El Sal Mission 8.25: Not a Sentient Was Stirring..

[Deleted]

" Tell me commander did your sense tell you it was me or was it the mental image of your friend there." As he waited for her reply "You know Commander I share your concern about the Breen. I too am being placed in a hard position they are my prisoners and I have a responsibility to protect them from harm. As much as I know the danger of what they can do I still have to ensure there personal rights as well. So I was thinking and it may be a stretch but instead of wiping there minds is it possible to block those memories."

S'reena turned to face the marine officer. “Auric is too young to recognise people,” she stated coldly, “I recognised your footfall as you approached. You have a fairly heavy step.” She fell silent as he continued to talk and she listened in continued silence. “Memory blocks can be removed easily,” she answered his question, “and it's also changing their personality as much as a wipe would.”

" If we could do that it would lessen the risk to them and provide some protection that they can't do it again. If you could isolate the memory and block with either drugs or maybe short it out some way. Then there memories would be intact along with everything else, like I said I'm not sure if this would work. It might be worth a check because I think it would be a acceptable answer to everybody involved at least one people could live with."

“Is there something wrong with your ears colonel?” S'reena said sharply, “I just said it would change their personality as much as a wipe would. There'd be gaps in their memories they can't explain. I can probably isolate their memory patterns, but I won't. It's unethical and I won't be part of it. Furthermore, the captain just ensured me I wouldn't be ordered to participate in it, and I still refuse to do so.” Wolf, however didn't seem to even hear her as he prattled on without pause.

Pausing for a moment " Either way something is going to be done there is no option on that, I will do my best to protect everybody involved. Although right now I'm stuck I have to protect them as well as the captain. I'm sure you know what I mean by that you were once a fist officer and know sometimes we have to protect our captains from them selves"

“You are not responsible for the protection of everyone,” the Romulan woman retorted. “Your only concern is the captain, and making sure that no harm befalls him from any alien threat. You're hardly responsible for my wellfare. Yes I was once a first officer, and yes I tried to protect my captain. However, I would equally attempt to protect Captain Savot, no exceptions. That does not mean that I would allow for an alien to be mindfully harmed because he may or may not attempt something dangerous and life-threatening to others again.”

S'reena swiveled her seat around to fully face the marine, oblivious to Ian's eyes on her. Auric fanned her wings in frustration, her eyes wheeling fast on a mix of red and orange, indicating anger. Auric hissed angrily, lashing her tail, then settled down on a single but firm command from S'reena. “I may not be a medic who is bounded by a first do no harm oath, but I am bound by my own ethics. Do not do to another, what you don't wish to be done upon yourself. That's my final say on it colonel, live with it.”

The Romulan was fairly certain that Wolf wouldn't take no for an answer, and knew for certain he'd confront Savot with her words. Then again, since he was Vulcan, S'reena knew the captain had quite possibly already heard and was already formulating a response. Sitting in utter silence, S'reena turned back to her console, trying to ignore everyone. A thirty minute break had been granted, and she decided to take it. “Ian, I will be back in thirty minutes. I find myself in a need to go for a walk.”

Fluidly, she rose from her seat and stalked from the bridge, Auric performing aerial antics above her head, warbling almost musically. “Permission to leave the bridge?” she formally asked, before stepping into the turbolift car.

[Deleted]

He watched her leave he could tell she wasn't happy with him for the moment. His small joy was that she was able to pick him out on the bridge with everybody else around. He knew Commander Hope was one of the most intelligent people he ever met. If she said it couldn't be done then there was no use trying to go the route. He also took what she said about the captain to heart as well. He couldn't always try to find a easier answer for him and the crew, sometimes there just wasn't one.

Before she got in to the turbo lift he felt he needed to say something " I'm sorry Commander Hope just trying to see if there's a easier way. Sometimes people need to hear it before the accept it. I thank you for at least listening to the idea and not dismissing it out of hand. I will accept the fact that sometimes there is no other answer to a problem but the one you don't want. By the way quite impressive listening to my foot falls quite impressive."

He walked back to his station he wouldn't present anything to his captain, or give him his thoughts on the matter unless asked. He had hope he found a simpler answer but after listening to Commander Hope he knew that was not the case. He would also have to learn there was only so much he could do Commander Hope had reminded him of that fact. He couldn't go around trying to protect the captain from everything if he did then he would be interferring with how the captain worked. He would just have to accept that sometimes there just wasn't anything he could do to make it easier on everybody.

He was just going to have to wait and see what the captain came up with, there just didn't seem to be any other way around it.

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

The situation has been partly resolved and the fighting stopped, Stacey checked the casualty reports and was pleased to see only a few minor bumps and bruises reported.

Stacey glanced around the bridge before standing and taking her leave.

Standing in the turbolift Stacey let out a frustrated sigh before leaning against the wall, there was still the situation with the Breen prisoners that needed resolving but Stacey didn’t want to get involved in that. Feelings on that subject seemed to run high in people and unless someone specifically came to her looking for counsel she would keep out of it.

Stepping off of the turbolift Stacey made her way back to her office, a place she had rarely been in since coming aboard the El Salvador, her time of course being spent on the surface of the planet or on the bridge.

Her being on the bridge didn’t seem to bother Savot as she knew it bothered other captains, at least he never mentioned it bothering him or his displeasure at her presence.

While Stacey had little knowledge of the technical aspect of Starships she had been around enough to know how crews interact, and how they dealt with stressful situations.

She had noted in her time a few members of the crew who could use some help dealing with stress, but she would worry herself with that at another time.

Entering her office she first noticed how hot it was, then her eyes fell to her desk now cluttered with PADDs. It didn’t take her long to work out that Simone Bars had indeed been in there during her absence she made another mental note to talk to her about that at some point.

OOC: Apologies for not being as active as I usually am I am having problems with my net server, however I am switching servers in two days at which time I will be back to my active self, again I apologise to you all.

[Deleted]

It seemed the whole crew was happy to take the 30 minute break. He could understand that they had been on the move since they came aboard. He couldn't remember them even having a chance to settle in yet. He was thinking about taking a break himself but knew he could go a lot longer if needed. Instead he started looking over the damage reports and checking the status on repairs.

He knew with in the next hour things were going to become very hard for some people. Nobody knew what star fleets orders would be and everybody was on edge. If they were ordered to wipe the breen minds there would be no question that some of the crew would not help. It was there right they could refuse the order and he understood and respected that if they went that route. He on the other hand would have to make a choice, it wouldn't be the first time he had made a hard choice.

Commander Jackson was right about his past, he knew he could live with it. His only question was could the rest of the crew live with the choice they might have to make. It was all a guessing game until the captain got his orders. Until then it was up in the air and open for guessing and that was not something he liked to think about. Although he would be shocked if star fleet decided to keep the breen or release them with out mind wipes. He was hoping for the crew sake it would be a answer they could all live with. He didn't envey anybody on this matter.

[Savot]

Since the bridge had calmed down drastically since the ceasefire, Savot was indeed able to pick out the conversation going on between Hope and Wolf; the bridge was only so large after all. But, as his input didn't seem to be required he chose not to impose any of his commentary on it. Commander Hope was the first to take advantage of the offered respite from duty and stood to leave, “Permission to leave the bridge?” she formally asked, before stepping into the turbolift car.

Savot nodded without delay, "Granted, Commander", and that was that. Shortly thereafter he nodded to Counselor Jackson as she too made her way off the bridge for a bit. A few minutes after she departed, the turbolift opened to display Commander Deis Irae sporting the yellow collar suitable to the Operations Officer position she was transferring aboard to assume. That was certainly a situation worthy of ironic consideration, Savot was the Chief of Operations when Irae had first become Captain; now Savot was Captain and Irae was Chief of Ops.

Curious anecdote though that was, the pertinent information of the moment was that she was carrying a dispatch from Starfleet Command conveying their orders with regard to the Breen prisoners. Savot had explained his personal belief that attempting a medical memory wipe was the best of all possible evils, but stated that he would of course await confirmation before taking action of that magnitude. The vulcan rose from his chair, gesturing for Irae to accompany him to the Ready Room while leaving the bridge in Wolf's hands during his absence.

"Welcome aboard, Commander. I would prefer it were under better circumstances but welcome nonetheless. Starfleet's dispatch?", Irae handed the encrypted disk to Savot, her own professionalism knowing that her own transfer orders should wait under the circumstances. Savot inserted the disk into his desk computer and entered his classification code for decryption of the message contents. Then, in the brief moments it took the message to decode, Savot accepted Irae's transfer orders and confirmed her assignment aboard ship.

"Under the circumstances, Commander though your experience certainly outweighs that of the current Operations duty officer, Lieutenant Wilkerson is more familiar with the current scenario and as such logic dictates that he retain the position until the conflict is resolved. In the interum you're free to settle into your quarters, their location is unchanged from your last visit. Thank you for carrying the dispatch, Commander. Dismissed", Irae departed, presumably to unpack and that sort of thing, and Savot turned to read the now-decoded orders from Starfleet.

Included in the packet of data from Command was a Personnel notice stating the promotion of Acting Ensign Fire to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Nodding in agreement of the assessment since Fire had shown nothing but professional focus since coming aboard right in the middle of a situation, Savot replicated a gold rank pip and called the bridge, =^=Ensign Fire, report to the Ready Room.=^=

Upon James' entrance, Savot stood from his chair, "James Fire, it is the decision of Starfleet Command that you be promoted directly to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereto. Congratulations, Lieutenant." Savot punctuated his statement by extending his hand to present the gold pip for the taking. In combination with the black one already on Fire's collar it would now accurately reflect his new rank.

(Fire response, if any)

Savot nodded to the helmsman, "Well earned, Mr. Fire. You may resume your station."

********************************************

Within 8.4 minutes of entering the Ready Room, Savot was back on the bridge resuming his seated position. He hailed the Breen commander and informed them he'd been authorized to return all of their fellow Breen to them, and transmit to them medical data on all treatment the prisoners had received while onboard to show that they had not been mistreated in any way, and they'd proceed with the transport in one half hour. That would give the El Salvador senior officers time to return to their posts and get their proverbial game faces back on before any action took place.

When all bridge officers were once again present, Savot explained that Starfleet had ordered the Breen returned without undergoing memory wipe of any kind as it was the general consensus of the Council members present that such an action, while strategically justifiable, was still too unethical to authorize. Savot knew that would please most of the crew, though it wouldn't change their opinion of him since he'd been willing to go through with it if Command had authorized it. But at least their overall morale wouldn't suffer.

The time came, and due to the number of Breen prisoners it was decided a cargo transporter was more suited to the task since the Breen Commander insisted on retrieving all of his people simultaneously. Under heavy Marine guard the prisoners were placed onto the pad and the targetting scanners of both the El Salvador and the Breen vessel were linked as per standard safety measures. The Breen Commander informed Savot the prisoners would be transported to the disabled Breen ship to aid in repairs so they wouldn't have to violate Cardassian space any longer than necessary.

The vulcan captain found the reasoning curiously altruistic but the allocation of manpower was quite logical enough, and the transfer began. Within the cargo bay, the Breen forms were deconstructed at the molecular level to be reunited with their people. Approximately 6 seconds into the transport; however, an alarmed report came through from the El Salvador's transporter chief, =^=Captain the Breen patterns are fluctuating! They're rematerializing in space as scattered molecules!=^=

Savot's eyebrows arched as his eyes narrowed in realization of what the Breen Commander's true intentions had been, he made no other movement but to press the comm controls on his chair arm rapidly, =^=Reverse transport immediately! Try to pull them back.=^=

Another few seconds that felt both far too long and far too brief at the same time passed, before the chief replied. The somber sound of his voice already conveyed the contents of his report, =^=I'm sorry, Captain. We couldn't recover the patterns; once they neared the damaged Breen ship radiation leakage from their disabled weapons array made re-establishing a lock impossible. The prisoners are dead, sir.=^=

Savot's outward expression didn't change; he calmly replied to the chief before closing the channel, =^=Understood chief. You are not at fault, Bridge out.=^= Now that it had happened, Savot wasn't surprised per se, but he definitely hadn't seen it coming. The Breen hadn't responded to their survivors' call out of an altruistic desire to save their fellows, nor even a sinister desire to salvage the plans to a devastating weapon. No, the true motive was far more coldblooded...

When the Breen had received the message and knew there were survivors in Cardassian space, what they were most concerned about was those survivors falling into enemy hands where they could potentially be used against them. Though it was unlikely, the possibility existed that the captured Breen could be brainwashed, or unknowingly tampered with to serve as reconnaisance infiltrating the goings-on within the heart of Breen territory. Savot had thought himself cold by deciding to wipe the prisoners' memories of lethal information... but the Breen had decided even the slightest possibility of tampering was reason enough to end the captives' very lives to ensure they weren't a risk.

The Breen commander then transmitted a message detailing his regrets over the unfortunate accident, but stated for the record he didn't hold the Federation responsible for the loss of life. With that, the 3 surviving Breen vessels calmly jumped to warp on a course back to Breen space, their job here having been completed. Savot turned slightly to Jackson at his left, "Please express my personal gratitude to both of our allies for their assistance, and extend an offer to aid them with repairs or medical treatment should they so desire."

"Lieutenant Fire, reintegrate the El Salvador's modules, then resume our course for Federation space at Warp 2. Commander Hope, launch a stationary probe to remain at this location and gather data for our accident report. I do not; however, believe our findings will provide much additional insight as to what occurred here. Colonel Wolf, inform your personnel they may stand down and commend them on their performance during this mission", the vulcan Captain issued his orders with the same basic tone of voice as usual... but it was several moments before his eyes left the viewscreen as he thought about what terrible waste could come about, all because of distrust and wariness.



(Everyone feel free to chime in their final thoughts on the mission. I'll then be opening an interrum Downtime thread before our next full mission to give everyone a few days to de-stress and let our relatively new officers have a look around the ship. Tremendous job once again all.)

[Deleted]

=^=Ensign Fire, report to the Ready Room.=^=

James heard the message from Captain Savot and nodded, "On my way sir." He stood up and was quickly replaced by another navigation officer. He wouldn't take long to stride across the bridge and enter the Ready Room. "You called for me Captain?"

Upon James' entrance, Savot stood from his chair, "James Fire, it is the decision of Starfleet Command that you be promoted directly to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereto. Congratulations, Lieutenant." Savot punctuated his statement by extending his hand to present the gold pip for the taking. In combination with the black one already on Fire's collar it would now accurately reflect his new rank.

James Fire stood there and felt the newly appointed pip be placed upon his collar now he was Lieutenant (jg) Fire instead of Acting Ensign. He nodded, "Thank you sir." And, with that he that he accepted his dismissal and went back to his post.

It wouldn't be long and he would hear the swoosh of the ready room doors and also the swoosh of the turbolift doors allowing entry to the rest of the senior officers. He watched the viewscreen and the chatter behind him as the Breen had been killed by the other ships shortly before the Breen vessels left and Captain Savot's attempt to save their lives.

"Lieutenant Fire, reintegrate the El Salvador's modules, then resume our course for Federation space at Warp 2."

He heard the Captain once again behind him, "Acknowledged." He reentered his coordinates and brought the ship's warp speed up to two before engaging the warp drive and propulsion systems. Sighing lightly as the vessel flew once more under his control at the helm.

[Deleted]

He wasn't shocked by star fleets orders and even less shocked about the accident during transport. Some people would look at it and think it was cold and unneeded, he on the other hand looked at it from a tatical point of view. The breen were a highly secretive people and didn't let anybody in. It only stood to reason that a captured breen could be brain washed and use as a spy. Considering the nature of the breen it was something they couldn't chance no matter what.

These were just simple facts you learned when you entered black ops. He couldn't remember how many times he was told if he was captured there would be no rescues attempt and that his actions would be disenvoved by star fleet. That was the sad thing about the times they now lived in no matter how advanced they had become. Dirty little secerts still existed even if nobody wanted to talk about them.

He was happy that the crew didn't have to make the tough choice on the issue. At the same time he was mad about the waste of life some things never change. He noticed the extra pip on Mr. Fire and thought it was well earned. He still wondered when his promotion would come through but let it go. Commander Jackson had been right about one thing his actions might stop him from getting a command of his own. It would be the first time that he had been passed over.

He looked around the bridge and felt wierd when he saw Commander Irae. When he came aboard she was the captain now she was back but as a commander. It was wierd for him because he was quite sure how to react. He was a captain when she left now he was Lt col a lot of time had passed.

His thoughts went back to Commander Jackson now, he had a little more respect for her when it came to battle. Her assement of the Breen ship was right on the next time he would doubt her command abilitys so much. Still the issue of her picking up on a stray and private thought did bug him a little. He always beleived thoughts should be personal and not for the whole world to read. He would have to keep his guard up around her so she would pick up on them so easly. The Crew was tired and they needed a rest he still had one last function to perform after passing the Captains thanks on to the Marines.

" Captain Savot the body's of our fallen crew memebers have a honor guard station with them. I would like to make a arrangements for a funeral with full military honors sir. It is the very least we can do and to honor the sacrifice. I would like to have the El Sal programed to fire off weapson in there honor when we commit there bodys to space." <Tag Savot>

[Deleted]

For the moment, S'reena was relieved to be off the bridge. She was certain that, had she remained, she would've done something really stupid; namely punching Wolf square in the nose for his remarks.

The Romulan sighed as she leaned against the side of the turbolift car, then got off at the first level it stopped at. On her shoulder, Auric offered a snort of annoyance, which echoed her own feelings. Stiffling another sigh, she walked off in a random direction, knowing crew would avoid walking into her. Yet she counted on Auric to warn her if she did threaten to walk into anything.

After a while, she found herself in the mess hall being served a drink she hadn't ordered. Carefully, she sniffed the liquid, then shoved the glass away from her. She never touched it again and just sat alone for several long minutes. Her thoughts went back to the away mission and she wondered if she could've done anything different to save the girl's life, or prevent Meadows from getting injured.

Silently, she reflected that she'd done all she was capable of doing, and once more resented the fact that she was blind and could not accept a VISOR or implants that would restore her sight. It briefly had her resent the fact that she was Romulan, because that was the sole reason she couldn't be treated with any of them.

She sighed miserably at the memory of getting shot, and then the captain risking his own life to save her and Forbes. Well not just her and Forbes, but Stacey as well. Her sigh intensified and Auric gave a concerned cheep. For a moment, she just wallowed in her own misery, contemplating whether she was of any use at all on this ship.

Five minutes before her thirty minute break was up, S'reena silently resumed her station. She was barely aware of what was going on around her and nearly missed the order to place the probe. "Probe away," she answered flatly. Anyone who didn't know her, might've assumed she was Vulcan, her response was so devoid of emotion that such an assumption was very reasonable. "No new telemetry coming in thus far."

[Deleted]

"Mind wipe?" he repeated, disbelief on his face and in his voice. "I'm sorry sir but I won't be part of that. You can't erase part of their memory simply because it's convenient. The risk is too great that you erase part of their identity and I won't be part of that. Put me up on report if you like, but I refuse to follow that order."

He crossed his arms over his chest, clutching the hypospray he'd been holding tightly in his right hand, keeping the closed tricorder in his left. "You're on your own doctor."
"You are free to object, but I hereby releave you of the care of the Breen. I shall take over. You work with Mr. Souhami on treating the patients who will come in." Sam ordered
**man, day 2 of my new assignment and I already clashed with my [word deleted] CMO.** Sam thought.

--Later on in the battle--
Sickbay was filling up fast. Sam needed more space.
==^==K'Vada to the capt. I'd like to transport the Breen back to the holding cell. I need the beds for wounded.==^==
[Tag: Savot]

==^==I can perform the mind whipe also there.==^==
[SAVOT]

[Deleted]

Michael went with the nurse to tend to other patients, relieved that the captain had relieved him of his duty towards the Breen. He would, of course, treat them to the best of his ability, when that would become necessary.

Relief washed over him when the order came to return them to their peers. "Doctor?" he called back, realising that K'Vada had probably not heard the order. "Doctor, no mind wipe is to take place. Didn't you hear the captain's orders?"

Michael Hope walked up to the doctor who physically appeared to be Andorian, grabbed his arms and shook him. "Doctor listen!" he called out, "look!" He pointed to the now empty beds. "They've been taken back. We're safe now, and we can get back to our normal duties." His eyes gentled as he steadied the other doctor. "Please? No hard feelings?"

ooc: slight attempt to get you up to speed doc....the breen are kinda literally gone