Olympia's Obituary

[Deleted]

OOC: This is intended as a carry-on from the little gathering between the Oly and Ves crews...we just go our own way! Oh....and this is Shore leave! ;D

IC: Steve was in the Crab Shack with the crews of both the Olympia and Vesuvius. After Commodore Sonak made her little speech, the crews began to mingle with each other. Steve didn't interact with anyone from the Vesuvius on the recent mission, so he didn't know anyone to mingle with.

He approached the bar, and took a seat. He looked around to see if anyone else was going to come over...ever hopeful that they would. He took a sip of the cola from the glass that was in his hand, and then rested it on the bar, swirling the remaining contents around the bottom of the glass. He was starting to forget his surroundings and focus on the glass. Almost too suddenly, Steve was pulled back to the real world when his combadge chirped,

=/\= Olympia to Captain Smith. =/\=

Steve checked his surroundings, and moved to somewhere where he wouldn't have to shout just the hear himself, then tapped his combadge to reply.

=/\= Smith here. Is this important? =/\= He replied, sounding a little bit too rude, but he shrugged it off.

=/\= I would say so, sir. I am calling from Sickbay. It's about your wife. =/\= Came the matter-of-fact reply.

Steve did a quick head count around the bar......unlike most of the Oly crew, Arya wasn't there. He rolled his eyes, and chuckled, thinking she had gotten up to mischief again...as she is usually doing.

=/\= What's she done this time? Played pranks on you guys? Made up some tall story about me? =/\= He could keep the laughter from his voice.

=/\= No sir. It's much more serious than that.... =/\= There was a long pause, before; =/\=....she is dying. =/\=

Steve fell back against the wall and his glass smashed on the floor, spilling the contents everywhere. He went white as a sheet.

=/\= I suggest you get up here now sir....I don't know how long she is going to last. I'm sorry. Olympia out. =/\=

Steve just leant back against the wall and open and closed his mouth a few times...no words coming out. He was starting directly ahead, not even aware that most of the eyes in the bar were facing him.

Then, all of a sudden, like the shot of a gun, Steve run out of the Shack as fast as he could, without stopping to hear what people were asking him as he ran past them.......

[timokvar]

ooc hey guys just to introduce my self i'm the olympia's new councilor hi

IC On the shuttle ride over to his first assignment, Timok thought about all his training and the role he would fulfil on the ship. A coucilor was not always needed but his extensive background education included culture’s and history of several different species, and some military history was needed. This meant he could tell the difference between a Federation blast and a Klingon Disruptor blast.

He sat on the shuttle with his finger and thumb pinching his chin, engrossed in a book on earth myths and legends. He had bought the book from a classic book shop on earth while receiving his senior education. One of the articles was about a man, A spy really called James bond. He marvelled at the way the villains were so illogical in the way they tried to get rid of him. Just shoot him with your phaser, Or gun as they were called, He thought as he glided through one of the extracts from an actual book of the article. But he supposed it was so simple from a distant perspective, especially five or six hundred years distance.

“Ensign we are arriving at the station, and we are cleared for docking sir” Said a voice from the front of the seat.

“Thank you Crewman Yotze” Timok replied in an monotonic vacant voice. One thing about vulcans was they expressed gratitude but it was unclear in their voice or the facial expressions. This is why most humans were incensed by Vulcans.

As they made their final approach to the Belicose’s docking bay, Timok left his seat and came to the front of the shuttle, to be awed by the size of the massive structure that was a federation space station. Humans had advanced by a hundred years when first Contact was made between Zaphrane Cochrane and his people for the first time. The shuttle swooped in for a perfected landing and Timok disembarked from the shuttle to seek out the captain and report in on board his first assignment.

As he entered the station he was amazed by the fact that this one looked exactly the same as the Academy station. People mulling about the place looking busy. Well Not really amazed but confused as to why they all seemed to be in a hurry. No organisation in the way they went about their business. He tried not to be distracted to much from his task. First he had to report in on the station and then he had to locate his ships captain.

As he wondered about the station looking for the bridge, this time he made mental notes on different places so as to find his way back to his point of origin should he hit a dead end. Kind of like Hansel and Gretal dropping bread crumbs, he just hoped that he didn’t forget the breadcrumbs or the birds didn’t eat them.

He decided to stop at a local bar called the crab shack and ordered a Raktajino from the bar and sat down a while to drink. As he drank, the warm liquid flowing down his throat and into the pit of his stomach, it reminded him of a Vulcan drink that his mother made when he was a child and it was a cold winter on Vulcan. As he sat he opened the book he had been reading on the shuttle and became again lost in time. The pages turning as quick as he took a sip from his drink.

[Deleted]

"We are getting a bathtub" Katie's voice was insistent, and Tiberian was now beginning to slightly regret asking her to move in. Since the Vesuvius crew had begun to file out, he and Katie has begun making extensive plans to facilitate their moving in together. Regretfully, this had subsequently involved plans to reorganise, redecorate, and now apparently refurbish his entire quarters.

"I love you, you do know that. But I t really does have its limits" he joked as he cradled her on his lap. He looked at Martinez, Rose and Sloan, who had all sat around and joined in with both the drinks and planning.

"Crystal, as my friend, but also as a woman, what do you think we should do?"

<TAG Crystal>

"Personally" Martinez chipped in "I'd just get the bathtub. If there is nothing more than thirty years of marriage have taught me, it's that if you give her what she wants, when she wants it, then you'll live a lot longer"

"But I like my sonic shower" Tiberian whinged comically "What about you Sam. You'll be the one installing it if I lose" He leaned a little closer "And don't forget who writes the staff evaluations"

<TAG Sam>

Sudenly a smash could be heard, and the Captain collapsed back against the wall. A moment of relative silence in the bar transpired, and then the Captain bolted for the door, ignoring the questions being pelted at him.

"What's going on?" Tiberian called out as he stood up.

"He got a comm from sickbay sir" a young ensign at the back piped up "I only heard part of it, but I think his wife is in trouble"

"Come on" Tiberian said to all those at his table, getting them up and behind him "Commander Tan, I think we should get after him"

<TAG Tan>

The group ran from the Crab Shack to the Olympia sickbay, where they came across the Captain, cradling his weak and obviously sickly wife. Katie immediately left his side, talking to the other doctors in hushed voices, and going over a complex set of data on the screen. Tiberian advanced and put his hand on the Captian's shoulder.

"Sir, what is it?"

<TAG Captain Smith>

[David Tan]

David watched as thing's got going within the gathering of Olympia crew ..

A new Officer, Acting Ensign, who introduced himself as Timok Var, the new Councillor, began a 'meet and greet' session .. As he was meeting the Senior Staff, Captain Smith's Comms badge chirped ..

David watched as the Captain moved to somewhere less intrusive, but he could see the conversation was not good news .. Steven's face went from trying to hear whoever was on the other end of the Comm, to puzzlement, then to shock ...

He seemed to slump against the bulkhead, dazed at the information given him .. Other's had noticed the Captain's demeanor by now, and were beginning to show concern .. But Steven didn't recognize them, or even his surroundings, as he fled the bar ..

Returning to the table with a tray of drinks, Tiberian was shocked to see the Captain leaving, in what could only, in Wong's terms, be classed as 'one 'HELL' of a hurry' ...

"What's going on ?" Tiberian said, confused, but worried.

"He got a comm from Sick-bay Sir." A young Ensign at the back piped up, "I only heard part of it .. But I think his wife is in trouble."

That was all he needed to hear .. He dropped the tray on the table, spilling several drinks in the process ..

"Come on !" Tiberian said to all those at his table, getting them up and behind him, "Commander Tan .. I think we should get after him."

The group began to run from the Crab Shack, with Tan following slowly .. Wong noticed the hesitation, and brought everyone to a halt within two paces .. 'Almost the first thing the Marine had managed to do right since joining the ship' Tan thought unfairly ..

"Commander ?" Tiberian said ..

"Colonel ...... Tiberian ......" David began, keeping his voice low but insistent, "There's only two things that would make the Captain move like that .. His Wife .. Or his Daughter ! .. Whichever one is in trouble do you think he would appreciate the majority of his crew barging into Sick-bay to find out ?"

David knew this was a 'make or break' point in the two men's relationship .. Wong would agree, or he wouldn't .. Tan 'could' order Wong to step down, as he still technically outranked the man, but he preferred to wait for his reply ...

< tag : Tiberian >

"Thank you Colonel." Tan said, as Wong ordered everyone back into the bar ..

"I think you and I should go to the ship and .... Be there .. Whatever the .. Outcome." Tan said.

"Agreed .. David" Tiberian said, placing a hand on Tans shoulder for a second, before the Colonel motioned to Tan ..

"After you .. Sir." ..........



< tag : All >

[timokvar]

Timok was just beginning to get to know a few of the senior staff. When a smash was heard, their was some muttered confusion in the room as they saw what appeared to be the captain of the Olympia, move like lightening away from the bar. Timok wandered if the situation warranted legs that moved as quick as that then it must be serious. He wandered if he should go as he watched two senior officers discussing the matter. Being the ships councillor it might be logical for him to be there. Double the reason when he heard a young Ensign shout.

“He got a comm from Sick-bay Sir." A young Ensign at the back piped up, "I only heard part of it .. But I think his wife is in trouble."

This was the moment Timok had dreaded. He had to act as the ships councillor for the first time. And being Vulcan he had hoped for the crew to get to know him a bit better, so they wouldn’t think he was a heartless being. They would discover that being Vulcan and able to look at things from a detached point of view, he could give the best advice. And be a good friend and officer.

He decided know was the time to act, He followed the group of officers that were filing out of the Bar luggage in hand, one of the officers grabbed him by the arm.

“Where are you going?”

“My captain needs me” Timok stated in another trademark plain tone of voice.

“You must be kidding, You haven’t even met him yet”

“I will do, And I am a vulcan I do not…… Kid” He said and continued to follow the senior officers out of the bar.

When the three of them arrived Timok unnoticed because of the seriousness of the situation, he saw the captain cradling his wife in his arms. One of the men quite shocked stepped forward and placed a hand on the captains shoulder.

“Sir what is it?” He said.

Timok just stood in the back ground observing the situation, This woman’s life was slipping away from her, and the man she loved was completely powerless to do anything about it. Timok although unnoticed and quite unwelcome he was sure was a very loyal Vulcan, although they hadn’t met yet he was there for his captain and the crew, his captain came first.

Tag Wong,Tan and Smith

[David Tan]

As David and Tiberian walked out of the bar, they were joined, and beaten to the door, by another man, the new Ships Councillor ..

"Where are you going ?" Tan said, puzzled.

"My captain needs me !" Timok stated in another trademark plain tone of voice.

"You have got to be kidding." Wong said, "You haven’t even met him yet."

"I will do .. I am a Vulcan .. I do not ... Kid." he said, then followed the Senior Officers out of the bar.

As the three reached Sick-bay, they stood to one side, before Tiberian managed to get the attention of one of the nurses .. She walked over, and David left them to it as he walked over to his friend .. He placed his hand on the Captain's shoulder, a show of support ..

"Sir ..." Tan said quietly, "What is it ?"

Steven rocked his wife slowly back and forth, tears running freely down his face. David could see Arya, her face was ashen, almost white. Whatever it was, was serious, maybe even life-threatening ..

"Captain ...." one of the Doctors said, quietly but insistently, ".... we need to treat her now."

Steven hesitated, but with a little urging from Tan, he lay his wife back on the bio-bed, where the Doctors began their treatment ..

"The Doctor's office is free ..." David said, getting a nod of confirmation from the MO, "Let's go and wait in there .. We're only going to be in the way out here."

The two men moved toward the office, Tan noticed Wong and Var watching them closely. David nodded toward the door, both men understanding the request to leave Tan with the Captain for a few moments ..

"As they entered the office, David sat his friend down then got him a drink from the replicator ..

"Where's Renora ?"

"One of the nurses has her .. She's in one of the side-wards .. She's OK .. You know ..You are the closest thing I have to a best friend David .. Thank you for being here .. Would you mind if we just sat quietly for a moment ?"

David again touched Steven's shoulder, before sitting next to him in silence .. Steven's eyes never left the bio-bed containing his wife ..........

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal was still in the Crab shack, she knew that she was due a lot more sleep but right now she wanted to be around people, preferably a lot of people.

As the part began to die down she joined a group consisting of Tiberian, Katie, Ensign Sloan and Major Martinez. Crystal enjoyed her drink but did not say a great deal, she was starting to zone out listing to Tiberian and Katie debate wardrobe space and then bathtubs. She thought he seemed a little lost but was still surprised when her turned to her.

"Crystal, as my friend, but also as a woman, what do you think we should do?"
"I think," she said very seriously "that you have a bit of a fight on you hands." She broke into a slight smile. "Maybe a bath tub built for two?"

Tiberian went on to get everyone else's opinion. Crystal was just about to ask why a bath tub and a sonic shower wouldn't fit in the bathroom when a smash was heard.

Everyone looked round. Captain Smith was leaning against a wall, he had turned really pale. This did not look good. Crystal knew he had only been recently released from sickbay from his head injuries. She swallowed hard and then relaxed as little as her ran from the room knocking people out of his way as he did so.

"What's going on?" Tiberian called out as he stood up."He got a comm from sickbay sir" a young ensign at the back piped up "I only heard part of it, but I think his wife is in trouble"


Crystal winced, she didn't know Arya Smith that well but liked the woman and hoped it was nothing serious, then again the way the Captain charged out of the restaurant suggested it was serious, very serious.

Crystal followed the other members of the Olympia's senior staff out of the Crab shack and they stood there for a moment as they decided what to do. In the end Tiberian and David went back to the ship as well as the new counselor Ensign Var who Crystal had only just met in passing.

That left Crystal and Ensign Sloan standing outside the restaurant in silence. Crystal swallowed hard. "Shall we go back in and get another drink? I think it's going to be a long evening. They'll tell us as soon as there's any news."

Tag: Sloan.

They sat in silence for a minute then Crystal forcibly broke the silence. "So," she said "How did you get into engineering?" It wasn't an imaginative comment but at least she hoped it would start some sort of conversation while they waited.

Tag: Sloan

[Deleted]

Steve never once took his eyes off Arya. He was aware that the medical staff well doing all they could to treat her, but from what he had been told, Arya had contracted a virus of unknown origin from an as yet unknown source. There was no known cure in the Starfleet database. So as it stood, Arya's life was slipping away right in front of him.

One of the doctor's came into the doorway, and waited.

"Captain...." He said, quietly. Although it seemed to have been too quiet, because Steve didn't hear. Or, if he did, it didn't register. After a few moments, David leant forward and prodded Steve in the leg. That got a reaction, and Steve looked at him quizzically...then noticed the doctor, and his eyes widened.

Before Steve could say anything, the doctor spoke first; "We have tried everything we can to combat the virus, Captain, but nothing seems to be working at all. However, there seems to be only one option open to us now. We can put your wife in a permanent coma until such time as a cure is found. It would mean she would have to stay on the Starbase though."

Steve sat in silence for a few moments, then took a deep breath. "Do it." He replied, sharply. "If it means that there is still hope of her surviving, then I am prepared for the procedure to be undertaken."

Steve bowed his head into his hands, and the doctor took that as the end of the conversation, so he nodded to David and left the office.....

[timokvar]

Stood outside the door Timok And Wong his superior officer stared at each other. Timok was sure Wong was trying to do the same thing he was, size the other man up. Timok looked away to the door. It was shut an he wondered what was happening behind it. The worse case scenario was that the Captains wife had died, he tried to prepare himself mentally for the task. But he could see it now, the captain distraught and in pieces, then this new crew member, although a councillor, was going to try and make things better for the man. He believed that this would be the hardest battle, not the trauma or psychological treatment of the man, But trust, and building a relationship with his captain under the most difficult of circumstances.

Wong sighed and Timok looked back at his superior officer, Feeling a little bit uncomfortable. Some first day, he had arrived met a few of the crew briefly, not reported in on the station or the ship. Which was the most illogical thing he had done since arriving there. And to top it off it looked like the Captain of the ship was going to be somewhat unfit for command. His wife was dying, and if Timok could help it he would prefer the Captain take a backseat on their next mission and let the senior officers of his crew worry with the day to day tasks on the Olympia.

The silence must have driven both men crazy, well not Timok he was used to the silence, he had trained in meditation with his grandfather. After he had gone through a spell of fits as a child. It took him a couple of years to get used to it but he learnt. Now he just had to wait out the silence. Just as it looked like the silence was going the lift. The door opened and the captain came out of the doctors office and walked past both men.

“Captain, is everything alright?” Timok shouted after Captain Smith.

<Tag Smith, Wong, Tan>

[Crystal Rose]

It was almost two quiet in the bar, the conversation between her and Ensign Sloan had petered out and they were both waiting.

"Um, sir." Crystal recognised the voice and looked up from her moment of introspection to see Lieutenant Merdon, her senior assistant standing in front of her. He was fiddling with the front of his tunic which was not a good sign.

"Do you want to join us for a drink?" Crystal asked, trying to get him to relax. He shook his head.

"Um no." He paused and for a moment Crystal thought she was going to have to ask another question to get a response. "You see, the thing is... I got a comm from back home. My old professor is offering me a place at a research centre...." He stopped speaking clearly confused about how to proceed.

Crystal gave a slight smile, Merdon had always been nervous and the last mission and the first part of their shoreleave had been a little 'trying'. "It sounds like a great opportunity," she said

The relief flooded across Merdon's face. "You, you don't mind then..." Crystal shook her head.

"You'll be a great scientist where ever you end up. If you ever want to come back I'll have a space for you in my team." The Benzite nodded vigorously.

"Thank-you." With that he scuttled out of the bar and was gone leaving Crystal to ponder the first lost to her staff. She knew how Merdon felt, starfleet wasn't a safe or easy option for a scientist the bruises across her face were an all too painful reminder of that. Not that she would admit it to anyone but there had been moments in the last few days when she had considered (very briefly) resigning and had then decided against it.

[timokvar]

Timok’s words went on death ears, the captain clearly had things on his mind. But Timok would get the captain one way or another. He decided the best way to get him was on the ship, when they left the station. He would have to disguise it though. He needed a ploy, regular mental health check ups were a part of his job. So he would just arrange analysis of every crew members mental state.

The captain needed to be treated, and he needed to get all the rage and emotion out of his system so as he could do his job with a clear head. Wong and Timok were not sure what to make of what had just happened, had his wife died?. Was there some hope?. Both men looked discouraged by the thoughts they were clearly both having. Then Commander Tan came out, and explained the situation and for Timok at least, it made matters worse. The captain was clinging on to a string. What if there was no cure for the captains wife?. The man would be so clouded by finding a cure that he might get his ship destroyed and even his crew killed.

The situation was dyer and Timok knew he had to recommend something to both men that they would not like. They were clearly both close friends of the captain and they would probably fight tooth and nail against Timok but he had to recommend that the captain not be in command of the Vessel when it departed from the Bellicose.

He decided to leave the captain for now though and go and introduce himself to his ship, his office and his crewmates, if he could find any of them.

[timokvar]

Timok decided to go to his office first. He would go through the ships roster and try to forge a plan to get the captain into a therapy session. The captain clearly needed some help. As he left the stations sickbay with just a simple nod to his future FO. He kept thinking how his day could get any worse. He had arrived on the station, not spent much time getting to know the crew and the captain was going through a traumatic period, but he couldn’t treat him.

He walked through the docking bay and onto the ship, he had to a least see his office first. And get to know his new surroundings. He managed to locate his office and sat down in one of the chairs. He picked up a padd in front of him, placed up right on the desk marked crew’s manifesto and psychological reports. As he flipped through the pages he came to one crew member. Commander first class Crystal Rose, no apparent attachments to the Captain, Well professionally and they were friends but not as close to each other as the three senior officers of the crew appeared to be.

He decided he needed to contact her, It was the logical thing to do. She could help him to get the Captain into his office. She was the Ships chief science officer so a logical person. She would see the reason to assess the Captains mental state, whereas the other two would be blinded by their friendship and loyalty to the captain. Timok wished he could be blinded by such emotions but he had to see things from a distance. He had to remain impartial. The crews lives could depend on it.

Then Timok remembered something his grandfather had said all those years ago. ‘Logic is the only reason’. And Timok agreed with the statement, logic was the only way to see things clearly, and judge from a clear point of view. True Vulcan’s looked at things coldly from the human perspective but they made accurate and calculated decisions.

Timok stood up and went over to the replicator in his office. He ordered an earthen herbal Tea which he had tried during his time at earth. He found its taste amusing and let the bitter sweet flavours sit on his tongue for a moment before swallowing the warm liquid. He sat down with his tea looking at the padd. And contemplating what his next move would be.

“Computer could you locate Commander First class Crystal Rose for me”

=/\=Commander First Class Crystal Rose is not currently aboard.=/\= the computer chirped back.

Timok just sat back sipping his tea and binding his time.

[timokvar]

After a couple of hours in his office browsing the crews psychology reports left by the last Councillor. Timok set aside his Tea and stood up, He had been through just about every crew member and decided he knew them just about as well as they knew themselves. He decided to go Back to the Bellicose Star base and enjoy the shore leave. He hadn’t been on a mission with the crew of the Olympia yet, but being as the crew were on shore leave. He decided he could use the time to recover from his long trip from the Academy Star base Conqueror.

So he stood and left his office hoping to report in on the ship on the way off but no one could be found. They had all just comeback from a long tour without a break, and clearly deserved the time off. So Timok left the Olympia and went back aboard the Bellicose, hoping to find something to do on board just to relieve the boredom. Maybe the holodecks had something to offer, maybe they had a program that would succumb to his urges to relieve his inactive mind. He was walking through the shops and bars. He came to a quaint little place that had access to the holodecks, he went inside and inquired about time and programs.

“We haven’t got a booking slot for another three hours” The bar man said in gravelly voice.

“That time slot is fine with me” Timok replied

“Well here is the menu” The bar man gave him a pad with all the programs that were available to him at the time slot.

Timok was browsing the programs when he came across a program on Vulcan, he wandered whether it could be altered so that it would start in a dark cave so that he could meditate. He missed his home and he missed the silence he had when he had been training to control his emotions. When he was a young boy. He decided to order the program and then he just had to wait three hours for the time slot to become available. So he had time to kill it would seem. Again he had time to kill. He decided to go and see the doc in sickbay here on the Bellicose. He had to build a profile on the Captains state of mind.

He left the bar making sure he knew what time he left and what time he had to be back by in case he missed the slot. It would be nice to see his homeworld again even if it was artificial. He quickly located the sickbay again, and asked to speak to the doctor who was treating Captain Smith’s wife.

The doctor invited him into his office and ordered one coffee and one tea from the replicator in his office and they sat down to enjoy them.

“So Ensign Var what can I do for you?” The doctor asked.

“Well I’m trying to build a profile on the captains state of mind when he made the decision to keep his wife here on bellicose for treatment.” Timok stated “ So as I can access whether the man is fit for duty or not?”

“Well Ensign the Captain was like any other man in his position would be, Distraught and devastated.”

“I agree if my life mate was dying I would be devastated, but I may not have made the same decision” Timok stated again.

“How do you mean Ensign?”

“Well the chance to save his wife is quite slim, and I would have preferred to say goodbye there and then, rather than carrying the hope around inside me for a long time. However this is not my decision to make, what I really want to know is. Is the captain in your professional oppinion of sound mind”

“I would say that he made the decision of sound mind yes” The doctor smiled back

“But is he fit to command a star ship?” Timok Parried

“Well that is you job Councillor isn’t it?” They both had to agree on this part.

It was Timoks job to judge this but a little bit of support from a medical doctors point of view never hurt. But it was clear that Timok was going to have to go this one alone. He politely thanked the Doc For his time finished his tea and left the sickbay. Looking at his watch he realised he had more time left than he thought till his time slot became available so he decided he would go and try to meet some of his crew members.

[Deleted]

Tiberian walked out of range of the new Vulcan officer, leaving David and the Captain to talk alone. He moved over to Katie, who was analysing the results of Arya, now being put into a coma.

"What the hell is this?" he asked, her as he studied the data, completely meaningless to him.

"I wish I could tell you" Katie answered, her eyes never moving from the screen "It's profile doesn't match anything in the database, and we can't even work out whether it's basis is bacterial, viral or parasitic"

"Parasitic" Tiberian pondered "Could it be anything to do with the infective parasites from Snowfall and Ako" Katie instantly shook her head.

"That was one of the first things we checked for. God dammit, we can't even calculate a feasible structure, the scans are mutable, and there is nothing else we can do until we know more" she banged her fist angrily on the console, and Tiberian put his hand over hers, calming her.

"Hey, it's not your fault. Look, I've got some friends at Starfleet Medical. I'll transmit what you have, and see if they can come up with something"

"I'll do that. Thanks. There's not much more you can do here, you'd better go and talk to the crew"

Tiberian kissed her softly on the cheek and left, looking sideways into the medical office, and seeing an obviously fragile Smith with Tan.

He proceeded without delay back to the Crab Shack on Bellicose, all sorts of scenario's working through his mind. Upon arrving, he broke straight into chapter and verse without Crystal or Sloan having to ask anything.

"Arya's sick. We don't know what from, and we don't know how to cure her. All the doctors could do was put her in a suspended animation coma until they make some developments. What i want to know, is how the hell this happened. Sooner or later, the Captain is going to come to us looking for an explanation, and I think at the very least he deserves a reason. Crystal, I want you to analyse every sensor reading, bio filter analysis and security scan. Find out where this thing came from, and why we didn't identify it sooner"

<TAG Crystal>

"Ensign, I want you to reconfigure all the transporter bio filters on the Olympia, and then transfer the recommended upgrades to Bellicose. Also, I want you to co-ordinate with Commander Rose to create automated roaming virus scans and a sanitization field. Cover all of the Olympia, and then again transfer the suggested upgrades to Bellicose"

<TAG Sloan>

As the crew departed, Tiberian sat alone on the edge of a bar table, thinking the situation through. He tapped his commbadge.

"Lieutenant Colonel Wong to Bellicose Dockmaster, please respond"

"This is Commander Kaplin, go ahead Colonel"

"Commander, there has been a case of an unknown viral infection aboard the Olympia. We can't identify the cause yet, but i would like to request suspending all traffic until we at least know more"

"I'm sorry Colonel, but a request like that requires at least more authority. The inconvenience would be great, and if this then turned out to be a false alarm... COuld your Captain comment on this?"

"My Captain is currently dealing with the fact that he's had to put his wife into a coma. So unless you want more people like her, I need you to put a temporary uspension on traffic"

"I'm sorry Colonel, but like I already explained..."

"I know, I know. Wait where you are, I'll be coming up to Ops shortly. Wong out" He cut the comm link and sighed, annoyed at the bueracracy he was surrounded by. He tapped his comm badge again.

"Wong to Commander Tan. David, I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this, but I urgently need you to come to Bellicose Ops. Find that new counsellor, and have him sit with the Captain for a while if needs be"

<TAG Tan>

Tiberian left the Crab Shack, heading for the main service turbolift. He was annoyed that it had taken a major crisis like this to get his and Tan's relationship back on track, but at least it was. Moments later, he arrived in Ops.

<TAG All>

[David Tan]

David followed Steven into the main area of sick-bay .. The Captain didn't, no, couldn't, see his Executive Officer and the new Councellor. All he could see was his wife ..

Tan nodded to both men, who chose that moment to leave. Tiberian needed to keep the Olympia crew informed, as much as he was able, in the situation so far. So he headed back to the Crab Shack ..

~~~~~~~~~~

In Sick-bay, David stood close behind his Captain and friend as he gave permission to place Arya into a coma .. He knew it was the only chance she had to survive, but it was heart-wrenching all the same, to watch Arya seemingly fall into an even deeper sleep, and Steven almost in tears at what was happening ..

The two must have stood by Arya's bed for a long time, as Tan's Comm badge chirped ..

=^= Wong to Commander Tan .. David .. I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this .. But I urgently need you to come to Bellicose Ops .. Find that new Councellor .. He was with me earlier and could still be in the Crab Shack .. Have him sit with the Captain for a while if needs be =^=

The Captain didn't even seem as if he'd heard the conversation from Wong, Tan turned away, not wishing to disturb Steven, and tapped the badge ..

=^= I'm on my way Colonel =^= David said, ending the Comm and tapping his badge once again ..

=^= Tan to Var .. =^=

=^= Var .. Go ahead Commander =^=

=^= Timok .. I need to meet Colonel Wong in Opps .. Could you come to Sick-bay and keep an eye on the Captain .. I'm not happy about leaving him alone at a time like this .. But it sounded urgent =^=

=^= I will be there in five minutes Commander .. Var .. Out =^=

~~~~~~~~~~

David reached the Opps center and entered, looking left and right for Wong .. Then he spotted him in conversation with another Officer .. Approaching, Tan waited for a break in the somewhat 'heated' conversation before speaking ..

"Colonel Wong ..." he said, looking from one man to the other than back at Wong, "You wanted to see me ?" he finished ..........



< tag : Wong >

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal and Sloan were still in the Crab shack, the conversation had petered out yet again, most likely because neither of them felt much like talking. Crystal was pretty much day-dreaming by the time the XO charged into the resturant. She knew it was serious and snapped out of her mental haze as soon as her arrived.

"Arya's sick. We don't know what from, and we don't know how to cure her. All the doctors could do was put her in a suspended animation coma until they make some developments. What i want to know, is how the hell this happened. Sooner or later, the Captain is going to come to us looking for an explanation, and I think at the very least he deserves a reason. Crystal, I want you to analyse every sensor reading, bio filter analysis and security scan. Find out where this thing came from, and why we didn't identify it sooner"

Crystal swallowed hard, her stomach had turned into a solid knot and she didn't quite know what to say "I'm on it, sir." She paused a moment to marshal her thoughts. Tiberian spoke to Ensign Sloan and then Crystal chimed in.

"I'll let you know if I find anything." She knew she didn't need to sat that it was an assumption implicit in being crewmates but she was still feeling twitchy and wanted to say it all the same.

She headed for the door and then paused looking back at Tiberian.

"I know this isn't the best time for this, but I'd like to ask a favour. I've taken it into my head to try to learn some self-defence and I'd like you to remind me of this when things calm down a little."
She didn't mention the reasoning for this, the obvious evidence was all down the left side of her face after all. She touched the bruises absently.
"I'd also appreciate your advice on an instructor..."

Tag: Tiberian.

.....................................................................................................
A while later, Olympia's main science lab.

Crystal started down loading all the necessary data and looked around the empty room. She tapped her comm badge:
=/\=This is Commander Rose to Olympia Science Staff, I have a project on, it's volunteers only as you all need a break but anyone interested should be in the main lab in 45mins.=/\=

She got a large mug of double strong coffee and settled at her desk, she was sure that some of her staff would turn up but she wasn't sure who.

[Deleted]

David left Steve alone with Arya in Olympia's Sickbay. He vitals had returned to normal, which was to be expected considering she had been induced into a coma. Steve just sat next to her and held her hand, gently rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

Steve knew that finding a cure wasn't going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, and it may not even be found for a long long time. There would come a time when he would have to do what was right and let her go....let her die peacefully. But that time was NOT now....he wasn't going to lose her. If there was even a small chance of hope, he had to take it.

After a long while of silence, a doctor came in and informed him that Arya had to be moved over to the Starbase immediately, in order to prepare for the long term stay there. Steve nodded, and stood up, then transported over with her. There he stayed for a while, again in silence.

Steve made sure Arya was looked after well and kissed her forehead and slowly made his way out of the Starbase sickbay. He headed back to the Olympia and proceeded to the Bridge......once there he approached his chair and sat in it, staring at the viewscreen.

[David Tan]

Entering Opps, David couldn't miss the fact, neither it seemed could anyone else, that Wong was loosing the argument he was having ... Tan approached the two men stood almost nose to nose ..

" ...... but I'm TELLING you that there could be an epidemic if you will not suspend both arrivals and departures !" Wong was saying, almost shouting ..

Tan could see that the Colonel was getting more and more aggravated by the second, the man wasn't used to having people disagree with him, and when they did, he normally just made the request an order .. But this time it obviously wasn't working ..

"With ALL due respect !" Commander Kaplin began slowly, with zero respect on his face or demeanor, "I will not shut this station off on your say so .. Colonel !"

Tiberian had turned a peculiar shade of puce, so David thought it best to intervene before he burst a blood vessel ..

"Colonel .. Commander .. I think we should take this 'discussion' into a private office .. Don't you !"

Both men stared at Tan for a second. Kaplin glancing left and right at the Officer's manning Opps. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and were watching the argument unfold ..

"Now ! ... Gentlemen." Tan said quietly, using his rank to get the attention of both men, then motioning toward an empty office, he raised his eyebrows, "If you would ..."

It took a full ten seconds, but both men did as they were asked ... Walking into the office in silence, they waited for Tan to seal the door, then both spoke at once ..

"Stop THIS !" Tan shouted, looking from one to the other, "You are 'supposed' to be Officer's .. Try acting as such .. Now Colonel .. You requested my presence .. If there's something I can be of help with please say so .. Otherwise .. I am sure the Commander won't be too worried if I just leave you both to it !"

Tan waited for a reply, casually wondering if Kaplin would take a swing at Wong .. He certainly looked as if he wanted to ! ..........



< tag : Tiberian >

[Deleted]

Arriving in Ops, Tiberian was greeted by Commander Kaplin, a man in his mid thirties, who was talking to a group of junior officers. As he saw the marine arrive, he gestured for the group to dismiss, and he approached the turbolift door. He used his relatively large physique to physically block Tiberian's further entrance into Ops, confining him to the small area just outside of the turbolift. Unimpressed, TIberian folded his arms as he began to speak.

"Have you thoguht about what I said Commander" He asked in his usual straightforward manner.

"I have, and my answer is the same. Without something a little more solid, I am not going to jeapordise my career by causing a large amount of inconvenience to this station. We have at least twenty vessels of all nationalities coming and going in one day. Do you know how long it would take to clear the backlog if we closed up even for a few hours?"

Tiberian's face darkened upon hearing the Commander mention his fear of his career. For all its merits, bueracracy had pervaded the Federation far too much in certain quarters, making the efficient resolution of situations far too difficult. He sighed.

"Look, my Captain's wife is dying of an inexplicable disease. How much more solid does my proof have to be?" His voice was raising now, and he could feel the colour rising in his cheeks.

"One case of something not even worth documenting is hardly a reason to interrupt efficient trade with about twenty different worlds" The Commander was sat in his own smug little bubble, seemingly oblivious to the fact that there was even a problem.

"I want trade as much as you do Commander, but I'm TELLING you that there could be an epidemic if you will not suspend both arrivals and departures !" Tiberian was saying, almost shouting ..

"With ALL due respect !" Commander Kaplin began slowly, with zero respect on his face or demeanor, "I will not shut this station off on your say so .. Colonel !"

"Colonel .. Commander .. I think we should take this 'discussion' into a private office .. Don't you !" The interrupting voice suddenly made Tiberian realise that Tan had appeared in Ops, staring, along with the entirety of the duty staff, the two men shouting publicly.

Both men stared at Tan for a second. Kaplin glancing left and right at the Officer's manning Opps. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and were watching the argument unfold ..

"Now ! ... Gentlemen." Tan said quietly, using his rank to get the attention of both men, then motioning toward an empty office, he raised his eyebrows, "If you would ..."

It took a full ten seconds, but both men did as they were asked ... Walking into the office in silence, they waited for Tan to seal the door, then both spoke at once ..

"Stop THIS !" Tan shouted, looking from one to the other, "You are 'supposed' to be Officer's .. Try acting as such .. Now Colonel .. You requested my presence .. If there's something I can be of help with please say so .. Otherwise .. I am sure the Commander won't be too worried if I just leave you both to it !"

Tiberian was happy that Tan had arrived, mostly for the sake of his rank. Two command grade officers would have to be enough to convince even Kaplin. He smiled and relaxed as he resumed his argument.

"Thank you for coming Commander. Now then, if you wouldn't mind listening Kaplin, Commander Tan can now relate to you exactly what is happening with Captain Smith's wife"

<TAG Tan>

"And Commander" Tiberian asked as Tan had finished relating the information to Kaplin "Do you believe that this outbreak should be contained given the extremity of its symptoms?"

<TAG Tan>

"Thank you" he turned to glare at Kaplin, who was looking both angrier and more uncomfortable by the second "Now, you can ignore me, but unfortunately for you, Commander Tan outranks both of us. So, you can either adhere to our requests, or you can have two command grade officers place two notes of reprimand in your file for causing a health hazard by obstruction. Your choice?"

Kaplin swallowed something he obviously wanted to say or do to Tiberian at that exact moment, and gave a curt nod before storming out of the office. Tiberian gave Tan a sideways wink as they left the office together. He called out to the Bellicose ops staff, all of whose eyes were glued on the three men.

"Contact all docked ships and inform them that they have been temporarily impounded due to a potential biohazard. Ask them to have all of their crew remain onboard their ship. Hail ahead to all known arrivals and divert or cancel their flights, and set up an automated distress buoy signalling a 100 000 kilometre no fly zone around the station" He tapped his comm badge.

=/\=Wong to Rose. Crystal, get yourself and your team voer to Bellicose Ops, you'll be able to co-ordinate better from up here=/\=

<TAG Crystal>

"David, you've got more operational control experience than me, so you'd better take charge of the organisation of the teams. We need all non-essential and off duty personnel to do manual sweeps of the enitre station and all docked vessel, just as soon as Crystal has got us something that we can look with. Can it be done?"

<TAG Commander Tan>

[David Tan]

"Thank you for coming Commander .. Now then .. If you wouldn't mind listening Kaplin .. Commander Tan can now relate to you exactly what is happening with Captain Smith's wife ..

David explained, as best he could, what was happening ..

"And Commander ..." Tiberian asked as Tan had finished relating the information to Kaplin, "Do you believe that this outbreak should be contained given the extremity of its symptoms ?"

"Yes .. I do .. Bu ......" Tan began, but was interrupted by the Colonel ..

"Thank you !" Wong said, turning to glare at Kaplin, who was looking both angrier and more uncomfortable by the second, "Now .. You can ignore me .. But unfortunately for you ......" Wong seemed to enjoy his victory, but Tan was getting more annoyed by the second at his treatment of the Opps Officer ..

Kaplin began to order an effective shut-down of operations while Tiberian tapped his Comms badge ..

=^= Wong to Rose. Crystal, get yourself and your team over to Bellicose Ops, you'll be able to co-ordinate better from up here =^=

He turned to Tan ..

"David .. You have much more operational experience tha ......"

"HOLD IT ..!" Tan said to Wong, then turned to Kaplin, "Commander .. Continue your preparations but do not instigate them just yet .. Oh and forget any threats of reprimands."

"What !! ... Didn't you jus ....." Wong almost yelled in frustration, but Tan put a finger to his lips and nodded to a quiet area of the Opps center .. Once Wong arrived, Tan spoke quietly to him, keeping his face pleasant, just in case they were being watched ..

"Colonel .. We're in a weird situation here .. You .. As the Olympia First Officer are my immediate boss 'While on ship' .. But I essentially out-rank you nevertheless .. While I agree with your actions there are other things to consider." Tan held up a hand to quiet Wong as he began to protest, "There are at least two Ranking Admirals on the station as we speak .. One of which is the base Commander .. I think the decision to quarantine Bellicose should be his."

"Have you any idea wha ......" Wong began, trying to put his point across, but Tan interrupted him again ..

This conversation is over 'Mister' Wong .. If you feel the need to make a report re our differences .. Please do so .. But for now oversee Crystal's preparations and assist Commander Kaplin all you can .. I will contact the Admiral and update him personally."

Wong seemed to have welded his boots to the floor only twelve inches from Tan's .. He was fighting hard not to loose control, Tan could see that, and vaguely wondered if Wong would end his career here and now by punching him ..

"Now please .. Colonel." Tan said, his eye's never leaving the Marines ..

It took twenty tense seconds, but Tiberian finally broke the eye contact, and headed up to where Commander Kaplin was waiting.

Almost disappointed, Tan tapped his Comms badge ..........

[timokvar]

Timok had been five minutes away from his scheduled time on the holo deck and his comm badge went off.

=^= Tan to Var .. =^=

=^= Var .. Go ahead Commander =^=

=^= Timok .. I need to meet Colonel Wong in Opps .. Could you come to Sick-bay and keep an eye on the Captain .. I'm not happy about leaving him alone at a time like this .. But it sounded urgent =^=

=^= I will be there in five minutes Commander .. Var .. Out =^=

Of all the times when he was needed it had to be when he had set aside time for himself, time when he could spend reminding himself of the place he loved and missed so much. Home. He turned to the bar tender in the bar and gave him some credits.

“Sorry but I am needed, Give the time slot to some one else” He said meaning free of charge as he had just paid for it. But logic said he would charge again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five minutes later Ensign Timok Var entered ops on the Bellicose, Just in time to see Commander David Tan, Who had called him five minutes previous, tap his comm badge. Timok approached and looked from the Commander to the Olympia’s XO Tiberian Wong. Then he interrupted what had been going on.

“Sir You said my assistance was required in sickbay” Timok stood for a moment awaiting one of the officers response. The two men stared at him expectantly. "The Captain is not presently in the Sickbay sirs"


Tag Tan, Tiberian

[David Tan]

=^= ...... No problem Sir .. We'll hold off the quarantine until you can review the situation with Captain Smith .. We'll monitor arrivals and departures too .. Tan out =^=

As David closed the Comm with Admiral Elron, he turned to inform Wong, then noticed Ensign Var stood close-by. Wong too had noticed him ..

"Sir." he said, directing the comment to Tan, "You said my assistance was required in sickbay."

"Yes .. He did !" Wong said as Tan approached the two Officers, "So why are you in Opps ?"

"Mr Var .. I asked you to go to Sick-bay to with the Captain." David said, but didn't expect the answer he received ..

"You did yes .. But the Captain is not presently in the Sickbay .. Sirs."

"What ?" Tan said, confused for a second, as Steven didn't seem like he was about to go anywhere while his wife was in a coma. Colonel Wong tapped his comm badge ..

"Computer .. Present location of Captain Steven Smith."

"Captain Smith is currently on the USS Olympia Bridge." the base computer replied.

"What the hell's he doing there ?" Wong said.

"Please restate the question." the computer stated.

Wong seemed about to do just that, but David got there first ..

"Timok .. Get down to the Olympia and stay with the Captain .. Either Colonel Wong or myself will be along as soon as possible." Var nodded and began to rush toward the doors, "Mr Var .. Have medical send a doctor to your location too."

"Aye sir .. Will do." Var said, disappearing from Bellicose Operations Center.

Colonel Wong looked in silence at Tan, then raised his hands .. David could have sworn Tiberian made some comment under his breath, involving 'Cuckoos' as they left ..........



< tag : Col Wong / Var >

[Deleted]

Some time after having left Ops, Tiberian sat alone at a table in the Olympia crew lounge. He looked around at the crew milling in and out and sighed. He sat staring at a padd before him, one which he eventually picked up and added his thumbprint to. He stood and looked around the room one last time before departing.

He moved from the lounge to the Bridge, where Smith was sitting in his chair, obviously pondering the fate of his wife. Tiberian hated himself for dropping yet another bombshell on him at this point in time, but it was now or never. He sat in the XO's seat for what would likely be the last time and took the plunge. He reached over and tapped Smith with the padd, drawing his attention.

"I'm sorry to bother you Captain, but there's something I need to tell you"

"Go on" Smith replied wearily, doubting that much else could go wrong today.

"I wanted to inform you that I'm stepping down as the Olympia's XO, sir" He said, drawing a look of almost unparalleled shock from Smith's face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tiberian got there first.
"I'm sorry sir, but my experiences here have made me realise something. I'm not an officer, at least not a staff grade one anyway. I fight in the trenches, I take orders, I get my hands dirty. I'm a good marine, and a good officer, just not a command grade officer. People trying to kill me I can handle, losing body parts in battle I can handle, but I can't handle keeping a ship in one piece. An SMO willing to go all the way for the cause is an asset to a ship, but an XO like that isn't. I've been in contact with Captain Cir'Kem, and since my old post hasn't been filled, I can return there" He stood and saluted.
"It has been an honour and a privilege serving with you sir, and you have a damn fine ship here. If I might make one last suggestion sir?" A wave of Smith's hand gave him permission.
"I would highly recommend Commander Rose as my replacement, she has all the qualifications, and I don't think she would have to work to hard to pass whatever bar I've set. Permission to disembark, sir"

"Granted" Came Smith's final reply, as Tiberian turned on heel and marched out of the door.

~Some time later~

Tiberian sat in his quarters, looking around at the empty room, his whole life now once again confined to two bags and a trunk. He walked over to the monitor and sat down.

"Computer begin recording, audio and visual" There was a beep in the affirmative.

"Dear Crystal,

You've been one of my longest standing friends on the Oly, and I'm glad to have known you. Please don't take the fact that I haven't said goodbye in person personally, but I'd end up crying like a baby. You're a good scientist, a good person, and an even better Starfleet officer. Don't ever let anyone tell you different. Take care of the Oly for me, and keep in touch. By the way, I never got round to giving you those self defence classes, so I included a program in this message that covers all the types of martial arts that I know. I even made a holographic representation of myself to tutor you, so there's no excuse for you forgetting to write. Stay safe, and do everything that I wouldn't do, life's more fun that way.

Wong out"

<TAG Crystal>

He signed out, and sent the message through a delayed routing, giving him time to get off the station.

~A shuttle craft~

The shuttle containing Wong, Martinez and Katie (both of whom had also transferred slowly left Bellicose on thrusters. He stared out of the portside window, Katie hanging onto his arm, looking at the Olympia.

"I've left enough of my blood in her hull to make her a relative" He said with a smile.

"The same could be said for the Vic" Jose replied, settling himself down, eyes shut, to sleep through the journey. Tiberian and Katie took there seats too, as the ensign at the controls powered the warp drive.

"Fair winds and fortunate currents" Tiberian whispered, as the shuttle leapt to warp.

OOC: Well, no-one can ever deny that I went out in style.

[David Tan]

David stayed in the Operations Center, to assist Commander Kaplin, Colonel Wong headed back to the Olympia ..

Tan was about to contact the ship with an update for the Exec' as Commander Kaplin had put all necessary precautions in place pending the quarantine decision, but he was contacted first ..

=^= Smith to Commander Tan =^=

Frowning, Tan tapped his Comms badge ..

=^= Tan here Captain =^=

=^= David .. Could you meet me in my ready-room as soon as it's convenient =^=

=^= I'm on my way to the Olympia now Sir =^=

=^= Good .. I'll speak to you when you arrive .. Out =^=

David picked up his pace a little ...

~~~~~~~~~~

Leaving the turbo-lift, he headed straight for the Captain's office. Tapping the chime, he waited, but not for long ..

"Come." he heard the Captain say, "Ahh David .. Take a seat .. Drink ?" Smith asked, getting up and walking to the replicator ..

"Cappuccino .. Please."

As Steven sat down, he placed the cup of coffee in front of David. then once he'd taken a sip of his own drink, placed it too on the desk ..

"You are the Olympia's Second Officer David .. But I'm afraid your workload will be increased for a short time."

"Oh ?." Tan said, waiting for the Captain to expand on his comment ..

"Colonel Wong has tendered a transfer request .. Which I have reluctantly accepted ....."

David was more than a little surprised, but remained silent, again waiting out the Captain ..........



< tag : Cptn >

[timokvar]

As Timok was walking towards the USS Olympia’s Docking bay, Commander Tan ran past him and then stopped. He turned back to Timok and raised his hands in an apologizing gesture.

“Ensign Var I’m glad I ran into you. I know I asked you to go sit with the Captain” He said slightly frowning “ But something has come up and I need to go see the captain myself”

“Not a problem Commander I shall delay my session with the captain until we undock” Timok replied. With that Commander Tan Went on his way to meet the captain.

Although he was getting a bit annoyed with the way he had been running about the place. But he supposed the captains meeting with Commander Tan must have been important and mission related. So it would at least take the captains mind off of his wife and onto the job.


OOC: This is based after the Second part of David’s post.