S3:E1 CLONES

[Lek]

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Base]

"Of course Admiral.  Get some rest.  I'll be sure to particularly let you know how we intend to work our miracle!" Ruth said with a small smile.  She sent a quick message to Lizzie and Sukal.

TO: Dr. Lizzie Vaughan, CMO, Lt. Sukal, Acting Chief of Ops
FROM: Acting Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Admiral d'Arth

While I'm no medical person, nor do I have any formal telepathic or empathic skills, I have a feeling, call it a 6th sense there is more wrong with the Admiral than mere fatigue and grief.

Sukal, did you get any read on him?

Lizzie, since your presence is very much needed in the meeting may I recommend dispatching Cadet Rosario to check him over and maybe by way of explanation of her presence offer something that will let him have 8 hours restful slumber?

~ Ruth

~MESSAGE ENDS~

"Right everyone listen up.  Meeting is now in session, we'll let Security catch up when they get here. Please continue to partake of Chief Dradis's generous gift just be polite and don't talk with your mouth full!" The Captain looked around and gave a wry smile, catching a little gravy on the corner of her mouth with a paper napkin.

"First I'll get Lt. Lek's mini heartattack out of the way, Doctor, be on standby with the jump leads,.." Ruth winked at Lizzie and chuckled.  "...Admiral d'Arth has had orders he needs to fulfill so you have 72 hours to fix up the Redav.  If you have to put all other repairs on hold, we need to get that ship able to fly and go to warp in 72hrs.  So can my Wizard and his merry band of conjurers perform this minor miracle?!  And don't say you are an Engineer not a Wizard or Miracle worker... in my experience those words are just synonyms for Engineer! And besides....I've had first hand experience of your miracle working and crazy schemes that are glimmers of brilliance.  I thrive on 'unorthodox things that work' so whatever it takes Chief." she looked at Lek waiting for the howls of protest knowing that the Ferengi Chief was one of the best in the fleet and he was her Chief Engineer.  It made her very proud.

[InnominatumOutpost - Main Conference room]

Lek kept his expression neutral despite being annoyed by the feemale's implications and replied with an even tone.

"Ma'am, I am not given to hyperbole, nor do I inflate repair estimates. The Redav has sustained structural damage beyond the capacity of her crew, our crew, and the station's infrastructure to repair. I'd rate her hull integrity at no more than sixty percent. I believe we can get her up to maybe eighty-five at best. To get her fully repaired will require a spacedock."

Lek hoped he got his point across this time, because sometimes a thing gets broken beyond repair, at least without help and out here, help was not an option.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Deck 4 - Main Conference room]

"As you wish Mr. ch'Verret, offer is open any time.  If you're not there I'll have a word with Pickle and you may have a drink any time on my dime... one drink that is!" the Captain chuckled.  "And thank you." she indicated his fingers working on the PADD

"Well certainly covers a few bases Petty Officer,.." the Captain answered Lyra.  "I need to speak about the plants, get your and Mr ch'Verret's report from your investigations and you are here representing the Science department... all good."

She turned to Sukal, the Admiral and Lizzie "Do you think I should start? There's a lot to get through and while Security should certainly be alerted I'm sure I can schedule the more Security orientated parts of the meeting for when Lt. Taray or her deputy arrives."

Ruth read the note on her PADD from Judy.

"Oh, if you've already sent that message Mr. ch'Verret no worries, but Dr. Eastman won't be joining us, her presence is required urgently recalling her to Columbus." Ruth said.  She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or sad.  She liked Judy, but as Judy, socially.  As for her observing, she wasn't sure how to take her.

As the meeting came to order, Lahr set his PADD to record audio - ever so grateful he didn't have to take notes by hand - and listened, waiting for when or if he needed to give an update.  He shouldn't have to though, everything he learned was part and parcel of someone else's work.  He didn't have anything new to add.

While Lek gave his less than encouraging update on the Redav's projected repairs, Lahr wondered if there was anyway that he could help?  Likely not, he certainly wasn't no engineer.  But maybe the Ferengi engineer would have some simple task that Lahr could feel useful at.

[Esme Labinjoh]

[AS CHIEF DRADIS]
[Outpost Flight Control Chief Office > Conference Room - 15 mins before the scheduled meeting]

NOTE: Esme moved with permission of player for the 'walk and talk' element of this!

"Where's the fire Crewman?!" Dradis asked with a slight smile. "If you wanted here quickly then maybe think about site to site transporting, the Challenger has 2 Transporter rooms, and the Transporter operatives all have the coordinates of all our offices. Consider that next time, your lungs will thank you for it."

He pulled out a crate for her to site on while he continued on with some stuff still talking.

"Sit, do you want a coffee? I just wanted to introduce myself before the meeting since while we've sort of spoken via comms it kinda doesn't do much for imagining what someone looks like and so on. I mean I never thought you'd be a wee slip of a girl as my mentor would have called you, he was from your country sort of. Well from Scotland, a darn sight closer to where you're from than me. I'm Chief Hoshi Dradis, from Betazed as you probably wouldn't have got from the eyes. My mother was half human so I'm actually 3/4 Betazoid 1/4 Human, and I got the Human eyes!" he chuckled.

"So whereabouts are you from and if you've caught your breath we can walk and talk, making our way up to Deck 4 and the Conference Room. I'm going to drop you right in it I'm afraid, but it's important that you're there, the Captain is going to talk us through the investigation reports, or rather, those involved in the investigations are, and then... we find out what we're going to be doing for the next few weeks. In all likelihood we're going to be based here as in this office. There'll be a bit of workabee flying if there are hull repairs to do and so on, but also diagnostics on the navigation systems." Hoshi explained. Esme nodded, stood and walked with him.

"But we'll find out soon enough and get our orders. Oh and our Flight Cadet, not sure if you've had a chance to meet him yet, Andrew Olivia. You'll have to meet him at some point. At the moment I think he's running checks on the Challenger. But we'll have a department drink sometime soon, get to know everyone."

They came to the main Promenade and Dradis dived into a bakery coming out with 4 huge boxes, 2 had various savoury pies in, the other two were one of cupcakes and one of doughnuts.

"Feeding the masses - an army cannot march on an empty stomach and if I know the rest of the senior officers, and I do... they won't have stopped in the 2 hours that we've been docked. Can you take those two please?" He released the bottom 2 boxes from the pile into Esme's arms.

"Not far now,.." he turned into a Turbolift and ordered it to Deck 4. "... and here we are. Set yours down on that end please Crewman. I hope you don't mind Captain,.." the Chief said as the aroma of the savoury meat, cheese and vegetable pastries started to assault the nostrils. "I brought food from McTavish's Bakery, a little gem I've found. Savoury pies and pastries, 2 boxes of - the cheese and the veggie ones are in the green box, so if there are any dietary considerations to be made... and then one box of doughnuts, one of cupcakes. If you are anything like me you won't have stopped these last two hours and nor will anyone else. If someone would replecate some plates, forks and napkins. Even with my attractive assistant here, Crewman Labinjoh... some of you may have met her, I couldn't manage everything."

He took a seat at the end of the table and waved Esme to sit down. "Let someone else set the table... you've done plenty!" and smiled.

[AS RUTH]

Ruth had looked up as Lizzie arrived, and then a few moments later her Flight Chief, and Crewman Labinjoh.

As the smell of the meat pies hit her nostrils Ruth's stomach let out an almighty growl.

"I think you've just got your answer Chief!, thank you, it is most appreciated, I'll overlook this once that we don't normally have food especially warm food at such meetings but well needs must and I'm sure no-one here has had too much of a break. Even Admiral d'Arth won't have eaten. People help yourselves to Mr. Dradis's generosity and someone pass me one of the steak pies please! Who are we missing let's see... "

Ruth started a quick head count looking around the room. "Commanding Officer,.." she patted her own shoulder, "Check, First Officer... don't yet have one, Second Officer and Medical, yep. Admiral d'Arth, do you know of any of your senior officers who might be attending? I'm aware you sent Commander Thompson to rest, and I totally agree with you on that. Poor thing was totally shattered." she asked of the Admiral who was still looking a bit ropey in her opinion.

"Flight, yes..doubly represented thank you Mrs. Labinjoh, welcome. Lt. Taray... nooo but she might be tied up with Customs at the moment, Lt. Lek, not as yet, Lt. Sukal and Petty Officer ch'Verret yes and yes."
Ruth smiled again at everyone. "And Lyra both for the report that you and Lahr were doing and... are you deputizing for Lt. T'Vei?" the Captain asked of the Science Petty Officer.

"Does anyone know if Dr. Eastman was planning on attending?, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we started but Mr. ch'Verret can you send a reminder out to Dr. Eastman, Lt. Lek and Lt. Taray. We do have Cadet Mr'aarra, sorry dear you were so quiet there I nearly forgot you were here, my apologies, but I need Lt. Lek's report. So yes, please Petty Officer, " she said returning her concentration to Lahr. "A reminder please to Security and Engineering Chiefs that the meeting will start in 5 mins. Thank you. Everyone get some drinks, perhaps some more jugs of water, Cadet Mr'aarra would you and perhaps Crewman Labinjoh organise that. I want to keep this as short a meeting as I can, however there is a lot of information to get through and while I fully intend taking Mr. ch'Verret and anyone that wishes to join us to the Pickled Pakled afterwards as we've jolly well earned it, we still have to get to the end of the meeting first!"

[Outpost Flight Control Chief Office - Conference Room - 10 mins before the scheduled meeting]

Esme sat looking between Captain Sigurdsdottir and Chief Dradis.

There was something about the Chief. He very much reminded her of someone. And at that moment if anyone had asked her who. Esme would have been hard pressed to say who.

A wee slip of a girl. That was the way he had described her. And as he did and without a thought she smiled.

She hadn't ever met anyone from Betazed. And as she sat watching him as he interacted with ease with those present. A million questions crossed her mind as another smile seem to spontaneously burst upon her face. She hoped a moment would present itself when she could ask the Chief about his homeworld and his people.

Captain Sigurdsdottir, Esme had only briefly met her since coming aboard and she was already most impressed. To look at her, the Captain seemed on the young side of life and very wise beyond her years. She was also very personable. This was a most desirable in a commanding officer. That was Esme's thought.

The Captain also had an assuredness about her. Esme was a bit envious. Though not as much as in her younger years, at times she still tended to be painfully shy.

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Base]

"Of course Admiral. Get some rest. I'll be sure to particularly let you know how we intend to work our miracle!" Ruth said with a small smile. She sent a quick message to Lizzie and Sukal.

TO: Dr. Lizzie Vaughan, CMO, Lt. Sukal, Acting Chief of Ops
FROM: Acting Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Admiral d'Arth

While I'm no medical person, nor do I have any formal telepathic or empathic skills, I have a feeling, call it a 6th sense there is more wrong with the Admiral than mere fatigue and grief.

Sukal, did you get any read on him?

Lizzie, since your presence is very much needed in the meeting may I recommend dispatching Cadet Rosario to check him over and maybe by way of explanation of her presence offer something that will let him have 8 hours restful slumber?

~ Ruth

~MESSAGE ENDS~

"Right everyone listen up. Meeting is now in session, we'll let Security catch up when they get here. Please continue to partake of Chief Dradis's generous gift just be polite and don't talk with your mouth full!" The Captain looked around and gave a wry smile, catching a little gravy on the corner of her mouth with a paper napkin.

"First I'll get Lt. Lek's mini heartattack out of the way, Doctor, be on standby with the jump leads,.." Ruth winked at Lizzie and chuckled. "...Admiral d'Arth has had orders he needs to fulfill so you have 72 hours to fix up the Redav. If you have to put all other repairs on hold, we need to get that ship able to fly and go to warp in 72hrs. So can my Wizard and his merry band of conjurers perform this minor miracle?! And don't say you are an Engineer not a Wizard or Miracle worker... in my experience those words are just synonyms for Engineer! And besides....I've had first hand experience of your miracle working and crazy schemes that are glimmers of brilliance. I thrive on 'unorthodox things that work' so whatever it takes Chief." she looked at Lek waiting for the howls of protest knowing that the Ferengi Chief was one of the best in the fleet and he was her Chief Engineer. It made her very proud.

Then just as she was about, with Cadet Mr'aarra, to get more jugs of water. The Captain called the meeting to order. Esme returned to her seat, sat back down and smiled at Cadet Mr'aarra.

[Lek]

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Base]

"Of course Admiral.  Get some rest.  I'll be sure to particularly let you know how we intend to work our miracle!" Ruth said with a small smile.  She sent a quick message to Lizzie and Sukal.

TO: Dr. Lizzie Vaughan, CMO, Lt. Sukal, Acting Chief of Ops
FROM: Acting Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Admiral d'Arth

While I'm no medical person, nor do I have any formal telepathic or empathic skills, I have a feeling, call it a 6th sense there is more wrong with the Admiral than mere fatigue and grief.

Sukal, did you get any read on him?

Lizzie, since your presence is very much needed in the meeting may I recommend dispatching Cadet Rosario to check him over and maybe by way of explanation of her presence offer something that will let him have 8 hours restful slumber?

~ Ruth

~MESSAGE ENDS~

[POSTING AS CADET PAULINE ROSARIO]

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Pauline had spent ever possible moment just taking in the sickbay of the Challenger. Based on a very old design, she was pleasantly surprised to find the facilities had been fully upgraded and were at least as modern as those of the Redav, which was also an older, but upgraded design.

She had gone over the sickbay's equipment and was reading up on the latest in Bajoran pharmacology when the doors opened and no less than Admiral D'ath entered. As the nurse greeted him and began the intake process, Pauline hoped the doctor would allow her to observe the examination.

It was a simple thing, trivial actually, and something she'd done many times on the Redav before she'd had to leap into life saving procedures, but the basics were essential to good medicine and she wanted to see Doctor Vaughn's methodology first hand.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[InnominatumOutpost - Main Conference room]

Lek kept his expression neutral despite being annoyed by the feemale's implications and replied with an even tone.

"Ma'am, I am not given to hyperbole, nor do I inflate repair estimates. The Redav has sustained structural damage beyond the capacity of her crew, our crew, and the station's infrastructure to repair. I'd rate her hull integrity at no more than sixty percent. I believe we can get her up to maybe eighty-five at best. To get her fully repaired will require a spacedock."

Lek hoped he got his point across this time, because sometimes a thing gets broken beyond repair, at least without help and out here, help was not an option.

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth listened to Lek and frowned, not at the Ferengi, nor really at his words, but at the implication of them.  She let out a puffing breath.

"I was afraid you were going to say that, where is the nearest space dock to here, and, could you patch her up enough to get her to there?  I respect your expertise Lieutenant, I'm not an Engineer as I said, I leave that to you and your team.  However, I have to try and keep an Admiral sweet too.  That said much like if Dr. Vaughan said 'You're not walking, your leg is broken in 4 places and you're going to have to sit it out and let it heal the old fashioned way.' I would have no choice but to comply, if the Redav is crippled, she is, and you have the power to ground her, but, if you do that and send her to whatever space dock is closest, then at least we've fulfilled our obligations and managed to get her to that spot."  she gave a wry smile.

"It's your 'fault' Lieutenant, you shouldn't be so damn good.  I'm used to miracles!" she gave Lek a warm smile.  "Don't let me bully you into doing the impossible ever, however.  I'm big enough to be told 'NO!' and realise that it really does mean no when it comes to things like 'can we overclock the engines'."  she nodded, seemingly agreeing with her own words.  "Just do what you can, Chief, I'll sort out the Admiral."

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Deck 4 - Main Conference room]

As the meeting came to order, Lahr set his PADD to record audio - ever so grateful he didn't have to take notes by hand - and listened, waiting for when or if he needed to give an update.  He shouldn't have to though, everything he learned was part and parcel of someone else's work.  He didn't have anything new to add.

While Lek gave his less than encouraging update on the Redav's projected repairs, Lahr wondered if there was anyway that he could help?  Likely not, he certainly wasn't no engineer.  But maybe the Ferengi engineer would have some simple task that Lahr could feel useful at.

[Outpost Flight Control Chief Office - Conference Room - 10 mins before the scheduled meeting]

Esme sat looking between Captain Sigurdsdottir and Chief Dradis.

There was something about the Chief. He very much reminded her of someone. And at that moment if anyone had asked her who. Esme would have been hard pressed to say who.

A wee slip of a girl. That was the way he had described her. And as he did and without a thought she smiled.

She hadn't ever met anyone from Betazed. And as she sat watching him as he interacted with ease with those present. A million questions crossed her mind as another smile seem to spontaneously burst upon her face. She hoped a moment would present itself when she could ask the Chief about his homeworld and his people.

Captain Sigurdsdottir, Esme had only briefly met her since coming aboard and she was already most impressed. To look at her, the Captain seemed on the young side of life and very wise beyond her years. She was also very personable. This was a most desirable in a commanding officer. That was Esme's thought.

The Captain also had an assuredness about her. Esme was a bit envious. Though not as much as in her younger years, at times she still tended to be painfully shy.

Then just as she was about, with Cadet Mr'aarra, to get more jugs of water. The Captain called the meeting to order. Esme returned to her seat, sat back down and smiled at Cadet Mr'aarra.

The Captain smiled down the table as the two younger women sat back down.

"Since I've interrupted everyone's day, so long as you do so as quietly as possible, please do replicate drinks as needed."

She looked at her PADD, finding what was next on her agenda.

"Ah yes, I can kind of tie in several things here, this might speed things a little.  Petty Officer Lyra, you might want to set your PADD to record for this one, saves you writing it..."  she cast an approving eye at Lahr, remembering with an inward chuckle his reaction to Judy's laborious longhand! "...The baby strobolin plants arrived with the Redav.  Now I don't know if anyone other than Dr. Vaughan is aware but Strobolin is about the only thing effective against Chirocytosis.  And, after a while, replicated Strobolin stops working."

She paused and took a small mouthful of drink.  "It is my hope to have Sciences work with Medical in propagating enough plants to send out to other ships in the fleet so they can do the same, and have enough to make Dr. McGellen's serum which seems to be effective for all species...with fresh plants for it to be as potent as possible."

She looked around at Lyra, then at Mr'aarra and finally to Sukal and Lahr.

"This brings me to my next point.  As you know Lieutenants Sukal and Lek, with the help of Petty Officers Lahr and Lyra were investigating the explosion in the Redav Shuttlebay.  Cadet Mr'aarra was there, preparing these plants for transfer.  Lt. Sukal, perhaps you can take point on this, give your report and then maybe Mr. Lek, then our Petty Officer Team, and finally Mr'aarra unless Lt. Sukal wishes to ask Mr'aarra anything in which case her testimony may be taken that way.  Mr. Sukal?"  The Captain handed off to Sukal the way a judge would hand over to a barrister in a court of law.

[Lizzie Vaughan]

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Base]

"Of course Admiral.  Get some rest.  I'll be sure to particularly let you know how we intend to work our miracle!" Ruth said with a small smile.  She sent a quick message to Lizzie and Sukal.

TO: Dr. Lizzie Vaughan, CMO, Lt. Sukal, Acting Chief of Ops
FROM: Acting Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Admiral d'Arth

While I'm no medical person, nor do I have any formal telepathic or empathic skills, I have a feeling, call it a 6th sense there is more wrong with the Admiral than mere fatigue and grief.

Sukal, did you get any read on him?

Lizzie, since your presence is very much needed in the meeting may I recommend dispatching Cadet Rosario to check him over and maybe by way of explanation of her presence offer something that will let him have 8 hours restful slumber?

~ Ruth

~MESSAGE ENDS~

Conference Room

Lizzie's PADD pinged and she took a note of the message. Agreeing, she penned a response.

To: Captain USS Challenger
From: Dr E Vaughan, CMO USS Challenger.
Subject: Health of Admiral d'Arth

I agree he needs looking over. I will send a message to Cadet Rosario and get her to do a full checkup and send me the results with you being cc'd into them.

Sending the message, she sent another to Rosario.

To: Cadet Rosario.
From: Dr E Vaughan, CMO USS Challenger.
Subject: Medical for Admiral d'Arth.

Cadet. When the Admiral arrives, please to a full physical workup on him, including toxicology and neural. Once this is complete, try and get him to get at least 8 hours of sleep and send me the full results and copy the Captain in. If you have any questions, please let me know.

"Right everyone listen up.  Meeting is now in session, we'll let Security catch up when they get here. Please continue to partake of Chief Dradis's generous gift just be polite and don't talk with your mouth full!" The Captain looked around and gave a wry smile, catching a little gravy on the corner of her mouth with a paper napkin.

"First I'll get Lt. Lek's mini heartattack out of the way, Doctor, be on standby with the jump leads,.." Ruth winked at Lizzie and chuckled.  "...Admiral d'Arth has had orders he needs to fulfill so you have 72 hours to fix up the Redav.  If you have to put all other repairs on hold, we need to get that ship able to fly and go to warp in 72hrs.  So can my Wizard and his merry band of conjurers perform this minor miracle?!  And don't say you are an Engineer not a Wizard or Miracle worker... in my experience those words are just synonyms for Engineer! And besides....I've had first hand experience of your miracle working and crazy schemes that are glimmers of brilliance.  I thrive on 'unorthodox things that work' so whatever it takes Chief." she looked at Lek waiting for the howls of protest knowing that the Ferengi Chief was one of the best in the fleet and he was her Chief Engineer.  It made her very proud.

Lizzie gave Ruth a smirk at the results before waiting to hear what would be happening next.

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth listened to Lek and frowned, not at the Ferengi, nor really at his words, but at the implication of them.  She let out a puffing breath.

"I was afraid you were going to say that, where is the nearest space dock to here, and, could you patch her up enough to get her to there?  I respect your expertise Lieutenant, I'm not an Engineer as I said, I leave that to you and your team.  However, I have to try and keep an Admiral sweet too.  That said much like if Dr. Vaughan said 'You're not walking, your leg is broken in 4 places and you're going to have to sit it out and let it heal the old fashioned way.' I would have no choice but to comply, if the Redav is crippled, she is, and you have the power to ground her, but, if you do that and send her to whatever space dock is closest, then at least we've fulfilled our obligations and managed to get her to that spot."  she gave a wry smile.

"It's your 'fault' Lieutenant, you shouldn't be so damn good.  I'm used to miracles!" she gave Lek a warm smile.  "Don't let me bully you into doing the impossible ever, however.  I'm big enough to be told 'NO!' and realise that it really does mean no when it comes to things like 'can we overclock the engines'."  she nodded, seemingly agreeing with her own words.  "Just do what you can, Chief, I'll sort out the Admiral."

The Captain smiled down the table as the two younger women sat back down.

"Since I've interrupted everyone's day, so long as you do so as quietly as possible, please do replicate drinks as needed."

She looked at her PADD, finding what was next on her agenda.

"Ah yes, I can kind of tie in several things here, this might speed things a little.  Petty Officer Lyra, you might want to set your PADD to record for this one, saves you writing it..."  she cast an approving eye at Lahr, remembering with an inward chuckle his reaction to Judy's laborious longhand! "...The baby strobolin plants arrived with the Redav.  Now I don't know if anyone other than Dr. Vaughan is aware but Strobolin is about the only thing effective against Chirocytosis.  And, after a while, replicated Strobolin stops working."

She paused and took a small mouthful of drink.  "It is my hope to have Sciences work with Medical in propagating enough plants to send out to other ships in the fleet so they can do the same, and have enough to make Dr. McGellen's serum which seems to be effective for all species...with fresh plants for it to be as potent as possible."

She looked around at Lyra, then at Mr'aarra and finally to Sukal and Lahr.

"This brings me to my next point.  As you know Lieutenants Sukal and Lek, with the help of Petty Officers Lahr and Lyra were investigating the explosion in the Redav Shuttlebay.  Cadet Mr'aarra was there, preparing these plants for transfer.  Lt. Sukal, perhaps you can take point on this, give your report and then maybe Mr. Lek, then our Petty Officer Team, and finally Mr'aarra unless Lt. Sukal wishes to ask Mr'aarra anything in which case her testimony may be taken that way.  Mr. Sukal?"  The Captain handed off to Sukal the way a judge would hand over to a barrister in a court of law.

Lizzie almost corrected the Captain about the Strobolin. The replicated variant did no more than buy time, for a cure you needed the naturally occurring type. The problem was that, due to the rather extreme growing conditions required, it only grew on about 5 planets in the entire Federation.

As Ruth mentioned the explosion, she too turned to Sukal to await his findings.

[Lek]

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth listened to Lek and frowned, not at the Ferengi, nor really at his words, but at the implication of them.  She let out a puffing breath.

"I was afraid you were going to say that, where is the nearest space dock to here, and, could you patch her up enough to get her to there?  I respect your expertise Lieutenant, I'm not an Engineer as I said, I leave that to you and your team.  However, I have to try and keep an Admiral sweet too.  That said much like if Dr. Vaughan said 'You're not walking, your leg is broken in 4 places and you're going to have to sit it out and let it heal the old fashioned way.' I would have no choice but to comply, if the Redav is crippled, she is, and you have the power to ground her, but, if you do that and send her to whatever space dock is closest, then at least we've fulfilled our obligations and managed to get her to that spot."  she gave a wry smile.

"It's your 'fault' Lieutenant, you shouldn't be so damn good.  I'm used to miracles!" she gave Lek a warm smile.  "Don't let me bully you into doing the impossible ever, however.  I'm big enough to be told 'NO!' and realise that it really does mean no when it comes to things like 'can we overclock the engines'."  she nodded, seemingly agreeing with her own words.  "Just do what you can, Chief, I'll sort out the Admiral."

The Captain smiled down the table as the two younger women sat back down.

"Since I've interrupted everyone's day, so long as you do so as quietly as possible, please do replicate drinks as needed."

She looked at her PADD, finding what was next on her agenda.

"Ah yes, I can kind of tie in several things here, this might speed things a little.  Petty Officer Lyra, you might want to set your PADD to record for this one, saves you writing it..."  she cast an approving eye at Lahr, remembering with an inward chuckle his reaction to Judy's laborious longhand! "...The baby strobolin plants arrived with the Redav.  Now I don't know if anyone other than Dr. Vaughan is aware but Strobolin is about the only thing effective against Chirocytosis.  And, after a while, replicated Strobolin stops working."

She paused and took a small mouthful of drink.  "It is my hope to have Sciences work with Medical in propagating enough plants to send out to other ships in the fleet so they can do the same, and have enough to make Dr. McGellen's serum which seems to be effective for all species...with fresh plants for it to be as potent as possible."

She looked around at Lyra, then at Mr'aarra and finally to Sukal and Lahr.

"This brings me to my next point.  As you know Lieutenants Sukal and Lek, with the help of Petty Officers Lahr and Lyra were investigating the explosion in the Redav Shuttlebay.  Cadet Mr'aarra was there, preparing these plants for transfer.  Lt. Sukal, perhaps you can take point on this, give your report and then maybe Mr. Lek, then our Petty Officer Team, and finally Mr'aarra unless Lt. Sukal wishes to ask Mr'aarra anything in which case her testimony may be taken that way.  Mr. Sukal?"  The Captain handed off to Sukal the way a judge would hand over to a barrister in a court of law.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Lek kept his expression neutral as it seemed he simply couldn't communicate what he was saying well enough to be understood.

"Ma'am, I never said the Redav was crippled. Her warp drive is fine she is fully capable of operating under her own power. Her critical repair needs are structural. Simply put, she has a lot of holes in her from multiple photon hits.

"She's open to space and the underlying framework has to be repaired to get her hull fully sealed and back to being fully space worthy. We can place temporary cribbing and fare over the openings, but that will not fix the damage to the framework. She needs a space dock for that and I say Deep Space Four is the closet facility that can handle that large a ship.

"In seventy-two hours, we can get her more stable than she is now and get her where she could even fight, but not two Akiras again. She would have to limit her top speed to warp eight, but that should be more than enough."

[Sukal]

The Captain smiled down the table as the two younger women sat back down.

"Since I've interrupted everyone's day, so long as you do so as quietly as possible, please do replicate drinks as needed."

She looked at her PADD, finding what was next on her agenda.

"Ah yes, I can kind of tie in several things here, this might speed things a little.  Petty Officer Lyra, you might want to set your PADD to record for this one, saves you writing it..."  she cast an approving eye at Lahr, remembering with an inward chuckle his reaction to Judy's laborious longhand! "...The baby strobolin plants arrived with the Redav.  Now I don't know if anyone other than Dr. Vaughan is aware but Strobolin is about the only thing effective against Chirocytosis.  And, after a while, replicated Strobolin stops working."

She paused and took a small mouthful of drink.  "It is my hope to have Sciences work with Medical in propagating enough plants to send out to other ships in the fleet so they can do the same, and have enough to make Dr. McGellen's serum which seems to be effective for all species...with fresh plants for it to be as potent as possible."

She looked around at Lyra, then at Mr'aarra and finally to Sukal and Lahr.

"This brings me to my next point.  As you know Lieutenants Sukal and Lek, with the help of Petty Officers Lahr and Lyra were investigating the explosion in the Redav Shuttlebay.  Cadet Mr'aarra was there, preparing these plants for transfer.  Lt. Sukal, perhaps you can take point on this, give your report and then maybe Mr. Lek, then our Petty Officer Team, and finally Mr'aarra unless Lt. Sukal wishes to ask Mr'aarra anything in which case her testimony may be taken that way.  Mr. Sukal?"  The Captain handed off to Sukal the way a judge would hand over to a barrister in a court of law.

Sukal nodded politely to his Captain after he had been called upon to give his report to those present.  It wasn't going to be pretty, but there was no way around that part of it.

"The investigation into the explosion on the the REDAV has been met with some rather disturbing evidence as well as some blockades we are all still working on.  Our first thought originally was that the shuttlebay had been sabotaged for reasons we could not explain.  The explosion ripped the bay to pieces even with the rapid deployment of the containment field, and caused damage to the starship's bridge and impulse engines.  However, this was not an act of sabotage - which would have been bad enough.  Instead, we discovered there was an actual attempted murder of an officer in the bay at the time of the explosion.  It took some doing, but the missing seconds in the data I was reviewing showed Lieutenant Sevek dodging to one side even before the plasma tanks he was transporting had exploded.  On further investigation into why he would dodge before such an event had taken place; I discovered a phaser attack directly aimed at his back.  The whine of the phaser firing mush have alerted him to the attack before it struck.  Him dodging to one side let the phaser hit the plasma tanks instead, and thus caused the explosion.  The direction of the shot came from somewhere near the entrance to the shuttlebay, but the record does not show who fired the shot," Sukal began after standing up to face his companions.

He let all of those details sink in first before continuing on with his findings.  His face grew truly grim when he continued.

"Now we come to the blockades the investigation ran into.  As I was sitting at Science One on the REDAV; I was going to use Lieutenant Lek's idea to find all of the comm badge signals of every crew member in the area at the time of the explosion.  This would vastly narrow down any suspects, and might even help us to pinpoint the attacker.  However, after downloading the files from Security, and narrowing the search to those in the shuttlebay - all of the data simply vanished right before my eyes.  I have attempted various ways to bring the data back, but it simply isn't there to recover.  It wasn't simply deleted, or even destroyed.  The data was completely erased as if it had never been.  I sent my findings and problem to Mr. ch'Verret, but his team was unable to recover the data either.  Someone on that ship knew we were investigating and closing in on the assassin, and sabotaged our investigation.  Someone with computer skills on par with the very best, or enough command clearance to initiate such data removal.  We were unable to find the source of the tampering, but we now have a massive security issue."

Again, he paused as he took in all of the people present in the room slowly.  What he would have to say next would not be pleasant at all, and it would be a nightmare for those in Security.

"First problem:  a would be assassin attempted to assassinate a fellow officer; which was successful only due to the explosion in the shuttlebay.  This person remains unidentified, but we have a couple of suspects thanks to my memory of seeing the data before it vanished mysteriously.  Of the six I had seen at the shuttlebay via their comm signals; only three are left to investigate:  Ensign L'Sharis, Chief Petty Officer Mershari, and Cadet Mr'aarra.  We have the Cadet here to question - which I will do shortly, but the other two have served with distinction and prestige for years aboard the REDAV.  Neither of them have so much as a black mark to their records, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't investigate them later.  Second problem:  with the transfer of personnel temporarily to the CHALLENGER and the outpost - we no longer know who may be involved in this conspiracy.  Those who came from the REDAV are now under suspicion no matter their rank or position, because we simply do not know who tampered with the records.  It came from inside their own starship, and thus leaves us with a rather severe problem.  I must therefore recommend that no personnel from the REDAV be given access to sensitive areas of the outpost or our ship until we have uncovered who is behind this tampering," Sukal finally added before turning his full attention to Cadet Mr'aarra.

"That said, I have trouble believing Cadet Mr'aarra's explanation.  I understand little about Caitian's other than they are known for their cat-like grace and speed, but even with that - I understand you were only slightly injured in the explosion.  This confuses me, Cadet.  Call it me looking at the details, but the plasma explosion covered the entire bay enough to damage it severely, and add further damage to the ship's bridge and impulse engines even with a containment field in place rapidly.  So, I must ask...how did you escape the explosive plasma fire which swept through the shuttlebay, and caused the death of at least four of your fellow shipmates also present?" Sukal said to the Caitian woman with narrowed eyes focused solely on her.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Conference Room

Lizzie's PADD pinged and she took a note of the message. Agreeing, she penned a response.

To: Captain USS Challenger
From: Dr E Vaughan, CMO USS Challenger.
Subject: Health of Admiral d'Arth

I agree he needs looking over. I will send a message to Cadet Rosario and get her to do a full checkup and send me the results with you being cc'd into them.

[Conference Room - Innominatum Outpost]

Lek kept his expression neutral as it seemed he simply couldn't communicate what he was saying well enough to be understood.

"Ma'am, I never said the Redav was crippled. Her warp drive is fine she is fully capable of operating under her own power. Her critical repair needs are structural. Simply put, she has a lot of holes in her from multiple photon hits.

"She's open to space and the underlying framework has to be repaired to get her hull fully sealed and back to being fully space worthy. We can place temporary cribbing and fare over the openings, but that will not fix the damage to the framework. She needs a space dock for that and I say Deep Space Four is the closet facility that can handle that large a ship.

"In seventy-two hours, we can get her more stable than she is now and get her where she could even fight, but not two Akiras again. She would have to limit her top speed to warp eight, but that should be more than enough."

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth briefly touched Lizzie's hand, motioned to the PADD and simply nodded rather than interrupt anyone.  When Lek spoke up, she held up a finger to Sukal just to give her one second, and inclined her head at Lek.

"Make it so Lieutenant, thank you. "

Sukal nodded politely to his Captain after he had been called upon to give his report to those present.  It wasn't going to be pretty, but there was no way around that part of it.

"The investigation into the explosion on the the REDAV has been met with some rather disturbing evidence as well as some blockades we are all still working on.  Our first thought originally was that the shuttlebay had been sabotaged for reasons we could not explain.  The explosion ripped the bay to pieces even with the rapid deployment of the containment field, and caused damage to the starship's bridge and impulse engines.  However, this was not an act of sabotage - which would have been bad enough.  Instead, we discovered there was an actual attempted murder of an officer in the bay at the time of the explosion.  It took some doing, but the missing seconds in the data I was reviewing showed Lieutenant Sevek dodging to one side even before the plasma tanks he was transporting had exploded.  On further investigation into why he would dodge before such an event had taken place; I discovered a phaser attack directly aimed at his back.  The whine of the phaser firing mush have alerted him to the attack before it struck.  Him dodging to one side let the phaser hit the plasma tanks instead, and thus caused the explosion.  The direction of the shot came from somewhere near the entrance to the shuttlebay, but the record does not show who fired the shot," Sukal began after standing up to face his companions.

He let all of those details sink in first before continuing on with his findings.  His face grew truly grim when he continued.

"Now we come to the blockades the investigation ran into.  As I was sitting at Science One on the REDAV; I was going to use Lieutenant Lek's idea to find all of the comm badge signals of every crew member in the area at the time of the explosion.  This would vastly narrow down any suspects, and might even help us to pinpoint the attacker.  However, after downloading the files from Security, and narrowing the search to those in the shuttlebay - all of the data simply vanished right before my eyes.  I have attempted various ways to bring the data back, but it simply isn't there to recover.  It wasn't simply deleted, or even destroyed.  The data was completely erased as if it had never been.  I sent my findings and problem to Mr. ch'Verret, but his team was unable to recover the data either.  Someone on that ship knew we were investigating and closing in on the assassin, and sabotaged our investigation.  Someone with computer skills on par with the very best, or enough command clearance to initiate such data removal.  We were unable to find the source of the tampering, but we now have a massive security issue."

Again, he paused as he took in all of the people present in the room slowly.  What he would have to say next would not be pleasant at all, and it would be a nightmare for those in Security.

"First problem:  a would be assassin attempted to assassinate a fellow officer; which was successful only due to the explosion in the shuttlebay.  This person remains unidentified, but we have a couple of suspects thanks to my memory of seeing the data before it vanished mysteriously.  Of the six I had seen at the shuttlebay via their comm signals; only three are left to investigate:  Ensign L'Sharis, Chief Petty Officer Mershari, and Cadet Mr'aarra.  We have the Cadet here to question - which I will do shortly, but the other two have served with distinction and prestige for years aboard the REDAV.  Neither of them have so much as a black mark to their records, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't investigate them later.  Second problem:  with the transfer of personnel temporarily to the CHALLENGER and the outpost - we no longer know who may be involved in this conspiracy.  Those who came from the REDAV are now under suspicion no matter their rank or position, because we simply do not know who tampered with the records.  It came from inside their own starship, and thus leaves us with a rather severe problem.  I must therefore recommend that no personnel from the REDAV be given access to sensitive areas of the outpost or our ship until we have uncovered who is behind this tampering," Sukal finally added before turning his full attention to Cadet Mr'aarra.

"That said, I have trouble believing Cadet Mr'aarra's explanation.  I understand little about Caitian's other than they are known for their cat-like grace and speed, but even with that - I understand you were only slightly injured in the explosion.  This confuses me, Cadet.  Call it me looking at the details, but the plasma explosion covered the entire bay enough to damage it severely, and add further damage to the ship's bridge and impulse engines even with a containment field in place rapidly.  So, I must ask...how did you escape the explosive plasma fire which swept through the shuttlebay, and caused the death of at least four of your fellow shipmates also present?" Sukal said to the Caitian woman with narrowed eyes focused solely on her.

"Mr. Sukal, please, while I understand why, there is no need to be so vehement.  I don't believe you'll get any more information out of the cadet by terrifying her!"

The Captain had had dealings with Caitians before, namely one Lt. Cmdr K'lizh and didn't need to remind herself that they were at times very protective of the fact that they definitely were not cats.  She was also a little alarmed at the look on Sukal's face.

"Miss Mr'aarra, don't look so scared, but please, answer the Lieutenant as far as you are able.  Also, once the cadet has answered, Mr. Sukal, answer me something, was the phaser found and if so were there any fingerprints or other establishable forensics available on it?  And the records - did anyone try a parity trace scan." Ruth was rather concerned at the back of her mind about something which was nagging her.  She nugged Lizzie.

"While I think about it and since all the cadets are by Mr. Sukal's report now 'suspect' of these things Miss Vaughan will you bring up the records for the cadets particularly Cadet Kenyi Haihes, there are alarm bells ringing now.  Let's hear your report, Cadet, and then have all 4 of the cadets report to Outpost Security, for the conclusion of this meeting with the head of Outpost Security present with an encephalographic polygraph device.  Then I will have it laid to rest once and for all that my, or any Federation staff is not to blame for this." she said a face not unlike one of the gods she worshiped, Thor, God of Thunder.

[AS MR'AARRA]

Mr'aarra stood shakily, fighting to not cry, or mew she was that scared.

"I-I..." the tears started.  "I was hurt tho, look..." she held up the tip of her tail that the fur was burned off and then held up her paws and showed the singed fur and the skin peeling slightly off blistered paw pads.  "And my whiskers, did anyone notice they're gone or was no one worried about them.  I didn't cause trouble, I'm only a cadet. That's why I didn't say anything doctor, I knew there wasn't a lot you can do for burnt fur. You can ask Andrew... Cadet Olivia, I was sc-scared and crying hiding behind the crates that I was working on, I think they acted a bit like a shield.  I don't know.  I just know that one minute I was holding a PADD checking off the things that needed to be transferred over to the Challenger, the next I was behind some big metal boxes, with the smell of my own burnt fur, and Lt. Sevek and other crew were dead."

She started crying in earnest now.  "I barely even hunt standard prey.  My parents practically cut me off as a child because I refused to kill prey.  I have to have my meat killed for me so I couldn't and wouldn't kill unless someone attacked me.  Like I reported to Lt. Lek, I was also hiding from the shadowy man because I was scared."

[POSTING AS CADET PAULINE ROSARIO]

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Pauline had spent ever possible moment just taking in the sickbay of the Challenger. Based on a very old design, she was pleasantly surprised to find the facilities had been fully upgraded and were at least as modern as those of the Redav, which was also an older, but upgraded design.

She had gone over the sickbay's equipment and was reading up on the latest in Bajoran pharmacology when the doors opened and no less than Admiral D'ath entered. As the nurse greeted him and began the intake process, Pauline hoped the doctor would allow her to observe the examination.

It was a simple thing, trivial actually, and something she'd done many times on the Redav before she'd had to leap into life saving procedures, but the basics were essential to good medicine and she wanted to see Doctor Vaughn's methodology first hand.

NARRATOR:

No-one had noticed him sneaking about the corridors, either on the Outpost or on the Challenger or the Redav, another faceless cadet, heads would roll when the Security breach was noticed but he'd been using different IDs every time he checked in or out of an airlock, or if he had been using the transporters, he had bumped into some witless Ensign and taken their commbadge, handing it off into some plant pot on the promenade close to where he'd purloined it.

No one had so far questioned him, and it was now that he found himself dressed in the teal of Medical that he found himself regarding Pauline Rosario, much the way that he had Cadet Mr'aarra some days previous to set off reactions on the Redav.

Of course the poor android would have no knowledge either that they were an android or of the Secondary programming that he had planted in them, and once the deed had been performed, it erased itself, nothing could bring that back, there would be a short delay in the readout diagnostic logs if anyone noted it.  It was a lucky day when one of the cadets and a Lt. Cmdr from the Science department on one of the ships he had taken over were pretty much acolytes of the works of Dr. Soong.

Seemingly checking over the medical cases and charging the tricorders he stood in one corner like a shadow, inconspicuous and unassuming.

As the Admiral came in he froze momentarily, if anyone noticed they would just assume that it was a knee jerk reaction that an Admiral had shown up.

He regarded Alex d'Arth, so the stress was showing, and more than likely the message had been passed on.  'Good, good, it will be further hammered home soon...' he thought to himself.

He pulled out a little infra red pointer that looked for all the world like a standard hypo, and aimed it at Pauline's ear hole.  He activated it, this would set off a chain of events which no one would know about until later, by which time, since he was already on his way to the turbolift at the end of the corridor, making his way out of Sickbay as if he was just going to the head, he was going to be well away.

[Lyra]

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth listened to Lek and frowned, not at the Ferengi, nor really at his words, but at the implication of them.  She let out a puffing breath.

"I was afraid you were going to say that, where is the nearest space dock to here, and, could you patch her up enough to get her to there?  I respect your expertise Lieutenant, I'm not an Engineer as I said, I leave that to you and your team.  However, I have to try and keep an Admiral sweet too.  That said much like if Dr. Vaughan said 'You're not walking, your leg is broken in 4 places and you're going to have to sit it out and let it heal the old fashioned way.' I would have no choice but to comply, if the Redav is crippled, she is, and you have the power to ground her, but, if you do that and send her to whatever space dock is closest, then at least we've fulfilled our obligations and managed to get her to that spot."  she gave a wry smile.

"It's your 'fault' Lieutenant, you shouldn't be so damn good.  I'm used to miracles!" she gave Lek a warm smile.  "Don't let me bully you into doing the impossible ever, however.  I'm big enough to be told 'NO!' and realise that it really does mean no when it comes to things like 'can we overclock the engines'."  she nodded, seemingly agreeing with her own words.  "Just do what you can, Chief, I'll sort out the Admiral."

The Captain smiled down the table as the two younger women sat back down.

"Since I've interrupted everyone's day, so long as you do so as quietly as possible, please do replicate drinks as needed."

She looked at her PADD, finding what was next on her agenda.

"Ah yes, I can kind of tie in several things here, this might speed things a little.  Petty Officer Lyra, you might want to set your PADD to record for this one, saves you writing it..."  she cast an approving eye at Lahr, remembering with an inward chuckle his reaction to Judy's laborious longhand! "...The baby strobolin plants arrived with the Redav.  Now I don't know if anyone other than Dr. Vaughan is aware but Strobolin is about the only thing effective against Chirocytosis.  And, after a while, replicated Strobolin stops working."

She paused and took a small mouthful of drink.  "It is my hope to have Sciences work with Medical in propagating enough plants to send out to other ships in the fleet so they can do the same, and have enough to make Dr. McGellen's serum which seems to be effective for all species...with fresh plants for it to be as potent as possible."

She looked around at Lyra, then at Mr'aarra and finally to Sukal and Lahr.

"This brings me to my next point.  As you know Lieutenants Sukal and Lek, with the help of Petty Officers Lahr and Lyra were investigating the explosion in the Redav Shuttlebay.  Cadet Mr'aarra was there, preparing these plants for transfer.  Lt. Sukal, perhaps you can take point on this, give your report and then maybe Mr. Lek, then our Petty Officer Team, and finally Mr'aarra unless Lt. Sukal wishes to ask Mr'aarra anything in which case her testimony may be taken that way.  Mr. Sukal?"  The Captain handed off to Sukal the way a judge would hand over to a barrister in a court of law.

Lyra nodded and did as her CO suggested and set a padd to record. She was fairly certain that she would be able to remember everything just fine but it was a good idea and wouldn't hurt. When the plants were on topic Lyra shortly reported her preparations.

"I have prepared a special storage container with adjustable atmospheric conditions so that we may store the plants there while we're working on them."

She chuckled a bit when she thought about that container. It looked like a mix of an storage container (who would have thought), an isolation chamber and a raised bed for home gardening. Not pretty, but it was able to reproduce various atmospheric conditions so that they could work on safe ways to grow strobolin.

"The container is ready, ma'am. I can place the plants inside anytime."

Sukal nodded politely to his Captain after he had been called upon to give his report to those present.  It wasn't going to be pretty, but there was no way around that part of it.

"The investigation into the explosion on the the REDAV has been met with some rather disturbing evidence as well as some blockades we are all still working on.  Our first thought originally was that the shuttlebay had been sabotaged for reasons we could not explain.  The explosion ripped the bay to pieces even with the rapid deployment of the containment field, and caused damage to the starship's bridge and impulse engines.  However, this was not an act of sabotage - which would have been bad enough.  Instead, we discovered there was an actual attempted murder of an officer in the bay at the time of the explosion.  It took some doing, but the missing seconds in the data I was reviewing showed Lieutenant Sevek dodging to one side even before the plasma tanks he was transporting had exploded.  On further investigation into why he would dodge before such an event had taken place; I discovered a phaser attack directly aimed at his back.  The whine of the phaser firing mush have alerted him to the attack before it struck.  Him dodging to one side let the phaser hit the plasma tanks instead, and thus caused the explosion.  The direction of the shot came from somewhere near the entrance to the shuttlebay, but the record does not show who fired the shot," Sukal began after standing up to face his companions.

He let all of those details sink in first before continuing on with his findings.  His face grew truly grim when he continued.

"Now we come to the blockades the investigation ran into.  As I was sitting at Science One on the REDAV; I was going to use Lieutenant Lek's idea to find all of the comm badge signals of every crew member in the area at the time of the explosion.  This would vastly narrow down any suspects, and might even help us to pinpoint the attacker.  However, after downloading the files from Security, and narrowing the search to those in the shuttlebay - all of the data simply vanished right before my eyes.  I have attempted various ways to bring the data back, but it simply isn't there to recover.  It wasn't simply deleted, or even destroyed.  The data was completely erased as if it had never been.  I sent my findings and problem to Mr. ch'Verret, but his team was unable to recover the data either.  Someone on that ship knew we were investigating and closing in on the assassin, and sabotaged our investigation.  Someone with computer skills on par with the very best, or enough command clearance to initiate such data removal.  We were unable to find the source of the tampering, but we now have a massive security issue."

Again, he paused as he took in all of the people present in the room slowly.  What he would have to say next would not be pleasant at all, and it would be a nightmare for those in Security.

"First problem:  a would be assassin attempted to assassinate a fellow officer; which was successful only due to the explosion in the shuttlebay.  This person remains unidentified, but we have a couple of suspects thanks to my memory of seeing the data before it vanished mysteriously.  Of the six I had seen at the shuttlebay via their comm signals; only three are left to investigate:  Ensign L'Sharis, Chief Petty Officer Mershari, and Cadet Mr'aarra.  We have the Cadet here to question - which I will do shortly, but the other two have served with distinction and prestige for years aboard the REDAV.  Neither of them have so much as a black mark to their records, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't investigate them later.  Second problem:  with the transfer of personnel temporarily to the CHALLENGER and the outpost - we no longer know who may be involved in this conspiracy.  Those who came from the REDAV are now under suspicion no matter their rank or position, because we simply do not know who tampered with the records.  It came from inside their own starship, and thus leaves us with a rather severe problem.  I must therefore recommend that no personnel from the REDAV be given access to sensitive areas of the outpost or our ship until we have uncovered who is behind this tampering," Sukal finally added before turning his full attention to Cadet Mr'aarra.

"That said, I have trouble believing Cadet Mr'aarra's explanation.  I understand little about Caitian's other than they are known for their cat-like grace and speed, but even with that - I understand you were only slightly injured in the explosion.  This confuses me, Cadet.  Call it me looking at the details, but the plasma explosion covered the entire bay enough to damage it severely, and add further damage to the ship's bridge and impulse engines even with a containment field in place rapidly.  So, I must ask...how did you escape the explosive plasma fire which swept through the shuttlebay, and caused the death of at least four of your fellow shipmates also present?" Sukal said to the Caitian woman with narrowed eyes focused solely on her.

Next on the list were the investigations on the explosion of the Redav's shuttle bay. Lyra listened attentively when Sukal told hisbstory. She knew the rough outlines, but of course she hadn't heard anfull report of everything until now.

She could have chimed in when he paused after his report of his part of the investigation and the hack into his console. But, apart from that she didn't have much so add, it probably wasn't too prudent to interrupt n officer, and a lieutenant at that.

When he came to questioning the cadet Lyra's eyebrows wandered up a few milimeters. It was hard to believe that a cadet would have the knowledge to pull sonething like that off. Not the phaser part, the hacking part. To the raised eyebrows came a frown when she really thought about it. Unless the caitian was secretly a computer specialist Lyra had serious doubts that she had anything to do with the latter part. It was simply not logical.

[Conference Room - Deck 4 - Innominatum Outpost]

Ruth briefly touched Lizzie's hand, motioned to the PADD and simply nodded rather than interrupt anyone.  When Lek spoke up, she held up a finger to Sukal just to give her one second, and inclined her head at Lek.

"Make it so Lieutenant, thank you. "

"Mr. Sukal, please, while I understand why, there is no need to be so vehement.  I don't believe you'll get any more information out of the cadet by terrifying her!"

The Captain had had dealings with Caitians before, namely one Lt. Cmdr K'lizh and didn't need to remind herself that they were at times very protective of the fact that they definitely were not cats.  She was also a little alarmed at the look on Sukal's face.

"Miss Mr'aarra, don't look so scared, but please, answer the Lieutenant as far as you are able.  Also, once the cadet has answered, Mr. Sukal, answer me something, was the phaser found and if so were there any fingerprints or other establishable forensics available on it?  And the records - did anyone try a parity trace scan." Ruth was rather concerned at the back of her mind about something which was nagging her.  She nugged Lizzie.

"While I think about it and since all the cadets are by Mr. Sukal's report now 'suspect' of these things Miss Vaughan will you bring up the records for the cadets particularly Cadet Kenyi Haihes, there are alarm bells ringing now.  Let's hear your report, Cadet, and then have all 4 of the cadets report to Outpost Security, for the conclusion of this meeting with the head of Outpost Security present with an encephalographic polygraph device.  Then I will have it laid to rest once and for all that my, or any Federation staff is not to blame for this." she said a face not unlike one of the gods she worshiped, Thor, God of Thunder.

[AS MR'AARRA]

Mr'aarra stood shakily, fighting to not cry, or mew she was that scared.

"I-I..." the tears started.  "I was hurt tho, look..." she held up the tip of her tail that the fur was burned off and then held up her paws and showed the singed fur and the skin peeling slightly off blistered paw pads.  "And my whiskers, did anyone notice they're gone or was no one worried about them.  I didn't cause trouble, I'm only a cadet. That's why I didn't say anything doctor, I knew there wasn't a lot you can do for burnt fur. You can ask Andrew... Cadet Olivia, I was sc-scared and crying hiding behind the crates that I was working on, I think they acted a bit like a shield.  I don't know.  I just know that one minute I was holding a PADD checking off the things that needed to be transferred over to the Challenger, the next I was behind some big metal boxes, with the smell of my own burnt fur, and Lt. Sevek and other crew were dead."

She started crying in earnest now.  "I barely even hunt standard prey.  My parents practically cut me off as a child because I refused to kill prey.  I have to have my meat killed for me so I couldn't and wouldn't kill unless someone attacked me.  Like I reported to Lt. Lek, I was also hiding from the shadowy man because I was scared."

When Ruth questiones the cadet and she finally spoke up, Lyra again wished she had been able to dig up more data. But in the one case it was just too badly damaged and in the other case...it was beyond her abilities. She didn't like to admit it, even to herself, but that was the reality

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Conference Room

To: Cadet Rosario.
From: Dr E Vaughan, CMO USS Challenger.
Subject: Medical for Admiral d'Arth.

Cadet. When the Admiral arrives, please to a full physical workup on him, including toxicology and neural. Once this is complete, try and get him to get at least 8 hours of sleep and send me the full results and copy the Captain in. If you have any questions, please let me know.

NARRATOR:

No-one had noticed him sneaking about the corridors, either on the Outpost or on the Challenger or the Redav, another faceless cadet, heads would roll when the Security breach was noticed but he'd been using different IDs every time he checked in or out of an airlock, or if he had been using the transporters, he had bumped into some witless Ensign and taken their commbadge, handing it off into some plant pot on the promenade close to where he'd purloined it.

No one had so far questioned him, and it was now that he found himself dressed in the teal of Medical that he found himself regarding Pauline Rosario, much the way that he had Cadet Mr'aarra some days previous to set off reactions on the Redav.

Of course the poor android would have no knowledge either that they were an android or of the Secondary programming that he had planted in them, and once the deed had been performed, it erased itself, nothing could bring that back, there would be a short delay in the readout diagnostic logs if anyone noted it.  It was a lucky day when one of the cadets and a Lt. Cmdr from the Science department on one of the ships he had taken over were pretty much acolytes of the works of Dr. Soong.

Seemingly checking over the medical cases and charging the tricorders he stood in one corner like a shadow, inconspicuous and unassuming.

As the Admiral came in he froze momentarily, if anyone noticed they would just assume that it was a knee jerk reaction that an Admiral had shown up.

He regarded Alex d'Arth, so the stress was showing, and more than likely the message had been passed on.  'Good, good, it will be further hammered home soon...' he thought to himself.

He pulled out a little infra red pointer that looked for all the world like a standard hypo, and aimed it at Pauline's ear hole.  He activated it, this would set off a chain of events which no one would know about until later, by which time, since he was already on his way to the turbolift at the end of the corridor, making his way out of Sickbay as if he was just going to the head, he was going to be well away.

[AS PAULINE ROSARIO]

Pauline saw the Admiral come into the Sickbay, he looked more than tired. She also noticed a medical technician leave just after the Admiral walked in, probably taking the opportunity to go to the head and keep well out of the way of 'the brass'.  'Cheers, thanks for the moral support, not!!' she thought to herself.

"Admiral, I've been expecting you.  Dr. Vaughan as you know is rather tied up with the meeting and has asked me to attend to you, and then escort you to your quarters.  Would you lie on this biobed please and we'll get the full physical workup on done, take some bloods and do a neural scan.  I'll then get a somnetic inducer set up once we get to your quarters and that'll give you a good 8 hours sleep, which is what Dr. Vaughan has ordered pending no other problems discovered." Pauline said confidently.

"We'll soon get you off to the land of Nod, Sir."

She got all the tests done which showed that other than elevated levels of stress which panned out with recent events, and exhaustion there wasn't a lot wrong that a good sleep, cup of tea and something light to eat on rising wouldn't sort out.

"All done, Sir.  You check out normal but as expected needing some sleep, I suggest we take the short route, and beam straight over to your quarters, with your permission of course."

She waited for a response, thinking in her hind-brain that a site to site transport would cancel out any security camera feeds, and signalled to one of the medical technicians to fetch her a somnetic inducer.  With that in hand all she needed was the permission to beam.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

Pema and Veronique's Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lark entered the apartment, smiling at Veronique and nodding his head, "A Slug-O will hit the spot nicely," he said.

When Pema spoke up, Lark eyed her briefly, trying to decide what sort of person she was.  She'd been billed as the no-nonsense businesswoman.  Now she seemed like a bored roommate.  Which was true?

Neither?

Both?

"Well, I'm not here for the Oomox.  That's just a bonus.  We should take care of dinner before dessert."   He hadn't survived this long in his career by letting himself get distracted.

He took out an isolinear chip and held it up.  "Your pharma cert, courtesy of the Corollian brothers.  This will let you trade with any of the big buyers in the sector, as everyone here knows and respects the brothers.  But if you burn the brothers, dealing in product of lesser quality than what you shared with me, they'll rip out your guts and hang you with them.   This is a dirty business, girls, so don't use the cert unless you're dealing straight.  Nobody you're dealing with will stomach a double-cross."

He glanced between them, wondering how they'd react to that.  Were they as green as they seemed, or was it all a charade?

[AS VERONIQUE]
Veronique
Pema and Veronique's Room - Innominatum Outpost

"Not here for Oomox?  Well maybe not yet!!" Veronique smiled, getting Lark a Slug-O Cola and handing it to him.

"So, our fun crystals pan out as the good stuff then?! Told you they were good!" she said snagging the chip and dropping a kiss on his forehead.  "I promise your reward later will be good, now we just need to get our shipment.  Only got so many here and I'm sure they're gonna be the next big craze.  Liven this place up a little!" she grinned!

[Sukal]

"Mr. Sukal, please, while I understand why, there is no need to be so vehement.  I don't believe you'll get any more information out of the cadet by terrifying her!"

The Captain had had dealings with Caitians before, namely one Lt. Cmdr K'lizh and didn't need to remind herself that they were at times very protective of the fact that they definitely were not cats.  She was also a little alarmed at the look on Sukal's face.

"Miss Mr'aarra, don't look so scared, but please, answer the Lieutenant as far as you are able.  Also, once the cadet has answered, Mr. Sukal, answer me something, was the phaser found and if so were there any fingerprints or other establishable forensics available on it?  And the records - did anyone try a parity trace scan." Ruth was rather concerned at the back of her mind about something which was nagging her.  She nugged Lizzie.

"While I think about it and since all the cadets are by Mr. Sukal's report now 'suspect' of these things Miss Vaughan will you bring up the records for the cadets particularly Cadet Kenyi Haihes, there are alarm bells ringing now.  Let's hear your report, Cadet, and then have all 4 of the cadets report to Outpost Security, for the conclusion of this meeting with the head of Outpost Security present with an encephalographic polygraph device.  Then I will have it laid to rest once and for all that my, or any Federation staff is not to blame for this." she said a face not unlike one of the gods she worshiped, Thor, God of Thunder.

[AS MR'AARRA]

Mr'aarra stood shakily, fighting to not cry, or mew she was that scared.

"I-I..." the tears started.  "I was hurt tho, look..." she held up the tip of her tail that the fur was burned off and then held up her paws and showed the singed fur and the skin peeling slightly off blistered paw pads.  "And my whiskers, did anyone notice they're gone or was no one worried about them.  I didn't cause trouble, I'm only a cadet. That's why I didn't say anything doctor, I knew there wasn't a lot you can do for burnt fur. You can ask Andrew... Cadet Olivia, I was sc-scared and crying hiding behind the crates that I was working on, I think they acted a bit like a shield.  I don't know.  I just know that one minute I was holding a PADD checking off the things that needed to be transferred over to the Challenger, the next I was behind some big metal boxes, with the smell of my own burnt fur, and Lt. Sevek and other crew were dead."

She started crying in earnest now.  "I barely even hunt standard prey.  My parents practically cut me off as a child because I refused to kill prey.  I have to have my meat killed for me so I couldn't and wouldn't kill unless someone attacked me.  Like I reported to Lt. Lek, I was also hiding from the shadowy man because I was scared."

{Sukal}

Sukal arched his right eyebrow at his Captain in true Vulcan fashion as she technically was telling him to back off a bit.  Considering the severity of what had happened; that did not seem like the best of ideas.  Still, he wasn't going to question her decision to call him on how severe he was with Mr'aarra.  Instead, he simply nodded curtly to his Captain and friend before taking his seat and listening to the exchange between the the Cadet and his superior.  What she said still didn't quite add up.  Not in his mind at least.  But, the idea of a mysterious shadowy figure made Sukal wonder even more.  It was then something truly strange hit him which set his nerves on edge.  Indeed, it made extra alert and suspicious though he was not sure how to tell his Captain at the moment.

There were very few species known to the Federation which were naturally telepathically resistant.  Some were so powerful that picking up on their thoughts and emotions was absolutely impossible, but the Caitian was not one of those species on either of those levels.  Which begged a very strange and dangerous question in his mind.

How could he not be picking up on her feelings of nervousness, anxiety, distress, and so forth when she was displaying all of those emotions outwardly?  She clearly did not have the training to block him.  Nor the discipline to hide her feelings or they would not be so openly displayed at the moment.  So...

...why couldn't he read Mr'aarra?  She was as blank to him as if she had no such emotions currently being shown to the people present, and to which his Captain was defending.

It made Sukal's face switch from glaring narrowed eyes to suddenly complete passiveness.  Anyone who knew him, and there were only two in the room who did, would know instantly that he was extremely worried and focused.  For him to switch to his Vulcan passive face meant something was much more severely out of place or wrong than ever before.  Lizzie was never close to him, and thus may not have picked up on the change, and the Captain hadn't seen him in a while before his sudden return to duty.  The more he focused on Mr'aarra - the more he picked up absolutely nothing.

Zero...nada...

But...that was impossible...unless she was not who she claimed to be.  He would have to talk to the Captain in private about this later, and likely include Lizzie as she was the CMO.  Something was truly off with the Cadet, and considering what had been found thus far...that did not bode well at all.

Thus, when Mr'aarra finished her explanation and dramatic display; Sukal merely shook his head slightly in a negative, but his face remained utterly passive.

Finally, Sukal replied to her answer...his tone completely passive and low, but clear and concise, "I see, Cadet.  Naturally, we shall have to investigate further." He said nothing more, but gave his Captain a look that said under no uncertain terms that they needed to talk very soon.

[AS PAULINE ROSARIO]

Pauline saw the Admiral come into the Sickbay, he looked more than tired. She also noticed a medical technician leave just after the Admiral walked in, probably taking the opportunity to go to the head and keep well out of the way of 'the brass'.  'Cheers, thanks for the moral support, not!!' she thought to herself.

"Admiral, I've been expecting you.  Dr. Vaughan as you know is rather tied up with the meeting and has asked me to attend to you, and then escort you to your quarters.  Would you lie on this biobed please and we'll get the full physical workup on done, take some bloods and do a neural scan.  I'll then get a somnetic inducer set up once we get to your quarters and that'll give you a good 8 hours sleep, which is what Dr. Vaughan has ordered pending no other problems discovered." Pauline said confidently.

"We'll soon get you off to the land of Nod, Sir."

She got all the tests done which showed that other than elevated levels of stress which panned out with recent events, and exhaustion there wasn't a lot wrong that a good sleep, cup of tea and something light to eat on rising wouldn't sort out.

"All done, Sir.  You check out normal but as expected needing some sleep, I suggest we take the short route, and beam straight over to your quarters, with your permission of course."

She waited for a response, thinking in her hind-brain that a site to site transport would cancel out any security camera feeds, and signalled to one of the medical technicians to fetch her a somnetic inducer.  With that in hand all she needed was the permission to beam.

{Alexander d'Arth}

The Admiral had originally meant to go to his quarters, but he had one hell of a migraine as well as exhaustion.  Normally, like most senior officers; he avoided Sickbay like the plague.  Doctors tended to overrule even Admirals if they thought there was a good enough cause to do so.  But, the persistent headache was just too much.  Thus, he had found himself in Sickbay being examined by the person on duty.

The idea of beaming over to his quarters seemed an odd suggestion to make.  Sure, he was sleepy, overwhelmed with news of what had happened to his family, and had battle fatigue on top of that, but to suggest he needed to be beamed to his quarters was...just strange.  Perhaps it was simply that he was overly tired, or perhaps it came from the dangers he now faced with such suspicions in his mind.  Whatever the reason - Admiral Alexander d'Arth suddenly stood up from his seat on the bio bed, and squared his shoulders as if preparing for trouble.

"Perhaps, Cadet, but that would be an inefficient use of energy considering the damage this outpost has taken recently.  I will return to my quarters and get the sleep required," he told her firmly as he tugged his uniform top tighter.

Did he really feel in danger just now?  What was wrong with him?  She was just a Medical Cadet trying to do her job, and save him the walk to his quarters.  Wasn't she?  Had he grown so suspicious since finding out his family had been kidnapped that he suspected trouble from any source?

Without thinking much and shaking his head a bit; the Admiral turned to leave...

[Mondo'li Nari]

Pema and Veronique's Room - Innominatum Outpost

Lark accepted the Slug-O-Cola with a grin, popping the top and releasing the patented 'pshh' sound of released carbonating gas.  He took a long drink from the container, letting the cool slime coat his mouth and throat in the satisfying way that only real Slug-O-Cola could manage.

He had stock in the company.

"We should probably talk about my fee," he suggested, "I've already gotten you the cert.  I'll make the appropriate introductions once you've got the supply in hand.  I expect five percent of any deal you negotiate."

He took another swallow of the drink and added, "When is your supply coming in, anyway?  And how are you getting it past customs?"

USS Challenger - Bridge

Andrew was at the auxiliary console on the bridge, testing out some software improvements he'd come up with.  He was running everything in a test domain, of course.  He wouldn't want any of his changes to affect the live systems until they'd been proven to work, and been approved by his superiors.

Having finished his latest code update, he sent the file to be compiled by the main computer.

... and it was done.  Andrew blinked in surprise.   That had been fast.

Activating the software package in the test domain, he began testing the updated interface.  As he worked, the computer diligently timed the simulated response time of the thrusters.  A .01% increase!  Remarkable!

He, a mere cadet, had made an immense improvement to the systems of the ship.  Now he just had to tell the department head.  Maybe he'd get a promotion!

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Innominatum Outpost - Deck 4  - Main Conference room]

Lahr's mind had drifted off a bit as the Captain and Chief Engineer went over the needed repairs to the Redav.  Then it was Sukal's turn to talk.  This caught the Andorian's attention, especially when the Vulcan suggested he knew who the culprit was... all but directly accusing the Caitian cadet.   Lahr listened to the exchange with interest, his antenna leaning forward to help him not miss a thing.