Time Marches Backwards (The Aarons Project)

[Kaylana Cornette]

OOC: This portion of our new mission was written by Michael Aarons. Remember, this is the mission in which we will be writing the events backwards to the point of how we got here (to this post) and then finish the mission by jumping to this post and writing the ending. I personally think this to be an interesting exercise in sim-writing. I hope you all do too.

---

The Ferengi vessel warped away, eluding the un-expecting members of Starfleet, their egos swelling more than the swollen head of any Ferengi has ever been. The Captain was utterly annoyed by the brazen, very marauderesque little imps, mostly because it made her look bad and when she looked bad, the ship looked bad and when the ship looked bad, Section 47 looked bad and when that looked bad, the Federation looked bad and when that happened, may the Great Bird pity the fool(s) responsible.

Aarons: “Captain, I believe this would be the time to try the warp 9.99 that the Sovereign series boasts about.”
The captain postured herself, excited at that notion.
Kay: “You know you’re right Commander. Get on it.”

The Majesty snapped-to and excused itself from the “situation” and fired up her warp engines. The hyper-blue plasma grilles illuminated on the nacelles before giving off a shimmer indicating the activation of warp speeds. The sleek vessel tore off into a flash of light to give chase to its prey.

The ship increased her velocity approaching warp 6. The Ferengi had a head start on them and they were perfectly capable of warp 9 and such and weren’t afraid of using it. The Majesty pressed on, now reaching 8.7, her warp core purring as the stellar dagger pierced the sky in hot pursuit. As it achieved 9.3, the core hummed and towards 9.64 it pulsed and beat in rhythm. Then when it had finally achieved warp 9.99, the warp core made a sound probably never before heard by anyone in Starfleet maintaining everyone’s attention on it. It began strobing which nearly made one of Engineering’s men sick. The starship Majesty burned through parsecs like only Kirk’s Enterprise a century before had done; and then only in unusual situations.

Captain Cornette tightened up against the colossal force acting upon them; probably a reflex, anticipating the failure of the inertial dampeners, despite their peak operation (a tribute to the Majesty’s Engineering team). The navigator kept himself fixed on the flight. To others, it almost seemed as if he were emitting the power being generated by the ship in this endeavor.

The Ferengi Marauder they were chasing had secured the item for themselves and their arrogance gave way to the profit to be had from procuring this bounty. Something so important that the Klingons would revert to enemies of the Federation or make the Romulans forgo the tedious nature of getting others to make the first move.

The Majesty quickly caught up to the Karlet and reduced their speed as not to completely overtake them. A warning shot fired motivating them to exit warp whilst Aarons expertly swung her around to confront the audacious ship. The rogue vessel opened fire on the Majesty. It seems they forgot that when it comes to things like weapons, ‘Ferengi’ means ‘from whomever they acquired them from’ be it Klingon, Romulan, Jarada (remember them?), Cardassian, etc. At most, all they’d hoped for were some Type VI phaser emitters and Merculite rockets if not standard photon torpedoes. Fortunately, they had their shields up but the blast still hurt.
Kay: “Tactical, quantum torpedos! Helm, hard to port, Sigma seven maneuver, engage!”
The Majesty engaged with a spread of three quantum torpedoes but alas the Ferengi were as fruitful with their shields as with their armament. The ship came upon them which made the Ferengi pull away. The Majesty put herself in the Marauder’s way; their only hope was to block the Ferengi’s path and prevent their escape while trading barrages with each other.

The starship let out photon torpedoes which the D’Kora class ship responded with disruptor-style fire which made Majesty flinch. That little slip let the Karlet get ahead of their adversary. Majesty unfurled a wave of quantum torpedoes and phaser fire. Then…

[Deleted]

Nik was at his station, well in all truthfullness where else was he going to be?

"I hate battles, Y'Know, never was too keen on them. I know I went through the academy as a CTSO, and a damn fine one I was. Never really got into the battle mode thing, hence transfering to science, it was ment to be safer." Nik mumbled catching the occasionally side glance from Kay as if to say ' Oh do be quiet for 30 secs'

"Its one extreme to another, once moment Im enjoying myself on the beach in the holodeck, playing a few sports, socialising. The next Im in the middle of a fiasco with the ferengi"

"Captain they appear to be emiiting some strange, wave, its effecting my sensor readings. Im trying to compensate."


OOC: Sorry its not much, but all I have at the moment.

[lizjaneway]

The day had been rough, and Liz wasn't sure what to do now. She had figured if she worked long and hard the pain would disappear. Liz went to her office to see what she could do to occupy her mind.

Once at her desk, Liz found a couple of reports and such that needed her attention. She sat down to some reading.


Hours later she woke with a start finding she was at her desk. One of the nurses came in followed by Trish.

"Here you are, doc. Why don't you go and get some sleep in your quarters, I can handle this. You don't look so good, thanks for helping me find her nurse, you may go," Trish said quickly watching the nurse go. She knew what needed to be done, but she didn't like it.

"Dr. Liz Janeway, as of this moment you are relieved of duty. This isn't healthy for your, and as your doctor I won't bring you back until I deem you are fit for duty. Now leave and get some rest, and I won't take no for an answer. I will call security if I have to, and they will excort you to your quarters," she said wishing she didn't have to do this. The good doctor looked like she hadn't slept, eaten, or showed in a few days, and Trish didn't approve of this one bit.

Liz tried to protest, but found it falling on deaf ears. She got up and left sickbay not sure what to do with herself now. The pain was there, and it hurt way too much. She went to her quarters for a shower and some new clothes, then off to the mess hall for something to eat.


"Nurse you have sickbay, I need to visit the bridge. Contact me if anything serious comes into sickbay." She said and the male nurse in charge nodded. She made her way to the nearest turbolift to deliever the news to the captain.

Once on the bridge Trish walked straight to the center seat. She stood at attention.

"Captain, permission to speak to you privately," she said quickly, and the captain rose and beckoned Trish to follow her.

Once inside the ready room, the captain turned to her.

"What did you need doctor?" The captain said.

"Dr. Janeway has been relieved of duty. Her apperance alone tells me that she isn't worried about her health right now. If I allowed her to remain on duty it would be a danger to us all. I will be serving as the doctor for the next mission, and I look forward to it," she said quickly hoping to be dismissed, so she could return to sickbay to prepare for the next mission.

"No, captain, I don't know what is wrong with her. I do remember when the change in her behavior came though. She seemed quite upset a couple of nights ago. Liz asked for us to leave her be in her office to get some work done, she hates when she gets behind. We did as she asked, and then later she walked out not having touched any of her work. We thought it strange behavior. She looked very upset when she left, but we didn't know what had happened. I looked over the padds, and saw nothing strange to make her just leave them there," she responded to the question, wanting answers just as badly as the captain.

"I wanted to ask her what it was, but she has been touchy about things lately. If it wasn't something fun and light or about work, she didn't want to talk about it," she said, and then was dismissed.


Trish entered sickbay finding things in good order. She went over to Nurse Peters.

"I want you to inventory our medicines, and get me a report on what we have. I want to have a good inventory for the next mission, and we minds well get it while we are here at the base. Make it quickly, we might be leaving soon," she said and headed to the office. She sat down to read the reports and pick up where Liz had left off.

[Kaylana Cornette]

Oolat and Gris sneered back at Kaylana, their pointy yellow teeth in a Cheshire Cat grin. “Why would we lie? If we were in business with the Romulans, why wouldn’t we say so?”

“If there’s profit in it, I’m sure you’d lie no matter what business deals you had struck.” Kay was growing more impatient by the minute. She knew they had it on board. Furthermore, she knew they had fired it up, most likely to see if worked. The Genesis wave was unique in the universe despite this newest device’s modifications and Hawk had spotted it no less than 4 hours ago. “You’re still in Federation space and therefore are under my jurisdiction. Prepare to be boarded and searched. Cornette out.”

Kaylana cut the transmission and whirled around in her chair to face TEG. “A boarding party, if you please, Mr. TEG.”

Before her First Officer could call up the duty roster, the Ferengi vessel warped away, eluding the un-expecting members of Starfleet, their egos swelling more than the swollen head of any Ferengi has ever been.

OOC: This is what I meant by incorporating the last post into your own so as to help with the continuity of the story. Remember... we're supposed to be writing this BACKWARDS!

[Michael Aarons]

The ship coursed into the area that the Etrivani had asked them to. Who would ever look for a starship in the blind spot of a quasar. Taking advantage of the copperish hull plating, the archeaological ship was well masked within the redshift of the quasar. There the meeting that the Etrivani team leader identified only as "Bob," as his real name would be too hard for Humans to handle, was to take place.
The daunting light source was enough so that the viewscreen had to undergo a counter blueshift just to insure a coherent image was produced and to keep it from blinding and possibly causing corneal damage to the crew. Starfleet had protocols about quasars, particularly no one was to go near a window. Although the newly discovered quasar had a meager .11 redshift, it was sufficient to cloak the two ships and was the closest known quasar to Earth and the Federation. To be on the safe side, Hyronalin was infused into the air supply starting at about 20 parts per million to counteract the gamma emmissions often times associated with a quasar. Navigating was a problem because many things in the blue wavelength sort of disappeared and ghost appeared on the viewscreen. It was also challenging in that the alien ship was so well hidden by all of this.
The alien vessel began to emit a coded radio emission along those found in a quasar that served to guide the Majesty to its rendezvous. An immediate switch was made to face to face with the Etrivani which at first seemed weird because of the viewscreens "snowblind" effect which was quickly remedied. There stood Bob, and present was the first officer known only as "Gale."
Bob: "Captain, we are so glad you could make it."
Kay: "As are we...Bob. But I really wish we could meet in a more reasonable location."
Gale: "If you'd like there's a particle fountain we know of?"
Kay: "Perhaps you're not aware of exactly how much our ship is capable of."
Bob: "What?"
Kay: "Not much!"
Bob: "Oh, then perhaps you could pick a suitable location."
Kay: "Definately. Mr. Aarons, take us out of here." Both ships moved out of the awsome gaze of the quasi-stellar mass toward the Federation. Heading there at about Warp 8.2, the Majesty was determined to keep the alien vessel and her coveted cargo safe. "Bob, what is it that is so important that you've found?"
Bob: "Captain we have found the answer to the great mysterious legend. The Genesis Capsule."
Kay: "Left over from the original Project: Genesis of the 23rd century. It was part of Phase 2 performed underground on Regula and was a precursor to the Genesis torpedo itself."
Gale: "Precisely, and with it hopefully even the original Genesis experiment can be remade and its benefits achieved."
Kay: "Regretfully impossible. Genesis used protomatter, a substance as delicate as bio-mimetic gel, and Starfleet can't allow something so dangerous to go free."
Bob: "Of course we will return it to the Federation." No sooner than that, the Etrivani ship became turbulent. A Ferengi Marauder identifiable by the name Karlet (likely to hinting their association with the Quark Traditional Way opposed to the ways of Nagus Rom) appeared firing on the vessel.
Nik: "Captain I'm no longer registering any sign of the Genesis Capsule onboard their ship."
Kay: "Hail the Ferengi!"
OFF: Since Kay has done this in the Seinfeld way, beyond this point the Federation may display no knowledge of the capsule as they have not yet been informed.

[lizjaneway]

OOC: JP with Liz and Kedzie, with Trishta coming here and there This is before poor Liz gets booted. Thanks.

IC:

Kedzie sat slowly down in her chair, the patient she had talked to just leaving her office.
=/\=Doctor Janeway to Shikako Kedzie, would you mind coming down to sickbay=/\=

Kedzie nodded. =/\=I'll be right down.=/\=

Kedzie walked down to sickbay. She didn't figure Liz had wanted her all that much, since the doctor hadn't sounded urgent, so Kedzie didn't run, but she did go there as quickly as possible without doing so. It was quite possible that Liz hadn't asked for her just to chat. “What did you want me for?” she asked, deliberately cheerful, even after everything that had gone on that day. Kedzie felt that someone had to try to be optimistic.

Liz looked up not happy with several things. "Hello counsellor, can you please get this girl off my back. Go do something with her," Liz said motioning to Trish meaning her. "She won't let me get any work done."

"Well, if you knew what I knew, Ked, you would agree," Trish said quickly.

Kedzie glanced between the two of them. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” Kedzie asked Trishta, since that would solve both problems, at least temporarily. It would let her find out what was really wrong, while relieving Liz of whatever the problem with Trishta seemed to be.

“What do you know that would make me agree with you?” Kedzie asked, after she and Trishta had walked a few steps, distancing themselves from Liz.

"Something is very wrong, she isn't the same person for some reason. It feels like she is distant, and more than just sometimes. One night she went into her office to get some work done on a pile of padds, a little bit later she left not touching the pile at all. That is so not like her," Trish said quickly hoping someone would side with her on this.

“Do you have any idea what's causing it?” Kedzie asked, concerned. “Or when it started?”
"I think anything right now is worth a try. If she keeps trying to push on working in her condition though, I will be forced to relieve her of duty and take command of sickbay in her absence. I so don't want to do that," she said a little nervous.

“Ok,” Kedzie nodded at Trishta. “Since you seem to be irritating her, would you mind just letting me talk to the doctor alone?” Kedzie asked Trishta.
"Sure thing, and good luck. She is a bear right now," Trish said and winked.

Thanks,” Kedzie said, and walked over to Liz. “How are you?” she asked, in the insanely chipper way that only someone who does not believe in moderating their intake of chocolate and caffeine can manage.

"Go away."

Kedzie frowned momentarily, then asked, in a more serious tone than before: “Why?”
"I have so much to do, and so little time. Besides I know why you are here, and what you want," she said and picked up another padd.
“Don't you have sickbay staff to help you out with all that work?” Kedzie asked calmly. “And would you care to share your interpretation of my being here?”

"Yes, they probably could help me, but I don't want them to. I want to do it, I don't want to remember. You are here to get me talking about that night, when I was suppose to be focusing on work, and got that message," she said and her voice raised a little in anger.
“I thought I was here to try to help a friend,” Kedzie said softly, her eyes suddenly finding the floor very interesting.

Liz blushed a little, "Sorry, girl, I am just so upset. I was gearing up for a lot of reading, and then I get this call...." she started and trailed off when trying to explain.

“What call?” Kedzie gently prods.
"Some official calling to tell me about my family."

Kedzie could tell it was getting difficult for Liz to continue, and she didn't want to push Liz into talking if she wasn't comfortable doing so, but Kedzie thought that having someone else to share feelings with would help. But she didn't say anything, get met Liz's glance and smiled lightly, not a contended smile, but an encouraging one. Liz looked up and found the counsellor's gaze. She dropped the padd and stood up almost falling over.

"Well, its just that, I AM SO ALONE!!" She finally voiced it, and found the tears came again. Trish returned, and seeing how the doc collapsed yelled at her about her health and relieved her of duty. "Sorry,Ked, I had to." Kedzie looked at Trishta and nodded, understanding. Then she turned to Liz. “Talk to me when you get a chance?” Kedzie suggested, leaving an open invitation, and also giving Liz an opportunity to rest a little first, an opportunity Kedzie hoped Liz would consider.

"Don't leave me Ked," she wimpered a little, and Trish nodded before she left again to leave them alone.

Kedzie nodded, and took a step closer to Liz, showing that she was there and didn't have any intention of going anywhere. “I think you've been relieved of duty,” Kedzie remarked lightly. “Do you want to hang out at my office for a while? It's not like anyone else is likely to drop by, everyone tries to avoid me if possible.”

Liz just nodded, and carefully got to her feet not wanting to be on the floor again. After being on her feet good enough, they left together. "Ked, I feel like I have no one now," she said a bit lost.

“You have me,” Kedzie replied honestly. “And I think quite a few other members of the crew care about you. That's a good base to expand on.”

"Yes, I have friends, but no family," she said and then stopped to look out the window for a minute before moving on.

“I'm sorry,” Kedzie replied slowly. She didn't know where she would be without her family, and she didn't think she could say anything genuinely comforting. “I truly am,” she repeated unhelpfully.

"I just don't know what to do now, how do I move on from this?"

[Deleted]

ooc: do I write my post back to front too? well here goes my attempt at writing a post back to front.....

"Captain!" Darian suddenly shouted, after hours and hours of watching the vessel play cat and mouse with the Majesty, "they're firing up their warp engines!"

Darian sat at the auxhiliary science console, doing his very best to monitor sensor output, which suddenly had started working again. The large Ferengi vessel that appeared on the bow sensors scared him tremendously, and not just because he (as host) had never seen a Ferengi before. Ako squirmed in his abdominal pouch, trying to calm her host but to no avail.

The Trill scientist was strarting to get utterly bored and was longing to return to his quarters or go back to his laboratory where he had several experiments running, uncluding something on how most of the Majesty crew had managed to undergo a sex-change.

He had been sitting at the auxhiliary console for hours now, just peering through his scope at metric tons and tons of spacedust, and of course the Ferengi vessel. From time to time he had looked up and gazed questioningly at his immediate chief, Commander Nik Greenwood. Apparently sensors weren't working right, and Darian too had noticed the strange emissions and the weird output on his own sensors.

[lizjaneway]

Trish had found they didn't have a lot of patience the day before, and was watching the doctor. Something was wrong, and she could see it. Trish wondered what was wrong, and when it started. She shook it off hoping that it would clear up, or that it was just something she was imagining. ~She's been a bit off, and I know it. I just hope I am wrong. Maybe I should bring the counsellor in to check on her.~ Trish thought not sure of what to do.


Liz worked around sickbay checking supplies, and helping the injured when they came in. She couldn't help but try to ignore her own aching muscles. Liz knew she needed some sleep, but she didn't want to sleep, she wanted to work it away. Having gone before without food or sleep, she knew it would be awhile until she completely collapsed. She ignored this for now, and looked at a padd for information on a certain drug. ~Am I seeing things? Did that number just spike? No, its still the same number, I'm okay.~ She thought, and then she slumped back feeling very old.


Ryan Jacobs didn't like being tied up and held hostage while his work was commandeered, but he felt there was nothing he could do. He wondered how long it would be before someone noticed these Ferangi had stolen his work, which could be very dangerous if they attempted to use it. Ryan remembered hearing them say something about latinum, and he hoped they wouldn't try to sell it. He cursed the day he thought of trying something like this. ~I'm not god, and yet I have tried to play him. What in all Hades was I thinking?~ he thought starting to feel a bit sorry for himself.

[jorden23]

OCC: um i don't get what you mean by back posting?

"Jorden had arrived by shuttle after the helmsman had dock jorden grab up her gear an headed out of the shuttle thanking the helmsman for a nice flight.

"Jorden then head off to find where her quarters were at so she could get settled in she found her quarters entering her quarters "computer lights 40%".

"Jorden look around wow these quarters are bigger then my quarters on the hepta jorden walk over to the bed an put her gear down wow i get bigger quarters an i get a big bed.

"Jorden lay down on the bed jorden wow my bed was never this comforble i think i going to love it here on uss majesty.

"Jorden got up an begain to unpack grabing up picture of her friends on hepta then grabing another with all the crew on uss hepta.

Then jorden grab up another photo which was of little sister gabbrile she frown i have not spoken to her in sometime i bet she still hates me even though i still love her

jorden frown i wish things could be different jorden then felt again what she had when she had join starfleet an that was alone

"Her whole family maybe alive an well but they believe jorden to be dead to them even when they know she very much alive.

"Jorden finish unpacking an making her quarters her own with her karate gear an weapons she got klingon friend who help her get in the academy.

there was message on computer she headed over to see it was klingon friend Kora of the House of: T'lak she look like she had bad news.

jorden brace herself for what she was about to hear jorden i am afraid your parents had been died while out on vaction. kora thought to herself there death was a meaning less

"This is going to rock jorden world an theres nothing that i can say thats going to make things right.

jorden you are now owner of your parents mining colonies Gamma Quadrants an other quadrant, .

jorden then spoke there not dead they can't be your wrong Kora, "Jorden drop to her knees feeling her world spin out of control the tears begain to fall.

kora spoke i am sorry wish i was wrong jorden new that her friend was speaking the truth jorden stutter did you tell gabbrile?

"Kora spoke yes i told her she to knows of her parents death i wish there was something i could do. jorden spoke i know you wish you could but you can't.

"Jorden then spoke i have to go now kora spoke i understand an if you need someone to talk to please do don't let this rip you apart.

"With that jorden got clean up then head off to the bridge i am not going to let this get in the way of my job then jorden reported in to Co .

[Deleted]

Hawk had just left a counseling session with Kedzie a few hours ago and he still seemed to be having some trouble with his old female side. He did feel that the counsellor was making some progress but only wished she could cure him quicker.

Earlier on the bridge Hawk was monitoring the Ferengi ship, as the Captain was speaking to Oolat and Gris on the view screen. Just as the Captain ordered a boarding party…

“Captain the Ferengi are powering up their warp drive,” Hawk informed.

Before anyone could react the ship was gone in a streak of light.

“Captain they have taken a course 153 mark 9 and reached the speed of warp 9.14,” Hawk inform as he gave a glance at Aarons.

"Confirmed Captain," came the voice of a new CTSO.

“Very good Mister Hawk and now let’s shake it” The Captain ordered

“Set course mister Aarons and step on it!” The Captain insisted.

[Michael Aarons]

The trip was tedious and took its time to end. Why had the Etrivani insisted on secretly meeting? What was it that was so imminent that they had to be so clandestine?
Elsewhere in the galaxy a number of things were going on, but of immediate importance was the Etrivani's partner and benefactor, Ryan Jacobs, received the worst guests he'd ever have. The troll-like Ferengi with their energy whips and procured Romulan rifles imposed themselves upon Jacobs home base of operations. There goals were far from the idea of planetary reclamation and development that he had wanted to offer to the Federation and anyone else who so wanted it. They ransacked the place, bickering over baubles of worth to add to their loot in search of ultimate power. It wasn't long before they found his means of tracking his partners and his work compromised. Their discussions quickly devolved to boasting about the tons of latinum bricks they would get for their efforts and the cuts each would get.
OFF: Sorry Liz, didn't know where you had planned to take this dude but it sure was easy to integrate him with established characters and I left it ambiguous enough for you to still work with.

[jorden23]

OCC: thanks commander hawk sorry you all the storie line is way to hard for me to figure out
can you someone tell what it is that i am to be doing so i don't look bad.


"Jorden ran internal scans as well as sensor scans jorden thought to herself this is going to be a long shift as jorden thought about her parents.

"I wish things were different i wish we got to work things out i can't believe there gone what am igoing to do i can't deal with the mining colonies i don't want to leave starfleet to deal with it.

"Even now it seems my parents are still trying to get to take on the family business i am not been apart of family sense i join starfleet.

"Why did they do this to me why did they leave me like this gods i miss them i can't believe but i still love them even after they disown me.

"How pathic i am i gods they never even treated me as daughter i was another thing they owned.

"I don't want there mining colonies i don't want there riches an from what my friend kora told me not even my sister wants mining colonies or my parents riches.

"I wonder if i should leave the starfleet an be a good daughter an deal with the mining colonies.

"I can't do that this was my dream to be a starfleet officer i am not going have my parent ruin my chances in starfleet to have a career i have work to hard to get where i am.


"I love my parents even when they don't me i am not going to give up my dreams for them or anyone else.

"Jorden deside that she new what she was going to do with the mining colonies to give them over to starfleet.

so she can have her dreams now she has to deal with furnral for her parents.

"Jorden had made peace with herself for now she continue working the tactical station.

[lizjaneway]

OOC: No worries Michael. I am sure I can work around what you have put down. Just needs some thought. Oh and good to see you are back.

This is where we work backwards from the first post, then when we are at the beginning we will return to the end of the plot to finish it out. Is this correct, or have I explained it to our security officer wrong?

IC:

Ryan had been looking for a way to cure a few of the imperfections in the planet he now referred to as home, and thought this project would be the answer. ~A new beginning, yeah right.~ He thought as the Ferengi holding him took him to the bridge.

"Alright, hew-man, you are going to give us this secret or perish. The choice is yours," the captain of the vessel said, and he felt like throwing up.

"I will never help you. Do what you will to me, but you will never understand this. I am the only one who knows this project, if I die so does its secrets," he said, and then suddenly a fist went into his gut. He fell to the deck gasping for air.

[Kaylana Cornette]

The Ferengi envoys writhed in excitement, repeatedly clasping and unclasping their hands in front of them as they shifted their weight from one leg to the other. Their eyes darted from one Romulan face to the next, visions of latinum dancing in their heads.

The tallest Romulan, dressed in a non-military uniform, spoke, his quiet demeanor in sharp contrast to his guests. “You are sure you can procure the device?”

“It will be as easy as taking jellied gree worms from a baby,” the boldest Ferengi replied with a sneer.

“Do not disappoint us and you will be handsomely rewarded.”

“Of that, we can agree,” seethed Oolat through his faked grin.

A clenched fist pounded the table as a gruff Klingon voice overpowered all other sound in the room. “You are all fools to trust these QI’yaH!” He drew his d’k tahg as the Ferengi hissed.

The tall Romulan rose slowly from his chair and slithered between them calmly. “Do you ever grow weary of throwing around those Klingon threats, NuDaq? We already agreed. The Ferengi were our best choice for acquiring the device. Now, return to your seat.” NuDaq, still breathing heavily, eyes narrowed and fixated on his prey, sat reluctantly. Turning to face Oolat and Gris, the Romulan, cobra-like, assessed them repugnantly, and then spoke. “You will not fail. If you do, you will die.”

Oolat, hesitated a moment before replying feebly. “We will not fail.”

“Good.” The Romulan fished a small device from his garment. “You will contact us using this transmitter once you have the item in your possession. We will send you the rendezvous coordinates once we receive your signal.”

[kedzie]

<Tag Hawk>

“I'm available pretty much any time, if you want to talk again,” Kedzie told Commander Hawk, as he exited the counselor's officer. It seemed that quite a few of the senior staff members were having difficulties re-adjusting to their gender, which wasn't too surprising. Kedzie herself didn't feel back to normal, which was part of why she was having difficulties knowing what to say to the officers.

Kedzie had a few moments to herself before someone else entered her office. She was thinking about the fact that she needed some kind of system to tell people whether she was busy or not, so they wouldn't assume she was busy with someone else, or if she was so they wouldn't accidentally walk in. She didn't want to make people formalize the fact that they were seeing the counselor by requiring appointments, plus, nowhere near enough people seemed to want to talk to her. But some sort of busy signal seemed like it would be helpful.

Someone tentatively approached Kedzie's office, and the door opened. “Hello,” Kedzie greeted, glancing at the ensign that had just stepped in. She could tell as soon as he stepped in that he was nervous, which most people who were visiting the counselor were.

“I'm Ensign Eyvindur Taalle,” he introduced himself.

“Kedzie,” she replied, smiling reassuringly, waiting for him to explain what he wanted to talk about. She had discovered early on in training that she should let the other person steer the conversation, with her only talking to give encouragement, sometimes advice, or a natural response.

“I work in security,” Ensign Taalle started. “And I think I want to transfer. But I'm not sure. I was hoping you could help,” he said, glancing up and meeting her eyes for the first time.

Kedzie nodded. She knew that if she was in security she would want to transfer to a career that didn't involve shooting people on a regular basis, but she also knew that she had to listen to the situation before she could give helpful advice. “What don't you like about security?” she asked, wishing she could say something less pedantic and dull, but sometimes being giving the stereotypical counselor response had its advantages.

“I'm unlikely to be noticed by my superiors unless I do something truly, well, heroic, but efforts like that tend to get people killed or yelled at by their superiors.”

“Doesn't Starfleet have a system where anyone who serves a certain amount of time has their service record reviewed by their superior officer?” Kedzie asked.

“Yes,” Ensign Taalle said. “But when they do they can barely remember which of the security officers is which, and it might be better that way. After all 'he stood with his phaser ready' is hardly glowing praise,” Eyvindur said, with a wry smile to Kedzie.

“Do you enjoy working in security?” Kedzie asked.

“Not quite. Being the person who 'stands with his phaser ready' isn't exactly a good way to spend each and every day.”

“Then maybe you should change areas. Which one would you choose if you were to transfer?”

Eyvindur frowned as he thought. “I don't know. I think I would be lousy at pretty much everything, but I feel comfortable holding a phaser. They taught me how to follow orders and hold it the correct way on day one, and the rest seems mostly unnecessary.”

Kedzie nodded, and poked through all the PADDS on her deck, looking for an empty one. She found it, and downloaded a file to it. “This is a sort of 'test' that might help you figure out which field you would be best suited for.” At the doubtful look Eyvindur gave her she continued. “It's probably worth a try, at the least.” She paused. “When you've taken it or decided what you're going to do, drop by sometime and tell me what you did decide, even if you don't want any more advice.” Kedzie rose and handed the PADD to him, and he took it, thanked her, and left. Kedzie sat slowly down in her chair, the patient she had talked to just leaving her office.

[Deleted]

(Days earlier)

Hawk felt good today since the counsellor told him she had some wonderful news about his problem. He had been seeing her during this entire mission thus far and was hoping to be cured soon.

Hawk just got off duty and headed for her office with a bounce in his step as he hoped to hear good news. He was headed down the corridor too her office on deck 7 where he past by two crew members who seemed to be trying to hold back laughter. They both seemed to be looking at his lower half. Hawk looked down to see if he could tell what they were looking at when he noticed his hips were swaying back and forth.

“What not again!” he proclaimed

He quickly ducked into a vacant office where he tried to regain his male-hood. After he paced back and forth in the room talking to himself for several minutes he continued his flight to the counsellor.

Finally he arrived at her office door and hit the chime.

“Enter,” came a familiar voice, “Welcome Commander Hawk and how are we feeling today?”

“I was just fine until I got to your corridor.” Hawk explained what had happened

“I see, well I may have some good news in your case,” Kedzie stated.

“I sure hope you are right Shikako, cause I am really tiered of this ordeal.” Hawk said with a big sigh.

Just as she stated to speak the door chimed.


<Tag Shikako>

[Deleted]

Darian paced around in his quarters, not sure what to do. He had heard they were pursuing a Ferengi vessel and in a few hours he'd have to go back up to the bridge. One thing was a big relief: the huge Klingon had been reassigned. Darian shuddered at the memory of having been cooped up with T'Rok, and having had to rescue him. If it'd been the same to him, he would've left T'Rok. but of course he couldn't do that, being a starfleet officer.

Now, he still felt a pang of anxiety as there was still the Klingon doctor he'd have to face sooner or later. The Trill shivered at the mere thought. Still shivering, he walked over to his console and see whether he could find anything on what the Ferengi might want.

But what was it that the Ferengi would have, that the crew of the Majesty needed to take from them? He couldn't find anything in his messages so he pelted from his quarters, colliding hard with several crewmembers until he finally crashed headlong into the Klingon doctor.

Dazed, Darian stumbled back shaking his head in confusion. "Now I forgot where I was going," he snapped, still not realizing he was facing one of his biggest fears, "I need to figure out why we're chasing Ferengi...of all people!"

(Liz?)

[Deleted]

In the last three hours, TEG had been shot at, slapped, and insulted by a very big Klingon, even compared to TEG, and now he was decrypting a message from the Etrivani. So far he had found out they wanted to meet, but was having difficulty decrypting the coordinates of where to meet. He then remembered a trick he read about Captain Sulu using during one of the Tzenkethi conflicts. He had reversed the direction and sequence of the numerals in a coded message, and made sure those coordinates were not encoded. Once TEG figured this out, he ordered Aarons to take the ship to the Laurathian Quasar at Warp 6.

OCC: I hope I've got this, lets see where it came from.

[Michael Aarons]

And as the Tholians spun their web, capturing not the Etrivani nor the Majesty, the two vessels escaped while the Klingon Vor'cha's, Romulan Warbirds (the Nemsis kind), and Orion Brigand-class raiders instead. Webspinning had become much faster since the 23rd century (just think "In a Mirror Darkly") unfortunately Starfleet was ready. The only thing that stood in their way of escape was the Tholian's Amethyst-class battlecruiser that commanded the web-spinner ships.
Majesty released a salvo of quantum torpedoes at the cruiser causing it to redden and fracture. The spinners retreated and the starships headed off. In their last effort, the Etrivani vessel sent an incoherent signal to the Majesty and split on its own separate way.
OFF: The Brigand-class and Amethyst-class vessels are from the Playstation2 game Star Trek: Shattered Universe. To see what they look like, go to screenshots.teamxbox.com/gallery/687/Star-Trek-Shattered-Universe/p2/

[lizjaneway]

Liz didn't enjoy her encounter with the Trill and did her best to ignore his comment. She wasn't having a good day, and so far things were going even more sour. ~He is lucky I didn't bite his head off or something.~ She thought as she moved on.



Liz had worked hard to figure out what could have killed her family, and she didn't like the empty feeling that was starting to form. She wanted to figure it out, but she didn't know why the sudden urge to do so.


Trish had noticed the odd behavior and was working her best to see to the medical things left untouched by the good doctor. She sighed and continued on, noticing only a few things were getting left out. She passed on a few things to a nurse, and saw to some of the more major things.



Ryan found the day was going pretty well. He had gotten up, and nothing special seemed to come out. Ryan was surprised no one had called him, and he remembered how well he had alienated him from the rest of society. Suddenly a big sandy colored dog came from around the corner making Ryan smile.

"How is my best girl this morning? Are you ready for today? We are going to enjoy this birthday together, and nothing will stop us from having a little fun. I just have to go to work first, check on the project. Who would have thought I would see the big 2-8?" He said speaking to the dog mostly. He got ready for work, thinking it would be another typical birthday.

Once on the station, he noticed nothing looked out of the ordinary. "Yup, Ryan me boy, just another day, just another birthday. Nothing exciting," he said shaking his head, and then it came. Something or rather someone hit him in the back of his head sending him to the deck. He heard some laughter as blackness enfolded him.

[kedzie]

Forwardpost

“Feel free to call me Kedzie if you feel comfortable doing so,” Kedzie replied, as she looked to see who was at the door. “Just a second,” she excused herself, to tell the person at the door a time when she would be free.

“Now,” she started. “If you wanted a definite solution you could undergo a memory splice, which would take out your memories of being female.” Kedzie wouldn't personally recommend that option, but it was her job to make sure that information was available to other people. She didn't want to prejudice Hawk, especially since from the research she had done modifying his memory would be the fastest and most complete answer to the problems that had arisen. “I believe most Starfleet doctors are qualified to perform this operation.”

Kedzie didn't pause, but instead went on to list the alternative. “Or you could undergo psychological readjustment, which isn't nearly as menacing as it sounds.” Kedzie smiled slightly. “The first step would be meeting with a counselor.” Kedzie didn't specifically saw which counselor, she wasn't sure she would be able to do this, it just seemed like too much. “It might well accentuate the behavioral anomalies you've been struggling with for a while though.”

Kedzie handed two PADDs to Hawk, with a basic outline of each option and details of what some doctors or counselors had found to be advantages or disadvantages of each proposal. She wanted to hear what he had to say about them, and was ready to wait or answer any questions he would have. She knew she didn't have any miracle-cure-all, but life just didn't work that way.

<Tag Hawk>

[jorden23]

Occ: i really hate to ask but can someone update on all what happening because this here does not make one bit of sense to me

"I know i was down with allergins but after that i got over it an my browser would not work
i had been trying to get online for a long i finally got on today so here i am


IC:

"Jorden kept up with her duty as security officer she manage the tactical consule kept up with her reports as time pass on by she found her duty shift was over an davis took over managing the tactical staion.

"As jorden head off to tenforward she was still very upset with she order up earl grey tea she the head off to one of the darkest table to seat as she sat down tears she tried to hold in while she on duty finally fell.

"She no longer care if anyone heard her see her cry it was just to much just she thought she had gain control of her life something like this happens to her.

"Her parents died an left her with the mining colonys which much rather not have she was going to have leave starfleet because of her parents it looks like her parents were going to when anyways.

"She thought about all the hell they put her through even after all she could believe she still cared about them this was just to much she wish she could crawl under a rock an never come out.

"What am i going to do she kept saying to herself.

[Michael Aarons]

jorden23 said:

Occ: i really hate to ask but can someone update on all what happening because this here does not make one bit of sense to me?

Well... The Ferengi vessel Karlet has been engaged by the Majesty because they stole that has been revealed as the Genesis Capsule -that which made Stage 2 (the cave under Regula) of the infamous Genesis Project possible- from Starfleet and the Etrivani -a naive but idealistic race who rather than tell their names identify themselves with simplistic names and it turns out was commisioned by the ambitious yet still altruistic Ryan Jacobs whose 28th birthday it is-
Before that, Majesty rendezvoused with the Etrivani at a quasar and commandeered the Genesis capsule where it would eyed by the Ferengi.
Before that, the Etrivani signalled a request to meet at a quasar.
Before that, Dr. Janeway was relieved by her NPC right-hand woman on grounds of personal self issues.
Before that, Jacobs' work was compromised by Ferengi and an ugly alliance of Klingons and Romulans.
Before that, the Trill Darian -the quite emotional parallel to Ezri Dax- had suspicions that Dr. Janeway hates him, she probably does. ;D
Before that, Counsellor Kedzie got a visitor.
Before that, she was trying to reconcile Hawk's desires to be a woman based on the previous mission that saw us go through a gender mutation, except me who only went half way due to contract issues, due to emotional attachments to the captain resulting from a mission some time ago.
Before that, Hawk visited the counselor because of gender confusion.
Before that, the Tholians botched an attempt to out-steal the capsule from the Etrivani during a multi-faceted confrontation with the Klingons, Romulans, and Orions -who are no longer mired by the need to maintain neutrality- by their infamous web-spinning tactic leaving Majesty and the Etrivani to escape.
Before that... that's what you tell us.
If you have any questions, just reread all this.

[jorden23]

Occ: i read an don't get at all what it is that i am suppose to be doing this is most complidcated thing i have ever read.

does anyone on ship happen have easy way of explaining this wild mission because i don't understand commander Aarons or any of this stuff thats been said its way over my head.


IC:


"Jorden whipe away her tears with a napkin she then finish her tea an head off to her quarters for a much need rest she was mentely an emotionly an physicaly tired from
all what she had been through in these short hours.

"So she headed out of tenforward into the corridors she continue down the corridors until she came to her quarters then enter her quarters.

"Jorden spoke computer lights 40% as she headed off grabing her pjs an head off to take shower she took her shower then quickly dawn on her pjs an head of to bed to a dreamless sleep.

[Kaylana Cornette]

The Etrivani vessel sauntered up to the Majesty as if they were old friends and anchored alongside.

“Hail them,” Cornette ordered, but before the command was carried out, three Klingon Vor’cha’s filled the forward viewscreen.

“Captain, we have company,” Aarons said rhetorically.

“And our company has company,” Hawk added. “Sensors are beginning to pick up signs of two Romulan Norexan class vessels decloaking off the starboard bow.” (Norexan class Warbirds are the Nemesis movie kind.)

“Shields up,” ordered TEG.

Kay was flummoxed. “Well, then… let’s hail them instead,” she said, motioning to the sleek, green ships now obscuring the Vor’cha’s.

Hawk’s silvery eyes grew wide. “Captain, you’re not going to believe this, but I have five Orion Raiders coming in fast.”

“I find Orions rude. I know I don’t want to talk to them so don’t bother hailing.” Kay tried to stay upbeat but this was a new situation for her and her crew. Essentially, they were surrounded. “Anyone have any ideas as to why we’re suddenly so popular?”

“Uh-oh,” breathed Hawk.

Kay perked her ears toward her Ops Officer. She’d never heard him use slang while on duty and it created a foreboding feeling within her. “What is it?” she managed, the words rasping out dryly.

“Sensors indicate … there’s a lot of them … Tholian spinner ships … I’m picking up ten of them. But, they seem to be slowing their approach.”

“Hmm… probably waiting to see who kills whom before rushing in,” Kay surmised.

Just then, the Klingon ships opened fire, thankfully, on the nearest Warbird. Responding in kind, the remaining Warbird began a full-scale assault on the Klingon ships. One Vor’cha broke away to make a run for the Romulan’s stern just as the Orion Raiders engaged them.

“Let’s put some distance between us and all of them, Commander Aarons, but slowly, so as not to attract too much attention,” Kay ordered and her expert helmsman responded instantaneously. “Hawk, let the Etrivani know what we’re doing and ask them to do the same. Nik, take Tactical. Protect the Etrivani as best you can. Ako, take over for Nik.”

The Majesty inched away imperceptibly, or at least they thought. Two Raiders roared in upon them laying down fire as they came. One Orion Raider was impotent against a Sovereign, but two could be trouble.

“Nik?” questioned Kay.

“I’m on it.” The Science-Officer-suddenly-turned-Tactical-Officer tried his best to remember his Academy training, simultaneously remembering why he so eagerly jumped at becoming a CScO. “Returning fire on both vessels,” he barked.

The first Raider spun away after a direct hit from Nik’s expertly aimed phaser blasts, trailing smoke. The other came up under the Majesty and swung around to pummel her nacelles.

“Shields are down to 80%,” TEG announced, “But, they are holding.”

Suddenly, the Raiders disappeared, one limping away, and intercepted the on-going battle with the Vor’cha’s and Warbirds. Kay didn’t need Hawk’s sensor report to see all of them were heavily damaged.

Then, as quickly as it had begun, the battle between the three races stopped. They now had a fourth foe looming and all their attention was turned toward them. The ten Tholian spinner ships arrived along with an Amethyst class Battlecruiser to command them.

Frantically, all weapons came to bear on the Tholians.

The Tholians spun their web, capturing neither the Etrivani nor the Majesty - the two vessels escaped - but capturing instead the Klingon Vor'cha's, Romulan Norexan class Warbirds and Orion Brigand-class Raiders.