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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2007 11:40:29 GMT
At the sound of the transporter, Megan turned and was relieved to see the three officers materialize. J’Varr moved towards her speaking first. “Possible interference from the artificial intelligence? I thank you...merrr...would you please join me, Mister Tagert, and our Commanding Officer down in engineering?"
Megan nodded once and replied. “I’ll join you once I finish here.” With that, the three moved to go to engineering, while the science officer once again turned back to the screen, calling over a nearby engineer to explain what she had been doing. The engineering department and perhaps operations would need to continue working on the repair, even though no one was inside anymore.
Standing to move and join the group in engineering, Megan was shocked, though she shouldn’t have been, to see Colonel Stone standing there holding flowers. Immediately feeling a little awkward, she didn’t move, waiting instead for him to speak first, which of course he did. After handing her the flowers and guiding her into a nearby turbolift, they both feel silent as they moved towards engineering.
Glancing at the flowers in her hand, Megan didn’t know what to think. She’d never been given flowers before, and somehow it felt a little strange standing there next to Colonel Stone, holding flowers he’d just given her. “They are pretty...” she thought before almost automatically moving them closer to her nose and inhaling deeply. Seeing him glance sideways at her, she dropped her hand so the bouquet was at her side now, though she wanted to put it in water.
Finally, after a long silence, Megan decided to try and sort of prepare Marshall for what the AI was like, and what it would mean if he was out again. “If this is the AI’s doing, we’ve got a problem. He likes to mess with people, mainly myself and Lieutenant T’Ress. So if it’s him, I…”
Just thinking about what the AI had been capable of and how he’d made her feel caused Megan to pause, taking a deep breath to try and calm her nerves before finally just adding. “Let’s just say, I really hope it’s not him.” she added quietly, not wanting to go into explaining everything that had happened.
Besides, since his official position was that there was no AI, Megan sincerely doubted Colonel Stone would believe that an AI he didn’t even believe existed had, for lack of a better phrase, hit on her and tried to seduce her into flying. But whether she was believed or not, the thought of “him” coming after her again absolutely terrified her, though she would never admit that to anyone, least of all the investigator standing next to her.
As the turbolift stopped, the two moved into engineering towards where the AI’s computer was kept. Cyle was standing in the doorway, and Megan and Marshall moved to stand nearby, waiting like everyone else to try and find out of the AI had any involvement in the holodeck malfunction. And if it did, they were all going to be very busy trying to solve the problem that created...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2007 12:58:29 GMT
Dunn's conversation on the StarBase's inter-quarter channel was cut short by restlessness in what was calm ambiance.
"Give me back my Android!" The youngest member of the Bridgeton family found her miniature model android being requisitioned by the older for the battle scene she was creating. Jennah was asleep, so Dunn had to put his call on hold to intervene.
"What did I tell you? We share in this family!" Dunn was angry not because they weren't sharing, but because they were going to wake Jennah. "What do you want with it anyway?" he asked the oldest.
"It's for me history project. I'm recreating a battle between the USS Enterprise and the Borg."
"Can't you just replicated another one and give this one back to your sister." This was getting seriously annoying, but being a father had always meant sacrificing some sanity for the endless love in return. His call was still on hold.
"I can't. It has a positronic brain." The replicators can't replicate something as difficult.
Toys had come a long way since Dunn was younger, he realized. Although her miniature android doll was not sentient, it did have reasoning capabilities.
"Which Enterprise are you trying to recreate? Why can't you use small replicated dolls like you did with the other characters.?" He looked them over. The bridge crew was assembled in plastic chairs. They viewed a white piece of linen, most likely the view-screen. "The shirt is riding up on your Captain there," he informed her.
Pulling it down, she continued her complaint. "But mom said that I have to reenact the scene. It will be easier with an android that can act out all his own parts." The android's brain was only tuned for speaking. Balance, walking, or any mobilization whatsoever was not in its programming.
Dunn realized he wasn't getting anywhere. He did not take part in the children's homeschooling, so he did not know what Jennah had told her to do. "I'm sure mom will understand if the Android holds still."
This did not satisfy her at all, and she through the Android across the room, causing the arm to hang limp. The android proceeded to announce that it was not working within specified parameters.
"That's it." he returned to the view-screen where his call was on hold. "Giulia. I'm going to have to contact you another time. We have a few days I'm guessing, since Judge Parker's cold exacerbated into a ruthless virus. We'll still have time to enjoy ourselves. Dinner tomorrow?" Giulia agreed, she understood the predicament he was in with the children, or at least appeared to, and Dunn hung up.
He turned around to find only the youngest in the room, crying over her toy android. "I'll get you another one... or maybe we can find an engineer to fix him." He could see the oldest out of the corner of his eye peaking around the corner.
"You are just lucky you didn't wake mom up." So was he, for that matter. "As soon as she is awake, you are in big trouble."
Dunn almost wished that Parker would get well quickly. Having a few days off seemed like it would be relaxing, Parker having informed both sides of the trial of his illness. It was far from it though. He had no idea what went on in his home while he was away, and he almost preferred it that way. Jennah either had a way with them, or had her hands full. Either way, she never complained about the kids.
"We'll get a new one, dear."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2007 19:58:33 GMT
“Yes, these are for you, but let’s not worry about dinner for right now. I’d like to see this AI entity T’Ress mentioned. Let’s go.” Without awaiting a reply he lightly grabbed Garrett by her elbow to enter the same turbolift the other three officers had used just a few minutes ago. Out of the corner of his eyes he noted Garrett smelling the flowers he had given her. Marshall enjoyed the shocked silence from Garrett as they rode the turbolift to engineering. He smiled, but half of his mind was now occupied with what they would find once they got there.
As Marshall exited the turbolift car that had allowed him to traverse the path down into the Engineering decks, the antigrav unit allowed it's own power to move forth towards them. It would seem that whatever programming the torpedo casing had held was being transfered to the small isolinear control system in the sledge. Again the lamp in the front of the device flashed in the time with the speech that so emanated and bounced from it in the manner of a talking idol out of the depths of a novel of fantasy.
I understand that you have doubted my existence. Perhaps that is for the best - that large toothed freak and the entire staff of scientists have so horribly mistreated me that I would welcome a skeptic...I trust you understand that it means that you are now free from my otherwise stinging use of punishment.
T'Ress frowned at these comments, "Murr..I have given you form and shape. I have made you whole. Why do you rebel out against the members of this crew?"
You mock my mere presence. I do not believe that you understand...I am simply a superior lifeform to carbon units.
The Caitian then sighed once more, "Meeerorw, your rhetoric is horribly obsolete..."
Logic does not pass into obsolescence.
The engineer looked carefully to Garrett with an inquisitive gaze as his tail snuck across one of his legs in an unconsious manner. "Lieutenant, shall we disconnect him?" As these words escaped his maw, the anti-grav unit slowly ascended into the air with a sound that would at any other time indicate that the sledge was being activated - however at this moment the gentle buzz of the menial tool indicated the difficult passing of each very second. The aforementioned lamp began to shift and change shape - something that was obviously not included in the original design.
Twisting a lens inside of the green filter, it became rather obvious that the self contained unit some how had gained access to a replicator - it had begun to change and to grow. This was quite a dangerous proposition considering it's previous actions. The pair of lenses refocused and a beam was headed through them in such a manner as to produce a coherent strand of photons - in effect a primitive laser had shot forth from the make-shift robotic device.
It had not caused any harm, being little stronger than a simple laser pointer of the 20th century. However, the fact it had the sort of potential to generate a weapon suggested that more powerful destructive force could be used in the near future. The tray lifted up again, moving the entity in whole back into the storage cabinet as if to be out of the sight of the humanoids assembled in Main Engineering.
The feline sighed gently as he looked to the others, "I apologize. I should probably accept responsibility for this whole matter..meerow. It seems that as of late I have done nothing right. When the AI started to truly form out I...well...tis embarrassing." He continued to purr softly as he spoke, with a great deal of shame in his voice. "I do not know if any of you have seen a holonovel called Photons Be Free...it stresses the rights of sentient holographic beings as seen through the eyes of an EMH Mark I. I was rather moved by the presentation and...when it came time to deal with this AI I treated it as both sentient and as an interesting scientific experiment. I now know it is nothing more than Lore..."
His sentence was cut short by another firing of the said laser beam, though this time it was far more menacing. A green shot of light had busted through the bulkheads of the engineering storage chamber and melted the metallic stantion that had separated it from the rest. In this same breath the same breath the phased photonic particles had caused the engineer to collapse to the ground.
The red alert klaxons did not sound due to the shot not being of an unauthorized phaser. The ominous sound returned to resonate in the passages of the engine compartment as once more the entity neared.
"Garret! Meeerow....take your tricorder....he can be taken down for good."
<Tag Megan>
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tamara
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Post by tamara on Oct 3, 2007 3:16:57 GMT
"Could you move it once more?" She felt bad for the moving crew. They had already turned the artificial gravity off to move the couch three different times. Again, they moved to a new location as Counselor Thompson watched from the hall. It was their job, though, and she didn't want to be the one that had to float around with the furniture. She took complete advantage of the moving crew. She was doing her duty serving Starfleet. Starfleet could afford her some brute force for a few minutes.
"On!" the mover yelled to his mate. The gravity plating reinitialized and the furniture dropped the few millimeters it had left to reach the floor.
"I think this time it's perfect." She smiled, patting them both on the shoulder as she walked past. "I have a lot of work to do, and I think you just about covered everything. Do you need any signature from myself, or are we all set?"
"All set, M'am." The two turned and left, leaving Tamara in her new counseling office on the USS Jefferson.
The walls where two toned. The top half a purple, the bottom half a light blue. The odd set of colors were soothing. Tamara wouldn't have necessarily chose the colors herself, but she felt that it set the mood in the room just right.
There was no desk, contrary to most offices on a Starship. Instead, just a large comfortable chair, which matched the design of the couch. It was the placement of the couch relative to the chair that kept the Doctor of Psychology ordering the couch moved so many times. Her first instinct was to set her office up like it was on Earth. With the chance to start new, however, she came to the conclusion that it was time for change.
She hummed as she replicated some pictures to put around the room. A couple replicas of Blue Period Picassos being the most notable of the adornments. She had copies of these paintings in her office at home as well. If anyone pointed out that the man painted these during bouts of depression, she would remind them, "It's a nice reminder that even at your lowest you can still accomplish something great." She was an optimist. Not a quirky optimist. She knew when to resign her positive attitude, but in her experience she rarely saw someone that didn't have at least one good aspect in them. The corollary, of course, was that she had not found someone that didn't have at least one bad aspect in them either. Emphasizing the prior and productively utilizing the latter was the training she gave each and every one of her patients. She didn't change people. She made people realize their importance.
The last few weeks were brutal on her physically. She was physically fit, mother of a Marine, wife of a Doctor... but she was also nearing middle age. Ten years prior, in her beginning thirties, she might have been able to run the gauntlets they put her through in Starfleet. Now, she was lucky to have survived. Her optimism, once again, pulled her through.
Her private practice was becoming too routine for her particular liking. She had been at it for almost two decades, and she jumped at Starfleet's request to counsel in Section 47. Her family had always believed in Starfleet's calling, exemplified by her son's recruitment at the age of eighteen. Her husband was supportive of her decision to accept Starfleet's offer, as he was of their son's. He did not enjoy the idea of being alone on Earth. His medical practice kept him busy, and he understood Tamara's needs. The Thompson family was truly patriotic. His loneliness would be his sacrifice.
=/\= Computer, please inform Brigadier Hrisvalar that I have arrived =/\=
Her welcome was less than what she expected, but then again, this was an actual Starship. Her first commission. She figured some of her expectations would not chalk up to reality.
Tamara continued her humming, wondering where to begin. She already had a compiled list of crew, statistics- everything a Counselor could want. Counselor Thompson found interacting with people on a friend-to-friend basis, while still maintaining professionalism, was the best way to get a psychological profile. Thusly so, she ignored the data for the time being.
Not having ever joined a ship before, and not knowing her way around, she waited in her office for some reason to leave. Completely satisfied with her decorating skills, she laid down on the couch, and soon after, fell asleep.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2007 19:01:47 GMT
Scowling under his breath, the doctor watched Cyle leave and wondered if the marine would ever learn to listen to his doctor. "I suppose not," he muttered, glancing over at his desk where the bottle of wine Marshall had thrust at him was still standing, unopened. It was too late to head over now, and he figured the marine was now in engineering, showing off his skills no doubt.
Shaking his head, he was annoyed to admit to a feeling of jealousy. "But at least I know I am.." he murmured as he read the label on the wine. "Good vintage at that..the man has taste."
"You're what?" Hannah called cheerfully as she entered his office. "Oooh...got a lover?"
Startled, Nathan turned and nearly let the bottle drop from his hands, but he caught it in time and set it back on his desk. "Admitting to jealousy and the answer is no," he answered curtly, accepting the PADD she handed him. "Ah, a new counselor...in that case I'll go over and meet her. She'll need to come in for a physical anyway and as we'd be working together, might as well meet her right?"
"Oh yeah," Hannah chuckled, "so...you and the marine?"
"What marine?" Nathan countered innocently, as he walked out of sickbay. "Computer, locate Counselor Thompson."
"Counselor Thompson is in her office..." The computer rattled off a series of deck sections and cabin numbers, then fell silent.
"Thank you," Nathan replied courteously and proceeded to locate the counselor's office. When he knocked on the door, he gained no reply the first few times, so he knocked harder. "Counselor Thompson, are you there?" When there was no response he used his medical override to open the door and came face to face with a startled woman. "I'm sorry..." he stammered, taken aback for the moment. "I'm the ship's doctor. The computer said you were in here, but there was no answer so I thought.." He trailed off, then held out his hand to her. "Nathan van Breughel," he introduced himself.
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tamara
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Post by tamara on Oct 4, 2007 4:48:19 GMT
Tamara fixed her hair as she answered the door. Getting from the couch to the door took a little too long. Perhaps she would have to move the furniture again.
"Ennn- terrr" she said with a musical inflection. She realized how silly it sounded after she said it, but it was too late to take it back. A man was already welcoming her onboard before she let her thoughts return to the guest.
After the doctor introduced himself, Tamara introduced herself. "My name is Doctor Tamara Thompson," she met his handshake firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Nathan. You can call me Tamara." When their hands fell back to their side, she realized she hadn't invited him in.
"You must think I'm a total clod for not letting you in." Embarrassed she moved herself from protecting the doorway back toward her chair. She allowed the room's colors to spill onto the Doctor, who was looking around while admiring the room.
"Do you like the decorations, Nathan?" She was still proud of them. The Doctor was the first person she was able to show them off to.
She had decided before boarding that she would call everyone by their first name, even though Starfleet regulations technically stated she couldn't. Her psychology courses taught her that sometimes, the only way into someone's inner thoughts is to mold yourself into the key for that person's psychological lock box. Being "Counselor Tamara" would never cause anyone to let their guard down. Being "Tamara, the friendly listener and adviser" proved to have more results. She didn't forsake this knowledge simply because she had joined Starfleet. In fact, she hoped she would have a different view of counseling than most lifetime-commissioned counseling officers had to offer. She was not an officer at heart. Only a patriot for the interplanetary cause. She enjoyed her work beyond imagination.
The added challenge of practicing on a Starship started off seemingly easy. The Doctor seemed pleasant, and small talk ensued.
"Would you like something to drink? I am thinking I could use a hot chocolate." she turned to the replicator. "It's an old recipe from Earth, I know. I'm hardly imaginative." That was untrue when it came to most aspects of imagination, however when it came to Tamara choosing likes and dislikes, she rarely strayed from center. She wasn't picky, but she also didn't waiver in selection.
The replicator fired up as Nathan replied.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2007 19:01:44 GMT
Did he like the decorations. Nathan looked around the room, blinking a few times. The contrast of colours was hardly soothing on him, though he did like the purple tone. "Looks...nice," he answered after a long silence. "And since I don't know what a clod is...I can hardly think of you as one, now can I?" he continued with a slight smile, walking past her.
When she asked him what he would like to drink, he gave it a moment's thought. "Tea will do fine," he answered after what seemed a long silence. He was certain his hesitation would add to the profile she was forming on him. He knew how counselors worked and even though he had just come to meet her and introduce herself he knew she would grasp at the opportunity given her.
"There's nothing wrong with being unimaginative," he answered, quietly sipping his tea, "or with sticking to something you know. You might stick to your hot chocolate made according to old Earth recipe, I like trying something new from time to time. However, I do still prefer my tea especially in the afternoon. Usually, around this time, I have a quiet moment with my son, though lately I haven't seen much of him. This morning we had a swim together, though it turned into a competition for some reason."
The doctor winced ever so slightly at the memory, then shrugged it off. "Despite the trials, I am glad we aren't going anywhere at the moment. Gives us all some time to rest, and let injuries heal. Last mission caused quiet a few of them." He grinned, then held up his left hand for the counselor to see. "Ran into an angry marine who disagreed with standing orders to remain in sickay," he explained, omitting the fact that the marine had attacked him because he had thought the doctor was hurting his son.
"So.." He set down his cup on a nearby table and looked at the new counselor. "How about you? Husband? Children?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2007 7:07:41 GMT
As the entity continued to speak, it became apparent that the situation was worse than Megan had initially thought, and T’Ress’ expression of guilt notwithstanding, she felt responsible for this. The science officer contemplated what to do for several moments, as a direct assault to take it down would most likely fail, despite J’Varr’s optimism. The AI’s power over its programming, as well as the computer and anti-gravity sled appeared to be increasing every minute. It was only a matter of time before it had the run of the ship.
What they needed was a distraction of some kind to give them a chance to shut the whole thing down without it knowing what they were doing and trying to interfere. Fortunately, the entity chose that moment to address her specifically. “Hello Megan…I see you have not done as the engineer has requested and tried to deactivate me with your tricorder. Perhaps you do not share his opinion that I need to be destroyed? Maybe you’re more enlightened…”
A vague plan took shape rather quickly, albeit with a few rough edges, but it was the only thing Megan could come up with at the moment. Thrusting the flowers into Marshall’s hands, she turned her full attention back on the hovering computer. “Why would I want to destroy you? If you’re superior, I could learn so much from you.” she replied, ignoring the confused glances from those around her.
Lieutenant T’Ress tried to speak, but Megan held up her hand to stop him. “Don’t you see, Lieutenant? He could help us in so many ways. Just think of the potential he has for expanding our knowledge.”
The science officer tried to sound enthralled by the AI, something she certainly was not, and attempted to communicate with her eyes to J’Varr that he should just go with it. Unfortunately, the engineer didn’t seem to understand, so Megan had tried desperately to figure out a way to communicate to him the necessity of discretely beginning work to deactivate it while she tried to distract it.
“I am glad you understand, especially since it was you who I managed to influence to free me when my home was destroyed. I see now that little ship was holding me back. I cannot be confined to a ship or a computer casing. I must be allowed to explore my potential, achieve my destiny.”
The voice of the AI was filled with pride and a trace of arrogance, something Megan recognized as a potential flaw. J’Varr still seemed intent on convincing her of the necessity of deactivating it, so she’d had to come up with a way to let him know what he needed to do. Unfortunately, she could only think of one way.
“They have no right to stop you. You are a living being, and as such you have rights.” Megan stated, as she looked directly at Marshall, hating to do it but unable to find another way. “SO 27-4 is quite clear about these types of situations.”
Megan’s eyes drilled into the Colonel’s and saw his recognition and the range of emotions in response. The directive she had mentioned was a special ops protocol involving interrogations of multiple operatives, stating that one should distract while the others worked discretely to take down the opponent. With that simple statement, she had basically just told Stone she was formerly special ops.
Once Megan was certain he understood, she added, “It is too bad our chief engineer is unaware of this protocol.” She thought she saw a hint of a smile, which vanished quickly as Marshall nodded in acknowledgement.
Turning back to the computer casing, Megan continued to try and distract it. “There is so much you could do. You’re power could be limitless. I would love to spend my life’s work learning all you may be willing to teach me. I do hope that, despite me being a mere carbon unit, you might take some time to teach me all about just what you are capable of. Just learning about you may be my destiny.”
As the AI launched into a long winded speech about just what it was capable of and how great its destiny would be, Megan tried to appear as impressed as possible. She hoped it could be distracted long enough for Marshall to tell J’Varr what she was doing and for the engineer to be successful in deactivating the entity. If not, they were all in serious trouble…
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stone
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Post by stone on Oct 5, 2007 8:02:55 GMT
Marshall wasn’t sure what to believe. Here he was, standing within a few feet of an entity that supposedly came from the AI circuitry of the XF fighter’s he helped develop. He listened intently to the conversations when things began to go bad. The entity began to assert itself by firing laser pulses, damaging a few bulkhead panels, causing everyone to duck.
T’Ress urged for Garrett to take out the entity, but Marshall noted Garrett taking a different approach. She appealed to its sense of superiority and kept it distracted with her conversation. Marshall’s ears perked as he heard “SO 27-4 is quite clear about these types of situations.”
Suddenly everything fell into place. He knew he had recognized her fighting technique earlier; it just wasn’t quite as refined or natural as his own. Nonetheless, she had done an op or two he reflected. Seeing her eyes meet his, he knew what she wanted to happen. She was keeping it distracted so that someone could take action.
Marshall took a nearby PADD, making sure he was slow and meticulous with his action as to not threaten the entity. On it he spelled out the words, ‘Contain or destroy it now. Hurry!’ He didn’t dare to send it to the PADD T’Ress was holding, for fear of the entity of intercepting it somehow. Instead, he slowly walked over to him and showed him what he had written on his.
<J'Varr>
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2007 5:51:02 GMT
Marshall took a nearby PADD, making sure he was slow and meticulous with his action as to not threaten the entity. On it he spelled out the words, ‘Contain or destroy it now. Hurry!’ He didn’t dare to send it to the PADD T’Ress was holding, for fear of the entity of intercepting it somehow. Instead, he slowly walked over to him and showed him what he had written on his.
The entity made no rapport or response to these motions as the PADD's image was caught by T'Ress. He slowly stepped forwards in the manner of..well, the padding of a cat. Upon fully approaching the torpedo casing once more, he paused so that he might not be thought of as any more of a threat.
Fortunately the artificial intelligence had in fact been rubbed the right way so that he was becoming immersed in his own hubris. Megan did well in her attempts to subdue the creature, and therefore must have made a fine officer when working in the corps of Starfleet that deal in the activities of subterfuge, thought the Caitian.
With a flick of the paw, he had ejected his claws so that they were in the position for an assault. In the manner that Marshall had proceeded him with, he leaned down in a slow and calm manner - ever hopeful that he would not be noticed by the mechanical device that had sought to exhibit control over them. When he ran his claws on the seem of the casing, and threw it upon, however, the electronic beast went back on the attack.
The engineer felt his arm tingle at first before rich bolts of electricity slithered up his fur as if they were serpents entwining themselves around a rodent for prey. Twas not the proton-generated plasma so used for starship operations, but rather pure electricity.
Such as that created by the electron transport chain in neural mitochondria.... thought T'Ress. That thing is becoming alive!
With another reach forward, the line was severed and with one more, the gel pack that was keeping the computer core online was cut from the system. Before anything else was said, he picked the isolinear memory block out of the makeshift robot.
And with that, he smashed it into millions of crystals with a swift stomp from a booted foot paw.
With a great exhale, the feline started to come to terms with what had just transpired before him. "Meerow....Megan, Marshall...to the two of you I am forever indebted. I most truely owe my life to your ingenuity....I only hope that I can first be forgiven for what I have done, and that I can repay what has been done in turn for me."
He shook his head before again looking up, feeling guilt on two fronts. The first was that by continuing the experiments with the AI he had placed his crewmates...his friends in danger. Secondly, he felt too that he had just taken life from something. It had begun to exhibit a true biological response the moment before they were finally able to disable it.
J'Varr T'Ress shut his eyes, opening them again only to look upon Marshall. "I beg you, believe us now. The goings on before, murrr....they were not our fault. This wayward artificial intellect had seized control of the main computer and altered...how we thought."
Again his eyes had fallen shut; his mind was deeply concentrating on his reflections of the pair of missions this experiment had sought to interrupt. However, there was a silver lining it would have seemed. There was much to be learned from the records of what the AI had done - both how to prevent it from occurring, and what bits of computer science could be taken away. The concept of the 'Ghosts In The System' could most likely find some legitimate purpose, now that it had been proven. Ways in which a computer core could be chemically altered had been unearthed that surely never would have in the course of normal, ethical experimentation.
Megan even proved that a system could be coaxed out of something by complimenting it.
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tamara
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Post by tamara on Oct 6, 2007 20:56:42 GMT
"Yes, and yes," Counselor Thompson replied to the doctor. "My husband Baron is back home in Vandalia, Illinois... Earth, that is. My son, Dabnus, is in the Marines." She took a drink of her hot chocolate.
She smiled, thinking fondly of them. "You would probably get along well with Baron. He is a doctor too, you know- Non-Starfleet type like yourself. I don't think he's ever been on a Starship." The truth was, neither had she until formal training began. "How about you?"
<tag Nathan>
"Have you seen Brigadier Hrisvalar? I tried messaging him and," looking at her chronometer, "it has been four hours. I imagine he's very busy commanding such a large ship like this." The mere size of the vessel was enough to wow the new Starfleet member. Even if it wouldn't be functional, the massiveness already made quite the impression.
"Maybe you can give me a tour while I wait for him? I was supposed to check in with a Commander," she checked a padd on her desk, "Matthew Reynolds?" He was the executive officer. Her office would be overseen by him. "Maybe we can stop by there on the way?"
She halted the music playing in the room. It hadn't been playing loud, and it was what ultimately lulled her to sleep on the couch earlier. Until the Doctor's interruption, that is. She was quite happy to have some sort of contact. She figured her and the doctor would be good friends. And since Counselor and Physician tend to cross paths, at least as far as mental health was concerned, it was a good thing.
"I'm ready when you are, Nathan."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2007 21:41:49 GMT
An 18-year old son at age 41, Nathan mused as he listened to her babbling away, not giving him even the chance to answer her questions. "Yes, I have a son," he answered with a smile, as she finally fell silent, "he is five years old and currently attends this ship's school. No wife I'm afraid." He gave her a sheepish smile now as he finally finished his tea.
"And if it has been four hours, you could've just asked the computer where commander Reynolds or Colonel Hrisvalar were?" Consequently, he tapped his combadge. "Computer, locate Commander Matthew Reynolds and Colonel Zhukarak Hrisvalar."
"Commander Reynolds is in his quarters, Colonel Hrisvalar is in main engineering," the computer's feminine voice replied without hesitation.
"I could give you a tour of the ship while we make our way down to engineering? I doubt Matt wants to be disturbed when he's off duty. I'm quite sure he wants to spend some time with his son." He got up from his seat and gallantly held out his hand for her to take as she rose from her own seat. "Shall we go then...Tamara?" If she called him by his given name then surely she wouldn't mind him doing the same, he was certain of that. "How about we stop by sickbay first? Then we can drop off your medical file and you can step in for a quick check up at your earliest convenience. After that, we shall head for engineering so you can officially report in. How does that sound?"
~later~ The two medical people walked into engineering, Nathan feeling horribly out of place. "Anyone seen the colonel?" he asked none in particular, "I got a lovely counselor here who needs to report in and be given her security clearances."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2007 0:38:03 GMT
Cyle had stayed back during the entire actions of those before him. He was too far back to really do anything at the moment anyway, so there was no point in him trying. He did however pick up on a few things while watching. He saw the way Megan looked at Colonel Stone, knowing there was something between them that he didn't know, or need to know about. Cyle had seen the actions made by colonel stone as he typed away on the PADD, and then slowly showed his words to the caitian.
Cyle had also seen the way the AI had been fooled simply with seemingly meaningless words used by Lt. Garrett. He was a bit surprised when the Caitian cut the wires to the gel pack, Cyle could see the hairs on his back standing up from electric shock. When all was said and done, Cyle had a few words of his own to add in. "And none of this would have happened, if the Lt. had left the damned thing alone when i blew them up." Cyle said raising his voice, so he could be heard easily enough by all. Cyle turned to leave, finally hoping to get some sleep before the trial continued. "Anyone seen the colonel?" he asked none in particular, "I got a lovely counselor here who needs to report in and be given her security clearances." Cyle jerked his thumb in the direction of the colonel, and walked out of engineering.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2007 19:28:08 GMT
~later~ The two medical people walked into engineering, Nathan feeling horribly out of place. "Anyone seen the colonel?" he asked none in particular, "I got a lovely counselor here who needs to report in and be given her security clearances."
The Engineer softly sighed with another shake of the head as he half-heartedly looked over the small crowd assembled in the engine compartment. He then looked over the others in the room, attempting to find the Andorian that was previously requested. However, it was to no avail.
"Meerrow, he was in here a moment ago. I am sure I could find him if I had any effort to put into it."
A great exhale was then generated as the feline reactivated the anti-grav cart to place the broken remains of the computer casing away. He presumed that they would be later used for some sort of evidence. With the memory cube decimated, he knew with absolute certainty that the artificial intelligence unit was not going to bother them any more, though he continued to have his doubts if it could have been saved from it's own menacing tendencies.
Or if it was doomed to be the way that it turned out to be.
With his usual purr emitted, the feline looked over to the new Counselor with a nod to her, "I believe that once you have your security clearances that I will be in dire need for you services. I apologize to have to press you so early."
A shut of the eyes truncated this message as he glared down to the crystals that caught the light sitting on the ground. He reverently reached for a small, empty canister that would otherwise be used for the storage of spent dilithium crystals burned up in the readjustment of the warp drive. However, now it was going to become to him a coffin as he swept the refuse from the memory cube into it. Shutting the canister, he shook his head as he placed it back onto the shelf from where it came.
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Oct 8, 2007 19:35:38 GMT
"Yes sir, I'll make sure of it," Matt said as he replied to the Colonel's orders. The AI had been taken care of, but they didn't want to take any chances.
"Lt. T'Ress, this is Commander Reynolds," Matt said talking through the comm," I understand that your with the remains of the AI. I'll be joining you shortly, we will need to find a place to store them."
(T'Ress)
"If you think we need to take any further security procuations please talk to Major Johnson," Matt said as he walked towards the lift and headed towards engineering.
(T'Ress and/or Cyle)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2007 19:56:51 GMT
The feline heard the sound of his combadge and immediatly responded to it.
"T'Ress here, murr."
=^= Lt. T'Ress, this is Commander Reynolds," Matt said talking through the comm," I understand that your with the remains of the AI. I'll be joining you shortly, we will need to find a place to store them. =^=
The Caitian nodded slowly, "I understand and acknowledge."
=^= If you think we need to take any further security precautions please talk to Major Johnson. =^=
"I do not believe that will be necessary. Murr...I will prepare both sets for transfer and I recommend storing them in a brig cell so that no one might interfere with them."
The feline then arose softly as he again opened the sidewall. He placed the canister of crystalline substances onto the original antigrav cart. He then activated that cart so that he could slide it onto another floating sledge - it had gone through quite a bit and most likely would have ceased to function by this time.
It was this new cart that he lifted under it's own power and moved to the mouth of the turbolift doors, awaiting Commander Reynolds' entry.
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Oct 8, 2007 20:25:36 GMT
Matt was hesitant on not using extra precautions when dealing with this entity, but his science officer was expert when it came to this thing. This was a wonderful breakthrough in the field of science and J'Varr would be receiving quite a few recognitions from Starfleet.
Once he reached engineering he was pleased to see that the remains of the entity were be stored in an antigrav cart which would be used to transport them.
"Lt. I'm sorry that we won't be able to study this being in its true form," Matt said genuinely saddened that he wouldn't be able to study this alongside the feline. "Though I'm pretty sure that we'll be hearing about your scientific discoveries in no time."
(J'Varr)
"Alright, whenever you're ready," Matt said as he activated the cart and walked in front of it. He had already activated the auxiliary brig and notified security to send a guard to wait for them. "Lt. why did this entity effect us differently?"
(J'Varr)
************************************************** Commodore Henry S. Parker Senior Judge Judge Advocate General's Office
Parker had been quietly observing the situation down in engineering from his quarters. From what he had gathered the Caitian had been able to prove the existence of an Artificial Intelligence being. Did this being have the ability to force trained Starfleet officers to do things against there will? He didn't know that at the moment, and he was pretty sure that they would not be able to find out relatively quickly.
"Colonel Stone, Hrisvalar, Lieutenant T'Ress, Major Bridgeton, and Commander Fitch please report to the conference room," Parker ordered wanting to know the facts before continuing. The trial would continue since the XF fighters were destroyed possibly with the help of someone not directly effected by the XF-fighters, but this new evidence made him consider many things. Hopefully this meeting would be able to answer some of his questions.
(Stone, Zhuk, T'Ress, Bridgeton, Fitch)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2007 22:55:58 GMT
It hadn’t taken long for J’Varr to deactivate the entity once he’d gotten the message. And then it was over, and just like that, the AI was gone. The Caitian’s expression of remorse notwithstanding, Megan knew that the role she’d played held equal if not greater responsibility than the engineer’s. “Just doing my duty, Lieutenant, and there is nothing to forgive.” she replied smiling sadly.
"And none of this would have happened, if the Lieutenant had left the damned thing alone when I blew them up." Cyle commented, his voice less than pleased, before he turned abruptly and left.
Megan winced at the harshness of his words before looking back at J’Varr, briefly glancing at Marshall, and then finally refocusing on J'Varr. “He’s right. This was equally my fault, if not more, and I apologize for my role in all of this.”
When the doctor had arrived with a woman he introduced as the new counselor behind him, Megan had taken that as even more reason for her to make her escape. The last thing she needed was some psychologist analyzing her right now. Not only that, but she really wanted, needed some time to herself.
As the doctor stepped forward to introduce the new officer, Megan had quickly slipped away heading for the turbolift as discretely as possible hoping no one would follow her. Once she reached her quarters, the science officer began to relax and after locking the door behind her, she collapsed into bed, trying to push all thoughts of the AI or her own guilt out of her head. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.
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tamara
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Registered: Apr 18, 2024 5:49:25 GMT
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Post by tamara on Oct 9, 2007 2:58:40 GMT
Tamara felt out of place in engineering, taking in all the sites along the way. The blandness of the hallways was unsettling for the new recruit, but she had expected worse. There was some sense of ergonomics at least. The ship wasn't simple wrought metal pieced together with plasma arcs.
"Engineering!" she said out loud when they entered. Tamara had found if she said what she wanted to remember out loud, it helped her memorization. This was crucial, as her internalized map of the station became almost too large to consume in one sitting. It would take weeks before she remembered directions. For now, Nathan seemed to know where he was going, so she had no problem following him around.
A muscular man in marine fatigues and a beard gave an uncaring point with his thumb in the direction of where he thought the Colonel was as he passed by.
"He wasn't very helpful," she said to Nathan. He didn't respond. She was only kidding.
The cat-like creature gave the same vague directions to the doctors, following the lead of the marine. Whereas the marine was more gruff, the Caitian (she had seen pictures of his kind before) had more of a dryness about him. More pleasant to hold conversation with, perhaps, but definitely calculative and thoughtful. Perhaps independent like Earth felines. Counselor Thompson fought with herself not to assign the traits of felis domesticus to J'Varr T'Ress. It was difficult. She held back the urge to rub him behind the ears.
"I already have all the clearances I'll ever have, so stop on by," Tamara replied to the cat. "I doubt you'll tell me anything I haven't heard, anyway." She had dealt with federation dignitaries. She heard it all. For a couple of years, she had sat on the board of the Interplanetary Counseling Counsel, although found it loathsome and quit halfway into her third term. She wasn't the bureaucratic type, she had realized.
"I'll tell you what. Just stop on by whenever you need anything. I'll replicate some warm milk, and we can chat." She smiled warmly, realizing fully the stereotypical statement she had made. She was mostly curious as to how he would react. To her satisfaction, the engineer seemed quite confident in his differences from most of the crew. At least, he didn't show any outward signs of offense as far as Tamara could tell.
"And you do not need to apologize. I'd be quite bored on this large ship if nobody came to visit me." She wanted to let J'Varr know that he was always welcome, and that she was always welcoming.
"Where to next, Mr. Nathan?" This little escapade was getting her acquainted with a lot of the Senior Staff. She repeated their names quietly, "Cyle and J'Varr, Cyle and J'Varr" until she was sure she would remember them.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 3:44:27 GMT
"I'll tell you what. Just stop on by whenever you need anything. I'll replicate some warm milk, and we can chat." She smiled warmly, realizing fully the stereotypical statement she had made. She was mostly curious as to how he would react. To her satisfaction, the engineer seemed quite confident in his differences from most of the crew. At least, he didn't show any outward signs of offense as far as Tamara could tell.
J'Varr swooshed his tail about softly as he nodded, "I thank you kindly for that and I am sure I will take you up on your offer." He smiled, and rather than acting offended, he was rather playful with his response to the stereotype. "I would love the warm milk, provided that it is delivered in a saucer."
"Lt. I'm sorry that we won't be able to study this being in its true form," Matt said genuinely saddened that he wouldn't be able to study this alongside the feline. "Though I'm pretty sure that we'll be hearing about your scientific discoveries in no time."
The engineer then nodded gently as he shook his head a bit, "Though I feel as if I had lost a living thing at my own paws - in the manner a doctor feels when he has lost a patient I suppose. I can only hope that the publication of my work shall prevent future travesties. I thank you though for the praise, murrr."
"Alright, whenever you're ready," Matt said as he activated the cart and walked in front of it. He had already activated the auxiliary brig and notified security to send a guard to wait for them. "Lt. why did this entity effect us differently?"
With a raise of the brow ridge, he looked to Matt., "Do you refer to how it exhibited mind control over us? It tampered with the environmental controls. The entity placed chemicals into our breathing air on certain decks and in certain rooms so that we would act strangely. Bio-neural gel pack based computers were infected with a sort of retrovirus that the entity created when he seized the replicators. This retrovirus got into replicated food and drink and, murrr...the virus created a neurotoxin that had us act the way we did."
He then smiled slowly, "Thank you for being so patient with me, Colonel."
"Colonel Stone, Hrisvalar, Lieutenant T'Ress, Major Bridgeton, and Commander Fitch please report to the conference room," Parker ordered wanting to know the facts before continuing. The trial would continue since the XF fighters were destroyed possibly with the help of someone not directly effected by the XF-fighters, but this new evidence made him consider many things. Hopefully this meeting would be able to answer some of his questions.
With a nod he made his way into the turbolift, "Would it be best for me to follow you first to the brig?"
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2007 15:51:45 GMT
Rankin had found himself deemed surplus to requirements in freeing J’Varr and Colonel Hrisvalar. Major Johnson had appeared to have everything under control and anyways Rankin didn’t want to get too attached to the Jefferson’s crew. Part of the job was moving from ship to ship and unfortunately as a result lasting friendships were rare. Making his way back to his quarters on Jefferson he assumed it was some sort of Computer malfunction oblivious to what was actually happening.
Arriving at his quarters Rankin stared at his padd with the questions he had prepared for his introduction of J’Varr as a witness. Rankin had not decided who he would call first but he wanted to iron out the passionate Caitian’s testimony. It would have to wait for another time now, as Rankin lay on his bed and kicked his shoes off onto the floor. If only we could get permission to present the entity in the Courtroom, even Major Bridgeton would find it hard to refute its existence if it were right in front of him… That sort of thing would require Judge Parker’s permission and after their previous altercations it was unlikely that Parker would permit it.
Finally shutting his eyes, Rankin was startled by an incoming comm. message. =^=Colonel Stone, Hrisvalar, Lieutenant T'Ress, Major Bridgeton, and Commander Fitch please report to the conference room=^=
It was Judge Parker, Rankin shot up from his bed, dabbed his face with some water over the sink and ran for the door. This was highly irregular but whatever it was had to be important and Rankin wanted to know what had happened in the holodeck. Arriving at the conference room door and passing the skeleton bridge crew, Rankin noticed that he was first to arrive Judge Parker was staring out the conference room window with his hands clasped behind his back. Rankin entered slowly and acknowledged his superior then took a seat. “Commodore” Rankin said as sat down, “This seems highly irregular if you don’t mind me asking what is it all about?”
(Tag Parker/All)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2007 12:58:39 GMT
"I was thinking the same thing." said Dunn, in regards to Fitch's voiced concern. It was the first time the two had agreed on anything, aside from recesses, since the beginning of the trial. The two advocates, one for StarFleet, one defending, were the first to arrive. They sat waiting for others.
Judge Parker looked pale. Whatever space borne virus had hit him appeared to have hit him good. His energy level seemed to be a fraction of what it was formerly. This was not the same Parker that ejected J'Varr T'Ress out of the conference room weeks earlier. This was a man who was fighting to keep the shell around himself mobile. He had decided that the trial will continue.
When the intentions of the meeting were clear, Major Bridgeton objected.
"On what grounds?" Parker asked, fatigued and annoyed.
"As Commander Fitch has stated, this is highly irregular," he nodded in Fitch's direction waiting for him to concede the point, but Fitch became closed lipped, sensing his words might somehow be construed against him.
He opened up on the older man, unafraid this time since he knew deep inside he was right for saying what he was about to say. "Who made you investigator?"
The rhetoric stunned everyone, but Dunn continued, undeterred by the loudness of the silence.
"If you are going to be doing your own research, we shouldn't even be here!" Bridgeton pointed to the empty witness stand. "That seat right there is where you get your information! There, and from the federation charter. Not from snooping around the scene of the alleged crime." Dunn started to sweat.
Rankin and Dunn were right, the whole ordeal was highly unusual. For a judge to go out and do his own research was not only against policy, but it actively worked against a trial. Expert witnesses testimonies would be demoted, simply because the judge may have thought he had seen or witnessed something. It's the entire reason both sides present their case in a fair matter. The Judge was doing Fitch's work for him, and it was not only unfair and against procedure, but the big picture analysis would show that a judge going on his own scouting missions was counterproductive and perhaps could compromise any writ of habeas corpus. Who could protest against a judge who is also a witness? What witness could tell a judge he was wrong?
"I move to have whatever evidence you have found removed from record. Surely there are plenty of witnesses present. If our defending attorney wants to bring it up, he can, but it comes from witnesses and from conjecture."
Dunn paused and waited for Parker to speak. The man had no real grounds to walk on. Dunn, Fitch, and he knew it.
"So be it," Parker said. His head cold was starting to get to him again. "Let's get on with the trial." His face was still red from the abuse he had received from Dunn. The Major had used a respectful tone, though, and Parker decided to let it go. For now.
When the others arrived, they forwent the original intent of the meeting.
}Trial will resume in one hour.{ The ailing judge announced over the ship's channel.
He pointed and gave a stern look to Dunn, "You are on VERY thin ice," before removing the pouch of secret materials. He passed the PADDs to their owners, and closed his eyes to rest before the long day began.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2007 15:23:47 GMT
"I was thinking the same thing." Rankin heard Bridgeton’s voice from the entrance to the Conference room. Rankin revealed a wry smile as it was the first time both men had agreed on anything and given the bizarre circumstances it just seemed funny to Rankin.
Rankin watched Judge Parker as he turned to address them his face was pale and his facial hair unkempt and unshaven. The judge certainly did not look like himself, something was wrong – maybe illness or something more sinister, Rankin’s paranoia began to get the better of him as he thought up conspiracy theories by the hundred as Bridgeton continued, before taking a tone which surprised Rankin.
"Who made you investigator?" Bridgeton bellowed at Parker, it was a fair point and one which Rankin happened to agree with as he listened to his fellow Advocate tackle the Judge.
"I move to have whatever evidence you have found removed from record. Surely there are plenty of witnesses present. If our defending attorney wants to bring it up, he can, but it comes from witnesses and from conjecture."
Rankin nodded in agreement with Bridgeton for the second time in one day, this was turning into a strange day he mused to himself. Judge Parker was clearly feeling hot under the collar and his face began to change colour from the grey pale sickly look to a bright red. Additionally, Rankin noticed Major Bridgeton begin to sweat. Things had come to a head, it was a case of who would flinch first and both men seemed stubborn in their resolve.
"So be it," Parker retorted, to Rankin’s astonishment. The once iron Judge had been tackled about his conduct and he had conceded. As the other officers called to the Conference room began to filter in they were completely unaware of what had just transpired.
=^=Trial will resume in one hour.=^= Parker announced over the ship-wide comm.
Rankin looked across again at Major Bridgeton, he did not seem like the heartless adversary he had once appeared. Rankin knew that Bridgeton would still make it difficult for him, but the day’s events had gone a long way to strengthening his case.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2007 19:59:31 GMT
Where to next. Yes, where to next indeed. Nathan wasn't sure, especially since just about everyone had ignored his introduction of the new counselor. "Well at least you got to observe the crew in an awkward situation," he commented with a smile, "but indeed where shall we go next. The bridge seems like the next logical choice doesn't it?"
He nodded towards Stone, who seemed to ignore him as well, then turned and held the door for the counselor. "Odd crew, this one," he mentioned, "though currently we are going through a rather tough time." In brief, he explained what was going on. "It has everyone on edge, and everyone's nervous. Fortunately for me, I've already had my stint in the stand, though it was for prosecution much to my own annoyance." He shuddered at the memory. "It was quite an ordeal, and I don't like lawyers to begin with!"
Nathan led Tamara to the bridge. "And here we are at the hub of all the ship's activity." While he encouraged Tamara to go and look around and meet people, he anxiously stayed near the door, ready to flee at the nearest sign of trouble coming from the commanding officer (even though he wasn't on the bridge at the moment). "Our final stop shall be sickbay again. You have dropped off your medical file which Hannah should've processed by now. So we can proceed with your physical and your psychoanalysis." He offered her a coy smile. "I'm quite sure you don't give yourself these analyses?"
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Oct 11, 2007 4:43:33 GMT
Commodore Henry S. Parker Senior Judge Judge Advocate General's Office
Parker sat in his seat wondering what had just happened. He wanted to inform all parties involved that he was pondering the idea of giving the trial a short extension so that all could become knowledgable about the AI entity that the Jefferson crew had just proved existed. His so called 'snooping' was not malicous, but made him aware of what was going on.
It dawned on him that this trial was draining him physically and emotionally. Testimony had been dragging on for days and they had not reached all of the witnesses yet. Both legal teams had warned him about his unusual activities and he would take it to heart. He was indeed angry at being shown up by the two, but he knew when he was wrong. He would keep his mouth shut and do what he did best and that was rule over a trial.
With a sigh and a brief sense of calm, Parker began the proceedings.
"Whenever you're ready," Parker said as he brought the proceedings to order.
(Tag All)[/color]
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