There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1=2E [USS CAPRICORN] - Unexpected Developments
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2=2E USS OBERON: Memory Lane?
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3=2E [USS Oberon] USS OBERON: Memory Lane?
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:47:45 -0800
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS CAPRICORN] - Unexpected Developments
MD3
2200
Marquis' Castle
Miaren followed quietly down the ornate hallway and felt as though she
was
back in her ancestral home. Everything seemed SO familiar and it
brought up
memories of her childhood and the many happy times she has spent there
with
her family.
Still, she could not shake the uneasiness of the situation, and
wondered if
perhaps the First Officer had some plan to deal with this situation.
From
all that Miaren had studied, she had not followed true protocol, and
therefore had endangered the entire away team.
Still, having not been on a mission before, perhaps there were rules
and
regulations for such situations, and that the manual was just a basic
guideline to how one should approach such a situation or problem that
would
arise.
Certainly there was not protocol for coming across a shuttle that had
been
lost years ago and buried in a mountain of bureaucratic cover-up.
Miaren
shook the uneasy feeling she had and tried to focus on the clues at
hand.
Wasn't the fact that their First Officer seemed to follow the Marquis'
lead
a clue? And, why was she the only one who did not seem to be affected
by
what ever power he seemed to sway over the others? I wonder...no..it
could
not be, perhaps this is a dream...and when I wake up, the captain will
call
me to his office and prepare me for the mission.
That must be it. She was dreaming. For why in the world would she
have
allowed that young man.what was his name..oh yes.Andrew. Why would she
have
allowed Andrew to help her? She did not wish to get involved in any
way
with him.
And this castle...why would there be such a thing on a planet out in
the
middle of nowhere? No, she had to be dreaming. It was too close to
the one
that she spent countless happy hours at.
Although, looking at some of the pictures and items mounted on the
wall,
they certainly did not resemble anything she remembered of her home.
She glanced around at the security force that followed behind them.
They
too did not look too happy, but then no one in security ever really
did.
They were always on the look out for something strange and out of
place.
Well..this place was as strange and out of place as one could get. She
reached up and tapped her com link. No, it was still dead. She
wondered if
her last message had reached the party she was speaking with.
Miaren felt a suddenly cold chill run through her as they stopped at a
junction of the hallway. Miaren was pretty sure behind those large
ornate
wooden doors lay the greeting room, or study or what ever he would
refer it
as. She noticed a set of stairs that climbed up to the second level,
both
going in opposite directions but ending on the second story landing.
Miaren
heard the Marquis begin to speak and she turned her attention back to
him
and studied him as he spoke.
[SNIP]
"Ladies," he said giving Montana and Miaren an elegant bow then turning
to
the security team as an afterthought, "and Gentlemen of course. You
really
must get out of those wet uniforms, it is not god for you. We do have
an
array of finery that you can use tem****arily while your uniforms are
being
cleaned of any traces of our atmosphere. Sybil can show you to a
changing
room and then can join me."
"That's really not necess." Montana started to protest, but the Marquis
waved his hand in an odd way and she blinked in confusion. "Why that's
very
kind of you Marquis. It is rather chilly in these wet uniforms." Now
why
the hell had she said that?
Motioning the others to follow the redhead obediently started after the
tiny
woman that had suddenly appeared at the Marquis' side. Like a lamb to
the
slaughter Montana muttered uncannily under her breath.
[END SNIP]
Miaren was now not sure of what was going on. To be invited to sit by a
warm
fire and take the chill off, and answer questions was one thing. But;
now
this?
What was the first officer thinking? To allow him to take their
clothing?
To now have the ability to strand them here? ..with NO communication
with
the ****p or those at the crash sight? Miaren did feel cold. She was
also
very uncomfortable in her damp things..but she wanted to stay that way.
Not
be lulled into a sense of warmth and security and then be eaten by some
wild
beast he kept in the dungeon. She was SO not happy with this. All her
thoughts were a swirl and nothing but plots from the various books and
tales
she had read as a child came to warn her of what was about to happen.
When the first officer took a step behind the tiny woman whom the
Marquis
referred to as Sybil, Miaren sighed and followed her leader. She was
in no
position to state her feelings about this.
It was better for her to open her mouth, perhaps while changing clothes
and
tell the first officer just how she felt, and ask her a few questions
to
make sure she was still in her right mind.
The only thing that did make Miaren feel a bit safer was the fact that
3 of
the security team were still with them. Obviously the others had not
come
in and were trying to follow orders to alert the ****p of what was going
on.
Miaren hoped that the rest of their little party would not just
disappear
like she knew they were about to. She focused on the information she
sent
Istria and her medical staff, and also the request to Andrew. He had
seemed
eager to help, since he was not one of those chosen to join the away
team.
In fact, it was the other two that had joined the team. Miaren had
learned
enough from his happy chatting to know that one was his brother, and
the
other, the bold brash one was his cousin. Miaren wondered how they
fared
with their part of the mission.
Somehow Miaren wished she was still back at the crash site with the
others,
instead of being in this very ornate, out of place and time castle.
Although; she was fascinated by the history of what all this place
entailed.
On one hand she would love to spend hours walking the halls and
soaking up
the history and learning of its master and people. On the other hand,
she
wished she could be far away from this place, back on the safety of the
****p.
The tiny petite woman who went by the name of Sybil stopped short and
opened
a door that lead to a very beautiful room. She indicated that the 2
women
were to step inside and change within.
"I shall return for you in 3 quarters of an hour." She spoke in a soft
whisper. She then turned and led the 3 men down the hall and opened a
door
for them.
Miaren followed Montana inside the room and shut the door behind them.
On
second glance Miaren stepped back to the door and tried to open it. It
was
locked.
Montana looked back at Miaren as she heard her attempt to open the
door.
"Interesting." Was all she would comment. Montana went to the window
to
look out and noticed the type of glass used, allowed light in, but one
was
unable to see out.
"Interesting." She again commented. Miaren noticed the large ornate
bedchamber and lying upon it were 2 dresses. Montana took in the room
and
studied it carefully and finally her eyes turned to the bed and saw
what
Miaren was looking at.
"Interesting."
"Is that ALL you are gonna say?" Miaren asked simply. She just could
not
believe that is all the woman had to say.
"For now...yes." Montana responded. She stepped to the dress and held
it
up. "Interesting." She again commented. The dress appeared to fit her
to
perfection. This was unusual, seeing as she was so statuesque. Most
of her
gowns had to be specially fitted.
Miaren stepped forward and held up hers. Well, she was right, very
interesting. Not only was the color perfect for her complexion and
coloring, not to mention her favorite color, but her dress too appeared
to
have been specially fitted for just her.
Without another word, they changed and made ready for the return of
Sybil
and hopefully back to the Marquis for more answers to the growing
number of
questions that were mounting by the moment.
* * * * *
[Back on ****p]
Medical Lab
Myrah studied the data as Miaren had asked and tried to analyze it
according
to their previous findings and what little they knew going in. Nothing
fit
anything she could find, and to be honest nothing made sense. She
could
hear the hint of curiosity in the doctor's voice as she transmitted the
last
of the data, and the hint of wariness creeping in.
Myrah called for Istria like she has been asked to do, and when the
woman
arrived, she too carried with her the data that Miaren had sent. Altho
both
were holding the same data, both had been looking at it in different
ways,
to try to understand it in by using their criteria.
One thing was certain..what ever was down there, was not what they had
been
briefed on and prepared for.
None of the findings that Miaren sent back, matched with what they had
been
told to expect. Istria agreed and began to run more tests on the data
to see
if perhaps what she had always suspected was true.
There was a knock on the door and when both women looked up they found
a
young man standing there, with what looked like a re****t in his hands.
"I was asked ta join ya and give ya this." He said as he stepped into
the
lab.
"Thanks Andrew." Istria replied and took the re****t and read it. After
a
while she chuckled softly. "Well, she is thorough, I will give her
that."
"Aye, and a wee bit tenacious." Andrew chuckled along with her.
"Well, it is good that she is." Myrah replied. "Because, what ever IS
going
on; we are walking into this situation blindly. I think we need to
speak to
the Captain about it.
"I agree." Andrew spoke up. "I have been in contact with Jack and
Jodie on
the surface. Things are not goin well there either."
"Well, unless we can show some sort of proof that there is something
wrong.." Istria began. "He will not listen." She finished with a hint
of
bitterness in her voice.
The three nodded and went back to going over all the details and
findings
that Miaren had sent back. They also used some of the findings that
Andrew
had received not only from Miaren but from his brother on the away
team.
After an hour or so, they still did not have a lot to go on, but one
thing
was clear. Nothing they had been told concerning the planet surface
had
been totally correct. There were too many subtle differences to make
it
just a coincidence.
As they were standing around the lab bench and organizing their
findings and
hoping the Captain would pay attention Andrew received another message
from
the surface.
Andrew opened his com link so that all in the room could hear. As they
listened to the half whispers of Miaren, and the static that seem to
break
up the message right in the middle of her sentence the air went dead.
"You two go and re****t this to the Captain." Myrah replied. "I will
take
what little else came through and down load it and see if I can make
more
out of it."
Andrew nodded and with Istria they hurried to speak to the Captain to
let
him know about the new threat.
"What was she thinkin?" Andrew muttered as they hurried onto the turbo
lift
that would take them to the bridge. As they sped upwards another
message
came in, this time from Jack and it too did not bear good news. The
away
team had been attacked, several members down, and 2 missing.
"Damn" was all he muttered. Istria stood quietly, her thoughts and
feelings
in a whirl. He had just better tell her what he knew. This was no
longer
time for secrets. But of course..this was assuming even HE knew the
truth.
The door opened and the two stepped onto the bridge. Avi hearing the
doors
turned to face them. A look of surprise on his face but then when his
eyes
met Istria he straightened himself and nodded.
"What do I owe this honor to?" he asked, altho he was pretty sure he
knew it
had to do something with the away team and the planet below. He was
not
sure why Lt MacNab of Ops was here with Istria, but he was sure this
would
be interesting.
"We have a serious problem and it needs to be handled." Andrew spoke
up.
"Mia..Doctor Hywell has sent her first part of her findings, and they
do not
match up with what we have been told of this place."
"Interesting" Avi commented.
"And just now in the middle of her message we lost all communications
with
her."
Avi nodded. "This does happen sometimes." He tried to console them.
"The away team has been attacked. Several injured and 2 missing."
Andrew
added
"Neither her or the First Officer can be reached." Istria replied
softly.
"It appears they followed someone called the marquis."
[TAG JOSH - What does Avi think? Say? And do?]
[SUMMARY]
on planet- Miaren follows Montana into the castle and hears the offer
made
by the Marquis. She ponders many things, and hopes she is dreaming.
She
and Montana are led to a room to change.
on ****p- Myrah, one of Miaren's assistants is analyzing the data sent
to
her. She is joined with istria and then Andrew both with their set of
data
from Miaren. They spend and hour or so going over everything. They
are
about to give their findings to the Captain when another message comes
in
from Miaren, which breaks up and she disappears. Istria and Andrew go
tell
the Captain what is going on.
Respectfully Submitted by
Carys Murray
aka
Miaren Hywell
CMO
USS CAPRICORN
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 16:05:58 -0500
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: USS OBERON: Memory Lane?
Time: Present
Query walked towards the closest thing he could compare to a pub. They
were
serving the =B3real stuff=B2, of that he could be sure. He could smell
it. It
was a smell he=B9d almost forgotten, and if he was going to be stuck
here
until =B3TJ Hooker=B2 called him, then he was going to get good and
=B3tanked.=B2
=B3Query, where are you going?=B2 Tyler asked.
=B3Tyler, my good man, I=B9m going to find myself a table and reminisce.
Anyone
care to join?=B2 He asked, as he opened the half door, leading into the
restaurant. Security Chief Jerry Kirl found them a table large enough
to
sit at, while the others pulled over chairs. One of the aliens looked
towards Query at his temerity to pull a chair away. The look he got
back,
however, told the alien all he needed to know about Query=B9s mood.
=B3So, who do you want to reminisce about first?=B2 Lia asked, sipping
lightly
at her water. She did not appear to be pleased with getting baby
sitting
duty, but figured she=B9d start while they all toasted with some
machismo
manifesto.
=B3I don=B9t really know.=B2 Tyler said soberly, with some of the others
nodding.
It had been Query=B9s idea to reminisce, and being a friend, he was just
playing the part. Wing-man, of sorts. Query just sat with his head
looking
down at the end of the table taking a swig of his...his...well, he
really
didn=B9t know what it was.
=B3Avi.=B2 Query finally said after the others had uncomfortably looked
side to
side and at him.
=B3Avi?=B2 one of them asked. =B3Who=B9s Avi? A brother?=B2
=B3Sort of. He=B9s my best friend, and I left him behind when I joined
this
****p of Fools.=B2 O****p of fools?=B9 a few of them mouthed to each
other. =B3We
used to jam at the Traveler=B9s Rest. We=B9d play some of the best Jazz
you=B9d
ever hear. Coltraine and ****ter. We=B9d play some blues. None of that
older
stuff though, the newer stuff. Johnson and Steeter. We challenged
each
other in Ops and Engineering classes. We wrote an article
together...but
that was all before the ribbon. Before I saw the other side.=B2 He
finished
his glass. He decided it tasted a lot like Canadian Whiskey, so that
was
what he was going to call it. A junior in his department got him
another
one.
=B3What did you see over there?=B2 Someone asked from the other end of
the
table. As a senior officer, he knew the files of all of the crew
intimately. He knew their life stories. And this one was no
different.
The book on Kirl said he always asked questions. Was always curious
about
what people were saying.
=B3Why I wanted to be an officer. An engineer. Some of my best days.
Some
of my worst days.=B2
=B3So, what was your best day?=B2 Lia asked. The two of them had been
fighting
for the last few hours. Now, her question didn=B9t seem to irritate
him so
much as the others had.
=B3It was a few years ago. The redesign of the Pegasus...well, the
first
one...=B2
*****
Time: 3 years ago
Place: The Pegasus CO=B9s Ready Room
Query bounded down the gangway towards Captain Hennessey=B9s ready room.
He=B9d
been paged to come up by Commander Olavarr, the First Officer at the
time.
An absolute stunner at the time, her looks were only exceeded by her
talent
as an officer. From Avi, he=B9d heard the hilarity of her days as an
Flight
Control Officer, but it was when she moved over to Operations, and
later
First Officer, that she really found her niche. =B3Coming to get
lambasted,
Mr. Neile?=B2 She started.
=B3Oh, its never my intent, Commander.=B2 Query said, =B3but it does
always seem
to end up that way, now doesn=B9t it?=B2
=B3Well, you might break your streak, she seems to be in a good mood
this
morning.=B2
=B3Thanks, I=B9ll try to do nothing to spoil that for you.=B2 Query said,
announcing his intent.
<Come in, Mr. Neile.> He heard the Captain=B9s impressive voice.
Query had
always been impressed with her simultaneous ability to instill
confidence
and fear at the same time.
=B3You rang for me, Captain?=B2
=B3Yes, Mr. Neile. Why don=B9t you sit down?=B2
=B3Aye, Captain.=B2 Query said, pulling out a chair, while the captain
went
over to the replicator.
=B3Tea, Mr. Neile? It is that time of day, is it not?=B2
=B3Yes, Captain, it usually is. And Earl Grey would be nice, thank
you.=B2
Query responded, a bit confused with the captain=B9s pleasant attitude.
She
normally avoided this kind with him. In fact, normally she expressed
displeasure in ways that made him want to take his own life on a
regular
basis. He thanked her after she handed, then asked, =B3what can I do
for you,
Captain?=B2
=B3Query, how is your schedule for the next two weeks?=B2 Samantha asked
him.
=B3Jammed. We=B9ve got to recalibrate the torque converters, change out
all of
the environmental packs, make sure science has enough holoemitters to
run
their blasted simulations across 4 gravitary zones...=B2 His voice
trailed
off for a moment. OWhat was she really asking him?=B9 =B3why? Is there
something you need? I can probably move a few things.=B2
Sipping her tea, she picked up a PADD, tapped it a few times while not
answering him. =B3Captain?=B2 He asked a bit more anxiously. After she
didn=B9t
answer him for a moment, he asked her a bit nervously. =B3I know we=B9re
heading back to Earth. Should I be packing my bags for transfer?=B2
Leaning
back, he left the tea on the table, untasted.
=B3Drink your tea, Mr. Neile.=B2 She said, noticing his anxiety. =B3Its
nothing
like that.=B2 Sipping again. =B3Actually its quite the opposite.
Starfleet
wants the Pegasus to show off some of the newest technologies that we
have
to offer our planets and future friends. As a long range vessel, our
role
will require us to be on show a little bit more often than before and
won=B9t
be able to come into space dock as often as we=B9re used to.=B2
=B3I can understand that.=B2 Query said, still nervous and still
unwilling to
sip at his, now-quickly-becoming-cold, tea. =B3But, pardon my lack of
vision,
what does this have to do with me?=B2
=B3As chief engineer, I=B9m giving you the op****tunity to work with
Starfleet
Engineering to completely redesign the Engineering Section of the
Pegasus.=B2
Query sat there stunned at her words for a moment. He=B9d been looking
down
at the base of the desk, where it met the floor, but as she spoke, the
wheels were turning in his head.
=B3You=B9re giving me the chance to redesign engineering?=B2 He repeated,
as she
finished her tea, she got up for another cup, nodding as she did.
=B3But you
don=B9t like me?=B2 He blurted out, standing as she did, still quite
confused.
=B3Mr. Neile, would you still be here if I didn=B9t like you?=B2 She
asked rather
plainly with a chuckle. Letting her words sink in a moment, she
continued.
=B3You think like an engineer. Serially. You attack one problem, then
move
onto the next one. You see a light that doesn=B9t work, and replace the
bulb.
I see a light switch that doesn=B9t work and wonder what else doesn=B9t
work
before I replace it. I think you=B9re possibly the best engineer I=B9ve
worked
with, and I=B9ve worked with quite a few good ones. I could tell you
about
one engineer I worked with, Veda. As fine an engineer as ever there
was.
=B3Veda doesn=B9t hold a candle to you.=B2 She said, as she sat down with
a new
cup of tea. =B3I don=B9t know what=B9s to come. I don=B9t know who our
next
mission will have us meet, or when it will take us. What I do know is
this,
you are a member of the greatest crew, and are one of the most
thoughtful
engineers we=B9ve ever had. You=B9ll make captain some day, and you=B9ll
have
your own ****p. Chances are, when you=B9re in my seat, you=B9ll say this
to
someone else. Just keep doing what you=B9re doing. You=B9ll be fine.=B2
She
finished and sipped at her piping hot tea. =B3Shall I tell Admiral
Jackson
that you=B9ll be accepting the offer?=B2 He said, half-smiling and
nodding,
clearly still thinking about what she=B9d just said.
=B3Yes, please, Captain.=B2
=B3Good.=B2 She said, turning back to her work. =B3Well? Get to
work!=B2
She
commanded, and old Samantha was back.
=B3Yes, captain! Thank you. It is truly an honor.=B2 He said, nearly
slamming
into the door, with it luckily opening before he did.
=B3Yes, I imagine it would be.=B2 She said, after he=B9d left.
******
Time: Now
=B3And that was your best day?=B2 Tyler asked.
=B3Yup,=B2 he said, sipping at his whiskey again.
=B3And not the station incident?=B2
=B3Nope.=B2
=B3Not the Genesis II...=B2
=B3Definitely not.=B2 Query said. =B3What about you?=B2
=B3Mr. Neile?=B2 A waiter came over and gave him another of his unknown
drinks,
placing a napkin beneath the glass.
=B3Excuse me, who is this from?=B2 Query asked the waiter, given that
all of
the people he knew on the station were sitting at that table.
=B3It is the first of the cycle, so everyone receives a drink
compliments of
the owner.=B2 The waiter quickly responded, as he passed clear drinks
out to
the rest of the crew.
=B3Ah, excellent, thank you.=B2 He said, leaving both the drink, and the
napkin
sitting on the table. =B3Sadly, I need to leave. My parole officer has
requested my presence.=B2
=B3How do you know?=B2 one of the juniors asked.
Query remarked as they left the table with Lia, =B3Tyler, keep an eye
on the
kids for us? Your mother and I won=B9t be home late.=B2 He said,
tapping one
of them on the head in arguably the most condescending act he=B9d ever
performed, much to the angered look of his compatriot and fellow senior
officers.
Tyler looked over into his glass, doing the same thing Query had done
before
he=B9d gotten up. =B3Its on the napkin.=B2
****
Respectfully Submitted,
Lt. Commander Query Neile
Chief Engineer
USS Oberon
NRPG < Just a quick new year=B9s post and trip down memory lane for
those of
us who remember the once great captain.
Happy New Year, everyone!
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 16:05:58 -0500
From: Josh Turnof <josh@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Oberon] USS OBERON: Memory Lane?
Time: Present
Query walked towards the closest thing he could compare to a pub. They
were
serving the =B3real stuff=B2, of that he could be sure. He could smell
it. It
was a smell he=B9d almost forgotten, and if he was going to be stuck
here
until =B3TJ Hooker=B2 called him, then he was going to get good and
=B3tanked.=B2
=B3Query, where are you going?=B2 Tyler asked.
=B3Tyler, my good man, I=B9m going to find myself a table and reminisce.
Anyone
care to join?=B2 He asked, as he opened the half door, leading into the
restaurant. Security Chief Jerry Kirl found them a table large enough
to
sit at, while the others pulled over chairs. One of the aliens looked
towards Query at his temerity to pull a chair away. The look he got
back,
however, told the alien all he needed to know about Query=B9s mood.
=B3So, who do you want to reminisce about first?=B2 Lia asked, sipping
lightly
at her water. She did not appear to be pleased with getting baby
sitting
duty, but figured she=B9d start while they all toasted with some
machismo
manifesto.
=B3I don=B9t really know.=B2 Tyler said soberly, with some of the others
nodding.
It had been Query=B9s idea to reminisce, and being a friend, he was just
playing the part. Wing-man, of sorts. Query just sat with his head
looking
down at the end of the table taking a swig of his...his...well, he
really
didn=B9t know what it was.
=B3Avi.=B2 Query finally said after the others had uncomfortably looked
side to
side and at him.
=B3Avi?=B2 one of them asked. =B3Who=B9s Avi? A brother?=B2
=B3Sort of. He=B9s my best friend, and I left him behind when I joined
this
****p of Fools.=B2 O****p of fools?=B9 a few of them mouthed to each
other. =B3We
used to jam at the Traveler=B9s Rest. We=B9d play some of the best Jazz
you=B9d
ever hear. Coltraine and ****ter. We=B9d play some blues. None of that
older
stuff though, the newer stuff. Johnson and Steeter. We challenged
each
other in Ops and Engineering classes. We wrote an article
together...but
that was all before the ribbon. Before I saw the other side.=B2 He
finished
his glass. He decided it tasted a lot like Canadian Whiskey, so that
was
what he was going to call it. A junior in his department got him
another
one.
=B3What did you see over there?=B2 Someone asked from the other end of
the
table. As a senior officer, he knew the files of all of the crew
intimately. He knew their life stories. And this one was no
different.
The book on Kirl said he always asked questions. Was always curious
about
what people were saying.
=B3Why I wanted to be an officer. An engineer. Some of my best days.
Some
of my worst days.=B2
=B3So, what was your best day?=B2 Lia asked. The two of them had been
fighting
for the last few hours. Now, her question didn=B9t seem to irritate
him so
much as the others had.
=B3It was a few years ago. The redesign of the Pegasus...well, the
first
one...=B2
*****
Time: 3 years ago
Place: The Pegasus CO=B9s Ready Room
Query bounded down the gangway towards Captain Hennessey=B9s ready room.
He=B9d
been paged to come up by Commander Olavarr, the First Officer at the
time.
An absolute stunner at the time, her looks were only exceeded by her
talent
as an officer. From Avi, he=B9d heard the hilarity of her days as an
Flight
Control Officer, but it was when she moved over to Operations, and
later
First Officer, that she really found her niche. =B3Coming to get
lambasted,
Mr. Neile?=B2 She started.
=B3Oh, its never my intent, Commander.=B2 Query said, =B3but it does
always seem
to end up that way, now doesn=B9t it?=B2
=B3Well, you might break your streak, she seems to be in a good mood
this
morning.=B2
=B3Thanks, I=B9ll try to do nothing to spoil that for you.=B2 Query said,
announcing his intent.
<Come in, Mr. Neile.> He heard the Captain=B9s impressive voice.
Query had
always been impressed with her simultaneous ability to instill
confidence
and fear at the same time.
=B3You rang for me, Captain?=B2
=B3Yes, Mr. Neile. Why don=B9t you sit down?=B2
=B3Aye, Captain.=B2 Query said, pulling out a chair, while the captain
went
over to the replicator.
=B3Tea, Mr. Neile? It is that time of day, is it not?=B2
=B3Yes, Captain, it usually is. And Earl Grey would be nice, thank
you.=B2
Query responded, a bit confused with the captain=B9s pleasant attitude.
She
normally avoided this kind with him. In fact, normally she expressed
displeasure in ways that made him want to take his own life on a
regular
basis. He thanked her after she handed, then asked, =B3what can I do
for you,
Captain?=B2
=B3Query, how is your schedule for the next two weeks?=B2 Samantha asked
him.
=B3Jammed. We=B9ve got to recalibrate the torque converters, change out
all of
the environmental packs, make sure science has enough holoemitters to
run
their blasted simulations across 4 gravitary zones...=B2 His voice
trailed
off for a moment. OWhat was she really asking him?=B9 =B3why? Is there
something you need? I can probably move a few things.=B2
Sipping her tea, she picked up a PADD, tapped it a few times while not
answering him. =B3Captain?=B2 He asked a bit more anxiously. After she
didn=B9t
answer him for a moment, he asked her a bit nervously. =B3I know we=B9re
heading back to Earth. Should I be packing my bags for transfer?=B2
Leaning
back, he left the tea on the table, untasted.
=B3Drink your tea, Mr. Neile.=B2 She said, noticing his anxiety. =B3Its
nothing
like that.=B2 Sipping again. =B3Actually its quite the opposite.
Starfleet
wants the Pegasus to show off some of the newest technologies that we
have
to offer our planets and future friends. As a long range vessel, our
role
will require us to be on show a little bit more often than before and
won=B9t
be able to come into space dock as often as we=B9re used to.=B2
=B3I can understand that.=B2 Query said, still nervous and still
unwilling to
sip at his, now-quickly-becoming-cold, tea. =B3But, pardon my lack of
vision,
what does this have to do with me?=B2
=B3As chief engineer, I=B9m giving you the op****tunity to work with
Starfleet
Engineering to completely redesign the Engineering Section of the
Pegasus.=B2
Query sat there stunned at her words for a moment. He=B9d been looking
down
at the base of the desk, where it met the floor, but as she spoke, the
wheels were turning in his head.
=B3You=B9re giving me the chance to redesign engineering?=B2 He repeated,
as she
finished her tea, she got up for another cup, nodding as she did.
=B3But you
don=B9t like me?=B2 He blurted out, standing as she did, still quite
confused.
=B3Mr. Neile, would you still be here if I didn=B9t like you?=B2 She
asked rather
plainly with a chuckle. Letting her words sink in a moment, she
continued.
=B3You think like an engineer. Serially. You attack one problem, then
move
onto the next one. You see a light that doesn=B9t work, and replace the
bulb.
I see a light switch that doesn=B9t work and wonder what else doesn=B9t
work
before I replace it. I think you=B9re possibly the best engineer I=B9ve
worked
with, and I=B9ve worked with quite a few good ones. I could tell you
about
one engineer I worked with, Veda. As fine an engineer as ever there
was.
=B3Veda doesn=B9t hold a candle to you.=B2 She said, as she sat down with
a new
cup of tea. =B3I don=B9t know what=B9s to come. I don=B9t know who our
next
mission will have us meet, or when it will take us. What I do know is
this,
you are a member of the greatest crew, and are one of the most
thoughtful
engineers we=B9ve ever had. You=B9ll make captain some day, and you=B9ll
have
your own ****p. Chances are, when you=B9re in my seat, you=B9ll say this
to
someone else. Just keep doing what you=B9re doing. You=B9ll be fine.=B2
She
finished and sipped at her piping hot tea. =B3Shall I tell Admiral
Jackson
that you=B9ll be accepting the offer?=B2 He said, half-smiling and
nodding,
clearly still thinking about what she=B9d just said.
=B3Yes, please, Captain.=B2
=B3Good.=B2 She said, turning back to her work. =B3Well? Get to
work!=B2
She
commanded, and old Samantha was back.
=B3Yes, captain! Thank you. It is truly an honor.=B2 He said, nearly
slamming
into the door, with it luckily opening before he did.
=B3Yes, I imagine it would be.=B2 She said, after he=B9d left.
******
Time: Now
=B3And that was your best day?=B2 Tyler asked.
=B3Yup,=B2 he said, sipping at his whiskey again.
=B3And not the station incident?=B2
=B3Nope.=B2
=B3Not the Genesis II...=B2
=B3Definitely not.=B2 Query said. =B3What about you?=B2
=B3Mr. Neile?=B2 A waiter came over and gave him another of his unknown
drinks,
placing a napkin beneath the glass.
=B3Excuse me, who is this from?=B2 Query asked the waiter, given that
all of
the people he knew on the station were sitting at that table.
=B3It is the first of the cycle, so everyone receives a drink
compliments of
the owner.=B2 The waiter quickly responded, as he passed clear drinks
out to
the rest of the crew.
=B3Ah, excellent, thank you.=B2 He said, leaving both the drink, and the
napkin
sitting on the table. =B3Sadly, I need to leave. My parole officer has
requested my presence.=B2
=B3How do you know?=B2 one of the juniors asked.
Query remarked as they left the table with Lia, =B3Tyler, keep an eye
on the
kids for us? Your mother and I won=B9t be home late.=B2 He said,
tapping one
of them on the head in arguably the most condescending act he=B9d ever
performed, much to the angered look of his compatriot and fellow senior
officers.
Tyler looked over into his glass, doing the same thing Query had done
before
he=B9d gotten up. =B3Its on the napkin.=B2
****
Respectfully Submitted,
Lt. Commander Query Neile
Chief Engineer
USS Oberon
NRPG < Just a quick new year=B9s post and trip down memory lane for
those of
us who remember the once great captain.
Happy New Year, everyone!
----------
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