Mission 93.1026 - It's Not Always R&R

[Deleted]

"It's good that you're not asking me, and Major Echal is not my babysitter. He was assigned to me for protection, as there have been several attempts on my life. Or so Major Echal claims, and he has saved my life twice now. He’s only not here because I told him not to come. I convinced him that I am quite safe aboard this ship, unless I misinformed him?” the Ambassador replied a bit angrily, and as far as Megan was concerned, his anger was entirely justified given the circumstances.

“You questioned a Romulan citizen, who died in your care. I will not be able to avoid further investigation into this, but as diplomat I shall endeavor to persuade them not to. From the injuries inflicted, I can tell his death was not accidental, however as you also explained he came into your care unwanted and unexpected. And did he not assault people of your crew?" Tedak asked.

At the mention of the interrogation, Megan forced herself not to wince and keep a straight face, silently berating Matt in her mind for bringing it up when it had been avoided previously, but when he mentioned the assault on Nathan, the Commander could not hide a brief glimpse of surprise at his knowledge, which unfortunately he picked up on. "I have my sources. Commander Jombis was not the only one who once was in the service of the Tal Shiar.” Tedak added somewhat evasively.

“And, as far as a Debrune/Romulan alliance goes, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to comment on that, especially since my interests in this matter are somewhat conflicted." the Ambassador continued, turning towards her as he spoke. "As Commander Reynolds may have told you, I was once married to a Vulcan healer, of whom it was discovered she is of Debrune ancestry. As such, we were able to adopt an orphaned Debrune infant who was said to be the Divine Child. We raised him as though he was our own son, and even after our divorce we both cared for him, also teaching him what we could about his Debrune history. Sadly, a few months ago, our son was killed in a tragic accident. As you can see, my own feelings are involved in this matter, thus I must distance myself from it."

For a very brief moment, Megan sympathized with the man, but before she could express her condolences on the loss of his son, the Romulan ambassador turned back to address Commander Reynolds. "However, I shall convey your concerns to all diplomatic parties involved, upon our next meeting. In the mean time, perhaps you could enlighten a somewhat disgraced diplomat with a few tales of this magnificent vessel? I already saw you have a few new crewmembers; didn't I see a huge cat earlier? And who took command after dear old Loskene disappeared? Rayna, one of T'Val's nurses if you remember, can't stop wondering."

"Thank you my friend. Commander Garrett would you like to join us?" Matt offered, but when Megan glanced at her commanding officer, she thought she detected a hint of…defiance. Commander Reynolds clearly knew she disagreed with what he had just done, but the look on his face indicated he felt that he had been right. Not only that, but the change in tone and topic by Tedak signaled to her that any discussion about what had happened was over, and they were now going to be reminiscing and catching up instead. She was not needed for that in any way.

“Thank you, but no. I have other duties to attend to right now. So if you will both excuse me, I should be seeing to them, Commander, Ambassador.” Megan acknowledged, nodding to both politely before leaving the two behind. What had just happened concerned her greatly. She may not have been an agent anymore, but once Intel, always Intel, as the saying went, and it was unfortunately quite true. While she believed Commander Reynolds had made an egregious error, it wasn’t quite so glaring as to warrant contacting anyone with her concerns. However, this whole situation was beginning to trigger something in the science officer.

Entering the turbolift, Megan tried to keep her thoughts on her real job and requested, “Deck 17” As the lift began to move towards her office, her mind insisted on voicing its opinion. ‘This is shoreleave...you can do whatever you want. You know you still have enough access to do some digging…’ The thought was tempting…too tempting. “Halt…Deck 5.” Garrett corrected, changing her request to head for her quarters instead of the labs. ‘You’re just a science officer now. You should be in the lab working on experiments or taking shoreleave like any normal human being would...’ a different part of her mind countered. It may have been right, but its suggestion was far less tempting, so she ignored it, mumbling something about her own mind not even being able to agree with itself.

Upon arriving at her destination, Megan moved immediately to the desk before seating herself in front of the console. Reaching down and retrieving the hidden tricorder from her pant right leg, the former agent removed a small data chip from a side port in the device, inserted the chip into the computer, and returned the tricorder to its place. The time had come for some answers, and she wasn’t going to leave until she got them. “Computer, create a secure, tunneling subspace link to Starfleet database, designation ISO 001. Piggyback the signal on concurrent comm channels using encryption sequence Garrett Theta Sigma Chi. Interface server authorization Garrett Beta 480-862 Lambda 739-103.”

As the computer acknowledged and began to access the necessary programs, Megan leaned back in her chair and rolled her shoulders, mentally rehearsing the myriad of security precautions she would need to pass in order to gain access and compiling a list of topics she would need to research. On the list: Ambassador Tedak, Sub-Commander Jombis, Commander Darius, and Commander Matthew Reynolds, along with as much general information about the Debrune and the Reunificationists as possible. This was about to become a very long day.

[Deleted]

"Late afternoon?" Freddy enquired, "dad and I want to have some time alone, I haven't seen him all week you know. I heard Qualinost has great camping sites, so I figure we should go camping."

The boy could hear the older boy's enthusiasm through his response. "Great, we'll meet you later today then. Bye!" Freddy signed off then giggled as he heard his father's, not quite on-key singing coming from the bathroom. At least he sounded happy, and that was what really mattered.

Nathan on his part had awarded himself with a real water shower, figuring it should be part of his orders to rest and relax, and water showers were relaxing, similar to a dive in the ship's pool. And when he was feeling happy, the doctor often liked to hum or sing as he did now and he didn't care that at times it sounded terribly off-key.

Freddy turned as the doorchime went off, then shrugged. "Come," he called, realising through the splatter and the singing, his dad wouldn't have heard. To his surprise, the marine brig officer entered.

"Hello Freddy," Jayden Mitchell greeted, putting on his friendliest smile, "glad to be home?"

"Yes sir," the boy answered politely, as his father had taught him when officers spoke to him, "quite glad. We're going on a trip later." He smiled brightly now.

"That's good. Is your father home? I wanted to have a word with him." He smiled as well when the boy nodded towards the bathroom. "In there, I'm sure he's done soon."

At that exact moment the sounds of running water stopped, but the humming continued. "I see," Jayden answered, walking towards the bathroom. He stopped at the entrance, giving the doctor a little time to make himself presentable, though the marine reckoned there'd be nothing he'd never seen before. Not after several field exercises which ended up with a very muddy platoon and only one community room to shower in.

As he stepped into the bathroom, Nathan had just managed to get himself half-dressed though his skin still glinstered where it was still wet. Startled, he turned when he noticed he was being observed. "Corporal Mitchell, mind explaining what you are doing in my bathroom?" he queried, while he continued to get dressed.

"Seeing you, obviously," Jayden chuckled, "and please don't be embarassed. Your son warned me and I waited a little. I just came to see how you're doing, and was wondering if I could talk you into having dinner...however your son just told me you're going off-ship."

Taken aback, Nathan remained silent; no-one had ever invited him to dinner before. No-one male that is. "I eh..that's right. I'm taking Freddy to Qualinost, we're going with Commander Reynolds and his son. But eh...we could have lunch?"

"Lunch it is," Jayden replied, refraining from stepping closer to the Human doctor. He sensed the doctor's discomfort and confusion and wasn't about to add to it. "I'll meet you in Ten Forward at thirteen-hundred? The boy is of course welcome, but private would be nicer." He winked, then turned to leave, ruffling Freddy's hair on the way out.

"Weird guy," the boy commented, glancing up at his father when he came out of the bathroom, fully dressed. "He seems to like you though?"

"Seems so," Nathan answered thoughtfully, "so, how about we start those pancakes? Did you make the batter ready yet?"

Squeeling in delight, Freddy jumped to his feet and preceded his father into the small kitchen. The fun for the day could begin at last.

[Deleted]

The Romulan diplomat bowed slightly as the female commander bid them farewell, then returned his attention to his old friend, who was still talking to him.

"Tedak, have you found anyone special?" Matt asked hoping his friend's romantic life had preformed better than his political one," I'm happy to say that I'm still seeing Kristin Hope, the Transporter Chief."

He shook his head. "No, there's no-one in particular, not since Billie left me for that assignment on Earth. I haven't heard from her since, nor do I expect to. I believe it's safe to say I haven't had a date with the female variant of any species for several months. However, I'm happy to hear you and Kristin still form a couple." He listened politely, interjecting an answer here and there when Matt continued to talk.

"When Loskene left, Zhukarak Hrisvalar, a marine took command of the Jefferson," Matt responded remembering the first time he had met the Andorian," he demoted me because I punched you. I would have thought you would have remembered that."

Tedak laughed sourly. "Yes I remember that incident. I believe we were...fighting over the same woman back then? However it seems he saw it fit to reinstate you to your original rank, and even promote you to first officer? I believe I met him, but I'm not certain..."

"He's a good man, but doesn't know when to lighten up sometimes," Matt replied sincerely," he demands the best and weeds out the weak. And yes that was a Caitian you saw earlier, the Jefferson is lucky to have amazing chief engineers."

"Any ship needs a good engineer, just ah...I do hope his fur isn't getting into every system?" A small attempt at a joke, one he hoped would be perceived as such. "I'd like to meet him, perhaps he has some suggestions to further ensure the safety of my staff in the diplomatic wing. Recently, my staff seems to be under frequent attack and we don't know who or what or even why."

"I would like your opinion on something Tedak," Matt said making sure he understood that this was private," its concerning my chief medical officer."

"What about him?" the Romulan queried, "is he a security risk? Horrible at his job? Does he need a scare from your old Romulan friend? Or is he just your general royal pain in the backside?"

"He's an amazing doctor, as good as I have ever seen," Matt said wholeheartedly," but he doesn't always follow the rules. I know, irony at its finest but I don't know how to proceed. The doctor is a civilian and doesn't fall under Starfleet's jurisdiction. You served aboard this ship in a similar civilian capacity, what would be the best way to get through to him."

"I've never been a doctor though," Tedak answered thoughtfully, "wouldn't you be better off speaking to T'Val? She served on this vessel, for quite some time and with distinction. Though, she is Vulcan. In my experience, humans and yes even the civilian kind, tend to bend the rules when it comes to saving lives. Is he a passionate doctor? I mean, does he have a passion for his profession?"

The Romulan paused, seeing that the commander's expression quite answered his questions. "It's tough trying to come between a doctor and his or her oaths to save lives and do no harm. Puts them in harm's way and they won't see it coming. Perhaps a good knock on the head might make him see sense? Perhaps installing him in a starfleet position for a while and have him live according the military rules? I need more information, perhaps even need to meet him in order to give a proper solution to your problem."

He paused again. "He was the one Commander Jombis hurt, wasn't he?" he suddenly realised. He hadn't seen any kind of reports just had heard through the grapevine what had occurred. Just no fine details had reached him. On his shoulder, brown Nut chirped softly in his ear, acknowledging Tedak's own feelings on the subject. "How badly was he hurt? Was it enough to get through to him, you think?"

[Matthew Reynolds]

"He was the one Commander Jombis hurt, wasn't he?" he suddenly realized. He hadn't seen any kind of reports just had heard through the grapevine what had occurred. Just no fine details had reached him. On his shoulder, brown Nut chirped softly in his ear, acknowledging Tedak's own feelings on the subject. "How badly was he hurt? Was it enough to get through to him, you think?"

"As long as he has his son by his son, Nathan will be just fine," Matt replied amazed how much Tedak knew of the subject. The only person he had informed was Admiral Lin and he had assured him that things would remain quiet. If Tedak could gather this much information on the Jefferson he could only imagine the amount a secret ops agent could get." Jombis hurt a lot of people Tedak. I'm sincerely saddened that his family is being persecuted but it's Jombis fault that my commanding officer is being treated on Assailant for his wounds."

(Tedak)

"Look Tedak, I don't want to keep talking about these unpleasantries," Matt said ending the current conversation," would you like to join me and Caleb for dinner. We could invite T'Val as well. I'm certain that after tomorrow I will not have anymore shoreleave for a while."

(Tedak)

[tamara]

The replicator was in the off state, the hoverball placed on her desk, the door locks where ready to be activated, and Tamara had finally finished primping her hair. She was set to leave for the surface, having no idea what she was going to find.

Earth, specifically the Illinois region, had been her home and she rarely left it. A few times there were off-world meetings for the psychological science programs she was involved in that she would attend, but those generally were on space-stations in orbit someplace nearby. She had rarely been gone for more than a week or two at a time, and each time she returned the Counselor was glad to be standing on firm ground again. Tamara didn't care what the physicists said, inertial dampers did not damp everything. Vertigo would persist for at least two or three days after she returned home, and space sickness was not uncommon.

Which is why her husband was astonished when she agreed to take a position in Starfleet. Astonished that she would agree to such a long term assignment away from home.

Had he thought about it, though, Baron would have realized that Tamara was constantly trying to push her bounds. She never let her shortcomings get in the way of what she wanted to do, and helping the Federation was something she felt worthy enough for her to get over her sickness.

She took all of the academy courses necessary to get her ready to be a respectable Starfleet Officer, and throughout the training learned some techniques for controlling her uneasiness from being away from home for so long. Her footing aboard the ships naturally steadied itself, and she hardly noticed any jerkiness or rocking, the subtleties that she used to feel when she was a solid-grounder.

This trip would be the first time she left the Jefferson, and she was just as nervous about leaving it as she was about leaving Earth to join Starfleet. She wasn't a comfortable traveler, but she was learning. "Join Starfleet, see the Galaxy," she remembered the posters in the recruiting office saying. No matter how cliche that sounded, she intended to do it anyway.

With the room locked, she made her way to the shuttle bay, where Commander Tagert was awaiting to transport her down to the surface. She hadn't formally met the man yet, but had heard some quirky things about him. She would get to know him better on the flight down, she suspected.

She announced her arrival, cheerfully, holding her belongings. "I'm here. I hope I didn't over pack!"

Tamara had two pieces of luggage, both rather large. She had dragged them most of the way, and the one was beginning to tear.

The Counselor smiled nicely again, hoping that her smiles might get her past any upsettness on the pilot's part for her over-packing.

[vanhorn]

Qualinost -
Lieutenant JG Michael Van Horn was truly enjoying his R&R in between Academy and his first assignment. The Debrune were treating him well and his quarters were more than adequate. Michael had been sleeping in and eating his favorite Earth foods. He had been looking forward to meeting up with his old friend Thomas Tagert, who was supposed to have picked him up on Starbase Assailant. However, when Van Horn was being transfered from Starbase Conquerer he was shocked to learn that he would have to go to Qualinost, due to a quarantine on Assailant.

The Junior officer couldn't take it anymore so he decided to send a communication to his old friend. "Computer open a private channel for Lt. Commander Tagert on the U.S.S Jefferson." Michael stated tapping the appropriate keys and waited for a response. Knowing his friend as he did, Michael knew that it may be a while. No doubt due to some new holodeck program Thomas maybe enjoying.

>Tag Tagert<

[Deleted]

"As long as he has his son by his son, Nathan will be just fine and Jombis hurt a lot of people Tedak. I'm sincerely saddened that his family is being persecuted but it's Jombis fault that my commanding officer is being treated on Assailant for his wounds."

"You mean on Qualinost, Assailant has been evacuated," Tedak supplied. "And it sounds to me the boy is paramount to your doctor's recovery. In that case, I wonder why you are asking me about him, since you obviously already have a means to...persuade him to be more obedient and aware of the ship's regulations?"

"Look Tedak, I don't want to keep talking about these unpleasantries," Matt said ending the current conversation," would you like to join me and Caleb for dinner. We could invite T'Val as well. I'm certain that after tomorrow I will not have anymore shoreleave for a while."

"I'm afraid T'Val shan't be attending dinner, she has the care of the hospital wing now that Stuart is off-planet. And she will be tending to your commanding officer. Additionally, it will greatly insult my own guard if I take her from his care as well, since I gave explicit orders for him to keep an eye on her and make sure she's safe. He had wanted to accompany me here, nearly threw a tantrum about it too."

The Romulan chuckled at his own little white lie. "However I shall gladly join you and then I must be off and tend to my own duties aboard Qualinost. I still have a diplomat to recover and reports to file regarding his disappearance." He fell silent, realising he'd said too much. "It is nothing you need concern yourself with," he added, "it is a diplomatic matter and it is within my control to resolve."

He paused again. "No shoreleave? I heard rumours you were coming down for a little camping trip. Just rumours, floating around in the corridors when I came here. I'm sure I heard a couple of children talking."

[Matthew Reynolds]

Matt immediately picked up on Tedak's mistake, but said nothing of it. He knew that it was important, but he had other things to attend to.

"No shoreleave? I heard rumors you were coming down for a little camping trip. Just rumors, floating around in the corridors when I came here. I'm sure I heard a couple of children talking."

"Yes, you are right," Matt said scolding himself for forgetting the play date that had been set up with Freddy and Nathan," I am having a camping trip with the Doctor tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to connect with him on a personal level. After our little excursion I will be debriefing the Debrune High Council and then I will be in meetings with Command until another mission is approved for the Jefferson."

"Commander Reynolds please report to the bridge you have an incoming message from a Rear Admiral Loskene, he wishes to speak to you," Lt. Commander Hayes reported.

Without realizing it a huge smile had appeared on Matt's face. It had been a very long time since he had spoken to his former captain. He had approved of his adoption of Caleb and it was under his leadership that Matt had risen through the ranks. "Inform the Admiral that I will be there shortly."

"Yes sir," Hayes replied.

"Tedak, I'm sorry for cutting this short," Matt said as extended his hand in friendship," I hope that we'll still be able to meet for dinner."

(Tedak)

Pleased that he would be able to see more than one of his friends, Matt walked briskly towards the lift. He knew that Loskene would be there when he arrived, but he never liked making him wait.

"I've patched the transmission to the ready room," Hayes said when Matt arrived on the bridge.

"Thanks," Matt said as he instinctively straightened his uniform and took a deep breath. As he walked towards the ready room doors he couldn't help but feel the same way he did the first time he had spoken to the then Commodore Loskene. As he sat down he couldn't help but tremble a little bit.

"Hello Admiral," Matt said regaining some of his dignity but not enough to for the Acting Captain of the USS Jefferson.

"Matthew, I'm glad to see that the Jefferson is under good hands," Loskene said with a rare smile.

"Thank you Admiral, I had a great teacher," Matt said full of appreciation. Both men spent the next few hours speaking about their perspective lives and how things have progressed within the fleet. Knowing that this wasn't the reason he had called Matt finally asked him about it, "Admiral I assume this wasn't a social call?"

"You would be right Commander," Loskene said," I have reviewed the information you gave Admiral Lin and I have to say that I'm worried about the situation. As you know the Federation cannot afford a a war with the Romulans and contain the Klingon/Tholian War. Furthermore we are having trouble keeping peace in the outer regions of the Federation. You may not know this, but a few planets and colonies are considering leaving the Federation. We are working with them and have sent a few ships to assure them that we are committed to protecting them."

"They must understand that we have many important crucial things happening throughout the quadrant," Matt replied," we cannot possibly be everywhere at once."

"You do not have to convince me Commander, but they do not like taking a back seat to anyone," Loskene said," Matthew I have decided to join you in two days for your meeting with the Debrune."

"Yes sir, is there anything you want me to do before the meeting?" Matt asked surprised at the news.

"No, I'll arrive at Qualinost aboard the USS Fang Loskene out," Loskene said before the transmission was terminated. Matt now fully understood how seriously troubled command was with a Debrune/Romulan alliance. the meeting with the Debrune will have lasting effects in the sector.

"Reynolds to Doctor van Breughel, at what time would you like to meet for tomorrow's outing?" Matt asked.

(Nathan)

"Reynolds to Ambassador Tedak, are you up for a late dinner?" Matt asked knowing how late it was on Qualinost.

(Tedak)

[vanhorn]

After what had seemed like an eternity to him, Michael Van Horn had become sick of the Debrune's hospitality and found himself longing for his first assignment. His excitement was unbearable, he decided on a Debrune trading vessle that was leaving today. Surprisingly the captain of the ship was very generous to let Van Horn tag along.

As soon as they were in space and close to the Jefferson, Lieutenant JG Van Horn, hailed the Jefferson, his opening words a little over-run with excitement. =/\= I am Lieutenant JG Michael Van Horn, the Jefferson's new Chief Tactical/Security Officer. I am requesting permission to be beamed aboard. =/\=

There was an ensign on duty, who seemed a little unsure of the Lieutenant JG, but after a few choice words with the ensign, Michael Van Horn was finally aboard his ship, transporter room 2.

"Ensign," Michael said looking towards the woman operating the transporter controls,"where might I find the Chief Security Officers office?"

"You mean your office, sir? It's just down the corridor." She responded.

"Looks like you could use a break, Ensign." Michael said secretly hoping to have opened an avenue to possibly having dinner with this woman.

"Well, sir. We just went through a heck of a mission, and are you buying?" She replied making no attempt to hide her flirtatious ways.

"I'll get back to you once I'm settled in; hopefully you'll still be available." With that Michael made his way down the hall to his new office. He was wondering what he was thinking. He had no idea what his new posting would provide his life with and he was already trying to make it that much more complicated by involving a woman. He smiled at his thoughts.

The door to his office had just slide open as he said, "Computer, raise the light level by seventy-five percent." Cozy, was a word his mother would use to describe his office. She used it whenever she was hiding her disgust with things she deemed appropriate for people without money.

After a quick look around he sat at his computer to find out where his quarters were. Which happened to be on the same deck as his office, Deck 8. Michael decided this was satisfactory, because after all Deck 8 housed, Junior Officers and Crewmen, the latter usually more outgoing and open to having a good time, there would never be a dull moment for him on the U.S.S. Jefferson.

Upon reaching his quarters, he was so tired he had virtually no energy to check it out he dropped his bags at the door, and headed straight for the bedroom. "Computer, dim lights...," and that was it for the new CTSO's first night on the Jefferson.

< Tag anyone >

[tagert]

Tom had heard that Van Horn was coming on board. He had ignored his messages and work on the transporters wile he was waiting on the shuttle passengers. Before the repairs had been finished, Tom had heard the Ensign talking to the new security chief. There were only a few Isolinear chips that needed to be replaced, as he finished he heard Mike cussing out the poor Ensign. As Mike appeared on the transporter pad Tom slipped in between the pattern buffer and the re-sequencing chamber.

As Mike said. "I'll get back to you once I'm settled in; hopefully you'll still be available." Tom smiled, Van Horn had done a lot of growing up since the last time he had seen him. Tom and Mike had first met in a club on mars called "The Mars Bar" At the time Tom was on spring break from Starfleet Academy, and Van Horn was working as a Guitarist at the Mars Bar, Tom played too but not as good as Van Horn

Only the finest women were allowed into the Mars Bar and most of them thought that the young Guitarist was a good looking lad. Tom figured Mike would be "beatin' em' off wit a stick" but the poor guy was scared of them. Tom had wore his Uniform to the club his first night of spring break (Figured every woman loves a man in uniform) and wile he was standing at the bar Van Horn had got on stage and started playing an old Earth tune called "Creep". By the time his song was done Mike had caught a pair of underwear on the headstock of his guitar, he smiled as his cheeks had turned red and he exited the stage. The academy girls must have taught him a lot.

Back in the present Tom was standing outside of Van Horn's quarters fidgeting with a spanner wrench over the door controls. As he pried on the right spot the small panel slid down and Tom was able to get his circuit jumping kit to hot wire the door and release the maglocks. Tom slid one side of the door open, entered, then slid it shut again.

Tom walked like a hired gunman, across the room and over to Mike's bed. As he got within inches of the security officers face he yelled "TRAIN" as he flashed on his away team light into the CT/SO's face and swung his pillow. Tom's pillow never hit it's target, the Lt. JG awoke startled and took Tom down to the ground knocking the wind out him. As Tom Tagert was pinned to the floor, by a foot on his neck, the only thing he could say was. "It's me!"

Tag Mike

[Deleted]

Growling slowly, he switched off the weapon and held it close to his
feline form with a continued snarl. "I trust you know then that I do
not require it - I could render every thread of your puny, humanoid
body with a swipe of my claws. You slavers are all alike - pitiful.
You exact power over others, despite the fact that you actually hold
none over them. Well, I take that back. You hold power that you do notdeserve."

He growled slowly, shaking his head, "And that is why I am here. To
take back that power."


It was not to be, however. He squinted once more, examining the man. "You are not him. You have no business looking like him, and I should kill you for the sheer enjoyment of it. However, you are not my quarry. Tell me, have you seen him? Have you seen the one that so clearly looked like you? Or even now, he is so clearly looking like
you? As you can see, my anguish simply oozes forth from me. I trust,
then, that you will fight at my side, will you not? Fight for the
glory that I have sought to bring by slaying you."

J'Varr then rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Why was Tamara so busy right now? She really needed to hear about that one...

[vanhorn]

Tom walked like a hired gunman, across the room and over to Mike's bed. As he got within inches of the security officers face he yelled "TRAIN" as he flashed on his away team light into the CT/SO's face and swung his pillow. Tom's pillow never hit it's target, the Lt. JG awoke startled and took Tom down to the ground knocking the wind out him. As Tom Tagert was pinned to the floor, by a foot on his neck, the only thing he could say was. "It's me!"

"What were you thinking, man," Michael said staring in disbelief at his old friend, "you and your earth pranks." He could not believe how time could change the way you look at things, even friends from long ago. Michael took his foot off Thomas, "How have you been old friend? It has been a long time."

Michael had the computer raise the lights some as he walked to the replicator to get a coffee, and shake off his feelings of drowsyness as he listened to tales Tom's adventures.

<Tag Tagert>

[Deleted]

ooc: can't be fussed to change to tedak right now so I'll cover both in here:

[Nathan]
"Reynolds to Doctor van Breughel, at what time would you like to meet for tomorrow's outing?"

The doctor looked up from his breakfast then exchanged a surprised glance with his son. "Actually commander, I had hoped to leave this evening and spend the night out in the open?"

It was obvious that Matt was otherwise occupied. "However, if you wish to leave in the moring I could arrange that instead. Perhaps a morning trek would be refreshing as well, before setting up camp. I assume you and Caleb possess a tent?"

He paused. "I'm having breakfast now but perhaps we could meet in an hour or two to arrange our camping trip in more detail? I'm sure the boys have a few ideas of their own on this venture."


[Tedak
"Reynolds to Ambassador Tedak, are you up for a late dinner?" Matt asked knowing how late it was on Qualinost.

"Is that an invitation?" the Romulan asked, smiling this time. "I'm up for a late dinner, but it sounds as though your doctor just woke up. What time is it, ship time? It was late afternoon when I left Qualinost. You and the doctor may want to take that into account for your camping trip."

[Deleted]

Taking the final sip of her almost cold tea, Megan sat back in the chair and tried to stifle a yawn. She had spent hours researching, all afternoon, all evening, and now it was several hours into the next day and she was exhausted. After making sure that any and all relevant data that she might need had been downloaded to her personal database chip, the science officer severed her link with the highly secretive database, resisting the urge to try and cover her tracks. It’s not that she wasn’t authorized to access it, as technically she still was, but that was an almost automatic reaction from someone like her. As the screen went dark, Commander Garrett briefly wondered whether she made the right decision before failing to stifle another yawn. It was clearly well past time for her to get some sleep.

~

Finally leaving her quarters, over four hours later than usual, Megan was feeling a bit guilty for being late, but as this was shoreleave, she technically didn’t have to go in at all. There were so many projects and experiments that were tempting her, but the first order of the day was to look into these mines J’Varr had been working with and seeing them for herself. In spite of scientific and technological curiosity, Garrett was well aware that a main motive in becoming involved with these mines was revenge. The next time they met up with Darius, she wanted to be as ready as possible to take him down. The science officer knew this type of thinking wasn’t good but didn’t care enough to change it. She wanted Darius defeated.

“Garrett to T’Ress, Commander when would be a good time for you to bring me up to speed on any developments with the mines? I’d like for you to show me everything you’ve discovered and done.”

<Tag J’Varr>

[Deleted]

The feline, having freshly awoken and now at his terminal, tapped the combadge that was such an ever-present piece of his equipment even whilst aboard. Sighing softly, he looked up as he spoke, "I am here at the present, murr. Would you please join me? I would be very much appreciative of such an action as I would be able to share the devices with you at the present moment surely. Would that be acceptable of you, or would it not be? I would understand if it would not be."

He moved to the turbolift as he continued to speak, his tail curling behind him as another, though enlisted, engineer moved to accept his place at the console where he had previously been slaving over. Sighing once more - a natural feline reaction to the response of any stimuli - he smiled. He was righteously proud of his work; regardless of what a deadly sin such pride could form into.

"I have, Miss Garrett, full confidence in this to work. The Romulans, if they are even able to detect it, might think it one of their own and therefore believe it to be wholly harmless as to their own point of view. Barring that, they are self-replicating, following a design pioneered at Deep Space Nine...meerow! They are unstoppable."

[tamara]

Finding the surface rather dull without someone to enjoy it with, Tamara headed for the shuttle where she was sure she would find Commander Tagert. Instead the shuttle had not arrived at it's predetermined time.

She asked the computer, after finding it on the docking padd, =/\= Computer, locate USS Jefferson Shuttle. =/\=

~/\~ Please specify registry ~/\~

She didn't know the registry. Instead, she started playing a game with the computer to deduce the ship she was talking about.

=/\= Computer, verify the USS Jefferson is in orbit. =/\=

~/\~ The USS Jefferson is in orbit. ~/\~

=/\= Locate the ship that dropped me off here earlier. =/\=

~/\~ The ship you are inquiring about is located aboard the USS Jefferson. ~/\~

"Hmph." Tamara said.

~/\~ Please restate your question. ~/\~

She tapped the monitor, turning it off.

It took a more than a quarter of an hour to navigate through the atmosphere of the planet safely, and if the Jefferson pilot hadn't even left yet, which meant that she would be there for quite awhile waiting. She had already decided she was going to go shipside again, and relented to just waiting on the flight deck.

=/\= Doctor Thompson to USS Jefferson =/\=

but her combadge beeped, letting her know that the message didn't transmit. She was too far away.

[Matthew Reynolds]

"Reynolds to Doctor van Breughel, at what time would you like to meet for tomorrow's outing?"

"Actually commander, I had hoped to leave this evening and spend the night out in the open?"

"This evening?" Matt asked hoping he had heard inncorrectly.

"However, if you wish to leave in the moring I could arrange that instead. Perhaps a morning trek would be refreshing as well, before setting up camp. I assume you and Caleb possess a tent?"

"Yes we both have experience living out in the open," Matt replied.

"I'm having breakfast now but perhaps we could meet in an hour or two to arrange our camping trip in more detail? I'm sure the boys have a few ideas of their own on this venture."

"Yes lets meet in two hours in the officer's lounge," Matt said hoping he would still be able to meet with Tedak. "Reynolds to Ambassador Tedak, are you up for a late dinner?" Matt asked knowing how late it was on Qualinost.

"Is that an invitation?" the Romulan asked, smiling this time. "I'm up for a late dinner, but it sounds as though your doctor just woke up. What time is it, ship time? It was late afternoon when I left Qualinost. You and the doctor may want to take that into account for your camping trip."

Matt looked at the chronometer and realized that it was indeed extremely late or in this case really early. His conversation with Loskene must have taken longer than he thought. The dinner he had been looking forward to would have to be postponed. "It seems that we'll have to reschedule our dinner my old friend," Matt said with a weak smile," I'll try to get in touch with you before we leave."

Wanting to have a good time for a change, Matt decided that he would begin to pack for the camping trip. He had already packed the tent and the bug repliant, but there were many more things that he would want to do. Matt was especially interested in riding the rapids a few kilometers from the campsite.

"Dad, why are you packing now?" Caleb asked as he exited his quarters," were going to spend the night on the planet. Hopefully Nathan and Freddy will like to do a lot of fun activities."

"No hiking please!" Caleb moaned," I don't understand why you like it so much."

"I don't know, I'm just wierd," Matt said with a laugh," look I have to go talk to the Doctor. We're going to plan a few things before we get down there."

"Alright, I'll go get things packed and then go over to Freddy's and see if he needs any help," Caleb replied as he reentered his quarters.

"Matt to Nathan, is it alright if we meet right now?" Matt asked now really looking forward to the camping trip.

(Nathan)

[Deleted]

"Now?" Nathan allowed a long silence to fall before he answered. "Uhm if you wish, sure. Just don't mind the mess? We've ah...made breakfast just now." The doctor signed off and turned to his son. "Clean up and start packing, Matt's coming over right now."

It seemed the first officer had been a whole lot closer than he had let on because a scant ten minutes later, he entered the doctor's private quarters. "Pancake?" freddy offered, holding up a plate with a large pancake, generously topped with powdered sugar, towards the first officer.

Peering past the adult, Freddy pouted a little. "Where's Caleb?" he then asked, "I thought he was coming too?"

Nathan sighed. "Go clean up and pack," he repeated, casting his son a stern glance, "Matt and I need to talk." And talk they did.

~next morning~

Bright and early, the two Van Breughels stood waiting at the shuttlebay entrance, the adult carrying a big backpack and a small package which could only be a tent. The child was also carrying a backpack, and a bag wich could only be provisions. "Where are they?" the boy asked impatiently, hopping restlessly from one leg onto the other and back. "Where are they dad, we're already supposed to be gone."

"I'm sure they'll be here any second," Nathan reassured his son, knowing that Matt wouldn't be late without reason. A few seconds later, both Reynolds' walked in, looking equally equipped. "All right, let's go. Matt, do you have our co-ordinations for our first sightseeing trip?"

[Matthew Reynolds]

"Caleb, I told you to pack light," Matt said with a slight groan," this is not light."

"I just wanted to make sure that we would enjoy ourselves," Caleb said with a sheepish smile.

"We're going to have fun, but this is ridiculous," Matt said as he quickly unpacked Caleb's things and put in the essentials," we're going to be late."

"By only a few minutes," Caleb said already eating a snack," everything is going to be fine."

"Watch it Caleb, you're still ten years old remember," Matt said flashing him a teething smile," you'll be smarter and better than me one day but today is not your day."

"Come on dad, the chances of me becoming a Starfleet Captain are slim," Caleb said seriously thinking about the odds.

"I'm not a captain Caleb, Zhukarak will get better and he'll be in the captain's seat soon enough," Matt said secretly thinking of the odds himself.

"It doesn't matter, I might want to become a botanist or a author," Caleb said as he finished his snack.

"Alright, if you don't help me, you'll stay a ten year old forever," Matt said as he took his bags and started walking out the door," Reynolds to Garrett, please contact me only its an emergency. I'll be down on Qualinost with Nathan and Freddy."

(Garrett)

As they made their way towards the shuttlebay, every person they passed wished them good luck. It was starting to feel a bit eerie, but Matt knew it nothing. When they arrived, Matt could tell that Nathan had been waiting for a while.

"All right, let's go. Matt, do you have our co-ordinations for our first sightseeing trip?"

"Yes, I've already entered the coordinates into the shuttle's computer," Matt said," we'll be landing near the ravine. We'll be setting up camp there."

(Nathan)

"Caleb help Freddy get ready for take off," Matt said as he went through pre-flight. Matt knew that he had done this thousands of times by now, but he never forgot to perform this basic step. "Nathan can you make sure all basic medical supplies are on board."

(Nathan)

"Commander Reynolds you are cleared to depart," Monica said over the comm," please make sure to have fun. We'll be here when you come back."

"I know, though please don't play any pranks on Commander Garrett, she doesn't need you to make her life any harder," Matt said laughing.

"Understood, sir," Monica replied clearly disappointed.

"Shuttlecraft Archer is prepped and ready to go," Matt said before he opened the shuttlebay doors," we'll be landing in ten minutes."

"Can't we get there faster?" Caleb asked fifteen seconds into the trip.

"Don't worry, Caleb we'll get there soon enough," Matt said as he slightly increased speed.


On Qualinost

"Alright, we need to set up our tents before we do anything else," Matt said looking at Caleb when he said this. Caleb's natural curiosity was not going to get the best of him today.

"Why do you look at me when you say that?" Caleb asked indignantly.

"Cause your a trouble maker and my son," Matt replied," I'm just thinking of what I did on our family camping trips."

"I wouldn't mind turning out like you," Caleb said as he took out his tent.

"That really means a lot to me, but I want you to be your own person," Matt said touched by his son's words," I'll love you no matter what you do."

"Ok, but don't give hug me or anything, I don't want to look like a baby in front of Freddy," Caleb said backing up a step just to make sure he was out of his father's reach.

(Nathan)

[Deleted]

Nathan chuckled at the first officer. "You didn't think I'd go on a trip, especially when taking children along, and not check the medical supplies?" he asked innocently.

Later, after the shuttlecraft had been safely landed, Nathan and his son exited the vessel and scouted around. "This looks like a good place to set up our tent," he said, handing Freddy a bag of tent pegs and guy ropes. "Why don't you untangle those and I'll unfold the tent," he suggested.

The doctor listened to the conversation between Matt and his son, while he knelt down to unfold the tent cloth. "I doubt it'd be embarassing Caleb," he piped up, smiling gently, "Freddy's the huggy sort and it wouldn't phase him in the slightest. Then again, you are older than him."

About an hour later, camp was set up and the four were seated before the tents, with Freddy tossing down a pile of branches in a circle of stones. "Campfire?" he pleaded, looking up at his dad.

"Tonight," Nathan promised as he rose to his feet. "Right now, we're going sightseeing!" The doctor ducked into the tent, only to re-emerge a few seconds later with a map and provisions for under way. "Ready?" he asked as he clasped his son's hand into his, dragging him along.

Freddy stumbled along for a few paces before he fell into step with his father, laughing excitedly. "Are we going to see animals?"

"I don't know," Nathan answered, "there are supposed to be wild firelizards here...you know the dragonlike creatures? I've never really seen one but I've heard several people on Assailant have them."

Nathan turned back to Matt. "Have you ever seen any commander?"

[Matthew Reynolds]

"I don't know," Nathan answered, "there are supposed to be wild firelizards here...you know the dragonlike creatures? I've never really seen one but I've heard several people on Assailant have them."

"Dad, I think you hit the doctor harder than you thought," Caleb whispered to his father," Zhukarak has had a firelizard ever since he arrived on the Jefferson."

Nathan turned back to Matt. "Have you ever seen any commander?"

"Doctor, aren't you forgetting the Brigadier's firelizard?" Matt asked trying to act as if he just remembered," you know that little flying thing that hovers around him all the time."

(Nathan)

"Dad if we find some can I get one?" Caleb asked excited at the possibility of having a pet.

"I don't think so, Caleb," Matt said as he studied the map," I already have enough problems with you."

"Ah come on dad, I bet the doctor would let Freddy have one," Caleb whined.

(Nathan)

[Deleted]

Megan had to admit to being impressed with the Caitian’s work. The mine itself was clearly a remarkable technological achievement, but the Commander wasn’t about to give any credit to Darius for anything. For J’Varr to have figured out how it worked and then further manipulate the technology using the Federation’s own advancements to make it even better was certainly worthy of commendation. “Very nice work, Commander T’Ress; this will greatly aid our next encounter with the Romulans. Have you determined how we will be able to detect the mines that aren’t ours? I’d rather avoid further damage to any of our ships these mines can cause. Will the Jefferson or other Federation vessels need to make modifications to our sensors to ensure that what happened to us doesn’t happen again?”

<Tag J’Varr>

Nodding, Commander Garrett smiled at the engineer. “Well done, Commander. You’ve done a remarkable job on this project. Now I recommend you take at least 24 hours of leave; you’ve earned it. Either shoreleave on Qualinost or just relaxing in your quarters or the holodeck, just do whatever you decide you want to do. I’m not going to make it an order, but I do suggest you take some time to rest.” Megan requested, not one to make it an order without a very good reason, since she herself hated taking shoreleave or any sort of rest in between missions.

J’Varr looked like he was about to say something when her commbadge chirped. =/\=Reynolds to Garrett, please contact me only it’s an emergency. I'll be down on Qualinost with Nathan and Freddy.=/\= the acting Captain requested via the comm.

Tapping her commbadge, Megan replied, “Acknowledged, Commander. Enjoy your shoreleave; Garrett out.” Tapping the badge again to close the channel, she smiled wanly at the Caitian officer. “Duty calls. Enjoy your time off as well.”

Even though everything seemed to be fine, the acting first officer headed for the bridge. Even if she was only temporarily in command while Matt took shoreleave on the planet, Megan wanted to make sure that she knew what was going on and that all was well. Arriving on deck one, Commander Garrett found two bridge officers, one sitting in the command chair looking bored and the other manning the helm looking equally unenthusiastic. The two straightened up in their chairs on seeing her, trying to look as though they had been very busy with important work.

Suppressing a smile, Megan requested a report from the duty officer, who stood and rattled off how many people were off ship, what repairs and upgrades were currently being made, and any additional reports passed up through the chain of command. Once he finished, the Commander asked, “Has everyone been reporting in from the surface regularly? We don’t want to lose anyone down there…”

“Yes, Ma’am, we’ve been hearing from everyone at the scheduled times and then making note of it in the logs per regulations. There are fewer people off ship than usual but more people on the surface due to not being docked at Assailant.” the Lieutenant reported reaching for a padd with the information to hand to Garrett.

Perusing the padd, Megan noted that everyone’s locations were fairly standard for shoreleave and most individuals and groups had reported in exactly on schedule, though a few had been slightly tardy. The only name that stuck out was Lieutenant Thompson, who was almost forty-five minutes late contacting the ship. Frowning, Commander Garrett moved to her console to track her last known position and how she’d gotten to the surface. The counselor had left via shuttle craft and her biosign wasn’t at her last known location. “Lieutenant Thompson, this is Commander Garrett aboard the Jefferson; what is your location?”

Silence was the only response, causing alarms to go off almost immediately in the science officer’s head. Starting a search of the planet beginning at the last known position of the counselor and slowly widening the area, Megan’s mind was racing with thoughts of losing an officer on her watch. Matt hadn’t even been gone ten minutes, and there was already a problem. Either that or she was just being paranoid, but it wouldn’t hurt to look into it and make sure Tamara was alright.

A few minutes after starting the scans, a small section of the surface near the counselor’s last known location was masked with some sort of interference, which looked like it was being caused by a small disturbance in the atmosphere. It was nothing too serious, but enough to block scans and most likely comm signals as well. Not only that, but the area was the landing platform where the shuttle had dropped Lieutenant Thompson off at the start of her time on the planet’s surface.

Feeling her shoulder’s relax slightly, as it was now a reasonable assumption that this was a simple glitch rather than an actual problem, Megan began to work to clear up the comm signal. Routing the channel through a terminal near the landing site to avoid the atmospheric interference, she tried contacting the counselor again. “Garrett to Lieutenant Thompson, do you read?”

[Deleted]

"Doctor, aren't you forgetting the Brigadier's firelizard?" Matt asked trying to act as if he just remembered," you know that little flying thing that hovers around him all the time."

The doctor rolled his eyes as he remembered. "I guess my memory was damaged a little more than I expected," he sighed in mock-annoyance, "yes I remember that little blue pain in the [word deleted]. Wouldn't let me near his master at first, I don't think that little thing ever liked me."

"Dad if we find some can I get one?" Caleb asked excited at the possibility of having a pet.

"I don't think so, Caleb," Matt said as he studied the map," I already have enough problems with you."

"Ah come on dad, I bet the doctor would let Freddy have one," Caleb whined.

"Not a chance!" Nathan burst out as Freddy cast a pleading look up at him as well, "you have two felines to care for. Did you want this flying creature eaten at the first opportunity? No Freddy and that's final. We might let Sox have a litter when she's old enough but that's that." He knew that female felines would end up a little tamer if they had a litter when they were young, and Sox was a bit of a wild one at times.

The little group walked on, battling gravity as they hiked up a reasonably steep hill. Panting for breath, Nathan sank down once they reached the top. "I really should exercise more often, and I think you could use a little extra too commander. You look beat!"

Nathan nodded towards the two boys. "They're in better shape than we are, that's for sure. Look, they're not even tired yet!"

[Matthew Reynolds]

A year ago Matt would have been able to climb the entire mountain before breaking a sweat. His newfound responsibilities have not afforded him the time need to remain in peak physical shape. It finally realized on Matt that he was fat and he didn't like that.

"I'm only twenty three doctor, I should be able to handle this little hike easily," Matt said trying to catch his breath," I'm going on a diet when we get back to the Jefferson."

"Dad look, its a firelizard!" Caleb said as a bronze lizard flew near them," Dad, can we try and catch him please!"

"No Caleb, you might loose your footing and hurt yourself," Matt said walking towards the two boys position.

"Come on Dad, I'll be okay," Caleb replied as he ran after the firelizard.

"Caleb Linden Reynolds, stop right now!" Matt yelled so that everyone within a few miles could here. Matt quickly caught up to Caleb and grabbed a bit more forcibly than usual," Never ever do that okay!"

"I was only playing, plus I wasn't going to get hurt," Caleb replied defiantly," you know I'm careful."

"I know but you know that I worry about you," Matt said apologetic," anyways lets get going. I want everyone to see the valley from the moutain ridge. I was told the view is incredible."

(Nathan)

[Deleted]

Nathan held his breath as Matt charged after his over-enthusiastic son. He too had seen the flying creature which had appeared an odd shading of blue. It was a small creature, and by the colour and matching it to Zhuk's firelizard, Nathan remembered that the blues were male.

The doctor held his own son tightly by the hand, preventing him to go charging off after the older boy. "Yes, the view is marvelous, or so I'm told," he responded to the first officer, before glaring at the older boy. "This is treacherous territory Caleb," he said sternly, "you shouldn't go charging off like that. Though you say you're careful, accidents do happen."

As he spoke, he walked away without actively watching his footing. His boot caught behind a root from a nearby small tree, which stuck out from the soil and he was sent sprawling, right into a flowerbed. Sneezing, he sat up, rubbing his watering eyes. "See?" He reached out to his son, who immediately came running, carefully at that and handed his father a hypospray.

"And though you are twenty-three commander, that's no excuse to being out of shape. You're nearly half my age and yet I seem to be in better shape than you are. Physically that is." He sneezed twice more, before the medication started to take effect. "In my case though, hayfever doesn't help. We should move on, the pollen are affecting my ability to breathe."

Quickly, the small party walked on, making their descent into the valley. "Look!" Freddy cried out as something gold streaked by, followed by a bundle of colourful blurs. "Oooh, they're gorgeous!"

Taking out his tricorder, Nathan scanned their surroundings. "They seem to thrive here," he commented, "though that particular bronze doesn't appear to be wild." A bronze creature hovered before them, squawking wildly, before disappearing. "No, he's definitely bonded to someone."