Episode 2: FACE TO FACE Conclusion
Created by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson on Sun Apr 28th, 2019 @ 7:19pm
Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Marine Preperation
A Mission Post by Gunnery Sergeant John Stryker II & Captain Collin Styles Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Marine Deck Timeline: Current Gunnery Sergeant Stryker looked up from checking his Type III-C Phaser Rifle. ‘Well’, he thought, ‘a hot spot after all.’ “Aye Skipper. Let’s get a move on people. Check your power packs and square away the rest of your gear. Side arms, rifles. And no forgetting your helmets!” He barked. “‘bout ready Sir.” "Thank you, Mr, Stryker, " Styles said, readying his own rifle and gear, "I'm going to head towards the upper decks with a squad and work my way up, I want you and the rest of your unit to work your way down" "Roger that Skipper." Stryker then looked around at the waiting squad. Though he was new on board, he was confident in the Marines looking to him. He looked back at the Captain. "Sir? Intruders? Damage? Anything special you'd have us on alert for? We've but five decks to search, so we'll head upward once we've covered those spaces." "Anything, Stryker, I want you to be prepared for Anything," Styles replied, "Alright, Let's move out, people!" "Roger that Sir. See you topside." Stryker replied. Turning to the squad he nodded in the direction of the lift. As they moved out he continued; "We've got it to do people, so let's be thorough and let's be safe. Doubt very much we'll find anything, but damned if we won't look."Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - New world
A Mission Post by Captain Phoenix Lalor & Avalon & Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Gary Taylor & Commander Aurelia Holmes & Lieutenant Commander Matias Grronkil & Lieutenant Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Wynter & Lieutenant Ian Murphy Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Unknown Timeline: MD5 13h00 The Elysium glided into high orbit. The mysterious planet below them was an M-Class planet. The scanners were running overtime. Lia's hands moved fast as she switched things back on, "Re- initializing main deflector and engaging closed down sensors, Captain we have full capability on our sensors, defector is 100% effective". Phoenix looked around the bridge. "Commander Qwyyn, set us in a stable orbit, avoid any residual debris. Lieutenants Murphy and Salannis an Vantar, Find me the rest of that ship." "Scanning." Murphy replied. And then, "Bloody hell. The whole planet's covered in khelbonite deposits and the atmosphere's lousy with ion storms." Which made it a miracle that they managed to get a signal out at all. Arri nodded. "Fascinating... Ian... The Khelbonite is reacting with the planet's magnetic field in unpredictable ways. It's effecting space and time in such a way that everything around the planet is in various degrees of temporal flux. I'm also picking up unique Metaphasic and Anaphasic signatures on the planet below." Murphy glanced at Arri, and then shrugged. "It's possible that the planet's geophysical composition and rotation is generating all of that. Like copper wire and magnets in an old electricity generator, converting either its own internal heat and radiation or that of its sun. Or both." He fiddled with his console a little. "It's even possible that it created this pocket dimension via the same process." "Avalon, Ship wide Comm's please." [Yes Captain.] the AI Said. [["ATTENTION CREW OF THE USS ELYSIUM. For the past few hours we have been following a debris field. This debris field, led us through a wormhole like event, and we are currently in orbit around an M-Class world. All senior Staff are to report to the briefing room. All crew are to remain at red alert until otherwise told by the Command team."]] Phoenix announced before turning to her bridge crew. "I want scans of that planet. I want them now." "On screen." Murphy replied, showing her the nightmare landscape that the scanners were reading while he looked for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Matias came into the briefing room. He was still in shock. Was he down there? Were there two of him now? And where was Liselle? As she entered the briefing room, Lia pondered over the images she had seen on the bridge. Just what awaited them below on the planet, god forbid she met herself. Gary entered the briefing room. He wasn't one to speak or act rashly but with this current situation he was unduly quiet. There was something vaguely familiar about some of the images of the teenagers they had seen but he couldn't pinpoint it. he sighed silently, just another question atop all the questions they already had. Seeing Gary, Lia turned and spoke to him. "So what do you think? I mean are they children of survivors or local kids? And just how do we handle this?" She was keen to get his opinion before the meeting started, so at least they would be on the same page. Following Gary in, Ian shrugged, finding himself a seat. "If this is a pocket dimension, the laws of temporal causality might not necessarily apply." He grunted and scratched his head. "Frigging temporal dynamics. It's like falling down the Penrose stairs and smacking your head on every step Over and over, forever." Gary looked at Ian, listened to his explanation and then turned his attention back to Lia. "I don't believe they are local kids Lia. I believe they are children of the original crew. As to how we handle it...... my recommendation is very carefully. if they are children of what in essence is ourselves, we don't have to worry about opening Pandora's box, it's already been opened. The question we need to address is how do we deal with other versions of ourselves if there are any? An away team needs to go and recon the ship and the area so we have a firsthand idea of what we're dealing with.'' Arri spoke. "The first step would be to make contact. They've obviously have gone through a lot of trouble to make contact, and if they are temporally displaced, they may have known we were coming." Liselle entered the room then, her replacement for her station having finally arrived to relieve her. "Kids..." she said to herself, her eyes darting about the room in wonder. Finally they settled on Lia and Gary. "Gods, some of those kids down there could belong to the two of you! Is -- is that even something you're prepared to deal with?" Gary's eyes darted to Liselle as she made her observation. He gave a reluctant nod of his head. "You may well be right Liselle." He admitted after a brief moment of hesitation. "As for dealing with ..... the kids we've seen. We're trained to deal with the unknown but I admit I must have missed this chapter because I'm not prepared. I guess I/we just take it has it comes." "Right. You're right, of course," Liselle said. "Sorry. It's just so...weird to think about." She slumped down into her chair. "Gods, we'd all be so...old." She considered each person in the room: Arri, Matias, Gary, Ian, Phoenix, Lia. Secretly, she found herself a little excited by the prospect of seeing how they had all aged. Gary offered her a wan smile. "Weird." He repeated, "Liselle, you have a gift for understatement." He countered not unkindly, "Old is one way of looking at it and you'rer right we will be...." He paused as he considered his words and who he was with, "Um, definitely older." He replied trying to be as diplomatic as possible. She nodded, her fingers pressed to her lips as a dozen thoughts filled her mind at once. What if some of those kids didn't belong to the obvious couples? What if the crew had paired off in unexpected ways? Gods, what if some of those kids were hers?! Gary watched as Liselle nodded back silently. it was obvious she was thinking on the scene they had just viewed involving the "kids" as to what she was thinking he couldn't be entirely sure but he imagined it was along the lines of "Are any of those kids mine?" Phoenix entered the briefing room and brought up the images Ian and Arri were sending from the bridge and placed them with the holographic ability, in the centre of the table. She also added the images for the group of younger people, that had come through the tight burst comm. She didn't say much as she let the images roll through. No sign of where the vessel was, though she knew that using the correlation software they had, it would not take long. Her own gaze was drawn to the tall male teenager and the brunette beside him holding what looked like a knife. "That's my favorite Dagger" she muttered, but didn't say anything more as she turned to the others. "The Prime Direction may or may not have bearing on this, the TEMPORAL prime Directive may be the one we need to follow. They could be direct descendants or several generations later for all we know." Phoenix paused. "Commander Taylor. Two away teams. It is currently the planet's night cycle in the area where the call came from. Once we get the co-ordinates, one team will go there, shuttle craft, the other will take a shuttle and scan the rest of the forest around there, see if they can find any settlement or such. If they do, recon only." "Aye Captain." Gary quietly acknowledged. "Any recommendations on the make up of the away teams? Further I think in regards to the Temporal prime directive, we're looking at an alternate timeline in play on the planet below us. Of course we'll know more once we do a recon of the ship and planet." Phoenix nodded. "Small teams 2-3 people each. Once we know more we can look into expanding that." She looked at the senior staff. "Volunteers only." She didn't want to send people down if they were uncomfortable with the situation. "Teams of three is good." Gary agreed, "I'll only make one request. Liselle you're with me on the ship team. You know the bridge systems and their workings, we can study them and see just how long that ship has been down there." Liselle perked up at the request. “Absolutely. Consider me volunteered,” she said eagerly. This was too exciting of a prospect to possibly miss out on. Gary smiled gratefully at Liselle and her eager acceptance onto the away team. He waited to see who else would volunteer for the mission. "Thank you Liselle." He replied relief evident in his voice. "Count me in on that team." Ian said. He was terribly curious about what all was going on down on the surface. And he wanted to avoid being put on a team with Arri, which looked like a distinct possibility given the numbers involved. "Count me in as well." said Matias. "And, it looks too fuzzy to make sure, but Liselle, does one of them look like it could be our child?" Liselle’s eyebrows hit her hairline at that observation. It took her several moments before she was able to speak. “I — I suppose it’s possible,” she stammered. “Although the likelihood of our two races ever conceiving a child are incredibly low.” More than that, Liselle had never had any desire to ever have children of her own. She had a difficult time imagining a scenario where she would invite science into improving the genetic odds of such a child ever being born. She found herself drumming her fingers on the table in front of her as the prospects tumbled about in her brain, no matter how improbable. "You're right, Liselle, it was just wishful thinking on my part. I doubt if we would be physically compatible to have a child anyway." said Matias. Then, he thought, it was doubtful if he was even fertile. He knew he and his former mate had tried to have a child but never succeded. "Very good Mr. Murphy, you're with Commander Qwyyn and myself. Mr. Matias you'll be with the away sent to recon the planet." Gary replied. "I will be there to recon, sir." said Matias. Lia sat silently listening to everyone, she felt a chill run up her spine. In the back of her mind she heard the words, (don't go there). Standing up she headed for the door, "I'll man the bridge, I'm sure I can find someone to assist me". She looked at Phoenix, "I take it you'll be leading the second recce team?" Her demeanour was one of calm and control, but inside she was a turmoil of emotions. At these times was when it became unavoidable, she was still the outsider. After all this time and a budding romance, she still felt as if she was outside looking in. Gary spoke up, "No Lia, the Captain will be staying on board with you." He faced Phoenix, "I'm sorry Captain, it's too dangerous for you to go down there. I can't allow you to go there when there is so little we know." His voice calm and level but there was an undercurrent of firm resolve in his voice. He wasn't going to budge on this. The gorn had been sitting quietly looking over the data for what felt like an eternity before finally raising his hand. " I'll go if someone wantsss me. It'sss highly unlikely I was able to reproduce with anyone on the ssship without extensssive medical aid ssso it doubtful I have descendantsss running around. " Gary acknowledged the CMO, "Glad to have you Doc. You and Matias will be on the planet recon team." Gary's statement made Lia stop, "That's a step too far Commander, a Captain has the right to lead an away mission if they so choose. And even though you may object, you can't stop her". She didn't want to seem to be starting an argument, but Gary tended to jump in before others had made it clear as to the order of things. They had had their own problems in that regard, and she didn't think Phoenix would take to kindly at being told what to do even by her XO. "I understand your concerns, but our Captain is in command. And you know how she does things, in her own sweet style", Lia turned to leave for the bridge, "But just for everyone's information, I agree with the XO on this". "That's where you're wrong Lia. It is the duty of every First Officer to protect and if need be to prevent their Captain from entering a dangerous,volatile situation which we know little about. Which this is. A fact you'll better understand when you become a First Officer." Gary countered before adding, "Thank you." Lia turned her head and winked at Gary, "You're welcome Commander". "Have you both finished?" Phoenix asked with a smile. "I will not be going down to the planet this time. Commander Holmes, you and Lieutenant Wynter will join the recon team. Lieutenant Wynter your expertise in surveillance and infiltration will be a good thing. Oh and I want all of you inoculated before you go down, you especially Liselle. That is a rain forest and that equals insects." Wynter nodded. "Yes Captain." He turned to Holmes. "This should be interesting Commander." Turning to face Wynter, Lia simply replied. "We need a third wheel Lieutenant, any suggestions?" She bit her tongue at the sharpness of her reply, "Sorry Lieutenant, but this is not my idea of fun. Something down there isn't right, and I can't explain why I have no wish to find out what it is". She looked at Phoenix, "I obey with reservations Captain, please note I am not exactly volunteering. I have my reasons, but I'm a Star Fleet Officer and I obey orders". She then turned and left for her cabin, she needed to compose herself and change before leaving. The gorn noded. " I'll have the ssstandard inoculationsss done before we go. I'll also make sssure one of the quarantine baysss is ready just in cassse." he stated calmly. Phoenix looked at them. "No Contact until we know what is going on. Those heading to the Communication point, do not make contact with those young people unless there is no other choice." "No problems there, Captain." Murphy assured her. "I don't imagine that any of us want to have a heart-to-heart with Catnip Evertween and the Biguns." He had zero expectations of finding kids descended from himself on the surface of the planet, and honestly wanted nothing to do with kids of any sort. Arri kicked Ian's leg under the table, hard, and then made it appear like she didn't move. Murphy sighed, raising an eyebrow at Arri, wondering if every briefing he had to attend with the woman would be devolving into childish antics. At least he wouldn't be stuck on a shuttlecraft with the woman for this assignment. Thank goodness. =/\=Leaving on a .....shuttle
A Mission Post by Commander Gary Taylor Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face A - Prime Crew Location: Gary's Quarters Timeline: Current Gary stood in his quarters and looked around, taking in each and every detail as if he was never coming back. He had a few minutes before having to leave for the shuttlebay and take a shuttle with Liselle and Murphy to the crash site of this very ship and try to piece together just what they were dealing with. he wasn't a scientist. His specialties were in tactics, codes and languages. None that he expected to be in high demand for this mission. However he was an explorer and this was the perfect opportunity to explore a subject they were all familiar with. He walked into the bedroom and his eyes fell to a picture of Catlin and himself, smiling, looking at the camera, their arms around each other. He picked the picture up and sat on the edge of the bed. "Going on an away mission to this ship." He paused, shook his head and chuckled. "Yep, you heard me right Catlin. Seems on that planet we're orbiting there's the wreckage of this very ship. We're suppose to go and see if we can piece together what's going on. Sounds like fun huh?" His hand came out and gently caressed the picture. "I miss you Catlin. Not a day doesn't go by that I don't but I have Lia here to help me. You'd like her. I think you would have been good friends. She's smart, attractive and gives as good as she gets in an argument. Just like you. We argue like cats and dogs sometimes but we make it work. I think because the bottom line is we also respect each other and makes a difference." He sighed and took a deep breath, "I'll always love you Catlin. Always. I want you to know that but I can't live in the past. It's not fair to Lia. I don't want her to compete against a memory. I have to look to the present and the future and that's with Lia. I'll always cherish the time we had together and I wish we had more." He bowed his head. "But we didn't. You'll forever live in my heart and mind Catlin. I do love you." He caressed the picture a final time before standing and exiting the room. He had a shuttle to catch.Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - I’ve Always Liked Ken
A Mission Post by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Waters & Chief Petty Officer Feyth Railli Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Flight Control Offices Timeline: MD 5 13h30 “And try your best to get someone from Engineering to run through the diagnostic again. If that really is our ship that crashed down there, there’s a good chance that our department had a hand in it. I’d like to avoid that mistake this time around if we can.” Ken Waters stopped short of collecting more PADDs into his arms from Liselle’s desk. “Well, in that case, try your best to get the story of who was flying at the time things went bad from those kids down there. No annual bonus for her.” “Or him.” Liselle and Ken looked to the far door to see that Feyth Railli had arrived, her swollen belly entering the room moments before the rest of her. “It might have even been you,” the Bajoran said, leveling a pointed look at him. But Ken was having none of it, his lips twisted with a small grin. “Not in this timeline or any other would I let anything happen to this ship while I’m flying her,” he promised. “Which reminds me, I’m due back on the bridge.” Liselle selected one last PADD and handed it to Ken, who struggled to find a place for it in the teetering pile he already carried. “And I have to get ready to leave for the planet’s surface.” She pointed a finger at Ken. “Keep the Elysium in the air.” And a finger at Feyth. “And no having any babies until I get back. That’s an order.” Feyth‘s hands moved subconsciously to cradle her belly. She looked up at Qwyyn with shimmering eyes. “No promises.” “Take care, you two.” “Wait.” Feyth said, reaching for Liselle’s arm. “Whatever you see down there, good or bad, I don’t want to know, okay? Not right now. This pregnancy has been an emotional nightmare enough on its own, the last thing I need is the pressure of what’s in store for me.” Liselle placed a gentle hand on Feyth’s own. Ian seemed fairly confident that whatever was happening on the planet below was an alternative timeline, not necessarily some predestined future. Still, the spirit of Feyth’s request was clear. “You got it. I won’t spoil any surprises.” Ken was suddenly standing on Liselle’s other side, his arms full of the PADDs she had loaded him down with. “And when you run into future Phoenix,” he said gravely, “tell her that I captain my own ship now. And I’m rich. And incredibly fit. And breathtakingly beautiful.” Liselle cocked her head at him. “I’m sorry, did you think you were off the hook with me?” When he wisely chose not to answer, she pressed on. “Tell you what, I’ll tell her that you’ve gained a lot of weight and that nobody likes you since you stopped bathing. And that in this timeline she barely remembers you.” “Maybe you don’t bring me up to her at all?” She patted his cheek. “We’ll see.” “Thanks...” Liselle left the room, making her way to join the away team already prepping for their trip to the surface. “She’s still pretty mad at me, isn’t she?” he said, watching her go. “I think a lot of people are.” He sighed. “Prophets, has Phoenix turned every woman on this ship against me?” “Don’t be ridiculous!” she said. And she looked over at him. “I’m sure there’s at least person on board who still likes you.” “Everyone likes Ken!” “I’m sure they do,” Feyth said charitably. “Lately they just don’t like to show it in public. Or private.” He scowled. “I’ve always liked Ken.” “I know, dear. I know.” OFFStocktake
A Mission Post by Lieutenant K'Trau Mission: Episode 0: History Speaks Location: Cargo bay 10, Deck 33 Timeline: ON: The door hissed open and K'Trau quietly slipped inside. Stacked on high shelves around her were rows of large crates. According to the PADD in her hand, the crates should be full of medical supplies and emergency rations. The only problem was, K'Trau had found crates of medical supplies in cargo bays 2,5 and 6, and she hadn't found any emergency rations yet. She moved to the nearest crate and read its label, "LZ-3294" She checked her PADD, LZ-3294 should contain Duranium Ore and should have been in cargo bay 7. She opened it and sighed, yep, Duranium Ore. K'Trau made a note on her PADD and moved on to the next crate, this one labeled as "FW-1006" She frowned as she checked her manifest, FW-1006 was a Warp Plasma container in cargo bay 3. This was the wrong sort of crate for warp plasma. She placed her PADD on a shelf and opened the crate. Inside was several bundles of fiber optic cables. K'Trau made a growling sound, deep in her throat and slammed the crate closed. She adjusted her manifest. Moving along again she found crates FW-1007 up to FW-1029, all fiber optic cables labeled incorrectly as warp plasma. K'Trau growled again. Whoever had been in the Quartermaster before her had done a terrible job. There was no sense of any order to anything, and the majority of crates were incorrectly labeled or in the wrong place. Cargo bay 8 had been a nightmare. It was overflowing, with crates stacked dangerously on top of each other, and several of the crates had been left open. Cargo bay 9 had in someways been worse. It had been mostly empty with only six crates stacked against the back wall. Three had been full of spare hull plates. The other three had contained Photon grenades, Tactical Assault Vests and Phaser Rifles, all of which should have been in an armory. K'Trau was dreading reaching the lower cargo bays, they were all supposed to be empty, ready for anything that the Elysium might need to deliver. However, considering that a fair amount of the manifest was still unaccounted for, she suspected that many of the missing items would be in the lower bays. She continued through Cargo bay 10, growing steadily more disappointed as she continued to find items incorrectly labeled. K'Trau stopped and swore as she saw another open crate. She approached it and her eyes widened, inside were eight phaser rifles, and impressions where two more should have sat. As she stared in horrified shock at the missing weapons the doors hissed open. Her ears swiveled round as she heard two voices approaching. She whirled around to see a pair of gold collared men, an Andorian and a Human, walking towards her. They were both much taller than her and were deep in conversation, with the missing rifles slung over their shoulders. They stopped speaking as they noticed her glaring at them. "Rankss and namess now!" She demanded, looking them directly in the eyes "and give me thosse rifless." The two men shared a glance and slowly surrendered the weapons. The human looked slightly nervous as he spoke "Petty Officer, second class Kyle Sullivan", the Andorian however, didn't seem to care about the anger directed at them "Petty Officer, second class Arabiahr Th'shyrheq." K'Trau glared at him, furious at his nonchalant attitude "Why did you take thesse weaponss?" Sullivan glanced at his companion "I...we didn't think anybody would miss them, it takes too much time and paperwork to check weapons out of the armory" K'Trau's ears flicked in annoyance and her tail whipped from side to side as she struggled to not yell at them "So you decided that you would jusst take a pair of rifless out of the cargo bay?" Th'shyrheq nodded "Yeah, we did, so what? Nobody even knew they were here!" K'Trau took a deep breath, her lips curling back to reveal her fangs as she growled "They don't live here, they live in the armory." She placed them into the open case and slammed it closed. She thrust the case into Sullivan's arms and glared at Th'shyrheq "You will take thesse to the ssecurity chief, you will explain where they were and you will check them into the armory, properly, filling out all the correct paperwork. I will be reporting both of you, and recommending that you are told exactly why you sshould check out your weaponss in the correct manner, after that you will both be assisting me in organizing the cargo bayss correctly. Is that understood?" The two men mumbled something under their breaths and started to walk out. K'Trau growled "I said IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!!" She yelled. Sullivan instantly snapped to attention "Yes Lieutenant" he said loudly She glared at Th'shyrheq who shrugged, looking down at her "Yeah, I understood" "Do you need a lessson in how to addresss a ssuperior officer, Petty Officer ssecond classs Arabiahr Th'shyrheq?" yelled K'Trau "I...err...no Ma'am" He looked slightly confused and rather nervous "I'm sorry, I understand" "Then get out of thiss cargo bay" The two men hurried out, lest she lecture them further. As the doors hissed closed behind them K'Trau let out a hiss of her own, annoyed at the two men, and the way she had lost her temper. She picked up her PADD, she would need to finish her inventory quickly so that the two men could start putting everything back where it belonged. OFF:LTCMDR Tate Sullivan Ph.D.'s Personal Log - On Temporal Pins and Needles
The following is a personal log from LTCMDR Tate Sullivan Ph.D.. For the record, this log is intended to be more of a distraction than a historical record of what is happening aboard ship. The truth is, there is still so much we don't know anyway that I'd be hard-pressed to know what to offer in the way of facts. All I really know is, the not knowing is doing a number on me, and if we don't get answers soon, I know it will do a number on the crew as well. Temporal issues tend to have that affect on a group. As hard as I try, I can't seem to focus on any of the daily routine while we await to learn more. As Starfleet officers, we are taught to expect the unexpected and there's certainly no shortage of missions that are the epitome of that very sentiment, but something about temporal issues sets even me on edge. I suppose it's because I recognize the potential psychological implications of the crew encountering versions of themselves in a reality they could never imagine. It's one thing to confront parts of the self in a therapy session, it's another thing to be confronted with a physical representation of an entire other self that thinks and seats. Of course, the goal is to do as little damage as possible, but I don't think any of us are naïve enough to think we can achieve that goal entirely. History has taught us too many times to expect just the opposite. No pun intended, but only time will tell.1LT Arcadia Eruption 's Personal Log - why?
The following is a personal log from 1LT Arcadia Eruption . Diplomatic Protection Office Suite Senior Offices Office Arcadia sat in her chair occupying her office. Coffin the large komodo dragon, the closest DNA to coffin growing to a maximum length of 3 meters (10 ft) in rare cases and weighing up to approximately 70 kilograms (150 lb), the largest pure Komodo is 3.13 m (10.3 ft) long and weighed 166 kg (366 lb), including undigested food. however Coffin was 7 meters and weighing up to approximately 201 kilograms. The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue. Komodo dragon skin is reinforced by armored scales, which contain tiny bones called osteoderms that function as a sort of natural chain-mail. This rugged hide makes Komodo dragon skin a poor source of leather. Komodo was found in the far reaches of the Beta quadrant, actually to be honest it was found beyond the final barrier of the Beta Quadrant a gift from the Ogivsal race. Instead of the standard outside covering, Coffin had a camouflage outer skin which could change depending on her location. Coffin lay to her right between the desk and the wall of her office. Baby a large black feline, more a combination of tiger, cougar, jaguar, and a handful of other species that weren't known. Giving to Arcadia from the Portal 3, one of the remaining Portal Guardian's which were left to guard the Tkon Empire. The Tkon Empire was a massive empire that existed over 600,000 years ago. The Empire had a population of trillions and was highly advanced technologically. The Tkon had the ability to move entire stars, using planets as outposts for defence. They employed guardians known as portals to defend these outposts and to act as gatekeepers for those seeking entry to the Empire. Historical eras for this civilisation were described as Ages measured by the Tkon using galactic motionary star time charts. The latter ages of the Tkon Empire were Bastu, Cimi, Xora, and Makto. It was during the Age of Makto when the central star of their home system destabilised and went supernova, ending the Empire. Starfleet thought the only Portal left was Portal 63, but Arcadia knew better, there were 11 Portals left, and a large population had been moved before their home system destabilised and went supernova, ending more than 93% of the empire. Arcadia kept the secret of the survivors for many years, not even telling BW what she knew. Baby lay under the desk only her tail visible. Which left Daisymae, a pure bred Teacup poodle who had larger than normal teeth and bit down bloody hard. Arcadia stroked the apricot poodle another gift, given to her from a scavenger, who was thankful not to die at Eruption's hands. The fact Coffin, Baby and Daisymae had form a relationship which was very strange. Sipping the lemon slushie she's poured from her slushie machine, she continued to stroke Daisymae. "So why the hell are we here? We're not needed, they have security, and marines and definitely don't need mercenaries for diplomatic protection, and as the three most senior officers on overwatch. Going to check with the Security Chief who happens to be the second officer. Bringing up the files for all three of the overwatch, she studied the RO, then the XO and finally the SC. "There has to be another reason we're here. I wonder what would happen if I pulled the overwatch and saw what happened. I think everyone out of cryostasis should happen first, along with a check with the quartermaster if they still have any of our gear.” Putting Daisymae on the floor near Babies tail and watched it curl around the teacup. “Let's see what happens when we kill the overwatch. If all of us are up then we'll be able to watch the three plus the diplomatic and fleet command.” Eruption headed to the vault and entered, beginning the process to awaken everyone left in their cryostasis tube.Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Away Team 1: To the Wreck we go
A Mission Post by Lieutenant Ian Murphy & Cassandra Murphy & Captain Phoenix Lalor & Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Gary Taylor & Liam Lalor & Liselle Lalor & Daniel Salannis an Elysium & Feyth Yaanalla & Augustus McKinley & Kai McKinley & Niamh McKinley Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Shuttle Bay 1 - Then the Wreck Timeline: MD5 1430 [ON] The prepped shuttle stood waiting for the away team. Beaming down was next to impossible so, a shuttle it was. Murphy lugged a portable generator onto the shuttle and stowed it in one of the storage niches. Guessing from the minimal lighting on the bridge from the brief video they'd received, the crashed Elysium might only have emergency power available, and the away team might need to access the computers or the Avalon AI. He'd also brought a heavy duty tricorder loaded with genetic data from the Elysium's present crew complement -- Just in case they needed to figure out whose kids they were dealing with. Although, at this point, it seemed like lurid speculation about how torrid the sex lives of the crew would become if they'd crashed on a jungle planet and became terribly horny or something. Liselle turned about in the pilot's seat at the sound of his approach. She watched him struggle with the generator, her thoughts still too erratic to make the obvious gesture to help him. "I can't explain it but I have a really uneasy feeling about this," she said to Ian. "It feels like....dread....or something." Ian cocked his head at her, then walked over to sit in the ops chair, hanging his tricorder by its strap from its arm. "Liiike being afraid of meeting yourself and disappearing in a whiff of cataclysmic paradox, or just that you don't want to find out what might have happened to you if the ship crashed in a steamy jungle hellhole and you had to survive there for a couple dozen years?" "Gods, you're right. I don't think I could manage to live like that," she said. Liselle placed her fingers on her lips, her eyes darting about in thought. "Oh Gods, what if some of us are dead! What if I am?" "Just give yourself and the people around you credit for what you and they know and are capable of doing." Ian said pragmatically, reaching down to tug on the lever that let him lean his seat back. "And don't worry if some of them are dead because they're not the people you know and care about. Technically speaking, if they've been on that planet for several years, every cell in their bodies will have died and been replaced, probably with cells constructed from ambient matter, and they will have racked up years' worth of experiences to differentiate themselves from us." He concluded, crossing his arms behind his head. "The people you care about are on the ship, alive and well." Liselle blinked, her eyelids practically fluttering as she digested Ian's prognosis of their situation. A smile pulled at the corner of her mouth even as she tapped out the preflight sequence on the console in front of her. "You have a very interesting perspective on things, Lieutenant," she said. She hadn't spent any real time with Murphy since he had come aboard. In the few minutes they had shared alone together so far, however, she already knew that she liked him. Her eyes watched her fingers. "I'm glad you volunteered for this mission." Murphy chuckled. "Outsider's perspective more than anything else. I'm sure, if I were here longer, I might feel the same way you do." Or not, because he was a cynical, sarcastic jerk at heart. "And I volunteered to get away from Lieutenant Salannis, because there's just so much manhandling I can take before I reach for the nearest phaser or blunt object." "That's just self preservation.Mr. Murphy." Gary answered, a smile in his face having just arrived after a short detour to see Lia off. He climbed into the shuttle. "Sorry I'm late." He nodded in satisfaction at seeing Liselle had already keyed in the preflight sequence. "Good thinking Liselle." He said honestly, knowing it would cut their departure time by half. "How long before we can lift off in this crate and we're ready to go exploring?" He asked in a light, jesting tone. Liselle spread her hands to either side of her. "Hey, the moment the two of you tell me you've built up the courage to stare into your wrinkly old faces, we're out of here and on our way," she teased. "Ahhhhhh. I see." Gary answered with a smile as he slid into the right seat. "Wrinkly and old indeed." He teased. "The word is given Liselle. Lets get out of here and see how many old wrinkly faces we can find." Liselle smiled to herself as she guided them up from the deck of the shuttlebay. "Don't worry. No matter how repulsive you turned out to be, we'll tell Lia she didn't look a day over twenty-six." Gary laughed in good humor. it was rich and deep. "It's a deal Liselle. I do like the way you think. Command thinking at it's finest. Now let's see if we can find our doppelgangers without bringing attention to ourselves." "Aye, sir." Murphy looked between the two of them. He'd read enough to know that most, if not all of the senior staff were younger than him by at least a decade. "Psssh. Old Other-me will probably try to chase you around with his cane, yelling, 'You kids get off my lawn!' And I might join him in a chorus or two. Impertinent little snips." He added with a 'Hmph!' Their shuttle slipped from the Elysium and after a slight drift to starboard her thrusters engaged, jolting it forward and on its way down to the site of another Elysium's wreckage. Moments after they had penetrated the exosphere, Liselle sat forward in her seat, her brow furrowed. Her fingers darted across her console. "The ion activity in the atmosphere is nothing to laugh at, guys." She turned to them, her expression serious. "You might want to hold on to something." Gary bounced in his seat as the shuttle bounced in the upper atmosphere of the planet like a raft riding raging waves. "Now Liselle, I know you can handle this. I'd hate to have to revoke your pilot's license because you crashed us into the planet." He teased all while he looked for something to grab onto. Murphy braced himself against the Ops console, his knuckles growing white as he held himself in place. "Increasing inertial dampers." Because he didn't want to redecorate the viewscreen and his console with his lunch. "Should just be another few seconds," she assured him. Her fingers continued to work the controls, more often than not she was confirming the computer's suggestions for autopilot guidance, sometimes she was overriding them and directly entering in her own course corrections, relying on her gut to see them safely landed, as all seasoned pilots eventually learned to do. With a violent jolt they finally touched down. Liselle lifted her hands away from her console, like a piano player having completed a well practiced piece. "Phew," she breathed. "Please join me later for part two, where I manage to get us back to the Elysium again." "It's a deal." Gary replied as he relaxed only now realizing just how tense he had been on their descent. "Did we suffer any damage to the shuttle when we landed?" He inquired. he had no desire to be stuck down here with who knew what. Liselle ran a quick check, shaking her head almost immediately. "Everything checks out fine." "Good to know Liselle. A testament to your skill as a pilot." Gary replied paused then added, "Or it could have been luck." As he winked at Liselle. Ian ran checks from his own console. "All passenger seats read as dry, that's what's important." He mused, because snarky humor was his go-to coping mechanism. "There were some fluctuations in the EPS conduits, possibly a side-effect of the ionization. I'll figure out what we need to do to compensate for the trip back up. Meantime, I'm ready for the more surreal part of the mission." He added in a chipper tone. Gary shook his head at Murphy's commentabout dry passenger seats but otherwise was silent. "I'm sure you will Mr. Murphy. No doubt in my mind." He stood up. "All right folks everyone remember where we parked and lets go exploring." Murphy set the shuttle's scanners to do periodic scans of the area, and synched it with his tricorder before rising and heading towards the exit. "I'll set the computer to lock out all functions just in case the kids spot it and are desperate enough to resort to grand theft to get off this planet." He opened the rear hatch and instantly regretted it as he got an immediate face-full of hot, dank, unpleasant-smelling air. "Oof! Smells like the locker room of the academy in peak parrises squares season." "I wouldn't know," Liselle assured him. "The ladies locker rooms always smelt of lilac and jasmine." As she brushed past him, her eyes caught Gary's and she shook her head, pinching her nose as she mouthed the words *Nah. Way worse then the men's. Waaaaay worse.* Gary nodded at Liselle's pinching of her nose and mouthing of her words, his eyes twinkled in agreement and his mouth opened in a loud, boisterous guffaw. Ian's tricorder ululated as he began scanning. "I'm getting massive interference, even using the shuttle's deflector to boost the range. Lots of lifeform readings -- creatures that seem analogous to insects, mammals, reptiles, fish... Cursory glance says that most of the humanoids on the Elysium could survive here indefinitely, but it wouldn't be an easy life. I'm getting distant readings of technology approximately eight kilometers in that direction." He said, pointing. And then his Tricorder began chirping at him urgently, and he swiveled, pointing it at the crashed Elysium. "And we've just been scanned by the wreck." Gary stopped, his hand reaching out to lightly tap Liselle on the shoulder. "Hold up Liselle." He said as he turned to face Murphy. "You said scanned?" His eyes turning towards the wreck before returning to look at Murphy. "How is that possible Mr. Murphy? I would have thought with the wreck, the ship's systems would have exhausted all power long before now." Murphy shrugged, scanning the wreck. "Well, starships have dozens of conventional reactors aboard. Backups of backups of backups. If someone like, um, Matias or Ephraim survived the crash, they'd be able to rig something up to give them power to send out a big burst transmission like the one that was sent, and still have a few megajoules to play with." He frowned at the thought. "Even I could probably do it if hard-pressed. But we're talking about burning out reactors to power up something like this. Like a last resort type of thing. They might not have had a plan B after doing something like this." "I'm familiar with a starship's redundancy systems Mr. Murphy. I'm just surprised they had any power to work with." Gary answered, his eyes still on the wreckage of what for all intent and purposes was their ship. "So then they used what remaining power they had to send their message. Gutsy move." "Pretty ballsy, alright." Murphy said, lifting his tricorder to face level. "Wanna see something funny? Voice override Murphy seven Cookie four spanking three." He tapped at a few of the small icons, then said, "Hi, kids!" --- Daniel waited for their away teams to land in what used to be the former Auxillary Control Room. He predicted accurately what the Elysium's Away Teams will do. They would avoid contact, following their vaunted prime directive, and attempt to download the Elysium's records. He also managed to conceal the Control Room behind debris, so his foolish sister and her tribe could not get in. Even if they made contact, they wouldn't take anyone on this planet. The temporal prime directive was clear. The ground work for his plan should be in place when they download Avalon into the other Elysium's computers. Avalon will become his sock puppet and he'd be able to undock the Elysium's Captain's Yacht without them noticing it. If the plan went wrong, he would; of course, have to kill everyone. He would not be trapped in this limbo for eternity with his sister. His sister and that damnable toilet seat she wore around her neck! Such wasted potential. He was meant for greater things than to linger here for eternity. But one thing was clear, he was going to get off this planet even if he had to kill every single one of the Elysium's crew. -- On the ruinned bridge, Niamh was looking out the viewport. "Hey guys.." she called out. "Look!!!" She began jumping up and down pointing. "It worked!!!!" "You what, mate?" Cass asked, mid-pour of her third glass of wine, and turned to look at Yaanalla, brow creased. That was way faster than it should have been. "It's probably one of the hoppers from the village. Somehow Jenn figured out we were up to no good and sent someone out to bring us in for a heart-to-heart with Gary." Even if the Starling was parked in orbit when they'd sent the message, they'd be tied up in staff meetings and other procedural crap for at least a couple hours before actually doing anything. Niamh shook her head. "Ah nope.. not unless Liselle has learned the secret of de-aging." Liam moved over and looked out and all but dragged her back from the window. "Well she is right about it." he said. Cassandra walked back to her mother's console and powered up the old ship's sensors, and the main viewscreen, heedless of just how low the remaining power was, putting up an image of the three people walking up to the crash site. "Fuck!" She swore, shaking her head. "We stopped the crash. We just created a huge fucking paradox." She said, walking over to the viewscreen and looking up at her father. "I'll never be conceived now. I'll never be born." Yaanalla stepped up alongside her. "Hey! Don't say stuff like that!" she said. The young Bajoran hadn't exactly been a superstar at school, despite her efforts, and any topics beyond the most basic physical sciences were well beyond her abilities. She could never find the truth in the mumbo jumbo nonsense the way the other students did, particularly Liam and Cass. Right now, she was having a hard time discerning between joke and dire warning from the other kids on the bridge. "What do we do? Should we hide or something?" On screen, Murphy turned to look directly at the Elysium, and Cass walked up to the screen, touching the image of her father. His hand. "Alea iacta est. The die is cast." She said wistfully. "Their Phoenix is still alive, Yaanalla. Their version of your dad, too. And all the other dead people that people in the village keep going on about. Their Gary doesn't look like the world gave him a shit sandwich and told him that every day, he's gotta take another bite." Liselle Lalor pushed herself to the forefront of the gathered crowd, bodily knocking people aside so that she could stand alongside Cass and get a better look at the screen. The young Erisian's eyes shimmered with disbelief and pain. Her voice trembled on the edge of tears and she barely managed to breathe out a word: "Mom?" Liam grabbed his sister. "Not down there she isn't. Come on, we have to hide" He ordered the group. At that moment, the main viewscreen crash-zoomed onto Murphy, Gary and Liselle, and Murphy said, in a manic voice, =^=Hi, Kids!=^= "Holy shit!" Cassandra swore. "He took over control of the ship's sensors! They can probably see and hear us!" Liam cursed in fluently Erisian, and pointed to the open hatch. "RUN" he snapped out, "Now!" Liam gave his near catatonic sister and the bajoran beside her a shove to get them moving, then grabbed Cass by the arm and pushed her after them. Niamh grabbed her brother's hands and bolted in the direction indicated. She didn't say a word as she pulled her brothers towards the hatch. Cass ran, alright, diverting from the direction Liam nearly flung her in to snatch up the bottle of wine. Then she stopped and turned to face the screen defiantly. "My name is Cassandra Morrigan Murphy Hi, Daddy!" Outside, Murphy's tricorder tumbled from fingers gone numb with shock. =^=What did that girl...=^= The rest of what he had to say was garbled by the sound of the tricorder crashing to the ground Inside, Cassandra giggled gleefully. "Sorry, had to do it." She said to Liam, continuing to giggle as she ran. In a world gone mad, why not go mad as well? Liam groaned and rolled his eyes. Why did he have be involved with the craziest girl on the planet? He didn't say anything just followed the group to the hatch. =/\= Outside, Gary looked at the shocked Murphy. "I believe she called you Daddy Mr. Murphy." Gary said softly, "Now that's a kick in the pants to be sure." As he bent down and picked up the tricorder, handing it to the still shocked Murphy. "Come on. Don't you want to meet your daughter? Now that both groups know about the other." Murphy closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, trying to compose himself and sternly reminding himself that these kids were the children of some other Murphy. But, goddamn, the thought of it was screwing with his brain. "We might as well." He said, and then chuckled. "Hey, now I'm dying to find out what young lady on the ship has standards so low that she'd want to have my baby." Gary nodded, "It is an intriguing question to be sure and one we are all anxious to find the answer to." He finished with a smirk. "So 'Daddy' Lets go meet the family." Yet even as they headed toward the wreckage, Gary couldn't help but wonder what surprises waited for the rest of them? He hoped nothing as shocking as what Murphy was dealing with. "You say that now." Murphy said, shooting the XO a look as he scanned for a rift in the hull that would give them the best route to the kids, and nodding in the direction of the opening the kids had most likely gone through. "I counted half a dozen kids from the visual, and I can't have fathered them all. Well, I could have, but it's unlikely. Just sayin' is all." "Now Mr. Murphy, an officer of your caliber? Don't go selling yourself short." Gary smirked as they headed for the wreckage and whatever awaited them inside. -=/\=-Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Away Team 2: Lets Look around
A Mission Post by Captain Phoenix Lalor & Lieutenant Jaeih t’Noramei-McKinley & Miran Lalor & Triston Montgomery & Commander Gary Taylor & Commander Aurelia Holmes & Lieutenant Commander Matias Grronkil & Lieutenant Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Wynter Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Shuttle Bay 2 - Elysium Village once found Timeline: MD5 1430 The prepped shuttle stood waiting for the away team. Beaming down was next to impossible so, a shuttle it was. Matias had gone to get some equipment and then came to the shuttle and entered it. Wynter arrived dressed in an all black outfit, with a few black ops perks. "Commander." He said with a nod as he boarded the shuttle. The gorn stepped out of the turbolift next. A medical kit was slung over his back along with a phaser. Walking towards the shuttle he grinned at everyone as he stepped up the ramp. " Well, ladiesss and gentlemen ssshall we find out what's down there." He said politely as he took his seat. Commander Lia Holmes stood looking at the shuttle and wished it gone, it stayed right where it was. Taking a deep breath she entered, "Ok kiddy winkles, is everyone ready for our visit to never never land? Mr. Wynter, I wasn't aware this was a fancy dress affair?" Lia grinned at him, "Are we expecting trouble?" She took her place in the right hand seat and began getting the sensors and scanners up to speed, "I don't know who's flying this thing, but it sure 'aint me". Wynter chuckled for an instant before his face turned serious. "When entering an unknown situatio, especially one on an Alien planet where, our systems are not fully operational always expect trouble. It would be foolish not to Commander." He sighed once more and moved to the cockpit. After a brief preflight check he turned his head to the personnel behind him. "Buckle in this could be bumpy." "Mr. Wynter, you have a sense of humour. As for bumpy rides, it won't be the first", Lia smiled as she spoke. This could be a long recce mission, no use upsetting people just yet. " Ha." The gorn replied as he strapped himself in. "Here we go again." He'd been in more bumpy rides than most of the crew combined. Before he went to his shuttle, Gary had a stop to make first, one he needed to make. Entering shuttlebay 2 he walked to Lia's shuttle and stuck his head in. "Pardon the interruption, Um Lia er... Commander Holmes, could I see you for a moment?" Gary suddenly appearing made Lia's heart jump, "Ah, yeah.... sure Commander". She glanced quickly at Wynter, "Excuse me Lieutenant, I shouldn't be to long". She exited the shuttle and walked over to where Gary was standing, "Did you get lost or just miss me?" She asked, smiling as she spoke. Now this was unexpected, she thought. "Don't do anything stupid will you, we may find our offspring down there you know". She placed a kiss on his cheek, "If you find anything bad, don't tell me. Let me find out myself, that way you won't feel involved in it". Gary smiled at her, "Sage advice. I'll remember it ." He quipped. "Make sure you do the same." He grew quiet for a moment brfore speaking again. Looking down for a moment before raising his head, his eyes locked on hers. "Please be safe. No unnecessary risks. I want you coming back." He didn't say to me as he thought that was a given. He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent forward and kissed her full on the lips. The kiss delivered all the love he felt for Lia but didn't have the words to express the depth of his feelings. He caressed her cheek, "Lia, don't be a hero." Gary's reaction caught Lia by surpries, "Hey flyboy it's a recce mission, I have no intention of landing on that rock pile. I'm comming back, to you. I promise, no heroics". She placed her head on his chest, "What do ya know, you do have a heart". She raised her head and returned his kiss, "I still don't know how to love someone, but I'm willing to learn". She pulled slowly away from him, "You'd better get going, take care my love". She re-entered the shuttle, "Mr. Wynter make ready to launch, we have a job to do". " Your doing very well. Keep doing what your doing." Gary answered in regards to Lia saying she didn't know how to love someone. He gave a short nod of his head, "Will do." he replied softly, his gaze lingering as she turned and head back into the shuttle. After a few moments he turned and left the shuttlebay. He had a shuttle of his own to catch. "Commanders I hate to break up the love fest, but we are ready to go here." Wynter sighed, as he started the launch sequence. As she sat back down in the right hand seat Lia looked at Wynter, "I think it's me that should apologise Lieutenant, there's a time and place for personal commitments. This isn't one of them, so lets launch and get this damn recce over with". She re-started her sensor sequence and waited for launch. Matias was glad the shuttle was finally in launch sequence. The gorn leaned back in his chair as he felt the shuttle began to thunder into life and head towards the planet. " Anyone have any idea how long the ssships tech could have sssurvived on the planet?" he asked inquisitively. Lia turned to face the Gorn, "I've not heard anything Doctor, Mr. Wynter do you have any information on that subject? Matias was looking at the PADD where he had downloaded any similar time warps. "It appears something like this has happened before. Commander William Riker of the Enterprise once encountered his doppelganger on a planet, and there were two of him on the ship then. It is interesting what happened with that." "Depends on how often the tech was used, weather conditions, amongst other things." Wynter shrugged as the shuttle started down towards the planet, bouncing all over the sky. One moment it was thrown up the next it plummeted, it was an incredibly rough descent. Wynter was almost bounced out of his seat repeatedly before they landed. "Everyone alright?" =/\=Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - What Dreams May Come
A Mission Post by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Gary Taylor Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Gary's Treehouse Timeline: (Timeline B) Just before the timelines merge Liselle Qwyyn stood outside the door to President Gary Taylor's treehouse, oversized suitcases weighing down each hand. Liselle Lalor had helped her bring her luggage here, alleviating the efforts of both age and her injured foot. At Qwyyn's insistence Lalor had since left, allowing the older woman a chance to approach this moment with the full presence of mind it seemingly demanded. Matias was gone now. She had ended that. Or they had. Perhaps permanently. There weren't so many years left ahead of her anymore for second guesses... With the toe of her boot, she lightly kicked Gary's door several times. From inside the treehouse, came Gary's voice. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" A moment later the door swung open and he gazed at her. "Liselle!" He greeted her happily, a bright smile lighting up his face. "Here let me get your suitcases. You didn't carry them here by yourself did you?" Casting a suspicious eye at her. Grabbing the suitcases he moved out of the way, glancing at her foot as he did. "Do you need help?" Almost subconscious in her reaction, Qwyyn looked over her shoulder to where Lalor had once stood beside her. "Ummmm....no. I mean, yes. Yes, I would certainly appreciate the help. That is the reason I'm even here, right?" she asked with an uncertain smile. "It most certainly is." Gary agreed enthusiastically the smile still on his face.. He set one suitcase down and extended his arm to Liselle so she could use it for support. "I just finished rearranging. Not that there was much to rearrange." He explained as they entered the treehouse. "You'll have my room." He held up a hand to ward off any protests not that he expected it to do any good. "You're room?" Her eyes belied her immediate confusion. "But where will you, ummmm, you know...sleep?" He grinned, "Liselle, my dear Liselle. I will sleep on the couch. It's surprising comfortable and if that doesn't work in my visits to the wreck, I found an air mattress. So, I'll be fine. No worries." Liselle's eyes softened, her head falling to one side. "Gary. That's not fair!" she protested. "Who knows how long it will be before I get back on my feet. You can't be expected to give up your bed for that long! Look, I'll take the couch. And you'll be my dutiful servant, responding to my every beckoning call." A wry smile spilled out across her wrinkled face. "Deal?" He shook his head, "Liselle, I want you to feel comfortable here. I want you to relax. Not worry about anything. I'll be your dutiful servant and respond to your every beckoning call." He bantered back, "But you're taking the bed. It's the right thing to do. So there." Sounding like a little boy without sticking his tongue out at her. "You mark my words, Talyor," Qwyyn said with more than the hint of joviality, "I'm getting you back into that bed someday." He laughed, it was full of good humor. "Liselle, I'm sure you're going to try." He quipped. "Now, come sit down while I put your suitcases is your room." He started into the bedroom, stopped and looked back at her, "I'm glad you're here Liselle." In that moment she truly believed that giving herself permission to come here was both the best decision and the worst decision she had ever allowed herself to make. Time and time again she had proclaimed her love for this man, and time and time again he had waved her love away. How many more loops could she relive in this cycle before it finally broke her? This would be the very last time she gave her heart to him. She promised herself that. "I'm glad I'm here, too," she said. He looked into her eyes, "No, I mean I'm really glad your here." He said with absolute sincerity. No more was he going to skirt around his feelings. Liselle had encouraged him to be happy and by God he was going to be. Of course the same went for her to be happy. ***** The smell of burnt eggs filled Gary Taylor's kitchen, a thick black smoke accompanying the aroma mere moments later. Overwrought with panic, Liselle pulled the pan from the stove and stuffed it quickly into the sink, her free hand pulling the tap open to full pressure. As the water poured out across its surface, the pan only served to splay even more charcoal smoke up into the air. Gary came stumbling in from the back of the house (not that far a journey.) "Whoa." He said as he came up behind her, "Turn the pressure down and sit the pan in the sink. So we don't have anymore smoke in here." His voice calm and even. "You didn't burn yourself did you?" His voice full of concern for her. The hell with the eggs or whatever she was trying to cook. Liselle sighed, her anger saturating the exasperation of her exhale. "I wanted to surprise you!" she said, her disappointment clear. "This is unbelievable! My host has the training to hand stitch Klingon hearts closed in under four minutes, my earlier hosts were masters of mediation and focus, but Liselle Qwyyn can't manage over-easy eggs." She turned the pan over and immediately she snapped her hand back with a yelp of pain. "Gods damn it!" she cried. "And now I've burned my stupid fingers!" She pressed her hand against her waist, alongside her ribs, the pain already throbbing its way up the length of her arm. Gary felt her disappointment. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Liselle, it's the thought that counts and I thank you for your thoughtfulness." He took her hand and could already see the redness of the burn on her fingers. "Come to the couch. I've got some salve. it will stop the pain and get rid of the redness." He finished as he led her to the couch even as the smoke began to clear out of the treehouse. "For what it's worth you did surprise me. I thought you burned the kitchen down." He teased. A chuckle escaped her unbidden, and it nearly upset her all over again. Gary's amusement at her overreaction almost had her smiling, but she was just frustrated enough for the anger to win out. Barely. Following his lead, she went to the couch and plopped down there. She shook her head as she stared down at her fingers. "I guess you're going to have to keep being the chef," she said. "My life just might depend on it." Gary returned with a small jar of salve. He sat beside her on the couch. "It's okay, I don't mind." He said lightly trying to get Liselle back in a better mood after her disappointment in preparing breakfast. "Your life? I think that might be overstating it but I like it." He winked at her as he reached for her hand, "Well the good news is you still have all your fingers even if their a nice rosy red color." He bantered as he applied the salve to her fingers with what he hoped was a gentle touch. Her head fell back against the pillow and her eyes closed. A small moan escaped her throat. At first she felt embarrassed for it, but she quickly came to realize that she didn't care. With her eyes still closed her head slowly danced from side to side as though the unexpected finger massage were now accompanied by soft music that only she could hear. "Gary Taylor, where have you been all my life?" He continued to massage her fingers working the salve into the skin. He saw Liselle's head move from side to side as she thought of something amusing? If not pleasant judging by the groan that escaped her lips. "Why Liselle Qwyyn." He bantered "I'm surprised at you. Most of the time I was sitting behind you and to your right and these last twenty years. I've been right in front of you." He finished softly as he realized that the same was true in his case regarding Liselle. She was a wonderful person, a true lady and he had been foolish to ignore or try to bury his feelings for her. "You ever wonder," Qwyyn said quietly, eyes still closed, "if you should have done things differently?" She lifted both of her hands up in front of her, palms facing one another. "I mean, sometimes two people are almost magnetically drawn to one another. Like, they can't help it. No matter what they do. But then, before you know it --" she let her hands fall into her lap with a loud slap. "Twenty years have gone by. And you realize it's too late." Gary was silent as Liselle asked him the question he had been thinking on quite a lot recently. He and Liselle had always been close ever since their first adventure in the holodeck but he had been involved with Lia and Liselle had Matias. Then there was the crash and Lia was gone but Gary had grieved for so long he had blinded himself to the woman now seated on his couch until recently. He reached up and gently took her wrists and leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Liselle, I'm going to tell you a secret. I don't think it's too late. Not if you'll have me." His words barely more than a whisper. The old woman's eyes opened now. Wide. Her mouth opened. Wide. "Gary. I was..." she said breathlessly. She placed a hand against her chest. "I was..." She breathed again. Finally, she managed to voice a few words. "I was talking about me and Matias." Suddenly the panic cleared from her face, replaced instead with a coy smile. Her eyes narrowed with mock danger. "You little bugger. You nearly gave me a heart attack. Didn't anyone ever tell you it's not funny to tease an old woman, Taylor?" Gary hid his disappointment at Liselle's reaction to his statement. he even managed to joke about it. "Yeah, had you going didn't I?" He managed to croak out and give a wan smile while inside his head he was admonishing himself severely. *How could you have been sooooo stupid? Did you really think Liselle was going to wait twenty years for you? Gary you beat all. You take the prize for being the biggest dope around* He realized he was still holding her wrists. He let go and it felt like he was letting go of her that he had indeed lost her. "I don't think of you as old Liselle. Never have." He offered quietly. She took her fingers from him, tossing a dismissive wave at him. "Alright, that's enough fake flattery out of you for one day, Mister. I'm going to go soak this poor ankle of mine," she said. And then she gave him a stern look. "Shouldn't you be making breakfast?" "You are absolutely right." He said rising as holding out a hand for Liselle to pull up on. "You go soak your ankle and when you get finished, I'll have breakfast done and waiting for you." He promised. ***** Liselle stood outside of Taylor's front door, her arms resting on the taunt ropes of the bridge just beyond. The stars above sparkled so brightly that it seemed as though she could see the village more plainly than in the light of day. It was cold tonight, even for a Trill, but the opportunity to enjoy a clear and peaceful night, to hear the bugs chirping all around her -- it was moments like these that she desperately enjoyed. A part of her couldn't help but wonder how many more nights like these she had ahead of her. She took a long pull of her cigarette. Tilting her head back she blew a plume of thick white smoke from between her lips and into the night sky above her. He came up silently behind her and placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. For awhile he said nothing just sharing the moment with Liselle was reward enough. Even as he tried not to think on yesterday's disappointment. " Nice night isn't it?" He observed before commenting again, "You're cold, you want a jacket?" As he drew her closer, "I can get you one." He offered. She leaned her head to one side, pressing her cheek against his hand. Humans were so warm. "Do you miss it?" she asked. With her cigarette between two fingers she pointed up to the expanse of the universe above them. "Gallivanting around the galaxy, being a hero?" He followed the direction her cigarette was pointing and laughed lightly. "I did. The gallivanting part though I never considered myself a hero." He admitted "But it was a lifetime ago and now I have other duties to keep me occupied. But I confess, every now and then I do think of roaming among the stars and wonder what's happened in the years since we crashed here." He rubbed her arms, "What about you? You miss it?" Almost involuntarily she found herself leaning back into him. When he did not protest the gesture on her part, she snuggled against him all the more. "No," she said honestly. "A part of me feels like this life was meant to be. I've finally stopped running from myself. I've had a chance to be a doctor once more, something I never thought I'd ever get to experience again; and the Qwyyn symbiont has its last host, has finally found the peace its been seeking its whole life. I finally feel calm. For the first time in my life, I feel calm." He nodded in the darkness at her statement, his arms going around her to protect, shield her from the night air. "And you have been outstanding at it." He answered sincerely despite the twinge of guilt he felt when he had accused her once of not being a doctor. "I'm glad you found it Liselle. Being at peace is a most wonderful and profound experience." He held her closer "Life here has been hard but we've managed to overcome it and make a life of it and the village is if not thriving at least holding it's own." "This is nice," she said into a happy sigh. She closed her free hand around one of his at her hips. "Anyone ever tell you that you're impossible not to fall in love with?" she teased. He kissed her cheek, "It is nice. Sharing it with you makes it even more so." He admitted. "Impossible to fall in love with?" He bantered back, "Come to think of it, no one has ever told me that." He teased in good humor, desperately wishing Liselle could see beyond his façade and know that her wish of him loving her had come true. "Make me a deal, Taylor. If we're both still single in another twenty years, if I'm still alive, we go out and find ourselves the closest damn thing to mistletoe that exists on this planet. What do you say?" He turned her around so she was facing him, he wanted her to see him see his sincerity as well as hear it in his voice. "Liselle, why do we have to wait another twenty years? I was stupid before. I don't want to be stupid again." Her eyes belied confusion, becoming unfocused on his face. But then she remembered herself, and Gary's fondness for teasing. She wasn't falling for it again so easily. "Nice try, Taylor. But even I don't get fooled twice by the same trick in 24 hours." "Oh, too smart for me you are. However have you considered I wasn't teasing?" He ventured. Searching her face in the dark to see her reaction to this latest development. Her eyes softened, shimmered tears. She swallowed uneasily, as though swallowing pain. A tear rolled down one cheek and her lip quivered. She reached up to him. Her wrinkled hand trembling. And she slapped him. Hard. "How dare you!" she snapped, her voice wavering. "Why would you do this to me? You think this is cute, Gary? This is your idea of funny?!" Her eyes narrowed. He knew how she felt about him, how she had always felt about him. So what if it was one-sided? At least she was being honest with him. How could he so willfully do this to her? How could he twist the knife this far into her gut like this? "I should never have told you how I felt about you. I never thought you would use it against me like this, make me feel so...pathetic. You took your teasing too far this time. You're...you're cruel," she said. She held up a quieting hand. "I don't want to hear it. Just. I don't even want to hear it. Leave me alone. Please." She violently shook herself free from him and quickly walked down the length of the rope bridge and into the night. He stared at her stupidly, his mouth opening but no words came out, just a soft gurgling noise. Only after Liselle had finished beretting him did he find his voice, "What? No, Liselle! It's not like that!" He protested but she had shook herself loose from him and stomped angrily down the rope bridge. "Liselle! Please!" He called out the anguish in his voice evident. OFFEpisode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Anything is Possible
A Mission Post by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Gary Taylor Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Gary's Treehouse Timeline: (Timeline B) After 'What Dreams May Come' Gary sat in his treehouse brooding as he had been for the past few days ever since the misunderstanding between Liselle and himself. Right now he sat listening to music on his player specifically "How Do You Like me Now?" Yet even as sat he tried to figure out where he had gone wrong. He had admitted his love for Liselle and she had called him cruel and stormed from his house. Now he had no desire to see anyone or be involved in anything. It got tiring being kicked in the teeth all the time. He just wished he could make Liselle he hadn't been teasing her. he had been genuine in his statement of love but alas it seemed the opportunity had passed him by. So he sat alone and thought of what might have been and the missed chance. "Interesting song," a voice offered from behind him. Gary spun in his seat, surprise evident on his face as he saw the owner of the voice. Yet he managed to keep his voice even as his heart beat wildly. Standing, he nodded, "I've always liked it." He replied looking at the figure silhouetted in his doorway. "What pray tell brings you to my door? Forget something?" Liselle considered him. Not speaking for what seemed a long time. The song continued to play. "What are we doing here, Gary?" she asked. "Why would you say those things to me? After everything we've been through. After all this time. Why now?" He returned her gaze as the same thought entered his mind, *What were they doing?* Absently he jabbed at the player in an effort to silence it. Finally succeeding after two or three attempts. He shook his head and gestured for her to come in and take a seat. It looked like they were going to have a talk at least he hoped it was a talk and not an argument. "I told you the night you stormed...er left that had you considered I wasn't teasing. Evidently you didn't judging by the slap I received. I never meant to hurt you Liselle, Never, What I said was the truth and I'm not going to go back on what I said." Her knees shook and she nearly sank into herself. "I want to believe you," she breathed, her voice wavering. "I've wanted to hear you say that for so long. You know that. But, I'm concerned..." she said slowly. "I'm worried that with everything that's happened, with the truth about Lia finally out in the open...maybe you're just not in a good place right now. Maybe you're just afraid that you're going to end up alone. We've all been in that situation before. Gods, that situation is basically my life!" she joked. He nodded, "Have a seat. We may be here awhile." he returned. "I know you do and I know you've waited a long time for me to say it. Fact is Liselle, it's my fault. Catlin died and i was alone afraid to get close to anyone and I was alone until Lia came into my life and I loved again and it was wonderous! Then she was taken and I was afraid of loving anyone again and losing them. and for twenty years I was alone and I made you wait for me to realize what I needed was right in front of me." "But why now?" she insisted. "I've seen you a million times over the last twenty years. Twenty years, Gary! What could have possibly changed in the last few days to make you suddenly come to this realization?" He nodded, "Yep at least a million." He agreed easily. He looked at her and his eyes searched hers, "I think you know Liselle however if you want me to say it i will. I think or rather I know part of the reason was guilt on my part that I was being unfaithful to Lia and that wasn't fair to any woman I might get involved with so I was alone and it grew tolerable. At least until the day of our argument and you made me see I wasn't living I was just existing and like you I knew Lia would never want that. Hell, she's probably going "Yeah! About time you woke up you big dope." Liselle choked a small laugh at that. She shook her head, a smile of memories on her lips. "Would you believe that she once told me the same thing?" she asked. "Just before the crash, actually. We were talking about mistletoe...and rumors. And she told me that she realized how dangerous Starfleet life could be. And that if anything ever happened to her, I had her blessing to make my move on you," she said. "I realize that story seems a little self serving right now..." She looked over to one side of the room, as though that might hide her own amused embarrassment. He smiled when a small laugh escaped her lips. He was grateful, so very grateful she could find some humor no matter how small in something he said. "That sounds like Lia." He admitted. "She never told me and yes I believe you." He crossed the room to stand close to her. Reaching a hand out, he gently softly touched her chin, feeling the soft skin beneath his fingers. He turned her head so she was facing him, "It's not self serving when it's the truth Lia." The sounds around them seemed quiet as she looked into his eyes. Maybe the world outside had fallen silent forever. Maybe it was louder than ever before. She was lost in his gaze, in the way that his eyes held her. For the first time since this ordeal had begun, she believed him. Truly believed him. Whatever miracle had finally made this happen, had brought this moment into being, it was here. And she wasn't about to let it slip her by. She reached up to wrap her fingers around his arm, her painted nails pressing lightly against his skin. "Gary. If you do this..." she warned. "There's no going back. Not for me." He listened with baited breath as Liselle spoke, warning him of what he was getting into. He finally letting a breath he hadn't realized he was holding as her fingers wrapped around his arm, felt her nails pressing into his skin "No, going back Liselle." he agreed with her, "No second guessing." he continued. "There's no going back for either of us." He amended her statement. "It's time we moved forward...together." It was all she needed to hear. Before she could second guess herself and what she wanted -- needed to do, she leaned her head back and pressed her lips softly to his. His lips met hers and he kissed her full on the lips. The kiss had been twenty years in coming and he wanted to make it a good one. He held the kiss for a few seconds and when their lips parted he whispered, "How do you like me now?" Immediately she was hungry for him again. With a hand clasped firmly on the back of his neck she pulled his head down to her again. This time her kiss was aggressive, a lifetime of longing and desire finally being satisfied. Electric. With her lips against his, with the feel of him and the smell of him, she was lost. The Elysium hadn't crashed. And she sat at the helm, a crisp uniform on her young body, the mirror shine of her console beneath her smooth fingertips. Phoenix Lalor was alive. The closest friend she had ever known, would ever know, had not died. It was all a misunderstanding. Strong and confident and there to protect them all. River was alive. Lia was alive. Beautiful and radiant, and always ready to find another way when the situation seemed lost. Ian's eyes sparkled -- alight with mirth and mischievousness, a man with infinite possibilities ahead of him. Arrianna, with the way she so calmly considered the bridge around her, the reasoned manner in which she always spoke. Matias, who in this version of a life that could have been, had let his wife go; had truly allowed for new possibilities in his heart. Wynter, whose intense look could capture every point of light -- even he did not see fault in this reality. It was the future that might have been. If this moment with Gary was possible. Anything was possible. Liselle finally broke away from him. Her skin was tingling. Her nerve endings sparkled. Anything was possible. "Gary Taylor?" she breathed. Gary felt Liselle's lips press against his and felt her passion and desire travel through the kiss as her hand firmly clasped his head to her. He didn't fight it, he surrendered to the moment and it was good and empowering. It opened his eyes to all that he had missed. All was right with the world. There was no blinding explosion or devastating storm at their kiss. The world kept spinning. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, "Liselle Qwyyn. Just what can I do for you?" He asked as he kissed her again and would continue to kiss her as long as she wanted. She blinked slowly. This could all be a dream, or it might be some trick of quantum mechanics, or alien mind control, or even early onset dementia. Anything was possible. "Take me to your bed." His eyes twinkled with delight as he heard the words. A brilliant smile split his face as he looked into Liselle's He wished he could freeze this moment in time but he did the next best thing. He saved it for eternity in his mind. Without speaking, he bent forward and scooped her into his arms, "Your wish is my command." OFFEpisode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - USS Elysium- Those left behind
A Mission Post by Captain Phoenix Lalor & Lieutenant Jaeih t’Noramei-McKinley & Commander Aurelia Holmes & Lieutenant Commander Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Captain Collin Styles & 1st Lieutenant Arcadia Eruption & Gunnery Sergeant John Stryker II & Lieutenant Alfonse Stiegalle & Ensign River Waters & Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Waters & Lieutenant JG Ryan Beyuikolpanj Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Various Timeline: MD5 13h00 =/\=Bridge=/\= Phoenix stood silent on the bridge while the shuttles were loaded and launched. She had been pacing the command well a short time before as her mind whirled with possibilities and probabilities. Alf stood looking out into space, the planet below resembled a green ball almost like a Christmas decoration. He knew Lia and Gary were now a couple, but that didn't stop him worrying over Lia. In his own way Alf had always liked Lia, one could say he was suffering from unrequited love for his commanding officer. He'd never tell her or anyone else, but if Taylor ever hurt her? He'd make sure it was the last time, XO or no XO. For Alf, nobody hurt his friends especially his female friends. Arcadia, Ilyce and Daytona stood to the back of the CDeck, silent and staying out of everyone's way, but keeping those on the CDeck in view especially when it came to the RO. All three were wondering about the message from the second Elysium and how it had come into being, but it wasn't their business. They had gotten a variety of strange looks but that was it. As far as Arcadia was concerned it wasn't their place to interfere, this was something that those the RO and XO had allowed to volunteer had to deal with. She still had to talk to the Security Chief, she hoped that if anyone onboard knew more than she did it was her. Ensign River Waters had his attention glued on the viewscreen. "It's just so wild," he spoke aloud, "I can't stop wondering what I might look like." Realising that he had been speaking his daydreams aloud, the young man shook the thoughts from his head and he twisted his attention back over his shoulder to Phoenix. "Sorry, sir. It's just a little overwhelming." Arri spoke. "It may not be a good idea for us to meet ourselves, Chief." She mentioned. "I and Lt. Murphy have not yet determined the full nature of the temporal anomalies in this system. There's a forty-eight point seven, nine, six percent probability our duplicates are ourselves and circumstances may result in us crashing on this planet in any event. Though I do not believe we are in a predestination paradox." Arri's comment caught Alf's attention, "What about those who were killed when what ever hit the ship made contact? I mean we followed that trail here, so that bit has been changed already. Are you saying there could now be another me on that planet?" Like his boss, Alf hated time paradoxes. Arcadia tapped her comm which went only to her people. "I don't want to hear it." "And if they bring them on board?" Ilyce asked quietly. "#$%^&*" Daytona's answer was short and sweet. "You haven't seen what's in our load." He stated to Ilyce. "We deal with what's a threat, and the RO's teen is not a threat." Arcadia answered, she wanted to head for the holodeck and run one of her exercise programs. She was ready to take Those on overwatch off it and leave them to their own devices and concentrate on the Diplomatic aspect, but she wasn't one to walk away from an assignment, even if she still had no idea why they were there. "If someone's added this aspect to another reason we're here, what's outside is going to look like a kids doing. For now we hold fast." Arri spoke again. "The more likely scenario is that the individuals below are part of an alternate space-time continuum. Similar to ours except Phoenix may be left handed, or I may have blonde hair." The Alindari mentioned. "As there is an infinite number of alternate universes, any one of them could have influenced the situation below." "I realize we can't just sit here and do nothing, but I think if we do make contact, we have to be prepared for more significant differences than those related to our dominant hands," Tate replied. "I'm not denying your knowledge or experience," she added, looking to Arri, "I just think in the history of these kinds of things, the differences are never that simple." "Space is full of debris." Arcadia answered breaking her silence. "You've got other things to deal with on board, instead of making trouble by contacting whomever is below without any information, unless you're intending to eradicate them all. You've got all you civilians in bunkers, and they're not going to stay happy for too much longer. You've got crew who are going to want more information, and become quite willing to get as much view or information as they can, even if it breaks their normal behavior. You haven't pulled in any of the so called Elysium 2 pieces for your science and engineering to check. You've got your marines walking around armed, and a lot of civilians or crew aren't going to be happy, and your marines are going to start to wonder why the heck they're walking the ship. You're basing everything on a garbled message that could have come from anywhere. I'm not involved in this, so ignore my comments. Salvages, scabbers or black marketeers could be hiding in your debris, waiting to get onto the ship." Arcadia stated in no one particular's direction. "Excuse my comments if you disagree, I'm looking at it from a different perspective." Alf took a long look at Arri, "I've just left cargo bay 2, we have more scrap in there from the other ship that we know who and what it was. There was nobody hiding in the debris, in fact there was only human remains in the debris". He shook his head, "I'm going back down to check on my squads, I suggest everyone stops speculating on half baked rumours". Phoenix didn't seem to hear them. Her gaze was fixed on the images of the two shuttles as they hit the atmosphere.."that looks like a rough trip..." she murmered stepping up to River's side. "Lets make a point not to hit the upper atmosphere ok Mr Waters?" Arrianna spoke. "It might be a good idea to run scan the remains and the debris for chronitons. If I can determine the exact circumstances of the temporal anomalies in this system. Unfortunately, I'd be studying an infinite number of time-space continuum. My people even once built a super computer for the exact purposes of mapping possibile temporal outcomes using the historical archives of major events across the Federation.. The computer crashed the moment we activated it because we had no efficient Nlog(n) algorithm that could simulate every outcome to an infinite amount of parallel universes." The Alindari woman noted. "We focused the computer's logic on specific events, only to be reminded that one event can have an infinite amount of results in other universes. So, we did something my people rarely do; we gave up." River didn't hear her words. His hand trembled slightly as he course-corrected, something that hadn't happened to him since before he had been promoted to Ensign. He squeezed his fingers into fists, willing his hands to steady. Something about this moment, something about Phoenix stepping next to him...it was like the Prophets were peering down from the Celestial Temple and upon his grave. He looked up at Phoenix, practically staring at her, unable to help himself. She gave him a nod and then moved back to the center of the bridge. Her hands she clenched behind her back. Comm silence was driving her crazy. Capt. Styles and his team finished patrol and began to head down to the Marine deck, "Well that was relatively easy," Palomo remarked at the other three "That's because the ship wasn't in much relative danger, idiot," replied Bitters, they continued down the hallway, phasers on their backs. =^=Styles to Bridge, we've finished up, all is secure=^= "Thank you Captain Styles. Please have your team on standby." Lalor replied. Stryker entered the Marine deck in time to hear the report. "Skipper, all decks below are clear and secured." Stryker said as he stepped through the hatch. "Lots of folks aren't real happy with us poking around, but they understood with a minimum of explaination and some apologies for our intrusion." He paused. "What now Sir?" "Now, Mr. Stryker, we wait, clean your weapon, get some training in, do whatever needs to be done," Styles replied. "Aye Sir." Stryker snapped in response. "We'll get it done and be ready when called upon, Sir." War, what Marines are trained for, what they wait for, no matter what Commands desired outcome was, they would accomplish it. He turned smartly and headed for 2nd Platoons area. It was time to have some holodeck fun. Ilyce glanced up when the black NONATMO entered, and she caught sight of the mass of blonde hair. Ilyce tapped her arm and linked with Ryan. "The woman is Lalor and the RO. What's the extras?" "Besides Coffin, Baby and Daisymae, I was too busy vomiting to go into the load." "She didn't let everyone out?" Ilyce asked "Nope only me and her babies." Ryan answered. Ryan looked at the chaos beyond the viewing port and shook her head. "Where's Eruption?" "Looking for clues as to why we're here." Ryan answered, as she headed towards the Captain. Intent on cleaning up as she usually did after her boss. "And you're about to clean up." Ilyce stated. "It's one of the things I get paid to do." Ryan answered. =/\=1LT Arcadia Eruption 's Personal Log - The mystery prevails
The following is a personal log from 1LT Arcadia Eruption . Arcadia sat in her office and opened a personal log. "Still no idea why we're on the Elysium." She paused sipping her slushie. "It's got to have something to do with our previous time at the UFOP. The fact that a small group of them thinks that Starfleet are too clean when it comes to dealing with hostile species, and rely on negotiation too much, which allows the black element, us, to have our way with Starfleet and the merchant fleet was why the first contract was issued. I still don't think the UFOP members who think Starfleet are too clean, don't really know Starfleet and their people. When it comes to dealing with the hostile and the black element Starfleet doesn't do too bad. It's the fact they haven't encountered as many species outside the UFOP even if they are within the four quadrants that they think only exist, many of the group didn't want to acknowledge that there was more than just the Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma, and they had problems facing the fact that there were many more subspace corridors found by many more species then they acknowledge. Even some of them can't face the fact that the Hirogen Subspace Relay Exists and is still in working order. Which is perfect for me, since I've been using it since I was nine and continue to use it today. The UFOP group who contracted us seemed hard to deal with the fact that only Starfleet evolves." Arcadia read back what she'd written in the log, sipping her slushie before continuing. "I wonder how many divisions there are within the UFOP. The fact that we were kept separate from the majority of them, but did get to talk, maybe were interrogated by those from section 31, who technically don't exist, it was a darn shame that we knew more about their UFOP contacts then they did. They weren't happy that our intelligence network was greater and more detailed then what they were using. It was at that point they began to use us for an information source. Of course what they got wasn't everything we had, known, knew and shared. Yes we were loyal to the UFOP but we still weren't going to tell them everything. There had to be somethings that unless they were necessary we kept secret, I strongly doubt they wouldn't have believed us anyway. They were extremely interested in the weapons we had, especially the ones which they hadn't seen or encountered." "I'm wondering if we're here as an information source? Whether the Elysium is heading into parts we mentioned to the UFOP especially parts rich with minerals and ores that are needed by Starfleet, or if the fact people within both the green, grey and black are back stepping to acquire weapons, poisons, toxins, animals, people, and just about everything else, especially items from species which were wiped out, back stepping before they were wiped out to acquire what they could. I wonder how much of what the UFOP and Starfleet deem classified they realise is anything but. The ship and her crew are dealing with a mission of a strange nature at the moment and now is not the time to interrupt. I've got to get my lot to see the medical staff and the counselling staff, now what is going to be certainly a challenge. I'm going to have to accompany some of my lot they aren't known for their liking of medical or counselors, and prefer to repair their own wounds. The UFOP wondered why we wear the gear we do, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they strengthened their space suits and combined them with some sort of our suit."A Meeting of Minds
A Mission Post by Lieutenant JG Braden Masters Mission: Episode 0: History Speaks Location: Bajor Timeline: Braden had always wanted to visit Bajor. It was such an interesting world. So unlike most of those in the Federation. It was a world rich in heritage, and strong in pride, and something about it called to him. Now he was here. Two weeks ago he'd received a communique from an old friend of his from the Academy, a young Bajoran man named Trahl Vos, who he went through nursing clinicals with. In that communique he'd said that there was a symposium scheduled on Bajor, specifically for people in the medical profession, and even more specifically for those who specialized in emergency response. Now, in a swirl of particles, and accompanied by the distinctive whine of Federation transporters, he materialized on the transporter pad of a public transporter hub in the capital city of Ashalla, where the symposium was slated to take place. It was an open air hub, and he could feel the warm, damp air of a summer breeze blow against his face as he fully materialized. He stepped down off the pad and began looking around at the various people walking around him. It was overwhelmingly a Bajoran population, with only a handful of people from other worlds milling about. He smiled at the people around him, in their earth tone clothing, and uniforms. His own sneakers, jeans, and the pale blue shirt he wore stood out, but in some ways also complimented the browns, and greens around him. He had only been walking for a few minutes when he heard someone behind him shouting his name. Turning, and looking back into the throng of people behind him he saw his friend, wearing the brown and purple uniform of a medical officer, his arm raised, waving to get his attention. "Vos! How are you!" he called as he got close. Trahl Vos was an attractive man, in his mid-twenties, a recent graduate of the Medical Academy, much like Braden, who had chosen to eschew service in Starfleet, and return to Bajor to serve his people. They'd bother taken the same nursing courses several times, and Braden had convinced the other man to even go through the traige training, and the EMT courses with him. They'd formed a quick bond, and now were as close as brothers, despite their being from two totally different species. As Vos walked closer he smiled, "Braden, still as handsome as when we graduated I see. Are you breaking as many hearts now as you did then?" he asked, pulling Braden into a tight embrace, his hand slapping the other man on the back. Braden blushed at the compliment, and at the physical affection, which almost always made him just a little uncomfortable. "No, not quite. Less of a chance when you are on a starship after all." he said, as they separated and began to walk down the broad street. Vos nodded, "That's true, I suppose. But give yourself time, you'll be back at it in no time. Just look at me, I'm already married, and expecting my second little one. Poor Eldra can't stop sneezing, and every time she gets into one of those fits she glares daggers at me. Course it could be because I start laughing every time..." he said, trailing off as a huge grin split his features. Braden shook his head and chuckled. "I hope she knows what she got herself into when she chose you to marry." he said, jokingly of course. Vos laughed, "Not a chance, if she had she'd never have gone through with it. But it's too late now. She's stuck with me." he replied. "So, when does the symposium start?" Braden asked as he followed Vos down a smaller, less congested alleyway. "In about twelve hours, actually. I've got you set up with some rooms at a local hotel, there just wasn't room for you at our place. It's almost too small for us as it is. But the hotel is nice, and is within walking distance of the event center the symposium is going to be held at. I'd suggest you get some food, get showered, and get you some sleep. We will be expected to be there by eighth bells." Vos replied. "The hotel is just up here." he added, waving his hand in the direction of one of the bigger, more beautiful buildings. "I'm staying there?" Braden asked, a note of surprise in his voice. "Yes, is it not to your liking?" Vos asked, concern coloring his question as he turned to look at his friend, coming to a stop. "I can find you another place to stay..." he added. Braden smiled, "This is amazing, Vos. Are you kidding. It's gorgeous, and it's within walking distance of the Shrine as well! I was hoping to visit and pay my respects to the Prophets..." he said. Vos broke into a huge grin, "I had no idea you were religious, Braden. That is wonderful to hear." he said, reaching up and grasping Braden's ear in a way he'd learned to get used to. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply as he'd been taught those few years back. When he opened them again Vos was smiling at him. "Your pagh is very strong, you will be most welcome at the Shrine. I will let them know to expect you!" he added. Braden smiled back, somewhat swept up in the other man's enthusiasm. "Thanks." he replied. "Well, let's get you settled, and then I'll leave you to it. I'm sure you are very tired." Vos said, and headed back towards the hotel. A little over an hour later, freshly showered, and having eating a light dinner, Braden headed back out into the throng of people that seemed to always be present on Ashalla's streets. He could see the Shrine, less than a mile away, and he headed for it, marveling at the things he passed on the way. As he approached the building he was in awe. It was stunningly beautiful. Even though he knew it was a recreation, the original having been destroyed during the Cardassian occupation, he saw that the builders had taken ever pain to make it appear as it had before it's destruction. Walking up the steps towards the doors, following the flow of the others around him, he was surprised to see a man in the robes of the religious leaders approaching him from above. "Lieutenant Masters?" the man asked, tentatively. Braden gave the man his best smile, though he was a bit wary, as he always was around strangers. "Yes, Ranjen, I am Braden Masters. Please, there is no need to use my rank, call me Braden." he said. The other man nodded, "Very well, Braden. I am Ranjen Tev Andrik, but you may call me Andrik. I received a visit from Trahl Vos about a half an hour ago, and he told me to be expecting you, though I think we both believed it would be at least tomorrow. He told me you were interested in visiting the Shrine. Is that correct?" he asked. "Yes, ever since I first met Vos I have been absolutely itching to learn more about the Bajoran faith. I know it makes no sense, but it stirs something within me, a sense of familiarity, of belonging..." he said, suddenly overcome with a desire to admit that he was feeling faith for the first time in his life. "I hope that isn't offensive to you..." he added, trailing off again. Ranjen Tev looked confused for a moment, and then smiled, "Braden, the Path of the Prophets is not closed to any who wish to walk it. They care not if one is Bajoran, or Human, or even Cardassian. They care only that one has a desire in ones heart to follow their Path, and allow them to guide one to their proper place in life." he said. As he finished speaking he raised his hand, "May I?" he asked, indicating that he wished to sense Braden's pagh. When Braden had nodded yes he grasped his earlobe, much less tenderly than Vos usually did, making Braden wince. His grip never wavered, and he held it much longer than Vos would have as well. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was sedate, but Braden could tell he was expending great spiritual effort. He was about to reach out to tap the other man on the shoulder when he saw him smile and his eyes opened. "Thank you, Braden. It is not often that I find a brother from the stars..." Ranjen Tev said. "Now, let us go inside." he added, turning and ushering Braden into the inside of the building.LT Savar's Personal Log - Off to See the Chief
The following is a personal log from LT Savar. Savar's Quarters "Computer begin personal log." Savar spoke in an even tone. "Recording." The computer replied in an equally bland tone. "I am preparing to pay a visit on Dr. Tate Sullivan. She is the chief counselor on the Elysium and is highly regarded by her peers. I must confess a certain curiosity in meeting her. Her record is most impressive. Among other things, she graduated from Starfleet Academy in the Psychology Track – summa cum laude as well as specializing in Clinical Psychology residency specializing in Forensic and Trauma Psychology. She has also served as a Victim Advocate. It is my desire to make a good impression on her. While my record is not as noteworthy as Dr.Sullivan's I feel it is above average. Logically Dr. Sullivan should feel the same but I have found it is often difficult to predict just how humans will react. Nonetheless, this meeting should prove to be most interesting and informative as I can see and hear first hand how the good doctor wishes to have her department run along with policies she wishes each of her staff counselors to follow. For now her ideas, policies and department organization remain a mystery, one I am hoping to rectify following my visit." End recording and save."Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - A New Counselor
A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant Savar Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Chief Counselor's Office Timeline: Current Savar had been aboard the Elysium for awhile but had yet to meet the chief counselor. He didn't know if it was due to them working different shifts or they had both been busy with other things. In any event he was going to change that right now especially with the news that the Elysium had encountered a twin of itself. He had no doubt that stress would soon reach new levels as the crew wondered about their other selves. He found such worries illogical. You couldn't change what had happened. You just needed to accept the facts and deal with it. He silently thought as he moved through Sickbay until he found himself standing outside Dr. Sullivan's door. He knew she was in as he had purposely checked the duty roster and he knew she was working. He rang the chime and awaited admittance. "Come in," Tate called out, the doors to her office automatically opening upon her command She turned to greet her visitor and smiled. "Hello. I wanted to give you space to settle in and to find your own routine aboard, but I'm glad you stopped by as we can use the opportunity to check in. First, however, what brings you my way?" Savar entered the office at the sound of Sullivan's voice, coming to a stop in front of her. "Greetings, Dr. Sullivan." He returned, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness even if it was unnecessary. My reason for being here is simple. I wished to introduce myself to you. As well as hear your ideas on how you wished the department run." Sullivan gestured for him to take a seat. Walking over to the replicator, she asked, "May I get you something before we discuss business?" She appreciated his forthrightness. Much of her thoughts about department procedure were spelled out in memorandums, but it was always good to meet one-on-one to discuss specifics, especially because as therapists, each one of them had different style Taking a seat in front of the desk, Savar sat. Turning his head, he replied. " Most considerate. Green Tea please. I find it most beneficial as well as relaxing." He paused for a moment before addressing Sullivan again. "A query if you allow it. How do you wish to be addressed? By title or by rank?" He did not wish to unknowingly get off on the wrong foot by improperly addressing his superior. His order was easily fulfilled and as she carefully handed him his cup, she answered, "I'm fine with Doctor or Counselor when we are in front of others, but feel free to call me Tate when it's just you and me." Sullivan had a healthy respect for this particular protocol, but she also understood there were more ways to demonstrate respect than simply referring to someone by title. Taking the cup, he replied "Thank you." Before continuing, "I believe addressing you as Doctor will be appropriate. As you are my superior as well as Chief Counselor." As he sipped the tea. "Most satisfying." He set the cup on the desk, his dark eyes on hers. "You of course may address me as Savar." He took another sip of the tea. "Do you have any specific policies or guidelines on how you wish counseling sessions to proceed?" Sullivan took a moment to gather her thoughts before she offered, "I try not to impose my counseling style on any of my staff, as I believe we all have unique approaches to helping people, and I recognize I can't be in every session all the time. That said, as it is my responsibility to stay informed on the well-being of the crew, regardless of whether I serve as any individual's personal counselor, I do make it a point to review every counselor's notes from the day, just so I can keep informed of any issues. I also expect every counselor to attend a weekly case conference in which we all gather as a group and discuss any particular crew issues or counseling challenges any one of us may encounter. I find it helps to get the input of several people who can be more objective when it comes to clients who aren't their own. It goes without saying, but just to be clear, I expect any particular approach to be based on solid evidence and to be consistent with the ethics associated with our profession. As I said, we all bring unique approaches to our work, but as you know, it is critical for all of us to be adaptable and willing to use an approach which is consistent with what the crew needs, not just simply what each of us is willing to provide." Savar listened as Tate expressed her views on counselors as well as her overall views for their actions and how they went about doing their job. When she finished, he took a sip of his tea and spoke. "A most enlightened view, one I can readily embrace. For myself. I consider my adaptable, for if one can not adapt to the needs of the patient then he or she has failed as a counselor to help said patients, be it duty related or domestic or any other of a myriad of situations. I also concur that having a weekly conference where input from other counselors is not only sought but welcomed is a sound one. I commend you Dr. Sullivan for fostering such a work environment. It bodes well for the patients to know that the counselors are truly listening to them and not providing them with lip service. I can assure you that any approach I take with a patient is solely for the good of the patient, with the objectives of identifying and dealing and coming up with a solution to their particular problem." After a moment he added, "I would never violate or betray my oath or ethics." "I am sure that's entirely true," Sullivan replied, realizing she might have sounded accusatory. "I wasn't implying anything about you personally, it's just that sometimes being a counselor in the same place where one lives can provide some tricky ethical dilemmas. It's important to me the counseling staff remain mindful of their professional obligations at all times. We unfortunately don't have the luxury of being able to say we are entirely off duty. The tools of our trade happen to be our ability to create relationships with people and that's not something anyone can turn off completely." "There is no need or reason to worry about hurting my feelings Doctor Sullivan. I am well aware that you were speaking broad terms. However I do appreciate your concern over my feelings." He paused, gathering his thoughts before he replied. "What you say is quite true." He answered going on, " In addition to forming relationships, we have to gain the trust of those we are trying to help. It would not do to tell our patients to trust us and then betray that trust by telling their every secret. We are as you correctly surmised on duty around the clock. A fact we must constantly be aware of and not slip." "I am glad we are in agreement," Tate replied, inwardly smiling to herself about her reaction. She should've known not to be so concerned about his emotional reaction. Of course, she knew he had feelings, but she also knew he would understand the logic of what she was trying to say. She supposed a counselor would always be concerned about the feelings of others, no matter what the circumstances. "Do you have any other questions for me? Perhaps there is a particular area of specialty you'd like me to be aware of?" He sipped his tea, again placing it on the desk as Tate asked her question. "As am I Doctor, it makes for a much more enjoyable work atmosphere. No, no questions Doctor. You have explained yourself and how you wish the department run quite thoroughly. I can find no fault in what you desire, nor the policies you have implemented. I have ample experience in dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder either from being in combat or just a stressful situation. I am also quite competent in dealing with the any other reason one would visit a counselor." "It seems we are on the same page in many respects," Tate agreed with a nod. The undercurrent of arrogance in the statement of his competence was also not lost on her, but she knew enough about Vulcans to know what humans viewed as arrogance, Vulcans tended to view as mere statements of fact. Both would learn more in time. "Every counselor has areas of weakness, and I hope we can all be more open to sharing them in time. In the meantime, I will keep you in mind for any trauma cases. That happens to be a specialty of mine as well. I'm sure we'll have a great deal more to talk about over time, but for now, I think I've covered my bases. Is there anything more you wish to discuss?" Savar regaled her in silence for several seconds before he answered. He gave a short nod of accepting her statement before he answered, "Indeed Doctor. Yes, I know." He said without any further explanation. "I look forward to our next conversation. May it be as informative as this was." He rose from his chair and faced her He raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Doctor." Tate stood, and mirroring the gesture, offered, "Peace and long life, Counselor."Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Meeting the living dead
A Mission Post by Commander Aurelia Holmes & Commander Gary Taylor & Miran Lalor Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Planetside, the village Timeline: Current ON Lia stood outside of the shuttle, this planet didn't want her here. She felt a hatred oozing from the very ground, she hadn't felt this way before and was at a loss to explain way she felt this way now. She could sense more than see the people standing in the shadows, what were they afraid of? Did she look that different from them? Small towns never did like strangers within them, this village had been isolated for 20 years. Maybe this was their way of saying [ Go away ], Lia really wanted to oblige them but she had her orders. After leaving Liselle, Gary made his way to where the shuttle had landed. he stood in the shadows and stared at it as if not believing what he was seeing. It was from the Elysium! How could that be? He was never big on mirror universes or alternate timelines. Not that he didn't accept them or believe in them, he just didn't have a lot of use for them but that all changed now as he was staring at a ghost from the past that was only a few feet away. He heard the shuttle door open and a figure step out, a woman, he couldn't see her features too well so he shifted his place in the shadows. When he did and he was able to clearly see, he gasped, his throat suddenly dry, felt his knees go weak and rubbery. His stomach was in knots. It was, Oh Dear God! It was LIA! He stood transfixed as he stared at her. She was exactly as he remembered her, beautiful and radiant. He couldn't move, it was hard to breathe, he was rooted to the spot, so engulfed by her appearance and suddenly he felt guilty over his euphoria at seeing her as he remembered Liselle and their love and commitment to each other who was asleep in his bed. He blinked and blinked again maybe it was an illusion. But the shuttle and the ghost of his former love remained. How did he handle this? For now he didn't know so he remained in the shadows. A man's silhouette caught her eye, she turned to face him although she couldn't see his features. "I have a phaser set on heavy stun, I suggest you advance towards me slowly. And please don't make any sudden moves, I'm quite a good shot this close to the target". She waited for the man to make his mind up, would he come to her or not? Standing there in the shadows, Gary heard Lia address him, her voice strong and vibrant, brimming with confidence. He had forgotten how much he loved the sound of it. Now however he had been spotted, found out. So much for passive observation. He sighed and took a deep steadying breath, "I know you are Lia. But you wouldn't shot me, would you?" He answered quietly as he took a step out of the cover the shadows provided so Lia could see him clearly. "Gary?" The appearance of the man confused her his clothes his demeanour, "Wait your not my Gary, your this worlds Gary. Is there another me around here? Am I watching myself?" Her phaser drooped then fell from her hands, that last statement seemed to make her sicken somewhat. "Did I die?" The question sounded stupid, but Lia knew it had to be asked. This Gary sounded hollow, as if he'd lost something and only just found something else to fill the void. She stumbled backwards, almost falling over. The lack of an answer played on her nerves, "Tell me, did I die here?" Standing there, he listened as she rattled off questions at him. It was so like her, direct and to the point. He took a step forward to catch her but she righted herself. He shook his head, "So many questions. Who else is with you? Let me show you what we've built. Yes, your watching yourself." He answered without going into greater detail. For technically it was true, Lia was watching herself. She glanced about trying to spot herself, but then stopped as the answer seemed a little vague. "We have....." She stopped her self, "Why are you interested in who else is here?" Lia stood upright found the phaser and went and picked it up, "What really happened to me Gary? I feel your hiding something, not being honest". A breeze whispered past her, it felt cold almost unpleasant. "20 years and you don't seemed to have aged much, something in the food?" She walked over to where this worlds Gary stood, "Your eye's give you away you know, they always did. It took me a little while to spot at first, but your eye's don't meet the other person fully when your hiding something. Is Liselle close by? My Liselle wants to meet herself, and yes she is on the Planet". Taking a deep breath she pointed to the village, "Ok Gary, show me the past 20 years. Tell me what happened who you got together with, because I doubt we've been together have we?" She left the question hanging, and slowly walked towards the village. He chuckled as she questioned him when he asked who was with her. "It was and is a simple question Lia. Your obviously on a recon mission and I know you didn't come down here without backup. I was merely curious." He countered as he watched her pick up the phaser. He shook his head, "Not the food, the water. it prevents aging." He didn't react as she made the comment about his eyes not looking directly at another when he was hiding something. He thought that was pure BS and no one else had ever mentioned it but he let it pass. Instead he focused on the Lia's question about Liselle. "Yes, Liselle is in the village and she'll want to see you and her other self. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what we've built these past twenty years." He commented as he fell into step beside her. It was all he could do, not to sweep her into his arms and kiss her. However he controlled his impulses. He had Liselle to think about as well as this Lia and her feelings. As she walked she contacted the other landing party members, =^="Holmes to all away team members, I have made contact with one of the survivors. Suggest we meet up in the village, Holmes out"=^=. Looking about her she noted how much of the ship had been used, twenty years and it looked like a Bajoran refugee camp. How they'd managed this long made her look at them differently, oO Don't think I would have survived this long Oo she thought. Lia stopped at one of the dwellings, it sheltered in the trees almost separate from all the rest. "Now that's the kind of place I would have made, if I were here. Who lives there?" She looked at Planetside Gary, waiting for the answer. Gary walked alongside Lia, his thoughts a jumbled mess. After twenty years he had been reunited with her and as euphoric and joyous a thought it was , this particular thought didn't have a silver lining but a dark black one. He was with Liselle now and he couldn't and wouldn't turn his back and leave her. They had a solid, loving relationship built upon the bedrock of twenty years of friendship and he wasn't about to throw that away. He literally felt as if he was between a rock and a hard place. His thoughts were placed on hold when he heard Lia talking to her other team members and then asking about a treehouse they were passing. Looking up he cringed inwardly, as luck or absence of would have it they were passing his and Liselle's house. Years ago he had it built away from all the others because he wanted to be alone to grieve in private over Lia's death and now her she was walking beside him. "All the houses are built in the trees Lia. To protect them from the storms that sweep the planet. If they were on the ground they would be washed away." He paused before adding , "That is my house Lia." She noted his response, "Come on Gary, spill the beans. Something's been running around that head of yours since you and I met up at the shuttle, now lets have less of the BS and some good old fashion honesty". Lia stopped and faced planet Gary, "Is it me? Tell me, things can't be that bad surely". He stopped and faced her. His eyes holding hers and he was remembering their first meeting in his Ready Room and how they loathed each other, Then the away mission on Risa where their feelings for each other had begun to thaw until finally the incident on the holodeck where they had bared their feelings and became a couple. Then she was gone snatched from him in the crash only to be returned to him by some divine providence. He side stepped the question, "This is the center of the village the houses spread out from here. We have a medical center, a education center, fire fighting equipment a forge plus more. We also grow our own crops. There's ample game to hunt so we manage on that score." Planetside Gary's answer didn't sit well with Lia, "Now you see, that's what I'm talking about. You won't tell me the truth, just waffle on about your bloody village. I can see what you all have done, and I'm amazed by it all. But Gary, stop hedging around the elephant in the room". She looked at the ground and took a deep breath, "I died in the crash didn't I? That's why your pussyfooting around my questions, isn't it?" She placed her hands on her hips and looked up at the sky, "I never saw any of this did I? You sat in that tree house alone and kept everyone at arms length, didn't you?" She now met his gaze fully, "Just when did you give me up? Did Liselle finally break down that stubborn streak in you? Or did the girl let you wallow in your own self pity?" A tear fell from her eye, "I never wanted you to suffer you know, I told Liselle that not so long ago. One day Gary Taylor, you'll let people in. That's a lesson YOU taught me, why haven't you learned it yet?" He stared at her....unblinking, his eyes filled with tears and he got angry with her constant probing and questioning of him,. More because she was right in her assessment and he hated it and himself for what he said next. "Fine. You want answers? You don't want me to waffle? You got it! Yes, you died. You died in the crash. You never saw any of this! Are you happy now?!" He shouted as tears streamed down his face. He held a hand up, to ward off anything she might have to say. "The day you...." He stopped and started again, " The day you died a part of me died Lia and oh your so smart. Yes I kept everyone at arms length. For twenty years I grieved for you and I never gave you up but I did finally move on." He hung his head as he tried to catch his breath, this was tearing him apart inside. Finally after several seconds his head rose. "Yes, Liselle told me what you had said. " Another deep breath. "She's in the house now. She moved in a few days ago." He didn't know why he added the last, he supposed so Lia wouldn't think he forgot apart her days after the crash. That he had mourned and grieved for twenty years and only recently had he moved on. "Twenty years Lia." He repeated "Twenty years, I lit a candle for you and cherished your memory." The tears started again. "I hope your satisfied. You got your answers. For myself, I feel like crap telling you this." Lia walked over to planet Gary and hugged him, "Oh you silly silly man, I didn't die that day. I just moved into your heart full time, I remained in your memory. How could I die with a love that deep keeping me alive inside you?" She pulled out her handkerchief and cleaned his face, "I thank you for cherishing me, but didn't you know I would never want you to be alone again?" She handed him the handkerchief, "Look at us, it's like I've only just joined the ship, and we're arguing about something AGAIN". Kissing his still wet face she smiled, "So long alone, with a woman who loved you almost as much if not more than I do". Lia hugged Gary again, "We're a pair you and I, I have my Gary and I love him to bits. You have your Lia, who you still love. But time and tide wait for no man, love Liselle because one day she may leave. And you would suffer a greater heartache, because you had never told her YOU LOVE HER". Lia let Planet Gary go, she shook her head and smiled. If her Gary was as daft as this one, the universe had better watch out. He stood stiffly as Lia walked over and hugged him. Despite her words to cheer him up and make him feel better he felt like crap for telling her. The tears streamed down his face even as she used a handkerchief to clean it. Finally after a few seconds his arms lifted from his sides and he hugged her back, holding her tightly against him. "No, we're not arguing we're discussing." He said in a weak attempt to interject some humor into the situation. He released the hug, looked at her through moist eyes and nodded at the wisdom of her words, "Two of a kind." He agreed, "It's what brought us together." He sighed, "I do love my Lia, always will. I did tell Liselle I love her and she slapped me." A small smile appearing on his face. "It's a long story. The gist of it is she thought I was teasing her but we got it straightened out." At Planet Gary's statement that Liselle had slapped him Lia giggled, "That's my girl, Liselle finally got through to you. And it only took a slap around the lug 'ole, I bet that shocked you". She looked around and then back to Planet Gary, "Give us another hug before my Gary turns up, he's very possessive you know". She walked back to Planet Gary and let him hug her again, which surprised her as she had never been so open before she met HER Gary. He nodded a grin on his face, "Well your girl has a mean right hook and your right it shocked me right down to my toes but like I said we got it straighten out and it's all good now." He looked at her, she was so much like his Lia, hell she was but she wasn't. he shook his head, he wasn't going to even try to figure it out. Instead he did as she asked and hugged her. "Yes, I imagine he is but with you its easy to understand why." He answered honestly. "You are a special and unique woman Lia. Never forget that." Lia shook her head, "Not special, just a normal girl. Always have been, always will be. I'm a me, one day other people will see that". She smiled and looked about for the other members of the away teams. "No. It's because of that outlook that makes you so special and you are make no mistake about that. Everyone who knows you, knows that to be true. You just need to accept it." He countered.Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Away Team 1: Well this is fun (Saved Mission Post)
Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Timeline: IC The group of teens were determined to get away from the Away team. Unfortunately for them, no matter where they turned, they found blocked corridors and it was then Liam found out they were missing Daniel. He cursed long and loud about Cass's brother in his mother's native tongue and sighed. "We have to find the idiot!" "Mister Potty Mouth." Cass giggled at Liam. "I have some idea of where he got to. About the time I was getting ready to send the signal, the computer asked if I wanted to run a diagnostic for the unexpected changes that had been made. So, he's doing something with the computers. I'm guessing he's got some scheme in mind to get off the planet, other than asking nicely. We'll probably need a tricorder if we want to find the little twat." "The bodies," Yaanalla said in a soft voice. "Remember, Cass? Your mom taught us that they always had tricorders in their pants or whatever. Maybe if we can find some bodies, then we can search them!" Liselle whistled in startled Erisian. With a shake of her head she eyed the Bajoran girl, her shock evident. "That's...dark," she said. "Besides, they drug all the bodies out of here and buried them twenty years ago." "Oh," Yaanalla said, her disappointment clear. "I guess they would have taken all the tricorders they could find, too, huh?" "Probably," Liselle agreed. She punched Liam on the shoulder. Hard. "Come on, little idiot, science up a solution for us, would you?" "OI!" He snapped at his twin. "Hands off little sis." he growled. "Frankly I am of a mind to let the away team find him and watch what they do to him. I am sure his mouth will make Gary wanna punch him out." He sighed. "Lets head for mom's cabin. Aunt Miran said there was always stuff in there." "Close enough to science for me," Liselle agreed. She turned about on her heel, surveying the group. "Anyone remember what a Johnie's tube entrance looks like?" Cassandra took a drink from the bottle of wine she'd brought along. She was still mostly sober, whether from her father's Irish heritage or just the tolerance she'd built up, and wasn't even tipsy. "We passed a few open ones on the way to the bridge. They're... Rectangular openings -- two and a half or three foot high openings. Engineering left them open when scavenging parts for the village." "There!" Feyth announced, pointing excitedly. "That's one of them, right?" "Yes," Liselle said confidently as she followed the young woman's direction. Her eyes flicked to Cassandra. "Right?" "Looks like it." Cassandra said, walking over and setting down her wine bottle before bringing her phaser rifle to bear. She set it to heavy stun, widest dispersal rate, and proceeded to fire several shots inside. "If there are any creepy crawlies in there, they ain't happy." She explained. Creepy crawlies was a broad term -- it might or might not include her brother. Liselle made no qualms about the fact that school had rarely held her interest. All of Instructor Salannis' drills on the Elysium and its operations had consistently failed to pierce her day dreams of hunting beyond the South River. She was paying the price for that attitude today. "Idiot," she said to Liam. "What deck is mom's?" "Lay off, Liselle." Cass warned. She knew Liam could stick up for himself, but now was not the time. "It's not his fault that Daniel went off the reservation. Maybe... Maybe we should talk with my other father out there? He has a tricorder and he took control of the ship's systems." She frowned, biting her lower lip for a few moments. "Maybe they can help us find him?" Niamh shrugged. "Do we want to find him? Look lets be honest here Cassandra, your brother is a pain in the arse." Niamh never swore around the adults. "They will most likely find us before we get too far anyway. They know their version of this ship better than us." Liam listened with half an ear. "Deck 16 I think..." Cass looked at Niamh. "Well, if he's screwing around with the circuitry, he might be trying to do something to sabotage or ambush that away team. Maybe he intends to steal their shuttle, or maybe he has something else in mind with whatever he was doing with the computer circuitry." She sighed, picking up the bottle again, and taking a nice, healthy swallow -- She should have brought something stronger than wine. "Sure, we might exist as temporal anomalies, but the Federation has lots of peaceful worlds out towards the rim of the Alpha Quadrant they could resettle our parents on where they're in no danger of further interfering with the lives of the other Elysium's crew." Cassandra's com activated. "On the contrary, Sister. They'll give us sympathy and chant their prime directive to us like aggravating, mind controlled little parrots and then leave us to linger in this limbo for eternity. You know I am right, for what would you do in their place?" He went silent for a moment. "It is what the Federation dose after all. They meddle, and like all true hypocrites, they congratulate themselves for their 'advanced sensibility.'" Cass sighed and shook her head. "He gets this from my mom's side of the family. My mom, who is so arrogant and selfish that she thinks she is at fault for the Borg attacking her planet, the destruction of Romulus, the crash of the Elysium (even though it happened when she wasn't on duty), and the death of Phoenix Lalor. Survivor's guilt kinda mooshed together with an utter lack of self-awareness and a delusional sense of grandiosity that could eclipse this entire planet in size. Well, take away the survivor's guilt, ad you have my brother." She turned and rounded on Liselle and Yaanala. "You two could have prevented this. Was a pity hand-job really too much to ask?" Liam groaned and chose to keep walking, not an image he wanted in his head. "Lets just move before we cause more damage to the timeline..." "I'm afraid I cannot permit you to warn the Elysium's crew, Liam." Daniel activated the forcefield emitters in the Elysium's wreck. "I will not kill you however, but know that I will not be ignored and left here by the Federation's useless laws." Daniel chuckled. "How the Federation has not been destroyed yet mystifies me, I believe I'll find out eventually when I finally am free of this limbo." Liselle Lalor took an angry step forward. "I am going to kick your fu--" the forcefield flashed, cutting her outburst short and throwing her to the ground. Wincing with pain, she reached slowly to her shoulder. Her voice was weak with surprise and shock. "The hell was that?" "Do be careful Liselle... I need you alive for when Captain Lalor comes to bargain for your life. You cannot die just yet." Cass cursed softly and shook her head, thumping the butt of her rifle against the force field. "Was this your plan, Liam, or are you just making it up as you go along?" She asked, thumping the rifle butt against a different spot. And again in another place. "No this was not my plan. Your brother should have been shot at birth!" He snarled back. "Daniel, I swear once we get out of here you are dead do you hear me? I am going to take my knife and gut you! And spread your entrails over the rails of the village as an example to idiots everywhere!" [ Outside the Elysium ] Liselle Qwyyn stopped short as they broke through the treeline. She nearly collapsed to her knees, grabbing a hold of Ian to keep herself standing. "No," she breathed. The site of the Elysium, broken, battered, splayed out amongst the ravaged trees was nearly more than her heart could bare. The death of her home, of how many her crew? Her family. "It's...unbelievable. I can't..." Gary came up behind them so he was the last to see the wreckage. He stopped short, his eyes taking in the devastation. The Elysium lying broken and spent among the trees. He heard Liselle's strangled gasp and he moved to her side. "Liselle." His voice calm, even. "Take a deep breath. This isn't our ship. Our ship is in orbit. You need to remember and accept that." Murphy scanned the ship as they approached it, eyes taking in the readings on the tiny screen as they scrolled across it. "Readings show this ship has been here for approximately twenty years, give or take five. Aaaand, amusingly enough, there are differences in the quantum signature of the wreck from both the ship in orbit and the wreckage in our cargo bay. I'm also reading power fluctuations aboard, consistent with internal security forcefields. Ya reckon they're fixin' to prank the geezer squad?" "Security fields?" Qwyyn asked. "Why in the world would they have activated forcefields? Unless...they must have turned them on by mistake, or maybe tripped an alarm by accident?" "Got me." Murphy replied, using his access to activate the internal sensors. "Looks like there's several kids in one area, surrounded by force-fields, and one other I can't pinpoint with internal sensors. Maybe he's pulling tricks... Wait... There are fluctuations in the matrix of the force field. Somebody's tapping out an S.O.S. against the field." He looked at Qwyyn and Taylor, then said, "Shutting it down. Activating comms. This is Lieutenant Ian Murphy of the USS Elysium, currently in orbit. Look, I don't want to go crawling around an old wreck to meet my daughter and her friends. Howsabout you come out here and we can talk?" The shields went down and Liam began, to shove the others out of the area. "Get out of here before Daniel blows up the ship." he said to the group with him. "May as well face the music." Gary's eyes were on the wreck as Liselle and Ian tossed ideas around about the internal force fields coming on. "Those force fields didn't just come on. They were turned on. It was a conscious effort. Keep an eye on the ship's internal systems. We don't want any surprises." He added as they waited for Murphy's daughter and her friends to make their appearance. "Yeah, I'm shutting down all functions but emergency lights, and putting it on senior staff voice authorization lockout." Murphy replied. Then he smirked. "At least we're going to be meeting kids and not our older selves. How awkward would that be?" He'd begun warming up to the idea of being someone's father without ever having to change a diaper or wake up in the middle of the night to crying. Gary nodded in approval at Murphy's statement, the last thing they needed the very last thing they needed was to become trapped within their own ship. "Good work Mr. Murphy." He said giving voice to his thoughts. He looked at the science chief, "Please Mr. Murphy, one problem at a time. The kids first, then our other selves if they are alive." Cass didn't need to be pushed to go meet the man who had never fathered her; she was practically skipping as she led the way out of the ship and towards the trio of Elysium officers. Aside from the planetbound Liselle Qwyyn and a few other Trill, the adults on the planet hadn't aged a day... Except in spirit. Being marooned and losing people they cared about had taken its toll. These three adults looked quite different from their Colony doppelgangers. "Thanks for the save, Da... Lieutenant. And Commanders." She said breathlessly. "You should probably scan for the guy who trapped us. My, uh... Younger brother. He's not quite right in the head." She stood and squirmed in front of them for a few moments, like an errant child, while Murphy did his best approximation of a deer pinned in the headlights. His tricorder was reading Cass's DNA. And there was only one Alindari on the Elysium. As if reading his mind, because hey, she was her father's daughter, Cass said in a sing-song voice, "You stuck your dick in cra-zy." Gary took in the group before them, they were teenagers, young adults. Obviously the off spring of crew members who had survived the crash. Looking them over again, he didn't see any that looked like himself or Lia. He didn't know whether to be sad or relieved so he stayed quiet on the matter. When Murphy's 'daughter' spoke to them he answered, "Our pleasure. I'm Commander Gary Taylor, This is Commander Liselle Qwyyn and um you know Lieutenant Ian Murphy." Cassandra smiled like she was meeting a childhood idol, even though she was fairly certain that their Gary and their Liselle thought she was an insolent brat. "I know." She even bobbed a curtsy towards them. "I'm Cass, as I've already mentioned. My friends here are Augustus, Kai and Niamh McKinley." She said, pointing them out in order. "Feyth Yaanalla and Liselle and Liam Lalor. Don't get your tricorder in a bunch, Lieutenant Murphy, the Irish names are kind of an anomaly. My brother, who we should all be keeping an eye out for, is Daniel Salannis an Elysium. I'm fairly sure he's still aboard, mucking about with the computers to create some sort of trap for you guys, or the other Elysium, since you're probably here to download the wreck's database." Liam crossed his arms. "Commander Taylor, You need to find that stupid kid before he hacks your Elysium and brings it crashing down." He looked at Ian. "No offence but next time, stop before you have Daniel. Do us all a favor." Niamh sighed and sat on a log. She was totally bored. Gary looked at the younger man. He was skeptical that this Daniel had the skills to hack into the Elysium and bring it down, Nonetheless there was no reason to take unnecessry chances. "Taylor to Elysium. Go to Level 10 security clearance." It was the highest security system involving personel. "Also go to Level 10 clearance for Avalon." A voice came through the com. "Elysium actual to away team. Acknowledged. Setting that condition now." Liam bit his lip and looked away. "Thank you, Presid... Commander Taylor." Said Cass, with a slight nod of her head. Then she brought the bottle up to her lips again and took another long swallow of wine. "My brother isn't a bad person... Well, ok, he's kind of a dick, but he's just desperate to get off this rock. Thanks to the toroidal flow of metaphasic radiation through the water table, the aging process is halted in most adult humanoids who stay here more than a few months. The other you is probably around the same age as you. The biggest exceptions are joined Trill. They took an inoculation against bug bites that causes the mitochondria in their cells to repel metaphasic particles." This last part was directed at Qwyyn, before Cass rustled around for a pot of Kamal's bug repellent. "Rub this on your exposed skin. The bugs here are quite deadly to Trill and standard innoculants don't work." A voice spoke. "That was a very foolish move, Commander Taylor. I'm afraid my sister is going to have to die now." He aimed the rifle at Cassandra. "I have a bead on her head, give me your shuttle and I'll let all of you live." Daniel mentioned over. Gary heard the voice, he looked to Liselle and Murphy to see if they had a visual on on this Daniel. "No need to make threats son. Put the gun down, come out and we'll talk about it." Daniel spoke. "I know your useless prime directive, and I've calculated all the probabilities. I know your hypocrisy requires you to leave us here, so I have presented you a no-win scenario for you to munch on. Your shuttle, or you can watch every one of them die, and I'll even kill the other Holmes. I've spent a lifetime in this limbo, I won't spend an eternity imprisoned here!!" The half-alindari spoke. "You would do the same thing if it was you trapped here. And if you won't cooperate. I'll simply blow up your shuttle. We can all suffer the ages equally." "I understand your frustration and your desire to want to leave here but your wrong I wouldn't be making threats about killing my own sister or anyone else. That's not going to win you any friends nor make anyone want to help you." Gary replied evenly in a calm and controlled tone. He didn't threaten Daniel, deciding the boy was a few bricks shy of a full load and he didn't want to push him over the edge. "And I would believe you, Commander. If I didn't already know that you are bound by your prime directive, your grand Federation hypocrisy. I am thankful I inherited my mother's profound intelligence. The only thing my sister inherited from the Elysium was that damned toilet seat and father's insanity. I should be an Admiral by now with my unlimited potential, Instead I waste here with my sister's stupidity. And I've endured it for my entire life!!" He held his phaser at the ready. "Please don't," Qwyyn cut in. She raised her hands, urging for calm. "Whatever your plans are, whatever your problems, we can talk about them. We can find a solution that works for everybody." Liselle Lalor reached into her pocket and slowly withdrew her mother's knife, keeping it pressed against her leg. She took a slow step toward Daniel. "If you know someone who is like me, Daniel." Murphy said calmly, looking at Cassandra and the other kids in front of him. "Then you know I lost my first wife because I was under the command of a timid captain who wouldn't risk breaking the prime directive to save members of his own crew. I kinda see it more like a Prime suggestion, and any captain worth their salt knows when to bend or even break it. Well, I don't think Captain Lalor would have any problems with members of our crew, at the very least, adopting the children of our duplicates. You exist outside of the temporal prime directive. You're not temporal paradoxes, you're dimensional anomalies. And that ship you're on? It isn't the same as the one in orbit. There are quantum variations in its structure. So, if you come down here and promise not to hurt anyone, I will fight for you. But you have to give yourself up so I can." Gary added to Murphy's words, "Daniel, what Mr. Murphy says is true. You yourself know that like a strong tree in a fierce wind if you don't bend you'll break, So it is with the prime directive and I concur that you and all the others here fall outside it's directives. So put the gun down, come out and we'll see about getting you and the others off this planet." Liselle Lalor dared another step to Daniel. Her grip tightened on the knife, paleing her knuckles to white. "You know, Daniel," Began Cass. "You're always bitching about me. How I'm so stupid and degenerate and lazy. Here's the thing, though. I want to be a doctor. Of medicine. But I couldn't, because they barely have the resources to train anyone and nobody needs doctors here, anyway. I'd be sitting in the hospital bored out of my mind. In between waiting for Jaieh to pop out another baby, that is. But what would be the point in bitching and moaning about being here when there's nothing we could have done? God, you're so dense."Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - The grown ups speak
A Mission Post by Commander Gary Taylor & Captain Phoenix Lalor & Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Aurelia Holmes & Lieutenant Commander Matias Grronkil & Lieutenant Commander Ephraim Parish & Lieutenant Commander Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Wynter & Captain Collin Styles & Lieutenant Ian Murphy & Lieutenant JG Braden Masters & Gunnery Sergeant John Stryker II & Lieutenant Jaeih t’Noramei-McKinley & Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Waters & Cadet Junior Grade Makepeace & Miran Lalor & Triston Montgomery Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Village meeting space Timeline: Day after Elysiums arrival Phoenix had suggested that the meeting happened in the village. Saved on a few things but it was easier to ship people down rather than send shuttles down to bring people back up. Her crew brought suplies, weapons, food and medical supplies. And now she stood facing her executive officer's duplicate with her XO beside her. Behind the Village' Gary Taylor stood or sat members of the village council and former senior staff. She took a breath and let her gaze sweep the group, avoiding the Villages Ken Waters..and tried to focus her thoughts. "So we need to figure out everything." She began as her gaze fell on her sister's older self before moving on. The Village's Arri spoke, it had been years since she saw Phoenix. She had to restrain herself from hugging her. She decided to remain calm and professional, but even that was chaffing. Too much time around Humans. "Captain Lalor. The inhabitants of this village and your crew are from alternate space-time continuums. According to the research I and our villages scientific community have studied and analyzed, we initially assumed this to be a temporal causality loop. Not quite. It is similar, but this loop exists simultaneously in multiple, if not infinite realities." The Alindari noted. She was Arri alright. Lt. Salannis spoke. "I concur, Captain. These people have had longer to study this Anomaly." Elysium Gary stood beside Phoenix as she spoke to the Village Council and as well to the village as a whole. He remained professional but he couldn't resist on occasion to cut his eyes and look at his 'twin'. The looked like he hadn't aged in twenty years, in fact the whole village looked that way with the exception of some of the joined trills and even they didn't look that old. Village Gary chuckled at Phoenix's statement, "Just what would you like to figure out Captain? We crashed here twenty years ago. For twenty years we've been on our own, Hoping, praying someone would find us and here you are." Village Arri turned to Gary. "How many times did I tell you it's not that simple, Taylor? Were you paying attention at any time during the briefings? My people have spent centuries studying time, and even with the academic excellence the Alindari strive for, we know almost as much as the Federation does, which is insufficient. We may cease to exist if we leave this place. " Village Arri scolded with her arms folded. "Are you ready to bet our existence on a hunch?" "Sssurly we could find a way to sssee how thisss worksss without risking anyone. We have the crew of one of the finessst ssship'sss of the fleet twice over. " The gorn doctor said from the large rock he was sitting on. He'd tried to avoid some of the looks he was getting. A strange mixture of fear, shock and remembrance especially from his own staff duplicates. A rather clear indication he was dead or missing. " Sssurly this planet has some wildlife we could use to test if people can leave. " He suggested as his arm made a whirring noise. It did not like this environment. Gary gave Arri a bemused look. "I paid attention through every one of those long briefings Arri and I have one simple question for you. Are you willing to bet our existence on your hunch?" Lia just kept scanning the villagers before her, it seemed unreal. Almost a living mirror, but twenty years separated one crew from the other. But she wasn't there, she had never been there. Perhaps that's why she never wanted to come to this bloody planet, something told her she didn't belong here. Phoenix sighed and rolled her eyes. Some things never changed did they. But before she could speak the door opened behind them. Jaeih McKinley-t'Noramei from the Elysium entered carrying 2 PADDs. She froze as her eyes lit on the doubles in the room. "Well they did warn me" she muttered and headed for her CO. "Captain Lalor, I have something here." She handed a copy to the CHOPS from the Elysium as she handed the other to Phoenix. "Scans of the planet are still on going, but when we compared the downed ships computer logs with our own we found enough to confirm Lieutenant Salannis An Vantar's discovery of this being an alternate timeline. But it has its roots back hundreds of years. You see, in the Village's timeline, Andoria was destroyed on Stardate 2258.42. And it was not in our timeline. We also were able to find something interesting on the scans of the planet." She glanced to the Village's Gary. "Commander Taylor... have your people investigated the ruins to the north of your village?" Gary stared at her, "Look around you. It took years just to get what we have here now. Exploring wasn't high on the list. Building shelters, keeping alive and finding food took priority." "Distance was a factor." Interjected the village's Murphy. "That and the fact that we didn't have any surviving archaeologists or anthropologists to investigate. The decision was made to leave them undisturbed until such a time that we could mount a full scale dig, and frankly, we just forgot about them." Elysium's Jaeih smiled at them both. "I could give multiple explanations for that but we will leave the men jokes aside and give you the information that, there is a strange energy pulse coming from the ruins. And, its not just a pulse, its a signal. I Think it drew your vessel here. For a reason." "A signal? Village Gary questioned looking over at village Murphy. "We never got any indication that there was a signal when we were brought down er crashed. How did you arrive at the conclusion it wasn't just a pulse but a signal?" His voice openly curious. "According to the records we downloaded, keeping them on a separate computer system to stop any viruses, a certain teenager we were warned about spreading, your ship didn't get a chance to read them correctly. The crash was hard and fast. Your ships systems could barely register it. It caught bits and pieces. Then as you said, you had other priorities. And if no one even looked, then.." Jaeih trailed off, "And to be honest Sir, we have had a bit of time to go through the information. "It reminds me of a report I once read about the Enterprises' encounter with a large green space hand. I think it pulled you here." "I see. Kudos to you Miss. I applaud your thoroughness in this matter. If what your saying is true, then the Elysium was brought here by some unknown race of aliens and this signal was what? An invitation to get to know them?" The older Miran spoke up from where she had been staring at her sister's alive double. "Well they aren't very helpful then are they?" Jaeih smiled at that. "I think it might have been more of an experiment. But then I always look to the dark side of things." Village Arri spoke. "I've attempted to get close to the ruins on several occasions without the President's approval, but the wildlife here is fierce." Elysium Arri approached her double. "You are not being honest... What have you done? It's unbecoming of our people to lie. You've languished here too long, basking in your self-pity. What did you do!!!" Phoenix held up a hand. "Peace Arri. Lets not go over the top." Gary shifted his gaze to Miran, "You're right there Miran. They aren't very helpful." Looking at Arri, "You put your own life at risk to satisfy some scientific curiosity? Better yet you attempted it without anyone's knowledge. I'm deeply disappointed in you Arri." "Nevertheless." Elysium Arri noted. "Understanding the ruins will aid us in understanding the temporal phenomenon at work here, and will serve to improve your world as well." Elysium Matias and Village Matias gazed at each other for a while. Then V. Matias waved him over and said "Let's take a walk." E.Matias went with him. "I won't give much away except to say you still have a chance with Liselle. I lost out due to my stupidity on holding on to my mate. She would want me happy and would approve of our relationship, I realize that now too late. Don't make the mistakes I made of holding back. Go for it! For me." They went back after hearing each other and EM had a lot to think about. Commander Qwyyn had watched the two as they left, and she was all the more curious as they returned. The older Liselle had made herself scarce since they had landed. Commander Qwyyn was eager to meet her older counterpart, but for whatever reason the woman seemingly wanted nothing to do with the Elysium's crew. With a raised brow she leaned in to the Elysium's Matias. "That must have been a weird experience," she whispered. "What did he want with you?" "He wanted me not to make the same mistake he did," said Matias. He/I didn't let go of my dead mate and delayed until it was too late. She left him for Gary and he's doomed to be a lonely one until he dies. I realize she would want me to go on and be happy. I didn't want to admit it, as I was afraid, but you mean the world to me and more. I saw myself as I would be if I kept on the way I was going, and it was the kick in the butt that I needed. I love you with all my heart, Liselle." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. "Sorry for being so abrupt, but I always wanted to do that, you mean so much to me." he said after he broke off the kiss. Liselle blinked several times as he released her, her eyes darting about the room in shock and embarrassment at the sudden, very public display of affection. "It's -- wow...that's a lot to take in," she said carefully. Physical intimacy was something she had long struggled with ever since she had been joined. In point of fact, she had only actually been completely intimate with one man since she had become Liselle Qwyyn. She could count the number of kisses she had experienced on one hand. Making a show of straightening her uniform, she pointendly did not look at anyone else in the room. Lt. Murphy was avoiding looking at his counterpart or his wife, or even Lt. Salannis, for that matter. The thought that he'd fathered a couple of kids with Arri? That was a whole lot of nope. "The more I look at the readings on this planet and the pocket dimension it exists in, the more I wonder if it's not some sort of... Artificial world. Constructed as a sort of immortality matrix, maybe?" He stroked his stubbled chin. "It's not an impossibility. The Federation created the Genesis Device more than a century ago. Whatever the case, I think we should investigate the ruins, get more of an idea of what we're dealing with." Listening to all the chatter, Lia smiled to herself. oO This lot are already split as to what to next Oo, she thought. Now slowly she began to walk away from all the hustle and bustle of the meeting, all alone she suddenly found her grave. "Now I know how Ebenezer Scrooge felt, jeez not nice". She said to herself, bending down she picked up the sword hanging from the gravestone. "Still giving you presents I see Lia, he never learns does he old girl?" She spoke to herself in the grave as if she could hear, tears began forming in her eyes. "He made it Lia, really. He made it good, took time to get there. But him and Liselle, made it". Wiping her eyes she replaced the sword, oO Only right Oo she reasoned. Taking a deep breath she carried on walking, maybe it was time to leave this place and her other self to her rest. Back at the meeting Phoenix took a breath, held up a hand and said "I will take a team to those ruins. If this is a makeshift planet, then we need to figure out how to get you free of its jaws and signal your federation to come and rescue you." The village's Feyth Railli pushed herself away from the nearby wall. "And what if we don't want to be recused? What then?" "Then we will give whatever support we can." Phoenix said softly to the Bajorian. "I am not going to leave you down here to rot." Feyth turned to the larger crowd. "We cannot forget that this is where the Prophets meant for us to be," she announced loudly. "We are being tested. And I urge you all to stay in the Prophet's embrace and turn these people away! Do not let them destroy this life we have built for ourselves!" The village's Ken Waters came to the Bajoran's side, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Hey. Let's walk." But Feyth shook him angrily away. "No! You would gladly be the first to turn on us! You just want your lover and your brother again. And you'll do whatever you have to in order to get them back! You'll deal with this devil, won't you?" With that, Ken looked up at Phoenix. "River?" he breathed. "Is he okay?" That question was enough to stir more villagers into shouting their own questions about loved ones lost in the crash and in the years that had passed since. Phoenix held up a hand. "I am going to say this. Our Elysiums is still in one piece. We suffered no crash nor any damage. But that said we can not say that the same people are aboard. Jaeih? You have the crew list?" The Romulan Human nodded. "Aye Sir." "Jaeih will handle any queries around people on the Ship." Phoenix said. Then she lowered her voice so Ken could hear her. "River is still on board Alive." Then she looked at Feyth. "The Prophets may have brought you here, but there is nothing to say you have to stay." Village Gary moved to the front of the crowd and raised his arms until they grew quiet and only then did he begin to speak. "This is a very emotional issue for all of us and shouting and making angry comments isn't going to help matters." The last said with a look at Feyth before he looked at Phoenix, "We greatly appreciate any help you can provide Captain especially on the medical front and weapons but no offense, we've done pretty good on our own." "yes. I agree with that." She smiled faintly. "You should have your own ship Gary. I have always known that." she sent a smirk at her own XO. "You and your team have kept people alive and safe. We will give whatever you need." Elysium Gary shifted uncomfortably under the smirk Phoenix shot him. He didn't want to be here and he didn't want to meet, talk or get to know the other Gary. He was a copy. One that the less time he spent around him the better. Village Gary nodded. "Thank you Captain. We do appreciate it." "I do not wish to ruffle feathers." Makepeace mumbled, his features still concealed. How he got included in this conference was beyond him. "I believe that the Ba'ku experienced, after some time, an unwillingness to leave their homeworld after the benefits of long-term exposure to metaphasic radiation took hold, but what of the children who might wish to leave? The Ba'ku's children rebelled. I believe we should be mindful of their wishes." By this time Lia had returned to the meeting, "If I can make a suggestion?" She looked around at the assembled crews, "I think those who want to stay, stay. Those who want to leave need to think very hard about it, because once you leave there is no coming back". She continued to look at everyone as she spoke, "This planet is now your home, these people are now your family in so many ways. Sure the universe is still spinning around out there, but here you know the problems". She turned to the Captain, "I mean no disrespect, but we really shouldn't have come here. This isn't our world, it's theirs. It should remain theirs, and we should abide by their choice". She looked at her Gary, "We need to go, we have our own lives to live. You can see that don't you?" Elysium Gary met her gaze and nodded, "Yes, I can see that. We're the interlopers here and we can't undo our being here. We can only minimize our footprint here." Village Gary heard Lia's suggestion and turned to her, "YES! That is exactly what I was going to suggest. A personal vote where if you vote to leave, you do and if you vote to stay, same thing you do."Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion - Facing Mortality
A Mission Post by Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Waters & Captain Phoenix Lalor Mission: Episode 2: Face to Face Conculsion Location: Elysium Village Graveyard Timeline: MD6 ON Dead. She was dead. It was odd, standing there looking down at the marker that showed her final resting place. Phoenix Lalor, Captain of the Elysium still in space wrapped her arms around herself, as if chilled. She had children, and she was dead. It swirled in her mind, and sent confusion and cold through her. Kneeling, she trailed her fingers across the inscription: When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness Who from the sacred ashes of her honour Shall star-like rise - William Shakespeare, Klingon Poet "Hey!" Ken Waters snapped, his drunken agitation clear. He always drank in the week of Phoenix's anniversary. Too much. Far too much. "Not to be rude or anything, but piss off. How many times do I have to tell you people that the family doesn't want your pity! Take your hands off her, say your piece, and move on! We ask for a little bit of privacy one week out of the damn year. Can't you vultures give us that much?" Silver blue eyes raised in shock and fixed on Ken's form. Drunk. Her children's father was drunk! No wonder they had been able to sneak out! She stood upright and faced him full on. "Hello Mr Waters." "What is this?" Ken breathed. He tried to take a step forward, but his feet faltered and he collapsed to his knees. His words were heavy with disbelief. With pain. Anguish. "What is this?" Oh the temptation to screw with him was just to great. She set her face in stern disapproving lines and advanced towards him. "Is this the example you set for our children?!?!" She snapped at him. "Getting drunk? Do you know where they even are!?!?" He nearly reached out for her. But it couldn't possibly be true. Blurry as his vision was, wet with drink as his mind was, it had to be a waking dream. "Liselle?" he asked uncertain, suspecting that perhaps it was his daughter that stood before him. "Liselle, what are you doing out here so late?" "I am not Liselle! Are you so blind you cannot tell the difference?" Phoenix was closer now. And then it hit him. Piercing through the drink and the confusion. His hands trembled as the possibilities came into focus. "You're her," he said, hardly believing his own words. "It's been...it's been 20 years and now you're here. From the other Elysium. It's -- it's really you, isn't it?" Standing there, Phoenix crossed her arms."Yes." Her tone was frosty. "Seems to be a few temporal things going on." "Penne," he choked her name. He took a disbelieving step forward. Without warning he threw himself at her, squeezing her body tight against him even as he began to sob. Shock roiled through Phoenix as she struggled not to react badly. Her Ken was still up on the ship and they were not talking at all, not even looking at each other. She gave him an awkward hug. "I've missed you," he said into her hair. "Oh, I've missed you," he breathed the words again. He held onto her for a moment more, and then a thought struck him. He pulled himself away, holding her elbows as he looked into her eyes. "Liam. And Liselle. They -- they're not going to believe this!" She drew back slowly. "I am not her, you know this. This will hurt you all,.. I should not have come down..." "What? No!" He reached for her, taking a step. "Phoenix, don't go! I can't lose you again. Please. I love you. Please, just stay. Just talk to me." She tilted her head. "You are different from the you up on the ship, who's last comments to me were hurtful and almost hateful. I am not the one who lived down here, died down here. I am still angry, hurt and not speaking to the you up on the ship." "The last thing I said to you on the ship?" he repeated. "Phoenix, for me that was...twenty years ago. Things here turned out very different for us. We got past our problems. I got over myself and my hang ups. I started treating you right. We lived together, we loved each other. We had kids together." He pointed to the gravestone behind her. "The last thing I said to my Phoenix was 'I love you.' That's what I said to you every day when we went off to our jobs." Oh her heart ached. She studied him. "While you know that, I have not lived that life. I am not the same as she was." Phoenix said gently. She sat at the foot of her own grave and looked at the headstone. "I knew this would be a bad idea... but I could not help myself." She said softly. "I wanted to see, I wanted to see what had happened, how I had died. Who was left behind." "You died," he began, "helping to save lives. You saved our children's lives, you saved a lot of children's lives." He stood behind her, afraid to touch her, afraid that she would run if he did. "You would have done the same thing, Phoenix. Because you are her. She is what happened when you crash landed here. The same person. Just like that Ken Waters up there on your ship is me. He's just got some growing up to do. He's learning how to get over himself. But he loves you more than anything. Believe me. Because I do." She gave a short laugh at that. "No he hates me. He looks at me with disdain and hate." She shrugged. "Maybe death changes people. But right now, the you up there? I wouldn't throw water on him if he was alight." Her choice of expression made him wince. The notion of someone dying in a fire was the subject of his most vivid nightmares. Had anyone else made that joke with him, he probably would have punched them in the mouth. But someone had said it to him, of all people, Phoenix Lalor. "Then, please, if nothing else, stay here with me. Just for a little while. I haven't seen you in a very, very long time," he said. "Imagine what it would be like to have someone back that you thought you had lost forever. You standing here again, it's a miracle, and I can't just let it go." She looked at him for a moment. "I have about 30 more minutes before my security team finds me" He knelt down next to her, in front of her gravestone. He so desperately wanted to reach out and touch her, to hold her hand and feel the warmth of her. But he also had to remember that this woman hadn’t shared a life on this planet with him — she was the younger version of the person that could become that woman. Still, this might be his last chance to ever talk to her, and he wasn't about to let that moment pass him by. “I’ve missed you,” he said quietly, almost embarrassed. “I’ve thought about you every day since you died. Every day. That’s why I was visiting you today.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “It took a while, but the thing that I finally came to realize is that you always were the better half of me. When I lost you, I lost a piece of my soul. And now that you’re here again, I can’t help but feel...complete.” "And when I have to leave?" she asked softly. "I cannot be who you think I am Ken. I have not gone through what you and she did." She paused. "I am glad you found each other." "You left me once already," he told her. "Every day since you died, I've begged the universe for just one more day with you. If that's a gift that the cosmos is willing to give me, then I'll take it. You don't owe me anything, Captain." He smiled. "But I want my one day." She gave a small smile. "Ok..." He inclined his head, his gratitude not lost in the gesture. When he looked up at her again, his grin reached his ears. "You won't regret this, Penelope. I promise." OFFCategories: No categories found