ST:TTV514 | "The Ties That Bind"
Updated: Mar 18
Stardate 97285.6
Why use holodeck simulations for command training when you're on a starship with a real and working bridge? Cadet Tierno is about to find out the hard way. But any experienced officer will be the first to tell her that some of the most valuable lessons actually come from off the bridge...
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Rianni@crystyll FX | With the Valley Forge back on course and cruising quietly through deep space, operations gradually return to normal... Rianni@crystyll | Though for some, normal is anything but. As it is time for prospective bridge officers from Mia's class to log command time Rianni@crystyll | TQ currently sits in the command chair, while Keelah loiters at the back of the room with Mia. Other bridge stations are manned more typically Rianni@crystyll steps off the turbolift a little more timidly than usual Rianni@crystyll | TQ looks over with a relieved sigh as she stands, "Finally..." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah shares a smile with Mia and calls out, "Captain on deck!" Rianni@crystyll flushes profusely and slinks over to relieve TQ Ann Carter@anncarise glances back and chuckles at Rianni. Rianni@crystyll | TQ: "Nothing to report from the last shift, she's all yours... Captain" she smirks, patting Rianni on the shoulder before joining Mia & Keelah in the ready room for a debrief on her shift Rianni@crystyll watches them disappear, trying to ignore the looks from familiar faces around the room Rianni@crystyll takes a deep breath, "Ok..." and mutters, "you can do this..." speaking up again, "Helm, current course and speed?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Maintainin' original course towards the galactic rim in general direction o’ the sphere at standard cruisin' speed o' warp 7.2." Rianni@crystyll: "Thank you. Commander Lendaria, are there currently any points of interest on sensors?" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie shakes her head, "Jus' a whole lotta nothin'ness" Rianni@crystyll nods, settling a little more in the big chair, "Suits me just fine" Rianni@crystyll: "Oh, shipboard operations; anything to report?" Rianni@crystyll | Crystyl: "Besides a few more scatterings of late arrivals for duty shifts... not much" Rianni@crystyll looks over, "Is that normal?" Rianni@crystyll | Crystyl smirks a little, "It is when the Orion population of a starship increases as much as ours has" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie chuckles Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly grins, "And I thought I was keeping them fairly occupied." Rianni@crystyll: "Is shipboard maintenance affected at all by the recent upgrades?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "There's a few things our teams have to get used to doing differently, but we should still have everything done on time and to the same standards. We're still working on shielding for - Ann Carter@anncarise: - the gaps we have to open in our generated armour for weapons systems, but that's the biggest project going on right now." Rianni@crystyll: "That will certainly plug a distinct tactical weakness in the armour if we can pull it off" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "Or at least make it less of a major weak point." Rianni@crystyll: "Well said! So with this new armour system... I assume seperation is not compatible?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "Not when the armour is deployed. When the armour isn't deployed...we might be able to write a slightly different program to provide protection /after/ the separation, but needless to - Ann Carter@anncarise: - say it won't be anywhere near as effective as when all generators are working together." Rianni@crystyll nods thoughtfully, "Perhaps a saucer-only option would be a start as part of the evac procedure..." Rianni@crystyll | Lennie pipes up, "Sounds like somethin' wha' oughta be an official recommendation from th'duty Cap'n!" Rianni@crystyll looks over with a startle, but then smiles and nods, "I'll be sure to put a recommendation in my report, Commander. Thank you" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie chuckles again, finding 'serious Rianni' insatiably cute Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly smiles, "I'll look into implementing such an option." Rianni@crystyll | Silvestrie looks over after a while, "So, Captain... how's the view from all the way over there?" Rianni@crystyll smiles, "Well for one, there's no viewscreen glare from the lighting" Rianni@crystyll | Silvestrie grins, "Oh, how the other half live, eh!" Rianni@crystyll giggles some, "I think I could get used to this" Ann Carter@anncarise chuckles, "Until ya get asked by the next faction we come across to help 'em not blow each other up..." Rianni@crystyll: "Yeah... I don't know about all that political stuff. I might like to gain a command one day, but I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for some of the stuff Captain Keelah deals with out here" Rianni@crystyll | Crystyl chimes in: "Yep... nothing like have a modest 4million tonnes of starship, and almost a 1000-strong complement at your beck and call, is there Cadet" Rianni@crystyll | Silvestrie: "And under your care. Too much responsibility for me, thank you" Rianni@crystyll gulps quietly Rianni@crystyll | Lennie snerks towards Silvestrie, "Oi, leave 'er alone, you!" Turning to Rianni, "Don't you listen t'him now, Cap'n. He's jus' playin' wit'ya" Rianni@crystyll smiles, "It's ok, I know" Ann Carter@anncarise grins, "I know you're a great commandin' officer, Cap'n." Rianni@crystyll: "Thanks Ann! Though right now I'd settle for being able to picture myself in a real uniform" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Ya always got the holodeck for tha'!" Rianni@crystyll: "True, but playing something there and facing the reality of a situation are two very different things. I know all too well..." Rianni@crystyll jumps a little as a small alarm suddenly sounds from a rear console. Almost instantly realizes it's nothing as the junior officer taps away without a care Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly chuckles, "A lot to get used to, isn't it?" Rianni@crystyll peers back and nods, "Commander, you often cover the bridge for the Captain during away missions and such, right? Does it get easier compared to a normal bridge station?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "That depends on the situation. A regular shift with nothing much going on is the same anywhere. As a maintenance engineer, a bridge officer, or a Captain. You get used to your daily - Ann Carter@anncarise: - duties until it settles into a routine, and you barely have to think about it anymore. The difficult thing about COs is having to take charge in the situations that aren't routine." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "That's why the Academy does all those simulations of different encounters, to get you used to reacting to situations." Rianni@crystyll: "Yes, I have even more of them to do next year. Including that cursed Kobayashi Maru one..." Rianni@crystyll: "But I guess what I mean is; when your normal station isn't Command, but you often end up covering it in special circumstances. Does that get any easier?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "Kind of, but not really. You get more used to what you're expected to do, I suppose. I remember when I first covered for Keelah, I was second guessing what I was doing right or wrong - Ann Carter@anncarise: - all the time. And that's the same for when I first covered for an Assistant Chief or Chief Engineer." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "But covering for the Captain's a little different, because you know if anything was to happen to the Captain, then all the responsibility would be yours. That's something you don't - Ann Carter@anncarise: - really get used to, at least probably not until you get your first command." Rianni@crystyll: "Right..." she sighs despondently, clearly hoping for clear news that this would get easier, not harder Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly smiles: "Anything's always harder the first time, though." Rianni@crystyll smiles, "True enough, I suppose. I just hope this won't always feel so daunting" Rianni@crystyll: "And that's with the rest of you here still for support!" Ann Carter@anncarise: "I'm sure ya'll always have a good bridge crew to support ya when you're in the chair!" Rianni@crystyll: "Yeah, but I wouldn't always have my seniors who are there as a safety net if anything actually happened. Then I would be the senior officer, and that's the real scary bit" Rianni@crystyll: "Hey, you must have done your share of these command shifts before you graduated, right? How did you find them?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "For me, I think the hardest part was gettin' everybody workin' together an' rememberin' to go to certain folks for things." Rianni@crystyll: "Well at least getting peole working together isn't a concern here" she chuckles Rianni@crystyll | Lennie: "Hey! I can be difficult for ya if ya want!" she smirks Rianni@crystyll: "Please don't Commander..." Ann Carter@anncarise laughs, "Don't worry, we'll play nice!" Ann Carter@anncarise: "But yeah, I think tha' was the hardest part o' command sims for me. Tryin' to be the boss, an' not do everythin' yaself." Rianni@crystyll nods, "I can see that being a problem, especially with a new crew..." Ann Carter@anncarise nods, "An' I'm not usually the boss type, either. More used to doin' things than gettin' other people to do 'em." Rianni@crystyll | Lennie smirks, "O'course she says tha', but she's a master at gettin' me t'clean our quarters after she's been tinkerin'" Rianni@crystyll chuckles Ann Carter@anncarise grins, "Okay...maybe gettin' one or two people to do things...not a whole bridge o' people!" Rianni@crystyll: "I suppose it will all come in time... Well, nothing else now other than to settle in for the shift I suppose" Rianni@crystyll | The bridge settles and the shift goes on. Keelah & Mia are back now, loitering as they were before at the rear of the bridge Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne: "I'm picking up a distress signal here..." Rianni@crystyll peers over, looking briefly back to Keelah, "A test?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah gives a nonchalant shrug, "When you're Captain, there's nobody to tell you if what you're facing is a test or not, Cadet" Rianni@crystyll nods, taking a deep breath as she looks back to Evanne, "Let's see it" Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne: "There's...nothing to see. It's an automated repeating audio signal." Rianni@crystyll: "Oh! Right..." ahems, "Well... can we hear it then?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne nods, "Playing it now." Rianni@crystyll FX | Audio message plays in a generic computer voice via the UT. Broken but legible: Rianni@crystyll <> "-peat; heavy damage, strcture failing. Need urgent help, please... please..." Rianni@crystyll listens, "Do we have a fix on the source?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne: "Yes we do." Rianni@crystyll: "Ok, well... we should investigate then. Helm, lay in a course and engage at... warp 7?" she looks to Keelah Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles, standing beside Rianni, and holding a hand on her shoulder to stop her standing from the seat, "It's an unknown situation, and you know better than most Cadet; every moment counts" Rianni@crystyll nods and thinks, "Right! Maximum warp then!" Ann Carter@anncarise smiles, "Aye aye, Cap'n. Engagin' maximum warp." Ann Carter@anncarise taps her console as she sets the course and takes the VF towards the source at maximum warp. Rianni@crystyll | Lennie: "We're some distance away from th'origin coordinates. Still outta sensor range" Rianni@crystyll: "Continue probing at extreme range and let me know as soon as we have something" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie smiles and nods Rianni@crystyll looks up to Keelah standing at her side, "Captain, if this is not staged as part of my training; I should step down so-..." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah shakes her head, cutting Rianni off, "No Cadet, I think this is the perfect opportunity for you to flex those command muscles beyond keeping my chair warm" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah: "Don't worry, I'm right here with you. Just take the opportunity as presented" she smiles Rianni@crystyll smiles and nods Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly smiles as well, "I know you'll do fine, Rianni." Rianni@crystyll: "Well I'm a lot more confident with the Captain standing over me" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah: "Just try not to rely on having me here, Cadet. Think of it like... you're the Captain still, this is your shift after all. Consider me your XO!" Rianni@crystyll giggles, "Pia is never going to believe this" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie ahems, "Cap'n, got sensor readin's comin' in now" Rianni@crystyll peers over, listening Rianni@crystyll | Lennie: "Looks like a single ship. Too far f'life signs still... Kinda looks like old Orion layout, but ain't quite so. Maybe somethin' from th'Arshai colony" Rianni@crystyll turns to Mia, "Mia, could you cross-reference against your records of adapted vessels noted while we were at the Ring?" Rianni@crystyll | Mia spins around with a surprised happy smile, "We shall do so mon Capitaine!" Rianni@crystyll looks back to Lennie, "Anything else in range?" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie shakes her head, "No other ships on sensors. But residual energy in th'area could be consistent wit'plasma discharges. Weapons fire" Rianni@crystyll nods, turning to Keelah, "Captai-... um, Kee-..." shakes her head, "XO, what do you recommend?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah chuckles, "What does your training tell you?" Rianni@crystyll: "Well... it's an unknown and possibly hostile environment. We should go to red alert, just to be safe" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah nods slowly, "You could... but remember, unknown is /completely/ unknown. It is possible they were attacked, but if their attackers are known to be long gone and they see an unidentified + Rianni@crystyll: + ship approaching with shields up and weapons charged... how do you suppose they would react to us then?" Rianni@crystyll twists her lip and nods, "Right! That could give a bad impression because they think we're hostile. We should be cautious still though as we can't take unneccessary risks, so... yellow alert?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles and nods, "That would be my recommendation" Rianni@crystyll gives a firm nod in response, "Yellow alert then" Rianni@crystyll | Vrolmacht does the honours and raises the alert status Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "We should probably get the damage control teams ready to support the ship. And maybe sickbay as well in case they have injuries." Rianni@crystyll: "Oh, yes! Excellent recommendation, thank you. Put DC crews on standby, Commander Lendaria; advise sickbay of the situation" Rianni@crystyll | Lennie nods, "Aye Cap'n!" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "Readying DC crews, Captain." Ann Carter@anncarise: "We're approachin' the ship, Cap'n." Rianni@crystyll: "Drop us out of warp. Anything more on short range sensors?" Ann Carter@anncarise taps her console, "Exitin' warp now." Rianni@crystyll | Lennie: "Nothin' further. She's dead in space, definitely combat damage. I'se got scattered lifesigns around th'ship" Rianni@crystyll | The vessel appears on screen and is indeed a modified Orion freighter Rianni@crystyll: "Try hailing them" Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne nods and tries to contact the freighter. Ann Carter@anncarise | Evanne: "Nothing, Captain. I believe their comm relay is down." Rianni@crystyll hrms, "So we can't tell them we are here, but we need to approach and assist them still..." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah pushes her a little, "What are your orders here, Captain?" Rianni@crystyll glances to her quasi-XO briefly, "We... should send an away team over. Medical & DC. But... we still don't know the situation on board, so maybe first send the MACO's?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah winces a little and gestures down with her hand Ann Carter@anncarise: "If I were them, I'd probably mistake 'em for an enemy boardin' party..." Rianni@crystyll: "Right, too much... Medical & DC with security escort then?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles and nods, "Sounds good to me. Now, you will need to assign a senior officer to lead the away team. Remember the mission, the team spec & objective. No time to double guess, who do + Rianni@crystyll: + you put in charge as your representative? To make a good first impression and keep your team safe, and focused?" Rianni@crystyll flusters a little at the sudden push, eyes darting back and forth as she thinks, "Medical & DC... Kazra is senior, but limited effectiveness out of sickbay. Kelly! Kelly should lead" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles, "Good choice" and nods back to Kelly, "Commander, prep your team and head out" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly nods, "Yes Captain." She heads towards the turbolift. --- Rianni@crystyll FX | A short time later, Kelly & her team materialize in the middle of a central corridor on the wounded vessel Keliaya@anncarise looks around for any survivors she can see first. Rianni@crystyll | the place is clearly worse for wear, but there are no signs of the crew of a struggle inside the ship Keliaya@anncarise checks her tricorder for the location of lifesigns. Rianni@crystyll | Lifesigns appear oddly scattered and intermittent throughout the ship Keliaya@anncarise: "That's unusual. The survivors aren't concentrated in any particular locations. We can't afford to split up into anything more than two groups, so let's focus on keeping the ship together first and - Keliaya@anncarise: - see who we come across on the way." Rianni@crystyll | The team nod and move out Keliaya@anncarise moves with the team, looking for any consoles she can access to check ship systems. Rianni@crystyll | They don't have to go far before happening across a disabled wall terminal Keliaya@anncarise gets one of the DC engineers to restore it while she checks her scans again to see if any lifesigns are particularly close to them. Rianni@crystyll | One lifesign appears close briefly, but then is quickly gone again. They seem to flitting around all over the place still" Keliaya@anncarise: "Everyone else is seeing the lifesigns appearing and disappearing, right?" Rianni@crystyll | A couple of techs nod as they try to make sense of the readings Keliaya@anncarise: "See if you can get a visual when one of the readings appears nearby, but don't go off on your own chasing them." Rianni@crystyll | The security escort checks their weapons and stand ready Keliaya@anncarise goes over to the console to see how the tech is doing with that. Rianni@crystyll | The tech is just hooking up a portable power pack, "Should be coming online now Commander Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Thank you." Rianni@crystyll | The console stubbornly flickers into life Keliaya@anncarise checks if she can access ship status and damage from the console, or at least an MSD. Rianni@crystyll | Warp core is offline, but reads stable. Structural integrity <50%. Weapons, shields both offline. Environment systems on minimum Keliaya@anncarise checks for any unusual radiation or particles. Rianni@crystyll | Nothing beyond norms, besides residual discharge from energy weapons near the outer hull damage Keliaya@anncarise tries to locate a bridge or command centre and choose the best path towards it. Rianni@crystyll | The bridge is only 1 deck up and a short distance from their current position Keliaya@anncarise: "Let's make for the bridge. If there's any answers here, that's the first place to search." Rianni@crystyll | The team fall in and move off together, security remaining on vigilant watch as they still can't make sense of the jumping lifesigns Keliaya@anncarise scans the team as they move, checking to see if their own lifesigns can be tracked, and it's not the whole area playing tricks with sensors. Rianni@crystyll | The teams lifesigns are tracking independently on their own tricorders, and all read fine Rianni@crystyll | Kelly's combadge chirps Keliaya@anncarise taps her combadge, "Keliaya here." Rianni@crystyll: "Commander, just checking in. What's the situation over there?" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "All I can say for certain is that the ship was attacked and in bad shape, but warp core is stable and the hull seems to be holding for the moment." Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "The lifesigns are behaving...oddly, and we haven't found any survivors yet. We're headed to the bridge to see if we can learn what exactly happened." Rianni@crystyll: "Yes, We're seeing the same odd lifesigns here too, we were hoping that localized reading there would clear them up. Update again as soon as you can confirm the situation from the bridge then?" Rianni@crystyll: "..." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah (background): "Yes, that works. We'll await your update" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "We haven't been able to make sense of them yet, but we'll let you know as soon as we have something." Rianni@crystyll: "Acknowledged. Stay safe over there" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Will do. Kelly out." Keliaya@anncarise continues for the bridge with the team. Rianni@crystyll FX | Kelly and her team continue cautiously towards the bridge... Rianni@crystyll | Security: "Commander, what's up with these sporadic lifesigns?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm not sure. I have theories, but nothing to support any of them yet. Let's see what we find on the bridge first." Rianni@crystyll | Security: "Ok, so nothing to worry about then. Right..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Well our lifesigns don't seem to be affected so far, and there's no sign of any harmful particles." Rianni@crystyll FX | The odd lifesigns continue to ping around all over the place Keliaya@anncarise continues heading for the bridge, trying to catch a sign of anything if a lifesign appears nearby on her tricorder. Rianni@crystyll | The odd lifesign reading does appear close by, but nothing to notice when it does occur Rianni@crystyll | The team arrives at the modest bridge without excitement Keliaya@anncarise: "Check the consoles, see what we can learn." Rianni@crystyll | Everyone spreads out and gets to work Keliaya@anncarise heads to find a working or repairable console herself. Keliaya@anncarise gets to work once she's found a console, trying to see if she can extract information from sensor logs about what happened to the ship. Keliaya@anncarise checks current sensors to see if it picks up the odd lifesigns as well. Keliaya@anncarise: "It looks like these lifesigns might've been fabricated by the ship's sensor systems..." Keliaya@anncarise checks back to see how long the odd lifesigns have existed and when the lifesigns were last normal. Rianni@crystyll | Tech: "Really? Why would someone do that?" Keliaya@anncarise: "My instinct says pirate trap, but no one's attacked us yet." Rianni@crystyll | The security escorts sharpen their watch on the surroundings at that Keliaya@anncarise: "The fake readings were set up when the attack happened though, not after. Maybe the real survivors set it up to confuse the attackers while they escaped." Rianni@crystyll | Medic: "So... there's nobody else on board then? Well this was a big old bust..." Keliaya@anncarise checks if there are any real lifesigns. Keliaya@anncarise: "There could still be survivors and we just can't tell with all these signals..." Keliaya@anncarise sees if the jury rigged ghosts can be disabled. Keliaya@anncarise: "Alright. I think I can turn them off. Once they're gone we can see if there's any real people here." Keliaya@anncarise turns off the sensor ghosts. Keliaya@anncarise: "Anything?" Rianni@crystyll | Security: "Somethings happening..." he waves his tricorder around, as one does Keliaya@anncarise takes out her own tricorder to check. Rianni@crystyll FX | the sporadic lifesigns start dropping out one by one... Rianni@crystyll | Everyone watches with baited breath, as the count drops to single digits: 6... 5... 4...3... Keliaya@anncarise waits to see when it stabilizes. Rianni@crystyll FX | *CRASH* a ceiling plate clatters to the deck in the middle of the room and a bloodied, but ferocious Lupan drops down with it! Keliaya@anncarise spins around, drawing her phaser, "Phasers to kill, hold fire unless attacked!" Keliaya@anncarise waits to see if the Lupan does anything. Rianni@crystyll | The Lupan doesn't waste any time and is alread lunging at the nearest member of the away party before they can stop to think Keliaya@anncarise tries to get a good shot on the Lupan. Rianni@crystyll | The Lupan is too fast and quickly has one of the techs pinned, causing Kellys shot to miss Keliaya@anncarise and the security personnel try to get more shots in. Rianni@crystyll | The Lupan howls and recoils as it is hit from all sides. It tries to bolt for one of the security escorts but drops before it can reach him Keliaya@anncarise waves for one of the medical personnel to check on the tech, "Medic!" Rianni@crystyll | The medic rushes over, dropping to his knees at the tech's side, steadying him as he squirms in pain from a slash across his chest Keliaya@anncarise checks her tricorder to see if the other 2 lifesigns being registered are still there or ghosts that have disappeared. Rianni@crystyll | The medic stabilizes him with a hypo and looks to Kelly, "I need to get him back to the ship Rianni@crystyll | There is one lifesign still showing, constant and steady like the away teams now Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Call for transport directly back to sickbay." Keliaya@anncarise looks to the security personnel, "Stay alert, I'm reading one more lifesign." Rianni@crystyll | The medic nods and does so, soon disappearing into the transporter beam Keliaya@anncarise tries to discern if it's Lupan or something else. Keliaya@anncarise taps her combadge, "Keliaya to Valley Forge." Rianni@crystyll: "Commander! Are you all ok? We just got word from sickbay that two of the team have beamed back with injuries" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "The rest of us are alright. There was a Lupan who might be left over from the attack on the ship." Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Do you read one more lifesign other than our team down here?" Rianni@crystyll: "One moment... Confirmed. We have readings on the away team plus one Orion, midship" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Must be a survivor, then. Can you tell if the lifesign is steady?" Rianni@crystyll: "..." Rianni@crystyll | Lennie: "Hard t'say, Kel. It looks steady, but a bit on th'weak side. Ain't rightly sure why" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Can you get a transporter lock?" Rianni@crystyll: "Transporter room says yes. We're recovering them now, are you ready to return as well?" Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "I think we've found everything we're looking for. Beam us back after you recover the Orion survivor." Rianni@crystyll: "Acknowledged. Stand by for transport" Keliaya@anncarise puts her phaser and tricorder back on her belt and awaits transport. Rianni@crystyll FX | A few moments later the rest of the team disappear as well --- Rianni@crystyll scurries into the sickbay shortly after the away team's return Rianni@crystyll spies Kazra tending to the injured tech, "How is he doctor?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Physically, he’ll be fine. He had a few cuts and bruises, but nothing we can’t patch up with a tissue regenerator." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Obviously he's shaken after a situation like that, though." Rianni@crystyll edges closer, looking at him and his injuries, "It's all my fault..." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "How did you get to that conclusion?" Rianni@crystyll: "I was in command. I was the one who ordered that team over there..." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Anyone would've sent a team over there. Strange lifesigns, unable to lock on and beam out any survivors directly, the next thing to do was to beam our people over to help." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Besides, he'll survive his injuries, but if you hadn't sent a team, we would've never found the kid." Rianni@crystyll: "I guess..." she sighs, looking to Kazra with a befuddled expression, "Kid?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra motions over to the Orion child on the other bed, "Would've never found our little survivor here without the away team. And with the Lupan who attacked the team still on the ship, it was - Rain@anncarise: - only a matter of time until she ended up as its breakfast." Rianni@crystyll glances that way, "I mean... I know it was the right decision, and the Captain was there and everything still. But I'm still responsible..." Rianni@crystyll she gives the tech's hand a squeeze, muttering, "I'm sorry..." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Sometimes whatever you do there's consequences. And as a commanding officer, as any kind of officer you'll be sending people into danger." Rianni@crystyll nods, "So... what's the deal with this kid?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "She must've been hiding from the Lupan. She's a little banged up, probably from the weapon impacts on the ship, but no real injuries. She's very shaken and confused, though." Rianni@crystyll: "Can I speak with her?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra nods, "Sure. Just be gentle with her." Rianni@crystyll nods timidly and makes her way over to the kid's bed, "Hi" she greets softly with a smile Rain@anncarise | The kid sits up and examines Rianni, "Is this one with the Ar-shay?" Rianni@crystyll: shakes her head, "Not exactly, but we are friends of the Arshai" Rain@anncarise | Kid: "Can you help mommy and daddy?" Rianni@crystyll gets a sudden sense of dread come over her, "I, um... I don't really know yet. Why don't we start simple; I'm Rianni. Can you tell me your name?" Rain@anncarise | Kid: "Jolania. I'm Jolania." Rianni@crystyll smiles, "It's nice to meet you Jolania. So how are you feeling now? Sounds like things got a bit rough over there" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I want mommy and daddy..." Rianni@crystyll: "Were they on the ship with you?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "Mhmm. Can you bring them back?" Rianni@crystyll: "I'm not sure... say, you want to get out of here? I can take you someplace much nicer where we can get some tasty treats!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania shakes her head, "I want mommy and daddy! Daddy says the Ar-shay can bring anyone back..." Rianni@crystyll: "Maybe they can! They do a lot of cool stuff! But it will take some time for us to get you back to them so we can find out. You really want to spend all that time in here...?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania looks around, "No...I want to go back to the ship. But not like now. When we were flying." Rianni@crystyll: "Oh, well sure, I guess. Of course, it will be all dark and creepy there still until it gets fixed again. And I /gueeess/ I'll just have to find a way to eat that bowl of candy ice cream all by + Rianni@crystyll: + myself..." Rianni@crystyll brazenly feigns to turn away and force herself to go have fun alone Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I don't want it to be dark and creepy!" She turns and swings her legs over the bed. Rianni@crystyll: "I don't blame you..." leans in and whispers, "...I hate dark and creepy too, you know" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods and looks around, "Like this is much better." Rianni@crystyll looks around, "This place is ok... but they don't have ice cream. Have you ever had ice cream?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Is it like iced narene?" Rianni@crystyll: "That's... a good question. Is that like, chilled and super sweet? And with all the flavours you can imagine?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Kind of? But there's only one flavour..." Rianni@crystyll: "Well then, how about I show you while you tell me about yourself?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "Okay." Rianni@crystyll smiles helping her down off the bed and holding a hand out for her, "Come on then!" Rain@anncarise takes Rianni's hand and follows her. Rianni@crystyll leads Jolania into the upper main lounge Rianni@crystyll | The mezzanine looks down on the main lounge below with the large forward windows giving both levels an aesthetic starry view Rain@anncarise | Jolania looks around, staring out the windows, "Oooh, this is a ship too?" Rianni@crystyll | There are a few people around, as normal. But nothing overwhelming Rianni@crystyll smiles, "It sure is! This is how we got to where you ship is" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "It's a nice ship. But it's not our ship." Rain@anncarise | She looks up to Rianni, "Can the Ar-shay fix the ship too?" Rianni@crystyll: "Hopefully! They are very good at fixing ships, aren't they. But we'd have to get it to them first I think" Rianni@crystyll: "Now come on, I promised you a bowl of ice cream!" Rianni@crystyll heads over to a replicator, "Hmm... I don't suppose you know what chocolate is?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania follows her over curiously. Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "No..." Rianni@crystyll: "Well hopefully you'll like this. But you just tell me if you don't and we'll hunt around for something you do like!" Rianni@crystyll boops a few buttons and two elaborate chocolate sundaes appear. each filling a bowl as big as Jolania's head! Rianni@crystyll turns and crouches, presenting one to her, "What do you think?" she grins Rain@anncarise | Jolania examines the chocolate sundaes, "Oooh. They're different from iced narene. A lot fancier." Rianni@crystyll: "This is a super secret special one reserved for special little girls!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania takes one, holding the big bowl with both hands, "It's cold like iced narene!" Rianni@crystyll: "It is! You have to be careful and not gobble it too fast or it will go straight to your head and make it hurt. Come on, let's grab a seat and tuck in!" Rianni@crystyll heads over to a quiet table in the corner and pulls a chair out for Jolania to hop up to" Rianni@crystyll: "There you go! Now, tuck in and enjoy!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods and follows Rianni to the table, setting the bowl on top before hopping onto the seat. Rianni@crystyll savours a first taste, mixing all the toppings together and slowly taking a mouthful Rain@anncarise | Jolania watches Rianni first and imitates her, mixing hers too before trying it a little at a time, "Mmm. It's very nice!" Rianni@crystyll grins, "It is!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Very different from narene, but I like it!" Rianni@crystyll: "Aww, I'm glad you do. Just take your time and enjoy it" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods and slowly takes some small mouthfuls, being too scared to eat too quickly with Rianni's earlier warning. Rianni@crystyll: "So sweety, you feel like talking about what happened on your ship?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I was on the bridge with mommy when everything started shaking, and mommy said bad people were coming." Rianni@crystyll nods along as she quietly listens, letting Jolania take it at her own pace Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Then people started disappearing...getting taken by the bad people. They said the bad people could see us, so I made them see us everywhere so they couldn't take us." Rianni@crystyll: "You did that? That was a very clever thing, you must know your way around computers!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "But...then the bad people came down, and they were big scary wolf-men. Mommy told me to run and I ran away." Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I found daddy, but...he wasn't moving and I couldn't carry him. But the wolf-men didn't see me so I just hid." Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "And I knew they couldn't find me because they were seeing us everywhere..." Rianni@crystyll: "You did well to hide like that. I bet you know all the good little hiding spots on your ship don't you?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "I hid in the smallest one where the wolf-men couldn't get in even if they find me." Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I think one of them got close...but then they all started leaving." Rianni@crystyll chuckles, "You know, my sister and I used to play hide and go seek when I was about your age" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Mommy didn't like me hiding. She says it is dangerous. And she gets worried." Rianni@crystyll: "So was just you and your parents on the ship, or were there others with you? Any others children for you to play with?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania shakes her head, "There's other people but no one around my age. The other kids I know are all on the New World. Where the Ar-shay live." Rianni@crystyll: "Is that where you're from then?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "Mommy and daddy come from somewhere far away, though." Rianni@crystyll: "Like a lot Orions do. But you must be one of the special and lucky ones who was born on the New World, right?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods again, "Mhmm." Rianni@crystyll plays with her food some, "So... do you have any other family or friends back home that you're looking forward to seeing again?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "A few friends. Orions. Like me. Around my age too!" Rianni@crystyll: "That must be so cool! I bet you have all sorts of fun growing up on the New World. Say, have you ever been to that big orbital Ring there?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I have! Our ship was there a few times." Rianni@crystyll: "We were there not long ago too, it was great!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "It is! It's a big fancy artificial ring around the whole planet! The Ar-shay can really do anything..." Rianni@crystyll mutters, "Let's hope so..." Rain@anncarise | Jolania starts finishing up her bowl of chocolate sundae before too much of it can melt. --- Rianni@crystyll FX | Meanwhile, Kazra enters Keelahs ready room... Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Captain." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles, "Kazra, please come in. How is our injured technician?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "He's resting, and he's expected to make a full recovery." Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Luckily there's only so much damage claws can do in a short time." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah, "Well that's a relief. We were giving Rianni some command hours when the mission started, and I think she took it pretty hard when she heard he was hurt..." chuckles softly, "Bless her, I + Rianni@crystyll: + don't think I've ever seen her move so fast as when she bolted off the bridge. She barely had time to excuse herself" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "She is taking it hard, but I hope learning about the kid gets her spirits up a little." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah perks a brow, "Thats the one we rescued from the Orion vessel?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra nods, "That's her. Rianni took her to the lounge. They seem to be getting along fine, but Rianni's had a long day already." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah leans in a little, "Do I hear a little reservation in your voice? Speak your mind, Doctor" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Well, she's already taking the technician getting injured on herself. Not sure a traumatized Orion girl's the best thing for her at the moment." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah thinks and nods, "She's a capable girl, but she's also highly motivated to prove herself. Even when it means pushing herself too hard..." Rain@anncarise | Kazra nods, "She's doing well with the kid, but I'm not sure if she's the best to handle her at the moment." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah: "Commander Lendaria springs to mind" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "She might be a good choice. Or anyone else with Orion heritage, or a Counselor, maybe." Rianni@crystyll | Keelah nods, "Hmm, we do have a fresh Orion contingent on board. Let's have a look..." she taps her console, calling up a list Rianni@crystyll | Keelah comments while she browses, "Have you had much interaction with the New World Orions on board yet?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra: "Only as far as making sure the pheromones won't be a problem. Good thing I already have the experience with Lennie, isn't it?" Rianni@crystyll | Keelah smiles, "Indeed it is. I trust there is nothing to be concerned about on that front as it hasn't come up yet?" Rain@anncarise | Kazra shakes her head, "Nope, they're all good. From what I can tell the survivor's probably from the New World too, so having someone familiar with her home look after her might be good for her. Rianni@crystyll | Keelah nods, "Aah, here we go. This one should be perfect" she spins the screen to show Kazra and they both nod in agreement before Keelah arranges the Orion to be summoned to the Ready Room… --- Rianni@crystyll | Meanwhile, back in the lounge..." Rianni@crystyll: "So... do you have holodecks back on the New World?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods, "Mhmm. We have big community ones, but usually that's for older people. We only use it for classes." Rianni@crystyll: "So you've never got play games with it?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "We do as part of classes! But we don't have one at home or on the ship or anything like that..." Rianni@crystyll: "Well... maybe we can go and have a play in one of those here on the ship!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Oooh that sounds fun!" Rianni@crystyll | A young Orion officer enters the room, looking around before settling on the pair's table Rianni@crystyll | Officer: "Excuse me, Cadet Tierno... right?" Rianni@crystyll looks up with a polite smile, "That's me. Can I-..." she fumbles and nearly drops her ice cream spoon, "E- Emma...?!" Rianni@crystyll | Emma gives a little surprised look and nods, "Yes, did the Captain say I was coming? She asked me to look after Jolania here as we come from the same district!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania looks over to the new arrival, about to speak before catching Rianni's reaction and looking back to her. Rianni@crystyll trembles and nods frantically, "I, uh... s- sure. Yes... E- Excuse me. I have to..." she points towards the door and hurries out Rain@anncarise | Jolania looks back up to Emma, "Umm..." Rianni@crystyll | Emma gives a cheery smile and kneels next to their table, "Hey there! You must be Jolania, I'm Emma! And you're from the New World too, right?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "I am! You're from the Orion district too?" Rianni@crystyll | Emma beams happily and nods, "Sure am! So, mind if I join you?" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Sure! I didn't know there were Orions on this ship too!" Rianni@crystyll | Emma scoots into the now empty seat, casting a curious glance to the door before refocusing on Jolania, "There sure are! There were a few here already, but after the ship stopped at the New World,+ Rianni@crystyll: + a number of us decided to join these good folks!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Oooh. That's why you're here, and why Rianni said she was friends with the Ar-shay." Rianni@crystyll | Emma nods, "You know, there's even an Arshai on board with us to keep them all friends now too!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Really? Maybe they can help fix up our ship and bring mommy and daddy back!" Rianni@crystyll | Emma: "Oh sweety... you know they're not really coming back, don't you..." Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "But I thought the Ar-shay can bring anyone back. They just have to scan people and they can make them again!" Rianni@crystyll | Emma tilts her head, "That's... sort of right. It's called cloning, and they can make clones who /look/ like people. But they aren't really the same..." Rain@anncarise | Jolania: "Oh...so they can't make more mommys and daddys?" Rianni@crystyll | Emma shakes her head, "Not like the real thing. I'm sorry sweety" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods solemnly, "So they'll just be...like...fake? Like holodeck people?" Rianni@crystyll | Emma gives a sad smile, "That's actually not a bad analogy. You're a bright one, aren't you!" Rain@anncarise | Jolania nods again as she looks back up to Emma, "But the Ar-shay can fix up the ship thought right? In the big Ring?" Rianni@crystyll | Emma grins, "If anyone can, they can! But don't rule these Starfleet types out just yet, they can be pretty good too given the chance" --- Emma Ralde@crystyll | After spending a few hours with Jolania, looking around the ship and playing with the Flotter holos, Emma eventually hands her off to Lennie & Mana to look more seriously at her future Emma Ralde@crystyll exits Lennie's office after a brief chat with Mana, with Lennie delayed. A little down that she didn't get to meet her fellow Orion yet, but exhausted from the time with Jolania Emma Ralde@crystyll rolls her neck and sighs, looking around the still unfamiliar environment while pondering what to do now she's off duty Emma Ralde@crystyll starts walking and thinks back on earlier events, still confused by Rianni's odd reaction to her earlier. She checks the computer for the Cadet's whereabouts to find she is in a holodeck... Emma Ralde@crystyll steps through the holodeck doors to find herself on the transporter pad of a 23c space station Emma Ralde@crystyll still drifts towards the transporter console and traces a hand across it's surface, "I'll be damned, they even kept that coffee stain..." Nilik@anncarise steps out of a nearby door and walks over to the transporter console, "Lieutenant Ralde. Is that new clothing you obtained from one of the merchant ships?" Emma Ralde@crystyll jumps and spins, squinting a little in disbelief, "...Nilik? Is that really you?!" Nilik@anncarise gives Emma a look of confusion, "Of course, Lieutenant. Is there any reason I...shouldn't be here?" Nilik@anncarise: "Please don't tell me there's been a temporal incident. They make for the most troublesome reports." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I..." she smiles, "No, of course. This is exactly where you should be" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And boy I wish that was futher from the truth..." she mutters Nilik@anncarise smiles back, "Good. And please don't try to cover up for a temporal incident either. You know I'll find out eventually." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles brightly again and gives him a hug, "Oh, but I don't care! It is wonderful to see you again." Emma Ralde@crystyll chuckles over his shoulder at the last comment, "And I have missed you" Nilik@anncarise hugs Emma back with a little hesitation, "It can't have been more than a day since I saw you last. Two, at most..." Emma Ralde@crystyll steps back, still chuckling, "Right! I mean..." she puts on a straight face, "...a girl can't miss her friend in that time still? You still haven't got the hang of Orions have you" she teases Nilik@anncarise: "I /can/ turn green. But I'm afraid it will only pass as a disguise from some distance away." Nilik@anncarise: "Besides, I don't think I have the physique to be a particularly convincing Orion male." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well, I'm sure if you can keep working on it. Or, hey you could always try passing for a female if you fancied. I'm sure we could find you a nice wig..." Nilik@anncarise chuckles, "I'm sure you would enjoy such an attempt." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Don't ever change" she smiles, looking around, "Anyway, I was actually looking for someone. You know your way around here as good as anyone, and if you're here but it's still in this condition I'm + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + assuming the third pod is still out of bounds. So she can't have gone that far..." Nilik@anncarise: "You know the way around better than anyone, but if you're looking for someone specific, I can help." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok, well I'm looking for a Cadet actually. Human, about my height. Kind of cute in a naive and confused way...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll furrows her brow as she speaks, knowing how ridiculous it sounds Nilik@anncarise: "I...think I know who you're talking about. Though she's not a cadet, and hasn't been since she graduated from the Academy, I imagine." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well, I mean... the same could be said for any officer in that sense" she laughs Nilik@anncarise: "If she's the officer you're looking for, I'll help you find her." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Does that mean, if she's not the one I'm lookinf for then you won't help? But how will you know if it's the same person until you help me find her?" she again teases with a little smirk Nilik@anncarise chuckles, "If I don't recognize her, I'm not sure how much help I can be. But there's only so many people here, so it shouldn't be a problem." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well if you think you know the girl I'm after, then... lead on!" Nilik@anncarise turns to lead the search. Emma Ralde@crystyll mutters as she follows, "Goddess, this is a like bad dream you can't wake up from..." Nilik@anncarise: "I believe I saw her pass through this hallway earlier." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So if this is the same girl, how... how was she?" Nilik@anncarise: "She didn't stop to chat, but she looked troubled by something. I can't say what about, but it can be stressful on the station." Nilik@anncarise steps into the makeshift bar area, looking around for Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | There are a lot regular faces in here, but Rianni isn't one of them Emma Ralde@crystyll | Though a few greet Emma as warmly and familiarly as Nilik, just making her more ill at ease Nilik@anncarise: "She doesn't appear to be in here. I'm assuming the person you're looking for isn't either?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "I don't see her" Nilik@anncarise: "Let's search elsewhere, then." Nilik@anncarise turns to head out. Emma Ralde@crystyll follows Nilik@anncarise continues down the hall, looking around the passing crewmembers to see if any are Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Lots more familiar and friendly faces, but the elusive not-Cadet is still nowhere to be seen Nilik@anncarise: "Maybe she is in here..." Nilik@anncarise steps into the ops area. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around with a slight smile, "Aah, the old ops room..." Nilik@anncarise: "Well, makeshift ops room. The original one isn't functional anymore." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Don't worry, something tells me you'll get it back up eventually" Nilik@anncarise checks if Rianni is at work on any of the consoles. Emma Ralde@crystyll | She is not on duty here Nilik@anncarise: "All in due time. Let us find your missing officer first." Nilik@anncarise heads to search elsewhere. Nilik@anncarise checks around all the side rooms that are open as he passes by, "This would be much easier if it were you. There are many more humans in Starfleet." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, but then where would the fun be in the search?" Nilik@anncarise chuckles, "Good point. I assume you've already checked her assigned bunk first?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I don't even know where her assigned bunk is, or if she even has one..." Nilik@anncarise: "I thought if anyone would know that, it would be you. We could go back in Ops to check if you like." Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "No, I'm pretty sure if she had wanted to be in a private bunk, she wouldn't have come here" Nilik@anncarise chuckles, "With the space we have to work with, this is certainly not a posting for anyone wanting a room to themselves." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah... hey, was it always so... bright and colourful in here? I seem to remember it being a lot darker..." Nilik@anncarise: "Perhaps earlier in the repairs when less of the lights were operational?" Nilik@anncarise: "I arrived a little later than most, so I don't remember the earliest stages of the restoration here." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Um, yeah... that must be it. Alright Nilik, think; if someone on the station really did want to hide, where could they go?" Nilik@anncarise: "One of the areas still under restoration but not fully safe for use would be a good place to hide. Dangerous, but usually quiet and with plenty of spaces and things to hide behind." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Let's give it a look!" Nilik@anncarise: "A good place to search as any, since she does not seem to be in the regular places one goes after duty." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "You don't know the half of it..." Nilik@anncarise leads Emma to a part of the station still under restoration, but already has life support online. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around at the grimmer setting, "Ah yes, this is more like it..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | They come up a disused landing pad when they hear voices inside Nilik@anncarise: "Yes, this part is less restored. And less visited, except when repair crews are working. A suitable place to hide when-" Nilik@anncarise pauses as he hears voices. Emma Ralde@crystyll whispers, "You hear it too" Nilik@anncarise nods, "I don't know if it's who we're looking for, but it's worth investigating." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Come on" Emma Ralde@crystyll heads in as quietly as she can, looking around for the source of the voices Emma Ralde@crystyll | They soon find them as they approach the observation deck looking over the pad. The outer door is either broken, or just missing and stars can be seen beyond a forcefield Nilik@anncarise looks around to see if they've found Rianni at last... Emma Ralde@crystyll the pair split up to cover more ground... Emma Ralde@crystyll | Nilik's senses tell him he's drawing closer to the source of the voices Nilik@anncarise continues making for the source of the voices, staying alert in case it's anyone that shouldn't be here... Emma Ralde@crystyll | He spies a frantic Rianni talking to someone else in a red uniform Nilik@anncarise steps closer to Rianni and tries to make out the other figure. Emma Ralde@crystyll is now clearly the other person, seemingly equally frought and trying to console Rianni Nilik@anncarise: "Lieutenant Ralde? How did you get here first?" Emma Ralde@crystyll jumps, "Nilik?! What in the stars are you doing here?!" Nilik@anncarise: "You asked me to help find..." he looks to Rianni, "who you're talking to now." Nilik@anncarise: "Or at least, I think you meant her." Emma Ralde@crystyll frowns, "Nilik have you been at the jama juice again? You're not making any sense!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni meanwhile stays turned away, hiding her face and keeping her arms wrapped around herself Emma Ralde@crystyll stays close and with a hand on her shoulder Nilik@anncarise: "Now that I think of it, you were also wearing different clothes. Is it possible there's an impostor on the station, pretending to be you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok. Much as I normally love playing these games with you, now really is not the time" Nilik@anncarise: "I assure you, I am not playing a game. If you are in an area not yet cleared for use, I would presume you are looking for privacy." Nilik@anncarise: "However, if this individual I accompanied here was indeed not you...it is very likely they are a security risk." Emma Ralde@crystyll drops her head defeatedly and sighs, "Fine... where is this person?" Nilik@anncarise: "We split up to search. I don't know where she is now, but she cannot have gone far." Nilik@anncarise: "She must still be searching. If she simply wanted to come to this part of the station, she had no reason to ask me to assist." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So this imposter is here...?" looks around Nilik@anncarise: "In this part of the station, and for some reason, searching for her," he looks to Rianni again. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around and calls out, "Alright, mystery... imposter... person. Come out, come out wherever you are..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Real Emma steps out from the corner and towards the group, stopping in front of holo Emma Nilik@anncarise: "See?" Emma Ralde@crystyll & Holo Emma circle each other, while Rianni watches trembling in the corner Nilik@anncarise observes cautiously. Emma Ralde@crystyll ignores holo Emma, stepping by her and looking to Rianni, "So this is why you were being wierd with me before? What kind of sick game is this anyway?!" she snaps, scowling Emma Ralde@crystyll | Holo Emma grabs Emma's arm, "Hey! You can't talk to her like that! ...whoever you are. And what /are/ you wearing?!" Emma Ralde@crystyll snaps her arms free, "Oh can it photons before I delete you for good!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Holo Emma's jaw drops, "Photons? What kind of backwards insult is that!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni snaps: "Just, stop it both of you!" looks to Emma, "It's not her fault, so don't be mean to her" Emma Ralde@crystyll glares at holo-Emma, "...'It' - not 'her'. It's an 'it', just photons and forcefields. Whatever you've got her programmed for... I don't care, but I won't be used like this!" Nilik@anncarise looks to holo-Emma, "Are you saying /she/ is the imposter?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni sniffles, "Please, it's not what you think. If you'd just-" Emma Ralde@crystyll groans, throwing an arm up wildly as she storms off, "Whatever, computer end program!" Nilik@anncarise disappears. Emma Ralde@crystyll | The simulation fades and Emma storms out Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni watches as her confused love ripples out of view, still sniffling, "...let me explain..." she whimpers to herself, slinking to the floor and curling up --- Emma Ralde@crystyll continues to storm down the hallways in frustration of what naturally feels like a gross personal invasion at present Emma Ralde@crystyll fails to spot Eva as she rounds a corner and almost ploughs straight into her... Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 quickly takes a step to the side, stumbling slightly before turning to look back to Emma. Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Are...you alright?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh! Sorry lieutenant, I didn't see you there. I'm fine, are you ok?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods with a slight smile, "I managed to avoid getting knocked over in time...luckily." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Sorry... S- Sorry, I just... eugh, I don't even know!" she huffs Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 narrows her eyes, "Are you sure you're alright? I can probably still sense your anger from the other side of the ship..." Emma Ralde@crystyll folds her arms, "That obvious, huh..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "I don't need to be a telepath to tell you're upset about something." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks at Emma more closely, "Oh! There wasn't anyone you knew on that ship, was there?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What? No! No, it's nothing like that" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Okay, that's good at least. Do you...want to talk about what happened, or?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "It's fine if you don't, but I'm here to help if I can," she smiles. Emma Ralde@crystyll softens a little, "I don't want to be a burden. I only just started here and I'm already caught up in some screwed up mess I'm not even sure I understand properly" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Besides, black eyes aside; that's a gold strip, you're not a counsellor so you don't need to feel obliged just because I couldn't keep my feelings in check" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I'm sure you're not a burden. And no, I'm not a counsellor, not everyone with telepathy is," she chuckles slightly. "But I'm here to help if you need. That's what we do in Starfleet, isn't it?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Aah yes, that insatiable Starfleet 'can do' attitude. I'd forgotten how sickeningly charming it can be..." she smiles a little Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 smiles back, "Well, the offer is open if you want it. But I understand if you'd rather be alone." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well I could use a good stiff drink about now. Try and get my head straight with all this mess..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I suppose company wouldn't be the worse idea" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Come on, then!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 leads Emma into the lounge, "Any preference in drink? Or would you rather like something non-replicated?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "hmm... I think the real deal may be warranted today" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I thought you would say that." Emma Ralde@crystyll heads over to the bar and settles on a bottle of Orion wine Emma Ralde@crystyll watches the bottle land in front of her and looks to Eva, "What are you having?" she asks, a little tongue in cheek Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 gets a glass from the bartender, "Oh, just some icoberry juice. I normally do juices or teas, depending on what I'm in the mood for." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Good choice..." she swipes the bottle and goes to find a seat Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 follows Emma over, taking a seat beside her and taking a sip of the juice, "I'm Evanne, by the way. I...don't think you told me your name." Emma Ralde@crystyll gulps down a full glass of the wine and refills it, "Right, sorry. Emma, nice to meet you. I promise I'm normally a lot better than this, I'm honestly not the galaxy's worst Orion. Promise" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 chuckles, "I'm pretty sure there are much worse Orions than you in the galaxy." Emma Ralde@crystyll eyerolls, "Well thanks" and glugs some more Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 smiles, "So, what has you all worked up?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Eugh, where do I begin..." Emma Ralde@crystyll sips again as she thinks, "So earlier today I got asked to babysit the kid we pulled off that ship, right" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "I heard about her." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well when I collected her, she was with one of the Cadets; Tierno. You know her?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I do, she was on the bridge getting command experience when we got the distress call. I think she might've wanted to see things through, so she went to check on the survivor." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, well... when I took the kid off her she got all wierd and spooked and ran out of the room" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Maybe she's stressed? It's not every day a cadet gets live command experience. Most cadets panic enough over simulations like the Kobayashi Maru." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, but that was all over. A cadet shouldn't get panicked over having ice cream with a kid" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Let alone simply swapping that duty with someone. No, she recognized me - called me by name - and ran off because of me" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "But you're...new to the ship, right?" Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, raising her glass, "Right?! So after I finished with the kid, I went to find her; see what was up, you know" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "A sensible thing to do." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I know, right! So I found her on the holodeck, in this sim of a Starfleet station from, uhh... well some ways back...." she shifts a little awkwardly Emma Ralde@crystyll: "A station I once served on. And going into the program, I found her with a holo of me!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "You served on a Starfleet station before?" she examines Emma some more, looking at her rank pips, "That would explain how you're an officer..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah... I used to be in Starfleet but left to be with my people. I re-enlisted back at the New World" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "But come on, that holo... that's not right! Is it?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 narrows her eyes, "What do you mean, /with/ a holo of you? It's fairly common to have historical simulations, sometimes with real likenesses of the original historical figures, but that's not - Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: - usually done for...well, recent history." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok, well it's not like they were in the middle of anythign compromising..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "I'm pretty sure /that's/ illegal to do with the likeness of a real person without their permission." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But they were definitely going well beyond any simulation, that was a personal relationship if ever I saw one" Emma Ralde@crystyll sloshes her glass in the air again, "Thank you! So now you know why I was so pissed!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Are you sure it was the station you served on, and it was a likeness of you, not just someone who happened to look similar?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh, it was me alright. I stood nose to nose with her and argued" Emma Ralde@crystyll shudders, "I actually had a fight... with myself... this is just wrong on so many levels..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Arguing with yourself...I guess people have come across stranger things in Starfleet." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So... you've been here a lot longer than I have. What should I do?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "If you really think it's you...I guess standard protocol is go to security about it, but I suggest checking in with Mia first. She knows holoprograms better than anyone, seeing as she's part - Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: - hologram. And she's the executive administrative assistant, she'll let security and the Captain know if there is any rules being broken." Emma Ralde@crystyll sits forward, "Wait, Mia as in the one always flouncing around in an old red uniform and singing in the lounge? She's a hologram?!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "She's a unique synthetic lifeform, part hologram and part drone linked together. She used to be part of a historical simulation program and was linked to the drone to leave the holodeck." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 smiles, "She's as open as a Betazoid and as cheerful as a Bolian. You should talk to her, for this and just to get to know her." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Sounds reasonable. You think she might know something about this program?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "And if she doesn't, she's probably a better person to help you investigate. If you go to security, they'll have to find a computer tech, or they might end up just going to Mia anyways." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I don't think anyone knows holoprograms better than she does." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Sounds like she's the one to go to then. I don't want to jump to any rash action, but I don't know what else to do" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "It'll be less formal than going to security. Are you completely sure it's a likeness of you? I don't think the files needed for that kind of thing would be accessible by everyone..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Trust me, it was like looking in the mirror" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Holoprogram creators can get models for historical heroes like Pike or Kirk, but not usually any officers in service. Or recent officers, either." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah..." chuckles nervously, "... go figure, right..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "For the really famous ships they sometimes give out full crews, but again, usually not anything particularly recent." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, so... uh. How about we comm this Mia and see if she's available to join us? You know her already right..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "Yeah, sure!" She taps her combadge to raise Mia. Emma Ralde@crystyll: <C-Mia? "Allo?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: <C> "Hey Mia! I've...got someone here who thinks someone might've appropriated their likeness in a holoprogram. I thought you were the best person to call first, before she goes off to security." Emma Ralde@crystyll: <C-Mia> "Non! For serious? We will come right away, this is tres serious! Where are you Ms. Evanne?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: <C> "Thanks Mia. We're in the main lounge right now." Emma Ralde@crystyll: <C-Mia> "We will be there momentarily! Ciao!" Emma Ralde@crystyll looks to Eva in disbelief, "Ok, how the hell can someone be that cheery and not made of pure sugar?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 laughs, "Maybe she is and we just don't know..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So who's coming with her, you know?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Coming with her? The drone is always with her, but they're...kind of one being, so..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "The... drone? But said 'we'. If it's part of her...?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Oh, she always says we! They're like...two beings in one, or one being with two parts. It's hard to explain!" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head slowly as she gulps more wine down, "It just wouldn't be Starfleet without a quirky and dysfunctional crew..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "The drone had its own AI, and the hologram was part of a program that was sentient. They got linked together so the hologram could leave the holodeck, but they're not...completely merged either." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 chuckles, "And I suppose that's true, too..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Miadrone comes zooming into the room, pausing in the middle as it scans around before zooming across to Eva & Emma Emma Ralde@crystyll jumps at the sudden drone flyby Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 jumps a little too before smiling, "That's the drone!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia ripples into view standing before them, "Ms. Eva, we came as quickly as we could! This must be-" she looks to Emma, "-non... Ms. Emma?! But this can not be!" Emma Ralde@crystyll flops back into the sofa, "Oh Goddess! Not you too!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks between Mia and Emma, "So you do know what's going on here?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia pokes Emma in the arm, looking to Miadrone who scans and beeps in response. Mia then pinches Emma Emma Ralde@crystyll yelps, "Hey! What gives!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia, "We do not understand... how is this possible?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I'm...not sure. You know the program she's from, then?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia nods, "Oui! We compiled it. You must know the Precipice program we keep running now?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I do. But...isn't that an old historical simulation? As in...really old?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia nods slowly and looks to Emma, "It is..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks to Emma, "She says she served on the station the program was set in..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 turns back to Mia, "That's from back in your time!" Emma Ralde@crystyll shifts, "Yeah, well... look, just stay focused on things here! That cadet of yours - Tierno - I think she's doing... something with a holo of me in that program!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia nods innocently, "Oui, this is true" Emma Ralde@crystyll blink blinks, "Wait, just like that... you knew about this?!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia nods again, "Oui! We compiled the program as an interactive holonovel to entertain the crew! We put a lot of ourself into the character programs, which brought them more to life than typical + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + holos you see. Ms. Rianni and Ms. Emma-... that is, the holo Ms. Emma, formed a beautiful relationship. We are very happy for them!" Emma Ralde@crystyll shudders, "What do you mean... 'a lot of yourself'?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia: "In short; we are a long lived holographic lifeform with full self awareness for longer than most human lifetimes. We have evolved and paired with an equally sentient AI created by Ms. Mana, + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + who also gifted us her knowledge in programming. So when we reconstructed characters for the holoprogram, we put all our expertise to use and made them as real as possible. It has proven very + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + popular with many of the crew!" she turns to Eva, "You really should see for yourself some time Ms. Evanne!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I have been planning to check out that program sometime!" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "All the characters in the program should be based on historical people though...which is why the information was obtainable for the program..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia nods, "Indeed... which means you can't be Ms. Emma! We strongly suggest you tell us who you really are, and warn not to underestimate our avatar; we are in fact quite capable of incapacitating+ Emma Ralde@crystyll: + you if need be" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Wait...it's possible she is Emma. Maybe a result of a temporal anomaly, or a duplicate of Emma with the same memories..." Emma Ralde@crystyll raises her hands, "Woah, woah. Easy there red" sets her glass down with a sigh, "Look... I /am/ the real Emma!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia; "She joined at the New World, it is... possible to be an Arshai clone, perhaps? But how they would get such accurate reproduction of a person from so long ago, and why... we do not know" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "The New World was around for as long as the Federation, even longer. But they didn't know about us until fairly recently when Vora found them." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hey! For the last time, I AM me, ok. It is... a complicated situation" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia, "Then we must insist that you accompany us at once to explain it to the Capitaine" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Fine. Just... one thing first - please - we have to find the cadet. I was pretty rough on her when I found out about this, and I owe her an apology" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia thinks a moment and nods, "Very well, we will find Ms. Rianni first. Come along then!" Emma Ralde@crystyll gulps down the last of her drink and stands Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks to Mia, "Should I come along too, or?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia looks to Eva, "Ms. Evanne, you should probably come too as your testimony may be called upon" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods and stands, finishing her drink too. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia tracks Rianni back to the same holodeck and the trio quickly move back there Emma Ralde@crystyll looks at the door as they approach, "She's still here...?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Did you leave the program running?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "No..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Stepping inside, they see the grid is not active. Rianni sits in the corner with her knees up to her chest and her face buried in her folded arms around them, sobbing quietly Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia holds a hand to her mouth in dismay and resists the urge to rush over to her Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks between Mia and Emma, letting one of them approach first. Emma Ralde@crystyll sees where this is going and hangs her head before shuffling over to her Emma Ralde@crystyll slowly approaches and kneels, "Rianni...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni sniffles, slowly lifting her gaze having been oblivious to the door entry. Her eyes widen and she shifts awkwardly at seeing Emma Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "E- Emma, what are you...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll gently takes her hands, "Hey, look. I just... I wanted to apologize, ok? I was out of line with you before, I didn't understand what was going on" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni sits up a bit more, "I still don't understand..." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles a little, "It'll take some explaining..." she encourages Rianni to her feet, still holding her hands Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "You... you're real?" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles more, "Very much so. I promise I'll explain everything later" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni nods sheepishly, "You might be real, but you're not my Emma, are you" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "No, I'm not. Now that - scarily upbeat - Mia tells me you two are close, or were close... I'm really not sure how tenses should apply here..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But that's why I wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I'm sorry for how it happened. You seem like a really nice girl and you don't deserve what happened before" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles a little and nods Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But let's be perfectly clear here too; /I'm/ not your Emma, but... maybe we can start over? You've played with the holo-me for long enough; how about giving the real me a chance at being your friend" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What do you say?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni dries her eyes - poorly - and smiles again, "I'd like that" Emma Ralde@crystyll chuckles a little at the eye drying, helping her out some, "Grand. Now once we've got all this mess straightened out, I'll comm you and try to explain. Sound good?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni backs away some, "I... don't know if I'm ready for that yet. But... please, do. If I'm not ready... I'll say, but I want to be" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, "I can't ask for anything more. You going to be ok now...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni nods and stands a bit straighter, "Go, it's fine" Emma Ralde@crystyll hesitates briefly but then turns and rejoins the others, not pausing with them but heading straight out the door with just a glance to the pair Emma Ralde@crystyll may or may not have stolen the brief moment out of sight to dry her own eyes a little Emma Ralde@crystyll | Mia has no shame and sniffles as she follows, Miadrone even hanging downwards as it hovers along with a sad sounding wooooo... Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Let's get this over with then" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 follows Emma out, "That was very nice. I hope she'll be able to accept you eventually." --- Keelah@crystyll | Mia & Co. arrive at Keelah's ready room and chime the door Keelah@crystyll: "Come in" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 steps inside with Mia and Emma, "Captain." Keelah@crystyll looks up as the group enters, "Mia, Lieutenant... Ensign?" she leans a little, trying to see the Orion skulking behind them Keelah@crystyll: "What can I do for you?" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "We, uhh...well, it's a very unusual situation. We should probably start from the beginning..." Keelah@crystyll gestures, "Please, you know I'm here for you. Tell me what's going on" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 motions behind herself, "Emma here found someone using her likeness on the holodeck, so we called Mia to investigate. And..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks to Mia to let Mia continue. Keelah@crystyll | Mia steps closer and sits as Keelah leans back, watching attentively Keelah@crystyll Oh really, that's quite the serious accussation. Are you certain? Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 nods, "Yes...but it gets more complicated than that. Apparently Mia created the likeness...from historical records for the Precipice program." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, looking from Eva to Mia, "Mia...?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia nods, "It is true, mon Capitaine." she motions Emma closer Keelah@crystyll | Emma steps over, "Captain" Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "This girl claims to be Ms. Emma Ralde, but she can not be so" Keelah@crystyll looks between the pair, "What are you saying Mia?" Keelah@crystyll | Mia turns slightly to Miadrone and a moment later, another Emma ripples into view beside the real one. Only this one wearing a 23c red uniform Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "We initially thought she was either a New World clone or some other kind of copy, but she insists she's the original person." Keelah@crystyll | Emma jumps at the appearance, then eyerolls at seeing it Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks to the hologram, "From when Starfleet uniforms still looked like that..." Keelah@crystyll | Mia: "This avatar is from the Precipice program, she was the sole survivor of the initial station attack before our predecesors arrived with them" Keelah@crystyll nods slowly, "I remember the logs... the one who stayed safe by locking herself in a transport buffer" Keelah@crystyll looks between Emma and the holo, "Well there is no denying that the likeness is remarkable. But that log almost two centuries old..." looks to Emma, "young lady, forgive me but you don't even look a+ Keelah@crystyll: + quarter century..." Keelah@crystyll | Emma refocuses on Keelah, "I promise you, Captain; I am no clone or copy, or changeling, or anything else so invasive. It is.. difficult to explain" Keelah@crystyll leans into her desk, folding her hands and holding a steady gaze on Emma, "...try" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 looks at Emma too, curious to hear her explanation. Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "Respectfully Captain, I can brief you. But nobody else here holds sufficient clearance" Keelah@crystyll draws a deep breath, leaning back again, "If this wasn't already such a public matter on board my ship, I might agree and dismiss them. But like it or not, you share the face of a beloved holonovel + Keelah@crystyll: + character here - one whom obviously was not created of a living person to condradict personal rights. So in these circumstances, I will authorize these two as well" Keelah@crystyll: "Sooner or later out here, you're going to have to explain this to people anyway. Some things just don't stay secret on a starship, regardless of how classified you make them" Keelah@crystyll | Emma nods, "Trust me, I know full well... may I, then?" she gestures to Keelahs console Keelah@crystyll nods and spins it around for her Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 smiles slightly at Keelah getting her way again. Keelah@crystyll | Emma taps away, calling up her personnel file, "I am the same individual who served on that station. I wish I could say that is as long back as my tenuous career stretches...." Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "My Starfleet personnel file is classified level 10 or above, Captains eyes only" Keelah@crystyll frowns, "This did not flag up when it appeared for review after you sought to join us recently" Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "That's because the one publicly available is a faux file. Starfleet Intelligence encrypts the real one behind it, for situations, well... like this" Keelah@crystyll eyerolls, "Intelligence... damned spooks. That's one thing I thought we would be free from all the way out here..." she sighs Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "Don't blame them, they have done good by me since... well, here" she turns the screen back to Keelah Keelah@crystyll | Emma continues as Keelah reads, "My service dates back to the early 23c where I served on board an early experimental science vessel" Keelah@crystyll reads with acute interest, "I've never even heard of half of these events... or these ships... even the classes!" Keelah@crystyll | Mia chimes in; "Starfleet has always has it's less proud moments, just like every other organization. We lived in the golden age which follwed the time Ms. Emma describes, but we still remember + Keelah@crystyll: + serving with senior officers who spoke of it" Keelah@crystyll | Keelah, "According to this, you were involved in some... kind of accident?" looks to Emma with a quirked brow Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "I thought a temporal incident might be involved..." Keelah@crystyll | Emma shakes her head, "Technically not temporal. My ship was involved in testing an experimental alternative to warp travel called a spore drive - don't ask, trust me - long story short, yes; I + Keelah@crystyll: + got caught in a sort of subspace destabilization. Though I recovered, it eventually became clear that there were lasting side effects" Keelah@crystyll: "Are you seriously telling me this freak accident made you immortal?" she asks, making no effort to mask her disbelief Keelah@crystyll | Emma chuckles, "Hardly. I am not immune to death or diesease, injury or sickness. But what did happen was a phase realignment of my cell structure which resulted with every cell in my body + Keelah@crystyll: + continuously recycling back to it's state at the flashpoint" Keelah@crystyll: "Ahh so, just eternal youth then. Well, that's much more conceivable" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Like that one species we encountered..." Keelah@crystyll hrms, "I suppose that is true" Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "So, with Starfleet Intelligence already taking care of all of us involved, when they learned about my... condition, they obviously first sought to remedy it. Suffice to say after decades of+ Keelah@crystyll: + work, we were not successful. So they did the best they could and put a system in place to help me live a normal life. Every few years, I'd eventually change posting or move location and they would+ Keelah@crystyll: + refresh my offical file appropriately" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "How did you end up all the way out here?" Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "As I'm sure you can imagine, two centuries would be a significant tenure for any officer. Regardless of formalities, it's a big galaxy and a relatively small Federation. I've been in and + Keelah@crystyll: + out of service a number of times, but this most recent turn... well I have been with my people some years now, after seeing the early signs of a shift in the balance of power I decided to be with + Keelah@crystyll: + my kin and help. And so I ended up joining them on the New World" Keelah@crystyll: "This... is all quite the story still. You'll forgive me if I remain a little skeptical for now" Keelah@crystyll | Emma nods, "I'd be disappointed if you weren't. Have your Doctors examine me; I can show them how to detect the condition described in my file as further evidence" Keelah@crystyll nods, "That much is a given. But what about you now? Where do we go from here...?" Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "Well, I didn't sign back up on a whim, Captain. I want to be here - this is the Valley Forge after all, how I could not want to be back! But..." she shifts a little on her feet, "...I + Keelah@crystyll: + get that this has all come to the surface way too fast. And how was I ever meant to know that you guys went and made your own historical recreation of me so the whole crew would know who I am..." Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "If it is your will, Captain; I will return to the New World and we can forget this ever happened. The Orion kid will be going sooner or later I assume, so I can go with her" Keelah@crystyll considers Emma a long while, "That would be nice and easy for you, wouldn't it" Keelah@crystyll | Emma, "Captain...?" Keelah@crystyll: "Just run away again, hit the reset button and start yet another new life for yourself" Keelah@crystyll | Emma: "Respectfully Captain, the situation is already far too complicated here..." Keelah@crystyll cuts her off, "Then stay and un-complicate it" Keelah@crystyll: "I imagine for circumstances such as yours, it could easily become second nature to almost be nonchalant about your existence. To not take life seriously, and to not put effort into it. I mean, why + Keelah@crystyll: + would you, when you can just up roots and go start again. I think that regardless of your years, you are a still a young woman at heart - perhaps you always will be - and we all know how we are at + Keelah@crystyll: + your age. So yes, I say stay here and deal with your situation for once. Maybe even make yourself useful and put those centuries of experience to use in our mission rather than just hiding in the + Keelah@crystyll: + lower ranks" Keelah@crystyll | Emma shifts awkwardly a moment, "I... alright Captain, I'm in" Evanne Dra@annpc#5570 smiles, "Glad to have you on board, Emma." Keelah@crystyll: "Good" she looks to Eva and Mia, "Now since you two seem to have already been drawn into this affair, I'll leave this in your hands; take Emma here to sickbay and have Kazra verify her story. + Keelah@crystyll: + Assuming all is as she claims it to be, I suggest a more thorough review of her placement and duties on board" Keelah@crystyll | Emma draws a deep breath, "Well won't this be just peachy..." Evanne Dra@annpc#5570: "Come on, let's get you checked out first." Keelah@crystyll | Emma nods and follows, pausing at the door and glancing back to Keelah, "Thank you, Captain" Keelah@crystyll smiles, "You can thank me once we're happy with your story and you are still part of this crew, not locked in the brig" Keelah@crystyll | Emma gives a little nervous chuckle as she follows the others back out --- Lycas@annpc#5570 FX | After Kazra confirms that Emma's story is indeed true, she is returned to her assigned quarters. Lycas@annpc#5570 | Over an hour passes quietly before the doorbell rings... Emma Ralde@crystyll sits quietly brooding, looking out at the stars, "It's open" she looks over curiously to the door Lycas@annpc#5570 steps inside, "Ensign Ralde. Or should I say Lieutenant?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ensign. Can I help you?" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Quite the contrary, actually. I've been informed of your...unique situation and came to see if I can be of any assistance to you." Lycas@annpc#5570 steps inside, "To access your experience and determine what role may best suit you on this ship, to be specific." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And so it begins... cue the barrage of curious people eager to see the freak for themselves..." she sighs Lycas@annpc#5570: "Not at all. It is not my nature to lie, and I would be lying if I did not admit to some curiosity. But I am not here to capitalize on your predicament." Lycas@annpc#5570 motions to the couch opposite Emma, "May I?" Emma Ralde@crystyll gestures, "Go for it. Help yourself to the replicator too if you want" Lycas@annpc#5570 nods and takes a seat, "I have seen many unique individuals in my time with Starfleet. While I will not deny a degree of interest, you may rest assured that I will not treat you as an...oddity." Emma Ralde@crystyll exhales deeply, "Alright... and, sorry - I didn't mean to be snarky with you. Just been one of those days..." Emma Ralde@crystyll slinks down into the chair she's perched on top of Lycas@annpc#5570 nods, "I understand. I am Professor Lycas, of the Daystrom Institute." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Professor? How come you're not teaching the cadets here then instead of that sickeningly chirpy hologirl?" Lycas@annpc#5570: "My role on board this vessel is as a xenotech advisor. I suppose a more appropriate title would be Doctor, but I have become accustommed to Professor after all these years." Lycas@annpc#5570: "I do guest lecture for Mia if she deems my expertise necessary, but she is a more than capable teacher." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And just when I thought this little madhouse of a crew couldn't get more eclectic..." she chuckles Lycas@annpc#5570: "Well my presence here is for a very specific purpose. You are aware we are in search of a particular Dyson Sphere of Iconian origin, yes?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I heard something along those lines, yes" Lycas@annpc#5570: "I am here because Iconian technology, among other things, is my area of expertise. Though I suppose I am unusual as there are not many of my age in active service on board a starship." Emma Ralde@crystyll snerks, "Yeah, you and me both!" Lycas@annpc#5570: "So, what capacities have you served in through your time in Starfleet?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Phew, where to begin... let's see, I've starship operations, engineering, research assistant, shuttle pilot, navigation, comms, transporter chief, oh and a brief stint as a Commodore's PA" Lycas@annpc#5570: "That is quite a diverse variety. I have served in numerous roles over the course of my career, but all more or less within the same discipline." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh if you want I can list all the other stuff I've done too. Of course, none of that was with formal training. And yes, I guess I've kind of drifted around. But can you really blame me?" Lycas@annpc#5570: "I suppose you did not have family, or maintained many friends with your situation?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "My parents are long dead, as are my siblings. Technically I probably do still have family out there, but so far removed they may as well be strangers" Lycas@annpc#5570 nods, "Then drifting around was only natural for you." Lycas@annpc#5570: "What would you say you do best, then?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shrugs, "I don't know really. Guess I've always been something of a jack-of-all-trades" Lycas@annpc#5570: "A Starfleet officer is always expected to have a relatively diverse set of skills, though everyone requires a specific role on their ship as well. What role does the Captain have you currently - Lycas@annpc#5570: - assigned in?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Operations support" Lycas@annpc#5570: "And do you believe you will be able to utilize your skills and experience the best in this capacity?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hells, I spent a few years running my own freighter. Even that didn't bring /all/ of it together! Pretty sure there's no such role that covers it all" Lycas@annpc#5570: "I suppose Operations is as good as any role, then. Especially as you will have to work with other crew, hopefully allowing you to put your experience in other fields to use." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Seems reasonable. Well, at least now we have that settled!" Lycas@annpc#5570: "There is also the matter of your rank. I believe the Captain does not wish you to simply remain at Ensign." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah... I got that, and I see where she is coming from, of course" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But I've been out of Starfleet for quite some years now, I wouldn't feel comfortable holding any higher rank when I'm still playing catch up like this" Lycas@annpc#5570: "How long exactly has it been since you last served in Starfleet?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh, um..." she counts on her fingers, "20... no, wait then there was... so 30-ish years maybe?" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Thirty years...yes, a few things have changed since then." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Though not quite as much as I expected..." she looks around, "...I would have expected starships to have come along a lot further since then. This place it a lot more familiar, quite a welcome + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + surprise actually!" Lycas@annpc#5570: "I can understand the argument for remaining at a lower rank for now, but someone with your experience would typically be granted...at least lieutenant junior grade upon joining, even if they have - Lycas@annpc#5570: - not served in Starfleet previously. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I suppose. You really think that wouldn't be out of place?" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Not at all. Medical personnel begin at lieutenant junior grade upon graduation for the same reason that they have obtained more knowledge and experience through their extended training. It is, more - Lycas@annpc#5570: - or less, the standard rank for new officers who have relevant experience." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well maybe if I at least resit the current version of the academy finals, I can do so with the confidence that I'm at least up to date on current procedure" Lycas@annpc#5570 nods, "I can speak to Mia about arranging that." Lycas@annpc#5570: "What was the highest rank you have ever held, if I may ask?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Lieutenant Commander. But that was waaaay back in the day" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, "Back when the skirts were even shorter and everything was 25% brighter!" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Yes, I recall. That was around the time when I began my service." Emma Ralde@crystyll perks up, "You were in Starfleet back then? Forgive me if this sounds cheap, but I didn't think you look old enough for that" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Neither do you." Emma Ralde@crystyll smirks, "Touche, Professor. And folks are always saying Vulcans have no sense of humour" Lycas@annpc#5570: "One picks up many attributes of other cultures when working in an environment as diverse as Starfleet." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "You think this is diverse, try the freelance market" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Diverse, yes, but not as friendly. You are more likely to pick up the bad habits of other cultures there." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Guilty..." Lycas@annpc#5570: "Let us hope that your return to Starfleet will serve to rectify some of these habits, then." Emma Ralde@crystyll waves a hand dismissively, "Oh, don't you worry. These last few years with the Orions out here have seen to that" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Good," he stands, "I will give the Captain my recommendations, then, and have Mia arrange that test for you." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh don't worry about Mia, she's one of the few people around here I don't have to go through the whole 'really? - yes!' conversation with. I'll speak with" Lycas@annpc#5570: "Ahh yes, she already knows about you. Very well, I wish you luck on your test." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Thanks Professor. And... thanks for dropping by" Lycas@annpc#5570 dips his head, "You are welcome to let me know if you ever need anything, Ensign Ralde. And perhaps soon I will call you Lieutenant after all." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles a little, "Perhaps"
View AAR
AFTER ACTION REPORT STARFLEET SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL 1 | Open
FILED BY
CDT Tierno
ON STARDATE
97285.6
LOCATION
KEY PERSONNEL
Sectors V-016
CAPT Se'Lai
CMDR Vrolmacht
CMDR Meel
LCDR Keliaya
LCDR Lendaria
LT Silvestrie
CDT Tierno
Miyata LaRouche
MISSION PARAMETERSOUTCOME SUMMARY Diversion of command training duty shift in response to distress signal. Source found to be Orion transport attached to the Arshai New World. Single survivor recovered and returned safely to her people. From my own perspective as a training exercise, this mission presented me with some unexpected difficulties - specifically in dealing with crew on an individual level. My training focus has always been on larger scale tactical analysis; maneuvering starships like faceless pieces on a galactic 3D chess board. However, in personally sending individuals into a potentially dangerous environment, then facing them afterwards with the prospect of serious injury or worse, I have learned just how difficult the job of a CO can be and how far I have to go in order to face the necessary level of detachment to ever be able to do such job. Though my own experiences since joining Starfleet empower me more, perhaps, than most in relating to difficult circumstances, they still do not prepare me for the more personable requirements of an officer.
RECOMMENDATIONS
No further action is required.
NARRATIVE
During my command training duty shift, we received a distress signal from an unknown source. Though not a planned exercise as part of the training, it was determined to be included in the training exercise for me, with Captain Keelah presiding and guiding me. First moving to intercept, we made sure to take all appropriate action in preparing for any anticipated circumstances. As such, medical & DC teams were put on stand by while we determined that a cautious approach was warranted and upped our readiness status to a yellow alert.
We arrived to find a battle scarred Orion transport. From it's heavy adaptation away from traditional design, it was deemed to be an attachment to the Orion population of the New World. Scans of the region showed no signs of other vessels, though we remained wary given the penchant of known mercenary groups in this region to use cloaking technology. Closer study of the transport ship gave unusual results in inconsistent lifesign readings that could not be explained. Because of this, we decided that we would have to send an away team over and determined that LCDR Keliaya was the best candidate to lead the mission.
The away team eventually reported back with an emergency medical evacuation request as a single Lupan was still on board and had attacked a member of the team. Following this, they were able to determine that the strange lifesigns were being generated by the transport's own computer system and promptly deactivated them. This led to one more confirmed lifesign on board which we confirmed for them as Orion, albeit weaker than we would normally expect to see at this range.
The team soon returned with the survivor - a young Orion girl called Jolania. Having already concluded my duties on the bridge, I relocated to the sickbay where she, and the injured officer, were being treated. After confirming the safe recovery of our officer I moved to help the girl and found her to be understandably traumatized. It was a family vessel, and we believe her parents to have been killed by the attackers. Jolania was responsible for the erratic lifesigns on the ship, which she had been taught to do if anything bad ever happened to them in the hopes that it would stop anyone from finding her while she hid.
In an attempt to ease the girl's suffering, I took her into my care and showed her away from sickbay to the main lounge where i hoped she would feel more comfortable and able to talk. I was eventually relieved of this duty by one of the new Orion crew members who joined from the New World. Understandably, said officer was in a better position to relate to the young girl being both Orion, and native to the Arshai colony.
Eventually, the transport ship was sufficiently repaired that it could be handed to an allied patrol heading back towards the New World, who also took Jolania to return her to her home.