly those that showed promise.

Nack finally found the waitress and told her the problem of his eggs, opening his mouth so she could inspect the tooth that he felt might be broken. She turned away, grossed out, after affirming that no tooth was broken.

"Sometimes you have to give them incentive to get their rear in gear," Nack said, winking at Doctor Grey.

[ryo8462]

*Back on the starbase*

Bit had left the mass of people that had gathered for the ceremony for the graduating cadets. It had been a spectacular moment so far in his life received his first official rank as Ensign. Everything seemed to be going great for now he thought walking over to one of the windows and leaning against the wall looking around and rubbing his fingers over his new pip.

After a few minutes of day dreaming he brought the PADD he was handed at the end of the ceremony up and started to read over it. It had been where he would be stationed at. All the graduating cadets had gotten them as everything started to wrap up. According to the PADD he would be assigned to the USS-Nevada a Akira class ship.

He spent a few minutes studying it before he realized he had to go get packed and be on the shuttle before it left so he left where he was and went to go pack. He didn't have a lot of things with him so it was easy to get ready. He turned around and looked at his empty quarters he had been assigned then turned around and left for the docking ring.

He was able to get a shuttle that was going to the area of were Starbase Assailant was so he got on and they took off.

*Few Days Later*

It had taken longer then expected too to reach the starbase but when they finally did they could the Nevada in drydock and decided to just dock there.

*USS Nevada*

Bit got out of the shuttle and looked around at the shuttle bay the snapped out of his day dream and went to corridor. He got out into the hall and continued down towards the turbolift. He got up to the lift pressed the button and the doors opened and he got inside.

[Jon Park]

Park was contacted by the bridge there was a shuttle docking that held our officer. Park walked to the closest turbolift and waited. The turbolift stopped and the doors opened and there stood an young man with Ensign pips. Jon looked at him and entered the lift. "Ensign Bit-Cloud I presume. I am the CSTO Lt.Commander Jon Park."

<Tag Bit-Cloud>

"Get settled in but i suggest you check in with Captain Nack before you head to Engineering." The lift stopped on his deck and the turbolift doors opened. As Jon exited He turned to Bit-cloud. "If you need anything you know where i office is and you can call me Jon hen we are not on duty."

[Deleted]

As he left Sickbay, Dan wondered what to do next. Then, it came to him: food. He wanted food. He was about to go up to the Mess Hall, when he stopped himself and reminded himself that they were docked at Starbase. Better to take advantage of the culinary options there.

Walking down the Promenade, he spotted the Captain and Doctor Grey. He walked over, and settled heavily into a chair beside them. "Sometimes I feel like I'm getting too old for this," he said, skipping over "Hello".

"I just came from talking with Alex...Captain Dixon, that is," he said, since he was sure he was the only one on the crew that referred to Alex by his first name. "Don't worry, Doctor, I didn't stay too long. Your nurse dutifully shooed me out after a short while."

"We have word on your successor," Nack said, handing over a PADD, referring to the Chief Engineer.

"Oh?" Dan said, looking at the PADD. "Ensign Andrew Bit-Cloud....Ensign. This should be interesting."

"How do you think Commander Belrug will take it?" Nack asked, taking the PADD as Dan handed it back to him.

"It'll be interesting for a while. Not the first time that I've done this to my Assistant CEO. When I was promoted to First Officer on the Raven, a Lieutenant Junior Grade was made Chief over the Assistant CEO. That just happened to be Lieutenant McLean. My, Paria wasn't happy about that. Paria was a Lieutenant Commander as well, though there's a difference in that Florkem isn't interested. And Paria hadn't already been doing the job."

Dan shook his head. "I'm starting to remember why I retired the last time. But don't worry Captain," he said, then noticed the Ferengi's collar, "...Captain? Congratulations, sir. You deserve it."

[ryo8462]

"Get settled in but i suggest you check in with Captain Nack before you head to Engineering." The lift stopped on his deck and the turbolift doors opened. As Jon exited He turned to Bit-cloud. "If you need anything you know where i office is and you can call me Jon hen we are not on duty."

Bit nodded not knowing what exactly to say then the doors closed and he pulled out his PADD with the details of the ship on it. He thought he might go find some empty quarters get settled in then change into a clean uniform before presenting himself to the captain.

He took a good look at the PADD to find out where the crew quarters

"Deck...5" he said unsure of which deck to actually pick. The lift was off again and then it opened up and bit walked out. He walked around the deck till he found some quarters with no name plate on it and walked in.

"Computer Lights" he said and the lights went on full. It was a decent size room. When you first enter theres a decent size living room with a couch and a small glass table, off to the right was a bathroom and to the far left was a bedroom, right before you got the the bedroom there was a desk next to the window for work and a few meters down from the door to the bathroom was a replicator.

Bit walked over to the bedroom and placed his bag down. In the room there was only the bed and against the wall on the other side of the bed was a small chest with about 5 Drawers that were decent size.

Bit opened his bag and pulled out a spare uniform and some other clothes he had packed for when he was off duty. He then pulled out some images of his family and friends from when he was growing up.

He folded his clothes accordingly and placed them into the correct drawers then he picked up his pictures and sat one on top of his Chest then moved out to the living area and placed two ontop of the table then went back over to the desk and placed the last one on there.

After he finished putting his bag away he then took off his uniform took a nice hot shower and put a new cleaner uniform on then left his quarters to go look for the captain

Bit got out into the hall and realized he didn't know where the captain was so he thought he would try to ask the computer

"Computer" he heard the computer beep waiting for his inquiry
"Is Captain Nack on board?"

"Negative, Captain Nack is not on board"

Bit got to the turbolift and stepped inside "Deck 15" he said and the lift was off. A few minutes later the doors opened and he walked down the hall till he got to a rather big door that read "Transporter room 1" he went inside and saw someone working at the console.

Bit stepped up onto the pad and looked around "Energize" he said and before long was dematerialized and rematerialized on the station. He stepped off the pad and left the room and fell into the mass of people on the promenade. Bit started to look everywhere for the captain not really sure what kind of ferengi to look for as there was many Ferengi around.

After about 5 minutes of looking bit realized he was getting really hungry and decided he would go to one of the cafe's here and try something to eat. He looked around and walked into the closest one so to avoid having to get though the crowd

<tag>

[Deleted]

Lucy leveled the fork toward her lips when she saw an ear our of the corner of her eye. It had to be Captain Nack. Her eyes lit on his fourth pip. He’d made Captain! Smiling, she looked up to notice that he was trying to coax her into speaking without having to tell her about his promotion. It was too much for her to hold in.

She straightened her features and asked, “Have you been in debriefing all this time?”

"Yeah," he sighed, "I got it pretty good over the last few days." He rubbed his neck. "Apparently the Brain may have gotten away," he said. He grinned and said loudly, "They made me a Captain!"

Dr. Grey grinned and laughed. “Congratulations, captain. I’m sorry, but I was teasing you. I did notice and I’m so very pleased.”

"... I guess I didn't do too bad." He replied.

“You did wonderfully.” Lucy tilted her head to the side and said, “I think you know that, too. And while we’re mentioning it, are we getting new staff? We’ve lost some.” The face of Lt. Stephens rose before her. She squashed the image. He didn’t even say good bye, the creep!

"Well, since Commander Trek left engineering to assume the duties of First Officer, he was overseeing Commander Belrug's running of the department. She did a good job, but made it clear that she did not wish to hold the position permanently. She only took the interim position because Dan asked her as a friend."

He grabbed the padd he kept in his back pocket. "Ensign Andrew Bit-Cloud will be joining us on our next mission. I haven't met the fellow, though. Says here that Starfleet sees him as an up-and-coming engineer. Should be promoted through the ranks rather quickly."

The waitress came over, took Nack’s order and quickly left. "Sometimes you have to give them incentive to get their rear in gear," Nack said, winking at Doctor Grey.

Unexpectedly, Dantrek settled heavily into a chair beside them. "Sometimes I feel like I'm getting too old for this," he said, skipping over "Hello".

"I just came from talking with Alex...Captain Dixon, that is," he said, "Don't worry, Doctor, I didn't stay too long. Your nurse dutifully shooed me out after a short while."

"We have word on your successor," Nack said, handing over a PADD, referring to the Chief Engineer.

"Oh?" Dan said, looking at the PADD. "Ensign Andrew Bit-Cloud....Ensign. This should be interesting."

"How do you think Commander Belrug will take it?" Nack asked, taking the PADD as Dan handed it back to him.

"It'll be interesting for a while. Not the first time that I've done this to my Assistant CEO. When I was promoted to First Officer on the Raven, a Lieutenant Junior Grade was made Chief over the Assistant CEO. That just happened to be Lieutenant McLean. My, Paria wasn't happy about that. Paria was a Lieutenant Commander as well, though there's a difference in that Florkem isn't interested. And Paria hadn't already been doing the job."

Dan shook his head. "I'm starting to remember why I retired the last time. But don't worry Captain," he said, then noticed the Ferengi's collar, "...Captain? Congratulations, sir. You deserve it."

Lucy lifted her head when she saw the waitress headed their way with a plate of eggs. Dr. Grey was going to be scheduling Captain Nack for a dental appointment within the first week of their new mission. If she were to mention that, he might delay the mission for two or three years.

Glancing up, she saw an ensign approach.

<Bit-Cloud>

"Good to meet you," Lucy said, holding out her hand.

<Everyone>

[Jon Park]

Jon put the padd down and turn off the computer. Finally all the reports have been completed from the incident with the brain and he could enjoy his leave. Tapping his combadge =/\= Park to Klino." Lt. Klino responded "Klino here, Sir" Park picked up his cup and returned it to the replicator. " I will be heading to the station for a little bit you are in command of the ship given that Nack and Dan are not aboard. Contact any of us if needed. Park out."

Heading to the transporter room just down the hall from his office he entered seeing Crewman Tobias at the controls. Tobias saw him and commented "So Jon not going to change out of your uniform." Park looked at him as he stepped on the pad "No john i am not." With a smile on his face he added " your lucky i don't go armed. Has anyone left the ship?" John look at his board preparing to beam him over "Yes Ensign bit-Cloud left about 15 minute ago." " Very good john Energize." Park commanded. As the transporter beam took him off the Nevada and moved him to the starbase Park found himself always fascinated by the transporter.

Heading around the Promenade Jon was looking for some food and company not really in of the starfleet kind, However when he saw the command crew of the Nevada sitting at a table he didn't see why not them. Heading over he stopped to ask to join them when he noticed a forth full pip on Nack's collar. " Captain, Sir Congrats May i join you all?"

<Tag Anyone>

[Deleted]

"I need to thank you for securing a new Engineering Officer, Lucy." He was informal with her now, as his eggs came that he looked forward to eating. As some of the yolk of the runny eggs dripped down his chin, he continued to speak.

"I am thinking that I should put you in charge of being our official recruiter. You know, you can peruse the Academy graduates, both ones that you like and suggestions from Commander Trek and myself," he realized his face had egg all over it and wiped it off, "and you can welcome them once they arrive." He let the question sink in as Ensign Bit-Cloud and Jon Park entered the room.

"Ensign Bit-Cloud?" Nack queried, making sure he got the name right. "Is it Bit.. Cloud... or both?" Nack didn't really have a last name, so found it a bit odd that there were two names.

Nack introduced the crew.

Jon Park interjected at that time, noticing the fourth pip. "Aye, apparently they had promoted me before the whole destruction of the Vulcan ship on the assumption that I was going to retrieve it successfully." He almost wished now he wasn't so forthcoming with his words. "They had already decided though, so I guess they can't take back their decision."

Thankfully, too. Nack had just grown accustomed to his new role. Besides, the retrofitted Captain's chair to accommodate a small-framed Ferengi would not fit anyone besides him anymore!

"I'm getting word of our next assignment, but the major details are classified. I can't discuss them here," Nack said now that most of his crew was present at the table. More yolk ran down his face, and the Captain only realized it when everyone stared at his lips during his every word... which never happened normally.

"Apparently there is an underground internal-organ market running ramped throughout the sector, and we are going to be sent to take out their largest distributor. 'The Internal Thief ', as he is called, is wanted throughout the Alpha Quadrant for the exporting of internal organs." What Nack did not tell his crew at the time was that the leads were slim. Nobody knew if this 'internal thief' was one person, two people, a group... But there were always similarities in how business transactions were hidden and covered, which is how they knew that there was one entity behind it all.

Taking a gulp from his cup and burping while not showing much etiquette, Nack hushed his story. "The rest I can give you when we get back on the ship."

"Ensign Bit-Cloud, did you find your quarters?" It was time for a change of subject anyways. Work was work, but all fun and no play made Nack a dull .. Captain.

[T'Brel Peers]

While his crew mates enjoyed a well deserved break, T'Brel felt it necessary to try and meditate on the path he had chosen. The people who he loved were spread throughout the quadrant and he couldn't help but feel desperately alone. He had served on the Nevada for a few months and he had yet to make a friend. His Vulcan tendencies told him that this was for the best, but his host cried out for social interactions. T'Brel's experiences with his host were for the most part passive, but he wouldn't be able to deny them much longer.

The turmoil that would be caused to his mind would be extreme and one of his more powerful host could easily take over. Even though he knew each host intimately and loved them all, he knew that some of them preferred the use of violence. Meditating allowed him to center his thoughts and talk to his previous host without the use of the Zhian'tara.

~We are tired of your doubts T'Brel son of T'Reed. We all know that you are capable of many things. Not allowing yourself to grow as an individual will hurt you in the end.~

~I doubt for good cause~ T'Brel replied, ~we have seen our future. It caused many their lives.~

~That was a possible future, we don't know for certain these events will happen. We are here to help you. Use our past experiences to help you. We speak as one in this matter.~

Knowing that he had just experienced something rare and special, T'Brel embraced the council of Peers previous host. He had always hesitated before but he knew it was time for him to delve deeper into the memories of his host. Nothing was certain, but he knew that his life would be a lot more interestin from now on.

[Seth Helacaan]

Acting Ensign Seth Helacaan's time on Starbase Conqueror had been brief, and he was now already on another base, Starbase Assailant. The USS Nevada-B was the ship he was assigned, and the circumstances regarding his direct deployment into the fleet was going to be the main subject of his thought regarding the assignment.

He quickly decided he liked Assailant over Conqueror, it was more in-fitting with his idea of Starfleet, big and flashy. The dour Wezean approached the docking ring. The USS Nevada was hanging in the huge arena there, an Akira Class Ship, bigger than they look in pictures.. Seth thought. The Akira, which was the same size as the old Excelsior Class was not to be underestimated. He reached the airlock, behind which was a connecting corridor that led to the ship. He entered and traversed the distance of the short walkway, he stepped onto the deck of the vessel for the first time...

The first thing Seth felt he had to do was report to a member of the senior staff, he was well aware that the ship's crew were on a short break between missions, but the sooner he reported in the better. Seth found his quarters to drop off his belongings, there weren't many of them so that wasn't to difficult. He nonchalantly chucked them on the bed; a moderately sized bag with a few books, holographs and other mementos of home, as well as a couple of other small things.

Seth brought up his Ship Ops training from somewhere in his mind. He had been fasttracked through as the circumstances had called for, and had taken part in the training program to get him up to speed with the rest. "Computer..?" he called. A beeping noise signalled to the homecome colonist that the machine had heard him, "What's the location of the Captain?" he asked.

"Captain Nack is not aboard the Nevada" said the female voice.

"Locate the first officer then."

"Commander Trek is not aboard the Nevada" said the annoying female voice.

Great... Seth thought. But he supposed he couldn't blame the crew for being off the ship.

He decided that the Captain could wait to hear from him for a while. Seth sat on his bed and thought of home. He felt that he needed to remind himself of why he was currently doing what he was doing, serving with Starfleet, a Federation organisation. All of his life had been spent living in abject, unfair and ludicrous poverty. His bitterness and anger towards the Federation had been unquenchable. No, has been. He needed to keep reminding himself. I won't fail you... Seth offered up a reassurance, to the avatars of his family in his mind.

[Deleted]

Nack awoke in his quarters. It was a new day, and with it brought the realization that shore leave was about to end. Which, to the Ferengi, was not something he had wanted. He had grown used to the relaxed atmosphere of the Starbase. After the briefings were over, where Nack was continually injected figuratively with painful jabs at his command experience, he found himself at ease with the lackadaisical attitude of a starbase. He pleaded, using the excuse that his crew needed more time, with his superiors to delay their next mission. In truth, it was he who wanted to reap the benefits of the Starbase for a few weeks longer.

He drank a slug-o-cola while reading the mission briefing that appeared on his desk console at 0600 hours. The starbase's temporary quarters had all amenities as his Starship quarters... of course, that also meant that he had a workstation there too. The only downside.

---

Mission Briefing
USS Nevada
Security Level: Secret

---

The following are your mission parameters:

As you already know, Starfleet has been enjoying relative peace with the Romulan Empire. In the past few years, new trade routes were even opened that went through what was formerly the Romulan-Starfleet demilitarized zone. Both the Romulan Empire and Starfleet have been reaping the benefits of this agreement.

Recently, an arm of a technologically advanced crime syndicate has been illegally trading through the region. The syndicate branch has been looting ships for valuable items. The most disturbing of these items they choose to steal are the organs of crew members. We don't have to tell you how much organs are worth, Doctor Nack.

This has caused tension with our neighbor. The Romulan Empire has made it clear that they will not tolerate this syndicate any longer, who's acts stem from problems within Starfleet.

We have had investigators on the case for some time now, but their operation has continuously been disrupted by either the lack of fire power, or the lack of resources.

As a Doctor, a Ferengi, and a Captain, we have chosen you and your ship to seek out and arrest the members of this syndicate branch. Specifically, the leader of this illegal trade ring, named "The Internal Thief", or "The Thief" for short.

Our chief investigator, Commander Lisa Waterson, will assist you on your continued investigation. She will be your biggest resource in uncovering and disabling your target.

We expect you to begin your mission as soon as possible. Commander Waterson has already made arrangements to meet you on the Starbase, and will be there within the next few days.

As always, good luck Captain.

---

Nack sighed as he closed the recorded communication. It looked like short-lived vacation was about to be over.

Getting dressed, he left his room. The other communication he received the day showed that their new Chief of Operations had arrived, and Nack wanted to meet him. With a ship full of rookies in charge, Nack being the highest ranking rookie, the ship had great potential to not be held back by individuals that have not kept up with technology. On the same note, the untamed attitude newcomers had, himself included, would have to be reigned in.

He arrived at the Starbase Personnel office where he found the new Ensign.

"Welcome, sir, to the Starbase. The name is Captain Nack." He outstretched his hand, relishing the face the Ensign gave when he realized his new Captain was a Ferengi. All questions would be answered in time, of course, but the initial shock was classic on everyone's face.

<tag Helacaan>

[Seth Helacaan]

After a short rest in his new quarters Seth headed over to the Starbase to search for the Captain. As he had no idea concerning locations of likely places on-leave officers might be, he decided that the best place to ask was the Personnel Office. Once he got there... "Excuse me," he got the attention of someone who looked like they held authority.

But there was no need for her to reply because someone who certainly didn't look like they held authority, introduced himself to Seth.

"Welcome, sir, to the Starbase. The name is Captain Nack." He outstretched his hand. Seth took it, trying and failing to hide his surprise at who the Captain was, something the Ferengi looked to be taking great pleasure in.

"Acting Ensign Seth Helacaan reporting for duty sir," he said while shaking the Captain's hand. It wasn't what he expected to be doing, a salute would have been more customary. "Thankyou for taking me on short-notice before the mission sir." Seth added.
He didn't know much about Ferengi, only that their civilisation was one which virtually worshipped Capitalism and financial exploitation, and that it was very unusual to see them serving in the Starfleet. Captain Nack however looks to be of a slightly different type.. he thought.

[Jon Park]

Jon got up with the other officers and started to head back to the ship he ran into a Lt.Commander from the starbase. The Commander saw the time and told Jon that quarters are available if he wanted them. Jon shook his head and told the Commander "No Thank you Commander I'm going back to my ship. I have a few things to do before she ships out." As he turned fro the officer he saw a lot of people heading for the transporter room.

Park materialized on the pad aboard the Nevada and was glad to be back. Park tapped his Combadge "Computer has Captain Nack or Commander Trek returned." the computer was only a few second behind the question. "Captain Nack is not aboard. Commander Trek is not aboard." Park went up to the bridge and stepped on to see only Lt.Klino at the command station. Stepping over to him Park asked "How is our ship Lt." Klino handed him a Padd and replied "Just fine ready to head out."

Park looked the Padd over as he headed to his quarters for a shower and some sleep. Park returned and found a message waiting for him it was just a security update and would wait till he was in his office to review it. Park changed and got some sleep thinking about someone he hadn't in a long time... His Father.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning
O600 Hours
Security office USS Nevada Deck 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Park Arrived in his office earlier then he planed heading over to the replicator Park Ordered "Coffee Hot ,Light and Very sweet." As the cup materialized on the replicator tray Park was sad and Happy at the same time. They had an Ops Officer finally However the loss of there Science officer was a sad thing. ~Damn~ Park thought ~I wish my friend Jake could have attended the academy training on Concur with him then they may have been able to serve on the same ship. Oh well.~ Jon called up his messages from the other day and saw nothing really impotent just some updates about the region of space where there next mission was going to take place.

After a hour or so Park decided to head up to bridge and relive the security officer. As he rode the turbolift he tapped his combadge "Computer has the Nack or Dan returned to the ship." the computer again answered "Captain Nack is not aboard, Commander Trek is not aboard." The turbolift stopped on the bridge and the doors opened Since Jon was the only Officer on the bridge other then some Junior officers Park moved his tactical station and scanned the ships logs. After a little bit of time Jon saw Nack arrive and head into his ready room as the new ops officer stood my him self just outside the lift doors.

Park looked at him and said "Ensign your station is right over there." Jon pointed to the Ops area of the Bridge. as they talked a little more he saw Nack step out of his ready room and looked at Jon with some concern. ~wonder what that was about~ Jon thought he figured he would know soon.

[ryo8462]

"Ensign Bit-Cloud?" Nack queried, making sure he got the name right. "Is it Bit.. Cloud... or both?" Nack didn't really have a last name, so found it a bit odd that there were two names.

"It'suppose to be Bit-Cloud with the hyphen in it but i prefer to be called Bit but thats just me" he said smiling and pulling up a chair.

After he sat down Nack started to introduce the rest of the crew that were sitting there.

Bit nodded to each crew member as they were introduced then Nack started to talk about the mission. While that was going on bit looked around the Cafe at all the people laughing and what seemed to be a great time.

He looked up as a waitress came by to check up on everyone at the table and offered to take Bits order but he simply shook his head then turned his attention back to his conversation and happen to join in again right as Nack looked over at Bit

"Ensign Bit-Cloud, did you find your quarters?" It was time for a change of subject anyways. Work was work, but all fun and no play made Nack a dull .. Captain.

Bit nodded. "Yes Sir i did." he said looking around. Bit stood up and streched "If you will exuces me please, I have a few more things to take care of on the ship then i think i will explore her a little and try to get to become familar with her." He said smiling then turning and leaving.

He managed to make it back to the transporter pad alright then materialized back onto the ship. He decided that he would go get access to the systems then swing by sickbay. He left the Transporter room and got onto the turbolift

"Deck 15" he said and the lift was off. The doors opened a few minutes later and he walked down to the secruity/tactical office and pressed the chime.

<tag>


OOC comment moved to OOC thread --Captain Nack

[Deleted]

Nack was in his ready room now, receiving a special communique from Command.

"One final thing," the Commodore said, as he finished giving Captain Nack more information about his new mission while still chastising him for the previous mission. "We have problems with the security aboard your ship."

Great. "What now?" Nack asked out loud informally, but retracted it with, "I mean, I'd be happy to answer any queries or look into any issues."

"We have reviewed the ship logs for the last mission, and those of your senior officers." the Commodore started.

Nack thought he already went through all of this with command, but apparently they were not finished with their barrage of questioning.

"Your security levels aboard your ship leaves much to be desired." he added. "We wonder about the safety of our investigator aboard your ship."

Nack's body filled with an infuriated rage. The rage existed both for the Commodore, who suggested his ship was not a safe place to conduct Starfleet business, but also for Commander Park, who clearly went against orders last mission by sending in the fighters after the Vulcan ship. During the debreifing, they had made a large deal about that fact, and now the consequences are coming to fruition. Unfortunately for Commander Park, Nack was not about to aim in anger up the chain of command. The only place left to aim was down.

"I assure you that our security systems will be up to par for this mission. The entire Tactical Team has already been shook up by Commander Park, and from what I can tell, we will be operating at a higher level of security then before. You have to remember, sir, we are a new ship..." The Ferengi tried not to make too many excuses, and at first, he succeeded. As he went on, though, the natural tendency for a Ferengi to talk their way out of a corner took over.

"And it wasn't even that bad... I probably would have shot the Vulcan ship too in the same situation." Not true, but this sort of talking was almost a sport to his kind. The Commodore seemed uninterested in the double talk, but Nack continued anyway.

"And, as I said we will have increased security for Commander Waterton..Waterson, whatever her name is." by now he was talking so fast that he wasn't thinking straight. The Commodore, clearly not impressed, interrupted.

"This is your crew, and I will not tell you how to handle it... but any mistakes this time around, whether or not they are your fault or your crew's, and you will be removed from the Captaincy. Do I make myself clear?"

Nack's quick-talking, excuse-filled, monologue came abruptly to an end with that statement, and he sat wordless, unsure of how to proceed, except to say, "Understood."

"Keep me apprised of your situation, Captain." and the Commodore closed the channel.

"Keep you aprised... hmph," Nack mocked after the channel closed. The anger he felt again immediately returned, and he stormed out of his ready room.

Nack stepped out of his ready room and looked at Jon with some concern. He was in no mood to talk to Park now, though, and only managed to announce, "I will be in my quarters if you two need me." Addressing, of course, the new Ensign Operations officer, and Commander Park, who were left to ponder with each other the reasoning for Nack's angry announcement of his retreat to quarters.

[Deleted]

"Ramirez to Commander Trek," came a comm-call, interrupting the conversation Dan had been having with Lucy after everyone else left.

"Go ahead, Carlos," he replied after tapping his comm-badge.

"Commander, I don't want to intrude on the Captain's affairs..." he began.

"What is it, Chief?" Dan said, wishing the Chief Petty Officer would get on with it.

"Captain Nack just stormed out of his Ready Room and off the Bridge, angrily stating he was going to his quarters. I thought you might want to...."

"Yes. Thank you, Chief. Trek out," he said, tapping his comm-badge again. "Excuse me, Doctor," he said, bowing slightly to the CMO and leaving.

A few minutes later found him at the door to the Captain's quarters. He pressed the chime button. "Yes, who is it?" Nack replied from inside, the irritation not yet out of his voice.

"Commander Trek, sir."

The door opened a moment later with Nack at the door, his head already tilted up to look Dan in the face. The small Ferengi was evidently getting used to having such a large First Officer. "Come in, Number One," he said, stepping aside to let him in.

Dan entered with a "Thank you, Captain". Dan took the seat Nack offered him. He deactivated his holographic arm, commenting, "This thing can be a strain to keep running sometimes, particularly at my age."

Nack sat opposite him. "What can I do for you, Commander?"

"I'm here on a personnel matter. I'm worried about the emotional well-being of a member of the crew," Dan explained.

Nack gave him a sideways glance out of the corner of his eye. "And just how did you find out?" he asked, immediately deducing, true to his Ferengi nature, that Dan had been referring to him.

"I have ears all over the ship, sir. There are benefits to having been the Chief Engineer. How do you think I found out about your annoyance with the disproportionately large Captain's chair? But anyway, is something bothering you that I should know about, Captain?" he asked.

[Seth Helacaan]

Seth was being shown around the bridge of the Nevada by Lt. Commander Park. He of course, was already familiar with the general layout of a starship bridge, including that of the Akira class. It had been standard reading in the Ship Operations Training Course he had participated in, and had been drilled into him over and over again. Seth thanked Park and approached the Ops Console, which was behind the Captain's chair and to the left.

Just then Captain Nack came out of his ready room looking decidedly distressed, he glanced briefly in Seth and Park's direction. "I will be in my quarters if you two need me," he said bluntly. He stormed off into the turbolift, presumbably heading for his quarters. Seth looked at Park who had also turned to look at him.

"What was that, sir?"

<tag Park>

After the two had pondered on the occurrence, Seth decided not to think about it. Guess being a starship captain can be a stressful job, was his last thought on the matter, for the time being at least. Technically, the crew were still on shore leave and had not yet returned to full duty, but Seth did not feel like relaxing, he had not joined Starfleet to sit about. Those thoughts led him to think of home again, on the frontier of Federation space. He hated to think of what he was doing as a new life. He sighed softly and promised to himself that he would see his family soon, one way or the other, he would see them soon.

[Deleted]

Nack unloaded on Commander Trek with the same ferocity that he wished he could have exhibited toward the Commodore in his ready room.

"You have no idea what I am going through simply because we did not have control of our senior staff while running after that Vulcan ship." Nack's chest heaved up and down, and it was clear he was trying to control his anger by keeping a consistent rhythm to his huffing and puffing.

Nack's careful choice of words, "we" instead of "I", was purposeful, and he made it known to his first officer that the intent to implicate him as well.

"If you think..." he stopped his sentence and restarted it again, losing his place in the first sentence as he slammed his fist on the table. "The Commodore has given me clear instructions that if the crew messes up again, it will be my badge."

Instead of seeking pity from Commander Trek, who was still in the mode of trying to offer sympathy instead of being on the defensive, the Ferengi Captain pointed a grubby finger right at him.

"So I am going to pass this along to you! If anybody gets out of line this time, I'm going to have your hide." he jabbed his finger on every other syllable, which required an awkward and upward jab.

Nack dramatically turned around, rubbing the front of his large forehead with both hands. After a few seconds, he said "dismissed."

Dan Trek tried to get a word in, but Nack's persistence beat him to it. "DISMISSED."

Nack did not turn around, waiting for Trek to leave.

=/\= Computer, dim the lights. =/\= Nack said, still angry, but more calm, now that company was no longer with him. He never knew that being a Captain was going to be so stressful. Hopefully... HOPEFULLY... there would be no goof-ups this time around.

He lay down in bed just in time to hear the computer chime, ~/\~ Commander Waterson is now on board. ~/\~

He threw the covers off. "Hopefully she knows how to follow orders." he mumbled to himself as he put his shoes on and left to meet her.

[Deleted]

With a heavy sigh, Lisa nodded at the transporter operator in response to his question about her bags. Having them beamed to her guest quarters certainly made more sense than dragging them halfway across the ship. She wasn’t sure if the Ensign behind the console was just being helpful or if he was making some sort of implied comment about just how much luggage she’d brought with her. Either way that was no longer a problem as they faded from the transporter padd to reappear somewhere in her room on Deck 3. “Do you need any assistance finding your room, Ma’am?” the officer in question asked politely, to which the investigator merely shook her head before turning to leave without saying a word.

While Doctor Waterson wasn’t entirely familiar with the Akira class vessel, she knew enough to get around at least: Bridge and briefing room on Deck 1, her quarters on Deck 3, and Sickbay on Deck 4. Other than that, all that was needed would be to find a turbolift, request the right deck, and somehow find the right room, and worse case scenario, ask the computer. That was simple enough, and it was doubtful that her presence would be required anywhere else for the most part.

The commander was still somewhat uncomfortable in her new role as investigator. True, it only made sense given how involved she’d been from the start and with the escalation of the crimes, but still…she was a medical doctor, an administrator, not some sort of detective. However, this was an amazing opportunity, one Lisa simply could not ignore. At least this way, she was directly involved now and not helping and watching from the sidelines. That did make things a whole lot easier.

Finding the nearest turbolift turned out to be no problem and taking it to the right deck and section was also effortless. Clever Federation designs placed the guest quarters with immediate access to a turbolift, so within several minutes, Lisa was in her home away from home so to speak. The room was…adequate, neutral but adequate. Replicating a glass of water, Commander Waterson crossed the room to sit in an overstuffed, blue chair in the middle of the room facing the doorway.

It wouldn’t make any sense to start unpacking or begin work when it was only a matter of time before a welcoming committee of some kind showed up. The doctor was hoping that being aboard the Nevada wouldn’t be a long term thing as it was, and that unpacking would be entirely unnecessary. Still, having a moving base of operations might be a good thing, and there was also a sickbay where she could keep busy. Lisa was hopeful that long or short term, this would be ok.

[Deleted]

Dan took the hint, and hastily left the Captain alone in his quarters. This was probably the first time in several decades that someone had threatened to have his hide. Now he rubbed his own forehead. The time to act on this was now.

"Computer, has the new Ops Chief reported in yet?" he asked the computer.

"Affirmative," came the emotionless answered.

He tapped his commbadge. "Commander Trek to Commander Park, Doctor Grey, and Ensigns Bit-Cloud and Helacaan. Report to the Briefing Room on the Nevada immediately."

The two ensigns had nothing to do with the difficulties they were currently facing, but a pre-emptive effort with them might help to avoid a compounding of the problem.

[Seth Helacaan]

"Commander Trek to Commander Park, Doctor Grey, and Ensigns Bit-Cloud and Helacaan. Report to the Briefing Room on the Nevada immediately."

Seth frowned. Was the mission starting already? Without much more than a shrug, he replied, =/\=Helacaan here, on my way sir=/\= Seth walked across the bridge to the briefing room and entered, no one was there yet. It had not exactly been a long walk for the acting ensign. He took a non-conspicuous looking seat. It wouldn't do any good sitting in the CO or XO's chair now would it??

Seth sat back and felt tempted to shut his eyes, he didn't think that anyone was about to enter, so he did it. He wasn't tired, he just felt like resting his eyes. Seth had planned out the rest of the day, whether or not this was the mission briefing. He would go to his quarters and then probably the mess hall for food, to see who he could find, perhaps someone to talk to, but then maybe not he didn't mind. He would then go to sleep.

Commander Trek did eventually turn up, but Seth was by this point standing, looking out of the briefing room viewport, he saw the reflection of the XO entering the room and turned with a bit of a swagger to face him. Not exactly done intentionally, it was just part of who he was, or so he supposed. Seth was unsure why anything at all ever happened in the universe. He did know one thing for sure, and that was that everything that took place in the universe was utterly unfathomable, and that it was cruel, very cruel...

"Commander Trek, sir." He said once the XO had approached him. "I'd like to say that it's a pleasure to serve with you." May as well be formal... Seth thought. Trek returned the greeting and they shook hands. Seth asked him why he and the rest of the senior staff had been summoned, he did think it rather soon for the mission to be starting, the Captain wasn't here for a start. "And where is Captain Nack?" he added to his question to the first officer.

<tag Dan Trek>