Mission 9.2 : On the Back Door-step

[Gheskori]

Gheskori was unbelievably passive during the briefing. He knew it, too. If he tried to be honest with himself, he was still a little shocked at the revelations from Commander Matthew's report. Cloaked mines... That was what had been attacking them, unseen from far behind the Victory. The notion that one had attached itself to the ship without detonating was fairly disturbing.

The further thoughts of his crew, those of both Matthew and Galwyn were helpful and also reassuring. It was good to know that they had so much knowledge in this area. However, that reassurance did not measure up to what Commander Galwyn in particular was actually saying. That one of the cloaked mines attached on purpose, so somebody or something could remote detonate it back at the fleet's base, a.k.a. Starbase Assailant, was even more disturbing.

He waited 'til Admiral Lin carried out the rest of the briefing, accepting his orders from the Trill with a simple nod. He knew that all of them would be concerned with this turn of events. Whether there was some collaborator on the station or any of the ships, or... hopefully not, a Kasar loose somewhere, it was enough to put them all on edge.

Hence, his and Commander Matthew's new orders to investigate the crew was at once a cause for apprehension and also relief. Delving into something such as this could ease the nerves that would set in from inaction, but it could also make them a target for whoever, if anybody, was out there in hiding.

Ghes also had a small part of his brain that was uncomfortable with an order to investigate his own crew. Still, he'd do it... Better to find a collaborator than let him cause more destruction and loss-of-life.

He planned to stay behind to ask Lin a question, but the Admiral called Doctor Saryn back. So he waited outside, then reentered once the vulcan exited. He smiled at Saryn as he passed then spoke to Lin. "Admiral, I assume your station staff will be scanning intensively for further cloaked mines and similar devices?" That had come out a little too forceful, Ghes realised. "Sorry, sir, this situation seems to have put me a little... on edge."

<Tag Adm. Lin>

He accompanied Commander Matthew back to the ship. Crossing the docking ring to the mooring of the relatively massive Victory, he passed a busy Doctor Saryn. "Doctor, if you need anything..." he started. Seeing Saryn busy, he reconsidered his words. "Perhaps you should take a break soon. In fact, I'll make it an order, half an hour's time be in the Victory's mess hall, and I'll see you there. You may be a vulcan, but I know you all need some rest now and then."

<Tag Dr. Saryn>

He grinned at Saryn and boarded the Victory with Commander Matthew.

They reached the end of the vestibule, emerging in the well-trodden corridor perpendicular to the tube. The Ops chief stood next to him, apparently waiting instruction. "Commander, I suggest you start with the bridge officers, on-duty and off-duty. I'll investigate engineering. Delegate staff you can trust to investigate all other major departments, including your own. Also, if you get any more information on the cloaked mines then comm me." Ghes could only hope he wasn't left out-of-the-loop with any part of this investigation.

<Tag Cmdr. Matthew>

[Tiana Galwyn Cet]

"Commander Galwyn I want you to continue your analysis of the explosives, see what forensic information you can collate. You have my backing to use the full resources of this starbase."

The Admiral's words were still in Tiana's head when several minutes later she made it down to the scene of the explosion. A combination of emergency forcefields, emergency bulkheads and a contingent of security personnel had kept the scene uncontaminated. Tiana started to organise a team to comb through the wreckage. Initally she was going to going outside herself but a sudden wave of bone aching cold and difficulty breathing convinced her that now might not be the best time to do that, after all it had only been days ago that Cet's previous host had been aboard an airleaking shuttle before he had died. Tiana didn't know if she could keep control of herself out there so abruptly decided to stay aboard.

She started scanning the damaged regions of the station wondering exactly what she would turn up.

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: 10 minutes later Victory’s Main Engineering Deck


“ After receiving his orders from Captain Gheskori Cmdr Matthew plate was truly full now with no New Xo Being Assigned yet to the ship as the second officer Those Duty also felt on to Him Cmdr Matthew looked at the assembled technicians and engineers around him.

“He had brought over a step stool in order to make sure that everyone was able to see
him.


"Captain Gheskori wants this ship operational as fast as possible. We've got a lot
of work ahead of us. We are all aware of the mess that the Explosion Caused the Top. Priorities are warp engines, structural integrity field emitters, and life support at this time Commander Galwyn is caring out some important scientific Test’s as soon as she give you the all clear .

“We will work around the clock if we have to, but I want the old Girl warp Engines Fully working and Mission ready Even if you Have to get out and push her." He said which drew chuckles from everyone assembled.


"Cmdr Matthew Okay. You've got your assignments, so let's get to work! I want regular
updates from all sections Leaders." As Lt, Masterson grabbing a tool bag and heading for the closest Jeffries tube.


“Cmdr Matthew was Lucky He Had Lt Masterson The ship Asst Chief Engineer Back on board from his shore Leave now “

“He was one of the more experienced warp field engineers in the Fleet, that actually had practical experience outside of the laboratory. He shook his head as he thought about the problems that had crept up with the practical implication of large scale warp field dynamics in the field as opposed to the scientist’s model simulations

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: USS VICTORY-C Deck 14


“Lt, Masterson crawled out of a Jeffries tube, trying to get his bearings. He
technically knew exactly where he was on the ship. He could give you the
coordinate junction, although he could exactly tell you what was located on that
deck. He took a second to look around him.


"Looks like the Armory." He muttered to himself. He dusted his work coverall
off. He was amazed at how much dust could accumulate in a four year old vessel. "I
really should talk to the housekeeper."


As he closed the access hatch to the Jeffries tube, he heard voices coming down
the corridor.


"This is the main corridor to the Armory, sir." He heard a voice say.


"Thank you, Ensign." He heard an accent that he could definitely place,
although the voice was unfamiliar. The man coming down the corridor was
definitely Texan. West Texas, most likely.


"Well, I'll be hogtied and skinned alive," Masterson said.


"I’m looking' for Lieutenant Jameson," said the approaching man. His rolling
gait belied someone who was accustomed to being on horseback. "Ah was told he'd
most likely be up this tube."


"I'm Lieutenant Calvin. Jameson. You must be Lieutenant Masterson." He said, shaking
the man's hand. "Sorry for the grease. I've been lubing some of the access
hatch joints. Let me guess, West Texas. Close to Fort worth?"

"Lieutenant Calvin. F. Jameson," came the grinning reply. "You from West Texas, Mr.
Masterson? Fort worth just a couple counties away from my home; I’m from
Marfa."


"It's been a while since I've been out in the West. I grew up in Houston, but
spent many summers with my grandparents in Gonzales. They had a ranch out
there, and I learned quite a bit out there." He said, smiling.


"Pleased to know you, Lieutenant," Jameson replied. "Ah can see you're busy, so
I’ll be brief. Ah wanted to introduce myself, but Ah also had an offer t'make.
Most of the ship security Department had to Cut there shore leave short and return back to the ship we still are short some of the replacement have not been assigned Ah wanted to know if Engineering could use a few volunteers to help share the workload."


"Well, I'll be tickled like a sidewinder's belly to have any extra help we can
get. We can pair off some of ya'll with some of my folks. Anyone you got
that's qualified in Damage Control will be very helpful right about now."

“Masterson noticed that his voice was dropping back into the southern drawl he
had when he grew up. He had worked hard to overcome it in the Academy as it
seemed to cause him ridicule by not only his peers, but some of his instructors
as well. One instructor was especially cruel, often referring to Masterson as
the bumpkin or hick of the class.


"I’ve got about half my department working' on pre departure tasks, but ah can
problem spare about a dozen men per duty shift. Would that help y'all out?"


"That's more than I could even hope for. Thanks for the offer. I'm certain
they'll be put to good use." Trent said, thinking about how the extra help
would put him ahead of schedule.


"All right then, Jameson replied.”Ah'll have one of my chiefs pull men at the
start of each duty shift and bring 'them to Main Engineering. You tell me who
they should report to and I’ll make sure you've got some extra men on each
shift."


"Go ahead and have them report to Ensign Danilova. She's my Damage Control
Officer." He said. "She'll handle duty assignments for your folks. I got to say
once again I'm much obliged to ya for the extra help. Thanks kindly."



LT, Masterson
ASST Chief Engineering Officer
USS Victory-C

Calvin. F. Jameson-NPC
Asst Chief Security Officer
USS Victory-C

[Gheskori]

Gheskori was pleased to see that the bridge was back up and running. No more frantic cries, wildly beeping consoles, proximity alerts... For once there was a peace to the place... But also it was tempered with a sense of impending catastrophe. Who knew what might happen in the next few hours, even minutes?

That slight edginess, that Ghes could tell the crew were experiencing, certainly wasn't helped by the news of the senior officers' investigation into the crew themselves. The Denobulan Acting Captain had tried to keep a wrap on it, and had told those he'd had interviewed so far that this was all, for a time, confidential... But like a wild brushfire, spreading faster than an unsubstantiated rumour, the news got out.

He planned to make an announcement, shipwide. Something just to reassure the crew that he wasn't all that happy with having to hold these interrogations. If there was one thing he despised it was witch-hunts. He shook his head and took his chair. The idea of it was so backwards... Reminding him of dark times long ago passed, mistakes etched in the tapestry of history of both planets. Both Denobulans and Humans could relate to it; from the Huilian massacres on Denobula and the dreadful accusatory fallout of that horrific genocide, to Senator McCarthy's hunt for communists on Earth. While this situation was almost hundred percent likely not to fall to such a level, it provided a stark reminder of what both civilisations had fought so hard to overcome, and issued them both a warning of what might happen if such depths were plumbed again...

Shifting in his seat, and admitting to himself that the shipwide announcement was as much reassurance for himself as it was for the crew, Gheskori spoke to the helmsman.

"Ensign Hartley? Theorise... How would we go about detecting further cloaked mines on the hull if they were unreadable by sensors?

"Err..." the Ensign paused, "Thinking sir. But why are you asking me?"

"I have a theory." Ghes stood up and strode towards the helm console. He looked over Hartley's shoulder, placing a foot on the station's support frame and scanning the man's console briefly. "If we were to fire port and starboard thrusters, alternately and periodically, over a period of say five minutes, would cloaked mines on the hull fluctuate in and out of phase at all?"

Hartley tilted his head, "Might do, sir. It depends how advanced they are, and as they can't be detected by tachyon fields, it is possible they are good enough to keep up with the ship's movement and stay out of phase."

"Possible, yes," Ghes said, not fazed at all by the Ensign's words. "Still, I want you to do this. Fire port and starboard thrusters at five percent for thirty seconds each, alternately, for five minutes in total." Hartley nodded. "Tactical," Ghes called, "Contact the dockmaster and tell him we want the vestibule retracted until further notice. Also, contact Commander Galwyn Cet. Tell her that her team studying the hull will have to stay clear for the next ten minutes. If there are any issues contact me."

With orders given to the stand-in helm officer and the tactical officer, Ghes left the bridge for his ready room. He turned on his computer monitor, and continued studying the sizeable file of duty rosters given to him by each department. They included the times the officers and crewmen reported for duty around the time of the explosion earlier today. If there was anything amiss, it might provide another avenue for investigation.

He paused and tilted his head, wondering if Tiana was coping with the delay to her hands-on study of the hull (that blackened mark where the explosion had occurred). At least she had the wreckage around the docking ring to study. He contacted her and asked for an update. He also put in a call to Doctor Saryn, asking the Vulcan if he required any assistance, and also if he planned on heading to the mess hall soon. Ghes fancied a drink.

<Tag Tiana and Saryn>

<Tag All>

[Deleted]

He accompanied Commander Matthew back to the ship. Crossing the docking ring to the mooring of the relatively massive Victory, he passed a busy Doctor Saryn. "Doctor, if you need anything..." he started. Seeing Saryn busy, he reconsidered his words. "Perhaps you should take a break soon. In fact, I'll make it an order, half an hour's time be in the Victory's mess hall, and I'll see you there. You may be a vulcan, but I know you all need some rest now and then."

The Vulcan inclined his head ever so slightly. "I will meet with my son first," he replied calmly, even though it was clear he didn't quite agree with the order to take a break. He was relatively focused, and still of the strong opinion that he needed to help in the disaster area. However he could also see reason, and the nurses and doctors already there were far better versed at up to date trauma care than he was.

He grinned at Saryn and boarded the Victory with Commander Matthew.

Saryn did not return the smile, but boarded the Victory as well. He found his eldest child working diligently in the medical bay, his expression drawn, his clothes singed here and there, and generally messed up. "Savin."

The younger Vulcan didn't look up from his work, starting as someone touched his hand. "Father," he acknowledged his elder, briefly ceasing his activities. "I am busy," he continued.

"I understand. I am ordered to take a break, I suggest you do as well. The nurses or this hologram that is part of this ship's system, can take over."

Savin arched an eyebrow. "The hologram is damaged," he replied evenly, "please father, I am very busy." He indicated the microscope and the array of bloodsamples he had yet to analyse.

"As you wish. Meet me in the mess hall in thirty minutes. Captain's orders."

"If I am done with my duties," the younger man replied evenly, shifting his attention back to his work. This effectively meant that his complete attention was shifted, and he was no longer paying his father any heed.

If Saryn had any feelings that could get hurt, he would've been deeply hurt. However as it was he denied himself such feelings and could understand his son's predicament. The boy needed distraction, and needed studies to occupy himself. "You should find that girl," he suggested, tapping his son's shoulder to get his attention again, "what was her name? Cet?"

"Tiana Galwyn Cet," Savin replied automatically. "I will father. When I am done."

Seeing that a decent conversation was next to impossible, Saryn returned to his quarters to get himself refreshed. Exactly thirty minutes later, he entered the mess hall and stood in the middle of the area, looking a little forlorn as his eyes canned the place, searching for Gheskori.

[Ghes]

"I am here as odered sir," the Vulcan stated, after finding the man at a table near one of the large windows, "I tried to invite my son but he was clear on the fact that he was busy. He will not join us, for which my apologies. I presume this invitation means you have something to discuss with me?"

[Ghes]

== in the mean time ==

Savin finished his analysis of the bloodsamples from those that were wounded in the explosion. There was something very perculiar about the blood spatter that was found at the scene. Some spatters had been identified and matched to either wounded or dead, but there were certain elements that didn't match, as if the spatters had been tainted, after the owner had lost his or her blood in the explosion.

Confusion flickered across the young Vulcan's face, before he transferred his discovery to a tricorder - a device he had now learned to operate with reasonable proficiency. "Miss Galwyn?" he called after tapping the golden coloured delta-shaped device that was attached to his robe at chest-height. "This is Savin, can we meet somewhere?"

[Tiana]

"It is important ma'am. I have discovered something, but it makes no sense to me. I need someone with scientific experience to have a look at my data, before I inform the commanding officer, or someone called Lin. I do not know this Lin person, but I do trust you. Please ma'am, can we meet? I have transferred my data to a ... a tricorder I believe this is called."

[Tiana]

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: on Board [USS Walter Burk NCC-330]
[Captain's Ready Room]

Captain Powell reread the orders from Star fleet for the third time. He still couldn't believe it.


TO: CAPT Cecil D Powell
Commanding Officer, USS Walter Burk (NCC-330)
FROM: VADM Terry G Sigel
ASST Director of Fleet Personnel Star Base 234
RE: ATTENTION TO ORDERS -Operational TRANSFER


“Captain Powell,
You are hereby ordered At best speed to Get underway as soon as possible Destination S-B Assailant at that time you will report to Fleet Admiral Magellan Lin for new orders Captain Your ship Has been requested for a Special Mission That The Walter Burk was Built for.


Signed,
VADM Terry G Sigel
ASST Director of Fleet Personnel

Personal PS: Give 'em hell, and good luck.

END TRANSMISSION

‘Captain Powell sighed. Thinking to him self well I always thought me and the Burk would end our Careers Caring out inter Planetary Mines removing mission this sound like the old girl is heading back to Fleet Operations Status one more time.

“Captain Powell first command had been a Crusader-Class Patrol Cruiser after the battles of the Dominion war, The USS Endurance was ordered to ferrying the dead to their final resting place.

After the war, Star fleet had reassigned him to the USS Walter Burk a Federation Frigate class minesweeper only Three of this Special Designed class still Active in Star Fleet “

Now, he and the Burk were off to the Gamma Quadrant. There was a second set of orders, for his XO, probably.

Cecil stood and strode to the bridge. "Helm, lay in a new course for S-B Assailant, warp nine."

The helmsman nodded. "Course laid in."

"Engage."

“Captain Powell turned to address the bridge crew.” Ladies and Gentlemen... The Burk has been reassigned. We are to Make our way to Star Base Assailant at best speed our Orders will Be open once we arrive ..."

[one weeks later]

"Now approaching Star base Assailant, Captain." came the report from the helm.

Powell stood. "Very well. Prepare for docking."

The helmsman nodded. "Aye sir."

At tactical, a comm... Channel was opened. "Star base Assailant, this is USS Walter Burk, requesting permission to dock."

The response came back. "USS Walter Burk, you are cleared for docking, at Port #2."

The helmsman acknowledges the bay assignment and slid into her berth a few moments later.

"Moorings and external support confirmed locked." Came the helmsman's declaration.

"Powering down fusion reactors for maintenance, warp core offline."

"Turbo lift umbilicals connected."

"Shutting down thrusters."

"Shields, weapons, and Navigational deflector offline."

“Captain Powell nodded and stood from his command chair, reflecting that it might be the final time he did so. " Before the reading of Orders Ceremony's at 1500, that’s in two hours... everyone go dust off your dress whites."

[1500 hours]
[Docking Bay One Observation Deck]

“Captain Powell hesitated, before emerging onto the Engineering deck. Clad in his dress whites, he felt... different. Maybe it was the extra gold braid. Maybe it was the Fourth Captain pip on the left side of the collar. Whatever it was, he was uncomfortable.

He paused before his former XO, now in a Captain's uniform. "Jim... let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Captain Josh Murphy chuckled. "Yes, lets."

Together the officers strode out onto a platform that had been set up.

Powell took a PADD from a Yeoman and read his orders. Reading from them, he addressed the assembled officers and Crew.

TO: CAPT Cecil D Powell
Commanding Officer, USS Walter Burk (NCC-330)
FROM: VADM Terry G Sigel
ASST Director of Fleet Personnel Star Base 234
RE: ATTENTION TO ORDERS – Operational TRANSFER

“Captain Powell,
You are hereby ordered At best speed to Get underway as soon as possible Destination S-B Assailant at that time you will report to Fleet Admiral Magellan Lin for new orders Captain Your ship Has been requested for a Special Mission That The Walter Burk was Built for
.You are also promoted to the rank of Full Captain, effective immediately


Signed,
VADM Terry G Sigel
ASST Director of Fleet Personnel

Personal PS: Give 'em hell, and good luck.

END TRANSMISSION
Ok All that it enjoy your shore leave ill see you back on as soon as we get our mission orders Thinking to him self if this Mission is as Dangerous as he think they all may Not come Back well I need to Check in with Admiral Magellan .

Captain Cecil D Powell- NPC
Commanding Officer,
USS Walter Burk


< Tag Admiral Lin Just some Mission filler and someone Bucking for a Promotion Subliminal hint > ;D

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: USS VICTORY-C

Chief of Operations Office
“
One Hour Later “

“Cmdr Matthew was placing some Padds and Paperwork in a Brief case to Take with him
Back to his quarters on deck 2 Admiral Lin Ask Captain Gheskori. To have some one look into the possibility of a Kasar Operatives Being on Board the Victory Before or at the time of the Explosion “

“James thinking to him self just How weird that order was the Fleet Commanding officer Giving an order like that why was he not using his on Chief of base Security to carried out this Invesagation just at that moment His door chime rang. "Enter." He said with his back to the guest.

In walked a man he saw in the reflection wearing a Starfleet Marine Uniform with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the reflection of his window. "Lieutenant Colonel Black we need to Talk Commander!"

“James wondered why a Lt, Col in the Marine Corp Needed to Talk to Him Now he was more then a little Curious since our new MCO Commanding officer has already been assigned a Major Tray Maverick.

“James Turning from the desk and holding two padds in his hands he
said.”Colonel Black please have a seat "

"Cmdr Matthew so How can I help you Colonel I hope your Not Hear to tell me we lost our new MCO Before he has Come on board ‘

“Looking at Cmdr Matthew Nothing Noting Like That Commander is not from the Personal Department “

“Cmdr Matthew ‘Well I can see by your battle Robins you scene a lot of Combat

“Cmdr Matthew Continued to pay Close attention to the Colonel Marine insignia it was about 1/2 centimeter to much to the left any real Marine Learn to line up there insignia in the first four weeks of boot Camp this Guy is no real marine let a long a senior Marine officer some of his Battle ribbons where wrong you to Young to have serve Doing those Battles “


“Colonel Black Commander Matthew I here you been ordered to start an investigation to the Explosions that Damage the Victory and the USS Horizon “


“Cmdr Matthew “How would you know that I just received that order Colonel what are you the head of base security .wait as I remember that job Belong to Commander Vanetti just how the hell are you Colonel Black if that your real name”

“ Colonel Black “ alright Commander you got me what Gave me away “
Cmdr Matthew “your Marine insignia and the one to many Battle ribbon your to young to have earn

“Colonel Black” Lean Back in his Chair ok Commander am not a real Colonel and my name not Black am with Starfleet Special intelligence

“Cmdr Matthew “Hmm’ Special intelligence is that not Code for Section 47 black ops I served half my Star fleet Career on Star Bases

“Colonel Black “Yes I read that in you service record may I say a very impressive one sofar except for that Reprimand you had removed from your service record That cost you a Executive officer position on your last Ship an a possible Captaincy in the Fleet

“Colonel Black “There no record of what happen Cmdr it would take a Lot of pull to have something like that removed from a Official service record Like someone in Special intelligence He’ he “

“Cmdr Matthew Yeah “yeah” enough Butts kissing what do you won’t “

“Colonel Black” just to be Kelp in the Loop on your investigation “

“Cmdr Matthew you can just steal a copy from Admiral Lin Office at any time am sure you done that before “

“Colonel Black “ok Commander where all on the same side I just halt we could help out each other you do a Favor for me and ill do one for you I have friends in high places I have Access to all kinds of Intel you may not Have Commander looking up at the time on the wall”

“Colonel Black “well I have Another Appointment “

“Cmdr Matthew “Who with Satan “

Colonel Black” Laugh No Commander He already works for us standing up from his chair Commander Ill give you a little time to think over my offer you Look like you Have a lot on your plate as Black headed for the Door Black turn around Let me show you how helpful I could be Admiral lin has requested the USS Walter BURK a Converted Federation Frigate class minesweeper for this Mission is Just Docked I Can see by the look on your face you Didn’t know that did you as he exited the Door .

{Cmdr Matthew Quarters}
Deck 2

“James entered his quarters for the first time. In two days Computer Lights He then walk over to his Desk and press the power button on his Computer he Then laid the padds down on His Desk


Computer Start Personal log.



("2nd officer’s Log Supplemental )

“I have started an Investigation into the explosion that happens on Star date 022964 at the request of Admiral Lin and Captain Gheskori there a short List of People with the security clearance to be in the area of the explosion this investigation should be a short one “

“I will start my investigation at 0: 830 hours in the morning I will start with the junior officers. Then the enlisted crew the Yardmaster has scheduled repairs the ships for 1500 Hours tomorrow afternoon .I will need to be there “

“on a personal Note For the First time I was visited by a Colonel Black who introduce him self he wonted me to keep in up to Date on the investigation for some reason he started of by dropping Little hints that he had some Knowledge of my Time on Board the Victory-B when I was her Xo but it felt like he was just Fishing around for information ill have some of my old security friends ask around about him well it Late and I have a long day a tomorrow Computer Stop log Security Lock file


< To Continue >

[Gheskori]

Ghes sat, growing bored, in a chair in the mess hall. For a Denobulan to ever be bored among members not of his own species was a miracle in itself, but coupled with the lack of will to do anything... It made for a rather depressing situation. He fingered the PADD on the table, his mind divided over whether he wanted to read it or not. No, that would make him even more bored. Not even the strawberries he'd acquired from the replicator could help. He slumped glumly, starting to think - irrationally - that his mood would never improve. Wrong... he thought, watching a vulcan enter the room. He was about to gain new external stimuli.

"Oh, Doctor Saryn," he was saying, waving a hand-napkin, tissue, or whatever one wanted to call it, at the vulcan arrival. "Over here!" He smiled as the doctor approached.

"I am here as odered sir," the Vulcan stated, after finding the man at a table near one of the large windows, "I tried to invite my son but he was clear on the fact that he was busy. He will not join us, for which my apologies. I presume this invitation means you have something to discuss with me?"

"Yes. Have a seat, Doctor." Ghes waved the hand with the napkin at the chair opposite him. "And don't worry about your son." He watched the vulcan stiffly take the chair, then pushed the PADD he hadn't wanted to read across the table.

"A short list of names," he explained, not needing to hear Saryn's inquiry as to what it was (the vulcan's expression being enough to make obligatory an explanation). "These are people who may, and I stress may, have been at least partially involved in the Kasar mine explosion. Yes," he continued, seeing Saryn's questioning glance, "They are all USS Victory crewmembers. Now I don't suspect any of the crew of being responsible, but we have to pursue every line of investigation. Orders from the Admiral."

Collecting the drink from the portal sill on his left, he took a long introspective swig. He placed the cup back on the sill and sat back, smiling now. "Any thoughts?" he asked. "On anything.. The nature of the investigations; the names on the list, if you recognise any of them?"

<Tag Saryn>

Ghes leant forward, rubbing his hands together slowly and staring not at the vulcan, but at the surface of the table. "Commander Matthew... is adding all the time to that list, and running further investigation on those already on it. Should he and I reach a point where we can take matters further, with any of those names..."

Ghes paused. He decided to make the next part a separate question, "I'm unsure on your peoples' exact timeline over the last two, three centuries, Doctor Saryn, but you surely know of the mind meld? It has undergone development and an explosion in usage in your culture over the last two hundred years.

"Do you think you could perform a mind-meld on any of those names, if requested?" He smiled at Saryn again, then delicately lifted a strawberry from the bowl on the table. He sat back and popped it in his mouth, breaking out in a grin. "A drink?"

<Tag Saryn - three questions for you in the above section - sorry for all the talk!>

<Tag All>

[Deleted]

"Any thoughts?" he asked. "On anything.. The nature of the investigations; the names on the list, if you recognise any of them?"

The Vulcan studied the names. "I only recognise the names of the people I met at the briefing. All others are unfamiliar to me, but I am certain I can match them to medical records..." He looked up. "I am not certain what it is you expect of me, sir."

Ghes leant forward, rubbing his hands together slowly and staring not at the vulcan, but at the surface of the table. "Commander Matthew... is adding all the time to that list, and running further investigation on those already on it. Should he and I reach a point where we can take matters further, with any of those names..."

Saryn kept his eyes on the PADD, a device that was also fairly new to him. He nodded ever so slightly, waiting for the commander to continue. "I can speak with Commander Matthew if you desire," he offered slowly, still uncertain where Gheskori was going with this, and what was expected of him.

Ghes paused. He decided to make the next part a separate question, "I'm unsure on your peoples' exact timeline over the last two, three centuries, Doctor Saryn, but you surely know of the mind meld? It has undergone development and an explosion in usage in your culture over the last two hundred years.

"I am familiar with the mind meld," Saryn acknowledged, a chill running down his spine as he studied the alien before him. "In my time, there was a taboo on the procedure. Those capable of it were hunted down and shamed. To be able and to publicly acknowledge it, would destroy one's career and one's family." Now it was coming, Saryn could sense the question hanging between them. His hands went cold in anticipation.

"Do you think you could perform a mind-meld on any of those names, if requested?" He smiled at Saryn again, then delicately lifted a strawberry from the bowl on the table. He sat back and popped it in his mouth, breaking out in a grin. "A drink?"

Saryn felt his mouth run dry and he swallowed, fighting to keep his composure. "I could try," he confirmed, his mind and rearing in conflict with what he'd just been told. "I am untrained, however. That is, I lack the skill apparently the Vulcans in this time are raised with. I was raised with the knowledge that to acknowledge I was a melder, would be death to my career. I have kept my ability silent thus far. It may take time for me to freely discus this ability, I ask for your patience."

The Vulcan paused. "Yes, a drink would be welcome. Vulcan blend tea, if you please." At least now he knew what was expected of him, even if he didn't like the idea. "I will need practice and training on performing a mind meld. It is an exhausting and very taxing procedure for us. Savin too, can meld. He probably has more talent than I do, and he is younger. He learns easier and faster. You should ask him to assist sir."

He studied Gheskori, as the man chewed on a strawberry. How could be be so relaxed, when his ship had been under attack and several lives had been lost, and many more people were risking death and were fighting for their lives. It was illogical. "How are the crew taking the attack?" he asked after a very long silence, "how are they responding?"

[Gheskori]

"How are the crew taking the attack?" he asked after a very long silence, "how are they responding?"

Gheskori shrugged. "As well as can be expected. I'd like a little more out of them but I suppose I'll have to make do." He shifted in his chair, instantly comfortable again, and he propped a foot up on the ledge against the wall. "But I can't blame them," he said, "This investigation is enough to hamper performance, I would think. I tried to keep it quiet but when it comes to gossip and rumour, humans are worse than Denobulans."

He chuckled and took another strawberry, then as he bit into it eyed the replicator. He left the table and returned shortly with three drinks.

"Vulcan blend tea for your dry mouth," Ghes said, having seen the Doctor swallowing, "And two Crateaas for me. Denobulan alcoholic beverage," he explained. "Don't worry, I'm nearly off duty."

He sat down, licking his lips, then took the spoons in each glass of Crateaa. Holding one in each hand, he stirred the beige liquid vigourously. "When do you think you can be ready for a mind meld?" he asked, watching Saryn carefully. "Oh, and you wanted me to ask your son. When will he be available do you think?"

<Tag Saryn>

The two finished their drinks in relative silence, the air between them bitten with conversation only a small number of times. "Well, Doctor. I'll contact you again when I have more information. Or perhaps some time soon should I visit sickbay." He stood up, bowed very slightly, then headed from the mess hall. He'd had a plan, set in stone, to get another Crateaa from the replicator, but he'd changed his mind. Now that he was Captain.... he thought with a sigh - but with a strong undercurrent of responsibility - ... he had to know some boundaries.

He tried to get in touch with Commander Matthew, but found the man was unreachable. Ghes supposed his COO was very busy. He headed to the bridge, finding no sign of the Commander there either.

"Ensign Hartley, report. We must've finished port and starboard thrusting by now."

"Yes, sir." Hartley said spritely. The Ensign was already standing up, "Sir. We've got some problems."

Ghes growled in a Denobulan fashion. "Plural, eh?" Hartley nodded and showed him his display. Ghes's eyes widened. On the wireframe schematic of the hull being shown to him; four more cloaked Kasar mines uncovered, due to slight phase misalignments in their cloaking devices by small, intentionally random shifts in the Victory's thrust.

The Acting Captain pivoted on one foot, moving to sit in the command chair. "Commander Galwyn," he called, tapping the commbadge, "Commander, I don't know if you're out there by the hull; I have some information to pass to your teams if you're not. We've uncovered four more Kasar mines attached to the Victory. We're relaying information on their locations to you now... Transmit the info straight to your teams' visual interfaces. You have another ten minutes, then I want them recalled... It's a bit too dangerous."

<Tag Galwyn Cet>

"Commander Matthew," he said, deciding to call his Ops chief while he was at it. "Should you find some possible suspects, I have a new method by which we might find out more from them.... Think mind melds."

<Tag Cmdr. Matthew>

[jamesmatthew]

SCENE: Chief of Operations Office

“Cmdr Matthew rubbed his eyes and realized he hadn't shaved. He had been up Most of the Night “

He'd just finished reading through the early reports from the Investigation into the Explosion that damage Multiple Ships submitted by the Base Chief of Security Commander Vanetti he had Arrest a Long Time Criminal Name Krey' Race was still un-known he was Currently holding him for trying to Sale Starfleet Torpedoes Technology to a Romulain Agent among other charges Listed below

"Prisoner Krey is charged with 16 counts of distribution and sales of illicit
substances, 4 counts of smuggling, 3 counts of manufacturing illicit
substances, and 3 counts of maintaining facilities to manufacture said
3 Count of Selling Star fleet Torpedoes Technology to A enemy Agent
substances, 5 counts of assault on Starfleet personnel, and 3 counts of
assault on Starfleet personnel with a deadly weapon."

“Suspect was also scene in the Area of the Victory at the time of the explosion and he has A Back ground Caring out Assassinations and booming for the right price he was at the top of my List Cmdr Vanetti

Commander Vanetti
Chief of Base Security/ Tactical Officer
S-B Assailant



“Cmdr Matthew ‘ thinking to him self Krey looking good for this But we do have some other people we need to take a closer look at Cmdr Vanetti maybe concentrating to much on this Krey and over looking the real Boomer “

Just at that minute Cmdr Matthew Computer terminal Start chirped James hit the button Matthew here “

“Captain Gheskori- Commander Matthew has you made any Progress on the investigation into the explosion we are on a tight time schedule Admiral Lin May give the Mission Go a head at any time “

“Cmdr Matthew yes sir I have I just finish reading over some security reports from the base Chief security officer he has a possible suspect he holding on other Charges Also the ship repairs are coming along a head of schedule the old girl should be back in one piece by the end of the week

“Captain Gheskori good to hear Commander I have a new method by which we might find out more from them.... Think mind melds."

“Cmdr Matthew mind melds sir ‘? Would the Base Judge Advocate General's office sing off on that after all Krey is a federation citizen as far as we know with all of his Right still intact.
But there maybe a way around that Krey race still has not been determent yet he may not even be a federation Citizen.

< Tag Capt Gheskori >

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: S-B Assailant Command Deck

(Admiral Lin Office)

“Admiral Lin stood looking out his Window, that over look half of the dry-dock with where the Victory and the Monroe where now Docked with his Hands behind His back ‘

“Captain Powell sat, looking over Admiral Cain Failed Mission Report

“Admiral Lin Keeping with Starfleet regulation and Federation law my hands are some with Tided “

“Admiral Lin returning to his Chair Sat down Then He picks up PADDs off his desk Captain Powell as you Can see theses Cloaked mines are a shipping hazard to all ships Civilian and military “

“That why I ask for your ship to be reassigned to the 2nd Fleet the brains over in R&D are Working hard on coming up with some kind of way to Detect the Cloak mines by using a new technique Captain Picard used to Detect the Romulain Fleet Near the Romulain ‘Klingon Boarder called a tachyon detection grid, even cloaked ships would be detectable to Starfleet sensors.

“They Hope we can use this to Detect the Cloak kasar Mines but Time is running out so we may Have to go with already Proven Technology for detecting most mines as you know is by moving a ship slightly to detect phase shifts in any mines that closet to your ship before it can Attached it self .

“Your ship being more of a older class starship was Made from A old metal Alloy the kasar Mines wont Be able to Attach it self to your ship Giving you to Detect and Destroy the mines before they can Destroy our fleet

“Admiral Lin “Captain Sorry to Have to rush you but I have a full schedule Today I will have all mission details Transmitted over to your ship for you to look over but for now why Don’t you and your crew enjoy all that Star base Assailant has to offer and Congratulation on being Promoted to Full Captain you should have been promoted a long time ago but theses things Happen for the best.



Admiral Magellan Lin-on LOA
Commanding officer
S-B Assailant

Ps: just more Mission Filler Captain and to keep the Story line moving along.

[Tiana Galwyn Cet]

OOC: My apologies, RL is wearing me down at the moment.

Tiana got the message about the retraction of the vestibule in plenty of time for her to move the ev-team away. She was currently staring at a twisted lump of metal that if her analysis was correct had once been part of Assailant's outer bulkhead. It had been hauled inside and was now under intense scrutiny. It seemed likely that this distorted lump had been pretty close to the centre of the blast. Tiana was starting to get a mental picture of the explosion and she didn't like it. Tiana glanced out of the window and then gasped.

The world around her turned orange and she could feel the the hair on her arms burning. She felt a fly lump of something impact with her left knee and her leg would no longer hold her weight. She was burning. She couldn't breathe. The air was too hot. She was going to die...

"Are you all right ma'am?" The voice was concerned. Tiana blinked. She wasn't on fire, she was in a corridor on Assailant. She took a couple of deep breaths and then swallowed. She forced herself to let go of the wall she'd been hanging on to.

"I think so." Tiana's breathing was shaky. She did not go into any further detail and Ensign Tomas did not look convinced. She'd shied away from learning the fate of Cet's previous hosts. The only one she'd known for certain was Nawar, Cet's last host, and that was because Tiana had witnessed his death. She swallowed a few more times. That explosion had seemed so real, it had to have been a memory, she had to know, another moment like that could be much more serious. More prepared this time Tiana let herself slip into memories. Reanna Cet, the fourth host turned out to be the source of the memory. Reanna had been an Operative in the Trill Defence Force more than 300 years ago. Aside from Tiana herself, Reanna had been/was Cet's shortest lived host; she had only been 31 and a host for 10 years when she had been caught in an explosion and killed. She didn't even live long enough to know that those she had been protecting survived. Finding that out had been enough to stabilise Cet for a new host; but, the memory was still there. Tiana had been scared of fire, she had that mostly under control now but Reanna's last memory...

=/\=Miss Galwyn?=/\= Tiana's commicator chirped, she tapped it smothering an oath at the same time. Whoever was calling her had no reason to know how things were on her end. =/\=This is Savin, can we meet somewhere?=/\=

She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice. It wasn't his fault she had been stuck with ten lifetimes of memories and wasn't coping well. =/\=I'm investigating the explosion at the moment. Is this important?=/\=

=/\=It is important ma'am. I have discovered something, but it makes no sense to me. I need someone with scientific experience to have a look at my data, before I inform the commanding officer, or someone called Lin. I do not know this Lin person, but I do trust you. Please ma'am, can we meet? I have transferred my data to a ... a tricorder I believe this is called.=/\=

Tiana pinched the bridge of her nose trying to make herself think rationally. The team here could carry on without her for a while.

=/\=Where are you Savin?=/\=


Tag:


=/\=Give me ten minutes and I'll be with you.=/\= Tiana deliberately overestimated the time taking account of finishing up here and any more 'wobbles' she might have along the way.


OOC: will have Ghes's message come shortly.

[Deleted]

=/\=Where are you Savin?=/\=

"I am in sickbay ma'am, where I was told to go. I have found something that puzzles me, but it feels important for the ongoing investigation." He paused, having to listen hard for her reply. "When can you be here ma'am?"

=/\=Give me ten minutes and I'll be with you.=/\= Tiana deliberately overestimated the time taking account of finishing up here and any more 'wobbles' she might have along the way.

"Yes ma'am," the young Vulcan acknowledged the estimated time.

= roughly ten minutes later =

Savin was still hunched over the microscope, checking slide after slide after slide, a frown creasing his brow. He didn't understand. There was this chemical he was unfamiliar with, and it showed in some of the blood stains, but not in others, despite the fact that the stains were found relatively close to one another.

"I do not understand," he muttered, checking his readings for yet another time. "This is technically impossible!" Frustrated, he switched settings on the microscope. A spectator would see reddish light shine onto his face from the ocular, while a greenish light shone up through the slide. Touching a singular button, a green light shone into his eyes, while a blue shone up from under.

He stepped away, picking up the tricorder again, browsing through the gathered date. "Impossible!" he exlaimed, almost furious. He whirled around when he sensed someone approaching him.

[Galwyn]

[Magellan Lin]

As the Walter Burk slipped her moorings and began her mine sweeping duties Magellan quietly hoped that Captain Powell would be able to find any mines in the area.

He paced the Operations centre uncertainly. Things were not adding up in this investigation. Vanetti and Matthews were coming up with a range fo suspects and Gheskori and Galwyn were investigating the mines themselves whilst Saryn investigated the medical information. He wished then that Dr's Mercy were available. Stuarts memory still hadnt returned and he had been shipped to Vulcan for treatment. T'Val had gone with him initially but split her time there and on ships in the fleet.
It was a sign of how desperate things had got in starfleet that so many civilian contractors were being relied on on ships of the line.

Whilst the Colonial War seemed to be ending without Federation involvement Starfleet could perhaps cope with the low intake but Magellan had the feeling that something bigger was going on. The Tholians, Klingons, Romulans, the Kasar and even the Federation seemed... he struggled for a word...manipulated? It seemed as good as any. But was it just paranoia speaking.

He pushed such silly thoughts from his mind and decided he would be best served concentrating on the mission in hand. He decided to begin with speaking with Saryn and Gheskori about their progress before meeting Matthews.

TAG Saryn and Gheskori.

PS I m back

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: USS VICTORY Deck #4

“Cmdr Matthew Walking down Deck 4 where the Main Shuttle Bay, And Main Cargo Storage Bays where located as the ship Operations officer he been over Every Inch of the Victory Only the Chief Engineer Can say the same “

“Walking Pass some crewmen and officers caring out there day to day Duties after all the Victory Could be getting underway at any time “They all gave the standard Good morning sir. “

“One of the privileges of being a Senior Bridge Command Officer you get to set your on Duty Schedule with so much on my plate theses Days it was hard to find a little free time to get away from the Pressure of the Job “

“so I always try to Schedule a little Holodecks Time when ever I Can As the Ship Chief of Operations , I learned over the years that most repair crews Do there best Jobs when there Boss Leaves them along “


“ Any way today I had a full plate Commander Vanetti was caring out His interrogation of Mister Krey we all are very interested in what he find out But we still have some other people to interview as well so far they all been cleared and I have Status Meeting with Captain Gheskori And Admiral Lin “

“The Currant scuttlebutt" is the USS Walter Burk a Old Federation Frigate-class minesweepers slipped her moorings And Left Space dock her mission was not posted

I found my second in Command, Lt, Commander Julia Lopez, and my New Asst Chief of Operations calling orders to the crew making some final repairs to Victory’s cargo transporter bank. He had asked Lopez to take over some of the Over all Repairs of the VICTORY Hull repairs a month ago to step up the speed of repairs,

" Cmdr Matthew Lopez, if you have a minute?"

"Yes, sir, what can I do for you?"


“Matthew handed her a PADD I Need for you to take care of this Small list I have a Meeting with The Captain As well as Admiral Lin I just wont have the time to see to them my self The Victory could get mission orders at ant time and the Old Girl Need to be mission ready “

.

Lopez smiled. "Very well, sir. Ill Take care of this list and sir she will be ready.”


(Three minutes later)


Scene: Chief of operations Office

“Cmdr Matthew sat in his office on the Victory. He had finally wrapped up
all of his outstanding reports to a point where he could leave them
for Lopez; this would be a great time to make his ship rounds checking in with his department Heads before His Meeting with the Bass.

< Post Continue >

[Deleted]

OFF: apologies for not getting these sooner, they must've slipped through

Saryn sat waiting, his hands folded in his lap as he watched the Denobulan take a seat before him. He said nothing, just sat waiting instead.

Gheskori sat down, licking his lips, then took the spoons in each glass of Crateaa. Holding one in each hand, he stirred the beige liquid vigourously. "When do you think you can be ready for a mind meld?" he asked, watching Saryn carefully. "Oh, and you wanted me to ask your son. When will he be available do you think?"

"I will need an hour or so to prepare. I must remind you again that I am not an experienced melder. I come from a time when a great taboo rested on the very ability, and it may take some time for me and my family to adjust to the fact that in this time, melding is a useful and respected tool. I shall, however, endeavour to gain more experience. As for my son, you will need to ask him yourself as I cannot speak for him. The last time I spoke to him, he was in your infirmary. I presume he still is there as he believed he had made a discovery of some sort. I overheard him calling for Miss Cet."

The two finished their drinks in relative silence, the air between them bitten with conversation only a small number of times. "Well, Doctor. I'll contact you again when I have more information. Or perhaps some time soon should I visit sickbay." He stood up, bowed very slightly, then headed from the mess hall. He'd had a plan, set in stone, to get another Crateaa from the replicator, but he'd changed his mind. Now that he was Captain.... he thought with a sigh - but with a strong undercurrent of responsibility - ... he had to know some boundaries.

"As you wish sir. I will be in my quarters, preparing for the mind meld you asked for. I request not to be disturbed for at least one hour. If you wish to speak with Savin, contact him in sickbay. He will do what he feels is right, I do believe he will consent, inexperienced as he is."

[Ghes]

== Later ==

Gracefully, Saryn rose from his cross-legged position on the floor as his comm chirped. He listened as Magellan's voice sounded from it, nodding quietly in response. "I am on my way sir. Give me a minute to collect my bearings, I was meditating when you called."

He tapped his combadge again, signing off then walked into the bathroom to splash some cold water into his face. Feeling a little refreshed, he straightened, then walked out of his quarters.

A few minutes later, he approached Lin. "You wished to see me sir?" he asked calmly, his face completely composed and devoid of any indication of what he might be feeling right now.

[jamesmatthew]

Scene: Ready Room, USS Walter Burk Holding Station just Near the Kasar Boarder Awaiting Orders.

<Captain, we're receiving a Coded Communication from Star base Assailant.>

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Cecil responded from where he was sitting on
his office couch. "Please patch it through here."

Standing, Cecil made his way around his desk and activated his computer monitor.

<<<<<<<<<<<<< BEGIN TRANSMISSION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
SECURITY LEVEL: High
TO: Captain Cecil Powell- USS Walter Burk
FROM: Fleet Admiral Magellan Lin
SUBJECT: Mission Orders 018 – Operation Night Wing
STARDATE: 30.0102
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Captains Powell,

The Walter Burk is to proceed to the edge of sector B-020 immediately this is the Area where Admiral Cane Taskforce engage the Kasar fleet and Has it First Contact with the Kasar Cloaked mines You and your senior staff are tasked with determining if This Mines Can Be Detected and destroyed using Standard Federation Technology you are to Begin Demining operations as soon as you can you will be operating under Communications Black Conditions try to stay undetected for as long as you can Disarmed any Cloak mine you come across and make a map of all Detected mines fields if possible .Godspeed,

Fleet Admiral Magellan Lin
Commanding officer
Star Base Assailant
2nd Fleet Head Quarters

<<<<<<<<<<<< END TRANSMISSION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Once she finished reading the written communication, Cecil turned off
the monitor and opened a channel to the bridge. "Helm, set a course
for the planet Drailara, in the Kasar System warp factor 4."

[Gheskori]

"... mind melds sir? Would the Base Judge Advocate General's office sign off on that after all Krey is a federation citizen as far as we know with all of his Right intact. But there maybe a way around that.. Krey's race still has not been determined yet he may not even be a federation Citizen."

Gheskori nodded, almost to himself as he listened to Commander Matthew's voice. From the tone the COO was using, it was clear the man was fully engrossed in the investigations. "I assume this Krey is the suspect the base CSO is holding on other charges," he said, folding his arms. "Keep investigating him and report back when you have more. If Vanetti has our man, and thank heavens he isn't one of ours, then I would like the option to conduct a mind meld. Good luck; Gheskori out."

<Tag Cmdr. Matthew>

Falling deep into musing thought, Ghes stood almost in a trance, staring into the black space filled only with the void on the Victory's main viewscreen. So... The danger of one of his own crew being responsible, or partly responsible, was growing less. With this Krey fellow being implicated, the chances that one of the Victory crew would be associated with such a person were significantly less than if they were collaborating with someone within the Starbase's hierarchy itself.

Still though, he warned himself, it was all too easy to fall into those lax ways, where he could easily be preyed upon by hunters of the night, like the wild beasts whose abode was that one Denobulan moon, sharply contrasted in colours of nightshade by the twilight...

Wild beeping from the Ops console drew his attention. It ceased about five seconds later as the on-duty Ops officer deactivated the alarm, "There's your alert, sir," the officer said.

"Excuse me?" Ghes rose an eyebrow.

"You asked to be alerted when it was five minutes from an hour having passed. Something to do with Doctor Saryn...?"

"Ah, yes; of course. Thank you Ensign." Ghes was reminded that he'd set an alert for when Saryn would nearly be done with his meditating. Now, consequently, his memory was jogged that he'd planned to see Saryn's son, to ask him about assisting his father with the hopefully imminent meld. He remembered what Saryn had said: "He (Savin) will do what he feels is right..." Ghes could only hope that wasn't just the love of a father speaking.

Five minutes later he entered sickbay, and he recognised Savin standing near a microscope device, talking with none other than Commander Galwyn Cet. "Savin, is it?" Ghes asked for confirmation as he approached, then turned briefly to the science officer, "Oh, hello Commander, fancy seeing you here. Funny, something told me I'd next see you while waiting for a turbolift.. but never mind. I trust your teams made it back safely from the hull; those mines will need to be diffused mind you... The crew are becoming nervous."

<Tag Galwyn Cet>

"Mr. Savin...," Ghes beamed at the young vulcan, "I've had a good chat with your father, and he's agreed that when one is required, he will perform a mind meld on a possible suspect connected to the bombing."

Just as he'd finished speaking, a message came through. Admiral Lin wished to speak with both him and Doctor Saryn. Apparently though, he'd missed the first message, as then on a small viewer attached to the wall in front of him appeared Admiral Lin, and standing next to him was Saryn.

"Seems we have a small conference," Ghes commented. Now, both Galwyn and Savin were also watching the viewer. He then told Admiral Lin everything he'd been doing for the last hour; how he and Matthew had looked into suspects and come up with Krey's name, how the extra mines had been found on the hull, and how Saryn and Savin were being thought of as possible conductors of a mind meld.

<Tag Admiral Lin; Tag Saryn; Tag All>

[Deleted]

"Savin, is it?" Ghes asked for confirmation as he approached, then turned briefly to the science officer, "Oh, hello Commander, fancy seeing you here. Funny, something told me I'd next see you while waiting for a turbolift.. but never mind. I trust your teams made it back safely from the hull; those mines will need to be diffused mind you... The crew are becoming nervous."

Savin gave no indication he had either seen or heard Gheskori. His attention was on the slide under the lens and not on his surroundings. He looked up when a nurse nudged him and gestured away from the equipment. He blinked as he saw the acting commanding officer approaching, then nodded an acknowledgement of his presence.

"Mr. Savin...," Ghes beamed at the young vulcan, "I've had a good chat with your father, and he's agreed that when one is required, he will perform a mind meld on a possible suspect connected to the bombing."

"That does sound like something my father would consent to, regardless of the consequences to him and his career," Savin replied evenly, not sure where this was headed. "My father cares not for his career, he cares only for the sanity and safety of others."

He watched with interest as suddenly the image of his father, accompanied by the spotted Admiral, appeared on a panel.

"Seems we have a small conference," Ghes commented. Now, both Galwyn and Savin were also watching the viewer. He then told Admiral Lin everything he'd been doing for the last hour; how he and Matthew had looked into suspects and come up with Krey's name, how the extra mines had been found on the hull, and how Saryn and Savin were being thought of as possible conductors of a mind meld.

"Conductor sir?" the younger Vulcan medic queried, "I am not certain I understand. I have little experience in performing a mind meld, would the danger not be too great? His eyes kept flitting between the persons around him and on the screen, so that he wouldn't miss anything they were saying. "I mean the risk to me. I am not saying no. If we are the only ones available who can do it, regardless of the risk, then we must attempt it. However my father has one advantage over me. He can hear you if you must pull him back. I cannot, and tearing someone from a meld is dangerous, that much I do know. How do you propose we proceed?"

Saryn flashed a look of pride at his son; he knew Savin would consent, despite his lengthy elaboration. The child was smart, and always eager to help regardless of the risk to himself. In that, he was truly his father's son. "What type of suspect are we dealing with?" he added slowly, "is he violent? Will he be conscious when we attempt this?"

[Magellan Lin]

"Seems we have a small conference," Ghes commented.
Magellan nodded and waited as the Commander explianed the latest information.
"Well from this end I can tell you that Commander Matthews is liasing with the Walter Burk, a minesweeper brought in to clear the space lanes. I ve also spoken to the President. We are being goven a wide latitude in this matter. If these mines are proved to be planted by the Kasan-thar or even the Kasar faction of that race it will be construed by the UFP as an act of war." he paused allowing that to sink in, "We stand here with the fate of the federation in our hands because of that I m forced to consider unsavoury actions. Under federation law we cannot mind meld a federation citizen againts their will... How certain are we that this Krey is invloved?"

TAG Gheskori et al

"Conductor sir?" the younger Vulcan medic queried, "I am not certain I understand. I have little experience in performing a mind meld, would the danger not be too great? His eyes kept flitting between the persons around him and on the screen, so that he wouldn't miss anything they were saying. "I mean the risk to me. I am not saying no. If we are the only ones available who can do it, regardless of the risk, then we must attempt it. However my father has one advantage over me. He can hear you if you must pull him back. I cannot, and tearing someone from a meld is dangerous, that much I do know. How do you propose we proceed?"

Saryn flashed a look of pride at his son; he knew Savin would consent, despite his lengthy elaboration. The child was smart, and always eager to help regardless of the risk to himself. In that, he was truly his father's son. "What type of suspect are we dealing with?" he added slowly, "is he violent? Will he be conscious when we attempt this?"

"One step at a time" Magellan replied, "This will ultimatly be my decision if you decide you want to take part. First we need him properly questioned in the normal fashion. Perhaps you could see to that Mr Gheskori, I ll send my Chief of Security Sharon Vanetti to assist you. Mr Saryn, Mr Savin please think carefully about what you maybe asked to do. Magellan Out"

Magellan thumbed off the comm. and nodded to the two Vulcans with him. 'Like I said think about it."

TAG Vulcans

"Very well. I will be with Commander Cet I want to see how she is progressing"

Magellan left his office and searched out the Trill commander.

"Commander?"

She looked up

"Can you spare me a moment to update me on progress?"

TAG Galwyn

[jamesmatthew]

Scene .S-B Assailant

Deck #7 (Mister Kray Interrogation is underway)

(Interrogation Room Bravo)

“While Base Security was transporting Mister Kray to the interrogation room,
the Cmdr Vanetti discussed strategy and Questions they would ask Kray once the interrogation started with his interrogation team.

"Cmdr Vanetti’ Lt, Blackman, how would you classify Mister Kray?"

"Mister Kray “ Lt ,Blackman well sir on what we know of him and what we have been able to observe Mister Kray expresses several obvious symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. He shows arrogant, haughty attitudes, is preoccupied with
fantasies of unlimited power, requires excessive admiration from his
peers whom he ruthlessly exploits, lacks empathy -"

" In not so many words, is a class "A" [word deleted]," Ensign Simon finished for him.

"Indeed," Lt Blackman nodded.

"Cmdr Vanetti Yes," I would also agree. "But we must remember that he is still not the
biggest fish in the pond. If I'm correct, this Operation goes very high in the organization of Starfleet Command. At the time of his Capture Kray had Top level security clearance Codes Cards that allowed him to get into some of our highest Security Areas of the Base."

"Perhaps we can make Mr. Kray work for us," Lt, Blackman suggested.
"He has a grandiose sense of self-importance. We can use that to make
him expose his associates."

"Feed him enough rope that he strangles not only himself, but those with

him," Cmdr Vanetti nodded” Suggestions?"

"Thumb screws? Chinese Water Torture? Hook battery cables to his
testicles?" Ensign Simon mumbled. "Oh sorry, sir, just fantasizing out loud."
She said when Commander Vanetti gave her a wilting look.

"I was thinking more like the Good Cop - Bad Cop routine," he said
reproachfully.

Simon sighed. "Being nice is too much work. Can't I just shoot him and
get it over with?"

"In time, Ensign, in time," Lt Blackman chuckled. "Let's do this by the
book, shall we?"

"Oh well. Good and bad cop it is then."

"Which role would you like?"

"Take a wild guess. Sir."

Soon, Kray was ushered in to the Room by base security.

"Ah, Mr. Kray Please have a seat."

“Kray surveyed the officers in front of him, but sat down in the offered
seat. It was one made for interrogations, slightly lower than normal and
with armrests a little too high for comfort, but Kray sat easy. One
could see his mind already working on stories and lies to use.

"Cmdr Vanetti Let not beat around the Bush you know why you’re here
, Mr. Kray. You know that your fellow Conspirator, Greg Browne, has been arrested?"

"Yes Commander," Kray answered easily your security officers made sure they walk me by his cell on the way here "


"Cmdr Vanetti I don't think he was acting alone, but there were others involved, both in
and out of Starfleet. You have known him for several years. Mr. Kray, what
can you tells me of Greg Browne?"

"Mr. Browne has implicated you, Mister Kray." Ensign Simon said calmly. She
watched as he quickly formed his lie.

"Kray’Greg Browne? In all honesty I really do not know him all that well."
Kray said in a surprised tone

“Kray scanned the room; he knew all of the officers present except the a Commander standing in the shadows in the corner of the Room ‘’

When just at that minute a senior officer with Captain Pips walk in the room Signal Cmdr Vanetti over to him “After talking to the senior officer Commander Vanetti Turn around and said Computer end interrogations of Prisoner Kray at 0:345 hours You Can return Mr. Kray to his cell for now

“Lt Blackman But sir ‘

“Cmdr Vanetti “ not now Lieutenant ok every one return to your Duties Lt, Blackman meet me in my office in 30 minute “

“As Commander Vanetti stepped out of the interrogation room and looked at the chronometer. He did not expect to be ending his Kray interrogation so fast

“As He walked hurriedly down the corridor. Mumbling to him self I hope the old man knows what he Doing Conducting a mind meld of Kray I wonder how he got Jag to Sign off on that one.

<Tag Admiral Lin; Saryn; Ghes >

[Gheskori]

"... Under federation law we cannot mind meld a federation citizen againsts their will... How certain are we that this Krey is involved?"

Gheskori gave himself a moment to think, knowing the Admiral on the other end aboard the Starbase would forgive him, considering he didn't have the first-hand knowledge of Krey which Commanders Matthew and Vanetti possessed.

"Krey is currently being interrogated by Matthew and base security, and I'm yet to receive a further update, but from what I understand Commander Vanetti considers him the number one suspect," Ghes said finally. "He's been held before numerous times for many serious indiscretions, many of which took place here at the Starbase. It's also been proven he was in the vicinity of the Victory shortly before the explosion, but other than that, there is no direct evidence.

"He's being held for suspected Starfleet weapons sales to a Romulan." He added, before Magellan requested the information. "My feelings, as Doctor Saryn is well aware, are that a mind meld would help us find out what else Krey might be guilty of..." Ghes felt strongly about this; he wished to push it, even though the evidence against Krey was, at the moment, reasonably insubstantial. He went on to mention his wish for Saryn and/or Savin to perform the meld, and both vulcans responded with questions.

"One step at a time," Lin interjected, "This will ultimately be my decision if you decide you want to take part. First we need him properly questioned in the normal fashion. Perhaps you could see to that Mr Gheskori, I ll send my Chief of Security Sharon Vanetti to assist you..."

Ghes nodded, keen to be able to adopt a more hands-on approach to his COO's investigations. It wasn't his usual area of expertise, but as Captain of a starship he needed proficiency in all areas - as well as the ability to stay in touch with his crew and their activities to let them know he was mortal like them (something that was doubly important with him not having appointed a first officer yet).

The comm-line closed and Ghes turned to the CScO, whom had been silent during the exchange. "Tiana," he said, "I'd like you to return to the Starbase, see what you can find out about those mines. Perhaps some scientific analysis will reveal something; residual biosigns from human tampering, or the like? We need to find out how those mines were detonated. If it was as you suspect, by remote, then they still needed access to the weapons themselves." He nodded at her and indicated she should go.

<Tag Tiana (My thought is that Magellan's tag of you is once you've returned to the Starbase)>

Savin was waiting behind him. He turned around and grinned, then made sure he was facing the vulcan directly. "Savin, my apologies for forgetting about your impaired hearing. Now, I'm giving you leave to talk to your father as much as possible if this mind meld should happen. Although - as I've seen, and it is to your great credit - you've taken to working here in sickbay, I'm giving you the freedom to make your father your first priority."

<Tag Savin (Saryn)>

Deliciously worded, Ghes thought. It sounded as if he'd made an order out of giving someone extra latitude.

* * *

He found Commander Matthew in the brig section of the security department; base-side. The Victory's COO was standing against a wall, at a juncture in the corridor. "Commander; interrogation in progress?"

James Matthew shook his head, remaining silent.

"Are we taking a break?" the Denobulan asked, standing against the wall next to Matthew. The COO informed him the interrogation had been suspended, due to the JAG's office confirming the request for a mind meld to be performed. "Ah, good, so my request didn't go unnoticed." Ghes nodded, enjoying the conspiratorial edge of things. He hadn't crossed the line; had he? "The decision's in Admiral Lin's hands, though, he has the final word. Which means, we can continue questioning Krey."

They started walking down the corridor, towards an ante-room for the interrogation room to see Vanetti. Ghes thought of all the criminals, the lowlives and disresputables of the old Denobulan society, which existed in great number before his race experienced enlightenment. How many lives could've been saved, wrongs righted and suffering avoided, if they'd skipped all the bureaucracy of questioning and trying those criminals, and instead simply sent them down? Denobula could've risen to greatness, could've prospered... long, long ago...

It wasn't controversial, he told himself; just truth; spoken plainly.

"If you ask me, Commander," he said evenly, "I think we ought to skip straight to the mind meld rather than engage in all this nonsense..." They walked into the ante-room, Ghes - by way of greeting - grinning at Commander Vanetti.

<Tag Matthew> <Tag Magellan and All>

[Deleted]

[ooc: presuming matthew is speaking over comm, so that saryn hears]

I hope the old man knows what he Doing Conducting a mind meld of Kray I wonder how he got Jag to Sign off on that one.

Saryn looked up as his sharp hearing picking up the mumbled words, spoken by Commander Matthew. "Jag?" he queried, unfamiliar with the term, "what is a Jag? And why would a Jag sign off on something that we volunteer for?"

[matthew?]

Saryn listened with growing amazement as the name of the prisoner was revealed and that he was being interrogated. Rather, they were attempting to do so, otherwise what would his services be needed for? Insofar he could gather, attempts were failing, even though Lin seemed to be holding back on employing the two Vulcans.

The Vulcan could understand that regular measures would need to be employed and exhausted first, but that didn't mean he was ready to do what was required of him. He listened in silence as orders were given, wondering what would be expected of him and his son. When Tiana was ordered to investigate certain leads, he spoke up. "Captain, I have tactical experience, may I assist Miss Cet?"

[Ghes]

While Saryn waited for his question to be acknowledged, Gheskori addressed the younger Vulcan. "Savin, my apologies for forgetting about your impaired hearing. Now, I'm giving you leave to talk to your father as much as possible if this mind meld should happen. Although - as I've seen, and it is to your great credit - you've taken to working here in sickbay, I'm giving you the freedom to make your father your first priority."

Startled, Savin looked up when his father nudged him, barely catching the words that were clearly addressed to him. "I already have all the information I need sir," Savin replied, supporting his speech with hand-signals. "I have consented, despite my apparent lack of training, and I will do my best." He looked sideways, meeting his father's eyes, seeing the older Vulcan give an imperceptible nod of permission. "However I should like to ah...practice. If there are volunteers. Father would be ideal but as your suspect is non-Vulcan, a non-Vulcan would be ideal. Sir."

[Ghes/any]