Hanson Mission: The Forgotten Outpost...

[Deleted]

Captain’s Log Stardate 93.0526

With the Hepta still in drydock for repair, the Hanson is being sent right back out on a mission, without much of a stopover for R&R. While most of the crew are tired and in need of rest, I am confident that we are able to carry out another mission. The orders I have been given however may be difficult for at least one member of my crew…

Finishing his log, Drew drank up the reminder of the tea in his cup and then rose from his desk. Out of habit he straightened his uniform as he left his ready room and walked out onto the bridge. Most of the senior staff were present, and S’reena was busy making preparations for the Hanson to depart from the Starbase just as soon as all the cadets were aboard.

“Bridge to Engineering, begin the power transfer,” S’reena said from the centre chair, “then bring the engines back online.”

“Everything going to plan?” Drew asked as he approached his Executive Officer.

S’reena looked up and smiled as he approached and handed him a padd.

“We should be ready to depart in fifteen minutes,” she reported.

Drew reviewed the data on the padd in front of him and nodded in approval. They had not sustained any major damage during the course of the last mission, and all systems were working within normal parameters.

“Excellent,” Drew said, thumb printing the padd to give his consent, “the cadets should be coming aboard right about now, why don’t you and Crystal go down and meet them.”

“Aye Admiral,” S’reena replied, as she vacated her chair and walked towards the turbolift, followed by Crystal.

Drew watched them leave, then putting the padd down on his chair he walked over to the science station, which was currently being manned by Konal.

“Konal,” Drew said in a low voice, “can I see you in my ready room please?”

The Science Officer at first looked a little confused at the request, but then nodded and stood.

“Jason, the bridge is yours, continue preparations to depart,” Drew ordered, as he and Konal walked into the ready room.

As the doors closed behind them, cutting off the noise from the bridge, Drew led the way to the sofa under the large starfield window.

“I believe our mission orders may be of interest to you,” Drew said as he sat on one side of the sofa, “we are being sent to what was Outpost 1.2.9.”

Drew was surprised at the number of emotions that quickly passed over Konal’s face in the few seconds that it took her to respond. He was unfortunately unable to read any of them, but it was clear that Konal had strong feelings about this.

“Can I ask why?” Konal finally said.

“As you maybe aware, the mining operation there has been encountering some ‘difficulties’ recently,” Drew said, caution in his voice, “we are to help the miners overcome their problems, and make sure the operation remains on schedule.”

Drew allowed his words to sink in before continuing.

“I am aware of your previous assignment there, as the head of the botany project and it is partly as a result of your connections and knowledge of the area that the Hanson has been selected for this assignment. I need to know however that you can keep your personal feelings just that, personal.”

“You need not worry there Admiral,” Konal replied, “I have a job to do here, and I will do it.”

“I have every confidence that you will,” Drew said, smiling and standing back up, “shall we return to the bridge? I believe your cadet should be arriving any minute now.”

OOC:

OK, Cadets you should all post coming aboard the Hanson and meeting your instructors for the first time. Commanders Hope and Shinsei will be meeting you in the transporter room.

[Deleted]

Meanwhile, S'reena and Crystal took their usual route back to the docking hatches that were attached to starbase by a short decompressed chamber. "I hope we have more than last time," S'reena whispered, "though I saw we have two medical cadets. Oh that reminds me, I have to properly welcome Salek back aboard. Surely you remember Doctor Salek?"

The Romulan cast the navigator a questioning glance, not certain if Crystal knew Salek at all. "At any rate, he's Brelev's replacement, and I can guarantee you that, despite his stoic bedside manner, no-one can surpass his expertise. Not even Doctor Black could manage that. Salek's one of the best in his field." ~and one of my few friends~ she thought quietly, as she waited for Shinsei to answer.

"Ah look, there come our first cadets!" Both women turned to face the hatch once more, where the newcomers were slowly and somewhat uncertainly arriving to enter the final stage of their lives as Starfleet Cadets. "Welcome welcome!" the Romulan grinned, as she extended her hand to he first cadet that came within arm's length of her. "I am commander S'reena Hope, Hanson's first officer and this is Commander Crystal Shinsei, our chief navigator. And who might you be?"

(tag: any cadet)

[ashleydville]

Ashley took a step backward briefly at the sight of the Romulan in a Starfleet uniform. But he quickly recovered, it had been a long flight from Earth. *I must be alittle tired.*

He stopped and staluted the Commanders

'Cadet Ashley D'Ville, reporting for duty Sirs.'

[tkalen]

Kalen walked aboard excited about getting closer to finishing his training. Today he was one step closer to becomming a starfleet officer.

"Cadet Kalen Sol Reportig as well."

[Deleted]

*S'reena Hope?* Lucy thought, minutely shaking her head, *No, couldn't be a relation to Sarina Faith... of course not.*

Cadet Grey took a step forward and smiled as she said, "Cadet Lucy Grey, reporting as ordered, commanders."

[Deleted]

Salek was in sickbay, he was directing the crewmen who were there as to where they are to place his sensitive equipment. Yes, he had several cases of equipment he needed for his research project and since he was now going to take a more active role in the health advancement department he was going to need his equipment also.

"Mr. Bellhop one more shake like that, and you will find yourself scrubbing the plasma intake manifolds", Salek said in a calm voice as one of the crewmen roughly put on of his cases to the ground

Soon enough all of his extra equipment was put in its proper place and the rest of the cases were taken to the science lab 2 which was going to be his place of work when he was not in sickbay. After the crewman left, Salek relaxed... well as much as a Vulcan can relax. He went back to his office and pulled up the records of his two new trainees. It has been a while since he last did some teaching but hopefully he has not lost the touch just yet.

Jason M. Frayers and Wajsaws. A Klingon and a.... This will be... interesting, Salek thought as he looked over their records. Well neither of them was there yet, which did not send a signal of them being overly enthusiastic. But time will show what they are like and if they're there just to "see the stars" or to actually learn something. Salek got up from his seat and proceeded to the science lab to check up on his equipment. Those crewmen who were carrying the cases did not look overly trustworthy in his eyes.

[Deleted]

Konal watched on the console as the bio sensors on the ship picked up the new Cadets coming aboard. The first Cadet was an awkward breed... half Klingon and half Betazoid. "mm Hmm." Konal said out loud, perplexed. She didn't know if she would end up having to take a defensive mental posture or a defensive physical posture should this Cadet lose his temper. It had been known to happen before.

Two more Cadets strolled in afterward, a human male, and a human female. Konal punched a few buttons, which relayed the sensor readings down to sickbay. She closed the view-channel.

"I see my Cadet is on board. Have him report to the bridge as soon as he's able. I want to go through sensor calibration with him," the middle-aged Cardassian officer said to the Operations officer on duty.

Although Konal was not a senior member of the crew by her length of service, she was one of the senior members of the crew. She was awarded favors due to respect for her age, not due to her service.

Her service. *sigh* She had been here almost 7 months now... and this mission was going to take her back to the place she tried so hard to forget. The Outpost where she was assigned to previous. True, it was home to the most enjoyable work she had ever done, but the memories that ensued after the Outpost's closure marred any goodness.

The constant battle of whether to tell Admiral Drew of her multiple contacts with outpost dissidents... to tell him that it was Starfleet officers- rogue officers that is- that were doing the sabotage of the mining equipment. She played dumb. But the Admiral was not dumb. She would have to be more forthcoming in the next few weeks if she wanted to gain respect in her current assignment.

She sat at her console, and put her hands in her face, cradling it to pause the impending tears that were about to flow. Very uncharacteristic of a Cardassian, but yet, characteristic of Konal - who was so proud of her own work, that the jeopardization of it was too much to bare.

Saving her from an outflow of emotion, however, was the turbolift doors opening. Mr. Ashley D'Ville, the newest science cadet, stood at attention, immediately recognizing his instructor. She was the only Cardassian on the bridge. He addressed her, and she recognized the tall figure as well, being the only half Klingon on the bridge.

<Ashley D'ville>

"I am sure you will be just fine. We are going to do some sensor calibrations for right now. Your records, here," she tapped the padd she was holding, "indicate that you have had adequate science training already. Let's put that to use!"

<Ashley D'ville>

Setting aside her emotional state for later, she worked side by side with the Cadet, acknowledging his approach.

OOC: Welcome aboard, Mr. D'ville! Usually, I don't use tags for posts, they clutter things up. For Cadets, however, I do for the first few weeks. Please feel free to be descriptive. I enjoyed reading your "Strange Arrival" thread. That's the kind of writing we all enjoy. Keep up the good work!

[ashleydville]

Ashley staluted as Commander Manto spoke to him.

"I am sure you will be just fine. We are going to do some sensor calibrations for right now. Your records, here," she tapped the padd she was holding, "indicate that you have had adequate science training already. Let's put that to use!"

'I was trained firsted by my Mother who thought that a Klingon needed more that Warrior training to survive the alliance with the Federation.' answered Ashley 'My Father says a joining a of too mind in equal is better than bullying your way in life.'

'Sensor calibration ma'am will that be internal or external sensors' Ashley asked.


OOC: I have been a member of another ST sim group and thats the type of writing we do.

[westgate]

Westgate had heard the call for Cadets to report to the Hanson, which was now ready to depart. It also meant that it was time for him to board, find his quarters, and report to Admiral Drew. Accordingly, he left the bakery, found his bags and went to the boarding lock which would take him aboard his new home in space.

Quarters settled, bags deposited, Westgate made his way to the bridge. It was already a humming, busy place, with officers going through preflight checks, calibrations of instruments and computer diagnostics. Westgate was deeply pleased with the professionalism displayed here. It matched his own need to do things well and right.

"Commander Westgate reporting for duty, Sir," he said to the Admiral as he entered the bridge.

"Welcome, Commander," the CO replied. Westgate took a moment to survey the various stations on the bridge. He had, before boarding, tried to familiarize himself with the ship's crew. Here was Second Officer Shinsei at navigation. Commander Hope, a still-unfamiliar sight, a Romulan in a StarFleet uniform, efficient and quite independent, by the look of her, occupying the FO seat, barking orders about as though she had been doing it all her life. A mild shock, a Cardassian older woman, manned the Science Station. Commander Manto, if Westgate recalled correctly. There, he thought, must be Commander Reynolds, whom he didn't know well.

At that precise moment, three cadets came onto the bridge, looking a little nervous and as if trying to deide where exactly they were supposed to be. An Ashley D'Ville to Science. Westgate smiled his best country smile. Kalen Sol. If Westgate recalled correctly, this young man would be at Navigation with Commander Shinsei. And then the lovely young lady who wanted to perhaps be a dentist, Lucy Grey. Westgate already had a soft spot for her, and knew that the two of them would discuss many things before this mission was out. He was pleased with her manner and her apparent eagerness to learn, and her seeming maturity. They were going to get along just fine.

"Well, now," Westgate said. "Cadet Lucy Grey." Westgate smiled broadly and gave her a subtle wink. "Come on in. Settle down. It's nice to meet you again."

<Grey>

"No need to be nervous. Nervous is when your're a-deliverin' a breech baby and there ain't no hospital for fifty mile around, and the doctor's mule is wore out. Here you ain't got nothin' to worry about too much."

<Grey>

"I expect we'll get your quarters straightened out afore long. You ain't a-goin' to have to sleep on the porch, now. Come and sit awhile. Feel how the bridge feels. Soak it in. Get to know it. That a-way, you'll know when it's changed."

<Grey>

Westgate remained silent for a time, watching his Cadet. She was going to be a good one, he was sure of that.

[Deleted]

Following his conversation with Konal, Drew returned to the bridge and began to review the various reports that were awaiting his approval prior to the Hanson’s departure.

According to the information that the computer had transmitted to his station, three cadets had so far reported to the Hanson, and were now on their way to the bridge. He also saw that the new Chief Medical Officer and Counsellor had arrived, he already knew Dr. Salek from his previous assignment aboard the Hanson, but this Timothy Westgate he knew only by reputation, and of course, his service record.

Just at that moment, the turbolift doors opened, and out stepped a man in a teal uniform, representing the medical department. The officer wore the pips of a full Commander, and bore a striking resemblance to Timothy Westgate’s record photo.

“Commander Westgate reporting for duty sir,” the new Counsellor said, walking down to the command level.

“Welcome aboard Commander,” Drew said, rising from his chair and offering his hand, “I am sure you will enjoy yourself here on the Hanson.”

“Thank you sir,” Westgate replied as he walked across the bridge and began to familiarise himself with everything. Drew made a mental note to have a proper conversation with his new Counsellor once they were underway, for now they both had other matters to attend to.

No sooner had Drew thought those words when the turbolift doors once again opened, and this time humanoids in cadet uniforms stepped out. All three briefly looked around the bridge, and then approached their instructors.

“Welcome all of you to the Hanson,” Drew said, “please take your stations.”

Crystal had followed her own cadet back to the bridge, but S’reena’s absence told Drew that they were still awaiting the arrival of some cadets. It was often the case that cadets were spread out all over the starbase, which resulted in them all arriving at different times. Still, that was no reason to let this three rest, Drew could see that Konal and Timothy Westgate had already approached their assigned cadets, while Crystal was leading hers towards the helm.

“Helm, begin pre-flight procedures,” Drew ordered from his chair, “once the remaining cadets have arrived, we will be moving out.”

[Deleted]

"Internal or external...," she thought for a moment. "You've got me there!" Konal said, dumbfounded. Usually both were done - but with no in-between sensor testing done since last mission, the internal calibrations were probably up to snuff.

"Let's just do external right now. That includes the long range sensors, the ... well you know what it includes." Konal had a habit of babying the Cadets, and she often caught herself being more motherly than instructor-like.

The work was rather routine, and Commander Manto decided to start some conversation.

"I've read some of your bio before you came up on the bridge, and it looks interesting. Of course, Starfleet biographies are known for their objectivity." She punched a few buttons, the light intensity on the bridge slightly dimmed, then returned to normal intensity. The cadet looked concerned.

"That always happens when you realigned the warp coils. I usually do that myself," for fear that an inexperienced Cadet might risk decontainment.

"As I was saying - tell me about yourself. When you finish, I'll tell you about myself. Usually people are curious as to how I got here." She massaged her neck ridges to relieve the tension in her neck. The massage reinforced to the Cadet the fact that she was both a Cardassian, and an older officer.

<D'ville>

[lucykanz]

"Bridge to Engineering, begin the power transfer, then bring the engines back online."

In Engineering, Lucy Kanz's team received the message and got to work straight away. The preparations had already been made so the engineers had the transfer done quickly and efficiently. Lucy couldn't help smiling as she watched things fall into place. She was still nervous and she definitely still had a lot to learn, but there was something very comforting about knowing that they'd got through this before so they could do it again.

The team dynamics were starting to get a little easier too. Although the engineers still had doubts about a 19 year old being in charge of the department, most of them had come to accept that she did know what had to be done. And that she would admit if someone else had greater expertise in an area... as long as it was obviously a lot greater of course.

After the sudden burst of activity had died down one of the senior engineers walked over in her direction, "Power transfer's complete."

"Thanks, well done on getting it done so fast." Lucy nodded at the girl next to her and the two of them powered up the engines. More smiles appeared around the room as the familiar sound loved by engineers everywhere took over as the background noise.

"Engineering to helm, engines are ready when you are."

[tkalen]

Kalen started going through all the pre-flight checklists that he had been taught in the academy, but books were one thing and actually piloting a starship was another and he wanted his first flight to be perfect. He looked up at his instructor. "Ma'am im pretty sure everything is fine but could you double check everything to make sure i didnt miss anything?"

<TAG Crystal Shinsei>

[ashleydville]

"As I was saying - tell me about yourself. When you finish, I'll tell you about myself. Usually people are curious as to how I got here." She massaged her neck ridges to relieve the tension in her neck. The massage reinforced to the Cadet the fact that she was both a Cardassian, and an older officer.

'Well..' He started slowly 'I was born on the Klingon Homeworld, My Mother was a Reasearch sciencist and my Father is an aide to the Betaziod Ambassador to the Klingon Homeworld.'

'I left the Homeworld after my Mother as murdered for her reasearch notes by House Druas. I was moved to Betaziod to live with my Aunt who as one daughter Lauren she training to be a Betazoid Healer. After a problem with bullying I moved to Earth and was tutoured by Survek, who taught how to control myself, science poetry and full all round education that let me come here and join Star-Fleet.'

[crystal]

Crystal was going to tell S'reena that no, she didn't know Commander Salek. Crystal had been aboard while Salek was, but they'd never gotten a chance to talk. “Salek's one of the best in his field,” Commander Hope assured Crystal.

“Well I look forward to getting to know him better than I did last time,” Crystal replied, before S'reena spotted some of the cadets. One of the cadets was...hers, as much as any cadet she taught was hers.

“Welcome aboard,” she greeted Kalen Sol, and the two proceeded to the bridge, to familiarize Cadet Sol with his station.

“Helm, begin pre-flight procedures,” Drew ordered from his chair, “once the remaining cadets have arrived, we will be moving out.”

“You know what that means?” Crystal asked.

The cadet did, and started going through the checklist. He seemed a little hesitant, but he knew what he was doing. “Ma'am I'm pretty sure everything is fine but could you double check everything to make sure I didn't miss anything?”

“You got it all,” Crystal told him. She'd been watching him as he ran through the checks, and, since he'd done it all by-the-book, including the order, that meant it was easy for her to be sure that he hadn't skipped anything.

“So, are you looking forward to piloting the Hanson?” she asked, while the two waited for the rest of the cadets and Drew's next command.

<Tag Kalen Sol>

[Daya]

Daya looked around from his station, where he was doing his own job instead of having a cadet to do it. 'well someones gotta do it' He thought to himself absentmindedly. After he had assigned the quarters to the cadets and the two new officers, Daya had found a few minutes to work on the sensors. Just a minor problem that was fixed quickly, and Daya stayed at his station going over his routine checks and talking with the Starbase before they left.

Daya had noticed the new counselor arrive and speak with the admiral, and remembered Doctor Selak, but had yet to work either one of them. He smiled as he remembered his first few days onboard as a new instructor, and even earlier as a cadet himself. Returning to work on his checks, Daya playfully toyed around at his console.

[Deleted]

"Well, now," Westgate said. "Cadet Lucy Grey." Westgate smiled broadly and gave her a subtle wink. "Come on in. Settle down. It's nice to meet you again."

"Good to see you, sir." Lucy entwined her fingers and glanced down at them. Then, looking up, she confessed, "I'm a bit worried about all this."

"No need to be nervous. Nervous is when your're a-deliverin' a breech baby and there ain't no hospital for fifty mile around, and the doctor's mule is wore out. Here you ain't got nothin' to worry about too much."

Sighing, Lucy twiddled her thumbs and smiled at her instuctor, saying, "You have a way of making me relax." Glancing around the room, Lucy thought of one other thing. "Dr. Westgate, are we going straight into training? I haven't been shown to my quarters or anything."

"I expect we'll get your quarters straightened out afore long. You ain't a-goin' to have to sleep on the porch, now. Come and sit awhile. Feel how the bridge feels. Soak it in. Get to know it. That a-way, you'll know when it's changed."

Cadet Grey's eyes took on a pensive glaze. She visualized the bridge crew, calm, casual, calling out status reports. Then a subtle change in the helmsman's demeanor, or the captain's posture as he sat in his chair. As the counselor, she would need to recognize the nuances of each person's behavior.

Westgate remained silent for a time, watching his Cadet. She was going to be a good one, he was sure of that.

Nodding, Lucy glanced upward at Cmdr. Westgate. "I understand what you mean, sir."

[Deleted]

From the centre of the bridge Drew watched the interactions between the instructors and the newly arrived cadets. He was pleased to see that all of them appeared to be getting along well. An alert flashed on his screen, informing him that the reminder of the cadets had reported to the ship, and that Commander Hope was currently escorting them to their posts. Everything was now ready for the Hanson to get under way.

“Cadet Sol, take us out, thrusters only” Drew ordered, leaning forward slightly in his chair. “Once we are clear of the Starbase set course for Outpost 1.2.9,” he continued, “and I’ll leave the route and speed to your discretion cadet.”

“Aye Admiral,” Kalen Sol replied, as he his hands began to work the controls in front of him.

“As for you Counsellor,” Drew said, standing from his chair and walking over to Timothy and Lucy, “I have a special assignment, we are being sent to assist an outpost that has been experiencing acts of sabotage. However, the nature of these acts suggest it is being committed by individuals who have detailed knowledge of the area, Starfleet Command believes that this maybe an inside job.”

As he spoke, Drew handed over a padd to Timothy.

“This contains information on all the personnel assigned to the outpost; I have also transferred additional data to your office computer. I would like you and Cadet Grey here to review the information and provide me with a complete psychoanalysis of all the personnel, and discover any who may have a motive for disrupting the outpost. I have also included details of the previous science crew who were transferred off the base some months ago when their science project was closed down.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Drew noticed Konal’s reaction as he spoke. The science chief very briefly and very quickly looked up from her station, and just as quickly returned to her work.

Making sure that Timothy and Lucy were aware of what he wanted, Drew next walked over to the science station.

“Commander how goes the sensor calibrations?” he asked as he approached.

“We are just about to start them now Admiral,” Konal replied.

“Good,” Drew answered, looking over at the data flowing on the screen, “once you have finished that I would like you to adapt the sensors to be able to scan through the dilithium mines on the planet, it may help us discover who is behind the sabotage.”

Again Drew noticed Konal’s reactions to his words. Clearly the Science Officer knew more about the outpost than what she had told him earlier in the ready room. For now Drew decided to let the matter rest, and returned to the centre of the bridge, he was confident that when the time was right, Konal would tell him everything that he needed to know.

The safety of the entire ship may ultimately be in her hands.
OOC:
OK I have given instructions to all the cadets who have so far reported to the ship. I am aware of a few others who are planning on joining the mission a little late, so I have left things open for them to report when they are able.

To Timothy and Lucy, you are free to take full creative license with the personnel currently assigned to the outpost. As regards the previous crew who were assigned there, I suggest you speak to Konal, who has details of some npc characters she has created for the story.

Excellent work so far everyone, I am very impressed.

[Deleted]

Getting a starship ready to depart was one thing Jason knew how to do without giving it another thought. Before the Hanson got underway, he made sure to speak to the people under his command. It would take all of there collabrative efforts to get this done correctly and efficiently.

Once Admiral Drew reappeared from his ready room, Jason was ready to report an all status clear. The only problem was that not all the cadets had yet to report in.

"Sir some of the cadets are running late," Jason reported hoping that the good natured Admiral wouldn't get to displeased with the cadets," and all systems go."

Taking his station at ops was Jason favorite place to be. He would be able to monitor the entire ship and still be able to learn from the other instructors.

[alex]

Alex sat humming a tune in his head he just made up, finally he finished it and the shuttle had just docked. " what great timing" he said and wondering what to do next he wondered down to engineering where he meet Lucy his instructor, "hi Lucy" "what should i do?" <lucy kanz

[Deleted]

"I've lost family as well," Konal sad, sadly. She recalled her former life every evening before she went to bed: Her job as the head of replicator science on a Cardassian starbase, her vengeful and calculating husband, children... All lost due to hostilities. All lost for nothing, Konal felt. Her losses gave her the opportunity to start over. She decided to join what was considered the enemy at the time. Starfleet was good to her, and she planned on being good to Starfleet.

The long conversation last until the long range sensors were calibrated. "Mr. D'ville, do you think you can run calibrate the bio-sensors for me?" She smiled. This was her favorite training lesson, one that she employed a few missions ago.

<D'ville>

"And let me know when you are done. I'll be at the secondary console, alright?"

<D'ville>

Throughout the conversation, The warmth Konal felt on the ridges of the backside of her neck meant that the Admiral was watching her. She just knew it, with the Admiral apprised former assignment. It would only be a short time before her prior contact with Shraka, a lieutenant on the outpost, was exposed. Doctor Brelev, the former medical officer, had the pleasure of meeting him as well during the blooming of the purple orchid... but she wasn't privy to the conversation that occurred when she was watching the cross pollination occur after the bloom.

Konals' insecurities were unbecoming of her, and she was not strong enough in her current ways to be the conniving Cardassian she once was. The conniving Cardassian she once had to be. Now, her life was not in danger, but her professionalism was. As soon as the sensors were calibrated, she would would talk to someone. The new counseling Cadet would be ideal, along with the new counselor. Neither of them knew Konal well, and both of them would be objective. It would be the least embarrassing, to someone who's pride for her work overwhelmed her emotions.


OOC: I included a link to some of the background posts that went into this story. I thought it would be neat, but don't want to be considered an over-achiever or big-headed, so don't find it necessary to read it. It's only 4 posts long, and stars our former CMO, Doctor Brelev.

[westgate]

Cadet Grey had finally settled down once she was reassured that everything would be taken care of. Westgate noted that she didn't seem to be clouded by any preconceived ideas about what a Counselor's role was, and she seemed quite at ease with being led. Of course, later, he'd want her to take some initiative, but for the moment she was getting her bearings, and that was a good thing.

The bridge was humming with all of its preflight activity. Cadets were at their stations, as were their instructors. Everything was in readiness and the only thing that Westgate noticed was that Commander Manto seemed a little tense, more than would be expected for an experienced hand. He made a mental note to himself to speak to Cadet Grey to see if she noticed, and perhaps with Manto herself, to see if he could be of any assistance.

Admiral Drew had risen from is chair and was in the process of giving the initial orders for them to follow. He spoke to navigation and then turned to Westgate, handing him a PADD.

“As for you Counsellor,” Drew said, standing from his chair and walking over to Timothy and Lucy, “I have a special assignment, we are being sent to assist an outpost that has been experiencing acts of sabotage. However, the nature of these acts suggest it is being committed by individuals who have detailed knowledge of the area, Starfleet Command believes that this maybe an inside job.”

As he spoke, Drew handed over a padd to Timothy.

“This contains information on all the personnel assigned to the outpost; I have also transferred additional data to your office computer. I would like you and Cadet Grey here to review the information and provide me with a complete psychoanalysis of all the personnel, and discover any who may have a motive for disrupting the outpost. I have also included details of the previous science crew who were transferred off the base some months ago when their science project was closed down.”

"Aye, Admiral. A complete psych, eh? All personnel. Done, Sir."

Westgate turned to Cadet Grey, whose eyes were large with expectation. "Well, Miss Cadet," he drawled. "Looks like we will be a-headin' down to the office. Access the console, you know. Lot o' work to do." Leaning closer to her and whispering conspiritorially, Westgate breathed, "Tedious work. Boring, that is."

Looking again toward the Admiral, Westgate said, "Admiral?" Getting a slight nod from him, both Westgate and Cadet Grey stood and walked to the turbolift. Once inside, Westgate spoke, "Counselor's Office." The turbolift whisked them to the appropriate deck and as they exited, Westgate said, "Like tea? Reckon we oughta make ourselves to home. Gonna be a long dry patch a-readin' that stuff. Dry as a hat."

They walked to the console where Cadet Grey made herself comfortable and Westgate made some Darjeeling tea.

[lucykanz]

"Well we just got the engines going so we should be good on that front for a while. Of course that's just the start of what we have to get done." Lucy looked at the Cadet in front of her. She had a general policy of not judging people on first appearances, knowing that if people judged her that way she wouldn't be given a fair trial.

"Oh, something to remember" she grinned, "In future you might be better reporting in with your rank. I know I probably confused you by the fact that I don't have a Starfleet uniform, but we still have the same rules down here as anywhere else on the ship."

Alex nodded, "So what is there to do then?"

Lucy picked up a PADD and flicked through the jobs that needed doing. There was relatively little that needed fixing, although that would quickly change as they left the Starbase. "Cadet, how do you feel about diagnostics? Because I think the replicators may be running a little slowly."

<Alex James>

[ashleydville]

The long conversation last until the long range sensors were calibrated. "Mr. D'ville, do you think you can run calibrate the bio-sensors for me?" She smiled. This was her favorite training lesson, one that she employed a few missions ago.

'Yes, Ma'am' answered the Cadet.

'Computer, run a level 5 diagnostic on the bio-sensors.'

!Bio-Sensors are operating in normal setting.

*Ok* Ashley thought *There nothing mechanicly wromg.*

Ashley picked 3 elements in the normal atmosphere of the ship and scan for them in normal amounts, then did a life form scan of the bridge.

Ashley read the results.

He turn around and check the computer readings with what he could see on the bridge.

'Commander, Bio-sensors are working with normal setting and scan within .07% of optimal.'

[Deleted]

Inside the turbolift, Cadet Grey stood silently, considering what she might be looking for in the personnel files. Most humans could hide their mental inconsistencies. It took a lot of tedious reading to find the illogical among the logical. With other species, she'd had all the book-learning with very little practical application.

Cmdr. Westgate asked, "Like tea? Reckon we oughta make ourselves to home. Gonna be a long dry patch a-readin' that stuff. Dry as a hat."

They walked to the console where Cadet Grey made herself comfortable and Westgate made some Darjeeling tea. She was immersed in a data file when the cup was placed near her elbow.

"Dr. Westgate? I don't mean to be nosy, but are you married?"

<Westgate>