S3:E1 CLONES

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Captain's Office - Innominatum Outpost

Ruth had temporarily relocated to the Outpost over the last couple of days.  It had been easier with the departure of the Remans and then preparations ongoing for the arrival several important people, had her rather busy and it was simply easier to stay on base than on the ship.

'Ah those important people...' Ruth mused, '...rather depends on whom you are talking to which is more important!'

She checked the list on her PADD, all were due within the next 48 hours...

• Her twin younger sisters, Arya and Katya, to spend their vacation with her.
• Dr. Judy Eastman, a well respected Scientist and the 10th Fleet's primary counsellor
• Rear Admiral (LH) d'Arth who was fetching 4 Cadets for her on the USS Redav and was to be discussing the situation with Leyton. 

It was going to be a busy month and she needed to prepare her staff for it.  To that end she hit her commbadge to summon them.  Before doing so she stifled a giggle at 'summoning her minions', they were her equals in intellect she told herself, it was just the word 'summon' in her brain had made the leap.

Putting her best 'I mean business, I am Acting-Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir, I've got this!' voice she called her staff.

Captain Sigurdsdottir to all senior staff, meeting in the Conference Room on Innominatum in 20 mins, I expect you all to be there punctually please as we have a lot to get through. Sigurdsdottir out.

Sitting back in her chair she reflected on the events of the last month.  It had been a whirlwind, and she didn't actually feel like she deserved the promotion.  Was she right for the job? Should they have got someone else in?  Whatever... she was going to do the best by the Challenger, her crew and the outpost they saved. Make them proud to have her as their Captain.

The Challenger was getting prepared for a longer trip, provisions, any outstanding repair requisitions and so on being filled so she was in full working order.  No sooner was 1 thing fixed than Engineering and Operations seemed to find another 3 or 4 problems to crop up in their place! Still with everything going on at the beginning of the month she was going to be glad to step onto that Bridge and order the helm to take her out... she was getting wanderlust again.  But it was going to have to wait a wee while.  Business had to be attended to.

'Mentioning business... ' she thought to herself '...I need to get Security to check out that rumour about illegal drugs.  I'll mention it to Lt. Taray when we've concluded our meeting.'

[Lizzie Vaughan]

Captain's Office - Innominatum Outpost

Captain Sigurdsdottir to all senior staff, meeting in the Conference Room on Innominatum in 20 mins, I expect you all to be there punctually please as we have a lot to get through. Sigurdsdottir out.

Sickbay - Challenger

Lizzie was almost run off her feet. Although she had not been told any details, she knew the Challenger would be heading out soon as almost every system was being checked and, if necessary, updated. Thankfully the station's Sickbay was handling most of the day to day treatment, as they were in no state to do so.

She had just signed off on the replacement of two of her bio-beds when Ruth's call came through. As the Challenger had no XO now Ruth had been made Acting Captain, Lizzie had found herself pulling double duty as XO as well as 2O/CMO. Thankfully she had a good medical team, so she was only needed when a doctor was called for. And even then they had the EMH to call on if needed.

Informing the Duty Nurse that she was headed over to the Station, she straightened her uniform and headed to the transporter room.

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lizzie walked through the doors and found she was the first one there. So she went over to the replicator to get some water, tea and coffee, as well as some biscuits and arranged them on the table. She then sat down, just to the right of the head of the table, the traditional spot for the second most senior officer present, and waited for the rest to arrive.

[Judith Eastman]

[SS Riverside]

Judy's personal shuttle, the Riverside, was probably the best money could buy at that size. Fast, well-furnished, and with enough space for herself, Max, the dogs, and some luggage.
That was for the better, since Max had decided to accompany Judy after all.

Now, after days of sweatpants, they'd been forced back to respectability. He in a dark-colored suit, she in her uniform and with her hair neatly combed. The glasses of the day were bifocals with thick, purple rims, which adorned Judy's face as she put in a hail.

"Riverside to Innominatum Outpost. This is Lieutenant Commander Judy Eastman, Counselor and Chief Medical Officer of the Starbase Columbus, requesting clearance to dock, if you please."

Judy's hands, mounted in wrist splints for her chronic Carpal Tunnel, were on the panels, flying the thing.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Sickbay - Challenger

Lizzie was almost run off her feet. Although she had not been told any details, she knew the Challenger would be heading out soon as almost every system was being checked and, if necessary, updated. Thankfully the station's Sickbay was handling most of the day to day treatment, as they were in no state to do so.

She had just signed off on the replacement of two of her bio-beds when Ruth's call came through. As the Challenger had no XO now Ruth had been made Acting Captain, Lizzie had found herself pulling double duty as XO as well as 2O/CMO. Thankfully she had a good medical team, so she was only needed when a doctor was called for. And even then they had the EMH to call on if needed.

Informing the Duty Nurse that she was headed over to the Station, she straightened her uniform and headed to the transporter room.

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lizzie walked through the doors and found she was the first one there. So she went over to the replicator to get some water, tea and coffee, as well as some biscuits and arranged them on the table. She then sat down, just to the right of the head of the table, the traditional spot for the second most senior officer present, and waited for the rest to arrive.

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Ruth walked into the Conference Room and spotted her 2O already there.

"Ah Lizzie, thanks.  With one thing and another we've all been busy.  How you doing in Medical?"  she spotted the biscuits.  "Oooh aren't we posh?!  Biccies too!" she chuckled.

"I've been thinking, " she said pouring herself a coffee and taking a good swig from it. "These cadets, while I know the department heads will take them under their wing for training purposes, I was thinking of assigning Lyra to keep an eye on them socially.  She's fun but mature enough to steer them away from say drinking too much at the Pickled Pakled when I allow them on the outpost, and making sure that they stay on the Challie days that I don't and aren't trying to sneak off ship.  We've been cadets ourselves, we know how they can be, especially with one of the cadets, the Engineering one I believe, being the cousin of the owner of the Pakled!" she said rolling her eyes.

"To that end, I'm going to invite her up to the meeting so she can hear my plans."

Captain Sigurdsdottir to Petty Officer Lyra, please report to the Conference Room on the outpost.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

[Lizzie Vaughan]

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Ruth walked into the Conference Room and spotted her 2O already there.

"Ah Lizzie, thanks.  With one thing and another we've all been busy.  How you doing in Medical?"  she spotted the biscuits.  "Oooh aren't we posh?!  Biccies too!" she chuckled.

"I've been thinking, " she said pouring herself a coffee and taking a good swig from it. "These cadets, while I know the department heads will take them under their wing for training purposes, I was thinking of assigning Lyra to keep an eye on them socially.  She's fun but mature enough to steer them away from say drinking too much at the Pickled Pakled when I allow them on the outpost, and making sure that they stay on the Challie days that I don't and aren't trying to sneak off ship.  We've been cadets ourselves, we know how they can be, especially with one of the cadets, the Medical one I believe, being the cousin of the owner of the Pakled!" she said rolling her eyes.

"To that end, I'm going to invite her up to the meeting so she can hear my plans."

Captain Sigurdsdottir to Petty Officer Lyra, please report to the Conference Room on the outpost.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lizzie gave Ruth a smile.

"Most of Sickbay on Challenger has been either serviced or replaced. We have a new medical replicator and two new bio-beds. Thankfully the Sickbay here has taken over most of the patient treatment or we would still be behind." She paused and took a bite of a bourbon biscuit. "I agree that Lyra should be a sort of 'Den Mother' to the Cadets. I have them split between two four man bunk rooms so she could either join them or say where they are."

She paused again and took a sip of her tea.

"Have you met this Admiral d'arth before?" She asked. "I know of his reputation but nothing else." She added.

[Mondo'li Nari]

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Mondo entered the conference room a short span of minutes after Lizzie arrived.  With his Benzite superior tied up in a security matter, Mondo had been sent in her place.  No doubt this was because of his note-taking skills.

He nodded to the two ladies present as he entered.

"Captain.  Commander.  I was nominated to take the information down for Lieutenant Taray."

Noticing that snacks and beverages had already been made available, he unholstered his PADD as he took a seat.  Fortunately, he had drawn the datapad more often in his career than he had drawn a phaser.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lizzie gave Ruth a smile.

"Most of Sickbay on Challenger has been either serviced or replaced. We have a new medical replicator and two new bio-beds. Thankfully the Sickbay here has taken over most of the patient treatment or we would still be behind." She paused and took a bite of a bourbon biscuit. "I agree that Lyra should be a sort of 'Den Mother' to the Cadets. I have them split between two four man bunk rooms so she could either join them or say where they are."

She paused again and took a sip of her tea.

"Have you met this Admiral d'arth before?" She asked. "I know of his reputation but nothing else." She added.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Base]

"Mmm.." said Ruth biting off a bit of chocolate digestive and swilling it down with her coffee.  "Den Mother that's a great name for her and yes, perfect allocation, I'd prefer to at least try to cut down on erm... urges shall we say?!" she smirked knowing the doctor would know exactly what she was on about.

"As for d'Arth no, much the same as you, I know his reputation alone, quite a young, he's around 40 I think, Rear Admiral, known for his straight answers, has a wife and 2 small children as I recall... there was something about them being kidnapped recently yet he still works but is looking for them, with the war on Leyton at the moment they have barely been granting compassionate leave for funerals given that we are losing a lot of our top men to Leyton."

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Mondo entered the conference room a short span of minutes after Lizzie arrived.  With his Benzite superior tied up in a security matter, Mondo had been sent in her place.  No doubt this was because of his note-taking skills.

He nodded to the two ladies present as he entered.

"Captain.  Commander.  I was nominated to take the information down for Lieutenant Taray."

Noticing that snacks and beverages had already been made available, he unholstered his PADD as he took a seat.  Fortunately, he had drawn the datapad more often in his career than he had drawn a phaser.

"Welcome Mondo." she greeted the trusted Petty Officer with a warm smile.  "Help yourself, I'm sure the others will be along shortly." she said indicating the snacks.

[Lek]

[Engineering --> Conference Room Innominatum Outpost]

Lek heard the order to report and winced. How this, odd feemale went from newly appointed first officer to acting captain in a matter of days was beyond him. The only thing that cane to mind was the Leyton crisis had decimated the ranks of command officers far more than was being admitted.

Regardless, Lek took the turbolift and walked to the conference and quietly took a seat as he waited for the briefing, or whatever this was to begin.

[Malik Grippen]

[Pickled Pakled, Innominatum Outpost]

"And that's when the largest, meanest, most badass space-whale came out of nowhere and swallowed us whole. I kid you not, a type 9 shuttle completely swallowed. That wasn't the worst part. For we knew we'd have to come out of one hole or the other."

Malik sipped his orange juice and waited for the Pickled Pakled's barkeep to show a sign of reaction or ask a question. As expected, none came. The Pakled simply stared back seemingly unimpressed.

"That's why I like you, Pickle. You're such a good listener."

"Sounds like poor piloting skills to me."

Grippen looked up to see the unwelcomed arrival of his chief, Hoshi. He found her to be unbearable to the point of avoiding contact with her at all costs, for her ego was the larger than a gormandander bull. She was at least 34% responsible for his current alcoholic tendencies.

"Chief." came the curt reply. "Perhaps if you had been flying, it'd never have happened."

"You know it. You see, I come from a long line of pilots. My father was a pilot, my grandfather was a pilot and my ancestor was the first pilot to break the warp 5 barrier."

Malik rolled his eyes. "Drink?"

Captain Sigurdsdottir to all senior staff, meeting in the Conference Room on Innominatum in 20 mins, I expect you all to be there punctually please as we have a lot to get through. Sigurdsdottir out.

"I would, but duty calls. Oh by the way, your after action report was not filed in triplicate and contained a grammatical error. As such, I want you to re-write it. See ya!"

Malik gave the fakest smile ever to grace the face of a Risan and watched with disdain as the chief left. He let his head slump onto the sticky bar. Pickle patted Malik on the shoulder and poured him another orange juice.

[Innominatum Outpost, Conference Room]

*Posting as Chief Petty Officer Hoshi Dradis*

A few moments later, Hoshi arrived in the conference room. Not really knowing the new arrivals all that well, she simply took her seat and gave a polite, "Good morning."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Innominatum Outpost, Conference Room]

*Posting as Chief Petty Officer Hoshi Dradis*

A few moments later, Hoshi arrived in the conference room. Not really knowing the new arrivals all that well, she simply took her seat and gave a polite, "Good morning."

Ruth looked up as the Chief of Flight wandered in.  "Good Morning, Chief.  Help yourself to refreshments, we'll get going as soon as everyone is here.  I presume that you know Dr. Vaughan and Petty Officer Nari?"

[Sukal]

[SS Riverside]

Judy's personal shuttle, the Riverside, was probably the best money could buy at that size. Fast, well-furnished, and with enough space for herself, Max, the dogs, and some luggage.
That was for the better, since Max had decided to accompany Judy after all.

Now, after days of sweatpants, they'd been forced back to respectability. He in a dark-colored suit, she in her uniform and with her hair neatly combed. The glasses of the day were bifocals with thick, purple rims, which adorned Judy's face as she put in a hail.

"Riverside to Innominatum Outpost. This is Lieutenant Commander Judy Eastman, Counselor and Chief Medical Officer of the Starbase Columbus, requesting clearance to dock, if you please."

Judy's hands, mounted in wrist splints for her chronic Carpal Tunnel, were on the panels, flying the thing.

[Bridge:  USS CHALLENGER-A]  (Posting as NPC Ensign Hammond Oftex)

Ops was quiet until the message came in from the arriving shuttle with permission to dock at the outpost.  The Saurian decided it was best to get her aboard as quickly as possible since there was a heavy air of things going on both on the ship and the outpost. First, he double-checked the shuttle's approach to make sure no adjustments were needed.

"Lt. Commander Eastman, you are cleared to dock at the outpost.  Adjust your heading 26 degrees starboard, and maintain one-quarter impulse power until the tractor beam latches on.  We'll bring you in at that point, and welcome to Innominatum Outpost, Ma'am." he both instructed and welcomed after opening the channel to the shuttle.

[Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room] (Posting as Lieutenant Sukal)

He had not returned for very long to active duty, but it appeared he had been correct in his estimation of being needed.  Already the Captain was asking him to join her in the Senior Staff Meeting taking place on the outpost.  Sukal was more than willing to help, but he wondered what the Captain could want with him at such a meeting.  After all, he was no longer the senior officer as he once had been.  He wasn't even the XO or Second anymore as he had been in the past, but Ruth had wanted him there, and he had never been able to refuse a CO such a reasonable - if confusing - request.

Upon his arrival, he noted several personnel were already present - including Dr. Vaughn and Mondo as well as Captain Sigurdsdottir.  With a nod to Lizzie and Mondo; Sukal made his way over to the Captain and gave a brief smile to her.

"I trust you are well, My Friend and Captain.  If I can be of help in any way; you know I will do so, but I am curious as to why you want me here," he stated straight to the point after greeting her.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room] (Posting as Lieutenant Sukal)

He had not returned for very long to active duty, but it appeared he had been correct in his estimation of being needed.  Already the Captain was asking him to join her in the Senior Staff Meeting taking place on the outpost.  Sukal was more than willing to help, but he wondered what the Captain could want with him at such a meeting.  After all, he was no longer the senior officer as he once had been.  He wasn't even the XO or Second anymore as he had been in the past, but Ruth had wanted him there, and he had never been able to refuse a CO such a reasonable - if confusing - request.

Upon his arrival, he noted several personnel were already present - including Dr. Vaughn and Mondo as well as Captain Sigurdsdottir.  With a nod to Lizzie and Mondo; Sukal made his way over to the Captain and gave a brief smile to her.

"I trust you are well, My Friend and Captain.  If I can be of help in any way; you know I will do so, but I am curious as to why you want me here," he stated straight to the point after greeting her.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"Sukal, welcome!" the CO answered with a smile.  "The reasoning is quite simple, Ensign Oftex will be returning to his home planet in a couple of days... for his wedding.  He won't return for about 6 weeks what with wedding prep, the wedding and then his ... whatever Saurians do for what we would call a honeymoon on Earth... thus he won't be here for training the Ops cadet that we have coming in nor anything else during that time.  As the next officer in terms of rank is you... that's why your here, to brief you on the cadets and all else happening soon...ish.. besides your intellect and common sense which I value immensely.  Starfleet have not deemed to give me a First Officer at the moment but you and Dr. Vaughn serve me well in terms of advice I can trust."

[Sukal]

"Sukal, welcome!" the CO answered with a smile.  "The reasoning is quite simple, Ensign Oftex will be returning to his home planet in a couple of days... for his wedding.  He won't return for about 6 weeks what with wedding prep, the wedding and then his ... whatever Saurians do for what we would call a honeymoon on Earth... thus he won't be here for training the Ops cadet that we have coming in nor anything else during that time.  As the next officer in terms of rank is you... that's why your here, to brief you on the cadets and all else happening soon...ish.. besides your intellect and common sense which I value immensely.  Starfleet have not deemed to give me a First Officer at the moment but you and Dr. Vaughn serve me well in terms of advice I can trust."

Sukal nodded thoughtfully as his Captain explained more of his presence, but he visibly frowned as he was informed of the lack of an XO to help her.  Starfleet had her issues at the moment, and this section of Starfleet had had some recent issues, but to have no XO was not only unwise, but made things less efficient.  Puzzled, the Vulcan/Betazoid officer clasped his hands behind his back before speaking again.

"I see.  And, did Command tell you when you were getting a new First Officer?" Sukal inquired with clear worry in his voice and eyes.  "Surely you have someone aboard the CHALLENGER who could be promoted into that position," he added as he turned to survey the room briefly, and then resting his eyes on her again.  "It isn't wise for us to go into a mission without you having the proper support, but...failing that - I will do my best to help anyway I can...as you well know."

He remembered how he had to help his Ko-kai take care of things on the GETTYSBURG back when she was Captain.  He had helped her then first as her Second Officer, and later as her XO.  Whatever Ruth needed - he would do for her as he had for T'Ra.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Sukal nodded thoughtfully as his Captain explained more of his presence, but he visibly frowned as he was informed of the lack of an XO to help her.  Starfleet had her issues at the moment, and this section of Starfleet had had some recent issues, but to have no XO was not only unwise, but made things less efficient.  Puzzled, the Vulcan/Betazoid officer clasped his hands behind his back before speaking again.

"I see.  And, did Command tell you when you were getting a new First Officer?" Sukal inquired with clear worry in his voice and eyes.  "Surely you have someone aboard the CHALLENGER who could be promoted into that position," he added as he turned to survey the room briefly, and then resting his eyes on her again.  "It isn't wise for us to go into a mission without you having the proper support, but...failing that - I will do my best to help anyway I can...as you well know."

He remembered how he had to help his Ko-kai take care of things on the GETTYSBURG back when she was Captain.  He had helped her then first as her Second Officer, and later as her XO.  Whatever Ruth needed - he would do for her as he had for T'Ra.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Base]

"No clue, my friend regarding Command appointing someone.  They have their hands full enough with several higher ranking officers going over to Leyton's Rebels they are rather under staffed as far as sending people out, they can only promote so quickly, and then the reports that large quantities of cadets are still missing.  We know about those that Praetor Agrippa slaughtered who were under the command of Leyton, but as yet we haven't located the rest."  the CO stated grimly.

"As to promoting from within.  Well, the highest ranking officers are Dr. Vaughan as Lt. Commander, Lt. Grippen, Yourself, Dr. Jex, and Lt. Lex, all holding the rank of Lieutenant. Dr. Vaughan served as Second Officer under Admiral Torngate, and is my SO now, the only other with any command experience is yourself, hence my reliance on your experience in this field, and many others to stand in while Command sorts out bigger problems."

[Sukal]

"No clue, my friend regarding Command appointing someone.  They have their hands full enough with several higher ranking officers going over to Leyton's Rebels they are rather under staffed as far as sending people out, they can only promote so quickly, and then the reports that large quantities of cadets are still missing.  We know about those that Praetor Agrippa slaughtered who were under the command of Leyton, but as yet we haven't located the rest."  the CO stated grimly.

"As to promoting from within.  Well, the highest ranking officers are Dr. Vaughan as Lt. Commander, Lt. Grippen, Yourself, Dr. Jex, and Lt. Lex, all holding the rank of Lieutenant. Dr. Vaughan served as Second Officer under Admiral Torngate, and is my SO now, the only other with any command experience is yourself, hence my reliance on your experience in this field, and many others to stand in while Command sorts out bigger problems."

Her friend sighed slightly.  It was as he suspected.  Starfleet was not just in trouble, but having issues with reorganizing after losing people over to Leyton, and losses during the recent engagements with his forces - most of which had not turned out well for Starfleet.  It had been bad enough during the Dominion War, but now they were fighting themselves.  He could only hope Command sorted things out soon for her...for them all, but until it did - Sukal would do his duty.

"I am here to serve," he told Ruth with a grim smile.  "Whatever needs to be done - we shall help anyway we can, I am sure."