Digging in the Closet: Sweeping all the Cobwebs


 * Gerhardt Rahner

Digging in the Closet: Sweeping All the Cobwebs '''Main Engineering 1440 MST'''

"Oh, fuck off," Gerhardt said, uncharacteristically pissy. "What do you mean the decks are off?"

"Um, sir, the XO just sent this memo down for your immediate perusal," the misfortunate ops crewman shook a bit as he half handed off, half cowered behind the padd in his hand. No one was sure what had put the Chief in such a foul mood, but everyone had given him a wider than normal berth all day. This poor bastard had simply drawn the short straw from the crap-shoot universe of military life.

Gerhardt snatched the padd out of his hand and looked it over. He mumbled grumpily a bit as he read some of the more pertinent details. "How the hell does this problem deserve a team to solve it?" He turned his attention back on the crewman and point at the MSD. "Do you see that big, pretty board up there? Do you see the diagram of my big, pretty ship up there? Do you see any missing decks on that diagram?"

"Um, sir, the report says we have, um, an extra deck number," the poor man stuttered.

"I can read the Gottverbotten report!" Gerhardt roared. "Dismissed!"

The ops crewman scurried off to find a less hostile environment, leaving Gerhardt alone under the glowing MSD. He propped himself up on the console immediately in front of the MSD and sighed. He wasn't even sure what he was mad about any more. Something had caught him off-guard and off-kilter as soon as he'd left his rack that morning. The staff meeting was a blur through which he sat sullen and silent until he had to report, which he did tersely and quickly. His shift had begun with Ensign Miller coming to him, hat in hand as it were, to request security clearance to do his assigned menial bitch-work of the day, cleaning the computer core housing and running a maintenance diagnostic on the isolinear cores, and seeing him did nothing good to his bad mood. The rest of the day had been full of minor inconveniences fit to grind his gears.

"Tough day, boss?" asked an unknown but familiar voice to his left. Gerhardt turned his head to see a Petty Officer 2nd Class in blue. He stared in horror at a woman he knew didn't exist, former Crewman Rand, someone he had chalked up to a hallucinatory side-effect of the anesthesia from his heart surgery.

This isn't happening! he thought. "What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed at her, throwing a quick look around to make sure he was alone. His bad mood all day had seen to that. "You are not real!"

"Eh, technically true," Rand smirked at him, "but that doesn't make it any less fun to drop in on you from time to time."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you, like the ship, are under stress, much of which you probably don't understand."

"So you are a figment of my subconscious mind?" he asked flippantly. "Terrific. I am going insane. Well, at least I am going insane with some class," he added, flicking the new rank insignia with his finger.

"I'll take that as a congratulatory remark," she smiled again. "Now then, what is it you need to work out?"

"Why my subconscious mind speaks as though it was born in the Americas, instead of good, wholesome German?" he scoffed. "Am I going to have an epiphany when you leave this time? Could it be more useful than last time?"

"Fine, make your damn jokes," she glared at him. "Just hope this time your core doesn't blow."

With that, she climbed on top of the console, jumped at the MSD, and dissipated. Gerhardt watched this in utter confusion, which was only interrupted by another ops officer with the same report he had already received from the XO, only this time from Ops Chief Mari. Gerhardt shook himself from his reverie, his mood having strangely mellowed.

"Hmm? Oh, ja, let me take care of that," he said, taking the padd from the ops officer. He tapped a few commands into the console, changing the number of decks in the Engineering logs from 19 to 18. "There we are. If anyone finds a missing 19th deck, please inform me so I can correct the logs. Oh, and find the last ops crewman who brought me a report, please. I did not note his name and I would like to apologize for the rude treatment I gave him."

"Will do, sir. Rough day?"

"It has been a little crazy, ja," Gerhardt replied.
 * 09-26-2011, 23:53

Evan Stone A Heartwarming Tale...and Other Things that Aren't Likely...
 * Sickbay:::
 * USS Atlas:::

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Chris groaned.

Shia Soloman brushed a strand of her red hair back from her face and continued putting her notes into her chart. “Captain’s orders. If you served at the Battle of Epsilon Indi you have to have a sit down with a counselor.” She finished updating his chart and held up the hypo spray. Chris already had his arm ready, he received the contraceptive injection once a month like clockwork.

Watching the attractive redhed engage the hypospray Chris offered an annoyed grunt in exchange. “We have something like two dozen security personnel on this ship and yet Starfleet found time to make sure we have two counselors on board. How the hell does that happen?”

Setting the empty hypo down she offered a smile. “Well Commander, that should do it. And as for the counselor situation...I’m afraid that’s above my paygrade.” She gave him a taunting smile. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

She always threw those little hooks out to him, she was a tease, and he loved the game they played. “Well, it seems ashame we have all these empty beds in sickbay that aren’t getting used...”

“That's because those beds are for sick people, Commander. Which fortunately we don't have many of.” She narrowed her eyes waiting for his response.

“Well, it just so happens have I a bit of a medical condition.” Chris replied. “I’ve been having some swelling, maybe you have something I could put on it?”

She looked down coyly and stepped closer.

This time? Chris wondered. What a wonderful pursuit.

“I do have something we can put on that swelling problem of yours.” She was almost at his lips. “Some ice water. A cold shower is great for swelling. Should I have one of the male nurses start one for you, sir?” Bushing past him to retrieve his chart she stepped out of the exam room and looked back with a smile.

“Well played, I guess I lose this round.”

“I’ll give you a solid ‘A’ for effort.” Shia replied. “Don’t forget the Captain’s orders.” She gave him another ‘up and down’ before walking off.


 * Counselor’s Offices:::
 * USS Atlas:::

Where the hell am I? Chris felt offended there was even space on the ship dedicated to this nonsense. Rounding the corner he found the mental health offices. There was a small office with a tiny waiting room - empty - and some enlisted crewman sitting at the desk.

“Sir,” he snapped to attention.

“At ease and let’s get this over with.” Chris looked at the cramped officers with barely contained derision. “I’m suppose to have a meet and greet with a counselor over the whole Xul War thing.”

“Yes, sir.” the crewman replied. “Your scheduled for Lt. Wilson, the lead counselor.”

Chris frowned. I don't want some lead counselor thinking he can sharpen his teeth on my time. “I thought there was a cadet assigned to this as well?”

“There is..”

“That's who I want.” Chris didn't bother looking at the crewman. Someone who will rubber stamp this gibberish.

“Can I ask why?” the crewman began. “Just to let Lt. Wilson know.”

Chris turned toward the enlisted man in annoyance. “Because I’m the XO and I can make those kinds of big boy decisions all by myself. If your Lt. Wilson doesn’t like it, he can come sit on my couch and tell me about it.”

“Of course sir.” the crewman nodded. “Let me inform Cadet Stone.” The Crewman went over to his display station and pressed a button. “Cadet Stone, the ship’s XO is requesting a meeting with you.

Evan had just been finishing up reading all of the files that he had to in order to be all caught up on the ship’s personnel files when his desk chimed. Evan could hardly believe it. His eyes went wide and he immediately stood out of reflex, forgetting that he was in his office and not in front of the XO. Regaining his composure, Evan reached down to the display on his desk.

“Thank you, Attendant. I’ll be right out.” Evan walked to his door, fixed his uniform, and walked through to see the XO standing in front of the Reception desk with an annoyed look on his face. Evan had heard stories of the XO and his antics and attitude. This will prove to be quite an interesting interaction to say the least, Evan thought to himself.

Evan approached the XO with a professional demeanor which did not give any air of excitement or enthusiasm. “Commander Vaughn,” Evan said with a stony, yet welcoming expression. “I’m Cadet 4th Class Evan Stone, apprenticed to Counselor Wilson. My office is right this way,” Evan said motioning toward his office.

Chris nodded and followed the cadet into a crapped office. “I’ll make this quick. I need you to sign off on this.” he tossed the PADD containing his requirement for the eval.

Evan caught the PADD that was tossed to him. He looked down at the PADD and then back up at the XO who was impatiently staring him down. Evan’s expression turned from confusion, to disbelief, to steadfastness. As Evan looked down once more at the PADD, he quickly came to his decision. As he began to look back up at the XO, he shook his head.

“Can’t do it, Sir. Not only can I not do it, I won’t do it,” Evan said in a stern, yet respectful tone. Evan walked back over to Vaughn and held the PADD out to him. “Do you require more of an explanation? Because it looks to me that you are already short on time.” Evan remained respectful, but he had to make sure that his position was clear.

Chris frowned in annoyance. He wouldn’t order the cadet to do something blatantly illegal, but he hoped it would just happen. “Well, how nice. For you.” Chris looked back around the office. “Very well. How long is this going to take?”

The impatience of the situation was not lost on Evan. He sensed that perhaps the real reason behind the XO’s want to get the meeting over with and his file signed off on lay in the man’s previous experiences in this sector. Many times, an unconscious need to avoid unpleasant memories manifested itself in impatience or annoyance when the possibility arose with being confronted with them. However, with the things that Evan had heard of Vaughn, it could perhaps just be genuine impatience.

“It’s hard to say, Sir. If you’re cooperative, and honest, I don’t believe it will take much time at all.” Evan motioned his arm toward the chair for the Commander to take a seat in front of his desk. Evan didn’t wait for the XO to accept the offer and moved back around the desk.

“I understand that as the XO you have other matters to attend to. I assure you, I do not want to needlessly waste your time or my own.” Evan stood from behind his desk and waited for the XO to take his chair before he took his own.

“Well if we are going to do this it won’t be here.” Chris pointed to the bulkheads that made up the room. “I don’t find this strange metal hut you call an office very relaxing. There is more sitting room in my stateroom, not to mention a humidor.” Evan took a few moments to look at Commander Vaughn with an inspecting gaze. A small smile came across Evan’s face as he stared into the man’s eyes after his comment. It appeared so far that the stories about the XO had been true; but, he wouldn’t discount the man just yet. He had heard plenty of other stories of the Commander’s bravery and ability to lead.

“Much as I agree with you, Commander Vaughn, I am afraid that the official interview must be conducted within the confines of the Counseling Center. And, seeing that you are obviously in a hurry, wouldn’t you like to just get right down to it?”

It was a bait, and Evan was almost certain that Vaughn wouldn’t take it. Evan had already concluded that Commander Vaughn was certainly used to getting things his way. But what Evan needed to know was the lengths that Vaughn would go to secure them. Or, perhaps, there was a more accepting side to the XO. Some times, a patient’s attitude of getting their own way was a defensive mechanism used by the patient to ensure more comfort for themselves, or, in order to feel like they had some sort of control over the situation they were in. The control issue itself could stem from a need of certainty - to know the outcome or destiny of the situation or event in the person’s life.

Evan knew that he would have to use everything he had learned to really get down to brass tax with the XO. The man was a challenge, and Evan eagerly welcomed it. Though, Evan needed to make sure that he didn’t com across as a smartass. Evan still looked into the man’s eyes and awaited the response of his XO.

Chris nodded and pursed his lips, “Actually, I think the interview can be conducted wherever I like.” Chris turned and the door to the office opened. “Come along.”

Evan took the smile from his face so as not to show the XO his delight in the man’s answer. Standing from his chair, Evan cam around from his desk and joined the man. “If you insist, Sir, but it will have to be noted on record that I protested the movement of the meeting.”

As Evan began to walk with the XO from the Counseling Center and to the lift, he had already begun constructing a relatively loose psychological base for Commander Vaughn. “Personally, I don’t care where the meeting is held. A place of comfort is better than a stuffy humidor-esque Counseling office. Just trying to follow protocol, Sir.”

Stepping into the lift Chris used the manual control to select his destination as he listened to the cadet speak. “I some how doubt there will be a court martial waiting on either of us over this.”


 * Deck 4, XO’s Stateroom:::

Chris stepped into his quarters as several of the soft accent lights turned on to his desired setting. Heading to the bedroom he gestured to the sitting area. “Take a seat. Don’t touch anything. I’ll be back momentarily.”

The room was ridiculous, in Evan’s eye. It resembled nothing even close to that of a Starfleet Ship XO’s quarters. There was an expensive rug that covered nearly the entire floor leading into the room - its regal design obviously alluding to its surely exorbitant price. The chair that Evan gently slumped into appeared to be hand-carved and proved to be much more comfortable than any chair he had thus far sat in during his entire time in Starfleet. The walls were covered in expensive, but beautiful paintings, which Evan had to assume were originals based on everything he had seen thus far. Though he tried to push the moniker from his mind, Evan couldn’t help it. Primadona.

Where the XO’s dining table had once been, was a full bar. Evan scoffed in amazement. Places like this had always made him feel uncomfortable. He had never liked places like this. Too much taste makes you want to throw up. But Evan smiled. Of course, this was more than likely the reason why Vaughn had wanted the meeting moved here. To put Evan in a state of being off-balance. Here, Vaughn was in his element.

Evan immediately tried to dissect the reason behind the room and its link psychologically to Chris Vaughn, XO of the USS Atlas. The room boasted of power, of influence. This man had obvious power struggles within himself. Perhaps there was a tinge of insecurity mixed in with the need for comfort in the power. In control, there is comfort. And in comfort, there is relaxation. And in relaxation, there often leads to an atmosphere of sharing.

Though Evan knew Chris had wanted him to be off-balanced by this, he wasn’t. Evan kept his composure, and a relaxed posture. This was already interesting. Evan wouldn’t be moved that easily. As he had been forbidden to touch anything, another thrust for power by Chris, Evan contented himself to peruse the room with his eyes.

Chris returned a few minutes later, changed from his uniform into a comfortable pair of house pants and a house coat. Running his finger over several of the bottles on the bar he stopped at the Blue Label and poured himself a glass before taking a seat across from Stone.

“Well,” he sipped from the glass. “You’ve got your meeting. Now, what do we need to do to be done with this?”

Evan couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the XO’s attire. Yet another powerplay by Vaughn. The casual attire to let Evan know that things would be done his way, and also to serve as a reminder that he was in control. It also showed that the XO did not take the meeting seriously, even though Evan had picked up on that in his office back in the Counseling Center. And, the Commander helping himself to a drink while not asking what Evan wanted served the man’s thirst for power. The power plays did not serve to just reinforce Chris’ comfort of being in control, but it also belittled Evan at the same time. Vaughn was turning out to be quite the Counselor’s interest.

“We talk,” Evan said simply, smiling and sitting back in his chair and bringing his legs ankle to rest on his other knee. The posture was relaxed and nonchalant, to let Vaughn know that Evan was unfazed.

“Talk about what exactly?” Chris replied with a sigh. “Stock options, your retirement plan, my housecoat or tactical patterns? Starfleet seriously pays you for this?”

Evan laughed at Vaughn’s remark. “They do, indeed, Commander Vaughn. How about you start with what happened here and how you were involved?” He remained in his nonchalant posture and attitude. It seemed to have touched a nerve with the XO. He wanted the XO to feel at ease in the relative comfort of his stateroom.

“Nothing to tell. I was a security officer on the Gettysburg. We were suppose to meet a trade fleet here and they were destroyed by the Xul before we arrived.” Chris offered a shrug. “Ancient history.”

Evan didn’t like how lightly the XO had shrugged off the experience. But, judging by everything thus far, Vaughn was not a man to puff himself up. There was no need to. He was powerful, and he knew it. He seemed secure enough in himself and who he was not to need to verbally exalt himself. Perhaps the experience really had been taken in stride by the XO. Evan wouldn’t count that possibility out.

“And take me through a summarized series of events that you partook in while here,” Evan said quizzically. “I’m afraid I will need a little more information about your personal involvement in events here. Please, bear in mind tht the more specific and detailed you are, the faster we can get on with the next questions, and the faster this meeting will be concluded.

Chris shrugged and recounted the events of the trade fleet mission. He offered enough detail to summarize the events but not much more. As he went through the memories he realized how much he had forgotten in the past year. Slowly some of the details started to come back more clearly, Veovis’s appearance on the ship Can’t mention that. His head quickly turned toward the safe in the wall behind his desk, ''The damned heirloom. Shit, I forgot I still had that thing. Definitely can’t mention that.'' He looked back at the cadet and concluded his chain of events with with a smile. “Like I said. I was a security officer, low ranking for the most part. A few shoot outs, the latter parts of the war were worse but nothing I’ve lost any sleep over recently.”

Evan had listened intently to all that Vaughn had related to him of his deployment to the system and all the events that had followed. He watched his facial expressions very closely. One of the things taught in the Counseling Courses was the identification of facial signatures. For the most part, Evan concluded that Vaughn was being honest in his retelling of events. But it was the look at the wall behind Vaughn’s desk that made Evan feel like the XO was keeping certain things from him. For now, it would have to do. Evan didn’t want to push his luck and have the meeting collapse.

“So you have had nightmares in the past then, Sir,” Evan asked?

Chris sat back in annoyance. “Yes, briefly. Toward the end of the war. After the Sky Harbor Mission especially. Fortunately the sins of the flesh have helped me move on. ”

Evan ignored the jest at covering up unpleasant memories. “And the last time you’ve had a nightmare?”

Chris thought for a moment. “I don’t. Maybe some time right after the end of the war. It’s been quite a while.”

“That’s excellent, Sir. Do you feel like these previous events have any affect on your work aboard ship, psychological or otherwise?”

“Why don’t you tell me.” Chris said with a smile. “Your suppose to be the expert. Or should we roll some chicken bones?”

Evan smiled in return. “Sir, I hardly need remind you of my recent transfer aboard the Atlas. I have not been here long enough to tell you whether or not it does. Remember, you requested me for this meeting. There isn’t much more to go,” Evan reassured the impatient XO.

“Well, it was a choice between you or some 15 year career counselor who never made it past lieutenant.” Chris raised an eyebrow. “Lesser of two evils. Besides, your young enough you might actually decide to do something more useful to the fleet than read tea leaves.” Chris leaned back. “And to answer your question - no. No effect I am aware of.”

Evan laughed heartily at Vaughn’s remarks. “To be honest, Sir, off the record, I think you chose wisely.” Evan had a wide smile on his face. “I am glad to hear that,” Evan made a note on his PADD and checked it. “I assure you, Sir,” Evan spoke without taking his eyes off of the PADD, “my ambitions lay far beyond reading tea leaves.” Evan looked up from checking the PADD and smiled once again at the XO.

“A final question and I can sign off on this meeting, Sir.” Evan knew what he was going to throw at the XO could be his undoing in the Officer’s eyes; but Evan would take the risk, because that’s who he was. “When was the last time you were in contact with your family?”

“I saw the Captain and Lisbet at the staff meeting this morning.” he answered coolly. “So, recently.”

“No, Sir. I do not believe you misunderstood me.” Evan looked deeply at Vaughn. “Your blood relatives, Sir. “ “They’re dead.” his tone was sharp lacking much of his usual nonchalance. “Maybe you can conduct a seance.”

This was what Evan had been wanting to get at. He was satisfied, but dared not show it in the least. “No, Sir. That will not be necessary. The last time you had contact with them before their deaths will suffice. Mother, Father, brother, sister, anyone in your immediate family.” Evan knew that the XO was at the edge of his patience now. “Please, Sir. This is the last question and I will go back to my humidor,” Evan smiled, reassuring him.

“For someone with a supposedly keen insight into the human mind you don’t seem to grasp the subtext of the conversation.” Chris looked at the cadet who was trying to look unassuming. “You can show yourself out.”

Evan nodded, disappointed in mind, but fixed in posture. “As you wish, Sir.” Standing up from his chair, he leaned in to the XO before about facing. “It’s not the human mind that I want insight to, but the individuals. I apologize if I overstepped my bounds.” Evan about faced and marched toward the door.

Chris took a deep breath, giving the cadet a curt nod, deciding to hold his tongue...

-- This JP has been brought to you by our Ship's XO, Chris Vaughn and Apprenticed, Evan Stone
 * 09-27-2011, 00:18

Jacey Adams --Delta shift--

“Computer, what’s the rate of delay on the modified deck six inertial sensors?” Jacey said wincing as she waited for the response. Currently she was sat on the floor next to a console, comfortable but not condusive to working.

“No delay to be found,” It replied after a moment.

Jacey fist pumped into the air and leaped to her feet, “It’sabout time!!” The sensors were now all aligned. Meaning that the inertial balance was restored to its proper operating levels. Now at least some of the crew would rest easier. Most didn’t feel the effects when the balance was off but there were a few who were more sensitive and they were the ones that Jacey was honored to help.

Feeling proud of her work Jacey happily checked it off the list of things to do. She momentarily scanned over the work of her teams, which was coming along right on schedule. The damage was mostly repaired, the Chief’s quarters was less than a few days away from being finished. It was all good news, which more than made up for the earlier parts of the day.

Her stomach knotted when she thought of Wilson. His interruption had shifted not only the entire feeling of her day but she had felt like a little scolded child. Those two counselors were ngiht and day. Not only in mannerisms but professionally as well.

This was getting way out of hand. It had to be finished, even if that meant avoiding the entire counseling department all together. In fact that sounded like a plan. Although that would mean avoiding…

She sighed momentarily, her face lightly flushing as she thought of Evan. He wanted to see her…not just as a counselor but as a friend.Friend Was that all Jacey hoped for?

“Oh come off it girl!” Jacey snapped her head out of the clouds. Since when did she ever think of such things? All those years dedicated to the motto that relationships in Starfleet were for idiots and one handsome face turns that around.Hypocritical! “I refuse to let it work,” She mumbled to herself.

“Talking to yourself Adams?”

Jacey turned, her face paled, “M…Miller.”

“Relax,” He put his hands up,” I’m here to surrender and hopefully call a truce.”

Jacey’s brow raised, “Is this the part where you say ‘if’. “

“Nope. There are no ‘ifs’ in this sentence. Plain and simple, I’m sorry.” He lowered his arms and shifted rather uncomfortably, “I was being an ass.”

“And?” She put her head down as she scanned over a new item that had appeared on her screen.

“Look, I know I pissed you off and I’m sorry. I was mean and I know I can’t make up for it.” He took a step forward, “But I really am sorry.”

“Take one more step and you’ll really be sorry.” She caught his eyes with a rather mean gaze.

“Ouch..” He winced, “That’s really cold.”

“Space is colder.” She countered, “Now please, leave me alone.” Turning to leave she stopped when he reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Come off it Adams.” He let go quickly, “Just, make sure you tell the XO and the Chief I’ve apologized and that I’m backing off. All my friends know to leave you be and nobody will … well the name calling will at least stop on our part.”

“Is that possible?” Jacey looked him over, “And if I don’t tell them?”

Miller’s face fell, “Well…then…”

Jacey smiled, “Exactly. You don’t tell me what to do. In fact, you don’t talk to me anymore or I won’t be half as nice as the Xo was and I will actually let space have a go at you.”

Miller backed up, “You are damn scary.” He shook his head, “I pity anyone who attempts to ever get near you.”

Jacey smirked as he left, “Yeah…me too.”
 * 09-28-2011, 19:46

Evan Stone A Second Dinner with the New Counselor ''':: USS Atlas ::
 * Deck 5 ::
 * Scotty's Lounge ::'''

Jacey sat quietly in the corner table. Her drink, which was three quarters of the way empty, was a sign of how early she’d shown up for the dinner meeting with Counselor Stone. Maybe it was her nerves or perhaps she was just thirsty...very thirsty.

She’d asked him to join her after much debating. A lot of time had been spent thinking about Miller and the events of the last few days. Jacey was sure she could handle him and anyone else who came along. Which meant she needed to get rid of Wilson.

It hadn’t taken him long before he had spotted Jacey sitting at a table, alone in the lounge. She was looking beautiful, and Evan hoped deep down that it was for him. But, more than likely, this was just another dinner. He had dressed in a loose fitting, white shirt and a nice pair of stylish jeans. Sure, it was a 21st century throwback, but in time, everything came back around.

Working his way through the crowd, he smiled over at the table where Jacey was sitting - though it didn’t look like she had seen him. She appeared very quiet, and thoughtful. Evan started to worry now. After all, she was the one who had asked him to join her for another dinner. Suddenly, Evan began to realize that perhaps this was another pleasant dinner that he had so hoped for. Perhaps this was actually an informal session. Regardless of her intentions, Evan would help her as best he could.

As he approached the table now, he spoke softly to her, leaning over the table. “You know, your brow furrows in a rather cute way when you’re thoughtful,” he said flashing his most charming smile.

She jumped slightly at his words, having been lost in her own little world, “Well...” Her smile reappeared, “If you think it’s cute when I furrow my brow whilst thinking, you’re gonna fall in love with it when I’m annoyed.”

Evan laughed with his broad smile. “May I join you,” Evan asked politely. He was always for being the gentleman and always sticking to proper etiquette.

“Please do.” She answered in a mockingly proper tone whilst motioning towards the chair opposite her, “I’m sorry to ask on such short notice.”

Evan sat down in the chair and made himself comfortable. “Not at all. I was actually glad you asked to meet.” He smiled at her, trying to let her know that she shouldn’t need to apologize. “Office hours aren’t the only hours that I exist in,” Evan said laughing.

“Have you ordered yet,” he asked looking at the table.

Jacey tilted her head, “Does it look like I did?”

“No,” Evan answered, “but there’s always the possibility that you’ve ordered but haven’t received your food yet.” He was a bit thrown off by her remark. Jacey seemed a bit tense, as if she had something on her mind. The expression on his face turned sincere and caring. “Is everything alright, Jacey?”

“That came off a bit more snappy than I’d wanted. “ She winced slightly, “Sorry, I’m really bad at conversing. In fact it’s probably why I choose not to. Or perhaps just...” Her words stopped, “I’m fine. I’m rambling. Maybe a little nervous since, well you seem to make me nervous. It’s very annoying.” A small laugh came out, “Hungry?”

Evan tried to smile at Jacey and keep her at ease. He stopped himself from trying to analyze her. Right now, he wasn’t in his office. He much rather would be her friend, and speak to her out of a genuine caring than to analyze her like a Counselor. “Jacey, don’t apologize. You can ramble on with me whenever you want,” he winked slightly with his remark. “Honestly, I was a bit nervous leading up to seeing you tonight, too. I am famished, thank you.”

Evan left the thanks in the air. A slightly awkward quiet fell over their table as Evan glanced at the menu. If talking was too much for Jacey, then no words needed to be spoke, Evan thought. He made sure to make her not feel awkward and glanced up from the menu to look into her eyes from time to time. “Any idea what you’re going to get?”

“The same thing I always get,” She replied with a nod of her head, “I am sadly addicted to grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. I can’t...stop. It’s like, a horrible addiction but I’m pretty sure there are worse things I could be addicted to. So - being a ham and cheese - aholic makes me pretty tame.”

Evan laughed lightly at her joke. “Then maybe I should make you one of mine sometime. I have to say, I haven’t had one in a long time. I think I’ll have one too,” Evan smiled. The waiter was soon at their table, and their order was taken.

“So, Jacey,” Evan began as the waiter took their menus and walked away, “How’ve you been?”

“You mean after having been run out of your office by a frighteningly evil counselor,” She tilted her head and pretended to ponder for a moment, “I’m ….slightly better than I was last week and superbly better than I was last month.” She tapped a finger on the table lightly before asking, “Did you get into much trouble with Wilson?”

Evan stroked the back of his neck as he turned slightly red. “Yeah..about that. I am really sorry, Jacey. That was not your fault at all. It was completely unethical, unprofessional and just plain rude of Counselor Wilson to do what he did.” Evan was bumped in the back by a passer by who quickly apologized. “Don’t worry about me, I can handle Wilson.” Evan didn’t try to hide his displeasure at the man’s actions. “YOu can come to me to talk whenever you want to or need to, Jacey,” he said sincerely. “Whether it’s in my office,” he paused briefly before he continued, “or over another dinner.” Now, his words were hanging in the air once again, waiting to see if where she would pick them up.

“I was actually contemplating hiding from the Counselling area. I know my way around this ship, you’ll never pin me down.” She laughed and then blinked momentarily, “You keep mentioning dinners - do you ask all your cases to eat with you?”

Evan laughed along with her. “Truthfully, you were my very first official case. So, no.” The water that Evan had ordered now came, and he took a sip from the glass. “But even if I had more people under my care, I don’t think I would be asking many out to dinner.” Evan tried to give as diplomatic an answer as possible. In truth, he had come to dinner with her not as a Counselor at all. But, he was still trying to figure out in what capacity Jacey had asked him to dinner in.

“So..”Jacey touched her lip, “Judging by what you’ve said then - which version of Mr. Stone do I currently have? The Counselor or the...date.”

Evan was floored momentarily. It was as if she could read him. “Well, that’s actually what I’ve been wondering, Jacey. Which version of ‘Mr. Stone’ did you ask to dinner tonight?”

Jacey had to actually think about her answer, “Honestly,” She shook her head and inwardly laughed at herself, “I think I justified asking you by saying it was business, as I don’t date - never have and wouldn’t even know where to start but - I think a part of me...may have...perhaps ...hoped...”

''You..are an idiot. He’s going to think you’re an idiot! Might as well be slightly honest.'' Jacey though as she stammered out her answer, “Can I have both?”

“I see,” Evan said thoughtfully. For a few moments he thought to himself, while looking into her eyes. He saw how sincere she was being. He smiled to her. “Do you think you can handle both?” he asked playfully.

Jacey flushed and bit her lip slightly to stop the first response that dared pass, “Well...” She laced her fingers together, “Depends on what I’m handling. If it’s the counseling part - you can dissect me all you wish. That’s easy to deal with. If it’s you...”She purposely slowly looked him up and down, “Is there something difficult about you I should be made aware of?’

Evan laughed as he blushed slightly. “Not at all, Miss Adams,” he laughed at the playfully annoying courtesy. Inside, Evan could barely contain his excitement and happiness. Though, something in him was telling him that things were moving a little too fast for his normally slower and more methodical pace.

The waiter came by now, and put their sandwiches in front of them. They both looked delectable. “Well, dinner is on me, tonight, Jacey,” Evan said with a playful smile. “I think I will be more than happy with my food,” Evan laughed.

She nodded, “They’re addictive. I will feel entirely at fault if you are hooked although I did warn you.” Jacey took a bit and smiled happily, “So...” She said after swallowing, “Do you think we can gt Wilson off my back? That’s the reason I had originally wanted you.” Her eyes opened wider, “I mean wanted to talk to you. Not wanted you.”

“Don’t worry,” Evan said as he finished a bite, “I won’t hold you responsible.” Evan thought over her words. He laughed heartily at her mistake. “I am his Apprentice, after all,” Evan said. “I really can’t order him to do or not to do anything. That is left up to the Captain.” He took another bite and swallowed before reaching for his glass of whiskey. “The best I could possibly do is complain to the Captain. If the Captain had enough of the crew complain, and, given my word as well, it could lead to a transfer for him.” Evan took another bite and swallowed before continuing. “But really, I don’t want to speak of another man’s downfall,” he laughed lightly. The last thing he wanted was for people to think that he was scheming.

“Remember, under Starfleet regulations, you are entitled to choose your Counselor. The only person who can override that choice is the Captain, with the recommendation of the Ship’s Counselor.”

“So I’ve heard you say.” She sighed and finished off her sandwich, “It doesn’t feel like I have much of a choice. My dad’s pretty adamant I see Wilson and I guess I could grin and bear it. “

“Do you have any idea why your father is so insistent on your seeing him,” Evan asked quizzically. It was a question he had been trying to answer himself for the past few days, but nothing he could think of answered it sufficiently.

“That’s easy,”Jacey said with an almost snorting laugh, “Wilson has assured my dad he can fix me. My dad’s invested something in Wilson, as he keeps reminding me not to screw it up .” She saw a look that came over his face and scratched her head lightly, “Despite my sadly depressing start in Starfleet - my dad’s always had this dream of me settling down and marrying. Bearing sons and all that crap. My brother’s allowed to blaze across space and never tie himself down but - as for me - that’s not alright. My dad’s getting a little...paranoid - since I’ve never had a partner or even bothered looking. He thinks I’m going to wind up a barren old cow.”

Evan couldn’t help now as the Counselor side of him started to kick in. What was it that her father had “invested” in Wilson? There was obviously a lot of hurt in Jacey’s heart and much of it aimed towards her father. the remark about her brother hadn’t been aimed at him, but at her father. It was a classic example of a family-like dispute. “You are your own person, Jacey. Expectations can quickly bring someone down and inhibit them from accomplishing major things in their own lives.” Evan quickly became embarrassed when he had stopped talking. The Counselor side of him came out rather easily. But, then again, she had asked for both. “I guess you will get both,” Evan laughed nervously.

He took another bite of his sandwich, which was almost finished by now. “Did your father and Wilson already know each other?” Evan began to realize that he may have been getting a little nosy. After all, they had just agreed to begin seeing each other. “I’m sorry. This isn’t too much of date talk. I’d ask you what your birthday and things of that nature are, but I’ve read over your file, so...” Evan laughed again.

She followed his laugh with her own, “Relax - For the record...I like both. And I’m fine with the conversation as it is. Half the reason I’ve avoided this ...dating thing is because of the sheer stupidity of it. Rules and ways of doing things. Why can’t people just be and then ...leave it at that? I mean, we’re just friends who happen to find each other pleasing in other areas...so what of it.” She finished the last piece of her sandwich, “Please, don’t ever worry about conversation topics - and as for my Dad and Wilson. It’s possible. My dad’s been in Starfleet for over thirty years.”

Evan smiled at her putting him at ease. He much appreciated it. “Interesting,” Evan said as he finished his sandwich and reached for his whiskey again. Looking at his now empty plate, Evan looked up at Jacey and into her eyes. How he loved to do that. “Well, excellent choice, but you’ll have to try my own sometime. I think I could give this one a run for its money,” he playfully boasted to her.

“Oh really?” Her brow raised, “Getting cocky - hmmm. I may need to investigate this sandwich you speak of.”

Evan smiled and continued to play along. “Well, we will figure out some time for that.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and finished his glass of whiskey. “What kind of work have you been doing in Engineering?” Evan wanted to get Jacey talking about something that she loved and was obviously passionate about.

Jacey clapped her hands playfully together, “Oooh today was a good day down there! I finally aligned the inertial sensors which, unless you’re comfortable being slightly off kilter, is an epic event! I love how everything slowly comes together after weeks of feeling like you’re going nowhere.” She paused, “Believe it or not, I’m in charge of the structural part of Engineering - well the Chief’s the big head guy but I run the structural department.” She proudly lifted her head, “Yeah....never would have guess I have people under me eh.”

Evan loved that she was so enthusiastic about her work. He loved watching her eagerly describe everything to him. “That’s pretty impressive that you’re in charge of the structural department,” Evan said with an expression as equally impressed as the words he spoke. The waiter came over and refilled his glass of whiskey and looked over at Jacey, “Refill?”

“No thanks,” She said with a polite nod. He left and Jacey looked at Evan’s drink, “How can you digest that? It’s like...warp fuel.”

Evan looked at the refilled contents of his glass and nodded - conceding that fact. “I have to say that this is the only vice I have. I don’t drink any other kind of alcohol but this, really. I tend to only drink water.” Evan took another sip. “Do you drink?”

“Never really had a reason to.” Jacey furrowed her brow playfully, “Are you going to try pollute me?”

“Oh, not at all, Jacey. I respect that. Like I said, it’s the only kind of alcohol I drink. I only drink water, normally.”

“I was joking.” She looked over towards the bar and sighed, “Closing time soon. Which means...” She smirked, “Well I’m not sure if we say goodbye or move elsewhere. Is there a rule about that?”

Evan laughed and smiled playfully at Jacey. “Tell you what, I’ll walk you to your quarters, if that’s not too adolescent for you?” Evan felt silly asking such a thing. He knew that the two of them, while they had clicked very well, had to make sure they took things at a steady pace.

Jacey stood, “I think it’s kinda cute. Considering nobody’s ever walked me home, I guess I can allow it.”

Evan stood when she did, according to proper manners, and placed the napkin from his lap onto the table. “Awesome,” Evan said with a smile. He moved around to her, rested his hand on her mid-back and swept out his other arm towards the door. “After you.”

She flushed and moved forward - not really sure how to respond. If she’d dated in high school she might understand why she felt so completely awkward walking next to someone. They were just walking, what was there to be awkward about? Their feet were moving, they maintained a light conversation - minus when in the turbolift - and Jacey seemed to simply blush and stammer whenever he looked at her. It was getting annoying. Not him looking at her but the stammering.

“I need to warn you,” Jacey said quietly as they exited the lift, “My roommate has...claws.”

Evan smiled at her with an amused look of confusion on his face. “Well, I suppose I will just pop my head in and be on my way, then.” They stood at the door to her quarters and he smiled at her, looking deeply into her eyes.

The door suddenly whoosed open and Apryl stood there, jaw dropped, “Oh...my...God. Jacey brought a man back?” She obviously surveyed him from head to toe, “Jacey Adams...my my...” Apryl’s hand extended, “Introduction?” She said without even looking over at him.

“Uhmm..Apryl... this is Eva..” She stopped, “Counselor Stone, he’s new.”

“Counselor,” Apryl laughed, “Well that explains it. You are quite a headcase my girl.” She brushed past them, “For a second I was almost thinking there was more here than it seemed. But that’s impossible. Jacey’s a nun.”

Jacey’s eyes rolled and she mouthed ‘I told you so...’ at Evan before addressing her roommate, “You’re late Apryl...”

“Right!” She exclaimed, “Hey ...open up some time for me. I could use a good session.” Apryl winked at Evan and ran off down the corridor.

Evan laughed heartily and called down to Apryl, “It was nice to meet you too, Apryl!” He turned back to Jacey and smiled down at her. “Well, that was interesting,” he laughed. There was a moment or two of quiet as they looked at each other smiling.

“Well, this was very nice, and I can’t wait until we do this again. Any idea when we can,” asked Evan softly.

Jacey blushed, “Is there a rule regarding time delays? Because I don’t want to seem too eager or something like that. Since - I’m back on Alpha sifts I’m free for lunch and dinner....So the call is yours... Counselor.”

He laughed at her calling him Counselor. “Come on, Jacey. You can call me Evan.” He smiled, “And no, there is not a rule. How’s dinner tomorrow night?”

“Think you can handle it?” She asked in a whispered tone with a laugh, “As for your title...since you’re both :P I’ll use both as I wish. You have no say.” Her tongue stuck out for a childish moment, “I win.”

Evan smiled and laughed at her jests. “I know I can. And as you wish,” he said softly. For a brief moment, he looked into her eyes deeply. “Well, I guess I should be off now. It was a pleasure as always, Jacey,” he said. Evan ‘s heart sped up a bit as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around Jacey for a parting hug.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and she happily hugged him back. It was, an odd sensation- not because of Evan but more because she’d never really been hugged this way before, “Sleep well.” She said quietly mid-hug, “Lock your door. Apryl doesn’t give up easily.”

Evan began to laugh before he released her and looked at her once again. “You too,” he said sincerely. “Goodnight,” he said as he took a few steps away from her door, still looking at her.

Jacey laughed, “I don’t fear Apryl. So I sleep like a baby.” There was the insane urge to do something incredibly stupid and Jacey was fighting it. Her rebellious side vs her calmer side were temporarily at war. So she settled on a compromise. As Evan was still in arms distance, she took a single step, tugged his shirt to pull him forward, leaned up onto her tippy toes and kissed his cheek. It was a two second thing before she backed up and flushed, “Sorry - impulses. You can dissect them for me later.” She waved and scurried away into her quarters.

Evan watched her hurry into her quarters with his mouth agape and a smile slowly coming across his face. He laughed to himself and touched his cheek before stepping away. As he walked down the hall to the turbolift, his smile slowly got bigger and bigger. Who could have seen this coming...

Yet another incredibly long, but enjoyable JP brought to you by Jacey Adams and Evan Stone!
 * 09-29-2011, 07:00

Tom O'Flagherty Bridge

Tom walked through the blast doors, heading for the raised platform where his chair sat high above the rest of the stations. The officer on the watch, Lt. Mari, surrendered the seat and moved back to her station while giving Tom the update.

"We are currently arriving at the Epsilon Indi system, course set for the third planet." The blond woman continued to enter commands into her console as she changed the picture on the mainviewer to the first images of the ship graveyard.

"Sir," Lt. Solari turned from his Science console quickly, with a flustered look on his face. "It appears as if the composition of the graveyard has shifted considerably since the Starfleet probe took the original images and mapping. There's also an increase in the EM disturbance. It'll take my department some time to understand why these anomalies have occurred."

Tom leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as he watched the image grow on the screen. "Set the ship to yellow alert. I want weapons on stand-by. Before we start any salvage operations, make a tactical sweep of the system and set sensor bouies at the edge of the system. Lieutenant Solari, begin your study of the graveyard. Lieutenant Mari, get us in contact with any other ships in the system. We aren't here to cause problems, but I want to be ready if they come up."

“Sir, I’m reading Dosi, Pelleran, and Ustrani ships on long range sensors," Johanna Mari highlighted the small ships on the image. "All are on the edge of the graveyard, but their sensors can't cut through the magnetic interference to see us."

"Keep an eye on them, Lieutenant. If they come out of the interference before we finish the tactical sweep, hail them. I don't want anyone to think we are spying on them." Tom made some notes and started to make a list of priorities to be sorted through by Chris and himself once they were in position for the salvage operation. When he looked back up, Ensign Mark Rademaker was standing over him with a troubled look on his face.

"Sir, it may not be any of my business..."

"Speak your mind Ensign."

"Well, sir," Rademaker paused to look into Tom's eyes. For a second it looked like the junior officer might back down, but he screwed up his courage and pushed ahead. "Is it wise to be trolling the system with hot weapons in the vicinity of allies? The relations between the Federation and the Dosi are not exactly strong, and it could make them feel as if they are not being trusted."

Pain clearly showed on Tom's face as a memory threatened to surface in his mind. But the screams of crew and battle died as he pushed them back down. "Given the combined losses of all the races involved at the hands of the Xul, everyon in that graveyard will understand our defensive posture. I appreciate your objectivity, but I it will not change my decision."

"Aye, sir," Rademaker replied as he snapped to attention. The dark haired human turned and moved back to his seat, but his curiosity and concern had not been relieved.

Tom rested his elbows on his knees again as he looked at the screen. The Epsilon Indi system floated in front of him as the Atlas changed direction gracefully to begin its tactical sweep and buoy deployment. In his mind, thoughts raced faster than the ship could ever travel. ''Where are you hiding? I'm waiting for you this time. There won't be a surprise attack. I'll make sure to send you straight back to whatever god it is you worship.''
 * 09-29-2011, 08:52

Edward Pellew Edward was in the mess hall and for once he wasn’t in a hurry. He was there meeting the science crewman from earlier. They had been there for quite a while drinking coffee and indulging in minor conversation. Suddenly the moment was interrupted by a grave annoyance. =^= Harrison to Pellew=^=

=^= Pellew here, go ahead. =^=

=^= Get to the comm room, we’re coming into the system so move. =^=

=^= Aye Aye, on my way =^=

Edward looked apologetically at Ashley, “Sorry I gotta go. When can I see you again?”

She looked thoughtfully at him, “I’m not sure, I’m pulling a double. I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Sure thing, I’ll see you later.”

Edward walked out of the mess hall kinda disappointed. Was that a thanks for the coffee but a “we should just be friends” comment? Or is she really that busy and not sure when she’d have some time? Edward decided he would choose the latter but skepticism filled his thoughts.

COMM Room

Edward walked in to the room and was headed toward his station when that annoying sound filled his ears. “Pellew, I see you took you own sweet damn time. We just arrived in the systems and you need to work on a sweep for coded communications.”

“Aye LPO”

Edward sort of rolled his eyes as he took his place at his station. He started his scan.

“time to completion……… One Hour and thirty minutes.”

Edward groaned, great nothing to do for an hour and a half but to fixate on his developing feelings for this chick. Why couldn’t he just wait until they made port and meet a fast woman who was only interested in his money. “Damn you heart,” he muttered under his breath.
 * 09-29-2011, 13:56

Jacey Adams

--2300 hrs---

Edward came in almost annoyed. He walked up to a big burley man with odd confidence.

“Alright Chief, Whats the deal?”

Senior Chief Billy Sunday looked up from what ever project he was working on.

“Well champ, long time no see glad you could make it. We have a project.”

Jacey rubbed her eyes and nursed the coffee cradled in both hands, “Why...am I here?” She asked as she walked up to the two men, “My bed - my beautiful bed is alone and I’m due on Alpha in like...seven hours.”

Chief Sunday shot her a devious smile. “Well ma’am It just so happens that we are understaffed and we are entering a potentially hostile space, So Im assuming it might have something to do with that. Now, The COMM array is still finicky and LT Mari wants it adjusted manually. That means we have to go on a walk.”

Edward raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean a space walk and since you too have not been qualified on space walking, nows a good time to do it.”

Jacey’s brow raised, “You’re kidding right? This is a prank....”

Chief Sunday Smiled, “Absolutely not, Its a critical qualification that has to be finished and we would have waited until we made port but the opportunity arose and those are the orders.”

Jacey looked at Pellew, “Are you...” She dropped her shoulders, “Let’s just get this over with.”

Edward had been dreading this, walking on the outside of the ship with mothering between him and space but a suit. Plus the ship was in a debris field and that just made it better. The two followed the chief to the equipment room. He handed each one a suit, helmet and oxygen.

Edward was the first to speak. “So chief, is there a chance in hell we could not and say we did?”

The chief almost seemed like he was considering it. “Well, maybe a chance in hell but I prefer heavenly chances so …… nope. Stop stalling and move your ass Pellew. And that goes for you too ma’am but with respect.”

Jacey groaned, “I’m not even awake....” She struggled into her suit, placed her helmet over her head and looked over at Pellew, “You look...hilarious.”

“Yeah and you look like you need an IV drip for coffee.”

The three got to the outer hatch and the chief turned around.

“Alright when I open the door make sure that the gravity boots are engaged if not you’ll float off. I t may take us a quick minute to get to the array because according to regulations you have walk so far and be out so long. To cover that we will traverse the length of the ship to get to the array. Pellew you grab the tools and lets kick this puppy.”

Jacey winced at the thought of kicking a puppy and her stomach turned at the thought of what they were about to do. However the minute the hatch opened and they moved onto the ship’s surface her breath caught in her throat. Space, as beautiful as it was from the view of a window, was infinitely beautiful when one could turn their head and see it from every angle. The darkness seemed to swallow up everything, the tiny bits of light fighting their way through.

“Whoa....” She looked at the others and moved her feet to catch up. It felt like running in a swimming pool, “Hey - don’t leave me...” She said with her hands waving as she did her best to fast walk.

“Shit Shit Shit Shit! Chief I freaking hate you!” Edward was sweating profusely. he could not even enjoy the view.

“Good, now I can sleep at night. Ma’am I know you have ADD but you’re falling behind.”

Jacey was slightly offended, she was a little scatterbrained but nobody had called her ADD before. She lowered her head and caught up to the others. Her one hand reached out and lightly touched Pellews elbow, “It’s ok.” She mouthed silently.

Jacey’s reassurance helped slightly and the more Edward trudged on the more he was starting to almost enjoy it. At least until.....

“Alright you two, its thruster time, while we need to complete the qual we also have to fix the array so hit the thrusters.”

Edward’s heart sank and hit the thrust button. “Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!”

“And you’re going hang gliding?” Jacey snorted as he hit the button and followed along, “It’s not that bad - where’s your sense of adventure?”

Edward had always prided himself on his adventurous nature, but space was a whole different project.

“Well im more adventurous when there’s gravity.” Edward finally seemed to be getting his bearings. They hovered along the hull and finally made it to the COMM array.

The chief began to issue out assignments.

“Alright, Pellew get tapped into the system and make sure the array is calibrated properly to send and receive properly. Ensign, you and I will be making sure that its secured to the ships systems and mainframe. And break.”

Jacey nodded and moved about the array, “Sir, when you say secure - do you mean physically attached to the ship or are we speaking internally.”

He looked at her, a blank stare covering his features.

“Got it,” She said with a nod, “Obvious questions.” She knelt down and opened a side panel hidden under the array. If only she could sit cross legged, it would be so much more comfortable. Typing away she examined the pathways and connections. The system scanned through, highlighting a few areas that needed to be uncrossed and simplified.

“Sir I need you to double check this system connector, “ She moved slightly, “I don’t really trust my judgement.” In truth, rerouting the controls was not Jacey’s strong point, she was honestly terrified of making a mistake. A mistake that meant Engineering would lose touch with the array and she’d be at fault for it.

“Well, first of all, I’m not a Sir I guess you were daydreaming when they had that lesson at the academy. Second send out a test command from here to the mainframe, if it bounces back we are good.”

Pellew got a half smile on his face. “Its ok Senior Chief, we’re the ones who work for a living.”

Pellew turned back to what he was doing as she flashed him that look of “Ok at least I didnt shit my pants on the way over here” look.

Edward was having issues getting the system to configure.

=^= Pellew to Petty Officer Harris =^=

=^= Go ahead =^=

=^= I need you to shut down power to COMM system 390-alpha for configureation =^=

There was a long pause.

=^= Done =^=

Edward worked harder he entered the sequences. Everything seemed to work.

=^= Alright, your good to go =^=

“Sorted?” Jacey’s brow raised, “Can we go back now?”

The Chief inspected the final connections.

“Alright Children, its time to bounce back and yes we have to go the long way.”

Jacey laughed, “Race you Pellew!”

“Your on!”

The two “raced” like two turtles running on lead with magnets on their feet.

Pellew was a lot more comfortable now, he could even enjoy the view even though it seemed that debris were headed strait for them.

“See,” Jacey said as they neared their goal, “It’s not so bad. Now, what ya gonna give me to stop me from telling all of engineering that you almost cried like a baby going up here?”

“Ive got a bottle of Scotch and a few boxes of Cigars from my factories back on earth and thats about it.”

Jacey laughed, “Hell no. I guess that means you’ve nothing.” They reached the hatch and waited for the others to catch up, “Now - I’m going back to bed.”

Edward shrugged and walked into the room. Now that that experience was over he could go and change his uniform.

A random JP and a lovely space walk with our crazy Pellew!
 * 09-29-2011, 15:09

Evan Stone The Proof Within Yourself ''':: USS Atlas ::
 * Deck 11 ::
 * Counseling Center ::'''

Evan had been notified of the entry into the Epsilon Indi System by one of the Attendants on duty in the Counseling Center. "Thank you," Evan replied into his Commbadge. Leaning forward in his seat, Evan stared into the display in front of him. The words in Request for Duty form were staring back at him with the complete absence of thought. But, as almost always, Evan's mind was filled with thoughts.

The thoughts he was contemplating weren't patient related this time, though. So often he filled his thoughts with those of his cases and patients. Hardly ever did he take the time to really think about things that were related to himself. He found the time he took analyzing himself to so troublesome and time consuming. As much as he didn't like it, he knew that sometimes he had to take the time to sort through his own feelings.

It had taken him the better part of half an hour in order to carefully compose his Duty request to the Captain, Tom O'Flagherty. Every word had been carefully chosen and put in. Evan would leave nothing to chance. This was an usual request being that he was a Counselor, but he knew that he would not be happy unless he at least tried to submit it.

The request was for an Action/Duty Station during their salvage mission in this system. Evan had been wrestling with this thought since he had first stepped onto a Starfleet ship a few weeks prior. To Evan, he could never really break though to his patients that were suffering from Combat related stress and fatigue. Those who suffered from nightmares and had difficulty coping with their deeds could always use the excuse that Evan did not know what it was like. That was something that Evan did not want to ever have to hear in his Office.

Even though all Starfleet Personnel were trained in combat, not many ever had the chance to actually have a direct hand in it. Many times, crew members were restricted to their duty stations aboard ship fulfilling their respective duties, while others did all of the fighting. It was rare for crew members in various departments to ever see any real direct combat. For a Counselor, the odds were even less. That was why Evan had to do this.

He wasn't scared - no, not at all. Evan was easily prepared mentally and emotionally to handle what he may encounter. This was what Evan really did want. He wouldn't let someone sit in his office and counter him with saying he didn't "know what it was like." If he were to really get through to someone had gone through a traumatic experience, then he had to try to experience one for himself.

For about the fifth time, Evan reread the form. It had to be perfect. It had to be persuasive, but not overly so. He wasn't on good terms with Wilson at the moment and had a feeling that the man would eagerly deny his request. Although, Evan had reasoned, that perhaps Wilson would think that if Evan got himself killed in action, then he would no longer be a thorn in the Counselor's side. The next person that he could have sent the request to was the XO. But, as the XO and he had finished their meeting with a less than cordial atmosphere, Evan had decided against asking him. Therefore, the Request would go straight to the desk of the Captain himself. Though, Evan doubted that he would be able to simply get his request granted. With such an unorthodox request from him, it would probably require a face to face meeting.

Nothing he could see was out of place. Over analyzing the request would lead him to making mistakes. It was as good as it was going to get. Evan's finger drifted over to the "send" display button but stopped short. Once again, he hesitated. Why was he hesitating? This was what he wanted. There was something in his mind keeping him from sending it, but Evan just couldn't pinpoint it.

"Dammit," he cursed to himself. He pressed the "Send" button and sat back in his chair. Letting out a loud sigh, Evan leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Now, it was no longer in his hands. The CO would have the say over if he would be allowed to see combat or not. If his request was denied, then he would simply make another and another until it was granted. One thing that his parents had always said they admired about him was his persistence - his ability to never give up until he accomplished a goal he had set for himself. It was not stubbornness, but an earnest want to succeed in doing his best for others.

But there was another motive. Evan had to prove himself - not to anyone in particular, but really just to himself. He had to do this. He had to show himself that he had what it took within him to fight and win. It was something that each person, men in particular, had built into their psyche. It was Evan's time in his life to answer that question: DO I have what it takes?

After a few more moments of quiet thought, Evan turned his attention back to the files on his desk. He needed to continue in his work to distract himself on dwelling the decision he had just made. Hopefully, it would work....
 * 10-11-2011, 11:19

Katie Banninga Jacey cradled her cup of coffee, the warmth doing a better job of waking her up than the caffeine was. Her little space walk had been fun but she’d had problems falling asleep after returning to her room.

“Hey!” She said to a fellow yellow suited crewmember, her speech probably a lot quiet than she’d planned given how groggy she still was. Jacey caught up to her, “Do you know if the Chief’s already in?”

Katie looked around to see if there was anyone else around. “I’m sorry, are you talking to me?” She had been walking around this deck for an hour. She supposed to patrol with crewman Tall today, only he had to do something and said they would meet here after 10 minutes. That was an hour a go and there was no sign of him.

Jacey raised her brow, “Are there any other engineering people around? Obviously I’m talking to you.”

Katie laughed. “Sorry, wrong department. I’m security. I could try to find out for you if your Chief is in. I’m already looking for someone, so an extra person to look for is no problem.”

Jacey’s face turned slightly red and she winced,”Sorry...bad assumption.” She added, “It’s alright. I was hoping to avoid the person I was looking for- but I could do that by helping you find yours. Who are ...you looking for?”

“I’m looking for my partner, crewman Tall. We supposed to meet here, at this deck. Oh, by the way, I’m Katie, Katie Banninga.” Katie said.

“Crewman...tall,”Jacey’s face broke out into a grin, “Is he tall? How ironic if he’d be short.” She extended her hand, “Adams, Jacey Adams. Engineering obviously and not half as smart as I pretend to be.” She offered a smile, “ Have you tried asking the computer where your Mr.Tall is?”

“No, I haven’t. Looking for him is more fun than just walking around.” Katie replied.

“Old school,” Jacey laughed lightly, “I like that. Do you think he’s still in bed?”

“I already saw him at the briefing, he said he needed to do something. By the time I understood what he said, he was already gone.” Katie said. “I only had one cup of coffee at that time”

“Are your mornings based off caffeine as well?” She asked.

“Off course they are! How else can you wake up!” Katie said with a grin.

“Have you still only had one cup?” She said slowly tilting her head to the side.

“No, luckily I was able to get a second cup on my way here.” Katie said.

“Phew, I was worried I might have to sacrifice mine for the greater good,” She paused, “Do you hear something?”

“Jeh, I did, what was that. I think it’s coming from over there.” Katie said while walking towards the exit of a Jefferies tube.

The two of them walked in silence until a burst of giggles filled the air, “I know that laugh..” Jacey said quietly. The sound, which was unmistakably coming from Apryl’s lips, went quiet suddenly. Hushed whispers were heard and then nothing.

“Uhm, I know that shrill laugh and, if my assumption this time is correct, I doubt being alone caused it. Well, that and the fact that Apryl is as far away from an Engineer as possible and has no reason to be in a Jeffrey....” She paused, “ I guess what I”m trying to say is - maybe we should run and hide.”

“Run and hide, but it’s just getting fun.” Katie replied.

“Then, you’re the security person - have fun with investigating,” She said, stepping aside.

Katie walked to the Jefferies tube and opened it. “Ah, Tall, there you are, I was looking for you. You must be Apryl?” Katie said to the two in the Jefferies tube. Tall looked if he was going to die. Obviously he wasn’t please that he had been caught.

“Seriously - with a skeleton crew you’d think she’d already gone through the lists.” Jacey said with a laugh.

Apryl, adjusting her uniform and exiting the small tunnel, “Actually, I’ve yet to move into Security.” Tall, who followed after her blushed.

“You may just started in Security, you’re already famous there. You know that gossip travels faster than light. There calling it The Conquest of Apryl.” Katie said.

“Makes me feel rather roman,” She looked over at Jacey who currently was shifting uncomfortably in her spot, “It’ll be a lot slower given half the men on this ship are terrified of coming near my quarters.”

“To cut the bullshit, don’t you need somewhere to be. At work for example?” Katie said to Apryl, then turning to Tall she said. “You might want to freshen up. I’ll see you in the mess hall in 30 minutes”

Apryl’s face paled. Jacey doubted that anyone had really spoken to her in such a manner. Without a word she turned and simply left. Tall followed, but he had decided to leave in the opposite direction.

“Wow,” Jacey said quietly, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her put in her place that quickly.”

Katie laughed and said to Jacey “Your welcome, how do you ever get some sleep with a roommate like that”

Her mind instantly jumped to the secret hideaway the Chief had shared with her, a brief smile appeared on her face, “I find ways. It’s not really that bad. I think she’s a very sad and lonely person. Although given the current crew numbers for our ship right now, we’d better hurry up and get a full crew or she’ll be seriously bored in the upcoming months.”

“Hadn’t thought about it that way.” Katie said.

“My brain works in mysterious ways,” She shrugged “Like God...or Q...or...the two headed llama’s who are always coming and going.”

=/\=Adams - where the hell are you! Get in here!=/\= She winced as the thick accent of her Chief broke through the moment. She tapped her badge and responded, “Aye sir - just had a minor structural issue with a jeffries tube. Seems it was attracting strange readings. I’m on my way.”

She looked at Katie, “We’ll have to catch up sometime. Minus my roomate.”

“Jeh, I have to get going also. See you later!”

Jacey waved and turned about. She shook her head and queried the strange things that people thought were acceptable when stuck on a starship. Lifting her cup she took a sip and promptly spit it out.

“Cold...” She wiped her mouth, “Pity.”

A JP with Jacey Adams
 * 10-12-2011, 13:57

Gerhardt Rahner '''Chief Engineer's Office 1450 MST'''

To Gerhardt's pleasant surprise, repairs had come to a close just as the Atlas arrived at the edge of the graveyard in the Epsilon Endi system. Now the engineering crew could focus on maintenance and the mission at hand. Unfortunately, the mission presented some interesting new twists, so he'd called Lt. Cressida into his office to hash out what needed doing.

"Aside from the retrieval and cataloging of the various tech in the graveyard, Science noted some EM disturbances we hadn't accounted for," Ayla listed off from her notes. "They haven't finished their scans so we have nothing to work with, but we should probably start planning for any modifications to handle possible situations from..."

She stopped talking and gave the Chief a stark look. He obviously hadn't been hearing what she said, instead seeming to have taken a great deal of interest in staring at the left corner of his desk. "Sir?" she said suddenly, startling him from his reverie. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, Ayla, I apologize," he answered lazily. "I was just drifting in thought. Please continue."

She set the padd on his desk and grinned at him. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were daydreaming about someone like a lost little schoolboy."

Gerhardt laughed at her analogy. "Nien, nien, not quite that. I was just thinking over my career in Starfleet. Did you know that I achieved Ensign in half the time it takes most cadets?"

"Yes sir, I did, actually. I also know you received the Combat Action Medal during the Xul war, a rare achievement for an engineer, and that after your first assignment was decommissioned, a large portion of the Horizon crew migrated to the Ark Royal together."

"Huh. Have you been keeping tabs on me, Lieutenant?" he asked.

"I decided early on that I should find out what makes you tick," she replied slyly. "After all, if I'm supposed to be your assistant chief, I need to know what sort of man I'm dealing with. I'm sure you did some background research on me before I came aboard."

Gerhardt had grown accustomed to his belittled expression with Ayla. "Not exactly. Though I am sure if I had, I would have been able to foresee our first encounter."

Ayla thought back for a moment and blushed as she remembered. "I think I quoted you regulations?"

"Ah, quoted regulations and threatened to have me removed from my post," Gerhardt corrected sardonically. "We had not left drydock and already I was in danger of landing in the brig."

Ayla covered her face with her hands and threw her head back in amused embarrassment. Gerhardt continued, "But the plot thickens. Let us not forget the hypospray incident!"

This time, Ayla didn't have to think very hard. "When I threatened to anesthetize you if you didn't get some rest? You really didn't mention that in any official reports, did you? No, I didn't think so. Ah, memories."

They both laughed until their sides hurt. Ayla wiped the tears from her eyes and asked, "So, what were you specifically thinking of just now?"

"If you must pry," Gerhardt jabbed, "I was thinking of my friends who moved from the Horizon to the Ark Royal with me. Things have been so hectic here that I have never sent any messages to them. I must remember to do so soon."

Ayla smiled warmly before picking up her padd. "I hope I have such fond memories one day. Shall we get back to work? As I was saying, Science reports unforeseen EM disturbances, but they haven't completed their scans so we don't have any hard data yet. In the meantime, we should probably start considering options for any modifications that might come up."

"Hmm," he considered the point for a brief moment. "Put Cadet Wolfe on that. She seems to have a knack for expansive thinking; she has saved me from making mistakes many times already."

Ayla made a note on her padd. "Got it. And what about cataloging the scrap tech?"

Gerhardt sighed heavily. "I cannot decide. That will either be utterly boring bitch-work, in which case Miller should have plenty of fun sorting various lengths of wire, or it will be highly fascinating discovery. What say you?"

"Well, we could have Miller start out on it under careful scrutiny. If he finds something interesting, we take over and put him back on cleaning Jeffery's tubes." Her suggestion appealed to the Chief.

He nodded his approval. "That should work nicely. Do not bother telling him just yet. I think he is currently disinfecting the bilge and I would not want him to become distracted."

"How exactly does one disinfect the bilge?" her nose crinkled in disgust.

"I told him to figure it out, as a means of redeeming his intellectual standing," Gerhardt replied with an evil grin. "If he can outsmart the contents of the bilge, I may decide to rank him alongside bovines in intelligence."

Ayla rose from her seat to leave, laughing the whole way out. Gerhardt, too, smiled broadly as he thought over the meeting. I seem to have a bit of spare time on my hands. he thought and opened a text-based message on his console. Personal letters were never high-priority, and he couldn't be sure a friendly letter from the past wouldn't be a distraction during a crisis. He fired off a quick note to Ba'dat, his friend in the Ark Royal's Engineering department. Their conversations were never all that wordy and it didn't take long to make his old witty jabs and clever remarks. He sent it off and considered all the others he had worked with in the past. All had been noteworthy officers and crew, and all had touched his life tremendous ways. But he couldn't hope to have time to contact everyone, so he had to choose.

"Dear Rynen,..."
 * 10-12-2011, 16:53

Katie Banninga ''“How do you mean you don’t want me to go?” Katie said to her grandfather. “I’m old enough to make my own decision’s and I want to join Starfleet”

“Of course you can make your own decision’s. I just don’t get why you have to put your own life at risk. Can’t you be happier doing something what you can survive?” Reuwke said.

Katie wasn’t very surprised to have this conversation. Ever since she told her grandparents that she to was joining Starfleet she was waiting for it. “Who says I will die? Just because my parents died, doesn’t mean I will” she was speaking louder now.

“Your lucky you survived that attack, you shouldn’t go looking for those beings” he said.

“You mean the Borg? If I travel to other planets, the chance I run in to them is just as big. By the way, I’ve got a placing on the Atlas, which is part of the Megiddo Fleet in the Gamma quadrant. Farther away is hardly not possible.” she paused and walked to her desk and sat down. “Why can’t you understand why I want this”

“You don’t need to go to verweggistan to learn more about your parents. We gave you access to all the info there is about them, we even helped you look for your other grandparents.” Reuwke said to his granddaughter.

“I don’t get it, why didn’t you mind when David left to join Starfleet?”Katie asked.

“He wanted to join Starfleet ever since he was little. It was all he could talk about. He would be miserable with a job on the project, he doesn’t have the passion you have for it. Or at least you had.”

Katie put her hand down her hair and sighed.”I still love this project, and someday I’d love to take over from you. Just not now. I want to know what it is to be part of Starfleet, why my parents literally wanted to die for it. Starfleet was the most important thing in their life, after their family. I can’t fully understand that until I know what it is to be a Starfleet Officer.”

“Ah, there you are” Hermina said as she walked in Katie’s office. “Ive been looking all over for you. Dinner is ready. We’re having boerenkool with sausages.” When she looked at Katie and Reuwke she noticed the tension on their faces. She turned to Reuwke. “You have to let it go, schat, it’s her choice and we have to respect that”

“Thanks oma, at least you understand” katie said.

“Meisje, It’s not that opa doesn’t understand. He just don’t you to go, your as a daughter to us. We already lost a daughter, we’re just terrified you won’t come back alive.” Hermina said. “When are you leaving”

“I’ve leaving next week. Will has agreed to take over my work. He wanted it ever since he got here, so its his lucky day” Katie said sarcastic.

“And what will you be doing when you get back” Reuwke asked. This was new to him. Not only would he be losing his best employee, he also had to put up with that annoying guy.

“I’ll take your job, or we create a new one if you don’t want retire jet.” Katie said while laughing at Reuwke’s face.''


 * Katie’s Quarters::
 * 22.00 hours::

Katie awoke because of the doorbell. She must have felt a sleep. As she walked to the door she tried to put her hair back in order. It was pointing in different ways.

“Hey, you” she said when she saw that Peter was in front of the door.

“Jeh, me. Where have you been today? I was looking for you but couldn’t find you.”

She looked at him and said “Ah, you missed me. Want some coffee?” She walked to the replicator and ordered a large coffee with milk.

“No, thanks. All that coffee isn’t good for you. How do you manage to get some sleep. All that caffeine is going to kill you someday” Peter said.

“Better caffeine than the Xul” she said with a laugh.

“Wow, your in a good mood. What happened today?” peter asked.

“You’ll never believe what happened today. You know what, I’ll tell you all about it over some dinner” and she grabbed her jacket and walked to the door “Are you coming?”

“You want to grab something to eat. I’ve been asking you for weeks and you’ve always declined. I don’t think I'll ever be able to understand you.” Peter said with a sigh.

Katie turned to him and said “What’s the fun in that. I hate being predictable”

“Stop flirting you” he said with a grin.

“Why, you do it all the time” she said. As she walked around the corner she bumped into crewman Tall.

“Dammit, can’t you look where you’re walking” Tall said before noticing who he bummed in to. When he saw it was Katie his eyes widened and he mumbled “Never mind” and quickly walked away.

When he was out of sight Peter started laughing. “Ah, poor guy, what did you do to him”

“I didn’t do anything to him. Where did you get that idea” she said.

“I know you” he replied.

“I caught him in a Jefferies tube with Apryl.” she said.

As they had reached the messhall they both ordered something to eat. It was very quit, there were only a couple tables taken. They seated at one of the tables and Katie told Peter the whole story on what happened earlier that day. After she was finished eating she asked him.

“So, what do you think?

“Think about what?” Peter said.

“Do you think I should report it to the Chief. Or not. It was under working hours, and they both shouldn’t be there?” she asked. She was thinking about reporting it or not ever since it happened. It’s not like they caused a security threat, but it’s normal behavior on board the ship.

“I think you should report it” he replied.

“Im not sure, I’ll think about it for a while.” Katie said.
 * 10-18-2011, 23:28

Jacey Adams After her shift Jacey had enjoyed a quiet dinner by herself. The meal was pleasant and the space alone was welcomed. She’d never really been one for a crowd. In truth her recently active lifestyle was completely out of character – it felt as if she was becoming something other than who she wanted to be. Or maybe she couldn’t see who she needed to be versus the one inside her head. Did she like this person in her shoes? Was it better than her own ideal?

It was a thought that confused and intrigued her at the same time.

Returning to her quarters Jacey quickly settled into her sleepwear and sat down with a novel. Not that she had much of a chance to read given Apryl’s inability to sit still. Jacey wondered if her particular lack of silence this night, as well as sporadic movements, was due to their previous encounter. Was she embarrassed? Was she capable of embarrassment?

“Don’t you ever get tired of it?” Jacey asked as Apryl moved about the room, “I mean, causing trouble – and …the men.”

Apryl shrugged, “What else is there to do?”

Jacey laughed, “Seriously? There is so much to do. We’ve got so much work…”

“No.” She sat down for a moment, “Not work.”

“Not work?” Her brow raised, “Apryl, that’s what we’re out here for. It’s our job.”

“Job..” Apryl snorted, “What job? We’re still getting this thing going, not only that but it’s just a short trip to check out the kinks before we actually get anywhere.”

“That’s a rather poor attitude. The Atlas is pretty amazing and even if we’re not at full capacity – there’s still lots to be done.” Jacey tilted her head, “How can you not see that?”

Apryl stood up, “You’ve only been in a few years and you’ve yet to see what can truly happen in space. It’s not some great adventure; it’s a struggle to stay alive. You wouldn’t be so positive if you’d seen half of the things I have.”

“So you compensate with men and an irresponsible attitude?” Jacey couldn’t believe what she was hearing, “That’s ridiculous.”

“No, not it isn’t.” She paused and almost seemed to be collecting her thoughts, “We live on a giant ship. We fix the ship when it breaks down. We work on it to keep it going. We maintain the structure and routines internally so that there’s some semblance of normality. We have a holodeck to recreate places where you could move beyond the bounds of a hull. Outside of our little ship is a black mass of un-breathable death. We’re in a safe bubble and we run about in our bubble as if we’re doing something important. But are we?”

Jacey paused, “Whoa…that was rather …deep.”

“I like to surprise once in a while,” Apryl stood, “Once upon a time I actually took this job seriously. I learned not to. The most they can do is kick you out and send you home where there’s more than walls around you.”

“So why stay?” Her brow furrowed, “If you think that little of it.”

Apryl shrugged, “Nothing here for me, nothing anywhere else for me. Might as well do what I can here and see where it takes me before I wind up attempting it elsewhere.”

“Doesn’t sound well planned.” Jacey lifted the book up so she could make note of the chapter, “Isn’t that scary?”

“What good is a plan.” Apryl full out laughed, “They just get messed up or changed. Stop planning. Start living.”

“I’m no hippie,” She put the book down,” However, maybe I do over plan things.”

Apryl lightly punched her arm,” Now you’re getting it. I’ll convert you yet.”

“Hell no,” She promptly picked up the novel, “This ship couldn’t handle two people with your morals.”

“You respect Vaughn and he’s got twice the reputation that I have.” Apryl cut in.

“He’s our XO. It’s a respect or die thing.” Jacey responded promptly, “Besides, he’s old. He’s got his history and his reasons for being the way he is. You’re young – you’re just wasting those years till you get that excuse.”

Apryl shrugged and wandered off, leaving Jacey alone to attempt reading through the heavy paragraphs. Was she too planned? Her mind interrupted the process. Was her very invention of the person she wanted to be known as; cold, untouchable, alone – a hinderance? Jacey knew those were all the things she could currently handle. However if she spent her life with everything she thought she could handle – how would she really know what her limit was without testing that?
 * 10-20-2011, 16:02

Lisbet Ulrika Captain's Quarters

Tom and Bet had finished their dinner with Chris and gone back to their quarters. While Bet had started getting ready for bed, Tom had grabbed a PADD filled with engineering information for the Vesta class and sat at his desk with a cup of fresh coffee to begin studying. With the low light and the bluish glow of the PADD, the dark circles under his eyes stood stark against a pale exterior, but his jaw was set with grim determination.

Bet came out of the bedroom, tying her long hair into a bun at the nape of her neck. She made herself a cup of tea and turned toward Tom to ask him if he wanted one as well and saw the haggard look showing starkly in the light of work. “Tom, you’re losing far too much sleep with those nightmares of yours. Can you talk about it with me? I’d like to help, if I can.”

“It’s not the nightmares. There’s just a lot of work to do,” he said without looking up from the PADD in his hand. “We’re getting close to starting the salvage procedures in a rather unstable area of space filled with a large amount of debris. I need to know everything this ship is capable of doing.”

“And your Chief Engineer is on top of things, you can trust him; your Ops and Helm officers too...you are the Captain with a team of highly capable officers. Now tell me the real reason you’re not sleeping as well as you should be? What else is going on?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust them.” The fatigue of the long days was beginning to wear on him, and the frustration was building. “It’s about standing there on the bridge and knowing what I can order them to do and what my options are because of what this ship is capable of. It’s about being effective as a commander, and in order to do that, I have to know what the Atlas can do. There’s only so much time for me to get all that work done. That means late nights.”

“Late nights, yes. But what about the restlessness once you’re sleeping? There is more going on than you’re sharing...I’m asking you what I already know, I’m just trying to get you to realize that you must take steps to take care of yourself. You’re not helpful to anyone if you collapse on the bridge from exhaustion.”

Tom sighed in frustration. "Well, I'm glad you are so insightful as to what is happening." The PADD made a loud clack as it hit the desk. "It's just some bad dreams. They'll pass."

She knew he was feeling pressure, mostly inflicted upon himself, and her concern was as his partner and as ship’s CMO. “Will they pass before you have a full break? You’re riding a rough edge Dearness, and if you don’t take steps to alleviate some stress I may be forced to intercede on an official basis.” Neither of us will be happy if that happens.

Tom’s head snapped up, and he glared at Lisbet. “Are you threatening me on a personal and professional level?”

“There’s no threat here, I’m trying to get you to understand the gravity of our situation. Your psyche is in danger and so is your health.” She herself, feeling his frustration radiating from him in waves, was starting to feel it too and she snapped in retort, “And please don’t flatter yourself, I don’t have to resort to ‘threats’, I can have you declared unfit with little trouble...and you know it.” She regretted saying it as soon as it flew from her mouth, but it was too late.

“Don’t start throwing your procedural power around with me,” Tom said sternly. “I can get you transferred off this ship so fast...” He took a deep breath before he looked back at her, ice in his eyes. “Just go to bed.”

She stood stunned for a moment, confusion and anger whirling in her head. She gained enough control to turn on her heel and returned to their bedroom. Once there she threw herself onto the bed and fumed. Can’t he understand I’m only trying to help? She spent the next several minutes trying to calm herself so that she could figure out what to do from here...but for the moment she was at a loss.

Once she had gone, Tom tried to focus on his work, but no matter what he did, the thoughts of having an argument, and the bad taste in his mouth from it, drove him from the room. He downloaded the padds back onto the main computer core, and then left his quarters. The Ready Room made for a nice distraction where he could shower, change his uniform, and get back to work. And so he walked out without a word, preferring to leave it lie than try to go back in the bedroom and face Lisbet.

''' A JP with the unhappy love birds. '''
 * 10-20-2011, 16:12

Tom O'Flagherty Captain's Ready Room

Tom was sitting at his desk, processing reports, when the chime to his door sounded. It had been a long rest of the morning after the session with Lt. Wilson. There was a lot to process, but all Tom really wanted to do was work. The next item on his agenda was much more promising than paperwork though, and so he set the PADD down. "Come in."

Chris stepped into Tom’s ready room and took a seat across from him casually. “Why hello old sport.”

Tom quirked his eyebrow at Chris, “Old? Did you just call me old?”

“Old...” Chris frowned. “Well ancient might have been a more appropriate word.” Dropping a PADD on Tom’s desk he reclined slightly. “Interesting bit of trivia. It seems we have a missing deck on the USS Atlas.”

“I noticed that a few days ago. A note was sent to Operations, and Lt. Mari assures me that the issue is with the MSD, and not with the construction. Unfortunately, she hasn’t had the manpower to actually get eyes on.” Tom took the PADD and added it to the stack he already on the desk. “You ready to go and make an inspection?”

“An inspection?” Chris snorted. “Are we just going to go deck to deck and see how many we come up with?”

Tom laughed, mostly from exhaustion, “No. We are going to inspect the fuel management system. Deuterium cryo-storage to be specific.”

“The deuterium cryo...” Chris’s voice trailed off as he tried to recall his basic engineering course in OCS.. “I think my expertise is needed elsewhere. I’ll go look for the missing deck while you check on that...thing.”

"I don't think so." Tom wagged his finger at his friend. "I'm not letting you hang the most boring inspection squarely upon my singular set of shoulders. Besides, I wanted to talk with you about something."

Chris allowed his shoulders to slump in an exaggerated fashion. “Fine. Although I think as the captain you should be making that sacrifice personally but i guess will go with you.” As Chris and Tom exited the ready room Chris looked over to his friend as they moved through the lonely corridors of the understaffed vessel. “So, what did you want to talk about? If you need help figuring out what tuxedos to get for the wedding you’ve come to the right man.”

The corridor stretched out ahead of them with no one in their way. It was a slightly unsettling feeling Tom had never been able to shake. "It's not the wedding. To be honest, I haven't thought about that much with all the work to be done. It's about our current location." Tom paused for a long moment as he tried to think about what he wanted to say. "Does the thought of the Xul cross your mind?"

Chris pursed his lips slightly. “I try not to think about them. Being here that isn’t easy but I think the think times are different now.” He wasn’t sure how much weight be put behind that last statement. “What on your mind, anything specific?”

They approached the turbolift and the doors swooshed open ahead of them. Once the closed, Tom threw his head back and sighed heavily. "I don't know. There's been a few night where I can't sleep. A couple times where I could have sworn an Etlu was phasing around me. I think I'm just tired."

Chris shrugged, “Well your under at lot of stress. New command and all. Your living with a woman - that’s always stressful.” he paused for a moment. “Well, I’ve heard its stressful, I don’t know first hand. Listen we are suppose to put into port for fitting out after this assignment. We will have a few weeks to kick it on Megiddo. I own a hotel there you know. It will be relaxing. And once this boat has a full crew things will be easier. Yeah, no doubt.”

"You're probably right. Taking some time off would be nice." Tom tried to smile as he thought about Bet in a bathing suit at the beach, but images of Daughoff Rho kept jumping in. Pushing it aside, he turned back to business. "How are the crew handling the mandatory psyche evals?"

“I guess fine. I think it’s a stupid idea. but otherwise things are proceeding as ordered.” Chris replied. He proceeded to rattle off what numbers he could as far as the last report he got on the number of crew still left to report for their eval. “Hopefully we can finish getting everyone worked through and have that nonsense behind us.”

"You really think it's bad idea? I thought it would help some of our younger crew."

Chris crossed him arms, “I don’t know. Maybe. I just isn’t my thing.”

"Well, I'm sorry the counseling department isn't staffed by big-breasted Orion women."

With an indigent snort the XO nodded, “You should be. I expected that to be corrected when we get to port.”

Bridge

Lt. Johanna Mari was in charge of the watch as the Atlas made a slow approach to the debris field known as "The Graveyard." After completing a tactical sweep of the entire system, and deploying sensor bouies, the ship was just now going to begin its salvage mission. To her surprise, the captain had not stayed on the bridge for the beginning of the operation. On some level, that bothered the young officer. She had always imagined the captain of a starship would be in the middle of the most pressing activity and not off inspecting the "gas tank."

Her reverie was broken by the the voice of the chief helm officer, Lt. P'Rim, "We are now crossing into the debris field."

"Thank you, Mr. P'Rim. Steady as she goes." Mari tensed slightly at being the one in charge of the beginning of the mission. This had been her first deep space posting, and the driven officer was excited to be in the thick of the action.

She bordered on awe-struck by the images on the viewer. What looked like lightning danced across the system at random intervals. It's purple light flashin brightly against the back drop of space. In the distance, Dosi and Pelleran ships moved slowly, almost tip toeing through the debris which glistened in the light of the distant Epsilon Indi star. The captain should be here seeing this The large starship danced gracefully through the debris field under the Vulcan's deft fingers, avoiding the shifting pieces of destroyed moon and hulking pieces of destroyed ships.

Suddenly, the ship lurched hard to the left, throwing people to the deck in a heap. The red alert klaxons wailed and the bridge was bathed in red light. "Report!"

"We've been struck by an electro-magnetic discharge. Directly a mid-ships in the secondary hull. There are power fluctuations on decks 11 thru 16."

Mari's head spun for a second as she tried to get a grip on what was happening. "Raise the shields! We need to head-off another of those strikes. Get damage control teams down to the lower decks." Well, that will get the captain up here.

Turbolift

The lights went out as Tom and Chris were thrown against the wall. For a couple of seconds, the lift felt as if it were in free fall, but then it stopped with a sudden crash that sent a shock all the way up Tom's back. Emergency lighting filled the tiny space, the young captain clawed his way back to his feet. Reaching for his commbadge, he felt and saw a spark arc between the tiny device and his finger. "Ow!"

Slapping the commbadge again, he tried to get a read on the situation. "O'Flagherty to bridge. Report." But there was no response. The badge was dead.

"Can you raise anybody, Chris? My comm is down."

Vaughn lurched to his feet preying it disruption wasn’t due to an attack. His tapped his combadge, “Vaughn to bridge.” The combadge made an odd chirping sound before replying, =/\=No Starfleet receiver within transmission range. =/\=

“Um...yes.” Chris replied to the impertinent combadge and tapping the wall of the turbolift.

=/\= No Starfleet receiver within transmission range. =/\= it repeated.

Chris gave Tom a sharp look. “It could be a Xul attack, enough of this bullshit. Pop the door and lets get to the bridge.”

The two men fiddled with the manual override for the door for several seconds before it allowed the sliding door to jar far enough for them to get there hands in and pry it the rest of the way. Once the door was open far enough Chris started through but was instantly stopped by Tom’s hand on his shoulder. Looking up he was a long stretch of metal girders and unfinished plates forming a skeletonized corridor that seemed to stretch on for ages. Only a few light panels had been installed and they all flickered weakly offering only an eerie shadow cast illumination down the deserted hall. Wires held pieces of partially installed equipment in exposed and never sealed maintenance hatches lining the corridor.

“Where...the hell....are we?” Chris asked, staring down the unknown hallway.

“I think we found our missing deck.”

A JP with the XO
 * 10-20-2011, 22:06

Gerhardt Rahner Main Engineering Gerhardt had his gaze focused on the padd in his hand as he left his office. His main task for last hour and a half had been planning for any unexpected anomalies they might encounter from the unforeseen EM disturbances. How the hell does one plan for the unexpected with no data? he thought grumpily.

Suddenly, the ship lurched hard to port, throwing Gerhardt first into the wall, then into the railing. He managed to catch himself before tumbling over, and shouted to the pit below, "Report!" before running to the small lift down to the main floor.

Baelika growled something in Klingon as she picked herself up and looked to the MSD. "Power flux, decks 11 to 16. Shields just went up and orders for DC teams just went out."

Gerhardt joined his E&E head in front of the MSD. The sound of the doors swooshing open announced the arrival of Lt. Cressida through the general hum of activity. Ayla relieved Baelika at the Chief's side. "Any ideas on what caused this?" she asked.

"No reports yet, sir," the Klingon woman replied. Gerhardt and Ayla shared a concerned look before springing into action.

While Ayla hit the console in front of the MSD, Gerhardt started shouting orders, "Alright, people, I want all DC teams on alert, Reactor, E&E, and Aux divisions, double-check everything, then check again. Everyone not already working or running to a station, we need to know what caused this and be ready for the next one."

He slapped his commbadge without breaking stride, "Rahner to bridge, are we under attack?"

To Gerhardt's confusion, Lt. Mari answered. =/\= Negative, Chief. EM discharge. Looks like Dr. Solari's reports just got confirmed in the worst of ways. =/\= She left the comm open for a brief pause before continuing. =/\= Uh, Chief? Are the Captain and XO with you? =/\=

Ayla's head spun around to give Gerhardt a confused look, to which he could only respond with an equally confused shrug. "Negative, Lieutenant. I believe they were scheduled to inspect the deuterium cryo-storage, but we have not heard from them. I assume they are on their way to the bridge?"

No response came from the bridge for a moment. Gerhardt and Ayla stared at each other in utter consternation. Finally, Mari's voice sounded again. =/\= Chief, we have a problem. I'm not showing the Captain or the XO on board. =/\=

"That is... what?" Gerhardt stammered, his brow furrowing deeper. He slapped his commbadge again. "Rahner to O'Flagherty."

The unnervingly calm voice of the computer rang out, =/\= Captain O'Flagherty is not on board the USS Atlas. =/\=

A stone dropped in the pit of Gerhardt's stomach. "Rahner to Vaughn," his voice squeaked quietly.

=/\= Commander Vaughn is not on board the USS Atlas. =/\=

The color washed out of Gerhardt's face and the weight in his gut doubled. For several seconds, he stopped breathing and gaped wide-eyed at the MSD. The flurry of activity in Engineering hadn't died down, but in the center of it all, the Chief and his Assistant were shell-shocked.

"What the hell?" Gerhardt stammered. His gaze started to drift around the cavernous room and, as it fell on all the busy engineers trying like hell to get the ship back into shape, it solidified into raw determination. He turned to exit Main Engineering. "Lt. Cressida, you have Engineering." Slapping his commbadge, he shouted, "All senior staff to the ready room."
 * 10-27-2011, 21:28

Jacey Adams The USS Todes had been a ship that demanded heads to turn. Starfleet made every vessel with such pride that one couldn’t help but pay attention when one of their largest zoomed past. Sadly as Jacey stood in what would have been the bridge she couldn’t help but imagine what it had looked like in its glory days; bright lights, glittering buttons, busy crew and no gaping hole where the view screen used to be. The cold presence of space had infiltrated the warm environment.

“Only the dead who see the end of the war – well I’m glad the old Captain couldn’t see this, he’d be shattered…” Jacey said quietly as she stood where the Captain’s chair had been. The chair itself was missing but the large pool of blood that had turned a dark black color marked the end of his reign.

“You say something Adams?” A head poked out of the decaying ready room.

“Huh?’She turned her head, “No just thinking out loud.”

“Well stop thinking and get labeling. We’ve only got another three hours to get this wreck tagged before we move on.”

Jacey nodded, “Yeah…”

Given the size of ship, they moved about a deck and a half every half an hour. Provided the amount of distractions, it was a good speed. Although Jacey wished she hadn’t been one of the engineers picked to move across the crew quarters.

“Hey Peters,” She said whilst walking down a particularly drafty corridor, “If you were to die and our wreckage combed, what could people tell about you from your personal effects?”

He paused quietly, “Uhh…”

“I know,” Jacey interrupted, “A random question. Forget I asked.”

“No, it’s okay. I just think my answers more depressing.” He shrugged, “Since it’d probably be a never finished novel, a guitar and a deck of cards.”

“You play?” Her head tilted.

“Badly.” Peters stopped at a destroyed doorway and shone a light in. A gaping hole and floating body met their gaze.

Jacey screamed and fell over. Her hands covering her face as Peters called in for the bodies removal.

“You ok?” He asked.

“Yeah…just going to have nightmares about that one for a week. Her face…” She stopped.

“Sure doesn’t help we’re in a silent movie. It’s eerie how the creaking of broken metal is a welcome thing.” He offered a hand to help her up, “Come on, we’re almost out of here.”

“Yeah, off of here and then onto the research vessel.” She took his hand and stood, “What the hell is a research vessel doing out here?”

“Researching?” Peters offered a crooked smile before pushing her along, “Duh.”
 * 10-28-2011, 00:41

Gerhardt Rahner '''USS Atlas Ready Room'''

When Gerhardt arrived in the ready room, Lt. Mari and Lt. jg P'Rim were already seated, quietly discussing the situation. Gerhardt sat and listened while waiting for the rest of the senior staff. Lt. Wexall from Tactical joined them shortly thereafter, followed by Dr. Solari from the Science Department. The only two left were Dr. Ulrika, CMO, and Lt. jg Lebowski from Security. The doors slid open and an Aldean woman in a blue uniform stepped through.

"Commander Ulrika is in surgery," she answered. "She sent me in her place. Petty Officer Adali Fuqua, Head Nurse."

"Please, have a seat," Gerhardt said, motioning to one of the empty chairs at the table.

Lt. Mari cleared her throat and stood. "Lieutenant Lebowski is currently working with his Security team, so let's go ahead without him."

She sat back down and looked around the table. No one spoke. Lt. Mari looked at Cmdr. Rahner imploringly. He looked back at her equally as flummoxed. Dr. Solari finally broke the silence.

"Look, Rahner, you called this pow-wow, how about you start us off?"

Gerhardt gaped, a little shocked and clearly unprepared. He stood slowly to his feet. "Well, it seems that Captain O'Flagherty and Commander Vaughn are... for lack of a better term, missing."

Those members of the small gathering who hadn't heard stared at him in disbelief.

"What the hell do you mean 'missing'?" demanded Solari.

In response, Mari tapped her commbadge and commanded, "Computer, locate Captain O'Flagherty and Commander Vaughn."

=/\=Captain O'Flagherty and Commander Vaughn are not on-board the USS Atlas=/\=

"Then where are they?" Solari again demanded.

=/\=I do not have that information at this time=/\=

"So what are we supposed to do now?" asked Solari, finally sinking back into his chair.

"That is what we are here to discuss," Gerhardt answered. "Any suggestions?"

"The logical thing to do would be for the second officer to take command," answered P'Rim. "But I am not aware of the captain having named a second officer as of yet, which means command passes to the next highest officer."

Gerhardt's eyes looked around the table, taking note of the number of pips on everyone's collar. It wasn't until he looked up from her collar to her face that he noticed Lt. Mari staring wide-eyed at him. He shot his gaze back around the faces of everyone at the table, and everyone of them was looking directly at him. It was only then that he reached up to his neck and felt the insignia pinned there.

"Fick mich!" he muttered. He looked back around, hoping it was a sick joke. "Nein, nein, nein. What about Commander Ulrika? She is the same rank, and she is the Captain's fiancee. Surely she outranks me?"

"She'll be in surgery for a while," PO1C Fuqua responded calmly. "And I believe regulations say that the CMO only takes command if all other ranking officers are unavailable. Since you're not..."

She let the implication hang, but Gerhardt felt it fall square on him. He dropped into his seat and took a moment to collect his thoughts. "What is our next move?"

"We still have the mission to think of, but obviously we should consider all options for finding and, if need be, rescuing our commanders," answered Lt. Mari. "Teams are already underway working on mission, so let me handle that part."

"I'll get a team working on solving the EM problem in this area," Solari said.

Gerhardt shook his head. "Very good. Lieutenant Wexall, could this have been an abduction or an attack?"

"I'm not sure, sir, but I'll get to work on answering that immediately," came the crisp response.

"Good. Contact Lieutenant Lebowski when you leave here. The two of you should be prepared to set security checks on anyone leaving or entering the ship. Let us adjourn and," Gerhardt paused slightly, "I do not want to sit in the command chair long, people. Find the men who belong there, soon."

As everyone stood to get to work, Gerhardt stopped Head Nurse Fuqua. Pulling her aside, he quietly said, "I trust you know Commander Ulrika better than I, so I will leave it with you to inform her of the captain's disappearance. She needs to know, but I do not want it to have a tramatic effect on her while she works. We need our doctors."

The Aldean nodded to him and left the ready room. Taking a moment to collect himself, Gerhardt straightened his uniform and looked out the bay windows at the stars flying past them. He turned to the door and walked out onto the bridge. Taking a seat in the Captain's Chair, he pressed the button for a ship-wide announcement. "All hands, this is acting captain Rahner. Until further notice, this ship is on yellow alert."
 * 10-29-2011, 01:54

Katie Banninga
 * USS Atlas::
 * Security Office::

As Katie walked in the Security Office, she noticed she wasn’t the only one that got called in. It looked like the entire team was in. At least, all 23 crewman that the department had at the moment.

“Finally, you’re here” Peter said to her, while handing her a cup of coffee. “I thought you needed one” She looked at the cup and noticed he had written Happy Birthday on it. “How did you know?”

“I have my sources” he said with a smile.

She took a zip and closed her eyes. She hadn’t have time to grab a cup before she rushed to the office. “Do you have any idea what going on here” she asked Peter.

“Not exactly, I've heard some rumors” Just when he wanted to say them the Chief walked in the room. “Never mind, now we’ll hear the truth”

“Ok, everybody listen up.” Lebowski started. “We’ve got a problem, the Captain en XO are missing”

What, Katie thought. How can they be missing. She looked around the other security officer’s. Everybody looked in disbelief.

Lebowski continued “They were scheduled to inspect the deuterium cryo-storage. After the EM discharge we haven’t heard from them. According to the computer they are no longer on board. I want eight of you to go with Ensign Joel to Ops and see if you can help in the search of the Captain and the XO.

As for the rest, I want an security officer on every exit. We have to monitor everyone leave. Ensign Takong will lead this team. Beside of that, our department will also man three shuttle that go in the debris field to monitor for any problems. There are already a couple shuttles out there salvaging. The assignment are on the board.”

Peter and Katie both walked to the board to see what they would be doing for the next couple hours.

“Yes, I’ll be leading on of the shuttle’s in the debris field. Finally a chance to get out there” Peter said.

“You, leading a away mission. Congratulations, but isn’t that strange. Normally an officer lead them.” Katie said.

“We’ll it’s not that strange. At the moment we only have 3 officer’s and Takong and Joel are leading two teams on the ship. I am one of the senior enlisted.” Peter replied.

“Yes, I hadn’t looked it like that. One moment, I can’t find my name, I’ll ask” she said as she walked to ensign Joel.

“Sir, my name isn’t on the board.”

“Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, the chief asked if you could go see him” Joel replied.

She looked at Peter, gave him her coffee and walked to the Chief’s office.

“Hello, you wanted to see me?” Katie said as she walked in.

“Yes, I do, one moment.” Lebowski said while he was finishing what he was doing.

“Is it about the report I submitted?” she asked.

That report, he thought. He still wasn’t sure how to handle that, luckily there were more important matter at hand at the moment. “I got your report, only at the moment I don’t have time for it. I will deal with it later.”

Katie sighed. She still wasn’t sure if she did the right thing by filing in a report about the incident with Apryl and Tall.

Lebowski continued “Where I wanted to see you about. As you know we don’t have that many senior crew members on the team, there for I’m giving you the chance to lead one of the shuttle teams. Your task is to make sure it is safe for the other shuttles to salvage. So keep an eye on the other races that are in there, and try to prevent problems. Is that clear?”

Katie was shocked. This wasn’t what see expected. She was only a cadet. She shook away her astonishment and replied. “Yes, sir. Thank you for this chance”

“Good, you’ll be leading the Jason with Miller from flight control, Pellew from Ops and with Tall. Hope that’s not a problem.” Lebowski said.

Katie looked up and smiled. “No, sir. I don’t think so.”

“Ok, good. Now, go on, you’re dismissed” Lebowski said.

As Katie walked back to the others she still was a bit amazed. She couldn’t wait to see Peter face when she’d tell him.
 * 10-30-2011, 14:10

Edward Pellew Edward was sitting in the mess hall. he was on a sort of date. He had been seeing that science crewman Ashley. They had had a few coffee breaks together and one or two lunches and now they were hopefully moving on to one or two dinners. The whole affair was seemingly going well until it happened.

=^= Chief Sunday to Pellew =^=

=^= Pellew Here Chief =^=

=^= You are to report to the hanger bay asap =^=

Pellew responded and stood and took Ashley's hand.

He bent and kissed it.

"Till later my dear."

He turned on his heel and moved off toward his berth.
 * 11-06-2011, 01:30

Gerhardt Rahner '''USS Atlas Main Bridge'''

Gerhardt's glazed stare was fixed on the chronometer. He had been in command of the Atlas for exactly 32 minutes, 59 seconds. 33 minutes, 33 minutes 1 second, 33 minutes 2 seconds, 33 minutes...

"Sir, tactical and security logs show no transporter activity in the area at of the time of the EM disturbance," Lt. Wexall interrupted his daze. "No transporter activity has occurred within our transporter's operational range in the past two hours, the last being a hazardous cargo transport from one of the derelicts. If they were beamed off this ship, it was with a transporter that doesn't leave a trace, not even in subspace. And the only ships in this sector are the same alien vessels that have been sitting out there since we got there, unless the sensors are missing something in the EM field."

"Could the electromagnetic radiation be obscuring the sensors?" Gerhardt asked hopefully, but knowing full well the answer.

Wexall shot him an annoyed look, "Sir, you know as well as I do that's not going to be the problem. First-year cadets learn how to account for EM radiation in a sensor sweep. I'm not reading anything that could even signal a cloaking technology we haven't encountered."

The good implications of this news, that the commanders probably weren't kidnapped and currently on their way to God-knows-where, sank in alongside the negative implications, that they still had no idea what the hell had happened. Gerhardt turned in the chair to Science.

Solari gave him a despondent grimace. " 'Fraid Wexall's right, sir. I'm not reading any radiation or subspace anomalies we weren't already expecting. I've tried every known method for detecting cloaked objects, multidimensional fields, and every other damn thing I can think of, but this space is full of a bunch of stuff that won't account for this."

Gerhardt rubbed the bridge of his nose as the rest of the unoccupied bridge crew looked to him for their next orders. "So, they are not off-ship; they must still be on-board." Somehow, the obviousness of this statement did nothing to alleviate the dumbfounded expression he felt on his face. "Have we begun a ship-wide search?"

"Yes, sir," Wexall answered, "But they've turned up zilch so far."

"Co-ordinate Security with Engineering on this. Between the two departments, they should know every inch of the ship, including all the possible hiding spots," Gerhardt said, thinking of a certain hammock hidden near but technically not on the same deck as a certain warp core. "And make sure they are searching on foot, every jefferies tube, every compartment."

The crew set about their tasks in near silence. This wasn't just an emergency of missing persons. If something didn't change soon, the already noticeable drop in morale would consume them.
 * 11-06-2011, 19:41

Katie Banninga ::USS Atlas:: ::Shuttle bay 1::

When Katie walked in to the shuttle bay it hummed of activity. Everywhere she looked there were crewman preparing the shuttles for departure. There were many shuttle’s leaving to explore the debris field. The mission was very clear and vague at the same time. They had to find and salvage as much as possible, without getting in to trouble. And that also the vague part. There could be a danger behind every rock. Katie was assigned to the Jason. It was the same as the last mission she was on. When she arrived at the shuttle the pilot and crewman Tall were already present. She still thought it was a cruel joke to put crewman Tall on her team.

“Hi, everyone” she said when she took her seat. Tall mumbled a hi and the pilot turned around.

“Hi, I’m Miller, you must be Banninga.”

“Yes, I am. How’d you guess?” she said with a grin. “We’re waiting for someone from Ops. Can you get started with the departure procedures, so we can leave when he arrives?” Katie said to Miller.

Pellew was frantic. He was running around grabbing his field gear. Why was always the one to do the special assignments. He knew that they were short staffed and he was the new man at the cooler. He picked up his bag and tricorder and hurried out the door.

As he walked into the hangar bay, he saw the hustle and bustle of all people getting ready to depart. He paused long enough to spy the shuttle he was to be manning. When he saw it he walked over.

“Crewman Pellew reporting.”

“Ah, you must be from Ops” Katie said “I’m Katie Banninga, I’m leading this mission. Take a seat so we can get underway”

Pellew took his seat wondering to himself what was around the bend.

“Ok Miller, are you ready to depart” Katie asked Miller.

“Yes ma’am, we are.” he said with a wink.

“We’ll than, we’re you’re waiting for. Take us out.” she said. “Let’s see what’s out there”

Pellew felt himself sucked back into his seat as the shuttle lifted off. He looked at the view screen and saw the beautifully gruesome site of the ship graveyard. His stomach churned so he pulled out some chewing tobacco and stuffed a wad in his mouth. “I have a bad feeling about this” he said under his breath.

Everybody in the ship was in awe of the beautiful sight. Unbelievable that hundreds of people had died here.

“Ok, people, let’s get to work. Pellew can you start a sensor sweep of the area. Tall will you start scanning for other ship’s. And by that I mean not Starfleet.” Katie said to the group.

Pellew’s fingers flew over his console, “Ma’am, Sweep at 20% on no activity.”

Edward spit in an empty cup he had brought with him. while he was scanning he was monitoring the power emissions and the ship to shuttle communications as well as the shuttle to shuttle comms.

“Scan at 41% and the other shuttles report nothing.”

As the scan reached 60 percent, the power indicator flew off the charts.

“Ma’am, We have a influx of power in sector 459 on the far side of the debris field.”

She walked to Pellew. “Any idea what the reason is?” she asked him.

Edward raised an eyebrow, “not sure, we may just have to mosey on over there and take a gander.”

The shuttle flew through the dark space. As it neared the sector the indicator was almost overpowering.

“Ma’am we are coming into the sector. This influx is frickin ridiculous.”

As the shuttle came into the sector, there was debris everywhere.

“Ma’am, the flux is coming from behind that huge piece of hull.”

The shuttle put up shields and charged phasers. The shuttle maneuvered around the hull and in front of the them appeared a tiny vessel. The ship looked like it was only a one man or a one something vessel. Pellew ran scan after scan and the only thing he could come off was that the tiny vessel was emitting a energy reading twice the size of a galaxy class starship.

“Ma’am I have no clue if there is any weapons being charged or what, we need to back off.”

“Any life signs?” she asked

Pellew responded, “Ma’am, I haven't the foggiest.”

“Tall, do you have any reason to believe that this ship was involved in the fight.” she asked Tall as she walked back to her station and ran a scan of her own. Backing off, like Pellew suggested sounded logical, but it was their task to investigate and maybe someone needed help.

“I’m getting inconclusive reading” Tall replied.

Katie was getting annoyed. “Is anybody getting any reading we can do something with?” she said to the whole group. When no one replied she said “Ok, Pellew, can we beam over there?”

Pellew had a concerned look on his.

“ma’am we may want to hail them first.”

“Jeh, good idea. Hail the ship” she said. Why did she forgot that, dammit.

Pellew went on the communications grid.

“Alien shuttle this is Federation Shuttle Jason, please respond.”

There was nothing but static on the other end.

“Ma’am they are not responding, What do wanna do? This bastard isn’t givin us the time of day.”

“Ok, so back to the original idea, can we beam over there? is there breathable air?”

Pellew scanned his console.

“Ma’am there is no way to tell. The only thing the shuttle is reading is the power eminating from the vessel. We could dock with it and one could go over in a space suit.”

“Great, Miller start docking procedure. Pellew you’re with me. I hope you don’t have a problem with spacesuits” Katie said, as she walked towards the back.

Pellew was reliving his space walking quals.

“Well ma’am, as long was we stay inside ill be fine.”

Pellew went to the console and sent their intentions on all channels and informed Atlas of their intentions. Pellew walked back and slipped into a suit and grabbed a phaser.

“Alright lets get this bitch over with.”

Now were talking, Katie thought just as her combadge beeped. 



she pushed the button to open the first hatch. After they entered it closed behind them and the light of the second door turned green, they could enter.

“Ok, here we go” and they entered the shuttle. The shuttle was pitch black and without the flashlight on there suits they wouldn’t be able to see anything. Her tricorder said there wasn’t any oxygen anymore in the shuttle, so there shouldn’t be anyone in here. Not alive anyway.

As they reached a console Katie said “ If you try to learn more on this ship, i’ll go see the cockpit.” and Katie walked towards it. As soon as she entered the cockpit, she got slammed in the head and screamed. Unable to grab something to hold on to she fell on the ground.

Pellew dropped his tricorder and raised his phaser.

“Alright bastard......come out with your hands on your head and walk backwards toward me!”

There was silence, then as Edward was about to move into the cockpit, he heard foot steps.

As Katie was lying there she could see a shadow walking away from the cockpit. Apparently it thought she was unconscious. Luckily her helmet caught most of the blow. After she turned on her back, she tried to reach for her phaser, but it was to far away.

As the creature walked more towards Pellew, Katie got up, grabbed her phaser and focused her flashlight at the creature. What she saw was not what she expected. He looked like a ferengi, but than a miniature version.

The Ferengi rushed Edward.

“You better freaking stop!” The Ferengi moved closer and Edward fired. The creature fell to the ground stunned.

Edward moved to Katie.

“Are you ok Ma’am?”

“ Jeh, I’m ok” she was angry at herself for not paying enough attention. Luckily she got hit herself and not someone of her crew. “ Ok, let’s get this asshole to the ship. Do you think the ship itself is worth investigating?”

Edward nodded, “Absolutely I want to know what the technology is that is causing the ship to emit massive amounts energy like it does.”

Katie started laughing. She could see he was very interested. “ Ok, let’s get to the shuttle and get out of this suits. We can tractor the shuttle to Atlas. There you’ll have better resources. Or do you think we shouldn’t move the ship?

“Hell Ma’am, its your call its your command, but for what its worth i’d love to have the atlas as a resource.”

“Let’s rephrase the question. Can this ship move?”

“I’d love to give it a go.”

Edward moved to the cockpit. He paused as if stumped but then his hands moved over the console and in seconds the lights came on.

“does that answer your question ma’am?”

“Yes, it definitely does? Have you ever flown a shuttle like this before? If not, I can send Miller over here” Katie asked.

Edward cracked his knuckles, “I got it ma’am. Shall I help you with that scum?”

“No, thanks. I’ll get him to the Jason. The ride may be a bit comfortable if you fix the oxygen systems. I’ll send Tall over here, I rather not have you alone, nothing personal.”

Edward nodded and turned to the console to work on the comfort systems and oxygen. After Katie returned to the Jason, Tall came over to help.

Edward turned as he came in, “ I got everything functional enough to get us back to the Atlas.”

Tall shrugged, “As long as I dont have to ride in the same vehicle has that dime dropping..... Never mind.”

Edward sort of just stared, “Ok well then i guess it worked out for you. Dip?”

Tall nodded and took the can from Pellew. He placed a wad in his mouth, “This is good North American tobacco?”

Edward smiled, “Yes and no. Me and my brother own a couple of tobacco processors in Haiti and Louisiana. I got cigars and pipe tobacco on the ship. We also got Alcohol plants.”

Tall seemed to light up, “I may have found my new best friend or best connection.”

Edward turned back and rolled his eyes. He muttered under his breath, “probably not, I’m not a pimp.”

Tall called over, “What?”

Edward spoke up, “probably not I dont keep officers or whores in stock.”

Tall laughed, “So you heard?”

Pellew smiled, “was it supposed to be a secret?”

The two sat in the only two chairs in the cockpit and the tiny shuttle limped toward the Atlas.

A JP with Pellew