Mission 1: Doubled Trouble

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

“The reports you wanted Captain.” Palmer stated as he walked into the ready room, he looked around at the decorations Jackson had already placed around the room in an attempt to make it more her space rather than just another office.

She looked up and exhaled. “Good, the station crew tell me the kinks in the plasma manifolds on deck four are sorted out.. we are ready to go.” She took the padd offered to her and nodded. “Are all the crew aboard Lieutenant? I don’t want to sit in dock forever.”

“As of an hour ago yes Ma’am.. and the guests have been shown to their quarters, they requested not to be disturbed for the next three hours, they need to meditate or something.” He stated as he let out a slight sigh.

“All the better then.” Was her reply as she shoved the Padd into her drawer and stood up.

She walked out onto the bridge, and took a deep breath every time she walked out of that door it hit her that she was now in charge. Gone were the days of having a safety net.

She walked over to her chair and took a seat, trying to get comfortable in an attempt to make it her own. She tapped the side panel and said. “Jackson to all senior staff, mission briefing will be in one hour.. After which we have clearance to depart the station, I’ll want status reports on the progress of getting departments up and running then.. Jackson out.”

She walked back into her ready room and waited.

**One hour Later**

She walked in and thankfully found herself the first to arrive, she didn’t want to be late given she was trying to make an impression on the people who would make up her crew.

<Tag Arrivals/ and getting set up on ship> The shore leave thread will be left open for a few days to give anybody who wishes it a chance to do a last post there.

[allistar]

.:.Counselor's Office.:.

They sat there staring out the viewport before turning their attention back to the crewman that had been sitting there for quite some time explaining something about issues they were having. "Out of curiosity Crewman Nackov are you still having this problem?"

Nackov looked at the counselor, Has he been listening to anything I have said. He seems somewhat distracted, but by what I don't know. "Well sir, it's just that when I come on board a ship I feel like everything around me is getting smaller the bulkhead seems to be shrinking or..." He scratched his cheek violently for the third time in the past two minutes. "It's happening right now." The tactical crewman stood up.

Brandon held out the blue tinged hand clasping the other man's arm, "Please sit down. Relax you are claustrophobic why did you decide to be placed on a ship?"

The Russian withdrew his hand, Nackov started scratching more violently on his cheek this time drawing blood. "I got to get off this...." He started to mutter before collapsing to the chair. "Get me off this SHIP!" He shouted the last word making him wince.

They could see that the poor man was clearly struggling with reality, "Let us contact Captain Jackson." They stood up and walked behind and would reach up to tap the commbadge.

"US WHAT DO YOU MEAN US?" Nackov was on his feet again shouting he drew the phaser off his hip it had been hidden from view. He aimed the weapon at Brandon his hand shaking violently as he used his free hand to continue to scratch by now he had completely cut his cheek open.

Brandon looked at him, "Put the weapon down Nackov you don't want to do that otherwise you will be leaving this ship in handcuffs." He responded raising both hands. He noticed the opening, and sprung himself forward ducking his head to the left and threw his arm up connecting with the Russian's wrist. The weapon fired, it was at its maximum setting and burnt a hole in the bulkhead where just a second earlier Brandon's head had been.

He spun his body behind Nackov's clasping his wrist tightly as the phaser fell to the deck. He jerked upwards on the arm sending the man's hand between his shoulder blades. "I told you we will contact Captain Jackson. Don't make me have them throw you in the brig." He knew that the alarm had potentially went off. Sure enough two security officers appeared inside his door.

"What happened here Counselor?"

Brandon didn't turn, "This man needs to be escorted off the ship, he is claustrophobic and lost control. He fired a weapon, but I don't think it was his intention." He released Nackov as the two security officers grabbed Nackov by his arms. Brandon tapped his commbadge, "Brandon Allistar to Captain Jackson, we have a patient here who is suffering from severe claustrophobia and needs to be released from duty on the ship to the Starbase before we leave?"

<Tag Jackson>

[Paikea Apirana]

Paikea Apirana had become restless and that was never a good thing as far as he was concerned. Knowing that his commanding officer wouldn't mind, Paikea Apirana made his way to the newly christened USS Rainier, Pai made his way to the ship and his science labs. It had been a long time since Pai got any real research done and hopefully this assignment would allow him that opportunity.

"Computer what is the closest lab to my office?" Paikea asked as he started poking his head in the primary laboratory. His reaction would have caused any of his friends to fall over laughing. It seemed that Starfleet had spared no expense when creating the Rainier. Paikea felt like a child in a candy store. There was everything a scientist could ask for plus some things that Paikea had never seen before.

"There is a private lab in your office"

Paikea had to actually run towards his office just to make sure the computer was not playing a trick on him. The moment he saw it, he had fallen in love. It was perfect and it would allow him to do some personal research.

"Computer deny all access to this lab except for myself," Pai said as he pondered the possibilities that would come up.

"Affirmative."

"Computer leave a message for all members of the science staff," Paikea said as he wrote down the message he would be saying. It always helped him seem calm and composed.

"To the Science Department, I will be holding a department wide meeting tomorrow morning at 0600. I know it is early, but I want everyone to understand that our department will be run efficiently and vigorously. Everyone has a chance of advancement and I hope to work with every sub-department. All department heads, prepare a status report."

"Computer send message," Paikea ordered as he slowly walked out of his office and headed towards his quarters. The crew would come on board the next day which meant that the Rainier would never be as quiet as it was that day.

"Message sent.

"Hello Rainier, I'm Paikea Apirana but you can call me Pai. I will treat you fairly, but for the love of all that is good in this universe please stay far as far away from trouble as possible."

[Deleted]

USS Rainier. S'reena stared at the name across the ship's bow and smiled. The ship finally had a name. "Momma, can I look too?" Kyala held up her arms to her mother, wanting to be picked up to see. The three-year old wasn't tall enough to see on her own yet. S'reena obligingly picked her up and held her faced to the tall glass windows.

"We'll be boarding any minute now, as soon as daddy gets here." There was still no word from the El-Salvador, but S'reena trusted the base officers to inform her, as soon as word did reach them. And she trusted Savot to take care of her little girl, she would expect no less from him. She looked up to the cry of children's voices, coming towards them. "Hear? That's daddy with your brothers and sister."

Michael approached, carrying the two boys, his face flushed from the brisk pace. "Crewman Zelenski says our belongings will be transported right to our quarters. I'll take the children so you can go report in." He looked around. "Where's Auric?"

The Romulan looked around, wiping her long curled hair from her face. "I don't know...probably off chasing one pet or the other. She'll be fine, she's not far off." She handed Kyala to Kahlan. "You be good and help your father, darling." She kissed Michael on the cheek then went to board the Rainier, and straight to the bridge.

"Stacey!" she called out, waving. "So..we finally have a ship, and she's finally got a name eh? I heard the briefing call but I wanted to see you first. Michael's taken the children and is probably letting them help decorate."

<Stacey, mod in if you like>

=== an hour later, briefing room ===

Accompanied by Auric, who was too used to being near her during briefings, S'reena settled down in her seat, amazed at the fact that it molded to her figure, giving her back optimal support. She smiled as the senior staff filed in. Some she knew, and some she didn't but she smiled all the same.

[Lorna Holsen]

Sickbay

Lorna had finished her duty assignments rota and had started getting things sorted before the rest of the medical staff started to arrived. Most of them were early and the rest were on time, this was a very good start. There was good mix of civilians and starfleet in the room, and a good mix of people she knew and people she didn't.

Lorna had laid out her expectations and then explained a few things. She assigned one of the nurses to ensure that there was a type I phaser in every medkit and then went to help out with some equipment shifting. The Captain's voice came over the comm,

“Jackson to all senior staff, mission briefing will be in one hour.. After which we have clearance to depart the station, I’ll want status reports on the progress of getting departments up and running then.. Jackson out.” Lorna set a warning for fifty minutes from now and with so much to do it was inevitable that she would get caught up and loose track of time.

When the chime went Lorna was literally up to her elbows in a box that was supposed to contain vials of epinephrine and equivalents but didn't. One of these days she was going to end up doing a serious injury to someone in requisitions; the only issue with that idea was that it was going to be her staff who got hit with the fall out and ending up treating whoever it was.

She collected her PADD and headed for the briefing room. She added a few things to the 'To Do List' on the PADD
1. Read up on Counselor Allistar - physiology etc
2. Read up on Firelizards - ditto
3. Check whole crew manifest for any other unfamiliar races

The crew's health was her responsibility and she took that responsibility very seriously. It was going to occupy nearly every waking hour until she was familiar with the crew.

Lorna reached the briefing room noting that Captain Jackson and Commander Hope were the only occupants so far. She smiled and nodded to them both and settled in the seat opposite S'reena.

[Kaylana Cornette]

Kay had almost made it to the umbilical when an aide to Fleet Admiral Lin caught up with her.

“The Admiral would like to see you before you depart, ma’am.” To emphasize the urgency he added, “Follow me.”

The long walk gave her plenty of time to worry as she kept brisk pace with her escort. She knew Lin was probably still furious with her for her unorthodox speech at the memorial service.

In succession, she reached the Admiral’s office, was announced, and invited in. Kay was more aware of her surroundings than her last meeting here. She attributed her lack of remembrance to the fog of grief which clung to her so heavily last time she was here. It was almost as if she was seeing this office for the first time.

Lin indicated a seat in front of his desk and Cornette took it, sliding in sheepishly.

“I know you’re on your way to your ship, so I won’t keep you long,” Lin began brusquely. “I wanted you to be aware that I’ve informed Captain Jackson that under no circumstance are you to take any form of command. I’ve left it to her discretion as to who she thinks is on a need-to-know basis of your status.”

Lin sauntered around to the front of his desk and leaned his weight on its front edge, uncomfortably close to her personal space, Kay thought. She tried to nonchalantly shrink back in her chair.

“As you have probably ascertained by now, I wasn’t exactly pleased with the speech you gave at the service.” He folded his arms and stared her down. “And what’s worse is that you know your duty, and yet didn't follow protocol.” The Admiral sighed and looked away from her, a mixture of disdain and empathy played across his features. “I won’t go in to what you should have said, because you know as well as I do what was expected of you.” He unfolded his arms and rested his palms on the desk, leaning his face close to Kay’s. “What your speech did do was show me just how far away you are from handling command. You’re emotionally compromised… and understandably so. But, until you get your mind - and your heart - to accept this loss, I can’t in good conscience allow you opportunities where you might endanger yourself or others.”

He paused, wondering if she was hearing his intent. It was important to him that she understand this wasn’t punishment, but cautionary. Gently, he placed both his hands on her shoulders. “Kaylana Cornette, … I know it sounds cliché, but you have a choice now; you can either let this break you, or make you stronger.” He gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze before returning to the chair behind his desk. “I still have every confidence that you will emerge from this a better Captain. Dismissed.”

“Thank you, sir. I will try.” She met his eyes for the first time since arriving and gave him what she hoped looked like a confident smile.

She didn’t think it possible, but her heart broke a little more. She made her way back to the ship’s berth, too emotional to notice the Sovereign’s undeniable beauty as she hung before a black curtain studded with stars.

Once aboard, she found her quarters easy enough and sank down on her bed, wanting to cry, but willing herself not to. She picked up her only possession since leaving the Majesty, a new PaDD, and acknowledged Captain Jackson’s request for a briefing. Checking the time, she realized she had better head there now so as not to be late. Kay gave a quick look in the mirror, straightened her uniform and smoothed her hair. “That will have to do, for now,” she told her reflection.

Kay entered the briefing room, giving a short greeting to everyone who had arrived so far. Feeling like the ‘odd-man-out’, she took the seat furthest away from Jackson and wondered why she was there. She couldn’t help but surreptitiously study her new Captain and speculate about when, where, and to whom her shame of not being able to command even a simple away team would be made known.

[Deleted]

En Route to Space Dock…

Days had passed since the survivors of the USS Majesty had first set foot on their new starbase, and Xin-Ling was getting anxious to get back into space proper again. It was, to her way of thinking, the next best thing to being aboard a liner on the open seas.

Days ago she had arrived, exhausted, yet planning for departure again. Now she was rested, refreshed, and had restocked most, if not all, of the supplies she would need in the performance of her duties.

As she walked, her thoughts went to previous voyages aboard the Vericonium… aboard the Hepta… aboard the Majesty… Suddenly, shaking her out of her remembrances came a voice through her comm badge…

“Jackson to all senior staff, mission briefing will be in one hour. After which we have clearance to depart the station, I’ll want status reports on the progress of getting departments up and running then. Jackson out.”

She quickened her pace until she finally arrived at the USS Rainier.

It was smaller, and for some reason the word “cozier” popped into Xin-Ling’s mind, than the Majesty, Hanson, and Hepta.

Yes… she was going to enjoy this!

Aboard the New Vessel…

It did not take her long to locate her new quarters and her office.

Entering into her quarters, she paused briefly, just inside the entrance; though equipped with all furnishings one would need for the mission, it was sadly empty in her eyes. It needed the “Chinese Touch”. And where were the pictures she had left behind on the Majesty of her sifu, her hero?

Xin-Ling laid her supplies on the cot temporarily and left to her office, carrying with her only her “weapons of choice” – these, unfortunately, were not Starfleet standard issue; but the sight of the petite Asian Warrior with but one of her “chosen weapons” in hand was more intimidating than the business end of a phaser.

Darts, nunchuka… all her supplies she placed in storage in her office, then left to find her way to the briefing.

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

<Slight backpost here>

Turning at the sound of S’reena’s voice Stacey smiled and replied. “Yes the name is official now.” She walked closer to Hope and added. “How are Micheal and the kids settling in quite the lot of moving you have all had o do in the last two months.”

Stacey didn’t get to hear the reply as the ships comm. came to life and the voice of the Counsellor filled the room.

"Brandon Allistar to Captain Jackson, we have a patient here who is suffering from severe claustrophobia and needs to be released from duty on the ship to the Starbase before we leave?"

She was about to respond to that when a temporary officer at tactical said. “Captain phaser fire has been detected on deck four.. structural integrity of deck four section 27 has been compromised... it is also where Counsellor Allistar is calling from Ma’am.. Security has already arrived.”

Stacey sighed and said. “Thank you.. tell Engineering to get a team up there to fix the damage.” She turned to Commander Hope and said. “Commander you have the bridge.”

She walked into the turbolift and said. “Deck four.”

Finally she arrived in the room with Allistar and the security officers who were holding onto a visibly agitated young man. She looked at them and waved her hand causing them to let go and step back. She gave a slight warm smile as she said. “Ok son lets go.”

he put her hand on his back and walked with him toward the transporter room. “I’ll make sure you get an assignment planetside hmm.”

**Briefing**

She stood up now the senior staff had all arrived and gave a nod. “Well Starfleet has given us an assignment… But before I get to that there is a small matter that needs announcing, given Captain Cornetts assignment as Chief Diplomatic Officer she has been removed from the chain of command.. in the event of away teams and bridge duty Captain Cornett is not to be in Command.. We have decided that given her need to deal with Ambassadors and Diplomats it would be advantageous if she is seen as her own authority rather than just another officer in the chain.”

She sat down and rubbed her forehead slightly as she continued. “Starfleet has asked us to escort an Ambassador and his staff back to their homeplanet,, Ghelzak four.. they are a small colony that decided over a hundred years ago to secede from the Federation and establish their own sovereignty.”

She tapped the small console in front of her and the image of the planet came up on the screen behind her. “It’s a rather unimportant planet in an unimportant system… were pretty much being given an easy assignment to help break us in.”

She looked around the table and nodded. “I’d like all departments up and running at peak efficiency by the time we reach that planet… Kaylana, if you could see to the Ambassadors questions and needs be warned he is rather difficult to deal with… but his staff is rather pleasant.”

She stood up and added. “Commander Aarons return to the bridge and bring us out of dock and set course for Ghezlak four warp five.”

<Tag Aarons>

"Commander TEG, I'd like you to check on the repairs going on in deck four."

<Tag TEG>

She looked to Commander Chan and gave a slight smile. "Can you check over the weapons systems and shields.. the Starbase crew had some trouble aligning the tactical sensors with the weapons systems." She paused and shrugged her shoulders. "Just make sure if you target something we are gonna hit it."

<Tag Chan>

"Does anybody have any question or something they need to discuss?" She asked looking around the table.

<Tag All>

She looked around the room and said. “Dismissed… Kaylana wait a moment please.” She looked to Hope and said. “Commander if you would do the honour of commanding us out of dock please.. Oh and Doctor Holsen the Ambassador and his staff will be reporting to sickbay within the hour please give them the standard going over… Ensign Allistar you will need to make an appointment with the Doctor yourself she will need more information on your physical needs.”

<Tag, Hope, Allistar, Holsen>

She watched as the officers filled out of the room, all with their own list of things to do and trained well enough to do them without her breathing down their necks. She was finally alone with Cornette and she sat back down. “Captain, I received word from Admiral Lin.. your command authority has been revoked pending re-evaluation I apologise for the earlier announcement but I was told to make it known to the senior staff your not to be in command.”

She sighed. “The Ambassador and his staff are in the VIP quarters.” She stood up and walked out of the room.

[Deleted]

*** Briefing Response ***
"Yes Captain, will do post haste."
*** End Briefing Response ***

After the briefing, TEG took the turbolift to Deck 4 section 21-B, which was under repair. Apparently, during transit to the Starbase, an EPS conduit had ruptured, which had rendered sections 21B to 23G uninhabitable. TEG saw the melted duranium that hung on the walls, which were only lit with emergency beacons. TEG saw a couple of Lieutenants discussing the proper strategy for replacing bulkheads and getting the sections back to spec. TEG listened for a few moments before clearing his throat to get the engineer's attention.

The both visibly jumped, turned around, and spoke "Sir!".

"What the status of the repairs?"

The shorter of the two responded, "We have the new conduit in place, but we haven't started replacing bulkheads."

"Good. What used to be in the cabins here?"

The taller one responded, "They were going to be crew quarters on the exterior side of the corridor, and various labs on the interior side."

"Check with the departments responsible for each lab space and see if they would like anything special installed in the labs as they are rebuilt, just to save time. As for the quarters, start on them, as it may take some time for a wishlist from the department heads. But first, rebuild the cooridors, so the crew doesn't have to keep using turbolifts to traverse the circumference of this deck."

"Aye Sir", They both responded in unison.

"The materials for repair are in Cargo Bay 3, and I'll assign whatever personnel you need to complete the repairs. If you need more people, or have any questions, I'll be in Main Engineering this shift."

The both awknowledged his requests, and TEG left them to it. He then took the closest turbolift to Engineering, to check on the status there.

[Paikea Apirana]

The greatest advantage of being a science officer was the fact that for the most part there was nothing for him to do during an official mission like this one. The Ambassador and his staff were all being taken care of and unless there was some rare spacial anomaly there would be no reason to bother Paikea or his science department. As the meeting came to a close, Pai quickly made his way out and towards the turbo lift. He had promised the astrometrics department that he would help them for a few hours.

"Commander, we thought you had forgotten about us," the civilian doctor leading the research said as Paikea walked into the lab. The lab was the most impressive one he had ever seen and he couldn't wait to put it to use.

"That would never happen, I have wanted to study this type of pulsar since I heard about it four months ago," Paikea said as he took a secondary console to the right of the team," I assume we still don't understand how it continues to grow and then shrink?"

"That is correct, Starfleet has sent a few science vessels to investigate but it is dangerous due to its nature," the Denobulan doctor said," we are receiving updated scans every six hours. These were taken during the night."

Paikea looked at the scans and began to work. While this was not his favorite field of study, he understood that it was important to get this mysterious pulsar figured out. While there had never been a reported case, it would be beneficial to know what to do.

~I wonder if any of the senior staff are having this much fun already~ Paikea thought as he immersed himself into his work.

[Michael Aarons]

Sept 25, 2010 12:05:33 GMT SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret] said:

<Tag Aarons>

What? Like you could quote her better.

"Aye Captain." Michael left the brief upon dismissal. Although he had been given his orders, it was another matter that weighed on his mind.

The bridge was the same minus some details. But it didn't affect his view of the ship as a whole. She had the weight of a loaded gun and, assuming TEG was qualified at his job, the moment he pressed the button the ship would light off in an eager thunder. It was an unusual profession being a pilot. Sit down and make a whole ship move although the astounding part would be to actually feel action; be aware of the thrust. Someone once said to him "Pilots are the real ones in control. That's why they sit up front... so the captain jump them if they try to take over."

"Ghezlak IV, Warp 5," he muttered. With no one aboard who could really appreciate the moment, the unique occasion arose for him to contact dock control. The ship was cleared. Aarons paused ever so slightly to engage the impulse engines. He did so and this brand new ship heaved its first breath. She was a powerful ship and she could go from naught to 6 in CLICK and the brake horse power of God's backhand. Stacey, having been a counselor, probably got all her command training from the user's manual 'warp 5' on a first flight indeed. Warp 5.3, there was a better speed. At least TEG could spot any bugs while the engines fought to maintain an irregular cruising speed. He plotted the course and then the ship bolted off.

Michael managed to excuse himself from the bridge. His quarters were... different... not exactly a disapproving design. Cozy but underwhelming. (This next part only the Majesty survivors will get.)

Meanwhile in a strange diner, a strange scientist sat with a strange old man and his doctor... who was very strange.

"So how does time go by?" he asked.

"Well there is no real time. Before you know it any number of things have occurred," replied the strange old man.

"So can I take the old girl out for a spin?" he glomped through the malt he had been suddenly given.

"Well you can but it won't really make a difference. Any attempt you try to make will only move the space around it instead. It'd be like sitting in a chair and spinning."

"That's all I needed to hear!" as he bolted out the door. Aboard the lost ship it was like an empty playground. He stared at the empty flight chair but for some reason it felt wrong to tamper with another man's place. If only he knew how to make it up to him. Suddenly a flash of genius swept over his goofy mind.

Aarons walked out of his bedchamber as he acquainted himself with his new surroundings when there was now a new pile not present before.

"My stuff!!!" "Hmm."

~Meanwhile~

Kay was worn and a little nervous. Sure she was friendly, yes she had commanded a starship, and no doubt had she been around obnoxious important people but that wouldn't necessarily qualify her as a diplomat. There was a chirp at her door.

She half expected it to be Capt. Jackson wanting to talk some more about what everyone expects of her or read her mind about what she was feeling right now. The door opened and instead she found Aarons standing there with a bottle of some sort. He walked right in handing her the bottle; obviously meant for her.

"Artarian Snow Wine?" she said reading the label.

"How long has it been?" he asked.

"Since I last had this?" she said puzzled.

"No, since you were able to feel... normal." She didn't quite understand. "Like you weren't in trouble for something." Kay sat and mused on that. Remarkably it had felt like that. It would have been less painful if she had just been demoted and given a desk job.

"It's not been that bad," she lied.

"There's the diplomat inside you. Oh come on Kay... Ew I don't like saying that anymore. I guess I could always go back to calling you 'Corny...'"

"You remember what happened the last time you called me that!!!" Indeed he remembered all too well. The whole thing was legendary. It was something so unspeakable that I shall not speak of it anymore.

"Alright, Captain... oh that's better... I know what it's like to feel that way. I had to sit with my back to you for how long? I remember when you used to bring in reams of paper and then doll it out around the bridge."

"What's your point?"

"How is it that a criminally negligent little devil like me gets rewarded with all this expensive equipment to destroy and yet a diligent and obedient officer like you gets treated like public enemy number one?" Kay was silent on this although Michael could see it in her face.

"So did you just come over to have some poignant conversation with me about how corrupt Starfleet is?" Michael perked up.

"Actually I came across someone who might be able to help cheer you up. Maybe you two can catch up." Kay became worried.

"You didn't..." The door opened and there stood a disfigured grin.

"Hi Captain! What's up?"

"Oh sh-"

[Deleted]

At the Briefing…

Had anyone bothered, for whatever reason, to look in her direction, he would have seen no outward response upon Xin-Ling to what the captain said as she relayed to her crew the particulars of the upcoming mission. Besides the natural tendency she had to mask her responses, her father, Chor Hing Chan, had taught her the value of keeping her feelings from her opponent during combat or sparing, and this had spilled over into her personal life, so that, for the most part, it usually took a very strong impetus to cause her to reveal her emotions.

She listened… she silently agreed. It did indeed sound like a soft assignment, unless there was trouble from hostile parties, either aboard the Rainier or from a ship they might have to square off against en route.

[The captain] looked to Commander Chan and gave a slight smile. "Can you check over the weapons systems and shields.. the Starbase crew had some trouble aligning the tactical sensors with the weapons systems." She paused and shrugged her shoulders. "Just make sure if you target something we are gonna hit it."

The Asian Warrior, giving an affirmative nod to her commanding officer, found this comment amusing. The thought of TJ Edward’s anecdote of his one experience in hunting came to mind.

TJ had shared with her how, in the crisp morning air of Ireland many years ago, he had gone hunting for rabbit in the fields. At first, none was to be found, then, suddenly, there was the quarry, not further than six feet in front of him!

The little creature was standing facing TJ as the young man slowly raised his weapon to fire. This night, TJ had thought, there will be meat on the table!

The rabbit had other ideas.

TJ’s finger slowly applied pressure to the trigger, but nothing happened: no bang!, no recoil – nothing! As he hurriedly sought to fix the problem, the rabbit tilted his head, as if to taunt the Irishman…

“What? You can’t even hit me when you’re standing this close??”

The rabbit sat there as TJ worked to unjam his rifle, and the one time the Irishman did look up at his intended target, he could have sworn the little creature was chuckling, adding insult to injury.

Ah! The rifle, now being unjammed, was raised towards where the rabbit had stood…

By this time, however, the little creature had again vanished into the bushes.

With this picture in her mind, and relating it to the weapons systems of the Rainier, Xin-Ling added to her nod, “It will be done, Captain.”

Silently, a slight smile curling on her lips, she added, “I make sure any rabbit we aim for is hit!”

[Kaylana Cornette]

OOC: I’ll back post a bit.

Kaylana felt the now-familiar feeling of being kicked in the gut as the Captain announced her removal from the chain of command. Thankfully, she had prepared herself enough that her face registered no emotion as Jackson explained. She was pleasantly surprised at Jackson’s decorum. She had managed to salvage Kay’s last vestiges of pride. Even so, she once again experienced the feeling of being stripped of command, only this time, she was on public display.

Jackson quickly left. Cornette found herself alone. She gave a weary sigh, laced with despondency and anxiousness as she slowly rose from her chair. She rolled her neck trying to work out some of the tension then picked up her PaDD. Carefully, she perused the data on the Ghelzak ambassador. She was about to tread into unknown waters. She comforted herself with the fact that she was only a high-ranking escort on this assignment. Admiral Lin had extolled her virtues as a potential diplomat, but Kay wasn’t convinced. Additionally, she had to wonder why Lin put her aboard a ship that had an ex-counselor for a captain. To Kay, Jackson appeared to be the last captain that needed a diplomat. If Jackson were a Klingon commanding a starship; she could see where a counselor would be useful – perhaps even a necessity.

Kay shook her head to clear it and concentrated on the words on her PaDD. The Ambassador’s file contained a picture. Kay was curious since she had never seen a Ghelzakian before. She thumbed the picture file to life. The first attribute she noted was his head covering. Kay was unsure if it was his ‘hair’ or a hat of some type for it had the appearance of an orderly pile of green and brown leaves. The other oddity of note was a small ridge that ran just above his eyebrows. The ridge was reminiscent of what Kay had seen on many other species, but this ridge glowed with a greenish luminescence. Reading the file, she discovered that this ridge glowed when the Ghelzakian race was experiencing any extreme emotion. His height was listed as tall – very tall in relation to Kay who was average for a human female. The Lord Prefect would tower over her by a good ¼ of a meter. (6’, 8”) Kay also memorized his name and the names of his staff. The file listed the Ambassador’s name as Cul-Vulzo Oxill, but stated he insisted on being addressed as Lord Prefect.

---

A loud din was emanating from the Ambassador’s quarters as Cornette approached. She noticed a look of relief on the face of the security guard outside the door, as if he were glad someone else was going to be responsible for what was taking place inside. Kay tried not to let his demeanor influence her first impression and dutifully rang the door chime. After her fifth attempt, she activated her security override on the door and it opened revealing the spectacle within.

The occupants couldn’t have heard the chime over the booming voice of the Prefect, who sat sprawled uncomfortably across two chairs. His incessant orders had his staff scurrying. Even Kay’s arrival, which some of them took note of, was ignored as the Ambassador’s shouting took precedence. Kay tried several times – unsuccessfully - to announce her presence. Finally, she took several steps into the room and stood directly in his line of vision. The Prefect jolted a bit at the sudden notice of her. “Who are you?” he demanded, his scowl highlighted by greenish glowing brows.

“Lord Prefect, excuse my interruption. I am Captain… I mean, I am Ambassador Kaylana Cornette. I am here to assure your journey back to Ghelzak is as pleasant as possible.”

“Good!” he bellowed. “You can start by getting me a proper chair to sit upon.”

---

After pleading with ship’s stores to replicate a large chair, Kay had it delivered to the Ambassador’s quarters only to have him refuse it for being too hard. She again pleaded with the quartermaster, and again a new chair was delivered, and again it was refused – this time for being too soft. “Just my luck to get Goldilocks on my first ambassadorial job,” Kay muttered as she again begged for a third chair. This time, she went with the men who delivered it.

“This one is not right either,” he snorted.

“What is needed to make it more comfortable, Lord Prefect?” Kay asked with sugary sweetness.

The Ambassador’s nose lifted in the air. “I am not certain. I want a new one.”

Reaching her limit, Kay shot back quickly, “I suggest you try to make the best of it. The ship’s stores are closed and won’t reopen until 0600.” It was obvious he would never be happy – unless he was making demands. Just before she turned to leave, she noticed a slight smile flutter across his lips.

---

<From Michael's post>Michael perked up. "Actually I came across someone who might be able to help cheer you up. Maybe you two can catch up."

Kay became worried. "You didn't..." The door opened and there stood a disfigured grin.

"Hi Captain! What's up?"

"Oh sh-"

Kay shook her head and squinted hard at the apparition before her.

“Death?” she questioned. She rubbed her eyes hard and looked at Michael. “How much Snow wine have I had?”

He shrugged at her, launching the last swallow from his glass into his mouth, smiling as its warmth oozed down his throat.

Kay, frightened of the ramifications of inviting Death into her quarters, let her visitor linger in the corridor. She didn’t share Bill Kruse’s, or Aarons', flippant attitude toward Death. Kay never trusted him. He was a sneaky, evil-hearted thing that skulked over her shoulder, constantly taunting her.

“Aren’t you going to do the diplomatic thing and invite me in?” Death questioned, his voice a siren’s song.

---

The pool of drool turned cold enough to revive Kay from her stupor. She raised her head and found herself on the floor, a half-full glass of wine perfectly upright in her ‘new’ hand. She wiped away the strand of drool that was making a silver thread between her mouth and the floor and slowly pulled herself up.

Finding the bottle of wine on a nearby table, she examined it and found it empty. “That’s a relief,” she slurred aloud, knowing now that Death's visit was only a figment.

Her drunken dream had left her bereft of answers and the haunting figure of Death, which she interpreted as the embodiment of all the crewmen she left behind, beckoned her to seek out some other form of comfort.

Changing out of her uniform, she replicated a dress that was inappropriate for walking ship hallways, then replicated another bottle of Artarian Snow Wine, and headed for Aarons’ quarters.

[Michael Aarons]

Michael strolled all around his quarters replacing all his newly reacquired stuff. Having taken his third go around the place putting everything where it would be just right he was interrupted by the door chime. He moved over to the door rather perplexed that anyone would come to his door. The door opened and he wasn't quite sure at first what he saw.

"Alright, where's that fancy golden wisdom crap you're always spouting lately?" Kay said almost irate. He looked her over and motioned her in through the door. Her eyes started to survey the room an almost clear indicator that she was not quite herself.

"Was there something you needed?" He was amazed how comfortable it was to hold his hands behind him.

"Yeah, you always seem to know just what to say I want you to tell me what I need to stop feeling so miserable," she pouted. This was honestly the weirdest thing he'd ever witnessed; and he'd attended Death's family reunion. He offered her a seat on the couch which she accepted rather close to him.

"Well, in what way are you feeling miserable?" She brushed his hair back commented that he should wear it like that before resting an arm on his shoulder.

"It's like you said. I'm tired of feeling like I've done something wrong. Why is Starfleet being so mean to me?" Having lived through the experience of the Majesty being enslaved and being subjugated by a woman who particularly enjoyed invoking emotions out of him in whatever sadistic way she chose, he questioned whether he could ever be comfortable around a woman again. In the last few days, however, he had felt no such feelings with Kay; was it the similar experiences she had suffered or was it simply the comfort zone that surrounded her?

"Starfleet like any organization is filled with children-" she giggled, "-they're quick to make judgments but very slow to seek a proper assessment."

Lightyears away on Starbase Assailant, Admiral Lin suddenly looked up disturbed by something. He wasn't quite sure, but a single thought consumed him. He opened a channel to Admiral Elron.

"Aarons?" he asked.

"Aarons," he responded. They contacted others like Mc7-of-9 and Section Admiral Drew. Each was sure... it was an Alpha Snark Sanction; for which they planned to take the appropriate steps.

"...Maybe if you just talk to them, tell them that you did everything they told you to do and that you won't tolerate their attitude." Kay kept looking around at all his stuff yet still managed to give him her attention; maybe it was simply the sound of his voice she sought. She sat there half thinking about what he said, half off on some random thought.

"That ambassador Clu-Vozlu Oxill is just so ugh... No wait... Cul-Vulzo Ox-oxill... I bet he wouldn't be so mean if he didn't have such big butt. I brought him all kinds of chairs. Big chairs, little chairs, everywhere a chair chair. He didn't like 'em. But his glowed up."

"D'ya try offering him a love seat?" Her eyes widened as if a revelation had been reached.

"That's brilliant." Michael noticed she was still holding the other bottle of Snow Wine.

"How much of that have you had?" She held it up and looked at it.

"I haven't opened it yet." She paused for a moment. "It was your birthday recently." She handed him the bottle gave him a peck on the cheek for good measure. "Cheers."

The next morning, having dragged her to his bed after she had passed out last night, he poked his head in to check on her. She was still asleep and he pulled the covers up over her. Last night was terribly awkward although he could probably imagine it would be worse for her.

"How is it that I find myself taking care of you after all the times you took care of me?" He patted her shoulder and left for work. Hours later, when she came to, she couldn't quite understand how she had wound up there. She found a pressed uniform laying beside her head. Surely he hadn't gone into my quarters she thought.

[Kaylana Cornette]

“My tongue feels… furry,” she thought through still closed eyes. “Aaaagghhh, and my head! I must be dying.” Kay managed to pry open one, tightly squinted eye. Cautiously, she moved it to focus on an object hanging on the wall. Her efforts were rewarded with more throbbing pain. “I don’t remember decorating my quarters.”

She sluggishly positioned her elbows under her body and hoisted her head and shoulders from the bed. “Whose bed is this?” She glanced around the room. Her gaze came to rest on a black bag… the one Aarons’ had carried from the Majesty. The realization crept in and her mind swirled, working to put the bits and pieces of the night before in logical order. There were only flashes of memory, not enough to ease her fears of what she may have done.

Her head screamed at her to lie still, but she forced her body up and swung her feet to the floor. It was then she looked down and realized her attire. Kay audibly gasped. To think she had walked here… from her cabin to Michael’s… in this dress. And, if anyone had seen her… the thought was too horrific. She hoped, at the very least, no one who knew her saw her.

Near the headboard she saw a neatly pressed uniform. Picking it up, she found it was one of hers. She strained to understand when and how it got there. “Surely he didn’t go into my quarters,” she thought. “But, then, …I seem to remember him coming by my quarters and bringing…” Ugh. The mere thoughts of Artarian Snow Wine made her want to hurl.

Dressing herself had never been such an ordeal. What usually took seconds, took minutes as Kay struggled to find the arm holes and got lost, twice, in trying to find the opening for her head. Disheveled, and her head still pounding, she made her way to sickbay.

Wincing at the loud noise the opening door made, Kay entered sickbay and said softly, “Doctor, do you have anything for a severe headache?” Cornette propped herself against an empty bio-bed to keep from losing her balance.

<tag Lorna>

[Deleted]

Cyle had managed to arrive to the briefing well before most of the other officers and took a seat as far away from where the others would sit. He sat through the brief quietly and didn't offer any questions when asked, once everyone stood to exit, he followed suit and headed straight to his office. Once inside and seated at his desk, he pushed aside a phase rifle and grabbed a stack of PADDs which contained the roster of his crew. Looking over the roster, he put various members into 3 groups, each had experienced officer and rookies. He then sent a message to all the marines informing them of a meeting for the following day.

Taking an hour off from his work schedule Cyle found himself in the holo deck having a quick sparring match with a MMA fighter. After a couple of five minute rounds he called a timeout and sat in the corner of the ring. Deciding to return to his office, he found another PADD on his desk informing of his need of a physical. With a sigh he got up and made his way to sickbay. When approached by a nurse, Cyle held up the PADD and was led to a table. "Please wait here"

Tag Lorna.

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

Stacey rolled over restlessly trying to get comfortable, all night she had been tossing and turning and only sleeping for an hour at a time before waking up. Finally she drifted back off to sleep only to be awakened by the comm. channel. “Captain incoming hail from Starfleet.”

Stacey sighed heavily as she sat up in bed, she took a few deep breaths before replying. “Send it through here.”

She slowly dragged herself off the bed and slipped on her night gown as she walked over into the section of her quarters that had a desk. She silently cursed at the fact that since her quarters were now bigger she had further to walk.

Sitting down she ran her hand over her hair in a futile attempt to make it neater, she pressed the console and accepted the hail. Moments later the screen showed a woman in her seventies and the rank of Rear Admiral, Stacey raised her eyebrow and said. “Admiral it’s four thirty in the morning could this not have waited?” the fact it wasn’t a priority message already told her it was no emergency.

“Captain, this is a warning as per regulations you are due one before an inspection by a flag officer.. it will be sometime in the next month.. make sure your house is in order!”

The comm. channel closed before Jackson could get off a reply.. she merely sighed heavily as she shook her head slowly.

She hadn’t been able to get back to sleep after the interruption which meant she had the chance to read up on some minor reports she had been putting aside but also meant her mood was less than stellar.

She eventually dressed and ventured out of her quarters, she decided to make her way to sickbay before going to the bridge.. she had found once she stepped foot on the bridge all track of time went out the window, between reports and things that needed her attention there wasn’t much time to do the things that she had wanted too.

Walking into sickbay Stacey noticed Johnson waiting to be seen, she gave him a small smile and a nod as she looked over to Lorna who was speaking to a less than well looking Cornette.

Concern crossed her face as she walked closer, gazing at Cornette Jackson face went from concern to annoyance and disappointment. Looking to Lorna she said. “Doctor attend to Major Johnson first I need to speak to Cornette.”

<Tag Lorna/ Cyle>

Looking to Kay, Jackson glared for a moment before saying. “Not encouraging.” She paused a moment before adding “Captain.” With a slight tinge of annoyance.

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Find the peace you seek at the bottom of that bottle did you?” She held up a hand indicating it was a rhetorical question.

She sighed slightly as she added. “I don’t agree with Starfleets particular decision when it came to you.. we both know you got unfairly shafted, but if you think not trying your best and getting drunk is going to punish them your wrong.. they expect it.. and you know that.”

Stacey took another deep breath as she added. “I’m on your side and I’ll give you as much help as I can… but you need to take the first steps.”

She nodded slightly as she continued. “Get the treatment for the hangover and then see the Counsellor.” She turned and was about to walk away when she turned her head and said. “Yes Captain, that was an order.”

<Tag Cornette>

Stacey eventually made it to the bridge stepping toward Commander Hope who stood up out of the Command chair Stacey said. “I need to speak to you for a moment Commander.” Stacey motioned for her ready room and led the way.

She sat behind her desk and gave a sigh as she looked up at S’reena. “Starfleet is paying extra attention to us.. I didn’t come from the usual command track.. you have more than a few reprimands attached to your name.. and Cornette and the other Majesty officers… well they seem to be waiting for the crash and burn.”

She ran hr hand through her hair before adding. “An inspection has been booked for sometime soon.. so we need to get ourselves up and running much faster than most.. We will get it done.”

Standing up and walking over to the replicator Stacey ordered tea before turning and saying. “I can sense that your worried about Yarna.. have you considered speaking to the Counsellor .. It might help just to talk to someone about it.”
<Tag Hope>

[Deleted]

As ordered, S'reena had the ship move out of the dock and into open space, a smile playing around her lips as she did so. For a moment, her concerns were forgotten as she was focused on her duties.

However as soon as the ship was out of dock, she asked to be dismissed and returned to her quarters to be with her children as officially she wasn't yet on duty and really should help her family get settled.

A full day later and no less worried about her missing daughter, S'reena returned to the bridge. She was freshly groomed and though she looked tired, she wasn't any less sluggish or slow. She appeared quite alert as she took her seat and listened to Captain Jackson issue orders to the senior staff. When the captain finally sat down and spoke those dreaded words, S'reena wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brows. "Drat," she responded, "just what we need. However I'm sure we'll prove our worth. We are not without experienced crew."

Her frown deepened when Jackson suggested she go see a counselor, but she nodded in agreement. Her ire towards counselors was well known, and no doubt the counselor himself was already looking forward to having an awkward and moody XO in his office.

"Hope to Allistar. I require a meeting with you, as soon as possible. Preferably, immediately."

[Michael Aarons]

It was an uncomfortable feeling sitting there at his station. Michael had had a most unusual night. Not only did he have a woman in his bed (which he had yet to sleep on) but he had to fit onto a rather unaccommodating couch for the night.

Between fidgeting he noticed Cmdr. Hope disappear into the ready room with Capt. Jackson. They were nowhere near Ghezlak IV and so it wouldn't be a problem if he weren't there. His father had tried to teach him once "if you can't sit still, get up and work." which made Michael try to defy him by becoming a pilot; who has to sit still to work.

“An inspection has been booked for sometime soon.. so we need to get ourselves up and running much faster than most.. We will get it done.”

Standing up and walking over to the replicator Stacey ordered tea before turning and saying. “I can sense that your worried about Yarna.. have you considered speaking to the Counselor .. It might help just to talk to someone about it.”

Her frown deepened when Jackson suggested she go see a counselor, but she nodded in agreement. Her ire toward counselors was well known, and no doubt the counselor himself was already looking forward to having an awkward and moody XO in his office.

"Hope to Allistar. I require a meeting with you, as soon as possible. Preferably, immediately."

Xin-Ling came to Stacey's ready-room with a bit of concern. Although there were no alarms raised, there was still a matter of internal security. She reported that tampering in the shuttlebay had been reported.

Stacey sighed heavily and resisted the urge to roll her eyes, “Well Commander lets go check it out.” They exited the ready-room and were joined by Cmdr. Hope. Kaylana would meet them on the way.

In the shuttlebay, the ladies gathered and found two of Chan's people were holding onto a male officer trying to talk his way out of things. Stacey’s eyes rolled as she shook her head. “Mister Aarons what are you doing?” she asked sounding less than amused.

"Hi captain!" chimed Aarons. Stacey looked to the security officers.

"Someone from Engineering reported seeing someone in a command uniform using tools on one of the shuttles. When we got here we found him tinkering with this shuttle." Michael snatched himself out of their grip and looked at the captain.

"I was attempting to modify one of the shuttles. My goal was to make her faster and more agile than all the other shuttlecraft on board." He was indicating a Type 9 shuttle.

Looking to the shuttle Stacey raised and eyebrow and said “Vachir?”.

"It's Chinese, it means 'thunderbolt'."

"But that term is usually only seen in archery. Isn't it a bit ironic that someone who was shot by an arrow would associate with something using an archery name?"

"Thank you Palmer," sneered Aarons. "Anyway, the idea would be that the energy output by the engines would be channeled back around recycling power and increasing the thrust. Although this would only be noticeable inside an atmosphere, say a planet, theoretically I could even get her up to Warp 5. If all goes well I could even try to implement the new changes into the Veyron." The U.S.S. Veyron N.C.C. - 75075, the ship's on board runabout and equipped with a rollbar.

“It’s Lieutenant Palmer.” She snapped patience running less than thin, she sighed as she looked to the security officers. “Mister Aarons I have no objection to the attempt to make things better in fact I applaud your efforts.” She crossed her arms and glared slightly. “What I don’t appreciate is you disregarding proper procedure… I don’t care how things were run on your last posting but on this ship you clear all projects with Commander Hope or myself.. You will follow the same rules and regulations as everybody else.”

She pointed to the shuttle and added. “Make sure that shuttle is ready for use and then get back to the duties you have actually been assigned.. lest I find someone else to do them Commander.” Had she not had the threat of Admiral Cain popping up at any moment Stacey may have been more lenient but that wasn’t the case.

Stacey looked to Cornette and said softly. “Not encouraging at all.” She turned and left.

OFF: I should point out that Aarons modified the shuttles name to become Vachir hence Stacey's reaction. Type 9's are usually named after scientists. <Edited by Jackson for desired responses/ Ships NCC number>

[Kaylana Cornette]

Looking to Kay, Jackson glared for a moment before saying. “Not encouraging.” She paused a moment before adding “Captain,” with a slight tinge of annoyance.

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Find the peace you seek at the bottom of that bottle did you?” She held up a hand indicating it was a rhetorical question.

She sighed slightly as she added. “I don’t agree with Starfleet’s particular decision when it came to you.. we both know you got unfairly shafted, but if you think not trying your best and getting drunk is going to punish them your wrong.. they expect it.. and you know that.”

Stacey took another deep breath as she added. “I’m on your side and I’ll give you as much help as I can… but you need to take the first steps.”

She nodded slightly as she continued. “Get the treatment for the hangover and then see the Counselor.” She turned and was about to walk away when she turned her head and said. “Yes Captain, that was an order.”

Kay thought of a thousand protestations in an instant and she wanted to tell Jackson them all. She kept silent, however, knowing that she deserved the dressing down and that even one word would sound like an excuse. She cursed inwardly and wondered why her luck was so bad. Both times, the only two times in her life she was overly intoxicated, she had been caught and reprimanded by a superior.

The last thing Kay wanted to do was talk about her feelings with a counselor. The order from Jackson to do just that stung worst of all. Her mind screamed to dispute her order and try to talk Jackson out of it. She wanted to explain she had sought out someone to talk with, but wisely thought better of it. It wouldn’t do to bring Michael into this at the outside chance he would be blamed for her drunken night. Instead of complaining, she heard her raspy voice simply say, “Yes, ma’am.” Kay knew her Captain was doing exactly as she would have done. She could find no fault in her order, but the embarrassment about her conduct was crushing her – and the unknown of what exactly happened last night was plaguing her every thought.

Mercifully, the Captain left and Holsen worked her magic with a hypospray wand.

<Lorna>

“I know, Doctor. I will remember my limitations from now on and try not to need your services for a … malady such as this.” Kay slid off the table. “Thanks, I’m feeling much better.”

Released from the public eye, Kay made her way briskly to her quarters. There, she took time to clean up. As she put on another clean uniform, her mind wandered again to how Aarons managed to have one of her custom tailored uniforms waiting for her this morning. She smiled vaguely and murmured, “Resourceful little bugger.” She couldn’t help but marvel at his chivalrous gesture. She hoped his chivalry was firmly intact last night as well.

With that in mind, she moved pointedly to her desk.

=^= “Computer, locate Commander Michael Aarons.”

“Commander Aarons is in the shuttlebay.”=^=

Kay sprinted out the door.

She met up with the Captain and the XO on the way there. “Something awry?” Kay asked them.

“A report of a man tampering with a shuttle - we’re on our way to investigate.”

Kay was certain it was him but didn’t say a word.

In the shuttlebay, the ladies gathered and found two of Chan's people were holding onto a male officer trying to talk his way out of things. Again Stacey inserted that she was not surprised.

"Hi captain!" chimed Aarons. Stacey looked to the security officers.

"Someone from Engineering reported seeing someone in a command uniform using tools on one of the shuttles. When we got here we found him tinkering with this shuttle." Michael snatched himself out of their grip and looked at the captain.

"I was attempting to modify one of the shuttles. My goal was to make her faster and more agile than all the other shuttlecraft on board." He was indicating a Type 9 shuttle.

Stacey inserted her curiosity at the name Vachir.

"It's Chinese, it means 'thunderbolt'."

"But that term is usually only seen in archery. Isn't it a bit ironic that someone who was shot by an arrow would associate with something using an archery name?"

"Thank you Palmer," sneered Aarons. "Anyway, the idea would be that the energy output by the engines would be channeled back around recycling power and increasing the thrust. Although this would only be noticeable inside an atmosphere, say a planet, theoretically I could even get her up to Warp 5. If all goes well I could even try to implement the new changes into the Veyron." The U.S.S. Veyron N.C.C. - 75739, the ship's on board runabout and equipped with a rollbar.

<all respond>

The gathering dispersed leaving Kay alone with Michael. Kay wanted to protect him like she always had; to spoil him and allow him his pet projects, but this was a new day, a new ship and a new commander. The protocol was strict here... much more strict than she and Aarons were accustom and she knew they needed to fall in line quickly. She wanted warn him, to chide him softly and coddle him. But, her need to find out the exact details of last night overshadowed everything else. She cut right to the point.

“Commander, we need to talk,” resorting to her command tone. Truth be known, she didn’t know how else to breach the topic. Before he could answer, Kay’s comm badge chirruped. She slapped it, annoyed. “Cornette here.”

=^= “Captain Cornette, you presence is requested in the ambassadorial quarters,” the unfamiliar voice prattled.

“On my way, Cornette out.”=^=

She looked at Aarons, searching for a quick answer to her burning question on his Cheshire Cat face. She tried to remain stern, but ended up grinning back at him. Through a half-laugh, she said, “When I get back, we need to talk.”

<Aarons>


The Ambassador’s quarters were just as bustling and loud as they had been on her previous visit. A new security officer was posted outside the door with the same ‘help me’ expression on his face. Kay smiled at him knowingly and sounded the door chime.

“Enter now,” came the low and loud baritone response. Upon Kay’s entrance he demanded, “Where have you been? I have needed you for over 23 minutes.” His tone escalated. “Are you the one I am supposed to call on or is there someone else?”

“My sincerest apologies, Lord Prefect. Yes, I am here to tend to your every need,” she said with a minute trace of weariness. “What is your request?”

“This food dispenser,” he yelled, pointing at the wall replicator, “it is malfunctioning.”

Kay dutifully moved to check it over. “It seems to be in proper working order.”

“It is not!” he said with an inflection commonly found in a child’s argument. “I want my roasted naggart hot, not tepid!”

“You can set personal specifications…“ Kay began to explain.

“Show him!” the Prefect shouted and roughly tossed a member of his staff in Kay’s direction. “I never prepare food!” he snorted derisively.

Kay attributed the patience she exhibited the next two hours to the residual effects of Holsen’s magic potion. She calmly explained the programming process to someone who obviously had no experience with replicators while listening to the Ambassador’s relentless ranting.

“Funny,” she thought, “This should be the day that drives me to empty a bottle of Snow Wine.”

[Michael Aarons]

The gathering dispersed leaving Kay alone with Michael. She cut right to the point.

“Commander, we need to talk,” resorting to her command tone. She probably wanted to talk about getting her drunk. Truth be known, she didn’t know how else to breach the topic. Before he could answer, Kay’s comm badge chirruped. She slapped it, annoyed. “Cornette here.”

=^= “Captain Cornette, your presence is requested in the ambassadorial quarters,” the unfamiliar voice prattled.

“On my way, Cornette out.”=^=

She looked at Aarons, searching for a quick answer to her burning question on his Cheshire Cat face. She tried to remain stern, but ended up grinning back at him. Through a half-laugh, she said, “When I get back, we need to talk.” Aarons was afraid to answer. She walked off with a demeanor that she didn't want to do whatever it was she was about to do. Aarons decided to get his project underway.

Tinkering along on the shuttle he was disturbed by the sound of another such person interested in his actions with the shuttle.

"What possessed you to think that you could start changing a shuttlecraft or doing anything to any system on this ship without first talking to ME!?" boomed TEG. Here we go. thought Michael.

"Well I just thought maybe it would be nice to have a real proper shuttle that could actually perform with some real power." TEG just rolled his eyes.

"So I'm supposed to believe you have some amazing new engine design?"

"No, I just took others work and put them together into something I believe will work."

"And you think that you've solved the problem others haven't?" Michael handed him a PADD.

"Hmm." "Well what qualifications do these people have?" Michael pressed a button on the PADD. "Oh. Well what about..." Michael pressed another button. "..."

"Okay, you can keep asking questions and I can keep pressing buttons or you can just get over it." TEG stood there in silence.

"Alright, what do you need me to do?"

[Kaylana Cornette]

Back in her quarters, Kay flopped face down on her bed and groaned in exasperation. She lay there contemplating how a diplomacy job, which she thought would be easy, had become so draining. She wasn’t an official escorting an Ambassador; she was a slave to a tyrant’s every frivolous whim.

In spite of her exhaustion, it wasn’t long before she was again worrying over last night. She had to talk to Aarons. The not knowing was eating her alive.

As she rose to try once more to contact him, the comm. system in her quarters screeched at her for attention. =^= “Captain Cornette, please report to the ambassadorial quarters.”=^=

“Again!?”

“Say again, Captain?”

“I said I’m on my way.”=^=

She trod the beaten path to the Prefect’s door. She arrived there to see a mass of security people. The door was open and a large cloud of smoke billowed out of the Ambassador’s quarters. Fire suppression systems had activated but the evacuation of the occupants was taking longer than it should. Not surprisingly, the Ambassador was protesting his forced removal. Kay found Xin-Ling Chan and pulled her aside.

“What’s going on in there?” Kay reluctantly asked her former CSTO, afraid to know the answer.

“Staff of Ambassador tried cooking with fire.”

Kay scoffed, shook her head and blew a long sigh. “Would you believe a spent the better part of my day teaching them how to use the replicator?”

<Chan>

Finally, they convinced the Ambassador to move to different quarters until cleanup of the smoke damage, ruined accoutrements and furnishings. Kay’s stress grew when she saw the ‘special’ chair charred and unusable. He would need another. Another menial task to perform; another block to her goal of talking with Michael.

Kay spent the next part of her day getting the Ambassador a new chair, placating Captain Jackson into satisfaction that indeed everything was taken care of and all parties were happy, and finding new clothing suitable for the Ghelzakian delegation.

Cornette finally made it back to her quarters once more and checked her messages, hoping maybe Aarons had contacted her to arrange a meeting. Instead, she found a message from the Counselor marked ‘important’. She read it and found he had scheduled her for a meeting in… she glanced at the time… 12 minutes. It surprised and disappointed her that Jackson had informed the Counselor so quickly. She thought she had more time to avoid her Captain’s order. Kay composed a message back stating she would need to reschedule and explained that the Ambassador’s needs had monopolized her day and she still may be called on to fight any fires (she chuckled to herself as she dictated that) if he needed her. So, it would be impossible to meet today. She sent the message hoping she had delayed the inevitable with Allistar. She was counting on his newness to the post, his youth, and his awe of her impotent rank to aid her in stalling him perpetually.

After sending the message, she paused momentarily, vacillating on whether to message Aarons or try to ferret him out again. While musing, her desk console showed an incoming call. Hoping it was Aarons, and without checking who it was, she activated it.

It was not Michael.

“Counselor,” she cheerfully hailed his image. “I… uh… assume you got my message.”

<Allistar>

Ending her conversation with Allistar, Kay crossed her arms across her desk and laid her head on them. “Boy, did I ever get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning,” she thought. “No, correct that… I got out of the wrong bed this morning.”

Her door chime sounded. Kay sighed for the umpteenth time that day. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” He paused. Should he identify himself further?

She bounded across the room and opened the door to him. He strode in languidly.

“Details, Aarons… and don’t leave anything out.” Kay was still taking a crack at him with her captain’s tone, fully intending to sound like an order.

“What?” he questioned sardonically, “You really don’t remember anything, do you?” He couldn’t help but smirk. Having her under his command for a change was enjoyable.

“I remember some of it,” she snipped. “I remember you bringing the wine… which ultimately caused my lapse of memory.” She covered her embarrassment by leaning heavily on militaristic phrasing. “I see it as your duty, as a gentleman and an officer, to let me know exactly what happened.”

He chuckled lightly and leisurely sat on the couch, spreading out both arms along the top of the back cushions. “Well, now… let’s see if I remember anything significant.” He pretended to be deep in thought.

Kay rolled her eyes at him. “You’re infuriating! You’re actually enjoying this!”

Resorting to her old ways of talking to him obviously wasn’t working. They both knew she was emptied of her rank, ineffectual as an authority over him. She crossed the room and sat next to him evaluating what tactic to use on him next.

“You’re as talented at avoiding telling me details as you are at piloting around asteroids!” She tried being harsh with him, but each time she looked at him, his grin just made her inadvertently smile. She tried a new inroad.

“Please… Michael…” her eyes softening with her plea, awkwardly hoping calling him by his first name would melt his icy heart. “Please tell me what happened? She laughed nervously, “Or better yet, tell me what didn’t happen.”

<Aarons>

[Deleted]

TEG shook his head in resignation. It took every ounce of strength within him to not burst out laughing at Aaron's reaction.

"Michael, it's okay. But you really shouldn't be pushing buttons this early in a new assignment, especially when we are still so close to a Starbase that the Captain could just ship you back in a class 8 probe."

With that comment, Michael smiled.

"Next time, just come to me with the ideas, I'll run it past my staff, then we can take it to the Captain. It's not like the old days where you could just run off, half cocked and do whatever you wanted. Captain Jackson is running a by-the-book ship, and we must respect that. Now I'll have my staff go over your schematics and see what we can do, but I suspect we'll have to take it back to factory specs first, and then we can try your ideas. Now get out of here before I change my mind."

With that Aarons patted TEG on the shoulder, and TEG did the same. Aarons made his way out of the shuttle bay. TEG called for the shuttle maintenance crew to the shuttle bay to make sure the ship was working. He then called a meeting of his staff for noon tomorrow to discuss Aarons' ideas. In the meantime, TEG had two engineers working on repairs he needed to check on. That was when the call came in...

<i>Commander TEG, please report to the Ambassador's Quarters</i>
"On my way"
----
TEG arrived at the Ambassador's former quarters, he found Kay and Xin-Ling discussing the situation. TEG offered some of his staff to repair the quarters, as well as assist Captain Cornette with creating a new chair. TEG also offered to equip the quarters with a galley, so cooking could be performed if the Ambassador insisted. Kay beamed at all of his assistance. He left the 'party' once his staff were informed of their duties, two petty officers, two Ensigns, two Lieutenant JG's, and a full Lieutenant began the work, they said it would take the better part of the day to clean everything up, and another 2 hours to install a galley. With that TEG left them to their work.

[Michael Aarons]

Resorting to her old ways of talking to him obviously wasn’t working. They both knew she was emptied of her rank, ineffectual as an authority over him. She crossed the room and sat next to him evaluating what tactic to use on him next.

“You’re as talented at avoiding telling me details as you are at piloting around asteroids!” She tried being harsh with him, but each time she looked at him, his grin just made her inadvertently smile. She tried a new inroad.

“Please… Michael…” her eyes softening with her plea, awkwardly hoping calling him by his first name would melt his icy heart. “Please tell me what happened? She laughed nervously, “Or better yet, tell me what didn’t happen.” Michael began to draw his first breath when suddenly...

=^=Chirp=^= Michael paused.

"Aren't you gonna get that?" he said indicating her comm badge.

"No." She beamed at him. This was a more pressing issue. It chirped again.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" she said as she swung her hand up as if to muffle it. It chirped some more.

"You should really answer that." Irritated she slapped the comm badge to activate it. It was the ambassador; he needed her... again. Kay swore angrily. She attempted to calm her rage by breathing slowly.

"I will be back." She snatched him up rather rough. "You know I can't trust you in here especially not with..." she awkwardly tried to mime something implying Death, "lurking around."

"You know he IS sorry for what happened last time don't you?"

"I'm sure he is. Get out. And make sure you're somewhere where I can find you!" She stormed off.

Kay descended on the ambassador's new quarters. Before the security could express relief at the sight of her, he suddenly was glad to only posted on the outside. Ambassador Oxill was not satisfied with the clothing provided him. On the one hand, the were too clingy, then some were too large and obscured his magnizance; some just looked too "tacky." Kay sifted through her vocabulary and was short of words that would not utterly ruin her career. Suddenly she was inspired by the one person she never thought she'd be emulating. When all else fails... pawn it.

"I think I can arrange something for you." Had she been a Ghelzak her face would be the color that meant 'I want to tear your head off.' She called for the most talented person on board in clothing. She told her it would be a 'unique challenge.'

Having spent an unneeded amount of time picking fabrics, she was in no mood to deal with anybody... except she still hadn't done the most important thing.

"Computer, where's the little twer..." she paused, "locate Cmdr. Aarons."

"Cmdr. Aarons is in his quarters." Of course, she thought. She began the trip to his quarters so that next person to need her would pop up.

Kay found herself outside Michael's quarters. She chimed the door. The door opened as Michael stood there like a deer in headlights.

"You! Inside!" She pushed him in nearly causing him trip. By the time she stopped they were in his bedroom. He stood at the foot of his bed, quite confused. "Get your clothes off." He stared at her. "Now!" He uncomfortably complied standing there in his briefs.

"All of them?" he said hesitating.

Kay reached out and yanked them down as Aarons face lit up. She cocked her head as she looked. Her eyes widened. "Good for you."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Get in the damn bed!" He quickly crawled under the covers, his shame the only thing covering him. Kaylana began to remove the parts of her uniform, once she stopped there was but a jade green garment; the same green one she had worn last night. As she moved toward the bed, Michael couldn't help but think.

"Regardless of how I'll probably feel about this for the rest of my life, I can't help feel like I'm the one in trouble." She crawled in with him.

"Shut up Michael." Suddenly she rendered him speechless. Literally.

~HOURS LATER~

The two of them lay there quietly. There wasn't any need to say anything. Kaylana massaged Aarons cheek with her thumb.

"You know Michael you're very clever. I don't know how you were able to do that one part-"

"It's not that hard; I'm rather surprised most guys..."

"I'm talking let me finish. I realize now that this is merely the opportunity to go back to the way things were. I never wanted to be in command; it was all those people angry at me who pushed me to it. Including you. By the way, how did you my uniform?" Michael told her of the epic tale suffering and acquirement which I realize there isn't enough time elaborate upon. Kay silently stared at him and began stroking his hair.

"You should wear it like that." She smiled. It amused him to see say the exact same thing she had said the night before.

"You said that before." He smiled. Kay raised herself up.

"No more games. What happened last night?"

"You passed out and I dragged you to my bed. I slept on the couch and by the time you woke up, I was already off to work. You're heavier than you look." Kay cocked her head.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You look very small and light-"

"Thank you."

"But you're kinda heavy."

"Up yours." "Well I guess this isn't the worst thing you've done. Remember that time you tried renting out unused space to hobos?"

"No. I was selling time shares to scavengers; I figure since they make a living out of mooching off of others this would be right up their alley."

"Whatever."

"So what does this mean; are we...?" Michael watched the expression on her face.

"I'm sorry, this'll have to wait 'til later." She "rolled over" and went to sleep.

"Did you just fall asleep on me?!"

OFF: In light of my new funeral, please send all flowers to whichever of my closest relatives in either Texas or Louisiana.

[Kaylana Cornette]

(OCC: I’m sorry to post for your character here, but as you can read above, it’s an emergency!)

ON:
“Captain Cornette? Kaylana? I think she’s coming around finally.”

“What? Where am I?”

“You’ve had a terrible reaction to the medication I gave you earlier. You’ve been hallucinating for several hours. You collapsed outside the Ambassador's quarters, but you’re fine now.” Holsen helped Kay sit upright. “Strangest thing. I’ve never seen anyone allergic to that compound – and to have it take so long to have an adverse effect. How do you feel?”

“Relieved.”