ST:TTV516 | "Penny For Your Thoughts"

Stardate 97315.6

The time has finally come for the crew of the Valley Forge to put the fruits of their hard work to good use as the telepathic inhibitor implant - designed to resist Horde influence - is finally ready for it's first live trial...

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Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah enters sickbay, looking around and settling on Kelly & Kazra before moving over to them, "Ladies, I trust I didn't keep you waiting" Keliaya@anncarise shakes her head, "Not at all, Captain. Besides, it's nice to get some time to talk amongst ourselves in our busy schedules." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah smiles a little, "Indeed. All the more reason for me to not keep you longer than necessary then. Now, I understand that the implant has performed exemplorarily in the initial testing and + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + believe we are now looking at live trials?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra nods, "That's right. It should be safe for implantation with no observable side effects." Keliaya@anncarise: "There is one thing about the implant...but I suppose it's a tradeoff we'll have to make." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "And you are both satisfied with the procedure; both for installing and removing the implant?" Keliaya@anncarise and Kazra both nod. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "I never doubted it" she smiles, "As for the trial itself, any thoughts?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I'll be keeping a close eye to make sure everything proceeds as it should. We'll probably want someone to test after we're sure everything is implemented properly and safely, just to - Keliaya@anncarise: - make sure the implant does block telepathic control as intended." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah nods, "Yes, I have been thinking on that as it is not a comfortable assignment for anyone to undertake..." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Who do you have in mind?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "Well I did first consider one of you pair..." she chuckles, "But I would rather not potentially lose one of my senior staff to the trial just yet" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "Lendaria was also a close consideration, as she already uses artificial implants. But the same ruling applies..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Mana has several implants as well, but I don't suppose we want to test the prototype with her now that she's the official New World representative..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "Very true. I also assumed that someone with existing implants may not be the best first trial, to ensure no compromised results from their existing augmentation" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Maybe one of the Security or MACO personnel? They're usually in good physical condition." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "True, though still not my first choice as I prefer an officer I can trust to be analytical in their feedback" Keliaya@anncarise looks to Kazra, "One of your nurses might be able to let you know if they feel anything wrong after the implantation procedure." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "True, but we're not living in the woods here. Our scanners can detect something wrong a lot more effectively than relying on pain and discomfort." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "Don't worry Doctor, none of your nurses are going to be volunteered for this one" Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "Just a suggestion. I don't plan on volunteering any nurses." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "I have, in fact, already selected a candidate for this assignment" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "You have already? Who is it?" Emma Ralde@crystyll strolls in, all innocent looking. She pauses, looking to the 3 who have that look of being up to something, "Um... hi...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah smiles, "Relax Ensign" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I am in the right place... right?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah nods, "Come, join us. We have a special assignment we would like to discuss with you" she looks to the others for exposition as Emma tentatively joins them Keliaya@anncarise smiles, "That's a choice I hadn't considered." She looks to Emma, "Do you use the implants that Lendaria has?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "Without knowing what implants you mean exactly... but no, I don't use any" Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, the ones for keeping pheromones in check and all." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Aah, so Lendaria must be a fellow Orion! I have seen a few on board, but I'm afraid I haven't really gotten to know everyone so well yet..." Keliaya@anncarise: "We did pick up a number from the New World. Lendaria's been with Starfleet for some time though, she's our Chief Science Officer." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh right! Yeah, I think I know the one you mean then. So... is there a problem regarding the pheromone implants or something?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra shakes her head, "Not at all. We're just checking; we're actually here to test a new implant." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh...?" She looks between the pair, casting a sideways glance to the Captain who lurks suspiciously in the background still Keliaya@anncarise: "I assume you've heard about the Horde's ability to influence and control others through what we think is a form of telepathy?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Not in such scientific terms, but then I'm more familiar with the whispers and fanciful tales of passing traders from Vue En" Keliaya@anncarise: "Well this implant is meant to protect us from their influence." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "It encodes your brain signals, making it impossible for them to be read or accessed from the outside without the corresponding cipher." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok... wait. You want me to your lab rat don't you!" Keliaya@anncarise grins, "Well, the Captain thought you would be a good choice." Emma Ralde@crystyll turns to Keelah with a scowl, "I wonder why that is..." Emma Ralde@crystyll is not impressed. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah steps forward, "I'm not going to lie, Ensign; it was a factor" Emma Ralde@crystyll huffs, "This is /exactly/ why Intelligence hides my personnel file..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "The simple fact of the matter, Ensign; is that you are ideally suited to such an assignment. Your unique biology-" Emma Ralde@crystyll cuts her off, "Is my own damned business, not something to be taken advantage of!" and turns to storm out Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah calls out in a stern voice, "Ensign" Emma Ralde@crystyll pauses, slowly turning back Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah: "I am sorry that is so offensive to you, and yes; if I was not aware of your circumstances then you would not have been considered for this task. But with knowledge of your unique + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + ...metabolism, shall we say, you are the one person on board who is at the least amount of risk from testing this. Now this is not order, nor will it be. We are asking for your help, nothing more.." Emma Ralde@crystyll looks between the tree for a drawn out moment before exhaling a deflated sigh, "Damned Vulcans, always with your impeccible logic... fine. I'll do" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Keelah smiles sweetly, "Excellent. Then I will leave you in the capable hands of these two, and look forward to seeing your progress" Emma Ralde@crystyll watches as the self-satisfied Captain exits, turning again to the others Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Don't worry, Ensign. We've checked the implant multiple times to make sure it's safe. We wouldn't move on to live implantation unless we're sure of that." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, I figured as much. I just don't like this feeling of being taken advantage of, is all..." Keliaya@anncarise: "I don't think the Captain likes making that kind of decision either. But that's what she does- evaluate facts, access risks and come to a decision." Keliaya@anncarise: "If she thinks you're the safest choice, I suspect it's not just better for the rest of the crew, but you as well. Someone'll have to be the first, and I think she wants to make sure whoever it is - Keliaya@anncarise: - has the least chance of getting hurt." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Like I said... Vulcans and their damned logic..." she half chuckles Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "So, you're sure about doing this?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "No... but I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I guess" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Just... what exactly should I expect with this thing?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra smirks, "Well things like this tend to get more scary the longer you have to think about it, so this might be for the best." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "As for what to expect, you'll need to be unconscious briefly for the procedure, but after it's done, you shouldn't feel a thing being different." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I see. And what is expected of me once this thing is in?" Keliaya@anncarise: "We'll want a telepath to test if the encryption is sound, so they'll try to look into your mind, but they shouldn't get anywhere." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "You'll probably stay in sickbay for a day. Once we've verified that there's no immediate side effects and the implant works as intended, we'll keep monitoring as you resume your regular - Keliaya@anncarise: - duties for a little. If everything goes smoothly, it shouldn't take much more than a day out of your time." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Sounds simple enough. Alright then, let's get this done with before I think better of it and change my mind again" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra smiles, "You'll be fine, Ensign." She motions Emma over to the central operating bed. Emma Ralde@crystyll hops up onto the bed and lays back, watching as the arch slowly (not ominously) closes over her Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I'll apply the anaesthetic when you're ready." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Go for it, Doctor" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra retrieves the anaesthetic hypo and makes her way back to Emma, "Try to relax, Ensign," she smiles reassuringly as she applies the hypo. "You'll be up before you know it and you won't feel - Keliaya@anncarise: - the difference." Emma Ralde@crystyll 's eyes gently flutter shut as the anaesthesia takes effect Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra puts away the hypo and monitors the readings, waiting until Emma is fully unconscious before starting the procedure. Keliaya@anncarise | Once satisfied that Emma is completely out, she retrieves the implant and a few medical tools, sliding the implant into a compartment on the operating bed before closing the compartment and - Keliaya@anncarise - tapping at the console as she initiates the implantation... Emma Ralde@crystyll FX | Some time later, Emma wakes from the procedure... Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around as the world comes back into focus Keliaya@anncarise is sitting and monitoring a console by the medical bed. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks over, "So what's the verdict. Am I going to live...?" she lazily but lightly asks, still recovering from the anaesthesia Keliaya@anncarise turns around as she hears Emma talking, "You'll have to ask Kazra that, but judging from the fact that she's not here yet and you're able to talk...I'd say so." Emma Ralde@crystyll works her way upright and perches on the edge of the bed, "Well, I feel alive enough. I guess that's a good start. So it all went as planned?" Keliaya@anncarise: "The implant is active and looks to be functioning properly. We'll need someone who has telepathic capability to assess if it's actually doing its job, of course." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra steps out from her office and makes her way over to the bed as well, "How're you feeling, Ensign?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shrugs /Did you even do anything...? I feel fine.../ Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra smiles, "Well I did say you wouldn't even feel the difference, didn't I? Just like waking up from a nice nap, isn't it?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hm?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Something wrong?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Did you just...?" shakes her head, "Nevermind, I think I'm still waking up. Sleep talking!" she chuckles Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Are you sure? We need to be certain this thing doesn't have any side effects. If there's anything abnormal, let us know, okay?" Keliaya@anncarise check the implant readings to make sure it's doing what it should be. Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, "Of course, Doctor" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Everything checks out Keliaya@anncarise: "I don't see any unusual behaviour from the implant so far." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra nods and smiles back, "Let's move you to one of the other beds for now, just keep you under observation for a little longer before we let you go." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "This is the boring part, isn't it...?" she asks, hopping down off the bed Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "Yes it is. Luckily my bridge shift doesn't start for another nine hours, and I don't sleep much, so I can stay around if you like." Keliaya@anncarise grins, "So you don't go disturbing all the doctors and nurses." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I'm sure you've got better things to do, Commander. I hate to be a burden" Keliaya@anncarise smirks, "Well you volunteered to get bored in sickbay as well." Keliaya@anncarise: "I can get you some PADDs to read or something, at least." Emma Ralde@crystyll chuckles, "That, I certainly did. Honestly though, it's fine. I'll browse the computer, maybe potter around some and help the Doctor with odd jobs while I'm here" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra nods, "Let me know if you need anything, or if you feel anything unusual." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Will do, thanks Doctor" Keliaya@anncarise smiles, "Thank you for agreeing to this, Ensign." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Eh, no big deal really" Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, I'm sure the rest of the crew will appreciate not having to deal with the uncertainty of being first. So there's that, if no other adjustments to the implant are needed." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I have to admit, I'm still a little surprised you guys came up with such a solution. I mean, augmentation isn't exactly Starfleet's go-to. Last I recall anyway..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Actually, it was the Regulators who made the original schematics, we just refined it for various Federation species and made some minor adjustments. They investigated potential ways to counter - Keliaya@anncarise: - Horde influence, and apparently it was either an implant or genetic modification, and implants are easier to undo. Also not illegal by Federation law." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, genetic modification is definitely /not/ the way to go. I can vouch for that" Keliaya@anncarise: "So your condition is genetic modification related? If you don't mind me asking, of course." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Not in the sense of crazy scientists cooking up DNA in a lab. But the result of the accident was technically a form of genetic modification" Keliaya@anncarise: "A medical related accident?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "Actually an engineering one, if you can believe that" Keliaya@anncarise: "I've certainly never heard of an engineering accident resulting in accidental genetic manipulation..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well this wasn't exactly your typical propultion system Starfleet was experimenting with" Keliaya@anncarise: "I've seen quite a few different propulsion systems. Displacement waves, subspace corridors, transwarp networks...I can't think of anything that would result in a genetic accident." Keliaya@anncarise: "Temporal, maybe. Unless this was some kind of long-distance personal transporter?" Emma Ralde@crystyll chuckles, "No, subspace would be the closest analogy. But the method itself was... archaic" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm assuming the project wasn't successful? And from what you said about Intelligence keeping your file secret, its details aren't open for public viewing either?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Afraid so. Honestly, I think by now it's a moot point and Starfleet is a lot more grown up than it used to be. Now I think they keep it hushed just for the sake of saving face" Keliaya@anncarise: "That would explain why I've never heard of it. I've done a lot of studying on subspace theory." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well... has your research ever led you to any reference to the mycellial network?" Keliaya@anncarise: "There were a few theories about such a layer of subspace which could act like connective tissue for other universes and planes of existence. But it's only ever been observed indirectly through - Keliaya@anncarise: - its influence on and connection with our universe." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, theory..." she smiles a little Keliaya@anncarise grins, "You're about to tell me you've been there, haven't you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "The mycellial plane? Even such a thing really existed, and someone got exposed to unstable Prototaxites stellaviatori spores, one would surely never be allowed to confirm or deny such a theory; + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + fantastical as it may be" Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "I thought as much." Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, I can assure you that the implant we're testing now shouldn't be anywhere near as dangerous as trying to access subspace planes." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I should think so, too!" she chuckles, "So enough about me, what's your story anyway?" Keliaya@anncarise takes a seat on a nearby stool, "It's nowhere near as unique as yours." Keliaya@anncarise: "Though I wish it was, and not just so I can have an interesting story to tell while being vague and remaining mysterious," she smirks. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Which is what makes it so interesting" she smiles Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Trust me, it's not something I'd wish on anyone" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "And I wouldn't wish my life on anyone either, which is why I'd rather it be a more uncommon story than it is." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "It doesn't look so bad from here" Keliaya@anncarise: "Well, I had a fairly usual upbringing for a Denobulan. Not on the homeworld, but a nearby colony where there were plenty of us, as well as a few other different cultures and species." Keliaya@anncarise: "Got into the University of Alpha Centauri and started a degree on theoretical physics, hence the subspace research. Ended up switching to something more practical after most of my family got - Keliaya@anncarise: - killed by an anomaly, so I enlisted in Starfleet. But it just happened to be the time when tensions between the Federation and Klingons were starting to boil over again, so you can probably see - Keliaya@anncarise: - where things went from there." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Aah yes, a familiar tale indeed" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "There's a lot of officers who's had similar experiences. I'm happy to have done all I could to help, but it still wasn't an easy time to get through." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Preaching to the choir there, sister" Keliaya@anncarise: "Were you involved in the war too? Or...some other war Starfleet was in." Emma Ralde@crystyll laughs, "Take your pick!" Keliaya@anncarise narrows her eyes, "You said the propulsion system you were involved in experimenting was archaic. Just how long ago was that?" Emma Ralde@crystyll counts on her fingers, "Oh, let's see. Where are we now... 2420, so... um... and carry the one... yep, about 180 years. give or take" Keliaya@anncarise: "That's...a long time ago. You must've been around for as long as Mia. Or even longer." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, from that old uniform she loves to wear I guess she's from the late 23rd century. I still remember the day we went from clumpy jumpsuits to those skirts..." she smiles Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "That must've been quite a change. I've been through two or three uniform changes, but nothing particularly drastic." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "It sure did raise a few eyebrows at the time, among other things" Keliaya@anncarise laughs, "Sometimes I wish we kept that design." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, looking down herself, "Hey, we're not really that far from it now you know" Keliaya@anncarise: "You did have away mission variants, right? We have those now, but I've never seen a holoprogram where you had anything different back then." Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "Nope! There were more practical coverall variants for those doing more manual work, of course. But everything else was just standard uniform" Keliaya@anncarise: "So you just beamed down to newfound planets like that? What about if the Klingons or Romulans were causing trouble?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shrugs, "We just got on with it. Didn't even think much on it after a while, it was just normal" Keliaya@anncarise: "I suppose pants won't be of any protection against a disruptor anyways..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Exactly!" she laughs --- Rianni@crystyll | Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ship... T'Pia@anncarise rings Rianni's doorbell. Rianni@crystyll: "Nobody's here!" T'Pia@anncarise: "I can hear you!" Rianni@crystyll: "No you can't! I'm... just a voice in your head; wooooooo...." T'Pia@anncarise giggles, "I know you're in there! I can leave you alone if you really want, but you can't just stay cooped up in there all the time..." Rianni@crystyll: "You should know better than to give me a challenge like that... alright, come in if you want. Not like I could really stop you anyway" T'Pia@anncarise steps inside, "I'm the Captain's daughter, not the Captain, you know. I can't just order the door to override locks or anything..." Rianni@crystyll: "No, but your about as resourceful and determined as anyone. You'd find a way if you wanted to" Rianni@crystyll: "So... what's up?" T'Pia@anncarise grins, "Probably!" T'Pia@anncarise takes a seat on the arm of a nearby sofa, "But seriously, have you been cooped up in here all the time outside classes and duty shifts?" Rianni@crystyll shrugs, averting her gaze, "I don't know..." T'Pia@anncarise: "You've been avoiding like...everyone since what happened with Emma..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Have you been back to the program again?" Rianni@crystyll: "Can you blame me?! And no, I don't want to go back there ever again..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Because you found the real Emma and it's all awkward now?" Rianni@crystyll: "No, because they removed my Emma from the program" she turns away T'Pia@anncarise: "Oh...have you talked to the...other Emma about it again?" Rianni@crystyll: "Oh yeah, because /that's/ a conversation to look forward to..." Rianni@crystyll sighs, "Like my personal life wasn't already enough a matter of public opinion" T'Pia@anncarise: "I mean...you two did make nice before, right? And I'm just trying to help, not make it a public debate or anything." Rianni@crystyll looks back, "I know you are Pia, I don't mean anything against you by it" Rianni@crystyll: "It's just that it was hard enough to begin with, what with Zee and everything. I thought I was safe with Emma, now it's worse than ever!" T'Pia@anncarise: "No one could've known you were going to run into her. But now that you have maybe you could, you know, give her a chance." T'Pia@anncarise: "I know you didn't start out on the best of terms, but she had no idea what was going on. Maybe you two can still be friends?" Rianni@crystyll: "Pfft, fat chance! You can't imagine the way she looked at me, disgusted and distainful..." she shudders, "...she made me feel so dirty and small..." T'Pia@anncarise: "There was no way you could've known! She has to understand now..." Rianni@crystyll: "Yeah, well I'm not about to go marching up to her to find out! Won't change the fact that it's all over for us now. I mean... with my-..." hrmphs, "You know what I mean!" folding her arms and pouting T'Pia@anncarise: "I do, but technically it's never started..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Worst case scenario, she still doesn't like you and you have a reason to avoid her now. Which you're doing anyways. But we're going to be on this ship together for a long time. It's better to make - T'Pia@anncarise: - friends with everyone than end up trying to avoid a bunch of people you don't like." Rianni@crystyll eyerolls, "Hey, don't you go Vulcan-ing me with your logic. That's just cheating!" T'Pia@anncarise giggles, "Sorry! Guess I can't help it..." Rianni@crystyll: "Yeah, yeah..." she chuckles a little, at last. "...You're not going to just say your piece then leave me here to rot, are you..." T'Pia@anncarise grins, "Of course not!" T'Pia@anncarise stands, "C'mon. You don't have to try and have what you had with the other Emma with...her, okay that sounded more logical in my head." T'Pia@anncarise: "You know what I mean! You can at least try to be friends, or get along. No harm in trying, right?" Rianni@crystyll slowly and begrudgingly sits up, making quite the show of her reluctance, "So what exactly is your plan here? And don't try to pretend your making this up as you go. I know you better than that!" T'Pia@anncarise: "It's not like I have her waiting outside or anything...I just want you to not brood in here, or have to avoid her or have everything go awkward when you run into her again." T'Pia@anncarise: "Which is probably going to happen, the Valley Forge is big but not /that/ big." Rianni@crystyll: "And I'm not /that/ lucky..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Exactly! So better to get the awkwardness out of the way. Who knows, you might even like each other. I mean...she might not be so bad once you get to know her more..." Rianni@crystyll grumbles, "Still doesn't mean I'm ready to face her. I mean, what would I even do or say? I have /no/ idea what to do. I think I just need time to get my head straight, you know..." T'Pia@anncarise: "I know, but asking for more time just leads to asking for even more time and then you'll delay it forever!" Rianni@crystyll: "You say that like it's a bad thing..." T'Pia@anncarise: "It is when you're going to be on the same ship for years!" T'Pia@anncarise: "I don't think you can plan out a conversation in advance anyways. It never works out like it does in my head. So better to just go and talk to her and...be yourself I guess." Rianni@crystyll: "So... you expect me to just go find her, walk up to her and... what? Strike up a conversation like there's nothing wrong?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Maybe you can...apologize first? I mean she knows what's happened already, but..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Yeah, this is hard..." Rianni@crystyll: "Apologize?! I did nothing wrong! She was the one who flew off the rails!" Rianni@crystyll is not impressed. T'Pia@anncarise: "You didn't, but...it's probably just as awkward for her. Imagine if you found someone with a holo of you..." T'Pia@anncarise: "I don't mean say you did something wrong, just...start off with something to...make sure you don't appear to be the kind of person she first saw you as." Rianni@crystyll softens a little, "I suppose I would be kind of creeped out by that... not unlike when I learned the other me had spent time with my family" T'Pia@anncarise: "So maybe you can...un-creep her out. And show her that you're a nice person!" Rianni@crystyll: "I don't know... maybe..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Start with like...Hi Emma, I'm sorry we had to meet like that, maybe you'd like to start over or something! Without the 'or something' part. That was me and not what you should say." Rianni@crystyll giggles, "If it will get you to stop trying to think up things to say... fine, I'll do it" T'Pia@anncarise beams, "Great!" T'Pia@anncarise: "So...do you want me to come along, or would you rather do this alone?" Rianni@crystyll: "Will you believe me if I say I'll get right on it as soon as you're gone...?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Nope." Rianni@crystyll: "That's what I thought..." she resigns, grabbing her jacket off the chair T'Pia@anncarise: "So...let's go find her?" Rianni@crystyll: "Sure. Maybe we can... check the lounge first? You know, that one tucked all the way in the bowels of the ship? They do a good stiff brandy that's great for the nerves according to Daz" Rianni@crystyll suggest over-optimistically T'Pia@anncarise: "Sounds like an idea! Try not to drink too much though...you don't want to come off as awkward or anything!" T'Pia@anncarise makes towards the door, "Come on!" Rianni@crystyll: "That's exactly /why/ I need a drink..." --- Emma Ralde@crystyll is relaxing in the mess hall, on light duties with the early hours of being out from sickbay with the implant trial Emma Ralde@crystyll currently stands at a serving hatch chatting with the chef while he dishes something Emma Ralde@crystyll speaks to Chef. T'Pia@anncarise leads Rianni to the mess hall, going first and quickly darting back out as she spots Emma. T'Pia@anncarise quietly speaks to Rianni outside, "She's here!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni almost bumps into the retreating T'Pia, "Woah, what's up?" T'Pia@anncarise grins, "You picked a good spot to check! She's right inside!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni, "What?! Noo... nonono, I can't do this..." she starts to back away T'Pia@anncarise frowns, "I shouldn't have told you, should I..." T'Pia@anncarise: "You can do this Rianni! I believe in you!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni, maybe we should just go somehwere else..." T'Pia@anncarise tries to smile reassuringly, "You've come this far already Rianni. C'mon! Just this one awkward time and it'll be better afterwards when you get to know her." T'Pia@anncarise: "And if you still decide you don't like each other, well...you can just avoid each other and it'll be less awkward if you're both doing it." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni draws a deep breath before giving a firm nod, "Ok. We're doing this!" T'Pia@anncarise beams, "We're doing this!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni then promptly turns TP around by her shoulders and shoves her through the door first T'Pia@anncarise: "Hey!" T'Pia@anncarise stumbles in through the door first. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around at the sudden commossion, "Aww, hey you ok there hun?" moving to help steady the clumsy little Vulcan T'Pia@anncarise: "Oh! Hi! Yes, I'm, uhh..." she glances behind her to see if Rianni followed her in. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni seems to have - by some inexplicable means - not been behind her T'Pia@anncarise: "I swear there must be some gravity plating issues over there..." T'Pia@anncarise trails back over to the door to check for Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni loiters innocently just out of view Emma Ralde@crystyll tilts her head with a puzzled expression, /Damn, even the Vulcans are odd on this ship.../ T'Pia@anncarise turns back to Emma, "Woooah...yeah, definitely gravity plating issues. Are you in engineering? Can you check it out?" Emma Ralde@crystyll hrms, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feelt, "Wierd, it feels ok to me. You sure you're ok?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Maybe it's the...plating just out here. I think it's different plates, the one here and the one in the mess..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni goes wide eyed giving TP a 'what are you playing at' look Emma Ralde@crystyll steps over, "What, over here?" she does the same test again just short of the door T'Pia@anncarise steps back over across the door, "It feels okay in here. I think it's definitely the one in the hall.” Emma Ralde@crystyll hrms again, stepping outside and doing the same, "Nope. Still feels ok out here" Emma Ralde@crystyll tilts her head some at what seemed like a blue blur around the corner /What the hell was that, am I seeing things now?/ T'Pia@anncarise: "See? I'm not the one seeing things! Maybe it's a...mysterious alien with teleporting powers playing tricks on us on the ship!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hm? What?" T'Pia@anncarise: "You know. The sort of weird stuff Starfleet runs into all the time? You should investigate!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "You saw something?" T'Pia@anncarise nods, "You should totally investigate!" Emma Ralde@crystyll hrms, "Alright. You stay here, can't be too safe" Emma Ralde@crystyll: /And I don't trust that you're not up to something/ Emma Ralde@crystyll is not impressed. Emma Ralde@crystyll finds Rianni loitering conspicuously and pretending to inspect a wall panel, "You again..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni, "Oh! Hi there, well isn't this a coincidence..." she flusters T'Pia@anncarise: "It wasn't, she was just too embarrassed to talk to you again!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Pia!" T'Pia@anncarise giggles, "Okay, I'll keep quiet!" Emma Ralde@crystyll looks between the two with a confused expression /Oh Goddess, it's a double act/ T'Pia@anncarise: "It wasn't supposed to be! She was just supposed to go in and talk!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Wasn't supposed to be what? What are you two up to?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Well...she was supposed to come and just...make nice..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "... 'make nice'?" she looks to Rianni Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni shuffles awkwardly, "Yeah, you know because your creepy- I mean /I'm/ creepy- no! Dammit" she sighs, "This was a coherent sentence in my head before, I swear!" T'Pia@anncarise: "See this is why you can't plan conversations..." Emma Ralde@crystyll perks a brow, "I'm... going to go sit down and eat my lunch now. You two decide on figuring out what it is you're trying to say. Come join me, ok" T'Pia@anncarise: "Yes! Definitely! Come on Rianni!" Emma Ralde@crystyll turns and leaves the pair to it, smiling a little at Rianni's perking up Emma Ralde@crystyll: /Haven't cute flustered look that cute in a long time.../ T'Pia@anncarise follows Emma in, looking behind her to make sure Rianni is following too. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni doubletakes, still frozen and staring after Emma, "Did she just call me cute..." T'Pia@anncarise: "I...think so. See, she thinks you're cute! Go on!" T'Pia@anncarise continues following Emma, checking if Rianni is coming along. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni hesitates a moment longer before nodding, this time taking TP's hand, "Ok, but promise you won't leave me alone with her" T'Pia@anncarise smiles, "I promise!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles and leads the pair over to Emma's table, taking a seat opposite the Orion T'Pia@anncarise takes a seat in the middle, still smiling. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks up at the pair as they sit, "So, got your words in order in now?" T'Pia@anncarise looks to Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni flushes, "I just... I wanted to say that I am sorry you were hurt because of me and the other you. I actually know how that feels..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh?" she leans back a little Emma Ralde@crystyll: /well this should be good.../ T'Pia@anncarise smiles encouragingly at Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Well it's kind of hard to explain, but in short I got kind of... copied, by these aliens. And when I returned, I found out the other me had been spending time with my family. And I was, + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + like, well... really pissed" Emma Ralde@crystyll perks a brow, "Right..." T'Pia@anncarise nods, "The other Rianni was living her life and everything for a whole year." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I see. So..." shakes her head, "Nope, sorry. Still not getting it" T'Pia@anncarise looks to Rianni, "I think you need to elaborate a little more..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni sighs, "I know it's not the same thing, but... I felt really betrayed in that, violated. And talking it over with Pia made me realize that you must have felt like that before..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Sorry, Pia?" T'Pia@anncarise raises her hand, "That's me! It's short for T'Pia." T'Pia@anncarise: "Oh yeah...I never introduced myself! Sorry, I was too busy trying to get Rianni to talk to you. I'm T'Pia!" she smiles. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Aah. Emma, nice to meet you" she smiles back T'Pia@anncarise: "Nice to meet you too!" T'Pia@anncarise: "So...yeah. What Rianni said! Not exactly the same but she, uh...I probably shouldn't speak for her..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Honestly, I think you're doing a better job of it than me..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: chuckles at the pair /she might be right/ T'Pia@anncarise grins, "Maybe, but you should still speak for yourself!" Emma Ralde@crystyll watches the pair as they talk /these two make a cute couple/ T'Pia@anncarise: "Hey! I'm only 2 years old! But you're like...200, aren't you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hm? What's that got to do with anything?" T'Pia@anncarise giggles, "You said we'd make a cute couple, but I'm way too young!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What?! No I didn't!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And what do you mean you're only 2?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Yes you did! I heard it! And you heard right too!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I... did?" she looks between the pair Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni nods T'Pia@anncarise: "See, she heard it too! It's not me using some...Vulcan mind power or something." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to speak out loud... so what's all this about you being two? Twenty-two I could believe..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Says the person who looks twenty two but is closer to two hundred and two..." T'Pia@anncarise grins, "It's a long story." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Seems everyone around here has got one of those" Emma Ralde@crystyll: /and I seem destined to hear them all/ T'Pia@anncarise: "Hey I don't have to tell if you don't want to hear it! I'm just here to get Rianni to talk to you!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What? No, please continue. If you want to of course, I mean you did bring it up. It sounds like an interesting story" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni watches Emma with a confused look at the Orion's backtracking T'Pia@anncarise looks to Rianni confused too, "I thought you just said..." Emma Ralde@crystyll looks back, with shared confusion, "What?" T'Pia@anncarise: "You said you seem destined to hear them all like you didn't want to hear everyone's long stories..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What? That's crazy talk1" T'Pia@anncarise: "Nevermind...anyways! We're here about Rianni! And you." T'Pia@anncarise looks to Rianni again for her to say something. Emma Ralde@crystyll also looks back to Rianni Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni shifts in her seat under the attention, "Look, I know you're not her. I just... I don't want us starting on a bad foot from all of this, you know?" T'Pia@anncarise smiles and nods approvingly. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I... know you didn't mean anything from it. I guess I'm just a bit old fashioned when it comes to stuff like that; I still see holos like that as the kind of thing dirty Ferengi peddle..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /though the Vulcan Slave Girls one was suprisingly satisfying.../ T'Pia@anncarise: "Umm..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Oh relax, I know that it wasn't one of those Ferengi holos!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I mean, I've come to understand that Mia evolved from a holo and helped make that one in the same way. I have to admit, the characters in there of people I knew were scarily lifelike..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Were they really like the people you knew?" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, "It was like being back there all over again" T'Pia@anncarise: "Wow, Mia did a really good job then!" Emma Ralde@crystyll looks to Rianni: "So I guess... even though I can't ever picture myself going with a holo, I can see better how someone could now" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "I don't expect anything here. I know you're not her, I just... well, I mean could we maybe..." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles /Damn... definitily cute when flustered/ Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni flushes, "W- what?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "What you just said..." T'Pia@anncarise giggles. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I said 'what'. You were asking something and said 'could we maybe what'. But I don't know what 'what' is. So I asked' what'..." T'Pia@anncarise: "No, before you said what!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "...what?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok, now I feel like you two are just toying with me..." T'Pia@anncarise: "More like you toying with Rianni..." T'Pia@anncarise: "That's the second time you called her cute!" Emma Ralde@crystyll flushes a deep green, "What? No I didn't!" T'Pia@anncarise: "You totally did!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni nods, "Heard it clear as day!" T'Pia@anncarise nods too. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "This is crazy, I never said anything of the kind!" T'Pia@anncarise: "We both heard it..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /Either these two are winding me up or something weird is going on.../ T'Pia@anncarise raise her hands, "I promise, we're not messing with you." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What are you on about?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Look at Rianni! She was too embarrassed to even talk to you! We're definitely not messing with you." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /she is adorably shy.../ T'Pia@anncarise giggles and looks to Rianni for her reaction. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni flushes deeply, not knowing where to look T'Pia@anncarise grins, "You made her shy again!" Emma Ralde@crystyll tilts her head, "What did I do?! You're the one who commented about her being embarassed" T'Pia@anncarise: "And you said she was adorably shy!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "What?! I..." she looks to Rianni hesitantly before objecting again Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Did I...?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni nods T'Pia@anncarise nods too. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Wait a minute..." Emma Ralde@crystyll looks at the pair intently, not moving a muscle /Can you still hear me?/ T'Pia@anncarise: "Yes..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But I didn't move my lips, or make a sound" T'Pia@anncarise: "But I heard you. Did you hear that too Rianni?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Yes, but your mouth didn't mouth..." T'Pia@anncarise: "How did you do that?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok, this is not good..." she stands, "I have to go to sickbay..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Is...it normal? Or..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /and I was actually starting to enjoy her company too.../ Emma Ralde@crystyll: "This is anything but normal" T'Pia@anncarise: "So it's never happened to you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "No, something has gone terribly wrong and I think I know what's responsible. But I don't know what's happened" T'Pia@anncarise stands, "Do you want us to come with you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I'm sure it's nothing..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /but I'm actually more scared than I want to admit right now.../ T'Pia@anncarise: "Umm...we heard that last bit you know." Emma Ralde@crystyll frowns, "Dammit! Fine... if - you know - you really insist on coming..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Yeah...we should probably get you to sickbay. Come on!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni offers a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, we'll get this figured out" T'Pia@anncarise leads the way to sickbay. Emma Ralde@crystyll looks around as they enter, "Doctor?" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra emerges from her office, "Ensign. Is something wrong?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, I think so. This gizmo of yours is backfiring!" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Can you be more specific?" Emma Ralde@crystyll folds her arms, staring silently /you tell me, Doctor/ T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Okay. That is definitely not supposed to happen." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra leads her over to the central bed, "Just lie down here and I'll figure out what's wrong." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, no kidding..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: zzzZZZzzz... Emma Ralde@crystyll slumbers peacefully. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So, uh... I was in the mess hall with these two when it became apparent. Figured you probably wanted to check them as well, you know to be safe and all right?" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra heads over and taps the interface on the bed to run some scans while she moves over to monitor the results on the console. T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra nods over to the other beds, "I suspect it's only due to your implant, but I'll check them over just to be safe." She motions over to two other beds. T'Pia@anncarise heads over, "What's this...implant...gizmo thing?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni lingers, eyes on Emma a moment T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Well it's /supposed/ to make thoughts unreadable. But it seems to be having the opposite effect on the Ensign..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /I can't remember the last time I actually felt scared like this.../ Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni diverts to her bed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, "Don't worry. Kazra will figure this out, and we're right here with you" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles faintly, "Thanks..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: /*string of Orion expletives*-ing implant!?/ T'Pia@anncarise giggles. Emma Ralde@crystyll groans T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra runs scans on T'Pia and Rianni as well before going over to see if she can figure out what's going wrong with the implant. Emma Ralde@crystyll | No signs of anything wrong with TP & Rianni T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Looks like T'Pia and Rianni are fine. It's just you the implant is affecting." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "The implant normally takes and encodes all of your neural signals. It must be broadcasting them...somehow." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Maybe you should pull this thing out of me and start over..." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "It's easier if we can adjust it, but we probably have enough data to check what it's doing wrong if you really want it removed." Emma Ralde@crystyll sighs, "This is what the testing is for, right? If you can adjust it and make my thoughts my own again then let's just get on with it" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra nods, "I'm sure we'll be able to adjust it without taking it out again. Now just to figure out what exactly it's doing wrong..." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra taps on the console, trying to figure out what exactly the implant is doing with Emma's neural signals. Emma Ralde@crystyll | It looks to be an oversight in the settings that did not part of neural processing inversion into account. It almost seems counter intuitive, but a simple reversal of that element should do it T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Ah, just a little mistake. This shouldn't be difficult to fix at all. You don't even need to be unconscious." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra stands from the console and moves over to Emma's bed, "Just need to adjust one of the implant's settings. A little pulse should trigger the new setup. It won't hurt at all." T'Pia@anncarise | She smiles reassuringly and taps the interface on the bed, sending the pulse to Emma's implant. Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Alright then" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra returns to the console by the central bed, monitoring the implant after adjusting its settings. T'Pia@anncarise: "We can get up now, right?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I hope so, else I'm in trouble here..." she looks to Kazra T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra chuckles, "Yes, you're fine. But don't go running off just yet, Ensign." T'Pia@anncarise | She stands and makes her way back over to Emma's bed, "Okay. Try thinking something again." Emma Ralde@crystyll twists her lip, "Tell me I'm not going to have to spend another 24hrs in here..." Emma Ralde@crystyll concentrates, thinking something specific T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Well, that problem's gone, at least. But we'll have to keep you here for another day for close observation." T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra pauses for a second before chuckling, "You're free to go, Ensign. We'll be monitoring your vitals from here, just keep your combadge on you at all times like before, even when off duty." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Business as usual then. Got it!" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra nods, "Let me know if anything else like that happens. But hopefully everything should be set properly now." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So no more of my thoughts 'leaking' into the heads of others nearby?" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "You're all good now. It was nothing more than a small settings issue. Like you said, that's why we need testing." T'Pia@anncarise: "Oh well, it was nice while it lasted..." T'Pia@anncarise smirks at Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni looks disappointed for some unknown reason... Emma Ralde@crystyll glances over her shoulder, "Next time, we can plug one of these things into your head and see how you like it then" she teases T'Pia@anncarise: "Nooo thank you!" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "We'll all have to get one of those eventually..." T'Pia@anncarise: "But the settings will be set properly!" T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra smiles, "Yes they will, now that we know what to do." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok then, if we're all good here. I was in the middle of my lunch..." T'Pia@anncarise hops down from the edge of the bed, "Back to the mess hall then!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ciao Doctor" Emma Ralde@crystyll steps out into the hallway, looking to return to her lunch... T'Pia@anncarise | Kazra: "Be sure to check in if ther'es anything else, Ensign!" T'Pia@anncarise looks to make sure Rianni is coming along too. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni hurries to catch up to Emma, falling in behind her, "So... you really think I'm cute?" T'Pia@anncarise leads the way to the mess hall, pretending to totally not be listening in (Vulcan ears are useful). Emma Ralde@crystyll pauses and drops her head in defeat, shaking it lightly, "Damned implant..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "Don't worry, it can't be helped! The importan thing is that you're all good now" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Ok, yeah..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "See! It's all good once you look at it right" T'Pia@anncarise gets in the lift and gets it going to the mess hall, "Yeah, not a bad thing to let others know what you're thinking sometimes!" Emma Ralde@crystyll steps into the turbolift, "No I mean; yeah. As in yes, you are cute..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni beams T'Pia@anncarise giggles slightly as she listens. Emma Ralde@crystyll raises a hand to her as they travel, "But that doesn't mean anything! I still don't know you from anyone else on board. So... no jumping the gun! Friends?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "Sounds perfect!" T'Pia@anncarise beams happily. Emma Ralde@crystyll still carries a slightly deeper green in her cheeks from the whole fiasco. Content with silence as they continue to the mess hall T'Pia@anncarise leads the way back to their table and sits down between the two again. Emma Ralde@crystyll returns to the table, sighing as she pokes at the now cold food Emma Ralde@crystyll looks at the pair, "Were you two even here to eat before, or did you come just to see me?" T'Pia@anncarise: "Well...I was trying to convince Rianni to talk to you and explain things...but she suggested getting a drink here first!" T'Pia@anncarise: "So...kind of both?" Emma Ralde@crystyll looks at the empty table in front of the pair, "Doing well on the whole drink part I see" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "If you're only two years old, are you even allowed to drink?" T'Pia@anncarise: "I was just going to get a kava juice!" T'Pia@anncarise: "I guess I'm still biologically on the young side to drink. But on the other hand I'm half-Vulcan, so alcohol doesn't affect me as much..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Pfft, even pureblooded Vulcans aren't as immune as they like everyone to believe! But that's all good, as long as I'm not in danger of getting in trouble with your parents. It's one thing for a + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + cadet to be creating mischief, but an officer doesn't get away with it so easy" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Hey! I don't make mischief! That's her job" points at TP T'Pia@anncarise chuckles, "I guess I did get you into this..." T'Pia@anncarise: "But don't worry I'll stick with juices! I don't want to get you into trouble! Or myself." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Anyway, a successful mystery solved deserves a little celebration. What do you say Emma, can I get you anything?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Alright, fine; I'll have a wine. It has been one of those days..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "Two wines and a kava juice then!" and heads off to get their drinks Emma Ralde@crystyll looks to TP, "So you never did get to explaining this whole two years old thing. Though you said your only half-Vulcan so, what... half Ocampa or something?" T'Pia@anncarise laughs, "Not half Ocampa! I...actually have no idea what a half Ocampa lifespan would be like. But we do have an Ocampa on board so maybe you can ask her!" T'Pia@anncarise: "Mum doesn't like her, but she's allowed to go around the ship when her Chlasi teacher is accompanying her." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well even if you split the difference, it would average out to about the same as a typical Human lifespan" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "There's a Chlasi on board too? Damn, this Captain really does run an open ship, doesn't she..." T'Pia@anncarise: "We need all the help we can get for this mission!" T'Pia@anncarise: "Plus, the Chlasi are nice people." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, if you ignore the genetic stick up their ass, sure. Eh, I suppose they're not all bad. Just always preferred the more laid back folks I guess, like the Arshai" T'Pia@anncarise: "You came here from the New World, right?" Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Yep" T'Pia@anncarise: "It looks like a very nice place to live. With the fancy city and beautiful landscape and everything." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "It sure was something. I can't imagine the Orion people ever having done so well if not for the Arshai there. At least, I /couldn't/ have but your arrival there brought news of some new homeworld" T'Pia@anncarise: "Yeah! A lot of the other Orions are along because they want to visit once we finish our mission." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "So you mentioned your mum, I take it she works on board too then? Given the reference to this disliked Ocampa... Just the two of you, or you got more family around?" T'Pia@anncarise grins, "Well this is her ship, so you can say she works on board..." Emma Ralde@crystyll gives her a quirked look, "Wait... noooo? For real - you're the Captain's daughter?" T'Pia@anncarise nods and continues grinning. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Damn... well now I'm really glad you didn't get a real drink..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But ok, so... she doesn't even seem that old for a Vulcan herself, even for a two year old. There has to be a story in this..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni returns with their drinks, "Here we are!" T'Pia@anncarise smiles, "Thanks Rianni!" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles, "Thank you, just in time too as T'Pia was about to tell me how exactly she is 'only' two years old" Emma Ralde@crystyll leans in to Rianni ,"And you could have told me she's the Captain's daughter!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni giggles, "Sorry, I guess I didn't even think of that!" T'Pia@anncarise: "Too bad you can't hear our thoughts, right?" she smirks. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hey, let's not go there again!" she smiles, actually seeming to relax some now and - dare say - even enjoy the company... T'Pia@anncarise: "But yeah...we were exploring as we usually do, by we I mean the Valley Forge since I wasn't really born yet..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Actually mum didn't even know she had me yet, and we met this civilization who didn't give birth to live young. So they thought I was a parasite and accelerated my growth in their procedure to - T'Pia@anncarise: - remove me. And that acceleration continued after mum cleared up the misunderstanding and took a while to stop, so...here I am!" T'Pia@anncarise: "That was about two years ago, so I'm technically two, even though I'm biologically older." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Wow... Well Vulcans are never easy to read, but in terms of their lifespans, you don't look that much younger than your mother. What, 10-15 years in it?" T'Pia@anncarise: "About that! Mum's not very old either, for a Vulcan at least!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And so here you are. Well I must say, you come across as very grown up for a toddler" she smiles T'Pia@anncarise smiles too, "Luckily mum was able to use Vulcan mind melding to make sure my mental development caught up with my physical." T'Pia@anncarise: "See, sharing your mind is /really/ useful!" Emma Ralde@crystyll sips her drink as she listens curiously, "That's what I thought, mind melds are more like telepathy. Your mother must be far more disciplined that the cheery demeanor lets on if she is able to + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + perform such an advanced meld" T'Pia@anncarise: "I mean, she is a Starfleet Captain..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "If anything, that carries /less/ weight with Vulcan society than bolstering the argument" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And neither of you exactly come across as your typical Vulcans..." T'Pia@anncarise: "She's not a typical- exactly!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "Yeah, they're both much friendlier! Not that Vulcans aren't friendly... I mean, they smile a lot! I've even heard the Captain make jokes before!" Emma Ralde@crystyll perks an ironically Vulcanesque brow at the pair... Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni giggles T'Pia@anncarise laughs at Emma's expression, "Hey...you're not half Vulcan are you?" Emma Ralde@crystyll doesn't get it Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Hey! You people don't have a monopoly on bemused expressions you know!" she chuckles, sipping more wine T'Pia@anncarise: "That's true! And if you were half Vulcan you'd have pointed ears like Tee..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Have you met T'Quila yet?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "T-what? Now I know you're pulling my leg!" T'Pia@anncarise: "No I'm not! She's half Vulcan like me, but she's also half Orion!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "No kidding... Only an Orion parent could see the funny side of naming a child that" she chuckles T'Pia@anncarise: "I'm not sure where the name comes from...you'll have to ask her about that! You should really meet her sometime!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I'm sure that day will come. But seriously, is there anyone on this ship who /doesn't/ have a story?" T'Pia@anncarise: "I mean...everyone has a story. Not all of them involve explaining why you're two years old..." she smirks. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Or two-hundred I bet..." T'Pia@anncarise: "Or that!" T'Pia@anncarise: "I mean Mia and Professor Lycas are close to your age. And I'm pretty sure the Chlasi is around two hundred. If not over two hundred." T'Pia@anncarise: "But then again, Sin's around my age, but she's an Ocampa so..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yeah, but they're supposed to be. Well ok, maybe not Mia but she gets away with it because AI" T'Pia@anncarise: "And I'm not supposed to be around 15 either! So I guess we're both older than we're supposed to be. Just...in different ways." Emma Ralde@crystyll chuckles, "I would say you remind me of me at your age, but /I/ still remind me of me at your age!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "I have to admit, you don't come across as someone so..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Old? It's ok Rianni, you can say it. I'd be in real trouble if I took offense from my age!" she laughs T'Pia@anncarise laughs and mouths, "Say experienced" to Rianni. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles at TP, "Experienced! /That's/ the word I was looking for, not old! Nobody could accuse you of looking old" Emma Ralde@crystyll eyerolls, "Flatterer" T'Pia@anncarise giggles. Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But yes, part of my condition means that my physiology remains unchanged from the time of the accident. Bio & neuro chemistry, hormones & pheromones; all unchanged. So you're right, it's not just my+ Emma Ralde@crystyll: + outward appearnce, but I literally don't grow up..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni considers her a long moment, "That must be really sad to think about. I'm sorry, we can talk about something else!" Emma Ralde@crystyll raises a hand, leaning back in her chair, "It's fine, honestly. After all you've been through on account of me, I feel I owe you a little honesty anyway" T'Pia@anncarise: "I mean...you were very honest with that implant earlier..." Emma Ralde@crystyll grumbles, "Yeah... you're never letting that go are you..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni beams, "Nope! You thought it, you can't take it back!" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Just... ease back to impulse there, hotshot. Thinking is one thing, saying out loud is another" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles: "I know, don't worry. We're just teasing now" T'Pia@anncarise giggles and nods in agreement with Rianni.

View AAR

MEDICAL REPORT STARFLEET SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL 2 | Confidential

FILED BY

CMDR Meel

ON STARDATE

97315.6

LOCATION

KEY PERSONNEL

Sectors V-017

CAPT Se'Lai

CMDR Meel

LCDR Keliaya

ENS Ralde

MISSION PARAMETERSOUTCOME SUMMARY Conduct stage 2 - live test - trials on newly developed telepathic inhibitor implant Initial results show promise. Proceeding to stage 3 - long term exposure & removal.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The implant has been tested to the best of our abilities, and those of the telepaths on board. While results are promising, we have no basis for comparison with the designed capability of withstanding Horde influence. Measures must be taken to fully stress test the system before we consider rolling it out to the whole crew.

NARRATIVE

After debriefing the Captain on the success of the stage 1 trials, we agreed to proceed with stage 2. From a brief deliberation, we settled on the Captain's recommendation of ENS Ralde as the most promising candidate for this first trial - owing to her unique metabolism and recovery rate, it was agreed that she was at the lowest risk. The Ensign reported to sickbay and - despite her understandable early apprehension - she agreed to participate and was given the implant.

The first installation demonstrated a polarity error in the configuration of the implant. Whilst this technically yielded the correct results in preventing telepaths from directly touching her mind, it had the undesirable side effect of 'projecting' her thoughts into the minds of those near to her. This was soon remedied and a calibration adjustment was applied, which proved to be far more in line with simulated results.