Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Jul 14, 2019 19:49:31 GMT
USS Raven-C Main Engineering 13:45 hrs :: Stepping out of the turbo-lift on Deck Thirteen, Main Engineering's Mid Level, Carl looked around at the seeming organised chaos which was happening both on this and the other Levels which constituted the vast Engineering Section of the Sovereign Class Starship .... He spotted his Executive Officer at the same time Blakus had noticed his presence: "Admiral ..... We're ahead of schedule. Milyanov and Wedlerson have almost doubled the repair time, I'm sure we can do better." "We're in no great hurry Andae, I'd be happy for everyone to ease off now we are looking at the finish line." Carl said, taking an almost leisurely walk around the level. The two stopped several times while Carl looked at the work being carried out, then they made their way towards the large doors leading out of the Department. Both men spoke about the work being carried out and what they may need when next in Space-Dock. "Admiral, Milyanov seems to have things well in hand here ..." Andae said finally, thinking of the incident in Orpk's, "What might you say to a game of poker ? ... I wouldn't invite Ensign Barker, he's quarter Betazoid and plays far too much." Carl couldn't help laugh, he'd been on the wrong end of more than enough hands held by the Betazoid, and had already decided he wasn't going to be inviting the man unless the Raven's Chief Medical Officer would medicate the man to suppress his empathic abilities. Of course, he would never get around to asking, for obvious reasons. He looked at one of the chronometers placed around Engineering: "It's mid afternoon Andae, something I should know about ?" he said with a wry grin. Blakus too looked around finally spotting one of the digital time readouts. "Oh hell, sorry .... Iv'e been down here that long I clearly lost track of time." the Exec' said almost blushing. "We'll reschedule. How about you taking a few hours off, as you've said, Milyanov is handling everything down here. Take the rest of the day, let's meet in your quarters, at say, twenty thirty hours. Oh, I know Admiral Lemond likes the odd game of poker, maybe I'll ask her if she's free. Lysia has a fair 'poker face' too." "OK, great, twenty thirty it is .... You sure Zoey won't mind ?" Blakus asked referring to Carl's partner. "You should be happy I'm not inviting her, I don't think you could afford it." Torek said as both men laughed as they stepped into the corridor, several of the Starbase Personnel giving them wiry looks as they passed, "You said Commander Milyanov has been in there as long as you have ?" "Longer." Blakus confirmed. "OK, Tell him to take the rest of the day too, I'm sure Lieutenant Tinsley can oversee the rest of the work." "I'll do that Admiral, thank you, he'll appreciate the break. I 'may' need to send a couple of Marines down there to drag him away though." "Eight thirty." Carl said as he walked off leaving his Executive Officer ...... Commander 1C. Blakus' Quarters Deck Two USS Raven-C -- 20:20 hrs :: Lysia T'Seng was already there and had set up the table up when Carl arrived. Admiral Lemond had arrived, as had a couple of others, the Raven's Deputy Chief Engineer, Nate Tinsley, and the El Alamein's Captain, Fran Komin. "Evening Admiral, I here there's some easy money going, thought i'd indulge." Komin said, helping herself to one of the myriad of snacks Blakus had supplied. "Is that so ..." Carl said with a grin. The small group seated themselves around the table and Andae opened a box of cards, shuffling them while everyone chatted among themselves. Finally he put the pack down in from of Carl. "Admiral's privilege." he said. Carl in turn slid them over to Lysia T'Seng. "Ladies first." he said with a wry wink. Lysia picked up the pack and reshuffled, then looked around the table. "OK then, Texas hold-em ..." Lysia said, dealing the two 'hole cards' to each player a little more expertly than Carl cared for as chips were thrown into the center of the table .......... < Tag : Blakus / All around the table >
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 19, 2019 22:48:29 GMT
OOC: continuing to post in this thread for the Raven crew and Starbase
Poker game, Blakus's quarters
In at the turn with a pair of kings, Blakus's hopes for a recovery were dashed by Nate's full house. He opened up a bottle of port - a luxury he allowed himself rarely - and poured for all who wished it; hopefully Tinsley - not to mention Admiral Lemond who by a small margin was winning - would have their judgement sufficiently clouded to at least allow him to go all in and not have his bluff called immediately.
Why do I do this to myself? he wondered as the cards were fanned out once again. The mental agony was subtle but persistent. His was the small blind; his cards: 7 diamonds, 4 clubs; the chips were thrown in and the next flop delivered. Nothing. He began to scream but cut himself off and managed to disguise it - incredibly unconvincingly - as a very hoarse cough. T'Seng smiled, but he was sure it was nothing to do with whatever hand she held.
"Check," he said after a moment's pause. Fran Komin glanced round the table with wary eyes before betting 20 chips, the bet was matched as it went round the table until it got back to Blakus who then raised 50. Raised eyebrows were followed by a number of folds and matched bets. The turn gave him nothing except for the possible chance of a three of a kind, which he was sure would be beaten; but he remained in, as did Carl and Nia Lemond. The river came, and with it the ace of diamonds.
"Check," he repeated much to the other five's amusement.
Torek grinned and threw in his chips, "50 bet."
Lemond's stare was of ice; grey eyes regarded Blakus and Torek in turn, before she very purposefully lifted up a stack and placed it delicately in the pot, "Your 50... And I'll raise you 200."
"Fold," Blakus was caustic. He put his face in his hands and elbows on the table; his despair was quiet but evident.
Torek toyed with his chips, turning them one over the other, regarding now the pot, now Lemond. He began, "I'll..."
<Tag Torek>
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 24, 2019 15:47:46 GMT
OOC: will post again on Wormhole thread soon
USS Raven and Starbase 47
With his dreams' epilogue full of the memory of last night's considerable poker losses, Andae rolled out of bed and struck his head on his side-desk. Jolted into full consciousness, he cursed and rose to his feet, he tapped the commbadge on the uniform in which he'd slept, =/\=Commander Milyanov.. What's the... what's the time? And the repair schedule, how's it coming?=/\=
There was a pause, =/\=Sir?=/\= Blakus heard muffled laughter. =/\=There's a chrono in your room, sir; should be.=/\= He coughed and became more formal, =/\=We're still ahead of schedule, Commander, just under two days remain until the Raven is spaceworthy. Do you have any news on our next assignment?=/\=
=/\=None,=/\= Blakus involuntarily shook his head, closed the channel abruptly and recalled again immediately the devastating losses to one of the Admirals - 4,000 ration chips. Well, he would win them back, of course... But in the meantime his reputation on the Promenades, both amongst his fellow gambling officers (who also kept their quiet habits) and in Orpk's (he winced) would suffer.
Having headed over to the Starbase, he was starting towards the turbolifts which would take him to the decks immediately beneath the structure containing Ops. Rounding a bend, he bundled into an officer wearing a plain grey uniform. Ah, that meant trouble: he'd struck one of the aides to the admiralty.
"Burr," the aide was sardonic in his introduction, "How can I help you?"
"Commander Blakus of the USS Raven, apologies," Andae replied. He was aware of how this Burr - whom he'd struck shoulder to shoulder and which action had spun both of them round to face opposite directions - was noting his bedraggled state and how he'd clearly slept in his uniform. "I suppose you people are surplus to requirements at the moment?" Andae asked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, with the SA off the base..."
"We keep an eye on things." Unexpectedly the man became more agreeable, "But yes, usually we're kicked below in order that we don't upset what my colleague Adams calls the balance of power. We attend to the SA's obligations while he's on mission, handling his affairs, but in terms of base operations and the machinations of the admiralty, we're shut out, probably correctly, Adams gets stuck in when it comes to politics." The aide was more fair-minded and thoughtful than Blakus had at first supposed.
After the Raven XO had met with Emily Mouring - his on-off girlfriend assigned to the Raven's Operations department - the two of them took a break from surveying the Raven's repair status from the Starbase dock and made for the officers' decks. In a lounge, they met Burr once more with his own girlfriend, and the quartet decided on lunch on Alpha Promenade, choosing the establishment opposite O'Toole's; in this way Blakus was able to see into the Irish establishment and thus which of the regulars might be present. It'd become less of a stop-over for him since he'd begun frequenting Orpk's, however he still liked to be at least vaguely aware of the comings and goings - though he completely misunderstood the various social dynamics.
Burr and Mouring exchanged pleasant conversation as they made their orders, and meanwhile Blakus looked about distrustfully at the restaurant's interior: ever the skeptic, he considered this kind of postmodern furnishing (complete with Cochrane sculptures and Phoenix models) only a movement towards the past, a retrograde passage to a darker time, the horrors of immediate post-World War III.
"So, your own past, Mr Blakus?" Burr began as their food arrived, "Let's not delve into my own again. You know, I presume, that I descend from the third Vice President of the old United States?"
Blakus replied he was unaware of it, and told Burr how he'd presumed that Aaron Burr had had no descendants. But apparently the Burr of the American War of Independence had had a daughter who'd been lost at sea. It'd turned out - as discovered towards the end of the 21st century - that she had made landfall on a desert island and been impregnated by a local; she'd lived out the rest of her life there raising the resultant child. The boy had taken his grandfather's surname and travelled to old Europe where he'd settled. It was from him that Burr, the aide to the Section Admiral descended.
"I'm originally from Italy," Blakus said, "We were Romans, but I lived most of my life - prior to joining Starfleet - on the North American continent in the vicinity of the Pacific seaboard. They say there's an ancient..." Curse, he was going to say - the fall of the Blakian clan at the hands of the token Senate of Rome. He became aware of another acquaintance in the restaurant, who from a nearby table turned to the four of them at that moment.
<Tag Any on Starbase in restaurant>
He thought again of the Blakian curse. It is best not to believe such folktales, he told himself, and glanced at the chronometer. Ordinarily he would now head to Orpk's, but considering that the whole establishment was cordoned off (and its owner pursued in its main holosuite) by Intelligence, he'd have to occupy himself with something else.
With Milyanov and Tinsley having matters well in hand, he decided to make for the Starbase holodeck. Burr and co wished to accompany him; he agreed, but he was in any case going to meet the holographic representation of an old friend, Ben Zielinski, in the jungle in which they used to wander, dreaming up unexplored worlds of the Gamma Quadrant.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Aug 1, 2019 14:14:13 GMT
OOC : Posting as Vice Admiral Nia Lemond ...Admiral Lemond's Office Mezzanine Level Command Center ::
Lemond, now one of the higher-ranking Flag Officers on the Starbase had chaired the daily briefing and was now back in her office .....
"So you still have no means to access the holosuite ?" Nia asked those present, the frustration clear.
"There is still the option suggested yesterday." one of the Senior Engineers present suggested.
"You said there was no way to accomplish a transport, are you now saying it's possible ?" the Director of Intelligence asked.
"Well, we know that whatever is shielding the holosuite is plausibly powering it too given we have isolated the structure completely from the starbase ....." Commander Larok said, picking up one of the PADD's before continuing, "We've been looking at the readings from the holosuite on the El Alamein, Lieutenant Demik thinks if we alter the reconstitution matrix to allow for the variation within the 'suite, we could, should, be able to successfully re-materialise someone inside the program. As for weapons, we wouldn't know until they were inside."
".... and how would you know if you were successful may I ask ?" Nia replied.
"We would not, at least, not until they were able to contact us from, inside the holosuite." the Vulcan Engineer answered.
"Just 'who' do you plan to test your theory on may I ask ?" Doctor Adama asked.
"Myself and Commander Massa will attempt the transport." Larok said.
"How long before you can try this out ?" Lemond asked.
"We can adapt one of the emergency transporters on Level Fourteen, fifteen minutes should suffice." Mass answered.
Emergency Transporters Level Fourteen ::
Armed with a phaser each, along with an adapted hand-held communicator, Massa and Larok stepped onto the platform. Lemond stood meters away eyeing the two men nervously, she, like them, knew that if their calculations were a fraction off, or if despite their efforts, transporting into the holosuite simply wasn't possible, then both men could die whilst materialising !
"We are ready." Larok stated. Lemond turned to the Transporter Officer and nodded. She almost wished them 'good luck' as the two disappeared. Moments passed with no means to confirm they had been successful, all they could do was wait .... Suddenly the Comm chirped to life:
=^= Larok to Admiral Lemond .. We appear to have been successful .. .. .. =^=
=^= Understood Commander .. Any signs of our perso .. .. .. =^= she began but then the Comm was replaced by heavy static.
"What's happened ?" she asked.
=^= .. .. .. Larok to Starbase .. We appear to have lost your signal momentarily .. We are approaching a large wooden structure .. Report will follow .. Out =^=
Before Nia could reply, the El Alamein's Chief Engineer had severed the Comm link. All she could do now was wait for them to make contact once more. Sighing, she told the Transporter Officer she would be in her office if there were any developments. Leaving the Transporter Room with her Adjutant, she stepped into the turbo-lift and requested 'Command Center' ..........
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Aug 11, 2019 15:40:52 GMT
Starbase 47, Long term Medical Bay Rear Admiral Matthew Reynolds' Suite
Understanding and accepting death is common to any and all Starfleet officers. Since their academy days, cadets are taught how to deal with loss, separation, and chaos. As Matthew Reynolds' thoughts became clearer, he became more and more aware of his situation. Unbeknownst to him, the last time Matthew Reynolds had been awake had been more than twenty five months ago when a terrible accident had put him in a coma. To him nothing had changed, yet everything had changed for the people living on Starbase 47. As the memories and experiences rushed back to his conscious brain, Matt began to panic. He could feel the medical devices over his body and as it dawned on him that something was very wrong Matt's heart and senses went on overdrive.
The sound of the medical equipment alerted the nurse on duty to Matt's distress. What must have been a few seconds felt like years for Matt who was unable to move due to the equipment that had been taking care of him the past few years. Matt yelled in his mind yet nothing came out. His eyes refused to work, yet could visualize where he was. It was torture. The torture subsided slowly as the effects of the medicine were quickly diminished. He could hear people talking but only vaguely. He needed to talk to Kristen and Caleb, he needed to see his family, he needed to be Matthew Reynolds again.
"Admiral?" a man said closely to his ear, "Admiral, if you can hear me please try to open your eyes." Matt had never wanted to open his eyes more than at that moment, but his body didn't respond. It took all his might, yet it was to no avail. His body screamed for release yet none came.
Stardate 2396.02.1221 USS Jefferson, the subconscious mind of Matthew Reynolds
"Captain, we are being cleared to leave Starbase Assailant, the Jefferson is finally free again," Engisn Mayori reported.
"We can finally leave and go back out there, yet Admiral Drew and Lin have yet to give us our new orders," Matt remarked," it would be nice if they stopped coddling me like the Academy days."
"I coddle you?" Paul Drew, Section Admiral of Section 47 mused as he walked onto the bridge of the USS Jefferson, Sovereign Class ship, the pride and joy of its captain Matthew Reynolds.
"Sorry Admiral, but you know you always had a soft spot for me," Matt said as he and the rest of the bridge crew stood at attention," how are you sir?"
"Not good at all Omega Centauri has been a real [word deleted]," Drew responded. The comment caused much confusion.
"Admiral what are you talking about, if my memory serves me Omega Centauri is a star constellation 16,000 light years from here. We have no operations that far out on that side of the galaxy," Matt replied.
"Matt, a disaster has taken place and you need to face it. It is who you are, don't cower away now, it is time you wake up. It is time you face the world again," Drew said before everything once again went pitch black.
Starbase 47, Long term medical bay. Ten days later
"Matt wake up, we are here, we wait your return. Please come back to us," a frantic Commander pleaded to no avail," Caleb and I have always known you would come back to us. Please wake up!"
The voice was so familiar to his ears, that it stirred him back out of his deep slumber. His mind was fighting himself, but the realization that his family, his wife and son, were waiting for him on the other side gave him strength. The fact that the voice of his old CO was also in the back of his head telling him to wake up helped a little.
"Kristen look!" Caleb screamed, his voice much deeper than the last time Matt remembered hearing it," He's waking up." The doctors immediately came to his side and started scanning him, making sure that everything was going to be as good as possible. His eyes opened and the light was blinding, even though the room was dimmed to maximum. As his vision cleared he saw the tear stained face of his beautiful wife and that of his son. Both of them couldn't control their emotion and rushed towards Matt, ecstatic that their husband and father was back with them.
"Dad, I've missed you," Caleb said as tears fell from his green eyes. At that moment Matt was transported back to Loskene's Cloud, the place where the two met, and their relationship began. He had promised him many years ago that he would take care of his adopted son, he would always be there for him and that they were always going to be a team. Matt had reneged on that promise, but as he collected his thoughts, he knew that he would make that oath again and due everything in his power to keep his promise.
"I know I've missed myself too," Matt said struggling to speak," can't believe they promoted both of you while I was away." The comment drew laughter from the entire room and it was at the moment that he saw his friend of more than fifteen years, Carl Torek.
<Tag Torek>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Aug 11, 2019 21:09:11 GMT
OOC : Prior to USS Raven-C departing on her current mission ...SD : 2405.03.0811 18:40 hrs approx ::
Carl had been heading back to the Ravern for the night after spending most of the day in the Command Center when his Comm badge chirped to life:
=^= Medical Center to Admiral Torek =^=
=^= Torek =^= he replied with a slight frown.
=^= Sir .. You asked to be informed if there was any change in Rear Admiral Reynolds' condition =^=
=^= He's in a coma .. What changes could there be ? =^= he asked, already re-routing the turbo-lift to Level Fifty Six.
=^= That's just it Sir .. He isn't .. He woke approximately thirty minutes ago .. His family have been informed and are already here =^=
=^= Understood .. Five minutes .. Torek out =^=
~~~~~~~~~~
Walking into Primary Medical, he made his way over to the private room where Matthew had been under round the clock observation for almost three and half years ... Carl could see that he was sitting up, talking with members of his family, so he remained outside for the time being. Seeing him, one of the doctors came out and explained the situation: Brainwave activity had suddenly spiked, as if Reynolds was having a vivid dream, moments later he had groaned, attracting the attention of one of the duty Medics. By the time they had cleaned him up somewhat, his family had already arrived and were eager to speak with him. complying with the instructions left by Torek himself, he had been notified of the Admirals return to consciousness.
"Any side effects ?" Carl asked, glancing through the glass doors at his long-time friend.
"It's too early to tell, but as you can see, apart from the need for a good shave and haircut, you would have thought he'd awoke from a heavy night on the town." the Doctor said with a shrug, "Given his condition we're allowing his family to remain for the time being, then we'll ask them to come back tomorrow so we can start checking that he is in fact OK."
Carl recalled the accident that put Matt in here, only weeks before they were thrown thousands of light years .... He could see his friend waving from his bed so he entered the room .... After the others had gone, the two of them spoke for a while, Carl conspicuously avoiding telling him anything that might cause him upset, but Matt was never stupid, far from it:
"What happened ?" he asked suddenly, glancing at the Medic who was busily working close by, "I had this 'dream' I was speaking to Paul, and he mentioned Omega Centauri, that's almost sixteen thousand light years away Carl."
"It's a long story .... The Betreka Nebula exploded, maybe two, three months after you and your family came aboard, Drew had gone to Earth .... We were thrown out of position, then pushed ahead of the shock-wave. It was, well, 'disastrous' doesn't even come close, we lost tens of thousands in the first minutes, and tens of thousands more almost daily before we could bring the Starbase to a halt. In total we lost almost three hundred thousand in those first weeks." Carl could see that Matt was having trouble comprehending the scale of the catastrophe.
"What, how many vessl ....."
"Sit back, you need to rest." Carl said, putting his hands on his friends' shoulders to stop him trying to get out of the bed, "Let's see about getting you to a point where we can get you out of here for an hour or so, then I'll try to bring you up to speed OK ... The Raven is going to be leaving in a day or so so we'll speak further then. In the mean time, it's rest rest rest."
"Admiral Torek, sorry, time to go." the Doctor said, coming to the bed, hypo-spray in hand, he turned his attention to his patient, "I'm giving you a mild sedative, it will help you relax while we carry out some tests."
"I've been asleep for over three years Doct ......" Reynolds began, but the Medical Officer wasn't having any.
"So another hour won't kill you, will it !" he said, placing the hypo on Matt's neck and activating it.
"I'll drop in before we leave." Carl said, but Matt was already half asleep ..........
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Aug 12, 2019 1:14:01 GMT
SD : 2405.03.08174
It had been three days since he had awoken from his coma and so far the doctors had not found any lingering medical issues from his three year siesta. The life that he had was now gone and it could be decades before they reached Federation space. The idea of being stuck away from everything he had known was terrifying but the fact that his wife and son were here with him and in good health made the sting much less painful. Even with the progress he had been able to make the doctors refused to let him out of their sight.
"Its not everyday that someone wakes up from a three year coma Admiral, you'll be our patient for a while longer," the doctor had told Matt clearly annoyed that his recommendations were being questioned left and right. It didn't help that Kristen and Caleb had taken the doctors side either.
"I should contact Carl, I'm sure that he'll let me leave," Matt mused as he ate some pudding.
"Fat chance, I have already spoken to him and he has promised that he won't over rule the doctors in this case, he knows how stubborn you are," Kristen replied as she took the pudding and blew a raspberry towards Matt.
"What have you been doing without me?" Matt jokingly asked but immediately regretted it. Kristen tried to hide the pain of the last three years, but it was impossible. So much death, so much suffering, so much uncertainty. It had been difficult on every single soul on the station. "I'm sorry, I forget myself, I should have asked such a dumb question."
"It's okay, we lost so many good people, we just want to return home," Kristen replied and then quickly changed the subject. It was going to be her personal goal to let Matt know everything that had happened in the last thirty six months. He would need to know everything if he was going to help make things better for everyone on the station.
Two weeks later
"Admiral Reynolds, after extensive test and observation we are releasing you to your wife," the doctor proclaimed," you'll be free to return to light duty, but that will be at the discretion of the Command. We will continue to periodically monitor you, but for now we are happy to say goodbye.
This had been the news he had wanted to hear since he had awaken. He was free to begin his life anew. Many things had changed, but Matt at his core had not. He was going to help people and make his little piece of the universe better. As he thanked his doctors and nurses, Matt knew that they had some reservations about sending Matt back to Starfleet life. It was non-negotiable for him, he would never stop being a Starfleet officer. So here he was walking away from the medical wing of the station and towards the unknown.
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 239
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Post by Nia Lemond on Aug 12, 2019 10:27:57 GMT
SD: 2405.03.0812 Level Fifty Six Outside Primary Medical Center :: With the Enzio, El Salvador, and Raven all currently out, Nia found herself one of the highest ranking Flag Officers on the Starbase, and as such had to juggle her duties as Intelligence Director, with that of one of the Command Staff .... She had been informed that Admiral Reynolds was being allowed out of Medical today, and had decided to greet him. In the corridor she had spoken to Kristen and Caleb, both were clearly excited, and understandably impatient at the prospect of Matt's discharge, she could see it in their faces. The doors slid open and he strode somewhat hesitantly, into the corridor, Kristen and Caleb embraced him for a long moment as Nia held back, feeling the lump in her throat grow then finally subside. Matt pulled himself away as he noticed her presence, he walked over to her, hand outstretched: "Admiral ? ... Sorry, I don't recognise you, but that's hardly surprising." "Hello Admiral, it's good to see you up and about, finally ...." Nia said taking the offered hand, ".... You won't, recognise me that is. Vice Admiral Nia Lemond, I'll never get used to introducing myself like that. I'm pretty new, to both the rank and my current position ... We've spoken on occasion, though I was a lowly Commander then." She noticed Reynolds glancing at the rank insignia on her collar and just managed to resist the impulse to cover them with her hand. "I was Admiral Tetsutaro's Adjutant for many years, prior to the incident where he lost his life." "Yes, I heard." Matt replied, saddened by the news. Nia turned to Kristen: "Do you mind if I keep him, just for a short while, I promise to have him back in an hour, tops ?" It was clear that the 'request' was not being received well, but his family agreed, saying they would be in their quarters. As they left Nia turned back to Admiral Reynolds and continued as they walked, "Shortly after we arrived here, there was an uprising, Civilian and Starfleet not happy with the state of things, attempted to take over the Starbase. It's all in the reports, so you'll be able to read up at your leisure. After confining the ringleaders, we were confident that was the end of it and began to get back to normal, or what passes for normal sixteen thousand light years away from home ...." They to stepped into a turbo-lift and Nia requested the Command Center. "We thought we had everyone connected to the dissidents, but somehow, one slipped through the proverbial net. He was a Commander, he'd been feeding the dissidents information. We discovered this, but when we tried to detain him he .... he threatened to set off an explosive device. He was stood against the windows in the Command Center, Sato, Admiral Tetsutaro, tried to talk him down but he set off the device." "Admiral Tetsutaro ?" Matt asked. "He died instantly." Nia said, fighting to hold back the tears, "Given our 'situation' it was decided that I take over until a suitable replacement could be found, but given the lack of Flag Officers, the Section Admiral and Fleet Admiral Torek chose an alternate option, thus my accelerated promotion and appointment as Director." she said, almost apologetically. The turbo-lift halted and the two stepped out into the main Command Floor. Walking up the ramp to the Mezzanine Level they passed the point of the explosion, the windows had long since been replaced, as had any damaged hull panels, but Nia could still tell the difference. They walked around the Mezzanine until they reached her office: "You're Command Access Codes have been reacted, so there will be no problems moving around ..." she said as she offered Matt a seat, she asked if he needed anything but he declined so she continued, "Obviously the Section Admiral, and Fleet Admiral Torek will want to speak to you, but the Enzio is out, as is the Raven, so I guess I'm you're port of call if you need anything. did you have anything in mind for returning ? ... No, sorry, you'll need time to acclimatise to our situation, and time with you're family, so take all the time you need." It was clear Matt had a lot of questions, which was understandable, but she too needed to follow the Doctors' recommendations, Matt needed rest and recuperation with his family, not to be thrown into work. She stood up, matt following suit, and walked around her desk, she offered her hand which her guest took. "OK, I think that's enough for today ... Small steps ... Go spend time with your family. My door is always open, though I have the feeling it will be me doing the asking before long." She walked out onto the overhanging Mezzanine with Matt, then watched as he made his way to one of the turbo-lifts, one hand sliding along the rail as he looked down on the Command Center he hadn't seen for over three years ..........
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Aug 13, 2019 0:13:05 GMT
Leaving the command center, millions of thoughts raced through his mind. Coming to a stop next to an observation station, Matt wanted to vomit. The death of Tetsutaro caused by the cowardly actions of another Starfleet officer attacked his sensibilities as a person and Starfleet officer. While nothing could compare to the destruction that had happened on board Starbase 47, Matt had been a perilous situations before. His son had come from one of those situations and the idea that he could also succumb to fear, chaos, and lawlessness indeed caused Matt much discomfort. One person can make a difference, what if he had never been injured, what if he had been able to stop it? These questions were pointless, yet they were still reeling in his mind. For the first time since recovering, Matt allowed the pain and sorrow to wash out from within his being. Silently weeping, Matt knew that he should count his blessings, but so much had happened while he was asleep in the medical bay. Luckily for Matt only a few people were near his present location, but no one seemed to pay him much attention. It seemed like it was a regular sight to see the men and women aboard the starbase to stop and weep for the situation they found themselves in.
"Don't worry sir. We won't give up, you shouldn't either," a young ensign said as he walked past Matt. A rush of affection coursed through Matt towards the ensign. Not in uniform, the ensign didn't know that he was speaking to a former member of the command staff, he was just showing kindness towards a stranger.
"Thank you ensign, you don't know how much I needed to hear that right now," Matt responded as he wiped away some of his tears.
"I'm lucky that I still have my friends here, they keep me sane and grounded," the ensigned added," if it wasn't for that I would never have stopped crying. My name is William Taylor, but my friends call me Wayne."
"You have some great friends Wayne, I have some friends like that, but haven't been able to...." Matt trailed off not really knowing how to say his story at that moment.
"It's okay.....Mr.....?" Wayne asked waiting for Matt to formally introduce himself.
"Where are my manners.... my name is Matthew Reynolds, nice to meet you Wayne," Matt said as he extended his hand. The moment Matt had said his name, Wayne's complexion had changed. While there were thousands of people living on the starbase it wasn't everyday that an admiral woke up from a three year coma. Since that had happened almost three weeks ago, everyone had now heard of his situation.
"I'm so sorry for my disrespect Admiral, if I had known, I wouldn't have talked to you like that...." Wayne began apologizing before Matt cut him off.
"Ensign my mother is a Federation captain and she always taught my brothers and I that if a commanding officer cannot talk the people under his or her command then they don't belong in command," Matt said," you have been kind to me, a complete stranger. You're everything we want to protect and cherish."
"Your mom is a very smart woman," Wayne quickly chirped back.
"She and I would like to think so," Matt retorted back with a chuckle," she would have scolded me for sleeping for so long."
"Your mother sounds a lot like my aunt, she was always fussing over me," Wayne responded," apparently I was a sickly child and she was always worried that I would die from some random disease."
Matt and Wayne talked for hours. While Matt had become physically tired, he was unwilling to stop the conversation. Wayne would not fuss over his sleeping, eating, or exercise schedules like his wife. No Wayne was just talking to him as a person, a person that really needed a good talking to.
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Aug 21, 2019 12:19:56 GMT
Aide Burr
Aide Adams had halfheartedly slapped Burr on the back as they'd departed the holodeck, their latest racquetball competition complete; Burr had finished second, Adams fourth, yet as always the latter liked to pretend he'd taken the victory. "Better luck next time, VP!" Shaking his head slightly and smiling, Burr took the corridor in the opposite direction to his fellow aide and made for the turbolifts that would take him to the detention cell levels.
Basirov was nowhere to be found, of course. He'd escaped somehow, last week, despite the maximum security and round-the-clock surveillance of his cell and those adjoining (in which were imprisoned those whom were suspected to have once been connected to the dissidents, including Mr Stirczki, the former inhabitant of the penthouse of a particularly rundown establishment on Alpha Promenade).
"Could he possibly have taken this route?" Burr asked, pointing over the shoulder of one of the security personnel at a set of corridors on surveillance screens; he knew Gheskori would wish to learn this: a potentially rogue Admiral had become a fugitive, in all likelihood having left the station. But how? and in what vessel? a cloaked ship of which the Starbase personnel had been unaware?
"Unknown," the lieutenant shook his head, and continued to do so, "Unknown, unknown, unknown! What gives you the right... Ah, I apologise, Mr Burr... We're yet to get used to you, Johnson, Adams and co... The SA likes to keep his advisors around that's for sure..."
Burr smiled; he knew it himself, the Section Admiral's noumenal presence could make itself known through the tendrils embodied by these grey-suited aides, and that was not always welcome; he agonised... despite his dislike of it this was his job.
The assertive but wily Adams had ducked away from maintaining a presence about the Command Centre, and Burr - more naturally - had done the same. It'd given him more opportunity to use the leisure time appointed him (under ordinary circumstances he rarely used half let alone all of it), and he'd spent a good deal of it both on Alpha Promenade and in the officers' lounges - there was a decided absence for him there though, as unfortunately he'd taken a liking to Emily Mouring, the Raven first officer's girlfriend. She was of course out on mission (unfortunate in itself), but it allowed him to escape any awkwardness if the two had both been aboard the base.
He was striding along Alpha Promenade, the place packed, full of many colours in a renewal of life after the tragedies of the past three years. The base was far from back to normal, it wouldn't be so 'til they either returned to the Federation or knew such a thing was no longer possible, but with the dissident movement long since quashed and the three main starships currently exploring new worlds in the spirit of Federation science and endeavour, there'd been a regeneration of hope on the base that'd been absent for too long, the very air seemed infused with it.
Amongst the crowd he saw a family of three walking towards him and off to the right; all were in civilian clothes, but Burr recognised immediately that the husband was Admiral Reynolds, he considered whether or not he should head over and greet the officer - newly returned to health - and hesitated momentarily before deciding to do so.
"Burr, assistant to the Section Admiral," he offered his hand to Reynolds, "If there's any way I can be of assistance in your reacclimatisation, I'm at your command."
<Tag Matt if want>
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Aug 23, 2019 1:47:18 GMT
Civilian life was not for him, but there was nothing more enjoyable than spending time with family. As Matthew Reynolds walked about the promenade, he couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. He had been given yet another chance at life. He wasn't going to allow another day to pass without something positive being done for the people of Starbase 47. Only problem at the moment was the doctor's insistence that more testing needed to be done to determine if any long term damage had taken place during his three year nap. While he wasn't in tip top shape, Matt had begun to implement his old Academy workout regiment. It definitely was much harder now than it had been so many years ago, but it was something that he enjoyed. Wayne, Caleb, and a few other civilians had joined them so that Matt was now offering a class for whoever wanted to join in.
"Earth to Dad, Earth to Dad, can you stop daydreaming about work and [word deleted]," Caleb remarked dryly. It took Matt off guard a little bit but in fact three years had passed and Caleb was no longer a young Academy cadet but a full fledged Starfleet officer. He had developed a foul mouth while he had been away.
"An Ensign can get in trouble for talking to an Admiral like that," Matt replied his attention back on his son.
"I'm not afraid of you ole man, you can barely run," Caleb responded as he put his arm around Matt's shoulder," I think I can take you on now."
"It only took me having to sleep for three years for that to be correct," Matt said as he noticed a man he did not know approach him.
"Burr, assistant to the Section Admiral," he offered his hand to Reynolds, "If there's any way I can be of assistance in your reacclimatisation, I'm at your command."
"Its a pleasure to meet you Burr," Matt said as he offered his hand which was readily accepted," there is something you could do for me."
"Name it," Burr replied
"I have followed doctors orders and while I'm not at my best physically, I need to get back to work. I need you to get me to get me official duties as soon as possible," Matt said politely yet sternly.
(Tag Ghes aka Burr)
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Gheskori
Command Staff ..
Commanding Officer Personnel Officer Trivia Officer
Section Admiral
USS Enzio
Registered: May 2, 2008 23:32:36 GMT
Posts: 1,538
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Post by Gheskori on Aug 23, 2019 12:27:48 GMT
Starbase 47
"I have followed doctors orders and while I'm not at my best physically, I need to get back to work. I need you to get me to get me official duties as soon as possible," Matt said politely yet sternly.
Burr took this in and nodded, "I'll strive to take steps to make that happen, Admiral. The Starbase doctors tend to play it safe, understandably so especially when it concerns a member of the admiralty, but they're not assigned to starships where dangers demand officers be back on duty much more rapidly. I'll see what channels are open for me to speak to the CMO."
"Thank you," Reynolds was gratified.
Burr acknowledged and made to move past the three of them, "It will be good to see you back in the command centre, sir," he said in parting, though he himself wouldn't be there until the Section Admiral returned: Burr and his colleagues' presence was frowned upon by the admiralty when Gheskori was away from the station, the former preferring to carry on their duties below deck during those times. "Commander, Ensign," he acknowledged the admiral's family and departed.
* * *
Ready room, USS Enzio
Gheskori tapped at his desk, waiting for the console to link via subspace to the SB47 command centre; eventually seeing the Federation seal, he was redirected to the Intelligence branch and Nia Lemond's face appeared, behind her own desk in her office.
"Admiral," he smiled, "It's good to see you, congratulations on your promotion, despite the... despite the circumstances surrounding..." Extraordinarily, a Denobulan was for once lost for words.
Lemond replied understandingly, "Don't worry, sir, Tetsutaro was a colleague and a friend, but we've all accepted his passing. I can only carry on his work and hope that I can come close to matching it. Equal it, though, never." The Intel Director shook her head and became businesslike, "I hear you've made first contact with a species, but have problems with them, sir?"
Ghes sighed, thinking first about the tenuous agreement with the photonics before his mind passed to consideration of the Uafi themselves (the subject of the first contact) and their planet, recently - and now anew - torn apart by war and environmental catastrophe, "Indeed, we've encountered a species called the Uafi. Their world Uafin is divided into seven nations on seven continents. We believed we had been the first offworlders they'd encountered, but it's become apparent there has been external meddling by a race of photonic beings with tech of similar advancement to our own."
"If you need assistance, the El Alamein is at your disposal."
"We may be returning before long: if our agreement with the photonic species holds, we may be able to undo some of the damage done to the planet's natural course of development."
* * *
Starbase 47
Burr maintained his calm, "Again, if his release to full or near-full duty can be secured, we will be satisfied," he said to the deputy CMO. "It's my understanding he has been complying with all instructions from your immediate superior, he is eager to return to work, given this you have the credentials to authorise his release to near-full duty without prior confirmation of your superior." The deputy cast about almost despairingly (perhaps, Burr thought, not used to having to make decisions on his own), eventually responding he would see what he could do.
The authorisation was put through and Command assigned Reynolds, when he felt able to do so, to oversee the organisation of Starbase security and medical personnel, as well as take overall charge of the operations of the Dock, the dockmaster and landing signal officers would report directly to him.
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 239
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Post by Nia Lemond on Aug 28, 2019 14:06:50 GMT
Office of the Director of Intelligence Mezzanine Level Command Center - 06:40 hrs :: Nia was at her desk catching up on the morning reports from teams she had working throughout the Starbase, though her main concern was the still ongoing issue with the Ferengi Orpk. They had managed to get people inside the holosuite but had heard nothing from them, and as long as the device keeping the interior of the suite fractionally out of phase, then there was little could be done ..... Elise brought her morning cup of tea, the yellow gold hue of the Da-Hong Pao Tea almost comforting. Sato had put her on to this brew, at one time the most expensive leaf you could purchase. "You've had a communique from the Section Admiral regarding Admiral Reynolds too, it's on your desk." her Adjutant informed her before returning to her own office. "Thank you Elise." Nia replied, putting the PADD's down in favour of the one holding the message from Gheskori, she nodded her head as she read - Admiral Reynolds was to return to duty - He would oversee Security, which had been under the purview of Admiral Tetsutaro, and now herself, following the disaster and the sad demise of the former Head of Security ... She was pleased he would be taking the Department off her hands, now she could put all her efforts into doing the task she was appointed to. It seemed he would also be overseeing Starbase Medical Personnel, as well as Dock Operations, So effectively Matthew would be taking on the role of Interim Operations Manager in conjunction with heading Security, that was good, his secondary role could be managed easily, allowing him to get back into the rhythm as Head of Security. She decided that she would call on him at some point during the day to see how he felt about his new upcoming duties, but alas, she had work to do now ..... "Elise ...." "Admiral ?" Commander Paquin queried as she entered the office. "This request by the Dissidents' Advocate ? .... Asking for the right to appeal and wanting my endorsement ?" she asked, almost laughing out loud as Elise shrugged. "They seem to think that while Admiral Tetsutaro had a grudge against them, you on the other hand, showed nothing but erm, sympathy for their cause." "ARE they SERIOUS !" she said, throwing the PADD on the desk in disdain, "Tell him no, in fact, tell him there isn't going to be 'ANY' appeal for any of those convicted while I have a pulse." "I'll just tell him you said no Admiral, no point in tempting fate." the Adjutant said as she took the empty cup off her desk. "Elise, is there any more of that in the pot ?" "Always, Admiral Tetsutaro taught me well before he di ...." the young woman began before suddenly falling silent. "Pour me another will you, this is looking like a 'two cup' day." Nia said, picking up the PADD she had just discarded before shaking her head and dropping it into the waste basket beside her desk, " Hell Sato, I'm already picking up your habits." she muttered to the empty room. Admiral Lemond's Office - 14:00 hrs :: Nia had had lunch, her usual sandwich, and condemnation from her Adjutant that she needed to eat better ..... She spent an hour compiling status reports for Security to pass onto Admiral Reynolds prior to him beginning his new duties, 'some light reading' Elise had said with a wry grin. "OK, send all this to Admiral Reynolds, where are we on assigning an office for him ?" "Working on it, we could use Conference Room Two, next to the Intel' front office, have it converted." "I'll take a look later, he's not going to need a dedicated office for a day or so yet." Nia replied, scanning yet another report. "Captain Khurana, the former Security Chief, tended to use the Senior Officers office on the Main Level, the one directly beneath this one, kinda made it his own ?" Elise suggested. "Ah yes, he never was one for convention, played havoc at times." the Director said, remembering the elderly gentleman fondly, "OK, that will be all Elise." "Admiral." the Adjutant replied as she left Nia alone to work ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 239
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Post by Nia Lemond on Sept 11, 2019 22:36:57 GMT
Nia had left her quarters late, she ahd been up most of the night trying to figure out how to break into the holosuite in Orpk's Emporium, where several of her Officer were trapped .... After finally managing to get to sleep in the early hours she had unusually overslept. She had checked her diary for the day while rushing through a quick breakfast. Her Adjutant had Comm'ed her to assure her she wasn't needed in her office for the time being, Nia had thanked her then gone to dress ......Command Center SD: 2405.03.0911 - 08:00 hrs :: "Morning Admiral." the Duty Operations Officer said as she stepped off the turbo-lift on the Main Floor, "Anything you need ?" he asked. "No, thank you Commander ...." she said, feeling the warmth of the coffee in the cup she was carrying, "Anything to report ?" she asked. "Nothing unusual Ma'am." he replied as she passed. She walked around the Main Command floor heading for the ramp that led up to the Mezzanine Level and her office. She could have gone into the Intelligence Office on that Level and used the stairs, but she had decided not to. As she passed the Chief of Security Office she noticed Admiral Reynolds was stood in the middle of the room through the open door, so she headed over ... "Morning Admiral." she said from the doorway. "Morning." Matthew replied, putting the PADD he was reading from on the desk, "You wanted to see me ?" he asked. "No, just passing, thought I'd say hello ... We are still trying to sort an office out for you, but please feel free to use this one until we have one on the Mezzanine." she said, looking around the functional office, "So you're settling in alright ?" < tag : Admiral Reynolds >"Good to hear." Nia said with a smile, "I believe you are overseeing several Departments, Security, Medical, Dock activities ...." "Yes." the Admiral replied. "I'm assuming all relevant data has been forwarded to you ?" Matt nodded, motioning to the seemingly ever-growing pile of PADD's covering the desk, "As you know, Security fell under my purview since the Head was left behind when we took off. To be honest I'll be glad to hand over the proverbial reigns ... I've had Commander Yusef El Sayed overseeing day to day Security, reporting directly to me. He's the most Senior Security Officer aboard, and has done an excellent job given the circumstances. I'm sure you can count on him to bring you up to speed on anything you need to know." "Thank you." Reynolds replied with a smile. "OK, well I'll leave you to it. Give me a shout if you need anything." Nia said, turning then leaving the office .... Walking up the ramp she could see Elise stood at the top. several PADD's in her arms, "Please tell me you are taking them to recycling." she said with a resigned grin. "I 'can' have them disappear ?" her Adjutant said as she fell into step before taking the now empty cup from her Boss, "What have I told you about drinking replicated coffee." she said, looking into the cup with a shudder as they entered the Admiral's Office. "Yes Mother." Nia said as she rounded her desk and sat down. "This one needs you're attention, the rest can wait five minutes .... I'll get you a 'real' coffee while you read." Elise said, leaving Nia to her first report of the day ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 25, 2019 16:10:10 GMT
SD: 2405.03.2412 .. 16:40 hrs Intelligence Director's Office Command Center Mezzanine :: Now back in Nia's office after a brief inspection tour of the Starbase, Carl had spent the last three hours being updated on events on the Starbase ..... ".... And we're sure any further threat from the dissident factions has been quashed?" Carl was asking the director of Intelligence. "With Serova in effective solitary confinement for the foreseeable future and the last of her people taken into custody, yes, we can say her rebellion is done with." Nia Lemond confirmed. "Arrangements have been made to house the refugees from your mission on two of the refurbished Levels Admiral," Commander Paquin informed them, "They will need to be questioned of course, but we can't envisage any issues to their being released into the populace in the coming days. The former Officers of the USS Vasco de Gama will possibly face charges when we conduct enquiries into the possible mutiny, Mister Kosenko has offered to help with repatriation once those cleared are released. We will keep you informed Admiral." Nia's Adjutant finished. "OK, I think that concludes any Security issues, so, I noticed a few of the establishments on Alpha and Beta Promenades were still boarded up. Are the occupants going to be moving back or have we had inquiries as to their availability?" "I'm sure they will be returning, at some point Admiral." Commander Erin Paquin reassured him. "How long before the Raven is able to go back out?" Admiral Lemond asked. "We've only been back five minutes, trying to get rid of us? ...." Carl asked with a wry grin, ".... besides, it's Christmas tomorrow, as my Daughters haven't stopped reminding me, so duty shifts will be minimal. I want anyone who wants to, to enjoy the festivities, that said, has Sean got over his kidnapping?" "Oh he's got over it, in fact, he's still telling anyone who will listen 'ALL' about it," Erin said, raising her eyebrows. "OK, well given the time, I think we'll call this meeting over with," Torek said, "I think we've all earned a drink. I'm going to visit Mister O'Toole and see what he has to say about his kidnapping shenanigans. Dismissed everyone." Level One Five Five One Alpha Promenade :: Stepping from the turbo-lift, Carl was cheerfully surprised at how busy it was. Despite his earlier observations and the closed establishments, there were plenty of people about. Families too, which had been missing for such a long time ... As he walked towards O'Tooles Bar and Grill, the Pub owned by his long-time friend Sean, he couldn't help overhear snippets of conversation and was pleasantly reassured. People were no longer fearing for their safety, no longer wondering if some rebellious faction would cause mayhem. He watched two children running ahead of their parents, both Starfleet Officers. not long ago those adults would have been carrying weapons, and the children would be nowhere to be seen. He was approaching O'Tooles and had to stop and laugh, receiving several sidelong glances from those around him. The pub had been decked out in all manner of decorations, lights flashed along the front of the bar, several decorations had been strung across the Promenade. Then as if it couldn't have got any more surreal, two of Sean'S staff came out to collect glasses from the outside tables, both were dressed in what he could only describe as 'Elf' outfits ... Green tops, red, green and white striped tights, pointed green shoes with bells, and a green and red had with a white fluffy bobble on top. "Ah, there you are ...." he turned to see Calli, Elise, Bethan and Victoria, ".... Erin let me know where you were going, I assume it wasn't confidential." Calli said as the girls ran towards O'Tooles. "Thought we would enjoy a nice family meal," Elise said, kissing Carl on the cheek before taking his arm. As they entered they were met by the owner ... If Carl was already surprised earlier, he couldn't help but laugh out loud at the spectacle, Bethan and Vanessa either side of Sean, he theatrically sang "Ho Ho Ho and Seasons Greetings." as he made his way over to them: "Daddyyyy ..... Its FATHER CHRISTMASSSSSSSS." they shouted in unison ..........
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Sean O'Toole
Civilian
The Luck O' the Irish
Registered: Aug 13, 2016 0:12:33 GMT
Posts: 59
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Post by Sean O'Toole on Dec 25, 2019 22:20:55 GMT
O'Toole's Bar and Grill Level One Five Five One Alpha Promenade :: Following their abduction and subsequent escape, both had been 'asked' to remain with Intelligence for almost two days of questioning regarding the abduction. Sean had needed to sit down with his fiancΓ©e to explain why it had happened and her realisation that he wasn't quite what she had thought .... "Intelligence was a long time ago," he'd explained over a quiet meal, and finally, in the early hours, she had sort of agreed to let the matter of his former employment drop. It was clear he didn't need to impress the need for secrecy regarding said former vocation, and given the whole affair was something Kara would rather forget, she agreed willingly. Now, weeks later, it was coming up to Christmas, festivities Human's especially, celebrated. It had always been a favourite time for Sean, from when he was a boy in Kilkee on the West coast of Ireland, where his parents owned a public house. Christmas was always an exciting time, residents of the village would decorate the village making it look to his young eyes like something from one of the old postcards he'd seen ... But he had never forgotten those days and the excitement that ran through the village, from the oldest residents to the youngest children. It had taken him some time to amass the festive decorations, and longer to have someone replicate a three-meter tall 'Christmas Tree' which he had placed outside the bar and decorated. Getting permission from the Promenade Managers to put the tree up was one thing, asking to put decorations across the span of the walkway was a tad more difficult, but a few 'well-placed' free drinks sorted that out ... Dressing up the bar was one thing, to say he had received several strange looks would have been an understatement, but once the tree was illuminated everyone loved it. His staff, having been told they too would need to embrace the festive season, were almost riotous when they were given the outfits he wanted them to wear, but once he made an appearance in his own costume, none of them could complain. Not that they had in reality, but 'it never hurt to wind their employer up now and then' they thought. The bar had been busy for the week coming up to Christmas, which of course he wasn't complaining about, but he was pleasantly surprised to see one of his oldest friends walking into the bar ... Bethan and Vanessa, Carl Torek's children had run in eyes wide with excitement at the extravagant decorations, but they couldn't contain their elation when Father Christmas himself came walking towards them. Both had run to him, throwing their arms around who they considered their favourite Uncle. Bethan pulled at h sean's false beard, Vanessa jokingly tried to push her hand between the padded belly and the wide black belt, commenting that maybe he should try changing his eating habits. He slapped her gently on her backside saying her presents were going back to the North Pole if she was cheeky again, then kissed her on top of her head to make sure she knew he was joking. "Ahhh ... Ho, Ho, Ho, and Seasons Greetings," he said as he spotted Carl, Elise, and Calli entering. "Daddyyyy ..... Its FATHER CHRISTMASSSSSSSS." the girls shouted in unison. "Well ... I have to admit Sean, you've outdone yourself this time." Carl said, hugging the man over his Daughters' continuous snugglings. Kara came over, dressed as someone he assumed, was Santas' Wife. Though she had clearly taken scissors to her outfit, it was shorter than the other girls' outfits, and a tad too revealing. "Can we have dresses like your Kara, can we can we?" "No, you bloody can't!" Elise answered with a faux frown as she pulled Kara's bodice up several centimetres, making the girls giggle. "You need to be a gettin' out o'that stuffy uniform Carl me'lad ...." Sean was saying, already trying to pull Torek towards the end of the bar, "..... By pure luck more than anything, those Tailors managed to make two outfits for me, so you can get in the back there and change." "Oh, erm, no, we were only going to have a meal then get back." "We won't be hearin' of it!" Sean and Kara were saying as Kara realised the girls were looking a little crestfallen, "... And you two ..... while those dresses of your are the prettiest things, I think something a little more 'festive' should be worn, you too lady." she said, grabbing Elise and the girls and dragging them off, she snatched hold of one of the Staff one the way then disappeared into the back. Once there she asked the computer to scan the outfit Megan was wearing and then duplicated it for Elise, requesting two more to fit the girls. "Sean, we can't stay, I have duti ....." Carl was trying to explain, but he knew he was loosing, so resignedly allowed Sean to take him through to their private quarters. fifteen minutes later they reappeared, looking to all intents and purposes, the ideal Santa Family. Bethan and Vanessa were head over heels with their outfits and loved Elise's. They couldn't help break out in fits of laughter when their father appeared ..... It was agreed that when Bethan and Vanessa got tired, they could go up to the accommodation and stay the night, same for Carl and Elise. Giving in, Carl accepted the invitation to have something to eat here rather than in the bar itself .... During the meal, he contacted the Raven to let them know where he was. He spoke to Commander Wedlerson, who assured him everything was going as planned, and that Commander Blakus had already left the ship for the evening, after some coaxing from several of the crew. He also instructed Command that he not be disturbed unless the Starbase was on fire, and only then when it was next door. Carl was happy that Andae had decided to act on his 'suggestion' that he gets some rest and relaxation time of his own. His Exec' had worked as hard, if not harder, than Carl himself during their last outing, so a little down-time would do him the world of good. No doubt he'd make an appearance at O'Toole's before long, so when he finally, around eight in the evening, he bucked-up courage to re-enter the bar, he made sure the staff knew the first drinks were on himself when Andae arrived ... The place was beginning to fill up and he could already see several of the Raven crew, most had donned fancy dress for the occasion and were enjoying themselves, one or two acknowledging his apparent participation in the festivities. The girls were already helping Sean's staff collecting glasses and clearly amassing substantial tips in the process. "On me." he heard Sean say as he handed Carl and Elise a glass each, "SlΓ‘inte." he raised his glass, the others doing likewise .......... [Tag : Raven Crew / All ... Please feel free to join in the festivities] πππ
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on Dec 30, 2019 23:49:00 GMT
Two Days Earlier ... USS Raven-C En-route to Starbase Forty-Seven :: Calli had showered and was ready for bed .... She wasn't due back on the Bridge until the following day, but couldn't rest. The events she had witnessed, thousands of men, women, and worst of all, innocent children, had been systematically murdered ... In her eyes, there was no other way to describe the systematic bombardment of a planet populated by people that simply wanted nothing to do with their Homeworld, and by those who had been abandoned, exiled, by their own people. Part of her had wanted to demand the Raven be turned around to defend the innocent, but she knew deep down that it reality it was none of their concern, at least, not while they were a single Starship so far from home, nevertheless despite her prowess, she was outnumbered vastly and would have only become a victim of the genocide herself .... Sat curled up on her sofa, music playing almost inaudibly in the darkness, she sipped the wine as she looked through the window ... No, she couldn't 'see' the decimated Shon'ni world, but she couldn't help but imagine what the final seconds of those on the ground felt as they realised, or maybe didn't, their fate. She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks, a sob rising from deep within her. Silently she vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice, but even as she did so she realised the futility of her conviction. The Raven would likely never return to the Shishonri System, it wouldn't be able to demand those who committed the heinous crimes against the innocent, be brought to justice. 'Had this happened a home, would the Shon'ni be held accountable, maybe, maybe not' she thought in frustration. Below her, in converted cargo holds and makeshift accommodations, over seven hundred had been saved. They would be allowed, eventually, to take up residence on the Starbase, and who knows, maybe they would travel back to Federation space if or when a means to do so was found, but returning home was no longer an option for them, so one day, they too would need to make a decision ..... She reached for the bottle of wine, one that her Stepbrother Carl had gifted her, not something replicated, and poured another glass. She wasn't prone to drinking, in fact, she only partook on social occasions normally, but tonight she needed something, not for the alcohol content, it was more a recognition of those who had lost their lives so needlessly, just so a chosen few could hold on to their tentative superiority. "Extermination," she said out loud, then took a long drink from the glass as the door chime sounded. rising she tied the cord around her dressing gown and headed for the door: "Elise ...." she said as it opened to reveal Carl's fiancΓ©. "Hi ...." Elise replied with a smile as the two hugged, ".... I'm not disturbing you am I ?" Calli looked at the now half-empty glass and grinned. "No, no, I was just ...." she said, stepping aside to allow her best friend in, "Is something the matter, it's not you and Carl is it?!" she asked grabbing a second glass from the cabinet and pouring. "No, I just thought while Carl was sorting the girls out I'd pop in to see if you were OK," Elise said reassuringly, accepting the slightly overfilled glass. "So you've left him in charge ...." Calli said unable to stop herself from laughing, ".... You 'KNOW' they run rings around him, right?" "Yes, but it's good to let him think he's in charge now and then," Elise replied, raising her glass as the two women laughed, "You'll be OK you know." "I know," Calli said quietly, knowing there was no way Elise knew the details of what had happened, but at the same time knowing she knew her and knew when she was upset, "Can you stay?" "I've already told that lot I'm bunking here for the night," Carl's fiancΓ© reassured her friend, "Though I might change my mind if this id the only bottle," she said, pouring the last of the wine out between them ..... Starbase Forty-Seven ::
Calli had sat in on the meeting, in her capacity as Mission Advisor to Fleet Admiral Torek, and as a serving Intelligence Officer, her attendance was required ... She had already spoken to Admiral Lemond regarding some issues, but the meeting was concluded faster than she had expected. With Carl saying he was going to have some free time, she had quickly spoken to Andae Blakus, then Elise and the girls, as well as Sean, the owner of O'Tooles ... She hoped, no, knew, that throwing Carl into the festivities would help him relax after what was a mission to be forgotten, QUICKLY in her opinion, so seeing Sean drag him off in the bar was great. She could see that Elise, Vanessa, and Bethan were excited, not that the same could be said for the Commanding Officer of the USS Raven-C and Starbase Executive Officer, so when they reappeared, albeit reluctantly in Carl's case, she couldn't help but laugh ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jan 3, 2020 22:43:43 GMT
Situated halfway up the Gemonian stairs, the quaestor Marcus Blakius requested that he say a few final words. The consul had his lictors draw back and grinned at him widely, an arm raised from under the fold of his toga and his hand extended, gesturing to Marcus that his last words were granted.
He cast about at his executioners severely, dark eyes piercing each, "I curse those who come after me, as my brother was cursed by Rome. And let all who descend from my line, all those of the Blakian clan, be steeped in misery, if I myself may have no respite. The gladius has conquered from the Rhine to the Danube's estuary, yet the state cannot look after its own. May Jove make it so."
"How touching!" the consul declared, and signalled finally to his lictors, who drew their axes and cut the Blakian down before casting his body down the steep flight. The quaestor's son and nephew watched from the shade of a Corinthian capitalised column below, vengeance would be theirs, but the pain and the price would fall on their own descendants in turn...
Andae awoke from another night of unwanted domination by the curse of his family, and yet this time he thought the physical pain fell on those of the Shon'ni - and the surviving mutineers - destroyed on the agrarian world in the system next to the capital system of that empire. It seemed he had to experience torment on the Shon'ni's behalf, a vicious cycle returning to him in psychological form before casting itself out again to wreak destruction on the populations of whomever the Raven encountered next. Why must he drag ruin in his wake, all that he touched demolishing itself, capable of being enjoyed by none?
"Well, this is one blood feud that won't continue to..." he trailed off as he rose from sleep. He made for his desk and personal console, realising as he reviewed the ship's status and incoming communiques from the Starbase that the Sovereign class was due to dock in less than two hours.
Some time after arrival, he was alerted that Raven officers were gathering in O'Toole's. Cutting short a routine visit to engineering to survey the team's work - as always, Milyanov didn't say so but Andae was sure that by now the Russian was growing slightly irritated by the XO's regular presence, why couldn't he leave him to his duties, even if he had been the Chief Engineer for several years before finally rising once again to the XO's chair? - he made for the base. Milyanov and Tinsley decided to stay behind and oversee maintenance work - from the various Shon'ni warships encountered the Raven had taken quite a beating - while Taylor and some others accompanied Andae to Alpha Promenade.
It was a reasonable night, the festivities with their paraphernalia and associated odds and ends adding something to the experience, though he was exhausted by only 2200 hours. He stumbled away at close to midnight and decided to take a room at a somewhat rundown establishment down the concourse from O'Toole's - he'd inadvertently but pleasingly chosen the penthouse, occupied previously, the porter enthusiastically if seriously and dolefully - due to the prior occupant's involvement in the dissident movement - told him, by Mr Stirczki.
The next morning, Blakus found in the side-desk next to the bed a note written on a PADD by an officer named Clancy, indicating the room's next visitor should check under the sill of the small window. Tentatively, Blakus rose and got down on his haunches, surveying under the sill from a distance - whether this was a joke, a booby trap or both, he couldn't take any chances...
A slip of real paper was attached there on which a further short note was written, Check in the side-desk, middle drawer. Blakus raised an eyebrow and chuckled dryly, loping back to the bed and side-desk and pulling the drawer open, lying there was a phaser! Now had it been the top drawer, or the middle drawer he'd opened to find the first note? he tried to remember.
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Jan 4, 2020 22:10:01 GMT
SD: 2406.04.0103 Level Fifteen Torek Family Private Quarters Starbase Forty-Seven :: Carl had woken late... Despite the fact that the party at O'Toole's was over a week ago, he believed the intermittent throbbing behind his prosthetic eye was purely down to access of alcohol intact at the Christmas celebrations... Elise came in with a cup of coffee, grinning at her FiancΓ© and shaking her head. "Isn't it about time you got up. Anyone would think you were severely injured or something," she said. "I'm up," he retorted, wincing as the ache increased for a second before subsiding. "Oh, Medical is expecting you at Ten hundred hours, to check your erm, eye issue," she said. "Fine," Level Thirty-Six Primary Medical Center :: "So it was just a glitch in the optics?" Carl was asking as the Doctor treated a now darkened bruise over his left temple. "What? ..... Yes, fine, just a, glitch in the biometrics." the Doctor said, winking openly at Elise, Vanessa and Bethan, who were waiting in the outer office but could see Carl through the transparent screen. "He did fall over towards the end of the night," Bethan informed the Doctor. "Can I go now ...." Carl said, sliding off the Bio-bed, ".... Or is this 'double act' going to drag on?" "You're dismissed Admiral, just don't go allowing anything solid to hit you in the head anytime soon." the Doctor said, the sarcasm obvious. He, Elise, and the girls left Medical and made their way to Alpha Promenade. He felt the need for a good hearty breakfast, and Sean's Staff did a very nice version of ye old'e 'English Breakfast' which in his opinion, was what he needed at this point. While enjoying the exotic variation on what he'd come to know as a traditional 'fry-up' his Adjutant, Commander Jessica Yu, came up to the table: "Admiral, Ma'am, Girls ...." "Elise, Jessica. Please," "Sorry... Elise, if I may ..... Admiral, we have received a Comm from the Enzio. Section Admiral Gheskori requires the Raven to join them at the aCen System as and when viable." she handed him a PADD with the confirmed orders. "Thank you Jessica, I'll meet you in the office in an hour or so," "Yes, Sir." the woman said before leaving. "I thought the Raven was having a lot of work done?" Elise commented, eyeing the scrambled egg suspiciously as Carl tucked in with renewed vigour. "I'm sure they can wait," he said by way of reply ..... They finished their breakfast then returned to their quarters, then Carl headed for the ship ...... USS Raven-C Dock Arm Delta :: Carl headed straight to Engineering to see how the repairs, refit were progressing... He could see immediately that the replacement warp core was already in place, but even as he traversed the umbilicus to the ship he could see a substantial amount of hull-plating still needed to be replaced, which was a little worrying, but given materials were hardly in abundance, he knew his crew and the Starbase Engineering Division were doing all they could to expedite proceedings. Several Base Officers acknowledged his presence as he walked the large area of Main Engineering. He found Commander milyanov talking to Nate Tinsley, and approached: "Gentlemen..." "Admiral," the two Engineers said in unison. "You received the orders?" Carl asked, both men nodded, "Sooo, what are we looking at, timewise?" "Well, the core is online, the Port nacelle was zero point zero three one out of alignment, which had been rectified, but the hull took a battering as you know Sir," Lieutenant Tinsley reported. "The plating should be completed inside four days, but I'm guessing we don't have the luxury of four days, so they will get it done in two, given enough, encouragement," Milyanov said with a wry grin. "I've only skimmed through the report from the Enzio, we have the luxury of Transwarp, but that said, I would like to be away inside two days if possible?" Torek said. "We'll get her out on time Admiral," Nate said confidently. "Thank you, gentlemen," Carl said, eyes panning Engineering, inwardly proud of what his Officers had achieved, and continue to, "The Enzio and Marcanda are coping, so while we need to respond to the Section Admiral's instructions, I'm happy to sit while things get done. No 'corner-cutting' gentlemen. An extra few hours isn't going to see us all facing Court Martial ..... Oh, just out of curiosity, I didn't see either of you at Sean's party?" "We felt we were needed here Admiral, and Commander Blakus needed the time away," Milyanov said, instantly regretting his comment. "If we could have a minute Lieutenant?" Carl said to Tinsley, who took the hint and found somewhere else to be. Carl inched Milyanov to one side, out of earshot of the numerous Engineers, "It hasn't gone unnoticed that the Exec' is down here a little more than really necessary Commander... He was my Chief Engineer for a while and is possibly finding it a little hard to cut those final ties .... But he recommended you for the position of Chief Engineer, a recommendation I wholeheartedly supported that recommendation. I can keep him busy on the Bridge if you feel he's looking over your shoulder a little too often?" Milyanov was surprised at the comments and was inwardly grateful for the chance to hopefully prove himself to both the Engineering Staff and Admiral Torek, but also to Andae Blakus, who he considered one of his closest friends ... "I appreciate that Admiral, I'm sure he's just doing his duty as Executive Officer," Milyanov said, hoping his comment wasn't coming across as sarcastic. "OK .... Keep me updated, I'm spending the night with my family on the Starbase, but I'll be back aboard officially tomorrow." Carl said, placing a hand on the man's shoulder for a second as reassurance. "Understood Admiral," Milyanov said as Carl walked away, Oh, Admiral, congratulations on deciding to tie the proverbial knot." "Thanks, Commander," Carl said, silently wondering if 'anything' could be kept secret on this ship ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Jan 8, 2020 1:58:17 GMT
SD: 2406.04.0108 Fleet Admiral Torek's Office Mezzanine Level Command Center :: "You said we have an estimated tie of arrival for El Salvador?" "She's en-route, should be here in approximately fifty-eight hours depending on when or if they can get their warp drive online." his Adjutant informed him as they enjoyed coffee at their morning briefing. "OK, good, well Commodore Savot has an excellent Engineering team under him, so fingers crossed," Carl said. "Where are we on the other vessels Jessica?" "The El Alamein is spaceworthy. She has been undergoing worthiness checks for the last month and has been certified, she is ready to go as and when required..." Jessica answered, "...The Oxford and Dauntless are pretty much scrap. We've been pretty much cannibalising both for parts, though both 'could' be brought up to spec' given time, and recourses of course." "The El Alamein is fully crewed?" "Yes Admiral, In fact, Captain Komin has been somewhat 'vocal' at being held back when the ship could be utilised better, in her opinion." "Ha, I'm surprised she hasn't requested to speak with Admiral Lemond or myself," Carl said with a wry grin. "Well, she's practically sleeping outside Admiral Lemond's office... As for you, well, I kind of told her you were, indisposed, but since you've been back she's contacting me with renewed, persistence," "OK, let's throw her a proverbial bone ....." Carl said, finishing his coffee and getting up to pour a second cup, "..... Let's have the El Alamein go out on perimeter patrol, at least until she's needed by Intelligence." "She's not going to like flying rings around the Starbase Admiral." his Adjutant warned. "It's that or continue polishing their hull in Spacedock," Torek said with a shrug. He fell silent, looking out of the window at the depths of space beyond, "We'll restrict her to patroling out to say, five light-years. Let's have Admiral Reynolds speak to her and if there are any issues let her come up here. But frankly, given intelligence isn't actively operating outside the Starbase there's not a lot we can do with it. Though it has to be said, if the El Alamein, with her sensors that are comparable to those installed on El Sal, the Enzio, and the Raven, had been outside the 'base maybe we wouldn't have been surprised by the vessel that casually parked invisibly, less than a kilometre off the hull, and allowed to kidnap two of our Civilian Personnel." "I'll inform Admiral Reynolds after we're done here," Jessica confirmed. "I'm assuming that given nothing has flagged up, we're seeing a marked reduction in criminal activity?" "Yes, It's helping that Admiral Lemond is utilising her Operatives, sorry, 'Officers' to work in Civilian attire, so we're managing to get ahead of some of the more, ambitious entrepreneurs," "Ah, some good news then," he said with a grin. "Well, there 'is' some good news as it happens ....." Jessica said, scrolling down the data on one of the several PADD's she was juggling, "Our population has increased," "What?" Carl asked. "Yes, we've had several births in the last couple of months. All are well, as are the mothers, all but two are Starfleet Officers, the mothers that is, not the children," "Maybe we're not working these people hard enough," he said, inwardly pondering the prospects of Elise and he, even though they had Bethan and Vanessa who were adopted, having a child of their own in due course, "OK, anything else?" "Erm, nothing I can't handle Admiral, though there is a man who would like to speak to you about issues on Beta Promenade ......" "I'm still Executive Officer of this Starbase, am I not?" Carl asked exasperatedly. "Last time I checked, yes Sir ..... Apparently, he's some self-appointed representative of the traders on Beta, he seems to think that a curfew is required, as some of the establishments are taking advantage of Beta and Gamma shift changes. He says some Starfleet Officers are being observed by Children when leaving certain drinking establishments, intoxicated." "Holy hell in a handbasket! ....." Carl said, "..... As if the worst thing we need to worry about is a few people relaxing, geez, how many children are wandering the Promenades at four in the bloody morning anyway?! ... Maybe he'd like us to turn all the bars into tea houses, hell, let's go the whole hog and jettison any substance that can be made into an alcoholic drink. we can restrict replicator privil .... No, you know what, tell him to find something productive to do with his time, or he may find himself conscripted! ... Where his complaints about Starbase ablution maintenance will fall on the deafest ears." "I'll speak to him, Admiral," Jessica said, trying not to laugh. "OK, let's find something else to do. Any more of this coffee and I'll be jogging around the mezzanine like a demented marathon runner." "Yes Sir, and I'll make a mental note to have less strong coffee on tap in the morning." "You will hell," Carl said ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Jan 9, 2020 12:48:30 GMT
Aboard Worker-Bee 416 Starbase Dome :: "It's looking a lot better," Carl said as he and Commander Milyanov travelled along the Port side of the USS Raven-C. "They worked hard on getting the panels fabricated, it helped that they knew in advance of our arrival," the Engineer replied as he flew the maintenance shuttle. "They didn't need to replace the nacelle pylon to correct the alignment, that cut a week off turnaround time," "So how are we looking?" Torek asked. "Well, if the saucer section hull plating is completed today, we could be ready to depart by maybe nineteen hundred tomorrow," "We're confident no tests are going to be needed to ensure warp field stability?" "No Sir, it was below point two of a degree out, we can run brief tests once in open space before going to higher warp, but I don't foresee any issues," Milyanov confirmed. He flew the worker-bee around the Aft of the massive Starship then rose to pass between the warp nacelles. climbing further n relation to the ship below to pass over the upper section of the saucer. Finally, he turned the small craft and dropped before coming to a complete stop fifty metres off the bow... To their left, Carl could see that the Intelligence Vessel, the USS El Alamein, had been pushed back from her berth and had powered up. It would be going out to basically patrol the region of space surrounding the Starbase, not what her Commanding Officer, Captain Fran Komin wanted, but needs must, and realistically, the ship was serving no purpose remaining within the Dome. He had spoken to Captain Komin that morning, explaining his decision after Admiral Reynolds had informed her of the El Alamein's assignment... "Have they replaced the primary dorsal array?" Carl asked, leaning forward as he watched the last of the replacement duranium-tritanium composite hull plates being fitted. "Yes, enhanced the output so the array ribbon needed to be upgraded to allow for the extra output," the Engineer confirmed, "The other phaser array's have all had enhancements, our own Engineers carried out the work while we had the opportunity, it will give us much more punch when needed." "OK, let's get back... The ships' looking good Commander, pass my appreciation on to the Engineering Staff," "Will do, thank you, Admiral," Milyanov replied as he turned the worker-bee to Port and back to its docking port... Five minutes later Carl was alone on the Observation Deck overlooking the interior of the Dome, the Raven was only metres away in her assigned dock. Commander Milyanov had returned to his duties aboard the ship ...... ~~~~~~~~~~ "Penny for them?" Carl turned to see Nia Lemond stood behind him. "Nia, problem?" he asked, not able to recall the Intelligence Director ever coming down to the Dock. "No, I was speaking with one of my Officers and thought I'd take a look..." the woman said, stepping closer to the transparent aluminium windows, "You can't help but be impressed," she said, referring to the Sovereign Class Starship beyond. "Yes ..... Makes you wonder what the Research and Development boffins will have come up with by the time we get back home." Carl mused, not vocalising his worry that they may never get back to Earth at all. "Indeed ....." the woman replied reflectively. "The Raven refit will be completed by midday tomorrow, we'll be running final checks and should be departing for the aCen System around nineteen hundred..." he informed her, "...If you can make yourself available later today?" "Just say when..." Nia said with a smile, taking one last look at the Raven before turning, "I'll leave you to your contemplation's, Admiral." she said, nodding then walking away ..... Carl looked again at his vessel then made his way to the turbo-lifts. He needed to let Elise, Vanessa, and Bethan know they should move back onto the ship later today ..........
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Matthew Reynolds
Rear Admiral
"It's good to have an end to a journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."
Registered: Apr 28, 2005 20:58:32 GMT
Posts: 2,759
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Post by Matthew Reynolds on Jan 11, 2020 4:01:57 GMT
SD: 2406.22.0110
Burning the midnight oil had become commonplace for Admiral Matthew Reynolds. The everyday operations of a starbase was never over. Security reports were consistently coming through from his right hand man Commander Yusef El Sayed, Admiral Lemond had been correct in her assessment. The Commander was extremely efficient at his job and Matt knew that he could rely on him to make sure that nothing went wrong. Working alongside the medical staff was a bit more problematic for Matt, who was inherently distrustful of all medical officers when it came to his own care. Maybe it was his own feelings of being mothered by the doctors and nurses, but with three months at this posting Matt had come to have a good working relationship with the medical staff. Of all the progress that the starbase had made, Matt was proudest of the work of the Dockmaster and his staff. Efficiency had improved by 19% and things were getting better by the day. For all they had gone through the last years, things were finally looking up for Matthew Reynolds.
"Hey, you said this wouldn't become the norm," Kristen said immediately as she entered his office. His wife had developed the habit of checking up on him every couple of hours after his shift had ended. She knew that her husband needed to bury himself into his work to overcome his feelings of helplessness. The years he had lost in the coma could not be recovered, but she wasn't going to let her husband go through this turbulent time alone.
"You know that I have to work," Matt said all together glad to see his beautiful and supportive wife. He stepped away from his desk and embraced his wife and planted a small kiss on the mouth.
"I do, but remember when we were on the Jefferson and you still found time for fun," Kristen asked jokingly.
"Yes, but we were much younger back then, weren't we," Matt quipped back with a smile.
"Speak for yourself, I will be forever young," Kristen said as she plopped herself on the couch after grabbing the book she had left in the office. Kristen had just gotten off of her shift and she would spend the next couple of hours reading and keeping her husband company. She needed this time just as much as he did.
(I know its short, but I felt the need to post something real quick. Will be back soon)
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 253
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Jan 11, 2020 12:55:28 GMT
Two days after O'Toole's gathering, six days before Raven departure
Blakus stood over the bank of consoles in the Starbase science lab with the phaser before him. It hovered in the EM field with its small main display open, the commander attempting to reconnect the main circuitry; it'd been tampered with, reconfigured and polluted with oxidants and other corrosive substances. The most notable thing however was the evidence that it'd been transported into the drawer shortly after he'd found the note under the window sill, making it incredibly likely that he'd activated some sensor by approaching within range of the note, or perhaps that someone had been watching or listening, but he had combed the room for listening devices and found nothing.
Trying to track where the transporter beam had originated was impossible, so he'd spent most of the second day after the party at O'Toole's trying to deduce from the combination of deterioratory effects upon the phaser who may have done it, and for what purpose. Was the phaser supposed to have been set on overload, thereby to kill him? Or was it merely meant to set him on a trail, leading him towards what or who had done this? in which case they'd been successful so far.
Meanwhile, in the Intel offices, Iorte sat with Crewman Iezelda Iezeld and Demik from the El Alamein (which was due to head out on patrol in five or six days), surveying status reports from Intel personnel as well as the first officer's logs from the El Alamein's previous assignment as they related to the Defiant class's personnel.
Clancy let them know he thought the El Alamein could use him aboard in the upcoming patrol. He could think of nothing definite he could apply himself to in truth, perhaps it was only a yearning to get back out there, even if only a few parsecs from the Starbase. Iezelda nodded and made a note, transferring Clancy to the waiting list on her PADD, where he'd await approval from Intel Director Lemond and from Command.
They remembered with amusement the last time they had visited the holodeck, where Clancy had inadvertently landed a glove on Demik's midriff during practice - the officer had been winded but able to carry on and lose his bout against the Tholian holo-character. Iorte found himself thinking about the transported phaser, how long before the trail was followed incorrectly to his door?
Andae called Taylor and entered the holodeck, activating the Zielinski program and ascending the stepped forest floor to halfway up the slope. There was Ben Zielinski sitting on his fallen tree, Christina Taylor entered the program and made her way up amongst the undergrowth to where Blakus and Zielinski were already sitting.
"Someone may have attempted to kill me, Ben," he said, "A phaser, possibly on overload, in a hotel room on Alpha Promenade... It was inert and not functioning... I attempted to track down the person whose name was on one of the two notes left in the room - notes instructing me to follow a sequence that would lead to the phaser being beamed into a desk beside my bed - but found he's an Intelligence officer, on the base somewhere but his precise location concealed."
Taylor approached and Zielinski glanced at her mischievously before looking back at Blakus, "So? What do want me to do about it?"
Andae looked at his friend and found an unfamiliar visage peering back at him, the commander paralysed in horror for the instant before the face disappeared and was replaced again with Zielinski's (Blakus didn't know that the face belonged to Iorte Clancy). "Say that again, Ben."
"I said, what do you want me to do about it? I'm just a diplomat, a holographic one, at that. I can't offer advice on following such trails, unless it involves a foreign national or nationals, in which case I might be able to offer some elliptical advice... Don't go near residential quarters on deck 185, and don't -"
"Computer, freeze program." Ben's visage became fixed in the air, halted mid-sentence. He looked at Taylor, "Did you see that? His face... And hear that?"
"It seemed to me you saw something that distressed you, I was trying to figure out what it could be. Sorry, I did not, his back was turned to me as he spoke."
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 239
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Post by Nia Lemond on Jan 14, 2020 17:23:10 GMT
SD: 2506.04.0115 Observation Lounge Spacedock Dome :: "Commander, I didn't expect to see you here," Nia said as David Tan approached. "Well, I thought I would accompany the El Alamein on her patrol, there's nothing needing my immediate attention," he said, glancing through the transparent aluminium panoramic window at the Defiant Class Intel' vessel. "Oh, hmm," Lemond sais with a wry grin. "Ma'am?" David said, admittedly confused. "Nothing, it was just that commander Clancy came to me with the same request..." the Intelligence director said, grinning, "Wouldn't surprise me if Commander de Luca came to me before long ..... Anyone would think there isn't enough for you to keep you three occupied. There 'are' enquiries you could assist Security with you know," "Yes... Ma'am," Tan replied, knowing it addressing her in such a way annoyed the hell out of he. "I here Maintenence are in dire need of help too," she said, raising her eyebrows. "Really?" David said, trying to focus on keeping his expression neutral. "Fine, you can go, besides, it's not like you are going out of the system, so I can always have you brought back should the need arise," Nia said with a wink, her eyes rolling in mock exasperation as Elena de Luca approached them, "Hello Commander, don't tell me, you thought that while things were slow you would accompany the El Alamein on her patrol?" "Well..." the Intelligence Officer said, glancing at David, who seemed to be focusing his attention on the deck-plating, "It may be that we're needed?" Elena said with a wry shrug. "OK, fine. Come on, let's go aboard, it's been a while," Lemond said, leading them to the umbilicus walkway to the ship ..... ~~~~~ "Ma'am... Admiral!" a young Lieutenant said, surprised at the sudden appearance of four Senior Officers. "Relax Lieutenant, where is Captain Komin?" Nia asked, still trying to get used to her new rank and the effect it has on others. "She's on the bridge Ma, Admiral, should I show you the way?" the El Alamein's Nurse asked, realising her offer was stupid the instant she had spoken. "You're fine, I think we'll find our way," "Wow, you never used to scare the hell out of people before," David said. "Admiral on the Bridge!" someone snapped as the trio entered, David and Elena held back in case their snigger was heard by the Admiral. Admiral Lemond..." Fran Komin said welcoming the director aboard, seconds before Iorte Clancy appeared. He grinned at Elena and David before joining them. "Are preparations complete for departure Captain?" Nia asked. "Yes, Sir..." Komin answered, "Do we have an assignment?" she asked, looking at the three Intelligence Officers, who seemed to be talking among themselves. "No, just the patrol for the time being. These three seem to think the ship can't function without their presence," Lemond said almost conspiratorially. "Really?" Fran replied, "Well, I'm sure there is plenty to do," "I know you're none too happy at going around in circles Fran, but at this point, it's that or temporary reassignment of the non-essential crew until something crops up... You are not only patrolling the Starbase vicinity, there is at least one cloak-capable vessel out there and where there's one there could be others. Given our efforts in the aCen System, I need someone out there that can act quickly if the need should arise," "Understood Admiral," Fran replied. "OK, how about a quick tour, it's been a while?" the Admiral asked. "Yes, please, this way," Captain Komin replied, eyeing the three Intel' Officers as she and Admiral Lemond left the Bridge ..........
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 253
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Jan 17, 2020 21:59:20 GMT
Two days before El Alamein departure, three days before Raven departure
Iorte was sat in the Intel offices' lounge, slouching and perusing a PADD detailing the latest personnel movements within the department and aboard the USS El Alamein. He smiled as he noted that Admiral Reynolds was expediting via the Dockmaster the acceleration in the ship's preparation for departure.
It seemed Tan was to be joining him aboard the Defiant class for the patrol mission, and he'd already spoken with de Luca who'd indicated the same. Rosa Noon had opted out of this one, much to his sadness, though she had sustained a knee injury the previous week during suborbital 'sky'-diving on the holodeck...
Tactical officer Demik sat nearby, the El Alamein officer still nursing the repaired but tender jaw where it'd been impacted upon by the angular fist of the 3 metre tall Tholian holo-character. "Is Blakus on the right track?" he asked.
"Nowhere near," Iorte shook his head and chuckled gruffly, "I tell you, for an officer of the renowned Raven this fellow is extremely dimwitted. I've been trying - as you know - to point him in the direction of Orpk's former employers... I can't approach them directly of course, without them and their entire coterie disappearing underground for fear of Intel - they know my face, you see..."
"Hence the use of the Blakus proxy, yes, you've been over this countless times."
"The trick I pulled with the holodeck..." Iorte began; Demik glanced at his own previously damaged midriff, making Iorte pause before correcting the man, "No, the trick I pulled on Blakus... Transforming the Zielinski hologram's face - I thought that would point him in the right direction." Of course, both of them knew that Ben Zielinski - the real Zielinski, long-since deceased - had had ties with the people behind Orpk's front on Beta Promenade, and Andae Blakus knew this, too. Any anomaly in the Zielinski program might've - in fact should've - suggested to Blakus that the Beta Promenade coterie were in some way involved in the business of the hotel phaser.
This was indeed one of the security issues plaguing Director Lemond's and the Chief of Starbase Security's departments, and which Lemond had reminded Tan of before he'd elected to join the El Alamein on its recon assignment. Clancy hoped that through Blakus this security concern at least would be cleared up while he was with Captain Komin's crew - little did Iorte know however that the Raven was due to depart the day after the Defiant class.
Present, El Alamein bridge
"Well, we're under way," the helmsman stated, as the El Alamein powered its way with thrusters out of the Dome and into interstellar space. On the viewscreen, the dark matter nebula loomed off to starboard, this soon swinging away as the El Alamein yawed to port and jumped to warp 3 to begin its recon sweep (in their patrol they would reach a maximum distance from the base of 5 lightyears).
"David, Elena, it's good to be back out here," Clancy said and settled in a chair on the port side, about halfway back along the narrow rectangular bridge. The stars shot by soothingly, their on-rush distorted visually in their apparent movement and shaping around the warp bubble of the vessel. He sighed in satisfaction at the sight.
"Lieutenant Demik," the first officer, Van, spoke, "Confirm tachyon detection systems are in place."
"Confirmed," the tactical officer said after a moment. The detectors should allow them to locate the cloak-capable ship (if in the circumstance the cloak was engaged), wherever or if ever they found the vessel.
"Then let's begin on our circumscribed route," Van said. Clancy eventually grew tired of watching the stars; the human attention span - even though he wasn't technically human; a perpetual outcast from his true species, an 'alien' consciousness transplanted into a physiologically human body - of 20 minutes or so made no exceptions. He retired to his cramped quarters below-deck and began reading a journalistic novel by the Werim exile Caltek (brought to the Starbase by the Raven after its encounter with the Phorx-ku), something the Werim had written shortly after arrival at the base; it was perhaps the first in a series, or so the preface seemed to suggest. He wrote a note to Crewman Iezeld for transmission by subspace and shortly after fell asleep.
Four hours later Clancy was called to the bridge; Tan and de Luca were present already. Komin was speaking, "What do we have?"
"A second cloaked vessel," Ops reported. Apparently then the crew had already detected the first one, and it'd been cloaked. "Distance, 170.2 million kilometres, just below us and off to port. The first vessel is 5 million kilometres above and behind us. Neither are presently moving in our direction, Captain."
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