ST:TTV518 | "Shiny"

Stardate 97353.9

A rare insight into the life & rhyme of who is arguably the Valley Forge's most unique new addition; Tiah. But an innocent trip to the holodeck with well meaning friends can have unpredictable results when dealing with such a different lifeform to that the crew are typically accustomed to...

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Rianni@crystyll | Inside a modest quarters on the VF, all is quiet and the lights are dimmed. It is morning on board and there is an almost serene quality to the room as is Rianni@crystyll | Were one to glance past the quiet main room and towards the bedroom, the shape of a person could easily be seen sleeping peacefully beneath a set of light silken sheets Rianni@crystyll | The sleeping figure slowly stirs with a very natural waking, clearly not someone with a set alarm for a duty shift. Or someone who forgot to set it... Rianni@crystyll | The figure rolls over to betray a female physique beneath the light sheets and... POOF! a bushel of furry tails swish out from under the sheets like a freshly fluffed puffball Rianni@crystyll | A full bodied waking stretch drags the sheet far enough back for a vulpine ear to pop out, twitching back and forth lightly as it's owner registers a waking state with an accompanying yawn Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smile contentedly, rolling over to lay a hand on the empty half of the bed beside her. She pats around some behind her before rolling over to see that she is alone, and pouts a little Rianni@crystyll | She scooches across and curls up on the other half of the bed with a fresh smile as she welcome the familiar scent from the pillow there, and quite likely it's cool surface as well Rianni@crystyll | It would appear she is set for the day here, until a low gurgling rumble betrays her empty stomach from beneath the sheets. She frowns and shifts some, determined not to give up her spot Rianni@crystyll | Another gurgle and another shift in position. It is a losing battle... Rianni@crystyll | With a defeated sigh she gives another long stretch, even stretching out her toes from beyond the end of the sheets while giving another yawn, which has an almost yelping sound to it Rianni@crystyll | She rolls out of bed, surprisingly gracefully given her denial about the need to get up. She sits there a moment, smelling the flowers behind the headboard with a smile before standing and padding+ Rianni@crystyll + barefoot through to the main room Rianni@crystyll | Tiah looks around and instructs the computer to adjust the lighting slightly, just as TQ had taught her too in order to not make it glaringly bright. The room now has the soft hue of an early dawn Rianni@crystyll | She smiles victoriously - evidently having also lost that battle before too - and moves to the replicator to find something to eat Rianni@crystyll | After a moment, she returns to the sofa though does not sit. She climbs up and over it, curling up on the shelf behind it where she eats looking out at the stars Rianni@crystyll | Fading to some time later and she is lazing on the sofa, reading a PADD which barely seems to hold her interest Rianni@crystyll | She groans, lowering her arm to the floor with the PADD still in hand and flops face first on the sofa, tails swishing around as a betrayal of her serene mood. She has the itch to explore... Rianni@crystyll | Tiah hops up and winds her way across the room to the door, stepping out into the usual bustling corridor beyond Rianni@crystyll | She looks left and right, after walking almost stright into a passing junior officer who was busy walking and reading. She still could not understand why everyone was always in such a rush... Rianni@crystyll | After picking a direction at random, she strolls along idly tracing a hand lightly across the different surfaces around her; the brushed metal walls, the smooth surface of the LCARS screens. All + Rianni@crystyll + so different to sight, sound, scent and... she pauses randomly to the surprise of passers by, and tentatively licks a wall panel... yep, to taste as well Rianni@crystyll | She smacks her lips after with a frown, pawing at her tongue. Evidently not a nice taste, from the scrunched up face. It was all so varied and wondrous, but all equally dead and meaningless to her Rianni@crystyll | Tiah decided she longed for the familiarity of life, a realization marked by an excited twitch in her tails before she turned sharply and almost skipped away in a new direction Rianni@crystyll | Tiah arrives in the arboretum, looking around wistfully and breathing deeply T'Emp@anncarise | Mei turns around from an analysis she is conducting, "Hello Tiah. Here to start your day?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah continues to explore around the immediate area, almost oblivious to Mai's comment, "Tiah felt the longing to be around life again" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei smiles, "I'm sure the plants have missed you too." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles, turning back to Mei with a flourish of her tails, "Tiah has missed them too!" she traces a hand across the petal of an exotic flower T'Emp@anncarise | Mei steps over, "Do you remember what this one is called still?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah tilts her head, ears twitching back and forth, "Tiah does not have a name for this one" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei: "It's the Pacifican Lycaste Orchid. Do you still remember the Risian Sea Lavender?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah blinks absently T'Emp@anncarise | Mei moves over and points it out, "That's this one here. Do you remember what I told you about the planet it's native to, Risa?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles and bounds over gracefully to enjoy it's colours, "Tiah remembers the pretty water plant!" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei smiles, "Risa is a planet in the region of the galaxy that the Valley Forge is from. It has quite a lot of water and is well known for its beauty, so much so that people come from across - T'Emp@anncarise: - the Federation to visit. I think you will like it there." Rianni@crystyll ;| Tiah: "But beauty is all around! Why do people need to go so far to enjoy it?" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei: "Well, it's different kinds of beauty. Like all the plants you see in the arboretum. They're pretty, but they're also different from one another, and you don't usually see all of them in - T'Emp@anncarise: - place. We have a nice collection here, but there's plenty of varieties we don't have, which you would have to visit other planets to see." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah: "But all are beautiful." shakes her head, "Tiah think people are funny! You start surrounded by beauty, then you leave in dead boxes and covet that beauty, then go find more of what you + Rianni@crystyll: + already had!" she laughs Rianni@crystyll | Tiah twirls away, continuing her whimsical exploration of the area before pausing at a nearby section where she sniffs the air T'Emp@anncarise | Mei sighs and follows after Tiah, looking to her as she sniffs the air, "Just enjoying the freshness, or are you detecting something off?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah jumps over the planter and towards the back, circling around and back on herself with the occassional pause. She eventually traces her way towards a seemingly normal looking plant T'Emp@anncarise | Mei observes curiously, trying to figure out why the plant has caught Tiah's attention. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah looks back to Mei with saddened eyes, "Can we help it?" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei: "We will certainly try. What's wrong with it?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah caresses it's leaves, "It is not happy..." T'Emp@anncarise | Mei moves closer to check out the plant and see if it looks healthy. Rianni@crystyll | The plant appears perfectly healthy. A little droopy perhaps, but nothing untoward T'Emp@anncarise | Mei: "It seems to be in good health to me. Do you know what is making it unhappy?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah thinks a moment before running off, tails disappearing through the bushes in a flurry T'Emp@anncarise | Mei stays by the plant but her gaze follows Tiah to see what she is doing. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah returns a few moments later, carefully carrying another plant in her hands with a scoop of soil around it's roots Rianni@crystyll | She digs down beside the plant with her bare hand and gently sets the new plant in, carefully bedding the soil back around it T'Emp@anncarise | Mei: "Are you...giving it a friend?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles, "It needed a friend, yes! See?" she watches the plant closely still T'Emp@anncarise | Mei joins her, intently observing the plant for any changes. Rianni@crystyll | For the longest time, it seems that nothing is occurring. But as they continue to closely watch, the lonely plant appears to perk up and brighten some. The new plant is set at a lean across the + Rianni@crystyll: + first one which is much smaller, and close observation would give note of tiny barbs on the underside of the larger plants leaves. Under their shade, it appears to be pollinating the smaller plant T'Emp@anncarise | Mei smiles, "Well done, Tiah! I'm still not fully sure how you know what they need so well, but we're lucky to have you around." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah beams proudly, tails swishing happily behind her, "Life begets life! Isn't it beautiful!" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei nods, "Yes it is. Thank you for helping it, Tiah." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles, "You are so nice Mei, Tiah always enjoys time with you! But now is time for this one to explore some more!" T'Emp@anncarise | Mei smiles back, "Go ahead Tiah. Don't let me keep you here." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah heads off with a happy skip in her step... T'Emp@anncarise | Mei chuckles with a slight shake of her head as she watches Tiah head off. Rianni@crystyll meanwhile, is walking down the corridor having just finished her classes for the day, when she runs in Tiah, "Oh, hey Tiah! You look in a good mood!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles, "Yes, Tiah decided this place tastes funny so went to make some plants happy!" Rianni@crystyll: "Um... sure, ok good. Yeah, good for you!" she chuckles Rianni@crystyll | Tiah: "You seem happy as well Rianni. Ooh, did you make happy plants too?" Rianni@crystyll: "No... no, not today... I'm actually just getting off duty and was going to spend some time on the holodeck" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah twiddles her foot idly, "Off duty yes? That's nice. Kwaylah is still on duty for a long time..." Rianni@crystyll purses her lips, shaking her head lightly with a smile at the very unsubtle cry of 'I'm bored', "Say... why don't you come with me?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah instantly perks up, ears high and alert while her tails swish widly with excitement, much to the dismay of a passing ensign who loses an armful of PADD's Rianni@crystyll | Tiah looks around with an innocence even Rianni would struggle to get away with, "Oh, oops! You dropped your things..." Rianni@crystyll discretely tries - unsuccessfully - to restrain the wild tails as Tiah turns, "I'm sorry, Ensign. Let me help you, I just need to..." she grunts, as the tails continue to evade her grasp Rianni@crystyll | The ensign shakes his head, "It's fine, really. I'll just..." he scoops them up and backs away hastily Rianni@crystyll | Tiah turns back to Rianni with and eager smile Rianni@crystyll eyerolls and chuckles, "Just... meet me at holodeck 3 in fifteen minutes if you want to come with, ok?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah nods, "Tiah will be there!" before gliding away, timed just so for Rianni to get a facefull of swishing tail as she passes Rianni@crystyll slumps and sharply blows out a stray strand of fur from her mouth before continuing on her way while activating her combadge, "Rianni to T'Pia" T'Emp@anncarise: <C> "Hi Rianni! Just finished your classes?" Rianni@crystyll: <C> Yep! Was going to hit the holodeck for a bit, fancy joining us?" T'Emp@anncarise: <C> "Sure! You said us as in you're going with other cadets?" Rianni@crystyll: <C> Not cadets, but I just ran into Tiah and she seemed kind of... at a loose end. So I thought it would be nice for her to join us too!" T'Emp@anncarise: <C> "Oooh. I'll be right down!" Rianni@crystyll: <C> Great! See you at holodeck 3 then, I've found this new program that I think should be a good laugh!" T'Emp@anncarise: <C> "See you there!" Rianni@crystyll | A short time later, Rianni, T'Pia and Tiah meet up at the holodeck as planned and embark on an exciting adventure... Rianni@crystyll | To summarize their holo-adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDEjbxg0P7s Rianni@crystyll | The heroes have taken the pirate ship and now sail for lost skull island using the stolen treasure map! Rianni@crystyll trots up the stairs to the bridge of their liberated galleon where TP & Tiah are, letting the npc's do all the actual work Rianni@crystyll: "Isn't this liberating!" she twirls her cutlass before stowing it through her sash T'Emp@anncarise nods, "It really is! All the wind and water, definitely nice to get some open air sometimes!" Rianni@crystyll looks past TP and laughs, "You're not the only one" she points to Tiah who hangs off the side; hair and tails fluttering wildly in the wind T'Emp@anncarise looks over and giggles at Tiah, "She finally has room to stretch her tails!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah calls over: "Tiah knows this is not real, but it is still very fun!" Rianni@crystyll giggles T'Emp@anncarise grins, "I'm glad you're enjoying it too Tiah!" Rianni@crystyll | A lot of shouting can be heard from the forward decks and the first mate comes running up to them, "Land ho!" T'Emp@anncarise: "Sounds like we're almost there!" Rianni@crystyll: "That must be it!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah bounds forward along the deck railing, peering out, "Weigh anchor mister Gibbins! And 'oist the colours, arrrr!" Rianni@crystyll sloooowly looks to Tiah before cracking up with laughter T'Emp@anncarise breaks out laughing at Tiah as well. Rianni@crystyll | The first simply frowns, "How many times mi'lady? Mi'names Cranwell!" shakes her head, jumping back to the lower deck and barking orders at the crew Rianni@crystyll | A short boat ride later and they are soon hiking through the jungle, trying to follow the pirate treasure map... Rianni@crystyll: "Damn, how did they manage anything in these times without even a tricorder...?" T'Emp@anncarise: "Or at least a communicator...we'll take forever just to find each other if we split up!" Rianni@crystyll: "All the more reason not to. You hear that Tiah? Don't go running off now or we'll get lost and it could be dangerous!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah's voice call backs from the overgrowth, "Yar, ya scaly landlubbers're more yellow than a sailors cider!" Rianni@crystyll: "Tiah, seriously! T'Quila will never forgive us if you get hurt!" Rianni@crystyll | An ominous rustling from the bushes ahead... T'Emp@anncarise: "Whaaat's that?" Rianni@crystyll freezes, grabbing the hilt of her cutlass ready to draw it Rianni@crystyll | Tiah's head pops up through the thick brush, followed by the tips of her tails swirling high, "Come on, Tiah knows the way!" T'Emp@anncarise chuckles, "Something tells me she's good at finding things in places like this. Let's follow her!" Rianni@crystyll tags along, trying to keep pace with Tiah T'Emp@anncarise tags along as well, "These plants are getting a bit dense though..." Rianni@crystyll | The group soon finds their way to an ominous looking cave entrace... Rianni@crystyll: ( https://i.imgur.com/LZ1jO.jpg ) Rianni@crystyll: "Huh, guess they really do call it lost skull island for a reason..." Rianni@crystyll | As a flurry of bats pour out of the cave entrance, a number of already fearful pirates in their group, turn tail and run back for the ship T'Emp@anncarise: "I wonder if that's an actual skull of some giant lifeform or a decoration...too bad we don't have tricorders to scan it." Rianni@crystyll: "Yeah!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah waves to them from the cave entrace, "See! Tiah found the way!" Rianni@crystyll: "Well, ominous name aside. We have technically finished the hard part of the adventure now... should just be a case of finding and claiming the treasure to complete the program" T'Emp@anncarise: "Why do I get the feeling there's going to be traps and monsters in there too..." Rianni@crystyll: "Like it could be /that/ cliched!" she chuckles, walking to catch up with Tiah T'Emp@anncarise chuckles and hurries after Rianni and Tiah Rianni@crystyll | Inside the cave, they wind their way around and do indeed evade a number of traps along the way... Rianni@crystyll | They eventually find their way to the end as a faint orange glow grows brighter and brighter before them Rianni@crystyll | Entering the chamber, they are greeted by the sight of of the fabled treasure ( https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f2/a9/3a/f2a93add09287a56a97779484e6781af.jpg ) T'Emp@anncarise: "Oooh shiny! Looks like we found it!" Rianni@crystyll: "Look Pia, we did it!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah mooches around the room curiously Rianni@crystyll meanwhile, indulges the pirate game by digging into the exotic treasure, throwing on various shiny necklaces and crowns T'Emp@anncarise examines the shiny necklaces and crowns before looking over to what Tiah is doing. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah seems to be ignoring the treasure and still looking around for something T'Emp@anncarise tries on one of the shiny necklaces for fun before stepping over to Tiah. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah continues to explore, completely ignoring the mountain of treasure like pebbles on a beach as she walks over it T'Emp@anncarise: "What're you looking for, Tiah?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah: "The treasure! Rianni said the point of this game was to find special treasure at the cave" T'Emp@anncarise: "I think this is the treasure..." she points to the shinies. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah pauses and looks at the ground beneath her, picking up a gold coin, "These pebbles?" T'Emp@anncarise nods slowly. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah looks again at the coin, shrugging lightly before tossing it over her shoulder Rianni@crystyll yelps T'Emp@anncarise: "I'm pretty sure people of this time valued those and used them as currency. Like how the Ferengi like their latinum! Wait...you don't know what the Ferengi are-" she looks over to Rianni. Rianni@crystyll joins the others, rubbing her head, "What's wrong Tiah?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah looks to TP, trying to understand her, "So... shiny is... good?" T'Emp@anncarise: "Well...I think? Shiny usually means it's made of rarer and more valuable materials." T'Emp@anncarise: "Since they didn't have very advanced paints and things." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles and nods, "Shiny is good then!" and runs around some Rianni@crystyll | She returns a moment later holding a large glistening emerald in both hands. She offers it forward, "Shiny?" T'Emp@anncarise smiles, "Yup, that would count!" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah beams proudly and holds it tightly, "It reminds Tiah of Kwayla's eyes. This will be Tiah's treasure!" Rianni@crystyll chuckles, "Come on then. The program hasn't finished yet, so I guess we need to get back to our galleon..." T'Emp@anncarise: "Let's see what's waiting for us there!" Rianni@crystyll gathers up more treasure before heading out. Tiah strolls along happily at their side now, admiring her green shiny treasure the whole way Rianni@crystyll | The group exit the cave and all seems quiet as they walk back through the jungle, until they happen across one of their pirate crew. He is pinned to a tree with a look of dread on his face T'Emp@anncarise: "Is he alright?" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah instinctively goes and sniffs him before stepping back in disgust, "All these people are dead, Tiah can tell no more" Rianni@crystyll pokes him with the tip of her cutlass, causing him to slump and slide to the floor leaving a bloody trail down the trunk of the tree, "Yep... definitely dead" T'Emp@anncarise: "I wonder what happened here..." Rianni@crystyll: "I suggest we don't stay to find o-" is cut off by the whistling of a dart between them and the soft thud as it embeds in another tree Rianni@crystyll: "Run!" Rianni@crystyll hightails it back along their path as a small army of tribals begin to pour out of the jungle wielding spears and blowdarts T'Emp@anncarise follows Rianni in running back through the jungle. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah runs as well, soon overtaking the pair as she moves much more naturally in this setting, "NO! Tiah's treasure!" Rianni@crystyll | They make it back to the beach with the tribals in hot pursuit... Rianni@crystyll: ( https://youtu.be/xe9YBJt0x14?t=107 ) Rianni@crystyll splashes through the waves to get to their boat, and looks back for Tiah as she helps TP climb up as well, "Tiah, what are you-..." Rianni@crystyll | Too late. Tiah - now feeling protective of her shiny - has turned to the oncoming tribal horde and stands hunkered down, zaps of energy forming between the tips of her tails Rianni@crystyll Tiah no! Rianni@crystyll | Too late... Tiah jumps high and her tails fan out to unleash a wave of telekenetic energy at the pursuers. It inevitably fries the projections and a corner of the hologrid becomes exposed Rianni@crystyll sighs, "Oh Tiah..." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah struts up to the others in the - mostly - still functional program, proudly grasping her treasured emerald, "Tiah protects her shiny!" Rianni@crystyll grumbles, "Yes, well done Tiah. Only I'm pretty sure the point of the game is to escape without killing them all..." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah frowns, "But Tiah's treasure!" clutching the emerald to her chest Rianni@crystyll glances to TP, "Well, I guess that forces an ending to this holo, come on; let's get a drink and relax after our adventure!" Rianni@crystyll mutters as an afterthought, "And before I have to explain to someone why this grid is broken..." T'Emp@anncarise: "Yeah..." Rianni@crystyll: "Computer; arch" Rianni@crystyll | The program ripples from view a short distance away as the doorway appears Rianni@crystyll leads the way out, shaking the water from her baggy sleeves as she does Rianni@crystyll doesn't get far into the hallway beyond before she's interrupted by a cry from behind them. Turning around, Tiah stands frozen in the doorway Rianni@crystyll: "Tiah?" T'Emp@anncarise turns back to Tiah as well. Rianni@crystyll | Tiah's hands are still held up before her from carrying the emerald, but are now of course empty after leaving the holodeck. Her bottom lip quivers as she looks to the others T'Emp@anncarise: "Oh...that was part of the program too..." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah: "But it was Tiah's shiny!" T'Emp@anncarise: "I'm sure we can replicate one you could bring out of the holodeck with the proper settings...or just at one of the replicators maybe..." Rianni@crystyll | Tiah continues to pout, "Tiah does not understand why you cherish this hollow place. But this one thanks you for including her, it was a fun adventure still even if we did lose our shiny treasure" Rianni@crystyll: "T'Pia's right, we can make another one for you if you like, Tiah" Rianni@crystyll | Tiah smiles, "Tiah does not need shinies, Tiah has real treasure waiting at home" Rianni@crystyll smiles and waves back to Tiah as she heads off with a cheery wave T'Emp@anncarise smiles too, "That's a good attitude to have Tiah!" Rianni@crystyll: "I do envy her outlook sometimes..." T'Emp@anncarise: "Yeah, me too!" --- Emma Ralde@crystyll | Elsewhere on the ship, people have far more important things than r&r to think about Emma Ralde@crystyll | It nears the end of the duty shift and Kelly is making the rounds of engineering to check on progress for the day Keliaya@anncarise makes her way from an Ensign's console towards Emma. Emma Ralde@crystyll taps away at her console, minding her own business Keliaya@anncarise leans on the wall slightly as she observes, "How're you settling in, Ensign?" Emma Ralde@crystyll glances back with a smile, "Hi Commander, yes thanks" Keliaya@anncarise smiles back, "Everything we have here isn't too far from what you last remember from working with Starfleet, I hope?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "You'd think so right? I honestly thought Starfleet would have moved forward a lot more these last few years. Even LCARS is still the same basic 8.0 version!" Keliaya@anncarise: "Technological development is unpredictable at best. Sometimes there's little more than minor upgrades for years or decades, and sometimes things suddenly leap forward and it feels like a whole new - Keliaya@anncarise: - world in just a short time. You must've seen plenty of both, I imagine." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "True enough. But the last I saw of Starfleet, what with the whole AI resurgence, there was a big positive spin on tech. Was sure we were going to suddenly see holographic interfaces popping up all + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + over the place" Keliaya@anncarise: "Oh there's a few of those on the bridges of the newest cruisers designed to be flagships. Holographic interfaces have their uses, especially when dealing with space. Stellar cartography, tactical - Keliaya@anncarise: - maps, that's all harder to depict on a two-dimensional screen. But for basic console work, it's just a little too complicated." Keliaya@anncarise: "I've worked on the bridge of an Odyssey before. The holograms look impressive, but it's mostly just a holographic rendition of a 2D screen anyways. Not really the most practical use." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Makes sense" she nods, "Anyway, I'm just about done realigning this power converter" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "I'll let you finish so you can wrap up your shift." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "No problem, I just need to... huh..." Keliaya@anncarise begins to turn away but pauses and looks back, "Something wrong?" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "There shouldn't be, but... well, you tell me. Maybe I'm not reading this right after all..." Keliaya@anncarise steps over and examines Emma's console to check what she's seeing. Keliaya@anncarise nods, "You're not reading wrong. That definitely shouldn't be happening. Check if it's a problem with the readings being displayed or if something went wrong somewhere." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, moving to another console Keliaya@anncarise taps on the one Emma left, doing her own check as well. Emma Ralde@crystyll taptaps, "...Nope, sensor diagnostic is clear. It's not an error" Keliaya@anncarise double-checks Emma's realignment process to see if she did anything wrong. Keliaya@anncarise: "This isn't making sense to me either. You did everything fine, but the power converter's down." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Guess I should go down there and take a look" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'll come with you. Not much else I need to oversee with the shift ending anyways." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods and heads off to investigate Emma Ralde@crystyll | A short jaunt through access halls and jeffries tubes later, the pair arrive at the repaired converter Emma Ralde@crystyll opens up her toolpack to pop the wall panel off, stepping back with surprise to see a distinct void where the converter should be, "But... what?" Keliaya@anncarise: "That...shouldn't be empty." Keliaya@anncarise takes her tricorder and scans to see if there's anything unusual or if the converter has simply been removed. Emma Ralde@crystyll | It would appear to have simply been removed. No voodoo or spacemagic here Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm not reading anything strange. Looks like someone just removed the converter." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But why in the seven Hells would someone want to take a power converter?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I don't know. It doesn't disrupt ship operations in any significant way, so it can't be sabotage. And you can easily make a power converter without needing to take one already in position." Keliaya@anncarise: "And even if it is needed for some reason, the removal should've been logged." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods and checks, "The last logged access was when I was down here before for the realignment. But I swear, I'm as in the dark as you on this" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "I believe you. I can't think of any reason why you'd want to remove the converter." Keliaya@anncarise: "Well no more than why anyone would want to remove the converter..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well, I can head back and work up a fresh one if you want. Just need to make a call before, um... someone starts dinner plans..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Expecting to go to dinner with someone?" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles and nods, "It's no problem though, I'm sure she'll understand" Keliaya@anncarise: "Don't let me keep you here. I don't have any plans until much later into the night, I can have the replacement made and in place before then." Emma Ralde@crystyll looks back, "Are... you sure, Commander?" Keliaya@anncarise smiles, "It's no trouble at all. Go and enjoy your dinner." Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles wide, "Thank you, Commander. I owe you one!" and heads off with that... --- Emma Ralde@crystyll strolls into the lounge, looking around and smiling to see Rianni is still here Emma Ralde@crystyll joins her, "Hey, sorry I'm late. Got caught up in engineering" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles back, "No worries! Hope everything's ok?" Mana@anncarise sits at one of the adjacent tables, speaking to some junior engineering and science officers. Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "It was the damnedest thing. I spent most of the afternoon refitting this power converter. But when I went to bring it online, it failed. I went back there with CMDR Keliaya and it wasn't + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + there!" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni tilts her gaze, "What... the converter wasn't there?" Emma Ralde@crystyll nods, "Crazy, right!" Mana@anncarise peers over to Emma's table, "Did this one say a power converter disappeared?" Emma Ralde@crystyll looks over, a little offput by the interruption, "Hm? Oh, yes. Why...?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana was working on the computer systems and tracked a malfunction down to an ODN relay which was just...not there. Like the relay had been taken by someone." Emma Ralde@crystyll leans back, looking over a little more attentively, "An ODN relay went walkabouts too?" Mana@anncarise nods, "And a very random relay too. Not one that can be used to manually access any ship control systems or affect bridge computers. Mana has no explanation for why the relay would be taken." Emma Ralde@crystyll hrms, "Two random pieces of equipment go missing in the same day? This can't be a coincidence" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Is there any connection between the missing relays? Either the systems they came from, or in some form of bringing them together for something?" Mana@anncarise borrows a datapad from one of the officers at the table and taps on it before approaching Emma and Rianni's table, passing the datapad to Emma, "This is where the ODN relay was supposed to be." Mana@anncarise: "Is there any connection with the power converter that this one could not find?" Emma Ralde@crystyll takes the PADD and taps some, handing it back, "This is where I was working on the converter. They seem to be unrelated sub systems" Mana@anncarise examines the datapad and nods, "And not critical systems either. Mana has heard of the theft of miscellaneous equipment pieces on the refugee ship, but Mana believes that situation is resolved, - Mana@anncarise: - and there are no members of the refugee fleet currently on board. Mana has no theory on who would be interested in these pieces." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Weren't they the result of Horde influence? What if someone on board has been compromised and is continuing... whatever it was they were trying to do on that fleet?!" Mana@anncarise shakes her head, "There was Horde influence on the refugee fleet, but from what Mana knows the thefts were unrelated. Mana believes the refugees were trying to dissect Federation technology out - Mana@anncarise: - of desperation to improve the survivability of the fleet." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well something is clearly going on here, we can't just ignore it. What do think we should do?" Mana@anncarise: "Everything done on the ship is logged, yes? At least everything related to work on the ship." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Yes, but we already checked the log for my converter and the last access was when I was working on it" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Maybe we should go to the bridge and check shipwide internal sensor logs?" Mana@anncarise: "Maybe that can pick up if someone accessed the equipment." Emma Ralde@crystyll nods and stands, "Let's go then" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni stands as well to join the others in the mystery solving Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I'm sorry about dinner plans Rianni..." Mana@anncarise: "Oh...Mana did not interrupt any plans, Mana hopes?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles, "Hey, some things are more important! And we still get to spend time together, besides, a little adventure like this can be a better way to get to know each other than just sitting + Emma Ralde@crystyll: + and eating!" Emma Ralde@crystyll smiles over to Mana, "It's fine, this could be important after all" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "And you're right, Rianni! It certainly is a curious little adventure" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni chuckles, "My second of the day! Had a great adventure on the holodeck earlier with Tiah and T'Pia" Mana@anncarise nods, "Mana will follow to the bridge as well." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "It's a hard life being a cadet..." she teases with a smirk Emma Ralde@crystyll steps onto the bridge and heads over to a free science station, Let's see then..." Mana@anncarise follows over to the console to see if internal sensors picked anything up. Emma Ralde@crystyll | Lennie looks over from her spot covering the command chair, "What're y'all up to back there...?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana and this one here both found some equipment missing from the ship when working and are investigating what happened." Emma Ralde@crystyll | TQ peers over curiously, "Missing equipment? Not again..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Lennie stands and joins the trio, "What exactly's goin' on Mana?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana does not believe this is related to the last instance." Emma Ralde@crystyll continues to work away to find anything in the sensor logs Mana@anncarise motions to Emma, "This one realized a power converter was missing when working, and Mana tracked a minor computer systems issue to a missing ODN relay. Neither are connected to critical systems, - Mana@anncarise: - nor seem to have any relation to one another, but both being taken on the same day seems to imply some connection..." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Lennie hrms, glancing at the sensor logs as well, "When'd this stuff go missin'? Maybe we can track somethin' from th'timings" Mana@anncarise: "The logs don't show when the equipment disappeared, so the only information is when the disappearance was discovered..." Mana@anncarise: "Maybe the sensors will provide more information." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Maybe, but I know when I was at that access panel, so we can at least narrow it to a timeframe" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "While the sensors do narrow things down with some refined timeframes, even mapping in a couple of additional random fluctuations that turn out to be from missing euqipment, nothing conclusive comes Emma Ralde@crystyll: + of it Mana@anncarise: "Are there any other reports of missing equipment that have been logged? Perhaps with more instances there will be a more visible pattern." Emma Ralde@crystyll checks, "I have a couple of miscellaneous items here, but nothing conclusive yet" Emma Ralde@crystyll | TQ calls over, "May or may not be related, but the Quartermaster logged a few work sets back in with lost items today" Mana@anncarise: "That all seems very unrelated..." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "T'Quila, can you find out where the associated work crews were today? We may as well plot it all in here and see" Emma Ralde@crystyll | TQ nods and a moment later more data appears on their screen Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Well one thing seems clear from this... nothing seems to have started to go missing until the last few hours" Mana@anncarise: "But no other patterns?" Emma Ralde@crystyll shakes her head, "These hits are literally all over the ship" Mana@anncarise: "Is there anything odd on sensors in the last few hours? Internal and external that the computer can identify." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Nothing..." Mana@anncarise: "So either the missing equipment is related to something the ship's sensors is not detecting, or...someone already on the ship is taking the equipment, but Mana cannot think of why someone would." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "Me neither... I guess we'll just have to chalk this one to a comedy of coincidences..." Mana@anncarise: "There has to be a reason. Work sets can sometimes be misplaced, but installed pieces of equipment do not usually disappear unless someone has taken the pieces away." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "But I'm at a loss as to how to explain it, and we seem to have exhausted our options" Mana@anncarise nods, "At least the equipment being removed does not seem to pose a risk to the ship." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni: "Sometimes taking a step back from a problem is the best way forwards. It's not giving up, it's just taking the time to analyze and observe" Mana@anncarise: "The Overseer was always puzzled by inexplicable organic behaviour that seem to follow no logical purpose other than the organic's own entertainment. Could this be something like that? Someone - Mana@anncarise: - taking harmless equipment just for amusement?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana cannot see a member of Starfleet doing such a thing, but the Valley Forge has more than just Starfleet personnel." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I'm hard pushed to imagine anyone taking amusement in such random things" Mana@anncarise: "Children sometimes do...but T'Pia is already quite mature and Mana does not know of anyone younger than T'Pia." Emma Ralde@crystyll: "I think Rianni is right. We're not getting anywhere with the data available, we should probably call it a night and pick this up fresh tomorrow" Emma Ralde@crystyll: "If more stuff goes missing, we'll have more information to work with" Mana@anncarise nods, "Mana agrees. This is most likely not enough information to find who or what is responsible." Emma Ralde@crystyll | Lennie: "I'll make a note in th'log an' let th'next shift pick on this. Thanks f'bringin' this up though" Mana@anncarise: "Mana is always happy to assist." Emma Ralde@crystyll looks to Rianni, "Alright, how about we get back to that dinner?" Emma Ralde@crystyll | Rianni smiles and nods, heading off with Emma --- T'Quila@crystyll | Lennie returns to the command station after the trio depart, noting events in the log T'Quila@crystyll: "Bit of an odd one, that eh?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Yeah...and we can't even use sensors to figure it out like last time since it's /all/ our tech!" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Least it ain't lookin' like sabotage, or somebody repurposin' equipment to cause damage." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Well, could still be tha', but pretty sure you can replicate most o' the stuff or its components, so nobody would go 'round stealin' it if they wanted to do somethin' with it." T'Quila@crystyll | Lennie: "I ain't even wantin' t'think on tha' outcome Sweets" Ann Carter@anncarise: "I don't think it's somebody tryin' to cause sabotage though. If they wanted to break somethin' they would've already, an' if they wanted to make somethin' to help 'em break things, they wouldn't - Ann Carter@anncarise: - steal all this stuff an' draw attention to themselves." T'Quila@crystyll: "I think they've done a pretty good job of avoiding attention given how they've eluded everyone this whole way" Ann Carter@anncarise: "True, but it'd just be easier to replicate all this stuff if they wanted 'em..." T'Quila@crystyll: "Replicator activity is stringently logged though, right?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Yeah, but I don't think security's gonna brig ya for replicating some power converters, relays an' misc stuff like tha'." T'Quila@crystyll: "No, but we don't know the full picture yet. If whoever did this wants to remain inconspicuous in the long run, they might purposefully avoid replicators for that reason" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Maybe..." T'Quila@crystyll | Lennie: "All good points, but all speculation 'til we know more" Ann Carter@anncarise nods, "Guess we gotta wait an' see. Least wait till more info pops up." T'Quila@crystyll hrms, going back to work while clearly still distracted by the mystery Ann Carter@anncarise goes back to monitoring the ship's course as well, but also clearly thinking on the mystery as she does more day to day work. T'Quila@crystyll | The bridge shift continues uneventfully... T'Quila@crystyll signs off from her station and heads off, stretching a little as she enters the turbolift T'Quila@crystyll enjoys a pleasant stroll back to her quarters, walking in feeling ready for a relaxing time after hours of standing on the bridge T'Quila@crystyll: "Hey Tiah, you here?" T'Quila@crystyll she calls out, leaning against the counter to rub her stiff legs and take her boots off T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah bounds in from the other room, "Tiah is here Kwayla!" T'Quila@crystyll smiles, "There you are. You would not believe the oddities that have been going on today, quite the mystery really" T'Quila@crystyll sits down with Tiah T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah beams, "Tiah had a big adventure today as well!" T'Quila@crystyll: "Oh? Did it involve things inexplicably going missing?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah tilts her head, ears flitting back and forth curiously, "How did you know?" T'Quila@crystyll: "Wait, seriously? You too?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah nods, deadly serious, "Tiah discovered pirate treasure with Rianni and T'Pia! But when Tiah left the hollow place, it disappeared from this one's hands" she pouts T'Quila@crystyll furrows her brow briefly before smiling a little, "Wait... you found treasure in a holodeck program? Well Tiah, it would disappear when you leave the room because it's only those emitters that keep + T'Quila@crystyll: + it there" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah nods, still pouting, "Tiah had the perfect shiny too! It reminded this one of Kwayla's eyes" T'Quila@crystyll aww's, hugging Tiah and kissing her on the cheek, "You're a treasure!" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah smiles, pulling back with a glint in her eye, tails twirling anxiously, "It is ok though! Because Tiah found a way around it!" T'Quila@crystyll narrows her eyes, "What do you mean, Tiah...?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah's smile grows and she backs away, all the way to the other room T'Quila@crystyll leans out from her seat, trying to see what Tiah is up to T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah emerges a minute later, delicately carrying an odd little sculpture in her hands that she sets down on the table, standing back eagerly awaiting judgement T'Quila@crystyll | The object is about the size of a basketball and bares a - rather picasso'esque - semblence to T'Quila's face T'Quila@crystyll | It is also clearly put together from various shipboard components like ODN relays and power converters... T'Quila@crystyll: "Tiah, what did you do!" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah totally misreads TQ's shock and beams proudly, "Tiah's treasure reminded of Kwayla, but it went away! So Tiah found new treasure to also remind of Kwayla!" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah continues: "Rianni and T'Pia told Tiah how shiny is desirable, so Tiah found the shiniest treasure for it!" T'Quila@crystyll facepalms, "Tiah... you can't just run around the ship taking things because you want them..." T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah: "But they are Tiah's treasure! Do you not like...?" she cowers T'Quila@crystyll: "It's not that Tiah, I love it - it's very very sweet of you. But..." she sighs, "Ok, it's no problem; I can just replicate replacements from my allowance. But please Tiah, promise me you won't take + T'Quila@crystyll: + anything again like this without asking first, ok?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah: "But it's Tiah's treasure! This one found it, like the shinies in the hollow place!" T'Quila@crystyll: "Yes... but, well. You didn't like it when your treasure disappeared, did you?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah shakes her head adamantly T'Quila@crystyll Well... how do you think all the people felt who now have this treasure missing from their own? T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah thinks a moment before going wide eyed, "They will miss it! Oh no!" T'Quila@crystyll chuckles, standing to hold Tiah, "It's fine Tiah, we can make it all right in the morning. But you know not to do this again now, yes?" T'Quila@crystyll | Tiah smiles and nods, "Tiah understands. Shinies are special" T'Quila@crystyll | SCENE END

View Log Entry

Stardate 97353.9

Ship's log, stardate 97353.9: LCDR Lendaria recodin'...

Nothin' overly excitin' to report from this shift. Ship cruisin' steady toward' sector V-018 at warp 7.2 wit' nothin' o'interest on long range sensors. There were a curious affair later in th'shift though when ENS Ralde, CDT Tierno & Mana came to th'bridge t'check internal sensors for somethin'. They said they was investigatin' some oddly missin' equipment like a power converter th'Ensign'd been workin' on earlier, an' a ODN relay Mana were helpin' re-calibrate. Naturally I were curious too an' so we helped 'em investigate an' while we found a number o'similar incidents reported throughout th'afternoon, none o'it correlated. Tee also found tha' th'Quartermaster'd reported an unusually high number o'work kits returned wit'missin' items. Course, in light o'recent thievin' on board from th'refugees we was concerned, though it quickly surpassed as unfeasible. They eventually exhausted all options an' had no choice but t'pause their investigation pendin' further evidence surfacin', so we'se returned to normal operations once they'se left.

Ship's log, stardate 97354.3: LCDR Lendaria recodin'...

So th'strangest thing jus' happened 'ere... not long after wrappin' up here shift, Tee comm'd th'bridge an' said she'd figured out th'missin' equipment mystery. Said she'd explain in th'mornin' and everythin'd be back in place, course though I couldn't jus' let it at that so had t'probe further. Turns out, Tiah'd got in her head about 'shiny' stuff an' had been goin' around collectin' all this gear us as 'treasure' t'make a gift f'Tee. All very innocent in th'end, an' Tee assures me tha' Tiah now understands th'right an' wrongs of it, an' she ain't doin' again. I trust her judgement so no further action bein' takin' besides loggin' events 'ere.

Ship's log, stardate 97354.3 Supplemental: LCDR Lendaria recodin'...

Oh yeah, an' add a note to th'engineerin' assignment roster tha' holodeck 3 seems t'have fallen into disrepair again. Is shut down f'now, but no major deal tha' can't see folks utilize th'other decks in the short term. Kelly may want t'investigate wha' happened t'take a whole corner of th'room's grid offline...