S3:E6 Eliminating Shadows, Part II

[Sukal]

USS CHALLENGER-A
Bridge

TWELVE HOURS LATER

First Officer's Log:  Stardate:  71860.69

"It has been twelve hours since our ship dealt a crippling attack to the RVS TAL'BATH under the command of Captain Hecate.  After she revealed her true intentions towards the traitor, Leyton, Captain Ruth Sigurdsdottir and I decided to accept her offer of aid which also included her turning over the second traitor, Lieutenant Commander D'leha Amoreen.  With the latter secured in a high security cell, and Lieutenant Lek working hard with his team on repairing the Romulan ship...while also learning about it...our time of fourteen hours is nearly up for us to continue our original mission.  It is my hope that we find what we are looking for inside the Satisar Nebula.  All indications thus far have shown a possibility of it containing Leyton's main base for brainwashing.  If so, this mission could truly cripple Leyton's organization.  Though the Bridge has felt unusually tense since I took command after the Captain's accident; I am still confident that the crew will continue to perform admirably in all their duties.  Certainly, Mr. ch'Verret and Mr. Briggs have done very well.  They are due back on duty soon, and hopefully the Captain will be recovering from her accident by then.  If not, we proceed as the two of us agreed before hand, and use Hecate as an ally as we have the Reman Praetor."

Commander Sukal:  First Officer - USS CHALLENGER-A

Sukal took note of those in the key positions at this point.  Mr. Ryan Blackfeather was at Tactical - having relieved Lieutenant Briggs for the Gamma Shift. Ops had Lieutenant J.G. Chloe Morgan where Lahr had been during the battle.  At the Helm was Ensign Miammaso Ozoim - the Betazoid woman who rarely had the chance to man the Bridge.  At Science, Sukal noticed Ensign Alexandria Windsor, and nodded politely to the woman when she glanced over at her superior.  She did the same before returning to her work on the scans of the Romulan prototype ship.  They were good people, and the tension on the Bridge had eased somewhat since Lahr and Kyle had been relieved for Gamma Shift.

Of course, Lek was going to be due some time off after all his miracle performances on the Romulan ship.  He looked forward to hearing from the Ferengi on what he had been able to accomplish, and if Kali Reyes had been any help thus far.  What he really wanted, however, was his Captain back.  It wasn't that he was uncomfortable taking command, but the situation earlier on the Bridge had him almost jumping at shadows.  No doubt some of that had come from what Amoreen had done to him...it made him more cautious...a bit more on edge.  Hecate had returned to her ship in order to help coordinate the efforts of restoring it.  If anyone could help Lek put the ship right - it was the Captain of the ship.

Having heard her tale - it played out in Sukal's head far more than he wanted it to.  It was completely inconceivable to think former Starfleet Officers had done this to anyone, and it made the Vulcan/Betazoid Commander angry.  He wanted Leyton and his cohorts dealt with...permanently.  Prison was too good for the man after all he had done.

[Olivia Briggs]

[The Briggs' Quarters - Deck 7]

Once her shift had ended, Liv had returned to the quarters, that she shared with her husband and son, very much looking forward to a hot shower and unwind after what had been a tense filled and worrisome first shift. Although she had to admit that despite the circumstances and working through a red alert, she had no doubts that her change in career had been the right one and wouldn't change it for anything. Okay it had some disadvantages with Elijah already being asleep, but then that just gave her and Kyle chance to have time together.

That was something that couldn't be guaranteed due to the nature of their jobs, so that's why she enjoyed it and besides Elijah soon made up for her being away from him, by waking a little earlier than normal. So she was currently sat at the small dining table as their little boy, coloured in a picture of a targ with crayons well, with his own style, whilst she waited for breakfast to finish cooking and for the coffee to finish brewing.

Then she planned to visit and drop off Elijah at Daycare before going to Sickbay for her next shift, although for now it was all about family time, before they continued their mission.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

USS CHALLENGER-A
Bridge

TWELVE HOURS LATER

[Sickbay]

Ruth stirred uncomfortably on the biobed, then vaguely remembered. Stupid puppy.  Well actually stupid herself allowing her dog sitter to leave the puppy with her!  She wondered what time it was. And how soon she could be shipped out and get back to dealing with Hecate... or was that a dream, had the woman actually said she'd help them with Leyton?

Raising herself up on one elbow she looked around and called out "Your Captain is dying for want of a mouthful of water here... can anyone oblige?! And someone please mute that frakking klaxxon!"  Ruth's head still hurt a bit but she was gratified to see that the lights were yellow and not red...the klaxxon wasn't doing her headache any favours however!

With the hand she wasn't leaning on she tapped her commbadge.   Sigurdsdottir to Bridge, soon as I've been released from the care of the medical staff I'll come up but what's the status report?! And unless I'm greatly confused with my injury more than I thought, how are our um... guests faring? 

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Deck One - Bridge - Ops station]

Lahr turned in his seat to glance towards the Commander, his antenna swiveling towards the Vulcan hybrid when the man addressed him.   Lahr nodded.   It was what he was doing already.

"Yessir."

He turned away as the Commander began his speech.  It sounded so earnest... Lahr's antenna twitched uncertainly.  Did the Vulcan mean what he was saying or were they just words to lull Lahr and the others into trusting him?  Maybe if he got word to Dr. York she could do some sort of scan to check for brain-washing... was that even possible?

Only one way to find out.

Discreetly, while doing his usually scans, Lahr opened a message to Dr. York.  He chose York because she was CMO and would have all of Dr. Vaughan previous research on the brainwashing device.

To: Dr. Margaret York
From: PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
Re:  Brainwashing
Priority: Urgent and Confidential

Dr. York is there a way to detect Leyton's brainwashing in those he has gotten a hold of?  Please reply back discreetly.  I am concerned that the ship has been infiltrated far up the chain of command.

ch'Verret

Lahr sent the message and waited for a reply impatiently.

[Earlier - CMOs Office]

Maggie could not believe that anyone was worrying about the Captain for something other than the head injury that she'd had.  If the Captain had been acting strangely then, she might have understood it, but the woman had been knocked unconscious by falling over an over-friendly puppy.  However, that didn't mean that Commander Sukal or other of the staff hadn't.   For that matter, could ch'Verret be looking for information himself and be trying to take over or find a way to take over?

Shaking her head she wrote a note back given the information that she had it wasn't easy to give a definitive answer, and that, she thought, mightn't be a bad thing.

TO: PO2 ch'Verret
FROM: Dr. M. York, CMO
RE: Brainwashing/Command Staff

From what I've read of Dr. Vaughan's notes, I can't give a conclusive answer on that, since my answer could be attributed to a number of reasons.  Any one of which individually might present itself in these turbulent times.

The only real definitive way to find out is if they are behaving oddly, making decisions that are slightly unusual.  Given that we are in a stressful and rather 'unusual' situation anyhow there is no way to tell exactly other than getting them in to read brain patterns.

There is some mention in Dr. Vaughan's notes about how to reverse the effect and finding certain brain patterns present in any 'victims'.  These would be more conclusive to saying they could have been brainwashed, unfortunately these patterns are also prevalent in other conditions.

Specifically what has you suspicious of brainwashing?, and I might be able to advise further.  Be advised that the Captain has been recently examined for her concussion and thus her brain activity was monitored.  She has NOT shown any signs as mentioned in Dr. Vaughan's notes, nor do I believe that any of the senior staff are victims.

Dr. York, M.D.  CMO

~END MESSAGE~

[Kali Reyes]

[Officer Quarters]

What was she doing in an Ensign's personal quarters after a harrowing day of bug extermination? That wasn't anybody's business.

It was for food. And a shower. And maybe she didn't want to spend her first off-duty period in a cramped living space with a Deltan that was much too friendly and all too interested in her expensive collection of neo-perfume.

That was why Kali took all of her cosmetics coming over. And Beepo. The little circular gadget the size of a hacky sack was on the pillow, and occasionally a glowing line would flitter around its equator as it dozed in snooze mode.

Ryder wasn't in the room, but he was definitely within earshot somewhere. Kali yawned as she finished zipping up her uniform. "We really need to stop meeting like this," she teased, then yawned again. "You're Medical, I'm Engineering. You're a little bit country, and I'm a little bit rock n' roll..." She glanced over her shoulder. "Beepo. What's the weather today?"

The device booped. "Spacey with a slight chance of atmosphere! It is currently -270� and will continue throughout the week! This is Beepo with your ship wide forecast!"

"...I miss being planet side."

"Acknowledged! Now playing classical rewind- Despacito!"

Kali wrinkled her nose. "That's not what I-" But when music started to play, she returned to doing her hair, and her shoulders swayed to the music. "Eh. Nevermind."

(OOC Post restored due to server outage - ShranLahr ch'Verret December 2022)

[Olivia Briggs]

[Sickbay]

Ruth stirred uncomfortably on the biobed, then vaguely remembered. Stupid puppy.  Well actually stupid herself allowing her dog sitter to leave the puppy with her!  She wondered what time it was. And how soon she could be shipped out and get back to dealing with Hecate... or was that a dream, had the woman actually said she'd help them with Leyton?

Raising herself up on one elbow she looked around and called out "Your Captain is dying for want of a mouthful of water here... can anyone oblige?! And someone please mute that frakking klaxxon!"  Ruth's head still hurt a bit but she was gratified to see that the lights were yellow and not red...the klaxxon wasn't doing her headache any favours however!

With the hand she wasn't leaning on she tapped her commbadge.   Sigurdsdottir to Bridge, soon as I've been released from the care of the medical staff I'll come up but what's the status report?! And unless I'm greatly confused with my injury more than I thought, how are our um... guests faring? 

[PO3 Larissa Montague - Challenger Sickbay]

Since coming onto shift, Larissa had been tasked with monitoring the Captain, following the orders and information left by Dr Briggs. It hadn't taken long for the Petty Officer to bring herself up to speed and had spent the majority of her time, by the Captain's bedside, performing additional checks and ensuring that everything was as it should be.

Larissa hadn't been too far away when she heard the Captain's call, happy to hear her awake, so obliged by going over to the replicator and ordering a glass of water and also arranged for the alert klaxon to be muted. Then she carried the glass over to the bed, waiting patiently as the Captain finished her call to the Bridge before speaking.

" One glass of water as requested Captain, Dr Briggs will be happy to hear that you're awake and I've also arranged for the klaxon to be muted".

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 5 - junior officer quarters - during Gamma shift]

Lahr was restless.  He should be sleeping - his shift was due to start in six hours - he needed sleep but it alluded him.  Lahr couldn't stop worrying over his nagging suspicions. Dr. York's reply back to him hadn't helped at all.  He didn't know any of the new staff or even Commander Sukal enough to know if there was a change in their personality... and he couldn't just ask them to submit to a neural scan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NPC Lt Kiqqexa Taray
[USS Challenger-A - Deck Three - Senior officer quarters - during Gamma shift]

Pain. Consciousness was slow to return to the Benzite yet when it did it was to pain... acute pain in her lower abdomen. Sharp and piercing as if she were being stabbed.  Groggily, she glanced towards her stomach area to be sure she hadn't been stabbed but there was no evidence of such.

She slapped weakly at her comm badge activating it but her throat was dry and she couldn't make out more than a grunt.

After 30 seconds of not recognizing the verbal command or dictation, the comm badge sent an alert message to both Medical and Security with the location of the comm badge and the individual assigned it.  It was one of the security features of the comm badge allowing those who were injured or in distress to call for aid without having to speak.

Comm Alert:
Name: Lt Kiqqexa Taray
Location: Deck 3 - Room 237

[Lek]

[Chief Engineer's Quarters - USS Challenger]

Lek was exhausted, but not so exhausted that he passed on some fresh tube grubs. He was carefully rationing what he had, but they would only last so long no matter how carefully he ate them and after a day like today, he felt he deserved the treat.

"Computer open Chief Engineer's log."

"Acknowledged."

"Stardate 75766.02. I have just completed a ten hour shift aboard the RSV Tal'bath a prototype science vessel owned by the notorious and ruthless smuggler Hecate. Somehow the captain has come to an arrangement with our erstwhile foe. I wasn't part of the negotiations, so I don't know what this arrangement entails, but it allowed me to assist in the repairs of the Romulan ship without interference.

"I am rather amazed at just how different Romulan warp theory varies from Federation methods. On the positive side, I now have a solid grasp of the 'Romulan Way' and am confident I can operate and maintain one of their singularity cores.

"Before the agreement, the Challenger fired on and badly damaged the Tal'bath disabling her drive, weapons, and cloaking device. After hours, the drive is now back online and producing 93% of its rated capacity with full repairs requiring a spacedock. Regardless of that, she can get where she needs to go now.

"There was a great weeping and gnashing of teeth as the Hyoomons would say regarding getting the weapons back online agreement not withstanding, but in the end, the final decision was to make the repairs.

"The only system the Romulans wouldn't let me touch was the cloaking device, which I fully understand. However, I was so busy with restoring warp and weapons, I never had time to even try to ask to see the device. I am now about to take a much needed meal and rest. I will see what tomorrow has to offer. Maybe we can make friends with the Gorns or the Borg, who knows. End log."

[Kyle Briggs]

After getting off shift yesterday, Kyle had went down to the Security Chiefs office and had his meeting with Crewman Perry. He could tell the Crewman was nervous but Kyle couldn't let up. He had to make the man understand the error of his ways.

[Security Chief's Office - Deck 9]

"What were you thinking letting the dog sitter in with the puppy?" he asked the young man.

"It, it was the Captain's dog, Sir. I didn't think about......"

"And that's the problem. You didn't think. That's the kind of action that causes lives." Kyle admonished. "Thinks could have been much worse." Kyle knew he was taking the incident more personal than usual since Ruth was a close friend. "There will be a reprimand in your personnel file and you'll have a week of extra duties. I'll have to inform Lieutenant Taray. If you're lucky, she won't add anything. Dismissed."

[Mess Hall - Deck 3]

At the end of his shift and the Red Alert, Kyle had enjoyed a wonderful evening with Liv and Elijah the previous night but he still had a small nagging feeling in the back of his mind and it had nothing to do with the Romulans. He couldn't stop thinking about the message Lahr had sent to Doctor York. Did he really believe the XO, or maybe even Kyle himself, were brainwashed? They had stepped down to a Yellow Alert and things weren't as tense as they had been the day before so he had decided to visit the Mess Hall for a few cups of coffee before his shift. He also had a PADD in front of him and was setting up Perry's extra duties for the next week.

[Security/Tactical Station, Bridge, USS Challenger - NPC Ryan Blackfeather]

"Sir. We have a Comm Alert in Lieutenant Taray's quarters. I've already dispatched a team." Ryan informed the XO.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 5 - junior officer quarters - during Gamma shift]

Sleeping was impossible so Lahr gave up trying.  With nothing better to do other than sitting in his cabin alone, since Grelek was working the Gamma shift, Lahr decided to go to the Mess Hall and maybe try vithi tea.  His parents would often serve him that when he had trouble settling into a new sleep schedule.  He remembered it being very relaxing.  Grabbing up his PADD to perhaps catch up on his favorite series, Lahr headed out.

[Mess Hall]
Lahr had his head down focused on his PADD as he entered the Mess Hall.  Through peripheral awareness he made his way to the replicator and ordered himself his vithi tea.  The aromatic tea appeared moments later, its strong cloying scent wafting throughout the room.  Lahr didn't look up from him PADD, which had the most recent episode of The Odyssey of the Scopulari , as he picked up his tea and then headed to the nearest table to sit not noticing that there was anyone else in the room much less at the table next to his.

[Nathan Ryder]

[Officer Quarters]

Ryder wasn't in the room, but he was definitely within earshot somewhere. Kali yawned as she finished zipping up her uniform. "We really need to stop meeting like this," she teased, then yawned again. "You're Medical, I'm Engineering. You're a little bit country, and I'm a little bit rock n' roll..." She glanced over her shoulder. "Beepo. What's the weather today?"

The device booped. "Spacey with a slight chance of atmosphere! It is currently -270° and will continue throughout the week! This is Beepo with your ship wide forecast!"

"...I miss being planet side."

"Acknowledged! Now playing classical rewind- Despacito!"

Kali wrinkled her nose. "That's not what I-" But when music started to play, she returned to doing her hair, and her shoulders swayed to the music. "Eh. Nevermind."

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

Even though his face could not be seen, Nathan smiled silently at Kali's teasing words. On of his favorite things about her was the way she filled the silence without being prompted. Silence was one thing space had an over abundance of, and it was a far different sort of silence than the gentle quiet of his childhood home. With a small tug at the bottom hem of his uniform top, Nathan re-entered the main room of his quarters.

"I'd say I'm more than a little bit country, ma'am," he replied with an added hint of Country twang to his voice. With a smirk, Nathan reverted back to his normal voice and added, "And if you bothered programming him with more than just this song, he might play something else."

He spent a moment watching Kali brush her hair before picking up his PADD and reading over his schedule for the day. "How did the repairs go yesterday? Have fun playing with the Romulan tech or were you still looking for more bugs?"

[Kali Reyes]

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

Even though his face could not be seen, Nathan smiled silently at Kali's teasing words. On of his favorite things about her was the way she filled the silence without being prompted. Silence was one thing space had an over abundance of, and it was a far different sort of silence than the gentle quiet of his childhood home. With a small tug at the bottom hem of his uniform top, Nathan re-entered the main room of his quarters.

"I'd say I'm more than a little bit country, ma'am," he replied with an added hint of Country twang to his voice. With a smirk, Nathan reverted back to his normal voice and added, "And if you bothered programming him with more than just this song, he might play something else."

He spent a moment watching Kali brush her hair before picking up his PADD and reading over his schedule for the day. "How did the repairs go yesterday? Have fun playing with the Romulan tech or were you still looking for more bugs?"

[Ensign Ryder's Quarters]

Kali paused when Ryder decided to entice her with his Midwestern drawl. She watched him through the mirror and all the cosmetics splayed about the once spartan vanity. It was a good thing he wasn't assigned a roommate - they might have thought it was all his. The thought made her grin, which helped with applying lipstick anyways.

This was a dangerous job. She wanted to at least look somewhat presentable if she suddenly died from a faulty plasma coil.

"Blegh, Romulan tech." She scrunched her nose at the mirror. "Too elegant for me. They're like Vulcan ships. Everything has its place. Very little imagination, zero potential. I like my country bumpkin Federation guns. Or a nice bulgy Bird of Prey with slapped on shields right on the abs? Unf." With a smack of her lips to even out the lipstick, she turned, mildly lost. "Wait, what were we talking about again?" Men or ships? Ah, it probably didn't matter. Both. Yes.

"Also, Lek's been giving me a wide berth. I like that," she added, sliding over to him. "Maybe if he leaves me alone long enough today, Beepo here can play music AND jam delta comm frequencies at the same time." She tilted to the side towards the snoozing little gadget on the bed, then gently wiped a tinge of lipstick from Ryder's lips after she smartly kissed him. "Federation bumpkin. Yuuum." 

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[PO3 Larissa Montague - Challenger Sickbay]

Since coming onto shift, Larissa had been tasked with monitoring the Captain, following the orders and information left by Dr Briggs. It hadn't taken long for the Petty Officer to bring herself up to speed and had spent the majority of her time, by the Captain's bedside, performing additional checks and ensuring that everything was as it should be.

Larissa hadn't been too far away when she heard the Captain's call, happy to hear her awake, so obliged by going over to the replicator and ordering a glass of water and also arranged for the alert klaxon to be muted. Then she carried the glass over to the bed, waiting patiently as the Captain finished her call to the Bridge before speaking.

" One glass of water as requested Captain, Dr Briggs will be happy to hear that you're awake and I've also arranged for the klaxon to be muted".

[Sickbay]

"Ah, thank you.... Petty Officer.  I'm sorry I don't know you personally yet.  I may be the Captain but I haven't got to learning every single person on my ship yet!  However, the water is most welcome and thank you for muting that klaxxon... it was giving me a headache.  I realise it's a necessary evil but...yeah!"

Ruth smiled at the young medic and asked.  "Am I good to go, there are things that a Captain has to get on with!"

[Olivia Briggs]

[Sickbay]

"Ah, thank you.... Petty Officer.  I'm sorry I don't know you personally yet.  I may be the Captain but I haven't got to learning every single person on my ship yet!  However, the water is most welcome and thank you for muting that klaxxon... it was giving me a headache.  I realise it's a necessary evil but...yeah!"

Ruth smiled at the young medic and asked.  "Am I good to go, there are things that a Captain has to get on with!"

[PO3 Larissa Montague - Challenger Sickbay]

The young Petty Officer smiled as the Captain thanked her, appreciating that she hadn't gotten round to speaking to everyone yet or getting to know them, as the Challenger was a large ship and she hadn't expected direct contact until now. Then again that's when she met most people, whenever they visited Sickbay or if she got to speak to her colleagues outside of work, which she was thankful for, although did love her job, so her circle was kept to those she was close too.

" That's okay Captain, its to be expected with a ship this size and not a problem at all, as the klaxon can be distracting at times".

When the Captain then asked if she was good to go as there was things that she needed to do. Larissa consulted her medical records at the foot of the bed. " Everything looks fine, Captain so yes you're good to go, but it has been recommended that you take it as easy as possible".

Replacing the PADD in its usual place, Larissa would then make sure that the Captain was okay on her feet, before returning to her duties.

******

Comm Alert:
Name: Lt Kiqqexa Taray
Location: Deck 5 - Room 237

[Ensign Mara Rexan - Sickbay]

Mara had spent most of her shift, overseeing the comings and goings of various patients, whilst updating records and ensuring that everything was as it should be, especially with alerts. After muting the Klaxon as requested, the medical officer had returned to her station, just as a comm alert came through. Looking at the information that it contained, Mara picked up a medkit, then inputted into the system, that she would attend and answer the alert.

Medical to Bridge, I'm on my way to the comm alert from Deck 5

Once the call was made, Mara then exited Sickbay and made her way to Deck 5 and Lieutenant Taray's Quarters.

[Nathan Ryder]

[Ensign Ryder's Quarters]
"Blegh, Romulan tech." She scrunched her nose at the mirror. "Too elegant for me. They're like Vulcan ships. Everything has its place. Very little imagination, zero potential. I like my country bumpkin Federation guns. Or a nice bulgy Bird of Prey with slapped on shields right on the abs? Unf." With a smack of her lips to even out the lipstick, she turned, mildly lost. "Wait, what were we talking about again?" Men or ships? Ah, it probably didn't matter. Both. Yes.

"Also, Lek's been giving me a wide berth. I like that," she added, sliding over to him. "Maybe if he leaves me alone long enough today, Beepo here can play music AND jam delta comm frequencies at the same time." She tilted to the side towards the snoozing little gadget on the bed, then gently wiped a tinge of lipstick from Ryder's lips after she smartly kissed him. "Federation bumpkin. Yuuum." 

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

In all honesty, Nathan should have expected Kali's answer.  Knowing her, he wouldn't be surprised if her favorite ship was a Junker made from scrap parts from all over the galaxy. The way her train of thought pulled her off track once again made him smile, but he did not look up from his PADD until she approached him. The kiss she stole was freely given, and he made a mental note to check his appearance once more before he left his quarters. It would hardly do to show up with lipstick stains on his face.

"Or, if you have the spare time and parts, you could build me a similar device for my office? People might appreciate some calming music; if nothing else it would keep me entertained during the quiet times," he added with a softly amused smile. Nathan knew he could always just ask the computer to play the music for him, but sometimes being able to see the source of the sound was more reassuring than being constantly reminded of the ships omniscience.

As a stray thought occurred to him, Nathan thought out loud, "I wonder if anyone on the ship has an aquarium and wouldn't mind trading away a couple of fish... Or we could build a holographic one..." Although now was hardly the time. Their shifts were about to start, and he should be putting his thoughts to the situation at hand; not decorating his new office.

[Kali Reyes]

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

In all honesty, Nathan should have expected Kali's answer.  Knowing her, he wouldn't be surprised if her favorite ship was a Junker made from scrap parts from all over the galaxy. The way her train of thought pulled her off track once again made him smile, but he did not look up from his PADD until she approached him. The kiss she stole was freely given, and he made a mental note to check his appearance once more before he left his quarters. It would hardly do to show up with lipstick stains on his face.

"Or, if you have the spare time and parts, you could build me a similar device for my office? People might appreciate some calming music; if nothing else it would keep me entertained during the quiet times," he added with a softly amused smile. Nathan knew he could always just ask the computer to play the music for him, but sometimes being able to see the source of the sound was more reassuring than being constantly reminded of the ships omniscience.

As a stray thought occurred to him, Nathan thought out loud, "I wonder if anyone on the ship has an aquarium and wouldn't mind trading away a couple of fish... Or we could build a holographic one..." Although now was hardly the time. Their shifts were about to start, and he should be putting his thoughts to the situation at hand; not decorating his new office.

[Ensign Ryder's Quarters]

"Hmmm... another Beepo?" Kali rubbed her chin and glanced at the device. "Maybe a Boopo? 99% music, 1% weapon of mass destruction." Because every device should at least be lethal in case you were in a jam - that was Kali's personal credo - which was funny since she was now dating someone whose job was to deescalate the situation, not exacerbate it.

She had fished Beepo up and rolled it over the palm over hand like it was a gerbil at the mention of aquariums. "I'm your personal handyman now?" she said with a grin. "It's going to cost you. My rates are pretty pricey, but you already know that, don't you?"