S:5 E:9 - The Naked When

[Nira Said]

First Officer's Log, Stardate 77468.48. Repairs and upgrades to the Starship Challenger have finished, and ahead of schedule as well. It's good news on our part, which means we are now on our way again. We're heading back into Romulan space, heading through an unexplored section of the old Romulan Star Empire, territory recently acquired by the Free State after the dissolving of one of the rival factions, the Star Empire of Rator, according to the captain of a border post we met as we crossed into Romulan space. While this stretch of space has embraced membership with the Free State in exchange for protection, nevertheless, the danger of aggressive factions, particularly remnants of the Rator faction, prompts us to go to Yellow Alert as we cross this stretch of territory.

We expect to arrive within proximity of the Free State capital of Vvalti to be escorted through former Rator territory as we conduct our explorations, both to protect us against Rator raiders and to guide us. Luckily, we haven't met any Rator aggressors as of yet, but I'm sure the reputation of the Challenger precedes us, given I heard plenty of how the Challenger has dealt with Romulans as much as Discovery has.

I can't help but wonder how Captain Galloway feels with what happened at Kaimo. Perhaps exploration in familiar yet unknown territory, given this is the remnant of the Romulan Star Empire we're looking at, but this is also something for me to get to know. I've been to busy to inquire how much an impact the Challenger has in association with former Star Empire space, let alone with the Free State. We're just going to have to see. End log.

Stardate 77474.47...adrift in the middle of nowhere...

[leeiYOOtenANT coMMMMaaaander niRA SayEEEED | oooooooooobservation lOUnge | DecK Two | USS ChallENger NCC-40117-A]

Nira woke up in a groggy daze. It took her a moment for her get a bearing of her surroundings, but waking up seemed to be strenuous. Everything was a blur. She was waking to a blur. She began to blink herself awake.

Immediately, she became aware that she was laying sprawled on a hard surface, and not on a soft bed. She tried to move but realized she was feeling numb. Like she had taken some form of anesthesic...ane...holy Allah, was her sense of thought going badly...?

She flexed a finger, then an arm experimentally...so she can move after all. She rolled around, her vision blurry...she rolled into a fall and landed with a thud on something hard, metal and sharp.

"OW!"

That was enough to get her fully awake. She sat up sharply and everything came into focus...she was sitting on the floor of the ship's observation lounge...power was flickering a bit...everything else...was this emergency lighting? It was giving some light and not fully...

Nira looked down to see what she had sat on and with a shock realized she was not in her uniform, but in her dancing costume, Orion make...the shock of it certainly brought sharper focus than the landing she felt. She crouched upward, standing up, finally seeing what she sat on: It was a statuette of the Challenger, in pieces. Partly hoping to avoid looking embarrassing, given she was not in her quarters, she looked around for anybody in sight...but her acute awareness began seeing something different. No people, but something to give Nira further surprise, overriding her inward embarrassment.

Suffice to say, the whole observation room was a mess. Chairs were strewn about, shattered glass from the model display was strewn a different direction (Nira inwardly felt grateful she didn't land in that), and varied cloth was scattered everywhere, like somebody had decided to unpack pell-mell a wardrobe as big as a runabout.

Before Nira could come to a conclusion as to what had happened, she picked up somebody...someone was in the same room with her. But she immediately recognized who it was at once: Savar. To her surprise, she seemed to be getting his thoughts...she could pinpoint that he was under the table...how...? Nira tried to reach out...

Savar?

mmMMMMMm...logggdg...emotionllly...

Savar, wake up.

Imzaaadi...imzzzzzzz...

NIRVANA! KEBABS! MINDS! WAKE UP!!!!

The sudden jolt in telepathy certainly brought him awake, and the instant rousing to wakefulness sent a telepathic jolt strong enough to have her on the edge of a headache, and the table banged from underneath. Savar came up from under the table and Nira let out a short scream.

Savar was a bit of a bloody mess; his nose was broken, twisted to one side, and a series of bruises on his bare chest, and what was more, her dancing veil was draped around his pants like a skirt. He would've looked ridiculous if it wasn't for the blood...and she could see there were a bit of glass shards embedded in his back.

"Look at you!" Nira shouted. "What happened to you...?"

Savar blinked in surprise and looked around, only to see the broken display. "Uh...did we somehow get into some kind of love fight?"

"How should I know?!?" said Nira. "How did we get in here, let alone the way we are?!?"

She tried to think back. But her memory was a fuzzled mess. All she could remember was some kind of meeting with the new EMH Mark VIII...varied tasks in the journey through Free State space...then nothing.

"We better get out of here before somebody walks in," said Savar. "I don't know how we completely destroyed this room..."

"You mean you don't remember, either?" said Nira. Savar shook his head.

"Something must've happened," said Nira, looking around for their uniforms...something decent, for that matter. "We better see what happened to the rest of the ship..."

"I concur," said Savar. "Where's my uniform...? I mean, how our entire wardrobe got in here is beyond me..."

"Our...?" Nira took a better look at the strewn clothes...she realized it was indeed the entirety of both their wardrobes. That meant their uniforms had to be somewhere...she saw a familiar red and drew it out.

"There's mine!" she said in delight. She pulled it on, but was noticing that it was too big. She looked down to see what was wrong, but then she saw it had four pips on it, not two gold ones and a dark one...

"Wait a minute...this isn't my uniform...this is Captain Galloway's uniform!"

"What does it matter?" said Savar. "At least you have it on successfully."

"Well, Captain Galloway must be nearby," said Nira. "We don't have time for this, we got to find out what the hell happened."

Zipping up the uniform as tight as she could, tying it with one of her sashes to keep it tight, failing to find the rest of the uniform, let alone pants, she waved aside and stormed out of the observation lounge...only to find a bigger mess outside in the corridors. Savar followed behind, looking like a Vulcan playing Ali Baba, vest and all, minus the fez, and looked around in bewilderment.

Varied materials and stains dotted the corridors. There were even people strewn about, some in uniforms or parts of uniforms, or wearing so much varieties of cloth that Nira thought they had gone colorblind.

"What the HELL happened to this ship?!?" Nira spluttered in exasperation. She looked down and was relieved to find there was a comm badge on it.

"Commander Said to all hands!" she called.  "Commander Said to all department heads! Anybody come in!"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

DJ Lahr (aka PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret)
[USS Challenger-A - Deck 13 - Party Central (aka Main Engineering)]

As wakefulness began to creep up on Lahr, the ship's beloved Andorian DJ, he could feel his antennae bobbing to a strong base beat.  As his consciousness deepened, so did the volume of that beat.  It was steady, rhythmic and loud - with an accompanying harmony sound.   The thick, woolly feel in his mind was rather familiar.  This wasn't the first time the Andorian had drank to excess - likely wouldn't be the last time either.

His awareness grew to the point that he could feel a hard warm surface under his face - it certainly, wasn't a pillow.   He tried to crack an eye open as sleep warred with the pounding in his head.  The base-heavy music, which he could feel via his antennae, while no doubt an awesome dubstep tune (which unfortunately he couldn't quite recognize or put name to at the moment) - was far too loud for his hungover state.  His mind was saying that it was time to leave the bar and make his way to his bed... but his body was too heavy to comply.

He fumbled a moment to lift a hand to cover his ears and sensitive antennae against the pounding music.  Suddenly, a jarring and discordant cacophony of noise and light from beyond his eyelids mirrored his movement.  The discordancy was so harsh that Lahr sat bolt upright.  The sound and light ceased the moment he stopping moving, so that even his addled brain was able to connect the two.

Lahr found himself not at a bar, like he had suspected; but rather seated at the Main Engineering pool table - though the visual displays there were not the usual screens but rather a DJ's dream of audio and visual controls.  Currently, the lighting in the room was exceptionally dim, backlit by an all too familiar 'Red Alert' strobing red - though obviously without its typical klaxon.  Strewn around him everywhere, were unconscious or passed out bodies in varying states of dress (or undress as the case may be) - but none of which were in uniform.  The pile of bodies looked to be two or more deep in some places.  It was a moshpit got hit with anesthezine dropping everyone in place.  Some, like himself were just beginning to stir and look about in confusion.

It was then that Lahr's earbud activated, it's noise-canceling feature blocking out the pound of incessant music on his left side momentarily as a comm call was directed to it - and every other comm badge in the area.  For everyone else in the room, the incoming message was heard in a sort of chorus in the background of the dubstep music.  For Lahr, still reeling from his hangover, the message seared directly into his brain.

"Commander Said to all hands!" she called.  "Commander Said to all department heads! Anybody come in!"

Roohz! Lahr wished her voice wasn't so loud in his head.   He lifted a hand to his earbud and lowered the volume of the unit, as he answered the summons casually.

"Hey Hotstuff... Can you not talk so loudly?  It hurts my brain.. So whazzup?"

But the lowered earbud volume didn't help with the surrounding music which still blared throughout Main Engineering.  The Andorian blinked blearily towards the console, trying to decipher where the master volume was - but was having trouble seeing the controls clearly.

'This would be so much easier if I were sober', he thought to himself.  'Hey, wait!'  Lahr patted himself down. He generally went out clubbing prepared for situations like this.   Sure enough, in the pocket of his blue Hawaiian shirt, the Andorian found a preloaded hypospray of anti-intoxicant.  He held it aloft triumphantly.

[Zhukdrashar Mrekrerhas]

[Enziing Shukdraaa'char Mrekterhass, the Hansomest, Hottezt, Bestest Kaitian Offisser on da Zhip | Zhip Bar! | Deck... deck... I'unnoaskhsomeonelse | Da UZZ Challeger NCC-40117-A]

A certain Caitian Ensign lazily opened his eyes, feeling as if he had been hit by a shuttle at great speeds. His head hurt, and he felt quite dizzy. As he tried to reach a hand for his forehead, he discovered that he had fallen unconscious in a more than unusual position. He was currently sprawled over, his head, neck, and upper back resting on the floor, while his legs and tail were bent forward, in an almost perfect "O" position. It was a feat that only he with his Caitian flexibility, could have achieved, but what was the reason? He tried to remember but the attempt caused a sharp pain in his head.

He decided to leave it for now, as he slowly began to right himself, but only managed to fall to the right. It did allow him to leave the uncomfortable position, however.

After a short moment of rest, he slowly, and carefully stood up, rubbing his neck as he discovered he was propped under the bar. The pain was not the worst part, however, as once he touched the area again, he would discover that he was touching bare skin, and not the luxurious, reddish-orange fur that he so adored. It was missing. Indeed, as he went down his body, he would be able to find several patches of his fur, namely at his chest, navel, thighs, legs, and arms, which had apparently been shaved off.

His left eye began to twitch, as his confusion instead turned into anger. He smashed a fist on the bar table, as his beloved fur now was irregular and his pink skin was in view for most people to see. His negative feelings subsided slightly, however, as he noticed a certain clinking that seemed to follow him. He turned a couple of times, hearing the distinctive 'plink, plink' again. Frustrated, he turned swiftly as he tried to look behind himself, smashing a bottle of glass against the bar, that seemed to have been tied to a bottle with a ribbon.

He winced, both out of an immediate feeling of dizziness, a hand returning to rub at his head, and fearing breaking it. After resting for a bit against the bar, making sure his eyes re-focused, he proceeded to lift the bottle up with his dexterous tail. It was cracked, but fortunately, no contents had spilled, so, he proceeded to remove the ribbon to inspect it.

It seemed to be a bottle of Kanar. Peculiar. Had he drunk until he lost consciousness? That seemed to be a likely possibility, as the beverage didn't seem to hold its entire content. He placed the bottle on the counter, before noticing a stirring human woman, sprawled over the table. After looking over to try and identify any device that she could have used to shave him, he came to the conclusion that she hadn't been the culprit.

Instead, he turned his attention to the rest of the room, finding several empty bottles of alcoholic beverages strewn around, alongside several members of the crew, who lay in chairs, tables, or on the ground, in distinct and random states of undress. Their respective pieces of clothing laid thrown aside within the bar. At the center of the room, a big tall decorative palm tree wedged awkwardly from floor to ceiling had apparently been installed, haphazardly. Whatever had gone through yesterday had really taken its toll on it, as it now remained bent.

Glancing down at himself, he realized that while he wasn't particularly shy about his body, he did feel quite embarrassed at his fellow crewmembers looking at his mismatched fur. And it just would be plain disrespectful, going against Starfleet's code, probably. Groaning, he jumped over the bar, looking over to try and find his clothing.

However, try as he might, he didn't manage to locate his uniform. And it was quite annoying, considering that his pants had been tailored for him to be able to fit his tail. Between his neck, back, and butt hurting, alongside the pounding headache, things seemed to really be going downhill for him thus far.

He would have to make do with what was available to him.

Acquiring a far too small Operations uniform that heavily restricted his movement, and forced him to waddle like a penguin, he overheard the commbadge currently hailing for all hands. He recognized the voice of Lieutenant Said, and after some hesitation, he pressed it.

"E-Ensign Zhuk... Zhukdra'shar... ugh... reporting in. Oh... u-uh... apologies, I misheard the thing about... department heads... anyways. I'm here...."  He then overheard someone calling Nira 'Hotstuff'. He guessed it wasn't a bad description of his commander, but even if that was the case, he wasn't too sure it was the right thing to say. Maybe.

[T’prith]

[USS Challenger-cargo bay]

T'prith found herself awake in the cargo bay instead of her usual officers quarters. She had no idea how she got there or what happened. The only thing that she knew for sure as she took a good look at everything is that she felt a mixture of embarrassment and shame. She muttered softly "œoh wow I must have did all of of this however I don't remember ever having a moment where I lost emotional control let alone have the somehow brilliant idea to make a kal-toh statue out of various cargo materials." At this point she had more questions than she did answers to the questions.

[Buck McNair]

Varied materials and stains dotted the corridors. There were even people strewn about, some in uniforms or parts of uniforms, or wearing so much varieties of cloth that Nira thought they had gone colorblind.

"What the HELL happened to this ship?!?" Nira spluttered in exasperation. She looked down and was relieved to find there was a comm badge on it.

"Commander Said to all hands!" she called.  "Commander Said to all department heads! Anybody come in!"

[Dolphin Tank - USS Challenger]

Floating.

He was weightless as he floated.

The beach.

If Buck could have stayed in the fantasy realms of his dreams, there was a high percentage that he would have. The beach was a lovely place, and such he had been with his family on that said imaginary beach. Laughing, playing, running along. Until, the waves began to crash further and the voices around him became distorted. The world around him became dark and grey, his head under the waves as he began to feel his air running out and his legs were the first to lash out.

He was not on the beach at all. Not with his family. Not with his friends.

He didn't, initially, know where he was. Buck woke up with startled confusion as his hands and legs flailed and hit something cold. Only then to realise that he was definitely somewhere where there was water present. His senses were slowly coming back to him, though groggily as he observed his surroundings with chagrin. Only to find that there were dolphins staring back at him, probably more annoyed at him for ending up in their tank and thrashing about than anything.

"I'm sorry...!" Buck would mutter over and over again as he attempted the embarrassing climb out of the tank.

How did this--

Once his bare feet had hit the floor, Buck leaned heavily against it as vague parts of his memory had kicked in. That and how the side of his head was absolutely killing him. Vague recollection of maybe having challenged one of the biggest persons on the ship to a fight was probably in his wheelhouse.

The comm came in loud and clear.

Too loud as he still struggled to balance himself as he grimaced. Buck sighed, rubbing his face heavily and giving himself a couple light slaps on either side to wake himself up as he staggered over to his jacket and took up his comm badge.

Mac -- Ensign Buck. R-Reporting in, Hoss. Got to ask this, what the hell happened?

Not the most elegant of his moments as one of the newer ensigns on the ship, but he would apologise for it at a later date.

[Ian Galloway]

[Location Unknown]

Ian's arm was asleep. He tried to move it and found that it was pinned under some sort of weight. He wasn't actually awake yet and didn't actually want to wake up. All he knew was his arm was starting to cramp up and that was keeping him from going back to the blissful deep sleep he craved.

He yanked his arm harder and whatever it was that was pinning him, turned out to be be a who as he heard a soft murmur. Intrigued, this was enough to force him to open an eye and see a familiar shock of auburn hair.

"Jess."

He said softly, which he had to repeat twice more before he was met by a groggy.

"Mmmmwha?"

"My arm."

"Mmmmwha?"

"My arm."

"Your arm? Oh."

Jess shifted and Ian was able to pull his arm free, as he did, she asked half awake.

"Where are we?"

Ian didn't have an immediate answer for that, so he looked around and recognized his surroundings, but only in a hazy 'I should know this' sort of way before enough of the executive functions of his brain could come up with the right answer.

"We seem ta be in an escape pod."

A second later and he sat bolt upright, his jaw hanging open.

"What is it?"

Jess asked with a note of concern entering her voice.

"We're not on Challenger anymore."

[Nira Said]

It was then that Lahr's earbud activated, it's noise-canceling feature blocking out the pound of incessant music on his left side momentarily as a comm call was directed to it - and every other comm badge in the area.  For everyone else in the room, the incoming message was heard in a sort of chorus in the background of the dubstep music.  For Lahr, still reeling from his hangover, the message seared directly into his brain.

Roohz! Lahr wished her voice wasn't so loud in his head.   He lifted a hand to his earbud and lowered the volume of the unit, as he answered the summons casually.

"Hey Hotstuff... Can you not talk so loudly?  It hurts my brain.. So whazzup?"

But the lowered earbud volume didn't help with the surrounding music which still blared throughout Main Engineering.  The Andorian blinked blearily towards the console, trying to decipher where the master volume was - but was having trouble seeing the controls clearly.

'This would be so much easier if I were sober', he thought to himself.  'Hey, wait!'  Lahr patted himself down. He generally went out clubbing prepared for situations like this.   Sure enough, in the pocket of his blue Hawaiian shirt, the Andorian found a preloaded hypospray of anti-intoxicant.  He held it aloft triumphantly.

Acquiring a far too small Operations uniform that heavily restricted his movement, and forced him to waddle like a penguin, he overheard the commbadge currently hailing for all hands. He recognized the voice of Lieutenant Said, and after some hesitation, he pressed it.[/color]

"E-Ensign Zhuk... Zhukdra'shar... ugh... reporting in. Oh... u-uh... apologies, I misheard the thing about... department heads... anyways. I'm here...."  He then overheard someone calling Nira 'Hotstuff'. He guessed it wasn't a bad description of his commander, but even if that was the case, he wasn't too sure it was the right thing to say. Maybe.

The comm came in loud and clear.

Too loud as he still struggled to balance himself as he grimaced. Buck sighed, rubbing his face heavily and giving himself a couple light slaps on either side to wake himself up as he staggered over to his jacket and took up his comm badge.

Mac -- Ensign Buck. R-Reporting in, Hoss. Got to ask this, what the hell happened?

Not the most elegant of his moments as one of the newer ensigns on the ship, but he would apologise for it at a later date.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira was certainly taken aback by Lahr's calling her "Hot Stuff." That certainly wasn't like the Andorian, least of all anybody to call her that, unless they were either intimate with her in a positive or negative way. Then she realized that she had, without thinking, pulled up an "all hands" comms. She got some replies, but she heard enough to know that whatever happened to the crew, they were definitely under some kind of influence.

"Alright, listen all hands, I want everybody over to Sickbay to get your heads clear; whatever happened, I'm very sure everybody's hung-over right now. How we got like this, I have no idea, but we must've gotten under some kind of influence. Get the EMHs on if no medical staff is available, then freshen up. Said out."

She then turned her immediate attention to getting the troops together as she specified calling with comms:  "Said to all department heads, whoever's available, rendezvous at the bridge, make yourselves decent on the way, we need to get to the bottom of what the hell has happened. Said to Lahr, Zhuk, McNair and T'Prith, meet us at the Bridge as well."

She certainly needed the department heads, but with the help of the crew she listed, at least they'll be able to have enough people to man the bridge.

There left one person for her to find.

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway," Nira ordered.

There was a negative sounding beep, followed by the computer's reply:  "Unable to comply. All computer functions currently locked out."

Nira furrowed her brow in confusion. "Locked out...? Well, I may have a good idea..."

It began occurring to her that if everybody came under some kind of influence, not in a mind manipulation kind of way, but potentially some kind of intoxication, considering what she had seen so far and from varied reactions by the crew she had passed or heard from...

"Computer, unlock computer functions, authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

"Unable to comply. Command codes withdrawn from Lieutenant Commander Said and from Captain Galloway at present time."

Nira pursed her lips and said, "I thought so. Computer, who currently has the command codes?"

"The Emergency Command Holographic Program."

Nira perked up with relief. She realized that if something happened to compromise even the command staff, then transferring command codes to the new ECH would make sense. And she began to realize it was a good thing Challenger was upgraded with the ECH...not to mention holo-emitters...

"Is there any way to contact the ECH?"

"Unable to comply. Bridge locked out."

Nira pursed her lips. "Transmit the ECH to my current location."

"Acknowledged."

With that, the air simmered as a hologram appeared before her. As much as he was new, she knew who it was at once: The new EMH Mark VIII. His uniform was even different, a reflection of being different as a holographic unit, only the uniform was in red rather than blue.

"Please state the na...oh, thank god," he said, having a deep yet pompous voice, almost like he was a butler rather than a doctor...or temporary commander. "You're awake and returned to normal?"

"As normal as anybody can be when they just woke up from a hangover," snapped Nira. "What's going on?"

"It's long story, one nobody's going to believe," he said. "But first, I think you'll probably need these back. Computer, return command functions to Lieutenant Commander Nira Said."

"Acknowledged." There was a beep that followed. Nira was sure this meant command functions were returned to her...but then...

"Well, that's over and done with," said the ECH with relief. "I've been working nonstop for a while. Computer, deactivate ECH mode."

With a beep, the hologram simmered, his red uniform turning into blue.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"Well, not necessarily medical," started Nira, but the Mark 8 gestured.

"I know, I know, it's just part of the programming."

Nira nodded at him, distracted by her worried thought...if the command codes only came back to her only...

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway."

"Captain Galloway is not aboard this ship."

"In case you were wondering," the Mark 8 said, "just follow the trail of his furniture."

Nira blinked, but then took in a sharp intake of breath. "Okay, I think we need to get our bearings together. Right now. Meet me on the bridge, I'm going to need your help."

"Of course. At least it's a good thing my transmission commands have been altered by myself so that only you can summon me, then I can bring myself back to my position."

"Beg pardon?"

"Just one of a few changes when the crew was...not themselves. Again, it's a long story."

"And we're likely going to need plenty of coffee to wake us up fully as you tell us. Return to the bridge."

The Mark 8 nodded and disappeared. Nira turned to see an astonished Savar and nodded at him to follow. They got back to their quarters, which was also a mess...discovered that the replicators have been shut off and locked, but at least were able to find some fresh uniforms, then went to the turbolift...also locked off.

"Computer, activate turbolifts and unlock. Authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

With a chime from the computer, the turbolift buttons lit up and Nira was able to call a turbolift. Of course, upon asking to go to the bridge, she was informed the bridge was locked, but she was able to use her authorization to unlock it.

At least, upon arriving at the bridge, she found that it was the cleanest part of the ship. The Mark 8 was already there, although she was surprised to find Hyperion there.

"Hyperion? How did you get up here?"

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

[Ian Galloway]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira was certainly taken aback by Lahr's calling her "Hot Stuff." That certainly wasn't like the Andorian, least of all anybody to call her that, unless they were either intimate with her in a positive or negative way. Then she realized that she had, without thinking, pulled up an "all hands" comms. She got some replies, but she heard enough to know that whatever happened to the crew, they were definitely under some kind of influence.

"Alright, listen all hands, I want everybody over to Sickbay to get your heads clear; whatever happened, I'm very sure everybody's hung-over right now. How we got like this, I have no idea, but we must've gotten under some kind of influence. Get the EMHs on if no medical staff is available, then freshen up. Said out."

She then turned her immediate attention to getting the troops together as she specified calling with comms:  "Said to all department heads, whoever's available, rendezvous at the bridge, make yourselves decent on the way, we need to get to the bottom of what the hell has happened. Said to Lahr, Zhuk, McNair and T'Prith, meet us at the Bridge as well."

She certainly needed the department heads, but with the help of the crew she listed, at least they'll be able to have enough people to man the bridge.

There left one person for her to find.

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway," Nira ordered.

There was a negative sounding beep, followed by the computer's reply:  "Unable to comply. All computer functions currently locked out."

Nira furrowed her brow in confusion. "Locked out...? Well, I may have a good idea..."

It began occurring to her that if everybody came under some kind of influence, not in a mind manipulation kind of way, but potentially some kind of intoxication, considering what she had seen so far and from varied reactions by the crew she had passed or heard from...

"Computer, unlock computer functions, authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

"Unable to comply. Command codes withdrawn from Lieutenant Commander Said and from Captain Galloway at present time."

Nira pursed her lips and said, "I thought so. Computer, who currently has the command codes?"

"The Emergency Command Holographic Program."

Nira perked up with relief. She realized that if something happened to compromise even the command staff, then transferring command codes to the new ECH would make sense. And she began to realize it was a good thing Challenger was upgraded with the ECH...not to mention holo-emitters...

"Is there any way to contact the ECH?"

"Unable to comply. Bridge locked out."

Nira pursed her lips. "Transmit the ECH to my current location."

"Acknowledged."

With that, the air simmered as a hologram appeared before her. As much as he was new, she knew who it was at once: The new EMH Mark VIII. His uniform was even different, a reflection of being different as a holographic unit, only the uniform was in red rather than blue.

"Please state the na...oh, thank god," he said, having a deep yet pompous voice, almost like he was a butler rather than a doctor...or temporary commander. "You're awake and returned to normal?"

"As normal as anybody can be when they just woke up from a hangover," snapped Nira. "What's going on?"

"It's long story, one nobody's going to believe," he said. "But first, I think you'll probably need these back. Computer, return command functions to Lieutenant Commander Nira Said."

"Acknowledged." There was a beep that followed. Nira was sure this meant command functions were returned to her...but then...

"Well, that's over and done with," said the ECH with relief. "I've been working nonstop for a while. Computer, deactivate ECH mode."

With a beep, the hologram simmered, his red uniform turning into blue.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"Well, not necessarily medical," started Nira, but the Mark 8 gestured.

"I know, I know, it's just part of the programming."

Nira nodded at him, distracted by her worried thought...if the command codes only came back to her only...

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway."

"Captain Galloway is not aboard this ship."

"In case you were wondering," the Mark 8 said, "just follow the trail of his furniture."

Nira blinked, but then took in a sharp intake of breath. "Okay, I think we need to get our bearings together. Right now. Meet me on the bridge, I'm going to need your help."

"Of course. At least it's a good thing my transmission commands have been altered by myself so that only you can summon me, then I can bring myself back to my position."

"Beg pardon?"

"Just one of a few changes when the crew was...not themselves. Again, it's a long story."

"And we're likely going to need plenty of coffee to wake us up fully as you tell us. Return to the bridge."

The Mark 8 nodded and disappeared. Nira turned to see an astonished Savar and nodded at him to follow. They got back to their quarters, which was also a mess...discovered that the replicators have been shut off and locked, but at least were able to find some fresh uniforms, then went to the turbolift...also locked off.

"Computer, activate turbolifts and unlock. Authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

With a chime from the computer, the turbolift buttons lit up and Nira was able to call a turbolift. Of course, upon asking to go to the bridge, she was informed the bridge was locked, but she was able to use her authorization to unlock it.

At least, upon arriving at the bridge, she found that it was the cleanest part of the ship. The Mark 8 was already there, although she was surprised to find Hyperion there.

"Hyperion? How did you get up here?"

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Slowly, over several minutes, the ship's department heads made it to the bridge. Some showing more signs of being the worse for wear that others. Lieutenant Hector Espada from Flight sported a livid black eye, Lieutenant Commander Fernando CatalÁ¡n from Ops looked like someone had run an electric razor down the center of his head, leaving a bald furrow going the full length of his head. Lieutenant Commander Dashlish Tharn, the Chief Engineer arrived, somehow managing to look even gruffer than she usually did, which was saying something, because she always looked gruff even when she wasn't. Lieutenant Evan Randell, standing in for the injured Ruth in Science and Lieutenant Gemma Mills the Ship's Counselor, didn't have any obvious injuries or indications of untoward behavior, but both looked pale and both seemed to be struggling not to vomit. Oddly, last to arrive was Lieutenant T'Kel from security who was renowned for always being early. She arrived with not a hair out of place, but the expression on her face was a look of chagrin that no one had ever seen before.

One department head was missing. Lieutenant Jessica Fellows, Chief Medical Officer was no where to be found, literally, as the ship reported, she was not aboard. With the leadership of the Challenger assembled, Nira could begin her briefing to try to figure out what had happened to disable the crew so completely.

[Hyperion]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

At least, upon arriving at the bridge, she found that it was the cleanest part of the ship. The Mark 8 was already there, although she was surprised to find Hyperion there.

"Hyperion? How did you get up here?"

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Hyperion, unable to mimic expressions because of his fixed robotic face, nonetheless, gave Nira a look that spoke volumes.

"I was summoned to the bridge by the ECH when the crew began to show signs of erratic behavior. As it seemed that only the command program and I were the only beings unaffected by the phenomenon, I was directed to drop the ship out of warp and to set a sublight course that would keep the Challenger from becoming a hazard to navigation."

[Nira Said]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Slowly, over several minutes, the ship's department heads made it to the bridge. Some showing more signs of being the worse for wear that others. Lieutenant Hector Espada from Flight sported a livid black eye, Lieutenant Commander Fernando CatalÁ¡n from Ops looked like someone had run an electric razor down the center of his head, leaving a bald furrow going the full length of his head. Lieutenant Evan Randell, standing in for the injured Ruth in Science and Lieutenant Gemma Mills the Ship's Counselor, didn't have any obvious injuries or indications of untoward behavior, but both looked pale and both seemed to be struggling not to vomit. Oddly, last to arrive was Lieutenant T'Kel from security who was renowned for always being early. She arrived with not a hair out of place, but the expression on her face was a look of chagrin that no one had ever seen before.

One department head was missing. Lieutenant Jessica Fellows, Chief Medical Officer was no where to be found, literally, as the ship reported, she was not aboard. With the leadership of the Challenger assembled, Nira could begin her briefing to try to figure out what had happened to disable the crew so completely.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Hyperion, unable to mimic expressions because of his fixed robotic face, nonetheless, gave Nira a look that spoke volumes.

"I was summoned to the bridge by the ECH when the crew began to show signs of erratic behavior. As it seemed that only the command program and I were the only beings unaffected by the phenomenon, I was directed to drop the ship out of warp and to set a sublight course that would keep the Challenger from becoming a hazard to navigation."

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Bridge | Deck One | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

"Well, wherever we are, the Challenger's not moving at the time being," said a gruff voice. Nira turned and double-taked to see that Challenger's Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Dashlish Tharn, was the first to arrive. Her hair seemed to be burned in some places and she was wearing a ring in her nose.

"Commander Tharn!" she said. "Uh...how is it...?"

"Engines are shut off," Tharn replied. "Warp core is off...well, even if it isn't locked out, it's going to take some time to get it on again."

"Just as well, we're not going anywhere," said Nira.

The DHs soon arrived, and Nira's surprise increased further to see their appearance: Espada's black eye, Catalan's reverse-mohawk (the shaved head in the middle), Randall and Counsellor Mills looking nauseous; "I think I know how one of my former underlings felt after getting hammered on kanar," Mills said when Nira asked how she was, "her pride was hurt for a while."

The last to arrive was T'Kel, which surprised Nira, and not just that she arrived last; she was shocked at the expression on her face. Savar must've noticed, too, because Nira could hear a thought from him explaining: Potentially a loss of emotional control.

"Okay, looks like we're all here," said Nira. "Where's Doctor Fellows? Computer, locate Doctor Fellows."

"Doctor Fellows is not aboard the ship."

Her, too? Nira thought in surprise...then it occurred to her...

"What was the last known location of Captain Galloway and Doctor Fellows?"

When the computer explained, Nira was surprised. "The escape pods? No, never mind, I have a feeling we're going to find an escape pod missing. And the new EMH did say 'follow the furniture,' I have a feeling The Captain and Doctor Fellows tried to move house, as they say on Earth.

"Seeing as we're missing the CMO..." Nira tapped her comm badge again and called the second-ranking medical officer.  "Head Nurse Davies, report to the bridge."

The EMH Mark 8 cleared his throat and said, "Well, even if all bridge controls were unlocked, as Commander Tharn did point out, the engines are shut off. Hyperion did set us on a safe course. We're in the middle of nowhere, so there's no threat to menace us, nor would we be able to be a threat to anybody."

"Okay, so first and foremost, you two," said Nira, addressing Hyperion and the Mark 8, "what's currently locked out?"

As it transpired, and while other members of the crew tried to access the consoles...almost everything was locked out. The first things to be locked out was life support, so nobody could fiddle with its controls, then followed by the airlocks and the emergency hatches, just so that nobody would try open them while they were out of control. Weapons, gravity controls and the helm followed after. Transporters and replicators were shut off and then locked so they won't be reactivated, though eventually there would come reports of replicators overloading. When the engines were shut off after a night club takeover in Main Engineering, courtesy of "Captain" Lahr the DJ, the warp core was shut off, too. The escape pods were one of the ones that came last, and after the one Ian and Doctor Fellows took launched.

"Was there anything that wasn't locked out and/or deactivated?" asked Nira.

The Mark 8 gave Nira an extremely short list on a PADD; so short it was in the single digits, even if it listed only nine items, including sensors and air conditioning.

"Were we that out of control?" asked Nira, gobsmacked. The Mark 8 said nothing, but like Hyperion, his look spoke volumes.

[Buck McNair]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira was certainly taken aback by Lahr's calling her "Hot Stuff." That certainly wasn't like the Andorian, least of all anybody to call her that, unless they were either intimate with her in a positive or negative way. Then she realized that she had, without thinking, pulled up an "all hands" comms. She got some replies, but she heard enough to know that whatever happened to the crew, they were definitely under some kind of influence.

"Alright, listen all hands, I want everybody over to Sickbay to get your heads clear; whatever happened, I'm very sure everybody's hung-over right now. How we got like this, I have no idea, but we must've gotten under some kind of influence. Get the EMHs on if no medical staff is available, then freshen up. Said out."

She then turned her immediate attention to getting the troops together as she specified calling with comms:  "Said to all department heads, whoever's available, rendezvous at the bridge, make yourselves decent on the way, we need to get to the bottom of what the hell has happened. Said to Lahr, Zhuk, McNair and T'Prith, meet us at the Bridge as well."

[...]

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

[Dolphin Tank > Bridge - USS Challenger]

Once the pounding in his head had subsided enough, Buck momentarily sighed as he placed his forehead against the cooler dolphin tank; his eyes opening only to find himself almost face to face - eye to eye with the dolphins. Another shock to his system as he backed off, only realising that he had a rather bad leg; ultimately having to resort to pushing himself up by his back to the tank till he was standing upright.

It was at the beck and call of Commander Said coming over the comms that Buck was finding himself staggering over towards the nearest available turbolift. At first it seemed to reject him but after another few jabbing goes, the turbolift doors opened.

"Bridge."

Maybe once the headache and the dull ache subsided, Buck would find himself in a better mood to talk. Or he'd have to buck himself right up as much as he could being summoned to the bridge by the commander. The ping of his arrival to his destination certainly rang loudly in his ears as he flinched. Maybe he wasn't quite recovered from whatever happened last night.

His jacket was slung over a shoulder as he proceeded to try and get it on before he entered onto the bridge but the doors had opened mid-way through. Perhaps Buck shouldn't have minded, seeing the state of undress that the heads of departments were in. He gave a wry little smirk, as much as he could manage as he finally pulled his arm through the sleeve and began to button his jacket up. "Commander." He greeted, voice rough. "What happened?"

Buck glanced over at the hologram, furrowing, trying to remember whether there was something different about their EMH but too much thinking was doing his remaining brain cells very little.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Deck 13 - Main Engineering]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira was certainly taken aback by Lahr's calling her "Hot Stuff." That certainly wasn't like the Andorian, least of all anybody to call her that, unless they were either intimate with her in a positive or negative way. Then she realized that she had, without thinking, pulled up an "all hands" comms. She got some replies, but she heard enough to know that whatever happened to the crew, they were definitely under some kind of influence.

"Alright, listen all hands, I want everybody over to Sickbay to get your heads clear; whatever happened, I'm very sure everybody's hung-over right now. How we got like this, I have no idea, but we must've gotten under some kind of influence. Get the EMHs on if no medical staff is available, then freshen up. Said out."

She then turned her immediate attention to getting the troops together as she specified calling with comms:  "Said to all department heads, whoever's available, rendezvous at the bridge, make yourselves decent on the way, we need to get to the bottom of what the hell has happened. Said to Lahr, Zhuk, McNair and T'Prith, meet us at the Bridge as well."

She certainly needed the department heads, but with the help of the crew she listed, at least they'll be able to have enough people to man the bridge.

With his own supply of anti-intoxicant, Lahr didn't need to go Sickbay to clear his head.  Still he hesitated a moment, surveying the glorious chaos surrounding him.  If only he could remember the feeling of it!  It must have been wonderful!

With a sigh and droop of his antennae, he pressed the hypospray to his neck and within moment his thoughts began clearing.    With a last look about the room to forever sear the awesomeness of the moment in his mind, Lahr started for the door when he spotted Chief Tharn passed out just on the other side 'pool table'.  Her hair was singed short and ... was that a nose ring she was sporting?!  Lahr approved of the addition.

For a brief moment, the Andorian honestly considered just leaving the Tellerite there for someone else to wake, but he knew word would get back to both the Chief and the Commander that he'd left her and then he'd be in even more trouble than he suspected he was now.

Since the hypospray was a multidose, Lahr used a dose of anti-intoxicant on her.   As expected from a Tellerite, she woke in a sour mood - especially after he informed her that she'd been called to the bridge by Commander Said.   She stormed out immediately, not giving Lahr any opportunity to inform her that the Commander had suggested officers 'freshen up' first.  Oh well.

He thought about following suit and heading up to the Bridge in his in his civvies - Hawaiian shirt and all; but again Lahr figured that might draw a tad too much attention his way.  In situations like that there was bound to be a scapegoat and Lahr figured he needed to keep his head down to make sure it wasn't pinned on him.

He woke one other Engineer with his hypospray before handing the unit to the Ensign, leaving them to deal with the mess in Engineering.

He wanted to check on Ruth but knew Sickbay would be a madhouse.  Also, part of him knew that if Ruth wasn't alright then he would be completely useless - so it was best not to know for the time being.

He stopped at his quarters and did a quick change in his uniform before heading up to the Bridge in answer to the summons.

[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

His hope for an unnoticed arrival on the Bridge fell far short of his goal.  That the Mark 8 had reacted to his presence with a sneer was not something Lahr could have ever foreseen.  But his being addressed as 'Captain' Lahr by the EMH was in the realm of ludicrous.

Lahr paused in the turbolift, looking towards the Commander.  His antennae swiveled about uncertainly and the engineering petty officer was speechless for second or two.

"Uh... Thanks?" he answered, trying to sound casual and innocent as he headed out of habit towards the Operations console, before he remembered his still new role and did a 180 to the Engineering table that sat in the back of bridge.   He worked in silence to help Tharn first assess the situation and then listened to her report to the Commander.

Lahr wondered where the Captain was.  He was glad that he wasn't the last to arrive, but it was concerning that Dr. Fellows was no where to be found on the ship.

The summons for Nurse Davies, was followed almost immediately by a call back from Sickbay.

"Commander, in case it slipped your mind given the state most of the crew are in, you just ordered a crew of over 500 to all descent upon Sickbay all at once. We're swamped and your helpful suggestion to bring the EMH online... not so useful when he's been called to the Bridge... apparently on your orders.  Forgive my bluntness, ma'am, but you can have one of us there on the bridge - not both.  I have work to do.  Davies out."

[Nira Said]

[USS Challenger - Deck One - Bridge]

His hope for an unnoticed arrival on the Bridge fell far short of his goal.  That the Mark 8 had reacted to his presence with a sneer was not something Lahr could have ever foreseen.  But his being addressed as 'Captain' Lahr by the EMH was in the realm of ludicrous.

Lahr paused in the turbolift, looking towards the Commander.  His antennae swiveled about uncertainly and the engineering petty officer was speechless for second or two.

"Uh... Thanks?" he answered, trying to sound casual and innocent as he headed out of habit towards the Operations console, before he remembered his still new role and did a 180 to the Engineering table that sat in the back of bridge.   He worked in silence to help Tharn first assess the situation and then listened to her report to the Commander.

Lahr wondered where the Captain was.  He was glad that he wasn't the last to arrive, but it was concerning that Dr. Fellows was no where to be found on the ship.

The summons for Nurse Davies, was followed almost immediately by a call back from Sickbay.

"Commander, in case it slipped your mind given the state most of the crew are in, you just ordered a crew of over 500 to all descent upon Sickbay all at once. We're swamped and your helpful suggestion to bring the EMH online... not so useful when he's been called to the Bridge... apparently on your orders.  Forgive my bluntness, ma'am, but you can have one of us there on the bridge - not both.  I have work to do.  Davies out."

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira immediately scowled. Did Davies not hear her...at least when she said EMHs?

"Nurse, I am aware the EMH is here, but the Mark Eight is here on the bridge, as well as assuming emergency command. When I made the call, I said EMH-ES. There's more than one EMH in the holo-servers; the older models should be there as well..."

She looked at the Mark Eight and asked, "Right?"

"Oh yes, the Marks One and Two, old but classic but just as efficient, as well as the Mark VI, though I'm sure they're mostly still around because a square-jawed fellow like him was sure to be a moral booster particularly to the ladies; the older models have been helping out in addition to Hyperion," he replied. "They went offline when they were able to administer the cure they synthesized when we found the diagnosis, so they'll be available to help the hangovers. After all, the good fellows from Jupiter Station could hardly allow some older models to be replaced, not with the possibility of an emergency medical staff."

"Okay, Davies," said Nira,  "if you get the older models online, that'll be able to free you up for the time being, especially since Doctor Fellows is missing. We expect you here momentarily. Said out."

She was especially assured that there was more than one EMH on the ship; she had been thinking of the Starship Discovery and the fact that there were more than one EMHs on that ship, too, so she had assumed big ships in Starfleet had more than one. Still, not for the first time, she was surprised by the crew tally of five hundred; she had been used to the smaller crew of the Discovery, and she was amazed how a ship with an Excelsior-class-based appearance was capable of having that many aboard.

She could see one or two more bridge staff trickle in and she was immediately surprised by Zhuk's sight.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira immediately scowled. Did Davies not hear her...at least when she said EMHs?

"Nurse, I am aware the EMH is here, but the Mark Eight is here on the bridge, as well as assuming emergency command. When I made the call, I said EMH-ES. There's more than one EMH in the holo-servers; the older models should be there as well..."

She looked at the Mark Eight and asked, "Right?"

"Oh yes, the Marks One and Two, old but classic but just as efficient, as well as the Mark VI, though I'm sure they're mostly still around because a square-jawed fellow like him was sure to be a moral booster particularly to the ladies; the older models have been helping out in addition to Hyperion," he replied. "They went offline when they were able to administer the cure they synthesized when we found the diagnosis, so they'll be available to help the hangovers. After all, the good fellows from Jupiter Station could hardly allow some older models to be replaced, not with the possibility of an emergency medical staff."

"Okay, Davies," said Nira,  "if you get the older models online, that'll be able to free you up for the time being, especially since Doctor Fellows is missing. We expect you here momentarily. Said out."

She was especially assured that there was more than one EMH on the ship; she had been thinking of the Starship Discovery and the fact that there were more than one EMHs on that ship, too, so she had assumed big ships in Starfleet had more than one. Still, not for the first time, she was surprised by the crew tally of five hundred; she had been used to the smaller crew of the Discovery, and she was amazed how a ship with an Excelsior-class-based appearance was capable of having that many aboard.

She could see one or two more bridge staff trickle in and she was immediately surprised by Zhuk's sight.

Chloe just barely bit back her retort of what she thought of the Commander's suggestion to use the older models.  Obviously, Commander Said never had to work with the Mark I.  She wouldn't wish that on any of her staff... but even Chloe recognized that pushing back at this point would be career breaking.

She let out an audible sigh before acknowledging her orders.
"Yes sir, Commander.  I'll be there shortly."

She cut the comm and then glanced around the fully packed Sickbay.  She received a few glances that she interpreted as sympathetic.  "Computer.  Activate the Emergency Holographic Medical programs Mark I and Mark II."

The two programs came online and in tandem spoke.  "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

Chloe addressed the two holograms.  "We've got an entire ship of crewmembers that have surcome to some manner of intoxication.  The medical department has been called on to administer anti-intoxicant immediately.  You will assist in this endeavor while the CMO is absent and while I've been called to the Bridge."

Chloe left then left Sickbay to answer the Commanders summons.

[Zhukdrashar Mrekrerhas]

[Ensign Zhukdra'shar Mrekrerhas | Deck One | Bridge | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira was certainly taken aback by Lahr's calling her "Hot Stuff." That certainly wasn't like the Andorian, least of all anybody to call her that, unless they were either intimate with her in a positive or negative way. Then she realized that she had, without thinking, pulled up an "all hands" comms. She got some replies, but she heard enough to know that whatever happened to the crew, they were definitely under some kind of influence.

"Alright, listen all hands, I want everybody over to Sickbay to get your heads clear; whatever happened, I'm very sure everybody's hung-over right now. How we got like this, I have no idea, but we must've gotten under some kind of influence. Get the EMHs on if no medical staff is available, then freshen up. Said out."

She then turned her immediate attention to getting the troops together as she specified calling with comms:  "Said to all department heads, whoever's available, rendezvous at the bridge, make yourselves decent on the way, we need to get to the bottom of what the hell has happened. Said to Lahr, Zhuk, McNair and T'Prith, meet us at the Bridge as well."

She certainly needed the department heads, but with the help of the crew she listed, at least they'll be able to have enough people to man the bridge.

There left one person for her to find.

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway," Nira ordered.

There was a negative sounding beep, followed by the computer's reply:  "Unable to comply. All computer functions currently locked out."

Nira furrowed her brow in confusion. "Locked out...? Well, I may have a good idea..."

It began occurring to her that if everybody came under some kind of influence, not in a mind manipulation kind of way, but potentially some kind of intoxication, considering what she had seen so far and from varied reactions by the crew she had passed or heard from...

"Computer, unlock computer functions, authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

"Unable to comply. Command codes withdrawn from Lieutenant Commander Said and from Captain Galloway at present time."

Nira pursed her lips and said, "I thought so. Computer, who currently has the command codes?"

"The Emergency Command Holographic Program."

Nira perked up with relief. She realized that if something happened to compromise even the command staff, then transferring command codes to the new ECH would make sense. And she began to realize it was a good thing Challenger was upgraded with the ECH...not to mention holo-emitters...

"Is there any way to contact the ECH?"

"Unable to comply. Bridge locked out."

Nira pursed her lips. "Transmit the ECH to my current location."

"Acknowledged."

With that, the air simmered as a hologram appeared before her. As much as he was new, she knew who it was at once: The new EMH Mark VIII. His uniform was even different, a reflection of being different as a holographic unit, only the uniform was in red rather than blue.

"Please state the na...oh, thank god," he said, having a deep yet pompous voice, almost like he was a butler rather than a doctor...or temporary commander. "You're awake and returned to normal?"

"As normal as anybody can be when they just woke up from a hangover," snapped Nira. "What's going on?"

"It's long story, one nobody's going to believe," he said. "But first, I think you'll probably need these back. Computer, return command functions to Lieutenant Commander Nira Said."

"Acknowledged." There was a beep that followed. Nira was sure this meant command functions were returned to her...but then...

"Well, that's over and done with," said the ECH with relief. "I've been working nonstop for a while. Computer, deactivate ECH mode."

With a beep, the hologram simmered, his red uniform turning into blue.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"Well, not necessarily medical," started Nira, but the Mark 8 gestured.

"I know, I know, it's just part of the programming."

Nira nodded at him, distracted by her worried thought...if the command codes only came back to her only...

"Computer, locate Captain Galloway."

"Captain Galloway is not aboard this ship."

"In case you were wondering," the Mark 8 said, "just follow the trail of his furniture."

Nira blinked, but then took in a sharp intake of breath. "Okay, I think we need to get our bearings together. Right now. Meet me on the bridge, I'm going to need your help."

"Of course. At least it's a good thing my transmission commands have been altered by myself so that only you can summon me, then I can bring myself back to my position."

"Beg pardon?"

"Just one of a few changes when the crew was...not themselves. Again, it's a long story."

"And we're likely going to need plenty of coffee to wake us up fully as you tell us. Return to the bridge."

The Mark 8 nodded and disappeared. Nira turned to see an astonished Savar and nodded at him to follow. They got back to their quarters, which was also a mess...discovered that the replicators have been shut off and locked, but at least were able to find some fresh uniforms, then went to the turbolift...also locked off.

"Computer, activate turbolifts and unlock. Authorization Said One-One-Seven-Beta."

With a chime from the computer, the turbolift buttons lit up and Nira was able to call a turbolift. Of course, upon asking to go to the bridge, she was informed the bridge was locked, but she was able to use her authorization to unlock it.

At least, upon arriving at the bridge, she found that it was the cleanest part of the ship. The Mark 8 was already there, although she was surprised to find Hyperion there.

"Hyperion? How did you get up here?"

Naturally, she had time while she waited for the department heads and the crewmembers she summoned to arrive, but she asked the Mark 8 to refrain from giving the account of what had happened, so he won't have to explain multiple times.

As the crew trickled in, the Mark 8 nodded cordially, although when he saw Lahr, he curled his lip and sneered sarcastically, "Ah, 'Captain' Lahr, welcome back from that hellhole you call a mosh pit."

Zhukdra'shar's ears flicked as he heard the instructions from Lieutenant Said. He figured out it was a good idea, so he shuffled over to Sickbay. He managed to see more of the crew beginning to pour in, though whether due to luck, or perhaps closeness to the Sickbay, he was one of the first to arrive. Soon, he realized, this would become a somewhat crowded space. He really wasn't looking forward to that.

He waited patiently for his turn, doing his best to remember what had happened yesterday. His mind still hurt like heck, though, so he could remember nothing but spins and jumps. Not too useful. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed a previous acquaintance, Head Nurse Davies, and offered a tired smile at her. It was good to see someone he had worked with in the past. He stopped before he could offer a wave, however, reminding himself that she probably wouldn't appreciate being interrupted. In any case, he stepped forward, now his turn for the anti-intoxicant to be applied.

Whom he saw in front of himself was less than expected. Or welcome. An Orion female, with the rank of Petty Officer II. Heesou, or so he had read within the crew roster. For a moment, he felt an unbridled amount of rage coursing through him, which only made his head throb even further. He had gone through a great effort to avoid her before, yet now, in his distracted state, had of course ended up as her patient.

Great.

Zhukdra'shar remained stoic, however, unwilling for his emotions to bubble through, realizing that if that happen, he would probably end up in a greater pickle than he already was in. Most likely.

Momentarily caught in his thoughts and feelings, she had to repeat herself again for him to expose his neck. Taking a deep breath, ears pressed against his head, and tail between his legs as he managed to hear the instruction, he nodded. He lifted his head up and to the side, closing his eyes softly.

A soft prick, and nothing more. He sighed. "Thank you, Petty Officer Heesou." He replied, before swiftly taking his leave, not waiting for a response from her part. With his mind clearing up by the second, he knew he had a duty to do. And he wasn't too sure he wished to determine if she had noticed his uncertainty.

He made his way to his room as fast as he could in his state. Fortunately, it seemed that his wardrobe had not been ransacked, and could change into a proper outfit for himself to wear. Once that was done, he made a swift run for the Bridge.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Observation Lounge Corridor | Deck Two | USS Challenger NCC-40117-A]

Nira immediately scowled. Did Davies not hear her...at least when she said EMHs?

"Nurse, I am aware the EMH is here, but the Mark Eight is here on the bridge, as well as assuming emergency command. When I made the call, I said EMH-ES. There's more than one EMH in the holo-servers; the older models should be there as well..."

She looked at the Mark Eight and asked, "Right?"

"Oh yes, the Marks One and Two, old but classic but just as efficient, as well as the Mark VI, though I'm sure they're mostly still around because a square-jawed fellow like him was sure to be a moral booster particularly to the ladies; the older models have been helping out in addition to Hyperion," he replied. "They went offline when they were able to administer the cure they synthesized when we found the diagnosis, so they'll be available to help the hangovers. After all, the good fellows from Jupiter Station could hardly allow some older models to be replaced, not with the possibility of an emergency medical staff."

"Okay, Davies," said Nira,  "if you get the older models online, that'll be able to free you up for the time being, especially since Doctor Fellows is missing. We expect you here momentarily. Said out."

She was especially assured that there was more than one EMH on the ship; she had been thinking of the Starship Discovery and the fact that there were more than one EMHs on that ship, too, so she had assumed big ships in Starfleet had more than one. Still, not for the first time, she was surprised by the crew tally of five hundred; she had been used to the smaller crew of the Discovery, and she was amazed how a ship with an Excelsior-class-based appearance was capable of having that many aboard.

She could see one or two more bridge staff trickle in and she was immediately surprised by Zhuk's sight.

When he came into the Bridge, he was met with a surprise coming from Nira. Immediately, his ears dropped once more, as although he couldn't see his own face, he realized that the shaving probably was beyond where he had seen it. Indeed, from the back of his neck, up to his forehead, he lacked any hair to speak of, all cut in a straight line. The front area of his neck was not much better, with ugly razor marks dotting it. His mood became foul once more as he crossed his arms and looked aside, unwilling and incapable of meeting the eyes of his Commanding Officer, or the rest of the Bridge Staff.

This was humiliating. He should have brought a hood or a cloth to cover his head.

"What transpired yesterday? I have no memories besides fuzzy experiences currently on my mind." He asked, the tone of his voice certainly conveying strong emotion, and not too positive. He really should have ignored orders.