El Sal Mission 10.1: And Everything in its Place..

[Savot]

As the initial preparations had been made to start their mission at this first navigational buoy, the vessel carrying the El Salvador's new First Officer and her family rendezvoused with them and transferred them aboard. Commander Delbridge, who'd decided last minute to hitch a ride back to Jupiter aboard the El Salvador on what he labelled 'the scenic route', had just had time to see the new arrivals before a communique from Admiral Hayes caught up with him ordering the engineer back to Jupiter Station unless he wanted his field promotion to full Commander to remain permanent. That certainly got Delbridge moving as he had no desire to get stuck with command like his vulcan friend had, but upon seeing Yarna's return the human smiled knowing he was leaving Savot in good hands.

The vulcan captain himself was currently on the bridge, awaiting the shuttle team's preparations to exit the ship and investigate the nav-buoy to see if it shed any light on what had happened to the Tillis or her current whereabouts. As there was currently no senior science officer aboard, Savot was standing at that console assisting with the scan of surrounding space he'd asked Commander Tavik to perform from Ops. He heard the turbolift open of course, and even though she had proven quite proficient at getting to the bridge in the past, Savot was slightly surprised to hear the little girl's voice that came from behind him.

"Captain!", Yarna cried out as she flew at him.

Rolling her eyes, S'reena Hope followed at a more sedate pace and stopped a few feet away from him, "Commander S'reena Hope, reporting for duty sir," she announced, making no effort to free the poor Vulcan from her daughter's hug.

Savot recovered from his surprise quickly, turning to greet the returning members of the El Salvador family. He knelt so as to respectfully greet young Yarna without looking downward at her... unintentionally placing himself at the ideal hug height and the young Romulan latched on. Although he was still relatively unfamiliar with children in general, he'd developed a growing routine with this particular one and as such calmly returned the hug, supporting Yarna with his left arm to pick her up as he stood to address her mother.

"It is a pleasant surprise to see you again so soon Miss Yarna; welcome back", Savot looked first to the girl and then her mother, giving S'reena a bow of his head, "And to you and the rest of your family as well Commander. I believe ship and crew will all benefit from your presence, and it will be an honor to serve with you in the capacity of First Officer."

He turned back to the console for a moment, to pick up a datapadd with his free arm and handed it to his XO, "A recording of our mission briefing from Admiral Hayes and reference links to all the pertinent contextual data in our computer banks. In short, a freighter carrying relatively unremarkable medical supplies failed to reach its destination and its whereabouts are currently unknown. This navigational buoy is its last confirmed contact and a shuttle team is prepping now to leave the ship and establish a remote connection to the buoy to scan its recent sensor logs to see if any useful data can be found."

He knelt again, letting Yarna down to the floor gently, looking at her as he stood back up, "I regret our reunion being brief Miss Yarna, but unfortunately the bridge is a place of high activity and our current mission demands my attention. I hope a renewal of my previous agreement to spend time with you when we've completed it will suffice?"

[Deleted]

“Yes Commander, I’ll get them ready, I’ll need the information we have been provided regarding the class of freighter and buoy designs.”

James nodded, "Here you go Ensign." He handed him the PADD, "I'll be in my office if you need anything."

(Tag Jackson if any)

With a smile he turned and smartly walked into his office looking at the two junior officers now standing at full attention. James sat down behind the desk, "You will both be scrubbing plasma manifolds for the duration of this mission. An official reprimand will be added into your records, and Commodore Savot will be hearing about this behavior! Do I make myself clear?"

He snapped at them both watching them nod smartly, "Dismissed!" James watched as they both left, and he grabbed up some paperwork when the door chime went off. Oh now what? "Come in please." He said seeing a young officer enter and pop to attention.

"Commander Cohen we have discovered that the furthest navigation buoy is misaligned and been moved at least nine kilometers from its original place."

James raised a brow, he knew that something like that was startling, "Where is this nav-buoy located exactly Lieutenant?" He said looking at the J.G. carefully.

"Sir, it is located inside a small nebula. Sensors are blind to that area, we are picking up the faint trace from it. Almost like someone may have moved it to that spot."

James stood up, and tapped his commbadge, "Commander Cohen to Commodore Savot we have a problem."

(Tag Savot)

"It seems that one of the buoys may have been moved about fifteen kilometers from it's original place. It's currently located inside an unexplored nebula. It's the last nav-buoy along this path the Tillis may or may not be inside. Please confirm with sensors?"

(Tag Savot)

[Savot]

(Any response from S'reena/Yarna to the previous post)


Savot stood once more after letting Yarna back down to the ground and offering her his promise, turning then to her mother, "You may assume your duties at any time Commander, though our current assignment's severity doesn't require your immediate service should you wish to take the standard 48 hours to settle back in with your family. I leave the decision to you."

(S'reena)

Before he could respond back to her in turn, Engineer Cohen's voice came through over the intercom, =^=Commander Cohen to Commodore Savot we have a problem.=^=

Savot tapped his commbadge immediately in reply though his voice barely changed, =^=Go ahead Commander.=^=

=^=According to data we just received from Admiral Hayes it seems that one of the buoys may have been moved about fifteen kilometers from its original place. It's currently located inside an unexplored nebula. It's the last nav-buoy along this path; the Tillis may or may not be inside. Please confirm with sensors?=^=, Cohen requested.

Savot immediately turned back to the Science station he'd been making temporary use of, though he spoke over his shoulder to Tavik at Ops, "Mr. Tavik, launch a probe to Commander Cohen's stated coordinates. We can't investigate directly until we've completed our work here at the first buoy but we may as well gather what information we can in the interim. I'll take over scanning the local space to ensure the El Salvador doesn't come under unexpected duress."

(Tavik response)

As he ran scans of the local space to keep watch for both vessels and/or spacial phenomenon that could threaten the El Salvador, Savot tapped his reply to Cohen, =^=A probe's being launched as we speak Commander. In the interests of finishing our investigation here as quickly and thoroughly as possible, I want you to join Commander Gaz's team aboard the shuttle to begin the interface with the first buoy's computer systems. It would seem likely that any sabotage occurred at the other buoy, but we must rule out all possibilities as we progress. Savot out.=^=




(Mr. Cohen may go ahead and assume the shuttle launch, and go as far into accessing the first nav buoy's systems as he likes, albeit within reason. Commander Gaz can then jump in whenever he has time, but I want to start moving forward with the mission. Mr. Tavik may likewise have the probe's findings, with regards to the other buoy that seems to have been intentionally pushed into a small nebula, be whatever comes to mind if he has any specific ideas. And as said in-post Commander Hope can jump in whenever/however she likes as well.)

[Deleted]

"I regret our reunion being brief Miss Yarna, but unfortunately the bridge is a place of high activity and our current mission demands my attention. I hope a renewal of my previous agreement to spend time with you when we've completed it will suffice?"

The little girl grinned up at him. "I'll hold you to that," she said softly, only for him to hear. She knew the bridge was busy and no place for little girls but that never had deterred her from coming up before. "Am I still your assistant?" she asked quietly, though she expected no answer, especially not when her mother shook her head, indicating she should be quiet.

"You may assume your duties at any time Commander, though our current assignment's severity doesn't require your immediate service should you wish to take the standard 48 hours to settle back in with your family. I leave the decision to you."

S'reena studied him, really studied him for the first time. During her prior tenure as chief of science, she had been blind. Literally. He had allowed her to touch him, even though she knew that touch caused a Vulcan physical discomfort. Now, she had actual features to match to her mental picture. She had thought him kind and considerate, and she realised her mental picture had been reasonable accurate.

For a moment, she wondered why he didn't have a family, he had struck her as a family man. The way he interacted with Yarna, not even Jackson had interacted with her children as easily as he had. Yet she knew better than to ask, Vulcans were private people, she remembered. "I'll take a few hours to settle back in," she conceded. "Thank you."

Taking Yarna by the hand, the Romulan XO exited the bridge and took the child back to her new quarters, where Michael had already started unpacking. Kahlan had taken possession of one of the small bedrooms, the girl never really needed much space as long as she could tend to her schoolwork in relative quiet. Often, S'reena wondered why the girl was so serious, where Yarna was such a spontaneous contrast. Her other children had yet to show any defined personality, they were still very young. Of all her children, only yarna had ever shown any empathic tendencies and sometimes S'reena wondered how far that would extend into telepathy. Would she benefit from tutoring in her 'gift' just yet, or was she still too young. ANd who would she ask?

Two hours later, she returned to the bridge, still pondering those questions. "Captain, when you go off duty, may we have a word?" she asked quietly as she claimed the XO's seat in the command center, starting a quick read up on what was going on.

[Deleted]

=^=A probe's being launched as we speak Commander. In the interests of finishing our investigation here as quickly and thoroughly as possible, I want you to join Commander Gaz's team aboard the shuttle to begin the interface with the first buoy's computer systems. It would seem likely that any sabotage occurred at the other buoy, but we must rule out all possibilities as we progress. Savot out.=^=

"Understood Commodore. Commander Cohen out." He said before looking at his assistant engineer with a goofy grin. "You have engineering until I get back."

"Yes sir."

James nodded before walking away leaving the Bolian Lieutenant to his duties. Before he would leave main engineering and head straight for the turbolift. "Shuttle Bay One please."

.:.Shuttle Bay One.:.

Upon arrival he seen that several had been preparing the shuttle for launch. That was when he felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned around spying one of his engineers. A crewman, "Yes Crewman?" He requested raising a brow.

"Sir, I stopped by your office but you were not there. An important message has come through from Starfleet Headquarters. Here you go."

James nodded taking it, and with a glance he seen what it was. A promotion, and sadly it was dated several days ago. "How long have you had this PADD?"

"Only a couple days sir, I've been trying to find you. But, every time I do you appear busy with one thing or another sorry sir."

"At ease. Thanks for the heads up go to the replicator and get me a new solid pip quickly Crewman."

After watching the man scurry away and return with the golden pip he replaced the old one with his new one. Then he handed the hollow one to the Crewman, "Perhaps one day you will make officer Crewman." He responded watching the young man smile before going out the doors. James returned the smile before going back to his business. "Commander Gaz are we all set to go here?"

(Tag Gaz)

[Jamey Gaz]

"We are indeed ready." Gaz replied and the two entered the shuttle and started the shuttle's exit from the ship. As the shuttle departed the bay, passing through the force field, cleared the quad nacelles, the star-dotted blackness of space was the only viewable scape in front of the shuttle. With a few taps of the controls the navigation buoy came into view.

"I have shut down all data links to the El-Sal and ran communications through an audio only channel with data filters. Once we are in station keeping around the buoy, we will data link with High-Level Data Link Control 6256. Its balanced use of data filters will give us a moment of time to shut down the link if they become unbalanced due to some type of virus and do not trigger auto-shutdown." Gaz offered to Cohen.

The shuttle came to a stop, or what could be perceived as a stop as the buoy constantly spins, along side the buoy. The buoy's auto-attendant system sounded its normal message.

"This navigational buoy is the property of Star-Fleet and the United Federation of Planets..." Gaz stopped the recording before it could finish its message and entered in an administration sequence of numbers and command authorization. The buoy's system responded and the data link was established.

(Tag Cohen)

After running the computer systems test, "Commander Gaz to El-Salvador, All seems normal here; all systems nominal. Logs do show spikes of Terahertz radiation in the last ten days."

(Tag Savot)

[Savot]

"Am I still your assistant?" Yarna asked quietly before getting a shaken head gesture from her mother, who opted to take some time to settle in before reporting for direct duty. Taking her daughter by the hand S'reena made for the turbolift to go to her family's new quarters.

Savot followed calmly, speaking softly to the young girl before the lift's doors closed, "I can think of no one better suited to the job, Miss Yarna." He gave the girl a firm nod as the doors whooshed closed on the mother and daughter, then returned to the science station to observe the shuttle departure and the incoming data from Mr. Tavik's probe.


**************************************************
[2 hours later]

It had taken some time to get the team prepped to launch and then to establish a connection between the shuttlecraft and buoy computers with as high a safety margin as possible, but the vulcan captain was still quite satisfied with their progress. As the final computer connections were being made, Commander Hope returned to the bridge.

"Captain, when you go off duty, may we have a word?" she asked quietly as she claimed the XO's seat in the command center, starting a quick read up on what was going on.

Savot read nothing dire in her tone, but he sensed the subject matter was important. He nodded to his First Officer, "Certainly Commander."


It was at that time that Gaz' first communication came through the El Sal's comm system, =^=Commander Gaz to El-Salvador, All seems normal here; all systems nominal. Logs do show spikes of Terahertz radiation in the last ten days.=^=

Savot pressed a control on his armrest to reply, =^=Interesting. I recommend making a request of the buoy, requesting coordinate directions to the other buoy that's been moved from its rightful location. If this buoy gives the coordinates that match our records that would suggest the forces at work here were unable to tamper with this buoy, assuming intentional sabotage is indeed to blame here. If the coordinates the buoy gives us match the next buoy's new location within the nebula, it becomes likely that both were tampered with in order to send ships into the nebula where they can more easily be preyed upon.=^=

[Jamey Gaz]

Savot's reply was about instant and just as logical, Gaz remembered how that was the case the last time he was assigned to the El Sal. "Understood, stand-by"

The buoy's processor utilization was spiking ever moment or so and it hindered any input from the console. Finally, it took the request and took longer than normal for a simple data access of a last known location of the adjacent buoy. The location of the next indeed displayed as the new inter-nebula location but there was also something interesting.

Gaz reported back, "Commodore, the location is reporting back the new location, however the log file recorded the answer to my query as being the coordinates that matches our records. I'm noticing abnormal processor spikes as well now that we have been in the system for a moment. I think we may have a Trojan Horse type program or system interfacing the buoy, interfering with the buoy's answer to calls."

<Savot>

"I may have an answer for the Terahertz radiation; this type of virus would need to be replaced as it would not replicate itself each time Star-fleet sent out updates to star charts and system updates. Someone would need to come and re-introduce the virus. Terahertz radiation would allow a ship to at least be hidden while performing the task and still not be abnormal for this region."

[Deleted]

JP S'reena Hope & Hanna Jackson

Satisfied with the captain's answer, S'reena listened intently to Gaz's report. She frowned as her amazement grew. Though a first officer with quite some experience now, she still never understood much about navigation and the issues that might arise with them. "I don't really understand any of this," she confided to Savot. "How can a bouy say one thing but literally do something else?

(Savot)

The Romulan nodded, though she still didn't quite understand. She looked up, when a young woman approached her. One, she didn't recognize.

Hannah looked to Savot and said. "Please exuse the interuption Captain." Then looking to the Romulan Officer she said. "Commander, I am Hannah the ships Counsellor." She paused for a moment and added. "I know it is a pain but you are behind on your annual physch eval would you mind if we got it out of the way?"

S'reena glanced sideways at Savot, then rose to her feet. "I don't mind," she answered pleasantly. "I'm sure we can use the readyroom, unless you prefer your office?" It was known she didn't like counselors, but for once, she was going to put on a good behaviour, and make no fuss of it.

"I prefer my office." Hannah replied with a smile. "The ready room is very... Stuffy... Too Official." She tilted her head to look at Savot and added. "No offense intended Captain." She looked back at S'reena and said. "After you Commander!" She smiled as she followed and added. "You just transferred here didn't you? but you had been here before?"

S'reena nodded as they entered the turbolift. Above them, Auric hovered, observing the two women intently. "Yes, I was assigned as chief science officer, before transferring to the Rainier with Captain Jackson. However my children were unable to settle there, and Yarna missed Savot so much I had no choice but to request a transfer back. Anything for my family."

"Ah." Hannah replied as she stepped into the turbolift and then said. "Chief Counsellors Office." Hannah turned to S'reena and said. "I can see that Captain Jackson doesn't have Commodore Savot's wicked sense of humour."

"She has a nicer ready room though, who ever decided cream was a good colour for everything should be shot!."

"Savot has a sense of humour?" S'reena laughed, "we'll break through that tough shell of his some day. Though, Yarna seems to have broken through, you can see he dotes on my little girl." She followed the counselor into her office. "So, what do you want to discuss? I'm sure my sparkling record speaks for itself?"

"Oh it sure does!" Hannah replied as she walked into her office, "Stacey reccomended I spare the eight hours to properly read it... She did warn me however that you were not someone who has a love of Counsellors but you seem fine in fact happy to be here, may I ask why."

"You can always ask but I can't guarantee I'll always answer," the Romulan chuckled as she took a seat. "I thought that for once, I'd give the right example, plus I've been expecting you to pounce on the opportunity. Not that many Romulans in Starfleet and all that. Plus...for once I just don't mind it. It happens?"

"I see." Hannah replied as she took a seat and picked up a PaDD. "Very first officer of you."

Hannah looked up and smiled as she asked. "So are you sane?"

"Well, I suppose that one's up for debate. Some would tell you I'm insane, while others would tell you the opposite. How about I leave that for you to decide?" The Romulan smirked at the younger woman, as she made herself comfortable on the couch.

"I am not concerned with what others think." Hannah replied, "I am more interested in what you think that is after all why I am talking to you and not these others."

"Would an insane person tell you he's insane?" S'reena countered with a smile. "I've had my ups and downs but I'd like to think I'm in posession of all my marbles at the moment. Plus, I have my sight back, what more could I possibly need?"

Hannah nodded as she wrote something down on her PaDD. "Phew that was a hard session, well your cleared.. All done for another year!" She looked up and gave a nod as she placed the padd back on the desk. "So how did it come to pass you have your sight back anyway?"

"Long story short? While we were at starbase there was someone who had an experimental technique. Since I had nothing to lose, I thought it was worth a shot. By the time I got to the Ranier, I was able to endure normal light intensity again. Though, too bright light still hurts, and I can't see very well in the dark." The Romulan pointed to the little golden creature which lay curled up on the table. "That's what I got her for now."

"Interesting." Hannah thought for a moment and then asked. "Commander, on more than one occasion in your service you have been disciplined for disobeying direct orders, If you were a Captain and you came across an officer with your file would you have them as your Executive Officer?"

"I'm not a captain, nor will I ever be," she answered, "ergo your question is invalid. Perhaps you should ask Savot why he accepted me. One should look at a person's qualities, not necessarily their record. I will always put the safety of the captain and the crew before myself. And if I deem a course of action dangerous, I will never hesitate to either point it out or take counter action."

"Your dodging the question." Hannah replied waving her hand slightly, "If I want Commodore Savot's opinion on the matter I can easily ask him however I asked you what you believe.. and my question wasn't 'when' but 'if' you were a Captain... ergo valid question but nice try."

"I can't know that until I am in that situation, so I can't give you an answer to that question." S'reena crossed her arms over her chest. "Next question."

Hannah studied her for a moment before nodding. "Interesting."

"List for me your top priorities please." Hannah asked after a few moments.

"My top priorities. In all instances, my family will come first. They are the most important to me. Next to that comes my duty to my captain, the crew, and the ship. My children are sacred. They become above all else."

"And do you believe you have found a balance between your family life and your profesional life?" Hannah asked as she picked up the Padd.

"Well I've had children for about twelve years now, so I'd like to think that I have. Even though five can be quite a handful, with the youngest being only three...do you have children?"

"How can you possibly have served with Stacey Jackson and not know that?" Hannah asked as she wrote something on the PaDD, Looking back up she asked. "What is your biggest problem in life right at this moment?"

"Right at this moment? I have an empathic child, and no-one to train her. Empathy or telepathy don't run in my family, yet here I am, with an empathic eight year old and I don't know what to do with it. Since she seems drawn to Savot, I was hoping to ask for his help."

"He might be able to help, Vulcans are touch telepaths and what your describing is more akin to a Betazoid, It might be wise to look into guides from both races, Vulcans can help with control but lack the emotional tools to help her understand what she is sensing." She thought for a moment.

"It is a scary thought though I grant you, I somewhat hope my son won't develop telepathic powers or empathic powers, I know Dean and Stacey both suffer migraines because of it for them it seems a high price to pay." She shrugged.

"You could consider having them suppresed from an early age on," the Romulan suggested. "I knew Yarna was empathic from when she was a baby. It was difficult to deal with sometimes as she would scream on end if something was about to happen, that we knew nothing about yet. Now that she's older, we can provide teaching for her, something which is impossible in a baby. Is your son a full betazoid? If he's less than half he may never develop empathic abilities. My daughter is half Human. Empathy, or even telepathy in a full-blooded Romulan is rare."

"I'm Human so no he isn't." She thought for a moment, "Stacey is only half Betazoid and she is a lot more powerful in telepathic techniques than she lets on." She paused for a moment and added. "Dean can sense emotions from anybody and can at times hear thoughts if he is around someone long enough."

"And no I wouldn't have them surpressed if it turned out he had any ability, I don't believe in handpicking traits you want your child to have or not have."

"Nor do I, but it is an option to consider if you fear what he might end up as." S'reena shrugged. "I would do anything for my children, to see them happy. I'm sure you would too. And I know Savot would go a fair length, for Yarna. He took care of her, when she somehow got left behind here. She was desperate to stay here, we didn't know she was missing until it was too late."

"Yes but there are times when going too far only achieves the opposite." Hannah replied as she wrote more on the Padd. " Hannah sighed as she looked up, "Yes Savot's awesome I am considering having him dubbed Saint Savot."

"Saint Savot. He'll love that." S'reena smiled. "I trust him, explicitly. He trusted me, when I was blind, and I had to trust him then. I would go a long way for him, should it become necessary. I owe him a great deal, including part of my carreer."

Hannah nodded and gave a slight smile. "Yes, I am familiar with the story."

She looked back down and asked. "Apart from he who is more Saintly than all others do you have many friends here?"

"No, sadly I don't. But I never had many friends on any ship I served on. I'm not very out-going, it seems. On that aspect, it can get quite lonely, but it seems whenever I go somewhere, people see 'Romulan' before they see 'Starfleet Officer'. Sad, but true."

"Yes, many people from a variety of races face the same social hurdles unfortunatly." Hannah looked down for a moment. "Well Commander before we wrap this up do you have any comments, questions or concerns?"

"None at the moment but I assure you, when I do, I'll know where to find you. Do you have any?"

"Nothing that can't be covered in next weeks session Commander." Hannah replied as she stood up and walked to her desk. "Your cleared for duty but I am going to order three more sessions for you, which you can hold with myself or another Counsellor on this ship."

Hillary pulled out a PaDD from her drawer and tapped in a few commands and then walked back over to Commander Hope handing her the Padd she said. "There are a number of spots open for next week the quicker you pick your preffered time the better chances you'll get it."

"Next week?" the Romulan querried, "what do you mean, next week. I've no intention of making this a weekly event counselor."

"Counsellor Jackson." Hannah corrected. "It's a good thing you have no choice in the matter then." Hannah replied. "You have three more sessions, co-operate and use them and there will be a good chance that will be it, if you fight about it you'll drag it out and end up doing the three plus more."

"We'll see about that," the Romulan grumbled, "I see no valid reason to continue. Was this all? I have work to do."'

Hillary looked up and replied pleasently. "Your attitude right now makes me think differently, you have a problem with being questioned and with your reactions to certain situations, whether you like it or not your ordered by the Chief Counsellor to book a session time for next week." She pointed to the padd in Commander Hopes hands. "Please have a pleasant day Commander."

"And you," S'reena returned, before heading back to the bridge. Her espression was the opposite from when she had left. From friendly, it had shifted to angry and grim.

[Savot]

As Savot listened to Gaz' findings, his new First Officer gave voice to a question. "I don't really understand any of this," she confided to Savot. "How can a bouy say one thing but literally do something else?

Savot switched the communications link to standby effectively muting their side of the connection as he turned slightly towards Hope, "Whenever a computer system sends data, its programming tells it where to pull that data from. So we ask for navigational coordinates, it pulls from 'Folder A' for example, and copies the data from that folder into the response that it gives us."

"As a safety precaution, every Starfleet buoy is programmed to make a log of everything it does, then send a copy back to the nearest Starbase at regular intervals, where the log is examined to make sure the buoy is functioning correctly. Normally, the log it sends Starfleet should match exactly with the coordinates the buoy has given to passing ships, but if Starfleet received a log that showed this buoy was sending ships to wrong coordinates they'd send a ship to investigate and reprogram the buoy, thereby ending the charade of whoever's behind this."

"As such, the saboteurs have been implanting a virus in the buoy that splits the buoy's programming. When a ship asks for coordinates, it now pulls from a new folder 'Folder A2' for example, which holds the wrong coordinates of the other buoy they moved into the nebula. And when the computer copy is made for the log to send to Starfleet, it pulls that data from the original 'Folder A' so the report looks exactly as it should and doesn't draw unwanted attention."

The vulcan captain was beginning to feel as though he'd erred on the side of droning on into a computer science lecture that typically put people to sleep, but S'reena merely nodded and then the matter was closed by the arrival of the new counselor, Hannah Jackson who promptly made away with the First Officer for a psych eval.

Though the personalities were certainly different, and thankfully the voices as well, Savot couldn't help but draw a parallel between the gung-ho directness of Counselor Hannah Jackson with that of Stacey Jackson's junior counselor Simone Bars who had practically shanghaied the vulcan captain for a similar evaluation shortly after Stacey and S'reena had come aboard. Savot nodded politely to both ladies as they departed, assuring S'reena wordlessly that their current situation was not so demanding that she couldn't take the time to sate the counselor, and in moments the turbolift whooshed closed on the women.

Savot swung back to face the main viewscreen out of habit, despite it being unnecessary as his commlink with Commander Gaz wasn't visual, and re-activated his end of the link, =^=Pardon the delay Commander. Good work detecting the virus=^=, he paused for a moment as he called up some data from Starfleet on his chair's arm console screen, =^=The next programming update isn't scheduled for another 6.3 days so we have some time within which to maneuver. I'm going to request that Starfleet send a science vessel to keep an eye on this buoy and warn approaching ships, but not to correct the buoy's programming just yet. It's possible the guilty party has a means of monitoring the status of their re-programming and if so I'd like to avoid letting them know we're on to them, in hopes of getting the jump on them.=^=


*************************************************
[Upon the shuttle's return]


When Commander Gaz had returned to the bridge and resumed his station Savot spoke, "Mr. Gaz, based on the data given to us by the first buoy, determine where our entry point into the nebula would be based on its course parameters. Then plot our actual course to enter the nebula at a point directly opposite to it. Mr. Tavik, circle the outside of the nebula with the probe we already have in the vicinity and take readings to provide Commander Gaz with as detailed a measurement as possible on the nebula's dimensions. Engage course when ready, take us to Yellow Alert."

[Jamey Gaz]

Before severing connections from the buoy, Gaz left a small bit of code to suppress logging of the administration account and it activities. The code would run, suppress admin logging, then allow its place in memory to be overwritten. Backing away from the buoy and navigating back to the El Salvador was all a manual task as he was purging the shuttles systems upon the request of the the Commodore.

[Current mission time]

Savot had gave his orders and the ship passively access the buoy for the first time. This resulted in the coordinates of the next buoy that was firmly inside the Nebula. The passive method was so the ships type and exact location would not be recorded; a normal thing if a ship was simply wanting to sync with a navigational buoy from a great distance away. Gaz pulled up the Nebula on the view screen and then plotted the inverse coordinate to enter the Nebula.

"Plot entered, engaging," Gaz reported back and ship pulled away from the navigational buoy.

As the yellow klaxons flashed, the probe data from Mr. Tavik started to clear up the murky nebulous that was now their destination.

[Deleted]

[Shuttle Craft on the way to USS El Salvador]

Niles Relaxed reading a Padd on anatomy of Vulcan's, Romulans and Trills, He had read the crew roster and realized he would need to refresh. He realized this was his first real assignment, and was nervous. He'd never worked on anything but scientific and diplomatic vessels for a short while after his academy days.

He started to get the jitters after what must have been his fourteenth cup on coffee in an hour. He put the padd down as the pilot of the shuttle broke the silence.

"Approaching El Salvador sir" He said in a anxious tone of voice. Anxious that the long journey from star base 47 was coming to an end.

=/\= This is the Shuttle craft Venus requesting docking permission, we have your new doc aboard. =/\=
They were cleared for docking and docked.

[El Salvador docking bay]

Niles stepped of the shuttle craft and immediately felt a bit ill. The change from sitting down to standing up had made him feel dizzy. He stood for a moment soaking in the atmosphere and fighting the temptation to pass out.
He tapped his comm badge. =/\=Bridge. Doctor Niles West Reporting For duty. Permission to come aboard.... Sorry for the Delay =/\=
As Niles stood waiting for a response he knew this was going to be the start of an adventure. This was going to be his knew home.
=/\= Bridge to Ensign West permission granted =/\= A voice came over the comm system. With a smile he thanked the shuttle pilot and left for sick bay.
[Sickbay]

After about forty minutes trying to find sickbay and finally asking a crewman for directions he found sickbay. Immediately he began unpacking and sterilizing the equipment. He even started to wipe down the bio bed, the screens anything that had a surface it was cleaned. When he had finally finished his Comm badge went.

Tag Savot.

{ooc I thought I'd try and jump right in }

[Savot]

As the El Salvador came out of warp speed near the outskirts of the nebula, a Starfleet shuttle awaited them carrying arrival orders for the new Chief Medical Officer. Clearance was granted for them to land and the new doctor wasted no time in settling in, which was good considering the immediacy of their mission.

Savot activated the comm system on the arm of his command chair and hailed the doctor in sickbay, =^=Bridge to Doctor West, this is Captain Savot speaking. I apologize for the brevity of your welcoming aboard but the situation demands our immediate attention. I've sent the location of your quarters to your office terminal; however for the moment I need you to remain in sickbay and prepare for possible casualties.=^=

The vulcan captain also sent West a copy of the mission briefing's details that Admiral Hayes had given them, and he continued speaking, =^= Though we have yet to confirm anything concrete, our working theory at the moment is that we're dealing with a marauder force of unknown numbers luring ships into the nearby nebula where they can be ambushed. If piracy is indeed the motivation, logic would suggest their attacks will be focused on incapacitating a ship's crew rather than destroying the ships themselves so that the pirates can then seize any cargo without resistance. I recommend you prepare treatments for radiation exposure in addition to the usual injury types. We'll be entering the nebula in 10 minutes, Savot out.=^=

(Any West response)

After deactivating the comm channel, Savot addressed Commanders Gaz and Hope simultaneously, "As our shields and sensors will be compromised within the nebula, if there are indeed marauder vessels inside they'll be able to pose a significant threat. I have an idea but wished to confer with you both regarding its feasibility. As we all know, most space vessels are equipped with a navigational deflector that serves to deflect particulate matter away from the ship, otherwise even very small concentrations can tear away at the hull."

"If there are ships inside the nebula, it stands to reason that their deflectors will be active, thereby pushing the nebular gasses away from themselves. I think it possible that if we boost our sensor gain to offset some of the nebula's interference, we could detect inconsistent flows of nebular gas, thereby getting a reasonable approximation of their ships' positions to give us an edge in targeting. Opinions?", Savot paused to gain the benefit of Gaz and Hope's combined science and navigational expertise.

[Deleted]

=^=Bridge to Doctor West, this is Captain Savot speaking. I apologize for the brevity of your welcoming aboard but the situation demands our immediate attention. I've sent the location of your quarters to your office terminal; however for the moment I need you to remain in sickbay and prepare for possible casualties.=^=
There was a pause.
=^= Though we have yet to confirm anything concrete, our working theory at the moment is that we're dealing with a marauder force of unknown numbers luring ships into the nearby nebula where they can be ambushed. If piracy is indeed the motivation, logic would suggest their attacks will be focused on incapacitating a ship's crew rather than destroying the ships themselves so that the pirates can then seize any cargo without resistance. I recommend you prepare treatments for radiation exposure in addition to the usual injury types. We'll be entering the nebula in 10 minutes, Savot out.=^=

Niles Tapped his comm badge =/\= Will do sir =/\=

Niles began about making the preparations for treatment. He realized it was just him in the sickbay and of course he would need some assistance. Niles moved over towards the console in his office in sickbay. He pulled out a tissue and wiped the consoles surface. Then he pressed a key on the screen.

"Computer Activate Emergency Holographic Program."

"Please State the nature of the medical emergency" The holographic image appeared before responding, This model was a new updated program and not one he was used to. For starters it was a model based on a female doctor.

Niles cleared his throat nervously before realizing it was a computer simulated image. "Yes, We're to prepare for possible casualties. Possible radiation poisoning"

"I shall begin to make preparations immediately"

"Good, what's you medical library like for trauma operations" Niles replied.

"I shall be able to assist in a operations and perform them by myself."

"impressive, Whats your name?" Niles asked

"I do not understand the question please ask in a different way"

"who is your image based on?" Niles asked realizing again he was talking to a computer image a beautiful one non the less but a computer generated one.

"I am based on the late Dr Carolyn Roberts. my Library consists of the knowledge of several hundred federation doctors of seven different species would you like me to give you a list"

"NO!!!! No Dr Roberts jj....just continue what you are doing?" Niles said and went about checking the bio beds scanners and adjusting the sensitivity.

He couldn't believe of all the women he was flirting with a computer generated one. He looked at his hands, pulled out a tissue and began wiping profusely.

[Deleted]

Sitting in the Sickbay aboard the El Salvador Niles became a little shakey as they entered the nebula. He took his mind off things by reading the previous medical reports in the system. The EMH program,the lovely Dr Roberts was standing by one of the Bio Beds. Waiting for any incoming casualties one assumed.

Niles looked at the trolley making sure all essential medical equipment he needed was there, Then went back to his reading.
I'll have to make time for crew physicals when we get back to the Star base He thought as he read. He looked up again The EMH Hadn't moved. He stood up and made his way to the replicator.

"Do you want me to shut down your program until you are required?" Niles asked "Coffee Black Sweet"

"I do not understand the question?" Dr Roberts replied.

"Never mind. i could do with the company anyway.......ahhh" Niles burnt his lip.

The EMH walked towards him and cupped his chin in both hands examining the burn. She then picked up a Dermal Regenerator and began to repair the skin damage.

"This really isn't necessary. I....." Niles began.

"Please Stand still" Dr Roberts the EMH cut him short in an almost borgish tone.

"Thank you Dr" Niles said after the damage had been repaired.

Then he shared a moment with the Doctor and all the feelings were his cause holograms have no feelings. Then something shook the ship. Throwing Niles into a bio bed and making the EMH Flicker.Finding his feet he tapped his comm badge.

=/\=Sickbay to bridge whats going on? =/\=

Tag Anyone.

[Jamey Gaz]

In response to Savot

Gaz took a moment to reflect on the comments of Savot, "Sir, the Nebula gasses will exhibit distortion very similar to fluid drops in reaction to any deflector reactions. However, one detriment of using the deflector is that deflector beams can cause a great deal of subspace distortions, which can hinder the effect of the ship’s sensors. They, along with us, will have the same detriment. If I remember correctly, there is a thermal distortion that occurs prior to the fluid distortion." Checking the computer for additional information Gaz continued, "Yes, the thermal distortion is only 150 seconds before the fluid; I propose we search for a thermal distortion in the same pattern as a fluid distortion."

[Deleted]

Moving time slightly forward...a few hours or so.

JP between S'reena Hope and Hannah Jackson

---

No matter how long the journey in a shuttlecraft, it always gave for opportunity to get the person you traveled with a little better. Though her companion was the chief counselor, S'reena had no doubt that she could stand her own during this mission. Her selection had been met with some protest but S'reena believed that everyone had to be able to take part in away missions, even the chief counselor.

“Approaching relay station,” the Romulan reported as the shuttle slowed down. “What readings are we getting?”

Hannah looked up for a moment her concentration broken by S’reena. She shook her head slightly as she put the padd down and looked at the main console. “Minor background radiation, within normal parameters.” She pressed a few commands. “We are still within communication range with El Salvador.”

She looked too her side and said. “You read the latest fleet announcements?” she tapped the Padd on her lap.

“No I'm afraid I don't really keep up with the fleet gossip.” She grinned. “Though having a family of seven people, that's gossip enough isn't it. Tell me...what is the latest announcement?”

Hannah handed her the Padd, “Your friend and my mother in law is now Section Admiral.” She shrugged, “It was hard enough having her last name before, but now..”

“Now you have a name to live up to,” S'reena supplied, “that isn't so bad though, is it? You must be very proud now, and your husband twice as much. You must remind me to send her a message, when we get back.”

Hannah shook her head. “It’s not about living up to anything.” She sighed. “Now when I get a promotion people will think is it because her family pulled strings, I don’t know maybe it is selfish but when I achieve something I want people to know it is because I myself did it not because I have a family with connections.”

“You could always change your name back to your own name,” the Romulan commander suggested, “besides, you won't get promoted without me or Savot knowing about it first and crew promotions do tend to happen on the recommendation of the first officer.” She smirked. “So if anything, it's me you got to prove yourself to.” At that moment, her console went completely dark without warning, and the shuttle stalled to a halt – not taking into account the forward momentum the shuttle already had so it did keep drifting forward, without anything either woman could do about it. “What the...”

Hannah blinked for a few moments before replying hastily. “There was nothing on sensors!” She pressed the console to no avail it was completely inactive all the displays were gone. “We can’t even tell why the power failed.” She stood up and moved to the back of the shuttle. “I am going to check the main power distribution systems.” She kneeled down and began to pry a panel off of the wall. She saw a flash of intensely bright light and she felt her back smack against a wall.

Briefly blinded by the flash it took S'reena several seconds to regain her vision in which time Hannah had slumped against the bulkhead. She grabbed a tricorder and hurried over, noting that the younger woman was bleeding from her mouth. “Hannah?” she urged, as she eased her down to lie flat. “Hannah talk to me. What happened?”

She blinked heavily, she found it hard to focus but managed to reply. “I didn’t even fully pull off the panel.” She swirled her tongue around tried to figure out what she tasted. “I think I have bitten my tongue.” Blood started to drip from her mouth, She looked around. “I think life support is down, the smoke isn’t clearing.”

“Stay still and call me if you feel worse than you do now.” S'reena turned her back on the woman for a moment, trying to tear off the panel Hannah had been after. “It's fried,” she reported, “I can't get it off without brute force.” Instead she tore away one of the side seats and pulled out two respirators. “They won't last us very long, but hopefully, long enough. I'll try to contact the El-Salvador...”

Hannah nodded slightly, she now had began to cough and her breathing was now laboured, “I, don’t know how long they will last.” She took as deep breath as she could manage, “You should try to contact El Sal now… I think, I am having trouble breathing.”

“Once I establish the severity of your injuries,” the Romulan countered, flipping open a medical tricorder she had dug up with the respirators. “I want you to lay as still as possible, after I roll you onto your side. Your left lung seems to have collapsed, which explains your troubled breathing. I'm afraid I'm not skilled enough to tell you how severe this all is otherwise, but this is severe enough. I'm going to roll you onto your right side and I want you to remain that way for now, until I can safely get you into a sitting position.”

S'reena gently rolled her over, then went back to the console and ducked underneath. Somehow she had to get a panel active. After nearly frying her fingers a few times, she got the communications panel up long enough to send out a distress signal, urging the El-Salvador to arrange for a tow, and medical help. She added urgent to her message just before the panel shorted out again. “Well, that was it...”

Hannah concentrated on breathing, knowing what was wrong with her didn’t help matters in fact it only seemed to serve to make her feel worse pain started to crop up where it hadn’t before. “Did.. Did the message get through.”

“I don't know,” S'reena confessed as she sat down beside the injured woman. “I'm going to pull you up, and let you lean against me. I want you to relax as much as possible, but don't fall asleep.” Carefully, she pulled the younger woman up and let her rest against her. “Squeeze my hand if you think you're going to pass out. There's nothing for us to do but wait now, and hope for the best.” She coughed as she started to inhale smoke. “Breathe slowly, and not too deeply,” she advised.

Tag: Gaz/West

---

ooc: the shuttle is completely without power now. once found, both women will need to be treated for smoke inhalation, and hannah for a collapsed lung and some scrapes and bruises. Probably both for hypothermia by then as well...maybe initial stages of hypoxia as well.

[Savot]

Checking the computer for additional information Gaz continued, "Yes, the thermal distortion is only 150 seconds before the fluid; I propose we search for a thermal distortion in the same pattern as a fluid distortion."

Savot nodded his agreement, "Very good Commander." He then turned to S'reena, who advised that she pilot a shuttlecraft into the nebula, stating that the El Salvador would be better able to pinpoint the thermal distortions of any ships hiding inside the nebula if they had precise readings of the 'normal' thermal levels inside the nebula. With that data, they could more easily tell the difference between the normal thermal readings for the nebula, and the increased readings that a hiding starship would cause.

The vulcan captain agreed to his First Officer's plan; while there was risk involved it was logical that a shuttlecraft would stand the greatest chance of going unnoticed by any pirates within, but he insisted on a precise 30 minute window for the shuttle mission. If they hadn't returned to the El Salvador in that timeframe, the El Salvador would assume something had gone wrong, and go in after them doing the best they could with whatever sensor readings they could get.


***************************************************
[17 minutes into the half-hour window]


Savot sat on the bridge paying vigilant attention to the ship's sensors, both to keep an eye out for enemy presence and for any sign that Commander Hope's shuttle was in distress. He trusted both the skills and judgement of his new First Officer, but the intricacy of this operation showed that these marauders were hardly amateurs, and unknown variables had a way of popping up when they could do the most damage.

Sure enough, a signal popped up on communications channels, but it was so weak that all they could confirm was that it was a Starfleet signal, and that it had an urgency stamp on it. That was all Savot needed to know for the moment; S'reena wouldn't have sent a signal under their current circumstances unless the situation was dire indeed.

Savot rose from the command chair and moved to stand between Tavik and Gaz, "Mr. Gaz, take us in along the shuttlecraft's projected course. Mr. Tavik proceed to Transporter Room 1 and prepare for an emergency transport of the shuttle's occupants directly to sickbay."

As the Ops officer left his console to head to the transporters, the vulcan captain took the vacated seat beside Commander Gaz, once again at the station he had so long served at. Speaking to Jamey, Savot laid out the details, "Commander, until we recover Hope and Jackson we must proceed with shields down, ergo our only defense if we come under attack will be evasive manuevers. That will be your primary focus, while getting us as close to the shuttle as possible so as to minimize nebular interference with the transporters."

"As we detected no energy readings that would suggest weapons fire, my current assumption is that the navigational buoy that was moved inside the nebula did indeed contain a virus, as was our concern when you interfaced with the previous buoy. That one possessed no offensive virus, but it seems this one did; a logical choice for the marauders as having the buoy disable incoming ships for them would save them the risk and effort of having to engage them directly. And if life support is affected, they would merely have to wait until a ship's crew died before seizing any cargo or components they wished without resistance."

As they crossed into the nebula, the ship shuddered at the sudden environ change and Doctor West's voice came through the bridge speakers, =/\=Sickbay to bridge whats going on? =/\=

Savot worked the operations console, opening a reply line, =^=Doctor West, this is Savot. We've entered the nebula earlier than anticipated in response to an emergency signal from Commander Hope and Counselor Jackson aboard one of our shuttlecraft. When we reach them we'll be beaming them directly to you in sickbay. The contents of their signal were unclear so we have no details as to specific injury if any; please prepare for any eventuality, Bridge out.=^=

Roberts manned the tactical station, and Savot gave him his instructions as well, "Mr. Roberts, until we've secured the shuttle occupants our primary objective is to buy time to do so. Should we come under attack your focus should be on delaying them as much as possible rather than inflicting specific damage on any single vessel. Wide-arc phaser blasts and blanket-dispersal torpedo barrages; then as soon as we have them back aboard, raise shields and we'll begin the battle in earnest if they will not surrender."

[Savot]

Savot sat at Ops next to Gaz, fingers working the console to pinpoint the locational coordinates of S'reena's shuttlecraft. The El Salvador was fully inside the nebula now and as such the sensors underwent the usual interference within such an environment. However, knowing they'd have to leave their shields down until they beamed the Counselor and First Officer back aboard the El Salvador to sickbay, Savot transferred shield power to the sensors to boost their gain since finding the craft as quickly as possible was their best chance of surviving their current situation.

Most beings recognized with irony that the closer circumstances came to a crisis or threat, the quieter things got. Console beeps and chimes that were never noticed at other moments became almost uncomfortably loud to those unused to the tension. Savot had been routinely impressed with the conduct of the El Salvador's crew over the years; however, and this time proved no exception. Everyone attended to their duties with focus and within a few minutes he began to pick up the shuttle.

At this distance combined with the nebula's interference he couldn't make out the exact details of the shuttle's damage, and Savot focussed instead on preparing a narrow-beam sensor wave designed solely to pick up the two lifeforms aboard the shuttle so they could be beamed to sickbay intact. Gaz' piloting brought them between the shuttle and the most likely direction of any incoming marauder fire, though for the time being they appeared to have been lucky as none of the thermal differentials Jamey had advised them to keep watch for appeared on their instruments.

Savot's hope was that his earlier hypothesis would prove true, and the pirates were waiting for the stolen buoy's computer virus to knock out their prey's life support systems so they could board the target without resistance and take whatever they wanted. Of course, given the differences in various ship sizes it would take longer for certain ships' life support to completely stop than it would others, so there was no way to know what amount of delay the pirates had chosen to adopt. Every moment counted, and finally they were within transporter range.

The vulcan captain narrowed his sensors as tightly as possible getting a solid lock on both the Counselor and Commander Hope, then opened a channel to Mr. Tavik in the transporter room, =^=Commander Tavik, sensor lock established. Lock on and transport the shuttle occupants directly to sickbay.=^=

Jamey brought the El Salvador as close to the shuttlecraft as he could to limit the amount of distortion the nebula gasses could cause, and soon enough the confirmation came through, =^=Tavik to bridge; transport complete. Let's get out of here.=^=

Savot turned to Commander Gaz and nodded his agreement, and the helmsman brought the ship around to head back out the way they'd come. The vulcan latched a narrow tractor beam onto the shuttle to tow it out with them, hoping that when the pirates did swoop in for their expected plunder they would pick up the exit trail on their sensors. Whether the pirates wanted to risk chasing a ship outside the nebula was beside the point now, they couldn't afford to let any ship's survive and escape or their trick would be revealed and they'd have to flee this area of space when Starfleet came in force.

A warning from the sensors came not an instant too soon leaving Savot just enough time to shut off the tractor beam before the disabled shuttlecraft was obliterated by disruptor fire. He re-routed power back from the sensors into shields and engines, focusing all shields aft as they closed the remaining distance to the outer edge of the nebula.

Having already been discovered there was no longer any reason not to go full throttle and the El Salvador quickly made her way back into normal space, with Savot's instruments quickly telling him the 'skies' were not as empty as they'd left them. An instant's concern that it could be a pirate ambush was soon relieved as no less than 5 Starfleet ship's registered on sensors, to which Savot opened a channel, =^=El Salvador to friendly vessels: we are being pursued by an unknown number of hostiles at extreme weapons range. Estimate their exit from the nebula in 17 seconds; we have wounded but sustained no direct damage.=^=

The familiar voice of Admiral Hayes came back in reply from the lead frigate, =^=El Salvador this is Daedalus; exit the firing line and tend to your wounded. We'll handle your hangers-on. Hayes out.=^=

Savot arched an eyebrow less in surprise than in respect for the admiral who'd sent them on this assignment. As soon as they'd reported their initial findings about the likelihood of a pirate trap she'd come personally to support the lead vessel she'd sent. He knew there was a tendency for high-level command staff to become bored with the tedium of their duties and go out for what humans called 'joyrides', but in this instance he felt at the very least that if that was indeed the case here that it was balanced by genuine responsibility for her fellow officers and crewmen.

Savot rose from the Ops station, speaking to Jamey on his way to the turbolift, "Commander Gaz, take us safely beyond the potential battle boundaries but remain close enough to provide assistance if we're called upon. I'm going to check on Ms. Hope and Counselor Jackson."


(Sorry for the lengthiness, but wanted to move on as we seemed mired in that particular mission. Patients can assume the usual male EMH is active in sickbay and if desired S'reena can have Michael on duty there as well. Advise leaving out mention of Dr. West as he seems to have gone inactive.)

[Jamey Gaz]

Jan 30, 2012 20:13:37 GMT Savot said:

Savot to Commander Gaz, take us safely beyond the potential battle boundaries but remain close enough to provide assistance if we're called upon.

Exiting the battle area wasn't as easy as it seemed as the chasing pirate ships had exited the nebula in a multi-vector from behind, above, and below the main flight path of the El Sal. Turning the ship on is center axis, he piloted the ship between the Daedalus and its port-most support ship that he didn't catch the name; to busy with the navigation.

As the El Sal turned and fully passed the Daedalus at a range that otherwise would have been too close had it not been in battle, the supporting vessels laid down a barrage of fire supporting the El Sal's escape. The under-most pirate ship took a direct hit and spun out-of-control. The others seemed to not care of the number of Starfleet ships or didn't have the ability to know what they were facing.

Behind the safety line of her sister ships, the El Sal slowed its motion and turned to scan the area. No assumptions could be made with pirate activity and tactics of sending in smaller vessels to take the attention from larger was definitely possible. Admiral Hayes' group moved in and choked off the remaining aggressors choices; some didn't live to fight again and the remaining were in the strong-hold of a Starfleet tractor and fully disabled. If other ships were waiting or escaping, then it was opposite this side of the nebula well outside sensor range. The bridge crew kept their vigilance and continued to scan the area to provide tactical data to the whole group.

"Gaz to Commodore Savot, the area is secure; no further activity at the moment." Jamey reported.

[Deleted]

It was getting cold in the shuttle and the two women were running out of ways to stay warm. The air was thin and only getting thinner, making it harder to breathe. S'reena curled up a little tighter, drawing the thermal blanket closer around her shoulders. She watched as her breath caused vapours in the air, knowing that in this cold they wouldn't last much longer.

The Romulan woman chanced a look up, looking towards the consoles at the front. They were all dark, save for the one flickering light that indicated the distress signal. But that too, would soon stop, she knew, once power ran completely out. She drew in another shallow breath, feeling it burn her lungs, then swallowed to keep herself from coughing and expend more valuable oxygen.

She blinked as she saw something before her, she was almost certain she saw her late grandmother, beckoning her. S'reena blinked again, and the image was gone. This was certainly a new experience; she had died before, twice in fact but she had never experienced these type of hallucinations. Was this time final then? Was this the point of no return?

Just as she thought that this was indeed final, she felt something. In her oxygen deprived state however she didn't recognize the feeling as being caught by a transporter beam. She squinted as she briefly materialized on a transporter pad, before being transported on to sickbay. "Am I dead?" she murmured, shivering violently.

"Thermal blankets!" Michael shouted as Hannah and S'reena materialized on a bed each. "Get them warmed up! We have to get their body temperature up. You there!" He pointed at a random nurse. "Oxygen masks. You!" Another nurse. "Fluids."

The nurses ran off to do the doctor's bidding. "And someone get the chief medical officer in here on the double!" Just where was that dratted man, he hadn't shown up for duty and he hadn't indicated a need for time off. Annoyed, Michael headed over to Hannah first, not wanting to show a preference because his wife was the other patient. No wonder Yarna had been so annoyingly fussy; he could've known this. "Honey, I need you to wake up now. Look at me, how do you feel?"

(Hannah...mod in if you like)

"You'll be all right sweety, just rest for a little while now. Once you're warmed up and your vitals are good, you're free to go. If you need me, I'll be right over there."

(Hannah)

Giving her a final squeeze of the hand, Michael finally moved over to his wife. He knew she'd be fine, eventually and when he checked her over, his assumption was confirmed. She'd just need a little time to warm up and replenish her energy, before she'd be allowed back on duty. To Michael, however this was a slight setback as he'd wanted to talk to her. He had accepted a teaching position back on Earth, and would be leaving in a few hours. He didn't want anyone to throw any farewell parties so no-one but the commanding officer knew at this point. Not even S"reena knew because he'd only just decided to accept. It was too good an opportunity to pass up and deep down he knew his wife would support him in this.

He had reasoned that, to lessen the pain a little, he'd leave their children here, on the El-Salvador. He knew they'd be safe, no matter what, because Savot had already proven the ability to keep them safe so far. "S'reena?" Now was as good a time as any though...if she was awake enough.

S'reena opened her eyes, taking a few seconds to focus on her husband. Instantly, she could see there was something bothering him. "We were careful," she murmured, "we were caught by surprise.."

"I know honey. Just take a moment to get your bearings. I need to talk to you, and I don't have very long..." He waited for her to come to her senses a little more, he didn't want to ambush her with the news but on the other hand he didn't have a choice. By the time she'd be well enough to leave sickbay, he'd have to be leaving the ship.

"What is it Michael? Something's bothering you..."

Michael sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed and took one of her hands in both of his own. "Remember how a while ago I got the offer from the academy?"

S'reena nodded, realising where this was going. "You're taking it," she stated calmly, "and I think you should. You're holding yourself back by staying here."

"That isn't it. I don't want to be away from you, and I don't want to leave you like this. But I literally only have one or two hours before I have to leave." He could see her understanding, even if this must hit like a bombshell.

"There'll be shoreleaves." She waved him off. "I'll be fine. Just tell Savot I'll be fine and that you need to leave. Call when you get to Earth?" It seemed stand-off ish but there was no other way for her to respond. Sure, it hurt but she had long ago agreed with herself that if Michael got this opportunity, she'd let him go without argument, and without a fight. "Be sure to tell the children goodbye..."

Michael leaned forward and kissed her. "You know I love you right?" At her smile, he caressed her cheek and walked out.

[Deleted]

Caris had only just managed to settle onto the ship and had been expecting a few weeks of simple science missions, some routine physicals, maybe a small flu epidemic at the very worst. Of course life never goes as one plans. She had been serving as the junior medical officer since the ship left Star Base 24. First under Niles West, who left quite suddenly due to a personal emergency, then under a civilian doctor names Michael and the EMH. She was at first a little put out that she was not instantly promoted, but then again she had just arrived, did not know her way around and things seemed to be going south rather fast.

She had been assigned to prepare for cases of radiation poisoning. This was pretty straight forward and she felt fairly confident immediately, but that was about the change.

The two injured crew members from the drifting shuttle craft materialized on the bio beds. Michael jumped into action, rather understandable given his relationship with Commander Hope.

"Thermal blankets!" Michael shouted "Get them warmed up! We have to get their body temperature up. You there!" He pointed at a Caris. "Oxygen masks. You!" to one of the nurses "Fluids."

Caris grabbed the oxygen masks and fitted it over Counsellor Jackson's mouth first, since she seemed to be the most injured, and then the Commander.

"And someone get the chief medical officer in here on the double!" Michael ordered.

“Sir, he's gone. I'm not sure what happened, but he had to leave quite suddenly” Caris replied.

Michael looked frustrated, which was not surprising. Caris did her best to look encouraging as she began to tend to Hannah's injuries.

She could not help but over hear Michael's word's to his wife. So he was leaving to teach at the Academy? Perhaps she would be running this sickbay sooner then expected.

“Ensign Moset, please report to the bridge and update Commodore Savot on our patient's condition.” Michael ordered. Thsi seemed odd, why not simply use the comm system? Caris had a feeling he wanted to get her out of earshot. She needed to learn to eavesdrop less conspicuously. She did not protest, after all she had not had a chance to see the bridge. “Certainly sir.”

Caris left sickbay and took the turbo lift to the bridge. She nearly collided with the Vulcan Commador as she stepped off the turbolift.

“Oh, Sir, I am sorry...” she gasped. “Mr Hope requested I come to report the patient's condition.”

<Tag Savot>

[Savot]

Savot began to enter the turbolift as it opened on the bridge level, but he then encountered what seemed to be an Ensign from the medical department.

“Oh, Sir, I am sorry...” she gasped. “Mr Hope requested I come to report the patient's condition.”

Savot knew the Mr. Hope she referred to to be S'reena's husband in all likelihood, and the fact that a runner was sent to deliver the update led the vulcan to believe that both patients would hopefully fully recover. Stepping onto the lift, Savot bowed his head slightly at the Ensign, "No apology necessary Ensign. Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome you aboard; I don't believe we've interacted directly since your recent assignment here with us."

(Any Moset response)

Savot nodded, clasping his hands behind him at the small of his back, "Please proceed with your report Ms. Moset."

(Moset)

Before Savot could respond, Commander Gaz commed through with a sit-rep, =^=Gaz to Commodore Savot, the area is secure; no further activity at the moment.=^=

The vulcan captain replied via the turbolift communication controls, "Very good Commander, maintain our formation relative to the Daedalus for now; I shall return to the bridge within 12 minutes."

Savot then returned his attention to the ensign as the turbolift reached their destination and they walked off toward sickbay, "I appreciate the report Ensign; you may return to post."

(Moset reply, if any)

******************************************
[Sickbay]


Savot knew enough to stay out of the way upon arriving at sickbay, rather than distract Dr. Hope by asking for a report that he'd already received from Ensign Moset, and as such he stood quietly until Michael let out the heavy sigh that often coincided with a doctor's patient(s) reaching stable condition. Dr. Hope noticed the captain and the two walked into the CMO office to speak without disturbing the patients.

"I received your report Doctor; good work. The crew owe you their thanks", Savot said with a slight bow of his head.

(Was assuming Michael would tell Savot about leaving the ship, but if not just let me know and I'll edit the following out)

Savot arched an eyebrow slightly; it wasn't unheard of for Starfleet families to be spread out on occasion, but it hadn't occurred to him to ever think the Hopes would be so. Still, he held no judgement over the news and as such simply bowed his head to the Doctor, "Understood, Doctor. I believe Admiral Hayes would be willing to take you back to the Starbase aboard the Daedalus and arrange shuttle transport back to Earth. Your absence will be felt Doctor Hope, may you live long and prosper." He raised his right hand to Hope in the vulcan salute before leaving the Doctor to finish his work and prepare to depart.

Seeing that S'reena was conscious, Savot took the opportunity to approach her biobed and dip his head in greeting, "I am pleased you and Counselor Jackson will fully recover. I thought you should be made aware that your efforts resulted in the incapacitation of the pirate vessels that had been operating from within the nebula. Admiral Hayes reports that the Daedalus sensors picked up a retreating signature matching that of a Ferengi Marauder, but with the pirate forces using hybrid patchworked technology the readings aren't infallible. I will be on the bridge if you need me Commander; and rest assured you shall not be held in sickbay longer than is absolutely necessary."