S3:E1 CLONES

[Judith Eastman]

[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.

[SS Riverside -> Guest Quarters, Innominatum Outpost]

"Thank you. Riverside out," Judy answered with a friendly smile, as she then cut the line.

Soon, they were onboard. The first course of action was, of course, to go to the guest quarters. Then, it was straight to unpack the coffee-making gear. Only once Judy had downed half a cup of espresso was she ready to take on the day.

"You should check in with the Captain," Max advised her. "It would be rude not to."
"You sure we shouldn't explore the place together?" Judy asked him back.
"I'll be fine. You do your job."
"Fine."

With that, Judy got to it, tapping her commbadge.
"Eastman to Captain Sigurdsdottir. I'm on hand to check in with you whenever is convenient."

[Mondo'li Nari]

Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost

Mondo was not usually present at these high-level meetings, being mere enlisted personnel.  If he was at an important meeting, it was usually because he was guarding it, or helping with the catering. As such, he hesitated about whether to take one of the snacks that were available.

Finally, he gave himself permission to enjoy one.  He reasoned that if he was filling in for his superior, then he should take his superior's share of the food.  Otherwise, he would be carrying forward an insult to the hospitality of the room.

When Grippen's superior appeared, Mondo nodded to the man.

"I am acquainted with your subordinate, Lieutenant Grippen.  The Lieutenant dropped in during the thick of things, while security squads battled for the outpost.  He is a brave man."

When Sukal expressed confusion about his presence here, Mondo wondered if the man was trying to wear a socially acceptable cloak of humility.  He had only known the man a short time, but in that time, he had gained Mondo's respect as one of the most clever political minds in the Fleet.  Surely, he was a man to have handy if anything of import was to be discussed.

Then a communications call came through the Captain's badge.  Mondo lifted his head, recognizing a familiar voice.

"Eastman to Captain Sigurdsdottir. I'm on hand to check in with you whenever is convenient."

It had been nearly a year since he'd heard that voice, but he remembered it as though it was yesterday.  Difficult times had a way of cementing people in the mind, and they had shared very difficult times.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

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."

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth laid a hand on Sukal's arm.  "Thank you, my friend.  It is appreciated.  And I'd like a long chat with you when time allows!"

[SS Riverside -> Guest Quarters, Innominatum Outpost]

"Thank you. Riverside out," Judy answered with a friendly smile, as she then cut the line.

Soon, they were onboard. The first course of action was, of course, to go to the guest quarters. Then, it was straight to unpack the coffee-making gear. Only once Judy had downed half a cup of espresso was she ready to take on the day.

"You should check in with the Captain," Max advised her. "It would be rude not to."
"You sure we shouldn't explore the place together?" Judy asked him back.
"I'll be fine. You do your job."
"Fine."

With that, Judy got to it, tapping her commbadge.
"Eastman to Captain Sigurdsdottir. I'm on hand to check in with you whenever is convenient."

Ruth smiled, Dr. Eastman's reputation preceded her.  But the CO knew from her colleague Lt. Falleg that the fellow scientist liked decent coffee and that was enough between the immoral bean and science, to make Ruth like her.

Dr. Eastman, welcome to Challenger and Innominatum Outpost.  I'm currently in the Conference Room on the base, I actually think it might be beneficial for you to sit in on this meeting actually, if you'd like to.  Should I send someone up to escort you? Getting one's bearings on a new base sometimes takes time.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

"Lizzie - what coffee is that?  We have Dr. Eastman here, she only drinks the best coffee, Italian medium roast or something.  Make a note to check with her how she likes her coffee when she arrives.  I don't want her inconvenienced over something so trivial to some, life threatening to others... and it would be the person who served her bad coffee who's life would be on the line!" she chuckled.

[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.

"Mr. Lek I haven't had a chance to thank you personally for the sterling work you did with the shuttles for 'Operation Gormagander'!"  she chuckled.  "Well done, and thank you for being part of a great team.  You too Chief Dradis, nice work on the remote piloting! Gentlemen please help yourselves while we wait for the others."

[Sukal]

Ruth laid a hand on Sukal's arm.  "Thank you, my friend.  It is appreciated.  And I'd like a long chat with you when time allows!"

"Yes, I think a long chat between is something we should do soon," Sukal agreed.  A message about Dr. Eastman arriving made Sukal wonder who this was, but apparently she loved her coffee.

There were so many new people present, and Sukal had to find a way to get to know each of them.  It would take time, but he wanted the personnel he would be serving with know he was someone they could work with.  There were several in the Conference Room he simply did not know.  Ruth hadn't had a moment to fully introduce him to the staff as yet, but he was sure that was coming soon.  Perhaps another of her reasons for him being present at this meeting.  Some of the meeting he understood entailed the arrival of new Cadets coming over from the USS REDAV - a Galaxy-class III starship under the command of Rear-Admiral (LH) Alexander D'Arth.  He had heard about the man briefly during his time in Starfleet before retiring, and knew he was a good officer.  The Admiral's reputation was for excellence in tactics, loyalty, and always placing his family first.  It was said he was one of the first to try and capture Admiral Leyton, but had only just barely failed to succeed.

Leyton...

The traitor took up much of Sukal's thoughts with good reason.  His rebellion against the Federation had caused no end of harm and tragedies.  Starfleet really needed to crack down on him, and the sooner the better.  The longer this war lasted; the more chances Starfleet would remain more militant.  To Sukal, that was not an option he wanted to let happen.  Leyton had to be dealt with.

[Judith Eastman]

Dr. Eastman, welcome to Challenger and Innominatum Outpost.  I'm currently in the Conference Room on the base, I actually think it might be beneficial for you to sit in on this meeting actually, if you'd like to.  Should I send someone up to escort you? Getting one's bearings on a new base sometimes takes time.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

[Guest Quarters - Innominatum Outpost]

Judy held in a sigh. She was starting to get a feeling that there might be some tuchus-lecking being done here, and she wasn't comfortable being on the receiving end any more than she was on the giving end.

"That would be lovely - if it's convenient. I don't mean to impose on you. I'm here to analyze, not terrorize. Eastman out."

"Analyze, not terrorize? Are you writing poetry again?" Max ribbed. Judy's rather bad poems had come up early in their relationship, but she'd given them up months ago.
"Funny, you," she answered. "Very droll."
"That's why you married me."

After a brief kiss, they both got to work unpacking some things, while Judy waited for her offered chaperone.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Guest Quarters - Innominatum Outpost]

Judy held in a sigh. She was starting to get a feeling that there might be some tuchus-lecking being done here, and she wasn't comfortable being on the receiving end any more than she was on the giving end.

"That would be lovely - if it's convenient. I don't mean to impose on you. I'm here to analyze, not terrorize. Eastman out."

"Analyze, not terrorize? Are you writing poetry again?" Max ribbed. Judy's rather bad poems had come up early in their relationship, but she'd given them up months ago.
"Funny, you," she answered. "Very droll."
"That's why you married me."

After a brief kiss, they both got to work unpacking some things, while Judy waited for her offered chaperone.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

No problem at all Doctor, your escort should be there imminently.  See you shortly, Sigurdsdottir out. 

[Outside Judy's Guest Quarters - as NPC Cadet Mortica]

The young Rutian female polished her boot toes on the back of her trousers then palmed the chime.

"Cadet Mortica reporting to escort Dr. Eastman to the Conference room, Ma'am!" she announced.

[Judith Eastman]

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

No problem at all Doctor, your escort should be there imminently.  See you shortly, Sigurdsdottir out. 

[Outside Judy's Guest Quarters - as NPC Cadet Mortica]

The young Rutian female polished her boot toes on the back of her trousers then palmed the chime.

"Cadet Mortica reporting to escort Dr. Eastman to the Conference room, Ma'am!" she announced.

[Guest Quarters -> Conference Room]

Judy was just hanging a couple of pantsuits when the chime sounded.

"I'll be out in a second," she called out.

"Well, you have a nice day. I'll let you know once I get lunch situated," she then told Max, before segueing to a kiss.
"Have fun terrorizing them," Max told her after the kiss was through.

With that, Judy walked out and asked the Cadet to, "lead the way, if you please."

With her bifocals, handbag, and the white re-growth in her blonde hair, Judy looked every bit the respectable older woman.

Soon, thanks in large part to Judy's rapid stride, they reached the Conference Room. Judy went to sit down quietly, not wanting to disrupt the meeting too much.

[Lek]

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth laid a hand on Sukal's arm.  "Thank you, my friend.  It is appreciated.  And I'd like a long chat with you when time allows!"

Ruth smiled, Dr. Eastman's reputation preceded her.  But the CO knew from her colleague Lt. Falleg that the fellow scientist liked decent coffee and that was enough between the immoral bean and science, to make Ruth like her.

Dr. Eastman, welcome to Challenger and Innominatum Outpost.  I'm currently in the Conference Room on the base, I actually think it might be beneficial for you to sit in on this meeting actually, if you'd like to.  Should I send someone up to escort you? Getting one's bearings on a new base sometimes takes time.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

"Lizzie - what coffee is that?  We have Dr. Eastman here, she only drinks the best coffee, Italian medium roast or something.  Make a note to check with her how she likes her coffee when she arrives.  I don't want her inconvenienced over something so trivial to some, life threatening to others... and it would be the person who served her bad coffee who's life would be on the line!" she chuckled.

"Mr. Lek I haven't had a chance to thank you personally for the sterling work you did with the shuttles for 'Operation Gormagander'!"  she chuckled.  "Well done, and thank you for being part of a great team.  You too Chief Dradis, nice work on the remote piloting! Gentlemen please help yourselves while we wait for the others."

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Lek smiled with unabashed pride as he replied to the praise from the now captain.

"I'm just glad my insane idea worked. I wouldn't have bet five slips of gold-pressed latinum that it would succeed."

[Mondo'li Nari]

Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room

Mondo turned to regard the small Ferengi.

"I regret that I missed the entire rescue operation, having been monitoring the Praetor.  But I have heard many tales of your swift and effective modifications."  He looked to Dradis, "And also the piloting of the craft.  It is enough to make one swell with contentment to serve alongside such able personnel."

He smiled at the pair, his craggy face resembling a mirthful rivulet-carved mountainside.

Then Judy appeared, and Mondo stood up from the table.

"Doctor."

He bowed his head in respect.

"I do not know if you remember me.   We served together on the ill-fated expedition of the USS Fiji."

Fresh out of the Technical Services Academy, the Fiji had been Mondo's very first field posting.  The mission had descended into a horror show, with the entire crew abducted by the Garfeni and placed in labs for who-knew-what manner of biological experimentation.   They had found a way to slip confinement, and then battled their captors until finally re-taking their ship and making an escape.  Rarely had he been in so desperate or dire a situation, and he would never forget those who had stood beside him in that place.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Lek smiled with unabashed pride as he replied to the praise from the now captain.

"I'm just glad my insane idea worked. I wouldn't have bet five slips of gold-pressed latinum that it would succeed."

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"Well, keep the insane ideas coming, Chief... some of them work! And often we have to think outside of the box in our line of work!" the Captain said with a grin.

[Guest Quarters -> Conference Room]

Judy was just hanging a couple of pantsuits when the chime sounded.

"I'll be out in a second," she called out.

"Well, you have a nice day. I'll let you know once I get lunch situated," she then told Max, before segueing to a kiss.
"Have fun terrorizing them," Max told her after the kiss was through.

With that, Judy walked out and asked the Cadet to, "lead the way, if you please."

With her bifocals, handbag, and the white re-growth in her blonde hair, Judy looked every bit the respectable older woman.

Soon, thanks in large part to Judy's rapid stride, they reached the Conference Room. Judy went to sit down quietly, not wanting to disrupt the meeting too much.

Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room

Mondo turned to regard the small Ferengi.

"I regret that I missed the entire rescue operation, having been monitoring the Praetor.  But I have heard many tales of your swift and effective modifications."  He looked to Dradis, "And also the piloting of the craft.  It is enough to make one swell with contentment to serve alongside such able personnel."

He smiled at the pair, his craggy face resembling a mirthful rivulet-carved mountainside.

Then Judy appeared, and Mondo stood up from the table.

"Doctor."

He bowed his head in respect.

"I do not know if you remember me.   We served together on the ill-fated expedition of the USS Fiji."

Fresh out of the Technical Services Academy, the Fiji had been Mondo's very first field posting.  The mission had descended into a horror show, with the entire crew abducted by the Garfeni and placed in labs for who-knew-what manner of biological experimentation.   They had found a way to slip confinement, and then battled their captors until finally re-taking their ship and making an escape.  Rarely had he been in so desperate or dire a situation, and he would never forget those who had stood beside him in that place.

"I didn't know you two were acquainted!  Welcome Doctor, please help yourself to refreshments.  I warn you tho, the coffee isn't too great.  The Ratkajino is passable.  The meeting will begin soon as I'm sure everyone is here, we're waiting on Sciences I think...in the meantime I'll let you and Petty Officer Nari catch up, we can chat later!" Ruth offered and wandered back to the top of the table.

"Who we still missing?" she asked of Lizzie.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Conference room]

Lahr stepped into the room and looked over the rooms occupants a moment.

"Petty Officer ch'Verret, reporting for stenographer duty" he announced before moving to the far end of the table where he could be out of the way and not involved in the meeting itself.

With computers and automated translation programs, stenography and note-taking was, or should have been a thing of the past. But no, Lahr had to go piss off Oftex - sent the Chief a hand-drawn caricature of the Saurian getting his disco groove on, just as a harmless joke.   Now the Andorian was on the Chief's sh*t-list.  Lahr had never seen the Saurian so livid.  The officer at receiving the drawing - Lahr had left it sitting on his console this morning - had smashed the console so hard it not only broke the console's display it broke several bones in the Saurian's hand, which is why he wasn't here currently and Lahr had been sent to take 'hand-written notes of the entire meeting.... since he liked working with paper and pen'.

Yeah, Lahr had totally misjudged Oftex's reaction at that.  But then the man was stressed out enough given his upcoming wedding and then to have the new Ops officers arrival be of higher rank... No doubt it had to be on the guys mind that his 'Chiefdom' was likely ending soon.

Setting his padd of paper on the table, Lahr began taking an attendance.  He tried to make his writing legible but really, there were four-year olds that could probably write neater than he.  This meeting was so gonna suck for him.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Conference room]

Lahr stepped into the room and over the rooms occupants a moment.

"Petty Officer ch'Verret, reporting for stenographer duty" he announced before moving to the far end of the table where he could be out of the way and not involved in the meeting itself.

With computers and automated translation programs, stenography and note-taking was, or should have been a thing of the past. But no, Lahr had to go piss off Oftex - sent the Chief a hand-drawn caricature of the Saurian getting his disco groove on, just as a harmless joke.   Now the Andorian was on the Chief's sh*t-list.  Lahr had never seen the Saurian so livid.  The officer at receiving the drawing - Lahr had left it sitting on his console this morning - had smashed the console so hard it not only broke the console's display it broke several bones in the Saurian's hand, which is why he wasn't here currently and Lahr had been sent to take 'hand-written notes of the entire meeting.... since he liked working with paper and pen'.

Yeah, Lahr had totally misjudged Oftex's reaction at that.  But then the man was stressed out enough given his upcoming wedding and then to have the new Ops officers arrival be of higher rank... No doubt it had to be on the guys mind that his 'Chiefdom' was likely ending soon.

Setting his padd of paper on the table, Lahr began taking an attendance.  He tried to make his writing legible but really, there were four-year olds that could probably write neater than he.  This meeting was so gonna suck for him.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"At east Petty Officer, we don't bite.  Well, I don't!" she smiled at Lahr, aware that his Chief would have been in a tiss about his wedding, and thus sent his sub-ordinate.  "Do you know if Chief Oftex has actually gone off duty yet?  I gave him the morning off to pack but that man is a workaholic!"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room]

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"At east Petty Officer, we don't bite.  Well, I don't!" she smiled at Lahr, aware that his Chief would have been in a tiss about his wedding, and thus sent his sub-ordinate.  "Do you know if Chief Oftex has actually gone off duty yet?  I gave him the morning off to pack but that man is a workaholic!"

Lahr glanced up from his pad of paper to look along the length of the table.  His antenna twitched a bit.

"Umm.. he was on the Bridge of the Challenger earlier but had a bit of an accident...  He's in Sickbay now.  I guess he'll be packing up shortly after that. I'm not really sure.  He wasn't in a talkative mood this morning." No, instead he'd given Lahr a death-glare.

[Judith Eastman]

Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room

Mondo turned to regard the small Ferengi.

"I regret that I missed the entire rescue operation, having been monitoring the Praetor.  But I have heard many tales of your swift and effective modifications."  He looked to Dradis, "And also the piloting of the craft.  It is enough to make one swell with contentment to serve alongside such able personnel."

He smiled at the pair, his craggy face resembling a mirthful rivulet-carved mountainside.

Then Judy appeared, and Mondo stood up from the table.

"Doctor."

He bowed his head in respect.

"I do not know if you remember me.   We served together on the ill-fated expedition of the USS Fiji."

Fresh out of the Technical Services Academy, the Fiji had been Mondo's very first field posting.  The mission had descended into a horror show, with the entire crew abducted by the Garfeni and placed in labs for who-knew-what manner of biological experimentation.   They had found a way to slip confinement, and then battled their captors until finally re-taking their ship and making an escape.  Rarely had he been in so desperate or dire a situation, and he would never forget those who had stood beside him in that place.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"Well, keep the insane ideas coming, Chief... some of them work! And often we have to think outside of the box in our line of work!" the Captain said with a grin.

"I didn't know you two were acquainted!  Welcome Doctor, please help yourself to refreshments.  I warn you tho, the coffee isn't too great.  The Ratkajino is passable.  The meeting will begin soon as I'm sure everyone is here, we're waiting on Sciences I think...in the meantime I'll let you and Petty Officer Nari catch up, we can chat later!" Ruth offered and wandered back to the top of the table.

"Who we still missing?" she asked of Lizzie.

[Conference Room]

Judy was far from thrilled about the fanfare, but she didn't let her displeasure show. She maintained her pleasant outward demeanor, and then took a brief moment to address the room.

"Thank you, but I'll stick to the water," Judy answered the Captain, though without explaining that the reason for that was heart disease. "I am Doctor Judy Eastman, but you're all free to just call me Judy. Officially, I'm here to evaluate this crew, but I'm really just here to help. I'm rather thrilled to get to know you all, catch up with those I already know, and see you in action."
Judy nodded curtly to Mondo and Lizzie, and then settled back down. Armed with a pen and a pad of physical paper, she began to take notes.

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Conference room]

Lahr stepped into the room and over the rooms occupants a moment.

"Petty Officer ch'Verret, reporting for stenographer duty" he announced before moving to the far end of the table where he could be out of the way and not involved in the meeting itself.

With computers and automated translation programs, stenography and note-taking was, or should have been a thing of the past. But no, Lahr had to go piss off Oftex - sent the Chief a hand-drawn caricature of the Saurian getting his disco groove on, just as a harmless joke.   Now the Andorian was on the Chief's sh*t-list.  Lahr had never seen the Saurian so livid.  The officer at receiving the drawing - Lahr had left it sitting on his console this morning - had smashed the console so hard it not only broke the console's display it broke several bones in the Saurian's hand, which is why he wasn't here currently and Lahr had been sent to take 'hand-written notes of the entire meeting.... since he liked working with paper and pen'.

Yeah, Lahr had totally misjudged Oftex's reaction at that.  But then the man was stressed out enough given his upcoming wedding and then to have the new Ops officers arrival be of higher rank... No doubt it had to be on the guys mind that his 'Chiefdom' was likely ending soon.

Setting his padd of paper on the table, Lahr began taking an attendance.  He tried to make his writing legible but really, there were four-year olds that could probably write neater than he.  This meeting was so gonna suck for him.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"At east Petty Officer, we don't bite.  Well, I don't!" she smiled at Lahr, aware that his Chief would have been in a tiss about his wedding, and thus sent his sub-ordinate.  "Do you know if Chief Oftex has actually gone off duty yet?  I gave him the morning off to pack but that man is a workaholic!"

Judy noted the Andorian. A little goofy, not the most mature, and assigned to take minutes for no particular reason. She'd need to touch base with this one later.

She also noted the Captain's tendency to talk, and talk, and talk. It was almost impressive, in a way.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Conference Room]

Lahr glanced up from his pad of paper to look along the length of the table.  His antenna twitched a bit.

"Umm.. he was on the Bridge of the Challenger earlier but had a bit of an accident...  He's in Sickbay now.  I guess he'll be packing up shortly after that. I'm not really sure.  He wasn't in a talkative mood this morning." No, instead he'd given Lahr a death-glare.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

"Nothing serious I trust?" the Captain asked of Lahr about the Chief "Don't want a groom limping up the aisle or something!"

She acknowledged Judy's preference with a nod, but she was getting annoyed slightly about the punctuality of Sciences.

Tapping her Commbadge with some irritation she hailed Sciences once again.

Sigurdsdottir to Petty Officer Lyra and Lt. T'Vei.  I understand that you may be busy but I requested your presence in the Conference Room on base 10 minutes ago.  Lt. T'Vei if Petty Officer Lyra can deputise for you then you may skip if you're really busy, but Lyra I need you to attend please.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

Hopefully that would make them get a wiggle on.