ST:TTV227 | "Mon Capitaine"

Stardate 94714.1

While the Valley Forge goes about it's business surveying astronomical anomalies, members of the crew discover it is a time of celebration on board, while Mia takes the opportunity to explore their own adaptation of the Kobayashi Maru...

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Lara bounds over to T'Pia and wraps her in a big hug. "That was such a great wedding!" TP barely gets through the doorway into the VF officerd lounge before Lara pounces. She chuckles and returns the hug, "I'm so glad you were able to attend! And the dancing at the reception..." she grins Lara laughs. "I had to dance, the music was calling to me!" Kiera glances over at the slight commotion as she looks up from her PADD as she sips her coffee TP laughs, "I still can't believe mum pulled me into a dance with her as she walked down the aisle!" While making her way to the bar Lara chuckles. "That was one way to make a scene. Aunt Keelah certainly knows how to make an entrance!" TP "She never needs much of an excuse to dance!" She chuckles, ordering herself a lemonade "I've never seen her dance before," she comments and leans on the bar. "Hmm, I wonder if they make a Red Arrow here..." Jexeta - a Talaxian civilian waitress - smiles broadly to the pair, "Red Arrow?" She hrms, "Well I don't know about that. But how about a delicious snail juice?" "Erm...no..." Lara shakes her head Jexeta shrugs, "Oh well, there will be plenty of fresh delicacies and refreshments for the Prixin celebration later!" "Prixin celebration?" Lara looks across to TP. "What has your mother planned now T?" TP shrugs, "Nothing I am aware of..." and looks to Jex for clarification with a typically quirked brow Jex grins, "Oh this is not the Captains idea. This is Prixin! A time of fond celebration for my people!" "Oh!" Lara chuckles TP's look remains quizical, "What is the nature of this celebration?" Jex, "It is where we come together to celebrate our family life! You know, family is very impprtant to a Talaxian. And many of us now serving on Starfleet ships consoder our crew as family!" "Oh! That's great!" pokes TP. "You're my family, I can celebrate you!" TP chuckles, "And here I was thinking I would not get the chance to wear that fancy dress again for some time! Still... it is rather coincidental that this holiday falls right after my mothers wedding...." Jex, "Well... it seemed like a good time, while the Captain is off on honeymoon! Besides, who's to say when it should occur what with unified calemdars and all!" She grins playfully "When is this Prixin celebration?" Jex, "We thought we would have it today! Just a little way for the rest of the crew to share in the Captains recent family celebration!" Lara looks down at her fighter pilot jacket. "I don't think I'm dressed for an occasion such as this! TP beams, "I'm sure I have something you can borrow!" Lara looks TP up and down. "Sorry T, your stuff might be a bit too short for me!" Jex, I csn probably find some charming Talaxian designs that would fit!" "I...er...might just go into Aunt Keelah's wardrobe and find something..." TP, "Or we could just repicate you something..." "Or...I could get back into my dress I wore yesterday! But I also have some clothes in Berjo's quarters so I can just wear them!" Jex grins broadly, "Excellent, excellent! Now, if you two young ladies are so inclined; I could use your help in preparing the festivities! Humans like lots of balloons... right?" Lara glances at TP. "Erm..." TP shrugs, "Don't look at me. I'm only half Human. And less than a year old..." "And I'm not human at all..." she wriggles her nose Jex laughs and works her way around the bar, placing jerself between the pair with an arm around each girls shoulder, "Oh I am certain they will just love it! Now if you two could just help with inflating these few balloons and spreading them about the room..." Jex steers them to a table that is barely visible under a mountain of deflated balloons... Looks at the balloons. "Oh...can we not...replicate balloons?" Jex grins, "Now where would be the fun in that, hm? You two enjoy yourselves now!" She wanders off amd leaves them Lara blinks. Slowwwllllyy heads towards the door. "Well, would you look at the time, I guess I need to be on duty, have fun T!" she runs away Lara exits the room TP " Lars wai-..." she sighs, looking as deflated as the balloons before her as she begins to rummage through the pile TP frowns as she picks up something from the pile, "why is there a sock in here...?" She muses, tossing it over her shoulder as the smell is already prevailing Charlie has entered Charlie enters the bar, face buried in his PADD. He goes to sit in his regular space. As he sits, there's a large bang! and the area around him fills with smoke TP jumps at the sound - as does everyone else - looking around to see what the commosion is Eunha Enters Eunha goes to the bar but stops halfway when she sees the smoke "Stay back people." and heads toward it As the smoke clears, you see a rather shocked Charlie, on the floor with broken pieces of chair around him. "KAZRA!" he curses TP stares a moment before she bursts out laughing and bops a balloon over at him. It floats down to bounce softly off the top of his head Kiera looks up from her coffee at the loud bang, her hand going to her waist before she relaxes and lets out a chuckle Eunha smirks but has to be the senior officer right now "Are you alright Ensign?" There is a laugh and a flash next to Eunha as a young Ensign steps up to take a photo. "Got you there Charles!" she speeds off "I am...fine." Charlie replies as he stands up, frowning at the picture. "Curses!" Eunha looks to Charlie "Ensign, i'm all for pranks but when it damages the bar that's when I might have to start putting on my unhappy face." "Ma'am, I was the victim here, not the perpetrator," "I know that however I have to be stern with everyone right now. And don't call me Ma'am i'm not 50." "Noted Commander. If you would excuse me, I should tidy up this mess," he says, tapping his combadge and asking the transporter chiefs to transport the mess away for re-replication “Would you mind telling me the name of the ensign who played the prank ensign?” "It wasn't the Ensign, Commander, it was Commander Kazra," "Kazra." she smirks "Oh dear she may out rank me now that i'm not second officer." Charlie's eyebrows shrug. "Like I said Commander, it was her prank and she is to blame," "I'll speak with her. Maybe." Charlie feels like he should tell her that she should most likely speak with her and issue her a reprimand, but then again, that would end the pranks. So he says nothing. Petty Officer Nishaa Sethi Enters Petty Officer Delaan Enters The two gold-shouldered enlisted security walks over to the bar. Delaan: "What's this about an explosion at the bar?" Charlie sighs. Kazra won the battle for the most annoying prank "Stand down officers." Eunha walks up to them "Just a prank i'll handle it." Delaan nods, "Yes ma'am." "Thank you for your quick response though." Just then, the deflated balloons start to disappear, being replaced with inflated ones. TP continued inflating balloons all this time and her current one goes a bit far. Exploding with another loud BANG! "And don't call me Ma'am!" Charlie turns to look at the other bang. Has Kazra struck again? Delaan smiles, appearing almost...impressed by Eunha snapping at him: "You got it, Commander." TP sits a little dumbfounded with the remnants of a balloon tip still dangling from her bottom lip Meanwhile, Nishaa looks over to the popped balloon, worried that it was another explosion as well. Nishaa observes the dumbfounded T'Pia and steps over, eyeing the balloons, "What are all these for?" The deflated balloons are still being transported away and replaced with inflated ones. The floor is beginning to get covered in balloons. Nishaa: "And who is doing that?" TP points to Jex behind the bar, "she asked for help in preparing for the Prixin festivities. Apparently balloons are required to enhance Human enjoyment..." Charlie goes to sit down on another seat, carefully checking it for more explosives. When he deems it safe, he sits and watches the conversation with slight interest, whilst also planning for a retaliation. Kazra may have won the battle, but she had not won the war. Nishaa: "Well, balloons are quite popular for decoration in human culture. At least in the outer colonies, where we didn't have the time or spare replicators to make big fancy decorations or holograms." TP nods, "As for where these are all coming from..." she looks up and shrugs Eunha blinks "Well uh...we should probably find out. This place might get over crowded." The balloons start to pile on the tables and chairs. Very soon, there is no part of the lounge floor that is not covered by a balloon. As the last of the deflated balloons disappear, the incoming balloons halt. "Well. My job just got a whole lot easier!" She grins Kiera looks at the sudden balloons as she lifts her PADD and coffee off the table as she looks around at the balloons with a slight sigh Delaan pokes a balloon and pops it, unamused, "I am not helping clean this up." Lara enters the room "T...woah..." she stops as balloons fly past her out of the open door and into the corridor. "That is a lot of balloons..." she wades through the balloons to approach TP, sending balloons flying up behind her as she does so. Nishaa: "You don't say..." TP rolls her eyes, "Lara your timing is impeccible..." Lara: "I know right! Well, I wasn't going to waste time blowing up the balloons, so I had them transported here. I was very careful to replace every single deflated balloon with an inflated one, just in case the Talaxian woman was counting..." Nishaa: "You know half the fun is inflating them, right?" "No," Lara replied with a flat face Nishaa: "It's work, but that's how people bond. Working together, talking, building comradery. At least, before subspace networks and holodecks became the social norm." "You can't really talk when you're blowing up balloons though..." Nishaa: "No, but you can talk in between them. Plus, it's not just the conversation. Doing things together with people just has a natural way of bonding, y'know?" TP looks between the pair as they debate the finer points blowing up balloons with an acute fascination "There are other things we can do which do the same thing, and are much more fun! Like..." picks up a balloon and throws it at TP. "Balloon fights!" TP opens herouth to protest as the balloon shoots out of Lara's hand before rapidly slowing to a gentle coast in typical balloon fashion... TP holds out her hand for the balloon to softly land on Lara giggles. "Oh, balloons on Bajor fly much further!" Nishaa: "That's actually pretty fast for how balloons go where I come from." Nishaa: "Must be something about the gravity, or air resistance or...something," she chuckles, "I'm not a science officer." Lara chuckles. "Neither am I...although..." she pops the balloon up in the air and smacks it towards Nishaa. "Don't let it hit the roof, or the floor...or anything!" Nishaa chuckles and starts balance-hit the balloon and appears quite apt at it. Delaan walks over and intercepts the balloon, simply holding it in his hand, "Easy task." Nishaa laughs, "You're no fun." Lara shakes her head and knocks it out of his hand. "You can't touch the balloon for more than one Earth second!" Delaan: "You did not state that rule before." "Well I did now!" she sticks out her tongue Delaan smirks. He punts the balloon into the air. Nishaa intercepts the balloon back from him, "You did it first!" Lara giggles and flops down on a sofa, sending a balloon flying. "My, that is a LOT of balloons..." Eunha heads out "You kids have fun now. don't break anything." TP watches Lara, "It certainly is... thkugh I still fail to see the festive valje of these things...". She picks one up for closer study; it squeaks in her hand and makes her hair stand out as she holds it close TP pauses to assess the hair movement, "this is also a lot of static charge. This may be problematic..." Lara giggles and puts a balloon on the side of TP's head, letting it stick there. TP's eyes shift sideways to the balloon and a brow quirks, "Yep... definitely problematic..." Nishaa puts away her balloon and looks to Jex, "What festival is this, anyways?" Jex beams, "Prixin! The Talaxian celebration of family life!" Nishaa: "What does it usually include? Aside from balloons...that much I've gathered." Jex: "well the balloons are my own little twist. You know; to make the Human crew feel more inclined to embrace the occassion!" Jex: "But really we just all come together to share some nice food together. Share stories highlighting what we appreciate our family..." she smirks, "amd maybe even some funny little anicdotes!" Nishaa chuckles as she looks to T'Pia and the balloon stuck to her head, "Or create some!" Charlie looks at the balloons, thinking about what prank he could pull with them. A wide smile appears on his face. Lara giggles at T'Pia. "Hey smile for a picture!" she lifts up her PADD TP turns to Lara but the picture snaps before she can object, and just in to capture a quirked Vulcan brow, "Hey no fair!" She laughs, retrieving the balloon "... And sent!" she chuckles TP pauses with a momemts hesitation, "Sent... where? Laaara..." "To mum and dad... and your mum and dad... and our friends..." she laughs. "I sent it to you too!" Charlie meanwhile, walks up to Jex. "Can I have ALL the balloons once you are done with them?" Jex gives Charlie a funny look, "Well sure you can Mr. Vulcan! But can I ask why?" Charlie: "I will refer you back to the old human expression; "ask no questions and I shall tell you no lies," Mia@crystyll steps into the holodeck, looking to the drone, "Well little one, let us commence this experiment, non?" Mia@crystyll | Miadrone gives an affirmative beep Mia@crystyll: "Computer; please load program Alpha-Mia" Mia@crystyll FX | View ripples and Mia finds herself in the VF turbolift, and her drone masked by holo-magic Mia@crystyll glances down at her freshly generated uniform, smiling as she tugs the tunic straight, "Bridge" Mia@crystyll performs the Picard Maneuver. Mia@crystyll steps on to the bridge, the ship is cruising at low warp on her usual explorations Mia@crystyll | Zee looks over, "Captain on deck!" and every snaps to attention briefly as Mia acknowledges and takes her seat Mia@crystyll: "How many times Ms. Zee, you do not have to be so formal with us!" Mia@crystyll | Zee: "Oh but surely, nothing but the upmost respect for our esteemed capitaine!" she beams Mia@crystyll frowns and looks to Zee, "Computer, pause program" Mia@crystyll stands and looks at the frozen Zee - still beaming like a cheshire cat Mia@crystyll: "We are sorry Ms. Zee, but we do not seem to have accurately recreated your personality..." Mia@crystyll: "Computer; reassess personality matrix for character Zh’Zhavis, Thalszhyl'ia" Mia@crystyll | Computer: "Analyzing... assessment complete. New matrix applied." Mia@crystyll: "Thank you" she smiles, returning to her seat before ordering, "Resume program" Mia@crystyll | Zee stares ahead blankly a moment, then pulls out a braille PADD and starts reading Mia@crystyll smiles satisfactorily Mia@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, I'm picking up a distress signal. The SS Essess; say there were attacked by an unknown vessel and requesting assistance!" Mia@crystyll looks to Vidzia, "Commander, can you get a scan on the Essess?" Mia@crystyll plays it deadly serious Mia@crystyll | Vidzia nods, "Aye Captain, sensors confirm; failing life support and engineering systems are critical. Comms relay looks destroyed so they can't receive any response" Mia@crystyll: "Very well, thank you Commander. Monsieur Chag, Monsieur Fisher; intercept course" Mia@crystyll | Zee taps a comm panel, "Bridge to sickbay; Kazra stand by to receive emergeny patients" Mia@crystyll | Kazra: <C> Acknowledged bridge, standing by Mia@crystyll | Zee looks to Vrolmacht, "Yellow alert. Can't be too careful, attackers could still be nearby" she looks to Mia for assurance Mia@crystyll gives a single approving nod, then remembers Zee can't see, "...agreed Zee. Good initiative!" Mia@crystyll | TQ: "Entering visual range, Captain" Mia@crystyll: "On screen" Mia@crystyll: https://img00.deviantart.net/3a2b/i/2017/113/f/3/deep_space_long_haul_mining_freighter_by_keenansun-db6x07f.jpg Mia@crystyll | Fisher: "She's listing badly, looks like coolant is venting from the starboard engine" Mia@crystyll | Vidzia: "Confirmed; her core is nearing critical" Mia@crystyll: "Very well, bring us within range and lower shields for transport" Mia@crystyll FX | VF draws nearer, hanging heroically above the freighter Mia@crystyll | Vrolmacht, "Captain, additional vessel on sensors. It's a Romulan warbird" Mia@crystyll | Vrolmacht, "No 2, 3... 4 warbirds. Captain, they're charging weapons!" Mia@crystyll: "Ms. T'quila, signal the Romulans that we rendering emergency aid to this civilian vessel but will retaliate if fired upo-..." Mia@crystyll FX | The ship is rocked by the impact of a plasma torpedo Mia@crystyll: "Mr. Chag, bring us about! Charge the forward cannons" Mia@crystyll taps her comm panel, "Bridge to Engineering; Ms. Kelly; if we get you on that freighter can you at least delay their warp core's demise?" Mia@crystyll FX | The ship shakes again as the Romulan's open fire Mia@crystyll: "Execute patter Mia-Saya!" Mana@anncarise <C - Kelly> "Can do, Captain, although I can't guarantee for how long." Mia@crystyll FX | VF projects a series of holo-duplicates and sensor ghosts to confuse the Romulans, while coming about and charging vertically up at the belly of one warbird which it shears in half through Mia@crystyll: cannon fire" Mia@crystyll: <C> Merci Ms. Kelly. Medical teams will join you in the port hangar!" Mia@crystyll FX | The ship shakes again and power relays begin to blow Mia@crystyll | Vrolmacht, "There's still another 3 out there Captain, they keep outflanking us!" Mia@crystyll: "Continue fire!" she hrms and looks to Zee, "Get down to the secondary bridge Commander" she says with a knowing nod Mia@crystyll again forgetting the irrelevance of the nod Mia@crystyll | Zee acknowledges and picks a few npc's to join her as they race to the turbolift, staggering slightly with another torpedo hit Mia@crystyll FX | VF makes a series of strategic turns allowing the shuttle a discrete exit to join the freighter before they seperate the saucer Mia@crystyll: "Ms. T'Quila, keep transport lock on the away team. Bring them back at the first sign of trouble!" Mia@crystyll | TQ Nods, "Aye Captain!" Mia@crystyll: "Now let's give them something else to shoot at!" Mia@crystyll: <C> Saucer to drive section, execute pattern Delta-One-Four" Mia@crystyll FX | The two halves of the ship fly as one on sensors before the saucer veers off sharply amidst a spray of defensive phaser barrage, obliterating another warbird Mia@crystyll FX | With the odds evened, the battle is ultimately won and the VF reformed, reunited with it's shuttle and all the freighter crew saved! Mia@crystyll FX | They move away from the freighter /just/ in time to avoid being caught by the breach Mia@crystyll FX | But no so late they don't get a nice dramatic lense flare in their wake to hammer home that we are big. Gorram. Heroes. Mia@crystyll smiles happily, "Excellent work people! Drinks are on us tonight!" Mia@crystyll: "Zee, you have the conn. We'll be in our ready room" Mia@crystyll FX | Meanwhile outside the holodeck... Mia@crystyll | Vidzia, "I do not recall encountering anything quite like it before, Captain. I believe it warrants a closer look" Mia@crystyll | Keelah nods: "Agreed. Chag, alter course. Let's take a look at this anomaly. Maybe name it after you, Vidzia" she chuckles Mia@crystyll | Vidzia, "Captain, I am reading some unusual radiation. Seems low enough not to be a concern, but Kazra should keep an eye on things" Mia@crystyll | Kazra, "Waaaay ahead of you, I think as long as we limit our presence here to a few hours it should be nothing to worry about" Mia@crystyll FX | Back on the holodeck, the slightest micro flicker from the emitters Mia@crystyll FX | The ship suddenly shakes violently from an unshielded weapons impact. Everything goes dark as systems blow all around the ship Mia@crystyll: "Status report?" Mia@crystyll struggles to hold her footing as inertial dampeners weaken and the ship lists Mia@crystyll | Zee, "More Romulans, Captain!" Mia@crystyll frowns, "But I never programmed that..." she mutters Mia@crystyll | Zee, "Captain?" Mia@crystyll: "Computer, freeze program" Mia@crystyll FX | Zee gives her a funny look, "Captain... are you feeling alright?" Mia@crystyll | Kazra runs down to Mia, "Let me take a look at you. NO arguments!" Mia@crystyll holds a confused frown, watching as the crew expertely handle the vain attack from a dying warbird Mia@crystyll | Kazra waves her medical tricorder over Mia's temple Mia@crystyll: "I hardly think that will help now... wait, let me see that!" Mia@crystyll | Kazra, "Now now, that's quite the bump to the head you got there, Captain. May be a slight concussion... do you know where you are?" Mia@crystyll: "I am on the bridge..." she sounds very not amused, "Let me see that tricorder, doctor!" Mia@crystyll can't get the tricorder working! Mia@crystyll examines the data carefully... Mia@crystyll: "C'est impossible..." Mia@crystyll | Kazra, "Captain?" Mia@crystyll: "Lifesigns? It shows... lifesigns...?" Mia@crystyll | Kazra blinks and looks to Zee in disbelief Mia@crystyll | Zee: "Maybe she took a harder knock to the head than you thought..." Mia@crystyll: "Ms. Zee that is not funny. I..." she wobbles a little with dizziness and has to sit back down Mia@crystyll rests her head in her hands, looking up after a moment to see... blood Mia@crystyll dabs her head again in confusion, "I am bleeding... this can not be..." Mia@crystyll | Kazra, "Hey you might be the Captain, but that doesn't make you indestructible by proxy!" Mia@crystyll | Zee, "Why don't you go lay down for a while. I've got things covered up here now" Mia@crystyll nods, still in a confused daze as she stands and heads to the turbolift Mia@crystyll heads to her usual quarters, but the door won't open Mia@crystyll: "Computer... open door!" Mia@crystyll | Computer: Command override accepted Mia@crystyll FX | The door opens to show Keelah and Sam in the middle of... *ahem* making T'Pia's... Mia@crystyll | Keelah, "Oh! Captain! I'm so sorry I didn't hear you knock, is there anything you need? Please let me just..." she flusters, grabbing her tunic with Ensign pips... Mia@crystyll: "Oh, mon Capi-... Keelah. Apologies, I did not mean to intrude. Please... carry on..." she backs away, flushing heavily Mia@crystyll: "Computer... where are my quarters...?" Mia@crystyll | Computer: "Captain Miyata LaRouche's quarters are on deck 3; section 5" Mia@crystyll: "Those are the Captaine's quarters..." she shrugs and heads back through the turbolift to the right deck Mia@crystyll steps in and looks around curiously. The room is Keelah's quarters, but with a lot of Mia's personal decor she remembers from her old life Mia@crystyll: "I did not program this..." Mia@crystyll grimaces and holds her head again at a ringing sound in her ear. No not a ringing, a beeping... Mia@crystyll looks around, "Allo...?" Mia@crystyll turns again at footsteps coming from the bedroom Mia@crystyll: "Who is there?" Mia@crystyll FX | 23c Mia emerges from the bedroom with her drone, clapping and smiling Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia "Oh don't give me that look mon Capitaine! You recognise me, surely!" Mia@crystyll: "You are me... but, old me..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia "hahaha 'old' you. that's rich! Awww, come now. You did get that bump to the head after all..." Mia@crystyll: "It is not within my programming parameters to hallucinate..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "But it is to bleed?!" Mia@crystyll dabs her forehead again and winces with the unexpected pain sensation, "Well no..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia grins: "Then wouldn't it be safe to say that you bumped your head a little harder than you thought?" Mia@crystyll: "That does not explain /this/" she points to the dried blood, "Or you!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia giggles profusely, "Ohh mon Captaine, is it not obviously exactly what it seems to be?" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Seriously, what is the more tangible explanation for things here. 1: You are Captain LaRouche with a bump to the head and a ringing in her ear who's now having a slight hallucination" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "or 2: You are a 23c yeoman-turned 25c hologram who lives in an exocomp with an alien AI..." Mia@crystyll: "Well when you put it like that... but non! I know who I am dammit!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Ohh really? Well. I'll just sit go sit out here while you think on that some, mon Capitaine!" Mia@crystyll FX | 23c Mia vanishes and now lays face down outside the window. kicking her feet and smiling happily as she waves back Mia@crystyll watches in disbelief, forcing her eyes shut and shaking her head before looking back to see the hallucination is gone, "Maybe Kazra was right and I should go to sickbay..." Mia@crystyll curiously glances to the desk however and sits, opening the console Mia@crystyll: "Computer, what is our present location" Mia@crystyll | Computer: "Sector 098" Mia@crystyll: "No computer, where on the ship are we?" Mia@crystyll | Computer: "Crew quarters; Captain Miyata LaRouche" Mia@crystyll: "Computer... display personnel record for Captain LaRouche" Mia@crystyll views with interest as a long and decorated service history appears, "Where has all this come from..." Mana@anncarise FX | The doorbell rings. Mia@crystyll snaps back from the scree, "c-...come in" Mana@anncarise | Kelly steps in, looking at Mia concerned, "Captain, are you alright? Kazra told me you took a bit of a bump on the bridge." Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Oh! Are you still working Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Oh! Are you still working? You should get some rest!" Mia@crystyll: "Hm? Oh, no don't worry Kelly I'm fine, thank you. Just... some reading" Mia@crystyll takes a seat, inviting Kelly to join her Mana@anncarise | Kelly takes a look at Mia, "But you're bleeding!" Mia@crystyll: "I... oh, right. I forgot..." she goes to retrieve a medkit and tend the wound Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Need some help with that?" Mia@crystyll: "Thank you" she smiles slightly Mia@crystyll leans back against the table so Kelly can work Mana@anncarise | Kelly works on the wound, more adeptly treating the injury, "Are you feeling alright? Kazra said you were a bit confused..." Mia@crystyll: "I... Kelly, may I ask you something?" Mana@anncarise | Kelly smiles, "Of course." Mia@crystyll: "How long have you served on board this ship now?" Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Almost two years now. Are you sure you're alright?" Mia@crystyll nods, "Of course. And... I was Captain all this time? Not Keelah...?" Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Ensign Keelah? Why would she be Captain? I mean, she's a brilliant engineer and she's definitely got quite the leadership skills, I can see that when she's working with the NCOs, but - Mana@anncarise - she's still an Ensign." Mia@crystyll smiles, "Of course. Just... thinking out loud" she turns to gaze out of the window Mana@anncarise | Kelly gives Mia an odd look, "Is there something you're not telling me? You...haven't been to an alternate reality or something, have you?" Mia@crystyll closes her eyes, taking in the scent of the flowers, "Everything feels real enough... could it truly be...?" she mutters Mia@crystyll turns back with a chuckle, "Nothing so fanciful. Just a little... wild imagination is all" Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Is the stress of being Captain getting to you? You can always have Zee take over for a bit, you know. Go on shore leave..." Mana@anncarise | Kelly steps even closer to Mia, "Or...just relax..." she smirks. Mia@crystyll: "I promise, I'm fine! Just to be sure; you don't recall me ever wearing a 23c uniform, right?" Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Umm...no, I've played a couple of holos set in that time but I don't recall doing any with you." Mia@crystyll: "I suppose I've never really been one for holo's have I..." Mana@anncarise | Kelly chuckles, "What, you want to try out some fun in the holodeck? I suppose we could mix things up..." Mia@crystyll: "One day perhaps" she smiles Mana@anncarise | Kelly smiles back and steps even closer, "No need for holos when you've got the real thing right here, hm?" she says teasingly. Mia@crystyll holds her back, "That may not be entirely appropriate, Commander..." Mia@crystyll: "I mean... I did get a bump to the head and all..." she adds, realizing she may actually be causing offence to a real subordinate now Mana@anncarise | Kelly takes a step back, "Oh, sorry. Umm, if you'd rather be alone right now it's alright. I'm always around when you need me." Mia@crystyll: "I am... uncertain what is best for me right now, I still feel rather disconnected but don't know what would settle it..." Mia@crystyll FX | As she speaks, her tummy grumbles Mia@crystyll holds a hand to her tummy, looking down in surprise, "Was that... am I hungry?" Mana@anncarise | Kelly chuckles, "I thiiink you need some food, yes." Mia@crystyll shakes her head in near disbelief, "Perhaps a bite to eat then. Care to join me?" she smiles, gesturing to the door Mana@anncarise | Kelly smiles back, "My pleasure." Mia@crystyll heads on down to 10-forward with Kelly. Still feeling a little alien to all the looks and nod-salutes she used to see Keelah get Mia@crystyll steps up to the bar to be welcomed with a friendly smile, "Captain! What a rare pleasure!" the bartender beams Mia@crystyll: "I believe I am hungry..." she opens tentatively Mia@crystyll | bartender holds up a hand, "Aah, so no more! One slice of strawberry cheesecake coming right up!" Mia@crystyll smiles slightly, "At least some things seem right..." she mutters under breath Mana@anncarise | Kelly: "Fanalian tea, mint infused, cold but no ice," she looks to Mia, "Hm?" Mia@crystyll shakes her head, "Oh, nothing..." wandering off to look out the window Mia@crystyll sits on a stool. Mia@crystyll winces and holds her head again as another wave of pain shoots through her temple. then groans slightly to see the beaming smile of 23c Mia to her side Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Aww, still not feeling so good, Captain?" Mia@crystyll: "What do you want from me..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia beams: "I'm here to help you of course!" Mia@crystyll: "But you... can't be real..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Awww, so... I'm only in your head?" Mia@crystyll: "For all I know you are a Q here messing with me..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia giggles: "Well I'm surely flattered that you think I hold that kind of power, but /nnngggghh/ guess again!" Mia@crystyll rolls her eyes, "Well whoever or whatever you are, you are certainly not /me/! I have certainly never been so... annoying!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia pouts, "Awww, and here I am trying to help you too..." Mia@crystyll: "Help me how, exactly?" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: Oh well it's quite simple really, Captain. You see I /am/ you. The part of you kept locked up tight in that little head of yours" she reaches forward and pokes the side of Mia's head Mia@crystyll sits on a stool. Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "See; you really did take quite the knock to your head back on the bridge..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "And we both know you've always romanticised 23c Starfleet. So... here I am!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia says with an extravagant raise of both hands and a big grin Mia@crystyll: "I am to believe that you are a corporeal entity of my own subconscious?!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Well now, I wouldn't go that far. After all, from the looks everyone here's giving you; I'd say it's a pretty safe bet you're talking to yourself right now!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "But that's why you dreamed me up to help you! Because you know you're out of sorts at the moment, so that little voice of reason in the back of your mind you normally think to in times of Mia@crystyll: need..." she grins and points to herself, "et voila!" Mia@crystyll: "But we're not in a time of need... the crisis is over now..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "So sure about that are you...?" she reaches forward and holds Mia's chin, turning her gaze back out the window Mia@crystyll FX | Outside, we see a huge black anomaly forming off the bow. Moments later, alert conditions sound Mana@anncarise | Kelly looks at Mia concerned but quickly rushes to her station as the alarms sound. Mia@crystyll: "Mon dieu..." Mia@crystyll | Zee <C> "Captain LaRouche to the bridge!" Mia@crystyll: <C> "on my way, Zee" Mia@crystyll hurries into the turbolift, "Bridge" she taps her foot anxiously Mia@crystyll winces again as another shooting pain cuts across her temple, she looks up expecting to see 23c Mia return... Mana@anncarise flickers into existence on the holodeck, "Mia!" Mia@crystyll 's brow furrows as she looks at the person before she taps her combadge in a panic, "Security, intruder alert!" Mia@crystyll activates her combadge. Mana@anncarise: "Mia? Is Mia alright?" Mia@crystyll: "Who are you? Are you in some way linked to the anomaly we just detected?" Mia@crystyll stands at attention. Mana@anncarise: "Mana is...Mana. Mana-Arshai Dos Sndoi'Ihaie'Vaie Nos Indoi-Ihai." Mia@crystyll: "Captain Miyata LaRouche of the Federation starship Valley Forge. We are here as peaceful explorers, but will respond in kind to acts of aggression" Mana@anncarise: "/Captain/ Miyata LaRouche?" Mia@crystyll: "Yes, I am Captain of this starship. State your intent" Mana@anncarise: "Mana is here to inform Mia...Mia already knows of the anomaly, yes?" Mia@crystyll: "We just encountered something. I was on my way to bridge to investigate before you... appeared..." Mia@crystyll: "How exactly did you manage to beam in through our shields?" Mana@anncarise: "Mia...this is a holoprogram. Mana forced Mana inside so Mana could contact Mia because everyone else on the Valley Forge could not." Mana@anncarise: "The anomaly caused a radiation surge in the holodeck and Mia needs to shut down the program." Mia@crystyll: "You are trying to tell me that this all just a holo simulation...?" Mia@crystyll gives an exasperated groan Mana@anncarise: "This is all just a holoprogram, yes." Mana@anncarise: "Is this the real Mia? Is Mana speaking with a Mia within the program?" Mia@crystyll: "Of course I'm real, see!" she points to the dried blood on her forehead before wincing and grasping at her temple again Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia reappears, "And you accused /me/ of being an alien influence..." Mana@anncarise: "Mia is not alright! Mia must be losing the link with the drone!" Mana@anncarise: "Mia needs to end the program immediately!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia gives Mana a dirty look, "Come on Captain, are you hearing this? talking like this is all just some 'simulation', like none of this is real. like /you/ aren't real!?" Mia@crystyll stumbles with dizziness and leans back against the wall of the turbolift, "I should go to sickbay... but the ship..." Mana@anncarise: "Mana is detecting a strange corruption in the program...Mia?" Mana@anncarise: "Can Mia still hear Mana?" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: There's only one strange corruption I see here... obviously that anomaly is home to this species and they're messing with you to scare us off! Mia@crystyll nods, "Unfortunately, yes..." Mana@anncarise: "Mia needs to end the program immediately, or Mia bears the risk of permanent corruption!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Don't listen to it, Captain!" Mia@crystyll groans as she refocuses, "And say what you claim is true, and this is all just a simulation. How exactly would I do that, hm?" Mia@crystyll: "Because the last I looked, this is a turbolift not a holodeck. Computer; end program..." Mia@crystyll is not impressed. Mia@crystyll: "See" Mana@anncarise: "Mia is an Isomorphic Amalgamation lifeform. However, Mia's original technology was derived from a holodeck program and Mia can interact with holotechnology in unique fashions." Mana@anncarise: "Mana has not determined how exactly the radiation surge has affected Mia, but Mia was present in the holodeck at the time." Mia@crystyll: "Right, so I'm just a hologram now... I'm pretty sure holograms don't bleed!" Mana@anncarise: "Mia is not /supposed/ to...although Mia has very realistic programming that can likely render the sensation if Mia wished." Mia@crystyll FX | The turbolift arrives at the bridge... Mia@crystyll: "Enough. I don't have time for this" she huffs, stepping out to resume her station and see what's happening Mana@anncarise: "This is not good..." Mia@crystyll: "What's our status, Zee?" Mia@crystyll | Zee: "an intense gravimetric distortion, Captain" Mia@crystyll | Chag: "It appeared out of nowhere Captain, I swear!" Mana@anncarise rolls up her sleeve and opens the slot on her biosynthetic wrist, tapping away. Mia@crystyll: "Alright, Lieutenant; is it affecting our propulsion yet?" Mia@crystyll | Fisher: "Negative, ma'am" Mia@crystyll: "Alright then, thrusters at station keeping. Let's take a closer look since we're here now" Mia@crystyll sits in the captain's chair. Mia@crystyll winces again, but fights to keep focus. looking to her left as a familiar face appears Mana@anncarise | A few moments later, Mana's image flickers erratically and is replaced by that of Nurse Mount. Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy' steps out of the turbolift. Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "So you're just going to sit here in such a dangerous position? Wouldn't it be safer to back us away some?" Mia@crystyll: "I see no need for that at present" Mia@crystyll | Zee: "No need for what?" Mia@crystyll: "To back us off" Mia@crystyll | Chag: "Backing us off. Aye, Sir" Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy': "Commander Zh'Zhavis, Captain LaRouche is not fit for duty." Mia@crystyll: "No, wait that's not..." she sighs, "Never mind I-..." she looks up with a frown, "Excuse me, Nurse?" Mana@anncarise | ‘Patsy’: "The Captain is speaking to...well...no one!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "They're conspiring against you, it's mutiny!" Mia@crystyll | Zee: "I hope this accussation is not without merit, Nurse" Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy': "The Captain is...mentally unfit to serve. Commander Zh'Zhavis needs only observe." Mia@crystyll | Zee looks to Mia Mia@crystyll: "This is preposterous!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Yeah, you tell them!" Mia@crystyll snaps to 23c Mia, "Oh shush you!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia facepalms Mia@crystyll | Zee's antennae twitch curiously, "...'shush', Captain?" Mia@crystyll: "No, not you Zee!" Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy': "See? The Captain is speaking to no one!" Mia@crystyll: <C> Security to Captain LaRouche. Sir, we are responding to an intruder alert in turbolift four but there is nobody present. Please advise Mia@crystyll: <C> Stand down on that, false alarm... Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy': "And seeing non-existent intruders..." Mia@crystyll: "They weren't non existent, I mean... /she/ wasn't..." Mia@crystyll groans defeatedly Mia@crystyll: "Zee, you have the conn..." Mia@crystyll approaches Patsy, "Let's get this over with Nurse. I do not like being away from the bridge at such a critical time" Mana@anncarise leads Mia back to the turbolift. Mana@anncarise | 'Patsy': "Engineering" Mana@anncarise taps her wrist and becomes Mana again! Mia@crystyll: 's eyes widen, "YOU AGAIN! Computer, halt lift!" Mia@crystyll: "Just what do you think you are doing with this deception?!" Mana@anncarise: "Mia! Mia...thought Mana is an intruder that beamed through the Valley Forge shields, yes?" Mia@crystyll: "That is the most likely explanation. Or possibly the projection of some telepathic entity perhaps..." Mia@crystyll: "Though were that the case, Zee or Eunha would surely have sensed it by now" Mana@anncarise: "Mia must think! If Mana could beam through the shields, pretend to be any one of the crew, and wants to harm this ship or take the ship over, why would Mana not beam Mia /out/ and replace Mia?" Mia@crystyll: "Perhaps your technology to breach our shields only works one way..." Mana@anncarise turns and smashes the side of the lift with her left biosynthetic fist, leaving a notable dent in the wall. "With Mana's ability,Mana could easily have eliminated Mia in the lift and replaced Mia?" Mia@crystyll tilts her head to look past her, "That hardly seemed necessary... but you make your point" Mia@crystyll: "What is it exactly you want from me?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana can destroy this ship in a hundred ways. Why would Mana use such an inefficient and convoluted approach that is clearly not persuading Mia?" Mana@anncarise: "Look, Mana needs Mia to end the program." Mana@anncarise: "Which means destroying the ship..." Mia@crystyll: "You can't be serious..." she scoffs, wincing again... Mana@anncarise: "Mia knows Mana can destroy the ship if Mana is an intruder like Mia believes." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "See! What did I tell you?! She 'just' wants you to destroy the ship, and kill the hundreds of crew entrusted to you?!" Mana@anncarise: "But Mana wants to help Mia. Mia has to end this program or Mia will continue degrading." Mia@crystyll almost loses her footing completely this time, yelling out in pain, "Make it... stop..." Mana@anncarise: "A minor head wound should not be causing so much discomfort, especially when treated with Starfleet technology. Mia must see that something else is going on here." Mana@anncarise: "Mia must destroy the ship if Mia wishes this to stop." Mia@crystyll: "But I can't just... how can I be sure?" Mana@anncarise: "Mia can't. Isn't this what being a Starfleet captain is supposed to be about?" Mana@anncarise: "No one can ever be sure of anything, especially the important decisions. Mia needs to think and try and decide, but Mia can never be sure." Mia@crystyll: "It should not be about destroying one's own ship and killing everyone on board!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Exactly, you know what makes sense. What's real and what's not. A Captain's first duty is to her crew!" Mana@anncarise: "Mia trusted Mana before with putting Mia's program in the drone. Mia may not remember this at the moment, but Mia needs to make a decision quickly." Mana@anncarise: "Risk always comes with decision." Mana@anncarise: "Who does Mia believe, a corrupted program, or an alien that is making clear and rational points?" Mia@crystyll cries out in pain and drops to the floor, "Re-resume lift..." Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia crouches with her, "You can't let her kill us! I. Won't. Let. You!" she grabs Mia's head and squeezes her temples, causing more cries of pain Mana@anncarise: "Mia!" Mana@anncarise taps her wrist panel frantically, trying to see if there's anything she can do to stabilize the program or contain the corruption. Mia@crystyll: "Get... out of... m-... my... HEAD!" she lashes out with her arm at 23c Mia. Mia@crystyll FX | 23c Mia vanishes. No way to know if it was Mia's will or Mana's intervention, but she's gone. For now... Mia@crystyll pulls herself back up as they arrive at main engineering, "I don't know if what you say is true or not. But that... " she glances to where to mirage was, "That cannot be any part of me..." Mana@anncarise: "At least Mia knows Mana is not the illusion now." Mana@anncarise: "Mia needs to act quickly. The easiest way is to overload the warp core." Mia@crystyll: "I know nothing of the sort. But something isn't right and I'm putting a stop to it" Mia@crystyll nods Mia@crystyll heads for the core but stumbles and falls as she comes under attack again Mana@anncarise: "Mia knows how to overload, yes?" Mia@crystyll cries out in pain, "I can't..." Mana@anncarise: "Mia!" Mana@anncarise: "Get a phaser, Mia can just shoot the core!" Mia@crystyll: "I don't... have... one..." she cries out again, clasping at her temples Mana@anncarise: "Access the drone, Mia! Replicate something!" Mia@crystyll groans, ""What... what drone?" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "Don't listen to her lies, Captain!" Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: "I won't let you destroy the ship. I'll kill you if I have to..." Mana@anncarise: "Mia's drone! The one connected to Mia! The connection is weakening but Mia should still be able to access the drone." Mia@crystyll cries out with another shooting pain through her head Mana@anncarise: "The drone uses replicator technology to create Mia's physical body, when outside the holodeck at least." Mia@crystyll forces her eyes shut, trying to concentrate more in desperation to make it end than anything else Mana@anncarise: "Mana...may have never installed safety lockouts in the replication system..." Mana@anncarise: "Mia should be able to replicate anything a standard replicator can, including a phaser!" Mia@crystyll FX | After a few moments, a flickering can be seen along the maglocks of the warp core Mia@crystyll FX | Then the maglocks disintegrate and coolant begins to flood the chamber and everyone evacuates in a panic Mia@crystyll | 23c Mia: snarls and flails a dramatic 'Noooooo!' as she fades away Mia@crystyll collapses onto her back, still wincing and groaning, "For-... forgive me..." Mana@anncarise: "That should be enough!" Mia@crystyll fx | The simulated breach builds and everything flashes white before the good old holodeck fades back into view Mana@anncarise taps her wrist and closes the panel, checking drone diagnostics in her visor while she kneels down beside Mia, "Mia?" Mia@crystyll groans softly Mana@anncarise: "Is Mia alright?" Mia@crystyll slowly gets to her feet, taking stock of her surroundings, "Mana...?" Mana@anncarise nods and stands back up, "Mia! Does Mia recognize Mana now?" Mia@crystyll nods, "Of course. We..." shakes her head slightly, "We had the most peculiar dream..." Mia@crystyll frowns slightly looking to her drone as it beeps frantically at her Mana@anncarise: "Mana is afraid that was not a dream..." Mia@crystyll: "Woahwoahwoah, easy little one..." she smiles, "We..." looking back to Mana, "It was not?" Mana@anncarise: "Well...not entirely. The program was not real, but the radiation surge was." Mia@crystyll idly reaches up to her temple where the dried blood was before Mana@anncarise: "Mana still needs to diagnose how Mia was fused to the program. Is Mana feeling alright now?" Mia@crystyll 's eyes flicker, "Reconciling new data..." she looks back to Mana, "Self diagnostics are complete; our connection is restored" Mia@crystyll steps forward and gives Mana a big hug, "Thank you Ms. Mana..." Mana@anncarise smiles and gives Mia a big hug back, "Mana is glad Mia is back!" Mia@crystyll: "We are glad to be back! And... despite how it seemed in there for a while, we are most happy to be our old self again!" Mana@anncarise: "Mana thinks Captain Miyata LaRouche was very interesting. But Mana prefers having the Mia that Mana knows!" Mia@crystyll smiles, "As do we Mana... as do we!"

View Log Entry

Personal Log | Miyata LaRouche | Stardate 94714.1

Today was our 122nd at resolving the bridge command rescue mission scenario, and although the advanced tactics we developed over the previous attempts were successful; we find this session overshadowed by a much more unusual set of circumstances which arose.

Apparently whilst we were using the ship's holodeck, the Valley Forge was investigating an anomaly and in doing so suffered a radiation surge which was later determined to be a random energy output from the anomaly. Whilst this presented no immediate danger to the ship or crew, the first - unanticipated - surge did cause a power spike in multiple ship systems, including the holodeck we were connected to.

This introduced the most unusual set of circumstances for us, as the corrupted code from the active program was able to bypass our usual firewalls and embed itself within our core. The ultimate effect of this was a sustained delusion in which no evidence was present that we were on a holodeck (no computer response, and apparent lack of the usual safeties given the sustaining of injury by our avatar). The injury proved to be a decisive factor in upholding the delusion as it is not a standard part of our base programming. Coupled with interactions and ship areas not programmed into the simulation, we must confess that the argument was... compelling. We saw repeated visions of our true self who interacted with us frequently, but was clearly not noticeable to the rest of the crew. We also quickly learned that her appearance was linked with repeated pain through our avatar's temple; reinforcing her insistence that she was an expression of our subconscious resulting from a mild concussion received.

During the course of the extended simulation, the pains grew increasingly intense and we became fearful and confused - believing the delusion before us - before Ms. Mana was able to use our common datalink via the drones to reach us. We did not recognize her at first as we were at the peak of our delusional state; accusing her of being an alien aggressor and responsible for what was happening to us. In retrospective, we believe the corrupted simulation was adapting from real world telemetry as it had our ship encountering an anomaly similar in composition to that currently outside the real ship.

Ms. Mana first appeared to us with a request to end the simulation - unaware of the corruption - though as she became aware of it, she worked to aid us in ending the simulation. Unfortunately this was no simple task due to our sustained delusion of in fact being the Human Captain of the ship by this point, since the only preprogrammed completion criteria were either achieving an impossible field promotion to Admiral, or the ship being destroyed. Since we had already passed the supposedly impassable rescue scenario, that meant Ms. Mana had to convince us to destroy the ship manually - something our delusional state of being Captain found incredible difficult to believe.

However - and almost fortunately - as our confusion grew, the interactions with the avatar of the corrupted code became increasingly intense to the point of her directly assaulting us. Though we still could not believe what Ms. Mana was telling us, we knew with absolute certainty that the claims of this vision of ourselves were impossible and so, we made our way to engineering to initiate a warp core breach. We were crippled by a final assault from the corruption which almost completely severed our avatar's link with our droneshell, but with Ms. Mana's encouragement - coupled admittedly with a strong sense of desperation - we were able to retrace the link and utilize the drone to interact with the Valley Forge's warp core, inducing the required breach to terminate the simulation.

We set upon this course of bridge command scenario's to better ourselves and hopefully prove to Capitaine Keelah to be a more useful member of her crew. Although these circumstances were traumatic and easily off-putting - as Ms. Mana pointed out - they also gave us exactly what we were aiming to achieve from the initial simulation; facing the impossible scenario that all commanding officer's must deal with. This was no Kobayashi Maru - our base simulation was designed to be tactically challenging, not impossible - this was in many ways much more than that as it turned out, and we humbly believe that our survival of this ordeal is evident to our capacity for further growth.