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ST:UNI212 | "The Long Road Pt. I"

Stardate 100653.5

Just when the cadets thought their first outing into deep space couldn't throw them any more surprises, investigation of a relic from the Horde conflict takes Cadets Kayleigh and Mariel on an impossible journey...






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Kayleigh@crystyl | In the dead of space, a lone alien freighter-type vessel hangs adrift


Kayleigh@crystyl | Inside is almost as dark as out, with the ship running on emergency power only


Kayleigh@crystyl | Through the haze of dust particles, torch beams in the distance cut a sharp path of light down one of the corridors


Kayleigh@crystyl | A small group slowly makes their way through the ship in their cumbersome EV suits


Kayleigh@crystyl | Male voice: "Honestly Ensign, how many times have we done stuff like this now? And you're telling me you still get the jitters?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Female voice: "Hey, do you think you could maybe not go there for once? Please?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Deep Male voice, "If you go scaring her away, you're filling in at her station. Fair warning"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The first male chuckles and holds his suited hands up, "Alright, I know when I'm beat!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Second Male chuckles some too, "I was looking forward to getting home too, you know. But we have a duty out here and can't just leave these people high and dry. Just stay on your games a -


Kayleigh@crystyl - little bit longer for, alright? Now, Ensign?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The female checks a scanning device, and tries tapping at a console - seeming trying to make sense of it. She shakes her head, "At least give me a chance here. I'm good, but I still need /some/ time!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Second male chuckles again, "Alright, do what you can. The rest of you, search for survivors. Carefully"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The group, including a couple of more heavily armed escorts spread out and search the area


Kayleigh@crystyl | After a few moments, the female can be heard humming to herself over the shared comline


Kayleigh@crystyl | Second male, "Everything alright there Ensign?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Female: "Hm? Oh! Sorry was I-? Right... of course I was. It helps my nerves is all, and if you're all not going to talk then I need something!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | First male, "Captain! Over here"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The second male looks up and turns, joining the first


Kayleigh@crystyl | As he heads over, the first continues while trying to move some debris, "I think we've got a survivor here"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As the captain reaches him, they can see an exposed arm sticking out from under a sheet of plating


Kayleigh@crystyl | The Captain hunkers down, "Alright, give me a hand with this. Nice and gentle now"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Meanwhile another voice comes over their comm, "Captain, we've got another one over here too. Looks Human, and alive"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The Captain grunts as he and the first male shift a large chunk of debris, "Hnnnggghh... alright... alright... ahh-" he sighs as they put it down, "Get back to the entry point and we'll meet you -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- there" he turns to the female, "Ensign, wrap it up for now. Download what you need, and finish your work back on the ship"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Female, "Aye Captain"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The two finish clearing the last of the debris covering the survivor as the female joins them. She looks down and seems to tilt her head, "Human?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The Captain shakes his head and dabs a gloved finger at a dried line of green blood on the survivors cheek, then brushes some distinctly pink hair back to reveal a very pointed ear he tucks it -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- behind, "Vulcan" he stands and flips open his communicator, "Archer to Enterprise, Trip, we're beaming back with survivors, tell Phlox to be ready. And you'd better have T'Pol join us too" as he -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- stands carrying a very familiar pink haired Vulcan, the NX-01 patch on his arm catches the torchlight


Kayleigh@crystyl | As Archer's team rejoin the others, they see the second team also has a survivor wearing a similar uniform to the Vulcan they found


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer: "Right let's get these two back to the ship so Phlox can look them over"


Kayleigh@crystyl | One of the more heavily armed escorts from the second group, a MACO, speaks up, "This makes no sense, why are a Human and Vulcan out here on an alien ship in this state? And what is with those -


Kayleigh@crystyl - unif-" he coughs, and gargles...


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer turns, "Sergeant?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The Sergeant stands seeming frozen for a moment before coughing up blood which splatters across the inside of his helmet. Then before anyone can react, a long spiny tail bursts through his chest -


Kayleigh@crystyl - from behind, causing blood to splatter across the area


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi takes an extended moment to register what happened before screaming at the blood smear splattered across her vision


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer fumbles for his communicator, "Enterprise, emergency transport NOW!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As the group dematerialize, a snarling Alien'esque form strides through the Sergeant's remains, tearing him in half as it goes. It lunges at the party but they disappear just before it can hit


Kayleigh@crystyl | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbnTZREMEJI


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | It is business as usual on the Saturn, now several weeks into their tour the fleet has circled back around and begun working it's way back towards the Heart through more unstable territory


Kayleigh@crystyl | Even despite some misadventures early on in the mission, routine has found it's way into the lives of the cadets. And some routines never change...


Kayleigh@crystyl walks into the main lounge after finishing another duty shift, making for a replicator before seeking out Mari at their usual table


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris is seated at her table with a plate of food and a cup of coffee, just beginning her meal


Kayleigh@crystyl turns with her spiced tea and heads over, sitting and sipping contendely before greeting, "I trust your day went well as usual"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "No unexpected events today! What about you?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The same could be said. There is quite the sense of satisfaction in a fulfilling day of duty"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"And as fun as solving crises can be, there's something to be said for a normal day at work too."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I must admit to being rather grateful for the onset of routine again. It has afforded me some much needed time to recentre myself and affirm my control over these fluctuating abilities"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hope that's going well, after the whole Talys business?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Yes, quite so. Though there is a lingering side effect that I am at a loss to explain"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh, what's that?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Well, it... looks different now. You remember when this ability first awakened and the energy had a deep bluish hue?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Is it still red?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"No... not all the way at least" she holds out har hand palm up and summons a ball of pink lightning


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris giggles, "Well, I have to say it suits you! Fate's got a funny way of making things work out!"


Kayleigh@crystyl sets her hand back down, "Indeed, it is clearly superior. And no just aesthetically, but in power as well. Whilst the whole Talys incident was troublesome, I can not deny that I have come out -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- better for it. It is frustrating though to have these things happen but with no logical explanation to them. Simply accepting things as they are is... problematic"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Unfortunately we can't just stop by the Temple and ask the Chlasi about it right now...but I can collect some scans of this new lightning, figure out what's changed. I don't exactly have scans of -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- your old power output to compare it with though. Who knows, something telling could still come up in the scan, so it's worth a try."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I appreciate that, but I have already collected all of the data. All that remains is to compare it with the readings from my earlier trials at the temple upon our return"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As they talk, the starstreaks outside disappear as the ship drops out of warp


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris glances out, "Looks like we've arrived...somewhere. We're not back at the Heart yet, are we?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Not unless we stumbled through a wormhole and shaved several more weeks off our journey"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As they - and many others - contemplate the unexpected stop, the stars move as the ship banks around. This brings into view what looks like a derelict ship...


—


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris takes out a tricorder and immediately begins scanning while Lieutenant Tezzo and the security crewman checks the area visually for any signs of danger


Kayleigh@crystyl joins in with Tezzo & Co. for now


Kayleigh@crystyl | Mari's tricorder confirms the atmosphere readings from the Saturn's initial scan. Power seems to be down, but there are readings to indicate something like a warp core being online still


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Nothing new from the scans. Power is out through most of the ship, but there is a power generator still online, possibly the warp core."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan takes a visual look around before glancing to Mari, "Any lifesigns?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris shakes her head, "Still none registering on my scans."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Let's make our way towards the power source, then."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo: "Alright team, we're moving aft. Sweep ahead" he gestures to his security detail


Kayleigh@crystyl trots along after them but squeaks as her hair bun is tugged back


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo, "Not so fast cadet. I know you're eager. But you stay back with me"


Kayleigh@crystyl groans, straightening her hair, "You could have just said..."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris and Meghan follows as well, with Mari keeping her tricorder running as they go in case it catches something


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo smirks, "Just be glad I didn't pinch a hold of your ear"


Kayleigh@crystyl | One of the security escorts glances back, "Seriously cadet, it's his weird way"


Kayleigh@crystyl idly touches the tip of her ear, "Well... I appreciate your consideration. And restraint. I think..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | The security escorts all chuckle as they press ahead


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles as well as she follows along, still keeping an eye on the tricorder once in a while to check if anything new pops up


Kayleigh@crystyl | Everything is eerily quiet so far


Kayleigh@crystyl | They proceed without incident into what is likely the vessels main engineering


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris continues scanning away with her tricorder, focusing on the power source. Meghan meanwhile looks around for a functioning console


Kayleigh@crystyl | After some digging around, the best they can surmise is that the ship has gone into an emergency standby protocol, of sorts. For reasons still unknown, everything was powered down to a critical -


Kayleigh@crystyl - reserve. All remaining power seems to be focused on what looks on the console to be a large cargo hold"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo looks to Meghan, "Let me guess, one team to the bridge to learn what happened and one to the hold to see what they're protecting?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan nods, "That's the most sensible approach. Cadet Kayleigh and Crewman Ch'azhitros with me to the bridge. Cadet Tanglao, go with Tezzo and Crewman Morales to the cargo hold."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Everyone nods and splits up


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows Tezzo towards the cargo hold


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo leads the way, glancing to Mari, "You always this quiet then?


Kayleigh@crystyl | Morales snorts, "She's probably just paranoid about you going for her ears now!"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That, and I'm not sure I want to disturb the silence on this ship. It's...eerie. You can hear the echo when you talk."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo chuckles, "Yeah... This your first time on a job like this?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I've been in a few interesting situations. Some of them investigations, but nothing exactly like this. Never been on a derelict ship before."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo nods, "Yeah, I get it. Don't worry though, we're not exactly on our own out here!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Looking around, Morales ahems, "Um... You're not wrong L-T. Look"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Morales shines a light on a bank of active stasis chambers


Kayleigh@crystyl | Tezzo glances around, "Alright, search around. And stay sharp"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As she tentatively searches around with the others, Mari wipes the condensation off a tube with her sleeve. She jumps back and yelps when she seems a slumbering Toroki within


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Meanwhile Meghan and her party head to the bridge...


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan takes out her tricorder and starts scanning now that Mari isn't doing the scanning for their team, keeping the device open and setting it to alert her if it detects a lifesign or -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - anomalous reading


Kayleigh@crystyl continues surveying for threats


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "So, haven't been feeling any Talys coming on since last time, Cadet?"


Kayleigh@crystyl shakes her head, "No Commander, it has been some weeks now since I have felt any lingering instability"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "That's good to hear. I haven't sensed Talys' presence in you over the last few weeks either, so I think it's safe to say her hold on you is gone now."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"That said, I have noticed one unusual side effect. Not counting the overall refinement of the abilities


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "And what's that?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"A shift in the visual hue of the energy. Before it was more of a blue, but Talys' energy was a deep red. It would be fair to surmise that what I am left with is a natural blend of the two"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan looks over, "Let me guess...pink?"


Kayleigh@crystyl looks up from her tricorder and nods


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan smiles, "What else can it be. Well, once we get back to the ship, I can try to take a look and determine if it's just a visual change or something more substantial."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Well there is already a verified increase in power which accompanies it. The only thing I don't really get is why the colour shift even occurred as a result"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "It could be a remnant of Talys' psionic power, or an effect of it mingling with your own. Or maybe it's purely psychological. I'll see if I can determine which, once we're not in the -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - middle of an away mission. We're almost at the bridge. Stay alert, Cadet."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, continuing to focus on her work


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan steps into the bridge, doing a visual survey first and seeing if any consoles are active.


Kayleigh@crystyl | Everything is powered down, just like the rest of the ship


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan taps her combadge, "Away team to Saturn. Can we get some power packs transported to my position?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Comm Officer: "Got it Commander. I'll pass the request straight over, it shouldn't be but a moment"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Thank you," she waits for the power packs to be beamed over


Kayleigh@crystyl | Sure enough, a few moments later they materialize on the bridge


Kayleigh@crystyl steps over, "Anywhere in particular we should start?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Whichever console the Captain is likely to use no doubt has access to all the important logs and reports."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around and makes her best guess, taking one of the power packs over


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan follows over, "You can do the honours, Cadet. Plugging in power packs to start up consoles is a chore you often find yourself having to do on away missions, and not just an Engineering -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - officer thing."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "Of course Commander. I just hope this goes better than the lst time I did something like this"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "What happened the last time?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"My abilities awakened and I short circuited an Iconian control node which exploded a little" she muses idly, while wiring up the power pack


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Maybe it's safer for me to do it..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The probability of such an event occurring again is infitecimal. My abilities have already awakened and are now under control after all"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Right. Let's hope the new colour doesn't affect the chances of it happening again, then."


Kayleigh@crystyl finishes the connection and absolutely jumps a little when it sparks with the new connection, even if it was expected


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "That went well. Good job, Cadet." She starts browsing through for anything that sheds light on what happened on this ship


Kayleigh@crystyl meanwhile, assists Ch'azhitros in setting up the other power packs


Kayleigh@crystyl | Meghan's browsing does find some basic data; an unfamiliar planet of origin, manifests and crew details, all the usual things. However it is only reading through the recent log entries in more -


Kayleigh@crystyl - detail that she begins to see an all too familiar pattern of someone succumbing to Horde influence. The final entries are clearly from someone fully indoctrinated and detail the collection of a -


Kayleigh@crystyl - special consignment consisting of many unfamiliar technological references and the Torokei which the logs refer to as a biological weapon. Of more concern, is that the ship had a destination of -


Kayleigh@crystyl - the Sol System but the mysterious end to the crew seems to have cut their journey short. Fortunately, that final entry which cuts short indicating something happened to them has a very familiar -


Kayleigh@crystyl - stardate stamp to it, being that of the Heart weapon being fired eliminating the Horde


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "Looks like this was a Horde ship. One being dispatched to the Sol System with a Toroki complement, no doubt to wreck havoc behind Coalition lines. The last entry corresponds with the -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - firing of the Heart's pulse, so this must have been one of the Horde crews that destroyed themselves without destroying the entire ship. Unclear how since there's no remains, but maybe they -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - opened all the airlocks or something."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks over, "Toroki? So they were transporting them in stasis. It seems likely that is what the power is being funnelled towards if so"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Meghan: "If the Toroki were under Horde influence, this could be a lingering remnant of the Horde. But I don't think there's enough of them left to actually spread the Horde to anything. That -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - said, from what I've seen of the reports of Toroki, if they get free, they're still going to be a problem if they're corrupted by the Horde."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Horde influence should be gone regardless from what I understand of it, since the control signal is no more. The question remains then, what state is this Toroki cargo in..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Ch'azhitros looks around distractedly as they tap at a console, "Sorry, Toroki cargo?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Their consoles begin bleeping a status update on the stasis chamber now being opened...


—


Kayleigh@crystyl blinks her world back into focus, waking groggily


Kayleigh@crystyl | Before Kay can register her surroundings, her field of vision is filled with the broad grin of a Denobulan


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Um..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox, "Veeery good young miss. Just try to relax, you're nice and safe here now! And even better than that, you've given a nice little feast to my osmotic eel!"


Kayleigh@crystyl glances down herself and perks a brow, "There appears to be a giant leach attached to my abdomen"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox grins and rips the hungry eel off her, petting it lovingly before setting it back into it's bowl, "Yes, quite the feast indeed. Hungry little fellow, weren't you?" he makes a serious of -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- pekuliar chirps and clicks at the creature as he sets it down


Kayleigh@crystyl watches, mostly dumbfounded still, by her surroundings as much as the strange and colourfully dressed Denobulan. But in following him with her gaze she does also see Mari laying on a nearby bed and-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- stands to go check on her


Kayleigh@crystyl | Almost immediately topples over in the process before Phlox can catch her and ease her back on to the bed


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox, "Not so fast now, my eel had quite the little feed on you don't forget!" he chuckles, "Fear not, your compatriot is quite alright and just resting now" he leans in with an entertained -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- chuckle, "Though she did use up my supply Rigelian bat droppings in her treatment! And to think, Captain Archer almost didn't let me bring them along!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox chuckles to himself, wandering off


Kayleigh@crystyl seems to grow more confused with each passing moment, "Captain... who...?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer & T'Pol enter


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer: "Captain Jonathan Archer of the Earth vessel Enterprise"


Kayleigh@crystyl sits up more carefully this time, "Captain... Archer? Enterprise? But I thought Captain Shon...?" she looks around, growing more hesitant as she takes in her surroundings, not least the jumpsuit -


Kayleigh@crystyl - uniform he's wearing, "This... is not the Enterprise-F, I'm pretty certain an Odyssey class sickbay is more substantial than this. And with less... wlildlife"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol glances from Kayleigh to Phlox, "She seems to be quite confused. Are you sure she is fully recovered, doctor?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox turns, "Hm? Ohh, absolutely she is. In fact, with that Vulcan physiology I dare say she was fighting fit this whole time!"


Kayleigh@crystyl frowns, "They why were you feeding me to your eel...?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox gives an extra wide grin, "Just because you were ok, doesn't mean there wasn't room for you to better still!" and toddles off again


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks to T'Pol, "I think it's better if you handle this one. My history in dealing with your Science Academy... well, you know. I'll check on the other one"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol nods and looks back to Kayleigh, "I am not surprised you are unfamiliar with this ship. It is a newer human development, their first Warp 5 vessel. Due to our alliance with United -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - Earth and the significance of this ship to the humans, I am posted on board as an exchange officer."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"United Earth?" she sits up, "Wait... first warp 5 vessel? So... this is not the 25th century any more is it...?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "The 25th century? Doctor Phlox may have cleared you physically, but are you certain your memories have not been damaged?"


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, sitting up properly and taking stock, checking off key points on her fingertips, "Let's see, my name is Kayleigh. I'm a second year Starfleet cadet studying at the Heart of Unity annex, -


Kayleigh@crystyl - check. My Human mother lives there and serves in operations, while my Vulcan father is XO on a ship that is currently missing in former Horde territory under the command of the Klingon Captain -


Kayleigh@crystyl - Vrolmacht, check. Recent history; The Horde march on the galaxy, defeated at the Heart, galactic psionic awakening... yes, all memory seems present and correct. Not that I am likely to remember -


Kayleigh@crystyl - if there is anything I don't remember, of course. But it all seems to stack up"


Kayleigh@crystyl states flatly and logically, while unwittingly revealing more temporal faux pas' with each word spoken...


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "I recognize many of the terms you are using, but the manner in which you are employing them makes no logical sense. There are no Vulcans training to join Starfleet, only exchange -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - officers, most of whom did not remain in their postings for long. There are no known offspring between a Vulcan and a human parent yet, nor do Vulcans hold any exchange programs with the -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - Klingon Empire."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Hmm, I suppose not. At least not in the here and now, assuming the here and now is what you're suggesting it is and not the 25th century it should be. So you are implying that we have been -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- temporally displaced then"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "It would appear so. Please remain here while I confirm your claims with the doctor."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I'm not going anywhere"


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer meanwhile, checks on Mari. Looking over the doctors report and curiously studying her uniform until she wakes up


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris slowly stirs before blinking a few times as she wakes


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer puts the datapad down and smiles, "Welcome back young lady. I assume since your friend over there speaks English, that you do too"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris blinks some more, "Yes...why wouldn't I be able to understand you? Wait, this isn't the Saturn's sickbay..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "No, and the last time I checked there isn't a facility at Saturn that would have one"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"At Sat- are you talking about Saturn the planet, or Saturn the ship?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer chuckles, circling around her bed, "As far as I know, there's only one. And it's not a ship. That's a very interesting uniform you and your friend are sporting"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris sits up and glances over to Kayleigh, then back to Archer, "If this isn't the Saturn, where are we? Are we on a different ship?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods, "You're on the Earth ship Enterprise, I am it's Captain - Jonathan Archer. And you might be?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Cadet Mariel Tanglao. Wait...you're /the/ Captain Archer, aren't you?"


Kayleigh@crystyl Archer gives an entertained smirk, glancing to T'Pol and Phlox before looking back, "Well, I don't know of any others"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris meanwhile glances over at Kay again before looking back to Archer, "Well this is a weird vision. Normally visions aren't interactive like this. And I need to be in the place it happened to bring -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - them on, so even if I'm on the Enterprise, it shouldn't be giving me a vision of an older Enterprise..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "There aren't any older Enterprise's, not unless you count the pre-warp early space transports. I don't know what sort of visions you are referring to, but I assure you I am quite real"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Unless...this isn't a vision..." she sits up some more and looks to Kay. "Hey Kay, are you seeing Captain Archer too?"


Kayleigh@crystyl turns, "If you mean in the visual sense, then yes. If you are using that terminology like Shavi does to imply romantic relations, then no"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh no, this is bad. If this is our Archer and not some other quantum reality..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer's brow furrows, "You say a lot of things that don't make sense to us. I knew someone who talked a lot like that once, his name was Daniels. I don't suppose you know him?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks back to Archer and shakes her head, "No, I'm not familiar with anyone called Daniels. You, Kay?"


Kayleigh@crystyl also shakes her head


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "So you're not temporal agents then, and this probably isn't anything to do with the temporal cold war. But we are going to have get to the bottom of this, that creature on the freighter -


Kayleigh@crystyl - we found you on killed one of my MACO's. And I have /really/ had enough of losing people lately"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"So you found us on a freighter?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods, "At least that's what it looks like to us. But we'll get back to that once you two have rested up"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol rejoins them and gives a silent look to Archer


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods, "Get some rest, we'll talk more later" and the two head out


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks to Kayleigh, "What's the last thing you remember?"


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, "We were investigating the derelict. I was on the bridge with Commander Meghan and we learned that it was a Horde controlled vessel transporting a Torokei - presumably indoctrinated as -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- well - to Earth as an attack on Starfleet. One of the security escorts accidentally triggered an initiation procedure, and then..." she thinks harder through the fuzziness, "Yes... the Torokei -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- escaped and seemed to be crazed. It attacked your team and started rampaging through the ship. We all got seperated, but I heard the Commander calling for an evac. Then I'm not sure, I think -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- something overloaded and there was an explosion?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I remember the Toroki in the stasis pods. I guess one of them might be what killed Archer's MACO, and that was the ship he found us on. Doesn't explain how we travelled back in time, though..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"From what we found, the ship was on a course to Earth when the Heart weapon was fired. As for the temporal element, I too am at a loss right now"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We'll just have to figure that out as we go," she checks to see if she still has her tricorder


Kayleigh@crystyl | She does not


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Do you have a tricorder on you, Kay?"


Kayleigh@crystyl lays back on the bed, "I do not. For now, we are at the mercy of our hosts"


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer & T'Pol make their way through the halls, initially in silence before he gives her a sideways glance


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "Doctor Phlox confirms that Kayleigh is indeed half-human, like Captain Lorian of the other Enterprise we encountered."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "So you believe their story then? Or do you have yet more logical denial about time travel?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "I cannot say whether the rest of their story is true. However, as a being like Kayleigh does not yet exist at this time, the only logical conclusion is that she originates from some -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - point in the future. We have seen enough instances of probable time travel in our recent journeys for this to be an acceptable conclusion."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer smirks, "Took you long enough to admit it, but I'm glad you're finally coming around. So right now we have two problems; first are the two girls in sickbay, second is the ship with -


Kayleigh@crystyl - that... creature on it"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "I recommend we keep away from the ship for now and learn more about our future visitors first. They are likely to know more about the creature than we do."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods, "Keep a close eye on it though, if anything changes over there we need to be ready to act" he turns to split off from T'Pol, "I'll see you on the bridge. First, I need to speak to -


Kayleigh@crystyl - the MACO's. Malcolm tells me they're climbing the walls down there right now"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol returns the nod and heads off to the bridge


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Later on, likely into the night shift on board from the dimmed lighting, Travis and Hoshi are sitting in the dining hall. Travis is talking away excitedly about the new arrivals, but his voice -


Kayleigh@crystyl - seems muffled and distant in Hoshi's ears as she stares down at her plate blankly


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm joins them, setting a dinner tray on the table. Though he far from slams it, the sudden clatter causes Hoshi to jump


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm gives her a concerned look, "You alright Ensign?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi doesn't respond


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm leans in, waving his hand and snapping his fingers in front of her face, "Earth to Ensign Sato, anyone home?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi looks up, "Oh, Lieutenant! When did you get here?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm's face turns grave again, "The MACO's told me what went down over there. It's understandable to be a little shook up you know"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi: "No really, I'm fine. Don't worry about me"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis, "Really? Then what was I just talking about for the last hour with you?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi: "We've been here an hour?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis leans back and gestures at her, "See? Malcolm's right Hoshi, you need to get some rest"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi shakes her head quite adamantly, "No. No, I... I'm fine. Really, I just don't want to..." she trails off


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm pats her on the shoulder, "Do yourself a favour and go see Phlox alright? I'm sure he can give you something to get a decent rest"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi nods absently and stands, heading out


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm calls after her, "And make sure you go straight there, I don't want to have to make it an order!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis watches her go, "Poor girl, she always seems to end up on the away missions that end up freaking her out..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm nods, "From what the MACO's said, it was beyond brutal. Say, Travis; you ever hear of anything like this creature from your boomer friends?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis shakes his head, "No way, even pirates know better than to tell tales about that sort of thing!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm nods, tucking into his dinner, "I thought as much. But speaking of telling tales..." he looks up with a smirk, "you seen them yet?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis grins, "The new arrivals? Nah, but I keep hearing all about them! Hopefully we'll get to meet them soon"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm, "I heard they're both quite cute you know"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Travis flusters, "Lieutenant!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm faux-recoils, "What? You were thinking it too-" he wags his fork at Travis accusingly, "- I just said it out loud!"


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi slowly walks into the dimly lit sickbay, "Doctor...?" she asks meekly


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox does not respond, presumably not here since he's not hibernating right now


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi searches around a little to be sure, idly tapping at the containers of some of her favourite among his wildlife


Kayleigh@crystyl | While Mari is sound asleep, Kay's sensitive hearing makes it rather more difficult with all the buzz of noise from the creatures. She peers out at hearing the increased energy from the creatures -


Kayleigh@crystyl - to see Hoshi looking around like a lost sheep


Kayleigh@crystyl | Unaware of Kay's curious gaze, Hoshi eventually gives up and sits on one of the beds. Not laying down, or trying to rest. Just... sitting there in the dim light


Kayleigh@crystyl groans to herself, glances over to see that Mari is of no help right now and sighs with a resignation to resolve the matter so she can return to trying to sleep


Kayleigh@crystyl stands and heads, "Um... hello"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi jumps up from the bed and staggers back a few steps, looking around the sickbay before she finally spots Kay in the dim lighting, "Oh. Right, you're still in here."


Kayleigh@crystyl raises her hands a little, "Woah, easy. I apologize if made you jump. But I surmised that calling the lights on might have a worse effect. It would also wake Mari, and the animals. And they're very-


Kayleigh@crystyl - noisy and annoying when one is trying to sleep. The animals that is, not Mari"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "That's probably a good idea. So...you and your friend were survivors from that ship?"


Kayleigh@crystyl glances back to Mari, then steps over to join Hoshi so they can talk without disturbing her, "I suppose we are in sense now. Are you alright? You don't exactly look to be in here on duty assignment"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I'm not, I was just looking for the doctor," she glances around again. "I suppose he's not here right now."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I think he went out a while ago, probably so we could rest in more peace and quiet, not that it's likely with all these creatures in here of course. If you require medical attention I can go find -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- someone for you"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "No, no, it's alright. It's nothing urgent, no need to disturb anyone for it. Phlox barely sleeps unless he's hibernating, so I'm sure he'll be back soon."


Kayleigh@crystyl notes her demeanor and figures that is in fact not alright. She perches on the bed Hoshi was sitting on, "Well then, since I could not sleep anyone perhaps we could keep each other company -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- while you wait"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi nods and sits back down on the bed, "So what kind of uniform is that, anyways? Were you part of a freighter crew?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"No, we are Starfleet cadets. We were investigating the derelict when something happened to bring us here"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "That's not a Starfleet uniform though. Besides, I'm pretty sure T'Pol is the only Vulcan serving on a Starfleet ship right now."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Well technically she still is. I am not actively assigned to any vessel in this time, and I am also half Human so would not count anyway in that regard"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "You...realize that just raises more questions than it answers."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"We can add them to the ever growing list of questions"


Kayleigh@crystyl | One of the medical devices nearby chirps an alarm. Not a panic one, sounds more like a status update notification


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi jumps off the bed again in a panic before calming herself and looking over to the source of the alarm


Kayleigh@crystyl peers over, thinking nothing of it, and looks back to Hoshi, "If I may venture, you seem rather... agitated"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I...it's just, that...thing that was with you on the ship."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Thing? Can you be more specific?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "You were down there without knowing it was on your ship? Or was the ship just carrying multiple species of dangerous aliens?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"It was not our ship, so we were unaware of any contents of it before we arrived, just as you must have been. It sounds like you are referring to the Torokei that we found there" she studies Hoshi -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- further, "You were over there yourself weren't you? I take it you had an encounter with it then, judging from your demeanour"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi nods, "Right, you were investigating it too, just like us." She sighs slightly, "It...tore apart one of the MACOs. I've never seen anything quite like it. The alien or what it did..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Oh my, that sounds like quite the traumatic experience. I have never met one myself before, only heard tale of them. But what you describe certainly meets their reputation"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "You've never met one of them? How did you end up unconscious on the ship, then?"


Kayleigh@crystyl sighs, "I am still attempting to reconcile that myself. It was in stasis when we boarded, that much I know. Something happened that woke it up, and then everything gets hazy. Next thing I knew, I -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- was waking up on that bed over there"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "But you've heard of the species...Toroki?"


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "I have. But that hardly seems a fit topic to pursue with you in your current state"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Oh I don't want to know more about the thing, I wish I'd never seen it. I guess I'm just...I don't know what I'm trying to do, actually. I thought since you and your friend were on -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - that ship too, you might've gone through the same thing."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"There was definitely a lot of chaos to deal with, but I did not see anybody 'torn apart'. That doesn't mean it did not happen though" she hrms, "If I may venture, is your anxiety over this matter -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- the rason you came here?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi nods, "I was practically ordered to see the doctor and get something to help me rest."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around in the vain hope of a timely appearance, but of course it does not come. She sighs softly, "I may be able to assist, if you desire it"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Thanks. T'Pol's helped me a few times with this kind of thing. You Vulcans are good at managing your feelings."


Kayleigh@crystyl turns to face her square on, shifting to a kneeling position on the bed, "Well, we get a lot of practice at it. I am far from being an expert at emotional supprssion. But I have learned enough -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- through growing up around non-Vulcans to adapt" she narrates while Hoshi shifts around to suit, placing her fingertips to Hoshi's temples, "I do not know what your Vulcan friend has done in the -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- past for you, but it is good that you are both familiar and accepting of our techniques. This will not do anything to address the cause of your anxiety, but it will help you to compartmentalize -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- the associated emotions which in turn should afford you a more objective retrospective reflection on events" as she continues, she gently massages, moving on to position her fingertips further -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- back around Hoshi's head and placing her thumbs onto the temples instead, "Good. Just close your eyes and focus on my voice. Everything else no longer exists, remove them from your perception; the-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- chattering of the animals, the thrum of the ship's systems, the bleeping of the instruments. As you identify each one, remove it until all that is left is my voice and this moment"


Kayleigh@crystyl | As she continues the guidance, teeny tiny pink sparks dance between her hands and Hoshi's head


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Continue tuning out all other distractions. When you are completely satisfied that they are all gone, open your eyes"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi stays still and focuses for a long moment before slowly opening her eyes


Kayleigh@crystyl pauses her narration at this, "Now, how do you feel in this moment?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Focused, in the present."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, removing her hands slightly, "Good. Any time you feel yourself growing overwhelmed in this manner, it can be helpful to repeat this simple exercise. It will not be quite as effective without -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- a guided touch, but that is not to say it can not be useful still. This sensation of focus should help you to keep your thoughts in balance in the short term, perhaps even long enough to reconcile-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- what you need to" she lowers her hands fully


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi smiles, "Thank you. I appreciate your help. Did you do your...Vulcan mind meld thing to guide me there? I thought I felt some kind of...spark."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Really? How strange. That was no mind meld, just a loose connection. But the fact that you describe feeling a spark of all things..." she hrms, looking at her hands


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Something wrong?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"No, just another element that I had not accounted for. It is the first time I have formed any kind of telepathic connection with someone since my awakening, and from your choice wording now believe-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- there to be some new impact I had not previously considered. Since you have already experienced the sensation once, would you mind if I attempted to repeat the phenomena?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Sure, go ahead."


Kayleigh@crystyl reaches out and takes Hoshi's hand. Holding it lightly between her own she concentrates for a moment. Sure enough, the tiny sparks start dancing across their skin again


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Fascinating" she watches curiously


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I've never seen T'Pol do /that/ before..."


Kayleigh@crystyl ahems, catching herself getting distracted and promptly letting go of her hand, "I am not surprised" she idly rubs her hands together, like brushing off the sensation. Or idling on it...?


Kayleigh@crystyl:"This is not a Vulcan thing, it is a strictly 'me' thing, you see"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "How do you do it?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"If you are looking for a scientific explanation of how the phenomena works, even the experts are still working on that one. Otherwise, it is no different to how any other psionic ability is used. -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- Just like a mind meld, or the guidance exercise we just did. Compared to a non-psionic function it would be like you trying to describe how you walk or talk"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi nods, "Right. There's still a lot about the universe that we have to learn. And by the looks of it, a lot that you Vulcans still have to learn too. That's why we're out here, right?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Indeed it is, and while I can not speak to the distant future from my perspective, I can tell you that it's a sentiment which continues centuries from now still"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "Wait, centuries from now? That's how you're a Vulcan in Starfleet..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Well, no. I'm a Vulcan in Starfleet because I applied to the academy like everyone else"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "But centuries from now, not today."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"In a relative perspective, yes"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I should stop asking more questions, otherwise I'd be here all night," she chuckles. "Thanks for helping me."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I am glad it proved helpful"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi hops back to her feet, much more of a spring in her step now. She starts heading out and turns to give a little wave, "Thanks again! I hope we get talk more again some time"


Kayleigh@crystyl returns the wave, "I would welcome that"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi turns to exit and almost walks into Phlox as he returns


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox, "Oh! Hoshi, what brings you here at this hour? Did you need something?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi glances back to Kay and smiles, shaking her head, "Not tonight, thank you Doctor!" she chirps and heads out


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox gives her a slightly bemused look as she exists, then turns to Kay


Kayleigh@crystyl gives an incredulous shrug and returns to her bed to lay down


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | The next morning, after not really sleeping that well Kay is exploring the room more and observing the different creatures when Phlox returns


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox smiles, "Ah, up and about I see! I trust this means you're feeling better today?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Sleeping in this environment was... problematic"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox looks around, "Oh? Well, no matter!" he raises a tray he's carrying, "Since the two of you are still here, I took the liberty of bringing you some breakfast!"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"So in addition to a plethora of wildlife, you also eat in this medical facility?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox chuckles, "We all make do as we can" and unveils a tray that looks like it has enough carbs to feed the whole ship for a day


Kayleigh@crystyl eyes the food with some concern before glancing to Mari in the hopes she wakes up and saves her from this feast fit for a Klingon


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris sits up from her bed, "It's a different time, Kay. And yeah, getting your bed might be a problem here. Your bed from the Annex /or/ the Saturn..."


Kayleigh@crystyl breathes a sigh of relief, "Well that much is clear, but one that is not in a zoo seems a reasonable ask"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Phlox: "Since both of you are medically cleared, I could ask Captain Archer to get you some quarters. Though I don't suppose your plan is to stay on this ship long, is it?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We...don't have much of a plan. We'd like to go back as soon as we can, but I'm not sure if we'll have a choice there, either."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Indeed. Right now, we are powerless to change our situation"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Phlox: "I will ask the Captain to get you a room, then. Since you may be staying for an indeterminate amount of time."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Speaking of plans...we should probably come up with something, Kay."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods and joins Mari at her bed, with Phlox' tray of food which she sets down


Kayleigh@crystyl:"So how are your temporal mechanics studies?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I've been thinking about this- unless we can get confirmation that this is an alternate reality's past, we should play it safe and treat it as our own reality's past, since everything seems to -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - line up with history as we know it. That means we shouldn't tell them more than we have to about our time and any events that happen later than where we're currently at."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Of course, no knowledge of future events. There is no logical reason to assume this is more than it appears, so I concur that the most likely is temporal displacement and not quantum as well. So -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- if I recall from class, our priority is firstly to find a way back but also to not pollute the timeline in the process"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Finding a way back is going to be difficult. If the ship brought us here, then hopefully there's a way on the ship to go back. If not, that'll be a problem..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Given what little we know of our situation, that seems the most likely since there were no other viable factors at play. The manifest did detail a lot of technology so it may be that it was always -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- intended to strike at the past, or perhaps it were happenchance. Either way, the closest potential answers are on that ship"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"The problem is, potential answers aren't the only thing on that ship..."


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, picking at the food, "Yes, and from the officer who came here last night said it is every bit living up to their reputation"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"The officer who came here last night?"


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "A Human girl around our age. She was with the team from this ship that found us"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hope she's alright. Toroki are easily one of the scarier Rimward species. I can only imagine what it's like to run into one not having studied their biology and knowing what they are..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"She was quite traumatized by the experience and said that it 'tore apart' one one their MACO escorts. From her tone, I would take it to mean literally"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hope history hasn't already changed. That MACO could've been the ancestor of someone in our time..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Those events are - and always were - completely outside of our realm of influence, we should not dwell on hypotheticals"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"True. We just have to get on that ship, find a way home and try to make sure no one else gets killed in the meantime."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"All without crossing a Toroki that at the very best is extremely annoyed right now"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | The door hisses open and T'Pol walks in. She eyes the two visitors before looking to Phlox, "Doctor, I assume they are deemed fit to be outside of your care now since they seem to be enjoying a -


Kayleigh@crystyl - hearty meal"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Phlox nods, "But of course!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol looks to the two, "Then please accompany me"


Kayleigh@crystyl shares a glance with Mari and moves to follow her


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris hops off the bed and follows as well


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol arrives at Archer's office with the cadets in tow, chiming the door


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Come in"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol gestures to the pair to head in and follows in after them


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:rolls 71 (1-100)


Kayleigh@crystyl | They enter to find Archer sat at his desk. Mari narrowly avoids bumping her head on the angled support


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris eyes the support, "This is...a lot smaller than our ready rooms."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around, having no difficulty, "I fail to see the issue. Though it is rather more compact than I am used to seeing a Captain in. For that it is rather compact compared to our standard -


Kayleigh@crystyl - quarters". She stops and sniffs the air


Kayleigh@crystyl | Porthos yaps and comes up to her, standing up and leaning against her leg, giving her a good sniff too


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Oh right, I almost forgot about the dog!" She leans down to give Porthos a pat


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Ah, that is what the smell is. Well you can sniff me all you want but I assure you that I am not Kittiah"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Porthos yawns at Kay and turns to welcome the fuss from Mari instaed


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol looks to Kay, "Phlox can provide you with a nasal suppressant. The Human odour is enough, but canines tend to be rather more... potent. Or at least this one does"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer chuckles, calling Porthos back with some cheese, "I don't know T'Pol, she doesn't seem quite so adverse to him as you are. But what is a... Kittiah?" he looks to Kay curiously


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Probably thanks to Kittiah!" she lets Kay explain what Kittiah actually is


Kayleigh@crystyl:"She is trans-dimensional lifeform who exists in our reality as a vulpine, well, more of a kitsune actually. At least in her juvenile state. I have been informed that upon maturation the species may-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- evolve into a Humanoid form, or at least a form resembling that of their partner"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She's a...companion of Kayleigh's."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol gives her a strange look before turning back, "And he thought I was I mad for having a pet Sehlat as a child".


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer sighs and chuckles in awe at the multiple layers of unknown being thrust at him at warp speed here, "Alright ladies, I'm sure we could keep quizzing you through to retirement. But let's -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- focus on the situation at hand for now. So; we have an alien ship, from the distant future, an alien... creature on said ship, also from the future, which seems intent of tearing apart anyone it -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- can. Then we have the two of you. Does that about sum things up?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "More or less."


Kayleigh@crystyl raises a finger, "Point of clarity; the Torokei are a sentient species, and not wild creatures. Despite your first impression from what I heard of your encounter, that is. I do not know -


Kayleigh@crystyl - the situation with this one though"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer concedes with a tilted nod, "Fair enough. So, since the galaxy seems intent on throwing evermore absurd situations in our way to stop us getting home, here we are. I know we need to -


Kayleigh@crystyl - resolve all of this. What I don't know yet, is how"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"The bad news is, we don't know how we got here either. But it stands to reason something about that ship brought us here, so we might be able to get back using the same ship."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "A logical deduction"


Kayleigh@crystyl almost smiles proudly, "I've been training her"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Hey, I'm not your pet Kay!"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"That's why I'm not also conditioning you" she gives Mari one of the glances that makes her second guess if Kay is actually being serious or funnier than she lets on


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer; "One small problem with that, and that's this Torokei thing"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah. Really wish we'd brought Ailmna with us on this training cruise."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer gives Mari an increduluous look, "Is that your trans-dimensional pet?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"No, Ailmna is a Romu- a fellow cadet with some very impressive fighting skills."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer's eyes narrow slightly at the pause, "Well our MACO's are very impressive fighters too, but that did not seem to count for anything the first time we went over there"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"But you were not prepared for the encounter last time"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"And prepared or not, we don't want to put your people at any more risk, Captain."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks to Mari, "You have an alternative?"


Kayleigh@crystyl & 'T'Pol also turn to her


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Not really, well, I definitely wouldn't call it a /plan/. But I do know we can't risk any of your MACOs getting killed. Or anyone from your crew for that matter."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Well it's a bit late for that"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hope we haven't changed history already. But the least we can do is make sure we don't do anything else that could potentially change it even more."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Anyone else, then. We had no control over what happened before, but we do now. We are duty bound to accept our fates and settle in this time ahead of endangering the timeline"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Exactly. Though we'd prefer to return and the ship is right here, so it's worth a try. We just can't put any of you in harms way."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods, "In that case, since you two are the closest thing we have to experts on, well, everything going on here, I want you to work with T'Pol and Malcolm; if we can put together a -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- reasonable strategy, then I will consider letting our MACO's take you back over there"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Sounds like a plan to me!" she looks to Kay. "Unless you have anything better, Kay?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Formulating a strategy is the most logical step forwards. We can not do that without first examining all available facts, so this is indeed the best approach"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer smirks, "Wow, praise from a Vulcan. I always wondered what that must sound like" he looks at T'Pol with a teasing glance


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol simply gives Archer a slightly amused look before turning her gaze to the cadets, "Follow me, then."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Whatever comes out of this girls, I promise we're not going to leave you high and dry. You... might just have to bear with us while we play catch up a bit" he chuckles, waving them off


Kayleigh@crystyl nods and follows T'Pol out


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Exiting onto the bridge, T'Pol looks sround, "I believe LT Reed is working down in the armoury"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That's definitely more your cup of spiced tea, Kay."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around, figuring out if there's some way she's meant to know where that is


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi calls over, "I don't mind showing her the way. Things are pretty quiet for me right now anyway"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol nods, "Thank you Ensign"


Kayleigh@crystyl crosses the bridge and joins Hoshi to head out


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows T'Pol, "So, I don't suppose you've gotten any good scans of the Toroki during your time over there?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "Unfortunately not. The away team that recovered you was ambushed right as they were leaving so no tangible information is available at present. Am I right in assuming that you are a -


Kayleigh@crystyl - student of science, and your friend is a tactical officer?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "That's right. Xenobiology is one of my focus areas and I've studied the Toroki."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "That is most fortunate. Please share all you know"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"They're one of those species that's difficult to fit into our classifications for life, but they are known to be completely based in our space, no trans-dimensional qualities like Kittiah. They -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- just have qualifies of various different types of life. Toroki are extremely sensitive when it comes to detecting motion. They have compound eyes, good hearing, antennae that can pick up -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - vibrations in the air. They taste the air using their tongues like many reptiles, so staying still won't help much as they can still smell you out."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol taps at her console taking notes, "They sound like evolutationary perfection of the apex predator. But your friend insisted that they are sentient, suggesting a power of reasoning as well?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"They're pretty much a perfect predator. Arguably even more so than the Lupan, who were actually engineered to- no forget I said that, you shouldn't know about the Lupan yet! But yeah, the Toroki -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- are sentient and very intelligent. It took them a lot longer than humans or Vulcans, but they did develop warp engines on their own. We have reason to believe the reasoning of this particular -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- Toroki might be impaired, but we should still expect them to be very smart when it comes to hunting."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol looks to Mari, "What do you mean exactly by this reason to believe it may be impaired?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"To make a very long story short, from what Kayleigh found on the bridge, we think this Toroki was intended for use as a weapon. Their free will is probably eroded, which is probably why they're -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- lashing out at anything and everything. Not that fully rational Toroki can't be violent and brutal, but they generally do what they do for a reason."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "I see. So this one is exceptionally lethal and without remorse. Do you know any more of their physiology?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"They're good climbers. They often move through the maintenance tunnels, drop out of vents or down from ceilings to ambush people when they're boarding a ship. They like to move on all fours, which -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- makes it easy to mistake them as a non-sentient species, but they're faster on all fours and they need all their limbs to climb too. But they do have opposable thumbs and can use weapons, -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- including directed energy weapons. They're cold-blooded, which is probably their one weakness, because their homeworld is very warm so they never evolved a need to regulate their own body -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- temperature. They don't do so well in the cold."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol hrms, "That is a weakness which can be easily exploited, especially in the controlled environment of a ship. What of the vessel itself?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"When we were on board, most of the ship was powered down. There was just the warp core in Engineering which was generating power, and the power being generated was being funneled into the stasis -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- pods for the Toroki. I don't remember anything else remarkable about the ship other than the stasis pods in the cargo bay. An old derelict like that probably has a lot of places for a Toroki to -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- hide or set ambushes."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol pauses, "You said stais /pods/, yes? Are we incorrectly assuming there is one of these Toroki on board?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's possible. There's multiple pods, I only ever saw one Toroki, and from what happaned to your away team we know there's at least one on the loose. But there could be more. Or maybe most of them -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- are still safely sealed inside the pods."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "Then we must account for the potential of there also being more of them"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "If we can get somewhere to adjust the environmental systems, maybe even shut them down completely, I think we can deal with it even if all of them are free. Cold will help, and if there's -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - no atmosphere at all, Toroki still need to breathe. But while we get to a console and boot it up, we might run into trouble."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "Then we need an engineering overview of the ship if we are to determine how best to achieve this. Commander Tucker will be in engineering, we should consult with him on this"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Good idea. Using the ship will be a lot safer than confronting the Toroki personally. Not to mention we still have to figure out what's going on with that ship that sent us into the past..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol finishes up on her console, "This way then" and leads them out


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows along


—


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi looks to Kay as they walk through one of the Enterprise's halls, "Thanks for your guidance last night, by the way. That really worked wonders."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The change in your demeanor between when you arrived and when you left was quite palpable. I am glad it helped, but please remember that it is just a stopgap to help you get your thoughts in -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- order. A prolonged state of being requires years of meditative training and discipline"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I'll be sure to keep it up, then. What about you? I take it you're going to see Malcolm because you plan to head back onto that ship?"


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "We need answers to how we got here, and a way to get home. And even all of that aside, we can't leave that Toroki here unchecked when it could wreak a whole manner of chaos on history as we -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- know it"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "I guess that's true. But with what it did to the Sergeant, are you sure you two girls are up for it?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Unlikely. But that is why we are attempting to formulate a strategy that will satisfy your Captain to the extent of getting involved"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi nods, "I hope it goes better than the last time. The last two times. Your visit to that ship didn't exactly go well, either, otherwise you wouldn't be here."


Kayleigh@crystyl makes a sound almost like a chuckle, "A fair point"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi gives Kayleigh a curious look, "You're pretty different from any other Vulcan I've met. I guess T'Pol is my main point of reference, and I know not every single Vulcan is going to behave -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - exactly like her. But I've never seen a Vulcan with pink hair before."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Yes, I get that a lot. But as a point of clarity, I am half Human too. And centuries from now still, the Vulcan people struggle with prejuedice of impurity"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "That explains the human name. And is that why you're with Starfleet, and not Vulcan High Command or the Science Academy?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The High Command functions much more in a sense of regional governance in our time, and the Science Academy has merits, but anyone in the pursuit of such things tends to favour the Daystrom -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- Institute on Earth. As for me, I was born on a Starfleet ship and grew up on them my whole life. So it was the only logical choice in my perspective"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi: "It definitely sounds like quite a lot has changed in your time. Can't say I'm surprised. Well, here we are at the armoury."


Kayleigh@crystyl eyes the door in front of them, "Thank you"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Hoshi smiles, "You're welcome. It's the least I could do for your help last night."


—


Kayleigh@crystyl bids farewell to Hoshi and steps into the armoury. She wasn't sure what she was expecting at this point, but it probably wasn't this with everything being so hands on with the ordnance


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around tentatively, realizing she has no idea who Lieutenant Reed actually is so can't tell among the few crew she can see at work


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Fortunately, Lieutenant Reed spots her unusual uniform. After a few moments of looking around aimlessly, Malcolm approaches Kayleigh, "You must be one of the girls they found on that abandoned -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - freighter."


Kayleigh@crystyl turns, "Yes, I am Cadet Kayleigh. I am looking for a Lieutenant Reed"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "That would be me. Never seen a Vulcan with pink hair before. That's not naturally-occuring, is it?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"It is not. And by the way you specify that of a Vulcan, do I understand correctly that you are accustomed to seeing it on other species?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Not quite. But after everything I've seen out here, I wouldn't be surprised."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I see. Well, it is good to know my choice of hair colour stacks up against the great wonders of the galaxy"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "A Vulcan with dyed hair? That certainly has to be up there somewhere. But fashion talk aside, I assume you're here to help us figure out how to deal with the creature on that ship?"


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "Yes, we believe the answers to putting everything right are over there. Even if not, the situation needs to be dealt with. So your Captain is open to sending a mission over there if we can -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- present a satisfactory strategy. Since I was directed to you on this matter, I take it that is your department?".


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "That it is. Despite what some of the MACOs might claim. I believe you might know more about the alien we're dealing with than I do, though."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Presumably, yes"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Well, I'd appreciate anything that can help us protect you against that thing if we are going over. And ourselves. I might have my differences with the MACOs at times, but it's not -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - easy to catch one of them off-guard like what I heard happened down there."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The Toroki are naturally evolved apex predators. I would not be surprised to see one catch a Dahar Master off guard in the right circumstances"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "So how do we prepare for it?"


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, "That is a good question, and if it was so simple then I could likely handle the matter on my own. One day with experience perhaps, but I am lacking in the years for experience of that caliber


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Are they vulnerable to phase pistols?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I do not know the specifics of their physiology. What I can tell you is that they have heightened senses, and are closer to reptilian than anything else. My friend is working with your XO to -


Kayleigh@crystyl:-address that side of things. I believe we should focus on the larger strategy"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "With how it snuck up on the MACO, we'll probably want a full tactical team, everyone watching each other's backs and making sure nothing sneaks up on us. And make sure no one splits -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - up or goes roaming alone. You said this Toroki is an apex predator?"


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "Yes. I know they have a penchant for hunting on all fours like a Lupan, but whereas Lupan are more pack hunters, the Toroki is more of an ambush predator. It would likely stalk any target -


Kayleigh@crystyl - and - in the case of a ship - come at them from an accessway or ventilation duct. I don't suppose we have detailed scans of the vessel?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm steps over to a console, "We did scan the ship before we boarded it. I'm not sure if our sensors could've missed something, but it's better than nothing."


Kayleigh@crystyl joins him to take a look, "Can you show me where you boarded previously, and where you found us?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, pointing out where they entered from, the path the team took, and where Kay and Mari were found


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "And that's where this Toroki attacked and killed the Sergeant," he finally points out


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "See any patterns that could help us?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Perhaps. Your beam-in point was here-" she points to confirm, "-around the midship, which I believe is comparable to the entry point we first used as well. I was found nearby and Mari look like she-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- was between that and the aft section where engineering and cargo storage were. It is just a theory, but I believe this central area may constitute the Toroki's preferred hunting grounds"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "You think that's why we got attacked here and you didn't where you were unconscious?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I don't think we were spared due to the location, it's not far enough to be of consequence. There was very little time between it waking up and us appearing here, and in that time it wreaked havoc -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- on our away team. No, I think all of this area-" she highlights the central area with an extension around engineering, "- is where it is most comfortable because those areas would be the most


Kayleigh@crystyl:- temperate. I do not know this with any certainty, but I would surmise that transporter technology has progressed between now and our time. What is the cycle time of your transporter?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Lemme check with Trip," he moves over to a different panel and comms Engineering, returning after a moment, "About ten seconds."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"As I thought. That is ten seconds where your entire team would be vulnerable, and more than enough time for the Toroki to close in. If I remember correctly, the transporter system was not in -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- mainstream use before now. How would you have boarded a ship without it?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Docking a shuttlepod with an airlock, of course. Or a hangar or cargo bay if there is one open to land in."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I don't suppose you still keep a complement of the shuttles on board do you?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "That we do," he draws up the list of shuttlepods


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Then, especially given that transporters are standard where this Toroki is from, so expected - even moreso now it's seen them in use once - we may be better to subvert expectation by using one of -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- these instead. Not only will it fall outside of the Toroki's expectation, but it will afford us an entry point at the extreme outer hull. An airlock especially will be extremely cold on that ship -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- still given how long it sat derelict without main power"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "And it won't be able to ambush us while we're defenseless in the middle of transporting. Good thinking."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"There is still the matter of what to do once we are there though. I am not familiar with these shuttle... pods of yours. Do they have sufficient capacity that a contingent can remain there and -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- guard the entrypoint?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "We can fit seven in a shuttlepod. We could post two as guards and still have three to protect you and your friend on the ship. There'll be no way to sneak into our pod except through -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - the airlock, so it should be an easy chokepoint that won't need any more than two people to protect. Even one man would be enough, but if these Toroki are as scary as you say, it might be best -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - play it safe."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I agree on playing it safe, but that is more on the word of your people than my own experience. They are the ones who already encountered it after all, and I saw the effect of the trauma on Ensign -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- Sato. Well, it is certainly a starting point for us to work with. In order to determine more specifics pertaining to your original query I believe we need input from the others"


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm leads the way from the armoury, heading down to engineering to get Trip's input with Kay in tow


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm turns to Kayleigh as they walk, "So you said you don't think it was proximity that spared you and your friend. Why /do/ you think the Toroki ignored you? Just because you weren't moving?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I'm not convinced that it did. As I said before, everything happened in quick succession after it awoke. When it did, it immediately went for the nearest team and was on my team nearer the bridge -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- before we knew it. There was a lot of collatoral damage being caused and during all of that something happened which brought us here. I don't know how long the ship was adrift here before you -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- found it, but it is feasible that both Mari and I were spared during that period either because we were unconcsious or buried in debris"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "What about the rest of your team? You don't know what happened to them?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Not for certain, but I distinctly recall the Commander calling for a regroup and evac. I believe everyone else made it out before the temporal event occurred"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Well, there weren't any bodies on the ship, so that's a good sign."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"And largely the premise for my assumption" she looks around as they walk, "I can not help but notice that this ship seems have seen it's share of collatoral damage as well. Your Captain mentioned -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- something about returning to Earth, but not what you were returning from"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "The Delphic Expanse. We were on a mission to stop the Xindi from destroying Earth."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"The Xindi attack..." she thinks, "Oh yes, of course" she seems to hold herself from continuing and simple observes him through a sideways glance as they walk


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Here we are," he steps through a door into the NX-01's Main Engineering


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around, "So this is the famous warp 5 engine"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Mariel peers down, just descending on the lift, "I hope you appreciate the significance of being here to see it for yourself! And hey, you had the same idea we did!"


Kayleigh@crystyl glances up, "We are formulating a strategy to deal with an enemy on an unfamiliar vessel. An engineering assessment of the ship would be prudent"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip peers down from on top of the engine, "When the Hell'd it go so busy in my engine room?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris steps off the lift, "When we all had the same idea to come down here, apparently."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip climbs down, "No kidding. You must be the future girls everyone's talkin' about. Charles Tucker III, at your service, but you can just call me Trip"


Kayleigh@crystyl perks a brow, "Mr. Trip Sir, we were hoping to gain your insights on the alien vessel"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip chucklesnorts, "Nono, no 'Mr', no 'Sir' just Trip. go ahead, try it" he looks quite entertained by this


Kayleigh@crystyl:"...Trip"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip smirks, "There! Wasn't so hard now was it. So, any of you good folks care to narrow down exactly what it is about this ship you're hoping I can tell you?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "The hostile being, or beings, have a tendency to move through maintenance sections of the ship in order to conduct ambushes."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "Wait, there's more than one?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "We do not know. But the possibility exists."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"That is an unwelcome complication"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "So you want to try and map those accessways? That's going to be tricky from a remote scan"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Any accessway you can identify could be helpful to us. We'd also like to figure out how exactly this ship took us back in time, but I don't suppose you're going to be able to figure that out from -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- a scan either. Even our scans didn't see any unusual temperal activity with the ship before we boarded. But I guess if you see any strange systems or anything like that..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip moves over to a console where he starts working away, "Well, you're probably right there miss. But we'll see what we can find for you"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Additionally-"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip gives a faux exhasberated sigh, "There's more?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"...Additionally; We are considering an approach using one of your shuttlepods. Identifying a suitable airlock would be beneficial as well as any thermodynamic data across the ship. Ultimately, we -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- want to access and override the environmental systems"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip gives her a quirked look as if to say 'anything else'


Kayleigh@crystyl glances to the others briefly, not sure how to read his sense of humour yet, and back, "That is all for now. Si- Trip"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip smiles and gets back to work, "You know, you don't seem too bad for a Vulcan Miss"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Kayleigh. Go ahead, try it"


Kayleigh@crystyl Trip turns slowly, some disbelief at his own piece being thrown back at him like that. He chuckles, more entertained than ever, "Yeah, you're definitely alright for a Vulcan"


Kayleigh@crystyl glances at T'Pol, assuming this to infer that she is not


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "She is also half human."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip gives her a look of disbelief over his shoulder, then to Kay who simply nods, "Huh" and continues working


Kayleigh@crystyl looks to Mari as he works, "Were the two of you able to come up with anything? I know xenobiology is your field, and Lieutenant Reed had some questions"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Taking advantage of the Toroki's nature as a cold-blooded species is probably going to be our best bet. We could also vent the entire atmosphere, but just in the off chance someone else -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - from the Saturn is still alive and the Enterprise just haven't found them, it's safer to make the environment colder than depriving everyone of oxygen."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Logical. Do you happen to know more about their physiology, and if they would be susceptible to phased weapons?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I think so. I believe they're resistant to stun settings on our phasers, so that would probably be the same for phased weapons too if not more so- you do have a stun setting in this century, right?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "Phase pistols can be set to stun, but I assume we wouldn't want to do that for the Toroki?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Of more concern would be whether or not your highest yield is sufficient" she looks to Mari, "Can you think of a material that would be readily available here which we might consider comparable to -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- the Toroki's hide?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris hrms, "I don't suppose you're familiar with the Gorn yet, no, first contact was a century from now...wait, of course, the MACOs!"


Kayleigh@crystyl perks a brow, "I am fairly certain that first contact with the MACO's has already occurred"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"No, no, MACOs being stationed on the NX-01 means this is after the Xindi attack on Earth," she looks to Malcolm. "Have you actually encountered them in person yet?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "We've fought them on more than a few occasions, in person and in space."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Xindi-Reptilians?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "They're the Xindi's primary ground troops."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Are your weapons effective against them?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm: "The stun setting isn't, but full power is enough to at least hurt one of them, or kill if hit in the right places."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Then they should work against the Toroki too."


Kayleigh@crystyl gives a nod of approval, "Excellent thinking"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip chimes in, "Alright, well the good news is that I've found your airlock"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol, "And the bad news?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "The bad news is that I can't make any real sense of the layout inside. Not to the extent you wanted at least" he hands her a datapad, "I've marked what I can on here, these /look/ like -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- prime candidates for environmental controls. But without seeing it for myself, this is the best I can do"


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol nods, "Thank you Commander" and looks to the gang, "I will need some time to study this data before presenting our strategy to the Captain. Ensign Sato has arranged quarters for you both, -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- so I recommend some downtime while you can"


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | After leaving the others, the cadets are shown to their temporary quarters which they find to be much more comparable to the shared academy dorm rooms


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks around, "This definitely feels more like the Wenut than the Saturn. But the Wenut is a defensive escort, usually stationed at or around a bigger ship or facility. Going on long exploration -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - missions with accomodations like this, early human explorers like Captain Archer really had it rough."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"It is indeed far removed from much that we take for granted. That said, they are still clearly Starfleet and have a way of making ease with their situation here. I find I am having to constantly -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- remind myself of the delicate situation we are now in"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah...it's easy to slip up and almost tell them too much. Pretty sure I've already named a few species and civilizations I shouldn't, I just hope they don't remember them since the names don't -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- mean anything to them on their own yet."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Likewise, we have undoubtedly already contaminated the timeline here. But I do not believe there to be any impact other than curiosity on their part right now, which is arguably not a bad thing. In-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- fact, given the exact timeframe this crew is in, a renewed sense of curiosity about the unknown may even be good for them"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That's a good point, actually. The Xindi conflict was a pretty dark time in early Starfleet history. It's a miracle this ship made it out of all that in one piece."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"One thing I do not understand though; I thought the climax of that conflict took place in the Sol System. But the Captain said they have not yet returned to Earth"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Could this be an alternate timeline where things played out differently? Or maybe it was part of the records corrupted in the Breach of 2212."


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, "We can't rule out alternate timelines, but given what we know of them from recent events it is most likely that a temporal event like ours would have brought us to a division point, meaning -


Kayleigh@crystyl - that up until our arrival it would have still been the same timeline as our own, the only potential alternate is created as a result of our arrival"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"True, and whatever happened with the Xindi happened way before we got here."


Kayleigh@crystyl sighs softly, "But putting this crew aside for the moment, how are you faring with all of this?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hope we manage to find some way home. And that everyone else on our team made it back safely too. If we have to, I'll probably be able to adjust to life in this time, probably fit in better than -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- you. But I'd rather not have to."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I too would naturally prefer to get home, but- wait, what would I have a harder time fitting in here?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Well for one, they don't have any non-humans in Starfleet yet at this point, only the exchange officers like Phlox and T'Pol. Not to mention there's no half-Vulcan, half-humans in existence yet, -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- yet, so that's going to raise a lot of eyebrows."


Kayleigh@crystyl hrms, "You raise a fair point. Should it come to pass, we would have to reinvent my identity as a full Vulcan exchange officer"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah, but we'd probably have to Starfleet to play along and keep your true nature a secret. Otherwise a scan even with the tech they have here will figure out you're not entirely Vulcan."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"If life growing up in Starfleet taught me anything, it is that starships are the best place for people to fit in. I believe that it could be my best means of staying out of history's way. However-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- I would prefer not to dwell on contingencies just yet as there is still every reason to believe that we will find our way back"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah. If we got here on that ship, there has to be a way of getting back."


Kayleigh@crystyl | The comm panel chimes


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Speaking of, sounds like they might be ready for us."


Kayleigh@crystyl looks around, "Hello?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The comm panel chimes again


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I...don't think they can hear us."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris steps up to the panel, looking for a button to answer


Kayleigh@crystyl | After finding the button, Hoshi's voice comes through, "Oh! There you are, good. I was about to send an escort to come get you! T'Pol has called a meeting to go over the plan, so asks that you -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- both come back to the bridge. Can you find your way alright?"


Kayleigh@crystyl fixates on the manual button push to answer, "How quaint..."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Sorry, we were just figuring out how to answer! We'll be right there, I'm sure we can find the way."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Hoshi, "Alright, see you soon then!"


Kayleigh@crystyl stands, "I hope you were not exaggerating when you said we can find our way"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's a small ship. How hard can it be?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"I guess we are about to find out" she steps out, looking left and right


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows Kayleigh out, "This is barely a corner on the Saturn. We'll stumble upon it eventually! But preferably, we make some...logical guesses on which way to go."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Computer, which way is the bridge from here?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Of course, no computer; no reply


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I don't think their computer can do that yet."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Evidently. Well, you came on a more direct route from there to engineering, then to here. I also went via the armoury so it was more disorientating"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We didn't pass by here on the way to Engineering. But we did get from Engineering to here by a lift. If we get back to the lift, it might take us right to the bridge. Or another deck where I can -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- get my bearings..."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "That was this way" she heads off to the left...


Kayleigh@crystyl and returns after a moment, "The other this way..."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles and follows


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | The pair manage to find their way eventually and step onto the bridge to find everyone else gathered at the meeting table


Kayleigh@crystyl | T'Pol looks up as they approach, "You made it, good"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Malcolm chuckles and leans across to Trip, "Told you"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Yes, the ship was not difficult to navigate at all, for something a fraction the size of the Saturn..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "I'm not even going to ask..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer joins them after a moment as well, sipping a mug of coffee, "So, we have a plan then?" he looks to T'Pol


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol nods, "We have a means to approach the situation that minimizes danger. That is likely as close to a plan as we can form with the information available to us."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks over the details, "Shuttlepod is it? And you believe this is better than transporting in?" he looks to Malcolm for the tactical assessment


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "It was Kayleigh's suggestion, and I agree. Even if the Toroki strikes the moment we dock, we can bottleneck it through the airlock. If it sneaks up on us while we're -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - transporting in, we'll be dead meat the moment we become solid."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer gives Kayleigh a glance, nods and continues, "Alright so that gets you in. What's your objective once there?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"First thing is to turn the environmental controls down. Cold is probably the one weakness the Toroki have, because they're cold-blooded. That should help us out quite a lot."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "And the best I can tell, they'll be able to do that at one these locations"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks over the plans of the ship, "Do you all think you can reach even one of these points without crossing this Toroki?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We hope so, but we can't make a plan around hope, so we're prepared to deal with the Toroki before it's weakened if we have to. They're dangerous apex predators, but they're not invincible."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "We have considered the power capability of your phase rifles and are confident that they can have an impact"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer hrms, "So assuming you successfully lower the temperature and contain this Toroki. What are your intentions for it?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"If we catch them alive, put them back into the stasis pod, I guess. I didn't actually consider that we might be able to catch them alive, with how dangerous they are. But the Toroki is still an -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- intelligent, sentient being. And if we can get them into stasis, we can treat the influence that's driven them crazy back in our time."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks to Malcolm after a moment, "Take no chances, you hear me; if that thing comes at any of you, you defend yourselves first and foremost - whatever it takes. I will accept no casualties-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- if you go back over there. Can you deliver?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Malcolm nods, "Understood, Captain. We'll put the Toroki down if we have to."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer looks around the group and gives a firm nod, "Alright then, we'll launch the mission first thing in the morning" and promptly heads back to his ready room


—


Kayleigh@crystyl | That evening, Kay and Mari walk down one of Enterprise's halls


Kayleigh@crystyl:"So, have you ever attended a formal Captain's Table dinner before?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris shakes her head, "Nope. You? I know you spent a lot of your life on ships, so you might have more experience with this sort of thing than I do..."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Regrettably not. I did not see many different ships growing up, but of all those I did none ever held such a historical tradition to my knowledge. Sure, sometimes a CO would host some of their -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- senior staff for an evening. But so would everybody else at times, there was never anything that equated to the old naval formality. I hope the Captain can forgive us not presenting in formal -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- dress uniforms..."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Well seeing as they found us unconscious on a derelict ship I'm sure he'll overlook it! I don't think we can get a change of uniform even if we wanted, I haven't seen a single replicator on the -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- ship and I'm pretty certain this was before they were invented, so they'd actually have to tailor something for us!"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"True, and they won't exactly have the patterns loaded for uniforms of our period anyway" she pauses at a door, "This should be it. Shall we?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Ready when you are Kay!"


Kayleigh@crystyl chimes the door, proudly growing accustomed to the novelty of manual interfaces


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer calls out from within, "Come in!"


Kayleigh@crystyl stepping inside they are presented with what looks more like a conference room, albeit as compact as everything else here compared to what they are used to. Archer, T'Pol and Trip are all sat around


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer smiles, "Girls, thank you for joining us. Please, have a seat"


Kayleigh@crystyl tentatively takes one of the empty seats


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks around, "Seems like you still have some creature comforts in this day and age." She walks over and takes a seat too


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer chuckles, "Much as it may seem to your eyes, we are in fact far from the Dark Ages"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Sorry, we're just used to our ships having a lot more luxuries. I know this is very much state-of-the-art for this time. And having seen the Phoenix in the Smithsonian you've -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - certainly come a long way."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "Hold up, that old bucket is in a museum?!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | An ensign comes in, topping up water for them all and then leaves without a word


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "It's a key part of Fed- human history, after all."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer hrms, "I realize you probably have all sorts of rules you're trying to follow about contaminating history and all that, but do yourselves a favour and stop walking on tenterhooks around -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- us. A few meaningless names and references are not going to change things any more than I've already learned from future visitors"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I suppose not, and we've already said a good few names we probably shouldn't anyways."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip: "Just... do me a favour and don't tell us anything too personal, yeah?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"If you mean things like saying we went to a highschool named after you, then I can put your mind at rest. I was raised on a starship" she sips her water


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip breathes a small sigh of relief


Kayleigh@crystyl adds, "Though it was a class of starship named after you..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip almost chokes on his drink


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Kay!"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Was this not a suitable moment for a humorous falsehood?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer smirks


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh wait, that was a joke. You got me too, but that's only because I don't know my starship classes that well. It's much more Kerafar's sort of thing..."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip takes a moment to catch on, "Did she-...?" he looks to T'Pol, thrown by a Vulcan attempting to make jokes


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "It would appear so."


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks to Archer, "I do actually have your bio memorized, but don't worry, I won't tell you anything you shouldn't already know!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer raises his glass a little to her, "Well, I appreciate that. Future impressions aside, I really just wanted to make sure you two are doing alright. Being thrown around in time like you have-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- could rattle anyone, and I guess as cadets you haven't exactly been given fair preparation for anything like this yet"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah...we do probably have much more training for things like this than usual cadets our year, thanks to the amount of temporal and multiversal events that's been happening around where our Annex -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- is located. But we are still only second year cadets, and we never expected to end up in a situation like this. And definitely not without a professor or full officer around."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Even by our measure of extraordinary circumstances for our age, this is on a whole new level"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip raises a finger, "Ah, see now you say that; and it might be the case for your friend there. But we know all about Vulcans and your perception of age being longer lived than us"


Kayleigh@crystyl looks between Trip and T'Pol then back, "You are inferring to the fact by a Human measure of years, Vulcans appear younger than the standard measure leads your perception to anticipate?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer simplifies, "You typically look a lot younger than you are, yes"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Ah" she sips her drink, "Well I can put your mind at ease there then, because I am as young as I look"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Both Trip and Archer pause, eyeing her a moment before glancing to T'Pol for her intuition


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "She may appear to be Vulcan, but the human genetics probably has an effect on her development. Aging like a human, or at least maturing like one, may be the result of that."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"A fair supposition, but Vulcan-Human hybrids actually tend to average closer to the Vulcan lifespan"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Come to think of it, I don't think I've actually met a Vulcan as young as you before then. Wasn't there something about a strict discipline through the early years to master your -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- emotional control?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"That is true, and in my case it is a work in progress. But growing up in Starfleet and around Humans and other races, it was quite natural for me to walk this path at the same time as my peers -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- rather than isolating myself for decades to fully master my emotions first"


Kayleigh@crystyl Trip, "So /that's/ why you wer cracking jokes before!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer smiles, "Well, if it works for you then good for you. I can't say it ever gets old"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Yeah, Kay does that from time to time. And she has the best deadpan face you can ask for because of her Vulcan side too!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | The ensign returns, setting down appetizers for everyone


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer thanks the Ensign and looks to Mari, "Is that so? It's a good job we don't meet here to play poker then!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip chuckles, "Could you imagine?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I hear that happens quite often on our ships. Guess the tradition hasn't started yet!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Anyway, I took the liberty of having Chef prepare some typical meals for you both. But if anything's not to your liking then just say and we can get you something else"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks at the appetizers, "Chef? Oh right, this is actual cooked food, isn't it!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer gives a quirked look around the table, "You don't eat cooked food in the future now?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We still have chefs and restaurants, and some people cook on occasion as a pasttime. But most of the time we have...other technology to make food, and it's more efficient on a starship."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer: "That would certainly be convenient. But yes, Chef prepares all the meals on board Enterprise"


Kayleigh@crystyl glances to the side door the Ensign keeps using, "And is the plate waiting also standard? I have never experienced such a formality on board a ship before"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris takes a bite of the appetizer, "And he does his job well!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer: "Really? Well, I guess you can thank my father for that. He raised me with dreams of flying this ship with his engine out into the frontier and so I grew up with romanticized views of old-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- naval vessels that once carried the Enteprise name. I guess some traditions just seemed a natural fit, but I hope it doesn't completely die out with me at least"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"When I one day make Captain, I will endeavour to uphold the tradition for you"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer gives her a glance, he and Trip chuckling, "Not even graduated yet and you've already got your eye on command? You really do work fast, even by Human standards!"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Well, I anticipate some years of service before reaching that point. But I believe it is important to have a long term strategy as well"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Meanwhile I'm still trying to figure out exactly what to do after graduating."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Now that seems like a much more familiar story"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"You were a test pilot for some of the older warp engines before you became captain, right?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer nods proudly, "Sure was. Worked my ass off since I was your age, even younger I bet, to get into the program"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Back in those days the ships were more like the Phoenix than the Enterprise, if I'm not mistaken. Probably didn't even imagine you'd be a captain with a crew like this. Probably expected a crew of -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- five or ten at most like those ancient Earth astronauts, I imagine!"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer considers and nods, "I suppose there was a time when that was how we imagined it would be. But in reality, once we started to actually think seriously about the practicalities it soon -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- became evident that a ship like Enterprise with a larger crew would be the way forwards"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "But this ship you're from - the Saturn - sounds like it dwarfs the Enterprise"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"The Saturn is a big ship even for our time, the biggest in our fleet. What're the dimensions of the Enterprise again?"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "She measures 230m bow to stern"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"Far bigger than the QanwI' still"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip: "The Qua-what?"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"An allied vessel that was a part of the Saturn's convoy"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"But I think the NX-01 could still fit into one of the Saturn's repair hangars. A bit on the large side, but serviceable I believe."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "Seriously? Is it a ship or space station?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Basically both. The Saturn's practically a mobile repair yard. It's meant to service smaller ships to keep them operational on a long-range journey. If you were in our time, you wouldn't have to -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- go back to Earth to fix up all the battle damage you took from the Xindi. Just dock with the Saturn for a week and you'll be good as new."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Well that does sound useful. And I suppose you've spread out a lot further than we've even explored so things like that become more important"


Kayleigh@crystyl meanwhile turns to T'Pol, "Since you are partaking in this conversational meal, I assume you too have grown accustomed to the Human tendency to make meals a social occassion. I would be interested -


Kayleigh@crystyl:- in learning more about your observations given your unique position here, particularly on the unique social situation present here on this ship"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol nods, "It has been a most interesting experience. Though I imagine you would already be familiar with most of my observations, given your connections to human culture. Save those -


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - specific to this ship, of course."


Kayleigh@crystyl:"True, but from my perspective Vulcans and Humans coexisting is nothing new. But here and now, everything is new and - for want of a better term - untainted by other cultures, and that is what makes-


Kayleigh@crystyl:- your experience so unique and of interest still"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pol: "I see the value my experiences may have to you. But perhaps we should discuss them some time when the subjects of my observation are not looking on. It may become rather awkward."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip glances between them, "Hey, if you're going gossip about us you should do it infront of us"


Kayleigh@crystyl looks back to T'Pol, "You are quite right"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer chuckles, "So is it normal in your time for cadets to be out investigating strange derelict ships?"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Not exactly. But we do go on training cruises or temporary assignments on ships, where we function just as any normal crewmember would. Nothing like learning from firsthand experience."


Kayleigh@crystyl nods, "We are out with the Saturn on our first training cruise in fact. But the premise of firsthand experience being a benefit is the reason our annex is located on the frontier of civilized space"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Trip, "Makes sense to me. Never really was much of one for all that stuffy classroom stuff anyway"


Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That's one of the reasons annexes like ours are pretty popular these days! In our day, that is."


Kayleigh@crystyl | Archer, "Well I can certainly see the benefit in principle, but it must be quite a balance to strike with keeping inexperienced cadets safe too"


Kayleigh@crystyl:"A balance that is still a struggle at times, as evidenced by our current predicament"


Kayleigh@crystyl | Everyone nods and concurs, moving on to enjoy their dessert









 
 
 

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